wnd--2020-08-19--DNC promoting outreach to religious voters

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Joe Biden has cast his presidential bid as a battle for “ the soul of the nation , ” an epic high-stakes clash of opposing forces that will impact the moral and spiritual direction of the country for years to come .
That framing touches on his Catholic beliefs and the important role he often credits his faith in guiding him through the many personal challenges he ’ s faced .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that Biden can take on President Trump ’ s carefully cultivated appeal to religious voters – with an authentic but very different approach .
Democrats hope to showcase the former vice president ’ s ability to connect emotionally to voters and talk easily about his faith this week during their four-day virtual convention in Milwaukee .
His campaign recently announced the creation of Believers for Biden and has sprinkled religious services and prayers throughout the convention schedule this week .
The outreach , team Biden says , is an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away at some conservative voters of faith disenchanted with Trump .
The convention held an interfaith welcome event Sunday morning , along with a worship service with the Congressional Black Caucus that night .
There will be interfaith meetings and events throughout the four days and a virtual Catholic mass on Thursday morning just hours before Biden delivers the marquee acceptance speech that night .
While similar-sounding events will take place during the Republican convention next week , expect vastly different messaging .
Democrats say they plan to use many of their faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topline values of social justice , diversity and equality .
“ The key religious issue of this election is systemic racism , and that ’ s something the vice president has talked about and continues to talk about because it ’ s very important to him -- it ’ s important to voters of all faiths all around the country , ” Josh Dickson , Biden ’ s director of faith engagement , told RealClearPolitics .
Even his characterization of the campaign as a fight for the “ soul of the nation ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent struggle with racial clashes and unrest .
Biden first used the term back in August 2017 when he penned an op-ed for The Atlantic after the violent clashes at the white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Va. Dickson says the faith leaders tapped this week to deliver the invocations and benedictions each day represent Biden ’ s “ commitment to amplifying and elevating diverse voices around the country and ensuring that we are promoting a message of inclusion and of redemption.
” The goal , Dickson says , is to ensure that members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s agenda reflects their values – the “ values of loving our neighbors as ourselves … the values of caring for the world around us , the values of working to sweep down the forces of injustice and oppression.
” With the nation still gripped with racial unrest in the wake of the George Floyd ’ s death , the Democratic Party ’ s push for greater diversity and inclusion are reflected in the heavy emphasis on interfaith events during the convention .
During the interfaith welcome service Sunday , Pardeep Sigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interfaith Conference , delivered the opening prayer .
Kaleka ’ s father was killed in the 2012 Sikh temple shooting in nearby Oak Creek .
After Biden tapped Kamala Harris as his running mate last week , media reports highlighted her interfaith background – that she attended services at both a black church and a Hindu temple growing up in California ’ s Bay area .
In 2014 , she married Douglas Emhoff , a Jewish attorney .
During a 2017 speech at a historic church in Atlanta , Harris talked about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakland ’ s 23rd Avenue Church of God along with services as a local Hindu temple .
She said that her mother taught her and her sister “ to see that all faiths teach us to pursue justice.
” Still , Biden hasn ’ t been shy about giving his Catholic faith credit for shaping his approach to immigration , expanding Americans ’ access to health care and on embracing the Green New Deal as a way to fight climate change .
The Biden pitch to religious voters is a general appeal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less focused and transactional than Trump ’ s .
Democrats ’ religious outreach also is getting a late start ; the campaign hired Dickson in mid-June and launched Believers for Biden in late July .
In contrast , the Trump campaign has been holding dozens of “ Faith in America ” outreach events , many headlined by Vice President Mike Pence , to its evangelical and conservative Catholic base since last year .
The early organizing acknowledges the critical role the religious right played handing Trump his 2016 win and the power they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap with Biden come November .
Since Ronald Reagan ’ s 1980 victory over Jimmy Carter , GOP presidential candidates have benefitted from evangelical Christian voters , and they still make up a major voting bloc despite shifting demographics .
Evangelicals are the most common religious group , just ahead of those without religious affiliation , a Pew Research Center study found .
And in 2016 , national election pool exit polls found that 26 % of voters self-identified as white evangelical Christians .
Eighty-one percent of those evangelicals voted for Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line in key swing states such as Georgia , Michigan , Missouri and Pennsylvania , Pew found .
Trump started fulfilling his campaign promises to evangelicals and Catholic pro-life voters just months into job .
In May of 2017 he signed an executive order aimed at overturning Obamacare ’ s mandate that employers provide health insurance that covers contraceptives , including some pregnancy prevention drugs the religious right regards as abortifacients .
A few months later , he lifted a ban that blocked houses of worship from receiving federal disaster aid .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic by shuttering churches , along with hundreds of private Catholic schools , Trump has vocally condemned those actions and thrown his support behind lawsuits challenging the local laws .
Trump also has stood up for persecuted religious minorities around the globe , appointing former Kansas Gov .
Sam Brownback , a well-known conservative evangelical , to the position of ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom .
Earlier this year , he passed an executive order aimed at advancing international religious freedom worldwide .
Biden ’ s move to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic and evangelical voters .
He recently released a campaign video in which he says he has drawn on lessons from Pope Francis and the example of nuns for personal inspiration , but his critics also point out that he has promised , if elected , to revive his legal battle with Little Sisters of the Poor , nuns who have fought the Obamacare contraception mandate in court .
Last June , as he was preparing to run for president , Biden also abruptly reversed his decades-long support for the Hyde Amendment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abortions .
While he has long supported Roe v. Wade , the Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal nationwide , he had previously cited his Roman Catholic faith as the reason for backing the Hyde Amendment .
In choosing Kamala Harris , Biden is further alienating pro-life Catholics and evangelicals .
As attorney general , Harris filed a brief with the Supreme Court asking it to refuse Hobby Lobby ’ s request to deny women birth control because it went against the arts-and-crafts chain store owner ’ s Christian faith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lobby won the case .
In 2018 , Harris also angered Catholics by questioning a federal judge ’ s decision to join the Knights of Columbus , a 137-year-old all-male Catholic charitable organization , as a teen because the group opposes abortion .
The sharp questioning triggered a flood of criticism from Catholics , conservatives and religious freedom advocates who charged that Democrats were trying to impose a new religious litmus test on judicial nominees .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
Joe Biden has cast his presidential bid as a battle for “the soul of the nation,” an epic high-stakes clash of opposing forces that will impact the moral and spiritual direction of the country for years to come. That framing touches on his Catholic beliefs and the important role he often credits his faith in guiding him through the many personal challenges he’s faced.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It’s a way that Biden can take on President Trump’s carefully cultivated appeal to religious voters – with an authentic but very different approach.
Democrats hope to showcase the former vice president’s ability to connect emotionally to voters and talk easily about his faith this week during their four-day virtual convention in Milwaukee. His campaign recently announced the creation of Believers for Biden and has sprinkled religious services and prayers throughout the convention schedule this week. The outreach, team Biden says, is an effort to court religious voters – and possibly chip away at some conservative voters of faith disenchanted with Trump.
The convention held an interfaith welcome event Sunday morning, along with a worship service with the Congressional Black Caucus that night. There will be interfaith meetings and events throughout the four days and a virtual Catholic mass on Thursday morning just hours before Biden delivers the marquee acceptance speech that night.
While similar-sounding events will take place during the Republican convention next week, expect vastly different messaging.
Democrats say they plan to use many of their faith outreach events this week to promote their topline values of social justice, diversity and equality. “The key religious issue of this election is systemic racism, and that’s something the vice president has talked about and continues to talk about because it’s very important to him -- it’s important to voters of all faiths all around the country,” Josh Dickson, Biden’s director of faith engagement, told RealClearPolitics.
Even his characterization of the campaign as a fight for the “soul of the nation” is a reference to nation’s recent struggle with racial clashes and unrest. Biden first used the term back in August 2017 when he penned an op-ed for The Atlantic after the violent clashes at the white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
Dickson says the faith leaders tapped this week to deliver the invocations and benedictions each day represent Biden’s “commitment to amplifying and elevating diverse voices around the country and ensuring that we are promoting a message of inclusion and of redemption.” The goal, Dickson says, is to ensure that members of different faith communities see that Biden’s agenda reflects their values – the “values of loving our neighbors as ourselves … the values of caring for the world around us, the values of working to sweep down the forces of injustice and oppression.”
With the nation still gripped with racial unrest in the wake of the George Floyd’s death, the Democratic Party’s push for greater diversity and inclusion are reflected in the heavy emphasis on interfaith events during the convention. During the interfaith welcome service Sunday, Pardeep Sigh Kaleka, director of Milwaukee’s Interfaith Conference, delivered the opening prayer. Kaleka’s father was killed in the 2012 Sikh temple shooting in nearby Oak Creek.
After Biden tapped Kamala Harris as his running mate last week, media reports highlighted her interfaith background – that she attended services at both a black church and a Hindu temple growing up in California’s Bay area. In 2014, she married Douglas Emhoff, a Jewish attorney.
During a 2017 speech at a historic church in Atlanta, Harris talked about the lessons she learned as a child attending Oakland’s 23rd Avenue Church of God along with services as a local Hindu temple. She said that her mother taught her and her sister “to see that all faiths teach us to pursue justice.”
Still, Biden hasn’t been shy about giving his Catholic faith credit for shaping his approach to immigration, expanding Americans’ access to health care and on embracing the Green New Deal as a way to fight climate change.
The Biden pitch to religious voters is a general appeal to voters’ better angels and is far less focused and transactional than Trump’s. Democrats’ religious outreach also is getting a late start; the campaign hired Dickson in mid-June and launched Believers for Biden in late July.
In contrast, the Trump campaign has been holding dozens of “Faith in America” outreach events, many headlined by Vice President Mike Pence, to its evangelical and conservative Catholic base since last year. The early organizing acknowledges the critical role the religious right played handing Trump his 2016 win and the power they still have to help close his polling gap with Biden come November.
Since Ronald Reagan’s 1980 victory over Jimmy Carter, GOP presidential candidates have benefitted from evangelical Christian voters, and they still make up a major voting bloc despite shifting demographics.
Evangelicals are the most common religious group, just ahead of those without religious affiliation, a Pew Research Center study found. And in 2016, national election pool exit polls found that 26% of voters self-identified as white evangelical Christians. Eighty-one percent of those evangelicals voted for Trump in 2016, helping him cross the finish line in key swing states such as Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, Pew found.
Trump started fulfilling his campaign promises to evangelicals and Catholic pro-life voters just months into job. In May of 2017 he signed an executive order aimed at overturning Obamacare’s mandate that employers provide health insurance that covers contraceptives, including some pregnancy prevention drugs the religious right regards as abortifacients. A few months later, he lifted a ban that blocked houses of worship from receiving federal disaster aid.
More recently, as Democratic governors reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by shuttering churches, along with hundreds of private Catholic schools, Trump has vocally condemned those actions and thrown his support behind lawsuits challenging the local laws.
Trump also has stood up for persecuted religious minorities around the globe, appointing former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a well-known conservative evangelical, to the position of ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom. Earlier this year, he passed an executive order aimed at advancing international religious freedom worldwide.
Biden’s move to the left will likely alienate many single-issue pro-life Catholic and evangelical voters. He recently released a campaign video in which he says he has drawn on lessons from Pope Francis and the example of nuns for personal inspiration, but his critics also point out that he has promised, if elected, to revive his legal battle with Little Sisters of the Poor, nuns who have fought the Obamacare contraception mandate in court.
Last June, as he was preparing to run for president, Biden also abruptly reversed his decades-long support for the Hyde Amendment, the measure that bans the federal funding of abortions. While he has long supported Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal nationwide, he had previously cited his Roman Catholic faith as the reason for backing the Hyde Amendment.
In choosing Kamala Harris, Biden is further alienating pro-life Catholics and evangelicals. As attorney general, Harris filed a brief with the Supreme Court asking it to refuse Hobby Lobby’s request to deny women birth control because it went against the arts-and-crafts chain store owner’s Christian faith. The high court disagreed, and Hobby Lobby won the case.
In 2018, Harris also angered Catholics by questioning a federal judge’s decision to join the Knights of Columbus, a 137-year-old all-male Catholic charitable organization, as a teen because the group opposes abortion. The sharp questioning triggered a flood of criticism from Catholics, conservatives and religious freedom advocates who charged that Democrats were trying to impose a new religious litmus test on judicial nominees.


