truepundit--2020-12-15--President Trump Claims He Will ‘Declassify Everything’ Over Democrat ‘Lying’ And ‘Treason’

President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday that he intends to “ declassify everything , ” over his own apparent concern that the Department of Justice and Attorney General William Barr withheld information about an ongoing DOJ investigation into Hunter Biden , the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Hunter Biden acknowledged this week that he is under investigation over questions about his tax returns and possible unreported income from Ukrainian oil and gas firm , Burisma .
As The Daily Wire noted late last week , further information seems to have emerged creating questions about Hunter Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
“ In addition to Delaware , the securities fraud unit in the Southern District of New York also scrutinized Hunter Biden ’ s finances , according to the person with direct knowledge of the investigation , ” Politico reported .
“ The person said that , as of early last year , investigators in Delaware and Washington were also probing potential money laundering and Hunter Biden ’ s foreign ties.
” On Friday , The Wall Street Journal reported , tensions bubbled over in the White House , following news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr knew of the investigation into Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings before the presidential election but did not make it public — a decision , the president felt , cost him support and may have cost him the election.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday that he intends to “declassify everything,” over his own apparent concern that the Department of Justice and Attorney General William Barr withheld information about an ongoing DOJ investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Hunter Biden acknowledged this week that he is under investigation over questions about his tax returns and possible unreported income from Ukrainian oil and gas firm, Burisma. As The Daily Wire noted late last week, further information seems to have emerged creating questions about Hunter Biden’s foreign dealings, including a possible entanglement in China.
“In addition to Delaware, the securities fraud unit in the Southern District of New York also scrutinized Hunter Biden’s finances, according to the person with direct knowledge of the investigation,” Politico reported. “The person said that, as of early last year, investigators in Delaware and Washington were also probing potential money laundering and Hunter Biden’s foreign ties.”
On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported, tensions bubbled over in the White House, following news that Trump’s Attorney General William Barr knew of the investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings before the presidential election but did not make it public — a decision, the president felt, cost him support and may have cost him the election.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--48% Of US Small Businesses Fear That They May Be Forced To “Shut Down Permanently” Soon

What would the United States look like if we lost half of our small businesses ?
The reason I ask that question is because approximately half of all small business owners in the entire country believe that they may soon be forced to close down for good .
Not even during the Great Depression of the 1930s did we see anything like this .
The big corporate giants with extremely deep pockets will be able to easily weather another round of lockdowns , but for countless small businesses this is literally a matter of life and death .
Every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somewhere in the nation , and the politicians that are doing this are killing the hopes and dreams of countless small business owners .
According to a recent Alignable survey , 48 percent of U.S. small business owners fear that they could be forced to “ shut down permanently ” in the very near future… Based on this week ’ s Alignable Q4 Revenue Poll of 9,201 small business owners , 48 % could shut down permanently before year ’ s end .
In fact , this number jumped from 42 % just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors have converged to devastate small businesses : COVID resurgences , forced government reclosures , elevated customer fears , and a surge in online shopping at Amazon and other national ecommerce giants .
When a small business with only a few employees closes down forever , it never makes any national headlines .
But the truth is that small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy , and we are losing more of them with each passing day.– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

What would the United States look like if we lost half of our small businesses? The reason I ask that question is because approximately half of all small business owners in the entire country believe that they may soon be forced to close down for good. Not even during the Great Depression of the 1930s did we see anything like this. The big corporate giants with extremely deep pockets will be able to easily weather another round of lockdowns, but for countless small businesses this is literally a matter of life and death. Every day we are seeing new restrictions being implemented somewhere in the nation, and the politicians that are doing this are killing the hopes and dreams of countless small business owners.
According to a recent Alignable survey, 48 percent of U.S. small business owners fear that they could be forced to “shut down permanently” in the very near future…
Based on this week’s Alignable Q4 Revenue Poll of 9,201 small business owners, 48% could shut down permanently before year’s end. In fact, this number jumped from 42% just two months ago, demonstrating how several factors have converged to devastate small businesses: COVID resurgences, forced government reclosures, elevated customer fears, and a surge in online shopping at Amazon and other national ecommerce giants.
When a small business with only a few employees closes down forever, it never makes any national headlines.
But the truth is that small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy, and we are losing more of them with each passing day.– READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Warnock: U.S. Senators ‘Gangsters and Thugs’ Who Aimed to ‘Kill Children’

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock described members of the U.S. Senate as “ gangsters and thugs ” whose votes for a 2017 tax cut exposed their willingness to “ kill children.
” The remarks , which have not previously been reported , may provide another opening for Warnock ’ s Republican opponent , Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who has worked to portray him as a “ radical liberal.
” Warnock , a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , has come under fire for other controversial statements , including his praise for Rev .
Jeremiah Wright ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his condemnation of Israel , which he likened to apartheid South Africa , and his claim that “ America needs to repent for its worship of whiteness.
” In the December 2017 sermon , Warnock slammed members of the Senate for passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 .
The tax reform legislation—which reduced tax liability for low- and middle-class Americans last year , according to IRS data—was approved by Congress in December 2017 without a single Democratic vote .
“ While others were sleeping , members of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and evil attack on the most vulnerable people in America , ” said Warnock .
“ Herod is on the loose .
Herod is a cynical politician , who ’ s willing to kill children and kill the children ’ s health program in order to preserve his own wealth and his own power.
” Herod the Great was the Judean king who attempted to kill the infant Jesus by ordering the mass slaughter of Jewish babies in Bethlehem , according to the New Testament .
Warnock continued , “ On Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slim majority to pick the pockets of the poor , the sick , the old , and the yet unborn in order to line the pockets of the ultra-rich .
Don ’ t tell me about gangsters and thugs on the streets , there are more gangsters and thugs in Washington , D.C. , in the Capitol than there are—a bunch of them.– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock described members of the U.S. Senate as “gangsters and thugs” whose votes for a 2017 tax cut exposed their willingness to “kill children.”
The remarks, which have not previously been reported, may provide another opening for Warnock’s Republican opponent, Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who has worked to portray him as a “radical liberal.” Warnock, a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, has come under fire for other controversial statements, including his praise for Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s “God Damn America” speech, his condemnation of Israel, which he likened to apartheid South Africa, and his claim that “America needs to repent for its worship of whiteness.”
In the December 2017 sermon, Warnock slammed members of the Senate for passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The tax reform legislation—which reduced tax liability for low- and middle-class Americans last year, according to IRS data—was approved by Congress in December 2017 without a single Democratic vote.
“While others were sleeping, members of the United States Senate declared war, launched a vicious and evil attack on the most vulnerable people in America,” said Warnock. “Herod is on the loose. Herod is a cynical politician, who’s willing to kill children and kill the children’s health program in order to preserve his own wealth and his own power.”
Herod the Great was the Judean king who attempted to kill the infant Jesus by ordering the mass slaughter of Jewish babies in Bethlehem, according to the New Testament.
Warnock continued, “On Friday night, the United States Senate decided by a slim majority to pick the pockets of the poor, the sick, the old, and the yet unborn in order to line the pockets of the ultra-rich. Don’t tell me about gangsters and thugs on the streets, there are more gangsters and thugs in Washington, D.C., in the Capitol than there are—a bunch of them.– READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--“Hillary Hates Him & Biden Calls Him A Terrorist” – Aussie MP Urges Trump To Pardon Assange

Nationals MP George Christensen has joined the growing chorus of activists calling for President Trump to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves the White House .
Assange is currently being held in London ’ s Belmarsh prison , awaiting a decision on his extradition case to the US .
On Saturday , in an interview with Sky News Australia , Christensen told Sky News host Brent O ’ Halloran that Assange “ has been a target of the Democrats , adding that “ Hillary Clinton hates his guts , obviously , for exposing who the real Hillary was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war on Assange by the Democrats and the deep state.
” He told O ’ Halloran that president-elect Joe Biden has called Assange a criminal and a “ hi-tech terrorist.
” Christensen argues that a pardon for the WikiLeaks founder “ is one way which he can stand up for free speech.
” He said it would irritate the Democratic establishment and would “ poke the deep state in the eye.
” Christensen concluded by calling the US “ one of the greatest nations in the democratic world ” and that “ great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Constitution is free speech and freedom of the press.
” - READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Nationals MP George Christensen has joined the growing chorus of activists calling for President Trump to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves the White House.
Assange is currently being held in London’s Belmarsh prison, awaiting a decision on his extradition case to the US.
On Saturday, in an interview with Sky News Australia, Christensen told Sky News host Brent O’Halloran that Assange “has been a target of the Democrats, adding that “Hillary Clinton hates his guts, obviously, for exposing who the real Hillary was, and you’ve had a war on Assange by the Democrats and the deep state.”
He told O’Halloran that president-elect Joe Biden has called Assange a criminal and a “hi-tech terrorist.”
Christensen argues that a pardon for the WikiLeaks founder “is one way which he can stand up for free speech.” He said it would irritate the Democratic establishment and would “poke the deep state in the eye.”
Christensen concluded by calling the US “one of the greatest nations in the democratic world” and that “great document of democracy that is the United States Constitution is free speech and freedom of the press.”- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Hunter Biden email shows $400G unreported income from Burisma, states he needs to ‘amend’ tax return

