bonginoreport--2020-09-19--Army to Implement “Gentler” Basic Training

Editor ’ s note : This article by Matthew Cox originally appeared on Military.com , a leading source of news for the military and veteran community The U.S. Army has replaced the chaotic reception recruits entering basic training have long received from shouting drill sergeants with a training event designed to create a bond with their teammates and leaders .
Day one of Army Basic Combat Training has always been a rite of passage that involved menacing groups of drill sergeants descending on terrified recruits , yelling commands and ordering trainees to perform push-ups and other exercises with packed duffel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commonly referred to as the shark attack , this non-documented period of instruction was developed during our draft Army years , '' Command Sgt .
Maj. Robert Fortenberry , the CSM of the Infantry School at Fort Benning , Georgia , said in a video presentation at the recent 2020 Maneuver Warfighter Conference .
`` Drill sergeants were charged with the [ evaluating ] trainees ' ability to handle stress , singling out the perceived undesirables by enveloping them in a manner that emulated a shark attack , '' he continued .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instill the spirit of the infantry ; it betrays the innate trust between teammates and , worse , betrays the crucial bond of trust with our leaders . ''
Fortenberry described how Benning 's 22-week infantry one-station unit training has replaced the shark attack with `` The First 100 Yards , '' a new introductory training event being instituted at Basic Combat Training sites across the Army .
The new training exercise is designed to put new trainees through a series of physically and mentally challenging events that will build an initial foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , belief in your teammates , and a belief in the leaders with whom they serve , '' Fortenberry said .
The Army began creating this new approach to the beginning of BCT during the spring , when it had to implement new safety procedures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 , Col. Richard McNorton , spokesman for Training and Doctrine Command , told Military.com .
Recruits coming in during the pandemic were already facing a highly stressful environment , so leaders at all the basic training bases agreed that the shark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That 's not how we want soldiers to view our NCOs , '' he said , adding that the new approach is being taught at the Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson , South Carolina .
`` It 's completely changed the dynamic of how we have done Basic Combat Training for the past 50-60 years . ''
The First 100 Yards begins at the reception station a few days before trainees go to their BCT units .
It covers information , which they will be quizzed on later , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as unit chain of command and unit history .
On day one of BCT , trainees are organized into platoons and given a resupply mission , requiring each platoon to work as a team to complete an essential operation , Fortenberry said in the video , which shows footage of trainees running with boxes of Meals , Ready to Eat .
Platoons then conduct events from the new Army Combat Fitness Test , which is scheduled to replace the Army Physical Fitness Test across the Army on Oct. 1 .
They do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the standing power throw , performing as many reps as possible for a combined platoon score , Fortenberry said .
`` The platoons that fail to obtain the [ highest score ] will be given an appropriate corrective training exercise , '' he said .
Drill sergeants will also quiz trainees about the information they learned at the reception station and dole out corrective training for incorrect answers .
The trainees are then instructed to retrieve their baggage , which is staged in a specific location , and move it quickly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not designed to be a hazing event but [ to ] promote attention to detail and urgency to execute a task in a timely manner , '' Fortenberry said .
Next comes a demonstration by a squad of infantry in full battle rattle , moving with M4 carbines and other weapons through smoke and pyrotechnics .
`` The infantry demonstration squad inspires the trainees to stay the course and complete the last 100 yards of training , '' Fortenberry said .
The First 100 Yards concludes with the drill sergeants marching trainees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first two weeks of isolated training , known as `` controlled monitoring , '' as part of the COVID-19 safety protocols the Army began in the spring .
While it 's too early to have significant data on the program , McNorton said the Army plans to evaluate the effort to see whether it reduces attrition in basic training and advanced individual training .
`` This is an all-volunteer Army , and we need to focus on building trust , teaching values , and connecting to them , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help build teamwork and esprit de corps from the start of infantry training .
`` It is critical that our newest generation of soldiers have the experience at the beginning of their journey to become an infantry soldier , '' he said .
`` This lays the foundation for the next 22 weeks of infantry training . ''
This article originally appeared on Military.com More articles from Military.com : • An Army General Wants to Send Rangers After Internet Trolls • South Korean Driver Was Drunk , Speeding Before Fatal Crash with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You Need to Know About the Air Force 's Navy

Editor’s note: This article by Matthew Cox originally appeared on Military.com, a leading source of news for the military and veteran community
The U.S. Army has replaced the chaotic reception recruits entering basic training have long received from shouting drill sergeants with a training event designed to create a bond with their teammates and leaders.
Day one of Army Basic Combat Training has always been a rite of passage that involved menacing groups of drill sergeants descending on terrified recruits, yelling commands and ordering trainees to perform push-ups and other exercises with packed duffel bags strapped to their backs.
“Commonly referred to as the shark attack, this non-documented period of instruction was developed during our draft Army years,” Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Fortenberry, the CSM of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, said in a video presentation at the recent 2020 Maneuver Warfighter Conference.
“Drill sergeants were charged with the [evaluating] trainees' ability to handle stress, singling out the perceived undesirables by enveloping them in a manner that emulated a shark attack,” he continued. “This activity, however, does not instill the spirit of the infantry; it betrays the innate trust between teammates and, worse, betrays the crucial bond of trust with our leaders.”
Fortenberry described how Benning's 22-week infantry one-station unit training has replaced the shark attack with “The First 100 Yards,” a new introductory training event being instituted at Basic Combat Training sites across the Army.
The new training exercise is designed to put new trainees through a series of physically and mentally challenging events that will build an initial foundation of “belief in one's self, belief in your teammates, and a belief in the leaders with whom they serve,” Fortenberry said.
The Army began creating this new approach to the beginning of BCT during the spring, when it had to implement new safety procedures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Col. Richard McNorton, spokesman for Training and Doctrine Command, told Military.com.
Recruits coming in during the pandemic were already facing a highly stressful environment, so leaders at all the basic training bases agreed that the shark attack ritual should go, McNorton said.
“That's not how we want soldiers to view our NCOs,” he said, adding that the new approach is being taught at the Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. “It's completely changed the dynamic of how we have done Basic Combat Training for the past 50-60 years.”
The First 100 Yards begins at the reception station a few days before trainees go to their BCT units. It covers information, which they will be quizzed on later, about their training battalion and motto, as well as unit chain of command and unit history.
On day one of BCT, trainees are organized into platoons and given a resupply mission, requiring each platoon to work as a team to complete an essential operation, Fortenberry said in the video, which shows footage of trainees running with boxes of Meals, Ready to Eat.
Platoons then conduct events from the new Army Combat Fitness Test, which is scheduled to replace the Army Physical Fitness Test across the Army on Oct. 1. They do the leg tuck, hand-release push-ups and the standing power throw, performing as many reps as possible for a combined platoon score, Fortenberry said.
“The platoons that fail to obtain the [highest score] will be given an appropriate corrective training exercise,” he said.
Drill sergeants will also quiz trainees about the information they learned at the reception station and dole out corrective training for incorrect answers.
The trainees are then instructed to retrieve their baggage, which is staged in a specific location, and move it quickly to the company training area.
“This is not designed to be a hazing event but [to] promote attention to detail and urgency to execute a task in a timely manner,” Fortenberry said.
Next comes a demonstration by a squad of infantry in full battle rattle, moving with M4 carbines and other weapons through smoke and pyrotechnics.
“The infantry demonstration squad inspires the trainees to stay the course and complete the last 100 yards of training,” Fortenberry said.
The First 100 Yards concludes with the drill sergeants marching trainees to their platoon bays to begin what will be the first two weeks of isolated training, known as “controlled monitoring,” as part of the COVID-19 safety protocols the Army began in the spring.
While it's too early to have significant data on the program, McNorton said the Army plans to evaluate the effort to see whether it reduces attrition in basic training and advanced individual training.
“This is an all-volunteer Army, and we need to focus on building trust, teaching values, and connecting to them,” he said.
Fortenberry said the new training approach will help build teamwork and esprit de corps from the start of infantry training.
“It is critical that our newest generation of soldiers have the experience at the beginning of their journey to become an infantry soldier,” he said. “This lays the foundation for the next 22 weeks of infantry training.”
This article originally appeared on Military.com
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bonginoreport--2020-09-19--CNN Shamelessly Promotes Biden Over Trump Claiming “Trump is a Liar”

