freebeacon--2020-04-23--Former Sanders Press Secretary Blames Media for Protecting Biden

Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) former campaign press secretary said in a new interview the media effectively conspired to protect presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden at the expense of her old boss .
`` Yeah , voters chose Joe Biden as their preferred candidate after months of concentrated media attention saying that he was the most electable candidate , not talking about any of his vulnerabilities , '' Briahna Joy Gray told the Atlantic .
Asked if she was selling primary voters short to claim a `` media conspiracy '' made them support Biden , Gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it was just a media conspiracy that made them vote for Biden .
I ’ m saying that ’ s a part of it , '' she said .
`` But to pretend that the voters were operating in kind of a neutral , unbiased media climate is also inaccurate , '' she said .
`` People need information to make informed decisions , and unfortunately the media climate meant that was not the case . ''
Gray criticized the press 's handling of Tara Reade 's allegation against Biden of sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause for concern about Biden 's nomination but was ignored until Biden had a safe lead in the primary .
New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said reporting on allegations against public figures is `` very subjective '' when he explained the paper 's decision not to pursue the Reade story as aggressively as it did accusations against Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation battle .
Sanders announced his endorsement on April 13 , five days after dropping out of the race .
Sanders was the early frontrunner in the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina and subsequent wins on Super Tuesday gave him a comfortable delegate lead .
Gray , however , blamed the Democratic Party for blocking Sanders from the nomination and said it had failed to engage progressives about solving Biden 's `` obvious flaws that might damage his candidacy . ''
`` The Democratic Party is telling us , it seems , that they ’ re more interested in shaming voters than actually putting forth the best nominee , '' she told the Atlantic .
`` Pushing Biden to the left makes him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Gray after he endorsed Biden , stressing that Gray is `` not on the payroll , '' as she stated she would refuse to endorse Biden unless he adopted numerous progressive policies .
Sanders has said not supporting Biden against President Donald Trump would be irresponsible .

Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) former campaign press secretary said in a new interview the media effectively conspired to protect presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden at the expense of her old boss.
"Yeah, voters chose Joe Biden as their preferred candidate after months of concentrated media attention saying that he was the most electable candidate, not talking about any of his vulnerabilities," Briahna Joy Gray told the Atlantic.
Asked if she was selling primary voters short to claim a "media conspiracy" made them support Biden, Gray demurred.
"I didn’t say it was just a media conspiracy that made them vote for Biden. I’m saying that’s a part of it," she said.
Gray argued Sanders faced a biased media climate that downplayed Biden's flaws.
"But to pretend that the voters were operating in kind of a neutral, unbiased media climate is also inaccurate," she said. "People need information to make informed decisions, and unfortunately the media climate meant that was not the case."
Gray criticized the press's handling of Tara Reade's allegation against Biden of sexual assault, saying the accusation is a cause for concern about Biden's nomination but was ignored until Biden had a safe lead in the primary.
New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said reporting on allegations against public figures is "very subjective" when he explained the paper's decision not to pursue the Reade story as aggressively as it did accusations against Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation battle.
Sanders announced his endorsement on April 13, five days after dropping out of the race. Sanders was the early frontrunner in the primary, but Biden's blowout victory in South Carolina and subsequent wins on Super Tuesday gave him a comfortable delegate lead.
Gray, however, blamed the Democratic Party for blocking Sanders from the nomination and said it had failed to engage progressives about solving Biden's "obvious flaws that might damage his candidacy."
I wish the Democratic Party would consolidate around a plan to save the post office and bail out American families as efficiently as they consolidated to stop Bernie Sanders. — Briahna "Curly Fries" Gray (@briebriejoy) April 22, 2020
"The Democratic Party is telling us, it seems, that they’re more interested in shaming voters than actually putting forth the best nominee," she told the Atlantic. "Pushing Biden to the left makes him more electable."
Sanders distanced himself from Gray after he endorsed Biden, stressing that Gray is "not on the payroll," as she stated she would refuse to endorse Biden unless he adopted numerous progressive policies. Sanders has said not supporting Biden against President Donald Trump would be irresponsible.


freebeacon--2020-04-23--Justice Democrat Calls for Mass Prison Release

A New York Democrat demanded the immediate release of all New York state prisoners scheduled to be released later in 2020 , a move that could set free more than 7,500 inmates overnight .
Jamaal Bowman , a Bronx progressive challenging Democratic incumbent Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) , voiced support Tuesday for a proposal by actress Piper Perabo .
Perabo had called on New York governor Andrew Cuomo to grant immediate release to all inmates who are scheduled to leave prison in 2020 .
She argued in a tweet that the new coronavirus pandemic is `` spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care and cramped quarters have facilitated the spread of the deadly disease in some prisons and jails .
Bowman and other Democratic activists have capitalized on the pandemic by demanding the early release of prisoners on humanitarian grounds .
Several prisons have complied with such demands , releasing nonviolent prisoners before they complete their sentences .
Early release plans in places such as New York and California have so far applied to only nonviolent prisoners , but no such restrictions are mentioned in the plan backed by Perabo and Bowman .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release that would not make a distinction between violent and nonviolent criminal convictions .
The Bowman campaign did not respond to request for comment .
The scope of the proposal also far outpaces existing clemency plans .
California , for example , has so far committed to releasing only about 3,500 prisoners .
The mass clemency backed by Bowman would immediately release more than 7,500 convicted criminals in New York alone .
Prisons located in or near coronavirus hotspots have been severely affected by the disease .
For instance , nearly 1 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus , according to an estimate gathered by the Legal Aid Society .
In response , New York City has released more than 1,500 inmates from jail to create more space for social distancing .
However , the early release of prisoners might have an adverse effect on public order at a time when police forces are being hollowed out by the coronavirus .
The New York Post found that dozens of New York criminals were back in prison within weeks of their early release .
Bowman is backed by Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 's ( D. , N.Y. ) surprise victory over Joe Crowley , a New York Democratic heavyweight .
Bowman has so far secured endorsements from New York progressives including Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout , both of whom mounted failed challenges for the governorship against Cuomo .
Bowman also supports other progressive policy objectives , including the Green New Deal and Medicare for All .
Bowman has frequently railed against the prison system during his campaign , comparing prison work to slavery and solitary confinement to torture .
`` A nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful if we are committing torture at our borders and within our prison system , '' he said in June 2019 , referring to solitary confinement .
`` A country that leads the developed world in incarceration , poverty and infant mortality is morally bankrupt . ''

A New York Democrat demanded the immediate release of all New York state prisoners scheduled to be released later in 2020, a move that could set free more than 7,500 inmates overnight.
Jamaal Bowman, a Bronx progressive challenging Democratic incumbent Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), voiced support Tuesday for a proposal by actress Piper Perabo. Perabo had called on New York governor Andrew Cuomo to grant immediate release to all inmates who are scheduled to leave prison in 2020. She argued in a tweet that the new coronavirus pandemic is "spreading like wildfire in facilities."
Poor health care and cramped quarters have facilitated the spread of the deadly disease in some prisons and jails. Bowman and other Democratic activists have capitalized on the pandemic by demanding the early release of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Several prisons have complied with such demands, releasing nonviolent prisoners before they complete their sentences. Early release plans in places such as New York and California have so far applied to only nonviolent prisoners, but no such restrictions are mentioned in the plan backed by Perabo and Bowman. The clemency proposal appears to offer a blanket release that would not make a distinction between violent and nonviolent criminal convictions.
The Bowman campaign did not respond to request for comment.
The scope of the proposal also far outpaces existing clemency plans. California, for example, has so far committed to releasing only about 3,500 prisoners. The mass clemency backed by Bowman would immediately release more than 7,500 convicted criminals in New York alone.
Prisons located in or near coronavirus hotspots have been severely affected by the disease. For instance, nearly 1 in 10 inmates in Rikers Island has tested positive for coronavirus, according to an estimate gathered by the Legal Aid Society. In response, New York City has released more than 1,500 inmates from jail to create more space for social distancing. However, the early release of prisoners might have an adverse effect on public order at a time when police forces are being hollowed out by the coronavirus. The New York Post found that dozens of New York criminals were back in prison within weeks of their early release.
Bowman is backed by Justice Democrats, a group that engineered Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D., N.Y.) surprise victory over Joe Crowley, a New York Democratic heavyweight. Bowman has so far secured endorsements from New York progressives including Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout, both of whom mounted failed challenges for the governorship against Cuomo. Bowman also supports other progressive policy objectives, including the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.
Bowman has frequently railed against the prison system during his campaign, comparing prison work to slavery and solitary confinement to torture.
"A nation cannot claim to be rich and powerful if we are committing torture at our borders and within our prison system," he said in June 2019, referring to solitary confinement. "A country that leads the developed world in incarceration, poverty and infant mortality is morally bankrupt."