Hunter Biden email shows $400G unreported income from Burisma, states he needs to ‘amend’ tax returns

Hunter Biden did not report “ approximately $ 400,000 ” in income he collected from his position on the board of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings when he joined in 2014 , according to an attorney for his firm who noted that his tax returns needed to be amended , a new email obtained by Fox News shows .
The memo dated Jan. 16 , 2017 , one of multiple new emails obtained by Fox News , detailed President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son ’ s income for the years 2013 through 2015 for tax purposes .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under federal investigation for his “ tax affairs.
” The email , which was first reported by NBC News , was sent to Hunter Biden from Eric Scherwin , who at the time served as president of Rosemont Seneca .
Fox News could not verify its authenticity ; neither Scherwin nor Hunter Biden attorney George Mesires immediately responded to Fox News ’ requests for comment .
“ In 2014 , you joined the Burisma board and we still need to amend your 2014 returns to reflect the unreported Burisma income , ” Scherwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is approximately $ 400,000 extra so your income in 2014 was closer to $ 1,247,328.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Hunter Biden did not report “approximately $400,000” in income he collected from his position on the board of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings when he joined in 2014, according to an attorney for his firm who noted that his tax returns needed to be amended, a new email obtained by Fox News shows.
The memo dated Jan. 16, 2017, one of multiple new emails obtained by Fox News, detailed President-elect Joe Biden’s son’s income for the years 2013 through 2015 for tax purposes.
Biden, last week, confirmed that he was under federal investigation for his “tax affairs.”
The email, which was first reported by NBC News, was sent to Hunter Biden from Eric Scherwin, who at the time served as president of Rosemont Seneca. Fox News could not verify its authenticity; neither Scherwin nor Hunter Biden attorney George Mesires immediately responded to Fox News’ requests for comment.
“In 2014, you joined the Burisma board and we still need to amend your 2014 returns to reflect the unreported Burisma income,” Scherwin wrote to Hunter Biden. “That is approximately $400,000 extra so your income in 2014 was closer to $1,247,328.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Joe Biden’s brother is reportedly also being investigated by federal prosecutors

The brother of former Vice President Joe Biden is reportedly being investigated in the same probe looking into allegations of @ @ @ @ @ , Hunter Biden .
A Politico report said Thursday that James Biden was being investigated @ @ @ @ @ Western District of Pennsylvania over his former role in a now-bankrupt company named Americore Health @ @ @ @ @ hospitals managed by the company were raided by the FBI over allegations of gross mismanagement @ @ @ @ @ Biden admitted that he was the subject of a federal investigation but short of describing @ @ @ @ @ his “ tax affairs , ” he offered few details .
“ I take this @ @ @ @ @ am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I @ @ @ @ @ appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors , ” Hunter Biden said @ @ @ @ @ securities fraud unit in the Southern District of New York were also looking into Hunter @ @ @ @ @ READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The brother of former Vice President Joe Biden is reportedly being investigated in the same probe looking into allegations of money laundering against his son, Hunter Biden.
A Politico report said Thursday that James Biden was being investigated by federal officials in the Western District of Pennsylvania over his former role in a now-bankrupt company named Americore Health. In January, two hospitals managed by the company were raided by the FBI over allegations of gross mismanagement.
On Wednesday, Hunter Biden admitted that he was the subject of a federal investigation but short of describing it as a probe into his “tax affairs,” he offered few details.
“I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors,” Hunter Biden said.
Politico reported that the securities fraud unit in the Southern District of New York were also looking into Hunter Biden’s business activities.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Texas GOP Chair Allen West says SCOTUS setback may call for new ‘union’ of ‘law-abiding states’

The leader of the Republican Party in Texas suggested Friday that “ law-abiding states ” might want to form their own “ union , ” after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Lone Star State ’ s lawsuit over the 2020 presidential election , according to reports .
The high court ’ s decision was the latest legal setback in GOP efforts to overturn Nov. 3 results that gave Democrat Joe Biden a victory over President Trump , denying Trump a second four-year term .
Texas asserted it had a right “ to demand that all other States abide by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electors to the electoral college.
” It claimed that other states suffered whenever one state “ violates federal law to affect the outcome of a presidential election.
” But the court dismissed the case based on that issue , according to The Associated Press .
It said that Texas “ has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.
” After the ruling , Allen West , a former Florida congressman who has headed the Texas GOP since July , issued a response .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas lawsuit that was joined by seventeen states and 106 US congressman , decreed that a state can take unconstitutional actions and violate its own election law — resulting in damaging effects on other states that abide by the law , while the guilty state suffers no consequences , ” West wrote , according to KTVT-TV of Dallas-Fort Worth .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The leader of the Republican Party in Texas suggested Friday that “law-abiding states” might want to form their own “union,” after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Lone Star State’s lawsuit over the 2020 presidential election, according to reports.
The high court’s decision was the latest legal setback in GOP efforts to overturn Nov. 3 results that gave Democrat Joe Biden a victory over President Trump, denying Trump a second four-year term.
Texas asserted it had a right “to demand that all other States abide by the constitutionally set rules in appointing presidential electors to the electoral college.” It claimed that other states suffered whenever one state “violates federal law to affect the outcome of a presidential election.”
But the court dismissed the case based on that issue, according to The Associated Press. It said that Texas “has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.”
After the ruling, Allen West, a former Florida congressman who has headed the Texas GOP since July, issued a response.
“The Supreme Court, in tossing the Texas lawsuit that was joined by seventeen states and 106 US congressman, [has] decreed that a state can take unconstitutional actions and violate its own election law — resulting in damaging effects on other states that abide by the law, while the guilty state suffers no consequences,” West wrote, according to KTVT-TV of Dallas-Fort Worth. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Report: W.H.O. Chief Tedros Could Face Genocide Charges

The head of the World Health Organization ( W.H.O . )
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus faces a call for prosecution over his alleged involvement in directing security forces in his Ethiopian homeland .
The Times of London reports an American economist nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize , David Steinman , accused the 55-year-old career bureaucrat of being one of three officials in control of the Ethiopian security services from 2013 to 2015 .
Tedros was the country ’ s health minister from 2005 to 2012 and its foreign minister until 2016 , when his communist Tigray People ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main member of the ruling coalition .
Analysts , reportedly including American government officials , have listed the TPLF in the Global Terrorism Database .
The Times says Steinman , an economist and campaigner nominated for the peace prize last year , lodged the complaint at the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) in The Hague .
He alleged Tedros “ was a crucial decision maker in relation to security service actions that included killing , arbitrarily detaining and torturing Ethiopians.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below @

The head of the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus faces a call for prosecution over his alleged involvement in directing security forces in his Ethiopian homeland.
The Times of London reports an American economist nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, David Steinman, accused the 55-year-old career bureaucrat of being one of three officials in control of the Ethiopian security services from 2013 to 2015.
Tedros was the country’s health minister from 2005 to 2012 and its foreign minister until 2016, when his communist Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was the main member of the ruling coalition.
Analysts, reportedly including American government officials, have listed the TPLF in the Global Terrorism Database.
The Times says Steinman, an economist and campaigner nominated for the peace prize last year, lodged the complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
He alleged Tedros “was a crucial decision maker in relation to security service actions that included killing, arbitrarily detaining and torturing Ethiopians.”– READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Ben & Jerry’s and Colin Kaepernick debut brand-new ice cream flavor to help ‘amplify calls to defund

Ben & Jerry’s and Colin Kaepernick debut brand-new ice cream flavor to help ‘amplify calls to defund and abolish the police’

Vermont-based ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry ’ s has announced that it is releasing a new frozen confection flavor @ @ @ @ @ activist Colin Kaepernick and his work in equality and in eradicating police brutality .
In @ @ @ @ @ the company announced that the new dessert — a non-dairy flavor in an apparent nod @ @ @ @ @ — is called “ Change the Whirled ” and features a caramel sunflower butter base @ @ @ @ @ cracker swirls , and chocolate cookie swirls .
The new flavor , according to the @ @ @ @ @ “ celebrates Kaepernick ’ s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police @ @ @ @ @ people.
” “ Ben & Jerry ’ s believes Kaepernick represents the very best of @ @ @ @ @ his power and platform in the pursuit of equity and justice rooted in a commitment @ @ @ @ @ ” a statement from the company revealed.- READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine @ @ @

Vermont-based ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s has announced that it is releasing a new frozen confection flavor in honor of NFL player-turned activist Colin Kaepernick and his work in equality and in eradicating police brutality.
In a Thursday press release, the company announced that the new dessert — a non-dairy flavor in an apparent nod to Kaepernick’s veganism — is called “Change the Whirled” and features a caramel sunflower butter base with fudge chips, graham cracker swirls, and chocolate cookie swirls.
The new flavor, according to the company’s release, “celebrates Kaepernick’s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against black and brown people.”
“Ben & Jerry’s believes Kaepernick represents the very best of us, willing to use his power and platform in the pursuit of equity and justice rooted in a commitment to love and resistance,” a statement from the company revealed.- READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--“This Is Insane”: NYC Small Businesses Furious At Indoor Dining Ban After Data Shows Restaurants Acc

“This Is Insane”: NYC Small Businesses Furious At Indoor Dining Ban After Data Shows Restaurants Account For Only 1.4% Of Covid Cases

Yesterday , we reported that with in parallel with Andrew Cuomo ’ s decision to once again shut down indoor dining in New York starting Monday , more than half of the city ’ s restaurants are in danger of closing .
Yet as Eater New York reports , many in the New York hospitality industry were dismayed by Cuomo ’ s decision as it followed close on the heels of new state data which showed that restaurants and bars in the state accounted for just 1.4 % of cases over the last three months .
While most were prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , many felt the decision seemed to contradict the data .
By comparison , private and social gatherings accounted for nearly 74 % of COVID- 19 cases tracked by the state between September and the end of November , and the restaurant industry placed fifth overall among the various industries and activities contributing to the spread of the virus .
Some in the industry say that restaurants have undertaken tremendous expense — while facing a revenue downturn due to the pandemic — to fit their indoor spaces with new air filters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor dining ban could encourage people to congregate in other areas including the several illicit , underground parties that have been busted in the last few months .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Yesterday, we reported that with in parallel with Andrew Cuomo’s decision to once again shut down indoor dining in New York starting Monday, more than half of the city’s restaurants are in danger of closing. Yet as Eater New York reports, many in the New York hospitality industry were dismayed by Cuomo’s decision as it followed close on the heels of new state data which showed that restaurants and bars in the state accounted for just 1.4% of cases over the last three months. While most were prepared for the ban to be announced this week, many felt the decision seemed to contradict the data.
By comparison, private and social gatherings accounted for nearly 74% of COVID- 19 cases tracked by the state between September and the end of November, and the restaurant industry placed fifth overall among the various industries and activities contributing to the spread of the virus.
“This is insane,” said Yann de Rochefort, founder of the tapas chain Boqueria. “They are basically shutting down an industry and throwing thousands of people out of work because restaurants were linked to 1.4 percent of cases? It is criminal.”
Some in the industry say that restaurants have undertaken tremendous expense — while facing a revenue downturn due to the pandemic — to fit their indoor spaces with new air filters and other safety equipment, and that an indoor dining ban could encourage people to congregate in other areas including the several illicit, underground parties that have been busted in the last few months. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Report: Huge Data Leak ‘Exposes’ Chinese Communist Party Members ‘Embedded’ In Western Companies And

Report: Huge Data Leak ‘Exposes’ Chinese Communist Party Members ‘Embedded’ In Western Companies And Governments

An unprecedented “ major leak ” of official records has uncovered a register of 1.95 million members of the Chinese Communist Party , many of whom are now living and working all over the world , including Australia , the United Kingdom , and the United States .
The data lists names , party positions , date of birth , national identification number , ethnicity and — in some cases — their telephone number .
As reported by Australia ’ s Sky News on Sunday , the database “ lifts the lid on how the party operates under President and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows that party branches are embedded in some of the world ’ s biggest companies , and even inside government agencies , ” the outlet reports .
“ Communist party branches have been set up inside western companies , allowing the infiltration of those companies by CCP members — who , if called on , are answerable directly to the communist party , to the Chairman , the president himself , ” said Sky News ’ Sharri Markson .
“ Along with the personal identifying details of 1.95 million communist party members , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the details of 79,000 communist party branches , many of them inside companies.
” Markson also inferred that this security breach would likely embarrass both Xi Jinping and “ some global companies who appear to have no plan in place to protect their intellectual property from theft.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

An unprecedented “major leak” of official records has uncovered a register of 1.95 million members of the Chinese Communist Party, many of whom are now living and working all over the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The data lists names, party positions, date of birth, national identification number, ethnicity and — in some cases — their telephone number.
As reported by Australia’s Sky News on Sunday, the database “lifts the lid on how the party operates under President and Chairman Xi Jinping.” The leak “shows that party branches are embedded in some of the world’s biggest companies, and even inside government agencies,” the outlet reports.
“Communist party branches have been set up inside western companies, allowing the infiltration of those companies by CCP members — who, if called on, are answerable directly to the communist party, to the Chairman, the president himself,” said Sky News’ Sharri Markson.
“Along with the personal identifying details of 1.95 million communist party members, mostly from Shanghai, there are also the details of 79,000 communist party branches, many of them inside companies.”
Markson also inferred that this security breach would likely embarrass both Xi Jinping and “some global companies who appear to have no plan in place to protect their intellectual property from theft.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Australia Cancels COVID Vaccine Trial Over ‘Unexpected’ False Positives For HIV

The Australian government has canceled further development of a COVID-19 vaccine after several trial participants had false positive tests for HIV .
The vaccine was being developed by the University of Queensland , while Australian biotech company CSL Limited had been under contract to provide 51 million doses .
The vaccine had been on schedule for mid-2021 , with phase two and three clinical trials due to commence in December .
On Friday , however , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the “ University of Queensland vaccine will not be able to proceed based on the scientific advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of Australia ’ s vaccine plan , ” adding “ I think the decision we ’ ve made today should give Australians great assurance that we are proceeding carefully , we are moving swiftly , but not with any undue haste here.
” “ Our processes will not be compromised .
At the end of the day , the Therapeutic Goods Administration – like with any vaccine in Australia – must give their tick-off .
Without the tick , there ’ s no jab when it comes to vaccines in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 vaccine , as it is true for any other vaccine that is administered here in Australia , ” Morrison added .
The vaccine was one of four secured by the Australian government , which will now turn its focus to the AstraZeneca vaccine as well as Pfizer ’ s .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The Australian government has canceled further development of a COVID-19 vaccine after several trial participants had false positive tests for HIV. The vaccine was being developed by the University of Queensland, while Australian biotech company CSL Limited had been under contract to provide 51 million doses. The vaccine had been on schedule for mid-2021, with phase two and three clinical trials due to commence in December.
On Friday, however, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the “University of Queensland vaccine will not be able to proceed based on the scientific advice, and that will no longer feature as part of Australia’s vaccine plan,” adding “I think the decision we’ve made today should give Australians great assurance that we are proceeding carefully, we are moving swiftly, but not with any undue haste here.”
“Our processes will not be compromised. At the end of the day, the Therapeutic Goods Administration – like with any vaccine in Australia – must give their tick-off. Without the tick, there’s no jab when it comes to vaccines in this country. That is true for the Covid-19 vaccine, as it is true for any other vaccine that is administered here in Australia,” Morrison added.
The vaccine was one of four secured by the Australian government, which will now turn its focus to the AstraZeneca vaccine as well as Pfizer’s. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Biden Urges Activists to Drop ‘Defund the Police’ Rhetoric Until After Georgia Runoffs

President-elect Joe Biden urged a group of activists to remain silent on his “ promise ” to “ change policing ” until after Georgia ’ s January Senate runoff elections , arguing that the push could alienate Peach State voters .
“ I also don ’ t think that we should get too far ahead of ourselves on dealing with police reform in that , because they ’ ve already labeled us as being ‘ defund the police , ' ” Biden said of Republicans .
“ Anything we put forward in terms of the organizational structure to change policing—which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you—just think to yourself and give me advice whether we should do that before January 5th , because that ’ s how they beat the living hell out of us across the country , saying that we ’ re talking about defunding the police.
” “ How much do we push between now and January 5th—we need those two seats—about police reform ?
” Biden went on to ask .
Biden ’ s comments came during a Tuesday call with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , NAACP president Derrick Johnson , and other progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The call also came one week ahead of Biden ’ s first runoff campaign stop with Democratic Senate hopefuls Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

