truepundit--2020-12-15--Gavin Newsom Aides Privately Worry About Forced Special Election Possibility, Report Says

Aides close to Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom are worried about a growing movement to trigger a special gubernatorial election in the Golden State , according to a Politico report .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s team is “ increasingly concerned ” about the formal effort to recall the governor , Politico reported .
The Recall Gavin 2020 campaign started in June and has obtained more than half of the signatures required with about three months remaining , the group announced Thursday .
“ The Governor should be worried , but less about his political future and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve , ” Mike Netter , founding member of the California Patriot Coalition , the group behind the effort , told The Daily Caller News Foundation .
More than 800,000 Californians have physically signed the petition , the campaign announced in a Thursday press release .
Organizers have until March 17 , 2021 to collect 1,495,709 signatures , or 12 % of the votes cast for Newsom in 2018 , from California voters , according to the Office of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla .
Newsom beat Republican challenger John Cox by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California gubernatorial election , according to The New York Times .
Cox has partly funded the recall campaign .
“ Today our efforts to Recall California Governor Gavin Newsom have entered a dramatic new phase , and we can not be prouder of everyone who is working tirelessly to remove America ’ s worst governor from office , ” the effort ’ s lead proponent Orrin Heatlie , said in a statement .
“ The campaign is full speed ahead , ” said senior adviser Randy Economy .
The campaign has gained considerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months , Netter previously told the DCNF .
He credited Newsom with being the best representative for the campaign in light of recent scandals .
In November , the governor was widely criticized after he was photographed attending an indoor gathering without a mask at an upscale restaurant in Napa Valley , California , apparently in violation of his administration ’ s own guidelines .
On Wednesday , Small Business Administration data showed that PlumpJack Group , a company owned by Newsom , received nearly $ 3 million worth of Paycheck Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC affiliate KABC-TV reported .
The recall campaign was influenced by a variety of policies that Newsom implemented in his first term in office , including granting clemency to convicted felons and maintaining California as a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants .
The campaign has also cited rising homelessness as an influence for their efforts .
Newsom ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Aides close to Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom are worried about a growing movement to trigger a special gubernatorial election in the Golden State, according to a Politico report.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s team is “increasingly concerned” about the formal effort to recall the governor, Politico reported. The Recall Gavin 2020 campaign started in June and has obtained more than half of the signatures required with about three months remaining, the group announced Thursday.
“The Governor should be worried, but less about his political future and more about the people he was elected to serve,” Mike Netter, founding member of the California Patriot Coalition, the group behind the effort, told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
More than 800,000 Californians have physically signed the petition, the campaign announced in a Thursday press release. Organizers have until March 17, 2021 to collect 1,495,709 signatures, or 12% of the votes cast for Newsom in 2018, from California voters, according to the Office of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.
Newsom beat Republican challenger John Cox by about 22 percentage points in the 2018 California gubernatorial election, according to The New York Times. Cox has partly funded the recall campaign.
“Today our efforts to Recall California Governor Gavin Newsom have entered a dramatic new phase, and we cannot be prouder of everyone who is working tirelessly to remove America’s worst governor from office,” the effort’s lead proponent Orrin Heatlie, said in a statement.
“The campaign is full speed ahead,” said senior adviser Randy Economy.
Recall Gavin Newsom is right answer to NPR report that 85% of Californians are under stay at home orders through Christmas.Elected officials act like petty tyrants in suppressing Christmas and dictating lifestyle restrictions to American citizens who have constitutional rights — Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 7, 2020
California’s liberal elite send their kids to private school & dine out while lecturing YOU about danger of leaving your home. Governor Newsom’s shutdown holds families hostage.
It’s time to go @GavinNewsom, I’m backing the recall
Donate here:https://t.co/AQRvNDGGH1 — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 11, 2020
The campaign has gained considerable momentum over the course of the last few months, Netter previously told the DCNF. He credited Newsom with being the best representative for the campaign in light of recent scandals.
In November, the governor was widely criticized after he was photographed attending an indoor gathering without a mask at an upscale restaurant in Napa Valley, California, apparently in violation of his administration’s own guidelines. On Wednesday, Small Business Administration data showed that PlumpJack Group, a company owned by Newsom, received nearly $3 million worth of Paycheck Protection Program loans intended for small businesses, ABC affiliate KABC-TV reported.
The recall campaign was influenced by a variety of policies that Newsom implemented in his first term in office, including granting clemency to convicted felons and maintaining California as a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants. The campaign has also cited rising homelessness as an influence for their efforts.
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-16--PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 7 things you need to know this Wednesday the 16th — Dec 2020

There is also a full , ad-free video podcast of this broadcast available on True Pundit ’ s Patreon Page @ @ @ @ @ SubscribeStar.com page for our subscribers to help us do what we do .
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Listen above or below.
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-17--PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 8 things you need to know this Thursday the 17th — Dec 2020


truepundit--2020-12-18--Twitter To Remove ‘Harmful, Misleading Or False Information’ On COVID-19 Vaccinations

On Wednesday , Twitter announced that tweets containing ‘ false or misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccinations ’ will be removed @ @ @ @ @ “ intentionally cause harm to control populations ” or promote ‘ conspiracy theories ’ can @ @ @ @ @ a post on their official blog ; Moving forward and beginning next week , we @ @ @ @ @ may require people to remove Tweets which advance harmful false or misleading narratives about COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ False claims that suggest immunizations and vaccines are used to intentionally cause harm to or @ @ @ @ @ about vaccines that invoke a deliberate conspiracy ; • False claims which have been widely @ @ @ @ @ or effects of receiving vaccinations ; or • False claims that COVID-19 is not real @ @ @ @ @ therefore that vaccinations are unnecessary .
The company will also “ label or place a @ @ @ @ @ unsubstantiated rumors , disputed claims , as well as incomplete or out-of-context information about vaccines.
@ @ @ @ @ to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

On Wednesday, Twitter announced that tweets containing ‘false or misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccinations’ will be removed.
Tweets claiming that vaccines “intentionally cause harm to control populations” or promote ‘conspiracy theories’ can and will be removed to a post on their official blog;
Moving forward and beginning next week, we are expanding the policy and may require people to remove Tweets which advance harmful false or misleading narratives about COVID-19 vaccinations, including: False claims that suggest immunizations and vaccines are used to intentionally cause harm to or control populations , including statements about vaccines that invoke a deliberate conspiracy ;
, including statements about vaccines ; False claims which have been widely debunked about the adverse impacts or effects of receiving vaccinations; or
about the adverse impacts or effects of receiving vaccinations; or False claims that COVID-19 is not real or not serious, and therefore that vaccinations are unnecessary.
The company will also “label or place a warning on Tweets that advance unsubstantiated rumors, disputed claims, as well as incomplete or out-of-context information about vaccines.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--“Great Reset” – 61% Of Nations Have Decimated Liberty With COVID Restrictions

An international human rights group has warned that the majority of nations across the globe have implemented COVID related restrictions @ @ @ @ @ liberties of their citizens .
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance ( IDEA @ @ @ @ @ , reports that 61 per cent of countries have used restrictions “ that were concerning @ @ @ @ @ rights perspective.
” Even more concerning was the finding that almost half of all Democratic @ @ @ @ @ basic human rights : The group has warned that most at risk from the restrictions @ @ @ @ @ IDEA also noted that half of all countries have used COVID to implement restrictions in @ @ @ @ @ disinformation ” about the virus – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast @ @

An international human rights group has warned that the majority of nations across the globe have implemented COVID related restrictions that have severely eroded the liberties of their citizens.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), based in Sweden, reports that 61 per cent of countries have used restrictions “that were concerning from a democracy and human rights perspective.”
‘These [restrictions] violated democratic standards because they were either disproportionate, illegal, indefinite or unnecessary in relation to the health threat,” the group declared in its report.
ℹ By October 2020, 99 out of 162 countries in the 🌎 had implemented measures to contain #COVID19 that present concerns from a #Democracy & #HumanRights perspective.📣 For more findings, look out for @Int_IDEA‘s #GlobalStateofDemocracy in Focus out on 🗓 Wednesday 9 December‼ pic.twitter.com/juzrZZk8zX — International IDEA (@Int_IDEA) December 8, 2020
Even more concerning was the finding that almost half of all Democratic countries implemented measures that violate basic human rights:
📣 Our latest report on the #GlobalStateofDemocracy shows worrying 🌍 trends‼ Nearly half of #democracies worldwide implemented measures to curb the #COVID19 #pandemic that violate basic democratic & #HumanRights standards. Access it ⬇. #DefendDemocracyhttps://t.co/oLgBUwrbeu — International IDEA (@Int_IDEA) December 9, 2020
The group has warned that most at risk from the restrictions is freedom of expression:
IDEA also noted that half of all countries have used COVID to implement restrictions in the name of preventing “disinformation” about the virus – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--In Leaked Audio, Julian Assange Warns Clinton State Department Lawyer About Cables Stolen From WikiL

In Leaked Audio, Julian Assange Warns Clinton State Department Lawyer About Cables Stolen From WikiLeaks