wnd--2020-08-19--Football coach orders players to photograph, report students not wearing masks

Football players at the University of Miami in Florida are being tasked with patrolling campus and enforcing the school 's mask mandate .
That includes being encouraged to take photos of student mask infractions and report them to coaches .
The rebellious football team that shocked the world by sidestepping polite college football etiquette in the 1980s , and won championships while doing so , has embraced Miami-Dade County 's very strict health mandates during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Palm Beach Post reported Tuesday that amid the health situation , the culture of ‘ Canes football has shifted toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way second-year Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz wants it to be .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech “ We ’ re trying to be the leaders of wearing masks on campus , ” Diaz told The Post .
“ My guys take pictures of guys that don ’ t wear masks and send it to us , ” he added .
“ Our guys understand what the standard is and how much their teammates are depending on them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take part in any activity which might preserve the 2020 football season .
While several Power Five conferences have canceled their fall football seasons , the ACC , which the Hurricanes compete in , has not done so .
Senior linebacker Zach McCloud told the newspaper the football team wants to set a good example for others on campus in Coral Gables .
“ Right now , the best thing we could do is be a model to other students on campus , ” he said .
Citing a surge in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of North Carolina , Diaz said his players want to prevent an outbreak at Miami .
On UNC 's Chapel Hill campus , a 13.6 percent positive test rate among the 954 students who were tested for the coronavirus led administrators to switch UNC ’ s curriculum to online-only this week , according to USA Today .
Diaz said his players are well aware of the potential for an outbreak on Miami 's campus .
“ We have been in a place where we ’ ve understood what the numbers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know how alarmed we should be if any part of the country pops 12 percent positive rate .
Not that that ’ s good and nobody ’ s rooting for that , but that is the reality of this virus .
We ’ re fighting against that number every week , ” he said .
Diaz also suggested to The Post that he considers masks to be an extension of safety equipment already worn by players .
“ Our guys just practiced , and it had to be over 100-degree heat index @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This was our first morning practice , and it was blazing out there .
If they can run around in a helmet and shoulder pads , I promise you pretty much anyone can walk around wearing a mask , ” Diaz added .
“ That ’ s the easiest thing we can do . ''
For now , Miami football is preparing for a Sept. 10 matchup against the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers as part of the school 's modified schedule .
All indications so far are that the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall for the ACC , the Big 12 and the SEC .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Football players at the University of Miami in Florida are being tasked with patrolling campus and enforcing the school's mask mandate.
That includes being encouraged to take photos of student mask infractions and report them to coaches.
The rebellious football team that shocked the world by sidestepping polite college football etiquette in the 1980s, and won championships while doing so, has embraced Miami-Dade County's very strict health mandates during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Palm Beach Post reported Tuesday that amid the health situation, the culture of ‘Canes football has shifted toward one of compliance.
That is exactly the way second-year Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz wants it to be.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“We’re trying to be the leaders of wearing masks on campus,” Diaz told The Post.
“My guys take pictures of guys that don’t wear masks and send it to us,” he added. “Our guys understand what the standard is and how much their teammates are depending on them.”
The Post indicated that players are glad to take part in any activity which might preserve the 2020 football season. While several Power Five conferences have canceled their fall football seasons, the ACC, which the Hurricanes compete in, has not done so.
Senior linebacker Zach McCloud told the newspaper the football team wants to set a good example for others on campus in Coral Gables.
“Right now, the best thing we could do is be a model to other students on campus,” he said.
“Making sure everybody’s staying safe,” McCloud added.
Citing a surge in cases on the campus of in-conference rivals at the University of North Carolina, Diaz said his players want to prevent an outbreak at Miami.
On UNC's Chapel Hill campus, a 13.6 percent positive test rate among the 954 students who were tested for the coronavirus led administrators to switch UNC’s curriculum to online-only this week, according to USA Today.
Diaz said his players are well aware of the potential for an outbreak on Miami's campus.
“We have been in a place where we’ve understood what the numbers have been out there. I don’t know how alarmed we should be if any part of the country pops 12 percent positive rate. Not that that’s good and nobody’s rooting for that, but that is the reality of this virus. We’re fighting against that number every week,” he said.
Diaz also suggested to The Post that he considers masks to be an extension of safety equipment already worn by players.
“Our guys just practiced, and it had to be over 100-degree heat index out there,” he said.
“This was our first morning practice, and it was blazing out there. If they can run around in a helmet and shoulder pads, I promise you pretty much anyone can walk around wearing a mask,” Diaz added.
“That’s the easiest thing we can do."
For now, Miami football is preparing for a Sept. 10 matchup against the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers as part of the school's modified schedule.
All indications so far are that the 2020 college football season will go forward in the fall for the ACC, the Big 12 and the SEC.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-19--Sally Yates called out for 'boldfaced lie' at DNC

