bonginoreport--2020-08-15--Mob Gathers at Postmaster General’s Home After Dems Push Conspiracies About USPS Election Sabotage

The far-left group Shutdown D.C. rallied its supporters to surround the home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy ’ s home in Washington , DC , on Saturday after Democrats claimed President Donald Trump and DeJoy — whom Trump selected for the job — were making changes at the United States Postal Service that could interfere with voting by mail in the 2020 election .
The local CBS affiliate USA9 reported on the protest , which it called a “ noise demonstration ” meant as a “ wake-up call ” to DeJoy and the Trump administration : The organization believes DeJoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service in favor of President Donald Trump ’ s re-election .
They said his actions contribute to voter suppression .
“ DeJoy has fired or reassigned much of the existing USPS leadership and ordered the removal of mail sorting machines that are fundamental to the functioning of the postal service .
Meanwhile , mail delivery is slowing down under other decisions made by DeJoy , such as eliminating overtime for postal workers , ” the group said in a statement .
The USPS recently sent letters of warning to 46 states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia , indicating that it could not guarantee all mail-in ballots cast for the November election would arrive in time to be counted .
D.C. and six other states were told that only a narrow set of voters may be affected , but Virginia and Maryland and 38 other states received a “ heightened warning ” that USPS could not meet state-mandated deadlines .
USPS officials said it would run out of funds by the end of September without more federal funding , the Associated Press reported .
The postal service reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter .
The protest comes after Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney ( D-NY ) and others last week asked the USPS inspector general to investigate “ all recent staffing and policy changes put in place ” by Mr. DeJoy , ” the New York Times reported .
“ We just heard that @ OIGUSPS is investigating all aspects of our request to audit the Postmaster General ’ s operational changes at @ USPS & his personal conflicts of interest , ” Warren posted on Twitter .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the toolbox to stop Trump & DeJoy from sabotaging the USPS.
” “ We are in receipt of the congressional request and are conducting a body of work to address concerns raised , ” a spokeswoman for the U.S .
Postal Service inspector general , Tammy L. Whitcomb , said .
The USA9 report said that Rep. Gerry Connolly ( D-VA ) , chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations , is calling for DeJoy to step down .
Connolly said in a statement Postmaster General DeJoy ’ s brief term has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USPS history .
On the eve of a presidential election , in the midst of the worst public health pandemic in 100 years , Mr. DeJoy has pledged his allegiance to the political expedience of President Trump at the expense of protecting our democracy and access to the ballot .
He has deliberately enacted policies to sabotage the Postal Service to serve only one person , President Trump .
He has failed the American people .
Mr. DeJoy must resign .
But Trump has been a fierce supporter of the post office and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonized by the left for being a wealthy donor to Trump and the Republican Party ) on board because of his success as a businessman .

The far-left group Shutdown D.C. rallied its supporters to surround the home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s home in Washington, DC, on Saturday after Democrats claimed President Donald Trump and DeJoy — whom Trump selected for the job — were making changes at the United States Postal Service that could interfere with voting by mail in the 2020 election.
The local CBS affiliate USA9 reported on the protest, which it called a “noise demonstration” meant as a “wake-up call” to DeJoy and the Trump administration:
The organization believes DeJoy is “dismantling” the U.S. Postal Service in favor of President Donald Trump’s re-election. They said his actions contribute to voter suppression. “DeJoy has fired or reassigned much of the existing USPS leadership and ordered the removal of mail sorting machines that are fundamental to the functioning of the postal service. Meanwhile, mail delivery is slowing down under other decisions made by DeJoy, such as eliminating overtime for postal workers,” the group said in a statement. The USPS recently sent letters of warning to 46 states, including Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, indicating that it could not guarantee all mail-in ballots cast for the November election would arrive in time to be counted. D.C. and six other states were told that only a narrow set of voters may be affected, but Virginia and Maryland and 38 other states received a “heightened warning” that USPS could not meet state-mandated deadlines.
USPS officials said it would run out of funds by the end of September without more federal funding, the Associated Press reported. The postal service reported a $4.5 billion loss in the first quarter.
The protest comes after Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and others last week asked the USPS inspector general to investigate “all recent staffing and policy changes put in place” by Mr. DeJoy,” the New York Times reported.
“We just heard that @OIGUSPS is investigating all aspects of our request to audit the Postmaster General’s operational changes at @USPS & his personal conflicts of interest,” Warren posted on Twitter. “I’ll keep using every in the toolbox to stop Trump & DeJoy from sabotaging the USPS.”
“We are in receipt of the congressional request and are conducting a body of work to address concerns raised,” a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service inspector general, Tammy L. Whitcomb, said.
The USA9 report said that Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations, is calling for DeJoy to step down. Connolly said in a statement
Postmaster General DeJoy’s brief term has already become one of the darkest in USPS history. On the eve of a presidential election, in the midst of the worst public health pandemic in 100 years, Mr. DeJoy has pledged his allegiance to the political expedience of President Trump at the expense of protecting our democracy and access to the ballot. He has deliberately enacted policies to sabotage the Postal Service to serve only one person, President Trump. He has failed the American people. Mr. DeJoy must resign.
But Trump has been a fierce supporter of the post office and wanted to bring DeJoy (who is demonized by the left for being a wealthy donor to Trump and the Republican Party) on board because of his success as a businessman.
I will never let our Post Office fail. It has been mismanaged for years, especially since the advent of the internet and modern-day technology. The people that work there are great, and we’re going to keep them happy, healthy, and well! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 24, 2020
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bonginoreport--2020-08-15--New Portland DA Who Won’t Prosecute Rioters Admits to Friendship With Antifa Militant

Newly-elected District Attorney Mike Schmidt , who refuses to prosecute Portland rioters , admits he is `` old buddies '' with an Antifa militant campaigning to defund the police , abolish prisons , and demand reparations .
`` Just before I was sworn in as DA , I sat down with an old buddy of mine , @ AWKWORDrap , for an interview about my priorities as District Attorney and rethinking what public safety means , '' Schmidt tweeted .
The hour-long Jul .
21 interview with Schmidt is a first in the series of `` social justice leaders '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` old time buddy '' of Schmidt 's , social media personality Awkword .
Awkword leads the Ten Demands for Justice movement , `` a roadmap for the defunding and then full abolition of police and prisons . ''
Before Schmidt was sworn in as district attorney for Multnomah County , Oregon , he video chatted with Awkword to discuss his priorities as incoming chief prosecutor .
Their 20-year-long friendship began at Vassar College in New York dominated by `` what general society would deem as radicals '' who made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As a DA , people probably assume that your mission is to put people in jail , '' Awkword prefaced .
`` I know that 's not what you do , '' he added .
Awkword then asked Schmidt how he thinks he was `` radicalized '' since college .
Schmidt explained that he was left of center at Vassar and grappling between applying to be a public defender or a prosecutor .
When the public defenders would n't accept him , former Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schrunk gave him his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intern and as a deputy district attorney .
`` There are things you can do to show people mercy at your discretion , and also there 's the victim 's side , '' Schmidt said , `` ... although I think our criminal justice system very much fails victims ... '' '' The vast majority of perpetrators have been victims themselves , '' Awkword pivoted , finding his `` research '' not surprising .
These `` victims '' seek `` reparative justice '' by being rewarded with social services opposed to imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that the criminal justice system was built on `` white supremacist culture '' and serves the needs of certain victims defined by the system .
`` The focus is not 'How do we help the victim heal ? '
The focus is on , as you said , punishment , '' Schmidt answered .
In 2015 , Ore. Gov .
Kate Brown appointed Schmidt to be the director of the Criminal Justice Commission , the state 's sentencing agency .
In this leadership role , Schmidt advocated for ending cash bail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a `` prison and police abolitionist , '' Awkword stated that these alternatives are an `` incremental step '' to `` utilize prisons less '' as leftist activists work to defund law enforcement .
`` I definitely see you as an ally in that effort , '' Awkword told Schmidt .
As a change-from-within official , Schmidt expressed that he ran on `` needing to shrink the criminal justice system '' as `` counterproductive to public safety . ''
Awkword then called attention to Schmidt 's stance on not criminalizing protestors who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights . ''
Schmidt stated that the violent Portland riots `` are nothing like the Armageddon that the Trump Administration is trying to portray our city , '' calling the Burnside Bridge Die-In on Jun .
2 a `` beautiful demonstration . ''
Leftists activists are protesting for issues that are `` completely consistent '' with the platform Schmidt ran on , he proudly exclaimed , such as the elimination of mandatory minimum sentencing .
`` This dystopian image that is being painted nationally is not at all what it looks like on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have amazing people out every night talking about the systemic racism in our criminal justice system . ''
Overnight , Antifa rioters shut down streets and started fires in north Portland , also causing a car accident .
Responding officers were attacked with concrete , lasers , paint bombs , and ball bearings from slingshots .
Only four were arrested , according to a press release by the Portland Police Bureau .
Phillip Wenzel , a Portland-area paralegal who was filmed attempting to steal a baton from a public safety officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multnomah County Detention Center and released without bail on felony assault charges .
Resisting arrest and escape at the Portland riots are among the crimes not prosecuted in Multnomah County under Schmidt .
Trevor Wilder Smith , a 45-year-old Antifa supporter , was charged with attempted assault of a police officer .
He was also quickly released without bail .
Smith has celebrated on social media Schmidt 's new policy to limit criminal charges against protestors .
Awkword voiced that he also stands with the rioters , calling this far-left `` revolution '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country , '' the longest , and with the most participants , he claimed , ignoring the American Revolution that founded the nation and glorifying the one that 's dismantling it .
One-third of stranger murders are committed by cops , Awkword claimed , although this figure is skewed .
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation ’ s Uniform Crime Reporting data in 2018 , the relationship between murder victims and offenders was unknown in 49.5 percent of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter incidents , so `` all Americans killed by strangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And then , `` killed by police '' would include justified incidents as well as unjustified one .
`` These are not great people we want to have military-grade weapons , '' Awkword concluded .
When Schmidt ran against Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight in Multnomah County 's first contested district attorney race in more than 30 years , it was a referendum on criminal justice reform .
Knight received $ 25,000 from the Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys Association and $ 20,000 from the Portland Police Association , who all strongly endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 25 percent .
The shift in status quo led District Attorney Rod Underhill to announce a leave from office six months early .
On Aug. 1 , Schmidt assumed his post .
Then on Aug. 11 , Schmidt announced during a Tuesday morning press conference that his office would drop charges against numerous rioters accused of low-level crimes since May 29 , Willamette Weekly reported .
The policy would only pursue charges against protesters who deliberately destroyed property , used force against another person , or threatened to do so .
Signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to see Schmidt run for president one day .

