wnd--2020-11-21--2 companies challenge rule giving unions access to private property

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a California law that gives union organizers the right to invade private property and disrupt the operations of fruit processing companies , as many as 120 days a year .
It 's a law the Pacific Legal Foundation explains is a `` hold-over from the days when farm workers had little access to media or other means of communications and often lived on their employers ' property during busy times of the season . ''
They needed , it was thought then , to have access to information about how they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , currently seasonal workers stay at nearby hotels and `` most workers have access to hundreds of Spanish-speaking radio stations and other media outlets , cell phones and smartphones , and the internet . ''
The case was brought by Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Company .
They produce fruit for millions of Americans and together employ some 3,000 workers .
`` In 2015 , the United Farm Workers viewed the workers as ripe for the picking and sent union organizers to storm the workplaces during harvest time to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners have a right to exclude trespassers , the state 's Union Access Regulation takes an easement that allows these union organizers to enter a business 's private property three hours a day , 120 days a year , '' PLF said .
Now the businesses are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate California 's regulation and affirm that government ca n't allow unions to invade private property and disrupt commercial operations without paying compensation for a property taking , the legal team explained .
The argument is that unions have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupt commercial operations , and property owners have a fundamental right to exclude trespassers .
The dispute erupted into open confrontation in 2015 during Northern California 's frenetic harvest season when Cedar Point was at full staff .
`` Five hundred employees were hard at work in trim sheds , tending to the strawberry plants that would soon ship to growers throughout the country .
They were suddenly shocked when a crowd burst through the doors and made their way through the building , barking through bullhorns that the workers needed to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared and intimidated that they left the property , but most stayed on the job , uninterested in union membership , '' PLF said .
And for three days in a row , `` organizers '' tried to storm Fresno-based Fowler Packing Company , one of the nation ’ s largest growers of table grapes and citrus .
Fowler already provides its employees essentially the same workplace benefits that union workers get , the legal team said .
So does Cedar Point .
In fact , at Cedar Point , there are workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than 20 years .
Cedar Point owner Mike Fahner consulted police and a lawyer , and discovered the extraordinary trespass rights held by unions .
PLF argues the Constitution forbids government from requiring people to allow unwanted strangers onto their property and union activists are no exception .
The Fifth Amendment states private property shall not `` be taken for public use , without just compensation . ''
`` The issue in this case is whether the government may avoid the Fifth Amendment ’ s requirement to pay just compensation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placing time restrictions on the easement .
Under the Ninth Circuit ’ s decision , the government may eviscerate a landowner ’ s right to exclude unwanted persons from her property , so long as it does not require her to grant access all day , every day , '' the petition explains .

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a California law that gives union organizers the right to invade private property and disrupt the operations of fruit processing companies, as many as 120 days a year.
It's a law the Pacific Legal Foundation explains is a "hold-over from the days when farm workers had little access to media or other means of communications and often lived on their employers' property during busy times of the season."
They needed, it was thought then, to have access to information about how they could obtain the best wages and conditions possible.
However, currently seasonal workers stay at nearby hotels and "most workers have access to hundreds of Spanish-speaking radio stations and other media outlets, cell phones and smartphones, and the internet."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The case was brought by Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Company.
They produce fruit for millions of Americans and together employ some 3,000 workers.
"In 2015, the United Farm Workers viewed the workers as ripe for the picking and sent union organizers to storm the workplaces during harvest time to encourage them to unionize. Even though property owners have a right to exclude trespassers, the state's Union Access Regulation takes an easement that allows these union organizers to enter a business's private property three hours a day, 120 days a year," PLF said.
Now the businesses are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate California's regulation and affirm that government can't allow unions to invade private property and disrupt commercial operations without paying compensation for a property taking, the legal team explained.
Should unions have access to private property? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 2% (5 Votes) 98% (199 Votes)
The argument is that unions have no special right to invade private property and disrupt commercial operations, and property owners have a fundamental right to exclude trespassers.
See a video:
The dispute erupted into open confrontation in 2015 during Northern California's frenetic harvest season when Cedar Point was at full staff.
"Five hundred employees were hard at work in trim sheds, tending to the strawberry plants that would soon ship to growers throughout the country. They were suddenly shocked when a crowd burst through the doors and made their way through the building, barking through bullhorns that the workers needed to join the UFW. Some workers were so scared and intimidated that they left the property, but most stayed on the job, uninterested in union membership," PLF said.
And for three days in a row, "organizers" tried to storm Fresno-based Fowler Packing Company, one of the nation’s largest growers of table grapes and citrus.
Fowler already provides its employees essentially the same workplace benefits that union workers get, the legal team said. So does Cedar Point.
In fact, at Cedar Point, there are workers who have been returning to its fields for more than 20 years.
Cedar Point owner Mike Fahner consulted police and a lawyer, and discovered the extraordinary trespass rights held by unions.
PLF argues the Constitution forbids government from requiring people to allow unwanted strangers onto their property and union activists are no exception.
The Fifth Amendment states private property shall not "be taken for public use, without just compensation."
"The issue in this case is whether the government may avoid the Fifth Amendment’s requirement to pay just compensation for the appropriation of an easement merely by placing time restrictions on the easement. Under the Ninth Circuit’s decision, the government may eviscerate a landowner’s right to exclude unwanted persons from her property, so long as it does not require her to grant access all day, every day," the petition explains.


wnd--2020-11-21--Sidney Powell will save the nation 'within the next two weeks'

( NEWSMAX ) – Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell Friday claimed her team will be able to prove , in @ @ @ @ @ claims concerning the election `` within the next two weeks , '' as `` we @ @ @ @ @ now . ''
`` We have more evidence now than the present population is imprisoned @ @ @ @ @ Fox Business ' Maria Bartiromo , while laughing off a statement from Dominion Voting Systems @ @ @ @ @ that the company 's software was used to pull votes away from President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ challenger Joe Biden , and that the company had ties to Venezuela .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ that well , the company might have somehow severed or tried to sever the relationships @ @ @ @ @ t know how they are parsing their words , but I can tell you that @ @ @ @ @ Venezuelan money in Venezuela for the express purpose of rigging elections for Hugo Chavez , @ @ @ @

(NEWSMAX) – Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell Friday claimed her team will be able to prove, in court, all of their claims concerning the election "within the next two weeks," as "we have more than enough evidence now."
"We have more evidence now than the present population is imprisoned on," Powell told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo, while laughing off a statement from Dominion Voting Systems denying the attorneys' claim that the company's software was used to pull votes away from President Donald Trump and give them to Democrat challenger Joe Biden, and that the company had ties to Venezuela.
"All I can tell you is that well, the company might have somehow severed or tried to sever the relationships recently, I don’t know how they are parsing their words, but I can tell you that the company was started with Venezuelan money in Venezuela for the express purpose of rigging elections for Hugo Chavez," Powell said.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-21--Pelosi calls Trump a 'psychopathic nut'

Pelosi calls Trump a 'psychopathic nut'

( NEWSMAZ ) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , reportedly called President Donald Trump a `` psychopathic nut @ @ @ @ @ concede the 2020 presidential election , according to Politico .
Politico reports that Pelosi , @ @ @ @ @ Speaker , made the comment during a call with House Democratic leadership , according to @ @ @ @ @ 's press office did not respond to Politico or Business Insider 's requests for comment @ @ @ @ @ claim he won the recent election despite mainstream news networks calling the race for Democrat @ @ @ @ @ and the president 's numerous legal efforts to overturn Biden 's seemingly insurmountable lead in @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College have been unsuccessful .

(NEWSMAZ) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reportedly called President Donald Trump a "psychopathic nut" as he refuses to concede the 2020 presidential election, according to Politico.
Politico reports that Pelosi, who was recently reelected as Speaker, made the comment during a call with House Democratic leadership, according to multiple sources. The Speaker's press office did not respond to Politico or Business Insider's requests for comment.
Trump has continued to claim he won the recent election despite mainstream news networks calling the race for Democrat Joe Biden weeks ago, and the president's numerous legal efforts to overturn Biden's seemingly insurmountable lead in both the popular vote and Electoral College have been unsuccessful.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-21--Hispanic voters in Florida who fled dictatorships think election was stolen from Trump

( USA TODAY ) – Two years after Fidel Castro ’ s takeover of Cuba in 1959 , Margarita De Castro was in trouble .
The communist government was imposing its will across the island , and picketers demanded the young telephone operator face a firing squad after she was accused of setting fire to Havana ’ s largest department store .
Terrified , she snuck out of her job at the telephone company where protesters were gathered and called her father , who paid $ 8,000 for someone to forge the date on her expired passport .
She fetched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an armoire in her home , kissed her newborn son goodbye and boarded a flight to Miami .
Alone and penniless , she began her life in the United States , working at a Miami Beach hotel , eventually becoming a banker and raising four sons on her own .
The 79-year-old refugee said her experience in Cuba drove her to become a Republican , voting for the GOP in almost every election since becoming a citizen in 1972 .
She never seriously felt that communism could follow her to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @

(USA TODAY) – Two years after Fidel Castro’s takeover of Cuba in 1959, Margarita De Castro was in trouble.
The communist government was imposing its will across the island, and picketers demanded the young telephone operator face a firing squad after she was accused of setting fire to Havana’s largest department store. Terrified, she snuck out of her job at the telephone company where protesters were gathered and called her father, who paid $8,000 for someone to forge the date on her expired passport. She fetched some clothes and her diamond ring from an armoire in her home, kissed her newborn son goodbye and boarded a flight to Miami. Alone and penniless, she began her life in the United States, working at a Miami Beach hotel, eventually becoming a banker and raising four sons on her own.
The 79-year-old refugee said her experience in Cuba drove her to become a Republican, voting for the GOP in almost every election since becoming a citizen in 1972. She never seriously felt that communism could follow her to the United States – until the 2020 presidential election.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-21--Obama read Marx in college to pick up girls

( NEWSMAX ) – Former President Barack Obama admitted in his memoir , `` A Promised Land , '' that @ @ @ @ @ a strategy for picking up girls '' during his time in college .
In a @ @ @ @ @ , a postdoctoral fellow in history at Dartmouth College , shared a photo of an @ @ @ @ @ , captioning it `` Obama on his how his discovery of Marx and Foucault in @ @ @ @ @ a strategy for picking up girls . '
'' The former president reveals that he @ @ @ @ @ Marcuse `` so I had something to say to the long-legged socialist who lived in @ @ @ @ @ Fanon and Gwendolyn Brooks `` for the smooth-skinned sociology major who never gave me a @ @ @ @ @ Michel Foucault and Virginia Woolf `` for the ethereal bisexual who wore mostly black .
@

(NEWSMAX) – Former President Barack Obama admitted in his memoir, "A Promised Land," that he played intellectual as "a strategy for picking up girls" during his time in college.
In a viral tweet, Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, a postdoctoral fellow in history at Dartmouth College, shared a photo of an excerpt purportedly from the memoir, captioning it "Obama on his how his discovery of Marx and Foucault in college became inseparable from 'a strategy for picking up girls.'"
The former president reveals that he read Karl Marx and Herbert Marcuse "so I had something to say to the long-legged socialist who lived in my dorm," Frantz Fanon and Gwendolyn Brooks "for the smooth-skinned sociology major who never gave me a second look," and Michel Foucault and Virginia Woolf "for the ethereal bisexual who wore mostly black."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-21--Court strikes city's sanctuary plan as violation of state law

A state court in Indiana struck down a sanctuary plan for illegal aliens implemented by the city of Gary because it violates state law .
`` This is a final judgment , '' said the order from Judge Stephen E. Scheele of Lake Superior Court .
The suit was filed by the Immigration Reform Law Institute and the Bopp Law firm , which called the decision a `` major victory '' against sanctuary policies .
Gary officials had enacted an ordinance protecting illegal aliens , even those with criminal records , from federal immigration law enforcement .
But the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawyers said .
The court found `` that the ordinance violates several Indiana statutes prohibiting governmental bodies in the state from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement .
The statutes , which IRLI had helped draft , require local jurisdictions to cooperate with such enforcement to the full extent contemplated in federal law , '' the legal team explained .
`` Indiana ’ s law banning sanctuary cities in Indiana clearly bans what the city of Gary and other Hoosier cities have done with so-called 'Welcoming City ' ordinances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bopp Law Firm .
`` We are pleased that , after extended litigation , the court has recognized the obvious fact that such ordinances are illegal in Indiana .
There must be no more such ordinances in Indiana , and those in existence are clearly in violation of Indiana law . ''
The judge had dismissed several individual defendants , but it granted the plaintiffs motion for summary judgment against the last remaining defendant , the city .
`` Residents of Gary and other sanctuary cities are victimized by such unlawful non-cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement estimates , roughly 2.1 million alien criminals are living in the U.S. , over 1.9 million of whom are removable .
Because of policies , like Gary 's , that prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials , alien criminals are able to stay in communities and commit more crimes . ''
Dale L. Wilcox , executive director and general counsel of IRLI , said that sheltering illegal aliens from immigration authorities `` not only flagrantly violates duly enacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety and national security risk . ''
`` When cities such as Gary insist on putting the interests of illegal aliens above those of their own citizenry , they have to be stopped , and we are pleased the court did just that yesterday , '' he said .

A state court in Indiana struck down a sanctuary plan for illegal aliens implemented by the city of Gary because it violates state law.
"This is a final judgment," said the order from Judge Stephen E. Scheele of Lake Superior Court.
The suit was filed by the Immigration Reform Law Institute and the Bopp Law firm, which called the decision a "major victory" against sanctuary policies.
Gary officials had enacted an ordinance protecting illegal aliens, even those with criminal records, from federal immigration law enforcement.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
But the decision is a "complete victory," the lawyers said.
The court found "that the ordinance violates several Indiana statutes prohibiting governmental bodies in the state from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement. The statutes, which IRLI had helped draft, require local jurisdictions to cooperate with such enforcement to the full extent contemplated in federal law," the legal team explained.
"Indiana’s law banning sanctuary cities in Indiana clearly bans what the city of Gary and other Hoosier cities have done with so-called 'Welcoming City' ordinances," said James Bopp, Jr. of the Bopp Law Firm. "We are pleased that, after extended litigation, the court has recognized the obvious fact that such ordinances are illegal in Indiana. There must be no more such ordinances in Indiana, and those in existence are clearly in violation of Indiana law."
The judge had dismissed several individual defendants, but it granted the plaintiffs motion for summary judgment against the last remaining defendant, the city.
Can a court strike a city's sanctuary plan as a violation of state law? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 97% (63 Votes) 3% (2 Votes)
"Residents of Gary and other sanctuary cities are victimized by such unlawful non-cooperation policies," the legal team explained. "According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement estimates, roughly 2.1 million alien criminals are living in the U.S., over 1.9 million of whom are removable. Because of policies, like Gary's, that prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials, alien criminals are able to stay in communities and commit more crimes."
Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of IRLI, said that sheltering illegal aliens from immigration authorities "not only flagrantly violates duly enacted Indiana law, but represents a serious public safety and national security risk."
"When cities such as Gary insist on putting the interests of illegal aliens above those of their own citizenry, they have to be stopped, and we are pleased the court did just that yesterday," he said.


wnd--2020-11-21--NY company makes window stickers of Cuomo watching over your Thanksgiving

( NEW YORK POST ) – One upstate company wants Gov .
Andrew Cuomo to be the biggest turkey at @ @ @ @ @ .
The Buffalo-based design firm Custom 716 is selling stickers of the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ on a window to make it look like Cuomo is peering inside – presumably to @ @ @ @ @ people are there to celebrate the holiday this year .
The sticker is a clear @ @ @ @ @ demanding that New York families avoid gathering in large groups for the holiday out of @ @ @ @ @

