freebeacon--2020-10-28--Lawmakers Demand New Hezbollah Sanctions to Thwart Another Mass Explosion in Beirut

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding the White House take action to sanction Hezbollah leaders following the disclosure of new evidence indicating the Lebanese terror group is manufacturing and stashing weapons beneath residential buildings in Beirut .
Lawmakers recently were made aware that Hezbollah , the Iranian-backed militant group , is storing precision-guided missiles and related components under civilian buildings in and around Beirut , endangering those who live in these areas .
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are now petitioning the Trump administration to take immediate action against Hezbollah , according to a letter sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Washington Free Beacon .
The letter comes just after a Hezbollah-linked explosion in southern Lebanon last month as well as a massive explosion in Beirut that killed hundreds and wounded nearly 7,000 civilians in August .
Many blamed the explosion on Hezbollah and its practice of storing arms and explosives in highly populated areas to maximize civilian casualties if the facilities come under attack by the United States , Israel , or other Western nations .
The volatile nature of these weapons means that Hezbollah operatives working at these illicit missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building above .
`` These factories could be viewed as military targets and therefore put at risk the civilians living above them , '' the lawmakers wrote in a letter led by Rep. Mike Gallagher ( R. , Wis. ) , a member of the House Armed Services Committee .
`` The September 22 , 2020 , explosion at a facility in southern Lebanon underscores the risks posed by Hezbollah 's habitual and purposeful positioning of weapons in civilian areas .
The chance of a disaster at sites such as this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue unchecked . ''
Hezbollah missile depots have been located in Beirut 's Laylaki and Chouaifet neighborhoods , according to information seen by the lawmakers .
The letter also was signed by Reps. Thomas Suozzi ( D. , N.Y. ) , Elise Stefanik ( R. , N.Y. ) , Josh Gottheimer ( D. , N.J. ) , Joe Wilson ( R. , S.C. ) , Brad Schneider ( D. , Ill. ) , Vicky Hartzler ( R. , Mo . )
, Dan Lipinski ( D. , Ill. ) , Lee Zeldin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randy Weber ( R. , Texas ) .
The lawmakers requested that the Trump administration quickly move to sanction Hezbollah leaders under recently passed legislation barring the use of human shields , or the practice of putting civilians in harm 's way .
Authority granted to the president under the 2018 Shields Act allows sanctions to be placed on any person or entity that uses human shields .
The president has yet to exercise his right to sanction Hezbollah or any other group under this law .
`` While the U.S. government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamas in recent years , it has yet to sanction these entities specifically for their use of human shields , '' the lawmakers wrote .
`` Adding human shields to existing sanctions regimes would make clear the U.S. government does not tolerate those who put civilians in harm 's way and would encourage like-minded countries to take similar measures . ''
Orde Kittrie , a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank , said there has been an uptick in Hezbollah 's use of human shields .
The terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populated areas but also sent children into war zones in a bid to make it seem as if Israeli forces operating in the area intentionally target youths .
`` The administration has not yet imposed any sanctions pursuant to the Shields Act , '' Kittrie said .
`` It is time for the U.S. government to implement the Shields Act and hold terrorists and their material supporters publicly accountable for the war crime of using human shields . ''

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding the White House take action to sanction Hezbollah leaders following the disclosure of new evidence indicating the Lebanese terror group is manufacturing and stashing weapons beneath residential buildings in Beirut.
Lawmakers recently were made aware that Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group, is storing precision-guided missiles and related components under civilian buildings in and around Beirut, endangering those who live in these areas. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are now petitioning the Trump administration to take immediate action against Hezbollah, according to a letter sent to the White House on Wednesday and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
The letter comes just after a Hezbollah-linked explosion in southern Lebanon last month as well as a massive explosion in Beirut that killed hundreds and wounded nearly 7,000 civilians in August. Many blamed the explosion on Hezbollah and its practice of storing arms and explosives in highly populated areas to maximize civilian casualties if the facilities come under attack by the United States, Israel, or other Western nations. The volatile nature of these weapons means that Hezbollah operatives working at these illicit missile factories could make a mistake that pulverizes the building above.
"These factories could be viewed as military targets and therefore put at risk the civilians living above them," the lawmakers wrote in a letter led by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "The September 22, 2020, explosion at a facility in southern Lebanon underscores the risks posed by Hezbollah's habitual and purposeful positioning of weapons in civilian areas. The chance of a disaster at sites such as this is far too high to allow this practice to continue unchecked."
Hezbollah missile depots have been located in Beirut's Laylaki and Chouaifet neighborhoods, according to information seen by the lawmakers.
The letter also was signed by Reps. Thomas Suozzi (D., N.Y.), Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer (D., N.J.), Joe Wilson (R., S.C.), Brad Schneider (D., Ill.), Vicky Hartzler (R., Mo.), Dan Lipinski (D., Ill.), Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), and Randy Weber (R., Texas).
The lawmakers requested that the Trump administration quickly move to sanction Hezbollah leaders under recently passed legislation barring the use of human shields, or the practice of putting civilians in harm's way. Authority granted to the president under the 2018 Shields Act allows sanctions to be placed on any person or entity that uses human shields. The president has yet to exercise his right to sanction Hezbollah or any other group under this law.
"While the U.S. government has taken strong measures to counter Hezbollah and Hamas in recent years, it has yet to sanction these entities specifically for their use of human shields," the lawmakers wrote. "Adding human shields to existing sanctions regimes would make clear the U.S. government does not tolerate those who put civilians in harm's way and would encourage like-minded countries to take similar measures."
Orde Kittrie, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, said there has been an uptick in Hezbollah's use of human shields. Other terror groups such as Hamas send children into war zones to maximize civilian casualties and generate headlines.
"The administration has not yet imposed any sanctions pursuant to the Shields Act," Kittrie said. "It is time for the U.S. government to implement the Shields Act and hold terrorists and their material supporters publicly accountable for the war crime of using human shields."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--CNN Contributor ‘Anonymous’ Will Remain With Network After Lying On Air

CNN contributor Miles Taylor will remain with the network despite lying on the air about being the anonymous administration official who wrote a book condemning President Donald Trump .
A CNN spokesman said Wednesday that Taylor would stay on , the same day he identified himself as `` Anonymous , '' the author of the book A Warning in 2019 and a New York Times op-ed in 2018 .
In both , he slammed Trump as tempestuous and unfit for office .
Taylor also boasted in the op-ed he was one of the `` senior officials '' working to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst inclinations . ''
Taylor was an aide to former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen before resigning last year , and he joined CNN as a contributor in September .
However , Taylor lied to anchor Anderson Cooper on Aug. 21 when he denied being `` Anonymous . ''
`` I wear a mask for two things , Anderson : Halloweens and pandemics , so no , '' he said .
Taylor is one of at least six Republican contributors at the network who are openly supporting the Democratic nominee for president Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Voters Against Trump in August , calling the president `` terrifying . ''
CNN 's motto is `` Facts First , '' and it cut an ad in 2017 called `` This is an apple , '' where it warned that liars may repeatedly call an apple a banana .
`` But it 's not , '' the narrator says .
`` This is an apple . ''

CNN contributor Miles Taylor will remain with the network despite lying on the air about being the anonymous administration official who wrote a book condemning President Donald Trump.
A CNN spokesman said Wednesday that Taylor would stay on, the same day he identified himself as "Anonymous," the author of the book A Warning in 2019 and a New York Times op-ed in 2018. In both, he slammed Trump as tempestuous and unfit for office. Taylor also boasted in the op-ed he was one of the "senior officials" working to "frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations."
Taylor was an aide to former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen before resigning last year, and he joined CNN as a contributor in September. However, Taylor lied to anchor Anderson Cooper on Aug. 21 when he denied being "Anonymous."
"I wear a mask for two things, Anderson: Halloweens and pandemics, so no," he said.
'I wear a mask for two things, Anderson: Halloween and pandemics. So, no," says @MilesTaylorUSA, when asked by @AndersonCooper if he is the author of the op-ed book written by someone called Anonymous. pic.twitter.com/sPjs4OoAnp — CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) August 21, 2020
Taylor is one of at least six Republican contributors at the network who are openly supporting the Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden. He cut an ad for Republican Voters Against Trump in August, calling the president "terrifying."
CNN's motto is "Facts First," and it cut an ad in 2017 called "This is an apple," where it warned that liars may repeatedly call an apple a banana.
"But it's not," the narrator says. "This is an apple."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Maine Dem Gideon Bails on Senate Debate

