theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-19--Gordon Chang Provides Some Background on July 2020 U.S. Order to Close Houston Chinese Consulate

On July 21st of this year the United States told China they must close their consulate in Houston , Texas , giving them 72 hours to cease operations and events .
Three days later U.S. federal agents and officials entered the consulate alleging the Chinese government was engaging in espionage targeting U.S. interests .
The activities of consulate officials in Houston “ are a microcosm , we believe , of a broader network of individuals in more than 25 cities that network is supported through the consulates here , ” a US Justice Department official said Friday .
“ Consulates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance on how to evade [ and ] obstruct our investigation .
And you can infer from that the ability to task that [ a ] network of associates nationwide.
” In an interesting interview a few days ago , Gordon Chang , expanded on the operation that was taking place from within that consulate .
( H/T Cari Kelemen ) WATCH ( prompted ) : What Chang outlines is in alignment with what Trump officials have cited as ongoing malign activity by the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) , and speaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence the 2020 election .
If we overlay what we have witnessed and discussed for the past several years as the Trump administration has tackled the China issues head-on , we can see how our nation has approached an inflection point toward Beijing .
Indeed the larger global community is now aware of a vast network of CCP officials that have infiltrated all systems , processes and institutions of western interests .
The panda mask of China has dropped and now we see the true extent of the dragon tentacles .
Recent reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored by U.S. media , in part due to their financial alignment .
Additionally , the aspects of Hunter and Joe Biden engaging for personal affluence with the Chinese government stands as a remarkable example of the cunning nature of Beijing ’ s strategy .
Senator Dianne Feinstein with a CCP spy in her office for almost three decades .
House Intelligence Committee member Eric Swalwell having a long-term relationship with another Chinese spy amid recent headlines .
Various academic institutions compromised by Chinese operatives and the theft of intellectual property .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still unknown as more comes forth each day .
Into this mix we now have a more substantive understanding over how China was influencing U.S. politics ; and , as we see in the Houston consulate example , how Beijing was fomenting strife in advance of the November 2020 election as part of a larger plan to install and support U.S. politicians aligned with their interests .
America-First is antithetical to the long-term goals and objectives of the communist Chinese regime .
This was always evident in the way Beijing responded to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Ultimately the global battle between the Red Dragon ( CCP , Beijing ) and President Trump is at the root of the concerted effort to remove/defeat him from office .
CTH has discussed this confrontation at length since the first shots were fired .
U.S. President Trump , representing economic nationalism , stood against China and was winning in the economic war despite the interference from Wall Street and U.S. media .

On July 21st of this year the United States told China they must close their consulate in Houston, Texas, giving them 72 hours to cease operations and events.
Three days later U.S. federal agents and officials entered the consulate alleging the Chinese government was engaging in espionage targeting U.S. interests.
The activities of consulate officials in Houston “are a microcosm, we believe, of a broader network of individuals in more than 25 cities that network is supported through the consulates here,” a US Justice Department official said Friday. “Consulates have been giving individuals in that network guidance on how to evade [and] obstruct our investigation. And you can infer from that the ability to task that [a] network of associates nationwide.”
In an interesting interview a few days ago, Gordon Chang, expanded on the operation that was taking place from within that consulate. (H/T Cari Kelemen) WATCH (prompted):
https://youtu.be/Qn4FLJXVfaU?t=773
What Chang outlines is in alignment with what Trump officials have cited as ongoing malign activity by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and speaks to a larger intent by Beijing to influence the 2020 election.
If we overlay what we have witnessed and discussed for the past several years as the Trump administration has tackled the China issues head-on, we can see how our nation has approached an inflection point toward Beijing.
Indeed the larger global community is now aware of a vast network of CCP officials that have infiltrated all systems, processes and institutions of western interests. The panda mask of China has dropped and now we see the true extent of the dragon tentacles.
Recent reporting on the scale of this influence was ignored by U.S. media, in part due to their financial alignment. Additionally, the aspects of Hunter and Joe Biden engaging for personal affluence with the Chinese government stands as a remarkable example of the cunning nature of Beijing’s strategy.
Senator Dianne Feinstein with a CCP spy in her office for almost three decades. House Intelligence Committee member Eric Swalwell having a long-term relationship with another Chinese spy amid recent headlines. Various academic institutions compromised by Chinese operatives and the theft of intellectual property. The scale of what China was executing is still unknown as more comes forth each day.
Into this mix we now have a more substantive understanding over how China was influencing U.S. politics; and, as we see in the Houston consulate example, how Beijing was fomenting strife in advance of the November 2020 election as part of a larger plan to install and support U.S. politicians aligned with their interests.
America-First is antithetical to the long-term goals and objectives of the communist Chinese regime. This was always evident in the way Beijing responded to the trade and economic policies of President Donald Trump.
Ultimately the global battle between the Red Dragon (CCP, Beijing) and President Trump is at the root of the concerted effort to remove/defeat him from office. CTH has discussed this confrontation at length since the first shots were fired.
U.S. President Trump, representing economic nationalism, stood against China and was winning in the economic war despite the interference from Wall Street and U.S. media.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-19--REPORT, Sidney Powell Meets With President Trump in Oval Office to Discuss Vote Fraud

The New York Times is reporting today on a Friday night visit between President Trump and lawyer Sidney Powell .
According to the Times President Trump ’ s legal counsel Rudy Giuliani was present via phone conference and White House counsel Pat A. Cipollone represented the office of the President .
There are essentially a few competing approaches still being provided to President Trump for consideration as the White House awaits an important report from Director of National Intelligence , John Ratcliffe , on what the DNI has affirmed was “ foreign interference in the 2020 election.
” Rudy Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team seem to prefer President Trump using executive order # 13848 upon , and as an outcome of , formal findings represented by DNI John Ratcliffe .
Use of that specific XO would make sense as the direct purpose of the 2018 order was targeted toward foreign interference .
However , there is no specific information known as to which executive agency would carry out any authority if the issues directly highlight domestic election infrastructure targeting .
The Times reports “ [ p ] art of the White House meeting on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take control of voting machines to examine them , according to one of the people briefed.
” However legal advisors to the office of president are unsure if DHS would have authority to impound Dominion ballot machines .
The 2018 executive order would seem to indicate that any office directed by the White House would have authority .
This avenue would obviously depend on the DNI final report .
Ms. Powell has two lawsuits in the docket of the high court ; however , as each day passes it seems the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more challenging .
It is likely Powell is recommending a more forceful approach by the executive branch that will support the lawsuits underway by her outside group .
NEW YORK TIMES – President Trump on Friday discussed making Sidney Powell , who as a lawyer for his campaign team unleashed a series of conspiracy theories about a Venezuelan plot to rig voting machines in the United States , a special counsel investigating voter fraud , according to two people briefed on the discussion .
It was unclear if Mr. Trump will move ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his advisers opposed the idea , two of the people briefed on the discussion said , including Rudolph W. Giuliani , the president ’ s personal lawyer , who in recent days sought to have the Department of Homeland Security join the campaign ’ s efforts to overturn Mr. Trump ’ s loss in the election .
Mr. Giuliani joined the discussion by phone , while Ms. Powell was at the White House for a meeting that became raucous at times , according to one of the people briefed on what took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the meeting , two of the people briefed said , and the White House counsel , Pat A. Cipollone , pushed back on the ideas being proposed .
Ms. Powell accused other Trump advisers of being quitters , according to the people briefed .
( read more ) With public confidence in the integrity of the FBI and DOJ near zero ; and with massive evidence of wide-scale institutional corruption and weaponized politics highlighted over the past four years ; there is somewhere near 100 million Americans waiting to see what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the larger picture many American voters are now awake to the reality that U.S. politics has been an “ illusion of choice ” for the past several election cycles .
The Big Club is indeed a set of two private organizations , DNC and RNC , that select candidates and construct the party election strategies around them .
It was the December 2014 RNC playbook to nominate Jeb Bush in 2016 that finally showcased just how much strategic manipulation takes place inside The Club to give the illusion of voter influence .
CTH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strategy ” , and it would have ended successfully with a Hillary -vs- Jeb general election contest if Donald J Trump had not intervened in 2015 as the outsider .
The institutions of American government and politics have responded over the past five years to having someone from outside the Big Club apparatus win the presidency .
Both wings of the UniParty club were/are aligned to remove the risk represented by Trump .
It has been a one-man America-First battle against the administrative state for the past five years and we have watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has a key decision now in front of him ; however , he also has 100 million American patriots standing beside him .
The MAGA movement is waiting to see what comes next .
One thing is certain , the entire apparatus of our U.S. government will never be the same .

