freebeacon--2020-01-13--California Forced to Withdraw Outdated Pollution Plans to Clear EPA Backlog

The Environmental Protection Agency has reduced a backlog of proposed air quality regulations after California withdrew dozens of outdated plans under pressure .
The Obama-era EPA routinely failed to process plans to address air pollution submitted by states within the 18-month deadline , leaving more than 370 plans pending EPA approval in January 2019 .
The delay threatened the health of millions of Americans living in areas with poor air quality .
Since then , the Trump administration has aggressively chipped away at this backlog , asking states to withdraw inadequate , unnecessary , or outdated plans that do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of the plans stuck in bureaucratic limbo—the most of any state—prompting the agency to demand in September that it withdraw many of its `` backlogged and unapprovable '' plans .
The agency threatened to cut off funding for federal highways along with a litany of other sanctions for any state that did not comply .
The strategy has been effective .
California has withdrawn 43 noncompliant air pollution plans , some dating back more than a decade .
The EPA has blamed California for the bureaucratic backlog—just 11 withdrawn plans originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) has faulted the agency for the backlog .
CARB said in a response letter that the agency 's chronic `` staff shortages , competing administrative priorities , and a lack of clear guidelines '' led to delays .
Despite the blame-shifting , the EPA and the state government had successfully negotiated the withdrawal of 43 noncompliant plans by end of 2019 , according to the agency .
`` The effort to resolve U.S. EPA 's backlog has been an ongoing process—a process that 's been ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , letter—and is continuing , '' CARB said in a statement .
`` It has always been the intent that we would continue to work collaboratively to address any U.S. EPA administrative backlog . ''
Voluntary withdrawal allows the state to avoid federal sanctions that could come into effect if the agency rejects a plan .
The White House is also moving to streamline the environmental review process of other federal agencies .
President Donald Trump announced a plan on Thursday to speed up infrastructure projects by setting a two-year time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews , a process that now has the potential to drag on for more than a decade .
`` America is a nation of builders .
It took four years to build the Golden Gate Bridge , five years to build the Hoover Dam , and less than one year—can you believe that ?
—to build the Empire State Building , '' Trump said .
`` Yet today , it can take more than 10 years just to get a permit to build a simple road . ''
California 's environmental plans languished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average , according to the state .
Two plans submitted by Lassen County , California , were originally written in 1987 .
The EPA acknowledged that it has not adequately supported rural county governments through the approval process in the past .
`` The local agency has not had sufficient staffing to either withdraw or replace their permit rule submittals , and EPA has not had sufficient resources to provide the higher level of support needed for them to take that action , '' agency adviser Michael Abboud said .
The EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noncompliant plans as well .
Despite receiving 369 plans in 2019 , the agency was able to reduce the total backlog by roughly 10 percent to 333 unprocessed plans .
Federal regulators are now working with state governments to replace withdrawn plans with proposals that can meet current requirements .
`` The next step would be to develop replacement [ plans ] that protect human health and the environment , '' Michael Stoker , a regional EPA administrator in charge of Californian air quality , said in a December letter to California .

The Environmental Protection Agency has reduced a backlog of proposed air quality regulations after California withdrew dozens of outdated plans under pressure.
The Obama-era EPA routinely failed to process plans to address air pollution submitted by states within the 18-month deadline, leaving more than 370 plans pending EPA approval in January 2019. The delay threatened the health of millions of Americans living in areas with poor air quality. Since then, the Trump administration has aggressively chipped away at this backlog, asking states to withdraw inadequate, unnecessary, or outdated plans that don't meet EPA standards.
California submitted roughly a third of the plans stuck in bureaucratic limbo—the most of any state—prompting the agency to demand in September that it withdraw many of its "backlogged and unapprovable" plans. The agency threatened to cut off funding for federal highways along with a litany of other sanctions for any state that did not comply. The strategy has been effective. California has withdrawn 43 noncompliant air pollution plans, some dating back more than a decade.
The EPA has blamed California for the bureaucratic backlog—just 11 withdrawn plans originated in the other 49 states.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has faulted the agency for the backlog. CARB said in a response letter that the agency's chronic "staff shortages, competing administrative priorities, and a lack of clear guidelines" led to delays. Despite the blame-shifting, the EPA and the state government had successfully negotiated the withdrawal of 43 noncompliant plans by end of 2019, according to the agency.
"The effort to resolve U.S. EPA's backlog has been an ongoing process—a process that's been ongoing even before U.S. EPA's Sept. 24, 2019, letter—and is continuing," CARB said in a statement. "It has always been the intent that we would continue to work collaboratively to address any U.S. EPA administrative backlog."
Voluntary withdrawal allows the state to avoid federal sanctions that could come into effect if the agency rejects a plan.
The White House is also moving to streamline the environmental review process of other federal agencies. President Donald Trump announced a plan on Thursday to speed up infrastructure projects by setting a two-year time limit for federal agencies to complete environmental reviews, a process that now has the potential to drag on for more than a decade.
"America is a nation of builders. It took four years to build the Golden Gate Bridge, five years to build the Hoover Dam, and less than one year—can you believe that?—to build the Empire State Building," Trump said. "Yet today, it can take more than 10 years just to get a permit to build a simple road."
California's environmental plans languished in the EPA backlog for eight years on average, according to the state. Two plans submitted by Lassen County, California, were originally written in 1987. The EPA acknowledged that it has not adequately supported rural county governments through the approval process in the past.
"The local agency has not had sufficient staffing to either withdraw or replace their permit rule submittals, and EPA has not had sufficient resources to provide the higher level of support needed for them to take that action," agency adviser Michael Abboud said.
The EPA has successfully pushed other states to withdraw noncompliant plans as well. Despite receiving 369 plans in 2019, the agency was able to reduce the total backlog by roughly 10 percent to 333 unprocessed plans. Federal regulators are now working with state governments to replace withdrawn plans with proposals that can meet current requirements.
"The next step would be to develop replacement [plans] that protect human health and the environment," Michael Stoker, a regional EPA administrator in charge of Californian air quality, said in a December letter to California.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Bernie Sanders, Who Said JFK Made Him Want to Puke, Invokes Kennedy in New Ad

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders released an ad Monday invoking the legacy of President John F. Kennedy .
But in previous remarks , Sanders harshly criticized Kennedy and said the former president nauseated him .
The Sanders ad , set to air in Iowa ahead of the February caucus , opens with footage of Kennedy promising to put a man on the moon .
`` President Kennedy knew settling for half-measures was n't good enough , '' Sanders says .
`` So when candidates say we can ’ t guarantee health care for all , make college affordable for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a world at peace , remember America is best when we strive to do big things , even when it ’ s hard . ''
The praise of Kennedy marks a radical departure from Sanders 's previous rhetoric about the president .
In a 1987 interview with the University of Vermont student paper , The Gadfly , the socialist candidate remembered Kennedy as the start of his disillusion with mainstream liberalism .
`` President Kennedy was elected while I was at the University of Chicago , that was 1960 .
I remember being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t happen very often , '' Sanders said .
Sanders told the student paper that he was particularly repulsed by Kennedy 's opposition to Fidel Castro 's revolution in Cuba .
`` Kennedy was young and appealing and ostensibly liberal , but I think at that point , seeing through Kennedy , and what liberalism was , was probably a significant step for me to understand that conventional politics or liberalism was not what was relevant , '' he said .
The then-independent Burlington mayor told the same story in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , setting the story during the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate rather than a Kennedy speech .
`` I was very excited and impressed by the Cuban Revolution , and there was Kennedy and Nixon talking about which particular method they should use about destroying the revolution , '' Sanders recalled .
`` Usually I 'm sufficiently unemotional not to be sick , but I actually got up from the room and almost left to puke because , for the first time in my adult life , what I was seeing is the Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there really wasn ’ t a whole lot of difference between the two . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders released an ad Monday invoking the legacy of President John F. Kennedy. But in previous remarks, Sanders harshly criticized Kennedy and said the former president nauseated him.
The Sanders ad, set to air in Iowa ahead of the February caucus, opens with footage of Kennedy promising to put a man on the moon. "President Kennedy knew settling for half-measures wasn't good enough," Sanders says. "So when candidates say we can’t guarantee health care for all, make college affordable for all, combat climate change, or create a world at peace, remember America is best when we strive to do big things, even when it’s hard."
The praise of Kennedy marks a radical departure from Sanders's previous rhetoric about the president. In a 1987 interview with the University of Vermont student paper, The Gadfly, the socialist candidate remembered Kennedy as the start of his disillusion with mainstream liberalism. "President Kennedy was elected while I was at the University of Chicago, that was 1960. I remember being physically nauseated by his speech and that doesn’t happen very often," Sanders said.
Sanders told the student paper that he was particularly repulsed by Kennedy's opposition to Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba. "Kennedy was young and appealing and ostensibly liberal, but I think at that point, seeing through Kennedy, and what liberalism was, was probably a significant step for me to understand that conventional politics or liberalism was not what was relevant," he said.
The then-independent Burlington mayor told the same story in a 1986 speech at the University of Vermont, setting the story during the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate rather than a Kennedy speech.
"I was very excited and impressed by the Cuban Revolution, and there was Kennedy and Nixon talking about which particular method they should use about destroying the revolution," Sanders recalled. "Usually I'm sufficiently unemotional not to be sick, but I actually got up from the room and almost left to puke because, for the first time in my adult life, what I was seeing is the Democrats and Republicans, both of them … clearly there really wasn’t a whole lot of difference between the two."


freebeacon--2020-01-14--In New Ad, Army Vet Jason Church Says Soleimani Likely Funded Bomb That Took His Legs

A new campaign ad from U.S. Army veteran Jason Church says the now-eliminated Iranian terror leader Qassem Soleimani was likely behind the IED blast that nearly took his life in Afghanistan .
`` Iranian general Soleimani killed Americans and he likely supplied the IED that nearly killed me , '' Church , who is running in the special election to fill Wisconsin 's vacant Seventh Congressional District seat , says in the ad .
Church deployed to Afghanistan in May 2012 and just three months later lost both of his legs to an explosive blast .
He retired from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a video posted immediately after the military strike that killed Soleimani last week , Church said Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of service members , including many of his friends and colleagues .
He pledged to be an ally of President Donald Trump in the fight against `` enemies abroad '' and also went after `` career politicians '' for allowing Iran to build up the resources needed to fund its proxies in the Middle East .
`` It 's the career politicians who helped coddle Iran in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to fight these wars , '' Church says in the video , which now has over 410,000 views .
`` It 's the weakness of these career politicians that needs to be fought , and I will fight with President Donald Trump every day to defend our nation . ''
The Republican primary for Wisconsin 's seventh district is next month .
Church will face off against Tom Tiffany , a longtime state legislator .

