wnd--2020-07-19--Finally! A searchable database on police spy programs

Police are deploying new technology to surveil citizens , from drones in the sky and facial recognition cameras to license-plate readers .
Now the Electronic Frontier Foundation has announced the launch of a new , searchable , database to make the public aware of the new methods .
Called the Atlas of Surveillance , it was created with the help of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada , Reno .
It includes thousands of entries on more than 3,000 city and local police departments and sheriff 's offices .
TRENDING : Viral Portland arrest was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new PACT Force And it covers predictive policing , in which algorithms forecast who is going to commit a crime next and alert officers .
`` Law enforcement surveillance isn ’ t always secret .
These technologies can be discovered in news articles and government meeting agendas , in company press releases and social media posts .
It just hasn ’ t been aggregated before , '' EFF said .
Users can search the Atlas of Surveillance for information by clicking on regions , towns and cities .
`` They can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names of cities , counties , or states on a search page that displays text results .
The Atlas also allows people to search by specific technologies , which can show how surveillance tools are spreading across the country , '' EFF explained .
Dave Maass , a senior investigative researcher in EFF 's Threat Lab and a visiting professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism , said `` there are two questions we get all the time : What surveillance is in my hometown , and how are technologies like drones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ? ''
EFF and the Reynolds School partnered a year and a half ago to answer those questions , he said , `` through a massive newsgathering effort , involving hundreds of journalism students and volunteers . ''
`` What we found is a sprawling spy state that reaches from face recognition in the Hawaiian Islands to predictive policing in Maine , from body-worn cameras in remote Alaska to real-time crime centers along Florida 's Gold Coast . ''
While the effort has amassed large amounts of information , the contents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and underlines the need for journalists and members of the public to continue demanding transparency from criminal justice agencies .
Reporters , students , volunteers , and watchdog groups can submit data or share data sets for inclusion in the Atlas , '' EFF said .
Reynolds professor Gi Yun said the `` prevalence of surveillance technologies in our society provides many challenges related to privacy and freedom of expression , but it 's one thing to know that in theory , and another to see hard data laid out on a map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half , Reynolds School of Journalism students at the University of Nevada , Reno have reviewed thousands of news articles and public records , '' he said .
`` This project not only informs the public debate but helps these students improve their understanding of surveillance as they advance in their reporting careers . ''

Police are deploying new technology to surveil citizens, from drones in the sky and facial recognition cameras to license-plate readers.
Now the Electronic Frontier Foundation has announced the launch of a new, searchable, database to make the public aware of the new methods.
Called the Atlas of Surveillance, it was created with the help of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno.
It includes thousands of entries on more than 3,000 city and local police departments and sheriff's offices.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Categories also include body-worn cameras, Ring doorbells, cell site simulators, gunshot detection and fusion centers.
And it covers predictive policing, in which algorithms forecast who is going to commit a crime next and alert officers.
"Law enforcement surveillance isn’t always secret. These technologies can be discovered in news articles and government meeting agendas, in company press releases and social media posts. It just hasn’t been aggregated before," EFF said.
Users can search the Atlas of Surveillance for information by clicking on regions, towns and cities.
Is police surveillance too intrusive these days? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 91% (50 Votes) 9% (5 Votes)
"They can also easily perform text searches by typing the names of cities, counties, or states on a search page that displays text results. The Atlas also allows people to search by specific technologies, which can show how surveillance tools are spreading across the country," EFF explained.
Dave Maass, a senior investigative researcher in EFF's Threat Lab and a visiting professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism, said "there are two questions we get all the time: What surveillance is in my hometown, and how are technologies like drones and automated license plate readers spreading across the country?"
EFF and the Reynolds School partnered a year and a half ago to answer those questions, he said, "through a massive newsgathering effort, involving hundreds of journalism students and volunteers."
"What we found is a sprawling spy state that reaches from face recognition in the Hawaiian Islands to predictive policing in Maine, from body-worn cameras in remote Alaska to real-time crime centers along Florida's Gold Coast."
While the effort has amassed large amounts of information, the contents are "only the tip of the iceberg and underlines the need for journalists and members of the public to continue demanding transparency from criminal justice agencies. Reporters, students, volunteers, and watchdog groups can submit data or share data sets for inclusion in the Atlas," EFF said.
Reynolds professor Gi Yun said the "prevalence of surveillance technologies in our society provides many challenges related to privacy and freedom of expression, but it's one thing to know that in theory, and another to see hard data laid out on a map."
"Over a year and a half, Reynolds School of Journalism students at the University of Nevada, Reno have reviewed thousands of news articles and public records," he said. "This project not only informs the public debate but helps these students improve their understanding of surveillance as they advance in their reporting careers."


wnd--2020-07-19--College calls cops on student for sending email that mocked diversity demands

( THE COLLEGE FIX ) -- A Pennsylvania liberal arts college suspended a student and reported him to police for @ @ @ @ @ demands for a stronger bias response team and required classes on systemic racism , among @ @ @ @ @ said students can ’ t blame “ skin color ” for their problems , which @ @ @ @ @ lack of personal responsibility , lack of growing up in a stable two-parent household , @ @ @ @ @ learning of the college variety.
” The senior wrote the email to the Juniata College @ @ @ @ @ left identifying information on the system he used to distribute his post to all of @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to PennLive .

(THE COLLEGE FIX) -- A Pennsylvania liberal arts college suspended a student and reported him to police for sending an email that mocked demands for a stronger bias response team and required classes on systemic racism, among others.
Colin Daly also said students can’t blame “skin color” for their problems, which could stem from “a lack of personal responsibility, lack of growing up in a stable two-parent household, or a general disinclination for learning of the college variety.”
The senior wrote the email to the Juniata College community anonymously but accidentally “left identifying information on the system he used to distribute his post to all of Juniata’s email accounts,” according to PennLive.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-19--Major U.S. city suddenly changes its mind, forbids ANY school from reopening in fall

( THE COLLEGE FIX ) -- The city of Milwaukee , Wisconsin , abruptly changed its mind on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ or private , will be permitted to hold in-person instruction in the fall .
According @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan originally allowed for the reopening of schools under its ( COVID-19 ) @ @ @ @ @ plan recently was modified .
The Milwaukee Health Department made it official with a Friday @ @

(THE COLLEGE FIX) -- The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, abruptly changed its mind on Friday and said no school, public or private, will be permitted to hold in-person instruction in the fall.
According to WISN, the city’s plan originally allowed for the reopening of schools under its (COVID-19) phase 4, but that plan recently was modified.
The Milwaukee Health Department made it official with a Friday announcement.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-21--The dehumanization of blacks

The dehumanization of blacks

If you take black and white left-wing rhetoric seriously , blacks are not human beings like members of other races .
They are first and foremost black ; they are human beings defined before anything else by their color – not their humanity , their personality , their character , their mind or their heart .
So much so that , according to white and black leftists , if you dissent from this racist view , you are now labeled racist .
The idiocy and inhumanity ( literally ) of this , the `` progressive '' view of black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacks see themselves first as black ?
When a black man , let 's call him James , looks into the mirror , does he first see a black person , or does he see James ?
When a white woman , let 's call her Karen ( I 'm playing with the left here ) , looks into the mirror , does she first see a white person , or does she see Karen ?
Does any human being first see his or her color ?
Of course not .
Yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important thing about a black individual is that he or she is black .
And if we do not honor that fact – if we aim to be `` colorblind '' – then we are labeled racist .
This dehumanizing nonsense goes for racial truth these days .
Thus , for example , we who are not black are supposed to acknowledge that we can not possibly see the world the way a black person sees the world ; we can not possibly understand what it is like to be black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left imposes on society through the media , through cancel culture ( say that you are colorblind and you might lose your job and your reputation ) , and through racial sensitivity training seminars at colleges and in the workplace .
But all this does is promulgate the view that blacks are inherently different from all other people .
As a result , the only way the left 's view of blacks differs from that of white supremacists is that the latter believes blacks are inherently inferior , whereas the left believes blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left and the white supremacists agree that race contains immutable characteristics .
Aside from its inherent racism , the progressive view of blacks is pablum .
No one can see the world through another 's eyes .
No one can fully understand what it is like to be any other human being .
Do all whites understand how other whites see the world ?
One of the ongoing jokes in the public dialogues I have with Adam Carolla around the country is how much we think alike despite the fact that our backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than being white and male , we have essentially nothing in common .
He is an atheist ; I am a religious believer .
He is Italian ; I 'm a Jew .
He grew up poor and on food stamps in Los Angeles ; I grew up in a solid middle-class home in Brooklyn .
He had little formal education and never went to college ; I grew up in a house of intellectuals and went to an Ivy League graduate school .
Even though I can not `` relate '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are nevertheless very close because , in addition to that intangible thing that creates friendships , we have the same values .
On the other hand , I am a Jew , and George Soros is a Jew .
Other than the same ethnic ancestry , we have absolutely nothing in common .
I have far more in common with the black conservative intellectual Larry Elder .
The notion that race or ethnicity bonds people is both stupid and racist .
The prominent black conservative John McWhorter , a Columbia professor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fragility , '' the book the left most frequently recommends to explain America 's alleged systemic racism .
The title ?
`` The Dehumanizing Condescension of 'White Fragility . '
'' `` One of America 's favorite advice books of the moment is actually a racist tract . ''
`` The book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us . ''
`` 'White Fragility ' is the prayer book for what can only be described as a cult . ''
`` A corollary question is why Black people need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumes we do .
The very assumption is deeply condescending to all proud Black people . ''
`` Few books about race have more openly infantilized Black people than this supposedly authoritative tome .
Or simply dehumanized us . ''
`` Her answer to white fragility , in other words , entails an elaborate and pitilessly dehumanizing condescension toward Black people .
The sad truth is that anyone falling under the sway of this blinkered , self-satisfied , punitive stunt of a primer has been taught , by a well-intentioned but tragically misguided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole new way . ''
McWhorter understands that to see blacks the way the white and black left want people to see them is to dehumanize blacks .
If blacks are black before they are human – if no nonblacks can relate to blacks , disagree with blacks or want to see past color to the person 's heart – black-nonblack relations will have been set back a half-century .
Incredibly , beginning this coming year , thanks to progressive teachers , there will be mandatory reading of racist tracts like `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That any black would see this as progress is worthy of tears .

