wnd--2020-08-24--The good, the bad and the gimmicks in the 2020 DNC

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
America ’ s very first political convention , which preceded the Declaration of Independence by a decade , took place in Connecticut where the “ Sons of Liberty ” chose an upcoming gubernatorial ticket .
If this week ’ s virtual Democratic National Convention struck you as too progressive , you should have been in Hartford in 1766 .
Those delegates , white males though they may have been , were true radicals .
The idea of a quadrennial convention to choose a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when the long-forgotten Anti-Masonic Party met at the Athenaeum Club in Baltimore .
The party nominated local U.S. Attorney William Wirt , who would carry only Vermont in November .
Watching with interest , President Andrew Jackson didn ’ t give a whit about Wirt , but he liked the idea of a convention .
So Jackson took the Democrats to Baltimore , too , where he changed running mates – replacing a future traitor ( John C. Calhoun ) with a future president ( Martin Van Buren ) .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' Nothing so dramatic happened for the Democrats this week .
Political parties no longer choose nominees at conventions .
They still get together and make noise , however , while somehow convincing the media to expend vast resources covering the glorified four-day informercial .
Until now .
COVID-19 did what no other virus , no world war , no Depression , no Dust Bowl , no terrorists attack , and no assassination did before .
The show must go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s oldest political party was game .
How well it succeeded is a subjective topic , but there were highlights , lowlights , and hours of virtual programming that fell somewhere in between .
Here is one first draft of history : America the Beautiful .
Demonstrators protesting police brutality and white racism tore down monuments to Confederate generals and other dead white men this spring and summer .
But statues of Union Army generals and abolitionists were also vandalized .
Churches were desecrated .
The banners being burned were not Confederate flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats were criticized for refusing to condemn rioters .
But in the first moments of the 2020 convention , the Democratic Party gave its answer .
The event officially opened with a moving rendition of “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” sung by people on video in all 50 states .
This was followed by Joe Biden ’ s own grandchildren reciting the Pledge of Allegiance .
A montage of Americans recited the “ We the People , ” the preamble to the Constitution , and the president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the “ name of Jesus.
” On Thursday night , the parking lot of the Delaware convention center where Biden delivered his acceptance address was turned into a makeshift drive-in theater .
The props ?
Honking instead of clapping , along with large American flags .
Take that , antifa .
Kamala Harris .
As soon as Biden pulled ahead of Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primaries , he vowed to choose a female running mate .
He didn ’ t say she couldn ’ t be white , and among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren .
Although Biden never said so , the summer ’ s social unrest took them out of the running .
The famed “ shortlist ” was culled to include mainly minority women .
All the leading contenders , including Florida Rep. Val Demings , Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth , and former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams , had compelling personal stories .
None was better than that of California ’ s charismatic junior senator .
And though it ’ s hard to make a splash by giving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris did it Wednesday night .
By Thursday morning , Democrats were warming to their “ heir apparent.
” Biden doesn ’ t mind .
In his acceptance speech , his face lit up when he mentioned his running mate .
After outlining a stupendously ambitious agenda for his presidency , Biden expressed relief that he wouldn ’ t have “ to do it alone.
” Harris would be his partner , he said , adding that “ her story is the American story.
” Jill Biden .
If Joe Biden needed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he found one in a high school and community college English teacher .
Normally not fond of attention , Jill Biden headlined the second night of the convention , explaining why her husband ought to be back in the White House -- this time , in the Oval Office .
Speaking from her old classroom at Brandywine High School , she focused on the current challenges of education .
“ The quiet is heavy .
You can hear the anxiety that echoes down the empty hallways , ” Mrs. Biden said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or freshly waxed floors .
The rooms are dark as the bright young faces that should fill them are now confined to boxes on a computer screen.
” Not only would her husband whip coronavirus and reopen schools safely , she promised he would return a sense of grace to the presidency .
“ We just need leadership worthy of our nation , ” she said , “ worthy of you.
” It was a polished address full of optimism and delivered flawlessly , a hard task at any convention .
Jill Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poise .
She had given a rebuttal to Donald Trump without uttering a bad word about him .
No other speaker all week was as deft .
Barack Obama .
Speaking of nimble orators , it only took 19 minutes to make Democrats nostalgic for Donald Trump ’ s predecessor Wednesday night .
In 2004 , Obama burst onto the national political scene at a real convention , the one in Boston where John Kerry was nominated .
Here was a fresh voice who could be partisan without vitriol – a rare trait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush not too differently from how they speak about Donald Trump now .
“ The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into red states and blue states , ” said the 2004 convention keynoter .
“ Red states for Republicans , blue states for Democrats .
But I ’ ve got news for them , too .
We worship an awesome God in the blue states , and we don ’ t like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states .
We coach Little League in the blue states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it .
We are one people , all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes , all of us defending the United States of America.
” Although he spent one paragraph reciting the obligatory Democratic litany blaming Trump for the pandemic , the lockdown , the stalled economy , the nation ’ s supposedly “ badly diminished ” international reputation -- and of threatening all our democratic institutions -- Obama again presented an evocatively optimistic vision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brayden , Biden , and Yeats .
It ’ s always been a frustrating affliction for someone who likes the sound of his own voice so much , but Joe Biden has trouble speaking .
The former vice president and senator has always had a stutter , an invisible speed bump that throws words off track as they make their way from the brain to the lips .
Biden overcame it , and doesn ’ t hide it , a story that inspired the likes of Brayden Harrington , a 13-year-old New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping him overcome his own stutter .
“ He told me about a book of poems by Yeats he would read out loud to practice , ” the boy said in a heartwarming Thursday night video in which he still struggled with some words .
“ He showed me how he marks his addresses to make them easier to say out loud , ” Brayden continued .
“ So I did the same thing today and now I 'm here talking to you today about the future , about our future.
” Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention , New York Gov .
Mario Cuomo electrified the Moscone Center with a full-throated critique of Reaganism .
If “ runaway conventions ” were still possible , such a stampede would have happened in San Francisco .
His oldest son ’ s 2020 convention speech was strangely different , however .
For starters , only in a media environment compromised by bias could New York ’ s governor emerge as a pandemic-era TV star .
His daily briefings were watchable , but Cuomo denied the threat for too long and then forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take in COVID-stricken patients .
This decision ensured that the virus would rage among the state ’ s elderly , costing thousands of lives .
Yet , on Monday , Cuomo slammed Trump even as his state records the most fatalities in the nation .
He also spun a strange story .
“ COVID is the symptom , not the illness , ” he argued .
“ Our nation is in crisis .
And in many ways , COVID is just a metaphor .
A virus attacks when the body is weak and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden later thanked the governor for his remarks , for his “ leadership and the example you ’ ve set for all Americans during this pandemic.
” The virus has killed more than 32,000 New Yorkers .
Cuomo announced the next day that he is writing a book .
Facts Are Stubborn Things .
Political conventions have never been the natural habitat for sticklers of accuracy .
But for a political party eager to tell the nation that Donald Trump lies all the time , they were uncareful with the truth .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans – not 40 million , as Bernie Sanders claimed -- would get a raise if the federal minimum wage were increased to $ 15 ( and that ’ s not counting the jobs that would be lost as a result ) .
