bonginoreport--2020-09-12--Biden Promises to Keep “Small Military Footprint” in Middle East If Elected

Former Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview Thursday that he would keep an enduring U.S. troop presence in the Middle East if elected president .
“ These ‘ forever wars ’ have to end .
I support drawing down the troops .
But here ’ s the problem , we still have to worry about terrorism and [ the Islamic State ] , ” Biden told military newspaper Stars and Stripes in a phone interview .
Biden supports a “ small U.S. military footprint ” whose primary mission would be to facilitate special operations against the Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or other terrorist organizations , according to the paper .
Biden said there should be a “ maximum ” of 1,500 to 2,000 on the ground , but did not specify where he meant .
Trump has stated his goal is to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and bring home all U.S. troops .
The Trump administration recently announced it was bringing home 2,200 U.S. troops from Iraq in September , bringing down the troop presence from 5,200 to 3,000 .
He has already cut the U.S. troop presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , President Trump has begun a drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan , from the 8,600 when he first came in , to 4,500 by November .
His plan is to reduce to zero troops if conditions permit .
Biden told Stars and Stripes that he can not promise a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East in the near future .
He said U.S. forces must be able to coordinate with allies to train and lead to “ take out terrorist groups who are going to continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to cutting the military ’ s budget , but told Stars and Stripes that he does not foresee “ major reductions.
” During the Obama administration , the Pentagon ’ s budget was slashed by $ 500 billion over ten years , and cut further to avoid sequestration — automatic defense cuts of $ 500 billion during the same period .
Military combat readiness and procurement suffered during that time , as well as needed maintenance for equipment .
Troops also saw some cuts in benefits and pay raises below inflation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget cuts ] are inevitable , but we need priorities in the budget , ” Biden told the paper .
Biden said those priorities included unmanned capacity , cyber , and information technology .
Democrats have called for defunding the Pentagon to spend on domestic priorities .
Biden said if he becomes president , he would press for an “ inclusive military.
” He said transgender people should be able to openly serve in the military .
The Trump administration ’ s policy allows transgender service members to serve openly as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition medically from one sex to another , citing operational and medical risks .
Biden also vowed to better equip the National Guard , which Democrats have criticized Trump for using to quell civil unrest during violent rioting .
Biden said the largest readiness issue facing the military is America ’ s “ strained relationship with NATO.
” “ They ’ re worried as hell about our failure to confront Russia diplomatically or other ways , and worried about ‘ America First ’ meaning ‘ America Alone , ' ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have increased their defense spending by $ 150 billion and will station troops further east , closer to Russia .
But Biden said , “ First thing I ’ m going to have to do , and I ’ m not joking : if elected I ’ m going to have to get on the phone with the heads of state and say America ’ s back , you can count on us.
” Follow Breitbart News ’ s Kristina Wong on Twitter or on Facebook .

Former Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview Thursday that he would keep an enduring U.S. troop presence in the Middle East if elected president.
“These ‘forever wars’ have to end. I support drawing down the troops. But here’s the problem, we still have to worry about terrorism and [the Islamic State],” Biden told military newspaper Stars and Stripes in a phone interview.
Biden supports a “small U.S. military footprint” whose primary mission would be to facilitate special operations against the Islamic State in Iraq or Syria (ISIS), or other terrorist organizations, according to the paper.
Biden said there should be a “maximum” of 1,500 to 2,000 on the ground, but did not specify where he meant.
Trump has stated his goal is to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and bring home all U.S. troops.
The Trump administration recently announced it was bringing home 2,200 U.S. troops from Iraq in September, bringing down the troop presence from 5,200 to 3,000. He has already cut the U.S. troop presence in Syria from several thousand to 500.
In addition, President Trump has begun a drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, from the 8,600 when he first came in, to 4,500 by November. His plan is to reduce to zero troops if conditions permit.
Biden told Stars and Stripes that he cannot promise a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East in the near future.
He said U.S. forces must be able to coordinate with allies to train and lead to “take out terrorist groups who are going to continue to emerge.”
Biden has said he is open to cutting the military’s budget, but told Stars and Stripes that he does not foresee “major reductions.”
During the Obama administration, the Pentagon’s budget was slashed by $500 billion over ten years, and cut further to avoid sequestration — automatic defense cuts of $500 billion during the same period.
Military combat readiness and procurement suffered during that time, as well as needed maintenance for equipment. Troops also saw some cuts in benefits and pay raises below inflation.
“I don’t think [budget cuts] are inevitable, but we need priorities in the budget,” Biden told the paper. Biden said those priorities included unmanned capacity, cyber, and information technology.
Democrats have called for defunding the Pentagon to spend on domestic priorities.
Biden said if he becomes president, he would press for an “inclusive military.” He said transgender people should be able to openly serve in the military.
The Trump administration’s policy allows transgender service members to serve openly as well, but prohibits service members who wish to transition medically from one sex to another, citing operational and medical risks.
Biden also vowed to better equip the National Guard, which Democrats have criticized Trump for using to quell civil unrest during violent rioting.
Biden said the largest readiness issue facing the military is America’s “strained relationship with NATO.”
“They’re worried as hell about our failure to confront Russia diplomatically or other ways, and worried about ‘America First’ meaning ‘America Alone,'” he said.
Under pressure from Trump, NATO members have increased their defense spending by $150 billion and will station troops further east, closer to Russia.
But Biden said, “First thing I’m going to have to do, and I’m not joking: if elected I’m going to have to get on the phone with the heads of state and say America’s back, you can count on us.”
Follow Breitbart News’s Kristina Wong on Twitter or on Facebook.


bonginoreport--2020-09-12--Combating the Tyranny And Economic Destruction of the “Green” Agenda With Free Market Enterprise

This article is an excerpt from the “ 2020 Mandate for Leadership : A Clear Vision for the Next Administration.
” It looks back at policy decisions made by the Trump administration over the past four years .
You can purchase your copy of “ Mandate 2020 ” here .
Since publication of the last Mandate for Leadership , the Trump administration has taken productive steps to open access to energy development and reduce the regulatory burdens that have driven up energy costs while producing minimal to no environmental benefits .
Withdrawing the signature pieces of the Obama administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New Source Performance Standards for new power plants—provided much-needed regulatory relief .
The president also announced the intent of the U.S. to withdraw from the costly and ineffective Paris climate agreement .
The administration ’ s Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule provided modifications to Obama-era corporate average fuel economy standards with a “ preferred alternative ” for model years 2021 through 2026 .
The administration ’ s revision is a welcome victory both for consumers ’ wallets and for consumer choice .
The president approved the Keystone XL pipeline , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act and energy infrastructure wisely called for modernization , improved efficiency , and good-governance measures for clarity and consistency across agencies in key permitting and regulatory activities .
The Department of Energy took action to expedite small-scale natural gas exports and relieve the permitting backlog facing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission , and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act opened Alaska ’ s coastal plain ( the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ) for energy exploration and production .
The energy potential of the section now open is enormous , and will provide much-needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to which the environmental footprint is minimal .
In other instances , not doing anything at all was a win for energy consumers .
So far , the current administration has backed off from subsidizing specific coal and nuclear power plants .
The plan would not have had any measurable impact on grid resilience and reliability but would have significantly disrupted competitive electricity markets , hurting consumers and choking off opportunities for new market entries .
President Donald Trump ’ s budget routinely proposed reduced spending for energy subsidies and also activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government .
The news is not all good , however .
Under this administration , the Environmental Protection Agency continues to ramp up volumetric requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard .
The mandate requires that refiners blend costly biofuels into America ’ s fuel supply , and the administration has catered to the special interests of the biofuels lobby at the expense of consumers .
Moreover , the Trump administration imposed tariffs on solar technology imports in 2018 , and its steel and aluminum tariffs increase the cost of energy projects domestically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are forced to pay artificially higher prices for energy .
Cronyism also is still prevalent in the energy sector , and the government allocates special benefits to the well-connected instead of fostering a playing field that provides opportunity for all to compete .
These subsidies obstruct the long-term success and viability of the technologies and energy sources that they are intended to promote by distorting the actual costs of energy production and interfering with the price signals by which businesses monitor supply and demand .
When the government plays favorites , valuable resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cronyism and corporate welfare that are pervasive in energy markets is no easy feat .
The Trump administration ’ s attempt to rescind unused funds in the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program provides a good case study .
In handing out only five loans , the program has wasted taxpayer dollars by subsidizing economic losers ( Fisker ) and has promoted corporate welfare by subsidizing well-off companies ( Nissan and Ford ) .
The program has $ 4.3 billion remaining but has been idle for more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the department .
The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 authorizes the president to rescind funding previously enacted into law , and the White House appropriately offered a $ 15 billion rescissions package that included the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program .
Special interests prevailed , however , and the program remains in place .

