thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--ROGER STONE: Farewell To John Sears — A Man Pivotal To The Rise Of Ronald Reagan

Republican lawyer and strategist John P. Sears died last week at age 79 .
Sears played a pivotal role in the ascendancy of both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan to the presidency .
Sears was also the person who hired me for the national staff of Reagan ’ s 1976 and 1980 campaigns and served as a mentor in my early political experience .
Because the New York Times and Washington Post so badly mangled his obituary , I felt compelled to write this appreciation .
John Sears was born in upstate New York and graduated from Notre Dame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ became an associate at the Wall Street firm of Mudge , Rose , Guthrie and Alexander .
Former Vice President Richard Nixon joined the firm in his wilderness years , and Sears quickly became Nixon ‘ s confidant and the chief political operative for Nixon ’ s then improbable 1968 comeback .
Thus , Sears learned politics at the knee of a master who would manage to be on the national ticket five times before he was done .
Sears was “ like a son to Nixon , ” Nixon ’ s longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nixon ’ s small entourage in 1966 consisted only of political operative Sears , a mere 26 years old , writer and issues researcher Patrick J. Buchanan and stalwart Nixon secretary Rose Mary Woods .
When the combination of the Vietnam War and the murders of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cleared the way for Nixon ’ s path to the White House , his staff would expand to include not only his law partner John Mitchell but also “ the Berlin Wall ” of H.R .
‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These two who boarded late would eventually go to prison in the Watergate scandal .
Sarcastic and wise beyond his years , Sears was ousted from the Nixon White House by the man who would become Nixon ’ s campaign manager and Attorney General , John Mitchell .
Sears unwillingness to be deferential to Mitchell and his close personal relationship with Nixon were both threats that Mitchell could not abide .
Unlike his mentor Nixon , Sears carefully cultivated relationships with virtually every major political reporter of the day , and unlike Nixon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy ” but more precisely as useful tools .
These warm relations with the press would earn Sears the distrust of Nixon ’ s inner circle and an illegal wiretap when he was a Deputy Counsel to the President .
Those wiretaps never revealed Sears leaking classified information , but they did pick up Sears ’ sarcastic references to “ Milhous , ” as he sometimes referred to the President , providing the grist for Mitchell ’ s move to oust him .
Sears would remain close to Woods and Buchanan as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was incorrectly identified by many to be “ Deep Throat , ” the notorious source for the Washington Post ’ s Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein who played a critical role in Nixon ’ s downfall .
Sears heatedly denied that he was “ Deep Throat , ” and he was technically correct because , as I outlined in my book “ Tricky Dick -the Rise and Fall and Rise Richard M Nixon , ” there was no “ Deep Throat.
” “ Deep Throat ” never appears in the pages of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernstein book “ All the President ’ s Men ” nor in the initial draft of the script for the movie based on the book which starred Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman .
Legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee denied there was a “ Deep Throat.
” In truth , “ Deep Throat ” is most likely a literary device and amalgamation of multiple sources , of which Sears was probably one .
To the extent that there was a “ Deep Throat , ” the main source was most definitely not FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Chief of Staff Al Haig , as meticulously detailed in USA Today reporter Ray Locker ’ s new book “ Haig ’ s Coup.
” Thirty-one years after Nixon resigned , Woodward and Bernstein were still covering for their real source by falsely fingering Felt .
Sears flew to California in late 1973 to meet with Ronald and Nancy Reagan regarding the 1976 Republican presidential nomination .
To the astonishment of the Reagans , Sears correctly predicted that both Nixon and Agnew would be gone by 1976 and that the Watergate-damaged nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well worth having .
It is probably this uncanny prognostication that got Sears hired as Reagan ’ s campaign manager in his bid to wrest the Republican nomination from President Gerald Ford , who had risen to the presidency after his appointment as vice president and Nixon ’ s resignation .
Although he was the heartthrob of the conservative grassroots movement , Reagan was badly outmatched by the Republican establishment in the 1976 contest .
Ford used the pulpit of the presidency to woo delegates and doled out federal grants in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that when Gerald Ford came to town “ the band didn ’ t know whether to play Hail to the Chief or Santa Claus is Coming to Town ” .
After a paper-thin loss in the New Hampshire primary and a shellacking in the Florida primary , Reagan would stage a comeback in the middle and late primaries , starting with a shocking win in North Carolina and sweeping wins in both Texas and California .
Still , after the dust settled Reagan was short of the delegates to snatch the nomination from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to declare victory .
John Sears saw an opening .
In a bold strategic move , Reagan announced that moderate Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Schweiker would be his vice-presidential running mate .
Pennsylvania was known to have a substantial block of uncommitted delegates .
While those delegates would not end up with Reagan , the stunning maneuver left the nomination in doubt and got Reagan to the convention still in contention .
The New York Times obit called this move “ dubious.
” To the contrary , it was brilliant .
Knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to multiple would-be candidates in return for their delegates , Sears also put forward a proposed convention rules change — rule 16c , which would have required presidential candidates to name their vice-presidential choice prior to the first ballot for the presidential nomination .
This maneuver added to Reagan ’ s viability in Kansas City , where he lost narrowly but cemented his position for 1980 with a memorable speech from the podium in which he roused the faithful while never actually mentioning Ford ’ s name .
There is no better account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shirley ’ s excellent book “ Reagan ’ s Revolution : The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All.
” Based on these brilliant maneuvers , Sears was invited back to manage Reagan ’ s 1980 campaign — much to the chagrin of many conservatives who felt Sears put too much stock in his belief that moderate Republicans needed to be brought in to the Reagan coalition .
Sears was clearly thinking ahead to a general election in which some thought Reagan would be , like 1964 nominee Barry Goldwater , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I believe it was the scar of his downfall under Nixon that eventually lead to Sears ’ ouster from Ronald Reagan ’ s 1980 campaign after he had effectively engineered Reagan ’ s comeback over George Bush in the New Hampshire primary .
Sears set Bush up in the Nashua Telegraph Debate — in which Bush showed his petulance by demanding that the debate be one-on-one with Reagan and all other contenders including John Connally , Howard Baker , Bob Dole and John Anderson be excluded .
It was Sears ’ credibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed out of the debate to Nashua for the ambush that stunned Bush .
This brilliant gambit essentially iced the New Hampshire primary , which in turn sealed the nomination for Reagan .
However , Reagan fired Sears right after the polls closed .
Brooding , secretive and not one to suffer fools gladly , the wily and mercurial Sears had alienated the Reagans by seeking to purge those in Reagan ’ s inner circle who he thought might challenge his position .
Sears actually knew that his ouster from Reagan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked me to join him for breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria with William J. Casey , the man who would soon take Sears position as campaign manager for Reagan .
We met at the hotel the evening before the breakfast for a “ night cap.
” John had more than one .
Sears never showed up for the breakfast , leaving me to ad lib with an impatient Casey , who was demanding “ input ” in return for his support for the former California governor .
He was also demanding to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of which , as the Northeast political director , I knew little .
When I checked with the front desk at the Waldorf , I learned Sears had checked out at 3 a.m. Sears had discerned Casey ’ s real purpose — to scope out the campaign he was about to take over .
Sears would come back as a political commentator for CBS , but he essentially returned to his small law firm .
He performed pivotal roles in representing South Africa and bringing that country out of apartheid as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — earning himself a considerable fortune .
Sears ultimately moved in with his sister in Miami and became a virtual recluse .
Despite our warm relationship , he declined to be interviewed for my 2018 book on Nixon .
“ Politics is motion , ” Sears often said , “ It requires taking risks but above all keeping the voters ’ interest.
” He would also say , “ If you are not saying anything interesting to the voters , they will look elsewhere .
The only thing in politics worse than being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Machiavellian John Sears was never boring .
Roger Stone is a well known Republican political consultant and is a veteran of eight national Republican Presidential campaigns .
His also the men ’ s fashion correspondent for the Daily Caller and editor of Stonezone.com .

