truepundit--2020-12-14--DOJ Probe Of Hunter Biden Is More Extensive Than He Let On, And Could Involve Chinese Business Deals

• When Hunter Biden revealed on Wednesday that he is the target of a federal investigation into his ‘ tax affairs , ’ he may have left out details of the full extent of the probe .
• Federal prosecutors are also reportedly scrutinizing Biden ’ s foreign business dealings , especially with a Chinese energy company called CEFC .
• CEFC wired millions of dollars in payments to Biden in 2017 and 2018 .
• A Senate report released in September said that some of the wire payments were flagged for potential criminal activity .
The investigation into Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement he issued this week , according to multiple reports that say that federal prosecutors are scrutinizing Biden ’ s foreign business deals , including with one of China ’ s largest energy companies .
One area of focus is Biden ’ s financial relationship with CEFC China Energy , a major energy holding company whose chairman is believed to have ties to the communist party .
Emails , text messages and financial documents show that CEFC wired $ 6 million to bank accounts and firms controlled by Biden in 2017 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flagged for possible criminal activity , according to a report that Senate Republicans released in September .
A $ 3.5 million wire transfer from a Russian billionaire to a firm linked to Biden in February 2014 was also flagged by bank regulators for suspicious activity , the report said .
Biden released a statement on Wednesday through his father ’ s presidential transition team saying that the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Delaware had contacted his legal team to say his “ tax affairs ” were under investigation .
A source familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Foundation that the investigation started in 2018 , months before Joe Biden launched his presidential campaign .
Attorney General William Barr learned of the investigation earlier this year but kept it from spilling into public view because of the sensitivity of the election .
The source said that the fact that prosecutors have reached out to Biden suggests that the investigation has moved into an “ overt ” stage .
Politico and CNN reported that prosecutors are also looking beyond tax crimes into possible money laundering activity and Biden ’ s other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indications before the election that the FBI was focusing on potential money laundering .
Fox News reported that federal prosecutors issued a subpoena for Biden ’ s laptop in December 2019 , with notations that suggested a money-laundering probe was underway .
Fox News reported on Wednesday that the investigation is based in part on Suspicious Activity Reports filed with the Treasury Department regarding Biden ’ s financial activities .
The Senate report regarding Biden ’ s business deals also relied on SARs , a source familiar with the matter has told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Justice Department had opened an investigation into Biden and his associates .
Biden has also come under scrutiny over his position as a director for Burisma Holdings , a Ukrainian energy company whose owner has been the target of bribery investigations in the U.K .
The Senate report showed that Biden ’ s relationship with CEFC was far more lucrative for him than previously known .
The report said that an affiliate of CEFC wired $ 5 million on Aug. 8 , 2017 , to a bank account for Hudson West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden as a co-owner .
Starting that same day and through Sept. 25 , 2018 , Hudson West III wired $ 4.8 million to Biden ’ s law firm , Owasco LLC .
CEFC also paid Biden $ 1 million to represent Patrick Ho , a CEFC executive who was charged in September 2017 under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for bribing African government officials .
Prosecutors revealed during that case that the FBI obtained a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) against Ho based on suspicions that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ho was convicted on the charges and served 30 months in prison .
It is not entirely clear what work Biden did for the $ 5 million in payments from CEFC .
He first began discussing forming a partnership that involved CEFC in early 2017 .
Biden and a group of businessmen began in early 2017 exploring an investment deal with CEFC .
The would-be partnership involved Tony Bobulinksi , a California-based businessman who has since released a trove of records detailing the effort to strike a deal with CEFC .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an initial plan to obtain $ 10 million in seed money from CEFC to pursue investments in the U.S. and other countries .
According to one document , CEFC provided a $ 5 million interest-free loan to the Bidens .
“ This $ 5 MM loan to BD family is interest-free .
But if the $ 5 MM is used up , should CEFC keep lending more to the family ?
If CEFC lends more , they need to know the interest rate for the subsequent loan ( s ) , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 .
Hunter Biden appeared to acknowledge in a text message to Bobulinski that the partnership with CEFC could potentially run afoul of U.S. laws regarding business dealings with foreign entities .
Biden wrote that he wanted the group to avoid having to file as foreign agents .
He also made reference to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act , or FCPA .
“ We don ’ t want to have to register as foreign agents under the FCPA which is much more expansive than people who should know choose not to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 1 , 2017 , according to a message obtained by the DCNF .
“ No matter what it will need to be a US company at some level in order for us to make bids on federal and state funded projects.
” Biden arranged a meeting for Bobulinski and his father in Los Angeles several days later .
Bobulinski has said in interviews that he discussed the Bidens ’ plans for business in China during the meeting .
Biden ended up cutting Bobulinski out of the deal .
Bobulinksi sent emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 regarding the potential deal .
Days later , CEFC began the first installment of what would end up being $ 5 million in wire transfers to firms controlled by Biden .
Bobulinski released a trove of emails , text messages and other documents from the CEFC deal in October .
He said he came forward because of revelations from the Senate report , as well as to rebut Joe Biden ’ s denials that he was not aware of his son ’ s business activities .
Biden disclosed some of his interactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a profile published by The New Yorker in July 2019 .
Biden said that Ye gave him a diamond during a meeting in Miami .
The Senate report also said that federal regulators also flagged wire transfers from a Russian billionaire named Elena Baturina to Biden ’ s firm for possible criminal activity .
A longtime Biden business partner discussed efforts in early 2014 to obtain a U.S. banking account for Baturina , whose late husband was the mayor of Moscow until 2010 .
“ Establish US banking relationship was the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Biden associate , wrote of Baturina in a Jan. 5 , 2014 , email obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
According to the Senate report , Baturina wired $ 3.5 million on Feb. 14 , 2014 to a company controlled by Biden and Archer .
“ These transactions were identified because of Baturina ’ s reported criminal activity , ” the Senate report states .
An associate of Archer ’ s named Jason Galanis , who worked with him to secure Baturina ’ s account , wrote in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a JPMorgan bank account for the billionaire .
Galanis ’ father , John , who was indicted along with Archer and his son in a separate fraud scheme in 2018 , wrote in a court filing that Biden and Archer made “ made numerous attempts to avoid sanctions ” on Baturina ’ s behalf .
Reports from CNN and Politico suggest that Biden ’ s dealings in China have been the main focus of the federal investigation .
Other messages from the Bobulinski trove show that Biden spoke with Ye about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian energy giant .
“ He and I discussed the Roseneft ( sic ) deal and he is pissed off but only by the execution which I guess was Zhang ’ s deal , ” Biden wrote to Bobulinski in a text message in October 2017 that was included in a supplement to the Senate Republican report .
Biden also said that he spoke to Ye “ on a regular basis ” and that he was the “ first guest ” in Ye ’ s apartment .
The oil deal was seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been one of China ’ s largest investments in Russia , Reuters reported at the time .
It fell through months later after Ye was arrested by Chinese authorities as part of an unspecified investigation .
Biden ’ s inside knowledge about the CEFC-Rosneft deal marks an ironic twist given allegations early in the Trump presidency that a Trump campaign aide was offered a bribe by Rosneft ’ s CEO in order to cancel U.S. sanctions against the oil conglomerate .
The infamous Steele dossier , which the FBI used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin offered then-Trump aide Carter Page a bribe in July 2016 in exchange for help relaxing U.S. sanctions against Russia .
Page vehemently denied ever meeting Sechin or discussing a bribe .
Other aspects of the dossier have been debunked .

