wnd--2020-08-18--How Obama's infamous 'lie of the year' came to light

During the Soviet era , “ samizdat ” referred to the clandestine copying and distribution of literature banned by the state .
Since official news sources were little more than communist government propaganda , samizdat was often the only source of truthful reporting .
In “ Unmasking Obama : The Fight to Tell the True Story of Failed Presidency , ” Jack Cashill tells the story of how an American samizdat of bloggers , online journals , and citizen journalists challenged the left – and , occasionally , the more “ respectable ” right – for control of the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story of unlikely samizdat contributor Rich Weinstein and his role in exposing the scandal underlying Obamacare .
Barack Obama was not alone in thinking his administration was uniquely unblemished .
Prominent media gatekeepers had been encouraging him to think along these lines for years .
In 2014 , New Yorker editor and Obama biographer David Remnick thought it a “ huge ” achievement that “ there ’ s been no scandal , major scandal , in this administration , which is a rare thing in an administration.
” In 2016 , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration was not just scandal free , but “ remarkably scandal-free.
” The saying goes that a scandal is not a scandal until the New York Times calls it a “ scandal ” on the front page , and by that definition , yes , the Obama administration was scandal free .
By any sane definition , however , the Obama administration was awash in scandal .
Just on its own , the mischief surrounding the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) – also known as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harding-Grant strata of scandal-plagued presidencies .
TRENDING : How Obama 's infamous 'lie of the year ' came to light Again , the major media contributed little , if anything , to uncovering the fundamental corruption at the heart of Obamacare .
As was normative during the Obama years , the conservative media did almost all the digging .
Among those who deserve credit is one unsung citizen journalist , a new recruit to the ranks of the samizdat .
In the age of informational overload , this fellow showed how routinely big-name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before the samizdat discovered him , Rich Weinstein dwelt in the peaceful anonymity of the everyday suburbanite .
An unassuming , middle-aged investment adviser from metro Philadelphia , Weinstein had no aspirations to make waves , let alone make news , at least not before he received that fateful email from his insurance company .
The year was 2013 , and the message was simple : his health care plan was not ACA compliant .
In a June 2009 speech introducing the Affordable Care Act , Obama assured Weinstein and his fellow citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you will be able to keep your doctor .
Period .
If you like your health care plan , you will be able to keep your health care plan .
Period .
No one will take it away .
No matter what.
” Obama made this claim , or a variation of the same , no fewer than thirty times during the months that followed , and he did so every time without equivocation .
The lack of qualifiers convinced Weinstein that Obama had to be telling the truth .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Weinstein learned he could keep neither his doctor nor his health plan , and that his insurance premiums were about to double , he began his own personal probe into the mischief-makers behind Obamacare .
Had he a mind to , the average fifth grader could have done what Weinstein did .
There was nothing complicated about his search .
He identified several of the reputed Obamacare “ architects ” through Google and found their video presentations on YouTube .
A consultant with the Dickensian name “ Jonathan Gruber ” intrigued Weinstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor of economics , Gruber had also helped design “ Romneycare , ” the Massachusetts health plan implemented while Mitt Romney was governor .
What struck Weinstein about Gruber were his ship-sinking lips .
On one occasion , for instance , Gruber publicly admitted his fear Romney could become president , a rash comment for a guy who had made his reputation on Romney ’ s back .
Gruber , Weinstein soon came to appreciate , was much more candid than his client in the White House would have liked .
Weinstein traces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2014 , his wedding anniversary .
The video recorded an October 2013 panel discussion at the University of Pennsylvania .
Said Gruber of the Affordable Care Act , “ This bill was written in a tortured way to make sure CBO [ the Congressional Budget Office ] did not score the mandate as taxes .
If CBO scored the mandate as taxes , the bill dies.
” After some explanatory remarks , Gruber sawed the rest of the limb out from under himself .
“ Lack of transparency is a huge political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And basically , call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever , but basically that was really , really critical for the thing to pass.
” Weinstein sent the video link to activist Phil Kerpen , who posted it on his American Commitment website on November 7 .
While the video slowly gained traction , Weinstein reached out on the morning of November 9 to his “ first real reporter , ” veteran New York Times health correspondent Robert Pear .
Weinstein was hopeful .
He met Pear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference in Washington , and Pear had written about Gruber ’ s health care exchange comments just a few days prior .
“ Thought you ’ d be interested in this , ” Weinstein wrote in his email to Pear .
“ If this isn ’ t a complete slap in the face of the American voter , nothing is .
He calls the American voter ‘ stupid ’ and explains how lack of transparency get [ sic ] the ACA passed .
This video should be seen by EVERY AMERICAN.
” Weinstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Would you happen to know the time and place of the panel discussion ?
” Pear responded .
Weinstein filled in the details , and Pear signed off with a simple , “ Thank you.
” And that was the last he heard from Pear .
“ Every American ” may have needed to see this video , but the Times would not help them find it .
The samizdat assumed that burden .
Indeed , by November 12 , “ Gruber ” had become a household word .
Forced to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave Gruber the Bill Ayers “ guy-in-the-neighborhood ” brush-off .
“ The fact that an adviser who was never on our staff expressed an opinion that I completely disagree with in terms of the voters is not a reflection on the actual process that was run , ” said Obama when asked .
Gruber ’ s title was irrelevant .
The Obama administration paid Gruber , the acknowledged designer of the individual mandate , nearly $ 400,000 for a year ’ s work .
As even the Washington Post acknowledged , Gruber met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oval Office .
The reason for the meeting was simple : “ His advice was important at critical moments when the bill ’ s survival was in jeopardy.
” The Times finally weighed in on November 12 .
In a patronizing column on its “ Upshot ” site , economic correspondent Neil Irwin insisted Gruber ’ s comments were “ completely commonplace.
” Wrote Irwin , “ Legislators frequently game policy to fit the sometimes arbitrary conventions by which the Congressional Budget Office evaluates laws and the public debates them.
” To put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assured them , “ This kind of gamesmanship is very much a bipartisan affair.
” Working off Irwin ’ s interpretation , the firemen at Media Matters for America helped douse the flames with an article a day later headlined , “ The Fraudulent Media Campaign To Scandalize Obamacare 's Passage.
” Scandal ?
What scandal ?
The Obama administration deceived the American public at every turn to create a monstrously confusing program , rife with fraud , that did not work and whose rollout was an admitted fiasco .
None of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To put Obamacare in its proper perspective , three of Obama ’ s more prominent speechwriters – David Litt , Jon Favreau , and Jon Lovett – shared their feelings in May 2016 with the not yet disgraced Charlie Rose .
Although something of a comedy writer , Lovett told Rose he was “ most proud ” of his more serious speeches , particularly those on health care and economics .
At this point , Favreau interjected , “ Lovett wrote the line about , ‘ If you like your insurance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot back in faux outrage , “ How dare you !
” They all laughed , Rose included .
Lovett , by the way , was twenty-six years old when he conceived the “ if you like your doctor ” flimflam .
In 2016 , he and his pals were still young enough to see the hilarity in Politifact ’ s 2013 “ Lie of the Year.
” Perhaps if they had to dig into their kids ’ college funds to pay doubled health care premiums as Weinstein did , they might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Cashill ’ s “ Unmasking Obama : The Fight to Tell the True Story of Failed Presidency ” is available in hardcover and e-book form .