Monday night ’ s emcee , Eva Longoria , repeated the Democratic talking point that the Trump administration “ disbanded the pandemic response team that was given to them.
” That didn ’ t happen .
In a riff about Trump ’ s supposed destruction of the U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social Security beneficiaries count on the post office to get their checks.
” This is Rip Van Winkle territory .
Since 2013 , almost all Social Security beneficiaries are required to receive their monthly stipends through electronic bank deposits .
The Social Security Administration says that only 1.2 % of its payments are sent through the mail .
In her Tuesday speech , Michelle Obama blasted the Trump administration over migrant “ children…torn from their families and thrown into cages.
” A more honest accounting , as the Associated Press pointed out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cages ” were ordered and built during her husband ’ s presidency and for the same purpose .
In a more cynical deception on Wednesday , a Latina girl told how her mother was deported , a sad story punctuated by a montage of video clips of Trump saying , “ These aren ’ t people .
...
I don ’ t want them in our country .
...
They ’ re animals.
” This was one step above an Internet deep fake .
Trump wasn ’ t talking about immigrants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to questions about members of the violent MS-13 gang – the kind that would prey on that girl and her mother .
And no , Hillary Clinton , U.S. billionaires didn ’ t become “ $ 400 billion richer ” during the pandemic ; they became $ 400 billion lighter .
As for John Kerry ’ s boast that the Obama administration “ eliminated ” the threat of a nuclear Iran , well , this is such a perfect imitation of how Trump himself talks that it sounded like parody .
Speaking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris ’ speech , Trump took to Twitter , posting an all-caps tweet beginning this way : “ BUT DIDN ’ T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST ?
?
?
” If those question marks are actually a question instead of the president ’ s typically unhinged style of punctuation , the answer would be unambiguous .
When Harris ambushed Biden on forced school busing during the Democrats ’ June 27 , 2019 debate , she specifically prefaced her criticism by saying , “ I do not believe you are a racist.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder the English language , but Democrats weren ’ t content with that -- they accused the president of being personally responsible for killing some of his own supporters who died of COVID-19 .
`` My dad was a healthy 65-year-old .
His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump , and for that , he paid with his life , ” Kristin Urquiza said of her father Mark , who died in Arizona in June from COVID .
“ Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus , but his dishonesty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse.
” Politics ain ’ t beanbag , the old saying goes , but this is politics as blood sport .
Accusing the GOP nominee of callously killing people has become a Democratic Party trope , used at the 1992 convention against Ronald Reagan and George H.W .
Bush , and in 2012 against Mitt Romney , who was somehow deemed responsible for the death of a steelworker ’ s wife .
Fact-checkers who delved into these cases invariably concluded that the true callousness comes from the liberties Democrats have taken with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Songs .
A partisan Democrat from the left wing of the party , the Boss famously refused to show any love to fellow Jersey guy Chris Christie , and every four years Bruce Sprinsteen does what he can for the Democratic presidential nominee .
But the repurposing of his song “ The Rising ” is a creation all its own , one equating the pandemic with 9/11 .
It worked well .
As for the rest of the music , it was far better than the fare at most conventions .
No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Billie Eilish preface her performance by asserting , “ Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about ” -- you can watch MSNBC any day of the week for that -- but numbers by John Legend , Billy Porter with Stephen Stills , and Thursday ’ s acapella rendition of “ The Star-Bangled Banner ” by the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks hit all the notes .
Revolving Moderators .
Eva Longoria wasn ’ t the only emcee who practiced excess partisanship .
The DNC drafted a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four women from Hollywood charged with keeping things humming and providing the occasional moment of levity .
Some did better than others .
On Thursday night , Julia Louis-Dreyfus made jokes about Trump cheating at golf , about Trump not releasing his tax returns , about Trump tweeting .
All of it predictable , except perhaps for an oddly unfunny bit about Mike Pence ’ s name .
In other words , one of the stars of “ Seinfeld ” used her role to bloviate about nothing .
But Cory Booker might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics thing doesn ’ t work out .
He seamlessly moderated a Zoom panel of the Democratic primary candidates bested by Biden .
The Kasich & Bernie Show : John Kasich ’ s gimmick of appearing at a literal crossroads couldn ’ t have been any more corny unless he ’ d been in an actual cornfield , but then again the former Ohio governor wasn ’ t going for subtlety .
“ I ’ m a lifelong Republican , ” he said in the video aired Monday night .
“ But these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent GOP no-show at the party ’ s 2016 Cleveland convention , Kasich took the next step four years later , openly urging Republicans to jump ship for Biden .
“ I ’ m sure there are Republicans and independents who couldn ’ t imagine crossing over to support a Democrat , ” he explained .
“ They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind .
I don ’ t believe that because I know the measure of the man : reasonable , faithful , respectful .
And you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Later that night , the Democrats aired Bernie Sanders ’ video .
When he and Kasich served together in the House , Kasich was a leading fiscal conservative , while Bernie was one of the most liberal members .
For most of his time in the Senate , Sanders didn ’ t call himself a Democrat .
He ’ s been , variously , a “ Socialist , ” an “ Independent , ” and is now a “ Democratic Socialist.
” Whatever he ’ s called , Sanders has always been far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he was supposed to reassure progressives that all was well .
How so ?
If you listened carefully , it was by offering nearly the opposite argument as Kasich .
I know you fear Joe Biden might be too squishy , he told his comrades on the left .
Not to worry : I ’ ve already remade the Democratic Party in our image .
“ Our campaign ended several months ago , but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day , '' Sanders said .
`` Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few years ago were considered ‘ radical , ’ are now mainstream.
” Virtual Roll Call .
Let ’ s face it : The calling of the roll at every convention is an anachronism when the nomination is not in doubt , which it hasn ’ t been for any convention in many years .
Nonetheless , it ’ s a treasured ritual for the party faithful and occasionally entertaining -- as it was at the 2000 GOP convention when the microphone was passed to the head of Florida ’ s delegation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noisy hall , “ the only person on this floor that has had his mouth washed out by the greatest , most popular woman in the world , been spanked by a president of the United States , and has gotten a wedgie from the next president of the United States.
” “ Florida , ” Jeb Bush added as the roar of crowd drowned him out , “ proudly casts its vote , its 80 delegates , to a man that I love , admire and respect , George W. Bush.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do ?
Party planners zoomed ( or Zoomed ) to the rescue , putting delegation leaders in iconic local landmarks while calling the roll from 57 states , territories , and the District of Columbia .
It was much better than usual .
'T is Himself .
Many prominent Democrats were privately nervous about Biden ’ s acceptance address .
The man is 77 years old – and he ’ s always been something of a windbag .
But let it be said that the 2020 nominee chose the right moment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been listening to Trump might have expected Biden to drool on himself .
Instead , he gave an impassioned address characterized by emotion , empathy , spiritualism and an unshakeable believe that America must pull itself up by pulling itself together .
He vowed at the outset of the speech to work as hard , if elected , for those who didn ’ t vote for him as for those who did .
In so doing , Joe Biden earned the distinction of delivering a less partisan speech at a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration .
“ Here and now , I give you my word : If you entrust me with the presidency , I will draw on the best of us , not the worst , ” he said .
“ I will be an ally of the light , not of the darkness .
“ It 's time for us , for We the People , to come together .
”

