truepundit--2020-12-30--Louie Gohmert Leads GOP in Lawsuit Against Pence in an Effort to Overturn the Election

As President Donald Trump ’ s hopes of overturning the election have dwindled to Hail Mary lawsuits , some Republicans @ @ @ @ @ making their own play .
Congressman Louie Gohmert ( R-Texas ) is leading a group @ @ @ @ @ aimed at forcing Vice President Mike Pence to select Trump electors on January 6th — @ @ @ @ @ to finalize the election .
Gohmert was joined in the suit by a group of @ @ @ @ @ Ward , who has mounted two unsuccessful Senate bids in Arizona .
The lawsuit claims @ @ @ @ @ constitute the full slate of the Arizona Republican party ’ s nominees for presidential electors.
@ @ @ @ @ Arizona and several other states “ appointed two competing slates of electors.
” Arizona ’ @ @ @ @ @ on December 14th , though a group of Republicans from the state attempted to certify @ @ @ @ @ to Washington , D.C. – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below @

As President Donald Trump’s hopes of overturning the election have dwindled to Hail Mary lawsuits, some Republicans loyal to the president are making their own play.
Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) is leading a group of Republicans in a lawsuit aimed at forcing Vice President Mike Pence to select Trump electors on January 6th — the date that Congress meets to finalize the election.
Gohmert was joined in the suit by a group of Republican operatives, including Kelli Ward, who has mounted two unsuccessful Senate bids in Arizona. The lawsuit claims that the other parties “constitute the full slate of the Arizona Republican party’s nominees for presidential electors.”
⚖NEW: VP Pence has been sued by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.), Kelli Ward and other GOP mbrs in a far-fetched bid to overturn Biden’s win Plaintiffs ask Judge Jeremy Kernodle, a Trump-appt’d fed judge in Texas, to find that Pence is authorized to pick pro-Trump electors on Jan. 6 pic.twitter.com/BumNwLm5ss — John Kruzel (@johnkruzel) December 28, 2020
The lawsuit claims that Arizona and several other states “appointed two competing slates of electors.” Arizona’s electors certified Joe Biden on December 14th, though a group of Republicans from the state attempted to certify fake electors in a trip to Washington, D.C. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--Portland Police Beg For Community Help As Murder Rate Surges

Portland , Oregon , police are begging residents of the city to help “ break the cycle of violence ” as the number of murders and shootings in the city have skyrocketed .
Portland has been home to violence for months , with an ongoing , nightly demonstration by “ anti-fascist ” elements , that has often resulted in significant property damage and multiple arrests .
But now , the police say , the number of shootings and murders in the city 2020 are nearly double those of 2019 , according to Fox News .
“ At least 850 shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 24 , with 59 reported so far this month , Portland Police Bureau ( PPB ) statistics show .
There were 33 shootings reported in December of last year , ” Fox News notes .
“ As of Christmas Eve , this year ’ s shootings had surpassed last year ’ s by more than 116 % , with 393 shootings reported in all of 2019 , statistics show.
” The numbers have Portland police , who have been the target of one of the most aggressive efforts to defund and disband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleading with the community to step in and provide support .
“ Gun violence has plagued our city at twice the rate of last year , ” the city ’ s police chief , Chuck Lovell said in a video message posted to social media .
“ On average , someone is shot in Portland roughly every two days.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Portland, Oregon, police are begging residents of the city to help “break the cycle of violence” as the number of murders and shootings in the city have skyrocketed.
Portland has been home to violence for months, with an ongoing, nightly demonstration by “anti-fascist” elements, that has often resulted in significant property damage and multiple arrests. But now, the police say, the number of shootings and murders in the city 2020 are nearly double those of 2019, according to Fox News.
“At least 850 shootings have been reported in Portland as of Dec. 24, with 59 reported so far this month, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) statistics show. There were 33 shootings reported in December of last year,” Fox News notes. “As of Christmas Eve, this year’s shootings had surpassed last year’s by more than 116%, with 393 shootings reported in all of 2019, statistics show.”
The numbers have Portland police, who have been the target of one of the most aggressive efforts to defund and disband law enforcement anywhere in the country, pleading with the community to step in and provide support.
“Gun violence has plagued our city at twice the rate of last year,” the city’s police chief, Chuck Lovell said in a video message posted to social media. “On average, someone is shot in Portland roughly every two days.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--CNBC Survey: Vast Majority Of Top Investors Believe Stocks Will Be ‘Worse’ Under Biden

A survey conducted by a leading financial publication found that two-thirds of top investors surveyed believe that the stock market will fair “ worse ” under Democrat Joe Biden than it did under Republican President Donald Trump .
CNBC ’ s survey , conducted earlier this month , polled more than “ 100 chief investment officers , portfolio managers and CNBC contributors who manage money about where they stood on the upcoming year for stocks under a new administration.
” Two-thirds of those polled said that they believe that the stock market will be worse during Biden ’ s four-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s four-year term .
Since Trump ’ s inauguration in January 2017 , the S & P 500 has rallied more than 60 % thanks in part to the president ’ s landmark corporate tax cut that led to a surge in profits and a record in share buybacks .
The Trump administration has also relaxed many regulations over the last four years , creating a market-friendly environment for oil and other industries .
Many investors worry that a reversal of the tax cut , which Biden has pledged , could take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when market valuations are sitting at multiyear highs .
Biden ’ s tax plan calls for raising capital gains rates for high earners .
Two-thirds of respondents said that they believe that the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) will hit new highs next year .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A survey conducted by a leading financial publication found that two-thirds of top investors surveyed believe that the stock market will fair “worse” under Democrat Joe Biden than it did under Republican President Donald Trump.
CNBC’s survey, conducted earlier this month, polled more than “100 chief investment officers, portfolio managers and CNBC contributors who manage money about where they stood on the upcoming year for stocks under a new administration.”
Two-thirds of those polled said that they believe that the stock market will be worse during Biden’s four-year term than it was under Trump’s four-year term.
CNBC added:
Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, the S&P 500 has rallied more than 60% thanks in part to the president’s landmark corporate tax cut that led to a surge in profits and a record in share buybacks. The Trump administration has also relaxed many regulations over the last four years, creating a market-friendly environment for oil and other industries. Many investors worry that a reversal of the tax cut, which Biden has pledged, could take a big bite out of earnings at a time when market valuations are sitting at multiyear highs. Biden’s tax plan calls for raising capital gains rates for high earners.
Two-thirds of respondents said that they believe that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) will hit new highs next year. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--‘Best Thing They Could Do’: New York State Passes Sweeping Eviction Ban

The state of New York passed a sweeping eviction ban Monday that prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for at least 60 days .
Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo quickly signed the legislation , which was passed by New York ’ s legislature in a rare session between Christmas and New Year ’ s Day , according to The New York Times .
The bill bans evictions and renews tax exemptions for elderly and disabled homeowners .
“ This law adds to previous executive orders by protecting the needy and vulnerable who , through no fault of their own , face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , ” Cuomo said in a statement Monday .
“ The more support we provide for tenants , mortgagors and seniors , the easier it will be for them to get back on their feet when the pandemic ends.
” Coronavirus-related restrictions on business led to a recession in the spring and summer , according to NPR .
Millions of Americans , many of which were from New York , have lost their jobs due to such restrictions .
New York ’ s November unemployment rate was 8.4 % , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In November 2019 , the state ’ s unemployment rate was 3.9 % .
“ This is the best thing they could do for us today , ” Vincia Barber , a tenant of a Brooklyn , New York apartment , told The Times .
Barber hasn ’ t paid rent in months after losing her job as a nanny , according to The Times .
To avoid eviction , a tenant must submit a “ hardship declaration , ” which is a document that explains why they aren ’ t able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Cuomo ’ s press release .
The eviction moratorium will expire on May 1 , 2021 .

The state of New York passed a sweeping eviction ban Monday that prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for at least 60 days.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo quickly signed the legislation, which was passed by New York’s legislature in a rare session between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to The New York Times. The bill bans evictions and renews tax exemptions for elderly and disabled homeowners.
“This law adds to previous executive orders by protecting the needy and vulnerable who, through no fault of their own, face eviction during an incredibly difficult period for New York,” Cuomo said in a statement Monday.
“The more support we provide for tenants, mortgagors and seniors, the easier it will be for them to get back on their feet when the pandemic ends.”
Coronavirus-related restrictions on business led to a recession in the spring and summer, according to NPR. Millions of Americans, many of which were from New York, have lost their jobs due to such restrictions.
New York’s November unemployment rate was 8.4%, according to a Department of Labor report. In November 2019, the state’s unemployment rate was 3.9%.
“This is the best thing they could do for us today,” Vincia Barber, a tenant of a Brooklyn, New York apartment, told The Times.
Barber hasn’t paid rent in months after losing her job as a nanny, according to The Times.
To avoid eviction, a tenant must submit a “hardship declaration,” which is a document that explains why they aren’t able to keep up with rent payments, according to Cuomo’s press release. The eviction moratorium will expire on May 1, 2021.


truepundit--2020-12-30--WHO Chief Scientist Warns “No Evidence COVID Vaccine Prevents Viral Transmission”

Once again , the WHO has stepped in to offer some confusing comments about the coronavirus vaccine , warning that there is “ no evidence to be confident shots prevent transmission ” and that people who receive the vaccine should continue wearing masks and following all social distancing and travel guidelines .
The comments were made by WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan during what appears to have been a virtual press conference held Monday .
A clip of the offending line has begun circulating on social media .
“ At the moment , I don ’ t believe we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be confident that it ’ s going to prevent people from getting the infection and passing it on , ” Of course , a close look at the research released by Pfizer and Moderna shows the studies haven ’ t actually tested whether the vaccines actually prevent transmission of the virus ; the goal of the trials was to see whether vaccinated patients presented with COVID symptoms at a rate that was substantially less frequent than individuals who hadn ’ t been vaccinated .
That ’ s pretty much it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission rates , that ’ s still tbd , apparently .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Once again, the WHO has stepped in to offer some confusing comments about the coronavirus vaccine, warning that there is “no evidence to be confident shots prevent transmission” and that people who receive the vaccine should continue wearing masks and following all social distancing and travel guidelines.
The comments were made by WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan during what appears to have been a virtual press conference held Monday.
“I don’t believe we have the evidence on any of the vaccines to be confident that it’s going to prevent people from actually getting the infection and therefore being able to pass it on”, says WHO Chief Scientist @doctorsoumya pic.twitter.com/QdTvzj7Nyd — Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) December 28, 2020
A clip of the offending line has begun circulating on social media.
“At the moment, I don’t believe we have the evidence on any of the vaccines, to be confident that it’s going to prevent people from getting the infection and passing it on,”
Of course, a close look at the research released by Pfizer and Moderna shows the studies haven’t actually tested whether the vaccines actually prevent transmission of the virus; the goal of the trials was to see whether vaccinated patients presented with COVID symptoms at a rate that was substantially less frequent than individuals who hadn’t been vaccinated. That’s pretty much it. Though the data might hint at lowering transmission rates, that’s still tbd, apparently. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--Judge Who Is Stacey Abrams’ Sister Blocks Challenges to Voter Eligibility in Two Counties Ahead of S

Judge Who Is Stacey Abrams’ Sister Blocks Challenges to Voter Eligibility in Two Counties Ahead of Senate Runoff

Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner , a federal judge in Georgia and sister of failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams , effectively blocked challenges to voter eligibility in two Georgia counties ahead of the January 5 Senate runoff .
Gardner on Monday ruled in favor of Majority Forward , the nonprofit organization of former Clinton campaign attorney Marc Elias , who remains at the helm of many of the voting challenges seeded throughout the U.S .
He contended that Republicans tried to “ disenfranchise ” thousands of voters , particularly 4,000 in two Georgia counties — Muscogee County and Ben Hill County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
A voter named Ralph Russell brought forth the challenge in mid-December , alleging that he “ had compared evidence from publicly accessible voter registration databases to prove that these voters had moved out of Georgia , ” per Politico .
Russell reportedly told the board that he believed that the individuals “ as a result of registering their name and change of address to a location outside of Muscogee County , removed to another state with the intention of making the new state their residence.
” “ Thus , each individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and consequently , each individual is ineligible to vote in Muscogee County , ” he argued , winning support from the board .
The board ’ s decision would require those on the list to instead cast a provisional ballot as well as show “ additional evidence of residency to vote.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner, a federal judge in Georgia and sister of failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, effectively blocked challenges to voter eligibility in two Georgia counties ahead of the January 5 Senate runoff.
Gardner on Monday ruled in favor of Majority Forward, the nonprofit organization of former Clinton campaign attorney Marc Elias, who remains at the helm of many of the voting challenges seeded throughout the U.S. He contended that Republicans tried to “disenfranchise” thousands of voters, particularly 4,000 in two Georgia counties — Muscogee County and Ben Hill County — based on groundless “change-of-address” data.
A voter named Ralph Russell brought forth the challenge in mid-December, alleging that he “had compared evidence from publicly accessible voter registration databases to prove that these voters had moved out of Georgia,” per Politico.
Russell reportedly told the board that he believed that the individuals “as a result of registering their name and change of address to a location outside of Muscogee County, removed to another state with the intention of making the new state their residence.”
“Thus, each individual has lost their residence in Muscogee County, and consequently, each individual is ineligible to vote in Muscogee County,” he argued, winning support from the board. The board’s decision would require those on the list to instead cast a provisional ballot as well as show “additional evidence of residency to vote.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--McConnell blocks quick vote on $2,000 stimulus checks, says Senate to bring Trump requests ‘into foc

McConnell blocks quick vote on $2,000 stimulus checks, says Senate to bring Trump requests ‘into focus’

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the Senate will address President Trump ’ s request to increase stimulus checks sent to Americans to $ 2,000 , but did not commit to pushing the issue as he blocked attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to put the House bill on $ 2,000 stimulus checks up for quick consideration .
That led Trump to launch a Twitter broadside against Senate Republicans , warning them that if they don ’ t have a “ death wish ” they ’ ll back the boosted checks .
Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus checks Tuesday afternoon .
Sanders ’ request would have set a vote on the bill for stimulus checks Wednesday afternoon .
Speaking on the Senate floor , McConnell acknowledged that Trump “ would like further direct financial support for American households.
” He also mentioned that Trump wants Congress to address Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which provides protections for companies that host third-party content on their platforms — like Facebook and Twitter — and that Trump wants Congress to look into election security.- READ MORE Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the Senate will address President Trump’s request to increase stimulus checks sent to Americans to $2,000, but did not commit to pushing the issue as he blocked attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to put the House bill on $2,000 stimulus checks up for quick consideration.
That led Trump to launch a Twitter broadside against Senate Republicans, warning them that if they don’t have a “death wish” they’ll back the boosted checks.
Schumer’s request would have passed the stimulus checks Tuesday afternoon. Sanders’ request would have set a vote on the bill for stimulus checks Wednesday afternoon.
Sen. Mitch McConnell objected to Sen. Schumer asking the Senate to pass by unanimous consent the $2000 direct payments bill that the House passed last night by 2/3 bipartisan vote. — Jason Donner (@jason_donner) December 29, 2020
Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell acknowledged that Trump “would like further direct financial support for American households.” He also mentioned that Trump wants Congress to address Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides protections for companies that host third-party content on their platforms — like Facebook and Twitter — and that Trump wants Congress to look into election security.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--Trump Ends Obama’s 12-Year Run As America’s ‘Most Admired Man’

President Donald Trump knocked off former President Barack Obama as America ’ s “ most admired man ” in 2020 , according to a Gallup survey .
Trump edged out his predecessor with 18 % of the vote to Obama ’ s 15 % , according to Gallup .
Former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ranked third in the contest with 6 % , and Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , finished fourth with 3 % .
The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) , Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates , NBA star LeBron James , and the Dalai Lama .
Since 1946 , Gallup has polled Americans on which man and woman they admire most .
Obama has dominated the contest in recent years and had ranked on top of the list for 12 years running until 2020 .
In 2019 , Obama and Trump tied for the top place honor with 18 % .
Trump was buoyed in the contest by his high popularity among Republicans while Democrats split their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few notable figures .
Trump was the pick of 48 % of Republicans with no other name getting more than 2 % of Republican votes .
Democrats split their votes between Obama ( 32 % ) , Biden ( 13 % ) , and Fauci ( 5 % ) .
Independents went equally for Trump and Obama at 11 % each .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

President Donald Trump knocked off former President Barack Obama as America’s “most admired man” in 2020, according to a Gallup survey.
Trump edged out his predecessor with 18% of the vote to Obama’s 15%, according to Gallup. Former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ranked third in the contest with 6%, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, finished fourth with 3%.
The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by Pope Francis, businessman Elon Musk, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, NBA star LeBron James, and the Dalai Lama.
Since 1946, Gallup has polled Americans on which man and woman they admire most. Obama has dominated the contest in recent years and had ranked on top of the list for 12 years running until 2020. In 2019, Obama and Trump tied for the top place honor with 18%.
Trump was buoyed in the contest by his high popularity among Republicans while Democrats split their choice for most admired man among a few notable figures. Trump was the pick of 48% of Republicans with no other name getting more than 2% of Republican votes. Democrats split their votes between Obama (32%), Biden (13%), and Fauci (5%). Independents went equally for Trump and Obama at 11% each. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-30--Report: Apple Supplier Is Accused Of Using Forced Chinese Labor To Produce iPhone Screens

