truepundit--2020-05-11--California Lawmaker: ‘F*ck Elon Musk.’ The Tesla Founder’s Reply Was Priceless

California Assemblycritter Lorena Gonzalez , the San Diego Democrat best known as the author of the job-killing AB5 legislation , had a simple message for Tesla founder Elon Musk .
The California-based electric automaker has had a good run lately , ramping up to volume production of somewhat more affordably-priced cars , and finally realizing profits on the strength of Model 3 sales .
But as you may have already read , Musk has been frustrated with California ’ s Wuhan virus lockdown .
Just as his company is starting to do what he set out to accomplish , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PJMedia ’ s own Bryan Preston noted on Saturday , “ Musk has called the shutdown and lockdown orders fascist and has become increasingly public in opposing them.
” Gonzalez is a wholly-owned subsidiary of California ’ s labor organizations who would happily destroy a million jobs if it would create just one more labor position .
As if AB5 weren ’ t bad enough , Gonzalez ’ s R-rated tweet might have put Musk over the edge on whether to move Tesla out of California .
On Saturday , Musk let it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that Alameda County ’ s “ Interim Health Officer ” was… well , read it yourself .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

California Assemblycritter Lorena Gonzalez, the San Diego Democrat best known as the author of the job-killing AB5 legislation, had a simple message for Tesla founder Elon Musk.
Message received — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
The California-based electric automaker has had a good run lately, ramping up to volume production of somewhat more affordably-priced cars, and finally realizing profits on the strength of Model 3 sales. But as you may have already read, Musk has been frustrated with California’s Wuhan virus lockdown. Just as his company is starting to do what he set out to accomplish, his Fremont plant has been shuttered.
Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020
As PJMedia’s own Bryan Preston noted on Saturday, “Musk has called the shutdown and lockdown orders fascist and has become increasingly public in opposing them.”
Gonzalez is a wholly-owned subsidiary of California’s labor organizations who would happily destroy a million jobs if it would create just one more labor position. As if AB5 weren’t bad enough, Gonzalez’s R-rated tweet might have put Musk over the edge on whether to move Tesla out of California. On Saturday, Musk let it be known — via Twitter, naturally — that Alameda County’s “Interim Health Officer” was… well, read it yourself. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--House Intel Committee Ranking Member: FBI ‘Doctored’ Flynn’s 302 Interview Form, And It’s ‘Missing’

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) told Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that the FBI ’ s 302 interview form from its interview with former national security adviser Michael Flynn was “ doctored , ” as well as “ missing.
” “ Now , the 302 is a reference meaning that this is notes that FBI agents took after they met with Flynn , ” Bartiromo said .
“ Explain what you think is in the 302 of Flynn .
And why have we not seen the exchanges , the notes that the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , when they ambushed General Flynn ?
Where is the Flynn 302 , congressman ?
” “ Well , the 302 is still missing , Maria , ” Nunes responded .
“ So here is what we know .
This report , when it was taken down , after that report was transcribed , we had people at the highest level , the FBI , come and brief us .
Plus , we have other sources that also gave us the same information that the FBI agents essentially said , look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Flynn wasn ’ t lying.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-CA) told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that the FBI’s 302 interview form from its interview with former national security adviser Michael Flynn was “doctored,” as well as “missing.”
.@DevinNunes says Congress was briefed on the original Flynn 302, which is now missing. pic.twitter.com/oms8aEkSVP — Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 10, 2020
“Now, the 302 is a reference meaning that this is notes that FBI agents took after they met with Flynn,” Bartiromo said. “Explain what you think is in the 302 of Flynn. And why have we not seen the exchanges, the notes that the FBI agents took after their meeting in January 2017, when they ambushed General Flynn? Where is the Flynn 302, congressman?”
“Well, the 302 is still missing, Maria,” Nunes responded. “So here is what we know. This report, when it was taken down, after that report was transcribed, we had people at the highest level, the FBI, come and brief us. Plus, we have other sources that also gave us the same information that the FBI agents essentially said, look, there’s nothing to see here, Flynn wasn’t lying.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Michigan militia members say they won’t allow police to arrest 77-year-old barber defying Democratic

Michigan militia members say they won’t allow police to arrest 77-year-old barber defying Democratic Gov. Whitmer’s shutdown order

Members of the Michigan militia said they won ’ t allow police to arrest 77-year-old Karl Manke who opened his Owosso barbershop last week in defiance of Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s coronavirus shutdown order , WEYI-TV reported .
“ We are here to make sure he doesn ’ t get arrested , ” Daniel Brewer told the station Saturday .
“ We ’ re willing to stand in front of that door and block the entrance so the police will have no entry there today.
” The barbershop has been open since last Monday against state order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first morning — as well as two citations before Friday , WEYI said in a previous story .
Still dozens of supporters gathered outside Manke ’ s barbershop Saturday , and 15 customers were waiting in line outside the door for haircuts .
Manke told the station he followed Whitmer ’ s shutdown order for as long as he could — but after multiple extensions of the order and no money coming in after being twice denied unemployment , he had to return to work .
“ I ’ m not trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m trying to make a living , ” he told WEYI .
“ I tried for the unemployment .
I was denied twice on unemployment .
I haven ’ t seen anything in one these other checks from the government.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Members of the Michigan militia said they won’t allow police to arrest 77-year-old Karl Manke who opened his Owosso barbershop last week in defiance of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus shutdown order, WEYI-TV reported.
“We are here to make sure he doesn’t get arrested,” Daniel Brewer told the station Saturday. “We’re willing to stand in front of that door and block the entrance so the police will have no entry there today.”
The barbershop has been open since last Monday against state order and received a packed lobby of customers his first morning — as well as two citations before Friday, WEYI said in a previous story.
Still dozens of supporters gathered outside Manke’s barbershop Saturday, and 15 customers were waiting in line outside the door for haircuts.
Manke told the station he followed Whitmer’s shutdown order for as long as he could — but after multiple extensions of the order and no money coming in after being twice denied unemployment, he had to return to work.
“I’m not trying to be a scofflaw. I’m trying to make a living,” he told WEYI. “I tried for the unemployment. I was denied twice on unemployment. I haven’t seen anything in one these other checks from the government.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--John Cusack Declares ‘The Rule of Law Is Dead Unless Barr Is Impeached’

Left-wing actor John Cusack poured his frustrations out on Twitter on Friday , declaring the “ brazen obliteration ” of @ @ @ @ @ ” because the Department of Justice dropped its case this week against Lt. Gen Michael @ @ @ @ @ “ This Barr criminal action – is the most brazen obliteration & destruction of rule @ @ @ @ @ seen in my lifetime , ” the leftist actor said .
“ Flynn pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ in open court didn ’ t happen – the rule of law is dead – @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , the Department of Justice dropped its case against Trump ’ s former @ @ @ @ @ avalanche of internal documents appeared to prove how corrupt the FBI ’ s case against @ @ @ @ @ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Left-wing actor John Cusack poured his frustrations out on Twitter on Friday, declaring the “brazen obliteration” of the “rule of law” because the Department of Justice dropped its case this week against Lt. Gen Michael Flynn (Ret).
“This Barr criminal action – is the most brazen obliteration & destruction of rule of law I’ve seen in my lifetime,” the leftist actor said. “Flynn pleaded guilty – Barr says what happened in open court didn’t happen – the rule of law is dead – unless Barr is impeached.”
This Barr criminal action – is the most brazen obliteration & destruction Of rule of law
I’ve seen in my lifetime –
Flynn pleaded guilty – barr says what happened in open court didn’t happen – the rule of law is dead – unless Barr is impeached — John Cusack (@johncusack) May 8, 2020
On Thursday, the Department of Justice dropped its case against Trump’s former national security adviser after an avalanche of internal documents appeared to prove how corrupt the FBI’s case against Flynn was. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Pelosi snaps at reporter who mentions Trump: ‘Don’t waste your time or mine on what he says’ (VIDEO)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a swipe at President Trump in a new interview as she and fellow Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief package — that would need his signature .
The House is expected to @ @ @ @ @ pass a multitrillion-dollar effort to help Americans hard-hit by the economic and health crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ relief packages that had broad bipartisan support , this legislation is proving more contentious .
@ @ @ @ @ aired Friday night , the animosity between Pelosi and Trump was on display .
Anchor @ @ @ @ @ Trump is part of the coronavirus legislation negotiations .
– READ MORE Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ --

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a swipe at President Trump in a new interview as she and fellow Democrats are plowing forward with another massive coronavirus relief package — that would need his signature.
The House is expected to come back next week to pass a multitrillion-dollar effort to help Americans hard-hit by the economic and health crisis. But unlike the previous four relief packages that had broad bipartisan support, this legislation is proving more contentious.
.@SteveScully: “Is the president part of these discussions? These negotiations?@SpeakerPelosi: “I don’t have any idea what the president does.”
Scully: “He said that the house was on vacation.”
Pelosi: “You know what, don’t waste your time or mine on what he says” pic.twitter.com/qbQBMsmt67 — CSPAN (@cspan) May 8, 2020
In a C-SPAN interview that aired Friday night, the animosity between Pelosi and Trump was on display. Anchor Steve Scully asked Pelosi whether Trump is part of the coronavirus legislation negotiations. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--1996 court doc shows Tara Reade’s ex-husband knew about ‘sexual harassment’ while she worked for Bid