A new campaign ad from U.S. Army veteran Jason Church says the now-eliminated Iranian terror leader Qassem Soleimani was likely behind the IED blast that nearly took his life in Afghanistan.
"Iranian general Soleimani killed Americans and he likely supplied the IED that nearly killed me," Church, who is running in the special election to fill Wisconsin's vacant Seventh Congressional District seat, says in the ad.
Church deployed to Afghanistan in May 2012 and just three months later lost both of his legs to an explosive blast. He retired from the military in 2014 as a captain.
In a video posted immediately after the military strike that killed Soleimani last week, Church said Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of service members, including many of his friends and colleagues.
Soleimani led proxy wars resulting in the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition forces, including my friends and colleagues. Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump for your bold decision in fighting against our enemies #WI07 pic.twitter.com/PwtynIPTOW — Jason Church (@JasonChurchWI) January 3, 2020
He pledged to be an ally of President Donald Trump in the fight against "enemies abroad" and also went after "career politicians" for allowing Iran to build up the resources needed to fund its proxies in the Middle East.
"It's the career politicians who helped coddle Iran in the first place, giving them the resources necessary to fight these wars," Church says in the video, which now has over 410,000 views. "It's the weakness of these career politicians that needs to be fought, and I will fight with President Donald Trump every day to defend our nation."
The Republican primary for Wisconsin's seventh district is next month. Church will face off against Tom Tiffany, a longtime state legislator.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Ex-Con Facing Two New Felony Charges Helped Craft Sanders’s Criminal Justice Plan

The man who Nashville police say endangered the entire community by stealing the keys for a soon-to-be opened prison played a key role in forming Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) criminal justice plan .
Alex Friedmann , the managing editor of Prison Legal News , was arrested and is facing two felony charges after he posed as a construction worker , entered the grounds of the Downtown Detention Center of the Davidson County Sheriff 's Office , stole keys from the site that could open 100 doors , and made a diagram of the jail 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his arrest .
Friedmann 's actions could delay the facility 's opening as new locks have to be installed .
The Nashville police department said that he has `` put the safety of the community in peril . ''
Friedmann was hit with attempted burglary , evidence tampering , and the possession of burglary tools .
He is facing two felony charges , the Huffington Post reported .
Friedmann , an ex-con , was part of a group that aided Sanders and his staff in the summer of 2015 as the senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on criminal justice reform issues .
The far-left advocate was instrumental in helping Sanders go beyond just economic issues and stake out progressive positions on criminal justice such as abolishing private prisons .
The Human Rights Defense Center , where Friedmann serves as associate director , later boasted in its annual report about its hand in getting the senator to become more aggressive on these issues .
`` Staff at U.S .
Senator Bernie Sanders 's office consulted with several criminal justice organizations , including HRDC , for a bill he planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the report stated .
`` Alex Friedmann participated in multiple conference calls with the senator 's staff and suggested the name that was eventually used for the bill , the ‘ Justice is Not for Sale Act , ' '' which aimed to ban private prisons .
The former Sanders consultant was arrested in 1987 for armed robbery and assault with attempt to commit murder .
In 1991 he was charged with attempted aggravated robbery .
He served a total of 10 years in prison .
After being paroled in 1999 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Human Rights Defense Center and Prison Legal News .
Friedmann is currently out on bond and scheduled to appear in court in February .
Sanders ’ s office did not return a request for comment .
While Friedmann influenced Sanders 's position on private prisons and other criminal justice reform issues , Sanders 's home state of Vermont continues to use private prisons .
In 2016 , 15.2 percent of the state 's prison population was held in private facilities .
In 2018 , Vermont moved 228 out-of-state inmates from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sent to avoid overcrowding the facilities in Vermont—to a private prison in Mississippi after several inmates had died .

The man who Nashville police say endangered the entire community by stealing the keys for a soon-to-be opened prison played a key role in forming Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) criminal justice plan.
Alex Friedmann, the managing editor of Prison Legal News, was arrested and is facing two felony charges after he posed as a construction worker, entered the grounds of the Downtown Detention Center of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, stole keys from the site that could open 100 doors, and made a diagram of the jail's layout, which he attempted to eat during his arrest.
Friedmann's actions could delay the facility's opening as new locks have to be installed. The Nashville police department said that he has "put the safety of the community in peril."
Friedmann was hit with attempted burglary, evidence tampering, and the possession of burglary tools. He is facing two felony charges, the Huffington Post reported.
Friedmann, an ex-con, was part of a group that aided Sanders and his staff in the summer of 2015 as the senator began shifting his rhetoric and policy proposals on criminal justice reform issues. The far-left advocate was instrumental in helping Sanders go beyond just economic issues and stake out progressive positions on criminal justice such as abolishing private prisons.
The Human Rights Defense Center, where Friedmann serves as associate director, later boasted in its annual report about its hand in getting the senator to become more aggressive on these issues.
"Staff at U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders's office consulted with several criminal justice organizations, including HRDC, for a bill he planned to introduce on the private prison industry," the report stated. "Alex Friedmann participated in multiple conference calls with the senator's staff and suggested the name that was eventually used for the bill, the 'Justice is Not for Sale Act,'" which aimed to ban private prisons.
The former Sanders consultant was arrested in 1987 for armed robbery and assault with attempt to commit murder. In 1991 he was charged with attempted aggravated robbery. He served a total of 10 years in prison. After being paroled in 1999, Friedmann went on to battle private prisons from the Human Rights Defense Center and Prison Legal News.
Friedmann is currently out on bond and scheduled to appear in court in February. Sanders’s office did not return a request for comment.
While Friedmann influenced Sanders's position on private prisons and other criminal justice reform issues, Sanders's home state of Vermont continues to use private prisons.
In 2016, 15.2 percent of the state's prison population was held in private facilities. In 2018, Vermont moved 228 out-of-state inmates from a public detention facility in Pennsylvania—where the prisoners were sent to avoid overcrowding the facilities in Vermont—to a private prison in Mississippi after several inmates had died.


