truepundit--2020-09-05--How Joe Biden Embraces Democrats’ Shutdown Insanity

“ We ’ ll have a national mandate to wear a mask — not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another , ” declared Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at last week ’ s Democratic National Convention .
Biden ’ s plan to impose a federal gag order on all Americans symbolizes the Democratic Party ’ s embrace of failed pandemic policies that could inflict far more damage on Americans ’ prosperity and freedom .
Nobody has asked Biden why the same mask rules should apply to New York City subway riders and to Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of America ’ s 3,000+ counties – most of which now have very few COVID cases – makes no sense .
But Biden apparently believes that this “ security theater ” mandate would comfort Americans still waiting for a rescue from Washington .
In an ABC News interview last Friday , Biden was asked , “ Are you going to force to wear a mask ?
” Biden replied : “ This isn ’ t about freedom , it ’ s about freedom for your , your neighbors … This is … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard people say that doing something patriotic you can save other people ’ s lives , impacts on their freedom .
Come on .
Give me a break.
” For Biden , any presumed benefit from government edicts to curb COVID infections makes freedom irrelevant .
This is why Biden endorsed a national “ stay-at-home ” dictate in March , declaring “ Why would we not err on the side of making sure that we are not going to have a repeat ?
” The fact that placing most of the nation under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irrelevant .
Biden also called for suspending rent payments for three months : “ Freeze it and forgive it so you ’ re able to stay in that place.
” Biden neglected to cite which provision of the Constitution empowers the federal government to suspend rent in tens of millions of rental dwellings .
ABC News ’ David Muir asked Biden last Friday how he would respond if scientists urged him to repeat the lockdowns that most states imposed earlier this year .
Biden replied , “ I would shut down , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified that heavy-handed policy : “ In order to keep the country running and moving and the economy growing and people employed , you have to fix the virus , you have to deal with the virus.
” Biden did not reconcile prohibiting economic activity and getting “ the economy growing and people employed.
” Biden learned nothing from the disastrous shutdowns earlier this year , when millions of Americans were effectively placed under house arrest .
Those lockdowns were far more effective at destroying 14 million jobs than preventing the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a Wall Street Journal analysis published on Monday noted , “ Many governments deployed draconian tactics never used in modern times : severe and broad restrictions on daily activity that helped send the world into its deepest peacetime slump since the Great Depression.
” As a result of the lockdowns and other restrictions , “ We ’ re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe , ” warned Harvard University economist James Stock .
The “ stay-at-home ” decrees earlier this year were justified by mortality predictions on COVID-19 from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than the rate experienced in the United States .
But most of the media still presumes that the lockdown dictates were legitimate because they were based on “ science and data ” – regardless that the epidemiological forecasts were even more inaccurate than the 2016 election predictions .
States with Democratic governors have been more aggressive in imposing and perpetuating COVID lockdowns .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat who was rumored to be Biden ’ s personal pick for vice president , imposed some of the most severe restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit family or friends .
Whitmer prohibited “ all public and private gatherings of any size ” and also prohibited purchasing seeds for spring planting in stores after she decreed that a “ nonessential ” activity .
( Purchasing state lottery tickets was still an “ essential ” activity . )
COVID-19 infections were concentrated in the Detroit metropolitan area , but Whitmer shut down the entire state – including northern counties with near-zero infections and zero fatalities , boosting unemployment to 24 % statewide .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s four million residents from leaving their homes except for essential work , buying food , and other narrow exemptions , and also banned all recreational travel .
At that point , six Oregon counties had only one confirmed COVID-19 case , and most of the state had minimal infections .
But schools , businesses , and other activities were slammed shut by government command .
Almost 400,000 Oregonians lost their jobs after Brown ’ s shutdown .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , yet another Democrat , justified shutting down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost everyone to their homes based on a simple formula : “ If everything we do saves just one life , I ’ ll be happy.
” At the time of Cuomo ’ s decree , five or fewer people had tested positive for coronavirus in most counties in New York State .
The governor entitled himself to freeze the lives and movement of 20 million people , subverting their efforts to provide for themselves and their families purportedly to save “ one life.
” And the self-proclaimed immaculate intentions of politicians absolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo callously compelled nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients , a policy that contributed to more than 10,000 nursing home deaths in his state .
Pennsylvania Health Czar Rachel Levine issued a similar order , contributing to thousands of nursing home deaths , and then removed her own 95-year-old mother from a nursing home to keep her safe .
According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , Democratic governors in Michigan , California , and New Jersey imposed similar policies to compel nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients .
Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of COVID-19 fatalities .
School shutdowns are another COVID-19 policy that have inflicted far more damage than most Americans realize .
A recent Wall Street Journal analysis headlined , “ The Results Are In for Remote Learning : It Didn ’ t Work , ” noted , “ In many places , lots of students simply didn ’ t show up online , and administrators had no good way to find out why not … Soon many districts weren ’ t requiring students to do any work at all , increasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big gaps in their learning.
” Barely half of Los Angeles students “ participated daily in online learning during the spring ” school COVID-19 shutdown .
An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) noted that only “ one in three school districts expected teachers to provide instruction , track student engagement , or monitor academic progress for all students.
” Democratic candidates are endlessly denouncing America ’ s “ systemic racism ” this year , but they ignore how school shutdowns are devastating minorities .
The CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children.
” An analysis by McKinsey and Company consultants “ estimated that if schools were entirely online until January , on average white students would lose six months of learning , Hispanic students nine months , Black students 10 months and low-income students more than a year during the time school buildings have closed for the pandemic , ” The Baltimore Sun reported .
Will a Biden administration “ solve ” that problem by making it a federal offense for a school system to flunk a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
As with the shutdown of the economy , the school shutdowns were a disaster that never needed to happen .
Britain has done the largest scientific study in the world and concluded that there is little risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools .
But that does nothing to deter teacher union demands to keep schools closed while teachers continue pocketing full pay .
Biden insists that “ we ’ re going to follow the science ” for fighting COVID-19 .
But many states relied on wildly-inaccurate “ scientific ” forecasts that paved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC scientists contaminated key samples for creating a test in February , and Food and Drug Administration scientist-bureaucrats continue to block innovative private testing .
If scientists tell Biden that everyone needs the newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine , would he declare a national emergency and force every American to get injected ?
In the name of fighting COVID-19 , would Biden turn Americans ’ lives into an endless TSA security checkpoint with unlimited commands and degradation and pointless groveling ?
If the COVID-19 infection rate does not fall to zero , would Biden claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictating an 8 p.m. curfew , banning all weddings , and prohibiting people from traveling more than three miles from their homes or from buying more than two packages of toilet paper ?
America can not afford a president who pretends to be a viral King Canute , whose edicts will instantly make a pandemic recede .
The COVID-19 shutdowns will likely be viewed as one of the greatest political debacles in modern American history .
But Joe Biden believes that all that is necessary to keep Americans safe is a bigger federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author of “ Attention Deficit Democracy , ” “ The Bush Betrayal , ” “ Terrorism and Tyranny , ” and other books .
Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors .
He is on Twitter at @ jimbovard .
His website is at www.jimbovard.com The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