(NEW YORK POST) – One upstate company wants Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be the biggest turkey at your Thanksgiving dinner this year.
The Buffalo-based design firm Custom 716 is selling stickers of the governor’s face that can be put on a window to make it look like Cuomo is peering inside – presumably to make sure not too many people are there to celebrate the holiday this year.
The sticker is a clear way of ripping Cuomo for demanding that New York families avoid gathering in large groups for the holiday out of fears of spreading COVID-19.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-21--Blue wave 'isn't dead on arrival – it will not arrive at all'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
As the dust and dismay have settled in on Democrats assessing the 2020 election and planning for a Joe Biden administration , it ’ s perfectly clear the president-elect is boxed in by Republicans and even two more Senate seats aren ’ t going to change that .
Progressives , who took a pounding in the election , will soon have to wake from their fever dreams .
They can posture and push for Sen. Bernie Sanders to get a Cabinet post , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ideas are popular , but Democrats will be passing no sweeping reforms in a Biden presidency .
Even if they prevail on Jan. 5 in the twin Georgia runoff elections , picking up two seats to gain a 50-50 split in the U.S. Senate , Democrats will have to rely on Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to break tie votes and will still be blocked by the 60-vote filibuster threshold .
On their best day , the largest number of moderate Republicans they could hope to woo is three .
Democrats will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these political roadblocks , because they won ’ t have the votes to do so .
Pack the Supreme Court , monkey with the Electoral College , create two new states ?
Nope .
An aggressive climate action plan , free college , socialized medicine ?
No way .
Over in the House of Representatives , Republicans won a net of nine seats and are in the hunt for more as races are still being counted , and the Democrats majority will be a mere sliver .
But Democrats don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now because they want to win in Georgia .
While they all share that goal , progressives are still at war with the party leadership , hoping they can prove their point in the Peach State .
They are going to sell their voters there a promise of big change they say a Democratic Senate majority can deliver if Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock beat the two GOP incumbents .
But party officials , having watched Biden win a close Georgia election by only speaking of restoring the soul of America , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages and health care , are asking party foot soldiers to bear that in mind .
The assistant majority leader in the House , Rep. Jim Clyburn , wasn ’ t subtle in a warning he issued just days after the election .
“ If we ’ re going to run on ‘ Medicare for All , ’ defunding the police and socialized medicine , we ’ re not going to win , ” the South Carolina Democrat said .
So far Ossoff and Warnock seem to be taking their cues from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives won ’ t get what they want .
After estimates of a blue wave that never surfaced , the drastic action agenda isn ’ t dead on arrival – it will not arrive at all .
The Biden administration will simply be limited to executive orders , the kinds that undo the ones Donald Trump took – to re-enter the Paris Climate Accord , to re-enter the World Health Organization , to reinstate DACA , and to end the travel ban .
It ’ s hard to imagine any immigration legislation making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone the Senate , and into law .
On climate , the new administration will certainly , almost immediately , roll back more than 100 rollbacks the Trump administration executed in environmental and energy regulation and place limits on drilling leases in federal waters and on federal land .
But we won ’ t see a $ 2 trillion effort to make the electricity grid carbon free in 15 years or a carbon tax .
Nor will Democrats likely be able to end tax breaks for oil companies .
The Biden administration will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Care Act as planned either .
While legal experts assessed oral arguments last Tuesday in the Supreme Court and found it unlikely the law will be dismantled in the case currently before the justices , Democrats are worried the law has been severely weakened by Trump and must be strengthened to address an increased health care burden created by the pandemic .
Biden can take executive action to make operational changes to the ACA , to limit or end short-term plans or perhaps offer special new enrollment periods – all reversals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get a public option , or be able to significantly expand eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid .
So the only potential scenario to address the high deductibles and premiums in Obamacare with enhanced subsidies would be to use the budget reconciliation process to raise taxes on those making more than $ 400,000 a year .
On that vote , depending on what ’ s in the bill , they may attract Sen. Susan Collins , or Sen. Lisa Murkowski or Sen. Mitt Romney – but not all three .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden could work with Republicans , such as surprise medical billing or reforms to lower the cost of prescription drugs , but not much has changed since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to give them votes on the Senate floor last year .
No matter what a Biden administration does on climate or health care , additional lawsuits are expected from Republican attorneys general around the country on both , and more than 220 new conservative federal judges confirmed by President Trump will make those cases far more challenging for Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary campaigns , not swing seats .
Their preferred presidential candidates lost to Biden in the primary .
They didn ’ t mobilize all those voters they wanted to , so they will have to listen to the establishment lament their limitations in a gridlocked government .
Democrats are facing what is surely going to be a difficult midterm election in 2022 , with a president-elect far more interested in calming the country down than pursuing progressive goals and positioning the party for 2024 , should he step down after one term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ least another four years .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By A.B. Stoddard
Real Clear Politics
As the dust and dismay have settled in on Democrats assessing the 2020 election and planning for a Joe Biden administration, it’s perfectly clear the president-elect is boxed in by Republicans and even two more Senate seats aren’t going to change that. Progressives, who took a pounding in the election, will soon have to wake from their fever dreams. They can posture and push for Sen. Bernie Sanders to get a Cabinet post, they can keep locating polling data to show their ideas are popular, but Democrats will be passing no sweeping reforms in a Biden presidency.
Even if they prevail on Jan. 5 in the twin Georgia runoff elections, picking up two seats to gain a 50-50 split in the U.S. Senate, Democrats will have to rely on Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to break tie votes and will still be blocked by the 60-vote filibuster threshold. On their best day, the largest number of moderate Republicans they could hope to woo is three.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Democrats will not be eliminating the legislative filibuster to avoid these political roadblocks, because they won’t have the votes to do so. Pack the Supreme Court, monkey with the Electoral College, create two new states? Nope. An aggressive climate action plan, free college, socialized medicine? No way.
Over in the House of Representatives, Republicans won a net of nine seats and are in the hunt for more as races are still being counted, and the Democrats majority will be a mere sliver. But Democrats don’t want to talk too much about this right now because they want to win in Georgia. While they all share that goal, progressives are still at war with the party leadership, hoping they can prove their point in the Peach State. They are going to sell their voters there a promise of big change they say a Democratic Senate majority can deliver if Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock beat the two GOP incumbents. But party officials, having watched Biden win a close Georgia election by only speaking of restoring the soul of America, the promise of more jobs, and better wages and health care, are asking party foot soldiers to bear that in mind. The assistant majority leader in the House, Rep. Jim Clyburn, wasn’t subtle in a warning he issued just days after the election. “If we’re going to run on ‘Medicare for All,’ defunding the police and socialized medicine, we’re not going to win,” the South Carolina Democrat said. So far Ossoff and Warnock seem to be taking their cues from the top.
No matter the outcome, progressives won’t get what they want. After estimates of a blue wave that never surfaced, the drastic action agenda isn’t dead on arrival – it will not arrive at all. The Biden administration will simply be limited to executive orders, the kinds that undo the ones Donald Trump took – to re-enter the Paris Climate Accord, to re-enter the World Health Organization, to reinstate DACA, and to end the travel ban. It’s hard to imagine any immigration legislation making its way through the House, let alone the Senate, and into law.
On climate, the new administration will certainly, almost immediately, roll back more than 100 rollbacks the Trump administration executed in environmental and energy regulation and place limits on drilling leases in federal waters and on federal land. But we won’t see a $2 trillion effort to make the electricity grid carbon free in 15 years or a carbon tax. Nor will Democrats likely be able to end tax breaks for oil companies.
Is the 'blue wave' dead on arrival? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 95% (214 Votes) 5% (12 Votes)
The Biden administration will not be able to expand the Affordable Health Care Act as planned either. While legal experts assessed oral arguments last Tuesday in the Supreme Court and found it unlikely the law will be dismantled in the case currently before the justices, Democrats are worried the law has been severely weakened by Trump and must be strengthened to address an increased health care burden created by the pandemic. Biden can take executive action to make operational changes to the ACA, to limit or end short-term plans or perhaps offer special new enrollment periods – all reversals of steps Trump took. But he won’t get a public option, or be able to significantly expand eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. So the only potential scenario to address the high deductibles and premiums in Obamacare with enhanced subsidies would be to use the budget reconciliation process to raise taxes on those making more than $400,000 a year. On that vote, depending on what’s in the bill, they may attract Sen. Susan Collins, or Sen. Lisa Murkowski or Sen. Mitt Romney – but not all three.
There are other areas of health care on which Biden could work with Republicans, such as surprise medical billing or reforms to lower the cost of prescription drugs, but not much has changed since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to give them votes on the Senate floor last year.
No matter what a Biden administration does on climate or health care, additional lawsuits are expected from Republican attorneys general around the country on both, and more than 220 new conservative federal judges confirmed by President Trump will make those cases far more challenging for Democrats to win.
Progressive candidates only won insurgent primary campaigns, not swing seats. Their preferred presidential candidates lost to Biden in the primary. They didn’t mobilize all those voters they wanted to, so they will have to listen to the establishment lament their limitations in a gridlocked government. Democrats are facing what is surely going to be a difficult midterm election in 2022, with a president-elect far more interested in calming the country down than pursuing progressive goals and positioning the party for 2024, should he step down after one term.
Ambitious plans will have to wait at least another four years.


wnd--2020-11-21--D.C. sued for censoring messages on streets

The city of Washington , D.C. , and Mayor Muriel Bowser have been sued for arresting two students for chalking pro-life messages on a sidewalk while allowing left-wing political messages to be painted on streets .
The case has been filed in U.S. District Court in Washington by the Frederick Douglass Foundation , Students for Life of America and several individuals .
It argues the city allowed the writing of political messages on city streets in huge letters of yellow paint declaring `` Black Lives Matter '' and `` Defund the police . ''
The pro-life activists wanted to write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street in chalk but were threatened by police officers even after they obtained a permit to assemble .
The case is being handled by the Alliance Defending Freedom .
`` The government ca n't discriminate against certain viewpoints by allowing some voices to be heard while silencing others , '' said lawyer Elissa Graves .
`` Because of the city ’ s actions , Frederick Douglass Foundation and Students for Life of America weren ’ t able to participate in the public square as other groups have .
The First Amendment prohibits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech to allow . ''
Students for Life had obtained a permit for a rally .
It was a Metropolitan Police Department official who gave verbal permission to chalk their message .
`` Based on that , the two groups gathered at approximately 6 a.m. on Aug. 1 ; however , several law enforcement officers waiting for them informed them that , if they used paint or even washable sidewalk chalk on either the street or the public sidewalk , they would be arrested .
Despite this warning , two students began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public sidewalk and were immediately arrested , '' the legal team said .
`` The city shouldn ’ t be able to silence and punish us for expressing ideas that it doesn ’ t agree with , '' said Frederick Douglass Foundation Virginia Chapter President J.R. Gurley .
`` Government officials can ’ t discriminate against peaceful displays on the basis of our beliefs about abortion when they have allowed other groups the same avenues to express their beliefs .
If the mayor allows other messages to be painted and chalked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views in the same manner without fear of unjust government punishment . ''
Kristan Hawkins , the president of Students for Life , said : `` We are seeing incredible opposition to the pro-life speech of our students as they speak for the most marginalized and defenseless among us .
The Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully express our views in the public square .
If there is disagreement over contentious issues , the answer is always more speech , not censorship , fines , or jail time . ''
The complaint stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicating their message , even though other messages are no permanently emblazoned along the streets of the district in a nearly identical format . ''
`` The only difference between the plaintiffs ' desired mural and the other permitted – and permanent – murals is the content of the message . ''
The city , therefore , used its laws to `` silence disfavored speech , '' the filing said .
`` It is axiomatic that the government can not choose which message succeed and which are censored in our divrse society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court has emphatically held , 'the people lose when the government is the one deciding which ideas should prevail . '
'' `` The defendants ' actions are blatant viewpoint discrimination , which the United States Constitution does not tolerate , '' the complaint said .
The filing points out that the city has a law against `` the defacement '' of public property , which bans any effort `` to write , mark , or print obscene or indecent figures '' or to mark `` any property , public or private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , public passenger vehicle , mass transit equipment or facility , dwelling or structure of any kind . ''
Although neither of the original protest signs were given permits , there was `` no punishment . ''
The case alleges multiple violations of the First Amendment and seeks a declaration that the existing defacement ordinance is unconstitutional as it applies because it is applied unequally .
It also seeks injunctions for future events , an award of actual and nominal damages .