Beacon Extra

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
T-BONE ENDORSEMENT UP FOR GRABS … `` Sen. Cory Booker exits the Democratic presidential primary , making the field less diverse , '' via WAPO : Booker is the latest candidate of color to leave a Democratic field that had started out as historically diverse , exiting about two weeks after former HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor Julián Castro said he was suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent years building ties with black leaders , struggled badly with black voters .
A hoped-for breakout in South Carolina never came .
KNIVES OUT … `` Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in private 2018 meeting that a woman ca n't win , sources say , '' via CNN : That evening , Sanders expressed frustration at what he saw as a growing focus among Democrats on identity politics , according to one of the people familiar with the conversation .
Warren told Sanders she disagreed with his assessment that a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four sources said .
Sanders denied the characterization of the meeting in a statement to CNN .
STILL MOURNING SOLEIMANI ?
… `` Leading 2020 Dems Ignore Iranian Protests Condemning Regime , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : As thousands of Iranians risk death to protest the regime shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane , many Democrats have focused on criticizing the Trump administration .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg , and businessmen Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer have failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to recognize the ongoing demonstrations , both Warren and Buttigieg previously supported Iranian anti-government protests were prompted by rising gas prices .
EVERY VOTE MATTERS … `` Sanders Refused to Condemn Farrakhan Official ’ s Anti-Semitic Screed , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : As the Nation of Islam faced public and private pressure to moderate its rhetoric in the mid-1990s , Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders voted against a congressional measure condemning a series of virulent anti-Semitic statements by a leading member of the group … Anti-Semitism among black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of joblessness and homelessness in underprivileged communities , Sanders contended .
BERNIE PIVOTS TO THE PRIMARY … `` Sanders Says He Held Hawkish Immigration Views ‘ 250 Years Ago ’ ( It Was 2015 ) , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : New York Times editor Nick Fox asked Sanders if he still believed that foreign workers depress wages for Americans .
`` No , '' [ Bernie ] Sanders responded .
`` That 's what I said on the Lou Dobbs show 250 years ago , right ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two occasions .
`` What right-wing people in this country would love is an open-border policy , '' Sanders said in a Vox interview .
`` Bring in all kinds of people , work for $ 2 or $ 3 an hour , that would be great for them . ''
THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT KILLING UNARMED CIVILIANS … `` Iran Warns Protesters as It Grapples With Unrest Over Plane Crash , '' via WSJ : The demonstrations broke out after the Iranian military on Saturday said it unintentionally shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing all 176 people on board , after denying for days that it was responsible .
The protesters denounced what they called lying and incompetence by the country ’ s leadership .
Tehran ’ s metropolitan police chief , Hossein Rahimi , on Monday warned `` abusers of the situation '' that the country ’ s security forces would zealously defend the security of the Iranian people .
NO `` WORKPLACE VIOLENCE '' FOR THIS GUY … `` Barr says shooting at Pensacola Navy base was an ‘ act of terrorism ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr said Monday that the shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station that killed three service members last month was an `` act of terrorism '' and that the Saudi gunman was determined to have been `` motivated by jihadist ideology '' following a criminal investigation … The attack , perpetrated by a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force enrolled in a training program at the base , prompted a review that led the military to expel more than a dozen Saudi trainees , per CNN .
Though none were found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident , some were found to have connections to extremist movements .
IS THAT A THREAT ?
… `` Harry and Meghan don ’ t want to live in LA until Trump leaves office , '' via PAGE SIX : `` It ’ s by no means an immediate thing but there is a long-term plan to end up back in the U.S. with a second home in Canada , where they will also spend a great deal of time , '' the source said .
But Markle , 38 , has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is president , according to the Mail , citing her friends .
THAT ’ S HOW DETERRENCE WORKS … `` NYT Reporter Applauds Iran For Showing ‘ More Restraint ’ Than U.S. , '' via NEWSBUSTERS : Moments later , [ New York Times foreign correspondent Rukmini Callimachi ] went further , actually arguing that Iran was acting more responsibly than the United States : `` …one of the takeaways of the past week is that we actually saw , in my opinion , Iran act with perhaps more restraint than our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE NOMINEES FOR MOVIES WE WILL NEVER SEE … '' Issa Rae Had the Best Response After Announcing the All-Male Oscar Noms for Best Director , '' via GLAMOUR : And yet again not a single woman was nominated in the Best Director category , where many thought Greta Gerwig ( Little Women ) , Marielle Heller ( A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood ) , Lorene Scarfaria ( Hustlers ) , or Lulu Wang ( The Farewell ) deserved recognition .
And Rae had a perfect response—and facial expression—to this news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she simply said , `` Congratulations to those men . ''
DIAGNOSIS : INSANITY … `` A Nurse With Over A Million Followers On TikTok Is Facing Backlash For A Video Saying Abstinence Is The Best Way To Prevent STDs , '' via BUZZFEED : Holly , who did not want to disclose her full name or any personal information , told BuzzFeed News she deleted the video due to the backlash .
She also apologized `` for any offense that was taken '' as she `` only wish [ es ] to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Other nurses are now creating TikToks of their own in response to offer nonjudgmental perspectives and other alternatives for safe sex .
BETTER TO BE WRONG THAN FAVORABLE TO TRUMP … `` Media Eager to Wrongly Say Iran ‘ Unified ' After Soleimani 's Death , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota , who reported on anti-regime protests Monday on New Day , said last week that Soleimani 's death `` seems to have united '' the Iranian people in favor of the regime .
MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week by saying that `` it seems President Trump did what the Iranian government has been unable to do : unite the country . ''
`` Iran is , instead of protesting against the regime , unified against America instead , '' said MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,129 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com @

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
MENSHEVIKS PREPARE FOR LAST STAND … "Democratic Leaders Willing to Risk Party Damage to Stop Bernie Sanders," via NYT: Since Mr. Sanders’s victory in Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, the Times has interviewed 93 party officials—all of them superdelegates … and found overwhelming opposition to handing the Vermont senator the nomination if he arrived with the most delegates but fell short of a majority …
Since Mr. Sanders won Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, four donors have approached former representative Steve Israel of New York to ask if he can suggest someone to run a super PAC aimed at blocking Mr. Sanders. He declined their offer.
THE NEW NEW DEMOCRATS … "2020 Dem Plans Reflect Party of the ‘Professional Class’," by WFB’s Charles Fain Lehman: The [Manhattan Institute] report examines the distributive impacts of major proposals, including Medicare for All, student debt forgiveness, and the repeal of key components of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It argues that while Democratic candidates talk big about supporting workers and the poor, these programs primarily serve the interests of the wealthy …
Long branded as representatives of the working class, the Democratic Party has come to appeal primarily to the college-educated, often affluent residents of urban America, data indicate.
MIKE GOT IT DONE … "Bloomberg Locked Up Nearly Half a Million People on Marijuana Charges," by WFB’s Yuichiro Kakutani: The administrations of [Michael] Bloomberg's three predecessors … collectively arrested 226,000 people, or 25 people daily, for the same charge over a 24-year period between 1978 and 2001. During Bloomberg's tenure, approximately 471,000 people were arrested on possession charges …
The possession arrests for Bloomberg's tenure peaked in 2011 when the police hauled in more than 50,000 New Yorkers.
DOWNLOAD UNAVAILABLE IN WISCONSIN … "Coming to a podcast near you: Hillary Clinton," via POLITICO: The former first lady, secretary of State, and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee is planning to launch a new audio program in late spring, just in time for her to have a powerful new megaphone during the 2020 election …
Clinton’s show will feature her in conversation with a brand-name guest, who might be drawn from world leaders and politicians, of course, but also celebrities, authors and perhaps famous chefs.
BOOK THROWN … "Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh sentenced to 3 years for ‘Healthy Holly’ children’s book fraud scheme," via BALTIMORE SUN: [Pugh] told reporters: "This is not the last you’ll see of Catherine Pugh" …
Pugh’s political fall began in March when the Baltimore Sun revealed she had entered into a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh sat on the board of directors, to buy 100,000 copies of her sloppily self-published "Healthy Holly" books for $500,000.
YANG HOLDS OUT FOR BETTER OFFER … "Michael Bloomberg’s Campaign Sought Andrew Yang’s Backing, Floated Vice- Presidential Slot," via WSJ: Aides to the former New York City mayor reached out to discuss ways the two entrepreneurs-turned-politicians could work together as Mr. Bloomberg seeks the Democratic nomination, these people said.
Mr. Yang, who dropped out of the race earlier this month, didn’t commit to join forces, as he considers his own political future, a third person familiar with the discussions said.
NO SURRENDER … "Congressional Republicans Warn Trump Against Inking Peace Deal With Taliban," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: The lawmakers … are demanding they receive assurances the administration "will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban" …
The lawmakers are also demanding the release of so-called secret annexes in the draft agreement that they claim establish a set of unknown side deals with the Taliban, a move reminiscent of the Obama administration's secret agreements with Iran when the Iran nuclear deal was being negotiated.
TEHRAN MARY … "Iran Vice President Is One of 7 Officials to Contract Coronavirus," via NYT: The disclosure came a day after a cabinet meeting in which she was in close contact with other government leaders, including [Hassan] Rouhani. A photo posted by a BBC Persia reporter on Twitter showed she had been sitting a few yards from the president.
[Masoumeh] Ebtekar, one of four vice presidents, was known to Americans as "Mary" during the Tehran hostage crisis four decades ago, when, as a young revolutionary, she was a spokeswoman for the captors of the 52 Americans held at the United States Embassy.
PICTURE OF COWARDICE … "Sony World Photography Awards Removes Hong Kong Protest Images," via HYPERALLERGIC: Since pro-democracy protests prompted by the Hong Kong government’s now-scrapped extradition bill erupted across the city in spring 2019, China has tightened its grip on the media …
Now, some speculate WPO yielded to pressure from China to take down the photographs, especially because other entries featuring arguably graphic or politically sensitive content have not faced a similar fate in past competitions.
THE REAL VICTIMS … "Mark Halperin Says Murderers Are Treated More Fairly Than Canceled People," via MOTHER JONES: "I haven’t had a job interview in two years," Halperin said, adding that he has applied to work at restaurants and Target, trying to get health insurance for his three-year-old son …
When [asked to] differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate ways that he had been held accountable for his behavior … he said victims deserve "top priority" but complained again that there isn’t a mechanism for reintegrating canceled people.
THIS IS CNN … "Sasse Criticizes CNN for Referring to a Baby as a ‘Fetus That Was Born’," via CNN: "The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is about babies who have already been born," [Sen. Ben] Sasse said to the Washington Free Beacon. "I’m glad CNN finally made the correction, but there’s no reason this needed to take two days. Planned Parenthood desperately wants to misrepresent this bipartisan, pro-babies bill, and unfortunately too many reporters have bought their spin hook, line, and sinker."
PUNK IS DEAD … "Billy Idol is helping de Blasio take on idling cars in new campaign," via NY POST: Billy Idol has a new Rebel Yell: helping Mayor Bill de Blasio fight fume-spewing vehicles that idle on Big Apple streets …
The campaign will also publicize the city’s 2018 "Citizens Air Complaint Program," where individuals who see a bus or delivery truck idling for longer than four minutes can file a complaint and collect a 25 percent bounty off the fine, worth $87.50.
"The First Postmodern Pandemic," via WFB’s Matthew Continetti: We were better off when the media focused on impeachment. Now that it is interested in coronavirus, a familiar pattern will set in. Data will be publicized without the slightest sense of proportion. The most outrageous scenarios will receive the most attention. Speculation will be paraded as fact …
The Washington Post transcribes Democratic Party talking points when it suggests Vice President Mike Pence is incapable of overseeing the government's efforts because he opposes needle-sharing programs. Among the reasons [President Donald] Trump is said to have weakened public health? He defunded Planned Parenthood.
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freebeacon--2020-01-14--Sanders Refused to Condemn Farrakhan Official’s Anti-Semitic Screed