Maine Dem Gideon Bails on Senate Debate

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon , who criticized President Donald Trump for not attending a second presidential debate , canceled her debate with Republican rival Sen. Susan Collins at the last minute Tuesday .
Gideon , who said it was `` really shameful '' for Trump to forgo his debate , canceled her plans to appear in a one-on-one debate with Collins scheduled for Tuesday evening .
The cancellation marks the latest in a string of instances in which the Democrat has refused to appear on the debate stage , to the chagrin of her political rivals .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear substance on issues .
They want to hear what plans each of the presidential candidates have , '' Gideon said about Trump 's debate nonattendance .
`` I think it is really shameful that he is making this decision . ''
Gideon 's Tuesday no-show is the fourth time the Democrat has refused to appear in a televised debate .
It is unclear why Gideon decided against showing up for the Tuesday debate , but she did appear at a campaign rally with Jill Biden a few hours before the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's debate nonattendance has become a contentious subject in a close Senate race that could affect Democrats ' chances of retaking the upper chamber .
Recent campaign polls show that Gideon has a slight edge over the incumbent Collins , while a FiveThirtyEight analysis estimates that Collins has a roughly two-in-five chance of holding the seat .
When the Commission on Presidential Debates made its second debate into a virtual forum in light of Trump 's COVID diagnosis , the president said he would only attend an in-person debate , leading to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign explained its reasoning in a two-page memo , Gideon has yet to explain why she declined to attend her debate .
The Gideon campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Gideon skipped three televised debates and at least five candidate forums during the primary season , drawing criticism from fellow liberals and progressives .
`` [ Gideon is ] refusing to appear in forums where she would have to answer unscripted questions without being able to simply end the event when she got one she did n't like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gideon for the Democratic nomination , told the Washington Free Beacon in June .
After Gideon 's frequent debate nonappearances became a Collins campaign talking point , the Democrat sought to wipe her slate clean by challenging Collins to five debates .
Collins responded to Gideon 's challenge by demanding 16 debates—one for each county in Maine .
The candidates settled on six debates before Tuesday 's cancellation .
Gideon will participate in her final debate Wednesday .
She currently has a slight edge in state polls , but Real Clear Politics still @ @ @ @ @ @

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon, who criticized President Donald Trump for not attending a second presidential debate, canceled her debate with Republican rival Sen. Susan Collins at the last minute Tuesday.
Gideon, who said it was "really shameful" for Trump to forgo his debate, canceled her plans to appear in a one-on-one debate with Collins scheduled for Tuesday evening. The cancellation marks the latest in a string of instances in which the Democrat has refused to appear on the debate stage, to the chagrin of her political rivals.
"I think the American people are looking to hear substance on issues. They want to hear what plans each of the presidential candidates have," Gideon said about Trump's debate nonattendance. "I think it is really shameful that he is making this decision."
Gideon's Tuesday no-show is the fourth time the Democrat has refused to appear in a televised debate.
It is unclear why Gideon decided against showing up for the Tuesday debate, but she did appear at a campaign rally with Jill Biden a few hours before the debate was supposed to go on.
Gideon's debate nonattendance has become a contentious subject in a close Senate race that could affect Democrats' chances of retaking the upper chamber.
Recent campaign polls show that Gideon has a slight edge over the incumbent Collins, while a FiveThirtyEight analysis estimates that Collins has a roughly two-in-five chance of holding the seat.
When the Commission on Presidential Debates made its second debate into a virtual forum in light of Trump's COVID diagnosis, the president said he would only attend an in-person debate, leading to the event's cancellation.
While the Trump campaign explained its reasoning in a two-page memo, Gideon has yet to explain why she declined to attend her debate. The Gideon campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Gideon skipped three televised debates and at least five candidate forums during the primary season, drawing criticism from fellow liberals and progressives.
"[Gideon is] refusing to appear in forums where she would have to answer unscripted questions without being able to simply end the event when she got one she didn't like," Bre Kidman, who ran against Gideon for the Democratic nomination, told the Washington Free Beacon in June.
After Gideon's frequent debate nonappearances became a Collins campaign talking point, the Democrat sought to wipe her slate clean by challenging Collins to five debates. Collins responded to Gideon's challenge by demanding 16 debates—one for each county in Maine. The candidates settled on six debates before Tuesday's cancellation.
Gideon will participate in her final debate Wednesday. She currently has a slight edge in state polls, but Real Clear Politics still considers the race a tossup.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Pro-Democracy Hong Konger Arrested By China While Seeking Asylum at U.S. Consulate

Chinese authorities arrested a pro-democracy activist on Tuesday while he attempted to seek asylum at the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong .
Tony Chung , 19 , went to the consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning in an attempt to gain political asylum .
According to British activist group Friends of Hong Kong , when Chung arrived , the consulate was not yet open , and he realized an individual he believed to be a national security agent had followed him there .
After stopping to wait in a coffee shop for the consulate to open , Chung was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Current U.S. diplomatic policy does not allow foreigners to receive asylum at consulates or embassies , as asylum seekers must first arrive in U.S. territory .
Political dissidents , however , can apply for refugee status at American consulates .
Friends of Hong Kong said it had lobbied the State Department for Chung ’ s protection , but Chung felt he could not wait for the extended process .
Two associates of Chung were later arrested Tuesday night under the new national security law , a sweeping legislative act that restricts political freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kongers abroad .
At least 27 have been arrested under the law , according to the Guardian .
A swift takeover of Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party occurred this summer , sparking international outrage and a new suite of sanctions .
Not all reacted with the same opposition , however .
A New York Times op-ed earlier in October defended the actions of the Chinese government during the summer of unrest , in which the CCP suppressed and imprisoned hundreds of pro-democracy activists .
Hong Kong ’ s capture under Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be concerned about the security of Taiwan , a country that China has made claim to .
`` Taiwan is the new Hong Kong , it ’ s the new canary in the mineshaft , '' Heritage Foundation national security expert James Carafano told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month .
`` For the West not to stand up for Taiwan is a really strong signal that you ’ re not really going to push back on the Chinese anywhere . ''
Carafano and others also warned that a Biden administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same fate as Hong Kong .
`` I do n't have very high expectations [ for Biden ] , '' said Carafano .
`` China will have a lot of cards to play . ''

Chinese authorities arrested a pro-democracy activist on Tuesday while he attempted to seek asylum at the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong.
Tony Chung, 19, went to the consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning in an attempt to gain political asylum. According to British activist group Friends of Hong Kong, when Chung arrived, the consulate was not yet open, and he realized an individual he believed to be a national security agent had followed him there. After stopping to wait in a coffee shop for the consulate to open, Chung was arrested by men in plain clothes.
Current U.S. diplomatic policy does not allow foreigners to receive asylum at consulates or embassies, as asylum seekers must first arrive in U.S. territory. Political dissidents, however, can apply for refugee status at American consulates.
Friends of Hong Kong said it had lobbied the State Department for Chung’s protection, but Chung felt he could not wait for the extended process.
Two associates of Chung were later arrested Tuesday night under the new national security law, a sweeping legislative act that restricts political freedom within Hong Kong and of dissident Hong Kongers abroad. At least 27 have been arrested under the law, according to the Guardian.
A swift takeover of Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party occurred this summer, sparking international outrage and a new suite of sanctions. Not all reacted with the same opposition, however. A New York Times op-ed earlier in October defended the actions of the Chinese government during the summer of unrest, in which the CCP suppressed and imprisoned hundreds of pro-democracy activists.
Hong Kong’s capture under Chinese influence has led many national security analysts to be concerned about the security of Taiwan, a country that China has made claim to.
"Taiwan is the new Hong Kong, it’s the new canary in the mineshaft," Heritage Foundation national security expert James Carafano told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month. "For the West not to stand up for Taiwan is a really strong signal that you’re not really going to push back on the Chinese anywhere."
Carafano and others also warned that a Biden administration may be ill-equipped to defend Taiwan from the same fate as Hong Kong.
"I don't have very high expectations [for Biden]," said Carafano. "China will have a lot of cards to play."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Texas Heroes Rail Against Biden Gun-Control Plans

Two Texas men who took down attackers in separate high-profile church shootings criticized Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's support for strict new gun-control measures in an ad the National Rifle Association released Tuesday .
Stephen Willeford , who used his AR-15 to end the Sutherland Springs church attack in which 26 people were murdered , and Jack Wilson , who shot and killed an attacker who had murdered two at the West Freeway Church of Christ , slammed Biden 's gun plan .
In the video , the pair condemn the former vice president 's proposals as `` insane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second Amendment extinct . ''
They critique Biden 's support for a ban on guns such as the popular AR-15 and on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds .
They also take issue with Biden 's comments criticizing the right to carry guns in church—the very thing the men believe helped them save lives .
`` Biden 's dream is to leave us all defenseless against criminals , '' Wilson says .
The NRA ad has already garnered more than 1.4 million views in less than 24 hours , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 cycle .
If the pair of real-world `` good guys with a gun '' can persuade more gun voters to turn out in next week 's election , the ad may have a significant impact on the presidential race .
`` No one illustrates what 's at stake better than these two heroes who saved dozens of lives because they were able to own firearms and legally carry those firearms outside their homes , '' NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` This video breaks down exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for self-defense laws in our country and for American gun owners . ''
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
In the nearly six-minute video , Willeford and Wilson critique Biden 's gun-control proposals issue by issue .
Among other things , the pair point to Biden 's plan to ban the sale of some of the most popular firearms in the country and require current owners to register them , pay a $ 200 tax stamp per item , sell them to the government for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same plan would apply to ammunition magazines that currently come standard with most semi-automatic handguns and rifles .
The pair say the cost of Biden 's plan , which would apply to tens of millions of firearms and magazines , would be enormous .
`` That 's tens of billions of dollars of taxes on law-abiding gun owners , '' Wilson says .
`` He wants to make gun ownership only affordable to the elite .
… If you want to buy a new semi-automatic rifle , you 're out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Willeford bristles at Biden 's 2017 assertion that he should n't have been allowed to be carrying the AR-15 he used to stop the Sutherland Springs killer from attacking and fleeing the area before police responded .
`` If it was Hunter Biden and your wife and family sitting in those pews at that church , '' he asks the Democratic nominee , `` would you still want me not to have this gun to protect them with ? ''
Wilson similarly takes offense at Biden 's 2018 criticism of the Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun in church on the day he returned fire against an attacker .
Biden called the idea of allowing licensed gun owners to carry inside churches `` absolutely irrational . ''
`` You know what Joe told me ?
That I should n't have been armed in that church , '' Wilson says .
`` The fact is , the only thing that will keep us safe in times of evil are our guns .
Evil will always exist . ''
The pair say Biden 's repeated insistence that police should try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a form of deescalation—an idea police training experts have criticized—is impractical .
They also say outlawing unchecked private gun transfers could put people in danger and decry Biden 's embrace of former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke , who promised to seize Americans ' guns .
Willeford and Wilson conclude the video by saying President Donald Trump , whom the NRA has backed with tens of millions of dollars in election spending , is correct to warn that Biden will `` obliterate '' the Second Amendment .
`` Do n't let Joe Biden disarm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the video ends on a shot of Wilson using a flame thrower to burn down a sign that reads `` gun control . ''

