truepundit--2020-12-23--Gun Industry Mobilizes Against Proposed Regulation

Second Amendment activists and industry giants are imploring Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use his influence on the Department of Justice to scuttle a proposed firearms regulation that would banish a popular gun accessory known as a “ pistol brace.
” In a phone call with McConnell ’ s office on Saturday , approximately 80 gun makers warned that a proposed ruling from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , and Firearms could cost them nearly $ 2 billion in sales , according to several sources who participated in the call .
National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Donald Trump this week , and industry officials have raised the issue in conversations with senior White House officials .
The ATF ’ s ruling would classify guns with pistol braces as short-barrel rifles and require the owners to register them with the federal government .
Pistol braces are attached to some guns and used to steady the user ’ s arm .
The reclassification could criminalize between 3 and 4 million guns and prevent the industry from selling firearms that make up a sizable percentage of sales over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell , the White House , and the ATF did not respond to a request for comment .
The ATF first approved the use of forearm braces on AR-15 pistols in 2012 and has approved several more designs in the following years .
The new guidance casts doubt on the legality of any gun equipped with a pistol brace and indicates that the ATF will determine their legality on a “ case-by-case basis.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Second Amendment activists and industry giants are imploring Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use his influence on the Department of Justice to scuttle a proposed firearms regulation that would banish a popular gun accessory known as a “pistol brace.”
In a phone call with McConnell’s office on Saturday, approximately 80 gun makers warned that a proposed ruling from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms could cost them nearly $2 billion in sales, according to several sources who participated in the call. National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre is scheduled to discuss the matter with President Donald Trump this week, and industry officials have raised the issue in conversations with senior White House officials.
The ATF’s ruling would classify guns with pistol braces as short-barrel rifles and require the owners to register them with the federal government. Pistol braces are attached to some guns and used to steady the user’s arm. The reclassification could criminalize between 3 and 4 million guns and prevent the industry from selling firearms that make up a sizable percentage of sales over the last decade.
Spokesmen for the NRA, McConnell, the White House, and the ATF did not respond to a request for comment.
The ATF first approved the use of forearm braces on AR-15 pistols in 2012 and has approved several more designs in the following years. The new guidance casts doubt on the legality of any gun equipped with a pistol brace and indicates that the ATF will determine their legality on a “case-by-case basis.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Joe Biden Calls Reporter ‘One Horse Pony’ After Question About Son Hunter

President-elect Joe Biden called a reporter a “ one horse pony ” after he asked a question about the federal @ @ @ @ @ Biden at a press conference on Tuesday .
Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Biden @ @ @ @ @ the stories about his son being under investigation were “ Russian disinformation ” and a @ @ @ @ @ Yes , yes , yes , ” Biden replied .
“ God love you , @ @ @ @ @ a one horse pony .
I tell you.
” The president-elect promised that he would @ @ @ @ @ appointing his Attorney General.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

President-elect Joe Biden called a reporter a “one horse pony” after he asked a question about the federal investigation into his son Hunter Biden at a press conference on Tuesday.
Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Biden whether he still believed that the stories about his son being under investigation were “Russian disinformation” and a “smear campaign.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Biden replied. “God love you, man. You’re a one horse pony. I tell you.”
(Typically the term “one-trick pony” is used to describe someone who focuses intently on one issue)
The president-elect promised that he would not consider the investigation when appointing his Attorney General.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Johns Hopkins Newspaper Removes Study Examining COVID Death Rate

Johns Hopkins University ’ s student newspaper , the News-Letter , reported on a university presentation stating that COVID-19 “ had no effect on the percentage of deaths of older people ” and that the virus “ has also not increased the total number of deaths ” in comparison to historical data .
However , the paper later removed the article , stating that it had been used to support “ dangerous inaccuracies ” on social media .
Assistant Director for the university ’ s Applied Economics program Genevieve Briand critically analyzed the net effect of COVID-19 on deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Using information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Briand identified the percentages of total deaths per age category both before and after the pandemic began .
“ Surprisingly , the deaths of older people stayed the same before and after COVID-19 , ” said the News-Letter ’ s article .
“ Since COVID-19 mainly affects the elderly , experts expected an increase in the percentage of deaths in older age groups .
However , this increase is not seen from the CDC data .
In fact , the percentages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively the same.
” Though deaths in categories like respiratory illnesses and heart disease seasonally rise and fall together in the United States , Briand noticed a strange trend .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Johns Hopkins University’s student newspaper, the News-Letter, reported on a university presentation stating that COVID-19 “had no effect on the percentage of deaths of older people” and that the virus “has also not increased the total number of deaths” in comparison to historical data. However, the paper later removed the article, stating that it had been used to support “dangerous inaccuracies” on social media.
Assistant Director for the university’s Applied Economics program Genevieve Briand critically analyzed the net effect of COVID-19 on deaths in the United States based on historical data. Using information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Briand identified the percentages of total deaths per age category both before and after the pandemic began.
“Surprisingly, the deaths of older people stayed the same before and after COVID-19,” said the News-Letter’s article. “Since COVID-19 mainly affects the elderly, experts expected an increase in the percentage of deaths in older age groups. However, this increase is not seen from the CDC data. In fact, the percentages of deaths among all age groups remain relatively the same.”
Though deaths in categories like respiratory illnesses and heart disease seasonally rise and fall together in the United States, Briand noticed a strange trend. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Joe Biden’s Holiday Message on Coronavirus: ‘Our Darkest Days … Are Ahead of Us’

President-elect Joe Biden offered a bleak , pessimistic holiday message during a press briefing on Tuesday , telling Americans that the worst is yet to come in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic .
Reading from prepared remarks , at a briefing that was billed as a message to the American people for the holidays , Biden said : One thing I promise you , about my leadership during this crisis : I ’ m going tell it to you straight .
I ’ m going tell you the truth , and here is the simple truth .
Our darkest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of us , not behind us .
So we need to prepare ourselves , to steel our spines , as frustrating as it is to hear .
It ’ s going to take patience , persistence , and determination to beat this virus .
Biden ’ s tone was a marked change from that of President Donald Trump , who has told Americans since the spring that the country is about to turn the corner in its fight against the disease .
The president-elect did not seem to think that the rollout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief legislation , and the rapid pace of economic growth were good signs .
He seemed determined to set expectations low — and to make the case for renewed stimulus spending when he takes office in January .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

President-elect Joe Biden offered a bleak, pessimistic holiday message during a press briefing on Tuesday, telling Americans that the worst is yet to come in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Reading from prepared remarks, at a briefing that was billed as a message to the American people for the holidays, Biden said:
One thing I promise you, about my leadership during this crisis: I’m going tell it to you straight. I’m going tell you the truth, and here is the simple truth. Our darkest days in the battle against COVID are ahead of us, not behind us. So we need to prepare ourselves, to steel our spines, as frustrating as it is to hear. It’s going to take patience, persistence, and determination to beat this virus.
Biden’s tone was a marked change from that of President Donald Trump, who has told Americans since the spring that the country is about to turn the corner in its fight against the disease.
The president-elect did not seem to think that the rollout of vaccines, the passage of coronavirus relief legislation, and the rapid pace of economic growth were good signs. He seemed determined to set expectations low — and to make the case for renewed stimulus spending when he takes office in January. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Is Our Government Totally Broken? COVID ‘Relief’ Bill Strongly Suggests Yes. Yes, It Is Broken.

