freebeacon--2020-07-15--Seattle to Hire ‘Social Justice’ Advocates for Administrative Roles

The city of Seattle is hiring `` social justice '' advocates to staff its administrative offices—and unlike private sector jobs , these positions aren ’ t subject to the city ’ s new tax on six-figure salaries .
Library administrators , public utilities employees , and city auditors are just some of the positions Seattle is hiring for that have prerequisites of advancing `` racial and social justice equality , '' according to city job postings .
The job postings illustrate how left-leaning cities like Seattle are adapting to cultural shifts and allegations of systemic racism that have shaken local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country in the wake of the George Floyd protests .
Seattle 's public library is hiring a `` director of Administrative Services '' who is `` responsible for directing and overseeing all of the financial activities for the organization . ''
Candidates for the finance position—which pays between $ 110,393 and $ 182,155 annually—must be `` knowledgeable in the area of race and social justice , and developing policies with stakeholder involvement for better community and staff equity , '' according to the job listing .
Seattle Public Utilities is recruiting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Community . ''
The job , which pays up to $ 215,000 annually , will help `` to embed race and social justice and service equity policies and practices across the utility , by positioning equity at the core of decision-making at Seattle Public Utilities . ''
In addition , the city of Seattle is `` recruiting for a compassionate , collaborative leader committed to equity and social justice to lead the Office of Labor Standards , '' which pays up to $ 182,115 .
To qualify , the applicant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social , and economic justice , '' according to the job listing .
A job opening for a policy analyst for the Office of the Inspector General requires `` an understanding and appreciation of the intersection of policing and race and social justice . ''
An operations adviser role at the Department of Human Services asks that candidates `` conduct all work with a race and social equity lens , ensuring all projects incorporate an equity lens throughout all aspects of the work . ''
Government positions are not subject to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council earlier this month , which will require businesses with payroll expenses over $ 7 million to pay an additional 0.7 percent tax on employees who earn more than $ 150,000 per year .
Larger companies , such as Amazon , will be required to pay up to a 2.4 percent tax on salaries for employees who earn over $ 400,000 per year .
City council members expect the tax—known as the `` JumpStart Seattle '' initiative—to bring in an additional $ 200 million per year , which they have pledged to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and subsidized housing programs .
`` We are winning because of the determination of workers and socialists to smash all obstacles and find a path to victory , '' said city council representative Kshama Sawant , a member of the Socialist Alternative Party who backed the bill , after the law passed with a veto-proof 7-2 majority .
Critics of the initiative argue that it will push businesses out of Seattle when it goes into effect next year , noting that around 800 companies will face higher taxes under the plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s economy , which is already struggling with a 14 percent unemployment rate and depleted tourism industry due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Job taxes are counterproductive to job creation and have a history in Seattle of being enacted and then later repealed , '' said Downtown Seattle Association president Jon Scholes in a statement after the vote .
`` This tax should follow that fate . ''
A similar business tax passed the Seattle City Council in 2018 , but it was repealed by voters before it could @ @ @

The city of Seattle is hiring "social justice" advocates to staff its administrative offices—and unlike private sector jobs, these positions aren’t subject to the city’s new tax on six-figure salaries.
Library administrators, public utilities employees, and city auditors are just some of the positions Seattle is hiring for that have prerequisites of advancing "racial and social justice equality," according to city job postings.
The job postings illustrate how left-leaning cities like Seattle are adapting to cultural shifts and allegations of systemic racism that have shaken local governments, newsrooms, and businesses across the country in the wake of the George Floyd protests.
Seattle's public library is hiring a "director of Administrative Services" who is "responsible for directing and overseeing all of the financial activities for the organization."
Candidates for the finance position—which pays between $110,393 and $182,155 annually—must be "knowledgeable in the area of race and social justice, and developing policies with stakeholder involvement for better community and staff equity," according to the job listing.
Seattle Public Utilities is recruiting a "Deputy Director of People, Culture and Community." The job, which pays up to $215,000 annually, will help "to embed race and social justice and service equity policies and practices across the utility, by positioning equity at the core of decision-making at Seattle Public Utilities."
In addition, the city of Seattle is "recruiting for a compassionate, collaborative leader committed to equity and social justice to lead the Office of Labor Standards," which pays up to $182,115.
To qualify, the applicant’s "work must be centered in racial, social, and economic justice," according to the job listing.
A job opening for a policy analyst for the Office of the Inspector General requires "an understanding and appreciation of the intersection of policing and race and social justice." An operations adviser role at the Department of Human Services asks that candidates "conduct all work with a race and social equity lens, ensuring all projects incorporate an equity lens throughout all aspects of the work."
Government positions are not subject to the tax law passed by the Seattle City Council earlier this month, which will require businesses with payroll expenses over $7 million to pay an additional 0.7 percent tax on employees who earn more than $150,000 per year. Larger companies, such as Amazon, will be required to pay up to a 2.4 percent tax on salaries for employees who earn over $400,000 per year.
City council members expect the tax—known as the "JumpStart Seattle" initiative—to bring in an additional $200 million per year, which they have pledged to use for coronavirus relief, expanded social services, and subsidized housing programs.
"We are winning because of the determination of workers and socialists to smash all obstacles and find a path to victory," said city council representative Kshama Sawant, a member of the Socialist Alternative Party who backed the bill, after the law passed with a veto-proof 7-2 majority.
Critics of the initiative argue that it will push businesses out of Seattle when it goes into effect next year, noting that around 800 companies will face higher taxes under the plan. They claim it could also negatively impact the city’s economy, which is already struggling with a 14 percent unemployment rate and depleted tourism industry due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Job taxes are counterproductive to job creation and have a history in Seattle of being enacted and then later repealed," said Downtown Seattle Association president Jon Scholes in a statement after the vote. "This tax should follow that fate."
A similar business tax passed the Seattle City Council in 2018, but it was repealed by voters before it could be implemented.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--Kaine Takes Shot at Obama Over Failure to Protect 2016 Election

Virginia senator and former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine ( D. ) slammed the Obama administration for its failure to respond to Russian interference during the 2016 election .
`` Our [ Department of Defense ] did a very good job of repelling foreign attacks on the 2018 election… When you detect an incoming attack , you have to take affirmative steps to make the attacker pay a price , '' he told MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin .
`` The Obama administration did n't do that in 2016 , even though they were aware of the attack .
They did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kaine joined Hillary Clinton 's ill-fated presidential ticket in 2016 , and both have made much of Russian meddling in the race , with Clinton maintaining the Russians played a critical role in the Democrats ' defeat .
A February Senate Intelligence Committee report found that the Obama administration conducted an insufficient response to Russian interference activities .
Sen. Ron Wyden ( D. , Ore. ) criticized the Obama administration for not being more transparent with lawmakers and the public about the extent of Russian activity in an addendum to the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment when the country ’ s democracy was under direct attack and the administration was hoping for support from Congress , it refused to engage the congressional intelligence committees , '' Wyden wrote .
Kaine told MSNBC he was `` very concerned '' about election security following Wednesday 's hack of Twitter that affected several major accounts with a Bitcoin scam .
He said the the Defense Department 's deterrence of Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections can help deter future attacks .
Twitter described the hack as `` a co-ordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools . ''
The hack has raised concerns about the security of social media platforms as the 2020 election approaches .

Virginia senator and former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine (D.) slammed the Obama administration for its failure to respond to Russian interference during the 2016 election.
"Our [Department of Defense] did a very good job of repelling foreign attacks on the 2018 election... When you detect an incoming attack, you have to take affirmative steps to make the attacker pay a price," he told MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin. "The Obama administration didn't do that in 2016, even though they were aware of the attack. They didn't make Russia pay a price."
Kaine joined Hillary Clinton's ill-fated presidential ticket in 2016, and both have made much of Russian meddling in the race, with Clinton maintaining the Russians played a critical role in the Democrats' defeat. A February Senate Intelligence Committee report found that the Obama administration conducted an insufficient response to Russian interference activities.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) criticized the Obama administration for not being more transparent with lawmakers and the public about the extent of Russian activity in an addendum to the committee's report.
"Instead, at a moment when the country’s democracy was under direct attack and the administration was hoping for support from Congress, it refused to engage the congressional intelligence committees," Wyden wrote.
Kaine told MSNBC he was "very concerned" about election security following Wednesday's hack of Twitter that affected several major accounts with a Bitcoin scam. He said the the Defense Department's deterrence of Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections can help deter future attacks.
Twitter described the hack as "a co-ordinated social-engineering attack by people who successfully targeted some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools." The hack has raised concerns about the security of social media platforms as the 2020 election approaches.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--China to Sanction US Defense Contractor for Taiwan Arms Sales

New sanctions from China take aim at an American defense contractor for selling arms to Taiwan , Reuters reported Tuesday .
China refused to provide details about the sanctions , which target Lockheed Martin .
Taiwan is a top client for the arms company , which recently agreed to send the island nation a $ 620 million upgrade for the Patriot missile systems used to defend its borders .
Exhorting the United States to halt its weapons sales to Taiwan , PRC spokesman Zhao Lijian asked Washington to `` avoid further harming Sino-U.S. ties and peace and stability in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure American companies away from doing business with Taiwan comes amid intensified Sino-American competition .
President Donald Trump issued a series of sanctions and laws that reject PRC overtures to expand power in Asia and within international organizations , including ending special status for Hong Kong and withdrawing from the World Health Organization .
In turn , China issued sanctions on Senators Ted Cruz ( R. , Tex . )
and Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) , as well as two other American officials .
In the past month , Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country , Two Systems '' model in Hong Kong and may set its sights on Taiwan next .
As a free-market democracy , Taiwan presents an alternative model both to Beijing ’ s communist regime and Hong Kong 's special status that could challenge the legitimacy of Xi ’ s growing Marxist imperium .
`` The contrast between Taiwan ’ s peaceful democracy with the mayhem on the streets of Hong Kong and the repression in mainland China '' helped deliver Taiwan 's pro-democracy party an electoral victory this year , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States leaves the people of Taiwan determined to stand up to their adversarial neighbors .
The arms deal `` tells our people and the Communists that we have the confidence and ability to protect our people and homeland , '' said Taiwanese defense minister Yen Teh-fa on Tuesday .
China has long claimed Taiwan as a territory of the PRC .
As far back as 1958 , the regime fomented an international crisis by lobbing shells at the Taiwanese barrier islands of Quemoy and Matsu .
As a previous holding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical part of Xi Jinping ’ s ambitions `` to renew the Chinese nation to its past glory , '' writes American Enterprise Institute scholar Daniel Blumenthal .

