westernjournal--2020-11-18--Cuomo Is About To Get a Significant Pay Raise Despite New York’s Budget Nightmare

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo will receive a $ 25,000 pay raise at the start of 2021 , becoming the highest-paid governor in the nation despite his state ’ s massive budget deficit and worst-in-the-nation COVID-19 death toll .
Cuomo ’ s salary will jump from $ 225,000 to $ 250,000 on Jan. 1 , the New York Post reported .
The state Senate and Assembly did not give judges and 213 state lawmakers their own expected raises , which the Commission on Legislative , Judicial and Executive Compensation said the state couldn ’ t pay .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion budget deficit because of revenue losses related to coronavirus lockdowns .
“ We understand the potential for significant budget cuts may be necessary at the state executive level as well if the federal government does not enact additional funding to address the economic hardship caused by COVID-19 , ” the Commission on Legislative , Judicial and Executive Compensation wrote in a report released Monday evening .
“ Substantial additional state monies will be needed to deal with the pandemic , including providing face masks , virus tracking , contact tracing , enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new pandemic vaccine .
“ Simply put the commissioners ’ worst fears as articulated in the 2019 Report — a downturn in the state ’ s finances coupled with an inability to cover increased salary obligations — has unfortunately come to stark reality in the worst possible way.
” Only the Democrat-controlled state legislature has the power to approve or deny Cuomo ’ s raise , and the measure was approved in the spring of 2019 .
Lt. Gov .
Kathy Hochul , Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cuomo also received a new source of revenue this year when his book “ American Crisis : Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic ” was released in October .
The state has had the most coronavirus deaths in the nation by far : more than 34,000 , according to Johns Hopkins University data Wednesday .
Texas is a distant second at about 20,000 deaths .
New York governments and authorities have projected $ 59 billion of revenue shortfalls through 2022 , The Wall Street Journal reported .
The state government lost an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal year and $ 16 billion in the coming one .
Transportation authorities are expected to take in $ 15 billion less revenue due to a drop in passengers .
Local governments and New York City will face $ 13.5 billion in shortfalls over the next two years .
Cuomo has been lobbying the federal government for additional state and local aid , threatening to cut health and education budgets , according to the Post .
President Donald Trump has rejected such federal aid as “ bailouts ” for states that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes Democrat Joe Biden will take a different approach in the White House .
“ We don ’ t dig out of it .
We don ’ t have a shovel big enough to dig out of it , it ’ s the biggest number in history .
We need help from Washington , and that ’ s what Trump wouldn ’ t do , and that ’ s what Biden will do , ” he said during a radio interview Tuesday on WQHT-FM ’ s “ Ebro in the Morning.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I supported and he ’ s a good man — he will fund state and local governments , and we need that to come even close to balancing the budget , ” the governor said .
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will receive a $25,000 pay raise at the start of 2021, becoming the highest-paid governor in the nation despite his state’s massive budget deficit and worst-in-the-nation COVID-19 death toll.
Cuomo’s salary will jump from $225,000 to $250,000 on Jan. 1, the New York Post reported.
The state Senate and Assembly did not give judges and 213 state lawmakers their own expected raises, which the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation said the state couldn’t pay.
The state of New York faces a $63 billion budget deficit because of revenue losses related to coronavirus lockdowns.
“We understand the potential for significant budget cuts may be necessary at the state executive level as well if the federal government does not enact additional funding to address the economic hardship caused by COVID-19,” the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation wrote in a report released Monday evening.
“Substantial additional state monies will be needed to deal with the pandemic, including providing face masks, virus tracking, contact tracing, enforcement efforts, and distribution of the hoped-for new pandemic vaccine.
“Simply put the commissioners’ worst fears as articulated in the 2019 Report — a downturn in the state’s finances coupled with an inability to cover increased salary obligations — has unfortunately come to stark reality in the worst possible way.”
Only the Democrat-controlled state legislature has the power to approve or deny Cuomo’s raise, and the measure was approved in the spring of 2019.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli are also expected to receive pay raises in 2021.
Do you think Cuomo should forgo his raise? Yes No
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Cuomo also received a new source of revenue this year when his book “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic” was released in October.
The state has had the most coronavirus deaths in the nation by far: more than 34,000, according to Johns Hopkins University data Wednesday. Texas is a distant second at about 20,000 deaths.
New York governments and authorities have projected $59 billion of revenue shortfalls through 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The state government lost an estimated $14 billion in the current fiscal year and $16 billion in the coming one.
Transportation authorities are expected to take in $15 billion less revenue due to a drop in passengers.
Local governments and New York City will face $13.5 billion in shortfalls over the next two years.
Cuomo has been lobbying the federal government for additional state and local aid, threatening to cut health and education budgets, according to the Post.
President Donald Trump has rejected such federal aid as “bailouts” for states that have been mismanaged by Democratic leadership, but Cuomo believes Democrat Joe Biden will take a different approach in the White House.
“We don’t dig out of it. We don’t have a shovel big enough to dig out of it, it’s the biggest number in history. We need help from Washington, and that’s what Trump wouldn’t do, and that’s what Biden will do,” he said during a radio interview Tuesday on WQHT-FM’s “Ebro in the Morning.”
“Biden ran, and I know him and I supported and he’s a good man — he will fund state and local governments, and we need that to come even close to balancing the budget,” the governor said.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Democracy Dies in Darkness

Democracy Dies in Darkness

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Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Bradley Cooper's latest role has not gone down well with everyone, particularly with regard to his use of a prosthetic nose.


westernjournal--2020-11-18--Rules for Thee but Not for Me: Dem Sen. Feinstein Caught on Video Maskless

In another glaring example of left-wing hypocrisy , Sen. Dianne Feinstein was caught on video Tuesday not wearing a mask or social distancing while speaking to what appeared to be an aide in a Capitol Hill hallway .
This is especially noteworthy because at age 87 , the California Democrat is among those at the highest risk of suffering complications from or dying of the coronavirus if she gets infected .
Feinstein ’ s actions also contrast sharply with her rabid calls for a national mask mandate .
“ [ C ] ountries that are successfully controlling this virus require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States have a national mask mandate ?
” Feinstein sanctimoniously fumed in July .
“ Wearing masks in public should be mandatory .
Period , ” she said in a statement at the time .
“ This is a matter of life or death.
” Feinstein is so adamant everyone wear a mask in public that she threatened to propose banning states that don ’ t impose a mask mandate from receiving coronavirus-related federal relief funds .
“ Several states including California , Alabama and Montana already require masks in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This should be universal.
” This is not the first time that Feinstein has apparently broken her own rules about masks .
In September , the California Democrat was captured on camera walking at Dulles International Airport without a mask .
In so doing , Feinstein mirrored the actions of fellow California Democrat Nancy Pelosi , 80 .
The previous month , the House speaker ignited volcanic backlash after she was caught on video without a mask while walking around a San Francisco hair salon .
Not only did Pelosi not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus shutdown of local businesses that was in effect at the time .
These hypocritical actions have enraged many Americans , with plenty of people realizing that the most vocal proponents of coronavirus restrictions are often the ones who violate them the most cavalierly .
Meanwhile , the debate over the effectiveness of masks continues to rage .
A recent Danish mask study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggested that “ the recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home … did not reduce , at conventional levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 infection in mask wearers in a setting where social distancing and other public health measures were in effect , mask recommendations were not among those measures , and community use of masks was uncommon.
” In summing up the study ’ s results , Dr. James Todaro , a physician , noted on Twitter that “ in the largest randomized controlled trial to date w/6,024 subjects , medical masks were NOT effective protection against infection.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial @ @

In another glaring example of left-wing hypocrisy, Sen. Dianne Feinstein was caught on video Tuesday not wearing a mask or social distancing while speaking to what appeared to be an aide in a Capitol Hill hallway.
This is especially noteworthy because at age 87, the California Democrat is among those at the highest risk of suffering complications from or dying of the coronavirus if she gets infected.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), without a mask, walks through the corridor before today’s Facebook/Twitter CEO hearing. pic.twitter.com/lYTVMEa3Dw — The Recount (@therecount) November 17, 2020
Feinstein’s actions also contrast sharply with her rabid calls for a national mask mandate.
“[C]ountries that are successfully controlling this virus require masks. So why doesn’t the United States have a national mask mandate?” Feinstein sanctimoniously fumed in July.
“Wearing masks in public should be mandatory. Period,” she said in a statement at the time. “This is a matter of life or death.”
Feinstein is so adamant everyone wear a mask in public that she threatened to propose banning states that don’t impose a mask mandate from receiving coronavirus-related federal relief funds.
“Several states including California, Alabama and Montana already require masks in public,” she said in the statement. “This should be universal.”
Do you think Feinstein is a hypocrite? 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: 100% (738 Votes) No: 0% (2 Votes)
This is not the first time that Feinstein has apparently broken her own rules about masks. In September, the California Democrat was captured on camera walking at Dulles International Airport without a mask.
In so doing, Feinstein mirrored the actions of fellow California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, 80.
The previous month, the House speaker ignited volcanic backlash after she was caught on video without a mask while walking around a San Francisco hair salon.
Not only did Pelosi not wear a mask, but she violated a coronavirus shutdown of local businesses that was in effect at the time.
These hypocritical actions have enraged many Americans, with plenty of people realizing that the most vocal proponents of coronavirus restrictions are often the ones who violate them the most cavalierly.
Meanwhile, the debate over the effectiveness of masks continues to rage.
A recent Danish mask study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggested that “the recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home … did not reduce, at conventional levels of statistical significance, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mask wearers in a setting where social distancing and other public health measures were in effect, mask recommendations were not among those measures, and community use of masks was uncommon.”
In the largest randomized controlled trial to date w/ 6,024 subjects, medical masks were NOT effective protection against infection.https://t.co/HyFiQX2qPG — James Todaro, MD (@JamesTodaroMD) November 18, 2020
In summing up the study’s results, Dr. James Todaro, a physician, noted on Twitter that “in the largest randomized controlled trial to date w/6,024 subjects, medical masks were NOT effective protection against infection.”
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Trump Just Sent PA a Surprise Visitor They’ll Never Forget