freebeacon--2020-04-23--The Multi-Talented Ms. Abrams

The Multi-Talented Ms. Abrams

Most politicians in the running to join a presidential ticket as the VP candidate are inclined to stay silent , change the subject , or simply express their humility at the thought of being considered .
Stacey Abrams is n't most politicians .
`` I would be an excellent running mate , '' Abrams said in a recent interview with Elle magazine , citing her `` strong history of executive and management experience , '' as well as her `` 25 years in independent study of foreign policy . ''
As soon as it became clear that former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's nominee for president , Abrams embarked on a media tour to make the case for why Stacey Abrams , a woman of extraordinary talents and independently attained expertise , should be Biden 's running mate .
Asked on Morning Joe if she agreed with her previous assessment that Stacey Abrams would make an excellent running mate , Abrams affirmed she was indeed correct .
`` Absolutely , '' she said .
`` This is a question of competency , of skills , and of understanding the intricate nature of our federal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams elaborated in an interview with FiveThirtyEight , describing Abrams as `` a very accomplished person who has experience on a realm of issues and has the capacity to do this job [ of vice president ] . ''
Abrams added that in her own `` very pragmatic '' assessment , Abrams would be elected president within 20 years .
Abrams , whose experience includes declaring herself the governor of Georgia despite not winning the state 's gubernatorial election in 2018 , told the New York Times that her life `` has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills necessary to make my ambitions real , '' even if reality gets in the way .
The failed candidate has claimed , for example , that she is n't actively seeking the Democratic vice presidential nomination despite all evidence to the contrary .
`` I would be honored to be on the campaign trail as a running mate , but that is a process that you ca n't campaign for , and I 'm not campaigning for it , '' she told the Obama bros on `` Pod Save America . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The View , Abrams touted herself as the leading `` hype man '' for Stacey Abrams and agreed with the hosts that she would make an excellent running mate , describing herself as someone who would be `` very effective at helping us restore the dignity and the soul of [ America ] . ''
Abrams dismissed her lack of ( any ) national experience by arguing that such experience `` can be measured in multiple ways , '' presumably by taking into account one 's devotion to the `` independent study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams , for example , has touted her credentials as an eccentric genius on par with the world 's greatest scientific minds .
`` If you Googled my name , the first thing that came up was that I 'd written an article at the age of 17 on Mesopotamian astronomy , '' said Abrams , who has authored eight romance novels under the pen name `` Selena Montgomery , '' in an interview with Rolling Stone .
`` Both I and my publisher were concerned that people would not want to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well , not Neil deGrasse Tyson , but basically by Stephen Hawking . ''
On matters of foreign policy , Abrams has insisted she has the necessary experience .
Though conceding she has `` never negotiated a treaty , '' Abrams touted herself as `` a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations , '' a think tank headquartered on the Upper East Side of Manhattan .
`` The truth of the matter is what we want is capacity , '' Abrams said during her appearance on The View on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we want skills . ''
She went on to suggest that Democratic voters want a woman of color on the ticket , though polls suggest that the only Democrats who really care about this are white liberals .
Abrams expressed `` concern '' about the possibility that Biden would not make the `` smart choice '' by picking an accomplished woman of color such as Stacey Abrams .
`` We need a ticket that reflects the diversity of America , '' she said .
Biden 's capacity to make a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given the noticeable decline in his cognitive functioning , but his selection of a running mate will be of far greater significance than usual .
The vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket this cycle could very well be the one who takes the oath of office in 2021 .
Stacey Abrams would like us all to know there is n't a single person better suited to the task than Stacey Abrams .

Most politicians in the running to join a presidential ticket as the VP candidate are inclined to stay silent, change the subject, or simply express their humility at the thought of being considered. Stacey Abrams isn't most politicians.
"I would be an excellent running mate," Abrams said in a recent interview with Elle magazine, citing her "strong history of executive and management experience," as well as her "25 years in independent study of foreign policy."
As soon as it became clear that former vice president Joe Biden would be the Democratic Party's nominee for president, Abrams embarked on a media tour to make the case for why Stacey Abrams, a woman of extraordinary talents and independently attained expertise, should be Biden's running mate.
Asked on Morning Joe if she agreed with her previous assessment that Stacey Abrams would make an excellent running mate, Abrams affirmed she was indeed correct. "Absolutely," she said. "This is a question of competency, of skills, and of understanding the intricate nature of our federal, state, and local governments."
Abrams elaborated in an interview with FiveThirtyEight, describing Abrams as "a very accomplished person who has experience on a realm of issues and has the capacity to do this job [of vice president]." Abrams added that in her own "very pragmatic" assessment, Abrams would be elected president within 20 years.
Abrams, whose experience includes declaring herself the governor of Georgia despite not winning the state's gubernatorial election in 2018, told the New York Times that her life "has always been about making certain I accrue the skills necessary to make my ambitions real," even if reality gets in the way.
The failed candidate has claimed, for example, that she isn't actively seeking the Democratic vice presidential nomination despite all evidence to the contrary. "I would be honored to be on the campaign trail as a running mate, but that is a process that you can't campaign for, and I'm not campaigning for it," she told the Obama bros on "Pod Save America."
During an appearance on Wednesday's episode of The View, Abrams touted herself as the leading "hype man" for Stacey Abrams and agreed with the hosts that she would make an excellent running mate, describing herself as someone who would be "very effective at helping us restore the dignity and the soul of [America]."
Abrams dismissed her lack of (any) national experience by arguing that such experience "can be measured in multiple ways," presumably by taking into account one's devotion to the "independent study" of national and international issues. Abrams, for example, has touted her credentials as an eccentric genius on par with the world's greatest scientific minds.
"If you Googled my name, the first thing that came up was that I'd written an article at the age of 17 on Mesopotamian astronomy," said Abrams, who has authored eight romance novels under the pen name "Selena Montgomery," in an interview with Rolling Stone. "Both I and my publisher were concerned that people would not want to buy a [romance] book written by, well, not Neil deGrasse Tyson, but basically by Stephen Hawking."
On matters of foreign policy, Abrams has insisted she has the necessary experience. Though conceding she has "never negotiated a treaty," Abrams touted herself as "a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations," a think tank headquartered on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
"The truth of the matter is what we want is capacity," Abrams said during her appearance on The View on Wednesday, adding, "They want competence, and we want skills." She went on to suggest that Democratic voters want a woman of color on the ticket, though polls suggest that the only Democrats who really care about this are white liberals.
Abrams expressed "concern" about the possibility that Biden would not make the "smart choice" by picking an accomplished woman of color such as Stacey Abrams. "We need a ticket that reflects the diversity of America," she said.
Biden's capacity to make a "smart choice" is somewhat in doubt, given the noticeable decline in his cognitive functioning, but his selection of a running mate will be of far greater significance than usual. The vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket this cycle could very well be the one who takes the oath of office in 2021. Stacey Abrams would like us all to know there isn't a single person better suited to the task than Stacey Abrams.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--Man Who Died Ingesting Fish Tank Cleaner Remembered as Intelligent, Levelheaded Engineer

