freebeacon--2020-10-21--China Disinformation Ops Target Top GOP Lawmaker

China is targeting a leading Republican lawmaker who has been at the center of efforts to crack down on the Communist Party 's stealth campaign to influence the 2020 election .
Rep. Michael McCaul ( R. , Texas ) , lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee , is the latest victim of a coordinated campaign by Chinese state-controlled outlets to spread disinformation and sow discord among the American public .
McCaul is an outspoken critic of the CCP and , as chair of the congressional China Task Force , led efforts to expose China 's deception about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts have made McCaul a target for the Communist Party , which has used its network of English-language propaganda sites to discredit the lawmaker .
CCP-controlled outlets have published nearly two dozen hit pieces on McCaul in the past several months , including a Wednesday article by the Global Times claiming McCaul 's hawkish views on China could cost him his seat in Congress .
McCaul is locked in a tight election with his challenger , according to polls , and the incumbent 's team views China 's English-language press blitz as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China 's campaign against McCaul is the latest effort by the Communist Party to peddle propaganda to American audiences and influence the 2020 election cycle and soften the American public 's view toward Beijing .
The U.S. intelligence community has singled out China , Russia , and Iran as seeking to influence the upcoming American elections .
Using media sites , fake social media accounts , and internet bots , these countries push propaganda to American readers .
Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have struggled to contain the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented to American readers without context or warning .
The United States on Wednesday designated six Chinese media companies operating in America as CCP propaganda outlets .
At least 17 stories attacking McCaul have appeared in Chinese-controlled media outlets in recent months .
The flurry of stories published in outlets such as China Daily , China Global Television Network , and the Global Times portray McCaul and other China hawks as a danger to the U.S.-China relationship .
They label the China Task Force a `` circus troupe '' and go to great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party lied about the coronavirus pandemic and hid critical information from global authorities .
McCaul told the Washington Free Beacon he is not surprised to fall in the Communist Party 's crosshairs .
As the lead Republican author of the House China Task Force report , which exposed the country 's efforts to mislead the world about coronavirus , McCaul has the power to constrain China 's influence in the United States .
The lawmaker also released this week a massive legislative package that contains nearly 100 bills targeting China 's economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence peddling in the United States .
`` I think CCP leaders are worried that policies recommended in the China Task Force report could be enacted and drastically curtail their malign global agenda for the first time in 40 years , '' the lawmaker said .
On Wednesday afternoon , China 's Global Times highlighted McCaul on Twitter as a `` high-risk '' lawmaker who could lose his election .
As with much of China 's influence peddling on social media , the English-language tweets and articles masquerade as objective reporting , never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles penned by CCP-aligned outlets often make their way onto Twitter and Facebook , where they gain distribution among unwitting audiences .
China 's approach is similar to that of Russia , which used American social media sites to attempt to sway the 2016 election .
Leslie Shedd , the House Foreign Affairs Committee 's spokeswoman , told the Free Beacon that McCaul is `` a target of the CCP 's election interference . ''
McCaul is frequently a target of Chinese propaganda reports .
An hourlong television special produced in July by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed were factual inaccuracies in the China Task Force report .
It did not mention the task force 's discovery that China never initially reported the coronavirus to the World Health Organization , as the country claimed for months .
The propaganda reports have been amplified by CCP officials .
In early July , China 's foreign ministry spokesman spent an entire press briefing attacking McCaul and his report .

China is targeting a leading Republican lawmaker who has been at the center of efforts to crack down on the Communist Party's stealth campaign to influence the 2020 election.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R., Texas), lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is the latest victim of a coordinated campaign by Chinese state-controlled outlets to spread disinformation and sow discord among the American public. McCaul is an outspoken critic of the CCP and, as chair of the congressional China Task Force, led efforts to expose China's deception about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
These efforts have made McCaul a target for the Communist Party, which has used its network of English-language propaganda sites to discredit the lawmaker. CCP-controlled outlets have published nearly two dozen hit pieces on McCaul in the past several months, including a Wednesday article by the Global Times claiming McCaul's hawkish views on China could cost him his seat in Congress. McCaul is locked in a tight election with his challenger, according to polls, and the incumbent's team views China's English-language press blitz as part of an effort to ensure he loses.
China's campaign against McCaul is the latest effort by the Communist Party to peddle propaganda to American audiences and influence the 2020 election cycle and soften the American public's view toward Beijing. The U.S. intelligence community has singled out China, Russia, and Iran as seeking to influence the upcoming American elections. Using media sites, fake social media accounts, and internet bots, these countries push propaganda to American readers. Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have struggled to contain the spread of state-backed disinformation, which routinely is presented to American readers without context or warning. The United States on Wednesday designated six Chinese media companies operating in America as CCP propaganda outlets.
At least 17 stories attacking McCaul have appeared in Chinese-controlled media outlets in recent months. The flurry of stories published in outlets such as China Daily, China Global Television Network, and the Global Times portray McCaul and other China hawks as a danger to the U.S.-China relationship. They label the China Task Force a "circus troupe" and go to great lengths to push back against accusations the Communist Party lied about the coronavirus pandemic and hid critical information from global authorities.
McCaul told the Washington Free Beacon he is not surprised to fall in the Communist Party's crosshairs. As the lead Republican author of the House China Task Force report, which exposed the country's efforts to mislead the world about coronavirus, McCaul has the power to constrain China's influence in the United States. The lawmaker also released this week a massive legislative package that contains nearly 100 bills targeting China's economic sabotage, hacking operations, and stealth influence peddling in the United States.
"I think CCP leaders are worried that policies recommended in the China Task Force report could be enacted and drastically curtail their malign global agenda for the first time in 40 years," the lawmaker said.
On Wednesday afternoon, China's Global Times highlighted McCaul on Twitter as a "high-risk" lawmaker who could lose his election. As with much of China's influence peddling on social media, the English-language tweets and articles masquerade as objective reporting, never disclosing their state-controlled media status. News articles penned by CCP-aligned outlets often make their way onto Twitter and Facebook, where they gain distribution among unwitting audiences. China's approach is similar to that of Russia, which used American social media sites to attempt to sway the 2016 election.
Leslie Shedd, the House Foreign Affairs Committee's spokeswoman, told the Free Beacon that McCaul is "a target of the CCP's election interference."
McCaul is frequently a target of Chinese propaganda reports. An hourlong television special produced in July by China Global Television Network dispelled what it claimed were factual inaccuracies in the China Task Force report. It did not mention the task force's discovery that China never initially reported the coronavirus to the World Health Organization, as the country claimed for months.
The propaganda reports have been amplified by CCP officials. In early July, China's foreign ministry spokesman spent an entire press briefing attacking McCaul and his report.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Dem Legislator Arrested in Sting Op for Attempting to Trade Drugs for Sex

A New York Democratic legislator and doctor was arrested Tuesday for attempting to exchange drugs for sex .
A police sting operation caught Suffolk County legislator Dr. William Spencer attempting to trade oxycodone for sex with a woman he thought was a prostitute .
Spencer , who has worked to combat opioid addiction while in office , now faces drug-related charges .
He was released on bail after an arraignment on Wednesday , under the condition that he hand over his passport , pistol license , and guns to authorities .
NBC 4 New York reported that Spencer was driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his arrest .
Assistant District Attorney Kevin Ward told ABC News that Spencer admitted he is already being investigated for past behavior , requiring authorities to obtain a warrant to search his cell phone records .
Spencer was elected to represent Suffolk County 's 18th District in 2012 and was chairman of the county legislature 's health committee .
Much of the legislation he proposed has focused on combating drug and opioid addiction and keeping substances such as caffeine away from children .
In addition to his public service , Spencer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose , and throat specialist .

A New York Democratic legislator and doctor was arrested Tuesday for attempting to exchange drugs for sex.
A police sting operation caught Suffolk County legislator Dr. William Spencer attempting to trade oxycodone for sex with a woman he thought was a prostitute.
Spencer, who has worked to combat opioid addiction while in office, now faces drug-related charges. He was released on bail after an arraignment on Wednesday, under the condition that he hand over his passport, pistol license, and guns to authorities.
NBC 4 New York reported that Spencer was driving a Suffolk County vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Assistant District Attorney Kevin Ward told ABC News that Spencer admitted he is already being investigated for past behavior, requiring authorities to obtain a warrant to search his cell phone records.
Spencer was elected to represent Suffolk County's 18th District in 2012 and was chairman of the county legislature's health committee. Much of the legislation he proposed has focused on combating drug and opioid addiction and keeping substances such as caffeine away from children.
In addition to his public service, Spencer is a pediatric surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat specialist.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Bloomberg Complex: Insecure Joe Biden Exaggerates Height in Run-Up to Debate Showdown With Trump

Former vice president Joe Biden not only hates the news media , he also seems to have an adversarial relationship with the truth .
Biden has consistently lied , for example , about how many grandchildren he has .
And on Wednesday , he claimed to be 6 ' 1 tall .
`` Everybody talks about bullies .
You know , well , I 'm used to bullies , when you 're a kid who stutters , '' Biden said during a podcast interview with Brené Brown at 38:45 .
`` I 'm now , you know , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounds , but when I was a kid … I was the runt of the litter . ''
In December 2019 , Biden 's campaign released the results of the former VP 's physical exam .
According to the medical experts who conducted the exam , Biden stands just 5 feet , 11.65 inches tall , and weighs in at 178 pounds , which means he also lied about his weight .
Lying about one 's height is a common practice among Democratic presidential candidates .
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making false claims about his egregiously diminutive stature .
Bloomberg has often claimed ( outrageously ) to be 5'10 , which would make him almost as tall as Biden .
Google lists Bloomberg 's height as 5 ' 8 , but a Free Beacon investigation determined that to be an unreasonably generous estimation .
To put Bloomberg 's tiny body into context , the United States has n't elected a president shorter than 5 ' 9 since William McKinley in 1896 .
Biden 's insecurity about his height , and his willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he intends to deploy one of Bloomberg 's favorite tactics at the final presidential debate on Thursday : standing on a box in order to shield the truth about his height from the American people .
It 's not the first height-related scandal of the 2020 election cycle .
Back in August , a Free Beacon investigation found that the news blog Axios had promoted `` fake news '' by deceptively editing an image to make Biden appear to be slightly taller than President Donald J. Trump , who is a hefty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stamina of an ox .

Former vice president Joe Biden not only hates the news media, he also seems to have an adversarial relationship with the truth. Biden has consistently lied, for example, about how many grandchildren he has. And on Wednesday, he claimed to be 6'1 tall.
"Everybody talks about bullies. You know, well, I'm used to bullies, when you're a kid who stutters," Biden said during a podcast interview with Brené Brown at 38:45. "I'm now, you know, I'm 6'1, I'm 176 pounds, but when I was a kid ... I was the runt of the litter."
https://youtu.be/k-4PdJydhwY
FACT CHECK: THAT'S A LIE!
RATING: 4 CLINTONS
In December 2019, Biden's campaign released the results of the former VP's physical exam. According to the medical experts who conducted the exam, Biden stands just 5 feet, 11.65 inches tall, and weighs in at 178 pounds, which means he also lied about his weight.
Lying about one's height is a common practice among Democratic presidential candidates. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, for example, is notorious for making false claims about his egregiously diminutive stature. Bloomberg has often claimed (outrageously) to be 5'10, which would make him almost as tall as Biden.
Google lists Bloomberg's height as 5'8, but a Free Beacon investigation determined that to be an unreasonably generous estimation. To put Bloomberg's tiny body into context, the United States hasn't elected a president shorter than 5'9 since William McKinley in 1896.
Biden's insecurity about his height, and his willingness to lie about it, raises questions about whether he intends to deploy one of Bloomberg's favorite tactics at the final presidential debate on Thursday: standing on a box in order to shield the truth about his height from the American people.
It's not the first height-related scandal of the 2020 election cycle. Back in August, a Free Beacon investigation found that the news blog Axios had promoted "fake news" by deceptively editing an image to make Biden appear to be slightly taller than President Donald J. Trump, who is a hefty 6'4 and has the physical stamina of an ox.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--State Department Designates Chinese State Media Outlets as Foreign Missions

The State Department designated six Chinese state media and propaganda outlets as foreign missions in a Wednesday press release .
`` Over the past decade , and particularly under General Secretary Xi Jinping ’ s tenure , the Chinese Communist Party has asserted greater control over China ’ s state-backed propaganda outlets while trying to disguise them as independent news agencies , '' the press release from State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus reads .
`` The decision to designate these entities does not place any restrictions on what these organizations may publish in the United States .
It simply recognizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Yicai Global , Jiefang Daily , Xinmin Evening News , Social Sciences in China Press , Beijing Review , and Economic Daily now join the nine other Chinese media outlets designated as foreign missions in February and June .
Chinese state media push often-false narratives to benefit the Chinese Communist Party .
Some outlets , such as China ’ s Global Times , also regularly call for military action against the United States and its allies .
State media also have a consistent record of either downplaying , deflecting , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslims in Xinjiang .
While primarily aimed at a domestic audience , Chinese media have also influenced American political discourse leading up to the election .
Prominent Democrats , such as former Colorado governor and Senate candidate John Hickenlooper and former Obama ambassador to China and Biden surrogate Max Baucus , have appeared on Chinese media in the past .
And one of the integral talking points of Chinese propaganda—that the United States is engaging in `` McCarthyism '' as it rids many of its key institutions of Chinese influence—is one that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese media have also repeated Joe Biden ’ s own talking points .
A bureau chief for China Daily compared Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels in September , only days after Joe Biden himself compared Trump to Goebbels .

The State Department designated six Chinese state media and propaganda outlets as foreign missions in a Wednesday press release.
"Over the past decade, and particularly under General Secretary Xi Jinping’s tenure, the Chinese Communist Party has asserted greater control over China’s state-backed propaganda outlets while trying to disguise them as independent news agencies," the press release from State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus reads. "The decision to designate these entities does not place any restrictions on what these organizations may publish in the United States. It simply recognizes them for what they are—PRC-controlled propaganda outlets."
Yicai Global, Jiefang Daily, Xinmin Evening News, Social Sciences in China Press, Beijing Review, and Economic Daily now join the nine other Chinese media outlets designated as foreign missions in February and June.
Chinese state media push often-false narratives to benefit the Chinese Communist Party. Some outlets, such as China’s Global Times, also regularly call for military action against the United States and its allies. State media also have a consistent record of either downplaying, deflecting, or outright denying the ongoing genocide of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
While primarily aimed at a domestic audience, Chinese media have also influenced American political discourse leading up to the election.
Prominent Democrats, such as former Colorado governor and Senate candidate John Hickenlooper and former Obama ambassador to China and Biden surrogate Max Baucus, have appeared on Chinese media in the past. And one of the integral talking points of Chinese propaganda—that the United States is engaging in "McCarthyism" as it rids many of its key institutions of Chinese influence—is one that has made its way into Democratic rhetoric.
Chinese media have also repeated Joe Biden’s own talking points. A bureau chief for China Daily compared Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels in September, only days after Joe Biden himself compared Trump to Goebbels.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--40 Percent of Americans Favor Socialism

40 Percent of Americans Favor Socialism

Forty percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of socialism , a Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation report , @ @ @ @ @ The foundation 's annual report shows that younger Americans have led the United States ' @ @ @ @ @ higher rates of support for socialism and communism than older generations .
Thirty-eight percent of @ @ @ @ @ hope Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden `` pursues socialist policies '' if elected in November @ @ @ @ @ same age group view Marxism favorably .
`` When one-in-four Americans want to eliminate capitalism @ @ @ @ @ know that we have failed to educate about the historical and moral failings of these @ @ @ @ @ director Marion Smith said in a statement .
While support for socialism continues to grow @ @ @ @ @ has fallen .
A June Gallup poll found that only 20 percent of adults between @ @ @ @ @ `` extremely proud to be an American , '' the lowest percentage among any age @ @ @ @ @ marked the sixth year of decline in American pride across all demographics .

Forty percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of socialism, a Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation report, released Wednesday, found.
The foundation's annual report shows that younger Americans have led the United States' leftward push, responding with higher rates of support for socialism and communism than older generations.
Thirty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents said they hope Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden "pursues socialist policies" if elected in November. Thirty percent of the same age group view Marxism favorably.
"When one-in-four Americans want to eliminate capitalism and embrace socialism, we know that we have failed to educate about the historical and moral failings of these ideologies," foundation executive director Marion Smith said in a statement.
While support for socialism continues to grow, patriotism among young adults has fallen. A June Gallup poll found that only 20 percent of adults between ages 18 and 29 were "extremely proud to be an American," the lowest percentage among any age demographic.
The Gallup data marked the sixth year of decline in American pride across all demographics.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Neera Tanden Is Right: The U.S. Media Are Out of Control

Neera Tanden , a Democratic Party thought leader who once praised the `` moral compunction '' of the Chinese government , holds some pretty odious political views .
When it comes to the American media , however , she is dead right .
The Washington Free Beacon applauds Tanden 's courage for speaking out on this controversial issue .
The media are behaving irresponsibly and `` doing Russia 's bidding , '' insofar as they have consistently worked to advance the interests of brutal authoritarians and their left-wing sycophants .
The American media , for example , cheered the rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mussolini .
The New York Times won a Pulitzer Prize for its ( now discredited ) fawning coverage of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin .
Decades later , the media continued to advance Soviet interests by publishing the Pentagon Papers and undermining the U.S. military 's efforts to forestall communist expansion in Vietnam .
The media 's reckless crusade to tarnish the reputation of President Richard M. Nixon , which ultimately led to his downfall , was straight out of the Soviet playbook , as was the egregious coddling of Russian spy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice thanks to the collusion of professional journalists .
It 's the same old story , playing out over and over again .
We 're glad Neera has finally seen the light and is taking aim at the self-righteous journos who insist that criticizing the media is the moral equivalent of torturing a majestic bald eagle .
It 's not the first time she 's been right about something .
For example , Tanden 's suggestion that Libyan oil revenues be used to reimburse the cost of the American-led bombing campaign to oust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most laudable proposals a Democrat has ever made .

Neera Tanden, a Democratic Party thought leader who once praised the "moral compunction" of the Chinese government, holds some pretty odious political views. When it comes to the American media, however, she is dead right.
The media in most of Europe is so much more responsible than American media. After 2016, I thought they would behave more responsibly. It's incredibly depressing that they are doing Russia's bidding. Again. — Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) October 17, 2020
The Washington Free Beacon applauds Tanden's courage for speaking out on this controversial issue. The media are behaving irresponsibly and "doing Russia's bidding," insofar as they have consistently worked to advance the interests of brutal authoritarians and their left-wing sycophants.
The American media, for example, cheered the rise of left-wing dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The New York Times won a Pulitzer Prize for its (now discredited) fawning coverage of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. Decades later, the media continued to advance Soviet interests by publishing the Pentagon Papers and undermining the U.S. military's efforts to forestall communist expansion in Vietnam.
The media's reckless crusade to tarnish the reputation of President Richard M. Nixon, which ultimately led to his downfall, was straight out of the Soviet playbook, as was the egregious coddling of Russian spy Edward Snowden, a traitor who eluded justice thanks to the collusion of professional journalists. It's the same old story, playing out over and over again.
We're glad Neera has finally seen the light and is taking aim at the self-righteous journos who insist that criticizing the media is the moral equivalent of torturing a majestic bald eagle. It's not the first time she's been right about something. For example, Tanden's suggestion that Libyan oil revenues be used to reimburse the cost of the American-led bombing campaign to oust left-wing dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 was one of the most laudable proposals a Democrat has ever made.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Missouri Dem Calls to Defund Pentagon

Missouri Dem Calls to Defund Pentagon

A Missouri Democrat favored to win election to Congress said her party would `` defund the Pentagon '' and redistribute its budget to social services .
`` If you 're having a bad day , just think of all the social services we 're going to fund after we defund the Pentagon , '' Cori Bush tweeted on Tuesday .
Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) retweeted Bush 's call to defund the Department of Defense .
Bush , the Democratic nominee in Missouri 's First Congressional District , also attracted the attention of Sen. Ed Markey ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed her campaign and touted a bill he and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) have to slice the Pentagon 's budget by 10 percent .
Bush was a surrogate for Sanders 's failed 2020 presidential campaign and was endorsed by the far-left Justice Democrats .
Bush has also been endorsed by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Nicole Galloway , who has fundraised alongside her and is challenging Missouri governor Mike Parson ( R. ) .
Parson slammed Bush 's tweet as `` irresponsible and unacceptable '' anti-military rhetoric .
The Pentagon 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 705 billion , meaning even a 10-percent reduction would result in $ 70 billion less spending on defense .
Bush defeated incumbent congressman Lacy Clay ( D. , Mo . )
in the Democratic primary in August .
Given the district 's heavy Democratic lean , she is practically assured of winning election in November .

A Missouri Democrat favored to win election to Congress said her party would "defund the Pentagon" and redistribute its budget to social services.
"If you're having a bad day, just think of all the social services we're going to fund after we defund the Pentagon," Cori Bush tweeted on Tuesday.
If you're having a bad day, just think of all the social services we're going to fund after we defund the Pentagon. — Cori Bush (@CoriBush) October 20, 2020
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) retweeted Bush's call to defund the Department of Defense. Bush, the Democratic nominee in Missouri's First Congressional District, also attracted the attention of Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.), who endorsed her campaign and touted a bill he and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) have to slice the Pentagon's budget by 10 percent. Bush was a surrogate for Sanders's failed 2020 presidential campaign and was endorsed by the far-left Justice Democrats.
Bush has also been endorsed by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Nicole Galloway, who has fundraised alongside her and is challenging Missouri governor Mike Parson (R.). Parson slammed Bush's tweet as "irresponsible and unacceptable" anti-military rhetoric. The Pentagon's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 is $705 billion, meaning even a 10-percent reduction would result in $70 billion less spending on defense.
Bush defeated incumbent congressman Lacy Clay (D., Mo.) in the Democratic primary in August. Given the district's heavy Democratic lean, she is practically assured of winning election in November.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Ibram X. Kendi: ‘Why Does Racial Inequality Exist?’ is a Racist Question

A Boston University professor said the question `` why does racial inequality exist ? ''
is itself racist .
Ibram X. Kendi , who holds a prestigious humanities professorship once held by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel , made the remarks Tuesday at a Harvard seminar on `` anti-racist research . ''
Kendi said that studying the impact of minority behavior on racial disparities is regressive , akin to `` wondering if the world is round in 2020 . ''
Instead , `` anti-racist researchers '' should ask `` how we can eliminate racial inequity and injustice . ''
The professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anti-racist scholarship would be intrinsically anti-capitalist .
Kendi 's concept of anti-racism has become commonplace in K-12 education .
Maryland 's Montgomery County Public School district recently requested a `` systemwide anti-racist audit '' to determine if it were doing enough to help students `` resist systems of oppression , '' while the application for the elite Brearley School asks parents to outline their commitment to anti-racism .
During the seminar , a handful of students asked Kendi what his advice would be for a Biden-Harris administration .
Kendi responded that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create an official government agency to administer reparations .
Harvard called the conversation with Kendi a `` brilliant virtual lecture '' and said a full recorded version will be available next week .

A Boston University professor said the question "why does racial inequality exist?" is itself racist.
Ibram X. Kendi, who holds a prestigious humanities professorship once held by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, made the remarks Tuesday at a Harvard seminar on "anti-racist research."
Kendi said that studying the impact of minority behavior on racial disparities is regressive, akin to "wondering if the world is round in 2020." Instead, "anti-racist researchers" should ask "how we can eliminate racial inequity and injustice."
The professor also linked anti-racism to anti-capitalism, implying that anti-racist scholarship would be intrinsically anti-capitalist.
Kendi's concept of anti-racism has become commonplace in K-12 education. Maryland's Montgomery County Public School district recently requested a "systemwide anti-racist audit" to determine if it were doing enough to help students "resist systems of oppression," while the application for the elite Brearley School asks parents to outline their commitment to anti-racism.
During the seminar, a handful of students asked Kendi what his advice would be for a Biden-Harris administration. Kendi responded that it should defund all police and prisons and create an official government agency to administer reparations.
Harvard called the conversation with Kendi a "brilliant virtual lecture" and said a full recorded version will be available next week.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Trump Admin Claims Victory in New Space Race

The Trump administration is upending decades of American retreat in the final frontier to pull ahead of Russia and China in a 21st-century space race , according to a top Trump administration official .
Justin Johnson , deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy , outlined the `` historic '' steps taken by the White House to reverse decades of decline in the modern-day space race .
The establishment of the Space Force , which is approaching its first anniversary , and other measures taken to project American power beyond earth 's boundaries have bolstered national security .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China were moving faster than we were in space , that their threats were growing faster than we were able to respond , '' Johnson said in an exclusive interview with the Washington Free Beacon .
`` That drove us to a point where we had to make a fundamental shift and try to go at this problem in a different way .
The conclusion was that we need a Space Force and a Space Command .
That 's what we 've done , that 's what we 've stood up . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy is not just limited to the creation of the Space Force .
In 2017 , the Trump administration resuscitated the long-defunct National Space Council as an umbrella organization for interagency dialogue about key space issues and also re-created the United States Space Command , which was put on ice during the George W. Bush years , to support the overall space defense effort .
These policies have enhanced the potential for adding secure 5G networks from space to the American defense portfolio in addition to improving existing American space capabilities , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations , and critical navigation systems .
Johnson pointed to the integral ways in which space anchors American industry and the `` American way of war , '' noting that most Americans are not fully aware of how frequently things like telecommunications , GPS , financial transactions , and other technologies flow through space .
`` We would have billions , if not trillions of dollars in economic consequences if we lost our space capabilities , '' Johnson told the Free Beacon , noting that space is a key engine of the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Russia ] recognized something that we were dependent on in the U.S. and in our military , and they 've developed ways to take our space capabilities away . ''
Moscow and Beijing—sometimes in tandem—have developed a suite of weaponry to challenge American supremacy in space .
Anti-satellite weapons , including lasers and missiles , satellites able to shoot projectiles , and earth-based weapons systems , all contribute to a larger challenge to the free and safe use of space .
China now has the most launch sites of any country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive budget to fund its space program , in a larger effort to transform itself into a `` space great power , '' a fellow senior Pentagon official told the Free Beacon in September .
Russia , meanwhile , has shown itself as an overt challenger to American interests in space .
In February , Moscow trailed its own satellite behind an American spy satellite in a show of force toward America .
Both countries have also used their space capabilities to wage regional wars .
A June Pentagon document showed that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit its space program , while China 's rapidly expanding satellite constellation could serve as support for a potential invasion of Taiwan .
Heritage Foundation space security expert Dean Cheng warned a Biden administration could upend the campaign to combat authoritarianism in space , as impending budget cuts could make even the most extreme move—defunding the Space Force—within the realm of possibility if Democrats capture the White House and Senate .
`` The Biden folks seem to say that they will probably limit defense spending , '' Cheng said .
`` You could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both houses [ of Congress ] . ''
Cheng said that if the notoriously China-friendly Obama administration is a blueprint for Biden foreign policy , then expectations should remain low for Biden confronting space-based challenges .
`` If you are n't willing to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea , are you willing to challenge China in space ?
Maybe not , '' he said .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Trump 's emphasis on regaining American power in outer space has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson .
Washington has recalibrated a space policy to preserve a military and technological edge over adversaries in China and Russia , in addition to promoting a key advantage in space competition : American private enterprise .
The White House has cut costs dramatically by employing companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin for satellite launches .
`` The way that we as a country stay ahead is primarily through commercial innovation , '' Johnson said .
`` That really opens up all sorts of new potential opportunities for the actual warfighters on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to space will help protect American interests here on earth .
`` I think it 's safe to say that this administration has paid more attention to space than any previous administration dating back at least throughout the Cold War , '' Cheng said .
`` Unlike other parts of government , there seems to have been a fairly coherent , cohesive effort across different parts of the government with people in key areas to really move space off of dead center . ''
American allies have taken notice of China and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In the last eight weeks , Johnson said he had high-level dialogues with allies and partners such as Norway , Australia , and the United Kingdom .
The Trump administration , meanwhile , has also piloted the Combined Space Operations initiative , which brings Washington together with six of its most important allies to cooperate on space-defense issues .
`` We have a lot of allies and partners who are really worried about the threat and are eager to move fast with us , '' Johnson said .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and figure out how we can work better together . ''

The Trump administration is upending decades of American retreat in the final frontier to pull ahead of Russia and China in a 21st-century space race, according to a top Trump administration official.
Justin Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, outlined the "historic" steps taken by the White House to reverse decades of decline in the modern-day space race. The establishment of the Space Force, which is approaching its first anniversary, and other measures taken to project American power beyond earth's boundaries have bolstered national security.
"There was growing concern that Russia and China were moving faster than we were in space, that their threats were growing faster than we were able to respond," Johnson said in an exclusive interview with the Washington Free Beacon. "That drove us to a point where we had to make a fundamental shift and try to go at this problem in a different way. The conclusion was that we need a Space Force and a Space Command. That's what we've done, that's what we've stood up."
The frenetic pace of progress in space policy is not just limited to the creation of the Space Force. In 2017, the Trump administration resuscitated the long-defunct National Space Council as an umbrella organization for interagency dialogue about key space issues and also re-created the United States Space Command, which was put on ice during the George W. Bush years, to support the overall space defense effort. These policies have enhanced the potential for adding secure 5G networks from space to the American defense portfolio in addition to improving existing American space capabilities, such as surveillance, weather forecasting for military operations, and critical navigation systems.
Johnson pointed to the integral ways in which space anchors American industry and the "American way of war," noting that most Americans are not fully aware of how frequently things like telecommunications, GPS, financial transactions, and other technologies flow through space.
"We would have billions, if not trillions of dollars in economic consequences if we lost our space capabilities," Johnson told the Free Beacon, noting that space is a key engine of the $20 trillion American economy. "[China and Russia] recognized something that we were dependent on in the U.S. and in our military, and they've developed ways to take our space capabilities away."
Moscow and Beijing—sometimes in tandem—have developed a suite of weaponry to challenge American supremacy in space. Anti-satellite weapons, including lasers and missiles, satellites able to shoot projectiles, and earth-based weapons systems, all contribute to a larger challenge to the free and safe use of space.
China now has the most launch sites of any country in the world, along with a massive budget to fund its space program, in a larger effort to transform itself into a "space great power," a fellow senior Pentagon official told the Free Beacon in September. Russia, meanwhile, has shown itself as an overt challenger to American interests in space. In February, Moscow trailed its own satellite behind an American spy satellite in a show of force toward America. Both countries have also used their space capabilities to wage regional wars.
A June Pentagon document showed that Russia's incursions into Arctic territory stand to benefit its space program, while China's rapidly expanding satellite constellation could serve as support for a potential invasion of Taiwan. Heritage Foundation space security expert Dean Cheng warned a Biden administration could upend the campaign to combat authoritarianism in space, as impending budget cuts could make even the most extreme move—defunding the Space Force—within the realm of possibility if Democrats capture the White House and Senate.
"The Biden folks seem to say that they will probably limit defense spending," Cheng said. "You could rescind the Space Force if you control both houses [of Congress]."
Cheng said that if the notoriously China-friendly Obama administration is a blueprint for Biden foreign policy, then expectations should remain low for Biden confronting space-based challenges.
"If you aren't willing to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea, are you willing to challenge China in space? Maybe not," he said.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump's emphasis on regaining American power in outer space has paid tangible dividends already, according to Johnson. Washington has recalibrated a space policy to preserve a military and technological edge over adversaries in China and Russia, in addition to promoting a key advantage in space competition: American private enterprise. The White House has cut costs dramatically by employing companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin for satellite launches.
"The way that we as a country stay ahead is primarily through commercial innovation," Johnson said. "That really opens up all sorts of new potential opportunities for the actual warfighters on the ground."
Cheng said that committing to space will help protect American interests here on earth.
"I think it's safe to say that this administration has paid more attention to space than any previous administration dating back at least throughout the Cold War," Cheng said. "Unlike other parts of government, there seems to have been a fairly coherent, cohesive effort across different parts of the government with people in key areas to really move space off of dead center."
American allies have taken notice of China and Russia's threatening activity in space, Johnson said. In the last eight weeks, Johnson said he had high-level dialogues with allies and partners such as Norway, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has also piloted the Combined Space Operations initiative, which brings Washington together with six of its most important allies to cooperate on space-defense issues.
"We have a lot of allies and partners who are really worried about the threat and are eager to move fast with us," Johnson said. "We're continuing to figure this stuff out, and figure out how we can work better together."


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Navy Destroyers Will Carry New Missiles Touted By Trump

National security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told a Portsmouth , N.H. , crowd Wednesday that the Navy hopes to equip all Navy destroyers with hypersonic missiles , a new weapons system often promoted by President Donald Trump .
`` The Navy ’ s Conventional Prompt Strike program will provide hypersonic missile capability to hold targets at risk from longer ranges , '' O ’ Brien said .
`` This capability will be deployed first on our newer Virginia-class submarines and the Zumwalt-class destroyers .
Eventually , all three flights of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers will field this capability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a deadly and advanced missile system able to travel five times faster than the speed of sound .
In the past two weeks alone , the Chinese and Russian militaries have reportedly either tested or displayed hypersonic weapons , with Russia testing a hypersonic missile on President Vladimir Putin ’ s birthday .
President Trump has often touted hypersonic missiles , previously referring to them as `` super-duper '' weapons that would bring concern to Moscow and Beijing .
`` We have a—I call it the ‘ super-duper missile , ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard the other night , [ they are ] 17 times faster than what they have right now . ''
Senior Pentagon officials noted that their development of these advanced systems has been buoyed by such high-level support .
`` [ Trump ] is aware of and supportive of the progress we 're making , '' a senior defense official told CNN in July .
`` There 's presidential-level support and interest in what we 're doing . ''
Under the administration ’ s historically large defense budget , force modernization and expansion—particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper recently announced his vision for Battle Force 2045 , aiming for a 500-ship Navy with heavy emphasis on submarine construction in the coming years .
`` Over the past several years , the department had to recover from the crippling effects of sequestration , inadequate funding , continuing resolutions , and years of budget uncertainty , '' Esper said at an event at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments earlier this month .
`` Nations around the world look to us to preserve freedom in navigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deter aggression from competitors and adversaries alike… .
If we can assemble the collective will and determination to see it through , I am confident that Battle Force 2045 will maintain our maritime superiority far into the future and ensure the United States Navy remains the greatest in the world for generations to come , '' Esper said .

National security adviser Robert O’Brien told a Portsmouth, N.H., crowd Wednesday that the Navy hopes to equip all Navy destroyers with hypersonic missiles, a new weapons system often promoted by President Donald Trump.
"The Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike program will provide hypersonic missile capability to hold targets at risk from longer ranges," O’Brien said. "This capability will be deployed first on our newer Virginia-class submarines and the Zumwalt-class destroyers. Eventually, all three flights of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers will field this capability."
According to Politico, hypersonic missiles are a deadly and advanced missile system able to travel five times faster than the speed of sound. In the past two weeks alone, the Chinese and Russian militaries have reportedly either tested or displayed hypersonic weapons, with Russia testing a hypersonic missile on President Vladimir Putin’s birthday.
President Trump has often touted hypersonic missiles, previously referring to them as "super-duper" weapons that would bring concern to Moscow and Beijing.
"We have a—I call it the 'super-duper missile,'" Trump said in May. "I heard the other night, [they are] 17 times faster than what they have right now."
Senior Pentagon officials noted that their development of these advanced systems has been buoyed by such high-level support.
"[Trump] is aware of and supportive of the progress we're making," a senior defense official told CNN in July. "There's presidential-level support and interest in what we're doing."
Under the administration’s historically large defense budget, force modernization and expansion—particularly for the Navy—have been major governing priorities. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper recently announced his vision for Battle Force 2045, aiming for a 500-ship Navy with heavy emphasis on submarine construction in the coming years.
"Over the past several years, the department had to recover from the crippling effects of sequestration, inadequate funding, continuing resolutions, and years of budget uncertainty," Esper said at an event at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments earlier this month.
"Nations around the world look to us to preserve freedom in navigation, protect the global commons, and deter aggression from competitors and adversaries alike.... If we can assemble the collective will and determination to see it through, I am confident that Battle Force 2045 will maintain our maritime superiority far into the future and ensure the United States Navy remains the greatest in the world for generations to come," Esper said.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Lopsided Majority Opposes Court Packing, New Surveys Find

Voters oppose adding seats to the Supreme Court by a significant margin , according to new survey results obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Data from the Opportunity Solutions Project show that 59 percent of likely voters oppose court packing , compared with just 26 percent who favor it .
Support is highest among Democrats at 50 percent .
A strong majority of independents , 62 percent , oppose court packing , while just 19 percent support it .
Those results track with figures from other polls that consistently show lopsided opposition to court packing , even as interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The survey also suggests that a court-packing push from the highest levels of the Democratic Party could reset the presidential race .
Forty-seven percent of respondents said they would vote for President Donald Trump if Democrats seriously consider expanding the Supreme Court , while 46 percent said they would vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The former vice president and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , have thus far avoided taking a position on the court-packing question .
The Opportunity Solutions Project 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveys .
A New York Times/Sienna poll found voters opposed to court packing 58-31 .
A Morning Consult/Politico poll likewise had court-expansion deep underwater with registered voters 47-24 .
Together , the surveys suggest that a campaign to add seats on the Supreme Court faces forbidding odds even after the election .
It is far from clear that a President Biden would want to open his administration with a quixotic fight that could fracture his party in the face of overwhelming popular opposition .
Republican political strategists are hoping the unpopularity of court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation could buoy Trump 's reelection prospects , which seem to be dimming .
A conservative advocacy group , N2 America , is putting $ 600,000 behind a digital ad buy in North Carolina , Iowa , Wisconsin , Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Georgia promoting Barrett 's confirmation .
The campaign is targeting college-educated voters in suburban counties .
The Opportunity Solutions Project 's results are based on a telephone survey of 539 likely voters .
Data were collected by Cor Strategies Inc. through surveys conducted between Sept. @ @ @ @ @

Voters oppose adding seats to the Supreme Court by a significant margin, according to new survey results obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Data from the Opportunity Solutions Project show that 59 percent of likely voters oppose court packing, compared with just 26 percent who favor it. Support is highest among Democrats at 50 percent. A strong majority of independents, 62 percent, oppose court packing, while just 19 percent support it. Those results track with figures from other polls that consistently show lopsided opposition to court packing, even as interest in judicial reform swells on the left.
The survey also suggests that a court-packing push from the highest levels of the Democratic Party could reset the presidential race. Forty-seven percent of respondents said they would vote for President Donald Trump if Democrats seriously consider expanding the Supreme Court, while 46 percent said they would vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The former vice president and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), have thus far avoided taking a position on the court-packing question.
The Opportunity Solutions Project's results track with those of other recent surveys. A New York Times/Sienna poll found voters opposed to court packing 58-31. A Morning Consult/Politico poll likewise had court-expansion deep underwater with registered voters 47-24.
Together, the surveys suggest that a campaign to add seats on the Supreme Court faces forbidding odds even after the election. It is far from clear that a President Biden would want to open his administration with a quixotic fight that could fracture his party in the face of overwhelming popular opposition.
Republican political strategists are hoping the unpopularity of court packing and growing public support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation could buoy Trump's reelection prospects, which seem to be dimming. A conservative advocacy group, N2 America, is putting $600,000 behind a digital ad buy in North Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia promoting Barrett's confirmation. The campaign is targeting college-educated voters in suburban counties.
The Opportunity Solutions Project's results are based on a telephone survey of 539 likely voters. Data were collected by Cor Strategies Inc. through surveys conducted between Sept. 22 and Sept. 25.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Anti-Israel Group Falsely Takes Credit for Nixing Netanyahu Appearance

An anti-Israel group is falsely claiming it forced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel an appearance at a U.S. Jewish school .
Netanyahu was reportedly scheduled to appear at a fundraiser event last weekend at prominent Jewish school Yeshiva Beth Yehuda in Oak Park , Michigan .
According to local media reports , he canceled his appearance because of `` unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances . ''
Anti-Israel group IfNotNow took credit for Netanyahu 's cancelation , tweeting Monday that a pressure campaign from `` us and anti-occupation groups in Michigan '' forced him to bow out of the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , told the Washington Free Beacon that the prime minister never confirmed his attendance at or participation in the event .
One source close to Netanyahu dismissed the claim from IfNotNow , telling the Free Beacon the local pressure campaign had nothing to do with Netanyahu failing to appear at the event .
A second source familiar with the event said that it is nonsensical to believe that a pro-Israel Jewish school would cancel an appearance by Israel ’ s prime minister solely over pressure from outside anti-Israel groups .
Michigan-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraiser event , objecting to giving Israel 's leader any kind of forum .
Such groups routinely attempt to pressure American institutions into canceling events with Israeli officials and cutting all ties with Israel .
`` We are outraged that any community organization would honor Netanyahu , '' read an editorial in the state 's Arab American News .
Yeshiva Beth Yehuda did not respond to Free Beacon requests for comment .
IfNotNow did not respond to Free Beacon emails asking it to present evidence for its claims .

An anti-Israel group is falsely claiming it forced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel an appearance at a U.S. Jewish school.
Netanyahu was reportedly scheduled to appear at a fundraiser event last weekend at prominent Jewish school Yeshiva Beth Yehuda in Oak Park, Michigan. According to local media reports, he canceled his appearance because of "unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances."
Anti-Israel group IfNotNow took credit for Netanyahu's cancelation, tweeting Monday that a pressure campaign from "us and anti-occupation groups in Michigan" forced him to bow out of the event.
Senior sources in the Netanyahu government, however, told the Washington Free Beacon that the prime minister never confirmed his attendance at or participation in the event.
One source close to Netanyahu dismissed the claim from IfNotNow, telling the Free Beacon the local pressure campaign had nothing to do with Netanyahu failing to appear at the event.
A second source familiar with the event said that it is nonsensical to believe that a pro-Israel Jewish school would cancel an appearance by Israel’s prime minister solely over pressure from outside anti-Israel groups.
Michigan-based Arab leaders and anti-Israel groups blasted the fundraiser event, objecting to giving Israel's leader any kind of forum. Such groups routinely attempt to pressure American institutions into canceling events with Israeli officials and cutting all ties with Israel.
"We are outraged that any community organization would honor Netanyahu," read an editorial in the state's Arab American News.
Yeshiva Beth Yehuda did not respond to Free Beacon requests for comment.
IfNotNow did not respond to Free Beacon emails asking it to present evidence for its claims.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Under Pressure from Trump, Allies Up NATO Contributions

NATO spending has increased for the sixth consecutive year thanks to new contributions from allies , Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in prepared remarks Wednesday .
`` We expect this trend to continue , '' Stoltenberg said .
`` Allies are also investing more in major capabilities … and continue to contribute to our missions and operations . ''
Canada and European countries ' spending increased this year at a rate of 4.3 percent .
Ten NATO member countries—Romania , Estonia , Latvia , Poland , Lithuania , France , Norway , the United Kingdom , Greece , and the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP spending on defense , up from only three member states in 2014 .
Less encouraging are Germany and Canada 's defense budgets , which are still under 1.6 percent of their GDPs .
The Trump administration has pulled a large contingent of American personnel out of Germany in an effort to induce Berlin to pay more of its defense burden .
While many in the foreign policy establishment have worried about the the Trump administration 's approach to NATO , these findings point to a renewal in member countries ' spending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's term is one reason for the allies ' increased spending .
It 's also why Stoltenberg announced plans for NATO 's first joint space center , at Germany 's Allied Air Command .
`` NATO continues to adapt in all domains … including in space , which is becoming more crowded and competitive every year , '' he said .
`` Some nations—including Russia and China—are developing systems which could blind , disable , or shoot down satellites .
Space is essential for our ability to navigate , communicate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has also made space a top defense priority , working closely with U.S. allies on the issue .

Secretary-General says third of member countries have now met spending requirements
NATO spending has increased for the sixth consecutive year thanks to new contributions from allies, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in prepared remarks Wednesday.
"We expect this trend to continue," Stoltenberg said. "Allies are also investing more in major capabilities ... and continue to contribute to our missions and operations."
Canada and European countries' spending increased this year at a rate of 4.3 percent.
Ten NATO member countries—Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, France, Norway, the United Kingdom, Greece, and the United States—now meet the benchmark of 2 percent GDP spending on defense, up from only three member states in 2014.
Less encouraging are Germany and Canada's defense budgets, which are still under 1.6 percent of their GDPs.
The Trump administration has pulled a large contingent of American personnel out of Germany in an effort to induce Berlin to pay more of its defense burden.
While many in the foreign policy establishment have worried about the the Trump administration's approach to NATO, these findings point to a renewal in member countries' spending.
Russia and China's aggressive behavior during Trump's term is one reason for the allies' increased spending. It's also why Stoltenberg announced plans for NATO's first joint space center, at Germany's Allied Air Command.
"NATO continues to adapt in all domains ... including in space, which is becoming more crowded and competitive every year," he said. "Some nations—including Russia and China—are developing systems which could blind, disable, or shoot down satellites. Space is essential for our ability to navigate, communicate, and detect missile launches."
The Trump administration has also made space a top defense priority, working closely with U.S. allies on the issue.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--New Mexico Dem Scrambles to Distance Herself From Biden on Fracking

A vulnerable New Mexico Democrat campaigning as an advocate for the energy industry in an oil-rich district is scrambling to separate herself from presidential nominee Joe Biden and her past anti-oil activism .
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small ( D. , N.M. ) has repeatedly tried to reassure constituents in New Mexico of her support for the oil and natural gas industry .
Biden and vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris have not made the job any easier , as both expressed support for fracking restrictions in the Democratic primary before walking back those positions in the general election campaign .
Torres Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down fossil fuels and boost alternative energies .
In 2008 , Torres Small participated in an anti-oil industry protest with approximately a dozen residents of New Mexico in support of then-U.S. Senate candidate Tom Udall ( D. ) .
She called for resistance to `` Big Oil '' and an increase in alternative energies in response to spiking gas prices .
`` We 're here fighting Big Oil and supporting someone who is not only against high gas prices , but is in favor of alternative energies , '' Torres Small , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News .
`` Say no to Big Oil .
Say yes to jobs , '' the group Torres Small was part of chanted .
Torres Small 's campaign said the quote no longer reflects where the congresswoman stands on the issue of fracking .
`` Rep. Torres Small 's record is clear , she has stood up to her party and opposed its efforts to ban fracking and cut oil and gas workers out of COVID-19 relief , '' the Torres Small campaign told the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more loudly than a completely out of context quote about the high cost of gasoline from when she was 23 . ''
Torres Small 's support for fracking while in Congress stands in opposition to many elements inside the Democratic Party .
In February , she opposed a ban on fracking introduced by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. ) .
`` I ’ ve consistently opposed a fracking ban because if we shut down oil and gas drilling in New Mexico today , we ’ d have to shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Torres Small 's stated support for fracking puts her at odds with the top of the Democratic ticket .
Joe Biden has changed his position multiple times over the course of the campaign regarding fracking .
He told a climate-change activist he would `` love to '' ban fracking in December and told another voter in January that he agreed with a call to end fracking .
In a March primary debate , he said there would be `` no ability for the oil industry to continue to drill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he favored banning all fracking , although his campaign later said he misspoke .
Kamala Harris also said there was `` no question '' she favored banning fracking during the Democratic primary , before reversing herself after being selected as Biden 's running mate .
Biden 's wavering on the issue caused a major Pennsylvania labor union to withdraw its support for him .
Biden claimed to have `` sat down '' with union leaders to discuss his plans for energy production , which union officials said never happened .
`` [ Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fracking , then it was just fracking on federal land , so I do n't know what his story is , '' the official said .
`` But I do know President Donald Trump has embraced our energy independence and wants to grow the infrastructure on energy—and the Boilermakers absolutely want to be a part of it . ''
Torres Small won the seat by a 2-point margin over Republican Yvette Herrell in the 2018 midterms .
She will once again face Herrell in November in a district that President Trump carried by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is listed a toss-up by the Cook Political Report .

A vulnerable New Mexico Democrat campaigning as an advocate for the energy industry in an oil-rich district is scrambling to separate herself from presidential nominee Joe Biden and her past anti-oil activism.
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D., N.M.) has repeatedly tried to reassure constituents in New Mexico of her support for the oil and natural gas industry. Biden and vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris have not made the job any easier, as both expressed support for fracking restrictions in the Democratic primary before walking back those positions in the general election campaign. Torres Small has her own history of campaigning to shut down fossil fuels and boost alternative energies.
In 2008, Torres Small participated in an anti-oil industry protest with approximately a dozen residents of New Mexico in support of then-U.S. Senate candidate Tom Udall (D.). She called for resistance to "Big Oil" and an increase in alternative energies in response to spiking gas prices.
"We're here fighting Big Oil and supporting someone who is not only against high gas prices, but is in favor of alternative energies," Torres Small, 23 years old at the time, told a reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. "Say no to Big Oil. Say yes to jobs," the group Torres Small was part of chanted.
Torres Small's campaign said the quote no longer reflects where the congresswoman stands on the issue of fracking.
"Rep. Torres Small's record is clear, she has stood up to her party and opposed its efforts to ban fracking and cut oil and gas workers out of COVID-19 relief," the Torres Small campaign told the Washington Free Beacon. "Her actions speak much more loudly than a completely out of context quote about the high cost of gasoline from when she was 23."
Torres Small's support for fracking while in Congress stands in opposition to many elements inside the Democratic Party. In February, she opposed a ban on fracking introduced by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.).
"I’ve consistently opposed a fracking ban because if we shut down oil and gas drilling in New Mexico today, we’d have to shut down our schools tomorrow," she said in a statement.
Torres Small's stated support for fracking puts her at odds with the top of the Democratic ticket.
Joe Biden has changed his position multiple times over the course of the campaign regarding fracking. He told a climate-change activist he would "love to" ban fracking in December and told another voter in January that he agreed with a call to end fracking. In a March primary debate, he said there would be "no ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period." He also said he favored banning all fracking, although his campaign later said he misspoke.
Kamala Harris also said there was "no question" she favored banning fracking during the Democratic primary, before reversing herself after being selected as Biden's running mate.
Biden's wavering on the issue caused a major Pennsylvania labor union to withdraw its support for him. Biden claimed to have "sat down" with union leaders to discuss his plans for energy production, which union officials said never happened.
"[Biden] said I will do away with fracking, then it was just fracking on federal land, so I don't know what his story is," the official said. "But I do know President Donald Trump has embraced our energy independence and wants to grow the infrastructure on energy—and the Boilermakers absolutely want to be a part of it."
Torres Small won the seat by a 2-point margin over Republican Yvette Herrell in the 2018 midterms. She will once again face Herrell in November in a district that President Trump carried by 10 points in 2016. The race is listed a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Ossoff Finds Workaround to Accept Corporate Cash He Claims to Shun

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff accepted more than $ 50,000 from leadership PACs funded by corporate PAC cash in the last fundraising quarter , despite a promise not to take corporate PAC money .
Ossoff took $ 52,500 in the third quarter of 2020 from 11 different Democratic leadership PACs , all funded in part by corporate PAC money , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
That total was up from the $ 37,500 he received from Democratic leadership PACs in the second quarter , even as he swore off taking corporate PAC money as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs a documentary journalism outlet based out of London , often touts his promise to not take corporate PAC money in his advertising .
In an August ad , he said he was rejecting `` corporate donations , '' which are already illegal because corporations are banned from making direct contributions to candidates .
His campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
He is locked in a tight race with Sen. David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) , who is seeking a second term .
Ossoff is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise .
After pledging to reject corporate PAC money , Raphael Warnock—the leading Democrat in the special jungle election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's ( R. , Ga. ) seat—accepted more than $ 140,000 in the last quarter from Democratic leadership PACs funded by corporate PAC cash .

Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff accepted more than $50,000 from leadership PACs funded by corporate PAC cash in the last fundraising quarter, despite a promise not to take corporate PAC money.
Ossoff took $52,500 in the third quarter of 2020 from 11 different Democratic leadership PACs, all funded in part by corporate PAC money, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That total was up from the $37,500 he received from Democratic leadership PACs in the second quarter, even as he swore off taking corporate PAC money as part of his anti-corruption platform.
Ossoff, who runs a documentary journalism outlet based out of London, often touts his promise to not take corporate PAC money in his advertising. In an August ad, he said he was rejecting "corporate donations," which are already illegal because corporations are banned from making direct contributions to candidates.
His campaign did not respond to a request for comment. He is locked in a tight race with Sen. David Perdue (R., Ga.), who is seeking a second term.
Ossoff is not the only Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful violating that promise. After pledging to reject corporate PAC money, Raphael Warnock—the leading Democrat in the special jungle election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R., Ga.) seat—accepted more than $140,000 in the last quarter from Democratic leadership PACs funded by corporate PAC cash.


freebeacon--2020-10-21--Ocasio-Cortez Teams Up With Activist Who Said ‘America Deserved 9/11’

Hasan Piker , a vlogger who last year said `` America deserved 9/11 , '' organized an online live streaming event last night with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) to energize young people to get out and vote .
Ocasio-Cortez joined a group of gamers to play `` Among Us , '' a popular new video game , and live streamed the event on Twitch to encourage viewers to make plans to go vote .
At the beginning of the stream , Ocasio-Cortez announced an `` amazing lineup '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` wrangled '' the event together at the last minute .
Last year , Piker , a Twitch vlogger and former contributor to the left-leaning news and commentary group the Young Turks , attacked Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R. , Texas ) —a veteran who lost his right eye in 2012 while serving in Iraq—in a video and said `` America deserved 9/11 . ''
`` This guy has the understanding of foreign policy of , like , a 12-year-old , '' Piker said .
`` What the f— .
What the f— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't he go to war and like literally lose his eye because some mujahideen—a brave f—ing soldier—f—ed his eye hole with their d— . ''
`` America deserved 9/11 , dude .
F— it , I 'm saying it , '' Piker said in the video .
Piker clarified his statement after facing criticism and said he meant America , not the American people , deserved 9/11 .
Twitch suspended Piker for his comments last year .
Ocasio-Cortez was scheduled to participate in an event Tuesday evening to honor the late Israeli prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month after facing pressure from Palestinian activists .
She has also refused to meet with multiple Jewish leaders and community activists in New York City .
Piker is n't the only gamer who has made controversial comments about the 9/11 terrorist attacks .
Omar chalked up the attack to `` some people '' who `` did something '' at an event for American and Islamic relations in 2019 .
Ocasio-Cortez defended Omar 's comments .

Hasan Piker, a vlogger who last year said "America deserved 9/11," organized an online live streaming event last night with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) to energize young people to get out and vote.
Ocasio-Cortez joined a group of gamers to play "Among Us," a popular new video game, and live streamed the event on Twitch to encourage viewers to make plans to go vote. At the beginning of the stream, Ocasio-Cortez announced an "amazing lineup" of gamers, including Piker, who "wrangled" the event together at the last minute.
Last year, Piker, a Twitch vlogger and former contributor to the left-leaning news and commentary group the Young Turks, attacked Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R., Texas)—a veteran who lost his right eye in 2012 while serving in Iraq—in a video and said "America deserved 9/11."
"This guy has the understanding of foreign policy of, like, a 12-year-old," Piker said. "What the f—. What the f— is wrong with this dude? Didn't he go to war and like literally lose his eye because some mujahideen—a brave f—ing soldier—f—ed his eye hole with their d—."
"America deserved 9/11, dude. F— it, I'm saying it," Piker said in the video.
Piker clarified his statement after facing criticism and said he meant America, not the American people, deserved 9/11. Twitch suspended Piker for his comments last year.
Ocasio-Cortez was scheduled to participate in an event Tuesday evening to honor the late Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin but pulled out last month after facing pressure from Palestinian activists. She has also refused to meet with multiple Jewish leaders and community activists in New York City.
Piker isn't the only gamer who has made controversial comments about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Omar chalked up the attack to "some people" who "did something" at an event for American and Islamic relations in 2019. Ocasio-Cortez defended Omar's comments.


freebeacon--2020-10-22--LA Fines Catholic Church Behind Coronavirus Restriction Lawsuit

Los Angeles County fined a Catholic church shortly after it filed a lawsuit to challenge California 's coronavirus restrictions .
Two health agents cited and fined Our Lady of the Angels Church in Arcadia , Calif. , $ 1,000 for violating COVID restrictions on indoor church services , according to a copy of the citation obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
The authorities wrote that they saw individuals leaving church grounds on Oct. 15 , which the agents said constituted a violation of restrictions on indoor congregations .
The agents wrote that the violation was `` evidenced by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation . ''
The church said the individuals leaving the church at the time of investigation were women in prayer veils and also claimed that the two agents returned five days later to threaten the church with more citations .
Paul Jonna , special counsel for the Thomas More Society , said the regulators are trying to intimidate the church and Father Trevor Burfitt into dropping their religious liberty lawsuit .
`` Los Angeles County is discriminating against churches that seek to uphold their constitutionally guaranteed religious rights , '' Jonna told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the only target of county tyranny .
Witness the escalating abuse being heaped on Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church , who is also suing Newsom for religious freedom violations . ''
Jonna said the church plans to contest the fine in court .
Burfitt serves as the head of Our Lady of the Angels Church and also oversees churches in four other counties in the state .
His lawsuit against the state argues that Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's state of emergency is unconstitutional because of its broad scope and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angels is not alone .
The fine is the second time county authorities have punished churches that have challenged state coronavirus restrictions .
The county terminated a lease with Grace Community Church and fined it $ 1,000 for what the county said was insufficient coronavirus sign placement and guidance .
Jonna pointed out that there are more than two dozen churches in Arcadia and hundreds in Los Angeles County .
Los Angeles County did not respond to a request for comment on the fine .
Burfitt criticized state authorities for `` biased and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of a massive gathering in Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers ' NBA championship victory earlier this month .

Los Angeles County fined a dissident Catholic church shortly after it filed a lawsuit to challenge California's coronavirus restrictions.
Two health agents cited and fined Our Lady of the Angels Church in Arcadia, Calif., $1,000 for violating COVID restrictions on indoor church services, according to a copy of the citation obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The authorities wrote that they saw individuals leaving church grounds on Oct. 15, which the agents said constituted a violation of restrictions on indoor congregations. The agents wrote that the violation was "evidenced by the individuals exiting [the] structure during investigation."
The church said the individuals leaving the church at the time of investigation were women in prayer veils and also claimed that the two agents returned five days later to threaten the church with more citations. Paul Jonna, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, said the regulators are trying to intimidate the church and Father Trevor Burfitt into dropping their religious liberty lawsuit.
"Los Angeles County is discriminating against churches that seek to uphold their constitutionally guaranteed religious rights," Jonna told the Free Beacon. "Father Burfitt is not the only target of county tyranny. Witness the escalating abuse being heaped on Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church, who is also suing Newsom for religious freedom violations."
Jonna said the church plans to contest the fine in court.
Burfitt serves as the head of Our Lady of the Angels Church and also oversees churches in four other counties in the state. His churches are part of a dissident order called the Society of St. Pius X and is unaffiliated with the Roman Catholic diocese of Los Angeles. His lawsuit against the state argues that Gov. Gavin Newsom's state of emergency is unconstitutional because of its broad scope and indefinite length.
Our Lady of the Angels is not alone. The fine is the second time county authorities have punished churches that have challenged state coronavirus restrictions. The county terminated a lease with Grace Community Church and fined it $1,000 for what the county said was insufficient coronavirus sign placement and guidance.
Jonna pointed out that there are more than two dozen churches in Arcadia and hundreds in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County did not respond to a request for comment on the fine.
Burfitt criticized state authorities for "biased and inequitable treatment" against churchgoers in the wake of a massive gathering in Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers' NBA championship victory earlier this month.


freebeacon--2020-10-22--Liberal Groups Spend Big to Boost Third-Party Conservative Who Ended Candidacy

Liberal outside groups have adopted the playbook set by South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison , pouring money into an effort to boost a conservative third-party candidate who dropped out of the Senate race weeks ago .
A political action committee founded by national Democratic operatives to help Harrison 's campaign—Lindsey Must Go PAC—recently spent more than $ 133,000 on mailers highlighting former Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe , who has dropped out of the race and thrown his support behind Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham .
The mailers say Bledsoe is `` the only true conservative on the ballot . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrison launched a series of ads emphasizing Bledsoe 's conservative agenda .
The ads call Bledsoe `` the only Senate candidate who stood with President Trump on day one '' and note that he `` opposes all abortions '' and `` believes that any gun-control law infringes upon the Second Amendment . ''
The ads also link to a website paid for by the South Carolina Democratic Party , which calls Bledsoe `` pro-Trump , '' `` pro-gun , '' and `` anti-abortion . ''
Bledsoe , however , ended his campaign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Associated Press that Trump `` asked that conservatives stand together and reelect Lindsey Graham in order to help make America great again . ''
His campaign failed to raise a single dollar , according to Federal Election Commission disclosures .
Harrison is not the only red-state Democrat working to siphon votes away from a Republican opponent by boosting a third-party candidate .
A liberal super PAC backing Kentucky Senate nominee Amy McGrath—Fire Mitch Save America—spent more than $ 77,000 on mailers propping up libertarian candidate Brad Barron .
The mailers call Barron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 17,000 , a `` better choice for U.S. Senate '' who `` believes in freedom , liberty , and individual rights . ''
McGrath 's campaign asked `` people who are interested in contributing beyond the legal limits '' to give to Fire Mitch Save America in January .
Harrison , who did not respond to a request for comment , personally boosted Bledsoe 's candidacy during an October MSNBC appearance .
`` It 's Lindsey Graham , myself , and Bill Bledsoe , who 's a Constitution Party candidate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed on the ballot . ''
Bledsoe ended his campaign after ballots were already printed in South Carolina , meaning his name will appear alongside Graham and Harrison come November .
Graham blasted the liberal effort to boost Bledsoe during a Monday campaign event , suggesting that the tactic is a sign of desperation for Harrison .
`` This is an unprecedented effort for a Democrat to campaign for the constitutional conservative when the constitutional conservative is supporting the Republican , '' Graham said .
`` It tells a lot about the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Go PAC was launched in May by former top staffers of Mike Bloomberg 's and Beto O'Rourke 's failed presidential campaigns , according to its website .
The PAC 's chair , Stephen Groves , also worked on Hillary Clinton 's failed presidential campaign in 2016 .
The PAC has raised more than $ 3.4 million as of September 30 and spent roughly $ 1.15 million as of October 14 , FEC disclosures show .
More than $ 460,000 of the PAC 's disbursements have been funneled to Washington , D.C.-based firm PDG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` legal services , '' and other expenses .
PDG Strategies is listed on the PAC 's `` about us '' page , and the firm 's website lists the same address and phone number as the Peter Damon Group , where Groves serves as a `` senior advisor . ''
Lindsey Must Go PAC has also funneled $ 20,000 to SPEAK Strategic , a South Carolina consulting firm founded by PAC spokesman Tyler Jones , meaning at least 42 percent of the PAC 's total expenditures have gone to firms tied to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not return a request for comment .

Liberal outside groups have adopted the playbook set by South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison, pouring money into an effort to boost a conservative third-party candidate who dropped out of the Senate race weeks ago.
A political action committee founded by national Democratic operatives to help Harrison's campaign—Lindsey Must Go PAC—recently spent more than $133,000 on mailers highlighting former Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe, who has dropped out of the race and thrown his support behind Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. The mailers say Bledsoe is "the only true conservative on the ballot."
The mail campaign comes just days after Harrison launched a series of ads emphasizing Bledsoe's conservative agenda. The ads call Bledsoe "the only Senate candidate who stood with President Trump on day one" and note that he "opposes all abortions" and "believes that any gun-control law infringes upon the Second Amendment." The ads also link to a website paid for by the South Carolina Democratic Party, which calls Bledsoe "pro-Trump," "pro-gun," and "anti-abortion."
Bledsoe, however, ended his campaign to endorse Graham on October 1, telling the Associated Press that Trump "asked that conservatives stand together and reelect Lindsey Graham in order to help make America great again." His campaign failed to raise a single dollar, according to Federal Election Commission disclosures.
Harrison is not the only red-state Democrat working to siphon votes away from a Republican opponent by boosting a third-party candidate. A liberal super PAC backing Kentucky Senate nominee Amy McGrath—Fire Mitch Save America—spent more than $77,000 on mailers propping up libertarian candidate Brad Barron. The mailers call Barron, whose campaign has disbursed less than $17,000, a "better choice for U.S. Senate" who "believes in freedom, liberty, and individual rights." McGrath's campaign asked "people who are interested in contributing beyond the legal limits" to give to Fire Mitch Save America in January.
Harrison, who did not respond to a request for comment, personally boosted Bledsoe's candidacy during an October MSNBC appearance.
"It's Lindsey Graham, myself, and Bill Bledsoe, who's a Constitution Party candidate," Harrison said. "He's also listed on the ballot."
Bledsoe ended his campaign after ballots were already printed in South Carolina, meaning his name will appear alongside Graham and Harrison come November. Graham blasted the liberal effort to boost Bledsoe during a Monday campaign event, suggesting that the tactic is a sign of desperation for Harrison.
"This is an unprecedented effort for a Democrat to campaign for the constitutional conservative when the constitutional conservative is supporting the Republican," Graham said. "It tells a lot about the state of the race."
Lindsey Must Go PAC was launched in May by former top staffers of Mike Bloomberg's and Beto O'Rourke's failed presidential campaigns, according to its website. The PAC's chair, Stephen Groves, also worked on Hillary Clinton's failed presidential campaign in 2016.
The PAC has raised more than $3.4 million as of September 30 and spent roughly $1.15 million as of October 14, FEC disclosures show. More than $460,000 of the PAC's disbursements have been funneled to Washington, D.C.-based firm PDG Strategies for "fundraising consulting," "legal services," and other expenses. PDG Strategies is listed on the PAC's "about us" page, and the firm's website lists the same address and phone number as the Peter Damon Group, where Groves serves as a "senior advisor."
Lindsey Must Go PAC has also funneled $20,000 to SPEAK Strategic, a South Carolina consulting firm founded by PAC spokesman Tyler Jones, meaning at least 42 percent of the PAC's total expenditures have gone to firms tied to its members.
Lindsey Must Go PAC did not return a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-22--Dem Rep Refuses to Support Court-Packing: ‘I’m a Traditionalist’

Rep. Debbie Dingell ( D. , Mich. ) on Wednesday refused to support Senate Democrats ' renewed push to pack the Supreme Court .
`` I 'm a traditionalist , '' Dingell said after a long pause and some prodding from Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto to give an answer .
`` That 's a very fundamental change in our third branch of government , '' she added .
`` Both parties need to understand what the implications would be . ''
Senate Democrats have implied or stated openness to adding seats to the Supreme Court after Republicans moved ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court before Election Day .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said last week his decision on court packing hinges on how Senate Republicans `` handle '' Barrett 's confirmation .
And two potential members of his administration also approved of the controversial tactic in comments on Sunday .
Dingell added that she was n't `` happy '' with the speed of Barrett 's confirmation in the Senate .
Many Senate Democrats have also tried to bolster their court-packing effort by redefining the term , claiming Republicans have already been engaged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) argued last week that Republicans engaged in court packing by filling vacancies on the Supreme Court and other federal courts .

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D., Mich.) on Wednesday refused to support Senate Democrats' renewed push to pack the Supreme Court.
"I'm a traditionalist," Dingell said after a long pause and some prodding from Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto to give an answer.
"That's a very fundamental change in our third branch of government," she added. "Both parties need to understand what the implications would be."
Senate Democrats have implied or stated openness to adding seats to the Supreme Court after Republicans moved ahead with confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before Election Day. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said last week his decision on court packing hinges on how Senate Republicans "handle" Barrett's confirmation. And two potential members of his administration also approved of the controversial tactic in comments on Sunday.
Dingell added that she wasn't "happy" with the speed of Barrett's confirmation in the Senate.
Many Senate Democrats have also tried to bolster their court-packing effort by redefining the term, claiming Republicans have already been engaged in the practice for years. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) argued last week that Republicans engaged in court packing by filling vacancies on the Supreme Court and other federal courts.


freebeacon--2020-10-22--Biden Campaign Pulls Ad After Free Beacon Report

Joe Biden 's presidential campaign took down an ad that portrayed a wealthy tech investor backed by family money as a struggling bar owner just hours after a Washington Free Beacon report .
The campaign set the ad to private in the aftermath of the Free Beacon 's Monday evening report , which showed that Joe Malcoun , the struggling Michigan bar owner at the center of the ad , was actually a well-known `` angel investor '' in the state who invested in tech companies after receiving an inheritance from his wife 's late grandfather .
Malcoun said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lottery . ''
In the now-removed ad , Malcoun blames his bar 's inactivity on President Donald Trump .
`` For 50 years , the Blind Pig has been open and crowded , but right now , it 's an empty room .
This is the reality of Trump 's COVID response , '' Malcoun said .
`` My only hope for my family , and for this business , and my community is that Joe Biden wins this election . ''
Malcoun purchased the Blind Pig in 2017 , calling the bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He attempted to host live shows at the bar over the summer but decided it was `` not really worth trying , '' saying in June it was `` really hard to communicate what it means to have a really socially distanced and live music show . ''
`` There were n't a lot of people showing up , which is frankly what we wanted and expected , '' Malcoun said .
Malcoun , who also locked his Twitter account this week , contributed $ 5,000 to the Biden campaign in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment on whether it plans to make the ad publicly available on its YouTube page in the future .
He has repeatedly praised Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer 's stringent lockdown orders .
In an April tweet , Malcoun said the Democrat is `` doing it right '' when it comes to fighting coronavirus .

Joe Biden's presidential campaign took down an ad that portrayed a wealthy tech investor backed by family money as a struggling bar owner just hours after a Washington Free Beacon report.
The campaign set the ad to private in the aftermath of the Free Beacon's Monday evening report, which showed that Joe Malcoun, the struggling Michigan bar owner at the center of the ad, was actually a well-known "angel investor" in the state who invested in tech companies after receiving an inheritance from his wife's late grandfather. Malcoun said the inheritance was "almost like winning the lottery."
In the now-removed ad, Malcoun blames his bar's inactivity on President Donald Trump. "For 50 years, the Blind Pig has been open and crowded, but right now, it's an empty room. This is the reality of Trump's COVID response," Malcoun said. "My only hope for my family, and for this business, and my community is that Joe Biden wins this election."
Malcoun purchased the Blind Pig in 2017, calling the bar a "project of passion." He attempted to host live shows at the bar over the summer but decided it was "not really worth trying," saying in June it was "really hard to communicate what it means to have a really socially distanced and live music show."
"There weren't a lot of people showing up, which is frankly what we wanted and expected," Malcoun said.
Malcoun, who also locked his Twitter account this week, contributed $5,000 to the Biden campaign in July. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it plans to make the ad publicly available on its YouTube page in the future.
He has repeatedly praised Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer's stringent lockdown orders. In an April tweet, Malcoun said the Democrat is "doing it right" when it comes to fighting coronavirus.


freebeacon--2020-10-22--Seattle LGBTQ Commission Calls on Gay Mayor to Resign

Seattle 's LGBTQ Commission demanded Wednesday that the city 's first openly lesbian mayor resign .
In a letter , the commission claimed Mayor Jenny Durkan 's ( D. ) resignation is `` necessary '' to address the `` human rights violations that have occurred in our city during her tenure . ''
The group , which is supposed to advise the mayor and other city officials on policies affecting the gay community , argued that Durkan failed to engage with it in discussions regarding police funding and homelessness .
Specifically , the commission said Durkan had rejected `` meaningful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ignored activists ' calls to cut police funding by half .
Seattle city officials began discussing police department funding cuts this summer as anti-police protests swept the nation .
Durkan has proposed slashing police funding by more than $ 20 million .
The commission has also claimed that Durkan `` undermined '' the black community in her recent budget proposal .
Instead of allocating $ 100 million in investments `` specifically for Black communities , '' as activists had called for , the mayor designated that funding for `` black , indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The LGBTQ Commission 's letter comes just two weeks after the Seattle Human Rights Commission also demanded Durkan 's resignation .
Following months of anti-police protests , a record number of Seattle police officers left the force in September .
According to exit interview records , many of these officers cited police budget cuts and lack of support from city government as their reason for resignation .
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best , the first black woman to serve in the position , also resigned in September .

Seattle's LGBTQ Commission demanded Wednesday that the city's first openly lesbian mayor resign.
In a letter, the commission claimed Mayor Jenny Durkan's (D.) resignation is "necessary" to address the "human rights violations that have occurred in our city during her tenure."
The group, which is supposed to advise the mayor and other city officials on policies affecting the gay community, argued that Durkan failed to engage with it in discussions regarding police funding and homelessness.
Specifically, the commission said Durkan had rejected "meaningful reductions" to the Seattle Police Department and ignored activists' calls to cut police funding by half.
Seattle city officials began discussing police department funding cuts this summer as anti-police protests swept the nation. Durkan has proposed slashing police funding by more than $20 million.
The commission has also claimed that Durkan "undermined" the black community in her recent budget proposal. Instead of allocating $100 million in investments "specifically for Black communities," as activists had called for, the mayor designated that funding for "black, indigenous, and people of color" communities.
The LGBTQ Commission's letter comes just two weeks after the Seattle Human Rights Commission also demanded Durkan's resignation.
Following months of anti-police protests, a record number of Seattle police officers left the force in September. According to exit interview records, many of these officers cited police budget cuts and lack of support from city government as their reason for resignation.
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, the first black woman to serve in the position, also resigned in September.