Newly-elected District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who refuses to prosecute Portland rioters, admits he is "old buddies" with an Antifa militant campaigning to defund the police, abolish prisons, and demand reparations.
The last tweet from @DAMikeSchmidt, the new DA who isn’t prosecuting Portland rioters, is a tweet promoting an interview w/his “buddy,” a militant antifa activist. His friend is part of campaign by communist Angela Davis to defund police, abolish prisons & demand reparations. pic.twitter.com/uWHpAxhJn0 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2020
"Just before I was sworn in as DA, I sat down with an old buddy of mine, @AWKWORDrap, for an interview about my priorities as District Attorney and rethinking what public safety means," Schmidt tweeted.
The hour-long Jul. 21 interview with Schmidt is a first in the series of "social justice leaders" features conducted by a self-described "Anti-Fascist" and "old time buddy" of Schmidt's, social media personality Awkword.
Awkword leads the Ten Demands for Justice movement, "a roadmap for the defunding and then full abolition of police and prisons."
Before Schmidt was sworn in as district attorney for Multnomah County, Oregon, he video chatted with Awkword to discuss his priorities as incoming chief prosecutor.
Their 20-year-long friendship began at Vassar College in New York dominated by "what general society would deem as radicals" who made the duo "look like conservatives."
"As a DA, people probably assume that your mission is to put people in jail," Awkword prefaced. "I know that's not what you do," he added.
Awkword then asked Schmidt how he thinks he was "radicalized" since college.
Schmidt explained that he was left of center at Vassar and grappling between applying to be a public defender or a prosecutor.
When the public defenders wouldn't accept him, former Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schrunk gave him his first chance to practice criminal law as an intern and as a deputy district attorney.
"There are things you can do to show people mercy at your discretion, and also there's the victim's side," Schmidt said, "...although I think our criminal justice system very much fails victims..."
"The vast majority of perpetrators have been victims themselves," Awkword pivoted, finding his "research" not surprising.
These "victims" seek "reparative justice" by being rewarded with social services opposed to imprisonment, he emphasized.
Then Awkword questioned what Schmidt considers "fair punishment."
Schmidt began by claiming that the criminal justice system was built on "white supremacist culture" and serves the needs of certain victims defined by the system.
"The focus is not 'How do we help the victim heal?' The focus is on, as you said, punishment," Schmidt answered.
In 2015, Ore. Gov. Kate Brown appointed Schmidt to be the director of the Criminal Justice Commission, the state's sentencing agency. In this leadership role, Schmidt advocated for ending cash bail and investing in alternative programs to incarceration.
As a "prison and police abolitionist," Awkword stated that these alternatives are an "incremental step" to "utilize prisons less" as leftist activists work to defund law enforcement.
"I definitely see you as an ally in that effort," Awkword told Schmidt.
As a change-from-within official, Schmidt expressed that he ran on "needing to shrink the criminal justice system" as "counterproductive to public safety."
Awkword then called attention to Schmidt's stance on not criminalizing protestors who are "just exercising their First Amendment rights."
Schmidt stated that the violent Portland riots "are nothing like the Armageddon that the Trump Administration is trying to portray our city," calling the Burnside Bridge Die-In on Jun. 2 a "beautiful demonstration."
Leftists activists are protesting for issues that are "completely consistent" with the platform Schmidt ran on, he proudly exclaimed, such as the elimination of mandatory minimum sentencing.
"This dystopian image that is being painted nationally is not at all what it looks like on our streets," Schmidt continued. "We have amazing people out every night talking about the systemic racism in our criminal justice system."
Overnight, Antifa rioters shut down streets and started fires in north Portland, also causing a car accident. Responding officers were attacked with concrete, lasers, paint bombs, and ball bearings from slingshots. Only four were arrested, according to a press release by the Portland Police Bureau.
Protest Blocks Streets, Officers Assaulted, Pelted With Rocks, Glass Bottles, Other Objects (Photo) https://t.co/Kilu4qbnwV pic.twitter.com/Nx5Km0JLGu — Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 15, 2020
Phillip Wenzel, a Portland-area paralegal who was filmed attempting to steal a baton from a public safety officer, was of those booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and released without bail on felony assault charges. Resisting arrest and escape at the Portland riots are among the crimes not prosecuted in Multnomah County under Schmidt.
Resisting arrest and escape at riots are among the crimes not prosecuted in Multnomah County under the new DA. #PortlandRiots — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2020
Trevor Wilder Smith, a 45-year-old Antifa supporter, was charged with attempted assault of a police officer. He was also quickly released without bail. Smith has celebrated on social media Schmidt's new policy to limit criminal charges against protestors.
Trevor Wilder Smith, a 45-year-old #antifa supporter, was charged with attempted assault of an officer at the violent antifa protest in north Portland. He was quickly released without bail. Predictably, he is a big fan of the new DA. #PortlandMugshots https://t.co/cKUGJBroNI pic.twitter.com/Iz4nO0KaED — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2020
Awkword voiced that he also stands with the rioters, calling this far-left "revolution" the "biggest we've had in this country," the longest, and with the most participants, he claimed, ignoring the American Revolution that founded the nation and glorifying the one that's dismantling it.
One-third of stranger murders are committed by cops, Awkword claimed, although this figure is skewed. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting data in 2018, the relationship between murder victims and offenders was unknown in 49.5 percent of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter incidents, so "all Americans killed by strangers" is a base with vast uncertainty. And then, "killed by police" would include justified incidents as well as unjustified one.
"These are not great people we want to have military-grade weapons," Awkword concluded.
When Schmidt ran against Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight in Multnomah County's first contested district attorney race in more than 30 years, it was a referendum on criminal justice reform.
Knight received $25,000 from the Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys Association and $20,000 from the Portland Police Association, who all strongly endorsed him.
Schmidt beat Knight 75 percent to 25 percent. The shift in status quo led District Attorney Rod Underhill to announce a leave from office six months early. On Aug. 1, Schmidt assumed his post. Then on Aug. 11, Schmidt announced during a Tuesday morning press conference that his office would drop charges against numerous rioters accused of low-level crimes since May 29, Willamette Weekly reported. The policy would only pursue charges against protesters who deliberately destroyed property, used force against another person, or threatened to do so.
Signing off, Awkword noted that he would like to see Schmidt run for president one day.
"We'll see," Schmidt responded sheepishly.