In death , he has become famous as a cautionary tale about the risks of mindlessly following the armchair medical advice President Donald Trump has dispensed from the White House podium .
But friends of 68-year-old Gary Lenius , the Arizona man who passed away last month from drinking a fish tank cleaner that contained an ingredient , chloroquine phosphate , that Trump had touted as a potential coronavirus cure , say they are still struggling to understand what drove an engineer with an extensive science background to do something so wildly out of character .
These people describe Lenius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sort of reckless and impulsive behavior he reportedly engaged in on the day he died .
This account is based on interviews with three people who knew Lenius well and paints a picture of a troubled marriage characterized by Wanda Lenius 's explosive anger .
`` What bothers me about this is that Gary was a very intelligent man , a retired [ mechanical ] engineer who designed systems for John Deere in Waterloo , Iowa , and I really ca n't see the scenario where Gary would say , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drink some of that Koi fish tank cleaner , ' '' one of his close friends told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It just does n't make any sense . ''
Lenius passed away on March 22 after he and his wife , Wanda Lenius , drank sodas that she had mixed with a fish tank cleaner not intended for human consumption , Wanda Lenius told the Free Beacon .
Trump critics and the news media have held up his death as a warning against following the president 's amateur medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` lethal , '' has `` blood on his hands , '' and should be tried at the Hague for `` crimes against humanity . ''
Those who know Gary Lenius , however , say they are troubled by how he has been portrayed in the media and ca n't imagine him agreeing to drink an aquarium treatment .
`` I would like people to know that Gary was not the fool that some of the media stories and comments are depicting him to be , '' said the same friend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what he was taking . ''
Lenius spent over three decades as a senior engineer at John Deere in Waterloo , Iowa .
He met Wanda in 2000 .
In 2012 , he purchased a home in a gated mountain community in Mesa , Ariz. After he retired , the couple moved southwest full time .
`` Immediately he just fell in love with Arizona , '' Wanda Lenius told the Free Beacon in an interview last month .
`` He would say every day , ‘ Is n't my mountain beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Boy , it 's nice out here .
I wish I lived here my whole life . '
Every day , '' she continued , adding , `` He would go on , and on , and on , to the point where I was , like , ‘ You 're starting to sound a little weird . '
'' Gary was `` beloved by everybody , '' she said , a comment echoed by others who knew him .
`` Every now and then you meet somebody that is kind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sincere , and friendly , and you know right away you like this guy , '' said the friend .
Wanda Lenius did not respond to a request for comment about the allegations in this report from sources who knew Gary Lenius .
A woman who identified herself as a friend of Wanda Lenius 's , however , emailed the Free Beacon to say that Wanda Lenius was `` not well '' and called the information contained in the report `` old and inaccurate . ''
Gary Lenius loved building and flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent for it , according to those who knew him .
The models can take weeks or months to build and require extensive patience , attention to detail , and technical skill .
He joined the Arizona Model Airplane flyers club in Mesa and spent many of his days at the local airpark testing his planes , according to club executive John Mangino .
`` A lot of people say we have cliques .
I was at one end of the field , he was at the other end , '' Mangino told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been in the club for several years and had a close circle of friends in the group .
Wanda Lenius would often take her terrier dogs and meet her husband at the airpark , and the couple would go for a walk in the nearby desert .
Those who knew the couple said they sensed tension in the marriage .
`` Wanda would constantly berate Gary in public , '' said a source who asked that all identifying information be withheld .
`` Everyone was embarrassed for him , but he outwardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` In our opinion , their marriage was seen outwardly to be as one-sided as a marriage possibly could be : Gary worshiped Wanda , '' this person said , adding that his wife `` would routinely call him a ‘ doofus ' '' and humiliate him in public .
Lenius 's friend recalled Wanda Lenius destroying her husband 's aircraft model collection after he returned home late for a meal .
`` These planes take many dozens and sometimes hundreds of hours to complete , '' said the friend .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply junked the planes that were not repairable and fixed the rest .
That is the Gary I knew , he would never get upset , he just accepted what happened and carried on . ''
In another recent instance , the same friend said Wanda Lenius broke her husband 's laptop screen , allegedly because she was angry he had updated the Windows software on her computer .
`` Gary just ordered up a new LCD screen from Dell and took it apart and replaced the screen himself , '' said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repairing laptops , but he was a smart guy , he learned how . ''
The couple met while working at John Deere in Waterloo in 2000 , according to Wanda Lenius .
Gary Lenius was a longtime senior engineer at the company and Wanda Halverson had recently started as a temp worker .
Both were divorced .
They married by the end of the year , and Wanda Lenius was hired full time in the company 's supply management division .
Seven months after their wedding , the Waterloo Police Department responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The couple had gotten into an argument `` concerning counseling and a possible divorce '' during which Wanda allegedly hit her husband in the chest and swung a mounted birdhouse at him , according to a court affidavit from the responding officer , William Sauerbrei .
The state attorney 's office charged Wanda Lenius with misdemeanor domestic abuse assault .
But the couple reconciled and Gary Lenius testified in support of his wife at the trial , saying he was not hurt or put in fear of injury .
The judge found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Judge Nathan Callahan wrote that the `` 911 tape certainly contains sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for [ Wanda Lenius 's ] arrest , and the observations of the officers were consistent with a finding of probable cause for arrest of the Defendant . ''
But due to Gary Lenius 's trial testimony , the judge said he was unable to find `` proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant either placed her husband in fear , injured him , or that she had the intent to do so . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at John Deere for four years , Wanda Lenius went on long-term disability after developing debilitating mental and physical health problems from gender and age discrimination she faced at the company , according to court records in a 2012 lawsuit she filed against John Deere .
Wanda Lenius told the court that she faced `` gender-based harassment '' and age discrimination , including getting passed over for promotions because she was a woman in her 40s .
The litigation was similar to a lawsuit she had filed in 1997 against her former employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although in that case , she said the company discriminated against her because she was viewed as a `` young , single girl . ''
That case was dismissed in 1999 .
Dr. James Harding , Wanda 's psychologist at the Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center in Waterloo , told the court in the John Deere lawsuit that Wanda had post-traumatic stress disorder and anger issues due to her experience at the company .
`` In the process of externalizing her stress , she remains very angry and full of adrenaline much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her health , '' he said in a July 31 , 2013 , letter .
`` Anything related to John Deere such as signs , colors , even former friends there can be powerful triggers to flashbacks , causing rage and a desire to attack back . ''
Wanda Lenius said during a deposition in the case that she was `` furious all the time '' and that the stress had taken a toll on her marriage .
`` I 'm just mad , '' she said .
`` I want my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't want to because I do not want to ever hear [ those ] two words again : ‘ John Deere . '
I never want to hear that again in my life when this is over with .
Ever .
And I am moving as far away as I can get without leaving the United States of America . ''
In a phone interview with the Free Beacon , Wanda said she and her husband had seen President Trump praise a drug called chloroquine on the news , citing preliminary studies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus .
She said she remembered purchasing a jar of `` chloroquine phosphate '' years before to clean a fish tank .
The powder form of the drug is sold by aquarium suppliers and is used to treat viral outbreaks in large fish tanks .
She told the Free Beacon she had mentioned this to her husband `` and he kind of laughed at me , you know .
It was just a regular conversation . ''
She said she did n't think about chloroquine again until a few days later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her that he had hurt his leg while riding his new dirt bike and might have to go see a doctor .
`` I 'd already stocked the house with groceries and extra dog food and everything was set .
We were ready to self-isolate , '' said Wanda .
`` He did n't want to tell me that he got hurt bad because he knew I was upset .
I did n't want him to ride a motorcycle , he was 68 and I did n't want him getting hurt . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to schedule a doctor 's appointment to have his leg looked at and the couple worried he might pick up coronavirus at the clinic .
That 's when , she said , she reached for the fish tank cleaner in her pantry .
Asked if she and Lenius had a conversation about taking the chloroquine at that time , she told the Free Beacon : `` No .
I mean , it was really kind of a spur of the moment thing , '' adding that the couple ingested `` one teaspoon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lethal limit .
A friend of Lenius 's said that Wanda Lenius `` often made a cocktail of vitamins for Gary . ''
Those who knew Gary said he was in `` good spirits '' and seemed `` normal '' in the days before he died .
One source said that Gary had recently started undergoing chelation therapy , a medical procedure that is typically used to treat people who have abnormally high levels of heavy metals in their blood , such as lead , mercury , or arsenic .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for heart disease , autism , and Alzheimer 's disease .
About a week before he passed away , a friend said Lenius told him `` that he would never remarry if something happened with him and Wanda . ''
`` Gary loved Wanda , '' said the friend .
`` He trusted her to do the right thing for him , I doubt that he second-guessed when she gave him the chloroquine . ''

