wnd--2020-05-02--Bombshell Flynn files helping Durham build 'serious case'

The files unsealed this week in the Michael Flynn case showing FBI officials discussed trying to get the former national security adviser to lie are bolstering the `` serious case '' the Justice Department is building against FBI and DOJ officials who carried out a counter-intelligence `` Russia collusion '' probe of the Trump campaign in 2016 .
Sources who spoke to Fox News said charges could be justified against officials , and Attorney General Bill Barr is speaking regularly with U.S. Attorney John Durham , who is leading the investigation .
`` Durham has seen all of this already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding the Flynn evidence `` could be sufficient for some charges against agents . ''
`` It 's a crime to present under oath false or misleading information , '' the source told Fox News .
`` Not to mention obstruction of justice . ''
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter '' They 're building a very serious case , ” another source told Fox News . ''
Among the evidence unsealed this week in the Flynn case is a handwritten note by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bill Priestap , showing agents discussed whether they should try `` to get [ Flynn ] to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired . ''
Also , a memo shows disgraced former FBI agent Peter Strzok reopened the investigation into Flynn after it had been closed due to a lack of evidence .
The closure was three weeks prior to the controversial `` ambush '' interview of Flynn at the White House that resulted in him being charged with perjury .
In 2017 , Flynn pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding his communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
But after firing his lawyers , a new legal team moved to withdraw the plea , armed with evidence it claimed would show that Flynn was framed .
Barr initially commissioned Durham to review the events during the 2016 campaign and through Trump 's Jan. 20 , 2017 , inauguration .
But Durham has since expanded the scope to the spring of 2017 , when Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel .
Sources who spoke to Fox News said more exculpatory documents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Barr talks to Durham every day , '' a source said .
`` The president has been briefed that the case is being pursued , and it 's serious . ''
'They think they ’ ve got it' Priestap took his notes after a meeting , prior to the Flynn interview , with then-FBI Director James Comey and then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe .
The notes suggested agents considered getting Flynn `` to admit to breaking the Logan Act '' when he spoke to former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never been successfully used in a criminal prosecution .
It 's purpose is to prevent individuals from falsely claiming to represent the United States government abroad .
A source told Fox News it 's `` disturbing to Durham '' that `` there were n't any whistleblowers '' in FBI and Justice Department under President Obama who came foward at the beginning of the Crossfire Hurricane counterintelligence investigation against the Trump campaign in 2016 .
The Durham investigation could end as soon as July , according to one source .
But another thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting progress could be hindered by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` If they don ’ t have it , they 're not going to bring it , '' another source told Fox News .
`` But they think they ’ ve got it . ''

The files unsealed this week in the Michael Flynn case showing FBI officials discussed trying to get the former national security adviser to lie are bolstering the "serious case" the Justice Department is building against FBI and DOJ officials who carried out a counter-intelligence "Russia collusion" probe of the Trump campaign in 2016.
Sources who spoke to Fox News said charges could be justified against officials, and Attorney General Bill Barr is speaking regularly with U.S. Attorney John Durham, who is leading the investigation.
"Durham has seen all of this already," a source told Fox News, adding the Flynn evidence "could be sufficient for some charges against agents."
"It's a crime to present under oath false or misleading information," the source told Fox News. "Not to mention obstruction of justice."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"They're building a very serious case,” another source told Fox News."
Among the evidence unsealed this week in the Flynn case is a handwritten note by the FBI's former head of counterintelligence, Bill Priestap, showing agents discussed whether they should try "to get [Flynn] to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired."
Also, a memo shows disgraced former FBI agent Peter Strzok reopened the investigation into Flynn after it had been closed due to a lack of evidence.
The closure was three weeks prior to the controversial "ambush" interview of Flynn at the White House that resulted in him being charged with perjury.
In 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding his communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. But after firing his lawyers, a new legal team moved to withdraw the plea, armed with evidence it claimed would show that Flynn was framed.
Barr initially commissioned Durham to review the events during the 2016 campaign and through Trump's Jan. 20, 2017, inauguration. But Durham has since expanded the scope to the spring of 2017, when Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel.
Sources who spoke to Fox News said more exculpatory documents are forthcoming as Barr monitors the probe.
"Barr talks to Durham every day," a source said. "The president has been briefed that the case is being pursued, and it's serious."
'They think they’ve got it'
Priestap took his notes after a meeting, prior to the Flynn interview, with then-FBI Director James Comey and then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
The notes suggested agents considered getting Flynn "to admit to breaking the Logan Act" when he spoke to former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the presidential transition period.
The obscure Logan Act has never been successfully used in a criminal prosecution. It's purpose is to prevent individuals from falsely claiming to represent the United States government abroad.
Flynn made no such admission.
A source told Fox News it's "disturbing to Durham" that "there weren't any whistleblowers" in FBI and Justice Department under President Obama who came foward at the beginning of the Crossfire Hurricane counterintelligence investigation against the Trump campaign in 2016.
The Durham investigation could end as soon as July, according to one source. But another thought it would be closer to September, noting progress could be hindered by the coronavirus pandemic.
"If they don’t have it, they're not going to bring it," another source told Fox News. "But they think they’ve got it."


wnd--2020-05-02--House committee demands Bezos testify over concerns Amazon lied to Congress

The House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Jeff Bezos on Friday demanding the Amazon CEO testify on whether the company lied to Congress about the data tactics it uses against third-party sellers .
An April 23 Wall Street Journal report said that employees use data from independent sellers on Amazon to launch competing products , despite the company 's denials that they use such tactics .
The Wall Street Journal had interviewed over 20 former Amazon employees , who revealed that some workers had used data from third-party sellers to launch their own competing , Amazon-branded products .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon exploited its role as the largest online marketplace in the U.S. to appropriate the sensitive commercial data of individual marketplace sellers and then used that data to compete directly with those sellers , '' the Judiciary Committee wrote in its letter .
Amazon has said that it restricts its private-label executives from accessing seller-specific data , but former employees told The Wall Street Journal that `` those rules weren ’ t uniformly enforced . ''
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter If an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , they would also engage in a practice called `` going over the fence '' and ask Amazon business analysts to create reports with the information , the newspaper reported .
`` If the reporting in the Wall Street Journal article is accurate , then statements Amazon made to the Committee about the company 's business practices appear to be misleading , and possibly criminally false or perjurious , '' the committee 's letter read .
`` In light of our ongoing investigation , recent public reporting , and Amazon 's prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , as Chief Executive Officer of Amazon , to testify before the Committee , '' the letter to Bezos added .
Amazon disputed the accuracy of the report but said it would conduct an internal investigation , according to Politico .
This is the first instance where the House Judiciary Committee has publicly demanded that a tech giant CEO testify , Politico reported .
The move is also supported by both Democratic and Republican House Judiciary members , including Rep. David Cicilline , the chairman of House Judiciary 's antitrust subcommittee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness appears to have misrepresented key aspects of Amazon ’ s business practices while omitting important details in response to pointed questioning , '' Cicilline said in a statement .
`` At worst , the witness Amazon sent to speak on its behalf may have lied to Congress . ''
Amazon 's associate general counsel , Nate Sutton , told the antitrust subcommittee in July that the company does not use data from individual sellers to inform Amazon 's strategy in developing competing products , CNBC reported .
`` We do not use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating our own private brand products , '' Sutton said at the time .
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said the panel plans `` to seek clarification from Amazon in short order , in light of this troubling report . ''
`` Amazon has had opportunities to correct the record on its business practices , '' Nadler said .
`` It is deeply concerning that , beginning with the hearing last year , they may have misled Congress rather than be fully forthcoming on this matter , notwithstanding our repeated requests in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on The Western Journal .

The House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Jeff Bezos on Friday demanding the Amazon CEO testify on whether the company lied to Congress about the data tactics it uses against third-party sellers.
An April 23 Wall Street Journal report said that employees use data from independent sellers on Amazon to launch competing products, despite the company's denials that they use such tactics.
The Wall Street Journal had interviewed over 20 former Amazon employees, who revealed that some workers had used data from third-party sellers to launch their own competing, Amazon-branded products.
"If these allegations are true, then Amazon exploited its role as the largest online marketplace in the U.S. to appropriate the sensitive commercial data of individual marketplace sellers and then used that data to compete directly with those sellers," the Judiciary Committee wrote in its letter.
Amazon has said that it restricts its private-label executives from accessing seller-specific data, but former employees told The Wall Street Journal that "those rules weren’t uniformly enforced."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
If an executive wasn't able to access the data, they would also engage in a practice called "going over the fence" and ask Amazon business analysts to create reports with the information, the newspaper reported.
"If the reporting in the Wall Street Journal article is accurate, then statements Amazon made to the Committee about the company's business practices appear to be misleading, and possibly criminally false or perjurious," the committee's letter read.
"In light of our ongoing investigation, recent public reporting, and Amazon's prior testimony before the Committee, we expect you, as Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, to testify before the Committee," the letter to Bezos added.
Amazon disputed the accuracy of the report but said it would conduct an internal investigation, according to Politico.
This is the first instance where the House Judiciary Committee has publicly demanded that a tech giant CEO testify, Politico reported.
The move is also supported by both Democratic and Republican House Judiciary members, including Rep. David Cicilline, the chairman of House Judiciary's antitrust subcommittee.
"At best, Amazon’s witness appears to have misrepresented key aspects of Amazon’s business practices while omitting important details in response to pointed questioning," Cicilline said in a statement.
"At worst, the witness Amazon sent to speak on its behalf may have lied to Congress."
Amazon's associate general counsel, Nate Sutton, told the antitrust subcommittee in July that the company does not use data from individual sellers to inform Amazon's strategy in developing competing products, CNBC reported.
"We do not use any of that specific seller data in creating our own private brand products," Sutton said at the time.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said the panel plans "to seek clarification from Amazon in short order, in light of this troubling report."
"Amazon has had opportunities to correct the record on its business practices," Nadler said. "It is deeply concerning that, beginning with the hearing last year, they may have misled Congress rather than be fully forthcoming on this matter, notwithstanding our repeated requests in this regard."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-05-01--It's time to Boycott China -- really