President-elect Joe Biden urged a group of activists to remain silent on his “promise” to “change policing” until after Georgia’s January Senate runoff elections, arguing that the push could alienate Peach State voters.
“I also don’t think that we should get too far ahead of ourselves on dealing with police reform in that, because they’ve already labeled us as being ‘defund the police,'” Biden said of Republicans. “Anything we put forward in terms of the organizational structure to change policing—which I promise you will occur, promise you—just think to yourself and give me advice whether we should do that before January 5th, because that’s how they beat the living hell out of us across the country, saying that we’re talking about defunding the police.”
“How much do we push between now and January 5th—we need those two seats—about police reform?” Biden went on to ask.
Biden’s comments came during a Tuesday call with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, NAACP president Derrick Johnson, and other progressive activists, according to the Intercept. The call also came one week ahead of Biden’s first runoff campaign stop with Democratic Senate hopefuls Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Joe Biden Secures Electoral College Vote

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden secured the vote of the Electoral College on Monday , with electors from the 50 states and the District of Columbia affirming the results of November ’ s election despite a number of direct legal challenges from President Donald Trump .
California ’ s 55 electors , who cast their ballots at 5 pm EST , solidified Biden ’ s hold on the Electoral College , giving the Democrat 302 votes in the Electoral College to President Trump ’ s 232 .
Hawaii will finish out the vote , casting ballots at 7 pm EST @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest with 306 electoral votes .
Voting began at 10 am EST Monday morning with New Hampshire , Tennessee , and Vermont casting their first-in-the-nation votes .
Biden took a significant lead early , with Trump coming close only in the late afternoon after Texas ’ electors cast their ballots .
After today ’ s vote , which formalizes the results of the November election , the contest goes to Congress , where both houses are expected to vote to certify Biden as the winner on January 6th .
– READ MORE Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ --

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden secured the vote of the Electoral College on Monday, with electors from the 50 states and the District of Columbia affirming the results of November’s election despite a number of direct legal challenges from President Donald Trump.
California’s 55 electors, who cast their ballots at 5 pm EST, solidified Biden’s hold on the Electoral College, giving the Democrat 302 votes in the Electoral College to President Trump’s 232. Hawaii will finish out the vote, casting ballots at 7 pm EST. Biden is expected to end the contest with 306 electoral votes.
Voting began at 10 am EST Monday morning with New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Vermont casting their first-in-the-nation votes. Biden took a significant lead early, with Trump coming close only in the late afternoon after Texas’ electors cast their ballots.
After today’s vote, which formalizes the results of the November election, the contest goes to Congress, where both houses are expected to vote to certify Biden as the winner on January 6th. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Report: John Durham Is Expanding Team Investigation Trump-Russia Probe, Making ‘Excellent Progress’

U.S. Attorney John Durham has added prosecutors to his team investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia probe , a top law enforcement official told Fox News .
According to Fox News , the official said that Durham is making “ excellent progress ” in his investigation .
The move comes as President Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans have ramped up criticism of Attorney General William Barr and Durham for a lack of developments in the investigation .
On Oct. 9 , Trump said it was a “ disgrace ” that Durham would not be issuing a report on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr tapped Durham on May 13 , 2019 to conduct an inquiry into the U.S. government ’ s intelligence-gathering activities against Trump campaign associates .
The review has morphed into a criminal investigation .
( RELATED : Barr Appoints Durham As Special Counsel ) Barr designated Durham as a special counsel to oversee the investigation on Oct. 19 , 2020 .
The order said that Durham would be required to submit a report to the Justice Department that could be released to the public .
Barr also said in the order that Durham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has officially ended .
Barr said in a letter to Congress on Dec. 1 that he initially expected Durham to finish the investigation by this summer , but that progress was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Barr also said that “ additional information ” that Durham had uncovered has extended the investigation .
Durham ’ s investigation appears to have closely tracked with the findings of a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report that said that FBI misled the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in order to get warrants to snoop on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty in Durham ’ s investigation on Aug. 19 .
He admitted in the plea agreement that he altered an email from the CIA in June 2017 to downplay Page ’ s past relationship with the spy agency .
Durham has also scrutinized the CIA ’ s assessment in late 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered interference in the 2016 U.S. election specifically to help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton .
There have been other indicators that Durham has expanded his investigation .
The New Yorker reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had issued subpoenas as part of a grand jury investigation into the origins of an allegation that a Russian bank had a covert channel of communication with the Trump Organization in 2016 .
Allegations about the bank , Alfa Bank , first surfaced in news reports in October 2016 .
The Hillary Clinton campaign seized on the story at the time to suggest that the Trump campaign was conspiring with the Russian government .
A report from the Justice Department ’ s inspector general said that the FBI determined by February 2017 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Trump Organization .
The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment .
A spokesman for Durham ’ s office declined to comment .

U.S. Attorney John Durham has added prosecutors to his team investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, a top law enforcement official told Fox News.
According to Fox News, the official said that Durham is making “excellent progress” in his investigation.
The move comes as President Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans have ramped up criticism of Attorney General William Barr and Durham for a lack of developments in the investigation. On Oct. 9, Trump said it was a “disgrace” that Durham would not be issuing a report on his investigation prior to the presidential election.
US Attorney John Durham, who AG Bill Barr tapped to investigate the origins of the Trump Russia probe, is expanding his team by adding additional prosecutors, and is making, “excellent progress,” according to a federal law enforcement official familiar w/ the situation — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) December 14, 2020
Barr tapped Durham on May 13, 2019 to conduct an inquiry into the U.S. government’s intelligence-gathering activities against Trump campaign associates. The review has morphed into a criminal investigation. (RELATED: Barr Appoints Durham As Special Counsel)
Barr designated Durham as a special counsel to oversee the investigation on Oct. 19, 2020. The order said that Durham would be required to submit a report to the Justice Department that could be released to the public. Barr also said in the order that Durham could submit interim reports before the investigation has officially ended.
Barr said in a letter to Congress on Dec. 1 that he initially expected Durham to finish the investigation by this summer, but that progress was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Barr also said that “additional information” that Durham had uncovered has extended the investigation.
Durham’s investigation appears to have closely tracked with the findings of a Justice Department inspector general’s report that said that FBI misled the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in order to get warrants to snoop on Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
Former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty in Durham’s investigation on Aug. 19. He admitted in the plea agreement that he altered an email from the CIA in June 2017 to downplay Page’s past relationship with the spy agency.
Durham has also scrutinized the CIA’s assessment in late 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered interference in the 2016 U.S. election specifically to help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
There have been other indicators that Durham has expanded his investigation. The New Yorker reported in October that Durham’s team had issued subpoenas as part of a grand jury investigation into the origins of an allegation that a Russian bank had a covert channel of communication with the Trump Organization in 2016.
Allegations about the bank, Alfa Bank, first surfaced in news reports in October 2016. The Hillary Clinton campaign seized on the story at the time to suggest that the Trump campaign was conspiring with the Russian government.
A report from the Justice Department’s inspector general said that the FBI determined by February 2017 that there was no connection between Alfa Bank and the Trump Organization.
The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Durham’s office declined to comment.


truepundit--2020-12-15--New Jersey Gym Owner Fined $1.2 Million For Defying COVID-19 Lockdowns Vows Not To Pay

A New Jersey gym owner who repeatedly defied coronavirus lockdowns and was fined roughly $ 1.2 million told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he doesn ’ t plan to pay a cent .
Ian Smith , co-owner of Atilis Gym , has incurred roughly 60 citations and is charged nearly $ 15,500 per day that he remains open in defiance of Democratic New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy ’ s COVID-19 closures , he told Fox News .
Smith alongside Frank Trumbetti , another owner of the fitness facility , were arrested in late July after the pair refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight with state , The Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
“ We aren ’ t going to be paying them , ” Smith told the DCNF in an email regarding the accumulation of fines .
“ Leave us alone , ” the gym owner continued in a message to Murphy .
“ We have proved you wrong .
Our business has been running for 7 months with better safety protocol than the entities you are responsible for running.
” “ Long term care facilities have the highest death rate and it ’ s still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been locked down .
Our protocol has kept people safe , yours hasn ’ t. ” Nursing home deaths in New Jersey doubled from nearly 3,250 in May to 7,135 in September as COVID-19 cases surged , according to Patch .
Menlo Park Veterans ’ Memorial Home , a long-term care facility in the state lost roughly half of its 300-patient population to the disease , a late October Guardian investigation found .
In November , authorities mandated returning nursing home residents quarantine for two-weeks if they visit with family , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread has worsened since the mandated lockdown .
“ What ’ s happening to the middle class and small businesses in America is nothing short of a complete tragedy , ” he told Fox .
“ I would go so far as to call it criminal .
You are putting people out of business for good .
“ You are making them reliant on big government .
You are taking away their civil liberties under the guise of pretending like you care about public health.
” Smith appeared in a video that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he held up flashcards reading , “ Gov .
Murphy will see this video and fine us $ 15k for it .
But … free men don ’ t ask permission .
Or for forgiveness.
” A man can be heard yelling “ Fuck you , Murphy !
” in the footage .