When Hunter Biden revealed on Wednesday that he is the target of a federal investigation into his ‘tax affairs,’ he may have left out details of the full extent of the probe.
Federal prosecutors are also reportedly scrutinizing Biden’s foreign business dealings, especially with a Chinese energy company called CEFC.
CEFC wired millions of dollars in payments to Biden in 2017 and 2018.
A Senate report released in September said that some of the wire payments were flagged for potential criminal activity.
The investigation into Hunter Biden is more extensive than indicated in a statement he issued this week, according to multiple reports that say that federal prosecutors are scrutinizing Biden’s foreign business deals, including with one of China’s largest energy companies.
One area of focus is Biden’s financial relationship with CEFC China Energy, a major energy holding company whose chairman is believed to have ties to the communist party.
Emails, text messages and financial documents show that CEFC wired $6 million to bank accounts and firms controlled by Biden in 2017 and 2018.
Some of the transactions were flagged for possible criminal activity, according to a report that Senate Republicans released in September. A $3.5 million wire transfer from a Russian billionaire to a firm linked to Biden in February 2014 was also flagged by bank regulators for suspicious activity, the report said.
Biden released a statement on Wednesday through his father’s presidential transition team saying that the U.S. Attorney’s office in Delaware had contacted his legal team to say his “tax affairs” were under investigation.
A source familiar with the probe told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the investigation started in 2018, months before Joe Biden launched his presidential campaign. Attorney General William Barr learned of the investigation earlier this year but kept it from spilling into public view because of the sensitivity of the election.
The source said that the fact that prosecutors have reached out to Biden suggests that the investigation has moved into an “overt” stage.
Politico and CNN reported that prosecutors are also looking beyond tax crimes into possible money laundering activity and Biden’s other foreign business deals.
There were some indications before the election that the FBI was focusing on potential money laundering. Fox News reported that federal prosecutors issued a subpoena for Biden’s laptop in December 2019, with notations that suggested a money-laundering probe was underway.
Fox News reported on Wednesday that the investigation is based in part on Suspicious Activity Reports filed with the Treasury Department regarding Biden’s financial activities. The Senate report regarding Biden’s business deals also relied on SARs, a source familiar with the matter has told the DCNF.
Sinclair Broadcasting reported in October that the Justice Department had opened an investigation into Biden and his associates.
Biden has also come under scrutiny over his position as a director for Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company whose owner has been the target of bribery investigations in the U.K.
The Senate report showed that Biden’s relationship with CEFC was far more lucrative for him than previously known.
The report said that an affiliate of CEFC wired $5 million on Aug. 8, 2017, to a bank account for Hudson West III, a shell company that had Biden as a co-owner.
Starting that same day and through Sept. 25, 2018, Hudson West III wired $4.8 million to Biden’s law firm, Owasco LLC.
CEFC also paid Biden $1 million to represent Patrick Ho, a CEFC executive who was charged in September 2017 under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for bribing African government officials.
Prosecutors revealed during that case that the FBI obtained a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) against Ho based on suspicions that he was working as a covert foreign agent.
Ho was convicted on the charges and served 30 months in prison. It is not entirely clear what work Biden did for the $5 million in payments from CEFC.
He first began discussing forming a partnership that involved CEFC in early 2017. Biden and a group of businessmen began in early 2017 exploring an investment deal with CEFC.
The would-be partnership involved Tony Bobulinksi, a California-based businessman who has since released a trove of records detailing the effort to strike a deal with CEFC.
The partners formed a company called SinoHawk with an initial plan to obtain $10 million in seed money from CEFC to pursue investments in the U.S. and other countries.
According to one document, CEFC provided a $5 million interest-free loan to the Bidens.
“This $5 MM loan to BD family is interest-free. But if the $5 MM is used up, should CEFC keep lending more to the family? If CEFC lends more, they need to know the interest rate for the subsequent loan(s),” the company wrote to Bobulinski on Aug. 1, 2017.
Hunter Biden appeared to acknowledge in a text message to Bobulinski that the partnership with CEFC could potentially run afoul of U.S. laws regarding business dealings with foreign entities.
Biden wrote that he wanted the group to avoid having to file as foreign agents. He also made reference to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA.
“We don’t want to have to register as foreign agents under the FCPA which is much more expansive than people who should know choose not to know,” Hunter Biden wrote to Bobulinski on May 1, 2017, according to a message obtained by the DCNF.
“No matter what it will need to be a US company at some level in order for us to make bids on federal and state funded projects.”
Biden arranged a meeting for Bobulinski and his father in Los Angeles several days later. Bobulinski has said in interviews that he discussed the Bidens’ plans for business in China during the meeting.
Biden ended up cutting Bobulinski out of the deal.
Bobulinksi sent emails to CEFC executives on Aug. 2, 2017 regarding the potential deal. Days later, CEFC began the first installment of what would end up being $5 million in wire transfers to firms controlled by Biden.
Bobulinski released a trove of emails, text messages and other documents from the CEFC deal in October. He said he came forward because of revelations from the Senate report, as well as to rebut Joe Biden’s denials that he was not aware of his son’s business activities.
Biden disclosed some of his interactions with CEFC China Energy Chairman Ye Jianming in a profile published by The New Yorker in July 2019. Biden said that Ye gave him a diamond during a meeting in Miami.
The Senate report also said that federal regulators also flagged wire transfers from a Russian billionaire named Elena Baturina to Biden’s firm for possible criminal activity.
A longtime Biden business partner discussed efforts in early 2014 to obtain a U.S. banking account for Baturina, whose late husband was the mayor of Moscow until 2010.
“Establish US banking relationship was the goal she gave me,” Devon Archer, the Biden associate, wrote of Baturina in a Jan. 5, 2014, email obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
According to the Senate report, Baturina wired $3.5 million on Feb. 14, 2014 to a company controlled by Biden and Archer.
“These transactions were identified because of Baturina’s reported criminal activity,” the Senate report states.
An associate of Archer’s named Jason Galanis, who worked with him to secure Baturina’s account, wrote in an email that they had successfully “weaseled” a JPMorgan bank account for the billionaire.
Galanis’ father, John, who was indicted along with Archer and his son in a separate fraud scheme in 2018, wrote in a court filing that Biden and Archer made “made numerous attempts to avoid sanctions” on Baturina’s behalf.
Reports from CNN and Politico suggest that Biden’s dealings in China have been the main focus of the federal investigation.
Other messages from the Bobulinski trove show that Biden spoke with Ye about a deal between CEFC and Rosneft, the Russian energy giant.
“He and I discussed the Roseneft (sic) deal and he is pissed off but only by the execution which I guess was Zhang’s deal,” Biden wrote to Bobulinski in a text message in October 2017 that was included in a supplement to the Senate Republican report.
Biden also said that he spoke to Ye “on a regular basis” and that he was the “first guest” in Ye’s apartment.
The oil deal was seen as strengthening ties between Russia and China and would have been one of China’s largest investments in Russia, Reuters reported at the time. It fell through months later after Ye was arrested by Chinese authorities as part of an unspecified investigation.
Biden’s inside knowledge about the CEFC-Rosneft deal marks an ironic twist given allegations early in the Trump presidency that a Trump campaign aide was offered a bribe by Rosneft’s CEO in order to cancel U.S. sanctions against the oil conglomerate.
The infamous Steele dossier, which the FBI used in its investigation of the Trump campaign, alleged that Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin offered then-Trump aide Carter Page a bribe in July 2016 in exchange for help relaxing U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Page vehemently denied ever meeting Sechin or discussing a bribe. Other aspects of the dossier have been debunked.


truepundit--2020-12-14--Democrats Mourn Executed Man Who Set Two Youth Ministers On Fire

A host of Democratic politicians said the execution of a man convicted of burning two youth ministers in 1999 was an injustice in Friday social media posts .
Brandon Bernard , 40 , was killed by lethal injection following a two-decade old conviction lighting a vehicle on fire after an accomplice robbed , shot and dumped two youth ministers in the trunk , according to CBS News .
Bernard , who became the ninth federal inmate to be executed in 2020 , was the subject of pleas to commute his sentence from numerous celebrities and advocates , CBS reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted .
“ Brandon Bernard should still be alive .
Abolish the death penalty.
” “ Brandon Bernard should be alive today , ” Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote .
“ We must end all federal executions and abolish the death penalty .
In a world of incredible violence , the state should not be involved in premeditated murder.
” “ Let ’ s call this what it is : state-sanctioned murder , ” Democratic Missouri Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush tweeted .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family—the system failed them .
We can not allow this to continue .
The Biden-Harris administration should commute the sentence of every single person on federal death row.
” Bernard ’ s legal team raised a concern that both the youth ministers , Todd and Stacie Bagley , were dead by the time he lit the car ablaze , and five out of the nine jurors who originally sentenced him to death said they would have decided life in prison had the information been available at trial , according to CBS .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute plea to the Supreme Court on Thursday ahead of his execution , but their motion was denied , CBS reported .
“ Without this process , my family and I would not have the closure needed to move on in life , ” Tod Bagley ’ s mother said , according to CBS .
“ It has been very difficult to wait 21 years for the sentence that was imposed by the Judge and Jury on those who cruelly participated in the destruction of our children , to be finally completed .
@

A host of Democratic politicians said the execution of a man convicted of burning two youth ministers in 1999 was an injustice in Friday social media posts.
Brandon Bernard, 40, was killed by lethal injection following a two-decade old conviction lighting a vehicle on fire after an accomplice robbed, shot and dumped two youth ministers in the trunk, according to CBS News. Bernard, who became the ninth federal inmate to be executed in 2020, was the subject of pleas to commute his sentence from numerous celebrities and advocates, CBS reported.
“This is absolutely sickening,” Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted. “Brandon Bernard should still be alive. Abolish the death penalty.”
This is absolutely sickening. Brandon Bernard should still be alive. Abolish the death penalty. https://t.co/5QdAZTc4J4 — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2020
“Brandon Bernard should be alive today,” Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote. “We must end all federal executions and abolish the death penalty. In a world of incredible violence, the state should not be involved in premeditated murder.”
Brandon Bernard should be alive today. We must end all federal executions and abolish the death penalty. In a world of incredible violence, the state should not be involved in premeditated murder. https://t.co/TeppKF667T — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 11, 2020
“Let’s call this what it is: state-sanctioned murder,” Democratic Missouri Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush tweeted. “I’m thinking of Brandon Bernard and his family—the system failed them. We cannot allow this to continue. The Biden-Harris administration should commute the sentence of every single person on federal death row.”
Let’s call this what it is: state-sanctioned murder. I’m thinking of Brandon Bernard and his family—the system failed them. We cannot allow this to continue. The Biden-Harris administration should commute the sentence of every single person on federal death row. https://t.co/B3hGa6pFKN — Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 11, 2020
Bernard’s legal team raised a concern that both the youth ministers, Todd and Stacie Bagley, were dead by the time he lit the car ablaze, and five out of the nine jurors who originally sentenced him to death said they would have decided life in prison had the information been available at trial, according to CBS. The 40-year-old’s attorneys made a last minute plea to the Supreme Court on Thursday ahead of his execution, but their motion was denied, CBS reported.
“Without this process, my family and I would not have the closure needed to move on in life,” Tod Bagley’s mother said, according to CBS. “It has been very difficult to wait 21 years for the sentence that was imposed by the Judge and Jury on those who cruelly participated in the destruction of our children, to be finally completed.”


