wnd--2020-07-23--Biden spending proposals top $10 trillion

Campaign spending proposals by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , already amount to $ 10 trillion over 10 years , just to `` fix major problems facing the country , '' according to a Fox News analysis .
Among the proposals are $ 2 trillion for `` climate , '' $ 1.3 trillion for infrastructure , $ 750 billion for health care , the same for higher education and $ 700 billion for his `` Buy American '' plan .
There 's also spending on child care , preschool and elder care .
`` The spending – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent a significant increase in the overall federal budget .
The government spent $ 4.1 trillion in all of 2018 and $ 4.45 trillion in 2019 , according to the Congressional Budget Office ( CBO ) and Office of Management and Budget ( OMB ) .
That number , however , is likely to be much higher for 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus relief spending , which by itself has alarmed fiscal hawks , '' the analysis explained .
TRENDING : Ex-FBI operative : Obama , Holder 'turned their back on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by spending watchdogs , his campaign warns Biden would only accelerate the spending .
`` As Biden ’ s unaffordable left-wing agenda gets more expensive by the day , it ’ s obvious why he plans to raise taxes on the middle-class , '' said Trump campaign rapid response director Andrew Clark .
`` In addition to being gut-punched by Biden ’ s tax hikes , Americans will have to grapple with Biden ’ s war on energy , which will cause higher gasoline and electricity prices while decimating millions of energy jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Budget has released a conservative estimate of additional spending in excess of $ 8 trillion already .
Biden 's plan to pay for his spending – reversing tax cuts – would cover only part of the cost , the analysis found , though the Biden website states raising taxes on companies , reducing incentives for tax evasion and more will take care of the additional costs .
But the actual costs could vary widely .
For example , Biden 's camp suggested his health care plan will cost $ 750 billionm but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warns the cost could be three times that amount .
Biden rapid response director , Andrew Bates , pointed out the Trump administration is on track to approve more than $ 4 trillion in additional spending this year alone .
That a rate of more than $ 40 trillion over 10 years .
He said Biden `` refuses to accept the argument that there is no money left to make bold , long-term investments that will create millions of jobs , grow our economy , rebuild the American middle class and bring everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , however , that that spending statistic reflects the unprecedented shutdown of the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden has been among the leaders calling for fiscal stimulus to keep Americans afloat .
`` However , the Trump administration has done very little to cut spending overall and is on track to add more debt in its first term than former President Barack Obama did in his , '' Fox News said .
`` Nevertheless , Biden 's plans would result in trillions of new spending that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely contribute to an increase in the already $ 26.5 trillion national debt . ''

Campaign spending proposals by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, already amount to $10 trillion over 10 years, just to "fix major problems facing the country," according to a Fox News analysis.
Among the proposals are $2 trillion for "climate," $1.3 trillion for infrastructure, $750 billion for health care, the same for higher education and $700 billion for his "Buy American" plan.
There's also spending on child care, preschool and elder care.
"The spending – taking place over 10 years – would represent a significant increase in the overall federal budget. The government spent $4.1 trillion in all of 2018 and $4.45 trillion in 2019, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That number, however, is likely to be much higher for 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus relief spending, which by itself has alarmed fiscal hawks," the analysis explained.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
While President Trump has been scolded by spending watchdogs, his campaign warns Biden would only accelerate the spending.
"As Biden’s unaffordable left-wing agenda gets more expensive by the day, it’s obvious why he plans to raise taxes on the middle-class," said Trump campaign rapid response director Andrew Clark.
"In addition to being gut-punched by Biden’s tax hikes, Americans will have to grapple with Biden’s war on energy, which will cause higher gasoline and electricity prices while decimating millions of energy jobs."
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has released a conservative estimate of additional spending in excess of $8 trillion already.
Housing, opioids, justice reform, schools and paid family leave are included.
Biden's plan to pay for his spending – reversing tax cuts – would cover only part of the cost, the analysis found, though the Biden website states raising taxes on companies, reducing incentives for tax evasion and more will take care of the additional costs.
But the actual costs could vary widely. For example, Biden's camp suggested his health care plan will cost $750 billionm but the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warns the cost could be three times that amount.
Biden rapid response director, Andrew Bates, pointed out the Trump administration is on track to approve more than $4 trillion in additional spending this year alone.
That a rate of more than $40 trillion over 10 years.
He said Biden "refuses to accept the argument that there is no money left to make bold, long-term investments that will create millions of jobs, grow our economy, rebuild the American middle class and bring everyone along."
The Fox News analysis noted, however, that that spending statistic reflects the unprecedented shutdown of the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden has been among the leaders calling for fiscal stimulus to keep Americans afloat.
"However, the Trump administration has done very little to cut spending overall and is on track to add more debt in its first term than former President Barack Obama did in his," Fox News said.
"Nevertheless, Biden's plans would result in trillions of new spending that would be funded with increases in taxes and still likely contribute to an increase in the already $26.5 trillion national debt."


wnd--2020-07-22--Biden campaign slams senator investigating Burisma for corruption

The 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden has launched an attack on Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , over his work to uncover possible corruption involving the Ukrainian gas company cited often in the Democrats ' campaign last winter to impeach the president .
`` He 's wasting taxpayer dollars on a blatantly dishonest attempt to help Donald Trump get elected , '' claimed Kate Bedingfield , the deputy campaign manager for Biden .
She suggested Johnson , chairman of the Homeland Security Committee , could be `` party to a foreign influence operation '' and accused him of making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on the investigation .
The Washington Examiner reported the reason is apparent : `` If the committee investigation gains traction , it could harm the Biden campaign in the way that FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton 's emails and a hearing on how she dealt with the attack in Benghazi , Libya , contributed to the public 's perception that she was corrupt when she was the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee . ''
TRENDING : Ex-FBI operative : Obama , Holder 'turned their back on our country' Until now , Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation .
But as it starts to pick up closer to the election , the memo marks one of the strongest acknowledgments and condemnations of the probe yet . ''
The issue is that Biden 's son , Hunter Biden , undoubtedly will feature prominently in any Burisma investigation .
That 's because his consulting firm was paid more than $ 3 million to serve on the board while his father was running Ukraine policy for the Obama administration .
And Hunter Biden had no experience in gas company operations .
Exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't been disclosed .
The report said pro-Russian Ukrainians say that they have fed unverified , edited tapes of Joe Biden speaking to Ukrainian officials to the committee .
A committee staffer said members have n't seen any opposition research , but he did n't what information has come from foreign sources .
The investigation has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic , but it already has subpoenaed a company that worked on behalf of Burisma .
The Examiner said : `` Trump and his allies have suggested that while Biden was vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in aid to Ukraine on the country firing Ukrainian official Viktor Shokin , who was investigating Burisma .
There is no evidence that Biden was acting in the interests of his son , and many international organizations at the time condemned the official for not pursuing corruption charges among Ukrainian politicians . ''
And while Democrats insist there was nothing inappropriate in Hunter Biden 's work with Burisma , a number have noted it had the appearance of a conflict of interest .
The Senate panel has discussed recently whether it should subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said he wants testimony from former Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken , a senior foreign policy adviser on Biden 's current campaign , former special envoy for International Energy Amos Hochstein , and former senior State Department officials Victoria Nuland and Catherine Novelli .
The testimonies from Blinken and Hochstein are particularly critical for the panel 's report on Hunter Biden 's activities with Burisma .
Austin Altenburg , a spokesman for Johnson , told Politico the committee is not commenting on any issue with witnesses .
A letter from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` whether certain officials within the Obama administration had actual or apparent conflicts of interest , or whether there was any other wrongdoing ” associated with Hunter Biden 's position as a Burisma board member .
His firm was paid a total of more than $ 3 million despite his lack of experience in the gas industry .
Johnson noted Ukrainian lawmaker Andrey Derkach claimed the Bidens and Hochstein were involved in a scheme to take money from Ukraine .

