wnd--2020-09-25--China's conquest of the Caribbean

China's conquest of the Caribbean

Forget Russia , Iran or North Korea .
China is infinitely more dangerous and now firmly entrenched right next door .
Back in 2012 , Sleepy Joe Biden famously , or infamously , said , `` They 're going to put you all back in chains . ''
It was during the 2012 presidential election race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney .
We know that did n't happen .
Romney lost and black Americans did n't end up in chains .
Unfortunately for islanders , who are majority black and reside on the many Caribbean islands , they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted .
But it 's not evil white Americans , or frankly any white people who may ultimately put black Caribbean islanders back in chains .
For many years , China has embarked on an expansion tour , as it were .
With a consistent show of military might , China 's maritime territory grab in the South China Sea seems to have no end .
This was discussed at the West 2020 conference , in which Hunter Stires of the U.S .
Naval War College stated , `` If we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be living in China 's world . ''
China 's long-time desire to take the independent island nation of Taiwan has been long known .
The only reason they have n't thus far is that it is protected by The Formosa Resolution and the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty , passed by the Senate and signed by President Eisenhower in 1955 .
Also , having President Trump as commander and chief undoubtedly helps .
To be certain , China has not and will never give up on `` acquiring '' Taiwan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are able to multi-task .
And they 're latest target of acquisition is much closer to home – right in our own backyard .
Unlike the military bullying tactics used in the South China Sea , Xi Jinping 's regime instead is throwing money at several cash-strapped Caribbean islands .
Since 2005 , it 's estimated that China has pumped a minimum of $ 7 billion into several island nations .
I say a minimum of $ 7 billion because much of the money `` is offered as 'soft loans ' for infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … '' In other words , it is likely in the tens of billions .
And the kicker is that many of the `` agreements '' stipulate that these islands must divest all trade with Taiwan , while increasing trade with China .
Gee , I wonder why ?
In 2018 , the Dominican Republic was rewarded with and estimated $ 3 billion in loans and investments for cutting ties with Taiwan , as did the island of Grenada , which got a new $ 55 million cricket stadium .
After spending $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seaport , in Jamaica , China took full control of the Jamaica Kingston Freeport .
They 're doing the same in Cuba with investments in the Santiago de Cuba seaport .
Other `` investments and loans '' include $ 600 million to the aforementioned Cuba , $ 450 million to the Bahamas , $ 490 million to Barbados , a billion to Barbuda and Antigua , and $ 1.9 billion to Trinidad and Tobago .
In American terms , these amounts would n't hold much sway , but when your island 's entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's a big deal , or huuuuuuge , as Trump would say .
And lest you think , well , with all that construction , at least islanders are gainfully employed – think again .
Another stipulation is that Chinese contractors and laborers must be imported to work on these jobs .
I agree with the sentiment of Hunter Stires , as China expands its influence deep into our hemisphere : '' If we do n't take action to stop China now , we will be living in China 's world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this column :

Forget Russia, Iran or North Korea. China is infinitely more dangerous and now firmly entrenched right next door.
Back in 2012, Sleepy Joe Biden famously, or infamously, said, "They're going to put you all back in chains."
It was during the 2012 presidential election race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
We know that didn't happen. Romney lost and black Americans didn't end up in chains.
Unfortunately for islanders, who are majority black and reside on the many Caribbean islands, they may end up suffering the fate Uncle Joe predicted. But it's not evil white Americans, or frankly any white people who may ultimately put black Caribbean islanders back in chains.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
For many years, China has embarked on an expansion tour, as it were. With a consistent show of military might, China's maritime territory grab in the South China Sea seems to have no end.
This was discussed at the West 2020 conference, in which Hunter Stires of the U.S. Naval War College stated, "If we don't take action to stop China now, we will be living in China's world."
China's long-time desire to take the independent island nation of Taiwan has been long known. The only reason they haven't thus far is that it is protected by The Formosa Resolution and the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, passed by the Senate and signed by President Eisenhower in 1955. Also, having President Trump as commander and chief undoubtedly helps.
To be certain, China has not and will never give up on "acquiring" Taiwan.
But Communist China is proving that they are able to multi-task. And they're latest target of acquisition is much closer to home – right in our own backyard. Unlike the military bullying tactics used in the South China Sea, Xi Jinping's regime instead is throwing money at several cash-strapped Caribbean islands.
Since 2005, it's estimated that China has pumped a minimum of $7 billion into several island nations. I say a minimum of $7 billion because much of the money "is offered as 'soft loans' for infrastructure projects that are harder to track. …" In other words, it is likely in the tens of billions.
And the kicker is that many of the "agreements" stipulate that these islands must divest all trade with Taiwan, while increasing trade with China. Gee, I wonder why?
In 2018, the Dominican Republic was rewarded with and estimated $3 billion in loans and investments for cutting ties with Taiwan, as did the island of Grenada, which got a new $55 million cricket stadium.
After spending $2.6 billion on the Caribbean's largest seaport, in Jamaica, China took full control of the Jamaica Kingston Freeport. They're doing the same in Cuba with investments in the Santiago de Cuba seaport.
Other "investments and loans" include $600 million to the aforementioned Cuba, $450 million to the Bahamas, $490 million to Barbados, a billion to Barbuda and Antigua, and $1.9 billion to Trinidad and Tobago.
In American terms, these amounts wouldn't hold much sway, but when your island's entire GDP is less than $2 billion, it's a big deal, or huuuuuuge, as Trump would say.
And lest you think, well, with all that construction, at least islanders are gainfully employed – think again. Another stipulation is that Chinese contractors and laborers must be imported to work on these jobs.
I agree with the sentiment of Hunter Stires, as China expands its influence deep into our hemisphere:
"If we don't take action to stop China now, we will be living in China's world."
Listen to an audio version of this column:


wnd--2020-09-25--Just like our jobs, Biden would surrender space to China

Joe Biden 's ties to the Chinese Communist Party are well-known and longstanding .
Biden rewarded the People 's Republic of China with most-favored-nation trade status , claiming `` it is in our interest for China to prosper '' while American jobs and industries were decimated .
We saw precisely what Biden meant by `` our interest '' when his son Hunter struck sweetheart deals with CCP-controlled entities , Beijing 's tried and true method for buying off politicians and opinion leaders here and abroad .
Biden also enabled CCP-controlled companies to raise billions in American securities markets without complying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putting private gain before national interest , Biden 's national security adviser then and now , Antony Blinken , refused the asylum request of a high-ranking CCP defector for fear it would upset a business deal between a Hollywood studio head and Beijing .
Since then , Hollywood has slavishly kowtowed to the CCP – and reliably donated to Joe .
Having delivered Detroit , Wall Street and Hollywood to the People 's Republic of China , Joe Biden would surrender the high ground of space .
Charles Bolden , the former Obama-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign , tells us a Biden administration would have NASA focus on diversity rather than science , destroy American jobs via the Green New Deal and give away our national security in deep space .
President Trump insists NASA stick to its core mission , purging it of the destructive distraction on diversity as Obama-Biden mandated .
Meanwhile , Bolden insists on telling Biden that instead of having the most qualified person head NASA , `` it 's critical to have a woman . ''
What 's critical is we return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring our national security against rivals such as China and Russia .
Biden would cut funding and rely exclusively on the private space efforts of billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk who carry water for China .
Musk is currently suing to overturn the tariffs President Trump has imposed on China 's predatorily priced exports to America .
Importantly , Bolden says under Biden NASA will focus on promoting the Green New Deal .
While President Trump is determined to return to the moon and build a permanent manned base as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden would have NASA focus on Earth , Bolden tells us , studying our planet and its weather from space , part of the job- and industry-killing Green New Deal crusade that would throttle the American economy in the name of climate change pseudo-science .
To be clear : Harnessed to Biden 's Green New Deal folly , NASA would be reduced to launching eyes in the sky to watch what happens as China builds a new coal-fired power plant every week .
So , who is basement-dwelling Joe 's space man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is from the `` we should cooperate with China '' camp .
The former NASA administrator tells CCP house organ China Daily the congressional ban on funding space missions with China – known as the Wolf Amendment to NASA appropriations bills – is a `` significant legal constraint '' and `` hindrance '' that should be relaxed or reversed .
`` If this [ Trump ] administration went to the Congress and said , 'Look , we want to relax the stipulations on the Wolf Amendment ' or 'We want to eliminate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed in a heartbeat , and that would remove the restriction and we 'd be able to collaborate in human spaceflight , '' Bolden enthused to Red Chinese scribes last year .
As the head of the space agency from 2009 to 2017 , Bolden worked with the former vice president .
Now , he has endorsed Biden , and the campaign features Bolden on press calls as its in-house space expert .
You can be sure Charles Bolden speaks for Joe Biden , to the extent Joe Biden is aware of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else you can be sure of : Should Joe Biden win the White House , he and his advisers will surrender the high ground of space to Communist China the same way they surrendered our jobs , industries and media to Communist China .