Congress is likely to pass the big COVID “ relief ” bill like the world ’ s second-largest kidney stone .
My colleague Victoria Taft already highlighted some of the most egregious spending included in the bill , such as the horseracing regulations and the new cars for HIV/AIDS workers overseas .
That one ’ s worth more than $ 193 million , begging the question of just how many restaurants , movie theaters , and other small businesses in these United States might have been helped with that money .
A lot , I ’ d venture .
Enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t spend it all in one place !
In addition to the $ 10 million for gender programs in Pakistan and the lavish spending on receptions that Victoria noted , there ’ s more .
Did anyone read this bill ?
Does any single person know everything that ’ s in it ?
Scroll through the 5,593 page bill — more than twice as long as the original Affordable Care Act , aka Obamacare — and you ’ ll see millions by the tens and hundreds going to federal agencies .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of dollars for various sections of the agency .
Many federal agencies get hundreds of millions , despite the fact that they don ’ t need relief , they need downsizing .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Congress is likely to pass the big COVID “relief” bill like the world’s second-largest kidney stone. My colleague Victoria Taft already highlighted some of the most egregious spending included in the bill, such as the horseracing regulations and the new cars for HIV/AIDS workers overseas. That one’s worth more than $193 million, begging the question of just how many restaurants, movie theaters, and other small businesses in these United States might have been helped with that money.
A lot, I’d venture. Enjoy your $600, America. Don’t spend it all in one place!
In addition to the $10 million for gender programs in Pakistan and the lavish spending on receptions that Victoria noted, there’s more.
The bill is packed with…salmon?
I wasn’t aware that COVID affected salmon.
Did anyone read this bill? Does any single person know everything that’s in it?
Scroll through the 5,593 page bill — more than twice as long as the original Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare — and you’ll see millions by the tens and hundreds going to federal agencies. The Department of Justice alone receives hundreds of millions of dollars for various sections of the agency. Many federal agencies get hundreds of millions, despite the fact that they don’t need relief, they need downsizing. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Nancy Pelosi calls $600 stimulus check ‘significant.’ Remember what she said about a $1,600 tax cut?

During the course of patting herself and her Democratic colleagues on the back for being shamed into passing a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ of the year , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) made an interesting claim @ @ @ @ @ 600 stimulus check that some American families will receive as part of the bill .
@ @ @ @ @ the legislation direct payments , which were not in the Republican bill , to America @ @ @ @ @ I would like for them to have been bigger , but they are , uh @ @ @ @ @ will be going out soon , ” Pelosi said .
Six hundred dollars is a @ @ @ @ @ working families ?
: At least one Twitter user noted that Pelosi had a different @ @ @ @ @ larger tax cut in 2018 provided for working families – READ MORE Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ --

During the course of patting herself and her Democratic colleagues on the back for being shamed into passing a coronavirus relief bill before the end of the year, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made an interesting claim about the widely derided $600 stimulus check that some American families will receive as part of the bill.
“We also have in the legislation direct payments, which were not in the Republican bill, to America’s working families. I would like for them to have been bigger, but they are, uh, significant, and they will be going out soon,” Pelosi said.
Six hundred dollars is a “significant” amount for working families?:
but the $1000 tax cut in 2018 was “crumbs” https://t.co/uU1PcBRUsy — MJ (@morganisawizard) December 21, 2020
At least one Twitter user noted that Pelosi had a different opinion of what the even larger tax cut in 2018 provided for working families – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Rand Paul’s Senate floor speech against COVID-19 bill goes viral

Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , addressed the Senate Monday afternoon as his colleagues prepared to vote for a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package and told his fellow Republicans who backed the stimulus that they are no better than the Democrats they criticize who align themselves with socialism .
“ To so-called conservatives who are quick to identify the socialism of Democrats : If you vote for this spending monstrosity , you are no better , ” Paul said .
The House passed the relief package and lawmakers tacked on a $ 1.4 trillion catchall spending bill prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will send a $ 600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans , along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses , restaurants and theaters .
“ If free money was the answer… if money really did grow on trees , why not give more free money ?
” he said .
“ Why not give it out all the time ?
Why stop at $ 600 a person ?
Why not $ 1,000 ?
Why not $ 2,000 ?
Maybe these new Free-Money Republicans should join the Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus ?
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , why not $ 30,000 ?
If we can print out money with impunity , why not do it ?
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., addressed the Senate Monday afternoon as his colleagues prepared to vote for a $900 billion coronavirus relief package and told his fellow Republicans who backed the stimulus that they are no better than the Democrats they criticize who align themselves with socialism.
“To so-called conservatives who are quick to identify the socialism of Democrats: If you vote for this spending monstrosity, you are no better,” Paul said.
The House passed the relief package and lawmakers tacked on a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill prior to the Christmas holiday.
The relief package will send a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants and theaters.
A) Ok. So the Senate approved a big $1.4 trillion, omnibus spending bill before midnight et to avoid a shutdown right? And they latched that to the coronavirus package, right? Well, that’s not actually the pact which will fund the governmemt for the next week. — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 22, 2020
“If free money was the answer… if money really did grow on trees, why not give more free money?” he said. “Why not give it out all the time? Why stop at $600 a person? Why not $1,000? Why not $2,000? Maybe these new Free-Money Republicans should join the Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus? Why not $20,000 a year for everybody, why not $30,000? If we can print out money with impunity, why not do it?” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Nancy Pelosi Ready to Pull Trump out of the White House ‘By His Hair’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced her frustration with President Donald Trump during meetings with her leadership team over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ counting down the hours ‘ til he ’ s gone .
I plan to pull @ @ @ @ @ his hair , his little hands , and his feet , ” Pelosi said , @ @ @ @ @ published Tuesday .
Pelosi made her remarks as Democrats and Republicans negotiated a massive 5,593 @ @ @ @ @ and government funding bill over the weekend .
President Trump and Pelosi have not spoken @ @ @ @ @ she accused the president of having a “ meltdown ” during an October 2019 meeting @ @ @ @ @ pointedly tore up his State of the Union Speech and tried to impeach the president.- @ @ @ @ @ insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced her frustration with President Donald Trump during meetings with her leadership team over the weekend.
“I’m counting down the hours ‘til he’s gone. I plan to pull him out of there by his hair, his little hands, and his feet,” Pelosi said, according to a Politico story published Tuesday.
Pelosi made her remarks as Democrats and Republicans negotiated a massive 5,593 $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill over the weekend.
President Trump and Pelosi have not spoken for over a year after she accused the president of having a “meltdown” during an October 2019 meeting at the White House, pointedly tore up his State of the Union Speech and tried to impeach the president.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Walmart Fueled Opioid Epidemic By Filling Illegitimate Prescriptions Regularly, DOJ Lawsuit Alleges

The Department of Justice sued Walmart Tuesday alleging that the big-box retailer fueled the U.S. opioid epidemic by knowingly filling illegitimate prescriptions and with price-cutting techniques .
Walmart transformed its 5,000 in-store pharmacies into a leading network of opioid suppliers , the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) lawsuit alleged , according to a press release .
In addition , Walmart allegedly didn ’ t heed warnings from its pharmacists that there was an insufficient screening process for questionable prescriptions .
“ As one of the largest pharmacy chains and wholesale drug distributors in the country , Walmart had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diversion of prescription opioids , ” said Jeffrey Bossert Clark , acting assistant attorney general of the DOJ ’ s Civil Division .
“ Instead , for years , it did the opposite.
” The DOJ alleged that Walmart violated the Controlled Substances Act ( CSA ) hundreds of thousands of times .
The company ’ s pharmacies systematically filled thousands of painkiller prescriptions “ that were not issued for legitimate medical purposes , ” the DOJ press release said .
Walmart managers allegedly made it difficult for pharmacists to fulfill legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit said .
Managers told pharmacists “ shorter wait times keep patients in store ” when asked why they were rushing the process , The DOJ alleged .
“ Pharmacists , in turn , complained to Walmart ’ s compliance unit that the high volume of prescriptions , combined with Walmart ’ s low staffing , ‘ doesn ’ t allow time for individual evaluation of prescriptions , ’ ” the lawsuit said .
The company ’ s goal was to maximize profits via painkiller prescriptions even as a deadly epidemic ravaged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When processes to safeguard against drug diversion are violated or ignored , or when pharmacies routinely fill illegitimate prescriptions , we will hold accountable anyone responsible , including Walmart , ” said Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA ) Acting Administrator Timothy Shea .
In October , Walmart preemptively sued the DOJ and DEA asking a federal court “ to clarify the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacies under the Controlled Substances Act , ” according to a press release .
“ Unfortunately , certain DOJ officials have long seemed more focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the company said in a statement Oct. 22 .
“ They are now threatening a completely unjustified lawsuit against Walmart , claiming in hindsight pharmacists should have refused to fill otherwise valid opioid prescriptions.
” In November , OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to criminal charges , including conspiracy to defraud the U.S .
The company admitted it did not adequately prevent its opioid drugs from being sold on the black market , CNN reported .
The opioid epidemic has ravaged the U.S. for years with about 900 Americans dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Council on Foreign Relations .