The 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden has launched an attack on Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., over his work to uncover possible corruption involving the Ukrainian gas company cited often in the Democrats' campaign last winter to impeach the president.
"He's wasting taxpayer dollars on a blatantly dishonest attempt to help Donald Trump get elected," claimed Kate Bedingfield, the deputy campaign manager for Biden.
She suggested Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, could be "party to a foreign influence operation" and accused him of making the "coronavirus crisis" worse by working on the investigation.
The Washington Examiner reported the reason is apparent: "If the committee investigation gains traction, it could harm the Biden campaign in the way that FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton's emails and a hearing on how she dealt with the attack in Benghazi, Libya, contributed to the public's perception that she was corrupt when she was the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Until now, Biden's campaign has "remained relatively quiet about the investigation. But as it starts to pick up closer to the election, the memo marks one of the strongest acknowledgments and condemnations of the probe yet."
The issue is that Biden's son, Hunter Biden, undoubtedly will feature prominently in any Burisma investigation.
That's because his consulting firm was paid more than $3 million to serve on the board while his father was running Ukraine policy for the Obama administration.
And Hunter Biden had no experience in gas company operations.
Exactly what information the committee has seen hasn't been disclosed. The report said pro-Russian Ukrainians say that they have fed unverified, edited tapes of Joe Biden speaking to Ukrainian officials to the committee.
A committee staffer said members haven't seen any opposition research, but he didn't what information has come from foreign sources.
The investigation has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but it already has subpoenaed a company that worked on behalf of Burisma.
The Examiner said: "Trump and his allies have suggested that while Biden was vice president, he conditioned $1 billion in aid to Ukraine on the country firing Ukrainian official Viktor Shokin, who was investigating Burisma. There is no evidence that Biden was acting in the interests of his son, and many international organizations at the time condemned the official for not pursuing corruption charges among Ukrainian politicians."
And while Democrats insist there was nothing inappropriate in Hunter Biden's work with Burisma, a number have noted it had the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The Senate panel has discussed recently whether it should subpoena others who may have information.
Johnson has said he wants testimony from former Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a senior foreign policy adviser on Biden's current campaign, former special envoy for International Energy Amos Hochstein, and former senior State Department officials Victoria Nuland and Catherine Novelli.
The testimonies from Blinken and Hochstein are particularly critical for the panel's report on Hunter Biden's activities with Burisma.
Austin Altenburg, a spokesman for Johnson, told Politico the committee is not commenting on any issue with witnesses.
A letter from a lawyer for the committee defined the focus as "whether certain officials within the Obama administration had actual or apparent conflicts of interest, or whether there was any other wrongdoing” associated with Hunter Biden's position as a Burisma board member.
His firm was paid a total of more than $3 million despite his lack of experience in the gas industry.
Johnson noted Ukrainian lawmaker Andrey Derkach claimed the Bidens and Hochstein were involved in a scheme to take money from Ukraine.


wnd--2020-07-22--In the end, a majority favors the rule of law

What kind of mayors allow violent demonstrators to destroy their cities in piecemeal fashion with protracted rioting ?
What kind of governors allow cities in their state to burn similarly at the hands of rioters ?
What kind of elected officials ignore the protestations of the citizens and business owners who elected them against ongoing violent demonstrations as their homes , businesses and public places they frequent are demolished by thugs ?
What sort of lawmakers pillory those who suggest that these mayors and governors ought to take more decisive action in these areas ?
These are the questions a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of them do not yet have a working understanding of the dynamic in play as regards the violent demonstrations we 've seen in recent weeks , but that hardly negates the validity of their concerns .
As I 've pointed out previously in this space , President Donald Trump has been in a tenuous position concerning the federal government 's role in mitigating the violence : There is a very real danger that any intercession by the administration could be characterized by the political left and the press as a tacit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since this is the pretext that leftist radicals are using as justification for the riots .
As the mayhem continued in our major cities with little or no action being taken by state or local officials , President Trump finally ordered troops into some of the areas that have suffered the worst rioting .
At least a couple of these were areas where local officials had almost grudgingly allowed police to clear protesters out after weeks of violence .
These efforts were met with resistance from rioters , promising more of the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
Despite all this , as one might expect , certain local officials lost their minds the moment federal officials came on the scene , claiming overreach on the part of the administration in decidedly histrionic terms .
TRENDING : Ex-FBI operative : Obama , Holder 'turned their back on our country' The problem here is that Americans are despairing far more over the breakdown in domestic tranquility and the political opportunism evidenced by leftist politicos over the last few months than they are despairing over police brutality or charges of systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despair is cutting across geographic , economic , demographic and political lines ; in fact , the only people who seemed content with how things were progressing were those who were burning cities down .
The other day , a friend showed me an article that tickled me to death , quite honestly .
It featured black civil rights attorney Leo Terrell , with whom I faced off on Fox News ' `` Hannity '' show years ago .
Mr. Terrell is something of a fixture on TV news programs and is as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an activist attorney .
Well , apparently , Leo is saying he 's had it with the increasingly radical agenda of the Democratic Party and plans to vote Republican this November , reportedly for the first time in his life .
Whether he will actually follow through with this is anyone 's guess , but the fact that he 's articulating this level of disgust with his party says a whole lot .
And Leo Terrell is far from the only one .
Despite the insinuation of dedicated radicals into government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents on the part of elected officials in places like Portland , Seattle and Chicago , there is an upswell of disgust and outrage on the part of many self-identifying liberals and Democrats .
While we wo n't see much coverage of this in the establishment press due to its blatant leftist bias , it is definitely taking place .
The WalkAway movement , a campaign started on social media by millennial New Yorker Brandon Straka just ahead of the 2018 midterm elections , has been aggregating disgruntled Democrats ever since .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; its members are largely comprised of millennials and lifelong liberals who are nevertheless decidedly put off by the radical tack the party has taken in recent years .
Last September , Isaiah Washington , a black actor and former `` Grey 's Anatomy '' star , announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party and voiced his support for the WalkAway movement .
Interestingly , when asked about the reaction he received from his Hollywood peers afterward , Washington told Fox News that he was surprised to learn that many felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voice their political opinions .
To convey how bad it 's getting even in traditionally liberal strongholds : On Tuesday a New York City artist unfurled a huge banner over an expressway depicting Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of the late Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara and holding the severed head of Lady Liberty .
`` New York has turned into a sh—hole because of this guy , '' the artist , Scott LoBaido , told the New York Post .
All things considered , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite fed up , even those who self-identify as lifelong Democrats .
What is somewhat surprising is that we 're seeing more and more of those in demographics critical to the Democratic Party – such as younger people and blacks – beginning to bail .
Earlier this week , former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Fox News that ultimately , the nationwide civil unrest would be quelled only when the government committed to prosecute the ringleaders of violent protests , as they did in the late 1960s and early 1970s .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except for two things : First , in the 1960s and '70s , we had far fewer radicals actually in government , supporting revolutionaries and stymieing efforts to reel them in .
Second : At that time , the ringleaders among leftist dissidents were loosely organized , hairy young troglodytes .
Today , the ringleaders are extremely well-funded , incredibly well-organized billionaires , millionaires , entrenched political operatives , congressional representatives , mayors and governors , with the hairy young troglodytes serving as foot soldiers .
This of course means that extricating these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our political process will be significantly more difficult than it was 50 years ago .
In this area , I can only pray that President Trump has some creative ideas up his sleeve , because he is one of the few who realizes how close to the precipice our nation truly is .

What kind of mayors allow violent demonstrators to destroy their cities in piecemeal fashion with protracted rioting? What kind of governors allow cities in their state to burn similarly at the hands of rioters? What kind of elected officials ignore the protestations of the citizens and business owners who elected them against ongoing violent demonstrations as their homes, businesses and public places they frequent are demolished by thugs? What sort of lawmakers pillory those who suggest that these mayors and governors ought to take more decisive action in these areas?
These are the questions a lot of Americans are asking at present. Many of them do not yet have a working understanding of the dynamic in play as regards the violent demonstrations we've seen in recent weeks, but that hardly negates the validity of their concerns.
As I've pointed out previously in this space, President Donald Trump has been in a tenuous position concerning the federal government's role in mitigating the violence: There is a very real danger that any intercession by the administration could be characterized by the political left and the press as a tacit endorsement of police brutality against blacks, since this is the pretext that leftist radicals are using as justification for the riots.
As the mayhem continued in our major cities with little or no action being taken by state or local officials, President Trump finally ordered troops into some of the areas that have suffered the worst rioting. At least a couple of these were areas where local officials had almost grudgingly allowed police to clear protesters out after weeks of violence. These efforts were met with resistance from rioters, promising more of the same, or even an escalation of the violence.
Despite all this, as one might expect, certain local officials lost their minds the moment federal officials came on the scene, claiming overreach on the part of the administration in decidedly histrionic terms.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The problem here is that Americans are despairing far more over the breakdown in domestic tranquility and the political opportunism evidenced by leftist politicos over the last few months than they are despairing over police brutality or charges of systemic racism in our nation. And this despair is cutting across geographic, economic, demographic and political lines; in fact, the only people who seemed content with how things were progressing were those who were burning cities down.
The other day, a friend showed me an article that tickled me to death, quite honestly. It featured black civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, with whom I faced off on Fox News' "Hannity" show years ago. Mr. Terrell is something of a fixture on TV news programs and is as much of a celebrated loudmouth as he is an activist attorney.
Well, apparently, Leo is saying he's had it with the increasingly radical agenda of the Democratic Party and plans to vote Republican this November, reportedly for the first time in his life. Whether he will actually follow through with this is anyone's guess, but the fact that he's articulating this level of disgust with his party says a whole lot.
And Leo Terrell is far from the only one. Despite the insinuation of dedicated radicals into government and the tacit support for violent demonstration this represents on the part of elected officials in places like Portland, Seattle and Chicago, there is an upswell of disgust and outrage on the part of many self-identifying liberals and Democrats. While we won't see much coverage of this in the establishment press due to its blatant leftist bias, it is definitely taking place.
The WalkAway movement, a campaign started on social media by millennial New Yorker Brandon Straka just ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, has been aggregating disgruntled Democrats ever since. The campaign encourages Democrats to leave the party; its members are largely comprised of millennials and lifelong liberals who are nevertheless decidedly put off by the radical tack the party has taken in recent years.
Last September, Isaiah Washington, a black actor and former "Grey's Anatomy" star, announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party and voiced his support for the WalkAway movement. Interestingly, when asked about the reaction he received from his Hollywood peers afterward, Washington told Fox News that he was surprised to learn that many felt the same way, but were too afraid to voice their political opinions.
To convey how bad it's getting even in traditionally liberal strongholds: On Tuesday a New York City artist unfurled a huge banner over an expressway depicting Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of the late Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara and holding the severed head of Lady Liberty.
"New York has turned into a sh—hole because of this guy," the artist, Scott LoBaido, told the New York Post.
All things considered, it isn't too surprising that people are getting quite fed up, even those who self-identify as lifelong Democrats. What is somewhat surprising is that we're seeing more and more of those in demographics critical to the Democratic Party – such as younger people and blacks – beginning to bail.
Earlier this week, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Fox News that ultimately, the nationwide civil unrest would be quelled only when the government committed to prosecute the ringleaders of violent protests, as they did in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In this instance, I would agree with Gingrich except for two things: First, in the 1960s and '70s, we had far fewer radicals actually in government, supporting revolutionaries and stymieing efforts to reel them in.
Second: At that time, the ringleaders among leftist dissidents were loosely organized, hairy young troglodytes. Today, the ringleaders are extremely well-funded, incredibly well-organized billionaires, millionaires, entrenched political operatives, congressional representatives, mayors and governors, with the hairy young troglodytes serving as foot soldiers.
This of course means that extricating these agencies from their positions of influence and our political process will be significantly more difficult than it was 50 years ago. In this area, I can only pray that President Trump has some creative ideas up his sleeve, because he is one of the few who realizes how close to the precipice our nation truly is.


wnd--2020-07-22--Biden staffer shuts down yet another live interview

For the second time in a week , a Joe Biden campaign handler abruptly shut down a television interview with the presumptive Democratic nominee , cutting off the feed .
Biden was launching into a rant about President Trump , holding up a medical mask and saying , `` You do n't make someone else sick .
Sick .
What 's with this guy ?
The screen then went blank , and a Biden staffer was heard saying , `` Steve , that 's our time . ''
The interview Wednesday was with Steven Irwin of ABC affiliate KNXV-TV in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama , Holder 'turned their back on our country' It happened last week as well , noted the Gateway Pundit , when a Biden staffer interrupted a news anchor live on air asking whether China was a `` friend or foe . ''
On Tuesday , Biden refused to take questions from reporters at a campaign event in Newcastle , Delaware .
`` Thank you for listening .
I look forward to having your questions at another time , but I 'm off to another event , '' Biden said as he hurried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden told a black interviewer , `` You ai n't black '' if you do n't vote for me , and this week he referenced his campaign 's `` voter registration physicians . ''
Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson said it 's clear why Biden 's handlers have limited his appearances and intervened .
`` Joe Biden is tragically suffering a mental eclipse and sliding away at a geometric rate , '' he wrote , contending he is `` cognitively unable to be president or indeed to hold any office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not finish a sentence '' and names `` are vague eddies in his mind ’ s river of forgetfulness . ''
Hanson , after Biden broke weeks of isolation and finally held a news conference , said Biden 's performance left supporters `` underwhelmed '' and `` disturbed . ''
He pointed to Biden 's answer to a question about his mental acuity .
`` Almost the first thing he said to a reporter was ... 'you 're a dog-faced liar . '
And that was something that he should have avoided because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'You 're a dog-faced pony soldier , ' '' Hanson said .
See the interview last week shut down by a handler : '' He was reading the names of the people he was supposed to call and he had these pauses , and this was after almost 90 days , '' Hanson said .
`` I 'm just reflecting what 20 percent of the Democratic Party stalwarts believe .
That he 's not cognitively able . ''
At the news conference in Biden 's hometown of Wilmington , Delaware , the Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for opportunities to compare his mental ability to President Trump 's .
`` I ’ ve been tested , I ’ m constantly tested , '' he said while not providing details .
`` Look , all you ’ ve got to do is watch me , and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I ’ m running against , '' he said .
Hanson wondered : `` Where has he been tested the last 90 days ?
He could have at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews , but he did n't .
And you know why he did n't ?
Because he 's not able to ... [ in ] an impromptu , ad hoc , extempore fashion , to reply to questions in a coherent manner . ''
He explained Biden `` is in a far more dire mental state than a physically failing FDR was in his 1944 campaign for a fourth term . ''
`` We recall the former sane/nutty Biden of Neal Kinnock plagiarism , his 'put y'all in chains ' demagoguery , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a 'clean ' and well-spoken Obama , and the sane/insane Corn Pop stories , '' he said .
`` All are the trademark of a once fool Joe Biden , who was at least alert when compared with his current catalepsy .
If Donald Trump can be ungrammatical , Biden is agrammatical — he simply streams together half-thoughts without syntax and then abandons the sentence entirely . ''
Biden often suffers from `` dyscognitive seizures , in which for moments he has no idea what he is doing or saying or where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden have the mental capacity to keep America safe ?
” asks a narrator in the ad , titled “ Lost His Mind.
” Slated to run on social media and TV nationwide , it was released by the Committee to Defend the President .
`` Is Joe Biden in mental decline ?
Does Joe Biden have dementia ? ''
the narrator asks .
`` In a world losing its mind , we don ’ t need a president who ’ s already lost his . ''
The ad includes video of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which gained widespread media attention .
The former vice president , for instance , appeared to stumble through a CNN interview in April in which he criticized Trump 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` You know , there 's — during World War II , you know , where Roosevelt came up with a thing that , you know , was totally different than a — than — he called it the — you know , World War II , he had the War Production Board , '' Biden said during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his notes .

For the second time in a week, a Joe Biden campaign handler abruptly shut down a television interview with the presumptive Democratic nominee, cutting off the feed.
Biden was launching into a rant about President Trump, holding up a medical mask and saying, "You don't make someone else sick. Sick. What's with this guy?
The screen then went blank, and a Biden staffer was heard saying, "Steve, that's our time."
The interview Wednesday was with Steven Irwin of ABC affiliate KNXV-TV in Phoenix.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It happened last week as well, noted the Gateway Pundit, when a Biden staffer interrupted a news anchor live on air asking whether China was a "friend or foe."
On Tuesday, Biden refused to take questions from reporters at a campaign event in Newcastle, Delaware.
"Thank you for listening. I look forward to having your questions at another time, but I'm off to another event," Biden said as he hurried off the stage.
In May, Biden told a black interviewer, "You ain't black" if you don't vote for me, and this week he referenced his campaign's "voter registration physicians."
Is Joe Biden mentally competent to be president? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 7% (59 Votes) 93% (791 Votes)
Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson said it's clear why Biden's handlers have limited his appearances and intervened.
"Joe Biden is tragically suffering a mental eclipse and sliding away at a geometric rate," he wrote, contending he is "cognitively unable to be president or indeed to hold any office."
He said Biden often "cannot finish a sentence" and names "are vague eddies in his mind’s river of forgetfulness."
WATCH: Joe Biden's handlers interrupt the anchor and CUT OFF the video feed to end a local TV interview. pic.twitter.com/DkIZDNjo8H — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) July 22, 2020
Hanson, after Biden broke weeks of isolation and finally held a news conference, said Biden's performance left supporters "underwhelmed" and "disturbed."
He pointed to Biden's answer to a question about his mental acuity.
"Almost the first thing he said to a reporter was ... 'you're a dog-faced liar.' And that was something that he should have avoided because before, remember, he said, 'You're a dog-faced pony soldier,'" Hanson said.
See the interview last week shut down by a handler:
"He was reading the names of the people he was supposed to call and he had these pauses, and this was after almost 90 days," Hanson said. "I'm just reflecting what 20 percent of the Democratic Party stalwarts believe. That he's not cognitively able."
At the news conference in Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, the Democrat said he can "hardly wait" for opportunities to compare his mental ability to President Trump's.
"I’ve been tested, I’m constantly tested," he said while not providing details.
"Look, all you’ve got to do is watch me, and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I’m running against," he said.
Hanson wondered: "Where has he been tested the last 90 days? He could have at least have four or five Skype or Zoom interviews, but he didn't. And you know why he didn't? Because he's not able to ... [in] an impromptu, ad hoc, extempore fashion, to reply to questions in a coherent manner."
Hanson addressed the issue in a National Review commentary.
He explained Biden "is in a far more dire mental state than a physically failing FDR was in his 1944 campaign for a fourth term."
"We recall the former sane/nutty Biden of Neal Kinnock plagiarism, his 'put y'all in chains' demagoguery, the studied racism of Biden’s riffs about a 'clean' and well-spoken Obama, and the sane/insane Corn Pop stories," he said. "All are the trademark of a once fool Joe Biden, who was at least alert when compared with his current catalepsy. If Donald Trump can be ungrammatical, Biden is agrammatical — he simply streams together half-thoughts without syntax and then abandons the sentence entirely."
Biden often suffers from "dyscognitive seizures, in which for moments he has no idea what he is doing or saying or where he is."
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported a super PAC supporting President Trump released an ad questioning Biden's "mental capacity."
"Does Joe Biden have the mental capacity to keep America safe?” asks a narrator in the ad, titled “Lost His Mind.”
Slated to run on social media and TV nationwide, it was released by the Committee to Defend the President.
"Is Joe Biden in mental decline? Does Joe Biden have dementia?" the narrator asks. "In a world losing its mind, we don’t need a president who’s already lost his."
The ad includes video of several Biden’s gaffes, some of which gained widespread media attention. The former vice president, for instance, appeared to stumble through a CNN interview in April in which he criticized Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"You know, there's — during World War II, you know, where Roosevelt came up with a thing that, you know, was totally different than a — than — he called it the — you know, World War II, he had the War Production Board," Biden said during the CNN interview while looking down at his notes.


wnd--2020-07-23--Jobless claims edge up to 1.4 million

Jobless claims edge up to 1.4 million

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- The number of new jobless claims last week was 1.4 million , the Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ higher than the prior week 's claims of 1.3 million .
The increase in claims @ @ @ @ @ enhanced unemployment benefit comes to an end .
Jobless workers receive the weekly payment on @ @ @ @ @ benefit .
The last day to apply for the benefit is July 25 .
Barring @ @ @ @ @ , jobless workers will now collect roughly a third of what they previously received .

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- The number of new jobless claims last week was 1.4 million, the Labor Department reported Thursday, which is higher than the prior week's claims of 1.3 million.
The increase in claims comes as the $600 enhanced unemployment benefit comes to an end.
Jobless workers receive the weekly payment on top of their regular unemployment benefit. The last day to apply for the benefit is July 25. Barring an extension of the program, jobless workers will now collect roughly a third of what they previously received.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-23--New round of court battles begins, based on transgender ruling

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- A transgender man last week filed a lawsuit against a Catholic-run hospital in Maryland , @ @ @ @ @ 's landmark Supreme Court decision on transgender rights , fulfilling conservative fears that the ruling @ @ @ @ @ war .
The suit , filed on behalf of Jesse Hammons by the American Civil @ @ @ @ @ St. Joseph Medical Center , a Catholic-run hospital within the University of Maryland Medical System @ @ @ @ @ Fourteenth Amendments by refusing to perform a surgery necessary to Hammons ’ s transition from @ @ @ @ @ suit uses Justice Neil Gorsuch ’ s majority opinion in Bostock v. Clayton County to @ @ @ @ @ , that refusing services to transgender people is a form of discrimination on the basis @ @ @ @ @ was decided in June , many social conservatives predicted that it would have dire implications @ @ @ @ @ , single-sex dorms on college campuses , and general religious liberty exceptions to nondiscrimination laws @ @ @ @ @

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- A transgender man last week filed a lawsuit against a Catholic-run hospital in Maryland, citing in his complaint June's landmark Supreme Court decision on transgender rights, fulfilling conservative fears that the ruling would usher in a legal war.
The suit, filed on behalf of Jesse Hammons by the American Civil Liberties Union, alleges that St. Joseph Medical Center, a Catholic-run hospital within the University of Maryland Medical System, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments by refusing to perform a surgery necessary to Hammons’s transition from woman to man. The suit uses Justice Neil Gorsuch’s majority opinion in Bostock v. Clayton County to buttress its argument, namely, that refusing services to transgender people is a form of discrimination on the basis of sex.
When Bostock was decided in June, many social conservatives predicted that it would have dire implications for women's sports leagues, single-sex dorms on college campuses, and general religious liberty exceptions to nondiscrimination laws granted to faith-based institutions.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-07-24--The problem in Portland isn't the law – it's the lawlessness

Despite the occasional looting , chaos , property damage , trespassing , rioting , graffiti , assaults , arson and general mayhem , the media consistently assure us that Antifa `` protesters '' are `` largely peaceful . ''
And since the majority of buildings in Portland , Seattle and Denver have n't been looted yet , who am I to argue ?
Of course , it takes only a sliver of the population to transform downtowns into a mess and create quality-of-life issues for thousands of law-abiding citizens .
And the mayors who surrender parts of their cities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawlessness themselves .
There 's little doubt that if alt-right activists had occupied a few city blocks in Seattle or tried to firebomb a federal courthouse in Portland , we 'd be in for feverish wall-to-wall media coverage , engulfed in a national conversation about the perils of right-wing radicalism .
Every elected Republican would be asked to personally denounce the extremists to make sure they take implicit ownership of the problem .
When a few hundred angry tiki torch-carrying Nazis marched in Charlottesville , you would have thought the RNC had deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riot were even asked to opine on CNN .
On the other hand , left-wing rioters – the people Chris Cuomo and other journalists compared to GIs landing on Normandy – are immediately transformed into apolitical actors , rogue `` anarchists , '' as soon as any violence starts .
Who knows ?
Perhaps the majority of citizens and businesses in Portland , Seattle and Denver want their elected officials to let Antifa act with impunity .
Or maybe some of those citizens and businesses will begin fleeing those cities .
Whatever the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TRENDING : Retired military officers stand with Trump to stop U.S. riots To a point .
If mayors do nothing to stop anarchists from tearing down federal monuments or from defacing , vandalizing and attempting to burn down federal buildings , the feds have every right to dispatch teams of agents to restore order .
None of which is to deny that there are legitimate concerns about how law enforcement is conducting itself .
I 'm sympathetic to criticisms of the federal officers who operate in camouflage and in unmarked vans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ – if they truly are n't doing so right now – otherwise civilians have no real way to hold those in authority accountable for their actions .
But the claim that Pinochet-like secret police have begun snatching Portland protesters off the street and making them disappear amounts to the arrest of one man , who refused to speak without his lawyer and was released a little more than an hour later without any charges .
If it were up to me , I 'd leave Portland to the anarchists and their political accomplices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies such as the DEA , FBI , ICE , ATF , Department of Homeland Security and Marshal Service – regularly operate across the country .
Sometimes they make arrests , and sometimes they do so after going undercover .
This happens under every administration , every day , and it often happens for far less compelling reasons .
As far as we know , cops have n't broken any laws in the streets of Portland .
The protesters who cover their faces have broken tons .
With this in mind , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same characters who cheer on governors who take undemocratic emergency powers and shut down houses of worship without the consent of the people – and who sometimes arrest Americans for playing Wiffle ball , attending church or cutting hair – act as if policing portends the end of democracy .
The same people who incessantly clamor to empower the federal government when it suits their purposes now act as if protecting a federal courthouse is the Reichstag fire .
MSNBC 's John Heilemann says that Trump 's sending federal police into Portland is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` force '' to `` steal this election . ''
In a piece titled `` Trump 's Occupation of American Cities Has Begun , '' Michelle Goldberg , somehow still allowed to freely opine at The New York Times , says that `` fascism '' is already here .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls the police `` stormtroopers '' who are `` kidnapping protesters . ''
All of these contentions are ugly conspiracy theories , hyperbolic allegations meant to fuel partisan paranoia before an election .
Even if we accept the criticisms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's been happening to various degrees in a number of major cities , is that mayors are allowing `` protesters '' to trample on public and private property .
They allow it because they share the same left-wing sensibilities .
But protesting should never be a license for anarchy .