Republican lawyer and strategist John P. Sears died last week at age 79. Sears played a pivotal role in the ascendancy of both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan to the presidency. Sears was also the person who hired me for the national staff of Reagan’s 1976 and 1980 campaigns and served as a mentor in my early political experience. Because the New York Times and Washington Post so badly mangled his obituary, I felt compelled to write this appreciation.
John Sears was born in upstate New York and graduated from Notre Dame. After graduating from law school, Sears became an associate at the Wall Street firm of Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander. Former Vice President Richard Nixon joined the firm in his wilderness years, and Sears quickly became Nixon‘s confidant and the chief political operative for Nixon’s then improbable 1968 comeback. Thus, Sears learned politics at the knee of a master who would manage to be on the national ticket five times before he was done. Sears was “like a son to Nixon,” Nixon’s longtime secretary Rose Woods once said.
Indeed, Nixon’s small entourage in 1966 consisted only of political operative Sears, a mere 26 years old, writer and issues researcher Patrick J. Buchanan and stalwart Nixon secretary Rose Mary Woods. When the combination of the Vietnam War and the murders of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cleared the way for Nixon’s path to the White House, his staff would expand to include not only his law partner John Mitchell but also “the Berlin Wall” of H.R. ‘Bob” Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. These two who boarded late would eventually go to prison in the Watergate scandal.
Sarcastic and wise beyond his years, Sears was ousted from the Nixon White House by the man who would become Nixon’s campaign manager and Attorney General, John Mitchell. Sears unwillingness to be deferential to Mitchell and his close personal relationship with Nixon were both threats that Mitchell could not abide.
Unlike his mentor Nixon, Sears carefully cultivated relationships with virtually every major political reporter of the day, and unlike Nixon did not view them as “the enemy” but more precisely as useful tools. These warm relations with the press would earn Sears the distrust of Nixon’s inner circle and an illegal wiretap when he was a Deputy Counsel to the President. Those wiretaps never revealed Sears leaking classified information, but they did pick up Sears’ sarcastic references to “Milhous,” as he sometimes referred to the President, providing the grist for Mitchell’s move to oust him.
Sears would remain close to Woods and Buchanan as well as other Nixon loyalists, and he was incorrectly identified by many to be “Deep Throat,” the notorious source for the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein who played a critical role in Nixon’s downfall. Sears heatedly denied that he was “Deep Throat,” and he was technically correct because, as I outlined in my book “Tricky Dick -the Rise and Fall and Rise Richard M Nixon,” there was no “Deep Throat.” “Deep Throat” never appears in the pages of the Washington Post, in the Woodward and Bernstein book “All the President’s Men” nor in the initial draft of the script for the movie based on the book which starred Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee denied there was a “Deep Throat.” In truth, “Deep Throat” is most likely a literary device and amalgamation of multiple sources, of which Sears was probably one.
To the extent that there was a “Deep Throat,” the main source was most definitely not FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt but rather White House Chief of Staff Al Haig, as meticulously detailed in USA Today reporter Ray Locker’s new book “Haig’s Coup.” Thirty-one years after Nixon resigned, Woodward and Bernstein were still covering for their real source by falsely fingering Felt.
Sears flew to California in late 1973 to meet with Ronald and Nancy Reagan regarding the 1976 Republican presidential nomination. To the astonishment of the Reagans, Sears correctly predicted that both Nixon and Agnew would be gone by 1976 and that the Watergate-damaged nomination of the Republican Party would still be well worth having. It is probably this uncanny prognostication that got Sears hired as Reagan’s campaign manager in his bid to wrest the Republican nomination from President Gerald Ford, who had risen to the presidency after his appointment as vice president and Nixon’s resignation.
Although he was the heartthrob of the conservative grassroots movement, Reagan was badly outmatched by the Republican establishment in the 1976 contest. Ford used the pulpit of the presidency to woo delegates and doled out federal grants in order to win the nomination. Reagan himself said that when Gerald Ford came to town “the band didn’t know whether to play Hail to the Chief or Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.
After a paper-thin loss in the New Hampshire primary and a shellacking in the Florida primary, Reagan would stage a comeback in the middle and late primaries, starting with a shocking win in North Carolina and sweeping wins in both Texas and California. Still, after the dust settled Reagan was short of the delegates to snatch the nomination from Ford, but the Ford campaign unwisely failed to declare victory. John Sears saw an opening.
In a bold strategic move, Reagan announced that moderate Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Schweiker would be his vice-presidential running mate. Pennsylvania was known to have a substantial block of uncommitted delegates. While those delegates would not end up with Reagan, the stunning maneuver left the nomination in doubt and got Reagan to the convention still in contention. The New York Times obit called this move “dubious.” To the contrary, it was brilliant.
Knowing that Ford had promised the vice presidency to multiple would-be candidates in return for their delegates, Sears also put forward a proposed convention rules change — rule 16c, which would have required presidential candidates to name their vice-presidential choice prior to the first ballot for the presidential nomination. This maneuver added to Reagan’s viability in Kansas City, where he lost narrowly but cemented his position for 1980 with a memorable speech from the podium in which he roused the faithful while never actually mentioning Ford’s name. There is no better account of this triumphant moment that in Craig Shirley’s excellent book “Reagan’s Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All.”
Based on these brilliant maneuvers, Sears was invited back to manage Reagan’s 1980 campaign — much to the chagrin of many conservatives who felt Sears put too much stock in his belief that moderate Republicans needed to be brought in to the Reagan coalition. Sears was clearly thinking ahead to a general election in which some thought Reagan would be, like 1964 nominee Barry Goldwater, too extreme to win a national contest.
I believe it was the scar of his downfall under Nixon that eventually lead to Sears’ ouster from Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign after he had effectively engineered Reagan’s comeback over George Bush in the New Hampshire primary. Sears set Bush up in the Nashua Telegraph Debate — in which Bush showed his petulance by demanding that the debate be one-on-one with Reagan and all other contenders including John Connally, Howard Baker, Bob Dole and John Anderson be excluded. It was Sears’ credibility that got all those candidates who were closed out of the debate to Nashua for the ambush that stunned Bush. This brilliant gambit essentially iced the New Hampshire primary, which in turn sealed the nomination for Reagan. However, Reagan fired Sears right after the polls closed. Brooding, secretive and not one to suffer fools gladly, the wily and mercurial Sears had alienated the Reagans by seeking to purge those in Reagan’s inner circle who he thought might challenge his position.
Sears actually knew that his ouster from Reagan’s campaign was imminent weeks before when he asked me to join him for breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria with William J. Casey, the man who would soon take Sears position as campaign manager for Reagan. We met at the hotel the evening before the breakfast for a “night cap.” John had more than one. Sears never showed up for the breakfast, leaving me to ad lib with an impatient Casey, who was demanding “input” in return for his support for the former California governor. He was also demanding to know all about the campaign’s finances, of which, as the Northeast political director, I knew little. When I checked with the front desk at the Waldorf, I learned Sears had checked out at 3 a.m. Sears had discerned Casey’s real purpose — to scope out the campaign he was about to take over.
Sears would come back as a political commentator for CBS, but he essentially returned to his small law firm. He performed pivotal roles in representing South Africa and bringing that country out of apartheid as well as helping engineer the national tobacco settlement — earning himself a considerable fortune.
Sears ultimately moved in with his sister in Miami and became a virtual recluse. Despite our warm relationship, he declined to be interviewed for my 2018 book on Nixon. “Politics is motion,” Sears often said, “It requires taking risks but above all keeping the voters’ interest.” He would also say, “If you are not saying anything interesting to the voters, they will look elsewhere. The only thing in politics worse than being wrong is being boring.” The brilliant and Machiavellian John Sears was never boring.
Roger Stone is a well known Republican political consultant and is a veteran of eight national Republican Presidential campaigns. His also the men’s fashion correspondent for the Daily Caller and editor of Stonezone.com.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--Holland America Cruise Ship With 189 Sick Passengers Is Heading Towards South Florida