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates told a `` boldfaced lie '' in her speech Tuesday night during the Democratic National Convention , contends a legal group with first-hand knowledge of her claim .
Yates ' claimed she was fired `` for refusing to defend President Trump 's shameful and unlawful Muslim travel ban . ''
But the ban , which targeted not Muslims but terrorism-fomenting nations , was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court , points out Jordan Sekulow , executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice , which defended the ban in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for refusing to defend an order the Supreme Court found was constitutional . ''
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech Her claim is `` a boldfaced lie .
There is no other way to put it , '' he said .
`` She refused to do her job and uphold the president ’ s lawful travel restrictions .
That ’ s not me saying it ; the Supreme Court upheld the president ’ s executive actions as lawful and not a 'Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ACLJ was involved `` at every stage of the lawsuits , '' he said , filing three briefs at the Supreme Court after filing briefs in the Ninth and Fourth Circuits , and U.S. District Courts for Hawaii , Washington state and Maryland .
`` We defended the lawfulness of the president ’ s travel restrictions at every step of the way .
And we won .
Sally Yates ’ s position lost , big-time , '' he said .
Aiming `` to defend the safety of all Americans , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States from seven countries of concern , paused the U.S. refugee program and prioritized claims of people seeking refugee status due to religious persecution .
Sekulow said critics called it a `` Muslim ban '' to `` whip up fervor in the media , even though nothing in the president 's order banned the entry of Muslims . ''
The original countries listed in the ban were the known terrorist hotspots of Iran , Iraq , Syria , Sudan , Libya , Yemen and Somalia .
He noted the ban went into effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Syria and was expanding .
Later , Iraq and Sudan were removed and Chad , North Korea and Venezuela were added .
Supporting the travel ban , Chief Justice Roberts argued in the majority opinion that under the Immigration and Nationality Act , `` foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States undergo a vetting process to ensure that they satisfy the numerous requirements for admission . ''
`` The act also vests the president with authority to restrict the entry of aliens whenever he finds that their entry 'would be detrimental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' the chief justice pointed out .
`` Relying on that delegation , the president concluded that it was necessary to impose entry restrictions on nationals of countries that do not share adequate information for an informed entry determination , or that otherwise present national security risks . ''

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates told a "boldfaced lie" in her speech Tuesday night during the Democratic National Convention, contends a legal group with first-hand knowledge of her claim.
Yates' claimed she was fired "for refusing to defend President Trump's shameful and unlawful Muslim travel ban."
But the ban, which targeted not Muslims but terrorism-fomenting nations, was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, points out Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice, which defended the ban in court.
Sekulow said Yates "was fired for refusing to defend an order the Supreme Court found was constitutional."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Her claim is "a boldfaced lie. There is no other way to put it," he said.
"She refused to do her job and uphold the president’s lawful travel restrictions. That’s not me saying it; the Supreme Court upheld the president’s executive actions as lawful and not a 'Muslim travel ban,'" Sekulow said.
The ACLJ was involved "at every stage of the lawsuits," he said, filing three briefs at the Supreme Court after filing briefs in the Ninth and Fourth Circuits, and U.S. District Courts for Hawaii, Washington state and Maryland.
"We defended the lawfulness of the president’s travel restrictions at every step of the way. And we won. Sally Yates’s position lost, big-time," he said.
Aiming "to defend the safety of all Americans," the order barred entry to the United States from seven countries of concern, paused the U.S. refugee program and prioritized claims of people seeking refugee status due to religious persecution.
Sekulow said critics called it a "Muslim ban" to "whip up fervor in the media, even though nothing in the president's order banned the entry of Muslims."
The original countries listed in the ban were the known terrorist hotspots of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. He noted the ban went into effect when ISIS controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria and was expanding. Later, Iraq and Sudan were removed and Chad, North Korea and Venezuela were added.
Supporting the travel ban, Chief Justice Roberts argued in the majority opinion that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, "foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States undergo a vetting process to ensure that they satisfy the numerous requirements for admission."
"The act also vests the president with authority to restrict the entry of aliens whenever he finds that their entry 'would be detrimental to the interests of the United States,'" the chief justice pointed out.
"Relying on that delegation, the president concluded that it was necessary to impose entry restrictions on nationals of countries that do not share adequate information for an informed entry determination, or that otherwise present national security risks."


wnd--2020-08-19--The Dems have gone postal – will they recover?

`` Trump Derangement Syndrome '' is a malady that Republicans and conservatives often speak of these days .
The obsessive , venomous quality of the left 's Trump-hatred is indeed remarkable and for some `` progressives '' genuinely psychologically destabilizing , but often , let 's face it , references to TDS are made in jest .
Conservatives , understandably , are reluctant to admit that they are vehemently hated , just as we are reluctant to admit that the `` loyal opposition '' to President Trump may have lost its grip on reality and become captive to its myopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , require us to take these notions with the utmost seriousness – otherwise we may become guilty of the same willful blindness we rightly condemn on the other side .
The liberals ' and the media 's current fixation on the U.S .
Postal Service is a case in point .
The left claims that recent changes at post offices , slowing down some forms of mail delivery to achieve cost savings , are in point of fact an advanced form of Trumpian/fascist election fraud .
They claim that postal delays are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the appointment of a Trump supporter to lead the USPS validates their theory .
This is nonsense on countless levels .
First , the changes at the Postal Service are long overdue and are necessitated by the collapse of its business model over several generations , not just in the last few months .
They are also changes that began to unfold during the Obama administration ( including , by the way , the retirement of some derelict mailboxes ) , and therefore did not materialize overnight on Trump 's whim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform at the USPS reflects its independence from political meddling , not its supposed servile Trumpism .
Second , the leadership at the Postal Service did not try to conceal the changes to its service delivery .
On the contrary , it warned various states that , in effect , they would need to change the dates by which they advised voters to mail in their ballots , to ensure that they would be delivered on time and would be duly counted .
This was not an attempt by the USPS to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the democratic rights of us all .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech Third , the left 's current argument flies in the face of its own master narrative about elections : that we do n't need to worry about `` fraud , '' because it simply does n't exist .
According to Democrats , concerns about the integrity of mail-in votes are silly and baseless .
But somehow it is not silly or baseless to imagine that the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposition of a fascist dictatorship on the American people .
Fourth , liberals and media pundits ignore the mounting evidence of problems in the tabulation and verification of mail-in votes in previous elections held this year .
In some contests , final results took weeks to materialize , and in others a shockingly high percentage of ballots were rejected .
Is this not a more legitimate source of worry than slight reductions in the speed of postal delivery ?
Fifth , any problems some voters experience with the voting process are anomalies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in U.S. or world history .
Recent changes making it easier for people to vote by absentee ballot and/or by mail or online , expanding the availability of early voting and streamlining the process for voter registration have led to large increases in voting , especially among minorities .
The idea that the right to vote is `` under threat '' flies in the face of all this clear evidence of increased voter participation .
What 's most distressing about the left 's claims of postal `` sabotage '' are not their sheer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the fact that leftists advance them not with a conscious sense of irony or out of disingenuous opportunism .
On the contrary , they make such wild and inaccurate claims without the slightest doubt entering into their ( diseased ) minds that they are true .
They believe , implicitly , that Trump plans to `` steal '' the 2020 election and that recent changes at the post office are a manifestation of his evil stratagem .
Ca n't find a mailbox on every street corner ?
There 's only one possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , therefore , that `` Trump Derangement Syndrome '' has ceased to be an amusing catchphrase .
It has become , rather , the religion of the left .
To be a member in good standing of the `` progressive '' movement , you now need to check your rational , critical faculties at the door and forsake them evermore .
It is necessary instead for you to believe , without questioning , any smear , no matter how fanciful , directed at people on the left 's extensive enemies list .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can be assumed , based on our ideology , our party identification , our faith , our race and/or our sex , the company we keep , or some combination of these .
Any investigation into the facts is secondary , at best , and irrelevant , at worst .
Just ask Brett Kavanaugh .
We conservatives , therefore , need to start grappling with these awful truths : Our political opponents no longer like us , to be sure .
They no longer respect us either .
They no longer believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are entitled to the rights of American citizenship , and some do n't even regard us as worthy of life itself .
All that is bad enough , but what 's worse is that leftists have burrowed themselves so deeply in the black hole of their `` progressive '' and profoundly negative monoculture that they are not even vaguely capable of discerning fact from fiction , nor are they able to perceive when their own beliefs are contradictory .
Non sequitur ?
`` No problem , '' says the modern leftist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping , if you please . ''
There are few things more dangerous in this world than a crazy person who thinks that he is sane – or , to put it another way , an irrational person who thinks that he is rational .
And yet we conservatives must come to terms with the fact that we live in a country where at least 40 % of the voting population has lost its collective marbles and may , unless the media environment changes massively , never recover them .
Meanwhile , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-15 % , is caught in the middle – not ideologically committed to the full slate of leftist fantasies , but nonetheless heavily influenced by toxic and maniacal left-leaning reportage ( recently shown to be 150 times harsher vis-a-vis President Trump versus Joe Biden ) .
We had better find a way of reaching this American center , of inoculating it against the insane ramblings of the left , or America and its democracy will be lost forever .
I realize it is beyond scary – in fact , it is horrifying – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political opponents have hectored and self-isolated their way into collective derangement , but it is necessary all the same .
The first step to curing America of the blight of leftist lunacy is to admit that we have , as a country , contracted a mental illness .
Only then can we begin to devise an effective course of treatment .

