saraacater--2020-12-22--U.S. slaps new sanctions on Syria, hoping for end to bloody civil war

U.S. slaps new sanctions on Syria , hoping for end to bloody civil war The United States on Tuesday levied a fresh round of sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad ’ s regime in Syria , hoping the increased financial strain will bring a swifter end to the bloody civil war that has engulfed the nation since 2011 .
These latest sanctions target its central bank and blacklist several individuals and entities with ties to Assad ’ s dictatorial regime .
These new sanctions follow in the footsteps of sanctions imposed earlier this year on the regime .
“ The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those prolonging this conflict , ” a Tuesday statement from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reads .
The civil war , which started from a violent crackdown on Arab Spring protests in 2011 and has subsequently brought in multiple foreign nations , has resulted in millions fleeing the war-torn country and millions displaced internally .
On top of that , it is estimated that the conflict has taken the lives of 593,000 people , according to a report earlier this month from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights .
“ The Assad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies , ” says the statement , “ refuses to end its needless , brutal war against the Syrian people , stalling efforts to reach a political resolution.
” In accordance with Executive Order 13894 , the State Department said it is levying sanctions on Asma al-Assad , the wife of President Assad , “ for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict ” ; as well as on members of her immediate family , which include Fawaz Akhras , Sahar Otri Akhras , Firas al Akhras , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political power , including by using her so-called charities and civil society organizations , ” Pompeo ’ s statement says .
“ The Assad and Akhras families have accumulated their ill-gotten riches at the expense of the Syrian people through their control over an extensive , illicit network with links in Europe , the Gulf , and elsewhere , ” Pompeo continues .
“ Meanwhile , the Syrian people continue to wait in long lines for bread , fuel , and medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidies for these basic essentials that Syrians need.
” Furthermore , the Department of the Treasury is also imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria .
Additional sanctions from the Treasury Department include those on Lina al-Kinayeh , one of Assad ’ s key advisers ; her husband , Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti ; and numerous businesses affiliated with the regime .
RELATED : Pompeo , Mnuchin say no clash exists between them over China-related E.O.
, after WSJ report Moreover , the outgoing U.S. Secretary of State marked the one-year anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 into effect , saying that “ the United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities.
” “ As part of that effort , ” Pompeo continues , the State Department additionally designated a Syria ’ s Military Intelligence ( SMI ) commander , General Kifah Moulhem , for “ his role as one of the architects of the Syrian people ’ s suffering.
” Thus , “ for his actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” sanctions have been imposed upon him .
Over the past few months , the Trump administration has made some significant headway in the foreign policy arena , hoping to ensure Trump is remembered for massive foreign policy achievements as president .
This has primarily been the United States successfully brokering a series of historic peace deals between Israel and a number of Arab nations .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

The United States on Tuesday levied a fresh round of sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, hoping the increased financial strain will bring a swifter end to the bloody civil war that has engulfed the nation since 2011. These latest sanctions target its central bank and blacklist several individuals and entities with ties to Assad’s dictatorial regime.
These new sanctions follow in the footsteps of sanctions imposed earlier this year on the regime.
RELATED: Trump to sanction Syria’s dictator for human rights abuses
“The United States will continue to seek accountability for those prolonging this conflict,” a Tuesday statement from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reads.
The civil war, which started from a violent crackdown on Arab Spring protests in 2011 and has subsequently brought in multiple foreign nations, has resulted in millions fleeing the war-torn country and millions displaced internally. On top of that, it is estimated that the conflict has taken the lives of 593,000 people, according to a report earlier this month from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
“The Assad regime, supported by its enablers and allies,” says the statement, “refuses to end its needless, brutal war against the Syrian people, stalling efforts to reach a political resolution.”
In accordance with Executive Order 13894, the State Department said it is levying sanctions on Asma al-Assad, the wife of President Assad, “for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict”; as well as on members of her immediate family, which include Fawaz Akhras, Sahar Otri Akhras, Firas al Akhras, and Eyad Akhras.
“Asma al-Assad has spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political power, including by using her so-called charities and civil society organizations,” Pompeo’s statement says.
“The Assad and Akhras families have accumulated their ill-gotten riches at the expense of the Syrian people through their control over an extensive, illicit network with links in Europe, the Gulf, and elsewhere,” Pompeo continues. “Meanwhile, the Syrian people continue to wait in long lines for bread, fuel, and medicine as the Assad regime chooses to cut subsidies for these basic essentials that Syrians need.”
Furthermore, the Department of the Treasury is also imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria. Additional sanctions from the Treasury Department include those on Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s key advisers; her husband, Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti; and numerous businesses affiliated with the regime.
RELATED: Pompeo, Mnuchin say no clash exists between them over China-related E.O., after WSJ report
Moreover, the outgoing U.S. Secretary of State marked the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump signing the bipartisan Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 into effect, saying that “the United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities.”
“As part of that effort,” Pompeo continues, the State Department additionally designated a Syria’s Military Intelligence (SMI) commander, General Kifah Moulhem, for “his role as one of the architects of the Syrian people’s suffering.” Thus, “for his actions in preventing a ceasefire in Syria,” sanctions have been imposed upon him.
Over the past few months, the Trump administration has made some significant headway in the foreign policy arena, hoping to ensure Trump is remembered for massive foreign policy achievements as president. This has primarily been the United States successfully brokering a series of historic peace deals between Israel and a number of Arab nations.
RELATED: ‘The dawn of a new Middle East’: UAE, Bahrain, Israel Sign Historic Peace Accords
RELATED: Morocco, Israel agree to normalize relations
RELATED: White House: Sudan and Israel to normalize relations
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-22--New Poll Shows a Majority of Voters Want Pelosi Replaced

New Poll Shows a Majority of Voters Want Pelosi Replaced A new poll by Morning Consult/Politico shows a majority of Americans want Nancy Pelosi to be replaced as Speaker of the House of Representatives .
According to the poll results , only 31 % of all voters think Pelosi should be elected as speaker when the new Congress begins , while 56 % think she should not .
83 % of Republicans are opposed to Pelosi staying as speaker and only 22 % of Independents say she should remain in her position , while 59 % say she should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting Pelosi in the election , her team remains confident that she will maintain her speakership .
“ Over half of registered voters — 52 percent — hold unfavorable views of both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , ” said Kyle Dropp , the co-founder and president at Morning Consult .
“ Each hopes to remain in charge of their respective chambers next year when leadership elections formally take place , but will have to contend with diminished majorities in the new Congress — at best — following @ @ @ @ @

UPDATE:
In a significant turn of events, Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprising announcement on Friday, elevating Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss to the role of special counsel. This decision marks a shift in focus towards the investigation of the Biden family’s financial matters. The probe, which encompasses Hunter Biden’s tax affairs and any potential connections his father, President Joe Biden, might have with his foreign associates, is slated to extend into the 2024 election cycle. Interestingly, this move comes as former President Donald Trump is simultaneously facing two federal indictments from the same department.
Garland stressed that the decision to appoint Weiss as an independent prosecutor aligns with the “public interest” and adheres to departmental regulations. Importantly, this transition was initiated by Weiss himself, who, earlier this week, conveyed his belief that the investigation had reached a point where he should proceed as a special counsel.
Weiss is no stranger to this intricate landscape. He is the federal prosecutor responsible for bringing charges against President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in Delaware. Recent times have witnessed the unfolding of legal proceedings involving Hunter Biden, including a probation-oriented plea arrangement that was ultimately rejected by a judge. In June, Hunter Biden agreed to a deal with federal prosecutors, admitting guilt in two tax-related offenses and a firearm charge, potentially leading to the dismissal of the latter charge. This latest development underscores the intensification of scrutiny into the financial affairs of the Biden family and highlights the evolving legal landscape involving prominent political figures.
—
Attorney General Merrick Garland will speak to the public Friday afternoon. It is highly anticipated because I believe, as do many others, that he may be getting ready to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate “Hunter Biden” and his financial dealings overseas. Although, welcome there are still too many concerns with the DOJ that need to be addressed and there is little faith among many Americans that anything will be done.
Americans have witnessed the makings and the result of a two tiered justice system since President Trump was elected and then the continuing targeting of Trump even after his term as president.
I’ve spoken about the need for an outside investigation into Hunter Biden and President Biden at length on my podcast, The Sara Carter Show and on Fox News. But I’ve been jaded by the failures of past investigations and the weaponization of the Justice Department to do its job. The failure of the DOJ to be blind and just has been devastating to our nation.
Will Garland appoint a special counsel? I don’t know but as Americans we must demand that our leadership, our bureaucracies and our law makers follow the rule of law without prejudice. If they do not, as we have seen over the past decade with the establishments attacks on President Donald Trump and the weaponization of the system to target him, then our foundation will not only be fractured but it will be irreparable.
Either way, the alleged crimes and obvious financial connections linked to the Biden family with adversarial nations like China and Russia must be thoroughly investigated and the investigation must be made public. The Biden connections and large sums of money taken from government connected energy companies in Ukraine must also be thoroughly vetted and any improprieties must be made public.


saraacater--2020-12-22--New ‘Squad’ member Jamaal Bowman says capitalism is ‘slavery by another name’

New ‘ Squad ’ member Jamaal Bowman says capitalism is ‘ slavery by another name ’ Democratic New York Congressman-elect and new member to the “ Squad ” Jamaal Bowman said he believes the U.S. system of capitalism is a form of slavery .
In an interview Monday with The Root , Bowman said , “ I believe our current system of capitalism is slavery by another name.
” He continued , “ We ’ ve moved from physical chattel enslavement and physical racial segregation to a plantation economic system .
One that keeps the majority of Americans unemployed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the power elite continues to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few , and allow large corporations to pretty much run the world as multinational corporations.
” “ The pandemic has revealed it .
With almost 300,000 dead from the pandemic , disproportionately Black and brown , and Jeff Bezos is the first $ 200 billionaire .
In the next six years , he might become the first trillionaire .
That ’ s slavery by another name .
It ’ s a system that ’ s not working , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is set to be sworn into Congress on Jan. 3 , has been very vocal about the need for a new system and has criticized Obama for not being radical enough .
“ I don ’ t think Obama is the standard we should be striving towards , ” Bowman said .
“ I think the Squad is more of a standard we should be striving towards because I think the Squad is more responsive to what ’ s happening today in our streets .
I think Obama represents a certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party is a big and diverse tent .
I think the Squad and myself represent more of what ’ s happening right now in the party , on the ground , in the streets—particularly with parts of the community that we haven ’ t always engaged very well.
” The Squad is the informal name for a group of four progressive women elected in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections , including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Ilhan Omar of Minnesota , Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 16 that he was “ so proud to be entering congress to fight with my sisters for the American people , ” referring to The Squad .

