freebeacon--2020-01-10--Texas Becomes First State to Reject Refugee Resettlement

Texas governor Greg Abbott ( R. ) on Friday told the State Department that his state will become the first in the nation to refuse federal refugee resettlement .
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Abbott wrote that in the wake of the border crisis that rocked the state in 2019 , Texas lacks the state and private capacity to deal with even more demand on its humanitarian resources .
`` At this time , the state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here , including refugees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Texans , '' Abbott wrote .
`` As a result , Texas can not consent to initial refugee resettlement for FY2020 . ''
The move is likely to shake up refugee resettlement in the United States , as Texas has historically played home to as many as 10 percent of annual refugee arrivals .
Particularly if other states follow suit , this may in turn mean a continued decline in refugee admissions in the Trump era .
In his letter , Abbott pinned the blame for the circumstances leading to his decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas has been left … to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system . ''
The state , which makes up over half of America 's 2,000 mile border with Mexico , was particularly hard hit by 2019 's illegal immigration crisis .
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that of the roughly 850,000 individuals apprehended attempting to illegally cross , 626,000—74 percent—were picked up in one of the five border sectors covering Texas .
In total , Texas saw a 150 percent increase in border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 54 percent increase in the other border states .
`` Texas continues to have to deal with the consequences of an immigration system Congress has failed to fix , '' Abbott wrote .
This strain is exacerbated by Texas 's disproportionate generosity toward refugees in years past .
As Abbott noted , roughly 10 percent of refugees arriving since 2010 have gone to Texas .
It was the number one state for refugee resettlement in 2019 , accounting for 9 percent of refugees , or 1,389 individuals .
California and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 percent .
Abbott 's move follows President Donald Trump 's executive order , issued in September , which required states to give their consent before more refugees are resettled in their territory .
Thirty-nine states have thus far signed on , with the Lone Star state now the lone standout refusing any more arrivals .
Mark Krikorian , executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies , told the Washington Free Beacon that this change was intended `` to give states and localities some control over their own destinies . ''
Krikorian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott 's decision— '' I 'm not going to tell people in Texas what to do , that 's up to them '' —but emphasized that refugee resettlement is as much as anything a matter of fiscal soundness .
`` Some states may want to take refugees , '' Krikorian said .
`` That 's okay , if they know what they 're getting in to .
In other words , they 're affirming that they understand that the federal government is going to be fobbing off enormous costs on them per person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so be it . ''
Abbot in 2016 withdrew his state from direct participation in the federal Refugee Resettlement Program , citing the Obama administration 's failure to provide him assurances that resettled refugees would not pose a threat .
Abbott said then that while Texas would still accept refugees , they would do so `` without the state acting as the middleman between federal dollars and local resettlement agencies . ''
Non-state actors have since continued to work directly with the federal government to resettle refugees , a practice that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Texas governor Greg Abbott (R.) on Friday told the State Department that his state will become the first in the nation to refuse federal refugee resettlement.
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Abbott wrote that in the wake of the border crisis that rocked the state in 2019, Texas lacks the state and private capacity to deal with even more demand on its humanitarian resources.
"At this time, the state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless—indeed, all Texans," Abbott wrote. "As a result, Texas cannot consent to initial refugee resettlement for FY2020."
The move is likely to shake up refugee resettlement in the United States, as Texas has historically played home to as many as 10 percent of annual refugee arrivals. Particularly if other states follow suit, this may in turn mean a continued decline in refugee admissions in the Trump era.
In his letter, Abbott pinned the blame for the circumstances leading to his decision squarely on Congress, writing that "Texas has been left ... to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system."
The state, which makes up over half of America's 2,000 mile border with Mexico, was particularly hard hit by 2019's illegal immigration crisis. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that of the roughly 850,000 individuals apprehended attempting to illegally cross, 626,000—74 percent—were picked up in one of the five border sectors covering Texas. In total, Texas saw a 150 percent increase in border apprehensions over F.Y. 2018, compared to a 54 percent increase in the other border states.
"Texas continues to have to deal with the consequences of an immigration system Congress has failed to fix," Abbott wrote.
This strain is exacerbated by Texas's disproportionate generosity toward refugees in years past. As Abbott noted, roughly 10 percent of refugees arriving since 2010 have gone to Texas. It was the number one state for refugee resettlement in 2019, accounting for 9 percent of refugees, or 1,389 individuals. California and New York, by comparison, accepted only 6 percent.
Abbott's move follows President Donald Trump's executive order, issued in September, which required states to give their consent before more refugees are resettled in their territory. Thirty-nine states have thus far signed on, with the Lone Star state now the lone standout refusing any more arrivals.
Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, told the Washington Free Beacon that this change was intended "to give states and localities some control over their own destinies." Krikorian declined to comment on the wisdom of Abbott's decision—"I'm not going to tell people in Texas what to do, that's up to them"—but emphasized that refugee resettlement is as much as anything a matter of fiscal soundness.
"Some states may want to take refugees," Krikorian said. "That's okay, if they know what they're getting in to. In other words, they're affirming that they understand that the federal government is going to be fobbing off enormous costs on them per person. If they're okay with that, so be it."
Abbot in 2016 withdrew his state from direct participation in the federal Refugee Resettlement Program, citing the Obama administration's failure to provide him assurances that resettled refugees would not pose a threat. Abbott said then that while Texas would still accept refugees, they would do so "without the state acting as the middleman between federal dollars and local resettlement agencies." Non-state actors have since continued to work directly with the federal government to resettle refugees, a practice that will likely end thanks to Abbott's decision.


freebeacon--2020-01-10--Media Blame Trump for Deadly ‘Plane Crash’ in Iran

American journalists continue to behave erratically as they mourn the loss of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani .
The U.S. media establishment and the Democratic Party are currently going out of their way to blame President Donald Trump for the `` plane crash '' that killed 176 passengers aboard a Ukrainian International Airlines flight leaving Tehran .
On Thursday , after reports indicated that U.S. officials believed the Ukrainian plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile—perhaps due to incompetence rather than malice—a number of journalists seized on the news to suggest Trump was personally responsible for the tragic loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . ''
The Associated Press originally published a story late Thursday about the incident with the headline , `` An Iranian general dies in U.S. attack , innocents suffer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed , the story goes out of its way to implicate Trump in the deaths of the victims , including at least 63 Canadian citizens .
The AP story noted that the Ukrainian jet lost contact with flight trackers 27 seconds before Trump tweeted , `` All is well ! ''
in reference to tensions with Iran .
Additionally , the AP appeared to treat the general 's death as an isolated incident , while omitting the long history of Iranian-backed attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in the region , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP interviewed a number of Canadians who viewed Trump as being personally responsible for the Iranian missile whoopsie .
But the news outlet also published comments from Payman Parseyan , a prominent Iranian-Canadian who , unlike many in the U.S. media , has not completely lost his mind : '' It takes two to tango , '' [ Parseyan ] said .
`` It 's not hard to see the downing as a result of the escalation between the two countries .
However , Iran is responsible for its own military defense equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend itself , as it should to protect its own people , it should also have the responsibility with that right to make sure their defensive systems are n't targeting civilian aircraft . ''
Meanwhile , some media outlets have been reluctant to describe the incident as anything other than a `` plane crash . ''
As they are wont to do , members of the media have responded to criticism of their coverage in hysterical fashion .