New sanctions from China take aim at an American defense contractor for selling arms to Taiwan, Reuters reported Tuesday.
China refused to provide details about the sanctions, which target Lockheed Martin. Taiwan is a top client for the arms company, which recently agreed to send the island nation a $620 million upgrade for the Patriot missile systems used to defend its borders.
Exhorting the United States to halt its weapons sales to Taiwan, PRC spokesman Zhao Lijian asked Washington to "avoid further harming Sino-U.S. ties and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
The attempt to pressure American companies away from doing business with Taiwan comes amid intensified Sino-American competition. President Donald Trump issued a series of sanctions and laws that reject PRC overtures to expand power in Asia and within international organizations, including ending special status for Hong Kong and withdrawing from the World Health Organization. In turn, China issued sanctions on Senators Ted Cruz (R., Tex.) and Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), as well as two other American officials.
In the past month, Beijing has done away with its "One Country, Two Systems" model in Hong Kong and may set its sights on Taiwan next. As a free-market democracy, Taiwan presents an alternative model both to Beijing’s communist regime and Hong Kong's special status that could challenge the legitimacy of Xi’s growing Marxist imperium. "The contrast between Taiwan’s peaceful democracy with the mayhem on the streets of Hong Kong and the repression in mainland China" helped deliver Taiwan's pro-democracy party an electoral victory this year, according to the Financial Times.
Growing support from the United States leaves the people of Taiwan determined to stand up to their adversarial neighbors. The arms deal "tells our people and the Communists that we have the confidence and ability to protect our people and homeland," said Taiwanese defense minister Yen Teh-fa on Tuesday.
China has long claimed Taiwan as a territory of the PRC. As far back as 1958, the regime fomented an international crisis by lobbing shells at the Taiwanese barrier islands of Quemoy and Matsu. As a previous holding of the Qing dynasty, Taiwan remains a critical part of Xi Jinping’s ambitions "to renew the Chinese nation to its past glory," writes American Enterprise Institute scholar Daniel Blumenthal.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--Fox Stands by Nick Cannon in Wake of Anti-Semitic Remarks

After days of silence , Fox television network defended host Nick Cannon , who has been under fire for an anti-Semitic tirade in which he accused Jewish people of controlling the global financial system .
Fox Entertainment spokesman Les Eisner said that the company is standing behind Cannon , who has been forced to issue multiple apologies since he posted a YouTube video on June 23 that included praise for anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan .
Cannon also promoted age-old anti-Semitic canards about Jewish control , including claims that a secretive group of Jewish people controls the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led ViacomCBS , producer of his MTV and VH1 show , to fire him .
Cannon is also the host of Fox 's The Masked Singer and is in talks for a new daytime television show produced by Lionsgate 's Debmar-Mercury group , which has remained silent so far on his remarks .
Fox spokesman Eisner defended Cannon , saying the host is remorseful and currently educating himself about why his comments offended the American Jewish community .
Initially , Cannon issued a non-apology , but he has since changed his tune .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Cannon 's interview with Richard Griffin on YouTube , we immediately began a dialogue with Nick , '' Eisner said in a statement .
`` He is clear and remorseful that his words were wrong and lacked both understanding and context , and inadvertently promoted hate .
This was important for us to observe . ''
`` Nick has sincerely apologized , and quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends , '' Eisner claimed .
`` On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help him advance this important conversation , broadly .
FOX condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind . ''
During the YouTube video , which has since been deleted , Cannon spread classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jewish power , saying , `` Going as deep as the Rothschilds , centralized banking , the 13 families , the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America . ''
This kind of anti-Semitic rhetoric is promoted by white nationalist groups and other anti-Semites who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The host also said that Jewish people and `` Zionists '' —a term Israel 's detractors frequently use as a slur—have `` too much power . ''
As public outrage mounted , Cannon issued a lengthy statement apologizing for his remarks .
`` First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth , '' he said .
`` They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these words came from . ''
Cannon said he is now being advised by rabbis and Jewish community leaders to further understand the hateful nature of his words .

After days of silence, Fox television network defended host Nick Cannon, who has been under fire for an anti-Semitic tirade in which he accused Jewish people of controlling the global financial system.
Fox Entertainment spokesman Les Eisner said that the company is standing behind Cannon, who has been forced to issue multiple apologies since he posted a YouTube video on June 23 that included praise for anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Cannon also promoted age-old anti-Semitic canards about Jewish control, including claims that a secretive group of Jewish people controls the world's banking system.
Cannon's comments led ViacomCBS, producer of his MTV and VH1 show, to fire him. Cannon is also the host of Fox's The Masked Singer and is in talks for a new daytime television show produced by Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury group, which has remained silent so far on his remarks.
Fox spokesman Eisner defended Cannon, saying the host is remorseful and currently educating himself about why his comments offended the American Jewish community. Initially, Cannon issued a non-apology, but he has since changed his tune.
"When we were made aware of Nick Cannon's interview with Richard Griffin on YouTube, we immediately began a dialogue with Nick," Eisner said in a statement. "He is clear and remorseful that his words were wrong and lacked both understanding and context, and inadvertently promoted hate. This was important for us to observe."
"Nick has sincerely apologized, and quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends," Eisner claimed. "On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue, we will move forward with Nick and help him advance this important conversation, broadly. FOX condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind."
During the YouTube video, which has since been deleted, Cannon spread classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jewish power, saying, "Going as deep as the Rothschilds, centralized banking, the 13 families, the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America." This kind of anti-Semitic rhetoric is promoted by white nationalist groups and other anti-Semites who continue to blame Jews for global unrest.
The host also said that Jewish people and "Zionists"—a term Israel's detractors frequently use as a slur—have "too much power."
As public outrage mounted, Cannon issued a lengthy statement apologizing for his remarks.
"First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth," he said. "They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from."
Cannon said he is now being advised by rabbis and Jewish community leaders to further understand the hateful nature of his words.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--Supreme Court Clears Way for Second Federal Execution in Two Decades

Convicted child rapist and murderer Wesley Purkey was put to death on Thursday morning , over half a day after his execution was scheduled thanks to what one judge called the `` procedural gamesmanship '' of his legal counsel .
In an opinion issued in the early hours of the morning for the second time this week , the Supreme Court 's conservative majority voided the stays imposed on Purkey 's execution by an Obama-appointed U.S. District Court judge , Tanya Chutkan , who has played a thorn in the side of the Trump administration since it began its efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Indiana District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II then denied another appeal by Purkey 's lawyers , writing in a brief opinion that Purkey 's decision to file first in the District of Columbia before an apparently sympathetic judge—what Sweeney called a `` calculated forum choice '' —allowed him to artificially delay the carrying out of his sentence through an `` abuse of the writ '' of habeas corpus .
This back-and-forth typifies the heated debate in the federal judiciary , and within national politics , over the death penalty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution of white supremacist and convicted murderer Daniel Lewis Lee on Tuesday show , capital cases now drag on for decades—and often come to an end amid a flurry of last-minute filings , designed , depending on one 's view , either to ensure justice or unjustly delay it .
Purkey 's double appeal `` violates the principle that ‘ we ought not to have a procedural system where challenges to a conviction go on endlessly , ' '' Sweeney wrote , citing the dissenting opinion of Justice Stephen Breyer in the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in arguing that the interminable procedural shenanigans characteristic of modern death penalty defense were in fact reason for an end to the practice of capital punishment .
Purkey 's death is the second federal execution in a week—a third , quintuple-murderer Dustin Lee Honken , is scheduled for Friday .
Purkey was sentenced to death for the 1998 rape and murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Long ; he was separately given a life sentence for the murder of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales , whom he beat to death with a claw hammer .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last-minute claims that Purkey , 68 , was incompetent to be put to death due to his long-standing schizophrenia and developing dementia .
These illnesses , his counsel argued , ran afoul of constitutional prohibitions on executing those who could not reasonably understand why they were being executed .
Those arguments earned the support of the Supreme Court 's four liberal justices , who joined a dissent from Thursday morning 's order authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor .
Yet Purkey offered several cogent statements before his death Thursday morning , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including saying that he `` deeply regret [ s ] the pain and suffering I caused Jennifer ’ s family .
I ’ m deeply sorry . ''
The Department of Justice said in a statement just an hour after Purkey 's death that `` just punishment has been carried out . ''
`` After many years of litigation following the death of his victims , in which he lived and was afforded every due process of law under our Constitution , Purkey has finally faced justice , '' DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Department of Justice 's project of restarting the federal death penalty , which has lain dormant since 2003 .
More than 60 people remain on federal death row , several of whom were sentenced as far back as 1993 .
Such an extended period of time served is now typical for death row detainees : The average person put to death in 2017 had been incarcerated for more than 20 years .
Purkey had been on death row for 16-and-a-half years .
Justice Breyer cited this extended stay as reason to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; his opinion did not mention that , per Judge Sweeney , the interminable appeals process was largely the choice of Purkey 's own counsel .
A third and federal execution is scheduled for Friday with a fourth , Keith Nelson—who kidnapped , raped , and murdered a 10-year-old girl in a forest by a church—due in August .
That may , however , be the last such execution for some time .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who supported the death penalty until July 2019 , has made federal abolition a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has been publicly silent on the federal executions overseen by 2020 opponent President Donald Trump .
But other prominent Democrats , including Biden proxy Pete Buttigieg , publicly called for death penalty abolition in the wake of the death of Lee on Monday .
Thursday is likely to bring a similar round of calls .