This article is an excerpt from the “2020 Mandate for Leadership: A Clear Vision for the Next Administration.” It looks back at policy decisions made by the Trump administration over the past four years. You can purchase your copy of “Mandate 2020” here.
Since publication of the last Mandate for Leadership, the Trump administration has taken productive steps to open access to energy development and reduce the regulatory burdens that have driven up energy costs while producing minimal to no environmental benefits.
Withdrawing the signature pieces of the Obama administration’s climate legacy—the Clean Power Plan and the New Source Performance Standards for new power plants—provided much-needed regulatory relief. The president also announced the intent of the U.S. to withdraw from the costly and ineffective Paris climate agreement.
The administration’s Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule provided modifications to Obama-era corporate average fuel economy standards with a “preferred alternative” for model years 2021 through 2026. The administration’s revision is a welcome victory both for consumers’ wallets and for consumer choice.
The president approved the Keystone XL pipeline, and his executive orders on the National Environmental Policy Act and energy infrastructure wisely called for modernization, improved efficiency, and good-governance measures for clarity and consistency across agencies in key permitting and regulatory activities.
The Department of Energy took action to expedite small-scale natural gas exports and relieve the permitting backlog facing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act opened Alaska’s coastal plain (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) for energy exploration and production.
The energy potential of the section now open is enormous, and will provide much-needed economic opportunity for remote communities, in addition to which the environmental footprint is minimal.
In other instances, not doing anything at all was a win for energy consumers.
So far, the current administration has backed off from subsidizing specific coal and nuclear power plants. The plan would not have had any measurable impact on grid resilience and reliability but would have significantly disrupted competitive electricity markets, hurting consumers and choking off opportunities for new market entries.
President Donald Trump’s budget routinely proposed reduced spending for energy subsidies and also activities that are not legitimate functions of the federal government.
The news is not all good, however. Under this administration, the Environmental Protection Agency continues to ramp up volumetric requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The mandate requires that refiners blend costly biofuels into America’s fuel supply, and the administration has catered to the special interests of the biofuels lobby at the expense of consumers.
Moreover, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on solar technology imports in 2018, and its steel and aluminum tariffs increase the cost of energy projects domestically. Borders should not mean that individuals are forced to pay artificially higher prices for energy.
Cronyism also is still prevalent in the energy sector, and the government allocates special benefits to the well-connected instead of fostering a playing field that provides opportunity for all to compete.
These subsidies obstruct the long-term success and viability of the technologies and energy sources that they are intended to promote by distorting the actual costs of energy production and interfering with the price signals by which businesses monitor supply and demand.
When the government plays favorites, valuable resources shift to less productive uses.
Removing the cronyism and corporate welfare that are pervasive in energy markets is no easy feat. The Trump administration’s attempt to rescind unused funds in the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program provides a good case study.
In handing out only five loans, the program has wasted taxpayer dollars by subsidizing economic losers (Fisker) and has promoted corporate welfare by subsidizing well-off companies (Nissan and Ford). The program has $4.3 billion remaining but has been idle for more than eight years without a new loan administered by the department.
The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 authorizes the president to rescind funding previously enacted into law, and the White House appropriately offered a $15 billion rescissions package that included the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program.
Special interests prevailed, however, and the program remains in place.


bonginoreport--2020-09-12--University Included “Trigger Warning” at 9/11 American Flag Display

Baylor University placed a warning on a campus 9/11 display advising the 2,977 American flags as “ sensitive content , ” the Baylor chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The Baylor Young Conservatives of Texas ( YCT ) has presented the same display in a prominent area of the campus for several years , according to a press release sent to the DCNF .
The display was accompanied by a sign dedicating the memorial to “ those who lost their lives on 9/11 , ” with the organization ’ s name .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are highly disappointed in Baylor ’ s conduct in this matter .
We have consistently proven that we are dedicated to conducting a respectful and apolitical 9/11 memorial and have never even asked to put our name with this event , ” Baylor YCT Chair Jake Neidert told the DCNF .
“ At the end of the day , Young Conservatives of Texas stands for Principles over Party , and today Baylor made a 9/11 memorial out to be a sensitive partisan and political event .
Memorializing 9/11 isn ’ t political or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Neidert added .
The display was approved by Baylor Student Activities , Baylor YCT told the DCNF .
The university has not previously put up disclaimers around the presentation .
“ Upon our initial request to place the memorial this year , we made it clear to Baylor Student Activities that this was not a political event .
Less than 24 hours before the event , Baylor Student Activities informed us they would need to place ‘ expression activity ’ signs near the flags , ” the press release said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the university , according to the press release .
( RELATED : Baylor Says Students Who Don ’ t Follow COVID-19 Rules Could Face Expulsion , Other Punishments ) “ These signs amount to nothing short of a trigger warning for an event that should unite all Americans , ” the press release said .
“ As Baylor students , this is incredibly saddening for us to see .
9/11 is a day that we can forget our political identities and come together to remember those who died and celebrate the triumph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baylor University fully supports the 9/11 display of American flags depicting the thousands of lives lost as a result of the attacks that took place 19 years ago , ” Baylor told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ Out of reverence for the exhibit of flags and in knowing that its moving symbolism could evoke a wide range of emotions , signage was placed near the display notifying those who passed by of its potential impact.
” “ We regret that the signage we used has taken away from the intent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this may have caused , ” the statement continued .
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 .

Baylor University placed a warning on a campus 9/11 display advising the 2,977 American flags as “sensitive content,” the Baylor chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The Baylor Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has presented the same display in a prominent area of the campus for several years, according to a press release sent to the DCNF. The display was accompanied by a sign dedicating the memorial to “those who lost their lives on 9/11,” with the organization’s name.
“The Young Conservatives of Texas at Baylor are highly disappointed in Baylor’s conduct in this matter. We have consistently proven that we are dedicated to conducting a respectful and apolitical 9/11 memorial and have never even asked to put our name with this event,” Baylor YCT Chair Jake Neidert told the DCNF.
“At the end of the day, Young Conservatives of Texas stands for Principles over Party, and today Baylor made a 9/11 memorial out to be a sensitive partisan and political event. Memorializing 9/11 isn’t political or sensitive, it’s distinctly American,” Neidert added.
Displaying the American Flag to memorialize those who tragically perished in the 9/11 attacks is now considered “Sensitive Content”. Honoring those who died and first responders isn’t “Sensitive”, it’s “American”. pic.twitter.com/0DHmY7h2sJ — Baylor YCT (@BaylorYCT) September 11, 2020
The display was approved by Baylor Student Activities, Baylor YCT told the DCNF. The university has not previously put up disclaimers around the presentation.
“Upon our initial request to place the memorial this year, we made it clear to Baylor Student Activities that this was not a political event. Less than 24 hours before the event, Baylor Student Activities informed us they would need to place ‘expression activity’ signs near the flags,” the press release said.
Baylor YCT has requested a formal apology from the university, according to the press release. (RELATED: Baylor Says Students Who Don’t Follow COVID-19 Rules Could Face Expulsion, Other Punishments)
“These signs amount to nothing short of a trigger warning for an event that should unite all Americans,” the press release said.
“As Baylor students, this is incredibly saddening for us to see. 9/11 is a day that we can forget our political identities and come together to remember those who died and celebrate the triumph of our nation over evil.”
“Baylor University fully supports the 9/11 display of American flags depicting the thousands of lives lost as a result of the attacks that took place 19 years ago,” Baylor told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Out of reverence for the exhibit of flags and in knowing that its moving symbolism could evoke a wide range of emotions, signage was placed near the display notifying those who passed by of its potential impact.”
“We regret that the signage we used has taken away from the intent of the display and apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused,” the statement continued.
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--2020-09-12--Group Backed by Zuckerberg Hit With a Lawsuit For Election Meddling in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Voters Alliance ( WVA ) on Thursday filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Election Commission over the Center for Tech and Civic Life ( CTCL ) – a group whose goal is to `` harness the promise of technology to modernize the American voting experience '' – for donating millions to five cities in the Badger State .
Each of those five cities – Green Bay , Kenosha , Madison , Milwaukee and Racine – are all Democratic strongholds .
Key funders for CTCL include Google , Facebook , the Center for Civic Design , the Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democracy Fund , The Voting Information Project , and the Knight Foundation .
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Priscilla Chan , recently donated $ 250 million to the CTCL .
The donation is part of their pledge to donate $ 300 million to help election officials deal with the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus .
`` Priscilla and I are personally supporting two non-partisan organizations that are working to make sure every voter 's voice can be heard this November .
We are committing $ 250 million to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide funding for local counties to have the staffing , training , and equipment they need , '' Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post earlier this month .
`` This will go towards recruiting poll workers ( including hazard pay and training ) , renting polling places , buying PPE for poll workers , providing temporary staffing , supporting drive-through voting , and more .
We are committing another $ 50 million to The Center for Election Innovation & Research that will go to Secretary of State offices across the country -- in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working to ensure states ' electoral systems are secure and voters are informed . ''
According to the Wisconsin Voters Alliance , there are major concerns about CTCL 's grants : Cumulatively , CTCL has thus far granted $ 16.3 million to the five cities in Wisconsin and Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , which cast over 82 % of their over one million combined total votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
President Trump won Wisconsin by 22,748 votes and Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes that year .
In Wisconsin , CTCL has granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ municipal funding from private sources to the Cities of Green Bay , Kenosha , Madison , Milwaukee , and Racine .
The grants were issued directly to the cities and not the Wisconsin Board of Elections , which is responsible for managing elections throughout the state .
A plurality of the funds — about 40 % — went to support both vote-by-mail and early voting efforts .
Around $ 1 million dollars went to `` voter outreach and education efforts . ''
The WVA 's complaint states the CTCL violated Wisconsin state law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials `` to induce persons to vote or influence an election outcome . ''
“ This initiative by CTCL is clearly designed to provide a boost in registered voters , limited only to traditional leftist strongholds , in a critical swing state that is likely to determine the outcome of the presidential election on November 3 , 2020 , ” Phill Kline , Director of the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society , which is representing the WVA , said in a statement .
“ Allowing private monies to control state spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state to engage in partisan politics in the operation of elections that represents a present danger that favors one class of voters at the expense of others – clearly picking winners and losers in a critical swing state that may determine the outcome of the presidential election this year . ''
WVA will appeal any adverse decision the Wisconsin Election Commission makes .
Should it go to a District Court , the WVA will also add an additional claim : that utilizing this fund violates the Elections Clause of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection .

The Wisconsin Voters Alliance (WVA) on Thursday filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Election Commission over the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) – a group whose goal is to "harness the promise of technology to modernize the American voting experience" – for donating millions to five cities in the Badger State. Each of those five cities – Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee and Racine – are all Democratic strongholds.
Key funders for CTCL include Google, Facebook, the Center for Civic Design, the Center for Democracy and Technology, Rock the Vote, Democracy Fund, The Voting Information Project, and the Knight Foundation.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, recently donated $250 million to the CTCL. The donation is part of their pledge to donate $300 million to help election officials deal with the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus.
"Priscilla and I are personally supporting two non-partisan organizations that are working to make sure every voter's voice can be heard this November. We are committing $250 million to the Center for Tech and Civic Life to provide funding for local counties to have the staffing, training, and equipment they need," Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post earlier this month. "This will go towards recruiting poll workers (including hazard pay and training), renting polling places, buying PPE for poll workers, providing temporary staffing, supporting drive-through voting, and more. We are committing another $50 million to The Center for Election Innovation & Research that will go to Secretary of State offices across the country -- in both red and blue states -- that are working to ensure states' electoral systems are secure and voters are informed."
According to the Wisconsin Voters Alliance, there are major concerns about CTCL's grants:
Cumulatively, CTCL has thus far granted $16.3 million to the five cities in Wisconsin and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which cast over 82% of their over one million combined total votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016. President Trump won Wisconsin by 22,748 votes and Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes that year. In Wisconsin, CTCL has granted a total of $6.3 million in municipal funding from private sources to the Cities of Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, and Racine. The grants were issued directly to the cities and not the Wisconsin Board of Elections, which is responsible for managing elections throughout the state. A plurality of the funds — about 40% — went to support both vote-by-mail and early voting efforts. Around $1 million dollars went to "voter outreach and education efforts."
The WVA's complaint states the CTCL violated Wisconsin state law that prohibits money being given to election officials "to induce persons to vote or influence an election outcome."
“This initiative by CTCL is clearly designed to provide a boost in registered voters, limited only to traditional leftist strongholds, in a critical swing state that is likely to determine the outcome of the presidential election on November 3, 2020,” Phill Kline, Director of the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society, which is representing the WVA, said in a statement. “Allowing private monies to control state spending on voter turnout is an invitation to the state to engage in partisan politics in the operation of elections that represents a present danger that favors one class of voters at the expense of others – clearly picking winners and losers in a critical swing state that may determine the outcome of the presidential election this year."
WVA will appeal any adverse decision the Wisconsin Election Commission makes. Should it go to a District Court, the WVA will also add an additional claim: that utilizing this fund violates the Elections Clause of the United States Constitution and is a violation of equal protection.


bonginoreport--2020-09-12--GOP Rep Rogers: Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn Will Retire if They Lose House


bonginoreport--2020-09-14--Oracle Chosen to Take Over TikTok’s U.S. Operations

Oracle Corp. will reportedly take over TikTok ’ s business in the U.S. after China ’ s ByteDance rejected Microsoft Corp. ’ s offer .
The Wall Street Journal reported late Sunday that Oracle ORCL , had been chosen as the winner in bidding for TikTok , and that an announcement would be made soon that Oracle will be TikTok ’ s “ trusted tech partner ” in the U.S .
The deal would apparently fall short of an outright sale of the popular app .
That report came shorty after Microsoft MSFT , said in a blog post that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
Neither Microsoft nor ByteDance offered an explanation for why the deal was rejected .
“ ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok ’ s U.S. operations to Microsoft , ” Microsoft said .
“ We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok ’ s users , while protecting national security interests .
To do this , we would have made significant changes to ensure the service met the highest standards for security , privacy , online safety , and combatting disinformation , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
We look forward to seeing how the service evolves in these important areas.
” TikTok faces a Sept. 20 deadline to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban by the Trump administration .
The sticking point to a sale has been TikTok ’ s underlying algorithm , which may not be able to be transferred to a U.S. company under new Chinese tech-export rules .
Reuters reported last week that it ’ s also possible that the Chinese government prefers no sale at all , as to not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure .
TikTok , the wildly popular video-sharing app , has more than 100 million users in the U.S. , but the Trump administration has claimed the app ’ s Chinese ownership makes user data vulnerable to misuse by the Chinese government .

The clock is ticking on TikTok after potential avenues to avoid President Donald Trump’s promised ban on the Chinese app appeared to dry up as the week began.
Microsoft Corp. MSFT, -0.67% announced Sunday that its bid for TikTok had been turned down, with no explanation as to why the deal was rejected. After reports that Oracle Corp. ORCL, +1.49% would become a “trusted tech partner” for TikTok parent Bytedance, a Chinese state-affiliated news source reported that Bytedance will “not sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to Oracle.”
Trump originally issued a Sept. 15 deadline for TikTok’s U.S. operations to be sold to an American company or be banned, but his executive order established a Sept. 20 deadline. Microsoft – which had attempted to bring Walmart Inc. WMT, -0.51% into the deal – and Oracle were reported to be the only suitors until Microsoft publicly threw in the towel Sunday afternoon.
“ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Microsoft,” Microsoft said. “We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok’s users, while protecting national security interests. To do this, we would have made significant changes to ensure the service met the highest standards for security, privacy, online safety, and combatting disinformation, and we made these principles clear in our August statement. We look forward to seeing how the service evolves in these important areas.”
The sticking point to a sale has been TikTok’s underlying algorithm, which may not be able to be transferred to a U.S. company under new Chinese tech-export rules.
Reuters reported last week that it’s also possible that the Chinese government prefers no sale at all, as to not want to appear weak in the face of U.S. pressure.
TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing app, has more than 100 million users in the U.S., but the Trump administration has claimed the app’s Chinese ownership makes user data vulnerable to misuse by the Chinese government.