Joe Biden's ties to the Chinese Communist Party are well-known and longstanding.
Biden rewarded the People's Republic of China with most-favored-nation trade status, claiming "it is in our interest for China to prosper" while American jobs and industries were decimated.
We saw precisely what Biden meant by "our interest" when his son Hunter struck sweetheart deals with CCP-controlled entities, Beijing's tried and true method for buying off politicians and opinion leaders here and abroad.
Biden also enabled CCP-controlled companies to raise billions in American securities markets without complying with American accounting and disclosure rules.
Putting private gain before national interest, Biden's national security adviser then and now, Antony Blinken, refused the asylum request of a high-ranking CCP defector for fear it would upset a business deal between a Hollywood studio head and Beijing. Since then, Hollywood has slavishly kowtowed to the CCP – and reliably donated to Joe.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Having delivered Detroit, Wall Street and Hollywood to the People's Republic of China, Joe Biden would surrender the high ground of space.
Charles Bolden, the former Obama-Biden NASA administrator and an adviser to the Biden campaign, tells us a Biden administration would have NASA focus on diversity rather than science, destroy American jobs via the Green New Deal and give away our national security in deep space.
President Trump insists NASA stick to its core mission, purging it of the destructive distraction on diversity as Obama-Biden mandated.
Meanwhile, Bolden insists on telling Biden that instead of having the most qualified person head NASA, "it's critical to have a woman."
What's critical is we return to deep space on our own rockets, ensuring our national security against rivals such as China and Russia. Biden would cut funding and rely exclusively on the private space efforts of billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk who carry water for China. Musk is currently suing to overturn the tariffs President Trump has imposed on China's predatorily priced exports to America.
Importantly, Bolden says under Biden NASA will focus on promoting the Green New Deal.
While President Trump is determined to return to the moon and build a permanent manned base as the jumping-off point for a mission to Mars, Biden would have NASA focus on Earth, Bolden tells us, studying our planet and its weather from space, part of the job- and industry-killing Green New Deal crusade that would throttle the American economy in the name of climate change pseudo-science.
To be clear: Harnessed to Biden's Green New Deal folly, NASA would be reduced to launching eyes in the sky to watch what happens as China builds a new coal-fired power plant every week.
So, who is basement-dwelling Joe's space man? Just like Biden, Charles Bolden is from the "we should cooperate with China" camp.
The former NASA administrator tells CCP house organ China Daily the congressional ban on funding space missions with China – known as the Wolf Amendment to NASA appropriations bills – is a "significant legal constraint" and "hindrance" that should be relaxed or reversed.
"If this [Trump] administration went to the Congress and said, 'Look, we want to relax the stipulations on the Wolf Amendment' or 'We want to eliminate the Wolf Amendment,' it could get passed in a heartbeat, and that would remove the restriction and we'd be able to collaborate in human spaceflight," Bolden enthused to Red Chinese scribes last year.
As the head of the space agency from 2009 to 2017, Bolden worked with the former vice president.
Now, he has endorsed Biden, and the campaign features Bolden on press calls as its in-house space expert.
You can be sure Charles Bolden speaks for Joe Biden, to the extent Joe Biden is aware of what anyone is saying.
Here's something else you can be sure of: Should Joe Biden win the White House, he and his advisers will surrender the high ground of space to Communist China the same way they surrendered our jobs, industries and media to Communist China.


wnd--2020-09-25--Taking the mystery out of the Mark of the Beast

Daniel Joseph is president and founder of Corner Fringe Ministries .
Having pastored for over 10 years , his passion @ @ @ @ @ HOPE of the world and seeking to AWAKEN a lost and dying Church , bringing @ @ @ @ @ real repentance through the powerful and inspirational preaching of the Word .

Daniel Joseph is president and founder of Corner Fringe Ministries. Having pastored for over 10 years, his passion is preaching Yeshua/Jesus as the HOPE of the world and seeking to AWAKEN a lost and dying Church, bringing it to a place of real repentance through the powerful and inspirational preaching of the Word.


wnd--2020-09-25--Why none of the riots or protests is constitutional

`` Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof , or abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press , or the right of the people peaceably to assemble , and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances . ''
That was the First Amendment to our United States Constitution , folks .
There 's nothing in there about burning down businesses , courthouses , cities or forests .
Attacking or killing people you do n't like does n't seem to be in there either .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' or even entirely peaceful , they would still be illegal .
Why ?
Without a petition , the government has nothing to fix .
The protesters are using the wrong vehicle , in the wrong venue .
It 's not the local coffee shop , restaurant , boutique clothing store or any other business that is oppressing you .
If you 're pissed at the police , you know they are run by the executive branch of government , right ?
The executive enforces the laws that the legislature passes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out your grievances and assemble before the state legislature , the governor 's executive offices , the county executive , the city 's mayor , or … bars , restaurants and hairstyling salons ?
Not so much .
If you do n't like school closures , work up your demands with your neighbors and take them to the school board .
If you do n't like mask mandates , take your petition and your crowd to the governor .
If you do n't like your state 's emergency mandates , go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who gave their lawmaking authority to the governor ( illegally ) .
This is what is meant by the Constitution guaranteeing a republican form of government to every state .
The separation of powers .
Legislatures make laws and set penalties .
Governors enforce the laws the legislatures make .
Courts determine guilt or innocence and apply the penalties the legislature set .
See a trend ?
It all comes back to the legislature .
The purpose of the assembly part of the First Amendment is to petition ( ask/demand ) that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix whatever your assembly presents to the government as its grievances .
Does n't mean they will , but you have every right to ask .
Putting out a snarky tweet directed at a politician you do n't like is n't petitioning the government .
Staging mob action for the television networks so they can sell more advertising is n't petitioning the government .
Beating people in the street or in their cars for the cameras is n't petitioning the government .
Even Facebook posts that escape the censors are n't petitions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today are not assemblies before the government , petitions for change , or even articulated grievances .
What we are seeing is the reality of what $ 12,000 per student education budgets , teachers ' unions , education credentialing degrees embedded within public schools and the merger of education and day care brings about .
If any of the rioters , looters , or elected enablers had ever attended even a lowly one-room schoolhouse on the prairie , with just one teacher for all grade levels , they would know this .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents who paid for their children 's `` education '' at big-name colleges and universities , trusting the schools to do the dirty work of communist indoctrination .
When the insurrection is put down , and the call comes , they will have no clue how their child ended up at the morgue .
Ditto for any of the celebrities with massive paid social media followings .
It appears that for many their only `` education '' was paying homage to Harvey Weinstein and his kin .
Jeffery Epstein demonstrated that politicians were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end , the law is a poor substitute for good , moral behavior and concern for our fellow men and women .
What the real Armageddon Story looks like .
Click a cover to begin reading .

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
That was the First Amendment to our United States Constitution, folks. There's nothing in there about burning down businesses, courthouses, cities or forests. Attacking or killing people you don't like doesn't seem to be in there either.
Even if the protests were "mostly peaceful," or even entirely peaceful, they would still be illegal. Why? Without a petition, the government has nothing to fix.
The protesters are using the wrong vehicle, in the wrong venue. It's not the local coffee shop, restaurant, boutique clothing store or any other business that is oppressing you.
If you're pissed at the police, you know they are run by the executive branch of government, right? The executive enforces the laws that the legislature passes. So you have every right to spell out your grievances and assemble before the state legislature, the governor's executive offices, the county executive, the city's mayor, or … bars, restaurants and hairstyling salons? Not so much.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
If you don't like school closures, work up your demands with your neighbors and take them to the school board. If you don't like mask mandates, take your petition and your crowd to the governor. If you don't like your state's emergency mandates, go to the legislature. Your legislators are the ones who gave their lawmaking authority to the governor (illegally).
This is what is meant by the Constitution guaranteeing a republican form of government to every state. The separation of powers. Legislatures make laws and set penalties. Governors enforce the laws the legislatures make. Courts determine guilt or innocence and apply the penalties the legislature set. See a trend? It all comes back to the legislature.
The purpose of the assembly part of the First Amendment is to petition (ask/demand) that the government redress (consider/change course) and fix whatever your assembly presents to the government as its grievances. Doesn't mean they will, but you have every right to ask.
Putting out a snarky tweet directed at a politician you don't like isn't petitioning the government. Staging mob action for the television networks so they can sell more advertising isn't petitioning the government. Beating people in the street or in their cars for the cameras isn't petitioning the government. Even Facebook posts that escape the censors aren't petitions to the government.
What we are seeing today are not assemblies before the government, petitions for change, or even articulated grievances. What we are seeing is the reality of what $12,000 per student education budgets, teachers' unions, education credentialing degrees embedded within public schools and the merger of education and day care brings about.
If any of the rioters, looters, or elected enablers had ever attended even a lowly one-room schoolhouse on the prairie, with just one teacher for all grade levels, they would know this. Instead they were coddled by loving, leftist parents who paid for their children's "education" at big-name colleges and universities, trusting the schools to do the dirty work of communist indoctrination. When the insurrection is put down, and the call comes, they will have no clue how their child ended up at the morgue.
Ditto for any of the celebrities with massive paid social media followings. It appears that for many their only "education" was paying homage to Harvey Weinstein and his kin. Jeffery Epstein demonstrated that politicians were no more difficult to own. In the end, the law is a poor substitute for good, moral behavior and concern for our fellow men and women.
What the real Armageddon Story looks like. Click a cover to begin reading.