In death, he has become famous as a cautionary tale about the risks of mindlessly following the armchair medical advice President Donald Trump has dispensed from the White House podium.
But friends of 68-year-old Gary Lenius, the Arizona man who passed away last month from drinking a fish tank cleaner that contained an ingredient, chloroquine phosphate, that Trump had touted as a potential coronavirus cure, say they are still struggling to understand what drove an engineer with an extensive science background to do something so wildly out of character.
These people describe Lenius as intelligent and levelheaded, not prone to the sort of reckless and impulsive behavior he reportedly engaged in on the day he died. This account is based on interviews with three people who knew Lenius well and paints a picture of a troubled marriage characterized by Wanda Lenius's explosive anger.
"What bothers me about this is that Gary was a very intelligent man, a retired [mechanical] engineer who designed systems for John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa, and I really can't see the scenario where Gary would say, 'Yes, please, I would love to drink some of that Koi fish tank cleaner,'" one of his close friends told the Washington Free Beacon. "It just doesn't make any sense."
Lenius passed away on March 22 after he and his wife, Wanda Lenius, drank sodas that she had mixed with a fish tank cleaner not intended for human consumption, Wanda Lenius told the Free Beacon.
Trump critics and the news media have held up his death as a warning against following the president's amateur medical advice, with some claiming that Trump is "lethal," has "blood on his hands," and should be tried at the Hague for "crimes against humanity."
Those who know Gary Lenius, however, say they are troubled by how he has been portrayed in the media and can't imagine him agreeing to drink an aquarium treatment. "I would like people to know that Gary was not the fool that some of the media stories and comments are depicting him to be," said the same friend. "I really don't think Gary knew what he was taking."
Lenius spent over three decades as a senior engineer at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa. He met Wanda in 2000. In 2012, he purchased a home in a gated mountain community in Mesa, Ariz. After he retired, the couple moved southwest full time.
"Immediately he just fell in love with Arizona," Wanda Lenius told the Free Beacon in an interview last month. "He would say every day, 'Isn't my mountain beautiful? Isn't it gorgeous out here? Boy, it's nice out here. I wish I lived here my whole life.' Every day," she continued, adding, "He would go on, and on, and on, to the point where I was, like, 'You're starting to sound a little weird.'"
Gary was "beloved by everybody," she said, a comment echoed by others who knew him.
"Every now and then you meet somebody that is kind, genuine, patient, intelligent, helpful, sincere, and friendly, and you know right away you like this guy," said the friend.
Wanda Lenius did not respond to a request for comment about the allegations in this report from sources who knew Gary Lenius.
A woman who identified herself as a friend of Wanda Lenius's, however, emailed the Free Beacon to say that Wanda Lenius was "not well" and called the information contained in the report "old and inaccurate."
Gary Lenius loved building and flying model aircraft, and he had a talent for it, according to those who knew him. The models can take weeks or months to build and require extensive patience, attention to detail, and technical skill. He joined the Arizona Model Airplane flyers club in Mesa and spent many of his days at the local airpark testing his planes, according to club executive John Mangino.
"A lot of people say we have cliques. I was at one end of the field, he was at the other end," Mangino told the Free Beacon. He said Lenius had been in the club for several years and had a close circle of friends in the group.
Wanda Lenius would often take her terrier dogs and meet her husband at the airpark, and the couple would go for a walk in the nearby desert. Those who knew the couple said they sensed tension in the marriage.
"Wanda would constantly berate Gary in public," said a source who asked that all identifying information be withheld. "Everyone was embarrassed for him, but he outwardly did not seem to care much."
"In our opinion, their marriage was seen outwardly to be as one-sided as a marriage possibly could be: Gary worshiped Wanda," this person said, adding that his wife "would routinely call him a 'doofus'" and humiliate him in public.
Lenius's friend recalled Wanda Lenius destroying her husband's aircraft model collection after he returned home late for a meal.
"These planes take many dozens and sometimes hundreds of hours to complete," said the friend. "Gary did not get angry, he simply junked the planes that were not repairable and fixed the rest. That is the Gary I knew, he would never get upset, he just accepted what happened and carried on."
In another recent instance, the same friend said Wanda Lenius broke her husband's laptop screen, allegedly because she was angry he had updated the Windows software on her computer.
"Gary just ordered up a new LCD screen from Dell and took it apart and replaced the screen himself," said the friend. "He knew nothing about repairing laptops, but he was a smart guy, he learned how."
The couple met while working at John Deere in Waterloo in 2000, according to Wanda Lenius. Gary Lenius was a longtime senior engineer at the company and Wanda Halverson had recently started as a temp worker. Both were divorced. They married by the end of the year, and Wanda Lenius was hired full time in the company's supply management division.
Seven months after their wedding, the Waterloo Police Department responded to a domestic incident at their home. The couple had gotten into an argument "concerning counseling and a possible divorce" during which Wanda allegedly hit her husband in the chest and swung a mounted birdhouse at him, according to a court affidavit from the responding officer, William Sauerbrei.
The state attorney's office charged Wanda Lenius with misdemeanor domestic abuse assault. But the couple reconciled and Gary Lenius testified in support of his wife at the trial, saying he was not hurt or put in fear of injury. The judge found Wanda not guilty.
In the verdict, Judge Nathan Callahan wrote that the "911 tape certainly contains sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for [Wanda Lenius's] arrest, and the observations of the officers were consistent with a finding of probable cause for arrest of the Defendant." But due to Gary Lenius's trial testimony, the judge said he was unable to find "proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant either placed her husband in fear, injured him, or that she had the intent to do so."
In 2005, after working full time at John Deere for four years, Wanda Lenius went on long-term disability after developing debilitating mental and physical health problems from gender and age discrimination she faced at the company, according to court records in a 2012 lawsuit she filed against John Deere.
Wanda Lenius told the court that she faced "gender-based harassment" and age discrimination, including getting passed over for promotions because she was a woman in her 40s. The litigation was similar to a lawsuit she had filed in 1997 against her former employer, the Cedar Valley Medical Clinic, although in that case, she said the company discriminated against her because she was viewed as a "young, single girl." That case was dismissed in 1999.
Dr. James Harding, Wanda's psychologist at the Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center in Waterloo, told the court in the John Deere lawsuit that Wanda had post-traumatic stress disorder and anger issues due to her experience at the company.
"In the process of externalizing her stress, she remains very angry and full of adrenaline much of the time which has been very hard on her health," he said in a July 31, 2013, letter. "Anything related to John Deere such as signs, colors, even former friends there can be powerful triggers to flashbacks, causing rage and a desire to attack back."
Wanda Lenius said during a deposition in the case that she was "furious all the time" and that the stress had taken a toll on her marriage.
"I'm just mad," she said. "I want my husband to retire even though he doesn't want to because I do not want to ever hear [those] two words again: 'John Deere.' I never want to hear that again in my life when this is over with. Ever. And I am moving as far away as I can get without leaving the United States of America."
In a phone interview with the Free Beacon, Wanda said she and her husband had seen President Trump praise a drug called chloroquine on the news, citing preliminary studies that showed it could be a promising treatment for coronavirus. She said she remembered purchasing a jar of "chloroquine phosphate" years before to clean a fish tank.
The powder form of the drug is sold by aquarium suppliers and is used to treat viral outbreaks in large fish tanks. She told the Free Beacon she had mentioned this to her husband "and he kind of laughed at me, you know. It was just a regular conversation."
She said she didn't think about chloroquine again until a few days later, March 22, when Lenius confessed to her that he had hurt his leg while riding his new dirt bike and might have to go see a doctor.
"I'd already stocked the house with groceries and extra dog food and everything was set. We were ready to self-isolate," said Wanda. "He didn't want to tell me that he got hurt bad because he knew I was upset. I didn't want him to ride a motorcycle, he was 68 and I didn't want him getting hurt."
Wanda Lenius said her husband was planning to schedule a doctor's appointment to have his leg looked at and the couple worried he might pick up coronavirus at the clinic. That's when, she said, she reached for the fish tank cleaner in her pantry.
Asked if she and Lenius had a conversation about taking the chloroquine at that time, she told the Free Beacon: "No. I mean, it was really kind of a spur of the moment thing," adding that the couple ingested "one teaspoon and some soda" each—at least four times the lethal limit.
A friend of Lenius's said that Wanda Lenius "often made a cocktail of vitamins for Gary."
Those who knew Gary said he was in "good spirits" and seemed "normal" in the days before he died. One source said that Gary had recently started undergoing chelation therapy, a medical procedure that is typically used to treat people who have abnormally high levels of heavy metals in their blood, such as lead, mercury, or arsenic. It is sometimes also used as a homeopathic remedy for heart disease, autism, and Alzheimer's disease.
About a week before he passed away, a friend said Lenius told him "that he would never remarry if something happened with him and Wanda."
"Gary loved Wanda," said the friend. "He trusted her to do the right thing for him, I doubt that he second-guessed when she gave him the chloroquine."


freebeacon--2020-04-24--America Can’t Face China Alone

America Can’t Face China Alone

You ca n't beat something with nothing .
But America seems determined to try .
America 's attempt to integrate China into the global economy as a `` responsible stakeholder '' failed .
China 's economy has become more statist , its political system more repressive , its foreign policy more bullying , its ambitions more outsized than they were 20 years ago .
China did not challenge American leadership directly .
It altered the character of international institutions from within .
The multilateral institutions that comprise the American-led liberal international order have been decaying for some time .
Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Nations , the European Union , the World Trade Organization , the World Health Organization—they are unresponsive , unaccountable , divided , demoralized , defunct .
The world is a more dangerous place .
We are used to autocratic domination of the U.N. General Assembly and the secretariat 's various commissions .
No one bats an eye when Russia or China vetoes a Security Council measure .
Less publicized were the concessions made to China as part of the Paris Climate Accord .
Or the fact that the World Trade Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` developing '' nation .
But the way Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the director of the WHO , caviled and covered for Beijing as the coronavirus spread throughout the world is impossible to ignore .
Drift , confusion , and chaos result .
There are three options .
The first is to work within the system to revitalize the existing structures .
The second is to build alternative institutions .
The third option is to do nothing .
President Trump has tried a hybrid of options one and three .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try a kind word or some quiet diplomacy to inspire reform and collaboration , he turns against the very institutions America created to force them to live up to their commitments .
He browbeats NATO members into spending more on defense .
He cheers for Brexit and supports the EU 's internal critics .
He cripples the WTO 's arbitration mechanism and threatens to withdraw entirely .
He suspends funding for the WHO .
It 's the `` America First '' foreign policy Trump promised .
And the results have been mixed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up ( for now ) .
Mexico agreed to have asylum-seekers wait on its side of the border while their claims are adjudicated .
China signed a `` Phase One '' trade deal .
But there 's a cost .
Allies may accede to your demands , but resentment builds .
The foundations of the alliance weaken .
Unpredictability inspires fear and caution .
If sustained for too long , though , it conveys irresoluteness and fecklessness .
Adversaries begin to probe .
They buzz flights and collapse the oil price , resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessels , begin tailing container ships in the South China Sea .
The democracies look inward .
NATO is silent , the EU split , America distracted and distressed .
China exploited this strategic vacuum .
It launched a global disinformation campaign falsely assigning responsibility for the pandemic to the United States .
Its agents pushed scurrilous and panic-inducing messages to U.S. cellphones saying that President Trump was about to impose a national lockdown policed by the National Guard .
Its diplomatic `` Wolf Warriors '' enforce the party line whenever foreign governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda used to amplify achievements and repress criticism .
Now it attacks directly overseas enemies of the state .
The strategy , writes Laura Rosenberger in Foreign Affairs , `` aims not so much to promote a particular idea as to sow doubt , dissension , and disarray—including among Americans—in order to undermine public confidence in information and prevent any common understanding of facts from taking hold . ''
It 's working .
China is n't invincible .
It is reaping the economic whirlwind of the coronavirus it hid from the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the growth of Chinese power .
Its internal political situation may be unstable .
But the speed with which it has used the pandemic for geopolitical advantage is extraordinary .
Look at how it plays favorites with its distribution of pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment , how it stepped into the breach with a new flow of cash for its friend Dr. Tedros .
Confronting China 's rise requires `` a common understanding of facts , '' and partners with whom to share those facts in common .
These days , America is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , punish the World Health Organization for collaborating with China .
But also be prepared to stand up another mechanism to do the good work its founders intended .
Go ahead , demand allies live up to their commitments .
But also recognize that partnerships of like-minded nations were critical to success in the First Cold War .
This is the time to build new institutions that reflect the realities of a 21st century that pits liberal democracies against an authoritarian surveillance state .
For every moment that passes without American leadership brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun never sets on the five golden stars .