American journalists continue to behave erratically as they mourn the loss of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. The U.S. media establishment and the Democratic Party are currently going out of their way to blame President Donald Trump for the "plane crash" that killed 176 passengers aboard a Ukrainian International Airlines flight leaving Tehran.
On Thursday, after reports indicated that U.S. officials believed the Ukrainian plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile—perhaps due to incompetence rather than malice—a number of journalists seized on the news to suggest Trump was personally responsible for the tragic loss of life.
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."
https://twitter.com/Susan_Hennessey/status/1215364827599790082
The Associated Press originally published a story late Thursday about the incident with the headline, "An Iranian general dies in U.S. attack, innocents suffer." Although the headline has since been changed, the story goes out of its way to implicate Trump in the deaths of the victims, including at least 63 Canadian citizens.
The AP story noted that the Ukrainian jet lost contact with flight trackers 27 seconds before Trump tweeted, "All is well!" in reference to tensions with Iran. Additionally, the AP appeared to treat the general's death as an isolated incident, while omitting the long history of Iranian-backed attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in the region, which prompted Trump to take action.
'This is insane. Sickening. Imagine having a family member on that plane." What began with a drone attack on a top Iranian general rippled outward until dozens of Iranian-Canadians, and dozens of Iranian students studying in Canada, were dead. https://t.co/fVQB4S3FXr — The Associated Press (@AP) January 10, 2020
The AP interviewed a number of Canadians who viewed Trump as being personally responsible for the Iranian missile whoopsie. But the news outlet also published comments from Payman Parseyan, a prominent Iranian-Canadian who, unlike many in the U.S. media, has not completely lost his mind:
"It takes two to tango," [Parseyan] said. "It's not hard to see the downing as a result of the escalation between the two countries. However, Iran is responsible for its own military defense equipment. While it has the right to defend itself, as it should to protect its own people, it should also have the responsibility with that right to make sure their defensive systems aren't targeting civilian aircraft."
Meanwhile, some media outlets have been reluctant to describe the incident as anything other than a "plane crash."
Young newlyweds, college students, and entire families are being remembered after dying in the Iran plane crash https://t.co/CTrd4xnVCX — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 10, 2020
As they are wont to do, members of the media have responded to criticism of their coverage in hysterical fashion.
https://twitter.com/LoganDobson/status/1215654404482916354


freebeacon--2020-01-10--Marianne Williamson Lasted 38 Days Longer Than Harris, 70 Days Longer Than Beto

Author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race Friday , outlasting such candidates as Beto O'Rourke and Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) .
Williamson , a non-factor in polling who had failed to qualify for a debate since July , announced her decision to withdraw in a letter to supporters , saying she believed `` love will prevail . ''
In her longshot bid for the nomination , the eclectic candidate outlasted O'Rourke—who quit Nov. 1—by 70 days .
She outlasted Harris—who ended her campaign Dec. 3—by 38 days .
Williamson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the race .
Williamson has never held office , but her self-help books and lectures had a large following .
She met the polling and fundraising thresholds for the first Democratic debate earlier than seasoned lawmakers like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y. ) .
She drew attention for oddball moments during debates .
She said her first call as president would be to New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern to challenge Ardern 's promise to make her country the best place in the world for a child to grow up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Girlfriend , you are so on , because the United States of America is going to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up , ' '' Williamson said .
Williamson further set herself apart by saying the other candidates ' policy proposals were not going to be enough to defeat President Donald Trump .
`` If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in the country , then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some very dark days , '' she said in July .
Williamson also drew criticism for receiving advice from an anti-vaccination attorney , and for falling for an online hoax claiming that Trump had pardoned deceased murderer Charles Manson .

Author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race Friday, outlasting such candidates as Beto O'Rourke and Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.).
Williamson, a non-factor in polling who had failed to qualify for a debate since July, announced her decision to withdraw in a letter to supporters, saying she believed "love will prevail."
A politics of conscience is still yet possible. And yes….love will prevail.https://t.co/BqTKQFI338 — Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) January 10, 2020
In her longshot bid for the nomination, the eclectic candidate outlasted O'Rourke—who quit Nov. 1—by 70 days. She outlasted Harris—who ended her campaign Dec. 3—by 38 days. Williamson is the 15th Democrat to drop out of the race.
Williamson has never held office, but her self-help books and lectures had a large following. She met the polling and fundraising thresholds for the first Democratic debate earlier than seasoned lawmakers like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.).
She drew attention for oddball moments during debates. She said her first call as president would be to New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern to challenge Ardern's promise to make her country the best place in the world for a child to grow up.
"I would tell her: 'Girlfriend, you are so on, because the United States of America is going to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up,'" Williamson said.
Williamson further set herself apart by saying the other candidates' policy proposals were not going to be enough to defeat President Donald Trump.
"If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in the country, then I'm afraid Democrats are going to see some very dark days," she said in July.
Williamson also drew criticism for receiving advice from an anti-vaccination attorney, and for falling for an online hoax claiming that Trump had pardoned deceased murderer Charles Manson.


freebeacon--2020-01-10--AP Blames U.S. For Iran Shooting Down Commercial Jet

The headline of an Associated Press article blamed the United States for the crash of a civilian airplane Iran shot down .
`` An Iranian general dies in U.S. attack , and innocents suffer , '' read the original headline of the Associated Press story published on Thursday .
The innocents in question were passengers of a Ukrainian International Airlines jet shot down by what Western leaders say was an Iranian missile .
The piece reported that the recent U.S.-Iran conflict `` had begun with a drone attack on Gen. Qassem Soleimani 's motorcade '' and `` rippled outward until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The story failed to mention any escalation from the Iranian regime that led to the drone attack , including one attack on America 's embassy in Iraq and another that led to the death of a U.S. contractor .
The piece quotes Canadian civilians who fault Trump for the Iranian missile strike .
`` This is insane .
Sickening .
Imagine having a family member on that plane , '' one Torontonian told the AP .
`` One man , and only one , is responsible for those deaths .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' After publication , the headline was changed Friday to `` As Iran and U.S. take step back from the brink , Canada grieves . ''
The wire service did not attach a correction to the change .
Even after amending the headline , the article still says `` the killing of an Iranian general last week in a U.S. drone stroke may have led to the deaths of dozens of their citizens in a plane crash . ''
The Associated Press is not alone in blaming Trump for Iran 's missile strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the deadly attack .
`` If what is being projected is true , this is yet another example of collateral damage from the actions that have been taken in a provocative way by the president of the United States , '' Rep. Jackie Speier ( D. , Calif. ) said on CNN Thursday .
`` Innocent civilians are now dead because they were caught in the middle of an unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat , '' tweeted Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg .

The headline of an Associated Press article blamed the United States for the crash of a civilian airplane Iran shot down.
"An Iranian general dies in U.S. attack, and innocents suffer," read the original headline of the Associated Press story published on Thursday. The innocents in question were passengers of a Ukrainian International Airlines jet shot down by what Western leaders say was an Iranian missile.
The piece reported that the recent U.S.-Iran conflict "had begun with a drone attack on Gen. Qassem Soleimani's motorcade" and "rippled outward until dozens of Iranian-Canadians ... were dead." The story failed to mention any escalation from the Iranian regime that led to the drone attack, including one attack on America's embassy in Iraq and another that led to the death of a U.S. contractor.
The piece quotes Canadian civilians who fault Trump for the Iranian missile strike. "This is insane. Sickening. Imagine having a family member on that plane," one Torontonian told the AP. "One man, and only one, is responsible for those deaths. And he will never face consequences for them."
After publication, the headline was changed Friday to "As Iran and U.S. take step back from the brink, Canada grieves." The wire service did not attach a correction to the change. Even after amending the headline, the article still says "the killing of an Iranian general last week in a U.S. drone stroke may have led to the deaths of dozens of their citizens in a plane crash."
The Associated Press is not alone in blaming Trump for Iran's missile strike. Several Democrats have also blamed Trump for the deadly attack. "If what is being projected is true, this is yet another example of collateral damage from the actions that have been taken in a provocative way by the president of the United States," Rep. Jackie Speier (D., Calif.) said on CNN Thursday.
"Innocent civilians are now dead because they were caught in the middle of an unnecessary and unwanted military tit for tat," tweeted Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.


freebeacon--2020-01-11--Schumer-Tied PAC Received $1.7 Million From Dark Money Group

A political action committee linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) has received $ 1.7 million from a liberal dark money group for shared staff and office space since 2015 , tax and Federal Election Commission forms show .
Schumer , who has said that dark money is `` casting a shadow over our political process , '' has condemned groups on the right that do not disclose their funders .
He also demanded one right-leaning organization release a list of its donors , saying the public `` deserves to know who is funding '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dark money groups , the Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC , which works to elect Democrats in the Senate , is closely affiliated with Majority Forward , a 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) nonprofit that does not disclose its funders .
From June 18 , 2015 , to late 2018 , Majority Forward paid the Senate Majority PAC for the `` sharing of facilities , equipment , mailing lists , or other assets '' and employees .
The group pushed $ 487,870 to the PAC for office space while disbursing another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ‘ worth of tax forms and FEC records show .
Majority Forward was the biggest dark money spender of the 2018 election cycle and is currently launching attacks against Republican Senate candidates up for election in 2020 .
Throughout the 2018 election cycle , Majority Forward poured $ 46 million into independent expenditures for Democrats , which accounted for nearly a third of the $ 150 million total spent by all groups who do not disclose their donors .
Majority Forward has laid out plans to attack Sens .
Cory Gardner ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R. , Maine ) , David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) , Martha McSally ( R. , Ariz. ) , and Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) for the 2020 election cycle .
It began pouring hundreds of thousands into ads against the vulnerable Republicans in early 2019 , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The group on Tuesday launched a six-figure television and digital ad campaign against Collins .
The Senate Majority PAC did not respond to a request for comment on the money it has received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared staff and office space .
Schumer and other Democrats have chastised Republican dark money groups such as the Judicial Crisis Network , a right-leaning organization .
Schumer and Democratic senators earlier this year demanded JCN make public the names of individuals who have given the group more than $ 10,000 since 2017 .
The senators released a letter in response to a $ 1.1 million ad campaign from JCN that called on the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to release their lists of judges .
`` The American public deserves to know who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same individuals are financing litigation before the Court that will ultimately be decided by the Justices and judges they helped to confirm , '' the letter said .

A political action committee linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) has received $1.7 million from a liberal dark money group for shared staff and office space since 2015, tax and Federal Election Commission forms show.
Schumer, who has said that dark money is "casting a shadow over our political process," has condemned groups on the right that do not disclose their funders. He also demanded one right-leaning organization release a list of its donors, saying the public "deserves to know who is funding" campaigns against Democrats.
Despite the condemnation of dark money groups, the Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC, which works to elect Democrats in the Senate, is closely affiliated with Majority Forward, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that does not disclose its funders.
From June 18, 2015, to late 2018, Majority Forward paid the Senate Majority PAC for the "sharing of facilities, equipment, mailing lists, or other assets" and employees. The group pushed $487,870 to the PAC for office space while disbursing another $1.2 million for employees, three years' worth of tax forms and FEC records show.
Majority Forward was the biggest dark money spender of the 2018 election cycle and is currently launching attacks against Republican Senate candidates up for election in 2020.
Throughout the 2018 election cycle, Majority Forward poured $46 million into independent expenditures for Democrats, which accounted for nearly a third of the $150 million total spent by all groups who do not disclose their donors.
Majority Forward has laid out plans to attack Sens. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.), Susan Collins (R., Maine), David Perdue (R., Ga.), Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), and Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) for the 2020 election cycle. It began pouring hundreds of thousands into ads against the vulnerable Republicans in early 2019, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The group on Tuesday launched a six-figure television and digital ad campaign against Collins.
The Senate Majority PAC did not respond to a request for comment on the money it has received from Majority Forward since 2015 for its shared staff and office space.
Schumer and other Democrats have chastised Republican dark money groups such as the Judicial Crisis Network, a right-leaning organization. Schumer and Democratic senators earlier this year demanded JCN make public the names of individuals who have given the group more than $10,000 since 2017. The senators released a letter in response to a $1.1 million ad campaign from JCN that called on the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to release their lists of judges.
"The American public deserves to know who is funding these attacks, and whether the same individuals are financing litigation before the Court that will ultimately be decided by the Justices and judges they helped to confirm," the letter said.


freebeacon--2020-01-11--Iran Says Its Forces Shot Down Passenger Plane Due to Human Error

DUBAI ( Reuters ) – Iran said on Saturday it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane killing 176 people on board due to human error , after initially denying it brought down the plane in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq .
Wednesday ’ s crash heightened international pressure on Iran after months of friction with the United States and tit-for-tat military strikes .
Washington killed an Iranian general last week in Iraq , prompting Tehran to fire at U.S. targets .
The United States and Canada , which had 57 citizens on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for bringing down the aircraft .
Ottawa had told Iran that `` the world is watching . ''
On Twitter , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the armed forces investigation showed the downing of the Boeing 737-800 was the result of `` human error at time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism ( that ) led to disaster . ''
An Iranian military statement , announcing that a missile had struck the plane and expressing condolences to the victims , said the plane had flown close to a sensitive military site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said responsible parties would be referred to a judicial department within the military and held accountable .
Mobile phone footage posted and circulated by ordinary Iranians on Twitter after the crash has indicated that it came down in a ball of flames .
Iran had said on Thursday it would download the information from voice and flight data recorders , known as black boxes , to determine what had happened , although it had said that the process could take one to two months .
Tehran said it could ask Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort that it said could take one or two years .
Many of the victims were Iranian with dual nationality .
Iran initially dismissed the accusations that a missile was to blame for the crash , calling such suggestions `` psychological warfare '' .
Grief-stricken Iranians and others have posted images related to the crash .
One showed a child ’ s red shoe in the dirt .
Another was a selfie of a mother and daughter in their seats , sent to a loved one just before takeoff .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tehran airport in those conditions ? ''
a user named Shiva Balaghi wrote on Twitter .
Ukraine had been looking at various possible causes of the crash , including an attack by a Russian-made missile , a collision , an engine explosion or terrorism .
Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh ; Editing by Edmund Blair and Clarence Fernandez