“We’ll have a national mandate to wear a mask — not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another,” declared Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at last week’s Democratic National Convention. Biden’s plan to impose a federal gag order on all Americans symbolizes the Democratic Party’s embrace of failed pandemic policies that could inflict far more damage on Americans’ prosperity and freedom.
Nobody has asked Biden why the same mask rules should apply to New York City subway riders and to Iowa farmers. Imposing the same muzzle on all of America’s 3,000+ counties – most of which now have very few COVID cases – makes no sense. But Biden apparently believes that this “security theater” mandate would comfort Americans still waiting for a rescue from Washington.
In an ABC News interview last Friday, Biden was asked, “Are you going to force [everyone] to wear a mask?” Biden replied: “This isn’t about freedom, it’s about freedom for your, your neighbors … This is … the first time I’ve ever heard people say that doing something patriotic you can save other people’s lives, impacts on their freedom. Come on. Give me a break.”
For Biden, any presumed benefit from government edicts to curb COVID infections makes freedom irrelevant. This is why Biden endorsed a national “stay-at-home” dictate in March, declaring “Why would we not err on the side of making sure that we are not going to have a repeat?” The fact that placing most of the nation under house arrest inflicted vast collateral damage was irrelevant. Biden also called for suspending rent payments for three months: “Freeze it and forgive it so you’re able to stay in that place.” Biden neglected to cite which provision of the Constitution empowers the federal government to suspend rent in tens of millions of rental dwellings.
ABC News’ David Muir asked Biden last Friday how he would respond if scientists urged him to repeat the lockdowns that most states imposed earlier this year. Biden replied, “I would shut [America] down, I would listen to the scientists.” Biden justified that heavy-handed policy: “In order to keep the country running and moving and the economy growing and people employed, you have to fix the virus, you have to deal with the virus.” Biden did not reconcile prohibiting economic activity and getting “the economy growing and people employed.”
Biden learned nothing from the disastrous shutdowns earlier this year, when millions of Americans were effectively placed under house arrest. Those lockdowns were far more effective at destroying 14 million jobs than preventing the spread of COVID-19 to more than five million Americans. As a Wall Street Journal analysis published on Monday noted, “Many governments deployed draconian tactics never used in modern times: severe and broad restrictions on daily activity that helped send the world into its deepest peacetime slump since the Great Depression.” As a result of the lockdowns and other restrictions, “We’re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe,” warned Harvard University economist James Stock.
The “stay-at-home” decrees earlier this year were justified by mortality predictions on COVID-19 from the World Health Organization that were 50 times higher than the rate experienced in the United States. But most of the media still presumes that the lockdown dictates were legitimate because they were based on “science and data” – regardless that the epidemiological forecasts were even more inaccurate than the 2016 election predictions.
States with Democratic governors have been more aggressive in imposing and perpetuating COVID lockdowns. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who was rumored to be Biden’s personal pick for vice president, imposed some of the most severe restrictions, prohibiting anyone from leaving their home to visit family or friends. Whitmer prohibited “all public and private gatherings of any size” and also prohibited purchasing seeds for spring planting in stores after she decreed that a “nonessential” activity. (Purchasing state lottery tickets was still an “essential” activity.) COVID-19 infections were concentrated in the Detroit metropolitan area, but Whitmer shut down the entire state – including northern counties with near-zero infections and zero fatalities, boosting unemployment to 24% statewide.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, also a Democrat, banned her state’s four million residents from leaving their homes except for essential work, buying food, and other narrow exemptions, and also banned all recreational travel. At that point, six Oregon counties had only one confirmed COVID-19 case, and most of the state had minimal infections. But schools, businesses, and other activities were slammed shut by government command. Almost 400,000 Oregonians lost their jobs after Brown’s shutdown.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, yet another Democrat, justified shutting down his state’s economy and confining almost everyone to their homes based on a simple formula: “If everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.” At the time of Cuomo’s decree, five or fewer people had tested positive for coronavirus in most counties in New York State. The governor entitled himself to freeze the lives and movement of 20 million people, subverting their efforts to provide for themselves and their families purportedly to save “one life.”
And the self-proclaimed immaculate intentions of politicians absolved them for any harm they inflicted. Cuomo callously compelled nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, a policy that contributed to more than 10,000 nursing home deaths in his state. Pennsylvania Health Czar Rachel Levine issued a similar order, contributing to thousands of nursing home deaths, and then removed her own 95-year-old mother from a nursing home to keep her safe. According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Democratic governors in Michigan, California, and New Jersey imposed similar policies to compel nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients. Nationwide, nursing home residents account for almost half of COVID-19 fatalities.
School shutdowns are another COVID-19 policy that have inflicted far more damage than most Americans realize. A recent Wall Street Journal analysis headlined, “The Results Are In for Remote Learning: It Didn’t Work,” noted, “In many places, lots of students simply didn’t show up online, and administrators had no good way to find out why not … Soon many districts weren’t requiring students to do any work at all, increasing the risk that millions of students would have big gaps in their learning.” Barely half of Los Angeles students “participated daily in online learning during the spring” school COVID-19 shutdown. An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that only “one in three school districts expected teachers to provide instruction, track student engagement, or monitor academic progress for all students.”
Democratic candidates are endlessly denouncing America’s “systemic racism” this year, but they ignore how school shutdowns are devastating minorities. The CDC warned that “the lack of in-person educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children.” An analysis by McKinsey and Company consultants “estimated that if schools were entirely online until January, on average white students would lose six months of learning, Hispanic students nine months, Black students 10 months and low-income students more than a year during the time school buildings have closed for the pandemic,” The Baltimore Sun reported.
Will a Biden administration “solve” that problem by making it a federal offense for a school system to flunk a minority student after the COVID-19 shutdowns end?
As with the shutdown of the economy, the school shutdowns were a disaster that never needed to happen. Britain has done the largest scientific study in the world and concluded that there is little risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools. But that does nothing to deter teacher union demands to keep schools closed while teachers continue pocketing full pay.
Biden insists that “we’re going to follow the science” for fighting COVID-19. But many states relied on wildly-inaccurate “scientific” forecasts that paved the way to economic disaster. Incompetent CDC scientists contaminated key samples for creating a test in February, and Food and Drug Administration scientist-bureaucrats continue to block innovative private testing. If scientists tell Biden that everyone needs the newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine, would he declare a national emergency and force every American to get injected?
In the name of fighting COVID-19, would Biden turn Americans’ lives into an endless TSA security checkpoint with unlimited commands and degradation and pointless groveling? If the COVID-19 infection rate does not fall to zero, would Biden claim that justified imposing the Australian-style crackdown – dictating an 8 p.m. curfew, banning all weddings, and prohibiting people from traveling more than three miles from their homes or from buying more than two packages of toilet paper?
America cannot afford a president who pretends to be a viral King Canute, whose edicts will instantly make a pandemic recede. The COVID-19 shutdowns will likely be viewed as one of the greatest political debacles in modern American history. But Joe Biden believes that all that is necessary to keep Americans safe is a bigger federal iron fist.
James Bovard is the author of “Attention Deficit Democracy,” “The Bush Betrayal,” “Terrorism and Tyranny,” and other books. Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors. He is on Twitter at @jimbovard. His website is at www.jimbovard.com
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation. 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 licensing@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Intel Chief Says He Has Filed Multiple ‘Crimes Reports’ Over Classified Leaks

John Ratcliffe , the director of national intelligence , said Sunday he has filed multiple “ crimes reports ” regarding alleged leaks of classified information to the media .
“ When I become aware of intelligence community information that is disclosed unlawfully , I do what ’ s called a crimes report .
I ’ ve done that now on a number of occasions , and so those investigations are moving forward , ” Ratcliffe said on Fox News ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” Ratcliffe said that the timing of any prosecutions from the investigations “ would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address.
” “ I think that they will down the road , ” he added .
Ratcliffe , who was confirmed to his current post on May 21 , announced Saturday that he is revamping intelligence community briefings provided to Congress , citing a series of leaks of classified information to news outlets regarding Russia ’ s efforts to interfere in the 2020 election .
Ratcliffe said he wants to avoid “ a repeat of what happened a month ago , ” a reference to a briefing he gave to all members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere in American politics .
Ratcliffe said that he asked lawmakers not to disclose any of the classified information from the briefing , but he asserted that “ within minutes of that one of those briefings ending , a number of members of Congress went to a number of different publications and leaked classified information.
” He said that the leaks were “ for political purposes ” to create what he said is a false narrative “ that somehow Russia is a greater national security threat than China.
” Ratcliffe ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Democrats who say that he is withholding information about Russian meddling to provide political cover for President Donald Trump .
Ratcliffe did not provide details about which leaks have spurred him to file crimes reports .
Republicans have long called on the Justice Department to more aggressively investigate leaks that sprung during the FBI and special counsel ’ s Trump-Russia investigations .

John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence, said Sunday he has filed multiple “crimes reports” regarding alleged leaks of classified information to the media.
“When I become aware of intelligence community information that is disclosed unlawfully, I do what’s called a crimes report. I’ve done that now on a number of occasions, and so those investigations are moving forward,” Ratcliffe said on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Ratcliffe said that the timing of any prosecutions from the investigations “would be something that the FBI would have to address.”
“I think that they will down the road,” he added.
Ratcliffe, who was confirmed to his current post on May 21, announced Saturday that he is revamping intelligence community briefings provided to Congress, citing a series of leaks of classified information to news outlets regarding Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2020 election.
Ratcliffe said he wants to avoid “a repeat of what happened a month ago,” a reference to a briefing he gave to all members of Congress regarding foreign governments’ efforts to interfere in American politics.
Ratcliffe said that he asked lawmakers not to disclose any of the classified information from the briefing, but he asserted that “within minutes of that one of those briefings ending, a number of members of Congress went to a number of different publications and leaked classified information.”
He said that the leaks were “for political purposes” to create what he said is a false narrative “that somehow Russia is a greater national security threat than China.”
Ratcliffe’s decision to limit election-related intelligence briefings prompted outrage from Democrats who say that he is withholding information about Russian meddling to provide political cover for President Donald Trump.
Ratcliffe did not provide details about which leaks have spurred him to file crimes reports. Republicans have long called on the Justice Department to more aggressively investigate leaks that sprung during the FBI and special counsel’s Trump-Russia investigations.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Study: America Hit By Roughly 550 Violent Demonstrations In Three Months

Data gathered in a Thursday study suggested that the U.S. experienced nearly 550 violent demonstrations since May 26 , the day after the death of George Floyd .
The vast majority of U.S. states have experienced riots in the past three months with Wyoming , Idaho , Montana , Mississippi , West Virginia , Hawaii and Alaska being the only ones unscathed by violence , according to data gathered by The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project ( ACLED ) .
There was a total of 7,750 Black Lives Matter-linked demonstrations in the U.S. in 2,440 locations across all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s data .
Ninety-three percent of these demonstrations were peaceful , but that indicated that approximately 543 events were violent , according to ACLED ’ s statistics .
Violent demonstrations have largely been contained to 220 locations with Portland being the hardest hit location , the data show .
There have been 38 incidents where riots damaged or brought down historical statues .
Law enforcement deployed non-lethal munitions in 54 % of the demonstrations where they were present , ACLED reported .
A total of 5 % of BLM protests have been met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ACLED also claimed that 50 incidents across the country in the past three months have featured armed individuals , and BLM protests have been recorded in South America , Africa , Asia and several violent demonstrations have been reported in Europe .

