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SHE STILL WANTS TO SANCTION ISRAEL THOUGH … `` lhan Omar accuses Trump of ‘ economic warfare ' for threatening sanctions on Iran , '' via EXAMINER : `` This makes no sense .
Sanctions are economic warfare , '' the Minnesota Democrat said Wednesday on Twitter .
`` They have already caused medical shortages and countless deaths in Iran .
You can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new sanctions with no clear goal .
This is not a measured response ! ''
AND GIGGLES WAY THROUGH BRIEFING … `` Ilhan Omar Says Iran Tensions Are Triggering Her PTSD , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) said Wednesday that discussions about military tensions between Iran and the United States were triggering her post-traumatic stress disorder … Omar 's PTSD did not appear to affect her behavior later in the Wednesday press conference .
She was seen laughing and talking in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. , Tex . )
spoke about casualties during the Iraq War .
`` Absolutely disgusting , '' tweeted GOP rapid response director Steve Guest .
JAILBREAK … `` He Helped Torture and Murder a Child , Now PA Dems Want Him Eligible for Parole , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : In August 1996 , 13-year-old Richezza Williams was found dead in a Pennsylvania cemetery , her burned and beaten body dumped in a cardboard box after she was tortured with household items , including a heated clothes hanger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baster .
Corey Maeweather admitted to authorities that he participated in the brutal crime , appearing `` void of emotion '' in a video as he described the victim 's screams and cries for help … More than two decades later , top Democrats are seeking to ease the process for criminals like Maeweather to walk free .
THE TEEPEE IS SHRINKING … `` How Elizabeth Warren Is Being Squeezed by the Left and Center , '' via NYT : It was part of a quiet recognition among her advisers and surrogates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses , Ms. Warren is being damaged by criticism and pressure from both moderates and liberals within the Democratic Party , whose doubts about her have fueled concerns about her ability to win .
These worries have also filtered down to voters , who , in more than two dozen interviews during Ms. Warren ’ s two most recent trips to Iowa , have expressed a growing fear that her candidacy is neither satisfying nor uniting the political factions in the party .
TOOLS OF TEHRAN … `` Warren , Sanders Hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo and David Rutz : Elizabeth Warren ’ s and Bernie Sanders ’ s willingness to engage with NIAC—a group that aggressively pushed the [ Iran nuclear ] accord and has strongly advocated against U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic—reflects their desire to see America reenter the nuclear deal , which released up to $ 150 billion in cash to the regime .
Much of that money has gone to fund Iran 's regional terror operations , including recent attacks on American personnel stationed in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime , including senior officials like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif .
Zarif worked closely with NIAC founder Trita Parsi , who , in turn , consulted with the Obama administration .
CRY MORE , LIB … `` Harvey Weinstein Wants A New Judge After He Was Scolded For Using His Cell Phone In Court , '' via BUZZFEED : Weinstein ’ s lawyer Arthur Aidala argued that by admonishing Weinstein for his cell phone use , Judge James Burke `` created a situation in which the Court ’ s ‘ impartiality might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York State ’ s Rule of Judicial Conduct . ''
On Tuesday , Burke threatened to send Weinstein to jail for using his cell phone in court .
DETERRENCE WORKS … `` Trump says Iran ‘ appears to be standing down , ' vows new sanctions , '' via NBC NEWS : In a 10-minute White House speech , [ President ] Trump vowed to keep up the pressure on Iran with `` punishing '' new sanctions on top of the heavy economic restraints already in place , but didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking any additional military action in response … Trump made the comments in an address to the nation Wednesday from the White House less than a day after Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi air bases housing U.S. and coalition forces in retaliation for the killing of a top general .
RELATED … An MSNBC guest complains Trump is `` not graceful in victory . ''
AMERICAN BRINGS DOWN THE CROWN … `` Queen ’ s Shock as Harry and Meghan Quit ‘ Senior Royal ’ Roles—and Prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DAILY BEAST : Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the queen and the world by announcing they were `` stepping back '' as senior members of the royal family , with a view to splitting their time between the U.K. and North America—most likely Canada … Buckingham Palace was said to be `` disappointed '' by the announcement , according to BBC reporter Jonny Dymond .
No other member of the royal family was consulted prior to the announcement being made , he said .
THE VIEW FROM THE REICH … `` Joy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Kugle : Behar read [ Richard ] Spencer 's tweet renouncing his prior support for [ President ] Trump in reaction to Trump 's decision to eliminate Iranian terrorist leader Qassem Soleimani .
`` Wow , '' Behar said , as the audience applauded .
`` That 's big , that 's interesting . ''
TEEN VOGUE WITH ALL THE HOT NEW TRICKS TO PLEASE YOUR CORPORATE SPONSOR … `` An uncritical Teen Vogue story about Facebook caused bewilderment about whether it 's sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' via BI : An uncritical story in Teen Vogue about Facebook 's efforts to secure its social network ahead of the 2020 election caused bewilderment over contradictory messages about whether it was paid for by Facebook—before it just disappeared completely … Teen Vogue , meanwhile , did n't have answers either .
Spokespeople for the magazine did n't immediately respond to Business Insider 's request for comment , and an employee with access to its official Twitter account responded with befuddlement to an inquiry in a now deleted tweet : `` literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` NYT Reporter : In Iran , Soleimani ’ s Death Is Like MLK ’ s Death in America , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : New York Times reporter Farnaz Fassihi compared the mourning in Iran over the death of Qassem Soleimani to America 's reaction to the death of Martin Luther King Jr. during Tuesday 's episode of the podcast `` The Daily '' … She added that she spoke to a 22-year-old university student at the funeral who said `` knowing General Soleimani was out there '' made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TIME FOR TRIPS TO SUBWAY !
… `` Jussie Smollett not returning to ‘ Empire ’ after alleged hate-crime hoax , '' via PAGE SIX : Jussie Smollett will never return to his hit TV show `` Empire '' —because the scandal of his alleged hate-crime hoax would `` overshadow '' the show which is `` bigger than him , '' a network boss has confirmed … It was ultimately decided that the actor ’ s scandal—in which he was accused of making up an attack in Chicago in which a noose was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is MAGA country !
`` —would be too damaging .
TAKE TWO … `` National Park Replaces Signs Predicting Disappearance of Glaciers By 2020 , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Kugle : The signs were posted in the Montana park a decade ago because , at the time , climate change forecasts predicted the glaciers would be completely melted by 2020 … The new signs will still warn visitors that the glaciers are disappearing but wo n't offer an expected deadline this time .
BILLIONAIRE RENTS WOULD-BE GOVERNOR … `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Abrams will host Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg ( net worth : at least $ 50 billion ) at a voting rights summit in Atlanta on Friday .
The invite-only event is being organized by Fair Fight , the political action committee Abrams started after her failed gubernatorial run in 2018 .
Bloomberg , who contributed $ 500,000 to Abrams 's failed campaign , donated $ 5 million to Fair Fight in December … Bloomberg , who has appeared in photographs with many of the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has faced criticism for using prison labor to make phone calls on behalf of his presidential campaign .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,124 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
MENSHEVIKS PREPARE FOR LAST STAND … "Democratic Leaders Willing to Risk Party Damage to Stop Bernie Sanders," via NYT: Since Mr. Sanders’s victory in Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, the Times has interviewed 93 party officials—all of them superdelegates … and found overwhelming opposition to handing the Vermont senator the nomination if he arrived with the most delegates but fell short of a majority …
Since Mr. Sanders won Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, four donors have approached former representative Steve Israel of New York to ask if he can suggest someone to run a super PAC aimed at blocking Mr. Sanders. He declined their offer.
THE NEW NEW DEMOCRATS … "2020 Dem Plans Reflect Party of the ‘Professional Class’," by WFB’s Charles Fain Lehman: The [Manhattan Institute] report examines the distributive impacts of major proposals, including Medicare for All, student debt forgiveness, and the repeal of key components of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It argues that while Democratic candidates talk big about supporting workers and the poor, these programs primarily serve the interests of the wealthy …
Long branded as representatives of the working class, the Democratic Party has come to appeal primarily to the college-educated, often affluent residents of urban America, data indicate.
MIKE GOT IT DONE … "Bloomberg Locked Up Nearly Half a Million People on Marijuana Charges," by WFB’s Yuichiro Kakutani: The administrations of [Michael] Bloomberg's three predecessors … collectively arrested 226,000 people, or 25 people daily, for the same charge over a 24-year period between 1978 and 2001. During Bloomberg's tenure, approximately 471,000 people were arrested on possession charges …
The possession arrests for Bloomberg's tenure peaked in 2011 when the police hauled in more than 50,000 New Yorkers.
DOWNLOAD UNAVAILABLE IN WISCONSIN … "Coming to a podcast near you: Hillary Clinton," via POLITICO: The former first lady, secretary of State, and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee is planning to launch a new audio program in late spring, just in time for her to have a powerful new megaphone during the 2020 election …
Clinton’s show will feature her in conversation with a brand-name guest, who might be drawn from world leaders and politicians, of course, but also celebrities, authors and perhaps famous chefs.
BOOK THROWN … "Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh sentenced to 3 years for ‘Healthy Holly’ children’s book fraud scheme," via BALTIMORE SUN: [Pugh] told reporters: "This is not the last you’ll see of Catherine Pugh" …
Pugh’s political fall began in March when the Baltimore Sun revealed she had entered into a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh sat on the board of directors, to buy 100,000 copies of her sloppily self-published "Healthy Holly" books for $500,000.
YANG HOLDS OUT FOR BETTER OFFER … "Michael Bloomberg’s Campaign Sought Andrew Yang’s Backing, Floated Vice- Presidential Slot," via WSJ: Aides to the former New York City mayor reached out to discuss ways the two entrepreneurs-turned-politicians could work together as Mr. Bloomberg seeks the Democratic nomination, these people said.
Mr. Yang, who dropped out of the race earlier this month, didn’t commit to join forces, as he considers his own political future, a third person familiar with the discussions said.
NO SURRENDER … "Congressional Republicans Warn Trump Against Inking Peace Deal With Taliban," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: The lawmakers … are demanding they receive assurances the administration "will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban" …
The lawmakers are also demanding the release of so-called secret annexes in the draft agreement that they claim establish a set of unknown side deals with the Taliban, a move reminiscent of the Obama administration's secret agreements with Iran when the Iran nuclear deal was being negotiated.
TEHRAN MARY … "Iran Vice President Is One of 7 Officials to Contract Coronavirus," via NYT: The disclosure came a day after a cabinet meeting in which she was in close contact with other government leaders, including [Hassan] Rouhani. A photo posted by a BBC Persia reporter on Twitter showed she had been sitting a few yards from the president.
[Masoumeh] Ebtekar, one of four vice presidents, was known to Americans as "Mary" during the Tehran hostage crisis four decades ago, when, as a young revolutionary, she was a spokeswoman for the captors of the 52 Americans held at the United States Embassy.
PICTURE OF COWARDICE … "Sony World Photography Awards Removes Hong Kong Protest Images," via HYPERALLERGIC: Since pro-democracy protests prompted by the Hong Kong government’s now-scrapped extradition bill erupted across the city in spring 2019, China has tightened its grip on the media …
Now, some speculate WPO yielded to pressure from China to take down the photographs, especially because other entries featuring arguably graphic or politically sensitive content have not faced a similar fate in past competitions.
THE REAL VICTIMS … "Mark Halperin Says Murderers Are Treated More Fairly Than Canceled People," via MOTHER JONES: "I haven’t had a job interview in two years," Halperin said, adding that he has applied to work at restaurants and Target, trying to get health insurance for his three-year-old son …
When [asked to] differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate ways that he had been held accountable for his behavior … he said victims deserve "top priority" but complained again that there isn’t a mechanism for reintegrating canceled people.
THIS IS CNN … "Sasse Criticizes CNN for Referring to a Baby as a ‘Fetus That Was Born’," via CNN: "The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is about babies who have already been born," [Sen. Ben] Sasse said to the Washington Free Beacon. "I’m glad CNN finally made the correction, but there’s no reason this needed to take two days. Planned Parenthood desperately wants to misrepresent this bipartisan, pro-babies bill, and unfortunately too many reporters have bought their spin hook, line, and sinker."
PUNK IS DEAD … "Billy Idol is helping de Blasio take on idling cars in new campaign," via NY POST: Billy Idol has a new Rebel Yell: helping Mayor Bill de Blasio fight fume-spewing vehicles that idle on Big Apple streets …
The campaign will also publicize the city’s 2018 "Citizens Air Complaint Program," where individuals who see a bus or delivery truck idling for longer than four minutes can file a complaint and collect a 25 percent bounty off the fine, worth $87.50.
"The First Postmodern Pandemic," via WFB’s Matthew Continetti: We were better off when the media focused on impeachment. Now that it is interested in coronavirus, a familiar pattern will set in. Data will be publicized without the slightest sense of proportion. The most outrageous scenarios will receive the most attention. Speculation will be paraded as fact …
The Washington Post transcribes Democratic Party talking points when it suggests Vice President Mike Pence is incapable of overseeing the government's efforts because he opposes needle-sharing programs. Among the reasons [President Donald] Trump is said to have weakened public health? He defunded Planned Parenthood.
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--‘No Zionists’ and ‘No Straights’: Tweets From Teacher Rattle Elite New York City School

As anti-Semitic attacks proliferate across New York City , the social media postings of one outspoken teacher at an elite Bronx private school are raising fresh concerns among Jewish parents and students .
`` Making latkes tonight for my birthday and channukah [ sic ] , text me if you want to come over , no Zionists , '' J.B. Brager , a history teacher at the prestigious Ethical Culture Fieldston School , tweeted on Dec. 20 .
That posting and others singling out straight individuals for criticism and portraying Israel as a genocidal aggressor in its conflict with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students and parents , particularly given that Brager is slated to teach an elective history course titled `` Nazi Germany and the Holocaust '' later this month .
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School , founded by progressive Jews in the late 19th century , has grappled with accusations of anti-Semitism in recent years .
Among other issues , the school organizes students into ethnic and racial `` affinity groups '' starting in the third grade but has firmly refused to establish a Jewish affinity group , a Fieldston parent told the Washington Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perception among parents that administrators at the avowedly progressive school do not consider Jews a minority worthy of recognition , understanding , or protection .
The school ’ s treatment of Jewish issues has come under increasing scrutiny as a wave of anti-Semitic attacks have set New Yorkers on edge .
On Wednesday , congressmen Josh Gottheimer ( D. , N.J. ) and Max Rose ( D. , N.Y. ) condemned recent remarks delivered at a Fieldston assembly , where a guest speaker argued that Holocaust survivors living in Israel are guilty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments by A. Kayum Ahmed , a top officer at George Soros 's Open Society Foundations , drew condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League and left many in the community concerned about the school ’ s direction .
`` There should be no place in our national discourse for hate-filled speech targeting any group , '' Gottheimer and Rose wrote in a letter to Fieldston ’ s head of school and principal .
`` As Jewish Members of Congress dedicated to combatting anti-Semitism , we would like to understand how such a speaker could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what steps the school has taken to hold those responsible accountable , how the school has communicated to students and parents that such rhetoric is unacceptable , and how ECFS will implement processes to prevent future incidents . ''
In the wake of the assembly , Brager , who identifies as Jewish , defended Ahmed ’ s remarks in a series of tweets , writing , `` I refuse to ‘ reaffirm the value ’ of ethno-nationalist settler colonialism . ''
After the school sent a letter to students and parents calling Ahmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Brager tweeted , apparently in reference to the letter , `` I have never been more disappointed in my employer than I am today and have never been closer to quitting . ''
Abraham Cooper , the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center , told the Free Beacon that Brager ’ s rhetoric is particularly troublesome for a teacher of history .
`` The big lie is ‘ Israel apartheid ' , ‘ Israel Nazi . '
However a person reaches that world view , even if they 're Jewish , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , '' Cooper said .
`` The school has to do something , and if they do n't , the parents may vote with their feet .
You do n't have to put up with that crap .
Not in America and not when all the leaders here say they 're serious about fighting anti-Semitism . ''
Fieldston and Brager did not respond to repeated requests for comment .
Brager ’ s Twitter account was locked after the Free Beacon began seeking comment .
Brager , who uses the pronoun `` they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland in 2010 with a degree in American Studies , according to a C.V. posted online .
Brager received a Ph.D. in women ’ s and gender studies from Rutgers University in 2018 .
Brager began as a teacher at Fieldston last year and has maintained an active social media presence on both Instagram and Twitter .
Parents and students speaking to the Free Beacon on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal by school administrators , particularly as it relates to the cutthroat college admission process , said Brager ’ s provocations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intense interest in the community .
In addition to `` Nazi Germany and the Holocaust , '' Brager has taught a required high school course on U.S. history before 1940 , a subject on which Brager has also been outspoken .
`` It ’ s still Native American Heritage month , because oh wait , America is a violent fiction and its ‘ founders ’ were genocidal criminals , '' Brager tweeted in November .
Parents who spoke with the Free Beacon expressed concern that the school itself has not placed any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is appropriate for teachers , particularly given that the vast majority of high school students now have access to social media .
Others said the sort of public remarks Brager has made about Jews and Israel would not be tolerated about any other minority group .
In addition to publicly supporting organizations that promote boycotts of Jewish-made goods , Brager has expressed opposition to President Donald Trump ’ s recent executive order intended to combat anti-Semitism as well as a hostility toward straight people .
`` This is deeply anti-Semitic and really scary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having trouble processing right now , '' Brager tweeted in response to the order , which was widely praised by the mainstream Jewish community and organizations established to combat hatred .
In October , Brager posted a photograph of a service dog with a caption that expressed hostility to straight people , writing , `` No touch no talk no straights , '' and adding an accompanying hashtag , `` # idonotwanttoseeorbeseenbystraightpeople . ''
Brager is also an advocate for the legalization of prostitution , a frequent subject of Brager ’ s Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has designed a set of t-shirts that state , `` Sex work is work .
Decriminalize now . ''