By Babak Dehghanpisheh
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran said on Saturday it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane killing 176 people on board due to human error, after initially denying it brought down the plane in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.
Wednesday’s crash heightened international pressure on Iran after months of friction with the United States and tit-for-tat military strikes. Washington killed an Iranian general last week in Iraq, prompting Tehran to fire at U.S. targets.
The United States and Canada, which had 57 citizens on board, had blamed an Iranian action for bringing down the aircraft. Ottawa had told Iran that "the world is watching."
On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the armed forces investigation showed the downing of the Boeing 737-800 was the result of "human error at time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism (that) led to disaster."
An Iranian military statement, announcing that a missile had struck the plane and expressing condolences to the victims, said the plane had flown close to a sensitive military site belonging to the elite Revolutionary Guards.
It said responsible parties would be referred to a judicial department within the military and held accountable.
Mobile phone footage posted and circulated by ordinary Iranians on Twitter after the crash has indicated that it came down in a ball of flames.
Iran had said on Thursday it would download the information from voice and flight data recorders, known as black boxes, to determine what had happened, although it had said that the process could take one to two months.
Tehran said it could ask Russia, Canada, France or Ukraine for help in an effort that it said could take one or two years.
Many of the victims were Iranian with dual nationality.
Iran initially dismissed the accusations that a missile was to blame for the crash, calling such suggestions "psychological warfare".
Grief-stricken Iranians and others have posted images related to the crash. One showed a child’s red shoe in the dirt. Another was a selfie of a mother and daughter in their seats, sent to a loved one just before takeoff.
"Why were any civilian airlines flying out of Tehran airport in those conditions?" a user named Shiva Balaghi wrote on Twitter.
Ukraine had been looking at various possible causes of the crash, including an attack by a Russian-made missile, a collision, an engine explosion or terrorism.
Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Edmund Blair and Clarence Fernandez


freebeacon--2020-01-11--Iranian Commander Bragged of Unilateral Authority to Shoot Down Planes

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 , according to video obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh , head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) aerospace division , said over the weekend that his country `` accepts full responsibility '' for the airstrike that brought down the Ukrainian commercial plane .
Hajizadeh said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert following a ramp up in military tensions with the United States .
U.S. officials familiar with the situation said it is likely Iran mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian jet , fearing a retaliatory strike by the United States for Iran 's missile attacks this week on several American outposts in the region .
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 .
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines operating in the region just hours before Iran downed the Ukrainian plane , the Free Beacon reported this week .
Hajizadeh said that young Iranian officers do not need to obtain permission before launching strikes similar to the one that downed the Ukrainian plane .
`` Ahead of time , scenarios have been planned and units have been given the authorization , '' Hajizadeh said in the 2016 interview , which was independently translated for the Free Beacon .
`` Look , when it comes to the shooting of defensive missiles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why would we be asking permission from someone ?
It 's possible that a sub-commander is manning the system I tell him and he shoots and hits [ the target ] . ''
`` A while ago when we hit the Zionist regime 's Hermès system at Natanz , it 's not that they asked me or the general staff or the defense commander for permission , '' Hajizadeh disclosed at the time .
`` The officer manning the system saw , assessed , and struck .
It 's the same situation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like an order is issued—the officers start the initial operation but any continuation and the policy planning would be done by the senior commanders .
But the initial operation , the reaction , would be done immediately . ''
The IRGC 's policy regarding such strikes appears to have backfired .
Hajizadeh said in his most recent remarks on the Ukrainian strike that the Iranian officer who ordered the attack made a `` bad decision . ''

In 2016, Iran said even the youngest officers do not need authorization to launch attacks
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, according to video obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace division, said over the weekend that his country "accepts full responsibility" for the airstrike that brought down the Ukrainian commercial plane. Hajizadeh said his country's forces were on high alert following a ramp up in military tensions with the United States.
U.S. officials familiar with the situation said it is likely Iran mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian jet, fearing a retaliatory strike by the United States for Iran's missile attacks this week on several American outposts in the region.
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.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a no-fly order to American commercial airlines operating in the region just hours before Iran downed the Ukrainian plane, the Free Beacon reported this week.
Hajizadeh said that young Iranian officers do not need to obtain permission before launching strikes similar to the one that downed the Ukrainian plane.
"Ahead of time, scenarios have been planned and units have been given the authorization," Hajizadeh said in the 2016 interview, which was independently translated for the Free Beacon. "Look, when it comes to the shooting of defensive missiles, if an enemy aircraft is incoming, why would we be asking permission from someone? It's possible that a sub-commander is manning the system I tell him and he shoots and hits [the target]."
"A while ago when we hit the Zionist regime's Hermès system at Natanz, it's not that they asked me or the general staff or the defense commander for permission," Hajizadeh disclosed at the time. "The officer manning the system saw, assessed, and struck. It's the same situation with the surface-to-surface missiles. It's not like an order is issued—the officers start the initial operation but any continuation and the policy planning would be done by the senior commanders. But the initial operation, the reaction, would be done immediately."
The IRGC's policy regarding such strikes appears to have backfired. Hajizadeh said in his most recent remarks on the Ukrainian strike that the Iranian officer who ordered the attack made a "bad decision."


freebeacon--2020-01-11--Continetti: It’s Superfluous to Debate How Imminent Soleimani’s Next Attack Was

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said Friday that it 's superfluous for members of Congress , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ to debate how `` imminent '' the next attack by deceased Iranian general Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ a lot of this debate has to do with the slippery nature of the word @ @ @ @ @ Continetti said on MSNBC 's Meet the Press Daily .
`` This just rings as @ @ @ @ @ because we knew what he did for a living , and we knew that he @ @ @ @ @ do that absent any significant reprisals . ''
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the @ @ @ @ @ describe the attack Soleimani would likely have launched against Americans in the Middle East had @ @ @ @ @ a U.S. airstrike .
President Donald Trump said Friday that the Iranian terror master was @ @ @ @ @ embassies , following up on the assault Iran proxies carried out on the U.S. embassy @ @ @

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said Friday that it's superfluous for members of Congress, the Trump administration, and the media to debate how "imminent" the next attack by deceased Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was.
"I think a lot of this debate has to do with the slippery nature of the word 'imminent,'" Continetti said on MSNBC's Meet the Press Daily. "This just rings as kind of a superfluous debate because we knew what he did for a living, and we knew that he was going to continue to do that absent any significant reprisals."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the word "imminent" to describe the attack Soleimani would likely have launched against Americans in the Middle East had he not been killed by a U.S. airstrike. President Donald Trump said Friday that the Iranian terror master was planning to attack more U.S. embassies, following up on the assault Iran proxies carried out on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.


