westernjournal--2020-07-29--Google CEO Admits Company Engages in Manual Censorship, Blacklists

Without a doubt .
And you don ’ t have to look any further than what big tech has done when it comes to conservative speech on the internet .
Thankfully , conservatives aren ’ t taking this laying down , as Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz ’ s scorching takedown of monolithic tech titan Google during a congressional hearing Wednesday proves .
“ I want to talk about search [ functions on Google ] , because that ’ s an area where I know Google has real market dominance , ” Gaetz said while questioning Google CEO Sundar Pichai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t manually intervene on any particular search result , ' ” Gaetz said in reference to a Dec. 11 hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Don ’ t Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing “ But leaked memos obtained by the Daily Caller show that that isn ’ t true .
In fact , those memos were altered Dec. 3 just a week before your testimony and they describe a ‘ deceptive news blacklist . '
” No , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new CBS procedural show .
That is allegedly the list that Google uses to decide what you , the reader , should and should not be privy to .
Gaetz also brought up Google ’ s “ fringe ranking ” and followed up with a quintessential question that big tech has yet to answer sufficiently .
The Daily Caller memos that Gaetz referred to outline a process that appears to be teeming with manual input , as opposed to the self-functioning , algorithmic method that Google would have you believe is involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the workflow starts when a website is placed on a watchlist which is used for monitoring of sites to determine if they violate the Good Neighbor Policy .
This watchlist is maintained and stored by Ares with access restricted to policy & enforcement specialists working on the Good Neighbor Policy , ” part of the memo reads , according to the Daily Caller .
“ The investigation of the watchlist is done in the tool Athena , the Ares manual review tool , and intakes signals from Search , Webspan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , Google doesn ’ t “ manually intervene ” in the blacklisting , but they reportedly have a manual review tool ?
How does that work ?
Pichai insisted that Google “ algorithmically ” uses its censorship tools , and that the tech titan doesn ’ t “ manually tune ” search results .
Curiously , Pichai said that if a website or actor is deemed to be “ interfering in elections , ” Google has to put that site on a list so it doesn ’ t appear on search queries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not that process is done manually , Pichai initially couldn ’ t offer a substantive answer .
When pressed further , Pichai made his bombshell admission .
“ There is either a manual component or there is not a manual component , which is it ?
” Gaetz asked .
“ For creating those lists , that process can involve a manual portion , ” Pichai replied , in stark contrast to his previous claim that there is no manual intervention .
Gaetz then went for the jugular .
“ It seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sites like Gateway Pundit , The Western Journal , American Spectator , Daily Caller and Breitbart that receive the ire or the negative treatment as a consequence of your manual tooling , ” Gaetz said .
“ You said that one of the reasons you maintain this manual tool is to stop election interference , ” Gaetz said .
“ I believe it is in fact your company that is engaging in election interference.
” Pichai offered a flaccid defense of that “ characterization ” and tried to hide behind the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as justification for his company ’ s censorship tactics .
Given that Pichai is undoubtedly an intelligent individual , his lacking defense should speak volumes about what big tech really thinks about conservatives and , on a broader scale , the lack of intelligence that they think Americans have .
They don ’ t believe you have what it takes to discern fact from fiction , and instead of empowering the reader , they ’ re just going to think for you .
Good for Gaetz to hammer them on that absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?
Without a doubt. And you don’t have to look any further than what big tech has done when it comes to conservative speech on the internet.
Thankfully, conservatives aren’t taking this laying down, as Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz’s scorching takedown of monolithic tech titan Google during a congressional hearing Wednesday proves.
“I want to talk about search [functions on Google], because that’s an area where I know Google has real market dominance,” Gaetz said while questioning Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
“You said, ‘We don’t manually intervene on any particular search result,'” Gaetz said in reference to a Dec. 11 hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee.
“But leaked memos obtained by the Daily Caller show that that isn’t true. In fact, those memos were altered Dec. 3 just a week before your testimony and they describe a ‘deceptive news blacklist.'”
No, that’s not the name of a new CBS procedural show. That is allegedly the list that Google uses to decide what you, the reader, should and should not be privy to.
Gaetz also brought up Google’s “fringe ranking” and followed up with a quintessential question that big tech has yet to answer sufficiently.
“Who gets to decide what’s ‘fringe?'” Gaetz posited.
Do you think Google is a monopoly that needs to be broken up? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (3667 Votes) No: 1% (45 Votes)
The Daily Caller memos that Gaetz referred to outline a process that appears to be teeming with manual input, as opposed to the self-functioning, algorithmic method that Google would have you believe is involved in its blacklisting process.
“The beginning of the workflow starts when a website is placed on a watchlist which is used for monitoring of sites to determine if they violate the Good Neighbor Policy. This watchlist is maintained and stored by Ares with access restricted to policy & enforcement specialists working on the Good Neighbor Policy,” part of the memo reads, according to the Daily Caller. “The investigation of the watchlist is done in the tool Athena, the Ares manual review tool, and intakes signals from Search, Webspan, and Ares in order to complete reviews.”
So, Google doesn’t “manually intervene” in the blacklisting, but they reportedly have a manual review tool? How does that work?
Pichai insisted that Google “algorithmically” uses its censorship tools, and that the tech titan doesn’t “manually tune” search results.
Curiously, Pichai said that if a website or actor is deemed to be “interfering in elections,” Google has to put that site on a list so it doesn’t appear on search queries.
When Gaetz pressed Pichai on whether or not that process is done manually, Pichai initially couldn’t offer a substantive answer. When pressed further, Pichai made his bombshell admission.
“There is either a manual component or there is not a manual component, which is it?” Gaetz asked.
“For creating those lists, that process can involve a manual portion,” Pichai replied, in stark contrast to his previous claim that there is no manual intervention.
Gaetz then went for the jugular.
“It seems to be no coincidence that it’s sites like Gateway Pundit, The Western Journal, American Spectator, Daily Caller and Breitbart that receive the ire or the negative treatment as a consequence of your manual tooling,” Gaetz said.
The Republican representative wasn’t done.
“You said that one of the reasons you maintain this manual tool is to stop election interference,” Gaetz said. “I believe it is in fact your company that is engaging in election interference.”
Pichai offered a flaccid defense of that “characterization” and tried to hide behind the “law” and “known copyright violations” as justification for his company’s censorship tactics.
Given that Pichai is undoubtedly an intelligent individual, his lacking defense should speak volumes about what big tech really thinks about conservatives and, on a broader scale, the lack of intelligence that they think Americans have. They don’t believe you have what it takes to discern fact from fiction, and instead of empowering the reader, they’re just going to think for you.
Good for Gaetz to hammer them on that absolute folly of a belief.
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--Police Chief Tells Residents and Businesses They’re on Their Own After City Council Tries To Tie Han

Police Chief Tells Residents and Businesses They’re on Their Own After City Council Tries To Tie Hands of Cops

On Friday , a judge put a temporary halt to a Seattle city ordinance , hastily passed in the wake of the protests touched off by the death of George Floyd in late May , which would have banned virtually all safe crowd control measures for police officers .
According to Crosscut , the ordinance would have prohibited not only tear gas , but also pepper spray and other crowd control weapons .
The Department of Justice argued the new rules would have caused “ irreparable harm resulting from officer confusion and the inability to modulate force or de-escalate situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Judge James Robart agreed , issuing a 14-day temporary restraining order just days before the ordinance was set to take effect .
“ The issuance of this immediate change , without time for additional direction or training , is likely to result in officer confusion , ” he wrote .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Don ’ t Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing If you ’ re a resident or business owner in Seattle , at least for the next week and a half , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just two days before the ordinance would have taken effect , Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best wrote a letter to residents and business owners informing them that amid protests that have frequently turned violent , she doesn ’ t intend to put her officers in harm ’ s way without the crowd control weapons that are normally at her department ’ s disposal .
“ Please know that the Seattle Police Department is committed to addressing life safety incidents and calls for service , and responding to ongoing demonstrations and unrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Please also know that the City Council Ordinance 119805 Crowd Control Tool goes into effect this weekend on Sunday , July 26 , 2020 .
This ordinance bans Seattle Police officers the use of less lethal tools , including pepper spray that is commonly used to disperse crowds that have turned violent .
Simply put , the legislation gives officers NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large , violent crowd .
