bonginoreport--2020-12-19--De Blasio: “Our Mission Is To Redistribute Wealth”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced some big changes to the educational infrastructure in the Big Apple today , in a move that appears to be designed to drive wealthy parents and children away from public schools , and perhaps out of the city altogether .
Making no bones about his stance on wealth New Yorkers , many of whom have already fled the city , de Blasio said `` I like to say very bluntly : our mission is to redistribute wealth .
A lot of people bristle at that phrase , that is in fact the phrase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted his new plans for removing admissions standards for the city 's top middle schools , pulling geographic prioritization from high school admissions , and increasing diversity criteria for a school system that is divided along class , and not racial lines .
`` We can never accept a broken status quo .
We can never go back to a past that did n't work .
COVID , the COVID era has taught us that so clearly , and we need to do better and we will .
And that means a commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of New York City and that certainly takes us to education .
`` Where if you 're talking about the problems of disparity , if you 're talking about structural racism , certainly policing is not the only area to talk about , there are many areas to talk about , and education must be front and center .
`` There has been so much that needed to be addressed in education in New York City .
And from the beginning what I tried to focus on was a very simple concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to profoundly change the distribution of resources .
`` I like to say very bluntly : our mission is to redistribute wealth .
A lot of people bristle at that phrase , that is in fact the phrase we need to use .
We have been doing this work for seven years to more equitably distribute resources throughout our school system .
That means pre-K for all , 3-K for all , advanced placement courses for every high school , including those that never had a single one .
`` It means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many things that we 've tried to do to profoundly rebalance the equation .
Community schools , focusing on schools that needed the help the most in communities that have not been invested in .
That work will continue , this year for sure , this hardest of all school years .
`` But starting in September the Chancellor and I announced our 2021 student achievement plan , which is going to focus on closing the COVID achievement gap and ensuring that there is fairness for our kids , support for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 27 neighborhoods most deeply affected by COVID , and those are black communities , Latino communities , and Asian communities that bore the brunt .
`` So this work has been going on in a lot of different ways over the last seven years , and it has to intensify now given what we 've learned during this most painful of years .
`` As we look beyond this year , we have to understand that there are many different tools , many things that we can do differently .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our disposal to address inequality and to improve the education of all children .
`` Those two things go together , addressing inequality , stopping disparity and improving education for all , that 's one continuous mission . ''
With that , he announced changes to the city 's high school and middle school admissions policies .
`` These changes will improve justice and fairness but they will also make the process simpler and fairer particularly given what we 're dealing with this year , and all the results of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do things . ''
The high school and middle school admissions process , which is about to begin in the city for parents and children , will undergo drastic changes .
So-called screened schools , which are middle schools that have admissions criteria for entry , will no longer be allowed to have admissions criteria for the coming year .
These standards for entry will be `` paused '' for the academic year .
For high school , priority for admission will no longer be given to students who are geographically zoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expanded over the next four years , and the plan is to expand it to many more districts .
De Blasio touted the success of these diversity planning programs , and said it was `` better for everyone and more inclusive of everyone , '' but he did n't say what that meant or what the guideposts were for ascertaining that success .

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced some big changes to the educational infrastructure in the Big Apple today, in a move that appears to be designed to drive wealthy parents and children away from public schools, and perhaps out of the city altogether.
Making no bones about his stance on wealth New Yorkers, many of whom have already fled the city, de Blasio said "I like to say very bluntly: our mission is to redistribute wealth. A lot of people bristle at that phrase, that is in fact the phrase we need to use."
He touted his new plans for removing admissions standards for the city's top middle schools, pulling geographic prioritization from high school admissions, and increasing diversity criteria for a school system that is divided along class, and not racial lines.
"We can never accept a broken status quo. We can never go back to a past that didn't work. COVID, the COVID era has taught us that so clearly, and we need to do better and we will. And that means a commitment to fighting disparities and inequality in the life of New York City and that certainly takes us to education.
"Where if you're talking about the problems of disparity, if you're talking about structural racism, certainly policing is not the only area to talk about, there are many areas to talk about, and education must be front and center.
"There has been so much that needed to be addressed in education in New York City. And from the beginning what I tried to focus on was a very simple concept: Equity and excellence. That we needed to profoundly change the distribution of resources.
"I like to say very bluntly: our mission is to redistribute wealth. A lot of people bristle at that phrase, that is in fact the phrase we need to use. We have been doing this work for seven years to more equitably distribute resources throughout our school system. That means pre-K for all, 3-K for all, advanced placement courses for every high school, including those that never had a single one.
"It means changing school funding formulas, there's so many things that we've tried to do to profoundly rebalance the equation. Community schools, focusing on schools that needed the help the most in communities that have not been invested in. That work will continue, this year for sure, this hardest of all school years.
"But starting in September the Chancellor and I announced our 2021 student achievement plan, which is going to focus on closing the COVID achievement gap and ensuring that there is fairness for our kids, support for them, but with a special focus on the 27 neighborhoods most deeply affected by COVID, and those are black communities, Latino communities, and Asian communities that bore the brunt.
"So this work has been going on in a lot of different ways over the last seven years, and it has to intensify now given what we've learned during this most painful of years.
"As we look beyond this year, we have to understand that there are many different tools, many things that we can do differently. And it's time to start using every tool at our disposal to address inequality and to improve the education of all children.
"Those two things go together, addressing inequality, stopping disparity and improving education for all, that's one continuous mission."
With that, he announced changes to the city's high school and middle school admissions policies.
He’s doing a great job. He’s redistributed an enormous amount of wealth to Florida. https://t.co/WIKmWiz7o0 — David 1.4% Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 18, 2020
"These changes will improve justice and fairness but they will also make the process simpler and fairer particularly given what we're dealing with this year, and all the results of the coronavirus that have changed the way we have to do things."
The high school and middle school admissions process, which is about to begin in the city for parents and children, will undergo drastic changes.
So-called screened schools, which are middle schools that have admissions criteria for entry, will no longer be allowed to have admissions criteria for the coming year. These standards for entry will be "paused" for the academic year.
For high school, priority for admission will no longer be given to students who are geographically zoned for particular schools. Diversity planning will be expanded over the next four years, and the plan is to expand it to many more districts.
De Blasio touted the success of these diversity planning programs, and said it was "better for everyone and more inclusive of everyone," but he didn't say what that meant or what the guideposts were for ascertaining that success.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--President Trump: Voting Machines Could Have Been Target of Cyberattack

President Trump on Saturday claimed that a recent high-level breach of multiple U.S. agencies and secure networks may have also @ @ @ @ @ voting infrastructure .
Writing on the attack on Twitter on Saturday afternoon , Trump claimed @ @ @ @ @ far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality .
I have been fully @ @ @ @ @ under control . ''
Claiming that the hack could have come from China in spite @ @ @ @ @ originated in Russia , Trump further argued : `` There could also have been a @ @ @ @ @ machines during the election , which is now obvious that I won big , making @ @ @ @ @ embarrassment for the USA . ''
The hack reportedly breached multiple U.S. agencies including U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Department of the Treasuy .

President Trump on Saturday claimed that a recent high-level breach of multiple U.S. agencies and secure networks may have also extended to the nation's voting infrastructure.
Writing on the attack on Twitter on Saturday afternoon, Trump claimed that the controversy was "far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control."
Claiming that the hack could have come from China in spite of intelligence assessments that it originated in Russia, Trump further argued: "There could also have been a hit on our ridiculous voting machines during the election, which is now obvious that I won big, making it an even more corrupted embarrassment for the USA."
The hack reportedly breached multiple U.S. agencies including U.S. nuclear security networks and the Department of the Treasuy.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Feds Take Down Fake Vaccine Websites Being Used by Scammers