A top supplier for Apple has been accused of using forced Muslim labor to manufacturer screens for the iPhone , according to a report from a tech industry watchdog group .
The Washington Post reports that documents obtained by the Tech Transparency Project shows that Lens Technology , the longtime Apple supplier , uses Uighur workers transferred from labor camps in the Xinjiang region of western China in its factories .
The Chinese government is believed to be housing more than 1 million Uighurs in the Xinjiang region , which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan .
Some Uighur are forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for companies that supply electronics equipment and cotton goods .
Chinese government authorities have also allegedly shipped Uighurs outside of the Xinjiang region to work in factories elsewhere in China .
Lens Technology is one of the longest standing suppliers for Apple ’ s iPhone .
The company is also a supplier for electric car maker Tesla and Amazon , whose founder , Jeff Bezos , owns The Washington Post .
Lens Technology is the fifth Apple supplier to be identified as relying on forced Uyghur labor .
According to a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute , Chinese companies that supply apple with its AirPods and OLED screens rely on forced labor .
The think tank estimates that more than 80,000 Uighurs were transferred between 2017 and 2019 to work in factories outside the Xinjian region .
“ Our research shows that Apple ’ s use of forced labor in its supply chain goes far beyond what the company has acknowledged , ” Katie Paul , the director of the Tech Transparency Project , told The Washington Post .
A spokesman for Apple said that the company conducts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain to ensure that its products aren ’ t derived from forced labor .
“ Apple has zero tolerance for forced labor , ” Josh Rosenstock , the Apple spokesman , told The Post .
“ Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct , including surprise audits.
” “ Any violation of our policies has immediate consequences , including possible business termination .
As always , our focus is on making sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect , and we will continue doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our supply chain , ” Rosenstock added .
While Apple claims to oppose forced labor , the company is reportedly lobbying lawmakers in Washington to soften language in a bill aimed at preventing U.S. companies from relying on forced labor from China in its product supply chain .
Lobbying disclosure records filed with Congress show that Apple hired Fierce Government Relations to lobby lawmakers on the Uyghur Labor Prevention Act .
Apple paid $ 90,000 to Fierce in the third quarter of this year , according to lobbying disclosure reports .
The Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that lobbyists for Fierce oppose language in the bill in its current form .
The bill has heavy bipartisan support .
It passed the House by a vote of 403-6 in September .

A top supplier for Apple has been accused of using forced Muslim labor to manufacturer screens for the iPhone, according to a report from a tech industry watchdog group.
The Washington Post reports that documents obtained by the Tech Transparency Project shows that Lens Technology, the longtime Apple supplier, uses Uighur workers transferred from labor camps in the Xinjiang region of western China in its factories.
The Chinese government is believed to be housing more than 1 million Uighurs in the Xinjiang region, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some Uighur are forced to live in indoctrination camps and forced to work for companies that supply electronics equipment and cotton goods.
Chinese government authorities have also allegedly shipped Uighurs outside of the Xinjiang region to work in factories elsewhere in China.
Lens Technology is one of the longest standing suppliers for Apple’s iPhone. The company is also a supplier for electric car maker Tesla and Amazon, whose founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post.
Lens Technology is the fifth Apple supplier to be identified as relying on forced Uyghur labor.
According to a report in March from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Chinese companies that supply apple with its AirPods and OLED screens rely on forced labor.
The think tank estimates that more than 80,000 Uighurs were transferred between 2017 and 2019 to work in factories outside the Xinjian region.
“Our research shows that Apple’s use of forced labor in its supply chain goes far beyond what the company has acknowledged,” Katie Paul, the director of the Tech Transparency Project, told The Washington Post.
A spokesman for Apple said that the company conducts rigorous audits of companies in its supply chain to ensure that its products aren’t derived from forced labor.
“Apple has zero tolerance for forced labor,” Josh Rosenstock, the Apple spokesman, told The Post.
“Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct, including surprise audits.”
“Any violation of our policies has immediate consequences, including possible business termination. As always, our focus is on making sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and we will continue doing all we can to protect workers in our supply chain,” Rosenstock added.
While Apple claims to oppose forced labor, the company is reportedly lobbying lawmakers in Washington to soften language in a bill aimed at preventing U.S. companies from relying on forced labor from China in its product supply chain. Lobbying disclosure records filed with Congress show that Apple hired Fierce Government Relations to lobby lawmakers on the Uyghur Labor Prevention Act.
Apple paid $90,000 to Fierce in the third quarter of this year, according to lobbying disclosure reports.
The Post reported last month that two congressional staffers said that lobbyists for Fierce oppose language in the bill in its current form.
The bill has heavy bipartisan support. It passed the House by a vote of 403-6 in September.


truepundit--2020-12-30--Girl Scout Cookies Tied To Child Labor In Indonesia, Malaysia: Report

Girl Scout cookies are made with palm oil that can be traced back to child labor in Malaysia and Indonesia , according to an Associated Press report .
The mass production of palm oil — made by crushing palm kernels — in Malaysia and Indonesia using child labor can be tied to cereal , candy and ice cream products distributed by Nestle , Unilever , Kellogg ’ s and PepsiCo , according to U.S. Customs and private import data reviewed by The Associated Press .
Ferrero , which is one of the makers of Girl Scout cookies , also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the two countries .
“ I thought Girl Scouts was supposed to be about making the world a better place , ” Girl Scout Olivia Chaffin told The AP .
“ But this isn ’ t at all making the world better.
” Chaffin , a 14-year-old Girl Scout from Tennessee , investigated how the cookies she sold were manufactured , according to The AP .
She has written multiple letters to the Girl Scouts of the USA since finding out that the palm oil used in their cookies comes from sustainable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food makers belong to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil ( RSPO ) , an organization that certifies ethical production of palm oil with more then 4,000 members , problems persist , according to The AP .
Only a few complaints related to child labor in Malaysia and Indonesia have been made in the organization ’ s grievance system .
“ It is an issue , and we know it ’ s an issue , ” Dan Strechay , RSPO ’ s global outreach and engagement director , told The AP .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , it is normal to pull children from school to work alongside their parents in the field .
The Girl Scouts of the USA is a member of the RSPO , meaning it has agreed to use sustainable palm oil .
However , the Rainforest Action Network ( RAN ) and World Wildlife Fund have both stated that RSPO membership doesn ’ t ensure sustainable practices .
“ The RSPO promises sustainable palm oil .
But it doesn ’ t mean that that palm oil is free of child labor or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robin Averbeck told The AP .
In addition , the International Labor Rights Forum has previously found “ flagrant disregard for human rights ” at plantations approved by RSPO .
More than 1.5 million children under 18-years-old are estimated to work in Indonesia ’ s agriculture industry , which includes palm oil harvesting , according to the United Nations ’ International Labor Organization .
The Girl Scouts of the USA and RSPO did not immediately respond to requests for comment .

Girl Scout cookies are made with palm oil that can be traced back to child labor in Malaysia and Indonesia, according to an Associated Press report.
The mass production of palm oil — made by crushing palm kernels — in Malaysia and Indonesia using child labor can be tied to cereal, candy and ice cream products distributed by Nestle, Unilever, Kellogg’s and PepsiCo, according to U.S. Customs and private import data reviewed by The Associated Press. Ferrero, which is one of the makers of Girl Scout cookies, also has ties to the massive child labor industry in the two countries.
“I thought Girl Scouts was supposed to be about making the world a better place,” Girl Scout Olivia Chaffin told The AP. “But this isn’t at all making the world better.”
Chaffin, a 14-year-old Girl Scout from Tennessee, investigated how the cookies she sold were manufactured, according to The AP. She has written multiple letters to the Girl Scouts of the USA since finding out that the palm oil used in their cookies comes from sustainable and unsustainable sources.
While many American food makers belong to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an organization that certifies ethical production of palm oil with more then 4,000 members, problems persist, according to The AP. Only a few complaints related to child labor in Malaysia and Indonesia have been made in the organization’s grievance system.
“It is an issue, and we know it’s an issue,” Dan Strechay, RSPO’s global outreach and engagement director, told The AP.
He added that for people in the two countries, it is normal to pull children from school to work alongside their parents in the field.
The Girl Scouts of the USA is a member of the RSPO, meaning it has agreed to use sustainable palm oil. However, the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and World Wildlife Fund have both stated that RSPO membership doesn’t ensure sustainable practices.
“The RSPO promises sustainable palm oil. But it doesn’t mean that that palm oil is free of child labor or other abuses,” RAN Forest Program Director Robin Averbeck told The AP.
In addition, the International Labor Rights Forum has previously found “flagrant disregard for human rights” at plantations approved by RSPO.
More than 1.5 million children under 18-years-old are estimated to work in Indonesia’s agriculture industry, which includes palm oil harvesting, according to the United Nations’ International Labor Organization.
The Girl Scouts of the USA and RSPO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-30--Sex Offenders Can Be Released Early In California Following Court Verdict

Incarcerated , non-violent California sex offenders are eligible to apply for early release following a court verdict on a ballot initiative that two-thirds of voters in the state approved in 2016 .
Former Democratic Gov .
Jerry Brown spearheaded the measure four years ago , but did not intend to allow those convicted of sex crimes from participating in the release program , according to Fox 11 .
However , the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday that non-violent sex offenders , including people sentenced for child pornography , incest , indecent exposure and pimping , were eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local outlet reported .
“ The initiative ’ s language provides no indication that the voters intended to allow the ( Corrections ) Department to create a wholesale exclusion from parole consideration based on an inmate ’ s sex offense convictions when the inmate was convicted of a nonviolent felony , ” Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote , according to Fox 11 .
The court ’ s ruling allows at least 4,400 non-violent sex offenders to seek early release , the local outlet reported , citing state records .
Violent sex criminals like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program , according to Fox 11 .
“ I hate to say I told you so , ” Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said of the court ’ s decision , according to the local outlet .
“ This is something we warned the proponents about .
They largely dismissed it as posturing.
” Totten added that many of the offenders who can be released under the ballot measure are “ very dangerous , exceedingly dangerous , ” he told Fox 11 .
Parole organizations still have the final say in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but authorities can not exclude “ even the mere possibility of parole to an entire category ” of convicts , the court ruling said , according to Fox11 .