The Department of Justice sued Walmart Tuesday alleging that the big-box retailer fueled the U.S. opioid epidemic by knowingly filling illegitimate prescriptions and with price-cutting techniques.
Walmart transformed its 5,000 in-store pharmacies into a leading network of opioid suppliers, the Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit alleged, according to a press release. In addition, Walmart allegedly didn’t heed warnings from its pharmacists that there was an insufficient screening process for questionable prescriptions.
“As one of the largest pharmacy chains and wholesale drug distributors in the country, Walmart had the responsibility and the means to help prevent the diversion of prescription opioids,” said Jeffrey Bossert Clark, acting assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s Civil Division. “Instead, for years, it did the opposite.”
The DOJ alleged that Walmart violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) hundreds of thousands of times. The company’s pharmacies systematically filled thousands of painkiller prescriptions “that were not issued for legitimate medical purposes,” the DOJ press release said.
Walmart managers allegedly made it difficult for pharmacists to fulfill legal obligations and thoroughly review prescriptions, the lawsuit said. Managers told pharmacists “shorter wait times keep patients in store” when asked why they were rushing the process, The DOJ alleged.
“Pharmacists, in turn, complained to Walmart’s compliance unit that the high volume of prescriptions, combined with Walmart’s low staffing, ‘doesn’t allow time for individual evaluation of prescriptions,’” the lawsuit said.
The company’s goal was to maximize profits via painkiller prescriptions even as a deadly epidemic ravaged the nation, according to the DOJ.
“When processes to safeguard against drug diversion are violated or ignored, or when pharmacies routinely fill illegitimate prescriptions, we will hold accountable anyone responsible, including Walmart,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Administrator Timothy Shea.
In October, Walmart preemptively sued the DOJ and DEA asking a federal court “to clarify the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacies under the Controlled Substances Act,” according to a press release.
“Unfortunately, certain DOJ officials have long seemed more focused on chasing headlines than fixing the crisis,” the company said in a statement Oct. 22. “They are now threatening a completely unjustified lawsuit against Walmart, claiming in hindsight pharmacists should have refused to fill otherwise valid opioid prescriptions.”
In November, OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to criminal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. The company admitted it did not adequately prevent its opioid drugs from being sold on the black market, CNN reported.
The opioid epidemic has ravaged the U.S. for years with about 900 Americans dying from opioid overdoses every week, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.


truepundit--2020-12-23--Establishment Dems Ambush AOC And Other Progressives, Stripping Key Committee Assignments

Committee assignments are one of the least eye-catching parts of politics , but they ’ re also one of the most important ways in which actual political power is wielded .
Certain committees in the House , like Energy and Commerce , Ways and Means , and Appropriations , have outsized influence and money power .
( They are often called the “ money ” committees , not just because they ’ re where the action is but because members can earn lots of money in campaign contributions from industries with business before them . )
Deliberations over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives in the House , as they angle to lock down seats on these powerful committees for their members .
To that end , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) was expected to secure a prized position on the Energy and Commerce Committee , a seat vacated by outgoing New Yorker Eliot Engel .
Among other issues , the committee has jurisdiction over health care and climate change issues , a natural for a Congresswoman who has championed Medicare for All and the Green New Deal .
Ocasio-Cortez was expected to cruise comfortably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first to raise her hand for the seat , and she won the backing of dean of the New York delegation , Rep. Jerry Nadler .
But last week , as Politico reported , Long Islander Kathleen Rice made an out-of-nowhere , last-second bid for the seat , interrupting the process .
Rep. Rice is a backbencher from the party ’ s right flank who , in 2018 , refused to support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker .
Without the support of Nadler , and with the famous opposition of steering committee leader Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seem to be serious .
But in a surprise , last-second Steering Committee meeting on exclusive committee assignments Thursday , which was scheduled at 10 p.m. the night before , centrist Democrats put on a show of support for Rice and against AOC , in what looks to have been a process-defying attempt to keep AOC out of the seat .
Fellow New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries came out in support of Rice , contra Nadler , as did Reps. Anna Eshoo ( D-CA ) and Diana DeGette ( D-CO ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hydraulic Fracturing .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Committee assignments are one of the least eye-catching parts of politics, but they’re also one of the most important ways in which actual political power is wielded. Certain committees in the House, like Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, have outsized influence and money power. (They are often called the “money” committees, not just because they’re where the action is but because members can earn lots of money in campaign contributions from industries with business before them.)
Deliberations over the next several days will be extremely important for progressives in the House, as they angle to lock down seats on these powerful committees for their members. To that end, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was expected to secure a prized position on the Energy and Commerce Committee, a seat vacated by outgoing New Yorker Eliot Engel. Among other issues, the committee has jurisdiction over health care and climate change issues, a natural for a Congresswoman who has championed Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
Ocasio-Cortez was expected to cruise comfortably to the position. She was the first to raise her hand for the seat, and she won the backing of dean of the New York delegation, Rep. Jerry Nadler. But last week, as Politico reported, Long Islander Kathleen Rice made an out-of-nowhere, last-second bid for the seat, interrupting the process. Rep. Rice is a backbencher from the party’s right flank who, in 2018, refused to support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. Without the support of Nadler, and with the famous opposition of steering committee leader Pelosi, Rice’s attempt didn’t seem to be serious.
But in a surprise, last-second Steering Committee meeting on exclusive committee assignments Thursday, which was scheduled at 10 p.m. the night before, centrist Democrats put on a show of support for Rice and against AOC, in what looks to have been a process-defying attempt to keep AOC out of the seat. Fellow New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries came out in support of Rice, contra Nadler, as did Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), author of a book called Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--WATCH: Tucker Carlson Makes Appeal To Trump For Assange Pardon

During a show this week Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson urged President Trump to pardon Julian Assange , saying that while the president “ probably does want to pardon ” the WikiLeaks founder who remains in detention awaiting an extradition trial in London , there are also “ sinister people ” who want him to stay confined for life .
Tucker interviewed Assange ’ s fiancée Stella Moris who directly appealed for President Trump to “ show mercy ” and drop the pending extradition case against Assange before he leaves office in January .
“ Whatever you think of Julian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is effectively a journalist .
He took information and he put it in a place the public could read it , ” the primetime Fox host said .
“ He may die in prison , ” Tucker continued .
“ The current president Donald Trump has the power to pardon Julian Assange.
” He also emphasized the growing calls from multiple corners and across the political spectrum for him to do so .
There ’ s also been widespread rumors and speculation that Trump is deeply considering it.- READ MORE Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @

During a show this week Fox News’ Tucker Carlson urged President Trump to pardon Julian Assange, saying that while the president “probably does want to pardon” the WikiLeaks founder who remains in detention awaiting an extradition trial in London, there are also “sinister people” who want him to stay confined for life.
Tucker interviewed Assange’s fiancée Stella Moris who directly appealed for President Trump to “show mercy” and drop the pending extradition case against Assange before he leaves office in January.
“Whatever you think of Julian Assange and what he did, he is effectively a journalist. He took information and he put it in a place the public could read it,” the primetime Fox host said.
“He may die in prison,” Tucker continued. “The current president Donald Trump has the power to pardon Julian Assange.” He also emphasized the growing calls from multiple corners and across the political spectrum for him to do so. There’s also been widespread rumors and speculation that Trump is deeply considering it.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Cuomo: ‘Santa’s Gonna To Be Very Good To Me, I Can Tell. I Worked Hard This Year’

