activistpost--2020-10-07--Energy News on Preventing “Dark Money” from Causing More Utility Scandals Similar to Ohio’s Nuclear

Energy News on Preventing “Dark Money” from Causing More Utility Scandals Similar to Ohio’s Nuclear Plant Bailout Bill

Activist Post has been following and reporting about recent utility scandals in Ohio and Illinois ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) .
It ’ s worth noting that most Americans still don ’ t realize how much utilities have also benefited at their expense with the deployment of “ Smart ” Meters – electric , gas , and water .
Millions have been installed in the U.S. – including by First Energy in Ohio – and millions more are planned despite all their problems including cybersecurity risks ( see 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , frequent replacement , and MORE ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) .
Maybe someday someone will eventually expose all the “ Dark Money ” spent on promoting costly , dangerous , and unnecessary “ Smart Meters ” .
For now , at least advocates are focusing on how to prevent other utility injustices .
What can be done to reduce influence of dark money on Ohio energy policy ?
Any changes in the wake of the alleged $ 60 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , advocates say .
This article provided by Eye on Ohio , the nonprofit , nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network .
Please join our free mailing list or the mailing list for the Energy New Network as this helps us provide more public service reporting .
The arrest of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and others in July revealed how the use of dark money organizations enabled an alleged $ 60 million conspiracy to sway elections and provide costly bailouts to noncompetitive nuclear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court cases move forward , questions remain about what can be done to restore confidence in the legislature and to prevent similar situations in the future .
“ Dark money is really how special interests win right now , ” said Jay Costa , executive director at Voters ’ Right To Know .
When corporations use shell groups to hide their political spending , they “ gain a level of credibility they wouldn ’ t otherwise have , ” he explained .
“ I like to think of it as the ‘ Wizard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , voters don ’ t get to see who ’ s behind the curtain .
Two months after the federal government ’ s criminal complaint and indictment in July , Ohio Attorney General David Yost has filed a state court lawsuit .
The complaint alleges a “ pattern of corrupt activity , ” and seeks injunctive relief to prevent FirstEnergy , FirstEnergy Solutions , Energy Harbor and others from reaping benefits from the bailouts under House Bill 6 .
A hearing on a preliminary motion for that relief is currently scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s unclear whether Ohio lawmakers will actually repeal House Bill 6 , the bailout law passed as a result of the alleged conspiracy .
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers called for a swift repeal in late July and early August .
However , leadership in the Ohio House has so far refused to allow a full House vote on any pending repeal bills .
“ They ’ re just dragging their feet , ” said Rep. David Leland , D-Columbus .
“ We have 58 members of the legislature who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Instead , Speaker Robert Cupp , R-Lima , has referred the bill to a House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight .
So far , those hearings have largely been a general review of the pros and cons of HB 6 , rather than a focused oversight of the alleged corruption that led to its passage and whether it should be repealed in order to repair any claimed harm to public trust in the legislature ’ s integrity .
“ The only way that we can prove that Ohio is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Leland said .
“ The polling we ’ ve seen shows that people by an overwhelming margin are going to punish those people who have voted for HB 6 and have done nothing to repeal it.
” Early and absentee voting in Ohio begins on Oct. 6 .
“ Our legislators are supposed to act in the public interest , ” said political scientist Leah Stokes at the University of California at Santa Barbara .
Corporations ’ interests may sometimes conflict .
But , she adds , “ it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to be listening to those special interests .
That basic responsibility of democracy has failed in Ohio with House Bill 6.
” A straight repeal would mostly restore Ohio energy law to before HB 6 became effective , subject to some follow-up regulatory matters before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio .
A quick replacement could potentially reenact all or much of the law , which also gutted the state ’ s clean energy standards .
Advocates say that rushing to ram through anything more than a simple repeal this year would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more problems , even aside the alleged conspiracy ’ s past influence on the current makeup of the Ohio House of Representatives .
Even at that , a repeal bill would now need either an emergency clause or an injunction sought by the state attorney general in order to stop the nuclear subsidies slated to start in January .
The committee adjourned on Sept. 30 and no additional meetings are currently scheduled .
HB 6 “ is so questionable at this moment .
The vehicle itself and the way it was sold is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Rachael Belz , executive director of Ohio Citizen Action .
“ We need them to repeal it , and then we need to go from there.
” And that second step will take time , she said .
“ It ’ s complicated and complex legislation and policy .
And we have to get it right , ” said Chris Neme , a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group .
“ Passing a bill in less than a couple of months like the way HB 6 was just leads us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bigger question is how to prevent similar abuses in the future .
Utilities and fossil fuel interests have given heavily to Ohio political campaigns since the state enacted a 1999 law calling for competition in electricity generation .
And the level of giving went up dramatically once a competitive market actually began to develop in the state .
Utilities ’ political spending has continued during this election season .
FirstEnergy spokesperson Jennifer Young said that its political action committee has since canceled campaign donations it had originally reported as going out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Campaign donations shown for August have in fact been sent out , Young said .
FirstEnergy has denied any wrongdoing in connection with its political donations or the alleged Householder scandal .
Meanwhile , a 2010 Supreme Court case , Citizens United , “ really opened up the floodgates of fossil fuel and electric utility influence over politics , ” Stokes said .
Utilities ’ political spending is “ particularly pernicious , ” in her view , because customers “ have to buy from these companies ” to get electricity delivered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reporting requirements currently apply only to immediate spenders on political issues and campaigns .
They don ’ t reach all the way up the chain to the original source of the money .
“ It ’ s basically this Russian nesting doll scenario , where you have one donor giving to another donor , giving to another donor , to get to the person who finally spends the money to influence the voters , ” Costa explained .
In the case of HB 6 , money flowed into Generation Now from multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share allegedly originating with Company A — understood to be FirstEnergy — and its subsidiaries , according to the federal complaint .
Some of the money in turn then went to a political action committee .
Or , it went to other organizations that directly funded pro-HB 6 ads .
One such ad claimed a debunked Chinese conspiracy was behind last year ’ s failed effort to put a referendum on the law on the ballot this fall .
A for-profit group called Ohioans for Energy Security paid for that ad .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm that set up the corporation , Isaac Wiles , would not answer questions about the source of its funding .
“ The notion that dark money is something some people don ’ t like is not part of the elements of the crime , ” Mark Weaver , an attorney at that firm , said at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum after news broke about the Householder arrest .
Asked if there was too much money sloshing around at the statehouse , he said it ’ s “ a lot of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pales in comparison ” to the amount that Americans spend on Halloween candy and costumes every year .
And he claimed that the First Amendment protects the right to conduct political speech anonymously .
He quoted from a 1995 case .
“ Of course , state and local governments may ( depending on how they draft ) pass additional 501 ( c ) 4 disclosure requirements that could meet constitutional scrutiny , ” Weaver later added .
The 1995 case distinguished earlier cases requiring disclosure for corporate spending .
The Supreme Court ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ prompt disclosure of expenditures can provide shareholders and citizens with the information needed to hold corporations and elected officials accountable for their positions and supporters.
” “ There is no absolute right to anonymous speech , ” said attorney Ian Vandewalker at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law .
Elections are treated differently from general speech , because of the overriding interest in making sure elections function properly , he explained at a panel organized by the League of Women Voters of Ohio .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies to not be able to cheat the public , ” Vandewalker said .
“ And so those interests require that there be a level of transparency.
” “ No regulation , no law , no set of ethical rules substitutes for American voters paying attention to who ’ s running for office — pressing them hard on what they stand for , looking closely at the issues , and going into the ballot box having done your homework , ” Weaver said .
“ The reason that information is important and transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educated , ” said Catherine Turcer , executive director of Common Cause Ohio .
“ You can ’ t make the argument that voters need to be better educated but you shouldn ’ t give them actual education .
It doesn ’ t make any sense.
” Moreover , disclosure needs to be timely , said Heather Taylor-Miesle , executive director for the Ohio Environmental Council .
In the case of HB 6 , Generation Now didn ’ t report its 2017 spending to the Internal Revenue Service until late 2019 .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to influence the 2018 elections , the passage of HB 6 , and the failed referendum effort against it .
Several bills introduced by Democratic and Republican lawmakers could make a strong start toward improved disclosure , including HB 737 , HB 739 , and SB 347 .
Those bills should be broadened to include digital media , as well as more traditional campaign spending , Turcer said .
The bills should also call for disclosure not only of the name of an organization , but the identity of the top three original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Sept. 16 testimony in support of SB 347 .
“ Otherwise , wealthy special interests will attempt to avoid disclosure by creating pop-up shell groups , ” she said .
And while Ohio voters won ’ t know who ’ s behind all the groups funding attack ads or other political spending this election season , information is available about how lawmakers voted on HB 6 .
The Akron Beacon Journal has also compiled some information on how some funds were used in the 2018 Ohio House campaigns .
“ People should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they want to speak out about the issue , Stokes said , noting that the law passed with support from a mix of both Republicans and Democrats .
“ When the public is outraged about an issue and really shows up , these issues get reversed , ” Stokes added .
“ There ’ s a lot of leverage right now.
” Editor ’ s note : This article has been updated to clarify Mark Weaver ’ s comments .
A documentary about provides additional dreadful details about these devices .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Smart ” Meters , you may want to do so ASAP .
Activist Post reports regularly about “ Smart ” Meters and other unsafe technology .
For more information , visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

By B.N. Frank
Activist Post has been following and reporting about recent utility scandals in Ohio and Illinois (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). It’s worth noting that most Americans still don’t realize how much utilities have also benefited at their expense with the deployment of “Smart” Meters – electric, gas, and water. Millions have been installed in the U.S. – including by First Energy in Ohio – and millions more are planned despite all their problems including cybersecurity risks (see 1, 2), fires, explosions, frequent replacement, and MORE (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
Maybe someday someone will eventually expose all the “Dark Money” spent on promoting costly, dangerous, and unnecessary “Smart Meters”. For now, at least advocates are focusing on how to prevent other utility injustices.
From Energy News:
What can be done to reduce influence of dark money on Ohio energy policy?
Any changes in the wake of the alleged $60 million Householder conspiracy will ultimately depend on voters, advocates say.
This article provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network. Please join our free mailing list or the mailing list for the Energy New Network as this helps us provide more public service reporting.
The arrest of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and others in July revealed how the use of dark money organizations enabled an alleged $60 million conspiracy to sway elections and provide costly bailouts to noncompetitive nuclear and coal plants.
As federal and state court cases move forward, questions remain about what can be done to restore confidence in the legislature and to prevent similar situations in the future.
“Dark money is really how special interests win right now,” said Jay Costa, executive director at Voters’ Right To Know. When corporations use shell groups to hide their political spending, they “gain a level of credibility they wouldn’t otherwise have,” he explained. “I like to think of it as the ‘Wizard of Oz’ effect.”
In other words, voters don’t get to see who’s behind the curtain.
Two months after the federal government’s criminal complaint and indictment in July, Ohio Attorney General David Yost has filed a state court lawsuit. The complaint alleges a “pattern of corrupt activity,” and seeks injunctive relief to prevent FirstEnergy, FirstEnergy Solutions, Energy Harbor and others from reaping benefits from the bailouts under House Bill 6. A hearing on a preliminary motion for that relief is currently scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2.
Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Ohio lawmakers will actually repeal House Bill 6, the bailout law passed as a result of the alleged conspiracy. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers called for a swift repeal in late July and early August. However, leadership in the Ohio House has so far refused to allow a full House vote on any pending repeal bills.
‘Dragging their feet’
“They’re just dragging their feet,” said Rep. David Leland, D-Columbus. “We have 58 members of the legislature who are willing to repeal HB 6 right now.”
Instead, Speaker Robert Cupp, R-Lima, has referred the bill to a House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight. So far, those hearings have largely been a general review of the pros and cons of HB 6, rather than a focused oversight of the alleged corruption that led to its passage and whether it should be repealed in order to repair any claimed harm to public trust in the legislature’s integrity.
“The only way that we can prove that Ohio is not for sale is by repealing HB 6,” Leland said. “The polling we’ve seen shows that people by an overwhelming margin are going to punish those people who have voted for HB 6 and have done nothing to repeal it.” Early and absentee voting in Ohio begins on Oct. 6.
“Our legislators are supposed to act in the public interest,” said political scientist Leah Stokes at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Corporations’ interests may sometimes conflict. But, she adds, “it’s really politicians’ and regulators’ job not to be listening to those special interests. That basic responsibility of democracy has failed in Ohio with House Bill 6.”
A straight repeal would mostly restore Ohio energy law to before HB 6 became effective, subject to some follow-up regulatory matters before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. A quick replacement could potentially reenact all or much of the law, which also gutted the state’s clean energy standards.
Advocates say that rushing to ram through anything more than a simple repeal this year would either just repeat bad policy or create more problems, even aside the alleged conspiracy’s past influence on the current makeup of the Ohio House of Representatives. Even at that, a repeal bill would now need either an emergency clause or an injunction sought by the state attorney general in order to stop the nuclear subsidies slated to start in January. The committee adjourned on Sept. 30 and no additional meetings are currently scheduled.
HB 6 “is so questionable at this moment. The vehicle itself and the way it was sold is all just a pack of lies,” said Rachael Belz, executive director of Ohio Citizen Action. “We need them to repeal it, and then we need to go from there.” And that second step will take time, she said.
“It’s complicated and complex legislation and policy. And we have to get it right,” said Chris Neme, a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group. “Passing a bill in less than a couple of months like the way HB 6 was just leads us down the road of unintended consequences.”
Shining a light on dark money
The bigger question is how to prevent similar abuses in the future. Utilities and fossil fuel interests have given heavily to Ohio political campaigns since the state enacted a 1999 law calling for competition in electricity generation. And the level of giving went up dramatically once a competitive market actually began to develop in the state.
Utilities’ political spending has continued during this election season. FirstEnergy spokesperson Jennifer Young said that its political action committee has since canceled campaign donations it had originally reported as going out in July shortly before Householder’s arrest.
Campaign donations shown for August have in fact been sent out, Young said. FirstEnergy has denied any wrongdoing in connection with its political donations or the alleged Householder scandal.
Meanwhile, a 2010 Supreme Court case, Citizens United, “really opened up the floodgates of fossil fuel and electric utility influence over politics,” Stokes said. Utilities’ political spending is “particularly pernicious,” in her view, because customers “have to buy from these companies” to get electricity delivered to their homes.
At the same time, reporting requirements currently apply only to immediate spenders on political issues and campaigns. They don’t reach all the way up the chain to the original source of the money.
“It’s basically this Russian nesting doll scenario, where you have one donor giving to another donor, giving to another donor, to get to the person who finally spends the money to influence the voters,” Costa explained.
In the case of HB 6, money flowed into Generation Now from multiple sources, with a lion’s share allegedly originating with Company A — understood to be FirstEnergy — and its subsidiaries, according to the federal complaint.
Some of the money in turn then went to a political action committee. Or, it went to other organizations that directly funded pro-HB 6 ads. One such ad claimed a debunked Chinese conspiracy was behind last year’s failed effort to put a referendum on the law on the ballot this fall. A for-profit group called Ohioans for Energy Security paid for that ad. When asked last year, lawyers at the firm that set up the corporation, Isaac Wiles, would not answer questions about the source of its funding.
“The notion that dark money is something some people don’t like is not part of the elements of the crime,” Mark Weaver, an attorney at that firm, said at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum after news broke about the Householder arrest. Asked if there was too much money sloshing around at the statehouse, he said it’s “a lot of money, no doubt,” but “pales in comparison” to the amount that Americans spend on Halloween candy and costumes every year. And he claimed that the First Amendment protects the right to conduct political speech anonymously. He quoted from a 1995 case.
“Of course, state and local governments may (depending on how they draft) pass additional 501(c)4 disclosure requirements that could meet constitutional scrutiny,” Weaver later added.
The 1995 case distinguished earlier cases requiring disclosure for corporate spending. The Supreme Court’s opinion in Citizens United stated that “prompt disclosure of expenditures can provide shareholders and citizens with the information needed to hold corporations and elected officials accountable for their positions and supporters.”
“There is no absolute right to anonymous speech,” said attorney Ian Vandewalker at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. Elections are treated differently from general speech, because of the overriding interest in making sure elections function properly, he explained at a panel organized by the League of Women Voters of Ohio.
“That requires informed voters. And it requires policies to not be able to cheat the public,” Vandewalker said. “And so those interests require that there be a level of transparency.”
“No regulation, no law, no set of ethical rules substitutes for American voters paying attention to who’s running for office — pressing them hard on what they stand for, looking closely at the issues, and going into the ballot box having done your homework,” Weaver said.
“The reason that information is important and transparency is important is so that voters are educated,” said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio. “You can’t make the argument that voters need to be better educated but you shouldn’t give them actual education. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Moreover, disclosure needs to be timely, said Heather Taylor-Miesle, executive director for the Ohio Environmental Council. In the case of HB 6, Generation Now didn’t report its 2017 spending to the Internal Revenue Service until late 2019. By then, millions more had been spent to influence the 2018 elections, the passage of HB 6, and the failed referendum effort against it.
Pending bills
Several bills introduced by Democratic and Republican lawmakers could make a strong start toward improved disclosure, including HB 737, HB 739, and SB 347. Those bills should be broadened to include digital media, as well as more traditional campaign spending, Turcer said.
The bills should also call for disclosure not only of the name of an organization, but the identity of the top three original donors of funding, Turcer added in her Sept. 16 testimony in support of SB 347. “Otherwise, wealthy special interests will attempt to avoid disclosure by creating pop-up shell groups,” she said.
And while Ohio voters won’t know who’s behind all the groups funding attack ads or other political spending this election season, information is available about how lawmakers voted on HB 6. The Akron Beacon Journal has also compiled some information on how some funds were used in the 2018 Ohio House campaigns.
“People should contact their legislators about HB 6” if they want to speak out about the issue, Stokes said, noting that the law passed with support from a mix of both Republicans and Democrats.
“When the public is outraged about an issue and really shows up, these issues get reversed,” Stokes added. “There’s a lot of leverage right now.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify Mark Weaver’s comments.
A documentary about provides additional dreadful details about these devices. If you can “opt out” of “Smart” Meters, you may want to do so ASAP.
Activist Post reports regularly about “Smart” Meters and other unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
Image: Pixabay
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-07--Are Trees Spontaneously Combusting Because of 5G?  Scientist Says It’s Possible

As wildfires continue to burn in California and Oregon , blame is being placed on Climate Change , poor forest management , and downed power lines .
No one has blamed combustible trees – at least not yet .
However , in 2019 one scientist suggested that increased electromagnetic radiation levels from 5G deployment may cause trees to spontaneously combust .
According to Martin Pall , phD , talking at the 5G Summit who has done scientific research on 5G and its effect on plants , he claims that 5G and their associated EMFs can trigger a regulatory system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you excite it with EMFs , you can get high levels of terpenoids that are highly flammable .
This is like spraying the plant with gasoline .
These terpene responses can spread to other plants and when you accumulate enough of these terpenes under calm wind and hot conditions you may get spontaneous combustion .
This will cause fires and he suspects this may have exacerbated the California wildfires that encroached into towns where the EMF towers contributed to the combustion .
Wind and cool temps will diffuse the terpenes .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a hard look at the 5G infrastructure which will install many mini small cell towers and flood our trees and plants with terpene-causing electromagnetic frequencies .
Become an Activist Post Patron for $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Imagine witnessing something like THAT ?
!
Additionally , engineers have warned that 5G base stations can overheat .
Of course , overheating base stations aren ’ t safe anywhere – especially places that are prone to wildfires .
Nevertheless , 5G has been installed throughout the U.S. including in states where wildfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never be known whether spontaneously combusting trees had much – if anything – to do with this .
American opposition to 5G is obviously about more than speculation .
Federal agencies and other credible sources warn it could threaten national security , public safety , and weather forecasting accuracy ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) .
Critics claim it will create massive job loss and eliminate Americans ’ right to privacy .
It uses A LOT of energy .
Experts warn it will also generate TONS of E-Waste that will end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious biological ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) and environmental radiation exposure risks ( see 1 , 2 ) .
Potentially combustible trees may be the icing on the cake .
Perhaps more like candles on the cake , waiting to be lit .
Cities AND entire countries have taken action to ban , delay , halt , and limit 5G installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums for many valid reasons .
High-speed internet is also possible WITHOUT 5G .
Regardless , in August , Trump reintroduced his proposal to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Defense ( DoD ) and Google seem eager to get started .
Somebody may want to alert the firefighters – just in case .
Activist Post reports regularly about unsafe technology .
For more information , visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
As wildfires continue to burn in California and Oregon, blame is being placed on Climate Change, poor forest management, and downed power lines. No one has blamed combustible trees – at least not yet. However, in 2019 one scientist suggested that increased electromagnetic radiation levels from 5G deployment may cause trees to spontaneously combust.
From S.A.F.E Helps You:
According to Martin Pall, phD, talking at the 5G Summit who has done scientific research on 5G and its effect on plants, he claims that 5G and their associated EMFs can trigger a regulatory system that normally protects the plan,t but when you excite it with EMFs, you can get high levels of terpenoids that are highly flammable. This is like spraying the plant with gasoline. These terpene responses can spread to other plants and when you accumulate enough of these terpenes under calm wind and hot conditions you may get spontaneous combustion. This will cause fires and he suspects this may have exacerbated the California wildfires that encroached into towns where the EMF towers contributed to the combustion. Wind and cool temps will diffuse the terpenes. This is a good reason for towns to take a hard look at the 5G infrastructure which will install many mini small cell towers and flood our trees and plants with terpene-causing electromagnetic frequencies.
Become an Activist Post Patron for $1 per month at Patreon.
Imagine witnessing something like THAT?! Additionally, engineers have warned that 5G base stations can overheat. Of course, overheating base stations aren’t safe anywhere – especially places that are prone to wildfires.
Nevertheless, 5G has been installed throughout the U.S. including in states where wildfires have caused massive devastation. It may never be known whether spontaneously combusting trees had much – if anything – to do with this.
American opposition to 5G is obviously about more than speculation. Federal agencies and other credible sources warn it could threaten national security, public safety, and weather forecasting accuracy (see 1, 2, 3). Critics claim it will create massive job loss and eliminate Americans’ right to privacy. It uses A LOT of energy. Experts warn it will also generate TONS of E-Waste that will end up in landfills. There are also serious biological (see 1, 2, 3) and environmental radiation exposure risks (see 1, 2). Potentially combustible trees may be the icing on the cake. Perhaps more like candles on the cake, waiting to be lit.
Cities AND entire countries have taken action to ban, delay, halt, and limit 5G installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums for many valid reasons.
High-speed internet is also possible WITHOUT 5G. Regardless, in August, Trump reintroduced his proposal to have a national 5G plan and the Department of Defense (DoD) and Google seem eager to get started. Somebody may want to alert the firefighters – just in case.
Activist Post reports regularly about unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-07--It Begins: COVID Passport Trials On United Airlines In UK

The pressure to comply with COVID mandates and fraudulent science will come primarily through non-government operations , like airlines and other modes transportation .
If you don ’ t take and pass the COVID test , you don ’ t travel .
The sheer mental disconnect of this program will require a traveler to be tested again and again , for sickness could strike at any time after a successful test .
If a test is negative , then you are grounded wherever you happen to be at the time .
⁃ Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week to test technology to let people travel the globe without risk of being quarantined .
Passengers on United Airlines and Cathay Pacific are trying out an app called the CommonPass .
The phone software is a digital health pass which can hold a certified COVID-19 test status or show someone has been vaccinated in future in a way designed to satisfy various governments ’ different regulations .
It has been launched by non-profit trust Commons Project Foundation , part of the World Economic Forum , in the hope of it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paper , often in different languages .
The tech is very much at the trial stage using volunteers on flights between London , New York , Hong Kong and Singapore under government observation .
But it is seen as a longer-term measure to allow air travel to return to something like pre-coronavirus levels .
However , it is reliant on Governments around the world accepting test results from ‘ certified ’ laboratories in other countries and allowing those with negative results to enter freely on their say-so .
Dr Bradley Perkins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said : ‘ Without the ability to trust COVID-19 tests – and eventually vaccine records – across international borders , many countries will feel compelled to retain full travel bans and mandatory quarantines for as long as the pandemic persists .
‘ With trusted individual health data , countries can implement more nuanced health screening requirements for entry.
’ It comes as hopes for a UK airport testing breakthrough this week look set to be dashed after ministers decided to launch another review of the issue .
The aviation industry had hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel quarantine times could begin as soon as tomorrow .
But Government sources said ministers were instead poised to launch a ‘ taskforce ’ to study the subject , delaying hopes of action for weeks .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said today : ‘ I will be making the announcement later today to Parliament but it involves a taskforce .
‘ So looking at the systems which would enable us to have testing.
’ The pass works by passengers taking a test at a certified lab before uploading it to their phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be scanned by airline staff and border officials .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

The pressure to comply with COVID mandates and fraudulent science will come primarily through non-government operations, like airlines and other modes transportation. If you don’t take and pass the COVID test, you don’t travel.
The sheer mental disconnect of this program will require a traveler to be tested again and again, for sickness could strike at any time after a successful test. If a test is negative, then you are grounded wherever you happen to be at the time. ⁃ Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood
Coronavirus passport trials are taking place at Heathrow this week to test technology to let people travel the globe without risk of being quarantined.
Passengers on United Airlines and Cathay Pacific are trying out an app called the CommonPass.
The phone software is a digital health pass which can hold a certified COVID-19 test status or show someone has been vaccinated in future in a way designed to satisfy various governments’ different regulations.
It has been launched by non-profit trust Commons Project Foundation, part of the World Economic Forum, in the hope of it will end the days of flyers producing bits of paper, often in different languages.
The tech is very much at the trial stage using volunteers on flights between London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore under government observation.
But it is seen as a longer-term measure to allow air travel to return to something like pre-coronavirus levels.
However, it is reliant on Governments around the world accepting test results from ‘certified’ laboratories in other countries and allowing those with negative results to enter freely on their say-so.
Dr Bradley Perkins, chief medical officer of The Commons Project, said: ‘Without the ability to trust COVID-19 tests – and eventually vaccine records – across international borders, many countries will feel compelled to retain full travel bans and mandatory quarantines for as long as the pandemic persists.
‘With trusted individual health data, countries can implement more nuanced health screening requirements for entry.’
It comes as hopes for a UK airport testing breakthrough this week look set to be dashed after ministers decided to launch another review of the issue.
The aviation industry had hoped trials of new systems designed to cut travel quarantine times could begin as soon as tomorrow.
But Government sources said ministers were instead poised to launch a ‘taskforce’ to study the subject, delaying hopes of action for weeks.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said today: ‘I will be making the announcement later today to Parliament but it involves a taskforce.
‘So looking at the systems which would enable us to have testing.’
The pass works by passengers taking a test at a certified lab before uploading it to their phone. It generates a QR code that can be scanned by airline staff and border officials.
Read full story here…
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activistpost--2020-10-07--COVID Pushback: Courts Partially Cancel Executive Overreach in Several US States

THE STORY : COVID lockdown restrictions have been extreme in the US and worldwide , however several lawsuits have now been heard on the matter .
THE IMPLICATIONS : There are good signs that courts have ruled in favor of freedom and individual rights , but ultimately , we can not expect courts to save us or deliver us freedom .
Freedom comes from within ; we must peacefully and powerfully demonstrate that .
COVID pushback has been happening around the world in various forms .
That is symptomatic of people seeing the truth , finding their sense of self-respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their rights .
Protests continue in many places , notably London ( England ) and Berlin ( Germany ) with David Icke and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. respectively giving speeches ( in Icke ’ s case several speeches at several protests ) to crowds of tens of thousands of people .
In other places such as Melbourne ( Australia ) , which has strangely for a Western democracy descended into the depths of tyranny , not enough COVID pushback is happening ; Melbournians are still hampered by severe restrictions and are even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Government classifying it as “ incitement.
” Australia and New Zealand are hampered by the fact they don ’ t possess a Bill of Rights ; in my eyes that is a far more pressing concern to rectify than any other political topic ; however , human rights are inherent and come from within , so that need be no deterrent for Aussies to get out on the street in massive numbers to show the authorities who really has the power .
Meanwhile , in the US , people in many states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief update of the situation in some states ( note : this is not a comprehensive list ) .
Pennsylvania Governor ’ s Closing of Businesses and Restrictions on Gatherings Found to Have Been Unconstitutional A pro-freedom ruling recently emerged from Pennsylvania .
Federal Judge William Stickman IV ruled that the state-imposed restrictions on gatherings violated the 1st Amendment ( which includes freedom of assembly ) and the stay-at-home and business-closing orders violated the 14th Amendment ( which includes due process and equal protection clauses ) .
This article reports : Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being limited in scope .
However , in the overall scheme of the plandemic , it ’ s small potatoes , since it didn ’ t challenge other aspects of the unconstitutional orders , nor did it challenge the root of the problem : the very existence of a virus or pandemic at all .
The report continues : So , a limited hangout for sure .
Meanwhile , in Wisconsin … This Epoch Times article Wisconsin Supreme Court Overrules County ’ s Order Allows Private Schools to Open reports that the Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in Dane County ( which includes the state capital Madison ) .
Health officials were using Dane County Emergency Order # 9 issued on August 21st 2020 to shut down schools .
The court concluded that “ local health officers do not appear to have statutory authority to do what the Order commands ” i.e .
to carry out the “ broad closure of schools.
” An Illinois judge Mike McHaney from Clay County delivered from some great COVID pushback against the State Executive Branch months ago when he ruled that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond 30 days .
In fact , the judge stated that any emergency powers stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak lapsed on April 8th 2020 .
Governor JB Pritzker ignored McHaney ’ s rulings and appealed them , however on August 14th , McHaney ordered Pritzker to appear in court to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court !
Michigan Supreme Court Declares Governor Had no Authority for COVID Restrictions After April 30th 2020 Just last week Michigan State Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Markman wrote in the majority opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after April 30th 2020 for COVID lockdown restrictions .
Whitmer had been trying to argue she had authority under 2 laws ( the Emergency Management Act from 1976 and the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act from 1945 ) but the courts rejected that claim : In Placer County , California , a board of supervisors recently declared that they do no consider that there is a state of emergency due to COVID in their county .
Activist Post reports : Hands down the most comprehensive and interesting lawsuit currently filed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one from Ohio .
It was filed on Sept. 2nd 2020 by attorney Thomas Renz on behalf on citizen rights group Ohio Stands Up !
It is yet to be heard , however it will go into discovery .
The suit goes for the throat so to speak when it comes to challenging the government ’ s illegal lockdown and unfounded proclamations of emergency .
Here are some quotes from Renz and Robert Gargasz ( another attorney also involved ) , who have promised they will release the extensive evidence that chronicles the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and insight : Meanwhile , other countries are either preparing or launching lawsuits too .
Of particular interest is this one in Canada , filed by a group called Vaccine Choice Canada who hired lawyer Rocco Galati .
The suit is 190 pages long and challenges the Canadian government ’ s entire reaction to COVID .
Here is a summary of the case : Other States and Countries Engaging in COVID Pushback The Idaho legislature took some COVID pushback steps in August when the State House passed a resolution to end the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended to end restrictions across the state that would also strip Idaho of eligibility for $ 117 million in emergency federal funds .
Unfortunately it was not passed by the Idaho State Senate .
Interestingly , some State politicians seemed to get the point while others did not : However , other lawmakers didn ’ t want to give up federal money : This highlights how Operation Coronavirus was pulled off around the world .
Part of it was done with flat out bribery – with the NWO ( new World Order ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of thin air ( World Bank , IMF , Federal Reserve , etc . )
to pay nations and states to lockdown their populations and follow the program in exchange for funding .
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated via Belarusian Telegraph Agency , BelTA , that the World Bank and IMF offered him a bribe of USD $ 940 million as ‘ COVID Relief Aid.
’ The proposed deal was that in exhcange for the money he would : • impose an “ extreme lockdown on his people ” Lukashenko showed intestinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his comments are very revealing — they show one aspect of how this agenda is being rolled out worldwide .
The theme of ‘ paying for the COVID scamdemic ’ is large , and extends also to the doctors and hospitals who were bribed to falsely inflate COVID cases , unnecessarily put patients on ventilators and fraudulently ascribe death to COVID on death certificates .
It should be noted , however , that hospitals were put in this position because they were prevented from doing ‘ normal business ’ ( like elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some have been on the verge of bankruptcy .
There was always going to be this kind of COVID pushback once people awoke to the agenda ; however , the wheels of the legal process grind slowly .
If you know of any other cases , please post updates in the comments below .
Although the above cases are mostly good news , there have been rulings which have upheld the Executive Branch power .
Overall we must ask : are these and other lawsuits enough , given that the Northern Hemisphere is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspirators have been programming people since the start of this scamdemic for a 2nd wave , a 2nd lockdown and even in Bill Gates ’ own words a “ Pandemic II “ ?
The tyranny that has been happening in Melbourne is undoubtedly a trial run for what they want to attempt to pull off in the next few months in the Northern Hemisphere .
Are enough people mentally prepared for an increase in the fear and propaganda ?
There are many avenues to stand for freedom ; and although the legal avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are rigged and judges don ’ t want to rock the boat .
The most powerful solution is when a critical mass of people in a certain area or region engage in peaceful mass non-compliance .
That is what we must ultimately aim at , for then it becomes clear that the few can not control the many unless the many willingly acquiesce , cooperate and obey .
Makia Freeman is the editor of alternative media / independent news site The Freedom Articles , author of the book Cancer : The Lies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher at ToolsForFreedom.com .
Makia is on Steemit and Parler .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Makia Freeman
AT A GLANCE…
THE STORY: COVID lockdown restrictions have been extreme in the US and worldwide, however several lawsuits have now been heard on the matter.
THE IMPLICATIONS: There are good signs that courts have ruled in favor of freedom and individual rights, but ultimately, we cannot expect courts to save us or deliver us freedom. Freedom comes from within; we must peacefully and powerfully demonstrate that.
COVID pushback has been happening around the world in various forms. That is symptomatic of people seeing the truth, finding their sense of self-respect and finding the courage to stand up for their rights. Protests continue in many places, notably London (England) and Berlin (Germany) with David Icke and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. respectively giving speeches (in Icke’s case several speeches at several protests) to crowds of tens of thousands of people. In other places such as Melbourne (Australia), which has strangely for a Western democracy descended into the depths of tyranny, not enough COVID pushback is happening; Melbournians are still hampered by severe restrictions and are even forbidden from protesting, with the Victorian State Government classifying it as “incitement.” Australia and New Zealand are hampered by the fact they don’t possess a Bill of Rights; in my eyes that is a far more pressing concern to rectify than any other political topic; however, human rights are inherent and come from within, so that need be no deterrent for Aussies to get out on the street in massive numbers to show the authorities who really has the power. Meanwhile, in the US, people in many states have now taken action. Below is a brief update of the situation in some states (note: this is not a comprehensive list).
Pennsylvania Governor’s Closing of Businesses and Restrictions on Gatherings Found to Have Been Unconstitutional
A pro-freedom ruling recently emerged from Pennsylvania. Federal Judge William Stickman IV ruled that the state-imposed restrictions on gatherings violated the 1st Amendment (which includes freedom of assembly) and the stay-at-home and business-closing orders violated the 14th Amendment (which includes due process and equal protection clauses). This article reports:
Lyndsay Kensinger, the governor’s press secretary, says the Wolf administration is disappointed and will seek a stay of the decision and file an appeal. Kensinger said the court ruling is limited to the business closure order and the stay at home orders issued in March and were later suspended, as well as the indoor and outdoor gathering limitations. “This ruling does not impact any of the other mitigation orders currently in place including, but not limited to the targeted mitigation orders announced in July, mandatory telework, mandatory mask order, worker safety order, and the building safety order,” she said.
The judge wrote:
There is no question that this Country has faced, and will face, emergencies of every sort. But the solution to a national crisis can never be permitted to supersede the commitment to individual liberty that stands as the foundation of the American experiment.
Overall, it is good news, despite being limited in scope. However, in the overall scheme of the plandemic, it’s small potatoes, since it didn’t challenge other aspects of the unconstitutional orders, nor did it challenge the root of the problem: the very existence of a virus or pandemic at all. The report continues:
“This by no means doesn’t recognize that we have a virus and a pandemic and that have a public health issue that needs to be addressed,” Leslie Osche, Butler County Commissioner and commission chair, told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. “We need to be self accountable, to continue to wear masks and take the necessary precautions that we’ve already been taking to mitigate the pandemic, the virus,” said Butler County Commissioner Kimberly Geyer, who serves as vice-chair of the commission.
So, a limited hangout for sure. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin …
Wisconsin County Ordered to Re-Open Schools
This Epoch Times article Wisconsin Supreme Court Overrules County’s Order Allows Private Schools to Open reports that the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 against local health officials in Dane County (which includes the state capital Madison). Health officials were using Dane County Emergency Order #9 issued on August 21st 2020 to shut down schools. The court concluded that “local health officers do not appear to have statutory authority to do what the Order commands” i.e. to carry out the “broad closure of schools.”
Illinois Judge Limits Governor Power to 30 Days
An Illinois judge Mike McHaney from Clay County delivered from some great COVID pushback against the State Executive Branch months ago when he ruled that the governor couldn’t extend disaster proclamations beyond 30 days. In fact, the judge stated that any emergency powers stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak lapsed on April 8th 2020. Governor JB Pritzker ignored McHaney’s rulings and appealed them, however on August 14th, McHaney ordered Pritzker to appear in court to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court!
Michigan Supreme Court Declares Governor Had no Authority for COVID Restrictions After April 30th 2020
Just last week Michigan State Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Markman wrote in the majority opinion that Governor Gretchen Whitmer had no authority after April 30th 2020 for COVID lockdown restrictions. Whitmer had been trying to argue she had authority under 2 laws (the Emergency Management Act from 1976 and the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act from 1945) but the courts rejected that claim:
We conclude that the Governor lacked the authority to declare a ‘state of emergency’ or a ‘state of disaster’ under the EMA after April 30, 2020, on the basis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we conclude that the EPGA is in violation of the Constitution of our state because it purports to delegate to the executive branch the legislative powers of state government– including its plenary police powers– and to allow the exercise of such powers indefinitely.
California County Votes to End COVID State of Emergency
In Placer County, California, a board of supervisors recently declared that they do no consider that there is a state of emergency due to COVID in their county. Activist Post reports:
“Our case numbers are so low, it doesn’t warrant a shutdown,” said Placer County Board chairwoman Bonnie Gore. Placer county, located in the Sacramento area, has acquired a running tally of 3,325 Covid-19 cases since February, with a total of exactly 39 deaths. The United States Census Bureau counted the Placer population at 398,329 as of July 1, 2019, placing the overall infection rate around 0.008%. The World Health Organization believes that it is safe to reopen in areas with a testing positivity rate of less than 5%, positioning Placer county just under the mark at 4.5% as of August 29th. However, the move to end the most restrictive lockdown orders spurred public health officer Dr. Aimee Sisson to resign in protest.”
Ohio: COVID Lawsuit with the Biggest Implications
Hands down the most comprehensive and interesting lawsuit currently filed in the US relating to COVID pushback is this one from Ohio. It was filed on Sept. 2nd 2020 by attorney Thomas Renz on behalf on citizen rights group Ohio Stands Up! It is yet to be heard, however it will go into discovery. The suit goes for the throat so to speak when it comes to challenging the government’s illegal lockdown and unfounded proclamations of emergency. Here are some quotes from Renz and Robert Gargasz (another attorney also involved), who have promised they will release the extensive evidence that chronicles the case to the public to offer transparency and insight:
We believe that the response to COVID-19 has been the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the American public … The objective of this legal action is to force the state to honor the Constitution and to stop the lies, manipulation and fear-mongering intentionally being promoted by public health officials and elected officials … The State of Ohio has consistently lied to and manipulated its citizens from the earliest stages of this pandemic. We insist that this nonsense end, our rights be restored, and that the actual truth be shared … The entire U.S. economy was shut down based on fraudulent models that predicted 2.2 million American deaths. The State of Ohio violated the U.S. Constitution with an emergency declaration that ignores the fundamental rights of all Ohioans. As a result, millions of Ohioans are suffering financially, physically, and mentally.
Canadian Vaccine Choice Group Launches Comprehensive COVID Lawsuit
Meanwhile, other countries are either preparing or launching lawsuits too. Of particular interest is this one in Canada, filed by a group called Vaccine Choice Canada who hired lawyer Rocco Galati. The suit is 190 pages long and challenges the Canadian government’s entire reaction to COVID. Here is a summary of the case:
[Vaccine Choice Canada] claims that the COVID-19 regulations violate Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. According to the Vaccine Choice Canada lawsuit, the government-imposed shutdown of businesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was “extreme, unwarranted and unjustified.” Further, the group argues that the social distancing and self-isolation measures were “not scientific, nor medically based nor proven.” Vaccine Choice Canada also reportedly argues that requiring individuals to wear masks in some public spaces can cause “physical and psychological harm.” According to the Vaccine Choice Canada lawsuit, these measures violate various rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Charter, including the right of association; the right to life, liberty and security of the person; certain measures constitute unlawful search and seizure, and arbitrary detention by enforcement officers; and some COVID-19 measures violate the right to equality before and under the law. “The ‘pandemic’ is false, and the measures phony, designed and implemented for improper and ulterior purposes, at the behest of the [World Health Organization], controlled and directed by billionaire, corporate oligarchs,” the Vaccine Choice Canada lawsuit reportedly alleges.
Other States and Countries Engaging in COVID Pushback
The Idaho legislature took some COVID pushback steps in August when the State House passed a resolution to end the coronavirus emergency declaration. It was a measure intended to end restrictions across the state that would also strip Idaho of eligibility for $117 million in emergency federal funds. Unfortunately it was not passed by the Idaho State Senate. Interestingly, some State politicians seemed to get the point while others did not:
Rep. Steven Harris, R-Meridian and the sponsor of the resolution, said Little’s original declaration of emergency was intended to ensure that COVID-19 cases did not outstrip Idaho hospitals’ ability to care for patients. Hospital capacity has remained more than adequate since the pandemic began, Harris said, but the governor’s declaration and stay-home order caused “extensive collateral damage” to citizens. Rep. Christy Zito, R-Hammett, agreed during the debate that restrictions should be lifted, saying she was disturbed by some of the precautions related to the pandemic. “We are putting our children in plexiglass cages,” she said. “We are masking faces so those that are hearing-impaired feel lost and cannot function. We are masking faces so that children like my grandson, who is borderline autistic, is traumatized often by faces that he can’t see and relate to.” “It is time to return to normal. Not a new normal, to normal,” she added.
However, other lawmakers didn’t want to give up federal money:
“I’m very reluctant, given the economic straits we’re in now, to turn our noses up at $117 million that could be pivotal in pulling us out of this,” she said. Others disagreed. House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, said that Idaho should not be relying on those federal funds anyway. “I refuse, when we talk about money, I refuse to sell my liberties for money,” he said. “I refuse to be blackmailed for money. And I refuse to sell my state and my blessings of my family and everything else for some federal freaking check.”
This highlights how Operation Coronavirus was pulled off around the world. Part of it was done with flat out bribery – with the NWO (new World Order) controllers using institutions that can print money out of thin air (World Bank, IMF, Federal Reserve, etc.) to pay nations and states to lockdown their populations and follow the program in exchange for funding. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated via Belarusian Telegraph Agency, BelTA, that the World Bank and IMF offered him a bribe of USD$940 million as ‘COVID Relief Aid.’ The proposed deal was that in exhcange for the money he would:
impose an “extreme lockdown on his people”
force them to wear face masks
impose very strict curfews
impose a police state
crash the economy
Lukashenko showed intestinal fortitude by refusing the offer; however, his comments are very revealing — they show one aspect of how this agenda is being rolled out worldwide. The theme of ‘paying for the COVID scamdemic’ is large, and extends also to the doctors and hospitals who were bribed to falsely inflate COVID cases, unnecessarily put patients on ventilators and fraudulently ascribe death to COVID on death certificates. It should be noted, however, that hospitals were put in this position because they were prevented from doing ‘normal business’ (like elective procedures) and had little choice; some have been on the verge of bankruptcy.
Final Thoughts on COVID Pushback
There was always going to be this kind of COVID pushback once people awoke to the agenda; however, the wheels of the legal process grind slowly. If you know of any other cases, please post updates in the comments below. Although the above cases are mostly good news, there have been rulings which have upheld the Executive Branch power. Overall we must ask: are these and other lawsuits enough, given that the Northern Hemisphere is heading into winter, and the NWO conspirators have been programming people since the start of this scamdemic for a 2nd wave, a 2nd lockdown and even in Bill Gates’ own words a “Pandemic II“? The tyranny that has been happening in Melbourne is undoubtedly a trial run for what they want to attempt to pull off in the next few months in the Northern Hemisphere. Are enough people mentally prepared for an increase in the fear and propaganda?
There are many avenues to stand for freedom; and although the legal avenue can be effective, sometimes the courts are rigged and judges don’t want to rock the boat. The most powerful solution is when a critical mass of people in a certain area or region engage in peaceful mass non-compliance. That is what we must ultimately aim at, for then it becomes clear that the few cannot control the many unless the many willingly acquiesce, cooperate and obey.
*****
Makia Freeman is the editor of alternative media / independent news site The Freedom Articles, author of the book Cancer: The Lies, the Truth and the Solutions and senior researcher at ToolsForFreedom.com. Makia is on Steemit and Parler.
Sources:
Source: The Freedom Articles
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activistpost--2020-10-08--It Begins: Canada’s First Arrest Under THE QUARANTINE ACT Sets The Stage For Aussie Like Tyranny

And so it begins…The Canadian government is marching down the road towards tyranny with the first arrest being made under @ @ @ @ @ Chris Saccoccia , aka Chris Sky , and his wife were recently arrested in Toronto @ @ @ @ @ to comply with the Canadian government ’ s 14-day quarantine rule !
In this video @ @ @ @ @ Truth speaks with Chris Sky about his arrest , the charges he is now facing @ @ @ @ @ doing this and , most importantly , what you can do if you would like @ @ @ @ @ fight against tyranny and oppression .
To learn more from Chris visit : https : @ @ @ @ @ With Dan Dicks of Press For Truth HERE ➜ https : //pressfortruth.ca/press-for-truth-banned-on-youtube/ Subscribe to Activist @ @ @ @ @ , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom @ @ @ @ @ SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Press For Truth
And so it begins…The Canadian government is marching down the road towards tyranny with the first arrest being made under the federal Quarantine Act! Chris Saccoccia, aka Chris Sky, and his wife were recently arrested in Toronto under the act for failing to comply with the Canadian government’s 14-day quarantine rule!
In this video Dan Dicks of Press For Truth speaks with Chris Sky about his arrest, the charges he is now facing, why he’s doing this and, most importantly, what you can do if you would like to be involved in the fight against tyranny and oppression.
?
To learn more from Chris visit:
https://www.facebook.com/chris.sky.5
Stay Up To Date With Dan Dicks of Press For Truth HERE ➜ https://pressfortruth.ca/press-for-truth-banned-on-youtube/
SUBSCRIBE:
BITCHUTE ➜ https://www.bitchute.com/pressfortruth/
LBRY ➜ https://lbry.tv/@PressForTruth
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DLIVE ➜ https://dlive.tv/PressForTruth
HIVE ➜ https://hive.blog/@pressfortruth
MINDS ➜ https://www.minds.com/pressfortruth
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activistpost--2020-10-08--IRS Investigated For Warrantless Location Tracking Of Americans

Following Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren ’ s request for the Treasury Department watchdog to investigate the IRS ’ use of smartphone location data to track ordinary Americans without a court warrant , Motherboard has obtained a letter from the head of the watchdog committee that specifies a formal investigation is underway .
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russel George said in the letter he would examine the IRS ’ use of a commercial database containing millions of U.S. cellphone locations .
The data was used to conduct warrantless surveillance of Americans .
“ We are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are in the process of contacting the CI [ Criminal Investigation ] division about this review , ” the letter , signed by J. Russell George , the Inspector General , and addressed to the Senators , reads .
CI has a broad mandate to investigate abusive tax schemes , bankruptcy fraud , identity theft , and many more similar crimes .
Wyden ’ s office provided Motherboard with a copy of the letter on Tuesday .
Between 2017 and 2018 , the IRS purchased a subscription to the commercial database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The IRS used the location data , derived mainly from smartphone apps , to identify and track individual criminal suspects .
We noted , in August , there are a handful of government contractors tracking hundreds of millions of mobile phones around the world .
Many were pulling location data from over 500 apps .
A former Venntel employee , recently spoke with Motherboard under cover of anonymity , which said Venntel ’ s database allows users to track devices and see where they have been .
“ If you search a certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get three or four different signals out of there .
I think from that standpoint , you could definitely try and identify specific people , ” the source said .
“ I think that was part of the goal in using it for government customers and things like that , is that you ’ re able to identify devices , and then you can do device searches to see where else they might have been.
” Requiring a warrant as demanded by the Fourth Amendment is needed , as per a landmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v. the United States that protects phone location information .
As to legal justification behind the IRS ’ warrantless surveillance of Americans , well , that remains unclear .
The Inspector-General also said it would investigate the legal argument used : “ You requested that TIGTA investigate CI ’ s use of commercial databases in the performance of its duties , and that TIGTA examine the legal analysis IRS lawyers performed to authorize this practice .
Your concern is that CI ’ s use of the data described above may not be consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case Carpenter v. the United States , ” the Inspector General ’ s letter continues , referring to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration .
Now we wait for the legal justification behind the IRS ’ warrantless surveillance of Americans .
… perhaps this is why Edward Snowden doesn ’ t use an iPhone .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
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By Tyler Durden
Following Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren’s request for the Treasury Department watchdog to investigate the IRS’ use of smartphone location data to track ordinary Americans without a court warrant, Motherboard has obtained a letter from the head of the watchdog committee that specifies a formal investigation is underway.
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russel George said in the letter he would examine the IRS’ use of a commercial database containing millions of U.S. cellphone locations. The data was used to conduct warrantless surveillance of Americans.
“We are going to conduct a review of this matter, and we are in the process of contacting the CI [Criminal Investigation] division about this review,” the letter, signed by J. Russell George, the Inspector General, and addressed to the Senators, reads. CI has a broad mandate to investigate abusive tax schemes, bankruptcy fraud, identity theft, and many more similar crimes. Wyden’s office provided Motherboard with a copy of the letter on Tuesday.
Between 2017 and 2018, the IRS purchased a subscription to the commercial database from a government contractor called Venntel. The IRS used the location data, derived mainly from smartphone apps, to identify and track individual criminal suspects.
We noted, in August, there are a handful of government contractors tracking hundreds of millions of mobile phones around the world. Many were pulling location data from over 500 apps.
A former Venntel employee, recently spoke with Motherboard under cover of anonymity, which said Venntel’s database allows users to track devices and see where they have been.
“If you search a certain house, you’re only going to get three or four different signals out of there. I think from that standpoint, you could definitely try and identify specific people,” the source said. “I think that was part of the goal in using it for government customers and things like that, is that you’re able to identify devices, and then you can do device searches to see where else they might have been.”
Protect Your Privacy with a Phone Shield Faraday Bag
Requiring a warrant as demanded by the Fourth Amendment is needed, as per a landmark opinion via the Supreme Court in Carpenter v. the United States that protects phone location information. As to legal justification behind the IRS’ warrantless surveillance of Americans, well, that remains unclear.
The Inspector-General also said it would investigate the legal argument used:
“You requested that TIGTA investigate CI’s use of commercial databases in the performance of its duties, and that TIGTA examine the legal analysis IRS lawyers performed to authorize this practice. Your concern is that CI’s use of the data described above may not be consistent with the holding of the Supreme Court in the case Carpenter v. the United States,” the Inspector General’s letter continues, referring to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Now we wait for the legal justification behind the IRS’ warrantless surveillance of Americans.
… perhaps this is why Edward Snowden doesn’t use an iPhone.
Source: Zerohedge
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activistpost--2020-10-07--The Selective Prosecution of Julian Assange

As the extradition hearing for Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Julian Assange unfolds , it is increasingly clear that the prosecution of Assange fits into a pattern of governments selectively enforcing laws in order to punish those who provoke their ire .
As we see in Assange ’ s case and in many others before this , computer crime laws are especially ripe for this form of politicization .
The key evidence in the U.S. government ’ s cybercrime conspiracy allegations against Assange is a brief conversation between Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning in which the possibility of cracking a password is discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that password with Assange , and Assange apparently attempts , but fails , to crack it .
While breaking into computers and cracking passwords in many contexts is illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act , few prosecutors would ever bother to bring a case for such an inconsequential activity as a failed attempt to reverse a hash .
But the government has doggedly pursued charges against Assange for 10 years , perhaps because they fear that prosecuting Assange for publishing leaked documents is protected by the First Amendment and is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With this allegation , the government is attempting to dodge around the First Amendment protections by painting Assange as a malicious hacker and charge him for conspiracy to violate computer crime law .
This is a pattern we ’ ve seen before .
Cybercrime laws are a powerful tool used by authoritarian governments to silence dissent , including going after journalists who challenge government authority .
The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented how a computer crime law in Nigeria was used to harass and press charges against five bloggers who criticized politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described how the Saudi Arabian government used vague language in an anti-cybercrime law to prosecute Saudi citizens who used social media to speak out against government abuses .
And in Ecuador , Amnesty International has joined EFF in raising awareness about the case of Ola Bini , a Swedish open source software developer who garnered government ire and is now facing a politically-motivated prosecution for supposed computer crime violations .
This is in alignment with EFF ’ s 2016 whitepaper examining the prosecution history of Arab countries such as Jordan , Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments selectively enforced anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws in order to punish human rights attorneys , writers , activists , and journalists .
The pattern we identified was that authorities would first target an activist or journalist they wanted to silence , and then find a law to use against them .
As we wrote , “ The system results in a rule by law rather than rule of law : the goal is to arrest , try , and punish the individual—the law is merely a tool used to reach an already predetermined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploration , and journalistic inquiry into sinister-sounding ( and disproportionately punished ) felonies , just because they take place in a digital environment that lawmakers and prosecutors do not understand .
The Intercept ’ s Micah Lee described the computer crime charges against Assange as “ incredibly flimsy.
” The conspiracy charge is rooted in a chat conversation in which Manning and Assange discussed the possibility of cracking a password .
Forensic evidence and expert testimony make it clear that not only did Assange not crack this password , but that Manning only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a password hash – from which it would have been impossible to derive the original password .
Furthermore , recent testimony by Patrick Eller , a digital forensics examiner , raises questions about whether the alleged password cracking attempt had anything to do with leaking documents at all , especially since the conversation took place after Manning had already leaked the majority of the files she sent to Wikileaks .
Testimony from the Chelsea Manning court martial make it clear that lots of soldiers in Manning ’ s unit were routinely using their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , download chat software , and install other software programs they found useful , all of which was not permitted on these machines .
This included logging into computers under an administrator account and then installing what they wanted , and sometimes deleting the administrator account , so that the military sysadmin had to wipe and reimage computers again and again .
Eller even noted that one of Manning ’ s direct supervisors even asked Manning to download and install software on her computer .
Indeed , the activity Assange is accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be included in the formal CFAA charges leveled against Manning .
Prosecutors don ’ t go after every CFAA violation , nor do they have the resources to do so .
They can choose to pursue specific CFAA cases that draw their attention .
And Assange , having published a wealth of documents that embarrassed the United States government and showed widespread misconduct , has been their target for years .
Assange is charged with 18 violations of the law .
The majority of these counts relate to obtaining classified government information and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we ’ ve written before , the First Amendment strongly protects the rights of journalists , including Assange , to publish truthful information of clear public interest that they merely receive from whistleblowers , even when the documents are illegally obtained .
This has been upheld in the Supreme Court cases New York Times Co. v. United States ( finding the government could not enjoin the New York Times from publishing Vietnam war documents from whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg ) and Bartnicki v. Vopper ( in which a radio journalist was not liable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential violence ) .
Indeed , Wikileaks had every right to publish the leaked documents they received , and to work directly with a source in the process just as any journalist could .
The lone conspiracy to commit a computer crime allegation has become a major focus of attention in this case , and in fact a computer crime was the only charge against Assange when he was first arrested .
The charge is drawing that attention because it ’ s the only charge that isn ’ t directly about receiving and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assesses these charges against Assange , we urge them to see this case within the context of a repeated , known pattern of governments enforcing computer crime law selectively and purposely in order to punish dissenting voices , including journalists .
Journalism is not a crime , and journalism practiced with a computer is not a cyber-crime , no matter how U.S. prosecutors might wish it were .
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By Rainey Reitman
As the extradition hearing for Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Julian Assange unfolds, it is increasingly clear that the prosecution of Assange fits into a pattern of governments selectively enforcing laws in order to punish those who provoke their ire. As we see in Assange’s case and in many others before this, computer crime laws are especially ripe for this form of politicization.
The key evidence in the U.S. government’s cybercrime conspiracy allegations against Assange is a brief conversation between Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning in which the possibility of cracking a password is discussed, Manning allegedly shares a snippet of that password with Assange, and Assange apparently attempts, but fails, to crack it. While breaking into computers and cracking passwords in many contexts is illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, few prosecutors would ever bother to bring a case for such an inconsequential activity as a failed attempt to reverse a hash. But the government has doggedly pursued charges against Assange for 10 years, perhaps because they fear that prosecuting Assange for publishing leaked documents is protected by the First Amendment and is a case they are likely to lose.
With this allegation, the government is attempting to dodge around the First Amendment protections by painting Assange as a malicious hacker and charge him for conspiracy to violate computer crime law. This is a pattern we’ve seen before.
Cybercrime laws are a powerful tool used by authoritarian governments to silence dissent, including going after journalists who challenge government authority. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented how a computer crime law in Nigeria was used to harass and press charges against five bloggers who criticized politicians and businessmen. Human Rights Watch has described how the Saudi Arabian government used vague language in an anti-cybercrime law to prosecute Saudi citizens who used social media to speak out against government abuses. And in Ecuador, Amnesty International has joined EFF in raising awareness about the case of Ola Bini, a Swedish open source software developer who garnered government ire and is now facing a politically-motivated prosecution for supposed computer crime violations.
This is in alignment with EFF’s 2016 whitepaper examining the prosecution history of Arab countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. We found these governments selectively enforced anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws in order to punish human rights attorneys, writers, activists, and journalists. The pattern we identified was that authorities would first target an activist or journalist they wanted to silence, and then find a law to use against them. As we wrote, “The system results in a rule by law rather than rule of law: the goal is to arrest, try, and punish the individual—the law is merely a tool used to reach an already predetermined conviction.”
Cybercrime laws can turn innocent exploration, and journalistic inquiry into sinister-sounding (and disproportionately punished) felonies, just because they take place in a digital environment that lawmakers and prosecutors do not understand. The Intercept’s Micah Lee described the computer crime charges against Assange as “incredibly flimsy.” The conspiracy charge is rooted in a chat conversation in which Manning and Assange discussed the possibility of cracking a password. Forensic evidence and expert testimony make it clear that not only did Assange not crack this password, but that Manning only ever provided Assange with a piece of a password hash – from which it would have been impossible to derive the original password.
Furthermore, recent testimony by Patrick Eller, a digital forensics examiner, raises questions about whether the alleged password cracking attempt had anything to do with leaking documents at all, especially since the conversation took place after Manning had already leaked the majority of the files she sent to Wikileaks.
Testimony from the Chelsea Manning court martial make it clear that lots of soldiers in Manning’s unit were routinely using their government computers to download music, play games, download chat software, and install other software programs they found useful, all of which was not permitted on these machines. This included logging into computers under an administrator account and then installing what they wanted, and sometimes deleting the administrator account, so that the military sysadmin had to wipe and reimage computers again and again. Eller even noted that one of Manning’s direct supervisors even asked Manning to download and install software on her computer. Indeed, the activity Assange is accused of was not even important enough to be included in the formal CFAA charges leveled against Manning.
Prosecutors don’t go after every CFAA violation, nor do they have the resources to do so. They can choose to pursue specific CFAA cases that draw their attention. And Assange, having published a wealth of documents that embarrassed the United States government and showed widespread misconduct, has been their target for years.
Assange is charged with 18 violations of the law. The majority of these counts relate to obtaining classified government information and disclosing that information to the world. As we’ve written before, the First Amendment strongly protects the rights of journalists, including Assange, to publish truthful information of clear public interest that they merely receive from whistleblowers, even when the documents are illegally obtained. This has been upheld in the Supreme Court cases New York Times Co. v. United States (finding the government could not enjoin the New York Times from publishing Vietnam war documents from whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg) and Bartnicki v. Vopper (in which a radio journalist was not liable for publishing recordings of union conversations plotting potential violence). Indeed, Wikileaks had every right to publish the leaked documents they received, and to work directly with a source in the process just as any journalist could.
The lone conspiracy to commit a computer crime allegation has become a major focus of attention in this case, and in fact a computer crime was the only charge against Assange when he was first arrested. The charge is drawing that attention because it’s the only charge that isn’t directly about receiving and publishing leaks. But as the court assesses these charges against Assange, we urge them to see this case within the context of a repeated, known pattern of governments enforcing computer crime law selectively and purposely in order to punish dissenting voices, including journalists. Journalism is not a crime, and journalism practiced with a computer is not a cyber-crime, no matter how U.S. prosecutors might wish it were.
Source: EFF.org
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activistpost--2020-10-08--More People Were Arrested for Cannabis Possession Than ALL Violent Crimes Put Together in the US Las

More People Were Arrested for Cannabis Possession Than ALL Violent Crimes Put Together in the US Last Year

With legal recreational and medical cannabis now available in so many different US states , it is easy to get the impression that the war on cannabis users is over .
However , cannabis users still represent a significant portion of the people who are filling jails and courthouses throughout the country .
According to the FBI ’ s recent Uniform Crime Report , more people were arrested for cannabis possession last year than for all violent crimes put together .
The data showed that 545,602 people were arrested in the US for cannabis-related crimes last year .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes .
Furthermore , the vast majority of the people who got arrested for cannabis were not accused of selling or trafficking the substance , but just for simple possession .
500,395 of the total cannabis arrests last year , or about 92 % , were for possession , which is still more than the number of people who were arrested for violent crimes .
Erik Altieri , the Executive Director for cannabis advocacy group NORML , says that police across America are still making a cannabis-related arrest every 58 seconds .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans want cannabis to be legal and regulated , it is an outrage that many police departments across the country continue to waste tax dollars and limited law enforcement resources on arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for simple m***juana possession , ” Altieri told Forbes .
Overall , cannabis arrests have been going down nationwide due to the spread of legalization .
Last year , cannabis arrests were down by 18 % when compared with 2018 .
As suspected , the FBI ’ s data showed that people were less likely to get arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal or available for medical use , with eastern states seeing far more arrests .
According to the report , roughly 53 % of all cannabis arrests last year took place in the northeastern part of the country , where cannabis laws are still catching up with the west .
People of color are also at a greater risk of being targeted for cannabis arrests .
According to a report from the ACLU , 2018 data showed that people of color were 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same rates .
In some states that are known to be especially dangerous for people of color , such as Montana or Kentucky , they are close to ten times more likely to be arrested for cannabis .
In a few particular US counties , people of color were 50 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession .
In some states where cannabis has been legalized , lawmakers are making efforts to introduce pardons for those who previously broke the law .
Earlier this year , Nevada Governor Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 15,000 people who were convicted for low-level cannabis possession in the state .
The resolution was unanimously approved by the state ’ s Board of Pardons Commissioners shortly after it was introduced .
In Colorado , lawmakers passed a bill that will allow the state ’ s governor to unilaterally pardon people with past convictions for possession of up to two ounces .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
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By John Vibes
With legal recreational and medical cannabis now available in so many different US states, it is easy to get the impression that the war on cannabis users is over.
However, cannabis users still represent a significant portion of the people who are filling jails and courthouses throughout the country.
According to the FBI’s recent Uniform Crime Report, more people were arrested for cannabis possession last year than for all violent crimes put together.
The data showed that 545,602 people were arrested in the US for cannabis-related crimes last year. Meanwhile, just 495,871 people were arrested for violent crimes.
Furthermore, the vast majority of the people who got arrested for cannabis were not accused of selling or trafficking the substance, but just for simple possession. 500,395 of the total cannabis arrests last year, or about 92%, were for possession, which is still more than the number of people who were arrested for violent crimes.
Erik Altieri, the Executive Director for cannabis advocacy group NORML, says that police across America are still making a cannabis-related arrest every 58 seconds.
At a time when the overwhelming majority of Americans want cannabis to be legal and regulated, it is an outrage that many police departments across the country continue to waste tax dollars and limited law enforcement resources on arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for simple m***juana possession,” Altieri told Forbes.
Overall, cannabis arrests have been going down nationwide due to the spread of legalization. Last year, cannabis arrests were down by 18% when compared with 2018.
As suspected, the FBI’s data showed that people were less likely to get arrested for cannabis in states where it was legal or available for medical use, with eastern states seeing far more arrests.
According to the report, roughly 53% of all cannabis arrests last year took place in the northeastern part of the country, where cannabis laws are still catching up with the west.
People of color are also at a greater risk of being targeted for cannabis arrests. According to a report from the ACLU, 2018 data showed that people of color were 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white people, despite using the substance at the same rates.
In some states that are known to be especially dangerous for people of color, such as Montana or Kentucky, they are close to ten times more likely to be arrested for cannabis. In a few particular US counties, people of color were 50 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession.
In some states where cannabis has been legalized, lawmakers are making efforts to introduce pardons for those who previously broke the law.
Earlier this year, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak introduced a measure that will pardon more than 15,000 people who were convicted for low-level cannabis possession in the state.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the state’s Board of Pardons Commissioners shortly after it was introduced.
In Colorado, lawmakers passed a bill that will allow the state’s governor to unilaterally pardon people with past convictions for possession of up to two ounces.
Source: The Mind Unleashed
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Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
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