Leaked audio obtained by Project Veritas reveals that in 2011 , WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange warned the Hillary Clinton-led State @ @ @ @ @ had stolen a trove of classified cables from the whistleblower organization and was about to @ @ @ @ @ State Department attorney Cliff Johnson that WikiLeaks had planned to release the cables with sensitive @ @ @ @ @ concern over endangering people by what he believed to be a reckless release .
“ @ @ @ @ @ is that we have intelligence that the State Department Database Archive of 250,000 diplomatic cables @ @ @ @ @ spread around and is to the degree that we believe that within the next few @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Assange , adding “ We ’ re not sure but the timing @ @ @ @ @ the next few days to a week and there may be some possibility to stop @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Leaked audio obtained by Project Veritas reveals that in 2011, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange warned the Hillary Clinton-led State Department that a rogue employee had stolen a trove of classified cables from the whistleblower organization and was about to release it.
Assange told State Department attorney Cliff Johnson that WikiLeaks had planned to release the cables with sensitive information redacted, and expressed concern over endangering people by what he believed to be a reckless release.
BREAKING: @Project_Veritas Obtains Recording Of Call Between @Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange & Lawyer In Hillary Clinton’s State Dept. Warns US Government Trouble Was Coming Their Way With Unredacted Release Of Classified Cables Stolen From Wikileaks pic.twitter.com/hx5u2fSzuC — James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) December 16, 2020
“Yes, so the situation is that we have intelligence that the State Department Database Archive of 250,000 diplomatic cables including declassified cables is being spread around and is to the degree that we believe that within the next few days it will become public,” said Assange, adding “We’re not sure but the timing could be imminently or within the next few days to a week and there may be some possibility to stop it.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--NYC Office Space For Rent Hits Highest Level Since 2003 As Goldman Flees For Florida

All of a sudden , the world of New York City Commercial real estate could be standing on shaky ground .
Aside from the fact that Mayor Bill de Blasio has actively turned Manhattan into a ( crime infested ) ghost down through a combination of his pandemic response and his “ social justice ” policies , the city ’ s iconic commercial real estate may wind up looking far better from the outside than it does on the inside .
This is because a host of major corporations , including names like Goldman Sachs , are leaving new year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas .
Kathy Wylde , president of the Partnership for New York City told Bloomberg : “ All the banks , insurance companies and hedge funds are considering options.
” In New York , the amount of office space available for rent in Manhattan has now hit the highest level in 2003 , as subleases have “ flooded ” the market .
This is on top of local stores and restaurants which have been struggling mightily throughout the course of the year .
Even Broadway remains shuttered .
Jeff Blau , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Hudson Yards project , told Bloomberg : “ This is an important reminder to policy makers that we can ’ t take jobs for granted , even those that have been here for generations.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

All of a sudden, the world of New York City Commercial real estate could be standing on shaky ground.
Aside from the fact that Mayor Bill de Blasio has actively turned Manhattan into a (crime infested) ghost down through a combination of his pandemic response and his “social justice” policies, the city’s iconic commercial real estate may wind up looking far better from the outside than it does on the inside.
This is because a host of major corporations, including names like Goldman Sachs, are leaving new year in favor of states like Florida and Texas. Kathy Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City told Bloomberg: “All the banks, insurance companies and hedge funds are considering options.”
In New York, the amount of office space available for rent in Manhattan has now hit the highest level in 2003, as subleases have “flooded” the market. This is on top of local stores and restaurants which have been struggling mightily throughout the course of the year. Even Broadway remains shuttered.
Jeff Blau, chief executive officer of Related Companies, the developer of the Hudson Yards project, told Bloomberg: “This is an important reminder to policy makers that we can’t take jobs for granted, even those that have been here for generations.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Big Brother In Disguise: The Rise Of A New, Technological World Order

Early in the morning of Monday , December 15 , 2020 , Google suffered a major worldwide outage in which all of its internet-connected services crashed , including Nest , Google Calendar , Gmail , Docs , Hangouts , Maps , Meet and YouTube .
The outage only lasted an hour , but it was a chilling reminder of how reliant the world has become on internet-connected technologies to do everything from unlocking doors and turning up the heat to accessing work files , sending emails and making phone calls .
A year earlier , a Google outage resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nest thermostats , Nest smart locks , and Nest cameras .
As Fast Company reports , “ This essentially meant that because of a cloud storage outage , people were prevented from getting inside their homes , using their AC , and monitoring their babies.
” Welcome to the Matrix .
Twenty-some years after the Wachowskis ’ iconic film , The Matrix , introduced us to a futuristic world in which humans exist in a computer-simulated non-reality powered by authoritarian machines—a world where the choice between existing in a denial-ridden virtual dream-state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realities of life comes down to a blue pill or a red pill—we stand at the precipice of a technologically-dominated matrix of our own making .
We are living the prequel to The Matrix with each passing day , falling further under the spell of technologically-driven virtual communities , virtual realities and virtual conveniences managed by artificially intelligent machines that are on a fast track to replacing human beings and eventually dominating every aspect of our lives .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Early in the morning of Monday, December 15, 2020, Google suffered a major worldwide outage in which all of its internet-connected services crashed, including Nest, Google Calendar, Gmail, Docs, Hangouts, Maps, Meet and YouTube.
The outage only lasted an hour, but it was a chilling reminder of how reliant the world has become on internet-connected technologies to do everything from unlocking doors and turning up the heat to accessing work files, sending emails and making phone calls.
A year earlier, a Google outage resulted in Nest users being unable to access their Nest thermostats, Nest smart locks, and Nest cameras. As Fast Company reports, “This essentially meant that because of a cloud storage outage, people were prevented from getting inside their homes, using their AC, and monitoring their babies.”
Welcome to the Matrix.
Twenty-some years after the Wachowskis’ iconic film, The Matrix, introduced us to a futuristic world in which humans exist in a computer-simulated non-reality powered by authoritarian machines—a world where the choice between existing in a denial-ridden virtual dream-state or facing up to the harsh, difficult realities of life comes down to a blue pill or a red pill—we stand at the precipice of a technologically-dominated matrix of our own making.
We are living the prequel to The Matrix with each passing day, falling further under the spell of technologically-driven virtual communities, virtual realities and virtual conveniences managed by artificially intelligent machines that are on a fast track to replacing human beings and eventually dominating every aspect of our lives. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Democrat Congressman ‘Demands’ 126 Republican Members Of Congress Not Be Seated For Supporting Trump

Democrat Congressman ‘Demands’ 126 Republican Members Of Congress Not Be Seated For Supporting Trump Lawsuit

Rep. Bill Pascrell ( D-NJ ) is demanding that 126 House Republicans that supported a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election not be seated during the upcoming congressional term that starts next month .
“ Stated simply , men and women who would act to tear the United States government apart can not serve as Members of the Congress , ” Pascrell said in a statement .
“ These lawsuits seeking to obliterate public confidence in our democratic system by invalidating the clear results of the 2020 presidential election undoubtedly attack the text and spirit of the Constitution , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He continued , “ Consequently , I call on you to exercise the power of your offices to evaluate steps you can take to address these constitutional violations this Congress and , if possible , refuse to seat in the 117th Congress any Members-elect seeking to make Donald Trump an unelected dictator.
” In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Pascrell noted the “ courageous Reconstruction Congress implanted into our governing document safeguards to cleanse from our government ranks any traitors and others who would seek to destroy the Union.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) is demanding that 126 House Republicans that supported a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election not be seated during the upcoming congressional term that starts next month.
“Stated simply, men and women who would act to tear the United States government apart cannot serve as Members of the Congress,” Pascrell said in a statement. “These lawsuits seeking to obliterate public confidence in our democratic system by invalidating the clear results of the 2020 presidential election undoubtedly attack the text and spirit of the Constitution, which each Member swears to support and defend.”
He continued, “Consequently, I call on you to exercise the power of your offices to evaluate steps you can take to address these constitutional violations this Congress and, if possible, refuse to seat in the 117th Congress any Members-elect seeking to make Donald Trump an unelected dictator.”
In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Pascrell noted the “courageous Reconstruction Congress implanted into our governing document safeguards to cleanse from our government ranks any traitors and others who would seek to destroy the Union.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Biden: ‘I’m Starting to Feel Like I Won Georgia Three Times’ After Multiple Recounts

President-elect Joe Biden is cracking jokes about the Trump campaign ’ s demands for multiple recounts in Georgia .
He started by thanking residents of Georgia for “ turning out in record numbers ” in November .
“ Thank you for the faith you put in me and Vice-President Elect Harris and thank you for standing strong to make sure your voices were heard , your votes were counted , and counted , and counted again , ” Biden joked during a campaign event for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Tuesday .
He added , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I won Georgia three times .
I have to say it feels pretty good .
You know… I think all of you just taught Donald Trump a lesson .
In this election , Georgia wasn ’ t going to be bullied .
Georgia wasn ’ t going to be silenced .
Georgia certainly wasn ’ t going to stand by and let Donald Trump or the state of Texas , or anyone else come in here and toss out your votes.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below @