The New York Times is reporting today on a Friday night visit between President Trump and lawyer Sidney Powell. According to the Times President Trump’s legal counsel Rudy Giuliani was present via phone conference and White House counsel Pat A. Cipollone represented the office of the President.
There are essentially a few competing approaches still being provided to President Trump for consideration as the White House awaits an important report from Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, on what the DNI has affirmed was “foreign interference in the 2020 election.”
Rudy Giuliani and several members of the formal legal team seem to prefer President Trump using executive order #13848 upon, and as an outcome of, formal findings represented by DNI John Ratcliffe.
Use of that specific XO would make sense as the direct purpose of the 2018 order was targeted toward foreign interference. However, there is no specific information known as to which executive agency would carry out any authority if the issues directly highlight domestic election infrastructure targeting.
The Times reports “[p]art of the White House meeting on Friday night was a discussion about an executive order to take control of voting machines to examine them, according to one of the people briefed.” However legal advisors to the office of president are unsure if DHS would have authority to impound Dominion ballot machines. The 2018 executive order would seem to indicate that any office directed by the White House would have authority. This avenue would obviously depend on the DNI final report.
Ms. Powell has two lawsuits in the docket of the high court; however, as each day passes it seems the ability to confront known election fraud evidence becomes more challenging. It is likely Powell is recommending a more forceful approach by the executive branch that will support the lawsuits underway by her outside group.
NEW YORK TIMES – President Trump on Friday discussed making Sidney Powell, who as a lawyer for his campaign team unleashed a series of conspiracy theories about a Venezuelan plot to rig voting machines in the United States, a special counsel investigating voter fraud, according to two people briefed on the discussion. It was unclear if Mr. Trump will move ahead with such a plan. Most of his advisers opposed the idea, two of the people briefed on the discussion said, including Rudolph W. Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, who in recent days sought to have the Department of Homeland Security join the campaign’s efforts to overturn Mr. Trump’s loss in the election. Mr. Giuliani joined the discussion by phone, while Ms. Powell was at the White House for a meeting that became raucous at times, according to one of the people briefed on what took place. Other administration officials drifted in and out of the meeting, two of the people briefed said, and the White House counsel, Pat A. Cipollone, pushed back on the ideas being proposed. Ms. Powell accused other Trump advisers of being quitters, according to the people briefed. (read more)
With public confidence in the integrity of the FBI and DOJ near zero; and with massive evidence of wide-scale institutional corruption and weaponized politics highlighted over the past four years; there is somewhere near 100 million Americans waiting to see what direction President Trump will take.
In the larger picture many American voters are now awake to the reality that U.S. politics has been an “illusion of choice” for the past several election cycles. The Big Club is indeed a set of two private organizations, DNC and RNC, that select candidates and construct the party election strategies around them.
It was the December 2014 RNC playbook to nominate Jeb Bush in 2016 that finally showcased just how much strategic manipulation takes place inside The Club to give the illusion of voter influence. CTH called this specific road-map the “Splitter Strategy”, and it would have ended successfully with a Hillary -vs- Jeb general election contest if Donald J Trump had not intervened in 2015 as the outsider.
The institutions of American government and politics have responded over the past five years to having someone from outside the Big Club apparatus win the presidency. Both wings of the UniParty club were/are aligned to remove the risk represented by Trump.
It has been a one-man America-First battle against the administrative state for the past five years and we have watched each element within this larger struggle.
President Trump has a key decision now in front of him; however, he also has 100 million American patriots standing beside him.
The MAGA movement is waiting to see what comes next. One thing is certain, the entire apparatus of our U.S. government will never be the same.
We pray for wisdom.
https://www.scribd.com/document/488697394/Executive-Order-on-Foreign-Election-Interference-2018


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-19--What Is Your Favorite Cookie?

What Is Your Favorite Cookie?

From an article at Yummly .
I ’ m going with Kentucky on this one .
Runners up are Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ and New Jersey , the state that came closest to knocking Kentucky out of my @ @ @ @ @ verklempt at Tennessee not having a Jack Daniel ’ s cookie .
I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ and a slice of Jack Daniel ’ s cake .
And really , Nebraska and @ @ @ @ @ guys need some help .
Sigh .
No political comments , and for goodness sakes @ @ @ @ @ slightly off color comment on a cookie thread ?
Use some sense , please .
@ @ @ @ @ thread escapes you then go comment on the other threads .
Please .

From an article at Yummly. I’m going with Kentucky on this one. Runners up are Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota, and New Jersey, the state that came closest to knocking Kentucky out of my favorite position.
I am verklempt at Tennessee not having a Jack Daniel’s cookie. I’ll console myself with Gentleman Jack and a slice of Jack Daniel’s cake.
And really, Nebraska and Alaska, sad. You guys need some help.
Sigh. No political comments, and for goodness sakes, why make an even slightly off color comment on a cookie thread? Use some sense, please. If the fun of this thread escapes you then go comment on the other threads. Please.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth , to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph , of the house of David , and the virgin ’ s name was Mary .
And coming to her , he said , “ Hail , full of grace !
The Lord is with you.
” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be .
Then the angel said to her , “ Do not be afraid , Mary , for you have found favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will conceive in your womb and bear a son , and you shall name him Jesus .
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High , and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father , and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever , and of his kingdom there will be no end.
” But Mary said to the angel , “ How can this be , since I have no relations with a man ?
” And the angel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Spirit will come upon you , and the power of the Most High will overshadow you .
Therefore the child to be born will be called holy , the Son of God .
And behold , Elizabeth , your relative , has also conceived a son in her old age , and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren ; for nothing will be impossible for God.
” Mary said , “ Behold , I am the handmaid of the Lord .
May it be done to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angel departed from her .

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--December 20th – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1431

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a @ @ @ @ @ Presidential Politics ” .
Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald @ @ @ @ @ This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread .

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.
This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.
President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP
Kayleigh McEnany Twitter @PressSec


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Sunday December 20th – Open Thread

Sunday December 20th – Open Thread

Our Father , who art in heaven , hallowed be thy Name .
Thy kingdom come .
THY WILL BE @ @ @ @ @ it is in heaven .
Give us this day our daily bread .
And forgive @ @ @ @ @ we forgive those who trespass against us .
And lead us not into temptation , @ @ @ @ @ .
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory , forever and @ @ @ @

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Robert Kennedy Jr Warns of COVID Compliance Creating The Dystopian End Game

There are many issues where we may disagree with Robert Kennedy Jr. , the weaponization of COVID fear is not one of them .
In this short video Robert Kennedy Jr , a passionate advocate against forced vaccinations of all types , talks about how professional politicians will lie to create the underlying source of their power , dependency .
WATCH : People in authority will abuse every power that we relinquish to them and right now we are giving them the power to micro-manage every bit of our lives , 24 hours a day .
[ Transcript ] “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child : people in authority lie .
If we are going to continue to live in a democracy we need to understand that people in authority lie .
They ’ re going to know where we are , they ’ re going to know the money that we spend , they ’ re going to have access to our children .
They ’ re going to have the right to compel unwanted medical interventions on us .
You know , the NAZI ’ s did that in the camps , in World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jews .
And the world was so horrified after the war that we signed the Nuremburg Charter and we all pledged when we do that , we would never again impose unwanted medical interventions on human beings without informed consent .
And yet in two years all of that conviction has suddenly disappeared , and people are walking around in masks where the science has not been explained to them—they are doing what they ’ re told .
These government agencies are orchestrating obedience and it is not democratic—it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the product of a pharmaceutical-driven , bio-security agenda that will enslave the entire human race and plunge us into a dystopian nightmare where the apocalyptical forces of ignorance and greed will be running our lives and ruining our children and destroying all the dreams and dignity that we hope to give to our children .
”

There are many issues where we may disagree with Robert Kennedy Jr., the weaponization of COVID fear is not one of them. In this short video Robert Kennedy Jr, a passionate advocate against forced vaccinations of all types, talks about how professional politicians will lie to create the underlying source of their power, dependency. WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-5gm0kUXCw
People in authority will abuse every power that we relinquish to them and right now we are giving them the power to micro-manage every bit of our lives, 24 hours a day.
[ Transcript ] “My father told me when I was a child: people in authority lie. If we are going to continue to live in a democracy we need to understand that people in authority lie.
They’re going to know where we are, they’re going to know the money that we spend, they’re going to have access to our children. They’re going to have the right to compel unwanted medical interventions on us.
You know, the NAZI’s did that in the camps, in World War 2—they tested the vaccines on Gypsies and Jews. And the world was so horrified after the war that we signed the Nuremburg Charter and we all pledged when we do that, we would never again impose unwanted medical interventions on human beings without informed consent. And yet in two years all of that conviction has suddenly disappeared, and people are walking around in masks where the science has not been explained to them—they are doing what they’re told.
These government agencies are orchestrating obedience and it is not democratic—it’s not the product of democracy. It’s the product of a pharmaceutical-driven, bio-security agenda that will enslave the entire human race and plunge us into a dystopian nightmare where the apocalyptical forces of ignorance and greed will be running our lives and ruining our children and destroying all the dreams and dignity that we hope to give to our children.”
~Robert F. Kennedy Jr.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--Jumping Ju Ju Bones, Congress Agrees to 2.3 TRILLION Spending Package, 900 BILLION COVID Bailout Plu