If Democrats had hoped President Donald Trump would go quietly into the night , they ’ re finding out they were sorely mistaken .
Not only is he standing his ground , he has come out with guns blazing .
The Trump campaign ’ s latest move has been to send in the President ’ s personal attorney , the relentless , unflappable and devoted former mayor of New York City , Rudy Giuliani .
Last week , the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic Secretary of State , Kathy Boockvar , and several counties in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District of Pennsylvania .
According to The Hill , the lawsuit “ alleges that the commonwealth set up an illegal system in which voters were held to different standards depending on how they cast their ballots.
” Trump ’ s legal team alleges that “ Philadelphia and six Democratic-controlled counties in Pennsylvania let voters make corrections to mail-in ballots that were otherwise going to be disqualified for a technicality , like lacking a secrecy envelope or a signature.
” The deadline for Pennsylvania elections results to be certified is Nov. 23 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law firm of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur , which is based in Columbus , Ohio .
Last Thursday , the firm withdrew from the case , according to The New York Times .
The Times reported some attorneys at the firm questioned the wisdom of representing the president .
Every liberal media outlet reporting on this lawsuit portrays it as meritless and claims the president ’ s legal team has no evidence that fraud occurred in the state .
According to Giuliani , and other attorneys representing the Trump campaign , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team has collected over 500 sworn affidavits from individuals claiming to have witnessed election fraud not only in Pennsylvania , but in other critical battleground states such as Michigan , Wisconsin , Georgia , Arizona and Nevada .
According to The Associated Press , during Tuesday ’ s hearing , U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann “ told Giuliani that agreeing with him would disenfranchise the more than 6.8 million Pennsylvanians who voted.
” Brann asked Giuliani , “ Can you tell me how this result could possibly be justified ?
” Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedy is because of the scope of the injury.
” Defense lawyers sought to get the case dismissed .
They argued that the evidence was “ at best , garden-variety irregularities ” that do not warrant overturning former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s victory in the state , the AP reported .
They also contend the number of votes that may have been affected would be insufficient to overturn the results .
“ The best description of this situation is widespread , nationwide voter fraud , of which this is a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , this is a case that is repeated in at least 10 other jurisdictions , ” Giuliani said , according to the AP .
“ They stole the election.
” He submitted “ dozens of affidavits ” from Republican observers who were not allowed to view the counting process , a complaint the Trump campaign has made repeatedly in all of the battleground states .
They have no idea how many ballots may have been falsified during these periods .
The AP report said , “ Brann did not rule Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign ’ s evidence and instead gave the parties three more days to file arguments in the case .
Next Tuesday is the deadline for Pennsylvania ’ s counties to certify their election results.
” Democrats , their defense lawyers and the media constantly repeat the same argument – that Trump ’ s legal team lacks evidence to prove that fraud occurred .
On the contrary , Trump attorney Sidney Powell told Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that “ We have so much evidence , I feel like it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hose.
” It ’ s true that election fraud is difficult , sometimes impossible , to prove definitively .
But sworn affidavits , especially in large numbers from unrelated parties that all make the same accusations , can not be ignored .
The affidavits are the evidence .
Lying in a sworn affidavit is perjury .
Why would hundreds of individuals open themselves up to perjury charges that are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment if their allegations were false ?
Courts need to hear testimony from these individuals before they dismiss the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are wont to do .
Still , Trump ’ s best chance to win the election may come from analysis of the electronic voting hardware and software used by many of the battleground states .
The mounting circumstantial evidence supporting the case that votes were manipulated to favor Biden is becoming impossible to ignore .
A comprehensive review of the allegations against the manufacturers of this technology , which include Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic , is beyond the scope of this article , but there is no question that the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , Democrats will claim these are just right-wing conspiracy theories .
But let us not forget that this is the party who brought us the bogus Russian collusion investigation and the impeachment hoax .
Democrats have shown over the past four years that they will cross any line to destroy President Trump .
Why would they stop short of election interference ?
With the full knowledge of former President Obama , then-Vice President Joe Biden , and top-ranking officials in Obama ’ s FBI and CIA , Hillary Clinton and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a fake dossier to be used for the sole purpose of discrediting then-candidate Donald Trump , and once he was elected , to destroy his presidency .
Fully aware of this document ’ s origin , the FBI used it as the basis of an application to the FISA court to secure a warrant to surveil Carter Page , a Trump campaign adviser .
This was a violation of federal law .
Trump opponents ran with this narrative until March 2019 when the Mueller report failed to prove their claims .
Desperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then conjured up the impeachment hoax .
The media continues to portray Giuliani as an aging buffoon who has been chasing wild conspiracy theories in a desperate bid to save Trump ’ s presidency .
They are making a mistake by underestimating him , and his visit to Pennsylvania for the 2020 election fight is one the state will never forget .
Is Giuliani blindly chasing a Republican fantasy or is it possible that Democrats rigged this election ?
In my opinion , the latter is not only possible , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English , for international audiences ?
Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español !
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If Democrats had hoped President Donald Trump would go quietly into the night, they’re finding out they were sorely mistaken. Not only is he standing his ground, he has come out with guns blazing.
The Trump campaign’s latest move has been to send in the President’s personal attorney, the relentless, unflappable and devoted former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani.
Last week, the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s Democratic Secretary of State, Kathy Boockvar, and several counties in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. According to The Hill, the lawsuit “alleges that the commonwealth set up an illegal system in which voters were held to different standards depending on how they cast their ballots.”
Trump’s legal team alleges that “Philadelphia and six Democratic-controlled counties in Pennsylvania let voters make corrections to mail-in ballots that were otherwise going to be disqualified for a technicality, like lacking a secrecy envelope or a signature.”
The deadline for Pennsylvania elections results to be certified is Nov. 23, according to Ballotpedia.
The campaign hired the law firm of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, which is based in Columbus, Ohio. Last Thursday, the firm withdrew from the case, according to The New York Times. The Times reported some attorneys at the firm questioned the wisdom of representing the president.
Every liberal media outlet reporting on this lawsuit portrays it as meritless and claims the president’s legal team has no evidence that fraud occurred in the state. According to Giuliani, and other attorneys representing the Trump campaign, including Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, the team has collected over 500 sworn affidavits from individuals claiming to have witnessed election fraud not only in Pennsylvania, but in other critical battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada.
According to The Associated Press, during Tuesday’s hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann “told Giuliani that agreeing with him would disenfranchise the more than 6.8 million Pennsylvanians who voted.”
Brann asked Giuliani, “Can you tell me how this result could possibly be justified?”
Do you think the 2020 election was rigged against President Trump and his supporters? 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% (6147 Votes) No: 1% (39 Votes)
Giuliani replied, “The scope of the remedy is because of the scope of the injury.”
Defense lawyers sought to get the case dismissed. They argued that the evidence was “at best, garden-variety irregularities” that do not warrant overturning former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory in the state, the AP reported.
They also contend the number of votes that may have been affected would be insufficient to overturn the results.
Giuliani, however, argued differently.
“The best description of this situation is widespread, nationwide voter fraud, of which this is a part. … This is not an isolated case, this is a case that is repeated in at least 10 other jurisdictions,” Giuliani said, according to the AP. “They stole the election.”
He submitted “dozens of affidavits” from Republican observers who were not allowed to view the counting process, a complaint the Trump campaign has made repeatedly in all of the battleground states. They have no idea how many ballots may have been falsified during these periods.
The AP report said, “Brann did not rule Tuesday. He canceled a Thursday hearing to air the Trump campaign’s evidence and instead gave the parties three more days to file arguments in the case. Next Tuesday is the deadline for Pennsylvania’s counties to certify their election results.”
Democrats, their defense lawyers and the media constantly repeat the same argument – that Trump’s legal team lacks evidence to prove that fraud occurred.
On the contrary, Trump attorney Sidney Powell told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that “We have so much evidence, I feel like it’s coming in through a fire hose.”
It’s true that election fraud is difficult, sometimes impossible, to prove definitively.
But sworn affidavits, especially in large numbers from unrelated parties that all make the same accusations, cannot be ignored. The affidavits are the evidence.
Lying in a sworn affidavit is perjury. Why would hundreds of individuals open themselves up to perjury charges that are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment if their allegations were false?
Courts need to hear testimony from these individuals before they dismiss the president’s case as many left-leaning judges are wont to do.
Still, Trump’s best chance to win the election may come from analysis of the electronic voting hardware and software used by many of the battleground states. The mounting circumstantial evidence supporting the case that votes were manipulated to favor Biden is becoming impossible to ignore.
A comprehensive review of the allegations against the manufacturers of this technology, which include Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, is beyond the scope of this article, but there is no question that the 2020 presidential election has been plagued by irregularities.
Of course, Democrats will claim these are just right-wing conspiracy theories. But let us not forget that this is the party who brought us the bogus Russian collusion investigation and the impeachment hoax. Democrats have shown over the past four years that they will cross any line to destroy President Trump. Why would they stop short of election interference?
With the full knowledge of former President Obama, then-Vice President Joe Biden, and top-ranking officials in Obama’s FBI and CIA, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee paid for the creation of a fake dossier to be used for the sole purpose of discrediting then-candidate Donald Trump, and once he was elected, to destroy his presidency.
Fully aware of this document’s origin, the FBI used it as the basis of an application to the FISA court to secure a warrant to surveil Carter Page, a Trump campaign adviser. This was a violation of federal law.
Trump opponents ran with this narrative until March 2019 when the Mueller report failed to prove their claims. Desperate to remove Trump from office, Democrats then conjured up the impeachment hoax.
The media continues to portray Giuliani as an aging buffoon who has been chasing wild conspiracy theories in a desperate bid to save Trump’s presidency. They are making a mistake by underestimating him, and his visit to Pennsylvania for the 2020 election fight is one the state will never forget.
Is Giuliani blindly chasing a Republican fantasy or is it possible that Democrats rigged this election?
In my opinion, the latter is not only possible, it’s likely.
Did you know that The Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English, for international audiences? Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español!
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Pennsylvania Implements One of the Worst Mask Mandates Yet