The city of Washington, D.C., and Mayor Muriel Bowser have been sued for arresting two students for chalking pro-life messages on a sidewalk while allowing left-wing political messages to be painted on streets.
The case has been filed in U.S. District Court in Washington by the Frederick Douglass Foundation, Students for Life of America and several individuals.
It argues the city allowed the writing of political messages on city streets in huge letters of yellow paint declaring "Black Lives Matter" and "Defund the police."
The pro-life activists wanted to write "Black pre-born lives matter" on the street in chalk but were threatened by police officers even after they obtained a permit to assemble.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The case is being handled by the Alliance Defending Freedom.
"The government can't discriminate against certain viewpoints by allowing some voices to be heard while silencing others," said lawyer Elissa Graves. "Because of the city’s actions, Frederick Douglass Foundation and Students for Life of America weren’t able to participate in the public square as other groups have. The First Amendment prohibits the government from picking and choosing whose speech to allow."
Students for Life had obtained a permit for a rally.
It was a Metropolitan Police Department official who gave verbal permission to chalk their message.
Is D.C. discriminating in what messages it allows on streets? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 100% (387 Votes) 0% (0 Votes)
"Based on that, the two groups gathered at approximately 6 a.m. on Aug. 1; however, several law enforcement officers waiting for them informed them that, if they used paint or even washable sidewalk chalk on either the street or the public sidewalk, they would be arrested. Despite this warning, two students began to chalk 'Black Pre-Born Lives Matter' on the public sidewalk and were immediately arrested," the legal team said.
"The city shouldn’t be able to silence and punish us for expressing ideas that it doesn’t agree with," said Frederick Douglass Foundation Virginia Chapter President J.R. Gurley. "Government officials can’t discriminate against peaceful displays on the basis of our beliefs about abortion when they have allowed other groups the same avenues to express their beliefs. If the mayor allows other messages to be painted and chalked, we should be able to express our views in the same manner without fear of unjust government punishment."
Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life, said: "We are seeing incredible opposition to the pro-life speech of our students as they speak for the most marginalized and defenseless among us. The Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully express our views in the public square. If there is disagreement over contentious issues, the answer is always more speech, not censorship, fines, or jail time."
The complaint stated that the plaintiffs "were prohibited from communicating their message, even though other messages are no permanently emblazoned along the streets of the district in a nearly identical format."
"The only difference between the plaintiffs' desired mural and the other permitted – and permanent – murals is the content of the message."
The city, therefore, used its laws to "silence disfavored speech," the filing said.
"It is axiomatic that the government cannot choose which message succeed and which are censored in our divrse society," it continues. "As the Supreme Court has emphatically held, 'the people lose when the government is the one deciding which ideas should prevail.'"
"The defendants' actions are blatant viewpoint discrimination, which the United States Constitution does not tolerate," the complaint said.
The filing points out that the city has a law against "the defacement" of public property, which bans any effort "to write, mark, or print obscene or indecent figures" or to mark "any property, public or private, building, statue, monument, office, public passenger vehicle, mass transit equipment or facility, dwelling or structure of any kind."
Although neither of the original protest signs were given permits, there was "no punishment."
The case alleges multiple violations of the First Amendment and seeks a declaration that the existing defacement ordinance is unconstitutional as it applies because it is applied unequally. It also seeks injunctions for future events, an award of actual and nominal damages.


wnd--2020-11-23--Drinking coffee or tea from paper cups may be 'seriously' bad for your health

( STUDY FINDS ) -- KHARAGPUR , India — For many people , the day doesn ’ t start until @ @ @ @ @ of hot coffee .
No matter what you drink to warm yourself up on a @ @ @ @ @ study finds the cup you choose could be a serious health hazard .
Researchers in @ @ @ @ @ other hot beverages from paper cups can release tens of thousands of potentially harmful plastic @ @ @ @ @ “ In the 15 minutes it takes for coffee or tea to be consumed , @ @ @ @ @ cup degrades .
It releases 25,000 micron-sized particles into the hot beverage , ” lead @ @ @ @ @ explains in a statement to SWNS .
“ An average person drinking three regular cups @ @ @ @ @ , in a paper cup , would end up ingesting 75,000 tiny microplastic particles which @ @ @ @ @ eye .
”

(STUDY FINDS) -- KHARAGPUR, India — For many people, the day doesn’t start until they have their first cup of hot coffee. No matter what you drink to warm yourself up on a chilly morning, a new study finds the cup you choose could be a serious health hazard. Researchers in India reveal drinking coffee and other hot beverages from paper cups can release tens of thousands of potentially harmful plastic particles into your drink.
“In the 15 minutes it takes for coffee or tea to be consumed, the microplastic layer on the cup degrades. It releases 25,000 micron-sized particles into the hot beverage,” lead study author Dr. Sudha Goel explains in a statement to SWNS.
“An average person drinking three regular cups of tea or coffee daily, in a paper cup, would end up ingesting 75,000 tiny microplastic particles which are invisible to the naked eye.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-23--'We won't survive it': Struggling restaurant owner left with no choice but to defy COVID orders

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , many small businesses in Illinois are in jeopardy of shuttering their doors forever .
Plenty of them are still recuperating from the first wave of government-mandated lockdowns back in the spring , so it makes sense that some business owners have decided to disobey the statewide ban on indoor dining declared Nov. 2 by Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
`` Along LaGrange Road you will find plenty of places to eat and a few businesses clearly advertising that they too are allowing people to dine in for the third time this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the worst year ever for me , ” Damian Piekarczyk , owner of Tradycja Polish Fusion Cuisine in Orchard Park , told WBBM .
“ If you don ’ t I want to come to the restaurant and sit and eat and just let go .
If you don ’ t feel safe then stay home .
Let people choose . ''
Betty Styrczula , who works at the restaurant , expressed similar sentiments .
“ We really want to survive it , and we we close down again we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Styrczula said .
According to the Illinois Restaurant Association , coronavirus restrictions imposed on restaurants could mean 120,000 people lose their jobs and do n't get them back .
Meanwhile , in Chicago , small businesses that keep their doors open to customers despite the indoor dining ban risk being fined $ 10,000 .
The repercussions of the local- and state-mandated lockdowns adversely affect the lifeline of small businesses , including bars , gyms , restaurants , tourist attractions , bookstores , hair salons and small retail stores .
As COVID-19 cases escalate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small businesses can not withstand a second wave of lockdowns .
The question remains if closing down small businesses is worth the risk for business owners and their employees .
As long as small businesses comply with health and safety regulations by sanitizing areas numerous times a day , adhering to social distancing guidelines and generally taking a common sense approach to health , they should keep their doors open .
Public health officials need to encourage personal responsibility for one ’ s health over unnecessary lockdowns .
These mandated lockdowns infringe on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including freedom of speech , freedom of assembly , freedom to bear arms and freedom to exercise religion .
During his recent speech to The Federalist Society , Supreme Court Justice Alito discussed the constitutional crisis brought on by restrictive coronavirus policies .
“ The pandemic has obviously taken a heavy human toll : thousands dead , many more hospitalized , millions unemployed , the dreams of many small business owners dashed .
But what has it meant for the rule of law ?
” the Supreme Court justice said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on individual liberty , '' he asked .
“ I ’ m a judge , not a policymaker .
All that I ’ m saying is this , and I think it is an indisputable statement of fact : We have never before seen restrictions as severe , extensive and prolonged as those experienced for most of 2020 . ''
“ Think of all the live events that would otherwise be protected by the right to freedom of speech : live speeches , conferences , lectures , meetings .
Think of worship services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ synagogues closed for Passover [ or ] on Yom Kippur , ” Alito added .
It ’ s up to Americans to stand up for their individual civil liberties and to protect small businesses from closing down for good .
As the holiday season draws closer , it is very important to support small and local businesses during these unprecedented times .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, many small businesses in Illinois are in jeopardy of shuttering their doors forever.
Plenty of them are still recuperating from the first wave of government-mandated lockdowns back in the spring, so it makes sense that some business owners have decided to disobey the statewide ban on indoor dining declared Nov. 2 by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
"Along LaGrange Road you will find plenty of places to eat and a few businesses clearly advertising that they too are allowing people to dine in for the third time this year," WBBM-TV reported Nov. 13.
“It’s the worst year ever for me,” Damian Piekarczyk, owner of Tradycja Polish Fusion Cuisine in Orchard Park, told WBBM. “If you don’t I want to come to the restaurant and sit and eat and just let go. If you don’t feel safe then stay home. Let people choose."
Betty Styrczula, who works at the restaurant, expressed similar sentiments.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“We really want to survive it, and we we close down again we won’t survive it,” Styrczula said.
According to the Illinois Restaurant Association, coronavirus restrictions imposed on restaurants could mean 120,000 people lose their jobs and don't get them back.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, small businesses that keep their doors open to customers despite the indoor dining ban risk being fined $10,000.
The repercussions of the local- and state-mandated lockdowns adversely affect the lifeline of small businesses, including bars, gyms, restaurants, tourist attractions, bookstores, hair salons and small retail stores.
As COVID-19 cases escalate throughout the United States, many struggling small businesses cannot withstand a second wave of lockdowns.
The question remains if closing down small businesses is worth the risk for business owners and their employees.
As long as small businesses comply with health and safety regulations by sanitizing areas numerous times a day, adhering to social distancing guidelines and generally taking a common sense approach to health, they should keep their doors open.
Public health officials need to encourage personal responsibility for one’s health over unnecessary lockdowns.
These mandated lockdowns infringe on the rights established in the Constitution, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to bear arms and freedom to exercise religion.
During his recent speech to The Federalist Society, Supreme Court Justice Alito discussed the constitutional crisis brought on by restrictive coronavirus policies.
“The pandemic has obviously taken a heavy human toll: thousands dead, many more hospitalized, millions unemployed, the dreams of many small business owners dashed. But what has it meant for the rule of law?” the Supreme Court justice said.
"The pandemic has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty," he asked. “I’m a judge, not a policymaker. All that I’m saying is this, and I think it is an indisputable statement of fact: We have never before seen restrictions as severe, extensive and prolonged as those experienced for most of 2020."
“Think of all the live events that would otherwise be protected by the right to freedom of speech: live speeches, conferences, lectures, meetings. Think of worship services, churches closed on Easter Sunday, synagogues closed for Passover [or] on Yom Kippur,” Alito added.
It’s up to Americans to stand up for their individual civil liberties and to protect small businesses from closing down for good.
As the holiday season draws closer, it is very important to support small and local businesses during these unprecedented times.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-23--Skin-cancer risk from tanning, sunbathing worse than previously thought