President-elect Joe Biden is cracking jokes about the Trump campaign’s demands for multiple recounts in Georgia.
He started by thanking residents of Georgia for “turning out in record numbers” in November.
“Thank you for the faith you put in me and Vice-President Elect Harris and thank you for standing strong to make sure your voices were heard, your votes were counted, and counted, and counted again,” Biden joked during a campaign event for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Tuesday.
Biden in Georgia jokes about the multiple recounts the Trump campaign demanded after losing the state: “I’m starting to feel like I won Georgia three times!” “All of you just taught Donald Trump a lesson,” he adds. “In this election, Georgia wasn’t going to be bullied.” pic.twitter.com/hsBObqJX2U — CBS News (@CBSNews) December 15, 2020
He added, “I’m starting to feel like I won Georgia three times. I have to say it feels pretty good. You know… I think all of you just taught Donald Trump a lesson. In this election, Georgia wasn’t going to be bullied. Georgia wasn’t going to be silenced. Georgia certainly wasn’t going to stand by and let Donald Trump or the state of Texas, or anyone else come in here and toss out your votes.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Anti-lockdown gym owner to ‘petty tyrant’ NJ governor: ‘The only way you’ll ever close these doors i

Anti-lockdown gym owner to ‘petty tyrant’ NJ governor: ‘The only way you’ll ever close these doors is when you close my casket’

Ian Smith , co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr , New Jersey — who ’ s been battling far-left Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy over coronavirus shutdowns since the spring and said he ’ s racked up over $ 1 million in fines — has a new message for Murphy and other state officials .
“ We have been open against unconstitutional shut down orders since May , ” Smith wrote in a now-viral Instagram post over the weekend .
“ Not once have we flinched , and the petty tyrant of New Jersey governor Murphy has tried everything he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over seven months later we will open our doors every single day.
” He added : “ No government official will ever tell me that I am not able to provide for my family .
I do not answer to public servants – no matter what threats or punishments they impose .
I am a free man .
I do not ask for permission .
I do not ask for forgiveness .
You work for us .
The only way you ’ ll ever close these doors is when you close my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Smith is seen holding up pieces of paper — which he presents to the camera and then discards one by one , “ Subterranean Homesick Blues “ -style — that send the same overall message .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey — who’s been battling far-left Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy over coronavirus shutdowns since the spring and said he’s racked up over $1 million in fines — has a new message for Murphy and other state officials.
“We have been open against unconstitutional shut down orders since May,” Smith wrote in a now-viral Instagram post over the weekend. “Not once have we flinched, and the petty tyrant of New Jersey governor Murphy has tried everything he could possibly think of to ruin us. Over seven months later we will open our doors every single day.”
He added: “No government official will ever tell me that I am not able to provide for my family. I do not answer to public servants – no matter what threats or punishments they impose. I am a free man. I do not ask for permission. I do not ask for forgiveness. You work for us. The only way you’ll ever close these doors is when you close my casket.”
The post comes with video in which Smith is seen holding up pieces of paper — which he presents to the camera and then discards one by one, “Subterranean Homesick Blues“-style — that send the same overall message. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Virtual happy hour: Nearly half of remote workers admit to drinking during the workday

For Americans working from home in 2020 , it seems happy hour is starting a little earlier than usual .
A new survey finds many people are nearly half of adults working remotely have secretly signed off early to have a drink .
The survey polled 2,000 Americans ( approximately 800 of whom are over 21 and working from home ) to examine the bad habits people are picking up during lockdown and the impact it ’ s having on their planning for the new year .
Forty-six percent of those working from home have clocked out early to pour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their time in quarantine .
Another 45 percent of these respondents have even admittedly taken the liberty of having an alcoholic drink during the workday .
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of HOP WTR , the survey discovered that 53 percent of those polled have been drinking alcohol more frequently during lockdown .
More than six in 10 employed respondents ( 1,400 people ) shared that virtual happy hours with their co-workers has increased their alcohol intake during quarantine .
Over half ( 52 % ) of respondents also said that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching the news this year and they average about four adult beverages each week .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

For Americans working from home in 2020, it seems happy hour is starting a little earlier than usual. A new survey finds many people are nearly half of adults working remotely have secretly signed off early to have a drink.
The survey polled 2,000 Americans (approximately 800 of whom are over 21 and working from home) to examine the bad habits people are picking up during lockdown and the impact it’s having on their planning for the new year.
Forty-six percent of those working from home have clocked out early to pour themselves a drink at least once during their time in quarantine. Another 45 percent of these respondents have even admittedly taken the liberty of having an alcoholic drink during the workday.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of HOP WTR, the survey discovered that 53 percent of those polled have been drinking alcohol more frequently during lockdown.
More than six in 10 employed respondents (1,400 people) shared that virtual happy hours with their co-workers has increased their alcohol intake during quarantine. Over half (52%) of respondents also said that they’ve felt the need to drink while watching the news this year and they average about four adult beverages each week. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Fauci won’t be seeing his kids this Christmas, and he wants everyone to do the same

Dr. Anthony Fauci and his wife will be spending the holidays — and Fauci ’ s birthday — alone this year .
Like he did for Thanksgiving , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert won ’ t be seeing his three adult daughters this Christmas or for his 80th birthday on Christmas Eve , and he recommends other Americans remain similarly isolate , he told The Washington Post .
“ That ’ s painful , ” Fauci acknowledged , but it ’ s “ just one of the things you ’ re going to have to accept as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Many Americans didn ’ t heed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s recommendation to stay home for Thanksgiving , and we ’ re now seeing “ dramatic ” increases in COVID-19 infections , Fauci acknowledged to the Post .
“ We ’ re already in a very difficult situation , and we ’ re going to make it worse ” if Christmas holidays continue on as usual , Fauci added .
So if your family members or loved ones won ’ t take “ no ” for an answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this way : “ Keep yourself and your family healthy so that you ’ ll have many more Christmases ahead of you.
” Remember “ you ’ ve enjoyed many more Christmases before , ” and realize that with vaccines heading out now , it ’ s “ highly likely ” things will be “ back to normal by next Christmas , ” Fauci added .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Dr. Anthony Fauci and his wife will be spending the holidays — and Fauci’s birthday — alone this year.
Like he did for Thanksgiving, the nation’s top infectious disease expert won’t be seeing his three adult daughters this Christmas or for his 80th birthday on Christmas Eve, and he recommends other Americans remain similarly isolate, he told The Washington Post. “That’s painful,” Fauci acknowledged, but it’s “just one of the things you’re going to have to accept as we go through this unprecedented challenging time.”
Many Americans didn’t heed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to stay home for Thanksgiving, and we’re now seeing “dramatic” increases in COVID-19 infections, Fauci acknowledged to the Post. “We’re already in a very difficult situation, and we’re going to make it worse” if Christmas holidays continue on as usual, Fauci added.
So if your family members or loved ones won’t take “no” for an answer, Fauci suggested putting it to them this way: “Keep yourself and your family healthy so that you’ll have many more Christmases ahead of you.” Remember “you’ve enjoyed many more Christmases before,” and realize that with vaccines heading out now, it’s “highly likely” things will be “back to normal by next Christmas,” Fauci added. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--Black Lives Matter Excluded From Joe Biden’s Virtual Conclave With Civil Rights Groups

The Black Lives Matter Global Network ( BLMGN ) Foundation called out Joe Biden and Kamala Harris last week for @ @ @ @ @ virtual conclave with civil rights leaders , thereby ignoring “ millions of people who brought @ @ @ @ @ ” The organization expressed its displeasure on social media last Wednesday after the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ heads of seven nonprofits focused on racial justice , including Rev .
Al Sharpton , @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC who is also president and founder of the National Action Network .
U.S. Rep. @ @ @ @ @ , an incoming senior adviser to Biden , also took part in the meeting .
@ @ @ @ @ ) – as the largest social and justice movement in history – was not invited @ @ @ @ @ account posted on Twitter .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast @ @

The Black Lives Matter Global Network (BLMGN) Foundation called out Joe Biden and Kamala Harris last week for excluding the group from a virtual conclave with civil rights leaders, thereby ignoring “millions of people who brought the Biden Harris victory home.”
The organization expressed its displeasure on social media last Wednesday after the Democratic presidential ticket reportedly met with the heads of seven nonprofits focused on racial justice, including Rev. Al Sharpton, an on-air personality featured on MSNBC who is also president and founder of the National Action Network.
U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), an incoming senior adviser to Biden, also took part in the meeting.
“(Black Lives Matter) – as the largest social and justice movement in history – was not invited,” the official BLM account posted on Twitter. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--San Francisco committee wants to remove Abraham Lincoln’s name from high school

