bonginoreport--2020-07-21--Czech Republic Endorses Right to Armed Self-Defense Amendment

U.S.A. - ( AmmoLand.com ) -The Czech Republic continues to be at the forefront of the battle for gun rights in Europe .
On July 13th , 2020 , the Czech government announced that it endorsed a plan to enshrine the right of individuals to use a firearm to defend themselves and others in the central European nation ’ s constitution .
The move comes three years after another pro-gun constitutional amendment passed the Czech Chamber of Deputies ( the lower house of the Czech Parliament ) but failed to receive final approval .
Last September , 35 members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Czech Constitution ’ s Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms .
The proposal would alter the charter to include language that roughly translates to the following , “ The right to defend one 's life or another 's life and weapons is guaranteed under the conditions laid down by law.
” In a document explaining the forwarded change , the senators noted , “ The current proposal… strengthens the fundamental rights of individuals .
The proposal itself introduces a constitutional enshrinement of the right to defense with arms.
” The item goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of the right to life , which is the most basic right , because without life other human rights can not be fulfilled , the proposal considers it appropriate to symbolically elevate this right to the constitutional level.
” According to European news source Euractiv , the Senate proposal came about in part due to a grassroots gun rights effort akin to those that have made Second Amendment supporters such a political force in the U.S. Pro-gun activists had presented senators with a petition containing more than 100,000 signatures in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a report from the Czech News Agency ( CTK ) , the Czech government was expected to remain neutral on the self-defense amendment , but changed its position after “ an intense debate.
” The proposal earned the support of Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar , who cited “ security developments ” as a reason to back the measure .
Part of the impetus for the proposed amendment is the ongoing efforts by the European Union to curtail civilian firearm ownership .
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overhaul the Firearms Directive , which sets forth the minimum threshold of gun control that each Member State must enact .
The final version of the overhauled European Firearms Directive placed new rules on almost every aspect of gun ownership ; from severe restrictions on the types of semi-automatic firearms a civilian may possess to more stringent gun owner licensing requirements .
EU member states were expected to conform their national laws to the Firearm Directive ’ s dictates by December 2019 .
The chief proponent of the amendment is the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Civic Democrats believe the amendment “ should help the country oppose the de-armament tendencies of the European Union and prevent [ gun rights ] from being limited by regular legislation.
” U.S. gun owners should stand in solidarity with their counterparts in the Czech Republic as they work to preserve armed self-defense as a fundamental human right and combat the efforts of transnational agents of civilian disarmament .
Established in 1975 , the Institute for Legislative Action ( ILA ) is the “ lobbying ” arm of the National Rifle Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative , political , and legal arenas , to purchase , possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution .
Visit : www.nra.org

U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)-The Czech Republic continues to be at the forefront of the battle for gun rights in Europe. On July 13th, 2020, the Czech government announced that it endorsed a plan to enshrine the right of individuals to use a firearm to defend themselves and others in the central European nation’s constitution. The move comes three years after another pro-gun constitutional amendment passed the Czech Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of the Czech Parliament) but failed to receive final approval.
Last September, 35 members of the Czech Senate introduced legislation to amend the Czech Constitution’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
The proposal would alter the charter to include language that roughly translates to the following, “The right to defend one’s life or another’s life and weapons is guaranteed under the conditions laid down by law.” In a document explaining the forwarded change, the senators noted, “The current proposal… strengthens the fundamental rights of individuals. The proposal itself introduces a constitutional enshrinement of the right to defense with arms.” The item goes on to explain, “Given the importance of the right to life, which is the most basic right, because without life other human rights cannot be fulfilled, the proposal considers it appropriate to symbolically elevate this right to the constitutional level.”
According to European news source Euractiv, the Senate proposal came about in part due to a grassroots gun rights effort akin to those that have made Second Amendment supporters such a political force in the U.S.
Pro-gun activists had presented senators with a petition containing more than 100,000 signatures in support of greater protection for gun rights.
According to a report from the Czech News Agency (CTK), the Czech government was expected to remain neutral on the self-defense amendment, but changed its position after “an intense debate.” The proposal earned the support of Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar, who cited “security developments” as a reason to back the measure.
Part of the impetus for the proposed amendment is the ongoing efforts by the European Union to curtail civilian firearm ownership. Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015, the European Union expedited plans to overhaul the Firearms Directive, which sets forth the minimum threshold of gun control that each Member State must enact.
The final version of the overhauled European Firearms Directive placed new rules on almost every aspect of gun ownership; from severe restrictions on the types of semi-automatic firearms a civilian may possess to more stringent gun owner licensing requirements. EU member states were expected to conform their national laws to the Firearm Directive’s dictates by December 2019.
The chief proponent of the amendment is the conservative Civic Democrats party. According to CTK, the Civic Democrats believe the amendment “should help the country oppose the de-armament tendencies of the European Union and prevent [gun rights] from being limited by regular legislation.”
U.S. gun owners should stand in solidarity with their counterparts in the Czech Republic as they work to preserve armed self-defense as a fundamental human right and combat the efforts of transnational agents of civilian disarmament.
About NRA-ILA:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--On Space Exploration Day, U.S. Still Leads in Space

July 20 marks Space Exploration Day , conveniently just 10 days before NASA is scheduled to launch its Mars 2020 Perseverance rover to the surface of Mars in what should be a historic mission .
When the Perseverance rover lands after its seven-month journey on an Atlas V rocket , it will search for clues of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for an eventual return to Earth .
While many will only first hear about the Mars 2020 launch in the news over the next 10 days , space fanatics like myself have been anticipating July 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade .
The concept of collecting rocks on Mars and returning them to Earth for study dates back to the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey , which listed the top scientific priorities that NASA ought to pursue over the next 10 years .
The Mars sample campaign was No .
1 .
July 2020 is also a big deal because it starts an open launch window—that is , a period of time when Earth is at an optimal position for a flight to Mars using the least amount of power .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch windows and had to wait for the next one available—26 months later .
Originally scheduled to launch July 17 , the Mars 2020 mission already has been delayed three times , and will have only until Aug. 15 to launch before its window closes .
If the sample return mission succeeds , it will be a huge win for scientists itching to learn more about signs of ancient life on Mars .
It could lead to a discovery with major implications for not just science , but theology and philosophy as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the more substantial goal of sending humans to Mars .
In addition to learning more about the Martian surface and environment through the sample study , Perseverance will carry instruments to assess resources for human exploration—including a tool designed to demonstrate a possible way to produce oxygen from the Martian atmosphere for propellant or even breathing .
But for an eventual human landing on Mars , this administration has made it clear that the next required step will be sending humans back to the moon by 2024 , as part of NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time we went to the moon , we did not go to stay .
The Apollo moon landing missions were short-lived , lasting only from 1969 to 1972 as part of an effort initiated to beat the Soviets .
The U.S. won this key Cold War battle , but afterward allowed its human spaceflight capabilities to atrophy .
After the Apollo program , the United States continued sending humans to space via the space shuttle program .
But since the shuttle ’ s last flight in 2011 , the U.S. has had zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until a few months ago , when Americans flew to space from U.S. soil for the first time on a SpaceX spacecraft .
Up until this historic flight , the United States has had to rely on Russia for rides to the International Space Station , and watched as China sent a lander to the mysterious dark side of the moon—a move that has sparked concern over potential future military applications .
Under the leadership of the Trump administration , the United States plans to return humans to the moon and build out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepping stone to make it all the way to Mars , and maybe even beyond .
Amid the controversial and expensive issues that the United States grapples with today , it is easy to question the necessity of U.S. space exploration missions .
But as in 1969 , the United States must remain a leader in exploring the next frontier .
This is especially true in an era of great power competition with Russia and China .
The Trump administration is right to take advantage of the unique opportunity to work with allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just get to the moon and back , but this time to stay .
And it ’ s hard to imagine a better way for the United States to exercise its world leadership , technological ingenuity , and robust commercial industry than to work toward quenching the innate human thirst for knowledge and understanding of the final frontier .
On Space Exploration Day , take pride in knowing your country is pursuing—and achieving—ambitious goals .