1996 court doc shows Tara Reade’s ex-husband knew about ‘sexual harassment’ while she worked for Biden: report

A newly emerged court document from 1996 shows Tara Reade ‘ s ex-husband was told about “ sexual harassment ” that took place while she worked in then-Sen. Joe Biden ’ s office , according to a report .
The San Luis Obispo Tribune obtained a court filing on Thursday from San Luis Obispo County showing Reade ’ s then-husband , Theodore Dronen , referring to her time working for the Delaware senator .
The declaration came in response to a restraining order she had filed against him after he filed for divorce .
The court document , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and 2020 presidential candidate of sexual harassment or refer to a sexual assault .
“ I met Petitioner in the spring of 1993 while working in Washington D.C. At the early stages of our dating , Petitioner felt comfortable confiding in me as we both worked for members of Congress , and we shared many common interests , ” the document obtained by the Tribune read .
“ On several occasions Petitioner related a problem that she was having at work regarding sexual harassment , in U.S .
Senator Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck a deal with the chief of staff of the senator ’ s office and left her position.
” Dronen continued , “ I was sympathetic to her needs when she asked me for help , and assisted her financially , and allowed her to stay in my apartment with my roommate while she looked for work .
It was obvious that this event had a very traumatic effect on Petitioner , and that she is still sensitive and by it today.
” The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated his denial to Spectrum Bay News 9 , telling the Florida outlet , “ nothing ever happened with Tara Reade.
” Also , Deputy Biden Campaign Manager Kate Bedingfield said in a new statement : “ Every day , more and more inconsistencies arise .
Women must receive the benefit of the doubt .
They must be able to come forward and share their stories without fear of retribution or harm – and we all have a responsibility to ensure that .
At the same time , we can never sacrifice the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up , under scrutiny , keeps proving their falsity.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A newly emerged court document from 1996 shows Tara Reade‘s ex-husband was told about “sexual harassment” that took place while she worked in then-Sen. Joe Biden’s office, according to a report.
The San Luis Obispo Tribune obtained a court filing on Thursday from San Luis Obispo County showing Reade’s then-husband, Theodore Dronen, referring to her time working for the Delaware senator. The declaration came in response to a restraining order she had filed against him after he filed for divorce.
The court document, however, did not directly accuse the former vice president and 2020 presidential candidate of sexual harassment or refer to a sexual assault.
“I met Petitioner in the spring of 1993 while working in Washington D.C. At the early stages of our dating, Petitioner felt comfortable confiding in me as we both worked for members of Congress, and we shared many common interests,” the document obtained by the Tribune read. “On several occasions Petitioner related a problem that she was having at work regarding sexual harassment, in U.S. Senator Joe Biden’s office. Petitioner told me she struck a deal with the chief of staff of the senator’s office and left her position.”
Dronen continued, “I was sympathetic to her needs when she asked me for help, and assisted her financially, and allowed her to stay in my apartment with my roommate while she looked for work. It was obvious that this event had a very traumatic effect on Petitioner, and that she is still sensitive and [affected] by it today.”
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment, but Biden repeated his denial to Spectrum Bay News 9, telling the Florida outlet, “nothing ever happened with Tara Reade.”
Also, Deputy Biden Campaign Manager Kate Bedingfield said in a new statement: “Every day, more and more inconsistencies arise. Women must receive the benefit of the doubt. They must be able to come forward and share their stories without fear of retribution or harm – and we all have a responsibility to ensure that. At the same time, we can never sacrifice the truth. And, the truth is that these allegations are false and that the material that has been presented to back them up, under scrutiny, keeps proving their falsity.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Ice cream parlor shuts down just 1 day after reopening — because the public harassed employees

A Massachusetts ice cream parlor was forced to close its doors just one day after reopening amid the COVID-19 crisis .
WFXT-TV reported that Mark Lawrence ’ s Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee , Massachusetts , made the decision to close its doors Friday after customers reportedly harassed and disrespected the store ’ s young employees .
The store had opened for just one day after the state determined that ice cream parlors could open with certain restrictions in place .
Lawrence said that he shared news of the opening on Facebook and asked customers to call ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advance .
He said that many people disregarded the directive and simply showed up .
When a crowd began to form at the ice cream parlor , Lawrence said that many of the customers began to harass the teenagers working at the dessert store .
“ One of my best workers quit yesterday at the end of her shift , ” he said .
“ he words she was called , and the language — you wouldn ’ t even say in a men ’ s locker room .
And to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be ashamed of themselves.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A Massachusetts ice cream parlor was forced to close its doors just one day after reopening amid the COVID-19 crisis.
WFXT-TV reported that Mark Lawrence’s Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee, Massachusetts, made the decision to close its doors Friday after customers reportedly harassed and disrespected the store’s young employees.
The store had opened for just one day after the state determined that ice cream parlors could open with certain restrictions in place.
Lawrence said that he shared news of the opening on Facebook and asked customers to call ahead to place their pickup-only orders one hour in advance. He said that many people disregarded the directive and simply showed up.
When a crowd began to form at the ice cream parlor, Lawrence said that many of the customers began to harass the teenagers working at the dessert store.
“One of my best workers quit yesterday at the end of her shift,” he said. “[T]he words she was called, and the language — you wouldn’t even say in a men’s locker room. And to say it to a 17-year-old kid, they should be ashamed of themselves.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Adam Schiff: DOJ’s Decision Doesn’t Exonerate Flynn, But Incriminates AG Barr

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) claimed the Department of Justice ’ s decision to drop criminal @ @ @ @ @ General Michael Flynn on Thursday does not exonerate the former Trump national security advisor , @ @ @ @ @ William Barr .
“ Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit @ @ @ @ @ do not now become truths , ” Schiff wrote on Twitter .
“ This dismissal @ @ @ @ @ But it does incriminate Bill Barr.
” “ In the worst politicization of the Justice @ @ @ @ @ ” the California Democrat added .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine @ @ @

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) claimed the Department of Justice’s decision to drop criminal charges against retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn on Thursday does not exonerate the former Trump national security advisor, but rather incriminates Attorney General William Barr.
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts. His lies do not now become truths. This dismissal does not exonerate him. But it does incriminate Bill Barr. In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 7, 2020
“Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts. His lies do not now become truths,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. “This dismissal does not exonerate him. But it does incriminate Bill Barr.”
“In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history,” the California Democrat added. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--It Never Ends: Now MSNBC Suggests Vladimir Putin Was Behind DOJ Dropping Case Against Michael Flynn

The media over the past few years has reported a false narrative that President Donald Trump colluded with Russia during his 2016 campaign to steal the election .
That narrative was proven false after a lengthy special counsel investigation found no evidence of such collusion .
Media outlets and their Democrat supporters refused to acknowledge that they got the story wrong or that they were biased in their reporting .
They are continuing that behavior now that the Department of Justice dropped its charges against former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn .
FBI agents , in handwritten notes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 24 , 2017 interview with Flynn , writing : “ What is our goal ?
Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe ( fired for lying to the FBI ) would later say the interview with Flynn was “ very odd ” because “ it seemed like was telling the truth.
” But even though Flynn appears to have been vindicated and the victim of FBI entrapment , MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin was behind the DOJ ’ s charges being dropped .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The media over the past few years has reported a false narrative that President Donald Trump colluded with Russia during his 2016 campaign to steal the election.
That narrative was proven false after a lengthy special counsel investigation found no evidence of such collusion. Media outlets and their Democrat supporters refused to acknowledge that they got the story wrong or that they were biased in their reporting. They are continuing that behavior now that the Department of Justice dropped its charges against former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.
FBI agents, in handwritten notes, questioned what the goal was of their January 24, 2017 interview with Flynn, writing: “What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?”
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe (fired for lying to the FBI) would later say the interview with Flynn was “very odd” because “it seemed like [Flynn] was telling the truth.”
But even though Flynn appears to have been vindicated and the victim of FBI entrapment, MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell had a different take: That Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the DOJ’s charges being dropped. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Trey Gowdy Names Reporters From Major Outlets He Says Leaked Adam Schiff’s False Russia Conspiracy C

Trey Gowdy Names Reporters From Major Outlets He Says Leaked Adam Schiff’s False Russia Conspiracy Claims

In an interview on Fox News ’ Sunday morning , former South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy “ named some names ” from what he suggested was a very long list of reporters from mainstream media outlets who helped “ peddle ” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff ’ s Trump-Russia conspiracy claims , for which Special Counsel Robert Mueller ultimately found no substantive evidence .
“ You talk about the media having culpability in as well , ” said Bartiromo , “ Name some names of this reporters out there , those media institutions that helped Adam Schiff peddle this ‘ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said for three years.
” “ All , I hope you have a three-hour show , ” said Gowdy .
“ Let ’ s just start with Politico and anyone not named Rachael Bade — she was the only reporter that I dealt with that was fair.
” “ Kyle Cheney is just an acolyte for Adam Schiff , ” said Gowdy in reference to Politico congressional reporter .
“ Manu Raju from CNN , ” the former congressman added , referencing another senior congressional reporter .
“ Nothing Schiff wanted out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low for Manu Raju and CNN .
”