It's time to Boycott China -- really

President Trump has banned the purchase of Chinese-made parts and gear for power plants and transmission systems .
This shows us the danger we are in , and the solution .
The Made-in-China pandemic revealed how we are on dependent on Communist China for lifesaving medical goods .
The president 's latest move shows we wo n't be dependent on that malign regime for the electricity that powers our entire nation .
A Chinese manufacturer of high-voltage power transformers boasts that it provides 10 percent of New York City 's power .
Only one U.S. manufacturer produces the special-grade electrical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump expects China will pay a `` substantial '' amount of money for damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Asked if he will submit a bill as Germany has , the president said , `` We have ways of doing things much easier than that . ''
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter His executive order on power equipment shows how .
Consider : Every dollar the Chinese Communist Party would possibly pay us in damages would be a dollar we gave them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to collect the bill by not sending them the money in the first place .
Let 's say it out loud : Boycott China .
China 's Communist dictators have been waging economic warfare against us for decades , launching missiles from their mines , mills and factories in an attack that has destroyed our industries as effectively as any precision-guided munitions .
Now the pandemic has wrought further destruction .
They have succeeded in literally stopping our way of life .
We ca n't let them do that again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ warfare against the U.S. , we can do the same .
The Chinese Communist Party lives off of the money we send them , and we send them a lot .
We must stop sending them our money .
We must Boycott China .
Our government must boycott the CCP .
The U.S. government contributes to the World Bank , which still gives China billions .
Until recently we funded the WHO , Beijing 's puppet .
We fund scientific research in China .
The NIH even funded bat virus research in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( What could possibly go wrong with that ?
Oh wait , we found out . )
Wall Street steers billions to CCP-controlled companies listed on American exchanges .
It helps CCP-controlled entities sell securities in the U.S .
Billions flow through index funds that include shares of Chinese companies .
Pension funds from California to Iowa have staked the retirement savings of Americans on these dodgy investments .
The finance guys overseeing the federal Thrift Savings Plan – the 401 ( k ) plan for military personnel and federal workers – want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markets Fund , home to a roster of Chinese companies that manufacture weapons , cyberespionage tools and surveillance gear for the CCP .
President Trump warned American companies to get out of China years ago .
When he slapped a tariff on China imports , supposedly American companies did Beijing 's lobbying and squealed like stuck pigs .
Everyone from Bible publishers to shoe salesmen pleaded penury and predicted doom if the tariffs were n't lifted immediately .
Had they diversified their supply chains as President Trump demanded , we would n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , depending on a hostile regime for the goods we need to save our lives .
And each one of us has a part to play , too .
When we say Boycott China we are telling the CCP the American people are on to you .
We know the dollars we send to Beijing are used to bury us – even literally .
When we say Boycott China we are telling American-in-name-only companies to get out of China – now .
Whenever there is an alternative to Made in China , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Balance athletic shoes instead of Nikes .
We will buy from our local farmer or Hormel instead of Smithfield .
We do n't have to upgrade our iPhone until Tim Cook stops funding the CCP 's techno-totalitarian dystopia .
We 're telling GM do n't import Envision SUVs from China .
We 're telling Twitter to deplatform CCP propaganda mouthpieces , not Americans .
When we say Boycott China we are telling Washington to recognize the CCP is a criminal enterprise masquerading as a legitimate government .
We 're telling the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know who you are .
Joe Biden has been in bed with Beijing for 40 years , going back to 1980 when he voted to treat the Communist dictatorship as a `` most favored nation . ''
In 2001 , he voted to give the CCP our manufacturing industries , and he 's been parroting the CCP propaganda line `` It 's in America 's interest for China to prosper '' ever since .
Biden is not alone .
Washington has a revolving door and a revolving line of credit with Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bair the former Treasury official now being touted to lead the pandemic recovery funds oversight panel .
In between government gigs , Bair served on the board of China 's largest bank .
Now she `` steps down '' from the Beijing bank job to pull off another kind of bank job in Washington , with or without Joe Biden .
When we say Boycott China we are telling Washington pols to close the revolving door .
Stop selling out our country for your own enrichment .
Do n't let the CCP control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media ( AMC theaters , Universal , Disney , Hollywood ) , our energy and our technology ( Huawei , Lenovo ) .
When we say Boycott China we are telling the CCP 's apologists in big media , big banks , big corporations and the Washington Swamp we 're taking our country back .
The Founders understood that America would not be independent if we relied on other nations for our manufactured goods .
Our first war of independence began with boycotts of British goods after the Stamp Act , the Townshend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this boycott let us declare our independence from the tyrants of Beijing and the tyranny of globalism that brought us to the current impasse .
We can – we must – we will – stop giving China 's dictators our money .
To ensure we recover from this virus , we must do two things : Wash our hands and wash our hands of China .

President Trump has banned the purchase of Chinese-made parts and gear for power plants and transmission systems.
This shows us the danger we are in, and the solution.
The Made-in-China pandemic revealed how we are on dependent on Communist China for lifesaving medical goods.
The president's latest move shows we won't be dependent on that malign regime for the electricity that powers our entire nation. A Chinese manufacturer of high-voltage power transformers boasts that it provides 10 percent of New York City's power. Only one U.S. manufacturer produces the special-grade electrical steel required for transformer cores.
President Trump expects China will pay a "substantial" amount of money for damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Asked if he will submit a bill as Germany has, the president said, "We have ways of doing things much easier than that."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
His executive order on power equipment shows how.
Consider: Every dollar the Chinese Communist Party would possibly pay us in damages would be a dollar we gave them.
We can save ourselves the trouble of trying to collect the bill by not sending them the money in the first place.
Let's say it out loud: Boycott China.
China's Communist dictators have been waging economic warfare against us for decades, launching missiles from their mines, mills and factories in an attack that has destroyed our industries as effectively as any precision-guided munitions.
Now the pandemic has wrought further destruction.
They have succeeded in literally stopping our way of life. We can't let them do that again.
How?
Just as the CCP has waged economic warfare against the U.S., we can do the same.
The Chinese Communist Party lives off of the money we send them, and we send them a lot.
We must stop sending them our money. We must Boycott China.
Our government must boycott the CCP.
The U.S. government contributes to the World Bank, which still gives China billions. Until recently we funded the WHO, Beijing's puppet. We fund scientific research in China. The NIH even funded bat virus research in Wuhan after it was banned in the U.S. (What could possibly go wrong with that? Oh wait, we found out.)
Wall Street must boycott the CCP.
Wall Street steers billions to CCP-controlled companies listed on American exchanges. It helps CCP-controlled entities sell securities in the U.S. Billions flow through index funds that include shares of Chinese companies. Pension funds from California to Iowa have staked the retirement savings of Americans on these dodgy investments.
The finance guys overseeing the federal Thrift Savings Plan – the 401(k) plan for military personnel and federal workers – want to invest billions in the MSCI Emerging Markets Fund, home to a roster of Chinese companies that manufacture weapons, cyberespionage tools and surveillance gear for the CCP.
Corporate America must boycott the CCP.
President Trump warned American companies to get out of China years ago. When he slapped a tariff on China imports, supposedly American companies did Beijing's lobbying and squealed like stuck pigs. Everyone from Bible publishers to shoe salesmen pleaded penury and predicted doom if the tariffs weren't lifted immediately.
Had they diversified their supply chains as President Trump demanded, we wouldn't be in the situation we're in today, depending on a hostile regime for the goods we need to save our lives.
And each one of us has a part to play, too.
When we say Boycott China we are telling the CCP the American people are on to you. We know the dollars we send to Beijing are used to bury us – even literally.
When we say Boycott China we are telling American-in-name-only companies to get out of China – now. Whenever there is an alternative to Made in China, we will take it. We can buy New Balance athletic shoes instead of Nikes. We will buy from our local farmer or Hormel instead of Smithfield. We don't have to upgrade our iPhone until Tim Cook stops funding the CCP's techno-totalitarian dystopia. We're telling GM don't import Envision SUVs from China. We're telling Twitter to deplatform CCP propaganda mouthpieces, not Americans.
When we say Boycott China we are telling Washington to recognize the CCP is a criminal enterprise masquerading as a legitimate government.
We're telling the Chinese Communist Party's bought-and-paid-for enablers in Washington we know who you are. Joe Biden has been in bed with Beijing for 40 years, going back to 1980 when he voted to treat the Communist dictatorship as a "most favored nation." In 2001, he voted to give the CCP our manufacturing industries, and he's been parroting the CCP propaganda line "It's in America's interest for China to prosper" ever since.
Biden is not alone. Washington has a revolving door and a revolving line of credit with Beijing. It's for people like Sheila Bair the former Treasury official now being touted to lead the pandemic recovery funds oversight panel. In between government gigs, Bair served on the board of China's largest bank. Now she "steps down" from the Beijing bank job to pull off another kind of bank job in Washington, with or without Joe Biden.
When we say Boycott China we are telling Washington pols to close the revolving door. Stop selling out our country for your own enrichment. Don't let the CCP control our food (Smithfield), our media (AMC theaters, Universal, Disney, Hollywood), our energy and our technology (Huawei, Lenovo).
When we say Boycott China we are telling the CCP's apologists in big media, big banks, big corporations and the Washington Swamp we're taking our country back.
The Founders understood that America would not be independent if we relied on other nations for our manufactured goods.
Our first war of independence began with boycotts of British goods after the Stamp Act, the Townshend Act and the Tea Act.
With this boycott let us declare our independence from the tyrants of Beijing and the tyranny of globalism that brought us to the current impasse.
We can – we must – we will – stop giving China's dictators our money.
To ensure we recover from this virus, we must do two things:
Wash our hands and wash our hands of China.