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Carl M. Cannon & Philip Wegmann
Real Clear Politics
America’s very first political convention, which preceded the Declaration of Independence by a decade, took place in Connecticut where the “Sons of Liberty” chose an upcoming gubernatorial ticket. If this week’s virtual Democratic National Convention struck you as too progressive, you should have been in Hartford in 1766. Those delegates, white males though they may have been, were true radicals.
The idea of a quadrennial convention to choose a national ticket dates to the 1832 election cycle, when the long-forgotten Anti-Masonic Party met at the Athenaeum Club in Baltimore. The party nominated local U.S. Attorney William Wirt, who would carry only Vermont in November. Watching with interest, President Andrew Jackson didn’t give a whit about Wirt, but he liked the idea of a convention. So Jackson took the Democrats to Baltimore, too, where he changed running mates – replacing a future traitor (John C. Calhoun) with a future president (Martin Van Buren).
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Nothing so dramatic happened for the Democrats this week. Political parties no longer choose nominees at conventions. They still get together and make noise, however, while somehow convincing the media to expend vast resources covering the glorified four-day informercial. Until now. COVID-19 did what no other virus, no world war, no Depression, no Dust Bowl, no terrorists attack, and no assassination did before.
The show must go on, though, and the nation’s oldest political party was game. How well it succeeded is a subjective topic, but there were highlights, lowlights, and hours of virtual programming that fell somewhere in between. Here is one first draft of history:
HIGHLIGHTS
America the Beautiful. Demonstrators protesting police brutality and white racism tore down monuments to Confederate generals and other dead white men this spring and summer. But statues of Union Army generals and abolitionists were also vandalized. Churches were desecrated. The banners being burned were not Confederate flags, they were U.S. flags. Leading Democrats were criticized for refusing to condemn rioters. But in the first moments of the 2020 convention, the Democratic Party gave its answer.
The event officially opened with a moving rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by people on video in all 50 states. This was followed by Joe Biden’s own grandchildren reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. A montage of Americans recited the “We the People,” the preamble to the Constitution, and the president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition gave the invocation, ending his prayer in the “name of Jesus.”
On Thursday night, the parking lot of the Delaware convention center where Biden delivered his acceptance address was turned into a makeshift drive-in theater. The props? Honking instead of clapping, along with large American flags. Take that, antifa.
Kamala Harris. As soon as Biden pulled ahead of Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primaries, he vowed to choose a female running mate. He didn’t say she couldn’t be white, and among the early front-runners for the job were Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren. Although Biden never said so, the summer’s social unrest took them out of the running. The famed “shortlist” was culled to include mainly minority women. All the leading contenders, including Florida Rep. Val Demings, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams, had compelling personal stories. None was better than that of California’s charismatic junior senator.
And though it’s hard to make a splash by giving a political speech to an empty arena, Harris did it Wednesday night. By Thursday morning, Democrats were warming to their “heir apparent.” Biden doesn’t mind. In his acceptance speech, his face lit up when he mentioned his running mate. After outlining a stupendously ambitious agenda for his presidency, Biden expressed relief that he wouldn’t have “to do it alone.” Harris would be his partner, he said, adding that “her story is the American story.”
Jill Biden. If Joe Biden needed a secret weapon in the final stretch, he found one in a high school and community college English teacher. Normally not fond of attention, Jill Biden headlined the second night of the convention, explaining why her husband ought to be back in the White House -- this time, in the Oval Office. Speaking from her old classroom at Brandywine High School, she focused on the current challenges of education.
“The quiet is heavy. You can hear the anxiety that echoes down the empty hallways,” Mrs. Biden said. “There’s no scent of notebooks or freshly waxed floors. The rooms are dark as the bright young faces that should fill them are now confined to boxes on a computer screen.”
Not only would her husband whip coronavirus and reopen schools safely, she promised he would return a sense of grace to the presidency. “We just need leadership worthy of our nation,” she said, “worthy of you.”
It was a polished address full of optimism and delivered flawlessly, a hard task at any convention. Jill Biden was heralded in the press for her poise. She had given a rebuttal to Donald Trump without uttering a bad word about him. No other speaker all week was as deft.
Barack Obama. Speaking of nimble orators, it only took 19 minutes to make Democrats nostalgic for Donald Trump’s predecessor Wednesday night. In 2004, Obama burst onto the national political scene at a real convention, the one in Boston where John Kerry was nominated. Here was a fresh voice who could be partisan without vitriol – a rare trait among Democrats who talked about George W. Bush not too differently from how they speak about Donald Trump now.
“The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into red states and blue states,” said the 2004 convention keynoter. “Red states for Republicans, blue states for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don’t like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states and have gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.”
Although he spent one paragraph reciting the obligatory Democratic litany blaming Trump for the pandemic, the lockdown, the stalled economy, the nation’s supposedly “badly diminished” international reputation -- and of threatening all our democratic institutions -- Obama again presented an evocatively optimistic vision of America’s past and future.
Brayden, Biden, and Yeats. It’s always been a frustrating affliction for someone who likes the sound of his own voice so much, but Joe Biden has trouble speaking. The former vice president and senator has always had a stutter, an invisible speed bump that throws words off track as they make their way from the brain to the lips.
Biden overcame it, and doesn’t hide it, a story that inspired the likes of Brayden Harrington, a 13-year-old New Hampshire boy who credits the Democratic nominee with helping him overcome his own stutter.
“He told me about a book of poems by Yeats he would read out loud to practice,” the boy said in a heartwarming Thursday night video in which he still struggled with some words. “He showed me how he marks his addresses to make them easier to say out loud,” Brayden continued. “So I did the same thing today and now I'm here talking to you today about the future, about our future.”
LOW POINTS
Andrew Cuomo. At the Democrats’ 1984 convention, New York Gov. Mario Cuomo electrified the Moscone Center with a full-throated critique of Reaganism. If “runaway conventions” were still possible, such a stampede would have happened in San Francisco. His oldest son’s 2020 convention speech was strangely different, however.
For starters, only in a media environment compromised by bias could New York’s governor emerge as a pandemic-era TV star. His daily briefings were watchable, but Cuomo denied the threat for too long and then forced his state’s nursing homes to take in COVID-stricken patients. This decision ensured that the virus would rage among the state’s elderly, costing thousands of lives.
Yet, on Monday, Cuomo slammed Trump even as his state records the most fatalities in the nation. He also spun a strange story. “COVID is the symptom, not the illness,” he argued. “Our nation is in crisis. And in many ways, COVID is just a metaphor. A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it cannot defend itself.”
Biden later thanked the governor for his remarks, for his “leadership and the example you’ve set for all Americans during this pandemic.” The virus has killed more than 32,000 New Yorkers. Cuomo announced the next day that he is writing a book.
Facts Are Stubborn Things. Political conventions have never been the natural habitat for sticklers of accuracy. But for a political party eager to tell the nation that Donald Trump lies all the time, they were uncareful with the truth.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted that 17 million Americans – not 40 million, as Bernie Sanders claimed -- would get a raise if the federal minimum wage were increased to $15 (and that’s not counting the jobs that would be lost as a result).
Monday night’s emcee, Eva Longoria, repeated the Democratic talking point that the Trump administration “disbanded the pandemic response team that was given to them.” That didn’t happen. In a riff about Trump’s supposed destruction of the U.S. Postal Service, she also asserted “Social Security beneficiaries count on the post office to get their checks.” This is Rip Van Winkle territory. Since 2013, almost all Social Security beneficiaries are required to receive their monthly stipends through electronic bank deposits. The Social Security Administration says that only 1.2% of its payments are sent through the mail.
In her Tuesday speech, Michelle Obama blasted the Trump administration over migrant “children…torn from their families and thrown into cages.” A more honest accounting, as the Associated Press pointed out, would have included noting that those same “cages” were ordered and built during her husband’s presidency and for the same purpose.
In a more cynical deception on Wednesday, a Latina girl told how her mother was deported, a sad story punctuated by a montage of video clips of Trump saying, “These aren’t people. ... I don’t want them in our country. ... They’re animals.” This was one step above an Internet deep fake. Trump wasn’t talking about immigrants, legal or illegal. He was responding to questions about members of the violent MS-13 gang – the kind that would prey on that girl and her mother.
And no, Hillary Clinton, U.S. billionaires didn’t become “$400 billion richer” during the pandemic; they became $400 billion lighter.
As for John Kerry’s boast that the Obama administration “eliminated” the threat of a nuclear Iran, well, this is such a perfect imitation of how Trump himself talks that it sounded like parody.
Speaking of the current president, in response to Kamala Harris’ speech, Trump took to Twitter, posting an all-caps tweet beginning this way: “BUT DIDN’T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST???” If those question marks are actually a question instead of the president’s typically unhinged style of punctuation, the answer would be unambiguous. When Harris ambushed Biden on forced school busing during the Democrats’ June 27, 2019 debate, she specifically prefaced her criticism by saying, “I do not believe you are a racist.”
Trump the Killer. He may murder the English language, but Democrats weren’t content with that -- they accused the president of being personally responsible for killing some of his own supporters who died of COVID-19.
"My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life,” Kristin Urquiza said of her father Mark, who died in Arizona in June from COVID. “Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonesty and his irresponsible actions made it so much worse.”
Politics ain’t beanbag, the old saying goes, but this is politics as blood sport. Accusing the GOP nominee of callously killing people has become a Democratic Party trope, used at the 1992 convention against Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and in 2012 against Mitt Romney, who was somehow deemed responsible for the death of a steelworker’s wife. Fact-checkers who delved into these cases invariably concluded that the true callousness comes from the liberties Democrats have taken with the facts.
MAKING THE BEST OF IT
Songs. A partisan Democrat from the left wing of the party, the Boss famously refused to show any love to fellow Jersey guy Chris Christie, and every four years Bruce Sprinsteen does what he can for the Democratic presidential nominee. But the repurposing of his song “The Rising” is a creation all its own, one equating the pandemic with 9/11. It worked well. As for the rest of the music, it was far better than the fare at most conventions.
No, we didn’t need to hear Billie Eilish preface her performance by asserting, “Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about” -- you can watch MSNBC any day of the week for that -- but numbers by John Legend, Billy Porter with Stephen Stills, and Thursday’s acapella rendition of “The Star-Bangled Banner” by the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks hit all the notes.
Revolving Moderators. Eva Longoria wasn’t the only emcee who practiced excess partisanship. The DNC drafted a different celebrity each night for the job, four women from Hollywood charged with keeping things humming and providing the occasional moment of levity. Some did better than others. On Thursday night, Julia Louis-Dreyfus made jokes about Trump cheating at golf, about Trump not releasing his tax returns, about Trump tweeting. All of it predictable, except perhaps for an oddly unfunny bit about Mike Pence’s name.
In other words, one of the stars of “Seinfeld” used her role to bloviate about nothing. But Cory Booker might have found another line of work if this politics thing doesn’t work out. He seamlessly moderated a Zoom panel of the Democratic primary candidates bested by Biden.
The Kasich & Bernie Show: John Kasich’s gimmick of appearing at a literal crossroads couldn’t have been any more corny unless he’d been in an actual cornfield, but then again the former Ohio governor wasn’t going for subtlety. “I’m a lifelong Republican,” he said in the video aired Monday night. “But these are not normal times.” The most prominent GOP no-show at the party’s 2016 Cleveland convention, Kasich took the next step four years later, openly urging Republicans to jump ship for Biden.
“I’m sure there are Republicans and independents who couldn’t imagine crossing over to support a Democrat,” he explained. “They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind. I don’t believe that because I know the measure of the man: reasonable, faithful, respectful. And you know, no one pushes Joe around.”
Later that night, the Democrats aired Bernie Sanders’ video. When he and Kasich served together in the House, Kasich was a leading fiscal conservative, while Bernie was one of the most liberal members. For most of his time in the Senate, Sanders didn’t call himself a Democrat. He’s been, variously, a “Socialist,” an “Independent,” and is now a “Democratic Socialist.”
Whatever he’s called, Sanders has always been far to the left of Joe Biden. But he was supposed to reassure progressives that all was well. How so? If you listened carefully, it was by offering nearly the opposite argument as Kasich. I know you fear Joe Biden might be too squishy, he told his comrades on the left. Not to worry: I’ve already remade the Democratic Party in our image. “Our campaign ended several months ago, but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day," Sanders said. "Many of the ideas we fought for, that just a few years ago were considered ‘radical,’ are now mainstream.”
Virtual Roll Call. Let’s face it: The calling of the roll at every convention is an anachronism when the nomination is not in doubt, which it hasn’t been for any convention in many years. Nonetheless, it’s a treasured ritual for the party faithful and occasionally entertaining -- as it was at the 2000 GOP convention when the microphone was passed to the head of Florida’s delegation. He was, he told the noisy hall, “the only person on this floor that has had his mouth washed out by the greatest, most popular woman in the world, been spanked by a president of the United States, and has gotten a wedgie from the next president of the United States.”
“Florida,” Jeb Bush added as the roar of crowd drowned him out, “proudly casts its vote, its 80 delegates, to a man that I love, admire and respect, George W. Bush.”
Without that setting, what were Democrats to do? Party planners zoomed (or Zoomed) to the rescue, putting delegation leaders in iconic local landmarks while calling the roll from 57 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. It was much better than usual.
'Tis Himself. Many prominent Democrats were privately nervous about Biden’s acceptance address. The man is 77 years old – and he’s always been something of a windbag. But let it be said that the 2020 nominee chose the right moment to rise well above expectations. Undecided voters who have been listening to Trump might have expected Biden to drool on himself. Instead, he gave an impassioned address characterized by emotion, empathy, spiritualism and an unshakeable believe that America must pull itself up by pulling itself together.
He vowed at the outset of the speech to work as hard, if elected, for those who didn’t vote for him as for those who did. In so doing, Joe Biden earned the distinction of delivering a less partisan speech at a political convention than Donald Trump did at an inauguration.
“Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst,” he said. “I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness.
“It's time for us, for We the People, to come together.”


