wnd--2020-11-28--If Trump has evidence of mass voter fraud, he himself must act

If President Donald J. Trump has bona fide , hard evidence of mass voter fraud that cooked the presidential election results , he has the sole power at this fragile and crucial time in the nation 's history to do something about it .
To be blunt and to the point , The Donald , using his presidential powers and authority , could declare martial law or its equivalent , that is , freeze things until all facts are known and made public by laying out the evidence to We the People – though not with court jesters like Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut not just their own credibility but also Trump 's , with their ill-advised antics .
In the case of Giuliani , he is clearly `` over the hill '' and has had one too many martinis , and Ellis is not ready for prime time .
Getting on Fox News and pontificating is not a qualification for a lawyer zealously representing one 's client , the president of the United States !
What counts now is the court of public opinion , as there surely will be no justice coming from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As I chronicle in my latest book , `` It Takes a Revolution : Forget the Scandal Industry ! ''
which I will abbreviate as `` Revolution , '' the present-day courts , both federal and state , have been compromised and are effectively corrupt .
This is particularly true of the federal courts , which Thomas Jefferson predicted would come to be presided over by unelected and unaccountable despots and tyrants , such that the American people would have to , about every 20 years or so , clean house , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blood of patriots .
Of course , our greatest , most learned , most insightful and most revolutionary of our Founding Fathers did not want to see blood spilled , and neither does one of his disciples , meaning yours truly .
But if We the People do not now rise up , as I outline in `` Revolution , '' then this will surely be our sad and bloody destiny .
It is not an accident of history that Jefferson was in on the ground floor of the bloody and brutal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also an architect .
And , if and when the radical left takes total control of a new Biden-Harris administration , there will be a purge , an inquisition the likes of which have not been experienced since the aftermath of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution .
In our case , the left will empower not just its Justice Department and its Federal Bureau of Investigation , but also the Internal Revenue Service , the National Security Agency , the Central Intelligence Agency and the Deep State in other executive branch departments and agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them by so-called government action and any other convenient felonious means .
We conservatives , people of faith and all of us who believe and advocate for the vision and creation of our Founding Fathers , like Jefferson , Adams and Franklin , will be crushed .
The goal of the left is clearly and most assuredly to rid the nation of any vestige of resistance and to consolidate total government power such that We the People can not rise up and defeat them either at the ballot box or through avenues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substituted for our Judeo-Christian God , and we will be forced to worship at the altar of their tyranny and despotism .
TRENDING : Employees melt down after learning company is publishing prominent conservative Jordan Peterson 's book : Report Just think about the reality that the republic is now facing .
Radical Muslims , self-hating Marxian radicals on the Jewish left , radical atheists , radical blacks , radical feminists , radical LGBTQs and radicals from all walks of our immoral , brainwashed and corrupted society , will be in control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a practical matter , the entire Western world .
The prophesies of not just Jefferson , but of the likes of Ayn Rand in `` Atlas Shrugged '' and George Orwell 's `` 1984 '' will become reality .
So let me get to the point ( and in addition to this column , please carefully listen to my embedded podcast and radio show of today , below ) .
If We the People are to be spared a Biden-Harris presidency and vice-presidency , opening the door to a radical leftist takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , if and only if he has the hard evidence of mass voter fraud , must come clean with it and act immediately and strongly .
And , if he does not and goes with the advice to simply leave office with `` dignity '' – advice of Republican RINOS and other cowards in the virtually bankrupt Republican Party – then with urgency and immediate reaction time , `` It Takes a Revolution : Forget the Scandal Industry ! ''
My message just one day after Thanksgiving 2020 may not be pleasant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday season .
But I believe in my heart that it is truthful !
Read my book and my lips , get up off the couch , turn off the greedy purveyors of smoke and mirrors and deception in the media , and lets all pray and get to work .
And , remember that God and His Only Son help those of us who help ourselves .
Go to Amazon.com and order my book `` Revolution . ''
Judge for yourself if I am right .
Do you appreciate WND 's unfiltered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AD-FREE by becoming a WND Insider !
Find out more .

If President Donald J. Trump has bona fide, hard evidence of mass voter fraud that cooked the presidential election results, he has the sole power at this fragile and crucial time in the nation's history to do something about it. To be blunt and to the point, The Donald, using his presidential powers and authority, could declare martial law or its equivalent, that is, freeze things until all facts are known and made public by laying out the evidence to We the People – though not with court jesters like Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, who have undercut not just their own credibility but also Trump's, with their ill-advised antics. In the case of Giuliani, he is clearly "over the hill" and has had one too many martinis, and Ellis is not ready for prime time. Getting on Fox News and pontificating is not a qualification for a lawyer zealously representing one's client, the president of the United States!
What counts now is the court of public opinion, as there surely will be no justice coming from our bad joke of a legal system. As I chronicle in my latest book, "It Takes a Revolution: Forget the Scandal Industry!" which I will abbreviate as "Revolution," the present-day courts, both federal and state, have been compromised and are effectively corrupt. This is particularly true of the federal courts, which Thomas Jefferson predicted would come to be presided over by unelected and unaccountable despots and tyrants, such that the American people would have to, about every 20 years or so, clean house, that is, wage another revolution and spill the blood of patriots.
Of course, our greatest, most learned, most insightful and most revolutionary of our Founding Fathers did not want to see blood spilled, and neither does one of his disciples, meaning yours truly. But if We the People do not now rise up, as I outline in "Revolution," then this will surely be our sad and bloody destiny. It is not an accident of history that Jefferson was in on the ground floor of the bloody and brutal French Revolution, of which he was also an architect.
And, if and when the radical left takes total control of a new Biden-Harris administration, there will be a purge, an inquisition the likes of which have not been experienced since the aftermath of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution. In our case, the left will empower not just its Justice Department and its Federal Bureau of Investigation, but also the Internal Revenue Service, the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Deep State in other executive branch departments and agencies, to eradicate all those who oppose them by so-called government action and any other convenient felonious means. We conservatives, people of faith and all of us who believe and advocate for the vision and creation of our Founding Fathers, like Jefferson, Adams and Franklin, will be crushed.
The goal of the left is clearly and most assuredly to rid the nation of any vestige of resistance and to consolidate total government power such that We the People cannot rise up and defeat them either at the ballot box or through avenues of last resort. Leftist government will be substituted for our Judeo-Christian God, and we will be forced to worship at the altar of their tyranny and despotism.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Just think about the reality that the republic is now facing. Radical Muslims, self-hating Marxian radicals on the Jewish left, radical atheists, radical blacks, radical feminists, radical LGBTQs and radicals from all walks of our immoral, brainwashed and corrupted society, will be in control of not just the country, but, as a practical matter, the entire Western world. The prophesies of not just Jefferson, but of the likes of Ayn Rand in "Atlas Shrugged" and George Orwell's "1984" will become reality.
So let me get to the point (and in addition to this column, please carefully listen to my embedded podcast and radio show of today, below). If We the People are to be spared a Biden-Harris presidency and vice-presidency, opening the door to a radical leftist takeover in a Soviet-style godless state, President Trump, if and only if he has the hard evidence of mass voter fraud, must come clean with it and act immediately and strongly. And, if he does not and goes with the advice to simply leave office with "dignity" – advice of Republican RINOS and other cowards in the virtually bankrupt Republican Party – then with urgency and immediate reaction time, "It Takes a Revolution: Forget the Scandal Industry!"
My message just one day after Thanksgiving 2020 may not be pleasant or what you want to hear this holiday season. But I believe in my heart that it is truthful! Read my book and my lips, get up off the couch, turn off the greedy purveyors of smoke and mirrors and deception in the media, and lets all pray and get to work. And, remember that God and His Only Son help those of us who help ourselves.
Go to Amazon.com and order my book "Revolution." Judge for yourself if I am right.
Listen to Larry Klayman's most recent podcast:
Listen to Larry's recent radio show:
Do you appreciate WND's unfiltered hard-hitting news and commentary? Read us AD-FREE by becoming a WND Insider! Find out more.