During the Soviet era, “samizdat” referred to the clandestine copying and distribution of literature banned by the state. Since official news sources were little more than communist government propaganda, samizdat was often the only source of truthful reporting. In “Unmasking Obama: The Fight to Tell the True Story of Failed Presidency,” Jack Cashill tells the story of how an American samizdat of bloggers, online journals, and citizen journalists challenged the left – and, occasionally, the more “respectable” right – for control of the Obama narrative. In this excerpt Cashill tells the story of unlikely samizdat contributor Rich Weinstein and his role in exposing the scandal underlying Obamacare.
Barack Obama was not alone in thinking his administration was uniquely unblemished. Prominent media gatekeepers had been encouraging him to think along these lines for years. In 2014, New Yorker editor and Obama biographer David Remnick thought it a “huge” achievement that “there’s been no scandal, major scandal, in this administration, which is a rare thing in an administration.” In 2016, New York Times columnist David Brooks insisted the Obama administration was not just scandal free, but “remarkably scandal-free.”
The saying goes that a scandal is not a scandal until the New York Times calls it a “scandal” on the front page, and by that definition, yes, the Obama administration was scandal free. By any sane definition, however, the Obama administration was awash in scandal.
Just on its own, the mischief surrounding the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – also known as “Obamacare” – puts Obama in the Harding-Grant strata of scandal-plagued presidencies.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Again, the major media contributed little, if anything, to uncovering the fundamental corruption at the heart of Obamacare. As was normative during the Obama years, the conservative media did almost all the digging.
Among those who deserve credit is one unsung citizen journalist, a new recruit to the ranks of the samizdat. In the age of informational overload, this fellow showed how routinely big-name journalists overlooked the information that mattered.
Before the samizdat discovered him, Rich Weinstein dwelt in the peaceful anonymity of the everyday suburbanite. An unassuming, middle-aged investment adviser from metro Philadelphia, Weinstein had no aspirations to make waves, let alone make news, at least not before he received that fateful email from his insurance company.
The year was 2013, and the message was simple: his health care plan was not ACA compliant. In a June 2009 speech introducing the Affordable Care Act, Obama assured Weinstein and his fellow citizens, “If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period. If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what.”
Is Barack Obama the most deceptive president in U.S. history? 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. 98% (476 Votes) 2% (12 Votes)
Obama made this claim, or a variation of the same, no fewer than thirty times during the months that followed, and he did so every time without equivocation. The lack of qualifiers convinced Weinstein that Obama had to be telling the truth.
“I believed him,” said Weinstein. When Weinstein learned he could keep neither his doctor nor his health plan, and that his insurance premiums were about to double, he began his own personal probe into the mischief-makers behind Obamacare.
Had he a mind to, the average fifth grader could have done what Weinstein did. There was nothing complicated about his search. He identified several of the reputed Obamacare “architects” through Google and found their video presentations on YouTube.
A consultant with the Dickensian name “Jonathan Gruber” intrigued Weinstein more than the others. An MIT professor of economics, Gruber had also helped design “Romneycare,” the Massachusetts health plan implemented while Mitt Romney was governor.
What struck Weinstein about Gruber were his ship-sinking lips. On one occasion, for instance, Gruber publicly admitted his fear Romney could become president, a rash comment for a guy who had made his reputation on Romney’s back.
Gruber, Weinstein soon came to appreciate, was much more candid than his client in the White House would have liked. Weinstein traces the day of discovery to November 2, 2014, his wedding anniversary. The video recorded an October 2013 panel discussion at the University of Pennsylvania.
Said Gruber of the Affordable Care Act, “This bill was written in a tortured way to make sure CBO [the Congressional Budget Office] did not score the mandate as taxes. If CBO scored the mandate as taxes, the bill dies.”
After some explanatory remarks, Gruber sawed the rest of the limb out from under himself. “Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage,” he told his audience. “And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass.”
Weinstein sent the video link to activist Phil Kerpen, who posted it on his American Commitment website on November 7. While the video slowly gained traction, Weinstein reached out on the morning of November 9 to his “first real reporter,” veteran New York Times health correspondent Robert Pear. Weinstein was hopeful. He met Pear a few weeks earlier at a Cato Institute conference in Washington, and Pear had written about Gruber’s health care exchange comments just a few days prior.
“Thought you’d be interested in this,” Weinstein wrote in his email to Pear. “If this isn’t a complete slap in the face of the American voter, nothing is. He calls the American voter ‘stupid’ and explains how lack of transparency get [sic] the ACA passed. This video should be seen by EVERY AMERICAN.” Weinstein included a link to the video.
“Would you happen to know the time and place of the panel discussion?” Pear responded. Weinstein filled in the details, and Pear signed off with a simple, “Thank you.” And that was the last he heard from Pear. “Every American” may have needed to see this video, but the Times would not help them find it. The samizdat assumed that burden. Indeed, by November 12, “Gruber” had become a household word.
Forced to address the growing controversy, the White House gave Gruber the Bill Ayers “guy-in-the-neighborhood” brush-off. “The fact that an adviser who was never on our staff expressed an opinion that I completely disagree with in terms of the voters is not a reflection on the actual process that was run,” said Obama when asked. Gruber’s title was irrelevant.
The Obama administration paid Gruber, the acknowledged designer of the individual mandate, nearly $400,000 for a year’s work. As even the Washington Post acknowledged, Gruber met at least once with Obama in the Oval Office. The reason for the meeting was simple: “His advice was important at critical moments when the bill’s survival was in jeopardy.”
The Times finally weighed in on November 12. In a patronizing column on its “Upshot” site, economic correspondent Neil Irwin insisted Gruber’s comments were “completely commonplace.”
Wrote Irwin, “Legislators frequently game policy to fit the sometimes arbitrary conventions by which the Congressional Budget Office evaluates laws and the public debates them.” To put Times readers further at ease, Irwin assured them, “This kind of gamesmanship is very much a bipartisan affair.”
Working off Irwin’s interpretation, the firemen at Media Matters for America helped douse the flames with an article a day later headlined, “The Fraudulent Media Campaign To Scandalize Obamacare's Passage.”
Scandal? What scandal? The Obama administration deceived the American public at every turn to create a monstrously confusing program, rife with fraud, that did not work and whose rollout was an admitted fiasco. None of this moved the Times to utter the S-word.
To put Obamacare in its proper perspective, three of Obama’s more prominent speechwriters – David Litt, Jon Favreau, and Jon Lovett – shared their feelings in May 2016 with the not yet disgraced Charlie Rose.
Although something of a comedy writer, Lovett told Rose he was “most proud” of his more serious speeches, particularly those on health care and economics. At this point, Favreau interjected, “Lovett wrote the line about, ‘If you like your insurance, you can keep it.’”
Lovett shot back in faux outrage, “How dare you!” They all laughed, Rose included. Lovett, by the way, was twenty-six years old when he conceived the “if you like your doctor” flimflam. In 2016, he and his pals were still young enough to see the hilarity in Politifact’s 2013 “Lie of the Year.”
Perhaps if they had to dig into their kids’ college funds to pay doubled health care premiums as Weinstein did, they might not have found Obamacare all that amusing.
Jack Cashill’s “Unmasking Obama: The Fight to Tell the True Story of Failed Presidency” is available in hardcover and e-book form.


wnd--2020-08-18--Death toll mounts as FDA denies HCQ for outpatient therapy

On Aug. 10 the FDA denied the urgent request for emergency approval for COVID-19 outpatient preventive and early treatment use of hydroxychloroquine ( HCQ ) filed July 1 by Dr. John McKinnon 's team at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit , supported by Dr. Peter McCullough 's cardiology team at Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute in Dallas .
Approximately 48,000 more Americans have died during the FDA 's 48-day delay since this Emergency Use Authorization ( EUA ) was requested on July 1 .
Dr. McKinnon 's clinical trial found an impressive 51 % reduction in deaths if HCQ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital .
An outpatient primary care study by Dr. Vladimir Zelenko , using HCQ , azithromycin and zinc given within less than seven days of COVID-19 symptoms , showed approximately 80 % decrease in deaths , and less than 1 % of his patients needed to be hospitalized .
These extraordinary results show how many lives can be saved with early HCQ treatment .
Dr. Harvey Risch , Yale epidemiologist , projected that widespread early treatment for COVID-19 with HCQ could have saved 100,000 American lives .
The physician head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again betrayed physicians and patients by preventing Americans from having the `` right to try '' HCQ for early COVID-19 treatment .
Dr. Hahn knows full well the FDA approved HCQ as safe in 1955 , and it has been used in millions of patients worldwide for 65 years with an impressive track record of safety in patients of all ages , all ethnic groups , and even pregnant women and nursing mothers .
TRENDING : How Obama 's infamous 'lie of the year ' came to light The FDA 's denial of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of HCQ continues the agency 's false narrative in claiming outpatient harm for HCQ , based on inpatient data in critically ill patients .
Dr. Hahn has ignored established facts of effectiveness and lack of harm for outpatients that have been established in more than 50 recent studies .
A newly released study from Turkey found no cardiac abnormalities with HCQ given at therapeutic doses for five days in early COVID patients .
Attributing any late-stage cardiac effects to HCQ that is known to be caused by the virus and inflammatory damage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' will ever satisfy Dr. Hahn ?
The FDA used a standard of `` may be effective '' for the rapid May 1 EUA given to the experimental anti-viral remdesivir , based on one controlled clinical trial terminated early .
Yet FDA is now requiring a higher standard of a randomized controlled clinical trial for the already FDA-approved HCQ in safe use for 65 years .
Remdesivir showed very little benefit shown in hospitalized COVID patients and had serious side effects .
Nine of the members of the NIH panel relied on for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilead Sciences , maker of remdesivir .
As a cancer specialist , Dr. Hahn knows early treatment of any disease is critical , especially viral illness .
But it is more critical with COVID-19 , or SARS CoV-2 , as we learned in 2005 when National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) published their studies from the 2002 outbreak of the closely related SARS-CoV-1 virus .
These laboratory tests of possible anti-viral medicines clearly showed potent antiviral effects of chloroquine ( CQ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the earliest stage .
Dr. Fauci was at NIH them , so he has known about this work for more than 15 years .
From these studies we know that HCQ with zinc works during the first five days to stop viral entry into our cells and to block the virus from multiplying .
Without HCQ and zinc , by day six or seven the viral load explodes and then triggers an exaggerated inflammatory response .
This `` cytokine storm '' can severely damage critical organs : lungs , kidneys , heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is often fatal .
Earlier this year , Dr. Peter McCullough 's team showed prophylactic benefits of HCQ given to hospital workers who were exposed to COVID daily in their work , just as found in India , South Korea , China and multiple other countries .
This preventive benefit of HCQ given once a week could protect front-line medical workers , law enforcement officers , paramedics , clergy , dentists/dental hygienists , truck drivers , food-processing workers , teachers , behavioral health professionals , factory and grocery store workers , flight attendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely reopen America 's businesses , schools and churches with doctors and patients having widespread , early access to HCQ .
Doctors treating COVID-19 patients NOW see lives being saved by cheap , safe , FDA-approved medicines – hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin or doxycycline , plus supplemental zinc , vitamin C and vitamin D. Why do n't Americans have the freedom to use HCQ here as in other countries ?
The FDA 's misleading statements about HCQ have led to dangerous , unprecedented restrictions on physicians ' off-label prescribing rights imposed by state governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The supply of HCQ has been ramped up to handle its use in early treatment of COVID .
The Strategic National Stockpile has millions of doses deteriorating in government warehouses that are not being distributed because doctors are prevented for political reasons from prescribing for outpatients with COVID-19 .
Americans are dying needlessly for political and financial agendas waiting for the `` magic bullet '' of a vaccine , not due to lack of available treatment for COVID-19 .
We still need therapeutics , such as HCQ , even if a vaccine works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and often unavailable , and HCQ dispensing must not be limited to persons with a positive test .
Such limits also prevent prophylactic use .
Governors and bureaucrats must not be allowed to arbitrarily restrict life-saving HCQ treatment .
The Fauci-Hahn strategies of suppressing the positive studies of HCQ effectiveness for outpatient use , while focusing on mandatory mask edicts and continued shutdowns of businesses , schools and churches are not controlling the pandemic .
These political agendas have eroded our constitutional freedoms and devastated our financial , psychological , physical and spiritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day .
Dr. Hahn needs to be held accountable for the preventable deaths caused on his watch .
As a physician licensed in three states that prevent prescribing HCQ for my patients , I submitted a formal request to the chairman of Senate Oversight Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ( HSGAC ) for Dr. Hahn to be called before the Committee to produce the data on which the FDA is claiming `` harm '' in using HCQ for outpatients in the mild stage of COVID , but no such harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
FDA 's hypocrisy ignores their own safety data , basic science , clinical studies and common sense .
Americans must speak out and demand the medical freedom to consult their physicians and decide treatment options without government interference .