wnd--2020-08-24--Asteroid heading our way day before presidential election

( NEW YORK POST ) -- This year could end with a bang .
Scientists recently spotted an asteroid on @ @ @ @ @ Earth — projected to hit a day before the presidential elections in November .
The @ @ @ @ @ as 2018VP1 , is expected on Nov. 2 , according to the Center for Near @ @ @ @ @ s Jet Propulsion Laboratory .

(NEW YORK POST) -- This year could end with a bang.
Scientists recently spotted an asteroid on a direct collision course to Earth — projected to hit a day before the presidential elections in November.
The flying space object, known as 2018VP1, is expected on Nov. 2, according to the Center for Near Objects Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-24--Stars attending VMAs from out of state will NOT be subject to N.Y. quarantine mandate

( FOX NEWS ) -- Stars will have the privilege of skipping out on New York 's 14-day quarantine mandate @ @ @ @ @ MTV Video Music Awards next week .
The awards , set for Aug. 30 , @ @ @ @ @ format this year as performances will be held outdoors with little to no audiences due @ @ @ @ @ .
As the event usually serves as a who 's who of the music biz @ @ @ @ @ in attendance , but will not be required to adhere to the 14-day quarantine rule @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrew Cuomo , according to the New York Post .

(FOX NEWS) -- Stars will have the privilege of skipping out on New York's 14-day quarantine mandate when they visit for the MTV Video Music Awards next week.
The awards, set for Aug. 30, will take on a different format this year as performances will be held outdoors with little to no audiences due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
As the event usually serves as a who's who of the music biz, many celebrities will be in attendance, but will not be required to adhere to the 14-day quarantine rule put in place by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to the New York Post.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-24--Trump announces emergency authorization of 'breakthrough' coronavirus treatment

( FOX NEWS ) -- President Trump on Sunday granted an emergency authorization for the usage of convalescent plasma to @ @ @ @ @ it a “ major breakthrough . ''
Speaking to reporters from the White House Sunday @ @ @ @ @ has `` issued an emergency use authorization ... for a treatment known as convalescent plasma @ @ @ @ @ a powerful therapy that transfuses very very strong antibodies from the blood of recovered patients @ @ @ @ @ a current infection , '' Trump said , adding that the authorization will `` expand @ @ @ @ @ ''

(FOX NEWS) -- President Trump on Sunday granted an emergency authorization for the usage of convalescent plasma to treat coronavirus patients, dubbing it a “major breakthrough."
Speaking to reporters from the White House Sunday, Trump said the FDA has "issued an emergency use authorization... for a treatment known as convalescent plasma."
"This is a powerful therapy that transfuses very very strong antibodies from the blood of recovered patients to help treat patients battling a current infection," Trump said, adding that the authorization will "expand access to this treatment."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-24--Network host proposes that Biden create 'Trump Crimes Commission' if Joe wins election

When the Trump administration ends , MSNBC host Joy Reid wants the trials of its key figures to begin .
Reid , a staunch opponent of President Donald Trump 's , on Tuesday proposed what she called a `` Trump Crimes Commission '' if Democrat Joe Biden wins the November presidential election , Mediaite reported .
The comment came during an interview with Ben Rhodes , deputy national security advisor under President Barack Obama , in which Reid invoked the frequent MSNBC claim that Trump is acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin .
She claimed that Paul Manafort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly in 2016 , `` did to the United States what he had previously done to Ukraine .
Right ?
He had messed with their elections in the past in order to put a Putin puppet in charge . ''
Manafort was convicted of fraud in connection with his business dealings with Ukraine leaders , which took place years before he worked with the Trump campaign .
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' Reid then suggested Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted .
`` And now you have a president who ’ s ruminating apparently on meeting with Vladimir Putin in New York , has talked about putting him back in the G-7 and seems to be doing everything -- you know , if there was a Christmas list that Vladimir Putin would have put together , it couldn ’ t have gotten any better than what Donald Trump is doing , '' she said .
Reid then talked about whether prosecutions should follow if Biden is elected .
“ I wonder if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins , if Joe Biden becomes president , that there should be something like a Trump Crimes Commission , '' she said to Rhodes .
`` Should he empanel such a commission , and do you think that members of the Trump campaign , including up to the president , should be at least looked at for prosecution ?
” Rhodes , who has been a constant critic of Trump , replied that `` there has to be an accountability process if Joe Biden wins to protect the integrity of our democracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wish for Soviet-style show trials .
“ It ’ s not about getting revenge , '' Rhodes said .
`` It ’ s not about going after political opponents .
That ’ s what Donald Trump does .
It ’ s about sending a message that if you collude with , facilitate , coordinate with a foreign adversary in interfering in our election and hacking private materials and releasing them , that there are going to be consequences.
” Going after the president after he leaves office has also been proposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I don ’ t say this lightly : when we escape this Trump hell , America needs a Presidential Crimes Commission , '' the former presidential candidate tweeted Friday .
`` It should be made up of independent prosecutors who look at those who enabled a corrupt president .
Example 1 : Sabotaging the mail to win an election . ''
Despite the fact that the report of former special counsel Robert Mueller found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia , Rhodes in his MSNBC interview with Reid alleged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this multiyear obstruction of justice . ''
Although almost four years of investigation has found no link between Trump and any improper connection with Russia , the former Obama official said , `` We deserve the truth about what happened and there needs to be accountability for the people responsible .
We can not just say we ’ re going to turn the page .
We have to deal with this as a country .
`` And so I really think it ’ s essential that we have some accountability process if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid then accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of making `` affirmative decisions to back off on sanctions '' against Russia for meddling in American elections .
She asked Rhodes if McConnell could be trusted to investigate Russia .
`` No , '' he replied .
`` One hundred percent not . ''
Rhodes then said an independent prosecutor would be needed .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

When the Trump administration ends, MSNBC host Joy Reid wants the trials of its key figures to begin.
Reid, a staunch opponent of President Donald Trump's, on Tuesday proposed what she called a "Trump Crimes Commission" if Democrat Joe Biden wins the November presidential election, Mediaite reported.
The comment came during an interview with Ben Rhodes, deputy national security advisor under President Barack Obama, in which Reid invoked the frequent MSNBC claim that Trump is acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She claimed that Paul Manafort, who was Trump's campaign manager briefly in 2016, "did to the United States what he had previously done to Ukraine. Right? He had messed with their elections in the past in order to put a Putin puppet in charge."
Manafort was convicted of fraud in connection with his business dealings with Ukraine leaders, which took place years before he worked with the Trump campaign.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Reid then suggested Trump was giving the Russian president everything he wanted.
"And now you have a president who’s ruminating apparently on meeting with Vladimir Putin in New York, has talked about putting him back in the G-7 and seems to be doing everything -- you know, if there was a Christmas list that Vladimir Putin would have put together, it couldn’t have gotten any better than what Donald Trump is doing," she said.
Reid then talked about whether prosecutions should follow if Biden is elected.
“I wonder if you're of the mind that if Biden wins, if Joe Biden becomes president, that there should be something like a Trump Crimes Commission," she said to Rhodes. "Should he empanel such a commission, and do you think that members of the Trump campaign, including up to the president, should be at least looked at for prosecution?”
Rhodes, who has been a constant critic of Trump, replied that "there has to be an accountability process if Joe Biden wins to protect the integrity of our democracy."
He insisted that was not simply a wish for Soviet-style show trials.
“It’s not about getting revenge," Rhodes said. "It’s not about going after political opponents. That’s what Donald Trump does. It’s about sending a message that if you collude with, facilitate, coordinate with a foreign adversary in interfering in our election and hacking private materials and releasing them, that there are going to be consequences.”
Going after the president after he leaves office has also been proposed by Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California.
"I don’t say this lightly: when we escape this Trump hell, America needs a Presidential Crimes Commission," the former presidential candidate tweeted Friday. "It should be made up of independent prosecutors who look at those who enabled a corrupt president. Example 1: Sabotaging the mail to win an election."
I don’t say this lightly: when we escape this Trump hell, America needs a Presidential Crimes Commission. It should be made up of independent prosecutors who look at those who enabled a corrupt president. Example 1: Sabotaging the mail to win an election. #SaveThePostOffice — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 14, 2020
Not everyone agreed.
Swalwell has called for a commission to investigate Trump's crimes after the election. https://t.co/zIjzs9YU6b Yet Democrats insist that the Durham investigation should end and claim that the country has moved on from the Russian investigation. https://t.co/31435obqrq — Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 15, 2020
Despite the fact that the report of former special counsel Robert Mueller found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, Rhodes in his MSNBC interview with Reid alleged that there had been "criminal enterprise behavior and this multiyear obstruction of justice."
Although almost four years of investigation has found no link between Trump and any improper connection with Russia, the former Obama official said, "We deserve the truth about what happened and there needs to be accountability for the people responsible. We cannot just say we’re going to turn the page. We have to deal with this as a country.
"And so I really think it’s essential that we have some accountability process if Joe Biden wins the election."
Reid then accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of making "affirmative decisions to back off on sanctions" against Russia for meddling in American elections. She asked Rhodes if McConnell could be trusted to investigate Russia.
"No," he replied. "One hundred percent not."
Rhodes then said an independent prosecutor would be needed.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-23--Archaeologists speculate exploding meteor could have destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