Fraudulent websites used similar names , trademarked logos and graphics as biotechnology companies developing COVID-19 vaccines to steal personal information from users , Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Friday .
Domain names “ mordernatx.com ” and “ regeneronmedicals.com ” were seized after Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) officials learned the websites were collecting personal data from users , according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
An investigation revealed that the websites were collecting personal data from visitors to commit fraud , phishing attacks , and to deploy malware such as viruses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ICE HSI utilized its broad investigative authority to protect consumers from the increasing and evolving threat posed by COVID-19-related fraud and criminal activity , ” ICE ’ s Homeland Security Investigations Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner said in a statement .
“ Now , under Operation Stolen Promise 2.0 , HSI ’ s focus has expanded to combat the next wave of anticipated fraud related to the COVID-19 vaccine and other treatments , ” Benner added .
People who visit the sites will receive a message that the domains were seized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant issued by the U.S. Court for the District Court of Maryland .
“ These individuals took advantage of fear during the global pandemic and attempted to steal personal information for nefarious purposes , ” HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge John Eisert said in a statement .
An investigation into the websites began in December 2020 after one of the company ’ s corporate security found one of the fake domains , according to ICE .
The other domain was found by an ongoing ICE HSI operation that focuses on publicly available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was reported on Dec. 10 by the global head of corporate security for Moderna , a biotechnology company based in Cambridge , Massachusetts , whose COVID-19 vaccine was approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration Friday , according to ICE and the FDA .
The fraudulent website looked nearly identical to Moderna ’ s official website , though there was a slight spelling error in the company name , according to ICE .
Personal information was collected by a company based in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , through an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” tab .
( RELATED : FDA Grants Moderna ’ s Coronavirus Vaccine Emergency Authorization ) “ Regeneronmedicals.com ” was detected on Dec. 9 by an ongoing HSI ICE investigation , according to ICE .
The fraudulent domain was visually similar to a company based in Westchester County , New York , that received emergency authorization from the FDA to distribute a COVID-19 antibody cocktail used to treat patients .
The fraudulent website contained a Voice over IP number and two email addresses not on the official website , according to ICE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Onitsha Anambra , Nigeria .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Fraudulent websites used similar names, trademarked logos and graphics as biotechnology companies developing COVID-19 vaccines to steal personal information from users, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Friday.
Domain names “mordernatx.com” and “regeneronmedicals.com” were seized after Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials learned the websites were collecting personal data from users, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An investigation revealed that the websites were collecting personal data from visitors to commit fraud, phishing attacks, and to deploy malware such as viruses and spyware.
“Under Operation Stolen Promise, ICE HSI utilized its broad investigative authority to protect consumers from the increasing and evolving threat posed by COVID-19-related fraud and criminal activity,” ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner said in a statement.
“Now, under Operation Stolen Promise 2.0, HSI’s focus has expanded to combat the next wave of anticipated fraud related to the COVID-19 vaccine and other treatments,” Benner added.
Prosecutors say the websites collected visitors’ personal information. That data could be used later for fraud, phishing attacks or the deployment of malware. https://t.co/4K0axQbLFb — WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) December 19, 2020
People who visit the sites will receive a message that the domains were seized by the federal government via a seizure warrant issued by the U.S. Court for the District Court of Maryland.
“These individuals took advantage of fear during the global pandemic and attempted to steal personal information for nefarious purposes,” HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge John Eisert said in a statement.
An investigation into the websites began in December 2020 after one of the company’s corporate security found one of the fake domains, according to ICE. The other domain was found by an ongoing ICE HSI operation that focuses on publicly available websites that seem suspicious.
“Mordernatx.com” was reported on Dec. 10 by the global head of corporate security for Moderna, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose COVID-19 vaccine was approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration Friday, according to ICE and the FDA.
The fraudulent website looked nearly identical to Moderna’s official website, though there was a slight spelling error in the company name, according to ICE. Personal information was collected by a company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through an online form on the “contact us” tab. (RELATED: FDA Grants Moderna’s Coronavirus Vaccine Emergency Authorization)
“Regeneronmedicals.com” was detected on Dec. 9 by an ongoing HSI ICE investigation, according to ICE. The fraudulent domain was visually similar to a company based in Westchester County, New York, that received emergency authorization from the FDA to distribute a COVID-19 antibody cocktail used to treat patients.
The fraudulent website contained a Voice over IP number and two email addresses not on the official website, according to ICE. The domain was registered to an individual in Onitsha Anambra, Nigeria.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Biden’s Forceful Defense of Hunter Unintentionally Make the Case For a Special Counsel

Federalist Senior Editor Mollie Hemingway said Friday that President-elect Joe Biden ’ s arduous defenses of his son , Hunter Biden were actually making the case for President Donald Trump to appoint a special counsel before leaving office next month .
“ The guidance for when to start a special counsel is when there ’ s a conflict of interest , ” Hemingway explained .
“ Joe Biden has already said he thinks this is a fraudulent investigation .
He says he loves his son and does not believe he is capable of doing anything wrong .
There is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has been saying to make it questionable about whether he will allow this Justice Department investigation to continue unabated.
” Hemingway continued , emphasizing the overwhelming trove of evidence released in recent weeks since the New York Post ’ s laptop exposé in October amounted to a far more credible case to the idea the Biden ’ s are compromised by China , as a Biden business partner has claimed on record , than there ever was to indict President Donald Trump as a Kremlin agent .
“ If you really believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoax , there ’ s no question that there should be a special counsel instigated now , ” Hemingway said .
“ And that doesn ’ t get into the fact that Joe Biden has said things contrary to the public record about how involved he was in the Biden family business.
” Biden even fat-shamed an Iowa voter during the Democratic primaries when pushed on the issue , making claims contradicted by both a Senate report out in September and the New York Post ’ s blockbuster reporting in October unearthing new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denials as lies .

Federalist Senior Editor Mollie Hemingway said Friday that President-elect Joe Biden’s arduous defenses of his son, Hunter Biden were actually making the case for President Donald Trump to appoint a special counsel before leaving office next month.
“The guidance for when to start a special counsel is when there’s a conflict of interest,” Hemingway explained. “Joe Biden has already said he thinks this is a fraudulent investigation. He says he loves his son and does not believe he is capable of doing anything wrong. There is already enough problem here posed by what Joe Biden has been saying to make it questionable about whether he will allow this Justice Department investigation to continue unabated.”
Hemingway continued, emphasizing the overwhelming trove of evidence released in recent weeks since the New York Post’s laptop exposé in October amounted to a far more credible case to the idea the Biden’s are compromised by China, as a Biden business partner has claimed on record, than there ever was to indict President Donald Trump as a Kremlin agent.
“If you really believe what everybody said during the Russia collusion hoax, there’s no question that there should be a special counsel instigated now,” Hemingway said. “And that doesn’t get into the fact that Joe Biden has said things contrary to the public record about how involved he was in the Biden family business.”
Biden even fat-shamed an Iowa voter during the Democratic primaries when pushed on the issue, making claims contradicted by both a Senate report out in September and the New York Post’s blockbuster reporting in October unearthing new documents exposing Joe Biden’s repeated denials as lies.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Why Rachel Maddow Came to Tucker’s Defense

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow went to bat for Fox News ' Tucker Carlson during a recent interview on Mediaite 's `` The Interview '' podcast .
Maddow argued that her former MSNBC colleague is actually who he portrays himself out to be on cable news and that he is indeed the same person he was when he hosted `` Tucker '' on MSNBC from 2005 to 2008 before moving to Fox News .
`` I think the thing that Tucker gets a knock for that he does n't deserve is this idea that he 's evolved and changed in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been that guy .
He is legitimately that guy .
He is not faking it .
He comes by his beliefs and his convictions and even his ton of voice , quite naturally , he is not putting it on , '' Maddow told Mediaite 's Aidan McLaughlin .
The MSNBC host stated that if viewers rewatched the early episodes of Tucker on MSNBC , they would see that he really is `` the same guy '' as he currently is today .
According to Maddow , the reason Tucker Carlson gets so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conservatives , in general , are `` latched onto '' his point of view .
In other words , she believes viewers tune into Carlson 's show so they feel vindicated by someone who also shares their own beliefs .
`` The Republican Party and conservatives are latched onto that point of view now and like it , or at least have , I think broadly speaking through the Trump years , '' she explained .
“ A president got into office who articulated many of the most controversial things that Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of hot in terms of riling people up and attracting controversy and attracting attention.
” She explained that Carlson does a better job articulating some of President Donald Trump 's ideas than the president himself does , which is why he is popular amongst those on the right .
“ It ’ s a powerful thing to hear somebody with Tucker ’ s delivery and capability as a TV communicator articulating the same ideas that the president — forgive me — is sort of braying about on Twitter , all caps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Maddow said .
“ But you put those two things together and it can resonate in a way that moves people and becomes in that case , I think , a very powerful political force.
” Maddow stated that not only has Tucker Carlson been doing the same thing since the early 2000s but so has she .
`` If you look at me on Tucker 's show in 2005 , or whenever that was , and you look at Tucker in 2005 , we 're still the same people but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to offer , has waxed and waned over the years with our cable news fortune , '' the MSNBC host said .
The reason so many Americans enjoy Tucker Carlson is because he has a way of breaking down complex stories and situations in a way that everyday Americans – those who are not constantly consumed by what is taking place in Washington , D.C. – can understand .
He connects the dots between what elected officials have said in the past , what they are currently doing and their plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of asking rhetorical questions that get viewers asking critical questions .
That is why so many tune into his show .