A New Jersey gym owner who repeatedly defied coronavirus lockdowns and was fined roughly $1.2 million told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he doesn’t plan to pay a cent.
Ian Smith, co-owner of Atilis Gym, has incurred roughly 60 citations and is charged nearly $15,500 per day that he remains open in defiance of Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s COVID-19 closures, he told Fox News. Smith alongside Frank Trumbetti, another owner of the fitness facility, were arrested in late July after the pair refused to close their business following a weeks-long fight with state, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“We aren’t going to be paying them,” Smith told the DCNF in an email regarding the accumulation of fines.
“Leave us alone,” the gym owner continued in a message to Murphy. “We have proved you wrong. Our business has been running for 7 months with better safety protocol than the entities you are responsible for running.”
“Long term care facilities have the highest death rate and it’s still rampaging through the facilities even though they have been locked down. Our protocol has kept people safe, yours hasn’t.”
Nursing home deaths in New Jersey doubled from nearly 3,250 in May to 7,135 in September as COVID-19 cases surged, according to Patch. Menlo Park Veterans’ Memorial Home, a long-term care facility in the state lost roughly half of its 300-patient population to the disease, a late October Guardian investigation found.
In November, authorities mandated returning nursing home residents quarantine for two-weeks if they visit with family, according to NJ.com. It is unclear if the spread has worsened since the mandated lockdown.
Smith called Murphy’s closures “a complete tragedy” for small businesses.
“What’s happening to the middle class and small businesses in America is nothing short of a complete tragedy,” he told Fox. “I would go so far as to call it criminal. You are putting people out of business for good.
“You are making them reliant on big government. You are taking away their civil liberties under the guise of pretending like you care about public health.”
Smith appeared in a video that was posted by TMZ on Sunday where he held up flashcards reading, “Gov. Murphy will see this video and fine us $15k for it. But … free men don’t ask permission. Or for forgiveness.”
A man can be heard yelling “Fuck you, Murphy!” in the footage.


truepundit--2020-12-15--Biden’s Perceived ‘Open Borders’ Stance Will Increase Smuggling, CBP Says

Illegal immigration continued to increase through November largely due to smugglers fuelling perceptions that U.S. borders will be open under the incoming Biden administration , Customs and Border Protection announced Monday .
Around 70,000 enforcement actions , including more than 61,000 run-ins with single adults , occurred in November 2020 , a 64 % increase from November 2019 , Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said .
He said if the Biden administration does what it says it will , then the U.S. will experience a crisis at the border .
“ The message you ’ re sending is clear and simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morgan said .
Smugglers are telling vulnerable migrants that the U.S. border will be open and that loopholes will return making it easier for them to illegally enter the U.S. to obtain free health care and other benefits , Morgan added .
“ It ’ s been very clear what they say they ’ re going to do – if those valves are turned on completely , you will see a full-blown crisis within a couple of weeks , ” Morgan said .
The Biden administration has said it won ’ t build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall , which would terminate existing contracts and cost taxpayers billions of dollars , according to Morgan .
“ This is much more than just a wall , ” Morgan said .
“ This is about a multi-layer strategy that has demonstrated its value every day ” Morgan has yet to meet directly with the Biden transition team due to strict protocol , though CBP teams have met with the incoming administration .
CBP anticipated an increase in illegal immigration from Central America due to COVID-19 and worsening economic conditions , Morgan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor economic hardships constitute valid asylum claims .
Before a new network of policies were introduced , CBP caught and released 230,000 illegal immigrants into the country annually , according to Morgan .
Since the end of catch and release , officials have encountered fewer family units attempting to immigrate illegally .
“ Children can no longer be exploited as tickets into the U.S. , ” since the end of catch and release policies , Morgan said .
However , officers are encountering over 150 unaccompanied alien children ( UAC ) daily .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars attempting to get them across the border and then leaving them at crammed stash houses if not abandoning them in the wilderness , according to Morgan .
CBP has seen an increase of “ tender aged ” UACs , meaning that more children under the age of 12 are attempting to enter the U.S. illegally .
Currently , around 1,000 illegal immigrants are in CBP custody because officials are able to remove migrants from the U.S. to keep detention numbers low , according to Morgan .
CBP officials are reporting around 2,300 @ @ @

Illegal immigration continued to increase through November largely due to smugglers fuelling perceptions that U.S. borders will be open under the incoming Biden administration, Customs and Border Protection announced Monday.
Around 70,000 enforcement actions, including more than 61,000 run-ins with single adults, occurred in November 2020, a 64% increase from November 2019, Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said. He said if the Biden administration does what it says it will, then the U.S. will experience a crisis at the border.
“The message you’re sending is clear and simple – we have open borders,” Morgan said. Smugglers are telling vulnerable migrants that the U.S. border will be open and that loopholes will return making it easier for them to illegally enter the U.S. to obtain free health care and other benefits, Morgan added.
“It’s been very clear what they say they’re going to do – if those valves are turned on completely, you will see a full-blown crisis within a couple of weeks,” Morgan said.
The Biden administration has said it won’t build “another foot” of the border wall, which would terminate existing contracts and cost taxpayers billions of dollars, according to Morgan.
“This is much more than just a wall,” Morgan said. “This is about a multi-layer strategy that has demonstrated its value every day”
Morgan has yet to meet directly with the Biden transition team due to strict protocol, though CBP teams have met with the incoming administration.
CBP anticipated an increase in illegal immigration from Central America due to COVID-19 and worsening economic conditions, Morgan said. However, neither a global pandemic nor economic hardships constitute valid asylum claims.
Before a new network of policies were introduced, CBP caught and released 230,000 illegal immigrants into the country annually, according to Morgan. Since the end of catch and release, officials have encountered fewer family units attempting to immigrate illegally.
“Children can no longer be exploited as tickets into the U.S.,” since the end of catch and release policies, Morgan said. However, officers are encountering over 150 unaccompanied alien children (UAC) daily.
Smugglers are packing children in trailers and cars attempting to get them across the border and then leaving them at crammed stash houses if not abandoning them in the wilderness, according to Morgan. CBP has seen an increase of “tender aged” UACs, meaning that more children under the age of 12 are attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
Currently, around 1,000 illegal immigrants are in CBP custody because officials are able to remove migrants from the U.S. to keep detention numbers low, according to Morgan. CBP officials are reporting around 2,300 encounters daily.


truepundit--2020-12-15--Catholic Bishops OK Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines, Call AstraZeneca ‘Morally Compromised’ Due To Connecti

Catholic Bishops OK Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines, Call AstraZeneca ‘Morally Compromised’ Due To Connections To Abortions

• Catholic bishops said Monday that under the current “ sufficiently serious ” conditions of the pandemic , Catholics may take the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna but should avoid the “ more morally compromised ” AstraZeneca vaccine due to its use of aborted baby cells .
• The bishops noted that “ while neither vaccine is completely free from any connection to morally compromised cell lines , in this case the connection is very remote from the initial evil of the abortion.
” • The potential that the highly anticipated coronavirus vaccines would use cells from aborted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who object to abortion .
Catholic bishops said Monday that under the current “ sufficiently serious ” conditions of the pandemic , Catholics may take the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna but should avoid the “ morally compromised ” AstraZeneca vaccine due to its use of aborted baby cells .
“ In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines , the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines , ” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops chairmen Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas said in a document released Monday .
The bishops noted that “ while neither vaccine is completely free from any connection to morally compromised cell lines , in this case the connection is very remote from the initial evil of the abortion.
” The AstraZeneca vaccine , however , is “ more morally compromised ” and thus “ should be avoided , ” the bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , that one does not really have a choice of vaccine , at least , not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one ’ s health and the health of others , ” the bishop chairmen added .
“ In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.
” “ While having ourselves and our families immunized against COVID-19 with the new vaccines is morally permissible and can be an act of self-love and of charity toward others , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abortion to be obscured , ” the bishops said .
The potential that the highly anticipated coronavirus vaccines would use cells from aborted babies posed weighty moral problems for many Americans who object to abortion .
Analysis from the Charlotte Lozier Institute ( CLI ) found that most of the major vaccine candidates do not use cell lines derived from abortions in their production , though several used abortion-derived cell lines in laboratory testing .
AstraZeneca uses abortion-derived cell lines in development , production , and lab testing , the analysis found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in testing but do not use abortion-derived cell lines in development or production of the vaccine , the analysis found .
CLI Vice President Dr. David Prentice previously explained to the Daily Caller News Foundation that when abortion-derived cell lines are used in the production of a vaccine , that means the cells are “ directly involved in making the final product , the vaccine that is injected in our arms.
” “ It is an essential element for the final vaccine , ” Prentice said of abortion-derived cell lines used in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the connection is distant both in time and space , since the abortion occurred decades ago and the cells have been grown in the lab ever since , that connection to abortion remains and is of concern to many Americans .
” Laboratory testing using abortion-derived cell lines is potentially less morally problematic , since it is “ anther step removed ” Prentice said .
“ When an abortion-derived cell line is used in laboratory testing , that is not done within the production line , ” he explained .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final vaccine , to validate what the scientists believe they ’ ve produced.
” “ So this is another step removed , and there was nothing touching the abortion-derived cell line that ended up in the final vaccine product , or in our arms , ” he continued .
“ For some , it doesn ’ t completely remove the concern .
It is important to note that there are testing methods that can be done with cells not derived from abortion .
”