Data gathered in a Thursday study suggested that the U.S. experienced nearly 550 violent demonstrations since May 26, the day after the death of George Floyd.
The vast majority of U.S. states have experienced riots in the past three months with Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Hawaii and Alaska being the only ones unscathed by violence, according to data gathered by The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).
There was a total of 7,750 Black Lives Matter-linked demonstrations in the U.S. in 2,440 locations across all 50 states, according to ACLED’s data.
Ninety-three percent of these demonstrations were peaceful, but that indicated that approximately 543 events were violent, according to ACLED’s statistics.
Violent demonstrations have largely been contained to 220 locations with Portland being the hardest hit location, the data show.
There have been 38 incidents where riots damaged or brought down historical statues. Law enforcement deployed non-lethal munitions in 54% of the demonstrations where they were present, ACLED reported. A total of 5% of BLM protests have been met with force from officers, data showed.
ACLED also claimed that 50 incidents across the country in the past three months have featured armed individuals, and BLM protests have been recorded in South America, Africa, Asia and several violent demonstrations have been reported in Europe.


truepundit--2020-09-05--‘Shrouded In Obscurity’: AT&T Asks The FCC To Crack Down On Big Tech Companies Like Facebook, Google

‘Shrouded In Obscurity’: AT&T Asks The FCC To Crack Down On Big Tech Companies Like Facebook, Google And Apple

AT & T will ask the Federal Communications Commission to adjust the legal shield protecting big tech companies and argue that Facebook and Google are not open with the public about how their algorithms impact public discourse , the telecommunications giant said Monday .
AT & T will make comments to the FCC Wednesday asking the agency to reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which indemnifies internet companies from liability over content their users post , AT & T policy executive Joan Marsh wrote in a blog post Monday about the company ’ s decision to press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more transparent about how they rank search results and feature news stories , Marsh wrote .
“ The decisions these companies make on a daily basis – which search results to rank first , which products to promote , which news stories to feature , and which third parties they will deal with and on what terms – shape virtually every aspect of America ’ s economic , social and political life , ” Walsh wrote .
“ Yet those decisions are shrouded in obscurity , away from public view , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms pick winners and losers in every sphere of public life , ” she wrote .
Modifying Section 230 to force companies into being more transparent about their decisions with respect to search results and algorithm changes is critical , according to Walsh .
Lawmakers in 1996 , when Section 230 was enacted , were unable to foresee how the “ provision , intended to protect struggling startups at the dawn of the internet , would ultimately be wielded by the largest and most powerful companies in the world as a shield not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but from what many consider to be every day responsibilities , ” Walsh added .
The Internet Association ( IA ) argues changing Section 230 would make it more difficult for Facebook , Google and other major platforms to remove objectionable content .
“ Section 230 makes the best of the internet possible .
It empowers online platforms to make their services safe for consumers and remove harmful content .
( The National Telecommunications and Information Administration ’ s ) rulemaking would make it harder , not easier , for platforms to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Banker said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is part of the Commerce Department and advises the president on telecommunications and information policy issues .
AT & T ’ s support of rollbacks to Section 230 protections comes after the Commerce Department asked the FCC to modify Section 230 following a request from the Commerce Department .
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May requiring the Commerce Department to press the FCC for changes to the statute , which previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s purview .
“ Currently , social media giants like Twitter receive an unprecedented liability shield based on the theory that they are a neutral platform , which they are not , ” Trump said in the Oval Office after signing the executive order .
“ We are fed up with it .
It is unfair , and it ’ s been very unfair.
” The president believes that Twitter and other giants discriminate against conservative activists online .

AT&T will ask the Federal Communications Commission to adjust the legal shield protecting big tech companies and argue that Facebook and Google are not open with the public about how their algorithms impact public discourse, the telecommunications giant said Monday.
AT&T will make comments to the FCC Wednesday asking the agency to reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which indemnifies internet companies from liability over content their users post, AT&T policy executive Joan Marsh wrote in a blog post Monday about the company’s decision to press for changes.
Tech platforms need to be more transparent about how they rank search results and feature news stories, Marsh wrote.
“The decisions these companies make on a daily basis – which search results to rank first, which products to promote, which news stories to feature, and which third parties they will deal with and on what terms – shape virtually every aspect of America’s economic, social and political life,” Walsh wrote.
“Yet those decisions are shrouded in obscurity, away from public view, in a world where black-box algorithms and non-negotiable terms pick winners and losers in every sphere of public life,” she wrote.
Modifying Section 230 to force companies into being more transparent about their decisions with respect to search results and algorithm changes is critical, according to Walsh.
Lawmakers in 1996, when Section 230 was enacted, were unable to foresee how the “provision, intended to protect struggling startups at the dawn of the internet, would ultimately be wielded by the largest and most powerful companies in the world as a shield not just from unfair and frivolous lawsuits, but from what many consider to be every day responsibilities,” Walsh added.
The Internet Association (IA) argues changing Section 230 would make it more difficult for Facebook, Google and other major platforms to remove objectionable content.
“Section 230 makes the best of the internet possible. It empowers online platforms to make their services safe for consumers and remove harmful content. (The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s) rulemaking would make it harder, not easier, for platforms to do that,” IA Deputy General Counsel Elizabeth Banker said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is part of the Commerce Department and advises the president on telecommunications and information policy issues.
AT&T’s support of rollbacks to Section 230 protections comes after the Commerce Department asked the FCC to modify Section 230 following a request from the Commerce Department. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May requiring the Commerce Department to press the FCC for changes to the statute, which previously has not been under the FCC’s purview.
“Currently, social media giants like Twitter receive an unprecedented liability shield based on the theory that they are a neutral platform, which they are not,” Trump said in the Oval Office after signing the executive order. “We are fed up with it. It is unfair, and it’s been very unfair.” The president believes that Twitter and other giants discriminate against conservative activists online.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Here’s How Many People Have Been Arrested For Rioting In DC Since May

Over 500 people have been arrested for unrest related behavior in the District of Columbia since May , according to data from the Metropolitan Police Department .
The Metropolitan Police Department ( MPD ) has arrested 527 individuals for curfew violations , riot-related burglary , and other riot-related events in the nation ’ s capital between May 30 and Sunday .
Twenty-four of those arrested are juveniles , MPD says .
During rioting following the March on Washington and the end of the 2020 Republican National Convention , MPD reported that they arrested eight individuals Thursday night and five individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are from the DMV area : 44 % of those arrested were from the District of Columbia , 27 % from Maryland , 12 % from Virginia , and 4 % from other states within the U.S. MPD has not determined where 13 % of those arrested are from , and notes that the arrest data is “ a preliminary count of arrests that have been processed.
” “ These numbers are subject to change as the MPD continues to process arrests or make new arrests based on photos and/or video footage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these individuals include felony rioting , described by MPD as “ tumultuous and violent conduct with grave danger of or actual serious injury to persons or serious property damage , ” as well as curfew violations , burglary , assault on police officers , assaults , threats , resisting arrest , unlawful entry , weapons violations , and more .
Thirty-one of those arrested reported injuries , four of which were juveniles , according to MPD .
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller @ @ @

Over 500 people have been arrested for unrest related behavior in the District of Columbia since May, according to data from the Metropolitan Police Department.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested 527 individuals for curfew violations, riot-related burglary, and other riot-related events in the nation’s capital between May 30 and Sunday. Twenty-four of those arrested are juveniles, MPD says.
During rioting following the March on Washington and the end of the 2020 Republican National Convention, MPD reported that they arrested eight individuals Thursday night and five individuals Saturday night.
Most of those arrested are from the DMV area: 44% of those arrested were from the District of Columbia, 27% from Maryland, 12% from Virginia, and 4% from other states within the U.S. MPD has not determined where 13% of those arrested are from, and notes that the arrest data is “a preliminary count of arrests that have been processed.”
“These numbers are subject to change as the MPD continues to process arrests or make new arrests based on photos and/or video footage,” MPD says.
Charges filed against these individuals include felony rioting, described by MPD as “tumultuous and violent conduct with grave danger of or actual serious injury to persons or serious property damage,” as well as curfew violations, burglary, assault on police officers, assaults, threats, resisting arrest, unlawful entry, weapons violations, and more.
Thirty-one of those arrested reported injuries, four of which were juveniles, according to MPD.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.