You can't beat something with nothing. But America seems determined to try.
America's attempt to integrate China into the global economy as a "responsible stakeholder" failed. China's economy has become more statist, its political system more repressive, its foreign policy more bullying, its ambitions more outsized than they were 20 years ago. China did not challenge American leadership directly. It altered the character of international institutions from within.
The multilateral institutions that comprise the American-led liberal international order have been decaying for some time. Coronavirus has accelerated the deterioration. NATO, the United Nations, the European Union, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization—they are unresponsive, unaccountable, divided, demoralized, defunct. The world is a more dangerous place.
We are used to autocratic domination of the U.N. General Assembly and the secretariat's various commissions. No one bats an eye when Russia or China vetoes a Security Council measure. Less publicized were the concessions made to China as part of the Paris Climate Accord. Or the fact that the World Trade Organization treats the world's second-largest economy as a "developing" nation. But the way Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of the WHO, caviled and covered for Beijing as the coronavirus spread throughout the world is impossible to ignore. Drift, confusion, and chaos result.
There are three options. The first is to work within the system to revitalize the existing structures. The second is to build alternative institutions. The third option is to do nothing.
President Trump has tried a hybrid of options one and three. But with a twist. Where others might try a kind word or some quiet diplomacy to inspire reform and collaboration, he turns against the very institutions America created to force them to live up to their commitments. He browbeats NATO members into spending more on defense. He cheers for Brexit and supports the EU's internal critics. He cripples the WTO's arbitration mechanism and threatens to withdraw entirely. He suspends funding for the WHO.
It's the "America First" foreign policy Trump promised. And the results have been mixed. NAFTA was replaced. NATO budgets are up (for now). Mexico agreed to have asylum-seekers wait on its side of the border while their claims are adjudicated. China signed a "Phase One" trade deal.
But there's a cost. Allies may accede to your demands, but resentment builds. The foundations of the alliance weaken. Unpredictability inspires fear and caution. If sustained for too long, though, it conveys irresoluteness and fecklessness. Adversaries begin to probe. They buzz flights and collapse the oil price, resume shelling U.S. troops and harassing U.S. naval vessels, begin tailing container ships in the South China Sea.
The democracies look inward. NATO is silent, the EU split, America distracted and distressed. China exploited this strategic vacuum. It launched a global disinformation campaign falsely assigning responsibility for the pandemic to the United States. Its agents pushed scurrilous and panic-inducing messages to U.S. cellphones saying that President Trump was about to impose a national lockdown policed by the National Guard. Its diplomatic "Wolf Warriors" enforce the party line whenever foreign governments challenge Beijing's preferred narrative.
Chinese propaganda used to amplify achievements and repress criticism. Now it attacks directly overseas enemies of the state. The strategy, writes Laura Rosenberger in Foreign Affairs, "aims not so much to promote a particular idea as to sow doubt, dissension, and disarray—including among Americans—in order to undermine public confidence in information and prevent any common understanding of facts from taking hold." It's working.
China isn't invincible. It is reaping the economic whirlwind of the coronavirus it hid from the world. None of its neighbors are thrilled about the growth of Chinese power. Its internal political situation may be unstable. But the speed with which it has used the pandemic for geopolitical advantage is extraordinary. Look at how it plays favorites with its distribution of pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment, how it stepped into the breach with a new flow of cash for its friend Dr. Tedros. Confronting China's rise requires "a common understanding of facts," and partners with whom to share those facts in common. These days, America is lacking in both.
By all means, punish the World Health Organization for collaborating with China. But also be prepared to stand up another mechanism to do the good work its founders intended. Go ahead, demand allies live up to their commitments. But also recognize that partnerships of like-minded nations were critical to success in the First Cold War. This is the time to build new institutions that reflect the realities of a 21st century that pits liberal democracies against an authoritarian surveillance state. For every moment that passes without American leadership brings us closer to a world where the sun never sets on the five golden stars.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--Cruz Seeks to Shut Down Chinese Propaganda Station Phoenix TV

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) is set to unveil legislation that would stop China 's Communist Party from exploiting loopholes in U.S. laws that critics say have enabled it to beam propaganda into America through a radio station connected to a state-controlled press organ , according to a copy of the legislation exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Cruz 's bill , the first of its kind , was sparked by the purchase of a radio station connected to Phoenix TV—an outlet owned by the Chinese government—that is now using a broadcast tower in Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
The Mexican station was purchased in 2018 by an investment group with ties to China and is now running communist propaganda produced by Phoenix TV .
Phoenix TV drew the ire of Republican lawmakers and others earlier this year when one of its reporters confronted President Donald Trump during a White House briefing about the coronavirus pandemic .
Lawmakers such as Cruz raised objections to the White House granting access to a reporter working for an adversarial regime .
Phoenix TV has used Mexican radio towers to skirt U.S. laws barring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and broadcast state propaganda throughout Southern California , sources said .
The effort to shut down Phoenix TV 's radio affiliate is just one of many current efforts in Congress to combat Chinese propaganda in light of its efforts to deceive the world about the origin and spread of coronavirus .
Other legislative efforts seek to hold China financially accountable for allowing the virus to spread across the globe .
Cruz 's bill would close existing loopholes in U.S. law by banning the Federal Communications Commission from granting licenses to any person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station they are purchasing .
In Phoenix TV 's case , the outlet 's affiliates applied for an FCC license and then began broadcasting propaganda in Chinese once it assumed control of the Mexico-based radio towers , located near Tijuana .
While the FCC has not granted the license , the station has continued to operate on a temporary license .
After initially assuming control of the station , the new owners switched it from Spanish to Chinese-language programming ; it is now heard across Southern California .
If approved , Cruz 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant the station a license , effectively shutting down Phoenix TV 's U.S. broadcasts .
`` China should not be able to set up shop in Mexico and blanket America with propaganda .
Every year , the [ Chinese Communist Party ] spends billions of dollars purchasing news outlets and waging information warfare to extend the reach of its propaganda and whitewash the unflattering and politically inconvenient truths about its totalitarian regime , '' Cruz told the Free Beacon .
`` We are seeing this play out right now as news outlets across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic—a pandemic that could have been prevented , '' Cruz said .
`` I look forward to introducing this legislation when Congress returns and closing FCC loopholes that allow China to wage their information warfare from across the border in Mexico . ''
Phoenix TV has been exploiting an FCC loophole that permits content produced in the United States to be broadcast back into the United States by radio towers more powerful than those located within the country .
Phoenix TV , which is headquartered in California , produces its content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station to ensure it reaches American ears in California .
Cruz 's bill would ban the FCC from granting licenses for broadcasts from across the Mexican border when the new owners seek to change the language of the station they are purchasing—unless the FCC can guarantee they were free from foreign government influence .
The bill would also apply to those seeking to purchase radio towers in Canada that are capable of broadcasting into the United States .
In 2018 , Cruz raised concerns with the FCC over the purchase and control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H & H Capital , an investment group that the senator says is entangled with Phoenix TV and China .
He called on the FCC not to issue a license the station needs to operate .
H & H is owned in large part by Vivian Huo , a U.S. citizen and Beijing native who formerly worked for several Chinese-run media outlets .
`` The actual beneficiary owner of this deal is reportedly Phoenix Satellite TV , '' Cruz wrote in 2018 .
`` Though ‘ Phoenix Satellite TV ' does not appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's application , the address listed for programing content—3810 Durbin St. , Irwindale , CA 91706—is a building owned by Phoenix Satellite TV USA . ''
The bill specifically seeks to target schemes like those employed by Phoenix TV and its affiliates .
Editor 's Note : This post was originally published at 6:15 p.m .