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--SalonGate Update: San Francisco to Reopen Indoor Salons

San Francisco will allow nail and hair salons , along with hotels and gyms , to reopen indoors with limited capacity on Monday , nearly six months after coronavirus shelter-in-place orders closed the businesses .
The move to reopen accelerates San Francisco ’ s plans for reopening during the pandemic , and even then , customers must wear masks at all times while indoors or outdoors , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
Dr. Grant Colfax , San Francisco ’ s director of public health , said in a statement : The reopenings come after months of criticism from salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could resume business indoors safely , as well as religious leaders who complained about not having indoor services .
Although many San Francisco salons will be opening next week , one salon that will not be opening next week is Erica Kious ’ s eSalon .
“ I am actually done in San Francisco and closing my doors , unfortunately , ” she told Fox News ’ s Tucker Carlson on Wednesday .
Kious said Wednesday that she felt hesitant to go back to her home of 15 years in San Francisco because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has received since she leaked a surveillance video of a maskless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) going to get her hair done .
Pelosi visited eSalon on August 31 for a wash and a blowout without wearing a mask , despite local coronavirus restrictions — a move the owner called “ a slap in the face.
” Salons in San Francisco had also been closed since March and had just been allowed to reopen to the public on September 1 for outdoor hair styling only .
Pelosi responded that Kious had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons and owed her an apology .
On September 3 , Kious responded to Pelosi ’ s accusations , calling them “ totally false and outrageous.
” Despite the negativity , a GoFundMe page set up by former Nevada State GOP chairman Amy Tarkanian raised $ 336,503 for Kious to relocate her business and family .

San Francisco will allow nail and hair salons, along with hotels and gyms, to reopen indoors with limited capacity on Monday, nearly six months after coronavirus shelter-in-place orders closed the businesses.
The move to reopen accelerates San Francisco’s plans for reopening during the pandemic, and even then, customers must wear masks at all times while indoors or outdoors, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s director of public health, said in a statement:
Given our local trend in COVID indicators, low-risk, limited-capacity indoor activities may resume. We will continue our gradual reopening as it allows us to monitor the spread, manage its immediate challenges and mitigate the long-term impact on our city.
The reopenings come after months of criticism from salon owners and gym owners who argued they could resume business indoors safely, as well as religious leaders who complained about not having indoor services.
Although many San Francisco salons will be opening next week, one salon that will not be opening next week is Erica Kious’s eSalon.
“I am actually done in San Francisco and closing my doors, unfortunately,” she told Fox News’s Tucker Carlson on Wednesday.
Kious said Wednesday that she felt hesitant to go back to her home of 15 years in San Francisco because of all of the negative reaction she has received since she leaked a surveillance video of a maskless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) going to get her hair done.
Pelosi visited eSalon on August 31 for a wash and a blowout without wearing a mask, despite local coronavirus restrictions — a move the owner called “a slap in the face.”
Salons in San Francisco had also been closed since March and had just been allowed to reopen to the public on September 1 for outdoor hair styling only.
Pelosi responded that Kious had “set her up” for political reasons and owed her an apology. On September 3, Kious responded to Pelosi’s accusations, calling them “totally false and outrageous.”
Despite the negativity, a GoFundMe page set up by former Nevada State GOP chairman Amy Tarkanian raised $336,503 for Kious to relocate her business and family.


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--Pro-Trump Green Beret Looks Likely to Win VA House Seat

If Virginia Del .
Nick Freitas wins a seat in Congress this November , he might just be the most promising rising star of the Republican Party 's libertarian wing .
The former Green Beret is running to represent Virginia ’ s 7th Congressional District .
All-star endorsements from the likes of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Utah Sen. Mike Lee have bolstered Freitas ’ s campaign .
He is challenging Rep. Abigail Spanberger , a Democrat who won her seat by just 2 percentage points in 2018 .
RealClearPolitics classifies the race as a toss-up .
And because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Freitas is bullish on his chances of joining the ranks of libertarian-leaning Republicans in Congress .
I sat down with the candidate to discuss his background , pitch to voters , and broader ideological and policy worldview .
Freitas comes from a military background , and his service informs the foreign-policy agenda he is campaigning on .
He enlisted in the Army Special Forces after Sept. 11 and served two terms in Iraq .
“ We have to have the most powerful , best-equipped , best-provided-for military in the world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in peace through strength.
” “ But by the same token , we are not the world ’ s police force , ” he went on , striking a somewhat Trumpian , “ America First ” tone .
“ Nor do I think that the objective of the United States military should be focused on nation building .
Ultimately , one of the things I understood from serving in Iraq was that this idea that you ’ re going to impose a type of government or type of economic system on a particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overlap on foreign policy is one of the reasons Freitas is running an ardently pro-Trump campaign .
“ [ Foreign policy ] is one of the things I ’ ve admired about the Trump administration , the idea that we are going to have a powerful military , ” he explained .
`` But we are not going to go through the process of getting ourselves involved in more wars for which we don ’ t have a clear , strategic objective in mind . ''
Freitas stressed the need for Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Congress wants to vote to fund wars but not to declare war , ” he said .
“ I think the men and women in Congress need to display at least an ounce of the courage they expect of our [ troops ] we send overseas.
” Freitas said he fully supports Trump ’ s stated desire to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and Syria .
This sets him apart from the typical Republican politician with military credentials , a subset of Congress that has historically skewed toward more hawkish foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new , young Republican Party and its more nationalist , anti-interventionist approach to foreign policy .
But on the domestic side , Freitas ’ s agenda harkens back to the Tea Party era .
He tells me his top legislative priorities would include reigning in federal bureaucracies , cutting red tape and regulations , and expanding school choice .
Education reform , in particular , is an issue close to Freitas ’ s heart .
“ When we look at what ’ s going on with COVID-19 right now , we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monopolize our education system , ” he told me .
“ If we ’ re serious about having an education system that is as diverse and effective as the student body it seeks to serve , then we ’ re going to need a system where we actually have a marketplace of ideas.
” Freitas is deeply concerned with deficit spending , two words one rarely hears from Republican politicians these days .
When I pressed Freitas on the fact that Trump during his 2016 campaign but has actually overseen record deficits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rests with congressional Republicans and that they can ’ t afford to make the same mistake again .
“ If we get a Republican Congress and we keep the White House and still don ’ t get our deficit spending under control … we ’ ll have a lot to answer for to the American people , ” he said .
“ If you look at the fiscal status of our country right now , it is going to require people who are willing to take unpopular votes to do what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Freitas is threading the needle between the cosmopolitan beliefs of young Republicans and the more socially conservative orthodoxies found in the halls of the Heritage Foundation .
The result ?
He ’ s staunchly pro-life but also voted to decriminalize marijuana .
He takes a neutral stance on gay marriage , preferring to get the government out of marriage altogether , but opposes adding anti-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people to the law .
Freitas ’ s mix of libertarian inclinations and conservative roots similarly manifests itself in his criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police officer and a homicide detective … but unfortunately , criminal justice reform has taken on this tenure of being anti-law enforcement , ” he said .
“ And that ’ s why I haven ’ t been able to support a lot of the bills in our special legislative session here in Virginia.
” He said he would support reforming and rolling back , but not eliminating altogether , qualified immunity , the judicially invented legal doctrine that often shields government officials , such as police officers , from civil liability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same vein , he would support rolling back , but not eliminating , “ no-knock ” search warrants , which have led to tragedies such as the death of Breonna Taylor .
As for Freitas ’ s disposition on the culture war ?
“ Just take [ these issues ] out of the hands of the government , and a lot of this just goes away , ” he said .
“ We can all live our lives in terms of our own conscience and our own beliefs without having to force someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a bumper sticker you put on your car .
Coexistence is resisting the urge to coerce those who you can ’ t convince.
” This stance is part and parcel of Freitas ’ s overall approach to politics .
“ Every human being has inherent worth [ even though ] we ’ re going to disagree on some things , ” he stressed .
“ [ We should ] maximize individual liberty and allow people to make choices .
Let the best ideas rise to the top .
”