As anti-Semitic attacks proliferate across New York City, the social media postings of one outspoken teacher at an elite Bronx private school are raising fresh concerns among Jewish parents and students.
"Making latkes tonight for my birthday and channukah [sic], text me if you want to come over, no Zionists," J.B. Brager, a history teacher at the prestigious Ethical Culture Fieldston School, tweeted on Dec. 20.
That posting and others singling out straight individuals for criticism and portraying Israel as a genocidal aggressor in its conflict with the Palestinians have caught the attention of Fieldston students and parents, particularly given that Brager is slated to teach an elective history course titled "Nazi Germany and the Holocaust" later this month.
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, founded by progressive Jews in the late 19th century, has grappled with accusations of anti-Semitism in recent years. Among other issues, the school organizes students into ethnic and racial "affinity groups" starting in the third grade but has firmly refused to establish a Jewish affinity group, a Fieldston parent told the Washington Free Beacon. That has contributed to a perception among parents that administrators at the avowedly progressive school do not consider Jews a minority worthy of recognition, understanding, or protection.
The school’s treatment of Jewish issues has come under increasing scrutiny as a wave of anti-Semitic attacks have set New Yorkers on edge. On Wednesday, congressmen Josh Gottheimer (D., N.J.) and Max Rose (D., N.Y.) condemned recent remarks delivered at a Fieldston assembly, where a guest speaker argued that Holocaust survivors living in Israel are guilty of perpetrating similar atrocities against Palestinians. The comments by A. Kayum Ahmed, a top officer at George Soros's Open Society Foundations, drew condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League and left many in the community concerned about the school’s direction.
"There should be no place in our national discourse for hate-filled speech targeting any group," Gottheimer and Rose wrote in a letter to Fieldston’s head of school and principal. "As Jewish Members of Congress dedicated to combatting anti-Semitism, we would like to understand how such a speaker could be invited to address ECFS students, what steps the school has taken to hold those responsible accountable, how the school has communicated to students and parents that such rhetoric is unacceptable, and how ECFS will implement processes to prevent future incidents."
In the wake of the assembly, Brager, who identifies as Jewish, defended Ahmed’s remarks in a series of tweets, writing, "I refuse to ‘reaffirm the value’ of ethno-nationalist settler colonialism." After the school sent a letter to students and parents calling Ahmed’s remarks "deeply hurtful," Brager tweeted, apparently in reference to the letter, "I have never been more disappointed in my employer than I am today and have never been closer to quitting."
Abraham Cooper, the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, told the Free Beacon that Brager’s rhetoric is particularly troublesome for a teacher of history.
"The big lie is 'Israel apartheid', 'Israel Nazi.' However a person reaches that world view, even if they're Jewish, that is extremely dangerous to the Jewish people," Cooper said. "The school has to do something, and if they don't, the parents may vote with their feet. You don't have to put up with that crap. Not in America and not when all the leaders here say they're serious about fighting anti-Semitism."
Fieldston and Brager did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Brager’s Twitter account was locked after the Free Beacon began seeking comment.
Brager, who uses the pronoun "they," graduated from the University of Maryland in 2010 with a degree in American Studies, according to a C.V. posted online. Brager received a Ph.D. in women’s and gender studies from Rutgers University in 2018.
Brager began as a teacher at Fieldston last year and has maintained an active social media presence on both Instagram and Twitter. Parents and students speaking to the Free Beacon on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal by school administrators, particularly as it relates to the cutthroat college admission process, said Brager’s provocations on social media had become a subject of intense interest in the community.
In addition to "Nazi Germany and the Holocaust," Brager has taught a required high school course on U.S. history before 1940, a subject on which Brager has also been outspoken. "It’s still Native American Heritage month, because oh wait, America is a violent fiction and its ‘founders’ were genocidal criminals," Brager tweeted in November.
Parents who spoke with the Free Beacon expressed concern that the school itself has not placed any boundaries on what sort of public speech is appropriate for teachers, particularly given that the vast majority of high school students now have access to social media. Others said the sort of public remarks Brager has made about Jews and Israel would not be tolerated about any other minority group.
In addition to publicly supporting organizations that promote boycotts of Jewish-made goods, Brager has expressed opposition to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order intended to combat anti-Semitism as well as a hostility toward straight people.
"This is deeply anti-Semitic and really scary on multiple levels that I’m having trouble processing right now," Brager tweeted in response to the order, which was widely praised by the mainstream Jewish community and organizations established to combat hatred.
In October, Brager posted a photograph of a service dog with a caption that expressed hostility to straight people, writing, "No touch no talk no straights," and adding an accompanying hashtag, "#idonotwanttoseeorbeseenbystraightpeople."
Brager is also an advocate for the legalization of prostitution, a frequent subject of Brager’s Twitter account. As an artist, Brager has designed a set of t-shirts that state, "Sex work is work. Decriminalize now."


freebeacon--2020-01-09--He Helped Torture and Murder a Child, Now PA Dems Want Him Eligible for Parole

In August 1996 , 13-year-old Richezza Williams was found dead in a Pennsylvania cemetery , her burned and beaten body dumped in a cardboard box after she was tortured with household items , including a heated clothes hanger , cleaning chemicals , and a turkey baster .
Corey Maeweather admitted to authorities that he participated in the brutal crime , appearing `` void of emotion '' in a video as he described the victim 's screams and cries for help .
Maeweather said he was not directly involved in the young girl 's death , instead confessing to retrieving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty to criminal homicide and kidnapping and was sentenced to life without parole .
More than two decades later , top Democrats are seeking to ease the process for criminals like Maeweather to walk free .
Lt. Gov .
John Fetterman has called to end life sentences for anyone who did not directly take another 's life , which could commute the sentences of more than 1,500 inmates convicted of serious crimes , according to records obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
`` If you did n't take a life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through unending incarceration , '' Fetterman said in November .
The lieutenant governor 's office has encouraged criminals sentenced to life in prison to apply for commutation .
He is `` particularly interested '' in `` cases in which a person participated in a crime resulting in a homicide but did n't ‘ pull the trigger , ' '' according to a December press release .
Fetterman also supports reforming the state 's Board of Pardons , which he chairs , to reduce the unanimous vote required to recommend sentence commutations to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that criminals who did not take a life should not serve life in prison in an email to the Free Beacon .
He also argued that Pennsylvania 's sentencing practices can be too lenient on those who do kill , pointing to the case of Keith Lambing .
In December , the Butler County man pleaded guilty to third-degree murder after sodomizing a four-year-old boy , causing internal injuries that killed the child .
He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years behind bars .
`` Pennsylvania 's criminal justice system is rife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and being smart on crime , '' Fetterman said in an email .
`` For example , this monster was allowed to plead to 3rd Degree Murder ( and therefore eligible for parole ) when he should absolutely die in prison ( or worse ) for his heinous actions . ''
The Free Beacon obtained a list of the more than 1,500 criminals serving a sentence of life without parole for second-degree murder , third-degree murder , other homicide charges , and non-homicide charges .
In addition to Maeweather , other criminals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Don Hogue , a repeat offender who stabbed a man in the neck with a kitchen knife in a dispute over a cigarette lighter , and Orin Turner , another repeat offender found not guilty of attempted murder in the first degree but guilty of nine other violent felonies , including assault in the first degree and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony .
Fetterman 's Board of Pardons sent Democratic governor Tom Wolf nine recommendations for life-sentence commutations in September , the most in nearly two decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the commutations .
Commutations were approved more regularly in Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s before Reginald McFadden , a serial killer sentenced to life for a robbery-related homicide , was released from prison in 1992 following a Board of Pardons vote .
McFadden went on to murder two people and kidnap and rape a third within 90 days of his release .
Before McFadden 's post-release killing spree , the Board of Pardons required a 3-2 vote to encourage commutations .
In 1997 , Pennsylvania voters approved an amendment changing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority vote to a unanimous vote .
A Fetterman-backed amendment to reduce the standard would also have to be approved by voters .
`` What McFadden did was an unthinkable tragedy for the victims and the victims ’ families , '' Fetterman said in December .
`` It was also an injustice to people who do deserve a second chance .
We can ’ t stop believing in second chances for everyone . ''
In defense of his commutation stance , Fetterman shared a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial advocating for the release of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the editorial cites federal data suggesting older criminals are less likely to reoffend , it does not account for the differences between federal and state inmates , according to Manhattan Institute legal policy expert Rafael Mangual .
`` It is not clear [ in the editorial ] that there are some pretty important differences between federal inmates and inmates who are in state prison , '' said Mangual .
`` As we know , the federal government 's jurisdiction is fairly limited , so the types of offenses that you can be incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different . ''
Mangual cited a U.S. Department of Justice study tracking prisoner recidivism among more than 67,000 state prisoners released across 30 states in 2005 .
In the nine years following their release , more than 75 percent of inmates age 40 or older , the oldest age group tracked in the study , were rearrested at least once .
`` When you look at their age , the numbers are actually pretty startling , '' Mangual said .
`` I think the editorial does a bit of an apples to oranges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association ( PDAA ) pushed back against Fetterman 's assertion that anyone who `` did n't take a life '' should n't serve life in prison .
PDAA executive director Lindsay Vaughan said the blanket approach undermines the voices of victims and their families .
`` Blanket commutation for any category of crime or crimes would unavoidably circumnavigate current law , '' Vaughan said .
`` PDAA supports critical , individual review of each petition that is filed for someone convicted of murder .
Depending upon the specific circumstance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals appropriate for commutation consideration .
`` However the process plays out , the surviving victims of these murders must be given the opportunity to be heard at the hearing and their opinions must be given significant weight.… Regardless of their opinions , the process of showing them the respect they deserve is paramount . ''

In August 1996, 13-year-old Richezza Williams was found dead in a Pennsylvania cemetery, her burned and beaten body dumped in a cardboard box after she was tortured with household items, including a heated clothes hanger, cleaning chemicals, and a turkey baster.
Corey Maeweather admitted to authorities that he participated in the brutal crime, appearing "void of emotion" in a video as he described the victim's screams and cries for help. Maeweather said he was not directly involved in the young girl's death, instead confessing to retrieving the torture devices for two co-conspirators. He pleaded guilty to criminal homicide and kidnapping and was sentenced to life without parole.
More than two decades later, top Democrats are seeking to ease the process for criminals like Maeweather to walk free. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has called to end life sentences for anyone who did not directly take another's life, which could commute the sentences of more than 1,500 inmates convicted of serious crimes, according to records obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
"If you didn't take a life, the state shouldn't take your life through unending incarceration," Fetterman said in November. The lieutenant governor's office has encouraged criminals sentenced to life in prison to apply for commutation. He is "particularly interested" in "cases in which a person participated in a crime resulting in a homicide but didn't 'pull the trigger,'" according to a December press release. Fetterman also supports reforming the state's Board of Pardons, which he chairs, to reduce the unanimous vote required to recommend sentence commutations to a 4-1 vote.
Fetterman reiterated his stance that criminals who did not take a life should not serve life in prison in an email to the Free Beacon. He also argued that Pennsylvania's sentencing practices can be too lenient on those who do kill, pointing to the case of Keith Lambing. In December, the Butler County man pleaded guilty to third-degree murder after sodomizing a four-year-old boy, causing internal injuries that killed the child. He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years behind bars.
"Pennsylvania's criminal justice system is rife with uneven sentencing. It's about justice and being smart on crime," Fetterman said in an email. "For example, this monster was allowed to plead to 3rd Degree Murder (and therefore eligible for parole) when he should absolutely die in prison (or worse) for his heinous actions."
The Free Beacon obtained a list of the more than 1,500 criminals serving a sentence of life without parole for second-degree murder, third-degree murder, other homicide charges, and non-homicide charges. In addition to Maeweather, other criminals who meet Fetterman's standard for commutation include Don Hogue, a repeat offender who stabbed a man in the neck with a kitchen knife in a dispute over a cigarette lighter, and Orin Turner, another repeat offender found not guilty of attempted murder in the first degree but guilty of nine other violent felonies, including assault in the first degree and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Fetterman's Board of Pardons sent Democratic governor Tom Wolf nine recommendations for life-sentence commutations in September, the most in nearly two decades. Wolf went on to approve eight of the commutations.
Commutations were approved more regularly in Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s before Reginald McFadden, a serial killer sentenced to life for a robbery-related homicide, was released from prison in 1992 following a Board of Pardons vote. McFadden went on to murder two people and kidnap and rape a third within 90 days of his release.
Before McFadden's post-release killing spree, the Board of Pardons required a 3-2 vote to encourage commutations. In 1997, Pennsylvania voters approved an amendment changing the board's standard of approval from a majority vote to a unanimous vote. A Fetterman-backed amendment to reduce the standard would also have to be approved by voters.
"What McFadden did was an unthinkable tragedy for the victims and the victims’ families," Fetterman said in December. "It was also an injustice to people who do deserve a second chance. We can’t stop believing in second chances for everyone."
In defense of his commutation stance, Fetterman shared a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial advocating for the release of state prisoners serving life without parole. Though the editorial cites federal data suggesting older criminals are less likely to reoffend, it does not account for the differences between federal and state inmates, according to Manhattan Institute legal policy expert Rafael Mangual.
"It is not clear [in the editorial] that there are some pretty important differences between federal inmates and inmates who are in state prison," said Mangual. "As we know, the federal government's jurisdiction is fairly limited, so the types of offenses that you can be incarcerated for at the federal level are very different."
Mangual cited a U.S. Department of Justice study tracking prisoner recidivism among more than 67,000 state prisoners released across 30 states in 2005. In the nine years following their release, more than 75 percent of inmates age 40 or older, the oldest age group tracked in the study, were rearrested at least once.
"When you look at their age, the numbers are actually pretty startling," Mangual said. "I think the editorial does a bit of an apples to oranges comparison to make its point."
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) pushed back against Fetterman's assertion that anyone who "didn't take a life" shouldn't serve life in prison. PDAA executive director Lindsay Vaughan said the blanket approach undermines the voices of victims and their families.
"Blanket commutation for any category of crime or crimes would unavoidably circumnavigate current law," Vaughan said. "PDAA supports critical, individual review of each petition that is filed for someone convicted of murder. Depending upon the specific circumstance of each case, there may be individuals appropriate for commutation consideration.
"However the process plays out, the surviving victims of these murders must be given the opportunity to be heard at the hearing and their opinions must be given significant weight.… Regardless of their opinions, the process of showing them the respect they deserve is paramount."