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow went to bat for Fox News' Tucker Carlson during a recent interview on Mediaite's "The Interview" podcast.
Maddow argued that her former MSNBC colleague is actually who he portrays himself out to be on cable news and that he is indeed the same person he was when he hosted "Tucker" on MSNBC from 2005 to 2008 before moving to Fox News.
"I think the thing that Tucker gets a knock for that he doesn't deserve is this idea that he's evolved and changed in some radical new direction. Tucker has always been that guy. He is legitimately that guy. He is not faking it. He comes by his beliefs and his convictions and even his ton of voice, quite naturally, he is not putting it on," Maddow told Mediaite's Aidan McLaughlin.
The MSNBC host stated that if viewers rewatched the early episodes of Tucker on MSNBC, they would see that he really is "the same guy" as he currently is today.
According to Maddow, the reason Tucker Carlson gets so much attention is because the Republican Party and conservatives, in general, are "latched onto" his point of view. In other words, she believes viewers tune into Carlson's show so they feel vindicated by someone who also shares their own beliefs.
"The Republican Party and conservatives are latched onto that point of view now and like it, or at least have, I think broadly speaking through the Trump years," she explained. “A president got into office who articulated many of the most controversial things that Tucker has long advocated and that were most sort of hot in terms of riling people up and attracting controversy and attracting attention.”
She explained that Carlson does a better job articulating some of President Donald Trump's ideas than the president himself does, which is why he is popular amongst those on the right.
“It’s a powerful thing to hear somebody with Tucker’s delivery and capability as a TV communicator articulating the same ideas that the president — forgive me — is sort of braying about on Twitter, all caps, misspelled, and all those things,” Maddow said. “But you put those two things together and it can resonate in a way that moves people and becomes in that case, I think, a very powerful political force.”
Maddow stated that not only has Tucker Carlson been doing the same thing since the early 2000s but so has she.
"If you look at me on Tucker's show in 2005, or whenever that was, and you look at Tucker in 2005, we're still the same people but I think the appetite for what we bring, to offer, has waxed and waned over the years with our cable news fortune," the MSNBC host said.
Rachel Maddow dismissed a common criticism of Tucker Carlson: That he has changed his beliefs.
"He is not faking it," she told Mediaite's @aidnmclaughlin on the latest episode of The Interview https://t.co/H1ZWv5HHkW pic.twitter.com/9m8XWX7I9o — Mediaite (@Mediaite) December 18, 2020
The reason so many Americans enjoy Tucker Carlson is because he has a way of breaking down complex stories and situations in a way that everyday Americans – those who are not constantly consumed by what is taking place in Washington, D.C. – can understand. He connects the dots between what elected officials have said in the past, what they are currently doing and their plans for the future. Tucker has a way of asking rhetorical questions that get viewers asking critical questions. That is why so many tune into his show.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Michigan Votes to Repeal Law That Gave Gov Whitmer Emergency Powers

The Michigan House of Representatives voted on Friday in favour of repealing a law from 1945 which allowed Governor Gretchen Whitmer to issue many coronavirus-related restriction orders , MLive reports .
The legislature voted in favour 53-47 .
The bill seeks to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act , which Whitmer used to introduce mask mandates , close businesses , and limit the size of gatherings during the early months of the pandemic .
Michigan Republicans have been highly critical of Whitmer 's use of emergency powers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , with some legislators going as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Governor .
Whitmer has in turn criticized Republicans for failing to support what she deems to be necessary health measures .
One Michigan legislator , Rep. Aaron Miller , said that regardless of the governor 's conduct during the pandemic , the law gives too much power to the highest office in the state .
`` I do n't care who the governor is—I think it 's improper levels of power .
This is not what ought to be in our state laws .
This is handing over the keys . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Democratic Rep. Yousef Rabhi arguing that the original law was passed `` for the intent and express purpose of saving lives during an emergency , '' and further suggesting that Republican legislators did not do enough during the pandemic .
Despite Republicans controlling both houses of the Michigan legislature , the repeal would need the approval of Governor Whitmer herself to pass , and the Republicans do not have sufficient numbers in the legislature to override a veto .
Whitmer has already expressed opposition to limiting the power of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Michigan House of Representatives voted on Friday in favour of repealing a law from 1945 which allowed Governor Gretchen Whitmer to issue many coronavirus-related restriction orders, MLive reports. The legislature voted in favour 53-47.
The bill seeks to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act, which Whitmer used to introduce mask mandates, close businesses, and limit the size of gatherings during the early months of the pandemic.
Michigan Republicans have been highly critical of Whitmer's use of emergency powers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with some legislators going as far as to introduce Articles of Impeachment against the Governor. Whitmer has in turn criticized Republicans for failing to support what she deems to be necessary health measures.
One Michigan legislator, Rep. Aaron Miller, said that regardless of the governor's conduct during the pandemic, the law gives too much power to the highest office in the state. "I don't care who the governor is—I think it's improper levels of power. This is not what ought to be in our state laws. This is handing over the keys."
Democrats have criticized the bill, however, with Democratic Rep. Yousef Rabhi arguing that the original law was passed "for the intent and express purpose of saving lives during an emergency," and further suggesting that Republican legislators did not do enough during the pandemic.
Despite Republicans controlling both houses of the Michigan legislature, the repeal would need the approval of Governor Whitmer herself to pass, and the Republicans do not have sufficient numbers in the legislature to override a veto. Whitmer has already expressed opposition to limiting the power of the state executive, a seat which she holds.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Barr, a Typical Creature of Washington

Barr, a Typical Creature of Washington

In June , Attorney General Bill Barr sat for an in CNN ’ s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and predicted widespread fraud with mail in voting .
He said : “ People trying to change the rules to this , to this methodology – which , as a matter of logic , is very open to fraud and coercion – is reckless and dangerous and people are playing with fire.
” At the time , Barr was the nation ’ s top law enforcement officer with an obligation to prevent election fraud under a bevy of federal statutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe an investigation of Silicon Valley billionaires ballot harvesting in black neighborhoods , for starters , and then a warrant for surveillance cameras at counting facilities in Philadelphia , Milwaukee , Atlanta and Detroit , with federal agents on hand to double check the chain of custody of boxes coming through the back door .
Instead , election integrity was preserved with federal investigations to prevent nonexistent seditious activity emanating from dubious white militias .
The “ reckless and dangerous ” mail-in ballot operation the Attorney General warned about was ignored .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions no longer work for the common good and instead serve the idiosyncratic preferences of the sclerotic establishment .
Picking a bombastic outsider is the only way that 75-million Americans know to tell them to cut it out .
In private practice , he was a highly compensated conduit to power , because being the former Attorney General , or ex-FBI Director , or alum of any office that confers a vendable credential pays big bucks in DC .
He is sufficiently deluded by beltway noise that he does not realize his pandering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bush ’ s Attorney General – for instance by authoring in 1992 The Case for More Incarceration – was simply grist for the outrage mill that perpetuates the swindle .
Based on the musings of General Barr , Senator Joe Biden spearheaded a crime bill in 1993 .
He sold the bill as a way to take “ predators ” who were “ beyond the pale ” off the streets .
Insiders on both sides help one another perform their Kabuki dance as public servants for the next election even as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign money .
H.L .
Mencken observed that , “ The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed ( and hence clamorous to be led to safety ) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins , all of them imaginary.
” Barr was appointed AG the second time because he penned a 20-page memo proposing that when the president protests against a ridiculous investigation into whether he colluded with Vladimir Putin to steal an election , he is not obstructing justice .
You know , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s protests against election fraud investigations means he should get indicted for obstruction under 18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 73 .
Any first year law student could tell you that .
If you were a warm body willing to help Trump escape a frivolous criminal charge , though , you got a promotion from the practice squad straight into the starting lineup .
As Trump ’ s Attorney General , Barr served the same cadre of Washington insiders as he did the first time , many of whom were still there because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election , a concerned citizen turned over to federal authorities a laptop that had irrefutable evidence of a Biden family operation to sell influence in China , with 10 percent of the take going to “ the big guy ” – who happened to be the democratic candidate then running for president .
The nation ’ s intelligence agencies mobilized on behalf of the Biden family to call the concerned citizen a Russian stooge , and the contents of the laptop Russian disinformation .
At the time – we didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been investigating the very activities confirmed in the laptop .
Barr knew , obviously , that the slander against the concerned citizen was just deep state tripe to protect the Bidens .
Yet Barr sat on his hands , kept his mouth shut , and let the whistleblower suffer vicious public attack , because Washington insiders put the establishment first even against the heroic decency of the little guy .
For two years Barr had investigated the greatest political scandal in American history .
The Washington establishment , along with the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , ran protection for the democratic candidate in 2016 by calling embarrassing disclosures about her Russian disinformation – and , when that dirty trick somehow did not get her elected , carrying the hoax into the Trump presidency to cause maximum political damage .
For more on that , please do yourself a favor and read about the sordid scandal in my short ebook , The Russia Lie .
I propose in the book that the scam was a political operation to vilify Donald Trump by falsely claiming Russian election interference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ released notes John Brennan took of a meeting with Barack Obama that confirmed my controversial take .
Brennan wrote that Hillary Clinton was planning to “ vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.
” Yeah , but I said it better .
If someone like me sitting at a desk in Pittsburgh can figure this out , then the Attorney General ’ s head-in-the-sand failure to expose the lie amounts to an intentional cover-up sourced in deliberate indifference .
As with the Biden laptop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators was to protect his friends and neighbors in Washington , the Republic be damned .
Some minor flunky at the FBI will go to go to jail , and everyone else is going to escape to their lucrative cable television deals .
Because the fix , as always , was in .
The 75-million who voted for Trump feel cheated but they ’ re not going anywhere .
Their ranks will increase as Washington ’ s Rube Goldberg-ian governance wreaks havoc and the dissatisfied look for an alternative .
Our side should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would be a “ will definitely win ” except Republican officials in various key states passed permanent mail-in voting laws ostensibly to address the short-term contingencies of a temporary pandemic .
Yes , the Republican Party is staffed with a bunch of “ bilbars ” ( inventing a word here ) at the highest levels .
The “ reckless and dangerous playing with fire ” will continue , with Republican hopes pinned on electing conscientious candidates even though state elections will be fixed by vote harvesting and back door shenanigans into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful .
Popular movements are best when they overcome even official corruption .
When Trump wins in 2024 , he must avoid hiring swamp dwellers to drain the swamp .
Of all the things I ’ ve written about Trumpism in the last four or so years , my favorite is this – nailed the problem a few months into the presidency .
There ’ s got to be a law professor in Ohio who actually voted for Trump who can be tapped for the position of Attorney General next time .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arendt knew , beholden insiders who prefer prestige to principle is the banality of evil .
Oh , and whoever came up with the idea of landing Air Force One and Marine One at small airports to hold rallies , give that person whatever job he or she wants .
It contributed to one of the greatest landslides in American presidential history .