wnd--2020-05-01--Federal judges' abuse of power: Jefferson was right!

It is a fact that federal judges are the biggest threat not just to our system of justice , but the nation 's well-being as as whole .
And , now a federal judge who I have always held up as the `` best among the worst , '' the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , has appeared to have sold out to the intellectual dishonesty running rampant on the federal bench .
This column will be the first installment in a series holding accountable federal judges who have subverted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people by arrogantly putting their own political and other improper objectives ahead of the letter of the law .
In reality accountable to no one , federal judges by and large have become the threat to freedom our great Founding Father and third President Thomas Jefferson predicted they would be .
In his own words , here is what Jefferson foresaw : '' You seem to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions ; a very dangerous doctrine indeed , and one which would place us under the despotism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as honest as other men , and not more so .
They have , with others , the same passions for party , for power , and the privilege of their corps .
… Their power ( is ) the more dangerous as they are in office for life , and not responsible , as the other functionaries are , to the elective control .
The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal , knowing that to whatever hands confided , with the corruptions of time and party , its members would become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that heretofore my `` favorite '' federal judge sold out too , this time to the leftist media comprised of CNN , Huffington Post and Rolling Stone .
All three of these publications , to stick it further to President Trump , defamed his greatest immigration-policy supporter , America 's Sheriff , Joe Arpaio , by defaming him as a `` convicted felon . ''
By defaming Arpaio , of course , the leftist media were really seeking to further tar and feather the president .
Feeling that it was time someone take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sheriff and I brought suit .
At the time and by the grace of God , we thought , the case , filed in federal court in Washington , D.C. , was randomly assigned to the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth .
Finally , a jurist would have the will to put the leftist media in their proper place , by allowing it to go before a jury with the opportunity to have these vile news outlets pay huge damages .
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the long and sordid story short , Judge Lamberth , for whatever improper reason , would not allow the case to go forward , even into discovery .
He dismissed Arpaio 's complaint , claiming that we did not plead that the leftist media had acted with actual malice , which means that they knew that Arpaio was not a convicted felon or acted with reckless disregard for the truth .
This was simply false .
Indeed , at oral argument on the defendants ' motion to dismiss , I reminded Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arpaio 's conviction for a misdemeanor – for which he was even pardoned by the president – for allegedly violating a court order preventing ethnic profiling at day worker sites , the scene where illegal immigrants hang out , and thus knew that he was not a convicted felon .
But if the judge wanted more specificity , then Arpaio and I could easily amend the complaint .
After inordinate delay in issuing his ruling , Lamberth issued a dismissal with prejudice , meaning that the case was over and that Arpaio would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more specificity .
To add serious insult to injury , by the time Judge Lamberth ruled , given all of his delay , the one-year statute of limitations on Arpaio 's defamation claims had run .
In the course of the various court pleadings that followed , I asked Judge Lamberth to vacate this dismissal and allow my client to plead actual malice with more specificity , even though what had already been alleged was legally sufficient .
In rapid fire , the judge refused .
Here are a few excerpts to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which expresses not just my disappointment in him but speaks to him candidly about his intellectual dishonesty : '' ( The court ) , showing its desire to get rid of Arpaio 's claims by whatever means , ignoring Plaintiff Arpaio 's alternative request … to properly allow Plaintiff Arpaio to amend with greater specificity , to avoid statute of limitations issues , '' created a `` heads I win , tails you lose analysis , ( and ) Plaintiff Arpaio is now out of luck because the statute of limitations has run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard , Plaintiff Arpaio and his counsel were hopeful that this Court would correct this error , intentional or otherwise .
… Indeed , another court recently allowed a defamation lawsuit to proceed at least to discovery , … ruling that actual malice has been properly pled when the defendants had published and then defamed the plaintiff as a felon , when he was only convicted of a misdemeanor .
Blankenship v. Napolitano et .
al , 2:19 -cv-00236 ( S.D .
Va. ) .
While this court ruled properly , this Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuses to deny Plaintiff his due process rights . ''
`` In short , while this Court has on occasion been critical of Plaintiff 's counsel in the past , the shoe must now candidly be worn on the other foot .
Plaintiff and his counsel thus respectfully request that this injustice be expeditiously corrected , as this Court has seriously erred in denying due process to Plaintiff Arpaio , for whatever apparently improper reason . ''
My brave client is now out of court , and only Judge Lamberth knows why he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leftist media cabal of CNN , Huffington Post and Rolling Stone to get off scot-free .
If this nation is to survive , we need federal judges who rule without regard to politics or social establishment convention , and have the courage to enforce the law as written , rather than their own desires .
Go to www.freedomwatchusa.org and sign up for and support our Leftist Media Strike Force .

It is a fact that federal judges are the biggest threat not just to our system of justice, but the nation's well-being as as whole. And, now a federal judge who I have always held up as the "best among the worst," the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has appeared to have sold out to the intellectual dishonesty running rampant on the federal bench.
This column will be the first installment in a series holding accountable federal judges who have subverted the interests of activist litigants and the American people by arrogantly putting their own political and other improper objectives ahead of the letter of the law. In reality accountable to no one, federal judges by and large have become the threat to freedom our great Founding Father and third President Thomas Jefferson predicted they would be. In his own words, here is what Jefferson foresaw:
"You seem to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men, and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. … Their power (is) the more dangerous as they are in office for life, and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots."
And so it was that heretofore my "favorite" federal judge sold out too, this time to the leftist media comprised of CNN, Huffington Post and Rolling Stone. All three of these publications, to stick it further to President Trump, defamed his greatest immigration-policy supporter, America's Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, by defaming him as a "convicted felon." By defaming Arpaio, of course, the leftist media were really seeking to further tar and feather the president.
Feeling that it was time someone take the leftist media to the woodshed, the sheriff and I brought suit. At the time and by the grace of God, we thought, the case, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., was randomly assigned to the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth. Finally, a jurist would have the will to put the leftist media in their proper place, by allowing it to go before a jury with the opportunity to have these vile news outlets pay huge damages.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
But, and to make the long and sordid story short, Judge Lamberth, for whatever improper reason, would not allow the case to go forward, even into discovery. He dismissed Arpaio's complaint, claiming that we did not plead that the leftist media had acted with actual malice, which means that they knew that Arpaio was not a convicted felon or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. This was simply false.
Indeed, at oral argument on the defendants' motion to dismiss, I reminded Judge Lamberth that these leftist media defendants covered Arpaio's conviction for a misdemeanor – for which he was even pardoned by the president – for allegedly violating a court order preventing ethnic profiling at day worker sites, the scene where illegal immigrants hang out, and thus knew that he was not a convicted felon. But if the judge wanted more specificity, then Arpaio and I could easily amend the complaint.
After inordinate delay in issuing his ruling, Lamberth issued a dismissal with prejudice, meaning that the case was over and that Arpaio would not be allowed to routinely plead with more specificity. To add serious insult to injury, by the time Judge Lamberth ruled, given all of his delay, the one-year statute of limitations on Arpaio's defamation claims had run.
In the course of the various court pleadings that followed, I asked Judge Lamberth to vacate this dismissal and allow my client to plead actual malice with more specificity, even though what had already been alleged was legally sufficient. In rapid fire, the judge refused.
Here are a few excerpts to my last legal filing to Judge Lamberth, which expresses not just my disappointment in him but speaks to him candidly about his intellectual dishonesty:
"(The court), showing its desire to get rid of Arpaio's claims by whatever means, ignoring Plaintiff Arpaio's alternative request … to properly allow Plaintiff Arpaio to amend with greater specificity, to avoid statute of limitations issues," created a "heads I win, tails you lose analysis, (and) Plaintiff Arpaio is now out of luck because the statute of limitations has run on defamation."
"In this regard, Plaintiff Arpaio and his counsel were hopeful that this Court would correct this error, intentional or otherwise. … Indeed, another court recently allowed a defamation lawsuit to proceed at least to discovery, … ruling that actual malice has been properly pled when the defendants had published and then defamed the plaintiff as a felon, when he was only convicted of a misdemeanor. Blankenship v. Napolitano et. al, 2:19 -cv-00236 (S.D. Va.). While this court ruled properly, this Court has conjured up factually and legally unsupportable excuses to deny Plaintiff his due process rights."
"In short, while this Court has on occasion been critical of Plaintiff's counsel in the past, the shoe must now candidly be worn on the other foot. Plaintiff and his counsel thus respectfully request that this injustice be expeditiously corrected, as this Court has seriously erred in denying due process to Plaintiff Arpaio, for whatever apparently improper reason."
My brave client is now out of court, and only Judge Lamberth knows why he subverted the rule of law and allowed the leftist media cabal of CNN, Huffington Post and Rolling Stone to get off scot-free.
If this nation is to survive, we need federal judges who rule without regard to politics or social establishment convention, and have the courage to enforce the law as written, rather than their own desires. Go to www.freedomwatchusa.org and sign up for and support our Leftist Media Strike Force.