Curtis Houck demonstrated that CNN put on a transparently friendly `` town hall '' event with Joe Biden last night .
They placed it in Scranton , Pennsylvania , which Biden always touts as his birthplace , the source of his `` working class roots . ''
The questions slanted dramatically toward self-identified Democrats .
At least there was n't a fraudulent talk of `` uncommitted voters '' who sound exactly like Democrats ( as in ABC on Tuesday ) About two hours after the event , Oliver Darcy put out the company talking points in CNN 's `` Reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ A town hall like no other.
” This is because they held it in the parking lot of a minor-league ballpark , drive-in-movie-style .
Darcy did n't note Biden was enthusiastically applauded when he came on screen , and in the middle of some answers at the event .
This felt like a Democrat campaign stop .
But Darcy dismissed any notion of liberal favoritism toward Biden as ludicrous , because Trump is America 's greatest liar : The notion that Trump should be interviewed in the same fashion as Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the truth and it shows every single time he is in front of a camera .
He lies , misleads , and promotes conspiracy theories at an unprecedented rate in modern American politics .
That is why the news coverage of him is more aggressive than it is with Biden .
As Daniel Dale — who was actually watching the Biden town hall Thursday to fact-check it — pointed out on Twitter , `` Biden had exponentially fewer inaccuracies than Trump has had at almost every single one of his unscripted events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't excuse all these softball questions and CNN 's gushing ideological favoritism toward the Biden-Bernie Sanders agenda , and then claim this can be explained as all about `` the lies and conspiracy theories . ''
Brian Stelter highlighted the Daniel Dale/CNN talking point as well : Curtis Houck noted that after the ABC event , Brian Stelter interviewed several unsatisfied Trump questioners , touting how Obamacare-promoting professor Ellesia Blaque said Trump `` reanimated '' her to vote for Biden .
No one attempted to interview CNN 's Biden questioners for their company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Republicans .
Like a good CNN employee , Darcy recounted a list of `` Highlights from the event , '' meaning his favorite Biden answers : > > Biden called Trump 's response to the pandemic `` close to criminal , '' citing Bob Woodward 's interview with the President in which he admitted he knew how dangerous it was , but still continued to downplay it ... > > Biden : `` I never , ever thought I would see such a thoroughly , totally irresponsible administration ... '' > > @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big difference '' between Trump 's political rallies and protests against racial injustice ... > > Biden called Attorney General Bill Barr 's comparison of the coronavirus lockdowns to slavery `` outrageous ... '' > > Biden lauded CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield for `` standing up '' for masks ... > > Biden went after Trump for trying to `` throw into question the legitimacy of the election ... '' > > Biden said he is `` looking forward '' to debating Trump ... Then Darcy linked to another happy CNN summary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CNN inveighed against this energetically-implied moral equivalence all day .
But this is the actual quote .
`` You know , putting a national lockdown , stay at home orders , is like house arrest .
Other than slavery , which was a different kind of restraint , this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history . ''
CNN is shamelessly promoting Biden for President , and they 're not pretending to be objective .

Curtis Houck demonstrated that CNN put on a transparently friendly "town hall" event with Joe Biden last night. They placed it in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which Biden always touts as his birthplace, the source of his "working class roots." The questions slanted dramatically toward self-identified Democrats. At least there wasn't a fraudulent talk of "uncommitted voters" who sound exactly like Democrats (as in ABC on Tuesday)
About two hours after the event, Oliver Darcy put out the company talking points in CNN's "Reliable Sources" email newsletter, touting it as “A town hall like no other.” This is because they held it in the parking lot of a minor-league ballpark, drive-in-movie-style. Darcy didn't note Biden was enthusiastically applauded when he came on screen, and in the middle of some answers at the event. This felt like a Democrat campaign stop.
But Darcy dismissed any notion of liberal favoritism toward Biden as ludicrous, because Trump is America's greatest liar:
The notion that Trump should be interviewed in the same fashion as Biden is absurd. Trump has no allegiance to the truth and it shows every single time he is in front of a camera. He lies, misleads, and promotes conspiracy theories at an unprecedented rate in modern American politics. That is why the news coverage of him is more aggressive than it is with Biden. As Daniel Dale — who was actually watching the Biden town hall Thursday to fact-check it — pointed out on Twitter, "Biden had exponentially fewer inaccuracies than Trump has had at almost every single one of his unscripted events."
Dear Oliver: You can't excuse all these softball questions and CNN's gushing ideological favoritism toward the Biden-Bernie Sanders agenda, and then claim this can be explained as all about "the lies and conspiracy theories."
Brian Stelter highlighted the Daniel Dale/CNN talking point as well:
Curtis Houck noted that after the ABC event, Brian Stelter interviewed several unsatisfied Trump questioners, touting how Obamacare-promoting professor Ellesia Blaque said Trump "reanimated" her to vote for Biden. No one attempted to interview CNN's Biden questioners for their company newsletter, especially the rare ones identified as Republicans.
Like a good CNN employee, Darcy recounted a list of "Highlights from the event," meaning his favorite Biden answers:
>> Biden called Trump's response to the pandemic "close to criminal," citing Bob Woodward's interview with the President in which he admitted he knew how dangerous it was, but still continued to downplay it... >> Biden: "I never, ever thought I would see such a thoroughly, totally irresponsible administration..." >> Biden argued that there is a "big difference" between Trump's political rallies and protests against racial injustice... >> Biden called Attorney General Bill Barr's comparison of the coronavirus lockdowns to slavery "outrageous..." >> Biden lauded CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield for "standing up" for masks... >> Biden went after Trump for trying to "throw into question the legitimacy of the election..." >> Biden said he is "looking forward" to debating Trump...
Then Darcy linked to another happy CNN summary of Biden highlights.
Speaking of Barr, CNN inveighed against this energetically-implied moral equivalence all day. But this is the actual quote. "You know, putting a national lockdown, stay at home orders, is like house arrest. Other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history."
CNN is shamelessly promoting Biden for President, and they're not pretending to be objective.


bonginoreport--2020-09-19--Ted Cruz: We Cannot Have Election Day Come and Go With a 4-4 Court

Ted Cruz explains the grave danger of not filling SCOTUS vacancy before election : ' A constitutional crisis' ' I @ @ @ @ @ — a responsibility to do our job '

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) explained late Friday why the Supreme Court vacancy, caused by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, must be filled before Election Day.
What did Cruz say?
Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Cruz said the integrity of the election depends on the court having nine justices, especially considering the enhanced likelihood of a legally contested contest this year.
"I think it is tremendously important that not only does the nomination happen next week but that the confirmation before Election Day," Cruz explained. "Democrats and Joe Biden have made clear, they intend to challenge this election, they intend to fight the legitimacy of the election. As you know, Hillary Clinton has told Joe Biden 'under no circumstances should you concede. You should challenge this election.'"
"We cannot have Election Day come and go with a 4-4 court," Cruz said.
If the seat is not filled prior to Election Day, America risks a "constitutional crisis," the Texas senator went on to say.
"A 4-4 court that is equally divided cannot decide anything. And I think we risk a constitutional crisis if we do not have a nine justice Supreme Court, particularly when there's such a risk of a contested litigation and a contested election," Cruz explained.
"Twenty years ago, I was part of the legal team that litigated Bush v. Gore and went to the Supreme Court. Thirty-seven days the country did not know who the president was going to be, and if we had a 4-4 court it could have dragged on for weeks and months," he continued.
"So, I think we have a responsibility — a responsibility to do our job," Cruz said. "The president should nominate a principled constitutionalist with a proven record, and the Senate is going to take a lot of work to get it done before Election Day but I think we should do our job and protect the country from the constitutional crisis that could result otherwise."
Earlier in his interview, Cruz said, "This nomination is why Donald Trump was elected. This confirmation is why the voters voted for a Republican majority in the Senate."
Anything else?
It's not yet clear who President Donald Trump will nominate to fill the high court vacancy.
However, just last week, the White House released an updated list of potential nominees for future Supreme Court vacancies. Cruz's name is on the list, although he has since stated that he is not interested in serving on the Supreme Court.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative justice who was confirmed to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017, is thought to be one of the top contenders for the seat.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed late Friday that the Senate will vote on Trump's nominee before Election Day.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--Louisville Police Declare State of Emergency Ahead of Breonna Taylor Decision

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( LEX 18 ) — Chief of Police Robert J. Schroeder is declaring a state of emergency for the Louisville Metro Police Department ( LMPD ) as they wait for Attorney General Daniel Cameron 's decision whether or not to indict the officers in the Breonna Taylor case .
The department has canceled all off days and vacation requests until further notice .
`` The public may also see barriers being staged around downtown , which is another part of our preparations , '' Sgt .
Lamont Washington said in the statement .
`` It is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timetable for the announcement . ''
Taylor , a 26-year-old emergency medical worker , was killed by Louisville police serving a `` no-knock '' narcotics search warrant at her apartment .
They found no drugs in her home .
An officer was shot during the raid by Taylor 's boyfriend , who has said he thought he was defending against a home invasion .
The boyfriend was initially charged , but those charges were later dropped .
The Louisville Metro Police Department fired one of the officers involved , Brett Hankison , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing `` extreme indifference to the value of human life . ''
The other officers involved in the case — Jon Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — have been placed on administrative reassignment .
`` To ensure we have the appropriate level of staffing to provide for public safety services and our policing functions , effective immediately the LMPD will operate under the emergency staffing and reporting guidelines as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures , Emergency Response Plan , and collective bargaining agreements until further notice , '' a memo sent Monday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Courthouse will also close this week .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Chief of Police Robert J. Schroeder is declaring a state of emergency for the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) as they wait for Attorney General Daniel Cameron's decision whether or not to indict the officers in the Breonna Taylor case.
The department has canceled all off days and vacation requests until further notice.
"The public may also see barriers being staged around downtown, which is another part of our preparations," Sgt. Lamont Washington said in the statement. "It is important to note that the AG has no timetable for the announcement."
Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical worker, was killed by Louisville police serving a "no-knock" narcotics search warrant at her apartment. They found no drugs in her home. An officer was shot during the raid by Taylor's boyfriend, who has said he thought he was defending against a home invasion. The boyfriend was initially charged, but those charges were later dropped.
The Louisville Metro Police Department fired one of the officers involved, Brett Hankison, in June, saying he violated procedures by showing "extreme indifference to the value of human life." The other officers involved in the case — Jon Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — have been placed on administrative reassignment.
"To ensure we have the appropriate level of staffing to provide for public safety services and our policing functions, effective immediately the LMPD will operate under the emergency staffing and reporting guidelines as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Emergency Response Plan, and collective bargaining agreements until further notice," a memo sent Monday to all personnel states.
The Gene Snyder Courthouse will also close this week.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--“Transition Integrity Project” Founder Calls for Execution of Former Trump Nat Sec Official

