freebeacon--2020-07-12--REVIEW: ‘Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk’ by Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke

One of the basic premises of Grandstanding : The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk is that our ability to give a damn about moralizing claims is a sort of `` scarce resource . ''
So using moral claims to try to accomplish things has diminishing returns , suggest authors Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke in this timely and sharp new work bridging philosophy with online culture .
Look at this sentence from a New York magazine story airing the drama inside a progressive journalist email group : `` Please for the love of all the babies , stop telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the offense that comes alongside it . ''
Grandstanding is about the rhetorical and social dynamics that would make someone think writing that shriek of a nonargument is a good idea .
While they are philosophers , Tosi and Warmke use as much research psychology as they do ethical theorizing , which keeps the book grounded—because the ways that grandstanding makes the world a worse place are not just theoretical .
These days , we 're running very low on giving-of-a-damn .
Our shared societal tank of damn-giving is exhausted by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People today are doing a lot of grandstanding , using high stakes moral language that 's really just intended to `` try to make themselves look good . ''
The problem is n't just that it 's a false , vain way of communicating .
It 's antisocial behavior .
If almost every single car were using giant smoke-belching engines for simple grocery runs because people think it makes them look cool , we 'd be choking on thick , acrid air .
And that 's what we have with our verbal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
`` By debasing moral talk , we render it a less useful tool for accomplishing aims more important than the promotion of reputation . ''
Examples abound .
`` Running this puts Black @ nytimes staff in danger , '' tweeted much of the staff of the New York Times in early June alongside a screenshot of a Times opinion section op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark. )
.
Cotton 's piece urged the use of troops to quell violent protests across the country .
But it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only that Cotton 's piece was a Trojan horse for a fascist takeover of America , but also that the senator 's proposed takeover was contingent on whether it ran in the Times or some other paper .
( Cotton does have the president 's cellphone number . )
If the constitutional order of the republic fell in an orgy of fascistic violence consuming the human rights of more than 320 million citizens , a judicious moral thinker might say there would be problems bigger than whether the distribution of state violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim is to show your exquisite virtue by signaling concern about Republican racism , then you might say your first worry is the danger posed to a subset of the 4,500 employees of the New York Times Company .
A piece by Times media columnist Ben Smith later confirmed that Times staffers were merely grandstanding .
They 'd picked their words because the `` formulation was legally protected speech because it focused on workplace safety . ''
The affair gets to what is so useful , timely , and brilliant about the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong in public discourse and how .
While it is not directly and explicitly about the internet , social media , and culture war politics , it gets sidelong at what those things have done to us as a critical culture .
In a culture that rewards grandstanding , people who act like they 're talking about the world are often just talking about themselves .
There are some unwelcome conventions of academic philosophy—a little bit too much worrying about getting out ahead of possible objections instead of just getting to the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , and ultimately the authors get it across vividly .
First , they show that `` moral talk is not magic , '' demonstrating that you ca n't virtue signal your way to a better world .
Talk is cheap , and it does n't buy you much .
Then they give us a `` field guide to grandstanding '' so we know what we 're dealing with .
You 'll start seeing similarities between their examples and online articles or Facebook statuses you 've seen friends posting .
You 're probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ useful part of Grandstanding is a look at the social dynamics that make grandstanders say things that advance their status or anathematize some outgroup rather than express truth .
( `` Running this puts Black @ nytimes staff in danger . ''
) People look for ways to advance their individual status inside the institutions they care about , not to actually make the world better .
So when we offer social reward rather than scorn for moralizing bunk , people will claim the reward .
Incentives matter in the rhetorical economy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ philosophy-speak are advised to skip the section on whether a virtuous person would grandstand , a look at how grandstanding squares with various ethical theories .
But read the next and final two sections twice .
They cover how grandstanding makes politics `` a morality pageant '' in a world where we 've all become petty little politicians with an online constituency to please and pander to .
And they suggest what any one of us can do to lessen grandstanding and improve things .
With a culture of grandstanding driving outrage cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed .
So , please , for the love of all the babies , send this book to all your friends .
Not buying it puts America in danger .

One of the basic premises of Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk is that our ability to give a damn about moralizing claims is a sort of "scarce resource." So using moral claims to try to accomplish things has diminishing returns, suggest authors Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke in this timely and sharp new work bridging philosophy with online culture.
Look at this sentence from a New York magazine story airing the drama inside a progressive journalist email group: "Please for the love of all the babies, stop telling people how to process their own oppression and the offense that comes alongside it." Grandstanding is about the rhetorical and social dynamics that would make someone think writing that shriek of a nonargument is a good idea. While they are philosophers, Tosi and Warmke use as much research psychology as they do ethical theorizing, which keeps the book grounded—because the ways that grandstanding makes the world a worse place are not just theoretical.
These days, we're running very low on giving-of-a-damn. Our shared societal tank of damn-giving is exhausted by people who resort to moralistic claims over irrelevancies. People today are doing a lot of grandstanding, using high stakes moral language that's really just intended to "try to make themselves look good." The problem isn't just that it's a false, vain way of communicating. It's antisocial behavior. If almost every single car were using giant smoke-belching engines for simple grocery runs because people think it makes them look cool, we'd be choking on thick, acrid air. And that's what we have with our verbal environment, a sort of rhetorical pollution crisis. "By debasing moral talk, we render it a less useful tool for accomplishing aims more important than the promotion of reputation."
Examples abound. "Running this puts Black @nytimes staff in danger," tweeted much of the staff of the New York Times in early June alongside a screenshot of a Times opinion section op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton (R., Ark.). Cotton's piece urged the use of troops to quell violent protests across the country.
But it's unlikely the people tweeting this really believed not only that Cotton's piece was a Trojan horse for a fascist takeover of America, but also that the senator's proposed takeover was contingent on whether it ran in the Times or some other paper. (Cotton does have the president's cellphone number.) If the constitutional order of the republic fell in an orgy of fascistic violence consuming the human rights of more than 320 million citizens, a judicious moral thinker might say there would be problems bigger than whether the distribution of state violence is racially proportionate. But if your aim is to show your exquisite virtue by signaling concern about Republican racism, then you might say your first worry is the danger posed to a subset of the 4,500 employees of the New York Times Company.
A piece by Times media columnist Ben Smith later confirmed that Times staffers were merely grandstanding. They'd picked their words because the "formulation was legally protected speech because it focused on workplace safety." The affair gets to what is so useful, timely, and brilliant about the book.
Grandstanding explains what has gone so wrong in public discourse and how. While it is not directly and explicitly about the internet, social media, and culture war politics, it gets sidelong at what those things have done to us as a critical culture. In a culture that rewards grandstanding, people who act like they're talking about the world are often just talking about themselves.
There are some unwelcome conventions of academic philosophy—a little bit too much worrying about getting out ahead of possible objections instead of just getting to the point. But the point is a great one, and ultimately the authors get it across vividly.
First, they show that "moral talk is not magic," demonstrating that you can't virtue signal your way to a better world. Talk is cheap, and it doesn't buy you much. Then they give us a "field guide to grandstanding" so we know what we're dealing with. You'll start seeing similarities between their examples and online articles or Facebook statuses you've seen friends posting. You're probably guilty, too.
Perhaps the most useful part of Grandstanding is a look at the social dynamics that make grandstanders say things that advance their status or anathematize some outgroup rather than express truth. ("Running this puts Black @nytimes staff in danger.") People look for ways to advance their individual status inside the institutions they care about, not to actually make the world better. So when we offer social reward rather than scorn for moralizing bunk, people will claim the reward. Incentives matter in the rhetorical economy as well.
Readers with less tolerance for philosophy-speak are advised to skip the section on whether a virtuous person would grandstand, a look at how grandstanding squares with various ethical theories. But read the next and final two sections twice. They cover how grandstanding makes politics "a morality pageant" in a world where we've all become petty little politicians with an online constituency to please and pander to. And they suggest what any one of us can do to lessen grandstanding and improve things.
With a culture of grandstanding driving outrage cycle after outrage cycle, that's sorely needed. So, please, for the love of all the babies, send this book to all your friends. Not buying it puts America in danger.


freebeacon--2020-07-12--VIDEO: Protesters Attempt to Throw Caribou Heart at GOP Senator

Liberal protesters rushed Sen. Dan Sullivan ( R. , Alaska ) with a bloody animal heart and smeared blood on his campaign signs Saturday night .
Video captured a woman approaching Sullivan and his wife Julie during a campaign event in a hangar at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport .
Sullivan campaign manager Matt Shuckerow noticed and rushed forward before he was blocked by another woman , whom Shuckerow threw to the ground before he reached the podium to intervene , the Alaska Landmine reported .
As she was escorted out of the event , the first woman took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart out of her bag but was prevented from throwing it .
Some disjointed chants of `` throw it '' broke out as she was brought outside , presumably referring to the heart .
A third woman rushed the stage with a banner but was quickly thwarted and also escorted out .
As they left , the protesters smeared what appeared to be blood on some of Sullivan 's signs .
The Landmine reported that the women claimed to Anchorage police that they were assaulted .
Sullivan is up for reelection to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan had been tipped off that some of Democratic opponent Al Gross 's supporters would try to disrupt the meet-and-greet .

Liberal protesters rushed Sen. Dan Sullivan (R., Alaska) with a bloody animal heart and smeared blood on his campaign signs Saturday night.
Video captured a woman approaching Sullivan and his wife Julie during a campaign event in a hangar at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Sullivan campaign manager Matt Shuckerow noticed and rushed forward before he was blocked by another woman, whom Shuckerow threw to the ground before he reached the podium to intervene, the Alaska Landmine reported.
As she was escorted out of the event, the first woman took what looked like a moose or caribou heart out of her bag but was prevented from throwing it. Some disjointed chants of "throw it" broke out as she was brought outside, presumably referring to the heart. A third woman rushed the stage with a banner but was quickly thwarted and also escorted out.
As they left, the protesters smeared what appeared to be blood on some of Sullivan's signs. The Landmine reported that the women claimed to Anchorage police that they were assaulted.
Sullivan is up for reelection to a second term in November.
MustReadAlaska reported Sullivan had been tipped off that some of Democratic opponent Al Gross's supporters would try to disrupt the meet-and-greet.


freebeacon--2020-07-12--Pelosi: No Regrets About Downplaying Coronavirus Threat

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said Sunday that she does not regret initially downplaying @ @ @ @ @ late February .
`` No , not at all , '' Pelosi said on CNN @ @ @ @ @ when asked if she regretted underestimating the extent of widespread infection in the United States @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a press release on Feb. 29 that `` there are no current indications @ @ @ @ @ United States , '' the same day that the first confirmed death from the virus @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi also visited San Francisco 's Chinatown neighborhood on Feb. 24 and urged Californians to @ @ @ @ @ enjoy Chinatown . ''
She said she thought it was `` very safe '' to @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood .
On Feb. 26 , the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first possible @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Pelosi also accused President Trump of `` causing deaths '' through his @ @ @ @ @ called for a vote on another aid package .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said Sunday that she does not regret initially downplaying the threat of coronavirus in late February.
"No, not at all," Pelosi said on CNN's State of the Union when asked if she regretted underestimating the extent of widespread infection in the United States at the time.
Pelosi wrote in a press release on Feb. 29 that "there are no current indications of widespread infections in the United States," the same day that the first confirmed death from the virus was recorded in Washington.
Pelosi also visited San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood on Feb. 24 and urged Californians to "come and visit and enjoy Chinatown." She said she thought it was "very safe" to be in a potentially crowded neighborhood.
On Feb. 26, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first possible instance of community spread of the virus.
Pelosi also accused President Trump of "causing deaths" through his response to the virus and called for a vote on another aid package.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Soros-Backed Liberal Groups Raked in Tens of Millions From PPP

At least 18 left-wing groups supported by the billionaire George Soros 's liberal donor club applied for federal loans meant to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic , receiving up to $ 20 million in taxpayer cash between them .
Groups backed by the Democracy Alliance , a donor network cofounded by Soros , hauled in cash from the Paycheck Protection Program , a federal program established to provide an economic boost to small businesses and their workers during coronavirus shutdowns .
Together , the groups received between $ 8.5 million and $ 20.7 million .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donor network that pays the club for project services pulled in large sums from the small business relief program .
The cash influx comes as the Democracy Alliance ramps up its spending ahead of the November election .
Its deep-pocketed partners mapped out a $ 275 million spending plan for the 2020 elections , calling into question whether groups aided by a network of millionaire and billionaire donors were in need of millions in taxpayer funds .
`` The political groups that form the infrastructure of the far left rely on contributions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' one GOP operative said .
`` Now , those same groups are leaning on PPP loans while slamming the program as a handout to the rich .
This shameless hypocrisy exemplifies how hollow and disingenuous their rhetoric is . ''
The most prominent Democracy Alliance-backed group to receive a government loan was Media Matters for America , a liberal watchdog that is part of a network created by longtime Hillary Clinton ally David Brock .
The group applied for and was awarded between $ 1 and $ 2 million in PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 15 million in contributions on its most recent tax forms .
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ( CREW ) , a left-leaning government watchdog group that has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration , also took in between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million in federal aid .
CREW does not reveal its funders but has in recent years received millions from two Soros nonprofits , the Foundation to Promote Open Society and the Open Society Policy Center .
Many of the Soros-backed groups that took PPP loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Popular Democracy , which leads an $ 80 million anti-Trump network with dozens of partners nationwide , received between $ 1 and $ 2 million in loans .
Demos , a New York-based think tank previously chaired by Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's ( D. , Mass . )
daughter , Amelia Warren Tyagi , was the recipient of between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million in loans .
The National Immigration Law Center , which fights the president 's `` anti-immigrant agenda , '' was given anywhere between $ 1 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group that received government funds is located in the same building as the donor club 's K Street headquarters .
CLASP , a nonprofit that recently entered into a partnership with the National Immigration Law Center , received between $ 350,000 to $ 1 million in PPP loans .
Other left-wing groups under Democracy Alliance 's umbrella that were awarded large PPP loans include : Catalist ( between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million in loans ) , Faith in Action Network ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , State Voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the Advancement Project ( $ 1 to $ 2 million ) , American Constitution Society ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , Economic Policy Institute ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , National Employment Law Project ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , the Roosevelt Institute ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , State Innovation Exchange ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) , Faith in Public Life ( $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 ) , ProgressNow ( $ 150,000 to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ) .
Another liberal network that donors use to obscure their donations also raked in substantial PPP loans : NEO Philanthropy received between $ 2 and $ 5 million from the program .
NEO took in nearly $ 83 million in contributions and passed $ 40 million in grants to liberal groups in 2018 .
It also paid $ 398,000 directly to the Democracy Alliance that year , its tax forms show .
A number of groups that received cash passed through NEO 's network are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Immigration Law Center , Center for Popular Democracy , and ACLU .
Democracy Alliance members each pledge to donate a minimum of $ 200,000 annually to organizations recommended by the club .
While the Alliance has become more transparent about which organizations it backs in recent years , its activities and members remain hidden .
In addition to Soros , other individuals who have been tied to the invite-only club include Soros 's son Jonathan , billionaires Tom Steyer and Donald Sussman , real estate investor Patricia Bauman , and failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 18 groups responded to requests for comment on their PPP loans .

At least 18 left-wing groups supported by the billionaire George Soros's liberal donor club applied for federal loans meant to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, receiving up to $20 million in taxpayer cash between them.
Groups backed by the Democracy Alliance, a donor network cofounded by Soros, hauled in cash from the Paycheck Protection Program, a federal program established to provide an economic boost to small businesses and their workers during coronavirus shutdowns. Together, the groups received between $8.5 million and $20.7 million. In addition to the Democracy Alliance groups, another liberal donor network that pays the club for project services pulled in large sums from the small business relief program.
The cash influx comes as the Democracy Alliance ramps up its spending ahead of the November election. Its deep-pocketed partners mapped out a $275 million spending plan for the 2020 elections, calling into question whether groups aided by a network of millionaire and billionaire donors were in need of millions in taxpayer funds.
"The political groups that form the infrastructure of the far left rely on contributions from the country's richest millionaires and billionaires," one GOP operative said. "Now, those same groups are leaning on PPP loans while slamming the program as a handout to the rich. This shameless hypocrisy exemplifies how hollow and disingenuous their rhetoric is."
The most prominent Democracy Alliance-backed group to receive a government loan was Media Matters for America, a liberal watchdog that is part of a network created by longtime Hillary Clinton ally David Brock. The group applied for and was awarded between $1 and $2 million in PPP loans. Media Matters reported receiving nearly $15 million in contributions on its most recent tax forms.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a left-leaning government watchdog group that has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration, also took in between $350,000 and $1 million in federal aid. CREW does not reveal its funders but has in recent years received millions from two Soros nonprofits, the Foundation to Promote Open Society and the Open Society Policy Center.
Many of the Soros-backed groups that took PPP loans have spearheaded massive anti-Trump campaigns. The Center for Popular Democracy, which leads an $80 million anti-Trump network with dozens of partners nationwide, received between $1 and $2 million in loans. Demos, a New York-based think tank previously chaired by Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D., Mass.) daughter, Amelia Warren Tyagi, was the recipient of between $350,000 and $1 million in loans. The National Immigration Law Center, which fights the president's "anti-immigrant agenda," was given anywhere between $1 and $2 million in loans.
One group that received government funds is located in the same building as the donor club's K Street headquarters. CLASP, a nonprofit that recently entered into a partnership with the National Immigration Law Center, received between $350,000 to $1 million in PPP loans.
Other left-wing groups under Democracy Alliance's umbrella that were awarded large PPP loans include: Catalist (between $350,000 and $1 million in loans), Faith in Action Network ($350,000 to $1 million), State Voices ($350,000 to $1 million), the Advancement Project ($1 to $2 million), American Constitution Society ($350,000 to $1 million), Economic Policy Institute ($350,000 to $1 million), National Employment Law Project ($350,000 to $1 million), the Roosevelt Institute ($350,000 to $1 million), State Innovation Exchange ($350,000 to $1 million), Faith in Public Life ($150,000 to $350,000), ProgressNow ($150,000 to $350,000), and the Movement Cooperative ($350,000 to $1 million).
Another liberal network that donors use to obscure their donations also raked in substantial PPP loans: NEO Philanthropy received between $2 and $5 million from the program. NEO took in nearly $83 million in contributions and passed $40 million in grants to liberal groups in 2018. It also paid $398,000 directly to the Democracy Alliance that year, its tax forms show. A number of groups that received cash passed through NEO's network are supported by Democracy Alliance members, including the National Immigration Law Center, Center for Popular Democracy, and ACLU.
Democracy Alliance members each pledge to donate a minimum of $200,000 annually to organizations recommended by the club. While the Alliance has become more transparent about which organizations it backs in recent years, its activities and members remain hidden. In addition to Soros, other individuals who have been tied to the invite-only club include Soros's son Jonathan, billionaires Tom Steyer and Donald Sussman, real estate investor Patricia Bauman, and failed Pennsylvania congressional candidate Scott Wallace.
None of the 18 groups responded to requests for comment on their PPP loans.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Ex-China Official a Top Donor to D.C. Think Tank