Incarcerated, non-violent California sex offenders are eligible to apply for early release following a court verdict on a ballot initiative that two-thirds of voters in the state approved in 2016.
Former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown spearheaded the measure four years ago, but did not intend to allow those convicted of sex crimes from participating in the release program, according to Fox 11. However, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday that non-violent sex offenders, including people sentenced for child pornography, incest, indecent exposure and pimping, were eligible to request liberation from corrections facilities, the local outlet reported.
“The initiative’s language provides no indication that the voters intended to allow the (Corrections) Department to create a wholesale exclusion from parole consideration based on an inmate’s sex offense convictions when the inmate was convicted of a nonviolent felony,” Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote, according to Fox 11.
The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that inmates convicted of nonviolent sex crimes cannot be denied a chance at early parole consideration under a ballot measure approved by nearly two-thirds of voters four years ago.https://t.co/w0KVRSGiX9 — BakersfieldNow (@bakersfieldnow) December 28, 2020
The court’s ruling allows at least 4,400 non-violent sex offenders to seek early release, the local outlet reported, citing state records. Violent sex criminals like child rapists are still forbidden from utilizing the program, according to Fox 11.
“I hate to say I told you so,” Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said of the court’s decision, according to the local outlet. “This is something we warned the proponents about. They largely dismissed it as posturing.”
Totten added that many of the offenders who can be released under the ballot measure are “very dangerous, exceedingly dangerous,” he told Fox 11.
Parole organizations still have the final say in who is freed in the proposal, but authorities can not exclude “even the mere possibility of parole to an entire category” of convicts, the court ruling said, according to Fox11.


truepundit--2020-12-30--US Attorney Who Announced Voter Fraud Investigation Resigns

A U.S. attorney who opened an investigation prior to the 2020 election into improperly discarded military ballots in Pennsylvania announced his resignation on Tuesday .
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania David Freed announced in September that he had opened an investigation into nine mail-in military ballots that were improperly opened and discarded in a dumpster in Luzerne County .
It was revealed that seven of the discarded ballots were cast for President Donald Trump after the ballots were recovered .
Luzerne County Manager David Pedri said in October that the independent contractor found responsible for the discarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Times Leader .
The temporary worker , whose identity was not disclosed , was employed for only a three-day period in the middle of September , Pedri said .
Freed , who was appointed by Trump to serve as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in September 2017 , thanked Trump and former Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr for the opportunity to serve in a statement Tuesday announcing his resignation .
“ I am grateful to President Trump and Senators Toomey and Casey for the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sessions and Barr for their leadership of the Department , ” Freed said .
He continued on to thank other people he worked with .
“ For the past three years , I have had the great fortune to work with the highly skilled attorneys and staff in the Middle District of Pennsylvania .
It is an office blessed with experienced and dedicated leaders , and colleagues who truly understand the importance of working together for the benefit of their fellow citizens , ” Freed said .
“ More than anything over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above all to tell the story of the great accomplishments of the office .
While the public words are mine , the accomplishments belong to them.
” Freed served 12 years as a district attorney in Cumberland County prior to serving as U.S. attorney .

A U.S. attorney who opened an investigation prior to the 2020 election into improperly discarded military ballots in Pennsylvania announced his resignation on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania David Freed announced in September that he had opened an investigation into nine mail-in military ballots that were improperly opened and discarded in a dumpster in Luzerne County. It was revealed that seven of the discarded ballots were cast for President Donald Trump after the ballots were recovered.
Luzerne County Manager David Pedri said in October that the independent contractor found responsible for the discarded ballots was removed from service, according to the Times Leader.
The temporary worker, whose identity was not disclosed, was employed for only a three-day period in the middle of September, Pedri said.
Freed, who was appointed by Trump to serve as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in September 2017, thanked Trump and former Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr for the opportunity to serve in a statement Tuesday announcing his resignation.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Senators Toomey and Casey for the opportunity to serve; and to former Attorneys General Sessions and Barr for their leadership of the Department,” Freed said.
United States Attorney David J. Freed Announces Resignation @USAttorneys https://t.co/GoxCl75AFC — U.S. Attorney MDPA (@MDPAnews) December 29, 2020
He continued on to thank other people he worked with.
“For the past three years, I have had the great fortune to work with the highly skilled attorneys and staff in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It is an office blessed with experienced and dedicated leaders, and colleagues who truly understand the importance of working together for the benefit of their fellow citizens,” Freed said.
“More than anything over the past three years, I have endeavored above all to tell the story of the great accomplishments of the office. While the public words are mine, the accomplishments belong to them.”
Freed served 12 years as a district attorney in Cumberland County prior to serving as U.S. attorney.


truepundit--2020-12-30--Bernie Sanders To Filibuster Defense Bill Override Unless Senate Votes On $2,000 Checks

Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said that he will filibuster a Senate override of President Donald Trump ’ s military bill veto unless the chamber votes on legislation providing $ 2,000 checks to Americans .
“ McConnell and the Senate want to expedite the override vote and I understand that , ” Sanders told reporters Monday evening .
“ But I ’ m not going to allow that to happen unless there is a vote , no matter how long that takes , on the $ 2,000 direct payment.
” The House overwhelmingly voted to override Trump ’ s NDAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to do the same after originally passing the bill 84-13 .
Though the senator is unable to permanently block the override vote , he can delay it into 2021 , keeping senators in D.C. through the end of the year and possibly complicating things for Senate Republicans .
Though Trump said that the Senate would “ start the process ” on passing $ 2,000 checks when he signed the $ 900 relief bill Sunday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not committed to doing so and has yet to schedule a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Monday after a 275-134 vote , including 44 Republicans who voted in favor .
Before Trump came out in favor of $ 2,000 payments Senate Republicans largely held firm to the idea of $ 600 payments .
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson twice blocked a bid for $ 1,200 from Sanders and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley earlier this month .
A vote on $ 2,000 payments could also create complication for Georgia Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , which was a factor in Sanders ’ ultimate decision , Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their support for higher payments , and a filibuster could result in them having to stay in D.C. through the new year instead of being on the campaign trial in the final days before their Jan. 5 runoffs .
Sander ’ s procedural move is rare , because a veto override already requires a two-thirds majority to pass instead of a simple majority , but is a delay tactic allowed under Senate rules , according to the Congressional Research Service .
“ The American people are desperate , and the Senate has got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sanders said , according to Politico .
“ It would be unconscionable , especially after the House did the right thing , for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.
” Legislation authorizing $ 2,000 checks would need 60 votes to pass the Senate , meaning that 12 GOP senators would need to vote in favor assuming every Democrat does so as well .
Though unclear if $ 2,000 checks have that much support , some Republican senators , including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , have come out @ @ @ @ @ @

Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said that he will filibuster a Senate override of President Donald Trump’s military bill veto unless the chamber votes on legislation providing $2,000 checks to Americans.
“McConnell and the Senate want to expedite the override vote and I understand that,” Sanders told reporters Monday evening. “But I’m not going to allow that to happen unless there is a vote, no matter how long that takes, on the $2,000 direct payment.”
The House overwhelmingly voted to override Trump’s NDAA veto Monday, and the Senate is expected to do the same after originally passing the bill 84-13. Though the senator is unable to permanently block the override vote, he can delay it into 2021, keeping senators in D.C. through the end of the year and possibly complicating things for Senate Republicans.
This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump’s veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year. I’m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 28, 2020
Though Trump said that the Senate would “start the process” on passing $2,000 checks when he signed the $900 relief bill Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not committed to doing so and has yet to schedule a vote on the legislation. It passed the House Monday after a 275-134 vote, including 44 Republicans who voted in favor.
Before Trump came out in favor of $2,000 payments Senate Republicans largely held firm to the idea of $600 payments. Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson twice blocked a bid for $1,200 from Sanders and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley earlier this month.
A vote on $2,000 payments could also create complication for Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, which was a factor in Sanders’ ultimate decision, Politico reported. Both have been noncommittal towards their support for higher payments, and a filibuster could result in them having to stay in D.C. through the new year instead of being on the campaign trial in the final days before their Jan. 5 runoffs.
Sander’s procedural move is rare, because a veto override already requires a two-thirds majority to pass instead of a simple majority, but is a delay tactic allowed under Senate rules, according to the Congressional Research Service.
“The American people are desperate, and the Senate has got to do its job before leaving town,” Sanders said, according to Politico. “It would be unconscionable, especially after the House did the right thing, for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.”
The House passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. Now it’s the Senate’s turn. If McConnell doesn’t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve. Let’s do our job. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 28, 2020
Legislation authorizing $2,000 checks would need 60 votes to pass the Senate, meaning that 12 GOP senators would need to vote in favor assuming every Democrat does so as well. Though unclear if $2,000 checks have that much support, some Republican senators, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, have come out in support in recent days.