bonginoreport--2020-08-15--Inflation Jumps to 837% in Zimbabwe

Inflation Jumps to 837% in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has been grappling with more than a decade of hyperinflation Zimbabwe 's annual inflation rate soared to almost 840 percent in July , the statistics agency said Saturday , adding to the country 's desperate economic woes even as the government refused to acknowledge a growing sense of crisis .
The southern African nation has been grappling with more than a decade of hyperinflation triggered by economic mismanagement under former president Robert Mugabe , who was ousted by a military coup in 2017 .
Many Zimbabweans have seen their savings evaporate and still struggle to afford basic commodities such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with corruption and poverty rife .
The figures were published shortly after a government statement was issued saying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had implemented policies `` that result in a robust economy '' and had kept the country `` commendably stable '' , denying any crisis .
The July inflation rate of 837.53 percent , which was announced by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency on Twitter , compares with 737.3 percent in June .
Month-on-month , inflation stood at 35.53 percent in July , up from 31.66 percent in June .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper -- was a response to a letter by Zimbabwe 's Catholic Bishops on Friday that deplored a recent crackdown on dissent by Mnangagwa 's administration and a deepening crisis in the country .
Last month , the authorities banned protests planned by an opposition politician and deployed the army and riot police in huge numbers to quell them .
Opposition figure Jacob Ngarivhume , who had called for the July 31 protests against alleged state corruption and worsening economic troubles , was arrested 12 days ahead of the strike .
Journalist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also detained .
They both remain in custody after being denied bail .
More than a dozen protesters , including award-winning author Tsitsi Dangarembga , were arrested on July 31 and later freed on bail .
All have been charged with inciting public violence .
The bishops described the clampdown as `` unprecedented '' and weighed in on the ongoing crisis , which the government has repeatedly denied .
They said the `` struggle in Zimbabwe '' resulted `` in a multi-layered crisis of the convergence of economic collapse , deepening poverty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses '' .
Government spokesman Nick Mangwana accused the bishops of joining the `` bandwagon of individuals and entities '' seeking to invent crises for political gains .
`` Government reiterates that Zimbabwe , like most countries in the world is currently grappling with challenges attendant to illegal sanctions , drought and the coronavirus pandemic , '' Mangwana said , quoted by The Herald .
`` There is no 'crisis ' , political or otherwise . ''
The United States slapped sanctions on Zimbabwean businessman and political operator Kudakwashe Tagwirei days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notoriously corrupt '' .
The sanctions were issued to commemorate the two-year anniversary of a violent army-led suppression of protests over alleged election fraud , in which at least six people were killed .

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bonginoreport--2020-08-15--Mike Pompeo: U.S. Discussing Situation in Belarus With the EU

WARSAW ( Reuters ) - The United States is discussing the situation in Belarus with the European Union after last weekend ’ s disputed election and subsequent crackdown on protesters , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday .
Speaking in Warsaw , his last stop on a tour of central Europe , Pompeo said Washington was tracking the situation in Belarus and the aim of the contacts with the EU was to “ try to help as best we can the Belarusian people achieve sovereignty and freedom ” .
Security forces have clashed with protesters in Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide re-election victory in a vote on Sunday that his opponents say was rigged .
The EU on Friday took the first step towards imposing new sanctions on Belarus , instructing its foreign policy arm to prepare a blacklist of responsible individuals .
Speaking at a news conference with Pompeo , Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said potential sanctions on Belarus should only apply to top officials .
Pompeo also met Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and discussed defence cooperation , the COVID-19 pandemic , securing 5G networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland ’ s civil nuclear power program .
Washington and Warsaw signed a defence pact , agreed last month , which sees the number of U.S. troops in Poland rise to at least 5,500 .
It will cost Poland around 500 million zlotys ( $ 135 million ) per year .
The deal also involves training Polish forces in reconnaissance and command , with the possibility of more U.S. troops coming to Poland in case of an increased threat .
Poland would be able to quickly increase the number of U.S. troops to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of American troops is key for Poland ’ s deterrence and defence potential as Poland is “ closer to the potential source of conflict ” , a reference to the proximity to Russia and its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 .

WARSAW (Reuters) - The United States is discussing the situation in Belarus with the European Union after last weekend’s disputed election and subsequent crackdown on protesters, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday.
Slideshow ( 3 images )
Speaking in Warsaw, his last stop on a tour of central Europe, Pompeo said Washington was tracking the situation in Belarus and the aim of the contacts with the EU was to “try to help as best we can the Belarusian people achieve sovereignty and freedom”.
Security forces have clashed with protesters in Minsk and other cities in recent days after President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide re-election victory in a vote on Sunday that his opponents say was rigged.
The EU on Friday took the first step towards imposing new sanctions on Belarus, instructing its foreign policy arm to prepare a blacklist of responsible individuals.
Speaking at a news conference with Pompeo, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said potential sanctions on Belarus should only apply to top officials.
Pompeo also met Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and discussed defence cooperation, the COVID-19 pandemic, securing 5G networks and a new bilateral agreement on developing Poland’s civil nuclear power program.
Washington and Warsaw signed a defence pact, agreed last month, which sees the number of U.S. troops in Poland rise to at least 5,500. It will cost Poland around 500 million zlotys ($135 million) per year.
The deal also involves training Polish forces in reconnaissance and command, with the possibility of more U.S. troops coming to Poland in case of an increased threat.
Poland would be able to quickly increase the number of U.S. troops to 20,000 if needed.
Czaputowicz said the presence of American troops is key for Poland’s deterrence and defence potential as Poland is “closer to the potential source of conflict”, a reference to the proximity to Russia and its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.


bonginoreport--2020-08-15--U.S. Calls For Credible, Transparent Investigation Into “Overwhelming” Explosion in Beirut

BEIRUT ( Reuters ) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Saturday that international aid pledged following a massive explosion in Beirut last week that killed 178 people and made 300,000 homeless should go where it is needed .
In an interview with French news channel BFM TV , Aoun said all hypotheses remained open in the investigation into the blast at the port of Beirut that wrecked huge swathes of the capital .
“ I have asked that aid sent by foreign countries be given exactly where it is needed , ” he said , adding that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit earlier in the week .
The United Nations has launched a $ 565 million aid appeal , whose priorities include stabilising the grain supply after the explosion destroyed a huge grain silo at the port .
Six hospitals and more than 20 clinics were damaged and more than 120 schools destroyed , the UN says .
“ We would like to be able to rebuild the three hospitals that were completely destroyed , ” U.N. humanitarian coordinator Najat Rochdi said earlier .
The United States called for a transparent and credible investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast , which authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years .
“ We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation , ” said David Hale , U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs , after visiting the port .
He said FBI agents would arrive this weekend , at the invitation of Lebanon , to help investigate what led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuelled anger at Lebanon ’ s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency , demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money .
Some Lebanese doubt the authorities can carry out a proper investigation and say foreign countries should intervene .
“ We can ’ t trust this government .
They will lie to us .
They should form an international committee to investigate this , ” said businessman Jimmy Iskandar .
Aoun has said a probe will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negligence , an accident or “ external interference ” .
He said in his interview that the investigation would not be as quick as he had hoped because it was complex and would involve an independent magistrate .
Asked why he did not want an international investigation , he said foreign experts , including from France and the FBI , were helping with the Lebanese probe .
“ They won ’ t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that , ” said painter Mohammed Khodr , as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast .
The heavily armed , Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah , which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States , said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast .
But if it turns out to be an act of sabotage by neighbouring Israel then it would “ pay an equal price ” , Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address .
Israel has denied any role in the explosion .
Nasrallah said his group was against an international investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ distance Israel from any responsibility for this explosion , if it had responsibility ” .
He said the participation of the FBI in an investigation would serve the same purpose .
The explosion has pitched Lebanon into a political vacuum since the resignation of the government , which had formed in January with backing of Hezbollah and its allies , including Aoun .

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Saturday that international aid pledged following a massive explosion in Beirut last week that killed 178 people and made 300,000 homeless should go where it is needed.
In an interview with French news channel BFM TV, Aoun said all hypotheses remained open in the investigation into the blast at the port of Beirut that wrecked huge swathes of the capital.
“I have asked that aid sent by foreign countries be given exactly where it is needed,” he said, adding that he had not considered resigning, after the government quit earlier in the week.
The United Nations has launched a $565 million aid appeal, whose priorities include stabilising the grain supply after the explosion destroyed a huge grain silo at the port.
Six hospitals and more than 20 clinics were damaged and more than 120 schools destroyed, the UN says.
“We would like to be able to rebuild the three hospitals that were completely destroyed,” U.N. humanitarian coordinator Najat Rochdi said earlier.
The United States called for a transparent and credible investigation into the disaster.
The Aug. 4 blast, which authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years.
“We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” said David Hale, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port.
Slideshow ( 5 images )
He said FBI agents would arrive this weekend, at the invitation of Lebanon, to help investigate what led to the explosion.
ANGER
The blast has fuelled anger at Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency, demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money.
Some Lebanese doubt the authorities can carry out a proper investigation and say foreign countries should intervene.
“We can’t trust this government. They will lie to us. They should form an international committee to investigate this,” said businessman Jimmy Iskandar.
Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the blast was caused by negligence, an accident or “external interference”.
He said in his interview that the investigation would not be as quick as he had hoped because it was complex and would involve an independent magistrate.
Asked why he did not want an international investigation, he said foreign experts, including from France and the FBI, were helping with the Lebanese probe.
Slideshow ( 5 images )
“They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that,” said painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast.
The heavily armed, Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States, said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast.
But if it turns out to be an act of sabotage by neighbouring Israel then it would “pay an equal price”, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address. Israel has denied any role in the explosion.
Nasrallah said his group was against an international investigation because its first purpose would be to “distance Israel from any responsibility for this explosion, if it had responsibility”. He said the participation of the FBI in an investigation would serve the same purpose.
The explosion has pitched Lebanon into a political vacuum since the resignation of the government, which had formed in January with backing of Hezbollah and its allies, including Aoun.