Beacon Extra 1/8/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
MITCH DOESN ’ T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS … `` McConnell says he is ready to proceed with Trump impeachment trial with no agreement on witnesses , '' via WAPO : Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) said Tuesday that Republicans have enough votes to proceed with President Trump ’ s impeachment trial with no agreement with Democrats on witnesses … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) said Tuesday that [ House Speaker Nancy ] Pelosi should go ahead and send the articles of impeachment to the Senate since it appears that McConnell is holding the GOP in line against a deal with Democrats on witnesses for a Senate trial .
WHAT DIFFERENCE , AT THIS POINT , DOES IT MAKE ?
… `` Joe Biden Confuses Iraq With Iran—Twice , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : `` Iran 's parliament voted to eject all Americans and coalition forces from the country , '' Biden said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the mistake again when he said Trump threatened to get the United States into war with Iraq .
`` I said not long ago that as the walls close in on this president , I worried that he was going to get us in war with Iraq , '' Biden said at private fundraiser in New York City .
BOB GATES WAS RIGHT ABOUT JOE … `` Biden in 2010 Said Iran ’ s Influence in Iraq Was ‘ Greatly Exaggerated ’ , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo and Brent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its hand-picked government coalition in Iraq , Vice President Joe Biden told a group of U.S. military veterans that Iran 's influence in the country was `` minimal '' and had been `` greatly exaggerated . ''
… '' The Iranian government spent over $ 100 million trying to affect the outcome of this last election to sway the Iraqi people , and they utterly failed , '' Biden continued .
`` The Iraqi people voted for their desired candidates , none of whom , none of whom , let me emphasize this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Iran . ''
EARLY 2020 WINNER : RUPERT MURDOCH … `` Super Bowl ad wars : It 's Bloomberg vs. Trump and they 're spending millions , '' via NBC NEWS : The campaigns of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Donald Trump each plan to spend $ 10 million for advertisements during the telecast of next month 's Super Bowl … The Super Bowl , which is set for Feb. 2 , will air on Fox and could be watched by more than 100 million people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Chelsea Clinton made $ 9M since 2011 from corporate board position : report , '' via NY POST : Chelsea Clinton raked in around $ 9 million since 2011 for her work on the board of an internet investment firm controlled by a pal of her mom ’ s , a report said Monday .
PAGING ROBBY MOOK … `` Facebook Exec : Trump Ran ‘ Single Best Digital Ad Campaign I ’ ve Ever Seen ’ in 2016 , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : In an internal memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook vice president Andrew Bosworth said his company 's role in Trump 's victory was not the result of Russian misinformation or the controversial use of social networking data by Cambridge Analytica , two reasons often cited by Democrats … Some media outlets portrayed Bosworth 's memo as holding Facebook alone responsible for Trump 's win .
`` A Facebook Executive Said The Platform Is Responsible For Trump ’ s Election , '' read BuzzFeed ‘ s headline on the story , with the subhead cutting off the written remarks at `` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected ?
I think the answer is yes . ''
MUSLIM BAN AT WORK ?
… `` Iran ’ s Zarif Accuses U.S. of Violating U.N. Deal by Denying Him a Visa , '' via REUTERS : Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States on Tuesday of violating its agreement with the United Nations by denying him a visa to speak at a Security Council meeting amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran … The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticize the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military commander , Qassem Soleimani , in Baghdad on Friday .
OUR MORAL BETTERS IN EUROPE … `` A Victim ’ s Account Fuels a Reckoning Over Abuse of Children in France , '' via NYT : The French writer Gabriel Matzneff never hid the fact that he engaged in sex with girls and boys in their early teens or even younger .
He wrote countless books detailing his insatiable pursuits and appeared on television boasting about them .
`` Under 16 Years Old , '' was the title of an early book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication , last Thursday , of an account by one of his victims , Vanessa Springora , has suddenly fueled an intense debate in France over its historically lax attitude toward sex with minors .
It has also shone a particularly harsh light on a period during which some of France ’ s leading literary figures and newspapers—names as big as Foucault , Sartre , Libération , and Le Monde—aggressively promoted the practice as a form of human liberation , or at least defended it .
NOW HE CAN REALLY SMIRK … `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Student Nicholas Sandmann , '' via NRO : `` The amount of the settlement was not made public during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Covington on Tuesday , according to a local Fox affiliate .
CNN brought down the full force of its corporate power , influence , and wealth on Nicholas by falsely attacking , vilifying , and bullying him despite the fact that he was a minor child , '' reads the suit , which was filed in March .
Sandmann and his family still have lawsuits pending against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their coverage of the incident .
SHOT … `` MSNBC Relays Unverified Iranian State News Reports of U.S .
Casualties On Live TV , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : NBC News Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi relayed an Iranian state media report indicating that Iranian rocket attacks had killed 30 American soldiers—a report that was not confirmed and proved erroneous .
`` The IRGC [ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ] was saying that Ayatollah Khamenei , the supreme leader of this country , was in the control center coordinating these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matthews during a broadcast of Hardball on MSNBC .
`` This bit I 'm not sure about but Iran state media says 30 U.S. soldiers have been killed in this attack .
CHIEF WARREN NABS CRUCIAL DUKAKIS ENDORSEMENT … `` Can Elizabeth Warren ’ s Selfie-Taking , Plan-For-That Campaign Win Her the Nomination ?
, '' via VOGUE : The approach , so far , has had a broad appeal .
John Legend supports Warren .
So does Michael Dukakis .
Saturday Night Live has given her , as played by Kate McKinnon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has any early-cycle candidate in recent memory … When Julián Castro dropped out of the race , he promptly endorsed her for president .
WELL , JUNIOR , THE GOOD GUYS KILLED A BAD GUY … `` How to Talk to Your Kids About the Situation With Iran , '' via TIME : On Jan. 3 , the U.S. military carried out a drone attack in Iraq .
The attack killed Qasem Soleimani , a top military leader from Iran … The situation is dominating the news , and children who hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of questions .
We realize this is a difficult topic to explain to kids .
TIME for Kids is here to help .
WELCOME BACK … `` Valerie Plame Returns to Twitter After Blaming Social Media Site for Spread of Anti-Semitic Screeds , '' by WFB ’ s Cameron Cawthorne : Plame was roundly criticized in 2017 after she shared with her Twitter followers several anti-Semitic articles from the fringe site the Unz Review , including one accusing `` American Jews '' of `` driving America 's wars '' and another titled `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,123 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
MITCH DOESN’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS … "McConnell says he is ready to proceed with Trump impeachment trial with no agreement on witnesses," via WAPO: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Tuesday that Republicans have enough votes to proceed with President Trump’s impeachment trial with no agreement with Democrats on witnesses …
Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) said Tuesday that [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi should go ahead and send the articles of impeachment to the Senate since it appears that McConnell is holding the GOP in line against a deal with Democrats on witnesses for a Senate trial.
WHAT DIFFERENCE, AT THIS POINT, DOES IT MAKE? … "Joe Biden Confuses Iraq With Iran—Twice," by WFB’s Graham Piro: "Iran's parliament voted to eject all Americans and coalition forces from the country," Biden said at a rally in New York. He made the mistake again when he said Trump threatened to get the United States into war with Iraq.
"I said not long ago that as the walls close in on this president, I worried that he was going to get us in war with Iraq," Biden said at private fundraiser in New York City.
BOB GATES WAS RIGHT ABOUT JOE … "Biden in 2010 Said Iran’s Influence in Iraq Was ‘Greatly Exaggerated’," by WFB’s Adam Kredo and Brent Scher: Months before Iran successfully installed its hand-picked government coalition in Iraq, Vice President Joe Biden told a group of U.S. military veterans that Iran's influence in the country was "minimal" and had been "greatly exaggerated." …
"The Iranian government spent over $100 million trying to affect the outcome of this last election to sway the Iraqi people, and they utterly failed," Biden continued. "The Iraqi people voted for their desired candidates, none of whom, none of whom, let me emphasize this, none of whom, were wanted by Iran."
EARLY 2020 WINNER: RUPERT MURDOCH … "Super Bowl ad wars: It's Bloomberg vs. Trump and they're spending millions," via NBC NEWS: The campaigns of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Donald Trump each plan to spend $10 million for advertisements during the telecast of next month's Super Bowl …
The Super Bowl, which is set for Feb. 2, will air on Fox and could be watched by more than 100 million people in the United States.
NOT DEAD BROKE … "Chelsea Clinton made $9M since 2011 from corporate board position: report," via NY POST: Chelsea Clinton raked in around $9 million since 2011 for her work on the board of an internet investment firm controlled by a pal of her mom’s, a report said Monday.
PAGING ROBBY MOOK … "Facebook Exec: Trump Ran ‘Single Best Digital Ad Campaign I’ve Ever Seen’ in 2016," by WFB’s David Rutz: In an internal memo obtained by the New York Times, Facebook vice president Andrew Bosworth said his company's role in Trump's victory was not the result of Russian misinformation or the controversial use of social networking data by Cambridge Analytica, two reasons often cited by Democrats …
Some media outlets portrayed Bosworth's memo as holding Facebook alone responsible for Trump's win.
"A Facebook Executive Said The Platform Is Responsible For Trump’s Election," read BuzzFeed‘s headline on the story, with the subhead cutting off the written remarks at "So was Facebook responsible for Donald Trump getting elected? I think the answer is yes."
SUPREME LEADER BLINKS? …
MUSLIM BAN AT WORK? … "Iran’s Zarif Accuses U.S. of Violating U.N. Deal by Denying Him a Visa," via REUTERS: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States on Tuesday of violating its agreement with the United Nations by denying him a visa to speak at a Security Council meeting amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran …
The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticize the United States for killing Iran's most prominent military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.
OUR MORAL BETTERS IN EUROPE … "A Victim’s Account Fuels a Reckoning Over Abuse of Children in France," via NYT: The French writer Gabriel Matzneff never hid the fact that he engaged in sex with girls and boys in their early teens or even younger. He wrote countless books detailing his insatiable pursuits and appeared on television boasting about them. "Under 16 Years Old," was the title of an early book that left no ambiguity …
But the publication, last Thursday, of an account by one of his victims, Vanessa Springora, has suddenly fueled an intense debate in France over its historically lax attitude toward sex with minors. It has also shone a particularly harsh light on a period during which some of France’s leading literary figures and newspapers—names as big as Foucault, Sartre, Libération, and Le Monde—aggressively promoted the practice as a form of human liberation, or at least defended it.
NOW HE CAN REALLY SMIRK … "CNN Settles Lawsuit Brought by Covington Catholic Student Nicholas Sandmann," via NRO: "The amount of the settlement was not made public during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Covington on Tuesday, according to a local Fox affiliate.
CNN brought down the full force of its corporate power, influence, and wealth on Nicholas by falsely attacking, vilifying, and bullying him despite the fact that he was a minor child," reads the suit, which was filed in March.
Sandmann and his family still have lawsuits pending against NBC Universal and the Washington Post over their coverage of the incident.
SHOT … "MSNBC Relays Unverified Iranian State News Reports of U.S. Casualties On Live TV," by WFB’s Graham Piro: NBC News Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi relayed an Iranian state media report indicating that Iranian rocket attacks had killed 30 American soldiers—a report that was not confirmed and proved erroneous.
"The IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] was saying that Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of this country, was in the control center coordinating these attacks," he told anchor Chris Matthews during a broadcast of Hardball on MSNBC. "This bit I'm not sure about but Iran state media says 30 U.S. soldiers have been killed in this attack.
CHASER …
CHIEF WARREN NABS CRUCIAL DUKAKIS ENDORSEMENT … "Can Elizabeth Warren’s Selfie-Taking, Plan-For-That Campaign Win Her the Nomination?," via VOGUE: The approach, so far, has had a broad appeal. John Legend supports Warren. So does Michael Dukakis. Saturday Night Live has given her, as played by Kate McKinnon, more of a tacit endorsement than it has any early-cycle candidate in recent memory … When Julián Castro dropped out of the race, he promptly endorsed her for president.
WELL, JUNIOR, THE GOOD GUYS KILLED A BAD GUY … "How to Talk to Your Kids About the Situation With Iran," via TIME: On Jan. 3, the U.S. military carried out a drone attack in Iraq. The attack killed Qasem Soleimani, a top military leader from Iran … The situation is dominating the news, and children who hear about it are likely to have lots of questions.
We realize this is a difficult topic to explain to kids. TIME for Kids is here to help.
FOOTBALL COACH EULOGIZED MORE HARSHLY THAN TERRORIST …
WELCOME BACK … "Valerie Plame Returns to Twitter After Blaming Social Media Site for Spread of Anti-Semitic Screeds," by WFB’s Cameron Cawthorne: Plame was roundly criticized in 2017 after she shared with her Twitter followers several anti-Semitic articles from the fringe site the Unz Review, including one accusing "American Jews" of "driving America's wars" and another titled "Why I Still Dislike Israel."
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,123. Come back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--Chris Matthews Compares Soleimani to Elvis Presley and Princess Diana

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Wednesday night compared deceased Iranian terror master Qassem Soleimani to Elvis Presley and Princess Diana .
`` When some people die , you do n't know what the impact is going to be .
When Princess Diana died , for example , there was a huge emotional outpouring , '' Matthews said .
`` Elvis Presley in our culture—it turns out that this general we killed was a beloved hero of the Iranian people to the point where—look at the people , we got pictures up now—these enormous crowds coming out .
There 's no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's a hell of a lot of emotion on the other side . ''
Soleimani led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which trained , funded , and armed Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon , Syria , Iraq , and around the Middle East , killing thousands , including hundreds of Americans .
`` Should our leaders know what they 're doing when they kill somebody ? ''
Matthews asked Rep. Joaquin Castro ( D. , Texas ) .
Castro replied that Trump 's strategy of pulling out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran has failed .
`` They very much could have anticipated that Iranians would react in this way , both the Iranian public but also that the government would strike back , '' Castro said .
`` This speaks to a much larger issue , Chris , which is the president has had a very chaotic and erratic foreign policy , especially with respect to Iran . ''
Matthews is n't the only cable news anchor to compare Soleimani to beloved figures in the West .
CNN 's Anderson Cooper compared Soleimani to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the French resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II .

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Wednesday night compared deceased Iranian terror master Qassem Soleimani to Elvis Presley and Princess Diana.
"When some people die, you don't know what the impact is going to be. When Princess Diana died, for example, there was a huge emotional outpouring," Matthews said. "Elvis Presley in our culture—it turns out that this general we killed was a beloved hero of the Iranian people to the point where—look at the people, we got pictures up now—these enormous crowds coming out. There's no American emotion in this case, but there's a hell of a lot of emotion on the other side."
Soleimani led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which trained, funded, and armed Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and around the Middle East, killing thousands, including hundreds of Americans.
"Should our leaders know what they're doing when they kill somebody?" Matthews asked Rep. Joaquin Castro (D., Texas).
Castro replied that Trump's strategy of pulling out of the nuclear deal and putting pressure on Iran has failed.
"They very much could have anticipated that Iranians would react in this way, both the Iranian public but also that the government would strike back," Castro said. "This speaks to a much larger issue, Chris, which is the president has had a very chaotic and erratic foreign policy, especially with respect to Iran."
Matthews isn't the only cable news anchor to compare Soleimani to beloved figures in the West. CNN's Anderson Cooper compared Soleimani to French president Charles de Gaulle, a leader of the French resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--Continetti: Trump Will Respond in a Showstopping Way If Iran Kills Americans

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Wednesday said Iranians fear escalating conflict with the United States as President Donald Trump demonstrated his willingness to `` retaliate in a showstopping way . ''
`` If Iran or its proxies kill Americans , America will retaliate in a showstopping way , and I think that 's one reason why the Iranians want to back out of this conflict , '' Continetti said during an appearance on Fox News 's Special Report .
Tensions are high between the United States and Iran after Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the Quds Force for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
The Quds Force was responsible for training , funding , and arming Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon , Syria , Iraq , and around the Middle East .
Hundreds of American troops have been killed by these terrorist groups .
`` He 's no longer around the table and that has put , I think , the Iranian regime in a state of not panic but shock and confusion , '' Continetti said .
The Soleimani strike came days after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Baghdad .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Wednesday said Iranians fear escalating conflict with the United States as President Donald Trump demonstrated his willingness to "retaliate in a showstopping way."
"If Iran or its proxies kill Americans, America will retaliate in a showstopping way, and I think that's one reason why the Iranians want to back out of this conflict," Continetti said during an appearance on Fox News's Special Report.
Tensions are high between the United States and Iran after Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was the leader of the Quds Force for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Quds Force was responsible for training, funding, and arming Iran-sympathetic terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and around the Middle East. Hundreds of American troops have been killed by these terrorist groups.
"He's no longer around the table and that has put, I think, the Iranian regime in a state of not panic but shock and confusion," Continetti said.
The Soleimani strike came days after an Iranian-backed militia stormed the United States embassy in Baghdad.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--Wendy Sherman Complains About Trump Blaming Obama

Wendy Sherman , former undersecretary of state under President Barack Obama , complained on Wednesday about President Donald Trump blaming Obama for Iran ’ s nefarious actions after he 's been in office for three years .
`` It 's a little pathetic , I must say and actually childish … that he is blaming everything on President Obama after being in office himself for three years , '' Sherman said on MSNBC 's The Beat With Ari Melber .
Sherman 's former boss often did exactly what she so despises , however .
Not only did Obama blame former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term , he continued to do so well into his second term .
Sherman continued to criticize Trump for his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal that she helped negotiate , saying Obama 's deal had `` elated '' the Iranians .
`` The facts are that after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , the nuclear deal , was signed , people in Iran were elated as opposed to chanting death to America .
After the JCPOA was signed , until the president pulled out of the nuclear deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests in Iraq .
There were no drone strikes .
There were no end [ sic ] to Saudi oil fields .
There was none of what we are facing today .
That all has come after the president pulled out of the nuclear deal , '' Sherman said .
Sherman did not mention any of the malign actions committed by the Iranians before Trump pulled out of the deal .
In January 2016 , Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two U.S. Navy boats and released footage showing the capture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released only after Iran made one of them read a statement apologizing and praising Iran 's treatment .
Iran also backed Houthi rebels in Yemen , which caused the country to spiral in a civil war that has cost the lives of over 100,000 people .
The Iranian regime also worked to prevent Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad , who has used chemical weapons on his own people , from being removed from power .

Wendy Sherman, former undersecretary of state under President Barack Obama, complained on Wednesday about President Donald Trump blaming Obama for Iran’s nefarious actions after he's been in office for three years.
"It's a little pathetic, I must say and actually childish ... that he is blaming everything on President Obama after being in office himself for three years," Sherman said on MSNBC's The Beat With Ari Melber.
Sherman's former boss often did exactly what she so despises, however. Not only did Obama blame former President George W. Bush throughout his first term, he continued to do so well into his second term.
Sherman continued to criticize Trump for his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal that she helped negotiate, saying Obama's deal had "elated" the Iranians.
"The facts are that after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal, was signed, people in Iran were elated as opposed to chanting death to America. After the JCPOA was signed, until the president pulled out of the nuclear deal, there were no rocket attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq. There were no drone strikes. There were no end [sic] to Saudi oil fields. There was none of what we are facing today. That all has come after the president pulled out of the nuclear deal," Sherman said.
Sherman did not mention any of the malign actions committed by the Iranians before Trump pulled out of the deal. In January 2016, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two U.S. Navy boats and released footage showing the capture of U.S. sailors. The sailors were later released only after Iran made one of them read a statement apologizing and praising Iran's treatment. Iran also backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, which caused the country to spiral in a civil war that has cost the lives of over 100,000 people. The Iranian regime also worked to prevent Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has used chemical weapons on his own people, from being removed from power.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--MSNBC Guest: Trump ‘Not Graceful In Victory’ During Iran Press Conference

Daily Beast columnist Margaret Carlson on Wednesday criticized President Donald Trump for not being `` graceful in victory '' during his press conference addressing Iran 's missile strikes on U.S. air bases in Iraq .
`` He certainly does n't want to ask for help from our NATO allies .
He does n't like our NATO allies and he 's repelled them , '' Carlson said on MSNBC .
`` In other parts , he 's reading from the teleprompter .
It 's not his best way to communicate and talking about more sanctions .
He 's not a graceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even a short win .
He 's not graceful in victory . ''
She criticized Trump 's comments , adding that she felt like the press conference felt like a `` hostage tape '' to her .
During his address , Trump said the United States would immediately impose economic sanctions on Iran until they change their behavior .
`` These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior .
In recent months alone , Iran has seized ships in international waters , fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia and shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Iran ’ s hostilities substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013 , and they were given $ 150 billion , not to mention $ 1.8 billion in cash . ''

Daily Beast columnist Margaret Carlson on Wednesday criticized President Donald Trump for not being "graceful in victory" during his press conference addressing Iran's missile strikes on U.S. air bases in Iraq.
"He certainly doesn't want to ask for help from our NATO allies. He doesn't like our NATO allies and he's repelled them," Carlson said on MSNBC. "In other parts, he's reading from the teleprompter. It's not his best way to communicate and talking about more sanctions. He's not a graceful winner if you want to call this even a short win. He's not graceful in victory."
She criticized Trump's comments, adding that she felt like the press conference felt like a "hostage tape" to her.
During his address, Trump said the United States would immediately impose economic sanctions on Iran until they change their behavior.
"These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior. In recent months alone, Iran has seized ships in international waters, fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia and shot down two U.S. drones," Trump said. "Iran’s hostilities substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013, and they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash."


freebeacon--2020-01-10--Second Amendment Sanctuary Movement Dwarfs Richmond Gun-Control Meeting

A gun-control event at the Virginia state capitol drew two hundred activists on Wednesday , a turnout dwarfed by the tens of thousands who have attended Second Amendment sanctuary meetings all over the state .
Moms Demand Action , a subsidiary of Michael Bloomberg 's Everytown for Gun Safety , gathered supporters in Richmond to pressure lawmakers into passing stricter gun-control laws during the new legislative session .
An email to the group 's supporters included pictures showing several dozen activists at a meeting opening , and about 20 meeting with lawmakers and walking the halls of the Virginia state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group told the Washington Free Beacon that 200 volunteers showed up to lobby lawmakers .
The gun-control group 's lobbying effort comes after pro-gun rights Virginians turned out across the state over two months to demand their municipalities become Second Amendment sanctuaries .
Such sanctuaries would oppose new state gun legislation and refuse to enforce any laws that might pass .
These events have seen thousands packing county meetings , organizers told the Free Beacon , far outnumbering Moms Demand Action 's turnout .
One hundred twenty-five localities have passed pro-gun resolutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties .
The apparent strength of the pro-gun rights contingent will be put to the test at upcoming events in Richmond organized by the NRA and the Virginia Citizens Defense League ( VCDL ) .
If these events see greater turnout than Moms Demand Action 's , it could sway enough of the newly elected Democrats in the party 's slim legislative majority to block some of the proposals pushed by Governor Ralph Northam ( D. ) .
Moms Demand Action decried the sanctuary movement as the work of `` gun extremists '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responsible gun owners and the majority of Virginians . ''
But the movement 's legislative success , driven by sizable statewide turnouts , seems to suggest otherwise .
VCDL estimated more than a thousand attendees at sanctuary meetings in Shenandoah , Augusta , Floyd , Spotsylvania , Prince William , Smyth , Bedford , Rockingham , Russell , and Chesterfield counties , and in the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake .
The Free Beacon witnessed more than two thousand pro-gun attendees at Fauquier County 's sanctuary meeting .
Even Fairfax County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass a sanctuary resolution , had more than 350 pro-gun residents attend a recent board meeting to lobby against new gun-control laws .
Upcoming gun-rights events at the state capitol building could also draw large crowds .
The Facebook event for the NRA 's effort to turn out supporters at the first meeting of the state senate 's courts of justice committee on January 13 has nearly 9,000 people listed as going or interested in going .
VCDL has booked more than 20 buses for the group 's public rally on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend .
Moms Demand Action said the Wednesday event resulted in more than 70 meetings with elected officials .
The group said its advocacy would focus on three initiatives : universal background check legislation H.B .
2 , red-flag legislation H.B .
674 , and $ 2.6 million in increased funding in the state budget for `` city gun violence prevention and intervention programs . ''
The group did not list support for either the `` assault firearms '' confiscation bill S.B .
16 or the newly introduced `` assault firearms '' ban-and-registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been among the most controversial proposals introduced by Democrats since they captured control of the state legislature in November 2019 .

A gun-control event at the Virginia state capitol drew 200 activists on Wednesday, a turnout dwarfed by the tens of thousands who have attended Second Amendment sanctuary meetings all over the state.
Moms Demand Action, a subsidiary of Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety, gathered supporters in Richmond to pressure lawmakers into passing stricter gun-control laws during the new legislative session. An email to the group's supporters included pictures showing several dozen activists at a meeting opening, and about 20 meeting with lawmakers and walking the halls of the Virginia state capitol building. A spokeswoman for the group told the Washington Free Beacon that 200 volunteers showed up to lobby lawmakers.
The gun-control group's lobbying effort comes after pro-gun rights Virginians turned out across the state over two months to demand their municipalities become Second Amendment sanctuaries. Such sanctuaries would oppose new state gun legislation and refuse to enforce any laws that might pass. These events have seen thousands packing county meetings, organizers told the Free Beacon, far outnumbering Moms Demand Action's turnout. One hundred twenty-five localities have passed pro-gun resolutions, including 91 of the state's 95 counties.
The apparent strength of the pro-gun rights contingent will be put to the test at upcoming events in Richmond organized by the NRA and the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL). If these events see greater turnout than Moms Demand Action's, it could sway enough of the newly elected Democrats in the party's slim legislative majority to block some of the proposals pushed by Governor Ralph Northam (D.).
Moms Demand Action decried the sanctuary movement as the work of "gun extremists" who "do not represent the views of responsible gun owners and the majority of Virginians." But the movement's legislative success, driven by sizable statewide turnouts, seems to suggest otherwise.
VCDL estimated more than 1,000 attendees at sanctuary meetings in Shenandoah, Augusta, Floyd, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Smyth, Bedford, Rockingham, Russell, and Chesterfield counties, and in the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The Free Beacon witnessed more than 2,000 pro-gun attendees at Fauquier County's sanctuary meeting. Even Fairfax County, one of four deep-blue counties not to pass a sanctuary resolution, had more than 350 pro-gun residents attend a recent board meeting to lobby against new gun-control laws.
Upcoming gun-rights events at the state capitol building could also draw large crowds. The Facebook event for the NRA's effort to turn out supporters at the first meeting of the state senate's courts of justice committee on January 13 has nearly 9,000 people listed as going or interested in going. VCDL has booked more than 20 buses for the group's public rally on January 20 and estimates tens of thousands will attend.
Moms Demand Action said the Wednesday event resulted in more than 70 meetings with elected officials. The group said its advocacy would focus on three initiatives: universal background check legislation H.B. 2, red-flag legislation H.B. 674, and $2.6 million in increased funding in the state budget for "city gun violence prevention and intervention programs."
The group did not list support for either the "assault firearms" confiscation bill S.B. 16 or the newly introduced "assault firearms" ban-and-registration bill H.B. 961. Those bills have been among the most controversial proposals introduced by Democrats since they captured control of the state legislature in November 2019.


freebeacon--2020-01-10--Dem Rep. Blames Trump for Iranian Plane Crash

Rep. Jackie Speier ( D. , Calif. ) on Thursday said that Iran 's shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump 's killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani .
`` If what is being @ @ @ @ @ is yet another example of collateral damage from the actions that have been taken in @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States , '' Speier told CNN .
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer @ @ @ @ @ believed Iran confused the commercial flight for a U.S. military plane , suggesting that `` @ @ @ @ @ was a mistake by the Iranians . ''
Speier did not mention Iran in her @ @ @ @ @ in the downed flight .
U.S. officials are confident the crash , which resulted in @ @ @ @ @ people on board , was caused by an Iranian missile , possibly fired accidentally .
@ @ @ @ @ just hours after Iran launched missiles at a U.S. base in Iraq .

Rep. Jackie Speier (D., Calif.) on Thursday said that Iran's shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner was collateral damage from President Donald Trump's killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
"If what is being projected is true, this is yet another example of collateral damage from the actions that have been taken in a provocative way by the president of the United States," Speier told CNN.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer had asked Speier if she believed Iran confused the commercial flight for a U.S. military plane, suggesting that "it certainly sounds like it was a mistake by the Iranians." Speier did not mention Iran in her response, only implicating Trump in the downed flight.
U.S. officials are confident the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 176 people on board, was caused by an Iranian missile, possibly fired accidentally. The plane was shot down just hours after Iran launched missiles at a U.S. base in Iraq.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--Barking Mad: PETA Slams AOC for Purchasing Purebred French Bulldog

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) after the freshman `` Squad '' leader bought a purebred puppy .
`` We really could n't believe our eyes , because you are a role model for how to live , so we understand that you just did n't realize what you were doing in this case—you could n't have , '' PETA said in a letter .
`` With the millions of homeless dogs out there , you apparently chose to buy a purebred puppy instead of adopting one from an animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petfinder alone , there are more than 110,000 dogs—including French bulldogs—who need homes . ''
Ocasio-Cortez attracted the controversial animal rights organization 's criticism after tweeting out pictures of what appears to be a new purebred French bulldog puppy .
PETA said that French bulldogs suffer from extensive health problems due to inbreeding and that many of Ocasio-Cortez 's supporters may be inspired to purchase the pups despite lacking the means to take care of them .
`` AOC had a chance to set a compassionate , responsible example in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she apparently inadvertently contributed to the problem , '' PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement .
`` PETA is urging her supporters not to follow her lead in this case and to stick up for the underdog by choosing to give a lovable mutt a new lease on life . ''
Members of President Donald Trump 's campaign 's rapid response team noted that purebred French bulldogs tend to be very expensive .

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) after the freshman "Squad" leader bought a purebred puppy.
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1214555902545711105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"We really couldn't believe our eyes, because you are a role model for how to live, so we understand that you just didn't realize what you were doing in this case—you couldn't have," PETA said in a letter. "With the millions of homeless dogs out there, you apparently chose to buy a purebred puppy instead of adopting one from an animal shelter. Right this minute, on Petfinder alone, there are more than 110,000 dogs—including French bulldogs—who need homes."
Ocasio-Cortez attracted the controversial animal rights organization's criticism after tweeting out pictures of what appears to be a new purebred French bulldog puppy.
PETA said that French bulldogs suffer from extensive health problems due to inbreeding and that many of Ocasio-Cortez's supporters may be inspired to purchase the pups despite lacking the means to take care of them.
"AOC had a chance to set a compassionate, responsible example in the face of the homeless-animal crisis, but instead, she apparently inadvertently contributed to the problem," PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement. "PETA is urging her supporters not to follow her lead in this case and to stick up for the underdog by choosing to give a lovable mutt a new lease on life."
Members of the Trump campaign's rapid response team noted that purebred French bulldogs tend to be very expensive.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--How McConnell Outplayed Pelosi

How McConnell Outplayed Pelosi

Mitch McConnell was clear when he addressed the Senate December 18 : Any impeachment trial of President Trump would follow the precedent established by the trial of President Clinton 20 years ago .
Clinton 's trial was divided into pieces .
The Senate agreed unanimously to begin with a briefing , opening arguments , questions from senators , and a vote to dismiss .
Whether to hear witnesses or introduce additional evidence were questions decided later .
`` That was the unanimous bipartisan precedent from 1999 , '' McConnell said .
`` Put first things first , lay the bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of the trial . ''
The arrangement satisfied Chuck Schumer back when he was a recently elected junior senator from New York .
Funny how times change .
Now Senate minority leader , and looking to damage Republicans in a presidential election year , Schumer demanded that McConnell call witnesses and ask for additional documents at the outset of the proceedings .
Pelosi followed his cues .
After the House impeached Trump on December 18 , she said she would n't transmit the articles of impeachment until McConnell gave in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He continued to point to the ( relative ) bipartisanship of the Clinton era .
`` The Senate said , 100 to nothing , that was good enough for President Clinton , '' he said on January 6 .
`` So it ought to be good enough for President Trump .
Fair is fair . ''
The following day , McConnell ridiculed the idea that Pelosi had `` leverage '' over the Senate : `` Apparently this is their proposition : If the Senate does not agree to break with our own unanimous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let Speaker Pelosi hand-design a different procedure for this Senate trial , then they might never dump this mess in our lap . ''
Fine with him .
The Senate has plenty of other things to do .
The reliance on precedent is one of McConnell 's most effective strategies .
In 2016 he invoked the `` Biden rule '' to prevent confirmation hearings for Judge Merrick Garland , President Obama 's nominee to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court , until after the election .
The following spring , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Supreme Court nominees , McConnell noted that former majority leader Harry Reid , a Democrat , had done the same for lower-court nominees in 2013 .
Pelosi and Schumer want to up the pressure on Republican senators Susan Collins , Lisa Murkowski , and Mitt Romney .
The goal : drive them to break from McConnell .
What the Democrats failed to recognize is that beginning a trial is a separate issue from calling witnesses .
And no Republican is particularly interested in holding the trial .
Pelosi 's leverage was nonexistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shining a light on a corrupt process ?
Silliness .
By January 7 , McConnell had secured the backing of the GOP conference .
Republicans were unified .
Pelosi 's gambit fell apart .
Democratic senators , from Dianne Feinstein to Doug Jones , said it was time for the trial to begin .
Several Democratic congressmen agreed .
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee , Adam Smith , said it was `` time to send the impeachment to the Senate . ''
Smith is one of Pelosi 's favorites—or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Within hours , an abashed Smith was on Twitter , walking back his comments .
`` I will turn them over when I 'm ready , and that will probably be soon , '' Pelosi said at her January 9 press conference .
`` I know exactly when '' to appoint impeachment managers , she said earlier that day .
She has a funny way of showing it .
The chances that the House would strong arm the Senate into adopting the preferences of Schumer were always low .
They shrank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began questioning Pelosi 's tactics .
The comparison would horrify her , but Pelosi 's move reminded me of the Tea Party 's plan to force a Democratic Senate to repeal Obamacare through House appropriations bills .
You can shut down the government , or prolong an impeachment , only for so long .
Soon you will take the blame .
McConnell 's victory carries risks .
It guarantees that there will be a trial .
And a trial is an unpredictable entity .
Any senator can offer a motion .
How involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be is unknown .
Party unity might help the Democrats more than Republicans .
Once the trial begins , if three GOP senators vote with a unified Democratic conference on a given motion , Schumer will have his way .
McConnell 's challenge : keep Republicans together to limit the scope and duration of the proceedings .
Pelosi is an example of what not to do .
Since announcing the impeachment inquiry in September , she has seen independents turn against it , Trump 's numbers rise , a House Democrat switch parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote against one or both of the articles of impeachment .
Now her friends and lieutenants question her judgment in public .
Pelosi 's reputation as a `` master strategist '' is hype .
It 's been reported that she got the idea for withholding the articles from an interview with John Dean on CNN .
Dean once gave legal advice to Richard Nixon .
And look what happened to him .