July 20 marks Space Exploration Day, conveniently just 10 days before NASA is scheduled to launch its Mars 2020 Perseverance rover to the surface of Mars in what should be a historic mission.
When the Perseverance rover lands after its seven-month journey on an Atlas V rocket, it will search for clues of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for an eventual return to Earth.
While many will only first hear about the Mars 2020 launch in the news over the next 10 days, space fanatics like myself have been anticipating July 2020 for years, and some for almost a decade.
The concept of collecting rocks on Mars and returning them to Earth for study dates back to the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, which listed the top scientific priorities that NASA ought to pursue over the next 10 years. The Mars sample campaign was No. 1.
July 2020 is also a big deal because it starts an open launch window—that is, a period of time when Earth is at an optimal position for a flight to Mars using the least amount of power.
The previous two Mars lander missions missed their launch windows and had to wait for the next one available—26 months later. Originally scheduled to launch July 17, the Mars 2020 mission already has been delayed three times, and will have only until Aug. 15 to launch before its window closes.
If the sample return mission succeeds, it will be a huge win for scientists itching to learn more about signs of ancient life on Mars. It could lead to a discovery with major implications for not just science, but theology and philosophy as well.
A successful mission also will contribute to the more substantial goal of sending humans to Mars.
In addition to learning more about the Martian surface and environment through the sample study, Perseverance will carry instruments to assess resources for human exploration—including a tool designed to demonstrate a possible way to produce oxygen from the Martian atmosphere for propellant or even breathing.
But for an eventual human landing on Mars, this administration has made it clear that the next required step will be sending humans back to the moon by 2024, as part of NASA’s Artemis program.
The last time we went to the moon, we did not go to stay. The Apollo moon landing missions were short-lived, lasting only from 1969 to 1972 as part of an effort initiated to beat the Soviets. The U.S. won this key Cold War battle, but afterward allowed its human spaceflight capabilities to atrophy.
After the Apollo program, the United States continued sending humans to space via the space shuttle program. But since the shuttle’s last flight in 2011, the U.S. has had zero ability to send humans to space up until a few months ago, when Americans flew to space from U.S. soil for the first time on a SpaceX spacecraft.
Up until this historic flight, the United States has had to rely on Russia for rides to the International Space Station, and watched as China sent a lander to the mysterious dark side of the moon—a move that has sparked concern over potential future military applications.
Under the leadership of the Trump administration, the United States plans to return humans to the moon and build out an infrastructure that will serve as a stepping stone to make it all the way to Mars, and maybe even beyond.
Amid the controversial and expensive issues that the United States grapples with today, it is easy to question the necessity of U.S. space exploration missions. But as in 1969, the United States must remain a leader in exploring the next frontier.
This is especially true in an era of great power competition with Russia and China. The Trump administration is right to take advantage of the unique opportunity to work with allies, partners, and commercial industry to not just get to the moon and back, but this time to stay.
And it’s hard to imagine a better way for the United States to exercise its world leadership, technological ingenuity, and robust commercial industry than to work toward quenching the innate human thirst for knowledge and understanding of the final frontier.
On Space Exploration Day, take pride in knowing your country is pursuing—and achieving—ambitious goals.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--MLB Defends Kneeling for National Anthem

Major League Baseball came out in defense of players who knelt during the national anthem on Monday evening , taking on critics and tweeting in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
As Breitbart News reported , several members of the San Francisco Giants took a knee during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner during a preseason game hosted by the Oakland Athletics before an empty stadium filled with cardboard cutouts .
The Giants proudly tweeted out the protest : Amidst much criticism online , the league ’ s Twitter account began defending the protest and issued tweets in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The league is set to launch a 60-game season later this week , shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Games will be played before empty stadiums , and several rule changes have been adopted for players ’ safety .
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m .
ET ( 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT ) .
His new book , RED NOVEMBER , tells the story of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective .
He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship .
Follow him on Twitter at @ joelpollak .

Major League Baseball came out in defense of players who knelt during the national anthem on Monday evening, taking on critics and tweeting in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
As Breitbart News reported, several members of the San Francisco Giants took a knee during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner during a preseason game hosted by the Oakland Athletics before an empty stadium filled with cardboard cutouts.
The Giants proudly tweeted out the protest:
Amidst much criticism online, the league’s Twitter account began defending the protest and issued tweets in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
It has never been about the military or the flag. The players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest. — MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020
Clayton Kershaw is speaking up. pic.twitter.com/bfKiS89nxS — MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2020
Supporting our players and supporting equality is not political. — MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020
The league is set to launch a 60-game season later this week, shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic. Games will be played before empty stadiums, and several rule changes have been adopted for players’ safety.
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). His new book, RED NOVEMBER, tells the story of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary from a conservative perspective. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--China Blows Up Dam to Protect World’s Largest Hydroelectric Plant from Floods

Chinese state media announced on Sunday that it blasted holes in the Chuhe River dam in order to “ alleviate the pressure of flood control ” at the massive Three Gorges Dam , which is straining under the pressure from flooding of the mighty Yangtze River .
While Chinese media strove to portray the controlled demolition of the lesser dam as routine and the situation at Three Gorges as completely under control , outside observers are worried the gigantic Three Gorges Dam – the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world – will be unable to contain the pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the Three Gorges Dam fails , an unprecedented humanitarian and economic catastrophe could result .
Forbes on Sunday reported that Three Gorges is “ buckling under the strain of massive flows of water ” from a number of other dams on tributary rivers at higher elevations as higher-than-normal rainfall produces what some in China describe as the worst flooding in a century .
Over 400 of the Yangtze River ’ s many tributaries are overflowing , the floods have killed almost 200 people , and projected economic damage stands at over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime reported another 14 dead in flooding upstream of the Three Gorges Dam over the weekend , while rising floodwaters and landslides forced the evacuation of over 20,000 more people and destruction of over a thousand homes .
The total number of people the floods displaced during this monsoon season is approaching 2 million .
All of those problems will grow exponentially worse if the Three Gorges Dam cracks .
Chinese troops and disaster relief personnel have been racing to contain the smaller floods leading into the Yangtze , with fingers crossed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least one more major surge of river water is expected to hit the dam in the next few days .
Chinese media strove to portray the demolition of the lesser dam on the Chuhe River in Anhui province as a routine procedure , but Forbes cited some reports that the dam was “ blown to bits with explosives ” rather than being poked with a few holes to relieve some water pressure .
Taiwan News noted that widespread demolition of dams and embankments is a flood control tactic the Chinese have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese state media accounts , the tactic appears to have worked , because the level of flood water hitting the Three Gorges Dam dropped by about 25 percent on Sunday , allowing the water to pass through the dam ’ s discharge system “ smoothly.
” China ’ s Global Times claimed the Three Gorges Dam “ has largely eased flood prevention pressure in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River , ” providing vital relief to areas that would otherwise experience “ intensive ” flooding .
The Global Times disputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not up to the task of holding back such a massive amount of floodwater , accusing them of harboring anti-Chinese bias and nefarious political motivations : The Three Gorges project has come into the spotlight recently .
A Tuesday report from Reuters quoted a geographer as saying that “ the Three Gorges Dam reservoir does not have the capacity to significantly affect the most severe floods.
” However , the Three Gorges project ’ s duty of flood prevention is mostly based in the Chenglingji region , which is located at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservoir capacity for floodwater at 22 billion cubic meters , it is designed to prevent huge floods in the upper stream of the Yangtze River with the Three Gorges Dam working significantly to prevent such a situation spiraling out of control , the Three Gorges Dam Corporation said in the statement .
If flooding occurred via heavy rainfall in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River , the cities surrounding these reaches would have to mainly rely on their own flood drainage facilities .
Under such circumstances , the Three Gorges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaining and impounding water to ease the pressure on those cities .
Exaggerating the Three Gorges Dam ’ s “ distortion ” has also been somewhat of a cliché for certain overseas media outlets .
In response to this cliché , the statement from the company noted that currently , the Three Gorges Dam is running safely in a good condition .
During the past few years , there has been no so-called distortion occurring , or any other noteworthy risks .
Taiwan News noted that satellite photography showed Three Gorges discharging huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government officially admitted that emergency procedures were being implemented at the dam .
Some residents of the area beneath the dam believe their government caused damaging floods by opening the floodgates of the dam , a step the authorities would not have taken unless they were seriously concerned about structural damage to the massive hydroelectric facility .
The Chinese government has dismissed decades of concerns from foreign analysts about the structural integrity of the Three Gorges Dam and its environmental impact .
Some outside analysts fear the government cut corners during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal of its $ 26 billion budget was siphoned away by corruption , while local residents brave enough to speak out against the dam believe the Chinese Communist Party sees it as an indispensable “ show project ” that can not be allowed to fail , so officials will force the local populace to pay any price needed to conceal severe structural problems .