wnd--2020-09-25--With the vaccine pooh-bahs' track record, we should be worried

As I sat at my desk today , the radio talk-show hosts blather on and on about COVID-19 and their belief that we will soon have a vaccine that will make everything OK .
These people have no doubts that we are on our way to safety and that anyone who disputes that is somehow a bit off their rocker .
I ca n't dispute the seriousness of the virus and that we face probably long-time dangers from it , but the public is being fed the mantra that we will soon have a `` simple shot '' – the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything .
Nothing could be further from the truth .
Yes , research is ongoing , and yes , there will be tests of possible solutions to the problem – but it wo n't be fail-safe , and there will be problems .
It 's happened before and , in fact , is happening now with a vaccine most people think is perfectly safe .
What is happening should be in the headlines , but it has been virtually ignored .
In reality , it 's a huge scandal .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Middle East , caused by the very vaccine that is supposed to prevent it .
This outbreak is reported to be in Chad and Sudan and is spreading into Cameroon .
It 's said to be caused by a `` vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 . ''
In 2020 , there were 172 such cases in 14 countries across the region .
The early cases were children who became paralyzed despite the fact they had received the vaccine .
Now , not only are scores of children being paralyzed by the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's reported that in 2019 , Ethiopia destroyed 57,000 vials of type 2 oral polio vaccine after a similar outbreak of the disease .
What makes this worse is that the United Nations finally has been forced to admit that the program sponsored by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and other well-known people and organizations is failing .
It does n't help that there are some big names associated with the program .
The vaccine being used in Africa comes from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative ( GPEI ) – which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Melinda Gates Foundation .
Interesting , is n't it , that news media have ignored this growing catastrophe .
Is it because it 's in Africa – or because of the name `` Gates '' ?
You decide .
Despite the failures , the vaccine campaign continues .
Over decades , the goal has been to prevent the spread of `` wild '' polio , but in fact , the disease is spreading as hundreds of children are paralyzed and killed by a pathogen strain in a live vaccine .
Keep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups have spent more than $ 16 billion over the last 30 years to eradicate polio , yet their vaccines have actually introduced the disease into Pakistan , Afghanistan and Iran in addition to the spread in Africa , including the nations of Angola , Congo , Nigeria and Zambia .
Polio has a long history of injury and death .
It 's a highly infectious disease spread through contaminated water or food .
It usually attacks children under 5 .
One in 200 is left paralyzed , and of those , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive are left with crippled breathing muscles .
The first reported outbreak was in 1894 in Vermont .
In 1908 in New York City , polio killed 2,400 – mostly children – and left thousands with paralysis and disabilities .
In 1916 , in New York City , another outbreak killed 2,000 people .
In the 1950s , tens of thousands of cases were diagnosed during the summer months , and hundreds were left paralyzed or killed .
People were frightened .
Beaches and parks were closed as were venues like movie theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued and the first vaccine approved – the Salk vaccine produced by Cutter labs .
In April of 1955 , more than 200,000 people in five Western and Midwestern states got the vaccine .
Unfortunately , it was defective , and within days there were reports of paralysis .
The vaccine program was stopped .
There were tens of thousands of cases of the disease , hundreds of people left paralyzed and at least 10 deaths .
Eventually , the Sabin vaccine was developed and approved .
For the most part , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still occasional instances of the individual vaccinated developing polio .
You might ask why any of this is important .
There are several reasons , not the least of which is that the same vaccine organizations run by the Gates Foundation for polio in Africa are involved in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 .
In fact , the Gateses also fund the GAVI Vaccine Alliance , which is running COVID-19 vaccine human trials in South Africa along with the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg , which is also another Gates-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the result of the failure of the polio vaccine in Africa , why is n't there more pressure being put on the Gates people , and indeed the U.N. and WHO , concerning the safety of a COVID-19 vaccine ?
There 's a lot of `` reputation '' at stake , to say nothing of literally billions of dollars – but that 's for the Gateses , major pharmaceutical firms and , yes , even governments and politicians .
They will protect themselves .
What I 'm concerned about is you and me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have confidence in the aforementioned entities to make the right decisions .
They ca n't even guarantee that the annual flu shot will be effective for the current flu virus .
Every year , they tell us it might not work .
I just do n't believe that the rushing of a COVID-19 vaccine will keep us safe .

As I sat at my desk today, the radio talk-show hosts blather on and on about COVID-19 and their belief that we will soon have a vaccine that will make everything OK. These people have no doubts that we are on our way to safety and that anyone who disputes that is somehow a bit off their rocker.
I can't dispute the seriousness of the virus and that we face probably long-time dangers from it, but the public is being fed the mantra that we will soon have a "simple shot" – the long-touted vaccine – that will suddenly fix everything.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes, research is ongoing, and yes, there will be tests of possible solutions to the problem – but it won't be fail-safe, and there will be problems. It's happened before and, in fact, is happening now with a vaccine most people think is perfectly safe.
What is happening should be in the headlines, but it has been virtually ignored. In reality, it's a huge scandal.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
There is a massive outbreak of polio in Africa and the Middle East, caused by the very vaccine that is supposed to prevent it. This outbreak is reported to be in Chad and Sudan and is spreading into Cameroon. It's said to be caused by a "vaccine-derived polio virus type 2."
In 2020, there were 172 such cases in 14 countries across the region.
The early cases were children who became paralyzed despite the fact they had received the vaccine. Now, not only are scores of children being paralyzed by the vaccine, but they are dying.
It's reported that in 2019, Ethiopia destroyed 57,000 vials of type 2 oral polio vaccine after a similar outbreak of the disease.
What makes this worse is that the United Nations finally has been forced to admit that the program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other well-known people and organizations is failing.
It doesn't help that there are some big names associated with the program. The vaccine being used in Africa comes from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) – which is supported and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Interesting, isn't it, that news media have ignored this growing catastrophe. Is it because it's in Africa – or because of the name "Gates"? You decide. Despite the failures, the vaccine campaign continues.
Over decades, the goal has been to prevent the spread of "wild" polio, but in fact, the disease is spreading as hundreds of children are paralyzed and killed by a pathogen strain in a live vaccine.
Keep in mind that the U.N. and other international groups have spent more than $16 billion over the last 30 years to eradicate polio, yet their vaccines have actually introduced the disease into Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in addition to the spread in Africa, including the nations of Angola, Congo, Nigeria and Zambia.
Polio has a long history of injury and death. It's a highly infectious disease spread through contaminated water or food. It usually attacks children under 5. One in 200 is left paralyzed, and of those, up to 10% die. Those who survive are left with crippled breathing muscles.
The first reported outbreak was in 1894 in Vermont. In 1908 in New York City, polio killed 2,400 – mostly children – and left thousands with paralysis and disabilities. In 1916, in New York City, another outbreak killed 2,000 people.
In the 1950s, tens of thousands of cases were diagnosed during the summer months, and hundreds were left paralyzed or killed. People were frightened. Beaches and parks were closed as were venues like movie theaters, where large groups gathered.
Research continued and the first vaccine approved – the Salk vaccine produced by Cutter labs. In April of 1955, more than 200,000 people in five Western and Midwestern states got the vaccine.
Unfortunately, it was defective, and within days there were reports of paralysis. The vaccine program was stopped. There were tens of thousands of cases of the disease, hundreds of people left paralyzed and at least 10 deaths.
Eventually, the Sabin vaccine was developed and approved. For the most part, it is considered safe – YET there are still occasional instances of the individual vaccinated developing polio.
You might ask why any of this is important. There are several reasons, not the least of which is that the same vaccine organizations run by the Gates Foundation for polio in Africa are involved in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19.
In fact, the Gateses also fund the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, which is running COVID-19 vaccine human trials in South Africa along with the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, which is also another Gates-funded institution.
My question is, given the result of the failure of the polio vaccine in Africa, why isn't there more pressure being put on the Gates people, and indeed the U.N. and WHO, concerning the safety of a COVID-19 vaccine?
There's a lot of "reputation" at stake, to say nothing of literally billions of dollars – but that's for the Gateses, major pharmaceutical firms and, yes, even governments and politicians. They will protect themselves.
What I'm concerned about is you and me, and I admit, I don't have confidence in the aforementioned entities to make the right decisions. They can't even guarantee that the annual flu shot will be effective for the current flu virus. Every year, they tell us it might not work.
I just don't believe that the rushing of a COVID-19 vaccine will keep us safe.
Follow Barbara Simpson on Facebook.