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--President Trump’s Brother Passes Away at 71

President Trump 's brother Robert has died at the age of 71 .
He died on Saturday night , a day after the White House confirmed he had been hospitalized in New York .
“ It is with [ a ] heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother , Robert , peacefully passed away tonight , '' the president said in a statement about his brother 's death .
`` He was not just my brother , he was my best friend .
He will be greatly missed , but we will meet again .
His memory will live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I love you .
Rest in peace . ''
Trump visited his brother at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan on Friday .
When asked about his condition during a press briefing that day , the president declined to provide specifics .
Officials did not release details regarding his brother 's death .
Robert Trump was born in New York on Aug. 26 , 1948 .
He was the youngest of five children .
He began his career working on Wall Street before later deciding to join the family business .
He managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Organization .
Ivanka Trump also paid tribute to her late uncle , saying , `` Uncle Robert , we love you .
You are in our hearts and prayers , always . ''

President Trump's brother Robert has died at the age of 71.
He died on Saturday night, a day after the White House confirmed he had been hospitalized in New York.
“It is with [a] heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," the president said in a statement about his brother's death. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace."
Trump visited his brother at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan on Friday. When asked about his condition during a press briefing that day, the president declined to provide specifics. Officials did not release details regarding his brother's death.
Robert Trump was born in New York on Aug. 26, 1948. He was the youngest of five children.
He began his career working on Wall Street before later deciding to join the family business. He managed real estate holdings as part of the Trump Organization.
Ivanka Trump also paid tribute to her late uncle, saying, "Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always."


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--Leftists Spread Conspiracies About USPS Rigging Election for Trump

Joe Biden , Taylor Swift , members of Congress , and corporate media are embracing a bizarre conspiracy theory that President Donald Trump is having U.S .
Postal Service mailboxes removed in an effort to obstruct mail-in voting in the upcoming presidential election .
This hoax spread after pictures of local USPS boxes being removed went viral on social media .
“ They ’ re going around literally with tractor trailers picking up mailboxes , ” Biden said at a virtual fundraiser , according to reporter Holly Otterbein .
“ You oughta go online and check out what they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s bizarre !
” According to an investigation by KATU , the White House has had nothing to do with the removal .
The local USPS is simply replacing old boxes with new ones .
Postal Service spokesman Steve Doherty told Boston.com that removing the boxes is standard procedure when they become rusted , require paint , get vandalized , or simply need to be replaced .
“ These trucks are on the street daily , ” Doherty said of the flatbeds seen hauling the mailboxes .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The U.S .
Postal Service has also been long mismanaged .
Government reports during both Republican and Democrat presidential administrations have shown the USPS , which is supposed to be self-funded instead of receiving bailouts from Congress , has been overspending for years , largely on its oversized pensions .
It has for years avoided dealing with its well-known financial problems .
This reality didn ’ t stop celebrities , politicians , and media figures from jumping aboard this latest anti-Trump conspiracy train .
Former President Barack Obama took the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only for the USPS ’ s long history of mismanagement that persisted during Obama ’ s tenure , but also for Trump ’ s handling of the Wuhan virus .
Taylor Swift , a once-apolitical artist who recently dove hard into partisanship and the culture war , went so far as to call the box removal a “ calculated dismantling of USPS.
” “ He ’ s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans ’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power , ” Swift tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House and Trump campaign connection to the USPS shutdown ” to Watergate , saying , “ This is too sweeping and organized to just be some random play.
” Ana Navarro , a so-called Republican strategist , Never Trumper , and commentator for mainstream outlets ABC and CNN , also perpetuated the conspiracy .
Despite being paid by supposedly impartial “ news ” outlets CNN and ABC , Navarro is essentially a Democrat campaign surrogate , hosting a roundtable event for Biden on the importance of “ making Donald Trump a one-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by posting pictures of USPS moving aging mailboxes with a caption suggesting moving a handful of mailboxes is part of some White House conspiracy to corrupt the 2020 election .
It should be needless to say , but Manhattan and Portand are heavily Democrat areas .
So even if replacing old mailboxes were an attempt to steal the election , those cities would be among the stupidest locations to try to carry out any such scheme .
The amount of votes stolen would be easily backfilled by the legitimate votes cast in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embraced the anti-Trump hoax as well , including New Yorker writer Jane Mayer .
There are legitimate concerns about the reliability of conducting elections by mail , as Rep. Dan Crenshaw points out below .
These real concerns are being exploited and conflated by Democrats , however , with the longstanding issue of USPS financial mismanagement , which is not Trump ’ s fault and is separate from concerns over conducting elections remotely .
The real concern is largely not that the USPS can ’ t handle mail , it ’ s that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for election corruption by making ballots more available to people who are not U.S .
Postal Service workers .
To read more debunking of the multiplying fanatical claims that it ’ s Trump who wants to use USPS to rig the 2020 election , rather than the Democrats making actual election tampering far more likely by pushing for mail-in voting , check out this article .

Joe Biden, Taylor Swift, members of Congress, and corporate media are embracing a bizarre conspiracy theory that President Donald Trump is having U.S. Postal Service mailboxes removed in an effort to obstruct mail-in voting in the upcoming presidential election. This hoax spread after pictures of local USPS boxes being removed went viral on social media.
This is really happening. Wow. pic.twitter.com/kLqZb5Srii — Alec Ward (@BleachDaiquiri) August 14, 2020
“They’re going around literally with tractor trailers picking up mailboxes,” Biden said at a virtual fundraiser, according to reporter Holly Otterbein. “You oughta go online and check out what they’re doing in Oregon. I mean, it’s bizarre!”
According to an investigation by KATU, the White House has had nothing to do with the removal. The local USPS is simply replacing old boxes with new ones.
Postal Service spokesman Steve Doherty told Boston.com that removing the boxes is standard procedure when they become rusted, require paint, get vandalized, or simply need to be replaced. “These trucks are on the street daily,” Doherty said of the flatbeds seen hauling the mailboxes. “They’re part of our field maintenance fleet.”
The U.S. Postal Service has also been long mismanaged. Government reports during both Republican and Democrat presidential administrations have shown the USPS, which is supposed to be self-funded instead of receiving bailouts from Congress, has been overspending for years, largely on its oversized pensions. It has for years avoided dealing with its well-known financial problems.
This reality didn’t stop celebrities, politicians, and media figures from jumping aboard this latest anti-Trump conspiracy train. Former President Barack Obama took the opportunity to swipe at the current administration, not only for the USPS’s long history of mismanagement that persisted during Obama’s tenure, but also for Trump’s handling of the Wuhan virus.
Everyone depends on the USPS. Seniors for their Social Security, veterans for their prescriptions, small businesses trying to keep their doors open. They can't be collateral damage for an administration more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 14, 2020
Taylor Swift, a once-apolitical artist who recently dove hard into partisanship and the culture war, went so far as to call the box removal a “calculated dismantling of USPS.”
“He’s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power,” Swift tweeted.
Trump’s calculated dismantling of USPS proves one thing clearly: He is WELL AWARE that we do not want him as our president. He’s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 15, 2020
Never Trumper Rick Wilson compared the “White House and Trump campaign connection to the USPS shutdown” to Watergate, saying, “This is too sweeping and organized to just be some random play.”
There is no USPS shutdown. There has been no change in USPS operations and there is nothing preventing the USPS from supporting elections via mail-in ballots. This is a crazy conspiracy that has gone mainstream among the left and media. pic.twitter.com/1cNJJLPT02 — AG (@AGHamilton29) August 15, 2020
Ana Navarro, a so-called Republican strategist, Never Trumper, and commentator for mainstream outlets ABC and CNN, also perpetuated the conspiracy. Despite being paid by supposedly impartial “news” outlets CNN and ABC, Navarro is essentially a Democrat campaign surrogate, hosting a roundtable event for Biden on the importance of “making Donald Trump a one-term president.”
She also spread this conspiracy by posting pictures of USPS moving aging mailboxes with a caption suggesting moving a handful of mailboxes is part of some White House conspiracy to corrupt the 2020 election. It should be needless to say, but Manhattan and Portand are heavily Democrat areas. So even if replacing old mailboxes were an attempt to steal the election, those cities would be among the stupidest locations to try to carry out any such scheme. The amount of votes stolen would be easily backfilled by the legitimate votes cast in these heavily blue areas.
I’ve seen 2 posts today supposedly of @USPS mailboxes being removed. One in Manhattan, one in Portland. Given rhetoric coming out of WH, and Trump lackey Postmaster General who just decommissioned 671 mail-sorting machines, this is alarming. What in the hell is going on? pic.twitter.com/y7t76XuLKE — Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) August 14, 2020
Other media figures embraced the anti-Trump hoax as well, including New Yorker writer Jane Mayer.
Anyone thinking Trump’s assault on the postal service is a rogue move needs to understand that Mike Duncan,Trump’s Postal Service Chairman is McConnell’s guy. He’s Led Senate GOP’s $100 Million Super PAC https://t.co/UMwgfKuoRx — Jane Mayer (@JaneMayerNYer) August 15, 2020
I’m going to continue holding Postmaster DeJoy accountable until he reinstates the reportedly dozens of @USPS mail collection boxes that were removed across Montana. — Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) August 14, 2020
There are legitimate concerns about the reliability of conducting elections by mail, as Rep. Dan Crenshaw points out below. These real concerns are being exploited and conflated by Democrats, however, with the longstanding issue of USPS financial mismanagement, which is not Trump’s fault and is separate from concerns over conducting elections remotely.
The real concern is largely not that the USPS can’t handle mail, it’s that routing elections through mail expands the possibilities for election corruption by making ballots more available to people who are not U.S. Postal Service workers.
Joe thinks you can’t tell the difference between absentee voting and universal mail-in voting. Absentee voting is safe and secure. If you requested an absentee ballot, you should use it. Universal mail-in voting is vulnerable to abuse and mistakes. Here are examples. THREAD: https://t.co/gnXTGYHNxr — Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 15, 2020
In many states, universal mail-in ballots are sent to ALL people on voter rolls. If rolls are inaccurate, and they almost always are, ballots are sent to people and places they shouldn’t be. Anyone can end up returning the ballot, and it’s impossible to guarantee integrity. — Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 15, 2020
To read more debunking of the multiplying fanatical claims that it’s Trump who wants to use USPS to rig the 2020 election, rather than the Democrats making actual election tampering far more likely by pushing for mail-in voting, check out this article.