Democratic New York Congressman-elect and new member to the “Squad” Jamaal Bowman said he believes the U.S. system of capitalism is a form of slavery.
In an interview Monday with The Root, Bowman said, “I believe our current system of capitalism is slavery by another name.”
He continued, “We’ve moved from physical chattel enslavement and physical racial segregation to a plantation economic system. One that keeps the majority of Americans unemployed, or underemployed and struggling just to survive, while the power elite continues to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few, and allow large corporations to pretty much run the world as multinational corporations.”
“The pandemic has revealed it. With almost 300,000 dead from the pandemic, disproportionately Black and brown, and Jeff Bezos is the first $200 billionaire. In the next six years, he might become the first trillionaire. That’s slavery by another name. It’s a system that’s not working, so we need a new system.”
Bowman, who is set to be sworn into Congress on Jan. 3, has been very vocal about the need for a new system and has criticized Obama for not being radical enough.
“I don’t think Obama is the standard we should be striving towards,” Bowman said. “I think the Squad is more of a standard we should be striving towards because I think the Squad is more responsive to what’s happening today in our streets. I think Obama represents a certain demographic of the Democratic Party, but the Democratic Party is a big and diverse tent. I think the Squad and myself represent more of what’s happening right now in the party, on the ground, in the streets—particularly with parts of the community that we haven’t always engaged very well.”
The Squad is the informal name for a group of four progressive women elected in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
Bowman tweeted Dec. 16 that he was “so proud to be entering congress to fight with my sisters for the American people,” referring to The Squad.
I’m so proud to be entering congress to fight with my sisters for the American people. Their leadership is why I’m here. They organize, strategize, mobilize and fight for us every second of every day. Looking forward to the 117th Congress. It’s about to be on! https://t.co/bQyboHiQp2 — Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) December 17, 2020


saraacater--2020-12-23--‘An amazing friend of the Jewish community’: Jewish leaders support Grenell appointment to Holocaust

‘An amazing friend of the Jewish community’: Jewish leaders support Grenell appointment to Holocaust memorial council

‘ An amazing friend of the Jewish community ’ : Jewish leaders support Grenell appointment to Holocaust memorial council President Donald Trump on Tuesday named three of his supporters to the U.S .
Holocaust Memorial Council , including Richard Grenell , former acting director of national intelligence .
Many Jewish leaders supported the decision , including founder of Americans Against Antisemitism ( AAA ) Dov Hikind .
“ I know Grenell , he ’ s an amazing guy , I think he ’ s a great addition .
His sensitivity to the Holocaust , the Jewish people… I am absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the son of Holocaust survivors , told reporter Jennie Taer on Wednesday .
Grenell served as the U.S .
Ambassador to Germany before overseeing the nation ’ s 17 spy agencies , which made him the first openly gay person to hold a Cabinet position .
He previously served as U.S. spokesman at the United Nations in the George W. Bush administration .
“ He is a very special individual with tremendous sensitivity for other people and an amazing friend of the Jewish community in every single way .
I wish more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is to the Jewish people , ” Hikind continued .
The United States Holocaust Memorial Council was established by Congress in 1980 to supervise the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington .
Trump previously nominated other allies to the council , including Andrew Giuliani , the son of the president ’ s personal lawyer , Rudolph Giuliani .
Grenell will serve a five-year term on the Council .
“ He is a wonderful addition to anything relating to the Holocaust because of who he is and what he ’ s all about , @ @ @ @


saraacater--2020-12-23--Increasing number of GOP lawmakers to contest Electoral College vote

President Donald Trump reportedly met on Monday with several House Republicans to discuss a plan to contest President-elect Joe Biden ’ s Electoral College votes as they are certified in Congress Jan. 6 .
Since then , a number of GOP lawmakers have pledged to contest the results .
Biden is expected to be declared the winner , despite claims of widespread election fraud .
In order to successfully contest the election results , both the House and the Senate need to agree to reject electors , which is unlikely since the House is controlled by Democrats and several Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner .
Trump has continued to support the effort to contest the results , and is joined by many lawmakers .
Texas Rep. Brian Babin said on Twitter Monday that he will object to the results if Congress does not look into the voter fraud allegations .
Babin also wrote a letter , signed by 20 Republicans , to congressional leadership demanding action .
“ Confidence in our elections must be restored .
If Congress doesn ’ t act , on Jan 6 I ’ ll object to the electoral college vote submissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the millions of Americans , myself included , who don ’ t trust the validity of this election , ” Babin wrote .
North Carolina Rep. Ted Budd echoed Babin ’ s statement , tweeting that he also plans on objecting the results .
Congressman-elect Madison Cawthorn , NC , told a group of young activists this week that he will contest the election “ based on constitutional violations by key states.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged Republicans not to object during Congress ’ s count and certification of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow GOP senators in a bad position .
Members of GOP leadership warn that the objection will only result in delaying the inevitable outcome .

President Donald Trump reportedly met on Monday with several House Republicans to discuss a plan to contest President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College votes as they are certified in Congress Jan. 6. Since then, a number of GOP lawmakers have pledged to contest the results.
SPOTTED in the West Wing today: GOP members like @mtgreenee, @mattgaetz, @Jim_Jordan, @RepMoBrooks, @replouiegohmert.
They met with the president, multiple sources told me. — Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 21, 2020
Several members of Congress just finished a meeting in the Oval Office with President @realDonaldTrump, preparing to fight back against mounting evidence of voter fraud.
Stay tuned. — Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) December 21, 2020
Biden is expected to be declared the winner, despite claims of widespread election fraud.
In order to successfully contest the election results, both the House and the Senate need to agree to reject electors, which is unlikely since the House is controlled by Democrats and several Senate Republicans have recognized Biden as the presidential winner.
Trump has continued to support the effort to contest the results, and is joined by many lawmakers.
Texas Rep. Brian Babin said on Twitter Monday that he will object to the results if Congress does not look into the voter fraud allegations. Babin also wrote a letter, signed by 20 Republicans, to congressional leadership demanding action.
“Confidence in our elections must be restored. If Congress doesn’t act, on Jan 6 I’ll object to the electoral college vote submissions on the House floor on behalf of the millions of Americans, myself included, who don’t trust the validity of this election,” Babin wrote.
Confidence in our elections must be restored. If Congress doesn't act, on Jan 6 I'll object to the electoral college vote submissions on the House floor on behalf of the millions of Americans, myself included, who don't trust the validity of this election. https://t.co/wC86vzPx45 — Brian Babin (@RepBrianBabin) December 21, 2020
North Carolina Rep. Ted Budd echoed Babin’s statement, tweeting that he also plans on objecting the results.
Yes, I plan to object on January 6th.
MILLIONS of Americans saw what I saw:
– Voter safeguards removed
– No signature verification
– Outdated voter rolls
– Ballots accepted after Election Day
– Poll watchers denied access
#WeThePeople will keep fighting for @realDonaldTrump. — Congressman Ted Budd (@RepTedBudd) December 22, 2020
Congressman-elect Madison Cawthorn, NC, told a group of young activists this week that he will contest the election “based on constitutional violations by key states.”
Not doing this to help my career in Washington, in fact this will most likely harm it. But no one should go to Washington as a career. Go there to serve the people. And on behalf of the people I am contesting this election based on constitutional violations by key states. pic.twitter.com/puDmUZAbaw — Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) December 22, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged Republicans not to object during Congress’s count and certification of the Electoral votes, saying it would put fellow GOP senators in a bad position.
Members of GOP leadership warn that the objection will only result in delaying the inevitable outcome.


saraacater--2020-12-23--Raphael Warnock’s ex-wife calls him a ‘great actor’ in police footage of domestic dispute