wnd--2020-09-26--Texas AG announces 134 felony charges after busting alleged mail-ballot fraud ring

Four people have been arrested on a Texas-sized stack of felony charges after allegedly trying to rig a 2018 election through manipulating votes cast by mail .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday announced that Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown and three others will face 134 felony charges in connection with a ballot harvesting operation that took place during a Democratic primary election , according to a news release on Paxton 's official website .
The indictment against the four people charged said that the effort targeted young voters who did not know what was taking place .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots claiming that the voters in question were disabled when they were not .
Brown won her election by five votes with 787 mail-in ballots cast out of 2,089 votes cast overall , Fox News reported .
The 134 felony charges include engaging in organized election fraud , illegal voting , fraudulent use of an application for a mail-in ballot , unlawful possession of a mail-in ballot , tampering with a governmental record and election fraud .
Coming at a time when President Donald Trump is warning Americans about the potential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to registered voters , Paxton said the case is concerning .
“ It is an unfortunate reality that elections can be stolen outright by mail ballot fraud , '' he said .
`` Election fraud , particularly an organized mail ballot fraud scheme orchestrated by political operatives , is an affront to democracy and results in voter disenfranchisement and corruption at the highest level . ''
The Texas AG said there is an inherent danger in voting by mail .
“ Mail ballots are vulnerable to diversion , coercion , and influence by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrates my commitment to ensuring Texas has the most secure elections in the country , and I thank the Gregg County Sheriff and District Attorney for their continued partnership .
Those who try to manipulate the outcome of elections in Texas must be held accountable , '' he said .
On Thursday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany explained to the media that jumping into mass mail-in voting is a mistake .
`` To move the entire country to mass mail-in voting , all at once , and have an entirely new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few short months is an untenable and an unworkable proposition , and one that has shown to not work well at all , especially when you look at the disenfranchisement , which I think is really troubling when it comes to mass mail-in voting , '' she said , according to a White House media pool report .
McEnany said too many problems have emerged to be ignored .
`` There were 100,000 ballots rejected in California .
In New York City , one in five mail-in ballots were rejected .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , 'It 's nuts .
That is just way too high , ' when one in five voters , because of mass mail-in voting , have their ballots thrown out , '' she said .
`` The president has always made the distinction that absentee ballots -- where you go through a process , where you request a ballot and you mail that in -- that is a system that works , '' McEnany said .
`` But a system where you mass-mail out to voter rolls , which are not kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County , for instance , you have 120 percent of the county enrolled -- that system is untenable .
It does n't work .
It leads to what we saw in Nevada , where there were ballots languishing in trash cans and pinned to apartment boards . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Four people have been arrested on a Texas-sized stack of felony charges after allegedly trying to rig a 2018 election through manipulating votes cast by mail.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday announced that Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown and three others will face 134 felony charges in connection with a ballot harvesting operation that took place during a Democratic primary election, according to a news release on Paxton's official website.
The indictment against the four people charged said that the effort targeted young voters who did not know what was taking place. The four are charged with marking applications for mail-in ballots claiming that the voters in question were disabled when they were not.
Brown won her election by five votes with 787 mail-in ballots cast out of 2,089 votes cast overall, Fox News reported.
The 134 felony charges include engaging in organized election fraud, illegal voting, fraudulent use of an application for a mail-in ballot, unlawful possession of a mail-in ballot, tampering with a governmental record and election fraud.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Coming at a time when President Donald Trump is warning Americans about the potential for fraud in states that are mass-mailing ballots to registered voters, Paxton said the case is concerning.
“It is an unfortunate reality that elections can be stolen outright by mail ballot fraud," he said.
"Election fraud, particularly an organized mail ballot fraud scheme orchestrated by political operatives, is an affront to democracy and results in voter disenfranchisement and corruption at the highest level."
The Texas AG said there is an inherent danger in voting by mail.
“Mail ballots are vulnerable to diversion, coercion, and influence by organized vote harvesting schemes. This case demonstrates my commitment to ensuring Texas has the most secure elections in the country, and I thank the Gregg County Sheriff and District Attorney for their continued partnership. Those who try to manipulate the outcome of elections in Texas must be held accountable," he said.
On Thursday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany explained to the media that jumping into mass mail-in voting is a mistake.
"To move the entire country to mass mail-in voting, all at once, and have an entirely new system, and do that in just a few short months is an untenable and an unworkable proposition, and one that has shown to not work well at all, especially when you look at the disenfranchisement, which I think is really troubling when it comes to mass mail-in voting," she said, according to a White House media pool report.
McEnany said too many problems have emerged to be ignored.
"There were 100,000 ballots rejected in California. In New York City, one in five mail-in ballots were rejected. And as a former DOJ voting rights official said, 'It's nuts. That is just way too high,' when one in five voters, because of mass mail-in voting, have their ballots thrown out," she said.
The Unsolicited Mail In Ballot Scam is a major threat to our Democracy, & the Democrats know it. Almost all recent elections using this system, even though much smaller & with far fewer Ballots to count, have ended up being a disaster. Large numbers of missing Ballots & Fraud! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2020
"The president has always made the distinction that absentee ballots -- where you go through a process, where you request a ballot and you mail that in -- that is a system that works," McEnany said.
"But a system where you mass-mail out to voter rolls, which are not kept and maintained -- where, in Los Angeles County, for instance, you have 120 percent of the county enrolled -- that system is untenable. It doesn't work. It leads to what we saw in Nevada, where there were ballots languishing in trash cans and pinned to apartment boards."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-26--PPP abuse: Business donates millions to public-school proposal that could lead to massive tax hike

Invest in Education , the campaign pushing Arizona voters to support a ballot measure that would translate to a massive tax increase , is being funded by an organization that has received at least $ 1 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds .
If passed , the ballot initiative , known as Proposition 208 , would dramatically raise income taxes for many Arizonans in order to fund public schools .
The PPP was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll .
Yet despite being the recipient of PPP funding , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to donate millions to Invest in Ed during the second quarter of 2020 .
Critics of the public education system such as Corey DeAngelis , director of school choice at the libertarian Reason Foundation and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute , point out that increases in funding do n't help educational quality improve .
Rather , they only serve to protect a government monopoly over the education of children who ca n't afford to go to school elsewhere .
DeAngelis spoke to The Western Journal via email about the problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetuate .
`` Pouring more money into systems that do not have strong incentives to spend that money wisely is unlikely to solve the problem , '' he said .
`` Arizona should fund students instead of institutions by expanding education savings accounts so that providers of educational services have real incentives to cater to the needs of individual families . ''
`` We already do this with so many other taxpayer-funded initiatives such as Pell Grants , Pre-K programs , and food stamps : the money goes to individual families and families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the providers that best meet their needs -- we should do the same thing with K-12 education and fund students instead of systems .
`` After all , education funding is supposed to be meant for educating children , not protecting a government monopoly . ''
What makes this proposal particularly troubling is the fact that one of Invest in Ed 's biggest backers has received as much as $ 2 million in PPP loans since April , while at the same time continuing to support a ballot measure that would add a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including -- potentially -- businesses that took out PPP loans just to avoid layoffs .
A nonprofit called the Stand for Children Leadership Center -- which describes itself as `` a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit leadership development and training organization '' that `` train [ s ] ordinary people to be effective citizen leaders capable of solving problems facing children '' -- has been the beneficiary of between $ 1 million and $ 2 million in PPP loans from the government , Treasury Department records show .
PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although the exact date or dates that the Stand for Children Leadership Center received its money from the government remain unclear .
Since the start of April , however , Stand for Children Inc. -- an advocacy group that exists under the same umbrella as the Stand for Children Leadership Center -- has contributed at least $ 3,353,463.08 to Invest in Ed , according to a second-quarter campaign finance report .
It would `` put Arizona on par with California and New York as one of the worst states in the country when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Goldwater Institute , a free market public policy research and litigation organization .
`` Proposition 208 is a tax on the most volatile portion of the income tax ; it ’ s where business profits and capital gains live , '' Sean McCarthy , a senior research analyst for the Arizona Tax Research Association , noted in an Op-Ed for Chamber Business News .
`` In the first full year of the recession this tax source dropped 32 % !
This tax bracket actually declined in revenues in four out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools budget with this unstable revenue source when it grows 20 % in one year and declines 5 % in the next ?
It ’ s no wonder you won ’ t find this tax policy in any other state -- it ’ s an irresponsible way to fund schools . ''
When it comes to this specific proposition and its supporters , it 's important to understand that there is a limited supply of PPP funds .
It 's well within the realm of possibility that many of the Arizona businesses that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been , or still are , in need of PPP loans in order to keep their staff on payroll .
Still , money meant for small businesses has been used by an organization pushing a proposition that could destroy those struggling businesses .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Invest in Education, the campaign pushing Arizona voters to support a ballot measure that would translate to a massive tax increase, is being funded by an organization that has received at least $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds.
If passed, the ballot initiative, known as Proposition 208, would dramatically raise income taxes for many Arizonans in order to fund public schools.
The PPP was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Yet despite being the recipient of PPP funding, at least one organization apparently had enough money to donate millions to Invest in Ed during the second quarter of 2020.
Critics of the public education system such as Corey DeAngelis, director of school choice at the libertarian Reason Foundation and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, point out that increases in funding don't help educational quality improve.
Rather, they only serve to protect a government monopoly over the education of children who can't afford to go to school elsewhere.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
DeAngelis spoke to The Western Journal via email about the problems that campaigns like "Invest in Ed" perpetuate.
"Pouring more money into systems that do not have strong incentives to spend that money wisely is unlikely to solve the problem," he said. "Arizona should fund students instead of institutions by expanding education savings accounts so that providers of educational services have real incentives to cater to the needs of individual families."
"We already do this with so many other taxpayer-funded initiatives such as Pell Grants, Pre-K programs, and food stamps: the money goes to individual families and families are able to take those dollars to the providers that best meet their needs -- we should do the same thing with K-12 education and fund students instead of systems.
"After all, education funding is supposed to be meant for educating children, not protecting a government monopoly."
What makes this proposal particularly troubling is the fact that one of Invest in Ed's biggest backers has received as much as $2 million in PPP loans since April, while at the same time continuing to support a ballot measure that would add a massive tax burden to many private businesses, including -- potentially -- businesses that took out PPP loans just to avoid layoffs.
A nonprofit called the Stand for Children Leadership Center -- which describes itself as "a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development and training organization" that "train[s] ordinary people to be effective citizen leaders capable of solving problems facing children" -- has been the beneficiary of between $1 million and $2 million in PPP loans from the government, Treasury Department records show.
PPP loans were first distributed in April, although the exact date or dates that the Stand for Children Leadership Center received its money from the government remain unclear.
Since the start of April, however, Stand for Children Inc. -- an advocacy group that exists under the same umbrella as the Stand for Children Leadership Center -- has contributed at least $3,353,463.08 to Invest in Ed, according to a second-quarter campaign finance report.
Prop 208 has plenty of critics.
It would "put Arizona on par with California and New York as one of the worst states in the country when it comes to taxes," according to the Goldwater Institute, a free market public policy research and litigation organization.
"Proposition 208 is a tax on the most volatile portion of the income tax; it’s where business profits and capital gains live," Sean McCarthy, a senior research analyst for the Arizona Tax Research Association, noted in an Op-Ed for Chamber Business News.
"In the first full year of the recession this tax source dropped 32%! This tax bracket actually declined in revenues in four out of seven years after 2006!
'How can schools budget with this unstable revenue source when it grows 20% in one year and declines 5% in the next? It’s no wonder you won’t find this tax policy in any other state -- it’s an irresponsible way to fund schools."
When it comes to this specific proposition and its supporters, it's important to understand that there is a limited supply of PPP funds.
It's well within the realm of possibility that many of the Arizona businesses that Prop 208's tax increases could harm have been, or still are, in need of PPP loans in order to keep their staff on payroll.
Still, money meant for small businesses has been used by an organization pushing a proposition that could destroy those struggling businesses.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-26--Democrats quietly backpedal from 'vote by mail' as it backfires in real time