Toward the beginning of the pandemic , health officials were saying that mask-wearing was ineffective at combating the coronavirus .
Now , many “ experts ” have completely reversed their opinion and are hoping to force American citizens to wear masks within the comfort of their own homes .
On Tuesday , the Pennsylvania Health Department released a new list of orders with the hope of controlling the spread of COVID-19 .
The most notable of these is an indoor mask mandate for people inside their own homes .
“ Strengthening masking order .
Masks are still required .
Indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re with people outside of your household , even if you ’ re socially distant , ” the Pennsylvania Health Department wrote on Twitter .
“ Applies to all indoor facilities + if you have people in your home not part of your household.
” Even if the messaging on mask-wearing effectiveness had not been so mixed up until this point , this mandate is an absolutely insane overreach of government power .
The state has no right to tell private citizens what to wear within the comfort of their own homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an absolute trampling of Americans ’ personal liberties .
Thankfully , such an order will be virtually impossible to enforce .
In addition to that ridiculous demand , the Department of Health is also requiring “ anyone who visits PA from another state ” to get tested within 72 hours before entering the state .
RELATED : Rules for Thee but Not for Me : Dem Sen. Feinstein Caught on Video Maskless “ Issuing order requiring anyone who visits PA from another state to get tested w/in 72 hours before entering PA. Pa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must follow same rules when coming home .
Does not apply to those who commute to/from another state for work or medical treatment , ” another tweet from the agency reads .
If this incredibly invasive mandate communicates anything , it is that power-hungry politicians are using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to flex their bureaucratic muscles .
Their primary concern isn ’ t mitigating the disease ; it is establishing greater government control over citizens ’ personal lives .
This is because , in their minds , the government always knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether you wish to comply or not .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Toward the beginning of the pandemic, health officials were saying that mask-wearing was ineffective at combating the coronavirus.
Now, many “experts” have completely reversed their opinion and are hoping to force American citizens to wear masks within the comfort of their own homes.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Health Department released a new list of orders with the hope of controlling the spread of COVID-19.
The most notable of these is an indoor mask mandate for people inside their own homes.
▪ Strengthening masking order. Masks are still required. Indoors: masks now required anytime you’re with people outside of your household, even if you’re socially distant. Applies to all indoor facilities + if you have people in your home not part of your household — PA Department of Health (@PAHealthDept) November 17, 2020
“Strengthening masking order. Masks are still required. Indoors: masks now required anytime you’re with people outside of your household, even if you’re socially distant,” the Pennsylvania Health Department wrote on Twitter.
“Applies to all indoor facilities + if you have people in your home not part of your household.”
Even if the messaging on mask-wearing effectiveness had not been so mixed up until this point, this mandate is an absolutely insane overreach of government power.
Should the federal government enforce mask mandates? 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: 1% (16 Votes) No: 99% (1121 Votes)
The state has no right to tell private citizens what to wear within the comfort of their own homes.
Issuing a mandate of this nature is an absolute trampling of Americans’ personal liberties.
Thankfully, such an order will be virtually impossible to enforce.
In addition to that ridiculous demand, the Department of Health is also requiring “anyone who visits PA from another state” to get tested within 72 hours before entering the state.
▪ Issuing order requiring anyone who visits PA from another state to get tested w/in 72 hours before entering PA. Pa’ians who traveled to other states must follow same rules when coming home. Does not apply to those who commute to/from another state for work or medical treatment — PA Department of Health (@PAHealthDept) November 17, 2020
“Issuing order requiring anyone who visits PA from another state to get tested w/in 72 hours before entering PA. Pa’ians who traveled to other states must follow same rules when coming home. Does not apply to those who commute to/from another state for work or medical treatment,” another tweet from the agency reads.
If this incredibly invasive mandate communicates anything, it is that power-hungry politicians are using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to flex their bureaucratic muscles.
Their primary concern isn’t mitigating the disease; it is establishing greater government control over citizens’ personal lives.
This is because, in their minds, the government always knows what’s best for you, whether you wish to comply or not.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--NY Sheriff with Law Degree Gives Gov. Cuomo Thanksgiving Ultimatum

A sheriff in New York state has announced he will not enforce Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s executive order limiting gatherings in private residences to 10 people or fewer for Thanksgiving .
Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino on Saturday stated , in no uncertain terms , that Cuomo ’ s order will not be enforced in the New York County .
Picking apart the mandate , he wrote on Facebook that an “ Executive Order applying directly to citizens for their private conduct is usually not a law in the sense that there are no penalties attached and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With regard to the Thanksgiving Executive Order , the Fulton County Sheriff ’ s Office will NOT be enforcing it against our County residents , ” he vowed .
“ Frankly , I am not sure it could sustain a Constitutional challenge in Court for several reasons including your house is your castle.
” If the sheriff sounds well-versed in executive orders , laws , crime and punishments , that stands to reason .
He even seemed to give the Democratic governor an ultimatum : try me in court .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he “ couldn ’ t in good faith attempt to defend [ enforcing the executive order in ] Court , so I won ’ t. ” “ Who and how many people you invite in to your home is your business , ” he said , “ unlike outdoor gatherings which may receive a police response if disorderly or other violations of public nuisance laws occur.
” “ We have limited resources and we have to set priorities , so obtaining a Search Warrant to enter your home to see how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a priority .
We won ’ t be doing that .
The only way to enter your residence is if we have a warrant , we are invited in or an exigent or emergency circumstance exist .
We have three patrols a shift for 500 square miles , monitoring Family Dinners aren ’ t our priority , ” he added .
Giardino then urged his county ’ s residents not to hide their cars or take other measures to throw law enforcement off their trail .
He had a simple message for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s events , and the government ’ s response to them : enjoy your Thanksgiving .
“ 2020 has been the most chaotic year for so many people between the CV19 , job furloughs , or loss of jobs , interference in education and every other activity .
The riots and civil unrest which have cost millions of dollars and damaged or destroyed thousands of businesses and injured multiple people , ” he wrote .
“ The constant barrage of Government Regulations and control over your daily lives has added to mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions due to stress and the disruption of your normal routine , ” Giardino added .
“ With that said most people want a time to be thankful for the good things we have including family and friends .
I urge you to use good judgement , wear masks , wash and disinfect frequently and social distance.
” Giardino ’ s argument is that Cuomo ’ s executive order is not law , so there is no punishment attached that can logically be applied to those who are in violation of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was a polite way for the sheriff to tell Cuomo and his cronyism to shove off .
The governor has yet to respond to the sheriff .
Cuomo , who packed nursing homes in the Empire State with COVID-19 positive patients early this year , announced the executive order last week via Twitter , and laughably invoked “ science ” for his reasoning behind attempting to control the holiday plans of all New Yorkers .
The Democrat wrote , “ New York follows the science.
” “ We know indoor gatherings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , ” Cuomo continued .
“ To slow the spread , NYS will limit indoor gatherings at private residences to 10 people .
This limit takes effect Friday at 10pm.
” A number of state law enforcement agencies , now with the addition of the Fulton County Sheriff ’ s Office , aren ’ t interested in enforcing the order .
Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard actually told WGRZ-TV that his deputies would not make any attempt to enforce the order .
“ I have no plans to utilize my office ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the great tradition of Thanksgiving dinner , ” he said in a statement .
“ This national holiday has created longstanding family traditions that are at the heart of America , and these traditions should not be stopped or interrupted by Governor Cuomo ’ s mandates.
” “ My office will respect the sanctity of your home and traditions , and I encourage you to follow your heart and act responsibly , as well as do what best for your family , ” Howard added .
“ On behalf of everyone at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
” New York , a sizable state , is arguably run almost entirely out of Albany and New York City , leaving the rest of the population held hostage by the leftist ideologues .
But the communities that make up the rest of the state seem to have a knack for common sense and an appreciation for the Constitution .
It ’ s looking an awful lot like the wrong New Yorkers are running New York .
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