The Bible describes why God unleashed his wrath on the ancient cities Sodom and Gomorrah , but archaeologists have explained , in a 2018 study , how they think it happened , which may offer unique , relevant insight into the ways of the Creator .
In the book of Genesis , and also included in the Torah and Quran , is an account of the cities whose sin was so depraved that God meted out immediate justice .
Abraham tried to intercede on their behalf , pleading for God to spare them even if there were only 10 good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and sent two angels to meet Abraham 's nephew Lot there .
Lot took the angels into his home , where the wicked men in Sodom came after them , wanting to `` know '' the angels ( largely understood as wanting to have sexual relations with them ) , proving their sinfulness and justifying God to go ahead with the destruction , but not before warning Lot to flee the city with his wife and daughters .
`` Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overthrew those cities , and all the valley , and all the inhabitants of the cities , and what grew on the ground .
But Lot 's wife , behind him , looked back , and she became a pillar of salt . ''
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' '' And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord .
And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valley , and he looked and , behold , the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace . ''
( Genesis 19:24-28 ) The sudden cataclysmic event the Bible recounts seems to be supported by findings from the Tall el-Hammam Excavation archaeological site in Jordan , believed to be where ancient Sodom and Gomorrah stood .
Phillip J. Silvia , an archeologist from Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque , New Mexico , who is the site 's field supervisor and director of scientific analysis , presented findings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site at the American Schools of Oriental Research 2018 annual meeting .
What the team discovered was that a `` cosmic airburst event '' in the area of where the city is thought to have stood occurred some 3,700 years ago , according to their paper `` The 3.7kaBP Middle Ghor Event : Catastrophic Termination of a Bronze Age Civilization . ''
The researchers found that the Middle Bronze Age towns and cities that stood north of the Dead Sea in an area known as Middle Ghor , included what are thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in an instant , '' the topsoil stripped bare with `` a super-heated brine of Dead Sea anhydride salts pushed over the landscape by the Event ’ s frontal shockwave ( s ) . ''
They found that the heat was so intense , clay and rock melted into glass , which researchers concluded meant debris was exposed to `` between 8,000°C and 12,000°C for less than a few milliseconds . ''
The area was so decimated , the paper said , it would be more than half a millennium before civilization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science has a precedent for this sort of event as recently as 1908 when the Podkamennaya Tunguska River area of Siberia experienced a similar cosmic airburst , which happens when a meteorite explodes upon entering Earth 's atmosphere , according to NASA Science .
The Tunguska event stripped vegetation from 800 miles of forest , and eyewitnesses reported that it rained fire from the sky .
Although these are both natural phenomena , that fact does not disprove God 's hand in the events that destroyed the ancient cities , but actually hints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phenomena for his own purposes or simply leave nature to its own devices .
During times of plague or pandemic , folks who fall on either side of theistic belief will use it as evidence for or against God , but the natural world shows us it is a both-and situation .
Natural disasters were sometimes used as punishment in the Old Testament , but they also fall randomly upon mankind as a consequence of the brokenness ushered in by man 's first ancestors .
Conversely , the cures that science has brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally miracles cure disease with seemingly no rational explanation .
God is personally interested in everyone 's lives but seldom cuts sinful folks down with a zap from heaven .
Instead , the Bible and science tell humanity that it is mainly within the confines of nature that God 's work is done .
Whatever events transpired leading up to their destruction , the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were lustful , sinful and prideful .
God could have spared the city , but he perhaps permitted the exploding meteor since the citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good .
Whatever the reason the city was destroyed , the lesson conveyed therein is that where only 10 good people are left , God can settle his favor upon the whole city .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The Bible describes why God unleashed his wrath on the ancient cities Sodom and Gomorrah, but archaeologists have explained, in a 2018 study, how they think it happened, which may offer unique, relevant insight into the ways of the Creator.
In the book of Genesis, and also included in the Torah and Quran, is an account of the cities whose sin was so depraved that God meted out immediate justice.
Abraham tried to intercede on their behalf, pleading for God to spare them even if there were only 10 good people left in Sodom. God agreed, and sent two angels to meet Abraham's nephew Lot there.
Lot took the angels into his home, where the wicked men in Sodom came after them, wanting to "know" the angels (largely understood as wanting to have sexual relations with them), proving their sinfulness and justifying God to go ahead with the destruction, but not before warning Lot to flee the city with his wife and daughters.
"Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace." (Genesis 19:24-28)
The sudden cataclysmic event the Bible recounts seems to be supported by findings from the Tall el-Hammam Excavation archaeological site in Jordan, believed to be where ancient Sodom and Gomorrah stood.
Phillip J. Silvia, an archeologist from Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who is the site's field supervisor and director of scientific analysis, presented findings from the team's 13 years excavating the site at the American Schools of Oriental Research 2018 annual meeting.
What the team discovered was that a "cosmic airburst event" in the area of where the city is thought to have stood occurred some 3,700 years ago, according to their paper "The 3.7kaBP Middle Ghor Event: Catastrophic Termination of a Bronze Age Civilization."
The researchers found that the Middle Bronze Age towns and cities that stood north of the Dead Sea in an area known as Middle Ghor, included what are thought to be the biblical cities, were obliterated "in an instant," the topsoil stripped bare with "a super-heated brine of Dead Sea anhydride salts pushed over the landscape by the Event’s frontal shockwave(s)."
They found that the heat was so intense, clay and rock melted into glass, which researchers concluded meant debris was exposed to "between 8,000°C and 12,000°C for less than a few milliseconds."
The area was so decimated, the paper said, it would be more than half a millennium before civilization could once again inhabit the area.
Science has a precedent for this sort of event as recently as 1908 when the Podkamennaya Tunguska River area of Siberia experienced a similar cosmic airburst, which happens when a meteorite explodes upon entering Earth's atmosphere, according to NASA Science.
The Tunguska event stripped vegetation from 800 miles of forest, and eyewitnesses reported that it rained fire from the sky.
Although these are both natural phenomena, that fact does not disprove God's hand in the events that destroyed the ancient cities, but actually hints at the way he can use natural phenomena for his own purposes or simply leave nature to its own devices.
During times of plague or pandemic, folks who fall on either side of theistic belief will use it as evidence for or against God, but the natural world shows us it is a both-and situation.
Natural disasters were sometimes used as punishment in the Old Testament, but they also fall randomly upon mankind as a consequence of the brokenness ushered in by man's first ancestors.
Conversely, the cures that science has brought to humanity are sometimes enough, although occasionally miracles cure disease with seemingly no rational explanation.
God is personally interested in everyone's lives but seldom cuts sinful folks down with a zap from heaven. Instead, the Bible and science tell humanity that it is mainly within the confines of nature that God's work is done.
Whatever events transpired leading up to their destruction, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were lustful, sinful and prideful.
God could have spared the city, but he perhaps permitted the exploding meteor since the citizens had turned away from all that was good.
Whatever the reason the city was destroyed, the lesson conveyed therein is that where only 10 good people are left, God can settle his favor upon the whole city.
Americans should take heed.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-23--WHO chief says we can't return to normal after COVID due to one reason