For months , Democrats and the liberal media have been claiming everyone must vote by mail this year to avoid spreading the coronavirus .
For just as long , conservatives have responded that this sudden push for mail-in voting opens the door to fraud and might overwhelm the U.S .
Postal Service .
Now , many on the left have changed their minds .
Axios reported Thursday that Democrats and left-leaning organizations are pivoting from encouraging mail-in voting to encouraging people to vote early and in person .
The shift comes as more and more evidence confirms what some on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The USPS is not equipped to handle the massive number of anticipated mail-in ballots .
Additionally , it 's much easier for a voter to screw up a mail-in ballot , resulting in that ballot not being counted , than it would be in person .
In Nevada 's statewide primary in June , for instance , over 12,000 ballots had either missing or mismatched signatures .
After individual voters were notified , fewer than half ( approximately 45 percent ) were cured and counted , as reported by FiveThirtyEight .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , young minority voters have had their ballots rejected more than white voters , Axios reported .
Most of the ballots that have been rejected were from new voters or those who voted in person in the last election .
It comes down to this : People in most states are largely unfamiliar with the mail-in voting process , so there is significant room for error .
The potential for ballots to be rejected is particularly concerning for Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his campaign : New data from Axios shows that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the more likely that person is to vote by mail .
In other words , issues with mail-in ballots will likely hurt Biden much more than they hurt Trump .
This is n't exactly surprising , as Democrats have been touting mail-in voting , supported by coronavirus panic porn , for months ; meanwhile , Republicans have been encouraging in-person voting and exposing potential issues with unprecedented and rushed mail-in voting .
What 's amazing is watching the left 's narrative fall apart in real time .
Just weeks ago , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshipping mail carriers and complaining that Trump was undermining the integrity of the election by voicing concerns about mail-in voting .
Now , they 've been forced to back off their reflexive opposition to anything Trump says because -- surprise , surprise -- mail in-voting is proving to be as problematic as conservatives have been saying , and it 's likely to disproportionately negatively affect Biden .
Tablet magazine Associate Editor Noam Blum made an excellent point on Twitter about the Democrats ' epic flip-flop .
`` Impossible to overstate how a pivot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on for about 15 minutes makes people numb to that type of reaction regardless of its merits , '' he said Thursday .
He 's right .
When you constantly change your positions to fit a narrative , do n't be surprised when people stop listening to you .
It 's clear ballot problems could have a major impact on the results of the presidential election .
Remember , in 2000 , Republican George W. Bush won Florida , and therefore the presidency , by just 537 votes .
However you decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to read and follow all ballot instructions .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

For months, Democrats and the liberal media have been claiming everyone must vote by mail this year to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
For just as long, conservatives have responded that this sudden push for mail-in voting opens the door to fraud and might overwhelm the U.S. Postal Service.
Now, many on the left have changed their minds.
Axios reported Thursday that Democrats and left-leaning organizations are pivoting from encouraging mail-in voting to encouraging people to vote early and in person.
The shift comes as more and more evidence confirms what some on the right have been saying all along: The USPS is not equipped to handle the massive number of anticipated mail-in ballots. Additionally, it's much easier for a voter to screw up a mail-in ballot, resulting in that ballot not being counted, than it would be in person.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In Nevada's statewide primary in June, for instance, over 12,000 ballots had either missing or mismatched signatures. After individual voters were notified, fewer than half (approximately 45 percent) were cured and counted, as reported by FiveThirtyEight.
In states such as North Carolina and Florida, young minority voters have had their ballots rejected more than white voters, Axios reported. Most of the ballots that have been rejected were from new voters or those who voted in person in the last election.
It comes down to this: People in most states are largely unfamiliar with the mail-in voting process, so there is significant room for error.
The potential for ballots to be rejected is particularly concerning for Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his campaign: New data from Axios shows that the more a voter hates President Donald Trump, the more likely that person is to vote by mail.
New interactive tool shows Biden's mail voting danger https://t.co/ngb6mBrnWI — Kenneth R Barrett (@KRBCanada1) September 24, 2020
In other words, issues with mail-in ballots will likely hurt Biden much more than they hurt Trump.
This isn't exactly surprising, as Democrats have been touting mail-in voting, supported by coronavirus panic porn, for months; meanwhile, Republicans have been encouraging in-person voting and exposing potential issues with unprecedented and rushed mail-in voting.
What's amazing is watching the left's narrative fall apart in real time.
Just weeks ago, many on the left were fetishizing mailboxes, worshipping mail carriers and complaining that Trump was undermining the integrity of the election by voicing concerns about mail-in voting.
Now, they've been forced to back off their reflexive opposition to anything Trump says because -- surprise, surprise -- mail in-voting is proving to be as problematic as conservatives have been saying, and it's likely to disproportionately negatively affect Biden.
Tablet magazine Associate Editor Noam Blum made an excellent point on Twitter about the Democrats' epic flip-flop.
"Impossible to overstate how a pivot like this after the mailbox fetishism that went on for about 15 minutes makes people numb to that type of reaction regardless of its merits," he said Thursday.
Impossible to overstate how a pivot like this after the mailbox fetishism that went on for about 15 minutes makes people numb to that type of reaction regardless of its merit. https://t.co/xcgPkfNxWP — Noam Blum (@neontaster) September 24, 2020
He's right. When you constantly change your positions to fit a narrative, don't be surprised when people stop listening to you.
It's clear ballot problems could have a major impact on the results of the presidential election. Remember, in 2000, Republican George W. Bush won Florida, and therefore the presidency, by just 537 votes.
However you decide to vote this fall, make sure to read and follow all ballot instructions.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-26--Devastating video shows Biden calling soldiers 'stupid bastards'