“ It is important to bring to your attention that yesterday , I sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as the Chief of Police , I have done my due diligence of informing them numerous times of the foreseeable impact of this ordinance on upcoming events .
The letter is attached for your reference , ” she continued .
“ For these reasons , Seattle Police will have an adjusted deployment in response to any demonstrations this weekend — as I will never ask our officers to risk their personal safety to protect property without the tools to do so in a safe way , ” Best said in conclusion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best sent the previous day made it clear that protests in the city remained a serious law enforcement issue .
“ It is a fact that there are groups and individuals who are intent on destruction in our City .
Yes , we also have seen weeks of peaceful demonstrations , but two recent events ( Sunday , July 19th and Wednesday , July 22nd ) have included wide-scale property destruction and attacks on officers , injuring more than a dozen , some significantly , ” Best wrote .
“ This weekend we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city that will foreseeably involve many of the same violent actors from recent days .
There is no reason not to assume we will continue to experience property destruction , arson , looting , and attempts to injure additional officers throughout the weekend and beyond .
“ With this Council ordinance , we hear loudly and clearly that the use of these less-lethal tools by SPD officers to disperse crowds that have turned violent have been completely banned by City Council.
” This left two different paths for police officers to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated by Chief Best , was to pull back .
The other possibility open to officers to control crowds , however , went against the spirit of the ordinance — but could be the sole avenue remaining for officers dealing with situations where the only choices left open to them are bad ones .
“ We have clear , court-mandated procedures for arresting individuals , grounded in the principles of deescalation .
SPD ’ s de-escalation principles are premised on the expectation , consistent with policy and best practices , that officers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In large crowds , there is no safe way for officers to effect arrests when their colleagues do not have the tools necessary to protect them , ” Best wrote .
“ As City Council ’ s legislation goes into effect , it will create even more dangerous circumstances for our officers to intervene using what they have left — riot shields and riot batons.
” Best , by the way , doesn ’ t come across like a sanguinary Bull Connor type .
Here ’ s an excerpt from another letter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council two days earlier : “ Altogether , I am concerned by the clear disconnect many of these recommendations have from reality .
If we are to do the hard work ahead of us , we can not argue about facts .
If we are going to successfully meet the needs of our entire community , we must , together , create a plan , grounded in theory , guided by evidence , and governed by equity , ” she wrote .
“ With a plan in place , we can then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best fund and implement that plan .
This will not happen overnight .
We will have to ‘ bridge the gap ’ between the realities of today and the vision of tomorrow.
” That plea fell upon death ears .
Like so many other cities in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death , Seattle was Lady Macbeth , trying desperately to wash nonexistent blood off of their hands .
They gazed upon the tools of traditional police work and said , “ Out , damned spot !
” — without realizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their city pain , but saving them from it .
Unlike the guilt-ridden queen of Scotland , however , Seattle ’ s leftist politicians are going to have to hang around to see what happens when things go bad — assuming , of course , they get their wish and the DOJ ’ s attempt to block the pepper spray ban fails .
Best is neither being dramatic nor taking her ball and going home because the city council won ’ t delay or reconsider the ban .
There ’ s a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are out to wreck whatever they can and attack anyone who gets in their way .
This isn ’ t just putting property at risk ; these are the rioters who set a fire in a Starbucks which was below residential units on Saturday , after all .
Best can ’ t risk her officers unless things get particularly bad — and at that point , her department doesn ’ t have less-lethal crowd control measures at their disposal .
Is this what Seattle officialdom thinks will end well ?
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her disposal .
“ The Seattle Police Department hears the community ’ s message and stands ready to partner in moving forward , ” Best said in the wake of the judge ’ s ruling , according to KING-TV .
“ I implore all of you to remain peaceful and to encourage the peace of others.
” That isn ’ t likely to happen .
It is , however , more likely that the unrest doesn ’ t end with a lawless power vacuum or violent police intervention .
We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

On Friday, a judge put a temporary halt to a Seattle city ordinance, hastily passed in the wake of the protests touched off by the death of George Floyd in late May, which would have banned virtually all safe crowd control measures for police officers.
According to Crosscut, the ordinance would have prohibited not only tear gas, but also pepper spray and other crowd control weapons.
The Department of Justice argued the new rules would have caused “irreparable harm resulting from officer confusion and the inability to modulate force or de-escalate situations in which force may be needed.”
U.S. District Judge James Robart agreed, issuing a 14-day temporary restraining order just days before the ordinance was set to take effect.
“The issuance of this immediate change, without time for additional direction or training, is likely to result in officer confusion,” he wrote.
If you’re a resident or business owner in Seattle, at least for the next week and a half, this is a very good thing.
On Friday, just two days before the ordinance would have taken effect, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best wrote a letter to residents and business owners informing them that amid protests that have frequently turned violent, she doesn’t intend to put her officers in harm’s way without the crowd control weapons that are normally at her department’s disposal.
“Please know that the Seattle Police Department is committed to addressing life safety incidents and calls for service, and responding to ongoing demonstrations and unrest in the city,” Best wrote.
“Please also know that the City Council Ordinance 119805 Crowd Control Tool goes into effect this weekend on Sunday, July 26, 2020. This ordinance bans Seattle Police officers the use of less lethal tools, including pepper spray that is commonly used to disperse crowds that have turned violent. Simply put, the legislation gives officers NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.
Seattle police send message to businesses, residents. There are riots. City council banned use of pepper spray, other crowd control agents. So now, we have ‘NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.’ Shorter: You’re on your own. pic.twitter.com/ZLzg1VToeV — Byron York (@ByronYork) July 27, 2020
“It is important to bring to your attention that yesterday, I sent the City Council a letter ensuring them that as the Chief of Police, I have done my due diligence of informing them numerous times of the foreseeable impact of this ordinance on upcoming events. The letter is attached for your reference,” she continued.
“For these reasons, Seattle Police will have an adjusted deployment in response to any demonstrations this weekend — as I will never ask our officers to risk their personal safety to protect property without the tools to do so in a safe way,” Best said in conclusion.
The letter to the city council which Best sent the previous day made it clear that protests in the city remained a serious law enforcement issue.
“It is a fact that there are groups and individuals who are intent on destruction in our City. Yes, we also have seen weeks of peaceful demonstrations, but two recent events (Sunday, July 19th and Wednesday, July 22nd) have included wide-scale property destruction and attacks on officers, injuring more than a dozen, some significantly,” Best wrote.
“This weekend we know that several events are planned across the city that will foreseeably involve many of the same violent actors from recent days. There is no reason not to assume we will continue to experience property destruction, arson, looting, and attempts to injure additional officers throughout the weekend and beyond.
“With this Council ordinance, we hear loudly and clearly that the use of these less-lethal tools by SPD officers to disperse crowds that have turned violent have been completely banned by City Council.”
This left two different paths for police officers to deal with rioters.
The first, being advocated by Chief Best, was to pull back. The other possibility open to officers to control crowds, however, went against the spirit of the ordinance — but could be the sole avenue remaining for officers dealing with situations where the only choices left open to them are bad ones.
“We have clear, court-mandated procedures for arresting individuals, grounded in the principles of deescalation. SPD’s de-escalation principles are premised on the expectation, consistent with policy and best practices, that officers have the full array of approved tools. In large crowds, there is no safe way for officers to effect arrests when their colleagues do not have the tools necessary to protect them,” Best wrote.
Do you think banning police from using pepper spray and tear gas will lead to less violence? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 2% (19 Votes) No: 98% (857 Votes)
“As City Council’s legislation goes into effect, it will create even more dangerous circumstances for our officers to intervene using what they have left — riot shields and riot batons.”
Best, by the way, doesn’t come across like a sanguinary Bull Connor type. Here’s an excerpt from another letter that the police chief sent to the city council two days earlier:
“Altogether, I am concerned by the clear disconnect many of these recommendations have from reality. If we are to do the hard work ahead of us, we cannot argue about facts. If we are going to successfully meet the needs of our entire community, we must, together, create a plan, grounded in theory, guided by evidence, and governed by equity,” she wrote.
“With a plan in place, we can then, as a City, determine how to best fund and implement that plan. This will not happen overnight. We will have to ‘bridge the gap’ between the realities of today and the vision of tomorrow.”