Chinese state media announced on Sunday that it blasted holes in the Chuhe River dam in order to “alleviate the pressure of flood control” at the massive Three Gorges Dam, which is straining under the pressure from flooding of the mighty Yangtze River.
While Chinese media strove to portray the controlled demolition of the lesser dam as routine and the situation at Three Gorges as completely under control, outside observers are worried the gigantic Three Gorges Dam – the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world – will be unable to contain the pressure from floods that have killed hundreds of people. If the Three Gorges Dam fails, an unprecedented humanitarian and economic catastrophe could result.
Forbes on Sunday reported that Three Gorges is “buckling under the strain of massive flows of water” from a number of other dams on tributary rivers at higher elevations as higher-than-normal rainfall produces what some in China describe as the worst flooding in a century. Over 400 of the Yangtze River’s many tributaries are overflowing, the floods have killed almost 200 people, and projected economic damage stands at over $12 billion dollars.
The Chinese regime reported another 14 dead in flooding upstream of the Three Gorges Dam over the weekend, while rising floodwaters and landslides forced the evacuation of over 20,000 more people and destruction of over a thousand homes. The total number of people the floods displaced during this monsoon season is approaching 2 million.
All of those problems will grow exponentially worse if the Three Gorges Dam cracks. Chinese troops and disaster relief personnel have been racing to contain the smaller floods leading into the Yangtze, with fingers crossed that rainfall will begin abating this week. At least one more major surge of river water is expected to hit the dam in the next few days.
Chinese media strove to portray the demolition of the lesser dam on the Chuhe River in Anhui province as a routine procedure, but Forbes cited some reports that the dam was “blown to bits with explosives” rather than being poked with a few holes to relieve some water pressure.
Taiwan News noted that widespread demolition of dams and embankments is a flood control tactic the Chinese have not resorted to since 1998. Judging by Chinese state media accounts, the tactic appears to have worked, because the level of flood water hitting the Three Gorges Dam dropped by about 25 percent on Sunday, allowing the water to pass through the dam’s discharge system “smoothly.”
China’s Global Times claimed the Three Gorges Dam “has largely eased flood prevention pressure in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River,” providing vital relief to areas that would otherwise experience “intensive” flooding.
The Global Times disputed foreign observers who worried that Three Gorges is not up to the task of holding back such a massive amount of floodwater, accusing them of harboring anti-Chinese bias and nefarious political motivations:
The Three Gorges project has come into the spotlight recently. A Tuesday report from Reuters quoted a geographer as saying that “the Three Gorges Dam reservoir does not have the capacity to significantly affect the most severe floods.” However, the Three Gorges project’s duty of flood prevention is mostly based in the Chenglingji region, which is located at the exit of Dongting Lake. With a reservoir capacity for floodwater at 22 billion cubic meters, it is designed to prevent huge floods in the upper stream of the Yangtze River with the Three Gorges Dam working significantly to prevent such a situation spiraling out of control, the Three Gorges Dam Corporation said in the statement. If flooding occurred via heavy rainfall in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the cities surrounding these reaches would have to mainly rely on their own flood drainage facilities. Under such circumstances, the Three Gorges Dam can still make a contribution by retaining and impounding water to ease the pressure on those cities. Exaggerating the Three Gorges Dam’s “distortion” has also been somewhat of a cliché for certain overseas media outlets. In response to this cliché, the statement from the company noted that currently, the Three Gorges Dam is running safely in a good condition. During the past few years, there has been no so-called distortion occurring, or any other noteworthy risks.
Taiwan News noted that satellite photography showed Three Gorges discharging huge amounts of floodwater five days before the Chinese government officially admitted that emergency procedures were being implemented at the dam. Some residents of the area beneath the dam believe their government caused damaging floods by opening the floodgates of the dam, a step the authorities would not have taken unless they were seriously concerned about structural damage to the massive hydroelectric facility.
The Chinese government has dismissed decades of concerns from foreign analysts about the structural integrity of the Three Gorges Dam and its environmental impact. Some outside analysts fear the government cut corners during the construction of the facility because a good deal of its $26 billion budget was siphoned away by corruption, while local residents brave enough to speak out against the dam believe the Chinese Communist Party sees it as an indispensable “show project” that cannot be allowed to fail, so officials will force the local populace to pay any price needed to conceal severe structural problems.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--German States Ask Congress Not to Remove American Troops

The leaders of four German states wrote to Congress asking for a halt to Washington 's troop withdrawal plan from the country , Reuters reported Sunday .
The premiers of the four states—all of which have U.S. bases—addressed their letters to 13 members of Congress , including Sens .
Mitt Romney ( R. , Utah ) and Jim Inhofe ( R. , Okla. ) .
Inhofe chairs the Armed Services Committee , while Romney is a leading member of the Foreign Relations Committee .
`` We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to secure the U.S. presence in Germany and Europe in the future , '' the ministers of Bavaria , Baden-Wuerttemberg , Rhineland-Palatinate , and Hesse wrote .
The German officials wrote that the troops `` form the backbone of the U.S. presence in Europe and NATO 's ability to act . ''
Current plans offered by President Donald Trump would cut back the U.S. military presence in Germany by 9,500 troops , reducing the total American footprint to 25,000 .
The White House proposed the drawback in troops after citing a one-sided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last month , the Defense Department said the rollback of the American military presence would `` enhance Russian deterrence , strengthen NATO , [ and ] reassure Allies . ''
A longstanding cornerstone of the transatlantic alliance , NATO has faced significant criticism that some member states are unwilling to contribute to the collective defense system proportionately .
Germany spent 1.36 percent of its GDP on defense in 2019 , compared with the United States ' 3.42 percent—the most among NATO countries .
Many , however , remain hopeful for the institution 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endured because it is a community of shared values—of democracy , freedom , market economics , solidarity , and mutual respect , '' wrote George W. Bush Institute director Lindsay Lloyd .
`` The United States and our partners share a strong interest in preserving this partnership—it has worked to our common benefit for 70 years and continues to do so today . ''

The leaders of four German states wrote to Congress asking for a halt to Washington's troop withdrawal plan from the country, Reuters reported Sunday.
The premiers of the four states—all of which have U.S. bases—addressed their letters to 13 members of Congress, including Sens. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) and Jim Inhofe (R., Okla.). Inhofe chairs the Armed Services Committee, while Romney is a leading member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
"We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it, and to secure the U.S. presence in Germany and Europe in the future," the ministers of Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse wrote.
The German officials wrote that the troops "form the backbone of the U.S. presence in Europe and NATO's ability to act."
Current plans offered by President Donald Trump would cut back the U.S. military presence in Germany by 9,500 troops, reducing the total American footprint to 25,000. The White House proposed the drawback in troops after citing a one-sided relationship on trade and defense spending.
Last month, the Defense Department said the rollback of the American military presence would "enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, [and] reassure Allies."
A longstanding cornerstone of the transatlantic alliance, NATO has faced significant criticism that some member states are unwilling to contribute to the collective defense system proportionately. Germany spent 1.36 percent of its GDP on defense in 2019, compared with the United States' 3.42 percent—the most among NATO countries. Many, however, remain hopeful for the institution's future.
"Fundamentally, NATO has endured because it is a community of shared values—of democracy, freedom, market economics, solidarity, and mutual respect," wrote George W. Bush Institute director Lindsay Lloyd. "The United States and our partners share a strong interest in preserving this partnership—it has worked to our common benefit for 70 years and continues to do so today."


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Betsy McCaughey: Biden Will Destroy the Suburbs

If you live in the suburbs , or you 're a city-dweller eyeing a move to a quiet cul-de-sac where your kids can play , you need to know about Joe Biden 's plan for a federal takeover of local zoning laws .
Biden wants to ramp up an Obama-era social engineering scheme called Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing , which barely got started before Donald Trump took office , vowing to stop it .
Biden 's plan is to force suburban towns with single-family homes and minimum lot sizes to build high-density affordable housing smack in the middle of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama 's Department of Housing and Urban Development bureaucrats imposed a cookie-cutter requirement `` balanced housing '' in every suburb .
`` Balanced '' meant affordable even for people who need federal vouchers .
Towns were obligated to `` do more than simply not discriminate . ''
As HUD 's 2013 proposal explained , towns had to make it possible for low-income minorities to choose suburban living and provide `` adequate support to make their choices possible . ''
Towns had to scrap zoning , build bigger water and sewer lines to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and add mass transit .
All pushing up local taxes .
Towns that refused would lose their federal aid .
The rule was one of the worst abuses of the Obama-Biden administration — a power grab masquerading as racial justice .
In Westchester , New York , County Executive Rob Astorino battled the Obama-Biden administration for years , successfully disputing the charge of racism .
Zoning laws limit what can be built in a neighborhood , Astorino explained , not who can live there .
Let 's be clear .
Denying anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home because of their race is abhorrent and illegal .
It should be prosecuted whenever it happens .
Truth is , Black Americans have been steadily leaving inner cities and choosing suburban lifestyles , according to Brookings Institution data .
Families of every race want peace of mind letting their kids ride bikes around quiet neighborhood streets .
That 's what zoning laws provide .
The real barrier to suburban living is money .
Living in the burbs is not cheap .
HUD Secretary Ben Carson told a House Committee last May that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in certain places . ''
It 's `` not because George Wallace is blocking the door . ''
Biden and the equality warriors are using accusations of racism to accomplish something different : Marxist economic integration .
Their message is : You worked and saved to move to the suburbs , but you ca n't have that way of life unless everyone else can , too .
Count on Trump to make Biden 's war on the suburbs a key issue in the election .
In his Rose Garden press conference on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning that Biden would `` totally destroy the beautiful suburbs '' by `` placing far-left Washington bureaucrats in charge of local zoning . ''
In response , the left and their media allies played the race card — as usual .
`` I hear the words of a racist , '' said Princeton University Professor Eddie Glaude Jr. on MSNBC .
CNN accused Trump of fearmongering `` white suburban voters . ''
Do n't buy it .
What 's racist is assuming that only whites own homes in the suburbs .
Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you buy a house in a neighborhood with quarter-acre zoning , you do n't want a high-density housing complex built at the end of the street .
Trump won the suburbs in 2016 , but polls show Trump trailing in the suburbs largely because of opposition from women .
They need to focus on what 's at stake for their families .
Tens of thousands of New Yorkers have fled the city in the last four months , many of them spending their savings and taking out a mortgage to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same thing is true across the nation .
For these transplants , the stakes are high .
The outcome of the next election will determine the value of their new house , the size of their property tax bill and the character of the town they now call home .
Betsy McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths and a former lieutenant governor of New York .
Contact her at [ email protected ] To find out more about Betsy McCaughey and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at www.creators.com .