In an interview on Fox News’ Sunday morning, former South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy “named some names” from what he suggested was a very long list of reporters from mainstream media outlets who helped “peddle” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff’s Trump-Russia conspiracy claims, for which Special Counsel Robert Mueller ultimately found no substantive evidence.
“You talk about the media having culpability in as well,” said Bartiromo, “Name some names of this reporters out there, those media institutions that helped Adam Schiff peddle this ‘in plain sight collusion’ nonsense that he said for three years.”
“All, I hope you have a three-hour show,” said Gowdy. “Let’s just start with Politico and anyone not named Rachael Bade — she was the only reporter that I dealt with that was fair.”
“Kyle Cheney is just an acolyte for Adam Schiff,” said Gowdy in reference to Politico congressional reporter. “Manu Raju from CNN,” the former congressman added, referencing another senior congressional reporter. “Nothing Schiff wanted out, made public, no leak was too low for Manu Raju and CNN.”


truepundit--2020-05-11--Pence Says He Would Be ‘Happy’ to Have Michael Flynn in the Administration Again

Vice President Mike Pence says he would not have a problem with former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn joining President Donald Trump ’ s administration again .
In an interview with “ Axios on HBO , ” Pence was asked if he was “ fine ” with the idea of Trump giving Flynn a post in the administration .
Pence responded , “ I think General Michael Flynn is an American patriot , and he served this country with great distinction in uniform.
” “ And now , I believe the decision by the Justice Department lays bare what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , I ’ d be happy to see Michael Flynn again , ” Pence added .
The interview , set to air on Monday night , comes days after the Justice Department filed a motion in court that sought to drop the prosecution of Flynn , as IJR reported .
Flynn was facing prosecution for making false statements to the FBI during an interview at the White House in 2017 .
But in its filing on May 7 , the department wrote , “ We do not believe that the Government can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Vice President Mike Pence says he would not have a problem with former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn joining President Donald Trump’s administration again.
In an interview with “Axios on HBO,” Pence was asked if he was “fine” with the idea of Trump giving Flynn a post in the administration. Pence responded, “I think General Michael Flynn is an American patriot, and he served this country with great distinction in uniform.”
“And now, I believe the decision by the Justice Department lays bare what was clearly prosecutorial abuse, and for my part, I’d be happy to see Michael Flynn again,” Pence added.
The interview, set to air on Monday night, comes days after the Justice Department filed a motion in court that sought to drop the prosecution of Flynn, as IJR reported.
Flynn was facing prosecution for making false statements to the FBI during an interview at the White House in 2017. But in its filing on May 7, the department wrote, “We do not believe that the Government can prove either the relevant false statements or their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Stacey Abrams: ‘There Will Be No Democracy’ Without ‘Universal Mail-In Voting’

Failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams this week argued that “ there will be no democracy ” in the United @ @ @ @ @ in the 2020 presidential election .
When MSNBC host Chris Hayes asked her how important @ @ @ @ @ is , Abrams simply responded : “ It is essential .
There will be no @ @ @ @ @ We can not move tens of millions of people through lines… without having the ability @ @ @ @ @ vote-by-mail , ” Abrams said before adding that Congress must include billions in the next @ @ @ @ @ ensure that citizens have the ability to vote by mail .
Pointing out that President @ @ @ @ @ mail , Abrams has argued that mail-in voting is the “ safest and most secure @ @ @ @ @ adding that “ voter fraud is nearly mythological.
” – READ MORE Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ --

Failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams this week argued that “there will be no democracy” in the United States without universal mail-in voting in the 2020 presidential election.
When MSNBC host Chris Hayes asked her how important “universal mail-in voting” is, Abrams simply responded: “It is essential. There will be no democracy without it.”
“We cannot move tens of millions of people through lines… without having the ability to relieve the stress through vote-by-mail,” Abrams said before adding that Congress must include billions in the next relief bill to help states ensure that citizens have the ability to vote by mail.
Pointing out that President Donald Trump himself voted by mail, Abrams has argued that mail-in voting is the “safest and most secure” way of voting, adding that “voter fraud is nearly mythological.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--President Obama was in on plot to ‘frame’ Flynn, attorney says

Former National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn ’ s lead attorney accused top officials of orchestrating a plot to frame her client , insisting that former President Barack Obama himself was in on it .
Flynn had initially pleaded guilty to providing a false statement to the FBI regarding his contact with a Russian ambassador , but later changed his story and pushed back by questioning the FBI ’ s tactics .
“ These agents specifically schemed and planned with each other how to not tip him off , that he was even the person being investigated , ” Powell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Futures , ” pointing to evidence that FBI agents took a casual approach with Flynn , not telling him they were investigating him and not warning him that it would be a federal crime to lie during their conversation .
“ So they kept him relaxed and unguarded deliberately as part of their effort to set him up and frame him , ” Powell said .
According to recently released testimony , President Obama revealed during an Oval Office meeting weeks before the interview that he knew about Flynn ’ s phone call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprising then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates .
After the meeting , Obama asked Yates and then-FBI Director James Comey to “ stay behind.
” Obama “ specified that he did not want any additional information on the matter , but was seeking information on whether the White House should be treating Flynn any differently , given the information.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Former National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn’s lead attorney accused top officials of orchestrating a plot to frame her client, insisting that former President Barack Obama himself was in on it.
Flynn had initially pleaded guilty to providing a false statement to the FBI regarding his contact with a Russian ambassador, but later changed his story and pushed back by questioning the FBI’s tactics.
“These agents specifically schemed and planned with each other how to not tip him off, that he was even the person being investigated,” Powell told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” pointing to evidence that FBI agents took a casual approach with Flynn, not telling him they were investigating him and not warning him that it would be a federal crime to lie during their conversation.
“So they kept him relaxed and unguarded deliberately as part of their effort to set him up and frame him,” Powell said.
According to recently released testimony, President Obama revealed during an Oval Office meeting weeks before the interview that he knew about Flynn’s phone call with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, apparently surprising then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
After the meeting, Obama asked Yates and then-FBI Director James Comey to “stay behind.” Obama “specified that he did not want any additional information on the matter, but was seeking information on whether the White House should be treating Flynn any differently, given the information.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Mexico’s president calls for investigation into Obama-era Fast and Furious Operation

Mexico ’ s president asked the United States for answers and an apology for the Obama-era gun-running operation known as “ Fast and Furious.
” On Friday , Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an investigation into Operation Fast and Furious to prevent it from happening again .
“ What seems serious to me is that a violation of our sovereignty was carried out , a secret operation , and that Mexicans were killed with these weapons , ” Lopez Obrador said during a press conference in Mexico City on Friday .
“ How could this be ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that flagrantly violates sovereignty , international laws , ” Lopez Obrador continued .
“ We have to shine light on this so that an action of this type will never be carried out again.
” “ There is still time for the U.S. to apologize , ” the Mexican president stated .
He also said that his government would send a diplomatic note to Washington asking for information on the gun-running scheme .
Mexico Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the communication , and said he was sending a letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Mexico’s president asked the United States for answers and an apology for the Obama-era gun-running operation known as “Fast and Furious.” On Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for an investigation into Operation Fast and Furious to prevent it from happening again.
“What seems serious to me is that a violation of our sovereignty was carried out, a secret operation, and that Mexicans were killed with these weapons,” Lopez Obrador said during a press conference in Mexico City on Friday.
“How could this be? A government that invades in this way, that flagrantly violates sovereignty, international laws,” Lopez Obrador continued. “We have to shine light on this so that an action of this type will never be carried out again.”
“There is still time for the U.S. to apologize,” the Mexican president stated.
He also said that his government would send a diplomatic note to Washington asking for information on the gun-running scheme. Mexico Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the communication, and said he was sending a letter to the U.S. regarding Operation Fast and Furious. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Colorado restaurant reopens with no social distancing and hundreds of customers