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--Report: Spygate Character Tried to Become Trump’s Secretary of State

A newly released audio recording of Cambridge professor Stefan Halper revealed that the “ Spygate ” figure harbored ambitions of being President Trump ’ s secretary of state even after serving as an FBI informant against Trump ’ s campaign .
The revelation was made by former State Department official Steven Schrage on Sunday , who shared a recorded conversation he claims was between himself and Halper on Jan. 10 , 2017 , showing the FBI informant hoped to join the highest levels of the Trump administration after Trump ’ s surprise victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken with U.S. Attorney John Durham in his inquiry of the Russia investigation and who has broken his yearslong silence during back-to-back interviews with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News , also said Halper later told him that the professor had been offered the ambassadorship to the Philippines under Trump .
“ But you have no desire to go back in , unless there ’ s something , there ’ s nothing that would appeal to you ?
” Schrage said during the purported January 2017 discussion , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his Ph.D. dissertation discussions with the Cambridge professor .
“ They ’ ve already given it away , '' Halper said .
`` They ’ ve already given it away : secretary of state.
” Schrage then asked if that would be Halper ’ s “ dream job.
” “ Um , it be a good job to have .
I ’ d enjoy it , yeah , ” Halper said .
“ I would be happy with deputy [ secretary of state ] , as well.
” A report on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in December said the bureau concealed significant information provided by Halper , a confidential human source who was dubbed `` Source 2 . ''
Halper , 75 , a Virginia resident and Cambridge professor , worked as an FBI informant in 2016 and recorded discussions with at least three Trump 2016 campaign members : campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos , campaign associate Carter Page , and campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis .
While Halper worked for the FBI , he received thousands of dollars from the Pentagon ostensibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s role as an FBI informant was leaked to the media in May 2018 , it led to accusations from Trump and Republicans that the Obama administration used Halper as part of an illegal effort to spy on the Trump campaign , dubbed “ Spygate ” and later “ Obamagate ” by allies of the president .
The recorded denials of Russian collusion made by Page and Papadopoulos were never passed to the FISA court .
Schrage shed new light on Halper ’ s apparent desire to try to insinuate himself into Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I was quite shocked , and he had mentioned he claimed he had met with Ivanka Trump , other things he was pushing very hard for administration posts in different ways . ''
Schrage added , “ The question is : did the FBI know , did the top leaders of the FBI know , that a spy was trying to infiltrate different positions in the Trump administration ?
” In 2018 , Axios reported that Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro “ recommended appointing Stefan Halper … to a senior role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential transition period , asking that Halper be considered “ for ambassador roles in Asia.
” A White House official told Axios that Halper visited the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in August 2017 for a meeting on China and “ pitched himself for an ambassadorship in Asia.
” A White House official told the outlet that “ recommending outside policy experts for roles within the administration is a pretty typical and routine action for White House officials . ''
Last week , Schrage revealed another Halper recording he claimed was from the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halper said he did not think retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , then Trump 's incoming national security adviser , was `` going to be around long.
” A couple of days later , a Washington Post story by David Ignatius containing classified leaks about Flynn ’ s conversation with the Russian ambassador and speculation about possible Logan Act violations was published .
Schrage has strongly suggested that Halper had some foreknowledge of that report , telling Bartiromo , “ I do n't think he had any independent reason to expect that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not provide firm evidence .
Schrage , who invited Page to a Cambridge University seminar in the summer of 2016 and appears to be the reason Halper met Page , has looped Halper into a group he calls “ the Cambridge Four . ''
He wrote in journalist Matt Taibbi ’ s Substack newsletter that the group is rounded out by British ex-spy and discredited dossier author Christopher Steele , former MI6 Director Sir Richard Dearlove , and Halper and Dearlove ’ s associate , MI5 historian Christopher Andrew .
Andrew founded and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Seminars , gatherings of academics and intelligence officials , and Dearlove has called Steele 's reputation “ superb.
” Recently declassified footnotes indicate Steele ’ s anti-Trump dossier may have been compromised by Russian disinformation .
Rep. Devin Nunes of California , the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , told Bartiromo in July 2019 that Schrage need to be scrutinized and said , “ The fact that he has n't come forward in two-and-a-half years is highly suspect.
” Svetlana Lokhova , a Russian-born British citizen , claimed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent woman , ” Lokhova herself , “ in a conspiracy to undo the 2016 presidential election.
” Halper demanded the federal court have claims labeling him a “ spy ” and “ rat f -- -er ” be dismissed and his accuser be sanctioned by the judge .
The lawsuit was dismissed in February , but Lokhova filed an appeal .
Lokhova attended a Cambridge seminar in 2014 that was also attended by Flynn , then-President Barack Obama ’ s Defense Intelligence Agency director , who later played a prominent role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
Lokhova attended as a graduate student and claimed Halper used this dinner as a pretext to spread false rumors about her and Flynn .
Halper responded by claiming Lokhova ’ s accusations were “ spurious '' and referred to her accusations about a coup against Trump as “ implausible conspiracy theories.
” Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has pushed for information about Halper ’ s role getting paid tens of thousands of dollars by the Pentagon ’ s Office of Net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispatched to speak with members of the Trump campaign .