'If it was Hunter Biden and your wife and family sitting in those pews at that church, would you still want me not to have this gun to protect them with?'
Two Texas men who took down attackers in separate high-profile church shootings criticized Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's support for strict new gun-control measures in an ad the National Rifle Association released Tuesday.
Stephen Willeford, who used his AR-15 to end the Sutherland Springs church attack in which 26 people were murdered, and Jack Wilson, who shot and killed an attacker who had murdered two at the West Freeway Church of Christ, slammed Biden's gun plan.
In the video, the pair condemn the former vice president's proposals as "insane," saying Biden will "make the Second Amendment extinct." They critique Biden's support for a ban on guns such as the popular AR-15 and on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. They also take issue with Biden's comments criticizing the right to carry guns in church—the very thing the men believe helped them save lives.
"Biden's dream is to leave us all defenseless against criminals," Wilson says.
The NRA ad has already garnered more than 1.4 million views in less than 24 hours, making it one of the most successful videos of the 2020 cycle. If the pair of real-world "good guys with a gun" can persuade more gun voters to turn out in next week's election, the ad may have a significant impact on the presidential race.
"No one illustrates what's at stake better than these two heroes who saved dozens of lives because they were able to own firearms and legally carry those firearms outside their homes," NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Washington Free Beacon. "This video breaks down exactly what the Biden/Harris catastrophic plan would mean for self-defense laws in our country and for American gun owners."
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the nearly six-minute video, Willeford and Wilson critique Biden's gun-control proposals issue by issue.
Among other things, the pair point to Biden's plan to ban the sale of some of the most popular firearms in the country and require current owners to register them, pay a $200 tax stamp per item, sell them to the government for an undetermined amount, or face felony charges. The same plan would apply to ammunition magazines that currently come standard with most semi-automatic handguns and rifles.
The pair say the cost of Biden's plan, which would apply to tens of millions of firearms and magazines, would be enormous.
"That's tens of billions of dollars of taxes on law-abiding gun owners," Wilson says. "He wants to make gun ownership only affordable to the elite. … If you want to buy a new semi-automatic rifle, you're out of luck if Biden's in charge."
Willeford bristles at Biden's 2017 assertion that he shouldn't have been allowed to be carrying the AR-15 he used to stop the Sutherland Springs killer from attacking and fleeing the area before police responded.
"If it was Hunter Biden and your wife and family sitting in those pews at that church," he asks the Democratic nominee, "would you still want me not to have this gun to protect them with?"
Wilson similarly takes offense at Biden's 2018 criticism of the Texas law that allowed him to carry a gun in church on the day he returned fire against an attacker. Biden called the idea of allowing licensed gun owners to carry inside churches "absolutely irrational."
"You know what Joe told me? That I shouldn't have been armed in that church," Wilson says. "The fact is, the only thing that will keep us safe in times of evil are our guns. Evil will always exist."
The pair say Biden's repeated insistence that police should try to shoot dangerous suspects in the leg as a form of deescalation—an idea police training experts have criticized—is impractical. They also say outlawing unchecked private gun transfers could put people in danger and decry Biden's embrace of former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, who promised to seize Americans' guns.
Willeford and Wilson conclude the video by saying President Donald Trump, whom the NRA has backed with tens of millions of dollars in election spending, is correct to warn that Biden will "obliterate" the Second Amendment.
"Don't let Joe Biden disarm you this November," Willeford says before the video ends on a shot of Wilson using a flame thrower to burn down a sign that reads "gun control."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Democrats Like Cuba More Than Israel, New Poll Shows

A new poll indicates Democrats look more favorably upon Cuba than they do Israel .
According to a YouGov poll released Monday , 39 percent of Democratic-leaning respondents have a favorable opinion of Cuba , compared with a 36 percent favorability rating for Israel .
The poll data feature other notable results : China , Russia , Iran , and North Korea rank among the countries in the bottom 10 in overall favorability among respondents .
Meanwhile , the poll ’ s respondents strongly favor long-term allies such as Australia and the United Kingdom .
Results of the poll correlate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American foreign policy .
Some Democrats have come under fire during the 2020 campaign for their affinity and history with communist Cuba , such as former vice-presidential hopeful Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
Meanwhile , anti-Israel activism through the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement is promoted through the Democratic Party ’ s far left , as national figures such as Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) endorse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking points .
In contrast , Republicans have a long record of defending Israel and taking on its adversaries and competitors during the Trump administration .
Under President Donald Trump , Washington moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and continues to work with Israeli leaders to forge new diplomatic ties with longstanding competitors in the Persian Gulf .
The administration has also pushed a hard line on Iran , a major adversary of Israel , through Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s `` maximum pressure campaign , '' leaving Tehran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Russia—countries that respondents of all political affiliations responded to with comparatively negative favorability—Washington has performed an about-face during the Trump presidency .
Shifting from the diplomatic `` reset '' with Moscow under President Barack Obama , the administration has pursued a sanctions regime that former national security adviser H.R .
McMaster claimed brought `` severe consequences '' on Russian president Vladimir Putin .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , Washington has undergone a historic paradigm shift with China in nearly all strategic areas , from influence on college campuses to outer space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many of the larger gains made during the Trump administration could be reversed with the election of Democratic nominee Joe Biden , whose history on key issues such as Taiwan and the Middle East foretells a different future for American foreign policy .

A new poll indicates Democrats look more favorably upon Cuba than they do Israel.
According to a YouGov poll released Monday, 39 percent of Democratic-leaning respondents have a favorable opinion of Cuba, compared with a 36 percent favorability rating for Israel.
The poll data feature other notable results: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea rank among the countries in the bottom 10 in overall favorability among respondents. Meanwhile, the poll’s respondents strongly favor long-term allies such as Australia and the United Kingdom.
Results of the poll correlate with many of the larger trends in American foreign policy. Some Democrats have come under fire during the 2020 campaign for their affinity and history with communist Cuba, such as former vice-presidential hopeful Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
Meanwhile, anti-Israel activism through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement is promoted through the Democratic Party’s far left, as national figures such as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) endorse many of the movement’s major talking points.
In contrast, Republicans have a long record of defending Israel and taking on its adversaries and competitors during the Trump administration. Under President Donald Trump, Washington moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and continues to work with Israeli leaders to forge new diplomatic ties with longstanding competitors in the Persian Gulf.
The administration has also pushed a hard line on Iran, a major adversary of Israel, through Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s "maximum pressure campaign," leaving Tehran’s economy in dire straits.
On China and Russia—countries that respondents of all political affiliations responded to with comparatively negative favorability—Washington has performed an about-face during the Trump presidency.
Shifting from the diplomatic "reset" with Moscow under President Barack Obama, the administration has pursued a sanctions regime that former national security adviser H.R. McMaster claimed brought "severe consequences" on Russian president Vladimir Putin. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Washington has undergone a historic paradigm shift with China in nearly all strategic areas, from influence on college campuses to outer space.
Experts, meanwhile, are concerned that many of the larger gains made during the Trump administration could be reversed with the election of Democratic nominee Joe Biden, whose history on key issues such as Taiwan and the Middle East foretells a different future for American foreign policy.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Combat Vet Slams Dem Opponent Over Role in Shaping Iran Deal