That plea fell upon deaf ears. Like so many other cities in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Seattle was Lady Macbeth, trying desperately to wash nonexistent blood off of their hands. They gazed upon the tools of traditional police work and said, “Out, damned spot!” — without realizing those tools weren’t actually causing their city pain, but saving them from it.
Unlike the guilt-ridden queen of Scotland, however, Seattle’s leftist politicians are going to have to hang around to see what happens when things go bad — assuming, of course, they get their wish and the DOJ’s attempt to block the pepper spray ban fails.
Best is neither being dramatic nor taking her ball and going home because the city council won’t delay or reconsider the ban.
There’s a significant and dedicated contingent of protesters in Seattle who are out to wreck whatever they can and attack anyone who gets in their way.
This isn’t just putting property at risk; these are the rioters who set a fire in a Starbucks which was below residential units on Saturday, after all.
Best can’t risk her officers unless things get particularly bad — and at that point, her department doesn’t have less-lethal crowd control measures at their disposal.
Is this what Seattle officialdom thinks will end well?
At least for now, Best has additional options at her disposal.
“The Seattle Police Department hears the community’s message and stands ready to partner in moving forward,” Best said in the wake of the judge’s ruling, according to KING-TV. “I implore all of you to remain peaceful and to encourage the peace of others.”
That isn’t likely to happen. It is, however, more likely that the unrest doesn’t end with a lawless power vacuum or violent police intervention.
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--Museum Removes Controversial ‘Whiteness’ Infographic After Hawley Demands Explanation

The National Museum of African American History and Culture removed an infographic about ‘ whiteness ’ from their online portal “ Talking About Race ” after they received criticism from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri .
In response to Hawley ’ s initial July 20 letter inquiring about the online race-based curriculum , Lonnie Bunch , the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute , responded with her own letter on Monday , obtained by The Federalist .
She said that the infographic , which was approved across various museum departments , was intended to “ spark questions and conversations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resulting backlash , it was removed from the website .
“ The intent of the portal is to provide resources to assist the public in engaging in conversations about race.
” “ We recognize that a specific chart presented de-contextualized information that did not contribute to productive , informed conversations .
We erred in including the chart , and therefore we eliminated it from our portal , ” the letter read .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing The infographic was titled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White Culture in the United States.
” It contained a definition of “ white dominant culture ” and listed key attributes and qualities associated with “ whiteness , ” such as “ rugged individualism , ” “ self-reliance , ” hard work and respect for authority .
Hawley ’ s initial letter suggested that the infographic might cause “ racial division ” rather than foster “ mutual respect ” between people of different races .
He additionally posited that the various qualities the infographic attributes to white individuals are qualities that other Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these qualities and commitments — ideas Americans of all races have traditionally celebrated and [ striven ] to teach their children — are distinctive to white Americans would be troubling enough given its implication that they are foreign to Americans of color , ” the letter stated .
On the “ Talking About Race ” website , the NMAAHC posted an additional message regarding the controversial infographic .
“ Since yesterday , certain content in the ‘ Talking About Race ’ portal has been the subject of questions that we have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment and have removed a chart that does not contribute to the productive discussion we had intended.
” RELATED : Report : Democratic Party 's 2020 Platform Leaks , Draws Divisive Comparisons Between Whites and Other Races In Bunch ’ s letter , she additionally notes that the Smithsonian is conducting a review of the website .
The NMAAHC is a public , taxpayer-funded institution established by Congress in 2003 for the purpose of documenting “ African American life , history , and culture.
” A version of this article appeared on The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The National Museum of African American History and Culture removed an infographic about ‘whiteness’ from their online portal “Talking About Race” after they received criticism from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.
In response to Hawley’s initial July 20 letter inquiring about the online race-based curriculum, Lonnie Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, responded with her own letter on Monday, obtained by The Federalist.
She said that the infographic, which was approved across various museum departments, was intended to “spark questions and conversations,” and also explained why, following the resulting backlash, it was removed from the website.
“The intent of the portal is to provide resources to assist the public in engaging in conversations about race.”
“We recognize that a specific chart presented de-contextualized information that did not contribute to productive, informed conversations. We erred in including the chart, and therefore we eliminated it from our portal,” the letter read.
The infographic was titled “Aspects & Assumptions of Whiteness & White Culture in the United States.”
It contained a definition of “white dominant culture” and listed key attributes and qualities associated with “whiteness,” such as “rugged individualism,” “self-reliance,” hard work and respect for authority.
The National Museum of African American History & Culture wants to make you aware of certain signs of whiteness: Individualism, hard work, objectivity, the nuclear family, progress, respect for authority, delayed gratification, more. (via @RpwWilliams)https://t.co/k9X3u4Suas pic.twitter.com/gWYOeEh4vu — Byron York (@ByronYork) July 15, 2020
Hawley’s initial letter suggested that the infographic might cause “racial division” rather than foster “mutual respect” between people of different races.
Do you agree with Sen. Hawley's comments? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 96% (177 Votes) No: 4% (8 Votes)
He additionally posited that the various qualities the infographic attributes to white individuals are qualities that other Americans possess, too.
“The claim that these qualities and commitments — ideas Americans of all races have traditionally celebrated and [striven] to teach their children — are distinctive to white Americans would be troubling enough given its implication that they are foreign to Americans of color,” the letter stated.
On the “Talking About Race” website, the NMAAHC posted an additional message regarding the controversial infographic.
“Since yesterday, certain content in the ‘Talking About Race’ portal has been the subject of questions that we have taken seriously. We have listened to public sentiment and have removed a chart that does not contribute to the productive discussion we had intended.”
In Bunch’s letter, she additionally notes that the Smithsonian is conducting a review of the website.
The NMAAHC is a public, taxpayer-funded institution established by Congress in 2003 for the purpose of documenting “African American life, history, and culture.”
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--Anthem Kneeler Kaepernick Set To Receive Robert F. Kennedy ‘Ripple of Hope’ Award

I ’ m one of the few people not named Kennedy or who happens to be receiving the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award who looks forward to the list of honorees for the utterly meaningless accolade being announced every summer .
That ’ s because there are two types of people — and only two — who tend to win the award .
First , there are left-wing eminences who ’ re getting it not so much because of a lifetime of accumulated political , social or professional achievements .
That ’ s not to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although that ’ s pretty darn questionable when it comes to this year ’ s headliner .
Rather , it ’ s because they ’ re making a very on-the-nose point at a crucial time .
Rest assured , if there was some sort of pressing social issue that involved the right to marry your long-term girlfriend ’ s adopted daughter without stigma , Woody Allen would be given the award that year .
Second , there are corporate executives who happen to be mildly woke .
These people haven ’ t done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re a little more left-leaning than other people who ’ ll be offshoring every last bit of their wealth if a Bernie Sanders acolyte ever takes over the White House , but none of these people are particularly distinguished in their dedication to human rights .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing Why , then , are they being given the award by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization , a nonprofit group that doubtlessly networks with many other nonprofit groups that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hallways of corporate power ?
The mind boggles .
The award , according to this year ’ s media release , “ celebrates outstanding leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to social change , recognizing individuals across government , business , advocacy , and entertainment who have utilized their platform for the public good.
” Anyhow , the two marquee winners this year are an activist athlete who doesn ’ t like anything President Donald Trump stands for and an epidemiologist Trump doesn ’ t like .
That may seem reductive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equation , it ’ s kind of unclear why Colin Kaepernick and Dr. Anthony Fauci won the Ripple of Hope Award this year .
“ Our country is yearning for leadership , for moral fortitude , for common decency and kindness , and this year ’ s Ripple of Hope laureates give us great hope for the future , ” said Kerry Kennedy , Robert F. Kennedy ’ s daughter and president of the eponymous foundation .
“ Their work for equal justice touches every corner of society , sometimes at great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate these changemakers , who have set forth countless ripples of hope at a time when our world is in such need of inspiration.
” You begin to see the problem with this formulation , however , when you look at Kaepernick ’ s biographical blurb in the news release .
He ’ s described , at the very beginning , as “ a professional athlete and human rights activist , known for protesting police violence and racialized systemic oppression by taking a knee rather than standing during the playing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the San Francisco 49ers.
” When the award is presented this December , he will have last played for the 49ers four years ago .
Between then and now , there were two other Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award ceremonies at which Kaepernick could have been honored for doing this .
The blurb goes on to mention some of the activism work he ’ s done — although it doesn ’ t mention a whole heck of a lot of it , and it spends just as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s won , which mostly come from the notoriety he received for kneeling during the national anthem during his final season with the San Francisco 49ers .