A former Chinese official has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a prominent D.C.-based think tank over the last decade , influencing its research on at least one occasion .
Hong Kong-based billionaire Ronnie Chan sits on the board of directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics , an influential think tank .
He is also one of its most prolific supporters , donating between $ 350,000 to $ 575,000 to the think tank since 2010 .
And while the think tank insists that donors exert almost no influence on its publications , a 2013 report on U.S.-China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report `` has benefited from discussions with and the comments of '' Chan and a litany of other donors .
Chan is an ex-government official in Hong Kong who mobilized his resources to support the election of Carrie Lam , the city 's chief executive who cracked down on pro-democracy protesters at the behest of Beijing in recent years .
Chan is also a governor of the China-United States Exchange Foundation , a nonprofit organization widely considered to be a front group for the Chinese Communist Party to exercise influence in academia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to PIIE , sending between $ 50,000 to $ 75,000 to the think tank in 2012 .
The billionaire is not the only person sitting on the PIIE board with ties to the Chinese regime .
Min Zhu—the former deputy governor of the People 's Bank of China , the country 's central bank—also sits on the board .
The PIIE board of directors page does not mention Chan 's or Zhu 's past stints in the government , even though it does so for other members .
Chan made his fortune as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a China-based real estate empire with multiple properties in Hong Kong and mainland China .
For decades , Chan has used his influence and wealth—estimated at $ 2 billion—to become a regular presence inside the Beltway , appearing in a panel discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations as far back as 1997 .
He has served on the governing boards of several think tanks focused on East Asia , such as the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the U.S.-government funded East-West Center .
The billionaire has also donated $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard University and the University of Southern California , respectively .
While Chan presents himself as a private businessman and benevolent philanthropist to Western audiences , he has extensive ties to the Chinese government .
He served as a senior adviser to a state-backed think tank — the China Development Research Foundation — that reports directly to the State Council , the highest administrative authority in China .
The billionaire is also a governor at the China-United States Exchange Foundation , a registered foreign agent of the Chinese government that has pumped thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including PIIE .
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission , a bipartisan congressional committee , concluded that the China-United States Exchange Foundation is part of China 's United Front Work , a shadowy network that seeks to `` co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party . ''
A PIIE spokesman denied that board members exercise undue influence on the think tank 's research , telling the Free Beacon that no board members are `` allowed to review or approve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to publication . ''
He also said that none of the money from Chan or the foundation was spent on Chinese research .
`` The Peterson Institute for International Economics is committed to full transparency and disclosure of funding sources underwriting its studies and any author 's financial relationships that might bear on his or her research , '' the spokesman said in a statement .
The China-United States Exchange Foundation partially sponsored a 2014 PIIE study into U.S.-China trade relations , underwriting the publication of a 450-page book on the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a win-win proposition , arguing that `` China and the United States would benefit substantially from a bilateral free trade and investment accord . ''
Such a pro-free trade conclusion also happens to align with the interest of the Chinese government .
Chan did not respond to a request for comment .

A former Chinese official has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a prominent D.C.-based think tank over the last decade, influencing its research on at least one occasion.
Hong Kong-based billionaire Ronnie Chan sits on the board of directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, an influential think tank. He is also one of its most prolific supporters, donating between $350,000 to $575,000 to the think tank since 2010. And while the think tank insists that donors exert almost no influence on its publications, a 2013 report on U.S.-China relations credited Chan, noting that the report "has benefited from discussions with and the comments of" Chan and a litany of other donors.
Chan is an ex-government official in Hong Kong who mobilized his resources to support the election of Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive who cracked down on pro-democracy protesters at the behest of Beijing in recent years. Chan is also a governor of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a nonprofit organization widely considered to be a front group for the Chinese Communist Party to exercise influence in academia. The foundation has also cut a check to PIIE, sending between $50,000 to $75,000 to the think tank in 2012.
The billionaire is not the only person sitting on the PIIE board with ties to the Chinese regime. Min Zhu—the former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank—also sits on the board. The PIIE board of directors page does not mention Chan's or Zhu's past stints in the government, even though it does so for other members.
Chan made his fortune as the chairman of the Hang Lung Group, a China-based real estate empire with multiple properties in Hong Kong and mainland China. For decades, Chan has used his influence and wealth—estimated at $2 billion—to become a regular presence inside the Beltway, appearing in a panel discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations as far back as 1997. He has served on the governing boards of several think tanks focused on East Asia, such as the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the U.S.-government funded East-West Center. The billionaire has also donated $350 million and $20 million to Harvard University and the University of Southern California, respectively.
While Chan presents himself as a private businessman and benevolent philanthropist to Western audiences, he has extensive ties to the Chinese government. He served as a senior adviser to a state-backed think tank -- the China Development Research Foundation -- that reports directly to the State Council, the highest administrative authority in China. The billionaire is also a governor at the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a registered foreign agent of the Chinese government that has pumped thousands of dollars to multiple D.C.-based think tanks, including PIIE.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan congressional committee, concluded that the China-United States Exchange Foundation is part of China's United Front Work, a shadowy network that seeks to "co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party."
A PIIE spokesman denied that board members exercise undue influence on the think tank's research, telling the Free Beacon that no board members are "allowed to review or approve the final version of any of our research prior to publication." He also said that none of the money from Chan or the foundation was spent on Chinese research.
"The Peterson Institute for International Economics is committed to full transparency and disclosure of funding sources underwriting its studies and any author's financial relationships that might bear on his or her research," the spokesman said in a statement.
The China-United States Exchange Foundation partially sponsored a 2014 PIIE study into U.S.-China trade relations, underwriting the publication of a 450-page book on the subject. The research report painted free trade as a win-win proposition, arguing that "China and the United States would benefit substantially from a bilateral free trade and investment accord." Such a pro-free trade conclusion also happens to align with the interest of the Chinese government.
Chan did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--China Sanctions Cruz, Rubio for Criticism of Human Rights Abuses

Beijing issued new sanctions on three Republican lawmakers and a Trump administration official Monday , according to the Associated Press .
In response to U.S. sanctions on party officials over the country 's treatment of Uyghur Muslims , China unleashed sanctions of its own on Sens .
Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) and Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) , as well as Rep. Chris Smith ( R. , N.J. ) and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback .
PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that the recent U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China is determined to protect itself from foreign interference .
She said the sanctions would parallel the American sanctions , which ban the entry of certain Chinese officials to the United States .
At least 1 million Chinese Uyghurs are currently detained in `` de-radicalization and retraining centers , '' where they are forced to work in brutal conditions and disavow their faith .
One report alleged Uyghur women are coerced to use birth control and are subjected to compulsory sterilization .
Rubio sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May .
`` The Chinese Government and Communist Party 's systematic , ongoing efforts to wipe out the ethnic and cultural identities of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang is horrific and will be a stain on humanity should we refuse to act , '' Rubio said at the time .
The Florida senator also serves as co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China , which monitors rule of law and human rights abuses in the country .
Cruz also sits on the Foreign Relations Committee and assisted in drafting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sanctions Monday morning .
Smith has also sponsored legislation condemning human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang province .
`` This is now one of the world 's most pressing human rights challenges , '' he said in January 2019 .
`` The Chinese government is engaged in an appalling campaign to forcibly assimilate and destroy the religion and culture of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims—we can not be silent when such atrocities occur . ''

Beijing issued new sanctions on three Republican lawmakers and a Trump administration official Monday, according to the Associated Press.
In response to U.S. sanctions on party officials over the country's treatment of Uyghur Muslims, China unleashed sanctions of its own on Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), as well as Rep. Chris Smith (R., N.J.) and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.
PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that the recent U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials "seriously damaged China-U.S. relations" and that China is determined to protect itself from foreign interference. She said the sanctions would parallel the American sanctions, which ban the entry of certain Chinese officials to the United States.
At least 1 million Chinese Uyghurs are currently detained in "de-radicalization and retraining centers," where they are forced to work in brutal conditions and disavow their faith. One report alleged Uyghur women are coerced to use birth control and are subjected to compulsory sterilization.
Rubio sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and helped pass the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act in May. "The Chinese Government and Communist Party's systematic, ongoing efforts to wipe out the ethnic and cultural identities of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang is horrific and will be a stain on humanity should we refuse to act," Rubio said at the time.
The Florida senator also serves as co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which monitors rule of law and human rights abuses in the country.
Cruz also sits on the Foreign Relations Committee and assisted in drafting the human rights legislation. He tweeted about the sanctions Monday morning.
Bummer. I was going to take my family to Beijing for summer vacation, right after visiting Tehran. https://t.co/PXE7jZaZt1 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 13, 2020
Smith has also sponsored legislation condemning human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang province. "This is now one of the world's most pressing human rights challenges," he said in January 2019. "The Chinese government is engaged in an appalling campaign to forcibly assimilate and destroy the religion and culture of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims—we cannot be silent when such atrocities occur."


freebeacon--2020-07-13--NBA Store Allows ‘Defund Police,’ ‘Beware of Jews’ on Custom Jerseys, But Not ‘Free Hong Kong’

In keeping with league policy on political statements , the official online store of the NBA does not permit fans to order a custom jersey with the phrase `` Free Hong Kong '' printed on the back .
`` Free Hong Kong '' is one of the many phrases banned under the NBA 's new jersey policy , which allows players to display certain political messages such as `` Black Lives Matter , '' but prohibits messages critical of the Chinese regime .
Typing `` Free Hong Kong '' into the text box on the NBA store 's custom jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered .
Please try a different entry . ''
Here are some of the phrases that do n't receive such a warning : A number of NBA players , including superstar LeBron James , have rallied around ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski , who was recently suspended from the network after writing `` F—k you '' in response to a press release from Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo. )
.
The press release was regarding a letter Hawley had written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league 's new jersey policy and its censorship of messages critical of China .

In keeping with league policy on political statements, the official online store of the NBA does not permit fans to order a custom jersey with the phrase "Free Hong Kong" printed on the back.
"Free Hong Kong" is one of the many phrases banned under the NBA's new jersey policy, which allows players to display certain political messages such as "Black Lives Matter," but prohibits messages critical of the Chinese regime.
Typing "Free Hong Kong" into the text box on the NBA store's custom jersey page returns the following message: "We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered. Please try a different entry."
Here are some of the phrases that don't receive such a warning:
F—K HONG KONG
DEFUND POLICE
ABOLISH COPS
BEWARE OF JEWS
SNEAKY JEWS
BAN GYPSIES
XI FOR LIFE
CANCEL ISRAEL
NINE 11 HOAX
END TAIWAN
ENSLAVE TIBET
TRUMP HAS AIDS
PENCE IS GAY
UYGHURS LIE
A number of NBA players, including superstar LeBron James, have rallied around ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, who was recently suspended from the network after writing "F—k you" in response to a press release from Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.). The press release was regarding a letter Hawley had written to NBA commissioner Adam Silver questioning the league's new jersey policy and its censorship of messages critical of China.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--CNN: The Fox News Channel

CNN: The Fox News Channel

David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two years @ @ @ @ @ freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ @ @

CNN's coverage of rival Fox News could best be described as comprehensive, a new Washington Free Beacon supercut shows.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Fox TV, Lionsgate Silent About Nick Cannon’s Anti-Semitic Tirade

Fox Television and the producers of actor Nick Cannon 's upcoming daytime talk show are remaining silent about the TV host 's recent anti-Semitic tirade , which included comments claiming that Jews control the global banking system .
Cannon , host of the Fox TV show The Masked Singer , praised anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and claimed people of African descent are `` the true Hebrews , '' a trope meant to undermine the Jewish people 's connection to Israel .
His comments , made on his YouTube talk show , have sparked a fierce backlash from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anti-Defamation League .
Cannon also spread classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jews controlling the global monetary system , 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 , which has increased in the past few years , is promoted by white nationalist groups and other anti-Semites who continue to blame Jews for global unrest .
Fox Corporation , which owns The Masked Singer , did not respond to Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's anti-Semitic tirade .
Lionsgate 's Debmar-Mercury group , which is producing a new daytime television show featuring Cannon , also did not respond to Free Beacon requests for comment .
The co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury are Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein .
Cannon had kind words for Farrakhan , one of the most prominent anti-Semites in America , saying during the video that `` every time I 've heard him speak , it 's positive , it 's powerful , it 's uplifting … for whatever reason , he 's been demonized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` Zionists '' —a term often used as a slur by Israel 's detractors—have `` too much power . ''
Cannon on Monday issued a non-apology that did not address his promotion of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories .
The Anti-Defamation League called on Cannon to immediately apologize .
`` Truly disturbing that [ Nick Cannon ] would use his platform to perpetuate false antisemitic conspiracy theories and lift up the vehemently antisemitic Louis Farrakhan , '' Jonathan Greenblatt , the Anti-Defamation League 's CEO , said on Twitter .
`` He should apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments are so harmful . ''
Cannon is no stranger to anti-Semitic controversy .
In 2013 , he drew the ADL 's condemnation when he appeared in a video for the New Black Panther Party , an anti-Semitic militant group , according to the Jewish Insider .

Fox Television and the producers of actor Nick Cannon's upcoming daytime talk show are remaining silent about the TV host's recent anti-Semitic tirade, which included comments claiming that Jews control the global banking system.
Cannon, host of the Fox TV show The Masked Singer, praised anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and claimed people of African descent are "the true Hebrews," a trope meant to undermine the Jewish people's connection to Israel. His comments, made on his YouTube talk show, have sparked a fierce backlash from pro-Israel and anti-hate groups, including the Anti-Defamation League.
Cannon also spread classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jews controlling the global monetary system, 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, which has increased in the past few years, is promoted by white nationalist groups and other anti-Semites who continue to blame Jews for global unrest.
Fox Corporation, which owns The Masked Singer, did not respond to Washington Free Beacon requests for comment on Cannon's anti-Semitic tirade. Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury group, which is producing a new daytime television show featuring Cannon, also did not respond to Free Beacon requests for comment. The co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury are Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein.
Cannon had kind words for Farrakhan, one of the most prominent anti-Semites in America, saying during the video that "every time I've heard him speak, it's positive, it's powerful, it's uplifting … for whatever reason, he's been demonized."
Cannon also claimed that Jewish people and "Zionists"—a term often used as a slur by Israel's detractors—have "too much power."
Cannon on Monday issued a non-apology that did not address his promotion of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions. I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding. — Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 13, 2020
The Anti-Defamation League called on Cannon to immediately apologize.
"Truly disturbing that [Nick Cannon] would use his platform to perpetuate false antisemitic conspiracy theories and lift up the vehemently antisemitic Louis Farrakhan," Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League's CEO, said on Twitter. "He should apologize immediately and educate himself on why his comments are so harmful."
Cannon is no stranger to anti-Semitic controversy.
In 2013, he drew the ADL's condemnation when he appeared in a video for the New Black Panther Party, an anti-Semitic militant group, according to the Jewish Insider.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--First Federal Execution in Decades Stalled by Last-Minute Legal Wrangling

A convicted child-killer and white supremacist enjoyed a temporary reprieve on Monday , as legal headwinds in two separate appeals forestalled the first federal execution in 17 years .
Daniel Lewis Lee , convicted in 1998 for the murder of a family of three including an eight-year-old girl , was set to be executed at four o'clock Monday evening , the first of three federal executions slated for the week .
But U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan , an Obama appointee , stayed Lee and the others ' executions with just hours to go , arguing in her opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed a bevy of objections raised previously by Lee and his co-defendants .
The Chutkan ruling—issued by the same judge who in November originally blocked the Trump administration 's efforts to reactivate the federal death penalty—follows a Sunday evening win for the Department of Justice , as an appeals court overturned a lower court 's stay on Lee 's execution sought by several of his victims ' family members .
The family , who says the coronavirus crisis has made it unsafe for them to travel to attend Lee 's execution ( which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court .
The Department of Justice has likewise appealed Chutkan 's ruling to the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
This tangled web of last-minute rulings and counter rulings exemplifies the legal struggle the Trump administration has faced over the past year in its effort to carry out decades-old death sentences .
Such last-minute reversals , legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Kent Scheidegger told the Washington Free Beacon , are `` far too common '' —explaining how a convicted killer like Lee could languish on death row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 11th-hour ruling on Monday supported Lee and co-plaintiffs ' claim that the proposed execution protocol—adopted by the Department of Justice in 2019 as part of its project of restarting federal capital punishment—ran afoul of the Constitution 's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment .
The use of the drug pentobarbital ran an unacceptable risk of inducing pain , Chutkan wrote , while the plaintiffs ' request to supplement with fentanyl or use the firing squad met the requirement , set out by the Supreme Court , that they propose an alternative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the level of which chemical is used—have been popular among capital defense attorneys in recent years .
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch raised concerns with this approach in a recent ruling , writing that `` Courts should police carefully against attempts to use [ method ] challenges as tools to interpose unjustified delay . ''
Chutkan previously blocked the executions of Lee and several other federal death-row inmates on the grounds that the Justice Department 's protocol ran afoul of a different federal law , the 1994 Federal Death Penalty Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the federal capital offenders returned to Chutkan 's court to introduce another objection—beginning the whole appeals process over again .
Chutkan wrote that her last-minute decision was `` no fault of the Plaintiffs , '' instead pinning blame on the Justice Department for scheduling an execution before all possible challenges had been sequentially exhausted .
In Scheidegger 's view , such a stance amounts to delaying tactics by the judge .
`` It 's her fault .
She ruled on one claim and did n't rule on the others , so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the D.C. circuit decides it , and then she proceeds to rule on one more claim , '' he said .
`` This is deliberate stalling by the district judge . ''
Similar tactics appeared to be on display in the stay issued Friday evening on behalf of the mother , sister , and niece of Lee victim Nancy Mueller .
The three women , who have publicly objected that Lee received a death sentence while co-defendant Chevie Kehoe did not , argued that they were being denied their right to attend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the district judge 's support for that argument on Sunday , finding that the women had no legally guaranteed rights to attend .
The Supreme Court has yet to issue a response to the family 's appeal , filed Monday morning .
All of this back and forth—both rulings for and against Lee 's executions are in appeals—will continue to forestall the execution of both Lee and two other convicted child-murderers originally scheduled to be executed this week .
Lee continues a 23-year career on death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngest victim 's life .
These routine delays in capital cases , Scheidegger said , `` reflect an attitude on the part of many federal judges that staying an execution is no big deal . ''

A convicted child-killer and white supremacist enjoyed a temporary reprieve on Monday, as legal headwinds in two separate appeals forestalled the first federal execution in 17 years.
Daniel Lewis Lee, convicted in 1998 for the murder of a family of three including an eight-year-old girl, was set to be executed at four o'clock Monday evening, the first of three federal executions slated for the week. But U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, an Obama appointee, stayed Lee and the others' executions with just hours to go, arguing in her opinion that the federal government had not adequately addressed a bevy of objections raised previously by Lee and his co-defendants.
The Chutkan ruling—issued by the same judge who in November originally blocked the Trump administration's efforts to reactivate the federal death penalty—follows a Sunday evening win for the Department of Justice, as an appeals court overturned a lower court's stay on Lee's execution sought by several of his victims' family members.
The family, who says the coronavirus crisis has made it unsafe for them to travel to attend Lee's execution (which they oppose), has appealed to the Supreme Court. The Department of Justice has likewise appealed Chutkan's ruling to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
This tangled web of last-minute rulings and counter rulings exemplifies the legal struggle the Trump administration has faced over the past year in its effort to carry out decades-old death sentences. Such last-minute reversals, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Kent Scheidegger told the Washington Free Beacon, are "far too common"—explaining how a convicted killer like Lee could languish on death row for nearly a quarter century.
Chutkan's 11th-hour ruling on Monday supported Lee and co-plaintiffs' claim that the proposed execution protocol—adopted by the Department of Justice in 2019 as part of its project of restarting federal capital punishment—ran afoul of the Constitution's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
The use of the drug pentobarbital ran an unacceptable risk of inducing pain, Chutkan wrote, while the plaintiffs' request to supplement with fentanyl or use the firing squad met the requirement, set out by the Supreme Court, that they propose an alternative.
Such challenges to individual methods of execution—down to the level of which chemical is used—have been popular among capital defense attorneys in recent years. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch raised concerns with this approach in a recent ruling, writing that "Courts should police carefully against attempts to use [method] challenges as tools to interpose unjustified delay."
Chutkan previously blocked the executions of Lee and several other federal death-row inmates on the grounds that the Justice Department's protocol ran afoul of a different federal law, the 1994 Federal Death Penalty Act. That ruling was reversed on appeal, but the federal capital offenders returned to Chutkan's court to introduce another objection—beginning the whole appeals process over again.
Chutkan wrote that her last-minute decision was "no fault of the Plaintiffs," instead pinning blame on the Justice Department for scheduling an execution before all possible challenges had been sequentially exhausted. In Scheidegger's view, such a stance amounts to delaying tactics by the judge.
"It's her fault. She ruled on one claim and didn't rule on the others, so the one claim goes up on appeal, the D.C. circuit decides it, and then she proceeds to rule on one more claim," he said. "This is deliberate stalling by the district judge."
Similar tactics appeared to be on display in the stay issued Friday evening on behalf of the mother, sister, and niece of Lee victim Nancy Mueller. The three women, who have publicly objected that Lee received a death sentence while co-defendant Chevie Kehoe did not, argued that they were being denied their right to attend the execution safely thanks to the pandemic.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the district judge's support for that argument on Sunday, finding that the women had no legally guaranteed rights to attend. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a response to the family's appeal, filed Monday morning.
All of this back and forth—both rulings for and against Lee's executions are in appeals—will continue to forestall the execution of both Lee and two other convicted child-murderers originally scheduled to be executed this week. Lee continues a 23-year career on death row—nearly three times the length of his youngest victim's life.
These routine delays in capital cases, Scheidegger said, "reflect an attitude on the part of many federal judges that staying an execution is no big deal."


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Taliban Wage Deadly New Campaign in Afghanistan

The Taliban attacked an Afghan intelligence complex in the northern city of Aybak , leaving at least 40 casualties , according to a Monday New York Times report .
Coordinating the attack with explosives , the Taliban detonated a car bomb at the intelligence office ’ s entrance , giving way to a group of fighters that had staked out the compound .
Fighting between Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents lasted several hours .
The attack marks another bloody example of the terrorist group increasing its military operations in the northern part of the country .
Following a February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Doha , the Taliban continue to leverage their position within the embattled state .
The first stage of peace talks certified United States troop withdrawal , allowing for extended offensives in the vacuum left behind .
`` Experts say the Taliban is stronger now than at any point in recent memory , '' according to a Council on Foreign Relations brief .
The Taliban now controls `` dozens of Afghan districts and [ is ] continuing to launch attacks against both government and civilian targets . ''
The terror group has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the brief says .
During the negotiation process , Taliban officials played a `` double game '' with Washington , consulting and protecting al Qaeda leadership throughout the talks .
A U.N. report affirmed that the Taliban desired to `` honor their historical ties '' to the group .
Buttressed by Taliban support , al Qaeda poses direct threats to American security .
A 2019 mass shooting at a naval air station in Pensacola , Fla. , which killed three and wounded eight is now believed to have been committed by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliate , al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula .
The organization claimed `` full responsibility '' for the attack in February .
Some worry the current U.S. troop threshold in Afghanistan fails to protect American interests in the region .
`` A drawdown of U.S. troops below the threshold of 8,600 puts at risk the counterterrorism operations under way in Afghanistan that keep Americans safe from al Qaeda and its external attack plots , '' Kim Kagan , president of the Institute for the Study of War , told Time magazine .
Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so long as America continues to reduce its presence in Afghanistan .
`` After the United States is gone , '' said Long War Journal editor Bill Roggio , `` the Taliban will work to settle its scores and reestablish the Islamic emirate . ''

The Taliban attacked an Afghan intelligence complex in the northern city of Aybak, leaving at least 40 casualties, according to a Monday New York Times report.
Coordinating the attack with explosives, the Taliban detonated a car bomb at the intelligence office’s entrance, giving way to a group of fighters that had staked out the compound. Fighting between Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents lasted several hours.
The attack marks another bloody example of the terrorist group increasing its military operations in the northern part of the country. Following a February peace deal signed with the United States in Doha, the Taliban continue to leverage their position within the embattled state. The first stage of peace talks certified United States troop withdrawal, allowing for extended offensives in the vacuum left behind.
"Experts say the Taliban is stronger now than at any point in recent memory," according to a Council on Foreign Relations brief. The Taliban now controls "dozens of Afghan districts and [is] continuing to launch attacks against both government and civilian targets."
The terror group has also continued to lend support to al Qaeda, the brief says. During the negotiation process, Taliban officials played a "double game" with Washington, consulting and protecting al Qaeda leadership throughout the talks. A U.N. report affirmed that the Taliban desired to "honor their historical ties" to the group.
Buttressed by Taliban support, al Qaeda poses direct threats to American security. A 2019 mass shooting at a naval air station in Pensacola, Fla., which killed three and wounded eight is now believed to have been committed by an individual with ties to an al Qaeda affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The organization claimed "full responsibility" for the attack in February.
Some worry the current U.S. troop threshold in Afghanistan fails to protect American interests in the region. "A drawdown of U.S. troops below the threshold of 8,600 puts at risk the counterterrorism operations under way in Afghanistan that keep Americans safe from al Qaeda and its external attack plots," Kim Kagan, president of the Institute for the Study of War, told Time magazine.
Experts do not anticipate the violence will end so long as America continues to reduce its presence in Afghanistan. "After the United States is gone," said Long War Journal editor Bill Roggio, "the Taliban will work to settle its scores and reestablish the Islamic emirate."


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Veepstakes: Biden Wants a Black Woman Who Will Stay in Her Place

Joe Biden has promised to pick a woman as his running mate and has faced increasing pressure to choose a black woman , but he also wants a VP candidate who will stay in her place and wo n't steal his spotlight .
The Atlantic reports that Biden 's campaign is seriously considering Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) as a potential running mate for one crucial reason : She does n't want to be president .
Biden has wanted to be president for almost 40 years .
Now that the White House finally seems within reach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to people who know him .
He wants to win , but he wants the win to be about him , not his running mate .
VP candidates typically do n't matter much in presidential elections , but Biden 's advanced age ( 77 ) and noticeable cognitive decline make his decision particularly consequential .
Biden has hinted that he only plans to serve one term as president if he wins , so he essentially will be anointing the next Democratic nominee for president .
Many of the women of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the VP slot—such as Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, and failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams—have clearly demonstrated their ambitions to become president .
Bass , on the other hand , is less nakedly ambitious .
She told the Atlantic she `` can not envision '' running for president in 2024 or 2028 .
`` I mean , I 'm 66 .
I ca n't see that . ''
Ironically enough , former president Barack Obama chose Biden as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He wanted a VP who `` would not maneuver for the presidency from the No .
2 slot , '' according to the New York Times .
In fact , Biden went so far as to offer a `` loyalty pledge '' and vowed to support any decision Obama made , and to `` follow it to my death . ''
Hillary Clinton , the ruthlessly ambitious politician who had tried to prevent Obama from making history as the first black president , was never considered as a VP candidate .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to `` put her near , but not so very near , the seat of power . ''
Biden is not Obama , in more ways than one .
But if Biden really thinks his potential victory in November would be `` about him '' —as opposed to the simple fact that he is not Donald Trump—perhaps the two Democrats are similarly matched in the egomania department .

'Now that the White House finally seems within reach, he does not want to be outshone.'
Joe Biden has promised to pick a woman as his running mate and has faced increasing pressure to choose a black woman, but he also wants a VP candidate who will stay in her place and won't steal his spotlight.
The Atlantic reports that Biden's campaign is seriously considering Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.) as a potential running mate for one crucial reason: She doesn't want to be president.
Biden has wanted to be president for almost 40 years. Now that the White House finally seems within reach, he does not want to be outshone, according to people who know him. He wants to win, but he wants the win to be about him, not his running mate.
VP candidates typically don't matter much in presidential elections, but Biden's advanced age (77) and noticeable cognitive decline make his decision particularly consequential. Biden has hinted that he only plans to serve one term as president if he wins, so he essentially will be anointing the next Democratic nominee for president.
Many of the women of color the Biden campaign is reportedly considering for the VP slot—such as Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), and failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams—have clearly demonstrated their ambitions to become president.
Bass, on the other hand, is less nakedly ambitious. She told the Atlantic she "cannot envision" running for president in 2024 or 2028. "I mean, I'm 66. I can't see that."
Ironically enough, former president Barack Obama chose Biden as his running mate based on a similar calculation. He wanted a VP who "would not maneuver for the presidency from the No. 2 slot," according to the New York Times. In fact, Biden went so far as to offer a "loyalty pledge" and vowed to support any decision Obama made, and to "follow it to my death."
Hillary Clinton, the ruthlessly ambitious politician who had tried to prevent Obama from making history as the first black president, was never considered as a VP candidate. Instead, Obama made her secretary of state in order to "put her near, but not so very near, the seat of power."
Biden is not Obama, in more ways than one. But if Biden really thinks his potential victory in November would be "about him"—as opposed to the simple fact that he is not Donald Trump—perhaps the two Democrats are similarly matched in the egomania department.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Concerns Emerge As Congress Moves to Hand Airport Security to Private Sector

Congress is poised to hand over control of sensitive airport screening information to private companies , an unprecedented move that would limit the federal government ’ s control of passenger information and inspection .
The Senate is considering the Registered Traveler Act of 2020 , which would entrust private airport screening companies such as Clear to assume control of security procedures that have traditionally been handled by the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration .
These privately owned companies would gain access to TSA databases containing passenger information and other data about individuals who may pose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies are not permitted to access this government data .
If passed , the legislation would give Clear and other private companies more power than the TSA itself by allowing its customers to skip lines and critical screening steps .
The legislation has been fast-tracked in Congress thanks to lobbying campaigns from companies , including Clear , that hope to expand their footprint in airports by independently handling security screening .
The bipartisan legislation is on track for Senate markup in the coming weeks , which will pave the way for a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposal , including the TSA and its unions , maintain that private companies are not equipped to handle sensitive passenger information and the screening of potential security risks , such as those on the terrorist watch list .
The bill would hand over control of DHS ’ s Secure Flight database and Travel Document Checker to private companies that seek to quicken the pace of airport security lines for high-paying customers .
Such a move could jeopardize security and put sensitive information at risk .
Supporters of the bill see it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit the role played by TSA , which has been plagued by personnel problems and repeatedly cited by the government for failing to adequately carry out its security function .
Clear , one of the leading private providers of express airport check-in , is poised to benefit the most from the proposed legislation .
It has waged an aggressive lobbying campaign to see the legislation passed using high-profile consultants like Jeh Johnson , secretary of homeland security during the Obama administration , and Peter Neffenger , TSA administrator during the Obama administration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stake in Clear .
Clear ’ s track record with sensitive information has been questioned by some in Congress .
In late May , Sens .
Jeff Merkley ( D. , Ore. ) and Cory Booker ( D. , N.J. ) probed the company over its Health Pass service , which allows paying customers to verify their identity and health status by taking selfies and answering questions about possible exposure to the coronavirus .
The senators expressed concerns at the time about the company ’ s ability to keep this information secure as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Russia increase their cyber-espionage efforts in America .
Information of this nature `` poses real privacy concerns '' and can be `` utilized widely and passively in such a way that eludes consumers ’ awareness , permission , or the ability to opt out , '' according to the lawmakers .
Similar concerns are being raised about the private sector ’ s ability to handle sensitive airport security information .
Trump administration TSA administrator David Pekoske urged in late December the Senate ’ s Committee of Appropriations , which is handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill on the grounds that it would `` interfere with the agency 's ability to perform its core security functions . ''
Companies such as Clear do not perform the same rigorous screening procedures used by the TSA , according to Pekoske , and do not currently have a contractual relationship with the agency , which would provide oversight on the company .
`` Secure Flight handles personal private information about American citizens who are traveling , and access to that person-specific information should be granted only for reasons related to Secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a private company , '' Pekoske wrote .
In late May , union groups affiliated with the TSA issued similar letters to Congress warning against the legislation .
These letters were sent by the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO ’ s Transportation Trades Division .
The bill ’ s supporters , which include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , argue it is vital for the government to leverage the private sector ’ s tech know-how , particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
With TSA consistently overburdened by crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening , Clear and other companies can help relieve the burden and ultimately expedite complicated security procedures .
`` We can help improve the efficiency of airport security and enable passengers to navigate security with less human contact and fewer crowds , which is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic , '' Sen. Todd Young ( R. , Ind . )
, who helped spearhead the bill , said in a recent statement .

Congress is poised to hand over control of sensitive airport screening information to private companies, an unprecedented move that would limit the federal government’s control of passenger information and inspection.
The Senate is considering the Registered Traveler Act of 2020, which would entrust private airport screening companies such as Clear to assume control of security procedures that have traditionally been handled by the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. These privately owned companies would gain access to TSA databases containing passenger information and other data about individuals who may pose a national security risk. Currently, private companies are not permitted to access this government data. If passed, the legislation would give Clear and other private companies more power than the TSA itself by allowing its customers to skip lines and critical screening steps.
The legislation has been fast-tracked in Congress thanks to lobbying campaigns from companies, including Clear, that hope to expand their footprint in airports by independently handling security screening. The bipartisan legislation is on track for Senate markup in the coming weeks, which will pave the way for a full vote on the measure.
Critics of the proposal, including the TSA and its unions, maintain that private companies are not equipped to handle sensitive passenger information and the screening of potential security risks, such as those on the terrorist watch list. The bill would hand over control of DHS’s Secure Flight database and Travel Document Checker to private companies that seek to quicken the pace of airport security lines for high-paying customers. Such a move could jeopardize security and put sensitive information at risk. Supporters of the bill see it as a vehicle to increase airport efficiency and limit the role played by TSA, which has been plagued by personnel problems and repeatedly cited by the government for failing to adequately carry out its security function.
Clear, one of the leading private providers of express airport check-in, is poised to benefit the most from the proposed legislation. It has waged an aggressive lobbying campaign to see the legislation passed using high-profile consultants like Jeh Johnson, secretary of homeland security during the Obama administration, and Peter Neffenger, TSA administrator during the Obama administration. United and Delta airlines own a minority stake in Clear.
Clear said the Registered Traveler Act is necessary so it can continue to function in conjunction with TSA.
"Registered Traveler providers such as CLEAR have successfully verified identity and directed passengers to appropriate physical screening over 50 million times since 2010," a Clear spokesperson said. "As technology evolves and the capabilities of TSA change, this legislation will ensure that Registered Traveler partners are able to continue to fulfill their roles. The Registered Traveler Act would not change the security process and all traveler vetting assessments, determinations and physical screenings would remain with TSA - where they belong."
Clear’s track record with sensitive information has been questioned by some in Congress.
In late May, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) and Cory Booker (D., N.J.) probed the company over its Health Pass service, which allows paying customers to verify their identity and health status by taking selfies and answering questions about possible exposure to the coronavirus.
The senators expressed concerns at the time about the company’s ability to keep this information secure as rogue regimes such as China, Iran, and Russia increase their cyber-espionage efforts in America. Information of this nature "poses real privacy concerns" and can be "utilized widely and passively in such a way that eludes consumers’ awareness, permission, or the ability to opt out," according to the lawmakers.
Similar concerns are being raised about the private sector’s ability to handle sensitive airport security information.
Trump administration TSA administrator David Pekoske urged in late December the Senate’s Committee of Appropriations, which is handling the Registered Traveler Act, to reject the bill on the grounds that it would "interfere with the agency's ability to perform its core security functions."
Companies such as Clear do not perform the same rigorous screening procedures used by the TSA, according to Pekoske, and do not currently have a contractual relationship with the agency, which would provide oversight on the company.
"Secure Flight handles personal private information about American citizens who are traveling, and access to that person-specific information should be granted only for reasons related to Secure Flight's mission, not to benefit a private company," Pekoske wrote.
In late May, union groups affiliated with the TSA issued similar letters to Congress warning against the legislation. These letters were sent by the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Division.
The bill’s supporters, which include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argue it is vital for the government to leverage the private sector’s tech know-how, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic. With TSA consistently overburdened by crowds and facing its own struggles with security screening, Clear and other companies can help relieve the burden and ultimately expedite complicated security procedures.
"We can help improve the efficiency of airport security and enable passengers to navigate security with less human contact and fewer crowds, which is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic," Sen. Todd Young (R., Ind.), who helped spearhead the bill, said in a recent statement.
Update July 14, 2:01 p.m.: This post has been updated with comment from Clear.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--Number of Minneapolis Police Stops, Searches Plummets

The embattled Minneapolis Police Department has mostly ceased stopping and searching residents of the city , as resources are stretched thin by anti-cop protests and surging gun violence .
Official data released by the MPD show that cumulative stops fell 36 percent in the week after George Floyd 's death at the hands of three officers , sparking nationwide protests .
That trend has persisted—over the week between July 6 and July 12 , MPD officers made just 193 stops , down 77 percent from the same week in 2019 .
Stops involving searches of people or their vehicles have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the week of July 12 , and 11 the week before—87 and 90 percent declines , respectively , from the preceding year .
Such stops and searches are thought to play a critical , albeit controversial , role in keeping criminals and deadly firearms off the street—an analogous decline drove up homicide in Chicago .
As such , the drop-off in searches may be fueling the ongoing violence .
This slackening of day-to-day enforcement , an MPD press officer told the Washington Free Beacon , represents a department stretched to its limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weeks since Floyd 's death .
But it may also reflect police discomfort with day-to-day interactions in a city that is now ground zero for the police defunding movement .
That in turn may be exacerbating the violence—another link between anti-police sentiment and surging crime .
Police stops and searches—sometimes referred to as `` stop-and-frisk '' —are a sometimes-controversial crime-fighting tool which proponents say helps combat gun crime in particular .
In the lead-up to Floyd 's death on May 25 , Minneapolis police regularly stopped and searched residents and their vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , there were 263 stops involving searches , compared to 196 the preceding year .
But in the wake of Floyd 's death—and the ensuing protests and outbreak of gun violence—searches have plummeted .
The MPD , a department with some 800 officers , conducted fewer than three searches per day in the most recent week available .
That decline occurred across the three major categories of stops—suspicious person , suspicious vehicle , and traffic law enforcement , collectively accounting for 97.7 percent of stops since 2016 .
Suspicious vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily rates of suspicious person and traffic law enforcement remain well below recent norms .
MPD public information director John Elder told the Free Beacon that the decline was attributable to the surge of violence the city has seen in recent weeks .
`` Officers are busy responding to an increase in violence and 911 calls , '' Elder said by email .
`` Self-Initiated Field Activities are always going to be down when you have the spike and surge of incoming priority one calls .
Should be evident that if we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have the time or ability to engage in traffic and other stops . ''
That spike in violence , the Free Beacon previously reported , also began in the wake of Floyd 's death , city- and nationwide protests , and moves by the Minneapolis city council to replace the MPD .
Both measures of gun shots and gun assaults spiked to rates far above the past 10 years .
More recent data also show an increase in the homicide rate .
The MPD 's view , as expressed by Elder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the increase in violent crime .
But it is also possible that the reverse is true : A drop in stops and searches can mean more criminals and more guns on the streets , exacerbating a violent crime problem .
This may have been the case in Chicago in 2016 , when the city saw a shocking 58 percent increase in homicides in one year .
An analysis by University of Utah professors Paul Cassell and Richard Fowles found that the murder wave coincided with a significant reduction in stops by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a settlement with the ACLU .
Cassell has speculated , based on Free Beacon reporting , that Minneapolis may now be feeling a similar `` ACLU Effect , '' attributable to the growing political hostility to the police .
In the case of Minneapolis , police may draw back from stops and searches , which police critics often claim are racially biased and can lead to deadly encounters .
The drop-off in stops comes as the Minneapolis City Council moves forward on abolishing the MPD entirely , a reaction to the Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted there was `` zero '' reason to believe that the decline in stops was driven by such an effect .
But Cassell suggested that it may play a role , contributing to a police drawback from routine stops that can drive up violence—and thereby lead to even more drawback .
`` It will always be difficult to untangle the confounding variables , '' Cassell told the Free Beacon by email , `` but from a public policy point of view , the policy lever that needs to be pulled is to restore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were before the shooting violence started spiking . ''

The embattled Minneapolis Police Department has mostly ceased stopping and searching residents of the city, as resources are stretched thin by anti-cop protests and surging gun violence.
Official data released by the MPD show that cumulative stops fell 36 percent in the week after George Floyd's death at the hands of three officers, sparking nationwide protests. That trend has persisted—over the week between July 6 and July 12, MPD officers made just 193 stops, down 77 percent from the same week in 2019.
Stops involving searches of people or their vehicles have also plummeted. MPD conducted just 20 over the week of July 12, and 11 the week before—87 and 90 percent declines, respectively, from the preceding year.
Such stops and searches are thought to play a critical, albeit controversial, role in keeping criminals and deadly firearms off the street—an analogous decline drove up homicide in Chicago. As such, the drop-off in searches may be fueling the ongoing violence.
This slackening of day-to-day enforcement, an MPD press officer told the Washington Free Beacon, represents a department stretched to its limits by an unprecedented spate of shootings in the weeks since Floyd's death. But it may also reflect police discomfort with day-to-day interactions in a city that is now ground zero for the police defunding movement. That in turn may be exacerbating the violence—another link between anti-police sentiment and surging crime.
Police stops and searches—sometimes referred to as "stop-and-frisk"—are a sometimes-controversial crime-fighting tool which proponents say helps combat gun crime in particular. In the lead-up to Floyd's death on May 25, Minneapolis police regularly stopped and searched residents and their vehicles. In the preceding two full weeks, for example, there were 263 stops involving searches, compared to 196 the preceding year.
But in the wake of Floyd's death—and the ensuing protests and outbreak of gun violence—searches have plummeted. The MPD, a department with some 800 officers, conducted fewer than three searches per day in the most recent week available.
That decline occurred across the three major categories of stops—suspicious person, suspicious vehicle, and traffic law enforcement, collectively accounting for 97.7 percent of stops since 2016. Suspicious vehicle searches appear to have rebounded, but daily rates of suspicious person and traffic law enforcement remain well below recent norms.
MPD public information director John Elder told the Free Beacon that the decline was attributable to the surge of violence the city has seen in recent weeks.
"Officers are busy responding to an increase in violence and 911 calls," Elder said by email. "Self-Initiated Field Activities are always going to be down when you have the spike and surge of incoming priority one calls. Should be evident that if we are running call to call, we don't have the time or ability to engage in traffic and other stops."
That spike in violence, the Free Beacon previously reported, also began in the wake of Floyd's death, city- and nationwide protests, and moves by the Minneapolis city council to replace the MPD. Both measures of gun shots and gun assaults spiked to rates far above the past 10 years. More recent data also show an increase in the homicide rate.
The MPD's view, as expressed by Elder, is that the decline in stops is caused by the increase in violent crime. But it is also possible that the reverse is true: A drop in stops and searches can mean more criminals and more guns on the streets, exacerbating a violent crime problem.
This may have been the case in Chicago in 2016, when the city saw a shocking 58 percent increase in homicides in one year. An analysis by University of Utah professors Paul Cassell and Richard Fowles found that the murder wave coincided with a significant reduction in stops by the Chicago P.D., in turn caused by a settlement with the ACLU.
Cassell has speculated, based on Free Beacon reporting, that Minneapolis may now be feeling a similar "ACLU Effect," attributable to the growing political hostility to the police. In the case of Minneapolis, police may draw back from stops and searches, which police critics often claim are racially biased and can lead to deadly encounters. The drop-off in stops comes as the Minneapolis City Council moves forward on abolishing the MPD entirely, a reaction to the Floyd killing and ensuing public hostility.
Elder insisted there was "zero" reason to believe that the decline in stops was driven by such an effect. But Cassell suggested that it may play a role, contributing to a police drawback from routine stops that can drive up violence—and thereby lead to even more drawback.
"It will always be difficult to untangle the confounding variables," Cassell told the Free Beacon by email, "but from a public policy point of view, the policy lever that needs to be pulled is to restore Minneapolis street stops back to where they were before the shooting violence started spiking."


freebeacon--2020-07-13--AOC Blames Surge of Violence in NYC on Coronavirus Unemployment

New York City congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. ) blamed her city ’ s spike in violent crime on poverty and unemployment , saying the `` economic desperation '' caused by the coronavirus crisis has led people to `` shoplift some bread or go hungry at night . ''
`` Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren ’ t paying their rent .
People are scared to pay their rent , '' Ocasio-Cortez , a vocal advocate for defunding the police , said .
`` So they go out and need to feed their child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they ’ re put in a position where they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry at night . ''
Though year-to-date burglaries have risen by 45 percent , petit larceny is down 7.5 percent , and grand larceny is down 20 percent , according to the latest NYPD crime statistics report .
Over the same time frame , murders have increased by 27 percent , shooting incidents have increased by 53.5 percent , and the number of shooting victims has increased by 63 percent .
Ocasio-Cortez said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be to continue giving people stimulus checks .
`` Maybe if we gave people repeated stimulus checks so they feel they can stay in their homes , we would see a mitigation in crime , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .
While Ocasio-Cortez and other advocates have called to reform and defund the police following the death of George Floyd , the number of shootings in New York and other cities has soared this summer .
Over Independence Day weekend , 64 people in New York City were shot , and 10 were killed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city in a 15-hour timespan .

New York City congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.) blamed her city’s spike in violent crime on poverty and unemployment, saying the "economic desperation" caused by the coronavirus crisis has led people to "shoplift some bread or go hungry at night."
"Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren’t paying their rent. People are scared to pay their rent," Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal advocate for defunding the police, said. "So they go out and need to feed their child, and they don’t have money, so they’re put in a position where they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry at night."
Though year-to-date burglaries have risen by 45 percent, petit larceny is down 7.5 percent, and grand larceny is down 20 percent, according to the latest NYPD crime statistics report. Over the same time frame, murders have increased by 27 percent, shooting incidents have increased by 53.5 percent, and the number of shooting victims has increased by 63 percent.
Ocasio-Cortez said a better way to bring down crime would be to continue giving people stimulus checks.
"Maybe if we gave people repeated stimulus checks so they feel they can stay in their homes, we would see a mitigation in crime," Ocasio-Cortez said.
While Ocasio-Cortez and other advocates have called to reform and defund the police following the death of George Floyd, the number of shootings in New York and other cities has soared this summer. Over Independence Day weekend, 64 people in New York City were shot, and 10 were killed. On Saturday, 15 people were shot in the city in a 15-hour timespan.


freebeacon--2020-07-13--GOP’s Hawley Calls NBA Subpoena ‘Great Idea’

Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
wants to subpoena NBA commissioner Adam Silver to testify about the league 's relationship with China .
`` We deserve to have them explain to us why they wo n't stand up to this authoritarian regime .
… I mean , it 's not a hard question to answer , do you think that the Chinese government ought to be putting people into concentration camps , '' Hawley said Monday morning on the Hugh Hewitt Show .
`` Getting these answers is absolutely crucial , and I 'm open to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hawley 's comments came after the Missouri Republican sent an open letter to the NBA that condemned its new jersey policy , which allows players to wear messages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but does not allow them to select messages criticizing human rights violations in China .
`` If a player chooses to display a message of support for victims of the Chinese Communist Party on their jersey , will the NBA allow the player to wear their jersey or will it censor that player in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter reads .
No amount of profit can justify collaborating with a regime for which violent suppression and enslavement are routine tools of governance . ''
According to Hawley , `` at least 10 to 20 percent '' of the NBA 's more than $ 10 billion in revenue comes from China .
Those lucrative dealings have caused the league to crackdown on anyone who criticizes the regime .
A number of league players and officials have also kowtowed to China after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA superstar LeBron James responded by calling Morey `` misinformed or not really educated on the situation . ''
Silver in July called the incident `` a bump in the road '' in the league 's relationship with China , adding that the communist nation has a different view of `` how things should be done . ''
`` So this is big time money for the NBA , and I think we do deserve to know exactly what they 're making , '' Hawley said Monday .
`` We 're just talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be controversial .
This is the stuff that we all agree on as Americans—free speech , freedom of worship . ''
Hawley 's attempt to spotlight the human rights abuses of the Chinese regime has drawn the ire of the basketball world .
ESPN senior NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski sent an email to Hawley Friday , telling the senator `` F—k you . ''
ESPN reportedly suspended the reporter for two weeks .
Hawley said he did not want the apology and criticized the suspension , instead calling on ESPN to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA 's China ties .
`` ESPN is trying to distract from the fact that they will not stand up to the NBA and ask the tough questions , '' Hawley said Monday .
`` I do n't want an apology , and I certainly do n't want the guy suspended .
… My point is they wo n't even ask the questions , and if you ask the questions , then the response is F you . ''

Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) wants to subpoena NBA commissioner Adam Silver to testify about the league's relationship with China.
"We deserve to have them explain to us why they won't stand up to this authoritarian regime. … I mean, it's not a hard question to answer, do you think that the Chinese government ought to be putting people into concentration camps," Hawley said Monday morning on the Hugh Hewitt Show. "Getting these answers is absolutely crucial, and I'm open to just about any avenue to get them."
Hawley's comments came after the Missouri Republican sent an open letter to the NBA that condemned its new jersey policy, which allows players to wear messages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but does not allow them to select messages criticizing human rights violations in China.
"If a player chooses to display a message of support for victims of the Chinese Communist Party on their jersey, will the NBA allow the player to wear their jersey or will it censor that player in order to avoid drawing Beijing's ire?" the letter reads. No amount of profit can justify collaborating with a regime for which violent suppression and enslavement are routine tools of governance."
According to Hawley, "at least 10 to 20 percent" of the NBA's more than $10 billion in revenue comes from China. Those lucrative dealings have caused the league to crackdown on anyone who criticizes the regime. A number of league players and officials have also kowtowed to China after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed support for the Hong Kong protests in October 2019. NBA superstar LeBron James responded by calling Morey "misinformed or not really educated on the situation." Silver in July called the incident "a bump in the road" in the league's relationship with China, adding that the communist nation has a different view of "how things should be done."
"So this is big time money for the NBA, and I think we do deserve to know exactly what they're making," Hawley said Monday. "We're just talking about basic American principles. This shouldn't be controversial. This is the stuff that we all agree on as Americans—free speech, freedom of worship."
Hawley's attempt to spotlight the human rights abuses of the Chinese regime has drawn the ire of the basketball world. ESPN senior NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski sent an email to Hawley Friday, telling the senator "F—k you." ESPN reportedly suspended the reporter for two weeks. Hawley said he did not want the apology and criticized the suspension, instead calling on ESPN to "ask the tough questions" regarding the NBA's China ties.
"ESPN is trying to distract from the fact that they will not stand up to the NBA and ask the tough questions," Hawley said Monday. "I don't want an apology, and I certainly don't want the guy suspended. … My point is they won't even ask the questions, and if you ask the questions, then the response is F you."