In June, Attorney General Bill Barr sat for an interview in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and predicted widespread fraud with mail in voting.
He said: “People trying to change the rules to this, to this methodology – which, as a matter of logic, is very open to fraud and coercion – is reckless and dangerous and people are playing with fire.”
At the time, Barr was the nation’s top law enforcement officer with an obligation to prevent election fraud under a bevy of federal statutes.
What Barr Could’ve Done.
Maybe an investigation of Silicon Valley billionaires ballot harvesting in black neighborhoods, for starters, and then a warrant for surveillance cameras at counting facilities in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Detroit, with federal agents on hand to double check the chain of custody of boxes coming through the back door.
Instead, election integrity was preserved with federal investigations to prevent nonexistent seditious activity emanating from dubious white militias. The “reckless and dangerous” mail-in ballot operation the Attorney General warned about was ignored.
Trump’s political rise is because our institutions no longer work for the common good and instead serve the idiosyncratic preferences of the sclerotic establishment. Picking a bombastic outsider is the only way that 75-million Americans know to tell them to cut it out.
Barr, A Typical Washingtonian Creature.
In private practice, Barr was a highly compensated conduit to power, because being the former Attorney General, or ex-FBI Director, or alum of any office that confers a vendable credential pays big bucks in DC.
He is sufficiently deluded by beltway noise that he does not realize his pandering to shallow political interests as George H.W. Bush’s Attorney General – for instance by authoring in 1992 The Case for More Incarceration – was simply grist for the outrage mill that perpetuates the swindle.
Based on the musings of General Barr, Senator Joe Biden spearheaded a crime bill in 1993. He sold the bill as a way to take “predators” who were “beyond the pale” off the streets.
Because that’s how Washington works.
Insiders on both sides help one another perform their Kabuki dance as public servants for the next election even as they pocket a Delaware mansion’s worth of foreign money.
H.L. Mencken observed that, “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”
The Shill Continues.
Barr was appointed AG the second time because he penned a 20-page memo proposing that when the president protests against a ridiculous investigation into whether he colluded with Vladimir Putin to steal an election, he is not obstructing justice.
You know, like how nobody is suggesting that Joe Biden’s protests against election fraud investigations means he should get indicted for obstruction under 18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 73.
Any first year law student could tell you that. If you were a warm body willing to help Trump escape a frivolous criminal charge, though, you got a promotion from the practice squad straight into the starting lineup.
As Trump’s Attorney General, Barr served the same cadre of Washington insiders as he did the first time, many of whom were still there because the game works so flawlessly.
The Hard Drive From Hell.
Weeks before the 2020 election, a concerned citizen turned over to federal authorities a laptop that had irrefutable evidence of a Biden family operation to sell influence in China, with 10 percent of the take going to “the big guy” – who happened to be the democratic candidate then running for president.
The nation’s intelligence agencies mobilized on behalf of the Biden family to call the concerned citizen a Russian stooge, and the contents of the laptop Russian disinformation.
At the time – we didn’t know it – the Justice Department had been investigating the very activities confirmed in the laptop.
Barr knew, obviously, that the slander against the concerned citizen was just deep state tripe to protect the Bidens.
Yet Barr sat on his hands, kept his mouth shut, and let the whistleblower suffer vicious public attack, because Washington insiders put the establishment first even against the heroic decency of the little guy.
The Russia Lie.
For two years Barr had investigated the greatest political scandal in American history.
The Washington establishment, along with the FBI, the CIA, and foreign intelligence services, ran protection for the democratic candidate in 2016 by calling embarrassing disclosures about her Russian disinformation – and, when that dirty trick somehow did not get her elected, carrying the hoax into the Trump presidency to cause maximum political damage.
For more on that, please do yourself a favor and read about the sordid scandal in my short ebook, The Russia Lie. I propose in the book that the scam was a political operation to vilify Donald Trump by falsely claiming Russian election interference.
A week after publication, the DNI released notes John Brennan took of a meeting with Barack Obama that confirmed my controversial take.
Brennan wrote that Hillary Clinton was planning to “vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.”
Yeah, but I said it better.
If someone like me sitting at a desk in Pittsburgh can figure this out, then the Attorney General’s head-in-the-sand failure to expose the lie amounts to an intentional cover-up sourced in deliberate indifference.
As with the Biden laptop, Barr’s first impulse investigating the investigators was to protect his friends and neighbors in Washington, the Republic be damned. Some minor flunky at the FBI will go to jail, and everyone else is going to escape to their lucrative cable television deals.
Because the fix, as always, was in.
Now What?
The 75-million who voted for Trump feel cheated but they’re not going anywhere. Their ranks will increase as Washington’s Rube Goldberg-ian governance wreaks havoc and the dissatisfied look for an alternative.
Our side should win the next few election cycles. That would be a “will definitely win” except Republican officials in various key states passed permanent mail-in voting laws ostensibly to address the short-term contingencies of a temporary pandemic.
Yes, the Republican Party is staffed with a bunch of “bilbars” (inventing a word here) at the highest levels.
The “reckless and dangerous playing with fire” will continue, with Republican hopes pinned on electing conscientious candidates even though state elections will be fixed by vote harvesting and back door shenanigans into the foreseeable future.
It is dire but hopeful. Popular movements are best when they overcome even official corruption.
When Trump wins in 2024, he must avoid hiring swamp dwellers to drain the swamp. Of all the things I’ve written about Trumpism in the last four or so years, my favorite is this – nailed the problem a few months into the presidency.
There’s got to be a law professor in Ohio who actually voted for Trump who can be tapped for the position of Attorney General next time.
No more bilbars, please. As Hannah Arendt knew, beholden insiders who prefer prestige to principle is the banality of evil.
Oh, and whoever came up with the idea of landing Air Force One and Marine One at small airports to hold rallies, give that person whatever job he or she wants.
It contributed to one of the greatest landslides in American presidential history.