Mitch McConnell was clear when he addressed the Senate December 18: Any impeachment trial of President Trump would follow the precedent established by the trial of President Clinton 20 years ago.
Clinton's trial was divided into pieces. The Senate agreed unanimously to begin with a briefing, opening arguments, questions from senators, and a vote to dismiss. Whether to hear witnesses or introduce additional evidence were questions decided later. "That was the unanimous bipartisan precedent from 1999," McConnell said. "Put first things first, lay the bipartisan groundwork, and leave mid-trial questions to the middle of the trial."
The arrangement satisfied Chuck Schumer back when he was a recently elected junior senator from New York. Funny how times change. Now Senate minority leader, and looking to damage Republicans in a presidential election year, Schumer demanded that McConnell call witnesses and ask for additional documents at the outset of the proceedings. Pelosi followed his cues. After the House impeached Trump on December 18, she said she wouldn't transmit the articles of impeachment until McConnell gave in to Schumer's demands.
McConnell refused. He continued to point to the (relative) bipartisanship of the Clinton era. "The Senate said, 100 to nothing, that was good enough for President Clinton," he said on January 6. "So it ought to be good enough for President Trump. Fair is fair." The following day, McConnell ridiculed the idea that Pelosi had "leverage" over the Senate: "Apparently this is their proposition: If the Senate does not agree to break with our own unanimous bipartisan precedent from 1999, and agree to let Speaker Pelosi hand-design a different procedure for this Senate trial, then they might never dump this mess in our lap." Fine with him. The Senate has plenty of other things to do.
The reliance on precedent is one of McConnell's most effective strategies. In 2016 he invoked the "Biden rule" to prevent confirmation hearings for Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, until after the election. The following spring, when Senate Republicans voted to end the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, McConnell noted that former majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, had done the same for lower-court nominees in 2013.
Pelosi and Schumer want to up the pressure on Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney. The goal: drive them to break from McConnell. What the Democrats failed to recognize is that beginning a trial is a separate issue from calling witnesses. And no Republican is particularly interested in holding the trial. Pelosi's leverage was nonexistent. The spin that she and Schumer were shining a light on a corrupt process? Silliness. By January 7, McConnell had secured the backing of the GOP conference. Republicans were unified.
Pelosi's gambit fell apart. Democratic senators, from Dianne Feinstein to Doug Jones, said it was time for the trial to begin. Several Democratic congressmen agreed. The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, said it was "time to send the impeachment to the Senate." Smith is one of Pelosi's favorites—or at least he was before he said that. Within hours, an abashed Smith was on Twitter, walking back his comments.
"I will turn them over when I'm ready, and that will probably be soon," Pelosi said at her January 9 press conference. "I know exactly when" to appoint impeachment managers, she said earlier that day. She has a funny way of showing it.
The chances that the House would strong arm the Senate into adopting the preferences of Schumer were always low. They shrank to zero once Democrats and media personalities began questioning Pelosi's tactics. The comparison would horrify her, but Pelosi's move reminded me of the Tea Party's plan to force a Democratic Senate to repeal Obamacare through House appropriations bills. You can shut down the government, or prolong an impeachment, only for so long. Soon you will take the blame.
McConnell's victory carries risks. It guarantees that there will be a trial. And a trial is an unpredictable entity. Any senator can offer a motion. How involved Chief Justice John Roberts will want to be is unknown. Party unity might help the Democrats more than Republicans. Once the trial begins, if three GOP senators vote with a unified Democratic conference on a given motion, Schumer will have his way. McConnell's challenge: keep Republicans together to limit the scope and duration of the proceedings.
Pelosi is an example of what not to do. Since announcing the impeachment inquiry in September, she has seen independents turn against it, Trump's numbers rise, a House Democrat switch parties, and several Democrats join Republicans to vote against one or both of the articles of impeachment. Now her friends and lieutenants question her judgment in public. Pelosi's reputation as a "master strategist" is hype. It's been reported that she got the idea for withholding the articles from an interview with John Dean on CNN. Dean once gave legal advice to Richard Nixon. And look what happened to him.


freebeacon--2020-01-09--Four European Countries Might Be Added to Anti-Semitism Watchlist

Anti-Semitism watchdogs are calling on the Trump administration to designate France , Sweden , Germany , and the United Kingdom as countries of concern due to the rapid rise of anti-Jewish hate crimes .
At a hearing of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Wednesday , notable Jewish and human rights activist , Rabbi Abraham Cooper , advised the commission to add the four major European countries to its Tier II watchlist for anti-Semitism .
Each of the four countries identified by Cooper—associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center , a global human rights organization committed to confronting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crimes committed in recent years .
In all instances , he said , the states failed to decisively respond .
The addition of these countries would mark a milestone in American efforts to combat anti-Semitism abroad , Cooper said .
In France , Cooper denounced a judiciary `` policy of appeasement '' that in multiple cases released violent , anti-Semitic assailants without a trial , with French authorities deeming them mentally unfit to stand trial .
In one case , an assailant stabbed two different Jewish persons in the French city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both incidents , the attacker was let off for being mentally ill .
In Sweden and Denmark on Nov. 9 , the 81st anniversary of Kristallnacht , neo-Nazi stickers littered numerous Jewish sites , homes , and cemeteries .
Anti-Semitic hate crimes have increased 53 percent from 2016 to 2018 in Sweden .
In Germany on Yom Kippur , the holiest day of the Jewish year , a neo-Nazi tried to open fire on a synagogue in the city of Halle .
He failed to break through the security door , shooting two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While visiting Berlin last year , Rabbi Cooper heard that an Israeli student had recently been assaulted in the streets for speaking Hebrew .
The rabbi has urged German chancellor Angela Merkel to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization , claiming the designation would quell the group 's courting of young Muslims in Germany .
In the United Kingdom , anti-Semitism spread to the electorate through Jeremy Corbyn 's Labour Party .
Hate crimes spiked and the lasting effects will likely be felt for some time , the rabbi said .
Before beginning his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other factors that have led to the international rise in anti-Semitic sentiment : social media and the state-propagated denial of the Holocaust in Iran .
`` We 're being too kind to the social media giants , '' the rabbi said .
The horrifying live-streamed massacre of 50 Muslim worshippers in two mosques in New Zealand was claimed by the Halle synagogue attacker as a primary influence .
Rabbi Cooper appeared today alongside several panel witnesses , including State Department special envoy Elan Carr , U.N. special rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Akbar Ahmed .
Many witnesses also spoke about the dangers of anti-Semitic propaganda in textbooks provided to children in schools throughout the United States and Europe .
They all agreed : defeating anti-Semitism requires a quick and decisive response by all nations .

Anti-Semitism watchdogs are calling on the Trump administration to designate France, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom as countries of concern due to the rapid rise of anti-Jewish hate crimes.
At a hearing of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Wednesday, notable Jewish and human rights activist, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, advised the commission to add the four major European countries to its Tier II watchlist for anti-Semitism.
Each of the four countries identified by Cooper—associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a global human rights organization committed to confronting anti-Semitism—saw alarming increases in anti-Semitic assaults and hate crimes committed in recent years. In all instances, he said, the states failed to decisively respond.
The addition of these countries would mark a milestone in American efforts to combat anti-Semitism abroad, Cooper said.
In France, Cooper denounced a judiciary "policy of appeasement" that in multiple cases released violent, anti-Semitic assailants without a trial, with French authorities deeming them mentally unfit to stand trial. In one case, an assailant stabbed two different Jewish persons in the French city of Strasbourg in 2010 and 2016. In both incidents, the attacker was let off for being mentally ill.
In Sweden and Denmark on Nov. 9, the 81st anniversary of Kristallnacht, neo-Nazi stickers littered numerous Jewish sites, homes, and cemeteries. Anti-Semitic hate crimes have increased 53 percent from 2016 to 2018 in Sweden.
In Germany on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, a neo-Nazi tried to open fire on a synagogue in the city of Halle. He failed to break through the security door, shooting two nearby citizens and injuring two others. While visiting Berlin last year, Rabbi Cooper heard that an Israeli student had recently been assaulted in the streets for speaking Hebrew. The rabbi has urged German chancellor Angela Merkel to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization, claiming the designation would quell the group's courting of young Muslims in Germany.
In the United Kingdom, anti-Semitism spread to the electorate through Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party. Hate crimes spiked and the lasting effects will likely be felt for some time, the rabbi said.
Before beginning his testimony, Rabbi Cooper also identified two other factors that have led to the international rise in anti-Semitic sentiment: social media and the state-propagated denial of the Holocaust in Iran. "We're being too kind to the social media giants," the rabbi said. The horrifying live-streamed massacre of 50 Muslim worshippers in two mosques in New Zealand was claimed by the Halle synagogue attacker as a primary influence.
Rabbi Cooper appeared today alongside several panel witnesses, including State Department special envoy Elan Carr, U.N. special rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, and former Pakistani ambassador to the United Kingdom Akbar Ahmed. Many witnesses also spoke about the dangers of anti-Semitic propaganda in textbooks provided to children in schools throughout the United States and Europe. They all agreed: Defeating anti-Semitism requires a quick and decisive response by all nations.