A San Francisco committee is recommending the removal of former President Abraham Lincoln ’ s name from a high school due to his past treatment of Native Americans .
Lincoln High School was one of many that the San Francisco School Names Advisory Committee found to have a problematic title , according to the San Francisco Chronicle .
Others included George Washington High School , Herbert Hoover Middle School and Paul Revere K-8 .
A variety of criteria could remove historical figures from the list , including being slave owners , known racists or white supremacists , anyone directly involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights or environmental abuses .
“ The discussion for Lincoln centered around his treatment of First Nation peoples because that was offered first , ” committee chairman Jeremiah Jeffries told the Chronicle in an article published Monday .
“ Once he met criteria in that way , we did not belabor the point.
” Lincoln has been touted by many on the left and right , including former President Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , who mentioned him during a debate in October .
Lincoln famously led the Union ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War and signed the Emancipation Proclamation , which declared slaves in rebellious states to be free .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A San Francisco committee is recommending the removal of former President Abraham Lincoln’s name from a high school due to his past treatment of Native Americans.
Lincoln High School was one of many that the San Francisco School Names Advisory Committee found to have a problematic title, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Others included George Washington High School, Herbert Hoover Middle School and Paul Revere K-8.
A variety of criteria could remove historical figures from the list, including being slave owners, known racists or white supremacists, anyone directly involved in colonization and people connected to human rights or environmental abuses.
“The discussion for Lincoln centered around his treatment of First Nation peoples because that was offered first,” committee chairman Jeremiah Jeffries told the Chronicle in an article published Monday. “Once he met criteria in that way, we did not belabor the point.”
Lincoln has been touted by many on the left and right, including former President Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who mentioned him during a debate in October.
Lincoln famously led the Union’s defeat of the Confederacy in the Civil War and signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves in rebellious states to be free. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-18--‘Inappropriate Content’: PA Attorney General Tells His Kids ‘To Avert Their Eyes’ When MyPillow’s Mi

‘Inappropriate Content’: PA Attorney General Tells His Kids ‘To Avert Their Eyes’ When MyPillow’s Mike Lindell Is On TV

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro tweeted that he and his wife told their children “ to avert their eyes ” when MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell appeared on TV .
“ That awful My Pillow guy just came on while our family is watching the Sixers game together , ” Shapiro tweeted Wednesday .
“ Lori and I yelled at the TV and told the kids to avert their eyes because there was inappropriate content on the screen , ” Shapiro tweeted .
The MyPillow CEO is an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump , and championed the president in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephanie Hamill .
Lindell talked about what was happening with the economy then and what it ’ s implications were for business owners like himself .
Lindell has been open about his previous substance abuse and previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he hires people who have recovered from substance abuse addiction .
The CEO told the DCNF that around 10 to 20 % of his staff have “ had struggles.
” Lindell also described his personal struggles with addiction during his interview with Hamill .
He talked about his phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shapiro ’ s office and his campaign didn ’ t immediately respond to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro tweeted that he and his wife told their children “to avert their eyes” when MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell appeared on TV.
“That awful My Pillow guy just came on while our family is watching the Sixers game together,” Shapiro tweeted Wednesday.
“Lori and I yelled at the TV and told the kids to avert their eyes because there was inappropriate content on the screen,” Shapiro tweeted.
That awful My Pillow guy just came on while our family is watching the Sixers game together. Lori and I yelled at the TV and told the kids to avert their eyes because there was inappropriate content on the screen. — Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) December 16, 2020
The MyPillow CEO is an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, and championed the president in an interview with former Daily Caller video columnist Stephanie Hamill. Lindell talked about what was happening with the economy then and what it’s implications were for business owners like himself.
Lindell has been open about his previous substance abuse and previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he hires people who have recovered from substance abuse addiction. The CEO told the DCNF that around 10 to 20% of his staff have “had struggles.”
Lindell also described his personal struggles with addiction during his interview with Hamill. He talked about his phone call with Trump before the 2016 election.
Shapiro’s office and his campaign didn’t immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-18--Retail Sales Plummet For Second Month In A Row, Lower Than Expected With Holiday Shopping Underway

The U.S. reported lower than expected retail sales in November , marking the second straight month the figure decreased even as the holiday shopping season began .
Retail sales totaled $ 546.5 billion in November , a 1.1 % drop from October ’ s figures , according to a Wednesday Department of Commerce report .
Economists had projected retail sales to decrease by just 0.3 % , CNBC reported .
“ Anywhere there ’ s crowds people stayed away from , ” Joshua Shapiro , chief U.S. economist at consulting firm Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc. , told The Wall Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here till the vaccine is widely distributed.
” “ It ’ s clear it ’ s going to be a very tough winter for a lot of segments of the economy , ” Shapiro said .
The Commerce Department also revised October retail sales from a 0.3 % increase to a 0.1 % decrease .
The revision meant that October was the first month in which U.S. retail sales decreased , ending a several months-long rally , The WSJ reported .
Retail sales bottommed out at $ 412.77 billion in April as coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions shut down local economies , according to The WSJ .
The sales figure dipped despite November marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season .
Americans spent an average of about $ 312 on holiday purchases from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday , a 14 % decrease compared to the same period in 2019 , according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics , The WSJ reported .
New jobless claims increased to 853,000 Thursday signaling a slowing economic recovery .
The U.S. added just 245,000 jobs in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Department of Labor data released Dec. 4 .
However , the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged at the end of November , surpassing 30,000 for the first time in the index ’ s history due to positive vaccine developments , according to CNBC .
Health care providers began inoculating Americans with pharmaceutical company Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine Monday .
Average coronavirus cases and deaths per million have been steadily increasing in the U.S. since mid-October , according to The COVID Tracking Project .
On Tuesday , the U.S. reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases while 112,816 Americans remained hospitalized from the virus .

The U.S. reported lower than expected retail sales in November, marking the second straight month the figure decreased even as the holiday shopping season began.
Retail sales totaled $546.5 billion in November, a 1.1% drop from October’s figures, according to a Wednesday Department of Commerce report. Economists had projected retail sales to decrease by just 0.3%, CNBC reported.
“Anywhere there’s crowds people stayed away from,” Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at consulting firm Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc., told The Wall Street Journal. “It underscores the difficulty here till the vaccine is widely distributed.”
“It’s clear it’s going to be a very tough winter for a lot of segments of the economy,” Shapiro said.
The Commerce Department also revised October retail sales from a 0.3% increase to a 0.1% decrease. The revision meant that October was the first month in which U.S. retail sales decreased, ending a several months-long rally, The WSJ reported.
Retail sales bottommed out at $412.77 billion in April as coronavirus quickly spread across the country and government restrictions shut down local economies, according to The WSJ. The sales figure dipped despite November marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Americans spent an average of about $312 on holiday purchases from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, a 14% decrease compared to the same period in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, The WSJ reported.
New jobless claims increased to 853,000 Thursday signaling a slowing economic recovery. The U.S. added just 245,000 jobs in November, while unemployment fell to 6.7%, according to the Department of Labor data released Dec. 4.
However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged at the end of November, surpassing 30,000 for the first time in the index’s history due to positive vaccine developments, according to CNBC. Health care providers began inoculating Americans with pharmaceutical company Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Monday.
Capitol Hill lawmakers are reportedly nearing a deal on a potential coronavirus stimulus package, Politico reported Wednesday.
Average coronavirus cases and deaths per million have been steadily increasing in the U.S. since mid-October, according to The COVID Tracking Project. On Tuesday, the U.S. reported 2,918 new coronavirus-related deaths and 189,783 new cases while 112,816 Americans remained hospitalized from the virus.


truepundit--2020-12-18--Health Care Worker In Alaska Hospitalized For Serious Allergic Reaction To Pfizer’s Coronavirus Vacc

Health Care Worker In Alaska Hospitalized For Serious Allergic Reaction To Pfizer’s Coronavirus Vaccine

An Alaskan health care worker was hospitalized with a serious allergic reaction after receiving Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine Tuesday , three people familiar with the person ’ s condition told The New York Times .
The worker remained in the hospital Wednesday and had no serious history of drug allergies , though it was unclear if he or she had a history of any allergies overall , according to the Times .
The Alaskan worker ’ s reaction was believed to be anaphylactic , similar to two reactions witnessed in the United Kingdom last week after each person received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech .
Though serious , both people in the U.K. have since fully recovered .
Though Pfizer ’ s 40,000-person clinical trial reported no serious allergic reactions caused by its vaccine , it did report temporary side effects including aches , fevers and nausea .
Following the two reactions in the U.K. , British authorities warned those with a history of severe allergic reactions to avoid Pfizer ’ s vaccine .
They later clarified their concerns and said that those with a history of anaphylactic reactions to food , medicines or vaccine should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the short-term , adding that the reactions witnessed were “ very rare.
” In response to the dual British cases , the FDA has said that would require Pfizer to more strictly monitor for anaphylaxis and report its findings once the vaccine comes into widespread use .
The CDC said last weekend that people with a history of serious allergies can still be safely vaccinated as long as they are closely monitored in the 30 minutes immediately after receiving it .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine was granted emergency use authorization from the FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Moderna is expected to be given emergency approval later this week .