truepundit--2020-09-05--CNN Editor Under Fire From Conservative Journalists After Suggesting Trump Is Misclassifying ‘Riots’

One of CNN ’ s editors at large has faced backlash from conservative reporters over a Sunday tweet suggesting President Donald Trump has misclassified riots for political gain .
“ Trump ’ s efforts to label what is happening in major cities as ‘ riots ’ speaks at least somewhat to his desperation , politically speaking , at the moment , ” CNN editor-at-large and reporter Chris Cilliza wrote on Twitter .
The post received over 22,000 comments , many of which mocked Cilliza ’ s stance .
Several conservative journalists expressed their distaste for the editor ’ s view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been covering riots and recent unrest , wrote that the Portland Police Bureau have declared three riots in the city in one week .
Portland Police tweeted riot declarations on Aug. 29 , Aug. 26 and Aug. 24 , according to their Twitter page .
Brian Reidl , a fellow at the Manhattan Institute , a free-market think tank , mocked Cilliza ’ s tweet with an image of Hollywood actor Leslie Nielsen standing in front of a burning building with the words “ NOTHING TO SEE HERE MOVE ALONG.
” Independent Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video clip of a CNN reporter standing in front of burning vehicles with the chyron reading “ FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.
” Cilliza ’ s tweet links to a story on “ CNN Politics ” that suggests the Kenosha , Wisconsin incidents that followed the non-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake , who was shot multiple times after seemingly disobeying police directives , were “ peaceful protests.
” “ Trump , sensing that the race is slipping from him , has latched on to the events following the shooting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sign not of peaceful protests but of radical leftists rioting and destroying cities , ” the story reads .
Rioters targeted CNN ’ s headquarters in late May following the death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes , according to The Daily Beast .
Mob members defaced the news outlet ’ s logo in front of the building , broke windows , and torched a police vehicle a block away , the Beast reported .

One of CNN’s editors at large has faced backlash from conservative reporters over a Sunday tweet suggesting President Donald Trump has misclassified riots for political gain.
“Trump’s efforts to label what is happening in major cities as ‘riots’ speaks at least somewhat to his desperation, politically speaking, at the moment,” CNN editor-at-large and reporter Chris Cilliza wrote on Twitter.
The post received over 22,000 comments, many of which mocked Cilliza’s stance. Several conservative journalists expressed their distaste for the editor’s view.
Journalist Andy Ngo, who has been covering riots and recent unrest, wrote that the Portland Police Bureau have declared three riots in the city in one week.
Portland Police tweeted riot declarations on Aug. 29, Aug. 26 and Aug. 24, according to their Twitter page.
Brian Reidl, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a free-market think tank, mocked Cilliza’s tweet with an image of Hollywood actor Leslie Nielsen standing in front of a burning building with the words “NOTHING TO SEE HERE MOVE ALONG.”
Independent Journal Review Senior editor Caleb Hull tweeted a video clip of a CNN reporter standing in front of burning vehicles with the chyron reading “FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.”
Cilliza’s tweet links to a story on “CNN Politics” that suggests the Kenosha, Wisconsin incidents that followed the non-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake, who was shot multiple times after seemingly disobeying police directives, were “peaceful protests.”
“Trump, sensing that the race is slipping from him, has latched on to the events following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha earlier this month as a sign not of peaceful protests but of radical leftists rioting and destroying cities,” the story reads.
Rioters targeted CNN’s headquarters in late May following the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes, according to The Daily Beast. Mob members defaced the news outlet’s logo in front of the building, broke windows, and torched a police vehicle a block away, the Beast reported.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Biden Says He’s Not Banning Fracking Months After Promising To Stop All New Fracking Projects

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Monday during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania that he has no intention of “ banning fracking.
” “ I am not banning fracking .
Let me say that again : I am not banning fracking .
No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me , ” the former vice president said .
Biden made the comments in a state largely dependent on natural gas development , and more than four months after saying at a Democratic debate in March that he will be ending new fracking projects .
Biden promised during CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. to stop new fracking projects after his then-presidential rival , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , grilled the former vice president for not being tough enough on the oil industry .
Biden also suggested that he can transition the country away from fossil fuel-powered transportation and toward “ high speed rail , taking millions of automobiles off the road .
Making sure we move in a direction where no more drilling on federal lands .
” He said during a Delaware campaign speech in July that he will spend $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden plans to have an “ emissions-free power sector ” by 2035 .
Fracking technology helps energy producers extract natural gas out of places like the Permian Basin in Texas , and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania .
The natural energy sector employs more than 106,000 in Pennsylvania , while indirectly supporting another 216,000 jobs in the state , according to data from the American Petroleum Institute .
The U.S. became the world ’ s largest producer of fracked natural gas in 2012 , surpassing Russia despite former President Barack Obama ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moratorium on such production on public lands .
It also passed coal as the country ’ s leading source of electricity in July 2017 .

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Monday during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania that he has no intention of “banning fracking.”
“I am not banning fracking. Let me say that again: I am not banning fracking. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me,” the former vice president said. Biden made the comments in a state largely dependent on natural gas development, and more than four months after saying at a Democratic debate in March that he will be ending new fracking projects.
BIDEN: “No more ability for the oil industry to continue to drill. PERIOD.” “No new fracking!” Joe Biden will OBLITERATE energy jobs across this country. pic.twitter.com/4MWbUxJB9U — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) August 31, 2020
Biden promised during CNN’s Democratic debate in Washington, D.C. to stop new fracking projects after his then-presidential rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, grilled the former vice president for not being tough enough on the oil industry.
Biden also suggested that he can transition the country away from fossil fuel-powered transportation and toward “high speed rail, taking millions of automobiles off the road. Making sure we move in a direction where no more drilling on federal lands [sic].” He said during a Delaware campaign speech in July that he will spend $2 trillion to create jobs while increasing green energy.
Biden plans to have an “emissions-free power sector” by 2035.
Fracking technology helps energy producers extract natural gas out of places like the Permian Basin in Texas, and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. The natural energy sector employs more than 106,000 in Pennsylvania, while indirectly supporting another 216,000 jobs in the state, according to data from the American Petroleum Institute.
The U.S. became the world’s largest producer of fracked natural gas in 2012, surpassing Russia despite former President Barack Obama’s decision in 2015 to place a moratorium on such production on public lands. It also passed coal as the country’s leading source of electricity in July 2017.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Injured Illegal Immigrant Moved To Long-term Care Facility Instead Of Being Deported After Activists

Injured Illegal Immigrant Moved To Long-term Care Facility Instead Of Being Deported After Activists ‘Made A Stink’

A hospitalized illegal immigrant was transferred to a long-term healthcare facility instead of being deported after activists “ raised a stink , ” the Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
The 48-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala , identified by his family as A.V.
, was originally taken to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia where he was treated for a neurological trauma , two broken legs , and fractured ribs after a motorcycle hit him , the Inquirer reported .
Activists reportedly organized at the hospital to physically block any potential efforts to medically repatriate A.V .
“ If we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stink , he would be in Guatemala right now , and might not be alive right now , ” Director of the Free Migration Project and Philadelphia immigration lawyer David Bennion said , the Inquirer reported .
The Free Migration Project is an advocacy organization , they support “ the right of all people to freely migrate , ” according to their website .
Bennion would not say where A.V .
was transferred so that Immigration and Customs Enforcement couldn ’ t find him , the Inquirer reported .
“ My uncle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and when we talk on the phone he can recognize me , but he is still quite confused , ” A.V.
’ s niece Claudia Martinez said , the Inquirer reported .
“ What I want to happen is that he recovers , that he has the care and attention that he needs no matter how long it takes .
… My family is in total agreement on what is best for my uncle , ” she added .
A spokesperson for Jefferson Torresdale Hospital told the Inquirer , “ Jefferson Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or if the patient can not consent , a family member or their legally appointed decision maker .
… Jefferson works very closely with family members to develop transfer or discharge plans , no matter how complex.
” Medical students started an online petition against the deportation of A.V .
on June 23 , according to the Inquirer .