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said he had “ worked hard this year ” and that “ Santa ’ s gon na be very good to me , I can tell ” during a coronavirus briefing Monday .
“ So , healthy holiday and I ’ m gon na have a good one .
Santa ’ s gon na be very good to me , I can tell .
I worked hard this year .
Social distance , wear a mask .
Be smart , be smart , ” Cuomo said , according to a video of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his handling of the coronavirus .
New York undercounted coronavirus deaths from nursing homes in the first months of the pandemic , the Daily Caller News Foundation reported in May .
State officials said New York hospitals sent over 6,300 recovering COVID-19 patients into the nursing homes at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic , The Associated Press reported in July .
The patients were sent into the nursing homes as part of a highly criticized policy that later was rescinded .
The officials said that sending the patients into the nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York had one of the U.S. ’ highest numbers of nursing home deaths , the AP reported .
Cuomo tweeted on Dec. 11 that he would once again shut down indoor dining in New York City , and restaurant associations say the industry could be crippled for years due to the restrictions .
The DCNF on Tuesday asked Richard Azzopardi , senior advisor to Cuomo , about his policy of sending recovering COVID-19 patients into nursing homes and the coronavirus restrictions forcing restaurants to close .
“ That ’ s trash even for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azzopardi told the DCNF .
Cuomo talked about the coronavirus bill deal Congress came to and said it gives a bit of emergency aid , according to the video .
The New York governor said he ’ s spoken with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on numerous occasions and said both were working hard .
“ They were in an impossible situation because you have Senator McConnell who still takes the position that we should bankrupt the states and wouldn ’ t do state and local assistance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video .
“ This is not partisan .
Senator McConnell happens to be a Republican .
I ’ m chairman of the National Governors Association .
More Republican governors than Democratic governors in this country .
The National Governors Association sent a letter to Congress asking for 500 billion dollars in state and local assistance .
Do you know what we got in this bill ?
Zero .
Nada .
Niente .
Zero , ” Cuomo said , according to the video .

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had “worked hard this year” and that “Santa’s gonna be very good to me, I can tell” during a coronavirus briefing Monday.
“So, healthy holiday and I’m gonna have a good one. Santa’s gonna be very good to me, I can tell. I worked hard this year. Social distance, wear a mask. Be smart, be smart,” Cuomo said, according to a video of the briefing.
Cuomo has faced criticism for his handling of the coronavirus.
New York undercounted coronavirus deaths from nursing homes in the first months of the pandemic, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported in May.
State officials said New York hospitals sent over 6,300 recovering COVID-19 patients into the nursing homes at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press reported in July. The patients were sent into the nursing homes as part of a highly criticized policy that later was rescinded.
The officials said that sending the patients into the nursing homes wasn’t the reason why New York had one of the U.S.’ highest numbers of nursing home deaths, the AP reported.
Cuomo tweeted on Dec. 11 that he would once again shut down indoor dining in New York City, and restaurant associations say the industry could be crippled for years due to the restrictions.
The DCNF on Tuesday asked Richard Azzopardi, senior advisor to Cuomo, about his policy of sending recovering COVID-19 patients into nursing homes and the coronavirus restrictions forcing restaurants to close.
“That’s trash even for your organization. Merry Christmas,” Azzopardi told the DCNF.
Cuomo talked about the coronavirus bill deal Congress came to and said it gives a bit of emergency aid, according to the video. The New York governor said he’s spoken with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on numerous occasions and said both were working hard.
“They were in an impossible situation because you have Senator McConnell who still takes the position that we should bankrupt the states and wouldn’t do state and local assistance,” Cuomo said, according to the video.
“This is not partisan. Senator McConnell happens to be a Republican. I’m chairman of the National Governors Association. More Republican governors than Democratic governors in this country. The National Governors Association sent a letter to Congress asking for 500 billion dollars in state and local assistance. Do you know what we got in this bill? Zero. Nada. Niente. Zero,” Cuomo said, according to the video.


truepundit--2020-12-23--Trump Authorizes Russiagate Special Counsel To Use Classified Information For Grand Jury Proceedings

President Donald Trump on Tuesday authorized the Department of Justice to use classified information in grand jury proceedings connected to a special counsel ’ s investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe .
In a memo released through the White House , Trump authorized the attorney general “ to use classified information as he deems necessary in connection with his review , including in a grand jury or other proceeding.
” It was not immediately clear if the White House memo signals a development in the investigation or that grand jury has been empaneled in the probe , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham .
Attorney General William Barr said in an interview last week that Durham has recently made “ significant progress ” in his investigation .
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Barr tapped Durham May 13 , 2019 to conduct a review of the government ’ s Trump-related intelligence activities during the 2016 presidential campaign .
Durham ’ s investigation appears to be following up on findings from a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report that criticized the FBI for withholding information from the Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to get warrants to surveil Carter Page .
FBI investigators relied heavily on the Steele dossier in applications for the surveillance warrants .
The IG report criticized the FBI for failing to verify allegations from the dossier , which was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee .
Durham has secured one criminal conviction in the investigation .
Former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 to altering an email from the CIA in June 2017 regarding ex-Trump aide Carter Page ’ s relationship with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special counsel on Oct. 19 , a maneuver that will likely add political protection to the investigation during the Biden administration .
The order appointing Durham to the role authorized him to produce interim reports about the investigation .
Durham has had access to classified information since the beginning of his investigation .
Trump issued a declassification memo on May 23 , 2019 , that directed the leaders of various intelligence community agencies to share information with the Justice Department to assist with the Durham probe .
John Ratcliffe , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has provided Durham with around 1,000 pages of documents to the Justice Department in order to assist with the investigation .
In his memo last year , Trump authorized Barr “ to declassify , downgrade , or direct the declassification or downgrading of information or intelligence that relates to his review.
” Barr , who is stepping down as attorney general on Wednesday , has declassified a series of documents related to Crossfire Hurricane , the FBI ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign , as well as the Steele dossier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected Durham to finish investigation this summer , but that it was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday authorized the Department of Justice to use classified information in grand jury proceedings connected to a special counsel’s investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.
In a memo released through the White House, Trump authorized the attorney general “to use classified information as he deems necessary in connection with his review, including in a grand jury or other proceeding.”
It was not immediately clear if the White House memo signals a development in the investigation or that grand jury has been empaneled in the probe, which is being led by U.S. Attorney John Durham.
Attorney General William Barr said in an interview last week that Durham has recently made “significant progress” in his investigation.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Barr tapped Durham May 13, 2019 to conduct a review of the government’s Trump-related intelligence activities during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Durham’s investigation appears to be following up on findings from a Justice Department inspector general’s report that criticized the FBI for withholding information from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) in order to get warrants to surveil Carter Page.
FBI investigators relied heavily on the Steele dossier in applications for the surveillance warrants. The IG report criticized the FBI for failing to verify allegations from the dossier, which was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
Durham has secured one criminal conviction in the investigation. Former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 to altering an email from the CIA in June 2017 regarding ex-Trump aide Carter Page’s relationship with the spy agency.
Barr designated Durham as a special counsel on Oct. 19, a maneuver that will likely add political protection to the investigation during the Biden administration.
The order appointing Durham to the role authorized him to produce interim reports about the investigation.
Durham has had access to classified information since the beginning of his investigation.
Trump issued a declassification memo on May 23, 2019, that directed the leaders of various intelligence community agencies to share information with the Justice Department to assist with the Durham probe. John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence, said in October that he has provided Durham with around 1,000 pages of documents to the Justice Department in order to assist with the investigation.
In his memo last year, Trump authorized Barr “to declassify, downgrade, or direct the declassification or downgrading of information or intelligence that relates to his review.”
Barr, who is stepping down as attorney general on Wednesday, has declassified a series of documents related to Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s investigation of the Trump campaign, as well as the Steele dossier.
Barr has said that he had expected Durham to finish investigation this summer, but that it was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.


