freebeacon--2020-09-19--Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dead at 87

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the feminist professor and lawyer who became a progressive heroine , died Friday , giving President Donald Trump a last-minute chance nominate a third jurist to the High Court .
Ginsburg , 87 , died in her Washington , D.C. , home , according to a statement released by the Court , and was surrounded by her family .
The cause was complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer .
`` Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature , '' Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement .
`` We at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today we mourn , but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her—a tireless and resolute champion of justice . ''
In her final days , the justice allegedly dictated a statement to her granddaughter , Clara Spera , asking that her successor not be named until after the presidential election , according to NPR .
`` My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed , '' Ginsburg said .
Her death , just 46 days out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new element to a race , offering Trump an opportunity to energize his base .
And Ginsburg 's passing will scramble the composition of the Supreme Court just weeks out from a new term in which the justices will weigh cases about religious liberty and police immunity—and decide the fate of President Barack Obama 's Affordable Care Act .
Ginsburg was born in 1933 to Nathan and Celia Bader of Brooklyn , N.Y .
Known then as `` Kiki Bader , '' her early years were marked by triumph and tragedy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Cornell University , her mother and older sister died before she graduated from high school .
Ginsburg went on to Harvard Law School , but completed her legal education at Columbia University in New York City .
Despite her sterling academic credentials , she was snubbed for a coveted Supreme Court clerkship with Justice Felix Frankfurter in 1960 .
Frankfurter told Ginsburg patron Albert Sachs that he was not ready to take on a woman .
A different mentor , Professor Gerald Gunther , secured Ginsburg a clerkship by threat : He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would never recommend another Columbia student for his chambers if he refused to hire Ginsburg .
Palmieri agreed , on the condition that Gunther enlist an alternative male candidate should Ginsburg prove unsatisfactory .
Excepting a nine-year interlude at Rutgers Law School , Columbia was Ginsburg ’ s perch until her elevation to the federal bench in 1980 .
As a researcher and later the first tenured woman on the law faculty , Ginsburg coauthored the first casebook on sex discrimination , founded the women ’ s rights project at the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to write a book on civil procedure in Sweden .
At the ACLU , she was the chief strategist of a clever , incrementalist campaign to effect social and political change for women through the courts .
The thrust of her work was the steady expansion of the 14th Amendment ’ s equal protection clause to prohibit distinctions in law based on sex .
Though civil rights expanded under Chief Justice Earl Warren , the justices of that era consistently embraced traditional views about gender equality and believed many sex-specific classifications were benign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education , for example , the Court unanimously upheld a Florida law excusing women from mandatory jury service on the theory that it interfered with domestic duties .
Writing in the Journal of Law and Inequality , David Cole described Ginsburg ’ s strategy as `` assimilationist . ''
She meant to show that women were like men , that supposed differences between the sexes were mostly learned social behaviors .
To that end , she recruited sympathetic plaintiffs with modest claims to demonstrate over time that sex stereotypes were invidious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own personal example to establish the then-radical notion that women are similar to men , '' Cole wrote .
`` She placed herself in the dominant male culture and argued to men , and for men , on behalf of women 's general inclusion .
She played by men 's rules , and she prevailed . ''
One of Ginsburg ’ s clients before the High Court was a female Air Force officer challenging a military benefits statute .
Another was a widower denied Social Security survivor benefits after the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fruit of her gradual approach was a growing body of case law that refused to countenance disparate treatment of men and women .
The apex of her work was the 1976 Craig v. Boren case .
The dispute was typical of Ginsburg ’ s tactical savvy : The client , Curtis Craig , was challenging a sex-specific Oklahoma law that discriminated against men .
The law provided that women could purchase beer with a 3.2 percent alcohol content at 18 , while men had to be 21 .
In a far-reaching decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex-based classifications would be subject to `` intermediate scrutiny , '' or rigorous , but not insurmountable , judicial review .
The assimilation approach had limitations .
Ginsburg ’ s arguments were not readily applicable to disputes over abortion or pregnancy discrimination , where real biological differences are irrefutable .
Yet Cole suggested Ginsburg did the best she could despite powerful headwinds .
`` Ginsburg faced significant constraints , '' Cole wrote .
`` General male assumptions , such as the protective nature of benign discrimination , and specific legal doctrine imposed limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg ’ s social prowess was a boon for his wife ’ s judicial prospects .
When former president Jimmy Carter nominated Mrs. Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit in 1980 , Senate Republicans were wary of installing a Democrat appointee on the powerful appeals court with a national election in the offing .
Mr. Ginsburg mobilized well-placed corporate contacts to shake votes loose .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed shortly thereafter .
When Bill Clinton was selecting a new justice in 1993 , Ginsburg was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many criticisms of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling alienated onetime feminist allies , and Ginsburg had argued that Roe was poorly reasoned and swept too far .
But Mr. Ginsburg lobbied scholars , law deans , Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan , and media figures like the legendary legal affairs writer Anthony Lewis , advocating for his wife 's nomination .
When Mrs. Ginsburg interviewed with White House counsel Bernard Nussbaum , Mr. Ginsburg helped government lawyers parse family tax records going back years .
Reflecting on her nomination in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klain as saying that Mr. Ginsburg ’ s shadow campaign was decisive to her selection .
`` I would say definitely and for the record , though Ruth Bader Ginsburg should have been picked for the Supreme Court anyway , she would not have been picked for the Supreme Court if her husband had not done everything he did to make it happen , '' Klain said .
Justice Ginsburg ’ s biographer , Jane Sherron De Hart , described Mr. Ginsburg as a `` proto-feminist . ''
Long before Mrs. Ginsburg ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Ginsburg took up housework like cooking .
It was a division of labor that persisted for the length of their marriage .
`` As a general rule , my wife does not give me any advice about cooking , and I do not give her advice about the law , '' Mr. Ginsburg told the New York Times in 1997 .
`` This seems to work quite well on both sides . ''

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the feminist professor and lawyer who became a progressive heroine, died Friday, giving President Donald Trump a last-minute chance to nominate a third jurist to the High Court.
Ginsburg, 87, died in her Washington, D.C., home, according to a statement released by the Court, and was surrounded by her family. The cause was complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
"Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. "We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her—a tireless and resolute champion of justice."
In her final days, the justice allegedly dictated a statement to her granddaughter, Clara Spera, asking that her successor not be named until after the presidential election, according to NPR.
"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," Ginsburg said.
Her death, just 46 days out from the presidential election, has added a new element to a race, offering Trump an opportunity to energize his base. And Ginsburg's passing will scramble the composition of the Supreme Court just weeks out from a new term in which the justices will weigh cases about religious liberty and police immunity—and decide the fate of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.
Ginsburg was born in 1933 to Nathan and Celia Bader of Brooklyn, N.Y. Known then as "Kiki Bader," her early years were marked by triumph and tragedy. Though she flourished academically and was admitted to Cornell University, her mother and older sister died before she graduated from high school.
Ginsburg went on to Harvard Law School, but completed her legal education at Columbia University in New York City. Despite her sterling academic credentials, she was snubbed for a coveted Supreme Court clerkship with Justice Felix Frankfurter in 1960. Frankfurter told Ginsburg patron Albert Sachs that he was not ready to take on a woman.
A different mentor, Professor Gerald Gunther, secured Ginsburg a clerkship by threat: He told U.S. District Judge Edmund Palmieri that he would never recommend another Columbia student for his chambers if he refused to hire Ginsburg. Palmieri agreed, on the condition that Gunther enlist an alternative male candidate should Ginsburg prove unsatisfactory.
Excepting a nine-year interlude at Rutgers Law School, Columbia was Ginsburg’s perch until her elevation to the federal bench in 1980. As a researcher and later the first tenured woman on the law faculty, Ginsburg coauthored the first casebook on sex discrimination, founded the women’s rights project at the American Civil Liberties Union, and learned Swedish to write a book on civil procedure in Sweden.
At the ACLU, she was the chief strategist of a clever, incrementalist campaign to effect social and political change for women through the courts. The thrust of her work was the steady expansion of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause to prohibit distinctions in law based on sex.
Though civil rights expanded under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the justices of that era consistently embraced traditional views about gender equality and believed many sex-specific classifications were benign. Seven years after Brown v. Board of Education, for example, the Court unanimously upheld a Florida law excusing women from mandatory jury service on the theory that it interfered with domestic duties.
Writing in the Journal of Law and Inequality, David Cole described Ginsburg’s strategy as "assimilationist." She meant to show that women were like men, that supposed differences between the sexes were mostly learned social behaviors. To that end, she recruited sympathetic plaintiffs with modest claims to demonstrate over time that sex stereotypes were invidious.
"Ginsburg used both legal argument and her own personal example to establish the then-radical notion that women are similar to men," Cole wrote. "She placed herself in the dominant male culture and argued to men, and for men, on behalf of women's general inclusion. She played by men's rules, and she prevailed."
One of Ginsburg’s clients before the High Court was a female Air Force officer challenging a military benefits statute. Another was a widower denied Social Security survivor benefits after the death of his wife in child birth. The fruit of her gradual approach was a growing body of case law that refused to countenance disparate treatment of men and women.
The apex of her work was the 1976 Craig v. Boren case. The dispute was typical of Ginsburg’s tactical savvy: The client, Curtis Craig, was challenging a sex-specific Oklahoma law that discriminated against men. The law provided that women could purchase beer with a 3.2 percent alcohol content at 18, while men had to be 21.
In a far-reaching decision, a plurality of the Court declared that sex-based classifications would be subject to "intermediate scrutiny," or rigorous, but not insurmountable, judicial review.
The assimilation approach had limitations. Ginsburg’s arguments were not readily applicable to disputes over abortion or pregnancy discrimination, where real biological differences are irrefutable. Yet Cole suggested Ginsburg did the best she could despite powerful headwinds.
"Ginsburg faced significant constraints," Cole wrote. "General male assumptions, such as the protective nature of benign discrimination, and specific legal doctrine imposed limitations upon Ginsburg's strategy."
Martin Ginsburg’s social prowess was a boon for his wife’s judicial prospects. When former president Jimmy Carter nominated Mrs. Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1980, Senate Republicans were wary of installing a Democrat appointee on the powerful appeals court with a national election in the offing. Mr. Ginsburg mobilized well-placed corporate contacts to shake votes loose. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed shortly thereafter.
When Bill Clinton was selecting a new justice in 1993, Ginsburg was not initially considered a strong contender. Her many criticisms of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling alienated onetime feminist allies, and Ginsburg had argued that Roe was poorly reasoned and swept too far.
But Mr. Ginsburg lobbied scholars, law deans, Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and media figures like the legendary legal affairs writer Anthony Lewis, advocating for his wife's nomination. When Mrs. Ginsburg interviewed with White House counsel Bernard Nussbaum, Mr. Ginsburg helped government lawyers parse family tax records going back years.
Reflecting on her nomination in 2016, the justice quoted Clinton aide Ronald Klain as saying that Mr. Ginsburg’s shadow campaign was decisive to her selection.
"I would say definitely and for the record, though Ruth Bader Ginsburg should have been picked for the Supreme Court anyway, she would not have been picked for the Supreme Court if her husband had not done everything he did to make it happen," Klain said.
Justice Ginsburg’s biographer, Jane Sherron De Hart, described Mr. Ginsburg as a "proto-feminist." Long before Mrs. Ginsburg’s ascent to the federal bench, Mr. Ginsburg took up housework like cooking. It was a division of labor that persisted for the length of their marriage.
"As a general rule, my wife does not give me any advice about cooking, and I do not give her advice about the law," Mr. Ginsburg told the New York Times in 1997. "This seems to work quite well on both sides."
Martin Ginsburg died in June 2010 at 78.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg Dies of Cancer

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer on Friday evening , the @ @ @ @ @ .
Ginsburg , 87 , died of metastatic pancreas cancer at her home in Washington @ @ @ @ @ her family , the statement said .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer on Friday evening, the court said in a statement.
Ginsburg, 87, died of metastatic pancreas cancer at her home in Washington, D.C., surrounded by her family, the statement said.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--U.N. Resolution Singles Out Israel for Women’s Rights Abuses

A United Nations resolution supported by multiple authoritarian regimes singled out Israel as a violator of women 's rights , a U.N. watchdog group reported Friday .
The U.N. Economic and Social Council resolution , which passed 43-3 with only the United States , Australia , and Canada as objectors , alleged that Israel `` remains a major obstacle for Palestinian women and girls with regard to the fulfillment of their rights , and their advancement , self-reliance , and integration in the development of their society . ''
Several countries suspected of human rights abuses , including Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted in favor of the resolution .
Of the 20 actions up for a vote on the council 's 2020 agenda , the U.N. only singled out Israel for condemnation .
`` At a time when Iran is imprisoning women 's rights activists like Nasrin Sotudeh and Narges Mohammedi , Saudi Arabia is imprisoning and torturing numerous women 's rights activists , Pakistan has the highest number of documented and estimated honor killings per capita of any country in the world , and Belarus is beating women protesters in the streets , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these misogynistic regimes to be singling out Israel—alone in the world—as an alleged violator of women 's rights , '' said Hillel Neuer , executive director of U.N. Watch .
The U.N. and its voting assemblies , including the U.N. Human Rights Council ( UNHRC ) , have long faced accusations of harboring an anti-Israel bias .
`` [ The UNHRC is ] an organization that is rife with anti-Israel bias and is unwilling or unable to combat serial human rights abusers like China , and has too many human rights abusers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , '' Heritage Foundation expert Brett Schaefer told the Washington Free Beacon .
The Biden ticket and Democratic Party 2020 national platform have made increased engagement with international organizations like the U.N. a top priority .

A United Nations resolution supported by multiple authoritarian regimes singled out Israel as a violator of women's rights, a U.N. watchdog group reported Friday.
The U.N. Economic and Social Council resolution, which passed 43-3 with only the United States, Australia, and Canada as objectors, alleged that Israel "remains a major obstacle for Palestinian women and girls with regard to the fulfillment of their rights, and their advancement, self-reliance, and integration in the development of their society."
Several countries suspected of human rights abuses, including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and China, voted in favor of the resolution. Of the 20 actions up for a vote on the council's 2020 agenda, the U.N. only singled out Israel for condemnation.
"At a time when Iran is imprisoning women's rights activists like Nasrin Sotudeh and Narges Mohammedi, Saudi Arabia is imprisoning and torturing numerous women's rights activists, Pakistan has the highest number of documented and estimated honor killings per capita of any country in the world, and Belarus is beating women protesters in the streets, it is the theater of the absurd for these misogynistic regimes to be singling out Israel—alone in the world—as an alleged violator of women's rights," said Hillel Neuer, executive director of U.N. Watch.
The U.N. and its voting assemblies, including the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC), have long faced accusations of harboring an anti-Israel bias.
"[The UNHRC is] an organization that is rife with anti-Israel bias and is unwilling or unable to combat serial human rights abusers like China, and has too many human rights abusers on the council itself passing judgment over other countries," Heritage Foundation expert Brett Schaefer told the Washington Free Beacon.
The Biden ticket and Democratic Party 2020 national platform have made increased engagement with international organizations like the U.N. a top priority.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Michigan Dem Spotted at Airport After Saying She Wouldn’t Leave D.C.

Less than an hour after telling CNN she wouldn ’ t leave the nation ’ s capital until Congress passed @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan Democratic representative Elissa Slotkin was spotted wheeling a suitcase in Ronald Reagan Washington @ @ @ @ @ video from the Congressional Leadership Fund .
`` I just knew that I was not @ @ @ @ @ my district and walk around and go to the grocery store and have people ask @ @ @ @ @ of the latest COVID emergency bill , and tell them that because of politics we @ @ @ @ @ room together , '' Slotkin said Thursday on CNN .
Just 40 minutes later , @ @ @ @ @ walking through the airport , presumably headed back to her home state .
She gave @ @ @ @ @ she was leaving Washington , D.C. , without first passing legislation to provide aid to @ @ @ @ @ .
The freshman Democrat represents Michigan ’ s Eighth Congressional District and is seeking reelection @ @ @

Less than an hour after telling CNN she wouldn’t leave the nation’s capital until Congress passed a second coronavirus relief package, Michigan Democratic representative Elissa Slotkin was spotted wheeling a suitcase in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to video from the Congressional Leadership Fund.
"I just knew that I was not going to go back to my district and walk around and go to the grocery store and have people ask me again about the state of the latest COVID emergency bill, and tell them that because of politics we couldn't get in a room together," Slotkin said Thursday on CNN.
Just 40 minutes later, Slotkin was recorded on video walking through the airport, presumably headed back to her home state. She gave no response when asked why she was leaving Washington, D.C., without first passing legislation to provide aid to constituents during the coronavirus pandemic.
The freshman Democrat represents Michigan’s Eighth Congressional District and is seeking reelection in November.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Senate GOP Pushes for Fresh Sanctions on Iran’s Financial Sector

Senate Republicans petitioned the White House to press forward with a set of new sanctions on the entirety of Iran 's financial sector , a move that would cut Tehran off from the global banking system .
In a letter sent to President Donald Trump Thursday , top GOP senators led by Tom Cotton ( Ark . )
urged the administration to `` impose sanctions on the entirety of Iran 's financial sector , '' which still remains connected to the primary global banking system known as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications ( SWIFT ) .
`` At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected to the SWIFT financial messaging network for sanctions-free financial transactions , providing the regime a crucial economic lifeline , '' the letter stated .
`` This is despite the fact that most other Iranian financial institutions are under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury for their financial sponsorship of terrorism—including the Central Bank of Iran , which capitalizes these remaining banks and may be using them as fronts for its activities . ''
If the Trump administration moves forward with new sanctions , the country would be disconnected from the global financial system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fund its malign regional influence would be even further diminished , '' according to the letter .
The White House , in January , issued an executive order authorizing greater action on Iran .
The senators are asking the White House to use the power granted in that executive order to sanction every Iranian bank still accessing SWIFT .
In addition to Cotton , the letter was endorsed by Sens .
John Cornyn ( R. , Texas ) , Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , Marco Rubio ( R. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fla. ) , and Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) .
Iran 's government has been on the brink of collapse during the past several years due to the Trump administration 's tough sanctions regime .
Its GDP declined by 5 percent in 2018 and another 8 percent in 2019 .
Inflation is also through the roof .
Additional sanctions on Iran 's oil sector—one of its primary revenue-generating exports—has cut production by nearly 50 percent .
`` Iran 's desperate economic circumstances provide a critical opportunity for the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ malign activities and return to the negotiating table on your terms , '' the senators wrote .
`` Dealing a further , final blow to Iran 's financial industry is an effective means towards achieving this result . ''

Senate Republicans petitioned the White House to press forward with a set of new sanctions on the entirety of Iran's financial sector, a move that would cut Tehran off from the global banking system.
In a letter sent to President Donald Trump Thursday, top GOP senators led by Tom Cotton (Ark.) urged the administration to "impose sanctions on the entirety of Iran's financial sector," which still remains connected to the primary global banking system known as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT).
"At least 14 Iranian banks remain open and connected to the SWIFT financial messaging network for sanctions-free financial transactions, providing the regime a crucial economic lifeline," the letter stated. "This is despite the fact that most other Iranian financial institutions are under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury for their financial sponsorship of terrorism—including the Central Bank of Iran, which capitalizes these remaining banks and may be using them as fronts for its activities."
If the Trump administration moves forward with new sanctions, the country would be disconnected from the global financial system, "and the regime's ability to fund its malign regional influence would be even further diminished," according to the letter. The White House, in January, issued an executive order authorizing greater action on Iran. The senators are asking the White House to use the power granted in that executive order to sanction every Iranian bank still accessing SWIFT.
In addition to Cotton, the letter was endorsed by Sens. John Cornyn (R., Texas), Ted Cruz (R., Texas), Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), Rick Scott (R., Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R., N.C.).
Iran's government has been on the brink of collapse during the past several years due to the Trump administration's tough sanctions regime. Its GDP declined by 5 percent in 2018 and another 8 percent in 2019. Inflation is also through the roof. Additional sanctions on Iran's oil sector—one of its primary revenue-generating exports—has cut production by nearly 50 percent.
"Iran's desperate economic circumstances provide a critical opportunity for the United States to force the regime to abandon its malign activities and return to the negotiating table on your terms," the senators wrote. "Dealing a further, final blow to Iran's financial industry is an effective means towards achieving this result."
The Senate letter comes following a Wall Street Journal piece by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Mark Dubowitz and Richard Goldberg outlining the steps that must be taken to "cut off Tehran's financial oxygen."


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Iran’s Secret Space Program Poses Security Threat, Expert Says

Iran has quietly been developing a dangerous , militaristic space program , an Israeli defense expert said Friday .
While China and Russia have made headlines for their development of satellite fleets , anti-satellite missile production , and burgeoning strategic partnership in space , Iran has developed its own growing space program below the international radar .
According to missile defense expert Dr. Uzi Rubin , Iran ’ s rapid progress in developing its civilian and military space programs is a real concern , with 2020 being a watershed year for Iran ’ s space designs .
In April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orbit , which the Pentagon cited as an example of Iran ’ s aggressive behavior .
`` We want to make sure that they can never threaten the United States , '' U.S. Air Force general John Hyten , vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said in April when asked about the satellite launch .
The launch revealed that there are two space programs developing in parallel in Iran : the already-known Iranian Space Agency program , but also a program developed under the auspices of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in 2017 .
`` The very fact that the IRGC was authorized by Iran ’ s Supreme Leader to reveal that it has been running a space program of its own—and that it has its own industries , and research and development centers , to be able to do so—is indicative of an upgrading in the IRGC ’ s stature within the regime , '' Rubin said .
`` The IRGC ’ s air and space force has scored several noticeable successes . ''
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now dealing with a terrorist organization with space-related aspirations .
`` The space program is … a crucial building block of its own in establishing a global range nuclear missile force as befits a global power , which Iran clearly aspires to be , '' Rubin said .
`` Iran 's space program merits constant and detailed scrutiny no less than the missile program does . ''
A senior Pentagon official shared similar observations on China with the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month , saying that China aspires to `` space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in space as another tool of statecraft to reshape the American-led international order .
Accordingly , revamping the American strategy in space has been a major feature of the Trump administration 's defense planning .
`` In the years ahead , wars will not just be fought on land and sea like they have for thousands of years , or in the air as they have for the past century , but also in outer space and cyberspace in unprecedented ways , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a Wednesday speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have turned space into a `` warfighting domain . ''
`` They have weaponized space through killer satellites , directed energy weapons , and more in an effort to exploit our systems and chip away at our military advantage , '' Esper added .
To combat these developments , the Pentagon now boasts the largest research and development budget in its history as well as the establishment of the U.S. Space Force during the Trump administration .

Iran has quietly been developing a dangerous, militaristic space program, an Israeli defense expert said Friday.
While China and Russia have made headlines for their development of satellite fleets, anti-satellite missile production, and burgeoning strategic partnership in space, Iran has developed its own growing space program below the international radar.
According to missile defense expert Dr. Uzi Rubin, Iran’s rapid progress in developing its civilian and military space programs is a real concern, with 2020 being a watershed year for Iran’s space designs.
In April, Iran launched its first military satellite into orbit, which the Pentagon cited as an example of Iran’s aggressive behavior. "We want to make sure that they can never threaten the United States," U.S. Air Force general John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in April when asked about the satellite launch.
The launch revealed that there are two space programs developing in parallel in Iran: the already-known Iranian Space Agency program, but also a program developed under the auspices of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in 2017.
"The very fact that the IRGC was authorized by Iran’s Supreme Leader to reveal that it has been running a space program of its own—and that it has its own industries, and research and development centers, to be able to do so—is indicative of an upgrading in the IRGC’s stature within the regime," Rubin said. "The IRGC’s air and space force has scored several noticeable successes."
By its own classification, the United States is now dealing with a terrorist organization with space-related aspirations.
"The space program is ... a crucial building block of its own in establishing a global range nuclear missile force as befits a global power, which Iran clearly aspires to be," Rubin said. "Iran's space program merits constant and detailed scrutiny no less than the missile program does."
A senior Pentagon official shared similar observations on China with the Washington Free Beacon earlier this month, saying that China aspires to "space great power" status, using investment in space as another tool of statecraft to reshape the American-led international order.
Accordingly, revamping the American strategy in space has been a major feature of the Trump administration's defense planning.
"In the years ahead, wars will not just be fought on land and sea like they have for thousands of years, or in the air as they have for the past century, but also in outer space and cyberspace in unprecedented ways," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a Wednesday speech.
Our adversaries, Esper said, have turned space into a "warfighting domain."
"They have weaponized space through killer satellites, directed energy weapons, and more in an effort to exploit our systems and chip away at our military advantage," Esper added. To combat these developments, the Pentagon now boasts the largest research and development budget in its history as well as the establishment of the U.S. Space Force during the Trump administration.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Princeton Under Federal Investigation for ‘Embedded’ Racism

The Department of Education launched an investigation into Princeton University after the school declared it suffers from `` embedded '' structural racism .
In a letter addressed to Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber , the Department of Education said that the school 's self-admitted racism was grounds for an investigation .
The department is concerned that Princeton—which receives millions in federal funding—has violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , which states that `` no person in the United States shall , on the ground of race , color , or national origin , be … subjected to discrimination under any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Based on its admitted racism , the [ department ] is concerned Princeton 's nondiscrimination and equal opportunity assurances … may have been false , '' the letter reads .
`` The Secretary of Education may consider measures against Princeton for false … nondiscrimination assurances , including an action to recover funds . ''
On Sept. 2 , Eisgruber penned a letter to the Princeton community claiming that racism and `` the damage it does to people of color '' remain `` embedded '' in the university .
The school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fellowships , research funding , and more .
After the death of George Floyd , the university also purged Woodrow Wilson 's name from all its buildings , citing Wilson 's `` racist thinking and policies . ''
In July , hundreds of faculty and administrators also signed a letter calling on Princeton to atone for its `` anti-Blackness . ''
The letter includes demands such as extended sabbaticals for minority faculty , removing standard application questions about previous misdemeanors and incarcerations , and acknowledging that the school was built on Native-American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to requests for comment .

The Department of Education launched an investigation into Princeton University after the school declared it suffers from "embedded" structural racism.
In a letter addressed to Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber, the Department of Education said that the school's self-admitted racism was grounds for an investigation. The department is concerned that Princeton—which receives millions in federal funding—has violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be ... subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
"Based on its admitted racism, the [department] is concerned Princeton's nondiscrimination and equal opportunity assurances ... may have been false," the letter reads. "The Secretary of Education may consider measures against Princeton for false ... nondiscrimination assurances, including an action to recover funds."
On Sept. 2, Eisgruber penned a letter to the Princeton community claiming that racism and "the damage it does to people of color" remain "embedded" in the university. The school announced new race-based diversity measures for hiring, fellowships, research funding, and more. After the death of George Floyd, the university also purged Woodrow Wilson's name from all its buildings, citing Wilson's "racist thinking and policies."
In July, hundreds of faculty and administrators also signed a letter calling on Princeton to atone for its "anti-Blackness." The letter includes demands such as extended sabbaticals for minority faculty, removing standard application questions about previous misdemeanors and incarcerations, and acknowledging that the school was built on Native-American territory.
The university did not respond to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Wounded Veteran Hits Biden for Opposing Soleimani Strike, Bin Laden Raid

Wounded Afghanistan war veteran Jason Church said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden showed he is n't fit to be commander in chief by opposing missions that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden and Iran 's Qassem Soleimani .
Jason Church , a former U.S. Army captain who lost both his legs to a 2012 IED blast in Afghanistan , is featured in a new ad calling Biden `` too weak '' to be president .
In the ad , Church slams Biden for his opposition to the 2011 U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden when Biden was vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposing President Donald Trump 's decision to fire a drone strike on Soleimani , a known terrorist responsible for countless American deaths abroad .
`` Joe Biden opposed Trump 's order to kill Soleimani , just like he opposed Barack Obama 's order to take out Osama bin Laden , '' Church said in the new ad from the anti-Biden Preserve America PAC .
`` Joe Biden is too weak to lead America . ''
Church has said that Soleimani was likely the man who funded the explosive device that nearly took his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's opposition to the strike on Soleimani , which the former vice president characterized as `` an escalatory move in a very dangerous region . ''
Church , a Republican who ran for office earlier this year in Wisconsin , told the Washington Free Beacon he participated in the ad because `` we need strength in the White House . ''
`` When I served in the Army , I saw first hand how America 's enemies take advantage of weak leadership in Washington , '' Church told the Free Beacon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need a commander in chief who will be tough on terrorists . ''
Church also took aim at Biden 's `` dangerously bad foreign policy beliefs , '' chiefly his support for the Obama administration 's Iran Nuclear Agreement and trade policies toward China .
`` Spanning a 47-year political career , this weakness is apparent in his dangerously bad foreign policy beliefs , '' Church said .
`` Opposing the decisions to kill Osama bin Laden and Qassem Soleimani , along with supporting horrible deals like the Iran nuclear agreement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade status show Biden 's poor record on security and foreign relations . ''
`` Biden always takes the politically easy route , '' he said .
`` We can not afford a weak Biden presidency .
Our enemies will take advantage of him . ''
The Preserve America super PAC launched in late August with a $ 30 million advertising budget .
The group is operated by Republican strategist Chris LaCivita , best known as the mastermind behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against Democrat John Kerry in 2004 .

Former U.S. Army captain says Biden "too weak to lead"
Wounded Afghanistan war veteran Jason Church said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden showed he isn't fit to be commander in chief by opposing missions that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden and Iran's Qassem Soleimani.
Jason Church, a former U.S. Army captain who lost both his legs to a 2012 IED blast in Afghanistan, is featured in a new ad calling Biden "too weak" to be president. In the ad, Church slams Biden for his opposition to the 2011 U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden when Biden was vice president. He also called out Biden for opposing President Donald Trump's decision to fire a drone strike on Soleimani, a known terrorist responsible for countless American deaths abroad.
"Joe Biden opposed Trump's order to kill Soleimani, just like he opposed Barack Obama's order to take out Osama bin Laden," Church said in the new ad from the anti-Biden Preserve America PAC. "Joe Biden is too weak to lead America."
Church has said that Soleimani was likely the man who funded the explosive device that nearly took his life. He has been critical of Biden's opposition to the strike on Soleimani, which the former vice president characterized as "an escalatory move in a very dangerous region."
Church, a Republican who ran for office earlier this year in Wisconsin, told the Washington Free Beacon he participated in the ad because "we need strength in the White House."
"When I served in the Army, I saw first hand how America's enemies take advantage of weak leadership in Washington," Church told the Free Beacon. "Now, more than ever, we need a commander in chief who will be tough on terrorists."
Church also took aim at Biden's "dangerously bad foreign policy beliefs," chiefly his support for the Obama administration's Iran Nuclear Agreement and trade policies toward China.
"Spanning a 47-year political career, this weakness is apparent in his dangerously bad foreign policy beliefs," Church said. "Opposing the decisions to kill Osama bin Laden and Qassem Soleimani, along with supporting horrible deals like the Iran nuclear agreement and giving China 'Most Favored Nation' trade status show Biden's poor record on security and foreign relations."
"Biden always takes the politically easy route," he said. "We cannot afford a weak Biden presidency. Our enemies will take advantage of him."
The Preserve America super PAC launched in late August with a $30 million advertising budget. The group is operated by Republican strategist Chris LaCivita, best known as the mastermind behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against Democrat John Kerry in 2004.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Biden-Harris Ticket All Over the Place on Nationwide Mask Mandate

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have struggled to deliver a consistent message on whether they would enforce a nationwide coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated @ @ @ @ @ and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can @ @ @ @ @ freebeacon.com .

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have struggled to deliver a consistent message on whether they would enforce a nationwide coronavirus mask mandate in office.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Biden Repeats Two Falsehoods in Less Than a Minute

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden repeated two falsehoods in less than one minute Thursday night , first that he would be the first president that did n't go to an Ivy League school and then that he was the first person in his family to go to college .
Neither of the claims are true—Ronald Reagan was the most recent U.S. president who did not attend an Ivy League university , but there were many others , including Harry Truman , Abraham Lincoln , and George Washington .
Biden also admitted to the New York Times back in 1987 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family who had attended college before him .
When Biden was running for president in 1987 , Biden was found to have borrowed significant portions of speeches by British Labor Party politician Neil Kinnock , including a line about being the first in his family to go to college .
Biden claimed he did not knowingly plagiarize Kinnock , but the scandal helped sink his presidential aspirations .
Biden was fact-checked for his falsehoods afterward but still has the response posted on his Twitter account .
Biden 's answer came in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who asked the former vice president if he had benefited from his `` white privilege . ''
Biden said that he had , but then he went on to tout his Scranton , Pa. , roots and lack of an Ivy League degree .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden repeated two falsehoods in less than one minute Thursday night, first that he would be the first president that didn't go to an Ivy League school and then that he was the first person in his family to go to college.
Neither of the claims are true—Ronald Reagan was the most recent U.S. president who did not attend an Ivy League university, but there were many others, including Harry Truman, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. Biden also admitted to the New York Times back in 1987 that there were members of his mother's family who had attended college before him.
When Biden was running for president in 1987, Biden was found to have borrowed significant portions of speeches by British Labor Party politician Neil Kinnock, including a line about being the first in his family to go to college. Biden claimed he did not knowingly plagiarize Kinnock, but the scandal helped sink his presidential aspirations.
Biden was fact-checked for his falsehoods afterward but still has the response posted on his Twitter account.
What the hell makes you think I need an Ivy League degree to be president? #BidenTownHall pic.twitter.com/fzoMjYTlZ4 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 18, 2020
Biden's answer came in response to a question from CNN's Anderson Cooper, who asked the former vice president if he had benefited from his "white privilege." Biden said that he had, but then he went on to tout his Scranton, Pa., roots and lack of an Ivy League degree.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--LA School Board Member Opposes District’s Push to Boot Police From Schools

A Los Angeles Unified School District board member spoke out against the district 's plan to remove police officers from schools at a meeting this week , saying the move could be deadly .
`` I 'll invite you to the first funeral that we have of a child [ because ] we do n't have anyone protecting them on that campus , '' George McKenna , the board 's only black member , said on Tuesday .
LAUSD voted in June to cut $ 25 million from the school police budget , prompting former school police chief Todd Chamberlain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vote also prohibits the school district from hiring local police or outside security to patrol campuses .
The Reimagining School Safety Task Force presented a plan to replace police officers with social workers and aids during the school week and to end weekend patrols meant to discourage vandalism on school campuses .
McKenna said school officers are being unfairly blamed for police brutality and that social workers would be unable to properly protect students .
`` The school police were never a danger to the students , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no Crips , no Bloods , no gangs out there , and we 're going to do this with social workers ? ''
Other California school districts , in cities like Oakland , San Francisco , and Sacramento , have already voted to eliminate their own police programs or remove local police from schools .
The push to reform and defund police departments began this summer after a wave of anti-police protests erupted in many cities across the country .

A Los Angeles Unified School District board member spoke out against the district's plan to remove police officers from schools at a meeting this week, saying the move could be deadly.
"I'll invite you to the first funeral that we have of a child [because] we don't have anyone protecting them on that campus," George McKenna, the board's only black member, said on Tuesday.
LAUSD voted in June to cut $25 million from the school police budget, prompting former school police chief Todd Chamberlain and 20 other officers to resign. The vote also prohibits the school district from hiring local police or outside security to patrol campuses. The Reimagining School Safety Task Force presented a plan to replace police officers with social workers and aids during the school week and to end weekend patrols meant to discourage vandalism on school campuses.
McKenna said school officers are being unfairly blamed for police brutality and that social workers would be unable to properly protect students.
"The school police were never a danger to the students," he said. "Are you under the assumption that there are no Crips, no Bloods, no gangs out there, and we're going to do this with social workers?"
Other California school districts, in cities like Oakland, San Francisco, and Sacramento, have already voted to eliminate their own police programs or remove local police from schools. The push to reform and defund police departments began this summer after a wave of anti-police protests erupted in many cities across the country.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Obama to Become First POTUS Since Eisenhower to Publish Multi-Volume White House Memoir

Years ago , the Washington Free Beacon predicted former president Barack Obama would `` compose a multi-volume opus '' about his time in office .
As usual , the Free Beacon was correct .
Penguin Random House announced this week that Obama 's third memoir will be published in two volumes .
The first volume , titled A Promised Land , will be released on Nov. 17 , almost four years after Obama left office .
It is 768 pages long .
Obama , who along with his wife Michelle received a joint book advance of $ 65 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eisenhower to write a multi-volume White House memoir .
Eisenhower 's first of two volumes , The White House Years : Mandate for Change , was released in 1963 , less than two years after he left office .
It is 650 pages long .
Harry Truman also published his White House memoir in two volumes .
All three men are viewed as consequential figures in American history .
Obama , who wrote two memoirs prior to becoming president , is the only one among them to receive a Nobel Peace Prize .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charitably described as `` a deliberate writer prone to procrastination [ and ] lengthy digression , '' insisted on not being held to a deadline .
At one point , his presidential memoir had been scheduled for release in mid-2019 .
The former president is also reportedly resentful of his wife 's literary success .
Michelle 's bestselling memoir , Becoming , came out in 2018 .
`` She had a ghostwriter , '' Obama reportedly told a friend .
`` I am writing every word myself , and that 's why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is preemptively celebrating Obama 's memoir as one of the most profound literary achievements in American history .
According to the Associated Press , for example : `` The 768-page book is the most anticipated presidential memoir in memory , as much or more because of the quality of the writing than for any possible revelations .
[ Obama ] has been called the most literary president since Abraham Lincoln . ''
By the time readers get their hands on a copy of A Promised Land , we will already know the winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president , Joe Biden , is currently favored to beat Donald Trump .
He might have done so in 2016 , but decided not to run that year in part because Obama was `` not encouraging , '' according to the New York Times .
Obama tried once again to discourage Biden from running in 2020 , reportedly telling him : `` You don ’ t have to do this , Joe , you really don ’ t . ''
The Obamas , who have a net worth approaching $ 50 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign .

Years ago, the Washington Free Beacon predicted former president Barack Obama would "compose a multi-volume opus" about his time in office. As usual, the Free Beacon was correct.
Penguin Random House announced this week that Obama's third memoir will be published in two volumes. The first volume, titled A Promised Land, will be released on Nov. 17, almost four years after Obama left office. It is 768 pages long.
Obama, who along with his wife Michelle received a joint book advance of $65 million, is the first former president since Dwight Eisenhower to write a multi-volume White House memoir. Eisenhower's first of two volumes, The White House Years: Mandate for Change, was released in 1963, less than two years after he left office. It is 650 pages long.
Harry Truman also published his White House memoir in two volumes. All three men are viewed as consequential figures in American history. Obama, who wrote two memoirs prior to becoming president, is the only one among them to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
Obama, whom the New York Times charitably described as "a deliberate writer prone to procrastination [and] lengthy digression," insisted on not being held to a deadline. At one point, his presidential memoir had been scheduled for release in mid-2019.
The former president is also reportedly resentful of his wife's literary success. Michelle's bestselling memoir, Becoming, came out in 2018. "She had a ghostwriter," Obama reportedly told a friend. "I am writing every word myself, and that's why it's taking longer."
The media is preemptively celebrating Obama's memoir as one of the most profound literary achievements in American history. According to the Associated Press, for example: "The 768-page book is the most anticipated presidential memoir in memory, as much or more because of the quality of the writing than for any possible revelations. [Obama] has been called the most literary president since Abraham Lincoln."
By the time readers get their hands on a copy of A Promised Land, we will already know the winner of the 2020 election. Obama's vice president, Joe Biden, is currently favored to beat Donald Trump. He might have done so in 2016, but decided not to run that year in part because Obama was "not encouraging," according to the New York Times. Obama tried once again to discourage Biden from running in 2020, reportedly telling him: "You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t."
The Obamas, who have a net worth approaching $50 million, still haven't donated to Biden's campaign.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Legal Group: Zoom and California University in Violation of U.S. Law for Hosting Forum With Terroris

Legal Group: Zoom and California University in Violation of U.S. Law for Hosting Forum With Terrorist

Lawyers petitioned the Trump administration to penalize the Zoom meeting platform and a San Francisco university for hosting an upcoming event with a Palestinian terrorist , a forum that they say violates American laws .
San Francisco State University is scheduled to host next Wednesday an online event with Leila Khaled , a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP ) , a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has murdered Americans .
Khaled is one of the PFLP 's most notorious members , becoming the first woman to hijack an airplane in 1969 as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She attempted to hijack another plane the following year and has since become one of the Palestinian terror faction 's most popular faces .
In a letter sent earlier this week to the Department of Justice , the legal advocacy group Lawfare Project requested that a formal investigation be launched into Zoom and SFSU for providing material support to a terrorist organization , according to a copy of that communication obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
The penalty for breaching sanctions law is a substantial fine and up to 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project maintain that Zoom and SFSU will violate portions of the U.S. penal code that deem it illegal to give `` material support or resources '' to designated terrorist organizations and their members if they host Khaled .
This includes technological and computing services and the virtual platform being provided by the university and Zoom .
The law makes clear that it is illegal for any party to knowingly provide a terror group with `` tangible or intangible '' services .
The law is intentionally broad in order to discourage Americans from engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The event comes just days after legal experts raised similar questions about an upcoming Council on Foreign Relations online forum with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif , who also is sanctioned .
`` Providing a platform to an active member of a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization is n't just offensive , it is a clear violation of the law , '' Benjamin Ryberg , the Lawfare Project 's COO and director of research , told the Free Beacon .
`` We hope the Department of Justice will investigate what appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or resources to a foreign terrorist organization . ''
Both Zoom and SFSU did not respond to requests for comment on the event .
The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment .
Two of SFSU 's academic departments , the Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diaspora Studies program ( AMED ) and the Department of Women and Gender Studies ( WGS ) , organized the event with the PFLP 's Khaled .
Two SFSU professors—Rabab Abdulhadi of the AMED program and Tomomi Kinukawa of the WGS program—are slated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SFSU-associated video conferencing services and Zoom will be used , according to an invitation for the event .
`` This SFSU-associated video conferencing platform , and Abdulhadi 's and Kinukawa 's moderating of the conversation , can constitute material support '' for a designated terrorist organization , according to the Lawfare Project 's Sept. 14 letter to the DOJ seeking an investigation .
The school and professors participating `` can each be found liable '' for violating these laws , the group maintains .
The Lawfare Project has already petitioned SFSU to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face .
Under strict interpretations of the law , merely hosting Khaled would constitute a violation , according to the Lawfare Project .
SFSU has a history of anti-Israel sentiment on campus .
In March 2019 , the school reached a landmark settlement with several students who alleged `` rampant anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jewish students '' on campus .
The Lawfare Project also played a role in that suit .

Lawyers petitioned the Trump administration to penalize the Zoom meeting platform and a San Francisco university for hosting an upcoming event with a Palestinian terrorist, a forum that they say violates American laws.
San Francisco State University is scheduled to host next Wednesday an online event with Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has murdered Americans. Khaled is one of the PFLP's most notorious members, becoming the first woman to hijack an airplane in 1969 as part of a massive terror operation by the group. She attempted to hijack another plane the following year and has since become one of the Palestinian terror faction's most popular faces.
In a letter sent earlier this week to the Department of Justice, the legal advocacy group Lawfare Project requested that a formal investigation be launched into Zoom and SFSU for providing material support to a terrorist organization, according to a copy of that communication obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The penalty for breaching sanctions law is a substantial fine and up to 20 years in prison.
Officials with the Lawfare Project maintain that Zoom and SFSU will violate portions of the U.S. penal code that deem it illegal to give "material support or resources" to designated terrorist organizations and their members if they host Khaled. This includes technological and computing services and the virtual platform being provided by the university and Zoom. The law makes clear that it is illegal for any party to knowingly provide a terror group with "tangible or intangible" services. The law is intentionally broad in order to discourage Americans from engaging in all manner with designated terror groups.
The event comes just days after legal experts raised similar questions about an upcoming Council on Foreign Relations online forum with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, who also is sanctioned.
"Providing a platform to an active member of a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization isn't just offensive, it is a clear violation of the law," Benjamin Ryberg, the Lawfare Project's COO and director of research, told the Free Beacon. "We hope the Department of Justice will investigate what appears to be a clear case of providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization."
Both Zoom and SFSU did not respond to requests for comment on the event. The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment.
Two of SFSU's academic departments, the Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diaspora Studies program (AMED) and the Department of Women and Gender Studies (WGS), organized the event with the PFLP's Khaled. Two SFSU professors—Rabab Abdulhadi of the AMED program and Tomomi Kinukawa of the WGS program—are slated to act as moderators for the event.
SFSU-associated video conferencing services and Zoom will be used, according to an invitation for the event.
"This SFSU-associated video conferencing platform, and Abdulhadi's and Kinukawa's moderating of the conversation, can constitute material support" for a designated terrorist organization, according to the Lawfare Project's Sept. 14 letter to the DOJ seeking an investigation. The school and professors participating "can each be found liable" for violating these laws, the group maintains.
The Lawfare Project has already petitioned SFSU to inform it of the potential penalties it could face.
Under strict interpretations of the law, merely hosting Khaled would constitute a violation, according to the Lawfare Project.
SFSU has a history of anti-Israel sentiment on campus.
In March 2019, the school reached a landmark settlement with several students who alleged "rampant anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jewish students" on campus. The Lawfare Project also played a role in that suit.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Trump Administration Set to Ban TikTok and WeChat

The Trump administration is set to ban downloads of China-based social media apps TikTok and WeChat , the Department of Commerce announced Friday .
`` At the President 's direction , we have taken significant action to combat China 's malicious collection of American citizens ' personal data , while promoting our national values , democratic rules-based norms , and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations , '' Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement .
While the download ban on both apps will take effect on Sunday , a full TikTok ban is set to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for China-based parent company ByteDance to transfer the app 's U.S. operations to an American company .
California-based tech giant Oracle is reportedly in the final steps of securing a deal .
The order will also block transactions on WeChat and bar American companies from providing internet services to the Chinese messaging app , which will leave it `` shut down in the U.S. , '' according to Ross .
While TikTok will still function for users after Sunday , they will be blocked from downloading the app or installing updates .
TikTok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in a Friday statement .
`` We will continue to challenge the unjust executive order , which was enacted without due process and threatens to deprive the American people and small businesses across the U.S. of a significant platform for both a voice and livelihoods , '' the statement reads .
In recent months , the Trump administration has made countering Chinese malign influence in American networks a top priority .
While there is debate about the extent of Beijing 's data extraction from social media apps like TikTok and WeChat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed a renewed interest in deepening the regime 's relationship with Chinese technology companies .
`` We will raise and strengthen private enterprise figures and teams who staunchly and steadfastly walk together with the party , and develop as one heart and one mind , '' the document reads .
Top officials have taken notice in Washington .
`` TikTok basically allows the Chinese Communist Party to spy on our children , '' Keith Krach , undersecretary of state for economic growth , energy , and environment , told the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] is technology , '' Krach added .
`` It 's a way for the Chinese Communist Party to collect a lot of privacy data . ''

The Trump administration is set to ban downloads of China-based social media apps TikTok and WeChat, the Department of Commerce announced Friday.
"At the President's direction, we have taken significant action to combat China's malicious collection of American citizens' personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement.
While the download ban on both apps will take effect on Sunday, a full TikTok ban is set to take place on Nov. 12, the deadline for China-based parent company ByteDance to transfer the app's U.S. operations to an American company. California-based tech giant Oracle is reportedly in the final steps of securing a deal.
The order will also block transactions on WeChat and bar American companies from providing internet services to the Chinese messaging app, which will leave it "shut down in the U.S.," according to Ross. While TikTok will still function for users after Sunday, they will be blocked from downloading the app or installing updates.
TikTok called the Commerce Department directive "unjust" in a Friday statement. "We will continue to challenge the unjust executive order, which was enacted without due process and threatens to deprive the American people and small businesses across the U.S. of a significant platform for both a voice and livelihoods," the statement reads.
In recent months, the Trump administration has made countering Chinese malign influence in American networks a top priority. While there is debate about the extent of Beijing's data extraction from social media apps like TikTok and WeChat, a recently published Chinese Communist Party document revealed a renewed interest in deepening the regime's relationship with Chinese technology companies.
"We will raise and strengthen private enterprise figures and teams who staunchly and steadfastly walk together with the party, and develop as one heart and one mind," the document reads.
Top officials have taken notice in Washington. "TikTok basically allows the Chinese Communist Party to spy on our children," Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and environment, told the Washington Free Beacon.
"The battlefront [with China] is technology," Krach added. "It's a way for the Chinese Communist Party to collect a lot of privacy data."


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Chinese Communist Party Document Details Scope of Uighur Labor Camps

A new Chinese Communist Party document revealed details about the scope and size of labor and reeducation camps for Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region , The Guardian reported Friday .
The CCP document called such facilities `` vocational training centers '' and strived to explain the positive benefits they have had on their occupants .
`` Through its proactive labor and employment policies , Xinjiang has continuously improved the people ’ s material and cultural lives , and guaranteed and developed their human rights in every field , '' the document reads .
Figures detailed by the report give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program .
According to the document , the labor camps in Xinjiang host on average 1.29 million workers every year .
While China maintains no wrongdoing occurs in these labor programs , detailed reporting in the media and public statements from the current administration draw a different conclusion .
As part and parcel of China 's efforts to control demographics and maintain cultural homogeneity in China , Beijing has imposed severe measures on the Uighur population .
Some of these measures run afoul of American and international commitments to human rights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to renounce their faith , frequently are subject to late-term abortion and even infanticide , and are likely victims of the largest violation of human-rights abuses on an ethnic minority since World War II , National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot told the Washington Free Beacon .
Uighurs themselves have not stayed silent on the brutal conditions the CCP has subjected them to .
Earlier this month , two Uighur advocacy organizations accused Beijing of genocide and crimes against humanity under international law .
The Trump administration is aware of the ongoing calamity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obstruct the genocide .
In August , a senior administration official detailed to the Free Beacon 13 different measures the current White House has taken to limit China 's economic and political capacity to operate the concentration camps .
This week , Washington doubled down on this pressure through new sanctions on five enterprises using Uighur labor to produce their products .
According to acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli , the new order will cost China as much as $ 250 million .
`` This order is intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Beacon .
`` The president strongly believes the American people are more than supportive of absorbing those sorts of disruptions in exchange for being able to interrupt the use of slave labor . ''

A new Chinese Communist Party document revealed details about the scope and size of labor and reeducation camps for Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region, The Guardian reported Friday.
The CCP document called such facilities "vocational training centers" and strived to explain the positive benefits they have had on their occupants. "Through its proactive labor and employment policies, Xinjiang has continuously improved the people’s material and cultural lives, and guaranteed and developed their human rights in every field," the document reads.
Figures detailed by the report give a baseline sense of the scale of the program. According to the document, the labor camps in Xinjiang host on average 1.29 million workers every year.
While China maintains no wrongdoing occurs in these labor programs, detailed reporting in the media and public statements from the current administration draw a different conclusion. As part and parcel of China's efforts to control demographics and maintain cultural homogeneity in China, Beijing has imposed severe measures on the Uighur population.
Some of these measures run afoul of American and international commitments to human rights and religious liberty. Uighurs are regularly forced to renounce their faith, frequently are subject to late-term abortion and even infanticide, and are likely victims of the largest violation of human-rights abuses on an ethnic minority since World War II, National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot told the Washington Free Beacon.
Uighurs themselves have not stayed silent on the brutal conditions the CCP has subjected them to. Earlier this month, two Uighur advocacy organizations accused Beijing of genocide and crimes against humanity under international law.
The Trump administration is aware of the ongoing calamity in Xinjiang and has taken significant steps to obstruct the genocide. In August, a senior administration official detailed to the Free Beacon 13 different measures the current White House has taken to limit China's economic and political capacity to operate the concentration camps.
This week, Washington doubled down on this pressure through new sanctions on five enterprises using Uighur labor to produce their products. According to acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli, the new order will cost China as much as $250 million.
"This order is intended to disrupt trade," Cuccinelli told the Free Beacon. "The president strongly believes the American people are more than supportive of absorbing those sorts of disruptions in exchange for being able to interrupt the use of slave labor."


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Five Countries Considering Normalizing Relations with Israel, Trump Admin Says

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that five unnamed countries are considering normalizing relations with Israel following major peace deals brokered by the White House , the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday .
Meadows told reporters that three of the countries are located within the Gulf region , while two are outside of it .
The announcement comes only days after the signing of the Abraham Accords on White House grounds this week .
The accords brought together Muslim-majority Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates with Israel to normalize trade , social , and security relations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and region-changing agreement .
Praise from the international community has been significant enough to warrant President Donald Trump 's nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize .
As evidenced by the president ’ s Tuesday remarks on the South Lawn , the hope from Washington is that the accords will bring about a flurry of new peace deals .
`` Today ’ s signing sets history on a new course , '' Trump said .
`` And there will be other countries very , very soon that will follow these great leaders . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
Another landmark Washington-brokered deal in the Balkans normalized some relations between Kosovo and Serbia—historic bitter enemies .
As part of the deal the Muslim-majority Kosovo also recognized Israel , while Serbia will move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2021 .
Beyond the deals already brokered , the Washington Free Beacon reported confidence among administration officials that a peace deal may soon come to Saudi Arabia .
Washington has been prodding Riyadh to better relations with Israel , and the twin factors of peace with peer nations as well as Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it takes to tip the scales .
`` I do believe it ’ s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East '' will eventually make peace with Israel , White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said during a phone call with reporters .
`` I think [ the agreement ] was noticed by everyone in the region , how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received . ''

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that five unnamed countries are considering normalizing relations with Israel following major peace deals brokered by the White House, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Meadows told reporters that three of the countries are located within the Gulf region, while two are outside of it.
The announcement comes only days after the signing of the Abraham Accords on White House grounds this week. The accords brought together Muslim-majority Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates with Israel to normalize trade, social, and security relations in what is being hailed as a historic and region-changing agreement. Praise from the international community has been significant enough to warrant President Donald Trump's nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.
As evidenced by the president’s Tuesday remarks on the South Lawn, the hope from Washington is that the accords will bring about a flurry of new peace deals.
"Today’s signing sets history on a new course," Trump said. "And there will be other countries very, very soon that will follow these great leaders."
There already have been other accords signed this month. Another landmark Washington-brokered deal in the Balkans normalized some relations between Kosovo and Serbia—historic bitter enemies. As part of the deal the Muslim-majority Kosovo also recognized Israel, while Serbia will move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2021.
Beyond the deals already brokered, the Washington Free Beacon reported confidence among administration officials that a peace deal may soon come to Saudi Arabia.
Washington has been prodding Riyadh to better relations with Israel, and the twin factors of peace with peer nations as well as Iran’s growing belligerence may be what it takes to tip the scales.
"I do believe it’s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East" will eventually make peace with Israel, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said during a phone call with reporters. "I think [the agreement] was noticed by everyone in the region, how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received."


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Undercover Journalist Hits Planned Parenthood with Defamation Lawsuit

Undercover journalist David Daleiden filed a defamation lawsuit against Planned Parenthood , alleging that a communications officer gave false statements to a publication regarding organ harvesting operations .
Attorneys for Daleiden at the Thomas More Society said that the nation 's largest abortion organization orchestrated a smear campaign to distract from the content of his work , which featured candid conversations with Planned Parenthood executives about the trade of baby body parts .
`` We have not been surprised over their campaign to smear the reputation of Mr. Daleiden , but they are not allowed to falsely besmirch his reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More Society president Tom Brejcha said in a statement .
The complaint cites a quote given by a communications officer from Planned Parenthood to Rewire News that accused Daleiden and his organization , the Center for Medical Progress , of having `` manufacture [ d ] a fake smear campaign against Planned Parenthood . ''
It also cites a tweet from November 2019 that claimed Daleiden , who posed as a prospective buyer of fetal organs , distorted the truth in his videos .
`` In reality , as PPFA and its representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other fora , Plaintiffs ’ videos accurately record Planned Parenthood officials ' own shocking words spoken in real life , '' the complaint says .
Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Melanie Newman dismissed the lawsuit as `` baseless '' and another chapter in a `` multi-year , malicious campaign to advance [ Daleiden 's ] goals of banning safe , legal abortion in this country . ''
`` These baseless claims are not new .
They are just another desperate attempt by a discredited source to get publicity , '' Newman said in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a years-long legal struggle between Daleiden and Planned Parenthood .
In December 2019 , Daleiden sued an individual Planned Parenthood employee for defamation who was recorded on video discussing the sale of fetal organs .
Abortion supporters have waged a legal battle targeting the pro-life activist in recent years , successfully blocking the release of additional footage and winning a $ 2 million jury verdict over his undercover tactics .
Vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris also launched an investigation into Daleiden during her tenure as California 's attorney general .
Her office , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of the probe , eventually filed criminal charges against the undercover videographer .
Peter Breen , vice president and senior counsel for the Thomas More Society , said that the aggressive response from abortion supporters was intended to silence and intimidate other journalists and whistleblowers .
`` Instead of coming clean about its ruthless pursuit of profit from selling the remains of aborted children , Planned Parenthood tried to smear David Daleiden , the man who blew the whistle on its dirty secret , '' Breen said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him relief in excess of $ 75,000 for damage caused to his reputation , as well as for Planned Parenthood to retract its false statements against his undercover work .

Undercover journalist David Daleiden filed a defamation lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, alleging that a communications officer gave false statements to a publication regarding organ harvesting operations.
Attorneys for Daleiden at the Thomas More Society said that the nation's largest abortion organization orchestrated a smear campaign to distract from the content of his work, which featured candid conversations with Planned Parenthood executives about the trade of baby body parts.
"We have not been surprised over their campaign to smear the reputation of Mr. Daleiden, but they are not allowed to falsely besmirch his reputation for exposing the truth," Thomas More Society president Tom Brejcha said in a statement.
The complaint cites a quote given by a communications officer from Planned Parenthood to Rewire News that accused Daleiden and his organization, the Center for Medical Progress, of having "manufacture[d] a fake smear campaign against Planned Parenthood." It also cites a tweet from November 2019 that claimed Daleiden, who posed as a prospective buyer of fetal organs, distorted the truth in his videos.
"In reality, as PPFA and its representatives recorded on the Videos readily admit in other fora, Plaintiffs’ videos accurately record Planned Parenthood officials' own shocking words spoken in real life," the complaint says.
Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Melanie Newman dismissed the lawsuit as "baseless" and another chapter in a "multi-year, malicious campaign to advance [Daleiden's] goals of banning safe, legal abortion in this country."
"These baseless claims are not new. They are just another desperate attempt by a discredited source to get publicity," Newman said in an email.
The suit marks the latest in a years-long legal struggle between Daleiden and Planned Parenthood. In December 2019, Daleiden sued an individual Planned Parenthood employee for defamation who was recorded on video discussing the sale of fetal organs.
Abortion supporters have waged a legal battle targeting the pro-life activist in recent years, successfully blocking the release of additional footage and winning a $2 million jury verdict over his undercover tactics. Vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris also launched an investigation into Daleiden during her tenure as California's attorney general. Her office, which coordinated with top Planned Parenthood officials during the course of the probe, eventually filed criminal charges against the undercover videographer.
Peter Breen, vice president and senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, said that the aggressive response from abortion supporters was intended to silence and intimidate other journalists and whistleblowers.
"Instead of coming clean about its ruthless pursuit of profit from selling the remains of aborted children, Planned Parenthood tried to smear David Daleiden, the man who blew the whistle on its dirty secret," Breen said in a statement.
Daleiden is asking the court to grant him relief in excess of $75,000 for damage caused to his reputation, as well as for Planned Parenthood to retract its false statements against his undercover work.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Susan Rice Compares Trump to Mao Zedong

Susan Rice Compares Trump to Mao Zedong

Former national security adviser Susan Rice on Thursday said President Donald Trump reminded her of the infamous Chinese dictator Mao @ @ @ @ @ to Trump ’ s reference to a `` patriotic education '' in a Wednesday speech @ @ @ @ @ listening to Mao Zedong running communist China , '' Rice said .
Trump on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ responding to a speech calling for a renewed patriotism to counter `` left-wing indoctrination , @ @ @ @ @ , which is being taught in many public schools .
Mao , the founder of @ @ @ @ @ of China and former chairman of the ruling Communist Party , was responsible for tens @ @ @ @ @ his project to remake all of Chinese society according to his Marxist vision .
He @ @ @ @ @ the most sinister dictators in world history .

Former national security adviser Susan Rice on Thursday said President Donald Trump reminded her of the infamous Chinese dictator Mao Zedong.
Rice took exception to Trump’s reference to a "patriotic education" in a Wednesday speech
"I thought I was listening to Mao Zedong running communist China," Rice said.
Trump on Wednesday delivered a speech Rice was responding to a speech calling for a renewed patriotism to counter "left-wing indoctrination," including the 1619 Project, which is being taught in many public schools.
Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China and former chairman of the ruling Communist Party, was responsible for tens of millions of deaths in his project to remake all of Chinese society according to his Marxist vision. He is widely considered one of the most sinister dictators in world history.


freebeacon--2020-09-18--Biden Would Fine People Not Wearing Masks on Federal Land

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Thursday said he would institute a policy of fining people not wearing a mask on federal land or property .
`` On federal land , I would have the authority [ to enforce a mask mandate ] , '' Biden said during a CNN town hall .
`` If you 're on federal land , you must wear a mask .
In a federal building , you must wear a mask .
And we could have a fine for them not doing it . ''
Biden previously called for a national mandate , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors to use their state power for such a mandate .
When pressed about the details Wednesday , he said he was not sure if such an executive order would pass legal muster but said his team believes it would .
`` The question is whether I have the legal authority as president to sign an executive order , '' Biden said Wednesday .
`` We think we do , but can ’ t guarantee you that yet . ''
CNN 's town hall moderator Anderson Cooper asked Biden if mask enforcement would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some outdoor courts were set up to fine people not wearing them .
Biden told him he wanted to see governors enforcing mask mandates any way they could .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Thursday said he would institute a policy of fining people not wearing a mask on federal land or property.
"On federal land, I would have the authority [to enforce a mask mandate]," Biden said during a CNN town hall. "If you're on federal land, you must wear a mask. In a federal building, you must wear a mask. And we could have a fine for them not doing it."
Biden previously called for a national mandate, although he alternatively said he would call on governors to use their state power for such a mandate. When pressed about the details Wednesday, he said he was not sure if such an executive order would pass legal muster but said his team believes it would.
"The question is whether I have the legal authority as president to sign an executive order," Biden said Wednesday. "We think we do, but can’t guarantee you that yet."
CNN's town hall moderator Anderson Cooper asked Biden if mask enforcement would be like the 1918 pandemic, where some outdoor courts were set up to fine people not wearing them. Biden told him he wanted to see governors enforcing mask mandates any way they could.


freebeacon--2020-09-19--CA Dem Abstains from Voting on Controversial Bills Amid Congressional Run

California state legislator Christy Smith ( D. ) has made a habit of abstaining from controversial votes as she campaigns to unseat GOP congressman Mike Garcia .
The Democrat on August 31 refused to vote on Senate Bill 145 ( SB145 ) , which eases criminal penalties for adults who have sexual relations with minors .
When confronted over the abstention by a constituent on Facebook , Smith claimed that `` in the CA Legislature ‘ not voting ' counts as a no . ''
California legislative records show Smith was not counted as voting `` no '' and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Smith also abstained from voting on an August 24 amendment that would have repealed Assembly Bill 5 ( AB5 ) , a 2019 labor law that experts say impedes the state 's economy by limiting employers ' ability to classify workers as independent contractors .
Roughly two months prior , the Democrat abstained from voting on Assembly Bill 2501 ( AB2501 ) , which aims to provide mortgage and rent relief during coronavirus .
State records show that Smith was present during all three legislative sessions in question and voted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a `` menstrual equality '' bill that requires companies to disclose ingredients found in tampons , pads , and other period products .
While that legislation passed the state assembly unanimously on June 15 , the bills Smith refused to take a position on likely would have opened her up to criticism amid her race against Garcia .
SB145 allows judges to decide whether to place someone on the sex offenders ' list who engages in anal and/or oral sex with a minor within a 10-year age difference .
Proponents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ youth , as such discretion was already granted to those who have vaginal intercourse in the state .
The bill was supported by California LGBTQ groups , including Equality California , which praised the bill for treating `` all Californians fairly and equally—regardless of who they are , what they look like , or whom they love . ''
Smith has received $ 20,000 from Equality PAC since December 2019 .
Opponents of the bill argue that the legislation aids sexual predators .
Democratic assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez railed against the bill during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` give me a situation where a 24-year-old had sex with a 14-year-old , any kind of sex , and it was n't predatory . ''
Smith has also backtracked on legislation that she once supported in her bid to unseat Rep. Mike Garcia ( R. , Calif. ) , who defeated the Democratic legislator in a May special election .
She failed to vote on an August 24 measure to repeal AB5 , despite her past support for the controversial labor law .
The Democrat voted in favor of AB5 in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspending it in February .
The law has proven unpopular in the state—a May Berkeley Research Group report found that most freelance workers `` prefer the unique flexibility '' associated with independent contracting .
AB5 , however , was written by the AFL-CIO—the union 's affiliates have given Smith $ 35,000 since December 2019 .
AB2501 also found Smith stuck between voters and special interest groups .
While many Democrats have advocated for the rent relief and foreclosure moratorium provisions offered in the bill , Smith refused to take a stand .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the legislation , saying it would have a `` potentially damaging impact on the mortgage market . ''
Smith received support from the National Association of Realtors in her May special election run against Garcia—the group spent at least $ 1,400 on digital ads saying Smith `` stands with realtors when it counts '' and gave the Democrat $ 10,000 in direct contributions .
Smith , who did not respond to a request for comment , is again running against Garcia after the Republican beat her by more than 9 points in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flip a Democratic seat in California since 1998 .
The nonpartisan Sabato 's Crystal Ball rates the race `` lean Republican . ''

California state legislator Christy Smith (D.) has made a habit of abstaining from controversial votes as she campaigns to unseat GOP congressman Mike Garcia.
The Democrat on August 31 refused to vote on Senate Bill 145 (SB145), which eases criminal penalties for adults who have sexual relations with minors. When confronted over the abstention by a constituent on Facebook, Smith claimed that "in the CA Legislature 'not voting' counts as a no." California legislative records show Smith was not counted as voting "no" and was instead marked as "no vote recorded."
Smith also abstained from voting on an August 24 amendment that would have repealed Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), a 2019 labor law that experts say impedes the state's economy by limiting employers' ability to classify workers as independent contractors. Roughly two months prior, the Democrat abstained from voting on Assembly Bill 2501 (AB2501), which aims to provide mortgage and rent relief during coronavirus.
State records show that Smith was present during all three legislative sessions in question and voted on dozens of other pieces of legislation, including a "menstrual equality" bill that requires companies to disclose ingredients found in tampons, pads, and other period products. While that legislation passed the state assembly unanimously on June 15, the bills Smith refused to take a position on likely would have opened her up to criticism amid her race against Garcia.
SB145 allows judges to decide whether to place someone on the sex offenders' list who engages in anal and/or oral sex with a minor within a 10-year age difference. Proponents of the bill argue that it ends discrimination against LGBTQ youth, as such discretion was already granted to those who have vaginal intercourse in the state. The bill was supported by California LGBTQ groups, including Equality California, which praised the bill for treating "all Californians fairly and equally—regardless of who they are, what they look like, or whom they love." Smith has received $20,000 from Equality PAC since December 2019.
Opponents of the bill argue that the legislation aids sexual predators. Democratic assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez railed against the bill during its August 31 floor debate, saying "give me a situation where a 24-year-old had sex with a 14-year-old, any kind of sex, and it wasn't predatory."
Smith has also backtracked on legislation that she once supported in her bid to unseat Rep. Mike Garcia (R., Calif.), who defeated the Democratic legislator in a May special election. She failed to vote on an August 24 measure to repeal AB5, despite her past support for the controversial labor law. The Democrat voted in favor of AB5 in September 2019 and went on to vote against suspending it in February. The law has proven unpopular in the state—a May Berkeley Research Group report found that most freelance workers "prefer the unique flexibility" associated with independent contracting. AB5, however, was written by the AFL-CIO—the union's affiliates have given Smith $35,000 since December 2019.
AB2501 also found Smith stuck between voters and special interest groups. While many Democrats have advocated for the rent relief and foreclosure moratorium provisions offered in the bill, Smith refused to take a stand. The California Association of Realtors led the charge against the legislation, saying it would have a "potentially damaging impact on the mortgage market." Smith received support from the National Association of Realtors in her May special election run against Garcia—the group spent at least $1,400 on digital ads saying Smith "stands with realtors when it counts" and gave the Democrat $10,000 in direct contributions.
Smith, who did not respond to a request for comment, is again running against Garcia after the Republican beat her by more than 9 points in May, becoming the first Republican to flip a Democratic seat in California since 1998. The nonpartisan Sabato's Crystal Ball rates the race "lean Republican."


freebeacon--2020-09-19--Biden Stumbles Over His Words, His Notes, and His Facts

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has insisted he 's not slowing down , but this week he struggled to read @ @ @ @ @ , and he even repeated one of the falsehoods about his college career that sunk @ @ @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has insisted he's not slowing down, but this week he struggled to read his notes and speak clearly, and he even repeated one of the falsehoods about his college career that sunk his 1988 presidential campaign.
Published under: Joe Biden