A hospitalized illegal immigrant was transferred to a long-term healthcare facility instead of being deported after activists “raised a stink,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The 48-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, identified by his family as A.V., was originally taken to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia where he was treated for a neurological trauma, two broken legs, and fractured ribs after a motorcycle hit him, the Inquirer reported. Activists reportedly organized at the hospital to physically block any potential efforts to medically repatriate A.V.
“If we had not gone to the hospital and raised a stink, he would be in Guatemala right now, and might not be alive right now,” Director of the Free Migration Project and Philadelphia immigration lawyer David Bennion said, the Inquirer reported.
The Free Migration Project is an advocacy organization, they support “the right of all people to freely migrate,” according to their website.
Bennion would not say where A.V. was transferred so that Immigration and Customs Enforcement couldn’t find him, the Inquirer reported.
“My uncle is much better, is better attended, and when we talk on the phone he can recognize me, but he is still quite confused,” A.V.’s niece Claudia Martinez said, the Inquirer reported.
“What I want to happen is that he recovers, that he has the care and attention that he needs no matter how long it takes. … My family is in total agreement on what is best for my uncle,” she added.
A spokesperson for Jefferson Torresdale Hospital told the Inquirer, “Jefferson Health transfers patients in coordination with the patient, or if the patient cannot consent, a family member or their legally appointed decision maker. … Jefferson works very closely with family members to develop transfer or discharge plans, no matter how complex.”
Medical students started an online petition against the deportation of A.V. on June 23, according to the Inquirer.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Ratcliffe Says He Is Coordinating With John Durham, Plans To Declassify More Trump-Russia Documents

John Ratcliffe , the director of national intelligence , has been coordinating with U.S. Attorney John Durham and plans to soon declassify more documents related to the Trump-Russia probe , he said Sunday .
“ The question now is did the FBI have a proper predicate to begin a counterintelligence investigation at all , and that ’ s the issue that John Durham is looking at , and also the issue that I ’ m continuing to look at , ” Ratcliffe said in an interview on Fox News ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” Durham , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprawling investigation into several aspects of the U.S. government ’ s surveillance activities against Trump associates .
He is investigating the FBI ’ s decision to open an investigation in July 2016 against Trump campaign associates over their possible ties to Russia , as well as an intelligence community assessment that said the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 election in order to help Donald Trump win .
Ratcliffe said that he is not privy to Durham ’ s findings , but that he has provided the prosecutor access to intelligence documents needed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinating with him to make sure that he has the intelligence documents that he needs to do his work , and what I don ’ t want to do is declassify something that might prejudice his work so we ’ re going to have to coordinate as we go forward , ” said Ratcliffe , a former U.S. congressman from Texas .
Ratcliffe said he has tried to avoid declassifying documents that would “ prejudice ” Durham ’ s investigation , though he said he ’ s “ optimistic that I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s investigation has yielded one prosecution so far .
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 of altering a June 2017 email from a CIA analyst to say that Carter Page was not a source for the spy agent .
Page had served as an “ operational contact ” for the CIA through 2013 .
Ratcliffe and his predecessor , Amb .
Richard Grenell , have declassified documents related to the Steele dossier , unmasking requests related to former national security adviser Michael Flynn , and the intelligence community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Grenell declassified information in footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Trump investigation , which showed that the bureau had evidence that the Steele dossier may have contained disinformation planted by Russian intelligence officers .
Ratcliffe declassified an FBI memo of interviews with Igor Danchenko , the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele .
Danchenko ’ s statements to the FBI called into question the reliability of the dossier , which the FBI used to obtain surveillance warrants against Carter Page .

John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence, has been coordinating with U.S. Attorney John Durham and plans to soon declassify more documents related to the Trump-Russia probe, he said Sunday.
“The question now is did the FBI have a proper predicate to begin a counterintelligence investigation at all, and that’s the issue that John Durham is looking at, and also the issue that I’m continuing to look at,” Ratcliffe said in an interview on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Durham, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, is conducting a sprawling investigation into several aspects of the U.S. government’s surveillance activities against Trump associates.
He is investigating the FBI’s decision to open an investigation in July 2016 against Trump campaign associates over their possible ties to Russia, as well as an intelligence community assessment that said the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 election in order to help Donald Trump win.
Ratcliffe said that he is not privy to Durham’s findings, but that he has provided the prosecutor access to intelligence documents needed for the investigation.
“I’m coordinating with him to make sure that he has the intelligence documents that he needs to do his work, and what I don’t want to do is declassify something that might prejudice his work so we’re going to have to coordinate as we go forward,” said Ratcliffe, a former U.S. congressman from Texas.
Ratcliffe said he has tried to avoid declassifying documents that would “prejudice” Durham’s investigation, though he said he’s “optimistic that I’ll be declassifying additional documents soon.”
Durham’s investigation has yielded one prosecution so far. Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 of altering a June 2017 email from a CIA analyst to say that Carter Page was not a source for the spy agent. Page had served as an “operational contact” for the CIA through 2013.
Ratcliffe and his predecessor, Amb. Richard Grenell, have declassified documents related to the Steele dossier, unmasking requests related to former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and the intelligence community assessment of Russia’s election interference.
Grenell declassified information in footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general’s report on the FBI’s Trump investigation, which showed that the bureau had evidence that the Steele dossier may have contained disinformation planted by Russian intelligence officers.
Ratcliffe declassified an FBI memo of interviews with Igor Danchenko, the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele. Danchenko’s statements to the FBI called into question the reliability of the dossier, which the FBI used to obtain surveillance warrants against Carter Page.


truepundit--2020-09-05--NBA’s New Social Justice Coalition Silent On China’s Voter Suppression

The NBA ’ s new social justice coalition dedicated to promoting voter access and civic engagement has kept silent on China ’ s systematic suppression of any organized political opposition to the ruling communist party .
The NBA and NBA Players Association announced the launch of the coalition , which according to a statement will focus on a “ broad range of issues , including increased access to voting , promoting civic engagement , and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform , ” on Friday after multiple teams had threatened to boycott the remainder of the season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ converting all its arenas into voting locations for the 2020 general election , read .
The joint NBA and NBPA statement made no mention of the NBA ’ s multibillion-dollar relationship with China or the communist country ’ s aggressive suppression of any democratic opposition its ruling communist party .
The NBA and NBPA did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation when asked if their social justice coalition intends to affect change in China .
The Chinese Communist Party claims that all citizens 18 years of age or older can vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central and local levels of congresses in the country .
In practice , however , citizens who advocate for democracy or move to establish independent political parties are harshly punished , according to Freedom House .
The Chinese Communist Party has ruled without interruption since 1949 .
While there are eight minority parties that are allowed to operate in the country , their activities are tightly controlled by the CCP .
Chinese law allows any candidate who obtains 10 signatures to run for seats in the local people ’ s congresses , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the ballot or out of office through intimidation , harassment , fraud , and in some cases detention , ” Freedom House reported .
In September 2019 , activist Mang Weiyu died in a police-run detention center after he had been arrested for holding up a placard in public calling for Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s resignation and free elections .
And as recently as Thursday , the Chinese coast guard detained pro-democracy Hong Kong activists who were fleeing to Taiwan via the South China Sea .
One of the individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained in Hong Kong earlier in August for participating in a pro-democracy movement in violation of China ’ s national security law , The Wall Street Journal reported .
The NBA ’ s relationship with China has been on the ropes since Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the protests in Hong Kong in October .
China Central Television , which holds exclusive TV rights for the NBA in the country , suspended streaming NBA games in response to Morey ’ s tweets , which according to NBA Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 400 million .
Silver said in June that he hoped the NBA could find a “ mutual respect ” with China .
“ We come to China with a certain set of core American values and principles , ” Silver said .
“ They have a different view of how things have been done , how things should be done .
And hopefully , we can find mutual respect for each other .
”

The NBA’s new social justice coalition dedicated to promoting voter access and civic engagement has kept silent on China’s systematic suppression of any organized political opposition to the ruling communist party.
The NBA and NBA Players Association announced the launch of the coalition, which according to a statement will focus on a “broad range of issues, including increased access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform,” on Friday after multiple teams had threatened to boycott the remainder of the season. In addition, the league committed to converting all its arenas into voting locations for the 2020 general election, read.
The joint NBA and NBPA statement made no mention of the NBA’s multibillion-dollar relationship with China or the communist country’s aggressive suppression of any democratic opposition its ruling communist party. The NBA and NBPA did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation when asked if their social justice coalition intends to affect change in China.
“We put together a plan and we had action.”@KingJames on the NBA players’ social justice initiatives. pic.twitter.com/sFxDuiCVJy — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 30, 2020
The Chinese Communist Party claims that all citizens 18 years of age or older can vote and stand for election in the five central and local levels of congresses in the country. In practice, however, citizens who advocate for democracy or move to establish independent political parties are harshly punished, according to Freedom House.
The Chinese Communist Party has ruled without interruption since 1949. While there are eight minority parties that are allowed to operate in the country, their activities are tightly controlled by the CCP.
Chinese law allows any candidate who obtains 10 signatures to run for seats in the local people’s congresses, but those independent candidates “are often kept off the ballot or out of office through intimidation, harassment, fraud, and in some cases detention,” Freedom House reported.
In September 2019, activist Mang Weiyu died in a police-run detention center after he had been arrested for holding up a placard in public calling for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s resignation and free elections.
And as recently as Thursday, the Chinese coast guard detained pro-democracy Hong Kong activists who were fleeing to Taiwan via the South China Sea. One of the individuals arrested, Andy Li, had been detained in Hong Kong earlier in August for participating in a pro-democracy movement in violation of China’s national security law, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The NBA’s relationship with China has been on the ropes since Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the protests in Hong Kong in October.
China Central Television, which holds exclusive TV rights for the NBA in the country, suspended streaming NBA games in response to Morey’s tweets, which according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could cost the league up to $400 million.
Silver said in June that he hoped the NBA could find a “mutual respect” with China.
“We come to China with a certain set of core American values and principles,” Silver said. “They have a different view of how things have been done, how things should be done. And hopefully, we can find mutual respect for each other.”