RELATED : Pro-Trump NFL Coach Jack Del Rio Defies Mob , Savages Critics of His Politics : 'Kiss My A**' Colin Kaepernick , in short , didn ’ t do anything to justify the award between last summer and this summer .
He didn ’ t move society .
Society , rather , moved toward him — particularly after the tragic death of George Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports pundits to rave and rant about how Kaepernick had been blackballed from the league and how this proved he ’ d been right all along .
If the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization wanted to take a position that required actual courage , it could have given Kaepernick the award before this .
Instead , the organization gave him the award because he ’ s now a stand-in to make a point about institutional racism .
Meanwhile , in a year dominated by the novel coronavirus , the Ripple of Hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to those fighting the disease on the front lines of medicine .
If they still wanted to give the award to individuals , meanwhile , they could have given several awards to people who ’ ve worked on fighting it .
( Trust me , there ’ s some dead weight further down the list . )
Instead , of course , they gave it to Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Fauci doesn ’ t give a statement and his bio blurb is very just-the-facts : “ Dr .
Anthony Fauci was appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) in 1984 .
He oversees an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent , diagnose , and treat established infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS , respiratory infections , diarrheal diseases , tuberculosis , and malaria , emerging diseases such as Ebola and Zika , and the current outbreak of COVID-19 .
Dr. Fauci has advised six presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other domestic and global health issues and was one of the principal architects of the President ’ s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved millions of lives throughout the developing world .
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2008.
” That ’ s fantastic , and nobody ’ s questioning his bona fides .
What does this have to do with human rights ?
The answer is nothing .
It has everything to do with the fact that Dr. Fauci ’ s public policy suggestions , which usually have to do with saving lives at any cost , are often at odds with those of an administration that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a depression on top of a pandemic .
The people who run the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization don ’ t like the administration .
Ergo , Fauci wins the award .
The other winners are significantly lower-wattage .
Dolores Huerta is a labor organizer who co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez ; agricultural and food-processing workers are seen as an at-risk group for COVID-19 and left-wing groups have called on Congress to change labor and immigration laws on their behalf .
And then we get to the deep-pocketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bio for Dan Schulman , president and CEO of PayPal , says that he “ is focused on democratizing and transforming financial services and e-commerce to improve the financial health of billions of people and businesses around the world.
” While it mentions that he ’ s improving people ’ s “ financial health ” and has won some awards , there aren ’ t actually any reasons why he won the award and the blurb feels like an advertisement for PayPal more than anything else .
Almost the same thing could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CEO of DocuSign , the company that pioneered e-signature and now helps organizations to automate their entire agreement process.
” He ’ s apparently helped preserve the world ’ s forests and donated some money to the “ Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco.
” Just as in previous years , this is all about agenda setting and mollifying very rich liberals .
In 2019 , Nancy Pelosi won the award mostly because the Democrats retook the House of Representatives .
Her Ripple of Hope apparently involves not being a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Speaker , Pelosi is working to lower the cost of health care , increase workers ’ pay , and clean up corruption .
For more than three decades , Pelosi has used her position to effect positive change , helping a record number of women get elected to national office , speaking truth to power , and remaining steadfast in her commitment to democratic values and the rights we cherish so deeply : freedom of expression , assembly , and religion ; respect for the rule of law ; and freedom from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit worse when you realize that , to be honored for those things , the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization would have to believe those values were in opposition to those she took power from .
Also honored , back when we thought tight borders were a bad thing , was an author whose organization “ tackles the causes of family separation such as trafficking , poverty , and discrimination and speaks up on behalf of the eight million children trapped in institutions to transform their care , so every child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , meanwhile , health care was the big agenda item , with three of the four individuals receiving the awards — including Barack Obama and Humana CEO Bruce D. Broussard — having their dedication to health care ( in the Obamacare mold , of course ) being mentioned prominently in their bios .
And , of course , there were no fewer than five major corporate executives out of the 13 honorees in those three years .
Apparently , the deeper your pockets , the bigger the ripple you make when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The great irony here is that , for the Ripple of Hope award , we ’ re awarding two people who aren ’ t exactly beacons of hopefulness .
Colin Kaepernick is winning the award for rhetoric like this tweet on July 4 : Dr. Fauci , meanwhile , is the guy who ’ s said maybe we should never go back to shaking hands .
Not that this has been a particularly hopeful year , but you would think they could have done better than this — if , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

I’m one of the few people not named Kennedy or who happens to be receiving the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award who looks forward to the list of honorees for the utterly meaningless accolade being announced every summer. That’s because there are two types of people — and only two — who tend to win the award.
First, there are left-wing eminences who’re getting it not so much because of a lifetime of accumulated political, social or professional achievements. That’s not to say they don’t have those, although that’s pretty darn questionable when it comes to this year’s headliner.
Rather, it’s because they’re making a very on-the-nose point at a crucial time. Rest assured, if there was some sort of pressing social issue that involved the right to marry your long-term girlfriend’s adopted daughter without stigma, Woody Allen would be given the award that year.
Second, there are corporate executives who happen to be mildly woke.
These people haven’t done anything particularly fantastic; perhaps they’re a little more left-leaning than other people who’ll be offshoring every last bit of their wealth if a Bernie Sanders acolyte ever takes over the White House, but none of these people are particularly distinguished in their dedication to human rights.
Why, then, are they being given the award by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, a nonprofit group that doubtlessly networks with many other nonprofit groups that could always use access to capital and the hallways of corporate power? The mind boggles.
The award, according to this year’s media release, “celebrates outstanding leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to social change, recognizing individuals across government, business, advocacy, and entertainment who have utilized their platform for the public good.”
“Past Ripple of Hope laureates include Barack Obama, Tim Cook, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Robert F. Smith, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Belafonte, John Lewis, Hillary Clinton, Bono, and Joe Biden.”
Anyhow, the two marquee winners this year are an activist athlete who doesn’t like anything President Donald Trump stands for and an epidemiologist Trump doesn’t like. That may seem reductive, but if you take that out of the equation, it’s kind of unclear why Colin Kaepernick and Dr. Anthony Fauci won the Ripple of Hope Award this year.
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“Our country is yearning for leadership, for moral fortitude, for common decency and kindness, and this year’s Ripple of Hope laureates give us great hope for the future,” said Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter and president of the eponymous foundation.
“Their work for equal justice touches every corner of society, sometimes at great personal cost. We are deeply honored to celebrate these changemakers, who have set forth countless ripples of hope at a time when our world is in such need of inspiration.”
You begin to see the problem with this formulation, however, when you look at Kaepernick’s biographical blurb in the news release. He’s described, at the very beginning, as “a professional athlete and human rights activist, known for protesting police violence and racialized systemic oppression by taking a knee rather than standing during the playing of the national anthem while he was the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.”
When the award is presented this December, he will have last played for the 49ers four years ago. Between then and now, there were two other Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award ceremonies at which Kaepernick could have been honored for doing this.
The blurb goes on to mention some of the activism work he’s done — although it doesn’t mention a whole heck of a lot of it, and it spends just as much verbiage talking about the awards he’s won, which mostly come from the notoriety he received for kneeling during the national anthem during his final season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Colin Kaepernick, in short, didn’t do anything to justify the award between last summer and this summer.
He didn’t move society. Society, rather, moved toward him — particularly after the tragic death of George Floyd, which provided an opportunity for otherwise material-starved sports pundits to rave and rant about how Kaepernick had been blackballed from the league and how this proved he’d been right all along.
If the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization wanted to take a position that required actual courage, it could have given Kaepernick the award before this. Instead, the organization gave him the award because he’s now a stand-in to make a point about institutional racism.
Meanwhile, in a year dominated by the novel coronavirus, the Ripple of Hope award could have been given, collectively, to those fighting the disease on the front lines of medicine. If they still wanted to give the award to individuals, meanwhile, they could have given several awards to people who’ve worked on fighting it. (Trust me, there’s some dead weight further down the list.)
Instead, of course, they gave it to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Fauci doesn’t give a statement and his bio blurb is very just-the-facts:
“Dr. Anthony Fauci was appointed director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 1984. He oversees an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose, and treat established infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, and malaria, emerging diseases such as Ebola and Zika, and the current outbreak of COVID-19. Dr. Fauci has advised six presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other domestic and global health issues and was one of the principal architects of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved millions of lives throughout the developing world. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2008.”