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) is set to unveil legislation that would stop China's Communist Party from exploiting loopholes in U.S. laws that critics say have enabled it to beam propaganda into America through a radio station connected to a state-controlled press organ, according to a copy of the legislation exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Cruz's bill, the first of its kind, was sparked by the purchase of a radio station connected to Phoenix TV—an outlet owned by the Chinese government—that is now using a broadcast tower in Mexico to beam Chinese-language propaganda into the United States. The Mexican station was purchased in 2018 by an investment group with ties to China and is now running communist propaganda produced by Phoenix TV.
Phoenix TV drew the ire of Republican lawmakers and others earlier this year when one of its reporters confronted President Donald Trump during a White House briefing about the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers such as Cruz raised objections to the White House granting access to a reporter working for an adversarial regime.
Phoenix TV has used Mexican radio towers to skirt U.S. laws barring the dissemination of foreign propaganda in America and broadcast state propaganda throughout Southern California, sources said.
The effort to shut down Phoenix TV's radio affiliate is just one of many current efforts in Congress to combat Chinese propaganda in light of its efforts to deceive the world about the origin and spread of coronavirus. Other legislative efforts seek to hold China financially accountable for allowing the virus to spread across the globe.
Cruz's bill would close existing loopholes in U.S. law by banning the Federal Communications Commission from granting licenses to any person who intends to change the language of the station they are purchasing. In Phoenix TV's case, the outlet's affiliates applied for an FCC license and then began broadcasting propaganda in Chinese once it assumed control of the Mexico-based radio towers, located near Tijuana.
While the FCC has not granted the license, the station has continued to operate on a temporary license. After initially assuming control of the station, the new owners switched it from Spanish to Chinese-language programming; it is now heard across Southern California.
If approved, Cruz's bill would ensure the FCC does not grant the station a license, effectively shutting down Phoenix TV's U.S. broadcasts.
"China should not be able to set up shop in Mexico and blanket America with propaganda. Every year, the [Chinese Communist Party] spends billions of dollars purchasing news outlets and waging information warfare to extend the reach of its propaganda and whitewash the unflattering and politically inconvenient truths about its totalitarian regime," Cruz told the Free Beacon.
"We are seeing this play out right now as news outlets across the country parrot Chinese talking points about the coronavirus pandemic—a pandemic that could have been prevented," Cruz said. "I look forward to introducing this legislation when Congress returns and closing FCC loopholes that allow China to wage their information warfare from across the border in Mexico."
Phoenix TV has been exploiting an FCC loophole that permits content produced in the United States to be broadcast back into the United States by radio towers more powerful than those located within the country. Phoenix TV, which is headquartered in California, produces its content domestically and then uses the powerful Mexican station to ensure it reaches American ears in California.
Cruz's bill would ban the FCC from granting licenses for broadcasts from across the Mexican border when the new owners seek to change the language of the station they are purchasing—unless the FCC can guarantee they were free from foreign government influence.
The bill would also apply to those seeking to purchase radio towers in Canada that are capable of broadcasting into the United States.
In 2018, Cruz raised concerns with the FCC over the purchase and control of Mexico's XEWW AM 690 station by H&H Capital, an investment group that the senator says is entangled with Phoenix TV and China. He called on the FCC not to issue a license the station needs to operate.
H&H is owned in large part by Vivian Huo, a U.S. citizen and Beijing native who formerly worked for several Chinese-run media outlets.
"The actual beneficiary owner of this deal is reportedly Phoenix Satellite TV," Cruz wrote in 2018. "Though 'Phoenix Satellite TV' does not appear anywhere in the H&H Group's application, the address listed for programing content—3810 Durbin St., Irwindale, CA 91706—is a building owned by Phoenix Satellite TV USA."
The bill specifically seeks to target schemes like those employed by Phoenix TV and its affiliates.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published at 6:15 p.m.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--Supreme Court Rebuffs Blue State Effort to Lift Green Card Restrictions During Coronavirus

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pause a Trump administration rule that denies green cards to migrants who use government benefits , a policy critics call an immigration `` wealth test . ''
A coalition of cities , blue states , and liberal interest groups asked the justices to block the public charge rule on April 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In court papers , they told the justices that the rule deters immigrants from applying for public health benefits and economic assistance .
That unnecessarily endangers migrant communities and undermines the government 's pandemic response strategies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count for Friday 's decision was not disclosed , nor were reasons given , as is typical of orders of this nature .
The order `` does not preclude '' the plaintiffs from asking a federal trial judge in New York City to take a fresh look at the case .
In their April 13 motion , the plaintiffs suggested that the justices could allow the trial judge to decide `` whether the new circumstances caused by the novel coronavirus warrant temporarily halting implementation of the rule . ''
Friday 's decision is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps alive the possibility that a court might put the public charge rule on hold for the extent of the pandemic .
The justices first allowed the public charge rule to take effect on a 5-4 vote in January .
The absence of such division from Friday 's order is notable .
The Trump administration unveiled the public charge rule in 2019 .
Federal law provides that immigrants should not receive green cards if they are likely to become a `` public charge . ''
In the past that meant people using cash-assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts people who collect non-cash benefits such as food stamps or Medicaid .
The expanded rule does not apply to refugees or asylum-seekers .
The change elicited legal challenges immediately .
The Supreme Court allowed the policy to take effect on Jan. 27 while lawsuits continued in the lower courts .
The government told the justices that there was no reason to revisit the January decision .
In counter filings , solicitor general Noel Francisco wrote that the pandemic is `` legally irrelevant '' to the case .
The virus-related consequences the plaintiffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not bear on the legal question , Francisco wrote .
All that matters is whether the government 's interpretation of `` public charge '' is permissible .
`` Because the rule is lawful , the Court should not lift its January 27 stay simply because movants believe the rule reflects bad policy , '' the government 's filing reads .
The government has already implemented some of the policy changes the plaintiffs advocate , Francisco added .
U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) said in a March advisory that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care '' will not count for toward a public charge disqualification .
Despite that announcement , city officials and non-profit leaders close to immigrant communities say there remains a widespread impression among migrants that using government services for coronavirus care could jeopardize their chances at permanent legal status .
The April 13 motion included about a dozen declarations from public health professionals and immigrant aid groups who say the rule created a deeply entrenched `` chilling effect . ''
The best remedy for that confusion is a court order , the plaintiffs argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my patient population in regards to the public charge and access to COVID-19 related care and other benefits , even after this guidance was issued , '' Dr. Pedro Moreno wrote in one such declaration .
Moreno is a professor of family medicine at the University of California San Francisco who provides care to farm workers in the Salinas Valley .
To the extent confusion remains after the March announcement , Francisco said the plaintiffs are to blame .
`` If , as they say , members of their communities are avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beliefs about the rule , then movants should address that problem by helping to correct those misunderstandings—not by filing motions that , if anything , only reinforce them . ''
Neither the Department of Justice nor the New York attorney general responded to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s inquiries by press time .
Connecticut , New York , Vermont , New York City , and immigrant rights groups supported the motion .
The case is No .
19A785 Department of Homeland Security v. New York .