Nils Gilman , the founder of the so-called “ bipartisan ” Transition Integrity Project , called for the execution of former Trump administration national security official Michael Anton in light of Anton writing critically about the group ’ s efforts to steal the 2020 election and secure a victory for Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Gilman , who serves as Vice President of Programs at the Chinese Communist Party-linked Berggruen Institute , took to Twitter to express his desire that Anton be executed in the same fashion as Robert Brasillach .
Specifically , he insisted “ Michael Anton is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserves the same fate.
” Brasillach was a French author and journalist who was executed in 1944 by firing squad for using his various platforms to advance Nazi collaborationism and anti-Semitism during World War II .
The execution , rather than lifetime imprisonment , was highly controversial related to intellectual crimes as opposed to military or political actions .
With his comments , not only is Gilman falsely insinuating that Anton is a Nazi , but also that he deserves to be executed for his opinions .
The tweet also included a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Trump official dreamed up a George Soros-funded ‘ coup ’ conspiracy that is spreading online , ” which chronicles how Anton helped expose the nefarious and democracy-undermining activities of the Transition Integrity Project .
“ The crux of Anton ’ s argument rests on a meeting of the Transition Integrity Project , a group that is monitoring the 2020 election for disruptions .
Anton writes that a set of thought exercises where members acted out possible outcomes of the 2020 election , including a Democratic coup , was convened “ on George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a “ trial run ” for this fall ’ s election , ” the article notes .
Anton , author of The Stakes and the famous “ Flight 93 Election ” essay , spoke about the Transition Integrity Project with Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam on The National Pulse show in early September and also wrote about the group ’ s calculated attempts to swipe the 2020 election in a host of op-eds .
Writing for The American Mind , Anton referenced the group ’ s 22-page report , analyzed by The National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street fight ” to secure a Biden victory : “ Over the summer a story was deliberately leaked to the press of a meeting at which 100 Democratic grandees , anti-Trump former Republicans , and other ruling class apparatchiks got together ( on George Soros ’ s dime ) to “ game out ” various outcomes of the 2020 election .
One such outcome was a clear Trump win .
In that eventuality , former Bill Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta , playing Biden , refused to concede , pressured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the formal Electoral College vote , and trusted that the military would take care of the rest .
The leaked report from the exercise darkly concluded that “ technocratic solutions , courts , and reliance on elites observing norms are not the answer here , ” promising that what would follow the November election would be “ a street fight , not a legal battle.
” The Transition Integrity Project purports to be a neutral arbiter of the 2020 election but , in reality , the initiative is replete with fervent Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single Trump-supporting Republican has been identified as a member .
The project “ war-gamed ” election outcomes where Biden , played by John Podesta , refused to concede the election and is funded by a group teeming with former Obama alumni .
Its other founder , Rosa Brooks , is an alum of George Soros ’ s Open Society Institute and has dined privately with the Democratic mega-donor in addition to donating thousands of dollars to the Biden campaign .

Nils Gilman, the founder of the so-called “bipartisan” Transition Integrity Project, called for the execution of former Trump administration national security official Michael Anton in light of Anton writing critically about the group’s efforts to steal the 2020 election and secure a victory for Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Gilman, who serves as Vice President of Programs at the Chinese Communist Party-linked Berggruen Institute, took to Twitter to express his desire that Anton be executed in the same fashion as Robert Brasillach.
Specifically, he insisted “Michael Anton is the Robert Brasillach of our times and deserves the same fate.”
Brasillach was a French author and journalist who was executed in 1944 by firing squad for using his various platforms to advance Nazi collaborationism and anti-Semitism during World War II. The execution, rather than lifetime imprisonment, was highly controversial related to intellectual crimes as opposed to military or political actions.
With his comments, not only is Gilman falsely insinuating that Anton is a Nazi, but also that he deserves to be executed for his opinions.
Michael Anton is the Robert Brasillach of our times and deserves the same fate https://t.co/eJNOF49qTa — Nils Gilman (@nils_gilman) September 21, 2020
The tweet also included a link to a Forward article: “A former Trump official dreamed up a George Soros-funded ‘coup’ conspiracy that is spreading online,” which chronicles how Anton helped expose the nefarious and democracy-undermining activities of the Transition Integrity Project.
“The crux of Anton’s argument rests on a meeting of the Transition Integrity Project, a group that is monitoring the 2020 election for disruptions. Anton writes that a set of thought exercises where members acted out possible outcomes of the 2020 election, including a Democratic coup, was convened “on George Soros’s dime” and represented part of a “trial run” for this fall’s election,” the article notes.
Anton, author of The Stakes and the famous “Flight 93 Election” essay, spoke about the Transition Integrity Project with Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam on The National Pulse show in early September and also wrote about the group’s calculated attempts to swipe the 2020 election in a host of op-eds.
WATCH IN FULL:
Writing for The American Mind, Anton referenced the group’s 22-page report, analyzed by The National Pulse, which calls for a “street fight” to secure a Biden victory:
“Over the summer a story was deliberately leaked to the press of a meeting at which 100 Democratic grandees, anti-Trump former Republicans, and other ruling class apparatchiks got together (on George Soros’s dime) to “game out” various outcomes of the 2020 election. One such outcome was a clear Trump win. In that eventuality, former Bill Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, playing Biden, refused to concede , pressured states that Trump won to send Democrats to the formal Electoral College vote, and trusted that the military would take care of the rest. The leaked report from the exercise darkly concluded that “technocratic solutions, courts, and reliance on elites observing norms are not the answer here,” promising that what would follow the November election would be “a street fight, not a legal battle.”
The Transition Integrity Project purports to be a neutral arbiter of the 2020 election but, in reality, the initiative is replete with fervent Never Trumpers and hard leftists. Not a single Trump-supporting Republican has been identified as a member.
The project “war-gamed” election outcomes where Biden, played by John Podesta, refused to concede the election and is funded by a group teeming with former Obama alumni.
Its other founder, Rosa Brooks, is an alum of George Soros’s Open Society Institute and has dined privately with the Democratic mega-donor in addition to donating thousands of dollars to the Biden campaign.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--Chinese Military Propaganda Video Mocked for Using Clips From U.S. Hollywood Blockbusters

A Chinese military propaganda video simulating a bombing raid used clips from Hollywood blockbusters , including Transformers and The Rock , reports say .
The video shows nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be a US military base on the Pacific island of Guam .
The video was viewed nearly five million times on China 's Sina Weibo microblogging platform .
But many users mocked its apparent use of scenes from Hollywood movies .
`` It 's fortunate that China has no issues with copyright , '' one joked .
`` Stealing from another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' wrote another user , while a third said : `` Do n't use clips from these awful countries .
People look down on us on Twitter and it drives me crazy . ''
The two-minute video , called Gods of War - Attack !
, was released by China 's air force on Saturday .
Set to dramatic music , it shows H-6 bombers launching an attack on what appears to be the US 's Andersen Air Force Base .
`` We are the defenders of the motherland 's aerial security ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always defend the security of the motherland 's skies , '' the air force wrote alongside the video .
But social media users quickly noticed that the video 's most dramatic scenes appeared to have been taken from the films Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen , The Rock and Hurt Locker .
The Chinese military has not publicly commented on these claims .
A source close to the military told the South China Morning Post newspaper that it was common practice for the army 's publicity department to `` borrow '' from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers in the department grew up watching Hollywood movies , so in their minds , American war films have the coolest images , '' the source was quoted as saying .
The video was released as China carried out military exercises near Taiwan , amid heightened tensions over the visit of a senior US State Department official to the island .
China regards self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province .
Collin Koh , a research fellow at Singapore 's Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies , told Reuters news agency the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that even supposedly safe , rearward positions such as Guam may come under threat when conflicts over regional flashpoints , be it Taiwan or South China Sea , erupt . ''
In 2015 , China 's top media regulator urged a crackdown on `` poorly made '' war dramas , and filmmakers were criticised for using superhuman and unrealistic plots to tell stories about China 's real-life wars .
So there 's a certain irony in China 's official channels `` borrowing '' from films , five years on , to demonstrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borrowing '' has been a common defence from Chinese producers , who have had a track record of using overseas formats to achieve popularity and success in the country .
Many are of the view that because there is so much red-tape in China about what is deemed acceptable for a domestic audience , producers have no choice but to look to where overseas formats have been successful , as they are often edgier and more captivating than Chinese productions .
But then the reality is that because so few Western films have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen them .
So netizens quickly picked up on scenes in this video `` borrowing '' from The Rock and Transformers 2 .