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--With Facebook Lawsuit, FTC Has Chance to Show It Isn’t Toothless

With its groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit against Facebook , the Federal Trade Commission is facing more than just a fight against a multi-billion dollar tech giant — it 's battling to regain credibility that could determine its future .
The FTC was roundly criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle following privacy settlements tech hawks deemed to be toothless .
In July 2019 , the agency settled a privacy investigation into Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal for $ 5 billion , representing about 9 % of the company 's 2018 revenue .
Shortly after , it settled alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube for $ 170 million .
`` The FTC is foolish & foolhardy to rely on money alone to punish decades of past privacy violations & ongoing profiteering , '' Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , tweeted at the time of the Facebook settlement .
Long before that , the agency closed an investigation into Google 's competitive practices without bringing charges recommended by staff .
Nearly a decade later , the DOJ has taken up competition charges against the search giant .
The perceived failure of the commission to hold tech giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers has threatened the FTC 's very existence .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, proposed last year relegating the entire agency to become a division of the Justice Department and consolidating all of its competition enforcement power under the DOJ Antitrust Division .
That gives the FTC 's actions against Big Tech firms added significance .
The FTC is different from the DOJ in that it is independent from other branches of government .
FTC Chairman Joe Simons testified last year that structure is actually what makes the agency so valuable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makan Delrahim that splitting antitrust enforcement power between two agencies causes inefficiencies .
That was the backdrop in which Simons made the decision to break from his Republican peers to be the deciding vote in bringing an antitrust case against Facebook in federal court .
Just about a week later , he joined most of his colleagues in voting for a broad study into the privacy practices of nine tech companies .
Simons made it a priority during his time at the helm of the commission to expand and concentrate its expertise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the FTC 's thinking .
That meant creating a Technology Task Force within the commission , which is now known as the Technology Enforcement Division .
It was within this context that the FTC decided to pursue an antitrust investigation into Facebook .
Facebook first disclosed the investigation last year , just after its $ 5 billion fine from the agency .
The FTC typically opens conduct investigations after one of three things happen , according to the source : 1 ) someone complains about a company 's behavior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department refer a case to the agency , or 3 ) new information comes to light through public reporting .
For Facebook , it was the third option that prompted the investigation , the source said , declining to specify the new information that set it in motion .
The FTC 's decision to press charges in the Facebook case was applauded by its recent critics .
The lawsuit is a sweeping indictment of Facebook 's operations and acquisition strategy , which the commission argues demonstrates its attempts to illegally maintain monopoly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case focuses primarily on Facebook 's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp — two mergers the FTC got to review before they were consummated .
Facebook 's chief counsel called the lawsuit an attempt for the government to get a `` do-over , sending a chilling warning to American business that no sale is ever final . ''
While as a matter of law , the FTC 's decisions not to block the mergers at the outset extend no presumption of legality , Facebook will likely continue to press the point in court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of these warning signs were there , '' Delrahim , the DOJ antitrust chief , said in an interview with CNBC this week .
`` If you go back to Microsoft , the Federal Trade Commission also looked at that and did n't bring a case until the Justice Department in the Clinton administration took it up under Joel Klein and brought the case .
That is not an FTC versus DOJ comment , but it is a commentary that sometimes when you do n't have decision making in an executive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be optimal . ''
Delrahim favors a structure where responsibility is concentrated in one individual , like at the Antitrust Division , where he has the final say in bringing an enforcement action .
At the FTC , by contrast , five commissioners must vote on whether to bring an action , with no more than three commissioners at a time coming from the same political party .
`` There 's no question in my mind that the right thing to be doing is combining the two agencies , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make , '' Delrahim said .
The source familiar with the FTC 's thinking defended the commission 's structure , saying the bipartisan tradition of the agency means that cases go through rigorous debate and vetting before they ever reach public eyes , making them stronger along the way .
They pointed to the FTC 's litigation record , rebutting the idea that the deliberative model has slowed down its efforts .
The agency has brought important , if less widely followed , antirust cases in the tech sector over past several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-prescribing platform Surescripts , they added .
When it comes to the Facebook case itself , Delrahim described many parts of it as `` sound , '' particularly the aspect involving Facebook 's alleged use of its application programming interfaces ( APIs ) to cut off competitors from its platform .
He also defended the legitimacy of privacy as an element of potential consumer harm .
`` The issue of privacy as a quality element of competition is a very legitimate issue , '' Delrahim said .
`` A lot of people over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only looking at price effects and that 's just not true . ''
Just bringing such a sweeping lawsuit is already a significant step for the FTC .
But it comes with high stakes .
If the government fails to prove its case in court , it risks creating more case law that will be unfavorable to future monopoly challenges , possibly further chilling enforcement in the area .
But if it wins , it could usher in a new era of antitrust enforcement .
`` If you never bring a Section 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government , you start to embolden monopolists , '' said Sam Weinstein , a former DOJ antitrust attorney who now teaches at Cardozo Law .
`` They start to think , 'we can kind of do whatever we want here , the government is afraid to litigate . '
'' Weinstein said the cases themselves `` are terrible PR '' for the companies and shows peers `` the government has the will to do this .
It 's not longer theoretical ; it 's happening . ''
WATCH : Here 's why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Big Tech after the House antitrust report

With its groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit against Facebook , the Federal Trade Commission is facing more than just a fight against a multi-billion dollar tech giant — it's battling to regain credibility that could determine its future.
The FTC was roundly criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle following privacy settlements tech hawks deemed to be toothless. In July 2019, the agency settled a privacy investigation into Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal for $5 billion, representing about 9% of the company's 2018 revenue. Shortly after, it settled alleged violations of children's privacy on Google-owned YouTube for $170 million.
"The FTC is foolish & foolhardy to rely on money alone to punish decades of past privacy violations & ongoing profiteering," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., tweeted at the time of the Facebook settlement.
Long before that, the agency closed an investigation into Google's competitive practices without bringing charges recommended by staff. Nearly a decade later, the DOJ has taken up competition charges against the search giant.
The perceived failure of the commission to hold tech giants to account in the eyes of some lawmakers has threatened the FTC's very existence. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., proposed last year relegating the entire agency to become a division of the Justice Department and consolidating all of its competition enforcement power under the DOJ Antitrust Division.
That gives the FTC's actions against Big Tech firms added significance. The FTC is different from the DOJ in that it is independent from other branches of government. FTC Chairman Joe Simons testified last year that structure is actually what makes the agency so valuable, though he agreed with DOJ antitrust chief Makan Delrahim that splitting antitrust enforcement power between two agencies causes inefficiencies.
That was the backdrop in which Simons made the decision to break from his Republican peers to be the deciding vote in bringing an antitrust case against Facebook in federal court. Just about a week later, he joined most of his colleagues in voting for a broad study into the privacy practices of nine tech companies.
Simons made it a priority during his time at the helm of the commission to expand and concentrate its expertise in the tech sector, said a person familiar with the FTC's thinking. That meant creating a Technology Task Force within the commission, which is now known as the Technology Enforcement Division.
It was within this context that the FTC decided to pursue an antitrust investigation into Facebook. Facebook first disclosed the investigation last year, just after its $5 billion fine from the agency. The FTC typically opens conduct investigations after one of three things happen, according to the source: 1) someone complains about a company's behavior to the commission, 2) states or the Justice Department refer a case to the agency, or 3) new information comes to light through public reporting.
For Facebook, it was the third option that prompted the investigation, the source said, declining to specify the new information that set it in motion.
The FTC's decision to press charges in the Facebook case was applauded by its recent critics. The lawsuit is a sweeping indictment of Facebook's operations and acquisition strategy, which the commission argues demonstrates its attempts to illegally maintain monopoly power in personal social networking. The case focuses primarily on Facebook's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp — two mergers the FTC got to review before they were consummated.
Facebook's chief counsel called the lawsuit an attempt for the government to get a "do-over, sending a chilling warning to American business that no sale is ever final."
While as a matter of law, the FTC's decisions not to block the mergers at the outset extend no presumption of legality, Facebook will likely continue to press the point in court, according to antitrust experts.
"Certainly some of these warning signs were there," Delrahim, the DOJ antitrust chief, said in an interview with CNBC this week. "If you go back to Microsoft, the Federal Trade Commission also looked at that and didn't bring a case until the Justice Department in the Clinton administration took it up under Joel Klein and brought the case. That is not an FTC versus DOJ comment, but it is a commentary that sometimes when you don't have decision making in an executive, decision making becomes much more difficult and may not be optimal."
Delrahim favors a structure where responsibility is concentrated in one individual, like at the Antitrust Division, where he has the final say in bringing an enforcement action. At the FTC, by contrast, five commissioners must vote on whether to bring an action, with no more than three commissioners at a time coming from the same political party.
"There's no question in my mind that the right thing to be doing is combining the two agencies, but that's not a decision that I get to make," Delrahim said.
The source familiar with the FTC's thinking defended the commission's structure, saying the bipartisan tradition of the agency means that cases go through rigorous debate and vetting before they ever reach public eyes, making them stronger along the way. They pointed to the FTC's litigation record, rebutting the idea that the deliberative model has slowed down its efforts. The agency has brought important, if less widely followed, antirust cases in the tech sector over past several years, like against chipmaker Qualcomm and e-prescribing platform Surescripts, they added.
When it comes to the Facebook case itself, Delrahim described many parts of it as "sound," particularly the aspect involving Facebook's alleged use of its application programming interfaces (APIs) to cut off competitors from its platform. He also defended the legitimacy of privacy as an element of potential consumer harm.
"The issue of privacy as a quality element of competition is a very legitimate issue," Delrahim said. "A lot of people over this debate have confused antitrust standards with only looking at price effects and that's just not true."
Just bringing such a sweeping lawsuit is already a significant step for the FTC. But it comes with high stakes. If the government fails to prove its case in court, it risks creating more case law that will be unfavorable to future monopoly challenges, possibly further chilling enforcement in the area.
But if it wins, it could usher in a new era of antitrust enforcement.
"If you never bring a Section 2 [Sherman Antitrust Act] case as the government, you start to embolden monopolists," said Sam Weinstein, a former DOJ antitrust attorney who now teaches at Cardozo Law. "They start to think, 'we can kind of do whatever we want here, the government is afraid to litigate.'"
Weinstein said the cases themselves "are terrible PR" for the companies and shows peers "the government has the will to do this. It's not longer theoretical; it's happening."
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
WATCH: Here's why some experts are calling for a breakup of Big Tech after the House antitrust report


bonginoreport--2020-12-19--Here’s How Spotify Plans to Make Its Huge Investments in Podcasts Pay Off