"Trump Derangement Syndrome" is a malady that Republicans and conservatives often speak of these days. The obsessive, venomous quality of the left's Trump-hatred is indeed remarkable and for some "progressives" genuinely psychologically destabilizing, but often, let's face it, references to TDS are made in jest. Conservatives, understandably, are reluctant to admit that they are vehemently hated, just as we are reluctant to admit that the "loyal opposition" to President Trump may have lost its grip on reality and become captive to its myopia and its rancor. Recent developments, though, require us to take these notions with the utmost seriousness – otherwise we may become guilty of the same willful blindness we rightly condemn on the other side.
The liberals' and the media's current fixation on the U.S. Postal Service is a case in point. The left claims that recent changes at post offices, slowing down some forms of mail delivery to achieve cost savings, are in point of fact an advanced form of Trumpian/fascist election fraud. They claim that postal delays are an intentional form of voter suppression, and that the appointment of a Trump supporter to lead the USPS validates their theory.
This is nonsense on countless levels.
First, the changes at the Postal Service are long overdue and are necessitated by the collapse of its business model over several generations, not just in the last few months. They are also changes that began to unfold during the Obama administration (including, by the way, the retirement of some derelict mailboxes), and therefore did not materialize overnight on Trump's whim. In fact, the program of reform at the USPS reflects its independence from political meddling, not its supposed servile Trumpism.
Second, the leadership at the Postal Service did not try to conceal the changes to its service delivery. On the contrary, it warned various states that, in effect, they would need to change the dates by which they advised voters to mail in their ballots, to ensure that they would be delivered on time and would be duly counted. This was not an attempt by the USPS to "sabotage" anyone's vote, but to protect the democratic rights of us all.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Third, the left's current argument flies in the face of its own master narrative about elections: that we don't need to worry about "fraud," because it simply doesn't exist. According to Democrats, concerns about the integrity of mail-in votes are silly and baseless. But somehow it is not silly or baseless to imagine that the post office is now a vehicle for the imposition of a fascist dictatorship on the American people.
Fourth, liberals and media pundits ignore the mounting evidence of problems in the tabulation and verification of mail-in votes in previous elections held this year. In some contests, final results took weeks to materialize, and in others a shockingly high percentage of ballots were rejected. Is this not a more legitimate source of worry than slight reductions in the speed of postal delivery?
Fifth, any problems some voters experience with the voting process are anomalies, insofar as voting has never been simpler in U.S. or world history. Recent changes making it easier for people to vote by absentee ballot and/or by mail or online, expanding the availability of early voting and streamlining the process for voter registration have led to large increases in voting, especially among minorities. The idea that the right to vote is "under threat" flies in the face of all this clear evidence of increased voter participation.
What's most distressing about the left's claims of postal "sabotage" are not their sheer emptiness and absurdity, however. It is the fact that leftists advance them not with a conscious sense of irony or out of disingenuous opportunism. On the contrary, they make such wild and inaccurate claims without the slightest doubt entering into their (diseased) minds that they are true. They believe, implicitly, that Trump plans to "steal" the 2020 election and that recent changes at the post office are a manifestation of his evil stratagem. Can't find a mailbox on every street corner? There's only one possible explanation: fascism!
The fact is, therefore, that "Trump Derangement Syndrome" has ceased to be an amusing catchphrase. It has become, rather, the religion of the left.
To be a member in good standing of the "progressive" movement, you now need to check your rational, critical faculties at the door and forsake them evermore. It is necessary instead for you to believe, without questioning, any smear, no matter how fanciful, directed at people on the left's extensive enemies list. As conservatives, our guilt, after all, can be assumed, based on our ideology, our party identification, our faith, our race and/or our sex, the company we keep, or some combination of these. Any investigation into the facts is secondary, at best, and irrelevant, at worst. Just ask Brett Kavanaugh.
We conservatives, therefore, need to start grappling with these awful truths: Our political opponents no longer like us, to be sure. They no longer respect us either. They no longer believe, in all too many cases, that we are entitled to the rights of American citizenship, and some don't even regard us as worthy of life itself.
All that is bad enough, but what's worse is that leftists have burrowed themselves so deeply in the black hole of their "progressive" and profoundly negative monoculture that they are not even vaguely capable of discerning fact from fiction, nor are they able to perceive when their own beliefs are contradictory.
Non sequitur? "No problem," says the modern leftist. "I'll have a second helping, if you please."
There are few things more dangerous in this world than a crazy person who thinks that he is sane – or, to put it another way, an irrational person who thinks that he is rational. And yet we conservatives must come to terms with the fact that we live in a country where at least 40% of the voting population has lost its collective marbles and may, unless the media environment changes massively, never recover them.
Meanwhile, a considerable portion of the electorate, perhaps 10-15%, is caught in the middle – not ideologically committed to the full slate of leftist fantasies, but nonetheless heavily influenced by toxic and maniacal left-leaning reportage (recently shown to be 150 times harsher vis-a-vis President Trump versus Joe Biden). We had better find a way of reaching this American center, of inoculating it against the insane ramblings of the left, or America and its democracy will be lost forever.
I realize it is beyond scary – in fact, it is horrifying – to face the harsh reality that our political opponents have hectored and self-isolated their way into collective derangement, but it is necessary all the same.
The first step to curing America of the blight of leftist lunacy is to admit that we have, as a country, contracted a mental illness. Only then can we begin to devise an effective course of treatment.


wnd--2020-08-19--Noted Christian leader blasts state's adolescent 'mutilation' plan

James Dobson is warning of a new `` gender mutilation and sterilization '' proposal by lawmakers in California .
The state has a reputation for promoting homosexuality and transgenderism dating to nearly two decades ago when they mandated only positive portrayals of homosexuality in public schools .
Now the legislature is considering a transgender promotion plan , writes Dobson , the founder of Focus on the Family , the James Dobson Family Institute and the host of `` Dr. James Dobson 's Family Talk '' radio program , A state Senate committee recently voted 7-1 to approve `` a horrendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wellness and Equity Fund . ''
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech He said it `` would be used to fund treatments that would include cross-sex hormone 'therapy ' and gender 'reassignment ' surgery . ''
`` For the sake of these children and adults who are being victimized by our culture 's distorted sexual devolution , I 'll say exactly what this bill supports : gender mutilation and sterilization .
Proponents of this bill will deny the truth – in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that since the bill does n't use the word 'sterilization , ' there is no harm and no foul , '' Dobson wrote .
`` Rubbish !
These clinics use puberty blockers on pre-pubescent children in order to prevent them from experiencing puberty .
If a child does n't go through puberty , he or she will likely be sterile for life , a medical fact that many gender clinics expressly admit . ''
He pointed out that children are only some of the victims .
`` No rational and compassionate individual could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults .
And yet this bill would fund procedures including double mastectomies on adolescent girls and genital amputations and reconstructive procedures for individuals older than 18 .
This is n't the fulfillment of personal autonomy—this is the celebration of acts of cruelty , '' he warned .
He asked readers to follow a link on his website page to the California Senate , to `` contact every state senator you can and demand that they put a stop to this despicable bill . ''
`` You do n't need a medical degree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults is not just unethical ; it is morally repugnant .
It is beyond reprehensible that our government officials would actually set aside money to fund this evil assault on children and adults who are made in the image of Almighty God . ''
Dobson has dedicated his career as a psychologist , Christian leader and broadcaster to `` preserving the biblical institutions of marriage and family by encouraging , inspiring , supporting , and leading parents and children to build their lives on God ’ s Word . ''
His radio programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets , he 's written 71 books on the family , and he 's advised five U.S. presidents on family issues .
Along with an earned Ph.D. , he holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees .
He also recently reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the same topic .
The decision was based on a 1964 sex nondiscrimination law banned employers from firing an employee on the basis of `` gender identity '' or homosexuality .
The decision is expected to generate fierce court fights for years to come , since 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sex . ''
`` Not only was this decision an affront against God , but it was also a historical attack against the founding framework that governs our nation , '' he said .
`` Our judiciary is constitutionally charged with interpreting the law , not making law .
In its 6-3 ruling , the Supreme Court acted as a super-legislature and failed to carry out its primary duty to the American people .
And we will all pay the price . ''
He pointed out that `` sex '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and female , '' and any change must come from Congress .