A sheriff in New York state has announced he will not enforce Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order limiting gatherings in private residences to 10 people or fewer for Thanksgiving.
Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino on Saturday stated, in no uncertain terms, that Cuomo’s order will not be enforced in the New York County.
Picking apart the mandate, he wrote on Facebook that an “Executive Order applying directly to citizens for their private conduct is usually not a law in the sense that there are no penalties attached and you can’t be arrested.”
“With regard to the Thanksgiving Executive Order, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office will NOT be enforcing it against our County residents,” he vowed. “Frankly, I am not sure it could sustain a Constitutional challenge in Court for several reasons including your house is your castle.”
Update 2 Someone just anonymously emailed and said of course the Executive order doesn’t apply to people who live in… Posted by Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, November 14, 2020
If the sheriff sounds well-versed in executive orders, laws, crime and punishments, that stands to reason.
Sheriff Giardino has a law degree.
He even seemed to give the Democratic governor an ultimatum: try me in court.
He added that, due to his background in law, he “couldn’t in good faith attempt to defend [enforcing the executive order in] Court, so I won’t.”
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“Who and how many people you invite in to your home is your business,” he said, “unlike outdoor gatherings which may receive a police response if disorderly or other violations of public nuisance laws occur.”
“We have limited resources and we have to set priorities, so obtaining a Search Warrant to enter your home to see how many Turkey or Tofu eaters are present is not a priority. We won’t be doing that. The only way to enter your residence is if we have a warrant, we are invited in or an exigent or emergency circumstance exist. We have three patrols a shift for 500 square miles, monitoring Family Dinners aren’t our priority,” he added.
Giardino then urged his county’s residents not to hide their cars or take other measures to throw law enforcement off their trail.
He had a simple message for those being psychologically brutalized by the year’s events, and the government’s response to them: enjoy your Thanksgiving.
“2020 has been the most chaotic year for so many people between the CV19, job furloughs, or loss of jobs, interference in education and every other activity. The riots and civil unrest which have cost millions of dollars and damaged or destroyed thousands of businesses and injured multiple people,” he wrote.
“The constant barrage of Government Regulations and control over your daily lives has added to mass depression, the exacerbation of other medical conditions due to stress and the disruption of your normal routine,” Giardino added.
“With that said most people want a time to be thankful for the good things we have including family and friends. I urge you to use good judgement, wear masks, wash and disinfect frequently and social distance.”
Giardino’s argument is that Cuomo’s executive order is not law, so there is no punishment attached that can logically be applied to those who are in violation of it.
But you kind of get the feeling this was a polite way for the sheriff to tell Cuomo and his cronyism to shove off.
The governor has yet to respond to the sheriff.
Cuomo, who packed nursing homes in the Empire State with COVID-19 positive patients early this year, announced the executive order last week via Twitter, and laughably invoked “science” for his reasoning behind attempting to control the holiday plans of all New Yorkers.
The Democrat wrote, “New York follows the science.”
“We know indoor gatherings and parties are a major source of COVID spread,” Cuomo continued. “To slow the spread, NYS will limit indoor gatherings at private residences to 10 people. This limit takes effect Friday at 10pm.”
New York follows the science. We know indoor gatherings and parties are a major source of COVID spread. To slow the spread, NYS will limit indoor gatherings at private residences to 10 people. This limit takes effect Friday at 10pm. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 11, 2020
A number of state law enforcement agencies, now with the addition of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, aren’t interested in enforcing the order.
Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard actually told WGRZ-TV that his deputies would not make any attempt to enforce the order.
“I have no plans to utilize my office’s resources or Deputies to break up the great tradition of Thanksgiving dinner,” he said in a statement.
“This national holiday has created longstanding family traditions that are at the heart of America, and these traditions should not be stopped or interrupted by Governor Cuomo’s mandates.”
“My office will respect the sanctity of your home and traditions, and I encourage you to follow your heart and act responsibly, as well as do what best for your family,” Howard added. “On behalf of everyone at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.”
New York, a sizable state, is arguably run almost entirely out of Albany and New York City, leaving the rest of the population held hostage by the leftist ideologues.
But the communities that make up the rest of the state seem to have a knack for common sense and an appreciation for the Constitution.
It’s looking an awful lot like the wrong New Yorkers are running New York.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--GA Election Auditor Claims Ballots Being Changed During Hand Recount