If you live in the suburbs, or you're a city-dweller eyeing a move to a quiet cul-de-sac where your kids can play, you need to know about Joe Biden's plan for a federal takeover of local zoning laws.
Biden wants to ramp up an Obama-era social engineering scheme called Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, which barely got started before Donald Trump took office, vowing to stop it.
Biden's plan is to force suburban towns with single-family homes and minimum lot sizes to build high-density affordable housing smack in the middle of their leafy neighborhoods.
Starting in 2015, Obama's Department of Housing and Urban Development bureaucrats imposed a cookie-cutter requirement "balanced housing" in every suburb. "Balanced" meant affordable even for people who need federal vouchers. Towns were obligated to "do more than simply not discriminate." As HUD's 2013 proposal explained, towns had to make it possible for low-income minorities to choose suburban living and provide "adequate support to make their choices possible."
Towns had to scrap zoning, build bigger water and sewer lines to support high-density living, expand schools and social services and add mass transit. All pushing up local taxes. Towns that refused would lose their federal aid.
The rule was one of the worst abuses of the Obama-Biden administration — a power grab masquerading as racial justice.
In Westchester, New York, County Executive Rob Astorino battled the Obama-Biden administration for years, successfully disputing the charge of racism. Zoning laws limit what can be built in a neighborhood, Astorino explained, not who can live there.
Let's be clear. Denying anyone the chance to rent or buy a home because of their race is abhorrent and illegal. It should be prosecuted whenever it happens.
Truth is, Black Americans have been steadily leaving inner cities and choosing suburban lifestyles, according to Brookings Institution data.
Families of every race want peace of mind letting their kids ride bikes around quiet neighborhood streets. That's what zoning laws provide.
The real barrier to suburban living is money. Living in the burbs is not cheap. HUD Secretary Ben Carson told a House Committee last May that "people can only afford to live in certain places." It's "not because George Wallace is blocking the door."
Biden and the equality warriors are using accusations of racism to accomplish something different: Marxist economic integration. Their message is: You worked and saved to move to the suburbs, but you can't have that way of life unless everyone else can, too.
Count on Trump to make Biden's war on the suburbs a key issue in the election. In his Rose Garden press conference on Thursday, the president came out swinging, warning that Biden would "totally destroy the beautiful suburbs" by "placing far-left Washington bureaucrats in charge of local zoning."
In response, the left and their media allies played the race card — as usual. "I hear the words of a racist," said Princeton University Professor Eddie Glaude Jr. on MSNBC. CNN accused Trump of fearmongering "white suburban voters." Don't buy it. What's racist is assuming that only whites own homes in the suburbs.
Trump is talking to suburban homeowners of all ethnicities. If you buy a house in a neighborhood with quarter-acre zoning, you don't want a high-density housing complex built at the end of the street.
Trump won the suburbs in 2016, but polls show Trump trailing in the suburbs largely because of opposition from women. They need to focus on what's at stake for their families.
Tens of thousands of New Yorkers have fled the city in the last four months, many of them spending their savings and taking out a mortgage to buy a home in the suburbs. The same thing is true across the nation. For these transplants, the stakes are high. The outcome of the next election will determine the value of their new house, the size of their property tax bill and the character of the town they now call home.
Betsy McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths and a former lieutenant governor of New York. Contact her at [email protected]. To find out more about Betsy McCaughey and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Derek Hunter: Woke Vs. Racist – What’s the Difference?

There ’ s a great comedy video that went viral this week pointing out the similarities between the woke set and racists .
Like all good comedy , it ’ s funny because it ’ s true .
If you watch any of these Black Lives Matter “ protests ” you notice one big thing : they ’ re mostly young white people .
Yes , the leaders of the organization “ Black Lives Matter ” are black , they ’ re also rich , racist Marxists busy counting piles of money , but the people attacking police officers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pundits , politicians , and reporters you notice something odd : they all seem to believe black people are incapable of succeeding without their help .
This used to be called the “ white savior complex , ” now it ’ s simply called “ progressive.
” President George W. Bush famously and correctly called what liberals were doing to minority students in education “ the soft bigotry of low expectations.
” He was right then ; now the left has stepped up their game and fully hardened that bigotry .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America because of their skin color , gender , whatever , is as stupid as it is bigoted .
Weirdly , it seems to always be espoused by people who ’ ve “ somehow ” beaten the odds .
How many times have you seen a black Ivy League professor on TV talking about “ systemic racism ” ?
How ’ d they get a tenured , high six-figure gig , book deals , speaking engagements , and a cable news contributor contract in such a rigged system ?
They never answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d ask it of them are their colleagues on TV and they ’ re on the same team .
But the answer is obvious : they worked for it ; they earned it .
The woke crowd doesn ’ t want minorities to realize that , and neither do racists .
Both want to keep people down because it serves their needs .
Racists want segregation ; wokesters want segregation too .
One in the name of bigotry , one in the name of “ tolerance.
” Does the motive really matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , to listen to the demands of the leftists in the streets , you ’ d think they were the Klan .
“ Black people can ’ t succeed without government help , ” “ They can ’ t get ahead without a government program , ” “ They ’ ll only end up in jail if they don ’ t get handouts.
” Again , seemingly different motivations , but all those statements could ’ ve been uttered by either group .
The infantilizing of black people by the progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klan is doing because the KKK is a non-entity in American life in the 21st century .
In my book , I wrote about the size of the KKK .
The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates there are between 5,000-8,000 members of the KKK in 2016 , down from about 4 million a century earlier .
That ’ s a huge drop – to go from millions to a rounding error smaller than the average attendance of a WNBA game as the population tripled should be cause for celebration .
But leftists will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show .
This isn ’ t an accident .
The left has redefined the word “ racist ” to the point that it has no meaning .
Now , simply denying that you ’ re racist is a sign of your racism .
George Orwell is spinning so fast in his grave you could power the eastern seaboard if you hooked his coffin up to a turbine .
Democrats didn ’ t change their hearts when Civil Rights legislation became law , they just changed their tactics .
Segregation is still the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s now being advocated for in the name of multiculturalism .
Still , Democrats and racists don ’ t believe black people are capable of taking care of themselves .
Does it really matter why ?
Generations of “ help ” from white leftists haven ’ t helped , which makes you wonder if it was ever designed to ?
If the KKK had been in charge of social and economic policy for black Americans , what would they have done differently ?
They would have both funded Planned Parenthood , they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition that could improve education , they ’ d both sit idly by communities and businesses burned and people were put out of work .
The results would be about the same as every major majority-black city in the country that has been controlled by Democrats for generations .
So , yes , maybe the motives would be different .
But looking at the results , you really have to wonder if they are all that different after all .
Derek Hunter is the host of a free daily podcast ( subscribe !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ show on WCBM in Maryland , and author of the book , Outrage , INC. , which exposes how liberals use fear and hatred to manipulate the masses .
Follow him on Twitter at @ DerekAHunterand on Parler at @ DerekHunter .