Combat veteran and GOP congressional hopeful Nick Freitas slammed Rep. Abigail Spanberger ( D. , Va. ) after the Democrat boasted that her work on the Iran deal made the United States `` more safe . ''
Freitas , a retired Green Beret who served two tours in Iraq , criticized Spanberger 's praise for the deal , as well as the role she played in reaching it , in an interview with the Washington Free Beacon .
He noted that the deal gave Iran billions in cash as the Middle Eastern nation `` actively targeted U.S. service members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Iranian regime—through the Quds Force and Iran 's Revolutionary Guard—was actively backing , supporting , and providing technical and tactical advice to terrorist organizations in Iraq that were killing U.S. service members , '' Freitas told the Free Beacon .
`` How could you think it was a good idea to drop off loose money to this regime when they were engaged in that sort of activity ? ''
Spanberger 's comments came during a private Thursday forum with the Richmond First Club .
The Democrat touted her role in collecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' as a former CIA officer , adding that she knew the Iran deal `` made us more safe '' because she `` collected information on the very program that was informing our diplomats at the negotiating table . ''
Spanberger 's 2018 and 2020 congressional bids have centered around her roughly eight-year career with the CIA .
Her campaign in 2018 said that while the Democrat `` was collecting intelligence for military advisers when the [ Iran ] deal was negotiated , '' she `` took no position on it at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , Spanberger said she `` believed in the JCPOA [ Iran deal ] and its purpose '' while working for the CIA .
Freitas said that foreign policy marked a `` fundamental difference '' between the two candidates .
`` It 's one thing for someone to support a bad foreign policy because they do n't understand what 's going on in the war zone directly adjacent to that country , '' Freitas said .
`` It 's another thing for someone to brag and say , ‘ I specifically focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and analysis . '
'' Iranian officials in 2015 stressed that the nuclear deal `` would make it possible to increase Iran 's support for its regional allies , '' adding that `` the situation of the resistance front had improved . ''
Roughly one year later , Obama administration officials admitted that they had no way of determining whether the Middle Eastern nation was using the billions of dollars it received as a result of the deal on terror activities .
`` It 's entirely possible that they can use some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' former State Department spokesman John Kirby said .
Freitas described a number of Iranian-made explosives funneled to terror groups in the region to kill Americans , including the explosively formed penetrator , the Quds Force 's `` hallmark weapon '' that helped kill nearly 200 U.S. troops in Iraq between 2003 and 2011 .
`` Is what you get out of this deal worth the fact that you knew some of that money had to be going to the direct targeting and killing of U.S. service members ? ''
Freitas asked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth that ? ''
Spanberger 's self-described belief in the Iran deal during the negotiating process was at odds with several congressional Democrats .
Sen. Joe Manchin ( W.Va. ) , for example , said he opposed the deal as he could `` not ignore the fact that Iran , the country that will benefit most from sanctions being lifted , refuses to change its 36-year history of sponsoring terrorism . ''
Spanberger has since opposed President Donald Trump 's Middle Eastern foreign policy as a member of Congress .
After a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designated terror leader Qassem Soleimani , Spanberger recognized that Soleimani `` had the blood of hundreds of American servicemembers and thousands of the region 's civilians on his hands . ''
The Democrat , however , questioned the `` legal justification and rationale '' for ordering the strike , saying the decision put `` American lives across the entire region … at greater risk . ''
Freitas—who is running to unseat Spanberger after securing reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019—credited Trump with `` hitting the decision makers , not innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not return a request for comment .

Combat veteran and GOP congressional hopeful Nick Freitas slammed Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D., Va.) after the Democrat boasted that her work on the Iran deal made the United States "more safe."
Freitas, a retired Green Beret who served two tours in Iraq, criticized Spanberger's praise for the deal, as well as the role she played in reaching it, in an interview with the Washington Free Beacon. He noted that the deal gave Iran billions in cash as the Middle Eastern nation "actively targeted U.S. service members."
"This was the same time that the Iranian regime—through the Quds Force and Iran's Revolutionary Guard—was actively backing, supporting, and providing technical and tactical advice to terrorist organizations in Iraq that were killing U.S. service members," Freitas told the Free Beacon. "How could you think it was a good idea to drop off loose money to this regime when they were engaged in that sort of activity?"
Spanberger's comments came during a private Thursday forum with the Richmond First Club. The Democrat touted her role in collecting "intelligence on the Iranian nuclear program" as a former CIA officer, adding that she knew the Iran deal "made us more safe" because she "collected information on the very program that was informing our diplomats at the negotiating table."
Spanberger's 2018 and 2020 congressional bids have centered around her roughly eight-year career with the CIA. Her campaign in 2018 said that while the Democrat "was collecting intelligence for military advisers when the [Iran] deal was negotiated," she "took no position on it at that time." During Thursday's forum, however, Spanberger said she "believed in the JCPOA [Iran deal] and its purpose" while working for the CIA.
Freitas said that foreign policy marked a "fundamental difference" between the two candidates.
"It's one thing for someone to support a bad foreign policy because they don't understand what's going on in the war zone directly adjacent to that country," Freitas said. "It's another thing for someone to brag and say, 'I specifically focused on that with respect to intelligence selection and analysis.'"
Iranian officials in 2015 stressed that the nuclear deal "would make it possible to increase Iran's support for its regional allies," adding that "the situation of the resistance front had improved." Roughly one year later, Obama administration officials admitted that they had no way of determining whether the Middle Eastern nation was using the billions of dollars it received as a result of the deal on terror activities.
"It's entirely possible that they can use some of this funding to support terrorist networks," former State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
Freitas described a number of Iranian-made explosives funneled to terror groups in the region to kill Americans, including the explosively formed penetrator, the Quds Force's "hallmark weapon" that helped kill nearly 200 U.S. troops in Iraq between 2003 and 2011.
"Is what you get out of this deal worth the fact that you knew some of that money had to be going to the direct targeting and killing of U.S. service members?" Freitas asked. "What did you get that was worth that?"
Spanberger's self-described belief in the Iran deal during the negotiating process was at odds with several congressional Democrats. Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), for example, said he opposed the deal as he could "not ignore the fact that Iran, the country that will benefit most from sanctions being lifted, refuses to change its 36-year history of sponsoring terrorism."
Spanberger has since opposed President Donald Trump's Middle Eastern foreign policy as a member of Congress. After a U.S. airstrike killed former Quds Force commander and designated terror leader Qassem Soleimani, Spanberger recognized that Soleimani "had the blood of hundreds of American servicemembers and thousands of the region's civilians on his hands." The Democrat, however, questioned the "legal justification and rationale" for ordering the strike, saying the decision put "American lives across the entire region … at greater risk."
Freitas—who is running to unseat Spanberger after securing reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019—credited Trump with "hitting the decision makers, not innocent people" through the attack.
Spanberger did not return a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Northwestern Faculty Condemn University President for Denouncing Anti-Semitic Protests

Hundreds of Northwestern faculty and staff condemned the university 's president for denouncing violent racial protests that veered into expressions of virulent anti-Semitism against him .
On Oct. 26 , faculty members sent a letter to Northwestern president Morton Schapiro expressing their dismay at his `` response to recent student protests about the pervasiveness of anti-Black violence and the long history and current nature of much policing in this country . ''
Schapiro had issued a statement condemning students who destroyed school property , surrounded his home after six consecutive nights of protest , and chanted `` Piggy Morty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` What started as peaceful protests have recently grown into expressions that have been anything but peaceful or productive , '' Schapiro 's statement read .
The faculty letter accuses Schapiro of refusing to engage with students of color .
`` We write … to express our strong support for … our BIPOC students and staff colleagues , and to assert strenuously that all have the right to protest and redress historic injustices and to protect our communities from violence and hate . ''
Calls for police abolition and on-campus protests have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the nearby University of Chicago , student activists vowed to protest for a year because the administration refused to abolish the campus police department .
Johns Hopkins University students also protested plans to create a campus police department , leading to multiple student and Baltimore-resident arrests .
The Northwestern letter included a paragraph addressing the racial makeup of the signatories , a majority of whom are white , to show that even a `` predominantly white institution '' such as Northwestern has white professors who wish to `` disrupt any assumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the racialized status quo . ''
The first 10 signatories are professors of gender and sexuality studies , none of whom returned requests for comment—except to say that the Washington Free Beacon could not use their comments for publication .
Notable signatories include poet Reginald Gibbons and essayist Laura Kipnis , who writes on issues related to feminism , the # MeToo movement , and `` gender equity . ''
The anti-police group `` NU Community Not Cops '' has taken faculty demands a step further , calling on Schapiro to resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Morton , '' the group said .
`` Black people are not safe anywhere in a world with police , including in their homes , a reality that black students at Northwestern also contend with . ''
In June , Schapiro sent a university-wide email addressing the school 's `` unrelenting '' commitment to racial and social justice .
The email said that the school `` vehemently '' opposes `` anti-blackness and police brutality . ''
`` It should not be a controversial or a political statement to declare that Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We need to identify and address all forms of implicit and explicit racism and bias on our campuses . ''
The recent faculty letter dubbed Schapiro 's commitment to social justice insufficient and called on him to condemn police brutality more explicitly .
`` Month after month , '' the signatories claimed , `` you have distributed muted , highly abstract , and non-specific statements about several traumatic events , here on campus or elsewhere in the nation—including the murders and maimings of Black people of all genders at the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repercussion . ''
Northwestern University did not respond to requests for comment .