If you take black and white left-wing rhetoric seriously, blacks are not human beings like members of other races. They are first and foremost black; they are human beings defined before anything else by their color – not their humanity, their personality, their character, their mind or their heart. So much so that, according to white and black leftists, if you dissent from this racist view, you are now labeled racist.
The idiocy and inhumanity (literally) of this, the "progressive" view of black people, is easily demonstrated. Do any blacks see themselves first as black? When a black man, let's call him James, looks into the mirror, does he first see a black person, or does he see James? When a white woman, let's call her Karen (I'm playing with the left here), looks into the mirror, does she first see a white person, or does she see Karen? Does any human being first see his or her color?
Of course not. Yet, we are supposed to believe that the most important thing about a black individual is that he or she is black. And if we do not honor that fact – if we aim to be "colorblind" – then we are labeled racist.
This dehumanizing nonsense goes for racial truth these days. Thus, for example, we who are not black are supposed to acknowledge that we cannot possibly see the world the way a black person sees the world; we cannot possibly understand what it is like to be black. This is part of the dogma the left imposes on society through the media, through cancel culture (say that you are colorblind and you might lose your job and your reputation), and through racial sensitivity training seminars at colleges and in the workplace.
But all this does is promulgate the view that blacks are inherently different from all other people. As a result, the only way the left's view of blacks differs from that of white supremacists is that the latter believe blacks are inherently inferior, whereas the left believes blacks are inherently different. But both the left and the white supremacists agree that race contains immutable characteristics.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Aside from its inherent racism, the progressive view of blacks is pablum. No one can see the world through another's eyes. No one can fully understand what it is like to be any other human being. Do all whites understand how other whites see the world? One of the ongoing jokes in the public dialogues I have with Adam Carolla around the country is how much we think alike despite the fact that our backgrounds could hardly be more different.
Other than being white and male, we have essentially nothing in common. He is an atheist; I am a religious believer. He is Italian; I'm a Jew. He grew up poor and on food stamps in Los Angeles; I grew up in a solid middle-class home in Brooklyn. He had little formal education and never went to college; I grew up in a house of intellectuals and went to an Ivy League graduate school. Even though I cannot "relate" to his experience or he to mine, we are nevertheless very close because, in addition to that intangible thing that creates friendships, we have the same values.
On the other hand, I am a Jew, and George Soros is a Jew. Other than the same ethnic ancestry, we have absolutely nothing in common. I have far more in common with the black conservative intellectual Larry Elder. The notion that race or ethnicity bonds people is both stupid and racist.
The prominent black conservative John McWhorter, a Columbia professor, just wrote a review of "White Fragility," the book the left most frequently recommends to explain America's alleged systemic racism. The title? "The Dehumanizing Condescension of 'White Fragility.'"
McWhorter writes:
"One of America's favorite advice books of the moment is actually a racist tract."
"The book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us."
(I suspect it was The Atlantic's choice to capitalize "black"; the syndicators of my own column once changed "black" to "Black" because they follow the Associated Press' rules for English.)
"'White Fragility' is the prayer book for what can only be described as a cult."
"A corollary question is why Black people need to be treated the way [author] DiAngelo assumes we do. The very assumption is deeply condescending to all proud Black people."
"Few books about race have more openly infantilized Black people than this supposedly authoritative tome. Or simply dehumanized us."
"Her answer to white fragility, in other words, entails an elaborate and pitilessly dehumanizing condescension toward Black people. The sad truth is that anyone falling under the sway of this blinkered, self-satisfied, punitive stunt of a primer has been taught, by a well-intentioned but tragically misguided pastor, how to be racist in a whole new way."
McWhorter understands that to see blacks the way the white and black left want people to see them is to dehumanize blacks. If blacks are black before they are human – if no nonblacks can relate to blacks, disagree with blacks or want to see past color to the person's heart – black-nonblack relations will have been set back a half-century.
Incredibly, beginning this coming year, thanks to progressive teachers, there will be mandatory reading of racist tracts like "White Fragility" to dehumanize blacks. That any black would see this as progress is worthy of tears.


wnd--2020-07-21--Top ABC News exec fired for racist remarks about black anchors

( FOX NEWS ) -- A top ABC News executive has been fired after being placed on administrative leave over @ @ @ @ @ about Black employees .
Last month , Huffington Post 's Yashar Ali laid out damning @ @ @ @ @ head of ABC News talent , and her treatment of Black journalists at the network @ @ @ @ @ '' anchor Robin Roberts .
On Monday , Fedida 's termination was announced in a @ @ @ @ @ from Walt Disney Television chairman and Disney Media Networks co-chairman Peter Rice .

(FOX NEWS) -- A top ABC News executive has been fired after being placed on administrative leave over racist remarks she reportedly made about Black employees.
Last month, Huffington Post's Yashar Ali laid out damning accusations against Barbara Fedida, head of ABC News talent, and her treatment of Black journalists at the network including "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts.
On Monday, Fedida's termination was announced in a memo to ABC News employees from Walt Disney Television chairman and Disney Media Networks co-chairman Peter Rice.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-21--Surgeon general sides with Trump on opposing national mask mandate

( FOX NEWS ) -- Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News on Monday that he supported President Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ mandate amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Adams said he would rather educate Americans about mask-wearing @ @ @ @ @ `` I would rather help people understand why they should cooperate with wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ it versus simply saying we are going to force you to do it , particularly @ @ @ @ @ using federal mechanism , '' he said .

(FOX NEWS) -- Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News on Monday that he supported President Trump's opposition to a nationwide mask-wearing mandate amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Adams said he would rather educate Americans about mask-wearing than enforce a mandate.
"I would rather help people understand why they should cooperate with wearing a mask and how they benefit from it versus simply saying we are going to force you to do it, particularly sending in federal troops and using federal mechanism," he said.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-21--2 top journalists: You're a 'racist' if you vote for Trump

( FOX NEWS ) -- The Atlantic staff writer Jemele Hill stirred up controversy on social media after declaring that @ @ @ @ @ Trump is a `` racist . ''
Hill has been a longtime critic of the @ @ @ @ @ called a `` white supremacist . ''
Her outspokenness prompted her 2018 exit from ESPN @ @ @ @ @ , Hill is taking aim at his supporters .

(FOX NEWS) -- The Atlantic staff writer Jemele Hill stirred up controversy on social media after declaring that anyone who votes for President Trump is a "racist."
Hill has been a longtime critic of the president, who she previously called a "white supremacist." Her outspokenness prompted her 2018 exit from ESPN as a host.
Now, Hill is taking aim at his supporters.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-21--'Responsible reopening' is the 'right answer,' senator says

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
America is starting to recover from its coronavirus-induced coma .
The economy added nearly 5 million jobs in June – our largest-ever monthly jobs gain .
Businesses small and large are waking up .
Thousands of Americans who lost their jobs are being hired back .
And yet with the recent spike in cases , the country needs a responsible plan to bring us back to the pre-pandemic economy : strong , healthy and growing .
Some see the spike and immediately call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our economic recovery , which would give whiplash to hardworking men and women across the country .
That ’ s the wrong plan .
The right answer is to continue our responsible reopening .
As a doctor , I trust the science and the data .
The science tells me we can ’ t reopen recklessly , or all at once .
The science also makes clear that mortality and hospitalization rates are falling in many areas .
Young people , while not invincible , are increasingly experiencing mild or asymptomatic cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying locked down is huge .
Forty million Americans lost their jobs during the shutdown .
Data show that long-term unemployment leads to a rise in abuse : spousal abuse , substance abuse and child abuse .
These problems are equally as serious as the coronavirus .
The coronavirus shutdowns also stopped Americans from seeing their doctors for routine care .
People have missed checkups and screenings for cancer and other life-threatening diseases .
The medical lockout put many community hospitals on financial life support .
The good news is that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have learned more about the virus , manufactured thousands of ventilators and developed effective treatments .
The U.S. is setting testing records .
We have conducted more than 40 million coronavirus tests and are testing over 600,000 people per day .
Businesses now have the confidence to reopen safely and bring people back to work .
We can pinpoint where the virus is spiking , down to specific regions – even events that led to the outbreaks .
We know much more about the virus now , and we can beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York have made deadly decisions involving seniors in long-term-care facilities .
Those painful lessons mean we know much more about how to protect our most vulnerable citizens .
Children are at low risk , and we need to get them back in school safely and smartly .
Meanwhile , America ’ s best minds in the public and private sectors are working as fast as possible on a vaccine .
One thing is clear : This country can not afford another shutdown .
Some doctors say we should all shelter in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
That ’ s one scientific opinion – but it ’ s completely impractical .
The cost to the society would be catastrophic .
The president , governors and Congress continue to weigh the costs and benefits to the public – what keeps families and the economy healthy and society functioning .
That supports reopening , not another shutdown .
We are giving scientists time and almost limitless resources to develop an effective vaccine .
Meantime , we need to keep the economy growing so Americans can go back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
Make no mistake : A second shutdown would plunge us into a deep recession .
The fallout would further cripple workers who are just starting to dig out .
The better way is getting back to work with the sensible precautions we all know .
It ’ s going back to school , too , so that children keep learning , and their parents have a predictable work schedule .
Most people can not work from home , and working from home while being a full-time parent is extremely challenging .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Families need a healthy economy .
A second shutdown would put the economy back on life support .
We can be smart and sensible as we reopen .
That is the responsible approach we need .
Our families – and our economy – will be better for it .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Sen. John Barrasso
Real Clear Politics
America is starting to recover from its coronavirus-induced coma. The economy added nearly 5 million jobs in June – our largest-ever monthly jobs gain.
Businesses small and large are waking up. Thousands of Americans who lost their jobs are being hired back. And yet with the recent spike in cases, the country needs a responsible plan to bring us back to the pre-pandemic economy: strong, healthy and growing.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Some see the spike and immediately call for another shutdown. They want to abandon our economic recovery, which would give whiplash to hardworking men and women across the country. That’s the wrong plan. The right answer is to continue our responsible reopening.
As a doctor, I trust the science and the data. The science tells me we can’t reopen recklessly, or all at once. The science also makes clear that mortality and hospitalization rates are falling in many areas. Young people, while not invincible, are increasingly experiencing mild or asymptomatic cases. We also know the health cost from staying locked down is huge. Forty million Americans lost their jobs during the shutdown. Data show that long-term unemployment leads to a rise in abuse: spousal abuse, substance abuse and child abuse. These problems are equally as serious as the coronavirus.
The coronavirus shutdowns also stopped Americans from seeing their doctors for routine care. People have missed checkups and screenings for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The medical lockout put many community hospitals on financial life support. The good news is that we have recovered a lot of ground since March. We have learned more about the virus, manufactured thousands of ventilators and developed effective treatments. The U.S. is setting testing records. We have conducted more than 40 million coronavirus tests and are testing over 600,000 people per day. Businesses now have the confidence to reopen safely and bring people back to work.
We can pinpoint where the virus is spiking, down to specific regions – even events that led to the outbreaks. We know much more about the virus now, and we can beat it. States like Pennsylvania and New York have made deadly decisions involving seniors in long-term-care facilities. Those painful lessons mean we know much more about how to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Children are at low risk, and we need to get them back in school safely and smartly.
Meanwhile, America’s best minds in the public and private sectors are working as fast as possible on a vaccine. One thing is clear: This country cannot afford another shutdown. Some doctors say we should all shelter in place for the rest of the year to kill the virus. That’s one scientific opinion – but it’s completely impractical. The cost to the society would be catastrophic.
The president, governors and Congress continue to weigh the costs and benefits to the public – what keeps families and the economy healthy and society functioning. That supports reopening, not another shutdown. We are giving scientists time and almost limitless resources to develop an effective vaccine. Meantime, we need to keep the economy growing so Americans can go back to work safely and provide for themselves and their families.
Make no mistake: A second shutdown would plunge us into a deep recession. The fallout would further cripple workers who are just starting to dig out. The better way is getting back to work with the sensible precautions we all know.
It’s going back to school, too, so that children keep learning, and their parents have a predictable work schedule. Most people cannot work from home, and working from home while being a full-time parent is extremely challenging.
Healthy families should be our top priority. Families need a healthy economy. A second shutdown would put the economy back on life support. We can be smart and sensible as we reopen. That is the responsible approach we need. Our families – and our economy – will be better for it.


wnd--2020-07-21--A better way to reduce unemployment

A better way to reduce unemployment

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy . ]
Last week , we learned that 1.3 million people filed an initial unemployment claim for the week ending July 4 .
Though the latest jobs report provides some optimism , with the unemployment rate dropping to 11.1 % in June from a record-high of 14.7 % in April , over 30 million Americans are still having to rely on unemployment benefits .
To their credit , Congress , the U.S. Treasury Department , and the Federal Reserve have marshalled an unprecedented , multi-trillion dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This included measures to shore up financial and credit markets , loans and grants to small businesses , individual stimulus checks and expanded unemployment insurance .
And yet a question must be asked : Shouldn ’ t this historic government response from Washington buy us something better than the worst unemployment crisis since the 1930s , with millions of workers unsure when or if they ’ ll be able to go back to their old jobs ?
It should , and it could , if America was committed to a more robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
Like , for example , in Germany , whose “ Kurzarbeit ” program has helped keep the nation ’ s unemployment rate at 6.4 % , about half what it is in the U.S .
Translated as “ short-time work , ” Kurzarbeit directly pays workers about two-thirds of their salary while maintaining their employment status during periods of reduced working time .
This alternative furlough scheme has proven successful in reducing averting mass unemployment in Germany in previous recessions and is doing so once again now .
Even though Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be explained in part by it more effectively stemming the spread of COVID-19 and avoiding the ruinous lockdowns that were required in the U.S. , Kurzarbeit has unquestionably played a role in helping prevent layoffs of German workers .
Other European countries , including the U.K. , Denmark , and the Netherlands , have implemented similar models after recognizing Germany ’ s success in recovering from the 2008 recession .
Unlike Germany , the U.S. has relied on generous unemployment benefits to support workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Pandemic Unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CARES Act offers recipients an additional $ 600 from the federal government on top of the state unemployment benefits they are already receiving weekly .
While this additional assistance has provided a critical lifeline to millions of Americans , it is both costly and temporary , with the expanded weekly benefit set to expire July 31 , 2020 .
These expanded unemployment benefits have also led to a separate issue when it comes to rehiring .
According to a recent study from the University of Chicago , an estimated 68 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer income losses by returning to work .
Putting the burden on the unemployed to access unemployment insurance has also caused problems .
A Washington Post-Ipsos poll from May 2020 found that while 60 % of laid-off workers reported trying to apply for unemployment benefits , only 28 % had received any .
Under the German Kurzarbeit program , when working hours are reduced due to economic shock , employers can apply for the program and have the government pay part of their employees ’ salaries or wages ( typically 60-70 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as usual by the respective employer .
The principle underlying Kurzarbeit is simple : It ’ s often better for a company and its workers to maintain the job status of their current employees rather than cutting ties altogether .
Employers can avoid incurring the cost of hiring and training new workers , and employees can avoid the financial losses and stresses of unemployment .
The Kurzarbeit program acts as an automatic stabilizer , kicking in when it is needed and phasing out quickly when economic conditions improve .
With Congress hoping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of coronavirus relief legislation later this month , it is probably too late for a Kurzarbeit-type program to be designed and implemented in time to help U.S. workers through this crisis .
But U.S. lawmakers should strongly consider getting a program like this in place to help American workers through the next economic crisis .
Zane Heflin is a policy analyst with The New Center .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy.]
By Zane Heflin
Real Clear Policy
Last week, we learned that 1.3 million people filed an initial unemployment claim for the week ending July 4.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Though the latest jobs report provides some optimism, with the unemployment rate dropping to 11.1% in June from a record-high of 14.7% in April, over 30 million Americans are still having to rely on unemployment benefits.
To their credit, Congress, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Federal Reserve have marshalled an unprecedented, multi-trillion dollar response to this economic and employment crisis. This included measures to shore up financial and credit markets, loans and grants to small businesses, individual stimulus checks and expanded unemployment insurance.
And yet a question must be asked:
Shouldn’t this historic government response from Washington buy us something better than the worst unemployment crisis since the 1930s, with millions of workers unsure when or if they’ll be able to go back to their old jobs?
It should, and it could, if America was committed to a more robust program to keep workers connected to their jobs. Like, for example, in Germany, whose “Kurzarbeit” program has helped keep the nation’s unemployment rate at 6.4%, about half what it is in the U.S.
Translated as “short-time work,” Kurzarbeit directly pays workers about two-thirds of their salary while maintaining their employment status during periods of reduced working time. This alternative furlough scheme has proven successful in reducing averting mass unemployment in Germany in previous recessions and is doing so once again now.
Even though Germany’s relatively rosy employment picture can be explained in part by it more effectively stemming the spread of COVID-19 and avoiding the ruinous lockdowns that were required in the U.S., Kurzarbeit has unquestionably played a role in helping prevent layoffs of German workers. Other European countries, including the U.K., Denmark, and the Netherlands, have implemented similar models after recognizing Germany’s success in recovering from the 2008 recession.
Unlike Germany, the U.S. has relied on generous unemployment benefits to support workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provision included in the CARES Act offers recipients an additional $600 from the federal government on top of the state unemployment benefits they are already receiving weekly. While this additional assistance has provided a critical lifeline to millions of Americans, it is both costly and temporary, with the expanded weekly benefit set to expire July 31, 2020.
These expanded unemployment benefits have also led to a separate issue when it comes to rehiring. According to a recent study from the University of Chicago, an estimated 68% of unemployed workers eligible for benefits would actually suffer income losses by returning to work. Putting the burden on the unemployed to access unemployment insurance has also caused problems. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll from May 2020 found that while 60% of laid-off workers reported trying to apply for unemployment benefits, only 28% had received any.
Under the German Kurzarbeit program, when working hours are reduced due to economic shock, employers can apply for the program and have the government pay part of their employees’ salaries or wages (typically 60-70%). All other hours worked are paid as usual by the respective employer. The principle underlying Kurzarbeit is simple: It’s often better for a company and its workers to maintain the job status of their current employees rather than cutting ties altogether. Employers can avoid incurring the cost of hiring and training new workers, and employees can avoid the financial losses and stresses of unemployment. The Kurzarbeit program acts as an automatic stabilizer, kicking in when it is needed and phasing out quickly when economic conditions improve.
With Congress hoping to pass a new, and perhaps final round of coronavirus relief legislation later this month, it is probably too late for a Kurzarbeit-type program to be designed and implemented in time to help U.S. workers through this crisis.
But U.S. lawmakers should strongly consider getting a program like this in place to help American workers through the next economic crisis.
Zane Heflin is a policy analyst with The New Center.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy.]


wnd--2020-07-21--Russiagate, as dossier subsource outlined to FBI

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations . ]
Much of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Donald Trump was built on the premise that Christopher Steele and his dossier were to be believed .
This even though , early on , Steele ’ s claims failed to bear scrutiny .
Just how far off the claims were became clear when the FBI interviewed Steele ’ s “ Primary Subsource ” over three days beginning on Feb. 9 , 2017 .
Notes taken by FBI agents of those interviews were released by the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subsource was in reality Steele ’ s sole source , a long-time Russian-speaking contractor for the former British spy ’ s company , Orbis Business Intelligence .
In turn , the Primary Subsource had a group of friends in Russia .
All of their names remain redacted .
From the FBI interviews it becomes clear that the Primary Subsource and his friends peddled warmed-over rumors and laughable gossip that Steele dressed up as formal intelligence memos .
Steele ’ s operation didn ’ t rely on great expertise , to judge from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described to the FBI the instructions Steele had given him sometime in the spring of 2016 regarding Paul Manafort : “ Do you know [ about ] Manafort ?
Find out about Manafort ’ s dealings with Ukraine , his dealings with other countries , and any corrupt schemes.
” The Primary Subsource admitted to the FBI “ that he was ‘ clueless ’ about who Manafort was , and that this was a ‘ strange task ’ to have been given.
” The Primary Subsource said at first that maybe he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – he didn ’ t have a network of sources , according to his lawyer , but instead just a “ social circle.
” And a boozy one at that : When the Primary Subsource would get together with his old friend Source 4 , the two would drink heavily .
But his social circle was no help with the Manafort question and so the Primary Subsource scrounged up a few old news clippings about Manafort and fed them back to Steele .
Also in his “ social circle ” was Primary Subsource @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a character who was always on the make .
“ He often tries to monetize his relationship with [ the Primary Subsource ] , suggesting that the two of them should try and do projects together for money , ” the Primary Subsource told the FBI ( a caution that the Primary Subsource would repeat again and again . )
It was Source 2 who “ told [ the Primary Subsource ] that there was compromising material on Trump.
” And then there was Source 3 , a very special friend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Primary Subsource has `` helped out [ Source 3 ] financially . ''
She stayed with him when visiting the United States .
The Primary Subsource told the FBI that in the midst of their conversations about Trump , they would also talk about “ a private subject.
” ( The FBI agents , for all their hardnosed reputation , were too delicate to intrude by asking what that “ private subject ” was ) .
One day Steele told his lead contractor to get dirt on five individuals .
By the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Primary Subsource had forgotten two of the names , but seemed to recall Carter Page , Paul Manafort and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen .
The Primary Subsource said he asked his special friend Source 3 if she knew any of them .
At first she didn ’ t .
But within minutes she seemed to recall having heard of Cohen , according to the FBI notes .
Indeed , before long it came back to her that she had heard Cohen and three henchmen had gone to Prague to meet with Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Cohen in Prague .
For example , she claimed Cohen was delivering “ deniable cash payments ” to hackers .
But come to think of it , the Primary Subsource was “ not sure if Source 3 was brainstorming here , ” the FBI notes say .
The Steele Dossier would end up having authoritative-sounding reports of hackers who had been “ recruited under duress by the FSB ” -- the Russian security service -- and how they “ had been using botnets and porn traffic to transmit viruses , plant bugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations ’ against the the Democratic Party.
” What exactly , the FBI asked the subject , were “ altering operations ?
” The Primary Subsource wouldn ’ t be much help there , as he told the FBI “ that his understanding of this topic ( i.e .
cyber ) was ‘ zero.
’ ” But what about his girlfriend whom he had known since they were in eighth grade together ?
The Primary Subsource admitted to the FBI that Source 3 “ is not an IT specialist herself.
” And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least the Primary Subsource thinks it was Source 6 .
While he was doing his research on Manafort , the Primary Subsource met a U.S. journalist “ at a Thai restaurant.
” The Primary Subsource didn ’ t want to ask “ revealing questions ” but managed to go so far as to ask , “ Do you [ redacted ] know anyone who can talk about all of this Trump/Manafort stuff , or Trump and Russia ?
” According to the FBI notes , the journalist told Primary Subsource “ that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up.
” But the journalist put the Primary Subsource in touch with a “ colleague ” who in turn gave him an email of “ this guy ” journalist 2 had interviewed and “ that he should talk to.
” With the email address of “ this guy ” in hand , the Primary Subsource sent him a message “ in either June or July 2016.
” Some weeks later the Primary Subsource “ received a telephone call from an unidentified Russia guy.
” He “ thought ” but had no evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ that guy.
” The mystery caller “ never identified himself.
” The Primary Subsource labeled the anonymous caller “ Source 6.
” The Primary Subsource and Source 6 talked for a total of “ about 10 minutes.
” During that brief conversation they spoke about the Primary Subsource traveling to meet the anonymous caller , but the hook-up never happened .
Nonetheless , the Primary Subsource labeled the unknown Russian voice “ Source 6 ” and gave Christopher Steele the rundown on their brief conversation – how they had “ a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ that it was an ongoing relationship.
” For use in the dossier , Steele named the voice Source E. When Steele was done putting this utterly unsourced claim into the style of the dossier , here ’ s how the mystery call from the unknown guy was presented : “ Speaking in confidence to a compatriot in late July 2016 , Source E , an ethnic Russian close associate of Republican US presidential candidate Donald TRUMP , admitted that there was a well-developed conspiracy of co-operation between them and the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” – yes , he really does deploy the Latin formulation for “ among other things ” – “ Source E acknowledged that the Russian regime had been behind the recent leak of embarrassing e-mail messages , emanating from the Democratic National Committee [ DNC ] , to the WikiLeaks platform.
” All that and more is presented as the testimony of a “ close associate ” of Trump , when it was just the disembodied voice of an unknown guy .
Perhaps even more perplexing is that the FBI interviewers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymous caller , didn ’ t compare that admission to the fantastical Steele bluster and declare the dossier a fabrication on the spot .
But perhaps it might be argued that Christopher Steele was bringing crack investigative skills of his own to bear .
For something as rich in detail and powerful in effect as the dossier , Steele must have been researching these questions himself as well , using his hard-earned spy savvy to pry closely held secrets away from the Russians .
Or at the very least he must have relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have gone far beyond the obvious limitations the Primary Subsource and his group of drinking buddies .
But no .
As we learned in December from Inspector General Michael Horowitz , Steele “ was not the originating source of any of the factual information in his reporting.
” Steele , the IG reported “ relied on a primary sub-source ( Primary Sub-source ) for information , and this Primary Sub-source used a network of [ further ] sub-sources to gather the information that was relayed to Steele.
” The inspector general ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor the Primary Sub-source had direct access to the information being reported.
” One might , by now , harbor some skepticism about the dossier .
One might even be inclined to doubt the story that Trump was “ into water sports ” as the Primary Subsource so delicately described the tale of Trump and Moscow prostitutes .
But , in this account , there was an effort , however feeble , to nail down the “ rumor and speculation ” that Trump engaged in “ unorthodox sexual activity at the Ritz.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI “ he had not been able to confirm the story , ” Source 2 ( who will be remembered as the hustler always looking for a lucrative score ) supposedly asked a hotel manager about Trump and the manager said that with celebrities , “ one never knows what they ’ re doing.
” One never knows – not exactly a robust proof of something that smacks of urban myth .