wnd--2020-11-28--Lots of chaff on the nation's threshing room floor

`` The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in , shockproof , s -- t detector .
This is the writer 's radar , and all great writers have had it . ''
– Ernest Hemingway , The Paris Review Interviews , Vol .
I You may not have been aware of that quote , because great writers have been systematically filtered out of the educational system in America .
I remember it because I read the interview one sunny fall day , sitting under a tree on the college campus , wondering how one became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vietnam was blowing up and campus administration buildings were being occupied by students , a shrinking majority of Americans could still discern truth from lies .
They continued going to work , getting married and having children .
In due course , the war ended , and the soldiers returned home and picked up where they had left off in life before the war began .
Governing a nation that ca n't sift the wheat ( truth ) from the chaff ( lies ) is difficult .
America had public education , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At some point the proponents of `` stupid '' figured out that if they could take over the educational establishment , then they could remake everyone else in their own image .
Oddly enough , they achieved that by taking over the colleges and universities first .
Make of that what you will .
Higher education began to issue degrees in stupid .
They did n't call it that , of course .
They came up with innovative new degrees and built entire departments that specialized in gender confusion and applied racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrees that would ever repay your student loan .
After four to six years of college , the students returned home and lived with their parents .
They felt guilty and used , and applied the manipulation techniques they had learned in place of a liberal arts education to turn their problems into society 's problems .
TRENDING : Employees melt down after learning company is publishing prominent conservative Jordan Peterson 's book : Report The Democratic Party loves problems , the bigger the better .
Without problems there is little need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats now disavow ) .
The other institution that loves big government is big media .
If you are lazy and do n't like to look into things , the government beat is the place for you .
Reword the press release , make up a few anonymous sources , list the official government url , and you 're done .
Hemingway ( like many other literary greats ) was a news reporter before his books made him famous .
He would not have approved .
It was the basic , grueling work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from the lies and crafting it into a straightforward narrative that made him a great writer .
Contrast that with today 's environment , where CNN has no problem hiring one of the Cuomo boys to cover for his political hack brother .
Media and government is a revolving door ; just stick to the party line , and you will go far .
Big media are trying `` all lies all the time '' with Trump 's reelection .
`` Do n't believe all those conspiracy theories about how the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you that Biden won ?
What 's wrong with you ?
Of course the guy who campaigned from his basement to his media audience won !
Ignore the tens of thousands of people at Trump rallies ; all the votes that came in were for Biden .
`` Sure we had to lock out the Republican poll observers ; we had a lot of ballots to count , and they kept objecting that they were all for Biden !
Sure there were a few glitches with those shiny new voting machines you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to learn to cheat with new equipment . ''
A lot of chaff has accumulated on the nation 's threshing room floor during the past half-century of sifting .
Today the news harvest reveals precious little wheat .
We are wallowing in the lies .
If ever there were a time and a place where each of us needed Hemingway 's essential piece of equipment , it is here and now .
Reconnaissance , the first volume in the Armageddon Story series .
Do you appreciate WND 's unfiltered hard-hitting news and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a WND Insider !
Find out more .

"The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, s--t detector. This is the writer's radar, and all great writers have had it." – Ernest Hemingway, The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. I
You may not have been aware of that quote, because great writers have been systematically filtered out of the educational system in America. I remember it because I read the interview one sunny fall day, sitting under a tree on the college campus, wondering how one became a writer.
During that era, when Vietnam was blowing up and campus administration buildings were being occupied by students, a shrinking majority of Americans could still discern truth from lies. They continued going to work, getting married and having children. In due course, the war ended, and the soldiers returned home and picked up where they had left off in life before the war began.
Governing a nation that can't sift the wheat (truth) from the chaff (lies) is difficult. America had public education, and people who graduated rarely grew up stupid. At some point the proponents of "stupid" figured out that if they could take over the educational establishment, then they could remake everyone else in their own image. Oddly enough, they achieved that by taking over the colleges and universities first. Make of that what you will.
Higher education began to issue degrees in stupid. They didn't call it that, of course. They came up with innovative new degrees and built entire departments that specialized in gender confusion and applied racism. They were not the kind of degrees that would ever repay your student loan. After four to six years of college, the students returned home and lived with their parents. They felt guilty and used, and applied the manipulation techniques they had learned in place of a liberal arts education to turn their problems into society's problems.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The Democratic Party loves problems, the bigger the better. Without problems there is little need for government (beyond the essentials, which Democrats now disavow). The other institution that loves big government is big media. If you are lazy and don't like to look into things, the government beat is the place for you. Reword the press release, make up a few anonymous sources, list the official government url, and you're done.
Hemingway (like many other literary greats) was a news reporter before his books made him famous. He would not have approved. It was the basic, grueling work of digging out the truth, separating it from the lies and crafting it into a straightforward narrative that made him a great writer.
Contrast that with today's environment, where CNN has no problem hiring one of the Cuomo boys to cover for his political hack brother. Media and government is a revolving door; just stick to the party line, and you will go far.
Big media are trying "all lies all the time" with Trump's reelection. "Don't believe all those conspiracy theories about how the election was stolen. Didn't we just tell you that Biden won? What's wrong with you? Of course the guy who campaigned from his basement to his media audience won! Ignore the tens of thousands of people at Trump rallies; all the votes that came in were for Biden.
"Sure we had to lock out the Republican poll observers; we had a lot of ballots to count, and they kept objecting that they were all for Biden! Sure there were a few glitches with those shiny new voting machines you bought for us, but it takes time to learn to cheat with new equipment."
A lot of chaff has accumulated on the nation's threshing room floor during the past half-century of sifting. Today the news harvest reveals precious little wheat. We are wallowing in the lies. If ever there were a time and a place where each of us needed Hemingway's essential piece of equipment, it is here and now.
Reconnaissance, the first volume in the Armageddon Story series.
Do you appreciate WND's unfiltered hard-hitting news and commentary? Read us AD-FREE by becoming a WND Insider! Find out more.


wnd--2020-11-28--'Don't ever talk to the president that way!'

President Trump and his White House press office have been the targets of considerable belligerence during his four years in office , and he was in no mood to take any more of it on Thanksgiving evening .
`` Do n't talk to me that way .
You 're just a lightweight .
I 'm the president of the United States .
Do n't ever talk to the president that way , '' he told Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason .
The reporter had interrupted Trump after the president was asked whether or not would concede if the Electoral College declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News video of the exchange : TRENDING : Employees melt down after learning company is publishing prominent conservative Jordan Peterson 's book : Report Trump said that if the Electoral College elects Joe Biden , `` they made a mistake , because this election was a fraud . ''
He pointed out election anomalies he is challenging in lawsuits in several swing states .
Newsweek reported the video clip had been viewed 8 million times in less than 24 hours .
Another reporter followed up , asking Trump if he would concede @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College formally elected Biden .
`` Certainly , I will , '' he said , `` and you know that . ''
`` But I think that there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January , a lot of things , '' he said .
`` Massive fraud has been found . ''

President Trump and his White House press office have been the targets of considerable belligerence during his four years in office, and he was in no mood to take any more of it on Thanksgiving evening.
"Don't talk to me that way. You're just a lightweight. I'm the president of the United States. Don't ever talk to the president that way," he told Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason.
The reporter had interrupted Trump after the president was asked whether or not would concede if the Electoral College declared Joe Biden the next president.
See Fox News video of the exchange:
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"Don't talk to me that way. You're just a lightweight. I'm the President of the United States. Don't ever talk to the president that way."@realDonaldTrump tears into a reporter who snapped at him to "just answer the question or don't" before moving on. pic.twitter.com/AMd8GQ7JU1 — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 27, 2020
Trump said that if the Electoral College elects Joe Biden, "they made a mistake, because this election was a fraud."
He pointed out election anomalies he is challenging in lawsuits in several swing states.
Should journalists speak disrespectfully to any president? 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. 1% (9 Votes) 99% (709 Votes)
Newsweek reported the video clip had been viewed 8 million times in less than 24 hours.
Another reporter followed up, asking Trump if he would concede and leave the White House if the Electoral College formally elected Biden.
"Certainly, I will," he said, "and you know that."
"But I think that there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January, a lot of things," he said. "Massive fraud has been found."


wnd--2020-11-28--God’s eternal rest and the seventh-day Sabbath

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

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


wnd--2020-11-29--Biden promise to follow the science is 'noble,' but it must be THE science