Despite the occasional looting, chaos, property damage, trespassing, rioting, graffiti, assaults, arson and general mayhem, the media consistently assure us that Antifa "protesters" are "largely peaceful." And since the majority of buildings in Portland, Seattle and Denver haven't been looted yet, who am I to argue?
Of course, it takes only a sliver of the population to transform downtowns into a mess and create quality-of-life issues for thousands of law-abiding citizens. And the mayors who surrender parts of their cities to left-wing "protesters" are tacitly endorsing lawlessness themselves.
There's little doubt that if alt-right activists had occupied a few city blocks in Seattle or tried to firebomb a federal courthouse in Portland, we'd be in for feverish wall-to-wall media coverage, engulfed in a national conversation about the perils of right-wing radicalism. Every elected Republican would be asked to personally denounce the extremists to make sure they take implicit ownership of the problem.
When a few hundred angry tiki torch-carrying Nazis marched in Charlottesville, you would have thought the RNC had deployed the Wehrmacht. Those who led the riot were even asked to opine on CNN. On the other hand, left-wing rioters – the people Chris Cuomo and other journalists compared to GIs landing on Normandy – are immediately transformed into apolitical actors, rogue "anarchists," as soon as any violence starts.
Who knows? Perhaps the majority of citizens and businesses in Portland, Seattle and Denver want their elected officials to let Antifa act with impunity. Or maybe some of those citizens and businesses will begin fleeing those cities. Whatever the case, it's a local concern.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
To a point. If mayors do nothing to stop anarchists from tearing down federal monuments or from defacing, vandalizing and attempting to burn down federal buildings, the feds have every right to dispatch teams of agents to restore order.
None of which is to deny that there are legitimate concerns about how law enforcement is conducting itself. I'm sympathetic to criticisms of the federal officers who operate in camouflage and in unmarked vans. Cops should display badge numbers and identification – if they truly aren't doing so right now – otherwise civilians have no real way to hold those in authority accountable for their actions. But the claim that Pinochet-like secret police have begun snatching Portland protesters off the street and making them disappear amounts to the arrest of one man, who refused to speak without his lawyer and was released a little more than an hour later without any charges.
If it were up to me, I'd leave Portland to the anarchists and their political accomplices. But federal law enforcement – including agencies such as the DEA, FBI, ICE, ATF, Department of Homeland Security and Marshal Service – regularly operate across the country. Sometimes they make arrests, and sometimes they do so after going undercover. This happens under every administration, every day, and it often happens for far less compelling reasons. As far as we know, cops haven't broken any laws in the streets of Portland. The protesters who cover their faces have broken tons.
With this in mind, it's been instructive watching many of the same characters who cheer on governors who take undemocratic emergency powers and shut down houses of worship without the consent of the people – and who sometimes arrest Americans for playing Wiffle ball, attending church or cutting hair – act as if policing portends the end of democracy. The same people who incessantly clamor to empower the federal government when it suits their purposes now act as if protecting a federal courthouse is the Reichstag fire.
MSNBC's John Heilemann says that Trump's sending federal police into Portland is a "trial run" for using "force" to "steal this election." In a piece titled "Trump's Occupation of American Cities Has Begun," Michelle Goldberg, somehow still allowed to freely opine at The New York Times, says that "fascism" is already here. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls the police "stormtroopers" who are "kidnapping protesters."
All of these contentions are ugly conspiracy theories, hyperbolic allegations meant to fuel partisan paranoia before an election. Even if we accept the criticisms of law enforcement, the driving problem, and it's been happening to various degrees in a number of major cities, is that mayors are allowing "protesters" to trample on public and private property. They allow it because they share the same left-wing sensibilities. But protesting should never be a license for anarchy.


wnd--2020-07-24--Airlines call for COVID-19 test-sharing to save industry

In a move to save the travel industry , four major airlines signed an open letter Tuesday calling for a shared COVID-19 testing program between the United States and European Union .
As the pandemic continues to keep most airlines on the ground , American Airlines , Lufthansa , United Airlines and International Airlines Group warned leaders on both sides of the Atlantic in a press release that “ nobody will benefit ” from the continued slowdown of travel between the two continents .
TRENDING : Retired military officers stand with Trump to stop U.S. riots Writing to U.S. Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Affairs Ylva Johansson , the four companies ’ CEOs asked the leaders to “ consider adopting a joint U.S.-EU COVID-19 testing program to enhance safety and build confidence in critical transatlantic passenger air services.
” The letter added that a “ coordinated COVID-19 testing program could be key to providing confidence to permit services to resume without quarantine requirements or other entry restrictions.
” The companies claimed the proposed program would give both sides a greater ability to screen passengers and reduce the fear of another spike in cases .
The pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continents .
Americans traveling to the United Kingdom must self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival , while the U.S has essentially barred British and European residents from traveling to the country .
Furthermore , the E.U .
does not include the U.S on the list of countries permitted to travel to the Schengen Area , which comprises 26 countries .
The International Air Travel Association estimates 7.5 million flights have been canceled globally between January and June of this year , with over $ 419 billion in revenue losses .
United Airlines recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during its second quarter , along with an 87.8 percent drop in year-over-year capacity .
“ We believe that a pilot testing program for the transatlantic market could be an excellent opportunity for government and industry to work together and find ways to overcome obstacles and explore all solutions to protect health , build confidence , and safely restore passenger travel between the U.S. and Europe , ” the letter added .
The letter was written “ with urgency ” and did not include the CEOs of Delta Air Lines or Virgin Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]

Harry Whitehead
Daily Caller News Foundation
In a move to save the travel industry, four major airlines signed an open letter Tuesday calling for a shared COVID-19 testing program between the United States and European Union.
As the pandemic continues to keep most airlines on the ground, American Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines and International Airlines Group warned leaders on both sides of the Atlantic in a press release that “nobody will benefit” from the continued slowdown of travel between the two continents.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Writing to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the four companies’ CEOs asked the leaders to “consider adopting a joint U.S.-EU COVID-19 testing program to enhance safety and build confidence in critical transatlantic passenger air services.”
The letter added that a “coordinated COVID-19 testing program could be key to providing confidence to permit services to resume without quarantine requirements or other entry restrictions.” The companies claimed the proposed program would give both sides a greater ability to screen passengers and reduce the fear of another spike in cases.
The pandemic has virtually stopped travel between the two continents. Americans traveling to the United Kingdom must self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival, while the U.S has essentially barred British and European residents from traveling to the country. Furthermore, the E.U. does not include the U.S on the list of countries permitted to travel to the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 countries.
The International Air Travel Association estimates 7.5 million flights have been canceled globally between January and June of this year, with over $419 billion in revenue losses. United Airlines recently announced over $1.6 billion in losses during its second quarter, along with an 87.8 percent drop in year-over-year capacity.
“We believe that a pilot testing program for the transatlantic market could be an excellent opportunity for government and industry to work together and find ways to overcome obstacles and explore all solutions to protect health, build confidence, and safely restore passenger travel between the U.S. and Europe,” the letter added.
The letter was written “with urgency” and did not include the CEOs of Delta Air Lines or Virgin Atlantic, two other major transatlantic carriers.
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


wnd--2020-07-24--Sierra Club chief disowns co-founder John Muir

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune disavowed co-founder John Muir Wednesday , citing racist beliefs the iconic conservationist once held , and relationships he forged with people who supported white supremacy .
`` It 's time to take down some of our own monuments , starting with some truth-telling about the Sierra Club 's early history , '' Brune wrote in a statement on the group 's website .
Sierra Club is ending its years-long reverence for Muir in an effort to distance the 128-year-old environmentalist organization from its co-founder 's racist past , he added .
TRENDING : Retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. riots Muir , who died in 1914 , worked to preserve Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Forest , The Washington Post reported in an article Wednesday about the group 's disassociation from their co-founder .
He also had a racist past , Brune said .
Muir made `` derogatory comments about Black people and Indigenous peoples that drew on deeply harmful racist stereotypes , '' Brune wrote , noting that Muir 's positions evolved over time .
He cited a 2016 article in Atlas Obscura highlighting Muir 's racist past .
Muir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sambos , '' a pejorative term for African Americans , WaPo reported .
He also called American Indians `` dirty '' and `` lazy , '' according to Atlas Obscura .
`` Muir 's words and actions carry an especially heavy weight .
They continue to hurt and alienate Indigenous people and people of color who come into contact with the Sierra Club , '' Brune said .
`` Such willful ignorance is what allows some people to shut their eyes to the reality that the wild places we love are also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off their lands in the decades or centuries before they became national parks , '' Brune added .
Brune also highlighted Muir 's close relationship with Henry Fairfield Osborn , who led the New York Zoological Society and became the board of Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History .
He also helped found the American Eugenics Society after Muir 's death in 1914 .
Osborn 's group believed nonwhite people and Jews were inferior to white people , WaPo reported .
Brune 's decision comes amid nationwide demonstrations against the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in May after a police officer kneeled down on his neck for nearly nine minutes , video of the incident shows .
His death sparked a movement to defund the police , as well as a push for organizations to reconsider their past allegiances to historical figures with racist pasts .
Planned Parenthood of New York condemned its founder Margaret Sanger Tuesday for her `` harmful connections to the eugenics movement , '' the New York Times reported .
The Washington Redskins officially retired the team 's name on July 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FedEx , requested a name change , ESPN reported July 2 .
`` I call on Dan Snyder once again to face that reality , since he does still desperately want to be in the nation 's capital , '' Norton said in a July 1 statement to WaPo .
`` He has got a problem he ca n't get around , and he particularly ca n't get around it today , after the George Floyd killing . ''
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]

By Chris White
Daily Caller News Foundation
Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune disavowed co-founder John Muir Wednesday, citing racist beliefs the iconic conservationist once held, and relationships he forged with people who supported white supremacy.
"It's time to take down some of our own monuments, starting with some truth-telling about the Sierra Club's early history," Brune wrote in a statement on the group's website. Sierra Club is ending its years-long reverence for Muir in an effort to distance the 128-year-old environmentalist organization from its co-founder's racist past, he added.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Muir, who died in 1914, worked to preserve Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Forest, The Washington Post reported in an article Wednesday about the group's disassociation from their co-founder. He also had a racist past, Brune said.
Muir made "derogatory comments about Black people and Indigenous peoples that drew on deeply harmful racist stereotypes," Brune wrote, noting that Muir's positions evolved over time. He cited a 2016 article in Atlas Obscura highlighting Muir's racist past.
Muir once referred to black people as "Sambos," a pejorative term for African Americans, WaPo reported. He also called American Indians "dirty" and "lazy," according to Atlas Obscura.
"Muir's words and actions carry an especially heavy weight. They continue to hurt and alienate Indigenous people and people of color who come into contact with the Sierra Club," Brune said.
"Such willful ignorance is what allows some people to shut their eyes to the reality that the wild places we love are also the ancestral homelands of Native peoples, forced off their lands in the decades or centuries before they became national parks," Brune added.
Brune also highlighted Muir's close relationship with Henry Fairfield Osborn, who led the New York Zoological Society and became the board of Trustees of the American Museum of Natural History. He also helped found the American Eugenics Society after Muir's death in 1914. Osborn's group believed nonwhite people and Jews were inferior to white people, WaPo reported.
Brune's decision comes amid nationwide demonstrations against the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in May after a police officer kneeled down on his neck for nearly nine minutes, video of the incident shows. His death sparked a movement to defund the police, as well as a push for organizations to reconsider their past allegiances to historical figures with racist pasts.
Planned Parenthood of New York condemned its founder Margaret Sanger Tuesday for her "harmful connections to the eugenics movement," the New York Times reported.
The Washington Redskins officially retired the team's name on July 13 after the team's primary sponsor, FedEx, requested a name change, ESPN reported July 2.
"I call on Dan Snyder once again to face that reality, since he does still desperately want to be in the nation's capital," Norton said in a July 1 statement to WaPo. "He has got a problem he can't get around, and he particularly can't get around it today, after the George Floyd killing."
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