Catholic bishops said Monday that under the current “sufficiently serious” conditions of the pandemic, Catholics may take the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna but should avoid the “more morally compromised” AstraZeneca vaccine due to its use of aborted baby cells.
The bishops noted that “while neither vaccine is completely free from any connection to morally compromised cell lines, in this case the connection is very remote from the initial evil of the abortion.”
The potential that the highly anticipated coronavirus vaccines would use cells from aborted babies posed weighty moral problems for many Americans who object to abortion.
Catholic bishops said Monday that under the current “sufficiently serious” conditions of the pandemic, Catholics may take the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna but should avoid the “morally compromised” AstraZeneca vaccine due to its use of aborted baby cells.
“In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines,” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops chairmen Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas said in a document released Monday.
The bishops noted that “while neither vaccine is completely free from any connection to morally compromised cell lines, in this case the connection is very remote from the initial evil of the abortion.”
The AstraZeneca vaccine, however, is “more morally compromised” and thus “should be avoided,”the bishops said.
“It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” the bishop chairmen added. “In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
U.S. Bishop Chairmen for Pro-Life and Doctrine Address Ethical Concerns
on the New COVID-19 Vaccines: https://t.co/1wjdN6kMiJ. pic.twitter.com/SaOu7TEWrv — U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) December 14, 2020
“While having ourselves and our families immunized against COVID-19 with the new vaccines is morally permissible and can be an act of self-love and of charity toward others, we must not allow the gravely immoral nature of abortion to be obscured,” the bishops said.
The potential that the highly anticipated coronavirus vaccines would use cells from aborted babies posed weighty moral problems for many Americans who object to abortion. Analysis from the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) found that most of the major vaccine candidates do not use cell lines derived from abortions in their production, though several used abortion-derived cell lines in laboratory testing.
AstraZeneca uses abortion-derived cell lines in development, production, and lab testing, the analysis found. Pfizer and Moderna sometimes abortion-derived cells in testing but do not use abortion-derived cell lines in development or production of the vaccine, the analysis found.
CLI Vice President Dr. David Prentice previously explained to the Daily Caller News Foundation that when abortion-derived cell lines are used in the production of a vaccine, that means the cells are “directly involved in making the final product, the vaccine that is injected in our arms.”
“It is an essential element for the final vaccine,” Prentice said of abortion-derived cell lines used in the production of a vaccine. “Although the connection is distant both in time and space, since the abortion occurred decades ago and the cells have been grown in the lab ever since, that connection to abortion remains and is of concern to many Americans. ”
Laboratory testing using abortion-derived cell lines is potentially less morally problematic, since it is “anther step removed” Prentice said.
“When an abortion-derived cell line is used in laboratory testing, that is not done within the production line,” he explained. “It’s a confirmatory test done on the final vaccine, to validate what the scientists believe they’ve produced.”
“So this is another step removed, and there was nothing touching the abortion-derived cell line that ended up in the final vaccine product, or in our arms,” he continued. “For some, it doesn’t completely remove the concern. It is important to note that there are testing methods that can be done with cells not derived from abortion.”


truepundit--2020-12-15--Portland Autonomous Zone Removing Barricades After Mayor, Police Chief Apologize

The days-long autonomous zone reportedly reached an agreement with the city of Portland following an apology from the mayor and street barricades are being removed .
The armed encampment , dubbed “ Red House on Mississippi ” , has persisted for the last week and has erected roadblocks around the family home of the Kinneys , who are black and indigenous , after they faced foreclosure from local authorities , according to Fox News .
The group gained national attention after it clashed with police following a dozen arrests and drove law-enforcement away from the home , Fox reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which were built following the raid , were lined with the phrases “ Land Back ” , “ Eat The Rich ” , and “ ACAB , ” according to Fox .
“ The barricades are coming down , Ted Wheeler has apologized , and Portland Police has promised not to attack supporters , ” the group ’ s twitter account wrote on Sunday .
Both Democratic Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Police Chief Chuck Lovell issued an apology to the Kinneys after the family was reportedly the subject of threats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We apologize and understand that following our tweets earlier this week that your family received threats , ” a letter from the pair read , according to the local outlet .
“ We did not intend to attract attention that results in threats of harm and violence to your family or that escalated tensions in our community.
” “ Nobody should be subjected to this kind of stress and harm , and we apologize for the role our tweets played in this.
” Wheeler previously authorized law enforcement to use “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autonomous zone .
“ I am authorizing the Portland Police to use all lawful means to end the illegal occupation on North Mississippi Avenue and to hold those violating our community ’ s laws accountable , ” Wheeler wrote in a Tuesday tweet .
“ There will be no autonomous zone in Portland.
” Lovell issued a warning to demonstrators to “ put down ” their “ weapons ” after the chief acknowledged the group was stockpiling guns and threatening community members .
“ Those present at the barricades should leave it behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neighborhood to return to peace and order , ” Lovell said Wednesday .
“ We are aware of the stockpile of weapons and the presence of firearms .
We are aware of the threats to the community , to media , to police — we ’ ve seen the attacks.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] – READ MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Below --

The days-long autonomous zone reportedly reached an agreement with the city of Portland following an apology from the mayor and street barricades are being removed.
The armed encampment, dubbed “Red House on Mississippi”, has persisted for the last week and has erected roadblocks around the family home of the Kinneys, who are black and indigenous, after they faced foreclosure from local authorities, according to Fox News. The group gained national attention after it clashed with police following a dozen arrests and drove law-enforcement away from the home, Fox reported.
The makeshift walls of the anti-eviction zone, which were built following the raid, were lined with the phrases “Land Back”, “Eat The Rich”, and “ACAB,” according to Fox.
“The barricades are coming down, Ted Wheeler has apologized, and Portland Police has promised not to attack supporters,” the group’s twitter account wrote on Sunday.
Our work is not going unseen! The mayor has promised the Kinney family that they will not raid Red House as long as the barricades are taken down by Monday night. pic.twitter.com/12FmRdT0Bz — Red House On Mississippi (@RHonMississippi) December 13, 2020
Both Democratic Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Police Chief Chuck Lovell issued an apology to the Kinneys after the family was reportedly the subject of threats from a frustrated public, The Oregonian reported.
“We apologize and understand that following our tweets earlier this week that your family received threats,” a letter from the pair read, according to the local outlet. “We did not intend to attract attention that results in threats of harm and violence to your family or that escalated tensions in our community.”
“Nobody should be subjected to this kind of stress and harm, and we apologize for the role our tweets played in this.”
Wheeler previously authorized law enforcement to use “all lawful means” to disband the autonomous zone.
“I am authorizing the Portland Police to use all lawful means to end the illegal occupation on North Mississippi Avenue and to hold those violating our community’s laws accountable,” Wheeler wrote in a Tuesday tweet. “There will be no autonomous zone in Portland.”
Lovell issued a warning to demonstrators to “put down” their “weapons” after the chief acknowledged the group was stockpiling guns and threatening community members.
“Those present at the barricades should leave it behind, put down your weapons and allow the neighborhood to return to peace and order,” Lovell said Wednesday. “We are aware of the stockpile of weapons and the presence of firearms. We are aware of the threats to the community, to media, to police — we’ve seen the attacks.”
I wanted to say a few words to each of you about activity along North Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/Icq4mpzTAL — Chief Chuck Lovell (@ChiefCLovell) December 9, 2020
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected]. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-12-15--Nearly 40% of Americans Say States Should Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations

Thirty-nine percent of Americans in a survey released Monday said states should mandate a potential coronavirus vaccination .
Roughly 40 % indicated they would take the immunization as soon as it is released to the public , and around 15 % said they aren ’ t planning on receiving the shot at all , according to an Ipsos poll .
Twenty-six percent of Republicans vowed to refuse the vaccine altogether , and 44 % of the respondents said they ’ d wait a while before they received the injection , the data showed .
A total of 91 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in vaccine distribution , 87 % said the same about first responders and 83 % would like to see the elderly among the first people to be given the immunization , according to Ipsos .
Roughly 16 % of respondents want vaccine priority for politicians and only 9 % would like to see athletes as the first to be immunized , the data showed .
Forty-four percent of Americans classified themselves as “ medium priority ” for the vaccine and another 36 % identified as “ low priority , ” according to Ipsos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , and health authorities are hopeful that distribution will begin on Monday , according to CNN .
The news follows Pfizer ’ s approval to administer its shot to those over the age of 16 , which signals authorization to distribute the immunization throughout the country , CNN reported .

Thirty-nine percent of Americans in a survey released Monday said states should mandate a potential coronavirus vaccination.
Roughly 40% indicated they would take the immunization as soon as it is released to the public, and around 15% said they aren’t planning on receiving the shot at all, according to an Ipsos poll. Twenty-six percent of Republicans vowed to refuse the vaccine altogether, and 44% of the respondents said they’d wait a while before they received the injection, the data showed.
A total of 91% of Americans want healthcare workers to be prioritized in vaccine distribution, 87% said the same about first responders and 83% would like to see the elderly among the first people to be given the immunization, according to Ipsos. Roughly 16% of respondents want vaccine priority for politicians and only 9% would like to see athletes as the first to be immunized, the data showed.
Forty-four percent of Americans classified themselves as “medium priority” for the vaccine and another 36% identified as “low priority,” according to Ipsos
Vaccines are en route to all 50 states, and health authorities are hopeful that distribution will begin on Monday, according to CNN. The news follows Pfizer’s approval to administer its shot to those over the age of 16, which signals authorization to distribute the immunization throughout the country, CNN reported.


truepundit--2020-12-15--US Wants To Double COVID-19 Vaccine Order From Pfizer

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on CNN Monday that the U.S. is seeking to double its COVID-19 vaccine order .
“ So far , we have an agreement with the U.S. Government to provide them 100 million doses and this is a fixed order and we will provide those 100 million doses starting from now by the end of the first quarter and we will honor this commitment , ” Bourla told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on “ New Day With Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.
” Trucks and cargo planes loaded with the beginning of almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on Sunday throughout the U.S. , The New York Times reported .
In every state , hospitals were quickly setting up injection sites and their workers were monitoring the shipments every hour .
“ We are trying to — we can provide them the additional 100 million doses , but right now most of that we can provide in the third quarter .
The U.S. government wants them in the second quarter , ” Bourla said .
“ So we ’ re working very collaboratively with them to make sure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocate the doses in the second quarter as well .
But we haven ’ t signed this agreement yet , ” Bourla told Gupta .
The first vaccine was administered a little bit after 9:00 a.m on Monday morning at Long Island Jewish Medical Center located in Queens , New York , the NYT reported .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) granted emergency authorization on Friday after a key panel approved the vaccine ’ s safety by a large margin .
Pfizer and BioNTech announced in November that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Phase Three clinical trial .
President Donald Trump tweeted at FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven M. Hahn to “ get the dam vaccines out NOW ” following the vaccine ’ s approval .

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on CNN Monday that the U.S. is seeking to double its COVID-19 vaccine order.
“So far, we have an agreement with the U.S. Government to provide them 100 million doses and this is a fixed order and we will provide those 100 million doses starting from now by the end of the first quarter and we will honor this commitment,” Bourla told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on “New Day With Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.”
Trucks and cargo planes loaded with the beginning of almost three million doses of the vaccine shipped out on Sunday throughout the U.S., The New York Times reported. In every state, hospitals were quickly setting up injection sites and their workers were monitoring the shipments every hour.
“We are trying to — we can provide them the additional 100 million doses, but right now most of that we can provide in the third quarter. The U.S. government wants them in the second quarter,” Bourla said.
“So we’re working very collaboratively with them to make sure that we can find ways to produce more or allocate the doses in the second quarter as well. But we haven’t signed this agreement yet,” Bourla told Gupta.
The first vaccine was administered a little bit after 9:00 a.m on Monday morning at Long Island Jewish Medical Center located in Queens, New York, the NYT reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization on Friday after a key panel approved the vaccine’s safety by a large margin. Pfizer and BioNTech announced in November that their vaccines were over 90% effective in their Phase Three clinical trial.
President Donald Trump tweeted at FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven M. Hahn to “get the dam vaccines out NOW” following the vaccine’s approval.


truepundit--2020-12-15--Cuomo Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo denied allegations that he sexually harassed one of his former advisers “ for years ” in a Monday statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ There is simply no truth to these claims , ” Press Secretary Caitlin Girouard told the DCNF Monday morning .
Cuomo also denied the allegations multiple times at a press conference Monday .
“ It ’ s not true , ” Cuomo said .
“ Look , I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s just not true.
” Former adviser Lindsey Boylan accused the New York Democrat on Sunday of sexually harassing her “ for years , ” saying , “ I *know* I am not the only woman.
” “ Yes , @ NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years , ” Boylan tweeted Sunday morning .
She did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s requests for comment .
“ Many saw it , and watched , ” she tweeted .
“ I could never anticipate what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my work ( which was very good ) or harassed about my looks .
Or would it be both in the same conversation ?
” “ Not knowing what to expect what ’ s the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it , ” she continued .
“ No one .
And I *know* I am not the only woman.
” Boylan worked for the Cuomo administration from March 2015 until October 2018 , according to the New York Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Boylan did not provide additional details about the alleged sexual harassment .
She did not immediately return the DCNF ’ s requests for comment .

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo denied allegations that he sexually harassed one of his former advisers “for years” in a Monday statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“There is simply no truth to these claims,” Press Secretary Caitlin Girouard told the DCNF Monday morning. Cuomo also denied the allegations multiple times at a press conference Monday.
“It’s not true,” Cuomo said. “Look, I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has but it’s just not true.”
New York Gov. Cuomo is asked about his former aide accusing him of sexual harassment over the weekend: “It’s not true… I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has but it’s just not true.” pic.twitter.com/TnsdrC6Cvi — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 14, 2020
Former adviser Lindsey Boylan accused the New York Democrat on Sunday of sexually harassing her “for years,” saying, “I *know* I am not the only woman.”
“Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years,” Boylan tweeted Sunday morning. She did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
“Many saw it, and watched,” she tweeted. “I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation?”
“Not knowing what to expect what’s the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it,” she continued. “No one. And I *know* I am not the only woman.”
Boylan worked for the Cuomo administration from March 2015 until October 2018, according to the New York Post. She is running for Manhattan borough president.
Boylan did not provide additional details about the alleged sexual harassment. She did not immediately return the DCNF’s requests for comment.


truepundit--2020-12-15--Some School Districts Are Finding ‘Every Excuse We Can To Stay Open’ For U.S. Children