"Borrowing" has been a common defence from Chinese producers, who have had a track record of using overseas formats to achieve popularity and success in the country. Many are of the view that because there is so much red-tape in China about what is deemed acceptable for a domestic audience, producers have no choice but to look to where overseas formats have been successful, as they are often edgier and more captivating than Chinese productions.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--U.S. Announces New Sanctions on Iran’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Sectors

The Trump administration on Monday announced an unprecedented set of new sanctions on Iran ’ s nuclear and ballistic missile sectors .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was joined at the State Department by top Trump administration officials as they announced the new measures , which target Iran ’ s proliferation of nuclear materials used to feed its atomic weapons program .
The sanctions also seek to restrain Iran ’ s contested ballistic missile program , which has progressed in tandem with its nuclear program as the country seeks to construct a weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics agency , as well as its leaders , for exporting arms to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro , who also was targeted by the new sanctions .
The measures are aimed at stopping Iran from exporting arms across the globe , including to regional hotspots such as Yemen , Syria , Lebanon , and Iraq .
The new sanctions are being issued under a fresh executive order announced Monday by the White House enabling the United States to sanction Iranian government actors and those globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nuclear and missile programs .
The move comes a month after the United States invoked a procedural mechanism at the United Nations that ordered the `` snapback '' of all global sanctions on Iran .
Snapback took effect on Saturday .
The unprecedented move was met with anger by European powers and Tehran ’ s allies , raising questions about whether the world will uphold the sanctions .
Pompeo and senior Trump administration officials warned that they will not hesitate to sanction any country caught working with Iran .
`` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimposed on Iran , stakeholders worldwide are warned that the United States will aggressively use U.S. sanctions authorities to impose consequences for failures to comply with the snapped-back U.N. measures on Iran and ensure that Iran does not reap the benefits of U.N.-prohibited activity , '' the State Department said in announcing the new action .
To further tighten the noose on Iran ’ s nuclear program , the United States designated several Iranians who it says are `` centrally involved in Iran ’ s uranium enrichment centrifuge operations . ''
Among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director at Iran ’ s Atomic Energy Organization .
He was penalized due to his support for the `` installation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges … that are used to increase Iran 's enriched uranium stockpile . ''
Other new sanctions target individuals associated with Iran ’ s Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute , which has manufactured the fuel needed to run the country ’ s nuclear reactors .
This includes greater restrictions on Iran ’ s production of a nuclear byproduct known as heavy water , which could provide Iran with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Treasury Department also designated two Iranian military officials and several organizations aiding the country ’ s ballistic missile program .
One such group , Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group , `` is in charge of liquid-propellant ballistic missile development , '' according to information provided by the department .
Additionally , the Department of Commerce on Monday added five Iranian nationals to its `` entity list for nuclear-related activities , '' which prevents them from importing materials that could aid the country 's nuclear program .
President Trump , in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House executive order paves the way for not just the reimposition of global sanctions , but new actions meant to stop Tehran 's pursuit of a weapon .
`` My actions today send a clear message to the Iranian regime and those in the international community who refuse to stand up to Iran , '' Trump said .
`` The United States will not allow the Iranian regime to further advance capabilities to directly threaten and terrorize the rest of the world . ''

The Trump administration on Monday announced an unprecedented set of new sanctions on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile sectors.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was joined at the State Department by top Trump administration officials as they announced the new measures, which target Iran’s proliferation of nuclear materials used to feed its atomic weapons program. The sanctions also seek to restrain Iran’s contested ballistic missile program, which has progressed in tandem with its nuclear program as the country seeks to construct a weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
The most far-reaching sanctions will target Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics agency, as well as its leaders, for exporting arms to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, who also was targeted by the new sanctions. The measures are aimed at stopping Iran from exporting arms across the globe, including to regional hotspots such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
The new sanctions are being issued under a fresh executive order announced Monday by the White House enabling the United States to sanction Iranian government actors and those globally who have been identified as aiding Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The move comes a month after the United States invoked a procedural mechanism at the United Nations that ordered the "snapback" of all global sanctions on Iran. Snapback took effect on Saturday. The unprecedented move was met with anger by European powers and Tehran’s allies, raising questions about whether the world will uphold the sanctions. Pompeo and senior Trump administration officials warned that they will not hesitate to sanction any country caught working with Iran.
"Now that virtually all U.N. sanctions have been reimposed on Iran, stakeholders worldwide are warned that the United States will aggressively use U.S. sanctions authorities to impose consequences for failures to comply with the snapped-back U.N. measures on Iran and ensure that Iran does not reap the benefits of U.N.-prohibited activity," the State Department said in announcing the new action.
To further tighten the noose on Iran’s nuclear program, the United States designated several Iranians who it says are "centrally involved in Iran’s uranium enrichment centrifuge operations." Among those sanctioned is Hamid Reza Ghadirian, group director at Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. He was penalized due to his support for the "installation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges … that are used to increase Iran's enriched uranium stockpile."
Other new sanctions target individuals associated with Iran’s Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, which has manufactured the fuel needed to run the country’s nuclear reactors. This includes greater restrictions on Iran’s production of a nuclear byproduct known as heavy water, which could provide Iran with an alternative plutonium-based pathway to a bomb.
The Treasury Department also designated two Iranian military officials and several organizations aiding the country’s ballistic missile program. One such group, Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, "is in charge of liquid-propellant ballistic missile development," according to information provided by the department.
Additionally, the Department of Commerce on Monday added five Iranian nationals to its "entity list for nuclear-related activities," which prevents them from importing materials that could aid the country's nuclear program.
President Trump, in a statement on the new sanctions, said the White House executive order paves the way for not just the reimposition of global sanctions, but new actions meant to stop Tehran's pursuit of a weapon.
"My actions today send a clear message to the Iranian regime and those in the international community who refuse to stand up to Iran," Trump said. "The United States will not allow the Iranian regime to further advance capabilities to directly threaten and terrorize the rest of the world."


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--Companies Donate to Research Center for Projects on “Anti-Racism” Which Never Materialized