There’s a great comedy video that went viral this week pointing out the similarities between the woke set and racists. Like all good comedy, it’s funny because it’s true. If you watch any of these Black Lives Matter “protests” you notice one big thing: they’re mostly young white people. Yes, the leaders of the organization “Black Lives Matter” are black, they’re also rich, racist Marxists busy counting piles of money, but the people attacking police officers are mostly white. Listening to the rioters, pundits, politicians, and reporters you notice something odd: they all seem to believe black people are incapable of succeeding without their help. This used to be called the “white savior complex,” now it’s simply called “progressive.”
President George W. Bush famously and correctly called what liberals were doing to minority students in education “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” He was right then; now the left has stepped up their game and fully hardened that bigotry.
The idea that someone can’t succeed in America because of their skin color, gender, whatever, is as stupid as it is bigoted. Weirdly, it seems to always be espoused by people who’ve “somehow” beaten the odds. How many times have you seen a black Ivy League professor on TV talking about “systemic racism”? How’d they get a tenured, high six-figure gig, book deals, speaking engagements, and a cable news contributor contract in such a rigged system?
They never answer that question because the only people who’d ask it of them are their colleagues on TV and they’re on the same team. But the answer is obvious: they worked for it; they earned it.
The woke crowd doesn’t want minorities to realize that, and neither do racists. Both want to keep people down because it serves their needs.
Racists want segregation; wokesters want segregation too. One in the name of bigotry, one in the name of “tolerance.” Does the motive really matter if the outcome is the same?
In fact, to listen to the demands of the leftists in the streets, you’d think they were the Klan.
“Black people can’t succeed without government help,” “They can’t get ahead without a government program,” “They’ll only end up in jail if they don’t get handouts.” Again, seemingly different motivations, but all those statements could’ve been uttered by either group.
The infantilizing of black people by the progressive left is actually worse than anything the Klan is doing because the KKK is a non-entity in American life in the 21st century. In my book, I wrote about the size of the KKK. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates there are between 5,000-8,000 members of the KKK in 2016, down from about 4 million a century earlier. That’s a huge drop – to go from millions to a rounding error smaller than the average attendance of a WNBA game as the population tripled should be cause for celebration. But leftists will tell you racists are everywhere and running the show.
This isn’t an accident. The left has redefined the word “racist” to the point that it has no meaning. Now, simply denying that you’re racist is a sign of your racism. George Orwell is spinning so fast in his grave you could power the eastern seaboard if you hooked his coffin up to a turbine.
Democrats didn’t change their hearts when Civil Rights legislation became law, they just changed their tactics. Segregation is still the order of the day, it’s now being advocated for in the name of multiculturalism. Still, Democrats and racists don’t believe black people are capable of taking care of themselves. Does it really matter why?
Generations of “help” from white leftists haven’t helped, which makes you wonder if it was ever designed to? If the KKK had been in charge of social and economic policy for black Americans, what would they have done differently? They would have both funded Planned Parenthood, they would both defend failing public schools from the competition that could improve education, they’d both sit idly by communities and businesses burned and people were put out of work.
The results would be about the same as every major majority-black city in the country that has been controlled by Democrats for generations. So, yes, maybe the motives would be different. But looking at the results, you really have to wonder if they are all that different after all.
Derek Hunter is the host of a free daily podcast (subscribe!), host of a daily radio show on WCBM in Maryland, and author of the book, Outrage, INC., which exposes how liberals use fear and hatred to manipulate the masses. Follow him on Twitter at @DerekAHunterand on Parler at@DerekHunter.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Star Parker: Open Schools This Fall

Star Parker: Open Schools This Fall

President Donald Trump announced at the White House his unequivocal commitment to getting America 's schools back open .
`` So what we want to do is we want to get our schools open , '' he said .
`` We want to get them open quickly , beautifully , in the fall . ''
When the COVID-19 crisis was just beginning to grip the nation in March , parents were already concerned about the impact of school closings on their child 's education .
A Gallup poll showed 42 % of parents expressing concern that the crisis would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning .
Of these parents , the most concern was among nonwhite parents , with 52 % concerned , compared with white parents , 36 % of whom were concerned .
Nearly twice as many nonwhite parents , 39 % , compared with 21 % of white parents , said the school year should be extended into the summer months if schools remain closed for the remainder of the regular school year .
A new report from the Los Angeles Unified School District , the nation 's second largest school district , sharpens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black and Latino parents , are concerned .
According to the report , 67 % of Latino and 67 % of black middle school students have been actively participating in online classes .
Among high school students , 73 % of Latino and 71 % of black students have been actively participating .
This compared with 88 % of white middle school students and 85 % of white high school students .
Two prestigious organizations now urge that schools reopen and emphasize how critically important physical presence is in education .
The American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guidance for School Re-entry '' report .
It provides extensive guidance for safe reopening and operation of schools .
It begins saying : `` ( T ) he AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school .
The importance of in-person learning is well-documented , and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020 . ''
Now the National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press release headline reading , `` Schools Should Prioritize Reopening in Fall 2020 , Especially for Grades K-5 , While Weighing Risks and Benefits . ''
`` Without in-person instruction , schools risk children falling behind academically and exacerbating educational inequities , '' according to the release .
Both the president and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have suggested the possibility of withholding federal funding from schools that refuse to reopen .
Who has been on the front line pushing back against the president ?
Yes , of course , the teachers unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , DeVos on reopening schools , '' says the president of the National Education Association in a recent headline .
No surprise .
The NEA 's priority has never been educating children .
Its priority is protecting its members — teachers .
Teachers get paid whether schools are open or not .
What do leaders of teachers unions care about the hard word needed to create a safe environment now so children can be physically present in school — the only real viable option for learning ?
They do n't care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions , the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers , filed briefs in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case urging the court to rule in favor of the state to deny tax credit-financed scholarships to parents who want to send their children to religious schools .
Fortunately , in this landmark case , the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs : the mothers who filed suit claiming that making scholarship funds available to everyone except parents who choose religious schools for their children violates constitutionally protected free exercise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance risks and competing objectives to come up with creative solutions .
We know the measures we must take to battle COVID-19 .
We can make schools physically safe .
We also know what measures to take to prevent ruining a child 's future by depriving them of the education they must have .
We must get them to school .
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and author of the new book `` Necessary Noise : How Donald Trump Inflames the Culture War and Why This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Readers can respond to Star 's column by emailing [ email protected ]

President Donald Trump announced at the White House his unequivocal commitment to getting America's schools back open.
"So what we want to do is we want to get our schools open," he said. "We want to get them open quickly, beautifully, in the fall."
When the COVID-19 crisis was just beginning to grip the nation in March, parents were already concerned about the impact of school closings on their child's education.
A Gallup poll showed 42% of parents expressing concern that the crisis would have a negative effect on their child's learning.
Of these parents, the most concern was among nonwhite parents, with 52% concerned, compared with white parents, 36% of whom were concerned.
Nearly twice as many nonwhite parents, 39%, compared with 21% of white parents, said the school year should be extended into the summer months if schools remain closed for the remainder of the regular school year.
A new report from the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second largest school district, sharpens the picture regarding why parents, particularly black and Latino parents, are concerned.
According to the report, 67% of Latino and 67% of black middle school students have been actively participating in online classes. Among high school students, 73% of Latino and 71% of black students have been actively participating.
This compared with 88% of white middle school students and 85% of white high school students.
Two prestigious organizations now urge that schools reopen and emphasize how critically important physical presence is in education.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued its "Guidance for School Re-entry" report. It provides extensive guidance for safe reopening and operation of schools. It begins saying: "(T)he AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020."
Now the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has published its new report with a press release headline reading, "Schools Should Prioritize Reopening in Fall 2020, Especially for Grades K-5, While Weighing Risks and Benefits."
"Without in-person instruction, schools risk children falling behind academically and exacerbating educational inequities," according to the release.
Both the president and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have suggested the possibility of withholding federal funding from schools that refuse to reopen.
Who has been on the front line pushing back against the president? Yes, of course, the teachers unions.
"No one should listen to Trump, DeVos on reopening schools," says the president of the National Education Association in a recent headline.
No surprise. The NEA's priority has never been educating children. Its priority is protecting its members — teachers.
Teachers get paid whether schools are open or not. What do leaders of teachers unions care about the hard work needed to create a safe environment now so children can be physically present in school — the only real viable option for learning? They don't care.
Most recently, both the major teachers unions, the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers, filed briefs in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case urging the court to rule in favor of the state to deny tax credit-financed scholarships to parents who want to send their children to religious schools.
Fortunately, in this landmark case, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs: the mothers who filed suit claiming that making scholarship funds available to everyone except parents who choose religious schools for their children violates constitutionally protected free exercise of religion.
Responsible, free people courageously balance risks and competing objectives to come up with creative solutions.
We know the measures we must take to battle COVID-19. We can make schools physically safe. We also know what measures to take to prevent ruining a child's future by depriving them of the education they must have. We must get them to school.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and author of the new book "Necessary Noise: How Donald Trump Inflames the Culture War and Why This is Good News for America." Readers can respond to Star's column by emailing [email protected].


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Stephen Moore: Are You Lonesome Tonight?

`` Are you lonesome tonight ?
/ Do you miss me tonight ?
/ Are you sorry we drifted apart ?
/ Does your memory stray to a brighter , sunny day ? ''
-- Elvis Presley Loneliness is such a sad affair , as the saying goes , and our politicians have succeeded in turning America into a lonely nation by decree .
We are going on four months now of lock-ins , business shutdowns , and few if any , social gatherings .
What this is doing to the nation 's psyche has been devastating .
A good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 years old .
He 's sociable , always upbeat , and a great storyteller .
He likes nothing more than to have a whiskey sour and a long dinner with friends .
He 's single and loves to visit the ladies -- especially the younger ones in their 60s and 70s !
I spoke to him last week , and he was more forlorn than at any time I 've ever known him .
He lives in an upscale assisted living facility , but he has n't been able to visit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been isolated .
A delivery man brings his meals ; he is n't allowed to go out during the daytime when there are a lot of people out on the streets of Chicago .
I offered to come to visit him , and he was excited but called back the next day to say , never mind , the folks at the living center wo n't allow outsiders to come in because of the virus .
He 's depressed .
He says he is starting to feel `` more dead than alive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one person suffering from the agony of moderate to severe depression resulting from this continuing , god-awful economic lockdown that is supposed to be saving lives .
The negative effects on Americans ' health are getting more worrisome with every passing week .
The good folks at Foundation for Economic Education recently reported on `` alarming spikes in drug overdoses , '' which The Washington Post calls `` a hidden epidemic within the coronavirus pandemic . ''
By examining the national drug abuse data , they found that overdoses in March rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationally .
In April , that figure ticked up to 29 % .
In May , the increase was 42 % .
Mental health experts find a strong link between loneliness/depression and drug overdoses .
Social distancing may be good for us , but it is bad for us , too -- especially after many months .
Other research confirms that isolation can lead to physical health problems ranging from loss of sleep to heart failure to stress to injured immune systems to obesity .
I 've gained many pounds since the lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refrigerator when I get bored staying at home .
Children are especially negatively affected , and research indicates the cognitive effects can be long-lasting .
Get the schools , the parks , the playgrounds , and the sports programs opened , for goodness ' sake .
These negative effects on children from isolation and indoor lockdowns are especially enraging because we know that children have a very low risk of getting sick from the coronavirus .
Unless they have some severe preexisting health problems , they are about as likely to die from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the normal flu .
There is another negative sociological effect of the fear of the virus that is disrupting normal human connection .
People are suspicious ; they walk rapidly away from you if they see you coming toward them .
They scowl and get agitated .
I am told by some of my friends who lived through the horrible polio epidemic of the 1940s and early 1950s that it was never like that .
Even though polio was a much more crippling and dangerous disease than the coronavirus , people did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next to them was carrying the disease .
Commerce continued to flow , and businesses did n't shut down , though swimming pools were often closed .
This was the `` greatest generation . ''
They lived through the Great Depression and World War II .
They were n't going to let a disease shut down our society .
Polls show today that young people in their 20s and 30s are the most worried about COVID-19 and most in favor of lockdowns .
They are the age group least likely to get sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` safe spaces '' generation that lives in mortal peril that someone might say something that offends them .
It would be hard to imagine these worrywarts storming the beaches of Normandy .
Americans have to be braver .
We need to interact .
Solitary confinement is a form of punishment .
The political class in America is punishing us all for their own arrogance and incompetence .

"Are you lonesome tonight? / Do you miss me tonight? / Are you sorry we drifted apart? / Does your memory stray to a brighter, sunny day?" -- Elvis Presley
Loneliness is such a sad affair, as the saying goes, and our politicians have succeeded in turning America into a lonely nation by decree. We are going on four months now of lock-ins, business shutdowns, and few if any, social gatherings. What this is doing to the nation's psyche has been devastating.
A good friend of mine, Wayne, is 80 years old. He's sociable, always upbeat, and a great storyteller. He likes nothing more than to have a whiskey sour and a long dinner with friends. He's single and loves to visit the ladies -- especially the younger ones in their 60s and 70s! I spoke to him last week, and he was more forlorn than at any time I've ever known him. He lives in an upscale assisted living facility, but he hasn't been able to visit with friends for three months. He's been isolated. A delivery man brings his meals; he isn't allowed to go out during the daytime when there are a lot of people out on the streets of Chicago. I offered to come to visit him, and he was excited but called back the next day to say, never mind, the folks at the living center won't allow outsiders to come in because of the virus.
He's depressed. He says he is starting to feel "more dead than alive."
Everyone reading this probably knows more than one person suffering from the agony of moderate to severe depression resulting from this continuing, god-awful economic lockdown that is supposed to be saving lives.
The negative effects on Americans' health are getting more worrisome with every passing week.
The good folks at Foundation for Economic Education recently reported on "alarming spikes in drug overdoses," which The Washington Post calls "a hidden epidemic within the coronavirus pandemic."
By examining the national drug abuse data, they found that overdoses in March rose by 18% from the previous year nationally. In April, that figure ticked up to 29%. In May, the increase was 42%.
Mental health experts find a strong link between loneliness/depression and drug overdoses. Social distancing may be good for us, but it is bad for us, too -- especially after many months.
Other research confirms that isolation can lead to physical health problems ranging from loss of sleep to heart failure to stress to injured immune systems to obesity. I've gained many pounds since the lockdowns began, as I constantly raid the refrigerator when I get bored staying at home. Children are especially negatively affected, and research indicates the cognitive effects can be long-lasting. Get the schools, the parks, the playgrounds, and the sports programs opened, for goodness' sake.
These negative effects on children from isolation and indoor lockdowns are especially enraging because we know that children have a very low risk of getting sick from the coronavirus. Unless they have some severe preexisting health problems, they are about as likely to die from the coronavirus as they are to die from the normal flu.
There is another negative sociological effect of the fear of the virus that is disrupting normal human connection. People are suspicious; they walk rapidly away from you if they see you coming toward them. They scowl and get agitated. I am told by some of my friends who lived through the horrible polio epidemic of the 1940s and early 1950s that it was never like that. Even though polio was a much more crippling and dangerous disease than the coronavirus, people didn't walk around suspicious that the person next to them was carrying the disease. Commerce continued to flow, and businesses didn't shut down, though swimming pools were often closed.
This was the "greatest generation." They lived through the Great Depression and World War II. They weren't going to let a disease shut down our society. Polls show today that young people in their 20s and 30s are the most worried about COVID-19 and most in favor of lockdowns. They are the age group least likely to get sick from it. This is the snowflake and "safe spaces" generation that lives in mortal peril that someone might say something that offends them. It would be hard to imagine these worrywarts storming the beaches of Normandy.
Americans have to be braver. We need to interact. Solitary confinement is a form of punishment. The political class in America is punishing us all for their own arrogance and incompetence.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Dennis Prager: The Dehumanization of Blacks

If you take black and white left-wing rhetoric seriously , blacks are not human beings like members of other races .
They are first and foremost black ; they are human beings defined before anything else by their color -- not their humanity , their personality , their character , their mind or their heart .
So much so that , according to white and black leftists , if you dissent from this racist view , you are now labeled racist .
The idiocy and inhumanity ( literally ) of this , the `` progressive '' view of black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacks see themselves first as black ?
When a black man , let 's call him James , looks into the mirror , does he first see a black person , or does he see James ?
When a white woman , let 's call her Karen ( I 'm playing with the left here ) , looks into the mirror , does she first see a white person , or does she see Karen ?
Does any human being first see his or her color ?
Of course not .
Yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important thing about a black individual is that he or she is black .
And if we do not honor that fact -- if we aim to be `` colorblind '' -- then we are labeled racist .
This dehumanizing nonsense goes for racial truth these days .
Thus , for example , we who are not black are supposed to acknowledge that we can not possibly see the world the way a black person sees the world ; we can not possibly understand what it is like to be black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left imposes on society through the media , through cancel culture ( say that you are colorblind and you might lose your job and your reputation ) , and through racial sensitivity training seminars at colleges and in the workplace .
But all this does is promulgate the view that blacks are inherently different from all other people .
As a result , the only way the left 's view of blacks differs from that of white supremacists is that the latter believe blacks are inherently inferior , whereas the left believes blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left and the white supremacists agree that race contains immutable characteristics .
Aside from its inherent racism , the progressive view of blacks is pablum .
No one can see the world through another 's eyes .
No one can fully understand what it is like to be any other human being .
Do all whites understand how other whites see the world ?
One of the ongoing jokes in the public dialogues I have with Adam Carolla around the country is how much we think alike despite the fact that our backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than being white and male , we have essentially nothing in common .
He is an atheist ; I am a religious believer .
He is Italian ; I 'm a Jew .
He grew up poor and on food stamps in Los Angeles ; I grew up in a solid middle-class home in Brooklyn .
He had little formal education and never went to college ; I grew up in a house of intellectuals and went to an Ivy League graduate school .
Even though I can not `` relate '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are nevertheless very close because , in addition to that intangible thing that creates friendships , we have the same values .
On the other hand , I am a Jew , and George Soros is a Jew .
Other than the same ethnic ancestry , we have absolutely nothing in common .
I have far more in common with the black conservative intellectual Larry Elder .
The notion that race or ethnicity bonds people is both stupid and racist .
The prominent black conservative John McWhorter , a Columbia professor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fragility , '' the book the left most frequently recommends explaining America 's alleged systemic racism .
The title ?
`` The Dehumanizing Condescension of 'White Fragility . '
'' `` One of America 's favorite advice books of the moment is actually a racist tract . ''
`` The book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us . ''
`` 'White Fragility ' is the prayer book for what can only be described as a cult . ''
`` A corollary question is why Black people need to be treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The very assumption is deeply condescending to all proud Black people . ''
`` Few books about race have more openly infantilized Black people than this supposedly authoritative tome .
Or simply dehumanized us . ''
`` Her answer to white fragility , in other words , entails an elaborate and pitilessly dehumanizing condescension toward Black people .
The sad truth is that anyone falling under the sway of this blinkered , self-satisfied , punitive stunt of a primer has been taught , by a well-intentioned but tragically misguided pastor , how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
McWhorter understands that to see blacks the way the white and black left want people to see them is to dehumanize blacks .
If blacks are black before they are human -- if no nonblacks can relate to blacks , disagree with blacks or want to see past color to the person 's heart -- black-nonblack relations will have been set back a half-century .
Incredibly , beginning this coming year , thanks to progressive teachers , there will be mandatory reading of racist tracts like `` White Fragility '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see this as progress is worthy of tears .