Jumping Ju Ju Bones, Congress Agrees to 2.3 TRILLION Spending Package, 900 BILLION COVID Bailout Plus 1.4 Trillion Omnibus Spending

Sweet baby Jesus – it ’ s flipping dejá vu all over again !
!
CTH knew Pelosi and UniParty leadership were going to use the 2008/2009 TARP approach to construct the scale of their COVID bail-out package , but we had no idea they were going to use the EXACT SAME amount… The UniParty is flying high tonight .
According to recent reports ( which seem accurate ) congress has just agreed to the largest bailout and budget combined spending bill in history .
The seriously sketchy COVID “ relief ” ( insert term “ bailout ” ) package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are throwing in a $ 1.4 Trillion omnibus spending bill… This is literally identical to what Pelosi and crew did when Obama was coming into office in 2007 .
~ The total combined package is over $ 2.3 TRILLION ~ Butter my buns and call me a biscuit , how can people not see what is going on here ?
2020 is an exact replica of 2007 with COVID taking the place of TARP .
And… to top it all off , we have omnibus spending bills replacing the federal budgetary process all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m just going to repeat right here what I already predicted three weeks ago… it has unfolded EXACTLY as we suspected it would… The audacity of the elites who run both wings of the UniParty is jaw-dropping .
[ December 5 , 2020 ] The COVID-19 narrative becomes a tool to achieve a variety of objectives … Without COVID as a tool the manufactured process is more difficult .
The ‘ never let a crisis go to waste ‘ strategy includes the creation of a crisis .
Why ?
– Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such extremes ?
… why would blue state governors willingly destroy their economy ?
… .
Follow the money , it ’ s always about the money .
The global ideology is worthless without money .
Wall Street ’ s Rick Santelli knows , he ’ s watching the second deployment of an identical playbook .
So when your friends ask why , let ’ s talk about ‘ why ‘ .
The response to the opportunity of the financial crisis of 2007/2008 was all about using the housing market collapse to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
TARP , Auto-bailouts , QE1 , QE2 and the stimulus packages were specifically directed to the controlled crony capitalists who funded the rise of the previous tool , Barack Obama .
In 2008 the orcs were deployed .
Beyond the Wall Street crowd , the SEIU , AFL-CIO , AFSCME , NEA were some of the more visible politically activist beneficiaries .
There was a massive hole in the U.S. economy and all the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ( ARRA ) funds were specifically targeted to ensure the Blue Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were selected .
Overall Main Street didn ’ t get a dime .
In 2020 , we are seeing the exact same operational execution around COVID-19 .
This time the crisis is a virus and the planned primary beneficiaries are the Blue Team states and their collapsing and unstable financial mechanisms .
The American electorate ( writ large ) would never support targeted taxpayer funded bailouts to Blue State beneficiaries .
As a consequence , the crisis needs to hit Main Street so that public support for massive bailouts can be accepted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes the accounting of the Blue Team needs , and sits down with inside party club members to organize the funding mechanisms .
Obviously , all of this big picture outcome is contingent upon successful execution of President Trump ’ s removal… hence , the firm-reliance on election fraud .
The transparency of the fraud needs to be obfuscated , denied and ridiculed ; that ’ s where the media come in .
Meanwhile , Blue State teams work earnestly to create a worsening financial crisis for the American electorate , the workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy is part of a coordinated effort .
When do both wings of the UniParty bird most visibly flap in unison ?
ANSWER : When they get to the part of the playbook where ‘ their tribe ’ starts positioning for the trough .
Yes , COVID-19 as a weapon has many benefits… including the purposefully convenient stopping of assemblies , crowds and visible public opposition as the larger schemes are deployed hastily .
BIG TECH steps-in to assist the goal of isolating the electorate by shutting down voices and keeping people isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are cut , as they would be in any war strategy .
Dividing people has many benefits .
As soon as enough pressure is applied to Main Street , the electorate get desperate .
There will be an outcry for help and that is where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is waiting in the wings with the previously constructed bailout package that the American people will now be more apt to support .
Opposition voices will be framed as heartless ; the media will immediately jump into action ; and we go right into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop to recognize the financial strategy as it is carried out .
The Blue Team state bailout will come at the top of a massive 2020 COVID federal spending package .
As with the previous 2009 spending package , it will be gift-wrapped in paper to appear like Main Street is a beneficiary… However , just like the ARRA , there will be no ‘ shovel ready jobs ‘ saved or created .
It is all a ruse for a transfer of taxpayer wealth .
The weaponization of COVID is the ongoing crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the American people resist the bait represented by the COVID crisis , those who need to weaponize it will keep turning up the pressure .
That pressure will continue until the American people can no longer take it and will accept the solution .
We are watching deployment of an identical playbook used previously to bail-out Wall Street , Big Banks and political benefactors/beneficiaries in 2009 .
• States are bailed out in 2020 like the Too Big to Fail banks in 2008 .
• Union leadership benefit as they did in @ @ @ @

Sweet baby Jesus – it’s flipping dejá vu all over again !!
CTH knew Pelosi and UniParty leadership were going to use the 2008/2009 TARP approach to construct the scale of their COVID bail-out package, but we had no idea they were going to use the EXACT SAME amount… The UniParty is flying high tonight.
According to recent reports (which seem accurate) congress has just agreed to the largest bailout and budget combined spending bill in history. The seriously sketchy COVID “relief” (insert term “bailout”) package is $900 billion, and they are throwing in a $1.4 Trillion omnibus spending bill… This is literally identical to what Pelosi and crew did when Obama was coming into office in 2007.
~ The total combined package is over $2.3 TRILLION ~
(Via Politico) […] House and Senate are now on a glide path to approve the aid package and its partner, a $1.4 trillion bill funding the government through September. Though the Fed feud dominated the past 48 hours, the crux of the package remains the same: a $300 boost in weekly unemployment benefits, $600 relief checks for adultsand children, more than $300 billion for small business aid and huge pots of money for schools, hospitals and vaccine distribution. (read more)
Butter my buns and call me a biscuit, how can people not see what is going on here? 2020 is an exact replica of 2007 with COVID taking the place of TARP. And… to top it all off, we have omnibus spending bills replacing the federal budgetary process all over again. FML.
Heck, I’m just going to repeat right here what I already predicted three weeks ago… it has unfolded EXACTLY as we suspected it would… The audacity of the elites who run both wings of the UniParty is jaw-dropping.
[December 5, 2020] The COVID-19 narrative becomes a tool to achieve a variety of objectives … Without COVID as a tool the manufactured process is more difficult. The ‘never let a crisis go to waste‘ strategy includes the creation of a crisis.
Why? – Why all of this effort?… why such extremes?… why would blue state governors willingly destroy their economy?…. Follow the money, it’s always about the money.
The global ideology is worthless without money. Wall Street’s Rick Santelli knows, he’s watching the second deployment of an identical playbook.
So when your friends ask why, let’s talk about ‘why‘.
The response to the opportunity of the financial crisis of 2007/2008 was all about using the housing market collapse to create a financial mechanism to bail-out Blue Team members.
TARP, Auto-bailouts, QE1, QE2 and the stimulus packages were specifically directed to the controlled crony capitalists who funded the rise of the previous tool, Barack Obama.
In 2008 the orcs were deployed. Beyond the Wall Street crowd, the SEIU, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, NEA were some of the more visible politically activist beneficiaries. There was a massive hole in the U.S. economy and all the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds were specifically targeted to ensure the Blue Team did not suffer.
Winners and losers were selected. Overall Main Street didn’t get a dime.
In 2020, we are seeing the exact same operational execution around COVID-19. This time the crisis is a virus and the planned primary beneficiaries are the Blue Team states and their collapsing and unstable financial mechanisms.
The American electorate (writ large) would never support targeted taxpayer funded bailouts to Blue State beneficiaries. As a consequence, the crisis needs to hit Main Street so that public support for massive bailouts can be accepted.
Nancy Pelosi sets up the proposal, takes the accounting of the Blue Team needs, and sits down with inside party club members to organize the funding mechanisms.
Obviously, all of this big picture outcome is contingent upon successful execution of President Trump’s removal… hence, the firm-reliance on election fraud. The transparency of the fraud needs to be obfuscated, denied and ridiculed; that’s where the media come in.
Meanwhile, Blue State teams work earnestly to create a worsening financial crisis for the American electorate, the workers and business owners. Shutting down the economy is part of a coordinated effort.
When do both wings of the UniParty bird most visibly flap in unison?
ANSWER: When they get to the part of the playbook where ‘their tribe’ starts positioning for the trough.
Yes, COVID-19 as a weapon has many benefits… including the purposefully convenient stopping of assemblies, crowds and visible public opposition as the larger schemes are deployed hastily.
BIG TECH steps-in to assist the goal of isolating the electorate by shutting down voices and keeping people isolated from larger community understanding. Communication lines are cut, as they would be in any war strategy. Dividing people has many benefits.
As soon as enough pressure is applied to Main Street, the electorate get desperate. There will be an outcry for help and that is where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is waiting in the wings with the previously constructed bailout package that the American people will now be more apt to support. Opposition voices will be framed as heartless; the media will immediately jump into action; and we go right into that cycle were fearful people do not stop to recognize the financial strategy as it is carried out.
The Blue Team state bailout will come at the top of a massive 2020 COVID federal spending package. As with the previous 2009 spending package, it will be gift-wrapped in paper to appear like Main Street is a beneficiary… However, just like the ARRA, there will be no ‘shovel ready jobs‘ saved or created. It is all a ruse for a transfer of taxpayer wealth.
The weaponization of COVID is the ongoing crisis that will facilitate the government solutions. As the American people resist the bait represented by the COVID crisis, those who need to weaponize it will keep turning up the pressure.
That pressure will continue until the American people can no longer take it and will accept the solution. We are watching deployment of an identical playbook used previously to bail-out Wall Street, Big Banks and political benefactors/beneficiaries in 2009.
COVID crisis 2020 replaces the housing/banking crisis 2008.
Pelosi repackages the TARP strategy as a COVID response.
States are bailed out in 2020 like the Too Big to Fail banks in 2008.
Union leadership benefit as they did in the 2008 operation.
…And the great reset begins.
That’s the why.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--Trump Campaign Files First Formal Request Directly to Supreme Court For Intervention in Pennsylvania