The armed bouncer appeared friendly , welcoming a local reporter inside C & C Coffee and Kitchen in Castle Rock , Colo. , to take video footage of the remarkable scene unfolding inside .
In the restaurant on Sunday morning , in defiance of Democratic Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s executive Safer at Home order , every table was nearly full , according to the footage from Colorado Community Media reporter Nick Puckett .
Customers crowded around the counter waiting for their orders .
The line to place them went out the door , wrapping around the side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most newsletter : Today ’ s most popular stories on The Washington Post Almost no one was wearing a face mask .
Only a single person among the dozens in Puckett ’ s footage can be seen wearing one .
For the owners of the breakfast cafe , it was a way to both celebrate Mother ’ s Day and defy the governor .
“ We are standing for America , small businesses , the Constitution and against the overreach of our governor in Colorado !
!
” C & C Coffee & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tagging President Trump .
The restaurant ’ s reopening on Mother ’ s Day , with apparently no social distancing precautions , is the latest example of small businesses bucking their states ’ executive orders while fearing for their survival .
Under Polis ’ s “ Safer at Home ” order , restaurants are still prohibited from offering dine-in service .
Colorado has seen more than 19,700 cases of covid-19 , along with 973 deaths .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The armed bouncer appeared friendly, welcoming a local reporter inside C & C Coffee and Kitchen in Castle Rock, Colo., to take video footage of the remarkable scene unfolding inside.
In the restaurant on Sunday morning, in defiance of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis’s executive Safer at Home order, every table was nearly full, according to the footage from Colorado Community Media reporter Nick Puckett. Customers crowded around the counter waiting for their orders. The line to place them went out the door, wrapping around the side of the building.
Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today’s most popular stories on The Washington Post
Almost no one was wearing a face mask. Only a single person among the dozens in Puckett’s footage can be seen wearing one.
For the owners of the breakfast cafe, it was a way to both celebrate Mother’s Day and defy the governor.
“We are standing for America, small businesses, the Constitution and against the overreach of our governor in Colorado!!” C & C Coffee & Kitchen wrote on its Twitter account, tagging President Trump.
The restaurant’s reopening on Mother’s Day, with apparently no social distancing precautions, is the latest example of small businesses bucking their states’ executive orders while fearing for their survival. Under Polis’s “Safer at Home” order, restaurants are still prohibited from offering dine-in service. Colorado has seen more than 19,700 cases of covid-19, along with 973 deaths. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: US to accuse China of trying to hack vaccine research amid surge in cybertheft

US security agencies are preparing to issue a warning that China ’ s most skilled hackers and spies are working to steal American research in the crash effort to develop vaccines and treatments for the coronavirus .
The efforts are part of a surge in cybertheft and attacks by nations seeking advantage in the pandemic .
The warning from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security comes as Israeli officials accuse Iran of mounting an effort in late April to cripple water supplies as Israelis were confined to their houses , though the government has offered no evidence to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries have redeployed military and intelligence hackers to glean whatever they can about the virus responses of other nations .
Even US allies like South Korea and nations that do not typically stand out for their cyber abilities , like Vietnam , have suddenly redirected their state-run hackers to focus on virus-related information , according to private security firms .
A draft of the forthcoming public warning , which officials say is likely to be issued in the days to come , says China is seeking “ valuable intellectual property and public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , treatments and testing ” .
It focuses on cybertheft and action by “ nontraditional actors ” , a euphemism for researchers and students the Trump administration says are being activated to steal data from inside academic and private laboratories .
The decision to issue a specific accusation against China ’ s state-run hacking teams , current and former officials said , is part of a broader deterrent strategy that also involves US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency .
Under legal authorities that Donald Trump issued nearly two years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Chinese and other networks to mount proportional counterattacks .
This would be similar to their effort 18 months ago to strike at Russian intelligence groups seeking to interfere in the 2018 midterm elections and to put malware in the Russian power grid as a warning to Moscow for its attacks on US utilities .
But it is unclear exactly what the US has done , if anything , to fire a similar shot at the Chinese hacking groups , including those most closely tied to China ’ s new Strategic Support Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of State Security and other intelligence units .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

US security agencies are preparing to issue a warning that China’s most skilled hackers and spies are working to steal American research in the crash effort to develop vaccines and treatments for the coronavirus. The efforts are part of a surge in cybertheft and attacks by nations seeking advantage in the pandemic.
The warning from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security comes as Israeli officials accuse Iran of mounting an effort in late April to cripple water supplies as Israelis were confined to their houses, though the government has offered no evidence to back its claim. More than a dozen countries have redeployed military and intelligence hackers to glean whatever they can about the virus responses of other nations. Even US allies like South Korea and nations that do not typically stand out for their cyber abilities, like Vietnam, have suddenly redirected their state-run hackers to focus on virus-related information, according to private security firms.
A draft of the forthcoming public warning, which officials say is likely to be issued in the days to come, says China is seeking “valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines, treatments and testing”. It focuses on cybertheft and action by “nontraditional actors”, a euphemism for researchers and students the Trump administration says are being activated to steal data from inside academic and private laboratories.
The decision to issue a specific accusation against China’s state-run hacking teams, current and former officials said, is part of a broader deterrent strategy that also involves US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Under legal authorities that Donald Trump issued nearly two years ago, they have the power to bore deeply into Chinese and other networks to mount proportional counterattacks. This would be similar to their effort 18 months ago to strike at Russian intelligence groups seeking to interfere in the 2018 midterm elections and to put malware in the Russian power grid as a warning to Moscow for its attacks on US utilities.
But it is unclear exactly what the US has done, if anything, to fire a similar shot at the Chinese hacking groups, including those most closely tied to China’s new Strategic Support Force, its equivalent of Cyber Command, the Ministry of State Security and other intelligence units. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--New York City Medical Examiner Doing Limited Coronavirus Testing on Dead

New York City ’ s Office of Chief Medical Examiner isn ’ t performing widespread postmortem Covid-19 tests on people who have died at home during the new coronavirus outbreak because of a national shortage of testing supplies , city officials say .
Instead investigators from the office have mainly been determining whether home deaths are related to the virus through interviews with decedents ’ families and , if available , medical records that could help inform an opinion , the officials say .
If the investigators believe the virus played a role , then the deaths are labeled “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The office of New York City ’ s chief medical examiner , Barbara Sampson , is responsible for investigating sudden or unexpected deaths , as well as most deaths at home .
Thousands of people have died at home in New York during the coronavirus outbreak .
“ We are in the midst of unprecedented circumstances , ” said Aja Worthy-Davis , a spokeswoman for the office .
“ Given the number of deaths and limited supply of testing resources , it is unlikely that every single probable death will be tested postmortem.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical examiners that aren ’ t testing may not always be able to accurately determine which at-home natural deaths—such as heart attacks and strokes—were triggered by Covid-19 .
“ Home deaths will be undercounted because testing is not available in some jurisdictions , like poor rural jurisdictions where they may not do much of an investigation , ” said Dr. Sally Aiken , a Spokane , Wash.-based forensic pathologist and medical examiner , who is also president of the National Association of Medical Examiners .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas @ @ @ @

New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner isn’t performing widespread postmortem Covid-19 tests on people who have died at home during the new coronavirus outbreak because of a national shortage of testing supplies, city officials say.
Instead investigators from the office have mainly been determining whether home deaths are related to the virus through interviews with decedents’ families and, if available, medical records that could help inform an opinion, the officials say. If the investigators believe the virus played a role, then the deaths are labeled “Covid-probable,” the officials say.
The office of New York City’s chief medical examiner, Barbara Sampson, is responsible for investigating sudden or unexpected deaths, as well as most deaths at home. Thousands of people have died at home in New York during the coronavirus outbreak.
“We are in the midst of unprecedented circumstances,” said Aja Worthy-Davis, a spokeswoman for the office. “Given the number of deaths and limited supply of testing resources, it is unlikely that every single probable death will be tested postmortem.”
Forensic pathologists and medical researchers say medical examiners that aren’t testing may not always be able to accurately determine which at-home natural deaths—such as heart attacks and strokes—were triggered by Covid-19.
“Home deaths will be undercounted because testing is not available in some jurisdictions, like poor rural jurisdictions where they may not do much of an investigation,” said Dr. Sally Aiken, a Spokane, Wash.-based forensic pathologist and medical examiner, who is also president of the National Association of Medical Examiners. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Doctor to Senators: Coronavirus Fatality Rate 10 to 40x Lower than Estimates that Led to Lockdowns

The coronavirus infection fatality rate is lower than initially predicted , perhaps similar or even lower than the seasonal flu @ @ @ @ @ some segments of the population , a couple of doctors confirmed in testimony before a @ @ @ @ @ Breitbart News has highlighted some studies that took into account mild or asymptomatic infections and @ @ @ @ @ is more widespread but less deadly than early estimates .
One of those studies placed @ @ @ @ @ ( COVID-19 ) infection mortality rate as low as 0.1 percent , similar to that @ @ @ @ @ death rate that takes into account the estimated number of mild or asymptomatic infections is @ @ @ @ @ rate .
At least two medical experts testified about the coronavirus infection mortality rate during @ @ @ @ @ the Republican-led Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Thursday In written testimony @ @ @ @ @ a senior fellow at Stanford University ’ s Hoover Institution , said , seemingly referring @ @ @ @ @ :

The coronavirus infection fatality rate is lower than initially predicted, perhaps similar or even lower than the seasonal flu’s 0.1 percent for some segments of the population, a couple of doctors confirmed in testimony before a Senate panel on Thursday.
Breitbart News has highlighted some studies that took into account mild or asymptomatic infections and found that the ongoing pandemic is more widespread but less deadly than early estimates.
One of those studies placed the coronavirus illness’s (COVID-19) infection mortality rate as low as 0.1 percent, similar to that of the flu.
A death rate that takes into account the estimated number of mild or asymptomatic infections is known as the infection fatality rate.
At least two medical experts testified about the coronavirus infection mortality rate during a hearing held Thursday by the Republican-led Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Thursday
In written testimony, Dr. Scott Atlas, a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, said, seemingly referring to the infection death rate:


truepundit--2020-05-11--Durham moving ‘full-throttle’ on Russia probe review, top federal prosecutors involved: sources