People walk by the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE ) on the morning that the music streaming service Spotify begins trading shares at the NYSE on April 3 , 2018 in New York City .
Since 2019 , Spotify has spent hundreds of millions of dollars investing in podcasts .
Now it needs to show investors that bet will pay off .
Spotify 's podcast library has been bolstered by high-profile deals like its acquisitions of Gimlet Media , Anchor , Parcast and the Ringer .
It also gained the exclusive rights to Joe Rogan 's podcast , worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has a cult-like following and regularly ranked at the top of the podcast charts .
It has since signed TikTok influencer Addison Rae , Kim Kardashian West , DC Comics , Michelle Obama and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex .
Now it needs to show those investments were worth it .
Analysts say Spotify 's new approach to advertising will help .
`` Once the pieces are in place to monetize podcasts in a scalable way , I think it 's just going to explode the dollars coming into podcasts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Stifel analyst John Egbert told CNBC .
According to an eMarketer forecast , podcast ad spend is projected to surpass $ 1 billion in 2021 .
And Spotify has new tools that will help advertisers glean more from the people who are listening to podcasts , which could help it rake in much more in ad revenue in the coming years .
Traditionally , it 's been tricky to measure the return on an investment in podcast advertising .
Podcasters might know how many listeners downloaded a show , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone listened or whether they listened to ads .
Spotify 's `` Streaming Ad Insertion '' tool , which it introduced earlier this year , dynamically inserts audio ads into podcast streams on its platform , allowing for more targeting and measurement .
For example , advertisers can use the tool to see the age , gender and device type of people who actually heard an ad .
That information is valuable to advertisers , but the tool was initially only used for Spotify 's original and exclusive podcasts .
Now it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its recent $ 235 million acquisition of ad tech company Megaphone .
Megaphone offers technology for podcast publishers and advertisers seeking targeted slots on podcasts .
The deal will give advertisers more scale when it comes to who they can reach , and enable podcast publishers to make money from their shows .
Lots of big companies already use Megaphone to target podcast listeners .
Customers include Google , Microsoft , Verizon , Walmart and AT & T , according to its website .
These sorts of investments in ad tech are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see them invest more in technology to monetize podcasting better and monetize in a variety of markets and monetize their ad-supported customers , '' Pivotal Research Group 's Jeffrey Wlodarczak told CNBC of Spotify 's year ahead .
As streaming ad insertion tech becomes more prominent , and as podcasts continue to explode in popularity , some advertisers may become more comfortable with spending on many of the other third party podcasts available through Spotify .
`` I think what 's going to be key is for Spotify to monetize other third party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's interesting if they monetize their own podcasts , but the real magic would be helping , by using their really unique scale , to bring more ad dollars to podcasting that have ever come to the medium before . ''

People walk by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on the morning that the music streaming service Spotify begins trading shares at the NYSE on April 3, 2018 in New York City.
Since 2019, Spotify has spent hundreds of millions of dollars investing in podcasts. Now it needs to show investors that bet will pay off.
Spotify's podcast library has been bolstered by high-profile deals like its acquisitions of Gimlet Media, Anchor, Parcast and the Ringer. It also gained the exclusive rights to Joe Rogan's podcast, worth an estimated $100 million alone, which has a cult-like following and regularly ranked at the top of the podcast charts. It has since signed TikTok influencer Addison Rae, Kim Kardashian West, DC Comics, Michelle Obama and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Now it needs to show those investments were worth it. Analysts say Spotify's new approach to advertising will help.
"Once the pieces are in place to monetize podcasts in a scalable way, I think it's just going to explode the dollars coming into podcasts. The medium is just made for advertisements," Stifel analyst John Egbert told CNBC.
According to an eMarketer forecast, podcast ad spend is projected to surpass $1 billion in 2021. And Spotify has new tools that will help advertisers glean more from the people who are listening to podcasts, which could help it rake in much more in ad revenue in the coming years.
Traditionally, it's been tricky to measure the return on an investment in podcast advertising. Podcasters might know how many listeners downloaded a show, for example, but don't always know long someone listened or whether they listened to ads.
Spotify's "Streaming Ad Insertion" tool, which it introduced earlier this year, dynamically inserts audio ads into podcast streams on its platform, allowing for more targeting and measurement. For example, advertisers can use the tool to see the age, gender and device type of people who actually heard an ad. That information is valuable to advertisers, but the tool was initially only used for Spotify's original and exclusive podcasts. Now it's opening that up for all podcast publishers with its recent $235 million acquisition of ad tech company Megaphone.
Megaphone offers technology for podcast publishers and advertisers seeking targeted slots on podcasts. The deal will give advertisers more scale when it comes to who they can reach, and enable podcast publishers to make money from their shows. Lots of big companies already use Megaphone to target podcast listeners. Customers include Google , Microsoft , Verizon , Walmart and AT&T , according to its website.
These sorts of investments in ad tech are expected to continue. "You'll see them invest more in technology to monetize podcasting better and monetize in a variety of markets and monetize their ad-supported customers," Pivotal Research Group's Jeffrey Wlodarczak told CNBC of Spotify's year ahead.
As streaming ad insertion tech becomes more prominent, and as podcasts continue to explode in popularity, some advertisers may become more comfortable with spending on many of the other third party podcasts available through Spotify.
"I think what's going to be key is for Spotify to monetize other third party shows," Egbert added. "It's interesting if they monetize their own podcasts, but the real magic would be helping, by using their really unique scale, to bring more ad dollars to podcasting that have ever come to the medium before."
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--NASA Will Not Repair Faulty Electronics Module on Orion Spacecraft Before Launch, Says There Is Suff

NASA Will Not Repair Faulty Electronics Module on Orion Spacecraft Before Launch, Says There Is Sufficient Redundancy

WASHINGTON — NASA will not repair a faulty electronics unit on the Orion spacecraft recently completed for the Artemis 1 mission after concluding there was sufficient redundancy in the overall system .
In a Dec. 17 statement , NASA said it had decided to “ use as is ” one of eight power and data units ( PDU ) on the Orion spacecraft , which provide communications between the spacecraft ’ s computers and other components .
One of two redundant channels in one of two communications cards in that PDU is not working .
NASA announced the problem with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was “ troubleshooting the issue.
” The problem was first reported by The Verge , which said that presentations by prime contractor Lockheed Martin warned it could take up to a year to replace the PDU because it is located in an adapter between the crew module and service module that is inaccessible now that the two modules are mated to each other .
That time estimate assumed that the crew module would be demated from the service module , the PDU repaired , and the two modules combined again and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repairs in just four months , but would require removing panels of the adapter to reach the PDU , something the hardware was not designed for .
NASA , in its statement about deciding not to replace the PDU , did not go into details about the repair options , but said that the risks of damaging the spacecraft during the PDU repair outweighed any loss of data should the unit completely malfunction .
Engineers , the agency stated , “ determined that due to the limited accessibility to this particular box , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft systems , and other factors , the risk of collateral damage outweighed the risk associated with the loss of one leg of redundancy in a highly redundant system.
” “ NASA has confidence in the health of the overall power and data system , which has been through thousands of hours of powered operations and testing , ” the agency added , noting that the PDU in question was still “ fully functional.
” Even before the statement , NASA officials were playing down the possibility of performing an extensive repair to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You ’ ll get a first report , and the first report will show all the worst-case possibilities , ” said Ken Bowersox , deputy associate administrator of NASA ’ s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate , during a Dec. 7 media briefing about a report on the science planned for the Artemis 3 lunar landing mission .
“ On the best-case side , we may find that it is something we can live with.
” At the time of that briefing , Bowersox said NASA was still studying the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a major effect on the Artemis 1 mission .
“ As we look at it , we really don ’ t think that it ’ s really going to have a big impact on the final schedule , ” he said .
With the decision not to replace the PDU , NASA is moving ahead with final closeouts of the spacecraft .
In mid-January , it will move from the facility at the Kennedy Space Center where it was assembled to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility there , where it will be fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space Launch System .
The critical path for the Artemis 1 launch , still scheduled for November 2021 , remains the SLS core stage , which is undergoing a series of tests called the Green Run at the Stennis Space Center .
NASA said Dec. 17 it had restarted preparations for a fueling test called the wet dress rehearsal after it called off a first attempt at that test in early December because liquid oxygen was flowing into the core stage at temperatures slightly higher than desired .