wnd--2020-05-01--Hippie paradise lost, thanks to pandemic

I grew up watching the first `` Star Trek '' series and still hold a fondness for the actors in the original crew .
Despite the campiness of the 1960s plots , the series addressed some interesting issues .
Recently , I re-watched a 1969 episode entitled `` The Way to Eden '' in which the Enterprise rescues some space-age hippies searching for the quasi-mythical planet of Eden .
The hippies , determined to live in peace and harmony with nature , take over the Enterprise to locate Eden .
But when they land a shuttle on the planet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it is – is deadly , with all the vegetation so acidic that it burns their skin and kills anyone who eats the fruit .
Now keep this in mind as we turn our attention to a group of modern-day hippies who gathered from all over the world for their annual festival to celebrate peace and harmony with nature .
They call themselves the Tribal Gathering , and this year 's festival was held in a stunning beachside location in Panama .
According to their website , `` The north coast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Large swaths of exotic jungle sweep down to the coast .
The flora and fauna is amazing , monkeys , sloth , jaguar , cayman and a multitude of colorful birds .
A balmy 30 C° with a constant refreshing breeze .
Golden sandy beaches , majestic bays , rock pools and coral reefs , a river and a waterfall , making it the perfect location for Tribal Gathering .
The region has a rich cultural blend of local indigenous and Afro-Caribbean heritage .
People are lively and friendly .
And their traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
This truly is a paradise on earth . ''
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter The website continues with travel advice : `` Getting here is relatively simple .
Approximately three hours ' drive from Tocumen International Airport .
Buses are regular and cheap , or if you want it easier we provide a shuttle service to and from the site . ''
The Tribal Gathering website touts the superiority of indigenous cultures over Western culture ( `` Let 's put an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental and social balance '' ) and includes a quote from someone named Autumn Peltier : `` Kids all over the world have to pay for mistakes we did n't even make .
This is our future .
We 're the next leaders .
This is our future . ''
Now , however , it appears the hippies are having trouble in paradise .
After two weeks of utopia – swimming in tropical waters , dancing to drums , participating in psychedelic trances , building organic driftwood structures , massages , meditation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and soul ( while the local population provided them with food , water and toilet facilities ) – the festival participants learned they could n't go home due to pandemic travel restrictions , leaving dozens of international attendees stranded on the beach without food , cleaning products , or `` tobacco . ''
`` If you want to eat food here , you have to buy it , '' the horrified participants were told by an organizer , who added that those unable to afford to buy food would have the option of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stealing food would not be tolerated .
`` At first it was like paradise , '' said one man .
`` But when you are locked in , it is not paradise anymore . ''
Initially , participants did n't see much change .
They still had food and water , ice cream and fresh orange juice .
But then the military and police showed up and began regulating how people could leave .
Those caught sneaking out were forcibly returned to the beach , and their passports confiscated .
Eventually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then most flights out of the country had been canceled .
The self-created `` global community '' embraced by participants quickly fractured into distinct nationalities when it came clear that departure hinged on specific embassies .
Those left behind struggled with bad weather and major sewage issues .
Suddenly the participants wanted nothing more than to abandon the indigenous cultures and get home to their Western lifestyle , a lifestyle privileged leftists famously want to see extinct .
The fate of these hippies is simply a microcosm of larger issues .
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longed to impose draconian control on everyone else .
Apparently , it 's another matter entirely when such controls are forcibly imposed on them .
`` One does n't want to laugh too much at their misfortune , '' observed Paul Joseph Watson on Summit News , `` but dear God , this is funny . ''
The District Herald agreed .
`` While the situation is terrible , of course , it has also become extremely comical .
The hippies are now being forced to live in their theoretical utopia – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they imagined . ''
As frequently happens when `` woke '' people gather , there 's an underlying thread of condescension directed at the indigenous groups they claim to love ( `` Look at the quaint tribes and how they live in harmony with nature !
They can teach us ! ''
) .
But when push comes to shove and those quaint indigenous people go back to their quaint environments , the stranded hippies turn into elitists , demanding the locals do their bidding by providing supplies and transportation .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' people are actively engaged in what it takes to survive ( and to be fair , many are ) , their lifestyle is usually subsidized by the labors of others who provide them with organic free-trade arugula or whatever .
The utopia-seekers found out utopia works just great as long as someone else provides the essentials .
But now , they 're getting a taste of their own medicine when their elitism is stripped away – and they do n't like it .
This is the one thing hippies and other lib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their versions of utopia means they – the elite – are never the ones doing the nitty-gritty details like growing and transporting food , cleaning the latrines , or providing ice cream , fresh orange juice , cleaning products and tobacco .
Rather , the hippies just want to `` live for today '' without doing the work necessary to make that living possible .
If this COVID-19 pandemic has done nothing else , it has removed the left 's pretty glove of social justice and climate change to reveal the iron fist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us point out this is just a taste of things to come if progressives get their way .
The `` Star Trek '' hippies found that Eden was no paradise .
This is what the hippies in Panama have discovered as well .
Utopia is very acidic .
It burns the skin and eventually kills anyone who eats its fruit .
Patrice Lewis is pleased to announce the availability of the complete collection of 52 Country Living Series ebooklets , representing over 17 years of homesteading experience .
Subjects include preparedness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and more .
Click this link for details .

I grew up watching the first "Star Trek" series and still hold a fondness for the actors in the original crew. Despite the campiness of the 1960s plots, the series addressed some interesting issues.
Recently, I re-watched a 1969 episode entitled "The Way to Eden" in which the Enterprise rescues some space-age hippies searching for the quasi-mythical planet of Eden. The hippies, determined to live in peace and harmony with nature, take over the Enterprise to locate Eden. But when they land a shuttle on the planet, they find their paradise – as beautiful as it is – is deadly, with all the vegetation so acidic that it burns their skin and kills anyone who eats the fruit.
Now keep this in mind as we turn our attention to a group of modern-day hippies who gathered from all over the world for their annual festival to celebrate peace and harmony with nature. They call themselves the Tribal Gathering, and this year's festival was held in a stunning beachside location in Panama.
According to their website, "The north coast of Panama has a raw unexplored quality. Large swaths of exotic jungle sweep down to the coast. The flora and fauna is amazing, monkeys, sloth, jaguar, cayman and a multitude of colorful birds. A balmy 30 C° with a constant refreshing breeze. Golden sandy beaches, majestic bays, rock pools and coral reefs, a river and a waterfall, making it the perfect location for Tribal Gathering. The region has a rich cultural blend of local indigenous and Afro-Caribbean heritage. People are lively and friendly. And their traditional cuisines make for simple but delicious food! This truly is a paradise on earth."
(Paradise on earth. Remember that.)
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The website continues with travel advice: "Getting here is relatively simple. Approximately three hours' drive from Tocumen International Airport. Buses are regular and cheap, or if you want it easier we provide a shuttle service to and from the site."
The Tribal Gathering website touts the superiority of indigenous cultures over Western culture ("Let's put an end to injustice and work together to ensure environmental and social balance") and includes a quote from someone named Autumn Peltier: "Kids all over the world have to pay for mistakes we didn't even make. This is our future. We're the next leaders. This is our future."
(We're the next leaders. This is our future. Remember that.)
Now, however, it appears the hippies are having trouble in paradise. After two weeks of utopia – swimming in tropical waters, dancing to drums, participating in psychedelic trances, building organic driftwood structures, massages, meditation and otherwise "detoxifying" mind, body and soul (while the local population provided them with food, water and toilet facilities) – the festival participants learned they couldn't go home due to pandemic travel restrictions, leaving dozens of international attendees stranded on the beach without food, cleaning products, or "tobacco."
"If you want to eat food here, you have to buy it," the horrified participants were told by an organizer, who added that those unable to afford to buy food would have the option of performing manual labor in exchange for meals. Stealing food would not be tolerated.
"At first it was like paradise," said one man. "But when you are locked in, it is not paradise anymore."
Initially, participants didn't see much change. They still had food and water, ice cream and fresh orange juice. But then the military and police showed up and began regulating how people could leave. Those caught sneaking out were forcibly returned to the beach, and their passports confiscated. Eventually, the lockdown was lifted, but by then most flights out of the country had been canceled.
The self-created "global community" embraced by participants quickly fractured into distinct nationalities when it came clear that departure hinged on specific embassies. Those left behind struggled with bad weather and major sewage issues. Suddenly the participants wanted nothing more than to abandon the indigenous cultures and get home to their Western lifestyle, a lifestyle privileged leftists famously want to see extinct.
The fate of these hippies is simply a microcosm of larger issues. In one form or another, progressives have always longed to impose draconian control on everyone else. Apparently, it's another matter entirely when such controls are forcibly imposed on them.
"One doesn't want to laugh too much at their misfortune," observed Paul Joseph Watson on Summit News, "but dear God, this is funny."
The District Herald agreed. "While the situation is terrible, of course, it has also become extremely comical. The hippies are now being forced to live in their theoretical utopia – and they aren't having the amazing time that they imagined."
As frequently happens when "woke" people gather, there's an underlying thread of condescension directed at the indigenous groups they claim to love ("Look at the quaint tribes and how they live in harmony with nature! They can teach us!"). But when push comes to shove and those quaint indigenous people go back to their quaint environments, the stranded hippies turn into elitists, demanding the locals do their bidding by providing supplies and transportation.
What this demonstrates is that unless "woke" people are actively engaged in what it takes to survive (and to be fair, many are), their lifestyle is usually subsidized by the labors of others who provide them with organic free-trade arugula or whatever. The utopia-seekers found out utopia works just great as long as someone else provides the essentials. But now, they're getting a taste of their own medicine when their elitism is stripped away – and they don't like it.
This is the one thing hippies and other lib types can't seem to grasp. Their versions of utopia means they – the elite – are never the ones doing the nitty-gritty details like growing and transporting food, cleaning the latrines, or providing ice cream, fresh orange juice, cleaning products and tobacco. Rather, the hippies just want to "live for today" without doing the work necessary to make that living possible.
If this COVID-19 pandemic has done nothing else, it has removed the left's pretty glove of social justice and climate change to reveal the iron fist of tyranny beneath, while the rest of us point out this is just a taste of things to come if progressives get their way.
The "Star Trek" hippies found that Eden was no paradise. This is what the hippies in Panama have discovered as well. Utopia is very acidic. It burns the skin and eventually kills anyone who eats its fruit.
Patrice Lewis is pleased to announce the availability of the complete collection of 52 Country Living Series ebooklets, representing over 17 years of homesteading experience. Subjects include preparedness, frugality, rural skills, food preservation, and more. Click this link for details.