James Dobson is warning of a new "gender mutilation and sterilization" proposal by lawmakers in California.
The state has a reputation for promoting homosexuality and transgenderism dating to nearly two decades ago when they mandated only positive portrayals of homosexuality in public schools.
Now the legislature is considering a transgender promotion plan, writes Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, the James Dobson Family Institute and the host of "Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk" radio program,
A state Senate committee recently voted 7-1 to approve "a horrendous bill" that creates a "Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
He said it "would be used to fund treatments that would include cross-sex hormone 'therapy' and gender 'reassignment' surgery."
"For the sake of these children and adults who are being victimized by our culture's distorted sexual devolution, I'll say exactly what this bill supports: gender mutilation and sterilization. Proponents of this bill will deny the truth – in fact, they already have. They insist that since the bill doesn't use the word 'sterilization,' there is no harm and no foul," Dobson wrote.
"Rubbish! These clinics use puberty blockers on pre-pubescent children in order to prevent them from experiencing puberty. If a child doesn't go through puberty, he or she will likely be sterile for life, a medical fact that many gender clinics expressly admit."
Should taxpayers fund 'transgender' surgeries for minors? 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% (2 Votes) 98% (117 Votes)
He pointed out that children are only some of the victims.
"No rational and compassionate individual could possibly celebrate the mutilation of adolescents or adults. And yet this bill would fund procedures including double mastectomies on adolescent girls and genital amputations and reconstructive procedures for individuals older than 18. This isn't the fulfillment of personal autonomy—this is the celebration of acts of cruelty," he warned.
He asked readers to follow a link on his website page to the California Senate, to "contact every state senator you can and demand that they put a stop to this despicable bill."
"You don't need a medical degree to recognize that experimenting on vulnerable children and adults is not just unethical; it is morally repugnant. It is beyond reprehensible that our government officials would actually set aside money to fund this evil assault on children and adults who are made in the image of Almighty God."
Dobson has dedicated his career as a psychologist, Christian leader and broadcaster to "preserving the biblical institutions of marriage and family by encouraging, inspiring, supporting, and leading parents and children to build their lives on God’s Word."
His radio programs are heard on more than 1,300 radio outlets, he's written 71 books on the family, and he's advised five U.S. presidents on family issues. Along with an earned Ph.D., he holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees.
He also recently reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the same topic. The decision was based on a 1964 sex nondiscrimination law banned employers from firing an employee on the basis of "gender identity" or homosexuality.
The decision is expected to generate fierce court fights for years to come, since 100 other federal laws ban discrimination based on "sex."
"Not only was this decision an affront against God, but it was also a historical attack against the founding framework that governs our nation," he said.
"Our judiciary is constitutionally charged with interpreting the law, not making law. In its 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court acted as a super-legislature and failed to carry out its primary duty to the American people. And we will all pay the price."
He pointed out that "sex" in the 1964 law in dispute meant "male and female," and any change must come from Congress.


wnd--2020-08-20--Trump tweets barbs at Obama, Harris during DNC speeches

( FOX NEWS ) -- As Kamala Harris was giving her vice presidential nomination speech , President Trump called to @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and his running mate that played out during the primary season .
And @ @ @ @ @ delivered his own address during the Democratic Convention , the president questioned why Obama had @ @ @ @ @ his former running mate .
“ BUT DIDN ’ T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST @ @ @ @ @ wrote on Twitter as the third night of the convention concluded with Harris ’ remarks @ @ @ @ @ SHE SAY HE WAS INCOMPETENT ?
?
?
”

(FOX NEWS) -- As Kamala Harris was giving her vice presidential nomination speech, President Trump called to mind tensions between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his running mate that played out during the primary season.
And as former President Barack Obama delivered his own address during the Democratic Convention, the president questioned why Obama had waited so long to endorse his former running mate.
“BUT DIDN’T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST???” Trump wrote on Twitter as the third night of the convention concluded with Harris’ remarks. “DIDN’T SHE SAY HE WAS INCOMPETENT???”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-20--More than 1.1 million claim unemployment benefit for week

( FOX BUSINESS ) -- The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to more than @ @ @ @ @ Department said Thursday .
Initial weekly jobless claims totaled more than 1.1 million for the @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total number of claims to more than 57 million since coronavirus-related lockdowns began @ @ @

(FOX BUSINESS) -- The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to more than 1 million, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Initial weekly jobless claims totaled more than 1.1 million for the week ending Aug. 15, bringing the total number of claims to more than 57 million since coronavirus-related lockdowns began in March.
Economists surveyed by Refinitiv expected 925,000 new claims.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-20--Governor to cities: Defund the police and we'll freeze property taxes

After the Austin City Council voted to defund its police department , Texas Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott and other top GOP leaders proposed freezing the ability to raise property taxes of any other city that makes a similar move .
On Tuesday , Abbott , Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick and state House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced the proposal , reported the Houston Chronicle .
`` Any city that defunds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at the current level , '' Abbott said .
`` They will never be able to increase property tax revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick said that what the Austin City Council did `` should never happen in any city in the state , and we 're going to pass legislation to be sure it never happens again . ''
TRENDING : New state mandate requires doctor 's note to go mask-free in public Bonnen said in an email that the proposal `` will disincentivize cities like Austin from compromising the safety of residents and stop them from using our law enforcement as a political prop . ''
In Texas , the Republican-majority state legislature meets only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their off-year .
The Austin City Council voted unanimously to move one-third of the police budget to its `` Decouple and Reimagine Safety '' funds , emphasizing the use of social workers to handle social issues such as homelessness , mental health and domestic disturbances .
Austin City Council member Greg Casar said the council wants to ease the burden on police .
`` The message from the tens of thousands of Austinites who made their voices heard in this year 's budget process was clear : We must decrease our over-reliance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety challenges and instead reinvest in domestic violence shelters , mental health first responders , and more , '' he said in a statement .
`` That 's what our City Council did — and it 's exactly the work we 're committed to continue . ''

After the Austin City Council voted to defund its police department, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other top GOP leaders proposed freezing the ability to raise property taxes of any other city that makes a similar move.
On Tuesday, Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced the proposal, reported the Houston Chronicle.
"Any city that defunds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at the current level," Abbott said. "They will never be able to increase property tax revenue again if they defund police."
Patrick said that what the Austin City Council did "should never happen in any city in the state, and we're going to pass legislation to be sure it never happens again."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Bonnen said in an email that the proposal "will disincentivize cities like Austin from compromising the safety of residents and stop them from using our law enforcement as a political prop."
In Texas, the Republican-majority state legislature meets only every other year, and this is their off-year.
The Austin City Council voted unanimously to move one-third of the police budget to its "Decouple and Reimagine Safety" funds, emphasizing the use of social workers to handle social issues such as homelessness, mental health and domestic disturbances.
Austin City Council member Greg Casar said the council wants to ease the burden on police.
"The message from the tens of thousands of Austinites who made their voices heard in this year's budget process was clear: We must decrease our over-reliance on police to handle all of our complex public safety challenges and instead reinvest in domestic violence shelters, mental health first responders, and more," he said in a statement.
"That's what our City Council did — and it's exactly the work we're committed to continue."