( STUDY FINDS ) -- PULLMAN , Wash. — The risk of getting skin cancer from tanning beds or sunbathing @ @ @ @ @ than many think .
Scientists at Washington State University say exposure to ultraviolet ( UV @ @ @ @ @ .
The study finds exposure to DNA-damaging ultraviolet light used in tanning beds could cause @ @ @ @ @ form of skin cancer .
Their research also discovered a single intense dose to ultraviolet-B @ @ @ @ @ , is enough to cause abnormal mutations .
While UV light has been linked to @ @ @ @ @ , researchers are still learning about how damaging it can be .
UV light is @ @ @ @ @ , which comes from the sun and man-made sources like tanning beds .

(STUDY FINDS) -- PULLMAN, Wash. — The risk of getting skin cancer from tanning beds or sunbathing appears to be much worse than many think. Scientists at Washington State University say exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light triggers multiple mutations.
The study finds exposure to DNA-damaging ultraviolet light used in tanning beds could cause malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Their research also discovered a single intense dose to ultraviolet-B radiation, coming in sunlight, is enough to cause abnormal mutations.
While UV light has been linked to skin cancer for some time, researchers are still learning about how damaging it can be. UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which comes from the sun and man-made sources like tanning beds.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-23--'Let us disobey': Churches defy lockdown with secret meetings

( THE GUARDIAN ) -- It sounds like the build-up to an illegal rave .
Invitations are passed by word @ @ @ @ @ .
Minimal information – time , directions – is quietly given with pleas for discretion @ @ @ @ @ in a barn on a remote farm – “ away from prying eyes , ” @ @ @ @ @ begins .
This is no rave , but an English church service under lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ Protestant pastor .
The Christians who will gather illegally in the west of England on @ @ @ @ @ have for the past two Sundays – will pray , read from the scriptures , @ @ @ @ @ a sermon .
“ We ’ ve been holding clandestine services since this lockdown began @ @ @ @ @ the Observer , speaking on condition of anonymity .
“ It feels weird for us @ @ @ @ @ People have said it feels more like an underground church in China .

(THE GUARDIAN) -- It sounds like the build-up to an illegal rave. Invitations are passed by word of mouth to trusted people. Minimal information – time, directions – is quietly given with pleas for discretion. Once everyone is assembled in a barn on a remote farm – “away from prying eyes,” says the organiser – it begins.
This is no rave, but an English church service under lockdown, and the organiser is a Protestant pastor. The Christians who will gather illegally in the west of England on Sunday morning – as they have for the past two Sundays – will pray, read from the scriptures, sing hymns and listen to a sermon.
“We’ve been holding clandestine services since this lockdown began,” the pastor told the Observer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It feels weird for us to act this way. People have said it feels more like an underground church in China.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-23--AOC suggests criticizing socialism is racist after reeling Dem colleagues blast radicalism

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York fired back at critics who said the reason Democrats lost as many as 10 seats in the House was that her party had migrated to the far left by embracing socialism and the `` defund the police '' movement .
Ocasio-Cortez suggested that anyone who criticizes the `` defund the police '' movement and socialism is racist .
A defensive AOC was reacting after some of the more moderate Democrats reportedly blamed progressives like her and their far-left policies for the party 's massacre at the polls .
Republicans have gained at least seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though multiple polls in the lead-up to the election had confidently projected that Democrats would gain as many as 15 seats .
`` We need to not ever use the word ‘ socialist ’ or ‘ socialism ’ ever again .
... We lost good members because of that , '' Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia said during a post-election House Democratic Caucus call Nov. 5 .
She also railed against her fellow Democrats ' talk of defunding the police .
AOC said such criticism amounted to `` racial resentment attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is bad ' argument just doesn ’ t have any compelling evidence that I ’ ve seen , '' Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Nov. 6 .
`` When it comes to 'Defund ' & 'Socialism ' attacks , people need to realize these are racial resentment attacks . ''
AOC 's assertion that opposing the `` defund the police '' push is racist has been challenged by numerous minorities , including conservative author Candace Owens and Maryland Republican Kimberly Klacik .
In September , Klacik , running for a Baltimore congressional seat , unveiled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party of callously using black people for votes and then immediately ignoring them after the election .
She also slammed the Black Lives Matter movement , which she said was fomenting a race war by demonizing and scapegoating the police .
In her campaign video , Klacik asked several black Baltimore residents if they supported defunding the police .
They all said no .
“ I had three sons killed in Baltimore , '' one man remarked .
`` If we defund the police officers , it ’ s going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m opposed to that.
” Another man said , “ What do you want to defund the police for ?
How do you defend your city , your community [ without the police ] ?
Families are losing people.
” As for AOC 's claim that opposing socialism is racist , it bears noting that many minorities -- whose families moved to the United States to escape socialism in Cuba and Vietnam -- disagree with her .
Democrat Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida is alarmed by the socialist policies being pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am offended by this whole conversation about socialism , ” Murphy said during a speech at the 2019 BakerHostetler legislative seminar in New York , according to the Washington Examiner .
“ The idea that in the greatest democracy -- the greatest capitalist system in the world -- we ’ re having casual conversation about socialism , offends me , '' she said .
Murphy is the first Vietnamese-American woman in Congress .
She calls herself a “ proud capitalist '' whose views were forged by her traumatic past growing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] is the system that built us the greatest nation and the greatest economy in the world , '' she said .
`` Sure , we have to fix the inequities that exist in our system .
But this is not the moment to undo the whole system and embrace something that Americans have spent blood and treasure fighting to save other countries from.
” This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York fired back at critics who said the reason Democrats lost as many as 10 seats in the House was that her party had migrated to the far left by embracing socialism and the "defund the police" movement.
Ocasio-Cortez suggested that anyone who criticizes the "defund the police" movement and socialism is racist.
A defensive AOC was reacting after some of the more moderate Democrats reportedly blamed progressives like her and their far-left policies for the party's massacre at the polls.
Republicans have gained at least seven seats in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, even though multiple polls in the lead-up to the election had confidently projected that Democrats would gain as many as 15 seats.
"We need to not ever use the word ‘socialist’ or ‘socialism’ ever again. ... We lost good members because of that," Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia said during a post-election House Democratic Caucus call Nov. 5.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
She also railed against her fellow Democrats' talk of defunding the police.
AOC said such criticism amounted to "racial resentment attacks."
"So the whole 'progressivism is bad' argument just doesn’t have any compelling evidence that I’ve seen," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Nov. 6. "When it comes to 'Defund' & 'Socialism' attacks, people need to realize these are racial resentment attacks."
So the whole “progressivism is bad” argument just doesn’t have any compelling evidence that I’ve seen. When it comes to “Defund” & “Socialism” attacks, people need to realize these are racial resentment attacks. You’re not gonna make that go away. You can make it less effective. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 6, 2020
AOC's assertion that opposing the "defund the police" push is racist has been challenged by numerous minorities, including conservative author Candace Owens and Maryland Republican Kimberly Klacik.
In September, Klacik, running for a Baltimore congressional seat, unveiled a viral campaign ad where she accused the Democratic Party of callously using black people for votes and then immediately ignoring them after the election.
She also slammed the Black Lives Matter movement, which she said was fomenting a race war by demonizing and scapegoating the police.
In her campaign video, Klacik asked several black Baltimore residents if they supported defunding the police. They all said no.
“I had three sons killed in Baltimore," one man remarked. "If we defund the police officers, it’s going to be worse than that. So no, I’m opposed to that.”
Another man said, “What do you want to defund the police for? How do you defend your city, your community [without the police]? Families are losing people.”
Tens of millions of you have shared the struggle of black people in Baltimore. You cared about our black lives more than our own leaders. They have done nothing for us.
Now they can’t hide.
We are the change. Please support our movement:https://t.co/8yLL5VmMSU pic.twitter.com/1sGyqXHpzt — Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) September 20, 2020
As for AOC's claim that opposing socialism is racist, it bears noting that many minorities -- whose families moved to the United States to escape socialism in Cuba and Vietnam -- disagree with her.
Democrat Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida is alarmed by the socialist policies being pushed by members of her own party.
“I am offended by this whole conversation about socialism,” Murphy said during a speech at the 2019 BakerHostetler legislative seminar in New York, according to the Washington Examiner.
“The idea that in the greatest democracy -- the greatest capitalist system in the world -- we’re having casual conversation about socialism, offends me," she said.
Murphy is the first Vietnamese-American woman in Congress. She calls herself a “proud capitalist" whose views were forged by her traumatic past growing up in socialist Vietnam.
“[Capitalism] is the system that built us the greatest nation and the greatest economy in the world," she said. "Sure, we have to fix the inequities that exist in our system. But this is not the moment to undo the whole system and embrace something that Americans have spent blood and treasure fighting to save other countries from.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-23--Newly discovered 'sketch of Jesus' is lost DaVinci masterpiece, experts believe

( IRISH POST ) -- A NEWLY discovered portrait of Jesus Christ is likely to be a Leonardo DaVinci creations @ @ @ @ @ recently unearthed piece is sketched in red chalk , a commonly found in DaVinci 's @ @ @ @ @ used in the famous Last Supper painting .
According to The Telegraph , the sketch @ @ @ @ @ sold at a private auction in Lombardy to two collectors from northern Italy .