wnd--2020-05-01--WHO lauds lockdown-ignoring Sweden as a 'model' for countries going forward

( NEW YORK POST ) The World Health Organization lauded Sweden as a “ model ” for battling the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ after the nation controversially refused restrictions .
Dr. Mike Ryan , the WHO ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday there are “ lessons to be learned ” from the Scandinavian nation , which @ @ @ @ @ to self-regulate .
“ I think there ’ s a perception out that Sweden has @ @ @ @ @ and just has allowed the disease to spread , ” Ryan told reporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ the truth.
” Ryan noted that instead of lockdowns , the country has “ put @ @ @ @ @ public policy around social distancing , around caring and protecting people in long-term care facilities @ @

(NEW YORK POST) The World Health Organization lauded Sweden as a “model” for battling the coronavirus as countries lift lockdowns — after the nation controversially refused restrictions.
Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergencies expert, said Wednesday there are “lessons to be learned” from the Scandinavian nation, which has largely relied on citizens to self-regulate.
“I think there’s a perception out that Sweden has not put in control measures and just has allowed the disease to spread,” Ryan told reporters. “Nothing can be further from the truth.”
Ryan noted that instead of lockdowns, the country has “put in place a very strong public policy around social distancing, around caring and protecting people in long-term care facilities.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-01--How about keeping Sabbath on Tuesday?

How about keeping Sabbath on Tuesday?

Editor ’ s note : Following is a Bible study video presented by Elizabeth Farah , co-founder and chief operating @ @ @ @ @ of CEO and co-founder Joseph Farah .
You can subscribe to Elizabeth Farah ’ s @ @ @ @

Editor’s note: Following is a Bible study video presented by Elizabeth Farah, co-founder and chief operating officer of WND and wife of CEO and co-founder Joseph Farah. You can subscribe to Elizabeth Farah’s YouTube channel here.


wnd--2020-05-01--Lay off the Swedes, Mr. President!

Lay off the Swedes, Mr. President!

Not since Viking marauders terrorized the coasts and waterways of Europe in the Middle Ages has Sweden attracted so much international condemnation .
The reason is simple : The Swedes have had the temerity to buck the Western world 's consensus on the need for strict lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
What cheek !
President Trump joined the fray on Twitter , declaring : “ Despite reports to the contrary , Sweden is paying heavily for its decision not to lockdown .
As of today , 2462 people have died there , a much higher number than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Finland ( 206 ) or Denmark ( 443 ) .
The United States made the correct decision !
” For a variety of reasons , the president 's tweet was misguided , and we conservatives should not hesitate to say so .
For one thing , Sweden has a larger population than any of the other Nordic countries , so comparing raw numbers of the coronavirus dead does n't give an accurate picture of these nations ' relative success in stemming pandemic-related mortality .
When we consider that every country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concealing ) coronavirus deaths , these raw numbers become even less reliable as benchmarks .
President Trump could have pointed to population-adjusted mortality rates , however , which do indicate that Sweden is suffering more coronavirus-related deaths , proportionally speaking , than other Scandinavian countries .
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter RealClearPolitics reports that , as of April 30 , Sweden had a rate of deaths per 1 million in population of 253.9 .
That 's worse than the U.S. at 193.4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but far better than a variety of countries with much stricter lockdowns in place , such as the U.K. ( 402.6 ) , Italy ( 462.8 ) , Spain ( 525.3 ) and Belgium ( 664.9 ) .
What can one conclude from this data ?
Very little , since there 's no clear correlation between the rigidity of a country 's lockdown measures and its susceptibility to COVID-19 deaths .
The truth is that there are many factors affecting pandemic mortality , so even a comparison of death rates only gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also missing is the fact that Sweden 's less stringent approach to imposing social distancing was never designed to prevent all coronavirus deaths , or even to achieve a lower death rate than other countries might have .
It was designed to minimize mortality and protect the most vulnerable , while at the same time requiring realistic , sustainable sacrifices from the general population – sacrifices that would not bankrupt private businesses , wreck the economy , paralyze the health care system , or ruin lives and split apart friends and family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was meant to be a proportional , rational response to a virus that Swedish epidemiologists and public health authorities predicted ( rightly ! )
would not be as deadly as some models suggested .
Did Sweden get it right , or did Sweden get it wrong ?
The truth is that , despite President Trump 's tweet , we do n't know , and we probably wo n't know for months or even years .
That 's because we ca n't say with any certainty how this pandemic will affect overall death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West .
We do n't know , for instance , if Sweden 's relatively high mortality rate now will be balanced by lower rates later .
That might be the case , because a side-effect of the Swedish strategy might be the achievement relatively soon of a degree of herd immunity to COVID-19 .
If that supposition turns out to be true , then theoretically , this fall the disease could make a comeback in the United States and elsewhere , killing thousands , tens of thousands , hundreds of thousands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture .
Meanwhile , the cantankerous Swedes would be immune .
Few would die there .
In short , those who pass judgment on the Swedes now do so at their own peril .
The Swedish pandemic gambit has already paid some dividends , while still arguably exposing the Swedish population to higher than necessary mortality in the short run .
In the long run , who knows ?
Maybe the Swedes will have the last laugh .
Of course , as we all know , that 's a contradiction in terms : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , go out to eat and enjoy an occasional beer at a sidewalk cafe .
That , in itself , makes them remarkably brave , in this day and age .