truepundit--2020-12-23--Twitter Refuses To Say Why It’s Promoting A Chinese Tech Group That Allegedly Tracks Uighers

Twitter refused to explain to the Daily Caller News Foundation why it is promoting a Chinese tech group that allegedly tracks Uigher Muslims .
The DCNF reached out to Twitter multiple times on Tuesday asking why Twitter promoted a Huawei Christmas tweet .
A confidential Huawei “ interoperability report ” obtained by IPVM allegedly found that the Chinese technology companies Huawei and Megvii worked together to test software that would recognize Uigher Muslims and then alert the police .
The report was formerly public on Huawei ’ s website , though it was marked confidential , and the company deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to IPVM .
Twitter declined to explain to the DCNF why it allowed the promotion of the Huawei tweet .
Multiple publications have reported that the Chinese government targets and commits “ demographic genocide ” against Uighur Muslims through forced abortions , birth control , mass detentions , and imprisonment — though the Chinese government denies this and says that such stories are “ fabricated ” and “ fake news.
” Huawei said it is opposed to discrimination in a December statement to the BBC .
“ We provide general-purpose connectivity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we comply with ethics and governance systems around emerging technology , ” Huawei said in the statement .
“ We do not develop or sell systems that identify people by their ethnicity , and we do not condone the use of our technologies to discriminate against or oppress members of any community , ” Huawei said .
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Huawei has previously come under fire for its surveillance technologies , prompting Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to accuse the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manner that undermines U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
” Huawei has denied that it spies on behalf of the Chinese government .
“ Huawei is a disaster , ” President Donald Trump said on Fox News this summer , suggesting that the company spies on American citizens .
“ They used to have free reign over our country .
They knew everything we were doing .
Huawei is a way of really I call it the ‘ spywei ’ .
What happens is Huawei comes out and they spy on @ @ @ @

Twitter refused to explain to the Daily Caller News Foundation why it is promoting a Chinese tech group that allegedly tracks Uigher Muslims.
The DCNF reached out to Twitter multiple times on Tuesday asking why Twitter promoted a Huawei Christmas tweet. A confidential Huawei “interoperability report” obtained by IPVM allegedly found that the Chinese technology companies Huawei and Megvii worked together to test software that would recognize Uigher Muslims and then alert the police.
The report was formerly public on Huawei’s website, though it was marked confidential, and the company deleted it after IPVM reached out for comment, according to IPVM.
Twitter declined to explain to the DCNF why it allowed the promotion of the Huawei tweet.
Multiple publications have reported that the Chinese government targets and commits “demographic genocide” against Uighur Muslims through forced abortions, birth control, mass detentions, and imprisonment — though the Chinese government denies this and says that such stories are “fabricated” and “fake news.”
Huawei said it is opposed to discrimination in a December statement to the BBC. “We provide general-purpose connectivity products based on recognised industry standards, and we comply with ethics and governance systems around emerging technology,” Huawei said in the statement.
“We do not develop or sell systems that identify people by their ethnicity, and we do not condone the use of our technologies to discriminate against or oppress members of any community,” Huawei said. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
Huawei has previously come under fire for its surveillance technologies, prompting Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to accuse the company of harnessing “U.S. technology in a manner that undermines U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.” Huawei has denied that it spies on behalf of the Chinese government. “Huawei is a disaster,” President Donald Trump said on Fox News this summer, suggesting that the company spies on American citizens. “They used to have free reign over our country. They knew everything we were doing. Huawei is a way of really I call it the ‘spywei’. What happens is Huawei comes out and they spy on our country.”


truepundit--2020-12-23--Joe Biden Still Thinks Allegations About His Son Are ‘Russian Disinformation’

President-elect Joe Biden lashed out at a Fox News reporter on Tuesday who asked whether he still believes that allegations about his son were the product of “ Russian disinformation , ” as he claimed before the election .
“ God love you , man .
You ’ re a one horse pony , ” Biden said to Fox ’ s Peter Doocy , who asked whether Biden stood by the Russian disinformation charge .
Doocy asked Biden : “ Do you still think that the stories from the fall about your son Hunter are Russian disinformation and a smear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden campaign and other Democrats have accused President Donald Trump and his supporters of pushing Russian disinformation by accusing Hunter Biden of wrongdoing in his foreign business dealings .
Republicans have focused on the younger Biden ’ s work with Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings and companies in China .
Hunter Biden announced on Dec. 9 that he is the target of an investigation being led by the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Delaware .
Biden claimed the investigation is into his “ tax affairs , ” but several news outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his dealings with foreign companies .
The Associated Press reported that prosecutors subpoenaed Hunter Biden for records related to his dealings with Burisma Holdings and companies in China .
Biden said at the press conference on Tuesday that he has not discussed the investigation into his son with his potential picks for attorney general .
“ I promise you my Justice Department will be totally on its own making its judgements about how it should proceed , ” Biden said .
The president-elect said last week that he is “ confident ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said in an interview that Hunter is “ the smartest man I know.
” He also accused his political opponents of “ foul play , ” saying that they have used allegations against his son “ to get me .
”

President-elect Joe Biden lashed out at a Fox News reporter on Tuesday who asked whether he still believes that allegations about his son were the product of “Russian disinformation,” as he claimed before the election.
“God love you, man. You’re a one horse pony,” Biden said to Fox’s Peter Doocy, who asked whether Biden stood by the Russian disinformation charge.
Doocy asked Biden: “Do you still think that the stories from the fall about your son Hunter are Russian disinformation and a smear campaign, like you said?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Biden responded.
Joe Biden laughs when Fox News’ Peter Doocy asks if he still thinks the allegations against Hunter Biden are Russian disinformation: “Yes, yes, yes. God love you, man. You’re a one horse pony.” pic.twitter.com/x8HEvPjpFn — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 22, 2020
The Biden campaign and other Democrats have accused President Donald Trump and his supporters of pushing Russian disinformation by accusing Hunter Biden of wrongdoing in his foreign business dealings. Republicans have focused on the younger Biden’s work with Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings and companies in China.
Hunter Biden announced on Dec. 9 that he is the target of an investigation being led by the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware. Biden claimed the investigation is into his “tax affairs,” but several news outlets have reported that investigators are also looking into his dealings with foreign companies.
The Associated Press reported that prosecutors subpoenaed Hunter Biden for records related to his dealings with Burisma Holdings and companies in China.
Biden said at the press conference on Tuesday that he has not discussed the investigation into his son with his potential picks for attorney general.
“I promise you my Justice Department will be totally on its own making its judgements about how it should proceed,” Biden said.
The president-elect said last week that he is “confident” that his son did nothing wrong. He said in an interview that Hunter is “the smartest man I know.” He also accused his political opponents of “foul play,” saying that they have used allegations against his son “to get me.”


truepundit--2020-12-23--San Diego Schools Eliminate Grading In Anti-Racist Education Push

District officials in San Diego evidently believe that the practice of grading students based on average scores is racist… K-12 students in large public school districts across the country spent much of the fall semester at home , a less-than-ideal result of the COVID-19 pandemic .
But Zoom learning was hardly the only significant change to the education system .
Some school districts are embracing trendy but dubious ideas about how to fight racism in the classroom .
The San Diego Unified School District , for instance , moved this fall to abolish its traditional grading system .
Students will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t reflect average scores on papers , quizzes , and tests .
Under the new system , pupils will not be penalized for failing to complete assignments or even show up for class , and teachers will give them extra opportunities to demonstrate their “ mastery ” of subjects .
What constitutes mastery is not quite clear , but grades “ shall not be influenced by behavior or factors that directly measure students ’ knowledge and skills in the content area , ” according to guidance from the district .
District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grading students based on average scores is racist and that “ anti-racism ” demands a learning environment free of the pressure to turn in assignments on time .
As evidence for the urgency of these changes , the district released data showing that minority students received more Ds and Fs than white students : Just 7 percent of whites received failing grades , compared to 23 percent of Native Americans , 23 percent of Hispanics , and 20 percent of black students.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