As the Nation of Islam faced public and private pressure to moderate its rhetoric in the mid-1990s , Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders voted against a congressional measure condemning a series of virulent anti-Semitic statements by a leading member of the group .
In 1994 , Sanders was one of a small minority of congressmen who declined to back a resolution condemning the remarks by Khalid Abdul Muhammad , a black nationalist and New Black Panther Party member , who became a lightning rod for criticism in the 1990s due to his repeated public displays of anti-Semitism .
The remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College in 1993 , drew the condemnation of African-American leader Jesse Jackson , who called them `` racist , anti-Semitic , divisive , untrue , and chilling , '' and ultimately forced Farrakhan to expel Muhammad from the Nation of Islam .
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to censure Muhammad for the speech , in which he referred to Jews as `` bloodsuckers '' and the pope as a `` cracker . ''
Sanders was one of just 31 lawmakers who opposed the measure condemning Muhammad .
Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , argued that the resolution would do little to combat anti-Semitism among black nationalist leaders like Farrakhan and Muhammad and , in fact , might help to feed it .
Anti-Semitism among black leaders like Muhammad is the result of joblessness and homelessness in underprivileged communities , Sanders contended .
`` I think the most important point that I would make , however , is that if we are concerned , as we must be , as to why that type of movement is gaining a foothold in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why people respond to that type of garbage and what we might do about it , '' Sanders said .
`` If we want to defeat the Nation of Islam and bigotry and racism and anti-Semitism , then most important , let us make the U.S. Congress begin to address the real problems facing the people in those communities . ''
He continued , `` My point is that in so many communities of America today , there is such hopelessness .
There is such despair that people are responding to the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign did not reply to a request for comment .
Sanders 's refusal to back the measure has come under renewed scrutiny as he runs to become the Democratic Party 's 2020 presidential nominee .
For years , Sanders has opposed measures backed by the pro-Israel community and has come under fire for hiring staffers who have used anti-Semitic rhetoric .
The Sanders campaign dismissed an aide in December , for example , following a Washington Free Beacon report detailing tweets that included boasts such as , `` I got a black mans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J ] ew man money , and an [ A ] sian man life span..lol . ''
Sanders 's opposition to the 1994 resolution condemning Muhammad 's anti-Semitism is likely to become a flashpoint in the Jewish and pro-Israel communities as Sanders moves closer to obtaining his party 's nomination .
At the time of the vote , Muhammad was a leading member of Farrakhan 's Nation of Islam movement , which is widely known for promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories .
His remarks at Kean College sparked nationwide condemnation and forced his expulsion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who are the slumlords in the black community ?
The so-called Jews , '' Muhammad said in that speech .
`` Who is it sucking our blood in the black community ?
A white imposter Arab and a white imposter Jew . ''
`` You see , everybody always talk about Hitler exterminating 6 million Jews , '' he said .
`` But do n't nobody ever asked what did they do to Hitler ?
What did they do to them folks ?
They went in there , in Germany , the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they supplanted , they usurped , they turned around and a German , in his own country , would almost have to go to a Jew to get money .
They had undermined the very fabric of the society . ''
`` I called them [ Jews ] bloodsuckers .
I 'm not going to change that .
Our lessons talk about the bloodsuckers of the poor in the supreme wisdom of the Nation of Islam , '' Muhammad said in an interview before the congressional vote .
`` It 's that old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that old hooked-nose , bagel-eating , lox-eating , Johnny-come-lately perpetrating a fraud , just crawled out of the caves and hills of Europe , so-called damn Jew . ''
Despite this rhetoric , as well as Muhammad 's refusal to back down , Sanders worked to oppose the congressional measure condemning the remarks .
`` This is a very difficult resolution for me , '' Sanders said in a floor speech at the time .
`` As it happens , virtually my father 's entire family was murdered by Hitler when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strong feelings about anti-Catholicism or gay bashing or bigotry in general . ''

As the Nation of Islam faced public and private pressure to moderate its rhetoric in the mid-1990s, Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders voted against a congressional measure condemning a series of virulent anti-Semitic statements by a leading member of the group.
In 1994, Sanders was one of a small minority of congressmen who declined to back a resolution condemning the remarks by Khalid Abdul Muhammad, a black nationalist and New Black Panther Party member, who became a lightning rod for criticism in the 1990s due to his repeated public displays of anti-Semitism. The remarks, delivered at New Jersey's Kean College in 1993, drew the condemnation of African-American leader Jesse Jackson, who called them "racist, anti-Semitic, divisive, untrue, and chilling," and ultimately forced Farrakhan to expel Muhammad from the Nation of Islam.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to censure Muhammad for the speech, in which he referred to Jews as "bloodsuckers" and the pope as a "cracker." Sanders was one of just 31 lawmakers who opposed the measure condemning Muhammad. Sanders, who then represented Vermont's at-large congressional district, argued that the resolution would do little to combat anti-Semitism among black nationalist leaders like Farrakhan and Muhammad and, in fact, might help to feed it.
Anti-Semitism among black leaders like Muhammad is the result of joblessness and homelessness in underprivileged communities, Sanders contended. "I think the most important point that I would make, however, is that if we are concerned, as we must be, as to why that type of movement is gaining a foothold in the United States, we should ask some questions as to why people respond to that type of garbage and what we might do about it," Sanders said. "If we want to defeat the Nation of Islam and bigotry and racism and anti-Semitism, then most important, let us make the U.S. Congress begin to address the real problems facing the people in those communities."
He continued, "My point is that in so many communities of America today, there is such hopelessness. There is such despair that people are responding to the worst kind of nonsense." The Sanders campaign did not reply to a request for comment.
Sanders's refusal to back the measure has come under renewed scrutiny as he runs to become the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nominee. For years, Sanders has opposed measures backed by the pro-Israel community and has come under fire for hiring staffers who have used anti-Semitic rhetoric. The Sanders campaign dismissed an aide in December, for example, following a Washington Free Beacon report detailing tweets that included boasts such as, "I got a black mans body, white mans power, [J]ew man money, and an [A]sian man life span..lol."
Sanders's opposition to the 1994 resolution condemning Muhammad's anti-Semitism is likely to become a flashpoint in the Jewish and pro-Israel communities as Sanders moves closer to obtaining his party's nomination.
At the time of the vote, Muhammad was a leading member of Farrakhan's Nation of Islam movement, which is widely known for promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. His remarks at Kean College sparked nationwide condemnation and forced his expulsion from the Nation of Islam.
"Who are the slumlords in the black community? The so-called Jews," Muhammad said in that speech. "Who is it sucking our blood in the black community? A white imposter Arab and a white imposter Jew."
Muhammad also appeared to defend Adolf Hitler's Nazi-era atrocities.
"You see, everybody always talk about Hitler exterminating 6 million Jews," he said. "But don't nobody ever asked what did they do to Hitler? What did they do to them folks? They went in there, in Germany, the way they do everywhere they go, and they supplanted, they usurped, they turned around and a German, in his own country, would almost have to go to a Jew to get money. They had undermined the very fabric of the society."
Muhammad later defended his anti-Semitic speech.
"I called them [Jews] bloodsuckers. I'm not going to change that. Our lessons talk about the bloodsuckers of the poor in the supreme wisdom of the Nation of Islam," Muhammad said in an interview before the congressional vote. "It's that old no-good Jew, that old imposter Jew, that old hooked-nose, bagel-eating, lox-eating, Johnny-come-lately perpetrating a fraud, just crawled out of the caves and hills of Europe, so-called damn Jew."
Despite this rhetoric, as well as Muhammad's refusal to back down, Sanders worked to oppose the congressional measure condemning the remarks. "This is a very difficult resolution for me," Sanders said in a floor speech at the time. "As it happens, virtually my father's entire family was murdered by Hitler when they were living in Poland. I have very strong feelings about anti-Catholicism or gay bashing or bigotry in general."