Just when you think Joe Biden could not embarrass himself any more , he ca n't help but prove you wrong .
A recently resurfaced video now making the rounds shows the Democratic presidential nominee calling a crowd of U.S. service members `` stupid bastards . ''
This most recent gaffe is not a new one , but it is certainly just as cringeworthy as the rest of Biden 's biggest hits .
“ I have incredibly good judgment , ” Biden says in the video .
“ One , I married Jill , and two , I appointed Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to know that . ''
There is then a short pause as Biden awkwardly waits for applause that is n't going to come .
`` Clap for that , you stupid bastards , '' he says The description of the video , which was posted on YouTube in 2017 , reads `` Vice President Joe Biden , recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom calls A room full of servicemen and servicewomen at an undisclosed location in southwest Asia stupid bastards in March 2016 . ''
Given that description , it appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on March 7 , 2016 .
The timing of this video 's resurfacing is especially troubling for Democrats .
Only a few weeks ago , anonymous sources in a controversial Atlantic article alleged that President Donald Trump once called soldiers who were killed in action `` losers '' and `` suckers . ''
The truth of the article 's claims has since been disputed by former National Security Advisor John Bolton , a man who has absolutely no reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All in all , 21 on-the-record sources denied Trump made the comments , according to the Washington Examiner .
Nonetheless , Biden used the story as an opportunity to attack Trump , apparently forgetting about his own comments from 2016 .
`` Mr. President , if you do n't respect our troops , you ca n't lead them , '' the former vice president tweeted .
Unlike the anonymously sourced Atlantic article , however , it is undeniable that Biden disparaged soldiers during his remarks in 2016 .
In all fairness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever joke he was trying to make is far from obvious .
That 's the problem with Biden nowadays : The former vice president has become so nonsensical with his statements that many have cause to wonder whether his mental state is beginning to decline in his old age .
And Biden appears to be far worse now than he ever was in 2016 .
A series of verbal blunders and gaffes have defined the candidate 's less-than-stellar campaign so far .
Perhaps the most famous example came during the presidential nominee 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Breakfast Club , '' hosted by a man going by the name Charlemagne Tha God .
Toward the end of their interview , Charlemagne suggested that Biden has quite a lot of work left to do to win over black supporters .
Biden 's response has since been criticized as borderline racist at best .
“ If you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black , ” Biden replied .
Although he later apologized , the gaffe haunts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his comments about soldiers will as well .
It 's hard to guess which class of people this bumbling candidate will insult next .
We 'll likely find out soon enough .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Just when you think Joe Biden could not embarrass himself any more, he can't help but prove you wrong.
A recently resurfaced video now making the rounds shows the Democratic presidential nominee calling a crowd of U.S. service members "stupid bastards."
This most recently uncovered gaffe (it's actually from a video from 2016, when he was still serving as vice president) is not a new one, but it is certainly just as cringe-worthy as the rest of Biden's biggest hits.
“I have incredibly good judgment,” Biden says in the video. “One, I married Jill, and two, I appointed Johnson to the academy. I just want you to know that."
There is then a short pause as Biden awkwardly waits for applause that isn't going to come.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"Clap for that, you stupid bastards," he said.
His following comments made it pretty clear that Biden was trying to be humorous, but his humor was arguably in bad taste (though, admittedly, several of the service members behind him appeared to appreciate the joke.
"Man, you're a dull bunch," he said next. "Must be slow here, man."
The description of the video, which was posted on YouTube in 2017, reads "Vice President Joe Biden, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom calls A room full of servicemen and servicewomen at an undisclosed location in southwest Asia stupid bastards in March 2016."
Given that description, it appears the video is from a speech Biden gave to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on March 7, 2016.
The timing of this video's resurfacing was troubling for Democrats, as only a few weeks ago, anonymous sources in a controversial Atlantic article alleged that President Donald Trump once called soldiers who were killed in action "losers" and "suckers."
The truth of that article's claims has since been disputed by former National Security Advisor John Bolton, a man who has absolutely no reason to protect Trump given their falling out.
All in all, 21 on-the-record sources denied Trump made the comments, according to the Washington Examiner.
Nonetheless, Biden used the story as an opportunity to attack Trump, apparently forgetting about his own comments from 2016.
Mr. President, if you don’t respect our troops, you can’t lead them. pic.twitter.com/hcX9hGgdm5 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 4, 2020
"Mr. President, if you don't respect our troops, you can't lead them," the former vice president tweeted.
Unlike the anonymously sourced Atlantic article, however, it is undeniable that Biden used these words during his remarks in 2016, even if only jokingly.
That's the problem with Biden nowadays: The former vice president has become so nonsensical with his statements that many have cause to wonder whether his mental state is beginning to decline in his old age.
And Biden appears to be far worse now than he ever was in 2016.
A series of verbal blunders and gaffes have defined the candidate's less-than-stellar campaign so far.
Perhaps the most famous example came during the presidential nominee's interview on the popular radio program "The Breakfast Club," hosted by a man going by the name Charlemagne Tha God.
Toward the end of their interview, Charlemagne suggested that Biden has quite a lot of work left to do to win over black supporters.
Biden's response has since been criticized as borderline racist at best.
“If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,” Biden replied.
Although he later apologized, the gaffe haunts the Biden campaign to this day.
Now, these comments about military service members may as well.
It's hard even to guess which class of people this bumbling candidate will insult next. We'll likely find out soon enough.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
CORRECTION, Oct. 7, 2020: The Western Journal has added "Jokingly" to the headline and added language to the body of this commentary to emphasize that Biden appeared to have been joking when he made these comments. In addition, two sentences appearing in the video but not transcribed in the story have been added for context. Finally, the video itself was moved to appear lower in the story so that readers would have the full context of the video prior to viewing it.


wnd--2020-09-26--2nd arrest made in connection with killing of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant

Police in Wilson , North Carolina , has made its second arrest in connection with the August shooting death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant .
Officers with the Wilson Police Department arrested 21-year-old Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit on Tuesday , according to a news release .
Pettit was charged with felony accessory after the fact and received a $ 250,000 secured bond .
The arrest comes more than a month after Cannon Hinnant was shot and killed on Aug. 9 while riding his bicycle in front of his home .
Darius Sessoms , 25 , was charged last month with first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Wilson County Jail .
Austin Hinnant , the boy 's father , has lived next door to Sessoms and his parents for eight years , he told WRAL-TV .
Sessoms dined with the Hinnant family on the Saturday before the killing , Austin Hinnant said .
There were no rifts between the neighbors , Austin Hinnant said .
“ There wasn ’ t anything between me and him , any bad blood whatsoever , for him to have a reason to do this , ” he said .
A motive has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it was not a random act , the Washington Examiner reported .
Witness Doris Lybrand told WRAL-TV that she saw Sessoms run up to the boy , place the gun near his head and pull the trigger before taking off on foot back to his house .
“ My first reaction was , ‘ He ’ s playing with the kids , ' ” Lybrand said .
“ For a second , I thought , ‘ That couldn ’ t happen.
’ People don ’ t run across the street and kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boy 's mother wrote on Facebook that he will answer to her .
WARNING : The following post contains vulgar language that some viewers may find offensive : '' MY HEART HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM ME , '' she wrote .
`` THAT MAN WILL SEE ME AND MY SON THROUGH MY FACE !
! ''
The young boy will be remembered again this weekend at a celebration of life ceremony at Big Boy 's Truck Stop , WTVD-TV reported .
The Wilson Police Department is still looking for information on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact them at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255 .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Police in Wilson, North Carolina, has made its second arrest in connection with the August shooting death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant.
Officers with the Wilson Police Department arrested 21-year-old Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit on Tuesday, according to a news release.
Pettit was charged with felony accessory after the fact and received a $250,000 secured bond.
The arrest comes more than a month after Cannon Hinnant was shot and killed on Aug. 9 while riding his bicycle in front of his home.
Darius Sessoms, 25, was charged last month with first-degree murder and was being held without bond in the Wilson County Jail.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Austin Hinnant, the boy's father, has lived next door to Sessoms and his parents for eight years, he told WRAL-TV.
Sessoms dined with the Hinnant family on the Saturday before the killing, Austin Hinnant said.
There were no rifts between the neighbors, Austin Hinnant said.
“There wasn’t anything between me and him, any bad blood whatsoever, for him to have a reason to do this,” he said.
A motive has not yet been disclosed, but police believe it was not a random act, the Washington Examiner reported.
Witness Doris Lybrand told WRAL-TV that she saw Sessoms run up to the boy, place the gun near his head and pull the trigger before taking off on foot back to his house.
“My first reaction was, ‘He’s playing with the kids,'” Lybrand said.
“For a second, I thought, ‘That couldn’t happen.’ People don’t run across the street and kill kids.”
Following Sessoms' arrest, the boy's mother wrote on Facebook that he will answer to her.
WARNING: The following post contains vulgar language that some viewers may find offensive:
"MY HEART HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM ME," she wrote.
"THAT MAN WILL SEE ME AND MY SON THROUGH MY FACE!!"
The young boy will be remembered again this weekend at a celebration of life ceremony at Big Boy's Truck Stop, WTVD-TV reported.
The Wilson Police Department is still looking for information on the case and encourages anyone with information to contact them at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-27--Landmine-clearing rat given gold medal for 'lifesaving bravery and devotion to duty'