Hundreds of Northwestern faculty and staff condemned the university's president for denouncing violent racial protests that veered into expressions of virulent anti-Semitism against him.
On Oct. 26, faculty members sent a letter to Northwestern president Morton Schapiro expressing their dismay at his "response to recent student protests about the pervasiveness of anti-Black violence and the long history and current nature of much policing in this country."
Schapiro had issued a statement condemning students who destroyed school property, surrounded his home after six consecutive nights of protest, and chanted "Piggy Morty," which Schapiro called an anti-Semitic slur.
"What started as peaceful protests have recently grown into expressions that have been anything but peaceful or productive," Schapiro's statement read.
The faculty letter accuses Schapiro of refusing to engage with students of color. "We write … to express our strong support for … our BIPOC students and staff colleagues, and to assert strenuously that all have the right to protest and redress historic injustices and to protect our communities from violence and hate."
Calls for police abolition and on-campus protests have grown alongside the Black Lives Matter movement. At the nearby University of Chicago, student activists vowed to protest for a year because the administration refused to abolish the campus police department. Johns Hopkins University students also protested plans to create a campus police department, leading to multiple student and Baltimore-resident arrests.
The Northwestern letter included a paragraph addressing the racial makeup of the signatories, a majority of whom are white, to show that even a "predominantly white institution" such as Northwestern has white professors who wish to "disrupt any assumption that [they] condone the inequity of the racialized status quo."
The first 10 signatories are professors of gender and sexuality studies, none of whom returned requests for comment—except to say that the Washington Free Beacon could not use their comments for publication. Notable signatories include poet Reginald Gibbons and essayist Laura Kipnis, who writes on issues related to feminism, the #MeToo movement, and "gender equity."
The anti-police group "NU Community Not Cops" has taken faculty demands a step further, calling on Schapiro to resign. "Your students see through you, Morton," the group said. "Black people are not safe anywhere in a world with police, including in their homes, a reality that black students at Northwestern also contend with."
In June, Schapiro sent a university-wide email addressing the school's "unrelenting" commitment to racial and social justice. The email said that the school "vehemently" opposes "anti-blackness and police brutality."
"It should not be a controversial or a political statement to declare that Black Lives Matter," Schapiro's letter reads. "We need to identify and address all forms of implicit and explicit racism and bias on our campuses."
The recent faculty letter dubbed Schapiro's commitment to social justice insufficient and called on him to condemn police brutality more explicitly.
"Month after month," the signatories claimed, "you have distributed muted, highly abstract, and non-specific statements about several traumatic events, here on campus or elsewhere in the nation—including the murders and maimings of Black people of all genders at the hands of police, who routinely suffer no repercussion."
Northwestern University did not respond to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--AOC Spews Gloom on Cover of Vanity Fair: America ‘Still in a Lot of Trouble’ if Biden Wins

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) looks fabulous on the cover of next month 's Vanity Fair , but that does n't mean she thinks Joe Biden will be a fabulous president .
America is `` still in a lot of trouble '' if Joe Biden wins the election , Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview with the magazine that helped Beto O'Rourke launch his famously unsuccessful presidential campaign .
The Democratic Party , she added , is `` not good enough right now . ''
AOC , as she is glamorously known , has been seeking publicity as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumably to position herself as the foremost dissident voice in a potential Biden administration .
Last week , for example , Ocasio-Cortez took part in a livestream event hosted by Hasan Piker , a vlogger who in 2019 said `` America deserved 9/11 . ''
This past week , the congresswoman made an appearance on CNN 's State of the Union , where she discussed her role in `` making sure that we push the Democratic Party '' to be more in line with her hard-left views .
Ocasio-Cortez , who formally nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention , has proposed a series of radical policies to address climate change , collectively known as the `` Green New Deal , '' which calls for the elimination of fossil fuels , nuclear energy , combustion engines , air travel , and `` farting cows . ''

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) looks fabulous on the cover of next month's Vanity Fair, but that doesn't mean she thinks Joe Biden will be a fabulous president.
America is "still in a lot of trouble" if Joe Biden wins the election, Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview with the magazine that helped Beto O'Rourke launch his famously unsuccessful presidential campaign. The Democratic Party, she added, is "not good enough right now."
AOC, as she is glamorously known, has been seeking publicity as the election draws to a close, presumably to position herself as the foremost dissident voice in a potential Biden administration. Last week, for example, Ocasio-Cortez took part in a livestream event hosted by Hasan Piker, a vlogger who in 2019 said "America deserved 9/11."
This past week, the congresswoman made an appearance on CNN's State of the Union, where she discussed her role in "making sure that we push the Democratic Party" to be more in line with her hard-left views.
Ocasio-Cortez, who formally nominated Bernie Sanders at this year's Democratic convention, has proposed a series of radical policies to address climate change, collectively known as the "Green New Deal," which calls for the elimination of fossil fuels, nuclear energy, combustion engines, air travel, and "farting cows."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--PETA Demands Federal Prison Accommodate Ghislaine Maxwell’s Vegan Diet

Animal-rights activist group PETA is demanding a federal prison accommodate Ghislaine Maxwell 's vegan diet to prevent her from `` contributing to suffering . ''
PETA sent a letter to the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday demanding the federal prison provide Maxwell , a longtime confidant to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein , with plant-based meals— '' regardless of the accusations against her . ''
Maxwell was arrested in July on multiple charges related to sex trafficking and sexual abuse of young girls and is being held in the Brooklyn detention center without bail .
`` Regardless of how anyone feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forced to eat the corpse of an animal who felt pain and fear and did n't want to die , '' PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement .
PETA said its decision to advocate for Maxwell follows multiple reports that the facility has for months failed to provide her with meals suitable to her vegan diet .
In the letter , addressed to the detention center 's warden , PETA said that providing vegan meals to Maxwell and other inmates can help end animal suffering .
`` Although none of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing everyone with vegan meals , you have the power to prevent Ms. Maxwell and other inmates from contributing to suffering , '' the organization said .
Newkirk told the Washington Free Beacon that PETA has asked multiple prisons to serve `` cruelty-free '' meals , which she claims cost less .
`` PETA always suggests ways to save animals from pain and suffering , which is why we advocate for vegan choices for everyone , '' Newkirk said .
`` We have asked numerous prisons—most recently , the Indiana penitentiary holding accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for vegan meals ( which , apparently , Ghislaine Maxwell has made ) but also to reduce violence generally by providing all inmates with cruelty-free food .
In addition , our prison systems , paid for with our taxes , should be saving funds by serving vegan meals , which are less costly . ''
Maxwell has allegedly lost 25 pounds over the past four months because she has refused to eat the meals provided for her .
According to one friend , she also says she is `` humiliated '' by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear while on suicide watch .
The letter comes just one week after the release of a 2016 deposition , in which Maxwell denied all allegations of wrongdoing against her .
She denies claims that she recruited minors to have sex with Epstein and has said she was unaware of accusations that he was abusing women and young girls .
Her trial is set for next summer .

Animal-rights activist group PETA is demanding a federal prison accommodate Ghislaine Maxwell's vegan diet to prevent her from "contributing to suffering."
PETA sent a letter to the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday demanding the federal prison provide Maxwell, a longtime confidant to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with plant-based meals—"regardless of the accusations against her." Maxwell was arrested in July on multiple charges related to sex trafficking and sexual abuse of young girls and is being held in the Brooklyn detention center without bail.
"Regardless of how anyone feels about Ms. Maxwell, no one should be forced to eat the corpse of an animal who felt pain and fear and didn't want to die," PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement.
PETA said its decision to advocate for Maxwell follows multiple reports that the facility has for months failed to provide her with meals suitable to her vegan diet. In the letter, addressed to the detention center's warden, PETA said that providing vegan meals to Maxwell and other inmates can help end animal suffering. "Although none of us can stop all violence, by providing everyone with vegan meals, you have the power to prevent Ms. Maxwell and other inmates from contributing to suffering," the organization said.
Newkirk told the Washington Free Beacon that PETA has asked multiple prisons to serve "cruelty-free" meals, which she claims cost less.
"PETA always suggests ways to save animals from pain and suffering, which is why we advocate for vegan choices for everyone," Newkirk said. "We have asked numerous prisons—most recently, the Indiana penitentiary holding accused cannibal Joseph Oberhansley—not only to accommodate requests for vegan meals (which, apparently, Ghislaine Maxwell has made) but also to reduce violence generally by providing all inmates with cruelty-free food. In addition, our prison systems, paid for with our taxes, should be saving funds by serving vegan meals, which are less costly."
Maxwell has allegedly lost 25 pounds over the past four months because she has refused to eat the meals provided for her. According to one friend, she also says she is "humiliated" by the paper clothes the prison has forced her to wear while on suicide watch.
The letter comes just one week after the release of a 2016 deposition, in which Maxwell denied all allegations of wrongdoing against her. She denies claims that she recruited minors to have sex with Epstein and has said she was unaware of accusations that he was abusing women and young girls. Her trial is set for next summer.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Local Reporter Surveys Philly Strip Mall Ravaged by BLM Riots

Fox 29 Philadelphia reporter Steve Keeley explored the aftermath of looting in the city 's Port Richmond neighborhood Wednesday morning—and found an entire strip mall destroyed by a mob .
The city has seen widespread unrest following the death of Walter Wallace Jr. , whom police shot for reportedly charging them with a knife , but recently the looting has become increasingly calculated .
`` An immigrant store owner from north Jersey , he tried to guard his store , '' Keeley reported .
`` He put mattresses and big furniture pieces up against his doors , he said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They came in with U-Haul trucks—U-Haul trucks !
—and I ca n't tell you the words he used to describe it . ''
As left-wing activists have justified looting in the name of the Black Lives Matter movement , cities around the country have struggled to maintain order .
Wallace 's family have pleaded with Philadelphians not to destroy businesses in his name , but the rioting has continued .
Keeley said a security officer told him what the rioters did to a Walmart they later ransacked .
`` Somehow , for fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climbed up to the pipes and pulled them down , '' he said .
`` That 's what 's causing the store to be completely flooded . ''
In addition to stealing and destroying products , the rioters took Walmart 's cash registers as well .
`` Same goes for all the stores elsewhere in this strip mall , all the registers were stolen , '' Keeley said .
The rioters also apparently used explosives to open some of Walmart 's vending machines in order to take the cash inside .
Keeley reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including looters shot by other looters .
Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf ( D. ) mobilized the National Guard to deal with the rioting , but Philadelphia police have been ordered not to arrest looters , Fox 29 reported .
In a directive , Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton told police to respond to `` priority '' calls only , which do not include `` disturbance , missing person , missing vehicle , burglary or theft . ''
Videos show a Black Lives Matter organizer saying it was time to `` rip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protesters harassing Jewish people who said they wanted to join the protest out of `` solidarity . ''
The protesters shouted that the Jews were part of the `` Synagogue of Satan '' prophesied in the New Testament .