In August 2019 , as young journalists agitated for their newsrooms to pivot toward social justice , Dr. Ibram X. Kendi 's research center at American University secured a $ 50,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to develop a `` racial reporting guidebook '' to help the media hew to Kendi ’ s `` antiracist '' principles .
The school touted the grant as one of its 2019 achievements , and Kendi ’ s academic perch at AU , the Antiracist Research and Policy Center , proudly advertised on its website a fall 2019 symposium on `` racial reporting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ symposium ever materialized—further details were promised well into 2020 .
The project ’ s mysterious disappearance is but one instance in which Kendi and colleagues ’ big promises never came to fruition .
Over the past half decade , Kendi has become liberal America 's guiding light on the academic study of racism .
He has written three bestselling books , published op-eds in the New York Times and Washington Post , and has been named a contributor to the Atlantic and CBS News .
But the glitzy academic center at which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no real academic research .
Instead , the ARPC hosted a swanky gala honoring liberals from George and Amal Clooney to Barack and Michelle Obama , as well as `` conversations '' with people such as Black Panthers founder Bobby Seale .
And it ran an `` antiracist confessions board '' on which students and administrators were encouraged to overcome the `` denial '' that characterizes racism by `` confessing '' the details of their `` journey '' to being antiracist .
The racial reporting guidebook isn ’ t the only project that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation grant , for a promised `` National Antibigotry Project , '' exists entirely on paper .
Other projects Kendi promised— '' policy teams , '' the `` world ’ s largest '' library of data on racial inequality , and classes for American University students—did not come to fruition before his departure this summer for the new Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University .
A spokeswoman for the Antiracist Research and Policy Center told the Washington Free Beacon that academic output is not the center ’ s only purpose but did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fulfill these commitments .
`` While research production is a goal of an academic center , there are other goals , such as convening experts from the policy world and beyond to further discourse , and there are many types of academic centers , '' said Rebecca Basu , a spokeswoman for the center .
She added that Kendi `` also engaged in significant activity as a thought leader and public intellectual '' and pointed to a list of activities including those mentioned above , a series of op-eds in the Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festival . ''
A Kendi representative at BU did not respond to multiple requests for comment .
Kendi 's story mirrors that of other fixtures of the new progressive establishment , like White Fragility author Dr. Robin DiAngelo , who have elevated themselves as academic experts on racism and gotten rich as corporations , foundations , and many of the country ’ s wealthiest people scramble to prove they are on the right side of the country ’ s racial reckoning .
Kendi joined the American University faculty in Aug. 2017 , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident involving a banana and a noose .
His hiring was announced just nine days after the event , although Kendi has said that he had been in discussions with the school for months .
A spokesman for the university did not respond to multiple requests for comment .
Though Kendi promised to involve students in the center , he taught just one class during his three years at AU .
The center ’ s engagement director , Dr. Christopher Petrella , also taught once in the spring of 2018 , possibly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken ill .
The `` research teams , '' which formed the centerpiece of Kendi ’ s academic vision , attracted just one or two fellows each , and produced little research .
While one ARPC fellow , Dr. Jessica Owens-Young , received funding for research on racial disparities in infant mortality in the District of Columbia , no paper on that topic appears to have been published—Owens-Young did not respond to a request for comment .
Other ARPC fellows for whom such information is available do not appear to have published ARPC-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2016 .
Basu told the Free Beacon that the center itself never published any research reports .
The most successful Kendi project appears to have been the Antiracist Teacher Preparation Initiative , a joint endeavor with the AU School of Education funded by the Gates Foundation .
But that work , still ongoing , is primarily housed outside of the ARPC .
School of Education dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy described Kendi and Petrella as `` collaborators/thought partners , '' but emphasized that American University academics are taking the lead .
Similarly , Kendi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID Racial Data Tracker , is someone else ’ s project .
Funded by $ 300,000 from the Marguerite Casey Foundation , the tracker is part of a larger coronavirus research effort overseen by his colleagues at the Atlantic .
A spokeswoman for the Atlantic did not directly respond when asked about Kendi ’ s level of involvement but told the Free Beacon , `` The Covid Tracking Project is a volunteer organization launched at the Atlantic ; data collection is done by a network of volunteers . ''
Kendi ’ s lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising .
The center made clear on its website that it `` aims to attract support from visionary philanthropists and foundations '' and to partner `` with the philanthropic community . ''
Money flowed in , including the $ 250,000 from the Ford Foundation ( which did not respond to a request for comment ) and $ 300,000 from the Marguerite Casey Foundation , as well as $ 150,000 from George Soros ’ s Open Society Foundation , and $ 150,000 from the Gates Foundation .
Giving was particularly popular at times of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd in May , gaming company Square Enix included the center among recipients of a $ 250,000 grant , while supermodel Karlie Kloss hawked prints , the proceeds of which were earmarked for the center .
Individuals contributing $ 250 or more received a signed copy of Kendi ’ s bestseller Stamped from the Beginning ; those giving at least $ 25 received a `` Be Antiracist '' pin .
Kendi 's position also gave him and hangers-on access to the halls of power .
Seven months after his arrival on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Atlantic , while Petrella garnered a prestigious Atlantic fellowship .
Asked whether the events were connected , a spokesman for the Atlantic did not respond .
It also brought personal wealth .
Kendi ’ s latest book , How to Be an Antiracist , remains atop bestseller lists , adding to the proceeds of $ 150-a-ticket events and one-hour presentation fees of $ 25,000 .
Kendi 's inactivity may be attributable to the stage IV cancer diagnosis he received in January 2018 .
But over the following year , he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How to Be an Antiracist .
His colleagues do not appear to have stepped up in his absence .
In June , Kendi announced a move from AU to Boston University .
The tenor of his departure is unclear : While AU thanked him for his service in a note on the future of the ARPC , Kendi conspicuously declined to comment when asked if dissatisfaction with the university had driven him elsewhere .
He took the ARPC 's team with him , as well as its social media handles—the center at AU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
The professor has shed longtime followers in his climb .
Petrella decamped from AU to BU with him , becoming the only white man on staff at the Center for Antiracist Research , Kendi ’ s new outfit that mimics his setup at AU in structure , projects , and staff .
But as of this writing , Petrella has disappeared from the center 's site and wiped mentions of it from his own web presence .
He did not return a request for comment .
Kendi appears to have bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year with a proposal that America create a Department of Antiracism , tasked with preventing racism in policy nationwide , effectively re-creating his `` center '' but with taxpayer funding .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
recently introduced a bill to create a weaker version within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—one can guess who would end up in charge .
Kendi ’ s billionaire patrons seem eager to get him there .
In late August , billionaire Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey made an unsolicited $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research .
The center had been established just six weeks earlier , and Dorsey ’ s gift dwarfed even the $ 1.5 million that the charitable giving arm of Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals had given .
Kendi said he was `` elated '' by the trust it signified .
Dorsey ’ s donation will likely not be the last , or even the biggest , to the professor who has become a charity magnet for the progressive elite .
It is clear from Kendi ’ s track record that these ever-more-generous gifts are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is peddling the latest in wokeness—and his billionaire benefactors are eager to buy .

In August 2019, as young journalists agitated for their newsrooms to pivot toward social justice, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's research center at American University secured a $50,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to develop a "racial reporting guidebook" to help the media hew to Kendi’s "antiracist" principles.
The school touted the grant as one of its 2019 achievements, and Kendi’s academic perch at AU, the Antiracist Research and Policy Center, proudly advertised on its website a fall 2019 symposium on "racial reporting."
But neither the guidebook nor the symposium ever materialized—further details were promised well into 2020. The project’s mysterious disappearance is but one instance in which Kendi and colleagues’ big promises never came to fruition.
Over the past half decade, Kendi has become liberal America's guiding light on the academic study of racism. He has written three bestselling books, published op-eds in the New York Times and Washington Post, and has been named a contributor to the Atlantic and CBS News. But the glitzy academic center at which he roosted for much of that time produced no real academic research.
Instead, the ARPC hosted a swanky gala honoring liberals from George and Amal Clooney to Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as "conversations" with people such as Black Panthers founder Bobby Seale. And it ran an "antiracist confessions board" on which students and administrators were encouraged to overcome the "denial" that characterizes racism by "confessing" the details of their "journey" to being antiracist.
The racial reporting guidebook isn’t the only project that never materialized. Another $200,000 Ford Foundation grant, for a promised "National Antibigotry Project," exists entirely on paper. Other projects Kendi promised—"policy teams," the "world’s largest" library of data on racial inequality, and classes for American University students—did not come to fruition before his departure this summer for the new Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University.
A spokeswoman for the Antiracist Research and Policy Center told the Washington Free Beacon that academic output is not the center’s only purpose but did not comment on Kendi’s failure to fulfill these commitments.
"While research production is a goal of an academic center, there are other goals, such as convening experts from the policy world and beyond to further discourse, and there are many types of academic centers," said Rebecca Basu, a spokeswoman for the center. She added that Kendi "also engaged in significant activity as a thought leader and public intellectual" and pointed to a list of activities including those mentioned above, a series of op-eds in the Guardian, and a "national antiracist book festival." A Kendi representative at BU did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Kendi's story mirrors that of other fixtures of the new progressive establishment, like White Fragility author Dr. Robin DiAngelo, who have elevated themselves as academic experts on racism and gotten rich as corporations, foundations, and many of the country’s wealthiest people scramble to prove they are on the right side of the country’s racial reckoning.
Kendi joined the American University faculty in Aug. 2017, just months after a campus uproar over an incident involving a banana and a noose. His hiring was announced just nine days after the event, although Kendi has said that he had been in discussions with the school for months. A spokesman for the university did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Though Kendi promised to involve students in the center, he taught just one class during his three years at AU. The center’s engagement director, Dr. Christopher Petrella, substituted for Kendi, who had taken ill, in the spring of 2018, in addition to Petrella's other course load.
The "research teams," which formed the centerpiece of Kendi’s academic vision, attracted just one or two fellows each, and produced little research. While one ARPC fellow, Dr. Jessica Owens-Young, received funding for research on racial disparities in infant mortality in the District of Columbia, no paper on that topic appears to have been published—Owens-Young did not respond to a request for comment.
Other ARPC fellows for whom such information is available do not appear to have published ARPC-funded research; one has not published anything since 2016. Basu told the Free Beacon that the center itself never published any research reports.
The most successful Kendi project appears to have been the Antiracist Teacher Preparation Initiative, a joint endeavor with the AU School of Education funded by the Gates Foundation. But that work, still ongoing, is primarily housed outside of the ARPC. School of Education dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy described Kendi and Petrella as "collaborators/thought partners," but emphasized that American University academics are taking the lead.
Similarly, Kendi’s sole data contribution, the COVID Racial Data Tracker, is someone else’s project. Funded by $300,000 from the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the tracker is part of a larger coronavirus research effort overseen by his colleagues at the Atlantic. A spokeswoman for the Atlantic did not directly respond when asked about Kendi’s level of involvement but told the Free Beacon, "The Covid Tracking Project is a volunteer organization launched at the Atlantic; data collection is done by a network of volunteers."
Kendi’s lack of research output proved little obstacle to fundraising. The center made clear on its website that it "aims to attract support from visionary philanthropists and foundations" and to partner "with the philanthropic community."
Money flowed in, including the $250,000 from the Ford Foundation (which did not respond to a request for comment) and $300,000 from the Marguerite Casey Foundation, as well as $150,000 from George Soros’s Open Society Foundation, and $150,000 from the Gates Foundation. Giving was particularly popular at times of racial unrest—just days after the death of George Floyd in May, gaming company Square Enix mentioned the Center in announcing a $250,000 racial justice grant, although a company representative told the Free Beacon that the money went elsewhere; supermodel Karlie Kloss hawked prints, the proceeds of which were earmarked for the center.
Individuals contributing $250 or more received a signed copy of Kendi’s bestseller Stamped from the Beginning; those giving at least $25 received a "Be Antiracist" pin.
It also brought personal wealth. Kendi’s latest book, How to Be an Antiracist, remains atop bestseller lists, adding to the proceeds of $150-a-ticket events and one-hour presentation fees of $25,000.
Kendi's inactivity may be attributable to the stage IV cancer diagnosis he received in January 2018. But over the following year, he continued to speak and write widely, authoring How to Be an Antiracist. His colleagues do not appear to have stepped up in his absence.
In June, Kendi announced a move from AU to Boston University. The tenor of his departure is unclear: While AU thanked him for his service in a note on the future of the ARPC, Kendi conspicuously declined to comment when asked if dissatisfaction with the university had driven him elsewhere. He took the ARPC's team with him, as well as its social media handles—the center at AU was forced to create new ones in June. In fact, Kendi also took the funds he had raised during his time at the ARPC, Basu told the Free Beacon after publication of this article.
The professor has shed longtime followers in his climb. Petrella decamped from AU to BU with him, becoming the only white man on staff at the Center for Antiracist Research, Kendi’s new outfit that mimics his setup at AU in structure, projects, and staff. But as of this writing, Petrella has disappeared from the center's site and wiped mentions of it from his own web presence. Petrella, who had been previously asked for comment, informed the Free Beacon after publication of this article that he had left the ARPC at the end of August to pursue a different job outside of academia.
Kendi appears to have bigger dreams than BU. He made waves last year with a proposal that America create a Department of Antiracism, tasked with preventing racism in policy nationwide, effectively re-creating his "center" but with taxpayer funding. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) recently introduced a bill to create a weaker version within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—one can guess who would end up in charge.
Kendi’s billionaire patrons seem eager to get him there. In late August, billionaire Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey made an unsolicited $10 million gift to the Center for Antiracist Research. The center had been established just six weeks earlier, and Dorsey’s gift dwarfed even the $1.5 million that the charitable giving arm of Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals had given. Kendi said he was "elated" by the trust it signified.
Dorsey’s donation will likely not be the last, or even the biggest, to the professor who has become a charity magnet for the progressive elite. It is clear from Kendi’s track record that these ever-more-generous gifts are not buying serious research. Instead, Kendi is peddling the latest in wokeness—and his billionaire benefactors are eager to buy.
Update September 22, 10:55 p.m.: This post has been updated to reflect comment from Dr. Christopher Petrella.
Update September 23, 1:07 p.m.: This post has been updated with further comment from Antiracist Research and Policy Center spokeswoman Rebecca Basu.
Update September 29, 1:12 p.m.: This post has been updated with further information from Square Enix.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--Curriculum for California School District Teaches Kindergartners That America Is Evil and Racist