An Alaskan health care worker was hospitalized with a serious allergic reaction after receiving Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Tuesday, three people familiar with the person’s condition told The New York Times.
The worker remained in the hospital Wednesday and had no serious history of drug allergies, though it was unclear if he or she had a history of any allergies overall, according to the Times.
The Alaskan worker’s reaction was believed to be anaphylactic, similar to two reactions witnessed in the United Kingdom last week after each person received the vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Though serious, both people in the U.K. have since fully recovered.
Though Pfizer’s 40,000-person clinical trial reported no serious allergic reactions caused by its vaccine, it did report temporary side effects including aches, fevers and nausea.
Following the two reactions in the U.K., British authorities warned those with a history of severe allergic reactions to avoid Pfizer’s vaccine. They later clarified their concerns and said that those with a history of anaphylactic reactions to food, medicines or vaccine should instead avoid Pfizer’s shot in the short-term, adding that the reactions witnessed were “very rare.”
In response to the dual British cases, the FDA has said that would require Pfizer to more strictly monitor for anaphylaxis and report its findings once the vaccine comes into widespread use. The CDC said last weekend that people with a history of serious allergies can still be safely vaccinated as long as they are closely monitored in the 30 minutes immediately after receiving it.
Pfizer’s vaccine was granted emergency use authorization from the FDA Friday, and a second vaccine developed by Moderna is expected to be given emergency approval later this week.


truepundit--2020-12-18--Almost 8 Million Americans Have Fallen Into Poverty In The Past Six Months, Study Finds

Almost 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty in the last six months alone , according to a joint study by economists at the University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame .
Researchers attributed the spike in the United States ’ poverty rate to most households exhausting their stimulus checks and Congress ’ s failure to extend weekly unemployment checks .
Both were issued in March following the passage of the CARES Act , and weekly unemployment benefits expired in July .
The national poverty rate rose from 9.3 % in June to 11.7 % in November , resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the federal poverty line , the study says .
The benefits granted through the CARES Act helped lower the federal unemployment rate , the researchers said , but the expiration of federal relief and the overall economic toll imposed by the pandemic forced more Americans into poverty even as the unemployment rate lowered .
“ The entire decline in poverty through June can be accounted for by the one-time stimulus checks the federal government issued , predominantly in April and May , and the expansion of unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these programs , poverty would have risen sharply , ” the study ’ s authors wrote .
The study was released as Congress races to reach a compromise on an additional stimulus bill before the government runs out of funding and as coronavirus cases spike across the country .
After months of both parties refusing to strike a bipartisan deal , congressional leaders have centered themselves around a $ 748 billion relief bill that includes another round of direct stimulus checks .
The government will shut down Saturday at midnight if Congress fails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers fail to pass another relief bill approximately 9.4 million Americans stand to lose unemployment insurance , state unemployment benefits and other aid measures established by the CARES Act on Dec. 31 , according to a study released by the JP Morgan Chase Research Institute .
Millions of Americans could also face eviction without another relief bill since protections issued through the CARES Act expire at the end of the year as well .

Almost 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty in the last six months alone, according to a joint study by economists at the University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame.
Researchers attributed the spike in the United States’ poverty rate to most households exhausting their stimulus checks and Congress’s failure to extend weekly unemployment checks. Both were issued in March following the passage of the CARES Act, and weekly unemployment benefits expired in July.
The national poverty rate rose from 9.3% in June to 11.7% in November, resulting in approximately 7.8 million additional Americans living below the federal poverty line, the study says.
The benefits granted through the CARES Act helped lower the federal unemployment rate, the researchers said, but the expiration of federal relief and the overall economic toll imposed by the pandemic forced more Americans into poverty even as the unemployment rate lowered.
“The entire decline in poverty through June can be accounted for by the one-time stimulus checks the federal government issued, predominantly in April and May, and the expansion of unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits. In fact, in the absence of these programs, poverty would have risen sharply,” the study’s authors wrote.
The study was released as Congress races to reach a compromise on an additional stimulus bill before the government runs out of funding and as coronavirus cases spike across the country.
After months of both parties refusing to strike a bipartisan deal, congressional leaders have centered themselves around a $748 billion relief bill that includes another round of direct stimulus checks.
The government will shut down Saturday at midnight if Congress fails to pass a spending bill. If lawmakers fail to pass another relief bill approximately 9.4 million Americans stand to lose unemployment insurance, state unemployment benefits and other aid measures established by the CARES Act on Dec. 31, according to a study released by the JP Morgan Chase Research Institute.
Millions of Americans could also face eviction without another relief bill since protections issued through the CARES Act expire at the end of the year as well.


truepundit--2020-12-18--DC May Release Violent Felons Despite Rise In Murder, Arson, Auto Theft

The Washington , D.C. city council on Tuesday approved a measure to allow certain violent felons to apply for early release , despite a crime wave in the nation ’ s capital .
The bill , which has been dubbed The Second Amendment Look Act , passed the local government body with a 12-1 veto-proof majority , and will now head to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser ’ s desk for approval , according to the Washington Times .
The ordinance allows inmates who committed a crime between the age of 18-25 and have spent over 15 years in prison to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Washington , D.C. has experienced 194 murders so far this year , compared to 160 in all of 2019 , according to reported crime statistics .
The uptick in homicides equates to a 20 % rise from last year , the data showed .
Motor vehicle theft has also seen 48 % rise and arson is up 63 % , according to the statistics .
Approximately 300 felons would be eligible for the release program , and the applicants would need to demonstrate proof of rehabilitation , the Times reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ law will still need a congressional go-ahead , as is customary for legislation in the nation ’ s capital , the Times wrote .
Criminal justice reform advocates like the FAMM Foundation , which stands for Families Against Mandatory Minimums , praised the city council ’ s passage .
“ This new law will not let everyone out of prison , but it will stop us from throwing everyone away , ” FAMM president Kevin Ring told the Times .
“ No one is safer when people who pose no risk to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce unnecessary incarceration , reunite families , and give people second chances , we have to revisit extreme sentences.
” “ I can disagree , respectfully disagree , with the passage of this legislation , and I think I will continue to disagree with it , ” D.C. Police Chief Newsham said during a meeting of the city council , according to the Times .
“ But at the end of the day , as a law enforcement officer in the District of Columbia , I ’ ll have to abide by @ @ @

The Washington, D.C. city council on Tuesday approved a measure to allow certain violent felons to apply for early release, despite a crime wave in the nation’s capital.
The bill, which has been dubbed The Second Amendment Look Act, passed the local government body with a 12-1 veto-proof majority, and will now head to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk for approval, according to the Washington Times. The ordinance allows inmates who committed a crime between the age of 18-25 and have spent over 15 years in prison to petition for early release, the Times reported.
Washington, D.C. has experienced 194 murders so far this year, compared to 160 in all of 2019, according to reported crime statistics. The uptick in homicides equates to a 20% rise from last year, the data showed.
Motor vehicle theft has also seen 48% rise and arson is up 63%, according to the statistics.
Approximately 300 felons would be eligible for the release program, and the applicants would need to demonstrate proof of rehabilitation, the Times reported.
If Bowser approves the bill, the law will still need a congressional go-ahead, as is customary for legislation in the nation’s capital, the Times wrote.
Criminal justice reform advocates like the FAMM Foundation, which stands for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, praised the city council’s passage.
“This new law will not let everyone out of prison, but it will stop us from throwing everyone away,” FAMM president Kevin Ring told the Times. “No one is safer when people who pose no risk to the public remain in prison. In order to reduce unnecessary incarceration, reunite families, and give people second chances, we have to revisit extreme sentences.”
D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham disagreed with the local government’s decision.
“I can disagree, respectfully disagree, with the passage of this legislation, and I think I will continue to disagree with it,” D.C. Police Chief Newsham said during a meeting of the city council, according to the Times. “But at the end of the day, as a law enforcement officer in the District of Columbia, I’ll have to abide by it.”


truepundit--2020-12-18--Members Of Family That Owns OxyContin Maker Perdue Pharma To Testify Before Congress

Two members of the family that owns Purdue Pharma , the maker of OxyContin , will testify before a congressional committee over their role in the opioid epidemic .
David and Kathe Sackler , who served on Purdue ’ s board for a combined 34 years , will appear before the House Oversight Committee Thursday and become the first members of their family to take public questions from a governing body , according to the Associated Press .
They will likely face questions regarding their company ’ s role in worsening the opioid epidemic , which has been connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century .
The hearing , rescheduled from last spring , was announced by House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney in a harsh letter to their lawyers that outlined their role in the epidemic and floated a subpoena if the two failed to appear .
“ The Committee has obtained documents showing that members of the Sackler family were closely involved in Purdue ’ s efforts to grow the market share for OxyContin and other opioids , ” the letter says .
“ Your clients have not agreed to testify at a hearing before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , it appears that your clients are not engaging in this process in good faith , ” Maloney wrote .
The hearing is virtual due to coronavirus concerns , and will also include Purdue CEO Craig Landau , Maloney announced .
Purdue said that it remains committed to combating the opioid epidemic and that its bankruptcy settlement would provide billions of dollars to affected communities , addiction treatment and lifesaving drugs .
The Sackler family has been accused of promoting and profiting off the sale of OxyContin , developed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overdose it posed .
It engaged in a multi-year campaign , pushed by paid speakers and patient advocacy groups funded by Perdue , to persuade doctors and patients that the drug was unlikely to lead to addiction , despite the fact that the opposite was true .
Three company executives pleaded guilty in 2007 to misleading the public about the risks of OxyContin , and the company has paid $ 635 million in fines since .
The Sackler family has been sued by thousands of state and local governments , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , a 2019 court filing showed .
Under a settlement reached in 2019 , family members would pay over $ 3 billion in cash , but many state attorneys general oppose the compromise and have called for even greater accountability from the owners .
In October , Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal charges , resulting in an $ 8 billion settlement .
A spokesman for the Sackler family did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .

Two members of the family that owns Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, will testify before a congressional committee over their role in the opioid epidemic.
David and Kathe Sackler, who served on Purdue’s board for a combined 34 years, will appear before the House Oversight Committee Thursday and become the first members of their family to take public questions from a governing body, according to the Associated Press.
They will likely face questions regarding their company’s role in worsening the opioid epidemic, which has been connected to approximately 450,000 deaths in the U.S. this century.
The hearing, rescheduled from last spring, was announced by House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney in a harsh letter to their lawyers that outlined their role in the epidemic and floated a subpoena if the two failed to appear.
“The Committee has obtained documents showing that members of the Sackler family were closely involved in Purdue’s efforts to grow the market share for OxyContin and other opioids,” the letter says.
“Your clients have not agreed to testify at a hearing before the Committee at any time – ever. As a result, it appears that your clients are not engaging in this process in good faith,” Maloney wrote.
The hearing is virtual due to coronavirus concerns, and will also include Purdue CEO Craig Landau, Maloney announced.
Purdue said that it remains committed to combating the opioid epidemic and that its bankruptcy settlement would provide billions of dollars to affected communities, addiction treatment and lifesaving drugs.
The Sackler family has been accused of promoting and profiting off the sale of OxyContin, developed in 1996, despite the risk of addiction and overdose it posed. It engaged in a multi-year campaign, pushed by paid speakers and patient advocacy groups funded by Perdue, to persuade doctors and patients that the drug was unlikely to lead to addiction, despite the fact that the opposite was true.
Three company executives pleaded guilty in 2007 to misleading the public about the risks of OxyContin, and the company has paid $635 million in fines since. The Sackler family has been sued by thousands of state and local governments, and has made billions from their role in the company, a 2019 court filing showed.
Under a settlement reached in 2019, family members would pay over $3 billion in cash, but many state attorneys general oppose the compromise and have called for even greater accountability from the owners. In October, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal charges, resulting in an $8 billion settlement.
A spokesman for the Sackler family did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-18--Ossoff Says Feds Should Ensure Illegal Immigrants Aren’t Paid ‘Less Than Minimum Wage’

Democratic Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff in a Monday campaign video called on federal immigration authorities to ensure illegal aliens aren ’ t being paid “ less than minimum wage.
” “ In Georgia ’ s agricultural sector , the campesinos ( farm workers ) who work in the fields , enduring some of the most brutal conditions of labor anywhere in this country to keep America fed , paid less than the minimum wage , often subject to abuse by employers , ” Ossoff told a group of supporters on the video call .
“ When federal agents arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be to make sure people are being paid the minimum wage , working in humane conditions , ” he added .
The Democratic senate candidate also addressed a supporter who asked a question and identified herself as a “ Dreamer ” fearful of President Donald Trump ’ s administration ’ s policies .
“ Dreamers , DACA recipients are every bit as American as any of us , and I will have your back in the U.S. Senate , and I will protect Dreamers in the U.S. Senate , ” he told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a path to legal status for those who are here without proper documentation and otherwise follow the law.
” “ We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform , ” he continued in a statement to the crowd .
“ We need to recognize that we can ’ t go on like this.
” Ossoff will face Republican Sen. David Perdue in the Georgia runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate .
Votes will be tallied on Jan. 5 , and Ossoff leads Purdue by .3 % , according to a Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler will face Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock in another important senate battle of the state .

Democratic Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff in a Monday campaign video called on federal immigration authorities to ensure illegal aliens aren’t being paid “less than minimum wage.”
“In Georgia’s agricultural sector, the campesinos (farm workers) who work in the fields, enduring some of the most brutal conditions of labor anywhere in this country to keep America fed, paid less than the minimum wage, [are] often subject to abuse by employers,” Ossoff told a group of supporters on the video call.
“When federal agents arrive at one of these farms it should be to make sure people are being paid the minimum wage, working in humane conditions,” he added.
Dreamers, DACA recipients, are every bit as American as any of us. I will have your back in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/CuQ6UB0TWb — Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) December 14, 2020
The Democratic senate candidate also addressed a supporter who asked a question and identified herself as a “Dreamer” fearful of President Donald Trump’s administration’s policies.
“Dreamers, DACA recipients are every bit as American as any of us, and I will have your back in the U.S. Senate, and I will protect Dreamers in the U.S. Senate,” he told her. “And we need to establish a path to legal status for those who are here without proper documentation and otherwise follow the law.”
“We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” he continued in a statement to the crowd. “We need to recognize that we can’t go on like this.”
Ossoff will face Republican Sen. David Perdue in the Georgia runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate. Votes will be tallied on Jan. 5, and Ossoff leads Purdue by .3%, according to a Wednesday FiveThirtyEight polling aggregation.
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler will face Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock in another important senate battle of the state.


truepundit--2020-12-18--‘I Didn’t Know I Had It’: Elderly 107-Year-Old Woman Defeats COVID-19

A 107-year-old Minnesota woman survived COVID-19 after she was infected in the fall , Ecumen Detroit Lakes Community Home officials said , according to CNN .
Tillie Dybing has lived in the community home for five years , CNN reported Wednesday .
Dybing turned 107 this summer and celebrated with nurses in the facility without her family to prevent the coronavirus from hitting the nursing home , KARE11 reported .
Dybing slept for awhile on one day in November and her daughter , Susan Berke , said she attempted to call her on a Saturday , according to KARE11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning and she didn ’ t answer .
I called all day and called the nurse and she , they said , ‘ well she ’ s sleeping.
’ ” Berke said in a video interview with KARE11 .
“ We were really concerned and thought , well , this is probably it.
” Berke said her mother woke up and felt alright , according to KARE11 .
Dybing tested positive for the virus a week later and sleepiness was her only symptom , KARE11 reported .
“ Didn ’ t even know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know I had it , ” Dybing said , according to KARE11 .
“ Nothing in her lungs .
They said she doesn ’ t have a fever .
She just slept all the time , ” Berke said , according to KARE11 .
Dybing moved back to her room in the facility two weeks after testing positive and doesn ’ t feel sick , KARE11 reported .
“ I thought , well , if the time has come that I have to leave , then I will go , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to KARE11 .
Dybing lived through the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 , and witnessed her husband ’ s death in her 80s .
Several of her siblings died in infancy , KARE11 reported .
Dybing lived through three major floods that happened in North Dakota and survived uterine cancer when she was 95 years old .

A 107-year-old Minnesota woman survived COVID-19 after she was infected in the fall, Ecumen Detroit Lakes Community Home officials said, according to CNN.
Tillie Dybing has lived in the community home for five years, CNN reported Wednesday. Dybing turned 107 this summer and celebrated with nurses in the facility without her family to prevent the coronavirus from hitting the nursing home, KARE11 reported.
Dybing slept for awhile on one day in November and her daughter, Susan Berke, said she attempted to call her on a Saturday, according to KARE11.
“I tried to call her Saturday morning and she didn’t answer. I called all day and called the nurse and she, they said, ‘well she’s sleeping.’” Berke said in a video interview with KARE11. “We were really concerned and thought, well, this is probably it.”
Berke said her mother woke up and felt alright, according to KARE11.
Dybing tested positive for the virus a week later and sleepiness was her only symptom, KARE11 reported.
This 107-year-old Minnesota woman survived Covid-19. It isn’t the first pandemic she has lived through. Born in 1913, Tillie Dybing was almost 5 years old when the 1918 flu pandemic hit her family farm in North Dakota, she said. https://t.co/90wwXzXiay — CNN (@CNN) December 16, 2020
“Didn’t even know I had it. I didn’t know I had it,” Dybing said, according to KARE11.
“Nothing in her lungs. They said she doesn’t have a fever. She just slept all the time,” Berke said, according to KARE11.
Dybing moved back to her room in the facility two weeks after testing positive and doesn’t feel sick, KARE11 reported.
“I thought, well, if the time has come that I have to leave, then I will go, but I’m still here,” Dybing said, according to KARE11.
Dybing lived through the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918, and witnessed her husband’s death in her 80s. Several of her siblings died in infancy, KARE11 reported. Dybing lived through three major floods that happened in North Dakota and survived uterine cancer when she was 95 years old.
WATCH:


truepundit--2020-12-18--Here’s Everything We Know About The Hunter Biden Investigation