A newly released audio recording of Cambridge professor Stefan Halper revealed that the “Spygate” figure harbored ambitions of being President Trump’s secretary of state even after serving as an FBI informant against Trump’s campaign.
The revelation was made by former State Department official Steven Schrage on Sunday, who shared a recorded conversation he claims was between himself and Halper on Jan. 10, 2017, showing the FBI informant hoped to join the highest levels of the Trump administration after Trump’s surprise victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Schrage, who claims to have spoken with U.S. Attorney John Durham in his inquiry of the Russia investigation and who has broken his yearslong silence during back-to-back interviews with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News, also said Halper later told him that the professor had been offered the ambassadorship to the Philippines under Trump.
“But you have no desire to go back in, unless there’s something, there’s nothing that would appeal to you?” Schrage said during the purported January 2017 discussion, which he told Bartiromo he was recording as part of his Ph.D. dissertation discussions with the Cambridge professor.
“They’ve already given it away," Halper said. "They’ve already given it away: secretary of state.”
Schrage then asked if that would be Halper’s “dream job.”
“Um, it be a good job to have. I’d enjoy it, yeah,” Halper said. “I would be happy with deputy [secretary of state], as well.”
A report on the FBI's Russia investigation released by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in December said the bureau concealed significant information provided by Halper, a confidential human source who was dubbed "Source 2." Halper, 75, a Virginia resident and Cambridge professor, worked as an FBI informant in 2016 and recorded discussions with at least three Trump 2016 campaign members: campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, campaign associate Carter Page, and campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis. While Halper worked for the FBI, he received thousands of dollars from the Pentagon ostensibly for academic research.
When Halper’s role as an FBI informant was leaked to the media in May 2018, it led to accusations from Trump and Republicans that the Obama administration used Halper as part of an illegal effort to spy on the Trump campaign, dubbed “Spygate” and later “Obamagate” by allies of the president. The recorded denials of Russian collusion made by Page and Papadopoulos were never passed to the FISA court.
Schrage shed new light on Halper’s apparent desire to try to insinuate himself into Trump’s orbit, with Schrage claiming, “I was quite shocked, and he had mentioned he claimed he had met with Ivanka Trump, other things he was pushing very hard for administration posts in different ways."
Schrage added, “The question is: did the FBI know, did the top leaders of the FBI know, that a spy was trying to infiltrate different positions in the Trump administration?”
In 2018, Axios reported that Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro “recommended appointing Stefan Halper … to a senior role in the Trump administration” during the presidential transition period, asking that Halper be considered “for ambassador roles in Asia.” A White House official told Axios that Halper visited the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in August 2017 for a meeting on China and “pitched himself for an ambassadorship in Asia.” A White House official told the outlet that “recommending outside policy experts for roles within the administration is a pretty typical and routine action for White House officials."
Last week, Schrage revealed another Halper recording he claimed was from the same day in January 2017, in which Halper said he did not think retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, then Trump's incoming national security adviser, was "going to be around long.” A couple of days later, a Washington Post story by David Ignatius containing classified leaks about Flynn’s conversation with the Russian ambassador and speculation about possible Logan Act violations was published. Schrage has strongly suggested that Halper had some foreknowledge of that report, telling Bartiromo, “I don't think he had any independent reason to expect that this would happen to Flynn.” He did not provide firm evidence.
Schrage, who invited Page to a Cambridge University seminar in the summer of 2016 and appears to be the reason Halper met Page, has looped Halper into a group he calls “the Cambridge Four." He wrote in journalist Matt Taibbi’s Substack newsletter that the group is rounded out by British ex-spy and discredited dossier author Christopher Steele, former MI6 Director Sir Richard Dearlove, and Halper and Dearlove’s associate, MI5 historian Christopher Andrew. Andrew founded and Halper and Dearlove helped organize the Cambridge Intelligence Seminars, gatherings of academics and intelligence officials, and Dearlove has called Steele's reputation “superb.” Recently declassified footnotes indicate Steele’s anti-Trump dossier may have been compromised by Russian disinformation.
Rep. Devin Nunes of California, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, told Bartiromo in July 2019 that Schrage need to be scrutinized and said, “The fact that he hasn't come forward in two-and-a-half years is highly suspect.”
Svetlana Lokhova, a Russian-born British citizen, claimed in a 2019 lawsuit that Halper “embroiled an innocent woman,” Lokhova herself, “in a conspiracy to undo the 2016 presidential election.” Halper demanded the federal court have claims labeling him a “spy” and “rat f---er” be dismissed and his accuser be sanctioned by the judge. The lawsuit was dismissed in February, but Lokhova filed an appeal.
Lokhova attended a Cambridge seminar in 2014 that was also attended by Flynn, then-President Barack Obama’s Defense Intelligence Agency director, who later played a prominent role in Trump’s campaign and was swept up in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Lokhova attended as a graduate student and claimed Halper used this dinner as a pretext to spread false rumors about her and Flynn.
Halper responded by claiming Lokhova’s accusations were “spurious" and referred to her accusations about a coup against Trump as “implausible conspiracy theories.”
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has pushed for information about Halper’s role getting paid tens of thousands of dollars by the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment while acting as an FBI informant dispatched to speak with members of the Trump campaign.


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--“Squad” Member Votes Against DNC Platform, Casts Ballot for Bernie Sanders

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( MI ) does not support the party ’ s 2020 platform .
The Michigan lawmaker said on Saturday that she can ’ t support the Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) platform because it does not include a plan for a single-payer health care system .
“ Today , I cast my DNC ballot and voted NO on the proposed platform , ” Tlaib wrote on Twitter .
“ I constantly hear from constituents demanding we push for a single-payer system and away from this for-profit system that is leaving people to suffer and die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care.
” “ As a party , we must push for a future where every resident has the ability to thrive .
That means we need a platform that works to rid our society of oppression and greed .
Unfortunately , in my view this platform does not do enough , ” she wrote .
In a photo of her ballot posted to Twitter , Tlaib voted to nominate Sanders , not Joe Biden .
Tlaib had endorsed Sanders during the primaries , but he dropped out of the race in April and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of delegates .
The Democratic platform set to be approved at the party ’ s convention next week includes a public option for health care , but not a single-payer “ Medicare for All ” proposal that progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) support .
Sanders ’ supporters – known as “ Bernie Bros ” – could be key to a Biden win .
In 2016 , many stayed home as Hillary Clinton got soundly beat by President Trump .
And on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters who also aren ’ t happy with the Democrats ’ platform .
“ I would say that the overwhelming majority of progressives understand that it is absolutely imperative that Donald Trump be defeated , ” Sanders said on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ Obviously , there may be disagreement , ” he told host George Stephanopoulos .
“ A lot of my supporters are not enthusiastic about Joe Biden .
You know why ?
I ran against Joe Biden .
But I think there ’ s an overwhelming understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden must be elected , and that the day after he is elected , we ’ re going to do everything we can to create a government that works for all of us.
” Sanders also expressed optimism that the battle for universal health care will continue if Biden is elected .
“ We ’ re going to continue the fight for Medicare for all .
We have a health care system today that ’ s dysfunctional ; too many people are uninsured ; too many people are underinsured ; too many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We pay almost twice as much per capita as the people of any other country .
The function of health care is to guarantee health care to all , not make huge profits for the drug companies and the insurance companies .
That fight continues the day after Joe Biden is elected president , ” Sanders said .
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Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI) does not support the party’s 2020 platform.
The Michigan lawmaker said on Saturday that she can’t support the Democratic National Committee (DNC) platform because it does not include a plan for a single-payer health care system.
“Today, I cast my DNC ballot and voted NO on the proposed platform,” Tlaib wrote on Twitter. “I constantly hear from constituents demanding we push for a single-payer system and away from this for-profit system that is leaving people to suffer and die just because they cannot afford health care.”
“As a party, we must push for a future where every resident has the ability to thrive. That means we need a platform that works to rid our society of oppression and greed. Unfortunately, in my view this platform does not do enough,” she wrote.
As a party, we must push for a future where every resident has the ability to thrive. That means we need a platform that works to rid our society of oppression and greed. Unfortunately, in my view this platform does not do enough. 2/2 — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 16, 2020
In a photo of her ballot posted to Twitter, Tlaib voted to nominate Sanders, not Joe Biden. Tlaib had endorsed Sanders during the primaries, but he dropped out of the race in April and Biden went on to win the required number of delegates.
The Democratic platform set to be approved at the party’s convention next week includes a public option for health care, but not a single-payer “Medicare for All” proposal that progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) support.
Sanders’ supporters – known as “Bernie Bros” – could be key to a Biden win. In 2016, many stayed home as Hillary Clinton got soundly beat by President Trump. And on Sunday, Sanders sought to assuage his supporters who also aren’t happy with the Democrats’ platform.
“I would say that the overwhelming majority of progressives understand that it is absolutely imperative that Donald Trump be defeated,” Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week.”
“Obviously, there may be disagreement,” he told host George Stephanopoulos. “A lot of my supporters are not enthusiastic about Joe Biden. You know why? I ran against Joe Biden. But I think there’s an overwhelming understanding that Donald Trump must be defeated, Biden must be elected, and that the day after he is elected, we’re going to do everything we can to create a government that works for all of us.”
Sanders also expressed optimism that the battle for universal health care will continue if Biden is elected.
“We’re going to continue the fight for Medicare for all. We have a health care system today that’s dysfunctional; too many people are uninsured; too many people are underinsured; too many people are going bankrupt because of medical bills. We pay almost twice as much per capita as the people of any other country. The function of health care is to guarantee health care to all, not make huge profits for the drug companies and the insurance companies. That fight continues the day after Joe Biden is elected president,” Sanders said.
RELATED: Trump Plans To Give Convention Speech On White House Grounds