If you take black and white left-wing rhetoric seriously, blacks are not human beings like members of other races. They are first and foremost black; they are human beings defined before anything else by their color -- not their humanity, their personality, their character, their mind or their heart. So much so that, according to white and black leftists, if you dissent from this racist view, you are now labeled racist.
The idiocy and inhumanity (literally) of this, the "progressive" view of black people, is easily demonstrated. Do any blacks see themselves first as black? When a black man, let's call him James, looks into the mirror, does he first see a black person, or does he see James? When a white woman, let's call her Karen (I'm playing with the left here), looks into the mirror, does she first see a white person, or does she see Karen? Does any human being first see his or her color?
Of course not. Yet, we are supposed to believe that the most important thing about a black individual is that he or she is black. And if we do not honor that fact -- if we aim to be "colorblind" -- then we are labeled racist.
This dehumanizing nonsense goes for racial truth these days. Thus, for example, we who are not black are supposed to acknowledge that we cannot possibly see the world the way a black person sees the world; we cannot possibly understand what it is like to be black. This is part of the dogma the left imposes on society through the media, through cancel culture (say that you are colorblind and you might lose your job and your reputation), and through racial sensitivity training seminars at colleges and in the workplace.
But all this does is promulgate the view that blacks are inherently different from all other people. As a result, the only way the left's view of blacks differs from that of white supremacists is that the latter believe blacks are inherently inferior, whereas the left believes blacks are inherently different. But both the left and the white supremacists agree that race contains immutable characteristics.
Aside from its inherent racism, the progressive view of blacks is pablum. No one can see the world through another's eyes. No one can fully understand what it is like to be any other human being. Do all whites understand how other whites see the world? One of the ongoing jokes in the public dialogues I have with Adam Carolla around the country is how much we think alike despite the fact that our backgrounds could hardly be more different.
Other than being white and male, we have essentially nothing in common. He is an atheist; I am a religious believer. He is Italian; I'm a Jew. He grew up poor and on food stamps in Los Angeles; I grew up in a solid middle-class home in Brooklyn. He had little formal education and never went to college; I grew up in a house of intellectuals and went to an Ivy League graduate school. Even though I cannot "relate" to his experience or he to mine, we are nevertheless very close because, in addition to that intangible thing that creates friendships, we have the same values.
On the other hand, I am a Jew, and George Soros is a Jew. Other than the same ethnic ancestry, we have absolutely nothing in common. I have far more in common with the black conservative intellectual Larry Elder. The notion that race or ethnicity bonds people is both stupid and racist.
The prominent black conservative John McWhorter, a Columbia professor, just wrote a review of "White Fragility," the book the left most frequently recommends explaining America's alleged systemic racism. The title? "The Dehumanizing Condescension of 'White Fragility.'"
McWhorter writes:
"One of America's favorite advice books of the moment is actually a racist tract."
"The book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us."
(I suspect it was The Atlantic's choice to capitalize "black"; the syndicators of my own column once changed "black" to "Black" because they follow the Associated Press' rules for English.)
"'White Fragility' is the prayer book for what can only be described as a cult."
"A corollary question is why Black people need to be treated the way DiAngelo assumes we do. The very assumption is deeply condescending to all proud Black people."
"Few books about race have more openly infantilized Black people than this supposedly authoritative tome. Or simply dehumanized us."
"Her answer to white fragility, in other words, entails an elaborate and pitilessly dehumanizing condescension toward Black people. The sad truth is that anyone falling under the sway of this blinkered, self-satisfied, punitive stunt of a primer has been taught, by a well-intentioned but tragically misguided pastor, how to be racist in a whole new way."
McWhorter understands that to see blacks the way the white and black left want people to see them is to dehumanize blacks. If blacks are black before they are human -- if no nonblacks can relate to blacks, disagree with blacks or want to see past color to the person's heart -- black-nonblack relations will have been set back a half-century.
Incredibly, beginning this coming year, thanks to progressive teachers, there will be mandatory reading of racist tracts like "White Fragility" to dehumanize blacks. That any black would see this as progress is worthy of tears.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Charges Pending on Man Pictured Allegedly Kneeling on Child With “BLM” Caption

The sheriff ’ s office said a case against Jackson has been presented to the prosecutor ’ s office who @ @ @ @ @ on the scope and breadth of the felony charges ” that Jackson will face in @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office Lt. Kristopher Shultz said in a media release .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ Jackson might be charged with .

CLARK COUNTY, Ohio — UPDATE @ 3:15 p.m. (July 22):
Charges are pending review by the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office against a man accused of kneeling on the neck of a 2-year-old child in a photo shared on social media, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The man, who deputies identified as Isaiah Jackson, 20, has been booked in the Clark County Jail on a probation violation and remains in the jail Wednesday afternoon, according to online jail records.
The sheriff’s office said a case against Jackson has been presented to the prosecutor’s office who will “provide a determination on the scope and breadth of the felony charges” that Jackson will face in the alleged incident, Clark County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kristopher Shultz said in a media release. Investigators did not detail the charges Jackson might be charged with.
Deputies said an investigation was launched Tuesday after they were made aware of the photo, which shows a man with his knee on the back of a child’s neck. The child appears to be crying in the photo while a second person holds the child’s hands behind their back. The photo’s caption read “Blm now.”
Investigators made contact with the child, their mother, and Jackson. The child was transported to an area hospital for examination, however they did not suffer any injuries from the incident deputies said.
“Subsequent interview with the mother revealed that she was unaware of the photo having been taken, or its contents, until she had been informed by other parties,” Shultz said.
Isaiah Jackson 2018 File mugshot of Isaiah Jackson. Contributed Photo/Clark County Sheriff's Office)
FIRST REPORT (July 21):
A social media photo of a man kneeling on the back of the neck of a child is currently under investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
>>Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, 4 others arrested on federal charges stemming from $60 million bribe
A picture of the post was sent into News Center 7 Tuesday, showing the man with his knee on the back of a child’s neck, who appears to be crying. A second person in the photo is holding the child’s hands behind their back. The caption of the photo reads “Blm now.”
A version of the the photo, which some might find disturbing, is available at the bottom of this news story, with the faces of the child and man blurred out.
The photo resembles the action taken by Minneapolis police officers during the arrest of George Floyd May 25 that resulted in his death.
Investigators in Clark County said they are investigating the post, however no arrests have been made and charges have not been filed.
“We are looking into this case, however it is still an active investigation. At this point we are actively looking into it and we are VERY early on into this investigation,” Maj. Chris Clark said in an emailed statement.
According to emergency scanner traffic, deputies, police, and medics were called to two different addresses Tuesday morning in Clark County as a part of the investigation.
We’ll continue to update this story with new details as they become available.
Clark Co. Ohio deputies investigate social media post Contributed photo, provided to News Center 7
Cox Media Group


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--Report: Anti-Christian Attacks in Europe Rose 285% Since 2008