Looters climbed up to pull down pipes and flood store 'for fun'
Fox 29 Philadelphia reporter Steve Keeley explored the aftermath of looting in the city's Port Richmond neighborhood Wednesday morning—and found an entire strip mall destroyed by a mob.
The city has seen widespread unrest following the death of Walter Wallace Jr., whom police shot for reportedly charging them with a knife, but recently the looting has become increasingly calculated.
"An immigrant store owner from north Jersey, he tried to guard his store," Keeley reported. "He put mattresses and big furniture pieces up against his doors, he said it was no match for the crowd. They came in with U-Haul trucks—U-Haul trucks!—and I can't tell you the words he used to describe it."
As left-wing activists have justified looting in the name of the Black Lives Matter movement, cities around the country have struggled to maintain order. Wallace's family have pleaded with Philadelphians not to destroy businesses in his name, but the rioting has continued.
Keeley said a security officer told him what the rioters did to a Walmart they later ransacked.
"Somehow, for fun of it I guess, some people climbed up to the pipes and pulled them down," he said. "That's what's causing the store to be completely flooded."
In addition to stealing and destroying products, the rioters took Walmart's cash registers as well.
"Same goes for all the stores elsewhere in this strip mall, all the registers were stolen," Keeley said.
The rioters also apparently used explosives to open some of Walmart's vending machines in order to take the cash inside.
LOOK at @Walmart vending machines. You can see that one of them was BLOWN UP to get the cash box out. And inside the store ALL the cash registers are GONE. As the check out aisle floods from 'looters pulled the pipes down" store security officer tells FOX29 News @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/MXbMGaJvdY — Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 28, 2020
Keeley reported at least 11 people have been shot, including looters shot by other looters.
11 people shot while looting in Philadelphia so far since last night. 'Looters were shooting looters." '50 yr old man that had his car filled then was carjacked and had all his stolem stiff re-stolen from him"from @PhillyPolice on scene of looting tell FOX 29. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/FahA709kFN — Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 28, 2020
Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf (D.) mobilized the National Guard to deal with the rioting, but Philadelphia police have been ordered not to arrest looters, Fox 29 reported. In a directive, Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton told police to respond to "priority" calls only, which do not include "disturbance, missing person, missing vehicle, burglary or theft."
Videos show a Black Lives Matter organizer saying it was time to "rip the root out of the f—ing soil" and protesters harassing Jewish people who said they wanted to join the protest out of "solidarity." The protesters shouted that the Jews were part of the "Synagogue of Satan" prophesied in the New Testament.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Feds Arrest Five For Aiding Chinese Regime

The Chinese government enlisted Americans and U.S. permanent residents for a `` large-scale and wide-ranging conspiracy '' to strongarm a Chinese fugitive to return to his homeland , according to the Department of Justice .
The FBI arrested five individuals—all U.S. citizens or permanent residents—for stalking and harassing a New Jersey-based victim over the course of years to compel the victim to return to China , authorities announced on a Wednesday-morning press call .
The three other defendants reside in China .
With the help of these individuals , the Chinese government allegedly imprisoned the victim 's sister in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's residence , harassed the victim 's daughter , and used other thuggish tactics to intimidate the victim .
`` One of the notes read , for example , ‘ if you are willing to go back to the mainland and stay 10 years in prison , your wife and children will be safe and alright .
That is the end of the matter , ' '' said Seth DuCharme , the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York .
`` [ This is ] certainly not conduct that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government with no notice or permission of the United States government . ''
U.S. authorities alleged that the charged defendants were part of Operation Fox Hunt , a Chinese government operation launched in 2014 that ostensibly aims to repatriate Chinese fugitives from justice back to the homeland .
The FBI , however , suspects that the aim of the program has shifted to principally target Chinese dissidents and political exiles .
The Wednesday morning arrests marked the first time the U.S. government decided to charge the Fox Hunt operatives for their unscrupulous activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests constitute the latest step taken by the U.S. government to crack down on Chinese covert operations on U.S. soil .
The FBI has arrested numerous U.S. researchers for concealing their affiliation with the Chinese government , including a high-profile arrest of a Harvard chemistry professor in January .
Federal officials have also arrested several members of the Chinese military for lying about their identity to steal U.S. technology , which led to a tense standoff at a Chinese consulate when a defendant temporarily sought refuge there before her arrest .
Federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for spying on the city 's Tibetan communities on behalf of the Chinese government .
Authorities declined to provide identifying details about the victim but said Operation Fox Hunt has for years used illegal tactics to compel those facing charges in China to return home .
While some of those targeted were bona fide criminals , many others were targeted for political reasons , according to John Demers , the assistant attorney general for national security .
`` Some of these individuals may well be wanted on traditional criminal charges , and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Demers said .
`` But in many instances , the hunted are opponents of Communist Party chairman Xi , political rivals , dissidents , critics .
And in either event , the operation is a clear violation of the rule of law and international norms . ''
The defendants were charged with illegal stalking , as well as acting as an unauthorized agent of a foreign government without notifying and seeking approval from the attorney general , according to DuCharme .
Of the five defendants arrested today , two were Americans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizenship .
FBI director Christopher Wray said there are likely many more victims of Operation Fox Hunt and urged them to reach out to the FBI .
`` The sad fact is that this was hardly an isolated incident , '' Wray said .
`` Fox Hunt is a sweeping bid by General Secretary Xi and the Chinese Communist Party to target Chinese nationals here in the United States and across the world who are viewed as threats to the regime . ''

The Chinese government enlisted Americans and U.S. permanent residents for a "large-scale and wide-ranging conspiracy" to strongarm a Chinese fugitive to return to his homeland, according to the Department of Justice.
The FBI arrested five individuals—all U.S. citizens or permanent residents—for stalking and harassing a New Jersey-based victim over the course of years to compel the victim to return to China, authorities announced on a Wednesday-morning press call. The three other defendants reside in China. With the help of these individuals, the Chinese government allegedly imprisoned the victim's sister in China, left threatening notes at the victim's residence, harassed the victim's daughter, and used other thuggish tactics to intimidate the victim.
"One of the notes read, for example, 'if you are willing to go back to the mainland and stay 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be safe and alright. That is the end of the matter,'" said Seth DuCharme, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "[This is] certainly not conduct that we tolerate when conducted unilaterally by a foreign government with no notice or permission of the United States government."
U.S. authorities alleged that the charged defendants were part of Operation Fox Hunt, a Chinese government operation launched in 2014 that ostensibly aims to repatriate Chinese fugitives from justice back to the homeland. The FBI, however, suspects that the aim of the program has shifted to principally target Chinese dissidents and political exiles. The Wednesday morning arrests marked the first time the U.S. government decided to charge the Fox Hunt operatives for their unscrupulous activities, according to DuCharme.
The FBI arrests constitute the latest step taken by the U.S. government to crack down on Chinese covert operations on U.S. soil. The FBI has arrested numerous U.S. researchers for concealing their affiliation with the Chinese government, including a high-profile arrest of a Harvard chemistry professor in January. Federal officials have also arrested several members of the Chinese military for lying about their identity to steal U.S. technology, which led to a tense standoff at a Chinese consulate when a defendant temporarily sought refuge there before her arrest. Federal authorities also arrested an NYPD officer in September for spying on the city's Tibetan communities on behalf of the Chinese government.
Authorities declined to provide identifying details about the victim but said Operation Fox Hunt has for years used illegal tactics to compel those facing charges in China to return home. While some of those targeted were bona fide criminals, many others were targeted for political reasons, according to John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security.
"Some of these individuals may well be wanted on traditional criminal charges, and some of them may even be guilty," Demers said. "But in many instances, the hunted are opponents of Communist Party chairman Xi, political rivals, dissidents, critics. And in either event, the operation is a clear violation of the rule of law and international norms."
The defendants were charged with illegal stalking, as well as acting as an unauthorized agent of a foreign government without notifying and seeking approval from the attorney general, according to DuCharme. Of the five defendants arrested today, two were Americans and three were U.S. permanent residents with Chinese citizenship.
FBI director Christopher Wray said there are likely many more victims of Operation Fox Hunt and urged them to reach out to the FBI.
"The sad fact is that this was hardly an isolated incident," Wray said. "Fox Hunt is a sweeping bid by General Secretary Xi and the Chinese Communist Party to target Chinese nationals here in the United States and across the world who are viewed as threats to the regime."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--‘Moderate’ Conor Lamb Votes With Far-Left ‘Squad’ Almost 90 Percent of the Time