wnd--2020-08-21--Mexico's discrimination highlights importance of trade deal

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]
When large firms with close ties to national governments use unfair practices to game the system , international trade rules should be invoked to restore fairness .
That was the theme of a letter in June from the American Petroleum Institute ( API ) to U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer .
The letter detailed the gambits deployed by Petróleos Mexicanos ( PEMEX ) , the Mexican government-owned energy giant , to keep near monopoly control by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ US investors are facing increasing difficulties getting permits for a range of activities , including new or re-branded stations , third party storage facilities , imported fuels , liquids terminals , and LNG terminals.
” TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech In short , PEMEX , with the help of Mexican government officials , is doing everything it can to exclude foreign firms .
That includes throwing up roadblocks to American companies seeking permits for new or rebranded gas stations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas terminals .
According to officials , delays are now routine for permits that are supposed to be granted within 90 days and American gas companies have even seen their pumps shut down over minor infractions , often with coercion from the Mexican National Guard .
To make matters worse , on July 1st , 2020 – the day the USMCA entered into force – the Mexican government required American companies to keep five days ’ worth of fuel storage , a Catch-22 rule since PEMEX owns the lion ’ s share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from building storage .
PEMEX clearly has much at stake .
Today , it owns roughly 30 percent of all fuel stations in Mexico .
Moreover , PEMEX officials have vowed to nearly double the company 's drilling activity , even as the vast majority of the oil and gas firms have pulled back on exploration and production .
In fact , Mexico stands alone in Latin America as the only nation to increase its rig count during the COVID-19 crisis .
American firms have much at stake , too .
Mexico is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished motor gasoline , pipeline natural gas , and total refined products .
Last year , the U.S. sent nearly two thirds of its gas exports , nearly 5 trillion cubic feet , to Mexico and Canada .
Energy flows to our northern and southern neighbors support 12 million U.S. jobs and account for well over $ 1 trillion in trade .
PEMEX ’ s bid to maintain its monopoly is no excuse for official discrimination against US and other foreign firms .
These offenses highlight why faithful implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging in exactly the type of mistreatment that USMCA was intended to address .
Under USMCA rules , American companies that entered the Mexican market after that nation ’ s 2013 Energy Reforms should receive protections from the kind of discrimination detailed by American energy industry leaders .
Using the USMCA framework , American investors can seek justice using the investor-state dispute settlement ( ISDS ) system , a mechanism built to adjudicate claims of discrimination against foreign investors .
While U.S. oil and gas firms certainly stand to benefit from the protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much to gain as well .
Some 60 billion barrels of deep-water oil and 550 trillion cubic feet of shale gas lie within Mexico ’ s control .
When the pandemic recedes and energy markets recover , foreign investment can help unlock this vast potential , but only if the Mexican government treats foreign firms fairly .
By insisting on faithful implementation of the USMCA , Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador Lighthizer , can ensure that U.S. energy firms are no longer victims of PEMEX maneuvers and , at the same time , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]
By Gary Clyde Hufbauer
Real Clear Energy
When large firms with close ties to national governments use unfair practices to game the system, international trade rules should be invoked to restore fairness.
That was the theme of a letter in June from the American Petroleum Institute (API) to U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The letter detailed the gambits deployed by Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), the Mexican government-owned energy giant, to keep near monopoly control by strong-arming energy markets. According API, “US investors are facing increasing difficulties getting permits for a range of activities, including new or re-branded stations, third party storage facilities, imported fuels, liquids terminals, and LNG terminals.”
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In short, PEMEX, with the help of Mexican government officials, is doing everything it can to exclude foreign firms. That includes throwing up roadblocks to American companies seeking permits for new or rebranded gas stations, energy storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas terminals. According to officials, delays are now routine for permits that are supposed to be granted within 90 days and American gas companies have even seen their pumps shut down over minor infractions, often with coercion from the Mexican National Guard. To make matters worse, on July 1st, 2020 – the day the USMCA entered into force – the Mexican government required American companies to keep five days’ worth of fuel storage, a Catch-22 rule since PEMEX owns the lion’s share of storage and Mexican officials block U.S. firms from building storage.
PEMEX clearly has much at stake. Today, it owns roughly 30 percent of all fuel stations in Mexico. Moreover, PEMEX officials have vowed to nearly double the company's drilling activity, even as the vast majority of the oil and gas firms have pulled back on exploration and production. In fact, Mexico stands alone in Latin America as the only nation to increase its rig count during the COVID-19 crisis.
American firms have much at stake, too. Mexico is the number one export market for U.S. finished motor gasoline, pipeline natural gas, and total refined products. Last year, the U.S. sent nearly two thirds of its gas exports, nearly 5 trillion cubic feet, to Mexico and Canada. Energy flows to our northern and southern neighbors support 12 million U.S. jobs and account for well over $1 trillion in trade. PEMEX’s bid to maintain its monopoly is no excuse for official discrimination against US and other foreign firms.
These offenses highlight why faithful implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is so important. Mexico is engaging in exactly the type of mistreatment that USMCA was intended to address. Under USMCA rules, American companies that entered the Mexican market after that nation’s 2013 Energy Reforms should receive protections from the kind of discrimination detailed by American energy industry leaders. Using the USMCA framework, American investors can seek justice using the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system, a mechanism built to adjudicate claims of discrimination against foreign investors.
While U.S. oil and gas firms certainly stand to benefit from the protections offered by the USMCA, Mexico has much to gain as well. Some 60 billion barrels of deep-water oil and 550 trillion cubic feet of shale gas lie within Mexico’s control. When the pandemic recedes and energy markets recover, foreign investment can help unlock this vast potential, but only if the Mexican government treats foreign firms fairly.
By insisting on faithful implementation of the USMCA, Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador Lighthizer, can ensure that U.S. energy firms are no longer victims of PEMEX maneuvers and, at the same time, do a real service for the Mexican economy.


wnd--2020-08-21--National Security policy now needs to consider blasts like in Beirut

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]
This year will be remembered for many things .
One of them will be the large number of attacks and explosions of critical infrastructure in several countries .
The first was Iran ’ s attack on Abqaiq , Saudi Arabia ’ s main oil processing and transit node , long viewed as the doomsday scenario of the international oil industry .
Next , in July , Armenia launched several attacks on Azerbaijani military and civilian targets in close proximity to the major East-West energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently , there was the tragic explosion at the Beirut port on August 4 .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech These catastrophes have not happened by chance , but are part of a larger chain of security and safety challenges related to critical infrastructure , especially energy infrastructure .
As urban populations grow , infrastructure ages , and adversaries of the US and its allies increasingly see energy infrastructure as useful targets , the importance of critical infrastructure protection is becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety .
Moreover , the border between public safety policies and national security policies is blurring , as civilians increasingly bear the brunt of both intentional attacks and disasters caused by the mismanagement of civilian infrastructure .
New thinking is needed on how to approach the security of critical infrastructure , which takes into consideration the interplay between domestic safety and national security factors .
In parallel , the national security strategy of the US and its allies needs to give increased attention to protecting critical energy infrastructure and boosting resilience to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do occur .
Adversaries of the US and its allies are increasingly targeting civilian energy infrastructure .
Disrupting energy infrastructure and supplies is attractive for several reasons .
One , perpetrators of such attacks can take advantage of the lack of clarity about the cause of some of these incidents to hide their responsibility for them .
This plausible deniability is enhanced by the fact that accidents can damage most energy infrastructure , due to the presence of large amounts of combustible fuel .
In addition , disruption of energy supplies combines a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large swaths of the population and creating panic , with minimal loss of life , removing pressure on the US ( or its allies ) to respond due to the low body count .
Finally , energy infrastructure represents an especially attractive target because today ’ s Western militaries rely on civilian energy infrastructure for much of their energy supply and storage , allowing adversaries to damage these forces without actually engaging them .
The US and most of its allies are more vulnerable than Russia , China , Iran and other US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publics are accustomed to uninterrupted energy supplies , while U.S. adversaries frequently experience electricity disruptions and energy supply shortages .
Nor is targeting of energy and other civilian infrastructure limited to state actors .
In many parts of the world , non-state militias and criminal gangs , such as Hizballah , now control energy and other critical infrastructure , such as ports , power plants , and gas fields .
These non-state actors also possess , trade , and transit hazardous materials .
When related calamities take place , such as Beirut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ accidents , ” but a governance failure in allowing militias and gangs to control critical infrastructure and possess hazardous materials .
While market liberalization and privatization of energy production , transit , and supply have created many positive commercial outcomes , decreased government oversight has also , in many places , increased public safety risks .
New policies are necessary to harness the benefits of privatization in a safer manner .
With urban populations growing around the world , accidents have greater impact than in the past .
Moreover , aging infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a growing threat to civilian populations and militaries as a source of energy supply disruptions .
Addressing the security challenges to energy infrastructure requires cooperation between commercial entities , domestic safety institutions and national security agencies .
To prevent further disasters , like Beirut , these events should be studied as part of a series of critical infrastructure incidents .
A systematic study of these incidents will produce better policy responses and should be included in the next U.S. administration ’ s national security strategy .
Alan Howard , Dr. Dan Nussbaum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey , California , in its Energy Academic Group , which provides defense-focused graduate education , including classified studies and interdisciplinary research .
They focus on teaching and research on energy security , operational energy for the US military , and protection of critical energy infrastructure in the US and abroad .
Dr. Shaffer is also a Senior Advisor for Energy at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , a think tank in Washington , DC .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]
By Alan Howard & Dan Nussbaum, Brenda Shaffer
Real Clear Energy
This year will be remembered for many things. One of them will be the large number of attacks and explosions of critical infrastructure in several countries. The first was Iran’s attack on Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia’s main oil processing and transit node, long viewed as the doomsday scenario of the international oil industry. Next, in July, Armenia launched several attacks on Azerbaijani military and civilian targets in close proximity to the major East-West energy corridor from Azerbaijan to Europe. Most recently, there was the tragic explosion at the Beirut port on August 4.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
These catastrophes have not happened by chance, but are part of a larger chain of security and safety challenges related to critical infrastructure, especially energy infrastructure. As urban populations grow, infrastructure ages, and adversaries of the US and its allies increasingly see energy infrastructure as useful targets, the importance of critical infrastructure protection is becoming a key issue for national security and public safety. Moreover, the border between public safety policies and national security policies is blurring, as civilians increasingly bear the brunt of both intentional attacks and disasters caused by the mismanagement of civilian infrastructure.
New thinking is needed on how to approach the security of critical infrastructure, which takes into consideration the interplay between domestic safety and national security factors. In parallel, the national security strategy of the US and its allies needs to give increased attention to protecting critical energy infrastructure and boosting resilience to mitigate the consequences of those incidents that do occur.
Adversaries of the US and its allies are increasingly targeting civilian energy infrastructure. Disrupting energy infrastructure and supplies is attractive for several reasons. One, perpetrators of such attacks can take advantage of the lack of clarity about the cause of some of these incidents to hide their responsibility for them. This plausible deniability is enhanced by the fact that accidents can damage most energy infrastructure, due to the presence of large amounts of combustible fuel.
In addition, disruption of energy supplies combines a high impact, disrupting daily life for large swaths of the population and creating panic, with minimal loss of life, removing pressure on the US (or its allies) to respond due to the low body count. Finally, energy infrastructure represents an especially attractive target because today’s Western militaries rely on civilian energy infrastructure for much of their energy supply and storage, allowing adversaries to damage these forces without actually engaging them.
The US and most of its allies are more vulnerable than Russia, China, Iran and other US opponents to these attacks, since Western publics are accustomed to uninterrupted energy supplies, while U.S. adversaries frequently experience electricity disruptions and energy supply shortages.
Nor is targeting of energy and other civilian infrastructure limited to state actors. In many parts of the world, non-state militias and criminal gangs, such as Hizballah, now control energy and other critical infrastructure, such as ports, power plants, and gas fields. These non-state actors also possess, trade, and transit hazardous materials. When related calamities take place, such as Beirut, they should not be categorized as mere “accidents,” but a governance failure in allowing militias and gangs to control critical infrastructure and possess hazardous materials.
While market liberalization and privatization of energy production, transit, and supply have created many positive commercial outcomes, decreased government oversight has also, in many places, increased public safety risks. New policies are necessary to harness the benefits of privatization in a safer manner.
With urban populations growing around the world, accidents have greater impact than in the past. Moreover, aging infrastructure is a common problem in many countries and a growing threat to civilian populations and militaries as a source of energy supply disruptions.
Addressing the security challenges to energy infrastructure requires cooperation between commercial entities, domestic safety institutions and national security agencies. To prevent further disasters, like Beirut, these events should be studied as part of a series of critical infrastructure incidents. A systematic study of these incidents will produce better policy responses and should be included in the next U.S. administration’s national security strategy.
Alan Howard, Dr. Dan Nussbaum, and Dr. Brenda Shaffer are faculty members at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, in its Energy Academic Group, which provides defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research. They focus on teaching and research on energy security, operational energy for the US military, and protection of critical energy infrastructure in the US and abroad. Dr. Shaffer is also a Senior Advisor for Energy at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a think tank in Washington, DC.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]


wnd--2020-08-21--DNC airs debunked claim Trump called asylum seekers 'animals'

An edited video montage played during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday showed President Donald Trump referring to MS-13 gang members “ animals , ” but spliced it between videos of asylum seekers and children held in detention centers .
The DNC ’ s video on the third night of the convention showed children held in immigration detention centers , and the voice of a young girl said children had been orphaned “ because of ” Trump .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech “ These aren ’ t people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the DNC ’ s video .
“ I don ’ t want them in our country .
They ’ re animals , ” Trump said in several video clips said when added together .
Trump referred to MS-13 gang members as “ animals ” in a White House briefing in May 2018 , PolitiFact reported .
Multiple fact checkers debunked that Trump called asylum seekers animals .
The quotation used in the DNC video left out the context of a comment made by Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims to Trump about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of MS-13 , the Washington Examiner reported .
“ We have people coming into the country or trying to come in , we ’ re stopping a lot of them , but we ’ re taking people out of the country , ” Trump responded .
“ You wouldn ’ t believe how bad these people are .
These aren ’ t people .
These are animals , ” he said .
The edited video went viral on Twitter , nearly a year after the briefing , in April of 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]

By Kaylee Greenlee
Daily Caller News Foundation
An edited video montage played during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday showed President Donald Trump referring to MS-13 gang members “animals,” but spliced it between videos of asylum seekers and children held in detention centers.
The DNC’s video on the third night of the convention showed children held in immigration detention centers, and the voice of a young girl said children had been orphaned “because of” Trump.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“These aren’t people,” Trump said in one clip in the DNC’s video. “I don’t want them in our country. They’re animals,” Trump said in several video clips said when added together.
WATCH:
The #DemocraticConvention tonight repeated the lie that President Trump called asylum seekers animals. Both times he was referring to members of the MS-13 gang. Here is the DNC’s selectively edited video along with the full versions. pic.twitter.com/CB4viFYqxS — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 20, 2020
Trump referred to MS-13 gang members as “animals” in a White House briefing in May 2018, PolitiFact reported. Multiple fact checkers debunked that Trump called asylum seekers animals.
The quotation used in the DNC video left out the context of a comment made by Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims to Trump about the challenges of reporting illegal immigrants who are members of MS-13, the Washington Examiner reported.
“We have people coming into the country or trying to come in, we’re stopping a lot of them, but we’re taking people out of the country,” Trump responded. “You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals,” he said.
The edited video went viral on Twitter, nearly a year after the briefing, in April of 2019.
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


wnd--2020-08-21--Government demands $20,000 fine against church that held worship

Los Angeles County is moving to hold John MacArthur 's Grace Community Church in contempt of court and be fined a total of $ 20,000 for holding a worship service Sunday in defiance of a court order .
The church , like many across the nation , argues government officials are violating the First Amendment by restricting religious meetings while allowing similar gatherings , such as protests of the death of George Floyd .
Fox News reported L.A. County officials contend the church 's actions last Sunday constitute four separate violations of a temporary restraining order and a Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they say , should issue $ 1,000 fines for each of eight acts of alleged contempt and an additional $ 1,500 fine for each of eight alleged violations of court orders .
Lawyers for the church contend the county is violating the Constitution .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech '' The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has decided to continue their unconstitutional attack against Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church , '' said Jenna Ellis , who is representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially asking the court to hold the church in contempt for being open for worship last Sunday .
Pastor MacArthur is standing firm that church is essential and has no plans to yield to this tyrannical board , which is clearly defying the Constitution ’ s mandate to protect religious liberty , '' she said .
Last Friday , a judge ruled that the church could hold its weekend services , but an appeals court late Saturday night suspended the ruling .
`` I never thought I would see the day when government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would try to hold a church in contempt for peacefully exercising their religion , '' First Liberty Special Counsel Jeremy Dys told Fox News on Tuesday .
`` The law has always required the government to prove — not speculate — that a church is causing actual harm before depriving it of its civil and constitutional rights , '' he said .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, has asked Attorney General William Barr to address the issue .
`` Under the First Amendment , state officials must not treat religious persons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not favor one kind of speech over another , '' Hawley told Barr .
The non-profit First Liberty said that in California , Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom `` and local officials throughout the state continue imposing unconstitutional restrictions and discriminatory policies against churches and religious institutions . ''
`` The battle for religious freedom in the Golden State has reached a point we never thought possible , '' the group said .
`` Just this week , a state judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent a church in Thousand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spite of the church complying with safety guidelines and taking preventative measures to keep its congregants socially distanced .
`` Yes , the All-Out assault on religious freedom has reached a boiling point , with the courts now abusing their power to stop people of faith from congregating for a religious service ! ''
First Liberty said Newsom 's ban on singing in church is `` outrageous . ''
`` Nowhere in the Constitution do we find the power of government officials to tell churches and people of faith how they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can lift up their voices in song .
Yet , the governor somehow found , discovered or invented this power for himself , '' the group said .
`` His blatant discrimination is also clear from the fact that his order limited the size of indoor religious gatherings to no more than 100 people , yet he showed public support for people gathering in much higher numbers for mass protests . ''

Los Angeles County is moving to hold John MacArthur's Grace Community Church in contempt of court and be fined a total of $20,000 for holding a worship service Sunday in defiance of a court order.
The church, like many across the nation, argues government officials are violating the First Amendment by restricting religious meetings while allowing similar gatherings, such as protests of the death of George Floyd.
Fox News reported L.A. County officials contend the church's actions last Sunday constitute four separate violations of a temporary restraining order and a Court of Appeal order. The court, therefore, they say, should issue $1,000 fines for each of eight acts of alleged contempt and an additional $1,500 fine for each of eight alleged violations of court orders.
Lawyers for the church contend the county is violating the Constitution.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has decided to continue their unconstitutional attack against Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church," said Jenna Ellis, who is representing MacArthur.
"The government attorneys are essentially asking the court to hold the church in contempt for being open for worship last Sunday. Pastor MacArthur is standing firm that church is essential and has no plans to yield to this tyrannical board, which is clearly defying the Constitution’s mandate to protect religious liberty," she said.
Last Friday, a judge ruled that the church could hold its weekend services, but an appeals court late Saturday night suspended the ruling.
"I never thought I would see the day when government officials in the United States of America would try to hold a church in contempt for peacefully exercising their religion," First Liberty Special Counsel Jeremy Dys told Fox News on Tuesday.
"The law has always required the government to prove — not speculate — that a church is causing actual harm before depriving it of its civil and constitutional rights," he said.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has asked Attorney General William Barr to address the issue.
"Under the First Amendment, state officials must not treat religious persons and groups worse than others, and they must not favor one kind of speech over another," Hawley told Barr.
The non-profit First Liberty said that in California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom "and local officials throughout the state continue imposing unconstitutional restrictions and discriminatory policies against churches and religious institutions."
"The battle for religious freedom in the Golden State has reached a point we never thought possible," the group said. "Just this week, a state judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent a church in Thousand Oaks from gathering for indoor services, in spite of the church complying with safety guidelines and taking preventative measures to keep its congregants socially distanced.
"Yes, the All-Out assault on religious freedom has reached a boiling point, with the courts now abusing their power to stop people of faith from congregating for a religious service!"
First Liberty said Newsom's ban on singing in church is "outrageous."
"Nowhere in the Constitution do we find the power of government officials to tell churches and people of faith how they can worship, including whether or not they can lift up their voices in song. Yet, the governor somehow found, discovered or invented this power for himself," the group said.
"His blatant discrimination is also clear from the fact that his order limited the size of indoor religious gatherings to no more than 100 people, yet he showed public support for people gathering in much higher numbers for mass protests."