On Friday , the leader of the World Health Organization downplayed the role of a vaccine in ending the coronavirus pandemic , and instead called for a focus on climate change .
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said not enough is known about the long-term effects of the disease , according to a WHO-posted transcript of his opening remarks at a media briefing .
Tedros said that around the globe , health care systems are being burdened as never before with no end in sight .
`` Several countries around the world are now experiencing fresh outbreaks after a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` These countries are a cautionary tale for those that are now seeing a downward trend in cases . ''
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' See the statement in the video below .
Tedros was not upbeat about the declining caseloads being reported .
`` Progress does not mean victory .
The fact remains that most people remain susceptible to this virus .
That ’ s why it ’ s vital that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent clusters , to prevent community transmission and the possibility of new restrictions , '' he said .
`` No country can just ride this out until we have a vaccine . ''
A vaccine may not end the problem though , according to Tedros .
`` A vaccine will be a vital tool , and we hope that we will have one as soon as possible .
But there ’ s no guarantee that we will , and even if we do have a vaccine , it won ’ t end the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then called for societal changes beyond lockdowns .
`` We must all learn to control and manage this virus using the tools we have now , and to make the adjustments to our daily lives that are needed to keep ourselves and each other safe , '' he said .
`` So-called lockdowns enabled many countries to suppress transmission and take the pressure off their health systems .
But lockdowns are not a long-term solution for any country .
We do not need to choose between lives and livelihoods , or between health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a false choice .
`` On the contrary , the pandemic is a reminder that health and the economy are inseparable .
WHO is committed to working with all countries to move into a new stage of opening their economies , societies , schools and businesses safely , '' he said , adding that `` Every single person must be involved .
`` Every single person can make a difference .
Every person , family , community and nation must make their own decisions , based on the level of risk where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family has a responsibility to know the level of transmission locally , and to understand what they can do to protect themselves and others . ''
Ghebreyesus then said climate change demands attention now more than ever .
`` At the same time , we will not -- we can not -- go back to the way things were .
Throughout history , outbreaks and pandemics have changed economies and societies .
This one will be no different , '' he said .
`` In particular , the pandemic has given new impetus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to climate change .
The pandemic has given us a glimpse of our world as it could be : cleaner skies and rivers , '' he said .
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove , head of the WHO ’ s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit , said it ’ s “ very important ” people learn “ how to live with this virus , '' according to the media briefing .
Such steps will “ continue to suppress transmission , be ready to identify cases and any clusters that pop up so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize as many deaths as possible , ” she said .
“ In doing so , some countries may need to implement some measures again.
” “ What we are seeing is a targeted approach to adding interventions that need to be put in place to get outbreaks under control and try to reduce the number of infections that are happening . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

On Friday, the leader of the World Health Organization downplayed the role of a vaccine in ending the coronavirus pandemic, and instead called for a focus on climate change.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said not enough is known about the long-term effects of the disease, according to a WHO-posted transcript of his opening remarks at a media briefing.
Tedros said that around the globe, health care systems are being burdened as never before with no end in sight.
"Several countries around the world are now experiencing fresh outbreaks after a long period with little or no transmission," he said.
"These countries are a cautionary tale for those that are now seeing a downward trend in cases."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
See the statement in the video below.
Tedros was not upbeat about the declining caseloads being reported.
"Progress does not mean victory. The fact remains that most people remain susceptible to this virus. That’s why it’s vital that countries are able to quickly identify and prevent clusters, to prevent community transmission and the possibility of new restrictions," he said.
"No country can just ride this out until we have a vaccine."
A vaccine may not end the problem though, according to Tedros.
"A vaccine will be a vital tool, and we hope that we will have one as soon as possible. But there’s no guarantee that we will, and even if we do have a vaccine, it won’t end the pandemic on its own."
He then called for societal changes beyond lockdowns.
"We must all learn to control and manage this virus using the tools we have now, and to make the adjustments to our daily lives that are needed to keep ourselves and each other safe," he said.
"So-called lockdowns enabled many countries to suppress transmission and take the pressure off their health systems. But lockdowns are not a long-term solution for any country. We do not need to choose between lives and livelihoods, or between health and the economy. That’s a false choice.
"On the contrary, the pandemic is a reminder that health and the economy are inseparable. WHO is committed to working with all countries to move into a new stage of opening their economies, societies, schools and businesses safely," he said, adding that "Every single person must be involved.
"Every single person can make a difference. Every person, family, community and nation must make their own decisions, based on the level of risk where they live. That means every person and family has a responsibility to know the level of transmission locally, and to understand what they can do to protect themselves and others."
Ghebreyesus then said climate change demands attention now more than ever.
"At the same time, we will not -- we cannot -- go back to the way things were. Throughout history, outbreaks and pandemics have changed economies and societies. This one will be no different," he said.
"In particular, the pandemic has given new impetus to the need to accelerate efforts to respond to climate change. The pandemic has given us a glimpse of our world as it could be: cleaner skies and rivers," he said.
"Building back better means building back greener."
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said it’s “very important” people learn “how to live with this virus," according to the media briefing.
Such steps will “continue to suppress transmission, be ready to identify cases and any clusters that pop up so we can quickly put those out ... and minimize as many deaths as possible,” she said. “In doing so, some countries may need to implement some measures again.”
“What we are seeing is a targeted approach to adding interventions that need to be put in place to get outbreaks under control and try to reduce the number of infections that are happening."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-23--Google accused of 'gaming' nation's health-care system

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Health . ]
An article in The Economist described data as the new oil fueling the current technological revolution that will be worth trillions of dollars over the next decade .
The value of this resource – how it is used and commercialized – is being enjoyed by companies such as Google while patients , who produce the data , get little or nothing for it .
At present , patients have very little control over the use of their information .
It is possible to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health apps that promote sharing without slowing use for research and clinical trial purposes .
However , Google is much like the Railroad Barons , who bought out competitors and forced rivals out of the competition .
Google is gaming the system .
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' As a recent Business Insider piece notes : “ Google has been quietly gathering people 's health data through partnerships with hospitals and universities to build its artificial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In some cases , the $ 1 trillion company has maneuvered to access valuable patient data without handing over any money .
It does so through contracts that promise hospitals and universities early access to its predictive algorithms in exchange for data.
” The Supreme Court of the United States ( SCOTUS ) will soon decide in Google v. Oracle the critical issues of copyright ( intellectual property ) and fair use ( permission from or payment to the copyright holder ) .
If SCOTUS upholds Google 's interpretation—and practice—of fair use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new health-related APIs to pool all available patient data .
Hence , fair use in the name of interoperability will allow Google or another large company to commercialize a wide range of health care products and services .
Expanding the copyright protection of APIs is critical to ensuring people can own and use their personal health care data .
Individuals create such information , and individuals should have ownership rights beyond privacy .
Google is seeking to consolidate control over the data of millions of Americans .
Indeed , `` until we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , it 's all the more reason not to trust comprehensive , continuous coalescence of your information . ''
( Eric Topol , Deep Medicine , page 273 . )
The infringement of fair use directly affects individual ownership of data .
Google-style centralization is bad for innovation , bad for health , and bad for human freedom .
If Google can use a cheap shortcut to interoperability , it will become , in a matter of years , a virtual health care system that determines what treatment one will receive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities early access to its predictive algorithms in exchange for data .
In other words , Google is replacing doctor/patient-driven decisions with its own clinical directives .
You ca n't switch to a different treatment approach with one click or swipe .
It wo n't matter what health plan you have ; if a Google prediction model is in control of all the data , it can control medical decisions .
If that trend continues , it will lead to companies , doctors , drug companies , etc .
jockeying for position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same way companies and organizations must abide by Google ranks in the search engine .
In Google v. Oracle , if SCOTUS reverses the fair use standard applied by the lower courts , privacy and ownership of one 's own health data — and the trust upon which it depends — will be more difficult and costly to secure .
Robert Goldberg is Vice President , Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and co-cost of the Patients Rising podcast .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real @ @ @ @

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Health.]
By Robert Goldberg
Real Clear Health
An article in The Economist described data as the new oil fueling the current technological revolution that will be worth trillions of dollars over the next decade. The value of this resource – how it is used and commercialized – is being enjoyed by companies such as Google while patients, who produce the data, get little or nothing for it.
At present, patients have very little control over the use of their information. It is possible to create a market for individual health data using health apps that promote sharing without slowing use for research and clinical trial purposes. However, Google is much like the Railroad Barons, who bought out competitors and forced rivals out of the competition. Google is gaming the system.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
As a recent Business Insider piece notes: “Google has been quietly gathering people's health data through partnerships with hospitals and universities to build its artificial intelligence systems meant to predict health trends. In some cases, the $1 trillion company has maneuvered to access valuable patient data without handing over any money. It does so through contracts that promise hospitals and universities early access to its predictive algorithms in exchange for data.”
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will soon decide in Google v. Oracle the critical issues of copyright (intellectual property) and fair use (permission from or payment to the copyright holder). If SCOTUS upholds Google's interpretation—and practice—of fair use, the company will simply roll up new health-related APIs to pool all available patient data. Hence, fair use in the name of interoperability will allow Google or another large company to commercialize a wide range of health care products and services.
Expanding the copyright protection of APIs is critical to ensuring people can own and use their personal health care data. Individuals create such information, and individuals should have ownership rights beyond privacy. Google is seeking to consolidate control over the data of millions of Americans. Indeed, "until we get medical data privacy protection and ownership straightened out, it's all the more reason not to trust comprehensive, continuous coalescence of your information." (Eric Topol, Deep Medicine, page 273.) The infringement of fair use directly affects individual ownership of data. Google-style centralization is bad for innovation, bad for health, and bad for human freedom.
If Google can use a cheap shortcut to interoperability, it will become, in a matter of years, a virtual health care system that determines what treatment one will receive. Google is (already) giving hospitals and universities early access to its predictive algorithms in exchange for data. In other words, Google is replacing doctor/patient-driven decisions with its own clinical directives. You can't switch to a different treatment approach with one click or swipe. It won't matter what health plan you have; if a Google prediction model is in control of all the data, it can control medical decisions.
Do you use Google at all these days? 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. 42% (8 Votes) 58% (11 Votes)
If that trend continues, it will lead to companies, doctors, drug companies, etc. jockeying for position in the Google health universe in the same way companies and organizations must abide by Google ranks in the search engine.
In Google v. Oracle, if SCOTUS reverses the fair use standard applied by the lower courts, privacy and ownership of one's own health data — and the trust upon which it depends — will be more difficult and costly to secure.
Robert Goldberg is Vice President, Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and co-cost of the Patients Rising podcast.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Health.]