truepundit--2020-09-05--Cuomo Sends SWAT Team To College Because Of COVID

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo sent a SWAT Team to help the State University of New York ( SUNY ) Oneonta deal with a COVID-19 cluster , according to a Sunday school press release .
The SWAT team will implement three rapid testing sites for residents in Oneonta , according to the release .
SUNY Oneonta immediately transitioned to online classes after 105 students tested positive for the coronavirus .
New York colleges must transition to virtual instruction with limited on-campus activity for two weeks if 5 % of the population tests positive for the virus or if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a Thursday press release .
“ Colleges are the canary in the coal mine , and a three percent infection rate is high in a congregate situation , similar to a dense urban environment where you have people taking public transportation .
That ’ s why we ’ re deploying state resources to contain the new COVID cluster at SUNY Oneonta , ” Cuomo said , in a newer press release on Sunday .
“ I think the Chancellor is doing the exact right thing at Oneonta and I think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUNY , and I think the private colleges should really follow the example , ” he continued .
“ Individual responsibility plays into the collective good , so your individual actions have enormous consequences on everyone else in your college community , ” SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said , according to Cuomo ’ s Sunday press release .
“ Five students in Oneonta have been suspended for holding parties against the college policy , ” he continued .
“ Three organizations , campus organizations , have been suspended and we ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ruin their fun , but this is a different time and this goes to what other campuses have been doing.
” SUNY Oneonta is considering further suspensions , according to the school ’ s press release .
The university is establishing a plan to face the COVID case spike and has begun transitioning to completely remote classes , Associate Director of Communications Kim MacLeod told the Daily Caller News Foundation “ Those studying on-campus accounted for 3 percent of students .
The remote study will be for two weeks and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
New York Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker gave eight case investigators and around 70 contact tracers to assist with contact tracing on the school ’ s campus , according to the school statement .
Cuomo ’ s Press Office did not immediately respond to the DCNF .
The New York State Health Department directed the DCNF to the governor ’ s recent press release .

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a SWAT Team to help the State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta deal with a COVID-19 cluster, according to a Sunday school press release.
The SWAT team will implement three rapid testing sites for residents in Oneonta, according to the release. SUNY Oneonta immediately transitioned to online classes after 105 students tested positive for the coronavirus.
New York colleges must transition to virtual instruction with limited on-campus activity for two weeks if 5% of the population tests positive for the virus or if there are 100 cases, Cuomo said, in a Thursday press release.
“Colleges are the canary in the coal mine, and a three percent infection rate is high in a congregate situation, similar to a dense urban environment where you have people taking public transportation. That’s why we’re deploying state resources to contain the new COVID cluster at SUNY Oneonta,” Cuomo said, in a newer press release on Sunday.
“I think the Chancellor is doing the exact right thing at Oneonta and I think he’s taking the right actions across SUNY, and I think the private colleges should really follow the example,” he continued.
BREAKING: SUNY Oneonta closes in-person classes for two weeks following a spike in positive coronavirus cases linked to student parties, state officials say. https://t.co/tcureSJ5AU — NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) August 30, 2020
“Individual responsibility plays into the collective good, so your individual actions have enormous consequences on everyone else in your college community,” SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, according to Cuomo’s Sunday press release.
“Five students in Oneonta have been suspended for holding parties against the college policy,” he continued. “Three organizations, campus organizations, have been suspended and we’re going to be tough not because we want to ruin their fun, but this is a different time and this goes to what other campuses have been doing.”
SUNY Oneonta is considering further suspensions, according to the school’s press release.
The university is establishing a plan to face the COVID case spike and has begun transitioning to completely remote classes, Associate Director of Communications Kim MacLeod told the Daily Caller News Foundation
“Those studying on-campus accounted for 3 percent of students. The remote study will be for two weeks and we will reassess at that time,” MacLeod continued.
New York Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker gave eight case investigators and around 70 contact tracers to assist with contact tracing on the school’s campus, according to the school statement.
Cuomo’s Press Office did not immediately respond to the DCNF. The New York State Health Department directed the DCNF to the governor’s recent press release.


truepundit--2020-09-05--DC Police Won’t Say Why They Didn’t Have More Officers Protecting Politicians, Guests As They Left R

DC Police Won’t Say Why They Didn’t Have More Officers Protecting Politicians, Guests As They Left RNC

Washington , D.C. ’ s Metropolitan Police Department refused to comment on why the department failed to prevent protesters from harassing Republican National Convention attendees outside of the White House Thursday night .
Protesters harassed Florida Rep. Brian Mast , Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and his wife , RNC guests and police officers , multiple videos from the night show .
Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said in a press conference Monday that the department had to plan for the convention on “ short notice.
” “ When you throw bricks , and rocks and bottles and urine and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a police reaction , ” Newsham said at the press conference .
“ So folks who want to suggest or paint the picture that this was somehow peaceful , and the police indiscriminately used munitions against them , they ’ re not being honest , ” Newsham added .
MPD declined to comment on the orders given to officers Thursday night , or why officers seemed to be largely outnumbered by demonstrators .
“ The Metropolitan Police Department ’ s primary responsibility is to safeguard and protect the residents and visitors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the DCNF .
“ Additionally , MPD does not discuss operational tactics.
” Newsham said the activity began around 6 p.m. on Thursday , and that a group of 200 to 300 protesters outside the White House started to throw projectiles at officers around 8:30 p.m .
The protesters started launching fireworks at officers around 10 p.m. , according to Newsham .
Property was reportedly destroyed and small fires were set in trashcans and on the roads .
MPD arrested eight adults , with charges including assault on a police officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Newsham said .
Four officers were injured , he noted .

Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department refused to comment on why the department failed to prevent protesters from harassing Republican National Convention attendees outside of the White House Thursday night.
Protesters harassed Florida Rep. Brian Mast, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and his wife, RNC guests and police officers, multiple videos from the night show. Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said in a press conference Monday that the department had to plan for the convention on “short notice.”
“When you throw bricks, and rocks and bottles and urine and you set fires, there is going to be a police reaction,” Newsham said at the press conference.
“So folks who want to suggest or paint the picture that this was somehow peaceful, and the police indiscriminately used munitions against them, they’re not being honest,” Newsham added.
One agitator threatened to beat up the DC police officers near the White House. pic.twitter.com/ksh7mSsppq — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 28, 2020
MPD declined to comment on the orders given to officers Thursday night, or why officers seemed to be largely outnumbered by demonstrators.
“The Metropolitan Police Department’s primary responsibility is to safeguard and protect the residents and visitors to the District of Columbia,” MPD told the DCNF. “Additionally, MPD does not discuss operational tactics.”
Newsham said the activity began around 6 p.m. on Thursday, and that a group of 200 to 300 protesters outside the White House started to throw projectiles at officers around 8:30 p.m.
The protesters started launching fireworks at officers around 10 p.m., according to Newsham. Property was reportedly destroyed and small fires were set in trashcans and on the roads.
MPD arrested eight adults, with charges including assault on a police officer, simple assault, and destruction of property, Newsham said. Four officers were injured, he noted.


truepundit--2020-09-05--Amazon Allowed To Test Deliveries Using Drones

Amazon said Monday that they will be allowed to use drones to test commercial deliveries .
The Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) approved Amazon Prime Air to test commercial deliveries using drones , Amazon and the FAA told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Amazon Prime Air delivers packages in a half hour or less .
“ This certification is an important step forward for Prime Air and indicates the FAA ’ s confidence in Amazon ’ s operating and safety procedures for an autonomous drone delivery service that will one day deliver packages to our customers around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of Prime Air at Amazon , said in a statement provided to the DCNF .
“ We will continue to develop and refine our technology to fully integrate delivery drones into the airspace , and work closely with the FAA and other regulators around the world to realize our vision of 30 minute delivery , ” Carbon continued .
Amazon added in a statement to the DCNF that they are flying and testing even though the Prime Air drones aren ’ t prepared to begin delivering packages immediately at scale .
Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a goal to deliver in a half hour or less and sent a petition in 2019 for the FAA ’ s approval , CNBC reported .
The FAA gave Amazon Prime Air “ a Part 135 air carrier certificate using unmanned aircraft systems ( UAS ) ” on Friday , the FAA said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation and added that “ Amazon Prime Air ’ s concept uses autonomous UAS to safely and efficiently deliver packages to customers.
” “ The FAA ’ s role is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely .
The FAA supports innovation that is beneficial to the public , especially during a health or weather-related crisis , ” the FAA statement continued .
The United Parcel Service Inc. and Wing , a part of Alphabet Inc. , are two other companies with FAA approval to deliver using drones , Reuters reported .
Other smaller companies are also looking for approval .

Amazon said Monday that they will be allowed to use drones to test commercial deliveries.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Amazon Prime Air to test commercial deliveries using drones, Amazon and the FAA told the Daily Caller News Foundation. Amazon Prime Air delivers packages in a half hour or less.
“This certification is an important step forward for Prime Air and indicates the FAA’s confidence in Amazon’s operating and safety procedures for an autonomous drone delivery service that will one day deliver packages to our customers around the world,” David Carbon, vice president of Prime Air at Amazon, said in a statement provided to the DCNF.
“We will continue to develop and refine our technology to fully integrate delivery drones into the airspace, and work closely with the FAA and other regulators around the world to realize our vision of 30 minute delivery,” Carbon continued.
Amazon added in a statement to the DCNF that they are flying and testing even though the Prime Air drones aren’t prepared to begin delivering packages immediately at scale. Amazon started testing drones for delivery in 2013 with a goal to deliver in a half hour or less and sent a petition in 2019 for the FAA’s approval, CNBC reported.
The FAA gave Amazon Prime Air “a Part 135 air carrier certificate using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)” on Friday, the FAA said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation and added that “Amazon Prime Air’s concept uses autonomous UAS to safely and efficiently deliver packages to customers.”
“The FAA’s role is to ensure that any UAS operation is performed safely. The FAA supports innovation that is beneficial to the public, especially during a health or weather-related crisis,” the FAA statement continued.
The United Parcel Service Inc. and Wing, a part of Alphabet Inc., are two other companies with FAA approval to deliver using drones, Reuters reported. Other smaller companies are also looking for approval.


truepundit--2020-09-05--DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Says She’s ‘Worried’ About America ‘Descending Into A Race War’

Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday that she ’ s worried about America “ descending into a race war.
” Bowser , a Democrat , discussed the ongoing unrest in the nation ’ s capital at a Monday press conference where she warned that the rioting in DC that took place over the weekend “ could be domestic terrorism ” and could be “ organized and funded.
” “ What I ’ m worried about is this country descending into a race war , ” Bowser said , according to WAMU .
“ And I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from leadership who should be focused on bringing our communities together.
” “ Our police and peaceful protesters will be safer when we come together as a community and tamp down this black versus white rhetoric , ” she added .
The Metropolitan Police Department ( MPD ) has arrested 527 individuals for curfew violations , riot-related burglary and other riot-related events in the nation ’ s capital between May 30 and Sunday , MPD data shows .
Most of those arrested are from the DMV area : 44 % of those arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 % from Maryland , 12 % from Virginia , and 4 % from other states within the U.S. MPD has not determined where 13 % of those arrested are from and notes that the arrest data is “ a preliminary count of arrests that have been processed .
”

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday that she’s worried about America “descending into a race war.”
Bowser, a Democrat, discussed the ongoing unrest in the nation’s capital at a Monday press conference where she warned that the rioting in DC that took place over the weekend “could be domestic terrorism” and could be “organized and funded.”
“What I’m worried about is this country descending into a race war,” Bowser said, according to WAMU. “And I’m worried about the continued incitement of violence from leadership who should be focused on bringing our communities together.”
“Our police and peaceful protesters will be safer when we come together as a community and tamp down this black versus white rhetoric,” she added.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has arrested 527 individuals for curfew violations, riot-related burglary and other riot-related events in the nation’s capital between May 30 and Sunday, MPD data shows.
Most of those arrested are from the DMV area: 44% of those arrested were from the District of Columbia, 27% from Maryland, 12% from Virginia, and 4% from other states within the U.S.
MPD has not determined where 13% of those arrested are from and notes that the arrest data is “a preliminary count of arrests that have been processed.”


truepundit--2020-09-05--Trump Could See A Huge Lead On Election Night And Still Lose. Here’s How

The electoral map could show a victory for President Donald Trump on Nov. 3 , even if he ultimately loses the election , according to Hawkfish , a Democratic analytics firm .
The twist could occur as millions of voters , the majority of whom are Democratic , will likely choose to vote by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic , according to Hawkfish ’ s research .
These votes , the firm says , may not be counted by Nov. 3 , likely giving Trump an early lead over Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
“ We are sounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very real possibility , that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump , ” Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn said in an interview with Axios .
Mendelsohn called the scenario a “ red mirage ” in an interview with Axios , referring to a map that shows a Trump landslide on Nov. 3 and then turns blue in the days following .
“ When every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day , which will be some day after Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened on election night was exactly that , a mirage .
It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted.
” The scenario could risk exacerbating the polarization and misinformation that has infiltrated American politics , Mendelsohn said .
As mail-in ballots are counted in the days after the election , any lead that Trump may have will narrow , and possibly disappear , making Biden the president-elect , Axios reported .
Hawkfish based the models for the final election result on FiveThirtyEight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 7.1 point lead over Trump nationwide .
Hawkfish , which was started by former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , works with the Democratic National Committee and some Biden PACs , according to Axios .
One of Hawkfish ’ s models shows that Trump could appear to have maximum of 408 electoral votes on Nov. 3 if only 15 % of all mail-in ballots had been counted on election .
Once 75 % of the ballots are counted , however , Biden could win with 334 electoral votes to Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hawkfish also warned that voters need to be prepared for an election that may not be decided on Nov. 3 , even if Trump declares victory .
“ Any change from that result on election night , is signaling they will say means fraud , ” Mendelsohn said of the Trump campaign .
“ You ’ re then setting up the American presidency for even more failure .
Even if you ultimately get to the end result , which is that Joe Biden would be president of the United States… You would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where a real portion of the American electorate feels that injustice was done , ” he said .
In constructing its model , Hawkfish surveyed over 17,000 registered voters across the country from July 1-Aug. 16 , asking their party affiliation and whether they would vote in-person or by mail .
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 ] Listen to the insightful @ @ @ @ @

The electoral map could show a victory for President Donald Trump on Nov. 3, even if he ultimately loses the election, according to Hawkfish, a Democratic analytics firm.
The twist could occur as millions of voters, the majority of whom are Democratic, will likely choose to vote by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Hawkfish’s research. These votes, the firm says, may not be counted by Nov. 3, likely giving Trump an early lead over Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility, that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump,” Hawkfish CEO Josh Mendelsohn said in an interview with Axios.
Mendelsohn called the scenario a “red mirage” in an interview with Axios, referring to a map that shows a Trump landslide on Nov. 3 and then turns blue in the days following.
“When every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day, which will be some day after Election Day, it will in fact show what happened on election night was exactly that, a mirage. It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted.”
The scenario could risk exacerbating the polarization and misinformation that has infiltrated American politics, Mendelsohn said.
As mail-in ballots are counted in the days after the election, any lead that Trump may have will narrow, and possibly disappear, making Biden the president-elect, Axios reported.
Hawkfish based the models for the final election result on FiveThirtyEight’s polling, which gives Biden a 7.1 point lead over Trump nationwide. Hawkfish, which was started by former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, works with the Democratic National Committee and some Biden PACs, according to Axios.
NEW: A top Democratic data firm Hawkfish warns that it’s highly likely that Trump will appear to be way ahead on election night, but could ultimately lose when all the votes are counted in the ensuing days and weeks. https://t.co/YVfhOycHNf — Axios (@axios) September 1, 2020
One of Hawkfish’s models shows that Trump could appear to have maximum of 408 electoral votes on Nov. 3 if only 15% of all mail-in ballots had been counted on election. Once 75% of the ballots are counted, however, Biden could win with 334 electoral votes to Trump’s 204, according to the Hawkfish model.
Hawkfish also warned that voters need to be prepared for an election that may not be decided on Nov. 3, even if Trump declares victory.
“Any change from that result on election night, [Trump] is signaling they will say means fraud,” Mendelsohn said of the Trump campaign.
“You’re then setting up the American presidency for even more failure. Even if you ultimately get to the end result, which is that Joe Biden would be president of the United States… You would find yourself in this deeply polarized situation where a real portion of the American electorate feels that injustice was done,” he said.
In constructing its model, Hawkfish surveyed over 17,000 registered voters across the country from July 1-Aug. 16, asking their party affiliation and whether they would vote in-person or by mail.
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].
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-09-05--‘Serious Deprivation Of Our Rights’: San Francisco Archbishop Demands Mayor End ‘Excessive’ Worship

‘Serious Deprivation Of Our Rights’: San Francisco Archbishop Demands Mayor End ‘Excessive’ Worship Restrictions, Cites First Amendment

The archbishop of San Francisco demanded in a statement Monday that the mayor ease what the archbishop calls “ unfair restrictions ” for worship gatherings that pose a “ serious deprivation ” of Catholics ’ rights .
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone accused San Francisco Mayor London Breed , Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax , and Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón of placing undue restrictions on religious worship despite evidence that returning to worship would prove safe if normal precautions are taken .
“ Particularly for us as Catholics , attending the Mass and receiving the Body and Blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the summit of our faith , and we have shown we can celebrate the Mass safely , ” the archbishop continued .
“ This denial of access to safe outdoor public worship is a serious deprivation of our rights as Americans under the First Amendment and our spiritual needs as people of faith.
” Cordileone wrote , referencing an article published by Real Clear Science : “ As three major infectious disease specialists recently pointed out , ‘ over one million public asses have been celebrated following guidelines to prevent the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , no outbreaks of COVID-19 have been linked to church attendance.
’ ” The archbishop additionally claimed that religious services and gatherings are being treated by the city government as less of a priority as many mundane or non-vital industries .
“ Ours and others ’ faith is being treated as less important than a trip to the hardware store , or a nice dinner out on the patio , ” the archbishop wrote .