Piedmont Unified School District of Piedmont , California recently passed a policy in early September stating the district ’ s commitment to “ equitable outcomes for students who identify as Black , Indigenous , and People of Color ” through new race policies .
These policies use tax dollars to teach children as young as kindergarten that their nation is evil , due to “ our nation ’ s continuing history of systemic racism , anti-Blackness , White supremacy , White privilege , and oppression based on race.
” “ The Board recognizes that underrepresented groups became underrepresented not of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the institutionalized power dynamic and racism that exists in society , ” the policy states , openly rejecting personal responsibility and teaching people of certain ethnic groups that they are born victims because of the color of their skin .
“ In every decision it makes , the Board shall work to ensure equitable outcomes for BIPOC students , staff , and their families and , in so doing , shall not rely on biased or stereotypical assumptions about any particular group , ” the policy claims , although it goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their skin color by calling them inherently racist .
“ For many white people , this can be hard to hear , understand , or accept , but if you are white in America , you have benefited from the color of your skin , ” the policy explains in its definition for “ white privilege.
” In the final version of the policy , the school board expresses its “ strong commitment to anti-racist values ” to make accommodations for those “ who have been historically marginalized by governing and academic institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamic and racism that exists in society.
” Some of these steps to “ racial equity ” by the school board include promoting “ inclusion , ” “ advancing representation…to the extent legally permitted ” by hiring people based on their skin color , prioritizing the “ mental and physical well-being ” of people based on their skin color , and enforcing diversity and inclusion measures based on skin color .
The school also plans to implement so-called “ anti-racist ” education starting in kindergarten , including materials covering “ White privilege , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ an emphasis on opportunities to learn for White-identified staff , students , and their families.
” Some of this execution , the board warned , may result in the removal of “ inappropriate or outdated curriculum.
” “ Furthermore , anti-racist work addresses practices , policies , and institutional barriers that perpetuate racial inequities and impede equitable access to opportunities for BIPOC students , staff , and their families , to the extent permitted by law , ” the policy reads .
The curriculum , which the school board defines as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses the “ four domains of the social justice standards providing equal emphasis on identity , diversity , justice , and action in elementary grades and greater emphasis on justice and action in secondary grades.
” The new policy also included a “ glossary of terms ” defining words such as “ Anti-Black ” , “ Culturally Responsive Pedagogy , ” “ Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices , ” and “ White Privilege , ” according to resources such as the National Museum of African-American History and Culture , which recently came under fire for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools and the home .
Progress in implementing these racial equity rules will be tracked by the school board superintendent to ensure that “ measurable academic and school experience improvements for PUSD BIPOC students ” are occurring .

Piedmont Unified School District of Piedmont, California recently passed a policy in early September stating the district’s commitment to “equitable outcomes for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color” through new race policies. These policies use tax dollars to teach children as young as kindergarten that their nation is evil, due to “our nation’s continuing history of systemic racism, anti-Blackness, White supremacy, White privilege, and oppression based on race.”
“The Board recognizes that underrepresented groups became underrepresented not of their own doing but rather as the result of the institutionalized power dynamic and racism that exists in society,” the policy states, openly rejecting personal responsibility and teaching people of certain ethnic groups that they are born victims because of the color of their skin.
“In every decision it makes, the Board shall work to ensure equitable outcomes for BIPOC students, staff, and their families and, in so doing, shall not rely on biased or stereotypical assumptions about any particular group,” the policy claims, although it goes on to stereotype white people based on their skin color by calling them inherently racist.
“For many white people, this can be hard to hear, understand, or accept, but if you are white in America, you have benefited from the color of your skin,” the policy explains in its definition for “white privilege.”
In the final version of the policy, the school board expresses its “strong commitment to anti-racist values” to make accommodations for those “who have been historically marginalized by governing and academic institutions” because of an “institutionalized power dynamic and racism that exists in society.”
Some of these steps to “racial equity” by the school board include promoting “inclusion,” “advancing representation…to the extent legally permitted” by hiring people based on their skin color, prioritizing the “mental and physical well-being” of people based on their skin color, and enforcing diversity and inclusion measures based on skin color.
The school also plans to implement so-called “anti-racist” education starting in kindergarten, including materials covering “White privilege, White supremacy, and anti-Black racism” with “an emphasis on opportunities to learn for White-identified staff, students, and their families.” Some of this execution, the board warned, may result in the removal of “inappropriate or outdated curriculum.”
“Furthermore, anti-racist work addresses practices, policies, and institutional barriers that perpetuate racial inequities and impede equitable access to opportunities for BIPOC students, staff, and their families, to the extent permitted by law,” the policy reads.
The curriculum, which the school board defines as “being actively conscious about race” uses the “four domains of the social justice standards providing equal emphasis on identity, diversity, justice, and action in elementary grades and greater emphasis on justice and action in secondary grades.”
The new policy also included a “glossary of terms” defining words such as “Anti-Black”, “Culturally Responsive Pedagogy,” “Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices,” and “White Privilege,” according to resources such as the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, which recently came under fire for promoting racist propaganda intended for use in schools and the home.
Progress in implementing these racial equity rules will be tracked by the school board superintendent to ensure that “measurable academic and school experience improvements for PUSD BIPOC students” are occurring.
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and co-producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanboydtx.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--Who Changed Positions on Election Year SCOTUS Nominations From 2016 to 2020?