A report from a Republican monitoring the manual recount of the presidential election vote in Georgia said one of the counters was erroneously giving votes to Joe Biden that were cast for President Donald Trump .
Hale Soucie is a Republican National Committee monitor who ’ s watching the recount in Cobb County , according to Townhall.com .
He was described by The New York Times in a Monday article as being with a group that was comprised of “ concerned citizens of a conservative bent.
” “ Despite the careful and meticulous process he was watching , ” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the count was corrupt.
” Here was the quote The Times pulled from him : “ This is kind of just , you know , a show , ” he said .
Soucie was somewhat more loquacious in a video recorded by Project Veritas .
“ So , the second person was supposed to be checking it , right .
So , three times in three minutes she called out Biden , ” Soucie said .
“ The second auditor caught it and she said , ‘ No .
This is Trump.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I ’ m standing there.
” “ So , does the second checker catch it every time ?
But this lady , three times in three minutes , from 2:09 to 2:12 , she got three wrong , ” he continued .
This was at Table 17 .
When he went to Table 18 , he found they were doing the same thing .
“ So , I go and report it .
They say , ‘ Oh , we ’ ll talk to the [ Cobb County ] election officials.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I come back by again in a few minutes and she ’ s not doing it after I ’ ve talked to her , ” Soucie said .
However , the vote-counters he reported were apparently none too happy about it , he said , since they would make a big show about how they were counting the ballots when he was around .
Soucie said that “ no matter where I was standing in the room , her and a couple of other people were starting to , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their boss over there , they were pointing at me.
” “ I haven ’ t done anything wrong .
All I ’ m doing is writing down and observing to tell her what happened , ” he said .
He alleged that after he did a slow lap around the counting tables , he heard the woman say , “ I ’ m paid by the taxpayers and this f—ing a–hole is going to come in here and watch me.
” RELATED : DCCC Chair Blames Facebook and Google for Losing Seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day this happened — although it ’ s worth noting that at least on Friday , The Times said the recount “ got off to a smooth and rather mundane start.
” Recounts seldom change many votes , as pretty much every veteran of the 2016 election will tell you .
That ’ s when a recount funded by Green Party candidate Jill Stein in several key states won by Trump yielded only a handful of votes either way .
However , that election was unlike our current one in almost every way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
There ’ s also the troubling fact that ballots continue to be found in several Georgia counties .
In Floyd County in the northwest of the state , 2,600 ballots that were stored on a memory card but not uploaded were found .
Those yielded a net gain of almost 800 votes for Trump , who ’ s behind in the state by fewer than 14,000 votes .
Floyd County Republican Party Chairman Luke Martin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the find was “ concerning ” but “ doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I ’ m glad the audit revealed it , and it ’ s important that all votes are counted , ” Martin said .
And speaking of that , another 2,755 votes were found in Fayette County .
This seemed to be similar to the issue in Floyd County , as the ballots were on a memory card that wasn ’ t uploaded , according to a tweet from David Shafer , chairman of the Georgia Republican Party .
Georgia GOP Rep. Doug Collins said incidents like this were “ exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Without the recount , we never would have known about these ballots , ” he tweeted .
“ Every Georgian — and every American — must have confidence that their vote is counted.
” Reports like Soucie ’ s — while uncorroborated and unconfirmed — are going to raise some questions about that last part , however .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A report from a Republican monitoring the manual recount of the presidential election vote in Georgia said one of the counters was erroneously giving votes to Joe Biden that were cast for President Donald Trump.
Hale Soucie is a Republican National Committee monitor who’s watching the recount in Cobb County, according to Townhall.com. He was described by The New York Times in a Monday article as being with a group that was comprised of “concerned citizens of a conservative bent.”
“Despite the careful and meticulous process he was watching,” The Times reported, Soucie “remained concerned that the count was corrupt.”
Here was the quote The Times pulled from him: “This is kind of just, you know, a show,” he said.
Soucie was somewhat more loquacious in a video recorded by Project Veritas.
“So, the second person was supposed to be checking it, right. So, three times in three minutes she called out Biden,” Soucie said.
“The second auditor caught it and she said, ‘No. This is Trump.’ Now, that’s just while I’m standing there.”
“So, does the second checker catch it every time? But this lady, three times in three minutes, from 2:09 to 2:12, she got three wrong,” he continued.
This was at Table 17. When he went to Table 18, he found they were doing the same thing.
Do you believe there are problems with the Georgia recount? Yes No
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“So, I go and report it. They say, ‘Oh, we’ll talk to the [Cobb County] election officials.’ … They talk to her. And so I come back by again in a few minutes and she’s not doing it after I’ve talked to her,” Soucie said.
However, the vote-counters he reported were apparently none too happy about it, he said, since they would make a big show about how they were counting the ballots when he was around.
Soucie said that “no matter where I was standing in the room, her and a couple of other people were starting to, you know, they were looking, they were calling their boss over there, they were pointing at me.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong. All I’m doing is writing down and observing to tell her what happened,” he said.
He alleged that after he did a slow lap around the counting tables, he heard the woman say, “I’m paid by the taxpayers and this f—ing a–hole is going to come in here and watch me.”
BREAKING: Georgia Recount Auditors Call Multiple Ballots For @JoeBiden That Were Actually Marked For @realDonaldTrump “The second person was supposed to be checking it right, three times in three minutes she called out Biden.”#RiggedRecounts pic.twitter.com/ldvbCXXn0b — James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 16, 2020
It’s unclear what day this happened — although it’s worth noting that at least on Friday, The Times said the recount “got off to a smooth and rather mundane start.”
Recounts seldom change many votes, as pretty much every veteran of the 2016 election will tell you. That’s when a recount funded by Green Party candidate Jill Stein in several key states won by Trump yielded only a handful of votes either way.
However, that election was unlike our current one in almost every way but the fact that Trump was on the ballot.
There’s also the troubling fact that ballots continue to be found in several Georgia counties.
In Floyd County in the northwest of the state, 2,600 ballots that were stored on a memory card but not uploaded were found. Those yielded a net gain of almost 800 votes for Trump, who’s behind in the state by fewer than 14,000 votes.
Here is the unofficial breakdown of the ballots that weren’t originally uploaded I Floyd. 1,643 votes for Pres. Trump, 865 for former VP Biden and 16 for Libertarian Jo Jorgensen. That is +778 for President Trump that will be reflected in the certified result. #gapol — Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) November 17, 2020
Floyd County Republican Party Chairman Luke Martin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the find was “concerning” but “doesn’t appear to be a widespread issue.”
“I’m glad the audit revealed it, and it’s important that all votes are counted,” Martin said.
And speaking of that, another 2,755 votes were found in Fayette County.
Gabriel Sterling with the GA Sec. of State’s office says 2,755 votes discovered in Fayette County. Unlike in Floyd County, these were scanned votes that were in the system. 1,577 for Donald Trump 1,128 for Joe Biden. This makes a net gain of over 400 for Trump. #11alive #gapol — Hope Ford (@hope_iam) November 17, 2020
This seemed to be similar to the issue in Floyd County, as the ballots were on a memory card that wasn’t uploaded, according to a tweet from David Shafer, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party.
More uncounted votes discovered during the hand count in Fayette County, mostly for @realDonaldTrump. Apparently a memory card was not uploaded. Unclear whether this is the same type of error discovered yesterday in Floyd County or a new one. — David Shafer (@DavidShafer) November 17, 2020
Georgia GOP Rep. Doug Collins said incidents like this were “exactly why we requested a hand recount.”
“Without the recount, we never would have known about these ballots,” he tweeted. “Every Georgian — and every American — must have confidence that their vote is counted.”
This is exactly why we requested a hand recount. Without the recount, we never would have known about these ballots. Every Georgian — and every American — must have confidence that their vote is counted. https://t.co/XNV20weHX5 — Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) November 17, 2020
Reports like Soucie’s — while uncorroborated and unconfirmed — are going to raise some questions about that last part, however.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Biden’s Appointments Are Already Causing Major Infighting on the Left

Presumptive President-elect Joe Biden has already caused infighting among the left by ignoring progressive demands and appointing former lobbyists to his senior staff .
Biden has announced last week he would appoint Ronald Klain as his chief of staff , then named Steve Ricchetti counselor to the president Tuesday , Fox News reported .
Klain and Ricchetti both previously spent time in the lobbying industry .
In between the two announcements , over 50 liberal advocacy organizations signed a letter urging Biden to keep anyone with ties to the corporate world from serving in the high levels of his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out an administration that is structured so as to be able to meet the historic needs of this moment — and to uphold the highest values of the Democratic Party by operating in service of the wellbeing of the general public , ” the Nov. 12 letter read .
“ In particular , we urge you to decline to nominate or hire corporate executives , lobbyists , and prominent corporate consultants to serve in high office.
” Klain and Ricchetti were tapped for their positions despite Biden ’ s transition plan banning anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent within the last year from serving , according to Fox News .
Rep. Cedric Richmond has also been picked to serve as senior adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement .
The Louisiana Democrat was one of the top recipients of fossil fuel money this election cycle , raking in $ 113,000 in campaign donations from the oil and gas sector , Fox reported .
Ricchetti co-owned the lobbying firm Ricchetti Inc. with his brother Jeffrey Ricchetti for over 10 years .
The firm has worked with pharmaceutical companies Eli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also served as Biden ’ s chief of staff when Biden was vice president , CBS News reported .
Klain — who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations — was a lobbyist for K Street firm O ’ Melveny and Myers .
He represented Fannie Mae , a mortgage giant that used taxpayer money to buy up subprime mortgages , as well as drugmaker ImClone during the company ’ s congressional inquiry of its selective offering of “ compassionate use ” of certain drugs .
“ If Joe Biden continues making corporate-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will risk quickly fracturing the hard-earned goodwill his team built with progressives to defeat Donald Trump , ” executive director Alexandra Rojas said .
RELATED : Sarah Palin Fires Back After Obama Claims She Brought 'Dark Spirits ' to Republican Party “ A Biden administration dominated by corporate-friendly insiders like Steve Ricchetti and Cedric Richmond will not help the President-elect usher in the most progressive Democratic administration in generations.
” Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama both had policies against hiring lobbyists for their administrations but made some exceptions , Fox reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Presumptive President-elect Joe Biden has already caused infighting among the left by ignoring progressive demands and appointing former lobbyists to his senior staff.
Biden has announced last week he would appoint Ronald Klain as his chief of staff, then named Steve Ricchetti counselor to the president Tuesday, Fox News reported.
Klain and Ricchetti both previously spent time in the lobbying industry.
In between the two announcements, over 50 liberal advocacy organizations signed a letter urging Biden to keep anyone with ties to the corporate world from serving in the high levels of his administration.
“We urge you to build out an administration that is structured so as to be able to meet the historic needs of this moment — and to uphold the highest values of the Democratic Party by operating in service of the wellbeing of the general public,” the Nov. 12 letter read.
“In particular, we urge you to decline to nominate or hire corporate executives, lobbyists, and prominent corporate consultants to serve in high office.”
Klain and Ricchetti were tapped for their positions despite Biden’s transition plan banning anyone who registered as a lobbyist or foreign agent within the last year from serving, according to Fox News.
Rep. Cedric Richmond has also been picked to serve as senior adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement. The Louisiana Democrat was one of the top recipients of fossil fuel money this election cycle, raking in $113,000 in campaign donations from the oil and gas sector, Fox reported.
Ricchetti co-owned the lobbying firm Ricchetti Inc. with his brother Jeffrey Ricchetti for over 10 years. The firm has worked with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lily, Novartis and Pfizer.
Are you surprised Biden is going against progressive desires? Yes No
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He also served as Biden’s chief of staff when Biden was vice president, CBS News reported.
Klain — who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations — was a lobbyist for K Street firm O’Melveny and Myers.
He represented Fannie Mae, a mortgage giant that used taxpayer money to buy up subprime mortgages, as well as drugmaker ImClone during the company’s congressional inquiry of its selective offering of “compassionate use” of certain drugs.
Progressive organization Justice Democrats slammed Biden’s “corporate-friendly appointments” in a statement Tuesday.
“If Joe Biden continues making corporate-friendly appointments to his White House, he will risk quickly fracturing the hard-earned goodwill his team built with progressives to defeat Donald Trump,” executive director Alexandra Rojas said.
“A Biden administration dominated by corporate-friendly insiders like Steve Ricchetti and Cedric Richmond will not help the President-elect usher in the most progressive Democratic administration in generations.”
A Joe Biden administration dominated by corporate-friendly insiders will not help usher in the most progressive Democratic administration in generations. This move gives greater urgency for Joe Biden to create an Office of Climate Mobilization on Day 1 and appoint progressives. pic.twitter.com/xkSszuza1q — Justice Democrats (@justicedems) November 17, 2020
Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama both had policies against hiring lobbyists for their administrations but made some exceptions, Fox reported.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Instant Justice: Watch What Happens Right After Angry Driver Spits at and Taunts Trump Supporters