Not since Viking marauders terrorized the coasts and waterways of Europe in the Middle Ages has Sweden attracted so much international condemnation. The reason is simple: The Swedes have had the temerity to buck the Western world's consensus on the need for strict lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. What cheek!
President Trump joined the fray on Twitter, declaring: “Despite reports to the contrary, Sweden is paying heavily for its decision not to lockdown. As of today, 2462 people have died there, a much higher number than the neighboring countries of Norway (207), Finland (206) or Denmark (443). The United States made the correct decision!”
For a variety of reasons, the president's tweet was misguided, and we conservatives should not hesitate to say so.
For one thing, Sweden has a larger population than any of the other Nordic countries, so comparing raw numbers of the coronavirus dead doesn't give an accurate picture of these nations' relative success in stemming pandemic-related mortality. When we consider that every country has its own methodology for reporting (or concealing) coronavirus deaths, these raw numbers become even less reliable as benchmarks.
President Trump could have pointed to population-adjusted mortality rates, however, which do indicate that Sweden is suffering more coronavirus-related deaths, proportionally speaking, than other Scandinavian countries.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
RealClearPolitics reports that, as of April 30, Sweden had a rate of deaths per 1 million in population of 253.9. That's worse than the U.S. at 193.4, and much worse than Germany at 79.1, but far better than a variety of countries with much stricter lockdowns in place, such as the U.K. (402.6), Italy (462.8), Spain (525.3) and Belgium (664.9).
What can one conclude from this data? Very little, since there's no clear correlation between the rigidity of a country's lockdown measures and its susceptibility to COVID-19 deaths. The truth is that there are many factors affecting pandemic mortality, so even a comparison of death rates only gets us so far.
What President Trump is also missing is the fact that Sweden's less stringent approach to imposing social distancing was never designed to prevent all coronavirus deaths, or even to achieve a lower death rate than other countries might have. It was designed to minimize mortality and protect the most vulnerable, while at the same time requiring realistic, sustainable sacrifices from the general population – sacrifices that would not bankrupt private businesses, wreck the economy, paralyze the health care system, or ruin lives and split apart friends and family. Sweden's model, in short, was meant to be a proportional, rational response to a virus that Swedish epidemiologists and public health authorities predicted (rightly!) would not be as deadly as some models suggested.
Did Sweden get it right, or did Sweden get it wrong? The truth is that, despite President Trump's tweet, we don't know, and we probably won't know for months or even years.
That's because we can't say with any certainty how this pandemic will affect overall death rates both in Sweden and elsewhere in the West. We don't know, for instance, if Sweden's relatively high mortality rate now will be balanced by lower rates later. That might be the case, because a side-effect of the Swedish strategy might be the achievement relatively soon of a degree of herd immunity to COVID-19. If that supposition turns out to be true, then theoretically, this fall the disease could make a comeback in the United States and elsewhere, killing thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or … well, you get the picture. Meanwhile, the cantankerous Swedes would be immune. Few would die there.
In short, those who pass judgment on the Swedes now do so at their own peril. The Swedish pandemic gambit has already paid some dividends, while still arguably exposing the Swedish population to higher than necessary mortality in the short run. In the long run, who knows? Maybe the Swedes will have the last laugh.
Of course, as we all know, that's a contradiction in terms: Swedes don't laugh. They do, however, go out to eat and enjoy an occasional beer at a sidewalk cafe.
That, in itself, makes them remarkably brave, in this day and age.


wnd--2020-05-01--Our wussy immune systems – maybe skip the hand sanitizer

In the movie `` The War of the Worlds '' – the good one , I mean , the original – aliens , as is apparently their constant desire , attacked planet Earth on a global scale .
So , what 's so special about Earth ?
I guess it 's just better than all the other inhabited planets , because , you know , we keep getting attacked .
Anyway , these aliens , with their superior technology , were making quick work of our destruction .
Then all of a sudden , when on the verge of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began falling from the sky .
In the end , it was n't our firepower , nuclear weapons or tactics that did them in .
It was a simple Earth-born virus .
TRENDING : Watch Biden lapse into utter nonsense when pressed on China and son Hunter This may seem farfetched , but it 's not .
Our own world history is rife with accounts of simple viruses virtually wiping out entire civilizations .
Western explorers , settlers and , yes , conquerors brought with them to new worlds viruses and bacteria that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which their immune systems were incapable of handling .
Now fast-forward to today , and this is the same type of society we have been constructing for a century or more .
Allow me to explain by humanizing our immune system , for want of a better term .
Who is more likely to be successful ?
The individual who never goes out ?
The one who just stays home , sheltered from the world ?
The one who does n't participate in life , who never challenges him or herself ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets out in the world , who pushes him or herself and demands more of his or her mind and body ?
Who will become stronger and who will succumb to failure ?
There are a number of `` old sayings '' along this line : Use it lose it ; practice makes perfect ; and , of course , only the strong survive .
Although it most often refers to something sports or physical-activity related , this is sage advice for practically everything in life .
Brain games strengthen the mind as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you do n't challenge yourself – push your body and mind – you will never improve , never grow stronger .
And the same can be said of the body 's immune system .
Over centuries , human immune systems have adapted to overcome many threats .
However , we appear to have reversed this trend .
The New York Times wrote , in March of 2019 : `` Your Environment Is Cleaner .
Your Immune System Has Never Been So Unprepared .
A century ago , British scientists suggested a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first hint that our immune systems are becoming improperly 'trained . '
'' The author quotes Dr. Meg Lemon , who practices medicine in Denver , Colorado , treating people with allergies and autoimmune disorders .
She says throw out the antibacterial soap , stop using hand sanitizer , allow your children to pick their noses , possibly even eat dirt and , `` if you drop food on the floor , pick it up and eat it . ''
It may sound gross , but she 's referring to `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it does n't have regular interactions with the natural world . ''
She also stresses that we are taking far too many antibiotics .
What she is describing is the Hygiene Hypothesis .
Basically , it is a warning to modern-day society that we 've been going about this whole cleanliness thing all wrong – that the more we sanitize our environments , the weaker and more ill-prepared our own immune systems become .
And our progress ( or decline ) has been tracked .
`` In the early to mid 1900s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased by 44 percent , '' coinciding with `` major improvements in water supply , refuse disposal and sewage systems . ''
This is n't a bad thing , but it was just the start .
Then , `` in the 1960s and 1970s … antibiotics and vaccines were understood to be the answer to infectious agents , with less emphasis on 'personal responsibility . '
'' `` Starting in the late 1980s , the market for such hygiene products – home and personal – surged 81 percent . ''
And now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill 99.9 percent of bacteria , bathing in sanitizer and being prescribed antibiotics for every run-of-the-mill ailment .
We have all but ceased to challenge our immune systems and if we continue this sanitization craze we 're on , we 'll end up like the aliens in `` The War of the Worlds . ''
Do n't get me wrong .
Sanitation is a good thing , but too much of a good thing is never a good thing .
Listen to an audio version of this column :

In the movie "The War of the Worlds" – the good one, I mean, the original – aliens, as is apparently their constant desire, attacked planet Earth on a global scale.
So, what's so special about Earth? I guess it's just better than all the other inhabited planets, because, you know, we keep getting attacked.
Anyway, these aliens, with their superior technology, were making quick work of our destruction.
Then all of a sudden, when on the verge of our annihilation, the alien ships inexplicably just began falling from the sky.
In the end, it wasn't our firepower, nuclear weapons or tactics that did them in. It was a simple Earth-born virus.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
This may seem farfetched, but it's not. Our own world history is rife with accounts of simple viruses virtually wiping out entire civilizations.
Western explorers, settlers and, yes, conquerors brought with them to new worlds viruses and bacteria that were utterly foreign to other peoples and which their immune systems were incapable of handling.
Now fast-forward to today, and this is the same type of society we have been constructing for a century or more.
Allow me to explain by humanizing our immune system, for want of a better term.
Who is more likely to be successful?
The individual who never goes out? The one who just stays home, sheltered from the world? The one who doesn't participate in life, who never challenges him or herself?
Or is it more likely the one who gets out in the world, who pushes him or herself and demands more of his or her mind and body?
Who will become stronger and who will succumb to failure?
There are a number of "old sayings" along this line: Use it lose it; practice makes perfect; and, of course, only the strong survive.
Although it most often refers to something sports or physical-activity related, this is sage advice for practically everything in life. Brain games strengthen the mind as much as exercise strengthens the body.
If you don't challenge yourself – push your body and mind – you will never improve, never grow stronger.
And the same can be said of the body's immune system. Over centuries, human immune systems have adapted to overcome many threats. However, we appear to have reversed this trend.
The New York Times wrote, in March of 2019: "Your Environment Is Cleaner. Your Immune System Has Never Been So Unprepared. A century ago, British scientists suggested a link between increased hygiene and allergic conditions – the first hint that our immune systems are becoming improperly 'trained.'"
The author quotes Dr. Meg Lemon, who practices medicine in Denver, Colorado, treating people with allergies and autoimmune disorders. She says throw out the antibacterial soap, stop using hand sanitizer, allow your children to pick their noses, possibly even eat dirt and, "if you drop food on the floor, pick it up and eat it."
It may sound gross, but she's referring to "the fact our immune system can become disrupted if it doesn't have regular interactions with the natural world."
She also stresses that we are taking far too many antibiotics.
What she is describing is the Hygiene Hypothesis.
Basically, it is a warning to modern-day society that we've been going about this whole cleanliness thing all wrong – that the more we sanitize our environments, the weaker and more ill-prepared our own immune systems become.
And our progress (or decline) has been tracked.
"In the early to mid 1900s, soap manufacturing in the United States increased by 44 percent," coinciding with "major improvements in water supply, refuse disposal and sewage systems."
This isn't a bad thing, but it was just the start.
Then, "in the 1960s and 1970s … antibiotics and vaccines were understood to be the answer to infectious agents, with less emphasis on 'personal responsibility.'"
"Starting in the late 1980s, the market for such hygiene products – home and personal – surged 81 percent."
And now we are awash in antibacterial soaps, which kill 99.9 percent of bacteria, bathing in sanitizer and being prescribed antibiotics for every run-of-the-mill ailment.
We have all but ceased to challenge our immune systems and if we continue this sanitization craze we're on, we'll end up like the aliens in "The War of the Worlds."
Don't get me wrong. Sanitation is a good thing, but too much of a good thing is never a good thing.
Listen to an audio version of this column:


wnd--2020-05-03--Asia's 'murder hornet' lands in U.S. for 1st time

( FOX NEWS ) Beekeepers are fretting about a deadly threat from Asia .
Deadly hornets from Asia that measure @ @ @ @ @ have been found for the first time in the U.S. , with researchers worried that @ @ @ @ @ the New York Post reported Saturday .
The “ murder hornets , ” as the @ @ @ @ @ can wipe out bee colonies within hours and have stingers long and powerful enough to @ @ @ @ @ to the paper .
In Japan , the hornets kill up to 50 people a @ @ @ @ @ New York Times .