District officials in San Diego evidently believe that the practice of grading students based on average scores is racist…
K-12 students in large public school districts across the country spent much of the fall semester at home, a less-than-ideal result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Zoom learning was hardly the only significant change to the education system. Some school districts are embracing trendy but dubious ideas about how to fight racism in the classroom.
The San Diego Unified School District, for instance, moved this fall to abolish its traditional grading system. Students will still receive letter grades, but they won’t reflect average scores on papers, quizzes, and tests. Under the new system, pupils will not be penalized for failing to complete assignments or even show up for class, and teachers will give them extra opportunities to demonstrate their “mastery” of subjects. What constitutes mastery is not quite clear, but grades “shall not be influenced by behavior or factors that directly measure students’ knowledge and skills in the content area,” according to guidance from the district.
District officials evidently believe that the practice of grading students based on average scores is racist and that “anti-racism” demands a learning environment free of the pressure to turn in assignments on time. As evidence for the urgency of these changes, the district released data showing that minority students received more Ds and Fs than white students: Just 7 percent of whites received failing grades, compared to 23 percent of Native Americans, 23 percent of Hispanics, and 20 percent of black students.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-23--Governor Newsom Announces California Secretary Of State Alex Padilla Will Succeed Harris In The Sena

Governor Newsom Announces California Secretary Of State Alex Padilla Will Succeed Harris In The Senate

Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that Alex Padilla , California ’ s Secretary of State , will succeed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the Senate .
Padilla , 47 , will be the first Latino senator in California ’ s history .
His selection was first reported by The Los Angeles Times .
“ Through his tenacity , integrity , smarts and grit , California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C. , lifting up our state ’ s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ He will be a senator for all Californians.
” Newsom also praised Padilla ’ s decades of public service .
He was elected to the Los Angeles City Council at age 26 , served two terms as a state senator and is serving in his second term as California ’ s secretary of state .
“ I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Newsom , and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though multiple California officials were floated as Harris ’ s possible successor , Padilla had been widely seen as the frontrunner and had already received a key endorsement from Sen. Dianne Feinstein .
“ I have given him my support .
I did that quite a while ago , ” Feinstein said in early December .
“ And my sense is that he ’ s going to represent California very well .
He ’ s someone I would be happy to work with , and also bring Hispanic representation to the Senate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , who lobbied Newsom to tap a Latino for the position and has long pushed for greater Latino representation in the Senate .
The Caucus ’ s chair , California Rep. Tony Cárdenas , said in November that the Democratic Party ’ s message needed to change “ overnight ” after it underperformed in Latino communities across the country in November ’ s elections .
Though Padilla ’ s nomination was seen by many as groundbreaking in a state that is nearly 40 % Latino , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick a black woman to succeed Harris .
California progressives , already frustrated with Feinstein ’ s centrist demeanor , specifically pushed for Rep. Barbara Lee or Rep. Karen Bass , who was also vetted as a running mate for President-elect Joe Biden .

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that Alex Padilla, California’s Secretary of State, will succeed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the Senate.
Padilla, 47, will be the first Latino senator in California’s history. His selection was first reported by The Los Angeles Times.
“Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts and grit, California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting up our state’s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic,” Newsom said. “He will be a senator for all Californians.”
Newsom also praised Padilla’s decades of public service. He was elected to the Los Angeles City Council at age 26, served two terms as a state senator and is serving in his second term as California’s secretary of state.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Newsom, and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians,” Padilla said in a statement.
Though multiple California officials were floated as Harris’s possible successor, Padilla had been widely seen as the frontrunner and had already received a key endorsement from Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“I have given him my support. I did that quite a while ago,” Feinstein said in early December. “And my sense is that he’s going to represent California very well. He’s someone I would be happy to work with, and also bring Hispanic representation to the Senate for the first time.”
Padilla also had the support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who lobbied Newsom to tap a Latino for the position and has long pushed for greater Latino representation in the Senate. The Caucus’s chair, California Rep. Tony Cárdenas, said in November that the Democratic Party’s message needed to change “overnight” after it underperformed in Latino communities across the country in November’s elections.
Though Padilla’s nomination was seen by many as groundbreaking in a state that is nearly 40% Latino, some Democratic factions urged Newsom to instead pick a black woman to succeed Harris. California progressives, already frustrated with Feinstein’s centrist demeanor, specifically pushed for Rep. Barbara Lee or Rep. Karen Bass, who was also vetted as a running mate for President-elect Joe Biden.


truepundit--2020-12-23--Project Titan: Apple Developing Self-Driving Cars, Aims For Production By 2024

Apple is secretly developing a self-driving car , which the company hopes to begin production on by 2024 , that could involve groundbreaking battery technology , Reuters reported .
Project Titan , Apple ’ s self-driving car development project , dates back to 2014 when the company began designing its own automobile from scratch , according to Reuters .
But , the project has experienced ups and downs with Apple leadership reassessing the viability of the project at one point .
“ If there is one company on the planet that has the resources to do that , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who worked on Project Titan told Reuters .
“ But at the same time , it ’ s not a cellphone.
” In 2018 , Apple hired Doug Field , who had been the senior vice president of engineering at Tesla , according to his LinkedIn profile .
Field was tasked with leading Project Titan and , in 2019 , laid off 190 people who were on the project ’ s team in an effort to focus on software challenges .
But , the project has made significant headway on the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2024 production timeline , according to Reuters .
A big part of the car ’ s development is its battery , which could “ radically ” reduce costs and increase vehicle range , Reuters reported .
“ It ’ s next level , ” one person who saw Apple ’ s battery technology told Reuters .
“ Like the first time you saw the iPhone.
” It remains unclear , however , how Apple would manufacture the car , according to Reuters .
Apple would need to manufacture more than 100,000 cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car production strategy , the person who worked on Project Titan said .
“ It would seem to me that if Apple develops some advanced operating system or battery technology , it would be best utilized in a partnership with an existing manufacturer under license , ” Trip Miller , a managing partner at Gullane Capital Partners , which invests in Apple , told Reuters .
“ As we see with Tesla and the legacy auto companies , having a very complex manufacturing network around the globe doesn ’ t happen overnight , @ @ @ @

Apple is secretly developing a self-driving car, which the company hopes to begin production on by 2024, that could involve groundbreaking battery technology, Reuters reported.
Project Titan, Apple’s self-driving car development project, dates back to 2014 when the company began designing its own automobile from scratch, according to Reuters. But, the project has experienced ups and downs with Apple leadership reassessing the viability of the project at one point.
“If there is one company on the planet that has the resources to do that, it’s probably Apple,” one person who worked on Project Titan told Reuters. “But at the same time, it’s not a cellphone.”
In 2018, Apple hired Doug Field, who had been the senior vice president of engineering at Tesla, according to his LinkedIn profile. Field was tasked with leading Project Titan and, in 2019, laid off 190 people who were on the project’s team in an effort to focus on software challenges.
But, the project has made significant headway on the development of a car, which has led to the 2024 production timeline, according to Reuters.
A big part of the car’s development is its battery, which could “radically” reduce costs and increase vehicle range, Reuters reported.
“It’s next level,” one person who saw Apple’s battery technology told Reuters. “Like the first time you saw the iPhone.”
It remains unclear, however, how Apple would manufacture the car, according to Reuters. Apple would need to manufacture more than 100,000 cars annually to have a viable, profitable car production strategy, the person who worked on Project Titan said.
“It would seem to me that if Apple develops some advanced operating system or battery technology, it would be best utilized in a partnership with an existing manufacturer under license,” Trip Miller, a managing partner at Gullane Capital Partners, which invests in Apple, told Reuters.
“As we see with Tesla and the legacy auto companies, having a very complex manufacturing network around the globe doesn’t happen overnight,” he continued.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-23--FLASHBACK: Susan Rice Said Laying Blame For Slavery Is ‘Largely Irrelevant’