Trump Campaign Files First Formal Request Directly to Supreme Court For Intervention in Pennsylvania Election

The campaign of President Donald J Trump filed a petition [ pdf here ] and motion [ pdf here ] asking for expedited consideration before the U.S. Supreme Court .
The substance of the petition is a request to reverse some Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions .
This is the first direct filing to the U.S. Supreme Court for intervention in the 2020 election and seeks expedited consideration prior to the January 6 , 2021 , congressional certification of the electoral college vote .
[ Campaign Website ] “ The Campaign ’ s petition seeks to reverse three decisions which eviscerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail ballot fraud , including ( a ) prohibiting election officials checking whether signatures on mail ballots are genuine during canvassing on Election Day , ( b ) eliminating the right of campaigns to challenge mail ballots during canvassing for forged signatures and other irregularities , ( c ) holding that the rights of campaigns to observe the canvassing of mail ballots only meant that they only were allowed to be ‘ in the room ’ – in this case , the Philadelphia Convention Center – the size of several football fields , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements that voters properly sign , address , and date mail ballots .
“ The petition seeks all appropriate remedies , including vacating the appointment of electors committed to Joseph Biden and allowing the Pennsylvania General Assembly to select their replacements .
The Campaign also moved for expedited consideration , asking the Supreme Court to order responses by December 23 and a reply by December 24 to allow the U.S. Supreme Court to rule before Congress meets on January 6 to consider the votes of the electoral college.
” ( link ) This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first independent U.S. Supreme Court filing and seeks relief based on the same Constitutional arguments successfully raised in Bush v. Gore.
” Here is the full petition : Here is the request for expedited consideration :

The campaign of President Donald J Trump filed a petition [pdf here] and motion [pdf here] asking for expedited consideration before the U.S. Supreme Court. The substance of the petition is a request to reverse some Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions.
This is the first direct filing to the U.S. Supreme Court for intervention in the 2020 election and seeks expedited consideration prior to the January 6, 2021, congressional certification of the electoral college vote.
[Campaign Website] “The Campaign’s petition seeks to reverse three decisions which eviscerated the Pennsylvania Legislature’s protections against mail ballot fraud, including (a) prohibiting election officials checking whether signatures on mail ballots are genuine during canvassing on Election Day, (b) eliminating the right of campaigns to challenge mail ballots during canvassing for forged signatures and other irregularities, (c) holding that the rights of campaigns to observe the canvassing of mail ballots only meant that they only were allowed to be ‘in the room’ – in this case, the Philadelphia Convention Center – the size of several football fields, and (d) eliminating the statutory requirements that voters properly sign, address, and date mail ballots.
“The petition seeks all appropriate remedies, including vacating the appointment of electors committed to Joseph Biden and allowing the Pennsylvania General Assembly to select their replacements. The Campaign also moved for expedited consideration, asking the Supreme Court to order responses by December 23 and a reply by December 24 to allow the U.S. Supreme Court to rule before Congress meets on January 6 to consider the votes of the electoral college.” (link)
This filing today “represents the Campaign’s first independent U.S. Supreme Court filing and seeks relief based on the same Constitutional arguments successfully raised in Bush v. Gore.”
Here is the full petition:
.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Dr. Deborah Birx Applied COVID Holiday Travel Restrictions to a Nation of Proles, Then Ignored Them

Dr. Deborah Birx Applied COVID Holiday Travel Restrictions to a Nation of Proles, Then Ignored Them Herself

Comrades , the elites within the Ministry of COVID compliance are once again caught applying rules for the proles , but not themselves .
An AP article outlines how Dr. Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House coronavirus response , instituted a series of travel rules and regulations for the nation and then personally ignored them by traveling out-of-state with three households of her family members to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday – unencumbered by her own dictates .
( AP ) The day after Thanksgiving , she traveled to one of her vacation properties on Fenwick Island in Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her family from two households .
Birx , her husband Paige Reffe , a daughter , son-in-law and two young grandchildren were present .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked Americans not to travel over the holidays and discourages indoor activity involving members of different households .
“ People who do not currently live in your housing unit , such as college students who are returning home from school for the holidays , should be considered part of different households.
” [ … ] After The Associated Press raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birx acknowledged in a statement that she went to her Delaware property .
She declined to be interviewed .
( more ) None of these government officials or elected politicians believe the nonsense they are espousing to the rest of the world , none of them .
If they really believed in the dangers they expressed they would never even fathom putting themselves or their families in harms way .
They don ’ t believe the alarm bells they are ringing and they don ’ t give a tinkers-damn about the chaos it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact .
If we want these officials to start feeling the impact of their own dictates , then stop providing them services .
Quit mowing their lawns ; quit doing their dry-cleaning ; quit cleaning their houses ; quit servicing their lives ; quit allowing them seats in restaurants ; stop them from having hair and nail appointments ; quit serving any of their needs…

Comrades, the elites within the Ministry of COVID compliance are once again caught applying rules for the proles, but not themselves.
An AP article outlines how Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus response, instituted a series of travel rules and regulations for the nation and then personally ignored them by traveling out-of-state with three households of her family members to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday – unencumbered by her own dictates.
(AP) The day after Thanksgiving, she traveled to one of her vacation properties on Fenwick Island in Delaware. She was accompanied by three generations of her family from two households. Birx, her husband Paige Reffe, a daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren were present.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked Americans not to travel over the holidays and discourages indoor activity involving members of different households. “People who do not currently live in your housing unit, such as college students who are returning home from school for the holidays, should be considered part of different households.” […] After The Associated Press raised questions about her Thanksgiving weekend travels, Birx acknowledged in a statement that she went to her Delaware property. She declined to be interviewed. (more)
…The Ministry of COVID Compliance, where the rules will always be in their favor… Go figure…
None of these government officials or elected politicians believe the nonsense they are espousing to the rest of the world, none of them. If they really believed in the dangers they expressed they would never even fathom putting themselves or their families in harms way.
They don’t believe the alarm bells they are ringing and they don’t give a tinkers-damn about the chaos it causes because they are economically isolated from the impact.
If we want these officials to start feeling the impact of their own dictates, then stop providing them services. Quit mowing their lawns; quit doing their dry-cleaning; quit cleaning their houses; quit servicing their lives; quit allowing them seats in restaurants; stop them from having hair and nail appointments; quit serving any of their needs…
…Then watch how fast those COVID dictates disappear.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Peter Navarro Discusses His 2020 Election Report, The Immaculate Deception