Convicted child rapist and murderer Wesley Purkey was put to death on Thursday morning, over half a day after his execution was scheduled thanks to what one judge called the "procedural gamesmanship" of his legal counsel.
In an opinion issued in the early hours of the morning for the second time this week, the Supreme Court's conservative majority voided the stays imposed on Purkey's execution by an Obama-appointed U.S. District Court judge, Tanya Chutkan, who has played a thorn in the side of the Trump administration since it began its efforts to restart the federal death penalty last year.
Indiana District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II then denied another appeal by Purkey's lawyers, writing in a brief opinion that Purkey's decision to file first in the District of Columbia before an apparently sympathetic judge—what Sweeney called a "calculated forum choice"—allowed him to artificially delay the carrying out of his sentence through an "abuse of the writ" of habeas corpus.
This back-and-forth typifies the heated debate in the federal judiciary, and within national politics, over the death penalty. As both Purkey's death and the execution of white supremacist and convicted murderer Daniel Lewis Lee on Tuesday show, capital cases now drag on for decades—and often come to an end amid a flurry of last-minute filings, designed, depending on one's view, either to ensure justice or unjustly delay it.
Purkey's double appeal "violates the principle that 'we ought not to have a procedural system where challenges to a conviction go on endlessly,'" Sweeney wrote, citing the dissenting opinion of Justice Stephen Breyer in the Supreme Court's vacatur—a line Breyer had used in arguing that the interminable procedural shenanigans characteristic of modern death penalty defense were in fact reason for an end to the practice of capital punishment.
Purkey's death is the second federal execution in a week—a third, quintuple-murderer Dustin Lee Honken, is scheduled for Friday. Purkey was sentenced to death for the 1998 rape and murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Long; he was separately given a life sentence for the murder of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales, whom he beat to death with a claw hammer.
The execution was delayed, however, by last-minute claims that Purkey, 68, was incompetent to be put to death due to his long-standing schizophrenia and developing dementia. These illnesses, his counsel argued, ran afoul of constitutional prohibitions on executing those who could not reasonably understand why they were being executed.
Those arguments earned the support of the Supreme Court's four liberal justices, who joined a dissent from Thursday morning's order authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Yet Purkey offered several cogent statements before his death Thursday morning, according to a Terre Haute, Indiana-based Tribune-Star reporter, including saying that he "deeply regret[s] the pain and suffering I caused Jennifer’s family. I’m deeply sorry."
The Department of Justice said in a statement just an hour after Purkey's death that "just punishment has been carried out."
"After many years of litigation following the death of his victims, in which he lived and was afforded every due process of law under our Constitution, Purkey has finally faced justice," DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said.
Purkey's death is part of the Department of Justice's project of restarting the federal death penalty, which has lain dormant since 2003. More than 60 people remain on federal death row, several of whom were sentenced as far back as 1993.
Such an extended period of time served is now typical for death row detainees: The average person put to death in 2017 had been incarcerated for more than 20 years. Purkey had been on death row for 16-and-a-half years. Justice Breyer cited this extended stay as reason to doubt the constitutionality of the death penalty; his opinion did not mention that, per Judge Sweeney, the interminable appeals process was largely the choice of Purkey's own counsel.
A third and federal execution is scheduled for Friday with a fourth, Keith Nelson—who kidnapped, raped, and murdered a 10-year-old girl in a forest by a church—due in August. That may, however, be the last such execution for some time. Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who supported the death penalty until July 2019, has made federal abolition a plank in his criminal justice reform platform.
Biden has been publicly silent on the federal executions overseen by 2020 opponent President Donald Trump. But other prominent Democrats, including Biden proxy Pete Buttigieg, publicly called for death penalty abolition in the wake of the death of Lee on Monday. Thursday is likely to bring a similar round of calls.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--Cornyn Challenger Equates U.S. Border Policies to Chinese Concentration Camps

Hegar , who did not respond to a request for comment , will face incumbent senator Cornyn in November following her narrow primary runoff win on Tuesday .
She received the endorsement of the Schumer-led Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in December 2019 , using the national support to secure a sizable fundraising advantage .
Hegar spent more than $ 5.6 million on the primary , compared with opponent Royce West 's $ 1.6 million , and benefited from millions in outside spending by Democratic establishment groups .
Liberal dark money group VoteVets spent more than $ 3.5 million on ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's List spent at least $ 1.3 million , including an $ 850,000 ad buy placed just a week before the primary .
Hegar defeated West by just 4 points on Tuesday .
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez pointed to the slim margin of victory to criticize the Texas Democrat for relying on national groups to `` push her over the finish line . ''
`` Hegar stood by as her national allies footed the bill for her campaign and pushed a diverse slate of candidates out of her way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lie with liberal elites , not hard-working Texans , '' Rodriguez said in a statement .
Hegar lurched left throughout the primary amid criticism from West that she is not a `` real Democrat . ''
In addition to her comments comparing the United States to communist China , Hegar voiced support for providing health care benefits to illegal immigrants in July 2019 .
Cornyn criticized Hegar for catering to `` national Democrats '' rather than her own constituents .
`` She would not have won the runoff in Texas were it not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer , to whom she is now indebted , '' Cornyn said in a statement .
`` We look forward to shining a spotlight on how ideologically out-of-touch Hollywood Hegar is with Texans and her inability to go off-script to have substantive policy discussions . ''
Hegar was forced into a runoff after receiving just 22 percent support in Texas 's March primary—far below the 50 percent needed to secure the nomination .
The run-off hurt her ability to challenge Cornyn 's war chest , forcing her to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than focus on the general election .
She now has just $ 900,000 on hand as of June 30 , compared with Cornyn 's $ 12.9 million .

Texas Democratic Senate nominee M.J. Hegar repeatedly equated U.S. immigration policies to Uyghur concentration camps in China, saying Americans "cannot lecture China" on human rights issues.
During a June 24 call with supporters, Hegar accused the Trump administration of "terrorizing people," calling its attempts to deter illegal immigration a "human rights violation."
"When we are committing human rights violations on our southern border, not only is it immoral, but it's also impacting our ability to have influence globally," Hegar said. "We cannot lecture China on their treatment of the Uyghurs. … We cannot start looking like the countries and the governments that we are supposed to be the opposite of."
Hegar's June comments came just two weeks before the Treasury Department announced sanctions against four Chinese Communist Party officials for human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. They also came as the establishment-backed candidate faced a closer than expected run-off race against state legislator Royce West. Hegar won the nomination on Tuesday by 4 points despite spending more than three times as much as her progressive opponent.
Hegar, an Air Force veteran, has made foreign policy the focus of her campaign against Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas). She has repeatedly attacked the Trump administration for its tough stance against the Chinese regime. During campaign events in February and April, she argued that the United States has lost its "moral high ground" to China by "putting kids in cages on our southern border," a reference to the enclosures built by the Obama administration to temporarily house migrants. According to Hegar, the enclosures are equivalent to Chinese concentration camps where Uyghur Muslims are detained and forced to work in brutal conditions.
China ranks among the world's worst offenders of state-sanctioned human trafficking. Detainees have reported torture, rape, and other obscene abuses in the camps, and women are reportedly subjected to involuntary sterilization. In June, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took aim at the regime's human rights abuses against the Uyghurs.
"The United States will not stand idly by as the CCP carries out human rights abuses targeting Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang," Pompeo said. He went on to accuse China of "forced labor, arbitrary mass detention and forced population control, and attempts to erase [Uyghur] culture and Muslim faith."
Hegar, who did not respond to a request for comment, will face incumbent senator Cornyn in November following her narrow primary runoff win on Tuesday. She received the endorsement of the Schumer-led Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in December 2019, using the national support to secure a sizable fundraising advantage. Hegar spent more than $5.6 million on the primary, compared with opponent Royce West's $1.6 million, and benefited from millions in outside spending by Democratic establishment groups. Liberal dark money group VoteVets spent more than $3.5 million on ads backing Hegar, and abortion giant EMILY's List spent at least $1.3 million, including an $850,000 ad buy placed just a week before the primary.
Hegar defeated West by just 4 points on Tuesday. National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez pointed to the slim margin of victory to criticize the Texas Democrat for relying on national groups to "push her over the finish line."
"Hegar stood by as her national allies footed the bill for her campaign and pushed a diverse slate of candidates out of her way, making it perfectly clear Hegar's loyalties lie with liberal elites, not hard-working Texans," Rodriguez said in a statement.
Hegar lurched left throughout the primary amid criticism from West that she is not a "real Democrat." In addition to her comments comparing the United States to communist China, Hegar voiced support for providing health care benefits to illegal immigrants in July 2019. Cornyn criticized Hegar for catering to "national Democrats" rather than her own constituents.
"She would not have won the runoff in Texas were it not for the support of national Democrats like Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer, to whom she is now indebted," Cornyn said in a statement. "We look forward to shining a spotlight on how ideologically out-of-touch Hollywood Hegar is with Texans and her inability to go off-script to have substantive policy discussions."
Hegar was forced into a runoff after receiving just 22 percent support in Texas's March primary—far below the 50 percent needed to secure the nomination. The run-off hurt her ability to challenge Cornyn's war chest, forcing her to spend even more money to fend off West rather than focus on the general election. She now has just $900,000 on hand as of June 30, compared with Cornyn's $12.9 million.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Court Rules Part of Major Virginia Gun-Control Measure Unconstitutional