( SKY NEWS ) A landmine detection rat has been awarded a gold medal for showing `` lifesaving bravery and @ @ @ @ @ The giant African pouched rat , named Magawa , has discovered 39 landmines and 28 @ @ @ @ @ Cambodia .
Magawa has cleared more than 141,000 square metres of land , an effort @ @ @ @ @ PDSA Gold Medal , which is known as the animal equivalent of the George Cross @

(SKY NEWS) A landmine detection rat has been awarded a gold medal for showing "lifesaving bravery and devotion to duty".
The giant African pouched rat, named Magawa, has discovered 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.
Magawa has cleared more than 141,000 square metres of land, an effort that has earned him a PDSA Gold Medal, which is known as the animal equivalent of the George Cross.
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wnd--2020-09-27--Report: China demolished around 16,000 mosques in recent years

( HINDUSTAN TIMES ) Chinese authorities have demolished thousands of mosques in Xinjiang , an Australian think tank said Friday @ @ @ @ @ of widespread human rights abuses in the restive region .
Rights groups say more than @ @ @ @ @ mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people have been incarcerated in camps across the northwestern territory , with @ @ @ @ @ traditional and religious activities .
Around 16,000 mosques had been destroyed or damaged , according @ @ @ @ @ Institute ( ASPI ) report based on satellite imagery documenting hundreds of sacred sites and @ @ @

(HINDUSTAN TIMES) Chinese authorities have demolished thousands of mosques in Xinjiang, an Australian think tank said Friday, in the latest report of widespread human rights abuses in the restive region.
Rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people have been incarcerated in camps across the northwestern territory, with residents pressured to give up traditional and religious activities.
Around 16,000 mosques had been destroyed or damaged, according to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) report based on satellite imagery documenting hundreds of sacred sites and statistical modelling.
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wnd--2020-09-27--FBI: Atlanta activist spent $200,000 in BLM donations on house, personal expenses

( FOX NEWS ) The FBI has arrested the founder of a Black Lives Matter group in Atlanta on fraud @ @ @ @ @ Sir Maejor Page , 32 , was accused Friday of misappropriating $ 200,000 in donations @ @ @ @ @ behalf of Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta , Fox 5 Atlanta reported Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ and released on bond after appearing before a judge via video .
He did not @ @ @ @ @ Fox News .

(FOX NEWS) The FBI has arrested the founder of a Black Lives Matter group in Atlanta on fraud and money laundering charges.
Sir Maejor Page, 32, was accused Friday of misappropriating $200,000 in donations he solicited through Facebook on behalf of Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta, Fox 5 Atlanta reported Friday.
Page was arrested in Toledo and released on bond after appearing before a judge via video. He did not immediately return messages Saturday from Fox News.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-09-26--Law prof: Barrett mentored 1st blind female Supreme Court clerk in U.S. history

( BREITBART ) Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the @ @ @ @ @ already under attack by left-wing politicians and activists , but the outpouring of support for @ @ @ @ @ including a professor of law at her alma mater , the University of Notre Dame @ @ @ @ @ an oped in the Washington Post on Saturday titled , “ I ’ ve known @ @ @ @ @ years .
Liberals have nothing to fear.
” In his oped , Snead shared his @ @ @ @ @ humanity , including while she was a professor at Notre Dame :

(BREITBART) Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court, is already under attack by left-wing politicians and activists, but the outpouring of support for Barrett is also surfacing, including a professor of law at her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame.
O. Carter Snead wrote an oped in the Washington Post on Saturday titled, “I’ve known Amy Coney Barrett for 15 years. Liberals have nothing to fear.”
In his oped, Snead shared his experience with Barrett’s humanity, including while she was a professor at Notre Dame:
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wnd--2020-09-26--Thai resort sues U.S. man who left 1-star TripAdvisor review about 'unfriendly staff'

( MOTHERSHIP ) After feeling less than satisfied with the service provided a Thai island resort , an American residing @ @ @ @ @ to air his grievances through an unhappy one-star review .
He is now being sued @ @ @ @ @ the bad review , and could face up to two years in prison if found @ @ @ @ @ AFP , and carried by Bangkok Post .

(MOTHERSHIP) After feeling less than satisfied with the service provided a Thai island resort, an American residing in Thailand took to TripAdvisor to air his grievances through an unhappy one-star review.
He is now being sued by the resort for leaving the bad review, and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty of defamation, reported AFP, and carried by Bangkok Post.
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wnd--2020-09-26--Putin: Russia, U.S. should make deal to stop meddling in each other's elections

( BUSINESS INSIDER ) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for a truce between the United States and Russia @ @ @ @ @ to agree not to meddle in this year 's elections .
In a statement , @ @ @ @ @ `` to exchange , in a mutually acceptable format , guarantees of non-intervention into internal @ @ @ @ @ including into electoral processes , inter alia , by means of the ICTs and high-tech @ @ @ @ @ is part of a `` comprehensive program '' meant to enhance and strengthen the relationship @ @ @ @ @ according to the statement .

(BUSINESS INSIDER) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for a truce between the United States and Russia, asking for both countries to agree not to meddle in this year's elections.
In a statement, Putin wrote that he proposes "to exchange, in a mutually acceptable format, guarantees of non-intervention into internal affairs of each other, including into electoral processes, inter alia, by means of the ICTs and high-tech methods."
The suggestion is part of a "comprehensive program" meant to enhance and strengthen the relationship between the two countries, according to the statement.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-09-26--DOJ sends scathing letter demanding San Francisco lift 'draconian' church restrictions

The Justice Department is attacking San Francisco 's `` draconian '' restrictions on the number of people allowed at one time into houses of worship .
The city currently allows no more than one congregant at a time in any church , synagogue , mosque or other place of worship , regardless of its size .
“ No government in this free country can attack religion by transforming a house of worship arbitrarily into a place for solitary confinement , '' said Eric Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the Justice Department 's Civil Rights Division , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of faith go to churches , synagogues , mosques , and other places to worship with their fellow believers , and they can do so lawfully because the First Amendment to the United States Constitution makes illegal any effort by government to prohibit the free exercise of religion , ” Dreiband said .
“ That we are dealing with a very serious public health crisis does not permit government to discriminate against religious worshipers by imposing a one-person-per-house-of-worship rule while permitting larger numbers of people to gather in tattoo parlors , hair salons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
TRENDING : Democrats quietly backpedal from 'vote by mail ' as it backfires in real time '' There is no pandemic exception to the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights . ''
In contrast to the limit of one congregant per house of worship , gyms , tattoo parlors , hair salons , massage studios and daycare centers can have multiple people present at any one time , as the DOJ pointed out .
A Friday letter to Democratic San Francisco Mayor London Breed from Dreiband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California David Anderson said that `` San Francisco ’ s treatment of places of worship raises serious concerns about religious freedom .
`` In particular , the limitation of indoor worship to one congregant without regard to the size of the place of worship is draconian , out of step with the treatment afforded other similar indoor activities in San Francisco , wholly at odds with this Nation ’ s traditional understanding of religious liberty , and may violate the First Amendment to the Constitution , '' the letter said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution .
`` The First Amendment protects religious observers against unequal treatment , '' it said .
`` Government may not discriminate against religious gatherings compared to other nonreligious gatherings that have the same effect on the government ’ s public health interest , absent compelling reasons . ''
`` The Health Order provides no reasoned explanation why its one-size-fits-all limit on indoor religious gatherings , regardless of size , is necessary or appropriate .
This policy is not equal treatment , '' the letter said , adding that `` this restriction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free exercise of religion . ''
The letter noted that rules for barber shops , nail salons , massage locations and tattoo parlors allow them to accommodate more people at one time than houses of worship .
`` These rules plainly discriminate against people of faith and their ability to gather and practice their faith at churches , synagogues , mosques , and other houses of worship , '' the letter said .
`` Put simply , there is no scientific or legal justification for permitting a 20,000 square foot synagogue to admit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parlor to accommodate as many patrons as it can fit so long as they are six feet apart .
This is not the kind of reasonable , temporary , and narrowly tailored regulation to protect public health and safety that can justify infringements on fundamental rights such as religious freedom . ''
The city 's goal of upping the limit to 25 people as of the end of the month `` would also continue to disadvantage religious exercise compared to the permitted secular indoor activities described above , '' Dreiband and Anderson wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city to `` change its current standards to bring them in line with the Constitution and our nation ’ s best traditions of free religious exercise . ''
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera was unmoved , pointing to the low coronavirus infection rate in the city .
“ We must be doing something right , '' he said , according to Fox News .
Herrera said the federal government “ should focus on an actual pandemic response instead of lobbing careless legal threats .
San Francisco is opening up at the speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally on The Western Journal .