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--Dems Warming to the Idea of Prosecuting Trump After the Election

The media and Democrats lambasted President Donald Trump for his supporters ’ chants of “ lock her up ” during the 2016 presidential election , but in 2020 it is Democrats who are warming to the idea of prosecuting Trump after the election .
While Biden himself told NPR that prosecuting Trump would be “ probably … not very good for Democracy , ” he said he would not interfere with the Justice Department ’ s judgement of whether a prosecution was necessary .
Other prominent Democrats — including Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris — have called for prosecuting Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The media reaction to these calls , however , bears no resemblance to the response to chants of “ lock her up ” in 2016 .
Biden ’ s newly-declared running mate said in June 2019 that she expected herself and any of her fellow candidates to prosecute Trump on charges of obstruction of justice in Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation if elected .
“ I believe that [ my fellow candidates ] would have no choice and that they should , yes , ” Harris said at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the president is not above the law.
” “ I do believe that we should believe Bob Mueller when he tells us essentially that the only reason an indictment was not returned is because of a memo in the Department of Justice that suggests you can not indict a sitting president .
But I ’ ve seen prosecution of cases on much less evidence , ” she added .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether Harris still believes the DOJ should prosecute Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Trump Slams Biden And Harris For Nixing Questions — And Reporters For Letting Them ) Harris is not alone in thinking Trump should face charges , however .
Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called for prosecuting not only Trump but his entire administration .
The campaign website for her now-defunct presidential campaign still calls for establishing “ a Justice Department Task Force to investigate corruption during the Trump administration and to hold government officials accountable for illegal activity.
” “ Donald Trump has run the most corrupt administration in history , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeached for withholding foreign aid in an effort to try to benefit his re-election campaign .
He has enriched himself and his business through the power of his office .
And there are public reports of potentially illegal corruption in every corner of his administration.
” Eric Holder , the former attorney general under President Barack Obama , has also called for the next administration to prosecute members of Trump ’ s administration .
When a cable news personality asked on Twitter who would be prosecuting Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for allegedly “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next , real , Justice Department.
” House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi was more blunt in June 2019 : “ “ I don ’ t want to see him impeached ; I want to see him in prison , ” she told her follow Democrats in a Capitol Hill meeting , according to Politico .
In 2016 , calls among Trump supporters for prosecuting Hillary Clinton were met with heavy criticism .
CNN host Christiane Amanpour called the “ lock her up ” chant “ dangerous ” and “ hate speech ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask ex-FBI Director James Comey whether he wished he ’ d taken action to censor the chants .
“ Of course , ‘ lock her up ’ was a feature of the 2016 Trump campaign , ” Amanpour said .
“ Do you in retrospect wish that people like yourself , the FBI , I mean , the people in charge of law and order , had shut down that language — that it was dangerous potentially , that it could ’ ve created violence , that it ’ s kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed ?
” New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg — who just published an op-ed calling for Trump to be prosecuted after the election — described “ lock her up ” chants as the “ baying bloodlust ” of Trump supporters in 2016 .
“ American presidential campaigns are not typically built around the dream of jailing the opposing candidate , ” she wrote at the time .
In her Thursday article calling for Trump to be jailed , she argued that “ Restoring the rule of law is not the same as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ After four years of ever-escalating corruption and abuses of power , the United States can not simply snap back to being the country it once was if Trump is forced to vacate the White House in January , ” she wrote .
“ If Biden is elected , Democrats must force a reckoning over what Trump has done to America .
”

The media and Democrats lambasted President Donald Trump for his supporters’ chants of “lock her up” during the 2016 presidential election, but in 2020 it is Democrats who are warming to the idea of prosecuting Trump after the election.
While Biden himself told NPR that prosecuting Trump would be “probably … not very good for Democracy,” he said he would not interfere with the Justice Department’s judgement of whether a prosecution was necessary.
Other prominent Democrats — including Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris — have called for prosecuting Trump after the election in no uncertain terms. The media reaction to these calls, however, bears no resemblance to the response to chants of “lock her up” in 2016.
Biden’s newly-declared running mate said in June 2019 that she expected herself and any of her fellow candidates to prosecute Trump on charges of obstruction of justice in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation if elected.
“I believe that [my fellow candidates] would have no choice and that they should, yes,” Harris said at the time. “Everyone should be held accountable, and the president is not above the law.”
“I do believe that we should believe Bob Mueller when he tells us essentially that the only reason an indictment was not returned is because of a memo in the Department of Justice that suggests you cannot indict a sitting president. But I’ve seen prosecution of cases on much less evidence,” she added.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether Harris still believes the DOJ should prosecute Trump. (RELATED: ‘Very Strange’: Trump Slams Biden And Harris For Nixing Questions — And Reporters For Letting Them)
Harris is not alone in thinking Trump should face charges, however. Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called for prosecuting not only Trump but his entire administration. The campaign website for her now-defunct presidential campaign still calls for establishing “a Justice Department Task Force to investigate corruption during the Trump administration and to hold government officials accountable for illegal activity.”
“Donald Trump has run the most corrupt administration in history,” the site reads. “He was impeached for withholding foreign aid in an effort to try to benefit his re-election campaign. He has enriched himself and his business through the power of his office. And there are public reports of potentially illegal corruption in every corner of his administration.”
Eric Holder, the former attorney general under President Barack Obama, has also called for the next administration to prosecute members of Trump’s administration. When a cable news personality asked on Twitter who would be prosecuting Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for allegedly “obstructing mail,” he responded “the next, real, Justice Department.”
The next, real, Justice Department. — Eric Holder (@EricHolder) August 15, 2020
House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi was more blunt in June 2019: ““I don’t want to see him impeached; I want to see him in prison,” she told her follow Democrats in a Capitol Hill meeting, according to Politico.
In 2016, calls among Trump supporters for prosecuting Hillary Clinton were met with heavy criticism. CNN host Christiane Amanpour called the “lock her up” chant “dangerous” and “hate speech” in 2019, going so far as to ask ex-FBI Director James Comey whether he wished he’d taken action to censor the chants.
“Of course, ‘lock her up’ was a feature of the 2016 Trump campaign,” Amanpour said. “Do you in retrospect wish that people like yourself, the FBI, I mean, the people in charge of law and order, had shut down that language — that it was dangerous potentially, that it could’ve created violence, that it’s kind of hate speech. Should that have been allowed?”
New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg — who just published an op-ed calling for Trump to be prosecuted after the election — described “lock her up” chants as the “baying bloodlust” of Trump supporters in 2016.
“American presidential campaigns are not typically built around the dream of jailing the opposing candidate,” she wrote at the time.
In her Thursday article calling for Trump to be jailed, she argued that “Restoring the rule of law is not the same as ‘lock her up.'”
“After four years of ever-escalating corruption and abuses of power, the United States cannot simply snap back to being the country it once was if Trump is forced to vacate the White House in January,” she wrote. “If Biden is elected, Democrats must force a reckoning over what Trump has done to America.”


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--Federal Prosecution for Looters Sought by Chicago Police

Following the destruction and looting of the Magnificent Mile in Chicago , there ’ s been a curious lack of interest in prosecuting the offenders on the part of the Cook County State ’ s Attorney .
That would be Kim Foxx , who many of you are likely familiar with from her involvement in the Jussie Smollett fiasco .
With few signs that her office is taking the charges seriously or has any intention of holding many of the rioters accountable , the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter to U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .
But even assuming that the U.S. Attorney ’ s office has the resources to handle all of these cases , it ’ s not yet clear precisely what federal charges would be applicable .
( CBS Chicago ) Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara issued a letter to U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. Wednesday , calling for federal prosecutions for people arrested in looting during civil unrest .
In the letter , which the FOP said would be hand-delivered Thursday morning , Catanzara accused Cook County State ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take action against such defendants at the state level .
Catanzara noted that Chicago Police officers who belong to the FOP were on the front lines during civil unrest and looting back in late May , as well as early this past Monday morning .
In their letter , the FOP noted that Foxx ’ s office has instituted a ‘ presumption of dismissal ’ for all but the most serious violent crimes , opting not to prosecute the vast majority of them .
Given the danger that the Chicago PD faced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they attempted to protect the business district , Catanzara claims that the feds need to step in and send a serious message to the rioters .
That last statement seemed to relate to comments made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this week .
When addressing the media , she noted that “ the people involved in the looting did not seem to be worried about any consequences.
” Lightfoot wouldn ’ t go so far as to directly criticize Foxx by name , but she ’ s obviously grown concerned ( finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioters .
So does Foxx have an explanation for her inaction ?
During a presser on Monday , she described herself as being “ heartbroken , angry and confused ” over how the situation has deteriorated so seriously .
She pointed out that Chicago had seen a drop in some types of crime throughout 2017 through 2019 .
But she then described 2020 as “ a year unlike any other.
” That doesn ’ t sound like much of an explanation to me .
Yes , there is civil unrest sweeping the major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lot of crime taking place .
But an increase in crime is not some sort of excuse for the prosecutor ’ s office to throw up their hands and tell us that we ’ re going to need to do some soul-searching rather than moving forward to trial .
As mentioned above , Foxx has already come under plenty of scrutiny for her mishandling of the Jussie Smollett case .
That issue was brought up repeatedly as she faced a primary challenge earlier this year , but in a crowded field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet again .
But now , if she continues to sit on her hands when it comes to the rioters , I can ’ t imagine the voters being willing to continue to tolerate this type of behavior .
If Foxx doesn ’ t want to prosecute people , why did she run for the office ?