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Science . ]
As the dust settles from this historic election , it is important we take a moment to look forward to how the outcome may alter the role of science in the next administration .
Joe Biden pledged throughout his campaign to “ follow the science ” to determine how to address the Covid-19 pandemic .
This could be a positive development if it helps to control the spread of the virus and spur an economic recovery .
However , I caution his team to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely are based on objective and unbiased research , not on agenda-driven science intended to accomplish a pre-ordained outcome .
TRENDING : The civil war has already begun How this promise will impact public policy—both in dealing with the virus and in areas such as environmental policy—is yet to be seen .
The first test—the regulation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS ) compounds—may come early in a Biden presidency .
Rep. Debbie Dingell ( D-MI ) announced plans to introduce legislation that would require the EPA to set cleanup standards and enforceable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said the bill would send a signal to the Biden Administration that controlling PFAS is “ a top priority in the new Congress.
” A similar bill was passed by the House in the previous Congress but never moved in the Senate .
PFAS compounds have been used for more than 60 years and are critical components in products as varied as semiconductor chips , food packaging , medical stents , firefighting foam , aerospace components , non-stick cookware , and stain and water-resistant fabric .
They break down slowly and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water pressure , which means that trace amounts of the compounds are found in the bloodstreams of most Americans .
The two original PFAS compounds—PFOA and PFOS—have been voluntarily phased out decades ago because of the potential dangers of long-term exposure to humans .
Efforts by government agencies and manufacturers are underway in many states to clean up sites contaminated by these two compounds .
Hundreds of other PFAS compounds have been introduced to replace PFOA and PFOS .
At the heart of the debate is whether and at what levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compounds are potentially harmful to humans .
On this , the scientific jury is decidedly out .
In fact , a recent workshop reviewing Federal research into the toxicity of PFAS compounds conducted by the National Academy of Sciences pointed out significant gaps in the scientific facts about PFAS .
From the discussion , the independent scientists convened by the NAS identified fundamental scientific data gaps that “ mechanisms of action and role of PFAS parent and metabolites are not well understood ” and “ knowledge of the specific biological pathways and networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is limited.
” While the Environmental Protection Agency has yet to establish federal drinking water standard for PFAS exposure , it did establish a voluntary health advisory of 70 parts per trillion ( ppt ) for PFOA and PFOS in 2016 .
For context , 1 ppt is the equivalent of one grain of sand in an Olympic-sized swimming pool .
Several states have enacted stricter standards that are well below the EPA ’ s health advisories .
These state regulations create a complex patchwork quilt of regulatory requirements resulting in compliance nightmare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional or national level .
Meanwhile , the trial bar understands that unsettled science and disparate regulatory standards make PFAS lawsuits a potential gold mine for the simple reason that almost every American is a potential plaintiff .
For them , the equation is simple : more plaintiffs mean more pressure that attorneys can bring on companies to settle disputes for millions of dollars in legal fees before a case ever gets to court .
Imagine the fear-mongering marketing campaigns to recruit potential plaintiffs : “ Drink water ?
Got cancer ?
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Call the number on your screen now !
” Mr. Biden ’ s pledge to follow the science is a noble one .
But the most important word in that promise is the most innocuous : the .
We can not afford to fall into the trap of following my science or your science—we must have the courage and discipline to follow THE science .
But until the science on PFAS exists , the mass tort machine will continue to aggressively pursue litigation that relies on fragmented and conflicting scientific “ facts ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions in settlements or risk having their reputation , integrity , and shareholder value shredded in the public square .
Instead , we need to make an investment in independent , objective , and time-tested scientific analysis to determine the truth about the effects of PFAS on humans .
Advancing public policy initiatives on scientific issues without such complete evidence—no matter how well intentioned—is irresponsible , short-sighted , and decidedly non-scientific .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Science . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Science.]
By Joseph Annotti
Real Clear Science
As the dust settles from this historic election, it is important we take a moment to look forward to how the outcome may alter the role of science in the next administration.
Joe Biden pledged throughout his campaign to “follow the science” to determine how to address the Covid-19 pandemic. This could be a positive development if it helps to control the spread of the virus and spur an economic recovery. However, I caution his team to ensure that the facts on which they rely are based on objective and unbiased research, not on agenda-driven science intended to accomplish a pre-ordained outcome.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
How this promise will impact public policy—both in dealing with the virus and in areas such as environmental policy—is yet to be seen. The first test—the regulation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds—may come early in a Biden presidency.
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced plans to introduce legislation that would require the EPA to set cleanup standards and enforceable drinking water limits for some PFAS compounds and said the bill would send a signal to the Biden Administration that controlling PFAS is “a top priority in the new Congress.” A similar bill was passed by the House in the previous Congress but never moved in the Senate.
PFAS compounds have been used for more than 60 years and are critical components in products as varied as semiconductor chips, food packaging, medical stents, firefighting foam, aerospace components, non-stick cookware, and stain and water-resistant fabric. They break down slowly and can survive extreme variations in temperature and air and water pressure, which means that trace amounts of the compounds are found in the bloodstreams of most Americans.
The two original PFAS compounds—PFOA and PFOS—have been voluntarily phased out decades ago because of the potential dangers of long-term exposure to humans. Efforts by government agencies and manufacturers are underway in many states to clean up sites contaminated by these two compounds.
Is 'following the science' the best thing to do? 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. 13% (15 Votes) 87% (101 Votes)
Hundreds of other PFAS compounds have been introduced to replace PFOA and PFOS. At the heart of the debate is whether and at what levels of exposure these “next generation” PFAS compounds are potentially harmful to humans. On this, the scientific jury is decidedly out.
In fact, a recent workshop reviewing Federal research into the toxicity of PFAS compounds conducted by the National Academy of Sciences pointed out significant gaps in the scientific facts about PFAS. From the discussion, the independent scientists convened by the NAS identified fundamental scientific data gaps that “mechanisms of action and role of PFAS parent and metabolites are not well understood” and “knowledge of the specific biological pathways and networks leading to the development of human outcomes is limited.”
While the Environmental Protection Agency has yet to establish federal drinking water standard for PFAS exposure, it did establish a voluntary health advisory of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in 2016. For context, 1 ppt is the equivalent of one grain of sand in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Several states have enacted stricter standards that are well below the EPA’s health advisories. These state regulations create a complex patchwork quilt of regulatory requirements resulting in compliance nightmare for any business that operates on a regional or national level.
Meanwhile, the trial bar understands that unsettled science and disparate regulatory standards make PFAS lawsuits a potential gold mine for the simple reason that almost every American is a potential plaintiff. For them, the equation is simple: more plaintiffs mean more pressure that attorneys can bring on companies to settle disputes for millions of dollars in legal fees before a case ever gets to court.
Imagine the fear-mongering marketing campaigns to recruit potential plaintiffs: “Drink water? Got cancer? You could be entitled to significant compensation. Call the number on your screen now!”
Mr. Biden’s pledge to follow the science is a noble one. But the most important word in that promise is the most innocuous: the. We cannot afford to fall into the trap of following my science or your science—we must have the courage and discipline to follow THE science.
But until the science on PFAS exists, the mass tort machine will continue to aggressively pursue litigation that relies on fragmented and conflicting scientific “facts” in order to force companies to pay billions in settlements or risk having their reputation, integrity, and shareholder value shredded in the public square.
Instead, we need to make an investment in independent, objective, and time-tested scientific analysis to determine the truth about the effects of PFAS on humans. Advancing public policy initiatives on scientific issues without such complete evidence—no matter how well intentioned—is irresponsible, short-sighted, and decidedly non-scientific.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Science.]


wnd--2020-11-28--'F-- off' if you don't like Oscar diversity quotas

( DAILY WIRE ) – Anybody who has issues with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS @ @ @ @ @ in order to qualify for Best Picture can `` f*** off , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ Andy Samberg .
Speaking with Variety 's Awards Circuit podcast about his new film `` @ @ @ @ @ said that Academy 's diversity requirements are loose enough to allow for artistic freedom .
@ @ @ @ @ look at them closely…you can have the 'whitest ' cast in the history of cinema @ @ @ @ @ them by just doing a few key roles behind the camera .
People who have @ @ @ @ @ off , '' he said .

(DAILY WIRE) – Anybody who has issues with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) instituting new diversity quotas in order to qualify for Best Picture can "f*** off," according to "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Andy Samberg.
Speaking with Variety's Awards Circuit podcast about his new film "Palm Springs," Samberg said that Academy's diversity requirements are loose enough to allow for artistic freedom.
"The parameters if you look at them closely…you can have the 'whitest' cast in the history of cinema and still very easily meet them by just doing a few key roles behind the camera. People who have problems with it can f*** off," he said.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-28--Black Nationalist Instagram page actually owned by white British female

( NATIONAL FILE ) – A popular black separatist Instagram page called `` Independent Black Businesses '' became embroiled in @ @ @ @ @ followers learned that the account – which has routinely solicited PayPal and Patreon donations – @ @ @ @ @ a black person , but a middle-aged white female from Brighton and Hove , U.K. @ @ @ @ @ was created this year and routinely posts photos of `` black-owned businesses '' accompanied by @ @ @ @ @ black media activists , while soliciting PayPal and Patreon donations from followers .
`` Welcome @ @ @ @ @ platform to share , promote , celebrate and support Independent Black Businesses with a mission @ @ @ @ @ If you are white , please shop mindfully and support Independent Black Business Owners , @ @ @ @ @ post reads .