On Aug. 10 the FDA denied the urgent request for emergency approval for COVID-19 outpatient preventive and early treatment use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) filed July 1 by Dr. John McKinnon's team at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, supported by Dr. Peter McCullough's cardiology team at Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute in Dallas.
Approximately 48,000 more Americans have died during the FDA's 48-day delay since this Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) was requested on July 1. Dr. McKinnon's clinical trial found an impressive 51% reduction in deaths if HCQ was begun within 24 hours of admission to the hospital.
An outpatient primary care study by Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, using HCQ, azithromycin and zinc given within less than seven days of COVID-19 symptoms, showed approximately 80% decrease in deaths, and less than 1% of his patients needed to be hospitalized. These extraordinary results show how many lives can be saved with early HCQ treatment.
Dr. Harvey Risch, Yale epidemiologist, projected that widespread early treatment for COVID-19 with HCQ could have saved 100,000 American lives.
The physician head of the FDA, Dr. Steven Hahn, has again betrayed physicians and patients by preventing Americans from having the "right to try" HCQ for early COVID-19 treatment. Dr. Hahn knows full well the FDA approved HCQ as safe in 1955, and it has been used in millions of patients worldwide for 65 years with an impressive track record of safety in patients of all ages, all ethnic groups, and even pregnant women and nursing mothers.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The FDA's denial of the EUA for early outpatient COVID-19 use of HCQ continues the agency's false narrative in claiming outpatient harm for HCQ, based on inpatient data in critically ill patients. Dr. Hahn has ignored established facts of effectiveness and lack of harm for outpatients that have been established in more than 50 recent studies.
A newly released study from Turkey found no cardiac abnormalities with HCQ given at therapeutic doses for five days in early COVID patients. Attributing any late-stage cardiac effects to HCQ that is known to be caused by the virus and inflammatory damage is indefensible.
What amount of "data" will ever satisfy Dr. Hahn?
The FDA used a standard of "may be effective" for the rapid May 1 EUA given to the experimental anti-viral remdesivir, based on one controlled clinical trial terminated early. Yet FDA is now requiring a higher standard of a randomized controlled clinical trial for the already FDA-approved HCQ in safe use for 65 years. Remdesivir showed very little benefit shown in hospitalized COVID patients and had serious side effects. Nine of the members of the NIH panel relied on for COVID treatment advice were supported financially by Gilead Sciences, maker of remdesivir.
As a cancer specialist, Dr. Hahn knows early treatment of any disease is critical, especially viral illness. But it is more critical with COVID-19, or SARS CoV-2, as we learned in 2005 when National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published their studies from the 2002 outbreak of the closely related SARS-CoV-1 virus. These laboratory tests of possible anti-viral medicines clearly showed potent antiviral effects of chloroquine (CQ) against SARS-CoV-1 to block the SARS-CoV-1 infection at the earliest stage. Dr. Fauci was at NIH them, so he has known about this work for more than 15 years.
From these studies we know that HCQ with zinc works during the first five days to stop viral entry into our cells and to block the virus from multiplying.
Without HCQ and zinc, by day six or seven the viral load explodes and then triggers an exaggerated inflammatory response. This "cytokine storm" can severely damage critical organs: lungs, kidneys, heart, brain, liver and intestines and is often fatal.
Earlier this year, Dr. Peter McCullough's team showed prophylactic benefits of HCQ given to hospital workers who were exposed to COVID daily in their work, just as found in India, South Korea, China and multiple other countries.
This preventive benefit of HCQ given once a week could protect front-line medical workers, law enforcement officers, paramedics, clergy, dentists/dental hygienists, truck drivers, food-processing workers, teachers, behavioral health professionals, factory and grocery store workers, flight attendants and many others. We could more safely reopen America's businesses, schools and churches with doctors and patients having widespread, early access to HCQ.
Doctors treating COVID-19 patients NOW see lives being saved by cheap, safe, FDA-approved medicines – hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin or doxycycline, plus supplemental zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D.
Why don't Americans have the freedom to use HCQ here as in other countries? The FDA's misleading statements about HCQ have led to dangerous, unprecedented restrictions on physicians' off-label prescribing rights imposed by state governors, medical boards and pharmacy boards. The supply of HCQ has been ramped up to handle its use in early treatment of COVID. The Strategic National Stockpile has millions of doses deteriorating in government warehouses that are not being distributed because doctors are prevented for political reasons from prescribing for outpatients with COVID-19.
Americans are dying needlessly for political and financial agendas waiting for the "magic bullet" of a vaccine, not due to lack of available treatment for COVID-19. We still need therapeutics, such as HCQ, even if a vaccine works and is safe.
Testing is inaccurate and often unavailable, and HCQ dispensing must not be limited to persons with a positive test. Such limits also prevent prophylactic use. Governors and bureaucrats must not be allowed to arbitrarily restrict life-saving HCQ treatment.
The Fauci-Hahn strategies of suppressing the positive studies of HCQ effectiveness for outpatient use, while focusing on mandatory mask edicts and continued shutdowns of businesses, schools and churches are not controlling the pandemic. These political agendas have eroded our constitutional freedoms and devastated our financial, psychological, physical and spiritual well-being – while costing 1,000 American lives every day.
Dr. Hahn needs to be held accountable for the preventable deaths caused on his watch. As a physician licensed in three states that prevent prescribing HCQ for my patients, I submitted a formal request to the chairman of Senate Oversight Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) for Dr. Hahn to be called before the Committee to produce the data on which the FDA is claiming "harm" in using HCQ for outpatients in the mild stage of COVID, but no such harm for RA, Lupus, or malaria. FDA's hypocrisy ignores their own safety data, basic science, clinical studies and common sense.
Americans must speak out and demand the medical freedom to consult their physicians and decide treatment options without government interference.


wnd--2020-08-19--Report: Threats of domestic terror surging

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- People in the United States are unwittingly being indoctrinated online by extremist groups just as @ @ @ @ @ them more susceptible to right- and left-wing radicalization , potentially leading to a surge of @ @ @ @ @ .
Domestic terrorism was named by the Department of Homeland Security ’ s acting Secretary @ @ @ @ @ a top national security concern .
Private sector officials who study terrorism trends told the @ @ @ @ @ attempting to enter the U.S. are not as much the problem as homegrown terrorists .
@ @ @ @ @ lot of legitimate cause of concern , ” said Michael Smith II , terrorism analyst @ @ @ @ @ on global security and intelligence .
“ You have seen growing instances of right-wing extremists @ @ @ @ @ an effect of inspiring competence in their sympathizers ' interest in perpetrating violent crimes against @ @ @ @ @ as against people who don ’ t ascribe to their political beliefs . ''

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- People in the United States are unwittingly being indoctrinated online by extremist groups just as the the coronavirus pandemic makes them more susceptible to right- and left-wing radicalization, potentially leading to a surge of domestic attacks in coming years.
Domestic terrorism was named by the Department of Homeland Security’s acting Secretary Chad Wolf this week as a top national security concern. Private sector officials who study terrorism trends told the Washington Examiner that foreign extremists attempting to enter the U.S. are not as much the problem as homegrown terrorists.
“There’s a lot of legitimate cause of concern,” said Michael Smith II, terrorism analyst and Johns Hopkins University lecturer on global security and intelligence. “You have seen growing instances of right-wing extremists modeling behaviors that can have an effect of inspiring competence in their sympathizers' interest in perpetrating violent crimes against minority groups, as well as against people who don’t ascribe to their political beliefs."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-19--The remaking of the Middle East