wnd--2020-08-23--EPA cracks down on 'ideologically driven regulations'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]
Last Thursday , the EPA announced the adoption of new environmental standards that will reduce overburdensome regulations on methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations .
While the climate alarmists will scream that the end is near , the EPA estimates the new regulations will increase methane emissions by only a few percent over the next 5 years .
And it represents an important shift in the EPA ’ s stance on whether it should regulate greenhouse gases ( GHGs ) other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , commonly called natural gas , is a greenhouse gas naturally produced in wetlands and in animal digestion processes .
Natural gas is also the source of a third of America ’ s energy and is sometimes emitted in small quantities as it is produced and consumed .
While environmental groups deride methane as a “ super pollutant ” because it traps 25 times as much heat as CO , its climate impact is inconsequential .
It is 200 times more dilute in the atmosphere as CO and is emitted at 1/200th the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. eliminated all its methane emissions by 2050 , climate models estimate that the effect on average global temperature by 2100 would be 0.03°C .
This change is nearly one-fifth the size of the error range of global temperature measurements—and irrelevant within the context of expected temperature rises of 1°C or greater .
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' The significance of the new standards is that they rescind the direct regulation of methane , and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The EPA will now be required to determine that methane significantly contributes to air pollution that harms human health and welfare before regulating it , per the requirements of Section 111 ( b ) of the Clean Air Act .
It can no longer apply its endangerment finding for CO emissions from vehicles .
Since methane is the most significant GHG other than CO this ruling would logically apply to other GHGs .
By eliminating these regulations that yield no measurable environmental benefits , the EPA can focus its resources on tackling more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste cleanup , and water pollution .
The EPA will certainly be denigrated in the mainstream and activist media , and even by some large , multinational oil and gas producers that are under pressure to “ do something ” about climate change .
However , the EPA should be applauded for making the correct policy decision , one that will eliminate yet another burden on energy producers to the benefit of American energy workers and energy consumers .
If the federal government is to regulate GHGs , Congress needs to explicitly authorize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people , rather than having it done behind closed doors through a twisted legal interpretation of the Clean Air Act .
What most Americans do not know ( and those who do know routinely ignore this ) is that currently , improving technologies and practices are already reducing emissions of all pollutants , even methane .
Methane emissions from energy have declined 30 % since 1990 , despite a 43 % increase in U.S. energy production over that time .
Total methane emissions in the U.S. have declined 17 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Clean Air Act have fallen 77 % since 1970 , including 7 % over the past three years .
While the prior standards were not going to provide any measurable environmental benefits , they were going to impose significant costs , especially on smaller oil and gas producers and distributors that form the backbone of America ’ s energy renaissance .
The new standards rectify this burden by reducing unnecessary reporting requirements , saving producers and distributors millions of dollars a year and encouraging more development of America ’ s abundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boom in American energy production is a huge economic benefit to Americans .
Over the last 15 years , the United States ’ petroleum trade deficit , the balance of imports to exports , has gone from nearly $ 500 billion to almost zero .
That is half a trillion dollars every year staying in the U.S. thanks to the hard work of American energy producers that have made the shale revolution possible .
The “ keep it in the ground ” movement , which includes many of the groups pushing for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a third of American households report difficulties in paying their household energy bills .
American companies also produce energy more cleanly than anyone else in the world .
Efforts to stifle American production through excessive regulation , pipeline bans , and restrictions on capital will only harm American families and benefit foreign producers that lack our environmental standards .
The EPA ’ s current turn away from unnecessary , ideologically driven regulations and toward facilitating more responsible American energy production will yield numerous economic and environmental benefits .
These new standards for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big puzzle , and there is much more to do .
To end poverty around the world and improve the global environment , we need to support American energy .
The Honorable Jason Isaac is Director of Life : Powered , a national energy initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation .
He previously served four terms in the Texas House of Representatives .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]
By Jason Isaac
Real Clear Energy
Last Thursday, the EPA announced the adoption of new environmental standards that will reduce overburdensome regulations on methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations. While the climate alarmists will scream that the end is near, the EPA estimates the new regulations will increase methane emissions by only a few percent over the next 5 years. And it represents an important shift in the EPA’s stance on whether it should regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) other than carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).
Methane, commonly called natural gas, is a greenhouse gas naturally produced in wetlands and in animal digestion processes. Natural gas is also the source of a third of America’s energy and is sometimes emitted in small quantities as it is produced and consumed.
While environmental groups deride methane as a “super pollutant” because it traps 25 times as much heat as CO 2 , its climate impact is inconsequential. It is 200 times more dilute in the atmosphere as CO 2 and is emitted at 1/200th the rate of CO 2 . Even if the U.S. eliminated all its methane emissions by 2050, climate models estimate that the effect on average global temperature by 2100 would be 0.03°C. This change is nearly one-fifth the size of the error range of global temperature measurements—and irrelevant within the context of expected temperature rises of 1°C or greater.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The significance of the new standards is that they rescind the direct regulation of methane, and only regulate emissions of volatile organic compounds. The EPA will now be required to determine that methane significantly contributes to air pollution that harms human health and welfare before regulating it, per the requirements of Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act. It can no longer apply its endangerment finding for CO 2 emissions from vehicles.
Since methane is the most significant GHG other than CO 2, this ruling would logically apply to other GHGs. By eliminating these regulations that yield no measurable environmental benefits, the EPA can focus its resources on tackling more pressing environmental problems like habitat degradation, waste cleanup, and water pollution.
The EPA will certainly be denigrated in the mainstream and activist media, and even by some large, multinational oil and gas producers that are under pressure to “do something” about climate change. However, the EPA should be applauded for making the correct policy decision, one that will eliminate yet another burden on energy producers to the benefit of American energy workers and energy consumers.
If the federal government is to regulate GHGs, Congress needs to explicitly authorize it in statute and justify it to the American people, rather than having it done behind closed doors through a twisted legal interpretation of the Clean Air Act.
What most Americans do not know (and those who do know routinely ignore this) is that currently, improving technologies and practices are already reducing emissions of all pollutants, even methane. Methane emissions from energy have declined 30% since 1990, despite a 43% increase in U.S. energy production over that time. Total methane emissions in the U.S. have declined 17%. Aggregate emissions of the criteria pollutants listed in the Clean Air Act have fallen 77% since 1970, including 7% over the past three years.
While the prior standards were not going to provide any measurable environmental benefits, they were going to impose significant costs, especially on smaller oil and gas producers and distributors that form the backbone of America’s energy renaissance. The new standards rectify this burden by reducing unnecessary reporting requirements, saving producers and distributors millions of dollars a year and encouraging more development of America’s abundant oil and natural gas resources
The current boom in American energy production is a huge economic benefit to Americans. Over the last 15 years, the United States’ petroleum trade deficit, the balance of imports to exports, has gone from nearly $500 billion to almost zero. That is half a trillion dollars every year staying in the U.S. thanks to the hard work of American energy producers that have made the shale revolution possible.
The “keep it in the ground” movement, which includes many of the groups pushing for more methane regulations, must face the fact that a third of American households report difficulties in paying their household energy bills. American companies also produce energy more cleanly than anyone else in the world. Efforts to stifle American production through excessive regulation, pipeline bans, and restrictions on capital will only harm American families and benefit foreign producers that lack our environmental standards.
The EPA’s current turn away from unnecessary, ideologically driven regulations and toward facilitating more responsible American energy production will yield numerous economic and environmental benefits.
These new standards for methane emissions are one piece of a big puzzle, and there is much more to do. To end poverty around the world and improve the global environment, we need to support American energy.
The Honorable Jason Isaac is Director of Life:Powered, a national energy initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously served four terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]


wnd--2020-08-23--Judge tosses state bid to kill lawsuit over spying

A bid by the state of Tennessee to dismiss a lawsuit over spying by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on private property has been rejected by a judge .
The dispute is over the state agencies posting of cameras on private property without permission to surveil hunting activities .
Benton County Circuit Court Judge Charles McGinley denied TWRA 's request for the case to be dismissed .
TRENDING : Trump Jr. crushes Dem 's vote-by-mail dreams : 'If you can loot in person , you can vote in person' Landowners Terry Rainwaters and Hunter Hollingsworth joined with the Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring their 'No Trespassing ' signs by entering and installing cameras on their land . ''
`` Private land is not open to public officers , '' said IJ Attorney Joshua Windham .
`` We look forward to Tennessee ’ s courts declaring once and for all that the Tennessee Constitution does not allow the government to conduct warrantless surveillance of private property . ''
The state has claimed a century-old `` open fields '' doctrine gives its officials the right to use private land .
In 1924 , the U.S. Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect any land beyond the home and its immediate surrounding area .
But the Tennessee constitution is different .
`` Article I , Section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution protects each individual ’ s 'persons , houses , papers and possessions ' from 'unreasonable searches and seizures . '
Since 1926 , the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that this provision protects private land from warrantless intrusions , '' IJ said .
That would make the agency 's surveillance cameras an unconstitutional warrantless search .
The next step in the case is discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 136 acres he owns along the Big Sandy River in rural Tennessee .
He has a `` no trespassing '' sign on his gate .
`` Yet agents of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ignored that warning , entering his property to set up and retrieve cameras that they used to watch for hunting violations , '' the Institute for Justice said .
Rainwaters said that in 2017 he found a couple of cameras set up on his land .
He looked later , and they were gone .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether a state game officer is walking around my land or watching my private activities , '' he said .
`` If the state can put cameras on my farm whenever they want , that really destroys the notion that this land is private .
And having unannounced visitors walking around our farm during hunting season isn ’ t just intrusive , it ’ s dangerous . ''