White House Senior Trade , Manufacturing and Policy Advisor to President Trump appeared on Fox News with Jesse Watters to discuss his own report on the 2020 election and manipulation by a few regional officials .
Within the report [ direct pdf here ] Navarro outlines the issues at stake within several key states in the election contest .
The report highlights several troubling issues related to the way mail-in , potentially fraudulent ballots , were handled in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Wisconsin Nevada and Pennsylvania .
Within those states the activity by regional officials is critical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navarro states “ the observed patterns of election irregularities are so consistent across the six battleground states that they suggest a coordinated strategy to , if not steal the election outright , strategically game the election process in such a way as to “ stuff the ballot box ” and unfairly tilt the playing field in favor of the Biden-Harris ticket.
” Last night the Office of the Director of National Intelligence , John Ratcliffe , announced there was evidence of specific election interference by foreign actors specifically : China , Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those malign activities is forthcoming .
While the specific topic of foreign interference is not an element of the Navarro report , there is room within the authorization of the DNI directive to include and evaluate independent audits – so the Navarro analysis could align with the DNI report .
“ If , in fact , compelling evidence comes to light proving the election was indeed stolen after a fait accompli Biden inauguration , we as a country run the very real risk that the very center of our great American union will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , if the greatest democracy in world history can not conduct a free and fair election , and if much of the mainstream media of this country won ’ t even fully investigate what is becoming a growing mountain of evidence calling into question the election result , there is little chance that our democracy and this Republic will survive as we know it .
It is therefore critical that we get to the bottom of this matter .
That is the purpose of this report.
” One way to look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing their perspective on the election outcome in advance of the upcoming DNI report .
In essence , an insurance policy of sorts in the event that elements within the intelligence community attempt to water-down any election interference as a purposeful way to preserve institutions .
The Navarro report looks at granular details within key states , while the DNI report may focus upon top-line intelligence related to foreign actors .
The direct pdf of the Navarro report –IS HERE– and the embed below :

White House Senior Trade, Manufacturing and Policy Advisor to President Trump appeared on Fox News with Jesse Watters to discuss his own report on the 2020 election and manipulation by a few regional officials.
https://youtu.be/JblXeoRvJmg
Within the report [direct pdf here] Navarro outlines the issues at stake within several key states in the election contest. The report highlights several troubling issues related to the way mail-in, potentially fraudulent ballots, were handled in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin Nevada and Pennsylvania. Within those states the activity by regional officials is critical to understanding the controversial post-election-day outcomes.
As Navarro states “the observed patterns of election irregularities are so consistent across the six battleground states that they suggest a coordinated strategy to, if not steal the election outright, strategically game the election process in such a way as to “stuff the ballot box” and unfairly tilt the playing field in favor of the Biden-Harris ticket.”
Last night the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, announced there was evidence of specific election interference by foreign actors specifically: China, Russia and Iran. Additionally, a report on those malign activities is forthcoming.
While the specific topic of foreign interference is not an element of the Navarro report, there is room within the authorization of the DNI directive to include and evaluate independent audits – so the Navarro analysis could align with the DNI report.
“If, in fact, compelling evidence comes to light proving the election was indeed stolen after a fait accompli Biden inauguration, we as a country run the very real risk that the very center of our great American union will not hold. To put this another way, if the greatest democracy in world history cannot conduct a free and fair election, and if much of the mainstream media of this country won’t even fully investigate what is becoming a growing mountain of evidence calling into question the election result, there is little chance that our democracy and this Republic will survive as we know it. It is therefore critical that we get to the bottom of this matter. That is the purpose of this report.”
One way to look at this report is the White House indirectly providing their perspective on the election outcome in advance of the upcoming DNI report. In essence, an insurance policy of sorts in the event that elements within the intelligence community attempt to water-down any election interference as a purposeful way to preserve institutions.
The Navarro report looks at granular details within key states, while the DNI report may focus upon top-line intelligence related to foreign actors.
The direct pdf of the Navarro report –IS HERE– and the embed below:
.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--COVID-19 Study of Almost Ten Million Finds No Evidence of Asymptomatic Spread, Media Quiet

An interesting article from the American Institute for Economic Research ( AIER ) is gaining increased attention as questions about asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 , the baseline for all COVID mitigation , is being reconciled with the latest tracing data .
In essence , the larger question being asked is : can people without coronavirus symptoms spread the COVID-19 virus ?
This question is at the heart of all current COVID mitigation efforts .
If there is no asymptomatic spread then what is all of this mask wearing nonsense and shut-down mandates all about ?
A research paper published on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 10 million people in China .
What the study found was there were 300 cases of Coronavirus in the population being carried without any symptoms at all .
So the scientists then tracked the asymptomatic carriers .
The contact tracing of 1,174 “ close contacts ” with the asymptomatic carriers showed ZERO transmission .
Not a few , not a couple , but zero -none- not a single transmission of Coronavirus from a person without symptoms .
The conclusion is not that asymptomatic spread is rare or that the science is uncertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever happens in these kinds of studies .
There was not one documented case .
Forget rare .
Forget even Fauci ’ s previous suggestion that asymptomatic transmission exists but not does drive the spread .
Replace all that with : never .
At least not in this study for 10,000,000 .
[ STUDY ] … Stringent COVID-19 control measures were imposed in Wuhan between January 23 and April 8 , 2020 .
Estimates of the prevalence of infection following the release of restrictions could inform post-lockdown pandemic management .
Here , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme between May 14 and June 1 , 2020 in Wuhan .
All city residents aged six years or older were eligible and 9,899,828 ( 92.9 % ) participated .
No new symptomatic cases and 300 asymptomatic cases ( detection rate 0.303/10,000 , 95 % CI 0.270–0.339/10,000 ) were identified .
There were no positive tests amongst 1,174 close contacts of asymptomatic cases .
107 of 34,424 previously recovered COVID-19 patients tested positive again ( re-positive rate 0.31 % , 95 % CI 0.423–0.574 % ) .
The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight weeks after the end of lockdown .
One might suppose that this would be huge news .
It would allow us to open up everything immediately .
With the whole basis for post-curve-flattening lockdowns crumbled , we could go back to living a normal life .
The fear could evaporate .
We could take comfort in our normal intuition that healthy people can get out and about with no risk to others .
We could take off our masks .
We could go to movies and sports events .
… We keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science .
The claim is tired by now .
We know what ’ s really happening .
The lockdown lobby ignores whatever contradicts their narrative , preferring unverified anecdotes over an actual scientific study of 10 million residents in what was the world ’ s first major hotspot for the disease we are trying to manage .
You would expect this study to be massive international news .
So far as I can tell , it is being ignored .
[ More ] In essence , what the study of 10 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists and World Health Organization already suspected .
Like the common cold and flu when a person is infected with the virus they are only infecting others when they have symptoms : cold , runny nose , coughing , aching , sneezing , fever , congestion etc ; hence , when a person has an illness they should isolate to not spread the virus .
However , when a person has no external symptoms of the virus , just like the cold and flu , they are not a risk of transmitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a major issue with massive ramifications because all of the current COVID-19 mitigation effort is based on the principle that people can carry and spread the virus while having no idea they have it , and no symptoms .
If asymptomatic transmission is not happening , and it appears with scientific certainty it is not , then all of the current lock-down regulations , mask wearing requirements and social distancing rules/decrees are based on a complete fallacy of false assumptions .
The asymptomatic case study published in November affirms the earlier reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only known to transmit from people who are showing symptoms of the virus .
In June of 2020 , Maria Van Kerkhove , head of the World Health Organization ’ s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit , said transmission of the coronavirus by people who aren ’ t showing symptoms is “ very rare.
” As you can see from the video explanation , in June 2020 Ms. Kerkhove could not identify a single study or case that was traced to asymptomatic spread ; but scientists still thought it might be possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ very rare ” terminology .
However , with the latest information and a far more lengthy timeline to study the disease , the cumulative 2020 data shows “ very rare ” actually means “ never ” , asymptomatic spread just doesn ’ t happen – EVER .
So why is the entire world engaged in COVID-19 mitigation processes to block the transmission of a virus that has never , not even once , been identified as occurring ?

An interesting article from the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) is gaining increased attention as questions about asymptomatic spread of COVID-19, the baseline for all COVID mitigation, is being reconciled with the latest tracing data.
In essence, the larger question being asked is: can people without coronavirus symptoms spread the COVID-19 virus? This question is at the heart of all current COVID mitigation efforts. If there is no asymptomatic spread then what is all of this mask wearing nonsense and shut-down mandates all about?
A research paper published on November 20th highlights a case study of almost 10 million people in China. What the study found was there were 300 cases of Coronavirus in the population being carried without any symptoms at all. So the scientists then tracked the asymptomatic carriers. The contact tracing of 1,174 “close contacts” with the asymptomatic carriers showed ZERO transmission. Not a few, not a couple, but zero -none- not a single transmission of Coronavirus from a person without symptoms.
The conclusion is not that asymptomatic spread is rare or that the science is uncertain. The study revealed something that hardly ever happens in these kinds of studies. There was not one documented case. Forget rare. Forget even Fauci’s previous suggestion that asymptomatic transmission exists but not does drive the spread. Replace all that with: never. At least not in this study for 10,000,000.
[STUDY] … Stringent COVID-19 control measures were imposed in Wuhan between January 23 and April 8, 2020. Estimates of the prevalence of infection following the release of restrictions could inform post-lockdown pandemic management. Here, we describe a city-wide SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid screening programme between May 14 and June 1, 2020 in Wuhan. All city residents aged six years or older were eligible and 9,899,828 (92.9%) participated. No new symptomatic cases and 300 asymptomatic cases (detection rate 0.303/10,000, 95% CI 0.270–0.339/10,000) were identified. There were no positive tests amongst 1,174 close contacts of asymptomatic cases. 107 of 34,424 previously recovered COVID-19 patients tested positive again (re-positive rate 0.31%, 95% CI 0.423–0.574%). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan was therefore very low five to eight weeks after the end of lockdown.
One might suppose that this would be huge news. It would allow us to open up everything immediately. With the whole basis for post-curve-flattening lockdowns crumbled, we could go back to living a normal life. The fear could evaporate. We could take comfort in our normal intuition that healthy people can get out and about with no risk to others. We could take off our masks. We could go to movies and sports events.
… We keep hearing about how we should follow the science. The claim is tired by now. We know what’s really happening. The lockdown lobby ignores whatever contradicts their narrative, preferring unverified anecdotes over an actual scientific study of 10 million residents in what was the world’s first major hotspot for the disease we are trying to manage. You would expect this study to be massive international news. So far as I can tell, it is being ignored. [More]
In essence, what the study of 10 million people confirmed is what many people, doctors, scientists and World Health Organization already suspected.
Like the common cold and flu when a person is infected with the virus they are only infecting others when they have symptoms: cold, runny nose, coughing, aching, sneezing, fever, congestion etc; hence, when a person has an illness they should isolate to not spread the virus. However, when a person has no external symptoms of the virus, just like the cold and flu, they are not a risk of transmitting the virus to others.
♦ This is a major issue with massive ramifications because all of the current COVID-19 mitigation effort is based on the principle that people can carry and spread the virus while having no idea they have it, and no symptoms.
If asymptomatic transmission is not happening, and it appears with scientific certainty it is not, then all of the current lock-down regulations, mask wearing requirements and social distancing rules/decrees are based on a complete fallacy of false assumptions.
The asymptomatic case study published in November affirms the earlier reporting from the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is only known to transmit from people who are showing symptoms of the virus. In June of 2020, Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the World Health Organization’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said transmission of the coronavirus by people who aren’t showing symptoms is “very rare.”
.
As you can see from the video explanation, in June 2020 Ms. Kerkhove could not identify a single study or case that was traced to asymptomatic spread; but scientists still thought it might be possible so she -and others- kept using the “very rare” terminology.
However, with the latest information and a far more lengthy timeline to study the disease, the cumulative 2020 data shows “very rare” actually means “never”, asymptomatic spread just doesn’t happen – EVER.
So why is the entire world engaged in COVID-19 mitigation processes to block the transmission of a virus that has never, not even once, been identified as occurring?


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Sunday Talks, House Leader McCarthy Expands on Intel Briefing Around Eric Swalwell’s Control by Chin

Sunday Talks, House Leader McCarthy Expands on Intel Briefing Around Eric Swalwell’s Control by China

House Leader Kevin McCarthy appears with Maria Bartiromo to discuss the issues surrounding democrat House Intel Committee member Eric Swalwell .
As noted within the timeline Swalwell was groomed and influenced by Chinese spies to rise from local San Francisco politics into an eventual presidential bid for the White House .
McCarthy puts some of the issues into a larger context , specifically with Nancy Pelosi and HPSCI Chairman Adam Schiff who come from the exact same CA region , and asks if this Beijing influence is why democrats have positioned themselves as China-apologists .
The simple answer is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interests of democrats to destroy America-First independence are aligned in common purpose .
America is being “ belt- & -roaded ” from within… Democrats are taking pay-offs to facilitate .
If Nancy Pelosi was briefed in 2015 ( following 2014 mid-term ) as a Go8 member , she would have been briefed along with Speaker Paul Ryan and HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes… .
Or there was a carve out briefing ( not G08 but only Pelosi and Ryan ) because it involved the HPSCI committee… .
and that ’ s why Nunes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday ] If we overlay what we have witnessed and discussed for the past several years as the Trump administration has tackled the China issues head-on , we can see how our nation has approached an inflection point toward Beijing .
Indeed the larger global community is now aware of a vast network of CCP officials that have infiltrated all systems , processes and institutions of western interests .
The panda mask of China has dropped , now we see the true extent of the dragon tentacles .
Recent reporting on the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , in part due to their financial alignment .
Additionally , the aspects of Hunter and Joe Biden engaging for personal affluence with the Chinese government stands as a remarkable example of the cunning nature of Beijing ’ s strategy .
Senator Dianne Feinstein with a CCP spy in her office for almost three decades .
House Intelligence Committee member Eric Swalwell having a long-term relationship with another Chinese spy amid recent headlines .
Various academic institutions compromised by Chinese operatives and the theft of intellectual property .
The scale of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more comes forth each day .
Into this mix we now have a more substantive understanding over how China was influencing U.S. politics ; and , as we see in the Houston consulate example , how Beijing was fomenting strife in advance of the November 2020 election as part of a larger plan to install and support U.S. politicians aligned with their interests .
America-First is antithetical to the long-term goals and objectives of the communist Chinese regime .
This was always evident in the way Beijing responded to the trade and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global battle between the Red Dragon ( CCP , Beijing ) and President Trump is at the root of the concerted effort to remove/defeat him from office .
CTH has discussed this confrontation at length since the first shots were fired .
U.S. President Trump , representing economic nationalism , stood against China and was winning in the economic war despite the interference from Wall Street and U.S. media .
This is why Beijing was so desperate to remove President Trump from office ; there are trillions at stake .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat party merged into this single and ultimately most important objective .

House Leader Kevin McCarthy appears with Maria Bartiromo to discuss the issues surrounding democrat House Intel Committee member Eric Swalwell. As noted within the timeline Swalwell was groomed and influenced by Chinese spies to rise from local San Francisco politics into an eventual presidential bid for the White House.
McCarthy puts some of the issues into a larger context, specifically with Nancy Pelosi and HPSCI Chairman Adam Schiff who come from the exact same CA region, and asks if this Beijing influence is why democrats have positioned themselves as China-apologists.
The simple answer is, yes. The interests of China and the interests of democrats to destroy America-First independence are aligned in common purpose. America is being “belt-&-roaded” from within… Democrats are taking pay-offs to facilitate.
If Nancy Pelosi was briefed in 2015 (following 2014 mid-term) as a Go8 member, she would have been briefed along with Speaker Paul Ryan and HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes…. Or there was a carve out briefing (not G08 but only Pelosi and Ryan) because it involved the HPSCI committee…. and that’s why Nunes was unaware. All sketchy.
[Yesterday] If we overlay what we have witnessed and discussed for the past several years as the Trump administration has tackled the China issues head-on, we can see how our nation has approached an inflection point toward Beijing. Indeed the larger global community is now aware of a vast network of CCP officials that have infiltrated all systems, processes and institutions of western interests. The panda mask of China has dropped, now we see the true extent of the dragon tentacles.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-20--Sunday Talks, Devin Nunes Outlines the Common Sense Explanations Behind Current Issues

Congressman Devin Nunes appears with Maria Bartiromo to discuss a variety of key issues and provide his hindsight on prior @ @ @ @ @ common sense of the election , why Biden was selected by the Obama clan and @ @ @ @ @ the Obama term-3 operative .
Everything around that outline is concise and accurate .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ purposeful weaponization of COVID-19 shutdowns by Blue state/region democrat leadership ; the inherent hypocrisy within @ @ @ @ @ ; and how the end goal of their effort to destroy Main Street business is @ @ @ @ @ change objective , increased dependency AND the goal of federal bailouts for overindulgent spending .
@ @ @ @ @ .
On the Spygate story Nunes points to the recently released text messages from Lisa @ @ @ @ @ states a criminal referral for the treatment of George Papadopoulos should be forthcoming .

Congressman Devin Nunes appears with Maria Bartiromo to discuss a variety of key issues and provide his hindsight on prior comments. Nunes outlines the common sense of the election, why Biden was selected by the Obama clan and why Harris was installed as the Obama term-3 operative. Everything around that outline is concise and accurate.
Additionally, Nunes points out the purposeful weaponization of COVID-19 shutdowns by Blue state/region democrat leadership; the inherent hypocrisy within approaches that make no sense; and how the end goal of their effort to destroy Main Street business is tied to a larger fundamental change objective, increased dependency AND the goal of federal bailouts for overindulgent spending. Again, concise and accurate.
On the Spygate story Nunes points to the recently released text messages from Lisa Page and Peter Strzok and states a criminal referral for the treatment of George Papadopoulos should be forthcoming.
https://youtu.be/MNTQ8AdZhOY


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--December 21st – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1432


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--Monday December 21st – Open Thread

Monday December 21st – Open Thread


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--House Voting Today on 5,600 Page Pork-Filled COVID Package No-One Has Read, McConnell Wants Unanimou

House Voting Today on 5,600 Page Pork-Filled COVID Package No-One Has Read, McConnell Wants Unanimous Consent…

Good grief the UniParty is in full swing and they don ’ t even care what our opinion is about @ @ @ @ @ ( approximated because it hasn ’ t been scored ) COVID/Omnibus spending bill that totals @ @ @ @ @ LINK TO BILL ] The actual 5,600 page bill wasn ’ t populated for public @ @ @ @ @ this afternoon and staff had an issue putting it on-line .
Incredibly , and in @ @ @ @ @ preferred by congress , the House plans on voting on this bill today ; and @ @ @ @ @ to pass it by unanimous consent ( no recorded votes ) .
My rough review @ @ @ @ @ on the $ 900+ billion COVID package .
Approximately 30 percent +/- of the bill @ @ @ @ @ families and businesses on Main Street .
Approximately 70 percent of the bill will go @ @ @ @ @ interests , environmental lobbyists , K-Street groups who wrote the bill , foreign interests , @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Scour the Bill Here ]

Good grief the UniParty is in full swing and they don’t even care what our opinion is about this massive $2.5 TRILLION (approximated because it hasn’t been scored) COVID/Omnibus spending bill that totals over 5,600 pages. [LINK TO BILL]
The actual 5,600 page bill wasn’t populated for public review until shortly after noon this afternoon and staff had an issue putting it on-line. Incredibly, and in keeping with the previous approach preferred by congress, the House plans on voting on this bill today; and Mitch McConnell wants the Senate to pass it by unanimous consent (no recorded votes).
My rough review shows an approximately 70/30 split on the $900+ billion COVID package. Approximately 30 percent +/- of the bill will actually help working class families and businesses on Main Street. Approximately 70 percent of the bill will go to political donors, special interests, environmental lobbyists, K-Street groups who wrote the bill, foreign interests, Wall Street and corporate beneficiaries. [Scour the Bill Here]
It’s worse than printer delays. They cannot get the Covid relief/govt funding bill uploaded to the internet. the computers keep bugging out, several sources told me. have heard about a corrupt file in education piece of the bill. all sections need to be combined into 1 file — Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 21, 2020
5,600 pages. Votes are still expected today on this legislation. No one will be able to read it all in its entirety. Special interests win. Americans lose. https://t.co/zuyrLjez6o — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 21, 2020
The Stimulus Bill: The gov't closes the economy. You lose your job. You face eviction. $600 for all your troubles. Meanwhile they send: $135 million to Burma
$85.5 million to Cambodia
$1.4 billion for "Asia Reassurance Initiative Act"
$130 million to Nepal They hate you. pic.twitter.com/95U2Qt4uNa — Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) December 21, 2020
The Covid relief bill lays the groundwork for a “Climate Security Advisory Council” pic.twitter.com/DK66scA970 — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 21, 2020
If you own a racehorse, the coronavirus stimulus legislation has a tax break for you pic.twitter.com/WauMijyfzP — Lee Fang (@lhfang) December 21, 2020


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--AG Bill Barr Says He Will Not Appoint Special Counsel to Investigate The 2020 Election Fraud or Hunt

AG Bill Barr Says He Will Not Appoint Special Counsel to Investigate The 2020 Election Fraud or Hunter Biden’s Foreign Deals Selling Influence

In what the media is calling AG Bill Barr ’ s final official duty while in office , AG Bill Barr announced today he will not be appointing a special counsel to look into accusations of fraud in the 2020 election ; and he will not be appointing a special counsel to look into Hunter Biden ’ s financial -influence selling – entanglements with foreign governments .
The Attorney General used a press conference announcing charges against the bomb-maker in the 1988 Lockerbie terrorist attack on Pan-Am 103 to answer questions from the media about the election and the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr used his final public appearance to undercut President Donald Trump on multiple fronts Monday , saying he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president ’ s claims about the 2020 election or to name one for the tax investigation of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son .
In the course of breaking with Trump on matters that have been consuming the president , Barr also reinforced the belief of federal officials that Russia was behind a massive hack of U.S. government agencies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ … ] Barr said the Justice Department ’ s existing investigation into Hunter Biden ’ s financial dealings was “ being handled responsibly and professionally.
” ( more ) Video of the question and answer below :

In what the media is calling AG Bill Barr’s final official duty while in office, AG Bill Barr announced today he will not be appointing a special counsel to look into accusations of fraud in the 2020 election; and he will not be appointing a special counsel to look into Hunter Biden’s financial -influence selling – entanglements with foreign governments.
“I have not seen a reason to appoint a special counsel and I have no plan to do so before I leave.”
The Attorney General used a press conference announcing charges against the bomb-maker in the 1988 Lockerbie terrorist attack on Pan-Am 103 to answer questions from the media about the election and the Biden controversy.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr used his final public appearance to undercut President Donald Trump on multiple fronts Monday, saying he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president’s claims about the 2020 election or to name one for the tax investigation of President-elect Joe Biden’s son.
In the course of breaking with Trump on matters that have been consuming the president, Barr also reinforced the belief of federal officials that Russia was behind a massive hack of U.S. government agencies, not China as Trump had suggested. […] Barr said the Justice Department’s existing investigation into Hunter Biden’s financial dealings was “being handled responsibly and professionally.” (more)
Video of the question and answer below:


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-21--AG Bill Barr Announces New Charges Against Qaddafi Bomb Maker in Bombing of Pan AM Flight 103, Locke

AG Bill Barr Announces New Charges Against Qaddafi Bomb Maker in Bombing of Pan AM Flight 103, Lockerbie Scotland

Today , Attorney General William Barr announced new charges against a former Libyan intelligence operative , Abu Agela Mas ’ ud Kheir Al-Marimi [ DOJ Announcement ] for his role in building the bomb that killed 270 individuals in the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie , Scotland on Dec. 21 , 1988 .
[ Video and Transcript Below ] [ Transcript ] – On this day 32 years ago , December 21 , 1988 , at 7:03 p.m. local time , a bomb destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 as it flew 31,000 feet above Lockerbie , Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the “ Clipper Maid of the Seas , ” exploded and fell to the ground in countless pieces scattered across 840 square miles , nearly the entire width of Scotland .
The explosion killed all 259 people on board—243 passengers and 16 crew members , including 190 Americans .
Falling debris claimed the lives of 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground , many of whom were in their homes and had just sat down for dinner .
The Lockerbie bombing remains the deadliest single terrorist attack in the history of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist attack for Americans—surpassed only by the 9/11 attacks .
Immediately after the bombing , the FBI partnered with law enforcement agencies from Scotland to investigate .
That joint investigation led to the filing of charges in 1991 against two Libyan intelligence officers .
The investigation also pointed to another conspirator—a man known by the name “ Abu Agela Masud ” —but at the time , investigators were unable to identify or locate that suspect .
Joined this morning by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers … Acting United States Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … and Kara Weipz , whose brother Rick Monetti was killed on the flight and who now leads a Pan Am Flight 103 advocacy organization , I am pleased to announce that the United States has filed criminal charges against the third conspirator , Abu Agila Muhammad Mas ’ ud Kheir Al-Marimi , for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 .
Let there be no mistake : no amount of time or distance will stop the United States , and its partners in Scotland , from pursuing justice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans alive today were not yet born on the day of the Lockerbie bombing or would not have been old enough to remember it .
But for those of us who do remember , that tragic event and the iconic images of its aftermath , some of which are displayed here today , are forever seared in our memories .
Passengers and crew aboard the flight came from 21 countries around the world .
But by far the largest contingent on that doomed flight were Americans , including a group of 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their way home to spend the holidays with their families .
There is no question that the Pan Am 103 attack was aimed at the United States , and this heinous assault lives in infamy in the collective memory of the American people .
At Arlington National Cemetery , a cairn of 270 Scottish stones honors “ those who lost their lives in this attack against America.
” And at Syracuse University , 35 Remembrance Scholarships are awarded each year , with each recipient representing a particular Syracuse student killed aboard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the victims ’ families made an agonizing journey to Scotland to the place where they lost their loved ones .
The people of Lockerbie , though devastated themselves , provided around-the-clock hospitality .
In an unforgettable gesture , a group of Scottish women meticulously collected clothing from amid the wreckage ; washed , ironed , and folded the garments they found ; and sent them home to the victims ’ family members as a final connection to their loved ones .
Sadly , the remains of 17 victims were never identified or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and Scotland have been determined to find and hold accountable those who perpetrated the Pan Am 103 attack .
As I mentioned , our joint investigation led to the filing of charges in November 1991 in both the United States and Scotland against two Libyan intelligence officers—Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah .
Nearly ten years later , in May 2000 , a specially established Scottish court convened in The Netherlands to try the two men .
In January 2001 , Megrahi was convicted on all charges , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has led to the charges announced today arose when law enforcement learned in 2016 that the third conspirator had been arrested after the collapse of the Qaddafi regime and interviewed by a Libyan law enforcement officer in September 2012 .
According to the criminal complaint affidavit , Masud built the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 and worked with Megrahi and Fhimah to carry out the plot .
The affidavit also alleges that the operation had been ordered by the leadership of Libyan intelligence and that , after the downing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the successful attack on the United States .
In addition to his involvement in the Lockerbie bombing , Masud was also involved in the 1986 bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque in Berlin , West Germany , which killed two American service members and a Turkish woman .
Although Masud remains in Libyan custody , Libyan authorities provided a copy of the interview to law enforcement .
Based on that and other evidence , prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia charging Masud with terrorism-related crimes for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 .
At long last , this man responsible for killing Americans and many others will be subject to justice for his crimes .
The Lockerbie bombing case holds special significance for me because I was serving as the Acting Attorney General when charges were filed against Megrahi and Fhimah in 1991 .
I know firsthand the toil , tears , and sweat that have been poured into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockerbie bombing and their families .
And so it is with profound gratitude that I recognize and thank our law enforcement friends in Scotland for their nearly 32-year partnership with us on this case .
I also thank Lord Advocate of Scotland James Wolffe for his continued partnership .
There is much work still to be done , and we will not be able to do it without our colleagues in Scotland .
We are committed to working arm-in-arm with them as we move forward in this case .
I am especially proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI who have worked the Pan Am 103 case relentlessly over the decades .
Thank you for your dedication and perseverance .
And finally , I thank the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division for their many years of hard work and for preparing the charges in this case .
Today , Masud remains in Libyan custody , and we intend to work closely with our Scottish counterparts to use every feasible and appropriate means to ensure that he answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is my hope that Libyan authorities will allow Masud to be tried for this crime and will provide the support and witnesses necessary to bring him to justice .
Nevertheless , while we will never rest in our efforts to hold Masud accountable , I hope that the families of the lost will find some comfort in the charges filed today .
The alleged facts underlying these charges fill important gaps in the historical record and help complete the account of how the bombing was executed and who was responsible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward achieving justice .
Much has changed in the more than three decades since Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie .
Libya accepted responsibility for the bombing in 2003 .
Qaddafi and his regime are no more .
Libya is no longer at war with America .
And while we still face terrorist threats , our terrorist enemies are different , and we are more vigilant .
Time , to be sure , marches on , and there is a tendency to think that grief does as well .
But even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for those who have lost love ones unexpectedly , it never truly fades away .
To the families of those who died in the sky above Lockerbie all those years ago , I know that the small step we take today can not compensate for the sorrow you feel to this day .
But I hope that you will find some measure of solace in knowing that we in the United States Government , on behalf of the American people and in partnership with our counterparts in Scotland , have never relented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pursuit of justice for you and your loved ones .