truepundit--2020-12-30--Rapper Featured At Ossoff-Warnock Event Under Fire For Tweets Joking About Rape

A rapper who performed at a campaign event for Democratic Georgia Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff came under fire this week after several graphic tweets from the artist joking about rape surfaced .
BRS Kash performed at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia , Georgia , and urged participants at the drive-in rally to vote in the upcoming runoff election , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
Several other hip-hop artists including the daughter of rapper Lil Wayne were present at the event , according to the AJC .
BRS Kash , whose recent song “ Throat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube , was found to have written at least four graphic tweets that reference forcing sex on women .
“ If she say stop and u still hit it from da back is it an accident or rape lol , ” BRS Kash wrote in a January 2012 tweet .
“ Keep Talkin Dat Shit An Ima Fuck Yo Throat !
, ” the rapper wrote in November of 2020 .
“ This is who Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff had headline their event today , ” he wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounce this disgusting individual ?
” Warnock faces Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in one Senate race , while Ossoff is running for the other seat against Republican Sen. David Perdue in the Jan. 5 runoff .
The outcome of the highly contentious race will determine which party has control of the Senate when President-elect Joe Biden takes office .

A rapper who performed at a campaign event for Democratic Georgia Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff came under fire this week after several graphic tweets from the artist joking about rape surfaced.
BRS Kash performed at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, and urged participants at the drive-in rally to vote in the upcoming runoff election, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Several other hip-hop artists including the daughter of rapper Lil Wayne were present at the event, according to the AJC.
BRS Kash, whose recent song “Throat Baby” boasts over 20 million views on YouTube, was found to have written at least four graphic tweets that reference forcing sex on women.
“If she say stop and u still hit it from da back is it an accident or rape lol,” BRS Kash wrote in a January 2012 tweet.
“Keep Talkin Dat Shit An Ima Fuck Yo Throat!,” the rapper wrote in November of 2020.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nathan Brand lambasted Georgia Democrats for including BRS Kash in a performance.
“This is who Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff had headline their event today,” he wrote in a Tuesday tweet. “Will they denounce this disgusting individual?”
This is who Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff had headline their event today. Will they denounce this disgusting individual? Will @TIAreports update her story to reflect how vile this is? Does the @ajc feel they should be elevating repulsive individuals like this? https://t.co/gcIBBZeRU3 pic.twitter.com/RU7f8C78y3 — Nathan Brand (@NathanBrandWA) December 29, 2020
Warnock faces Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in one Senate race, while Ossoff is running for the other seat against Republican Sen. David Perdue in the Jan. 5 runoff. The outcome of the highly contentious race will determine which party has control of the Senate when President-elect Joe Biden takes office.


truepundit--2020-12-31--PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 6 things you need to know this New Year’s Eve — Dec. 31 — Paine Pulls Out

PAINE IN THE MORNING: The 6 things you need to know this New Year’s Eve — Dec. 31 — Paine Pulls Out All The Stops to Put a Rabid Mad Dog 2020 Out Of Its Misery

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

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


truepundit--2020-12-31--“People Are Fed Up”: California Out Of Excuses As Coronavirus Defies Militant Lockdowns

California ’ s response to COVID-19 ranks slightly below China welding people inside apartment buildings in terms of militancy , yet the for all the measures taken by the Golden State , it ’ s become one of the nation ’ s worst epicenters for the pandemic , according to Politico .
And if Politico is calling out California , whose Democratic governor deems himself above his own rules , you know it ’ s bad .
America ’ s most populous state has become one of the nation ’ s worst epicenters for the disease , setting new records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day .
Things are so bad in Southern California that some patients are being treated in hospital tents , while doctors have begun discussing whether they need to ration care .
The turnabout has confounded leaders and health experts .
They can point to any number of reasons that contributed to California ’ s surge over the past several weeks .
But it is hard to pinpoint one single factor — and equally hard to find a silver bullet .
–Politico The state of nearly 40 million residents has seen almost 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask mandates , school and playground closures , and restrictions on dining that are destroying small businesses across the state .
“ Nationally , there has been a kaleidoscopic application of every imaginable type of lockdown order with California being the most restrictive and inflicting the most devastation on small businesses and the most economically vulnerable service workers .
And still , we are none the better as far as COVID is concerned , ” said California Restaurant Association President and CEO Jot Condie , adding “ In fact in L.A. where indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with indoor dining since July , the virus rages on.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

California’s response to COVID-19 ranks slightly below China welding people inside apartment buildings in terms of militancy, yet the for all the measures taken by the Golden State, it’s become one of the nation’s worst epicenters for the pandemic, according to Politico.
And if Politico is calling out California, whose Democratic governor deems himself above his own rules, you know it’s bad.
America’s most populous state has become one of the nation’s worst epicenters for the disease, setting new records for cases, hospitalizations and deaths almost every day. Things are so bad in Southern California that some patients are being treated in hospital tents, while doctors have begun discussing whether they need to ration care. The turnabout has confounded leaders and health experts. They can point to any number of reasons that contributed to California’s surge over the past several weeks. But it is hard to pinpoint one single factor — and equally hard to find a silver bullet. –Politico
The state of nearly 40 million residents has seen almost 2 million cases and 22,000 deaths despite strict mask mandates, school and playground closures, and restrictions on dining that are destroying small businesses across the state.
“Nationally, there has been a kaleidoscopic application of every imaginable type of lockdown order with California being the most restrictive and inflicting the most devastation on small businesses and the most economically vulnerable service workers. And still, we are none the better as far as COVID is concerned,” said California Restaurant Association President and CEO Jot Condie, adding “In fact in L.A. where indoor and outdoor dining are completely shut down, with indoor dining [closed] since July, the virus rages on.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--The CDC’s Rules Let Teachers, Lawyers, Media Jump to the Front of the COVID Vaccine Line

It turns out that there is a mechanism in capitalism for allocating scarce goods .
It is called a “ price.
” Education sector “ support staff members , ” corporate tax lawyers , and magazine fashion editors will all jump to the front of the coronavirus vaccination line ahead of the general population , under recommendations issued in late December by the federal government ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Self-interest dictates I should probably wait until after I get my immunity-producing doses before raising any questions about the prioritization .
The government ’ s allocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , that it ’ s hard to resist taking , er , a shot .
How did we get here ?
On December 20 , a government committee of highly educated , mostly academic experts known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted about who should get the vaccine first .
The committee has 15 voting members .
Twelve of them are medical doctors .
One is a lawyer .
Nine—a majority—are affiliated with universities , including Stanford , Vanderbilt , Baylor , and the University of California , Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided that the first vaccines should go to healthcare workers .
That might seem like common sense—emergency room or intensive care doctors treating Covid-19 patients deserve to be protected against the risk of catching the disease in the workplace .
Healthcare workers , though , is a big , catchall category .
It includes everyone from Beverly Hills plastic surgeons conducting elective cosmetic surgery to “ administrative staff , ” which might be the billing clerk in the plastic surgery practice , or some hospital accounts-receivable bookkeeper or fundraiser with no patient contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

It turns out that there is a mechanism in capitalism for allocating scarce goods. It is called a “price.”
Education sector “support staff members,” corporate tax lawyers, and magazine fashion editors will all jump to the front of the coronavirus vaccination line ahead of the general population, under recommendations issued in late December by the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Self-interest dictates I should probably wait until after I get my immunity-producing doses before raising any questions about the prioritization. The government’s allocation strategy is such an inviting target, though, that it’s hard to resist taking, er, a shot.
How did we get here? On December 20, a government committee of highly educated, mostly academic experts known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted about who should get the vaccine first. The committee has 15 voting members. Twelve of them are medical doctors. One is a lawyer. Nine—a majority—are affiliated with universities, including Stanford, Vanderbilt, Baylor, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Naturally, the committee of doctors decided that the first vaccines should go to healthcare workers. That might seem like common sense—emergency room or intensive care doctors treating Covid-19 patients deserve to be protected against the risk of catching the disease in the workplace. Healthcare workers, though, is a big, catchall category. It includes everyone from Beverly Hills plastic surgeons conducting elective cosmetic surgery to “administrative staff,” which might be the billing clerk in the plastic surgery practice, or some hospital accounts-receivable bookkeeper or fundraiser with no patient contact. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--WHO: Bigger Pandemic Than COVID Is Coming