truepundit--2020-12-14--Josh Hawley, Bernie Sanders Team Up, Pressure Congress For Direct Stimulus Checks

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders joined forces Thursday , introducing an amendment that would provide direct cash payments to Americans as part of any additional coronavirus relief that Congress passes .
The unlikely allies agree that Congress should not leave Washington before passing a relief package , and that any such package must include direct payments to help mitigate the economic hardship inflicted on millions of Americans due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ What I want to make clear today is that this must be part of any COVID relief package and if there isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then I want a vote on this stand-alone legislation , ” Hawley told reporters Thursday .
“ You can ’ t tell me you can ’ t find $ 300 billion for working families .
You just can ’ t tell me that isn ’ t possible , ” Hawley added .
“ It is absolutely imperative that we provide $ 1,200 for every working-class adult and $ 500 for each of their children , ” Sanders said during a speech on the Senate floor Thursday .
“ Congress can not go home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several Democrats have called for direct cash payments for working families , most congressional Republicans have objected over the price tag , citing the need to address the already record-high federal deficit .
The Trump administration proposed a $ 916 billion plan this week that included $ 600 stimulus checks , but Democrats rejected the offer since it excluded any federal unemployment assistance .
Moderate lawmakers from both parties compromised on a $ 908 billion plan that included $ 300 unemployment checks for 16 weeks .
Though the plan has the backing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has objected over the bill ’ s size and its lacking of a liability shield for businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits .
Republican leadership has accused Sanders of threatening to delay the passage of a stopgap bill to keep the government funded unless his and Hawley ’ s proposal gets a vote , an accusation that Sanders did not deny Thursday when pressed by reporters .
“ Let ’ s play it by ear , ” Sanders said , according to Roll Call .
“ They can blame me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home by the millions are going to be blaming this Congress for inaction for leaving their children to go hungry or get evicted.
” Hawley has said that he will support a stopgap bill , but will continue to press Congress to pass a bill that includes direct cash payments as well .

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders joined forces Thursday, introducing an amendment that would provide direct cash payments to Americans as part of any additional coronavirus relief that Congress passes.
The unlikely allies agree that Congress should not leave Washington before passing a relief package, and that any such package must include direct payments to help mitigate the economic hardship inflicted on millions of Americans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“What I want to make clear today is that this must be part of any COVID relief package and if there isn’t a COVID relief package, then I want a vote on this stand-alone legislation,” Hawley told reporters Thursday.
“You can’t tell me you can’t find $300 billion for working families. You just can’t tell me that isn’t possible,” Hawley added.
I’ll say again, working families ought to be FIRST for #COVID19 relief, not last. That’s why I’ve joined @SenSanders in legislation to provide direct assistance to every working family that needs it. The Senate must vote on this before Christmas pic.twitter.com/gzokNoLZOv — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 10, 2020
“It is absolutely imperative that we provide $1,200 for every working-class adult and $500 for each of their children,” Sanders said during a speech on the Senate floor Thursday. “Congress cannot go home until we address this crisis.”
While several Democrats have called for direct cash payments for working families, most congressional Republicans have objected over the price tag, citing the need to address the already record-high federal deficit.
People all over the country are thinking: Does the government hear their pain? Does their government give a damn about them? If we rally the American people, we can make sure Congress provides at least a $1200 payment for every working class adult. pic.twitter.com/Ng0zzmYBGR — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 10, 2020
The Trump administration proposed a $916 billion plan this week that included $600 stimulus checks, but Democrats rejected the offer since it excluded any federal unemployment assistance.
Moderate lawmakers from both parties compromised on a $908 billion plan that included $300 unemployment checks for 16 weeks. Though the plan has the backing of congressional Democrats and President-elect Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has objected over the bill’s size and its lacking of a liability shield for businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
Republican leadership has accused Sanders of threatening to delay the passage of a stopgap bill to keep the government funded unless his and Hawley’s proposal gets a vote, an accusation that Sanders did not deny Thursday when pressed by reporters.
“Let’s play it by ear,” Sanders said, according to Roll Call. “They can blame me for anything they want… But people back home by the millions are going to be blaming this Congress for inaction for leaving their children to go hungry or get evicted.”
Hawley has said that he will support a stopgap bill, but will continue to press Congress to pass a bill that includes direct cash payments as well.


truepundit--2020-12-14--St. Louis Prosecutor Ousted From McCloskey Case After She ‘Initiated A Criminal Prosecution For Poli

St. Louis Prosecutor Ousted From McCloskey Case After She ‘Initiated A Criminal Prosecution For Political Purposes,’ Court Says

A St. Louis , Missouri , attorney has been barred from prosecuting Mark and Patricia McCloskey , who were charged after they were seen on video warding off rioters with guns outside their luxury home in June during nationwide unrest .
Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was accused of having “ initiated a criminal prosecution for political purposes ” after it was found that she had circulated two fundraising emails about the case to aid her re-election bid , according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
The McCloskey legal team argued that Gardner circulated one such email weeks ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet reported .
“ Like a needle pulling thread , she links the defendant and his conduct to her critics , ” wrote Judge Thomas Clark II , who determined the city attorney was unfit to prosecute the case , in a ruling reported by the Post-Dispatch .
“ These emails are tailored to use the June 28 incident to solicit money by positioning her against the defendant and her more vocal critics.
” Clark ’ s disqualification applies only to Mark McCloskey ’ s charges , but Gardner ’ s office as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , the local outlet reported .
Patricia McCloskey ’ s trial has been transferred to another circuit attorney , but the city will need to find another prosecutor for her husband , according to the Post-Dispatch .
“ This is what we wanted , ” the couple ’ s defense lawyer Joel Schwartz said , according to the local outlet .
“ We would like a fair-minded prosecutor to take a look at the alleged crimes and reassess the evidence and see what they come up with because we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of the charges .
… As long as that happens , then I think we ’ ll have the right outcome and that would hopefully be no charges.
” The pair pleaded not guilty in October after city authorities charged them with unlawful use of weapon and evidence tampering , the Post-Dispatch reported .
The McCloskey ’ s later faced a brandishing offense , according to the local outlet .
Law enforcement executed a search warrant in July and seized the AR-15 Mark McCloskey allegedly used to protect his St. Louis mansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ that they were going to kill us , ” Patricia McCloskey told Fox News in July about the demonstrators around her home .
“ They were going to come in there .
They were going to burn down the house.
” “ They were going to be living in our house after I was dead , and they were pointing to different rooms and said , ‘ That ’ s going to be my bedroom and that ’ s going to be the living room and I ’ m going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she continued .

A St. Louis, Missouri, attorney has been barred from prosecuting Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who were charged after they were seen on video warding off rioters with guns outside their luxury home in June during nationwide unrest.
Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was accused of having “initiated a criminal prosecution for political purposes” after it was found that she had circulated two fundraising emails about the case to aid her re-election bid, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The McCloskey legal team argued that Gardner circulated one such email weeks ahead of the Democratic primary in August, the local outlet reported.
“Like a needle pulling thread, she links the defendant and his conduct to her critics,” wrote Judge Thomas Clark II, who determined the city attorney was unfit to prosecute the case, in a ruling reported by the Post-Dispatch. “These emails are tailored to use the June 28 incident to solicit money by positioning her against the defendant and her more vocal critics.”
Clark’s disqualification applies only to Mark McCloskey’s charges, but Gardner’s office as a whole is forbidden from taking up the case, the local outlet reported. Patricia McCloskey’s trial has been transferred to another circuit attorney, but the city will need to find another prosecutor for her husband, according to the Post-Dispatch.
In a video posted to social media, peaceful protesters in St. Louis calling for police reforms walked past a couple brandishing firearms as they were ordered to stay away from the couple’s home https://t.co/bYl06iAiTo pic.twitter.com/wOZ1Wr3yac — Reuters (@Reuters) June 29, 2020
“This is what we wanted,” the couple’s defense lawyer Joel Schwartz said, according to the local outlet. “We would like a fair-minded prosecutor to take a look at the alleged crimes and reassess the evidence and see what they come up with because we don’t believe any of the evidence supports any of the charges. … As long as that happens, then I think we’ll have the right outcome and that would hopefully be no charges.”
The pair pleaded not guilty in October after city authorities charged them with unlawful use of weapon and evidence tampering, the Post-Dispatch reported. The McCloskey’s later faced a brandishing offense, according to the local outlet.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant in July and seized the AR-15 Mark McCloskey allegedly used to protect his St. Louis mansion, according to 5 On Your Side.
“[They said] that they were going to kill us,” Patricia McCloskey told Fox News in July about the demonstrators around her home. “They were going to come in there. They were going to burn down the house.”
“They were going to be living in our house after I was dead, and they were pointing to different rooms and said, ‘That’s going to be my bedroom and that’s going to be the living room and I’m going to be taking a shower in that room,” she continued.


truepundit--2020-12-14--Barr Learned Of Hunter Biden Investigation Months Ago, But Managed To Keep It Secret: Report

Attorney General William Barr knew months ago about investigations into Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings , but kept the information from spilling into public view even as President Donald Trump publicly called for investigations into the son of the president-elect .
According to The Wall Street Journal , Barr was briefed before the spring about investigations into Biden , which Biden revealed in a statement on Wednesday issued through his father ’ s presidential transition team .
Biden said that prosecutors with the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Delaware had contacted his attorney regarding an investigation into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the investigation told the Daily Caller News Foundation that it began in 2018 , and that the U.S. attorneys ’ contact with Biden ’ s lawyers signals that the investigation has moved from a “ covert ” to an “ overt ” stage .
Other reports suggest that Biden is also a target or subject of money laundering investigations .
CNN reported that the investigations are scrutinizing Biden ’ s business deals with CEFC China Energy , a major Chinese energy conglomerate that paid Biden approximately $ 6 million in 2017 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the probe has already rankled President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress , who have publicly called for Barr to investigate Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings .
According to The Journal , Barr took steps to avoid providing information to Republican members of Congress about the investigations .
“ Congressional Republicans are furious that Barr never told us the news , even in confidence , ” a source who works on Capitol Hill told the DCNF .
Trump took a thinly veiled shot at the Justice Department on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr ’ s statement earlier this month that the Justice Department had not seen enough evidence of voter fraud to overturn the results of the election .
Trump has also criticized Barr over the lack of developments in an investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe that did not produce results before the election .
Barr tapped the prosecutor leading that investigation , John Durham , to serve as special counsel on Oct. 19 .
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Attorney General William Barr knew months ago about investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings, but kept the information from spilling into public view even as President Donald Trump publicly called for investigations into the son of the president-elect.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Barr was briefed before the spring about investigations into Biden, which Biden revealed in a statement on Wednesday issued through his father’s presidential transition team.
Biden said that prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware had contacted his attorney regarding an investigation into his “tax affairs.”
A source familiar with the investigation told the Daily Caller News Foundation that it began in 2018, and that the U.S. attorneys’ contact with Biden’s lawyers signals that the investigation has moved from a “covert” to an “overt” stage.
Other reports suggest that Biden is also a target or subject of money laundering investigations. CNN reported that the investigations are scrutinizing Biden’s business deals with CEFC China Energy, a major Chinese energy conglomerate that paid Biden approximately $6 million in 2017 and 2018.
The revelation that Barr knew of the probe has already rankled President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress, who have publicly called for Barr to investigate Hunter Biden’s business dealings.
According to The Journal, Barr took steps to avoid providing information to Republican members of Congress about the investigations.
“Congressional Republicans are furious that Barr never told us the news, even in confidence,” a source who works on Capitol Hill told the DCNF.
Trump took a thinly veiled shot at the Justice Department on Thursday night.
Why didn’t the Fake News Media, the FBI and the DOJ report the Biden matter BEFORE the Election. Oh well, it’s OK, we won the Election anyway – 75,000,000 VOTES!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
Trump has publicly fumed over Barr’s statement earlier this month that the Justice Department had not seen enough evidence of voter fraud to overturn the results of the election. Trump has also criticized Barr over the lack of developments in an investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe that did not produce results before the election.
Barr tapped the prosecutor leading that investigation, John Durham, to serve as special counsel on Oct. 19.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-14--‘Is It The Worship Or The Building?’ Northam Tells Virginians They Don’t Need To Be In Church For Go

‘Is It The Worship Or The Building?’ Northam Tells Virginians They Don’t Need To Be In Church For God To Hear Their Prayers

• Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam told Virginians Thursday that they don ’ t need to be in church for God to hear their prayers .
• “ For me , God is wherever you are , ” Northam said .
“ You don ’ t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.
” • Northam is not the only lawmaker who has been accused of restricting religious freedom .
Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services , and the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple occasions .
Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam told Virginians Thursday that they don ’ t need to be in church for God to hear their prayers .
The governor announced a new executive order Thursday expanding mask mandates , setting a curfew between midnight and 5 a.m. , and lowering the number of people at social gatherings to 10 or less people , the Washington Post reported .
The measures go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday .
Though these restrictions do not affect houses of worship , Northam urged those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay home and practice recommended safety measures due to a rise in coronavirus cases .
“ This year , we need to think about what is truly the most important thing , ” the governor said .
“ Is it the worship or the building ?
” “ For me , God is wherever you are , ” he continued .
“ You don ’ t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.
” “ Worship with a mask on is still worship , worship outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Northam added .
He did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Critics of Northam ’ s comments pointed out that in-person attendance at religious services is a fundamental aspect of worship for many religions , particularly Catholicism .
Earlier this year Northam banned gatherings of 10 or more people through initial stay-at-home orders , restrictions which effectively banned church services .
Authorities have arrested multiple religious leaders for defying coronavirus orders , such as Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , a Southern Virginia judge denied a request for a temporary injunction in Russell County resident Larry Hughes ’ s lawsuit saying that Virginia ’ s stay-at-home order violated religious freedom .
The DOJ filed a statement of interest with a Virginia federal court on May 3 supporting Lighthouse Fellowship Church , which serves recovering drug addicts and former prostitutes .
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband noted at the time that “ for many people of faith , exercising religion is essential , especially during a crisis.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reason for refusing to trust congregants who promise to use care in worship in the same way it trusts accountants , lawyers , and other workers to do the same , ” Dreiband said .
Northam is not the only lawmaker who has been accused of restricting religious freedom during the pandemic .
Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services , and the DOJ has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions .
Gallup polling released this week found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly saw a positive change between 2019 and 2020 in how they rated their mental health .
No other Demographic group in the Gallup poll saw a percentage increase in rating their mental health as excellent .
“ Houses of worship and religious services provide so much more than just a weekly meeting place — they are where so many Americans find strength , community , and meaning , ” the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty ’ s Director of Research Caleb Lyman told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday .
He continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Religious Freedom Index—that 62 percent of respondents said that faith had been important during the pandemic — align with Gallup ’ s findings on the importance of religious services to Americans ’ mental health.
” Religious organizations in New York most recently took Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo to the Supreme Court over his restrictions on houses of worship , accusing Cuomo of “ targeting Orthodox practices.
” Conservative justices , including Justice Amy Coney Barrett , sided with religious organizations in the 5-4 ruling the night before Thanksgiving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberal justices .
Earlier this year , the court sided 5-4 in favor of the liberal justices on COVID-19 religious restrictions in California and Nevada , according to CNN .

Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam told Virginians Thursday that they don’t need to be in church for God to hear their prayers.
“For me, God is wherever you are,” Northam said. “You don’t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.”
Northam is not the only lawmaker who has been accused of restricting religious freedom. Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services, and the DOJ has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions.
Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam told Virginians Thursday that they don’t need to be in church for God to hear their prayers.
The governor announced a new executive order Thursday expanding mask mandates, setting a curfew between midnight and 5 a.m., and lowering the number of people at social gatherings to 10 or less people, the Washington Post reported. The measures go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Though these restrictions do not affect houses of worship, Northam urged those who wish to continue worshipping in person to stay home and practice recommended safety measures due to a rise in coronavirus cases.
“This year, we need to think about what is truly the most important thing,” the governor said. “Is it the worship or the building?”
“For me, God is wherever you are,” he continued. “You don’t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.”
WATCH:
“Worship with a mask on is still worship, worship outside or worship online is still worship,” Northam added. He did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Critics of Northam’s comments pointed out that in-person attendance at religious services is a fundamental aspect of worship for many religions, particularly Catholicism.
Fake Christians truly, deeply don’t understand Christianity. https://t.co/XGkcZPFXMn — Christopher Bedford (@CBedfordDC) December 10, 2020
Earlier this year Northam banned gatherings of 10 or more people through initial stay-at-home orders, restrictions which effectively banned church services. Authorities have arrested multiple religious leaders for defying coronavirus orders, such as Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church and Florida megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne.
In April, a Southern Virginia judge denied a request for a temporary injunction in Russell County resident Larry Hughes’s lawsuit saying that Virginia’s stay-at-home order violated religious freedom.
The DOJ filed a statement of interest with a Virginia federal court on May 3 supporting Lighthouse Fellowship Church, which serves recovering drug addicts and former prostitutes. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband noted at the time that “for many people of faith, exercising religion is essential, especially during a crisis.”
“The Commonwealth of Virginia has offered no good reason for refusing to trust congregants who promise to use care in worship in the same way it trusts accountants, lawyers, and other workers to do the same,” Dreiband said.
Northam is not the only lawmaker who has been accused of restricting religious freedom during the pandemic. Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders throughout the pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services, and the DOJ has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions.
Gallup polling released this week found that only those who attended religious services weekly saw a positive change between 2019 and 2020 in how they rated their mental health. No other Demographic group in the Gallup poll saw a percentage increase in rating their mental health as excellent.
“Houses of worship and religious services provide so much more than just a weekly meeting place — they are where so many Americans find strength, community, and meaning,” the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty’s Director of Research Caleb Lyman told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday.
He continued, “Findings from this year’s Religious Freedom Index—that 62 percent of respondents said that faith had been important during the pandemic — align with Gallup’s findings on the importance of religious services to Americans’ mental health.”
Religious organizations in New York most recently took Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Supreme Court over his restrictions on houses of worship, accusing Cuomo of “targeting Orthodox practices.” Conservative justices, including Justice Amy Coney Barrett, sided with religious organizations in the 5-4 ruling the night before Thanksgiving, while Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal justices. Earlier this year, the court sided 5-4 in favor of the liberal justices on COVID-19 religious restrictions in California and Nevada, according to CNN.


truepundit--2020-12-14--FBI Senior Officials Accused Of Sexual Misconduct In At Least 6 Instances, AP Investigation Reveals

Several high-ranking male FBI officials were accused of sexual misconduct against employees , an Associated Press reported Wednesday .
At least six allegations of sexual misconduct , including assault , over the last five years have been levied against senior FBI officials , the AP investigation found .
The officials at least appear to have dodged discipline , the AP reported .
“ They ’ re sweeping it under the rug , ” a former FBI analyst who asked to only be identified by her first name , Becky , said .
She said she was licked on the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 , the AP reported .
Becky said she was threatened by the same man at least twice before and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the FBI .
“ As the premier law enforcement organization that the FBI holds itself out to be , it ’ s very disheartening when they allow people they know are criminals to retire and pursue careers in law enforcement-related fields , ” the former analyst said , the AP reported .
Several of the officials were transferred or retired , with their pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , according to the AP .
Federal law enforcement officials who are disciplined typically don ’ t see an impact in their professional life since they are granted anonymity .
Advocacy groups and Congress have pushed for protections for employees who report misconduct and suggested that an outside agency should review the disciplinary cases , the AP reported .
“ They need a # MeToo moment , ” Democratic California Rep. Jackie Speier said , according to the AP .
“ It doesn ’ t surprise me that , in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still in the Dark Ages.
” The FBI “ maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment ” and claims have resulted in supervisors being removed from positions , the bureau said in a statement , according to the AP .
Severe cases may result in criminal charges , and investigations include “ the credibility of the allegations , the severity of the conduct , and the rank and position of the individuals involved , ” the statement said .
Meanwhile , 17 women in a federal lawsuit are claiming systemic sexual harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia , the AP reported .
An anonymous , female former FBI employee said in the lawsuit that a special agent in charge “ imprisoned , tortured , harassed , blackmailed , stalked and manipulated ” her into multiple “ non-consensual sexual encounters ” and never faced disciplinary action before retiring in 2016 , the AP reported .
Another woman told federal investigators that the former assistant director of the Insider Threat Office , Roger Stanton , drunkenly drove a female employee home , then groped her in her apartment building ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general report obtained by the AP .
And James Hendricks , the former special agent in charge of the office in Albany , New York , sexually harassed eight FBI subordinates , according to the IG , the AP reported .
Hendricks was not named in the IG report , but was later identified by a local newspaper and confirmed by the AP .
The AP noted that its investigation did not cover FBI officials who didn ’ t report romantic relationships with subordinates .

Several high-ranking male FBI officials were accused of sexual misconduct against employees, an Associated Press reported Wednesday.
At least six allegations of sexual misconduct, including assault, over the last five years have been levied against senior FBI officials, the AP investigation found. The officials at least appear to have dodged discipline, the AP reported.
“They’re sweeping it under the rug,” a former FBI analyst who asked to only be identified by her first name, Becky, said. She said she was licked on the face and groped by a supervisory special agent in 2017, the AP reported.
Becky said she was threatened by the same man at least twice before and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the FBI.
“As the premier law enforcement organization that the FBI holds itself out to be, it’s very disheartening when they allow people they know are criminals to retire and pursue careers in law enforcement-related fields,” the former analyst said, the AP reported.
‘Sweeping it under the rug:’ Sexual misconduct allegations shakes FBI’s senior ranks: https://t.co/zzzzGLgdBy — ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) December 10, 2020
Several of the officials were transferred or retired, with their pensions and benefits intact despite probes corroborating the claims, according to the AP. Federal law enforcement officials who are disciplined typically don’t see an impact in their professional life since they are granted anonymity.
Advocacy groups and Congress have pushed for protections for employees who report misconduct and suggested that an outside agency should review the disciplinary cases, the AP reported.
“They need a #MeToo moment,” Democratic California Rep. Jackie Speier said, according to the AP. “It doesn’t surprise me that, in terms of sexual assault and sexual harassment, they are still in the Dark Ages.”
The FBI “maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment” and claims have resulted in supervisors being removed from positions, the bureau said in a statement, according to the AP. Severe cases may result in criminal charges, and investigations include “the credibility of the allegations, the severity of the conduct, and the rank and position of the individuals involved,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, 17 women in a federal lawsuit are claiming systemic sexual harassment at the FBI training academy in Quantico, Virginia, the AP reported.
An anonymous, female former FBI employee said in the lawsuit that a special agent in charge “imprisoned, tortured, harassed, blackmailed, stalked and manipulated” her into multiple “non-consensual sexual encounters” and never faced disciplinary action before retiring in 2016, the AP reported.
Another woman told federal investigators that the former assistant director of the Insider Threat Office, Roger Stanton, drunkenly drove a female employee home, then groped her in her apartment building’s stairwell, according to an inspector general report obtained by the AP.
And James Hendricks, the former special agent in charge of the office in Albany, New York, sexually harassed eight FBI subordinates, according to the IG, the AP reported. Hendricks was not named in the IG report, but was later identified by a local newspaper and confirmed by the AP.
The AP noted that its investigation did not cover FBI officials who didn’t report romantic relationships with subordinates.


truepundit--2020-12-14--Swalwell Spoke At Same 2013 Event As Alleged Chinese Spy Who Worked For Dianne Feinstein

• Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke at an event in 2013 along with a former staffer for Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is alleged to have spied for the Chinese government .
• The group that hosted Swalwell and Russell Lowe , the Feinstein staffer , was led by Christine Fang , who herself is alleged to have worked as a Chinese secret agent from 2011 to 2015 .
• Fang developed close ties to Swalwell , Axios reported this week .
She raised money for his political campaigns and planted an intern in his office .
California Rep. Eric Swalwell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed this week , spoke at a same event in 2013 as another alleged Chinese agent who worked for decades for California Sen. Dianne Feinstein .
The event was hosted by the group led by Christine Fang , a Chinese national whose relationship with Swalwell was the subject of a report published this week by Axios .
There is no indication of wrongdoing on Swalwell ’ s part .
The California State University , East Bay Chinese Student Association hosted both Swalwell and Russell Lowe , who then worked for Feinstein , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year on Feb. 9 , 2013 , according to the group ’ s Facebook page .
Photos from the event show Swalwell and Lowe speaking to a group of dozens of students at the event .
The photo of Lowe shows him holding what appears to be a letter that Feinstein wrote to the student group for its celebration .
The association posted a photo of the letter from Feinstein on its Facebook page .
Swalwell posted a photo of himself at the event on his Twitter account .
Swalwell ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment on whether he knows Lowe .
Politico reported in 2018 that a staffer for Feinstein had for years provided political intelligence to Chinese officials .
He operated at the direction of officials in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , according to Politico .
Feinstein , who is a longtime member of the Senate Intelligence Committee , issued a statement at the time saying that the FBI had briefed her about the staffer .
She said that the employee did not have access to any classified information , and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lowe was described as a driver for Feinstein , but he was also a liaison between her office and the Asian-American community in the Bay area .
He attended functions at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , which has long been known as a hotbed of Chinese spy activity .
The Daily Caller News Foundation identified Lowe in 2018 as the likely Chinese agent working in Feinstein ’ s office .
A photo in the DCNF story shows Lowe at an event hosted by the Chinese Student Association on Sept. 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman and an official seemingly affiliated with the Chinese consulate .
Lowe attended a farewell party for Consul General Gao Zhansheng on March 12 , 2013 , according to the consulate ’ s website .
It is unclear whether Lowe and Fang were aware of the others ’ alleged work for the Chinese government .
U.S. intelligence officials told Axios that Fang worked covertly for China ’ s Ministry of State Security , its main spy service , from 2011 to 2015 .
Feinstein ’ s staffer worked on behalf of the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cozied up to multiple California politicos , including Swalwell , Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Judy Chu , according to Axios .
Fang first met Swalwell when he served on the city council in Dublin , California .
According to Axios , she raised money for Swalwell ’ s congressional reelection campaign in 2014 and placed an intern in his congressional office .
Swalwell was briefed by the FBI about Fang ’ s undercover activity in 2015 .
He said he cut off all contact with her after the briefing .
Fang skipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to discuss the extent of his relationship with Fang , who Axios reported had romantic affairs with the mayors of two cities in the Midwest .
Swalwell initially said he could not talk about the matter because some of the details remain classified .
In interviews with Politico and CNN , he accused the Trump administration of leaking derogatory information about him because he is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump .
Feinstein ’ s office did not respond to request for comment .
A non-profit group that Lowe co-founded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office also did not respond to an email seeking comment .

Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke at an event in 2013 along with a former staffer for Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is alleged to have spied for the Chinese government.
The group that hosted Swalwell and Russell Lowe, the Feinstein staffer, was led by Christine Fang, who herself is alleged to have worked as a Chinese secret agent from 2011 to 2015.
Fang developed close ties to Swalwell, Axios reported this week. She raised money for his political campaigns and planted an intern in his office.
California Rep. Eric Swalwell, whose contacts with a Chinese spy were revealed this week, spoke at a same event in 2013 as another alleged Chinese agent who worked for decades for California Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The event was hosted by the group led by Christine Fang, a Chinese national whose relationship with Swalwell was the subject of a report published this week by Axios. There is no indication of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part.
The California State University, East Bay Chinese Student Association hosted both Swalwell and Russell Lowe, who then worked for Feinstein, at an event to commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year on Feb. 9, 2013, according to the group’s Facebook page.
Photos from the event show Swalwell and Lowe speaking to a group of dozens of students at the event. The photo of Lowe shows him holding what appears to be a letter that Feinstein wrote to the student group for its celebration.
The association posted a photo of the letter from Feinstein on its Facebook page.
Swalwell posted a photo of himself at the event on his Twitter account.
Swalwell’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he knows Lowe.
Politico reported in 2018 that a staffer for Feinstein had for years provided political intelligence to Chinese officials. He operated at the direction of officials in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, according to Politico.
Feinstein, who is a longtime member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a statement at the time saying that the FBI had briefed her about the staffer. She said that the employee did not have access to any classified information, and that he left her employ after the FBI briefing.
Lowe was described as a driver for Feinstein, but he was also a liaison between her office and the Asian-American community in the Bay area. He attended functions at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, which has long been known as a hotbed of Chinese spy activity.
The Daily Caller News Foundation identified Lowe in 2018 as the likely Chinese agent working in Feinstein’s office.
A photo in the DCNF story shows Lowe at an event hosted by the Chinese Student Association on Sept. 22, 2011, along with an unidentified woman and an official seemingly affiliated with the Chinese consulate.
Lowe attended a farewell party for Consul General Gao Zhansheng on March 12, 2013, according to the consulate’s website.
It is unclear whether Lowe and Fang were aware of the others’ alleged work for the Chinese government.
U.S. intelligence officials told Axios that Fang worked covertly for China’s Ministry of State Security, its main spy service, from 2011 to 2015. Feinstein’s staffer worked on behalf of the same spy service, Politico reported.
Fang cozied up to multiple California politicos, including Swalwell, Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Judy Chu, according to Axios.
Fang first met Swalwell when he served on the city council in Dublin, California.
According to Axios, she raised money for Swalwell’s congressional reelection campaign in 2014 and placed an intern in his congressional office.
Swalwell was briefed by the FBI about Fang’s undercover activity in 2015. He said he cut off all contact with her after the briefing. Fang skipped the country in mid-2015.
Swalwell has refused to discuss the extent of his relationship with Fang, who Axios reported had romantic affairs with the mayors of two cities in the Midwest.
Swalwell initially said he could not talk about the matter because some of the details remain classified. In interviews with Politico and CNN, he accused the Trump administration of leaking derogatory information about him because he is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
Feinstein’s office did not respond to request for comment. A non-profit group that Lowe co-founded in San Francisco after leaving Feinstein’s office also did not respond to an email seeking comment.


truepundit--2020-12-14--VP-elect Kamala Harris’ sister pushing for husband to be named attorney general: report

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ’ sister participated in discussions with Democratic allies about getting her husband nominated for attorney general @ @ @ @ @ House .
According to a report in Politico , Maya Harris has allegedly worked behind @ @ @ @ @ her husband , Tony West , to get the nomination for attorney general .
West @ @ @ @ @ at Uber and former U.S. associate attorney general in the Obama administration .
While West @ @ @ @ @ , his connections to the vice president-elect through marriage and his role at Uber – @ @ @ @ @ of legal problems – has also compromised his chances of getting the nod from Biden @ @ @ @ @ civil rights attorney , endorsed West in an op-ed for USA Today .
Crump represents @ @ @ @ @ , who died in police custody , and Breonna Taylor , who was shot and @ @ @ @ @ officer during a raid on her apartment.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine @ @ @

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ sister participated in discussions with Democratic allies about getting her husband nominated for attorney general in the incoming Biden White House.
According to a report in Politico, Maya Harris has allegedly worked behind the scenes to lobby for her husband, Tony West, to get the nomination for attorney general. West is the chief legal officer at Uber and former U.S. associate attorney general in the Obama administration.
While West has been on the radar, his connections to the vice president-elect through marriage and his role at Uber – which has faced a host of legal problems – has also compromised his chances of getting the nod from Biden.
Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney, endorsed West in an op-ed for USA Today. Crump represents the families of George Floyd, who died in police custody, and Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by a Louisville police officer during a raid on her apartment.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--AIRASIA CEO: ASIAN NATIONS “WON’T LET ANYONE IN WITHOUT A VACCINATION”

Yet another airline boss has said that it is fully expected that vaccination against coronavirus will become mandatory in order to travel .
AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes told an aviation conference Wednesday that Asian countries may soon demand that anyone crossing their borders has received a Covid-19 jab .
“ I foresee in Asia , anyway , I think they won ’ t let anyone in without a vaccination , ” Fernandes said at the CAPA Centre for Aviation event .
“ It ’ s not up to the airlines to decide , ” he added , explaining that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ ll be the country that ’ ll decide if they will allow people to come in if they are not vaccinated.
” Fernandes ’ comments echo those of Todd Handcock , the Asia Pacific president of Collinson Group , which owns Priority Pass airport lounges .
Handcock said recently that “ We believe that vaccinations will be required for entry to many countries in the future .
And for a period of time , parallel requirements of ( being ) vaccinated or pre-flight negative tests.
” – READ MORE Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ --

Yet another airline boss has said that it is fully expected that vaccination against coronavirus will become mandatory in order to travel.
AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes told an aviation conference Wednesday that Asian countries may soon demand that anyone crossing their borders has received a Covid-19 jab.
“I foresee in Asia, anyway, I think they won’t let anyone in without a vaccination,” Fernandes said at the CAPA Centre for Aviation event. “It’s not up to the airlines to decide,” he added, explaining that “It’s for governments to decide. It’ll be the country that’ll decide if they will allow people to come in if they are not vaccinated.”
Fernandes’ comments echo those of Todd Handcock, the Asia Pacific president of Collinson Group, which owns Priority Pass airport lounges.
Handcock said recently that “We believe that vaccinations will be required for entry to many countries in the future. And for a period of time, parallel requirements of (being) vaccinated or pre-flight negative tests.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--PENTAGON ORDERS B-52 FLIGHTS TO DETER IRAN IN ‘SHOW-OF-FORCE’ MISSION

The Pentagon ordered two B-52 bombers to conduct a 36-hour ‘ show-of-force ’ mission in the Persian Gulf on Thursday , which military officials told the New York Times was intended to “ deter Iran and its proxies from carrying out attacks against United States troops in the Middle East ” amid rising tensions .
The massive warplanes embarked on the 36-hour trip from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana – and is unusual in that it ’ s the the second such long-range flight by Air Force bombers near Iranian air space within a month .
The US periodically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East and Asia .
The multinational mission , which included aircraft from Saudi Arabia , Qatar and Bahrain , was routed well outside Iranian air space .
The American warplanes were in the broader gulf region for about two hours before returning home , officials said .
Two other B-52s from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota conducted the same type of long-range mission in the area on Nov. 21 .
The flight on Thursday comes on the heels of the assassination last month of Iran ’ s top nuclear scientist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel with possible American complicity .
The bomber missions also come just weeks before the anniversary of the American drone strike in January that killed a senior Iranian commander , Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani , in Iraq .
Iran has vowed to avenge both deaths .
–New York Times “ Potential adversaries should understand that no nation on earth is more ready and capable of rapidly deploying additional combat power in the face of any aggression , ” said Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. , head of the US military ’ s Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding “ The ability to fly strategic bombers halfway across the world in a nonstop mission , and to rapidly integrate them with multiple regional partners , demonstrates our close working relationships and our shared commitment to regional security and stability.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The Pentagon ordered two B-52 bombers to conduct a 36-hour ‘show-of-force’ mission in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, which military officials told the New York Times was intended to “deter Iran and its proxies from carrying out attacks against United States troops in the Middle East” amid rising tensions.
The massive warplanes embarked on the 36-hour trip from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana – and is unusual in that it’s the the second such long-range flight by Air Force bombers near Iranian air space within a month. The US periodically conducts ‘show-of-force’ flights to the Middle East and Asia.
The multinational mission, which included aircraft from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, was routed well outside Iranian air space. The American warplanes were in the broader gulf region for about two hours before returning home, officials said. Two other B-52s from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota conducted the same type of long-range mission in the area on Nov. 21. The flight on Thursday comes on the heels of the assassination last month of Iran’s top nuclear scientist, an attack Iran has blamed on Israel with possible American complicity. The bomber missions also come just weeks before the anniversary of the American drone strike in January that killed a senior Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, in Iraq. Iran has vowed to avenge both deaths. –New York Times
“Potential adversaries should understand that no nation on earth is more ready and capable of rapidly deploying additional combat power in the face of any aggression,” said Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., head of the US military’s Central Command, in a Thursday statement, adding “The ability to fly strategic bombers halfway across the world in a nonstop mission, and to rapidly integrate them with multiple regional partners, demonstrates our close working relationships and our shared commitment to regional security and stability.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani bashes male Trump supporters, says ‘traditional masculinity is a dis

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani bashes male Trump supporters, says ‘traditional masculinity is a disease’

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani drew thousands of responses on Twitter after declaring that “ traditional masculinity is a disease.
” @ @ @ @ @ seen as inflammatory by many , was a response to a tweet regarding President Donald @ @ @ @ @ men in the 2020 election .
Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux , a senior writer at FiveThirtyEight , @ @ @ @ @ in a tweet captioned : “ Why did so many men stick with Trump in @ @ @ @ @ may have given him a way to reach more masculine men .
Many of those @ @ @ @ @ s ‘ shrug it off ’ approach.
” Nanjiani retweeted the post about men who @ @ @ @ @ his own commentary that appeared to be an insult to male Trump supporters .
The @ @ @ @ @ masculinity is a disease.
” Nanjiani did not expound on his belief that “ traditional @ @ @ @ @ The vague statement was immediately met with a wave of backlash .
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Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani drew thousands of responses on Twitter after declaring that “traditional masculinity is a disease.” The critique, which was seen as inflammatory by many, was a response to a tweet regarding President Donald Trump’s popularity with men in the 2020 election.
Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux, a senior writer at FiveThirtyEight, promoted one of her articles in a tweet captioned: “Why did so many men stick with Trump in 2020? The COVID-19 pandemic may have given him a way to reach more masculine men. Many of those men actually liked Trump’s ‘shrug it off’ approach.”
Nanjiani retweeted the post about men who voted for Trump and added his own commentary that appeared to be an insult to male Trump supporters. The tweet read, “Traditional masculinity is a disease.”
Traditional masculinity is a disease. https://t.co/viSNNE9iah — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) December 9, 2020
Nanjiani did not expound on his belief that “traditional masculinity is a disease.”
The vague statement was immediately met with a wave of backlash. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--New York Democrats Weigh Higher Taxes, Legalizing Weed And Sports Betting As City Deficit Explodes

New York State Democrats are considering raising taxes and legalizing marijuana as ways to overcome a budget that is projected to experience a deficit in the “ billions , ” according to a report .
The liberal legislators mulled raising taxes and decriminalizing cannabis as well as sports betting to recoup lost money during the coronavirus pandemic in a Wednesday meeting , the New York Post reported .
Democratic Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto said his state is “ going to be billions of dollars short ” for the 2021-2022 fiscal year , according to the Post .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise money , it was discussed today , ” Benedetto told The Post .
“ Everything was discussed at great length .
It was a very sober meeting .
There ’ s going to be more sober meetings .
It ’ s heavy stuff.
” Lawmakers considered raising income tax rates on billionaires and millionaires in addition to imposing a possible tax on stocks and second homes , according to the Post .
The New York chapter of Democratic Socialists of America is also engaging in a phone campaign to sway public opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as opposed to the alternative of slashing funding from education and other public welfare services , the Post reported .
Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in a Wednesday press briefing warned of tax increases and government employee layoffs if the federal government does not come through with a stimulus package .
“ If we do not get federal funding , the consequences are going to be devastating to this state , and the families and governments within the state , ” Cuomo said , according to the Post .
“ You can see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless the federal government is truly responsible and accountable , and really gives New York the funding it deserves.
” “ You ’ ll see tax increases….you could see dramatic tax increases that would hurt families and hurt the economy.
” The governor has also indicated a willingness to legalize marijuana as a possible source of revenue for the state , the Post reported .

New York State Democrats are considering raising taxes and legalizing marijuana as ways to overcome a budget that is projected to experience a deficit in the “billions,” according to a report.
The liberal legislators mulled raising taxes and decriminalizing cannabis as well as sports betting to recoup lost money during the coronavirus pandemic in a Wednesday meeting, the New York Post reported. Democratic Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto said his state is “going to be billions of dollars short” for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to the Post. “
“If there was an idea to raise money, it was discussed today,” Benedetto told The Post. “Everything was discussed at great length. It was a very sober meeting. There’s going to be more sober meetings. It’s heavy stuff.”
Lawmakers considered raising income tax rates on billionaires and millionaires in addition to imposing a possible tax on stocks and second homes, according to the Post. The New York chapter of Democratic Socialists of America is also engaging in a phone campaign to sway public opinion in favor of the tax hikes, as opposed to the alternative of slashing funding from education and other public welfare services, the Post reported.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a Wednesday press briefing warned of tax increases and government employee layoffs if the federal government does not come through with a stimulus package.
“If we do not get federal funding, the consequences are going to be devastating to this state, and the families and governments within the state,” Cuomo said, according to the Post. “You can see the layoff of several thousand government workers unless the federal government is truly responsible and accountable, and really gives New York the funding it deserves.”
“You’ll see tax increases….you could see dramatic tax increases that would hurt families and hurt the economy.”
The governor has also indicated a willingness to legalize marijuana as a possible source of revenue for the state, the Post reported.


truepundit--2020-12-14--Pelosi Says GOP Is Focused On Swalwell’s Interactions With Chinese Spy To Distract From QAnon

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed California Rep. Eric Swalwell Thursday in response to revelations of his interactions with an alleged Chinese spy , accusing the GOP of harping on the issue to distract from QAnon .
“ I don ’ t have any concern about Mr. Swalwell , ” Pelosi told reporters during her weekly press conference Thursday morning .
“ I do think that it is unfortunate that McCarthy is trying to make an issue of this .
But you know what he ’ s trying to do , he ’ s trying to deflect attention from the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over there , ” Pelosi added , referring to several incoming GOP lawmakers who have previously supported the baseless conspiracy theory .
McCarthy called for Swalwell to lose his seat on the House Intelligence Committee after Axios reported that Christina Fang , an alleged Chinese spy , met Swalwell when he was a city council member in California and stayed in contact with him after he was elected to Congress .
“ He is jeopardizing national security , ” McCarty said Thursday on Fox News .
“ When did Nancy Pelosi know of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Committee ?
” Fang allegedly helped fundraise for Swalwell ’ s 2014 reelection campaign and was helping place an intern in his office , Axios reported Tuesday .
Swalwell said he cut off all contact with Fang once alerted by the FBI , and has not been accused of any illegal wrongdoing .
Republicans criticized Swalwell ’ s past connection to Fang given the lawmaker ’ s consistent criticism of President Donald Trump and during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election , which found that the president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian government .
“ It was all Russia , Russia , Russia , ” said Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup Thursday on Fox News .
“ He showed no concern about China , which if he went through an event of some type then he should be greatly concerned about China , and we didn ’ t hear from him on that.
” “ Oh my gosh , talk about karma , ” said Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart on Fox News .
“ If this doesn ’ t show that God has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Swalwell responded , insisting that the Republican attacks are in response to his frequent criticism of Trump .
“ To do that against a critic of the president , they may think they ’ re going to silence me , ” Swalwell said Wednesday on CNN .
“ They are not going to silence me , but what they are going to do is they are going to make others think twice when they are asked to sit down and provide defensive information about people like this .
”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed California Rep. Eric Swalwell Thursday in response to revelations of his interactions with an alleged Chinese spy, accusing the GOP of harping on the issue to distract from QAnon.
“I don’t have any concern about Mr. Swalwell,” Pelosi told reporters during her weekly press conference Thursday morning.
“I do think that it is unfortunate that [House Minority Leader Kevin] McCarthy is trying to make an issue of this. But you know what he’s trying to do, he’s trying to deflect attention from the fact that he has QAnon in his delegation over there,” Pelosi added, referring to several incoming GOP lawmakers who have previously supported the baseless conspiracy theory.
Pelosi says Kevin McCarthy is focusing on Swalwell’s interaction with the suspected Chinese spy bc he “has Qanon in his delegation over there. That I think is a danger in terms of our debate here about what the possibilities are for undue influence to members of Congress.” pic.twitter.com/7cuQWcAz1J — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) December 10, 2020
McCarthy called for Swalwell to lose his seat on the House Intelligence Committee after Axios reported that Christina Fang, an alleged Chinese spy, met Swalwell when he was a city council member in California and stayed in contact with him after he was elected to Congress.
“He is jeopardizing national security,” McCarty said Thursday on Fox News. “When did Nancy Pelosi know of this and why did she maintain him on the [Intelligence] Committee?”
Rep. Swalwell has long been disqualified from serving on the Intel Committee. For years he peddled Russian disinformation for political gain. Now we find out he was involved in an effort by a reported spy to gather info for China. Swalwell is a national security liability. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 8, 2020
Fang allegedly helped fundraise for Swalwell’s 2014 reelection campaign and was helping place an intern in his office, Axios reported Tuesday.
Swalwell said he cut off all contact with Fang once alerted by the FBI, and has not been accused of any illegal wrongdoing.
Republicans criticized Swalwell’s past connection to Fang given the lawmaker’s consistent criticism of President Donald Trump and during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, which found that the president and his campaign did not collude with the Russian government.
“It was all Russia, Russia, Russia,” said Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup Thursday on Fox News. “He showed no concern about China, which if he went through an event of some type then he should be greatly concerned about China, and we didn’t hear from him on that.”
“Oh my gosh, talk about karma,” said Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart on Fox News. “If this doesn’t show that God has a sense of humor, what else does?”
Swalwell responded, insisting that the Republican attacks are in response to his frequent criticism of Trump.
“To do that against a critic of the president, they may think they’re going to silence me,” Swalwell said Wednesday on CNN. “They are not going to silence me, but what they are going to do is they are going to make others think twice when they are asked to sit down and provide defensive information about people like this.”


truepundit--2020-12-14--CANADIAN HEALTH MINISTRY EXPLORING “IMMUNITY PASSPORTS”, VACCINE “TRACKING AND SURVEILLANCE”

The Health Minister of Ontario in Canada has stoked controversy by suggesting that people who do not take the coronavirus vaccine will face restrictions on where they can travel and spend time .
When asked by reporters about how the government intends to go about convincing people to get the vaccine , Health Minister Christine Elliott warned that those who refuse it will face difficulties reintegrating into society .
“ That ’ s their choice , this is not going to be a mandatory campaign .
It will be voluntary , ” Elliot said , but adding that “ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed on people that don ’ t have vaccines for travel purposes , to be able to go to theatres and other places.
” When another reporter asked if the government would be introducing ‘ immunity passports ’ , or proof of vaccination cards , Elliot said “ Yes , because that ’ s going to be really important for people to have for travel purposes , perhaps for work purposes , for going to theatres or cinemas or any other places where people will be in closer physical contact.
” Following up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toronto Sun spoke to her press secretary , who confirmed that the government is exploring several options for vaccine “ tracking and surveillance.
” “ This includes exploring developing tech-based solutions while also providing for alternative options to ensure equitable access to any potential ‘ immunity passport , ’ ” Alexandra Hilkene said.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The Health Minister of Ontario in Canada has stoked controversy by suggesting that people who do not take the coronavirus vaccine will face restrictions on where they can travel and spend time.
When asked by reporters about how the government intends to go about convincing people to get the vaccine, Health Minister Christine Elliott warned that those who refuse it will face difficulties reintegrating into society.
“That’s their choice, this is not going to be a mandatory campaign. It will be voluntary,” Elliot said, but adding that “There may be some restrictions that may be placed on people that don’t have vaccines for travel purposes, to be able to go to theatres and other places.”
When another reporter asked if the government would be introducing ‘immunity passports’, or proof of vaccination cards, Elliot said “Yes, because that’s going to be really important for people to have for travel purposes, perhaps for work purposes, for going to theatres or cinemas or any other places where people will be in closer physical contact.”
Proof of vaccination will be “essential for people to have” – Health Minister, Christine Elliott pic.twitter.com/F40QhdwynM — CrasHTalk (@CrasTalk) December 9, 2020
1/Ontario Health Minister @celliottability: “If people choose not to get the vaccine they may not be able to do certain things, but that will be their choice”@fordnation govt is HIGHLY unethical/unlawful—violating Nuremberg Code in UN’s international lawpic.twitter.com/K1F1hZzJMs — Your Ontario Doctors (@OnCall4ON) December 7, 2020
Following up on Elliot’s comments, The Toronto Sun spoke to her press secretary, who confirmed that the government is exploring several options for vaccine “tracking and surveillance.”
“This includes exploring developing tech-based solutions while also providing for alternative options to ensure equitable access to any potential ‘immunity passport,’” Alexandra Hilkene said.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--Social Justice Bowl?: Ad Agency Predicts ‘Black Lives Matter’ Theme for Super Bowl LV

TV advertisers may be preparing to turn the NFL ’ s biggest game into the “ Social Justice Bowl ” with hours of woke commercials and messaging .
If reports on the ads coming for Super Bowl LV are to be believed , the funny and heartwarming ads , the cute kids and heroic animals will be running alongside Black Lives Matter themes .
Along with social justice activism , advertisers may be preparing commercials filled with coronavirus messaging as well , according to Front Office Sports .
Bill Oberlander , the co-founder of the social justice ad agency OBERLAND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ duck ” racial , social , and political issues .
“ It ’ s going to be ‘ Black Lives Matter , ’ it ’ s going to be COVID .
It ’ s going to be coming together , ” Oberlander said of the coming commercial onslaught .
Oberlander cited a recent Apple Beats ad entitled , You Love Me , featuring tennis champ Naomi Osaka and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace .
In which sports celebrities suggest that America loves black performers , athletes , and culture , but not necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what Oberlander thinks will fill the airwaves between plays for Super Bowl LV.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

TV advertisers may be preparing to turn the NFL’s biggest game into the “Social Justice Bowl” with hours of woke commercials and messaging.
If reports on the ads coming for Super Bowl LV are to be believed, the funny and heartwarming ads, the cute kids and heroic animals will be running alongside Black Lives Matter themes.
Along with social justice activism, advertisers may be preparing commercials filled with coronavirus messaging as well, according to Front Office Sports.
Bill Oberlander, the co-founder of the social justice ad agency OBERLAND, insisted that marketers can no longer “duck” racial, social, and political issues.
“It’s going to be ‘Black Lives Matter,’ it’s going to be COVID. It’s going to be [about] coming together,” Oberlander said of the coming commercial onslaught.
Oberlander cited a recent Apple Beats ad entitled, You Love Me, featuring tennis champ Naomi Osaka and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. In which sports celebrities suggest that America loves black performers, athletes, and culture, but not necessarily black people. This sort of activism is what Oberlander thinks will fill the airwaves between plays for Super Bowl LV.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--Chinese Media: Biden Will Stop U.S. Allies from Confronting Beijing

A Joe Biden White House will be happy to intercede on Bejing ’ s behalf and silence criticism of the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) by U.S. allies , an official China state media outlet claimed Monday .
Pointing to the lack of reaction from the Biden camp to China ’ s continued excoriation of long-term U.S. allies like Australia , an op-ed in the CCP mouthpiece Global Times asserted the silence is indicative of Biden compliance because “ there is no legitimate reason for Biden to back up Australia ’ s condemnation against China.
” The piece asserts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Australia to tone down its opposition to Beijing in the Indo-Pacific by simply calling for it to obey orders .
It said : Many observers tend to believe that the Biden administration will to some extent ease tensions with China in the future .
If so , Australia , the current anti-China pioneer , will very likely find itself in a predicament while laying bare its strategic misjudgments .
If Biden adjusts US ’ China policy , this will force Canberra to reflect and change its previous calculations with Beijing .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-China relations under a Joe Biden administration will be marked by “ the normal track of ties with China ” marked by non-confrontation – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A Joe Biden White House will be happy to intercede on Bejing’s behalf and silence criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by U.S. allies, an official China state media outlet claimed Monday.
Pointing to the lack of reaction from the Biden camp to China’s continued excoriation of long-term U.S. allies like Australia, an op-ed in the CCP mouthpiece Global Times asserted the silence is indicative of Biden compliance because “there is no legitimate reason for Biden to back up Australia’s condemnation against China.”
The piece asserts Biden will be able to apply pressure on Australia to tone down its opposition to Beijing in the Indo-Pacific by simply calling for it to obey orders. It said:
Many observers tend to believe that the Biden administration will to some extent ease tensions with China in the future. If so, Australia, the current anti-China pioneer, will very likely find itself in a predicament while laying bare its strategic misjudgments. If Biden adjusts US’ China policy, this will force Canberra to reflect and change its previous calculations with Beijing.
It goes on to outline the future of U.S.-China relations under a Joe Biden administration will be marked by “the normal track of ties with China” marked by non-confrontation – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--Schumer, Pelosi Shoot Down Trump Covid Relief Bill That Includes $600 Checks For Americans

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have rejected the White House ’ s $ 916 billion COVID-19 stimulus package plan , which included $ 600 direct payments to millions of Americans , citing an “ unacceptable ” reduction in unemployment insurance funds .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) had reportedly informed the Trump administration on Tuesday that they support the $ 600 checks .
“ While it is progress that Leader McConnell has signed off on a $ 916 billion offer that is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan congressional talks that are underway , ” the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement .
“ Members of the House and Senate have been engaged in good-faith negotiations and continue to make progress .
The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution , ” the leaders added .
“ The President ’ s proposal starts by cutting the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by bipartisan members of the House and Senate from $ 180 billion to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have rejected the White House’s $916 billion COVID-19 stimulus package plan, which included $600 direct payments to millions of Americans, citing an “unacceptable” reduction in unemployment insurance funds.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had reportedly informed the Trump administration on Tuesday that they support the $600 checks.
“While it is progress that [GOP] Leader [Mitch] McConnell has signed off on a $916 billion offer that is based off of the bipartisan framework, the president’s proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan congressional talks that are underway,” the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement.
“Members of the House and Senate have been engaged in good-faith negotiations and continue to make progress. The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution,” the leaders added. “The President’s proposal starts by cutting the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by bipartisan members of the House and Senate from $180 billion to $40 billion. That is unacceptable.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-14--Report: Schumer Had to Tell Feinstein to Step Down Twice—She Forgot the First Time

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) had to tell Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D. , Calif. @ @ @ @ @ as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee because she forgot about the first @ @ @ @ @ claims .
The 87-year-old senator “ wasn ’ t really all that aware of the @ @ @ @ @ d been compromised ” as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee , a source @ @ @ @ @ Schumer had to confront Feinstein twice about stepping down in a “ distressing ” conversation @ @ @ @ @ first conversation .
“ It was like Groundhog Day , but with the pain fresh @ @ @ @ @ source said .
The report also said Feinstein has issues with short-term memory , frequently @ @ @ @ @ staff and becoming upset when she gets confused by briefings .
One source compared the @ @ @ @ @ keys from an elderly relative .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine @ @ @

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) had to tell Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) twice to step down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee because she forgot about the first conversation, a new report claims.
The 87-year-old senator “wasn’t really all that aware of the extent to which she’d been compromised” as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, a source told the New Yorker. Schumer had to confront Feinstein twice about stepping down in a “distressing” conversation after she forgot about the first conversation. “It was like Groundhog Day, but with the pain fresh each time,” the source said.
The report also said Feinstein has issues with short-term memory, frequently forgetting briefings she receives from staff and becoming upset when she gets confused by briefings. One source compared the situation to taking away car keys from an elderly relative. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --