shareblue--2020-02-21--White House trying to oust anyone who isn't a Trump loyalist

The Trump administration is reportedly trying to purge political appointees who are not absolute Donald Trump loyalists .
According to Axios , Trump 's personal aide John McEntee is leading the effort .
McEntee was fired nearly two years ago after he failed to pass a background check and recently rehired as head of presidential personnel .
On Thursday , McEntee reportedly asked White House liaisons from each Cabinet agency `` to identify political appointees across the U.S. government who are believed to be anti-Trump . ''
The aim of the inquiry is to `` purge the 'bad people ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny them promotions .
McEntee reportedly plans to carry out the most sweeping purges after the November elections .
The move comes after Trump retaliated against several administration officials who testified against him in the impeachment inquiry , those opposed his scheme to get Ukraine to dig up dirt of political rivals , or those who happened to be related to people criticized him .
All received terminations , demotions , or transfers to other positions .
Trump , who ran on a promise of filling his administration with `` the best people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointees for perceived disloyalty .
His administration has seen high rates of turnover and he has struggled since taking office to fill critical vacancies .
At least one Trump loyalist in Congress is applauding the impending purge .
Rep. Paul Gosar ( R-AZ ) tweeted Friday , `` Good .
@ realDonaldTrump deserves a team that is determined to implement his agenda .
Political appointees who are actively undermining @ POTUS should resign or be fired . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Trump administration is reportedly trying to purge political appointees who are not absolute Donald Trump loyalists.
According to Axios, Trump’s personal aide John McEntee is leading the effort. McEntee was fired nearly two years ago after he failed to pass a background check and recently rehired as head of presidential personnel.
On Thursday, McEntee reportedly asked White House liaisons from each Cabinet agency “to identify political appointees across the U.S. government who are believed to be anti-Trump.” The aim of the inquiry is to “purge the ‘bad people’ and the ‘Deep State'” and deny them promotions.
McEntee reportedly plans to carry out the most sweeping purges after the November elections.
The move comes after Trump retaliated against several administration officials who testified against him in the impeachment inquiry, those opposed his scheme to get Ukraine to dig up dirt of political rivals, or those who happened to be related to people criticized him.
All received terminations, demotions, or transfers to other positions.
Trump, who ran on a promise of filling his administration with “the best people,” has frequently attacked his own appointees for perceived disloyalty. His administration has seen high rates of turnover and he has struggled since taking office to fill critical vacancies.
At least one Trump loyalist in Congress is applauding the impending purge. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) tweeted Friday, “Good. @realDonaldTrump deserves a team that is determined to implement his agenda. Political appointees who are actively undermining @POTUS should resign or be fired.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-21--Former CIA chief: Trump carrying out 'virtual decapitation' of intelligence agencies

Trump is installing loyalists at the head of American intelligence agencies rather than those with intelligence experience .
From the @ @ @ @ @ 's `` Morning Joe '' : FORMER CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN : What we 're @ @ @ @ @ anomaly , such an aberration from what we have seen in the past about the @ @ @ @ @ the intelligence community .
Two nonpartisan national security professionals have been removed at the helm @ @ @ @ @ Joe Maguire and then Andrew Holman , who is a senior CIA officer who was @ @ @ @ @ deputy , that is a virtual decapitation of the intelligence community .
And now who @ @ @ @ @ Someone who has no experience , no credentials as far as the intelligence community is @ @ @ @ @ And so the intelligence professionals can only see this as yet one more example that @ @ @ @ @ to do their job .

From the Feb. 21 edition of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”:
FORMER CIA DIRECTOR JOHN BRENNAN: What we’re seeing now is such an anomaly, such an aberration from what we have seen in the past about the importance of the independence of the intelligence community.
Two nonpartisan national security professionals have been removed at the helm of the intelligence community. Joe Maguire and then Andrew Holman, who is a senior CIA officer who was serving as Joe Maguire’s deputy, that is a virtual decapitation of the intelligence community.
And now who is going in there? Someone who has no experience, no credentials as far as the intelligence community is concerned, Richard Grenell. And so the intelligence professionals can only see this as yet one more example that they are not being allowed to do their job.


shareblue--2020-02-21--Intel officials tell Congress that Russia is trying to help Trump win again

Intelligence officials have warned lawmakers that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign to help Donald Trump get reelected , according to three officials familiar with the closed-door briefing .
The warning raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump 's administration is taking the proper steps to combat the kind of interference the U.S. saw in 2016 .
The officials asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence .
They said Thursday that the briefing last week focused on Russia 's efforts to influence the 2020 election and sow discord in the American electorate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times and The Washington Post .
A senior administration official told the Associated Press that the news infuriated Trump , who complained that Democrats would use the information against him .
Over the course of his time in office , Trump has dismissed the intelligence community 's assessment of Russia 's 2016 election interference as a conspiracy to undermine his victory .
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private meeting .
Moscow denied any meddling .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there will be more and more of as we get closer to the elections ( in the U.S. ) .
Of course , they have nothing to do with the truth . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted , `` American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin . ''
She added that all members of Congress `` should condemn the President 's reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community . ''
A day after the Feb. 13 briefing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the then-director of national intelligence , Joseph Maguire , and he announced this week that Maguire would be replaced by Richard Grenell , a Trump loyalist .
U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts .
They say Russia was trying to boost Trump 's campaign and add chaos to the American political process .
Special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russian interference was `` sweeping and systematic , '' but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers who were in last week 's briefing by the DNI 's chief election official , Shelby Pierson , pushed back by noting that Trump has been tough on Russia , one of the officials said .
While Trump has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia , he also has spoken warmly of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and withdrawn troops from areas , like Syria , where Moscow could fill the vacuum .
He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine , a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Trump was angry that the House briefing was made before the panel 's chair , Rep. Adam Schiff , who led the impeachment proceedings .
Trump on Thursday formally appointed Grenell , the U.S. ambassador to Germany , to replace Maguire as the new acting director of national intelligence .
Maguire was required to step down soon under federal law governing acting appointments .
The Times cited two administration officials as saying the timing , after the intelligence briefing , was coincidental .
Grenell 's background is primarily in politics and media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security and military experience of Maguire , as well as previous holders of the position overseeing the nation 's 17 intelligence agencies .
His appointment does little to heal Trump 's fraught relations with the intelligence community , which Trump has derided as part of a `` deep state '' of entrenched bureaucrats that seek to undermine his agenda .
The administration has most notably feuded with the intelligence community over the Russian interference and the events surrounding Trump 's impeachment .
Pierson told NPR in an interview that aired last month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence operations relative to candidates going into 2020 .
But we do not have evidence at this time that our adversaries are directly looking at interfering with vote counts or the vote tallies . ''
Pierson , appointed in July 2019 by then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats , works with intelligence agencies like the CIA , the FBI , the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to identify anyone seeking to interfere with U.S. elections .
Pierson told NPR that the U.S. does n't know exactly what the Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not just a Russia problem .
`` We 're still also concerned about China , Iran , non-state actors , hacktivists and frankly — certainly for DHS and FBI — even Americans that might be looking to undermine confidence in the elections . ''
At an open hearing this month , FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in `` information warfare '' heading into the November election , but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America 's infrastructure .
He said Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign to divide the American public .