(NATIONAL FILE) – A popular black separatist Instagram page called "Independent Black Businesses" became embroiled in controversy this week after black followers learned that the account – which has routinely solicited PayPal and Patreon donations – is actually not managed by a black person, but a middle-aged white female from Brighton and Hove, U.K.
"Independent Black Businesses" was created this year and routinely posts photos of "black-owned businesses" accompanied by emojis and phraseology associated with black media activists, while soliciting PayPal and Patreon donations from followers.
"Welcome to @independentblackbusinesses . A platform to share, promote, celebrate and support Independent Black Businesses with a mission to dismantle Systemic Racism. If you are white, please shop mindfully and support Independent Black Business Owners," the page's first post reads.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-28--Macy's under fire after calling black sorority in parade 'diverse dance group'

( FOX NEWS ) – Retail giant Macy 's is under fire after calling the Zeta Phi Beta Centennial Steppers @ @ @ @ @ '' in a Thanksgiving Day tweet .
Zeta Phi Beta , founded at Howard University @ @ @ @ @ of the many performing groups at the Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year .
@ @ @ @ @ , you ask ?
Why it 's the diverse dance group , Zeta Phi Beta @ @ @ @ @ exclaimed in a now-deleted tweet .
`` Performing a special routine they put together to @ @ @ @ @ year . ''

(FOX NEWS) – Retail giant Macy's is under fire after calling the Zeta Phi Beta Centennial Steppers a "diverse dance group" in a Thanksgiving Day tweet.
Zeta Phi Beta, founded at Howard University in 1920, was one of the many performing groups at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.
"What's that sound, you ask? Why it's the diverse dance group, Zeta Phi Beta Steppers!" Macy's exclaimed in a now-deleted tweet. "Performing a special routine they put together to help us celebrate this unprecedented year."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-28--Marco Rubio: It's up to us to stop Communist China's anti-faith agenda

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear World . ]
Last month , the Vatican and the Chinese Communist Party announced the renewal of a two-year agreement on the appointment of bishops in China .
Under the deal in 2018 , the Catholic Church lifted the excommunication of bishops hand-picked by the atheist CCP and formally recognized them .
Besides interfering in such appointments , Beijing subjects Chinese Catholic congregations to state regulation and the re-education of what it considers insubordinate priests .
These methods are evidence of the party ’ s efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and practices that have defined the faith for millennia .
Anyone who prizes religious freedom worldwide should be disturbed .
Why is Beijing so hostile toward those looking to practice their faith according to their conscience ?
TRENDING : The civil war has already begun Like all communist states , the CCP maintains a general contempt for religion , viewing it as an existential threat to its absolute control over Chinese society .
We should take them at their word : The CCP ’ s Administrative Measures for Religious Organizations clearly states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide religious staff and religious citizens to support the leadership of the CCP and support the socialist system.
” Beijing has set an explicit goal of eliminating all religion from China , but it recognizes that such radical change takes time .
The result is draconian restrictions placed on faith and the politicization of religious teachings , with the hope that , gradually , such life-draining constraints will deprive faith of its ability to speak to people .
Beijing ’ s goal of eliminating religion stems from a broader quest to impose ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the world as it interacts with China .
As Xi Jinping is fond of saying , “ the Party leads everything.
” The CCP aims to maintain its monopoly over the ability to set standards on how people think or act .
To achieve that , it must eliminate all significant expressions of difference : cultural , ethnic , religious , linguistic , political , artistic , and beyond .
Deviation from those standards is a challenge to the CCP ’ s authority -- the ultimate crime in communist China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCP ’ s drive for conformity can be seen in Tibet and Xinjiang .
The peoples suffering under Beijing ’ s authority there are not ethnically Chinese , much less communist .
As a result , Tibetan Buddhism remains subjected to heavy restrictions , such as ubiquitous surveillance , forced indoctrination classes , and the display of Xi and other communist leaders in sacred spaces -- not simply because Buddhism is a religion , but because it forms the core of a historically distinct Tibetan civilization and identity .
For that reason , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the next Dalai Lama , a potential deathblow to the faith .
For Uyghurs , Xi ’ s authoritarianism similarly extends across all elements of life .
The CCP forbids them from following traditional dietary restrictions , performing daily prayers , growing a beard , wearing a headscarf , going on Hajj , reading the Koran , and teaching their faith to their children .
The list goes on and on .
For those who are neither ethnically nor culturally Chinese , the CCP ’ s goal is nothing less than comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Uyghurs , likely genocide .
In Xinjiang , the CCP is not willing to wait for gradual change .
Since 2017 , the CCP has incarcerated more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in re-education camps .
The documented atrocities are stomach-churning : torture , forced labor , sexual assault , forced abortion , and forced sterilization .
More generally , the CCP hopes that if it can control a people ’ s language , it can control how they think .
In Xinjiang , this means that use of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an expression of terrorist sympathies .
Similar efforts exist to supplant Tibetan , Mongolian , and Korean as well , with Chinese authorities replacing bilingual education programs with an exclusively Chinese-language curriculum and removing textbooks from classrooms that run counter to CCP dogma .
In schools today , even the use of regional Chinese languages such as Cantonese and Shanghainese is forbidden .
This is not just a problem for ethnic and religious minorities or the distinct regional Chinese cultures trying to survive in China , but it has implications for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s total intolerance toward anything it perceives as a threat to its political authority -- including values we deeply cherish -- will have serious consequences as it attempts to supplant America ’ s global leadership .
It is on us to prevent this from coming to pass .
Tibetans , Uyghurs , Mongolians , Christians , and other long-suffering communities in China deserve the world ’ s attention and urgent action .
Support for these communities is not simply the right thing to do ; it means promoting a world that respects religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of speech .
These are universal and sacrosanct rights that no man or government can take away , and the United States must remain energetically committed to defending them .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear World . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear World.]
By Marco Rubio
Real Clear World
Last month, the Vatican and the Chinese Communist Party announced the renewal of a two-year agreement on the appointment of bishops in China. Under the deal in 2018, the Catholic Church lifted the excommunication of bishops hand-picked by the atheist CCP and formally recognized them. Besides interfering in such appointments, Beijing subjects Chinese Catholic congregations to state regulation and the re-education of what it considers insubordinate priests. These methods are evidence of the party’s efforts to cull Catholicism of the traditions, doctrines, and practices that have defined the faith for millennia. Anyone who prizes religious freedom worldwide should be disturbed.
Why is Beijing so hostile toward those looking to practice their faith according to their conscience?
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Like all communist states, the CCP maintains a general contempt for religion, viewing it as an existential threat to its absolute control over Chinese society. We should take them at their word: The CCP’s Administrative Measures for Religious Organizations clearly states that religious organizations must “educate and guide religious staff and religious citizens to support the leadership of the CCP and support the socialist system.”
Beijing has set an explicit goal of eliminating all religion from China, but it recognizes that such radical change takes time. The result is draconian restrictions placed on faith and the politicization of religious teachings, with the hope that, gradually, such life-draining constraints will deprive faith of its ability to speak to people.
Beijing’s goal of eliminating religion stems from a broader quest to impose ideological uniformity on China, and increasingly, the rest of the world as it interacts with China. As Xi Jinping is fond of saying, “the Party leads everything.” The CCP aims to maintain its monopoly over the ability to set standards on how people think or act. To achieve that, it must eliminate all significant expressions of difference: cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic, political, artistic, and beyond.
Deviation from those standards is a challenge to the CCP’s authority -- the ultimate crime in communist China.
Does Communist China have an anti-faith agenda? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 100% (38 Votes) 0% (0 Votes)
The most horrifying consequences of the CCP’s drive for conformity can be seen in Tibet and Xinjiang. The peoples suffering under Beijing’s authority there are not ethnically Chinese, much less communist. As a result, Tibetan Buddhism remains subjected to heavy restrictions, such as ubiquitous surveillance, forced indoctrination classes, and the display of Xi and other communist leaders in sacred spaces -- not simply because Buddhism is a religion, but because it forms the core of a historically distinct Tibetan civilization and identity. For that reason, the CCP seeks to control the identification of the next Dalai Lama, a potential deathblow to the faith.
For Uyghurs, Xi’s authoritarianism similarly extends across all elements of life. The CCP forbids them from following traditional dietary restrictions, performing daily prayers, growing a beard, wearing a headscarf, going on Hajj, reading the Koran, and teaching their faith to their children. The list goes on and on. For those who are neither ethnically nor culturally Chinese, the CCP’s goal is nothing less than comprehensive cultural erasure -- in the case of the Uyghurs, likely genocide.
In Xinjiang, the CCP is not willing to wait for gradual change. Since 2017, the CCP has incarcerated more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in re-education camps. The documented atrocities are stomach-churning: torture, forced labor, sexual assault, forced abortion, and forced sterilization.
More generally, the CCP hopes that if it can control a people’s language, it can control how they think. In Xinjiang, this means that use of the Uyghur language is restricted and frequently smeared as an expression of terrorist sympathies. Similar efforts exist to supplant Tibetan, Mongolian, and Korean as well, with Chinese authorities replacing bilingual education programs with an exclusively Chinese-language curriculum and removing textbooks from classrooms that run counter to CCP dogma. In schools today, even the use of regional Chinese languages such as Cantonese and Shanghainese is forbidden.
This is not just a problem for ethnic and religious minorities or the distinct regional Chinese cultures trying to survive in China, but it has implications for the world as a whole.
Beijing’s total intolerance toward anything it perceives as a threat to its political authority -- including values we deeply cherish -- will have serious consequences as it attempts to supplant America’s global leadership. It is on us to prevent this from coming to pass.
Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Christians, and other long-suffering communities in China deserve the world’s attention and urgent action. Support for these communities is not simply the right thing to do; it means promoting a world that respects religious liberty, cultural expression, and freedom of speech. These are universal and sacrosanct rights that no man or government can take away, and the United States must remain energetically committed to defending them.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear World.]