wnd--2020-07-24--Defining the historic 'illiteracy' of the 'cancel culture'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Amid the debate over America ’ s monuments , a new poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of voters disapprove of the removal of historic statues perceived by some as offensive .
The poll , which equally surveyed registered Democrats and Republicans , showed that 74 % of respondents agree with President Trump that monuments should not be removed .
It remains unclear how the controversy will affect the November election .
Already , this summer has been upended by an extraordinary series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis and protests in response to the tragic death of George Floyd .
What began as an outcry against abuses by police has led to unprecedented soul searching about the issue of race in America , including the propriety of statues honoring the nation ’ s former leaders .
There are understandably strong feelings over the display of statues that honor leaders of the Confederacy , but the recent indiscriminate destruction of statues and monuments resembles a dystopian plot line about suppressed history and silenced dissenting voices .
Understanding the current cultural context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s statues .
Defacing and vandalizing public memorials are the latest manifestation of the “ cancel culture ” that seeks to punish individuals for past actions or views ranging from unjust to merely out of step with today ’ s prevailing zeitgeist .
Recently , this illiberal crusade instigated the outing of Boeing Communications Chief Niel Golightly , who resigned after a colleague complained about a 1987 article he wrote arguing that women should not serve in combat .
Despite Golightly ’ s change of view , Boeing forced him out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump to stop U.S. riots Others , including comedians , politicians , and even pastors have had to scramble to atone for whatever landed them outside the good graces of the cultural elite .
While the cancel culture movement is problematic for many reasons , the latest trend to “ cancel ” historical figures especially underscores the consequences of historical illiteracy .
The first downed statues were those erected to Confederate leaders such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis .
However , non-Confederate statues are now also targeted .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vandalized and torn down in Portland , Ore. ; a statue of abolitionist Matthias Baldwin was defaced in Philadelphia ; and a statue of African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass was destroyed in Rochester , N.Y. Monuments to members of the Union army have been victimized , including statues of President Ulysses S. Grant in San Francisco , Adm. David Farragut in Washington , D.C. , and abolitionist Hans Christian Heg in Madison , Wis. A monument to the Union ’ s 54th Massachusetts Regiment — which consisted of all-black volunteer soldiers — was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolitionists , Union generals , and black Union soldiers breaks with the narrative of the justice-seekers for George Floyd and defies common sense .
But recent calls to “ cancel ” the Freedman ’ s Memorial in Washington , D.C. , are perhaps even more problematic because they are symptomatic of a simplistic approach to history — one to which far too many Americans fall prey .
The Freedman ’ s Memorial was unveiled on April 14 , 1876 , the 11th anniversary of President Lincoln ’ s shooting .
With over 25,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Cabinet , and justices of the Supreme Court — Frederick Douglass delivered the keynote address .
The monument depicts two men : President Lincoln holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and a freed slave modeled after Archer Alexander , the last slave to be captured under the Fugitive Slave Act .
The former slave is depicted on one knee , about to stand up , with broken shackles at his feet .
Notably , funds for the statue came predominantly from formerly enslaved people ; Charlotte Scott , a freed slave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opponents of the statue object to what they perceive is an overt paternalistic design — not a completely unfounded concern .
Lincoln is depicted standing upright while the former slave appears to be kneeling .
Furthermore , in a recently unearthed letter to a local paper , Frederick Douglass , despite dedicating the statue , admitted reservations about its design : “ Admirable as is the monument … it does not , as it seems to me , tell the whole truth , and perhaps no one monument could be made to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it might be designed to illustrate.
” Douglass notes the crux of the problem , “ The negro here , though rising , is still on his knees and nude.
” We ought to take a nuanced , historically informed view of removing statues and memorials .
This , in part , means rejecting the rush to erase the past and recommitting to learning our history .
This history , while complicated and full of imperfect people , is worth remembering , learning from , and sometimes celebrating .
In his letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I want to see before I die is a monument representing the negro , not couchant on his knees like a four-footed animal , but erect on his feet like a man.
” Rather than calling for the monument ’ s removal , he adds , “ There is room in Lincoln park for another monument , and I throw out this suggestion to the end that it may be taken up and acted upon.
” Americans should reject the impulses of cancel culture , which has a simplistic view of history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story of multifaceted people and events .
Instead of removing the Freedman ’ s Memorial , perhaps we should follow Douglass ’ advice and build another statue in Lincoln Park — maybe to the great orator himself — that more completely tells the story of America ’ s continuing journey to fully realize our founding ideals .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By David Closson
Real Clear Politics
Amid the debate over America’s monuments, a new poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of voters disapprove of the removal of historic statues perceived by some as offensive. The poll, which equally surveyed registered Democrats and Republicans, showed that 74% of respondents agree with President Trump that monuments should not be removed.
It remains unclear how the controversy will affect the November election. Already, this summer has been upended by an extraordinary series of events, including the ongoing public health crisis and protests in response to the tragic death of George Floyd. What began as an outcry against abuses by police has led to unprecedented soul searching about the issue of race in America, including the propriety of statues honoring the nation’s former leaders. There are understandably strong feelings over the display of statues that honor leaders of the Confederacy, but the recent indiscriminate destruction of statues and monuments resembles a dystopian plot line about suppressed history and silenced dissenting voices.
Understanding the current cultural context is key to understanding the controversy surrounding America’s statues. Defacing and vandalizing public memorials are the latest manifestation of the “cancel culture” that seeks to punish individuals for past actions or views ranging from unjust to merely out of step with today’s prevailing zeitgeist. Recently, this illiberal crusade instigated the outing of Boeing Communications Chief Niel Golightly, who resigned after a colleague complained about a 1987 article he wrote arguing that women should not serve in combat. Despite Golightly’s change of view, Boeing forced him out.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Others, including comedians, politicians, and even pastors have had to scramble to atone for whatever landed them outside the good graces of the cultural elite. While the cancel culture movement is problematic for many reasons, the latest trend to “cancel” historical figures especially underscores the consequences of historical illiteracy.
The first downed statues were those erected to Confederate leaders such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. However, non-Confederate statues are now also targeted. For example, a statue of George Washington was vandalized and torn down in Portland, Ore.; a statue of abolitionist Matthias Baldwin was defaced in Philadelphia; and a statue of African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass was destroyed in Rochester, N.Y. Monuments to members of the Union army have been victimized, including statues of President Ulysses S. Grant in San Francisco, Adm. David Farragut in Washington, D.C., and abolitionist Hans Christian Heg in Madison, Wis. A monument to the Union’s 54th Massachusetts Regiment — which consisted of all-black volunteer soldiers — was defaced in Boston.
Destroying monuments of abolitionists, Union generals, and black Union soldiers breaks with the narrative of the justice-seekers for George Floyd and defies common sense. But recent calls to “cancel” the Freedman’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., are perhaps even more problematic because they are symptomatic of a simplistic approach to history — one to which far too many Americans fall prey.
The Freedman’s Memorial was unveiled on April 14, 1876, the 11th anniversary of President Lincoln’s shooting. With over 25,000 people present — including President Grant, his Cabinet, and justices of the Supreme Court — Frederick Douglass delivered the keynote address.
The monument depicts two men: President Lincoln holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and a freed slave modeled after Archer Alexander, the last slave to be captured under the Fugitive Slave Act. The former slave is depicted on one knee, about to stand up, with broken shackles at his feet. Notably, funds for the statue came predominantly from formerly enslaved people; Charlotte Scott, a freed slave, donated the first $5.
Opponents of the statue object to what they perceive is an overt paternalistic design — not a completely unfounded concern. Lincoln is depicted standing upright while the former slave appears to be kneeling. Furthermore, in a recently unearthed letter to a local paper, Frederick Douglass, despite dedicating the statue, admitted reservations about its design: “Admirable as is the monument … it does not, as it seems to me, tell the whole truth, and perhaps no one monument could be made to tell the whole truth of any subject which it might be designed to illustrate.” Douglass notes the crux of the problem, “The negro here, though rising, is still on his knees and nude.”
We ought to take a nuanced, historically informed view of removing statues and memorials. This, in part, means rejecting the rush to erase the past and recommitting to learning our history. This history, while complicated and full of imperfect people, is worth remembering, learning from, and sometimes celebrating.
In his letter to the editor, Douglass notes, “What I want to see before I die is a monument representing the negro, not couchant on his knees like a four-footed animal, but erect on his feet like a man.” Rather than calling for the monument’s removal, he adds, “There is room in Lincoln park for another monument, and I throw out this suggestion to the end that it may be taken up and acted upon.”
Americans should reject the impulses of cancel culture, which has a simplistic view of history. We should remember that history is a story of multifaceted people and events. Instead of removing the Freedman’s Memorial, perhaps we should follow Douglass’ advice and build another statue in Lincoln Park — maybe to the great orator himself — that more completely tells the story of America’s continuing journey to fully realize our founding ideals.


wnd--2020-07-24--Trump option would cost China billions in U.S. investments

Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Attorney General Bill Barr ratcheted up the U.S. confrontation with China this week , accusing Hollywood and the tech industry of caving to Chinese censorship pressure in exchange for short-term profits .
“ If Disney and other American corporations continue to bow to Beijing , they risk undermining both their own future competitiveness and prosperity , as well as the classical liberal order that as allowed them to thrive , ” Barr said during a Thursday speech in Michigan , where he called out Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app store in China after the government complained about it , and criticized Disney for giving Communists a role in managing Shanghai Disney .
TRENDING : Retired military officers stand with Trump to stop U.S. riots But China hawks familiar with the finer details of U.S. labor law argue the Trump administration has the power to do far more than name and shame U.S. companies that opt to work with Beijing in order to gain access to China ’ s vast consumer market .
The Labor Department in the next few weeks has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spigot of U.S. funds flowing to China by barring private U.S. retirement plans from investing in Chinese companies , an unprecedented step that would cost China billions in U.S. investment .
In fact , those advocating the bold move argue that the Labor Department has a fiduciary responsibility to do so , as well as the perfect opportunity in a pending regulation governing these investments .
The Labor Department is currently finalizing changes to the regulation governing private retirement funds and could simply decide to disqualify all companies that don ’ t adhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws , which would automatically prevent investment in Chinese companies .
In late June the department released changes to the rule for “ financial factors in selecting plan investments ” and will finalize it in the coming weeks .
“ … It is sickening to think that American pensions and 401 ( k ) investors are capitalizing [ on ] the gross abuse of helpless and oppressed Chinese religious minorities and political dissidents , ” Richard Manning , a former senior Labor Department official during the Bush administration who served on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia .
“ Americans would be appalled to learn that they were effectively providing the capital for the enslavement of their fellow man , and you can stop it.
” Manning , the president of Americans for Limited Government , cited the most recent Labor Department report on goods produced by slave and child labor , which rapped China as one of the worst abusers in the world .
“ China is listed not once , not twice , but twelve times in the latest report for using children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which find their place on the shelves of U.S. retailers like Walmart , ” he wrote .
“ Artificial flowers , bricks , Christmas decorations , coal , cotton , electronics , fireworks , footwear , garments , nails , textiles and toys are all listed as being made with child or slave labor in China.
” A Labor Department spokeswoman told RealClearPolitics she was looking into the matter but did not respond by late Friday afternoon .
The decision to prevent private 401 ( k ) s and other retirements funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other recent U.S. government actions aimed at countering China ’ s efforts to use American consumers to help it supplant the U.S. as the top economic and military superpower , Manning and other advocates argue .
In June , the Pentagon determined that 20 Chinese companies are owned and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party , including Huawei Technologies Co. and Hangzhou Hikvision Technology Co. , opening them up to potential U.S. sanctions .
The Senate recently voted to require transparency for Chinese firms listed on U.S. exchanges , and several bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at preventing goods made by forced Chinese labor from reaching the U.S .
Earlier this month , National Security Adviser Robert C. O ’ Brien and Larry Kudlow , director of the National Economic Council , urged the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board to divest its roughly $ 4.5 billion in holdings in Chinese companies involved in building missiles , military aircraft and telecommunications goods the government also uses in its repression of religious minorities in China .
The three-member board is an independent federal agency that governs the retirement benefits for railroad workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saving Plan , or TSP , the main federal employee retirement plan .
In May , the White House successfully lobbied the TSP , which oversees nearly $ 593 billion in funds , not to invest in an index fund that included several major Chinese companies , including several under U.S. economic sanctions .
With tensions running high between Washington and Beijing over Chinese disinformation about the origins and spread of the coronavirus , O ’ Brien and Kudlow argued that the investments posed a “ national security risk to our country.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investors because the Chinese government has prevented the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other U.S. oversight boards from gaining access to internal audits of companies with significant Chinese operations , even when they are listed on the U.S. exchanges .
With a global backlash against Beijing over its government ’ s concealment of the coronavirus in the first weeks of the Wuhan-based outbreak , Chinese companies also could face more sanctions and boycotts across the world , making them financially riskier investments .
Britain earlier this week banned Huawei equipment for use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network , following a similar move by the U.S. in May .
And the White House in mid-July said a ban on the popular Chinese social video app TikTok could come in “ weeks , not months ” as concerns mount over its use of user data and surveillance .
“ In light of these economic , national security and humanitarian concerns , we ask that you and your board carefully consider whether the [ National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust ] is currently acting as an appropriate fiduciary for those hardworking Americans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien and Kudlow wrote in a July 7 letter to Erhard Chorle , who chairs the RRB .
If these Chinese investments are too risky for federal retirement accounts , the U.S. government should block private U.S. retirement portfolios from investing in them , proponents of the new restrictions argue .
“ The obvious question is if these assets are too risky for inclusion in the federal TSP , why would they be allowed to be included in private 401 ( k ) investments where the same argument directly applies ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are not , and under [ federal law ] it ’ s the Labor Department ’ s job to protect private sector retirement-specific investments or pensions from choices that are unsuitably risky .
”

Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
Attorney General Bill Barr ratcheted up the U.S. confrontation with China this week, accusing Hollywood and the tech industry of caving to Chinese censorship pressure in exchange for short-term profits.
“If Disney and other American corporations continue to bow to Beijing, they risk undermining both their own future competitiveness and prosperity, as well as the classical liberal order that as allowed them to thrive,” Barr said during a Thursday speech in Michigan, where he called out Apple for removing a news site from its app store in China after the government complained about it, and criticized Disney for giving Communists a role in managing Shanghai Disney.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
But China hawks familiar with the finer details of U.S. labor law argue the Trump administration has the power to do far more than name and shame U.S. companies that opt to work with Beijing in order to gain access to China’s vast consumer market. The Labor Department in the next few weeks has the opportunity to cut off a main spigot of U.S. funds flowing to China by barring private U.S. retirement plans from investing in Chinese companies, an unprecedented step that would cost China billions in U.S. investment.
In fact, those advocating the bold move argue that the Labor Department has a fiduciary responsibility to do so, as well as the perfect opportunity in a pending regulation governing these investments. The Labor Department is currently finalizing changes to the regulation governing private retirement funds and could simply decide to disqualify all companies that don’t adhere to current U.S. banking and investment transparency laws, which would automatically prevent investment in Chinese companies. In late June the department released changes to the rule for “financial factors in selecting plan investments” and will finalize it in the coming weeks.
“ … It is sickening to think that American pensions and 401(k) investors are capitalizing [on] the gross abuse of helpless and oppressed Chinese religious minorities and political dissidents,” Richard Manning, a former senior Labor Department official during the Bush administration who served on Trump’s presidential transition team, recently wrote to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. “Americans would be appalled to learn that they were effectively providing the capital for the enslavement of their fellow man, and you can stop it.”
Manning, the president of Americans for Limited Government, cited the most recent Labor Department report on goods produced by slave and child labor, which rapped China as one of the worst abusers in the world.
“China is listed not once, not twice, but twelve times in the latest report for using children and slaves to make goods, many of which find their place on the shelves of U.S. retailers like Walmart,” he wrote. “Artificial flowers, bricks, Christmas decorations, coal, cotton, electronics, fireworks, footwear, garments, nails, textiles and toys are all listed as being made with child or slave labor in China.”
A Labor Department spokeswoman told RealClearPolitics she was looking into the matter but did not respond by late Friday afternoon.
The decision to prevent private 401(k)s and other retirements funds from investing in Chinese companies follows logically from other recent U.S. government actions aimed at countering China’s efforts to use American consumers to help it supplant the U.S. as the top economic and military superpower, Manning and other advocates argue. In June, the Pentagon determined that 20 Chinese companies are owned and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, including Huawei Technologies Co. and Hangzhou Hikvision Technology Co., opening them up to potential U.S. sanctions. The Senate recently voted to require transparency for Chinese firms listed on U.S. exchanges, and several bipartisan bills circulating on Capitol Hill are aimed at preventing goods made by forced Chinese labor from reaching the U.S.
Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien and Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, urged the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board to divest its roughly $4.5 billion in holdings in Chinese companies involved in building missiles, military aircraft and telecommunications goods the government also uses in its repression of religious minorities in China.
The three-member board is an independent federal agency that governs the retirement benefits for railroad workers, which is separate from the Thrift Saving Plan, or TSP, the main federal employee retirement plan. In May, the White House successfully lobbied the TSP, which oversees nearly $593 billion in funds, not to invest in an index fund that included several major Chinese companies, including several under U.S. economic sanctions.
With tensions running high between Washington and Beijing over Chinese disinformation about the origins and spread of the coronavirus, O’Brien and Kudlow argued that the investments posed a “national security risk to our country.” They also warned of grave risks to investors because the Chinese government has prevented the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other U.S. oversight boards from gaining access to internal audits of companies with significant Chinese operations, even when they are listed on the U.S. exchanges. With a global backlash against Beijing over its government’s concealment of the coronavirus in the first weeks of the Wuhan-based outbreak, Chinese companies also could face more sanctions and boycotts across the world, making them financially riskier investments.
Britain earlier this week banned Huawei equipment for use in its country’s high-speed wireless network, following a similar move by the U.S. in May. And the White House in mid-July said a ban on the popular Chinese social video app TikTok could come in “weeks, not months” as concerns mount over its use of user data and surveillance.
“In light of these economic, national security and humanitarian concerns, we ask that you and your board carefully consider whether the [National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust] is currently acting as an appropriate fiduciary for those hardworking Americans and retirees the RRB serves,” O’Brien and Kudlow wrote in a July 7 letter to Erhard Chorle, who chairs the RRB.
If these Chinese investments are too risky for federal retirement accounts, the U.S. government should block private U.S. retirement portfolios from investing in them, proponents of the new restrictions argue.
“The obvious question is if these assets are too risky for inclusion in the federal TSP, why would they be allowed to be included in private 401(k) investments where the same argument directly applies?” Manning wrote. “The answer is that they are not, and under [federal law] it’s the Labor Department’s job to protect private sector retirement-specific investments or pensions from choices that are unsuitably risky.”