wnd--2020-08-21--Rush Limbaugh: Desperate Barack Obama fighting for himself

Former President Barack Obama 's speech Wednesday night endorsing Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention was more about self-preservation than about his former vice president , Rush Limbaugh told his listeners Thursday .
`` Barack Obama in that speech last night was fighting for himself , '' he said .
`` If Trump wins in November , the investigations will go on .
The investigations will go on .
They will disclose the treachery that Obama engaged in in trying to destroy Michael Flynn .
...
They will disclose the treachery that Obama authorized to protect Hillary Clinton with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump and the spying of Trump , '' he said .
The Justice Department 's criminal investigation of the Obama administration 's probe of now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion , which included the use of a bogus dossier to obtain spy warrants , produced its first indictment this week .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech Limbaugh said Obama knows `` full well '' what 's at stake .
`` If Biden wins , Obama knows he 's off the hook .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
He was so personal with his hatred for Trump – and let me tell you , there 's a lot of jealousy .
Because Trump , in three years , took this country to places Obama told everybody we could n't go anymore , '' the talk host said .
`` 'We just ca n't do it .
America 's best days are behind us , ' and do not argue with me on this .
He did say those words !
He over time , time and again – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were trying to set us all up .
'Look , America 's best days may be behind us .
Ehhhh , you know , we have a new era of decline .
Lower your expectations . '
'' Limbaugh said the downturn under Obama was `` done on purpose to try to achieve global government . ''
He noted the `` commentariat '' has been praising Obama 's speech .
`` Everybody thinks this guy comes with the sharpest crease in his slacks , and this guy is smarter than anybody in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be with us even though we do n't even deserve to be seen in the same light as Barack Obama , '' Limbaugh said .
`` And then he comes and delivers that sidewinder that just seems childishly personal . ''

Former President Barack Obama's speech Wednesday night endorsing Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention was more about self-preservation than about his former vice president, Rush Limbaugh told his listeners Thursday.
The talk-radio host called the speech "childlishly personal."
"Barack Obama in that speech last night was fighting for himself," he said. "If Trump wins in November, the investigations will go on. The investigations will go on. They will disclose the treachery that Obama engaged in in trying to destroy Michael Flynn. ... They will disclose the treachery that Obama authorized to protect Hillary Clinton with Comey running interference and with the setup of Trump and the spying of Trump," he said.
The Justice Department's criminal investigation of the Obama administration's probe of now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion, which included the use of a bogus dossier to obtain spy warrants, produced its first indictment this week.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Limbaugh said Obama knows "full well" what's at stake.
"If Biden wins, Obama knows he's off the hook. He's desperate, and you could tell it. He was so personal with his hatred for Trump – and let me tell you, there's a lot of jealousy. Because Trump, in three years, took this country to places Obama told everybody we couldn't go anymore," the talk host said.
"'We just can't do it. America's best days are behind us,' and do not argue with me on this. He did say those words! He over time, time and again – not just him, members of his administration were trying to set us all up. 'Look, America's best days may be behind us. Ehhhh, you know, we have a new era of decline. Lower your expectations.'"
Limbaugh said the downturn under Obama was "done on purpose to try to achieve global government."
He noted the "commentariat" has been praising Obama's speech.
"Everybody thinks this guy comes with the sharpest crease in his slacks, and this guy is smarter than anybody in the room. He's gonna deign to be with us even though we don't even deserve to be seen in the same light as Barack Obama," Limbaugh said. "And then he comes and delivers that sidewinder that just seems childishly personal."


wnd--2020-08-21--Half of voters say White House reporters focus on self-promotion

The White House press corps has great privileges , with access to the president and his top officials .
They travel on Air Force One and are given prime spots at many government functions .
All because , as part of the `` fifth estate , '' they are tasked with holding government accountable and providing `` we the people '' with the information needed to properly govern .
But a new poll indicates nearly half of voters do n't believe they are being served by the White Hous press corp , believing instead the journalists work `` more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , '' according to a Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen .
Only 33 % say they are `` serving the public and reporting important information . ''
Forty-nine percent believe the press corps members are `` promoting themselves and their own political agenda . ''
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech '' This is consistent with a wide range of survey research showing that voters view political reporters as activists rather than journalists , '' Rasmussen said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as with just about all results concerning political media , Republicans and conservatives are more skeptical than Democrats and liberals , '' he said .
Rasmussen pointed out that `` very liberal '' voters were the only measured demographic group in which a plurality , 42 % , viewed the White House press corps as serving the public .
During the Trump administration , members of the White House press corps frequently have clashed with the president , often posing questions that sound more like speeches than genuine inquiries .
This week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not he regretted his `` lies '' to the American people .

The White House press corps has great privileges, with access to the president and his top officials. They travel on Air Force One and are given prime spots at many government functions. All because, as part of the "fifth estate," they are tasked with holding government accountable and providing "we the people" with the information needed to properly govern.
But a new poll indicates nearly half of voters don't believe they are being served by the White Hous press corp, believing instead the journalists work "more on self-promotion and personal political priorities than reporting news," according to a Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.
Only 33% say they are "serving the public and reporting important information."
Forty-nine percent believe the press corps members are "promoting themselves and their own political agenda."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Eighteen percent weren't sure.
"This is consistent with a wide range of survey research showing that voters view political reporters as activists rather than journalists," Rasmussen said in the JTN report.
"And, as with just about all results concerning political media, Republicans and conservatives are more skeptical than Democrats and liberals," he said.
Rasmussen pointed out that "very liberal" voters were the only measured demographic group in which a plurality, 42%, viewed the White House press corps as serving the public.
During the Trump administration, members of the White House press corps frequently have clashed with the president, often posing questions that sound more like speeches than genuine inquiries.
This week, for example, one reporter asked Trump whether or not he regretted his "lies" to the American people.


wnd--2020-08-21--Cry for help found in box of Walmart craft sticks

A Fargo , North Dakota , woman said she found a cry for help in a box of craft sticks she purchased at Walmart .
The five-page note handwritten in Chinese apparently came from a woman `` imprisoned for a crime she did n't commit , '' reported the Fargo Forum .
The customer , Annette Rasile , uses the craft sticks in her business and recently bought a new supply .
Rasile initially thought the note might have been instructions from a manufacturer .
The only non-Chinese characters were the initials S.O.S .
at the top of one page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages online and asked for help with a translation .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech A Mandarin Chinese speaker gave her the gist of the message .
`` It 's a woman who is saying she 's wrongly imprisoned for a crime she did n't commit , '' Rasile told the Forum .
`` She talks about family , and it sounded like she was framed for political reasons or for something about relationships . ''
The note said the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then her term was increased to life without commutations .
`` What do you do with a letter like this ?
I just wanted it to end up in the right hands , possibly help somebody who needs help , '' she told the Forum .
The report said such letters requesting help are not unique .
`` In recent years , letters have been stuffed inside retail packages from Walmart to Saks Fifth Avenue .
Most of the time , the letters spell out human rights abuses faced by inmates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones manufacturing and packaging some of the goods shipped to the United States , '' the Forum said .
When American companies contract with Chinese companies for products , the Chinese companies sometimes subcontract and have prison inmates do the work , because it can result in higher profits , the paper explained .
`` Letters Americans have received over the past handful of years , which spell out the abuses prison workers face , including long hours with no food or water and getting beaten for not finishing their work , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights activists trying to raise awareness about the problem , '' the report said .

A Fargo, North Dakota, woman said she found a cry for help in a box of craft sticks she purchased at Walmart.
The five-page note handwritten in Chinese apparently came from a woman "imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit," reported the Fargo Forum.
The customer, Annette Rasile, uses the craft sticks in her business and recently bought a new supply.
Rasile initially thought the note might have been instructions from a manufacturer. The only non-Chinese characters were the initials S.O.S. at the top of one page, so she posted images of the pages online and asked for help with a translation.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A Mandarin Chinese speaker gave her the gist of the message.
"It's a woman who is saying she's wrongly imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit," Rasile told the Forum. "She talks about family, and it sounded like she was framed for political reasons or for something about relationships."
The note said the woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison, then her term was increased to life without commutations.
"What do you do with a letter like this? I just wanted it to end up in the right hands, possibly help somebody who needs help," she told the Forum.
The report said such letters requesting help are not unique.
"In recent years, letters have been stuffed inside retail packages from Walmart to Saks Fifth Avenue. Most of the time, the letters spell out human rights abuses faced by inmates of Chinese prisons — those inmates are the ones manufacturing and packaging some of the goods shipped to the United States," the Forum said.
When American companies contract with Chinese companies for products, the Chinese companies sometimes subcontract and have prison inmates do the work, because it can result in higher profits, the paper explained.
"Letters Americans have received over the past handful of years, which spell out the abuses prison workers face, including long hours with no food or water and getting beaten for not finishing their work, can be written by the inmates themselves or human rights activists trying to raise awareness about the problem," the report said.