If Virginia Del. Nick Freitas wins a seat in Congress this November, he might just be the most promising rising star of the Republican Party's libertarian wing.
The former Green Beret is running to represent Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. All-star endorsements from the likes of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Utah Sen. Mike Lee have bolstered Freitas’s campaign. He is challenging Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who won her seat by just 2 percentage points in 2018.
RealClearPolitics classifies the race as a toss-up. And because the district went for President Trump in 2016, Freitas is bullish on his chances of joining the ranks of libertarian-leaning Republicans in Congress. I sat down with the candidate to discuss his background, pitch to voters, and broader ideological and policy worldview.
Freitas comes from a military background, and his service informs the foreign-policy agenda he is campaigning on. He enlisted in the Army Special Forces after Sept. 11 and served two terms in Iraq.
“We have to have the most powerful, best-equipped, best-provided-for military in the world,” Freitas told me. “I believe in peace through strength.”
“But by the same token, we are not the world’s police force,” he went on, striking a somewhat Trumpian, “America First” tone. “Nor do I think that the objective of the United States military should be focused on nation building. Ultimately, one of the things I understood from serving in Iraq was that this idea that you’re going to impose a type of government or type of economic system on a particular culture is a little bit absurd.”
Overlap on foreign policy is one of the reasons Freitas is running an ardently pro-Trump campaign.
“[Foreign policy] is one of the things I’ve admired about the Trump administration, the idea that we are going to have a powerful military,” he explained. "But we are not going to go through the process of getting ourselves involved in more wars for which we don’t have a clear, strategic objective in mind."
Freitas stressed the need for Congress to reassert its constitutionally mandated war powers.
“Congress wants to vote to fund wars but not to declare war,” he said. “I think the men and women in Congress need to display at least an ounce of the courage they expect of our [troops] we send overseas.”
Freitas said he fully supports Trump’s stated desire to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and Syria. This sets him apart from the typical Republican politician with military credentials, a subset of Congress that has historically skewed toward more hawkish foreign policy views. In this, Freitas represents the new, young Republican Party and its more nationalist, anti-interventionist approach to foreign policy.
But on the domestic side, Freitas’s agenda harkens back to the Tea Party era.
He tells me his top legislative priorities would include reigning in federal bureaucracies, cutting red tape and regulations, and expanding school choice.
Central Virginians need leadership in Congress that will fight to lower taxes and cut burdensome regulations to keep our small businesses strong and grow our local economy. Thank you to the @NFIB for coming out strong behind my campaign! https://t.co/Rcv4rbXjfm — Nick Freitas (@NickForVA) September 2, 2020
Education reform, in particular, is an issue close to Freitas’s heart.
“When we look at what’s going on with COVID-19 right now, we see the problem when the government tries to monopolize our education system,” he told me. “If we’re serious about having an education system that is as diverse and effective as the student body it seeks to serve, then we’re going to need a system where we actually have a marketplace of ideas.”
Freitas is deeply concerned with deficit spending, two words one rarely hears from Republican politicians these days.
When I pressed Freitas on the fact that Trump promised to eliminate the entire debt during his 2016 campaign but has actually overseen record deficits, he argued the real blame for that rests with congressional Republicans and that they can’t afford to make the same mistake again.
“If we get a Republican Congress and we keep the White House and still don’t get our deficit spending under control … we’ll have a lot to answer for to the American people,” he said. “If you look at the fiscal status of our country right now, it is going to require people who are willing to take unpopular votes to do what’s right.”
On social issues, though, Freitas is threading the needle between the cosmopolitan beliefs of young Republicans and the more socially conservative orthodoxies found in the halls of the Heritage Foundation.
The result? He’s staunchly pro-life but also voted to decriminalize marijuana. He takes a neutral stance on gay marriage, preferring to get the government out of marriage altogether, but opposes adding anti-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people to the law.
Freitas’s mix of libertarian inclinations and conservative roots similarly manifests itself in his criminal justice reform platform.
“My father was a police officer and a homicide detective … but unfortunately, criminal justice reform has taken on this tenure of being anti-law enforcement,” he said. “And that’s why I haven’t been able to support a lot of the bills in our special legislative session here in Virginia.”
Freitas does support moderate criminal justice reform, though.
He said he would support reforming and rolling back, but not eliminating altogether, qualified immunity, the judicially invented legal doctrine that often shields government officials, such as police officers, from civil liability for abuses of power. In the same vein, he would support rolling back, but not eliminating, “no-knock” search warrants, which have led to tragedies such as the death of Breonna Taylor.
As for Freitas’s disposition on the culture war?
“Just take [these issues] out of the hands of the government, and a lot of this just goes away,” he said. “We can all live our lives in terms of our own conscience and our own beliefs without having to force someone else to agree with us. Coexistence is not a bumper sticker you put on your car. Coexistence is resisting the urge to coerce those who you can’t convince.”
This stance is part and parcel of Freitas’s overall approach to politics.
“Every human being has inherent worth [even though] we’re going to disagree on some things,” he stressed. “[We should] maximize individual liberty and allow people to make choices. Let the best ideas rise to the top.”
Brad Polumbo (@Brad_Polumbo) is a freelance journalist and Washington Examiner contributor.


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--More Evidence That Sampling Bias in the Trump-Biden Polls Is Understating Trump Support

ABC-Ipsos ’ s new poll – which ostensibly shows President Trump in trouble – surveyed just 533 people , without a preference for likely or registered voters , and with a significant Democratic Party skew .
The poll – cited across the news media on Sunday – purported to show the public at odds with the President over the coronavirus pandemic as well as the widely debunked story about his supposedly derogatory comments about the military .
But the poll is almost less scientific than a Twitter survey , given who was polled and in what percentages and ratios .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent Democrats , and just 25 percent Republicans .
The pollsters also surveyed 38 percent self-identified independents .
In a telling detail , pollster Ipsos actually refused to reveal these party breakdown numbers on their website and in their PDF of the poll .
Instead , they opaquely state : “ Party ID benchmarks are from recent ABC News/Washington Post telephone polls.
” Recent ABC/Washington Post polls also stacked the decks in favor of Biden supporters , with the July polling quizzing 522 Biden supporters versus 399 Trump supporters .
That amounts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters .
ABC News itself was more up front about the numbers , revealing the stark difference between Democrats and Republicans surveyed .
The poll also failed to approach registered or likely voters : a key factor when attempting to rely on polling as a means by which to inform an election .
This ABC News/Ipsos poll was conducted September 11 to September 12 , 2020 by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel® .
This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 533 general population adults age 18 or older .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mind the warnings of the late Christopher Hitchens , who once wrote in Harper ’ s magazine : “ Opinion polling was born out of a struggle not to discover the public mind but to master it.
” He continued : “ …Polls are deployed only when they might prove useful — that is , helpful to the powers that be in their question to maintain their position and influence .
Indeed , the polling industry is a powerful ally of depoliticization and its counterpart which is consensus .
”

ABC’s Trump In Trouble Poll Surveyed Just 533, Not Likely Voters, Asked Over 20% More Biden Supporters Than Conservatives
ABC-Ipsos’s new poll – which ostensibly shows President Trump in trouble – surveyed just 533 people, without a preference for likely or registered voters, and with a significant Democratic Party skew.
The poll – cited across the news media on Sunday – purported to show the public at odds with the President over the coronavirus pandemic as well as the widely debunked story about his supposedly derogatory comments about the military.
But the poll is almost less scientific than a Twitter survey, given who was polled and in what percentages and ratios.
STACKING THE DECK.
In total, the poll quizzed 31 percent Democrats, and just 25 percent Republicans. The pollsters also surveyed 38 percent self-identified independents.
In a telling detail, pollster Ipsos actually refused to reveal these party breakdown numbers on their website and in their PDF of the poll. Instead, they opaquely state: “Party ID benchmarks are from recent ABC News/Washington Post telephone polls.”
Recent ABC/Washington Post polls also stacked the decks in favor of Biden supporters, with the July polling quizzing 522 Biden supporters versus 399 Trump supporters. That amounts to a 27 percent inbuilt bias for Biden supporters.
ABC News itself was more up front about the numbers, revealing the stark difference between Democrats and Republicans surveyed.
‘GENERAL POPULATION’
The poll also failed to approach registered or likely voters: a key factor when attempting to rely on polling as a means by which to inform an election.
Instead, they reveal:
This ABC News/Ipsos poll was conducted September 11 to September 12, 2020 by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 533 general population adults age 18 or older.
The revelations about such shoddy polling brings to mind the warnings of the late Christopher Hitchens, who once wrote in Harper’s magazine: “Opinion polling was born out of a struggle not to discover the public mind but to master it.”
He continued: “…Polls are deployed only when they might prove useful — that is, helpful to the powers that be in their question to maintain their position and influence. Indeed, the polling industry is a powerful ally of depoliticization and its counterpart which is consensus.”