The World Health Organisation has warned that a worse pandemic than COVID could be around the corner and that what we ’ ve seen so far in 2020 is “ not necessarily the big one ” .
With global lockdowns , international stripping of freedoms , and the decimation of small businesses and the economy on the whole , it is difficult to imagine how it could get any worse .
Yet the WHO is predicting that could very well be the case .
The head of the WHO emergencies program , Dr Mike Ryan , said during a media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very severe … it has affected every corner of this planet .
But this is not necessarily the big one.
” “ This is a wake-up call .
We are learning , now , how to do things better : science , logistics , training and governance , how to communicate better .
But the planet is fragile , ” Ryan added .
“ We live in an increasingly complex global society .
These threats will continue .
If there is one thing we need to take from this pandemic , with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to get our act together .
We need to honour those we ’ ve lost by getting better at what we do every day , ” he continued .
Ryan also stated that despite the vaccine , the virus is set to become endemic , and will never go away .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The World Health Organisation has warned that a worse pandemic than COVID could be around the corner and that what we’ve seen so far in 2020 is “not necessarily the big one”.
With global lockdowns, international stripping of freedoms, and the decimation of small businesses and the economy on the whole, it is difficult to imagine how it could get any worse.
Yet the WHO is predicting that could very well be the case.
The head of the WHO emergencies program, Dr Mike Ryan, said during a media briefing that “this pandemic has been very severe … it has affected every corner of this planet. But this is not necessarily the big one.”
“This is a wake-up call. We are learning, now, how to do things better: science, logistics, training and governance, how to communicate better. But the planet is fragile,” Ryan added. “We live in an increasingly complex global society. These threats will continue. If there is one thing we need to take from this pandemic, with all of the tragedy and loss, is we need to get our act together. We need to honour those we’ve lost by getting better at what we do every day,” he continued.
Ryan also stated that despite the vaccine, the virus is set to become endemic, and will never go away. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Portland Homicides Reach Highest Level In 3 Decades After Gun Violence Task Force Disbanded

As Antifa and other far-left activists have mounted a national campaign to “ abolish the police ” – going so far in places like Portland and Seattle as to literally fight the police while declaring so-called autonomous zones – the city that ’ s become ground zero for the anti-police movement has seen murder rates soar .
Fox News reports based on local crime statistics that murders are surging in Portland , Oregon .
“ As of Christmas Eve , this year ’ s shootings had surpassed last year ’ s by more than 116 % , with 393 shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers dwarf the prior year ’ s , having reached over 850 shootings .
Among these are more single-year homicides than in any year over the prior nearly three decades .
The city is so desperate that police chief Chuck Lovell is urging the public ’ s help in doing “ everything we can together ” to “ break the cycle of violence.
” “ Gun violence has plagued our city at twice the rate of last year , ” he underscored in a public statement .
“ On average , someone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

As Antifa and other far-left activists have mounted a national campaign to “abolish the police” – going so far in places like Portland and Seattle as to literally fight the police while declaring so-called autonomous zones – the city that’s become ground zero for the anti-police movement has seen murder rates soar.
Fox News reports based on local crime statistics that murders are surging in Portland, Oregon. “As of Christmas Eve, this year’s shootings had surpassed last year’s by more than 116%, with 393 shootings reported in all of 2019.”
2020 numbers dwarf the prior year’s, having reached over 850 shootings. Among these are more single-year homicides than in any year over the prior nearly three decades.
The city is so desperate that police chief Chuck Lovell is urging the public’s help in doing “everything we can together” to “break the cycle of violence.”
“Gun violence has plagued our city at twice the rate of last year,” he underscored in a public statement. “On average, someone is shot in Portland roughly every two days.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Gavin Newsom recall effort just got a major boost

The California governor ’ s days could be limited thanks to a growing effort to invoke a statewide referendum .
A campaign to recall Gov .
Gavin Newsom is picking up steam after individual donors offered tens of thousands of dollars each and they scored $ 500,000 from an Irvine-based consulting firm .
Prov 3:9 LLC contributed $ 500,000 , and Sequoia Capital ’ s Douglas Leone and his wife Patricia Perkins-Leone contributed roughly $ 100,000 .
Since 1911 , Californians have attempted to recall their governor 55 times , but were successful only in 2003 against Gov .
Gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special election .
Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to replace Davis as governor .
Fed up with the Democratic governor ’ s shutdown orders , which some found erratic , Rescue California organized to circulate petitions that call for Newsom ’ s governorship to be recalled and a special election to take place , well before the next governor ’ s race in November 2022 .
Newsom , currently in his first term , has not yet said if he plans to run again .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas @ @ @ @

The California governor’s days could be limited thanks to a growing effort to invoke a statewide referendum.
A campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom is picking up steam after individual donors offered tens of thousands of dollars each and they scored $500,000 from an Irvine-based consulting firm.
Prov 3:9 LLC contributed $500,000, and Sequoia Capital’s Douglas Leone and his wife Patricia Perkins-Leone contributed roughly $100,000.
Since 1911, Californians have attempted to recall their governor 55 times, but were successful only in 2003 against Gov. Gray Davis, who was ousted in a special election. Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to replace Davis as governor.
Fed up with the Democratic governor’s shutdown orders, which some found erratic, Rescue California organized to circulate petitions that call for Newsom’s governorship to be recalled and a special election to take place, well before the next governor’s race in November 2022. Newsom, currently in his first term, has not yet said if he plans to run again. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Fauci Warns Americans That Worst Of COVID-19 Still Yet To Come

Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that he thinks the COVID-19 pandemic will get worse and told Americans to expect a post-holiday season “ surge.
” “ We very well might see a post-seasonal — in the sense of Christmas , New Years — surge or as I ’ ve described it , a surge upon a surge , ” Fauci told CNN anchor Dana Bash on “ State of the Union.
” Asked by Bash if he thinks the “ worst is still yet to come , ” Fauci said , “ I do.
” “ If you look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases we ’ ve experienced as we ’ ve got into the late fall and soon-to-be early winter , it really is quite troubling , ” said Fauci , an immunologist who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and on the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
But Fauci said vaccines to prevent the virus should reach most Americans by the end of April , even though the goal of 20 million doses for December will not be reached .
“ I believe we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time we get to April , mid-late April , you ’ ll have taken the high-priority people and already accounted for them , and then anyone can get vaccinated , ” Fauci said .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that he thinks the COVID-19 pandemic will get worse and told Americans to expect a post-holiday season “surge.”
“We very well might see a post-seasonal — in the sense of Christmas, New Years — surge or as I’ve described it, a surge upon a surge,” Fauci told CNN anchor Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”
Asked by Bash if he thinks the “worst is still yet to come,” Fauci said, “I do.”
“If you look at the slope, the incline of cases we’ve experienced as we’ve got into the late fall and soon-to-be early winter, it really is quite troubling,” said Fauci, an immunologist who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and on the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
But Fauci said vaccines to prevent the virus should reach most Americans by the end of April, even though the goal of 20 million doses for December will not be reached. “I believe we’ll catch up with the projection that by the time we get to April, mid-late April, you’ll have taken the high-priority people and already accounted for them, and then anyone can get vaccinated,” Fauci said. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Salon owner accuses Oregon governor of retaliating for resisting lockdown orders: ‘She terrorized my

Salon owner accuses Oregon governor of retaliating for resisting lockdown orders: ‘She terrorized my family’

An Oregon salon owner who opened her business in defiance of the state ’ s lockdown orders accused Gov .
Kate Brown of “ retaliating ” against her family in a $ 100,000 lawsuit , which details the damages she sustained due to extended closures and exorbitant fines issued against her .
Glamour Salon owner Lindsey Graham reopened her salon in May and received a fine of $ 14,000 from the state .
Graham claimed that Brown began to personally “ terrorize ” her family , and threatened to place her children under the care of Child Protective Services to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salon doors .
“ As soon as I tried to open my doors against the governor ’ s mandate back in May , she came at me with the full weight of the state , ” Graham told “ The Ingraham Angle ” on Monday .
“ She terrorized myself , she terrorized my stylists , and she terrorized my family .
She took every government agency she could , and she put her full weight into intimidating me into closing , including sending Child Protective Services to my home and threatening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after publically opening her salon , Child Protective Services showed up at Graham ’ s home and “ interviewed my children without my presence , ” she explained .
They “ opened a full-blown case against me which was completely bogus and unwarranted , and it didn ’ t come until I shot back at them with a threat of the lawsuit , ” that they backed down , Graham said .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

An Oregon salon owner who opened her business in defiance of the state’s lockdown orders accused Gov. Kate Brown of “retaliating” against her family in a $100,000 lawsuit, which details the damages she sustained due to extended closures and exorbitant fines issued against her.
Glamour Salon owner Lindsey Graham reopened her salon in May and received a fine of $14,000 from the state. Graham claimed that Brown began to personally “terrorize” her family, and threatened to place her children under the care of Child Protective Services to “intimidate” her into closing her salon doors.
“As soon as I tried to open my doors against the governor’s mandate back in May, she came at me with the full weight of the state,” Graham told “The Ingraham Angle” on Monday.
“She terrorized myself, she terrorized my stylists, and she terrorized my family. She took every government agency she could, and she put her full weight into intimidating me into closing, including sending Child Protective Services to my home and threatening the removal of my children.”
Three days after publically opening her salon, Child Protective Services showed up at Graham’s home and “interviewed my children without my presence,” she explained.
They “opened a full-blown case against me which was completely bogus and unwarranted, and it didn’t come until I shot back at them with a threat of the lawsuit,” that they backed down, Graham said. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Former CDC Director Says COVID-19 ‘Immunity Passports’ Could Help U.S. Get ‘Back To New Normal’