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham is going “ full throttle ” with his review into the origins of the investigation into suspected Russia-Trump coordination in the 2016 election , with additional top prosecutors involved in looking at different components of the original probe , sources told Fox News .
Two sources told Fox News that Jeff Jensen , the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri who was tapped by the Justice Department in February to review the case of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn , is continuing to help with Durham ’ s investigation even after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop the case against Flynn .
The sources told Fox News that interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea is also assisting with components of the investigation .
“ They farmed the investigation out because it is too much for Durham and he didn ’ t want to be distracted , ” one of the sources told Fox News .
“ He ’ s going full throttle , and they ’ re looking at everything , ” the source told Fox News .
The Justice Department declined to comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham is going “full throttle” with his review into the origins of the investigation into suspected Russia-Trump coordination in the 2016 election, with additional top prosecutors involved in looking at different components of the original probe, sources told Fox News.
Two sources told Fox News that Jeff Jensen, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri who was tapped by the Justice Department in February to review the case of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, is continuing to help with Durham’s investigation even after the DOJ’s move last week to drop the case against Flynn.
The sources told Fox News that interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea is also assisting with components of the investigation.
“They farmed the investigation out because it is too much for Durham and he didn’t want to be distracted,” one of the sources told Fox News.
“He’s going full throttle, and they’re looking at everything,” the source told Fox News.
The Justice Department declined to comment on Jensen and Shea’s involvement. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--HR 6666: Illinois Democrat Introduces $100 Billion Contact Tracing Bill

Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush has introduced the H.R .
6666 TRACE Act , which includes a $ 100 billion grant program which would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an army of contact tracers operating through healthcare , schools and nonprofit entities , who would perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing “ through mobile health units and , as necessary , at individuals ’ residences , and for other purposes.
” “ Until we have a vaccine to defeat this dreaded disease , contact tracing in order to understand the full breadth and depth of the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be able to get out from under this , ” Rush says on his website .
And when will that be ?
According to Heavy , Rush ’ s words echo those of Johns Hopkins Senior Scholar Dr .
Crystal Watson , lead author of a recent report which concludes that contact tracing is vital to reopening the country .
“ In order to save lives , reduce COVID-19 ’ s burden on our healthcare system , ease strict social distancing measures , and confidently make progress toward returning to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement a robust and comprehensive system to identify all COVID-19 cases and trace all close contacts of each identified case.
” The bill ’ s co-signers include Reps. Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) , Gwen Moore ( D-WI ) , Debbie Wasserman Schultz ( D-FL ) , Steve Cohen ( D-TN ) and Republican Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush has introduced the H.R. 6666 TRACE Act, which includes a $100 billion grant program which would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an army of contact tracers operating through healthcare, schools and nonprofit entities, who would perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing “through mobile health units and, as necessary, at individuals’ residences, and for other purposes.”
Absolutely. My bill, the COVID-19 TRACE Act (H.R. 6666) would create a $100 BILLION grant program for local organizations to hire, train, and pay individuals to operate mobile testing units and conduct contact tracing in hot spots and medically underserved areas. https://t.co/5YGK34ifsU — Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) May 5, 2020
“Until we have a vaccine to defeat this dreaded disease, contact tracing in order to understand the full breadth and depth of the spread of this virus is the only way we will be able to get out from under this,” Rush says on his website.
And when will that be?
According to Heavy, Rush’s words echo those of Johns Hopkins Senior Scholar Dr. Crystal Watson, lead author of a recent report which concludes that contact tracing is vital to reopening the country.
“In order to save lives, reduce COVID-19’s burden on our healthcare system, ease strict social distancing measures, and confidently make progress toward returning to work and school, the United States must implement a robust and comprehensive system to identify all COVID-19 cases and trace all close contacts of each identified case.”
The bill’s co-signers include Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Republican Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--As U.S. meat workers fall sick and supplies dwindle, exports to China soar

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered meat processing plants to stay open to protect the nation ’ s food supply even as workers got sick and died .
Yet the plants have increasingly been exporting to China while U.S. consumers face shortages , a Reuters analysis of government data showed .
Trump , who is in an acrimonious public dispute with Beijing over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak , invoked the 1950 Defense Production Act on April 28 to keep plants open .
Now he is facing criticism from some lawmakers , consumers and plant employees for putting workers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s meat supply .
Meat buyers in China ramped up imports from around the world as a pig disease decimated its herd , the world ’ s largest , and pushed Chinese pork prices to record highs .
The supply shock drove China to pay more for U.S. meat than other countries , and even U.S. consumers , since late 2019 .
“ We know that over time exports are critically important .
I think we need to focus on meeting domestic demand at this point , ” said Mike Naig , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pork-producing state of Iowa who supported Trump ’ s order .
Processors including Smithfield Foods , owned by China ’ s WH Group Ltd , Brazilian-owned JBS USA and Tyson Foods Inc temporarily closed about 20 U.S. meat plants as the virus infected thousands of employees , prompting meatpackers and grocers to warn of shortages .
Some plants have resumed limited operations as workers afraid of getting sick stay home .
The disruptions mean consumers could see 30 % less meat in supermarkets by the end of May , at prices 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will Sawyer , lead economist at agricultural lender CoBank .
While pork supplies tightened as the number of pigs slaughtered each day plunged by about 40 % since mid-March , shipments of American pork to China more than quadrupled over the same period , according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered meat processing plants to stay open to protect the nation’s food supply even as workers got sick and died. Yet the plants have increasingly been exporting to China while U.S. consumers face shortages, a Reuters analysis of government data showed.
Trump, who is in an acrimonious public dispute with Beijing over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak, invoked the 1950 Defense Production Act on April 28 to keep plants open. Now he is facing criticism from some lawmakers, consumers and plant employees for putting workers at risk in part to help ensure China’s meat supply.
Meat buyers in China ramped up imports from around the world as a pig disease decimated its herd, the world’s largest, and pushed Chinese pork prices to record highs. The supply shock drove China to pay more for U.S. meat than other countries, and even U.S. consumers, since late 2019.
“We know that over time exports are critically important. I think we need to focus on meeting domestic demand at this point,” said Mike Naig, the agriculture secretary in the top U.S. pork-producing state of Iowa who supported Trump’s order.
Processors including Smithfield Foods, owned by China’s WH Group Ltd, Brazilian-owned JBS USA and Tyson Foods Inc temporarily closed about 20 U.S. meat plants as the virus infected thousands of employees, prompting meatpackers and grocers to warn of shortages. Some plants have resumed limited operations as workers afraid of getting sick stay home.
The disruptions mean consumers could see 30% less meat in supermarkets by the end of May, at prices 20% higher than last year, according to Will Sawyer, lead economist at agricultural lender CoBank.
While pork supplies tightened as the number of pigs slaughtered each day plunged by about 40% since mid-March, shipments of American pork to China more than quadrupled over the same period, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--NBC admits Chuck Todd’s ‘Meet the Press’ deceptively edited Barr remarks on Flynn

NBC News ’ Chuck Todd aired a deceptively edited clip of Attorney General Bill Barr discussing the Michael Flynn case during his “ Meet the Press ” broadcast on Sunday , prompting the network to concede the mistake hours later — but there is still no word on whether Todd will apologize on-air .
Asked by CBS News ’ Catherine Herridge how history would judge the DOJ ’ s decision to move to dismiss the Flynn case , Barr initially responded , laughing : “ Well , history is written by the winners , so it largely depends on who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brief clip aired , Todd remarked that he was “ struck by the cynicism of the answer — it ’ s a correct answer , but he ’ s the attorney general .
He didn ’ t make the case that he was upholding the rule of law .
He was almost admitting that , yeah , this was a political job.
” In the full clip , which the NBC show did not air , Barr immediately went on to state explicitly that , in fact , he felt the Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think a fair history would say it was a good decision because it upheld the rule of law , ” Barr said .
“ It upheld the standards of the Department of Justice , and it undid what was an injustice.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

NBC News’ Chuck Todd aired a deceptively edited clip of Attorney General Bill Barr discussing the Michael Flynn case during his “Meet the Press” broadcast on Sunday, prompting the network to concede the mistake hours later — but there is still no word on whether Todd will apologize on-air.
Asked by CBS News’ Catherine Herridge how history would judge the DOJ’s decision to move to dismiss the Flynn case, Barr initially responded, laughing: “Well, history is written by the winners, so it largely depends on who’s writing the history.”
After the brief clip aired, Todd remarked that he was “struck by the cynicism of the answer — it’s a correct answer, but he’s the attorney general. He didn’t make the case that he was upholding the rule of law. He was almost admitting that, yeah, this was a political job.”
Today on Meet The Press, @chucktodd wildly took context out of an answer AG Bill Barr gave about his decision to drop the case into Gen. Michael Flynn. I cut Todd’s segment along with Barr’s full answer together. Look at how blatantly dishonest this is. pic.twitter.com/tODOEwL48V — Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 10, 2020
In the full clip, which the NBC show did not air, Barr immediately went on to state explicitly that, in fact, he felt the Flynn decision upheld the rule of law.
“I think a fair history would say it was a good decision because it upheld the rule of law,” Barr said. “It upheld the standards of the Department of Justice, and it undid what was an injustice.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Matt Gaetz torches Trey Gowdy for backing the FBI in 2018 and not defending Mike Flynn