Holland America Cruise Ship With 189 Sick Passengers Is Heading Toward South Florida Florida governor says he believes it 's a mistake A cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Florida in the coming days has reported that at least 189 people on board are suffering from influenza-like symptoms , at least two have tested positive for the CCP virus , and four people have died .
Holland America ’ s Zaandam ship started traveling down the Panama Canal on Sunday night after it was docked in Panama for several days .
Several South American ports denied the ship entry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We greatly appreciate this humanitarian consideration and the compassion shown for our guests and crew by the government of Panama and the Panama Maritime Authority .
We are also thankful for the support of the various embassies that are partnering with us to help get their citizens home as quickly as possible , ” the cruise operator wrote on Sunday night .
The ship is still slated to arrive in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , on April 7 .
It ’ s not clear if the four people died from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ashore since March 14 in Punta Arenas , Chile , and have been self-isolating in their staterooms since March 22 , ” Holland America also wrote .
Zaandam and another Holland America cruise ship , the Rotterdam , are both heading down the Panama Canal , said the canal ’ s operators on Sunday .
Passengers who are not experiencing symptoms of the CCP ( Chinese Communist Party ) virus , which causes COVID-19 , were transferred from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam on Saturday , according to Holland America .
The agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will take about three days for both cruise ships to reach South Florida after they leave the Panama Canal , CNN reported .
Port Everglades said Sunday that passengers on the ship have not been cleared to disembark in Fort Lauderdale .
Holland America has to submit a plan prior to arrival to the port .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said that he believes it ’ s a mistake to allow the ships to dock in South Florida .
“ We think it ’ s a mistake to be putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ re dealing with , so we would like to have medical personnel simply dispatched to that ship and the cruise lines can hopefully arrange for that , tend to folks who may need the medical attention .
But I think a lot of these are foreign nationals , and we want to make sure we have the beds available for the folks here in southern Florida , ” DeSantis said at a news conference on Monday , according to Local10 .
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said he is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive the passengers .
“ Putting us at risk , which is unfair to the community , which has for weeks now been under lockdown , trying to prevent the spread of this disease , ” the mayor said .
The CCP virus first emerged in Wuhan , China , before spreading to nearly every country in the world , causing a global pandemic .

A cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Florida in the coming days has reported that at least 189 people on board are suffering from influenza-like symptoms, at least two have tested positive for the CCP virus, and four people have died.
Holland America's Zaandam ship started traveling down the Panama Canal on Sunday night after it was docked in Panama for several days. Several South American ports denied the ship entry, according to a statement from the firm.
"We greatly appreciate this humanitarian consideration and the compassion shown for our guests and crew by the government of Panama and the Panama Maritime Authority. We are also thankful for the support of the various embassies that are partnering with us to help get their citizens home as quickly as possible," the cruise operator wrote on Sunday night.
The ship is still slated to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 7.
It's not clear if the four people died from the virus.
A temporary hospital in Indio, California, on March 29, 2020. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
"Guests have not been ashore since March 14 in Punta Arenas, Chile, and have been self-isolating in their staterooms since March 22," Holland America also wrote.
Zaandam and another Holland America cruise ship, the Rotterdam, are both heading down the Panama Canal, said the canal's operators on Sunday. Passengers who are not experiencing symptoms of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, were transferred from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam on Saturday, according to Holland America.
The agency that runs Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale said it will take about three days for both cruise ships to reach South Florida after they leave the Panama Canal, CNN reported. Port Everglades said Sunday that passengers on the ship have not been cleared to disembark in Fort Lauderdale.
Holland America has to submit a plan prior to arrival to the port.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he believes it's a mistake to allow the ships to dock in South Florida.
“We think it’s a mistake to be putting people into southern Florida right now given what we’re dealing with, so we would like to have medical personnel simply dispatched to that ship and the cruise lines can hopefully arrange for that, tend to folks who may need the medical attention. But I think a lot of these are foreign nationals, and we want to make sure we have the beds available for the folks here in southern Florida,” DeSantis said at a news conference on Monday, according to Local10.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said he is working with other authorities to create a plan to receive the passengers.
“Putting us at risk, which is unfair to the community, which has for weeks now been under lockdown, trying to prevent the spread of this disease,” the mayor said.
The CCP virus first emerged in Wuhan, China, before spreading to nearly every country in the world, causing a global pandemic.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--New York City’s Chi-Com Virus Outbreak has Exposed Communist Democrat Bill de Bozo’s Ineptitude

While government officials across the country were preparing citizens for the coronavirus and ensuing local shutdowns , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio encouraged the city ’ s younger residents to continue life as normal .
“ If you ’ re under 50 and you ’ re healthy , which is most New Yorkers , there ’ s very little threat here , ” de Blasio told MSNBC on March 10 , just one day before President Trump suspended travel to and from Europe due to the continued spread of COVID-19 .
That same day , New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Hall and urged de Blasio to begin shutting the city down to better control the virus which had already appeared in New York ’ s hospitals .
De Blasio refused , arguing that closing schools , restaurants , and other public spaces would damage the city ’ s economy and make him look weak .
Keep in mind what he had just told MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe : “ This disease , ” de Blasio said , “ even if you were to get it , basically acts like a common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken 776 lives in New York City , and de Blasio is blaming everyone but himself .
In the span of just 15 days , New York City has become the epicenter of the United States ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
Its hospitals and emergency rooms are struggling to keep up with the growing number of cases — so much so that officials have constructed an emergency field hospital in Central Park .
This could not have been wholly prevented , but the city could have been more prepared .
But it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame .
He ignored the advice of his health officials and even contradicted them on national television .
He was worried that an economic shutdown would disproportionately affect the city ’ s low-income residents and thus tarnish the public image he had created .
He defied his own social distancing guidelines and used a public gym in Brooklyn as cases began to skyrocket , because his workout routine was more important than the city ’ s health .
And even now , he refuses to take responsibility for his mismanagement , instead blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
Throughout this crisis , de Blasio has thought only of himself .
A good leader would have listened to the advice of his health officials and made the difficult and necessary decision to sacrifice the economic stability of New York City for the sake of its public health — even at cost to himself .
Instead , de Blasio prioritized his public image — an image that is now marked by mixed messaging , delayed responses , and blatant hypocrisy .
De Blasio would like the criticism to wait until “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper this weekend .
Perhaps he thinks the longer this lasts , the more likely people will forget how he squandered the opportunity to lead .
But the city will not forget .
It won ’ t be able to .
De Blasio made sure of that .

While government officials across the country were preparing citizens for the coronavirus and ensuing local shutdowns, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio encouraged the city’s younger residents to continue life as normal.
“If you’re under 50 and you’re healthy, which is most New Yorkers, there’s very little threat here,” de Blasio told MSNBC on March 10, just one day before President Trump suspended travel to and from Europe due to the continued spread of COVID-19.
That same day, New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot marched down to City Hall and urged de Blasio to begin shutting the city down to better control the virus which had already appeared in New York’s hospitals. De Blasio refused, arguing that closing schools, restaurants, and other public spaces would damage the city’s economy and make him look weak.
Keep in mind what he had just told MSNBC’s Morning Joe: “This disease,” de Blasio said, “even if you were to get it, basically acts like a common cold or flu.”
COVID-19 has since taken 776 lives in New York City, and de Blasio is blaming everyone but himself.
In the span of just 15 days, New York City has become the epicenter of the United States’s coronavirus outbreak. Its hospitals and emergency rooms are struggling to keep up with the growing number of cases — so much so that officials have constructed an emergency field hospital in Central Park. This could not have been wholly prevented, but the city could have been more prepared.
But it was not, and de Blasio is to blame. He ignored the advice of his health officials and even contradicted them on national television. He was worried that an economic shutdown would disproportionately affect the city’s low-income residents and thus tarnish the public image he had created. He defied his own social distancing guidelines and used a public gym in Brooklyn as cases began to skyrocket, because his workout routine was more important than the city’s health. And even now, he refuses to take responsibility for his mismanagement, instead blaming the Trump administration for a shortage in testing.
Throughout this crisis, de Blasio has thought only of himself. A good leader would have listened to the advice of his health officials and made the difficult and necessary decision to sacrifice the economic stability of New York City for the sake of its public health — even at cost to himself. Instead, de Blasio prioritized his public image — an image that is now marked by mixed messaging, delayed responses, and blatant hypocrisy.
De Blasio would like the criticism to wait until “after this war is over,” as he told CNN’s Jake Tapper this weekend. Perhaps he thinks the longer this lasts, the more likely people will forget how he squandered the opportunity to lead. But the city will not forget. It won’t be able to. De Blasio made sure of that.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--Chi-Com ‘Wet Markets’ Reportedly Reopen, Ready to Sell Bats and Dogs for Human Consumption

Chinese “ wet markets ” have reportedly reopened , selling cats , bats , and dogs for human consumption .
A Mail on Sunday correspondent reported seeing meat markets open back up for business after the Chinese government ordered a ban on the sale of wild animals such as bats following reports they may have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus .
“ The markets have gone back to operating in exactly the same way as they did before coronavirus , ” said a correspondent in Dongguan .
“ The only difference is that security guards try to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened before.
” The coronavirus was first detected in the city of Wuhan in November , but according to the Daily Mail , Chinese locals view the pandemic as a solved issue in the country and have reportedly gone back to life before the virus .
“ Everyone here believes the outbreak is over and there 's nothing to worry about anymore .
It 's just a foreign problem now as far as they are concerned , ” said a China-based correspondent who took photographs published by the outlet .
Wet markets have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruel to animals .
Animals such as bats , lizards , and toads are sold as medicine to treat common ailments .
Cats and dogs are sold and butchered on the streets .
Scientists have yet to pinpoint what started the coronavirus , but some speculate these markets played a role due to their unsanitary conditions .
“ You ’ ve got live animals , so there ’ s feces everywhere .
There ’ s blood because of people chopping them up , ” Peter Daszak , president of EcoHealth Alliance , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from emerging diseases , told the Associated Press last month .
There have been more than 740,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus around the globe and more than 35,000 associated deaths .