Raphael Warnock ’ s ex-wife calls him a ‘ great actor ’ in police footage of domestic dispute Raphael Warnock , one of the two Democrats in Georgia ’ s Senate runoff elections , has denied accusations that he ran over his now ex-wife ’ s foot with his car .
Police body-camera footage from the March incident was released Tuesday on Tucker Carlson Tonight .
Warnock and ex-wife Ouleye Ndoye were reportedly in a domestic dispute when the incident occurred .
Warnock denied that he ran over her foot and told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “ it didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife refused to close the right rear passenger door of his car so that he could leave .
He said he began to “ slowly ” drive forward and then heard his wife accuse him of driving over her foot .
“ I barely move , and all of a sudden she ’ s screaming that I ran over her foot .
I don ’ t believe it , ” Warnock told the officers .
According to the footage , Ndoye told the officer at the scene , “ This man is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he cares about right now is his reputation.
” “ I ’ ve been trying to be very quiet about the way that he is for the sake of my kids and his reputation , ” she continues .
“ I ’ ve tried to keep the way that he acts under wraps for a long time and today he crossed the line .
So that is what is going on here .
He ’ s a great actor .
He ’ s phenomenal at putting on a really good show.
” AJC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crime and according to the police report , medical officials did not find visible signs of injury on her foot .
Warnock and Ndoye were amid divorce negotiations when the incident occurred .
The divorce was finalized two months later .


saraacater--2020-12-23--Seattle Antifa member who encourages violence against local businesses has been identified as a camp

Seattle Antifa member who encourages violence against local businesses has been identified as a camp counselor and substitute teacher A Seattle-based Antifa member , who has been arrested numerous times during violent protests and tweeted a list of local business owners that supported the city ’ s efforts to clean out a homeless encampment , has been identified as a children ’ s camp counselor and substitute teacher .
Mikaele Andrew Baker , 23 , was born male and now identifies as a trans non-binary .
Baker used the pseudonym “ @ ComradeFlute ” on Twitter to tweet a list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are businesses ( and literally one , single resident ) who have signed a petition to sweep Cal Anderson Park , ” she wrote .
The Twitter account has since been deleted .
Cal Anderson Park was previously part of the “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ” this summer .
City officials dismantled the zone following several shootings and homicides , but far-left activists and Antifa members have attempted to revive the autonomous zone .
The city recently posted notices that the encampment was illegal and would be removed .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit was filed .
On Friday , the city sent police officers and crews to clean up the park .
Authorities made 21 arrests .
The Post Millennial reported that Baker has a history of violent protest activity in Seattle and has been arrested multiple times .
Baker would use her “ @ ComradeFlute ” Twitter account to make violent and extremist comments .
In a previous tweet , Baker wrote , “ I am a revolutionary anarchist .
I ’ m not a war-hawk , but I see open warfare against fascists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve liberation.
” In June , Baker tweeted , “ What ’ s the point of having guns if you ’ re not going to use them to shoot racists ?
# seattleprotests # CHAZ.
” She would also post frequently about working with children .
“ I work full time as a childcare worker and I ’ m a substitute teacher , idk what makes you think I ’ d be unemployed , ” she wrote on Twitter .
“ I ’ m a history teacher , I ’ m from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for school and work , ” another tweet said .

A Seattle-based Antifa member, who has been arrested numerous times during violent protests and tweeted a list of local business owners that supported the city’s efforts to clean out a homeless encampment, has been identified as a children’s camp counselor and substitute teacher.
Mikaele Andrew Baker, 23, was born male and now identifies as a trans non-binary.
Baker used the pseudonym “@ComradeFlute” on Twitter to tweet a list screenshot of local business owners. “These are businesses (and literally one, single resident) who have signed a petition to sweep Cal Anderson Park,” she wrote.
The Twitter account has since been deleted.
Businesses and residents around Cal Anderson in #Seattle signed a letter in support of the sweep. Multiple #Antifa from ENDD are now posting a list of their addresses
Totally normal "peaceful" protestor activity. pic.twitter.com/IKffaCSuvz — AntifaWatch (@AntifaWatch2) December 17, 2020
Cal Anderson Park was previously part of the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” this summer. City officials dismantled the zone following several shootings and homicides, but far-left activists and Antifa members have attempted to revive the autonomous zone. The city recently posted notices that the encampment was illegal and would be removed. In response, activists barricaded the park and a lawsuit was filed.
TRASHED: Here’s another entrance at Cal Anderson Park. Saw people dropping off wooden pallets in pick up trucks. Clearly building make shift wall to keep city crews out during Wednesday’s planned sweep. #seattle #CapitolHill #CalAndersonPark pic.twitter.com/qmfd2bNJyt — Jonathan Choe Journalist KOMO News (@choeshow) December 15, 2020
On Friday, the city sent police officers and crews to clean up the park. Authorities made 21 arrests.
The Post Millennial reported that Baker has a history of violent protest activity in Seattle and has been arrested multiple times.
Baker would use her “@ComradeFlute” Twitter account to make violent and extremist comments.
In a previous tweet, Baker wrote, “I am a revolutionary anarchist. I’m not a war-hawk, but I see open warfare against fascists and the state as a necessary evil to achieve liberation.”
In June, Baker tweeted, “What’s the point of having guns if you’re not going to use them to shoot racists? #seattleprotests #CHAZ.”
She would also post frequently about working with children.
“I work full time as a childcare worker and I’m a substitute teacher, idk what makes you think I’d be unemployed,” she wrote on Twitter.
“I’m a history teacher, I’m from the Olympic Peninsula before moving to Seattle for school and work,” another tweet said.


saraacater--2020-12-23--Barr’s last day at the DOJ

Barr’s last day at the DOJ

Barr ’ s last day at the DOJ Wednesday is Attorney General William Barr ’ s last day at the Department of Justice .
In a parting message to DOJ employees Barr reportedly wrote , “ … it has been a great honor to serve once again in this role .
Over the past two years , the dedicated men and women of this Department – including its operational components – have risen to meet historic challenges and upheld our vital mission to enforce the rule of law.
” “ I have been continually inspired by your professionalism and outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , I leave this Office with deep respect for you , and I will always be grateful for your devoted service to the Nation we love.
” The AG ’ s spokesperson Kerri Kupec is reportedly also leaving the DOJ and her last day is Friday .
Barr resigned earlier this month as pressure continued to mount from President Donald Trump , who claimed the Attorney General failed to fully investigate the 2020 election and did not produce any conclusive end to the Durham probe before November 3 .
Before leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Counsel to continue the investigation .
Still , for Sara A. Carter , whose stories exposed the malfeasance by those who investigated Trump and his campaign , it ’ s doubtful that anything will be done .
“ The real tragedy here is that tens of millions of Americans have lost faith in our justice system and no longer believe that anything will ever be done regarding those that try to cool a duly elected president of these United States .
Moreover , those former Obama ministration officials will more than likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris administration , ” Carter told me on Wednesday , reacting to Barr ’ s departure .
She added , “ AG William Barr , as well as former AG Jeff Sessions , failed the American people and our nation .
The buck stopped with them and they should ’ ve cleaned out these corrupted institutions and ensured the sanctity of our constitution .
They did neither .
It ’ s up to the American people , however , to not give up .
We must continue to demand justice and expose corruption @ @


saraacater--2020-12-23--Senators Cruz, Graham urge Trump to submit Iran nuclear and Paris climate deals to Senate before Bid

Senators Cruz, Graham urge Trump to submit Iran nuclear and Paris climate deals to Senate before Biden takes office

Senators Cruz , Graham urge Trump to submit Iran nuclear and Paris climate deals to Senate before Biden takes office Sens .
Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham have reportedly advised President Trump to submit the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate Agreement to the Senate for ratification , in an attempt to block President-elect Biden from re-entering the deals once he takes office .
In a letter obtained by RealClearPolitics , Cruz urges the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to submit the accords to the Senate before Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20 .
“ Your administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of substantive policy by withdrawing from both the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement .
This was a great accomplishment for the American people , ” Cruz wrote in the letter .
“ I urge you now also to remedy the harm done to the balance of powers by submitting the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement to the Senate as treaties , ” he continued .
“ Only by so doing will the Senate be able to satisfy its constitutional role to provide advice and consent in the event any future administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A senior congressional aide told RCP that submitting the accords to fail in the Senate “ would be the final nail in the coffin.
” Trump pulled out of both agreements that were negotiated under former President Barack Obama , but Biden has said he plans to rejoin the Paris Agreement on his first day in office while working to revive the Iran nuclear deal .
In a series of tweets last week , Graham said that rejoining the Iran nuclear deal would be “ the most destructive decision a Biden administration could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He added , “ The Senate should go on the record about whether it would support or oppose this decision .
Also believe Senate should be on record in support or opposition to any decision to reenter Paris climate accord .
”


saraacater--2020-12-23--Joe Biden Calls Fox News reporter Peter Doocy ‘one horse pony’

President-elect Joe Biden called Fox News reporter Peter Doocy a “ one horse pony ” on Tuesday for continuing to @ @ @ @ @ his son Hunter Biden .
Doocy asked Biden , “ Mr .
President-elect , do @ @ @ @ @ stories from the fall about your son Hunter were Russian disinformation and a smear campaign @ @ @ @ @ Biden then responded , “ Yes , yes , yes .
God love you , @ @ @ @ @ a one-horse pony , ” adding “ I promise you my Justice Department will be @ @ @ @ @ making its judgments about how they should proceed .
”


saraacater--2020-12-23--Smugglers attempt to cross southern border with $37 million worth of Meth

Smugglers attempt to cross southern border with $ 37 million worth of Meth U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of @ @ @ @ @ stopped a smuggling attempt of $ 37,000,000 worth of methamphetamine on Saturday .
The seizure @ @ @ @ @ in Pharr , Texas when CBP discovered the narcotics below the floor of a tractor/trailer @ @ @ @ @ shipment of tomatoes , according to a press release .
“ This interception of methamphetamines @ @ @ @ @ of the more significant drug seizures for the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas and will definitely impact @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez .
Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) is @ @ @ @ @ This story was first posted on TheDarkWire.com , click here to read the full story @ @


saraacater--2020-12-23--NY exceeds other states in 2020 population dip, risks losing U.S. House seat

NY exceeds other states in 2020 population dip , risks losing U.S. House seat New York State lost more residents than any other U.S. state in 2020 , estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday reveal , The New York Post reports .
Between July 2019 and July 2020 , 126,355 people ditched the state , representing a 0.65 % decrease , the preliminary statistics demonstrate .
On top of that , this data crowns the Empire State as the U.S. state that experienced the largest decline in population during the aforementioned one-year period .
Comparatively , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % loss , followed by Hawaii with 0.61 % , and then West Virginia with 0.58 % .
Since 2016 , New York has been losing its residents , but the latest population drop was dramatically larger than it had been in previous years .
While these estimates are based on the 2010 Census , the official 2020 Census results will be published in 2021 , alongside an updated legislative map for the U.S. House of Representatives .
The once-a-decade national population survey , which is mandated by the Constitution , decides how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed among the 50 states relative to how their population numbers changed during the 10-year period .
If New York maintains enough of its population numbers relative to those in other states , the state could lose one seat , dropping its total to 26 .
This is according to an analysis by William Frey , chief demographer for the Brookings Institution , The New York Times reported Tuesday .
Such a scenario would result in New York having less seats than Florida for the first time in U.S. history , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story ?
Read the full original report from The New York Post here .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .


saraacater--2020-12-23--New UK COVID virus strand believed to be in U.S., CDC warns

New UK COVID virus strand believed to be in U.S. , CDC warns A new strain of COVID discovered in the United Kingdom is believed to already be spreading in the U.S. , according to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
The CDC officials made the announcement Tuesday and pointed out in a scientific brief that scientists are working to better understand how easily this new virus – which appears to have first appeared in the U.K. -might be transmitted .
They still do not yet know why it has emerged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area , that fact alone does not mean that the variant is more infectious , ” the CDC said .
The CDC also warned that even though this new strain of COVID has not yet been detected yet in the U.S. , there is no reason not to believe that it is already circulating .
“ Ongoing travel between the United Kingdom and the United States , as well as the high prevalence of this variant among current U.K. infections , increase the likelihood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. infections that have been sequenced , the variant could already be in the United States without having been detected , ” the CDC said .
For more on this story go to The Hill .


saraacater--2020-12-26--Nashville Update: Police reportedly have a person or persons of interest in RV bombing

Nashville Update : Police reportedly have a person or persons of interest in RV bombing CBS News tweeted last hour @ @ @ @ @ Nashville police and the FBI having a person or persons of interest in the Christmas @ @ @ @ @ .
Yesterday around 6:30 am in downtown Nashville , an explosive-packed RV blew up after @ @ @ @ @ that anyone in the area should evacuate .
A news conference is being held later @ @ @ @ @ bombing—and potentially an update on the suspect ( s ) .
Police evacuated the area @ @ @ @ @ to the blast .
The identities of the officers have been released .
It was @ @ @ @ @ were taken in the blast and three people are injured .
Police announced yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ were discovered near the explosion , but no additional details are known .
Dozens of @ @ @ @ @ to the quick and heroic work of Nashville police , it appears many lives were @ @ @ @ @ be provided as it is made available .


saraacater--2020-12-26--Rep. Buck: ‘I will not vote’ for $2,000 stimulus increase without removal of ‘pork projects’

Rep. Buck : ‘ I will not vote ’ for $ 2,000 stimulus increase without removal of ‘ pork projects ’ Representative Ken Buck ( CO-04 ) appeared on Fox News Saturday morning to commend President Trump in his fight to increase the stimulus check payments to $ 2,000—but not without House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stripping the bill of its “ pork projects.
” “ I am absolutely in favor of giving the American people $ 2,000 .
I think it ’ s the right move .
I think the President is absolutely right , ” Buck said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the President is suggesting.
” Recalling the last attempted stimulus bill , Buck said Pelosi forced the 5,593-page bill through Congress without giving anyone a chance to read it because she “ stuffed this bill full of pork.
” “ If she strips the pork , if she stops giving her pet projects in the United States and overseas this money , she will get Republican support , ” Buck said .
“ If Nancy Pelosi does that , I think she will get overwhelming Republican support—she will certainly have my support.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for an increase in COVID checks to $ 2,000 if the extra “ pork ” remains in the bill .
The Congressman listed some of the pet projects : funding museums for women ’ s history , social engineering projects in Pakistan , and funding a panel to examine succession of the Dalai Lama .
“ Just to add a $ 2,000 payment instead of a $ 600 payment to the pork that ’ s in the bill is just unacceptable , ” he said .
You can follow Ben Wilson on @ @ @


saraacater--2020-12-26--Biden’s Niece Dodges Jail Time After DUI Guilty Plea

Caroline Biden has avoided jail for the third time after she recently pleaded guilty to an August 2019 DUI incident .
The President-elect ’ s niece crashed her car into a tree last summer and was sentenced to between 20 days and six months of “ confinement ” following her December 3 hearing , as reported by the New York Post .
The sentence was lessened to five or more months of probation and 20 days of rehab after she reached a plea deal with the Montgomery County , Pennsylvania district judge .
She will also face a fine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be on probation , ” said Director of Communications for Montgomery County District Attorney ’ s Office Kate Delano to the New York Post .
“ Should she then violate or break the law at any time , then she will be on the hook for the rest of the sentence.
” The Post reports that Biden ’ s car had carisoprodol and lorazepam inside and a blood test found both drugs , as well as others , in her body at the time of the car accident .
The plea deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid prison after allegedly committing a crime .
In 2013 , she was arrested for hitting a police officer after a fight with her roommate over rent payments .
She was let off , agreeing to attend anger management classes , according to the reports .
Four years later , Caroline Biden had another run-in with the law after spending over $ 110,000 on a stolen credit card .
A felony charge was dropped , and instead , she plead to a lesser charge of petty larceny and…she avoided jail time .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s close family circle .
Other incidents have involved Joe Biden ’ s infamous son Hunter , his brother Frank , and daughter Ashley—according to a Post investigation .
Having a former Senator , former Vice-president , and likely future President in your family sure seems to pay off .
You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @ BenDavisWilson

Caroline Biden has avoided jail for the third time after she recently pleaded guilty to an August 2019 DUI incident.
The President-elect’s niece crashed her car into a tree last summer and was sentenced to between 20 days and six months of “confinement” following her December 3 hearing, as reported by the New York Post.
The sentence was lessened to five or more months of probation and 20 days of rehab after she reached a plea deal with the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania district judge. She will also face a fine of less than $2,000.
Liberal privilege:
Joe Biden’s niece was just let off with a fine after driving drunk & crashing into a tree
This is after being let off for spending over $110,000 on a stolen credit card and assaulting a police officer
Why do the Bidens continually get away with everything? — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 19, 2020
“She will be on probation,” said Director of Communications for Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Kate Delano to the New York Post. “Should she then violate or break the law at any time, then she will be on the hook for the rest of the sentence.”
The Post reports that Biden’s car had carisoprodol and lorazepam inside and a blood test found both drugs, as well as others, in her body at the time of the car accident.
The plea deal is the third time Caroline Biden will avoid prison after allegedly committing a crime.
In 2013, she was arrested for hitting a police officer after a fight with her roommate over rent payments. She was let off, agreeing to attend anger management classes, according to the reports.
Four years later, Caroline Biden had another run-in with the law after spending over $110,000 on a stolen credit card. A felony charge was dropped, and instead, she plead to a lesser charge of petty larceny and…she avoided jail time.
This is the ninth arrest in Biden’s close family circle. Other incidents have involved Joe Biden’s infamous son Hunter, his brother Frank, and daughter Ashley—according to a Post investigation.
Having a former Senator, former Vice-president, and likely future President in your family sure seems to pay off.
You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @BenDavisWilson


saraacater--2020-12-27--Trump to McConnell: ‘Step Up And Fight’

Trump to McConnell: ‘Step Up And Fight’

Trump to McConnell : ‘ Step Up And Fight ’ President Trump blasted Senate Republicans for not working hard enough @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If a Democrat Presidential Candidate had an Election Rigged & Stolen , with @ @ @ @ @ a level never seen before , the Democrat Senators would consider it an act of @ @ @ @ @ the death , ” tweeted Trump .
“ Mitch & the Republicans do NOTHING , @ @ @ @ @ pass .
NO FIGHT !
”


saraacater--2020-12-27--2020 Gun sales shatter records amid a year of riots & election unrest