freebeacon--2020-01-14--On Family Issues, Californians Talk Left, Live Right

A new report , released Tuesday by the Institute for Family Studies , explores why left-leaning Californians live surprisingly conservative family lives .
The report , authored by IFS scholars Wendy Wang and W. Bradford Wilcox , builds on a survey of Californians ' opinions about marriage and family structure .
It finds that many California couples profess progressive views , in line with their state 's bright-blue image but contrary to their own commitment to the institution of marriage .
The findings suggest that while Californians may believe progressive `` family values '' work fine for everyone else , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional arrangements when their children 's wellbeing is on the line .
California is one of the nation 's bluest states , giving over 60 percent of its presidential vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
It 's also home to powerhouse left-leaning industries , including Silicon Valley and Hollywood .
And , at least since it became the first state in the union to implement no-fault divorce in 1969 , California has often led the nation in pushing for more liberalized family norms .
That liberal attitude is reflected in the views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` family diversity , '' i.e.
, family structures beyond the traditional two-parent arrangement .
Only a minority believe out-of-wedlock childrearing is wrong , while two-thirds agree with the statement , `` Living together is just as good as being married . ''
At the same time , the new report finds , Californians are actually slightly more likely to be in stable family arrangements than the nation as a whole .
Sixty-seven percent of California parents ages 18 to 50 are in intact marriages , compared with 63 percent nationwide .
Seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 9 percent are divorced ; the national figures are 11 and 10 percent , respectively .
California adults as a whole are also marginally less likely to be cohabiting , 9 percent compared with 10 percent .
In other words , Californians tend to `` talk left , but live right , '' on average advocating for more progressive social values while living more conservatively than the country as a whole .
What explains this paradox ?
The report identifies three factors : Asians , immigrants , and the educated .
California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 percent , compared with 14 percent nationwide .
It also has twice as many Asians , percentage-wise—15 percent compared with 7 percent .
Both of these groups are more likely to be married and to profess conservative family values , the new IFS report finds .
`` Our analysis finds that the share of intact families among parents ages 18 to 50 in California would drop 2.6 percentage points if California had the same share of foreign-born parents as the U.S. , '' Wilcox and Wang write .
`` Similarly , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents as the U.S. , California ’ s proportion of intact families would drop about 1 percentage point . ''
The authors intimate that immigrants and Asians having more traditional family values may be driving their stable marriages .
Their analysis of the data , however , indicates that income and education actually play a bigger role overall—having an education or being well-off are stronger predictors of a California couple being intact than being Asian or foreign-born .
Educational differences also get at the heart of the `` think left , live right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a whole , more-educated Californians are more likely to be married : Eighty percent of California parents with a bachelor 's degree were in intact families , compared with 61 percent of those without .
At the same time , conservative family values are actually negatively correlated with educational attainment , meaning , for example , that those without a college degree were 21 percentage points less likely to say that `` family diversity '' should be celebrated than those with one .
Wilcox and Wang emphasize that California 's advantage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more educated people than the nation as a whole .
But this seeming contradiction—that the most educated are simultaneously the most stably married and the most publicly blasé about stable marriage—helps explain who is making California press the same values publicly .
`` In their own ways , these three groups—Asians , immigrants , and more educated Californians—probably realize that the pathway to educational attainment , financial success , and the American Dream is much more likely to run through stable , married families than the alternatives , '' the report concludes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if—in their roles as movie producers , Silicon Valley executives , educators , and doctors—they often lend public voice to the cause of progressive family values . ''

A new report, released Tuesday by the Institute for Family Studies, explores why left-leaning Californians live surprisingly conservative family lives.
The report, authored by IFS scholars Wendy Wang and W. Bradford Wilcox, builds on a survey of Californians' opinions about marriage and family structure. It finds that many California couples profess progressive views, in line with their state's bright-blue image but contrary to their own commitment to the institution of marriage.
The findings suggest that while Californians may believe progressive "family values" work fine for everyone else, they still choose to live in more traditional arrangements when their children's wellbeing is on the line.
California is one of the nation's bluest states, giving over 60 percent of its presidential vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016. It's also home to powerhouse left-leaning industries, including Silicon Valley and Hollywood. And, at least since it became the first state in the union to implement no-fault divorce in 1969, California has often led the nation in pushing for more liberalized family norms.
That liberal attitude is reflected in the views many Californians express. Significant majorities support "family diversity," i.e., family structures beyond the traditional two-parent arrangement. Only a minority believe out-of-wedlock childrearing is wrong, while two-thirds agree with the statement, "Living together is just as good as being married."
At the same time, the new report finds, Californians are actually slightly more likely to be in stable family arrangements than the nation as a whole. Sixty-seven percent of California parents ages 18 to 50 are in intact marriages, compared with 63 percent nationwide. Seven percent of California parents are remarried, while 9 percent are divorced; the national figures are 11 and 10 percent, respectively. California adults as a whole are also marginally less likely to be cohabiting, 9 percent compared with 10 percent.
In other words, Californians tend to "talk left, but live right," on average advocating for more progressive social values while living more conservatively than the country as a whole. What explains this paradox? The report identifies three factors: Asians, immigrants, and the educated.
California's population contains substantially more foreign-born people—roughly 27 percent, compared with 14 percent nationwide. It also has twice as many Asians, percentage-wise—15 percent compared with 7 percent. Both of these groups are more likely to be married and to profess conservative family values, the new IFS report finds.
"Our analysis finds that the share of intact families among parents ages 18 to 50 in California would drop 2.6 percentage points if California had the same share of foreign-born parents as the U.S.," Wilcox and Wang write. "Similarly, if California had the same ethnic/racial makeup of parents as the U.S., California’s proportion of intact families would drop about 1 percentage point."
The authors intimate that immigrants and Asians having more traditional family values may be driving their stable marriages. Their analysis of the data, however, indicates that income and education actually play a bigger role overall—having an education or being well-off are stronger predictors of a California couple being intact than being Asian or foreign-born.
Educational differences also get at the heart of the "think left, live right" paradox. As in the nation as a whole, more-educated Californians are more likely to be married: Eighty percent of California parents with a bachelor's degree were in intact families, compared with 61 percent of those without. At the same time, conservative family values are actually negatively correlated with educational attainment, meaning, for example, that those without a college degree were 21 percentage points less likely to say that "family diversity" should be celebrated than those with one.
Wilcox and Wang emphasize that California's advantage in stable families is not explained by having more educated people than the nation as a whole. But this seeming contradiction—that the most educated are simultaneously the most stably married and the most publicly blasé about stable marriage—helps explain who is making California press the same values publicly.
"In their own ways, these three groups—Asians, immigrants, and more educated Californians—probably realize that the pathway to educational attainment, financial success, and the American Dream is much more likely to run through stable, married families than the alternatives," the report concludes. "And so they live accordingly, even if—in their roles as movie producers, Silicon Valley executives, educators, and doctors—they often lend public voice to the cause of progressive family values."


Beacon Extra 1/13/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
CITIZEN UNITED … `` Michael Bloomberg Is Open to Spending $ 1 Billion to Defeat Trump , '' via NYT : Michael R. Bloomberg on Saturday did not rule out spending a billion dollars of his own money on the 2020 presidential race , even if he does not win the Democratic nomination , and said he would mobilize his well-financed political operation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November if either is the party nominee , despite their sharp policy differences … His extraordinary wealth , estimated at more than $ 50 billion , has drawn a series of attacks from the liberal candidates in the field , who argue he is essentially trying to purchase the party nomination .
CANDIDATE OF THE KULAKS … `` Bernie [ Sanders ] campaign slams Warren as candidate of the elite , '' via POLITICO : The script instructs Sanders volunteers to tell voters leaning toward the Massachusetts senator that the `` people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what '' and that `` she 's bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party . ''
… At a campaign appearance Sunday , [ Elizabeth ] Warren responded that she was `` disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me . ''
SHE ’ S , LIKE , TOTALLY WORTH IT … `` DCCC Chair Dodges Multiple Times on Whether Ocasio-Cortez Is Good For the Democratic Caucus , '' by WFB ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victor Blackwell if [ Alexandria ] Ocasio-Cortez is `` good for the Democratic caucus in the House , '' [ Rep. Cheri ] Bustos offered that `` she has a lot of followers .
I have respect for her .
She brings a new voice to Congress . ''
Pressed by Blackwell , Bustos added , `` We 've got members from all different spectrums .
I respect her , and she brings a new voice .
I think that 's always welcome . ''
… Bustos 's comments are just the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwillingness to fork over the $ 250,000 in dues expected of all House Democrats .
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS … `` Democrats Think Pelosi Holding Impeachment Articles a Failed Strategy , '' by WFB ’ s Elizabeth Matamoros : ABC 's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday asked Washington Post reporter Rachael Bade about [ Speaker Nancy ] Pelosi 's claim , earlier in the show , that there was benefit to keeping the impeachment articles from going to the Senate .
`` She was clearly putting a positive spin on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a failed strategy , '' Bade said .
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` Trump tweets support for Iranian protesters as they demand Khamenei quit , '' via JERUSALEM POST : U.S. President Donald Trump has tweeted his support to the people of Iran , saying `` I 've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency . ''
Hundreds of Iranian protesters demanded Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei step down on Saturday after Tehran admitted that its military had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane , killing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A WAR , NEVER LOST A NEGOTIATION … `` Iranian Commander Bragged of Unilateral Authority to Shoot Down Planes , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : A senior Iranian commander who admitted to Iran 's role in the recent downing of a Ukrainian airplane bragged in 2016 that even the youngest Iranian officers have unilateral authority to conduct strikes like the one that downed the Ukrainian plane , killing every civilian aboard … Hajizadeh 's 2016 remarks bragging about Iran 's desire to launch attacks is likely to raise fresh concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial airlines flying in and around Iranian airspace .
WELCOME TO THE GOOD SIDE … `` Iran 's sole female Olympic medalist says she 's defected , '' via CNN : Iran 's sole female Olympic medalist , Kimia Alizadeh , has announced that she 's permanently left her country for Europe .
`` Let me start with a greeting , a farewell or condolences , '' the 21-year-old wrote in an Instagram post explaining why she was defecting .
`` I am one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
SWING AND A MISS … `` Rolling Stone hits Pompeo for ‘ military strike that left 2 children dead ' when referring to ISIS leader 's killing , '' via FOX NEWS : On Friday , [ Secretary of State Mike ] Pompeo took a moment to reflect on 2019 `` + a few days into the new year '' in a post that shared several images summarizing the past year including ones of his family , his dog , the cover of Linda Ronstadt 's Greatest Hits album , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani , as well as an image of [ Abu Bakr ] al-Baghdadi , who was killed in a daring Special Operations forces mission back in October .
However , Rolling Stone reporter Ryan Bort chided the top Trump official , declaring `` the secretary of state juxtaposed a military strike that left two children dead with the ‘ When Will I Be Loved ’ singer '' towards the top of the piece .
TRUE DAILY DOUBLE … `` Jeopardy episode on Palestine question causes uproar , '' via AL JAZEERA : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game broadcast on Friday , when Katie Needle was given the clue : `` Built in the 300s A.D. , the Church of the Nativity '' , under the category `` Where 's that Church ? ''
.
Needle , a retail supervisor , from Brooklyn , answered Palestine , but was told her answer was wrong .
One of the other two contestants , Jack McGuire , then buzzed in with the reply `` Israel , '' which host Alex Trebek accepted as correct .
THE KAISER SAYS DANKE … `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's irresponsibly nationalistic , '' via SALON : `` 1917 '' is a movie that perfectly fits President Donald Trump ’ s agenda , even if the filmmakers did not intend for that … As such , rewarding `` 1917 '' with awards and acclaim—at least acclaim that ignores its problematic politics in order to myopically focus on its abstract artistic merits—implicitly validates a philosophy that our world desperately , desperately needs to delegitimize .
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THEM … `` Media Blame Trump for Deadly ‘ Plane Crash ’ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Stiles : NBC News correspondent Heidi Przybyla , in a series of since-deleted tweets , said the deaths were the result of `` the crossfire '' between Iran and the United States , a term that ( falsely ) suggests the U.S. military was actively firing at targets inside Iran .
CNN analyst Susan Hennessey similarly mourned the loss of those `` killed in the crossfire of reckless escalation . ''
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,128 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Bernie and Pocahontas go to war, Iran isn't so 'unified' after all, and Palestine still isn't a country
Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
CITIZEN UNITED … "Michael Bloomberg Is Open to Spending $1 Billion to Defeat Trump," via NYT: Michael R. Bloomberg on Saturday did not rule out spending a billion dollars of his own money on the 2020 presidential race, even if he does not win the Democratic nomination, and said he would mobilize his well-financed political operation to help Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren win in November if either is the party nominee, despite their sharp policy differences …
His extraordinary wealth, estimated at more than $50 billion, has drawn a series of attacks from the liberal candidates in the field, who argue he is essentially trying to purchase the party nomination.
CANDIDATE OF THE KULAKS … "Bernie [Sanders] campaign slams Warren as candidate of the elite," via POLITICO: The script instructs Sanders volunteers to tell voters leaning toward the Massachusetts senator that the "people who support her are highly educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what" and that "she's bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party." …
At a campaign appearance Sunday, [Elizabeth] Warren responded that she was "disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me."
SHE’S, LIKE, TOTALLY WORTH IT … "DCCC Chair Dodges Multiple Times on Whether Ocasio-Cortez Is Good For the Democratic Caucus," by WFB’s Andrew Kugle: Asked by CNN anchor Victor Blackwell if [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez is "good for the Democratic caucus in the House," [Rep. Cheri] Bustos offered that "she has a lot of followers. I have respect for her. She brings a new voice to Congress." Pressed by Blackwell, Bustos added, "We've got members from all different spectrums. I respect her, and she brings a new voice. I think that's always welcome." …
Bustos's comments are just the latest contribution to the controversy surrounding Ocasio-Cortez's unwillingness to fork over the $250,000 in dues expected of all House Democrats.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS … "Democrats Think Pelosi Holding Impeachment Articles a Failed Strategy," by WFB’s Elizabeth Matamoros: ABC's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday asked Washington Post reporter Rachael Bade about [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's claim, earlier in the show, that there was benefit to keeping the impeachment articles from going to the Senate.
"She was clearly putting a positive spin on what a lot of Democrats have privately said was a failed strategy," Bade said.
SEND THE BOMBERS … "Trump tweets support for Iranian protesters as they demand Khamenei quit," via JERUSALEM POST: U.S. President Donald Trump has tweeted his support to the people of Iran, saying "I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency."
Hundreds of Iranian protesters demanded Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei step down on Saturday after Tehran admitted that its military had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane, killing all 176 people on board.
NEVER WON A WAR, NEVER LOST A NEGOTIATION … "Iranian Commander Bragged of Unilateral Authority to Shoot Down Planes," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: A senior Iranian commander who admitted to Iran's role in the recent downing of a Ukrainian airplane bragged in 2016 that even the youngest Iranian officers have unilateral authority to conduct strikes like the one that downed the Ukrainian plane, killing every civilian aboard …
Hajizadeh's 2016 remarks bragging about Iran's desire to launch attacks is likely to raise fresh concerns about the possibility of further strikes on commercial airlines flying in and around Iranian airspace.
WELCOME TO THE GOOD SIDE … "Iran's sole female Olympic medalist says she's defected," via CNN: Iran's sole female Olympic medalist, Kimia Alizadeh, has announced that she's permanently left her country for Europe.
"Let me start with a greeting, a farewell or condolences," the 21-year-old wrote in an Instagram post explaining why she was defecting. "I am one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who they have been playing with for years."
SWING AND A MISS … "Rolling Stone hits Pompeo for 'military strike that left 2 children dead' when referring to ISIS leader's killing," via FOX NEWS: On Friday, [Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo took a moment to reflect on 2019 "+ a few days into the new year" in a post that shared several images summarizing the past year including ones of his family, his dog, the cover of Linda Ronstadt's Greatest Hits album, last week's killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, as well as an image of [Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi, who was killed in a daring Special Operations forces mission back in October.
However, Rolling Stone reporter Ryan Bort chided the top Trump official, declaring "the secretary of state juxtaposed a military strike that left two children dead with the ‘When Will I Be Loved’ singer" towards the top of the piece.
VOX REPORTERS, EXPLAINED ...
I don’t want to sound like Alex Jones here but is this some sort of secret communication? Racking my brain to make any sort of sense of this. It nearly hit 70 degrees in DC today. https://t.co/aLwOz5HKVD — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 13, 2020
TRUE DAILY DOUBLE … "Jeopardy episode on Palestine question causes uproar," via AL JAZEERA: The incident took place in round one of the game broadcast on Friday, when Katie Needle was given the clue: "Built in the 300s A.D., the Church of the Nativity", under the category "Where's that Church?".
Needle, a retail supervisor, from Brooklyn, answered Palestine, but was told her answer was wrong.
One of the other two contestants, Jack McGuire, then buzzed in with the reply "Israel," which host Alex Trebek accepted as correct.
THE KAISER SAYS DANKE … "1917" has one major flaw - it's irresponsibly nationalistic," via SALON: "1917" is a movie that perfectly fits President Donald Trump’s agenda, even if the filmmakers did not intend for that …
As such, rewarding "1917" with awards and acclaim—at least acclaim that ignores its problematic politics in order to myopically focus on its abstract artistic merits—implicitly validates a philosophy that our world desperately, desperately needs to delegitimize.
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THEM … "Media Blame Trump for Deadly ‘Plane Crash’ in Iran," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: NBC News correspondent Heidi Przybyla, in a series of since-deleted tweets, said the deaths were the result of "the crossfire" between Iran and the United States, a term that (falsely) suggests the U.S. military was actively firing at targets inside Iran. CNN analyst Susan Hennessey similarly mourned the loss of those "killed in the crossfire of reckless escalation."
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,128. Come back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-01-13--NRA Supporters Flood Virginia Capitol, Push Dems to Change Gun-Control Bills

RICHMOND , VA.—Thousands of NRA supporters turned out at Virginia 's capitol building on Monday in a show of opposition that pushed Democrats in the state legislature to moderate or abandon some of their strictest gun-control proposals .
`` We are beyond impressed by today 's turnout , '' D.J .
Spiker , Virginia state director for the NRA 's Institute for Legislative Action , told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` You can see the passion and enthusiasm that the citizens of Virginia have in joining us in this fight . ''
The presence of gun-rights supporters at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an impact , as Democrats formally withdrew S.B .
16—a hotly-contested bill that would have effectively confiscated AR-15s and similar firearms—and moderated several other proposals .
The NRA , however , said the changes were not enough and promised to continue to oppose the bills as they continue to move forward in the coming weeks .
`` While there were some improvements to some of these bills , overall , it 's still bad legislation , '' Spiker said .
`` Putting in more regulations and making it more onerous on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we stand for . ''
Gun-rights proponents who spoke with the Free Beacon after the committee meeting adjourned said they believed the Democrats ' gun-control bills represent an attack on the Second Amendment .
Christina Baker , a traveling emergency nurse who came to the hearing before a 13-hour shift , said she understood that there are good intentions at work but fears an `` assault weapons '' ban or poorly constructed law could make her a criminal .
`` I 'm a single female that travels the country by myself in completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Beacon .
`` I never know where I 'm going to end up , and to protect myself with whatever firearm I choose is so important to me .
With the bills that are written and how they 're written , 90 percent of my firearms , including my carry firearms , would be made illegal , and I would be made a felon overnight . ''
`` I was disappointed to see the state legislature was interested in instituting these pieces of legislation , '' Richard Cosner , a preacher from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said .
`` The Constitution is specific ; it ‘ shall not be infringed . '
If somebody wants to restrict those rights then they need to follow it by altering the Constitution , not by putting in place legislation that is in conflict with the Constitution . ''
Other legislative changes advanced by the judiciary committee Monday included a modification to a proposed universal background check bill , which would now apply to sales specifically instead of gun transfers more broadly .
The committee also passed a `` red flag '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person 's firearms temporarily seized—but further restricted who could file under the bill for an order for a firearm seizure .
It moved a one-gun-a-month purchase limit but included an exemption for those with a gun-carry permit .
Lastly , it approved a bill allowing localities to regulate firearms , but only as to whether they can be carried on local government property or during permitted protests .
Reco Ford , a business owner and father who traveled several hours to Richmond for the hearing , told the Free Beacon he was most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They all bother me , but the one that 's the most heinous is the red flag law because it violates multiple constitutional amendments .
Second , Fourth , Fifth , '' he said .
`` ‘ Shall not be infringed ' is pretty clear .
It 's written in the United States Constitution as well as the Virginia Constitution . ''
Ford said he plans to come back to Richmond again next week for a gun-rights rally organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League .
The event is expected to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NRA said it too plans to keep up the pressure .
Spiker said today 's turnout made him hopeful gun-rights proponents could have an impact on what makes it into law but also cautioned that the fight is far from over .
`` Today was the first vote of what 's sure to be 10 to 12 by the end of it , '' he said .
`` We will do whatever we can do to stop these things and fight for our members and reflect their views .
This was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long fight . ''
Lawmakers will continue to work on the bills passed today and consider other gun-control bills .
Those include a House of Delegates bill that would ban new sales of AR-15s , force gun owners to register AR-15s , and outlaw possession of magazines holding more than 10 rounds .
The size of the NRA 's push on Monday eclipsed the attendance of a similar event held last week by Michael Bloomberg-backed gun-control group Moms Demand Action .
According to Moms Demand 's official estimate , just 200 volunteers showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control—an order of magnitude smaller than the number of NRA supporters in attendance on Monday .
While the Free Beacon did not witness any Moms Demand Action supporters outside the Judiciary Committee hearing , the group 's president posted pictures on Twitter showing eight members in attendance .

RICHMOND, VA.—Thousands of NRA supporters turned out at Virginia's capitol building on Monday in a show of opposition that pushed Democrats in the state legislature to moderate or abandon some of their strictest gun-control proposals.
"We are beyond impressed by today's turnout," D.J. Spiker, Virginia state director for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, told the Washington Free Beacon. "You can see the passion and enthusiasm that the citizens of Virginia have in joining us in this fight."
The presence of gun-rights supporters at the state Senate judiciary committee hearing appeared to have an impact, as Democrats formally withdrew S.B. 16—a hotly-contested bill that would have effectively confiscated AR-15s and similar firearms—and moderated several other proposals. The NRA, however, said the changes were not enough and promised to continue to oppose the bills as they continue to move forward in the coming weeks.
"While there were some improvements to some of these bills, overall, it's still bad legislation," Spiker said. "Putting in more regulations and making it more onerous on the law-abiding citizens of Virginia is not something we stand for."
Gun-rights proponents who spoke with the Free Beacon after the committee meeting adjourned said they believed the Democrats' gun-control bills represent an attack on the Second Amendment. Christina Baker, a traveling emergency nurse who came to the hearing before a 13-hour shift, said she understood that there are good intentions at work but fears an "assault weapons" ban or poorly constructed law could make her a criminal.
"I'm a single female that travels the country by myself in completely new areas," she told the Free Beacon. "I never know where I'm going to end up, and to protect myself with whatever firearm I choose is so important to me. With the bills that are written and how they're written, 90 percent of my firearms, including my carry firearms, would be made illegal, and I would be made a felon overnight."
"I was disappointed to see the state legislature was interested in instituting these pieces of legislation," Richard Cosner, a preacher from nearby Chester and a 10-year Virginia resident, said. "The Constitution is specific; it 'shall not be infringed.' If somebody wants to restrict those rights then they need to follow it by altering the Constitution, not by putting in place legislation that is in conflict with the Constitution."
Other legislative changes advanced by the judiciary committee Monday included a modification to a proposed universal background check bill, which would now apply to sales specifically instead of gun transfers more broadly. The committee also passed a "red flag" law—which allows a judge to order a person's firearms temporarily seized—but further restricted who could file under the bill for an order for a firearm seizure. It moved a one-gun-a-month purchase limit but included an exemption for those with a gun-carry permit. Lastly, it approved a bill allowing localities to regulate firearms, but only as to whether they can be carried on local government property or during permitted protests.
Reco Ford, a business owner and father who traveled several hours to Richmond for the hearing, told the Free Beacon he was most bothered by the red flag plan.
"They all bother me, but the one that's the most heinous is the red flag law because it violates multiple constitutional amendments. Second, Fourth, Fifth," he said. "'Shall not be infringed' is pretty clear. It's written in the United States Constitution as well as the Virginia Constitution."
Ford said he plans to come back to Richmond again next week for a gun-rights rally organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. The event is expected to draw even more people than Monday's.
The NRA said it too plans to keep up the pressure. Spiker said today's turnout made him hopeful gun-rights proponents could have an impact on what makes it into law but also cautioned that the fight is far from over.
"Today was the first vote of what's sure to be 10 to 12 by the end of it," he said. "We will do whatever we can do to stop these things and fight for our members and reflect their views. This was the first skirmish in what will be a long fight."
Lawmakers will continue to work on the bills passed today and consider other gun-control bills. Those include a House of Delegates bill that would ban new sales of AR-15s, force gun owners to register AR-15s, and outlaw possession of magazines holding more than 10 rounds.
The size of the NRA's push on Monday eclipsed the attendance of a similar event held last week by Michael Bloomberg-backed gun-control group Moms Demand Action. According to Moms Demand's official estimate, just 200 volunteers showed up to push legislators for more gun control—an order of magnitude smaller than the number of NRA supporters in attendance on Monday. While the Free Beacon did not witness any Moms Demand Action supporters outside the Judiciary Committee hearing, the group's president posted pictures on Twitter showing eight members in attendance.


freebeacon--2020-01-13--Media Eager to Wrongly Say Iran ‘Unified’ After Soleimani’s Death

Members of the media were eager in the past week to erroneously say Iran 's people were `` unified '' in the wake of President Donald Trump 's killing of terrorist general Qassem Soleimani .
NBC News Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi said Trump 's drone strike had `` backfired spectacularly '' and that Iran was `` unified '' and even `` extremely unified . ''
CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota , who reported on anti-regime protests Monday on New Day , said last week that Soleimani 's death `` seems to have united '' the Iranian people in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led a broadcast last week by saying that `` it seems President Trump did what the Iranian government has been unable to do : unite the country . ''
`` Iran is , instead of protesting against the regime , unified against America instead , '' said MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell .
Analysts repeated the `` unified '' line throughout the week .
Frank Figliuzzi , a frequent guest on the MSNBC program Deadline : White House , declared `` we have lost the hearts and minds of the Iranian people . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's admission that it had downed a civilian airliner while attacking U.S. troops in Iraq—observers warned against parroting Iranian propaganda about a nation united following Soleimani 's death .
American reporters nonetheless enthusiastically reported on the funeral service for Soleimani , commenting on the Ayatollah 's tears , the large crowd , and , in ABC reporter Martha Raddatz 's words , the `` powerful combination of grief and anger . ''
Members of the American media likened the impact of the death of Soleimani , labeled a `` national hero '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King Jr. , Elvis Presley , Princess Diana , and Charles de Gaulle .
NBC News reported Monday on crowds of people outside Beheshti University in Tehran who refused to trample over U.S. and Israeli flags painted on the ground out of respect .
Soleimani led the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , arming and training terrorist proxy groups across the Middle East that killed thousands , including hundreds of Americans .

Members of the media were eager in the past week to erroneously say Iran's people were "unified" in the wake of President Donald Trump's killing of terrorist general Qassem Soleimani.
NBC News Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi said Trump's drone strike had "backfired spectacularly" and that Iran was "unified" and even "extremely unified."
CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, who reported on anti-regime protests Monday on New Day, said last week that Soleimani's death "seems to have united" the Iranian people in favor of the regime. MSNBC's Katy Tur led a broadcast last week by saying that "it seems President Trump did what the Iranian government has been unable to do: unite the country."
"Iran is, instead of protesting against the regime, unified against America instead," said MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell.
Analysts repeated the "unified" line throughout the week. Frank Figliuzzi, a frequent guest on the MSNBC program Deadline: White House, declared "we have lost the hearts and minds of the Iranian people."
Even before anti-regime protests erupted—prompted by Iran's admission that it had downed a civilian airliner while attacking U.S. troops in Iraq—observers warned against parroting Iranian propaganda about a nation united following Soleimani's death.
American reporters nonetheless enthusiastically reported on the funeral service for Soleimani, commenting on the Ayatollah's tears, the large crowd, and, in ABC reporter Martha Raddatz's words, the "powerful combination of grief and anger." Members of the American media likened the impact of the death of Soleimani, labeled a "national hero" in Iran, to that of Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, Princess Diana, and Charles de Gaulle.
NBC News reported Monday on crowds of people outside Beheshti University in Tehran who refused to trample over U.S. and Israeli flags painted on the ground out of respect.
Soleimani led the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, arming and training terrorist proxy groups across the Middle East that killed thousands, including hundreds of Americans.


freebeacon--2020-01-13--Biden Adviser Blames Bush for Obama Troop Withdrawal, Rise of ISIS

A foreign policy adviser to Joe Biden 's presidential campaign on Monday blamed former president George W. Bush for the Obama administration 's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq , which resulted in the rise of the Islamic State .
Tony Blinken , who served as deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration , touted the former vice president 's role in overseeing the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq as a success .
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar challenged his argument , saying the withdrawal was responsible for the rise of ISIS .
Blinken then attempted to blame the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq .
`` Listen , I think it was a success in the sense that Iraq wanted its sovereignty back .
That was the deal that President Bush had struck with Iraq .
We made good on that commitment , '' Blinken said .
`` Biden was the guy who worked to bring together a coalition of more than 65 countries to deal with ISIS .
And we did it very successfully . ''
`` But the rise of ISIS is not seen as just Iraq 's fault .
That is something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge American misstep , but you 're touting it as a success , '' Keilar said .
Blinken doubled down on blaming Bush for making an agreement to get all the troops out of Iraq and absolved Obama and Biden of the decision .
`` Listen , as someone who was part of that effort , I can tell you , we worked it very , very , very hard .
I was there a lot , the vice president was deeply engaged , '' Blinken said .
`` We needed to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had made and we continued to bring Americans home . ''
The CNN anchor also asked Blinken whether Biden was misrepresenting his record on Iraq by saying he opposed the war despite voting to authorize military force .
`` First of all , when Joe Biden and many other senators voted for the authorization to use military force , that was a vote for tough diplomacy , not to go to war , '' Blinken said .
He added that once troops were committed to battle it was important to Biden to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't understand , then how is that not—how is he not misrepresenting his view , if he 's saying , basically , ‘ It was from the beginning .
It was from the start . '
Because it was n't , '' Keilar said .
`` From the start , he made clear his opposition of the way we went to war and the way it was being conducted , '' Blinken said .

A foreign policy adviser to Joe Biden's presidential campaign on Monday blamed former president George W. Bush for the Obama administration's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, which resulted in the rise of the Islamic State.
Tony Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration, touted the former vice president's role in overseeing the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq as a success. CNN anchor Brianna Keilar challenged his argument, saying the withdrawal was responsible for the rise of ISIS. Blinken then attempted to blame the Bush administration for the decision to leave Iraq.
"Listen, I think it was a success in the sense that Iraq wanted its sovereignty back. That was the deal that President Bush had struck with Iraq. We made good on that commitment," Blinken said. "Biden was the guy who worked to bring together a coalition of more than 65 countries to deal with ISIS. And we did it very successfully."
"But the rise of ISIS is not seen as just Iraq's fault. That is something that is widely perceived to have been a huge American misstep, but you're touting it as a success," Keilar said.
Blinken doubled down on blaming Bush for making an agreement to get all the troops out of Iraq and absolved Obama and Biden of the decision.
"Listen, as someone who was part of that effort, I can tell you, we worked it very, very, very hard. I was there a lot, the vice president was deeply engaged," Blinken said. "We needed to make good on the commitments that President Bush had made and we continued to bring Americans home."
The CNN anchor also asked Blinken whether Biden was misrepresenting his record on Iraq by saying he opposed the war despite voting to authorize military force.
"First of all, when Joe Biden and many other senators voted for the authorization to use military force, that was a vote for tough diplomacy, not to go to war," Blinken said. He added that once troops were committed to battle it was important to Biden to support U.S. troops.
"I guess I don't understand, then how is that not—how is he not misrepresenting his view, if he's saying, basically, 'It was from the beginning. It was from the start.' Because it wasn't," Keilar said.
"From the start, he made clear his opposition of the way we went to war and the way it was being conducted," Blinken said.


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Atlanta Newspaper Hires Cosby Lawyer to Go After American Icon Clint Eastwood

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ( AJC ) recently hired convicted felon Bill Cosby 's former lawyer to go after Warner Bros. and Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood for his movie Richard Jewell .
Marty Singer , who has developed a reputation as a `` guard dog '' for Hollywood clients , threatened a defamation suit against Eastwood and Warner Bros. for the film 's alleged portrayal of late AJC reporter Kathy Scruggs having sex with an FBI agent to get a scoop on Richard Jewell .
Jewell was wrongly suspected of committing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing .
`` It is highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tragic story of how the reputation of an FBI suspect was grievously tarnished appears bent on a path to severely tarnish the reputation of the AJC , a newspaper with a respected 150-year-old publishing legacy , '' Singer said in a letter threatening the defamation suit .
`` The ‘ Richard Jewell ' film falsely portrays the AJC and its personnel as extraordinarily reckless , using unprofessional and highly inappropriate reporting methods , and engaging in constitutional malice by recklessly disregarding information inconsistent with its planned reporting , '' the seven-page complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is the height of irony , since all those involved in the film ’ s creation and dissemination and its false portrayal of the AJC are the ones who have acted recklessly and are engaging in constitutional malice . ''
Singer 's letter went on to demand that Eastwood and Warner Bros. issue a statement `` publicly acknowledging that some events were imagined for dramatic purposes and artistic license and dramatization were used in the film ’ s portrayal of events and characters . ''
Singer has a history of sending threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to the Washington Free Beacon on behalf of billionaire Tom Steyer , who is currently running for the Democratic nomination for president .
The four-page letter called for a retraction of a Free Beacon article on Steyer 's `` deep ties '' to a 2015 scandal involving Democratic then-governor of Oregon John Kitzhaber .
The Free Beacon did not retract the story , and Singer took no further action .

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) recently hired convicted felon Bill Cosby's former lawyer to go after Warner Bros. and Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood for his movie Richard Jewell.
Marty Singer, who has developed a reputation as a "guard dog" for Hollywood clients, threatened a defamation suit against Eastwood and Warner Bros. for the film's alleged portrayal of late AJC reporter Kathy Scruggs having sex with an FBI agent to get a scoop on Richard Jewell. Jewell was wrongly suspected of committing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing.
"It is highly ironic that a film purporting to tell a tragic story of how the reputation of an FBI suspect was grievously tarnished appears bent on a path to severely tarnish the reputation of the AJC, a newspaper with a respected 150-year-old publishing legacy," Singer said in a letter threatening the defamation suit.
"The 'Richard Jewell' film falsely portrays the AJC and its personnel as extraordinarily reckless, using unprofessional and highly inappropriate reporting methods, and engaging in constitutional malice by recklessly disregarding information inconsistent with its planned reporting," the seven-page complaint letter read. "This, too, is the height of irony, since all those involved in the film’s creation and dissemination and its false portrayal of the AJC are the ones who have acted recklessly and are engaging in constitutional malice."
Singer's letter went on to demand that Eastwood and Warner Bros. issue a statement "publicly acknowledging that some events were imagined for dramatic purposes and artistic license and dramatization were used in the film’s portrayal of events and characters."
Singer has a history of sending threatening letters. In 2015, he sent one to the Washington Free Beacon on behalf of billionaire Tom Steyer, who is currently running for the Democratic nomination for president. The four-page letter called for a retraction of a Free Beacon article on Steyer's "deep ties" to a 2015 scandal involving Democratic then-governor of Oregon John Kitzhaber. The Free Beacon did not retract the story, and Singer took no further action.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Pelosi Claims, Without Evidence, McConnell May Have ‘Russian Connections’

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) on Tuesday floated a conspiracy theory that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) may have `` Russian connections . ''
Sources told CNN that the speaker `` mused that sometimes she wonders whether McConnell has Russian connections '' during a closed-door meeting with the Democratic caucus .
Pelosi criticized McConnell for `` acting like a rogue Senate leader '' and raised concerns about the Russian hacking of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma .
Over the weekend , Pelosi also said McConnell is an `` accomplice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has faced accusations that he is in league with Russian interests before , including from MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough , who labeled the senator `` Moscow Mitch . ''
In July 2019 , McConnell called such claims `` modern-day McCarthyism , '' adding that they are `` toxic and damaging because of the way [ they warp ] our entire public discourse . ''
`` For decades , I have used my Senate seat to stand up to Russia and protect the United States of America .
I 'm proud of my record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the House will vote Wednesday on a resolution to name managers for the impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
The House is also expected on the same day to send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate , which McConnell said will allow his chamber to begin preparations for a full trial .
The trial is expected to start early next week .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Tuesday floated a conspiracy theory that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) may have "Russian connections."
Sources told CNN that the speaker "mused that sometimes she wonders whether McConnell has Russian connections" during a closed-door meeting with the Democratic caucus.
Pelosi criticized McConnell for "acting like a rogue Senate leader" and raised concerns about the Russian hacking of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma.
Over the weekend, Pelosi also said McConnell is an "accomplice" to Russian election interference.
McConnell has faced accusations that he is in league with Russian interests before, including from MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough, who labeled the senator "Moscow Mitch." In July 2019, McConnell called such claims "modern-day McCarthyism," adding that they are "toxic and damaging because of the way [they warp] our entire public discourse."
"For decades, I have used my Senate seat to stand up to Russia and protect the United States of America. I'm proud of my record," McConnell added.
Pelosi also said the House will vote Wednesday on a resolution to name managers for the impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The House is also expected on the same day to send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate, which McConnell said will allow his chamber to begin preparations for a full trial. The trial is expected to start early next week.