Chinese “wet markets” have reportedly reopened, selling cats, bats, and dogs for human consumption.
A Mail on Sunday correspondent reported seeing meat markets open back up for business after the Chinese government ordered a ban on the sale of wild animals such as bats following reports they may have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus.
“The markets have gone back to operating in exactly the same way as they did before coronavirus,” said a correspondent in Dongguan. “The only difference is that security guards try to stop anyone taking pictures which would never have happened before.”
The coronavirus was first detected in the city of Wuhan in November, but according to the Daily Mail, Chinese locals view the pandemic as a solved issue in the country and have reportedly gone back to life before the virus.
“Everyone here believes the outbreak is over and there's nothing to worry about anymore. It's just a foreign problem now as far as they are concerned,” said a China-based correspondent who took photographs published by the outlet.
Wet markets have long been criticized for being unhygienic and cruel to animals. Animals such as bats, lizards, and toads are sold as medicine to treat common ailments. Cats and dogs are sold and butchered on the streets.
Scientists have yet to pinpoint what started the coronavirus, but some speculate these markets played a role due to their unsanitary conditions.
“You’ve got live animals, so there’s feces everywhere. There’s blood because of people chopping them up,” Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, which works to protect wildlife and public health from emerging diseases, told the Associated Press last month.
There have been more than 740,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus around the globe and more than 35,000 associated deaths.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--Poll Shows Enthusiasm for Quid Pro Joe Biden Is ‘Lowest’ In 20 Years for Dem Presidential Candidate

Now that the Trump administration has extended the social-distancing guidelines from Easter to April 30 , the stock market is likely to continue dipping and people will remain out of work .
At the end of the day , though , Democrats will have Joe Biden as their presidential nominee .
And that doesn ’ t bode well for their chances of taking back the Executive Branch – AT ALL .
Trending : Watch : Biden Says He Talks With His Team About COVID-19 , Asks ‘ Where Do We Do ?
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Former Vice President Joe Biden has emerged as Democrats ’ top choice for the presidential nomination in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll , but with only bare majority support within his party and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup against President Donald Trump .
Indeed , strong enthusiasm for Biden among his supporters – at just 24 % – is the lowest on record for a Democratic presidential candidate in 20 years of ABC/Post polls .
More than twice as many of Trump ’ s supporters are highly enthusiastic about supporting him , 53 % .

Now that the Trump administration has extended the social-distancing guidelines from Easter to April 30, the stock market is likely to continue dipping and people will remain out of work.
At the end of the day, though, Democrats will have Joe Biden as their presidential nominee.
And that doesn’t bode well for their chances of taking back the Executive Branch – AT ALL.
From ABC News:
Former Vice President Joe Biden has emerged as Democrats’ top choice for the presidential nomination in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, but with only bare majority support within his party and a massive enthusiasm gap in a November matchup against President Donald Trump. Trending: Massive Migrant Caravan Marches Toward US with LGBT Flags Flying as Mexican President Snubs Biden at Summit Indeed, strong enthusiasm for Biden among his supporters – at just 24% – is the lowest on record for a Democratic presidential candidate in 20 years of ABC/Post polls. More than twice as many of Trump’s supporters are highly enthusiastic about supporting him, 53%.
LOOK:
Here’s some Biden randomness, via Twitter…
Imagine Joe Biden appearing in public let alone dominate a horde of crazed journos like Trump is — Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) March 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/travisakers/status/1244394324940468225
I so hope @JoeBiden picks a sister as his running mate. Because @realDonaldTrump can’t handle no strong, smart black woman in his face and on his ass! #YamicheAlcindor #CoronaVirusTaskForce — Sophia A. Nelson (@IAmSophiaNelson) March 29, 2020
This is insane. #JoeBiden is literally the Godfather of modern carceral and debt slavery. He's a living example of political ponerolgy. He's credibly accused of sexual assault. There's video of him groping small children. He's bragged about prostituting himself to big money. Ugh! — Melting Mermaid🍀🍀🍀#FreeAssange (@charlamanesbane) March 29, 2020
Hey Alyssa, I know you're a big supporter of both @JoeBiden and the #MeToo movement. What do you think about Tara Reade's claim that @JoeBiden sexually assaulted her?https://t.co/GBMhVekvez https://t.co/0swbJhNtmA — Michael Knowles 🐄🧀🥛🧈 (@michaeljknowles) March 29, 2020
Whoever at the @DNC is making @JoeBiden continue to run even with his clear signs of mental decline, is committing elder abuse and are doing a disservice to our country — Skylr (@skyler80620627) March 29, 2020
Joe Biden is running John McCain's 2000 primary campaign pic.twitter.com/RFiqpkHHgx — godspeed you! wack extravert (@gabagooliano) March 29, 2020
Based on @realDonaldTrump forecast today of another month-long shutdown, betting markets should lower his odds of re-election to about 1-in-3 & should dramatically increase odds of Democrats replacing Joe Biden on their ticket. No President has won re-election in a bad recession. — Robert Barnes (@barnes_law) March 29, 2020
The media watching Joe Biden be credibly accused of sexual assault pic.twitter.com/tjtGQog9Wz — Angelo Guisado (@VoltaireLaFlare) March 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/thewuhanreaper/status/1244372833335197702
https://twitter.com/Sappo7/status/1244384242576089089
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thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--County Execs In Upstate New York Want 14-Day Quarantine For NYC Travelers

The fight against coronavirus is getting fairly intense all around the globe , but it seems some truly unprecedented measures are being taken to flatten the curve in the state of New York .
Apparently , New York state county executives are wanting to impose 14-day quarantine measures around the lines for their counties on anyone who might be traveling into their area from coronavirus hotbeds like New York City .
Here ’ s more on this from Washington Examiner : Trending : Watch : Biden Says He Talks With His Team About COVID-19 , Asks ‘ Where Do We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McLaughlin told the Washington Examiner he informed New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker on Friday that he would issue a health order enforcing a 14-day quarantine on any visitors .
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“ Cuomo seized power in one of his executive orders … and vested it in the health department and the state health department .
Prior to that , county health departments had wide latitude in state statute , ” McLaughlin said .
“ It still remains in state statute , but he set it up in his mind so that we had to go to him and get permission .
So , we did that .
We said we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are , we want a 14-day quarantine.
” McLaughin stated that Gov .
Cuomo did not immediately respond , so he went ahead and released the order about the same time as Rhode Island Gov .
Gina Raimondo put out a similar order calling for travelers from New York to quarantine for 14 days after visiting the state .
Cuomo ended up threatening Raimondo with legal action after the order was issued , which led to its repeal .
McLaughlin already stated that he is getting calls from other counties who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you look at the numbers from Rensselaer County , it ’ s not hard to understand why they want to keep folks from areas that are experiencing an explosion of cases from coming into their area .
The county is 2 1/2 hours north of NYC and boasts a population of more than 150,000 people .
As of now , they have only 52 cases of the virus .
They obviously want to keep things that way , and a good way to do it is to impose measures that allow them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential carriers .
What ’ s truly ironic about all of this is how the vast majority of individuals wanting to take these kind of measures are radical leftists who hated on conservatives for wanting to keep illegal immigrants out of our country because of illness and disease among other reasons .
Now all of the sudden they are discovering how effective keeping people out of their areas can be in this kind of situation .
These kind of measures work and this virus is highlighting that fact for all to see .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time arguing against a secure border and the enforcement of immigration law after this is all said and done .

The fight against coronavirus is getting fairly intense all around the globe, but it seems some truly unprecedented measures are being taken to flatten the curve in the state of New York.
Apparently, New York state county executives are wanting to impose 14-day quarantine measures around the lines for their counties on anyone who might be traveling into their area from coronavirus hotbeds like New York City.
Here’s more on this from Washington Examiner:
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin told the Washington Examiner he informed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker on Friday that he would issue a health order enforcing a 14-day quarantine on any visitors. “Cuomo seized power in one of his executive orders … and vested it in the health department and the state health department. Prior to that, county health departments had wide latitude in state statute,” McLaughlin said. “It still remains in state statute, but he set it up in his mind so that we had to go to him and get permission. So, we did that. We said we don’t want people coming here, but if they are, we want a 14-day quarantine.”
McLaughin stated that Gov. Cuomo did not immediately respond, so he went ahead and released the order about the same time as Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo put out a similar order calling for travelers from New York to quarantine for 14 days after visiting the state.
Cuomo ended up threatening Raimondo with legal action after the order was issued, which led to its repeal.
McLaughlin already stated that he is getting calls from other counties who are wanting to impose a similar order.
When you look at the numbers from Rensselaer County, it’s not hard to understand why they want to keep folks from areas that are experiencing an explosion of cases from coming into their area. The county is 2 1/2 hours north of NYC and boasts a population of more than 150,000 people.
As of now, they have only 52 cases of the virus. They obviously want to keep things that way, and a good way to do it is to impose measures that allow them to keep folks out who could be potential carriers.
What’s truly ironic about all of this is how the vast majority of individuals wanting to take these kind of measures are radical leftists who hated on conservatives for wanting to keep illegal immigrants out of our country because of illness and disease among other reasons.
Now all of the sudden they are discovering how effective keeping people out of their areas can be in this kind of situation. These kind of measures work and this virus is highlighting that fact for all to see.
The left will definitely have a harder time arguing against a secure border and the enforcement of immigration law after this is all said and done.
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thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--CNN Fake News Regular Slimes: Trump’s Chi-Com Virus ‘Sins’ Will Be ‘Paid in Human Lives’

The journalists and guests on CNN are doing their best to stay partisan during this mounting coronavirus emergency .
On Sunday , liberal Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter brought on David Remnick to slime Donald Trump .
The New Yorker editor excoriated the “ mendacious ” Trump , saying his “ sins ” will “ be paid in human lives.
” Asked to compare the President and New York ’ s Democratic Governor , Andrew Cuomo , Remnick naturally cheered on Cuomo : “ Governor Cuomo , no matter what you thought of him before , whatever arguments you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and straightforwardness .
He 's treating the citizens of New York as adults , people who can make their decisions based on the truth and understand the truth.
” According to the New Yorker editor , Trump ’ s “ worst qualities ” will be paid in “ human blood ” : The President of the United States , well , the cocktail of all his worst qualities is mendaciousness , his constant telling of lies , his narcissism , his lack of empathy for people in general , his obsession with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to disaster , has led to delay .
And this will be -- and I think history will prove this -- this will be something that 's paid in human lives and that 's an enormous tragedy .
Striking a condescending tone , Remnick pitted the “ informed ” vs. the stupid Trump supporters : “ And it 's , you know , it works hand in hand with Fox News and other such media .
And what you see in this country , unfortunately , is a kind of a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , and it 's based largely on information.
” He also repeated the false claim that Trump called the corona crisis a “ hoax.
” But , then , Remnick is known for ridiculous hyperbole .
He once claimed that the “ future of the Earth ” hung in the balance during Trump ’ s impeachment .
A transcript of the segment is below .
Click “ expand ” to read more .
BRIAN STELTER : Every day these New York City streets get lonelier and lonelier and that is a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
Dr. Deborah Birx said today that no state , no metro area will be spared from this virus .
What is happening in New York now is coming to cities and communities across the country .
Let me bring in the editor of the New Yorker Magazine , David Remnick .
He 's been publishing the magazine from home .
David , we 're standing by for Governor Cuomo 's press conference , his daily briefing .
How would you contrast Cuomo and President Trump 's handling of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorker ) : Truth versus mendacity ?
Governor Cuomo , no matter what you thought of him before , whatever arguments you might have had before is treating this with truth and straightforwardness .
He 's treating the citizens of New York as adults , people who can make their decisions based on the truth and understand the truth .
The President of the United States , well , the cocktail of all his worst qualities is mendaciousness , his constant telling of lies , his narcissism , his lack of empathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with money , classes , etcetera , has led to disaster , has led to delay .
And this will be -- and I think history will prove this -- this will be something that 's paid in human lives and that 's an enormous tragedy .
STELTER : You wrote from your most recent column for The New Yorker that misinformation is a pathogen unto itself and can cost lives .
Is what Trump 's doing misinformation ?
Is that your view ?
REMNICK : I do .
I think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , it works hand in hand with Fox News and other such media .
And what you see in this country , unfortunately , is a kind of a country trade is divided in half in some ways , and it 's based largely on information and their attitude , as Maggie pointed out , as Maggie Haberman pointed out before , how they feel about Donald Trump .
The idea that the President of the United States would get up in front of -- in front of the country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a miracle , that it will all pass , and it 's a hoax played out to exacerbate charges against him on the political scene .
All of this immediately translates over to Fox News and it gets told over and over again , and people believe it , and it affects their behavior , not just what they do at the voting booth .
And that , to me is something that will go down in history as one of the worst sins a president could ever have made .

The journalists and guests on CNN are doing their best to stay partisan during this mounting coronavirus emergency. On Sunday, liberal Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter brought on David Remnick to slime Donald Trump. The New Yorker editor excoriated the “mendacious” Trump, saying his “sins” will “be paid in human lives.”
Asked to compare the President and New York’s Democratic Governor, Andrew Cuomo, Remnick naturally cheered on Cuomo: “Governor Cuomo, no matter what you thought of him before, whatever arguments you might have had before is treating this with truth and straightforwardness. He's treating the citizens of New York as adults, people who can make their decisions based on the truth and understand the truth.”
According to the New Yorker editor, Trump’s “worst qualities” will be paid in “human lives”:
The President of the United States, well, the cocktail of all his worst qualities is mendaciousness, his constant telling of lies, his narcissism, his lack of empathy for people in general, his obsession with money, classes, etcetera, has led to disaster, has led to delay. And this will be -- and I think history will prove this -- this will be something that's paid in human lives and that's an enormous tragedy.
Striking a condescending tone, Remnick pitted the “informed” vs. the stupid Trump supporters: “And it's, you know, it works hand in hand with Fox News and other such media. And what you see in this country, unfortunately, is a kind of a country trade is divided in half in some ways, and it's based largely on information.”
He also repeated the false claim that Trump called the corona crisis a “hoax.” But, then, Remnick is known for ridiculous hyperbole. He once claimed that the “future of the Earth” hung in the balance during Trump’s impeachment.
A transcript of the segment is below. Click “expand” to read more.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--Suicide and Mental Health Concerns May Be Bigger Threat Than Chi-Com Virus Itself