But the Primary Subsource makes the best of it , declaring that at least “ it wasn ’ t a denial.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it was the FBI ’ s , an agency in denial that its extraordinary investigation was crumbling .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations.]
By Eric Felten
Real Clear Investigations
Much of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Donald Trump was built on the premise that Christopher Steele and his dossier were to be believed. This even though, early on, Steele’s claims failed to bear scrutiny. Just how far off the claims were became clear when the FBI interviewed Steele’s “Primary Subsource” over three days beginning on Feb. 9, 2017. Notes taken by FBI agents of those interviews were released by the Senate Judiciary Committee Friday afternoon.
The Primary Subsource was in reality Steele’s sole source, a long-time Russian-speaking contractor for the former British spy’s company, Orbis Business Intelligence. In turn, the Primary Subsource had a group of friends in Russia. All of their names remain redacted. From the FBI interviews it becomes clear that the Primary Subsource and his friends peddled warmed-over rumors and laughable gossip that Steele dressed up as formal intelligence memos.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Steele’s operation didn’t rely on great expertise, to judge from the Primary Subsource’s account. He described to the FBI the instructions Steele had given him sometime in the spring of 2016 regarding Paul Manafort: “Do you know [about] Manafort? Find out about Manafort’s dealings with Ukraine, his dealings with other countries, and any corrupt schemes.” The Primary Subsource admitted to the FBI “that he was ‘clueless’ about who Manafort was, and that this was a ‘strange task’ to have been given.”
The Primary Subsource said at first that maybe he had asked some of his friends in Russia – he didn’t have a network of sources, according to his lawyer, but instead just a “social circle.” And a boozy one at that: When the Primary Subsource would get together with his old friend Source 4, the two would drink heavily. But his social circle was no help with the Manafort question and so the Primary Subsource scrounged up a few old news clippings about Manafort and fed them back to Steele.
Also in his “social circle” was Primary Subsource’s friend “Source 2,” a character who was always on the make. “He often tries to monetize his relationship with [the Primary Subsource], suggesting that the two of them should try and do projects together for money,” the Primary Subsource told the FBI (a caution that the Primary Subsource would repeat again and again.) It was Source 2 who “told [the Primary Subsource] that there was compromising material on Trump.”
And then there was Source 3, a very special friend. Over a redacted number of years, the Primary Subsource has "helped out [Source 3] financially." She stayed with him when visiting the United States. The Primary Subsource told the FBI that in the midst of their conversations about Trump, they would also talk about “a private subject.” (The FBI agents, for all their hardnosed reputation, were too delicate to intrude by asking what that “private subject” was).
One day Steele told his lead contractor to get dirt on five individuals. By the time he got around to it, the Primary Subsource had forgotten two of the names, but seemed to recall Carter Page, Paul Manafort and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. The Primary Subsource said he asked his special friend Source 3 if she knew any of them. At first she didn’t. But within minutes she seemed to recall having heard of Cohen, according to the FBI notes. Indeed, before long it came back to her that she had heard Cohen and three henchmen had gone to Prague to meet with Russians.
Source 3 kept spinning yarns about Michael Cohen in Prague. For example, she claimed Cohen was delivering “deniable cash payments” to hackers. But come to think of it, the Primary Subsource was “not sure if Source 3 was brainstorming here,” the FBI notes say.
The Steele Dossier would end up having authoritative-sounding reports of hackers who had been “recruited under duress by the FSB” -- the Russian security service -- and how they “had been using botnets and porn traffic to transmit viruses, plant bugs, steal data and conduct ‘altering operations’ against the the Democratic Party.” What exactly, the FBI asked the subject, were “altering operations?” The Primary Subsource wouldn’t be much help there, as he told the FBI “that his understanding of this topic (i.e. cyber) was ‘zero.’” But what about his girlfriend whom he had known since they were in eighth grade together? The Primary Subsource admitted to the FBI that Source 3 “is not an IT specialist herself.”
And then there was Source 6. Or at least the Primary Subsource thinks it was Source 6.
While he was doing his research on Manafort, the Primary Subsource met a U.S. journalist “at a Thai restaurant.” The Primary Subsource didn’t want to ask “revealing questions” but managed to go so far as to ask, “Do you [redacted] know anyone who can talk about all of this Trump/Manafort stuff, or Trump and Russia?” According to the FBI notes, the journalist told Primary Subsource “that he was skeptical and nothing substantive had turned up.” But the journalist put the Primary Subsource in touch with a “colleague” who in turn gave him an email of “this guy” journalist 2 had interviewed and “that he should talk to.”
With the email address of “this guy” in hand, the Primary Subsource sent him a message “in either June or July 2016.” Some weeks later the Primary Subsource “received a telephone call from an unidentified Russia guy.” He “thought” but had no evidence that the mystery “Russian guy” was “that guy.” The mystery caller “never identified himself.” The Primary Subsource labeled the anonymous caller “Source 6.” The Primary Subsource and Source 6 talked for a total of “about 10 minutes.” During that brief conversation they spoke about the Primary Subsource traveling to meet the anonymous caller, but the hook-up never happened.
Nonetheless, the Primary Subsource labeled the unknown Russian voice “Source 6” and gave Christopher Steele the rundown on their brief conversation – how they had “a general discussion about Trump and the Kremlin” and “that it was an ongoing relationship.” For use in the dossier, Steele named the voice Source E.
When Steele was done putting this utterly unsourced claim into the style of the dossier, here’s how the mystery call from the unknown guy was presented: “Speaking in confidence to a compatriot in late July 2016, Source E, an ethnic Russian close associate of Republican US presidential candidate Donald TRUMP, admitted that there was a well-developed conspiracy of co-operation between them and the Russian leadership.” Steele writes “Inter alia,” – yes, he really does deploy the Latin formulation for “among other things” – “Source E acknowledged that the Russian regime had been behind the recent leak of embarrassing e-mail messages, emanating from the Democratic National Committee [DNC], to the WikiLeaks platform.”
All that and more is presented as the testimony of a “close associate” of Trump, when it was just the disembodied voice of an unknown guy.
Perhaps even more perplexing is that the FBI interviewers, knowing that Source E was just an anonymous caller, didn’t compare that admission to the fantastical Steele bluster and declare the dossier a fabrication on the spot.
But perhaps it might be argued that Christopher Steele was bringing crack investigative skills of his own to bear. For something as rich in detail and powerful in effect as the dossier, Steele must have been researching these questions himself as well, using his hard-earned spy savvy to pry closely held secrets away from the Russians. Or at the very least he must have relied on a team of intelligence operatives who could have gone far beyond the obvious limitations the Primary Subsource and his group of drinking buddies.
But no. As we learned in December from Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Steele “was not the originating source of any of the factual information in his reporting.” Steele, the IG reported “relied on a primary sub-source (Primary Sub-source) for information, and this Primary Sub-source used a network of [further] sub-sources to gather the information that was relayed to Steele.” The inspector general’s report noted that “neither Steele nor the Primary Sub-source had direct access to the information being reported.”
One might, by now, harbor some skepticism about the dossier. One might even be inclined to doubt the story that Trump was “into water sports” as the Primary Subsource so delicately described the tale of Trump and Moscow prostitutes. But, in this account, there was an effort, however feeble, to nail down the “rumor and speculation” that Trump engaged in “unorthodox sexual activity at the Ritz.”
While the Primary Subsource admitted to the FBI “he had not been able to confirm the story,” Source 2 (who will be remembered as the hustler always looking for a lucrative score) supposedly asked a hotel manager about Trump and the manager said that with celebrities, “one never knows what they’re doing.” One never knows – not exactly a robust proof of something that smacks of urban myth. But the Primary Subsource makes the best of it, declaring that at least “it wasn’t a denial.”
If there was any denial going on it was the FBI’s, an agency in denial that its extraordinary investigation was crumbling.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations.]