(IRISH POST) -- A NEWLY discovered portrait of Jesus Christ is likely to be a Leonardo DaVinci creations, experts believe.
The recently unearthed piece is sketched in red chalk, a commonly found in DaVinci's masterpieces, which he even used in the famous Last Supper painting.
According to The Telegraph, the sketch which depicts Jesus Christ was sold at a private auction in Lombardy to two collectors from northern Italy.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-23--Breakthrough oxygen therapy reverses aging process in humans

( STUDY FINDS ) -- TEL AVIV , Israel — What would you do to stop the hands of time @ @ @ @ @ work at slowing the aging process , a team in Israel says the answer may @ @ @ @ @ a deep breath .
In a groundbreaking clinical trial , researchers from Tel Aviv University @ @ @ @ @ HBOT ) can stop the blood cells from aging in healthy adults .
Their study @ @ @ @ @ oxygen in a pressure chamber can actually make the cells grow younger .
Specifically , @ @ @ @ @ patient ’ s telomeres from getting shorter .
These protective caps on the end of @ @ @ @ @ humans age .
The treatments also reversed the accumulation of old and malfunctioning cells .
@ @ @ @ @ containing DNA in the group ’ s immune cells , researchers discovered telomeres grew by @ @ @ @ @ the number of aging cells had decreased by 37 percent .

(STUDY FINDS) -- TEL AVIV, Israel — What would you do to stop the hands of time? As scientists continue to work at slowing the aging process, a team in Israel says the answer may be as simple as taking a deep breath. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, researchers from Tel Aviv University reveal hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBOT) can stop the blood cells from aging in healthy adults.
Their study finds specific treatments using high-pressure oxygen in a pressure chamber can actually make the cells grow younger. Specifically, the three-month experiment stopped each patient’s telomeres from getting shorter. These protective caps on the end of chromosomes normally get shorter as humans age. The treatments also reversed the accumulation of old and malfunctioning cells.
When looking at blood samples containing DNA in the group’s immune cells, researchers discovered telomeres grew by up to 38 percent and the number of aging cells had decreased by 37 percent.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-23--'Poor COVID:' Leftist Hollywood elite launch into sick attack on Don Trump Jr. after COVID diagnosis

The announcement from Donald Trump Jr. that he has tested positive for the coronavirus triggered Hollywood celebrities into spasms of sarcasm .
`` Got the Rona , '' he posted on Instagram Saturday .
`` I ’ m totally asymptomatic . ''
`` Going to give it a couple days of quarantine and follow the protocols then get retested in case it was a false positive as I feel and have felt totally fine , '' he said .
A spokesman for the son of President Donald Trump had announced on Friday that Donald Trump Jr. was in quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result .
He ’ s been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines , '' the spokesman said .
The president , first lady Melania Trump and their son , Barron had all tested positive for the virus in October .
The president was briefly hospitalized as a precautionary measure .
News that Donald Trump Jr. tested positive brought forth a tidal wave of attacks from Hollywood 's elite .
Responding to a tweet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the son of a former reality TV star , Donald Trump Jr. send a reply via Instagram .
`` You can ’ t make this BS up anymore .
This is a real headline , you think there ’ s any bias in the main stream media and from big tech ?
?
?
🙄 You ’ ve got to be freaking kidding me !
The hatred that they have for @ realdonaldtrump and our family is absolutely disgusting , '' he wrote .
`` That they could try to diminish all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as president , and that they will try to pretend he ’ s not POTUS shows their derangement knows no bounds ... Hey , they ’ ve been doing it for four years why stop now ?
Journalism as a profession is dead .
It has been replaced with activism and therefore doesn ’ t offer anything to anyone looking to actually inform themselves . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The announcement from Donald Trump Jr. that he has tested positive for the coronavirus triggered Hollywood celebrities into spasms of sarcasm.
"Got the Rona," he posted on Instagram Saturday. "I’m totally asymptomatic."
"Going to give it a couple days of quarantine and follow the protocols then get retested in case it was a false positive as I feel and have felt totally fine," he said.
A spokesman for the son of President Donald Trump had announced on Friday that Donald Trump Jr. was in quarantine.
"Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result. He’s been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines," the spokesman said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A spokesman for @DonaldJTrumpJr tells Fox: ”Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result. He’s been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines.” — Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) November 20, 2020
The president, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron had all tested positive for the virus in October. The president was briefly hospitalized as a precautionary measure.
News that Donald Trump Jr. tested positive brought forth a tidal wave of attacks from Hollywood's elite.
Daddy’s Little Accident has Corona!!!#DonaldTrumpJr you filthy infectious Pig!!!!
Damn!
The Best is yet to come!. Wow what a pleasant surprise on a Friday.#DisruptiveBehavior #PigDick The @iamrapaport is here:https://t.co/Q8XeE6KyIf pic.twitter.com/vC8s62yreN — MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) November 21, 2020
I guess his father finally hugged him.... https://t.co/Md5O333c2H — Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 20, 2020
Covid tested positive for Donald Trump Jr😜 — Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) November 20, 2020
Responding to a tweet that a story on Yahoo referred to him as the son of a former reality TV star, Donald Trump Jr. send a reply via Instagram.
This is a REAL HEADLINE from @Yahoo about @DonaldJTrumpJr testing positive for Coronavirus. They refer to @realDonaldTrump, the sitting President of the United States as “Former reality TV show host” The Media is already trying to erase the fact that he is President. pic.twitter.com/IQZewLsd5d — Benny (@bennyjohnson) November 21, 2020
"You can’t make this BS up anymore. This is a real headline, you think there’s any bias in the main stream media and from big tech???🙄 You’ve got to be freaking kidding me! The hatred that they have for @realdonaldtrump and our family is absolutely disgusting," he wrote.
"That they could try to diminish all he’s accomplished in life and as president, and that they will try to pretend he’s not POTUS shows their derangement knows no bounds... Hey, they’ve been doing it for four years why stop now? Journalism as a profession is dead. It has been replaced with activism and therefore doesn’t offer anything to anyone looking to actually inform themselves."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-23--Flashback: HBO's John Oliver called electronic voting machines 'completely insane' in 2019