By now , the dangers of the coronavirus — or COVID-19 — pandemic are impossible to ignore .
As the virus has spread from China to the rest of the world , nations and state and local governments have closed businesses , schools , and even churches ; prohibited public gatherings ; imposed “ shelter-in-place ” orders , quarantines , and curfews — all to contain the spread of coronavirus .
Terms such as “ social distancing ” and “ flatten the curve ” have become part of our everyday language .
There have been more than 2,880 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but reports are surfacing that the effects of social isolation — stemming from the measures put in place to separate people and prevent them from spreading the virus — are having a serious impact on the mental health of many people .
A March 27 report in The Hill quoted Richard Schwartz , a psychotherapist who heads the Illinois-based IFS Institute .
Said Schwartz , “ There ’ s an epidemic of loneliness in the Untied States .
Loneliness is such a risk factor to your health .
This obviously has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who live alone , and more especially for people who live alone and are already lonely and who don ’ t have a lot of loved ones left.
” The seriousness of mental depression that may be exacerbated by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic was noted in a report in The Federalist on March 27 headlined , “ More People Died From Suicide Than Coronavirus In Tennessee This Week.
” The report noted a very high number of suicides in Knox County , Tennessee , the third most populous county in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knox County , Tennessee saw nine deaths by suicide within 48 hours this week as doomsday predictions over the novel Wuhan coronavirus panics an already anxious public and leaves millions unemployed and isolated .
In Tennessee , the crisis is taking its toll on those who were not physically sick but who appear to have fallen victim to the virus anyway .
As of this writing , more people have died from suicide in Knox County than people have from the virus in the entire state , where there have been 6 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Department of Health .
The report also quoted Dr. Martha Buchanan , the director of the Knox County Health Department , who advised people in her county : “ Now , more than ever , we need to be kinder and gentler with ourselves and with each other .
If you are struggling , I encourage you to reach out .
Reach out to your pastor , a friend , call the hotlines.
” It is significant that Dr. Buchanan advised those who are contemplating harming themselves to reach out to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New American in 2018 underscored the importance of having a strong religious faith to counter the effects of depression .
The author quoted someone he described as “ a somewhat melancholic friend ” who once told him , “ If it weren ’ t for my faith , I ’ d eat my .45.
” Sadly but unsurprisingly , he observed , as Christianity wanes in the West , more and more people are doing just that .
Warren Mass has served The New American since its launch in 1985 in several capacities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing .
Since retiring from the staff several years ago , he has been a regular contributor to the magazine .
Warren writes from Texas and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots .
You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
.
Suicide : People Are Killing Themselves Because We ’ re Killing Christianity

By now, the dangers of the coronavirus — or COVID-19 — pandemic are impossible to ignore. As the virus has spread from China to the rest of the world, nations and state and local governments have closed businesses, schools, and even churches; prohibited public gatherings; imposed “shelter-in-place” orders, quarantines, and curfews — all to contain the spread of coronavirus. Terms such as “social distancing” and “flatten the curve” have become part of our everyday language.
There have been more than 2,880 deaths in the United States attributed to the coronavirus, but reports are surfacing that the effects of social isolation — stemming from the measures put in place to separate people and prevent them from spreading the virus — are having a serious impact on the mental health of many people. A March 27 report in The Hill quoted Richard Schwartz, a psychotherapist who heads the Illinois-based IFS Institute. Said Schwartz, “There’s an epidemic of loneliness in the Untied States. Loneliness is such a risk factor to your health. This obviously has the effect of increasing that, especially for people who live alone, and more especially for people who live alone and are already lonely and who don’t have a lot of loved ones left.”
The seriousness of mental depression that may be exacerbated by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic was noted in a report in The Federalist on March 27 headlined, “More People Died From Suicide Than Coronavirus In Tennessee This Week.”
The report noted a very high number of suicides in Knox County, Tennessee, the third most populous county in the state, with 432,000 people:
Knox County, Tennessee saw nine deaths by suicide within 48 hours this week as doomsday predictions over the novel Wuhan coronavirus panics an already anxious public and leaves millions unemployed and isolated.
In Tennessee, the crisis is taking its toll on those who were not physically sick but who appear to have fallen victim to the virus anyway. As of this writing, more people have died from suicide in Knox County than people have from the virus in the entire state, where there have been 6 fatalities from the disease, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
The report also quoted Dr. Martha Buchanan, the director of the Knox County Health Department, who advised people in her county: “Now, more than ever, we need to be kinder and gentler with ourselves and with each other. If you are struggling, I encourage you to reach out. Reach out to your pastor, a friend, call the hotlines.”
It is significant that Dr. Buchanan advised those who are contemplating harming themselves to reach out to their pastor.
An article published in The New American in 2018 underscored the importance of having a strong religious faith to counter the effects of depression.
The author quoted someone he described as “a somewhat melancholic friend” who once told him, “If it weren’t for my faith, I’d eat my .45.”
Sadly but unsurprisingly, he observed, as Christianity wanes in the West, more and more people are doing just that.
Image: valentinrussanov via iStock / Getty Images Plus
Warren Mass has served The New American since its launch in 1985 in several capacities, including marketing, editing, and writing. Since retiring from the staff several years ago, he has been a regular contributor to the magazine. Warren writes from Texas and can be reached at wmass@thenewamerican.com.
Related articles:
Suicide: People Are Killing Themselves Because We’re Killing Christianity


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--ICYMI: NYC Mayor Threatens to PERMANENTLY Shut Down Churches, an Obliteration of First Amendment Rig

ICYMI: NYC Mayor Threatens to PERMANENTLY Shut Down Churches, an Obliteration of First Amendment Rights

While New Jersey is now facing a lawsuit for violating the Second Amendment , New York City mayor Bill de Blasio appears bent on trampling the first one by threatening to shut down churches and other worship houses permanently .
Speaking at his daily press briefing Friday , the Big Apple mayor says it can be a consequence of his government ’ s current ban on gatherings of more than 10 people , a measure designed to combat the Wuhan virus ’ s spread .
Yet de Blasio “ still hasn ’ t shut down the public parks in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health officials , ” points out Hot Air .
Note here that the “ free exercise ” ( meaning , action ) of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution ; a right to recreate in public parks is not .
De Blasio , who as recently as earlier this month was telling NYC dwellers to “ go about ” their business normally ( and was echoed by his health commissioner ) , now has gone to the other extreme .
Mentioning Friday that most worship houses have temporarily stopped holding services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no faith tradition endorses anything that endangers the members of that faith.
” ( Really ?
I seem to recall one that advocates something beginning with a j and ending with a d. ) De Blasio continued , Hot Air relates : So , the NYPD , Fire Department , Buildings Department , and everyone has been instructed that if they see worship services going on , they will go to the officials of that congregation , they ’ ll inform them they need to stop the services and disperse .
If that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently .
Again , that will begin this weekend .
Again , I ’ m sorry I have to tell you this , but anyone who ’ s hearing this take it seriously .
You ’ ve been warned , you need to stop services , help people practice their faith in different ways , but not in groups , not in gatherings that could endanger people .
[ Video below . ]
In fairness , de Blasio did strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say that with any joy , ” he also told reporters of his threat .
“ It ’ s the last thing I would like to do because I understand how important people ’ s faiths are to them , and we need our faiths in this time of crisis.
” Nonetheless , and allowing that the mayor could have misspoken , threatening churches is not a good look for a Marxist such as de Blasio .
No , that ’ s not hyperbole .
In his younger days , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and subscribed to their newsletter , and he honeymooned in Cuba .
If that ’ s not enough , he also bemoaned private property in a 2017 interview , saying , “ Look , if I had my druthers , the city government would determine every single plot of land , how development would proceed.
” Now , while I can appreciate a man using the word “ druthers ” ( I thought only I still did that ) , Bolshevik Bill ’ s comment is right out of the Marxist playbook .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanently — Marxist governments are notorious for persecuting religion — an action that would be struck down in court faster than you could say Joe Stalin .
Note , too , that de Blasio didn ’ t mention mosques when issuing his threat — only churches and synagogues .
This is interesting not just because NYC now has more than 100 official mosques and an unknown number of home-based ones ; it ’ s also that certain Muslims worldwide have openly scoffed at Wuhan flu concerns , with some saying the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and won ’ t harm Muslims .
One could chalk this up to de Blasio being an older fellow who , in accordance with his upbringing , naturally thinks of churches and synagogues when speaking of worship houses .
The problem ?
Leftists never fail to include Muslims when showing faith consideration , and de Blasio is no exception .
He even teamed with the terrorist-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR ) to launch a far-left/Islamist endeavor called “ AMPLIFY ” ( Advancing the Front Lines of Social Justice ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several projects , including adding Muslim holidays as mandatory days off in the public schools system , ” reported Conservative Review in 2017 .
Of course , many may consider it a given that mosques violating NYC ’ s Wuhan virus measures would also get the iron curtain treatment .
They shouldn ’ t — given the Left ’ s record of pandering to Islam .
For example , it was revealed in 2014 that politically correct United Kingdom authorities had turned a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for 14 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,400 native British girls .
Moreover and to the point here , Zero Hedge reports that a high official in France admitted in a leaked letter that imposing the virus-inspired “ nationwide ” lockdown on Muslim neighborhoods wasn ’ t a priority because it could spark riots .
( In fairness , perhaps the measure is nationwide ; only , “ France ” is no longer just one nation . )
Also not locked down , at least in NYC , are prenatal infanticide ( abortion ) mills .
This is quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think that worshiping the Creator is “ essential ” — but is sure that destroying His most glorious creation is .
Selwyn Duke ( @ SelwynDuke ) has written for The New American for more than a decade .
He has also written for The Hill , Observer , The American Conservative , WorldNetDaily , American Thinker , and many other print and online publications .
In addition , he has contributed to college textbooks published by Gale-Cengage Learning , has appeared on television , and is a frequent guest on radio @