A video that has gone viral on social media shows a man apparently spitting at and then attempting to steal a flag from a supporter of President Donald Trump just before things went horribly wrong for him .
The man seemed to want to make off with a memento through his car window following a tense verbal exchange about the election , but he likely regretted the attempted Trump flag theft as he crashed his vehicle just seconds later in a humiliating fashion .
The short clip begins with a heated exchange between the Trump supporter and the man behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential hopeful Joe Biden .
“ He lost , he lost , ” the Trump supporter said to the man — an apparent reference to Biden as the still-contested presidential election has seen Trump supporters hit the streets in droves to protest the results .
The Biden supporter , from his car , can be heard on video saying , “ No , he didn ’ t. ” The man in the car then seemed to spit at the flag and attempt to grab it from the Trump supporter .
After failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed off .
However , he crashed into a streetlight a few feet away .
WARNING : The following video contains vulgar language that some might find offensive .
Taunting , of course , quickly followed .
“ That ’ s what you get !
All that hate !
” someone off-camera said to the driver .
RELATED : Watch : Anti-Trump Woman Goes Nuts While Driving by MAGA Rally , Takes Foot Off Brake Right in Front of Cops Seconds later , a police cruiser pulled up behind the car .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observer said , “ He spit on the guy.
” “ You ’ re right , ” the driver said sheepishly , acknowledging he wasn ’ t paying attention .
The officers then approached the man and talked to him while the Trump supporters enjoyed the show .
The Sun reported the video is believed to have been captured during a pro-Trump rally in Houston over the weekend .
Regardless of the location , the clip is good for a quick laugh .
Some described the man ’ s vehicle mishap as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t subscribe to the Eastern philosophy of karma , though , you could call it instant justice .
The humiliating post-attempted theft crash came as Trump supporters were being physically assaulted in Washington , D.C. , after a massive gathering to protest the projected election results as the president ’ s legal team mounts court challenges alleging voter fraud and irregularities in swing states .
Videos of those attacks are pretty disturbing .
Ironically , the car crash and the attacks on Trump supporters in the nation ’ s capital came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Biden administration would restore “ unity ” to a divided country .
Conservatives who have been attacked , threatened and even put on creepy lists by Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York are still waiting for that unity .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A video that has gone viral on social media shows a man apparently spitting at and then attempting to steal a flag from a supporter of President Donald Trump just before things went horribly wrong for him.
The man seemed to want to make off with a memento through his car window following a tense verbal exchange about the election, but he likely regretted the attempted Trump flag theft as he crashed his vehicle just seconds later in a humiliating fashion.
The short clip begins with a heated exchange between the Trump supporter and the man behind the wheel, who apparently backs Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden.
“He lost, he lost,” the Trump supporter said to the man — an apparent reference to Biden as the still-contested presidential election has seen Trump supporters hit the streets in droves to protest the results.
The Biden supporter, from his car, can be heard on video saying, “No, he didn’t.”
The Trump supporter responded, “He lost, he lost. Stupid a–hole.”
The man in the car then seemed to spit at the flag and attempt to grab it from the Trump supporter.
After failing to secure it, the driver tried to speed off.
However, he crashed into a streetlight a few feet away.
WARNING: The following video contains vulgar language that some might find offensive.
Taunting, of course, quickly followed.
“That’s what you get! All that hate!” someone off-camera said to the driver.
Seconds later, a police cruiser pulled up behind the car.
As the man exited the vehicle, one observer said, “He spit on the guy.”
“You’re right,” the driver said sheepishly, acknowledging he wasn’t paying attention.
The officers then approached the man and talked to him while the Trump supporters enjoyed the show.
The Sun reported the video is believed to have been captured during a pro-Trump rally in Houston over the weekend.
Regardless of the location, the clip is good for a quick laugh.
Some described the man’s vehicle mishap as a case of instant karma. If you don’t subscribe to the Eastern philosophy of karma, though, you could call it instant justice.
The humiliating post-attempted theft crash came as Trump supporters were being physically assaulted in Washington, D.C., after a massive gathering to protest the projected election results as the president’s legal team mounts court challenges alleging voter fraud and irregularities in swing states.
Videos of those attacks are pretty disturbing.
DC Police blocked off BLM again so Trump supporters couldn’t get through and were made to go through BLM group which then attacked them. #MillionMAGAMarch pic.twitter.com/tS7YTEe51X — Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) November 14, 2020
Young couple in DC followed by crowd of BLM-antifa thugs who hit them and throw liquid on them. #MillionMAGAMarch pic.twitter.com/Lqo4evvviK — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) November 14, 2020
Ironically, the car crash and the attacks on Trump supporters in the nation’s capital came after Democrats and the establishment media claimed a Biden administration would restore “unity” to a divided country.
Conservatives who have been attacked, threatened and even put on creepy lists by Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York are still waiting for that unity.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--COVID 1984: Joe Biden Announces His Absurd Thanksgiving Recommendations for Americans

With mayors and governors issuing edicts about Thanksgiving celebrations that are unlikely to be followed , it ’ s good to see that the presumptive president-elect is getting on with it , too .
During the question-and-answer portion of a speech delivered Monday in Delaware ostensibly focused on the economy , Joe Biden said he would “ suggest five people , maximum 10 people ” who have previously quarantined attend Thanksgiving celebrations so “ that we ’ re able to be together next Thanksgiving , next Christmas.
” “ Let me tell you what the health experts have said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I ’ m unique and president-elect , ” Biden said in response to a question about what his message would be to those who were going to be celebrating Thanksgiving .
“ They strongly urge that if in fact we ’ re going to have Thanksgiving with anyone , that we limit it to a maximum , maximum , they suggest five people , maximum 10 people , socially distanced , wearing masks .
And people who have quarantined.
” “ Jill and I spent this morning , like many of you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are we going to do for Thanksgiving ?
How are we going to do it ?
’ And we ’ ve narrowed down which family members , and that they were tested , recently tested , within 24 hours .
“ And so I would strongly urge for the sake , not just your sake , for the sake of your children , your mother , your father , your sisters , your brothers , whoever you get together with at Thanksgiving , think about this .
There should be no group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I mean , inside the homes .
That ’ s what they ’ re telling me.
” And this was all about saving lives : “ And so , look , I just want to make sure that we ’ re able to be together next Thanksgiving , next Christmas .
It is an international crisis .
It ’ s an international health crisis .
And the idea , we ’ re at war with a virus .
And it is , we ’ re at war , for real.
” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about not wearing a mask , ” noting that “ I have the more potent mask behind this one , I took it off when I came out here , I wear it inside this ” and that “ to be masked saves lives.
” The former vice president was referring to his habit of wearing an N95 mask under a regular mask — something that may be great messaging for his brand but has no demonstrated scientific benefit whatsoever .
Biden is hardly the first politician to call for stringent constraints on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people calling for similar restrictions , however , his remarks don ’ t have the force of law .
In California , authorities announced that gatherings mustn ’ t be composed of any more than three households , with members of different households sitting six feet apart .
In so-called “ purple-tier ” counties — those worst hit by the virus — gatherings must be held outdoors .
One problem is that , as of Monday , 94 percent of California ’ s population was under the purple-tier restrictions .
According to Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ emergency brake ” on the state ’ s economy , saying that the case surge was “ simply without precedent in California ’ s pandemic history.
” Another problem is that Gov .
Newsom is awfully good at delegitimizing his own advice .
Just ten days before he pulled an “ emergency brake ” on gatherings , according to the San Francisco Chronicle , Newsom attended the birthday party of a close adviser with more than three households present .
The party was at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which didn ’ t include eateries .
Newsom claims he didn ’ t know how many people would be at the party and said that he “ made a bad mistake.
” Several mayors whose cities saw large celebrations when the establishment media called the election for Joe Biden have also issued bans on gatherings or have implored residents not to have them .
In New York City , Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio said his constituents shouldn ’ t have “ big indoor gatherings , big meals together ” during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just two days after this scene in Times Square : Yes , this was outdoors — but given that Times Square isn ’ t known as a residential area , you wonder how many of these individuals got there via the subway , buses or Ubers .
In Chicago , Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s administration isn ’ t allowing gatherings of more than 10 , either indoors or outdoors , telling residents they “ must cancel the normal Thanksgiving plans.
” Here ’ s her at an outdoor pro-Biden celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 people ) just days before she issued the advisory : For whatever it ’ s worth , Biden never waded out into these celebrations himself — although he never discouraged them , either .
Even if Biden ’ s pronouncements don ’ t have the force of law , they ’ re still more outré than what we ’ ve seen before .
Remember , these aren ’ t supposed to be “ because I ’ m unique and president-elect.
” Biden says that we should ideally only have five people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masked , have quarantined and have been tested within the past 24 hours .
He says that ’ s “ what the health experts have said to me ; ” he doesn ’ t name these health experts .
But there ’ s the rub : I ’ m sure this is all very doable when you ’ re unique and the presumptive president-elect .
For the rest of us , this isn ’ t feasible — which means those innominate health experts say we shouldn ’ t be doing anything at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who hasn ’ t adjusted their Thanksgiving plans due to COVID-19 .
To the extent there are voices on social media insisting they ’ re going to be doing things just the way they ’ ve always done them , they ’ re usually saying it as a rejoinder to rhetoric like Biden ’ s , yet again proof there isn ’ t a liberal alive who understands the natural human response to having one ’ s life micromanaged .
As proof , I ’ d offer what happened on the Fourth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all fireworks and canceled outdoor fireworks celebrations for fear of causing a super-spreader event : Instead of people adjusting their behavior accordingly , particularly if they were in an at-risk group or in contact with those who were , people were stripped of agency and then reflexively took that agency back .
Biden ’ s remarks are a symptom of a strain of liberalism that refuses to learn from this — or any other — lesson about human nature that COVID-19 has revealed .
However this ends , I guarantee it won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet away from each other , Zooming with the rest of the family and trying to figure out how to get bites of cranberry sauce under their two masks , all because Uncle Joe told them to .
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With mayors and governors issuing edicts about Thanksgiving celebrations that are unlikely to be followed, it’s good to see that the presumptive president-elect is getting on with it, too.
During the question-and-answer portion of a speech delivered Monday in Delaware ostensibly focused on the economy, Joe Biden said he would “suggest five people, maximum 10 people” who have previously quarantined attend Thanksgiving celebrations so “that we’re able to be together next Thanksgiving, next Christmas.”
“Let me tell you what the health experts have said to me. And it’s not because I’m unique and president-elect,” Biden said in response to a question about what his message would be to those who were going to be celebrating Thanksgiving.
“They strongly urge that if in fact we’re going to have Thanksgiving with anyone, that we limit it to a maximum, maximum, they suggest five people, maximum 10 people, socially distanced, wearing masks. And people who have quarantined.”
“Jill and I spent this morning, like many of you, trying to figure out, ‘What are we going to do for Thanksgiving? How are we going to do it?’ And we’ve narrowed down which family members, and that they were tested, recently tested, within 24 hours.
“And so I would strongly urge for the sake, not just your sake, for the sake of your children, your mother, your father, your sisters, your brothers, whoever you get together with at Thanksgiving, think about this. There should be no group more than 10 people in one room, I mean, inside the homes. That’s what they’re telling me.”
And this was all about saving lives: “And so, look, I just want to make sure that we’re able to be together next Thanksgiving, next Christmas. It is an international crisis. It’s an international health crisis. And the idea, we’re at war with a virus. And it is, we’re at war, for real.”
Biden added that there was “nothing macho about not wearing a mask,” noting that “I have the more potent mask behind this one, I took it off when I came out here, I wear it inside this” and that “to be masked saves lives.”
Should Thanksgiving be severely curtailed this year? 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: 11% (12 Votes) No: 89% (101 Votes)
The former vice president was referring to his habit of wearing an N95 mask under a regular mask — something that may be great messaging for his brand but has no demonstrated scientific benefit whatsoever.
Biden is hardly the first politician to call for stringent constraints on holiday celebrations. Unlike most of the people calling for similar restrictions, however, his remarks don’t have the force of law.
In California, authorities announced that gatherings mustn’t be composed of any more than three households, with members of different households sitting six feet apart. In so-called “purple-tier” counties — those worst hit by the virus — gatherings must be held outdoors.
One problem is that, as of Monday, 94 percent of California’s population was under the purple-tier restrictions. According to Politico, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom pulled an “emergency brake” on the state’s economy, saying that the case surge was “simply without precedent in California’s pandemic history.”
Another problem is that Gov. Newsom is awfully good at delegitimizing his own advice. Just ten days before he pulled an “emergency brake” on gatherings, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsom attended the birthday party of a close adviser with more than three households present. The party was at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant, meaning it was technically legal under the guidelines, which didn’t include eateries.
Newsom claims he didn’t know how many people would be at the party and said that he “made a bad mistake.”
Several mayors whose cities saw large celebrations when the establishment media called the election for Joe Biden have also issued bans on gatherings or have implored residents not to have them.
In New York City, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio said his constituents shouldn’t have “big indoor gatherings, big meals together” during the holidays. This was on Nov. 9, just two days after this scene in Times Square:
Yes, this was outdoors — but given that Times Square isn’t known as a residential area, you wonder how many of these individuals got there via the subway, buses or Ubers.
In Chicago, Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration isn’t allowing gatherings of more than 10, either indoors or outdoors, telling residents they “must cancel the normal Thanksgiving plans.”
Here’s her at an outdoor pro-Biden celebration (which seems to involve more than 10 people) just days before she issued the advisory:
This is a great day for our city and our country. We are taking our democracy back. #BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/OAZQPd1r4y — Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) November 8, 2020
For whatever it’s worth, Biden never waded out into these celebrations himself — although he never discouraged them, either.
Even if Biden’s pronouncements don’t have the force of law, they’re still more outré than what we’ve seen before.
Remember, these aren’t supposed to be “because I’m unique and president-elect.” Biden says that we should ideally only have five people at a gathering, all of whom are masked, have quarantined and have been tested within the past 24 hours. He says that’s “what the health experts have said to me;” he doesn’t name these health experts.
But there’s the rub: I’m sure this is all very doable when you’re unique and the presumptive president-elect. For the rest of us, this isn’t feasible — which means those innominate health experts say we shouldn’t be doing anything at all.
I’m unaware of anyone who hasn’t adjusted their Thanksgiving plans due to COVID-19.
To the extent there are voices on social media insisting they’re going to be doing things just the way they’ve always done them, they’re usually saying it as a rejoinder to rhetoric like Biden’s, yet again proof there isn’t a liberal alive who understands the natural human response to having one’s life micromanaged.
As proof, I’d offer what happened on the Fourth of July in Los Angeles after authorities banned all fireworks and canceled outdoor fireworks celebrations for fear of causing a super-spreader event:
Los Angeles residents defy fireworks ban, light up sky citywide on 4th of July https://t.co/7zXSFlOnL2 pic.twitter.com/eU9rL9UroQ — Disrn (@DisrnNews) July 5, 2020
Instead of people adjusting their behavior accordingly, particularly if they were in an at-risk group or in contact with those who were, people were stripped of agency and then reflexively took that agency back.
Biden’s remarks are a symptom of a strain of liberalism that refuses to learn from this — or any other — lesson about human nature that COVID-19 has revealed.
However this ends, I guarantee it won’t be with five people sitting six feet away from each other, Zooming with the rest of the family and trying to figure out how to get bites of cranberry sauce under their two masks, all because Uncle Joe told them to.
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Explosive Voter Fraud Charge: 8,000 Fraudulent Voter Registration Applications in LA County from 2 M

Explosive Voter Fraud Charge: 8,000 Fraudulent Voter Registration Applications in LA County from 2 Men

As America grapples with concerns over fraud in its elections , a California case illustrates the extent to which some have been accused of trying to corrupt the system .
In this case , two men are accused of submitting more than 8,000 fradulent voter registration applications in Hawthorne , California , according to the criminal complaint against them .
In a 41-count criminal complaint , Carlos Antonio De Bourbon Montenegro , 53 , and Marcos Raul Arevalo , 34 , were charged with voter fraud after allegedly cooking up a scheme to try to register 8,000 “ fictitious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent mail-in ballots , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The men submitted “ thousands of fraudulent voter registration applications on behalf of homeless people , ” according to a Los Angeles County District Attorney ’ s Office news release .
The goal of the effort was to get Montenegro elected mayor of Hawthorne , according to the complaint , which alleged the two men “ worked with another person and persons whose identity is unknown.
” As the ballot applications began to flow between July and October , they raised the suspicions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , L.A. County ’ s top election official .
As a result , although at least 29 ballots were actually sent out as part of the scheme , none were counted , he said .
While some politicians and pundits have alleged voter fraud on a large scale in the 2020 election , there is no proof of widespread malfeasance that affected the results .
Montenegro was also charged with falsifying names , addresses and signatures on nomination papers to run for mayor .
“ What this does is it illustrates that election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country take these issues very seriously , ” Logan said .
The vastness of the alleged scheme in a relatively small city also raised a red flag .
The 86,000-person community has about 44,000 registered voters , the Times reported , citing the L.A. County Registrar ’ s office .
Not only did a 20 percent spike in voters make officials take notice , but the applications contained Social Security numbers that were often either identical or similar , and many used the same address , which was that of Montenegro ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracked where those voter registration forms were coming from and we notified the [ California ] Secretary of State and the district attorney ’ s office , ” Logan said .
“ I think that this is an example of how the system is supposed to work , that if you see something and something is suspect , you report it and we investigate it , ” he added .
“ In this case , it was stopped before any harm to the election could happen.
” Both men have been charged “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud , eight counts of voter fraud , four counts of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument and four misdemeanor counts of interference with a prompt transfer of a completed affidavit , ” according to the district attorney ’ s office news release .
“ Montenegro faces an additional 10 counts of voter fraud , seven counts of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument , two counts of perjury and five misdemeanor counts of interference with a prompt transfer of a completed affidavit.
” If convicted on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years and eight months in state prison , while Arevalo could spend up to seven years behind bars .
Did you know that The Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English , for international audiences ?
Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español !
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As America grapples with concerns over fraud in its elections, a California case illustrates the extent to which some have been accused of trying to corrupt the system.
In this case, two men are accused of submitting more than 8,000 fradulent voter registration applications in Hawthorne, California, according to the criminal complaint against them.
In a 41-count criminal complaint, Carlos Antonio De Bourbon Montenegro, 53, and Marcos Raul Arevalo, 34, were charged with voter fraud after allegedly cooking up a scheme to try to register 8,000 “fictitious, nonexistent or deceased” voters to be sent mail-in ballots, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The men submitted “thousands of fraudulent voter registration applications on behalf of homeless people,” according to a Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office news release.
The goal of the effort was to get Montenegro elected mayor of Hawthorne, according to the complaint, which alleged the two men “worked with another person and persons whose identity is unknown.”
As the ballot applications began to flow between July and October, they raised the suspicions of elections workers, said Dean Logan, L.A. County’s top election official.
As a result, although at least 29 ballots were actually sent out as part of the scheme, none were counted, he said. While some politicians and pundits have alleged voter fraud on a large scale in the 2020 election, there is no proof of widespread malfeasance that affected the results.
Montenegro was also charged with falsifying names, addresses and signatures on nomination papers to run for mayor.
“What this does is it illustrates that election officials here as well as across the country take these issues very seriously,” Logan said.
Do you think the 2020 election results were skewed by voter fraud? 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% (3002 Votes) No: 1% (20 Votes)
The vastness of the alleged scheme in a relatively small city also raised a red flag. The 86,000-person community has about 44,000 registered voters, the Times reported, citing the L.A. County Registrar’s office.
Not only did a 20 percent spike in voters make officials take notice, but the applications contained Social Security numbers that were often either identical or similar, and many used the same address, which was that of Montenegro’s home, authorities said.
“We tracked where those voter registration forms were coming from and we notified the [California] Secretary of State and the district attorney’s office,” Logan said.
“I think that this is an example of how the system is supposed to work, that if you see something and something is suspect, you report it and we investigate it,” he added.
“In this case, it was stopped before any harm to the election could happen.”
Both men have been charged “with one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud, eight counts of voter fraud, four counts of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument and four misdemeanor counts of interference with a prompt transfer of a completed affidavit,” according to the district attorney’s office news release.
“Montenegro faces an additional 10 counts of voter fraud, seven counts of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, two counts of perjury and five misdemeanor counts of interference with a prompt transfer of a completed affidavit.”
If convicted on all charges, Montenegro could spend up to 15 years and eight months in state prison, while Arevalo could spend up to seven years behind bars.
Did you know that The Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English, for international audiences? Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español!
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westernjournal--2020-11-18--Leftists Already Pushing Biden To Disband Space Force

If the far-left wing of the Democratic Party gets its way , the Space Force will come crashing down .
“ Nearly three dozen progressive groups have appealed to President-elect Joe Biden to fold up the new Space Force and cancel major weapons , impose a cap on private contractors , and prohibit lobbyists from filling top Pentagon positions , according to a detailed blueprint sent to the transition team , ” Politico reported Tuesday .
SpaceNews , which also obtained the memo , reported that “ a group of progressive and anti-war organizations ” labeled the Space Force — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ unnecessary bureaucracy that costs $ 16 billion in 2021 ” that has its focus on “ militarization rather than cooperation in space.
” The outlet noted that the $ 16 billion Space Force budget was taken from the existing Air Force budget .
Sarah Mineiro , an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security , pointed out that the Space Force was formed in legislation approved by a Democrat-led House majority .
“ Support for Space Force has been both bipartisan and bicameral and is unlikely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of progressives , ” she told Space News .
“ Surely the Biden administration will have more pressing legislative priorities than this in the context of COVID , the economy , and domestic priorities , ” Mineiro said .
She derided the progressives ’ memo as an “ obligatory wish list.
” “ Necessary public messaging but impractical for implementation , ” Mineiro said .
Others also said any attempt to end the Space Force is unlikely to succeed .
“ If Space Force did not already exist , I think Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , I think it ’ s pretty unlikely that Biden would seriously try to eliminate Space Force at this point , ” David Burbach , associate professor of national security affairs at the U.S .
Naval War College , told SpaceNews .
Joshua Huminski , director of the Mike Rogers Center for Intelligence and Global Affairs ’ National Security Space Program , said regardless of how Biden feels about the Space Force , the idea preceded Trump .
“ I think the important thing to consider is that the intellectual foundation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump — the need for a separate culture , space as a warfighting domain , and the threat from Russia and China on orbit , ” Huminski said .
“ That foundation , those needs , and the mission and threat will continue on and perhaps accelerate into President Biden ’ s administration , so you may see more constancy than immediate change.
” “ President Biden can set the tone , for sure , but Congress will ultimately have the final say , ” he said .
RELATED : Trump To Bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq in a Matter of Months Todd Harrison , director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic & International Studies , told Military.com that space might not be a Biden priority as it was with Trump .
“ Whereas under the Trump administration , national security space , commercial space and civil space , were getting a lot of high-level attention — in some cases , maybe some micromanagement — now , [ these entities ] will largely be left to their own devices , ” he said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major talking point , the Space Force will remain , he said .
“ A new administration can ’ t just get rid of a military service anymore than President Trump could just create a new military service on his own — it takes an act of Congress , ” Harrison said .
Michèle Flournoy , a former undersecretary of defense for policy , said space deserves its own focus for sound defense reasons .
“ Space is changing so dramatically based on what the Chinese are investing in , what the Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had to take some steps to make this a true profession of arms , ” she said in September .
“ We need to focus on growing a professional cadre of space thinkers , concept developers , writers , technologists and get on with really understanding how we ’ re going to operate and defend [ U.S. assets ] in space , ” Flournoy said .
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If the far-left wing of the Democratic Party gets its way, the Space Force will come crashing down.
“Nearly three dozen progressive groups have appealed to President-elect Joe Biden to fold up the new Space Force and cancel major weapons, impose a cap on private contractors, and prohibit lobbyists from filling top Pentagon positions, according to a detailed blueprint sent to the transition team,” Politico reported Tuesday.
SpaceNews, which also obtained the memo, reported that “a group of progressive and anti-war organizations” labeled the Space Force — created under President Donald Trump — as an “unnecessary bureaucracy that costs $16 billion in 2021” that has its focus on “militarization rather than cooperation in space.”
The outlet noted that the $16 billion Space Force budget was taken from the existing Air Force budget.
Sarah Mineiro, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, pointed out that the Space Force was formed in legislation approved by a Democrat-led House majority.
“Support for Space Force has been both bipartisan and bicameral and is unlikely to be eroded by the demands of this group of progressives,” she told Space News.
“Surely the Biden administration will have more pressing legislative priorities than this in the context of COVID, the economy, and domestic priorities,” Mineiro said.
She derided the progressives’ memo as an “obligatory wish list.”
“Necessary public messaging but impractical for implementation,” Mineiro said.
Do you think the Space Force should be disbanded? 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: 3% (5 Votes) No: 97% (193 Votes)
Others also said any attempt to end the Space Force is unlikely to succeed.
“If Space Force did not already exist, I think Joe Biden probably would not create it. However, I think it’s pretty unlikely that Biden would seriously try to eliminate Space Force at this point,” David Burbach, associate professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, told SpaceNews.
Joshua Huminski, director of the Mike Rogers Center for Intelligence and Global Affairs’ National Security Space Program, said regardless of how Biden feels about the Space Force, the idea preceded Trump.
“I think the important thing to consider is that the intellectual foundation of the Space Force existed well before President Trump — the need for a separate culture, space as a warfighting domain, and the threat from Russia and China on orbit,” Huminski said. “That foundation, those needs, and the mission and threat will continue on and perhaps accelerate into President Biden’s administration, so you may see more constancy than immediate change.”
“President Biden can set the tone, for sure, but Congress will ultimately have the final say,” he said.
Todd Harrison, director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, told Military.com that space might not be a Biden priority as it was with Trump.
“Whereas under the Trump administration, national security space, commercial space and civil space, were getting a lot of high-level attention — in some cases, maybe some micromanagement — now, [these entities] will largely be left to their own devices,” he said.
But even if it is no longer a major talking point, the Space Force will remain, he said.
“A new administration can’t just get rid of a military service anymore than President Trump could just create a new military service on his own — it takes an act of Congress,” Harrison said.
Michèle Flournoy, a former undersecretary of defense for policy, said space deserves its own focus for sound defense reasons.
“Space is changing so dramatically based on what the Chinese are investing in, what the Russians are investing in … that I think we had to take some steps to make this a true profession of arms,” she said in September.
“We need to focus on growing a professional cadre of space thinkers, concept developers, writers, technologists and get on with really understanding how we’re going to operate and defend [U.S. assets] in space,” Flournoy said.
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