Long before electronic voting machines emerged as a piece of the controversy surrounding the 2020 elections , liberals made it clear that they suspected them every bit as much as President Donald Trump does now .
In the aftermath of the election in which presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden has been declared the winner , allegations have been flying from Trump and his campaign that voting machines made by Dominion Voting Systems can be manipulated .
The unproven claims are part of a campaign battle that has included allegations there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as Pennsylvania .
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities , proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election .
In November 2019 , liberal HBO host John Oliver ripped into electronic voting machines on his show , `` Last Week Tonight . ''
A video of his diatribe was posted on YouTube .
Oliver 's ire was directed against Direct Recording Electronic voting machines , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very bad .
If something goes wrong with one of them , you would basically never know , because you can ’ t audit the results .
And things have gone wrong , ” he said , citing a New Jersey case in which a husband and wife running for seats on a local Democratic committee `` were in the unusual position of actually knowing that that was a mistake.
” During the video clip , Ernest and Cynthia Zirkle told their story .
“ I knew 33 of the people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 to 10 , and I knew that that wasn ’ t the case , ” said Cynthia Zirkle .
“ We started calling people that we thought we knew voted for us , because it was just in this district of this township , and we know everybody in this district , ” added Ernest Zirkle .
To set things right , Cynthia Zirkle had “ literally went around and got signed affidavits from people saying that they had voted for her , '' Oliver said .
“ The fact is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who votes for you on a paperless DRE machine , there is no way to verify the results , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a pretty good case against them , which makes it , frankly , completely insane that New Jersey not only still uses them , but plans to keep using them for the 2020 election.
” “ And it ’ s not just New Jersey , in 2016 , 20 percent of voters voted on paperless DREs , and an estimated 12 percent will use them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread out across all these states , are set to be voting on machines that pretty much everyone agrees are deeply , deeply flawed .
And if they malfunction , there could be no way of knowing , which is absolutely terrifying , '' he said .
No Trump fan , Oliver then cited the president .
`` What we have to do here is obvious , it ’ s so obvious , in fact , even this guy understands it , '' he said , showing a clip of Trump talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s right .
That ’ s it .
He ’ s just all the way , completely right , ” said Oliver .
Similar concerns the next month led four Democrats -- Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Ron Wyden of Oregon and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin -- to vent their collective spleens to equity funds with interests in Dominion and two other companies , Hart InterCivic Inc. and Election Systems & Software .
Copies of the letters can be viewed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ In 2018 alone ‘ voters in South Carolina [ were ] reporting machines that switched their votes after they ’ d inputted them , scanners [ were ] rejecting paper ballots in Missouri , and busted machines [ were ] causing long lines in Indiana.
’ In addition , researchers recently uncovered previously undisclosed vulnerabilities in ‘ nearly three dozen backend election systems in 10 states.
’ '' And , just this year , after the Democratic candidate ’ s electronic tally showed he received an improbable 164 votes out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in 2019 , the county ’ s Republican Chairwoman said , ‘ [ n ] othing went right on Election Day .
Everything went wrong .
That ’ s a problem.
’ These problems threaten the integrity of our elections and demonstrate the importance of election systems . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Long before electronic voting machines emerged as a piece of the controversy surrounding the 2020 elections, liberals made it clear that they suspected them every bit as much as President Donald Trump does now.
In the aftermath of the election in which presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden has been declared the winner, allegations have been flying from Trump and his campaign that voting machines made by Dominion Voting Systems can be manipulated.
The unproven claims are part of a campaign battle that has included allegations there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania.
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities, proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election.
In November 2019, liberal HBO host John Oliver ripped into electronic voting machines on his show, "Last Week Tonight." A video of his diatribe was posted on YouTube.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Oliver's ire was directed against Direct Recording Electronic voting machines, which leave no paper trail.
“They are very bad. If something goes wrong with one of them, you would basically never know, because you can’t audit the results. And things have gone wrong,” he said, citing a New Jersey case in which a husband and wife running for seats on a local Democratic committee "were in the unusual position of actually knowing that that was a mistake.”
During the video clip, Ernest and Cynthia Zirkle told their story.
“I knew 33 of the people that voted for us, and we lost 33 to 10, and I knew that that wasn’t the case,” said Cynthia Zirkle.
“We started calling people that we thought we knew voted for us, because it was just in this district of this township, and we know everybody in this district,” added Ernest Zirkle.
To set things right, Cynthia Zirkle had “literally went around and got signed affidavits from people saying that they had voted for her," Oliver said.
“The fact is, unless you happen to personally know everyone who votes for you on a paperless DRE machine, there is no way to verify the results,” he said. “It’s a pretty good case against them, which makes it, frankly, completely insane that New Jersey not only still uses them, but plans to keep using them for the 2020 election.”
“And it’s not just New Jersey, in 2016, 20 percent of voters voted on paperless DREs, and an estimated 12 percent will use them in 2020, meaning 16 million Americans, spread out across all these states, are set to be voting on machines that pretty much everyone agrees are deeply, deeply flawed. And if they malfunction, there could be no way of knowing, which is absolutely terrifying," he said.
No Trump fan, Oliver then cited the president.
"What we have to do here is obvious, it’s so obvious, in fact, even this guy understands it," he said, showing a clip of Trump talking about the importance of a paper voting trail.
“He’s right. That’s it. He’s just all the way, completely right,” said Oliver.
Similar concerns the next month led four Democrats -- Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Ron Wyden of Oregon and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin -- to vent their collective spleens to equity funds with interests in Dominion and two other companies, Hart InterCivic Inc. and Election Systems & Software.
Copies of the letters can be viewed on Warren’s website.
They wrote: “In 2018 alone ‘voters in South Carolina [were] reporting machines that switched their votes after they’d inputted them, scanners [were] rejecting paper ballots in Missouri, and busted machines [were] causing long lines in Indiana.’ In addition, researchers recently uncovered previously undisclosed vulnerabilities in ‘nearly three dozen backend election systems in 10 states.’
"And, just this year, after the Democratic candidate’s electronic tally showed he received an improbable 164 votes out of 55,000 cast in a Pennsylvania state judicial election in 2019, the county’s Republican Chairwoman said, ‘[n]othing went right on Election Day. Everything went wrong. That’s a problem.’ These problems threaten the integrity of our elections and demonstrate the importance of election systems."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-23--Trump's legal team suddenly distances from Sidney Powell

Despite Sidney Powell appearing with President Trump 's campaign lawyers at news conferences through last week , the Trump campaign suddenly distanced itself Sunday evening from the high-profile attorney who has vowed to file lawsuits of `` biblical '' proportions to expose vote fraud in the 2020 election .
In a statement from Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and Trump legal adviser Jenna Ellis , the team said : `` Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own .
She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team .
She is also not a lawyer for the President in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump himself had tweeted as recently as Nov. 14 that Powell was a member of his legal team .
`` I look forward to Mayor Giuliani spearheading the legal effort to defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS !
Rudy Giuliani , Joseph diGenova , Victoria Toensing , Sidney Powell , and Jenna Ellis , a truly great team , added to our other wonderful lawyers and representatives ! ''
Trump said this month .
A source speaking to Breitbart News on background `` suggested that the team had hoped to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public claims had gone beyond the scope of the evidence they had seen and believed they could prove in court . ''
As WND reported Sunday , Powell said she was going to file a lawsuit of `` biblical '' proportions in order to `` blow up '' 2020 election results based on alleged fraud involving electronic voting machines in Georgia .
`` Hopefully this week we will get it ready to file , and it will be biblical , '' attorney Sidney Powell said Saturday night on `` The Count '' program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons of evidence ; it 's so much , it 's hard to pull it all together . ''
`` Georgia is probably going to be the first state I 'm gon na blow up , '' she continued , claiming top Georgia officials were being paid in a conspiracy with Dominion Voting Systems , the company accused of switching votes for President Trump to Joe Biden .
Dominion has denied the allegations .
Powell became a household name for representing former National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn who withdrew his guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the FBI .
The U.S. Justice Department has attempted to drop Flynn 's prosecution , but the judge handling the case has refused to dismiss it .
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs

Despite Sidney Powell appearing with President Trump's campaign lawyers at news conferences through last week, the Trump campaign suddenly distanced itself Sunday evening from the high-profile attorney who has vowed to file lawsuits of "biblical" proportions to expose vote fraud in the 2020 election.
In a statement from Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and Trump legal adviser Jenna Ellis, the team said: "Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own. She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team. She is also not a lawyer for the President in his personal capacity."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Ironically, President Trump himself had tweeted as recently as Nov. 14 that Powell was a member of his legal team.
"I look forward to Mayor Giuliani spearheading the legal effort to defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS! Rudy Giuliani, Joseph diGenova, Victoria Toensing, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, a truly great team, added to our other wonderful lawyers and representatives!" Trump said this month.
I look forward to Mayor Giuliani spearheading the legal effort to defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS! Rudy Giuliani, Joseph diGenova, Victoria Toensing, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, a truly great team, added to our other wonderful lawyers and representatives! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
Should Sidney Powell be on Trump's legal team? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 94% (633 Votes) 6% (38 Votes)
A source speaking to Breitbart News on background "suggested that the team had hoped to work with her, but that Powell's public claims had gone beyond the scope of the evidence they had seen and believed they could prove in court."
As WND reported Sunday, Powell said she was going to file a lawsuit of "biblical" proportions in order to "blow up" 2020 election results based on alleged fraud involving electronic voting machines in Georgia.
"Hopefully this week we will get it ready to file, and it will be biblical," attorney Sidney Powell said Saturday night on "The Count" program on Newsmax. "We've got tons of evidence; it's so much, it's hard to pull it all together."
"Georgia is probably going to be the first state I'm gonna blow up," she continued, claiming top Georgia officials were being paid in a conspiracy with Dominion Voting Systems, the company accused of switching votes for President Trump to Joe Biden. Dominion has denied the allegations.
Powell became a household name for representing former National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn who withdrew his guilty plea after he was prosecuted for lying to the FBI.
The U.S. Justice Department has attempted to drop Flynn's prosecution, but the judge handling the case has refused to dismiss it.
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs
Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeKovacsNews


wnd--2020-11-24--'Too bad there are so few honest reporters left'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Easy question : Is it illegal to steal an election or not ?
You would have to assume that it is no big deal based on the response to claims of widespread fraud in the contest between President Trump and Joe Biden .
Big Media says the evidence just doesn ’ t exist , and most Americans seem to be lost in a blue haze of blind acceptance that whatever they are told by the talking heads on TV must be true .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a frightening harbinger of an America that is no longer a nation of laws , but rather a nation of edicts .
You can already see that unfolding in the sheep-like acceptance of COVID-19 restrictions that blatantly ignore the Constitution .
But if you dare do your own independent assessment of facts -- whether regarding the efficacy of mask use in preventing spread of coronavirus or regarding the security of electronic voting -- you will quickly come to a different conclusion than that which is approved by Big Tech , Big Media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t take the time to do their own research .
They simply believe whatever is told to them .
For those in thrall to the establishment media , that means they believe that Trump ’ s allegations of election fraud are “ baseless.
” Remember , the media made that declaration within hours of the election , long before any evidence had been presented in a court of law and before analysis had begun on the raw vote totals .
Once that narrative was established , it didn ’ t matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many witnesses came forward , or how much analysis suggested that the vote count may have been manipulated .
The jury of the American people had already been tainted by Big Media to believe the narrative that Trump is a sore loser .
Don ’ t forget , the mainstream media -- in the interests of public enlightenment ( now known as wokeness ) -- have spent the past four years reporting as fact that the duly elected president of the United States is a liar , a tax cheat , a Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other words , he is a con man who never should have been anywhere near the Oval Office in the first place .
So why would anyone now believe his claims that Democrats used phony mail ballots , vote-counting software and foreign manipulation to steal the election ?
Most of the media is pretending that there is not even a real story to report in what , if true , would be one of the gravest constitutional crises in the history of our republic .
As Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this has been almost as dishonest as the scheme itself .
The American people are entitled to know this , ” he warned the press .
“ You don ’ t have a right to keep it from them .
You don ’ t have a right to lie about it.
” But , the newsrooms at CNN and MSNBC are keeping it from the public .
They refused to even carry Giuliani ’ s press conference laying out the evidence of election fraud .
As for Fox News , they covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the air to say the claims were “ simply not true ” or “ baseless.
” Clearly , we are not going to get the truth from the media .
Has there been even one reporter for a mainstream outlet such as the Washington Post asking questions about the vulnerability of electronic voting systems to hacking or manipulation ?
Is any news organization demanding that the Justice Department or FBI get to the bottom of the story ?
The loss of a free and neutral press means that democracy can not work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board .
The capacity of the people to self-govern is dependent on their access to true and accurate information .
Sadly , the opposite principle applies as well .
When journalism abandons objectivity in favor of an agenda , then the people are in the position of cattle being led to slaughter .
Thomas Jefferson described the abuses of a free press in 1814 in a letter to his friend Walter Jones : “ I deplore … the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed and the malignity , the vulgarity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them… These ordures are rapidly depraving the public taste and lessening its relish for sound food .
As vehicles of information and a curb on our functionaries , they have rendered themselves useless by forfeiting all title to belief… This has , in a great degree , been produced by the violence and malignity of party spirit.
” Ouch !
Take that , New York Times !
Take that , CNN !
Of course , it is just such a malign “ party spirit ” that informs almost all mainstream journalism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is visible in the hostility towards Trump himself , but also in the accommodation towards Democrats such as Joe Biden .
Last Monday ’ s Biden press conference was a stunning abdication of responsibility by the media for its much-vaunted role of “ speaking truth to power ” — or at least asking tough questions .
Three of the first four queries were merely anti-Trump questions asked in a new way .
Instead of asking Trump “ How do you justify your unprecedented attempt to obstruct and delay a smooth transfer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden what he thought about Trump 's “ unprecedented attempt ” blah blah blah .
Then the next three questions were about COVID , which after six months of campaigning , even Sleepy Joe Biden could answer with his eyes closed .
Isn ’ t the media going to hold Biden accountable just like they claimed to hold Trump accountable ?
Why not ask about the curious patterns of vote counting in Michigan , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Georgia that make millions of people think Biden tried to steal the election ?
Shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full investigation to prove his victory was legitimate ?
How about a question about whether Hunter Biden will come out of hiding now that the election is over ?
How about asking the “ president-in-waiting ” to condemn the BLM and antifa violence that sent several innocent Trump supporters to the hospital two weeks ago ?
How about our celebrity journalists celebrate their own crucial role as defenders of democracy ?
If they don ’ t want to “ render themselves useless , ” they need to swear allegiance to facts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one party .
Or as Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana put it more indelicately , “ They have to be equal opportunity assholes.
” But they aren ’ t — and sooner or later the American people will get tired of being manipulated .
Journalism is supposed to give an honest account of the facts so that people can make up their own minds what they believe to be true .
Propaganda , on the other hand , is a dishonest attempt to persuade people not to examine the facts for themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach their own conclusion .
Propaganda starts with a conclusion and manipulates people into accepting it as fact .
You can decide for yourself whether what we have today is journalism or propaganda .
But the bottom line is this : Whether or not Donald Trump can prove his case in court should be irrelevant to the job of the press .
What honest reporters ought to recognize is the significance of the allegation itself , the historical nature of the crime being alleged , and the importance to the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard .
Too bad there are so few honest reporters left .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Frank Miele
Real Clear Politics
Easy question: Is it illegal to steal an election or not?
You would have to assume that it is no big deal based on the response to claims of widespread fraud in the contest between President Trump and Joe Biden. Big Media says the evidence just doesn’t exist, and most Americans seem to be lost in a blue haze of blind acceptance that whatever they are told by the talking heads on TV must be true.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
This kind of unthinking obedience to authority is a frightening harbinger of an America that is no longer a nation of laws, but rather a nation of edicts. You can already see that unfolding in the sheep-like acceptance of COVID-19 restrictions that blatantly ignore the Constitution. But if you dare do your own independent assessment of facts -- whether regarding the efficacy of mask use in preventing spread of coronavirus or regarding the security of electronic voting -- you will quickly come to a different conclusion than that which is approved by Big Tech, Big Media and Big Money.
Unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to do their own research. They simply believe whatever is told to them. For those in thrall to the establishment media, that means they believe that Trump’s allegations of election fraud are “baseless.” Remember, the media made that declaration within hours of the election, long before any evidence had been presented in a court of law and before analysis had begun on the raw vote totals. Once that narrative was established, it didn’t matter how many affidavits were presented, how many witnesses came forward, or how much analysis suggested that the vote count may have been manipulated. The jury of the American people had already been tainted by Big Media to believe the narrative that Trump is a sore loser.
Don’t forget, the mainstream media -- in the interests of public enlightenment (now known as wokeness) -- have spent the past four years reporting as fact that the duly elected president of the United States is a liar, a tax cheat, a Russian puppet, and a racist. In other words, he is a con man who never should have been anywhere near the Oval Office in the first place. So why would anyone now believe his claims that Democrats used phony mail ballots, vote-counting software and foreign manipulation to steal the election? Most of the media is pretending that there is not even a real story to report in what, if true, would be one of the gravest constitutional crises in the history of our republic.
As Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said in his press conference Thursday, “The coverage of this has been almost as dishonest as the scheme itself. The American people are entitled to know this,” he warned the press. “You don’t have a right to keep it from them. You don’t have a right to lie about it.”
But, the newsrooms at CNN and MSNBC are keeping it from the public. They refused to even carry Giuliani’s press conference laying out the evidence of election fraud. As for Fox News, they covered it, and then put a reporter on the air to say the claims were “simply not true” or “baseless.” Clearly, we are not going to get the truth from the media. Has there been even one reporter for a mainstream outlet such as the Washington Post asking questions about the vulnerability of electronic voting systems to hacking or manipulation? Is any news organization demanding that the Justice Department or FBI get to the bottom of the story?
The loss of a free and neutral press means that democracy cannot work even if its elections were completely above board. The capacity of the people to self-govern is dependent on their access to true and accurate information. Sadly, the opposite principle applies as well. When journalism abandons objectivity in favor of an agenda, then the people are in the position of cattle being led to slaughter.
Thomas Jefferson described the abuses of a free press in 1814 in a letter to his friend Walter Jones:
“I deplore … the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed and the malignity, the vulgarity and the mendacious spirit of those who write for them… These ordures are rapidly depraving the public taste and lessening its relish for sound food. As vehicles of information and a curb on our functionaries, they have rendered themselves useless by forfeiting all title to belief… This has, in a great degree, been produced by the violence and malignity of party spirit.”
Ouch! Take that, New York Times! Take that, CNN!
Of course, it is just such a malign “party spirit” that informs almost all mainstream journalism in the Age of Trump -- a spirit that is visible in the hostility towards Trump himself, but also in the accommodation towards Democrats such as Joe Biden. Last Monday’s Biden press conference was a stunning abdication of responsibility by the media for its much-vaunted role of “speaking truth to power” — or at least asking tough questions.
Three of the first four queries were merely anti-Trump questions asked in a new way. Instead of asking Trump “How do you justify your unprecedented attempt to obstruct and delay a smooth transfer of power?” the reporters merely asked Biden what he thought about Trump's “unprecedented attempt” blah blah blah. Then the next three questions were about COVID, which after six months of campaigning, even Sleepy Joe Biden could answer with his eyes closed.
Isn’t the media going to hold Biden accountable just like they claimed to hold Trump accountable? Why not ask about the curious patterns of vote counting in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia that make millions of people think Biden tried to steal the election? Shouldn’t he be asked to support a full investigation to prove his victory was legitimate? How about a question about whether Hunter Biden will come out of hiding now that the election is over? How about asking the “president-in-waiting” to condemn the BLM and antifa violence that sent several innocent Trump supporters to the hospital two weeks ago?
How about our celebrity journalists celebrate their own crucial role as defenders of democracy? If they don’t want to “render themselves useless,” they need to swear allegiance to facts, wherever they lead, and not to one party. Or as Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana put it more indelicately, “They have to be equal opportunity assholes.”
But they aren’t — and sooner or later the American people will get tired of being manipulated. Journalism is supposed to give an honest account of the facts so that people can make up their own minds what they believe to be true. Propaganda, on the other hand, is a dishonest attempt to persuade people not to examine the facts for themselves. Journalism starts with facts and allows people to reach their own conclusion. Propaganda starts with a conclusion and manipulates people into accepting it as fact. You can decide for yourself whether what we have today is journalism or propaganda.
But the bottom line is this: Whether or not Donald Trump can prove his case in court should be irrelevant to the job of the press. What honest reporters ought to recognize is the significance of the allegation itself, the historical nature of the crime being alleged, and the importance to the future of our republic that the case must be heard.
Too bad there are so few honest reporters left.