Following the destruction and looting of the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, there’s been a curious lack of interest in prosecuting the offenders on the part of the Cook County State’s Attorney. That would be Kim Foxx, who many of you are likely familiar with from her involvement in the Jussie Smollett fiasco. With few signs that her office is taking the charges seriously or has any intention of holding many of the rioters accountable, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter to U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. to request prosecution of the rioters on federal charges. But even assuming that the U.S. Attorney’s office has the resources to handle all of these cases, it’s not yet clear precisely what federal charges would be applicable. (CBS Chicago)
Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara issued a letter to U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. Wednesday, calling for federal prosecutions for people arrested in looting during civil unrest. In the letter, which the FOP said would be hand-delivered Thursday morning, Catanzara accused Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx of failing to take action against such defendants at the state level. Catanzara noted that Chicago Police officers who belong to the FOP were on the front lines during civil unrest and looting back in late May, as well as early this past Monday morning.
In their letter, the FOP noted that Foxx’s office has instituted a ‘presumption of dismissal’ for all but the most serious violent crimes, opting not to prosecute the vast majority of them. Given the danger that the Chicago PD faced, having bricks and bottles hurled at them as they attempted to protect the business district, Catanzara claims that the feds need to step in and send a serious message to the rioters.
That last statement seemed to relate to comments made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this week. When addressing the media, she noted that “the people involved in the looting did not seem to be worried about any consequences.” Lightfoot wouldn’t go so far as to directly criticize Foxx by name, but she’s obviously grown concerned (finally) over the brazen nature of the rioters.
So does Foxx have an explanation for her inaction? During a presser on Monday, she described herself as being “heartbroken, angry and confused” over how the situation has deteriorated so seriously. She pointed out that Chicago had seen a drop in some types of crime throughout 2017 through 2019. But she then described 2020 as “a year unlike any other.”
That doesn’t sound like much of an explanation to me. Yes, there is civil unrest sweeping the major cities of our nation and there’s a lot of crime taking place. But an increase in crime is not some sort of excuse for the prosecutor’s office to throw up their hands and tell us that we’re going to need to do some soul-searching rather than moving forward to trial.
As mentioned above, Foxx has already come under plenty of scrutiny for her mishandling of the Jussie Smollett case. That issue was brought up repeatedly as she faced a primary challenge earlier this year, but in a crowded field of contenders she fended off the competition yet again. But now, if she continues to sit on her hands when it comes to the rioters, I can’t imagine the voters being willing to continue to tolerate this type of behavior. If Foxx doesn’t want to prosecute people, why did she run for the office?


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--AOC Refuses to Condemn BLM Activists Who Demanded Whites Turn Over Their Homes

Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Saturday reportedly “ refused to condemn ” Black Lives Matter activists who had demanded late last week that white people in Seattle give up their homes .
Ocasio-Cortez made her remarks while speaking to reporters during a visit to an NYCHA housing complex in Queens .
The New York Post reported that Ocasio-Cortez “ refused to condemn ” the Black Lives Matter activists , and instead said that politicians need to “ establish just policies and address the core issues of brutality.
” “ Since this is happening in Seattle , I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s happening .
Of course I represent New York ’ s 14th Congressional District , so I don ’ t know the details of the protests that are going on , but I think what ’ s really important is that we make sure people are safe and it ’ s important for us to enact legislation and policy that actually addresses the core reasons behind why all of this kind of disruption is happening , ” AOC said , adding , “ until we do that , this is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to or not.
” When asked if she was considering running for a higher office later on down the road , she told reporters , “ Everyone leave me alone.
” Black Lives Matter activists stormed a neighborhood in Seattle last week where they screamed obscenities at residents , made threatening remarks , and demanded that white people “ give black people back their homes.
” Some of the remarks that the Black Lives Matter activists yelled at residents included : The Daily Wire is one of America ’ s fastest-growing conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , opinion , and entertainment .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Saturday reportedly “refused to condemn” Black Lives Matter activists who had demanded late last week that white people in Seattle give up their homes.
Ocasio-Cortez made her remarks while speaking to reporters during a visit to an NYCHA housing complex in Queens.
The New York Post reported that Ocasio-Cortez “refused to condemn” the Black Lives Matter activists, and instead said that politicians need to “establish just policies and address the core issues of brutality.”
“Since this is happening in Seattle, I don’t have as close of a view on what’s happening. Of course I represent New York’s 14th Congressional District, so I don’t know the details of the protests that are going on, but I think what’s really important is that we make sure people are safe and it’s important for us to enact legislation and policy that actually addresses the core reasons behind why all of this kind of disruption is happening,” AOC said, adding, “until we do that, this is going to keep occurring, whether we want it to or not.”
When asked if she was considering running for a higher office later on down the road, she told reporters, “Everyone leave me alone.”
Black Lives Matter activists stormed a neighborhood in Seattle last week where they screamed obscenities at residents, made threatening remarks, and demanded that white people “give black people back their homes.”
Some of the remarks that the Black Lives Matter activists yelled at residents included:


bonginoreport--2020-08-16--Dem State House Candidate John Thompson Calls for Minnesota Suburb to be Burned Down

Democratic State House candidate suggests Minnesota suburb be burned down : ' I did n't come here to be peaceful' @ @ @ @ @ a Black Lives Matter protest at the head of the Minneapolis police union 's home

John Thompson, a Democrat campaigning for State House in Minnesota, launched into a fiery diatribe during a Black Lives Matter protest outside the home of Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll on Saturday. During the vitriolic tirade, Thompson hinted that the town of Hugo be burned down, which is where Kroll lives.
The crowd outside Kroll's home were demanding his resignation, accusing him of "fostering a toxic culture within the Minneapolis Police Department," according to KSTP-TV.
One of the most blunt and unreserved speakers during the hours-long protest was Thompson, who won the Democratic primary for the Minnesota House of Representatives District 67A last week. Thompson, who is trying to represent the constituents of Eastside of St. Paul, set a hostile tone by stating, "I didn't come here to be peaceful."
Thompson said Kroll was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and even claimed he was the Grand Wizard.
"Why the f*** is we so peaceful in this [homophobic slur removed] neighborhood," Thompson shouted. "F*** your motherf***ing peace, white racist motherf***ers!"
One of the neighbors was holding a Blue Lives Matter flag and Thompson told him to "stick it up his a**."
Thompson suggested to the crowd that the entire town should be burned down. "This whole god***n state burned down for $20 goddamn dollars, you think we give a f*** about burning Hugo down?"
"Blue lives don't mean s*** to black people," Thompson said. "F*** Hugo, Minnesota!"
Activist Tuscon Morrison said, "Here in Hugo, Minnesota, I'm going to take a wild guess and take it you don't have to fear for your life as much as you do in Minneapolis with Bob Kroll and his gang of thugs hunting down black and brown bodies like they're getting paid for it because they are."
Kroll, his wife, and his family were in the garage during the protest.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) endorsed Thompson in June.
"I've known John for years His fierce advocacy and commitment to his community is exactly what's needed in the state legislature right now," Walz said. "I look forward to working with him as the next State Representative for 67A."
In June, Kroll gave his opinion on the Minneapolis officer-involved death of George Floyd.
"It was sickening. It's something that should never have occurred," Kroll told KARE-TV. "No officer can condone that. Ourselves included."
When asked if what Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin did to Floyd was illegal, the head of the Minneapolis police union responded, "That's for the courts decide. In my opinion, no. But that's certainly for our criminal justice system to decide in the end."
But added that he didn't think "any officer would say that it's right."
"We've got a pretty good picture of what Chauvin did," Kroll continued. "It's easy to form judgment there and terminate, which we were able to make a quick decision that yes, we're not going to represent his employment."
Kroll defended the other two MPD officers at the scene of Floyd's death, Tou Thao and James Alexander Kueng. "But from the video we saw, we can't even see two of the other officers in it," Kroll said.