The remaking of the Middle East

This week , while all eyes have been on the Democratic National Convention taking place via Zoom , truly historic events have occurred in the Middle East : a long-awaited peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , including full normalization of relations ; presumed peace deals to follow between Israel and Sudan , Oman and Bahrain ; the possibility on the horizon of a similar deal with Saudi Arabia .
These are not only historic events ; they are unmitigated goods : the recognition of a Jewish state in the Middle East is the precondition to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the formation of a durable coalition to stave off the aggressive Islamism of Iran provides more stability and greater deterrence in the region .
It 's easy to tell whether these are historic events by identifying those who oppose them .
Iran is particularly angry ; so is Iranian publicity agent Ben Rhodes , who served as former President Obama 's deputy national security adviser .
The tyrannical government of Turkey is deeply miffed ; so is the terrorist government of the Palestinian Authority .
All are angry for the same reason : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , formulated over the course of decades , has been thoroughly exposed .
That myth suggested that in order for any peace to bloom in the Middle East , the West would have to apply pressure on the Israeli government to make concessions to the Palestinians – that Israel would have to abandon claims to East Jerusalem , to the Golan Heights , to areas of Judea and Samaria .
That myth had been repeatedly tarnished by events of the last several years .
When America moved her embassy to Jerusalem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public that the so-called Arab street would be set aflame .
Instead , nothing happened .
When America recognized Israel 's formal annexation of the Golan Heights , foreign policy `` experts '' said that the Middle East would become a tinderbox .
Nothing happened .
Now Arab nations are openly forming alliances with the Jewish state , fully acknowledging that Israeli-Palestinian issues remain bilateral in nature .
Relations between Jordan and Israel ; between the UAE and Israel ; between Sudan and Israel ; between Egypt and Israel – none now hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid peace .
They have realized that other interests , both economic and security-related , are a top priority .
And they have tacitly recognized that Palestinian intransigence is not worthy of their support .
TRENDING : Tell the truth about Kamala Harris and you 're a racist Hilariously , former Vice President Joe Biden tried to take credit for the Israel-UAE deal , suggesting that his own communications with the UAE had paved the way for the agreement .
That 's laughable on its face : In 2014 , Biden had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE government after suggesting that the UAE supported militants in Syria .
Biden 's chief contribution to the diplomatic breakthrough was actually the Obama administration 's sycophantic embrace of the Iranian regime : By making clear that the United States could not be relied upon to protect Sunni nations from Iranian predations , the Obama administration convinced Arab nations that their interests lie in security alliance with Israel .
And so , the region has changed for the better .
In more honest times , Trump administration officials who brokered this breakthrough would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; instead , the news has been largely downplayed in favor of the scandal du jour from Trump 's Twitter account .
But we should be clear : The first important breakthrough in the Middle East in three decades just took place .
And it took place because reality finally set in for Israel 's heretofore enemies : Israel is n't going anywhere .
Perhaps Palestinians will eventually learn the same lesson and peace will truly be possible .

This week, while all eyes have been on the Democratic National Convention taking place via Zoom, truly historic events have occurred in the Middle East: a long-awaited peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, including full normalization of relations; presumed peace deals to follow between Israel and Sudan, Oman and Bahrain; the possibility on the horizon of a similar deal with Saudi Arabia. These are not only historic events; they are unmitigated goods: the recognition of a Jewish state in the Middle East is the precondition to any peace in the Middle East. And the formation of a durable coalition to stave off the aggressive Islamism of Iran provides more stability and greater deterrence in the region.
It's easy to tell whether these are historic events by identifying those who oppose them. Iran is particularly angry; so is Iranian publicity agent Ben Rhodes, who served as former President Obama's deputy national security adviser. The tyrannical government of Turkey is deeply miffed; so is the terrorist government of the Palestinian Authority.
All are angry for the same reason: The central myth of American Middle Eastern policy, formulated over the course of decades, has been thoroughly exposed. That myth suggested that in order for any peace to bloom in the Middle East, the West would have to apply pressure on the Israeli government to make concessions to the Palestinians – that Israel would have to abandon claims to East Jerusalem, to the Golan Heights, to areas of Judea and Samaria.
That myth had been repeatedly tarnished by events of the last several years. When America moved her embassy to Jerusalem, foreign policy "experts" assured the public that the so-called Arab street would be set aflame. Instead, nothing happened. When America recognized Israel's formal annexation of the Golan Heights, foreign policy "experts" said that the Middle East would become a tinderbox. Nothing happened.
Now Arab nations are openly forming alliances with the Jewish state, fully acknowledging that Israeli-Palestinian issues remain bilateral in nature. Relations between Jordan and Israel; between the UAE and Israel; between Sudan and Israel; between Egypt and Israel – none now hide behind the fig leaf of Palestinian demands to avoid peace. They have realized that other interests, both economic and security-related, are a top priority. And they have tacitly recognized that Palestinian intransigence is not worthy of their support.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Hilariously, former Vice President Joe Biden tried to take credit for the Israel-UAE deal, suggesting that his own communications with the UAE had paved the way for the agreement. That's laughable on its face: In 2014, Biden had to issue a formal apology to the UAE government after suggesting that the UAE supported militants in Syria. Biden's chief contribution to the diplomatic breakthrough was actually the Obama administration's sycophantic embrace of the Iranian regime: By making clear that the United States could not be relied upon to protect Sunni nations from Iranian predations, the Obama administration convinced Arab nations that their interests lie in security alliance with Israel.
And so, the region has changed for the better. In more honest times, Trump administration officials who brokered this breakthrough would be up for the Nobel Peace Prize; instead, the news has been largely downplayed in favor of the scandal du jour from Trump's Twitter account. But we should be clear: The first important breakthrough in the Middle East in three decades just took place. And it took place because reality finally set in for Israel's heretofore enemies: Israel isn't going anywhere. Perhaps Palestinians will eventually learn the same lesson and peace will truly be possible.


wnd--2020-08-19--New state mandate requires doctor's note to go mask-free in public

A new executive order mandates that Connecticut residents provide a doctor 's note to prove they are exempt from wearing a face mask due to a medical condition .
Lt. Gov .
Susan Bysiewicz signed the order Friday requiring residents to prove they are medically exempt from wearing a mask .
Someone is exempt from wearing a mask `` only if such person provides written documentation that the person is qualified for the exemption from a licensed medical provider , the Department of Developmental Services or other state agency that provides or supports services for people with emotional , intellectual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized by any such agency , '' the executive order read .
`` Such documentation need not name or describe the condition that qualifies the person for the exemption . ''
The order went into effect on Friday and will remain in effect for six months , CNN reported .
TRENDING : Tell the truth about Kamala Harris and you 're a racist Connecticut residents 2 and older have been required to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing is n't possible since April 20 .
These public spaces include but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rideshare vehicles .
The executive order also granted the commissioner of the state Department of Economic Community Development permission to `` issue or amend Sector Rules to establish size limits for private gatherings of people who do not live in the same household , regardless of whether such gathering has been organized by a business . ''
As of Tuesday morning , there have been 51,267 cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut , according to the Department of Public Health .
To date , 4,456 people have died from the coronavirus .
Forty-two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lowest number since March 20 , according to WVIT-TV .
Connecticut is one of 34 states , in addition to the District of Columbia , that have issued some form of a mask mandate , Axios reported .
Some city and local governments also have mask mandates even if their state as a whole has not enacted one .
Forbes reported that all states with Democratic governors have mask mandates .
Last week , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden declared that masks should be required outdoors in every state .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention , masks might help reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
`` Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings , '' the CDC guidance reads .
A notice at the top of the page , however , reads `` a mask may not protect the wearer , but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

A new executive order mandates that Connecticut residents provide a doctor's note to prove they are exempt from wearing a face mask due to a medical condition.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz signed the order Friday requiring residents to prove they are medically exempt from wearing a mask.
Someone is exempt from wearing a mask "only if such person provides written documentation that the person is qualified for the exemption from a licensed medical provider, the Department of Developmental Services or other state agency that provides or supports services for people with emotional, intellectual or physical disabilities, or a person authorized by any such agency," the executive order read.
"Such documentation need not name or describe the condition that qualifies the person for the exemption."
The order went into effect on Friday and will remain in effect for six months, CNN reported.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Connecticut residents 2 and older have been required to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing isn't possible since April 20.
These public spaces include but are not limited to public transportation, taxis and rideshare vehicles.
The executive order also granted the commissioner of the state Department of Economic Community Development permission to "issue or amend Sector Rules to establish size limits for private gatherings of people who do not live in the same household, regardless of whether such gathering has been organized by a business."
As of Tuesday morning, there have been 51,267 cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut, according to the Department of Public Health.
Should a doctor's note be required to go mask-free in public? 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. 4% (6 Votes) 96% (140 Votes)
To date, 4,456 people have died from the coronavirus.
Forty-two patients were hospitalized with the virus Tuesday, the lowest number since March 20, according to WVIT-TV.
Connecticut is one of 34 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, that have issued some form of a mask mandate, Axios reported.
Some city and local governments also have mask mandates even if their state as a whole has not enacted one.
Forbes reported that all states with Democratic governors have mask mandates. Last week, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden declared that masks should be required outdoors in every state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks might help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
"Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings," the CDC guidance reads.
A notice at the top of the page, however, reads "a mask may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-19--Cuomo writing book on COVID response after his state saw most deaths in nation

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo certainly thinks highly of himself .
You ca n't really blame him .
Even though he governs a state that has seen almost 33,000 coronavirus deaths , the establishment media acts like Cuomo oversaw a great success .
On the back of those media accolades , Cuomo is publishing a book about handling the pandemic .
It 's titled `` American Crisis : Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic , '' and it 's set to go on sale Oct. 13 , The Associated Press reported .
“ In his own voice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ the ingenuity and sacrifice required of so many to fight the pandemic , ” according to Crown Publishing , which is releasing the book , “ sharing his personal reflections and the decision-making that shaped his policy , and offers his frank accounting and assessment of his interactions with the federal government and the White House , as well as other state and local political and health officials.
” TRENDING : Tell the truth about Kamala Harris and you 're a racist This is book is sure to be nothing more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The story of Cuomo and his state 's response to the coronavirus is not a success story .
In fact , New York has seen one of the worst outbreaks not just in the United States , but in the entire world .
And Cuomo did n't help -- he only made things worse .
As former Arkansas Republican Gov .
Mike Huckabee wrote on Twitter , `` Cuomo writing a book abt leadership in China Virus is like having Harvey Weinstein write a book called 'How to Treat a Lady . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in the United States have occurred in New York , Johns Hopkins data reveals .
( The state with the second-most deaths is New Jersey , with just under 16,000 deaths , or less than half of New York 's death toll ) .
If New York state were its own country , it would be the seventh-worst-hit country in the world in terms of reported fatalities , after the United States , Brazil , Mexico , India , the U.K. and Italy .
Since March , Cuomo has enacted a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbing the coronavirus .
One of his biggest blunders came on March 25 , when he mandated that nursing homes must accept residents who have been released from the hospital , regardless of whether they had tested positive for the coronavirus .
This was intended to free up much-needed hospital beds for sicker patients .
In practice , however , it sent coronavirus carriers into nursing homes , where thousands of vulnerable senior citizens were infected .
At least 6,600 nursing home and adult care facility residents in New York lost their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of elderly New Yorkers who died because of Cuomo 's policy is likely much higher : New York 's record-keeping policy only counts those who died at those facilities as nursing home deaths ; infected residents who died in the hospital after being transferred there from nursing homes are not included in that count .
If Cuomo was a Republican governor whose state experienced what happened in New York , he would be excoriated by the media , not celebrated .
Indeed , Republican governors like Ron DeSantis of Florida , Doug Ducey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have caught unfathomable media scrutiny for their coronavirus responses -- even though those three states combined have seen roughly 25,000 deaths , or 8,000 less than New York alone .
Instead , the establishment media continues to fawn over Cuomo , effectively running cover for his disastrous coronavirus response .
In July , Cuomo released a `` New York Tough '' poster , which likened fighting the coronavirus to climbing over a mountain : Unfortunately for New York , that mountain is made of the bodies of the state 's coronavirus victims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` flatten the curve '' graphs that the country was trying to avoid .
Cuomo even spoke at the Democratic National Convention earlier this week , where he claimed that `` our way worked , and it was beautiful . ''
It seems like Cuomo will take any opportunity to profit by bragging about his failures .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo certainly thinks highly of himself.
You can't really blame him. Even though he governs a state that has seen almost 33,000 coronavirus deaths, the establishment media acts like Cuomo oversaw a great success.
On the back of those media accolades, Cuomo is publishing a book about handling the pandemic. It's titled "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic," and it's set to go on sale Oct. 13, The Associated Press reported.
“In his own voice, Andrew Cuomo chronicles in ‘American Crisis’ the ingenuity and sacrifice required of so many to fight the pandemic,” according to Crown Publishing, which is releasing the book, “sharing his personal reflections and the decision-making that shaped his policy, and offers his frank accounting and assessment of his interactions with the federal government and the White House, as well as other state and local political and health officials.”
We’re excited to share this new book from Governor Andrew Cuomo, 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic', on sale October 13, 2020. Available now for preorder everywhere books are sold! More via @AP: https://t.co/kedOBJ9fPs pic.twitter.com/6XGEMgaX77 — Crown Publishing (@CrownPublishing) August 18, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
This is book is sure to be nothing more than revisionist history enabled by media malfeasance.
The story of Cuomo and his state's response to the coronavirus is not a success story. In fact, New York has seen one of the worst outbreaks not just in the United States, but in the entire world.
And Cuomo didn't help -- he only made things worse.
As former Arkansas Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee wrote on Twitter, "Cuomo writing a book abt leadership in China Virus is like having Harvey Weinstein write a book called 'How to Treat a Lady.'"
Cuomo writing a book abt leadership in China Virus is like having Harvey Weinstein write a book called "How to Treat a Lady." @JaniceDean needs to write the book of how Cuomo failed & it costs the lives of her parents-in-law. https://t.co/s7MXoujMEm — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 18, 2020
Almost one-fifth of the coronavirus deaths reported in the United States have occurred in New York, Johns Hopkins data reveals. (The state with the second-most deaths is New Jersey, with just under 16,000 deaths, or less than half of New York's death toll).
If New York state were its own country, it would be the seventh-worst-hit country in the world in terms of reported fatalities, after the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India, the U.K. and Italy.
Since March, Cuomo has enacted a number of odd measures in the name of curbing the coronavirus.
One of his biggest blunders came on March 25, when he mandated that nursing homes must accept residents who have been released from the hospital, regardless of whether they had tested positive for the coronavirus.
This was intended to free up much-needed hospital beds for sicker patients. In practice, however, it sent coronavirus carriers into nursing homes, where thousands of vulnerable senior citizens were infected.
At least 6,600 nursing home and adult care facility residents in New York lost their lives to the virus.
The true number of elderly New Yorkers who died because of Cuomo's policy is likely much higher: New York's record-keeping policy only counts those who died at those facilities as nursing home deaths; infected residents who died in the hospital after being transferred there from nursing homes are not included in that count.
If Cuomo was a Republican governor whose state experienced what happened in New York, he would be excoriated by the media, not celebrated.
Indeed, Republican governors like Ron DeSantis of Florida, Doug Ducey of Arizona and Greg Abbott of Texas have caught unfathomable media scrutiny for their coronavirus responses -- even though those three states combined have seen roughly 25,000 deaths, or 8,000 less than New York alone.
Instead, the establishment media continues to fawn over Cuomo, effectively running cover for his disastrous coronavirus response.
In July, Cuomo released a "New York Tough" poster, which likened fighting the coronavirus to climbing over a mountain:
The Sea of Division. The Boyfriend Cliff. The Sun On The Other Side. See it all for yourself. Pre-order the #NewYorkTough poster here: — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 14, 2020
Unfortunately for New York, that mountain is made of the bodies of the state's coronavirus victims, and looks uncannily like the part of the "flatten the curve" graphs that the country was trying to avoid.
Cuomo even spoke at the Democratic National Convention earlier this week, where he claimed that "our way worked, and it was beautiful."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on his coronavirus response: "Our way worked. And it was beautiful" Only five countries in the world saw more COVID deaths than the state of New York pic.twitter.com/OSEuovMMze — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 18, 2020
It seems like Cuomo will take any opportunity to profit by bragging about his failures.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-20--'I must be true to my God': Dem mayor announces his switch to Republican Party

The left has gone too far .
At least , that 's the case for one former Democratic mayor .
Last week , Mayor Brian Snedecor of Hobart , Indiana , announced his decision to switch parties , leaving the Democrats for the Republicans .
Snedecor cited his Christian faith as a major factor in his decision , saying : `` I must be true to my God , '' according to The Times of Northwest Indiana .
Surrounded by his family , supporters and other elected officials , Snedecor made his emotional announcement at Hobart 's Festival Park on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech “ I must be true to my God , my family , myself and those that have supported and believed in me , ” Snedecor said .
`` So today I am formally announcing that I am leaving the Democratic Party and that I am joining the Republican Party.
” The Hobart mayor , who is serving his fourth term in a row , assured his constituency that he would not change his leadership style following the switch .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern , care and love for the citizens of Hobart has not , ” Snedecor said .
`` I want Hobart to be a place for business to come and the American Dream to be achieved.
” Snedecor explained that the Democratic platform 's insistence to move `` more and more to the left '' has left him increasingly concerned .
“ The efforts of the progressive left have driven many people -- moderates and conservatives -- away from the Democratic Party , ” Snedecor told the Times of Northwest Indiana .
Perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party careening further to the left is exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement .
Led by self-described Marxists , the movement has called for the defunding of police , a socialist redistribution of wealth , and the disruption of the nuclear family .
The movement has organized and inspired many protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd , the Minneapolis man who died while in police custody .
Those protests have devolved into riots , destroying the downtown areas of numerous U.S. cities .
Rioting and looting is still taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The movement 's leaders have yet to denounce the violence .
Instead , the president of the Black Lives Matter movement in the Greater New York City area , Hank Newsome , suggested that rioting is necessary and justified , according to the Daily Mail .
`` I think that it is a tool of white supremacy to say if you want freedom , then you get it by protesting peacefully , '' Newsome said .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The left has gone too far.
At least, that's the case for one former Democratic mayor.
Last week, Mayor Brian Snedecor of Hobart, Indiana, announced his decision to switch parties, leaving the Democrats for the Republicans.
Snedecor cited his Christian faith as a major factor in his decision, saying: "I must be true to my God," according to The Times of Northwest Indiana.
Surrounded by his family, supporters and other elected officials, Snedecor made his emotional announcement at Hobart's Festival Park on Aug. 12.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“I must be true to my God, my family, myself and those that have supported and believed in me,” Snedecor said. "So today I am formally announcing that I am leaving the Democratic Party and that I am joining the Republican Party.”
The Hobart mayor, who is serving his fourth term in a row, assured his constituency that he would not change his leadership style following the switch.
“Although my party has changed, my concern, care and love for the citizens of Hobart has not,” Snedecor said. "I want Hobart to be a place for business to come and the American Dream to be achieved.”
Snedecor explained that the Democratic platform's insistence to move "more and more to the left" has left him increasingly concerned.
“The efforts of the progressive left have driven many people -- moderates and conservatives -- away from the Democratic Party,” Snedecor told the Times of Northwest Indiana.
Perhaps the most prominent example of the Democratic Party careening further to the left is exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Led by self-described Marxists, the movement has called for the defunding of police, a socialist redistribution of wealth, and the disruption of the nuclear family.
The movement has organized and inspired many protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died while in police custody.
Those protests have devolved into riots, destroying the downtown areas of numerous U.S. cities.
Rioting and looting is still taking place in Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
The movement's leaders have yet to denounce the violence. Instead, the president of the Black Lives Matter movement in the Greater New York City area, Hank Newsome, suggested that rioting is necessary and justified, according to the Daily Mail.
"I think that it is a tool of white supremacy to say if you want freedom, then you get it by protesting peacefully," Newsome said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-20--Barr announces more than 1,000 arrests in DOJ's 'Operation Legend'

Over 1,000 people have been arrested and over 200 charged with a federal crime in major metropolitan cities since Operation Legend was launched by the Department of Justice in July , Attorney General William Barr announced Wednesday .
`` Many of those arrests are for violent state crimes , including more than 90 homicides , like LeGend Taliferro ’ s , '' Barr said in a news conference , referencing the boy the operation is named after .
`` That ’ s more than 90 suspected killers who might still be on the streets without Operation Legend , and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started . ''
The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives has also seized nearly 400 firearms .
Operation Legend was launched on July 8 as a “ sustained , systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative ” for federal law enforcement to work with state and local law enforcement officials “ to fight violent crime , ” according to a DOJ news release .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech It was named in honor of LeGend Taliferro , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 29 in Kansas City , Missouri .
His suspected killer has been charged with second-degree murder , Fox News reported .
First started in Kansas City , the operation has expanded to Chicago , Cleveland , Detroit , Milwaukee , St. Louis and Indianapolis , as well as Albuquerque , New Mexico , and Memphis , Tennessee .
`` Operation Legend is the heart of the federal government ’ s response to this uptick in violent crime .
Its mission is to save lives , solve crimes , and take violent offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more victims , '' Barr said , pointing to a rise in violent crime in many major cities .
`` Rather than demonizing or defunding police , we are supporting and strengthening our law enforcement partners at the state and local level . ''
In Kansas City , 43 people have been charged with federal crimes , including drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm , and 17 people were arrested on homicide charges .
Sixteen people in Albuquerque and 32 people in Cleveland were charged with federal crimes including firearms-related offenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Twenty-two people were charged with federal crimes in Detroit , 25 in St. Louis and seven in Memphis .
Eleven people were charged with federal crimes in Milwaukee and 28 firearms were seized .
The latest numbers do not include Indianapolis , whose operation was announced Friday .
`` Our work is just getting started , '' Barr said .
`` There is no more important mission for the Department of Justice than keeping our communities safe and enforcing the rule of law .
`` Through Operation Legend , we will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do just that . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Over 1,000 people have been arrested and over 200 charged with a federal crime in major metropolitan cities since Operation Legend was launched by the Department of Justice in July, Attorney General William Barr announced Wednesday.
"Many of those arrests are for violent state crimes, including more than 90 homicides, like LeGend Taliferro’s," Barr said in a news conference, referencing the boy the operation is named after.
"That’s more than 90 suspected killers who might still be on the streets without Operation Legend, and in many cities the operation is just getting started."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has also seized nearly 400 firearms.
Operation Legend was launched on July 8 as a “sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative” for federal law enforcement to work with state and local law enforcement officials “to fight violent crime,” according to a DOJ news release.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It was named in honor of LeGend Taliferro, a 4-year-old who was shot and killed on June 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. His suspected killer has been charged with second-degree murder, Fox News reported.
First started in Kansas City, the operation has expanded to Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Indianapolis, as well as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Memphis, Tennessee.
"Operation Legend is the heart of the federal government’s response to this uptick in violent crime. Its mission is to save lives, solve crimes, and take violent offenders off our streets before they can claim more victims," Barr said, pointing to a rise in violent crime in many major cities.
"Rather than demonizing or defunding police, we are supporting and strengthening our law enforcement partners at the state and local level."
In Kansas City, 43 people have been charged with federal crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm, and 17 people were arrested on homicide charges.
Sixteen people in Albuquerque and 32 people in Cleveland were charged with federal crimes including firearms-related offenses. Two defendants in Cleveland remain fugitives.
Twenty-two people were charged with federal crimes in Detroit, 25 in St. Louis and seven in Memphis.
Eleven people were charged with federal crimes in Milwaukee and 28 firearms were seized.
The latest numbers do not include Indianapolis, whose operation was announced Friday.
"Our work is just getting started," Barr said.
"There is no more important mission for the Department of Justice than keeping our communities safe and enforcing the rule of law.
"Through Operation Legend, we will continue working with our state and local partners to do just that."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-20--Smiling more often, even faking it, 'tricks' your brain into feeling happy

( STUDY FINDS ) -- ADELAIDE , Australia — Can a smile truly make everything better ?
A new study @ @ @ @ @ ’ t feel like smiling , faking one can have positive impacts .
Researchers say @ @ @ @ @ which can trick your brain into feeling more positive .
The study by the University @ @ @ @ @ holding a pen between their teeth , forcing their face to use the same muscles @ @ @ @ @ experiment reveals that this movement alters both facial and body expressions , which generates more @ @ @ @ @ your muscles say you ’ re happy , you ’ re more likely to see @ @ @ @ @ a positive way , ” Dr. Marmolejo-Ramos says in a university release .

(STUDY FINDS) -- ADELAIDE, Australia — Can a smile truly make everything better? A new study finds even if you don’t feel like smiling, faking one can have positive impacts. Researchers say smiling triggers certain facial muscles which can trick your brain into feeling more positive.
The study by the University of South Australia examines participants holding a pen between their teeth, forcing their face to use the same muscles as a smile. The experiment reveals that this movement alters both facial and body expressions, which generates more uplifting emotions.
“When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way,” Dr. Marmolejo-Ramos says in a university release.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-08-19--2020 called a rerun of 2016 with battle between nationalism and globalism

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
The Democrats will surely stage an impressive extravaganza this week , full of Hollywood glitz and showmanship .
But a peek behind the curtain of this “ Wizard of Oz ” convention exposes a corrupt and feeble man , pretending to be something he is not .
Joe Biden will drone on about his concern for regular people , but his record and his policy agenda reveal exactly the opposite .
In many ways , 2020 will replicate the 2016 contest , pitting Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sovereignty vs. Biden ’ s embrace of globalism and concomitant acquiescence to China .
Yes , the 2020 Democrats and their standard-bearer embolden and try to legitimize the most extreme left elements of American politics .
Previously fringe positions like banning fracking and confiscating firearms have suddenly become sacrosanct to Biden-Harris Democrat operatives .
But beneath that clearly palpable problem , an obscure yet more elemental threat persists : the designs of globalist power brokers of American big business and big government .
These elites of giant multinational corporations and the permanent political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as their chance to subvert the America First agenda and rewind the clock backward to the globalist era .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back against her DNC speech In fact , these elites can tolerate the ascent of radicals so long as the larger globalist political reconquest succeeds , via Biden and Harris in the White House .
The foremost goal for these titans , largely from Big Tech and Wall Street , is to reassert the decades-long pre-Trump policies of supplication to China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they gladly toss aside patriotism , and even any concern for human rights , in order to gain a cheap flow of goods from Chinese supply lines and to gain access to China ’ s domestic markets via partnership with the Chinese state-run enterprises .
But President Trump stands in the way as he confronts the Beijing regime , demanding fairness and reciprocity in trade .
Even more , he forcefully exposes the abuses of the Chinese Communist Party , both internally versus its own people and externally against the world , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected the globe with the Wuhan virus .
In contrast to Trump , the globalist intelligentsia know that Biden will do their bidding and return America to a pre-2016 posture vs. the world , and especially China .
After all , Biden spent much of his half-century career in the Washington swamp facilitating the export of American jobs overseas , mostly from places like Sheboygan , Wis. , to places like Shanghai .
For example , then-Sen. Joe Biden strenuously advocated for the inclusion of Communist China into the World Trade Organization on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the next dozen years the United States lost 3.2 million jobs to China , 2.4 million of them in manufacturing , per an Economic Policy Institute study .
Oblivious to this economic carnage , as vice president , Joe Biden had the temerity to declare in a 2011 speech that “ a rising China is a positive , positive development , not only for China , but for America.
” As Biden uttered that Pollyanna nonsense to his Davos-credentialed CEO fanboys , America ’ s industrial heartland endured devastation .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a plentiful supply of cheap labor .
As such , they celebrate Biden ’ s pledge to extend U.S. taxpayer-funded health care to any migrants who choose , on their own terms , to effectively break-and-enter into the United States .
Biden ’ s border approach is so extreme that he promises full citizenship to tens of millions of illegal migrants .
Combined with running mate Kamala Harris ’ s call for decriminalizing the act of trespassing into our country , what would possibly stop anyone from entering our nation at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globalist elites welcome this de facto liquefying of our country ’ s borders .
After all , only the “ deplorables ” suffer the consequences of suddenly crowded labor markets in the trades , plus the ravages of totally preventable criminality that emanates from some segments of the illegal population .
Plutocrats wishing to send America backward to globalism see an ally with a dependable track record in Biden .
The slow-growth Obama-Biden economic recovery was a slog for laborers who saw their wages languish and their costs soar .
But those two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the already-successful owners of assets prospered like never before , propelling a massive and widening wealth disparity .
Consider , for example , that during the eight years of Biden ’ s vice presidency , only the top 10 % of earners saw their household net worth increase .
The bottom 90 % of American strivers , the forgotten men and women , all lost wealth .
In stark contrast to the corporate media creation of “ Lunch Bucket Joe , ” the real record of Biden exposes a committed Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exacerbated economic inequality in our land .
Minorities particularly suffered .
According to Federal Reserve data , during Biden ’ s two terms , median black households lost a staggering 30 % of their net worth .
Though part of that loss resulted from the economic calamity of the 2008-09 credit crisis , the wider disparity between white and black households persisted all the way through the end of Biden ’ s second term .
In contrast , a Washington Post analysis found that during the first three years of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of the 5.2 million jobs created in America , an astounding 4.5 million of them went to minorities .
That job growth also produced wage acceleration that mostly benefited previously lagging groups , as black wage growth exceeded that of whites ; blue-collar earners ’ pace surpassed that of white-collar workers ; and non-college grads outperformed those with degrees .
The choice for November is clear .
American strivers will repudiate the false “ wizard ” Biden and his globalist priorities , and rally again to the Trump principles of economic nationalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Steve Cortes
Real Clear Politics
The Democrats will surely stage an impressive extravaganza this week, full of Hollywood glitz and showmanship. But a peek behind the curtain of this “Wizard of Oz” convention exposes a corrupt and feeble man, pretending to be something he is not. Joe Biden will drone on about his concern for regular people, but his record and his policy agenda reveal exactly the opposite. In many ways, 2020 will replicate the 2016 contest, pitting Donald Trump’s vision of nationalism and sovereignty vs. Biden’s embrace of globalism and concomitant acquiescence to China.
Yes, the 2020 Democrats and their standard-bearer embolden and try to legitimize the most extreme left elements of American politics. Previously fringe positions like banning fracking and confiscating firearms have suddenly become sacrosanct to Biden-Harris Democrat operatives. But beneath that clearly palpable problem, an obscure yet more elemental threat persists: the designs of globalist power brokers of American big business and big government. These elites of giant multinational corporations and the permanent political class clearly embrace a potential Biden-Harris presidency as their chance to subvert the America First agenda and rewind the clock backward to the globalist era.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In fact, these elites can tolerate the ascent of radicals so long as the larger globalist political reconquest succeeds, via Biden and Harris in the White House. The foremost goal for these titans, largely from Big Tech and Wall Street, is to reassert the decades-long pre-Trump policies of supplication to China. These corporations may be American-headquartered, but they gladly toss aside patriotism, and even any concern for human rights, in order to gain a cheap flow of goods from Chinese supply lines and to gain access to China’s domestic markets via partnership with the Chinese state-run enterprises. But President Trump stands in the way as he confronts the Beijing regime, demanding fairness and reciprocity in trade. Even more, he forcefully exposes the abuses of the Chinese Communist Party, both internally versus its own people and externally against the world, especially regarding the CCP deception that quite literally infected the globe with the Wuhan virus.
In contrast to Trump, the globalist intelligentsia know that Biden will do their bidding and return America to a pre-2016 posture vs. the world, and especially China. After all, Biden spent much of his half-century career in the Washington swamp facilitating the export of American jobs overseas, mostly from places like Sheboygan, Wis., to places like Shanghai. For example, then-Sen. Joe Biden strenuously advocated for the inclusion of Communist China into the World Trade Organization on terms highly favorable to Beijing in 2001. Over the next dozen years the United States lost 3.2 million jobs to China, 2.4 million of them in manufacturing, per an Economic Policy Institute study. Oblivious to this economic carnage, as vice president, Joe Biden had the temerity to declare in a 2011 speech that “a rising China is a positive, positive development, not only for China, but for America.” As Biden uttered that Pollyanna nonsense to his Davos-credentialed CEO fanboys, America’s industrial heartland endured devastation.
Those same C-suite captains of industry also clamor for a plentiful supply of cheap labor. As such, they celebrate Biden’s pledge to extend U.S. taxpayer-funded health care to any migrants who choose, on their own terms, to effectively break-and-enter into the United States. Biden’s border approach is so extreme that he promises full citizenship to tens of millions of illegal migrants. Combined with running mate Kamala Harris’s call for decriminalizing the act of trespassing into our country, what would possibly stop anyone from entering our nation at their leisure? But, again, the globalist elites welcome this de facto liquefying of our country’s borders. After all, only the “deplorables” suffer the consequences of suddenly crowded labor markets in the trades, plus the ravages of totally preventable criminality that emanates from some segments of the illegal population.
Plutocrats wishing to send America backward to globalism see an ally with a dependable track record in Biden. The slow-growth Obama-Biden economic recovery was a slog for laborers who saw their wages languish and their costs soar. But those two terms were halcyon days for the elites, as the already-successful owners of assets prospered like never before, propelling a massive and widening wealth disparity.
Consider, for example, that during the eight years of Biden’s vice presidency, only the top 10% of earners saw their household net worth increase. The bottom 90% of American strivers, the forgotten men and women, all lost wealth. In stark contrast to the corporate media creation of “Lunch Bucket Joe,” the real record of Biden exposes a committed Delaware corporatist who, when in power, exacerbated economic inequality in our land. Minorities particularly suffered. According to Federal Reserve data, during Biden’s two terms, median black households lost a staggering 30% of their net worth. Though part of that loss resulted from the economic calamity of the 2008-09 credit crisis, the wider disparity between white and black households persisted all the way through the end of Biden’s second term.
In contrast, a Washington Post analysis found that during the first three years of Trump’s presidency, before COVID-19 halted global growth, of the 5.2 million jobs created in America, an astounding 4.5 million of them went to minorities. That job growth also produced wage acceleration that mostly benefited previously lagging groups, as black wage growth exceeded that of whites; blue-collar earners’ pace surpassed that of white-collar workers; and non-college grads outperformed those with degrees.
The choice for November is clear. American strivers will repudiate the false “wizard” Biden and his globalist priorities, and rally again to the Trump principles of economic nationalism, American sovereignty, and the diffusion of power.


wnd--2020-08-19--The virtual DNC: 'Do fans matter?'