A Virginia judge on Tuesday dealt a blow to Virginia Democrats ' gun-control agenda , blocking part of the new universal background check law that would have made it nearly impossible for adults under 21 to purchase a handgun .
Judge F. Patrick Yeatts said a new state law that mandates federal background checks on all private handgun sales was unconstitutional because federal law only allows those 21 or older to purchase handguns from federally licensed dealers .
The Virginia law would have made it illegal for adults under the age of 21 to purchase handguns in the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents between the ages of 18 and 20 but left the rest of the law intact , as the court weighs a lawsuit brought by Second Amendment advocates .
Philip Van Cleave , president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League ( VCDL ) , which is one of the plaintiffs in the case , said he is `` obviously pleased '' with the ruling but expects a long fight ahead .
`` There 's clearly a constitutional issue here , '' he told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It 's my hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's going to have to work through the system .
It 's probably going to go all the way to the Supreme Court of Virginia . ''
Attorney General Mark Herring ( D. ) said he intends to appeal the ruling .
`` Universal background check systems only work if they are truly universal , and we believe this potentially dangerous judicially created loophole is without basis in the law , '' he said in a statement .
`` So , while the judge agreed with nearly all of our arguments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this injunction , though limited and narrow , is worthy of higher review and I intend to appeal it as soon as possible . ''
Van Cleave said VCDL plans to back the case through any appeals the state makes .
He said the group would also continue to pursue legal challenges against other gun-control measures that the Democrat-controlled state adopted in July , including a new one-handgun-a-month law , red-flag law , and local gun-free zones .
`` This is one of many battles , '' he said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire . ''
Attorney General Herring has already promised to fight back against the efforts to eliminate any of the state 's new gun laws .
`` My top priority as Attorney General is to keep Virginians , their families , their loved ones , and their communities safe , which is why I am prepared to take every necessary step to ensure that Virginia 's new gun safety measures remain in effect , '' he said .
The injunction is effective immediately and will expire on October 15 .

A Virginia judge on Tuesday dealt a blow to Virginia Democrats' gun-control agenda, blocking part of the new universal background check law that would have made it nearly impossible for adults under 21 to purchase a handgun.
Judge F. Patrick Yeatts said a new state law that mandates federal background checks on all private handgun sales was unconstitutional because federal law only allows those 21 or older to purchase handguns from federally licensed dealers. The Virginia law would have made it illegal for adults under the age of 21 to purchase handguns in the state. The temporary injunction grants a reprieve for residents between the ages of 18 and 20 but left the rest of the law intact, as the court weighs a lawsuit brought by Second Amendment advocates.
Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), which is one of the plaintiffs in the case, said he is "obviously pleased" with the ruling but expects a long fight ahead.
"There's clearly a constitutional issue here," he told the Washington Free Beacon. "It's my hope that we can overturn this law but it's going to have to work through the system. It's probably going to go all the way to the Supreme Court of Virginia."
Attorney General Mark Herring (D.) said he intends to appeal the ruling.
"Universal background check systems only work if they are truly universal, and we believe this potentially dangerous judicially created loophole is without basis in the law," he said in a statement. "So, while the judge agreed with nearly all of our arguments and largely upheld the law, we believe that this injunction, though limited and narrow, is worthy of higher review and I intend to appeal it as soon as possible."
Van Cleave said VCDL plans to back the case through any appeals the state makes. He said the group would also continue to pursue legal challenges against other gun-control measures that the Democrat-controlled state adopted in July, including a new one-handgun-a-month law, red-flag law, and local gun-free zones.
"This is one of many battles," he said. "We've got like three irons in the fire."
Attorney General Herring has already promised to fight back against the efforts to eliminate any of the state's new gun laws.
"My top priority as Attorney General is to keep Virginians, their families, their loved ones, and their communities safe, which is why I am prepared to take every necessary step to ensure that Virginia's new gun safety measures remain in effect," he said.
The injunction is effective immediately and will expire on October 15.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Barr Confirms Arrest of MS-13 Leaders

Barr Confirms Arrest of MS-13 Leaders

Attorney General William Barr announced the indictment of key members of the MS-13 criminal organization as a result of the ongoing Joint Task Force Vulcan initiative in a press release Thursday .
The attorney general said two deadly MS-13 operatives were charged in the last week .
In the Eastern District Court of Virginia , an MS-13 member was indicted on terrorism charges .
In the Eastern District Court of New York , meanwhile , the attorney general has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for another gang member who killed seven people in the span @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal report , 21 other gang members were arrested in the last week .
`` In 2017 , the President directed the Department of Justice to go to war against MS-13 , and we did just that , '' Barr said Thursday .
`` While there is still work to be done , the Department of Justice remains committed to protecting Americans threatened by MS-13 , and we will not rest until we have successfully defeated this transnational criminal organization . ''
MS-13 , or the Mara Salvatrucha gang , is an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The gang is based in Central America , but has a large presence in California , North Carolina , and on Long Island .
MS-13 has made headlines for `` ultraviolent '' enforcement of its drug trafficking and territory holdings .
Barr referred to the gang as `` one of the most dangerous groups in America '' in 2018 .
Successful prosecutions come as the Department of Justice pursues a broader anti-gang strategic approach .
Last week , the department announced its interest in tackling another ascendant violent gang—the Jalisco New Generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. border .
Local , state , and national authorities have made combating MS-13 a priority in recent years .
A 2019 investigation on Long Island led to the arrest of 96 members on a litany of charges including murder , drug trafficking , weapons possession , and gang violence .
`` MS-13 is a ruthless , savage gang which commits acts of violence to recruit , retain and control its members and exact revenge on its rivals , as well as to extort innocent members of our community , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after last year 's arrests .

Attorney General William Barr announced the indictment of key members of the MS-13 criminal organization as a result of the ongoing Joint Task Force Vulcan initiative in a press release Thursday.
The attorney general said two deadly MS-13 operatives were charged in the last week. In the Eastern District Court of Virginia, an MS-13 member was indicted on terrorism charges. In the Eastern District Court of New York, meanwhile, the attorney general has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for another gang member who killed seven people in the span of a year. According to the federal report, 21 other gang members were arrested in the last week.
"In 2017, the President directed the Department of Justice to go to war against MS-13, and we did just that," Barr said Thursday. "While there is still work to be done, the Department of Justice remains committed to protecting Americans threatened by MS-13, and we will not rest until we have successfully defeated this transnational criminal organization."
MS-13, or the Mara Salvatrucha gang, is an international criminal organization with up to 50,000 members. The gang is based in Central America, but has a large presence in California, North Carolina, and on Long Island. MS-13 has made headlines for "ultraviolent" enforcement of its drug trafficking and territory holdings. Barr referred to the gang as "one of the most dangerous groups in America" in 2018.
Successful prosecutions come as the Department of Justice pursues a broader anti-gang strategic approach. Last week, the department announced its interest in tackling another ascendant violent gang—the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which operates on both sides of the U.S. border.
Local, state, and national authorities have made combating MS-13 a priority in recent years. A 2019 investigation on Long Island led to the arrest of 96 members on a litany of charges including murder, drug trafficking, weapons possession, and gang violence.
"MS-13 is a ruthless, savage gang which commits acts of violence to recruit, retain and control its members and exact revenge on its rivals, as well as to extort innocent members of our community," Suffolk County district attorney Timothy Sini said after last year's arrests.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--CNN Race Team, Assemble!

CNN Race Team, Assemble!

CNN is launching a `` new and expanded race team '' in an effort to `` ensure race coverage is a permanent part of our journalism , '' according to a statement from network president Jeff Zucker , who is best known for signing Donald Trump to host The Apprentice on NBC .
CNN viewers might be surprised to learn that race was not already a `` permanent part '' of the network 's opinion-based reporting , or that it was possible , in Zucker 's words , to cover race `` with more focus and force '' than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the footsteps of many corporate leaders who feel pressured to `` do something '' or `` do more '' in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the nationwide protests that followed .
Unfortunately , these efforts are an affront to the network 's current roster of professional journalists , who are more than capable of combating systemic racism .
They just need to join forces and form a Race Team of their own .
Hosts Brian Stelter , Chris Cuomo , and Don Lemon , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share to eradicate white supremacy .
They have nodded along as guests accuse President Trump of killing more people than Hitler , Stalin , and Mao .
They have conducted playful interviews with their own brother about matters of life and death .
They have accosted one of Bill Cosby 's rape victims for neglecting to bite her attacker 's penis .
If they were to join forces with legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin and scoop machine Jim Acosta , there is nothing that this CNN Race Team could n't accomplish through professional journalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be rectified , Trump tweets analyzed , dog whistles heard loud and clear .
God willing , jobs would be lost .
There 's no limit to what this lineup of anti-racist super journos could achieve .

CNN is launching a "new and expanded race team" in an effort to "ensure race coverage is a permanent part of our journalism," according to a statement from network president Jeff Zucker, who is best known for signing Donald Trump to host The Apprentice on NBC.
CNN viewers might be surprised to learn that race was not already a "permanent part" of the network's opinion-based reporting, or that it was possible, in Zucker's words, to cover race "with more focus and force" than it already does.
Zucker is following in the footsteps of many corporate leaders who feel pressured to "do something" or "do more" in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the nationwide protests that followed. Unfortunately, these efforts are an affront to the network's current roster of professional journalists, who are more than capable of combating systemic racism. They just need to join forces and form a Race Team of their own.
Hosts Brian Stelter, Chris Cuomo, and Don Lemon, for example, have done more than their fair share to eradicate white supremacy. They have nodded along as guests accuse President Trump of killing more people than Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. They have conducted playful interviews with their own brother about matters of life and death. They have accosted one of Bill Cosby's rape victims for neglecting to bite her attacker's penis.
If they were to join forces with legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin and scoop machine Jim Acosta, there is nothing that this CNN Race Team couldn't accomplish through professional journalism. With their powers combined, injustices would be rectified, Trump tweets analyzed, dog whistles heard loud and clear. God willing, jobs would be lost. There's no limit to what this lineup of anti-racist super journos could achieve.
Brian Stelter is...
Jeffrey Toobin is...
Chris Cuomo is...
Jim Acosta is...
Don Lemon is...


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Foreign Policy to Celebrate Women’s Rights With Country That Oppresses Women

Foreign Policy magazine is slated to hold an event that will highlight Qatar 's championship of women 's rights , raising questions about the publication 's partnership with a country that funds terrorism and has been cited as among the globe 's foremost human rights abusers .
Foreign Policy , which extensively covers countries such as Qatar as part of its newsgathering operation , will present a Women in Politics event `` in partnership with the embassy of the state of Qatar , '' according to online promotional materials distributed on the magazine 's website .
`` Join Foreign Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qatar in Washington D.C. as we convene women at the helm of international affairs to explore the role of female leadership in driving global recovery and resilience , '' states an advertisement for the July 21 event .
The event is fueling questions about the publication 's cozy financial relationship with a nation that has spent billions to peddle influence across Washington , D.C. , to manipulate American outlets .
Qatar is one of the Gulf region 's top Iranian allies and has been at the center of multiple controversies over its alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have blown the whistle on Doha 's funding of regional terror groups .
The partnership raises questions about whether the publication alters its coverage or pulls punches when it writes about the country .
Foreign Policy ‘ s director of strategic development , Susan Sadigova , did not respond to multiple Washington Free Beacon requests for comment asking the publication to disclose any financial ties to Qatar .
Editor in Chief Jonathan Tepperman , who is slated to headline the event , also did not respond to questions about whether the magazine would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the forum .
It remains unclear how much control Qatar has over the event .
It is common for foreign nations that partner with news outlets to tightly choreograph such events and exert control over what subjects are addressed .
Qatar has expended great resources to infiltrate American media outlets .
This includes partnerships with NowThis , Vox Media , and TED Talks , all of which produced a debate series funded by the government-controlled Qatar Foundation , according to the Washington Examiner , which identified the series as another leg of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to its partnerships with media outlets , prominent Washington think tanks , and U.S. lobbying firms , Qatar has spent billions to infiltrate the U.S. public education system , the Free Beacon previously reported .
The Foreign Policy event appears to be another leg of this effort .
It will feature Lolwah Al-Khater , Qatar 's assistant foreign minister and spokeswoman for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Al-Khater 's bio on Foreign Policy ‘ s website portrays her as a reformer who is helping to usher in major reforms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Canadian ambassador Jacqueline O'Neill , and Afghani ambassador Roya Rahmani are also scheduled to participate in the forum .
This is not the first time Foreign Policy has been cited for its partnerships .
Under the tenure of former CEO David Rothkopf , the magazine held several events reportedly underwritten by the United Arab Emirates , again raising questions about whether this partnership impacted its newsgathering operation .
Rothkopf has maintained in public comments that Foreign Policy ‘ s business relationship with the UAE did not impact its coverage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sway public opinion , it is routinely cited for mass human rights abuses .
The country has for years abused migrant workers , who make up about 90 percent of the country 's workforce , and severely restricted freedom of expression , according to human rights watchdog Amnesty International .
Its record on women 's rights is similarly poor .
`` Women continued to face discrimination in law and practice , '' according to Amnesty International .
`` Family law discriminates against women , including by making it much more difficult for women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and placing women at a severe economic disadvantage if they seek a divorce or if their husband leaves them .
Women also remained inadequately protected against violence , including within the family . ''

Foreign Policy magazine is slated to hold an event that will highlight Qatar's championship of women's rights, raising questions about the publication's partnership with a country that funds terrorism and has been cited as among the globe's foremost human rights abusers.
Foreign Policy, which extensively covers countries such as Qatar as part of its newsgathering operation, will present a Women in Politics event "in partnership with the embassy of the state of Qatar," according to online promotional materials distributed on the magazine's website.
"Join Foreign Policy and the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington D.C. as we convene women at the helm of international affairs to explore the role of female leadership in driving global recovery and resilience," states an advertisement for the July 21 event.
The event is fueling questions about the publication's cozy financial relationship with a nation that has spent billions to peddle influence across Washington, D.C., to manipulate American outlets. Qatar is one of the Gulf region's top Iranian allies and has been at the center of multiple controversies over its alleged hacking of American critics and others who have blown the whistle on Doha's funding of regional terror groups. The partnership raises questions about whether the publication alters its coverage or pulls punches when it writes about the country.
Foreign Policy's director of strategic development, Susan Sadigova, did not respond to multiple Washington Free Beacon requests for comment asking the publication to disclose any financial ties to Qatar. Editor in Chief Jonathan Tepperman, who is slated to headline the event, also did not respond to questions about whether the magazine would address Qatar's poor human rights record during the forum. It remains unclear how much control Qatar has over the event. It is common for foreign nations that partner with news outlets to tightly choreograph such events and exert control over what subjects are addressed.
Qatar has expended great resources to infiltrate American media outlets. This includes partnerships with NowThis, Vox Media, and TED Talks, all of which produced a debate series funded by the government-controlled Qatar Foundation, according to the Washington Examiner, which identified the series as another leg of Doha's often secretive influence operations. In addition to its partnerships with media outlets, prominent Washington think tanks, and U.S. lobbying firms, Qatar has spent billions to infiltrate the U.S. public education system, the Free Beacon previously reported.
The Foreign Policy event appears to be another leg of this effort. It will feature Lolwah Al-Khater, Qatar's assistant foreign minister and spokeswoman for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al-Khater's bio on Foreign Policy's website portrays her as a reformer who is helping to usher in major reforms. Rep. Lois Frankel (D., Fla.), Canadian ambassador Jacqueline O'Neill, and Afghani ambassador Roya Rahmani are also scheduled to participate in the forum.
This is not the first time Foreign Policy has been cited for its partnerships.
Under the tenure of former CEO David Rothkopf, the magazine held several events reportedly underwritten by the United Arab Emirates, again raising questions about whether this partnership impacted its newsgathering operation. Rothkopf has maintained in public comments that Foreign Policy's business relationship with the UAE did not impact its coverage of the country.
Despite Qatar's efforts to sway public opinion, it is routinely cited for mass human rights abuses.
The country has for years abused migrant workers, who make up about 90 percent of the country's workforce, and severely restricted freedom of expression, according to human rights watchdog Amnesty International.
Its record on women's rights is similarly poor.
"Women continued to face discrimination in law and practice," according to Amnesty International. "Family law discriminates against women, including by making it much more difficult for women than men to seek a divorce, and placing women at a severe economic disadvantage if they seek a divorce or if their husband leaves them. Women also remained inadequately protected against violence, including within the family."


Trump’s Wars

According to media reports , President Donald Trump has declared war on immigrants , China , the media , justice @ @ @ @ @ intelligence community , the NFL , justice , the media , children , face masks @ @ @ @ @ , the world order , women , institutions , Amazon , trade , the media @ @ @ @ @ Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from @ @ @ @ @ lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be @ @ @ @ @ .

According to media reports, President Donald Trump has declared war on immigrants, China, the media, justice, Jeff Sessions, the intelligence community, the NFL, justice, the media, children, face masks, the FBI, Obamacare, the world order, women, institutions, Amazon, trade, the media, and justice.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--University’s Anti-Bigotry Reading List Includes Book That Equates Conservatism With Racism

George Washington University is urging students to read Conservatism and Racism , and Why in America They Are the Same in an effort to educate them about the dangers of stereotypes and discrimination .
The `` Solidarity Resource Syllabus '' released by the Washington , D.C.-based school 's Office of Diversity provides students with a reading list that focuses on racism in the United States .
Among the 126 books that the university says `` actively and effectively … [ combat ] injustice '' is San Francisco State University professor Robert Smith 's 2010 book that equates conservative beliefs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who subscribe to right-leaning beliefs , including people of color .
`` Conservatism as a philosophy and ideology … is and always has been hostile to the aspirations of Africans in America , incompatible with the struggle for freedom and equality , '' the book reads .
`` Repeatedly I was asked , ‘ Are you saying that conservatism is racism , that all conservatives are racist ? '
Are n't there black conservatives ?
Are they racist ?
'… .
My answer to most of these questions was a qualified yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ atop Amazon 's bestseller list following George Floyd 's death in police custody in May .
Among them are Robin DiAngelo 's White Fragility and Ibram X. Kendi 's How To Be An Anti-Racist .
Smith 's book never made it to Amazon 's bestseller list , but his work is used in leading college textbooks on American politics .
GWU hosted a number of online programs focused on racism as the nation 's capital and other major cities became the sites of mass protests and , in some cases , riots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs titled , `` Non-black people of color conversation : Role in anti-blackness , '' `` Conversation about the role of white people in racial justice and anti-racism , '' and `` Unconscious bias workshop for faculty . ''
In an email to attendees , the office of diversity boasted that 5,000 people registered for events in the past month .
The workshops culminated with the July 9 release of a 21-page `` # GWinSolidarity '' syllabus that links to outside resources on the black experience , white allyship , decolonization , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office of diversity did not respond to multiple requests for comment .
The Google document containing the syllabus was removed from public access on Wednesday—shortly after the Washington Free Beacon contacted administrators .
Not everyone on campus is thrilled with the reading list endorsed by university administrators .
Political science professor Samuel Goldman said that such books aim to reinforce an ideology , rather than educate .
He added that the relationship between American conservatism and racism is important , but the recommendation gives a narrow view on the controversial topic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the topic gives the impression that GWU is promoting a specific orthodoxy rather than inviting students to study and reflect , '' he said .
Smith said the book is academic in nature , rather than a partisan polemic .
He defended his book as a `` historical , philosophical , and empirical study , '' that is more useful today than when it was published in 2010 .
`` I think the book … is useful to conservatives as well as liberals , and in light of Trump 's blend of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , '' Smith said .
Campus conservatives expressed disappointment that the school would promote a book that equates their beliefs with racism .
College Republicans spokesman Patrick Burland told the Free Beacon that GWU 's recommendation is another example of prejudice against conservative voices on campus .
`` The GW College Republicans are disappointed that our university , which has been committed to academic freedom , would include works in their syllabus that falsely equate conservatism and racism , '' Burland said .
`` The philosophy and ideology of conservatism does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or creed… .
It 's deeply troubling that GW would chill the voices of students of all backgrounds who identify themselves as conservatives . ''

George Washington University is urging students to read Conservatism and Racism, and Why in America They Are the Same in an effort to educate them about the dangers of stereotypes and discrimination.
The "Solidarity Resource Syllabus" released by the Washington, D.C.-based school's Office of Diversity provides students with a reading list that focuses on racism in the United States. Among the 126 books that the university says "actively and effectively … [combat] injustice" is San Francisco State University professor Robert Smith's 2010 book that equates conservative beliefs with bigotry. That label applies to all who subscribe to right-leaning beliefs, including people of color.
"Conservatism as a philosophy and ideology ... is and always has been hostile to the aspirations of Africans in America, incompatible with the struggle for freedom and equality," the book reads. "Repeatedly I was asked, 'Are you saying that conservatism is racism, that all conservatives are racist?' Aren't there black conservatives? Are they racist?'.... My answer to most of these questions was a qualified yes."
"Anti-racism" books have emerged atop Amazon's bestseller list following George Floyd's death in police custody in May. Among them are Robin DiAngelo's White Fragility and Ibram X. Kendi's How To Be An Anti-Racist. Smith's book never made it to Amazon's bestseller list, but his work is used in leading college textbooks on American politics.
GWU hosted a number of online programs focused on racism as the nation's capital and other major cities became the sites of mass protests and, in some cases, riots. The university sought to educate students through programs titled, "Non-black people of color conversation: Role in anti-blackness," "Conversation about the role of white people in racial justice and anti-racism," and "Unconscious bias workshop for faculty." In an email to attendees, the office of diversity boasted that 5,000 people registered for events in the past month.
The workshops culminated with the July 9 release of a 21-page "#GWinSolidarity" syllabus that links to outside resources on the black experience, white allyship, decolonization, and gender and sexuality. GWU and the office of diversity did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The Google document containing the syllabus was removed from public access on Wednesday—shortly after the Washington Free Beacon contacted administrators.
Not everyone on campus is thrilled with the reading list endorsed by university administrators. Political science professor Samuel Goldman said that such books aim to reinforce an ideology, rather than educate. He added that the relationship between American conservatism and racism is important, but the recommendation gives a narrow view on the controversial topic.
"Recommending this book as the sole resource on the topic gives the impression that GWU is promoting a specific orthodoxy rather than inviting students to study and reflect," he said.
Smith said the book is academic in nature, rather than a partisan polemic. He defended his book as a "historical, philosophical, and empirical study," that is more useful today than when it was published in 2010.
"I think the book ... is useful to conservatives as well as liberals, and in light of Trump's blend of traditional and paleoconservatism is even more relevant today," Smith said.
Campus conservatives expressed disappointment that the school would promote a book that equates their beliefs with racism. College Republicans spokesman Patrick Burland told the Free Beacon that GWU's recommendation is another example of prejudice against conservative voices on campus.
"The GW College Republicans are disappointed that our university, which has been committed to academic freedom, would include works in their syllabus that falsely equate conservatism and racism," Burland said. "The philosophy and ideology of conservatism does not know any one race, color, or creed.... It's deeply troubling that GW would chill the voices of students of all backgrounds who identify themselves as conservatives."


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Trump Condemns Execution Order For Iranian Protesters

President Donald Trump condemned Iran 's announced intent to execute three protesters on Wednesday .
`` Three individuals were sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests , '' Trump said in a tweet , which he repeated in Farsi .
`` Executing these three people sends a terrible signal to the world and should not be done ! ''
The three Iranians in question—Saeid Tamjidi , Mohammad Rajabi , and Amirhossein Maradi—were arrested in 2019 during a series of mass protests .
After brutal torture , the detained citizens confessed to seditious activity .
Such behavior is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is suspected to have executed some 1,500 Iranian citizens , including homosexuals and political dissidents , while touting a strategy of forced confessions broadcasted on state television .
Iran ’ s decision to kill the three protesters follows the execution of a man the regime alleges was a CIA spy .
Iran 's crackdown on dissent comes as the nation faces economic turmoil brought on by the strict `` maximum pressure '' sanctions program from Washington , as well as the coronavirus pandemic .
In addition , Iran has seen at least four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past few weeks , as industrial and military bases have caught fire with no clear cause .
The country is attempting to pivot toward China in the hopes of resuscitating its energy exports and military readiness .
Some experts believe the Iranian regime is at risk of toppling .
`` The vast majority of Iranians no longer see any reason for Iran to continue as a distinctly Islamic Republic , '' Georgetown professor and former CIA official Scott Modell told Newsweek .
`` They are violently protesting in record numbers over endemic corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms , and several national crises . ''

President Donald Trump condemned Iran's announced intent to execute three protesters on Wednesday.
"Three individuals were sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests," Trump said in a tweet, which he repeated in Farsi. "Executing these three people sends a terrible signal to the world and should not be done!"
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1283434482322808837
The three Iranians in question—Saeid Tamjidi, Mohammad Rajabi, and Amirhossein Maradi—were arrested in 2019 during a series of mass protests. After brutal torture, the detained citizens confessed to seditious activity.
Such behavior is not new for the Islamic Republic. Tehran is suspected to have executed some 1,500 Iranian citizens, including homosexuals and political dissidents, while touting a strategy of forced confessions broadcasted on state television. Iran’s decision to kill the three protesters follows the execution of a man the regime alleges was a CIA spy.
Iran's crackdown on dissent comes as the nation faces economic turmoil brought on by the strict "maximum pressure" sanctions program from Washington, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Iran has seen at least four instances of suspected foreign sabotage in the past few weeks, as industrial and military bases have caught fire with no clear cause. The country is attempting to pivot toward China in the hopes of resuscitating its energy exports and military readiness.
Some experts believe the Iranian regime is at risk of toppling. "The vast majority of Iranians no longer see any reason for Iran to continue as a distinctly Islamic Republic," Georgetown professor and former CIA official Scott Modell told Newsweek. "They are violently protesting in record numbers over endemic corruption, the lack of political and social freedoms, and several national crises."


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Federal Execution

D.C. District Court judge Tanya S. Chutkan on Wednesday halted the scheduled execution of a federal death row inmate , marking another instance of the Obama appointee stalling the Department of Justice 's efforts to restart federal executions .
In an order issued just hours before the inmate 's scheduled death , Chutkan temporarily halted the execution of convicted murderer Wesley Ira Purkey , citing his mental illness and dementia as potentially rendering him incompetent to be executed .
Chutkan also separately halted all three of the currently scheduled federal executions , including Purkey 's , on the grounds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would violate the Federal Food , Drug , and Cosmetic Act—the authorizing statute of the Food and Drug Administration .
The Department of Justice almost immediately appealed Chutkan 's orders to the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
From there it may need to proceed to the Supreme Court .
This legal back-and-forth mirrors the events of Monday and Tuesday morning , in which a last-minute ruling from Chutkan required the Supreme Court to intervene to approve the execution of white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee .
Purkey , scheduled for execution at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , may face similar uncertainty in the hours leading up to his death—a product of breakneck litigation of which both death penalty supporters and opponents are critical .
Purkey , 68 , has been on death row for more than 16 years , facing execution for the 1998 violent rape and murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Long .
Purkey 's lawyers contend that the inmate 's longstanding schizophrenia and advancing dementia mean an execution would violate the constitutional prohibition on executing those who can not rationally understand why they are being put to death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chutkan contended that the inmate had made sufficient showing of his incompetence to be executed to merit a temporary stay .
In her other ruling , she enjoined the execution of Purkey and two other federal death row inmates , including one slated for execution on Friday , on the grounds that the federal protocol as outlined does not require a valid prescription for the execution drug , pentobarbital—allegedly running afoul of the Food , Drug , and Cosmetic Act .
Chutkan 's rulings may require another last-minute convening of the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday to wave through the execution of Lee .
That situation may be complicated by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's temporary hospitalization—Ginsburg previously objected to allowing Lee 's execution to proceed .
The Court 's conservative wing has been vocally critical of last-minute stays of execution of the sort Chutkan issued .
The average death row inmate executed in 2017 , the Bureau of Justice Statistics found in a 2019 report , had been on death row for 20 years .
Such situations contribute to deteriorating mental competence to be executed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the case of Alabama death row inmate Vernon Madison , who spent over 30 years on death row before dying of natural causes in February .
In her opinion , Chutkan seemed to challenge these concerns , charging that `` the speed with which the government seeks to carry out these executions , and the Supreme Court ’ s prioritization of that pace over additional legal process , makes it considerably more likely that injunctions may issue at the last minute , despite the efforts of Plaintiffs ' counsel to raise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims in a timely fashion . ''
Chutkan has played roadblock to the Trump administration 's efforts to restart the federal death penalty since Attorney General William Barr began the project last July .
In November , she issued an initial stay , also pertaining to the federal government 's proposed execution protocol .
Her stay in Lee 's case similarly argued that the protocol ran the risk of constitutionally impermissible pain being inflicted on its subject ; the Supreme Court rejected that opinion in its Tuesday morning ruling .

D.C. District Court judge Tanya S. Chutkan on Wednesday halted the scheduled execution of a federal death row inmate, marking another instance of the Obama appointee stalling the Department of Justice's efforts to restart federal executions.
In an order issued just hours before the inmate's scheduled death, Chutkan temporarily halted the execution of convicted murderer Wesley Ira Purkey, citing his mental illness and dementia as potentially rendering him incompetent to be executed.
Chutkan also separately halted all three of the currently scheduled federal executions, including Purkey's, on the grounds that the federal government's intended execution protocol would violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act—the authorizing statute of the Food and Drug Administration.
The Department of Justice almost immediately appealed Chutkan's orders to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. From there it may need to proceed to the Supreme Court.
This legal back-and-forth mirrors the events of Monday and Tuesday morning, in which a last-minute ruling from Chutkan required the Supreme Court to intervene to approve the execution of white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee. Purkey, scheduled for execution at 7 p.m. in Terre Haute, Ind., may face similar uncertainty in the hours leading up to his death—a product of breakneck litigation of which both death penalty supporters and opponents are critical.
Purkey, 68, has been on death row for more than 16 years, facing execution for the 1998 violent rape and murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Long. Purkey's lawyers contend that the inmate's longstanding schizophrenia and advancing dementia mean an execution would violate the constitutional prohibition on executing those who cannot rationally understand why they are being put to death.
In her ruling on Purkey, Chutkan contended that the inmate had made sufficient showing of his incompetence to be executed to merit a temporary stay. In her other ruling, she enjoined the execution of Purkey and two other federal death row inmates, including one slated for execution on Friday, on the grounds that the federal protocol as outlined does not require a valid prescription for the execution drug, pentobarbital—allegedly running afoul of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Chutkan's rulings may require another last-minute convening of the Supreme Court, which last met around 2 a.m. on Tuesday to wave through the execution of Lee. That situation may be complicated by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's temporary hospitalization—Ginsburg previously objected to allowing Lee's execution to proceed.
The Court's conservative wing has been vocally critical of last-minute stays of execution of the sort Chutkan issued. The average death row inmate executed in 2017, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found in a 2019 report, had been on death row for 20 years. Such situations contribute to deteriorating mental competence to be executed, as in both the case of Purkey and the case of Alabama death row inmate Vernon Madison, who spent over 30 years on death row before dying of natural causes in February.
In her opinion, Chutkan seemed to challenge these concerns, charging that "the speed with which the government seeks to carry out these executions, and the Supreme Court’s prioritization of that pace over additional legal process, makes it considerably more likely that injunctions may issue at the last minute, despite the efforts of Plaintiffs' counsel to raise, and the court to adjudicate, the claims in a timely fashion."
Chutkan has played roadblock to the Trump administration's efforts to restart the federal death penalty since Attorney General William Barr began the project last July. In November, she issued an initial stay, also pertaining to the federal government's proposed execution protocol. Her stay in Lee's case similarly argued that the protocol ran the risk of constitutionally impermissible pain being inflicted on its subject; the Supreme Court rejected that opinion in its Tuesday morning ruling.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Former Iranian Hostage Slams Biden for Abandoning Him in Tehran

A former Iranian hostage who was tortured by the oppressive regime slammed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for abandoning him and other detainees while the Obama administration pursued the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran .
Nizar Zakka , a Lebanese national who was detained in Iran from 2015 to 2019 on charges he spied for the United States , lashed out on Tuesday at Biden after the former vice president accused President Donald Trump of treating Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as his `` favorite dictator . ''
`` With all due respect Mr. Biden , I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject , '' Zakka tweeted .
`` I never comment on politics but this one was too much .
You left us behind in Iran .
Remember ?
Tehran ? ''
Zakka was referring to the Obama administration 's decision to refrain from demanding that Iran release hostages during sensitive diplomatic talks that eventually led to the nuclear agreement .
The former administration was criticized for avoiding thorny topics like hostages as part of its efforts to court the Islamic Republic .
Biden sought to criticize Trump this week for what he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egyptian leader Al-Sisi .
The comments came after Egypt freed Mohamed Amashah , a medical student who had been detained for more than a year .
`` Mohamed Amashah is finally home after 486 days in Egyptian prison for holding a protest sign , '' Biden tweeted .
`` Arresting , torturing , and exiling activists like Sarah Hegazy and Mohamed Soltan or threatening their families is unacceptable .
No more blank checks for Trump 's ‘ favorite dictator . '
''

A former Iranian hostage who was tortured by the oppressive regime slammed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for abandoning him and other detainees while the Obama administration pursued the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran.
Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national who was detained in Iran from 2015 to 2019 on charges he spied for the United States, lashed out on Tuesday at Biden after the former vice president accused President Donald Trump of treating Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as his "favorite dictator."
"With all due respect Mr. Biden, I don't think you are well-positioned to comment on this subject," Zakka tweeted. "I never comment on politics but this one was too much. You left us behind in Iran. Remember? Tehran?"
Zakka was referring to the Obama administration's decision to refrain from demanding that Iran release hostages during sensitive diplomatic talks that eventually led to the nuclear agreement. The former administration was criticized for avoiding thorny topics like hostages as part of its efforts to court the Islamic Republic.
Biden sought to criticize Trump this week for what he claimed is the administration's close relationship with Egyptian leader Al-Sisi. The comments came after Egypt freed Mohamed Amashah, a medical student who had been detained for more than a year.
"Mohamed Amashah is finally home after 486 days in Egyptian prison for holding a protest sign," Biden tweeted. "Arresting, torturing, and exiling activists like Sarah Hegazy and Mohamed Soltan or threatening their families is unacceptable. No more blank checks for Trump's 'favorite dictator.'"


freebeacon--2020-07-15--Mysterious Explosions Continue in Iran

Mysterious Explosions Continue in Iran

At least seven ships were set ablaze in the Iranian port of Bushehr , marking another instance of potential foreign sabotage , the Times of Israel reported Wednesday .
Local firefighters and a crisis management team from a nearby nuclear power plant responded to the fire , which broke out at a Persian Gulf shipyard that builds hulls for Iranian boats .
The fire was the fourth to break out near a major Iranian military-related industrial area in the past month .
The blasts have fueled speculation of foreign sabotage by the United States or Israel .
The fires rage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and economic sanctions continue to hit Iran hard .
The Islamic Republic faces `` one of its biggest economic challenges in decades , '' according to an Atlantic Council report .
In an attempt to mitigate this downturn , Tehran is nearing a strategic partnership with China which could bail out its oil and energy industries .
Iranian officials have offered conflicting explanations for the explosions .
After a recent explosion in Tehran , one provincial official said the incident occurred due to faulty systems at a gas cylinder factory , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby power plant .
One expert likened the recent series of explosions to covert operations undertaken through the United States-led Stuxnet cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear plants during the Bush administration .
The Stuxnet offensive targeted nuclear centrifuges across Iran , successfully causing damage to more than a thousand of the machines .
Israel has suggested it will spare little quarter for Iranian military expansion .
`` Iran can not be allowed to have nuclear capabilities , '' Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi said .
To counter Iranian aggression , `` we take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .

At least seven ships were set ablaze in the Iranian port of Bushehr, marking another instance of potential foreign sabotage, the Times of Israel reported Wednesday.
Local firefighters and a crisis management team from a nearby nuclear power plant responded to the fire, which broke out at a Persian Gulf shipyard that builds hulls for Iranian boats. The fire was the fourth to break out near a major Iranian military-related industrial area in the past month. The blasts have fueled speculation of foreign sabotage by the United States or Israel.
The fires rage as the coronavirus pandemic, political unrest, and economic sanctions continue to hit Iran hard. The Islamic Republic faces "one of its biggest economic challenges in decades," according to an Atlantic Council report. In an attempt to mitigate this downturn, Tehran is nearing a strategic partnership with China which could bail out its oil and energy industries.
Iranian officials have offered conflicting explanations for the explosions. After a recent explosion in Tehran, one provincial official said the incident occurred due to faulty systems at a gas cylinder factory, while another said it stemmed from failures at a nearby power plant.
One expert likened the recent series of explosions to covert operations undertaken through the United States-led Stuxnet cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear plants during the Bush administration. The Stuxnet offensive targeted nuclear centrifuges across Iran, successfully causing damage to more than a thousand of the machines.
Israel has suggested it will spare little quarter for Iranian military expansion. "Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear capabilities," Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. To counter Iranian aggression, "we take actions that are better left unsaid," he added.


freebeacon--2020-07-15--U.S. to Restrict Visas for Employees of Chinese Tech Firms

The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed new visa restrictions on employees of Chinese state-controlled tech firms , including tech giant Huawei , which the United States accuses of serving as a spy tool for the communist regime .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the restrictions would impact employees of Chinese technology firms that `` provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights abuses globally . ''
The measure will prevent certain employees of the company from traveling to the United States .
`` Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice : If they are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business with human rights abusers , '' Pompeo said .
The restrictions mark a significant escalation in the U.S. battle against China 's technology giants , which the Trump administration sees as a tool to expand the communist regime 's surveillance apparatus across the globe .
In a landmark decision earlier this week , the United Kingdom banned Huawei from its mobile networks .
The decision came following a months-long pressure campaign by the United States , which included threats of excluding the United Kingdom from the `` Five Eyes '' pact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing of sensitive information .
Pompeo singled out Huawei by name when he announced the new visa restrictions .
`` Companies impacted by today 's action include Huawei , an arm of the CCP 's surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China , '' he said .
`` Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses . ''

The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed new visa restrictions on employees of Chinese state-controlled tech firms, including tech giant Huawei, which the United States accuses of serving as a spy tool for the communist regime.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the restrictions would impact employees of Chinese technology firms that "provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights abuses globally." The measure will prevent certain employees of the company from traveling to the United States.
"Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers," Pompeo said.
The restrictions mark a significant escalation in the U.S. battle against China's technology giants, which the Trump administration sees as a tool to expand the communist regime's surveillance apparatus across the globe. In a landmark decision earlier this week, the United Kingdom banned Huawei from its mobile networks. The decision came following a months-long pressure campaign by the United States, which included threats of excluding the United Kingdom from the "Five Eyes" pact, a five-country intelligence pact that promotes the sharing of sensitive information.
Pompeo singled out Huawei by name when he announced the new visa restrictions.
"Companies impacted by today's action include Huawei, an arm of the CCP's surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China," he said. "Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses."


freebeacon--2020-07-15--ViacomCBS Drops Nick Cannon After Anti-Semitic Tirade

ViacomCBS dropped Nick Cannon from its MTV network following an anti-Semitic tirade in which the host , among other things @ @ @ @ @ controlling the global banking system .
`` ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitism , '' the media conglomerate , which owns MTV , VH-1 , and Cannon @ @ @ @ @ Out television show , said in a statement Wednesday .
`` We have spoken with @ @ @ @ @ of his podcast ‘ Cannon ’ s Class ’ on YouTube , which promoted hateful @ @ @ @ @ theories . ''
Cannon sparked a firestorm of criticism earlier in the week after he @ @ @ @ @ and spread conspiracy theories about Jewish people during an episode of his YouTube show .
@ @ @ @ @ which he said he does not condone hate speech .
Fox Television and the producers @ @ @ @ @ talk show have remained silent about his comments .
Cannon hosts Fox ’ s The @ @ @ @ @ is currently working on a daytime television show with Lionsgate 's Debmar-Mercury group .

ViacomCBS dropped Nick Cannon from its MTV network following an anti-Semitic tirade in which the host, among other things, accused Jewish people of controlling the global banking system.
"ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism," the media conglomerate, which owns MTV, VH-1, and Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out television show, said in a statement Wednesday. "We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories."
Cannon sparked a firestorm of criticism earlier in the week after he praised anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan and spread conspiracy theories about Jewish people during an episode of his YouTube show. Cannon issued a non-apology in which he said he does not condone hate speech.
Fox Television and the producers of Cannon's upcoming daytime talk show have remained silent about his comments. Cannon hosts Fox’s The Masked Singer television show and is currently working on a daytime television show with Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury group.


freebeacon--2020-07-16--Barr Blasts Big Tech, Hollywood for China Ties

Attorney General William Barr blasted Hollywood and Big Tech for their apparent cooperation with China in a Thursday speech .
Barr criticized Disney , Apple , Microsoft , Google , and others for kowtowing to Chinese policy demands in exchange for market access .
In a speech at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum , Barr said , `` I suspect Walt Disney would be disheartened to see how the company he founded deals with the foreign dictatorships of our day . ''
Hollywood 's ties to China have caused filmmakers to block out Taiwanese flags and remove Chinese villains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported last week on one film company , Cinedigm , and its journey toward bargaining with the Maoist regime .
Cinedigm was purchased by a Chinese firm , Bison Capital , in 2017 .
Peixin Xu—the owner of Bison—was a prominent executive in a company that became `` a business wing of the Chinese military . ''
American media companies often take steps to appease Chinese interests .
Social media companies have a role in selling personal data to the CCP .
The Free Beacon reported last week on the increased activity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties .
Now described as a `` national security risk , '' the app popular with teens maintains a potential data pipeline to Beijing .
The problem does not just lie with TikTok , Barr noted .
To even make transactions in China , a certain level of cooperation with the CCP must be met .
Smartphones , Barr said , `` would n't be sold ( in China ) if they were impervious to penetration by Chinese authorities . ''
Barr 's speech comes amid a developing trend of hawkishness against China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House disregard Chinese claims in the South China Sea , bolster sanctions against the new Hong Kong national security law , and push Chinese tech firm Huawei out of government business .
Some companies are beginning to notice the administration 's changing tone and are following suit .
After the imposition of the new national security law on Hong Kong , American media companies Facebook , LinkedIn , Google , and Twitter announced the cessation of data-sharing with the Xi regime .
Barr praised the tech companies ' efforts .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a worthy example for other American companies in resisting the Chinese Communist Party 's corrupt and dictatorial rule , '' he said .

Attorney General William Barr blasted Hollywood and Big Tech for their apparent cooperation with China in a Thursday speech.
Barr criticized Disney, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and others for kowtowing to Chinese policy demands in exchange for market access. In a speech at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Barr said, "I suspect Walt Disney would be disheartened to see how the company he founded deals with the foreign dictatorships of our day."
Hollywood's ties to China have caused filmmakers to block out Taiwanese flags and remove Chinese villains from movies. The Washington Free Beacon reported last week on one film company, Cinedigm, and its journey toward bargaining with the Maoist regime. Cinedigm was purchased by a Chinese firm, Bison Capital, in 2017. Peixin Xu—the owner of Bison—was a prominent executive in a company that became "a business wing of the Chinese military."
American media companies often take steps to appease Chinese interests. Social media companies have a role in selling personal data to the CCP. The Free Beacon reported last week on the increased activity of a Democratic TikTok lobby with close China ties. Now described as a "national security risk," the app popular with teens maintains a potential data pipeline to Beijing.
The problem does not just lie with TikTok, Barr noted. To even make transactions in China, a certain level of cooperation with the CCP must be met. Smartphones, Barr said, "wouldn't be sold (in China) if they were impervious to penetration by Chinese authorities."
Barr's speech comes amid a developing trend of hawkishness against China in Washington. This week has seen the White House disregard Chinese claims in the South China Sea, bolster sanctions against the new Hong Kong national security law, and push Chinese tech firm Huawei out of government business.
Some companies are beginning to notice the administration's changing tone and are following suit. After the imposition of the new national security law on Hong Kong, American media companies Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Twitter announced the cessation of data-sharing with the Xi regime.
Barr praised the tech companies' efforts. "If they stand together, they will provide a worthy example for other American companies in resisting the Chinese Communist Party's corrupt and dictatorial rule," he said.