WASHINGTON — NASA will not repair a faulty electronics unit on the Orion spacecraft recently completed for the Artemis 1 mission after concluding there was sufficient redundancy in the overall system.
In a Dec. 17 statement, NASA said it had decided to “use as is” one of eight power and data units (PDU) on the Orion spacecraft, which provide communications between the spacecraft’s computers and other components. One of two redundant channels in one of two communications cards in that PDU is not working.
NASA announced the problem with the PDU Nov. 30, saying only that it was “troubleshooting the issue.” The problem was first reported by The Verge, which said that presentations by prime contractor Lockheed Martin warned it could take up to a year to replace the PDU because it is located in an adapter between the crew module and service module that is inaccessible now that the two modules are mated to each other.
That time estimate assumed that the crew module would be demated from the service module, the PDU repaired, and the two modules combined again and tested. An alternative option could complete repairs in just four months, but would require removing panels of the adapter to reach the PDU, something the hardware was not designed for.
NASA, in its statement about deciding not to replace the PDU, did not go into details about the repair options, but said that the risks of damaging the spacecraft during the PDU repair outweighed any loss of data should the unit completely malfunction.
Engineers, the agency stated, “determined that due to the limited accessibility to this particular box, the degree of intrusiveness to the overall spacecraft systems, and other factors, the risk of collateral damage outweighed the risk associated with the loss of one leg of redundancy in a highly redundant system.”
“NASA has confidence in the health of the overall power and data system, which has been through thousands of hours of powered operations and testing,” the agency added, noting that the PDU in question was still “fully functional.”
Even before the statement, NASA officials were playing down the possibility of performing an extensive repair to the spacecraft to replace the PDU. “You’ll get a first report, and the first report will show all the worst-case possibilities,” said Ken Bowersox, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, during a Dec. 7 media briefing about a report on the science planned for the Artemis 3 lunar landing mission. “On the best-case side, we may find that it is something we can live with.”
At the time of that briefing, Bowersox said NASA was still studying the problem, but was optimistic it would not have a major effect on the Artemis 1 mission. “As we look at it, we really don’t think that it’s really going to have a big impact on the final schedule,” he said.
With the decision not to replace the PDU, NASA is moving ahead with final closeouts of the spacecraft. In mid-January, it will move from the facility at the Kennedy Space Center where it was assembled to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility there, where it will be fueled and prepared to be installed on the Space Launch System.
The critical path for the Artemis 1 launch, still scheduled for November 2021, remains the SLS core stage, which is undergoing a series of tests called the Green Run at the Stennis Space Center. NASA said Dec. 17 it had restarted preparations for a fueling test called the wet dress rehearsal after it called off a first attempt at that test in early December because liquid oxygen was flowing into the core stage at temperatures slightly higher than desired.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--CBS’ “The Stand” Under Fire For Allowing an Actor Who Can Hear to Play a Deaf Character

CBS ’ new drama The Stand , an adaptation of Stephen King ’ s classic dystopian novel , has come under fire for casting an actor who can hear to play a deaf character , with activists now calling on Hollywood studios to change their hiring practices .
Prominent members of the deaf community in a new letter that has been circulating online .
The miniseries casts hearing actor Henry Zaga in the role of Nick Andros , the lone deaf survivor of a virus that wipes out most of humanity .
“ Enough is enough !
” reads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are all professional union and non-union members and are taking a stand in the release of the miniseries , The Stand.
” More than 70 individuals — including actress and disability activist Keely Cat-Wells and actor John McGinty — are calling out the miniseries , which is the new adaptation of Stephen King ’ s classic dystopian novel , The Stand .
“ The selection of the hearing actor to portray Nick Andros in The Stand is not acceptable .
The character , Nick Andros is Deaf and signs .
Not one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audition for the role , ” the letter reads .
“ The decision was made without respect to and for Deaf professionals , union , and non-union alike .
There was no acknowledgement given to the psyche of a Deaf character ; being Deaf is more than just not hearing.
” “ At the time of diversity and inclusion , this cycle of misrepresentation and unequal or non-existent employment opportunities for Deaf professionals in the entertainment industry , both in front of and behind the camera , must end , ” the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades.
” The Stand stars Whoopi Goldberg , Alexander Skarsgård , James Marsden , among others .
The letter goes on to say that the undersigned “ will not endorse , watch , or support your miniseries on CBS All Access .
We will share our displeasure of the casting decision and airing of the miniseries on CBS All Access with our Deaf community , signing community , friends , and family of Deaf individuals ; together we make up 466 million worldwide.
” The letter concludes by calling on Hollywood to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is time for industry professionals to create opportunities for Deaf talent to work on the set , in front of , and behind the camera , in the writing rooms , sit on creative teams when there is a Deaf character involved in the storyline .
Our voice is a sign of the times , ” concludes the letter .
Social media users also weighed in and promoted the hashtag “ StandAgainstTheStand .
“ There ’ s absolutely no excuse for not hiring a Deaf actor to play a Deaf character , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should play Deaf roles , ” said another .
“ Representation matters .
Equality matters .
Equity matters .
Inclusion matters .
Enough is enough.
” “ I love you [ Whoopi Goldberg ] , but I am joining my Deaf film and theatre colleagues in solidarity .
I will not be endorsing , watching , or supporting The Stand on [ CBS All Access ] , ” commented another , mentioning actress Whoopi Goldberg , who plays the role of Mother Abagail in the miniseries .
Zaga ’ s co-star Brad William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the actor has approached playing the role of Nick Andros with much respect .
“ You ’ ve never seen someone more serious , which was beautiful , ” said Henke to Yahoo Entertainment .
“ He had two technical advisors working him all the time .
He took it so seriously .
He ’ s a really good person , and he was really sweet to me.
” Henke is also playing a character with traits that he does not have , as the actor was cast to play Tom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never want to take someone ’ s work , so I ’ m really conscious of that type of stuff , ” said Henke of his role in the miniseries .
“ I think if the producers felt that they could have cast [ someone else ] , they would have done that.
” The Stand casting is but the latest instance in which a casting is being called out .
Critics have also blasted straight actor James Corden ’ s portrayal of a gay character in the Netflix movie The Prom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance “ offensive , ” “ the worst gay-face , ” and “ horrifically bad.
” You can follow Alana Mastrangelo on Facebook and Twitter at @ ARmastrangelo , on Parler at @ alana , and on Instagram .