freebeacon--2020-01-12--Maine Dem Claims Credit for GOP Tax Break

Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon is claiming credit for a Republican tax break her party opposed in her bid to oust Sen. Susan Collins ( R. , Maine ) .
In a new campaign ad , Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , touted her sponsorship of a property tax relief bill that will pay $ 30 million to local homeowners in 2020 .
The payout will come out of a fund set up by state Republicans in 2012 as part of an income tax relief system .
Gideon was not yet in office when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partymates were nearly unanimous in opposing it .
Jacob Posik , spokesman for the conservative-leaning Maine Heritage Policy Center , called the ad `` misleading . ''
`` Gideon 's ads are misleading—all she really did was change the purpose of the fund , which was already in place and had built up revenues over the [ GOP Gov .
Paul ] LePage years , and make disbursements in 2019 before running for the Senate , '' Posik said .
In March 2012 , the Republican-controlled legislature passed a law that set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a multimillion-dollar endowment created to gradually reduce income tax rates of Maine residents to 4 percent .
Gideon , who assumed office seven months after the bill became law , has since raided the fund and repurposed the money to go to homeowners exclusively , rather than all state taxpayers .
The Gideon campaign did not respond to request for comment .
The Maine Republican party criticized the ad as `` disingenuous '' and accused Gideon of using the fund to bolster her political ambitions , rather than the long-term interests of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payout almost exhausts the endowment , which had $ 33 million as of July 2019 .
`` It 's true that people are getting tax relief , but that money is entirely due to Republican foresight from back in 2012 , '' Maine GOP executive director Jason Savage told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It 's really disingenuous and dishonest of Sarah Gideon to take credit for it . ''
The fund was designed to grow until it could begin to shoulder some of the income tax burdens of state residents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a cash handout to Maine homeowners after shifting its focus from income to property tax relief .
`` She clearly has political designs on this whole thing , '' Savage said .
`` I mean , there 's no other way to be so brazen about just taking a Republican savings fund and renaming it and taking credit for it . ''
Posik also said that while the original GOP legislation would have provided tax cuts to everyone , Gideon 's revisions provided relief to only homeowners .
`` Mainers would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gradually reduces the income tax to 4 percent for everyone than a property tax relief fund where all Mainers do not realize the benefits , '' Posik said .
`` An income tax reduction would benefit more Mainers and be long lasting , whereas a $ 103 property tax payment will be absorbed when towns make upward adjustments to their [ tax ] rates . ''
Gideon 's ad says the revision is the first direct property tax relief bill to be passed in `` many years . ''
Savage said Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial burdens of Maine residents , pointing to policies that drove up costs for taxpayers .
Savage pointed to a state revenue-sharing program adopted by Democrats that distributed money from state coffers to local governments .
The policy 's champions said it would entice local governments to reduce property taxes .
The program had the opposite effect as local governments expanded their spending rather than lower their tax rates , according to a study by the Maine Heritage Policy Center .
Republican State Representative Amy Arata said the Gideon ad papers over Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mainers are being misled , and that 's unfortunate because I really wish they could see the big picture and what Republicans have done to help Maine 's economy , '' she said .
`` I 'm not going to accuse Sara of being a liar .
But it 's certainly a bit misleading . ''
Gideon is attempting to unseat Sen. Susan Collins , the three-term moderate Republican .
She faces an uphill battle , though polling has been limited in the state .
A June survey of registered voters found Collins @ @ @ @ @

Democratic Senate candidate Sara Gideon is claiming credit for a Republican tax break her party opposed in her bid to oust Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine).
In a new campaign ad, Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, touted her sponsorship of a property tax relief bill that will pay $30 million to local homeowners in 2020. The payout will come out of a fund set up by state Republicans in 2012 as part of an income tax relief system. Gideon was not yet in office when the tax break was passed, but her partymates were nearly unanimous in opposing it. Jacob Posik, spokesman for the conservative-leaning Maine Heritage Policy Center, called the ad "misleading."
"Gideon's ads are misleading—all she really did was change the purpose of the fund, which was already in place and had built up revenues over the [GOP Gov. Paul] LePage years, and make disbursements in 2019 before running for the Senate," Posik said.
In March 2012, the Republican-controlled legislature passed a law that set up the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents, a multimillion-dollar endowment created to gradually reduce income tax rates of Maine residents to 4 percent. Gideon, who assumed office seven months after the bill became law, has since raided the fund and repurposed the money to go to homeowners exclusively, rather than all state taxpayers.
The Gideon campaign did not respond to request for comment.
The Maine Republican party criticized the ad as "disingenuous" and accused Gideon of using the fund to bolster her political ambitions, rather than the long-term interests of residents. Gideon's $30 million payout almost exhausts the endowment, which had $33 million as of July 2019.
"It's true that people are getting tax relief, but that money is entirely due to Republican foresight from back in 2012," Maine GOP executive director Jason Savage told the Washington Free Beacon. "It's really disingenuous and dishonest of Sarah Gideon to take credit for it."
The fund was designed to grow until it could begin to shoulder some of the income tax burdens of state residents. Gideon, however, repurposed the money into a cash handout to Maine homeowners after shifting its focus from income to property tax relief.
"She clearly has political designs on this whole thing," Savage said. "I mean, there's no other way to be so brazen about just taking a Republican savings fund and renaming it and taking credit for it."
Posik also said that while the original GOP legislation would have provided tax cuts to everyone, Gideon's revisions provided relief to only homeowners.
"Mainers would be better off with a tax relief fund that gradually reduces the income tax to 4 percent for everyone than a property tax relief fund where all Mainers do not realize the benefits," Posik said. "An income tax reduction would benefit more Mainers and be long lasting, whereas a $103 property tax payment will be absorbed when towns make upward adjustments to their [tax] rates."
Gideon's ad says the revision is the first direct property tax relief bill to be passed in "many years." Savage said Democrats have been ineffective at reducing the actual financial burdens of Maine residents, pointing to policies that drove up costs for taxpayers.
Savage pointed to a state revenue-sharing program adopted by Democrats that distributed money from state coffers to local governments. The policy's champions said it would entice local governments to reduce property taxes. The program had the opposite effect as local governments expanded their spending rather than lower their tax rates, according to a study by the Maine Heritage Policy Center.
Republican State Representative Amy Arata said the Gideon ad papers over Democrats' opposition to tax relief.
"Mainers are being misled, and that's unfortunate because I really wish they could see the big picture and what Republicans have done to help Maine's economy," she said. "I'm not going to accuse Sara of being a liar. But it's certainly a bit misleading."
Gideon is attempting to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, the three-term moderate Republican. She faces an uphill battle, though polling has been limited in the state. A June survey of registered voters found Collins ahead by 14 points.


Beacon Extra 1/10/20

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 .
NANCY ’ S FOLLY … `` Dems in Disarray Over Pelosi ’ s Impeachment Strategy , '' by WFB ’ s Brent Scher : A group of top Democratic senators went to reporters Wednesday to urge Pelosi to end her three-week attempt to influence how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell handles the impeachment trial … '' I 'll send them over when I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That may be soon . ''
Pelosi got the idea to hold onto the articles of impeachment from watching cable news , her office told TIME magazine .
WIPED WITH A CLOTH ?
… `` Jail video of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s first suicide attempt was deleted , prosecutors reveal , '' via CNBC : Surveillance video footage from outside the jail cell of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein at the time of his first reported suicide attempt in July has been deleted , federal prosecutors revealed Thursday … Epstein , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Bill Clinton , died in the Manhattan jail in August .
The New York City Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide by hanging .
MR. CONGENIALITY … `` Around the Country in 17 Hours With Michael Bloomberg , '' via NYT : Asked for a picture after his event in Chicago , Mr. Bloomberg grimaced a bit : `` Yup .
Quickly . ''
… Other data points seemed less encouraging .
Several of the more than 100 people in the room said they had come as a favor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` moral support , '' as one put it , in lieu of political support .
An aide approached two African-American men to ask if they might be more comfortable onstage , behind Mr. Bloomberg and in view of the cameras .
They did not bite .
NOT LIKABLE ENOUGH … `` Polling Experts : Democrats More Likely to Nominate ‘ No One ’ Than Elizabeth Warren , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : According to the FiveThirtyEight forecast , Warren has just a one-in-nine ( 12 percent ) chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party 's presidential nomination .
That 's slightly worse than the forecast model 's odds—one-in-eight , or 13 percent—that no single candidate will win a majority of delegates , an outcome that could trigger a brokered convention in Milwaukee .
VOTING WITH THEIR FEET … `` Second Amendment Sanctuary Movement Dwarfs Richmond Gun-Control Meeting , '' by WFB ’ s Stephen Gutowski : A gun-control event at the Virginia state capitol drew two hundred activists on Wednesday , a turnout dwarfed by the tens of thousands who have attended Second Amendment sanctuary meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action , a subsidiary of Michael Bloomberg 's Everytown for Gun Safety , gathered supporters in Richmond to pressure lawmakers into passing stricter gun-control laws during the new legislative session .
An email to the group 's supporters included pictures showing several dozen activists at a meeting opening , and about 20 meeting with lawmakers and walking the halls of the Virginia state capitol building .
A spokeswoman for the group told the Washington Free Beacon that 200 volunteers showed up to lobby lawmakers .
SUPREME LEADER ’ S STRATEGERY … `` Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Evidence indicates it is `` highly likely '' that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner near Tehran late Tuesday , U.S. , Canadian , and British officials said Thursday .
They said the strike , which killed all 176 people on board , could well have been a mistake amid missile launches and high tensions throughout the region .
FAST-ACTING FAA DECISION SAVED AMERICAN LIVES … `` U.S .
Issued No-Fly Order Over Iran , Iraq Hours Before Ukrainian Plane Downed , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning of potential hazards along flight routes in the war-torn region was first issued Tuesday evening by the FAA , just before a Ukrainian plane crashed near Tehran .
U.S. officials believe Iran may have mistakenly shot down the plane in its airspace as tensions with the United States hit new levels .
`` Our NOTAMs were published roughly three hours before the accident , '' an FAA spokesman confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon Thursday .
ESCALATION … `` Iran : Missile Strikes Mark Beginning of ‘ Major Operations ’ Across Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Kredo : Iranian leaders claim to have drawn up `` high casualty operations '' that could lead to the deaths of at least 500 U.S. military personnel `` in the first step . ''
Within 48 hours , the Iranian military claims , it could kill 4,000 to 5,000 Americans .
Iran fired at least 13 missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq this week and is readying to launch `` hundreds of missiles in the first hours '' of a second protracted attack , according to Iranian military officials .
IF THEY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` WaPo Reveals Photoshop Is Problematic If It Targets Dems , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : A Thursday Washington Post story attacked Rep. Elise Stefanik ( R. , N.Y. ) for `` manipulating '' an image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) , even though such modifications are standard in political advertising on both sides of the aisle , including from Pelosi herself … Stefanik 's 2020 Democratic opponent Tedra Cobb , for example , has frequently tweeted images of the congresswoman that have been similarly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filters without attracting negative attention from Capitol Hill reporters .
TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME IS REAL … `` U.S. Reporters Blame Trump for Iran Shooting Down Passenger Plane , '' via GRABIEN : CNN ’ s national security analyst , Susan Hennessy , said the tragedy resulted from `` reckless escalation , '' claiming the jetliner was downed in `` crossfire '' .
NBC ’ s Heidi Przybyla—in a tweet she later deleted—echoed Hennessy , blaming the tragedy on a `` crossfire '' between the United States and Iran … Another Washington Post columnist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make excuses for Iran killing these innocent people .
PRESCRIPTION NEEDED … `` Too woke ?
Nope—Doctor Who is more offensive than ever , '' via THE GUARDIAN : Now , though , a different group of fans are railing against Doctor Who .
Far from being too liberal , many believe this iteration has actually lost the morality that made the character so unique , and become problematic on social issues—engaging with them to an often offensive degree .
MADAM SPEECHLESS … `` How McConnell Outplayed Pelosi , '' by WFB ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] has [ Nancy ] Pelosi as an example of what not to do .
Since launching the impeachment inquiry in November , she 's seen independents turn against it , Trump 's numbers rise , a House Democrat switch parties , several Democrats join Republicans to vote against one or both of the articles of impeachment , and now her friends and lieutenants questioning her judgment in public .
The other day news broke that she got the idea for withholding the articles from an interview with John Dean on CNN .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon .
And look what happened to him .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,125 .
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 .

Pelosi gets out-dueled, Iran is implicated in killing innocents, and the press goes nuts
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.
NANCY’S FOLLY … "Dems in Disarray Over Pelosi’s Impeachment Strategy," by WFB’s Brent Scher: A group of top Democratic senators went to reporters Wednesday to urge Pelosi to end her three-week attempt to influence how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell handles the impeachment trial …
"I'll send them over when I'm ready," Pelosi said. "That may be soon."
Pelosi got the idea to hold onto the articles of impeachment from watching cable news, her office told TIME magazine.
WIPED WITH A CLOTH? … "Jail video of Jeffrey Epstein’s first suicide attempt was deleted, prosecutors reveal," via CNBC: Surveillance video footage from outside the jail cell of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein at the time of his first reported suicide attempt in July has been deleted, federal prosecutors revealed Thursday …
Epstein, who was a former friend of Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, died in the Manhattan jail in August. The New York City Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide by hanging.
MR. CONGENIALITY … "Around the Country in 17 Hours With Michael Bloomberg," via NYT: Asked for a picture after his event in Chicago, Mr. Bloomberg grimaced a bit: "Yup. Quickly." …
Other data points seemed less encouraging. Several of the more than 100 people in the room said they had come as a favor to a staff member they knew, offering "moral support," as one put it, in lieu of political support. An aide approached two African-American men to ask if they might be more comfortable onstage, behind Mr. Bloomberg and in view of the cameras. They did not bite.
NOT LIKABLE ENOUGH … "Polling Experts: Democrats More Likely to Nominate ‘No One’ Than Elizabeth Warren," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: According to the FiveThirtyEight forecast, Warren has just a one-in-nine (12 percent) chance of winning enough delegates to secure the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. That's slightly worse than the forecast model's odds—one-in-eight, or 13 percent—that no single candidate will win a majority of delegates, an outcome that could trigger a brokered convention in Milwaukee.
VOTING WITH THEIR FEET … "Second Amendment Sanctuary Movement Dwarfs Richmond Gun-Control Meeting," by WFB’s Stephen Gutowski: A gun-control event at the Virginia state capitol drew two hundred activists on Wednesday, a turnout dwarfed by the tens of thousands who have attended Second Amendment sanctuary meetings all over the state.
Moms Demand Action, a subsidiary of Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety, gathered supporters in Richmond to pressure lawmakers into passing stricter gun-control laws during the new legislative session. An email to the group's supporters included pictures showing several dozen activists at a meeting opening, and about 20 meeting with lawmakers and walking the halls of the Virginia state capitol building. A spokeswoman for the group told the Washington Free Beacon that 200 volunteers showed up to lobby lawmakers.
SUPREME LEADER’S STRATEGERY … "Iranians Shot Down Jetliner," via AP: Evidence indicates it is "highly likely" that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner near Tehran late Tuesday, U.S., Canadian, and British officials said Thursday. They said the strike, which killed all 176 people on board, could well have been a mistake amid missile launches and high tensions throughout the region.
FAST-ACTING FAA DECISION SAVED AMERICAN LIVES … "U.S. Issued No-Fly Order Over Iran, Iraq Hours Before Ukrainian Plane Downed," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of potential hazards along flight routes in the war-torn region was first issued Tuesday evening by the FAA, just before a Ukrainian plane crashed near Tehran. U.S. officials believe Iran may have mistakenly shot down the plane in its airspace as tensions with the United States hit new levels.
"Our NOTAMs were published roughly three hours before the accident," an FAA spokesman confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon Thursday.
ESCALATION … "Iran: Missile Strikes Mark Beginning of ‘Major Operations’ Across Middle East," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: Iranian leaders claim to have drawn up "high casualty operations" that could lead to the deaths of at least 500 U.S. military personnel "in the first step." Within 48 hours, the Iranian military claims, it could kill 4,000 to 5,000 Americans.
Iran fired at least 13 missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq this week and is readying to launch "hundreds of missiles in the first hours" of a second protracted attack, according to Iranian military officials.
IF THEY DIDN’T HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS … "WaPo Reveals Photoshop Is Problematic If It Targets Dems," by WFB’s Alex Griswold: A Thursday Washington Post story attacked Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) for "manipulating" an image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), even though such modifications are standard in political advertising on both sides of the aisle, including from Pelosi herself …
Stefanik's 2020 Democratic opponent Tedra Cobb, for example, has frequently tweeted images of the congresswoman that have been similarly "manipulated" using black-and-white and fuzzy filters without attracting negative attention from Capitol Hill reporters.
TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME IS REAL … "U.S. Reporters Blame Trump for Iran Shooting Down Passenger Plane," via GRABIEN: CNN’s national security analyst, Susan Hennessy, said the tragedy resulted from "reckless escalation," claiming the jetliner was downed in "crossfire".
NBC’s Heidi Przybyla—in a tweet she later deleted—echoed Hennessy, blaming the tragedy on a "crossfire" between the United States and Iran …
Another Washington Post columnist, Jennifer Rubin, likewise appeared to make excuses for Iran killing these innocent people.
PRESCRIPTION NEEDED … "Too woke? Nope—Doctor Who is more offensive than ever," via THE GUARDIAN: Now, though, a different group of fans are railing against Doctor Who. Far from being too liberal, many believe this iteration has actually lost the morality that made the character so unique, and become problematic on social issues—engaging with them to an often offensive degree.
MADAM SPEECHLESS … "How McConnell Outplayed Pelosi," by WFB’s Matthew Continetti: [Mitch McConnell] has [Nancy] Pelosi as an example of what not to do. Since launching the impeachment inquiry in November, she's seen independents turn against it, Trump's numbers rise, a House Democrat switch parties, several Democrats join Republicans to vote against one or both of the articles of impeachment, and now her friends and lieutenants questioning her judgment in public.
The other day news broke that she got the idea for withholding the articles from an interview with John Dean on CNN. Dean once gave legal advice to Richard Nixon. And look what happened to him.
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,125. 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--2020-01-12--Democrats Think Pelosi Holding Impeachment Articles a Failed Strategy

In private , many Democrats have called Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi 's ( D. , Calif. ) decision to withhold articles of impeachment from the Senate a `` failed strategy , '' according to a Washington Post reporter .
ABC 's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday asked WaPo reporter Rachel Bade about 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that Pelosi has not won anything from the gambit .
Pelosi announced Saturday that the articles will be sent to the Senate this week , with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) unmoved by her procedural demands .
`` She and Chuck Schumer , the minority leader in the Senate , set out to number one try to get a commitment from McConnell on first-hand witnesses , to have them testify in the Senate trial , '' Bade said .
`` She also said she wanted to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be governed .
She got neither of those . ''
Pelosi 's strategy began to fail earlier this week , when members of her caucus and Senate Democrats called for the articles of impeachment to be transferred to the Senate as soon as possible .

In private, many Democrats have called Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) decision to withhold articles of impeachment from the Senate a "failed strategy," according to a Washington Post reporter.
ABC's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday asked WaPo reporter Rachel Bade about 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.
Bade added that Pelosi has not won anything from the gambit. Pelosi announced Saturday that the articles will be sent to the Senate this week, with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) unmoved by her procedural demands.
"She and Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the Senate, set out to number one try to get a commitment from McConnell on first-hand witnesses, to have them testify in the Senate trial," Bade said. "She also said she wanted to see a resolution about how the whole proceedings would be governed. She got neither of those."
Pelosi's strategy began to fail earlier this week, when members of her caucus and Senate Democrats called for the articles of impeachment to be transferred to the Senate as soon as possible.


freebeacon--2020-01-12--Pelosi Leaves Open the Possibility for New Articles of Impeachment

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) on Sunday said she is waiting to see what the Senate does with her first batch of articles of impeachment before confirming whether to issue new ones .
ABC 's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos asked Pelosi if the House might file new articles since she believes President Donald Trump is violating the Constitution `` again and again . ''
`` Well , let 's just see what the Senate does , the ball will be in their court soon , '' Pelosi said .
Pelosi on Saturday announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally vote to send its original articles of impeachment to the Senate for a vote .
The announcements meant Pelosi had relented on efforts to push Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) to permit new witnesses during the Senate 's trial of Trump .
The Senate 's Republican majority is widely expected to vote down House Democrats ' charges .
Rep. Al Green ( D. , Texas ) pushed the idea for Democrats to impeach Trump again if the Senate does n't remove him .
Last month , Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Democrats would continue to push for impeachment if Trump is reelected in 2020 .
`` There 's a ton of information that could come forward , '' Bass said .
`` For example , we could get his bank records and find out that he 's owned 100 percent by the Russians . ''

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Sunday said she is waiting to see what the Senate does with her first batch of articles of impeachment before confirming whether to issue new ones.
ABC's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos asked Pelosi if the House might file new articles since she believes President Donald Trump is violating the Constitution "again and again."
"Well, let's just see what the Senate does, the ball will be in their court soon," Pelosi said.
Pelosi on Saturday announced that next week, the House will finally vote to send its original articles of impeachment to the Senate for a vote. The announcements meant Pelosi had relented on efforts to push Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) to permit new witnesses during the Senate's trial of Trump. The Senate's Republican majority is widely expected to vote down House Democrats' charges.
Rep. Al Green (D., Texas) pushed the idea for Democrats to impeach Trump again if the Senate doesn't remove him. Last month, Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.) said Democrats would continue to push for impeachment if Trump is reelected in 2020.
"There's a ton of information that could come forward," Bass said. "For example, we could get his bank records and find out that he's owned 100 percent by the Russians."


freebeacon--2020-01-12--DCCC Chair Dodges Multiple Times on Whether Ocasio-Cortez Is Good For the Democratic Caucus

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Cheri Bustos ( D. , Ill. ) in a Sunday interview dodged multiple questions as to whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) is good for the Democratic caucus .
Asked by CNN anchor Victor Blackwell if Ocasio-Cortez is `` good for the Democratic caucus in the House , '' 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new voice .
I think that 's always welcome . ''
Angling for an answer to the same question , Blackwell brought up Ocasio-Cortez 's fundraising prowess , noting that in the last quarter she outraised even Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) .
`` I 'm asking the chairwoman of the DCCC if this member , who is right now in the top ten of House members raising money , if she 's good for the caucus .
You ca n't give me a straight yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Look , I have respect for all 235 of the Democrats in our caucus .
She is bringing a new voice .
The fact that she has raised unbelievable amounts of money and the fact that she just announced she 's willing to help our candidates who need—who could benefit with that financial help .
That 's welcomed , '' Bustos said .
`` I 'm trying to get to a simple answer .
And I took four passes each at two questions .
I did n't get there , '' Blackwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest contribution to the controversy surrounding Ocasio-Cortez 's unwillingness to fork over the $ 250,000 in dues expected of all House Democrats .
Responding to news of her nonpayment , several House Democrats publicly said they were angry about the freshman Democrats 's refusal to pay up .
The self-proclaimed democratic socialist in turn defended her choice , saying her move was a protest against the DCCC 's policy of blacklisting any organization that helps primary opponents opposing Democratic incumbents .
The fundraising kerfuffle is not Ocasio-Cortez 's only recent clash with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York magazine , she criticized the party for being `` too big of a tent '' and said that she did not belong in the same party as former vice president Joe Biden .

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.) in a Sunday interview dodged multiple questions as to whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) is good for the Democratic caucus.
Asked by CNN anchor Victor Blackwell if Ocasio-Cortez is "good for the Democratic caucus in the House," 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."
Angling for an answer to the same question, Blackwell brought up Ocasio-Cortez's fundraising prowess, noting that in the last quarter she outraised even Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.).
"I'm asking the chairwoman of the DCCC if this member, who is right now in the top ten of House members raising money, if she's good for the caucus. You can't give me a straight yes or no," Blackwell said.
"Look, I have respect for all 235 of the Democrats in our caucus. She is bringing a new voice. The fact that she has raised unbelievable amounts of money and the fact that she just announced she's willing to help our candidates who need—who could benefit with that financial help. That's welcomed," Bustos said.
"I'm trying to get to a simple answer. And I took four passes each at two questions. I didn't get there," Blackwell said.
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. Responding to news of her nonpayment, several House Democrats publicly said they were angry about the freshman Democrats's refusal to pay up. The self-proclaimed democratic socialist in turn defended her choice, saying her move was a protest against the DCCC's policy of blacklisting any organization that helps primary opponents opposing Democratic incumbents.
I give quite a bit to fellow Dems - we’ve fundraised over $300,000 for others (more than my 'dues"), w/ over 50% going to swing seats. DCCC made clear that they will blacklist any org that helps progressive candidates like me. I can choose not to fund that kind of exclusion. https://t.co/qqwdwPAqek — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 10, 2020
The fundraising kerfuffle is not Ocasio-Cortez's only recent clash with fellow Democrats. In an interview with New York magazine, she criticized the party for being "too big of a tent" and said that she did not belong in the same party as former vice president Joe Biden.


freebeacon--2020-01-12--Protesters Demand Iran’s Leaders Quit After Military Admits It Hit Plane

DUBAI ( Reuters ) – Protests erupted across Iran for a second day on Sunday , piling pressure on the leadership after the military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner at a time when Tehran had feared U.S. air strikes .
`` They are lying that our enemy is America , our enemy is right here , '' a group of protesters outside a university in Tehran chanted , according to video clips posted on Twitter .
Scores of demonstrators were shown outside another university in the capital and at gatherings in other cities .
Some state-affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after Saturday 's demonstrations sparked by Iran 's announcement that its military had mistakenly brought down the Ukrainian plane on Wednesday , killing all 176 aboard .
Tehran residents told Reuters police were out in force in the capital on Sunday , as public anger boiled up following days of denials by the military that it was to blame , issued even as Canada and the United States said a missile had brought the plane down .
Riot police fired teargas at thousands of protesters in the capital on Saturday , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictator '' , directing their anger at the Islamic Republic 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
`` Apologize and resign , '' Iran 's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday , saying the `` people 's demand '' was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit .
The latest upsurge in anger adds to challenges facing the authorities , which launched a bloody crackdown in November to quell protests .
The leadership is also struggling to keep the crippled economy afloat under rigorous U.S. sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To the leaders of Iran – DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS .
Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you , and the World is watching . ''
The Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down minutes after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday , when Iranian forces were on alert for U.S. reprisals following tit-for-tat strikes .
Many on board were Iranians with dual citizenship , while 57 were holders of Canadian passports .
Iran 's president said it was a `` disastrous mistake '' and apologized .
But a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fury when he said he had told the authorities on the same day as the crash that an Iranian missile had struck the plane .
The Guards ' top commander , Hossein Salami , said `` we are more upset than anyone over the incident '' , state media reported .
Another commander said Iran had no intention to conceal the cause of the crash .
But others said Iran 's enemies , a term usually used to refer to Washington and its allies , were exploiting the incident .
`` Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guards for a military mistake , '' said Ali Shirazi , Khamenei 's representative to the Quds Force , an elite Guards unit , state media reported .
Britain said its ambassador in Iran was briefly detained on Saturday , which Iranian media said was because he was inciting protests .
The envoy said he attended a vigil for plane victims .
Iran 's authorities summoned him on Sunday , while members of the hardline Basij militia gathered outside the mission holding signs demanding the `` treacherous embassy '' be closed , state-affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab condemned his arrest and said Iran `` can continue its march toward pariah status … or take steps to de-escalate tensions '' with diplomacy .
Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States , which withdrew from Tehran 's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then toughened up sanctions .
On Jan. 3 , a U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani , responsible for building up Iran 's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond .
Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq .
No U.S. soldiers were killed , but in the tense hours after that , the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and brought down by a missile fired by mistake .
`` It is not a human error .
This is a crime against humanity , '' the son of the toppled shah of Iran , Reza Pahlavi , wrote on Twitter .
`` Khamenei and his regime should go . ''
In the November protests , demonstrators had chanted slogans supporting him .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rallying to the establishment , Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force 's commanders for courage in admitting the error , according to Fars , a news agency seen as close to the Guards , a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system .
Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani 's death in a U.S. drone strike .
The commander 's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings , which the authorities described as a show of national unity .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general .

DUBAI (Reuters) - Protests erupted across Iran for a second day on Sunday, piling pressure on the leadership after the military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner at a time when Tehran had feared U.S. air strikes.
"They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here," a group of protesters outside a university in Tehran chanted, according to video clips posted on Twitter.
Scores of demonstrators were shown outside another university in the capital and at gatherings in other cities.
Some state-affiliated media also carried reports of university protests, after Saturday's demonstrations sparked by Iran's announcement that its military had mistakenly brought down the Ukrainian plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard.
Tehran residents told Reuters police were out in force in the capital on Sunday, as public anger boiled up following days of denials by the military that it was to blame, issued even as Canada and the United States said a missile had brought the plane down.
Riot police fired teargas at thousands of protesters in the capital on Saturday, where many had chanted "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"Apologize and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit.
The latest upsurge in anger adds to challenges facing the authorities, which launched a bloody crackdown in November to quell protests. The leadership is also struggling to keep the crippled economy afloat under rigorous U.S. sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted: "To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching."
The Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down minutes after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday, when Iranian forces were on alert for U.S. reprisals following tit-for-tat strikes. Many on board were Iranians with dual citizenship, while 57 were holders of Canadian passports.
'REVENGE'
Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologized. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public fury when he said he had told the authorities on the same day as the crash that an Iranian missile had struck the plane.
The Guards' top commander, Hossein Salami, said "we are more upset than anyone over the incident", state media reported. Another commander said Iran had no intention to conceal the cause of the crash.
But others said Iran's enemies, a term usually used to refer to Washington and its allies, were exploiting the incident.
"Iran's enemies want to take revenge on the Guards for a military mistake," said Ali Shirazi, Khamenei's representative to the Quds Force, an elite Guards unit, state media reported.
Britain said its ambassador in Iran was briefly detained on Saturday, which Iranian media said was because he was inciting protests. The envoy said he attended a vigil for plane victims.
Iran's authorities summoned him on Sunday, while members of the hardline Basij militia gathered outside the mission holding signs demanding the "treacherous embassy" be closed, state-affiliated media reported.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned his arrest and said Iran "can continue its march toward pariah status ... or take steps to de-escalate tensions" with diplomacy.
'CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY'
Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then toughened up sanctions.
On Jan. 3, a U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond. Tehran responded with missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.
No U.S. soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours after that, the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and brought down by a missile fired by mistake.
"It is not a human error. This is a crime against humanity," the son of the toppled shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, wrote on Twitter. "Khamenei and his regime should go."
In the November protests, demonstrators had chanted slogans supporting him. His father died in exile in 1980.
Rallying to the establishment, Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system.
Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike.
The commander's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described as a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general.
(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Philippa Fletcher)


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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 .

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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.
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.