A bid by the state of Tennessee to dismiss a lawsuit over spying by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on private property has been rejected by a judge.
The dispute is over the state agencies posting of cameras on private property without permission to surveil hunting activities.
Benton County Circuit Court Judge Charles McGinley denied TWRA's request for the case to be dismissed.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Landowners Terry Rainwaters and Hunter Hollingsworth joined with the Institute for Justice to sue the state for "ignoring their 'No Trespassing' signs by entering and installing cameras on their land."
"Private land is not open to public officers," said IJ Attorney Joshua Windham. "We look forward to Tennessee’s courts declaring once and for all that the Tennessee Constitution does not allow the government to conduct warrantless surveillance of private property."
The state has claimed a century-old "open fields" doctrine gives its officials the right to use private land.
In 1924, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment does not protect any land beyond the home and its immediate surrounding area.
But the Tennessee constitution is different.
"Article I, Section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution protects each individual’s 'persons, houses, papers and possessions' from 'unreasonable searches and seizures.' Since 1926, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that this provision protects private land from warrantless intrusions," IJ said.
That would make the agency's surveillance cameras an unconstitutional warrantless search.
The next step in the case is discovery.
Rainwaters lives, farms and hunts on the 136 acres he owns along the Big Sandy River in rural Tennessee. He has a "no trespassing" sign on his gate.
"Yet agents of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ignored that warning, entering his property to set up and retrieve cameras that they used to watch for hunting violations," the Institute for Justice said.
Rainwaters said that in 2017 he found a couple of cameras set up on his land. He looked later, and they were gone.
"It's deeply disturbing that I never know whether a state game officer is walking around my land or watching my private activities," he said. "If the state can put cameras on my farm whenever they want, that really destroys the notion that this land is private. And having unannounced visitors walking around our farm during hunting season isn’t just intrusive, it’s dangerous."
See a video explaining the case:


wnd--2020-08-24--Twitter interferes with Trump comment again

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- President Trump was hit with yet another Twitter warning label , this time over his @ @ @ @ @ Twitter flagged a tweet on Sunday that asserted that mail-in drop boxes pose a health @ @ @ @ @ and are ripe for voter fraud .
`` So now the Democrats are using Mail @ @ @ @ @ a voter security disaster , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Among other things , they @ @ @ @ @ person to vote multiple times .
Also , who controls them , are they placed @ @ @ @ @ ?
They are not Covid sanitized .
A big fraud ! ''

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- President Trump was hit with yet another Twitter warning label, this time over his claims about mail-in voting.
Twitter flagged a tweet on Sunday that asserted that mail-in drop boxes pose a health risk during the coronavirus pandemic and are ripe for voter fraud.
"So now the Democrats are using Mail Drop Boxes, which are a voter security disaster," Trump tweeted. "Among other things, they make it possible for a person to vote multiple times. Also, who controls them, are they placed in Republican or Democrat areas? They are not Covid sanitized. A big fraud!"
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-24--Nunes hopes Durham grilled ex-CIA chief

Nunes hopes Durham grilled ex-CIA chief

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- Lingering questions about former CIA Director John Brennan 's story about Russia may soon be @ @ @ @ @ top Republican investigator .
Rep. Devin Nunes , the ranking member of the House Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ to news that U.S. Attorney John Durham interviewed the Obama-era CIA chief as part of @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
`` His story does n't quite add up , '' the California congressman @ @ @ @ @ News .
`` So , hopefully , Durham was able to get him on the @ @ @ @ @ could explain his testimony when he testified in front of our committee . ''

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- Lingering questions about former CIA Director John Brennan's story about Russia may soon be answered, according to a top Republican investigator.
Rep. Devin Nunes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, reacted on Sunday to news that U.S. Attorney John Durham interviewed the Obama-era CIA chief as part of his inquiry into the Russia investigation.
"His story doesn't quite add up," the California congressman told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News. "So, hopefully, Durham was able to get him on the record, so that he could explain his testimony when he testified in front of our committee."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-25--Black students petitioning for segregated housing at 2 universities!

Students at New York University and Rice University have begun petitioning for segregated housing , demanding a blacks-only area .
Campus Reform reported NYU officials already are moving on the idea , according to spokesman John Beckman .
`` We appreciate the petition authors ' position .
Res Life staff have reached out to the authors of the petition to discuss how we might move forward with their goals , '' he said .
TRENDING : Cher 's attempt to volunteer at post office ends in complete failure The New York University News reported seniors Brenah Johnson and Nia Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't adequately address the needs of blacks .
`` There is nothing to protect us , '' Robinson said .
`` Literally no systems in place .
What do you do when your professor is racist and wants to take it out on your grades ?
Microaggressions in classroom discussions ? ''
They began a student group called Black Violets , which calls for protections for black students on campus .
It has lobbied for more black professors and dorm floors dedicated to blacks .
The report said their petition for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government Assembly , where sophomore Shamon Lawrence was enthusiastic about it .
`` I found out about Black Violets and the work they were doing through their petition and I wanted to be on the forefront of asking for these important structural changes , '' Lawrence explained .
Jesse Maloney , the president of the Inter-residential Housing Committee , also has been lobbied to join .
Campus Reform said the Black Student Association of Rice also has issued a list of demands that includes funding of a `` Black House . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a non-residential Black House that has all the features of a residential college but is specifically made for Black students and Black organizations to congregate and hold events , '' the group said .
Other demands included the `` decolonization of Rice 's entire curriculum '' and the elimination of a statue of William Marsh Rice , for whom the university is named .
Campus Reform noted that in 2019 a National Association of Scholars report raised the idea of `` neo-segregation '' at Yale .
It said American colleges and universities recruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices `` that encourage these students to form separate social groups on campus . ''
A socialist website said New York University has given a `` green light '' to segregated housing by next fall .
The report said black students need a `` safe space '' where they can be protected from `` other races . ''
The Twitter news-aggregating blog Twitchy noted an ironic twist to the story : `` They said if Donald Trump won the election , we 'd return to the days of racial segregation .
Looks like @ @ @ @ @

Students at New York University and Rice University have begun petitioning for segregated housing, demanding a blacks-only area.
Campus Reform reported NYU officials already are moving on the idea, according to spokesman John Beckman.
"We appreciate the petition authors' position. Res Life staff have reached out to the authors of the petition to discuss how we might move forward with their goals," he said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The New York University News reported seniors Brenah Johnson and Nia Robinson made the request after concluding the university didn't adequately address the needs of blacks.
"There is nothing to protect us," Robinson said. "Literally no systems in place. What do you do when your professor is racist and wants to take it out on your grades? Microaggressions in classroom discussions?"
They began a student group called Black Violets, which calls for protections for black students on campus.
It has lobbied for more black professors and dorm floors dedicated to blacks.
The report said their petition for black housing has gained attention in the Student Government Assembly, where sophomore Shamon Lawrence was enthusiastic about it.
"I found out about Black Violets and the work they were doing through their petition and I wanted to be on the forefront of asking for these important structural changes," Lawrence explained.
Jesse Maloney, the president of the Inter-residential Housing Committee, also has been lobbied to join.
Campus Reform said the Black Student Association of Rice also has issued a list of demands that includes funding of a "Black House."
"We demand that Rice invest in creating a non-residential Black House that has all the features of a residential college but is specifically made for Black students and Black organizations to congregate and hold events," the group said.
Other demands included the "decolonization of Rice's entire curriculum" and the elimination of a statue of William Marsh Rice, for whom the university is named.
Campus Reform noted that in 2019 a National Association of Scholars report raised the idea of "neo-segregation" at Yale.
It said American colleges and universities recruit blacks and other minorities but foster campus practices "that encourage these students to form separate social groups on campus."
A socialist website said New York University has given a "green light" to segregated housing by next fall.
The report said black students need a "safe space" where they can be protected from "other races."
The Twitter news-aggregating blog Twitchy noted an ironic twist to the story: "They said if Donald Trump won the election, we'd return to the days of racial segregation. Looks like they were right."