First-term representative Conor Lamb ( D. , Pa. ) portrays himself as a moderate in his competitive Pennsylvania district .
Yet he votes with members of the far-left `` Squad '' almost 90 percent of the time .
In his first two years since entering Congress , Lamb has voted with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) 88 percent of the time , Reps. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) and Rashida Tlaib ( D. , Mich. ) 89 percent of the time , and Rep. Ayanna Pressley ( D. , Mass . )
90 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracking tool from ProPublica .
Lamb 's positions have garnered him endorsements from numerous left-wing groups , including Everytown for Gun Safety , Feminist Majority PAC , and JStreetPAC .
All this belies the centrist image he projects to Pennsylvania 's 17th Congressional District , where Lamb is locked in a tight race against Republican Sean Parnell .
Lamb has publicly distanced himself from the far left on certain issues , especially the environment .
He opposes the Green New Deal , which is highly unpopular in his district , and has gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a major industry in Western Pennsylvania .
Liberal strategists and media alike have thus treated him as a model for Democrats running in tough races .
`` This moderate Democrat 's model is being copied where it matters—in Trump territory , '' reads a headline from McClatchy in 2018 .
`` Conor Lamb proves running as a moderate is a winning strategy , '' the Hill wrote that same year .
But Lamb 's record tells a different story .
He boasts a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights Campaign .
Lamb also landed an endorsement from the gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety while getting an `` F '' rating from the NRA 's Political Victory Fund .
His campaign has hauled in thousands from far-left groups , including End Citizens United , Planned Parenthood Action Fund , and Service Employees International Union .
`` When you watch Conor Lamb on the campaign trail , in interviews , and in debates it 's tough not to be reminded of one of those androids from the Alien movies , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He has the slick , phony , programmed persona down to perfection when he 's campaigning in Western Pennsylvania , but then when he gets back to Washington , D.C. , he falls in line with his radical programmers and supports packing the courts , packing the Senate , and will ultimately roll over for the far-left special interests so he can get his next job at a high paying lobbying firm to end natural gas . ''
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorsed Parnell Tuesday , noting the contrast between Lamb 's moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has shown almost no independence , distance , or skepticism , '' the publication wrote .
`` Labeling himself a moderate was smart marketing strategy , but not much more than that . ''
The race between Lamb and Parnell is considered one of the most competitive in the country .
Pennsylvania 's congressional map was redrawn in 2018 , but President Donald Trump would have won the current district by 2.6 points in the last presidential election .
Lamb 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

First-term representative Conor Lamb (D., Pa.) portrays himself as a moderate in his competitive Pennsylvania district. Yet he votes with members of the far-left "Squad" almost 90 percent of the time.
In his first two years since entering Congress, Lamb has voted with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) 88 percent of the time, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) 89 percent of the time, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.) 90 percent of the time, according to a vote tracking tool from ProPublica. Lamb's positions have garnered him endorsements from numerous left-wing groups, including Everytown for Gun Safety, Feminist Majority PAC, and JStreetPAC. All this belies the centrist image he projects to Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, where Lamb is locked in a tight race against Republican Sean Parnell.
Lamb has publicly distanced himself from the far left on certain issues, especially the environment. He opposes the Green New Deal, which is highly unpopular in his district, and has gone against calls from Ocasio-Cortez to end fracking, a major industry in Western Pennsylvania. Liberal strategists and media alike have thus treated him as a model for Democrats running in tough races. "This moderate Democrat's model is being copied where it matters—in Trump territory," reads a headline from McClatchy in 2018. "Conor Lamb proves running as a moderate is a winning strategy," the Hill wrote that same year.
But Lamb's record tells a different story. He boasts a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and a 93 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign. Lamb also landed an endorsement from the gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety while getting an "F" rating from the NRA's Political Victory Fund. His campaign has hauled in thousands from far-left groups, including End Citizens United, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Service Employees International Union.
"When you watch Conor Lamb on the campaign trail, in interviews, and in debates it's tough not to be reminded of one of those androids from the Alien movies," said Parnell campaign spokesman Ian Prior. "He has the slick, phony, programmed persona down to perfection when he's campaigning in Western Pennsylvania, but then when he gets back to Washington, D.C., he falls in line with his radical programmers and supports packing the courts, packing the Senate, and will ultimately roll over for the far-left special interests so he can get his next job at a high paying lobbying firm to end natural gas."
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorsed Parnell Tuesday, noting the contrast between Lamb's moderate persona and his actual record. "He has shown almost no independence, distance, or skepticism," the publication wrote. "Labeling himself a moderate was smart marketing strategy, but not much more than that."
The race between Lamb and Parnell is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Pennsylvania's congressional map was redrawn in 2018, but President Donald Trump would have won the current district by 2.6 points in the last presidential election.
Lamb's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--U.S. Brings Home American Detained in Belarus

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that the State Department brought home an American citizen arbitrarily detained in Belarus .
Vitali Shkliarov , a Washington , D.C.-area resident , returned home Tuesday night after spending three months in jail and house arrest in Belarus .
A dual citizen of the United States and Belarus , Shkliarov visited Belarus earlier this summer to see family and friends before deep political instability wracked the Eastern European country .
Pompeo told reporters the retrieval of Shkliarov sends a strong message to governments holding Americans overseas .
`` After three months of wrongful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been reunited with his family and has arrived in the United States , '' Pompeo told CNN .
`` As the President and I have made clear , we will not tolerate foreign governments wrongfully detaining U.S .
citizens . ''
Shkliarov was held in Belarus during a time of mass protest and unrest in Belarus .
Strongman Alexander Lukashenko secured a new term as president in what Washington called a `` neither free nor fair '' election .
After Lukashenko cemented his continued status as president , a wave of dissidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with violent means and suppression of protests .
With his hold over the people slipping , Lukashenko actively solicited assistance from neighboring Russia , as Russian president Vladimir Putin dispatched troops to Belarus .
Shkliarov was highly critical of Lukashenko .
The Belarusian-American worked on political campaigns in the United States , including those of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and former president Barack Obama , and drafted think pieces bashing Lukashenko ’ s abuse of political freedoms .
Shkliarov faced oppressive conditions during his detainment , including his imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark , cramped cell with mold and cockroaches .
Shkliarov ’ s attorney also confirmed that his release was secured in a phone call Pompeo made with Lukashenko this week .
Earlier this month , the Trump administration ordered a series of new sanctions on the Lukashenko regime to defend the human rights and political freedoms of Belarusians .
Meanwhile , securing the release of Americans overseas remains a major plank of the Trump administration ’ s foreign policy .
Earlier this month , the White House brought home two American hostages held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All told , the current administration has so far brought home over 50 hostages from 22 countries .

Pompeo: 'We will not tolerate foreign governments wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens.'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that the State Department brought home an American citizen arbitrarily detained in Belarus.
Vitali Shkliarov, a Washington, D.C.-area resident, returned home Tuesday night after spending three months in jail and house arrest in Belarus. A dual citizen of the United States and Belarus, Shkliarov visited Belarus earlier this summer to see family and friends before deep political instability wracked the Eastern European country.
Pompeo told reporters the retrieval of Shkliarov sends a strong message to governments holding Americans overseas.
"After three months of wrongful detention and house arrest, Mr. Shkliarov has been reunited with his family and has arrived in the United States," Pompeo told CNN. "As the President and I have made clear, we will not tolerate foreign governments wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens."
Shkliarov was held in Belarus during a time of mass protest and unrest in Belarus. Strongman Alexander Lukashenko secured a new term as president in what Washington called a "neither free nor fair" election. After Lukashenko cemented his continued status as president, a wave of dissidence erupted across Belarus, which authorities met with violent means and suppression of protests.
With his hold over the people slipping, Lukashenko actively solicited assistance from neighboring Russia, as Russian president Vladimir Putin dispatched troops to Belarus.
Shkliarov was highly critical of Lukashenko. The Belarusian-American worked on political campaigns in the United States, including those of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and former president Barack Obama, and drafted think pieces bashing Lukashenko’s abuse of political freedoms.
Shkliarov faced oppressive conditions during his detainment, including his imprisonment in what his attorney described as a dark, cramped cell with mold and cockroaches. Shkliarov’s attorney also confirmed that his release was secured in a phone call Pompeo made with Lukashenko this week.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration ordered a series of new sanctions on the Lukashenko regime to defend the human rights and political freedoms of Belarusians.
Meanwhile, securing the release of Americans overseas remains a major plank of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. Earlier this month, the White House brought home two American hostages held by a Yemeni militia backed by Iran. All told, the current administration has so far brought home over 50 hostages from 22 countries.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--American Prisons Are the Emptiest They’ve Been Since 1995, New Data Show

The number of people in American prisons fell in 2019 to its lowest point in nearly a quarter century , continuing a decade-long drop , new data show .
There were roughly 419 prisoners for every 100,000 Americans at the end of last year , according to recently released figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics ' annual survey of prison populations .
That represents a 3 percent decline from 2018 and a whopping 17 percent drop from 2007 , when the incarceration rate peaked after more than three decades of growth .
Those drops also represent a significant change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations fell by 11.1 percent overall between 2009 and 2019 , the share of black prisoners fell 22.6 percent , more than double , in the same period .
At the same time , prisons ' share of violent offenders rose slightly over the same period , from 52.3 percent in 2008 to 55.5 percent .
In other words , America 's prisons hold fewer people , particularly black people , and a larger share of violent offenders now than they did a decade ago .
The statistics suggest incarceration is trending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it should—a sign that bipartisan proposals such as the FIRST STEP Act are having a measurable impact on the criminal justice system .
America 's ongoing experiment with mass decarceration , which has commanded bipartisan support , is likely to continue for the foreseeable future .
That experiment 's effect on the crime rate , though , remains uncertain , with violence still below its late-20th-century peak but threatening to rise again .
State prisons across the country saw their populations shrink in 2019 , with incarceration rates dropping in 33 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 percent of U.S. prisoners , also saw their populations shrink .
In part , that 's because of FIRST STEP , President Donald Trump 's signature decarceration bill , which slashed sentences across the federal system .
That number has likely declined even more throughout 2020 , as the coronavirus pandemic has driven states to empty out jails and prisons .
State and federal prisons released over 100,000 people between March and June , constituting an 8 percent decline—the largest single-year drop since 1993 .
The average state has released 14 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prison Policy Initiative .
It 's unclear if that mass release has been behind the spike in murder rates in many of America 's big cities .
University of Pennsylvania professor David Abrams found that crime rates remained low from March through June , as thousands of prisoners were released but stay-at-home orders kept America as a whole under lockdown .
Many cities saw crime rates spike in June , as widespread protesting and rioting drew police resources and attention away from day-to-day safety enforcement .
Disentangling the role that mass decarceration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge for future researchers .
At the same time , the prison-population decline in general has corresponded with a drawdown in America 's criminal justice resources .
Recently released Census Bureau data find that the number of police officers per capita has also fallen steadily since its 2008 peak .
Those data correspond with the end of the `` Great Crime Decline , '' a decade-and-a-half drop in violent crime rates that began in the mid-1990s but has been stagnant since the Great Recession .
The concurrent drop in police presence and incarceration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibilities for violent crime reduction on the table .
While some reformers may be willing to take that tradeoff , a public wary of crime may not .

The number of people in American prisons fell in 2019 to its lowest point in nearly a quarter century, continuing a decade-long drop, new data show.
There were roughly 419 prisoners for every 100,000 Americans at the end of last year, according to recently released figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics' annual survey of prison populations. That represents a 3 percent decline from 2018 and a whopping 17 percent drop from 2007, when the incarceration rate peaked after more than three decades of growth.
Those drops also represent a significant change in prisons' racial composition. While populations fell by 11.1 percent overall between 2009 and 2019, the share of black prisoners fell 22.6 percent, more than double, in the same period. At the same time, prisons' share of violent offenders rose slightly over the same period, from 52.3 percent in 2008 to 55.5 percent.
In other words, America's prisons hold fewer people, particularly black people, and a larger share of violent offenders now than they did a decade ago. The statistics suggest incarceration is trending the way "criminal justice reform" advocates believe it should—a sign that bipartisan proposals such as the FIRST STEP Act are having a measurable impact on the criminal justice system.
America's ongoing experiment with mass decarceration, which has commanded bipartisan support, is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. That experiment's effect on the crime rate, though, remains uncertain, with violence still below its late-20th-century peak but threatening to rise again.
State prisons across the country saw their populations shrink in 2019, with incarceration rates dropping in 33 states. Federal prisons, which house roughly 10 percent of U.S. prisoners, also saw their populations shrink. In part, that's because of FIRST STEP, President Donald Trump's signature decarceration bill, which slashed sentences across the federal system.
That number has likely declined even more throughout 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic has driven states to empty out jails and prisons. State and federal prisons released over 100,000 people between March and June, constituting an 8 percent decline—the largest single-year drop since 1993. The average state has released 14 percent of its prison population, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
It's unclear if that mass release has been behind the spike in murder rates in many of America's big cities. University of Pennsylvania professor David Abrams found that crime rates remained low from March through June, as thousands of prisoners were released but stay-at-home orders kept America as a whole under lockdown. Many cities saw crime rates spike in June, as widespread protesting and rioting drew police resources and attention away from day-to-day safety enforcement.
Disentangling the role that mass decarceration has played in these trends remains a challenge for future researchers.
At the same time, the prison-population decline in general has corresponded with a drawdown in America's criminal justice resources.
Recently released Census Bureau data find that the number of police officers per capita has also fallen steadily since its 2008 peak. Those data correspond with the end of the "Great Crime Decline," a decade-and-a-half drop in violent crime rates that began in the mid-1990s but has been stagnant since the Great Recession.
The concurrent drop in police presence and incarceration, then, may be leaving some possibilities for violent crime reduction on the table. While some reformers may be willing to take that tradeoff, a public wary of crime may not.


freebeacon--2020-10-28--Southern Poverty Law Center Releases Guide for Managing ‘White Fragility’

The Southern Poverty Law Center released a free instructional guide for teachers seeking to `` manage their white fragility . ''
The guidelines , published by SPLC 's `` Teaching Tolerance '' division , claim that educators of color are often `` burdened '' by anti-racist work because their white colleagues turn a blind eye to discrimination .
`` We know we all live in the same society of racism and white supremacy , '' the guidelines read .
`` We know white educators have the privilege to ignore these conditions and often do.… While all educators of color carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers have even more weight placed on them . ''
The material encourages educators to follow anti-racist Twitter activists and to shun other teachers , faculty , and students who refuse `` anti-bias , anti-racist '' training , even if parents complain and staff members leave .
Anna Miller , an education policy analyst at the Idaho Freedom Foundation , told the Washington Free Beacon that such trainings will persuade some parents to pull their children from public schools .
`` Families will surely exit the system as public schools increasingly mandate anti-racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate their country , '' Miller said .
`` Many poor and middle-class students , however , will remain trapped in a debased system void of educational value . ''
Teaching Tolerance has already developed `` social justice '' curricula that recommend restructuring history and social-studies classes to emphasize slavery , designing those lesson plans for students as young as kindergartners .
The group 's new guidelines come as similar companies are raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars in anti-racist consultancy fees .
In Virginia 's Loudoun County , the school district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training in less than two years .
Teaching Tolerance also works with the Black Lives Matter at School group , which advocates `` funding counselors not cops . ''
The BLM at School website cites a quotation by domestic terrorist Assata Shakur , who remains on the FBI 's `` Most Wanted '' list .
Teaching Tolerance encourages educators to incorporate BLM at School resources into their lesson plans .
Miller told the Free Beacon that such partnerships exist to push a political doctrine on students and teachers , not to allow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If black lives really matter to today 's institutions , as they should , there would be no greater purpose than cultivating students ' minds instead of demanding acquiescence to a corrupt political cause , '' Miller said .
The SPLC guidelines conclude by calling on all educators to unlearn `` anti-blackness . ''
`` Anti-blackness is something that we have learned over the course of our lives , '' the guidelines read .
`` Unlearning will take a lot of introspection and conversation . ''

The Southern Poverty Law Center released a free instructional guide for teachers seeking to "manage their white fragility."
The guidelines, published by SPLC's "Teaching Tolerance" division, claim that educators of color are often "burdened" by anti-racist work because their white colleagues turn a blind eye to discrimination.
"We know we all live in the same society of racism and white supremacy," the guidelines read. "We know white educators have the privilege to ignore these conditions and often do.… While all educators of color carry the burden of white supremacy, Black teachers have even more weight placed on them."
The material encourages educators to follow anti-racist Twitter activists and to shun other teachers, faculty, and students who refuse "anti-bias, anti-racist" training, even if parents complain and staff members leave.
Anna Miller, an education policy analyst at the Idaho Freedom Foundation, told the Washington Free Beacon that such trainings will persuade some parents to pull their children from public schools.
"Families will surely exit the system as public schools increasingly mandate anti-racist, anti-bias reeducation and teach children to hate their country," Miller said. "Many poor and middle-class students, however, will remain trapped in a debased system void of educational value."
Teaching Tolerance has already developed "social justice" curricula that recommend restructuring history and social-studies classes to emphasize slavery, designing those lesson plans for students as young as kindergartners.
The group's new guidelines come as similar companies are raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars in anti-racist consultancy fees. In Virginia's Loudoun County, the school district spent $422,500 on equity and diversity training in less than two years.
Teaching Tolerance also works with the Black Lives Matter at School group, which advocates "funding counselors not cops." The BLM at School website cites a quotation by domestic terrorist Assata Shakur, who remains on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list. Teaching Tolerance encourages educators to incorporate BLM at School resources into their lesson plans.
Miller told the Free Beacon that such partnerships exist to push a political doctrine on students and teachers, not to allow for free and open thought in the classroom.
"If black lives really matter to today's institutions, as they should, there would be no greater purpose than cultivating students' minds instead of demanding acquiescence to a corrupt political cause," Miller said.
The SPLC guidelines conclude by calling on all educators to unlearn "anti-blackness."
"Anti-blackness is something that we have learned over the course of our lives," the guidelines read. "Unlearning will take a lot of introspection and conversation."


freebeacon--2020-10-28--For Obama, Every Election Is the Most Important of Our Lifetimes

According to former president Barack Obama , the 2020 election is the most important of our lifetimes , a sentiment @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , 2016 , 2012 , and 2008 .
He did not make those @ @ @ @ @ , when Republicans made huge gains in the midterms of his presidency .

According to former president Barack Obama, the 2020 election is the most important of our lifetimes, a sentiment he also felt was true in 2018, 2016, 2012, and 2008.
He did not make those remarks about 2010 or 2014, when Republicans made huge gains in the midterms of his presidency.