• Former national security adviser Susan Rice said in 1998 that laying responsibility for slavery is “ largely irrelevant ” and noted that there were “ both buyers and sellers ” in Africa who participated in the slave trade .
• Rice made these remarks when she defended former President Bill Clinton ’ s apology for slavery made in 1998 in a village outside the Ugandan capital .
• “ I ’ d like to make the point to all of you that you ought to be , I would argue , not focused on the past , not focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on slavery , which , as an African American , is largely irrelevant to what we ’ re about here , but focus on the future , ” she said .
Former national security adviser Susan Rice said in 1998 that laying responsibility for slavery is “ largely irrelevant ” and noted that there were “ both buyers and sellers ” in Africa who participated in the slave trade .
Rice , who president-elect Biden has chosen to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council , defended former President Bill Clinton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a village outside the Ugandan capital .
Clinton ’ s speech had sparked anxieties among his staff who feared that the speech would trigger a backlash in the United States , the Washington Post reported at the time .
“ Going back to the time before we were even a nation , European Americans received the fruits of the slave trade , ” Clinton said , according to WaPo .
“ And we were wrong in that.
” The former president added : “ In our own time , during the Cold War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being in competition with the Soviet Union , very often we dealt with countries in Africa and other parts of the world based more on how they stood in the struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union than how they stood in the struggle for their own people ’ s aspirations to live up to the fullest of their God-given abilities.
” Rice , who served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1997 to 2001 , discussed the president ’ s remarks during a March 24 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Pastor Refers To Black RNC Speakers As ‘ Slaves ’ ) “ I ’ d like to make the point to all of you that you ought to be , I would argue , not focused on the past , not focused on the Cold War , not focused on slavery , which , as an African American , is largely irrelevant to what we ’ re about here , but focus on the future , ” she said .
“ You asked a question of Reverend Jackson , how do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing the comments of the President or experiencing the slave castles as an African American , ” she continued .
“ Let me just speak for myself — I felt , one , a sense of reverence and a sense of history , but far more interested in the future .
What is going to be the fate of my 8-month-old son , what is going to be the fate of the young children we saw today in Jinja — that ’ s what ’ s relevant.
” Rice emphasized that Clinton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa with which we can and must work in the 21st century , ” noting that “ we need strong partners in Africa with which we can work to cooperate to combat ” threats to the United States .
“ So I hope that we can increasingly stop talking about slaver ( y ) , which is , frankly , largely irrelevant to most of us here today , ” she said , “ and talk about how we can overcome our history , both positive and negative , in a fashion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africans alike.
” Rice had previously said that there were both “ buyers and sellers ” in Africa who participated in the slave trade , the Post reported , and emphasized during the press conference that she stood by these remarks .
“ I stand by my statement , ” she told a reporter during the 1998 White House Press Briefing .
“ There were buyers and sellers .
That ’ s a historical fact .
That ’ s not to cast blame.
” She continued : “ That ’ s simply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buyers and sellers are now on both sides of the Atlantic and it ’ s our task together to build a brighter future .
We can spend the rest of this trip and the rest of our time while we ’ re in government talking about the past , or we can seize an opportunity and build a better future for American young people and African young people .
To me , that ’ s a no-brainer.
” Rice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
Biden and his fellow Democrats have repeatedly promised to “ study ” how to pay reparations to the black community for the devastating effects of slavery in American history .
“ Joe Biden knows that African Americans can never have a fair shot at the American Dream so long as entrenched disparities are allowed to quietly chip away at opportunity , ” Biden ’ s “ Plan for Black America ” states .
“ He is running for President to rebuild our economy in a way that finally brings everyone along—and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our laws , our policies , our institutions , and our hearts.
” “ As Biden has said in this campaign , a Biden Administration will support a study of reparations , ” the plan said .
“ Biden will begin on day one of his Administration to address the systemic racism that persists across our institutions today .
That ’ s why he developed education , climate change , and health care policies , among others , that will root out this systemic racism and ensure that all Americans have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“

Former national security adviser Susan Rice said in 1998 that laying responsibility for slavery is “largely irrelevant” and noted that there were “both buyers and sellers” in Africa who participated in the slave trade.
Rice made these remarks when she defended former President Bill Clinton’s apology for slavery made in 1998 in a village outside the Ugandan capital.
“I’d like to make the point to all of you that you ought to be, I would argue, not focused on the past, not focused on the Cold War, not focused on slavery, which, as an African American, is largely irrelevant to what we’re about here, but focus on the future,” she said.
Former national security adviser Susan Rice said in 1998 that laying responsibility for slavery is “largely irrelevant” and noted that there were “both buyers and sellers” in Africa who participated in the slave trade.
Rice, who president-elect Biden has chosen to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council, defended former President Bill Clinton’s apology for slavery made in 1998 in a village outside the Ugandan capital. Clinton’s speech had sparked anxieties among his staff who feared that the speech would trigger a backlash in the United States, the Washington Post reported at the time.
“Going back to the time before we were even a nation, European Americans received the fruits of the slave trade,” Clinton said, according to WaPo. “And we were wrong in that.”
The former president added: “In our own time, during the Cold War, when we were so concerned about being in competition with the Soviet Union, very often we dealt with countries in Africa and other parts of the world based more on how they stood in the struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union than how they stood in the struggle for their own people’s aspirations to live up to the fullest of their God-given abilities.”
Rice, who served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1997 to 2001, discussed the president’s remarks during a March 24, 1998 press conference. (RELATED: Georgia Pastor Refers To Black RNC Speakers As ‘Slaves’)
“I’d like to make the point to all of you that you ought to be, I would argue, not focused on the past, not focused on the Cold War, not focused on slavery, which, as an African American, is largely irrelevant to what we’re about here, but focus on the future,” she said.
“You asked a question of Reverend Jackson, how do you feel — or how did you feel hearing the comments of the President or experiencing the slave castles as an African American,” she continued. “Let me just speak for myself — I felt, one, a sense of reverence and a sense of history, but far more interested in the future. What is going to be the fate of my 8-month-old son, what is going to be the fate of the young children we saw today in Jinja — that’s what’s relevant.”
Rice emphasized that Clinton was trying to show America “a new Africa with which we can and must work in the 21st century,” noting that “we need strong partners in Africa with which we can work to cooperate to combat” threats to the United States.
“So I hope that we can increasingly stop talking about slaver(y), which is, frankly, largely irrelevant to most of us here today,” she said, “and talk about how we can overcome our history, both positive and negative, in a fashion that builds a brighter future for Americans and Africans alike.”
Rice had previously said that there were both “buyers and sellers” in Africa who participated in the slave trade, the Post reported, and emphasized during the press conference that she stood by these remarks.
“I stand by my statement,” she told a reporter during the 1998 White House Press Briefing. “There were buyers and sellers. That’s a historical fact. That’s not to cast blame.”
She continued: “That’s simply to say that the past is past, and buyers and sellers are now on both sides of the Atlantic and it’s our task together to build a brighter future. We can spend the rest of this trip and the rest of our time while we’re in government talking about the past, or we can seize an opportunity and build a better future for American young people and African young people. To me, that’s a no-brainer.”
Rice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation sent through the Biden transition team.
Biden and his fellow Democrats have repeatedly promised to “study” how to pay reparations to the black community for the devastating effects of slavery in American history.
“Joe Biden knows that African Americans can never have a fair shot at the American Dream so long as entrenched disparities are allowed to quietly chip away at opportunity,” Biden’s “Plan for Black America” states. “He is running for President to rebuild our economy in a way that finally brings everyone along—and that starts by rooting out systemic racism from our laws, our policies, our institutions, and our hearts.”
“As Biden has said in this campaign, a Biden Administration will support a study of reparations,” the plan said. “Biden will begin on day one of his Administration to address the systemic racism that persists across our institutions today. That’s why he developed education, climate change, and health care policies, among others, that will root out this systemic racism and ensure that all Americans have a fair shot at living the American dream. “


truepundit--2020-12-23--Ilhan Omar Calls Vaccinations Of Healthy Politicians ‘Shameful’ After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Broad