wnd--2020-07-21--City officials sued for firing mostly white police

A group of mostly Caucasian police officers in Philadelphia on Monday filed a $ 90 million lawsuit against the Plainview Project , Mayor Jim Kenney , District Attorney Larry Krasner and both former and current police commissioners Richard Roth and Danielle Outlaw .
The complaint alleges discrimination on the basis of race , ethnicity and sex , `` insofar as the plaintiffs , six Philly cops , were terminated and/or constructively terminated for private social media posts which were illegally hacked by defendant The Plainview Project , '' according to lawyer Larry Klayman , who filed the action .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendants to harm and endanger the police , in order that the left can take control of not just major cities like Philadelphia but the nation as a whole , '' Klayman , founder of Freedom Watch , explained .
`` My clients , brave Philly cops who risked their lives in one of the most dangerous of cities , are being made the scapegoats for hack leftist politicians , district attorneys and their enablers , such as George Soros , in order to seize control over our body politic .
White male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extinction , based on discrimination .
We at Freedom Watch believe that all citizens , including white male cops , deserve to be respected and to that end we have brought suit for damage and other relief in excess of $ 90,000,000 USD .
The defendants must be taught a lesson they will never forget . ''
Soros , the far-left billionaire , in recent years has been donating heavily to his specially chosen candidates for prosecutor around the nation .
The complaint , in which plaintiffs reserved the right to later convert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situated Philly police , was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is styled Melvin et .
al v. Kenney et al .
Klayman explained the hacked social media posts were falsely characterized by the defendants as racist , homophobic and Islamophobic , `` in a contrived effort to remove them from the police force for political purposes .
The complaint alleges defamation , intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of constitutional rights .
The plaintiffs are Michael Melvin , Dan Farrelly , Brion Milligan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz and Steven Hartzell .
The filing states , `` This is a complaint for damages and equitable relief arising out of the targeted , discriminatory and illegal hacking of Caucasian and other non-African-American , non-Muslim City of Philadelphia police officers ' computer accounts , twitter accounts , and social media accounts of the plaintiffs and those other Philadelphia police officers of a Targeted Class as alleged herein who are similarly situated . ''
The hacking was by Emily Baker-White , who does business as Plain View .
The attacks were `` motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ethnic and sex-based animus and prejudice against plaintiffs and the targeted class of similarly situated Philadelphia police officers . ''
There has been `` employment discrimination and other tortious acts that have harmed plaintiffs . ''
The hacked statements `` are not racist , homophobic or Islamophobic nor objectionable , as defendants , each and every one of them , characterized them , which defamation was and continues to be maliciously published widely by the defendants , but were at most mere differences of opinions or points of view . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line of police duty but privately on private social media accounts . ''
It was last year that the private message and postings of 323 Philadelphia officers , including plaintiffs , were illegally hacked and disclosed by Plain View , which reposted the comments with the intention `` to harm if not provoke deadly violence against plaintiffs… '' The defendants took `` adverse employment action '' after finding the private comments .
`` The plaintiffs were thus harmed in their employment and occupation and terminated and/or constructively terminated from their employment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American and [ others ] have not been terminated , or constructively terminated for their actual racist social media postings and transmission , nor even disciplined . ''
It alleges First and Second Amendment violations , defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress .

A group of mostly Caucasian police officers in Philadelphia on Monday filed a $90 million lawsuit against the Plainview Project, Mayor Jim Kenney, District Attorney Larry Krasner and both former and current police commissioners Richard Roth and Danielle Outlaw.
The complaint alleges discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and sex, "insofar as the plaintiffs, six Philly cops, were terminated and/or constructively terminated for private social media posts which were illegally hacked by defendant The Plainview Project," according to lawyer Larry Klayman, who filed the action.
"There is a systematic effort by these defendants to harm and endanger the police, in order that the left can take control of not just major cities like Philadelphia but the nation as a whole," Klayman, founder of Freedom Watch, explained.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"My clients, brave Philly cops who risked their lives in one of the most dangerous of cities, are being made the scapegoats for hack leftist politicians, district attorneys and their enablers, such as George Soros, in order to seize control over our body politic. White male cops in particular have been targeted for extinction, based on discrimination. We at Freedom Watch believe that all citizens, including white male cops, deserve to be respected and to that end we have brought suit for damage and other relief in excess of $90,000,000 USD. The defendants must be taught a lesson they will never forget."
Soros, the far-left billionaire, in recent years has been donating heavily to his specially chosen candidates for prosecutor around the nation.
The complaint, in which plaintiffs reserved the right to later convert to a class action for all similarly situated Philly police, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is styled Melvin et. al v. Kenney et al.
Klayman's co-counsel is Andrew Teitelman.
Klayman explained the hacked social media posts were falsely characterized by the defendants as racist, homophobic and Islamophobic, "in a contrived effort to remove them from the police force for political purposes.
The complaint alleges defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of constitutional rights.
The plaintiffs are Michael Melvin, Dan Farrelly, Brion Milligan, Mark Palma, Robert Bannan, Jesus Cruz and Steven Hartzell.
The filing states, "This is a complaint for damages and equitable relief arising out of the targeted, discriminatory and illegal hacking of Caucasian and other non-African-American, non-Muslim City of Philadelphia police officers' computer accounts, twitter accounts, and social media accounts of the plaintiffs and those other Philadelphia police officers of a Targeted Class as alleged herein who are similarly situated."
The hacking was by Emily Baker-White, who does business as Plain View.
The attacks were "motivated by and are the result of racist, ethnic and sex-based animus and prejudice against plaintiffs and the targeted class of similarly situated Philadelphia police officers."
There has been "employment discrimination and other tortious acts that have harmed plaintiffs."
The hacked statements "are not racist, homophobic or Islamophobic nor objectionable, as defendants, each and every one of them, characterized them, which defamation was and continues to be maliciously published widely by the defendants, but were at most mere differences of opinions or points of view."
"Importantly, they were not made in the line of police duty but privately on private social media accounts."
It was last year that the private message and postings of 323 Philadelphia officers, including plaintiffs, were illegally hacked and disclosed by Plain View, which reposted the comments with the intention "to harm if not provoke deadly violence against plaintiffs…"
The defendants took "adverse employment action" after finding the private comments.
"The plaintiffs were thus harmed in their employment and occupation and terminated and/or constructively terminated from their employment."
"In contrast, non-white, African American and [others] have not been terminated, or constructively terminated for their actual racist social media postings and transmission, nor even disciplined."
It alleges First and Second Amendment violations, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.


wnd--2020-07-20--What if the 'social justice' companies were slaveholders?

Social justice warriors are toppling statues of slaveholders from 300 years ago while winking at modern-day enslavement on a massive scale .
I 'm talking about the dirty little secret of how companies like Nike , Adidas , Apple , Microsoft , Samsung and at least 83 other multinational corporations have been linked to forced labor by Uyghurs in factories across China .
The report back in March by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute estimates that more than 80,000 Uyghurs , Chinese Muslims , were transferred to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019 .
It has escaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West that the likes of Nike , Colin Kaepernick , the Gap , Tommy Hilfiger and even Google are on the wrong side of this contemporary social justice issue .
But it was hard to miss the irony .
Forced-labor brokers have advertised to these companies their willingness to exploit the Uyghurs , boasting the `` advantages '' of taking workers as young as 16 , including `` semi-military style management , [ that they ] can withstand hardship , no loss of personnel .
… Minimum order 100 workers . ''
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into law the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 , which aims to punish China for its barbaric treatment of the ethnic minority .
It was passed almost unanimously by the House and Senate .
The law gives the Trump administration 180 days to identify Chinese officials responsible for human-rights abuses and would level sanctions on those alleged to have roles in the mass surveillance and detention .
But what about the corporate responsibility of Nike , Adidas , Apple , Microsoft and Google ?
It 's rather vague .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and abuses such as the systematic use of indoctrination camps , forced labor , and intrusive surveillance to eradicate the ethnic identity and religious beliefs of Uyghur and other minorities in China , '' Trump said in a statement .
It 's all on China rather than on the multinationals .
And that 's the pity of the Trump plan as far as it goes .
There is one unspeakable civil rights holocaust talking place in the world today – and I 'm not speaking of anything Americans are currently protesting .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others in religious minorities being the victims of organ harvesting .
Recently , the AP reported that Uyghur women are forcibly sterilized and given unwanted abortions as part of the Chinese Communist Party 's campaign to keep the Muslim minorities ' birth rate down .
The majority of Uyghurs live in detention camps – a nice way of saying concentration camps or `` re-education camps . ''
Those least fortunate get to spend their days making sneakers and sportswear for consumers in the West .
This is not an exaggeration .
Yet there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
They have not been the source of protests within the United States .
No one has `` taken a knee '' for them – most especially other Muslims .
Yet , I will say a prayer tonight for these lonely , isolated people .
And proclaim loudly , `` Uyghur Lives Matter . ''
Note : See the latest footage of the busing of Uyghurs for forced labor .