CBS’ new drama The Stand, an adaptation of Stephen King’s classic dystopian novel, has come under fire for casting an actor who can hear to play a deaf character, with activists now calling on Hollywood studios to change their hiring practices.
Prominent members of the deaf community in a new letter that has been circulating online. The miniseries casts hearing actor Henry Zaga in the role of Nick Andros, the lone deaf survivor of a virus that wipes out most of humanity.
“Enough is enough!” reads the letter. “We, the undersigned, are all professional union and non-union members and are taking a stand in the release of the miniseries, The Stand.” More than 70 individuals — including actress and disability activist Keely Cat-Wells and actor John McGinty — are calling out the miniseries, which is the new adaptation of Stephen King’s classic dystopian novel, The Stand.
“The selection of the hearing actor to portray Nick Andros in The Stand is not acceptable. The character, Nick Andros is Deaf and signs. Not one Deaf professional actor was called in to audition for the role,” the letter reads. “The decision was made without respect to and for Deaf professionals, union, and non-union alike. There was no acknowledgement given to the psyche of a Deaf character; being Deaf is more than just not hearing.”
“At the time of diversity and inclusion, this cycle of misrepresentation and unequal or non-existent employment opportunities for Deaf professionals in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera, must end,” the letter states. “This has been happening for decades.”
The Stand stars Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Skarsgård, James Marsden, among others.
The letter goes on to say that the undersigned “will not endorse, watch, or support your miniseries on CBS All Access. We will share our displeasure of the casting decision and airing of the miniseries on CBS All Access with our Deaf community, signing community, friends, and family of Deaf individuals; together we make up 466 million worldwide.”
The letter concludes by calling on Hollywood to change its hiring practices.
“It is time for industry professionals to create opportunities for Deaf talent to work on the set, in front of, and behind the camera, in the writing rooms, sit on creative teams when there is a Deaf character involved in the storyline. Our voice is a sign of the times,” concludes the letter.
Watch below:
Social media users also weighed in and promoted the hashtag “StandAgainstTheStand.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for not hiring a Deaf actor to play a Deaf character,” tweeted one individual.
There's absolutely no excuse for not hiring a Deaf actor to play a Deaf character. #Standagainstthestand pic.twitter.com/CPGwVXjzZh — Ansley O'Irish (@ansleyirish1024) December 17, 2020
“Deaf actors should play Deaf roles,” said another. “Representation matters. Equality matters. Equity matters. Inclusion matters. Enough is enough.”
Deaf actors should play Deaf roles. Representation matters. Equality matters. Equity matters. Inclusion matters. Enough is enough.
#standagainstthestand pic.twitter.com/l5jE9LnVCX — Brian Cheslik (@Actorboi1981) December 17, 2020
“I love you [Whoopi Goldberg], but I am joining my Deaf film and theatre colleagues in solidarity. I will not be endorsing, watching, or supporting The Stand on [CBS All Access],” commented another, mentioning actress Whoopi Goldberg, who plays the role of Mother Abagail in the miniseries.
I love you @WhoopiGoldberg, but I am joining my Deaf film and theatre colleagues in solidarity. I will not be endorsing, watching, or supporting The Stand on @CBSAllAccess. #StandAgainsttheStand pic.twitter.com/HCFJNgCK3G — JR Nexus Russ (@AWayofLife0) December 17, 2020
Zaga’s co-star Brad William Henke defended that the actor, suggesting that the actor has approached playing the role of Nick Andros with much respect.
“You’ve never seen someone more serious, which was beautiful,” said Henke to Yahoo Entertainment. “He had two technical advisors working him all the time. He took it so seriously. He’s a really good person, and he was really sweet to me.”
Henke is also playing a character with traits that he does not have, as the actor was cast to play Tom, who is mentally handicapped.
“I would never want to take someone’s work, so I’m really conscious of that type of stuff,” said Henke of his role in the miniseries. “I think if the producers felt that they could have cast [someone else], they would have done that.”
The Stand casting is but the latest instance in which a casting is being called out.
Critics have also blasted straight actor James Corden’s portrayal of a gay character in the Netflix movie The Prom, calling the actor’s flamboyant performance “offensive,” “the worst gay-face,” and “horrifically bad.”
You can follow Alana Mastrangelo on Facebook and Twitter at @ARmastrangelo, on Parler at @alana, and on Instagram.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Bill Belichick on the Patriots: “They Will Be Back”

Cam Newton has seen a different Jarrett Stidham of late ... .

Dance on the Patriots’ grave. Go ahead.
Knock yourself out.
Many of you have waited 11 years for this day. No AFC East title this season. Facing playoff elimination Sunday at Miami.
You heard the GOAT: He mortgaged the future to win those last three Super Bowls fully aware this might happen. There’s no crying in baseball, but apparently there is Crygate in Foxborough. Hey, just because the trophy is named after him doesn’t mean Vince Lombardi never had to eat humble pie.
The Death of a Dynasty obituaries were written everywhere even before Tom Brady took his talents to Tampa Bay. Some were written before Bill Belichick won Super Bowl LIII — one for the thumb on his other hand — over the Rams.
But enjoy this while you can, haters.
There is no playbook for a pandemic, for eight players opting out (including Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung and Marcus Cannon), so Belichick wouldn’t have won a Super Bowl this season with Brady if he couldn’t win one with him with a better team in 2019.
The emergence of the Bills, who torched the Broncos 48-19 on Saturday night to clinch the division, as new Beasts of the AFC East and rise of the Dolphins encourages those who root for the ruination and termination of the Evil Empire. And, unless Belichick decides to field Bob and Jonathan Kraft and Ernie Adams and longest-tenured Patriots beat writers in the regular-season finale against Jets, he’ll be dealing with Trevor Lawrence for a while.
But this is the NFL, where you can go from pretender to contender from one year to the next if you know what the hell you’re doing.
And this is Belichick.
Bill Belichick AP
He would love nothing better next season than to be cast in the lead role of a “Night of the Living Dead” remake.
Serby Says asked Belichick’s good friend, former Cowboys two-time Super Bowl-winning coach and former Dolphins coach and now Fox Sports analyst Jimmy Johnson, how long he thinks it will take Belichick to field another Super Bowl contender.
“Knowing Bill Belichick, probably in a year or two,” Johnson said. “He does a great job as far as acquiring players from other teams that have been castoffs and put them in a place where they can succeed. And on top of that, he had eight players opt out. … So they will be back in the picture in a hurry.”
For the first time since his days in Cleveland, Belichick confronts the same reality as many of his fellow head coaches — finding a quarterback who can take him to his 10th Super Bowl.
NFL Network analyst and former Ravens Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick agreed with Johnson.
“It can be instantaneous,” Billick told Serby Says. “They’ve got the pedigree. They’ve done it before.
“But it really centers around: Do you have what you need at the quarterback position?”
Do they?
Johnson was excited about the low-risk, high-reward Cam Newton signing on the cheap at a time prior to training camp when some believed Jarrett Stidham would emerge as the starter. But Newton, plagued by major shoulder and foot injuries since the middle of the 2018 season, has not been Superman (five touchdowns and 10 interceptions to go with 11 rushing TDs). A bout with COVID-19 hardly helped.
“Without question, Cam could be a better player with an offseason and with more time with [offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick,” Johnson said.
The Patriots will try to get Cam Newton another weapon before the NFL trade deadline. Getty Images
But Belichick failed to surround Brady with better weapons — trading a second-round draft choice for Mohamed Sanu, getting one game from troubled Antonio Brown, drafting N’Keal Harry at the end of the first round in 2019 instead of Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown or DK Metcalf, and not replacing Rob Gronkowski — and will desperately need to get a go-to receiver for Newton or whomever in 2021.
“Is he a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback? Is he an elite quarterback? I don’t know. … They certainly need to wrap more assets around him,” Billick said.
Julian Edelman, bless his heart, will be 35 next season. Belichick currently has $68.8 million to spend — with the likes of Allen Robinson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chris Godwin and Curtis Samuel as enticing free agents, and as many as 10 teams projected to be over the reduced $175 million cap floor.
“He’s always pretty active, not necessarily going after the top-rated guy,” Johnson said. “Some of those players didn’t work out, but a lot of ’em that had had mediocre careers other places have really been top performers for him. I don’t see him getting into a bidding war for somebody.”
Belichick infused young talent into the roster with 10 draftees last year, and he has eight 2021 draft picks with a projected three compensatory picks for losing Brady and linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins in free agency. Florida QB Kyle Trask could intrigue Belichick in the first round.
“It’s hard for me to imagine he’s just gonna go wholesale wild and bring a bunch of free agents in, ’cause that very rarely is the answer,” Billick said.
Johnson befriended Belichick long before he was the GOAT and had entertained him on his boat over the years.
“My first or second year in Dallas, [when] he was in Cleveland, we made a couple of trades,” Johnson recalled. “And so obviously we were on the phone with each other. Then we just happened to be at the Kentucky Derby on Millionaire’s Row in the private dining room together. To me, I was bored out of my mind because there’s so much time between the races. And so Bill and I spent all day talking between races. We went out on the rail and watched the races, talked football and it struck up a friendship. … That goes back 30 years ago.”
He knows Belichick well enough to know that missing the playoffs won’t serve as any extra motivation for him.
“I don’t think his motivation is gonna be any different today than what it was six years ago,” Johnson said, “or six years from now.”
Would anyone put it past Belichick to still be coaching at 74? What he and Brady accomplished together will be difficult even for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
“It was unprecedented — no one has done that,” Billick said. “So to think that [he] gonna go do it again, no, that’s not gonna happen. That was a unique dynasty, it was fantastic. That doesn’t mean that they can’t come back and win and be another championship-caliber team, of course they can. Are they gonna knock off six Super Bowls? No.”
A seventh for Belichick and the Patriots would be one too many for the haters.
“You’re gonna go broke underestimating Bill,” Billick said. “They’ve got the structure, they know what they’re doing — you gotta hit it right, the quarterback position’s gotta be right. But certainly they know what it looks like. That’s a big part of the equation.”
Johnson won the first of his two Super Bowls the year before NFL free agency began.
“It’s very rare that anybody has a dynasty because the way the league is set up, the more success you have, the more difficult it is to have success the next year with free agency, and the draft, etcetera,” Johnson said. “And so what he was able to accomplish in that period of time, it’s really unimaginable. It was a fantastic run.
“But having said that, I don’t think anybody would ever count him out doing it again.”
In New England, Ya Gotta Billieve.