More Americans decided to exercise their Second Amendment rights this year than ever before—following months of violent rioting , election unrest , and lockdowns .
A new report by Just the News spells out the sheer number of Americans who purchased guns this year .
The FBI reported the largest number of background checks conducted in its history and the “ highest increase of checks year-over-year in over two decades.
” The FBI background check database National Instant Criminal Background Check System saw the busiest November in history with over 3.6 million checks conducted over the course of the month—a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the month of June , the FBI reported a total 3,931,607 checks , almost hitting 4 million for the first time ever .
The FBI has recorded 35,758,249 checks so far in 2020 , a number that is already beating 2019 by 26 % —which saw nearly 28,400,000 background checks .
“ Gun sales have been high and steady this entire year , even during the [ COVID-19 ] shutdown , ” Peyton Galanti , spokeswoman for Colonial Shooting Academy in Richmond , Va , told Just the News , claiming that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ first-time gun buyers ” and “ people who never thought they ’ d own a gun.
” It doesn ’ t look like gun control will be a popular political issue in the near future .
Read about all the broken records here .
You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @ BenDavisWilson


saraacater--2020-12-27--Dems worry a COVID outbreak among House members could cost Pelosi her job

Dems worry a COVID outbreak among House members could cost Pelosi her job As Nancy Pelosi gears up for another run at the speakership in the House , there is one factor that she can not control that could cost her the powerful seat : the coronavirus .
Working with a slim majority of Democrats and facing several in her own party who will oppose her , Pelosi does not have much wiggle room .
Thus , a COVID-19 outbreak among House members—in which several Democrats were sick and unable to come into work—could result in Republicans voting for Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats holding the majority , as reported by The Hill .
“ Let ’ s say , just theoretically , we had six or eight people out with Covid and the Republicans have none .
They probably could elect [ Kevin ] McCarthy , ” Rep. John Yarmuth ( D-Ky ) told the Hill in its report on this subject .
An outbreak among members over the holidays is a big fear among the Democrats , especially since three of their own : Pennsylvania ’ s Conor Lamb , Maine ’ s Jared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all set to oppose Pelosi in her bid .
“ We ’ re in a health care crisis , right ?
No one can get sick .
That ’ s the X-factor here , ” said one House Democrat anonymously told The Hill .
“ We need everyone to be healthy .
… That ’ s the big fear.
” So far 35 members of the House have gotten COVID-19 since the outbreak began—including 5 members that tested positive just this week .
“ There ’ s the usual suspects who make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against her , ” Jim Himes ( D-Ct ) told the Hill .
“ But I think there ’ s an awareness — and there ’ s certainly a message coming from within the caucus — that this may not be a year for the usual branding.
” With opponents in her own party , perhaps more than usual , and the possibility of COVID keeping her loyal members at home , Pelosi may face a devastating re-election failure in the coming weeks .
You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @ BenDavisWilson

As Nancy Pelosi gears up for another run at the speakership in the House, there is one factor that she cannot control that could cost her the powerful seat: the coronavirus.
Working with a slim majority of Democrats and facing several in her own party who will oppose her, Pelosi does not have much wiggle room.
Thus, a COVID-19 outbreak among House members—in which several Democrats were sick and unable to come into work—could result in Republicans voting for Kevin McCarthy to reign as speaker, despite Democrats holding the majority, as reported by The Hill.
“Let’s say, just theoretically, we had six or eight people out with Covid and the Republicans have none. They probably could elect [Kevin] McCarthy,” Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky) told the Hill in its report on this subject.
Democrats fear COVID-19 outbreak could cost Nancy Pelosi her job https://t.co/oUrGJHj344 pic.twitter.com/lV62ujva7x — New York Post (@nypost) December 26, 2020
An outbreak among members over the holidays is a big fear among the Democrats, especially since three of their own: Pennsylvania’s Conor Lamb, Maine’s Jared Golden and Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin are all set to oppose Pelosi in her bid.
“We’re in a health care crisis, right? No one can get sick. That’s the X-factor here,” said one House Democrat anonymously told The Hill. “We need everyone to be healthy. … That’s the big fear.”
So far 35 members of the House have gotten COVID-19 since the outbreak began—including 5 members that tested positive just this week.
“There’s the usual suspects who make it part of their brand to vote against her,” Jim Himes (D-Ct) told the Hill. “But I think there’s an awareness — and there’s certainly a message coming from within the caucus — that this may not be a year for the usual branding.”
With opponents in her own party, perhaps more than usual, and the possibility of COVID keeping her loyal members at home, Pelosi may face a devastating re-election failure in the coming weeks.
Read the full report here.
You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @BenDavisWilson


saraacater--2020-12-27--No Lessons Learned: GA officials say senate results could take weeks

No Lessons Learned : GA officials say senate results could take weeks Despite the past two months of fighting and contesting over the presidential election results , Georgia again may not have final results for the upcoming senate run-off election for weeks after the vote .
A report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests officials in the state are expecting the results to end up in litigation before the winners are truly known .
“ Even if there ’ s a blowout election , I think we ’ ll have people saying : ‘ Well , obviously it was stolen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ” Gabriel Sterling , the state ’ s voting system manager told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
“ So no matter what direction you go , that ’ s going to happen.
” The Atlanta reporters interviewed over a dozen election officials in the state who are “ gearing up for a tortured election aftermath.
” “ Given what happened after the presidential election , I wouldn ’ t at all be surprised to see attempts to challenge the results , especially if Democrats win , ” Emory University political scientist Alan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re already seeing questions about signature verification , challenges of new voter registration .
This could all just be a glimpse of the future.
” You can follow Ben Wilson on Twitter @ BenDavisWilson


saraacater--2020-12-28--30 people shot, 8 fatally over holiday weekend in Chicago

In the last weekend of what has been an extremely violent year for the city of Chicago , there were 30 people shot , including 8 fatally , the Chicago Sun-Times reports .
According to FOX 32 , the latest fatality occurred on Monday morning when a man , 57 , was shot on the city ’ s West Side in a drive-by shooting .
The incident happened at about 4 a.m. when the victim was shot multiple times in the back .
He was later taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead .
On Friday , Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in separate incidents .
One of the victim ’ s of the holiday shootings was a 20-year-old man who was found by police at the 3300 block of West 52nd Street with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach .
Police say he was unresponsive when he was discovered and was later pronounced dead at the scene , according to reports .
Last weekend , 41 people were shot , 8 of them fatally in the Windy City , as reported .
There have been 753 people killed in Chicago this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest homicide numbers account for the start of 2020 to December 20 , 2020 .
In 2019 , 509 people were killed in Chicago .


saraacater--2020-12-28--Trump Signs Covid-19 Bill: Announces Congress Review of Section 230

President Trump signed on Sunday the Covid-19 stimulus package , saying that the bill will “ restore unemployment benefits , stop evictions , provide rental assistance , add money for PPP , return our airline workers back to work , add substantially more money for vaccine distribution , and much more.
” Trump also announced that the House of Representatives will vote on Monday to increase “ payments to individuals from $ 600 to $ 2,000 and that a family of four would receive $ 5,200.
” Another unexpected announcement was that Congress has promised to review Section 230 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the expense of the American people.
” Trump said that he expect them to either terminate it or substantially reform it .
Read below in full The White House statement : As President of the United States it is my responsibility to protect the people of our country from the economic devastation and hardship that was caused by the China Virus .
I understand that many small businesses have been forced to close as a result of harsh actions by Democrat-run states .
Many people are back to work , but my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work .
Fortunately , as a result of my work with Congress in passing the CARES Act earlier this year , we avoided another Great Depression .
Under my leadership , Project Warp Speed has been a tremendous success , my Administration and I developed a vaccine many years ahead of wildest expectations , and we are distributing these vaccines , and others soon coming , to millions of people .
As President , I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 checks per adult and $ 600 per child .
As President I am demanding many rescissions under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 .
The Act provides that , “ whenever the President determines that all or part of any budget authority will not be required to carry out the full objectives or scope of programs for which it is provided , or that such budget authority should be rescinded for fiscal policy or other reasons ( including termination of authorized projects or activities for which budget authority has been provided ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houses of Congress a special message ” describing the amount to be reserved , the relevant accounts , the reasons for the rescission , and the economic effects of the rescission .
2 U.S.C .
§ 683 .
I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed .
I will send back to Congress a redlined version , item by item , accompanied by the formal rescission request to Congress insisting that those funds be removed from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restore unemployment benefits , stop evictions , provide rental assistance , add money for PPP , return our airline workers back to work , add substantially more money for vaccine distribution , and much more .
On Monday the House will vote to increase payments to individuals from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
Therefore , a family of four would receive $ 5,200 .
Additionally , Congress has promised that Section 230 , which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people , will be reviewed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Likewise , the House and Senate have agreed to focus strongly on the very substantial voter fraud which took place in the November 3 Presidential election .
The Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $ 2,000 , repeals Section 230 , and starts an investigation into voter fraud .
Big Tech must not get protections of Section 230 !
Much more money is coming .
I will never give up my fight for the American people !

President Trump signed on Sunday the Covid-19 stimulus package, saying that the bill will “restore unemployment benefits, stop evictions, provide rental assistance, add money for PPP, return our airline workers back to work, add substantially more money for vaccine distribution, and much more.”
Trump also announced that the House of Representatives will vote on Monday to increase “payments to individuals from $600 to $2,000 and that a family of four would receive $5,200.”
Another unexpected announcement was that Congress has promised to review Section 230, “which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people.” Trump said that he expect them to either terminate it or substantially reform it.
Read below in full The White House statement:
As President of the United States it is my responsibility to protect the people of our country from the economic devastation and hardship that was caused by the China Virus.
I understand that many small businesses have been forced to close as a result of harsh actions by Democrat-run states. Many people are back to work, but my job is not done until everyone is back to work.
Fortunately, as a result of my work with Congress in passing the CARES Act earlier this year, we avoided another Great Depression. Under my leadership, Project Warp Speed has been a tremendous success, my Administration and I developed a vaccine many years ahead of wildest expectations, and we are distributing these vaccines, and others soon coming, to millions of people.
As President, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child.
As President I am demanding many rescissions under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The Act provides that, “whenever the President determines that all or part of any budget authority will not be required to carry out the full objectives or scope of programs for which it is provided, or that such budget authority should be rescinded for fiscal policy or other reasons (including termination of authorized projects or activities for which budget authority has been provided), the President shall transmit to both Houses of Congress a special message” describing the amount to be reserved, the relevant accounts, the reasons for the rescission, and the economic effects of the rescission. 2 U.S.C. § 683.
I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed. I will send back to Congress a redlined version, item by item, accompanied by the formal rescission request to Congress insisting that those funds be removed from the bill.
I am signing this bill to restore unemployment benefits, stop evictions, provide rental assistance, add money for PPP, return our airline workers back to work, add substantially more money for vaccine distribution, and much more.
On Monday the House will vote to increase payments to individuals from $600 to $2,000. Therefore, a family of four would receive $5,200. Additionally, Congress has promised that Section 230, which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people, will be reviewed and either be terminated or substantially reformed.
Likewise, the House and Senate have agreed to focus strongly on the very substantial voter fraud which took place in the November 3 Presidential election.
The Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000, repeals Section 230, and starts an investigation into voter fraud.
Big Tech must not get protections of Section 230!
Voter Fraud must be fixed!
Much more money is coming. I will never give up my fight for the American people!


saraacater--2020-12-28--Biden pledges to pursue a trade and economic agenda that will protect ‘our intellectual prosperity’

Biden pledges to pursue a trade and economic agenda that will protect ‘ our intellectual prosperity ’ President-elect Joe Biden on Monday said that he would pursue a trade and economic agenda that protects the United States ’ “ intellectual prosperity ” regarding controversies with China ’ s repeated violations of U.S. intellectual property in commerce and trade .
At Monday ’ s televised presidential transition briefing , Biden said that the United States should embrace its “ democratic partners ” around the world in order to increase the nation ’ s economic leverage .
“ In defense of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we make up 25 % —almost 25 % —of the entire economy of the world , ” he said .
“ But together with our democratic partners , we more than double our economic leverage.
” Biden then went more in depth regarding a range of broad issues , ultimately saying that the U.S. is stronger when it works with its allies .
“ On any issue that matters to the U.S. and China relationship : from pursuing a foreign policy to the middle class ; including a trade and economic agenda that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intellectual prosperity , and the environment ; to ensuring the security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region ; to championing human rights ; we ’ re stronger and more effective when we ’ re flanked by nations that share our vision and the future of our world , ” the president-elect said .
“ That ’ s how we multiply the impact of our efforts , and make those efforts more sustainable.
” RELATED : ‘ That would be a mistake ’ : Nikki Haley urges Biden not to ditch all Trump foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

The Chinese Coast Guard and its maritime militia sailed into Philippine waters around the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, firing water cannons at Philippine vessels and crew seeking to re-supply a Philippine ship within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone. The US State Department called such actions by China “inconsistent with international law” and “unwarranted interference in lawful Philippine maritime operations.” The State Department has maintained that China has “no lawful claim” to that area.
But rather than standing down, China is attempting to gaslight the Philippines and the world into accepting its narrative. A spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense stated that China “has sovereignty” over the area, which it calls “Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao,” according to Xinhua. The area in dispute has always been a part of China, according to Global Times.
The CCP press also states that China “lawfully intercepted” the Philippine vessels, China’s actions towards the Philippines “was professional, restrained, and beyond reproach,” and that the “Philippine side ignored China’s goodwill and sincerity.”
Chinese media also paints the US, not China, as the aggressor. According to a spokesman from China’s Foreign Ministry, the US is “blatantly support[ing] the Philippines’ violation of China’s sovereignty, and its plot is doomed to fail,” according to Global Times. In responding to the incident, the US “continues to hype up the longstanding disputes between China [and its neighbors]” in order “to maintain hegemony and create a ‘security trap’” with those neighbors, according to the president of a Beijing think tank as cited by China Daily. The US has “no right to meddle” in the South China Sea” and is “creating trouble and sowing discord,” according to a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense as cited by that same article.
The CCP press pushes an alternative reality of international law to buttress its claims. The Philippines, not China, is in violation of international law, according to spokesmen of China’s Foreign Ministry and Coast Guard as cited by Global Times. The Philippines committed “illegal” acts by re-supplying its ship, and having its ship there in the first place, according to Global Times. Philippines v. China, or the South China Sea Arbitration, is “‘illegal, null and void’ as it violates international law[…]” according to a spokesman from the Chinese foreign ministry, as cited by China Daily. The spokesman further said that “China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the [arbitration]. This position is clear and firm, and is a legitimate step to uphold the international rule of law.” A Global Times article similarly referred to the arbitration as the “so called South China Sea arbitration,” and that it is “illegal and invalid.”
China continues to bully its neighbors in the South China Sea. At the same time, it wages a sophisticated propaganda effort aimed at obscuring this fact to further its hegemony in the region. The United States needs a clear policy to lead its allies in the region against China’s growing threat.


saraacater--2020-12-28--Court rules in favor of Jewish organization in case against Gov. Cuomo’s COVID-19 restrictions

Court rules in favor of Jewish organization in case against Gov .
Cuomo ’ s COVID-19 restrictions The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on Monday that Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s ( D-N.Y. ) executive order limiting attendance at places of worship “ discriminates against religion on its face ” in Agudath Israel of America ‘ s case against the governor .
The organization , which was founded in 1922 to serve the American Orthodox Jewish community , launched its lawsuit after months of what it claimed was Gov .
Cuomo ’ s targeting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
The Yeshiva World first reported this ruling Monday afternoon .
Prior to Monday ’ s ruling , the U.S. Supreme Court had issued an injunction against the 10- and 25-person limitations ordered by the New York governor , pending Agudath Israel ’ s appeal .
On the last day of Hanukkah , December 18 , the Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard Agudath Israel ’ s appeal .
On top of challenging the 10- and 25-person limits , the case challenged the 25 % and 33 % capacity limits too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on attendance at places of worship , the court ruled , are subject to strict scrutiny .
Regarding the Supreme Court ’ s injunction opinion , the Second Circuit believes that it “ addressed only the fixed capacity limits , but the same reasoning applies to the Order ’ s percentage capacity limits , which by their own terms impose stringent requirements only on houses of worship .
One could easily substitute the percentage capacity limits for the fixed capacity limits into the Supreme Court ’ s discussion of strict scrutiny without altering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixed capacity and percentage capacity limits on houses of worship are subject to strict scrutiny.
” Moreover , the court noted that it applies strict scrutiny to determine if a government policy impermissibly “ ‘ devalues religious reasons ’ for congregating ‘ by judging them to be of lesser import than nonreligious reasons.
’ ” Additionally , the court declared that Cuomo ’ s order was not religiously neutral .
“ To determine neutrality , we begin with the [ Order ’ s ] text , ‘ for the minimum requirement of neutrality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not discriminate on its face , ’ ” it stated .
“ The order fails this basic standard by explicitly imposing on ‘ houses of worship ’ restrictions inapplicable to secular activities.
” “ The Court also found that Governor Cuomo ’ s Order was not generally applicable : the Governor has selected some businesses ( such as news media , financial services , certain retail stores , and construction ) for favorable treatment , calling them ‘ essential , ’ while imposing greater restrictions on ‘ non-essential ’ activities and religious worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That lack of general applicability is also subject to strict scrutiny.
” While Cuomo has asserted that “ all ” activities unrestricted by the executive order show lesser risks of COVID-19 infection than religious ceremonies , the governor has never claimed that the unrestricted category of “ essential ” activities was created based on transmission risk , The Yeshiva World notes .
Rather than that , the court declared , “ [ t ] he only explanation for treating religious places differently seems to be a judgment that what happens there just isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens in secular spaces.
” Toward the end of the statement , the court expressed skepticism about Cuomo ’ s repeated comments trying to defend the restrictions on places of worship because of the special risk they presented .
“ Recent public statements from the Governor cast some doubt on his experts ’ claims that religious worship is self-evidently riskier than secular activities , ” the court noted .
“ In an address on December 11 , 2020 , the Governor presented a chart showing that , per ‘ Statewide Contact Tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the exposure source for only 0.69 % of new COVID-19 infections in the state from September through November .
This figure is comparable to , or lower than , the equivalent proportion for categories of activity deemed ‘ essential ’ : 0.84 % for ‘ Manufacturing , ’ 0.66 % for ‘ Construction , ’ and 0.55 % for ‘ Professional Services . '
” The executive order in question dates back to October , when COVID-19 outbreaks were beginning crop up again in New York City , which had been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the springtime when the pandemic began in the United States .
Many of these outbreaks occurred in “ red zones ” that were mostly located in parts of Queens and Brooklyn , specifically in parts of the boroughs that had large Orthodox Jewish communities .
Cuomo restricted the attendance in houses of worship in these red zones , which then prompted outrage and protest from Jews in New York , claiming their First Amendment rights were being violated .
Avi Schick , who represented the plaintiffs challenging Cuomo ’ s executive order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying “ this decision has important ramifications that go way beyond COVID restriction .
It is a clear statement from the Second Circuit that government can ’ t disfavor religion merely because they see no value in it .
I expect that this decision will stop future governments from imposing rules that restrict religion , and also sets a standard that we can rely on in court in those instances when government does not heed that lesson.
” Gov .
Cuomo ’ s office did not respond to this reporter ’ s request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
RELATED : Gov .
Cuomo ’ s office : ‘ We ’ ve been sued virtually every day ’ over COVID-19 actions RELATED : ‘ Dangerous and divisive ’ : NY Officials slam Gov .
Cuomo for singling out Jews in new COVID-19 orders RELATED : McEnany slams Gov .
Cuomo on religious gatherings , other high-profile Dems for violating COVID-19 guidelines RELATED : Gov .
Cuomo : ‘ the issue ’ of recent COVID-19 outbreaks ‘ is with that ultra-orthodox community ’ You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff @

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D-N.Y.) executive order limiting attendance at places of worship “discriminates against religion on its face” in Agudath Israel of America‘s case against the governor.
The organization, which was founded in 1922 to serve the American Orthodox Jewish community, launched its lawsuit after months of what it claimed was Gov. Cuomo’s targeting and ostracizing of Jewish communities during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Yeshiva World first reported this ruling Monday afternoon.
Prior to Monday’s ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court had issued an injunction against the 10- and 25-person limitations ordered by the New York governor, pending Agudath Israel’s appeal.
On the last day of Hanukkah, December 18, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard Agudath Israel’s appeal. On top of challenging the 10- and 25-person limits, the case challenged the 25% and 33% capacity limits too.
The 25% and 33% limits on attendance at places of worship, the court ruled, are subject to strict scrutiny.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s injunction opinion, the Second Circuit believes that it “addressed only the fixed capacity limits, but the same reasoning applies to the Order’s percentage capacity limits, which by their own terms impose stringent requirements only on houses of worship. One could easily substitute the percentage capacity limits for the fixed capacity limits into the Supreme Court’s discussion of strict scrutiny without altering the analysis. Thus, both the fixed capacity and percentage capacity limits on houses of worship are subject to strict scrutiny.”
Moreover, the court noted that it applies strict scrutiny to determine if a government policy impermissibly “‘devalues religious reasons’ for congregating ‘by judging them to be of lesser import than nonreligious reasons.’”
Additionally, the court declared that Cuomo’s order was not religiously neutral.
“To determine neutrality, we begin with the [Order’s] text, ‘for the minimum requirement of neutrality is that a [government policy] not discriminate on its face,’” it stated. “The order fails this basic standard by explicitly imposing on ‘houses of worship’ restrictions inapplicable to secular activities.”
“The Court also found that Governor Cuomo’s Order was not generally applicable: the Governor has selected some businesses (such as news media, financial services, certain retail stores, and construction) for favorable treatment, calling them ‘essential,’ while imposing greater restrictions on ‘non-essential’ activities and religious worship,” the statement continues. “That lack of general applicability is also subject to strict scrutiny.”
While Cuomo has asserted that “all” activities unrestricted by the executive order show lesser risks of COVID-19 infection than religious ceremonies, the governor has never claimed that the unrestricted category of “essential” activities was created based on transmission risk, The Yeshiva World notes.
Rather than that, the court declared, “[t]he only explanation for treating religious places differently seems to be a judgment that what happens there just isn’t as ‘essential’ as what happens in secular spaces.”
Toward the end of the statement, the court expressed skepticism about Cuomo’s repeated comments trying to defend the restrictions on places of worship because of the special risk they presented.
“Recent public statements from the Governor cast some doubt on his experts’ claims that religious worship is self-evidently riskier than secular activities,” the court noted. “In an address on December 11, 2020, the Governor presented a chart showing that, per ‘Statewide Contact Tracing Data,’ ‘Religious Activities’ were the exposure source for only 0.69% of new COVID-19 infections in the state from September through November. This figure is comparable to, or lower than, the equivalent proportion for categories of activity deemed ‘essential’: 0.84% for ‘Manufacturing,’ 0.66% for ‘Construction,’ and 0.55% for ‘Professional Services.'”
The executive order in question dates back to October, when COVID-19 outbreaks were beginning crop up again in New York City, which had been the nation’s coronavirus epicenter back in the springtime when the pandemic began in the United States. Many of these outbreaks occurred in “red zones” that were mostly located in parts of Queens and Brooklyn, specifically in parts of the boroughs that had large Orthodox Jewish communities. Cuomo restricted the attendance in houses of worship in these red zones, which then prompted outrage and protest from Jews in New York, claiming their First Amendment rights were being violated.
Avi Schick, who represented the plaintiffs challenging Cuomo’s executive order, is reported by The Yeshiva World as saying “this decision has important ramifications that go way beyond COVID restriction. It is a clear statement from the Second Circuit that government can’t disfavor religion merely because they see no value in it. I expect that this decision will stop future governments from imposing rules that restrict religion, and also sets a standard that we can rely on in court in those instances when government does not heed that lesson.”
Gov. Cuomo’s office did not respond to this reporter’s request for an immediate comment on the ruling.
RELATED: Gov. Cuomo’s office: ‘We’ve been sued virtually every day’ over COVID-19 actions
RELATED: ‘Dangerous and divisive’: NY Officials slam Gov. Cuomo for singling out Jews in new COVID-19 orders
RELATED: McEnany slams Gov. Cuomo on religious gatherings, other high-profile Dems for violating COVID-19 guidelines
RELATED: Gov. Cuomo: ‘the issue’ of recent COVID-19 outbreaks ‘is with that ultra-orthodox community’
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-28--Chinese citizen journalist praised for ‘reporting the truth’ of Wuhan’s COVID-19 outbreak receives f

Chinese citizen journalist praised for ‘reporting the truth’ of Wuhan’s COVID-19 outbreak receives four-year jail sentence

Chinese citizen journalist praised for ‘ reporting the truth ’ of Wuhan ’ s COVID-19 outbreak receives four-year jail sentence A Chinese citizen journalist who reported from Wuhan , the city where the coronavirus pandemic began , has been sentenced Monday to four years in prison after “ reporting the truth ” about the outbreak , her lawyer confirmed .
Zhang Zhan was one of a number of citizen journalists whose eyewitness reports from when the virus first appeared about a year ago presented a more grim depiction of the early stage of the pandemic , such as jam-packed hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official narrative of the country ’ s authoritarian government .
Back in early February , Zhang traveled from her home city of Shanghai to Wuhan in order to document how the city was handling the virus outbreak in a series of posts online .
Some of her posts were critical of the Chinese government ’ s response .
It was in May that Zhang was arrested , being accused of spreading false information , disrupting social order , giving interviews to foreign media , and criticizing the government .
China has censored criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in the pandemic .
Whistleblowers , especially doctors , have been told not to speak out .
The international community has been especially critical of China ’ s censoring of journalists and whistleblowers and the country ’ s handling of the early outbreaks which then spread across the entire globe .
Zhang was sentenced to jail Monday on charges of “ picking quarrels and provoking trouble , ” her lawyer , Zhang Keke , who is not related to the 37-year-old , told NBC News on Monday .
Zhang did not speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling , her lawyer mentioned , also saying that , when she was asked if she wanted to appeal her sentence , she offered no answer .
Prior to the delivering of Zhang ’ s sentence , her lawyer said the citizen journalist went “ on long-term hunger strike ” in detention and was being force-fed , NBC News reports .
He said Zhang was “ physically fragile , ” and suffered from dizziness and headaches , per NBC News .
“ When I met her days ago , her hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasogastric tube was inserted in her nose , ” he said , emphasizing that his client has not pleaded guilty , according to NBC News .
Also before the trial , which concluded at 12:30 pm local time , The Daily Mail reports her lawyer saying : ‘ Ms .
Zhang believes she is being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech.
’ According to the The Mail ‘ s Monday report , a New York-based human rights organization had earlier told MailOnline that Zhang was being punished ‘ for doing exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus from Wuhan ’ .
Earlier this month , the human rights organization Amnesty International elevated the story of Zhang , raising concerns about the citizen journalist ’ s health and the “ risk of further torture and other ill-treatment ” .
On Monday morning , the United Nations Human Rights office tweeted that it was “ deeply concerned by ” Zhang ’ s four-year sentence , saying that her case is “ an example of the excessive clampdown on freedom of expression linked to ” COVID-19 .
The account added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release from prison .
The international community has largely accused China , a one-party communist state , of covering up the initial outbreak and delaying its response at the beginning of the outbreak , allowing the deadly virus to wreak havoc across the world .
Despite there being more than 80 million COVID-19 cases worldwide , the country ’ s health officials claim they have only recorded 86,976 cases since the start of the pandemic .
During the early stages of the outbreak in China , government authorities went after many doctors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public about the novel deadly virus .
The most infamous case was that of Dr. Li Wenliang , who later reportedly succumbed to the coronavirus in early February .
RELATED : Chinese Doctor Who Blew The Whistle On Coronavirus Dies Want more details of the story ?
Then read the full reports from NBC News here and The Daily Mail here .
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @ Douglas_P_Braff .

A Chinese citizen journalist who reported from Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus pandemic began, has been sentenced Monday to four years in prison after “reporting the truth” about the outbreak, her lawyer confirmed.
Zhang Zhan was one of a number of citizen journalists whose eyewitness reports from when the virus first appeared about a year ago presented a more grim depiction of the early stage of the pandemic, such as jam-packed hospitals and empty streets, which contradicted the official narrative of the country’s authoritarian government.
Back in early February, Zhang traveled from her home city of Shanghai to Wuhan in order to document how the city was handling the virus outbreak in a series of posts online. Some of her posts were critical of the Chinese government’s response.
It was in May that Zhang was arrested, being accused of spreading false information, disrupting social order, giving interviews to foreign media, and criticizing the government.
China has censored criticism toward its handling of the coronavirus early on in the pandemic. Whistleblowers, especially doctors, have been told not to speak out.
The international community has been especially critical of China’s censoring of journalists and whistleblowers and the country’s handling of the early outbreaks which then spread across the entire globe.
Zhang was sentenced to jail Monday on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” her lawyer, Zhang Keke, who is not related to the 37-year-old, told NBC News on Monday. Zhang did not speak or display any reaction to the court’s ruling, her lawyer mentioned, also saying that, when she was asked if she wanted to appeal her sentence, she offered no answer.
Prior to the delivering of Zhang’s sentence, her lawyer said the citizen journalist went “on long-term hunger strike” in detention and was being force-fed, NBC News reports.
He said Zhang was “physically fragile,” and suffered from dizziness and headaches, per NBC News.
“When I met her days ago, her hands were tied to the waist and a nasogastric tube was inserted in her nose,” he said, emphasizing that his client has not pleaded guilty, according to NBC News.
“She has a strong will,” he added.
Also before the trial, which concluded at 12:30 pm local time, The Daily Mail reports her lawyer saying: ‘Ms. Zhang believes she is being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech.’
According to the The Mail‘s Monday report, a New York-based human rights organization had earlier told MailOnline that Zhang was being punished ‘for doing exactly what the world desperately needed: reporting on the coronavirus from Wuhan’.
Earlier this month, the human rights organization Amnesty International elevated the story of Zhang, raising concerns about the citizen journalist’s health and the “risk of further torture and other ill-treatment”.
On Monday morning, the United Nations Human Rights office tweeted that it was “deeply concerned by” Zhang’s four-year sentence, saying that her case is “an example of the excessive clampdown on freedom of expression linked to” COVID-19. The account added that it would continue to call for her release from prison.
#China: We are deeply concerned by the 4-year prison sentence imposed on citizen journalist Zhang Zhan. We raised her case with the authorities throughout 2020 as an example of the excessive clampdown on freedom of expression linked to #COVID19 & continue to call for her release. — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) December 28, 2020
The international community has largely accused China, a one-party communist state, of covering up the initial outbreak and delaying its response at the beginning of the outbreak, allowing the deadly virus to wreak havoc across the world. Despite there being more than 80 million COVID-19 cases worldwide, the country’s health officials claim they have only recorded 86,976 cases since the start of the pandemic.
During the early stages of the outbreak in China, government authorities went after many doctors in Wuhan after they tried to warn the public about the novel deadly virus. The most infamous case was that of Dr. Li Wenliang, who later reportedly succumbed to the coronavirus in early February.
RELATED: Chinese Doctor Who Blew The Whistle On Coronavirus Dies
Want more details of the story? Then read the full reports from NBC News here and The Daily Mail here.
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.


saraacater--2020-12-28--Sara Carter: The Swamp will never be able to hide again after Trump

Sara Carter : The Swamp will never be able to hide again after Trump Sara Carter joined “ The Next Revolution ” on Fox News with Steve Hilton Sunday night to discuss the interaction between big business and big government and exposing corruption .
“ I ’ ve always said , you can always find bipartisanship in lobbying firms , ” Carter said .
“ You ’ ll always find bipartisanship there because that ’ s where they go to line their pockets after they leave office or once they move around the bureaucracy , they figure out ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal to a symbol of everything that is wrong with Washington and emphasized the importance of exposing corruption .
“ From the House all the way down to the Senate , to the bureaucrats and everyone else , I think that we got to look at overall the complexity of this .
How do we take care of this machine ?
How do we take care of this beast ?
” Carter asked referring to the corruption in Washington .
According to Carter , the corruption in Washington is why Trump faced such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a beast and it feeds on itself and it knows how to slow roll .
Which is why the Trump administration had such a difficult time .
No matter how many times President Trump tried to do something or enact some kind of policy , if there were people opposed to it at the Pentagon , if there were people opposed to it at the state department , we might never know their names , but they just sat back and said you know what , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it never comes to fruition , ” Carter said .
Carter credited Trump for his dedication to the American people and exposing the truth .
“ Thank God for President Trump because it exposed it in such a way that it will never be able to hide again .
”

Sara Carter joined “The Next Revolution” on Fox News with Steve Hilton Sunday night to discuss the interaction between big business and big government and exposing corruption.
“I’ve always said, you can always find bipartisanship in lobbying firms,” Carter said. “You’ll always find bipartisanship there because that’s where they go to line their pockets after they leave office or once they move around the bureaucracy, they figure out ways to make money.”
.@SaraCarterDC on the revolving door of politics: You can always find bipartisanship in lobbying firms… you'll always find bipartisanship there because that's where they go to line their pockets after they leave office…#NextRevFNC pic.twitter.com/1G7DWMMpV5 — The Next Revolution (@NextRevFNC) December 28, 2020
Hilton compared the Biden scandal to a symbol of everything that is wrong with Washington and emphasized the importance of exposing corruption.
“From the House all the way down to the Senate, to the bureaucrats and everyone else, I think that we got to look at overall the complexity of this. How do we take care of this machine? How do we take care of this beast?” Carter asked referring to the corruption in Washington.
According to Carter, the corruption in Washington is why Trump faced such retaliation during this time in office.
“It’s a beast and it feeds on itself and it knows how to slow roll. Which is why the Trump administration had such a difficult time. No matter how many times President Trump tried to do something or enact some kind of policy, if there were people opposed to it at the Pentagon, if there were people opposed to it at the state department, we might never know their names, but they just sat back and said you know what, we’re going to slow roll this policy so that it never comes to fruition,” Carter said.
Carter credited Trump for his dedication to the American people and exposing the truth.
“Thank God for President Trump because it exposed it in such a way that it will never be able to hide again.”


saraacater--2020-12-28--Fauci admits herd immunity numbers were a ‘guesstimate’

In an interview last week with The New York Times published on Thursday , infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted he was not completely honest about the percentage of Americans who needed to get the coronavirus vaccine before the American population can reach herd immunity .
At the beginning of the pandemic , Fauci said 60-70 % of the American public would need to receive the vaccine to reach herd immunity , but as more Americans became wary of the vaccine , Fauci slightly increased his percentages , telling the Times that achieving herd immunity would require 90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
“ When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine , I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent … Then , when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it , I thought , ‘ I can nudge this up a bit , ’ so I went to 80 , 85 .
We need to have some humility here … .
We really don ’ t know what the real number is .
I think the real range is somewhere between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not going to say 90 percent , ” Fauci said .
Fauci defended his statements on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday , saying he made a “ guesstimate.
” “ I want to encourage the people of the United States and globally to get vaccinated , because , as many as we possibly get vaccinated , we will get closer to herd immunity .
So , the bottom line is , it ’ s a guesstimate , ” Fauci said .
Fauci said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling .
“ It was really based on calculations and pure extrapolations from measles , ” Fauci said .
“ Measles is about 98 % effective vaccine , the COVID-19 vaccine is about 94-95 % .
When you get below 90 % of the population vaccinated with measles , you start seeing a breakthrough against the herd immunity , people starting to get infected , like we saw in upper New York State and in New York City , with the Orthodox Jewish group , when we had the measles outbreak , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a calculation that COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , is not as nearly as transmissible as measles .
Measles is the most transmissible infection you can imagine .
So , I would imagine that you would need something a little bit less than the 90 % .
That ’ s where I got to the 85 .
”

In an interview last week with The New York Times published on Thursday, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted he was not completely honest about the percentage of Americans who needed to get the coronavirus vaccine before the American population can reach herd immunity.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Fauci said 60-70% of the American public would need to receive the vaccine to reach herd immunity, but as more Americans became wary of the vaccine, Fauci slightly increased his percentages, telling the Times that achieving herd immunity would require 90% of the American public to receive the vaccine.
“When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent … Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, ‘I can nudge this up a bit,’ so I went to 80, 85. We need to have some humility here …. We really don’t know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I’m not going to say 90 percent,” Fauci said.
Fauci defended his statements on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, saying he made a “guesstimate.”
“I want to encourage the people of the United States and globally to get vaccinated, because, as many as we possibly get vaccinated, we will get closer to herd immunity. So, the bottom line is, it’s a guesstimate,” Fauci said.
Fauci said he based his numbers on measles, not polling.
“It was really based on calculations and pure extrapolations from measles,” Fauci said.
“Measles is about 98% effective vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine is about 94-95%. When you get below 90% of the population vaccinated with measles, you start seeing a breakthrough against the herd immunity, people starting to get infected, like we saw in upper New York State and in New York City, with the Orthodox Jewish group, when we had the measles outbreak,” he continued.
“So, I made a calculation that COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is not as nearly as transmissible as measles. Measles is the most transmissible infection you can imagine. So, I would imagine that you would need something a little bit less than the 90%. That’s where I got to the 85.”