• Hunter Biden , President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son , is under federal investigation for his relationship with a prominent Chinese energy firm and has since been subpoenaed for records of his overseas business ventures .
• The probe into the foreign dealings follows a Dec. 9 announcement from Hunter Biden in which he announced he is being investigated by Delaware authorities for possible tax crimes .
• Hunter Biden received numerous wire transfers from the Chinese firm , called CEFC , which total more than $ 6 million dollars , and a Senate GOP report alleges that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The President-elect ’ s son garnered national attention after his computer hard drive went public and was found to contain numerous emails , text messages and lewd photographs that painted a fuller picture of his dealings with Ukranian energy company Burisma .
Hunter Biden , the son of President-elect Joe Biden , is the subject of a probe into possible connections to a prominent Chinese energy firm as well as an investigation into his tax affairs .
The President-elect ’ s son announced on Dec. 9 that federal authorities in his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his finances .
Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings with China remains the primary focus of the investigation , which began in 2018 , CNN ’ s Shimon Prokupecz reported .
The probe was put on hold during Joe Biden ’ s campaign for executive office , Prokupecz wrote .
“ I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel , also yesterday , that they are investigating my tax affairs , ” Hunter Biden said in the statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.
” Days later , federal investigators announced Hunter Biden was the subject of scrutiny related to his business dealings with one of China ’ s largest energy companies , CEFC .
The corporation , which holds possible ties to the country ’ s communist regime , wired approximately $ 6 million dollars to accounts and firms controlled by the President-elect ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wire transfers were flagged for criminal activity in a report released by Senate Republicans , the DCNF found .
Another transfer from a Russian billionaire in 2014 , which amounted to $ 3.5 million , was also flagged in the GOP findings .
Hunter Biden was later subpoenaed by federal authorities to release his foreign business records with more than two dozen companies , according to the Associated Press .
Ukranian energy company Burisma , where the President-elect ’ s son held a senior role , and multiple Chinese firms were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hunter Biden gained national attention in October when he reportedly dropped his computer hard drive at a Delaware repair shop and never picked it up , according to the New York Post .
The hard drive contained lewd images of the President-elect ’ s son and a more clear picture of his business dealings with the Ukrainian firm , where he served in a high-level role for a salary of $ 50,000 per month , the Post reported .
The founder of the cybersecurity firm Errata Security Robert Graham told the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drive , which was obtained by the DCNF for review , was “ unquestionably authentic.
” The email possibly linked both Joe and Hunter Biden to the Ukrainian business .
In the 2015 message , Vadym Pozharsky , an advisor to Burisma ’ s board of directors , thanked Hunter Biden for “ inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent some time together.
” The email purportedly contradicts a claim from Joe Biden that he “ had never spoken ” to his “ son about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post reported .
Moreover , Hunter Biden ’ s ex-business partner Tony Bobulinski in late October suggested that the President-elect was well aware of his son ’ s foreign relationships .
Bobulinski said in a press conference that he , alongside both Joe and Hunter Biden , discussed financial relationships in 2017 when the trio discussed a joint venture deal between Oneida Holdings and CEFC .
“ I have heard Joe Biden say he ’ s never discussed business with Hunter , ” said Bobulinski .
“ That is false.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and Hunter Biden , ” Bobulinski said .
“ In my approximately hour-long meeting with Joe that night we discussed Biden ’ s history , the Biden family business plans with the Chinese , with which he was plainly familiar , at least at a high level.
” Further analysis of the hard-drive by the DCNF showed that Joe Biden offered his son financial assistance at least four times between November of 2018 and March of 2019 .
“ Dad can you please cash app me $ 2,000 , ” Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
“ I ’ m again overdrawn in my account for bills that can ’ t be left unpaid.
” “ I ’ ll have it all paid back next week I hope , ” Hunter Biden texted his father after Joe Biden was asked if the transfer went through .
Multiple emails and text messages appeared to paint a picture of financial distress for Hunter Biden .
The President-elect ’ s son in one message exchange asks a business partner for a $ 50,000 wire transfer while he ’ s stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his account .
“ Buddy do you have cash app to send me … $ 100 until wire goes , ” Hunter Biden emailed his business partner Jeff Cooper .
“ I have no I have no money for gas and im literally stuck at a rest stop on 95 on my way from Boston to DC.
” Political figures have raised concerns about the investigation carrying over past Joe Biden ’ s inauguration .
“ That should not be investigated by someone appointed by the president any more than if one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something or his national security adviser , ” former ethics counsel to President George W. Bush Richard Painter told the New York Times .
“ This is the opportunity for the incoming president and attorney general , whoever he chooses , to say this is exactly why we need an office of special counsel , ” he continued .

Hunter Biden, President-elect Joe Biden’s son, is under federal investigation for his relationship with a prominent Chinese energy firm and has since been subpoenaed for records of his overseas business ventures.
The probe into the foreign dealings follows a Dec. 9 announcement from Hunter Biden in which he announced he is being investigated by Delaware authorities for possible tax crimes.
Hunter Biden received numerous wire transfers from the Chinese firm, called CEFC, which total more than $6 million dollars, and a Senate GOP report alleges that some of the transactions involved criminal activity.
The President-elect’s son garnered national attention after his computer hard drive went public and was found to contain numerous emails, text messages and lewd photographs that painted a fuller picture of his dealings with Ukranian energy company Burisma.
Hunter Biden, the son of President-elect Joe Biden, is the subject of a probe into possible connections to a prominent Chinese energy firm as well as an investigation into his tax affairs.
The President-elect’s son announced on Dec. 9 that federal authorities in his home state of Delaware were conducting an inquiry into his finances. Hunter Biden’s business dealings with China remains the primary focus of the investigation, which began in 2018, CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz reported.
The probe was put on hold during Joe Biden’s campaign for executive office, Prokupecz wrote.
“I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs,” Hunter Biden said in the statement.
“I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.”
Days later, federal investigators announced Hunter Biden was the subject of scrutiny related to his business dealings with one of China’s largest energy companies, CEFC. The corporation, which holds possible ties to the country’s communist regime, wired approximately $6 million dollars to accounts and firms controlled by the President-elect’s son between 2017 and 2018.
Some of the wire transfers were flagged for criminal activity in a report released by Senate Republicans, the DCNF found. Another transfer from a Russian billionaire in 2014, which amounted to $3.5 million, was also flagged in the GOP findings.
Hunter Biden was later subpoenaed by federal authorities to release his foreign business records with more than two dozen companies, according to the Associated Press. Ukranian energy company Burisma, where the President-elect’s son held a senior role, and multiple Chinese firms were named in the report, AP reported.
Hunter Biden gained national attention in October when he reportedly dropped his computer hard drive at a Delaware repair shop and never picked it up, according to the New York Post. The hard drive contained lewd images of the President-elect’s son and a more clear picture of his business dealings with the Ukrainian firm, where he served in a high-level role for a salary of $50,000 per month, the Post reported.
The founder of the cybersecurity firm Errata Security Robert Graham told the Daily Caller News Foundation that one email in the drive, which was obtained by the DCNF for review, was “unquestionably authentic.” The email possibly linked both Joe and Hunter Biden to the Ukrainian business.
In the 2015 message, Vadym Pozharsky, an advisor to Burisma’s board of directors, thanked Hunter Biden for “inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent [sic] some time together.”
The email purportedly contradicts a claim from Joe Biden that he “had never spoken” to his “son about his overseas business dealings,” the Post reported. Moreover, Hunter Biden’s ex-business partner Tony Bobulinski in late October suggested that the President-elect was well aware of his son’s foreign relationships.
Bobulinski said in a press conference that he, alongside both Joe and Hunter Biden, discussed financial relationships in 2017 when the trio discussed a joint venture deal between Oneida Holdings and CEFC.
“I have heard Joe Biden say he’s never discussed business with Hunter,” said Bobulinski. “That is false.”
“I was introduced to Joe Biden by Jim Biden and Hunter Biden,” Bobulinski said. “In my approximately hour-long meeting with Joe that night we discussed Biden’s history, the Biden family business plans with the Chinese, with which he was plainly familiar, at least at a high level.”
Further analysis of the hard-drive by the DCNF showed that Joe Biden offered his son financial assistance at least four times between November of 2018 and March of 2019.
“Dad can you please cash app me $2,000,” Hunter Biden texted Joe Biden on March 15, 2019. “I’m again overdrawn in my account for bills that can’t be left unpaid.”
“I’ll have it all paid back next week I hope,” Hunter Biden texted his father after Joe Biden was asked if the transfer went through.
Multiple emails and text messages appeared to paint a picture of financial distress for Hunter Biden. The President-elect’s son in one message exchange asks a business partner for a $50,000 wire transfer while he’s stuck at a gas pump with no money in his account.
“Buddy do you have cash app to send me … $100 until wire goes,” Hunter Biden emailed his business partner Jeff Cooper. “I have no I have no money for gas and im literally stuck at a rest stop on 95 on my way from Boston to DC.”
Political figures have raised concerns about the investigation carrying over past Joe Biden’s inauguration.
“That should not be investigated by someone appointed by the president any more than if one of his cabinet members is accused of something or his national security adviser,” former ethics counsel to President George W. Bush Richard Painter told the New York Times.
“This is the opportunity for the incoming president and attorney general, whoever he chooses, to say this is exactly why we need an office of special counsel,” he continued.