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--Former NSA Head Lawyer Testifies: The Trump Team Was Subject to Political Surveillance

This article is authored by Mitch Nemeth The topic of Trump-Russia collusion has been promulgated by many in the legacy news media .
Often , skeptics of this narrative are pushed by institutional news media towards conservative news outlets .
In recent days , there has been a major revelation buried in a Lawfare article , a publication that is no ally of the right .
At Lawfare , former National Security Agency general counsel Stewart Baker wrote that he will be testifying before the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board ( “ PCLOB ” ) in regards to Russiagate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the Executive Branch ; its purpose is to act as a check on government surveillance after the establishment of the USA PATRIOT Act .
After two notable national security crises ( 9/11 and Spygate ) , Baker has interjected himself into the debate .
On September 8th , Baker published an article at Lawfare that hints to his testimony before the PCLOB .
His testimony suggests that “ Like It or Not , Trump Has a Point : FISA Reform and the Appearance of Partisanship in Intelligence Investigations.
” The key points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows : • Campaign Mudslinging : Baker contends that the Hillary Clinton campaign , in an attempt to deflect from the FBI investigation into her handling of the private email server , sought to tarnish the Trump campaign with an FBI investigation of its own .
“ The Clinton Campaign , like any other , had assembled opposition research files on Trump .
Focusing some of that research on his disturbing affinity for Vladimir Putin was not an exactly original idea.
” • Steele Dossier : The DNC ’ s general counsel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s firm , Fusion GPS , $ 60,000 per month of DNC funds for opposition research .
DNC funds were used to pay Christopher Steele , a “ free-lance former British intelligence officer with credibility at the FBI on Russian issues.
” Elias then instructed Glenn Simpson to report his research only to Elias so as to be protected under attorney-client privilege .
As part of Steele ’ s work , he recruited a Russian in Washington , D.C. as a sub source who in turn provided what the Senate Intelligence Committee referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinformation campaign.
” • Steele Lobbied the National Security Agencies : After the FBI terminated its relationship with Christopher Steele over a leak , Steele used a backchannel through Bruce Ohr .
Ohr , who was associate deputy attorney general at the FBI , laundered his information the FBI top-brass Andrew McCabe , the then Deputy Director of the FBI , who acted as an informal conduit for Steele to later provide more information .
• The Carter Page FISA Application : The first FISA application on Carter Page relies on the Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this section is based on Steele ’ s reports , and the dossier provides the only support for the central allegation of the application – that Russia hacked and leaked Clinton campaign emails as part of an agreement with members of the Trump campaign .
” This allegation was never corroborated by the FBI or by Robert Mueller ’ s Special Counsel .
Further , Baker alleges , “ All these were grounded on false statements in a dossier paid for by the party in power and designed to discredit the party trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with FISA : The Obama Administration understood that it could monitor Russian Ambassador Kislyak ’ s conversation with Trump Transition team member Michael Flynn if Kislyak was the “ target of the surveillance.
” This sort of monitoring coincides with the Obama Administrations ’ 2015 wiretapping of Israeli officials that “ offered a rich vein of political intelligence about where Republicans stood , what they were planning , and even whether they had the votes to overturn the administration ’ s policies.
” As it turns out , the Israelis suspected that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Targeting of Michael Flynn : Baker writes of the Michael Flynn conversations with the Russian Ambassador , “ in all of the accounts of the meeting , there ’ s no sign any of the participants cared what the ambassador had said ; as with the Israeli intercepts , it was the American side of the conversation that had the Obama White House exercised.
” Further , the Logan Act implications of Flynn ’ s conversation is “ preposterous , ” as “ it certainly doesn ’ t prevent an incoming administration from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Obama Administration had a certain dislike of General Flynn .
Baker writes , “ President Obama himself raised questions at the meeting about whether intelligence should be withheld from the incoming team ; Flynn was the only candidate for such an exclusion.
” • Leaking FISA Contents : “ It is not unreasonable to conclude that the White House had not only encouraged a criminal investigation of Flynn under the Logan Act but had also leaked his exposure to the press – along with the contents of a wiretap.
” Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiretap contents “ to attack an American was unprecedented , ” and this inevitably ended Flynn ’ s career .
But don ’ t expect to see this widely reported anywhere else .

This article is authored by Mitch Nemeth
The topic of Trump-Russia collusion has been promulgated by many in the legacy news media. Often, skeptics of this narrative are pushed by institutional news media towards conservative news outlets. In recent days, there has been a major revelation buried in a Lawfare article, a publication that is no ally of the right.
At Lawfare, former National Security Agency general counsel Stewart Baker wrote that he will be testifying before the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (“PCLOB”) in regards to Russiagate. The PCLOB is an independent agency within the Executive Branch; its purpose is to act as a check on government surveillance after the establishment of the USA PATRIOT Act.
After two notable national security crises (9/11 and Spygate), Baker has interjected himself into the debate. On September 8th, Baker published an article at Lawfare that hints to his testimony before the PCLOB. His testimony suggests that “Like It or Not, Trump Has a Point: FISA Reform and the Appearance of Partisanship in Intelligence Investigations.”
The key points from Baker’s testimony are as follows:
Campaign Mudslinging: Baker contends that the Hillary Clinton campaign, in an attempt to deflect from the FBI investigation into her handling of the private email server, sought to tarnish the Trump campaign with an FBI investigation of its own. “The Clinton Campaign, like any other, had assembled opposition research files on Trump. Focusing some of that research on his disturbing affinity for Vladimir Putin was not an exactly original idea.”
Steele Dossier: The DNC’s general counsel, Mark Elias, paid Glenn Simpson’s firm, Fusion GPS, $60,000 per month of DNC funds for opposition research. DNC funds were used to pay Christopher Steele, a “free-lance former British intelligence officer with credibility at the FBI on Russian issues.” Elias then instructed Glenn Simpson to report his research only to Elias so as to be protected under attorney-client privilege. As part of Steele’s work, he recruited a Russian in Washington, D.C. as a sub source who in turn provided what the Senate Intelligence Committee referred to as part of “a Russian disinformation campaign.”
Steele Lobbied the National Security Agencies: After the FBI terminated its relationship with Christopher Steele over a leak, Steele used a backchannel through Bruce Ohr. Ohr, who was associate deputy attorney general at the FBI, laundered his information the FBI top-brass Andrew McCabe, the then Deputy Director of the FBI, who acted as an informal conduit for Steele to later provide more information.
The Carter Page FISA Application: The first FISA application on Carter Page relies on the Steele Dossier. “Fully a third of this section is based on Steele’s reports, and the dossier provides the only support for the central allegation of the application – that Russia hacked and leaked Clinton campaign emails as part of an agreement with members of the Trump campaign .” This allegation was never corroborated by the FBI or by Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel. Further, Baker alleges, “All these were grounded on false statements in a dossier paid for by the party in power and designed to discredit the party trying to unseat it.”
Reverse Targeting with FISA: The Obama Administration understood that it could monitor Russian Ambassador Kislyak’s conversation with Trump Transition team member Michael Flynn if Kislyak was the “target of the surveillance.” This sort of monitoring coincides with the Obama Administrations’ 2015 wiretapping of Israeli officials that “offered a rich vein of political intelligence about where Republicans stood, what they were planning, and even whether they had the votes to overturn the administration’s policies.” As it turns out, the Israelis suspected that “they were being spied on.”
Targeting of Michael Flynn: Baker writes of the Michael Flynn conversations with the Russian Ambassador, “in all of the accounts of the meeting, there’s no sign any of the participants cared what the ambassador had said; as with the Israeli intercepts, it was the American side of the conversation that had the Obama White House exercised.” Further, the Logan Act implications of Flynn’s conversation is “preposterous,” as “it certainly doesn’t prevent an incoming administration from talking to foreign leaders before inauguration day.” The Obama Administration had a certain dislike of General Flynn. Baker writes, “President Obama himself raised questions at the meeting about whether intelligence should be withheld from the incoming team; Flynn was the only candidate for such an exclusion.”
Leaking FISA Contents: “It is not unreasonable to conclude that the White House had not only encouraged a criminal investigation of Flynn under the Logan Act but had also leaked his exposure to the press – along with the contents of a wiretap.” Baker further notes that the leak of FISA wiretap contents “to attack an American was unprecedented,” and this inevitably ended Flynn’s career.
But don’t expect to see this widely reported anywhere else.


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--Democrats Paint Picture of a Bleak Future While Pivoting to Global Warming

The Party of Darkness is at it again .
After a summer of painting a bleak portrait of an America ravaged by pandemic and racial riots , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , presidential nominee Joe Biden and some big-name Democrat governors have pivoted to a new dark message : The Western wildfires are a harbinger of a future plagued by destruction from global warming .
Pelosi on Saturday delivered that message on the global stage as she hosted a virtual meeting with legislative leaders from G7 members Canada , Great Britain , France , Germany , Italy , and Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existential threat of our time , jeopardizing the health and well-being of every family in every community around the world , '' Pelosi and the other G7 leaders wrote in a joint declaration .
`` Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations in 2020 are among the highest averages ever recorded .
The planet suffered through the second hottest year ever in 2019 . ''
Joe Biden echoed the message , connecting the wildfires in the West to global warming and a future of destruction .
`` We absolutely must act now to avoid a future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the one American families are enduring across the West today , '' the former vice president said .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said there was no room any longer to deny , dispute or challenge the science behind climate change .
`` This is a climate damn emergency .
This is real , and it 's happening , '' he said as he toured the scorched remains of communities victimized in his own state by wildfires .
Republicans have blamed the fires on years of bad forest management that allowed large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forests without adequate clearing .
In a nod to the GOP argument , Newsom acknowledged forestry practices were a contributing factor .
`` That 's one point but not the point , '' Newsom said , according to the BBC .
Washington State Gov .
Jay Inslee , who unsuccessfully challenged Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination , also on Friday blamed the fires on global warming while predicting an even bleaker future .
`` This is not an act of God , '' he said .
`` This has happened because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Washington in dramatic ways . ''
President Trump offered a much more optimistic vision of a `` great American comeback '' during a rally Saturday night near Las Vegas .
`` On Nov. 3 , you will save America , '' the president told cheering fans , predicting he will win the election .

The Party of Darkness is at it again.
After a summer of painting a bleak portrait of an America ravaged by pandemic and racial riots, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, presidential nominee Joe Biden and some big-name Democrat governors have pivoted to a new dark message: The Western wildfires are a harbinger of a future plagued by destruction from global warming.
Pelosi on Saturday delivered that message on the global stage as she hosted a virtual meeting with legislative leaders from G7 members Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
"The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, jeopardizing the health and well-being of every family in every community around the world," Pelosi and the other G7 leaders wrote in a joint declaration. "Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations in 2020 are among the highest averages ever recorded. The planet suffered through the second hottest year ever in 2019."
Joe Biden echoed the message, connecting the wildfires in the West to global warming and a future of destruction.
"We absolutely must act now to avoid a future defined by an unending barrage of tragedies like the one American families are enduring across the West today," the former vice president said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said there was no room any longer to deny, dispute or challenge the science behind climate change. "This is a climate damn emergency. This is real, and it's happening," he said as he toured the scorched remains of communities victimized in his own state by wildfires.
Republicans have blamed the fires on years of bad forest management that allowed large amounts of flammable debris to pile in forests without adequate clearing. In a nod to the GOP argument, Newsom acknowledged forestry practices were a contributing factor.
"That's one point but not the point," Newsom said, according to the BBC.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, who unsuccessfully challenged Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, also on Friday blamed the fires on global warming while predicting an even bleaker future.
"This is not an act of God," he said. "This has happened because we have changed the climate of the state of Washington in dramatic ways."
President Trump offered a much more optimistic vision of a "great American comeback" during a rally Saturday night near Las Vegas. "On Nov. 3, you will save America," the president told cheering fans, predicting he will win the election.


bonginoreport--2020-09-13--Boeing Defends Safety Decisions It Made on 737 MAX Development

Two senior Boeing Co executives who oversaw the development of the 737 MAX defended the company 's decisions on a key cockpit system later tied to two fatal crashes , according to testimony before congressional investigators seen by Reuters .
Michael Teal , then 737 MAX chief product engineer , and Keith Leverkuhn , who was vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program , were questioned separately by investigators for the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May .
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE '' I do n't consider the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Leverkuhn told investigators for the House panel that is to release a final report next week on its investigation into the development of the plane , grounded since March 2019 after two crashes killed 346 people .
Leverkuhn defended the decision to tie a new safety system on the MAX , called MCAS , to a single sensor that has been implicated in both fatal crashes .
Boeing has since agreed to use data from two separate sensors when the plane returns to service , which could come as early as this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our understanding and our assumptions of flight crew actions , that it was n't a mistake , '' Leverkuhn said .
Later in his testimony , Leverkuhn added , `` Clearly what was in error was our assumptions regarding the human machine interaction .
Because the process relied on the industry standard of pilot reaction to a particular failure .
And what was clear post accidents was that assumption was incorrect . ''
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA TO CULL A THIRD OF ITS BOEING 737 FLEET UNDER BAIN OWNERSHIP Congressional investigators also questioned testimony that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis to determine the impact of whether the Federal Aviation Administration would require more expensive simulator training .
Teal said that if the 737 MAX design warranted simulator training , Boeing would have created it , while acknowledging that customers may have been disappointed .
`` Would airlines have been pleased with that , of course they would not have , '' he said , noting that Boeing had signaled all along that simulator training would not be necessary .
Last year , Boeing confirmed it had agreed to pay Southwest Airlines Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the training were required .
In January , Boeing reversed course and said it would recommend simulator training for all pilots before the MAX returns to service .
Teal , now the 777X chief project engineer , said the planemaker has since revised some pilot assumptions in the aftermath of the 737 MAX crashes .
`` It 's a learning that we are now putting forth on the new aircraft , '' he said .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which reported on the transcripts earlier , said Leverkuhn retired earlier this year as he had long planned , citing a Boeing spokesman .

Two senior Boeing Co executives who oversaw the development of the 737 MAX defended the company's decisions on a key cockpit system later tied to two fatal crashes, according to testimony before congressional investigators seen by Reuters.
Michael Teal, then 737 MAX chief product engineer, and Keith Leverkuhn, who was vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program, were questioned separately by investigators for the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May.
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"I don't consider the development of the airplane to be a failure," Leverkuhn told investigators for the House panel that is to release a final report next week on its investigation into the development of the plane, grounded since March 2019 after two crashes killed 346 people.
Leverkuhn defended the decision to tie a new safety system on the MAX, called MCAS, to a single sensor that has been implicated in both fatal crashes. Boeing has since agreed to use data from two separate sensors when the plane returns to service, which could come as early as this year.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % BA THE BOEING CO. 232.21 -4.53 -1.91%
"I think based upon our understanding and our assumptions of flight crew actions, that it wasn't a mistake," Leverkuhn said.
Later in his testimony, Leverkuhn added, "Clearly what was in error was our assumptions regarding the human machine interaction. Because the process relied on the industry standard of pilot reaction to a particular failure. And what was clear post accidents was that assumption was incorrect."
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Congressional investigators also questioned testimony that Boeing had never conducted an internal financial analysis to determine the impact of whether the Federal Aviation Administration would require more expensive simulator training.
Teal said that if the 737 MAX design warranted simulator training, Boeing would have created it, while acknowledging that customers may have been disappointed.
"Would airlines have been pleased with that, of course they would not have," he said, noting that Boeing had signaled all along that simulator training would not be necessary.
Last year, Boeing confirmed it had agreed to pay Southwest Airlines Co a $1 million per MAX rebate if the training were required.
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In January, Boeing reversed course and said it would recommend simulator training for all pilots before the MAX returns to service.
Teal, now the 777X chief project engineer, said the planemaker has since revised some pilot assumptions in the aftermath of the 737 MAX crashes. "It's a learning that we are now putting forth on the new aircraft," he said.
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Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Wall Street Journal, which reported on the transcripts earlier, said Leverkuhn retired earlier this year as he had long planned, citing a Boeing spokesman.
(Reporting by David Shepardson and Tracy Rucinski; Editing by William Mallard)


bonginoreport--2020-09-14--Dominic Thiem Wins U.S. Open

Dominic Thiem Wins U.S. Open

Seven masks , two U.S. Open titles , three Grand Slam titles ...

It was the weekend of comebacks at the U.S. Open in Flushing — a fitting tribute to a city that has made one helluva COVID comeback.
The Twilight Zone version of the fan-less Open concluded Sunday in an epic four-hour match and a first-ever fifth-set tiebreaker of a men’s final.
Austrian Dominic Thiem rallied from two sets down and an early break in the third to post a five-set 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory over German Alexander Zverev at empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
When it was over, Thiem and Zverev, two German-speaking tour buddies, broke the fortnight’s social protocols, slapping hands and embracing instead of tapping rackets as had been the coronavirus custom. Who could blame them.
“We are really good friends,’’ Thiem said. “We have a long-term friendship. We were both tested negative maybe 14 times. We didn’t put anyone in danger. We wanted to share the moment… We just wanted to share the moment. We didn’t put anybody in danger.”
It was the first time in 70 years a five-setter in a men’s Open final was won by a player who had been two sets down.
It’s been known for a week there would be a first-time men’s Grand Slam champion after Novak Djokovic’s disqualification. That turned out to be Thiem, the second seed who came in with a 7-2 record against his big-serving friend but admitted he was pressing early.
“I had a great career so far, way better career than I could ever dreamt of, but until today there was still a big part, a big goal missing,’’ Thiem said.
It finally ended with Zverev pulling a backhand wide as the cramping Austrian fell in joy onto his back.
“I was so tight at the beginning,’’ said Thiem, who had been in three prior Grand Slam finals. “I wanted this title so much, and of course there was also in my head that if I lose this one, it’s 0-4 [in Grand Slam finals]. We both didn’t face one of the Big 3. That was in the back of the head for both of us. That’s why we were on nerves.”
The classic men’s final came one day after the women’s final featured Naomi Osaka rallying from a horrifying first set to win her second women’s crown.
The fifth-set tiebreak matched the five-set win by Thiem over Zverev in the Australian Open semifinals. Thiem also rallied from 5-3 down in the fifth set with Zverev serving for the match and 2-0 in the fifth-set tiebreaker. Thiem said he cramped up late but his mind outperformed his body.
Zverev, after playing in his first Grand Slam final, choked up several times while receiving the runner-up trophy, having to pause for more than 10 seconds to gather himself when he referred to his parents as “important people missing in the crowd today.’’
For two sets, Thiem pounded his famous forehand deep and he looked oddly detached in his fourth Grand Slam final before settling in. Zverev started to show nerves late in the second set, blowing a 5-1 lead, but he held on to take a two-sets-to-none lead.
The momentum had shifted by then. Thiem reverted to his rock-solid baseline form to become the first Austrian to win a Grand Slam since Tomas Muster won the 1995 French Open.
The comeback capped a successfully healthy if controversial Open. While the world’s best player, Djokovic, was disqualified, it was not because of COVID-19 but for accidentally flicking a tennis ball that struck a female line judge in the neck.
No players tested positive for the coronavirus once the first ball was struck two weeks ago. The Flushing tennis center has come a long way since its turn as a harbor for COVID-19 patients in April— as did New York City, once the world’s hot spot.
“At the end we reflect back and say it’s safe, it’s been good for tennis, and it’s been financially good for the players and the tennis ecosystem,’’ USTA CEO Michael Dowse said.
The fifth set was a classic roller coaster. Thiem was up a break but double-faulted to let Zverev get the marathon back on serve with the German ultimately getting ahead 5-3. One more comeback remained for Thiem.
“When he served for the match, I was struggling physically, but I also thought that he is not the freshest anymore,’’ Thiem said. “The belief was stronger than the body.’’