These are strange times.
Good guys. Bad guys. Confused guys.
Social justice warriors are toppling statues of slaveholders from 300 years ago while winking at modern-day enslavement on a massive scale.
I'm talking about the dirty little secret of how companies like Nike, Adidas, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and at least 83 other multinational corporations have been linked to forced labor by Uyghurs in factories across China.
The report back in March by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute estimates that more than 80,000 Uyghurs, Chinese Muslims, were transferred to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It has escaped the attention of most people in the West that the likes of Nike, Colin Kaepernick, the Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and even Google are on the wrong side of this contemporary social justice issue.
But it was hard to miss the irony. Forced-labor brokers have advertised to these companies their willingness to exploit the Uyghurs, boasting the "advantages" of taking workers as young as 16, including "semi-military style management, [that they] can withstand hardship, no loss of personnel. … Minimum order 100 workers."
On June 17, President Donald Trump signed into law the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, which aims to punish China for its barbaric treatment of the ethnic minority. It was passed almost unanimously by the House and Senate.
The law gives the Trump administration 180 days to identify Chinese officials responsible for human-rights abuses and would level sanctions on those alleged to have roles in the mass surveillance and detention.
But what about the corporate responsibility of Nike, Adidas, Apple, Microsoft and Google? It's rather vague.
"The Act holds accountable perpetrators of human-rights violations and abuses such as the systematic use of indoctrination camps, forced labor, and intrusive surveillance to eradicate the ethnic identity and religious beliefs of Uyghur and other minorities in China," Trump said in a statement.
It's all on China rather than on the multinationals. And that's the pity of the Trump plan as far as it goes.
There is one unspeakable civil rights holocaust talking place in the world today – and I'm not speaking of anything Americans are currently protesting.
There also have been allegations of Uyghurs and others in religious minorities being the victims of organ harvesting. Recently, the AP reported that Uyghur women are forcibly sterilized and given unwanted abortions as part of the Chinese Communist Party's campaign to keep the Muslim minorities' birth rate down.
The majority of Uyghurs live in detention camps – a nice way of saying concentration camps or "re-education camps." Those least fortunate get to spend their days making sneakers and sportswear for consumers in the West.
This is not an exaggeration.
Yet there is hardly a tear being shed for them.
They have not been the source of protests within the United States.
No one has "taken a knee" for them – most especially other Muslims.
Yet, I will say a prayer tonight for these lonely, isolated people. And proclaim loudly, "Uyghur Lives Matter."
Note: See the latest footage of the busing of Uyghurs for forced labor.


wnd--2020-07-20--'Jesus matters!' Black Christian pours paint over BLM mural in NYC

Declaring Black Lives Matters is a Marxist , domestic terrorist organization that `` does n't care about black lives , '' a black Christian woman poured black paint over the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday .
Bevelyn Beatty , wearing a T-shirt saying `` Jesus Matters , '' repeatedly resisted arrest while declaring the defunding of police is `` killing '' black lives .
She wrote on Instagram : `` Take our country back !
We are going to take our country back !
By any means necessary !
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BLM as `` a domestic terrorist organization . ''
`` They do n't care about black lives , '' she wrote .
`` They support the killing of more than 600K Black Babies every year ! ''
Beatty , 29 , was arrested with Edmee Chavannes , 39 .
Both were charged with criminal mischief , given desk appearance tickets and released .
The two have developed a large following a social media since the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day , with their bold Christian-based counternarrative on race in America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chavannes said that while they were detained , police officers treated them like `` royalty . ''
`` The police expressed their HIGH APPRECIATION for what Bevelyn and Edmee stood up for today , '' the statement said .
`` They expressed their concerns and fears for their city .
They are in fear for the sake of NYC and voiced that they need MORE people like them to help and stand up for what is RIGHT !
They even asked for PRAYER !
!
`` See video of the protest : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Bill de Blasio was defaced on at least two other occasions last week .
On Friday , three people were each charged with one count of criminal mischief and given a desk appearance ticket for covering the lettering with blue paint .
Beatty spoke to Eric Metaxas on Monday about her counterprotest Saturday , emphasizing that the BLM agenda is `` killing '' black people .
`` They 're talking about defunding the police , but most of my family live in these rough neighborhoods where the police are needed , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Declaring Black Lives Matters is a Marxist, domestic terrorist organization that "doesn't care about black lives," a black Christian woman poured black paint over the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday.
Bevelyn Beatty, wearing a T-shirt saying "Jesus Matters," repeatedly resisted arrest while declaring the defunding of police is "killing" black lives.
She wrote on Instagram: "Take our country back! We are going to take our country back! By any means necessary! #JesusMatters #RiseUp."
She described BLM as "a domestic terrorist organization."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"They don't care about black lives," she wrote. "They support the killing of more than 600K Black Babies every year!"
Beatty, 29, was arrested with Edmee Chavannes, 39. Both were charged with criminal mischief, given desk appearance tickets and released.
The two have developed a large following a social media since the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day, with their bold Christian-based counternarrative on race in America.
Did this Christian woman do the right thing? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 99% (292 Votes) 1% (3 Votes)
In a post on Facebook, Beatty and Chavannes said that while they were detained, police officers treated them like "royalty."
"The police expressed their HIGH APPRECIATION for what Bevelyn and Edmee stood up for today," the statement said. "They expressed their concerns and fears for their city. They are in fear for the sake of NYC and voiced that they need MORE people like them to help and stand up for what is RIGHT! They even asked for PRAYER!! "
See video of the protest:
The Black Lives Matter mural sanctioned by Mayor Bill de Blasio was defaced on at least two other occasions last week.
On Friday, three people were each charged with one count of criminal mischief and given a desk appearance ticket for covering the lettering with blue paint.
Beatty spoke to Eric Metaxas on Monday about her counterprotest Saturday, emphasizing that the BLM agenda is "killing" black people.
"They're talking about defunding the police, but most of my family live in these rough neighborhoods where the police are needed," she said, referring to Staten Island.
See Bevelyn Beatty's interview Monday with Eric Metaxas:


wnd--2020-07-22--'Bodies everywhere': Mass shooting at funeral sends at least 14 to hospitals

( FOX NEWS ) -- A horrific shootout outside a funeral home on Chicago 's South Side Tuesday night wounded @ @ @ @ @ police said , in the latest chapter of violence gripping the big city .
`` @ @ @ @ @ bodies laying everywhere , '' witness Arnita Gerder told WMAQ .
`` Shot up everywhere @ @ @ @ @ , stomach , back , all over the place .
We thought it was a @ @ @ @ @ An SUV was traveling on 79th Street around 7:30 p.m. when people inside opened fire @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Police Department 's First Deputy Supt .
Eric Carter said during a news briefing @

(FOX NEWS) -- A horrific shootout outside a funeral home on Chicago's South Side Tuesday night wounded at least 14 people, police said, in the latest chapter of violence gripping the big city.
"All we saw was just bodies laying everywhere," witness Arnita Gerder told WMAQ. "Shot up everywhere, all over. Legs, stomach, back, all over the place. We thought it was a war out here."
An SUV was traveling on 79th Street around 7:30 p.m. when people inside opened fire on funeral attendees, the Chicago Police Department's First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter said during a news briefing.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-22--'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek suggests this star as his successor

That is `` Jeopardy ! ''
host Alex Trebek ’ s answer to the question he has increasingly received during @ @ @ @ @ .
The 79-year-old , who will turn 80 on Wednesday , said as much during @ @ @ @ @ Morning America , ” telling the program that because the audience has wanted his successor @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going the opposite way and appointing the 98-year-old pop culture icon to host @ @ @ @ @

(FOX NEWS) -- Who is Betty White?
That is "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek’s answer to the question he has increasingly received during his battle with pancreatic cancer.
The 79-year-old, who will turn 80 on Wednesday, said as much during an interview with “Good Morning America,” telling the program that because the audience has wanted his successor to be younger, he’s going the opposite way and appointing the 98-year-old pop culture icon to host the beloved quiz show.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-22--Biden's attempting to 'pilfer' promotion of the U.S. economy

Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Imitation , it ’ s said , is the greatest form of flattery .
In that sense , Joe Biden ’ s transparent attempt to pilfer President Trump ’ s “ Made in America ” slogan in a recent speech in Pennsylvania demonstrates better than any poll just how effective and popular Trump ’ s “ America First ” policies are .
Of course , Biden missed the point of “ America First ” and ignored the impact of the president ’ s related tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s focus instead is to spend $ 700 billion on economic recovery while he taxes and regulates American businesses into stagnation—again .
We shouldn ’ t be surprised .
Biden has spent decades in the Washington swamp promoting bad trade deals , higher taxes , and more government regulation .
Plagiarism , whether literal or figurative , seems to be a hallmark of Biden ’ s presidential campaigns .
In 1988 , he was forced to give up his bid after he was found to have pilfered speeches from other prominent politicians in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden has forgotten about that humiliation .
Just last summer , his campaign acknowledged that , in laying out the candidate ’ s education and climate plans , it had lifted language from other sources , at points word for word , without attribution .
Mimicking the president on trade might have been more believable if the Democrats had chosen a candidate with a consistent history—or any history—of protecting American workers and businesses from unfair foreign competition .
Biden has supported the notion of “ free trade , ” but without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free ” unless it ’ s also “ fair.
” This is particularly true with respect to Biden ’ s claim in his Pennsylvania speech that he would be “ aggressive ” on trade with China .
That would be a first : For eight years , the Obama-Biden administration did nothing about America ’ s ballooning trade deficit with China .
That administration crafted and almost secured passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership , a trade deal that President Trump killed because it favored other nations at the expense of American jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was modeled after the disastrous NAFTA deal , which Biden also supported , and which destroyed more than 1 million American jobs before Trump replaced it with the freer and fairer United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement .
Biden ’ s tax and regulatory policies are simply inconsistent with his recent pro-America , pro-jobs , and pro-growth rhetoric .
As vice president , he helped oversee the expansion of business-crushing regulation , as the Federal Registry of Regulations grew to a historic 100,000 pages by the end of 2016 .
This massive expansion of the regulatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of anemic economic growth , logging the slowest economic recovery since World War II .
All that changed with Trump ’ s election .
He emphasized smart deregulation , lower taxes , and genuinely free and fair trade policies that benefit U.S. workers and businesses alike .
Last December , the White House reported that , for every new regulation issued during President Trump ’ s time in office , his administration has eliminated an average of 8.5 , vastly exceeding the 2:1 ratio he had set as an initial goal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had succeeded in cutting regulatory costs by over $ 50 billion , with total projected savings of up to $ 220 billion once the cuts take full effect .
This deregulation will help save American households an average of $ 3,100 annually—on top of the Trump tax cut ’ s savings for a typical family of four of about $ 2,900 per year in federal income taxes .
Biden ’ s response ?
The “ first thing ” on his agenda if elected , he says , would be to “ eliminate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations and taxes is standard fare for Democrats , but Biden ’ s big-government agenda makes little sense in the context of his supposed plan to help American businesses .
In his Pennsylvania speech , Biden pledged to raise the corporate tax rate , stating , “ I ’ m gon na raise it back up to 28 % ” from its current rate of 21 % .
So , while our economy is recovering from the economic shutdown , Biden plans to help American businesses by increasing the U.S. corporate tax by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famously said , “ You don ’ t raise taxes in a recession.
” Rather than sparking American business growth with tax cuts and regulatory relief supplemented by government spending , Biden ’ s plan focuses only on the government spending— $ 700 billion to create jobs , he says—while he increases taxes and regulations on the same businesses he expects to create those jobs .
It won ’ t work .
John Maynard Keynes fantasies aside , massive government spending alone can not create sustained economic growth .
Perhaps someone should remind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 , the Obama administration ’ s economic advisers issued a report arguing for massive government stimulus , claiming that the spending would keep unemployment below 8 % .
Democrats passed the famous $ 800 billion stimulus bill in February 2009 .
The unemployment rate surpassed 8 % that month and stayed above it for the next 43 months .
In contrast , President Trump ’ s tax cuts and deregulation unleashed the full potential of the U.S. economy , giving his “ Buy American ” policies a substantially greater impact than they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Respectfully , Joe Biden lacks the economic acumen or private-sector experience to determine what is in America ’ s best economic interests .
His plan should be called “ Buy American Votes , ” because that ’ s all that it can really accomplish—and likely all that it is intended to accomplish .

Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Andy Puzder
Real Clear Politics
Imitation, it’s said, is the greatest form of flattery. In that sense, Joe Biden’s transparent attempt to pilfer President Trump’s “Made in America” slogan in a recent speech in Pennsylvania demonstrates better than any poll just how effective and popular Trump’s “America First” policies are.
Of course, Biden missed the point of “America First” and ignored the impact of the president’s related tax cuts and regulatory reductions. Biden’s focus instead is to spend $700 billion on economic recovery while he taxes and regulates American businesses into stagnation—again. We shouldn’t be surprised. Biden has spent decades in the Washington swamp promoting bad trade deals, higher taxes, and more government regulation.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Plagiarism, whether literal or figurative, seems to be a hallmark of Biden’s presidential campaigns. In 1988, he was forced to give up his bid after he was found to have pilfered speeches from other prominent politicians in the U.S. and Great Britain. Apparently, Biden has forgotten about that humiliation. Just last summer, his campaign acknowledged that, in laying out the candidate’s education and climate plans, it had lifted language from other sources, at points word for word, without attribution.
Mimicking the president on trade might have been more believable if the Democrats had chosen a candidate with a consistent history—or any history—of protecting American workers and businesses from unfair foreign competition. Biden has supported the notion of “free trade,” but without the caveat that trade isn’t “free” unless it’s also “fair.”
This is particularly true with respect to Biden’s claim in his Pennsylvania speech that he would be “aggressive” on trade with China. That would be a first: For eight years, the Obama-Biden administration did nothing about America’s ballooning trade deficit with China.
That administration crafted and almost secured passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that President Trump killed because it favored other nations at the expense of American jobs, businesses, and national sovereignty. TPP was modeled after the disastrous NAFTA deal, which Biden also supported, and which destroyed more than 1 million American jobs before Trump replaced it with the freer and fairer United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Biden’s tax and regulatory policies are simply inconsistent with his recent pro-America, pro-jobs, and pro-growth rhetoric. As vice president, he helped oversee the expansion of business-crushing regulation, as the Federal Registry of Regulations grew to a historic 100,000 pages by the end of 2016. This massive expansion of the regulatory state contributed to the administration’s record of anemic economic growth, logging the slowest economic recovery since World War II.
All that changed with Trump’s election. He emphasized smart deregulation, lower taxes, and genuinely free and fair trade policies that benefit U.S. workers and businesses alike. Last December, the White House reported that, for every new regulation issued during President Trump’s time in office, his administration has eliminated an average of 8.5, vastly exceeding the 2:1 ratio he had set as an initial goal.
By October 2019, the Trump administration had succeeded in cutting regulatory costs by over $50 billion, with total projected savings of up to $220 billion once the cuts take full effect. This deregulation will help save American households an average of $3,100 annually—on top of the Trump tax cut’s savings for a typical family of four of about $2,900 per year in federal income taxes.
Biden’s response? The “first thing” on his agenda if elected, he says, would be to “eliminate the president’s tax cut.”
Increasing regulations and taxes is standard fare for Democrats, but Biden’s big-government agenda makes little sense in the context of his supposed plan to help American businesses.
In his Pennsylvania speech, Biden pledged to raise the corporate tax rate, stating, “I’m gonna raise it back up to 28%” from its current rate of 21%. So, while our economy is recovering from the economic shutdown, Biden plans to help American businesses by increasing the U.S. corporate tax by 33%. Even President Obama once famously said, “You don’t raise taxes in a recession.”
Rather than sparking American business growth with tax cuts and regulatory relief supplemented by government spending, Biden’s plan focuses only on the government spending—$700 billion to create jobs, he says—while he increases taxes and regulations on the same businesses he expects to create those jobs. It won’t work. John Maynard Keynes fantasies aside, massive government spending alone cannot create sustained economic growth.
Perhaps someone should remind the former vice president that in January 2009, the Obama administration’s economic advisers issued a report arguing for massive government stimulus, claiming that the spending would keep unemployment below 8%. Democrats passed the famous $800 billion stimulus bill in February 2009. The unemployment rate surpassed 8% that month and stayed above it for the next 43 months.
In contrast, President Trump’s tax cuts and deregulation unleashed the full potential of the U.S. economy, giving his “Buy American” policies a substantially greater impact than they ever could have under a Biden presidency.
Respectfully, Joe Biden lacks the economic acumen or private-sector experience to determine what is in America’s best economic interests. His plan should be called “Buy American Votes,” because that’s all that it can really accomplish—and likely all that it is intended to accomplish.