A former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) says “ immunity passports ” for Americans to prove they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine might help the country get “ back to a new normal.
” Dr. Thomas Frieden told CBS on Wednesday that “ done right , immunity passports could be one of a series of things that could help us get to a new normal as soon as possible.
” “ We don ’ t know if this is going to happen , but fundamentally we ’ re seeing companies and countries giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ The risk of this is it will make inequality even worse .
If people have both susceptibility to the virus and less access to the vaccine , they ’ ll have even more problems.
” Dr. Frieden , who served as director of the CDC from 2009 to 2017 , said for the passports to work , there would need to be “ absolute privacy , ” adding that the vaccine should be “ absolutely opt in.
” “ Fundamentally , we ’ re facing a very difficult few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not enough vaccine yet and we ’ re seeing the highest levels of cases , hospitalizations and deaths the U.S. has since the start of this pandemic , ” he said .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says “immunity passports” for Americans to prove they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine might help the country get “back to a new normal.”
Dr. Thomas Frieden told CBS on Wednesday that “done right, immunity passports could be one of a series of things that could help us get to a new normal as soon as possible.”
“We don’t know if this is going to happen, but fundamentally we’re seeing companies and countries giving people a certificate of vaccination,” he said. “The risk of this is it will make inequality even worse. If people have both susceptibility to the virus and less access to the vaccine, they’ll have even more problems.”
Dr. Frieden, who served as director of the CDC from 2009 to 2017, said for the passports to work, there would need to be “absolute privacy,” adding that the vaccine should be “absolutely opt in.”
“Fundamentally, we’re facing a very difficult few weeks and few months. There’s not enough vaccine yet and we’re seeing the highest levels of cases, hospitalizations and deaths the U.S. has since the start of this pandemic,” he said. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Report: Georgia Dems Running Out Of Money For Senate Races

The two Democratic Senate campaigns in Georgia are warning the national party that they ’ re quickly running out of funds and are unable to keep up with Republican spending ahead of that state ’ s January runoff elections .
NBC News obtained a memo Monday claiming that “ outside GOP spending ” has left them struggling to keep up and money isn ’ t flowing in from the national party fast enough to fight what they believe is an uphill battle to flip Georgia ’ s two Senate seats .
“ Eight days out from Election Day in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are ‘ sounding the alarm ’ about their ability to keep pace with GOP spending , calling for a ‘ significant increase ’ in grassroots donations to prevent running out of money , ” NBC News reports .
The two campaigns authored the memo jointly , according to the outlet , and it was signed by both Jon Ossoff ’ s and Raphael Warnock ’ s campaign managers .
“ To win this election in 8 days , we need to continue our historic efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we won ’ t be able to do that if our fundraising revenue continues to fall , ” the pair said.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The two Democratic Senate campaigns in Georgia are warning the national party that they’re quickly running out of funds and are unable to keep up with Republican spending ahead of that state’s January runoff elections.
NBC News obtained a memo Monday claiming that “outside GOP spending” has left them struggling to keep up and money isn’t flowing in from the national party fast enough to fight what they believe is an uphill battle to flip Georgia’s two Senate seats.
“Eight days out from Election Day in Georgia’s crucial Senate runoff races, Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are ‘sounding the alarm’ about their ability to keep pace with GOP spending, calling for a ‘significant increase’ in grassroots donations to prevent running out of money,” NBC News reports.
The two campaigns authored the memo jointly, according to the outlet, and it was signed by both Jon Ossoff’s and Raphael Warnock’s campaign managers.
“To win this election in 8 days, we need to continue our historic efforts to turn out every single voter — but we won’t be able to do that if our fundraising revenue continues to fall,” the pair said.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--“Don’t Be A Sheep”: Washington Sheriff Voices Support For Restaurant Facing Shutdown, $100K Fine

Sheriff Rob Snaza posted an interview to Facebook on December 23 , where he questioned the science behind closing dining in Lewis County and voiced his support for a local restaurant that is in the midst of a standoff with the Governor .
Spiffy ’ s Restaurant in Lewis County , Washington , is now facing over $ 100,000 in fines as a result of allowing indoor dining , which is currently prohibited in the state .
The restaurant has been in business for nearly 50 years and faces the threat of shutdown if it can ’ t continue its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snaza talked about the owner , Rod Samuelson , and said he had been a customer for 30 years : “ During that time they ’ ve been open , they ’ ve been open to the community .
They ’ ve opened their hearts whether it ’ s donations , whether it ’ s supporting families .
And so knowing Rod ’ s story was huge in making the decision that I support Spiffy ’ s .
And I know we have laws out there , we have all these things going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what is right and what is wrong ?
” He continued : “ We need to stand up for our constitutional rights .
So when we talk about these people , we ’ re talking about single moms , single parents , or dual-parent income , that both work at a restaurant .
And all their livelihood is based on their business .
And they ’ re losing that , simply because someone decided to change the rulebook.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Sheriff Rob Snaza posted an interview to Facebook on December 23, where he questioned the science behind closing dining in Lewis County and voiced his support for a local restaurant that is in the midst of a standoff with the Governor.
Spiffy’s Restaurant in Lewis County, Washington, is now facing over $100,000 in fines as a result of allowing indoor dining, which is currently prohibited in the state. The restaurant has been in business for nearly 50 years and faces the threat of shutdown if it can’t continue its business, according to The Chronicle.
Snaza talked about the owner, Rod Samuelson, and said he had been a customer for 30 years: “During that time they’ve been open, they’ve been open to the community. They’ve opened their hearts whether it’s donations, whether it’s supporting families. And so knowing Rod’s story was huge in making the decision that I support Spiffy’s. And I know we have laws out there, we have all these things going on, but at the same time, what is right and what is wrong?”
He continued: “We need to stand up for our constitutional rights. So when we talk about these people, we’re talking about single moms, single parents, or dual-parent income, that both work at a restaurant. And all their livelihood is based on their business. And they’re losing that, simply because someone decided to change the rulebook.”– READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--All Major Western Media Outlets Take “Private Dinners”, “Sponsored Trips” From Chinese Communist Pro

All Major Western Media Outlets Take “Private Dinners”, “Sponsored Trips” From Chinese Communist Propaganda Front

A host of corporate media outlets including CNN , The New York Times , The Washington Post , and MSNBC have participated in private dinners and sponsored trips with the China-United States Exchange Foundation , a Chinese Communist Party-funded group seeking to garner “ favorable coverage ” and “ disseminate positive messages ” regarding China , The National Pulse can reveal .
Other outlets involved in the propaganda operation include Forbes , the Financial Times , Newsweek , Bloomberg , Reuters , ABC News , the Economist , the Wall Street Journal , AFP , TIME magazine , LA Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic .
The relationship is revealed in the Department of Justice ’ s Foreign Agent Registration Act ( FARA ) filings , which reveal a relationship spanning over a decade between establishment media outlets and the China–United States Exchange Foundation ( CUSEF ) .
CUSEF is a Chinese Communist Party-funded initiative founded by Tung Chee Hwa .
The group also targets American universities with offers to fund policy research , high-level dialogues , and exchange programs .
Tung also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People ’ s Political Consultative Conference ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security and Economic Review Commission as a key component of the Chinese Communist Party ’ s United Work Front .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A host of corporate media outlets including CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and MSNBC have participated in private dinners and sponsored trips with the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a Chinese Communist Party-funded group seeking to garner “favorable coverage” and “disseminate positive messages” regarding China, The National Pulse can reveal.
Other outlets involved in the propaganda operation include Forbes, the Financial Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC News, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, AFP, TIME magazine, LA Times, The Hill, BBC, and The Atlantic.
The relationship is revealed in the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) filings, which reveal a relationship spanning over a decade between establishment media outlets and the China–United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF).
CUSEF is a Chinese Communist Party-funded initiative founded by Tung Chee Hwa. The group also targets American universities with offers to fund policy research, high-level dialogues, and exchange programs.
Tung also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), identified by the U.S.-China Security and Economic Review Commission as a key component of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Work Front. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Video shows gang of young bicyclists in ‘animalistic attack’ on BMW in Manhattan in broad daylight:

Video shows gang of young bicyclists in ‘animalistic attack’ on BMW in Manhattan in broad daylight: ‘Welcome to de Blasio’s NYC’

A disturbing video posted Tuesday night shows a gang of bicyclists attacking a BMW in Manhattan in broad daylight and terrorizing the man and woman who were inside the vehicle .
One police officer noted that the attack was just another example of how far the city has fallen recently under current elected leadership .
The recorded attack happened around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Manhattan ’ s Fifth Avenue and 21st Street , the New York Post reported .
The video was posted to Instagram by Breaking911 .
The outlet ’ s post said the BMW bore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male driver was trying to take his mother to see Christmas lights around Manhattan when the pack of thugs launched their attack unprovoked .
“ WELCOME TO DE BLASIO ’ S # NYC , ” Breaking911 wrote , referring to NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio .
“ Gang of thugs vandalize BMW with physician plates as a son was reportedly taking his elderly mother to see Christmas lights in Manhattan .
Bystanders say the driver did nothing to provoke the attack .
The elderly woman was crying & scared for her life.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into the BMW , doing body slams on the hood of the car , and beating the vehicle with their bikes .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A disturbing video posted Tuesday night shows a gang of bicyclists attacking a BMW in Manhattan in broad daylight and terrorizing the man and woman who were inside the vehicle.
One police officer noted that the attack was just another example of how far the city has fallen recently under current elected leadership.
The recorded attack happened around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and 21st Street, the New York Post reported.
The video was posted to Instagram by Breaking911. The outlet’s post said the BMW bore “physician plates” and that the male driver was trying to take his mother to see Christmas lights around Manhattan when the pack of thugs launched their attack unprovoked.
The BMW driver was reportedly taking his elderly mother to see Christmas lights in Manhattan. The group on bikes were clinging to the car to catch a ride. The driver hit the brakes, causing 1 bicyclist to crash. That’s what apparently sparked the attack. pic.twitter.com/d7aOBopmhC — GrantB911 (@GrantB911) December 30, 2020
“WELCOME TO DE BLASIO’S #NYC,” Breaking911 wrote, referring to NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Gang of thugs vandalize BMW with physician plates as a son was reportedly taking his elderly mother to see Christmas lights in Manhattan. Bystanders say the driver did nothing to provoke the attack. The elderly woman was crying & scared for her life.”
The attackers can be seen trying to get into the BMW, doing body slams on the hood of the car, and beating the vehicle with their bikes. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Japan Issues Complete Ban On Non-Nationals Entry To Battle ‘Super COVID’ Strain

As anxiety over new , reportedly more contagious , strains of COVID builds around the world – and with it @ @ @ @ @ for British travelers – Japan just went to ’ 11 ’ on the “ better @ @ @ @ @ by banning all new entries by non-Japanese nationals through the end of January .
The @ @ @ @ @ from Monday .
On Saturday , Nikkei report that , according to the government , @ @ @ @ @ a record 949 new cases , with reports saying two more people , in addition @ @ @ @ @ , were found to be infected with the new strain .
Since October , Japan @ @ @ @ @ staying for at least three months on the condition that they quarantine for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

As anxiety over new, reportedly more contagious, strains of COVID builds around the world – and with it the spread of travel blockades for British travelers – Japan just went to ’11’ on the “better safe than sorry” scale by banning all new entries by non-Japanese nationals through the end of January.
The ban will be in effect from Monday.
On Saturday, Nikkei report that, according to the government, Japan’s capital reported a record 949 new cases, with reports saying two more people, in addition to five confirmed on Friday, were found to be infected with the new strain.
Since October, Japan has allowed entry by those staying for at least three months on the condition that they quarantine for 14 days. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Atlanta Could Pay $1.6 Million For Private Security Force To Help Control Gun Violence

Members of the Atlanta city council proposed spending $ 1.6 million to hire a private security force specifically to protect the affluent Buckhead neighborhood amid a rise in gun violence , despite calls to “ defund ” the Atlanta police department .
The Independent reports that , following a shooting near a Buckhead mall that left a 7-year-old girl dead , Atlanta city leaders have been looking for a way to handle the city ’ s growing gun violence problem and , despite calling to defund the police earlier in the year , now want to splash out on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wealthier residents .
The city council has a full plan specifically for Buckhead , per a “ Buckhead Security Plan ” slide deck made available on Monday .
Objectives of the plan include , “ Funding and establishing a supplementary , multi-car dedicated security patrol utilizing off-duty sworn officers of APD , Fulton County Sheriff ’ s Office , and Georgia State Patrol .
The supplementary patrol will be for exclusive use within Buckhead commercial corridors and will be managed by the Zone 2 Commander at APD to augment on-duty APD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police force is designed to work “ in tandem ” with existing law enforcement bureaus , and the city council is committing $ 125,000 to the effort initially .
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution puts the final cost of the program , however , at a cool $ 1.6 million.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Members of the Atlanta city council proposed spending $1.6 million to hire a private security force specifically to protect the affluent Buckhead neighborhood amid a rise in gun violence, despite calls to “defund” the Atlanta police department.
The Independent reports that, following a shooting near a Buckhead mall that left a 7-year-old girl dead, Atlanta city leaders have been looking for a way to handle the city’s growing gun violence problem and, despite calling to defund the police earlier in the year, now want to splash out on a private security force to protect the city’s wealthier residents.
The city council has a full plan specifically for Buckhead, per a “Buckhead Security Plan” slide deck made available on Monday. Objectives of the plan include, “Funding and establishing a supplementary, multi-car dedicated security patrol utilizing off-duty sworn officers of APD, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia State Patrol. The supplementary patrol will be for exclusive use within Buckhead commercial corridors and will be managed by the Zone 2 Commander at APD to augment on-duty APD patrol (NT).”
The police force is designed to work “in tandem” with existing law enforcement bureaus, and the city council is committing $125,000 to the effort initially. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution puts the final cost of the program, however, at a cool $1.6 million.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--B-52s fly over Persian Gulf as ‘complex attacks’ from Iran feared, US ready to thwart

Two American B-52 bombers flew a nonstop , 30-plus-hour , round-trip mission from the United States to the Middle East to send a fresh warning to Iran as a senior military official said new warnings had been detected , a sign that potential “ complex attacks ” against Americans are brewing as the one-year anniversary of the U.S. killing Iran ’ s most powerful general looms .
In a statement , U.S. Central Command said the bombers launched from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on Tuesday morning , marking the third time in the past 45 days U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Persian Gulf under fighter escort .
The bombers flew through without incident , and Iran had not reacted publicly as of Wednesday morning .
“ The United States continues to deploy combat-ready capabilities into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to deter any potential adversary , and make clear that we are ready and able to respond to any aggression directed at Americans or our interests , ” said Gen. Frank McKenzie , commander of U.S. Central Command .
“ We do not seek conflict , but no one should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to act decisively in response to any attack.
” Jan. 3 marks the one-year anniversary of U.S. Special Operations forces killing Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad .
A recent U.S. intelligence report says Iran wants to “ avenge that killing , ” according to a senior U.S. military official who spoke to Fox News and a small group of reporters ahead of the bomber flight .
The official requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive information .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast @ @

Two American B-52 bombers flew a nonstop, 30-plus-hour, round-trip mission from the United States to the Middle East to send a fresh warning to Iran as a senior military official said new warnings had been detected, a sign that potential “complex attacks” against Americans are brewing as the one-year anniversary of the U.S. killing Iran’s most powerful general looms.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the bombers launched from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on Tuesday morning, marking the third time in the past 45 days U.S. Air Force bombers have flown deterrence missions over the Persian Gulf under fighter escort. The bombers flew through without incident, and Iran had not reacted publicly as of Wednesday morning.
“The United States continues to deploy combat-ready capabilities into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to deter any potential adversary, and make clear that we are ready and able to respond to any aggression directed at Americans or our interests,” said Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command. “We do not seek conflict, but no one should underestimate our ability to defend our forces or to act decisively in response to any attack.”
Jan. 3 marks the one-year anniversary of U.S. Special Operations forces killing Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. A recent U.S. intelligence report says Iran wants to “avenge that killing,” according to a senior U.S. military official who spoke to Fox News and a small group of reporters ahead of the bomber flight. The official requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive information. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-31--Colorado health officials confirm highly infectious coronavirus variant found, first in US

Colorado public health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first U.S. case of the new highly contagious strain of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Britain weeks ago , prompting a new set of lockdowns there .
A state lab @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention ( CDC ) about the presence of the strain in a man @ @ @ @ @ County .
He has no travel history and is isolating himself until cleared by public @ @ @ @ @ Jared Polis said in a statement .
“ The health and safety of Coloradans is @ @ @ @ @ will closely monitor this case , as well as all COVID-19 indicators , very closely @ @ @ @ @ “ We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.
” @ @ @ @ @ no close contacts identified thus far but that public health officials were working to find @ @ @ @ @ through contact tracing interviews .
He said his office will monitor the new case “ @ @ @ @ @ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Colorado public health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first U.S. case of the new highly contagious strain of the coronavirus that was first discovered in Britain weeks ago, prompting a new set of lockdowns there.
A state lab informed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the presence of the strain in a man in his 20s from Elbert County. He has no travel history and is isolating himself until cleared by public health officials, Gov. Jared
Polis said in a statement.
Today we discovered Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the UK. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely. pic.twitter.com/fjyq7QhzBi — Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) December 29, 2020
“The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely,” Polis said. “We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.”
Polis said the man has no close contacts identified thus far but that public health officials were working to find others who were potentially exposed through contact tracing interviews. He said his office will monitor the new case “very closely.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --