freebeacon--2020-10-05--ANALYSIS: Amy Coney Barrett’s Family More Diverse Than Top Liberal Institutions

Amy Coney Barrett 's family is more diverse than many of the elite liberal institutions that claim to believe in diversity , a Washington Free Beacon analysis has found .
Many of those same institutions , it turns out , are radically opposed to Barrett 's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg , whose personal trainer was named a Free Beacon Man of the Year in 2018 for persuading the `` notorious '' justice not to retire during the Obama administration .
Barrett has seven children , a number that many elite liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of religious fanaticism .
Even more troubling in the mind of Barrett 's woke critics is the fact that she adopted two Black children from Haiti .
Anti-racism expert and profound intellect Ibram Kendi , for example , argued that Barrett 's adopted children suggested a `` White colonizer '' mindset that exploits Black children `` as props in their lifelong pictures of denial , while cutting the biological parents of these children out of the picture of humanity . ''
Kendi is one of the most celebrated and highest paid race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must know what he 's talking about .
But Kendi 's analysis is lacking crucial context , such as the fact that Barrett 's family is more diverse than most of the elite liberal institutions that pay him $ 20,000 to give an hourlong presentation on why white people are racist .
Two Black children out of seven total children amounts to a racial diversity quotient of 28.571 percent .
That means Barrett 's family is more than twice as Black , demographically speaking , as the United States population as a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Her family is also significantly more diverse than the New York Times , where Black individuals comprise just 9 percent of the entire staff , and just 6 percent of the organization 's leadership .
The Washington Post , meanwhile , is significantly more diverse than the Times , but still lacking when compared to the Barrett family 's impressive diversity .
Nearly 20 percent of the Post ‘ s employees identify as Black , whereas just 17 percent of the paper 's leadership is Black .
Wow !
Even elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match the impressive diversity of Barrett 's family .
Just 18 percent of Harvard 's faculty is non-white , according to a report released in 2018 .
Yale 's faculty is only 3.2 percent Black , according to a similar diversity report .
Perhaps most strikingly of all , Barrett 's family is more Black than the Democratic Party 's 2020 presidential ticket .
Former vice president Joe Biden is 100 percent white , obviously , while his historic female running mate , Kamala Harris , is half Black .
Therefore , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is still less Black than the Barrett family .
Diversity really is an amazing thing , especially when analyzed in detail .

Amy Coney Barrett's family is more diverse than many of the elite liberal institutions that claim to believe in diversity, a Washington Free Beacon analysis has found. Many of those same institutions, it turns out, are radically opposed to Barrett's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose personal trainer was named a Free Beacon Man of the Year in 2018 for persuading the "notorious" justice not to retire during the Obama administration.
Barrett has seven children, a number that many elite liberals consider to be unconscionably large, and evidence of religious fanaticism. Even more troubling in the mind of Barrett's woke critics is the fact that she adopted two Black children from Haiti.
Anti-racism expert and profound intellect Ibram Kendi, for example, argued that Barrett's adopted children suggested a "White colonizer" mindset that exploits Black children "as props in their lifelong pictures of denial, while cutting the biological parents of these children out of the picture of humanity." Kendi is one of the most celebrated and highest paid race consultants in the world, so he must know what he's talking about.
But Kendi's analysis is lacking crucial context, such as the fact that Barrett's family is more diverse than most of the elite liberal institutions that pay him $20,000 to give an hourlong presentation on why white people are racist. Two Black children out of seven total children amounts to a racial diversity quotient of 28.571 percent.
That means Barrett's family is more than twice as Black, demographically speaking, as the United States population as a whole, which was 13.4 percent as of 2019. Her family is also significantly more diverse than the New York Times, where Black individuals comprise just 9 percent of the entire staff, and just 6 percent of the organization's leadership.
The Washington Post, meanwhile, is significantly more diverse than the Times, but still lacking when compared to the Barrett family's impressive diversity. Nearly 20 percent of the Post's employees identify as Black, whereas just 17 percent of the paper's leadership is Black. Wow!
Even elite liberal institutions of higher education fail to match the impressive diversity of Barrett's family. Just 18 percent of Harvard's faculty is non-white, according to a report released in 2018. Yale's faculty is only 3.2 percent Black, according to a similar diversity report.
Perhaps most strikingly of all, Barrett's family is more Black than the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential ticket. Former vice president Joe Biden is 100 percent white, obviously, while his historic female running mate, Kamala Harris, is half Black. Therefore, the Democratic ticket is 25 percent Black, which is still less Black than the Barrett family.
Diversity really is an amazing thing, especially when analyzed in detail.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Russian Ambassador Says He Has ‘No Problem’ Selling Missiles To Iran

Russian ambassador to Iran Levan Jagarian told Iranian state media he has `` no problem '' selling state-of-the-art missiles to Tehran following the end of an arms embargo later this month , Fox News reported Monday .
A United Nations embargo currently forbids the sale of Russian S-400 missiles to Iran , though it is set to expire on October 18 .
The S-400 missile system is effective at one of the highest distance and altitude ranges of any air defense weapon , and has become a highly sought-after device for American rivals .
Previous statements from the Kremlin point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will come soon after the embargo ’ s end .
`` The Security Council in that resolution said that the supply of arms to Iran and from Iran would be subject to consideration by the Security Council and that on October 18 , 2020 , this regime of sales to Iran would stop , '' said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in another interview late last month .
`` There is no embargo , and there would be no limitations whatsoever after the expiration of this timeframe established by the Security Council .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington—including the unilateral `` snapback '' sanctions—have curtailed the economy and overall military expansion of Iran , Tehran continues to seek help from American adversaries .
This summer , overtures from Tehran for security assistance have reached dangerous actors such as Moscow and Beijing .
The advanced S-400 missile defense system has already been used as a diplomatic ploy by Moscow against the United States .
In August , a report revealed that House Republicans had been quietly halting arms deals with Turkey for the past two years due to Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A bargaining chip used by Moscow , the missile sales led experts to question Turkey ’ s future in NATO .
Unconfirmed reports indicate Turkey is set to test the missile system in the coming weeks as tensions between Ankara and neighboring Greece intensify over holdings in the eastern Mediterranean .
Accordingly , Turkey ’ s bid to become a European Union member has become an increasingly fraught question .
There is speculation that Iran may hold off on the purchase of its own S-400 system until it has a more favorable political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly understand the fault lines in our political system , '' Behnam Ben Taleblu , a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , told Fox News .
`` If no sale occurs immediately after mid-October—when the original arms embargo date lapses per the JCPOA—this can be chalked up to Russia and China choosing to wait out the Trump administration in the hopes of a different approach to Iran under a potential Biden administration . ''

Russian ambassador to Iran Levan Jagarian told Iranian state media he has "no problem" selling state-of-the-art missiles to Tehran following the end of an arms embargo later this month, Fox News reported Monday.
A United Nations embargo currently forbids the sale of Russian S-400 missiles to Iran, though it is set to expire on October 18.
The S-400 missile system is effective at one of the highest distance and altitude ranges of any air defense weapon, and has become a highly sought-after device for American rivals.
Previous statements from the Kremlin point to a strong likelihood that a sale will come soon after the embargo’s end.
"The Security Council in that resolution said that the supply of arms to Iran and from Iran would be subject to consideration by the Security Council and that on October 18, 2020, this regime of sales to Iran would stop," said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in another interview late last month. "There is no embargo, and there would be no limitations whatsoever after the expiration of this timeframe established by the Security Council."
While new rounds of sanctions from Washington—including the unilateral "snapback" sanctions—have curtailed the economy and overall military expansion of Iran, Tehran continues to seek help from American adversaries. This summer, overtures from Tehran for security assistance have reached dangerous actors such as Moscow and Beijing.
The advanced S-400 missile defense system has already been used as a diplomatic ploy by Moscow against the United States. In August, a report revealed that House Republicans had been quietly halting arms deals with Turkey for the past two years due to Russia’s sale of S-400 missiles to Ankara. A bargaining chip used by Moscow, the missile sales led experts to question Turkey’s future in NATO.
Unconfirmed reports indicate Turkey is set to test the missile system in the coming weeks as tensions between Ankara and neighboring Greece intensify over holdings in the eastern Mediterranean. Accordingly, Turkey’s bid to become a European Union member has become an increasingly fraught question.
There is speculation that Iran may hold off on the purchase of its own S-400 system until it has a more favorable political climate in Washington.
"American adversaries increasingly understand the fault lines in our political system," Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News. "If no sale occurs immediately after mid-October—when the original arms embargo date lapses per the JCPOA—this can be chalked up to Russia and China choosing to wait out the Trump administration in the hopes of a different approach to Iran under a potential Biden administration."


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Iran Ordered to Compensate American Family for Disappearance of Ex-FBI Agent

Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the Islamic Republic of Iran to give the family of missing former FBI agent Robert Levinson $ 1.45 billion in damages , the New York Post reported Tuesday .
Levinson disappeared in 2007 after traveling to an Iranian-controlled island .
He is suspected to be dead by U.S. officials as of March this year .
Kelly ’ s ruling from a federal bench in Washington takes into account both the abduction and imprisonment of Levinson for perhaps over a decade .
`` Iran ’ s conduct here is … unique , given that—astonishingly—it plucked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the face of the earth without warning , tortured him , held him captive for as long as 13 years , and to this day refuses to admit its responsibility , '' Kelly ’ s opinion reads .
`` His wife and children , and their spouses and children—while keeping Levinson ’ s memory alive—have had to proceed with their lives without knowing his exact fate , '' Kelly added .
`` These are surely acts worthy of the gravest condemnation . ''
Kelly also compared the abduction of Levinson to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Virginia student killed by North Korea in 2017 .
Iranian media and government did not acknowledge or provide any public comment regarding Kelly ’ s ruling .
Tehran ’ s mission to the United Nations has not yet responded to a request for comment from the Associated Press .
Levinson ’ s family praised the ruling in a statement .
Calling the decision `` the first step in the pursuit of justice '' for `` an American patriot who was kidnapped and subjected to unimaginable suffering , '' the family hopes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against further hostage-taking by Iran . ''
Hostage-taking of American citizens has long been a tactic of the Iranian regime , going back to the famed 1979 Iranian hostage crisis that propelled Ronald Reagan to the presidency .
President Donald Trump has made hostage retrieval a major priority for his foreign-policy agenda .
Under the current administration , Washington has brought home over 50 hostages from 22 countries .
One hostage taken by Iran , Navy veteran Michael White , spoke to this record at the Republican National Convention in September .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get me out of that prison in record time , '' said White , who was freed in June .
`` It was amazing . ''
Negotiations over American hostages detained in Belarus , Russia , and Syria remain ongoing .

Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the Islamic Republic of Iran to give the family of missing former FBI agent Robert Levinson $1.45 billion in damages, the New York Post reported Tuesday.
Levinson disappeared in 2007 after traveling to an Iranian-controlled island. He is suspected to be dead by U.S. officials as of March this year. Kelly’s ruling from a federal bench in Washington takes into account both the abduction and imprisonment of Levinson for perhaps over a decade.
"Iran’s conduct here is ... unique, given that—astonishingly—it plucked a former FBI and DEA special agent from the face of the earth without warning, tortured him, held him captive for as long as 13 years, and to this day refuses to admit its responsibility," Kelly’s opinion reads.
"His wife and children, and their spouses and children—while keeping Levinson’s memory alive—have had to proceed with their lives without knowing his exact fate," Kelly added. "These are surely acts worthy of the gravest condemnation."
Kelly also compared the abduction of Levinson to that of Otto Warmbier, the 22-year-old University of Virginia student killed by North Korea in 2017.
Iranian media and government did not acknowledge or provide any public comment regarding Kelly’s ruling. Tehran’s mission to the United Nations has not yet responded to a request for comment from the Associated Press.
Levinson’s family praised the ruling in a statement. Calling the decision "the first step in the pursuit of justice" for "an American patriot who was kidnapped and subjected to unimaginable suffering," the family hopes the decision will serve as a "warning against further hostage-taking by Iran."
Hostage-taking of American citizens has long been a tactic of the Iranian regime, going back to the famed 1979 Iranian hostage crisis that propelled Ronald Reagan to the presidency.
President Donald Trump has made hostage retrieval a major priority for his foreign-policy agenda. Under the current administration, Washington has brought home over 50 hostages from 22 countries.
One hostage taken by Iran, Navy veteran Michael White, spoke to this record at the Republican National Convention in September. "[President Trump was] able to get me out of that prison in record time," said White, who was freed in June. "It was amazing."
Negotiations over American hostages detained in Belarus, Russia, and Syria remain ongoing.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Prosecutors Drop Trespassing Charges Against BLM Crowd, Indict McCloskeys

St. Louis lawyer Mark McCloskey decried a grand jury 's decision to indict him and his wife after the city declined to prosecute members of a Black Lives Matter crowd accused of trespassing on the couple 's property .
On Tuesday , McCloskey and his wife were indicted on charges of exhibiting guns and tampering with evidence in connection to a June protest in which the couple confronted Black Lives Matter protesters on their property .
`` What you 're witnessing here , in this case , is just an opportunity for the government—the leftist , Democrat government—of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing no more than exercising our Second Amendment rights , '' McCloskey said in a press conference after the indictment .
St. Louis cited nine of the protesters for trespassing in September before dropping the charges .
McCloskey accused the city of employing different standards for the couple and the crowd .
`` Every single human being who was in front of my house was a criminal trespasser , '' McCloskey said .
`` They broke down our gate .
They trespassed on our property .
Not a single one of those people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Counselor Michael Garvin did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Joel Schwartz , who represents the McCloskeys , did not immediately return a request for comment .
He previously told the Washington Free Beacon he believed the prosecution was `` playing with a political football '' and claimed his clients committed no crime under Missouri law .
McCloskey said he and his wife could now face serious consequences for the altercation while those on the other side will not be charged .
`` We ’ re charged with felonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our lives and our law license , '' he said .
Videos of the June encounter—which included shouted threats by some protesters and ultimately ended without violence—went viral .
It has since attracted national political attention .
President Donald Trump 's reelection campaign hosted the McCloskeys at a virtual campaign event in July .

St. Louis lawyer Mark McCloskey decried a grand jury's decision to indict him and his wife after the city declined to prosecute members of a Black Lives Matter crowd accused of trespassing on the couple's property.
On Tuesday, McCloskey and his wife were indicted on charges of exhibiting guns and tampering with evidence in connection to a June protest in which the couple confronted Black Lives Matter protesters on their property.
"What you're witnessing here, in this case, is just an opportunity for the government—the leftist, Democrat government—of the city of St. Louis to persecute us for doing no more than exercising our Second Amendment rights," McCloskey said in a press conference after the indictment.
St. Louis cited nine of the protesters for trespassing in September before dropping the charges. McCloskey accused the city of employing different standards for the couple and the crowd.
"Every single human being who was in front of my house was a criminal trespasser," McCloskey said. "They broke down our gate. They trespassed on our property. Not a single one of those people is now charged with anything."
City Counselor Michael Garvin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joel Schwartz, who represents the McCloskeys, did not immediately return a request for comment. He previously told the Washington Free Beacon he believed the prosecution was "playing with a political football" and claimed his clients committed no crime under Missouri law.
McCloskey said he and his wife could now face serious consequences for the altercation while those on the other side will not be charged.
"We’re charged with felonies that could cost us four years of our lives and our law license," he said.
Videos of the June encounter—which included shouted threats by some protesters and ultimately ended without violence—went viral. It has since attracted national political attention. President Donald Trump's reelection campaign hosted the McCloskeys at a virtual campaign event in July.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--The Unborkable Amy Coney Barrett

The Unborkable Amy Coney Barrett

It is a mark of how dirty Senate Democrats have played over the past four years that they and their allies have been so little criticized for their treatment of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
Certainly , they 've floated allegations intended to sully her religious faith and fellowship from an unreliable and erratic source and boosted charges from America 's preeminent race huckster that her adoption of two children from Haiti is racist .
But those claims are not so bad , at least compared with the absurd allegations of teenage gang-rape they directed at Justice Brett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barrett is too squeaky clean for their usual tactics to work .
Democrats have instead gone to plan B , making clear what they 've worked to obscure for the past three decades in previous attempts to derail Republican judicial nominations .
If they ca n't attack Barrett 's qualifications for the Court , they 'll explicitly attack the political consequences of her nomination .
Finally , the mask has slipped .
Forgoing even the pretext of principled opposition , Democrats now admit they oppose judges like Barrett for no other reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to legislate as they please and without regard for the constraints of the Constitution .
They 've been pretending otherwise since at least 1987 , when Joe Biden oversaw the demolition of Robert Bork 's nomination to the Court .
The viciousness of Democrats ' assault on him made the judge 's name a verb .
They claimed he would resegregate America and leaked his video rental records—any means necessary to sink the nomination .
Four years later , Biden 's committee tried to `` Bork '' Clarence Thomas 's nomination with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coke can .
Then Democrats filibustered Miguel Estrada 's circuit court nomination , fearing it laid the groundwork for him to become the first Latino Supreme Court justice .
Most recently , they and their media allies spent weeks airing decades-old allegations about Kavanaugh , the more preposterous the better .
This time around , the smears are n't sticking .
Instead , Democrats are saying the quiet part out loud : At last week 's presidential debate , Biden said he opposed Barrett not because of her qualifications but because she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again before the Court in November , and because she would be a fifth or sixth vote against Roe .
Senate Democrats have followed suit .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal ( D. , Conn. ) has refused to even meet with Barrett because he thinks she will `` decimate health care , '' while Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D. , Hawaii ) objected explicitly to Barrett 's `` closely held views that will impact a woman 's right to choose . ''
Biden and his Senate colleagues are finally admitting what we 've always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as just another venue for progressive rule and fear a judge who wo n't legislate from the bench .
Claims about fitness and character were always a pretext for political ends .
There is no reason for Republicans to pay heed to this bare-knuckle politics , to care about bluster and threats to pack the Court .
President Trump has sent them a devoted constitutionalist and first-rate legal mind ; they should confirm her with all haste .

It is a mark of how dirty Senate Democrats have played over the past four years that they and their allies have been so little criticized for their treatment of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
Certainly, they've floated allegations intended to sully her religious faith and fellowship from an unreliable and erratic source and boosted charges from America's preeminent race huckster that her adoption of two children from Haiti is racist.
But those claims are not so bad, at least compared with the absurd allegations of teenage gang-rape they directed at Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the most recent confirmation scuffle. Barrett is too squeaky clean for their usual tactics to work.
Democrats have instead gone to plan B, making clear what they've worked to obscure for the past three decades in previous attempts to derail Republican judicial nominations. If they can't attack Barrett's qualifications for the Court, they'll explicitly attack the political consequences of her nomination.
Finally, the mask has slipped. Forgoing even the pretext of principled opposition, Democrats now admit they oppose judges like Barrett for no other reason than that they would rein in their ability to legislate as they please and without regard for the constraints of the Constitution.
They've been pretending otherwise since at least 1987, when Joe Biden oversaw the demolition of Robert Bork's nomination to the Court. The viciousness of Democrats' assault on him made the judge's name a verb. They claimed he would resegregate America and leaked his video rental records—any means necessary to sink the nomination.
Four years later, Biden's committee tried to "Bork" Clarence Thomas's nomination with lurid stories about pubic hairs on a Coke can. Then Democrats filibustered Miguel Estrada's circuit court nomination, fearing it laid the groundwork for him to become the first Latino Supreme Court justice. Most recently, they and their media allies spent weeks airing decades-old allegations about Kavanaugh, the more preposterous the better.
This time around, the smears aren't sticking. Instead, Democrats are saying the quiet part out loud: At last week's presidential debate, Biden said he opposed Barrett not because of her qualifications but because she would hasten the overturn of Obamacare, once again before the Court in November, and because she would be a fifth or sixth vote against Roe.
Senate Democrats have followed suit. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) has refused to even meet with Barrett because he thinks she will "decimate health care," while Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) objected explicitly to Barrett's "closely held views that will impact a woman's right to choose."
Biden and his Senate colleagues are finally admitting what we've always known: They see the Supreme Court as just another venue for progressive rule and fear a judge who won't legislate from the bench. Claims about fitness and character were always a pretext for political ends.
There is no reason for Republicans to pay heed to this bare-knuckle politics, to care about bluster and threats to pack the Court. President Trump has sent them a devoted constitutionalist and first-rate legal mind; they should confirm her with all haste.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Video: Dem Senate Candidate Has No Idea What the Patriot Act Is

Kansas state senator and U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier ( D. ) revealed Tuesday that she did not know what the Patriot Act was .
Asked about the landmark law enacted in the aftermath of 9/11 to strengthen counterterrorism efforts , Bollier said she was n't sure what to say because she had `` not read it yet . ''
Bollier requested more specifics on the question and then claimed to remember the legislation , only to reveal that she mistakenly thought it was about tariffs .
`` I think what you 're talking about is the ability to impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Yes .
I ’ m very very opposed to that .
It has to be reexamined—must be—because that just is n't something that should happen . ''
Bollier went on to argue she would work hard to get Congress to reevaluate the tariff powers in the Patriot Act , emphasizing that she does `` know about '' the law .
`` I had forgotten that is what it was called , '' Bollier said .
`` I apologize , but I do know about it . ''
The Bollier campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The Patriot Act became law following the terrorist attacks on Sep. 11 , 2001 , and its purpose was not to expand tariff powers .
The law contains a range of provisions to enhance federal agents ' latitude to counter terrorist threats , while critics have argued the security powers it gives the government are too expansive .
Those powers are unrelated to tariffs .
Bollier is running against Rep. Roger Marshall ( R. ) to replace retiring Republican senator Pat Roberts .

Kansas state senator and U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier (D.) revealed Tuesday that she did not know what the Patriot Act was.
Asked about the landmark law enacted in the aftermath of 9/11 to strengthen counterterrorism efforts, Bollier said she wasn't sure what to say because she had "not read it yet." Bollier requested more specifics on the question and then claimed to remember the legislation, only to reveal that she mistakenly thought it was about tariffs.
"I think what you're talking about is the ability to impose tariffs, et cetera," Bollier said. "Yes. I’m very very opposed to that. It has to be reexamined—must be—because that just isn't something that should happen."
Bollier went on to argue she would work hard to get Congress to reevaluate the tariff powers in the Patriot Act, emphasizing that she does "know about" the law.
"I had forgotten that is what it was called," Bollier said. "I apologize, but I do know about it."
The Bollier campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The Patriot Act became law following the terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001, and its purpose was not to expand tariff powers. The law contains a range of provisions to enhance federal agents' latitude to counter terrorist threats, while critics have argued the security powers it gives the government are too expansive. Those powers are unrelated to tariffs.
Bollier is running against Rep. Roger Marshall (R.) to replace retiring Republican senator Pat Roberts.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Gun-Rights Group Sues Philly Over Massive Permit Backlog

A gun-rights group accused the Philadelphia Police Department of illegally forcing residents to wait up to 18 months to apply for a gun-carry permit in a lawsuit .
Gun Owners of America ( GOA ) said the city has infringed on the rights of local residents by ignoring a Pennsylvania law that requires localities to process applications within 45 days .
Val Finnel , the group 's Pennsylvania director , said the lengthy wait times actively harm locals who are seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights .
`` They 're essentially denying the right to defend yourself , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The GOA acknowledged the strain that Covid-19 had placed on government agencies , but said the delays—some stretching into 2022—were unprecedented in the region .
While some Pennsylvania cities and counties moved the permitting process online or through the mail to accommodate a surge in gun sales , Philadelphia authorities have made no attempt to abide by state law .
Finnel pointed to neighboring Bucks County , which has managed to process applications on a walk-in basis without any of the delays Philadelphia residents face .
`` If they say they can delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay it indefinitely , '' Finnel said .
`` Our argument is a right delayed is a right denied . ''
A spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department declined comment on the pending litigation .
The department has taken action on some appointments .
After the Free Beacon published a piece on the months-long waits experienced by some Philadelphia residents , the department reached out to two residents to speed up the process .
James Tordella , a medical supply salesman , and Temple Law School alum Jude Joanis saw their appointments moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after their ordeal was first published .
Chris Gonzalez , a south Philadelphia insurance salesman , has not had the same luck .
He still has not been able to even talk to anyone in the department to schedule any appointment despite repeated attempts .
`` Every time I call , I can never get someone on the line , '' he told the Free Beacon .
`` It 's a joke . ''
The GOA suit , which was filed in state court , includes 10 other residents who are not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two of the defendants have been told they will have to wait until 2022 for an appointment , according to the suit .
Finnel said the situation is simply unacceptable .
`` They have to figure out a way , like everybody else , of how to handle the problem with COVID going on , '' he said .
The gun-rights group is asking the court to force the city to accept applications in a timely manner and abide by the 45-day limit for the application process .
Finnel said the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as precedent for ensuring other Pennsylvania localities do not try and sidestep state law when issuing gun-carry permits .

A gun-rights group accused the Philadelphia Police Department of illegally forcing residents to wait up to 18 months to apply for a gun-carry permit in a lawsuit.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) said the city has infringed on the rights of local residents by ignoring a Pennsylvania law that requires localities to process applications within 45 days. Val Finnell, the group's Pennsylvania director, said the lengthy wait times actively harm locals who are seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
"They're essentially denying the right to defend yourself," Finnell told the Washington Free Beacon.
The GOA acknowledged the strain that Covid-19 had placed on government agencies, but said the delays—some stretching into 2022—were unprecedented in the region. While some Pennsylvania cities and counties moved the permitting process online or through the mail to accommodate a surge in gun sales, Philadelphia authorities have made no attempt to abide by state law. Finnell pointed to neighboring Bucks County, which has managed to process applications on a walk-in basis without any of the delays Philadelphia residents face.
"If they say they can delay receiving the application, then they can delay it indefinitely," Finnell said. "Our argument is a right delayed is a right denied."
A spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department declined comment on the pending litigation.
The department has taken action on some appointments. After the Free Beacon published a piece on the months-long waits experienced by some Philadelphia residents, the department reached out to two residents to speed up the process. James Tordella, a medical supply salesman, and Temple Law School alum Jude Joanis saw their appointments moved from January 2021 to October 2020 shortly after their ordeal was first published.
Chris Gonzalez, a south Philadelphia insurance salesman, has not had the same luck. He still has not been able to even talk to anyone in the department to schedule any appointment despite repeated attempts.
"Every time I call, I can never get someone on the line," he told the Free Beacon. "It's a joke."
The GOA suit, which was filed in state court, includes 10 other residents who are not allowed to turn in their applications for months. Two of the defendants have been told they will have to wait until 2022 for an appointment, according to the suit. Finnell said the situation is simply unacceptable.
"They have to figure out a way, like everybody else, of how to handle the problem with COVID going on," he said.
The gun-rights group is asking the court to force the city to accept applications in a timely manner and abide by the 45-day limit for the application process. Finnell said the group hopes a ruling against Philadelphia could be used as precedent for ensuring other Pennsylvania localities do not try and sidestep state law when issuing gun-carry permits.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Loudoun County Schools Revise Speech Policy After Teachers’ Union Blowback

The Loudoun County Public Schools district will revise a proposed speech policy , which would have prohibited teachers from criticizing the district 's racial equity plan , following backlash from the teachers ' union and a Washington Free Beacon report .
Leadership from the Loudoun Education Association , the district 's largest teachers ' union , told the Free Beacon that a school board member plans to take the speech policy off of the upcoming board meeting itinerary , effectively stalling any vote .
This change will allow the human resources department to `` revise and review '' the policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees from criticizing the school district 's `` commitment to action-oriented equity practices '' in all forms of public and personal communication .
Loudoun Education Association president Sandy Sullivan held a meeting with Loudoun County school board administrators and human resources on Monday to discuss the union 's concerns about the policy .
After the meeting , Sullivan said the policy 's planned implementation appears to be less rigid than what the text of the policy indicates , though she feels strongly that the language should be revised to accurately portray the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation with [ the school board ] , it sounded like the policy seems not as harsh as it was at first reading , '' Sullivan said .
`` It needs to be clear that people should n't have to ask questions to understand what the policy means .
Employees should be able to pick up the policy and read it and understand what the expectations are . ''
Teachers were upset with the policy proposal , which prompted immediate concerns from the union .
Sullivan told the Free Beacon she wanted `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without repercussions , '' which is not what the policy in its current form permits .
Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement , approximately 4,500 classrooms across the country are teaching some form of critical race theory or the New York Times ‘ s 1619 Project , both of which present the American founding as intrinsically racist .
If the proposed speech code is passed , Loudoun County would be one of the first school districts nationwide to codify critical theory into public policy , rather than just incorporating it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking out against the new policy proposals .
A group called Parents Against Critical Theory ( PACT ) created a website that highlights the Free Beacon ‘ s reporting on the school district 's $ 422,500 equity training spending haul and its collaboration with the Southern Poverty Law Center to create a `` social justice '' curriculum and `` Comprehensive Equity Plan . ''
Scott Mineo , who runs the PACT website , told the Free Beacon that parents are worried that even if the policy is altered or voted down , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical '' administrators .
`` The board and the superintendent have already passed this ‘ Comprehensive Racial Equity ' plan unanimously .
Even if this proposal to punish teachers fails , I do n't think for a minute that they do n't have something else radical and unconstitutional up their sleeves , '' Mineo said .
According to City Journal writer Christopher Rufo , an elite law firm has said that it will represent teachers who want to fight the policy in the event it does pass .
Rufo said the law firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Free Beacon that there are no new updates at this time .

The Loudoun County, Virginia, Public Schools district will revise a proposed speech policy, which would have prohibited teachers from criticizing the district's racial equity plan, following backlash from the teachers' union and a Washington Free Beacon report.
Leadership from the Loudoun Education Association, the district's largest teachers' union, told the Free Beacon that a school board member plans to take the speech policy off of the upcoming board meeting itinerary, effectively stalling any vote. This change will allow the human resources department to "revise and review" the policy that, as currently written, prohibits employees from criticizing the school district's "commitment to action-oriented equity practices" in all forms of public and personal communication.
Loudoun Education Association president Sandy Sullivan held a meeting with Loudoun County school board administrators and human resources on Monday to discuss the union's concerns about the policy. After the meeting, Sullivan said the policy's planned implementation appears to be less rigid than what the text of the policy indicates, though she feels strongly that the language should be revised to accurately portray the district's expectations.
"Going through a conversation with [the school board], it sounded like the policy seems not as harsh as it was at first reading," Sullivan said. "It needs to be clear that people shouldn't have to ask questions to understand what the policy means. Employees should be able to pick up the policy and read it and understand what the expectations are."
Teachers were upset with the policy proposal, which prompted immediate concerns from the union. Sullivan told the Free Beacon she wanted "to make sure employees can speak freely without repercussions," which is not what the policy in its current form permits.
Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, approximately 4,500 classrooms across the country are teaching some form of critical race theory or the New York Times's 1619 Project, both of which present the American founding as intrinsically racist. If the proposed speech code is passed, Loudoun County would be one of the first school districts nationwide to codify critical theory into public policy, rather than just incorporating it into teaching materials.
Parents are also speaking out against the new policy proposals. A group called Parents Against Critical Theory (PACT) created a website that highlights the Free Beacon's reporting on the school district's $422,500 equity training spending haul and its collaboration with the Southern Poverty Law Center to create a "social justice" curriculum and "Comprehensive Equity Plan."
Scott Mineo, who runs the PACT website, told the Free Beacon that parents are worried that even if the policy is altered or voted down, it won't be enough to deter "radical" administrators. "The board and the superintendent have already passed this 'Comprehensive Racial Equity' plan unanimously. Even if this proposal to punish teachers fails, I don't think for a minute that they don't have something else radical and unconstitutional up their sleeves," Mineo said.
According to City Journal writer Christopher Rufo, an elite law firm has said that it will represent teachers who want to fight the policy in the event it does pass. Rufo said the law firm has spoken with potential plaintiffs but told the Free Beacon that there are no new updates at this time.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Dem Trial Lawyer: ‘There’s No Such Thing As a Frivolous Lawsuit’

A Democratic trial lawyer running for Congress in Kentucky said , `` There ’ s no such thing as a frivolous lawsuit '' during a debate Monday night , prompting incumbent Republican Andy Barr ’ s campaign to launch an attack ad the following day accusing the Democrat of being an ambulance chaser .
During the debate , challenger Josh Hicks repeatedly interrupted Barr , trying to hit the incumbent for not understanding the work of a trial lawyer .
`` There ’ s no such thing as a frivolous lawsuit , '' Hicks said .
`` Again , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know this . ''
Hicks ’ s history as a trial lawyer has made easy campaign ad fodder for Barr , who has repeatedly attacked his challenger for suing hospitals and medical businesses during the coronavirus pandemic .
Barr launched a new ad on Tuesday that mockingly refers to Hicks ’ s law firm as `` Huckster and Hicks . ''
The ad references a real promo Hicks ’ s law firm posted on Facebook , which used a screenshot of a weather forecast of ice and rain to advertise their services during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Slip and fall on something slick ?
Call trial lawyers Huckster and Hicks , '' the attack ad says .
Though Hicks worked in law enforcement before becoming a trial lawyer , his messaging on the police has been inconsistent over his career .
Hicks touts his work as a cop on the campaign trail , but has said he witnessed systemic racism in law enforcement .
And he also criticized anti-police activists online in 2005 , the Washington Free Beacon previously reported .
`` I could be wrong , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s become trendy and cool to say ‘ F— THA POLICE DAWG , ’ and have that sort of attitude , '' Hicks said at the time on an online message board .
Hicks and Barr will face off in November ’ s general election to represent Kentucky ’ s Sixth Congressional District .

A Democratic trial lawyer running for Congress in Kentucky said, "There’s no such thing as a frivolous lawsuit" during a debate Monday night, prompting incumbent Republican Andy Barr’s campaign to launch an attack ad the following day accusing the Democrat of being an ambulance chaser.
During the debate, challenger Josh Hicks repeatedly interrupted Barr, trying to hit the incumbent for not understanding the work of a trial lawyer.
"There’s no such thing as a frivolous lawsuit," Hicks said. "Again, if you had practiced law, you would know this."
Hicks’s history as a trial lawyer has made easy campaign ad fodder for Barr, who has repeatedly attacked his challenger for suing hospitals and medical businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Barr launched a new ad on Tuesday that mockingly refers to Hicks as part of a law firm called "Huckster and Hicks." The ad references a real promo Hicks’s law firm posted on Facebook, which used a screenshot of a weather forecast of ice and rain to advertise their services during "slip-and-fall and rear-end accident season."
"Slip and fall on something slick? Call trial lawyers Huckster and Hicks," the attack ad says.
Though Hicks worked in law enforcement before becoming a trial lawyer, his messaging on the police has been inconsistent over his career. Hicks touts his work as a cop on the campaign trail, but has said he witnessed systemic racism in law enforcement. And he also criticized anti-police activists online in 2005, the Washington Free Beacon previously reported.
"I could be wrong, and this could be inflammatory, but I think it’s become trendy and cool to say ‘F— THA POLICE DAWG,’ and have that sort of attitude," Hicks said at the time on an online message board.
Hicks and Barr will face off in November’s general election to represent Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--NBC News’ ‘Undecided’ Voters Previously Featured as Biden Supporters on MSNBC

NBC News featured a pair of `` undecided '' voters during a network town hall earlier this week who had previously declared their support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden on the network 's sister channel , MSNBC .
Lawyer Peter Gonzalez and marketing executive Ismael Llano posed questions to Biden during a town hall on Monday , when he appeared before what the network described as an `` audience of undecided Florida voters . ''
Both Gonzalez and Llano , however , were featured in an MSNBC segment in August to explain why they support Biden .
`` If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good luck , and good luck with the future attracting younger voters , '' Gonzalez said as an MSNBC chyron noted he was `` voting for Biden . ''
Llano was also identified as `` voting for Biden '' and offered praise for the former vice president .
On Monday , NBC 's Lester Holt said that Llano `` voted for Hillary Clinton four years ago but has voted Republican in the past . ''
Gonzalez , whose voting history went unmentioned , asked Biden to ease his family 's concerns that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left . ''
`` Cuban American and Venezuelan voters here in South Florida are being targeted with messages by the Trump campaign claiming that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the radical left and socialism , and even communism , '' Gonzalez said .
`` What can you tell people in my family , my friends—who are understandably concerned with that issue—that would make them feel comfortable voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ? ''
It is not the first time that television networks have featured Trump opponents masquerading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find and often less publicly vocal about their political views .
ABC News last month described several Trump critics as undecided voters , including one who had previously described Trump as a `` f—ing moron , '' `` pathetic , '' `` pig , '' `` swine , '' and a `` punk ass '' on social media .
Another `` undecided '' voter featured in NBC 's town hall , Mateo Gomez , told MSNBC on Sept. 30 that he was leaning toward voting Biden over Trump after watching the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment .
Others at the town hall have displayed a clear preference for Biden on social media .
Michelle Cruz Marrero , described as a former Republican , did not appear to be undecided : Several of her Facebook `` cover photos '' are either pro-Biden or anti-Trump .
Another voter at the town hall , Cassidy Brown , asked Biden how she would protect `` women 's reproductive rights . ''
Biden subsequently tweeted the exchange and pledged to codify Roe v. Wade .
But Brown 's social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undecided voter .
On Sept. 5 , she retweeted an account—with a Biden-Harris logo for its avatar—that attacked Trump for allegedly making derogatory remarks about veterans .
In 2017 , she shared a HuffPost article on Facebook about Michelle Obama 's criticism of women who voted against Hillary Clinton .
Brown also shared an Instagram post from her sister after the town hall , where she boasted Brown asked the `` future president '' an `` incredible question '' about reproductive rights .

NBC News featured a pair of "undecided" voters during a network town hall earlier this week who had previously declared their support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden on the network's sister channel, MSNBC.
Lawyer Peter Gonzalez and marketing executive Ismael Llano posed questions to Biden during a town hall on Monday, when he appeared before what the network described as an "audience of undecided Florida voters."
Both Gonzalez and Llano, however, were featured in an MSNBC segment in August to explain why they support Biden. "If we get four more years of Trump, good luck, and good luck with the future attracting younger voters," Gonzalez said as an MSNBC chyron noted he was "voting for Biden." Llano was also identified as "voting for Biden" and offered praise for the former vice president.
On Monday, NBC's Lester Holt said that Llano "voted for Hillary Clinton four years ago but has voted Republican in the past." Gonzalez, whose voting history went unmentioned, asked Biden to ease his family's concerns that the Democrat is beholden to "the radical left."
"Cuban American and Venezuelan voters here in South Florida are being targeted with messages by the Trump campaign claiming that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the radical left and socialism, and even communism," Gonzalez said. "What can you tell people in my family, my friends—who are understandably concerned with that issue—that would make them feel comfortable voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris?"
It is not the first time that television networks have featured Trump opponents masquerading as undecided voters, who are difficult to find and often less publicly vocal about their political views. ABC News last month described several Trump critics as undecided voters, including one who had previously described Trump as a "f—ing moron," "pathetic," "pig," "swine," and a "punk ass" on social media.
Another "undecided" voter featured in NBC's town hall, Mateo Gomez, told MSNBC on Sept. 30 that he was leaning toward voting Biden over Trump after watching the first debate.
NBC News did not respond to a request for comment.
Others at the town hall have displayed a clear preference for Biden on social media. Michelle Cruz Marrero, described as a former Republican, did not appear to be undecided: Several of her Facebook "cover photos" are either pro-Biden or anti-Trump.
Another voter at the town hall, Cassidy Brown, asked Biden how she would protect "women's reproductive rights." Biden subsequently tweeted the exchange and pledged to codify Roe v. Wade. But Brown's social media use also suggests she is not an undecided voter. On Sept. 5, she retweeted an account—with a Biden-Harris logo for its avatar—that attacked Trump for allegedly making derogatory remarks about veterans. In 2017, she shared a HuffPost article on Facebook about Michelle Obama's criticism of women who voted against Hillary Clinton.
Brown also shared an Instagram post from her sister after the town hall, where she boasted Brown asked the "future president" an "incredible question" about reproductive rights.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Nevada GOP Requests Investigation Into Mail Tampering by Biden Ally

The Nevada Republican Party asked federal law enforcement to investigate a Culinary Union chapter for illegally tampering with mailboxes while canvassing for Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In a Monday letter sent to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Nicholas Trutanich , party chairman Michael McDonald highlighted a recent canvassing effort in which a member of Culinary Union Local 226 was pictured leaving campaign literature in a voter 's mailbox .
Under federal law , `` only U.S .
Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox '' in order to `` ensure the integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a 2010 USPS press release .
`` Not only are such actions a violation of Federal law and a violation of Nevada citizens ' right to privacy , they open the door to potential fraud and ballot manipulation in a year where Nevadans will be nearly universally voting by mail , '' the letter states .
`` And if operatives are going door to door and placing campaign literature in mailboxes , nothing would stop an unscrupulous canvasser from removing live ballots from mailboxes and filling them out for their preferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply throwing them away . ''
The canvassing effort was highlighted in a Monday Los Angeles Times article that said union members Maria Magana and Atilano Salgado `` took turns asking voters in English , Spanish and a combination if they would support Joe Biden for president . ''
Magana was later pictured depositing campaign literature in a Las Vegas mailbox .
`` If they 're leaning or undecided , we 'll see if they 've made up their minds , '' Salgado told the Los Angeles Times .
`` If they support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote . ''
The union told the Washington Free Beacon that Magana `` acted inadvertently and without authorization . ''
`` Culinary Union member canvassers have had a clear written instruction about voter mailboxes from the beginning of the campaign efforts : ‘ Do n't put anything in a voter 's mailbox , ' '' spokeswoman Bethany Khan said .
`` We have reemphasized this instruction to the entire canvass team and met with the canvasser in question , who acted inadvertently and without authorization . ''
Clark County—which includes the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 25 and is scheduled to mail official ballots on Saturday , according to the Nevada secretary of state .
Thirteen Nevada counties have already mailed official ballots to voters .
`` Put simply , the election is underway , '' McDonald 's letter says .
`` In the year 2020 , the integrity of our elections is at stake , and we can not allow potentially rogue activists to compromise them . ''
Culinary Union Local 226 has long supported Democrats , spending nearly $ 1.5 million to boost former president Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The chapter is an affiliate of hospitality labor group UNITE HERE , which has spent more than $ 16.1 million backing Democrats over the last three decades .
Both the Culinary Union and UNITE HERE have endorsed Biden for president .

The Nevada Republican Party asked federal law enforcement to investigate a Culinary Union chapter for illegally tampering with mailboxes while canvassing for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
In a Monday letter sent to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Nicholas Trutanich, party chairman Michael McDonald highlighted a recent canvassing effort in which a member of Culinary Union Local 226 was pictured leaving campaign literature in a voter's mailbox. Under federal law, "only U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox" in order to "ensure the integrity of our customer's mailbox," according to a 2010 USPS press release.
"Not only are such actions a violation of Federal law and a violation of Nevada citizens' right to privacy, they open the door to potential fraud and ballot manipulation in a year where Nevadans will be nearly universally voting by mail," the letter states. "And if operatives are going door to door and placing campaign literature in mailboxes, nothing would stop an unscrupulous canvasser from removing live ballots from mailboxes and filling them out for their preferred candidate or removing them from households and simply throwing them away."
The canvassing effort was highlighted in a Monday Los Angeles Times article that said union members Maria Magana and Atilano Salgado "took turns asking voters in English, Spanish and a combination if they would support Joe Biden for president." Magana was later pictured depositing campaign literature in a Las Vegas mailbox.
"If they're leaning or undecided, we'll see if they've made up their minds," Salgado told the Los Angeles Times. "If they support Biden, we'll make sure they vote."
The union told the Washington Free Beacon that Magana "acted inadvertently and without authorization."
"Culinary Union member canvassers have had a clear written instruction about voter mailboxes from the beginning of the campaign efforts: 'Don't put anything in a voter's mailbox,'" spokeswoman Bethany Khan said. "We have reemphasized this instruction to the entire canvass team and met with the canvasser in question, who acted inadvertently and without authorization."
Clark County—which includes the city of Las Vegas—mailed sample ballots to voters on September 25 and is scheduled to mail official ballots on Saturday, according to the Nevada secretary of state. Thirteen Nevada counties have already mailed official ballots to voters.
"Put simply, the election is underway," McDonald's letter says. "In the year 2020, the integrity of our elections is at stake, and we cannot allow potentially rogue activists to compromise them."
Culinary Union Local 226 has long supported Democrats, spending nearly $1.5 million to boost former president Barack Obama in the 2008 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The chapter is an affiliate of hospitality labor group UNITE HERE, which has spent more than $16.1 million backing Democrats over the last three decades. Both the Culinary Union and UNITE HERE have endorsed Biden for president.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Pressure Mounts on Cal Cunningham to Leave Basement, Address Nerdy Sext Scandal

Cal Cunningham , the Democratic candidate for Senate in North Carolina , has gone into hiding since becoming embroiled in an embarrassing sexting scandal late last week .
The married father of two would probably prefer to run out the clock until Nov. 3 , but pressure is mounting on Cunningham to address the scandal in front of voters .
Cunningham , who was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 's handpicked candidate to challenge incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) , asked for `` privacy '' after admitting to sending a series of sexual text messages to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed out of a long-scheduled town hall event on Monday , hours after allegations of a second affair were reported by a former Washington Free Beacon employee , and his opponents are hitting the airwaves .
Tillis said Cunningham owes voters a `` full and thorough explanation '' of his deviant behavior .
`` Cal is trying to finesse it as an errant text , but we now have a second report , '' Tillis said during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday .
`` On the debate stage last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I agree .
His family should be kept private , he 's got teenage children , but Cal owes North Carolinians , all of the voters a full and thorough explanation . ''
Republican-aligned outside groups have released a number of attack ads focused on Cunningham 's sext scandal .
In one ad titled , `` Married Father , '' the Senate Leadership Fund asks a question presumably on the minds of many voters : `` What else is he hiding ? ''
Another ad from another GOP-aligned group , Results for NC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting independent voters in the state 's metro areas .
It portrays Cunningham as a `` dishonest '' and `` unfaithful '' man who `` betrayed our trust '' by `` leading a double life and taking advantage of someone else 's family . ''
The ad goes on to compare Cunningham to one of the most prominent philanderers in the history of North Carolina politics , closing with the line : `` We do n't need another John Edwards in the Senate . ''
Professional journalists based in D.C. and New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even local journalists have seemed more than willing to accommodate the candidate 's demands .
But they could n't ignore the extramarital scandal , even if the sexts themselves were painfully boring .
Who knows what other allegations might come to light in the coming weeks ?
Schumer and the Democratic establishment wanted a candidate who would stay `` in a windowless basement raising money , '' but Cunningham could n't help himself .
And he might have cost the Democrats control of the Senate in 2021 .

Cal Cunningham, the Democratic candidate for Senate in North Carolina, has gone into hiding since becoming embroiled in an embarrassing sexting scandal late last week. The married father of two would probably prefer to run out the clock until Nov. 3, but pressure is mounting on Cunningham to address the scandal in front of voters.
Cunningham, who was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's handpicked candidate to challenge incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.), asked for "privacy" after admitting to sending a series of sexual text messages to a married woman in California. He backed out of a long-scheduled town hall event on Monday, hours after allegations of a second affair were reported by a former Washington Free Beacon employee, and his opponents are hitting the airwaves.
Tillis said Cunningham owes voters a "full and thorough explanation" of his deviant behavior. "Cal is trying to finesse it as an errant text, but we now have a second report," Tillis said during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. "On the debate stage last week, Cal said it's about integrity and I agree. His family should be kept private, he's got teenage children, but Cal owes North Carolinians, all of the voters a full and thorough explanation."
Republican-aligned outside groups have released a number of attack ads focused on Cunningham's sext scandal. In one ad titled, "Married Father," the Senate Leadership Fund asks a question presumably on the minds of many voters: "What else is he hiding?"
Another ad from another GOP-aligned group, Results for NC, has produced a 15-second digital ad targeting independent voters in the state's metro areas. It portrays Cunningham as a "dishonest" and "unfaithful" man who "betrayed our trust" by "leading a double life and taking advantage of someone else's family." The ad goes on to compare Cunningham to one of the most prominent philanderers in the history of North Carolina politics, closing with the line: "We don't need another John Edwards in the Senate."
Professional journalists based in D.C. and New York might not care about Cunningham's behavior. Even local journalists have seemed more than willing to accommodate the candidate's demands. But they couldn't ignore the extramarital scandal, even if the sexts themselves were painfully boring. Who knows what other allegations might come to light in the coming weeks?
Schumer and the Democratic establishment wanted a candidate who would stay "in a windowless basement raising money," but Cunningham couldn't help himself. And he might have cost the Democrats control of the Senate in 2021.
Oops.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Countries Across the World Turn Against China, Data Show

Three in four citizens in over a dozen first-world nations dislike the People 's Republic of China , data released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center reveal .
Citizens of nations such as Japan , the United States , and France have grown increasingly skeptical of China over the past decade , with half on average reporting an unfavorable view as recently as 2018 .
But over the past two years , Pew 's survey data show , that figure has spiked , rising to an average of two in three disapproving in 2019 , and then to three in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is linked to widespread discontent with how China has handled the coronavirus pandemic , which started in Wuhan before spreading to the rest of the world .
Majorities across 13 major countries said they believed China has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak .
This surging discontent across the world 's developed nations is a bad sign for China and for leader Xi Jinping 's aspirations for Chinese global hegemony .
It further signals that the nation 's efforts to paint itself as an alternative to the United States in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially in European countries where Chinese gifts of personal protective equipment were turned back due to quality defects in a major diplomatic blunder .
This year was the lowest-approval year on record for 9 of the 14 countries that Pew surveyed .
Discontent with the PRC rose in the 12 countries where 2019 data were available , by as much as 19 ( in the United Kingdom ) and 24 percentage points ( in Australia ) .
Those increases , Pew noted , are part of a `` larger trajectory '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
In the United States , majorities of both parties were unfavorable as of earlier this year ; across the countries surveyed , disapproval rose with age , but even a majority of respondents ages 18 to 29 were China-skeptical .
Popular criticism of China extends to its leader , Xi Jinping .
Large shares of respondents said they had little or no confidence in the Chinese strongman , with an average of less than 20 percent expressing `` some '' or `` a lot '' of confidence .
These findings suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forays into influencing surrounding states and its constant bluster over Taiwan and the South China Sea—have not made it popular with others of the world 's most economically advanced nations .
The survey offers caution for Americans , however : Across Europe , a majority of respondents said that China , not the United States , is `` the world 's leading economic power . ''
Countering China 's growing malign influence has become a congressional priority in recent months , particularly as lawmakers seek to reduce American dependency in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week floated a comprehensive package of proposals that would , among other things , seek to return U.S. supply chains to American shores ; some of those bills are expected to pass in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act when it receives a full vote later this year .

Three in four citizens in over a dozen first-world nations dislike the People's Republic of China, data released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center reveal.
Citizens of nations such as Japan, the United States, and France have grown increasingly skeptical of China over the past decade, with half on average reporting an unfavorable view as recently as 2018. But over the past two years, Pew's survey data show, that figure has spiked, rising to an average of two in three disapproving in 2019, and then to three in four in 2020.
This latest spike is linked to widespread discontent with how China has handled the coronavirus pandemic, which started in Wuhan before spreading to the rest of the world. Majorities across 13 major countries said they believed China has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
This surging discontent across the world's developed nations is a bad sign for China and for leader Xi Jinping's aspirations for Chinese global hegemony. It further signals that the nation's efforts to paint itself as an alternative to the United States in the wake of the epidemic were unsuccessful, especially in European countries where Chinese gifts of personal protective equipment were turned back due to quality defects in a major diplomatic blunder.
This year was the lowest-approval year on record for 9 of the 14 countries that Pew surveyed. Discontent with the PRC rose in the 12 countries where 2019 data were available, by as much as 19 (in the United Kingdom) and 24 percentage points (in Australia).
Those increases, Pew noted, are part of a "larger trajectory" of growing discontent with China across the developed world. In the United States, majorities of both parties were unfavorable as of earlier this year; across the countries surveyed, disapproval rose with age, but even a majority of respondents ages 18 to 29 were China-skeptical.
Popular criticism of China extends to its leader, Xi Jinping. Large shares of respondents said they had little or no confidence in the Chinese strongman, with an average of less than 20 percent expressing "some" or "a lot" of confidence.
These findings suggest that China's increasing global bellicosity—including its forays into influencing surrounding states and its constant bluster over Taiwan and the South China Sea—have not made it popular with others of the world's most economically advanced nations. The survey offers caution for Americans, however: Across Europe, a majority of respondents said that China, not the United States, is "the world's leading economic power."
Countering China's growing malign influence has become a congressional priority in recent months, particularly as lawmakers seek to reduce American dependency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Republican lawmakers last week floated a comprehensive package of proposals that would, among other things, seek to return U.S. supply chains to American shores; some of those bills are expected to pass in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act when it receives a full vote later this year.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Michigan Dem Relies on Coastal Support to Flip Congressional Seat

A Michigan Democrat has turned to Washington , D.C. , operatives and Hollywood activists to bankroll her `` grassroots '' congressional bid .
Out-of-state contributions from the coasts , as well as staffers and institutional support from Washington , D.C. , and New York , have propelled congressional candidate Hillary Scholten into a near tie with her Republican rival Peter Meijer in a race that national Democrats see as a prime pickup opportunity to preserve their House majority .
Less than one-third of her donations have come from Michigan since the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced its organizational and fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on out-of-state support stands in contrast to Scholten 's campaign pitch .
Her website focuses on a `` West Michigan '' life story that places her family and Christian faith at the center of her campaign .
`` West Michigan is my home—I was born and raised here , am deeply involved in the faith community here , and I feel like I would be a great representative , '' Scholten told the Detroit News .
`` I ca n't think of a more broken place than Washington , D.C. , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scholten launched her congressional bid , she turned to veteran New York and Washington , D.C. , political professionals and Democratic megadonors to help bring `` Western Michigan '' to the capitol .
Her top paid staffers arrived in Michigan fresh from New York .
Only $ 336,000 of the more than $ 1 million Scholten has raised comes from in-state donations , meaning more than two-thirds of her campaign 's donations between July 2019 and July 2020 came from outside of the state , according to her most recent election filings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of $ 183,000 to her campaign during that time period .
Her finance director and campaign manager also both come from New York .
Scholten 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the out-of-state support .
The DCCC added Scholten to its `` Red to Blue '' program in late June , offering institutional support from the national arm of the Democratic Party .
The designation helped Scholten draw the attention of Hollywood and major liberal interest groups .
Scholten held a virtual fundraiser with actress and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also received endorsements from Emily 's List and NARAL Pro-Choice America , two of the most prolific liberal organizations in the country .
Scholten moved back to Michigan in 2017 shortly before launching her congressional run after working for the Department of Justice under the Obama administration .
The race represents a potential pickup for House Democrats in a highly contested battleground state .
Libertarian congressman Justin Amash won a solid victory in the district in 2018 , but the outspoken Trump critic announced that he would not not seek reelection in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 10 points in 2016 , and current projections have Meijer ahead by 1 point .

A Michigan Democrat has turned to Washington, D.C., operatives and Hollywood activists to bankroll her "grassroots" congressional bid.
Out-of-state contributions from the coasts, as well as staffers and institutional support from Washington, D.C., and New York, have propelled congressional candidate Hillary Scholten into a near tie with her Republican rival Peter Meijer in a race that national Democrats see as a prime pickup opportunity to preserve their House majority. Less than one-third of her donations have come from Michigan since the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced its organizational and fundraising support for the campaign.
The reliance on out-of-state support stands in contrast to Scholten's campaign pitch. Her website focuses on a "West Michigan" life story that places her family and Christian faith at the center of her campaign. "West Michigan is my home—I was born and raised here, am deeply involved in the faith community here, and I feel like I would be a great representative," Scholten told the Detroit News. "I can't think of a more broken place than Washington, D.C.," she later told ABC 13.
But when Scholten launched her congressional bid, she turned to veteran New York and Washington, D.C., political professionals and Democratic megadonors to help bring "Western Michigan" to the capitol. Her top paid staffers arrived in Michigan fresh from New York. Only $336,000 of the more than $1 million Scholten has raised comes from in-state donations, meaning more than two-thirds of her campaign's donations between July 2019 and July 2020 came from outside of the state, according to her most recent election filings. California and New York donors gave a total of $183,000 to her campaign during that time period. Her finance director and campaign manager also both come from New York.
Scholten's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the out-of-state support.
The DCCC added Scholten to its "Red to Blue" program in late June, offering institutional support from the national arm of the Democratic Party. The designation helped Scholten draw the attention of Hollywood and major liberal interest groups. Scholten held a virtual fundraiser with actress and political activist Alyssa Milano in May. Scholten also received endorsements from Emily's List and NARAL Pro-Choice America, two of the most prolific liberal organizations in the country.
Scholten moved back to Michigan in 2017 shortly before launching her congressional run after working for the Department of Justice under the Obama administration. The race represents a potential pickup for House Democrats in a highly contested battleground state. Libertarian congressman Justin Amash won a solid victory in the district in 2018, but the outspoken Trump critic announced that he would not not seek reelection in Michigan. President Donald Trump won the district by 10 points in 2016, and current projections have Meijer ahead by 1 point.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--FLASHBACK: Dems Who Supported Online Hearings Now Oppose Them for Barrett

Senate Democrats are balking at holding virtual confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , but they favored @ @ @ @ @ this year for coronavirus safety reasons .
David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington @ @ @ @ @ previously a sports reporter for two years in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting @ @ @ @ @ He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter @ @ @ @ @ He can be reached at rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Senate Democrats are balking at holding virtual confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, but they favored virtual hearings and votes earlier this year for coronavirus safety reasons.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Florida’s Voter Registration Website Crashes Hours Before Deadline

Florida ’ s online voter registration portal crashed on Monday , the last day to register to vote for November ’ s general election .
Florida secretary of state Laurel Lee ( R. ) tweeted Monday evening that a surge in traffic just hours before the midnight deadline to register to vote compromised the site for around 15 minutes .
While some residents regained access to the website by around 6:30 p.m. , others still experienced glitches into the evening .
This election cycle , many voters are looking for alternatives to in-person voting due to the coronavirus pandemic—raising concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in some cases , online election services .
Nearly 213,000 Floridians already registered to vote this year , making the online registration portal one of the state ’ s most highly trafficked sites .
The website has experienced repeated glitches and other issues , and in 2018 also crashed just before the deadline to register to vote for the 2018 midterm elections .
Pennsylvania , another battleground state , experienced a similar technical issue this weekend .
An IT outage at a contracted data center blocked voters from registering to vote and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss concerns over mail-in voting fraud as a hoax propagated by Republicans and President Donald Trump , cases of erroneous ballots and fraudulence have already begun to surface .
Nearly 100,000 voters in Brooklyn will receive a second mail-in ballot after the first ones included return envelopes labeled with the wrong name and address .
And dozens of voters in Washington state also received improperly labeled mail-in ballots , and some civilian voters in Queens received mail-in ballots labeled for military use .

Florida’s online voter registration portal crashed on Monday, the last day to register to vote for November’s general election.
Florida secretary of state Laurel Lee (R.) tweeted Monday evening that a surge in traffic just hours before the midnight deadline to register to vote compromised the site for around 15 minutes. While some residents regained access to the website by around 6:30 p.m., others still experienced glitches into the evening.
This election cycle, many voters are looking for alternatives to in-person voting due to the coronavirus pandemic—raising concerns over the effectiveness of mail-in voting, and in some cases, online election services.
Nearly 213,000 Floridians already registered to vote this year, making the online registration portal one of the state’s most highly trafficked sites. The website has experienced repeated glitches and other issues, and in 2018 also crashed just before the deadline to register to vote for the 2018 midterm elections.
Pennsylvania, another battleground state, experienced a similar technical issue this weekend. An IT outage at a contracted data center blocked voters from registering to vote and requesting mail-in ballots online.
While some dismiss concerns over mail-in voting fraud as a hoax propagated by Republicans and President Donald Trump, cases of erroneous ballots and fraudulence have already begun to surface. Nearly 100,000 voters in Brooklyn will receive a second mail-in ballot after the first ones included return envelopes labeled with the wrong name and address. And dozens of voters in Washington state also received improperly labeled mail-in ballots, and some civilian voters in Queens received mail-in ballots labeled for military use.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--New Mexico Democrat Starred in Pornos

New Mexico Democrat Starred in Pornos

A Democratic state house candidate in New Mexico admitted to starring in two pornographic films in the 1980s , the Santa Fe New Mexican reported on Monday .
While making his way as a young dancer and actor in Los Angeles and New York City , Roger Montoya—or `` Joe Savage , '' as he was known in the porn industry—starred in Hot Male Mechanics and Spring Training .
Less than one month before November 's general election , Montoya admitted on his Facebook campaign page that he is `` not proud '' of his roles in the adult films @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that choice , as I was young and naive , '' Montoya said in a statement .
`` But those experiences helped me to understand the exploitation young people face . ''
Montoya 's statement comes after the Piñon Post , a small online outlet , posted an unconfirmed report on Sept. 30 that the porn star turned politician had `` unprotected sex in multiple gay films . ''
Montoya , who was a gymnast in his youth , also appeared in Nudes in Limbo , a 1983 film featuring athletes performing stunts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a back-up dancer in Breakin ' 2 : The Electric Boogaloo .
After leaving the acting business , Montoya became an HIV/AIDS activist and artist and has founded multiple nonprofits to help the homeless , drug addicts , and others .
In 2008 , he cofounded a nonprofit arts program for children called Moving Arts Española , for which he was named a CNN Hero in 2019 .
Montoya is running to represent New Mexico 's 40th state house district against Republican Justin Salazar-Torrez .
He 's won the endorsement of many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. senator Martin Heinrich and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham , and Democratic groups like Planned Parenthood .
At the end of his statement , Montoya said he would continue to fight for the `` dignity '' of his community and quoted a verse from the Gospel of John : `` The truth will set you free . ''

A Democratic state house candidate in New Mexico admitted to starring in two pornographic films in the 1980s, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported on Monday.
While making his way as a young dancer and actor in Los Angeles and New York City, Roger Montoya—or "Joe Savage," as he was known in the porn industry—starred in Hot Male Mechanics and Spring Training. Less than one month before November's general election, Montoya admitted on his Facebook campaign page that he is "not proud" of his roles in the adult films.
"I am not proud of that choice, as I was young and naive," Montoya said in a statement. "But those experiences helped me to understand the exploitation young people face."
Montoya's statement comes after the Piñon Post, a small online outlet, posted an unconfirmed report on Sept. 30 that the porn star turned politician had "unprotected sex in multiple gay films." Montoya, who was a gymnast in his youth, also appeared in Nudes in Limbo, a 1983 film featuring athletes performing stunts in the nude, and performed as a back-up dancer in Breakin' 2: The Electric Boogaloo.
After leaving the acting business, Montoya became an HIV/AIDS activist and artist and has founded multiple nonprofits to help the homeless, drug addicts, and others. In 2008, he cofounded a nonprofit arts program for children called Moving Arts Española, for which he was named a CNN Hero in 2019.
Montoya is running to represent New Mexico's 40th state house district against Republican Justin Salazar-Torrez. He's won the endorsement of many of New Mexico's top Democrats, including U.S. senator Martin Heinrich and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Democratic groups like Planned Parenthood.
At the end of his statement, Montoya said he would continue to fight for the "dignity" of his community and quoted a verse from the Gospel of John: "The truth will set you free."


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Turkey’s EU Membership Bid Evaporating

Turkey’s EU Membership Bid Evaporating

BRUSSELS ( Reuters ) – The European Union ’ s executive said on Tuesday that Turkey ’ s government was undermining its economy , eroding democracy and destroying independent courts , leaving Ankara ’ s bid to join the EU further away than ever .
Blaming `` excessively '' centralized presidential power for deteriorating conditions in freedom of speech , prisons and the central bank , the European Commission said the government was also exposing Turkey to `` rapid changes in investors ’ sentiment '' .
`` The EU ’ s serious concerns on continued negative developments in the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary have not been credibly addressed by Turkey , '' the Commission said in its annual report on the country .
`` Turkey ’ s ( EU ) accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill , '' it said .
A NATO ally , Turkey has been negotiating its EU membership since 2005 after economic and political reforms that made it an important emerging market economy and trade partner .
Although never easy because of disputed Turkish claims over Cyprus , talks rapidly unravelled after a failed coup in Turkey in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuing crackdown on perceived opponents .
`` In Turkey , the serious backsliding observed since the 2016 coup attempt continued , '' the Commission said .
There was no immediate comment from Turkey .
Ankara has said in the past that EU criticism is unfair and disproportionate .
Turkey has since faced several years of harsh Commission reports , and the EU executive once again intensified its criticism , citing monetary policy , public administration and widespread corruption as failures of the Turkish government .
While the EU , Turkey ’ s biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to house some 4 million Syrians fleeing civil war rather than let them proceed to Europe , Brussels also reiterated its threat to impose economic sanctions on Ankara over an energy dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean .
EU leaders agreed last week to consider sanctions if Turkey continued to explore for oil and gas in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus .
`` In case of renewed unilateral actions or provocations in breach of international law… , the EU will use all the instruments and the options at its disposal , '' the @ @ @

By Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union’s executive said on Tuesday that Turkey’s government was undermining its economy, eroding democracy and destroying independent courts, leaving Ankara’s bid to join the EU further away than ever.
Blaming "excessively" centralized presidential power for deteriorating conditions in freedom of speech, prisons and the central bank, the European Commission said the government was also exposing Turkey to "rapid changes in investors’ sentiment".
"The EU’s serious concerns on continued negative developments in the rule of law, fundamental rights and the judiciary have not been credibly addressed by Turkey," the Commission said in its annual report on the country.
"Turkey’s (EU) accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill," it said.
A NATO ally, Turkey has been negotiating its EU membership since 2005 after economic and political reforms that made it an important emerging market economy and trade partner.
Although never easy because of disputed Turkish claims over Cyprus, talks rapidly unravelled after a failed coup in Turkey in July 2016 and President Tayyip Erdogan’s ensuing crackdown on perceived opponents.
"In Turkey, the serious backsliding observed since the 2016 coup attempt continued," the Commission said.
There was no immediate comment from Turkey. Ankara has said in the past that EU criticism is unfair and disproportionate.
Turkey has since faced several years of harsh Commission reports, and the EU executive once again intensified its criticism, citing monetary policy, public administration and widespread corruption as failures of the Turkish government.
While the EU, Turkey’s biggest foreign investor, relies on the country to house some 4 million Syrians fleeing civil war rather than let them proceed to Europe, Brussels also reiterated its threat to impose economic sanctions on Ankara over an energy dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean.
EU leaders agreed last week to consider sanctions if Turkey continued to explore for oil and gas in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus.
"In case of renewed unilateral actions or provocations in breach of international law..., the EU will use all the instruments and the options at its disposal," the report said.
(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Mark Heinrich)