That’s fantastic, and nobody’s questioning his bona fides. What does this have to do with human rights?
The answer is nothing. It has everything to do with the fact that Dr. Fauci’s public policy suggestions, which usually have to do with saving lives at any cost, are often at odds with those of an administration that has to make tradeoffs in order to prevent a depression on top of a pandemic. The people who run the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization don’t like the administration. Ergo, Fauci wins the award.
The other winners are significantly lower-wattage. Dolores Huerta is a labor organizer who co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez; agricultural and food-processing workers are seen as an at-risk group for COVID-19 and left-wing groups have called on Congress to change labor and immigration laws on their behalf.
And then we get to the deep-pocketed dead weight.
The first sentence of the bio for Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal, says that he “is focused on democratizing and transforming financial services and e-commerce to improve the financial health of billions of people and businesses around the world.”
While it mentions that he’s improving people’s “financial health” and has won some awards, there aren’t actually any reasons why he won the award and the blurb feels like an advertisement for PayPal more than anything else.
Almost the same thing could be said for Dan Springer, “the CEO of DocuSign, the company that pioneered e-signature and now helps organizations to automate their entire agreement process.” He’s apparently helped preserve the world’s forests and donated some money to the “Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco.”
Just as in previous years, this is all about agenda setting and mollifying very rich liberals.
In 2019, Nancy Pelosi won the award mostly because the Democrats retook the House of Representatives. Her Ripple of Hope apparently involves not being a Republican, as per her blurb:
“As Speaker, Pelosi is working to lower the cost of health care, increase workers’ pay, and clean up corruption. For more than three decades, Pelosi has used her position to effect positive change, helping a record number of women get elected to national office, speaking truth to power, and remaining steadfast in her commitment to democratic values and the rights we cherish so deeply: freedom of expression, assembly, and religion; respect for the rule of law; and freedom from political persecution.”
That empurpled prose sounds a bit worse when you realize that, to be honored for those things, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization would have to believe those values were in opposition to those she took power from.
Also honored, back when we thought tight borders were a bad thing, was an author whose organization “tackles the causes of family separation such as trafficking, poverty, and discrimination and speaks up on behalf of the eight million children trapped in institutions to transform their care, so every child can thrive in families and communities.”
That author? J.K. Rowling. Whoops!
In 2018, meanwhile, health care was the big agenda item, with three of the four individuals receiving the awards — including Barack Obama and Humana CEO Bruce D. Broussard — having their dedication to health care (in the Obamacare mold, of course) being mentioned prominently in their bios.
And, of course, there were no fewer than five major corporate executives out of the 13 honorees in those three years. Apparently, the deeper your pockets, the bigger the ripple you make when you jump into the pond of hope.
The great irony here is that, for the Ripple of Hope award, we’re awarding two people who aren’t exactly beacons of hopefulness. Colin Kaepernick is winning the award for rhetoric like this tweet on July 4:
Black ppl have been dehumanized, brutalized, criminalized + terrorized by America for centuries, & are expected to join your commemoration of “independence”, while you enslaved our ancestors. We reject your celebration of white supremacy & look forward to liberation for all. ✊? pic.twitter.com/YCD2SYlgv4 — Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) July 4, 2020
Dr. Fauci, meanwhile, is the guy who’s said maybe we should never go back to shaking hands.
Not that this has been a particularly hopeful year, but you would think they could have done better than this — if, of course, this was ever actually about hope.
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--Democratic Trump Supporter Goes Off on MSNBC Host Over ‘Disgraceful’ Question

Sparks flew on MSNBC when Trump supporter Vernon Jones went toe-to-toe with network host Craig Melvin , who asked if he is a paid surrogate for the White House .
Jones , a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives who announced his support for President Donald Trump in April , is engaged in open combat with his party over the endorsement .
That war of words carried over to MSNBC on Wednesday when Jones faced a gauntlet of questions from the liberal host and got heated when Melvin asserted Jones is being paid by the Trump campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he is “ being compensated ” for his support of President Donald Trump , Jones fired back .
“ Let me be clear .
You get paid to shape a liberal narrative .
You get paid to attack this president , ” Jones told Melvin .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing “ I don ’ t get a dime for this president .
I don ’ t get a dime from the campaign .
Everything I ’ ve done has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See , that ’ s the problem .
When an African American – ” Jones was cut off by Melvin , who said , “ Sir , I did not raise your race.
” “ You only ask me that because I don ’ t fit your narrative .
… I don ’ t want anything from this president , ” Jones said .
“ It ’ s what I can do for my country , ” he continued , “ and you need to accept that many other African-Americans and others support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And to insult me , to say am I getting paid , that is disgraceful and that ’ s representative of MSNBC and their narrative to keep blacks silent who happen to support this president.
” Jones then demanded he receive fair treatment from the MSNBC host .
“ Why can ’ t I be like white liberals or other whites , nobody questions if they ’ re getting paid .
… So do you ask Democrats if they getting paid ?
Are you getting paid by Joe Biden ?
” he asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced his support for the president in April .
The state legislator won the seat for Georgia ’ s 91st District in 2017 .
RELATED : Georgia School District Set To Reopen in Person , Without Mask Mandate That is one of the heaviest Democrat districts in the state , the party stronghold of Dekalb County .
In April , Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would completely back Trump , citing the president ’ s positive impacts on the lives of black Americans .
“ Turn the lights off , I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement to the newspaper .
“ Someone else can occupy that suite .
Therefore , I intend not to complete my term effective April 22 , 2020.
” “ It ’ s very simple to me .
President Trump ’ s handling of the economy , his support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign , ” the legislator added .
Jones later walked back the announcement to vacate his seat .
Earlier this month , Jones called on his party to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical support for slavery and racial segregation .
“ If the Democrats are looking to eradicate every thing with a ‘ racist history ’ , when will my party confront and apologize for its own ?
” he asked in a tweet .
“ If racist relics of the past must come down , shouldn ’ t we start with the Democrat Party ?
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Sparks flew on MSNBC when Trump supporter Vernon Jones went toe-to-toe with network host Craig Melvin, who asked if he is a paid surrogate for the White House.
Jones, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives who announced his support for President Donald Trump in April, is engaged in open combat with his party over the endorsement.
That war of words carried over to MSNBC on Wednesday when Jones faced a gauntlet of questions from the liberal host and got heated when Melvin asserted Jones is being paid by the Trump campaign for his support.
After Melvin asked Jones if he is “being compensated” for his support of President Donald Trump, Jones fired back.
“Let me be clear. You get paid to shape a liberal narrative. You get paid to attack this president,” Jones told Melvin.
“I don’t get a dime for this president. I don’t get a dime from the campaign. Everything I’ve done has been me and based on my principles. See, that’s the problem. When an African American –”
Jones was cut off by Melvin, who said, “Sir, I did not raise your race.”
“You only ask me that because I don’t fit your narrative. … I don’t want anything from this president,” Jones said.
Do you think Melvin showed bias in the interview? Yes No
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“It’s what I can do for my country,” he continued, “and you need to accept that many other African-Americans and others support this president because of his policies. And to insult me, to say am I getting paid, that is disgraceful and that’s representative of MSNBC and their narrative to keep blacks silent who happen to support this president.”
Jones then demanded he receive fair treatment from the MSNBC host.
“Why can’t I be like white liberals or other whites, nobody questions if they’re getting paid. … So do you ask Democrats if they getting paid? Are you getting paid by Joe Biden?” he asked Melvin.
Jones shocked Democrats when he announced his support for the president in April.
The state legislator won the seat for Georgia’s 91st District in 2017.
That is one of the heaviest Democrat districts in the state, the party stronghold of Dekalb County.
In April, Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would completely back Trump, citing the president’s positive impacts on the lives of black Americans.
“Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation,” he said in a statement to the newspaper. “Someone else can occupy that suite. Therefore, I intend not to complete my term effective April 22, 2020.”
“It’s very simple to me. President Trump’s handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign,” the legislator added.
Jones later walked back the announcement to vacate his seat.
Earlier this month, Jones called on his party to change its name, pointing out Democrats’ historical support for slavery and racial segregation.
If the Democrats are looking to eradicate every thing with a “racist history”, when will my party confront and apologize for its own? If racist relics of the past must come down, shouldn’t we start with the Democrat Party? pic.twitter.com/wG4PgLNhVw — Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) July 3, 2020
“If the Democrats are looking to eradicate every thing with a ‘racist history’, when will my party confront and apologize for its own?” he asked in a tweet.
“If racist relics of the past must come down, shouldn’t we start with the Democrat Party?”
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--McConnell Calls Out Democrats’ ‘Completely Unhinged’ Plan

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Democrats ’ opposition to the newest Senate coronavirus relief plan is “ completely unhinged ” and that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi might be trying to “ sabotage ” negotiations .
“ Our nation needs to smartly and safely re-open while keeping up the medical battle .
We need to get kids safely back to school and adults safely back to work without losing ground in the healthcare fight , ” the Kentucky Republican said Wednesday .
“ The coronavirus does not care that we are divided .
The coronavirus will not care if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals to let relief run dry.
” He added , “ The American people are hurting , and Congress should have their backs.
” TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing McConnell made his remarks on the Senate floor after proposing the Health , Economic Assistance , Liability Protection and Schools Act on Monday .
The comments came just days before many Americans will lose their enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government .
The HEALS Act is a $ 1 trillion proposal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , renew unemployment benefits at a reduced rate , and provide money for schools to reopen for in-person instruction .
“ This is a more-than-fair , more-than-bipartisan framework for Democrats to engage with , ” McConnell said .
The Senate majority leader said it has been reported that Pelosi won ’ t let the bill go forward unless more unemployment benefits continue to be paid out .
“ That ’ s what Speaker Pelosi apparently signaled yesterday : No money for schools , no money for households , no second round of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or testing , nothing at all unless we continue to pay people more not to work , ” McConnell said .
“ To put it gently , that is a completely unhinged position.
” “ The only reason I can see that Speaker Pelosi and the [ Senate ] Democratic leader would sabotage negotiations is if , as some concluded when they killed police reform in June , they actually think bipartisan progress for the country would hurt their own political chances , ” McConnell added .
Senate Republicans introduced a police reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive enough support from Senate Democrats , who said it didn ’ t go far enough , Fox News reported .
House Democrats also put forward their own police reform proposal , but it didn ’ t get picked up by the Senate , which said it went too far .
Now the issue is at an impasse , with Democrats seemingly waiting until after November .
But for most Americans , waiting until then isn ’ t an option for coronavirus relief .
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the Senate coronavirus relief proposal , with Pelosi saying it “ isn ’ t serious.
” “ We are somewhat frustrated .
We had hoped there would be a bill , and instead in the Senate they ’ ve put little pieces here and there and everywhere .
It ’ s pretty clear they don ’ t have 51 votes in the Senate for a proposal , ” Schumer said , according to The Hill .
“ We hope they can get their act together , ” he added .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the needs of the people and the needs of the country.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Democrats’ opposition to the newest Senate coronavirus relief plan is “completely unhinged” and that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi might be trying to “sabotage” negotiations.
“Our nation needs to smartly and safely re-open while keeping up the medical battle. We need to get kids safely back to school and adults safely back to work without losing ground in the healthcare fight,” the Kentucky Republican said Wednesday.
“The coronavirus does not care that we are divided. The coronavirus will not care if Washington Democrats decide it suits their partisan goals to let relief run dry.”
He added, “The American people are hurting, and Congress should have their backs.”
McConnell made his remarks on the Senate floor after proposing the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act on Monday. The comments came just days before many Americans will lose their enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government.
The HEALS Act is a $1 trillion proposal that would give qualified individuals another stimulus check, renew unemployment benefits at a reduced rate, and provide money for schools to reopen for in-person instruction.
“This is a more-than-fair, more-than-bipartisan framework for Democrats to engage with,” McConnell said.
The Senate majority leader said it has been reported that Pelosi won’t let the bill go forward unless more unemployment benefits continue to be paid out.
Do you like the Senate's plan? Yes No
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“That’s what Speaker Pelosi apparently signaled yesterday: No money for schools, no money for households, no second round of the PPP, no more money for hospitals or testing, nothing at all unless we continue to pay people more not to work,” McConnell said. “To put it gently, that is a completely unhinged position.”
“The only reason I can see that Speaker Pelosi and the [Senate] Democratic leader would sabotage negotiations is if, as some concluded when they killed police reform in June, they actually think bipartisan progress for the country would hurt their own political chances,” McConnell added.
Senate Republicans introduced a police reform proposal, but it didn’t receive enough support from Senate Democrats, who said it didn’t go far enough, Fox News reported.
House Democrats also put forward their own police reform proposal, but it didn’t get picked up by the Senate, which said it went too far.
Now the issue is at an impasse, with Democrats seemingly waiting until after November. But for most Americans, waiting until then isn’t an option for coronavirus relief.
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, have written off the Senate coronavirus relief proposal, with Pelosi saying it “isn’t serious.”
“We are somewhat frustrated. We had hoped there would be a bill, and instead in the Senate they’ve put little pieces here and there and everywhere. It’s pretty clear they don’t have 51 votes in the Senate for a proposal,” Schumer said, according to The Hill.
“We hope they can get their act together,” he added. “We very much want to get something done for the needs of the people and the needs of the country.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--First Four Facts You Need To Know About Karen Bass

California Democratic Rep. Karen Bass is reportedly a top contender to be chosen as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
Here are the first four facts you need to know about her : Last month following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Bass introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act , which passed the House .
The bill aimed to crack down on the use of perceived excessive force and chokeholds in policing .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing Although the misuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , critics of the bill say that while chokeholds are rarely needed , they are at times necessary in order to subdue suspects who pose serious threats to police officers ’ safety in intense situations .
Following the string of protests ( many of which devolved into riots ) across the country in support of the Black Lives Matter movement , Bass ’ status as a leader on the police reform bill could earn her the support of BLM organizers and supporters .
The potential vice presidential candidate previously had kind words for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s passing in 2016 , Bass issued a statement referring to Castro as “ Comandante en Jefe , ” or “ Commander in Chief .
Florida Democrats were especially alarmed by Bass ’ statements , given that Florida ’ s Cuban population has a generally negative view of Castro and his communist regime .
“ The comments are troubling .
It shows a lack of understanding about what the Castro regime was about .
So I have to learn more about her position and perspective on Fidel Castro , ” Miami state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bass has since tried to distance herself from her past remarks , saying this week on MSNBC that her comments following Castro ’ s death are “ certainly something that I would not say again , ” according to the Washington Examiner .
As the representative for California ’ s 37th Congressional District , Bass could bring to the ticket all of the negative connotations that come with being a left-wing politician in the state of California .
Considering the state is known for its extremely progressive policies and homelessness crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a positive for Biden come November , as the San Francisco Chronicle noted in an article published Tuesday .
“ California will be on the ballot , too , with all the stereotypes about the state — some truer than others — on display for the next three months , ” the article pointed out , arguing that if either California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris or Bass is chosen to be Biden ’ s running mate , the state ’ s many issues will become a focus of attack for Republicans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so out of hand that managing the excess human waste produced by the homeless population has become an environmental issue .
4 .
Karen Bass is chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Bass serves as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , and Biden has made it clear that he is strongly considering a woman of color to be his vice president .
As chairwoman of the CBC , Bass more than meets his qualifications for diversity and progressive street credit .
The group is currently tackling the supposed prevalence of “ systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
“ The difference is this time CBC members will be supported by a national movement that is beginning to penetrate into the consciousness of Americans that systemic racism first of all exists and how the manifestation of systemic racism impacts not just the lives of black people but the entire nation , ” Bass said recently , according to Roll Call .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

California Democratic Rep. Karen Bass is reportedly a top contender to be chosen as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate.
Here are the first four facts you need to know about her:
1. Karen Bass led House Democrats’ charge to ‘reform’ policing practices
Last month following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Bass introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House.
The bill aimed to crack down on the use of perceived excessive force and chokeholds in policing.
Although the misuse of chokehold techniques can have deadly consequences, critics of the bill say that while chokeholds are rarely needed, they are at times necessary in order to subdue suspects who pose serious threats to police officers’ safety in intense situations.
Following the string of protests (many of which devolved into riots) across the country in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Bass’ status as a leader on the police reform bill could earn her the support of BLM organizers and supporters.