(FOX NEWS) Beekeepers are fretting about a deadly threat from Asia.
Deadly hornets from Asia that measure up to 2 inches long have been found for the first time in the U.S., with researchers worried that the insects are colonizing, the New York Post reported Saturday.
The “murder hornets,” as the aggressive insects are known, can wipe out bee colonies within hours and have stingers long and powerful enough to puncture beekeeping suits, according to the paper.
In Japan, the hornets kill up to 50 people a year, according to The New York Times.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-03--Army chaplain under fire for sharing John Piper's book 'Coronavirus and Christ'

( CHRISTIAN POST ) Twenty-two military chaplains are calling on a senior army chaplain to be disciplined and possibly court-martialed @ @ @ @ @ chaplains an email containing a copy of John Piper ’ s new e-book , Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Defense Mark Esper is being urged by a national legal organization to punish Senior Chaplain @ @ @ @ @ , the command chaplain of U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea , the largest @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
In a letter sent this week , the Military Religious Freedom @ @ @ @ @ an email using his official military email address to 35 other chaplains on Wednesday containing @ @ @ @ @ copy of Piper ’ s new e-book Coronavirus and Christ .

(CHRISTIAN POST) Twenty-two military chaplains are calling on a senior army chaplain to be disciplined and possibly court-martialed for sending nearly three-dozen other chaplains an email containing a copy of John Piper’s new e-book, Coronavirus and Christ.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is being urged by a national legal organization to punish Senior Chaplain Col. Moon H. Kim, the command chaplain of U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea, the largest U.S. military installation outside of the United States.
In a letter sent this week, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said Kim sent out an email using his official military email address to 35 other chaplains on Wednesday containing an “unsolicited” PDF copy of Piper’s new e-book Coronavirus and Christ.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-03--The Sea of Galilee is full, but the beaches are empty

( ASSOCIATED PRESS ) After an especially rainy winter , the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel is at its @ @ @ @ @ , but the beaches and major Christian sites along its banks are empty .
Tourism @ @ @ @ @ when Christians flock to the holy sites during the Easter season and Israelis descend on @ @ @ @ @ parks to enjoy the spring weather and see the wildflowers bloom .
This year , @ @ @ @ @ aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus .
The borders have been closed and @ @ @ @ @ to their homes since mid-March .

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) After an especially rainy winter, the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel is at its highest level in two decades, but the beaches and major Christian sites along its banks are empty.
Tourism usually peaks in April, when Christians flock to the holy sites during the Easter season and Israelis descend on the beaches and nearby national parks to enjoy the spring weather and see the wildflowers bloom.
This year, that coincided with a lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The borders have been closed and Israelis have been largely confined to their homes since mid-March.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-03--Federal appeals court grants Kentucky church injunction to hold drive-in services

( WDRB ) A federal appeals court in Cincinnati has granted a Bullitt County church and its pastor an emergency @ @ @ @ @ congregation to hold drive-in services .
The ruling by the United States Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear and `` all other Commonwealth officials '' from `` enforcing @ @ @ @ @ the Maryville Baptist Church if the church , its ministers , and its congregants adhere @ @ @ @ @ mandated for 'life-sustaining ' entities . ''
The ruling does not apply to in-person services @ @ @ @ @ Beshear 's office , says the court 's decision supports what the governor has said @ @ @

(WDRB) A federal appeals court in Cincinnati has granted a Bullitt County church and its pastor an emergency injunction that will allow the congregation to hold drive-in services.
The ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit prohibits Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and "all other Commonwealth officials" from "enforcing orders prohibiting drive-in services at the Maryville Baptist Church if the church, its ministers, and its congregants adhere to the public health requirements mandated for 'life-sustaining' entities."
The ruling does not apply to in-person services, and a statement from Beshear's office, says the court's decision supports what the governor has said all along.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-03--California cities taking legal action against Gov. Newsom over his beach closure order

Two California cities are fighting back after Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered all Orange County beaches closed .
Huntington Beach and Dana Point on Thursday both authorized legal action to battle the order issued by Newsom , which came in response to the sight of thousands of people enjoying Orange County 's beaches last weekend , according to Fox News .
Newsom had objected after images of the crowds showed that many had thrown social distancing guidelines to the winds .
“ The City of Dana Point intends to get an injunction that challenges Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , ” Dana Point City Attorney Patrick Muñoz said , according to the Dana Point Times .
“ It would be a temporary restraining order on the beach closures.
” Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta said beaches in that city will close until it gets an injunction that would suspend Newsom 's order , according to KTLA .
“ We ’ re very concerned about if we happen to be the only Orange County beach open at that point , ” she said .
“ That would be very difficult on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure made no sense .
`` Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing , and given that Orange County has among the lowest per capita COVID-19 death rates in California , the state 's action today seems to prioritize politics over data , '' she said in a statement .
On Friday , Judge Nathan Scott of the Orange County Superior Court denied both cities ' requests for a temporary restraining order .
`` In denying the TRO , the Court commented that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider the very serious issues presented , it felt compelled to defer to the State ’ s concerns about public health , '' the city of Dana Point said in a statement .
`` The request for a further hearing on a preliminary injunction was granted by the court , and will occur on May 11 , 2020 at 2 pm . ''
However , the city said it hopes further legal action will be unnecessary .
`` During the court hearing , staff received a request from the State to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen beaches in Orange County , '' the statement said .
`` As a result of that call , a plan to reopen beaches has been developed and will be submitted to the State over the weekend .
The City is hopeful the plan will satisfy the State , making further court action unnecessary . ''
The Newport Beach City Council , meanwhile , was set to meet this weekend to consider its legal options .
County Supervisor Michelle Steel called the closure an “ arbitrary ” form of retribution .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practicing safe social distancing , not punishing them by closing down only Orange County beaches and this is not acceptable , ” she said .
“ I will be looking into the right response to the governor ’ s overreaction and abuse of power.
” Steel said Newsom was misled by photos from the weekend that distorted what was actually taking place .
“ The major point of contention that has lead to this situation are a few misleading pictures … taken at the particular angle which made it look as if beachgoers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes does not plan to spend the weekend arresting violators .
“ My intent … is to seek voluntary compliance , ” Barnes said .
“ I have no desire to enforce … through arrest.
” In a statement released on Twitter , Barnes said the closure was “ wrong and fails to recognize the sacrifices made by our 3 million residents.
” “ The people of this County have complied with [ Newsom 's ] directives throughout this pandemic and have taken the measures necessary to ‘ flatten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expense of their livelihood and quality of life , ” Barnes said .
“ I implore the governor to reconsider his action and work with local authorities , allowing us to address the few while not penalizing the majority . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Two California cities are fighting back after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Orange County beaches closed.
Huntington Beach and Dana Point on Thursday both authorized legal action to battle the order issued by Newsom, which came in response to the sight of thousands of people enjoying Orange County's beaches last weekend, according to Fox News. Newsom had objected after images of the crowds showed that many had thrown social distancing guidelines to the winds.
“The City of Dana Point intends to get an injunction that challenges Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close all beaches in Orange County,” Dana Point City Attorney Patrick Muñoz said, according to the Dana Point Times. “It would be a temporary restraining order on the beach closures.”
Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta said beaches in that city will close until it gets an injunction that would suspend Newsom's order, according to KTLA.
“We’re very concerned about if we happen to be the only Orange County beach open at that point,” she said. “That would be very difficult on our marine safety officers.”
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Semeta said the closure made no sense.
"Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing, and given that Orange County has among the lowest per capita COVID-19 death rates in California, the state's action today seems to prioritize politics over data," she said in a statement.
On Friday, Judge Nathan Scott of the Orange County Superior Court denied both cities' requests for a temporary restraining order.
"In denying the TRO, the Court commented that based on the limited time it had to consider the very serious issues presented, it felt compelled to defer to the State’s concerns about public health," the city of Dana Point said in a statement.
"The request for a further hearing on a preliminary injunction was granted by the court, and will occur on May 11, 2020 at 2 pm."
However, the city said it hopes further legal action will be unnecessary.
"During the court hearing, staff received a request from the State to participate in a call to develop a plan to reopen beaches in Orange County," the statement said.
"As a result of that call, a plan to reopen beaches has been developed and will be submitted to the State over the weekend. The City is hopeful the plan will satisfy the State, making further court action unnecessary."
The Newport Beach City Council, meanwhile, was set to meet this weekend to consider its legal options.
Orange County officials have condemned Newsom's actions.
County Supervisor Michelle Steel called the closure an “arbitrary” form of retribution.
“We should be rewarding our communities for practicing safe social distancing, not punishing them by closing down only Orange County beaches and this is not acceptable,” she said. “I will be looking into the right response to the governor’s overreaction and abuse of power.”
Steel said Newsom was misled by photos from the weekend that distorted what was actually taking place.
Seeking relief from a heat wave, thousands of people crowded beaches in Southern California this weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite a statewide stay-at-home order implemented by the governor last month. https://t.co/H68PjgJoqw — CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2020
“The major point of contention that has lead to this situation are a few misleading pictures … taken at the particular angle which made it look as if beachgoers were crowding,” Steel said.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes does not plan to spend the weekend arresting violators.
“My intent … is to seek voluntary compliance,” Barnes said. “I have no desire to enforce … through arrest.”
Please see my statement regarding the Governor's closure of Orange County's beaches: pic.twitter.com/8sJHW4aWLE — OC Sheriff Don Barnes (@OCSheriffBarnes) May 1, 2020
In a statement released on Twitter, Barnes said the closure was “wrong and fails to recognize the sacrifices made by our 3 million residents.”
“The people of this County have complied with [Newsom's] directives throughout this pandemic and have taken the measures necessary to ‘flatten the curve,’ oftentimes at the expense of their livelihood and quality of life,” Barnes said. “I implore the governor to reconsider his action and work with local authorities, allowing us to address the few while not penalizing the majority."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-05-03--Schiff appears to blame senators who acquitted Trump for 50K virus deaths