The virtual DNC: 'Do fans matter?'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
The Chicago Cubs had stormed back against the St. Louis Cardinals to salvage a split of their double-header by the time Amy Klobuchar kicked off the speakers lineup at the Democratic National Convention Monday night .
By the time Michelle Obama finally brought the action to a close , the Braves were shocking the Nationals with a dramatic walk-off 9th inning home run .
At least the baseball was exciting .
TRENDING : James Woods uses Michelle Obama clip from 2013 to hit back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that took up two scripted hours on prime-time television ?
Not so much .
The big question for both major political parties at the beginning of convention season is the same one facing big-time sports : Do fans matter ?
Crowds aren ’ t possible in politics because of the pandemic , and party operatives are desperately trying to make their programing at least as interesting , if not more enjoyable , as a happy hour on Zoom .
They have had plenty of time to plan .
The Democratic National Committee announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and since then the grumbling about the loss of the fabled balloon drop in a packed convention hall has become its own cliché .
Then again , the unconventional convention has also lost a lot of the little things : threatened floor fights ; pitched battles over the party platform ; disgruntled delegates spinning conspiracy theories to reporters in hallways ; lobbyists horse-trading over hors d'oeuvres ; and the party faithful , some deep in their cups , booing and cheering and dancing in the aisles to the political theater on stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with countless other little things , those are the elements that make up a buzzing convention crowd .
And now it is all gone .
Rick Gentile understands the loss .
He just knows it differently after a lifetime covering everything from the World Series to the Olympics as an executive producer at CBS Sports .
“ You are playing in Ohio Stadium , and there are 103,000 people in the stands , all dressed in red , ” he told RealClearPolitics before the night started .
“ They cheer as you run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd goes wild .
The dream , right ?
“ It does n't matter if you 're a professional or an amateur or a student athlete .
That gets your heart going and gets everybody on the sideline going too.
” Without actual people present , everything changes .
Erik Smith , who was creative director for the last three Democratic conventions , agrees .
He told RCP that losing the crowd could mean “ your presentation might lack some excitement , energy , enthusiasm ” and that a virtual event with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things could go wrong.
” “ On the flip side , ” he continued , “ a much tighter compact presentation could be more appealing to most viewers.
” Game-time decisions can be make-or-break , calls he would likely avoid if he were in charge again by producing something that would “ look a lot like the 30-minute informercial we did during the Obama campaign.
” That paid spot aired across television networks in 2008 and earned bigger ratings than the final game of the World Series that year .
But Democrats -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week -- need to fill eight hours of programming , not just a half-hour .
And that proved to be a challenge Monday night .
With DNC Chairman Tom Perez promising a “ remarkable ” show and with the networks left to just press “ play , ” party programmers had carte blanche to try and make the most of a bad situation .
Much of that responsibility fell to actress Eva Longoria .
Playing the role of Helen Mirren-like documentarian one moment and Vanna White-like letter-turner the next , the star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Desperate Housewives ” moved adeptly from segment to segment , and there were many .
She took viewers from family living rooms to family farms , highlighting concerned voters across the country .
She also had to introduce the many panels of guests .
A panel of first responders discussed the coronavirus and a panel of Democrats discussed race in America and a panel of rogue Republicans discussed why they were disaffected by their party .
It was dizzying even for the professional observers .
Halfway through the digital pageantry , Ed O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single analogy .
“ A lot of what we 've seen so far from this virtual convention , ” the CBS correspondent confessed on air , “ is some cross between ‘ Big Brother , ’ ‘ American Idol , ’ and a Jerry Lewis telethon.
” The overarching theme Monday night was supposed to be national unity while the underlying subtext stressed by every speaker and canned bit was the utter failure of the Trump administration to deal competently with the pandemic , the recession , and boiling racial tensions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
John Kasich , the role of assuring moderate voters in the television audience that Joe Biden wouldn ’ t take the country too far left .
They simultaneously assigned self-described Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders the task of encouraging progressives to believe that transformational change would still be possible with Biden in the White House .
It was a careful left-right script , and everything mostly went to plan .
Prerecording has its advantages .
There were no awkward moments such as Al and Tipper Gore ’ s over-long kiss onstage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance of 1996 .
All the same , even the best laid plans can come off as hackneyed .
Or worse .
Kasich offered his taped soliloquy about America standing at a crossroads by , yes , standing at a crossroads as a drone hovered overhead to capture the footage .
Andrew Cuomo was more curious , even troubling .
The New York governor prompted social media outrage by claiming during his prerecorded spiel that the coronavirus , which has killed 170,000 Americans , was “ just a metaphor ” for how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” There were moments for eye-rolling : Sen. Amy Klobuchar made a folksy joke about Trump wanting to defund the post office but needing to change his address first .
And there were understandable miscues : a handful of camera-shy voters froze onscreen seemingly unsure just how much emotion more than a smile was appropriate .
Others made the most of their spotlight , such as Kristin Urquiza , who basically accused the president of personally killing her father .
Red meat is standard fare at conventions , but even so , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agonizing days , he died alone in the ICU with a nurse holding his hand , '' Urquiza said during a taped recording early in the program .
`` My dad was a healthy 65-year-old .
His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump and for that , he paid with his life.
” Dark and directly to the point , it was the sort of thing that will keep Democrats , and Republicans for that matter , talking the next morning .
It also set the stage for what came later that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the scripted speeches and musical performances look like preprogramming .
The end of the night belonged to the most popular member of the previous administration .
In prerecorded remarks , Michelle Obama took shots at the president without mercy .
Once again , she was “ the closer.
” Trump had not just failed in the last four years , she told the camera , he was incapable of leadership because of “ his character.
” “ Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country .
He has had more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the job , but he is clearly in over his head , ” she continued .
“ He simply can not be who we need him to be for us .
It is what it is.
” The former first lady spoke about the compassion and empathy of Biden , but her warning was stark and ominous .
“ If you think things can not possibly get worse , trust me , they can and they will if we do not change things in this election , ” she said , urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like our lives depend on it.
” Democrats will learn whether or not Michelle Obama hit her mark soon enough , most likely when ratings are released and later when new polling follows .
A review of Google ’ s real-time search trends for Monday may not be promising .
Seven of the top 10 were about baseball .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Philip Wegmann
Real Clear Politics
The Chicago Cubs had stormed back against the St. Louis Cardinals to salvage a split of their double-header by the time Amy Klobuchar kicked off the speakers lineup at the Democratic National Convention Monday night. By the time Michelle Obama finally brought the action to a close, the Braves were shocking the Nationals with a dramatic walk-off 9th inning home run.
At least the baseball was exciting.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The political bash that took up two scripted hours on prime-time television? Not so much. The big question for both major political parties at the beginning of convention season is the same one facing big-time sports: Do fans matter?
Crowds aren’t possible in politics because of the pandemic, and party operatives are desperately trying to make their programing at least as interesting, if not more enjoyable, as a happy hour on Zoom.
They have had plenty of time to plan. The Democratic National Committee announced the event would be virtual long ago, and since then the grumbling about the loss of the fabled balloon drop in a packed convention hall has become its own cliché. Then again, the unconventional convention has also lost a lot of the little things: threatened floor fights; pitched battles over the party platform; disgruntled delegates spinning conspiracy theories to reporters in hallways; lobbyists horse-trading over hors d'oeuvres; and the party faithful, some deep in their cups, booing and cheering and dancing in the aisles to the political theater on stage.
Wrapped together, and when combined with countless other little things, those are the elements that make up a buzzing convention crowd. And now it is all gone.
Rick Gentile understands the loss. He just knows it differently after a lifetime covering everything from the World Series to the Olympics as an executive producer at CBS Sports. “You are playing in Ohio Stadium, and there are 103,000 people in the stands, all dressed in red,” he told RealClearPolitics before the night started. “They cheer as you run 80 yards with the football, and the crowd goes wild. The dream, right?
“It doesn't matter if you're a professional or an amateur or a student athlete. That gets your heart going and gets everybody on the sideline going too.”
Without actual people present, everything changes. Erik Smith, who was creative director for the last three Democratic conventions, agrees. He told RCP that losing the crowd could mean “your presentation might lack some excitement, energy, enthusiasm” and that a virtual event with speakers across the country means “more things could go wrong.”
“On the flip side,” he continued, “a much tighter compact presentation could be more appealing to most viewers.” Game-time decisions can be make-or-break, calls he would likely avoid if he were in charge again by producing something that would “look a lot like the 30-minute informercial we did during the Obama campaign.” That paid spot aired across television networks in 2008 and earned bigger ratings than the final game of the World Series that year.
But Democrats -- and the Republicans who will do this next week -- need to fill eight hours of programming, not just a half-hour. And that proved to be a challenge Monday night.
With DNC Chairman Tom Perez promising a “remarkable” show and with the networks left to just press “play,” party programmers had carte blanche to try and make the most of a bad situation. Much of that responsibility fell to actress Eva Longoria. Playing the role of Helen Mirren-like documentarian one moment and Vanna White-like letter-turner the next, the star best known for her role on “Desperate Housewives” moved adeptly from segment to segment, and there were many. She took viewers from family living rooms to family farms, highlighting concerned voters across the country. She also had to introduce the many panels of guests. A panel of first responders discussed the coronavirus and a panel of Democrats discussed race in America and a panel of rogue Republicans discussed why they were disaffected by their party.
It was dizzying even for the professional observers. Halfway through the digital pageantry, Ed O’Keefe struggled to pin down just a single analogy. “A lot of what we've seen so far from this virtual convention,” the CBS correspondent confessed on air, “is some cross between ‘Big Brother,’ ‘American Idol,’ and a Jerry Lewis telethon.”
The overarching theme Monday night was supposed to be national unity while the underlying subtext stressed by every speaker and canned bit was the utter failure of the Trump administration to deal competently with the pandemic, the recession, and boiling racial tensions. Democrats gave a Republican, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the role of assuring moderate voters in the television audience that Joe Biden wouldn’t take the country too far left. They simultaneously assigned self-described Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders the task of encouraging progressives to believe that transformational change would still be possible with Biden in the White House.
It was a careful left-right script, and everything mostly went to plan. Prerecording has its advantages. There were no awkward moments such as Al and Tipper Gore’s over-long kiss onstage in 2000 or the cringe-worthy and now-viral Macarena dance of 1996. All the same, even the best laid plans can come off as hackneyed. Or worse.
Kasich offered his taped soliloquy about America standing at a crossroads by, yes, standing at a crossroads as a drone hovered overhead to capture the footage.
Andrew Cuomo was more curious, even troubling. The New York governor prompted social media outrage by claiming during his prerecorded spiel that the coronavirus, which has killed 170,000 Americans, was “just a metaphor” for how the national “body politic has been weakened.”
There were moments for eye-rolling: Sen. Amy Klobuchar made a folksy joke about Trump wanting to defund the post office but needing to change his address first. And there were understandable miscues: a handful of camera-shy voters froze onscreen seemingly unsure just how much emotion more than a smile was appropriate. Others made the most of their spotlight, such as Kristin Urquiza, who basically accused the president of personally killing her father.
Red meat is standard fare at conventions, but even so, this was pretty raw. “After five agonizing days, he died alone in the ICU with a nurse holding his hand," Urquiza said during a taped recording early in the program. "My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump and for that, he paid with his life.”
Dark and directly to the point, it was the sort of thing that will keep Democrats, and Republicans for that matter, talking the next morning. It also set the stage for what came later that night, a finale that essentially made all the scripted speeches and musical performances look like preprogramming. The end of the night belonged to the most popular member of the previous administration.
In prerecorded remarks, Michelle Obama took shots at the president without mercy. Once again, she was “the closer.” Trump had not just failed in the last four years, she told the camera, he was incapable of leadership because of “his character.”
“Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head,” she continued. “He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”
The former first lady spoke about the compassion and empathy of Biden, but her warning was stark and ominous. “If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can and they will if we do not change things in this election,” she said, urging Democrats to get out the vote “like our lives depend on it.”
Democrats will learn whether or not Michelle Obama hit her mark soon enough, most likely when ratings are released and later when new polling follows. A review of Google’s real-time search trends for Monday may not be promising. Seven of the top 10 were about baseball.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]