While New Jersey is now facing a lawsuit for violating the Second Amendment, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio appears bent on trampling the first one by threatening to shut down churches and other worship houses permanently.
Speaking at his daily press briefing Friday, the Big Apple mayor says it can be a consequence of his government’s current ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, a measure designed to combat the Wuhan virus’s spread. Yet de Blasio “still hasn’t shut down the public parks in New York City, despite multiple complaints from the health officials,” points out Hot Air.
Note here that the “free exercise” (meaning, action) of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution; a right to recreate in public parks is not.
De Blasio, who as recently as earlier this month was telling NYC dwellers to “go about” their business normally (and was echoed by his health commissioner), now has gone to the other extreme. Mentioning Friday that most worship houses have temporarily stopped holding services, the mayor said, “No — no faith tradition endorses anything that endangers the members of that faith.”
(Really? I seem to recall one that advocates something beginning with a j and ending with a d.) De Blasio continued, Hot Air relates:
So, the NYPD, Fire Department, Buildings Department, and everyone has been instructed that if they see worship services going on, they will go to the officials of that congregation, they’ll inform them they need to stop the services and disperse.
If that does not happen, they will take additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently. Again, that will begin this weekend. Again, I’m sorry I have to tell you this, but anyone who’s hearing this take it seriously. You’ve been warned, you need to stop services, help people practice their faith in different ways, but not in groups, not in gatherings that could endanger people. [Video below.]
De Blasio: churches and synagogues that hold worship services may be closed permanently pic.twitter.com/kdUsdbP2YO — Matthew Schmitz (@matthewschmitz) March 29, 2020
In fairness, de Blasio did strike a conciliatory tone. “I don’t say that with any joy,” he also told reporters of his threat. “It’s the last thing I would like to do because I understand how important people’s faiths are to them, and we need our faiths in this time of crisis.”
Nonetheless, and allowing that the mayor could have misspoken, threatening churches is not a good look for a Marxist such as de Blasio. No, that’s not hyperbole. In his younger days, the mayor raised money for the Marxist Sandinistas and subscribed to their newsletter, and he honeymooned in Cuba.
If that’s not enough, he also bemoaned private property in a 2017 interview, saying, “Look, if I had my druthers, the city government would determine every single plot of land, how development would proceed.”
Now, while I can appreciate a man using the word “druthers” (I thought only I still did that), Bolshevik Bill’s comment is right out of the Marxist playbook. So is his threat to close churches permanently — Marxist governments are notorious for persecuting religion — an action that would be struck down in court faster than you could say Joe Stalin.
Note, too, that de Blasio didn’t mention mosques when issuing his threat — only churches and synagogues. This is interesting not just because NYC now has more than 100 official mosques and an unknown number of home-based ones; it’s also that certain Muslims worldwide have openly scoffed at Wuhan flu concerns, with some saying the disease is Allah’s wrath on “infidels” and won’t harm Muslims.
One could chalk this up to de Blasio being an older fellow who, in accordance with his upbringing, naturally thinks of churches and synagogues when speaking of worship houses. The problem?
Leftists never fail to include Muslims when showing faith consideration, and de Blasio is no exception. He even teamed with the terrorist-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to launch a far-left/Islamist endeavor called “AMPLIFY” (Advancing the Front Lines of Social Justice) and has worked with the organization “on several projects, including adding Muslim holidays as mandatory days off in the public schools system,” reported Conservative Review in 2017.
Of course, many may consider it a given that mosques violating NYC’s Wuhan virus measures would also get the iron curtain treatment. They shouldn’t — given the Left’s record of pandering to Islam. For example, it was revealed in 2014 that politically correct United Kingdom authorities had turned a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for 14 years, thus enabling the brutal abuse of more than 1,400 native British girls.
Moreover and to the point here, Zero Hedge reports that a high official in France admitted in a leaked letter that imposing the virus-inspired “nationwide” lockdown on Muslim neighborhoods wasn’t a priority because it could spark riots. (In fairness, perhaps the measure is nationwide; only, “France” is no longer just one nation.)
Also not locked down, at least in NYC, are prenatal infanticide (abortion) mills. This is quite telling. De Blasio clearly doesn’t think that worshiping the Creator is “essential” — but is sure that destroying His most glorious creation is.
Image: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
Selwyn Duke (@SelwynDuke) has written for The New American for more than a decade. He has also written for The Hill, Observer, The American Conservative, WorldNetDaily, American Thinker, and many other print and online publications. In addition, he has contributed to college textbooks published by Gale-Cengage Learning, has appeared on television, and is a frequent guest on radio.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-30--Word ‘Sunscreen’ Mentioned 49 Times in Bill: RINO Mitch McConnell Denies Putting Sunscreen Act That

Word ‘Sunscreen’ Mentioned 49 Times in Bill: RINO Mitch McConnell Denies Putting Sunscreen Act That Would Benefit Manufacturers In Kentucky Into $2 Trillion Chi-Com Virus Relief Bill

The $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump mentions the word sunscreen 49 times , but why is that ?
How could that help fight the coronavirus as the deadly disease continues to spread throughout the U.S. ?
The Treatment of Sunscreen Innovation Act , which benefits large manufacturers in Kentucky — where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is up for re-election in November — was placed into the coronavirus stimulus package .
Right before the bill passed , the French cosmetics company L ’ Oréal , which has factories in Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ton of supplies and services to those affected by the coronavirus .
( RELATED : ‘ We Have A Deal ’ : McConnell Speaks After $ 2 Trillion Emergency Relief Package For Coronavirus Has Been Reached ) “ L ’ Oréal USA today announced a multi-faceted initiative to support Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak and recovery .
This commitment is made in addition to L ’ Oréal ’ s Europe-wide Coronavirus Solidarity Program , which includes a one-million euro donation to non-profit organizations across Europe , ” the company said in a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who could have knowledge of the issue and spoke to Rachel Bovard , the Senior Director of Policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute .
“ The word ‘ sunscreen ’ appears in an emergency coronavirus relief bill 49 times .
It ’ s unclear what this bill has to do with helping workers and families impacted by this public health crisis — except to say that powerful members of Congress are skilled in never letting a crisis go to waste , ” Bovard told the Daily Caller .
McConnell ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ help establish the working groups at the beginning of the process , but Alexander and Murray led this particular group , ” speaking of Republican Tennesse Sen. Lamar Alexander and Democratic Washington Sen. Patty Murray .
“ When we began bipartisan discussions on the coronavirus bill with our Democratic colleagues , they asked us to include this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill into the larger coronavirus package .
We were very happy to oblige as it was bipartisan , related to the coronavirus crisis , and when Sen. Murray asks Sen. Alexander to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an easy call as it was a bipartisan bill that the Committee had already approved and important to help the American people , ” a spokesperson for Alexander told the Daily Caller .
David Cleary , the chief of staff for Alexander , said , “ Senator McConnell ’ s office actively opposed the inclusion of the over the counter monograph reform and sunscreen legislation until the very end.
” A spokesperson for Alexander also explained that The Treatment of Sunscreen Innovation Act , which includes the word sunscreen 49 times , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Innovation , and Reform Act , which is a bipartisan bill from former Republican Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson and Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey that passed the Senate by a vote of 91-2 .
These are a part of the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package .
McConnell ’ s office would not say if they would criticize other senators over unrelated provisions in the bill .
When the Daily Caller asked McConnell ’ s office if the senator pushed for this in the Senate and/or with the Food and Drug Administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s staff nor McConnell himself had any role or contact with this part of the legislation .

The $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump mentions the word sunscreen 49 times, but why is that? How could that help fight the coronavirus as the deadly disease continues to spread throughout the U.S.?
The Treatment of Sunscreen Innovation Act, which benefits large manufacturers in Kentucky — where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is up for re-election in November — was placed into the coronavirus stimulus package.
Right before the bill passed, the French cosmetics company L’Oréal, which has factories in Kentucky, announced they will be donating a ton of supplies and services to those affected by the coronavirus. (RELATED: ‘We Have A Deal’: McConnell Speaks After $2 Trillion Emergency Relief Package For Coronavirus Has Been Reached)
“L’Oréal USA today announced a multi-faceted initiative to support Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak and recovery. This commitment is made in addition to L’Oréal’s Europe-wide Coronavirus Solidarity Program, which includes a one-million euro donation to non-profit organizations across Europe,” the company said in a press release Thursday.
The Daily Caller contacted those who could have knowledge of the issue and spoke to Rachel Bovard, the Senior Director of Policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute.
“The word ‘sunscreen’ appears in an emergency coronavirus relief bill 49 times. It’s unclear what this bill has to do with helping workers and families impacted by this public health crisis — except to say that powerful members of Congress are skilled in never letting a crisis go to waste,” Bovard told the Daily Caller.
McConnell’s office told the Daily Caller the senator did “help establish the working groups at the beginning of the process, but Alexander and Murray led this particular group,” speaking of Republican Tennesse Sen. Lamar Alexander and Democratic Washington Sen. Patty Murray.
“When we began bipartisan discussions on the coronavirus bill with our Democratic colleagues, they asked us to include this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill into the larger coronavirus package. We were very happy to oblige as it was bipartisan, related to the coronavirus crisis, and when Sen. Murray asks Sen. Alexander to consider something he always listens. This was an easy call as it was a bipartisan bill that the Committee had already approved and important to help the American people,” a spokesperson for Alexander told the Daily Caller.
David Cleary, the chief of staff for Alexander, said, “Senator McConnell’s office actively opposed the inclusion of the over the counter monograph reform and sunscreen legislation until the very end.”
A spokesperson for Alexander also explained that The Treatment of Sunscreen Innovation Act, which includes the word sunscreen 49 times, was included in The Over-the-Counter Drug Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act, which is a bipartisan bill from former Republican Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson and Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey that passed the Senate by a vote of 91-2. These are a part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package.
McConnell’s office would not say if they would criticize other senators over unrelated provisions in the bill.
When the Daily Caller asked McConnell’s office if the senator pushed for this in the Senate and/or with the Food and Drug Administration, they responded by saying none of McConnell’s staff nor McConnell himself had any role or contact with this part of the legislation.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-31--President Trump Blasts NYT & WaPo: When I Figure Out Who’s More Dishonest ‘I’ll Let You Know’

Trump Blasts NYT & WaPo : When I Figure Out Who 's More Dishonest ' I 'll Let You Know' President Donald Trump took shots at The New York Times and The Washington Post for being “ dishonest ” and “ corrupt '' while being interviewed during a “ Fox & Friends ” update on the battle against the China originated coronavirus .
“ Number one , you don ’ t know what they ’ re doing , and when you read it in The Washington Post , you don ’ t believe it .
… I see stories in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are so phony , ” Trump said .
“ When I read things in The Washington Post , I mean , I can tell you stories they write that are just the opposite . ''
`` They will do anything they can to hurt this presidency , and yet here we are with the best numbers we ’ ve ever had , '' Trump said .
`` I don ’ t even understand it when you can get such fake news from so many , '' he added .
`` The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; they are dishonest people — Washington Post same thing , '' Trump asserted .
`` I ’ m trying to figure out for three and a half years , who is more dishonest , who is more corrupt , The Washington Post or the New York Times ? ''
Trump questioned .
`` When I figure it out I ’ ll let you know .
We ’ ll have a special.
” Earlier this month , The New York Times deceptively edited a quote from Trump 's recent call with state governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created the false impression that Trump was denying federal support for ventilators for hospitals treating coronavirus victims .
In Trump 's message , he recommended that states procure ventilators because it would be quicker , adding the federal government “ will be backing you.
” But the Times journalists edited the president ’ s statement and shared an out of context quote on social media .
Trump told the governors during the Monday conference : “ Respirators , ventilators , all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves . ''
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting it yourselves .
Point of sales , much better , much more direct if you can get it yourself.
” But the Times journalists left out most of what the president said in the body of their posts .

Trump Blasts NYT & WaPo: When I Figure Out Who's More Dishonest 'I'll Let You Know'
President blasts 'dishonest' and 'corrupt' media outlets
© press 'I don’t even understand it when you can get such fake news from so many,' Trump said
President Donald Trump took shots at The New York Times and The Washington Post for being “dishonest” and “corrupt" while being interviewed during a “Fox & Friends” update on the battle against the China originated coronavirus.
“Number one, you don’t know what they’re doing, and when you read it in The Washington Post, you don’t believe it. … I see stories in The Washington Post that are so fake and are so phony,” Trump said.
He added:
“When I read things in The Washington Post, I mean, I can tell you stories they write that are just the opposite."
"They will do anything they can to hurt this presidency, and yet here we are with the best numbers we’ve ever had," Trump said.
"I don’t even understand it when you can get such fake news from so many," he added.
© press 'The New York Times is a totally dishonest paper; they are dishonest people — Washington Post same thing,' Trump asserted.
"The New York Times is a totally dishonest paper; they are dishonest people — Washington Post same thing," Trump asserted.
"I’m trying to figure out for three and a half years, who is more dishonest, who is more corrupt, The Washington Post or the New York Times?" Trump questioned.
"When I figure it out I’ll let you know. We’ll have a special.”
Earlier this month, The New York Times deceptively edited a quote from Trump's recent call with state governors regarding medical ventilators.
The edited quote created the false impression that Trump was denying federal support for ventilators for hospitals treating coronavirus victims.
Trump Blasts CNN Reporter, accuses network of purposely distorting his quote on governors being “appreciative”
READ MORE: https://t.co/EJMgS0QMEs — Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) March 30, 2020
© press Earlier this month, The New York Times deceptively edited a quote from Trump's recent call with state governors regarding medical ventilators
In Trump's message, he recommended that states procure ventilators because it would be quicker, adding the federal government “will be backing you.”
But the Times journalists edited the president’s statement and shared an out of context quote on social media.
Trump told the governors during the Monday conference:
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves."
“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
But the Times journalists left out most of what the president said in the body of their posts.


thelibertydaily--2020-03-31--Tyrannical Democrat DC Mayor Threatens Jail Time for Leaving Home During Chi-Com Virus Outbreak

The annual flowering of cherry trees is bringing joy — ...

WASHINGTON — Mayor Muriel Bowser is threatening residents of Washington, DC, with 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine if they leave their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
The threat of jail is alarming residents and civil libertarians who point out that at least five inmates tested positive for COVID-19 in the city’s 1,700-inmate jail near Capitol Hill.
“Our message remains the same: stay home,” Bowser, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday. The stay-home order has exceptions for grocery shopping and work deemed essential. Outdoor recreation such as running is allowed, but cannot involve people outside of a household.
The order is similar to dictates in neighboring Maryland and Virginia, but shocked residents of Washington, where there are just 401 of the nation’s 160,000 confirmed cases.
“This is insane. Criminal penalties?” tweeted Mercedes Schlapp, President Trump’s former White House director of strategic communications and an adviser to his re-election campaign.
Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, told The Post “we would be deeply concerned” if anyone actually was arrested for violating the order.
“When we saw this order, we thought, ‘You want to send them where?'” Hopkins said. “People being arrested for that causes all sorts of problems that are antithetical to the goals of lessening the virus.”
The ACLU of DC filed a lawsuit Monday seeking the appointment of an expert to help depopulate the city’s only jail of elderly, health-compromised and non-violent inmates. Many inmates are awaiting trial.
The labor union representing DC jail officers — a part of the Fraternal Order of Police — voted “no confidence” this month against Department of Corrections leaders over safety conditions to prevent spread of the virus.
Because DC courts are operating in a limited capacity due to the virus, it’s unclear when arrested people would be able to be released, Hopkins said.
“What we would hope for is voluntary compliance with the stay-at-home order and discretion on the part of officers to break those sort of things up and send people home,” Hopkins said.
DC’s Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately provide answers to The Post about enforcement, including whether residents would be issued warnings for a first offense. The city has a 6,500-person homeless population.
Trump said at a Monday evening press conference at the White House that federal officials are allowing local autonomy.
“We’re letting the governors do in their state pretty much what they want, with our supervision, and they consult with us in all cases,” Trump said.