2. Karen Bass praised Fidel Castro
The potential vice presidential candidate previously had kind words for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Does you think Biden will choose Bass to be his running mate? Yes No
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Following Castro’s passing in 2016, Bass issued a statement referring to Castro as “Comandante en Jefe,” or “Commander in Chief.
Florida Democrats were especially alarmed by Bass’ statements, given that Florida’s Cuban population has a generally negative view of Castro and his communist regime.
“The comments are troubling. It shows a lack of understanding about what the Castro regime was about. So I have to learn more about her position and perspective on Fidel Castro,” Miami state Rep. Javier Fernandez told Politico last month.
Bass has since tried to distance herself from her past remarks, saying this week on MSNBC that her comments following Castro’s death are “certainly something that I would not say again,” according to the Washington Examiner.
3. Karen Bass is a Los Angeles representative
As the representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Bass could bring to the ticket all of the negative connotations that come with being a left-wing politician in the state of California.
Considering the state is known for its extremely progressive policies and homelessness crisis, Bass’ association with California may not be a positive for Biden come November, as the San Francisco Chronicle noted in an article published Tuesday.
“California will be on the ballot, too, with all the stereotypes about the state — some truer than others — on display for the next three months,” the article pointed out, arguing that if either California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris or Bass is chosen to be Biden’s running mate, the state’s many issues will become a focus of attack for Republicans.
California’s homelessness crisis has gotten so out of hand that managing the excess human waste produced by the homeless population has become an environmental issue.
4. Karen Bass is chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus
Bass serves as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Biden has made it clear that he is strongly considering a woman of color to be his vice president. As chairwoman of the CBC, Bass more than meets his qualifications for diversity and progressive street credit.
The group is currently tackling the supposed prevalence of “systemic racism” and how it impacts American life.
“The difference is this time CBC members will be supported by a national movement that is beginning to penetrate into the consciousness of Americans that systemic racism first of all exists and how the manifestation of systemic racism impacts not just the lives of black people but the entire nation,” Bass said recently, according to Roll Call.
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westernjournal--2020-07-29--Red Lobster Employees Discover Rare Blue Lobster, Name It ‘Clawde’

When someone gets sunburned really badly , sometimes we describe the angry skin color as “ lobster red ” because , well , lobsters are red .
There ’ s even a restaurant named after that fact .
But on July 21 , a Red Lobster in Cuyahoga Falls , Ohio , spotted something unusual in a new shipment of live lobsters : a blue lobster .
“ Normally I would have not known that it was something special , ” Angie Helbig , an employee who ’ s worked at the location for 28 years , told NPR .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prestigious award the company gives to longtime employees : the blue lobster award .
“ At first it looked like it was fake , ” Anthony Stein , the location ’ s culinary manager , added .
“ It ’ s definitely something marvelous to look at.
” TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing “ We kept [ it ] in the tank and just made sure that nobody took him in the back for dinner , ” Helbig said .
Knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with the Akron Zoo thanks to a program run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium .
“ [ They ] prepared a suitable area and made a cage so the lobster would feel comfortable.
” An employee went to pick up the rare specimen , toting along a blue cooler to contain the crustacean .
“ Your Akron Zoo has adopted a rare blue American lobster from a Red Lobster after restaurant employees recognized the rarity of the blue shell , ” the Akron Zoo posted on Facebook on Sunday .
RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alligator Pit at Zoo To Retrieve Wallet “ After Red Lobster employees discovered the blue lobster , named Clawde by the restaurant chain after their mascot , they contacted the Monterey Bay Aquarium , who then reached out to us .
Our animal care staff was able to quickly spring into action and prepare a new home for him.
” “ Blue lobsters are very rare , occurring one in every 2 million .
The blue coloration of the shell is the result of a genetic anomaly.
” “ Clawde is acclimating to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoo , in a special tank that has been dubbed ‘ Clawde ’ s Man Cave ’ by his care team .
Clawde now resides in … our Komodo Kingdom building.
” Despite the name , “ Clawde ” is actually a female .
After a vet exam on Sunday that showed “ Clawde ” was a “ Clawdia , ” the “ man cave ” was renamed the “ she-shed.
” While Balogh said the blue lobster had “ a little bit of wear and tear from its journey , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well and is otherwise healthy .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When someone gets sunburned really badly, sometimes we describe the angry skin color as “lobster red” because, well, lobsters are red. There’s even a restaurant named after that fact.
But on July 21, a Red Lobster in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, spotted something unusual in a new shipment of live lobsters: a blue lobster.
“Normally I would have not known that it was something special,” Angie Helbig, an employee who’s worked at the location for 28 years, told NPR. But then she remembered the name of a prestigious award the company gives to longtime employees: the blue lobster award.
“At first it looked like it was fake,” Anthony Stein, the location’s culinary manager, added. “It’s definitely something marvelous to look at.”
“We kept [it] in the tank and just made sure that nobody took him in the back for dinner,” Helbig said.
Knowing they had something unusual, they got in contact with the Akron Zoo thanks to a program run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
“They sprung into action,” Kathleen Balogh, Akron Zoo Animal Care Manager, said.
“[They] prepared a suitable area and made a cage so the lobster would feel comfortable.”
An employee went to pick up the rare specimen, toting along a blue cooler to contain the crustacean.
“Your Akron Zoo has adopted a rare blue American lobster from a Red Lobster after restaurant employees recognized the rarity of the blue shell,” the Akron Zoo posted on Facebook on Sunday.
“After Red Lobster employees discovered the blue lobster, named Clawde by the restaurant chain after their mascot, they contacted the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who then reached out to us. Our animal care staff was able to quickly spring into action and prepare a new home for him.”
“Blue lobsters are very rare, occurring one in every 2 million. The blue coloration of the shell is the result of a genetic anomaly.”
“Clawde is acclimating to his new home here at the Akron Zoo, in a special tank that has been dubbed ‘Clawde’s Man Cave’ by his care team. Clawde now resides in … our Komodo Kingdom building.”
Despite the name, “Clawde” is actually a female. After a vet exam on Sunday that showed “Clawde” was a “Clawdia,” the “man cave” was renamed the “she-shed.”
While Balogh said the blue lobster had “a little bit of wear and tear from its journey,” she also said the beautiful specimen is adjusting well and is otherwise healthy.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-07-29--Report: Lincoln Project Co-Founder Wanted Campaign Job in 2016, but Trump Thought He Was a ‘Total Id

Report: Lincoln Project Co-Founder Wanted Campaign Job in 2016, but Trump Thought He Was a ‘Total Idiot’

Steve Schmidt , the former GOP strategist who ran the day-to-day operations of former Sen. John McCain ’ s 2008 presidential campaign , sought to work for candidate Donald Trump ’ s campaign in 2016 but was rejected before ultimately deciding to become one of the faces of the NeverTrump movement , a new report says .
The New York Post reported Monday that prior to Trump ’ s election and the eventual founding of the anti-Trump political action committee The Lincoln Project , Schmidt wanted to run Trump ’ s campaign , as he enthusiastically viewed then-candidate Trump as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who now describes the president as a dangerous racist , was excited about Trump ’ s candidacy until he was left out of Trump ’ s campaign , sources told the outlet .
Sources claiming to have knowledge of a reported March 2016 meeting between Trump and Schmidt in New York City told the Post that the then-Republican political consultant was eager to meet the eventual GOP nominee .
The meeting would have occurred around Super Tuesday , when it became clear Trump would take the nomination .
Schmidt wanted to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who did not care for Schmidt , according to the Post .
TRENDING : Barr Asks the One Question Democrats Do n't Want To Hear During Contentious Hearing Trump saw Schmidt as a “ total idiot , ” one source said .
The Post reported that “ things quickly soured when Trump thought Schmidt ’ s ideas were bad and the Big Apple real estate mogul left the meeting with a feeling that Schmidt was ‘ very untrustworthy ’ and a ‘ total idiot . '
” In fairness to Schmidt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting , but suggested he did so only in order to gauge Trump as a candidate .
He renounced the GOP in 2018 : But the Post ’ s sources say Schmidt ’ s recounting of events portrays them inaccurately .
“ [ S ] ources familiar with the meeting said Schmidt spent the entire encounter presenting what he thought the outsider candidate needed to do to win the election and was reportedly gunning for the campaign chief role , which Corey Lewandowski was fired from three months later , ” the outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed Schmidt as a “ total idiot ” also claimed the consultant was in communication with Trump ’ s campaign for months leading up to the meeting .
Schmidt described Trump as “ the best candidate he had ever seen , ” the source said .
RELATED : Trump-Hater Rick Wilson Ended Up Being Mercilessly Mocked When He Agreed to Wrong Interview Schmidt later denied the validity of the Post ’ s reporting on Twitter : If the report is true , then the optics are horrible for Schmidt and his fellow members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political consultant class .
Men such as Schmidt , Bill Kristol and Rick Wilson were essentially left behind well before Trump ’ s 2016 general election upset win , when voters embraced the politics of Trump and signaled that neoconservatism would be replaced by Trump ’ s “ America First ” approach .
Trump ultimately went on to defeat Hillary Clinton , the media and even the establishment wing of his own party , winning the White House in a polarizing election .
Neither McCain in 2008 nor Mitt Romney in 2012 came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of success in 2016 , even though both men had the backing of the Republican establishment in their respective elections .
The Post story furthers a narrative that Schmidt and others attempted to dictate the direction of Republican voters in 2016 , and once they failed , they turned to fighting the party they once saw themselves as gatekeepers of .
They formed The Lincoln Project to take down the party of Lincoln .
Whether the Post report is veracious or not , the NeverTrumpers hold a particular disdain for Trump — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for him .
But the report certainly leads to questions about the motives of Schmidt and others who now bank on opposing the conservative ideas they previously fought for .
Let ’ s check in on some of these NeverTrump conservatives , who are so principled when it comes to protecting conservatism as they see it that they would rather have the country dive into the darkness of socialism than have Trump lead the GOP : Could these men have ever truly supported conservatism , or is traditional political consulting as swampy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Post report is not a good look for the president ’ s NeverTrump critics .
If the report is accurate , then Schmidt , who attacks the president regularly in interviews and with targeted Lincoln Project TV ads , was rejected by Trump and then renounced everything he once stood for .
Trump did not win in 2016 by running on contradictory public and private positions .
The former business magnate and TV star ran with strong messaging and bold policy ideas , all of which were pounced upon by critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his long shot candidacy .
Trump ran arguably the most transparent campaign in political history in 2016 , and was a lighting rod for controversy with his proposed blunt solutions to issues which had nagged the GOP base for decades .
Schmidt knew exactly who Trump was in March 2016 , just like the rest of us did .
Hell hath no fury like a gelded political consultant class scorned , it appears .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Steve Schmidt, the former GOP strategist who ran the day-to-day operations of former Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, sought to work for candidate Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016 but was rejected before ultimately deciding to become one of the faces of the NeverTrump movement, a new report says.
The New York Post reported Monday that prior to Trump’s election and the eventual founding of the anti-Trump political action committee The Lincoln Project, Schmidt wanted to run Trump’s campaign, as he enthusiastically viewed then-candidate Trump as a potential winner.
The former Republican, who now describes the president as a dangerous racist, was excited about Trump’s candidacy until he was left out of Trump’s campaign, sources told the outlet.
Sources claiming to have knowledge of a reported March 2016 meeting between Trump and Schmidt in New York City told the Post that the then-Republican political consultant was eager to meet the eventual GOP nominee. The meeting would have occurred around Super Tuesday, when it became clear Trump would take the nomination.
Schmidt wanted to run the campaign but was rebuffed by Trump, who did not care for Schmidt, according to the Post.
Trump saw Schmidt as a “total idiot,” one source said.
The Post reported that “things quickly soured when Trump thought Schmidt’s ideas were bad and the Big Apple real estate mogul left the meeting with a feeling that Schmidt was ‘very untrustworthy’ and a ‘total idiot.'”
In fairness to Schmidt, he later acknowledged he did attend the meeting, but suggested he did so only in order to gauge Trump as a candidate.
He renounced the GOP in 2018:
29 years and nine months ago I registered to vote and became a member of The Republican Party which was founded in 1854 to oppose slavery and stand for the dignity of human life. Today I renounce my membership in the Republican Party. It is fully the party of Trump. — Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) June 20, 2018
But the Post’s sources say Schmidt’s recounting of events portrays them inaccurately.
“[S]ources familiar with the meeting said Schmidt spent the entire encounter presenting what he thought the outsider candidate needed to do to win the election and was reportedly gunning for the campaign chief role, which Corey Lewandowski was fired from three months later,” the outlet reported.
The source who said Trump viewed Schmidt as a “total idiot” also claimed the consultant was in communication with Trump’s campaign for months leading up to the meeting.
Schmidt described Trump as “the best candidate he had ever seen,” the source said.
Schmidt later denied the validity of the Post’s reporting on Twitter:
It’s a lie Brit. He asked three times, I said no. The last was in June 16. I remember when you were a respected journalist. Anyone from OANN reach out to you? Hear they are looking for anchors. You’d fit in well. https://t.co/gPWv6y8hmf — Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) July 27, 2020
If the report is true, then the optics are horrible for Schmidt and his fellow members of the embattled, old guard GOP political consultant class.
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Men such as Schmidt, Bill Kristol and Rick Wilson were essentially left behind well before Trump’s 2016 general election upset win, when voters embraced the politics of Trump and signaled that neoconservatism would be replaced by Trump’s “America First” approach.
Trump ultimately went on to defeat Hillary Clinton, the media and even the establishment wing of his own party, winning the White House in a polarizing election.
Neither McCain in 2008 nor Mitt Romney in 2012 came close to achieving Trump’s level of success in 2016, even though both men had the backing of the Republican establishment in their respective elections.
The Post story furthers a narrative that Schmidt and others attempted to dictate the direction of Republican voters in 2016, and once they failed, they turned to fighting the party they once saw themselves as gatekeepers of.
They formed The Lincoln Project to take down the party of Lincoln.
Whether the Post report is veracious or not, the NeverTrumpers hold a particular disdain for Trump — and for you as well, if you voted for him. But the report certainly leads to questions about the motives of Schmidt and others who now bank on opposing the conservative ideas they previously fought for.
Let’s check in on some of these NeverTrump conservatives, who are so principled when it comes to protecting conservatism as they see it that they would rather have the country dive into the darkness of socialism than have Trump lead the GOP:
.@ProjectLincoln Abe has been watching Barr and is appalled. He is delighted with @RepSwalwell who crushed him like Grant did Lee. But mostly Abe has noticed Barr is rattled, prickly, vulnerable. He wants both power and a virtuous legacy. He will have neither soon. Abe will help — Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) July 28, 2020
Trump is to blame. Kids returning to school won’t be for long. There will be no tail gates and college football. No vacations. Instead there will be foreclosures and evictions. Small businesses will close. Dreams will die and there will be so many more dead Americans https://t.co/uMt6yc9E4H — Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) July 29, 2020
Not presumably forever; not perhaps for a day after Nov. 3, 2020; not on every issue or in every way until then. But for the time being one has to say: We are all Democrats now. — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 1, 2020
“Conservatives, Republicans & independents can legitimately reject Trump, however unhappy they are with Biden. Far better to face the perils of opposition than to risk irreversibly tarnishing the philosophy of conservatism & its party with Trump’s brand.”https://t.co/ctI0BQahfH — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 28, 2020
Lincoln Project founders have ties to Russia and tax troubles, docs reveal https://t.co/Fa3kGu5RG8 pic.twitter.com/5HajNkh0EV — New York Post (@nypost) July 21, 2020
Could these men have ever truly supported conservatism, or is traditional political consulting as swampy and disingenuous as it sounds?
Regardless, the Post report is not a good look for the president’s NeverTrump critics.
If the report is accurate, then Schmidt, who attacks the president regularly in interviews and with targeted Lincoln Project TV ads, was rejected by Trump and then renounced everything he once stood for.
Trump did not win in 2016 by running on contradictory public and private positions. The former business magnate and TV star ran with strong messaging and bold policy ideas, all of which were pounced upon by critics beginning in 2015, when he announced his long shot candidacy.
Trump ran arguably the most transparent campaign in political history in 2016, and was a lighting rod for controversy with his proposed blunt solutions to issues which had nagged the GOP base for decades.
Schmidt knew exactly who Trump was in March 2016, just like the rest of us did.
Hell hath no fury like a gelded political consultant class scorned, it appears.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.