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) absolutely torched former Republican congressman Trey Gowdy for backing the FBI in 2018 and for not supporting an effort to subpoena Democrats while he was in power to defend Mike Flynn .
Gaetz dropped the bombshell accusations against his fellow Republican while being interviewed by Sean Hannity on Fox News Friday .
“ I ’ m glad you went through Trey Gowdy ’ s exquisite questions in 2017 to these corrupt officials , ” Gaetz said sarcastically .
“ I guess my question , Sean , would be why was it then that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on Martha MacCallum ’ s show and said that the FBI did exactly what all of our fellow Americans would have wanted them to do and it had nothing to do with Donald Trump .
Both of those things have now been proven to be not true and it seems that Gowdy ’ s brilliant lawyering back in 2017 that we ’ re only able to see now proves those two statements untrue , ” he continued .
“ The number one question I get asked from Americans is why no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable , ” Gaetz added .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) absolutely torched former Republican congressman Trey Gowdy for backing the FBI in 2018 and for not supporting an effort to subpoena Democrats while he was in power to defend Mike Flynn.
Gaetz dropped the bombshell accusations against his fellow Republican while being interviewed by Sean Hannity on Fox News Friday.
“I’m glad you went through Trey Gowdy’s exquisite questions in 2017 to these corrupt officials,” Gaetz said sarcastically.
Why did Trey Gowdy go on TV in May 2018 and say the FBI did what our fellow Americans would have wanted them to do? And that it had nothing to do with @realDonaldTrump? When we wanted subpoena power, it was Paul Ryan and Gowdy who wouldn’t give it to us. https://t.co/EbS5O9wbWG pic.twitter.com/sQDmo2ohkt — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 9, 2020
“I guess my question, Sean, would be why was it then that in late May of 2018 that Trey Gowdy went on Martha MacCallum’s show and said that the FBI did exactly what all of our fellow Americans would have wanted them to do and it had nothing to do with Donald Trump. Both of those things have now been proven to be not true and it seems that Gowdy’s brilliant lawyering back in 2017 that we’re only able to see now proves those two statements untrue,” he continued.
“The number one question I get asked from Americans is why no one has gone to jail and been held accountable,” Gaetz added. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Ilhan Omar on DOJ Dropping Michael Flynn Case: ‘White Privilege’

Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN ) reacted to news that the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) was dropping its case against former National Security Advisor Gen. Michael Flynn ( Ret . )
on Thursday by calling it an example of “ white privilege.
” Flynn , whose name was “ unmasked ” by Obama administration officials in a foreign wiretap and illegally leaked to the media ; who was apparently set up by FBI officials in an attempt to have him prosecuted or fired , even though they knew he had not committed any underlying crime ; who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even after the agency had begun closing the case for lack of evidence of wrongdoing ; who was interviewed at the White House without any notice that he was a target of investigation ; who was reportedly coerced into pleading guilty by threats that his son would face indictment ; who lost his job as a result of the ensuing political controversy ; and who had to sell his house to pay his legal fees , was a target of the entire media and political establishment before allegedly benefiting from said “ privilege.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reacted to news that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was dropping its case against former National Security Advisor Gen. Michael Flynn (Ret.) on Thursday by calling it an example of “white privilege.”
White privilege at work. https://t.co/KfqzcvwXiV — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 7, 2020
Flynn, whose name was “unmasked” by Obama administration officials in a foreign wiretap and illegally leaked to the media; who was apparently set up by FBI officials in an attempt to have him prosecuted or fired, even though they knew he had not committed any underlying crime; who was investigated on the instructions of FBI leadership even after the agency had begun closing the case for lack of evidence of wrongdoing; who was interviewed at the White House without any notice that he was a target of investigation; who was reportedly coerced into pleading guilty by threats that his son would face indictment; who lost his job as a result of the ensuing political controversy; and who had to sell his house to pay his legal fees, was a target of the entire media and political establishment before allegedly benefiting from said “privilege.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--San Francisco gives drugs, alcohol to homeless addicts in hotels during coronavirus, sparking debate

Controversy is ensuing in San Francisco after the city decided to give alcohol , marijuana , and methadone to homeless addicts in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic , according to a report .
Last Friday a man who describes himself on Twitter as “ Formerly homeless addict in # recovery advocating for the # truth about homelessness and drug addiction .
Faith , Hope and Love .
SF Native .
Tweets are my own.
” tweeted to the city .
He wrote : “ I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an addict/alcoholic for FREE .
You ’ re supposed to be offering treatment .
This is enabling and is wrong on many levels .
@ SF_DPH @ sfbos @ LondonBreed ” The city ’ s department of public health confirmed the report on Twitter this week .
“ These harm reduction based practices , which are not unique to San Francisco , and are not paid for with taxpayer money , help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic.
” San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 8,000 hotel rooms that city supervisors hoped to lease to house homeless and other at-risks populations needing to quarantine or socially distance themselves during the coronavirus pandemic .
The city had set a deadline to lease 8,250 hotel rooms for the homeless , frontline workers and those living in densely populated apartment buildings .
While there was no formal punishment for failing to lease the 8,250 hotel rooms , the lack of rooms is a blow for a city that even before the outbreak of COVID-19 was struggling to handle a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Controversy is ensuing in San Francisco after the city decided to give alcohol, marijuana, and methadone to homeless addicts in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report.
Last Friday a man who describes himself on Twitter as “Formerly homeless addict in #recovery advocating for the #truth about homelessness and drug addiction. Faith, Hope and Love. SF Native. Tweets are my own.” tweeted to the city.
He wrote: “I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol, Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE. You’re supposed to be offering treatment. This is enabling and is wrong on many levels. @SF_DPH @sfbos @LondonBreed”
The city’s department of public health confirmed the report on Twitter this week.
“These harm reduction based practices, which are not unique to San Francisco, and are not paid for with taxpayer money, help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic.”
San Francisco fell far short of securing the more than 8,000 hotel rooms that city supervisors hoped to lease to house homeless and other at-risks populations needing to quarantine or socially distance themselves during the coronavirus pandemic.
The city had set a deadline to lease 8,250 hotel rooms for the homeless, frontline workers and those living in densely populated apartment buildings.
While there was no formal punishment for failing to lease the 8,250 hotel rooms, the lack of rooms is a blow for a city that even before the outbreak of COVID-19 was struggling to handle a growing crisis in homelessness. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Lori Loughlin Gets Bad News From Judge – Suffers Humiliating Defeat In Court

Lori Loughlin and her husband , Mossimo Giannulli , were just dealt a setback in their legal case after a judge refused to dismiss charges against the couple as well as other prominent parents accused of cheating the college admissions process , who had argued they were entrapped by federal authorities .
On Friday , U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton rejected the defense ’ s bid to toss the indictment over allegations of misconduct by FBI agents .
In addition , the judge also denied their attempt to block prosecutors from presenting certain secretly recorded phone calls at trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s counsel has not lied to or attempted to mislead the Court or fabricated evidence , ” Gorton wrote in his ruling .
An attorney for the couple did not immediately respond to Fox News ’ request for comment .
A lawyer for the pair declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press .
Loughlin , 55 , and Giannulli , 56 , are scheduled to go on trial in October on charges that they paid $ 500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They denied paying bribes and said they believed their payments were legitimate donations .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were just dealt a setback in their legal case after a judge refused to dismiss charges against the couple as well as other prominent parents accused of cheating the college admissions process, who had argued they were entrapped by federal authorities.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton rejected the defense’s bid to toss the indictment over allegations of misconduct by FBI agents. In addition, the judge also denied their attempt to block prosecutors from presenting certain secretly recorded phone calls at trial.
“The Court is satisfied that government’s counsel has not lied to or attempted to mislead the Court or fabricated evidence,” Gorton wrote in his ruling.
An attorney for the couple did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment. A lawyer for the pair declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press.
Loughlin, 55, and Giannulli, 56, are scheduled to go on trial in October on charges that they paid $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits even though neither girl was a rower. They denied paying bribes and said they believed their payments were legitimate donations. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--LA city council votes to name hotels that refuse to house homeless, may ‘commandeer’ them