truepundit--2020-12-18--We Can Make Rural America Great Again. Here’s How

The incoming Biden administration is talking a good game about outreach to rural areas .
Those areas , which mostly voted Republican this year , have a right to be skeptical of such outreach , as the Democrats are increasingly the party of urban blue dots—with the policies and the values to match .
Even so , it ’ s possible to see the makings of a grand bargain , in which liberal blue dots subsidize conservative red regions—for the sake of combating climate change .
Such a bargain could be a win-win for both sides : Rich Democrats alleviate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-pressed Republicans provide the solution to the problem—and collect the money .
On Dec. 8 , Rep. Cedric Richmond , who is resigning his New Orleans-based House seat to run “ public engagement ” for the White House , laid out the Biden approach : “ We ’ re not elected just to help Democrats or urban cities or minorities .
We were elected to help this entire country and that means reaching out to conservatives , that means reaching out to rural areas.
” In particular , Richmond mentioned the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure making the country greener and cleaner.
” A few days earlier , Joe Biden himself brought up rural concerns , saying “ I think they just feel forgotten , ” and adding , of his fellow Democrats , “ I think we forgot them.
” So the Biden administration could make amends , he continued , by tackling such crucial rural issues as keeping small hospitals open as well as widening access to broadband .
Yes , all that—infrastructure , hospitals , broadband—sounds good .
The question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ?
A possible answer can be found in the Democrats ’ climate-change agenda .
Most rural folks are alarmed at the way the blue dots have talked about their environmental vision ; after all , there ’ s not a lot of appetite in the boonies for trading away pickup trucks for mass transit .
Yet if the Democrats are willing to narrow the scope of their green goals to the issue of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—climate change being , after all , the principal green concern these days—then they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creativity , that Republicans would be willing partners .
The key to this potential partnership is carbon capture .
That is , pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere , even as we continue to burn carbon-based fuels for the sake of jobs and the economy .
We should note that carbon capture is a much different approach to de-carbonization than , say , wind or solar .
The upside of carbon capture is that it would allow the continuation of the normal economy—everything from oil wells to automobiles—even as the carbon load in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why Biden , cautious fellow that he is , devoted a whole section of his campaign ’ s environmental plan to carbon capture .
( Carbon capture can come in three main ways : first , redesigning industrial processes to recycle the carbon ; second , applying direct air capture ; and third , expanding organic carbon sinks , most obviously , trees . )
For his part , President Donald Trump has been mostly hostile to the green agenda , and yet even he has embraced arboreal carbon capture ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year , he highlighted his “ One Trillion Trees Initiative … to protect the environment.
” It ’ s true that orthodox greens are largely hostile to carbon capture , since it presupposes the continuing use of carbon fuels .
And yet the familiar green ideas , such as renewable energy ( but never nuclear ) and draconian restrictions on energy use , have proven to be deeply unpopular .
It ’ s one thing to say , grandly , that we will eliminate CO2 in the decades ahead ; it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are going to raise taxes , and cripple lifestyles , in the here and now .
Indeed , it seems evident that fear of a “ Green New Deal ” was one reason why the GOP did as well as it did in 2020 .
And now , as the Democrats look ahead to the 2022 and 2024 elections , they must ask themselves : Do we want to run as green zealots , imposing blue-dot values on the red zones ?
The answer is , of course not .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would much prefer to talk about rural development .
Yet rural development takes money , and that ’ s why there ’ s a grand bargain waiting to be reached .
And here it is : The blue dots pay for carbon capture in red areas .
Admittedly , as of today , the economics of carbon capture don ’ t work ; at present , it ’ s too expensive to capture carbon on a mass scale .
That ’ s why , for instance , Exxon just announced that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And yet if we think about the cost of carbon-capture compared to the perceived value of combating climate change , we start to see that it ’ s actually pretty cheap .
At least it ’ s cheap in the eyes of blue-dotters enjoying the Dow at 30,000 , and interest rates at zero ; these days , there ’ s plenty of fiscal leeway to allow for new subsidy mechanisms .
You see , if greens are talking about spending tens of trillions—and even Biden wants to spend $ 5 trillion—to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like a deal by comparison .
Of course , carbon-capture is likely to be a mostly rural enterprise , because that ’ s where we find the physical space to plant trees , and otherwise hold carbon .
We should also note , however , that it ’ s also possible to see big buildings and big infrastructure made of carbon cement , supported by stronger-than-steel carbon nanotubes .
In addition , here ’ s where new breakthroughs can be a climate-saver : Just last month , a company called Innovature announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of world-wide carbon emissions .
If such a technique could in fact work , we might see the path for America ’ s farmers , as well as the world ’ s farmers , to be the heroes of the climate-change war .
And of course , in return for such heroism , farmers and foresters should be handsomely compensated .
So that ’ s the grand bargain : Liberals worry about climate change , and so they pay conservatives to make the worry go away .
Rural areas don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , nor do they have to believe in the city slickers ’ green agenda ; instead , when carbon-opportunity knocks , they just need to be open-minded enough to open their wallets and take in the cash .
This is how to Make Rural America Great Again .
James P. Pinkerton , a former White House domestic policy aide to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush , has been a Fox News contributor since 1996 .
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The incoming Biden administration is talking a good game about outreach to rural areas. Those areas, which mostly voted Republican this year, have a right to be skeptical of such outreach, as the Democrats are increasingly the party of urban blue dots—with the policies and the values to match.
Even so, it’s possible to see the makings of a grand bargain, in which liberal blue dots subsidize conservative red regions—for the sake of combating climate change. Such a bargain could be a win-win for both sides: Rich Democrats alleviate their guilt over climate change, while hard-pressed Republicans provide the solution to the problem—and collect the money.
On Dec. 8, Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is resigning his New Orleans-based House seat to run “public engagement” for the White House, laid out the Biden approach: “We’re not elected just to help Democrats or urban cities or minorities. We were elected to help this entire country and that means reaching out to conservatives, that means reaching out to rural areas.”
In particular, Richmond mentioned the possibility of an “infrastructure bill to put people to work rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure making the country greener and cleaner.”
A few days earlier, Joe Biden himself brought up rural concerns, saying “I think they just feel forgotten,” and adding, of his fellow Democrats, “I think we forgot them.” So the Biden administration could make amends, he continued, by tackling such crucial rural issues as keeping small hospitals open as well as widening access to broadband.
Yes, all that—infrastructure, hospitals, broadband—sounds good. The question is, where will the money come from?
A possible answer can be found in the Democrats’ climate-change agenda. Most rural folks are alarmed at the way the blue dots have talked about their environmental vision; after all, there’s not a lot of appetite in the boonies for trading away pickup trucks for mass transit.
Yet if the Democrats are willing to narrow the scope of their green goals to the issue of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—climate change being, after all, the principal green concern these days—then they might find, after a little deal-making creativity, that Republicans would be willing partners.
The key to this potential partnership is carbon capture. That is, pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere, even as we continue to burn carbon-based fuels for the sake of jobs and the economy. We should note that carbon capture is a much different approach to de-carbonization than, say, wind or solar.
The upside of carbon capture is that it would allow the continuation of the normal economy—everything from oil wells to automobiles—even as the carbon load in the atmosphere is reduced. And that’s why Biden, cautious fellow that he is, devoted a whole section of his campaign’s environmental plan to carbon capture. (Carbon capture can come in three main ways: first, redesigning industrial processes to recycle the carbon; second, applying direct air capture; and third, expanding organic carbon sinks, most obviously, trees.)
For his part, President Donald Trump has been mostly hostile to the green agenda, and yet even he has embraced arboreal carbon capture; in his State of the Union address earlier this year, he highlighted his “One Trillion Trees Initiative … to protect the environment.”
It’s true that orthodox greens are largely hostile to carbon capture, since it presupposes the continuing use of carbon fuels. And yet the familiar green ideas, such as renewable energy (but never nuclear) and draconian restrictions on energy use, have proven to be deeply unpopular. It’s one thing to say, grandly, that we will eliminate CO2 in the decades ahead; it’s quite another thing to say that we are going to raise taxes, and cripple lifestyles, in the here and now.
Indeed, it seems evident that fear of a “Green New Deal” was one reason why the GOP did as well as it did in 2020. And now, as the Democrats look ahead to the 2022 and 2024 elections, they must ask themselves: Do we want to run as green zealots, imposing blue-dot values on the red zones? The answer is, of course not. As Richmond and Biden have proven, they would much prefer to talk about rural development.
Yet rural development takes money, and that’s why there’s a grand bargain waiting to be reached. And here it is: The blue dots pay for carbon capture in red areas.
Admittedly, as of today, the economics of carbon capture don’t work; at present, it’s too expensive to capture carbon on a mass scale. That’s why, for instance, Exxon just announced that it is canceling a planned carbon-capture plant in Wyoming.
And yet if we think about the cost of carbon-capture compared to the perceived value of combating climate change, we start to see that it’s actually pretty cheap. At least it’s cheap in the eyes of blue-dotters enjoying the Dow at 30,000, and interest rates at zero; these days, there’s plenty of fiscal leeway to allow for new subsidy mechanisms.
You see, if greens are talking about spending tens of trillions—and even Biden wants to spend $5 trillion—to thwart climate change, then carbon capture looks like a deal by comparison.
Of course, carbon-capture is likely to be a mostly rural enterprise, because that’s where we find the physical space to plant trees, and otherwise hold carbon. We should also note, however, that it’s also possible to see big buildings and big infrastructure made of carbon cement, supported by stronger-than-steel carbon nanotubes.
In addition, here’s where new breakthroughs can be a climate-saver: Just last month, a company called Innovature announced that specially gene-edited plants could capture almost half of world-wide carbon emissions. If such a technique could in fact work, we might see the path for America’s farmers, as well as the world’s farmers, to be the heroes of the climate-change war. And of course, in return for such heroism, farmers and foresters should be handsomely compensated.
So that’s the grand bargain: Liberals worry about climate change, and so they pay conservatives to make the worry go away. Rural areas don’t need to become Democratic to get the money, nor do they have to believe in the city slickers’ green agenda; instead, when carbon-opportunity knocks, they just need to be open-minded enough to open their wallets and take in the cash.
This is how to Make Rural America Great Again.
James P. Pinkerton, a former White House domestic policy aide to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, has been a Fox News contributor since 1996.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected]. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --