freebeacon--2020-07-22--France Announces De Facto Ban of Huawei 5G Equipment By 2028

French authorities are telling telecommunications companies across the country they will not renew licenses for 5G equipment from the Chinese tech firm Huawei , effectively pushing the company out of France by 2028 , Reuters reported Wednesday .
The decision from Paris comes during an increasingly tense period between China and the West , particularly on grounds of economic cooperation .
The United States—followed by Britain and others this week—banned Huawei from its own 5G network plans .
`` France ’ s position is similar to that of Britain , but the government ’ s communication is different , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters .
`` Huawei can ’ t do much about it . ''
France does not intend to stop there .
On Tuesday , Paris also made clear its intention to send independent observers to the Xinjiang region of China to assess potential human-rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims .
The move by France signals a tough stance on China from beyond the Anglo-American sphere to perhaps the European Union more broadly .
Sentiments in Germany—the EU ’ s largest economy—are beginning to shift on the issue .
`` We can not trust the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our 5G network , '' said German MP Norbert Röttgen .
Experts expect that if Berlin voted today , it would oust Huawei from the country .
While Britain and the United States have generally enjoyed a closer , `` special '' relationship , it is potentially telling that two of the EU and NATO ’ s largest states desire to join ranks with the United States against the People ’ s Republic of China .
`` EU member states do seem to be increasingly doubtful about Huawei , '' an anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard view is heading towards giving maybe just a very small role to Huawei [ for 5G ] , '' the official added .
While visiting London on Tuesday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a `` coalition '' of pro-democracy states to stand up to China .
`` We want to see every nation who understands freedom and democracy … to understand this threat that the Chinese Communist Party is posing to them , '' he said .

French authorities are telling telecommunications companies across the country they will not renew licenses for 5G equipment from the Chinese tech firm Huawei, effectively pushing the company out of France by 2028, Reuters reported Wednesday.
The decision from Paris comes during an increasingly tense period between China and the West, particularly on grounds of economic cooperation. The United States—followed by Britain and others this week—banned Huawei from its own 5G network plans.
"France’s position is similar to that of Britain, but the government’s communication is different," one source close to the matter told Reuters. "Huawei can’t do much about it."
France does not intend to stop there. On Tuesday, Paris also made clear its intention to send independent observers to the Xinjiang region of China to assess potential human-rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims.
The move by France signals a tough stance on China from beyond the Anglo-American sphere to perhaps the European Union more broadly. Sentiments in Germany—the EU’s largest economy—are beginning to shift on the issue.
"We cannot trust the Chinese state and the Chinese Communist Party with our 5G network," said German MP Norbert Röttgen. Experts expect that if Berlin voted today, it would oust Huawei from the country.
While Britain and the United States have generally enjoyed a closer, "special" relationship, it is potentially telling that two of the EU and NATO’s largest states desire to join ranks with the United States against the People’s Republic of China. "EU member states do seem to be increasingly doubtful about Huawei," an anonymous senior EU official said. "The standard view is heading towards giving maybe just a very small role to Huawei [for 5G]," the official added.
While visiting London on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a "coalition" of pro-democracy states to stand up to China. "We want to see every nation who understands freedom and democracy … to understand this threat that the Chinese Communist Party is posing to them," he said.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Cop-O Research: Is Kamala Harris Planting Evidence on Her VP Rivals?

Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , whose failed presidential campaign flamed out before any primary votes were cast , is a top contender to be Joe Biden 's running mate in 2020 .
Curiously enough , negative stories about Harris 's potential rivals for the VP slot have been popping up of late in mainstream media outlets .
Imagine that .
Biden 's promise to select a female running mate , along with the increasing pressure to pick a woman of color , has left the former vice president with limited options .
Only two women of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mass . )
—campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Despite her failings as a candidate , Harris is widely considered the favorite thanks to her relatively high profile compared with the other black women rumored to be on Biden 's shortlist , such as Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ( D. ) , Rep. Val Demings ( D. , Fla. ) , and Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) .
In recent weeks , all three have had negative stories published about them—almost certainly the result of opposition research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within a span of two days earlier this month , Vox and Politico published similar stories criticizing Demings 's record as Orlando police chief .
Harris has been criticized in similar fashion for pursuing `` tough on crime '' policies as California attorney general back when the Democratic Party still believed in crime prevention—although neither story mentions Harris 's record .
Around the same time , ABC News published a story highlighting Bottoms 's ties to `` controversial figure '' Kasim Reed , the former Atlanta mayor who left office in disgrace amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison time for a number of his senior staffers .
Harris herself is no stranger to controversial figures .
Her political career emerged as she was in a relationship with former San Francisco mayor ( and Washington Free Beacon Man of the Year ) Willie Brown , who was also the subject of a federal corruption investigation—but once again , Harris 's similar background went unmentioned .
Following reports that Biden was considering Bass because of her relative lack of interest in using the VP gig as a platform to launch a presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an article about how the congresswoman once described Cuban dictator Fidel Castro as `` comandante en jefe '' ( commander in chief ) .
`` Florida Democrats recoil at Karen Bass VP float , '' the headline read .
Harris clearly wants the gig .
Pretty much everyone does , given the likelihood that the elderly and cognitively declining Biden might not even serve a full term in office .
Enough to be shopping oppo about the other black women under consideration ?
Obviously .
The Atlantic described Harris 's `` shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very open secret '' and noted the efforts of supporters to make the case that Harris is the only woman of color with `` the experience to understand the scrutiny and pressure of being part of a national campaign . ''
The New York Times reported that Harris has been `` maneuvering privately '' to avoid coming across as pathetically desperate .
Harris is reportedly `` frustrated with the bureaucracy '' in Congress and pines for the executive authority she enjoyed as attorney general of California , when she launched a war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impoverished parents .
Meanwhile , celebrity truants such as climate activist Greta Thunberg continue to evade justice .

Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), whose failed presidential campaign flamed out before any primary votes were cast, is a top contender to be Joe Biden's running mate in 2020. Curiously enough, negative stories about Harris's potential rivals for the VP slot have been popping up of late in mainstream media outlets. Imagine that.
Biden's promise to select a female running mate, along with the increasing pressure to pick a woman of color, has left the former vice president with limited options. Only two women of color—Harris and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.)—campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Despite her failings as a candidate, Harris is widely considered the favorite thanks to her relatively high profile compared with the other black women rumored to be on Biden's shortlist, such as Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D.), Rep. Val Demings (D., Fla.), and Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.). In recent weeks, all three have had negative stories published about them—almost certainly the result of opposition research fed to reporters by a rival.
Within a span of two days earlier this month, Vox and Politico published similar stories criticizing Demings's record as Orlando police chief. Harris has been criticized in similar fashion for pursuing "tough on crime" policies as California attorney general back when the Democratic Party still believed in crime prevention—although neither story mentions Harris's record.
Around the same time, ABC News published a story highlighting Bottoms's ties to "controversial figure" Kasim Reed, the former Atlanta mayor who left office in disgrace amid a federal corruption investigation that resulted in prison time for a number of his senior staffers. Harris herself is no stranger to controversial figures. Her political career emerged as she was in a relationship with former San Francisco mayor (and Washington Free Beacon Man of the Year) Willie Brown, who was also the subject of a federal corruption investigation—but once again, Harris's similar background went unmentioned.
Following reports that Biden was considering Bass because of her relative lack of interest in using the VP gig as a platform to launch a presidential campaign in 2024, Politico came through with an article about how the congresswoman once described Cuban dictator Fidel Castro as "comandante en jefe" (commander in chief). "Florida Democrats recoil at Karen Bass VP float," the headline read.
Harris clearly wants the gig. Pretty much everyone does, given the likelihood that the elderly and cognitively declining Biden might not even serve a full term in office. Enough to be shopping oppo about the other black women under consideration? Obviously.
The Atlantic described Harris's "shadow campaign for vice president" as a "very open secret" and noted the efforts of supporters to make the case that Harris is the only woman of color with "the experience to understand the scrutiny and pressure of being part of a national campaign." The New York Times reported that Harris has been "maneuvering privately" to avoid coming across as pathetically desperate.
Harris is reportedly "frustrated with the bureaucracy" in Congress and pines for the executive authority she enjoyed as attorney general of California, when she launched a war on truancy that led to the arrest of impoverished parents. Meanwhile, celebrity truants such as climate activist Greta Thunberg continue to evade justice.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Senate Moves to Ban TikTok From Government-Issued Devices

A Senate committee moved to ban the use of TikTok on U.S. government devices .
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed a bill , proposed by Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
, that would ban government devices from using the Chinese social media app .
The bill will now move on to a vote by the Senate .
`` TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that includes Chinese Communist Party members on its board , and it is required by law to share user data with Beijing , '' Hawley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of our federal agencies have already recognized , TikTok is a major security risk to the United States , and it has no place on government devices . ''
The app 's potential national security risks have been a topic of ongoing conversations about the growing competition between the United States and China .
Rep. Ken Buck ( R. , Colo. ) proposed that the $ 741 billion National Defense Authorization Act forbid TikTok on government devices .
The amendment passed 336-71 .
Earlier this month , the Washington Free Beacon reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Beltway Democrats .
Former staffers of House Majority Whip James Clyburn ( D. , S.C. ) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) are among those lobbying against restrictions on the app .
TikTok has faced federal oversight in the past .
In February 2019 , the app was hit with a $ 5.7 million fine for illegally collecting data of users under 13 years old .
An official statement from TikTok insists that compliance with U.S. national security guidelines is a top priority for the app .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment and creative expression , which we recognize is not what federal government devices are for , '' said a company spokeswoman .

A Senate committee moved to ban the use of TikTok on U.S. government devices.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed a bill, proposed by Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), that would ban government devices from using the Chinese social media app. The bill will now move on to a vote by the Senate.
"TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that includes Chinese Communist Party members on its board, and it is required by law to share user data with Beijing," Hawley said in a statement. "As many of our federal agencies have already recognized, TikTok is a major security risk to the United States, and it has no place on government devices."
The app's potential national security risks have been a topic of ongoing conversations about the growing competition between the United States and China. Rep. Ken Buck (R., Colo.) proposed that the $741 billion National Defense Authorization Act forbid TikTok on government devices. The amendment passed 336-71.
Earlier this month, the Washington Free Beacon reported on the app's growing influence-peddling operation among Beltway Democrats. Former staffers of House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D., S.C.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) are among those lobbying against restrictions on the app.
TikTok has faced federal oversight in the past. In February 2019, the app was hit with a $5.7 million fine for illegally collecting data of users under 13 years old.
An official statement from TikTok insists that compliance with U.S. national security guidelines is a top priority for the app. "Millions of American families use TikTok for entertainment and creative expression, which we recognize is not what federal government devices are for," said a company spokeswoman.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Ossoff Says Corporate PAC Money ‘Kills’ As He Rakes In Thousands From Them

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said in a new fundraising email that Sen. David Perdue 's ( R. , Ga. ) acceptance of corporate PAC money `` kills , '' even as Ossoff has taken thousands from leadership PACs funded by corporate money .
`` The corruption is blatant , '' Ossoff wrote Tuesday to supporters about Perdue .
`` And corruption kills . ''
Ossoff , however , took $ 37,500 in the second quarter of 2020 from nine Democratic leadership PACs , all of which have received corporate PAC donations .
Ossoff also said `` people die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then votes to benefit drug companies .
But some of the leadership PACs who donated to Ossoff have benefited from that industry too .
He took $ 20,000 from five Democratic leadership PACs that have hauled in more than $ 220,000 from pharmaceutical and health product PACs in the 2020 cycle , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
That includes Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto 's ( D. , Nev. ) All for Our Country leadership PAC , which gave Ossoff $ 5,000 and has received $ 70,500 from pharmaceutical PACs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accept corporate PAC money , even making it the cornerstone of a new televised ad .
`` The corporate PACs can keep their money ; I won ’ t be taking a dime of it , '' Ossoff told Teen Vogue last year .
His campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
While Ossoff has assailed Perdue as corrupt , Perdue has attacked him in turn as a tool of socialism and a threat to the American dream .
Polls show Perdue with a small advantage over Ossoff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat since Zell Miller in 2000 .

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said in a new fundraising email that Sen. David Perdue's (R., Ga.) acceptance of corporate PAC money "kills," even as Ossoff has taken thousands from leadership PACs funded by corporate money.
"The corruption is blatant," Ossoff wrote Tuesday to supporters about Perdue. "And corruption kills."
Ossoff, however, took $37,500 in the second quarter of 2020 from nine Democratic leadership PACs, all of which have received corporate PAC donations.
Ossoff also said "people die" when Perdue accepts pharmaceutical PAC cash and then votes to benefit drug companies. But some of the leadership PACs who donated to Ossoff have benefited from that industry too.
He took $20,000 from five Democratic leadership PACs that have hauled in more than $220,000 from pharmaceutical and health product PACs in the 2020 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That includes Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D., Nev.) All for Our Country leadership PAC, which gave Ossoff $5,000 and has received $70,500 from pharmaceutical PACs.
Ossoff has repeatedly insisted he would not accept corporate PAC money, even making it the cornerstone of a new televised ad.
"The corporate PACs can keep their money; I won’t be taking a dime of it," Ossoff told Teen Vogue last year.
While Ossoff has assailed Perdue as corrupt, Perdue has attacked him in turn as a tool of socialism and a threat to the American dream.
Polls show Perdue with a small advantage over Ossoff, who is trying to become the first Georgia Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat since Zell Miller in 2000.
UPDATE: Thursday, 9:58 A.M.: This article initially stated Ossoff's campaign did not respond to a request for comment, but the request for comment never went through to the Ossoff campaign. This has been corrected.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Survey: Majority of Americans Afraid of Expressing Political Beliefs

A majority of Americans say they are worried about facing social or professional consequences for their political views , a new survey from the Cato Institute found .
The survey , conducted by Cato in collaboration with YouGov , found 62 percent of Americans self-censor their political expression out of fear of offending others .
Majorities across the political spectrum said they are worried about sharing their political opinions , including 52 percent of Democrats , 59 percent of independents , and 77 percent of Republicans .
Thirty-one percent of liberals , 30 percent of moderates , and 34 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about professional retribution for political speech .
The only respondent group with a majority confident in sharing political opinions was the `` strong liberal '' group , 58 percent of whom said they were confident .
Fifty-two percent of respondents who identified as `` liberal '' said the political climate prevents them from sharing some of their beliefs , while 64 percent of `` moderate '' respondents and 77 percent of `` conservative '' and `` strongly conservative '' respondents said the same .
Respondents with stronger ideological leanings expressed support for punishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the sentiment was higher for strong liberals than strong conservatives .
Half of `` strong liberals '' and 36 percent of `` strong conservatives '' said they support punishing business executives who donate to the opposing party 's presidential candidate .
A Politico survey found that more Americans are becoming aware of so-called cancel culture , a social trend in which views are regulated through public shaming and self-censorship .
Almost half of respondents told the outlet cancel culture had `` gone too far , '' and only a quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or had no opinion on the matter .
Cancel culture has gained prominence as more private citizens have faced real-world consequences for controversies that grew online .
Recent examples include a high school teacher and coach who said he was fired for writing that `` Trump is our president '' on social media , a power company worker falsely accused of flashing a `` white-power '' sign , and an immigrant owner of a catering company whose daughter had written offensive social media posts as a teenager .
New York Times opinion editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opinion section ran an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
that a group of staffers claimed put black Times employees `` in danger . ''
Opinion editor Bari Weiss also resigned from the paper , citing harassment she experienced from her colleagues , and Andrew Sullivan said he left New York magazine because he has `` no idea what version of conservatism could ever be tolerated '' in the future .
At the beginning of the month , an open letter in Harper 's Magazine defending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused three of the letter 's signers to withdraw their signatures .
A response letter argued that the Harper 's letter was a `` caustic reaction to a diversifying industry '' and accused free speech advocates of using `` nebulous concepts and coded language '' to uphold institutional norms that protect bigotry .

A majority of Americans say they are worried about facing social or professional consequences for their political views, a new survey from the Cato Institute found.
The survey, conducted by Cato in collaboration with YouGov, found 62 percent of Americans self-censor their political expression out of fear of offending others. Majorities across the political spectrum said they are worried about sharing their political opinions, including 52 percent of Democrats, 59 percent of independents, and 77 percent of Republicans.
Thirty-one percent of liberals, 30 percent of moderates, and 34 percent of conservatives said they are specifically worried about professional retribution for political speech. The only respondent group with a majority confident in sharing political opinions was the "strong liberal" group, 58 percent of whom said they were confident. Fifty-two percent of respondents who identified as "liberal" said the political climate prevents them from sharing some of their beliefs, while 64 percent of "moderate" respondents and 77 percent of "conservative" and "strongly conservative" respondents said the same.
Respondents with stronger ideological leanings expressed support for punishing business executives who engage in political speech, although the sentiment was higher for strong liberals than strong conservatives. Half of "strong liberals" and 36 percent of "strong conservatives" said they support punishing business executives who donate to the opposing party's presidential candidate.
A Politico survey found that more Americans are becoming aware of so-called cancel culture, a social trend in which views are regulated through public shaming and self-censorship. Almost half of respondents told the outlet cancel culture had "gone too far," and only a quarter of respondents said they were not familiar with or had no opinion on the matter.
Cancel culture has gained prominence as more private citizens have faced real-world consequences for controversies that grew online. Recent examples include a high school teacher and coach who said he was fired for writing that "Trump is our president" on social media, a power company worker falsely accused of flashing a "white-power" sign, and an immigrant owner of a catering company whose daughter had written offensive social media posts as a teenager.
New York Times opinion editor James Bennet resigned from the paper after the opinion section ran an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) that a group of staffers claimed put black Times employees "in danger." Opinion editor Bari Weiss also resigned from the paper, citing harassment she experienced from her colleagues, and Andrew Sullivan said he left New York magazine because he has "no idea what version of conservatism could ever be tolerated" in the future.
At the beginning of the month, an open letter in Harper's Magazine defending the free exchange of ideas roiled progressives online and caused three of the letter's signers to withdraw their signatures. A response letter argued that the Harper's letter was a "caustic reaction to a diversifying industry" and accused free speech advocates of using "nebulous concepts and coded language" to uphold institutional norms that protect bigotry.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--In Course Reversal, George Washington University Will Not Recommend Book Equating Conservatism With

In Course Reversal, George Washington University Will Not Recommend Book Equating Conservatism With Racism

George Washington University apologized after the Washington Free Beacon revealed that the school 's resource guide on `` anti-racism '' included a book that equates conservatism with bigotry .
The Washington , D.C.-based school 's Office for Diversity , Equity , and Community Engagement created a `` Solidarity Resource Syllabus '' with a reading list that focuses on racism and allyship in the United States .
Among the 126 books was San Francisco State University professor Robert Smith 's book Conservatism and Racism , and Why in America They Are the Same .
The book labels all conservatives , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The university and diversity office have failed to respond to requests for comment from the Free Beacon but issued a public statement repudiating the book on Monday .
`` The Office for Diversity , Equity , and Community Engagement apologizes for the harm that members of the GW community experienced as a result of us listing a book about an author 's opinion on conservative people as a resource , '' the statement posted to the office website says .
`` We removed the book and continue to engage with community members impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback from the GW community as we continue working toward a more diverse and inclusive GW community . ''
Smith told the Free Beacon that his book— '' a historical , philosophical , and empirical study '' —is more useful today than when it was published in 2010 .
He declined to comment on the university 's decision to remove his work .
Campus conservatives are welcoming the decision , saying they had been unfairly smeared .
GWU 's Young America 's Foundation placed pressure on the university to remove the book by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chapter president Gillian Hand told the Free Beacon that the book undermined the university 's stated goal of eliminating prejudice .
`` It 's no surprise that GW is mainly a left-leaning school , but we would never expect GW 's administration to blatantly come out and label a group of students as racist , '' Hand said .
`` It was great to see … GW come out and acknowledge that they were wrong . ''
The university hosted a number of online programs on racism that were consolidated into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to educate more students about the dangers of discrimination .
The university 's educational sessions were titled , `` Non-black people of color conversation : Role in anti-blackness '' and `` Conversation about the role of white people in racial justice and anti-racism , '' among others .

George Washington University apologized after the Washington Free Beacon revealed that the school's resource guide on "anti-racism" included a book that equates conservatism with bigotry.
The Washington, D.C.-based school's Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement created a "Solidarity Resource Syllabus" with a reading list that focuses on racism and allyship in the United States. Among the 126 books was San Francisco State University professor Robert Smith's book Conservatism and Racism, and Why in America They Are the Same. The book labels all conservatives, including people of color, as bigots. The university and diversity office have failed to respond to requests for comment from the Free Beacon but issued a public statement repudiating the book on Monday.
"The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement apologizes for the harm that members of the GW community experienced as a result of us listing a book about an author's opinion on conservative people as a resource," the statement posted to the office website says. "We removed the book and continue to engage with community members impacted. Our team remains open to receiving feedback from the GW community as we continue working toward a more diverse and inclusive GW community."
Smith told the Free Beacon that his book—"a historical, philosophical, and empirical study"—is more useful today than when it was published in 2010. He declined to comment on the university's decision to remove his work.
Campus conservatives are welcoming the decision, saying they had been unfairly smeared. GWU's Young America's Foundation placed pressure on the university to remove the book by emailing the diversity office and other administrators. Chapter president Gillian Hand told the Free Beacon that the book undermined the university's stated goal of eliminating prejudice.
"It's no surprise that GW is mainly a left-leaning school, but we would never expect GW's administration to blatantly come out and label a group of students as racist," Hand said. "It was great to see ... GW come out and acknowledge that they were wrong."
The university hosted a number of online programs on racism that were consolidated into the school's "resource guide" in an effort to educate more students about the dangers of discrimination. The university's educational sessions were titled, "Non-black people of color conversation: Role in anti-blackness" and "Conversation about the role of white people in racial justice and anti-racism," among others.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Senate Holds Hearing on Countering Chinese Influence, Human-Rights Abuses

The Senate Committee on Banking , Housing , and Urban Affairs conducted a hearing Wednesday to address potential steps the U.S. government might take to address the threat the Chinese Communist Party regime poses to the United States and other global democracies .
A bipartisan group of senators , including Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, Martha McSally ( R. , Ariz. ) , and Catherine Cortez Masto ( D. , Nev. ) , asked witnesses to identify measures needed to curb China ’ s control over health care and technological supply chains and Chinese companies taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The senators discussed the Chinese Communist Party 's human-rights abuses , including the use of artificial intelligence and mass surveillance to spy on their citizens and slave labor in Chinese factories .
Cotton condemned China 's use of slave labor and said the regime `` is the most formidable enemy the United States has faced in living memory . ''
The Economic Policy subcommittee is working on a report outlining steps the United States should take to compete with China .
Other government leaders , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to address the threat China poses to U.S. national security .
Last week , Pompeo called for democratically governed states to form a coalition opposing Chinese influence and violations of international standards .
At Wednesday 's hearing , Hudson Institute fellow Walter Russell Mead told the Senate panel that threats from China and Russia should be taken seriously .
`` The U.S. relationship with a revisionist , and possibly revolutionary , neo-communist China can not be business as usual , '' Mead said .
`` Countries like China and Russia that claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest and counter U.S. values need to be taken at their word . ''
Some senators said the United States should invest in building 5G and artificial intelligence as part of American infrastructure in order to disentangle U.S. markets from China ’ s technological supply chains .
`` China is attempting to displace the United States as a leader in high-tech sectors , but China does n't play by the rules of the road , '' Sen. Cortez Masto said .
`` It subsidizes state-owned enterprises , restricts market access , steals U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suppress their own people . ''
On Wednesday , the United States announced it had ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston closed `` to protect American intellectual property and Americans ' private information . ''
China responded Wednesday morning , threatening retaliation .

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs conducted a hearing Wednesday to address potential steps the U.S. government might take to address the threat the Chinese Communist Party regime poses to the United States and other global democracies.
A bipartisan group of senators, including Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D., Nev.), asked witnesses to identify measures needed to curb China’s control over health care and technological supply chains and Chinese companies taking advantage of U.S. patents and property-rights protections. The senators discussed the Chinese Communist Party's human-rights abuses, including the use of artificial intelligence and mass surveillance to spy on their citizens and slave labor in Chinese factories.
Cotton condemned China's use of slave labor and said the regime "is the most formidable enemy the United States has faced in living memory."
The Economic Policy subcommittee is working on a report outlining steps the United States should take to compete with China. Other government leaders, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and FBI director Chris Wray, have taken steps to address the threat China poses to U.S. national security. Last week, Pompeo called for democratically governed states to form a coalition opposing Chinese influence and violations of international standards.
At Wednesday's hearing, Hudson Institute fellow Walter Russell Mead told the Senate panel that threats from China and Russia should be taken seriously.
"The U.S. relationship with a revisionist, and possibly revolutionary, neo-communist China cannot be business as usual," Mead said. "Countries like China and Russia that claim they are actively seeking to undermine U.S. interest and counter U.S. values need to be taken at their word."
Some senators said the United States should invest in building 5G and artificial intelligence as part of American infrastructure in order to disentangle U.S. markets from China’s technological supply chains.
"China is attempting to displace the United States as a leader in high-tech sectors, but China doesn't play by the rules of the road," Sen. Cortez Masto said. "It subsidizes state-owned enterprises, restricts market access, steals U.S. intellectual property ... and uses new technologies to suppress their own people."
On Wednesday, the United States announced it had ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston closed "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information." China responded Wednesday morning, threatening retaliation.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Cruz Aide Says Twitter Likely Criminally Liable for Enabling Iranian Regime

Sen. Ted Cruz 's ( R. , Texas ) national security adviser said Twitter is likely breaking federal law by providing a platform for Iranian officials on Tuesday .
`` Unrelatedly but sort of relatedly , you guys are almost certainly in criminal violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act because you provide services to Iranian officials designated under EO 13876 , '' said Cruz adviser Omri Ceren .
`` The penalties are 10 years in prison and $ 1 million fines . ''
Enacted in 1977 , the act empowers the president to block transactions or freeze assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat '' to the United States .
Executive Order 13876 , issued in 2019 , applied the act 's broader powers to Iranian officials , including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei .
Twitter currently hosts accounts in multiple languages for Khamenei , where he and his office regularly broadcast Iranian propaganda .
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai previously suggested tweets from Khamanei 's account—including calls for Israel 's destruction—violate Twitter guidelines for `` glorifying violence . ''
`` The Zionist regime is a deadly , cancerous growth and a detriment to this region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed , '' one tweet from Khamanei reads .
Twitter has come under extensive scrutiny in the past for the seemingly unbalanced application of its rules , including toward conservative groups , and allowing China to engage in information warfare .

Sen. Ted Cruz's (R., Texas) national security adviser said Twitter is likely breaking federal law by providing a platform for Iranian officials on Tuesday.
"Unrelatedly but sort of relatedly, you guys are almost certainly in criminal violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act because you provide services to Iranian officials designated under EO 13876," said Cruz adviser Omri Ceren. "The penalties are 10 years in prison and $1 million fines."
Enacted in 1977, the act empowers the president to block transactions or freeze assets related to "an unusual or extraordinary threat" to the United States. Executive Order 13876, issued in 2019, applied the act's broader powers to Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Twitter currently hosts accounts in multiple languages for Khamenei, where he and his office regularly broadcast Iranian propaganda. Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai previously suggested tweets from Khamanei's account—including calls for Israel's destruction—violate Twitter guidelines for "glorifying violence."
"The Zionist regime is a deadly, cancerous growth and a detriment to this region. It will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed," one tweet from Khamanei reads.
Twitter has come under extensive scrutiny in the past for the seemingly unbalanced application of its rules, including toward conservative groups, and allowing China to engage in information warfare.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--NBA Will Shutter Chinese Training Center

The NBA announced Tuesday that it has terminated its relationship with a league-run training academy in Xinjiang , China—the region in which the communist nation is reportedly holding roughly one million Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps .
The announcement follows a June 30 letter from Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R. , Tenn. ) to NBA commissioner Adam Silver .
Blackburn highlighted the league ’ s operation of an NBA academy in Xinjiang , which Blackburn described as `` one of the world ’ s worst humanitarian zones . ''
The Tennessee Republican detailed ongoing atrocities in the region .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly more than 2 million Uyghurs and ethnic Kazakhs '' detained in Xinjiang concentration camps endure `` torture , physical abuse , and prolonged detention without trial . ''
The letter also said China used `` sterilization treatments and forced abortions in a barbaric attempt to reduce Uyghur birth rates . ''
`` The NBA reportedly continues to operate a training center [ in ] Xinjiang , '' Blackburn wrote .
`` What steps is the NBA taking to shutter this location ? ''
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum responded to Blackburn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league `` has had no involvement with the Xinjiang basketball academy for more than a year , and the relationship has been terminated . ''
Blackburn praised the league 's decision to `` abandon its footprint in Xinjiang , '' calling it `` the right way to condemn Chinese oppression . ''
The GOP senator , however , criticized Tatum 's response to scrutiny over the league ’ s relationship with Chinese tech giant Alibaba , which Blackburn described as a `` state-owned enterprise . ''
Tatum revealed that the league has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company and downplayed its ties to the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) , noting that `` Alibaba is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange , and most shares are held by institutional investors . ''
Alibaba ’ s founder and former chairman , Jack Ma , is a CCP member .
Blackburn said the league ’ s continued partnership with the company `` remains a cause for concern . ''
`` Chinese companies are notorious for stealing American intellectual property and technology , and these thefts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Blackburn said in a statement .
`` The NBA ’ s continued financial relationship with Alibaba requires a closer look . ''
Tatum 's response marks the league 's latest attempt to navigate ongoing criticism over its relationship with the communist regime .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
indicated he would support a subpoena of Silver to further reveal the nature of the relationship—the Missouri Republican on Tuesday accused the league of profiting off of forced labor in the Uyghur concentration camps .
`` I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nike , like the NBA , who rely on forced slave labor overseas to make their products , '' Hawley said during a Fox News appearance .
`` Uyghur concentration camps , for instance , help make those Nike uniforms that the NBA wears .
They should pledge right now—Nike , the NBA , and all these American corporations—that they will not use forced slave labor . ''

The NBA announced Tuesday that it has terminated its relationship with a league-run training academy in Xinjiang, China—the region in which the communist nation is reportedly holding roughly one million Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps.
The announcement follows a June 30 letter from Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) to NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Blackburn highlighted the league’s operation of an NBA academy in Xinjiang, which Blackburn described as "one of the world’s worst humanitarian zones."
The Tennessee Republican detailed ongoing atrocities in the region. Her letter noted that the "800,000 and possibly more than 2 million Uyghurs and ethnic Kazakhs" detained in Xinjiang concentration camps endure "torture, physical abuse, and prolonged detention without trial." The letter also said China used "sterilization treatments and forced abortions in a barbaric attempt to reduce Uyghur birth rates."
"The NBA reportedly continues to operate a training center [in] Xinjiang," Blackburn wrote. "What steps is the NBA taking to shutter this location?"
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum responded to Blackburn’s letter Tuesday, writing that the league "has had no involvement with the Xinjiang basketball academy for more than a year, and the relationship has been terminated."
Blackburn praised the league's decision to "abandon its footprint in Xinjiang," calling it "the right way to condemn Chinese oppression." The GOP senator, however, criticized Tatum's response to scrutiny over the league’s relationship with Chinese tech giant Alibaba, which Blackburn described as a "state-owned enterprise."
Tatum revealed that the league has a "multi-year contractual relationship" with the company and downplayed its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), noting that "Alibaba is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and most shares are held by institutional investors." Alibaba’s founder and former chairman, Jack Ma, is a CCP member. Blackburn said the league’s continued partnership with the company "remains a cause for concern."
"Chinese companies are notorious for stealing American intellectual property and technology, and these thefts have cost our businesses billions of dollars," Blackburn said in a statement. "The NBA’s continued financial relationship with Alibaba requires a closer look."
Tatum's response marks the league's latest attempt to navigate ongoing criticism over its relationship with the communist regime. Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) indicated he would support a subpoena of Silver to further reveal the nature of the relationship—the Missouri Republican on Tuesday accused the league of profiting off of forced labor in the Uyghur concentration camps.
"I want to challenge these major American corporations, like Nike, like the NBA, who rely on forced slave labor overseas to make their products," Hawley said during a Fox News appearance. "Uyghur concentration camps, for instance, help make those Nike uniforms that the NBA wears. They should pledge right now—Nike, the NBA, and all these American corporations—that they will not use forced slave labor."


freebeacon--2020-07-22--U.K. Will Offer Citizenship to Escaping Hong Kongers

The United Kingdom has announced its intention to offer a special pathway to citizenship for escaping Hong Kongers , effective in January , the Associated Press reported Wednesday .
The British Home Office clarified in a statement that the policy will apply to Hong Kongers with a British National Overseas passport , along with their immediate family members , allowing them to move to Britain for either work or study .
`` Today 's announcement shows the U.K. is keeping its word : We will not look the other way on Hong Kong , and we will not duck our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said .
The decision comes in response to a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong that completed Beijing 's hostile takeover of Hong Kong autonomy , as well as a highly touted visit between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British policymakers on Tuesday .
The visit touched on increasing cooperation on the issue of Hong Kong , among others .
`` You 've joined other free nations to condemn China 's broken promises on the Sino-British treaty .
You generously opened your doors to Hong Kongers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some freedom , '' Pompeo said of Raab and his department on Tuesday .
`` And yesterday you suspended your extradition treaty and extended your arms embargo on China to Hong Kong itself .
We support those sovereign choices ; we think well done . ''
Britain is also in increasing lockstep with the United States on issues such as China 's technological interference , declaring its intention to ban Huawei from future 5G network development .
Meanwhile , some American policymakers are actively considering similar measures for Hong Kong 's political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month from both the Senate and the House proposed protections and refugee status for certain Hong Kongers , almost immediately following the imposition of the national security law from mainland China .
`` Throughout history , from Iran to the Soviet Union , the United States has looked out for persecuted populations looking for basic human freedoms , '' Rep. Adam Kinzinger ( R. , Ill. ) said last month .
`` With the recently enacted National Security Law in Hong Kong , the Chinese Communist Party has shown their true colors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the freedoms of millions . ''

The United Kingdom has announced its intention to offer a special pathway to citizenship for escaping Hong Kongers, effective in January, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
The British Home Office clarified in a statement that the policy will apply to Hong Kongers with a British National Overseas passport, along with their immediate family members, allowing them to move to Britain for either work or study.
"Today's announcement shows the U.K. is keeping its word: We will not look the other way on Hong Kong, and we will not duck our historic responsibilities to its people," British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said.
The decision comes in response to a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong that completed Beijing's hostile takeover of Hong Kong autonomy, as well as a highly touted visit between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British policymakers on Tuesday. The visit touched on increasing cooperation on the issue of Hong Kong, among others.
"You've joined other free nations to condemn China's broken promises on the Sino-British treaty. You generously opened your doors to Hong Kongers who seek nothing more and fleeing just for some freedom," Pompeo said of Raab and his department on Tuesday. "And yesterday you suspended your extradition treaty and extended your arms embargo on China to Hong Kong itself. We support those sovereign choices; we think well done."
Britain is also in increasing lockstep with the United States on issues such as China's technological interference, declaring its intention to ban Huawei from future 5G network development.
Meanwhile, some American policymakers are actively considering similar measures for Hong Kong's political refugees. A flurry of bipartisan bills last month from both the Senate and the House proposed protections and refugee status for certain Hong Kongers, almost immediately following the imposition of the national security law from mainland China.
"Throughout history, from Iran to the Soviet Union, the United States has looked out for persecuted populations looking for basic human freedoms," Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R., Ill.) said last month. "With the recently enacted National Security Law in Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party has shown their true colors as they ignore international agreements and suffocate the freedoms of millions."


freebeacon--2020-07-22--White House Orders Chinese Consulate in Houston Closed

Washington ordered China to close its consulate in Houston to protect Americans from intellectual property theft , the Associated Press reported Wednesday .
`` The United States will not tolerate [ China ’ s ] violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated [ its ] unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior , '' said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus .
The closure of China ’ s Houston consulate is the latest move in a weeks-long escalation of tensions between the United States and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , and human rights .
Many expect the confrontation to only further escalate with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s planned speech at the Nixon Library in California on Thursday .
The announcement comes a day after Houston firefighters responded to a call at the consulate , where papers were allegedly being burned .
The firefighters , however , were denied entry .
`` The unilateral closure of China ’ s consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wenbin .
Wang said if the decision is not reversed , firm countermeasures will follow .
In late January , the United States closed its Wuhan consulate—one of five consulates in China—along with its embassy in Beijing .
The Trump administration announced it has no plans to reopen the Wuhan consulate .
Recent remarks from high-ranking national security officials indicate a shift in America ’ s stance toward China , while the Xi regime ’ s own statements do the same .
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi recently asserted that the Sino-American relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point since 1979 and that the countries may face irreconcilable differences .

Washington ordered China to close its consulate in Houston to protect Americans from intellectual property theft, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
"The United States will not tolerate [China’s] violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated [its] unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior," said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.
The closure of China’s Houston consulate is the latest move in a weeks-long escalation of tensions between the United States and China over geopolitics, technological interference, global health, and human rights. Many expect the confrontation to only further escalate with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s planned speech at the Nixon Library in California on Thursday.
The announcement comes a day after Houston firefighters responded to a call at the consulate, where papers were allegedly being burned. The firefighters, however, were denied entry.
"The unilateral closure of China’s consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Wang said if the decision is not reversed, firm countermeasures will follow.
In late January, the United States closed its Wuhan consulate—one of five consulates in China—along with its embassy in Beijing. The Trump administration announced it has no plans to reopen the Wuhan consulate.
Recent remarks from high-ranking national security officials indicate a shift in America’s stance toward China, while the Xi regime’s own statements do the same. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi recently asserted that the Sino-American relationship is as tense now as at any point since 1979 and that the countries may face irreconcilable differences.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Iranian Hezbollah Poised for Large-Scale Attack on Israel, Says Former IDF Officer

The Iranian terror group Hezbollah is laying the groundwork for a large-scale attack on Israel ’ s northern border , according to new warnings from a former member of the Israel Defense Forces ' Intelligence Corps .
Hezbollah forces have been building complex tunnels and amassing arms along Israel ’ s northern border with Lebanon in recent months , generating concerns the Iranian-backed terror group is planning a large-scale attack reminiscent of its 2006 cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and the capture of two others .
The militant group is consolidating its forces and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 2006 attack , according to former IDF intelligence officer Sarit Zehavi , who spent 15 years in the Israeli military and now runs the Alma Research and Education Center , which has been investigating Hezbollah movements along the border area with Israel .
Zehavi briefed reporters on the developing situation on Wednesday during a call hosted by Israel ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Despite the coronavirus pandemic , which has hit the Middle East particularly hard , both Iran and its affiliates in Hezbollah have communicated a growing desire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosions across Iran targeting its military and nuclear infrastructure have exacerbated tensions with Israel , which Tehran suspects of conducting the recent attacks .
Zehavi , who lives near the Israeli border with Lebanon , said she has tracked a significant increase in Hezbollah traffic in the area , including recent operations likely meant to test Israel ’ s border security .
In recent weeks , the IDF discovered at least six complex tunnels stretching from Lebanese territory into Israel .
The tunnels stretch more than 250 feet into the ground and run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to smuggle hundreds of soldiers into Israeli border towns .
These tunnels—which have electricity , air conditioning , and phone lines— '' prove that somebody can actually cross with nobody noticing , '' according to Zehavi .
Hezbollah is believed to have a massive stockpile of more than 100,000 different missiles and rockets .
This equipment is `` pointed at Israel and hidden in civilian infrastructure , '' Zehavi said .
It is likely that at least a portion of these missiles could strike deep into central Israel .
In just the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered 28 separate launch bases scattered throughout Beirut , including bases hidden in soccer fields , churches , and homes .
It is likely that many more are hidden even closer to Israel ’ s northern border .
Hezbollah also has brazenly established bases along the Lebanese border with Israel .
Zehavi said she has identified several installations flying flags depicting Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , who was killed by an American drone in January .
`` I 'm coming to get you , '' the flags indicate , according to Zehavi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hezbollah to attack Israel … Hezbollah will have to follow the order . ''
While many in the West believe that Iran and its terror proxies are not seeking a full-scale war given the global tumult resulting from the coronavirus , Zehavi disagrees .
She said that recent tensions point to a `` growing interest '' by Hezbollah ’ s Iranian leaders to strike Israel .
Hezbollah ’ s participation in Syria ’ s civil war has provided it with significant military experience , making it even more deadly than it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their Russian and Syrian patrons , Zehavi said .
`` They have the experience to do so because they have been fighting in Syria … for years , '' she said , explaining that Hezbollah militants `` learned how to maneuver hundreds of soldiers and take over a community or areas .
This knowledge has been brought to the Israeli-Lebanon border . ''

The Iranian terror group Hezbollah is laying the groundwork for a large-scale attack on Israel’s northern border, according to new warnings from a former member of the Israel Defense Forces' Intelligence Corps.
Hezbollah forces have been building complex tunnels and amassing arms along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon in recent months, generating concerns the Iranian-backed terror group is planning a large-scale attack reminiscent of its 2006 cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and the capture of two others.
The militant group is consolidating its forces and conducting movements reminiscent of the lead-up to that 2006 attack, according to former IDF intelligence officer Sarit Zehavi, who spent 15 years in the Israeli military and now runs the Alma Research and Education Center, which has been investigating Hezbollah movements along the border area with Israel. Zehavi briefed reporters on the developing situation on Wednesday during a call hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit the Middle East particularly hard, both Iran and its affiliates in Hezbollah have communicated a growing desire to strike Israel. A series of mysterious explosions across Iran targeting its military and nuclear infrastructure have exacerbated tensions with Israel, which Tehran suspects of conducting the recent attacks.
Zehavi, who lives near the Israeli border with Lebanon, said she has tracked a significant increase in Hezbollah traffic in the area, including recent operations likely meant to test Israel’s border security. A year and a half ago, the IDF discovered at least six complex tunnels stretching from Lebanese territory into Israel. The tunnels stretch more than 250 feet into the ground and run for nearly a mile, enabling Hezbollah to smuggle hundreds of soldiers into Israeli border towns. These tunnels—which have electricity, air conditioning, and phone lines—"prove that somebody can actually cross with nobody noticing," according to Zehavi.
Zehavi said that Hezbollah has been preparing for a war with Israel for at least the last decade. It's recent movements indicate the desire for cross-border attacks.
"Hezbollah will respond in a limited way to its operative's death in Syria by an alleged a Israeli attack. Limited may be against IDF soldiers – the same way Hezbollah retaliated in previous times when Israel allegedly killed Hezbollah combatants in Syria," she said. "Yet, there is a possibility that even if Hezbollah's intention is to carry out a limited terror attack in the Syrian or Lebanese border - it could degenerate into war."
Hezbollah is believed to have a massive stockpile of more than 100,000 different missiles and rockets. This equipment is "pointed at Israel and hidden in civilian infrastructure," Zehavi said. It is likely that at least a portion of these missiles could strike deep into central Israel. In just the past week, Zehavi’s Alma Center uncovered 28 separate launch bases scattered throughout Beirut, including bases hidden in soccer fields, churches, and homes. It is likely that many more are hidden even closer to Israel’s northern border.
Hezbollah also has brazenly established bases along the Lebanese border with Israel. Zehavi said she has identified several installations flying flags depicting Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by an American drone in January.
"I'm coming to get you," the flags indicate, according to Zehavi. "If Iran will give an order to Hezbollah to attack Israel … Hezbollah will have to follow the order."
While many in the West believe that Iran and its terror proxies are not seeking a full-scale war given the global tumult resulting from the coronavirus, Zehavi disagrees. She said that recent tensions point to a "growing interest" by Hezbollah’s Iranian leaders to strike Israel.
Hezbollah’s participation in Syria’s civil war has provided it with significant military experience, making it even more deadly than it was in 2006. Militants learned useful tactics from their Russian and Syrian patrons, Zehavi said.
"They have the experience to do so because they have been fighting in Syria ... for years," she said, explaining that Hezbollah militants "learned how to maneuver hundreds of soldiers and take over a community or areas. This knowledge has been brought to the Israeli-Lebanon border."
Update 4:37 p.m.: This post has been updated with further information.


freebeacon--2020-07-22--Ilhan Omar’s Husband Isn’t Worth The Millions She’s Paying Him

Rep. Ilhan Omar 's Democratic primary challenger raised more than six times the amount of money the Minnesota congresswoman did in the second quarter of 2020 .
That 's bad news for any incumbent , but is especially embarrassing given that Omar 's latest husband , Tim Mynett , is her campaign 's chief fundraising consultant .
Omar , who enjoys the support of Democratic Party leaders , faces a primary challenge from lawyer Antone Melton-Meaux , who raised a whopping $ 3.2 million between April and June .
Omar 's campaign raised just $ 470,000 during the same period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband 's firm , the E Street Group , $ 228,000 for fundraising services .
It would appear the congresswoman is not getting her money 's worth .
Keith Ellison , Minnesota 's controversial attorney general and an Omar supporter , accused Melton-Meaux of accepting `` millions of corporate and Republican dollars . ''
But when it comes to raising money from her own constituents , Omar is trailing her opponent by a considerable margin .
She raised just $ 8,000 from within her congressional district , while Melton-Meaux took in $ 237,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar , who supports dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department , raised just $ 11,000 compared with her opponent 's $ 323,000 .
The Omar campaign 's payments to Mynett 's firm recently surpassed $ 1 million for the 2020 cycle , according to federal election records .
E Street is the Omar campaign 's largest vendor .
The firm has been on the campaign 's payroll since August 2018 , during Omar 's first run for office , when both Omar and Mynett were still married to other people .
The pair repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before announcing they had gotten married in March after finalizing their respective divorces .
The affair was first alleged in court documents filed by Mynett 's former spouse .
Melton-Meaux 's $ 2 million in cash on hand is almost double the amount that Omar 's campaign reported heading into the primary on August 11 .
The heavily Democratic constituency in the Minneapolis district all but ensures the primary winner will sail to victory in November .
Melton-Meaux has argued that Omar should be replaced in Congress because , among other things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jewish community by her insensitive and harmful tropes . ''

Rep. Ilhan Omar's Democratic primary challenger raised more than six times the amount of money the Minnesota congresswoman did in the second quarter of 2020. That's bad news for any incumbent, but is especially embarrassing given that Omar's latest husband, Tim Mynett, is her campaign's chief fundraising consultant.
Omar, who enjoys the support of Democratic Party leaders, faces a primary challenge from lawyer Antone Melton-Meaux, who raised a whopping $3.2 million between April and June. Omar's campaign raised just $470,000 during the same period. Meanwhile, her campaign paid her husband's firm, the E Street Group, $228,000 for fundraising services. It would appear the congresswoman is not getting her money's worth.
Keith Ellison, Minnesota's controversial attorney general and an Omar supporter, accused Melton-Meaux of accepting "millions of corporate and Republican dollars." But when it comes to raising money from her own constituents, Omar is trailing her opponent by a considerable margin. She raised just $8,000 from within her congressional district, while Melton-Meaux took in $237,000. Within the state of Minnesota, Omar, who supports dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department, raised just $11,000 compared with her opponent's $323,000.
The Omar campaign's payments to Mynett's firm recently surpassed $1 million for the 2020 cycle, according to federal election records. E Street is the Omar campaign's largest vendor. The firm has been on the campaign's payroll since August 2018, during Omar's first run for office, when both Omar and Mynett were still married to other people. The pair repeatedly and indignantly denied being in a relationship before announcing they had gotten married in March after finalizing their respective divorces. The affair was first alleged in court documents filed by Mynett's former spouse.
Melton-Meaux's $2 million in cash on hand is almost double the amount that Omar's campaign reported heading into the primary on August 11. The heavily Democratic constituency in the Minneapolis district all but ensures the primary winner will sail to victory in November. Melton-Meaux has argued that Omar should be replaced in Congress because, among other things, she has "lost the trust of the Jewish community by her insensitive and harmful tropes."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Congress Moves to Sanction Chinese, Russian, Iranian Hackers

Congress is considering new legislation that would level sanctions on Chinese , Russian , and Iranian hackers who steal sensitive U.S. data , including new research on the coronavirus .
The legislation came the same day the Trump administration unveiled an unprecedented indictment against two Chinese hackers who the United States alleges stole proprietary American data , including coronavirus research from medical institutions .
U.S. law enforcement officials said the Communist Party-backed hackers had been running state-backed espionage operations for at least the last 10 years .
Congress is now moving on the issue , with the first salvo being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy ( R. , Calif. ) that would expand U.S. sanctions to cover those who engage in any hacks that endanger American national security .
This would include Chinese hackers , as well as those serving rogue regimes like Iran and Russia—both of which have launched scores of cyberattacks on the U.S. government and officials during the past several years .
Frustration with China has been mounting among Democrats and Republicans as the Communist regime continues its coronavirus disinformation campaign and steps up cyber-espionage operations across the globe .
Republicans argue that sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unclear if Democrats would join their colleagues to forward such a measure .
Both parties , however , have expressed a desire to hold China accountable for its actions .
While the Justice Department has indicted at least 38 Chinese companies and individuals for cyber-espionage operations in recent years , only two of them have been sanctioned by the Treasury Department , which is responsible for all American sanctions .
GOP lawmakers seek to compel the Treasury Department to take further action against cybercriminals across the globe .
While both Iran and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights abuses and other matters , their hack attacks have gone largely unpunished by the Treasury Department .
McCarthy 's bill would help rectify this by requiring the federal government to issue a report that identifies the countries behind severe hack attacks and determine whether sanctions would be appropriate .
McCarthy said China must pay for its theft of American intellectual property .
Since the coronavirus pandemic erupted , Chinese hackers have stepped up their attacks on the U.S. government , medical institutions , and research organizations .
The Communist Party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and use it to gain a competitive edge against America .
While the Trump administration has condemned this activity , it has done little to stem it—prompting a delegation of top GOP lawmakers this week to petition the White House to take concrete action .
Meanwhile , Chinese officials in a Houston-based consulate were caught burning documents on Tuesday before evacuating the building under a Trump administration order .
It is believed the officials were rushing to erase information that could implicate China in the theft of U.S. intellectual property .
McCarthy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research from Hackers Act , would authorize the president to level sanctions on any foreign individual engaged in cyber-related crimes deemed a threat to the United States .
This includes hacks that impact the American economy , its public health system , and national security apparatus .
The bill would also require the State Department and director of national intelligence to inform Congress about all known cyber-related crimes committed by foreign nations , including hacks related to the coronavirus .

Congress is considering new legislation that would level sanctions on Chinese, Russian, and Iranian hackers who steal sensitive U.S. data, including new research on the coronavirus.
The legislation came the same day the Trump administration unveiled an unprecedented indictment against two Chinese hackers who the United States alleges stole proprietary American data, including coronavirus research from medical institutions. U.S. law enforcement officials said the Communist Party-backed hackers had been running state-backed espionage operations for at least the last 10 years.
Congress is now moving on the issue, with the first salvo being a bill by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) that would expand U.S. sanctions to cover those who engage in any hacks that endanger American national security. This would include Chinese hackers, as well as those serving rogue regimes like Iran and Russia—both of which have launched scores of cyberattacks on the U.S. government and officials during the past several years.
Frustration with China has been mounting among Democrats and Republicans as the Communist regime continues its coronavirus disinformation campaign and steps up cyber-espionage operations across the globe. Republicans argue that sanctions could help deter hackers, but it is unclear if Democrats would join their colleagues to forward such a measure. Both parties, however, have expressed a desire to hold China accountable for its actions.
While the Justice Department has indicted at least 38 Chinese companies and individuals for cyber-espionage operations in recent years, only two of them have been sanctioned by the Treasury Department, which is responsible for all American sanctions. GOP lawmakers seek to compel the Treasury Department to take further action against cybercriminals across the globe.
While both Iran and Russia have faced severe economic sanctions for human rights abuses and other matters, their hack attacks have gone largely unpunished by the Treasury Department. McCarthy's bill would help rectify this by requiring the federal government to issue a report that identifies the countries behind severe hack attacks and determine whether sanctions would be appropriate.
McCarthy said China must pay for its theft of American intellectual property. Since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, Chinese hackers have stepped up their attacks on the U.S. government, medical institutions, and research organizations. The Communist Party's goal is to steal this sensitive information and use it to gain a competitive edge against America. While the Trump administration has condemned this activity, it has done little to stem it—prompting a delegation of top GOP lawmakers this week to petition the White House to take concrete action.
Meanwhile, Chinese officials in a Houston-based consulate were caught burning documents on Tuesday before evacuating the building under a Trump administration order. It is believed the officials were rushing to erase information that could implicate China in the theft of U.S. intellectual property.
McCarthy's proposed legislation, dubbed the Defend COVID Research from Hackers Act, would authorize the president to level sanctions on any foreign individual engaged in cyber-related crimes deemed a threat to the United States. This includes hacks that impact the American economy, its public health system, and national security apparatus.
The bill would also require the State Department and director of national intelligence to inform Congress about all known cyber-related crimes committed by foreign nations, including hacks related to the coronavirus.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Sorry Journos, Your Favorite Baseball Team Is Racist AF

In mere hours , so-called `` doctor '' Anthony Fauci will throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals ' opening game in our nation 's capital .
Fauci , like the Nationals , is beloved by Beltway lobbyists and professional journalists .
But unfortunately for those journos , their favorite baseball team is a racist abomination that should be expunged from polite society .
Like most racist things , the Nationals owe their success to President Donald J. Trump , who helped the team win the World Series in 2019—something it was never able to accomplish in 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never achieved under Hillary Clinton .
The Washington Redskins have already been canceled thanks to the unyielding courage of D.C. journalists willing to risk their personal safety by posting on social media .
The Redskins , of course , are terrible and always will be .
The Nationals are winners , which professional journalists find especially appealing because they were all bad at sports growing up .
Who will muster the courage to expose the Nationals for the flagrant racism on display in each of their so-called `` mascots '' ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction of Nationals Park in the ( now ) trendy Navy Yard neighborhood in D.C. ( where many journalists also live ) ?
The Nationals ' mascot situation alone makes the Redskins look like pioneers of the civil-rights movement .
The primary mascot , Screech , is an eagle .
As we all know , the eagle is most commonly associated with Nazi Germany , whose achievements under Adolf Hitler were initially celebrated by U.S. journalists but have since fallen out of favor .
( The anti-Semitism part , however , has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to say the least .
If that was n't bad enough , which it is , the Nationals are also represented by the four U.S. presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore , a racist monument to American `` history . ''
Large-headed caricatures of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln , and Theodore Roosevelt race each other around the field at every Nationals home game .
Spectators are prompted to cheer , even when one of the slaveholding presidents wins .
Critics attempting to provide important context about the racist crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or warn against the dangers of normalizing racism through caricature are encouraged to keep quiet .
The following photo , featuring famous racists , the Nazi eagle , and two white NASCAR drivers , says it all .
Sorry , journos .
Your favorite baseball team is racist AF .

In mere hours, so-called "doctor" Anthony Fauci will throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals' opening game in our nation's capital. Fauci, like the Nationals, is beloved by Beltway lobbyists and professional journalists. But unfortunately for those journos, their favorite baseball team is a racist abomination that should be expunged from polite society.
Like most racist things, the Nationals owe their success to President Donald J. Trump, who helped the team win the World Series in 2019—something it was never able to accomplish in 10 years under Barack H. Obama and would have never achieved under Hillary Clinton.
The Washington Redskins have already been canceled thanks to the unyielding courage of D.C. journalists willing to risk their personal safety by posting on social media. The Redskins, of course, are terrible and always will be. The Nationals are winners, which professional journalists find especially appealing because they were all bad at sports growing up.
Who will muster the courage to expose the Nationals for the flagrant racism on display in each of their so-called "mascots"? Or the gentrification war crimes that enabled the construction of Nationals Park in the (now) trendy Navy Yard neighborhood in D.C. (where many journalists also live)?
The Nationals' mascot situation alone makes the Redskins look like pioneers of the civil-rights movement. The primary mascot, Screech, is an eagle. As we all know, the eagle is most commonly associated with Nazi Germany, whose achievements under Adolf Hitler were initially celebrated by U.S. journalists but have since fallen out of favor. (The anti-Semitism part, however, has become fashionable again.) It's problematic, to say the least.
If that wasn't bad enough, which it is, the Nationals are also represented by the four U.S. presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore, a racist monument to American "history."
Large-headed caricatures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt race each other around the field at every Nationals home game. Spectators are prompted to cheer, even when one of the slaveholding presidents wins. Critics attempting to provide important context about the racist crimes of these so-called "great men" or warn against the dangers of normalizing racism through caricature are encouraged to keep quiet.
The following photo, featuring famous racists, the Nazi eagle, and two white NASCAR drivers, says it all. Sorry, journos. Your favorite baseball team is racist AF.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Dealers Report Surge in Gun Ownership Among Blacks

African Americans have been a major driver of 2020 's record-setting growth in new gun ownership , according to an industry survey .
Gun dealers reported a 58.2 percent increase in black customers in 2020—the most rapid growth of any ethnic group , according to a survey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) , which represents gun makers and dealers .
More than eight million guns have been sold in 2020 , according to background-check records , and many purchasers are first-time gun owners .
`` It has been well known inside the industry that purchasers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demographic backgrounds , '' the NSSF said in a statement on the survey .
`` The highest overall firearm sales increase comes from black men and women who show a 58.2 percent increase in purchases during the first six months of 2020 versus the same period last year . ''
The numbers indicate firearms ownership in the United States continues to diversify .
The changing demographics of gun ownership could have a significant impact on the politics surrounding guns—especially with millions of Americans becoming new gun owners in the months that followed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ownership was not limited to black customers .
The survey found white customers increased by 51.9 percent , Hispanic customers by 49.4 percent , and Asian customers by 42.9 percent .
`` Throw out the stereotypes on American gun ownership , '' Larry Keane , spokesman and general counsel of NSSF , said in a statement .
`` Against the backdrop of historically high firearm sales , one major theme is shattering misconceptions that America ’ s gun owners are ‘ old white men . '
A surge in gun buyers across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million since March alone , has boosted the diversity of the firearm-owning population . ''
The NSSF found that minorities made up a disproportionately high share of gun store customers in the first half of 2020 .
The survey found that white Americans accounted for 72.4 percent of gun buyers , despite making up 76.3 percent of the population , according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates .
The new NSSF survey comes after the National African American Gun Association saw a record-breaking surge in membership after George Floyd was killed by a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the surge was not surprising , as the industry has tracked rising gun ownership among women and minority groups for years .
A survey from the group conducted between 2008 and 2012 found that new shooters `` are younger , female and more urban dwelling when compared to established target shooters , or those participating for more than five years . ''
Keane said the gun industry 's attempts to appeal to new shooters over the past several years , combined with the desire by many Americans from all different backgrounds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a more representative gun-owning population .
`` Today ’ s gun buyer looks more like the rest of America , '' Keane said in the statement .
`` They represent all walks of life and those buying firearms today increasingly are women , minorities , and more urban than in previous generations . ''

African Americans have been a major driver of 2020's record-setting growth in new gun ownership, according to an industry survey.
Gun dealers reported a 58.2 percent increase in black customers in 2020—the most rapid growth of any ethnic group, according to a survey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which represents gun makers and dealers. More than eight million guns have been sold in 2020, according to background-check records, and many purchasers are first-time gun owners.
"It has been well known inside the industry that purchasers of guns and ammunition have long had diverse demographic backgrounds," the NSSF said in a statement on the survey. "The highest overall firearm sales increase comes from black men and women who show a 58.2 percent increase in purchases during the first six months of 2020 versus the same period last year."
The numbers indicate firearms ownership in the United States continues to diversify. The changing demographics of gun ownership could have a significant impact on the politics surrounding guns—especially with millions of Americans becoming new gun owners in the months that followed the coronavirus outbreak. The growth in gun ownership was not limited to black customers. The survey found white customers increased by 51.9 percent, Hispanic customers by 49.4 percent, and Asian customers by 42.9 percent.
"Throw out the stereotypes on American gun ownership," Larry Keane, spokesman and general counsel of NSSF, said in a statement. "Against the backdrop of historically high firearm sales, one major theme is shattering misconceptions that America’s gun owners are 'old white men.' A surge in gun buyers across the country in 2020, more than 2.5 million since March alone, has boosted the diversity of the firearm-owning population."
The NSSF found that minorities made up a disproportionately high share of gun store customers in the first half of 2020. The survey found that white Americans accounted for 72.4 percent of gun buyers, despite making up 76.3 percent of the population, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The new NSSF survey comes after the National African American Gun Association saw a record-breaking surge in membership after George Floyd was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in May. NSSF said the surge was not surprising, as the industry has tracked rising gun ownership among women and minority groups for years. A survey from the group conducted between 2008 and 2012 found that new shooters "are younger, female and more urban dwelling when compared to established target shooters, or those participating for more than five years."
Keane said the gun industry's attempts to appeal to new shooters over the past several years, combined with the desire by many Americans from all different backgrounds to protect themselves during uncertain times, have led to a more representative gun-owning population.
"Today’s gun buyer looks more like the rest of America," Keane said in the statement. "They represent all walks of life and those buying firearms today increasingly are women, minorities, and more urban than in previous generations."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--PolitiFact Silent After Planned Parenthood Repudiates Margaret Sanger’s Racism

PolitiFact is not saying whether its `` fact-check '' claiming Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger was not racist still holds up in light of the organization 's largest affiliate admitting Sanger had racist views .
The fact-check , published on Oct. 5 , 2015 , addressed a claim made by then-presidential candidate Ben Carson .
Carson , now the HUD secretary , said , `` Margaret Sanger was a eugenicist .
She believed that people like me [ black Americans ] should be eliminated , or kept under control . ''
`` While Sanger indeed supported the eugenics movement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist and in fact worked closely with black leaders and health care professionals , '' PolitiFact said .
It said that Carson 's claim `` bears no relation to historical reality . ''
But Sanger 's problematic relationship to the eugenics movement is back in the spotlight after Planned Parenthood of Greater New York ( PPGNY ) renounced her this week , removing her name from a Manhattan clinic .
PPGNY 's move was supported by the national organization .
Merle McGee , chief equity and engagement officer for PPGNY , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern with Margaret Sanger is her public support for the eugenics medical philosophy which was rooted in racism , ableism and classism . ''
PolitiFact did not respond to requests for comment on updating the fact-check .
A fact sheet released by Planned Parenthood in 2016 acknowledged that Sanger made a speech about birth control at a Ku Klux Klan meeting in 1926 .
`` Sanger ’ s passion to spread and mainstream birth control led her to speak to any group interested in learning how to plan their reproduction .
Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address an organization that spreads hatred , '' the sheet stated .
Sanger also endorsed the forced sterilization of disabled or untreatable people , as well as limiting immigration to prevent the influx of `` feebleminded '' people into the United States .
These views aligned her with other progressives of the time .
The pro-life Susan B. Anthony List told the Washington Free Beacon that PolitiFact ‘ s stance reflects the media 's generally soft coverage of Planned Parenthood .
`` PolitiFact is likely too stubborn to admit that they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do they need when Planned Parenthood itself is finally admitting their founder is a racist ? ''
the group said .
`` The media gave Planned Parenthood a pass on this for decades , despite mounds and mounds of evidence to the contrary . ''

PolitiFact is not saying whether its "fact-check" claiming Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger was not racist still holds up in light of the organization's largest affiliate admitting Sanger had racist views.
The fact-check, published on Oct. 5, 2015, addressed a claim made by then-presidential candidate Ben Carson. Carson, now the HUD secretary, said, "Margaret Sanger was a eugenicist. She believed that people like me [black Americans] should be eliminated, or kept under control."
PolitiFact called Carson's claim "false."
"While Sanger indeed supported the eugenics movement, substantial evidence shows that she was not racist and in fact worked closely with black leaders and health care professionals," PolitiFact said. It said that Carson's claim "bears no relation to historical reality."
But Sanger's problematic relationship to the eugenics movement is back in the spotlight after Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) renounced her this week, removing her name from a Manhattan clinic. PPGNY's move was supported by the national organization.
Merle McGee, chief equity and engagement officer for PPGNY, told the New York Times, "The biggest concern with Margaret Sanger is her public support for the eugenics medical philosophy which was rooted in racism, ableism and classism."
PolitiFact did not respond to requests for comment on updating the fact-check.
A fact sheet released by Planned Parenthood in 2016 acknowledged that Sanger made a speech about birth control at a Ku Klux Klan meeting in 1926.
"Sanger’s passion to spread and mainstream birth control led her to speak to any group interested in learning how to plan their reproduction. Planned Parenthood strongly disagrees with Sanger’s decision to address an organization that spreads hatred," the sheet stated.
Sanger also endorsed the forced sterilization of disabled or untreatable people, as well as limiting immigration to prevent the influx of "feebleminded" people into the United States. These views aligned her with other progressives of the time.
The pro-life Susan B. Anthony List told the Washington Free Beacon that PolitiFact's stance reflects the media's generally soft coverage of Planned Parenthood.
"PolitiFact is likely too stubborn to admit that they got it wrong, but what further proof do they need when Planned Parenthood itself is finally admitting their founder is a racist?" the group said. "The media gave Planned Parenthood a pass on this for decades, despite mounds and mounds of evidence to the contrary."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Ex-Con Dem Congressman Charged With Ballot Stuffing, Bribery

Former Democratic congressman Michael `` Ozzie '' Myers , who was caught accepting bribes in an FBI sting operation decades ago , was charged Thursday on a multitude of voting fraud-related charges .
According to the charges , Myers , who worked as a political consultant in Philadelphia , bribed elections judge Domenick DeMuro to inflate voting results for candidates in Democratic primaries in 2014 , 2015 , and 2016 .
The former congressman was charged with stuffing the ballot box , bribing an elected official , falsifying records , voting multiple times in federal elections , and obstructing justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting bribes from an `` unnamed campaign consultant '' —who federal authorities later identified as Myers .
Myers represented Pennsylvania 's First Congressional District from 1976 to 1980 before being caught in an FBI sting operation for accepting a $ 50,000 bribe in exchange for political favors .
He was caught on a recording , infamously saying , `` Money talks in this business , and bullshit walks . ''
Myers was charged with bribery and sentenced to three years in prison .
Myers 's latest charges come amid controversy over the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Though many on the left are calling to use mail-in ballots as a safer alternative to in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic , many on the right fear it could invite voter fraud—in New Jersey ’ s recent special election , 19 percent of mail-in ballots were found to be fraudulent .

Former Democratic congressman Michael "Ozzie" Myers, who was caught accepting bribes in an FBI sting operation decades ago, was charged Thursday on a multitude of voting fraud-related charges.
According to the charges, Myers, who worked as a political consultant in Philadelphia, bribed elections judge Domenick DeMuro to inflate voting results for candidates in Democratic primaries in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The former congressman was charged with stuffing the ballot box, bribing an elected official, falsifying records, voting multiple times in federal elections, and obstructing justice.
DeMuro pleaded guilty in May to accepting bribes from an "unnamed campaign consultant"—who federal authorities later identified as Myers.
Myers represented Pennsylvania's First Congressional District from 1976 to 1980 before being caught in an FBI sting operation for accepting a $50,000 bribe in exchange for political favors. He was caught on a recording, infamously saying, "Money talks in this business, and bullshit walks." Myers was charged with bribery and sentenced to three years in prison.
Myers's latest charges come amid controversy over the use of mail-in ballots in the upcoming November election. Though many on the left are calling to use mail-in ballots as a safer alternative to in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic, many on the right fear it could invite voter fraud—in New Jersey’s recent special election, 19 percent of mail-in ballots were found to be fraudulent.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Sen. Cotton Introduces Bill to Cut Funding to Schools Teaching ‘1619 Project’

Senator Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
introduced a bill Tuesday which would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the New York Times ‘ s 1619 Project in public schools .
The bill—titled the Saving American History Act of 2020—would require secretaries from the Departments of Education , Health and Human Services , and Agriculture to cut federal funding to schools choosing to implement the 1619 Project into their curriculum .
The amount of funds cut from public schools would depend on teaching and planning costs for the 1619 Project curriculum .
Federal funding for low-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the bill .
`` The New York Times ’ s 1619 Project is a racially divisive , revisionist account of history that denies the noble principles of freedom and equality on which our nation was founded , '' Cotton said .
`` Not a single cent of federal funding should go to indoctrinate young Americans with this left-wing garbage . ''
Nikole Hannah-Jones—the principal author of the 1619 Project—responded to Cotton ’ s bill on Thursday .
`` This bill speaks to the power of journalism more than anything I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
The 1619 Project is a series of essays , podcasts , and other media efforts by the New York Times to shed new light on the role of race in the founding of the United States .
Its argument is that America ’ s founding legacy can be traced as early as 1619—when African slaves first arrived in the British North American colonies—rather than the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 .
Catching much traction in progressive circles , the project has not been immune to criticism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ historians drafted a letter in December 2019 to express their `` reservations '' about the project ’ s historical veracity .
`` It still strikes me as amazing why the New York Times would put its authority behind a project that has such weak scholarly support , '' said Gordon Wood , a National Humanities Medal recipient at Brown University .
Hannah-Jones has stirred up additional controversy in recent months .
Destruction of property is `` not violence , '' Hannah-Jones commented after protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry about the 1619 Project ’ s politicization of human rights .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unloaded on the effort in a speech last week , arguing that `` our rights tradition is under assault . ''
`` The Chinese Communist Party must be gleeful when they see the New York Times spout this ideology , '' Pompeo warned .

Senator Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) introduced a bill Tuesday which would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the New York Times's 1619 Project in public schools.
The bill—titled the Saving American History Act of 2020—would require secretaries from the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture to cut federal funding to schools choosing to implement the 1619 Project into their curriculum. The amount of funds cut from public schools would depend on teaching and planning costs for the 1619 Project curriculum. Federal funding for low-income and special-needs students would not be affected by the bill.
"The New York Times’s 1619 Project is a racially divisive, revisionist account of history that denies the noble principles of freedom and equality on which our nation was founded," Cotton said. "Not a single cent of federal funding should go to indoctrinate young Americans with this left-wing garbage."
Nikole Hannah-Jones—the principal author of the 1619 Project—responded to Cotton’s bill on Thursday. "This bill speaks to the power of journalism more than anything I’ve ever done in my career," she said.
The 1619 Project is a series of essays, podcasts, and other media efforts by the New York Times to shed new light on the role of race in the founding of the United States. Its argument is that America’s founding legacy can be traced as early as 1619—when African slaves first arrived in the British North American colonies—rather than the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Catching much traction in progressive circles, the project has not been immune to criticism. Several of the nation’s top historians drafted a letter in December 2019 to express their "reservations" about the project’s historical veracity.
"It still strikes me as amazing why the New York Times would put its authority behind a project that has such weak scholarly support," said Gordon Wood, a National Humanities Medal recipient at Brown University.
Hannah-Jones has stirred up additional controversy in recent months. Destruction of property is "not violence," Hannah-Jones commented after protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd became violent riots.
Some in Washington worry about the 1619 Project’s politicization of human rights. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unloaded on the effort in a speech last week, arguing that "our rights tradition is under assault."
"The Chinese Communist Party must be gleeful when they see the New York Times spout this ideology," Pompeo warned.