bonginoreport--2020-09-14--Electric Vehicle Startup Nikola Under Fire for “Self-Driving Truck” Claims

Shares of Nikola recovered from early losses Monday as the electric vehicle start-up disputed fraud claims made last week by short-selling firm Hindenburg Research .
In a statement Monday , the company said there were `` dozens '' of inaccurate allegations in the report , and it outlined specific examples .
But Nikola is n't disputing one of Hindenburg 's largest claims — that it staged a video showing a truck that appeared to be functional but was n't , as well as claims that the truck was fully functional .
Nikola shares closed Monday at $ 35.79 , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as comments from Nikola CFO Kim Brady , who reassured investors the company 's plans remain on track .
He also reconfirmed comments made last week that detailed billions in potential cost savings from announced partnerships , and specifically called out its plans with General Motors .
Nikola said it anticipated saving `` over $ 4 billion in battery and powertrain costs over 10 years and over $ 1 billion in engineering and validation costs . ''
`` I think it 's offensive to our strategic partners that you have a short seller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially pointing fingers at our strategic partners that they do n't know what they 're doing , '' Brady said during an RBC Capital Markets conference .
`` I would suggest it 's ridiculous to think they have n't done a deep dive ; much more deep dive than what any third party short seller would be able to perform . ''
Regarding the video , Nikola said it `` never stated its truck was driving under its own propulsion in the video , although the truck was designed to do just that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no disclaimers that the truck was n't functioning on its own .
`` It was never described as 'under its own propulsion ' or 'powertrain driven , ' `` the company said .
Nikola said investors at the time knew the capabilities of the prototype vehicle , calling the 3-year-old video `` irrelevant except for the fact that the short seller is trying to use it for its main thesis . ''
The company said it `` ultimately decided not to invest additional resources '' to complete the vehicle .
It instead shifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nikola Two , which the company has demonstrated is self-propelled .
Hindenburg said the truck was `` towed to the top of a hill on a remote stretch of road and simply filmed it rolling down the hill . ''
It was then used in a video , which Nikola said was created by a third party , in which the truck appeared to be driving on its own propulsion on flat roads .
The video was one of several claims in the firm 's report , which was called `` Nikola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lies Into a Partnership With the Largest Auto OEM in America . ''
The accusations came days after GM said it is taking an 11 % stake in Nikola .
GM said it planned to produce Nikola 's battery-electric pickup truck the Badger by the end of 2022 .
Hindenburg accused Nikola 's founder , Trevor Milton , of making false statements about the company 's technology in order to grow and partner with auto companies .
Nikola has rejected the claims , calling the report `` a hit job for short sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said it has contacted and briefed the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its `` concerns pertaining to the Hindenburg report . ''
It also has retained a law firm regarding potential legal action .
In other instances , Nikola said Hindenburg mischaracterized a quote from an employee of auto supplier Bosch , a partner of the company ; misrepresented comments from Milton about potential advancements in the company 's battery technology ; and falsely linked the departure of a chief financial officer to refunding deposits for first-generation versions of the company 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims outlined by Hindenburg .
Those allegations included alleged misrepresentation of the capabilities of the Nikola One during the vehicle 's unveiling in 2017 and claims that the company 's headquarters was off the grid .
Hindenburg founder Nathan Anderson said the firm finds Nikola 's statement on Monday `` completely inadequate . ''
`` Nikola had previously promised a point by point rebuttal to our report and this morning 's press release did not deliver on that promise , '' Anderson said in an email to CNBC .
`` In the few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it largely confirmed our findings or simply raised new unanswered questions .
We will be issuing a detailed response . ''
In a tweet Monday morning , Milton said the company is `` focused on delivering '' — something analysts such as Wedbush 's Daniel Ives have been advising Nikola investors on doing .
`` While we look forward to management addressing some of these issues , we continue to believe seeing the forest through the trees that Nikola is a story stock now and its all about execution looking ahead through 2023 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note Monday .
Ives said if Nikola can achieve goals such as completion of an assembly plant in Arizona and building saleable models , the opportunity for the stock `` is massive and the stock will reflect this dynamic . ''

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Founder of Nikola, Trevor Milton speaks during presentation of its new full-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell battery trucks in partnership with CNH Industrial, at an event in Turin, Italy December 2, 2019. Massimo Pinca | Reuters
Shares of Nikola recovered from early losses Monday as the electric vehicle start-up disputed fraud claims made last week by short-selling firm Hindenburg Research. In a statement Monday, the company said there were "dozens" of inaccurate allegations in the report, and it outlined specific examples. But Nikola isn't disputing one of Hindenburg's largest claims — that it staged a video showing a truck that appeared to be functional but wasn't, as well as claims that the truck was fully functional. Nikola shares closed Monday at $35.79, up 11% following the rebuttal as well as comments from Nikola CFO Kim Brady, who reassured investors the company's plans remain on track. He also reconfirmed comments made last week that detailed billions in potential cost savings from announced partnerships, and specifically called out its plans with General Motors .
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Nikola said it anticipated saving "over $4 billion in battery and powertrain costs over 10 years and over $1 billion in engineering and validation costs." "I think it's offensive to our strategic partners that you have a short seller who's doing a hack job and essentially pointing fingers at our strategic partners that they don't know what they're doing," Brady said during an RBC Capital Markets conference. "I would suggest it's ridiculous to think they haven't done a deep dive; much more deep dive than what any third party short seller would be able to perform." Regarding the video, Nikola said it "never stated its truck was driving under its own propulsion in the video, although the truck was designed to do just that." However, there also were no disclaimers that the truck wasn't functioning on its own. "It was never described as 'under its own propulsion' or 'powertrain driven,' " the company said. Nikola said investors at the time knew the capabilities of the prototype vehicle, calling the 3-year-old video "irrelevant except for the fact that the short seller is trying to use it for its main thesis." The company said it "ultimately decided not to invest additional resources" to complete the vehicle. It instead shifted resources to another pickup, known as the Nikola Two, which the company has demonstrated is self-propelled.
watch now
Hindenburg said the truck was "towed to the top of a hill on a remote stretch of road and simply filmed it rolling down the hill." It was then used in a video, which Nikola said was created by a third party, in which the truck appeared to be driving on its own propulsion on flat roads. The video was one of several claims in the firm's report, which was called "Nikola: How to Parlay An Ocean of Lies Into a Partnership With the Largest Auto OEM in America." The accusations came days after GM said it is taking an 11% stake in Nikola. GM said it planned to produce Nikola's battery-electric pickup truck the Badger by the end of 2022. Hindenburg accused Nikola's founder, Trevor Milton, of making false statements about the company's technology in order to grow and partner with auto companies. Nikola has rejected the claims, calling the report "a hit job for short sale profit driven by greed." The company said it has contacted and briefed the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its "concerns pertaining to the Hindenburg report." It also has retained a law firm regarding potential legal action.
Nikola Motor Company Source: Nikola Motor Company