When the death of the conservative Justice Antonin Scalia created a Supreme Court vacancy in 2016 , the Republican-controlled Senate pointed toward the impending presidential election and refused to vote on President Obama 's nominee despite howls of protest from Democrats .
But with the death Friday of iconic liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the tables have turned .
And now it is Democrats who are demanding that the Senate wait until after the 2020 election before moving ahead with any nominees .
Likewise , Republicans who in 2016 advocated waiting until after the election to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledging to charge ahead once President Trump announces his choice to replace Ginsburg .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016 staunchly opposed the idea of moving forward with Obama 's nomination of Merrick Garland , asserting that the Senate should wait to allow the winner of the 2016 presidential election to nominate someone to fill the void left on the nation 's high court .
`` The Senate has a role to play here , '' McConnell said on `` Fox News Sunday '' on March 20 , 2016 .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We think the important principle in the middle of this presidential year is that the American people need to weigh in and decide who 's going to make this decision .
Not this lame duck president on the way out the door , but the next president . ''
McConnell in a Friday statement about the death of Justice Ginsburg said that the Senate will vote on the person President Trump eventually nominates to fill the latest judicial vacancy .
`` In the last midterm election before Justice Scalia ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate majority because we pledged to check and balance the last days of a lame-duck president ’ s second term .
We kept our promise .
Since the 1880s , no Senate has confirmed an opposite-party president ’ s Supreme Court nominee in a presidential election year , '' the Kentucky Republican said .
`` By contrast , Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda , particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary .
Once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate , '' McConnell said .
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has actually flipped three times on the issue over the last quarter century .
Back in June 1992 , then-Sen. Biden suggested that if a Supreme Court vacancy were to occur before Election Day and the president put forward a nominee , the Senate could wait to act until after the election .
But in a March 2016 New York Times op-ed then-Vice President Biden argued Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move forward once President Obama announced a Supreme Court nominee .
`` I know there is an argument that no nominee should be voted on in the last year of a presidency .
But there is nothing in the Constitution — or our history — to support this view , '' Biden wrote in the 2016 op-ed .
`` As I write this , nearly all Republican senators have said that they will refuse to consider any nominee — sight unseen .
At a time when we need to reduce the gridlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress ’ s dysfunction to the Supreme Court — preventing it from functioning as our founders intended for a year and possibly longer , '' Biden wrote .
`` In my 1992 speech , I noted that in the five cases in which justices were confirmed in the summer of an election year , all five were filling vacancies that had arisen before the summer began .
That is the case now .
We still have time to proceed with hearings and a vote before we reach the summer conventions and fall campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece .
But now the nominee in 2020 , Biden is currently blasting the idea of Republicans advancing a nominee and arguing that the winner of the election should select the next Supreme Court nominee .
“ To jam this nomination through the Senate is just an exercise in raw political power , and I don ’ t believe the people of this nation will stand for it , ” Biden said , according to The Hill .
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead with the nomination process once Trump selects a nominee .
But in 2016 he advocated for waiting until the election had passed .
`` I want you to use my words against me .
If there 's a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term you can say Lindsey Graham said let 's let the next president , whoever it might be , make that nomination and you could use my words against me and you 'd be absolutely right , '' Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Washington Post video editor JM Rieger .
Then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in September 2016 described Republican inaction on Obama 's nomination as `` a disgrace . ''
But the former secretary of state and former senator is now arguing that based on the precedent Republicans set in 2016 they should not move ahead with a Supreme Court nominee .
`` The system has been broken for quite awhile .
But clearly the decision that Mitch McConnell made back in 2016 in the midst of that presidential election but at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed away is what should be the standard now .
They talk about , 'well , you know , we had other standards before , ' well , they made a new precedent .
And that new precedent , which they all defended incredibly passionately , is to wait for the next president , whoever that is , to make the nomination .
But as you clearly heard , that is not what they are intending , '' Clinton said Sunday on `` Meet the Press . ''
“ Our institutions are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – power for personal gain in the case of the president or power for institutional gain in the case of Mitch McConnell – at the cost of ensuring that our institutions withstand whatever the political winds might be , ” Clinton said .
According to a Scott Rasmussen survey released Sunday , 52 % of likely voters think the Senate should delay until after the election to confirm a nominee while 41 % think the new nominee ought to be confirmed as soon as it is possible .
If it makes any elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly had a change of heart on the issue .
Reports over the weekend said her dying preference expressed to her granddaughter was for a nominee to be decided after the election .
“ My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed , '' she reportedly said .
But in a 2016 , she had a different take as she called for a Senate vote on Garland 's nomination .
`` There 's nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg told The New York Times interview .

When the death of the conservative Justice Antonin Scalia created a Supreme Court vacancy in 2016, the Republican-controlled Senate pointed toward the impending presidential election and refused to vote on President Obama's nominee despite howls of protest from Democrats.
But with the death Friday of iconic liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the tables have turned. And now it is Democrats who are demanding that the Senate wait until after the 2020 election before moving ahead with any nominees. Likewise, Republicans who in 2016 advocated waiting until after the election to act on a high court nominee are now pledging to charge ahead once President Trump announces his choice to replace Ginsburg.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016 staunchly opposed the idea of moving forward with Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland, asserting that the Senate should wait to allow the winner of the 2016 presidential election to nominate someone to fill the void left on the nation's high court.
"The Senate has a role to play here," McConnell said on "Fox News Sunday" on March 20, 2016. "The president nominates, we decide to confirm. We think the important principle in the middle of this presidential year is that the American people need to weigh in and decide who's going to make this decision. Not this lame duck president on the way out the door, but the next president."
McConnell in a Friday statement about the death of Justice Ginsburg said that the Senate will vote on the person President Trump eventually nominates to fill the latest judicial vacancy.
"In the last midterm election before Justice Scalia’s death in 2016, Americans elected a Republican Senate majority because we pledged to check and balance the last days of a lame-duck president’s second term. We kept our promise. Since the 1880s, no Senate has confirmed an opposite-party president’s Supreme Court nominee in a presidential election year," the Kentucky Republican said.
"By contrast, Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary. Once again, we will keep our promise. President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate," McConnell said.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has actually flipped three times on the issue over the last quarter century.
Back in June 1992, then-Sen. Biden suggested that if a Supreme Court vacancy were to occur before Election Day and the president put forward a nominee, the Senate could wait to act until after the election.
But in a March 2016 New York Times op-ed then-Vice President Biden argued Republicans should not wait until after the election to move forward once President Obama announced a Supreme Court nominee.
"I know there is an argument that no nominee should be voted on in the last year of a presidency. But there is nothing in the Constitution — or our history — to support this view," Biden wrote in the 2016 op-ed. "As I write this, nearly all Republican senators have said that they will refuse to consider any nominee — sight unseen. At a time when we need to reduce the gridlock in our politics, this would extend Congress’s dysfunction to the Supreme Court — preventing it from functioning as our founders intended for a year and possibly longer," Biden wrote.
"In my 1992 speech, I noted that in the five cases in which justices were confirmed in the summer of an election year, all five were filling vacancies that had arisen before the summer began. That is the case now. We still have time to proceed with hearings and a vote before we reach the summer conventions and fall campaign," Biden declared in the 2016 piece.
But now the nominee in 2020, Biden is currently blasting the idea of Republicans advancing a nominee and arguing that the winner of the election should select the next Supreme Court nominee.
“To jam this nomination through the Senate is just an exercise in raw political power, and I don’t believe the people of this nation will stand for it,” Biden said, according to The Hill.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has already expressed his support for plowing ahead with the nomination process once Trump selects a nominee. But in 2016 he advocated for waiting until the election had passed.
"I want you to use my words against me. If there's a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term you can say Lindsey Graham said let's let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination and you could use my words against me and you'd be absolutely right," Graham said on March 10, 2016, according to Washington Post video editor JM Rieger.
Then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in September 2016 described Republican inaction on Obama's nomination as "a disgrace." But the former secretary of state and former senator is now arguing that based on the precedent Republicans set in 2016 they should not move ahead with a Supreme Court nominee.
"The system has been broken for quite awhile. But clearly the decision that Mitch McConnell made back in 2016 in the midst of that presidential election but at a much earlier time when Justice Scalia unexpectedly passed away is what should be the standard now. They talk about, 'well, you know, we had other standards before,' well, they made a new precedent. And that new precedent, which they all defended incredibly passionately, is to wait for the next president, whoever that is, to make the nomination. But as you clearly heard, that is not what they are intending," Clinton said Sunday on "Meet the Press."
“Our institutions are being basically undermined by the lust for power – power for personal gain in the case of the president or power for institutional gain in the case of Mitch McConnell – at the cost of ensuring that our institutions withstand whatever the political winds might be,” Clinton said.
According to a Scott Rasmussen survey released Sunday, 52% of likely voters think the Senate should delay until after the election to confirm a nominee while 41% think the new nominee ought to be confirmed as soon as it is possible.
If it makes any elected leaders feel better, even Ginsburg herself reportedly had a change of heart on the issue.
Reports over the weekend said her dying preference expressed to her granddaughter was for a nominee to be decided after the election. “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," she reportedly said.
But in a 2016, she had a different take as she called for a Senate vote on Garland's nomination.
"There's nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being the president in his last year," Ginsburg told The New York Times interview.


bonginoreport--2020-09-21--House Democrats Block Bill That Would Lessen Influence of Confucius Institutes

House Democrats are blocking a bill that will curtail the influence of the Chinese-government-funded Confucius Institute , stymying bipartisan legislation that unanimously passed in the Senate .
Despite bipartisan support in the upper chamber , House Democrats—including a cosponsor for the bill—voted against placing the CONFUCIUS Act on the agenda in late July , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) has yet to announce plans to place the bill on the floor .
If passed , the legislation would require all federally funded universities with Confucius Institutes to assume `` full managerial control '' of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese government 's influence over the program .
Frustrated by the lack of action , congressional Republicans are blaming Pelosi for blocking debate for the bill , criticizing the House speaker for putting politics over national security .
`` I regret that Speaker Pelosi has still not scheduled the CONFUCIUS Act for a vote , '' said Rules Committee Ranking Member Tom Cole , who introduced the July vote .
`` This isn ’ t about politics .
It ’ s about holding China accountable , and Speaker Pelosi clearly hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not the first time Democrats have opposed bipartisan legislation that sought to hold China accountable .
In March , House Democrats railed against a bill that demanded Beijing disavow its conspiracy theory that the novel coronavirus originated in a U.S. military lab , labeling the bill racist against Asian Americans .
House Democrats also dropped out of the then-bipartisan China task force in an unexplained , last minute decision in February .
Pelosi 's office did not respond to a request for comment .
At its peak in 2017 , Confucius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities across the country , allowing Beijing to teach Mandarin to thousands of U.S. college students .
The government-vetted teachers are not allowed to discuss topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government , such as human-rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet .
A bipartisan group of legislators have long worried that the program gives the Chinese government undue influence over campuses , prompting legislative action .
The CONFUCIUS Act—which stands for Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States—required universities to uphold academic freedom and prevent the exercise of foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Beijing often required Confucius Institute teachers to abide by Chinese laws .
The bill , introduced by Sen. John Kennedy ( R. , La . )
, unanimously passed the Senate in June .
The House companion bill initially received bipartisan support , recruiting Florida Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala as one of its sponsors .
`` The CONFUCIUS Act will support important cultural exchange with China while strongly protecting the values of American public higher education , '' the Democrat said in a July statement .
House Democrats , however , refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda .
On July 29 , Republicans introduced a motion to approve consideration for the CONFUCIUS Act , but Democrats including Shalala voted against the motion .
The bill is currently stuck in committee .
Rachelle Peterson , a Confucius Institute expert and senior research fellow at the National Association of Scholars , said it is `` truly astonishing '' that Democrats will not advance the widely supported bill , which asks for `` basic assurances of good faith from Confucius Institutes . ''
Republican supporters of the bill accuse Pelosi of ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If Speaker Pelosi is blocking the CONFUCIUS Act in the House after every single Senate Democrat supported its passage , it 's worth asking why , '' Kennedy told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Do House Democrats and the speaker want to give Xi Jinping more influence over what gets taught on American campuses ?
Does academic freedom annoy just their caucus in general ? ''
While House Democrats hesitate , the Trump administration has taken action to rein in the Confucius Institute .
The White House declared the program 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August , which designates Confucius Institute a direct appendage of the Chinese government .
The Department of Education has also uncovered millions of dollars worth of previously undisclosed donations from the Chinese government for Confucius Institutes .
The concerted push has convinced a record number of universities to drop their ties with the controversial program .
Senator Marsha Blackburn ( R. , Tenn. ) said the pandemic has forced a nationwide reckoning over the state of U.S.-China relations , and Democrats must keep up with the new consensus .
The vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfavorable opinion of China , according to a July poll .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic has proved the urgency with which we need to reevaluate our relationship with China , '' the senator , who cosponsored the CONFUCIUS Act , said .
`` Steps must be taken to protect the academic integrity of our educational institutions . ''

House Democrats are blocking a bill that will curtail the influence of the Chinese-government-funded Confucius Institute, stymying bipartisan legislation that unanimously passed in the Senate.
Despite bipartisan support in the upper chamber, House Democrats—including a cosponsor for the bill—voted against placing the CONFUCIUS Act on the agenda in late July, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has yet to announce plans to place the bill on the floor. If passed, the legislation would require all federally funded universities with Confucius Institutes to assume "full managerial control" of the institutes, a move that would limit the Chinese government's influence over the program.
Frustrated by the lack of action, congressional Republicans are blaming Pelosi for blocking debate for the bill, criticizing the House speaker for putting politics over national security.
"I regret that Speaker Pelosi has still not scheduled the CONFUCIUS Act for a vote," said Rules Committee Ranking Member Tom Cole, who introduced the July vote. "This isn’t about politics. It’s about holding China accountable, and Speaker Pelosi clearly hasn’t made that a priority."
This is not the first time Democrats have opposed bipartisan legislation that sought to hold China accountable. In March, House Democrats railed against a bill that demanded Beijing disavow its conspiracy theory that the novel coronavirus originated in a U.S. military lab, labeling the bill racist against Asian Americans. House Democrats also dropped out of the then-bipartisan China task force in an unexplained, last minute decision in February.
Pelosi's office did not respond to a request for comment.
At its peak in 2017, Confucius Institute had branches in more than 100 universities across the country, allowing Beijing to teach Mandarin to thousands of U.S. college students. The government-vetted teachers are not allowed to discuss topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government, such as human-rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet.
A bipartisan group of legislators have long worried that the program gives the Chinese government undue influence over campuses, prompting legislative action. The CONFUCIUS Act—which stands for Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States—required universities to uphold academic freedom and prevent the exercise of foreign law on American campuses—a key provision, since Beijing often required Confucius Institute teachers to abide by Chinese laws. The bill, introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.), unanimously passed the Senate in June.
The House companion bill initially received bipartisan support, recruiting Florida Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala as one of its sponsors. "The CONFUCIUS Act will support important cultural exchange with China while strongly protecting the values of American public higher education," the Democrat said in a July statement.
House Democrats, however, refused to put the bipartisan legislation on the agenda. On July 29, Republicans introduced a motion to approve consideration for the CONFUCIUS Act, but Democrats including Shalala voted against the motion. The bill is currently stuck in committee. Rachelle Peterson, a Confucius Institute expert and senior research fellow at the National Association of Scholars, said it is "truly astonishing" that Democrats will not advance the widely supported bill, which asks for "basic assurances of good faith from Confucius Institutes."
Republican supporters of the bill accuse Pelosi of ignoring China's growing influence in academia.
"If Speaker Pelosi is blocking the CONFUCIUS Act in the House after every single Senate Democrat supported its passage, it's worth asking why," Kennedy told the Washington Free Beacon. "Do House Democrats and the speaker want to give Xi Jinping more influence over what gets taught on American campuses? Does academic freedom annoy just their caucus in general?"
While House Democrats hesitate, the Trump administration has taken action to rein in the Confucius Institute. The White House declared the program's D.C. headquarters a "foreign mission" in August, which designates Confucius Institute a direct appendage of the Chinese government. The Department of Education has also uncovered millions of dollars worth of previously undisclosed donations from the Chinese government for Confucius Institutes. The concerted push has convinced a record number of universities to drop their ties with the controversial program.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) said the pandemic has forced a nationwide reckoning over the state of U.S.-China relations, and Democrats must keep up with the new consensus. The vast majority of Americans—including 68 percent of Democrats—have an unfavorable opinion of China, according to a July poll.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has proved the urgency with which we need to reevaluate our relationship with China," the senator, who cosponsored the CONFUCIUS Act, said. "Steps must be taken to protect the academic integrity of our educational institutions."


bonginoreport--2020-09-22--President Trump Announces Ban on “Woke” Companies Working With U.S. Government

The President of the United States has unveiled a ban on companies which promote critical theory and Marxist politics from @ @ @ @ @ government .
The move is an extraordinary intervention in the cultural debate raging in the @ @ @ @ @ , and doubles down on the President ’ s announcement from earlier in September , @ @ @ @ @ to indoctrinate government employees with divisive and harmful sex and race-based ideologies.
” The move @ @ @ @ @ Trump base ahead of the November 3rd election , and will rile hard-left activists who @ @ @ @ @ across the U.S. for months , using “ black lives ” as a cover for @ @ @ @

The President of the United States has unveiled a ban on companies which promote critical theory and Marxist politics from working with the United States government.
The move is an extraordinary intervention in the cultural debate raging in the United States and further afield, and doubles down on the President’s announcement from earlier in September, wherein he banned “efforts to indoctrinate government employees with divisive and harmful sex and race-based ideologies.”
The move will likely spur on the Trump base ahead of the November 3rd election, and will rile hard-left activists who have been looting and rioting across the U.S. for months, using “black lives” as a cover for their Marxist activities.
A few weeks ago, I BANNED efforts to indoctrinate government employees with divisive and harmful sex and race-based ideologies. Today, I've expanded that ban to people and companies that do business… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2020
…with our Country, the United States Military, Government Contractors, and Grantees. Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you don’t, there’s nothing in it for you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2020
More detail from CityJournal correspondent Christopher Rufo:
VICTORY: The President has just signed a full Executive Order abolishing critical race theory from the federal government, the military, and all federal contractors. The president has effectively declared war on CRT—and extended the battlefield to all of our institutions. 🧵 — Christopher F. Rufo ⚔ (@realchrisrufo) September 22, 2020
To begin, the president explains that our nation was founded on the ideal that "all mean are created equal" and denounces critical race theory's "pernicious and false belief that America is an irredeemably racist and sexist country." pic.twitter.com/F8cif7egGt — Christopher F. Rufo ⚔ (@realchrisrufo) September 22, 2020
The ambition of the executive order is breathtaking: the President will prohibit federal funds from supporting critical race theory trainings in the federal government, in the military, and by all federal contractors. pic.twitter.com/OEafnbPggF — Christopher F. Rufo ⚔ (@realchrisrufo) September 22, 2020
The executive order will also disrupt the flow of money to academia's critical race theory programs. The order stops all federal grants that support CRT—with the potential to cripple hundreds of academic projects moving forward. pic.twitter.com/h2CBH0oa6v — Christopher F. Rufo ⚔ (@realchrisrufo) September 22, 2020