Today, Attorney General William Barr announced new charges against a former Libyan intelligence operative, Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi [DOJ Announcement] for his role in building the bomb that killed 270 individuals in the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988. [Video and Transcript Below]
[Transcript] – On this day 32 years ago, December 21, 1988, at 7:03 p.m. local time, a bomb destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 as it flew 31,000 feet above Lockerbie, Scotland. The massive Boeing 747 plane, known as the “Clipper Maid of the Seas,” exploded and fell to the ground in countless pieces scattered across 840 square miles, nearly the entire width of Scotland.
The explosion killed all 259 people on board—243 passengers and 16 crew members, including 190 Americans. Falling debris claimed the lives of 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground, many of whom were in their homes and had just sat down for dinner.
The Lockerbie bombing remains the deadliest single terrorist attack in the history of the United Kingdom, and the second deadliest terrorist attack for Americans—surpassed only by the 9/11 attacks.
Immediately after the bombing, the FBI partnered with law enforcement agencies from Scotland to investigate. That joint investigation led to the filing of charges in 1991 against two Libyan intelligence officers. The investigation also pointed to another conspirator—a man known by the name “Abu Agela Masud”—but at the time, investigators were unable to identify or locate that suspect.
Joined this morning by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers … Acting United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin … and Kara Weipz, whose brother Rick Monetti was killed on the flight and who now leads a Pan Am Flight 103 advocacy organization, I am pleased to announce that the United States has filed criminal charges against the third conspirator, Abu Agila Muhammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi, for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
Let there be no mistake: no amount of time or distance will stop the United States, and its partners in Scotland, from pursuing justice in this case.
Well over a third of Americans alive today were not yet born on the day of the Lockerbie bombing or would not have been old enough to remember it. But for those of us who do remember, that tragic event and the iconic images of its aftermath, some of which are displayed here today, are forever seared in our memories.
Passengers and crew aboard the flight came from 21 countries around the world. But by far the largest contingent on that doomed flight were Americans, including a group of 35 study-abroad students from Syracuse University who were on their way home to spend the holidays with their families.
There is no question that the Pan Am 103 attack was aimed at the United States, and this heinous assault lives in infamy in the collective memory of the American people. At Arlington National Cemetery, a cairn of 270 Scottish stones honors “those who lost their lives in this attack against America.” And at Syracuse University, 35 Remembrance Scholarships are awarded each year, with each recipient representing a particular Syracuse student killed aboard the plane.
Following the bombing, many of the victims’ families made an agonizing journey to Scotland to the place where they lost their loved ones. The people of Lockerbie, though devastated themselves, provided around-the-clock hospitality. In an unforgettable gesture, a group of Scottish women meticulously collected clothing from amid the wreckage; washed, ironed, and folded the garments they found; and sent them home to the victims’ family members as a final connection to their loved ones. Sadly, the remains of 17 victims were never identified or found.
From the beginning, the United States and Scotland have been determined to find and hold accountable those who perpetrated the Pan Am 103 attack. As I mentioned, our joint investigation led to the filing of charges in November 1991 in both the United States and Scotland against two Libyan intelligence officers—Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah. Nearly ten years later, in May 2000, a specially established Scottish court convened in The Netherlands to try the two men. In January 2001, Megrahi was convicted on all charges, but Fhimah was acquitted.
The breakthrough that has led to the charges announced today arose when law enforcement learned in 2016 that the third conspirator had been arrested after the collapse of the Qaddafi regime and interviewed by a Libyan law enforcement officer in September 2012. According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Masud built the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 and worked with Megrahi and Fhimah to carry out the plot. The affidavit also alleges that the operation had been ordered by the leadership of Libyan intelligence and that, after the downing of the aircraft, Qaddafi had thanked Masud for the successful attack on the United States. In addition to his involvement in the Lockerbie bombing, Masud was also involved in the 1986 bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque in Berlin, West Germany, which killed two American service members and a Turkish woman. Although Masud remains in Libyan custody, Libyan authorities provided a copy of the interview to law enforcement.
Based on that and other evidence, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division unsealed a complaint this morning in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia charging Masud with terrorism-related crimes for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. At long last, this man responsible for killing Americans and many others will be subject to justice for his crimes.
The Lockerbie bombing case holds special significance for me because I was serving as the Acting Attorney General when charges were filed against Megrahi and Fhimah in 1991. I know firsthand the toil, tears, and sweat that have been poured into pursuing justice for the victims of the Lockerbie bombing and their families. And so it is with profound gratitude that I recognize and thank our law enforcement friends in Scotland for their nearly 32-year partnership with us on this case.
I also thank Lord Advocate of Scotland James Wolffe for his continued partnership. There is much work still to be done, and we will not be able to do it without our colleagues in Scotland. We are committed to working arm-in-arm with them as we move forward in this case. I am especially proud of the countless agents and analysts of the FBI who have worked the Pan Am 103 case relentlessly over the decades. Thank you for your dedication and perseverance. And finally, I thank the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division for their many years of hard work and for preparing the charges in this case.
Today, Masud remains in Libyan custody, and we intend to work closely with our Scottish counterparts to use every feasible and appropriate means to ensure that he answers for his part in the Lockerbie bombing. It is my hope that Libyan authorities will allow Masud to be tried for this crime and will provide the support and witnesses necessary to bring him to justice.
Nevertheless, while we will never rest in our efforts to hold Masud accountable, I hope that the families of the lost will find some comfort in the charges filed today. The alleged facts underlying these charges fill important gaps in the historical record and help complete the account of how the bombing was executed and who was responsible. Finding the truth is the first step toward achieving justice.
Much has changed in the more than three decades since Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie. Libya accepted responsibility for the bombing in 2003. Qaddafi and his regime are no more. Libya is no longer at war with America. And while we still face terrorist threats, our terrorist enemies are different, and we are more vigilant. Time, to be sure, marches on, and there is a tendency to think that grief does as well. But even though grief, like memories, may fade, for those who have lost love ones unexpectedly, it never truly fades away.
To the families of those who died in the sky above Lockerbie all those years ago, I know that the small step we take today cannot compensate for the sorrow you feel to this day. But I hope that you will find some measure of solace in knowing that we in the United States Government, on behalf of the American people and in partnership with our counterparts in Scotland, have never relented, and will never relent, in the pursuit of justice for you and your loved ones.
Thank you.
[End Transcript]


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-22--December 22nd – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1433


theconservativetreehouse--2020-12-22--Tuesday December 22nd – Open Thread

Tuesday December 22nd – Open Thread