The archbishop of San Francisco demanded in a statement Monday that the mayor ease what the archbishop calls “unfair restrictions” for worship gatherings that pose a “serious deprivation” of Catholics’ rights.
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone accused San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax, and Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón of placing undue restrictions on religious worship despite evidence that returning to worship would prove safe if normal precautions are taken.
“Particularly for us as Catholics, attending the Mass and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in person is the source and the summit of our faith, and we have shown we can celebrate the Mass safely,” the archbishop continued. “This denial of access to safe outdoor public worship is a serious deprivation of our rights as Americans under the First Amendment and our spiritual needs as people of faith.”
Cordileone wrote, referencing an article published by Real Clear Science: “As three major infectious disease specialists recently pointed out, ‘over one million public [M]asses have been celebrated following guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus…for Catholic churches following these guidelines, no outbreaks of COVID-19 have been linked to church attendance.’”
The archbishop additionally claimed that religious services and gatherings are being treated by the city government as less of a priority as many mundane or non-vital industries.
“Ours and others’ faith is being treated as less important than a trip to the hardware store, or a nice dinner out on the patio,” the archbishop wrote.


truepundit--2020-09-05--84-Year-Old NYPD Chaplain Reportedly Assaulted During Mugging Attempt

An elderly New York City Police Department chaplain was reportedly accosted and forced to empty his pockets early Tuesday morning , according to the New York Post .
An 84-year-old was strolling through the streets when he was approached by an unidentified black male who demanded cash because he was hungry , the NYPD ’ s public information division told the Daily Caller News Foundation in an email .
The suspect reached into the man ’ s pockets and his wallet fell to the ground , the email read .
The NYPD refused to confirm the identity of the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass , citing anonymous sources .
Kass reportedly fell to the floor after the attempted mugging and injured his shoulder , but refused medical assistance , according to the outlet .
The unknown male fled the scene with none of the chaplain ’ s personal effects , the NYPD said .
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests had been made , the NYPD told the DCNF .
The two largest New York-based law enforcement unions blamed local leaders for failing to keep the streets safe after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At what point does anyone leading this city take responsibility ?
Where is DeBlasio , Adams , Johnson , Lancman ?
Another attack on Jewish people !
Demand accountability !
, ” The Sergeants Benevolent Association wrote on Twitter Tuesday .
“ Despicable attack on our brother Rabbi Dr. Kass , ” The Police Benevolent Association tweeted .
“ Relieved he wasn ’ t injured , but nobody should have to endure this .
This is what our failed political leaders have done to # UWS and neighborhoods across the city.
” Kass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaplain for over 54 years , according to the Post .

An elderly New York City Police Department chaplain was reportedly accosted and forced to empty his pockets early Tuesday morning, according to the New York Post.
An 84-year-old was strolling through the streets when he was approached by an unidentified black male who demanded cash because he was hungry, the NYPD’s public information division told the Daily Caller News Foundation in an email. The suspect reached into the man’s pockets and his wallet fell to the ground, the email read.
The NYPD refused to confirm the identity of the elderly victim, but the Post identified him as NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, citing anonymous sources.
Kass reportedly fell to the floor after the attempted mugging and injured his shoulder, but refused medical assistance, according to the outlet.
The unknown male fled the scene with none of the chaplain’s personal effects, the NYPD said. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests had been made, the NYPD told the DCNF.
The two largest New York-based law enforcement unions blamed local leaders for failing to keep the streets safe after the reported assault on Kass.
“At what point does anyone leading this city take responsibility? Where is DeBlasio,Adams,Johnson, Lancman? Another attack on Jewish people! Demand accountability!,” The Sergeants Benevolent Association wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass assaulted in attempted mugging https://t.co/HrEMWRmBrF via @nypmetro At what point does anyone leading this city take responsibility? Where is DeBlasio,Adams,Johnson, Lancman? Another attack on Jewish people! Demand accountability! — SBA (@SBANYPD) September 1, 2020
“Despicable attack on our brother Rabbi Dr. Kass,” The Police Benevolent Association tweeted. “Relieved he wasn’t injured, but nobody should have to endure this. This is what our failed political leaders have done to #UWS and neighborhoods across the city.”
Kass has been the NYPD’s lead chaplain for over 54 years, according to the Post.


truepundit--2020-09-05--City Allegedly Disposed Of Servicemembers’ Cars While They Were Deployed

The City of San Antonio allegedly auctioned off or otherwise got rid of two servicemembers vehicles while they were deployed , the Department of Justice announced Thursday .
When the city got rid of the vehicles without a court order , they reportedly violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( SCRA ) , according to the Department of Justice .
The city will reportedly pay the servicemembers $ 47,000 in compensation to resolve the suit filed by the DOJ Thursday if it is approved by the court .
“ Servicemembers who serve our country honorably should not have to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transportation and its contents have been auctioned off to the highest bidder , ” Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said , according to the DOJ .
“ We are pleased that the city has worked cooperatively with the department to reach a settlement that will compensate all the servicemembers who lost their vehicles and will provide additional protections for the thousands of servicemembers stationed in and around San Antonio , ” Dreiband added , the DOJ reported .
Included in the settlement , the city must create a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations , according to the DOJ .
The city will be required to pay a civil penalty of around $ 62,000 to the U.S. Treasury .
“ I am proud that our office was able to reach a settlement with the City of San Antonio to protect servicemembers who are deployed overseas , ” Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney John Bash said , according to the DOJ .
“ When servicemembers are fighting for our country , they should not have to worry that their vehicles will be gone when they return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rangel filed a complaint against the city for towing and auctioning her vehicle while she was deployed in Afghanistan , according to the DOJ .
Despite Rangel ’ s military attorney contacting the impound lot where her car was held and identifying her as an active-duty servicemember , the lot refused to release the vehicle , according to the DOJ .
Rangel ’ s vehicle was auctioned for $ 6,600 on Sept. 21 , 2016 , by the city ’ s contractual agent UR Vehicle Management Solutions .
An investigation by the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protected servicemembers were auctioned by the City of San Antonio between 2011 and 2019 without court orders , the DOJ announced .

The City of San Antonio allegedly auctioned off or otherwise got rid of two servicemembers vehicles while they were deployed, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.
When the city got rid of the vehicles without a court order, they reportedly violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), according to the Department of Justice. The city will reportedly pay the servicemembers $47,000 in compensation to resolve the suit filed by the DOJ Thursday if it is approved by the court.
“Servicemembers who serve our country honorably should not have to come home to find that their only means of transportation and its contents have been auctioned off to the highest bidder,” Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said, according to the DOJ.
“We are pleased that the city has worked cooperatively with the department to reach a settlement that will compensate all the servicemembers who lost their vehicles and will provide additional protections for the thousands of servicemembers stationed in and around San Antonio,” Dreiband added, the DOJ reported.
Thanks for your service – we sold your car. The City of San Antonio auctioned off the vehicles of 227 military servicemembers while they were deployed – without getting court orders. https://t.co/BqMcTzuHbk — Jeff Elder (@JeffElder) September 4, 2020
Included in the settlement, the city must create a $150,000 settlement fund to recoup other SCRA violations, according to the DOJ. The city will be required to pay a civil penalty of around $62,000 to the U.S. Treasury.
“I am proud that our office was able to reach a settlement with the City of San Antonio to protect servicemembers who are deployed overseas,” Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney John Bash said, according to the DOJ. “When servicemembers are fighting for our country, they should not have to worry that their vehicles will be gone when they return home.”
Air Force Staff Sergeant Paula Rangel filed a complaint against the city for towing and auctioning her vehicle while she was deployed in Afghanistan, according to the DOJ.
Despite Rangel’s military attorney contacting the impound lot where her car was held and identifying her as an active-duty servicemember, the lot refused to release the vehicle, according to the DOJ. Rangel’s vehicle was auctioned for $6,600 on Sept. 21, 2016, by the city’s contractual agent UR Vehicle Management Solutions.
An investigation by the DOJ found that at least 227 vehicles registered to protected servicemembers were auctioned by the City of San Antonio between 2011 and 2019 without court orders, the DOJ announced.