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pause a Trump administration rule that denies green cards to migrants who use government benefits, a policy critics call an immigration "wealth test."
A coalition of cities, blue states, and liberal interest groups asked the justices to block the public charge rule on April 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In court papers, they told the justices that the rule deters immigrants from applying for public health benefits and economic assistance. That unnecessarily endangers migrant communities and undermines the government's pandemic response strategies, the plaintiffs argued.
The vote count for Friday's decision was not disclosed, nor were reasons given, as is typical of orders of this nature. The order "does not preclude" the plaintiffs from asking a federal trial judge in New York City to take a fresh look at the case. In their April 13 motion, the plaintiffs suggested that the justices could allow the trial judge to decide "whether the new circumstances caused by the novel coronavirus warrant temporarily halting implementation of the rule."
Friday's decision is a setback for the plaintiffs, but keeps alive the possibility that a court might put the public charge rule on hold for the extent of the pandemic. The justices first allowed the public charge rule to take effect on a 5-4 vote in January. The absence of such division from Friday's order is notable.
The Trump administration unveiled the public charge rule in 2019. Federal law provides that immigrants should not receive green cards if they are likely to become a "public charge." In the past that meant people using cash-assistance programs, but the new rule also counts people who collect non-cash benefits such as food stamps or Medicaid. The expanded rule does not apply to refugees or asylum-seekers.
The change elicited legal challenges immediately. The Supreme Court allowed the policy to take effect on Jan. 27 while lawsuits continued in the lower courts.
The government told the justices that there was no reason to revisit the January decision. In counter filings, solicitor general Noel Francisco wrote that the pandemic is "legally irrelevant" to the case. The virus-related consequences the plaintiffs raised in their April 13 motion simply do not bear on the legal question, Francisco wrote. All that matters is whether the government's interpretation of "public charge" is permissible.
"Because the rule is lawful, the Court should not lift its January 27 stay simply because movants believe the rule reflects bad policy," the government's filing reads.
The government has already implemented some of the policy changes the plaintiffs advocate, Francisco added. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said in a March advisory that "any public benefits related to COVID-19 care" will not count toward a public charge disqualification.
Despite that announcement, city officials and nonprofit leaders close to immigrant communities say there remains a widespread impression among migrants that using government services for coronavirus care could jeopardize their chances at permanent legal status.
The April 13 motion included about a dozen declarations from public health professionals and immigrant aid groups who say the rule created a deeply entrenched "chilling effect." The best remedy for that confusion is a court order, the plaintiffs argued.
"Fear and confusion has persisted in my patient population in regards to the public charge and access to COVID-19 related care and other benefits, even after this guidance was issued," Dr. Pedro Moreno wrote in one such declaration. Moreno is a professor of family medicine at the University of California San Francisco who provides care to farm workers in the Salinas Valley.
To the extent confusion remains after the March announcement, Francisco said the plaintiffs are to blame.
"If, as they say, members of their communities are avoiding COVID-19-related care and treatment because of mistaken beliefs about the rule, then movants should address that problem by helping to correct those misunderstandings—not by filing motions that, if anything, only reinforce them."
Neither the Department of Justice nor the New York attorney general responded to the Washington Free Beacon’s inquiries by press time.
Connecticut, New York, Vermont, New York City, and immigrant rights groups supported the motion. The case is No. 19A785 Department of Homeland Security v. New York.


The Axios Bailout

As Congress and the U.S. Treasury shovel billions of dollars to struggling businesses and fraudsters alike , we must be thankful for media organizations that are providing some accountability for the public .
Publicly traded companies that cut to the front of the line for the Paycheck Protection Program have been browbeaten and berated .
But what would the media do when the perpetrator was one of their own ?
Axios , a digital media property with billionaire backers and a sponsorship roster that reads like a who 's who of the Fortune 100 , has provided us the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post on Wednesday , Axios CEO Jim VandeHei informed readers that the site had received just shy of $ 5 million in the first round of PPP funding .
The story got a brief mention from the Hill and editorial treatment from Lloyd Grove in the Daily Beast .
But as near as we can tell , other mainstream outlets have been conspicuously mum .
That silence smells of the media 's characteristic unwillingness to police itself in the Trump era .
The site 's bailout—according to its own reporting—was larger than that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
Shake Shack has over 6,000 employees and received $ 10 million .
Axios got half as much to cover the wages of fewer than 200 .
Since 75 percent of PPP loans must go towards payroll to be forgiven , that means the site spends big bucks on salaries , outlays financed by generous investors , among them the billionaire widow Laurene Powell Jobs and Comcast subsidiary NBC News .
The Treasury Department recently stipulated that companies should only seek PPP loans if they ca n't get additional funding elsewhere , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable `` to access other sources of liquidity sufficient to support their ongoing operations in a manner that is not significantly detrimental to the business . ''
Did Laurene Powell Jobs , whose net worth is reportedly north of $ 25 billion , deny Axios additional funds ?
Did NBC , whose star business correspondent , Stephanie Ruhle , has been arguing that PPP is `` designed for businesses forced to shut down '' and slamming `` big businesses '' and those that are n't in dire need for taking government funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment .
Jobs 's Emerson Collective and NBC News did not respond to a request for comment about whether Axios approached them for additional funds before seeking a taxpayer-funded bailout .
Asked whether it had turned to its deep-pocketed donors before the American taxpayer , or if it would be returning its PPP loan , Axios only reiterated its financial struggles , and told the Washington Free Beacon that `` there is nothing more soul crushing than laying people off and Axios is all-in on avoiding that . ''
Those struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars , but not , the Daily Beast noted , for anyone at Axios to take a pay cut .
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley and Pharma and Walmart—whose chairman , Greg Penner , is yet another deep-pocketed investor in the site—will , presumably , continue to sponsor the site as they 've done since the lockdown first began .
And Jobs , who earned her billions the old fashioned way , will presumably still take her profits from Axios should it survive the current crisis and sell near it 's pre-pandemic valuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she does , those profits will go to the Emerson Collective , which Jobs describes as `` a social change organization that uses a broad range of tools including philanthropy , impact investing , and policy solutions to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people . ''
Forgive us if we question whether a bailout for a beltway publication backed by billionaire investors is doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people .
But it 's a question our colleagues at the New York Times and Washington @ @ @ @ @ @

As Congress and the U.S. Treasury shovel billions of dollars to struggling businesses and fraudsters alike, we must be thankful for media organizations that are providing some accountability for the public. Publicly traded companies that cut to the front of the line for the Paycheck Protection Program have been browbeaten and berated.
But what would the media do when the perpetrator was one of their own? Axios, a digital media property with billionaire backers and a sponsorship roster that reads like a who's who of the Fortune 100, has provided us the opportunity to find out. In a brief post on Wednesday, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei informed readers that the site had received just shy of $5 million in the first round of PPP funding.
The story got a brief mention from the Hill and editorial treatment from Lloyd Grove in the Daily Beast. But as near as we can tell, other mainstream outlets have been conspicuously mum.
That silence smells of the media's characteristic unwillingness to police itself in the Trump era.
The site's bailout—according to its own reporting—was larger than that received by nearly 99 percent of other companies. Shake Shack has over 6,000 employees and received $10 million. Axios got half as much to cover the wages of fewer than 200. Since 75 percent of PPP loans must go towards payroll to be forgiven, that means the site spends big bucks on salaries, outlays financed by generous investors, among them the billionaire widow Laurene Powell Jobs and Comcast subsidiary NBC News.
The Treasury Department recently stipulated that companies should only seek PPP loans if they can't get additional funding elsewhere, advising applicants that they must certify they are unable "to access other sources of liquidity sufficient to support their ongoing operations in a manner that is not significantly detrimental to the business."
Did Laurene Powell Jobs, whose net worth is reportedly north of $25 billion, deny Axios additional funds? Did NBC, whose star business correspondent, Stephanie Ruhle, has been arguing that PPP is "designed for businesses forced to shut down" and slamming "big businesses" and those that aren't in dire need for taking government funds?
Ruhle did not respond to a request for comment. Jobs's Emerson Collective and NBC News did not respond to a request for comment about whether Axios approached them for additional funds before seeking a taxpayer-funded bailout.
Asked whether it had turned to its deep-pocketed donors before the American taxpayer, or if it would be returning its PPP loan, Axios only reiterated its financial struggles, and told the Washington Free Beacon that "there is nothing more soul crushing than laying people off and Axios is all-in on avoiding that." Those struggles are apparently grim enough to take government dollars, but not, the Daily Beast noted, for anyone at Axios to take a pay cut.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley and Pharma and Walmart—whose chairman, Greg Penner, is yet another deep-pocketed investor in the site—will, presumably, continue to sponsor the site as they've done since the lockdown first began. And Jobs, who earned her billions the old fashioned way, will presumably still take her profits from Axios should it survive the current crisis and sell near it's pre-pandemic valuation of $200 million.
If and when she does, those profits will go to the Emerson Collective, which Jobs describes as "a social change organization that uses a broad range of tools including philanthropy, impact investing, and policy solutions to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people."
Forgive us if we question whether a bailout for a beltway publication backed by billionaire investors is doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. But it's a question our colleagues at the New York Times and Washington Post seem wholly uninterested in.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--Iran Reveals Plan to Strike ‘400 American Targets’

Iranian military leaders on Friday said the country had drafted plans to strike `` 400 American targets '' in response to further military action by the United States .
After Iran launched missiles at Iraq 's Ain al-Asad base in January , where more than 1,000 U.S. and coalition soldiers are stationed , it anticipated retaliatory attacks by the Trump administration , Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh , commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force , told the country 's state-controlled press .
`` The day we attacked on Ain al-Asad , we thought the U.S. forces would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ready to attack 400 American targets , '' Hajizadeh disclosed , though he did not provide detailed information about the sites in question .
`` Our plan was to attack 400 U.S. targets if they responded , '' he said .
The revelation of Iran 's plans to retaliate against U.S. military action comes as Iran continues to expand its military , this week launching a space satellite that U.S. officials say is a cover for nuclear weapons advancement .
Iran 's attack on U.S. forces in Iraq came in reaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Iranian-backed terror forces in Iraq have continued their assaults on U.S. positions in the ensuing months .
While tensions have decreased since that time , President Donald Trump vowed this week to destroy any Iranian vessel that harasses American ships traveling in the Persian Gulf region .
Iran 's military expansion continues to pose great risk to the United States , according to Trump administration officials , who told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this week that Tehran 's recent launch of a military satellite is likely a cover for expanded ballistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to carry nuclear payloads .
`` Iran 's space program is clearly a cover for its intercontinental ballistic missile aspirations , '' Brian Hook , the administration 's special representative for Iran , told the Free Beacon this week .
`` Any claims that Iran 's space program is peaceful are pure propaganda . ''
Iran 's ballistic missile work is a top concern for the Trump administration as it works to extend an international ban on such efforts .
Later this year , Iran will be permitted to purchase missile technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban on its program .
While the United States opposes the lifting of this ban—which is set to expire under the terms of the landmark nuclear deal—countries such as Russia and China could veto these efforts , setting up a showdown in the coming months .

Iranian military leaders on Friday said the country had drafted plans to strike "400 American targets" in response to further military action by the United States.
After Iran launched missiles at Iraq's Ain al-Asad base in January, where more than 1,000 U.S. and coalition soldiers are stationed, it anticipated retaliatory attacks by the Trump administration, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, told the country's state-controlled press.
"The day we attacked on Ain al-Asad, we thought the U.S. forces would respond after 20 minutes, so we were ready to attack 400 American targets," Hajizadeh disclosed, though he did not provide detailed information about the sites in question.
"Our plan was to attack 400 U.S. targets if they responded," he said.
The revelation of Iran's plans to retaliate against U.S. military action comes as Iran continues to expand its military, this week launching a space satellite that U.S. officials say is a cover for nuclear weapons advancement.
Iran's attack on U.S. forces in Iraq came in reaction to the killing of top general Qassem Soleimani. Iranian-backed terror forces in Iraq have continued their assaults on U.S. positions in the ensuing months. While tensions have decreased since that time, President Donald Trump vowed this week to destroy any Iranian vessel that harasses American ships traveling in the Persian Gulf region.
Iran's military expansion continues to pose great risk to the United States, according to Trump administration officials, who told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this week that Tehran's recent launch of a military satellite is likely a cover for expanded ballistic missile work, weapons that are typically used to carry nuclear payloads.
"Iran's space program is clearly a cover for its intercontinental ballistic missile aspirations," Brian Hook, the administration's special representative for Iran, told the Free Beacon this week. "Any claims that Iran's space program is peaceful are pure propaganda."
Iran's ballistic missile work is a top concern for the Trump administration as it works to extend an international ban on such efforts. Later this year, Iran will be permitted to purchase missile technology if the United Nations does not renew a ban on its program.
While the United States opposes the lifting of this ban—which is set to expire under the terms of the landmark nuclear deal—countries such as Russia and China could veto these efforts, setting up a showdown in the coming months.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--Taylor Swift Hits Soros Family for ‘Shameless Greed’

Pop singer Taylor Swift took another swing at billionaire investor George Soros on Thursday , condemning the `` shameless greed '' of the financier for partnering with her ex-manager Scooter Braun to release a new album of her songs .
Swift , who has emerged as an outspoken supporter of the Democratic Party , railed against Soros , a liberal megadonor , and Braun , who helped organize the March for Our Lives gun-control protest , after learning her former label Big Machine was releasing an album of a live radio concert she performed in 2008 .
`` It looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial backers , 23 Capital , Alex Soros , and the Soros family and The Carlyle Group , have seen the latest balance sheets and realized that paying $ 330 million for my music was n't exactly a wise choice and they need money , '' Swift wrote on Instagram .
`` In my opinion , just another case of shameless greed in the time of Coronavirus .
So tasteless , but very transparent . ''
Swift also attacked the Soros family in December as being the financial enablers of Braun 's takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music .
`` After I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright , my entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun 's Ithaca Holdings in a deal that I 'm told was funded by the Soros family , 23 Capital , and the Carlyle Group , '' Swift said at Billboard 's `` Women in Music '' event .
`` Yet to this day , none of these investors have bothered to contact me or my team directly to perform their due diligence on their investment , on their investment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Braun since he purchased Big Machine in June for more than $ 300 million .
Braun blocked Swift—now with Universal Music—from performing the music she previously recorded because it amounted to a `` re-recording '' she could not legally do until 2020 .
Swift endorsed Brett Kavanaugh backer Phil Bredesen ( D. ) in his 2018 Tennessee Senate contest against Republican Marsha Blackburn .
Blackburn won the contest by nearly 11 points .
Swift has since become more vocal about her support for Democrats—unless they are interfering with her music career .

Pop singer Taylor Swift took another swing at billionaire investor George Soros on Thursday, condemning the "shameless greed" of the financier for partnering with her ex-manager Scooter Braun to release a new album of her songs.
Swift, who has emerged as an outspoken supporter of the Democratic Party, railed against Soros, a liberal megadonor, and Braun, who helped organize the March for Our Lives gun-control protest, after learning her former label Big Machine was releasing an album of a live radio concert she performed in 2008.
"It looks to me like Scooter Braun and his financial backers, 23 Capital, Alex Soros, and the Soros family and The Carlyle Group, have seen the latest balance sheets and realized that paying $330 million for my music wasn't exactly a wise choice and they need money," Swift wrote on Instagram. "In my opinion, just another case of shameless greed in the time of Coronavirus. So tasteless, but very transparent."
Swift also attacked the Soros family in December as being the financial enablers of Braun's takeover of her former label and her old music.
"After I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright, my entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings in a deal that I'm told was funded by the Soros family, 23 Capital, and the Carlyle Group," Swift said at Billboard's "Women in Music" event. "Yet to this day, none of these investors have bothered to contact me or my team directly to perform their due diligence on their investment, on their investment in me."
Swift has feuded with Braun since he purchased Big Machine in June for more than $300 million. Braun blocked Swift—now with Universal Music—from performing the music she previously recorded because it amounted to a "re-recording" she could not legally do until 2020.
Swift endorsed Brett Kavanaugh backer Phil Bredesen (D.) in his 2018 Tennessee Senate contest against Republican Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn won the contest by nearly 11 points. Swift has since become more vocal about her support for Democrats—unless they are interfering with her music career.


freebeacon--2020-04-24--ESPN Reporter Forced to Apologize for Not Caring About the WNBA (Like Everyone Else)

Like most of us , ESPN reporter Adam Schefter was thrilled to finally have a sporting event to watch on television .
Thursday night 's NFL draft was expected to break viewership records due to the desperation of American sports fans suffering in quarantine .
`` For the first time in what feels like forever , a real live sporting event , '' Schefter tweeted as the draft got underway .
Like most of us , Schefter does n't care about the Women 's National Basketball Association ( WNBA ) and had either forgotten about or been totally oblivious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken place on April 17 .
Fewer than 400,000 people tuned in , a 123 percent increase over last year 's draft viewership .
Schefter was immediately scolded by people with Twitter accounts who have nothing better to do .
The scolding worked , and the woke trolls carried the day .
Whether out of personal regret or professional compulsion , Schefter tweeted out an apology several hours later .
`` My apooigies [ sic ] to anyone who was offended , '' Schefter wrote .
`` Was caught up in the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WNBA Draft from last Friday night .
Sorry . ''
It goes without saying that anyone offended by Schefter 's tweet should not be allowed to watch sports , much less operate a social media account .
Twitter user King Malc AKA The Levi Don spoke for many Americans when he addressed one of Schefter 's scolds in the comments .
King Malc AKA The Levi Don was n't alone , and it 's safe to say that he and other righteous commenters recorded more dunks on the aggrieved woke soldiers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the history of the WNBA .

Like most of us, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter was thrilled to finally have a sporting event to watch on television. Thursday night's NFL draft was expected to break viewership records due to the desperation of American sports fans suffering in quarantine.
"For the first time in what feels like forever, a real live sporting event," Schefter tweeted as the draft got underway.
For the first time in what feels like forever, a real live sporting event. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2020
Like most of us, Schefter doesn't care about the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and had either forgotten about or been totally oblivious to the WNBA draft, which had already taken place on April 17. Fewer than 400,000 people tuned in, a 123 percent increase over last year's draft viewership.
Schefter was immediately scolded by people with Twitter accounts who have nothing better to do. The scolding worked, and the woke trolls carried the day. Whether out of personal regret or professional compulsion, Schefter tweeted out an apology several hours later.
"My apooigies [sic] to anyone who was offended," Schefter wrote. "Was caught up in the moment of the NFL Draft and forgot about the WNBA Draft from last Friday night. Sorry."
It goes without saying that anyone offended by Schefter's tweet should not be allowed to watch sports, much less operate a social media account. Twitter user King Malc AKA The Levi Don spoke for many Americans when he addressed one of Schefter's scolds in the comments.
He said real sports. — Malc (@AGuyNamedMalc) April 24, 2020
King Malc AKA The Levi Don wasn't alone, and it's safe to say that he and other righteous commenters recorded more dunks on the aggrieved woke soldiers in Schefter's replies than have ever been recorded in the history of the WNBA.