ROME — The number of officially recorded anti-Christian incidents in Europe has risen by 285 percent between 2008 and 2019 , according to Ellen Fantini , director of the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe ( OIDACE ) .
Speaking with the Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) , Fantini said that the trend of increasing attacks is particularly noteworthy in France , such as the recent arson attack on the Nantes Cathedral , but is evident elsewhere as well .
Citing data provided to the OSCE ( Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2017 to 2018 , Fantini said .
“ We know they are rising in Spain , Germany , and Sweden , as well.
” In its 2019 report , OIDACE chronicled the increase in Christian persecution throughout Europe , pointing to “ a rise in the number of churches , Christian symbols , and cemeteries across Europe being vandalized , desecrated , and burned , compared to previous years.
” Moreover , the report states , across Europe , “ Christians have been fired , sued , and even arrested for exercising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As we have noted in the past , Christians in Europe are not simply experiencing social discrimination , prejudice , or restrictions on freedom .
Christians , including clergy , have been attacked or killed for their faith .
As in previous years we have continued to see threats and attacks against Christian converts from Islam , ” the report stated .
The 64-page report offered summary descriptions of more than 325 cases of intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe for the year 2018 .
The report also cites the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French Interior Ministry , which included 1063 “ anti-Christian acts ” and showed that in the ten-year period from 2008 to 2018 , there was an increase of some 250 percent in attacks on Christian sites .
Christian sites in Europe suffered a record number of attacks in the year 2019 , with some 3,000 Christian churches , schools , cemeteries , and monuments vandalized , looted , or defaced .
Another report compiling the anti-Christian acts perpetrated during 2019 revealed a range of profanation including arson , defecation , desecration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , urination , and vandalism .
The greatest number of acts of violence against Christian sites occurred in France , where churches , schools , cemeteries , and monuments “ are being vandalized , desecrated , and burned at an average rate of three per day , ” according to reports .
According to Wednesday ’ s CNA report , the French Interior Ministry registered 996 anti-Christian acts in 2019 — an average of nearly three per day — while noting that the true figure may be higher , since officials do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
Last month , arsonists set fire to the Saint-Pierre cathedral in Rennes but were thwarted by firefighters who arrived in time to put out the blaze before serious damage was done .
The 15th-century Nantes cathedral was not so fortunate , suffering substantial damage after it was set afire last week .
Germany is not far behind , however , with attacks against Christian churches happening at an average rate of two per day .
Meanwhile , attacks on Christian churches and symbols regularly occurred in 2019 in Belgium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italy , and Spain as well .
The Vatican itself has denounced the rise in anti-Christian hate crimes throughout Europe .
Speaking in May on behalf of the Holy See , Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk stressed the gravity of anti-Christian violence in an address at an OSCE conference on intolerance and discrimination .
Msgr .
Urbańczyk noted the worrisome increase in explicitly anti-Christian acts across Europe , including “ threats , violent attacks , murders and profanation of churches and places of worship , cemeteries and other religious properties.
” In his address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth of the false idea “ that religions could have a negative impact or represent a threat to the well-being of our societies .
”

ROME — The number of officially recorded anti-Christian incidents in France has risen by 285 percent between 2008 and 2019, according to Ellen Fantini, director of the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDACE).
Speaking with the Catholic News Agency (CNA), Fantini said that the trend of increasing attacks is particularly noteworthy in France, such as the recent arson attack on the Nantes Cathedral, but is evident elsewhere as well.
Citing data provided to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), anti-Christian crimes in the UK doubled from 2017 to 2018, Fantini said. “We know they are rising in Spain, Germany, and Sweden, as well.”
In its 2019 report, OIDACE chronicled the increase in Christian persecution throughout Europe, pointing to “a rise in the number of churches, Christian symbols, and cemeteries across Europe being vandalized, desecrated, and burned, compared to previous years.”
Moreover, the report states, across Europe, “Christians have been fired, sued, and even arrested for exercising their freedom of expression or conscience.”
“As we have noted in the past, Christians in Europe are not simply experiencing social discrimination, prejudice, or restrictions on freedom. Christians, including clergy, have been attacked or killed for their faith. As in previous years we have continued to see threats and attacks against Christian converts from Islam,” the report stated.
The 64-page report offered summary descriptions of more than 325 cases of intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe for the year 2018.
The report also cites the official annual crime statistics for 2018 provided by the French Interior Ministry, which included 1063 “anti-Christian acts” and showed that in the ten-year period from 2008 to 2018, there was an increase of some 250 percent in attacks on Christian sites.
Christian sites in Europe suffered a record number of attacks in the year 2019, with some 3,000 Christian churches, schools, cemeteries, and monuments vandalized, looted, or defaced.
Another report compiling the anti-Christian acts perpetrated during 2019 revealed a range of profanation including arson, defecation, desecration, looting, mockery, Satanism, theft, urination, and vandalism.
The greatest number of acts of violence against Christian sites occurred in France, where churches, schools, cemeteries, and monuments “are being vandalized, desecrated, and burned at an average rate of three per day,” according to reports.
According to Wednesday’s CNA report, the French Interior Ministry registered 996 anti-Christian acts in 2019 — an average of nearly three per day — while noting that the true figure may be higher, since officials do not count fires of undetermined cause at churches across the country.
Last month, arsonists set fire to the Saint-Pierre cathedral in Rennes but were thwarted by firefighters who arrived in time to put out the blaze before serious damage was done. The 15th-century Nantes cathedral was not so fortunate, suffering substantial damage after it was set afire last week.
Germany is not far behind, however, with attacks against Christian churches happening at an average rate of two per day. Meanwhile, attacks on Christian churches and symbols regularly occurred in 2019 in Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Spain as well.
The Vatican itself has denounced the rise in anti-Christian hate crimes throughout Europe.
Speaking in May on behalf of the Holy See, Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk stressed the gravity of anti-Christian violence in an address at an OSCE conference on intolerance and discrimination.
Msgr. Urbańczyk noted the worrisome increase in explicitly anti-Christian acts across Europe, including “threats, violent attacks, murders and profanation of churches and places of worship, cemeteries and other religious properties.”
In his address, Urbańczyk added his concern over the growth of the false idea “that religions could have a negative impact or represent a threat to the well-being of our societies.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was corrected post-publication to reflect that the data on anti-Christian attacks applied only to France, not all of Europe.


bonginoreport--2020-07-22--President Trump Delivers Remarks on “Operation Legend”

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a `` surge '' of federal forces to cities around the country as part of Operation Legend : an initiative to reduce violent crime in several cities across the country .
President Trump announced the Department of Defense will immediately send federal law enforcement agents to Chicago and Albuquerque .
He said offices and agents from several federal agencies will head to Chicago to help local efforts .
He said officers were headed to other cities , but only mentioned those two cities by name on Wednesday .
He also announced $ 61M available in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Operation Legend .
`` We will not defund the police , we will hire more great police , '' President Trump said .
On July 8 , Attorney General William Barr launched the initiative by sending federal agents to Kansas City , where violent crime is up 40 % since last year .
At least 100 murders have taken place in the city so far this year .
Among those murdered in Kansas City was 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro , who was killed by a bullet as he slept in his bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
LeGend 's family attended Wednesday 's press conference and shared their endorsement of Operation Legend .
`` We want justice for our son , and for others , '' LeGend 's mother , Charron Powell , said at Wednesday 's press conference .
`` Operation Legend is not to harm , harrass ... it 's to solve crimes . ''
Barr said Operation Legend is the result of more than a year of work to create anti-crime task forces in large cities around the country .
He said these officers are `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of efforts to protect federal property .
However , not all cities have been receptive to the Trump administration 's plan .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has signaled she would not welcome the agents , and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has threatened to file a lawsuit to keep the agents out .
On Wednesday , mayors from 13 major U.S. cities signed a letter asking Barr and Acting Homeland Security Sec .
Chad Wolf to remove the agents from their cities .
The Trump administration has already deployed federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes of quelling anti-police brutality protests in the city .
The agents ' presence in the city has ratcheted up the intensity of protests in recent days , as agents have deployed tear gas and have been seen hitting and punching protesters .
According to Customs and Border Patrol , its agents were sent to Portland as part of President Donald Trump 's executive order aimed at protecting monuments and statues — not as a part of Operation Legend .

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a "surge" of federal forces to cities around the country as part of Operation Legend: an initiative to reduce violent crime in several cities across the country.
President Trump announced the Department of Defense will immediately send federal law enforcement agents to Chicago and Albuquerque. He said offices and agents from several federal agencies will head to Chicago to help local efforts. He said officers were headed to other cities, but only mentioned those two cities by name on Wednesday.
He also announced $61M available in grants for municipalities to hire officers as part of Operation Legend. "We will not defund the police, we will hire more great police," President Trump said.
On July 8, Attorney General William Barr launched the initiative by sending federal agents to Kansas City, where violent crime is up 40% since last year. At least 100 murders have taken place in the city so far this year.
Among those murdered in Kansas City was 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was killed by a bullet as he slept in his bed. Operation Legend is named for him. LeGend's family attended Wednesday's press conference and shared their endorsement of Operation Legend.
"We want justice for our son, and for others," LeGend's mother, Charron Powell, said at Wednesday's press conference. "Operation Legend is not to harm, harrass ... it's to solve crimes."
Barr said Operation Legend is the result of more than a year of work to create anti-crime task forces in large cities around the country. He said these officers are "classic crime fighters" and are not part of efforts to protect federal property.
However, not all cities have been receptive to the Trump administration's plan. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has signaled she would not welcome the agents, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has threatened to file a lawsuit to keep the agents out.
On Wednesday, mayors from 13 major U.S. cities signed a letter asking Barr and Acting Homeland Security Sec. Chad Wolf to remove the agents from their cities.
The Trump administration has already deployed federal agents to the streets of Portland in the hopes of quelling anti-police brutality protests in the city. The agents' presence in the city has ratcheted up the intensity of protests in recent days, as agents have deployed tear gas and have been seen hitting and punching protesters.
According to Customs and Border Patrol, its agents were sent to Portland as part of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at protecting monuments and statues — not as a part of Operation Legend.