Intelligence officials have warned lawmakers that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign to help Donald Trump get reelected, according to three officials familiar with the closed-door briefing.
The warning raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump’s administration is taking the proper steps to combat the kind of interference the U.S. saw in 2016.
The officials asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. They said Thursday that the briefing last week focused on Russia’s efforts to influence the 2020 election and sow discord in the American electorate. The intelligence warning was first reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post.
A senior administration official told the Associated Press that the news infuriated Trump, who complained that Democrats would use the information against him.
Over the course of his time in office, Trump has dismissed the intelligence community’s assessment of Russia’s 2016 election interference as a conspiracy to undermine his victory. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private meeting.
Moscow denied any meddling. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the allegations are “paranoid reports that, unfortunately, there will be more and more of as we get closer to the elections (in the U.S.). Of course, they have nothing to do with the truth.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted, “American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin.” She added that all members of Congress “should condemn the President’s reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community.”
A day after the Feb. 13 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee, Trump berated the then-director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, and he announced this week that Maguire would be replaced by Richard Grenell, a Trump loyalist.
U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts. They say Russia was trying to boost Trump’s campaign and add chaos to the American political process.
Special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russian interference was “sweeping and systematic,” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Republican lawmakers who were in last week’s briefing by the DNI’s chief election official, Shelby Pierson, pushed back by noting that Trump has been tough on Russia, one of the officials said.
While Trump has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia, he also has spoken warmly of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and withdrawn troops from areas, like Syria, where Moscow could fill the vacuum. He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine, a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core of his impeachment proceedings.
The Times said Trump was angry that the House briefing was made before the panel’s chair, Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment proceedings.
Trump on Thursday formally appointed Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, to replace Maguire as the new acting director of national intelligence.
Maguire was required to step down soon under federal law governing acting appointments. The Times cited two administration officials as saying the timing, after the intelligence briefing, was coincidental.
Grenell’s background is primarily in politics and media affairs. He lacks the extensive national security and military experience of Maguire, as well as previous holders of the position overseeing the nation’s 17 intelligence agencies.
His appointment does little to heal Trump’s fraught relations with the intelligence community, which Trump has derided as part of a “deep state” of entrenched bureaucrats that seek to undermine his agenda. The administration has most notably feuded with the intelligence community over the Russian interference and the events surrounding Trump’s impeachment.
Pierson told NPR in an interview that aired last month that the Russians “are already engaging in influence operations relative to candidates going into 2020. But we do not have evidence at this time that our adversaries are directly looking at interfering with vote counts or the vote tallies.”
Pierson, appointed in July 2019 by then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, works with intelligence agencies like the CIA, the FBI, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to identify anyone seeking to interfere with U.S. elections.
Pierson told NPR that the U.S. doesn’t know exactly what the Russians are planning, but she said it’s not just a Russia problem.
“We’re still also concerned about China, Iran, non-state actors, hacktivists and frankly — certainly for DHS and FBI — even Americans that might be looking to undermine confidence in the elections.”
At an open hearing this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in “information warfare” heading into the November election, but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America’s infrastructure.
He said Russia is relying on a covert social media campaign to divide the American public.


shareblue--2020-02-21--Why is a GOP super PAC spending millions to help a progressive Senate candidate?

A prominent Republican super PAC with ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed on Thursday that it was spending millions on ads to support a progressive candidate running for Senate in North Carolina .
The ads specifically praise the candidate for backing Medicare for All and the Green New Deal .
According to Federal Election Commission filings , the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC funneled $ 2.45 million last month — by far its largest expenditure — and another $ 500,000 this month to the Faith and Power PAC .
That $ 2.95 million represents the sum total raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political committee on Jan. 29 and its most recent financial disclosure on Feb. 12 .
Faith and Power PAC used the bulk of that money to support Erica Smith , a progressive North Carolina state senator who is seeking the Democratic nomination against vulnerable Republican Sen. Thom Tillis this November .
On its website , in radio spots , and in TV ads , Faith and Power PAC praises Smith for supporting the Green New Deal , Medicare for All , Donald Trump 's impeachment , and gun control — things the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One TV ad praises Smith for having `` the courage to vote for Medicare for All '' and calls her `` one of us . ''
It is unclear who that `` us '' is .
Though it is clearly not funded by progressives , the Faith and Power PAC appears to be masquerading as a left-wing organization .
Its website cheers that `` a new generation of leadership—starting with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—is rising to challenge the establishment and its worn-out political class .
They are the hope of our future , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it identifies no board of directors or staff .
So why would a super PAC whose sole goal is `` to protect and expand the Republican Senate Majority when Elizabeth Warren , Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer , together with their army of left-wing activists , try to take it back in 2020 '' be bankrolling a super PAC that purports to be for everything they are against ?
Stephen Law , president and CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund , admitted this week that the effort was intended to force Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We thought that with a relatively small investment we could force them to spend a lot , '' he told The Hill on Thursday .
`` The goal was less to change the ultimate outcome in the Democrat primary than to force the Democrats into a high-spending situation . ''
He noted that Democrats in previous campaigns have used similar tactics , with some success .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has endorsed a different candidate for the seat , former state Sen. Cal Cunningham , believing him the strongest candidate to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support Smith , Law hopes to force Cunningham 's backers to pour more money into the North Carolina primary that could otherwise be spent elsewhere .
Faith and Power PAC , Smith , and Tillis did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story .
In a statement on Friday , Cunningham slammed the McConnell-tied super PAC , saying its efforts were misleading voters .
`` These tactics are the very corruption North Carolinians are fed up with because it 's preventing us from taking action on the issues that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I 've got a message for McConnell and his allies -- your scheme wo n't work and I 'll see you in November , '' he added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A prominent Republican super PAC with ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed on Thursday that it was spending millions on ads to support a progressive candidate running for Senate in North Carolina.
The ads specifically praise the candidate for backing Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC funneled $2.45 million last month — by far its largest expenditure — and another $500,000 this month to the Faith and Power PAC.
That $2.95 million represents the sum total raised between Faith and Power’s registration as a political committee on Jan. 29 and its most recent financial disclosure on Feb. 12.
Faith and Power PAC used the bulk of that money to support Erica Smith, a progressive North Carolina state senator who is seeking the Democratic nomination against vulnerable Republican Sen. Thom Tillis this November.
On its website, in radio spots, and in TV ads, Faith and Power PAC praises Smith for supporting the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, Donald Trump’s impeachment, and gun control — things the Senate Leadership Fund has long vocally opposed.
One TV ad praises Smith for having “the courage to vote for Medicare for All” and calls her “one of us.”
https://youtu.be/8y6tT6ktQGw?list=TLPQMjEwMjIwMjAD2Nw5HRWTFg
It is unclear who that “us” is. Though it is clearly not funded by progressives, the Faith and Power PAC appears to be masquerading as a left-wing organization. Its website cheers that “a new generation of leadership—starting with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—is rising to challenge the establishment and its worn-out political class. They are the hope of our future, and they need our help!” But it identifies no board of directors or staff.
So why would a super PAC whose sole goal is “to protect and expand the Republican Senate Majority when Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, together with their army of left-wing activists, try to take it back in 2020″ be bankrolling a super PAC that purports to be for everything they are against?
Stephen Law, president and CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund, admitted this week that the effort was intended to force Democrats to spend money in the primary.
“We thought that with a relatively small investment we could force them to spend a lot,” he told The Hill on Thursday. “The goal was less to change the ultimate outcome in the Democrat primary than to force the Democrats into a high-spending situation.”
He noted that Democrats in previous campaigns have used similar tactics, with some success.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has endorsed a different candidate for the seat, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, believing him the strongest candidate to take on Tillis. By running ads pretending to support Smith, Law hopes to force Cunningham’s backers to pour more money into the North Carolina primary that could otherwise be spent elsewhere.
Faith and Power PAC and Tillis did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.
In a statement on Friday, Cunningham slammed the McConnell-tied super PAC, saying its efforts were misleading voters.
“These tactics are the very corruption North Carolinians are fed up with because it’s preventing us from taking action on the issues that matter to our neighbors,” he said.
“I’ve got a message for McConnell and his allies — your scheme won’t work and I’ll see you in November,” he added.
Hugh Holston, Smith’s campaign manager, said in an email, “Black women are not chess pawns for DC committees, this is a campaign made up of thousands of supporters counting on Erica’s leadership. Erica is spending every day until March 3rd talking to the voters of North Carolina and I’d suggest that we all keep our eyes on serving them.”
Updated with a statement from the Erica Smith campaign.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-21--Trump's chief of staff won't drop 'acting' title because he makes more money with it

Mick Mulvaney has been Donald Trump 's `` acting '' chief of staff for more than 14 months , making him the longest-serving of the three chiefs of staff Trump 's had since taking office .
Given Mulvaney has been around so long , it 's curious why `` acting '' is still part of his job title given he 's been around for so long .
But on Wednesday , Mulvaney revealed the real reason he keeps the `` acting '' as part of his job title : money .
The New York Times reported that in a question-and-answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mulvaney said that being `` acting '' chief of staff allows him to also keep his role as director of the Office of Management and Budget .
If he gave up the `` acting '' in his job title , he would have to give up his OMB job — leading to a $ 20,000 pay cut .
For Mulvaney to keep a name in his title in order to take more taxpayer money is a hypocritical move for a man who rose to prominence by fighting for fiscal conservatism and cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration , Mulvaney was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus — a group of GOP lawmakers who rankled their party 's leadership when Republicans controlled the House .
House Freedom Caucus members caused numerous headaches for then-House Speaker Paul Ryan , including helping to kill off a GOP attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act back in 2017 .
Mulvaney also admitted at the Oxford Union event that Republicans are hypocritical when it comes to the national debt .
`` My party is very interested in deficits when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
The worst thing in the whole world is deficits when Barack Obama was the president , '' Mulvaney said .
`` Then Donald Trump became president , and we 're a lot less interested as a party . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Mick Mulvaney has been Donald Trump’s “acting” chief of staff for more than 14 months, making him the longest-serving of the three chiefs of staff Trump’s had since taking office.
Given Mulvaney has been around so long, it’s curious why “acting” is still part of his job title given he’s been around for so long.
But on Wednesday, Mulvaney revealed the real reason he keeps the “acting” as part of his job title: money.
The New York Times reported that in a question-and-answer session with the Oxford Union in England, Mulvaney said that being “acting” chief of staff allows him to also keep his role as director of the Office of Management and Budget.
If he gave up the “acting” in his job title, he would have to give up his OMB job — leading to a $20,000 pay cut.
For Mulvaney to keep a name in his title in order to take more taxpayer money is a hypocritical move for a man who rose to prominence by fighting for fiscal conservatism and cutting the national debt.
Before joining the Trump administration, Mulvaney was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus — a group of GOP lawmakers who rankled their party’s leadership when Republicans controlled the House.
House Freedom Caucus members caused numerous headaches for then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, including helping to kill off a GOP attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act back in 2017.
Mulvaney also admitted at the Oxford Union event that Republicans are hypocritical when it comes to the national debt.
“My party is very interested in deficits when there is a Democrat in the White House. The worst thing in the whole world is deficits when Barack Obama was the president,” Mulvaney said. “Then Donald Trump became president, and we’re a lot less interested as a party.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-21--Stephen Miller: Stopping immigrants from entering US is 'all I care about'

Stephen Miller , Donald Trump 's senior policy adviser and the architect of many of his harshest immigration policies , told staff in a meeting last fall that restricting the ability of migrants to come to the United States is `` all I care about . ''
According to the New Yorker , Miller made the comments at a November 2019 meeting with officials from the Departments of Homeland Security , State , and Justice .
The meeting was intended to discuss plans to prohibit migrants from applying for asylum at the U.S. southern border and to force them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they enter instead .
`` One participant in the November meeting pointed out that El Salvador did n't have a functioning asylum system , '' the outlet reported .
`` 'They don ’ t need a system , ' Miller interrupted .
He began speaking over people , asking questions , then cutting off the answers . ''
At the end of the meeting , Miller was even more blunt .
`` I did n't mean to come across as harsh , '' he told officials .
`` It 's just that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have a family .
I do n't have anything else .
This is my life . ''
Miller is widely known as the architect of some of the Trump administration 's most racist immigration policies .
He spearheaded the Muslim Ban , which restricts travel from countries with majority Muslim populations , and has played an integral role in the administration 's efforts to ban refugees from coming to to the United States .
He made headlines in August 2017 when he argued with reporters that the poem mounted on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colossus , '' was not representative of U.S. views on immigration because it was added to the statue later .
That claim is popular among white supremacists and has been pushed by the likes of David Duke , former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan , and white nationalist Richard Spencer .
In November , Miller came under fire for leaked emails that showed him promoting white nationalist propaganda and materials from white supremacist sites .
The emails , mostly between himself and a former Breitbart editor , were so alarming that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to the White House in December demanding Miller be fired .
The letter stated that the emails showed Miller was motivated `` not [ by ] national security '' but rather `` white supremacy — something that has no place in our country , federal government , and especially not the White House . ''
Miller continues to work in the White House .
Trump attended Miller 's February wedding , which took place at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation @

Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s senior policy adviser and the architect of many of his harshest immigration policies, told staff in a meeting last fall that restricting the ability of migrants to come to the United States is “all I care about.”
According to the New Yorker, Miller made the comments at a November 2019 meeting with officials from the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice. The meeting was intended to discuss plans to prohibit migrants from applying for asylum at the U.S. southern border and to force them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter instead.
“One participant in the November meeting pointed out that El Salvador didn’t have a functioning asylum system,” the outlet reported. “‘They don’t need a system,’ Miller interrupted. He began speaking over people, asking questions, then cutting off the answers.”
At the end of the meeting, Miller was even more blunt.
“I didn’t mean to come across as harsh,” he told officials. “It’s just that this is all I care about. I don’t have a family. I don’t have anything else. This is my life.”
Miller is widely known as the architect of some of the Trump administration’s most racist immigration policies. He spearheaded the Muslim Ban, which restricts travel from countries with majority Muslim populations, and has played an integral role in the administration’s efforts to ban refugees from coming to to the United States.
He made headlines in August 2017 when he argued with reporters that the poem mounted on the Statue of Liberty, “The New Colossus,” was not representative of U.S. views on immigration because it was added to the statue later.
That claim is popular among white supremacists and has been pushed by the likes of David Duke, former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, and white nationalist Richard Spencer.
In November, Miller came under fire for leaked emails that showed him promoting white nationalist propaganda and materials from white supremacist sites. The emails, mostly between himself and a former Breitbart editor, were so alarming that a group of 27 senators sent a letter to the White House in December demanding Miller be fired.
The letter stated that the emails showed Miller was motivated “not [by] national security” but rather “white supremacy — something that has no place in our country, federal government, and especially not the White House.”
Miller continues to work in the White House. Trump attended Miller’s February wedding, which took place at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-21--GOP congressmen complain about high insulin costs after voting not to lower them

Several Republican House members are taking to social media to complain about the high cost of insulin , despite voting twice against legislation designed to reign in its cost .
`` The price of insulin has increased 600 % in the last two decades — endangering patients whose access to the drug literally is life or death , '' Rep. Scott Perry ( R-PA ) wrote on Thursday .
`` Americans with diabetes are paying too much for insulin because no affordable generic alternative to brand insulin is available to them , '' Rep. Mike Kelly ( R-PA ) wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rep. Lee Zeldin ( R-NY ) wrote that he supported a partisan , Republican-backed prescription drug bill , noting the high cost of insulin was one issue his legislation would address .
Yet on Dec. 13 , Perry , Kelly , and Zeldin voted against the bipartisan Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act .
That legislation would allow the federal government to negotiate the cost of insulin .
On Dec. 17 , all three voted against the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act , which was included in a year-end appropriations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That legislation , which was signed into law by Donald Trump , will help lower-cost , generic insulin get to patients more quickly , according to Rep. Lauren Underwood ( D-IL ) , the lead sponsor of the bill .
None of the congressmen responded to a request for comment .
Both Perry and Kelly support the Market Access for Generic Insulin Competition , or MAGIC , Act .
The bill currently has the support of only five members of the House , all of whom are Republicans .
Health care affordability and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues voters care about in 2020 .
However , many Republicans in the House have regularly voted against legislation to address both issues , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to hold up legislation that passed over GOP objections .
In 2019 , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it is targeting Kelly , Perry , and Zeldin in hopes of expanding the Democratic majority in the House .
In January , the group announced it would put $ 1 million behind ads focusing on health care and prescription drugs , targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

Several Republican House members are taking to social media to complain about the high cost of insulin, despite voting twice against legislation designed to reign in its cost.
“The price of insulin has increased 600% in the last two decades — endangering patients whose access to the drug literally is life or death,” Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) wrote on Thursday.
“Americans with diabetes are paying too much for insulin because no affordable generic alternative to brand insulin is available to them,” Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) wrote on Jan. 27.
In late December, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) wrote that he supported a partisan, Republican-backed prescription drug bill, noting the high cost of insulin was one issue his legislation would address.
Yet on Dec. 13, Perry, Kelly, and Zeldin voted against the bipartisan Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. That legislation would allow the federal government to negotiate the cost of insulin.
On Dec. 17, all three voted against the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, which was included in a year-end appropriations bill that passed with bipartisan support.
That legislation, which was signed into law by Donald Trump, will help lower-cost, generic insulin get to patients more quickly, according to Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), the lead sponsor of the bill.
None of the congressmen responded to a request for comment.
Both Perry and Kelly support the Market Access for Generic Insulin Competition, or MAGIC, Act. The bill currently has the support of only five members of the House, all of whom are Republicans.
Health care affordability and prescription drug costs are the top two issues voters care about in 2020. However, many Republicans in the House have regularly voted against legislation to address both issues, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to hold up legislation that passed over GOP objections.
In 2019, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it is targeting Kelly, Perry, and Zeldin in hopes of expanding the Democratic majority in the House. In January, the group announced it would put $1 million behind ads focusing on health care and prescription drugs, targeting vulnerable Republican members.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-22--Nevada Democrats look to avoid Iowa caucus mistakes

Nevada Democrats are hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos that ensnared the Iowa caucuses , as voters gather across the Silver State on Saturday to make their presidential preferences known .
Iowa 's process cratered this month following a rushed effort by state Democrats to deploy a mobile app for caucus volunteers to report results .
Democrats in Nevada were going to use the same app developer as Iowa did , but quickly sidelined those plans .
They will still be relying to some extent on technology to assist in counting and reporting results , though , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backups .
How similar is the Nevada caucus process to Iowa 's ?
Very similar , which is why there are concerns about a potential repeat of the problems .
As in Iowa , the Nevada caucuses are run by the state Democratic party .
By contrast , primaries and general elections are run by government officials .
And just like in Iowa , precinct captains in Nevada will be asked for the first time to report results from every stage of the process , revealing how the results are calculated .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four days of early voting , in which some 75,000 voters have already cast ballots .
It 's a considerable number given 84,000 people attended Democratic caucuses in 2016 .
It is the first time the Nevada caucuses have had early voting .
On Saturday , those votes will be merged with caucus votes at neighborhood precincts — a complicated step that some election observers say could trip up volunteers running the caucuses .
Could Nevada experience the same problems that hobbled Iowa 's caucuses ?
In Iowa , the inability of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their phones , or to use it successfully , triggered a flood of calls to the party ’ s hotline and dramatically slowed the process of reporting results .
And a coding issue within the mobile app muddied the data that was sent in , creating discrepancies that halted the reporting of initial results for nearly 24 hours .
In Nevada , caucus organizers will not need to download anything , but they will be asked to work on an iPad and navigate a Google form designed to integrate early voters into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Google app and iPads are trusted commercial tech tools , but election experts have warned that deploying any technology late in the process , like Nevada did , increases the risk of problems .
Paper records of the early vote will be available if needed .
Volunteers say that hands-on training with the iPads and the Google form wasn ’ t even available until late Tuesday , giving little time for people , particularly those who are not tech-savvy , to practice .
How will the caucuses be conducted ?
Caucuses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , voters go to the polls , cast ballots and leave .
At a caucus , voters gather at local precincts and declare support for their chosen candidate .
Then , some have an opportunity to switch sides .
Here , in four steps , is how it will unfold in Nevada .
1 .
The `` first alignment : '' Voters arriving at their caucus site will fill out a card that lists their first choice , and those results will be tabulated .
2 .
Switching if necessary : Caucus-goers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 15 % of the vote can switch their support to a different candidate .
If these voters don ’ t choose another candidate , their vote won ’ t count in the final alignment .
3 .
The `` final alignment : '' The results of this stage will be tabulated to determine the caucuses ' `` final alignment . ''
Only candidates who receive at least 15 % of the vote at that precinct — the so-called viable candidates — will be counted in the final alignment .
Non-viable candidates get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
Calculating delegates .
The final alignment votes are then used to calculate the number of county convention delegates awarded to each candidate .
( Each precinct has a certain number of county delegates to award ) .
Nevada will award 36 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention , based on the number of county convention delegates each candidate wins , both statewide and in individual congressional districts .
What results will Democrats release out of the caucuses ?
There will be three sets of results : • Tallies of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The total number of delegates to county conventions won by candidates .
The first and final alignment results are n't new , but this is the first time the party has made them public .
Who will the AP declare the winner of the caucuses ?
The AP will declare the winner of the caucuses based on the number of county convention delegates each candidate receives .
That ’ s because Democrats choose their overall nominee based on delegates .
The other results will provide valuable insights into the process and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates have the most direct bearing on the metric Democrats use to pick their nominee .
So that 's the number to watch .
However , the AP will report all three results as they are released .
Could the results be delayed like in Iowa ?
It 's possible .
Party officials have said they will be guided by accuracy over speed .
Factors that include the integration of early votes into the process and potentially high turnout , could affect the tabulation and timing of results .
Early voting is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there 's been some uncertainty about how early voters would be included in later stages of the caucus process .
If everything goes smoothly with the iPads and the Google forms , this part of the process could go quickly .
But if volunteers are left to rely on complex instructions and doing math by hand , it could slow everything down .
Why are Democrats making this change ?
The new rules were mandated by the Democratic National Committee as part of a package of changes sought by Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 presidential primaries .
The changes were designed to make the caucus system more transparent and to make sure that even the lowest-performing candidates get public credit for all the votes they receive .

Nevada Democrats are hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos that ensnared the Iowa caucuses, as voters gather across the Silver State on Saturday to make their presidential preferences known. Iowa’s process cratered this month following a rushed effort by state Democrats to deploy a mobile app for caucus volunteers to report results. Democrats in Nevada were going to use the same app developer as Iowa did, but quickly sidelined those plans. They will still be relying to some extent on technology to assist in counting and reporting results, though, and like Iowa, they will have paper backups.
Questions and answers about Nevada’s preparations:
How similar is the Nevada caucus process to Iowa’s?
Very similar, which is why there are concerns about a potential repeat of the problems. As in Iowa, the Nevada caucuses are run by the state Democratic party. By contrast, primaries and general elections are run by government officials. And just like in Iowa, precinct captains in Nevada will be asked for the first time to report results from every stage of the process, revealing how the results are calculated.
One important difference is that Nevada has had four days of early voting, in which some 75,000 voters have already cast ballots. It’s a considerable number given 84,000 people attended Democratic caucuses in 2016. It is the first time the Nevada caucuses have had early voting. On Saturday, those votes will be merged with caucus votes at neighborhood precincts — a complicated step that some election observers say could trip up volunteers running the caucuses.
Could Nevada experience the same problems that hobbled Iowa’s caucuses?
In Iowa, the inability of some caucus organizers to download the app on their phones, or to use it successfully, triggered a flood of calls to the party’s hotline and dramatically slowed the process of reporting results. And a coding issue within the mobile app muddied the data that was sent in, creating discrepancies that halted the reporting of initial results for nearly 24 hours.
In Nevada, caucus organizers will not need to download anything, but they will be asked to work on an iPad and navigate a Google form designed to integrate early voters into the in-person caucus process and calculate results. The Google app and iPads are trusted commercial tech tools, but election experts have warned that deploying any technology late in the process, like Nevada did, increases the risk of problems. Paper records of the early vote will be available if needed.
Volunteers say that hands-on training with the iPads and the Google form wasn’t even available until late Tuesday, giving little time for people, particularly those who are not tech-savvy, to practice.
How will the caucuses be conducted?
Caucuses are different from primary elections. In a primary, voters go to the polls, cast ballots and leave. At a caucus, voters gather at local precincts and declare support for their chosen candidate. Then, some have an opportunity to switch sides.
Here, in four steps, is how it will unfold in Nevada.
1. The “first alignment:” Voters arriving at their caucus site will fill out a card that lists their first choice, and those results will be tabulated.
2. Switching if necessary: Caucus-goers whose first-choice candidate fails to get at least 15% of the vote can switch their support to a different candidate. If these voters don’t choose another candidate, their vote won’t count in the final alignment.
3. The “final alignment:” The results of this stage will be tabulated to determine the caucuses’ “final alignment.” Only candidates who receive at least 15% of the vote at that precinct — the so-called viable candidates — will be counted in the final alignment. Non-viable candidates get zero votes in the final alignment.
4. Calculating delegates. The final alignment votes are then used to calculate the number of county convention delegates awarded to each candidate. (Each precinct has a certain number of county delegates to award). Nevada will award 36 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention, based on the number of county convention delegates each candidate wins, both statewide and in individual congressional districts.
What results will Democrats release out of the caucuses?
There will be three sets of results:
Tallies of the “first alignment” of caucus-goers;
The caucus-goers’ “final alignment”;
The total number of delegates to county conventions won by candidates.
The first and final alignment results aren’t new, but this is the first time the party has made them public.
Who will the AP declare the winner of the caucuses?
The AP will declare the winner of the caucuses based on the number of county convention delegates each candidate receives. That’s because Democrats choose their overall nominee based on delegates. The other results will provide valuable insights into the process and the strength of candidates, but the county delegates have the most direct bearing on the metric Democrats use to pick their nominee. So that’s the number to watch.
However, the AP will report all three results as they are released.
Could the results be delayed like in Iowa?
It’s possible. Party officials have said they will be guided by accuracy over speed. Factors that include the integration of early votes into the process and potentially high turnout, could affect the tabulation and timing of results. Early voting is a complicated step that Iowa did not attempt, and there’s been some uncertainty about how early voters would be included in later stages of the caucus process.
If everything goes smoothly with the iPads and the Google forms, this part of the process could go quickly. But if volunteers are left to rely on complex instructions and doing math by hand, it could slow everything down.
Why are Democrats making this change?
The new rules were mandated by the Democratic National Committee as part of a package of changes sought by Bernie Sanders following his loss to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primaries. The changes were designed to make the caucus system more transparent and to make sure that even the lowest-performing candidates get public credit for all the votes they receive.


shareblue--2020-02-22--Comedy returns to the White House correspondents' dinner

Comedians are making their return to the White House Correspondents ' Dinner after last year 's hiatus .
Kenan Thompson of `` Saturday Night Live '' and Hasan Minhaj of Netflix 's `` Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj '' will headline this year 's dinner , which takes place April 25 .
Presidents and first ladies have traditionally attended the dinner , which serves as a celebration of the First Amendment as well as a fundraiser for college scholarships .
Reporting awards are given out as well .
But Donald Trump has skipped the dinner since taking office and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just four days before last year 's dinner , the White House announced that administration officials would be joining Trump in boycotting the dinner .
The White House declined to comment about whether Trump would attend this year .
Last year 's dinner featured Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow after some dinner attendees and commentators complained that a sharply anti-Trump performance by comedian Michelle Wolf in 2018 was too pointed and unfairly targeted then-White House press secretary Sarah Sanders .
Thompson will serve as this year 's host .
Minhaj will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two of the most engaged and engaging entertainers in America .
I 'm thrilled they 'll help us celebrate the role of a free press in our democracy , '' said Jonathan Karl , Chief White House correspondent for ABC News and president of the White House Correspondents ' Association .
Thompson is currently in his 17th season on `` Saturday Night Live '' where he has set a record for the most celebrity impressions performed on the show .
In 2018 , he received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series .
Minhaj won a Peabody award in 2019 for his humorous examination of issues of domestic and global import .
He was the entertainer at the 2017 correspondents ' dinner when he was a senior correspondent on `` The Daily Show . ''

Comedians are making their return to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after last year’s hiatus.
Kenan Thompson of “Saturday Night Live” and Hasan Minhaj of Netflix’s “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” will headline this year’s dinner, which takes place April 25.
Presidents and first ladies have traditionally attended the dinner, which serves as a celebration of the First Amendment as well as a fundraiser for college scholarships. Reporting awards are given out as well.
But Donald Trump has skipped the dinner since taking office and instead has elected to hold campaign rallies. Just four days before last year’s dinner, the White House announced that administration officials would be joining Trump in boycotting the dinner.
The White House declined to comment about whether Trump would attend this year.
Last year’s dinner featured Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow after some dinner attendees and commentators complained that a sharply anti-Trump performance by comedian Michelle Wolf in 2018 was too pointed and unfairly targeted then-White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.
Thompson will serve as this year’s host. Minhaj will be the featured entertainer.
“Kenan and Hasan are two of the most engaged and engaging entertainers in America. I’m thrilled they’ll help us celebrate the role of a free press in our democracy,” said Jonathan Karl, Chief White House correspondent for ABC News and president of the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Thompson is currently in his 17th season on “Saturday Night Live” where he has set a record for the most celebrity impressions performed on the show. In 2018, he received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Minhaj won a Peabody award in 2019 for his humorous examination of issues of domestic and global import. He was the entertainer at the 2017 correspondents’ dinner when he was a senior correspondent on “The Daily Show.”


shareblue--2020-02-23--EPA to monitor toxic chemicals found in everyday products

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it plans to regulate two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds in the drinking water amid growing concerns the chemicals found in everything from pizza boxes to carpet pose a health hazard .
The agency is targeting a class of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances , or PFAS .
It will regulate the compounds , PFOA and PFOS , which are among the oldest chemicals in this class and have been phased out in the United States .
It also plans to research whether other PFAS chemicals will be added to the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come under fire from environmentalists for only setting a nonbinding health threshold of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water .
Several states have responded by setting their own PFAS limits for drinking water that are far tougher than the federal guidance .
`` The U.S. leads the world in providing access to safe drinking water for its citizens , thanks in part to EPA 's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act , '' Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement .
The move comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public drinking water systems , private wells , sludge from wastewater treatment plants , and even food .
Military installations that use PFAS-laden firefighting foam and businesses that work with PFAS are two big sources of water contamination .
Known as `` forever chemicals '' because they persist in the environment , the compounds have also been linked to a growing list of health problems .
Federal studies of people heavily exposed to the compounds have found links between high blood levels of older kinds of PFAS and a range of health problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weights , and testicular and kidney cancer .
Environmentalists welcomed the move but argued it should have come much sooner .
`` It 's decades too late but it 's better late than never , '' Scott Faber , Environmental Working Group 's senior vice president for government affairs , said in a statement .
`` It could still take years — if ever — for EPA to issue a final standard .
But it 's a step in the right the direction , and it would not have happened but for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Messmer , co-founder of the New Hampshire Safe Water Alliance , which pushed for tough PFAS drinking water standards in the state , said the EPA announcement falls far short of what is needed to protect public health .
`` EPA needs to move quickly to prevent chronic disease by halting the use of the entire class of these industrial toxins until they are proven safe , '' Messmer said in a statement .
`` Every single day , these chemicals continue to contaminate the air and water ... EPA needs to reevaluate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate interests , to move expeditiously to protect public health . ''

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it plans to regulate two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds in the drinking water amid growing concerns the chemicals found in everything from pizza boxes to carpet pose a health hazard.
The agency is targeting a class of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. It will regulate the compounds, PFOA and PFOS, which are among the oldest chemicals in this class and have been phased out in the United States. It also plans to research whether other PFAS chemicals will be added to the list.
Until now, the agency has come under fire from environmentalists for only setting a nonbinding health threshold of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Several states have responded by setting their own PFAS limits for drinking water that are far tougher than the federal guidance.
“The U.S. leads the world in providing access to safe drinking water for its citizens, thanks in part to EPA’s implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act,” Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement.
The move comes as the chemicals are increasingly turning up in public drinking water systems, private wells, sludge from wastewater treatment plants, and even food. Military installations that use PFAS-laden firefighting foam and businesses that work with PFAS are two big sources of water contamination.
Known as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment, the compounds have also been linked to a growing list of health problems.
Federal studies of people heavily exposed to the compounds have found links between high blood levels of older kinds of PFAS and a range of health problems, including liver issues, low birth weights, and testicular and kidney cancer.
Environmentalists welcomed the move but argued it should have come much sooner.
“It’s decades too late but it’s better late than never,” Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president for government affairs, said in a statement. “It could still take years — if ever — for EPA to issue a final standard. But it’s a step in the right the direction, and it would not have happened but for a bipartisan sense of outrage.”
Mindi Messmer, co-founder of the New Hampshire Safe Water Alliance, which pushed for tough PFAS drinking water standards in the state, said the EPA announcement falls far short of what is needed to protect public health.
“EPA needs to move quickly to prevent chronic disease by halting the use of the entire class of these industrial toxins until they are proven safe,” Messmer said in a statement. “Every single day, these chemicals continue to contaminate the air and water … EPA needs to reevaluate the science, not the politics or corporate interests, to move expeditiously to protect public health.”


shareblue--2020-02-23--Bernie Sanders wins Nevada caucuses and takes Democratic lead

Bernie Sanders scored a resounding victory in Nevada 's presidential caucuses on Saturday , cementing his status as the Democrats ' national front-runner amid escalating tensions over whether he 's too liberal to defeat Donald Trump .
The 78-year-old Vermont senator successfully rallied his fiercely loyal base and tapped into support from Nevada 's large Latino community as the Democratic contest moved for the first time into a state with a significant minority population .
The win built on Sanders ' win earlier this month in the New Hampshire primary .
He essentially tied for first place in the Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor of South Bend , Indiana , who has sought to position himself as an ideological counter to Sanders ' unabashed progressive politics but was fighting for a distant second place in Nevada .
The victory , while encouraging for Sanders supporters , only deepens concern among establishment-minded Democratic leaders who fear that the self-described democratic socialist is too extreme to defeat Trump .
Sanders for decades has been calling for transformative policies to address inequities in politics and the economy , none bigger than his signature `` Medicare for All '' health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance system with a government-run universal system .
Despite establishment anxiety , moderates are struggling to unify behind a single candidate , and the vote on Saturday was again split between several centrists , including Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Also in the mix : Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who desperately needed a spark to revive her stalled bid ; billionaire Tom Steyer , who spent more than $ 12 million on Nevada television , and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who hoped to prove her strong New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos of Iowa 's caucuses , there were concerns about Nevada 's similar setup .
But no major problems were in sight .
At noon , under sunny skies , dozens of uniformed housekeepers and casino workers cast ballots in the Bellagio , one of seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip among 200 locations statewide that hosted caucuses .
Nevada is the third contest on a 2020 election calendar marked by chaos and uncertainty after the opening votes in Iowa and New Hampshire , overwhelmingly white , rural states .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates ' strength with black and Latino voters for the first time in 2020 .
Nevada 's population aligns more with the U.S. as a whole , compared with Iowa and New Hampshire : 29 % Latino , 10 % black , and 9 % Asian American and Pacific Islander .
Self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders has emerged as the front-runner in the race so far as a half-dozen more moderate candidates criticize one another .
Each wants to be the preferred alternative to the Vermont senator in the race to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show of confidence , Sanders left Nevada early to rally supporters in Texas , which offers one of the biggest delegate troves in just 10 days on Super Tuesday .
The progressive senator told cheering supporters in El Paso that Trump is `` a pathological liar running a corrupt administration . ''
`` When we come together there is nothing we ca n't accomplish , '' Sanders declared .
The Nevada verdict represents the third in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending only at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But with two more rounds of voting scheduled over the next 10 days — including Super Tuesday 's massive delegate haul — the party may identify a consensus candidate long before the convention .
Sanders and his allies were increasingly confident about his strength in the race .
In Nevada , he has strong support from Latinos and rank-and-file union workers who have warmed to his calls to transform the nation 's economy and political system to help the working class .
There was skepticism about Pete Buttigieg 's ability to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Joe Biden , who struggled in those early states , looked to Nevada 's voters of color to prove he still has a viable path to the nomination .
Elizabeth Warren and Klobuchar were fighting for momentum , hoping to benefit from a sudden surge of outside money from newly created super PACs .
Klobuchar , campaigning in her home state of Minnesota Saturday night , claimed Nevada a success no matter what .
`` As usual I think we have exceeded expectations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who dominated the political conversation this week after a poor debate-stage debut , was n't on the ballot .
He 's betting everything on a series of delegate-rich states that begin voting next month .
Billionaire Tom Steyer spent more than $ 12 million of his own money on television advertising in Nevada , according to data obtained by The Associated Press .
Trump weighed in on social media , continuing his weekslong push to sow discord between Sanders and his Democratic rivals .
`` Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & the rest look weak , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Congratulations Bernie , & do n't let them take it away from you ! ''
The stakes were high for Nevada Democrats to avoid a repeat of the chaos in Iowa , and it appeared Saturday 's caucuses were largely successful .
The developer the Nevada Democrats had planned to use had its mobile app fail spectacularly in Iowa .
Nearly three weeks later , Iowa Democratic officials have yet to post final results .
But resources poured into Nevada , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorly executed election .
Unlike state primaries and the November election , which are run by government officials , caucuses are overseen by state parties .
Nevada Democrats sought to minimize problems by creating multiple redundancies in their reporting system , relying on results called in by phone , a paper worksheet filled out by caucus organizers , a photo of that worksheet sent in by text message and electronic results captured with a Google form .
They relied on trusted commercial tech that appeared to smooth the process .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully navigate a complicated process for adding early voting to the caucus process .
Nearly 75,000 people cast early ballots over a four-day period , and the party was able to process those in time for Saturday so they could be integrated into the in-person vote .
At the Bellagio caucus site , 41-year-old Christian Nielsen , a scuba diver for the Cirque du Soleil show `` O , '' said he backed Sanders because he believes the country needs a `` major change in the White House . ''
`` We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on the right side of history for their entire career , somebody who stands with the working class , and will make things more fair for everybody , '' Nielsen said .
The Democrats ' 2020 nomination fight shifted beyond Nevada even before the final results were known .
Only Biden , Buttigieg , and Steyer were still in the state when news of Sanders ' victory was announced .
Sanders and Klobuchar spent the night in Super Tuesday states .
And Warren , who began Saturday in Las Vegas , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which hosts its election on March 10 but has already begun offering early voting .

Bernie Sanders scored a resounding victory in Nevada’s presidential caucuses on Saturday, cementing his status as the Democrats’ national front-runner amid escalating tensions over whether he’s too liberal to defeat Donald Trump.
The 78-year-old Vermont senator successfully rallied his fiercely loyal base and tapped into support from Nevada’s large Latino community as the Democratic contest moved for the first time into a state with a significant minority population.
The win built on Sanders’ win earlier this month in the New Hampshire primary. He essentially tied for first place in the Iowa caucuses with Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who has sought to position himself as an ideological counter to Sanders’ unabashed progressive politics but was fighting for a distant second place in Nevada.
The victory, while encouraging for Sanders supporters, only deepens concern among establishment-minded Democratic leaders who fear that the self-described democratic socialist is too extreme to defeat Trump.
Sanders for decades has been calling for transformative policies to address inequities in politics and the economy, none bigger than his signature “Medicare for All” health care plan that would replace the private insurance system with a government-run universal system.
Despite establishment anxiety, moderates are struggling to unify behind a single candidate, and the vote on Saturday was again split between several centrists, including Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Also in the mix: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who desperately needed a spark to revive her stalled bid; billionaire Tom Steyer, who spent more than $12 million on Nevada television, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who hoped to prove her strong New Hampshire finish was no fluke.
After the chaos of Iowa’s caucuses, there were concerns about Nevada’s similar setup. But no major problems were in sight.
At noon, under sunny skies, dozens of uniformed housekeepers and casino workers cast ballots in the Bellagio, one of seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip among 200 locations statewide that hosted caucuses. Nevada is the third contest on a 2020 election calendar marked by chaos and uncertainty after the opening votes in Iowa and New Hampshire, overwhelmingly white, rural states.
The first presidential contest in the West is testing the candidates’ strength with black and Latino voters for the first time in 2020. Nevada’s population aligns more with the U.S. as a whole, compared with Iowa and New Hampshire: 29% Latino, 10% black, and 9% Asian American and Pacific Islander.
Self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders has emerged as the front-runner in the race so far as a half-dozen more moderate candidates criticize one another. Each wants to be the preferred alternative to the Vermont senator in the race to take on Trump in November.
In a show of confidence, Sanders left Nevada early to rally supporters in Texas, which offers one of the biggest delegate troves in just 10 days on Super Tuesday. The progressive senator told cheering supporters in El Paso that Trump is “a pathological liar running a corrupt administration.”
“When we come together there is nothing we can’t accomplish,” Sanders declared.
The Nevada verdict represents the third in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories, ending only at the party’s national convention in July. But with two more rounds of voting scheduled over the next 10 days — including Super Tuesday’s massive delegate haul — the party may identify a consensus candidate long before the convention.
Sanders and his allies were increasingly confident about his strength in the race. In Nevada, he has strong support from Latinos and rank-and-file union workers who have warmed to his calls to transform the nation’s economy and political system to help the working class.
There was skepticism about Pete Buttigieg’s ability to win over a more diverse set of voters after strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Joe Biden, who struggled in those early states, looked to Nevada’s voters of color to prove he still has a viable path to the nomination.
Elizabeth Warren and Klobuchar were fighting for momentum, hoping to benefit from a sudden surge of outside money from newly created super PACs.
Klobuchar, campaigning in her home state of Minnesota Saturday night, claimed Nevada a success no matter what. “As usual I think we have exceeded expectations.”
New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who dominated the political conversation this week after a poor debate-stage debut, wasn’t on the ballot. He’s betting everything on a series of delegate-rich states that begin voting next month.
Billionaire Tom Steyer spent more than $12 million of his own money on television advertising in Nevada, according to data obtained by The Associated Press.
Trump weighed in on social media, continuing his weekslong push to sow discord between Sanders and his Democratic rivals.
“Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak,” Trump tweeted. “Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!”
The stakes were high for Nevada Democrats to avoid a repeat of the chaos in Iowa, and it appeared Saturday’s caucuses were largely successful.
The developer the Nevada Democrats had planned to use had its mobile app fail spectacularly in Iowa. Nearly three weeks later, Iowa Democratic officials have yet to post final results. But resources poured into Nevada, as Democrats realized they could ill afford another poorly executed election.
Unlike state primaries and the November election, which are run by government officials, caucuses are overseen by state parties.
Nevada Democrats sought to minimize problems by creating multiple redundancies in their reporting system, relying on results called in by phone, a paper worksheet filled out by caucus organizers, a photo of that worksheet sent in by text message and electronic results captured with a Google form. They relied on trusted commercial tech that appeared to smooth the process.
In addition, it appeared Nevada Democrats were able to successfully navigate a complicated process for adding early voting to the caucus process. Nearly 75,000 people cast early ballots over a four-day period, and the party was able to process those in time for Saturday so they could be integrated into the in-person vote.
At the Bellagio caucus site, 41-year-old Christian Nielsen, a scuba diver for the Cirque du Soleil show “O,” said he backed Sanders because he believes the country needs a “major change in the White House.”
“We need somebody in the White House who has been on the right side of history for their entire career, somebody who stands with the working class, and will make things more fair for everybody,” Nielsen said.
The Democrats’ 2020 nomination fight shifted beyond Nevada even before the final results were known.
Only Biden, Buttigieg, and Steyer were still in the state when news of Sanders’ victory was announced.
Sanders and Klobuchar spent the night in Super Tuesday states. And Warren, who began Saturday in Las Vegas, was to finish the day in Washington state, which hosts its election on March 10 but has already begun offering early voting.


shareblue--2020-02-23--Federal agent accused of conspiring with cartel to launder money

A once-standout U.S. federal narcotics agent known for spending lavishly on luxury cars and Tiffany jewelry has been arrested on charges of conspiring to launder money with the same Colombian drug cartel he was supposed to be fighting .
The FBI arrested Jose Irizarry and his wife , Nathalia Gomez-Irizarry , Friday at their home near San Juan , Puerto Rico , according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case .
In an indictment unsealed Friday , federal prosecutors in Tampa , Florida , accuse Irizarry of `` secretly using his position and his special access to information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from DEA control .
Prosecutors allege the conspiracy not only enriched Irizarry but benefited two unindicted co-conspirators , neither of whom is named in the indictment .
One was employed as a Colombian public official while the other was described as the Colombian head of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization who became the godfather to the Irizarry couple 's children in 2015 .
Irizarry was posted to the Colombian resort city of Cartagena at the time .
When The Associated Press revealed the scale of Irizarry 's alleged wrongdoing last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where his ostentatious habits and tales of raucous yacht parties with bikini-clad prostitutes were legendary among agents .
But prior to being exposed , Irizarry had been a model agent , winning awards and praise from his supervisors .
While an agent in Miami beginning in 2009 , he was entrusted with an undercover money laundering operation using front companies , shell bank accounts and couriers .
Irizarry resigned in January 2018 after being reassigned to Washington when his boss in Colombia became suspicious '' It 's a black eye for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in such a high level of corruption , '' said Mike Vigil , the DEA 's former Chief of International Operations .
He credited federal authorities , however , for identifying the scheme and bringing charges .
The case has raised concerns within the DEA that the conspiracy may have compromised undercover operations and upend criminal cases .
`` His fingerprints are all over dozens of arrests and indictment , '' said David S. Weinstein , a former federal prosecutor in Miami .
`` It could have a ripple effect and cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in . ''
Irizarry and his wife posted $ 10,000 bond each and were released .
The DEA referred comment to the Justice Department and messages to Irizarry 's attorney were not immediately returned .
Starting around 2011 , Irizarry allegedly used the cover of his badge to file false reports and mislead his superiors , all while directing DEA personnel to wire funds reserved for undercover stings to accounts in Spain , the Netherlands , and elsewhere that he controlled or were tied to his wife and his co-conspirators .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement information with his co-conspirators .
Proceeds from the alleged scheme funded a veritable spending spree .
It included the purchase of a $ 30,000 Tiffany diamond ring , a BMW and Land Rover as well as a $ 760,000 home in Cartagena as well as homes in south Florida and Puerto Rico , where the couple has been living .
To hide his tracks , Irizarry allegedly opened a bank account in someone else 's name and used the victim 's forged signature and Social Security number .
It also funded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huracan Spyder on behalf of a family member of co-conspirator 2 .
A red Lamborghini with the same vehicle ID named in the indictment belongs to Jenny Ambuila , who was arrested last year in Colombia along with her father , Oma Ambuila , a customs agent in the port of Buenaventura , a major transit point for cocaine and contraband goods used to conceal the proceeds of narcotics sales .
Before her arrest , Ambuila shared photos and videos of herself on Facebook posing next to the red sports car , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The indictment was handed up a week after another former DEA agent was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a decade long drug conspiracy that involved the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York .

A once-standout U.S. federal narcotics agent known for spending lavishly on luxury cars and Tiffany jewelry has been arrested on charges of conspiring to launder money with the same Colombian drug cartel he was supposed to be fighting.
The FBI arrested Jose Irizarry and his wife, Nathalia Gomez-Irizarry, Friday at their home near San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case.
In an indictment unsealed Friday, federal prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, accuse Irizarry of “secretly using his position and his special access to information” to divert millions in drug proceeds from DEA control.
Prosecutors allege the conspiracy not only enriched Irizarry but benefited two unindicted co-conspirators, neither of whom is named in the indictment. One was employed as a Colombian public official while the other was described as the Colombian head of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization who became the godfather to the Irizarry couple’s children in 2015. Irizarry was posted to the Colombian resort city of Cartagena at the time.
When The Associated Press revealed the scale of Irizarry’s alleged wrongdoing last year, it sent shockwaves through the DEA, where his ostentatious habits and tales of raucous yacht parties with bikini-clad prostitutes were legendary among agents.
But prior to being exposed, Irizarry had been a model agent, winning awards and praise from his supervisors. While an agent in Miami beginning in 2009, he was entrusted with an undercover money laundering operation using front companies, shell bank accounts and couriers. Irizarry resigned in January 2018 after being reassigned to Washington when his boss in Colombia became suspicious
“It’s a black eye for the DEA to have one of its own engaged in such a high level of corruption,” said Mike Vigil, the DEA’s former Chief of International Operations. He credited federal authorities, however, for identifying the scheme and bringing charges.
The case has raised concerns within the DEA that the conspiracy may have compromised undercover operations and upend criminal cases.
“His fingerprints are all over dozens of arrests and indictment,” said David S. Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Miami. “It could have a ripple effect and cause courts to re-examine any case he was involved in.”
Irizarry and his wife posted $10,000 bond each and were released. The DEA referred comment to the Justice Department and messages to Irizarry’s attorney were not immediately returned.
Starting around 2011, Irizarry allegedly used the cover of his badge to file false reports and mislead his superiors, all while directing DEA personnel to wire funds reserved for undercover stings to accounts in Spain, the Netherlands, and elsewhere that he controlled or were tied to his wife and his co-conspirators.
He’s also accused of sharing sensitive law enforcement information with his co-conspirators.
Proceeds from the alleged scheme funded a veritable spending spree. It included the purchase of a $30,000 Tiffany diamond ring, a BMW and Land Rover as well as a $760,000 home in Cartagena as well as homes in south Florida and Puerto Rico, where the couple has been living. To hide his tracks, Irizarry allegedly opened a bank account in someone else’s name and used the victim’s forged signature and Social Security number.
It also funded the purchase in Miami of a 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder on behalf of a family member of co-conspirator 2.
A red Lamborghini with the same vehicle ID named in the indictment belongs to Jenny Ambuila, who was arrested last year in Colombia along with her father, Oma Ambuila, a customs agent in the port of Buenaventura, a major transit point for cocaine and contraband goods used to conceal the proceeds of narcotics sales. Before her arrest, Ambuila shared photos and videos of herself on Facebook posing next to the red sports car, which is valued at more than $300,000.
The indictment was handed up a week after another former DEA agent was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a decade long drug conspiracy that involved the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York.


shareblue--2020-02-24--Biggest conservative conference to feature 'play' about FBI agents Trump loves to mock

Attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference will have a new form of entertainment at the annual gathering this week : a showing of a `` play '' about two FBI officials who Donald Trump and Republicans wrongly claim tainted the Russia investigation .
On Thursday , CPAC will put on a performance of `` FBI Lovebirds : UnderCovers , '' in which a cast of D-list actors will read the text messages of former FBI officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok .
Page and Strzok were having an affair during the FBI 's probe into the Trump campaign 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Trump Fox News hosts , Republicans have taken the text messages and run with them , claiming they showed an unfair bias against Trump within the FBI — a bogus claim .
Trump even mimicked Page having an orgasm on stage at one of his recent rallies — an action that sparked Page to speak publicly about Trump 's attacks on her .
Dean Cain , who played Superman on television in the 1990s , plays Strzok , while Kristy Swanson , who played Buffy in the 1992 film `` Buffy the Vampire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to the play , CPAC will also offer Trump supporters a buffet of red meat .
There will be multiple panels featuring Trump-supporting Republican members of Congress talking about Trump 's impeachment , which the conference is calling `` the coup . ''
Both Mike Pence and Trump will also speak at the event ; Pence is speaking on Thursday morning , while Trump will speak on Saturday .
At last year 's CPAC , Trump tossed his script and spoke for more than two hours in an off-the-rails speech filled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump had had an awful week .
He returned from a summit with North Korea 's Kim Jong Un without getting any of the concessions he wanted , leading to widespread criticism and mocking of his trip .
And his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen had just testified before Congress , in which he called Trump a `` racist , '' a `` con man , '' and a `` cheat . ''
While the theme of Trump 's speech this year is unknown , it is like that he will still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquittal from GOP senators after the only impeachment trial in history that did not call witnesses .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference will have a new form of entertainment at the annual gathering this week: a showing of a “play” about two FBI officials who Donald Trump and Republicans wrongly claim tainted the Russia investigation.
On Thursday, CPAC will put on a performance of “FBI Lovebirds: UnderCovers,” in which a cast of D-list actors will read the text messages of former FBI officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. Page and Strzok were having an affair during the FBI’s probe into the Trump campaign’s possible ties to Russia.
Fueled by pro-Trump Fox News hosts, Republicans have taken the text messages and run with them, claiming they showed an unfair bias against Trump within the FBI — a bogus claim. Trump even mimicked Page having an orgasm on stage at one of his recent rallies — an action that sparked Page to speak publicly about Trump’s attacks on her.
Dean Cain, who played Superman on television in the 1990s, plays Strzok, while Kristy Swanson, who played Buffy in the 1992 film “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” plays Page.
In addition to the play, CPAC will also offer Trump supporters a buffet of red meat.
There will be multiple panels featuring Trump-supporting Republican members of Congress talking about Trump’s impeachment, which the conference is calling “the coup.”
Both Mike Pence and Trump will also speak at the event; Pence is speaking on Thursday morning, while Trump will speak on Saturday.
At last year’s CPAC, Trump tossed his script and spoke for more than two hours in an off-the-rails speech filled with lies and mistruths.
At the time, Trump had had an awful week. He returned from a summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un without getting any of the concessions he wanted, leading to widespread criticism and mocking of his trip. And his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen had just testified before Congress, in which he called Trump a “racist,” a “con man,” and a “cheat.”
While the theme of Trump’s speech this year is unknown, it is like that he will still be raging about impeachment, despite an acquittal from GOP senators after the only impeachment trial in history that did not call witnesses.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-24--West Virginia's new abortion bill 'does absolutely nothing' but threaten doctors

West Virginia already severely restricts access to abortion .
The state mandates that abortion patients receive `` counseling '' explicitly designed to deter them from seeking an abortion .
There 's a 24-hour waiting period .
There 's a parental notification law .
And there 's a ban on receiving abortions after 20 weeks .
The `` Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act , '' which recently passed the state Senate , is just another thinly veiled assault on abortion rights .
While the bill purports to add penalties for doctors not providing adequate medical care to infants born `` during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal experts , and abortion rights advocates have all stated that it 's nothing more than political posturing .
As state Sen. Mike Romano , a Democrat , pointed out , the bill is unnecessary because the murder of a child is already a crime in West Virginia — as it is anywhere else .
`` A child born alive who would somehow be killed , that would be murder .
It would clearly be murder , there 's nobody doing that and if they do do it they 're in jail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate vote .
He also noted the bill `` is n't going to change anything . ''
West Virginia 's proposed law already passed the state 's House of Delegates , where some Republicans outright admitted the bill was more about sending a political message than solving a real problem , according to a report from the Associated Press .
Democratic Del .
John Doyle said at the time , `` This bill does absolutely nothing .
It proposes to make something illegal that is already illegal . ''
Attorney and professor Neil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no lack of statutory or constitutional law that would protect babies through a live birth or a failed abortion . ''
But the West Virginia bill does work to intimidate abortion providers in the state , chipping away at their role in helping patients decide what 's best for them by threatening a substantial penalty — the loss of a medical license .
The idea pushed by Republicans that `` infanticide '' is a common occurrence at the hands of abortion providers is entirely a myth .
Dr. Kristyn Brandi , an abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health , told Vox in a 2019 story on the GOP 's born-alive bills that she had never even heard of a case of a child born after an attempted abortion .
`` This is part of the false narrative around [ these bills ] and abortion later in pregnancy , she said .
But that has n't stopped anti-abortion lawmakers from bringing these bills up both at the federal level and in several states , including Arizona and North Carolina .
Elizabeth Nash , a state policy analyst at the reproductive rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these sorts of bills are often used to `` gin up the base in some way . ''
`` We are looking at probably more of a political issue being raised rather than something that 's substantive , '' she said .
Vox reported that bills such as the one in West Virginia may be part of a broader strategy by Republicans to stir up support among social conservatives who oppose abortion and drum up their votes .
Some Democrats in West Virginia said they thought the bill was more or less meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads against those who voted against it leading into 2020 , according to AP .
And with Donald Trump repeating the lie that babies are `` ripped from the mother 's womb moments before birth '' and that Democrats `` do n't mind executing babies after birth , '' this GOP offensive likely wo n't stop anytime soon .
In the end , the West Virginia bill is about discouraging people from seeking abortions , stigmatizing those who have abortions later in pregnancy , and discouraging doctors from performing the procedure , period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health of mothers or babies .
The bill now heads to anti-abortion Republican Gov .
Jim Justice , who has already said he would sign it .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

West Virginia already severely restricts access to abortion. The state mandates that abortion patients receive “counseling” explicitly designed to deter them from seeking an abortion. There’s a 24-hour waiting period. There’s a parental notification law. And there’s a ban on receiving abortions after 20 weeks.
The “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which recently passed the state Senate, is just another thinly veiled assault on abortion rights.
While the bill purports to add penalties for doctors not providing adequate medical care to infants born “during an abortion,” state lawmakers, legal experts, and abortion rights advocates have all stated that it’s nothing more than political posturing.
As state Sen. Mike Romano, a Democrat, pointed out, the bill is unnecessary because the murder of a child is already a crime in West Virginia — as it is anywhere else.
“A child born alive who would somehow be killed, that would be murder. It would clearly be murder, there’s nobody doing that and if they do do it they’re in jail,” Romano stated in testimony preceding the Senate vote.
He also noted the bill “isn’t going to change anything.”
West Virginia’s proposed law already passed the state’s House of Delegates, where some Republicans outright admitted the bill was more about sending a political message than solving a real problem, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Democratic Del. John Doyle said at the time, “This bill does absolutely nothing. It proposes to make something illegal that is already illegal.”
Attorney and professor Neil Siegel told Politifact, “There is no lack of statutory or constitutional law that would protect babies through a live birth or a failed abortion.”
But the West Virginia bill does work to intimidate abortion providers in the state, chipping away at their role in helping patients decide what’s best for them by threatening a substantial penalty — the loss of a medical license.
The idea pushed by Republicans that “infanticide” is a common occurrence at the hands of abortion providers is entirely a myth.
Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an abortion provider and advocate with Physicians for Reproductive Health, told Vox in a 2019 story on the GOP’s born-alive bills that she had never even heard of a case of a child born after an attempted abortion.
“This is part of the false narrative around [these bills] and abortion later in pregnancy, she said.
But that hasn’t stopped anti-abortion lawmakers from bringing these bills up both at the federal level and in several states, including Arizona and North Carolina.
Elizabeth Nash, a state policy analyst at the reproductive rights research group Guttmacher Institute, told AP these sorts of bills are often used to “gin up the base in some way.”
“We are looking at probably more of a political issue being raised rather than something that’s substantive,” she said.
Vox reported that bills such as the one in West Virginia may be part of a broader strategy by Republicans to stir up support among social conservatives who oppose abortion and drum up their votes.
Some Democrats in West Virginia said they thought the bill was more or less meant to function as a basis for attack ads against those who voted against it leading into 2020, according to AP.
And with Donald Trump repeating the lie that babies are “ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth” and that Democrats “don’t mind executing babies after birth,” this GOP offensive likely won’t stop anytime soon.
In the end, the West Virginia bill is about discouraging people from seeking abortions, stigmatizing those who have abortions later in pregnancy, and discouraging doctors from performing the procedure, period. It does nothing to ensure the health of mothers or babies.
The bill now heads to anti-abortion Republican Gov. Jim Justice, who has already said he would sign it.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-24--Trump says 'stock market starting to look very good' after biggest drop in 2 years

After the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 1,000 points Monday , Donald Trump said the market was `` starting to look very good . ''
The Dow lost 3.56 % of its worth for the biggest percentage-point drop since February of 2018 .
Other indexes were also significantly lower including the S & P 500 ( down 3.35 % ) and the Nasdaq Composite ( down 3.71 % ) .
The drop in value was attributed to the spread of the coronavirus , which CNBC said is `` stoking fears of a prolonged global economic slowdown from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market closed , Trump was in a positive mood .
`` The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA .
We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries , '' he tweeted .
`` CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart .
Stock Market starting to look very good to me ! ''
Key overseas markets in Europe and Asia also lost value in reaction to coronavirus fears .
Trump has often used his Twitter account to tout America 's economic strength .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times about the strong economy .
Less than a week ago , on Feb. 19 , Trump wrote , `` Highest Stock Market In History , By Far ! ''
Trump 's campaign recently tried to claim credit for economic improvements that occurred during President Barack Obama 's presidency .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

After the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 1,000 points Monday, Donald Trump said the market was “starting to look very good.”
The Dow lost 3.56% of its worth for the biggest percentage-point drop since February of 2018. Other indexes were also significantly lower including the S&P 500 (down 3.35%) and the Nasdaq Composite (down 3.71%).
The drop in value was attributed to the spread of the coronavirus, which CNBC said is “stoking fears of a prolonged global economic slowdown from the virus spreading.”
But right after the market closed, Trump was in a positive mood.
“The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries,” he tweeted. “CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”
Key overseas markets in Europe and Asia also lost value in reaction to coronavirus fears.
Trump has often used his Twitter account to tout America’s economic strength. Over the month of February, he tweeted 27 times about the strong economy. Less than a week ago, on Feb. 19, Trump wrote, “Highest Stock Market In History, By Far!”
Trump’s campaign recently tried to claim credit for economic improvements that occurred during President Barack Obama’s presidency.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.