The Justice Department is attacking San Francisco's "draconian" restrictions on the number of people allowed at one time into houses of worship.
The city currently allows no more than one congregant at a time in any church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship, regardless of its size.
“No government in this free country can attack religion by transforming a house of worship arbitrarily into a place for solitary confinement," said Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, according to a Friday DOJ news release.
"People of faith go to churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places to worship with their fellow believers, and they can do so lawfully because the First Amendment to the United States Constitution makes illegal any effort by government to prohibit the free exercise of religion,” Dreiband said.
“That we are dealing with a very serious public health crisis does not permit government to discriminate against religious worshipers by imposing a one-person-per-house-of-worship rule while permitting larger numbers of people to gather in tattoo parlors, hair salons, massage studios, and other places," he added.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"There is no pandemic exception to the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights."
In contrast to the limit of one congregant per house of worship, gyms, tattoo parlors, hair salons, massage studios and daycare centers can have multiple people present at any one time, as the DOJ pointed out.
A Friday letter to Democratic San Francisco Mayor London Breed from Dreiband and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California David Anderson said that "San Francisco’s treatment of places of worship raises serious concerns about religious freedom.
"In particular, the limitation of indoor worship to one congregant without regard to the size of the place of worship is draconian, out of step with the treatment afforded other similar indoor activities in San Francisco, wholly at odds with this Nation’s traditional understanding of religious liberty, and may violate the First Amendment to the Constitution," the letter said.
The letter tried to educate San Francisco about the Constitution.
"The First Amendment protects religious observers against unequal treatment," it said.
"Government may not discriminate against religious gatherings compared to other nonreligious gatherings that have the same effect on the government’s public health interest, absent compelling reasons."
"The Health Order provides no reasoned explanation why its one-size-fits-all limit on indoor religious gatherings, regardless of size, is necessary or appropriate. This policy is not equal treatment," the letter said, adding that "this restriction suggests hostility to religious people and the free exercise of religion."
The letter noted that rules for barber shops, nail salons, massage locations and tattoo parlors allow them to accommodate more people at one time than houses of worship.
"These rules plainly discriminate against people of faith and their ability to gather and practice their faith at churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship," the letter said.
"Put simply, there is no scientific or legal justification for permitting a 20,000 square foot synagogue to admit only one worshipper while allowing a tattoo parlor to accommodate as many patrons as it can fit so long as they are six feet apart. This is not the kind of reasonable, temporary, and narrowly tailored regulation to protect public health and safety that can justify infringements on fundamental rights such as religious freedom."
The city's goal of upping the limit to 25 people as of the end of the month "would also continue to disadvantage religious exercise compared to the permitted secular indoor activities described above," Dreiband and Anderson wrote.
The letter closed by asking the city to "change its current standards to bring them in line with the Constitution and our nation’s best traditions of free religious exercise."
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera was unmoved, pointing to the low coronavirus infection rate in the city.
“We must be doing something right," he said, according to Fox News.
Herrera said the federal government “should focus on an actual pandemic response instead of lobbing careless legal threats. San Francisco is opening up at the speed of safety."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-26--Congress warned about acting on 'temporary majorities'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Following Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death , it is almost comical to hear those who have labored mightily to blow up the system now demanding regular order .
This charade starts with the late justice herself , who violated longstanding traditions during the 2016 election when she called candidate Donald Trump a “ faker.
” She did so once more on her death bed when she wished away the Constitution ’ s separation of powers by pressuring the president to renounce his authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
( To those who say one should not criticize the dead , I say she brought it on herself by politicizing her own passing . )
Democrats echoing her stand claim it would be hypocritical for Trump to nominate someone and for Senate leader Mitch McConnell to swiftly hold hearings given the GOP ’ s refusal to hold hearings for Merrick Garland when President Obama nominated him in 2016 following the unexpected death of Antonin Scalia .
TRENDING : Democrats quietly backpedal from 'vote by mail ' as it backfires in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known as the so-called Biden rule – who says history doesn ’ t have a sense of humor ?
– which held that a Supreme Court nominee should not be considered during an election year when the Senate is held by one party and the White House by another .
Pedants will note that this is not the situation we face now as the Republicans control both .
Fair-minded people , however , will acknowledge that of course it would be wrong for the Republicans to try to jam through their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially when it is quite possible President Trump will lose in November .
But Trump and McConnell have pledged to do just that and Democrats are screaming that this is the height of hypocrisy .
Hypocrisy , of course , is a relative term ; it only has meaning to the degree such action reflects a departure from acceptable standards .
In Washington , there are precious few norms .
And while the Republicans have certainly contributed to this unmooring , it is the Democrats who are chiefly to blame .
Their vicious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Samuel Alito , and Brett Kavanaugh turned Supreme Court confirmation hearings into lawless barroom brawls – note that no Democrat nominee has ever suffered such outrageous slings and arrows .
It was the Democratic Senate under the leadership of Harry Reid – who falsely suggested that Mitt Romney failed to pay his taxes – that ended the filibuster for most executive appointments and judicial nominees in 2013 .
More recently , a wide range of leading Democrat senators have signaled their intention to end the filibuster for all legislation if they retake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold onto the House , this would allow them to pass any legislation – including granting statehood to Washington , D.C. , and Puerto Rico , which would effectively give them four more senators – by a simple majority if Biden wins .
Democrats have also said they might seek to pack the Supreme Court by expanding the number of justices , which could be filled by President Biden .
It ’ s not hard to imagine the next Republican president following suit , so that we might end up with a court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It sounds ridiculous .
But that is where we are .
Thus the idea that Trump and McConnell would act responsibly seems like a form of unilateral disarmament .
Tout pour la guerre !
In a better world – the one we called America just a few decades ago – our leaders would recognize the dangerous path we are on .
They would acknowledge the obvious : That standards and norms are the lifeblood of a healthy democracy .
They would quickly gather and agree , in writing , to a set of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tyranny of temporary majorities .
They must know that government of the people , by the people and for people will perish if it becomes an instrument for forcing one side ’ s will upon the other .
They must see that we will never be united through the politics of divisive coercion .
The question is whether they are long past caring .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By J. Peder Zane
Real Clear Politics
Following Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, it is almost comical to hear those who have labored mightily to blow up the system now demanding regular order.
This charade starts with the late justice herself, who violated longstanding traditions during the 2016 election when she called candidate Donald Trump a “faker.” She did so once more on her death bed when she wished away the Constitution’s separation of powers by pressuring the president to renounce his authority to nominate her replacement until after the election. (To those who say one should not criticize the dead, I say she brought it on herself by politicizing her own passing.)
Democrats echoing her stand claim it would be hypocritical for Trump to nominate someone and for Senate leader Mitch McConnell to swiftly hold hearings given the GOP’s refusal to hold hearings for Merrick Garland when President Obama nominated him in 2016 following the unexpected death of Antonin Scalia.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Back then McConnell invoked what is known as the so-called Biden rule – who says history doesn’t have a sense of humor? – which held that a Supreme Court nominee should not be considered during an election year when the Senate is held by one party and the White House by another.
Pedants will note that this is not the situation we face now as the Republicans control both. Fair-minded people, however, will acknowledge that of course it would be wrong for the Republicans to try to jam through their own conservative replacement for the liberal lioness, especially when it is quite possible President Trump will lose in November.
But Trump and McConnell have pledged to do just that and Democrats are screaming that this is the height of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, of course, is a relative term; it only has meaning to the degree such action reflects a departure from acceptable standards.
In Washington, there are precious few norms. And while the Republicans have certainly contributed to this unmooring, it is the Democrats who are chiefly to blame. Their vicious treatment of Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh turned Supreme Court confirmation hearings into lawless barroom brawls – note that no Democrat nominee has ever suffered such outrageous slings and arrows.
It was the Democratic Senate under the leadership of Harry Reid – who falsely suggested that Mitt Romney failed to pay his taxes – that ended the filibuster for most executive appointments and judicial nominees in 2013.
More recently, a wide range of leading Democrat senators have signaled their intention to end the filibuster for all legislation if they retake the upper chamber. Assuming they also hold onto the House, this would allow them to pass any legislation – including granting statehood to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, which would effectively give them four more senators – by a simple majority if Biden wins.
Democrats have also said they might seek to pack the Supreme Court by expanding the number of justices, which could be filled by President Biden. It’s not hard to imagine the next Republican president following suit, so that we might end up with a court that has more members than Congress. It sounds ridiculous. But that is where we are. Thus the idea that Trump and McConnell would act responsibly seems like a form of unilateral disarmament. Tout pour la guerre!
In a better world – the one we called America just a few decades ago – our leaders would recognize the dangerous path we are on. They would acknowledge the obvious: That standards and norms are the lifeblood of a healthy democracy.
They would quickly gather and agree, in writing, to a set of principles that protect us once more from the tyranny of temporary majorities. They must know that government of the people, by the people and for people will perish if it becomes an instrument for forcing one side’s will upon the other. They must see that we will never be united through the politics of divisive coercion.
The question is whether they are long past caring.