Remember how we were all supposed to be in this coronavirus thing together ?
Do n't tell that to the denizens of Congress , who are still busy blaming each other for not caring enough about the novel coronavirus .
Well , at least some of us do n't imply that the senators who refused to convict President Donald Trump of the not-crimes he was impeached for have the blood of 50,000 people on their hands .
Thank goodness for Adam Schiff , a man who tells it like it is n't .
Schiff was the Democrats ' point man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress in the most debased sort of way , conducting an `` inquiry '' in the same way that show trials are inquiries .
He and other Democrats then insisted the Senate actually take this whole thing very seriously and , when they refused to play by those rules , pitched a fit .
Schiff was the lead impeachment manager during the trial , distinguishing himself only by how boring he was .
We all have more weighty things to worry about now and I 'm more than willing to stay away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any impact on coronavirus planning .
Heaven knows relitigating one of the more thoroughly useless political pageants of recent decades is n't going to manufacture a single ventilator or piece of PPE , so let 's just pull an Elsa and let it go .
Schiff apparently is n't big on `` Frozen , '' however , because he appears to be blaming the senators who did n't vote to remove the president for 50,000 virus deaths .
The House Intelligence Committee chairman was on MSNBC with Chris Hayes last week , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to come .
Schiff said he was haunted by the trial because if we 'd removed Trump in February we could have forestalled COVID-19 in ... February .
Schiff talked about the point `` where we knew we had to answer the question to the senators : 'OK , essentially , House managers , you ’ ve proved him guilty , does he really need to be removed after all ? '
'' He was apparently not involved in the same trial he thought he was involved in , or else his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks back on those days and says to himself , `` Boy , Adam , old chap , when you 're on , you 're on . ''
I ca n't picture either reassuring Democrats about him being one of the most powerful individuals in the party .
But he continued : After all , there was an election in a few months , which raised a question he thought senators were asking themselves : `` How much damage could [ Trump ] really do ? ''
`` And we posed that question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by saying that he could do an awful lot of damage -- but frankly , Chris , I don ’ t think we had any idea how much damage he would go on to do in the months ahead , '' Schiff said .
All together now : How much damage could he do ?
`` There are 50,000 Americans now who are dead , in significant part because of his incompetence , because of his inability to think beyond himself and put the country first , '' Schiff said , apparently without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think we would have ever anticipated that his brand of narcissism and his brand of incompetence , sometimes his brand of malevolence , would be so fatal to the American people . ''
Oh , but wait , this gets -- well , it ca n't really get worse from there , but it 's still bad .
Schiff went on to talk about Trump 's feud with governors who were attacking him , `` that really were n't saying things about him that he could then turn into campaign commercials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profound and disturbing echo of what he tried to do with Ukraine , '' Schiff said .
That 's accurate , if perhaps not for the reason Schiff thinks : Both of these things have been blown wildly out of proportion by Democrats to score political points .
If you like finding dark humor in this sort of thing , check out Chris Hayes ' look when he reappears on camera .
His head is cocked to the side , bulldog frown plastered on his face .
It 's the kind of face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe Schiff is being serious when he blames Trump for 50,000 deaths because Mike Pence is n't president right now .
How this would have changed anything is beyond me .
Pence is leading the coronavirus task force , so clearly there 's not a whole lot of difference here .
Or maybe Hayes lives in that strange dreamworld where Nancy Pelosi would have been president if both Trump and Pence were impeached .
( You know , the legislator who delayed the coronavirus relief bill by offering her own riotous alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved any of those who died of coronavirus , and Schiff 's response is a massively fatuous one , even by the standards of Adam Schiff .
As Hayes tried to say something near the end of the clip , Schiff interrupted with the perfect coda : `` A man with no moral compass will never find his way . ''
I do n't know , one seems to found his way onto `` All In with Chris Hayes . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Remember how we were all supposed to be in this coronavirus thing together? Don't tell that to the denizens of Congress, who are still busy blaming each other for not caring enough about the novel coronavirus.
Well, at least some of us don't imply that the senators who refused to convict President Donald Trump of the not-crimes he was impeached for have the blood of 50,000 people on their hands.
Thank goodness for Adam Schiff, a man who tells it like it isn't.
Schiff was the Democrats' point man for fast-tracking the president's impeachment through Congress in the most debased sort of way, conducting an "inquiry" in the same way that show trials are inquiries.
He and other Democrats then insisted the Senate actually take this whole thing very seriously and, when they refused to play by those rules, pitched a fit. Schiff was the lead impeachment manager during the trial, distinguishing himself only by how boring he was.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
We all have more weighty things to worry about now and I'm more than willing to stay away from the argument that the impeachment spectacle had any impact on coronavirus planning.
Heaven knows relitigating one of the more thoroughly useless political pageants of recent decades isn't going to manufacture a single ventilator or piece of PPE, so let's just pull an Elsa and let it go.
Schiff apparently isn't big on "Frozen," however, because he appears to be blaming the senators who didn't vote to remove the president for 50,000 virus deaths.
The House Intelligence Committee chairman was on MSNBC with Chris Hayes last week, which is so seldom a good sign of things to come. Schiff said he was haunted by the trial because if we'd removed Trump in February we could have forestalled COVID-19 in ... February.
Schiff talked about the point "where we knew we had to answer the question to the senators: 'OK, essentially, House managers, you’ve proved him guilty, does he really need to be removed after all?'"
He was apparently not involved in the same trial he thought he was involved in, or else his self-regard is so great that he still looks back on those days and says to himself, "Boy, Adam, old chap, when you're on, you're on." I can't picture either reassuring Democrats about him being one of the most powerful individuals in the party.
But he continued: After all, there was an election in a few months, which raised a question he thought senators were asking themselves: "How much damage could [Trump] really do?"
"And we posed that question to the Senate and we answered it by saying that he could do an awful lot of damage -- but frankly, Chris, I don’t think we had any idea how much damage he would go on to do in the months ahead," Schiff said.
All together now: How much damage could he do?
"There are 50,000 Americans now who are dead, in significant part because of his incompetence, because of his inability to think beyond himself and put the country first," Schiff said, apparently without irony or self-awareness. "I don’t think we would have ever anticipated that his brand of narcissism and his brand of incompetence, sometimes his brand of malevolence, would be so fatal to the American people."
Oh, but wait, this gets -- well, it can't really get worse from there, but it's still bad. Schiff went on to talk about Trump's feud with governors who were attacking him, "that really weren't saying things about him that he could then turn into campaign commercials."
"That was such a profound and disturbing echo of what he tried to do with Ukraine," Schiff said.
.@RepAdamSchiff suggests “50,000 Americans” are dead because Trump wasn’t impeached Republicans said “How much damage could he really do? ... I don’t think we had any idea how much damage he would go on to do ... There are 50,000 Americans now who are dead” pic.twitter.com/QGH941MSlk — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) April 25, 2020
That's accurate, if perhaps not for the reason Schiff thinks: Both of these things have been blown wildly out of proportion by Democrats to score political points.
If you like finding dark humor in this sort of thing, check out Chris Hayes' look when he reappears on camera. His head is cocked to the side, bulldog frown plastered on his face. It's the kind of face a man makes when he desperately wants to believe Schiff is being serious when he blames Trump for 50,000 deaths because Mike Pence isn't president right now.
How this would have changed anything is beyond me.
Pence is leading the coronavirus task force, so clearly there's not a whole lot of difference here. Or maybe Hayes lives in that strange dreamworld where Nancy Pelosi would have been president if both Trump and Pence were impeached. (You know, the legislator who delayed the coronavirus relief bill by offering her own riotous alternative.)
None of this would have saved any of those who died of coronavirus, and Schiff's response is a massively fatuous one, even by the standards of Adam Schiff.
As Hayes tried to say something near the end of the clip, Schiff interrupted with the perfect coda: "A man with no moral compass will never find his way."
I don't know, one seems to found his way onto "All In with Chris Hayes."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.