The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday voted to identify hotels refusing to take in the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic and said they could possibly be “ commandeered.
” Only 1,582 people have been placed in hotels , far short of the city ’ s goal of housing 15,000 , FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported .
“ Each hotel brings new hope , each room could save a life , ” Mayor Eric Garcetti said of Project Roomkey , according to KABC-TV .
“ If hotels are making a distinction among people classifying housed and unhoused differently in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be repaid for , that the city and county will pay for with reimbursements , then I think there ’ s a potential civil rights violation , ” Councilman Mike Bonin said .
“ If the problems are on the hotel end , the public should know why , and then we should consider commandeering as they ’ ve talked about in other cities.
” The council also plans to investigate if hotels refusing to house homeless have received tax breaks from the city recently .
The motion , co-authored by Bonin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unwilling to participate , reneged on initial interest , citing security concerns , liability issues , objections from corporate management or fear of lost revenue from being branded a ‘ homeless hotel , ' ” according to KABC .
“ It would seem to me to be a complete justification that we expect something back especially during an emergency , ” Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrel said of hotels that have received tax breaks .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday voted to identify hotels refusing to take in the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic and said they could possibly be “commandeered.”
Only 1,582 people have been placed in hotels, far short of the city’s goal of housing 15,000, FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported.
“Each hotel brings new hope, each room could save a life,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said of Project Roomkey, according to KABC-TV.
“If hotels are making a distinction among people classifying housed and unhoused differently in terms of accommodations that they’re going to be repaid for, that the city and county will pay for with reimbursements, then I think there’s a potential civil rights violation,” Councilman Mike Bonin said. “If the problems are on the hotel end, the public should know why, and then we should consider commandeering as they’ve talked about in other cities.”
The council also plans to investigate if hotels refusing to house homeless have received tax breaks from the city recently.
The motion, co-authored by Bonin, says, some hotels have been “unwilling to participate, reneged on initial interest, citing security concerns, liability issues, objections from corporate management or fear of lost revenue from being branded a ‘homeless hotel,'” according to KABC.
“It would seem to me to be a complete justification that we expect something back especially during an emergency,” Councilman Mitch O’Farrel said of hotels that have received tax breaks. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Nikki Haley predicts US companies will see it as their ‘patriotic duty to start producing in America

Nikki Haley predicts US companies will see it as their ‘patriotic duty to start producing in America’

Multimillionaire celebrities have signed a petition calling for an end to capitalism from the comfort of their luxury mansions .
The petition , called ‘ Please , let ’ s not go back to normal ’ , says the COVID-19 pandemic is a “ tragedy , ” but that the “ ongoing ecological catastrophe is a meta-crisis.
” “ The pursuit of consumerism and an obsession with productivity have led us to deny the value of life itself : that of plants , that of animals , and that of a great number of human beings , ” states the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the destruction of our remaining natural zones has brought the world to a breaking point.
” The petition urges world leaders to not allow everyone to “ go back to normal ” after the coronavirus pandemic is over .
This is yet another example of the sheer disdain these celebrities have for ordinary , working aspirational people .
When they talk of ‘ ending consumerism ’ – they ’ re not talking about people not watching their movies or buying their music ( God forbid ) , they ’ re talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s living standards while they , the celebrity elite , continue to live like royalty .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Multimillionaire celebrities have signed a petition calling for an end to capitalism from the comfort of their luxury mansions.
The petition, called ‘Please, let’s not go back to normal’, says the COVID-19 pandemic is a “tragedy,” but that the “ongoing ecological catastrophe is a meta-crisis.”
“The pursuit of consumerism and an obsession with productivity have led us to deny the value of life itself: that of plants, that of animals, and that of a great number of human beings,” states the letter.
“Pollution, climate change, and the destruction of our remaining natural zones has brought the world to a breaking point.”
The petition urges world leaders to not allow everyone to “go back to normal” after the coronavirus pandemic is over.
Signatories include Madonna, Robert de Niro, Cate Blanchett, Jane Fonda, Marion Cotillard and Monica Bellucci.
This is yet another example of the sheer disdain these celebrities have for ordinary, working aspirational people.
When they talk of ‘ending consumerism’ – they’re not talking about people not watching their movies or buying their music (God forbid), they’re talking about a reduction in everyone else’s living standards while they, the celebrity elite, continue to live like royalty. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--When Governments Switched Their Story From “Flatten The Curve” To “Lockdown Until Vaccine”

In the early days of the COVID-19 panic – back in mid-March – articles began to appear pushing the idea of “ flattening the curve ” ( the Washington Post ran an article called “ Flatten the Curve ” on March 14 ) .
This idea was premised on spreading out the total number of COVID-19 infections over time , so as to not overburden the healthcare infrastructure .
A March 11 article for Statnews , summed it up : “ I think the whole notion of flattening the curve is to slow things down so that this doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Michael Mina , associate medical director of clinical microbiology at Boston ’ s Brigham and Women ’ s Hospital .
“ It ’ s really all borne out of the risk of our health care infrastructure pulling apart at the seams if the virus spreads too quickly and too many people start showing up at the emergency room at any given time.
” In those days , it was still considered madness to suggest outlawing jobs for millions of Americans or “ shutting down ” entire national economies in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thus , the article lists for more moderate mitigation strategies : By taking certain steps—canceling large public gatherings , for instance , and encouraging some people to restrict their contact with others—governments have a shot at stamping out new chains of transmission , while also trying to mitigate the damage of the spread that isn ’ t under control .
What we got , of course , was something much more far reaching , radical , and disastrous for both the economy and for long-term health problems .
For the next two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of forced social distancing as a measure to “ flatten the curve ” and the phrase began appearing everywhere in social media , media publications and government announcements .
Many people found this message to be reasonable enough , especially when coupled with claims that hospitals and governments would seek to buy up large numbers of ventilators and expand capacity with temporary hospitals .
This flatten the curve narrative persisted for two weeks or so , but at some point in late March and early April , the narrative switched to something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the death toll will simply be too gruesome and unbearable to allow people to continue on with some semblance of an ordinary life .
So , we must keep society locked down indefinitely until a vaccine is found or until there can be enough testing and tracking for surveillance of infections among the entire population .
Until then , only minimal “ essential ” activities will be allowed .
This could last eighteen months , or two years , or more .
And even then , there will need to be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by governments .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

In the early days of the COVID-19 panic – back in mid-March – articles began to appear pushing the idea of “flattening the curve” (the Washington Post ran an article called “Flatten the Curve” on March 14). This idea was premised on spreading out the total number of COVID-19 infections over time, so as to not overburden the healthcare infrastructure.
A March 11 article for Statnews, summed it up: “I think the whole notion of flattening the curve is to slow things down so that this doesn’t hit us like a brick wall,” said Michael Mina, associate medical director of clinical microbiology at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “It’s really all borne out of the risk of our health care infrastructure pulling apart at the seams if the virus spreads too quickly and too many people start showing up at the emergency room at any given time.”
In those days, it was still considered madness to suggest outlawing jobs for millions of Americans or “shutting down” entire national economies in an effort to “flatten the curve.” Thus, the article lists for more moderate mitigation strategies:
By taking certain steps—canceling large public gatherings, for instance, and encouraging some people to restrict their contact with others—governments have a shot at stamping out new chains of transmission, while also trying to mitigate the damage of the spread that isn’t under control.
What we got, of course, was something much more far reaching, radical, and disastrous for both the economy and for long-term health problems.
For the next two weeks or so, governments mostly sold the idea of forced social distancing as a measure to “flatten the curve” and the phrase began appearing everywhere in social media, media publications and government announcements.
Many people found this message to be reasonable enough, especially when coupled with claims that hospitals and governments would seek to buy up large numbers of ventilators and expand capacity with temporary hospitals. This flatten the curve narrative persisted for two weeks or so, but at some point in late March and early April, the narrative switched to something new.
The new narrative was this: the death toll will simply be too gruesome and unbearable to allow people to continue on with some semblance of an ordinary life . So, we must keep society locked down indefinitely until a vaccine is found or until there can be enough testing and tracking for surveillance of infections among the entire population. Until then, only minimal “essential” activities will be allowed. This could last eighteen months, or two years, or more. And even then, there will need to be “COVID passports” and official freedom-to-work documents issued by governments. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-05-11--Jayapal: Coronavirus ‘Suffering’ Gives Democrats ‘Leverage’ in Congress (VIDEO)

The “ enormous suffering ” that has killed more than 74,000 Americans provides Democrats leverage on legislation addressing the coronavirus , Rep. Pramila Jayapal ( D. , Wash. ) told the liberal website Vox on Wednesday .
“ When you think about traditional situations of crisis … whoever the ruling party is in the White House , that individual has this enormous opportunity to bring people together because that ’ s what people want in a crisis , ” Jayapal said .
“ None of that has happened… .
For me , the leverage is that there is enormous suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the boldness and the scale that this crisis demands , then that suffering will continue.
” Jayapal faced criticism from conservatives in April when she warned Democrats were “ giving away leverage ” if they passed a clean bill replenishing the Paycheck Protection Program , which provides forgivable loans to small businesses reeling from the pandemic .
Democrats held up funding for weeks before they agreed to a $ 484 billion bill that also included additional aid for hospitals and testing .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast @ @

The “enormous suffering” that has killed more than 74,000 Americans provides Democrats leverage on legislation addressing the coronavirus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) told the liberal website Vox on Wednesday.
“When you think about traditional situations of crisis … whoever the ruling party is in the White House, that individual has this enormous opportunity to bring people together because that’s what people want in a crisis,” Jayapal said. “None of that has happened…. For me, the leverage is that there is enormous suffering, and if we do not respond with the boldness and the scale that this crisis demands, then that suffering will continue.”
Jayapal faced criticism from conservatives in April when she warned Democrats were “giving away leverage” if they passed a clean bill replenishing the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to small businesses reeling from the pandemic. Democrats held up funding for weeks before they agreed to a $484 billion bill that also included additional aid for hospitals and testing. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Liberal law professor punches back at Obama for claiming Flynn dismissal puts ‘the rule of law at ri