Ilhan Omar Calls Vaccinations Of Healthy Politicians ‘Shameful’ After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Broadcast Her COVID-19 Shot

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar on Sunday lambasted fellow politicians for receiving a coronavirus vaccine before healthcare workers shortly after Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live-streamed her immunization .
“ It ’ s now clear that we don ’ t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply , we have to prioritize those who need it most , ” Omar wrote in a Sunday tweet .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers , elderly and infirm in our districts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or unease about the COVID vaccine , I got you !
I ’ d *never* ask you to do something I wasn ’ t willing to do myself .
I took the jab & am here to answer your questions .
Ask away !
pic.twitter.com/ZyBgXi7kRl Omar went on to call vaccine priority for politicians “ shameful ” and vowed that she would not accept an immunization before “ people who need it most.
” “ It would makes sense if it was age , but unfortunately it ’ s of importance and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate Sunday tweet .
“ We are not more important then frontline workers , teachers etc .
who are making sacrifices everyday .
Which is why I won ’ t take it .
People who need it most , should get it .
Full stop.
” A total of 91 % of Americans said healthcare workers should be prioritized in vaccine distribution , while only 16 % said the same about politicians in a Ipsos poll released last week .
Omar , Ocasio-Cortez , Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House dubbed “ The Squad .
”

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar on Sunday lambasted fellow politicians for receiving a coronavirus vaccine before healthcare workers shortly after Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live-streamed her immunization.
“It’s now clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most,” Omar wrote in a Sunday tweet. “That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait.”
It’s now clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most. That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait. https://t.co/YGcL4jO1Li — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 20, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez recorded herself receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and posed for a picture with other representatives who did the same in a Friday Instagram post
“I would would [sic] never, ever ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself,” the New York Representative wrote. “Yesterday, in accordance with national security protocols, Congress began to get vaccinated.” “I documented the entire process and am here to answer all of your questions to help you feel as comfortable as possible with your healthcare decisions.”


truepundit--2020-12-23--Joe Biden Expected To Name Current Connecticut Education Commissioner To Lead Education Department

President-elect Joe Biden is poised to select Miguel Cardona , the current Connecticut education commissioner , to lead the Department of Education in his administration , CNN reported .
Miguel Cardona , who has served as head of the Connecticut State Department of Education ( CSDE ) since August 2019 , will be President-elect Joe Biden ’ s choice to lead the federal government ’ s education department , multiple sources told CNN .
Cardona would be the latest Latino to receive a high-ranking position in the incoming Biden administration .
“ My friend Miguel Cardona is everything you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted Monday night .
“ A classroom teacher , a fighter for educational equity , a consensus builder .
He has risen quickly through the ranks for a reason.
” Cardona began his career in education as a public school teacher in Meriden , Connecticut before he served as a school principal , according to his official bio .
After more than a decade , Cardona transitioned to the school district ’ s central office to lead the work of performance and evaluation .
Cardona , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AFT ) , would be a great choice to lead the Department of Education because of his past union affiliation , AFT President Randi Weingarten tweeted Monday , applauding the pick .
“ If he is pick just Imagine ( sic . )
a former member , committed to collaboration , replacing , ” she said .
The AFT and National Education Association , which are among the largest unions in the U.S. , both endorsed Biden during the Democratic primaries in March .
Weingarten said Biden shares AFT ’ s values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is the experienced and empathic leader our country needs right now , ” Weingarten said in a statement .
If confirmed by the Senate in 2021 , Cardona will likely find himself in the middle of a school reopening fight , according to CNN .
Cardona has been a strong advocate of reopening schools and has argued that virtual learning causes children to fall behind on classwork .
Biden , meanwhile , has pledged to reopen most of the nation ’ s schools within the first 100 days of his presidency .

President-elect Joe Biden is poised to select Miguel Cardona, the current Connecticut education commissioner, to lead the Department of Education in his administration, CNN reported.
Miguel Cardona, who has served as head of the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) since August 2019, will be President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to lead the federal government’s education department, multiple sources told CNN. Cardona would be the latest Latino to receive a high-ranking position in the incoming Biden administration.
“My friend Miguel Cardona is everything you would want in a Secretary of Education,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted Monday night. “A classroom teacher, a fighter for educational equity, a consensus builder. He has risen quickly through the ranks for a reason.”
Cardona began his career in education as a public school teacher in Meriden, Connecticut before he served as a school principal, according to his official bio. After more than a decade, Cardona transitioned to the school district’s central office to lead the work of performance and evaluation.
Cardona, a former member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), would be a great choice to lead the Department of Education because of his past union affiliation, AFT President Randi Weingarten tweeted Monday, applauding the pick.
“If he is [President-elect Joe Biden’s] pick just Imagine (sic.) a former [AFT] member, committed to collaboration, replacing [current Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos],” she said.
The AFT and National Education Association, which are among the largest unions in the U.S., both endorsed Biden during the Democratic primaries in March. Weingarten said Biden shares AFT’s values in her endorsement message.
“Joe Biden is the experienced and empathic leader our country needs right now,” Weingarten said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate in 2021, Cardona will likely find himself in the middle of a school reopening fight, according to CNN. Cardona has been a strong advocate of reopening schools and has argued that virtual learning causes children to fall behind on classwork.
Biden, meanwhile, has pledged to reopen most of the nation’s schools within the first 100 days of his presidency.


truepundit--2020-12-23--BioNTech CEO ‘Confident’ That Coronavirus Vaccine Is Effective Against New European Strain

The CEO of BioNTech , the German drug maker who partnered with Pfizer in developing the world ’ s first approved coronavirus vaccine , said that he was “ confident ” it will be effective against a mutated strain of the virus found in the United Kingdom .
“ The likelihood that our vaccine works… is relatively high , ” Uğur Şahin told reporters during a Tuesday press conference , explaining that the mutated strain still shares approximately 99 % of the original strain ’ s spike protein .
Despite confidence that the original vaccine , which began distribution earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech are conducting tests to reaffirm the vaccine ’ s effectiveness , and aim to have the results published in early January .
If the vaccine proves to be ineffective then a new vaccine could be developed in just six weeks , Şahin said .
Though health experts believe that the vaccines will be effective against the new strain and that it is no more lethal than the strain that has spread across the globe , they have warned that it could be up to 70 % more transmissible .
In response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halted travel from the U.K. Monday .
The United States has not stopped travel , but multiple airlines announced that they would require travelers from Britain to provide evidence of a negative coronavirus test before flying .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a series of new lockdowns over the weekend following a dramatic spike in cases across the island nation .
The lockdowns are the strictest the country has seen since the beginning of the pandemic in March , and extend into 2021 .

The CEO of BioNTech, the German drug maker who partnered with Pfizer in developing the world’s first approved coronavirus vaccine, said that he was “confident” it will be effective against a mutated strain of the virus found in the United Kingdom.
“The likelihood that our vaccine works… is relatively high,” Uğur Şahin told reporters during a Tuesday press conference, explaining that the mutated strain still shares approximately 99% of the original strain’s spike protein.
Despite confidence that the original vaccine, which began distribution earlier in December, Şahin added Pfizer and BioNTech are conducting tests to reaffirm the vaccine’s effectiveness, and aim to have the results published in early January. If the vaccine proves to be ineffective then a new vaccine could be developed in just six weeks, Şahin said.
Though health experts believe that the vaccines will be effective against the new strain and that it is no more lethal than the strain that has spread across the globe, they have warned that it could be up to 70% more transmissible.
In response to the new strain, dozens of countries halted travel from the U.K. Monday. The United States has not stopped travel, but multiple airlines announced that they would require travelers from Britain to provide evidence of a negative coronavirus test before flying.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a series of new lockdowns over the weekend following a dramatic spike in cases across the island nation. The lockdowns are the strictest the country has seen since the beginning of the pandemic in March, and extend into 2021.