wnd--2020-11-28--States are being banned from thinking differently

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Say what you will about 2020 , but it ’ s undoubtedly a time of reinvention .
As an election collides with a pandemic , protests , and riots , it would be easy to summarize it all as chaos .
But any keen observer -- or “ Game of Thrones ” fan knows -- chaos isn ’ t always a pit .
Sometimes , it ’ s a ladder .
So , the question is : Which decaying institutions or dead ideas should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinvigorate ?
America ’ s welfare state jumps off the page .
The pandemic has revealed just how rigid and costly our complex web of public housing , food stamps , Medicaid , and cash welfare programs have become .
But every year , in good times and bad , we pump hundreds of billions of dollars into them .
TRENDING : The civil war has already begun The trillions of dollars spent over the decades have bought us increased dependency , less work , distorted markets , greater costs , and painfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
But this is a time of reinvention -- the perfect time to return power to the states .
After decades of centralization , Washington now collects funds , pools it into silos of cash for programs like Medicaid , food stamps , and public housing , and redistributes it to states and localities based on separate funding formulas .
Those strict silos stand in the way of common sense .
In New York , there might be an appetite to spend billions more on public housing as left-leaning residents demand solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio ’ s elected officials be forced to do the same thing ?
If civic leaders in Columbus wanted to shift half of the state ’ s federal housing money into job training for former manufacturing workers and the other half into more generous Medicaid benefits or cash payments for disabled Ohioans , they couldn ’ t .
The states -- once upon a time our famous laboratories of democracy -- have become third-grade science projects under the hand of our overprotective “ parent ” federal government .
Thinking big or even just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s time to throw out the old playbook .
We should allow each state to craft its own anti-poverty programs with its existing share of federal funds and find out , once and for all , what approaches are most effective in providing security and aid to the truly needy .
The federal government doesn ’ t need to require Ohio to spend $ 2 billion on food stamps , $ 3 billion on public housing , $ 500 million on cash welfare , and $ 8.5 billion on Medicaid .
It could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio to spend $ 14 billion every year to build its own safety net .
And the federal government could do the same thing for New York and California .
So , the even bigger question : If given this chance , what should states that don ’ t want to double-down on the status quo actually do ?
For decades , conservatives have limited themselves to only those reforms politically tenable within the current system : implementing work requirements and market-based reforms where possible on the margins .
But places like Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an entirely different approach .
They could draw a line in the sand and stop welfare payments -- except short-term unemployment -- for working-age , able-bodied adults .
For millions of Americans , a cycle of dependency and poverty would stop as community engagement would begin .
Of equal importance , states could increase their support to the truly needy .
And families need flexibility too .
The same program-by-program bureaucracy and siloed benefits that strangle states make life harder for needy Americans .
And a similar solution exists for the same problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needy -- from poor children to individuals with disabilities -- would be to empower their families .
Their benefits should take the form of lump-sum direct cash payments and insurance premium supports .
They can better prioritize their necessities than the government .
Needy families should be able to use their benefits to increase their purchasing power for higher-quality health insurance , food , and housing in the private market .
States can try other approaches too .
New Hampshire might build something even more flexible and develop a negative income tax system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might stop writing checks and funding benefit cards entirely and , instead , fund direct aid for food banks , homeless shelters , free medical clinics , and targeted educational vouchers .
Americans would benefit far more from a real debate about the right approach in each state than living in fear of one set of values taking over the entire country .
Life outside of Lubbock is very different from life in Brooklyn Heights .
If our policy diversity fails to reflect our country ’ s cultural diversity , the chaos will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build back better , a one-size-fits-all approach won ’ t cut it .
And if the right hopes to make America great again , they should let states be themselves again .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Scott Centorino
Real Clear Politics
Say what you will about 2020, but it’s undoubtedly a time of reinvention. As an election collides with a pandemic, protests, and riots, it would be easy to summarize it all as chaos. But any keen observer -- or “Game of Thrones” fan knows -- chaos isn’t always a pit. Sometimes, it’s a ladder.
So, the question is: Which decaying institutions or dead ideas should we discard, and which should we reinvigorate? America’s welfare state jumps off the page. The pandemic has revealed just how rigid and costly our complex web of public housing, food stamps, Medicaid, and cash welfare programs have become. But every year, in good times and bad, we pump hundreds of billions of dollars into them.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The trillions of dollars spent over the decades have bought us increased dependency, less work, distorted markets, greater costs, and painfully slow progress in lowering our national poverty rate. But this is a time of reinvention -- the perfect time to return power to the states.
After decades of centralization, Washington now collects funds, pools it into silos of cash for programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and public housing, and redistributes it to states and localities based on separate funding formulas. Those strict silos stand in the way of common sense.
In New York, there might be an appetite to spend billions more on public housing as left-leaning residents demand solutions to unaffordable rents. But why should Ohio’s elected officials be forced to do the same thing? If civic leaders in Columbus wanted to shift half of the state’s federal housing money into job training for former manufacturing workers and the other half into more generous Medicaid benefits or cash payments for disabled Ohioans, they couldn’t.
The states -- once upon a time our famous laboratories of democracy -- have become third-grade science projects under the hand of our overprotective “parent” federal government. Thinking big or even just differently has been banned. It’s time to throw out the old playbook. We should allow each state to craft its own anti-poverty programs with its existing share of federal funds and find out, once and for all, what approaches are most effective in providing security and aid to the truly needy.
Are states being banned from thinking differently? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 97% (97 Votes) 3% (3 Votes)
The federal government doesn’t need to require Ohio to spend $2 billion on food stamps, $3 billion on public housing, $500 million on cash welfare, and $8.5 billion on Medicaid. It could, instead, cut a check for Ohio to spend $14 billion every year to build its own safety net. And the federal government could do the same thing for New York and California.
So, the even bigger question: If given this chance, what should states that don’t want to double-down on the status quo actually do? For decades, conservatives have limited themselves to only those reforms politically tenable within the current system: implementing work requirements and market-based reforms where possible on the margins.
But places like Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas could take an entirely different approach. They could draw a line in the sand and stop welfare payments -- except short-term unemployment -- for working-age, able-bodied adults. For millions of Americans, a cycle of dependency and poverty would stop as community engagement would begin. Of equal importance, states could increase their support to the truly needy.
And families need flexibility too. The same program-by-program bureaucracy and siloed benefits that strangle states make life harder for needy Americans. And a similar solution exists for the same problem.
The best approach for the truly needy -- from poor children to individuals with disabilities -- would be to empower their families. Their benefits should take the form of lump-sum direct cash payments and insurance premium supports. They can better prioritize their necessities than the government. Needy families should be able to use their benefits to increase their purchasing power for higher-quality health insurance, food, and housing in the private market.
States can try other approaches too. New Hampshire might build something even more flexible and develop a negative income tax system with large child tax credits. Utah might stop writing checks and funding benefit cards entirely and, instead, fund direct aid for food banks, homeless shelters, free medical clinics, and targeted educational vouchers.
Americans would benefit far more from a real debate about the right approach in each state than living in fear of one set of values taking over the entire country. Life outside of Lubbock is very different from life in Brooklyn Heights. If our policy diversity fails to reflect our country’s cultural diversity, the chaos will simply continue.
If the left wants to build back better, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. And if the right hopes to make America great again, they should let states be themselves again.


wnd--2020-11-28--'Faculty imbalance' in education 'readily fixable'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Education . ]
When it comes to making news about protests and action for liberal causes , schools in New England seem to dominate the news .
We ’ ve seen violence and protests surrounding visits from Charles Murray and Ryszard Legutko at Middlebury College .
Brown University spent hundreds of millions of dollars in response to student protests related to questions of diversity and inclusion .
Yale has seen numerous protests and student arrests and students there attacked and harassed a faculty couple who headed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt unsafe because of an email message about Halloween costumes .
While protests in other parts of the county do make news , such as the recent troubles relating to the police at Northwestern , if it appears that students in New England are far more likely to engage in in such actions .
TRENDING : The civil war has already begun Thanks to new data behind the 2020 College Free Speech Rankings from RealClearEducation , the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education ( FIRE ) , and survey firm College Pulse – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward speech to date – we know that students enrolled in the higher education institutions in New England are appreciably more liberal and open to shutting down speech and expression than the overwhelming majority of college students .
With almost 20,000 students in FIRE survey sample , it is possible to break the national sample down into regional groups and the data makes it abundantly clear that those enrolled in New England are notably different .
The General Social Survey shows that political ideology in the United States has been remarkably consistent since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominant .
In the most recent sample , the survey found that 28 % of Americans identify as liberal , 31 % as conservative , and the balance of 37 % are in the middle as moderates .
In contrast , 50 % of college students are liberal , 26 % are conservative and the minority – 23 % – are moderates .
College students demonstrate a significant liberal lean .
But this lean is not uniform .
In New England , the data reveal that college students live in a huge bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 conservative .
71 % of New England college students identify as liberal and just 15 % conservative and 14 % moderate .
This is by far the most lopsided region in the nation .
The most similar regions to New England , ideologically , are the West Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions .
59 % of students in both regions identify as liberal with just a fifth of their students holding conservative views , meaning there are three liberal undergraduates for every conservative student in those regions .
This breakdown is far off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions in the United States , the liberal student dominance disappears .
Take the Mountain region – 8 states that are mixed ideologically with rural areas and big and growing cities such as Denver and Phoenix – and the ideological balance is far less extreme .
Here about a quarter of students are moderate and in the middle with a little more than a third identifying as conservative and 41 % stating that they are liberal .
In fact , if one excludes the three extreme liberal regions , the remaining 6 divisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students being liberal , a quarter moderate , and about a third ( 30 % ) conservative .
The differences between some schools are striking .
At the University of Arizona in Tempe there are 1.5 liberals for every conservative .
But Brown in Rhode Island has 12 liberal students for every conservative .
Ideological imbalance is problematic in and of itself if you value viewpoint diversity in the classroom , but it is also the case that students in New England are far more likely to believe that actions to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it is ever appropriate to shout down or try to prevent someone from speaking on campus , 61 % of students found that this was acceptable , nationally .
But in New England 70 % of students thought preventing a speaker was talking was justified in at least some circumstances .
This is in stark comparison to regions like East South Central , home to the Universities of Tennessee and Alabama , where just half of the students found such behavior acceptable .
Similarly , when asked about the acceptability of blocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , almost half ( 48 % ) of New England students thought this tactic would be an acceptable way to protest a campus speaker .
About 30 % of students in the East South Central , the Mountain , West North Central , and West South Central – a nearly 20-point difference – felt that blocking an entrance was acceptable .
Put somewhat differently , 51 % of Yale students would approve of tactics which would prevent students from hearing an opinion on their campus , but just 35 % at the Universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention when a faculty member and students tried to forcibly block the press from covering a demonstration – would be willing to block others from attending an event .
New England schools are collectively an outlier in terms of both student liberalism and their willingness to shut down speech .
And the perception that protests against speakers are more common in New England is born out in the data .
This lopsided liberal trend matches earlier work , which revealed a similar imbalance , where liberal professors outnumber conservative professors 28 to 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And while finding a conservative professor in New England is exceedingly rare and far out of step with the national ratio of 6 to 1 , many regions in the country are not as homogeneous .
Ideological imbalance among students is a problem , especially in New England .
It is crucial that students of all ideological backgrounds encounter a multitude of ideas in college .
But it ’ s important to note that the student imbalance in New England is far less one-sided than the faculty imbalance there .
And faculty imbalance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if one values viewpoint diversity .
It ’ s more readily fixable too , if schools would only prioritize the hiring of a more ideologically diverse faculty and work to ensure that all faculty strive to present a multitude of views and intellectual traditions in their classrooms .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Education.]
By Samuel J. Abrams
Real Clear Education
When it comes to making news about protests and action for liberal causes, schools in New England seem to dominate the news. We’ve seen violence and protests surrounding visits from Charles Murray and Ryszard Legutko at Middlebury College. Brown University spent hundreds of millions of dollars in response to student protests related to questions of diversity and inclusion. Yale has seen numerous protests and student arrests and students there attacked and harassed a faculty couple who headed a residential college in 2015 claiming that they felt unsafe because of an email message about Halloween costumes.
While protests in other parts of the county do make news, such as the recent troubles relating to the police at Northwestern, if it appears that students in New England are far more likely to engage in in such actions.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Thanks to new data behind the 2020 College Free Speech Rankings from RealClearEducation, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), and survey firm College Pulse – representing the largest study of student attitudes toward speech to date – we know that students enrolled in the higher education institutions in New England are appreciably more liberal and open to shutting down speech and expression than the overwhelming majority of college students.
With almost 20,000 students in FIRE survey sample, it is possible to break the national sample down into regional groups and the data makes it abundantly clear that those enrolled in New England are notably different.
The General Social Survey shows that political ideology in the United States has been remarkably consistent since the 1970s and that liberals are not dominant. In the most recent sample, the survey found that 28% of Americans identify as liberal, 31% as conservative, and the balance of 37% are in the middle as moderates. In contrast, 50% of college students are liberal, 26% are conservative and the minority – 23% – are moderates. College students demonstrate a significant liberal lean.
But this lean is not uniform. In New England, the data reveal that college students live in a huge bubble where there are 5 liberals for every 1 conservative. 71% of New England college students identify as liberal and just 15% conservative and 14% moderate. This is by far the most lopsided region in the nation.
Is a 'faculty imbalance' in education fixable? 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. 69% (66 Votes) 31% (29 Votes)
The most similar regions to New England, ideologically, are the West Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions. 59% of students in both regions identify as liberal with just a fifth of their students holding conservative views, meaning there are three liberal undergraduates for every conservative student in those regions. This breakdown is far off the national average.
Looking at other regions in the United States, the liberal student dominance disappears. Take the Mountain region – 8 states that are mixed ideologically with rural areas and big and growing cities such as Denver and Phoenix – and the ideological balance is far less extreme. Here about a quarter of students are moderate and in the middle with a little more than a third identifying as conservative and 41% stating that they are liberal. In fact, if one excludes the three extreme liberal regions, the remaining 6 divisions are far more diverse with 46% of students being liberal, a quarter moderate, and about a third (30%) conservative.
The differences between some schools are striking. At the University of Arizona in Tempe there are 1.5 liberals for every conservative. But Brown in Rhode Island has 12 liberal students for every conservative.
Ideological imbalance is problematic in and of itself if you value viewpoint diversity in the classroom, but it is also the case that students in New England are far more likely to believe that actions to shut down speech are acceptable.
When asked whether it is ever appropriate to shout down or try to prevent someone from speaking on campus, 61% of students found that this was acceptable, nationally. But in New England 70% of students thought preventing a speaker was talking was justified in at least some circumstances. This is in stark comparison to regions like East South Central, home to the Universities of Tennessee and Alabama, where just half of the students found such behavior acceptable.
Similarly, when asked about the acceptability of blocking other students from entering a campus event, almost half (48%) of New England students thought this tactic would be an acceptable way to protest a campus speaker. About 30% of students in the East South Central, the Mountain, West North Central, and West South Central – a nearly 20-point difference – felt that blocking an entrance was acceptable.
Put somewhat differently, 51% of Yale students would approve of tactics which would prevent students from hearing an opinion on their campus, but just 35% at the Universities of Missouri – which itself made national attention when a faculty member and students tried to forcibly block the press from covering a demonstration – would be willing to block others from attending an event.
New England schools are collectively an outlier in terms of both student liberalism and their willingness to shut down speech. And the perception that protests against speakers are more common in New England is born out in the data. This lopsided liberal trend matches earlier work, which revealed a similar imbalance, where liberal professors outnumber conservative professors 28 to 1 for New England colleges and universities. And while finding a conservative professor in New England is exceedingly rare and far out of step with the national ratio of 6 to 1, many regions in the country are not as homogeneous.
Ideological imbalance among students is a problem, especially in New England. It is crucial that students of all ideological backgrounds encounter a multitude of ideas in college.
But it’s important to note that the student imbalance in New England is far less one-sided than the faculty imbalance there. And faculty imbalance may be a far more pressing problem if one values viewpoint diversity. It’s more readily fixable too, if schools would only prioritize the hiring of a more ideologically diverse faculty and work to ensure that all faculty strive to present a multitude of views and intellectual traditions in their classrooms.


wnd--2020-11-28--Michigan targeted with another election-fraud lawsuit

Michigan 's Supreme Court has been asked to secure `` all evidence of irregularities in the 2020 election and declare the election results invalid on the basis of unlawful conduct by state and local officials . ''
The lawsuit was filed by the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society , which also is challenging the election results in Georgia , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
The cases allege that the states counted fraudulent ballots while omitting valid ones .
Just the News reported the Michigan lawsuit seeks the preservation of any evidence to support its claim of rampant election fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already begun '' The pattern of lawlessness was so pervasive and widespread that it deprived the people of Michigan of a free and fair election , throwing the integrity of the entire process into question , '' said Amistad director Phill Kline .
The complaint alleges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and other election officials `` circumvented the explicit intent of the Michigan Legislature , which established an absentee ballot process designed to minimize the risk of fraud . ''
Benson sent unsolicited absentee ballot applications to every household in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living there any longer , were eligible to vote or were even still alive , the complaint states .
Amistad 's case in the Wisconsin Supreme Court asserts there were 150,000 `` potentially fraudulent ballots '' in the state 's presidential election , which Biden unofficially won by 20,000 votes .
Michigan , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Georgia are among the swing states where credible claims of fraud have been raised .
In Georgia , the group alleges the number of potentially fraudulent ballots is more than 15 times greater than the margin @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Michigan's Supreme Court has been asked to secure "all evidence of irregularities in the 2020 election and declare the election results invalid on the basis of unlawful conduct by state and local officials."
The lawsuit was filed by the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society, which also is challenging the election results in Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
The cases allege that the states counted fraudulent ballots while omitting valid ones.
Just the News reported the Michigan lawsuit seeks the preservation of any evidence to support its claim of rampant election fraud.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"The pattern of lawlessness was so pervasive and widespread that it deprived the people of Michigan of a free and fair election, throwing the integrity of the entire process into question," said Amistad director Phill Kline.
The complaint alleges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and other election officials "circumvented the explicit intent of the Michigan Legislature, which established an absentee ballot process designed to minimize the risk of fraud."
Benson sent unsolicited absentee ballot applications to every household in the state without checking whether the recipients were even living there any longer, were eligible to vote or were even still alive, the complaint states.
Amistad's case in the Wisconsin Supreme Court asserts there were 150,000 "potentially fraudulent ballots" in the state's presidential election, which Biden unofficially won by 20,000 votes.
Did Michigan experience election fraud? 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. 99% (269 Votes) 1% (3 Votes)
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia are among the swing states where credible claims of fraud have been raised.
In Georgia, the group alleges the number of potentially fraudulent ballots is more than 15 times greater than the margin separating Donald Trump and Joe Biden.


wnd--2020-11-28--UT San Antonio sorority kicks student out over pro-Trump TikTok

( BREITBART ) – A University of Texas-San Antonio ( UTSA ) student was kicked out of her sorority over @ @ @ @ @ a sign reading `` All Lives Matter . ''
Sorority leadership at the school told @ @ @ @ @ `` all lives matter '' is `` extremely hurtful '' and `` unsisterly . ''
@ @ @ @ @ a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha ( ZTA ) sorority as well as president @ @ @ @ @ Point USA ( TPUSA ) chapter , posted a video supporting President Donald Trump to @ @ @ @ @ .
The video , an eight-second clip featuring demonstrators holding an American flag and signs @ @ @ @ @ '' `` All Lives Matter , '' and `` Back the Blue , '' subsequently @ @ @ @ @ of her sorority .

(BREITBART) – A University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) student was kicked out of her sorority over a pro-Trump TikTok post featuring a sign reading "All Lives Matter." Sorority leadership at the school told the student that language suggesting "all lives matter" is "extremely hurtful" and "unsisterly."
UTSA student Jaycie Barton, a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority as well as president of the school's Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter, posted a video supporting President Donald Trump to her TikTok account in August.
The video, an eight-second clip featuring demonstrators holding an American flag and signs reading "Trump 2020," "All Lives Matter," and "Back the Blue," subsequently got the student kicked out of her sorority.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-28--Univ. of Maryland department forces professors to acknowledge they're on 'stolen land'

( COLLEGE FIX ) – So-called land acknowledgments are a popular form of virtue signaling for woke students and faculty @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving , the University of Maryland 's School of Public Policy has decreed that faculty @ @ @ @ @ of sin to the previous inhabitants of the taxpayer-funded institution 's geography .
UCLA Law @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment expert , shared an email he was forwarded from the department on its @ @ @ @ @ '' on `` Diversity , Inclusion and Belonging . ''

(COLLEGE FIX) – So-called land acknowledgments are a popular form of virtue signaling for woke students and faculty.
Right in time for Thanksgiving, the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy has decreed that faculty must participate in corporate confessions of sin to the previous inhabitants of the taxpayer-funded institution's geography.
UCLA Law Prof. Eugene Volokh, a First Amendment expert, shared an email he was forwarded from the department on its newly approved "syllabus statement" on "Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-30--Students organize 'Queeristan' event series to support LGBT Muslims

( THE COLLEGE FIX ) -- Muslim students at Duke University have organized a series of events to promote acceptance @ @ @ @ @ issues and to create a community for gay Muslims .
The event series , called @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ Muslims to one another at the private university in North Carolina .
It is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Center for Muslim Life and the student publication Juhood Magazine .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ criticism here and there , the answer is yes , ” Joshua Salaam , the @ @ @ @ @ told The College Fix via email .
The Fix had asked if the Muslim community @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ issues .

(THE COLLEGE FIX) -- Muslim students at Duke University have organized a series of events to promote acceptance of homosexuality and other LGBTQ-related issues and to create a community for gay Muslims.
The event series, called Queeristan, aims to connect LGBTQ Muslims to one another at the private university in North Carolina. It is a collaboration of the school’s Center for Muslim Life and the student publication Juhood Magazine.
“As far as the CML receiving criticism here and there, the answer is yes,” Joshua Salaam, the center’s director, told The College Fix via email. The Fix had asked if the Muslim community had criticized the promotion of LGBTQ issues.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-30--'Close the bars and keep the schools open,' Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci said “ close the bars and keep the schools open ” during a Sunday interview on ABC ’ s “ This Week With George Stephanopoulos.
” “ Martha , that ’ s a good question .
We get asked it all the time .
We say it not being facetiously as a sound bite or anything , but you know , close the bars and keep the schools open is what we really say , ” Fauci told ABC ’ s Martha Raddatz .
Fauci was specifically referring to how President-elect Joe Biden ’ s future administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Fauci also specifically referred to New York City schools closing in November .
TRENDING : Researcher : Casinos and RV parks were listed as home addresses for some Nevada voters “ Obviously , you don ’ t have one size fits all , but as I said in the past , and as you accurately quoted me , the default position should be to try as best as possible within reason to keep the children in school or to get them back to school , ” Fauci said .
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the city ’ s public elementary school students will return on Dec.7 for partial in-person instruction , but middle and high schoolers must learn completely virtually for the time being , The New York Post reported .
Fauci said during the interview that reducing “ the community level ” virus transmission will “ ensure the safety of the children in school.
” “ So , if you mitigate the things that you know are causing spread in a very , very profound way , in a robust way , if you bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ultimately protect the children in the school because the community level is determined how things go across the board , ” Fauci said .
“ So my feeling would be the same thing .
If you look at the data , the spread among children and from children is not really very big at all , not like one would have suspected , ” Fauci said .
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases didn ’ t immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 Mary Rose Corkery
Daily Caller News Foundation
Dr. Anthony Fauci said “close the bars and keep the schools open” during a Sunday interview on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.”
“Martha, that’s a good question. We get asked it all the time. We say it not being facetiously as a sound bite or anything, but you know, close the bars and keep the schools open is what we really say,” Fauci told ABC’s Martha Raddatz.
Fauci was specifically referring to how President-elect Joe Biden’s future administration can have a collective plan to reopen schools. Fauci also specifically referred to New York City schools closing in November.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“Obviously, you don’t have one size fits all, but as I said in the past, and as you accurately quoted me, the default position should be to try as best as possible within reason to keep the children in school or to get them back to school,” Fauci said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city’s public elementary school students will return on Dec.7 for partial in-person instruction, but middle and high schoolers must learn completely virtually for the time being, The New York Post reported.
Fauci said during the interview that reducing “the community level” virus transmission will “ensure the safety of the children in school.”
“So, if you mitigate the things that you know are causing spread in a very, very profound way, in a robust way, if you bring that down, you will then indirectly and ultimately protect the children in the school because the community level is determined how things go across the board,” Fauci said.
“So my feeling would be the same thing. If you look at the data, the spread among children and from children is not really very big at all, not like one would have suspected,” Fauci said.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases didn’t immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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--2020-11-30--Jimmy Stewart fans appalled as SNL's Pete Davidson is cast in modern-day table read of 'It's a Wonde

Jimmy Stewart fans appalled as SNL's Pete Davidson is cast in modern-day table read of 'It's a Wonderful Life'

The charity table read is easily the bane of 2020 .
If you are n't familiar with the phenomenon , here 's a primer : Because we 're so starved for entertainment , Hollywood assumes we 're in a position to pay money to watch a bunch of stars do a dramatic reading of a movie script over video conference .
Thus , we round up a motley crew of bored talent , either from the original work or fresher faces -- usually playing against type -- to engage in a Zoom re-enactment of a film you used to love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the music .
Or the special effects .
The hook is supposed to be a demonstration of Tinseltown bonhomie , a reminder that we 're all in this together .
Turn that frown upside-down , America -- here 's Jennifer Aniston , Jimmy Kimmel , Morgan Freeman , Shia LaBeouf and others in a table read of `` Fast Times at Ridgemont High ! ''
( I wish I were making that up , but this is our reality now . )
At least there 's nothing culturally sacrosanct about a high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Freeman can only improve .
When you 're talking about `` It 's a Wonderful Life , '' things are different .
TRENDING : Researcher : Casinos and RV parks were listed as home addresses for some Nevada voters Particularly when you 're talking about Pete Davidson as George Bailey .
Yes , according to Deadline , the 27-year-old Davidson -- best known for his time on `` Saturday Night Live '' and his active dating life -- will take the role played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 original .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reenact the role of George in It ’ s a Wonderful Life with his talented wit and clever vocalizations , '' Matthew Asner of The Ed Asner Family Center , which is putting on the Dec. 13 production , said in a statement Monday .
The cast includes several other stars you know and tolerate , such as Mia Farrow , Ellie Kemper , Carol Kane , Ed Begley Jr. , Bill Pullman and Michael Shannon .
It 's Davidson 's casting , however , that 's raising the most eyebrows -- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bailey was never quite known for his `` talented wit and clever vocalizations . ''
You might remember Davidson for his infamous remark about Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw 's eye patch in a 2018 episode of `` Saturday Night Live '' : `` You may be surprised to hear he 's a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie , '' Davidson said , followed by , `` I 'm sorry .
I know he lost his eye in war — or whatever . ''
You may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What you might not remember is that he un-apologized for that : “ I didn ’ t think I did anything wrong , ” he said during his 2020 Netflix comedy special , according to The Hill .
“ It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous .
...
So I made fun of this guy with an eye patch and then , like , I kind of got forced to apologize . ''
You might also not remember this joke he made about R & B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of numerous counts of sexual abuse , mostly against young women : “ This guy is a monster , and he should go to jail forever , ” Davidson said on SNL in March of 2019 .
“ But if you support the Catholic Church , isn ’ t that like the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan ?
I don ’ t really see the difference , except for one ’ s music is significantly better.
” That line , according to The Washington Post , `` drew some titters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
When the audience of `` Saturday Night Live '' is genuinely shocked about a joke Pete Davidson made about the Catholic church , I would posit there are issues with it .
This is n't to say Davidson is an unalloyed villain .
He 's been admirably open about his struggles with mental-health issues .
He 's done charity for firefighting causes , having lost his father , a New York City firefighter , on 9/11 .
But that still does n't make him George Bailey material , something Twitter took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get Hollywood 's attention in regard to just how bad of an idea this is , provided any of them can remember a Pauly Shore movie .
What we should probably remember in regard to recasting `` It 's a Wonderful Life '' is just how outsized of a shadow the film casts over American holiday lore .
Mostly forgotten until a legal quirk meant it entered the public domain in the 1970s , the film has been shown repeatedly on television during the Christmas season , turning it into a holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an explicitly Christian message about family , faith and priorities , something that 's an anachronism in the liberal Hollywood of today .
In no small part , it works because Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey .
It was hardly a reach to cast him in the role .
As for Davidson , this is casting against type with an actor who 's shown no competence getting outside his comfort zone .
Not only that , but it 's casting that feels like it 's being done solely because it generates buzz around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicity , at least as far as table reads go .
Yes , it 's just a table read .
It 's an expensive one , with tickets going from $ 50 to $ 250 to watch Davidson and Co. perform over Zoom .
The original movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime or purchased for far less than those tickets on any number of digital services .
If you still have $ 50 to $ 250 lying around , give it to a charity that does n't feel the need to vulgarize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it wants your money .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The charity table read is easily the bane of 2020.
If you aren't familiar with the phenomenon, here's a primer: Because we're so starved for entertainment, Hollywood assumes we're in a position to pay money to watch a bunch of stars do a dramatic reading of a movie script over video conference. Thus, we round up a motley crew of bored talent, either from the original work or fresher faces -- usually playing against type -- to engage in a Zoom re-enactment of a film you used to love.
Except without the picture. Or the music. Or the special effects.
The hook is supposed to be a demonstration of Tinseltown bonhomie, a reminder that we're all in this together. Turn that frown upside-down, America -- here's Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Morgan Freeman, Shia LaBeouf and others in a table read of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High!" (I wish I were making that up, but this is our reality now.)
At least there's nothing culturally sacrosanct about a high school sex/stoner comedy from the 1980s, one that Freeman can only improve. When you're talking about "It's a Wonderful Life," things are different.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Particularly when you're talking about Pete Davidson as George Bailey.
Yes, according to Deadline, the 27-year-old Davidson -- best known for his time on "Saturday Night Live" and his active dating life -- will take the role played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 original.
“We are so thrilled to have Pete reenact the role of George in It’s a Wonderful Life with his talented wit and clever vocalizations," Matthew Asner of The Ed Asner Family Center, which is putting on the Dec. 13 production, said in a statement Monday.
The cast includes several other stars you know and tolerate, such as Mia Farrow, Ellie Kemper, Carol Kane, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Pullman and Michael Shannon.
It's Davidson's casting, however, that's raising the most eyebrows -- and not just because Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey was never quite known for his "talented wit and clever vocalizations."
You might remember Davidson for his infamous remark about Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw's eye patch in a 2018 episode of "Saturday Night Live": "You may be surprised to hear he's a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie," Davidson said, followed by, "I'm sorry. I know he lost his eye in war — or whatever."
You may also remember his on-air apology afterward.
What you might not remember is that he un-apologized for that: “I didn’t think I did anything wrong,” he said during his 2020 Netflix comedy special, according to The Hill. “It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous. ... So I made fun of this guy with an eye patch and then, like, I kind of got forced to apologize."
You might also not remember this joke he made about R&B singer R. Kelly, who stands accused of numerous counts of sexual abuse, mostly against young women: “This guy is a monster, and he should go to jail forever,” Davidson said on SNL in March of 2019. “But if you support the Catholic Church, isn’t that like the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan? I don’t really see the difference, except for one’s music is significantly better.”
That line, according to The Washington Post, "drew some titters and stunned 'oooooohs' from the audience." When the audience of "Saturday Night Live" is genuinely shocked about a joke Pete Davidson made about the Catholic church, I would posit there are issues with it.
This isn't to say Davidson is an unalloyed villain. He's been admirably open about his struggles with mental-health issues. He's done charity for firefighting causes, having lost his father, a New York City firefighter, on 9/11. But that still doesn't make him George Bailey material, something Twitter took note of:
Pete Davidson portraying George Bailey is peak 2020. https://t.co/adK53brn1o — Sam Valley (@SamValley) November 24, 2020
Well this sounds like a bag of dog crap lit on fire, stuffed into a dumpster lit on fire, dumped into a landfill set on fire, hit by an asteroid https://t.co/bQVkgxErhb — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 24, 2020
What in the blue hell https://t.co/4Z4MSVlkoS — Corona delenda est (@cabbag3_) November 24, 2020
"Yes that's right, when I think of the traditionally handsome, charismatic, and lovable family man George Bailey, I think of um... well the card says I'm supposed to say Pete Davidson but that has to be a mistake." https://t.co/UdDdQRSETF — Evan Diem's Tweets (@EvanOutOfTen) November 24, 2020
I know it's just a table read, but casting Pete Davidson as George Bailey is like casting.....I don't know.....Pauly Shore as Barack Obama. — Mark's Seasonal Horror Name (@The_Shape14) November 24, 2020
Maybe that last one will get Hollywood's attention in regard to just how bad of an idea this is, provided any of them can remember a Pauly Shore movie.
What we should probably remember in regard to recasting "It's a Wonderful Life" is just how outsized of a shadow the film casts over American holiday lore. Mostly forgotten until a legal quirk meant it entered the public domain in the 1970s, the film has been shown repeatedly on television during the Christmas season, turning it into a holiday classic.
It's a film with an explicitly Christian message about family, faith and priorities, something that's an anachronism in the liberal Hollywood of today. In no small part, it works because Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey. It was hardly a reach to cast him in the role.
As for Davidson, this is casting against type with an actor who's shown no competence getting outside his comfort zone. Not only that, but it's casting that feels like it's being done solely because it generates buzz around the production. All publicity is good publicity, at least as far as table reads go.
Yes, it's just a table read. It's an expensive one, with tickets going from $50 to $250 to watch Davidson and Co. perform over Zoom. The original movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime or purchased for far less than those tickets on any number of digital services.
If you still have $50 to $250 lying around, give it to a charity that doesn't feel the need to vulgarize "It's a Wonderful Life" because it wants your money.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.