• Many school districts in the United States have opted to only offer remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic , but some school districts are fighting to remain open .
• Data collected globally indicates that school openings did not cause a surge in coronavirus cases , but schools in major cities such as Chicago , Philadelphia , Boston and San Diego have not reopened — despite Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s recommendations .
• “ We will find every excuse we can to stay open , ” Queen Creek Unified School District board president Ken Brague said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , let them .
We will stay open.
” Many school districts in the United States have opted to switch to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic , but some school districts are fighting to preserve in-person learning , with one district finding “ every excuse ” they can to “ stay open.
” Elected officials enacted executive orders in the spring requiring Americans to lockdown and stay-at-home , resulting in school closures and remote learning as early as March .
Officials have quarreled over whether schools should reopen in this fall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stances against reopening , arguing that it puts teachers at risk .
Data collected globally indicates that school openings did not cause a surge in coronavirus cases , yet schools in major cities such as Chicago , Philadelphia , Boston and San Diego have not reopened — despite Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s late-November recommendation that schools should reopen .
A number of school districts have opted to go back to in-person learning while still offering remote options to families , particularly in Georgia and Florida .
One such district is Queen Creek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to in-person learning on Aug. 17 , though it still offered an online option for students .
“ We will find every excuse we can to stay open , ” Ken Brague , the district ’ s governing board president , said in mid-November according to KTAR News .
“ While others are finding excuses to close , let them .
We will stay open.
” The district did not respond to a request for comment .
“ Our kids are incredibly safe , ” he added , noting that out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been less than 70 coronavirus cases within the school district and only five cases reported on average per week .
In Nebraska , Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Joel issued a Thanksgiving message to the school ’ s 50,000 students and staff in which he thanked them for abiding by the school ’ s rules and urged them to continue following safety protocols .
The district is the second largest public school district in Nebraska and has remained open for in-person learning since August .
Officials from the district did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we head into the holiday week , I want to implore each of our students and staff members to heed the safety protocols so we can drive case numbers down , ” Joel told the school district ahead of Thanksgiving .
“ Our ability to continue having in-person school and getting our athletics and activities back is directly related to the manner in which we each take on this responsibility.
” Another school district that has fought to remain open is Rutherford County School District in Tennessee , which reopened in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers a remote learning option for families that are not comfortable sending their children back to school .
The school district occasionally has turned to remote learning for several days at a time due to a shortage of substitute teachers , a Rutherford County school teacher told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The teacher suggested that contract tracing may be causing a shortage of teachers in the district .
“ If we just get too many teachers out with not enough subs , then we have to shift to temporary distance until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the teacher told the DCNF .
The teacher asked to remain anonymous out of fear of backlash from his school district and Tennessee teachers unions , which he described as hostile to conservative viewpoints and angry that schools are in-person rather than remote .
“ There ’ s a clear distinction between teachers who were in the union , and teachers who are not , ” the teacher , who is not part of the local union , told the DCNF .
He expressed frustration at those teachers who push for schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that children can not learn properly at home .
Families who have the means to hire private tutors , to homeschool or to put their children in private schools are at an advantage , he said .
“ These people are supposed to be trying to help the most vulnerable among us , ” he said .
“ I mean , that ’ s the goal of public schools.
” “ I ’ m seeing across the board , if you ’ re an underprivileged kid , it ’ s almost impossible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he continued .
He described the high school he works at as “ a good school ” that is now suffering from “ unprecedented failure rates ” — children getting bad grades because “ they turn in nothing.
” “ It ’ s a majority of the distance learners , ” he added .
“ They ’ re just not doing assignments.
” Rutherford Education Association President Laura L. Schlesinger told the DCNF that the generalization that most teachers unions wish to move to virtual learning is an “ accurate portrayal.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a neighboring school district , we were hoping Rutherford County Schools would be moved to distance learning the week before winter break so as to give educators like me time to quarantine that we might be able to reunite with loved ones we have not seen since the beginning of the school year , ” Schlesinger said .
She said that a week of remote learning following winter break would let educators and students quarantine before returning to school .
“ By and large , ” Schlesinger continued , “ educators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the safer option until the numbers of positive cases decline , not to mention less disruptive to learning than the on again off again , comings and goings of educators and students having to quarantine.
” Schlesinger said “ the pandemic has had more devastating effects ” than any negative impact on students ’ learning caused by virtual education .
“ Educators and children are resilient , ” she said .
“ I believe the pandemic that has necessitated distance learning has revealed that our society has become over reliant on schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with anything , there is always going to be a learning curve , and change is not easy , ” Schlesinger continued .
“ If this is the wave of the future , then in the longterm we may be better preparing our students and ourselves for the future.
” Remote teaching requires significant preparation that wasn ’ t afforded in the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak , teachers told the DCNF in March , and constraints such as limited access to adequate technology , a lack of meals and unstable home lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Virginia ’ s largest school system published in November found that virtual learning due to the coronavirus pandemic is tanking academic achievement in Fairfax County Public Schools .
The district saw a “ widening gap between students who were previously performing satisfactorily and those performing unsatisfactorily.
” “ Students who performed well previously primarily performed slightly better than expected during of this year , ” the report said .
“ In contrast , students who were previously not performing well , performed considerably less well.
” Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school system is working quickly to help repair the damage done to students ’ learning , adding that many students who were doing well academically before the pandemic hit are still doing well , while others “ who previously struggled in school … continue to do so.
” “ We are working on identifying these students by name and by need and are working on specific interventions to support them right now and as we phase back in person , ” Braband added .

Many school districts in the United States have opted to only offer remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic, but some school districts are fighting to remain open.
Data collected globally indicates that school openings did not cause a surge in coronavirus cases, but schools in major cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and San Diego have not reopened — despite Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recommendations.
“We will find every excuse we can to stay open,” Queen Creek Unified School District board president Ken Brague said. “While others are finding excuses to close, let them. We will stay open.”
Many school districts in the United States have opted to switch to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic, but some school districts are fighting to preserve in-person learning, with one district finding “every excuse” they can to “stay open.”
Elected officials enacted executive orders in the spring requiring Americans to lockdown and stay-at-home, resulting in school closures and remote learning as early as March. Officials have quarreled over whether schools should reopen in this fall, and many teachers unions have taken strong stances against reopening, arguing that it puts teachers at risk.
Data collected globally indicates that school openings did not cause a surge in coronavirus cases, yet schools in major cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and San Diego have not reopened — despite Dr. Anthony Fauci’s late-November recommendation that schools should reopen.
A number of school districts have opted to go back to in-person learning while still offering remote options to families, particularly in Georgia and Florida. One such district is Queen Creek Unified School District in Arizona, which returned to in-person learning on Aug. 17, though it still offered an online option for students.
“We will find every excuse we can to stay open,” Ken Brague, the district’s governing board president, said in mid-November according to KTAR News. “While others are finding excuses to close, let them. We will stay open.”
The district did not respond to a request for comment.
“Our kids are incredibly safe,” he added, noting that out of the 10,000 students and staff, there have been less than 70 coronavirus cases within the school district and only five cases reported on average per week.
In Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Joel issued a Thanksgiving message to the school’s 50,000 students and staff in which he thanked them for abiding by the school’s rules and urged them to continue following safety protocols.
The district is the second largest public school district in Nebraska and has remained open for in-person learning since August. Officials from the district did not respond to requests for comment.
“As we head into the holiday week, I want to implore each of our students and staff members to heed the safety protocols so we can drive case numbers down,” Joel told the school district ahead of Thanksgiving. “Our ability to continue having in-person school and getting our athletics and activities back is directly related to the manner in which we each take on this responsibility.”
Another school district that has fought to remain open is Rutherford County School District in Tennessee, which reopened in August for in-person learning. The school also offers a remote learning option for families that are not comfortable sending their children back to school.
The school district occasionally has turned to remote learning for several days at a time due to a shortage of substitute teachers, a Rutherford County school teacher told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The teacher suggested that contract tracing may be causing a shortage of teachers in the district.
“If we just get too many teachers out with not enough subs, then we have to shift to temporary distance until the people can return from quarantine,” the teacher told the DCNF.
The teacher asked to remain anonymous out of fear of backlash from his school district and Tennessee teachers unions, which he described as hostile to conservative viewpoints and angry that schools are in-person rather than remote.
“There’s a clear distinction between teachers who were in the union, and teachers who are not,” the teacher, who is not part of the local union, told the DCNF.
He expressed frustration at those teachers who push for schools to return to remote learning, emphasizing that children cannot learn properly at home. Families who have the means to hire private tutors, to homeschool or to put their children in private schools are at an advantage, he said.
All Metro Nashville Schools will be moving to distance learning following the Thanksgiving holiday amid the surge in new coronavirus cases across Middle Tennessee, school officials announced Monday. https://t.co/A69XiLwcBM — TN Education Assoc. (@TEA_teachers) November 24, 2020
“These people are supposed to be trying to help the most vulnerable among us,” he said. “I mean, that’s the goal of public schools.”
“I’m seeing across the board, if you’re an underprivileged kid, it’s almost impossible to do well in distance learning,” he continued. He described the high school he works at as “a good school” that is now suffering from “unprecedented failure rates” — children getting bad grades because “they turn in nothing.”
“It’s a majority of the distance learners,” he added. “They’re just not doing assignments.”
Rutherford Education Association President Laura L. Schlesinger told the DCNF that the generalization that most teachers unions wish to move to virtual learning is an “accurate portrayal.”
“Like quite a few other school systems, including a neighboring school district, we were hoping Rutherford County Schools would be moved to distance learning the week before winter break so as to give educators like me time to quarantine that we might be able to reunite with loved ones we have not seen since the beginning of the school year,” Schlesinger said.
She said that a week of remote learning following winter break would let educators and students quarantine before returning to school.
“By and large,” Schlesinger continued, “educators are increasingly feeling as though distance learning is the safer option until the numbers of positive cases decline, not to mention less disruptive to learning than the on again off again, comings and goings of educators and students having to quarantine.”
Schlesinger said “the pandemic has had more devastating effects” than any negative impact on students’ learning caused by virtual education.
“Educators and children are resilient,” she said. “I believe the pandemic that has necessitated distance learning has revealed that our society has become over reliant on schools to raise our children.”
“As with anything, there is always going to be a learning curve, and change is not easy,” Schlesinger continued. “If this is the wave of the future, then in the longterm we may be better preparing our students and ourselves for the future.”
Remote teaching requires significant preparation that wasn’t afforded in the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak, teachers told the DCNF in March, and constraints such as limited access to adequate technology, a lack of meals and unstable home lives have severely hampered education.
A study from Virginia’s largest school system published in November found that virtual learning due to the coronavirus pandemic is tanking academic achievement in Fairfax County Public Schools. The district saw a “widening gap between students who were previously performing satisfactorily and those performing unsatisfactorily.”
“Students who performed well previously primarily performed slightly better than expected during [Quarter 1] of this year,” the report said. “In contrast, students who were previously not performing well, performed considerably less well.”
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said in a statement that the school system is working quickly to help repair the damage done to students’ learning, adding that many students who were doing well academically before the pandemic hit are still doing well, while others “who previously struggled in school … continue to do so.”
“We are working on identifying these students by name and by need and are working on specific interventions to support them right now and as we phase back in person,” Braband added.