Liberal law professor punches back at Obama for claiming Flynn dismissal puts ‘the rule of law at risk’

Constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley hit back at former President Barack Obama on Saturday over his assertion that the “ rule of law is at risk ” after the Department of Justice dropped all charges against Michael Flynn .
Obama said on Friday , Yahoo News reported : The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed — about the Justice Department dropping charges against Michael Flynn .
And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free .
That ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk .
And when you start moving in those directions , it can accelerate pretty quickly as we ’ ve seen in other places .
According to Turley , a self-avowed liberal , Obama ’ s comments reveal how personally invested he was in the Flynn case .
“ It is a curious statement .
First and foremost , Flynn was not charged with perjury , ” Turley began .
“ Second , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Logan Act which has never been used successfully to convict anyone and is flagrantly unconstitutional , ” he continued .
“ Third , this reaffirms reports that Obama was personally invested in this effort.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley hit back at former President Barack Obama on Saturday over his assertion that the “rule of law is at risk” after the Department of Justice dropped all charges against Michael Flynn.
Obama said on Friday, Yahoo News reported: The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed — about the Justice Department dropping charges against Michael Flynn.
And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free. That’s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk. And when you start moving in those directions, it can accelerate pretty quickly as we’ve seen in other places.
According to Turley, a self-avowed liberal, Obama’s comments reveal how personally invested he was in the Flynn case.
“It is a curious statement. First and foremost, Flynn was not charged with perjury,” Turley began.
“Second, we now know Obama discussed charging Flynn under the Logan Act which has never been used successfully to convict anyone and is flagrantly unconstitutional,” he continued. “Third, this reaffirms reports that Obama was personally invested in this effort.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--San Antonio City Council Labels Term ‘Chinese Virus’ As ‘Hateful Speech.’ Ted Cruz Issues Fiery Resp

San Antonio City Council Labels Term ‘Chinese Virus’ As ‘Hateful Speech.’ Ted Cruz Issues Fiery Response.

After the San Antonio City Council in Texas unanimously passed a resolution calling use of the terms ‘ Chinese virus ’ and ‘ Kung Fu Virus ’ to describe COVID-19 “ hateful speech , ” writing that the city would “ prosecute and curb hate acts related to COVID-19 , ” Senator Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) issued a fiery tweet condemning the action , writing , “ This is NUTS .
SA City Council behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge , triggered by Chick-fil-A & the words ‘ Wuhan virus.
’ If they want to investigate someone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly ( and rightly ) referred to it as ‘ the Chinese coronavirus.
’ # NoSpeechPolice.
” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg wrote a letter to council members in which he stated : This coronavirus has held no regard for race , religion , creed , or political boundary .
As such , our efforts must meet the indiscriminate nature of COVID-19 with empathy and compassion for all our neighbors .
I ask that you consider adopting the attached resolution – which declares that our COVID-19 response efforts will be free of hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A-Session .
The resolution itself stated that COVID-19 “ was not created or caused by any race , nationality or ethnicity , and the World Health Organization has cautioned against using geographic descriptors that can fuel ethnic and racial discrimination.
” It added , “ COVID-19 is a public health issue , not a racial , religious or ethnic one , and the deliberate use of terms such as ‘ Chinese virus ’ or ‘ Kung Fu virus ’ to describe COVID-19 only encourages hate crimes and incidents against Asians and further spreads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be working together to get through this crisis … ” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

After the San Antonio City Council in Texas unanimously passed a resolution calling use of the terms ‘Chinese virus’ and ‘Kung Fu Virus’ to describe COVID-19 “hateful speech,” writing that the city would “prosecute and curb hate acts related to COVID-19,” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued a fiery tweet condemning the action, writing, “This is NUTS. SA City Council behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge, triggered by Chick-fil-A & the words ‘Wuhan virus.’ If they want to investigate someone, start with NYT & CNN who both repeatedly (and rightly) referred to it as ‘the Chinese coronavirus.’ #NoSpeechPolice.”
This is NUTS. SA City Council behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge, triggered by Chick-fil-A & the words “Wuhan virus.” If they want to investigate someone, start with NYT & CNN who both repeatedly (and rightly) referred to it as “the Chinese coronavirus.” #NoSpeechPolice https://t.co/a10BZAvleQ — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 7, 2020
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg wrote a letter to council members in which he stated:
This coronavirus has held no regard for race, religion, creed, or political boundary. As such, our efforts must meet the indiscriminate nature of COVID-19 with empathy and compassion for all our neighbors. I ask that you consider adopting the attached resolution – which declares that our COVID-19 response efforts will be free of hate and discrimination – at the next Council A-Session.
The resolution itself stated that COVID-19 “was not created or caused by any race, nationality or ethnicity, and the World Health Organization has cautioned against using geographic descriptors that can fuel ethnic and racial discrimination.” It added, “COVID-19 is a public health issue, not a racial, religious or ethnic one, and the deliberate use of terms such as ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Kung Fu virus’ to describe COVID-19 only encourages hate crimes and incidents against Asians and further spreads misinformation at a time when communities should be working together to get through this crisis …” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--AG Barr Takes Shot At Mueller, Names ‘One Of The Most Troubling Aspects’ Of Criminal Investigation I

AG Barr Takes Shot At Mueller, Names ‘One Of The Most Troubling Aspects’ Of Criminal Investigation Into Origins Of Russia Investigation

Attorney General William Barr told CBS News investigative reporter Catherine Herridge on Thursday that the FBI ’ s use of @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the Trump campaign , especially given the evidence that it could have contained @ @ @ @ @ of the most troubling aspects of the entire situation that prosecutors are investigating .
Herridge @ @ @ @ @ on the evidence that you have seen , did senior FBI officials conspire to throw @ @ @ @ @ ?
” “ Well , as I said , this is a particular episode , @ @ @ @ @ And it has some troubling features to it , as we ’ ve discussed .
@ @ @ @ @ know , that ’ s a question that really has to wait an analysis of @ @ @ @ @ occurred through the summer of 2016 and the first several months of President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ brought up the Steele dossier and how recently declassified footnotes suggested that it was “ @ @ @ @ @ ” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Attorney General William Barr told CBS News investigative reporter Catherine Herridge on Thursday that the FBI’s use of the Steele dossier in its investigation into the Trump campaign, especially given the evidence that it could have contained Russian disinformation, was one of the most troubling aspects of the entire situation that prosecutors are investigating.
Herridge asked Barr, “Based on the evidence that you have seen, did senior FBI officials conspire to throw out the national security adviser?”
“Well, as I said, this is a particular episode,” Barr responded. “And it has some troubling features to it, as we’ve discussed. But I think, you know, that’s a question that really has to wait an analysis of all the different episodes that occurred through the summer of 2016 and the first several months of President Trump’s administration.”
Herridge later brought up the Steele dossier and how recently declassified footnotes suggested that it was “the product of Russian disinformation.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-05-11--Atlanta Mayor Bottoms: Trump’s Rhetoric Gave ‘Permission’ in Ahmaud Arbery Shooting

Sunday on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms addressed unarmed black jogger Ahmaud Arbery being chased and shot dead allegedly by two white men , Gregory and Travis McMichael in Georgia on February 23 .
Host Jake Tapper said , “ The shooting happened back on February 23 .
Authorities had possession of a now-viral video of the shooting from the beginning .
But the murder charges were not filed until this past week after the video emerged online and shocked and outraged millions of Americans .
Do you think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video became public ?
” Lance Bottoms said , “ I think that ’ s absolutely the reason that they were charged .
I think had we not seen that video , I don ’ t believe that they would be charged .
And it ’ s heartbreaking that it ’ s 2020 .
This was a lynching of an African-American man .
And I think that , you know , my heart goes out to his family .
But I think , again , it ’ s a part of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country with the rhetoric we hear coming out of the White House in so many ways , I think that many who are prone to being racist are given permission to do it in an overt way that we otherwise would not see in 2020.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms addressed unarmed black jogger Ahmaud Arbery being chased and shot dead allegedly by two white men, Gregory and Travis McMichael in Georgia on February 23.
Host Jake Tapper said, “The shooting happened back on February 23. Authorities had possession of a now-viral video of the shooting from the beginning. But the murder charges were not filed until this past week after the video emerged online and shocked and outraged millions of Americans. Do you think that the two men were only charged because the video became public?”
Lance Bottoms said, “I think that’s absolutely the reason that they were charged. I think had we not seen that video, I don’t believe that they would be charged. And it’s heartbreaking that it’s 2020. This was a lynching of an African-American man. And I think that, you know, my heart goes out to his family. But I think, again, it’s a part of this bigger issue that we are having in this country with the rhetoric we hear coming out of the White House in so many ways, I think that many who are prone to being racist are given permission to do it in an overt way that we otherwise would not see in 2020.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --