freebeacon--2020-05-05--Biden Voted to Block Creation of Senate Office That Handles Sexual Harassment Complaints

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden voted in favor of a motion that would have blocked the creation of the Senate office that receives sexual harassment complaints .
Biden was one of six Democrats who joined an effort to block the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices in 1991 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional .
The vote came less than two years before Tara Reade allegedly filed a complaint about her treatment as an employee in Biden 's Senate office .
Created as a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in the shadow of Anita Hill 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Senate Fair Employment Practices was an attempt to remedy the fact that Congress was , at the time , exempt from workplace discrimination laws .
An amendment to the civil rights law introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R. , Iowa ) chartered the office and provided `` procedures to protect the right of Senate and other government employees … to be free from discrimination on the basis of race , color , religion , sex , national origin , age , or disability . ''
Grassley 's amendment sparked fierce opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by then-Republican senator Warren Rudman ( N.H. ) , who argued that the office would become a `` Son of Frankenstein '' and warned that `` everyone here will be in jeopardy and we will have done much violence to this body and the Constitution . ''
Rudman raised a point of order aimed at declaring the amendment unconstitutional and striking it from the Civil Rights Act .
The legislative maneuver failed by a 76-22 vote , with Biden joining Rudman , and then-senators William Cohen ( R. , Maine ) and Strom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eliminate the office .
The Grassley amendment creating the office subsequently passed by a voice vote .
The Biden campaign acknowledged his vote in favor of Rudman 's point of order , telling the Washington Free Beacon that Biden `` voted for a point of order on an amendment '' that would have established the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices .
Biden has leaned on his legislative record as he has denied Reade 's allegations of sexual assault .
In a Friday statement addressing the accusation , the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he cosponsored in 1994 , as evidence of his belief `` that women should be heard . ''
His campaign has pointed to his sponsorship of the legislation to paint him as a `` champion for women . ''
His support for Rudman 's point of order may complicate that talking point .
Women 's groups welcomed the creation of the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices at the time .
Jean B. Dugan , the chairwoman of the Capitol Hill Women 's Political Caucus , told the New York Times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers `` recourse '' if they are victimized by an elected official .
`` We are still being treated differently than other Americans but at least now there will be a better system in place and some outside recourse , '' Dugan said .
Biden 's vote to block the creation of the office came less than two years before Reade alleges he sexually assaulted her and just weeks after Anita Hill appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee , which Biden chaired at the time .
Biden faced scrutiny in the aftermath of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual harassment policy statement drafted by the Capitol Hill Women 's Political Caucus in 1991 , though he implemented the policy for Senate Judiciary Committee staff , according to the Associated Press .
Biden did not explain his vote during the vigorous debate surrounding the passage of the Grassley amendment , the Congressional Record shows .
Because it passed by voice vote , Biden 's final position is unclear .
He , along with others who opposed the creation of the Office of Fair Employment Practices—including Rudman , Cohen , and , Thurmond—voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Civil Rights Act of 1991 , which passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin .
The Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices was replaced by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights in 1995 , but Grassley 's 1991 amendment serves as the legislative backbone for the current office .
The day after the point of order failed , Rudman launched a second attempt to derail the creation of the office by introducing an amendment that required senators to pay settlements out of their own pockets .
When Grassley and his allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again voted with Rudman .
That amendment survived the tabling motion in a 75-22 vote and was later adopted by voice vote .
Biden also voted against an amendment to the Civil Rights Act that would have allowed Senate staffers to sue for damages in a jury trial .
The measure failed 54-42 .
The Biden campaign did not respond to additional requests for comment .

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden voted in favor of a motion that would have blocked the creation of the Senate office that receives sexual harassment complaints.
Biden was one of six Democrats who joined an effort to block the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices in 1991 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. The vote came less than two years before Tara Reade allegedly filed a complaint about her treatment as an employee in Biden's Senate office.
Created as a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in the shadow of Anita Hill's testimony on Capitol Hill, the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices was an attempt to remedy the fact that Congress was, at the time, exempt from workplace discrimination laws. An amendment to the civil rights law introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) chartered the office and provided "procedures to protect the right of Senate and other government employees … to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability."
Grassley's amendment sparked fierce opposition from some of his colleagues, led by then-Republican senator Warren Rudman (N.H.), who argued that the office would become a "Son of Frankenstein" and warned that "everyone here will be in jeopardy and we will have done much violence to this body and the Constitution."
Rudman raised a point of order aimed at declaring the amendment unconstitutional and striking it from the Civil Rights Act. The legislative maneuver failed by a 76-22 vote, with Biden joining Rudman, and then-senators William Cohen (R., Maine) and Strom Thurmond (R., S.C.), to eliminate the office.
The Grassley amendment creating the office subsequently passed by a voice vote.
The Biden campaign acknowledged his vote in favor of Rudman's point of order, telling the Washington Free Beacon that Biden "voted for a point of order on an amendment" that would have established the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices.
Biden has leaned on his legislative record as he has denied Reade's allegations of sexual assault. In a Friday statement addressing the accusation, the former vice president invoked the Violence Against Women Act, which he cosponsored in 1994, as evidence of his belief "that women should be heard." His campaign has pointed to his sponsorship of the legislation to paint him as a "champion for women." His support for Rudman's point of order may complicate that talking point.
Women's groups welcomed the creation of the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices at the time. Jean B. Dugan, the chairwoman of the Capitol Hill Women's Political Caucus, told the New York Times that the new office would help give female staffers "recourse" if they are victimized by an elected official. "We are still being treated differently than other Americans but at least now there will be a better system in place and some outside recourse," Dugan said.
Biden's vote to block the creation of the office came less than two years before Reade alleges he sexually assaulted her and just weeks after Anita Hill appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Biden chaired at the time. Biden faced scrutiny in the aftermath of the hearings for refusing to adopt a sexual harassment policy statement drafted by the Capitol Hill Women's Political Caucus in 1991, though he implemented the policy for Senate Judiciary Committee staff, according to the Associated Press.
Biden did not explain his vote during the vigorous debate surrounding the passage of the Grassley amendment, the Congressional Record shows. Because it passed by voice vote, Biden's final position is unclear. He, along with others who opposed the creation of the Office of Fair Employment Practices—including Rudman, Cohen, and, Thurmond—voted in favor of the larger legislative package, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin.
The Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices was replaced by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights in 1995, but Grassley's 1991 amendment serves as the legislative backbone for the current office.
The day after the point of order failed, Rudman launched a second attempt to derail the creation of the office by introducing an amendment that required senators to pay settlements out of their own pockets. When Grassley and his allies attempted to table the amendment, Biden again voted with Rudman. That amendment survived the tabling motion in a 75-22 vote and was later adopted by voice vote. Biden also voted against an amendment to the Civil Rights Act that would have allowed Senate staffers to sue for damages in a jury trial. The measure failed 54-42.
The Biden campaign did not respond to additional requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-05-05--Conservative Think Tank Floats Free-Market Fixes for Coronavirus

The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday announced a proposal for a distinctly free-market approach to restarting the country amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The plan , assembled by the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission—a blue-ribbon panel of lawmakers , businessmen and women , and policy experts assembled by Heritage to respond to the crisis—and reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon , provides recommendations for all levels of government , as well as private and civil society actors .
Among other proposals , it calls for widespread deregulation of the medical industry and an emphasis on free trade to restore the economy post-crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other end-of-lockdown plans , which have tended to call for massive federal mobilization to combat the crisis .
Many such plans demand that the country be able to administer tens of millions of coronavirus tests a day prior to reopening .
That makes the Heritage plan—which proposes subtler changes that can be implemented right now—either less ambitious or more realistic , depending on how one views it .
The promise of a realistic path to reopening may be appealing to state governors from California to Georgia now bringing their economies back on line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House , as President Donald Trump seeks a quick reopening to shore up his chances in November .
At the same time , Heritage 's emphasis on free trade , in particular , may put the think tank at odds with lawmakers who see the coronavirus as an instigator of bigger change , especially those increasingly skeptical of offshoring .
The plan released Tuesday offers two new `` phases '' of reopening , which add to the commission 's preexisting phase one and two , released early in April .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and private actors to increase understanding of and ability to fight the virus as the economy comes back on line .
While other plans seek to add new laws or federal apparatuses to this end , Heritage 's focus is more on trimming regulations holding back progress .
The plan calls on states , for example , to allow interstate recognition of medical licenses , while the executive branch would implement a comprehensive regulatory review at the CDC , FDA , and other departments .
The plan also proposes a major role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government to consider giving university labs more freedom to test , and encouraging civil society actors to work to support vaccine development and distribution .
Although the phase three proposal does push for more testing , it differs from other plans by not calling for the United States to conduct a target number of tests per day to reopen .
Rob Bluey , a spokesman for the Commission , told the Free Beacon that while the commission does want more testing—and advocated for it in earlier phases as well—it thinks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most expeditious or effective approach : `` We 're not going to be in a situation any time soon where we 're going to be able to test every American every single day . ''
After the scientific advancement phase , Heritage emphasizes the need to `` establish U.S. leadership in economic recovery , '' which in practice means reestablishing trade and access to international supply chains cut off by the crisis .
In phase four , states are encouraged to work to bring `` international business activity '' back to their markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chain by prioritizing test access .
The federal government is called upon to lift tariffs , create new free trade agreements with allies including the United Kingdom , and commit to zero tariffs or export controls on medical supplies , pharmaceuticals , and food products during and after the pandemic .
This free-trade focused approach , Bluey said , was inspired by the Commission 's belief that `` there 's no greater system that 's going to lift people out of this like free markets . ''
But it 's likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have seen the coronavirus as a sign that America needs to repatriate vital industries .
Bluey emphasized that Heritage 's goal is to balance concerns about dependence on China with a commitment to free trade , and the plan does include calls for the federal government to `` evaluate concerns '' about reliance on the PRC for medical supplies and rare earth minerals .
That 's a far less tough stance , however , than that taken by China hawks like Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
, who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolition of the World Trade Organization—a move at odds with Heritage 's proposal .
That disagreement raises questions about whether Heritage 's distinctly soft-touch approach to resolving the crisis will curry as much favor as the venerable organization might hope .
Some lawmakers , President Trump in particular , are likely to be drawn to a plan that does not call for a total transformation of the country before Americans can go back to work .
But that same quality may lose the plan support among politicians , left and right , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate bigger , structural change .

The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday announced a proposal for a distinctly free-market approach to restarting the country amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The plan, assembled by the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission—a blue-ribbon panel of lawmakers, businessmen and women, and policy experts assembled by Heritage to respond to the crisis—and reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, provides recommendations for all levels of government, as well as private and civil society actors. Among other proposals, it calls for widespread deregulation of the medical industry and an emphasis on free trade to restore the economy post-crisis.
Heritage's approach contrasts sharply with other end-of-lockdown plans, which have tended to call for massive federal mobilization to combat the crisis. Many such plans demand that the country be able to administer tens of millions of coronavirus tests a day prior to reopening. That makes the Heritage plan—which proposes subtler changes that can be implemented right now—either less ambitious or more realistic, depending on how one views it.
The promise of a realistic path to reopening may be appealing to state governors from California to Georgia now bringing their economies back on line. It may also be of interest to the White House, as President Donald Trump seeks a quick reopening to shore up his chances in November. At the same time, Heritage's emphasis on free trade, in particular, may put the think tank at odds with lawmakers who see the coronavirus as an instigator of bigger change, especially those increasingly skeptical of offshoring.
The plan released Tuesday offers two new "phases" of reopening, which add to the commission's preexisting phase one and two, released early in April. Phase three calls on state, federal, and private actors to increase understanding of and ability to fight the virus as the economy comes back on line.
While other plans seek to add new laws or federal apparatuses to this end, Heritage's focus is more on trimming regulations holding back progress. The plan calls on states, for example, to allow interstate recognition of medical licenses, while the executive branch would implement a comprehensive regulatory review at the CDC, FDA, and other departments.
The plan also proposes a major role for private sector actors, including pushing the federal government to consider giving university labs more freedom to test, and encouraging civil society actors to work to support vaccine development and distribution.
Although the phase three proposal does push for more testing, it differs from other plans by not calling for the United States to conduct a target number of tests per day to reopen. Rob Bluey, a spokesman for the Commission, told the Free Beacon that while the commission does want more testing—and advocated for it in earlier phases as well—it thinks the goal of universal access is not the most expeditious or effective approach: "We're not going to be in a situation any time soon where we're going to be able to test every American every single day."
After the scientific advancement phase, Heritage emphasizes the need to "establish U.S. leadership in economic recovery," which in practice means reestablishing trade and access to international supply chains cut off by the crisis.
In phase four, states are encouraged to work to bring "international business activity" back to their markets and ensure the integrity of the food supply chain by prioritizing test access. The federal government is called upon to lift tariffs, create new free trade agreements with allies including the United Kingdom, and commit to zero tariffs or export controls on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and food products during and after the pandemic.
This free-trade focused approach, Bluey said, was inspired by the Commission's belief that "there's no greater system that's going to lift people out of this like free markets." But it's likely to be controversial among some on Capitol Hill who have seen the coronavirus as a sign that America needs to repatriate vital industries.
Bluey emphasized that Heritage's goal is to balance concerns about dependence on China with a commitment to free trade, and the plan does include calls for the federal government to "evaluate concerns" about reliance on the PRC for medical supplies and rare earth minerals. That's a far less tough stance, however, than that taken by China hawks like Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), who in a Tuesday op-ed called for the abolition of the World Trade Organization—a move at odds with Heritage's proposal.
That disagreement raises questions about whether Heritage's distinctly soft-touch approach to resolving the crisis will curry as much favor as the venerable organization might hope. Some lawmakers, President Trump in particular, are likely to be drawn to a plan that does not call for a total transformation of the country before Americans can go back to work. But that same quality may lose the plan support among politicians, left and right, who are looking to use the crisis to generate bigger, structural change.


freebeacon--2020-05-05--April Gun Sales Surge Amid Shutdowns

April Gun Sales Surge Amid Shutdowns

Americans turned out in record numbers to buy weapons amid the coronavirus outbreak , as April marked the second straight month of historic gun sales .
There were nearly 1.8 million gun sales in the United States in April , according to a report from industry analyst Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting ( SAAF ) .
The total lagged behind the all-time monthly record set in March , but represented a 71.3 percent surge over April 2019 figures .
The coronavirus pandemic has seen weapons and ammunition fly off the shelves despite economic downturn , mass layoffs , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ localities .
Jurgen Brauer , SAAF chief economist , said the continued strong sales were largely a result of the fact that gun stores were able to keep their doors open in the vast majority of states amid the shutdowns .
`` The industry has been successful in arguing with federal/state authorities to grant ‘ essential business ' status , so most of the relevant businesses stayed open , '' he told the Washington Free Beacon in an email .
The monthly sales numbers indicate that local and state policy has had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in certain areas .
While sales surged in areas that remained open , they plummeted in states that have cracked down on gun shops .
The dichotomy in the data may have both a political and legal impact as government officials in states with gun-store shutdowns determine when to reopen , while also facing legal challenges from gun-rights advocates .
The availability of firearms has also become a top issue in the presidential race .
A surrogate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden told supporters in April that the former vice president would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The Trump administration has taken a different approach .
In March , the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance declaring gun manufacturers and retailers `` essential '' businesses , leading some states to reopen shuttered shops .
The move was welcomed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) , which had advocated for the designation .
`` Americans can not participate in the full enjoyment of their rights if they are denied the ability to legally obtain a firearm , '' NSSF spokesman Mark Oliva told the Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and DHS officials know this and took action to protect this right .
Likewise , NSSF and many of our members , worked with governors , legislators , and county and city officials to keep businesses open . ''
States that have shut down gun stores , including Massachusetts , New Mexico , California , and New Jersey , saw sales drastically reduced compared with states without shutdowns , according to Brauer .
`` There 's certainly differentiated behavior in those states , '' he said .
Brauer said Massachusetts , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of April , had a near-record low in gun sales for the month .
`` Quite a boom in March but collapse in April , '' he said of the state 's numbers .
The near-total cutoff of sales in the state will likely be a point of contention in a lawsuit challenging the order .
The pandemic has also brought a shift in consumer preferences .
Americans purchased handguns nearly twice as often as rifles and shotguns in April , the biggest disparity on record .
The sales numbers are derived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of National Instant Criminal Background Check System ( NICS ) and are only an estimate of actual gun sales .
Each sale made through a licensed gun dealer requires a background check , and some states require a check on used-gun sales between non-licensed individuals .
Not all sales , however , are captured by NICS , and the system is also used for gun-carry permit checks .
SAAF 's analysis uses coding provided by the FBI to try and determine which NICS checks are for gun sales and which are for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a closer estimate of gun sales in the United States than do the raw NICS numbers—especially since some states , such as Kentucky , recheck all gun-carry permit holders each month .

Americans turned out in record numbers to buy weapons amid the coronavirus outbreak, as April marked the second straight month of historic gun sales.
There were nearly 1.8 million gun sales in the United States in April, according to a report from industry analyst Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF). The total lagged behind the all-time monthly record set in March, but represented a 71.3 percent surge over April 2019 figures. The coronavirus pandemic has seen weapons and ammunition fly off the shelves despite economic downturn, mass layoffs, and a shutdown of stores in some states and localities.
Jurgen Brauer, SAAF chief economist, said the continued strong sales were largely a result of the fact that gun stores were able to keep their doors open in the vast majority of states amid the shutdowns.
"The industry has been successful in arguing with federal/state authorities to grant 'essential business' status, so most of the relevant businesses stayed open," he told the Washington Free Beacon in an email.
The monthly sales numbers indicate that local and state policy has had a dramatic effect on the availability of firearms in certain areas. While sales surged in areas that remained open, they plummeted in states that have cracked down on gun shops. The dichotomy in the data may have both a political and legal impact as government officials in states with gun-store shutdowns determine when to reopen, while also facing legal challenges from gun-rights advocates. The availability of firearms has also become a top issue in the presidential race. A surrogate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden told supporters in April that the former vice president would shut down all gun stores during the pandemic.
The Trump administration has taken a different approach. In March, the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance declaring gun manufacturers and retailers "essential" businesses, leading some states to reopen shuttered shops. The move was welcomed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which had advocated for the designation.
"Americans cannot participate in the full enjoyment of their rights if they are denied the ability to legally obtain a firearm," NSSF spokesman Mark Oliva told the Free Beacon. "We are grateful that President Trump and DHS officials know this and took action to protect this right. Likewise, NSSF and many of our members, worked with governors, legislators, and county and city officials to keep businesses open."
States that have shut down gun stores, including Massachusetts, New Mexico, California, and New Jersey, saw sales drastically reduced compared with states without shutdowns, according to Brauer.
"There's certainly differentiated behavior in those states," he said.
Brauer said Massachusetts, which shut down all gun stores at the start of April, had a near-record low in gun sales for the month. "Quite a boom in March but collapse in April," he said of the state's numbers. The near-total cutoff of sales in the state will likely be a point of contention in a lawsuit challenging the order.
The pandemic has also brought a shift in consumer preferences. Americans purchased handguns nearly twice as often as rifles and shotguns in April, the biggest disparity on record.
The sales numbers are derived from the FBI's report on the number of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and are only an estimate of actual gun sales. Each sale made through a licensed gun dealer requires a background check, and some states require a check on used-gun sales between non-licensed individuals.
Not all sales, however, are captured by NICS, and the system is also used for gun-carry permit checks. SAAF's analysis uses coding provided by the FBI to try and determine which NICS checks are for gun sales and which are for other purposes. SAAF's number represents a closer estimate of gun sales in the United States than do the raw NICS numbers—especially since some states, such as Kentucky, recheck all gun-carry permit holders each month.


freebeacon--2020-05-05--Everyone Needs to Stop Freaking Out About ‘Murder Hornets’

Apparently , the U.S. media establishment has learned nothing from the mistakes it made covering the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic—namely , its use of such offensive terms as `` Wuhan virus '' and `` Taiwan , '' and its suggestion that the virus might have originated in China .
Media reports on the arrival of the `` Asian giant hornet '' —aka `` Murder Hornet '' —in North America have been plagued by the same racist fearmongering that tainted the early coverage of the coronavirus .
The New York Post , for example , chose to describe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hornet , ' '' as if stating the continent of origin will do anything to further the reader 's understanding .
It goes without saying that for every 10 people who read that headline , at least one will be tempted to murder an Asian person .
Journalists , who are easily frightened , should know better than to suggest that just because something happens to come from Asia and kills people does n't mean we should all be scared of it .
According to the New York Times , the `` Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches long .
To put that number into perspective , the average American black bear is about 54 inches long .
That 's 27 times larger than the so-called murder hornet from `` Asia . ''
The Times report includes a fairly gruesome description of how the two-inch hornet allegedly murders its victims , the vast majority of which are honeybees—NOT humans .
Sure , the hornets use `` mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours , decapitating the bees and flying away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But journalism is supposed to tell both sides of the story .
The media 's rush to portray these honeybees as innocent victims does not hold up to scrutiny .
At the very least , the reality is more complicated .
`` Japanese honeybees defend themselves by swarming the hornets and vibrating their wing muscles , '' Atlantic science writer Ed Yong explained on Twitter .
`` This is called ‘ heatballing . '
It raises the temperature and CO2 levels inside the ball .
The hornets cook and choke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excessive torture ?
Maybe the bees started it .
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty ?
`` Murder '' is a loaded term , but `` self-defense hornet '' or even `` manslaughter hornet '' would n't get as many clicks .
As is often the case , the truth takes a back seat to sensationalism .
Where is CNN 's Brian Stelter when we need him ?
Oh , right .
He 's crying .
When it comes to humans , the hornet allegedly murders about 50 people per year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half the number of people who die in the United States from autoerotic asphyxiation , according to Live Science .
For further context , the United States military 's Japanese body count dwarfs what this tiny hornet has managed to accomplish , but the media tend to omit this fact from their so-called reporting on the subject .
The spike in `` murder hornet '' content has prompted many journalists and other influencers to make stupid jokes at the maligned insect 's expense—partly out of fear but also as a way to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Should you be scared of something that happens to come from Asia and kills people? No.
Apparently, the U.S. media establishment has learned nothing from the mistakes it made covering the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic—namely, its use of such offensive terms as "Wuhan virus" and "Taiwan," and its suggestion that the virus might have originated in China.
Media reports on the arrival of the "Asian giant hornet"—aka "Murder Hornet"—in North America have been plagued by the same racist fearmongering that tainted the early coverage of the coronavirus.
The New York Post, for example, chose to describe the insect as "Asia's 'murder hornet,'" as if stating the continent of origin will do anything to further the reader's understanding. It goes without saying that for every 10 people who read that headline, at least one will be tempted to murder an Asian person.
Journalists, who are easily frightened, should know better than to suggest that just because something happens to come from Asia and kills people doesn't mean we should all be scared of it. According to the New York Times, the "Asian" hornet can grow up to two inches long. To put that number into perspective, the average American black bear is about 54 inches long. That's 27 times larger than the so-called murder hornet from "Asia."
The Times report includes a fairly gruesome description of how the two-inch hornet allegedly murders its victims, the vast majority of which are honeybees—NOT humans. Sure, the hornets use "mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours, decapitating the bees and flying away with the thoraxes to feed their young." But journalism is supposed to tell both sides of the story.
The media's rush to portray these honeybees as innocent victims does not hold up to scrutiny. At the very least, the reality is more complicated. "Japanese honeybees defend themselves by swarming the hornets and vibrating their wing muscles," Atlantic science writer Ed Yong explained on Twitter. "This is called 'heatballing.' It raises the temperature and CO2 levels inside the ball. The hornets cook and choke to death."
Proportionate response? Or excessive torture? Maybe the bees started it. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? "Murder" is a loaded term, but "self-defense hornet" or even "manslaughter hornet" wouldn't get as many clicks. As is often the case, the truth takes a back seat to sensationalism. Where is CNN's Brian Stelter when we need him? Oh, right. He's crying.
When it comes to humans, the hornet allegedly murders about 50 people per year in Japan. For context, that's half the number of people who die in the United States from autoerotic asphyxiation, according to Live Science. For further context, the United States military's Japanese body count dwarfs what this tiny hornet has managed to accomplish, but the media tend to omit this fact from their so-called reporting on the subject.
The spike in "murder hornet" content has prompted many journalists and other influencers to make stupid jokes at the maligned insect's expense—partly out of fear but also as a way to build themselves up by putting others down.
'Murder Hornet" is my Anthrax cover band name. https://t.co/Qdr2WqAo6w — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) May 2, 2020
Everyone needs to stop freaking out about the murder hornets. Instead, we could start freaking out about things that matter—such as racism, or the insubordination of Chinese Taipei. We should, at the very least, stop exploiting these insects to alleviate our own anxiety and start working to make the world a better place—for all of God's creatures.


freebeacon--2020-05-05--Quincy Institute Using Coronavirus Pandemic to Raise Money

As the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the U.S. economy and health care system , one D.C.-based think tank is using the virus to fundraise for its anti-Trump advocacy .
The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft , an isolationist group funded by billionaire donors Charles Koch and George Soros , is asking for contributions on Giving Tuesday , a day meant to raise funds for American health care workers and others serving on the front lines of the coronavirus battle .
`` Trillions of dollars towards global military domination .
But a virus has done more damage to America than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Help us lead the fight to establish a foreign policy that meets the challenges of this century . ''
Since its founding last year , the Quincy Institute has emerged as a chief opponent of the Trump administration 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign on Iran , arguing that economic and military action against Tehran will not stop its global support for terrorism .
The organization has also faced criticism for hiring several anti-Israel voices , some of whom have accused conservative Jewish Americans of manipulating American foreign policy to benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash did not sit well with some Twitter users .
`` This is rather outrageous , '' wrote one observer .
Giving Tuesday `` is meant to benefit those directly concerned [ with ] CoV19 : healthcare workers or those facing job loss eg , and ideally LOCALLY as the initiators underline .
[ Quincy ] does n't qualify in any way or form .
This is stealing from the needy . ''

As the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the U.S. economy and health care system, one D.C.-based think tank is using the virus to fundraise for its anti-Trump advocacy.
The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, an isolationist group funded by billionaire donors Charles Koch and George Soros, is asking for contributions on Giving Tuesday, a day meant to raise funds for American health care workers and others serving on the front lines of the coronavirus battle.
"Trillions of dollars towards global military domination. But a virus has done more damage to America than 9/11," Quincy tweeted Monday evening. "Help us lead the fight to establish a foreign policy that meets the challenges of this century."
In an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by #COVID19, Tuesday 5/5 is #GivingTuesdayNow. We hope you will consider a gift to @QuincyInst. Please donate tomorrow at https://t.co/1jjEhFcwNL pic.twitter.com/M2Jj2RXcWy — Quincy Institute (@QuincyInst) May 5, 2020
Since its founding last year, the Quincy Institute has emerged as a chief opponent of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, arguing that economic and military action against Tehran will not stop its global support for terrorism. The organization has also faced criticism for hiring several anti-Israel voices, some of whom have accused conservative Jewish Americans of manipulating American foreign policy to benefit Israel.
The organization's plea for cash did not sit well with some Twitter users.
"This is rather outrageous," wrote one observer. Giving Tuesday "is meant to benefit those directly concerned [with] CoV19: healthcare workers or those facing job loss eg, and ideally LOCALLY as the initiators underline. [Quincy] doesn't qualify in any way or form. This is stealing from the needy."


freebeacon--2020-05-05--Continetti: GOP Could Get Payroll Tax Cut by Trading State Bailouts

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said President Donald Trump could get the payroll tax cut he 's looking for if GOP lawmakers make a deal with Democrats on bailing out state governments .
`` If President Trump wants his payroll tax cut or [ Missouri senator Josh ] Hawley 's payroll tax rebate , the bargaining chip there is the state bailout that [ Speaker of the House ] Nancy Pelosi wants , '' Continetti said on Fox News 's Special Report Monday .
`` So if there 's going to be any hope of compromise , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington these days , it 's trading that payroll tax cut for the bailout of the state governments , red and blue , that are sorely hurt by the coronavirus epidemic . ''
On Sunday , the president said he would refuse to sign another coronavirus recovery bill without a payroll tax cut .
`` I want to see a payroll tax cut on both sides , a very strong one , because that ’ s going to really put people to work , '' Trump said during a Fox News virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested a payroll tax rebate , which would cover 80 percent of employer payroll costs for the duration of the pandemic .
Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) on Monday said she would oppose a payroll tax cut in any upcoming legislation when asked by CNN 's Wolf Blitzer .
`` This is all to be related to the coronavirus , '' she said .
`` Nobody is putting things on the table saying , ‘ Unless we have this , we are not doing that . '
He should n't either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Economic Security ( CARES ) bill would be the fourth piece of coronavirus relief legislation passed since March .
Continetti said that a CARES 2 bill , if passed , would likely be `` some of the most significant legislation Congress will pass in a while . ''
A new Labor Department report coming Friday is expected to show that unemployment rose to 16.1 percent in April , shattering the one-month record for unemployment in the United States .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said President Donald Trump could get the payroll tax cut he's looking for if GOP lawmakers make a deal with Democrats on bailing out state governments.
"If President Trump wants his payroll tax cut or [Missouri senator Josh] Hawley's payroll tax rebate, the bargaining chip there is the state bailout that [Speaker of the House] Nancy Pelosi wants," Continetti said on Fox News's Special Report Monday. "So if there's going to be any hope of compromise, which is not something you hear much about in Washington these days, it's trading that payroll tax cut for the bailout of the state governments, red and blue, that are sorely hurt by the coronavirus epidemic."
On Sunday, the president said he would refuse to sign another coronavirus recovery bill without a payroll tax cut.
"I want to see a payroll tax cut on both sides, a very strong one, because that’s going to really put people to work," Trump said during a Fox News virtual town hall.
Sen. Hawley has similarly suggested a payroll tax rebate, which would cover 80 percent of employer payroll costs for the duration of the pandemic.
Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Monday said she would oppose a payroll tax cut in any upcoming legislation when asked by CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
"This is all to be related to the coronavirus," she said. "Nobody is putting things on the table saying, 'Unless we have this, we are not doing that.' He shouldn't either."
A second Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) bill would be the fourth piece of coronavirus relief legislation passed since March.
Continetti said that a CARES 2 bill, if passed, would likely be "some of the most significant legislation Congress will pass in a while."
A new Labor Department report coming Friday is expected to show that unemployment rose to 16.1 percent in April, shattering the one-month record for unemployment in the United States.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Justice Dems Open Big-Money Floodgates With Formation of New Super PAC

Justice Democrats , a far-left political group associated with the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wing of the Democratic Party , has quietly formed a super PAC .
The move opens the big-money floodgates for a group that routinely lambasts the `` power of large corporations , billionaires , and wealthy campaign contributions in our democracy . ''
Natalie Trent , treasurer of the Justice Democrats PAC , informed the Federal Election Commission on May 1 that the group is creating a new account that is able to collect unlimited contributions from corporations and labor groups .
The new super PAC will operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC .
But while the latter can not collect donations in excess of $ 5,000 per election cycle , the new super PAC is free to collect unlimited sums from big-money donors , which runs counter to Justice Democrats ' political platform and founding principles .
The group has called for public financing of elections and the `` removal of the corrupting influence of corporate and big money in our democracy . ''
`` This committee intends to establish a second bank account to deposit and withdraw funds raised in unlimited amounts from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and/or political committees , '' Trent wrote in a letter to the FEC .
`` The funds maintained in this account will not be used to make contributions , whether direct , in-kind , or via coordinated communications , or coordinated expenditures , to federal candidates or committees . ''
Trent and Justice Democrats did not respond to inquiries on whether the super PAC 's formation contradicts the group 's reform proposals .
The Justice Democrats PAC , which was instrumental in pushing Ocasio-Cortez into office , has so far collected $ 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year , the group came under fire for transferring $ 1 million to two limited liability companies that were started by Saikat Chakrabarti , a cofounder of the group who went on to become Ocasio-Cortez 's chief of staff in her Washington , D.C. , office .
Chakrabarti is not the only founding member of Justice Democrats to benefit from transfers from the PAC .
Zack Exley , another Justice Democrats cofounder , helped create a firm called Middle Seat Consulting in early 2017 .
Justice Democrats PAC paid Middle Seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has Exley 's firm on its payroll .
Ocasio-Cortez 's campaign also dished out $ 200,000 to the firm in the third quarter of 2019 .

Justice Democrats, a far-left political group associated with the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wing of the Democratic Party, has quietly formed a super PAC.
The move opens the big-money floodgates for a group that routinely lambasts the "power of large corporations, billionaires, and wealthy campaign contributions in our democracy." Natalie Trent, treasurer of the Justice Democrats PAC, informed the Federal Election Commission on May 1 that the group is creating a new account that is able to collect unlimited contributions from corporations and labor groups.
The new super PAC will operate alongside Justice Democrats PAC, a traditional PAC. But while the latter cannot collect donations in excess of $5,000 per election cycle, the new super PAC is free to collect unlimited sums from big-money donors, which runs counter to Justice Democrats' political platform and founding principles. The group has called for public financing of elections and the "removal of the corrupting influence of corporate and big money in our democracy."
"This committee intends to establish a second bank account to deposit and withdraw funds raised in unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, labor organizations, and/or political committees," Trent wrote in a letter to the FEC. "The funds maintained in this account will not be used to make contributions, whether direct, in-kind, or via coordinated communications, or coordinated expenditures, to federal candidates or committees."
Trent and Justice Democrats did not respond to inquiries on whether the super PAC's formation contradicts the group's reform proposals.
The Justice Democrats PAC, which was instrumental in pushing Ocasio-Cortez into office, has so far collected $2.2 million in contributions for the 2020 cycle. Last year, the group came under fire for transferring $1 million to two limited liability companies that were started by Saikat Chakrabarti, a cofounder of the group who went on to become Ocasio-Cortez's chief of staff in her Washington, D.C., office.
Chakrabarti is not the only founding member of Justice Democrats to benefit from transfers from the PAC.
Zack Exley, another Justice Democrats cofounder, helped create a firm called Middle Seat Consulting in early 2017. Justice Democrats PAC paid Middle Seat hundreds of thousands of dollars and still has Exley's firm on its payroll. Ocasio-Cortez's campaign also dished out $200,000 to the firm in the third quarter of 2019.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Citizens Claim Wisconsin’s Stay-at-Home Order Is Unconstitutional

Two Wisconsin citizens are challenging the state 's stay-at-home order in court , arguing the executive order is unconstitutional because it singles out religious and political expression .
Democratic governor Tony Evers 's `` Safer at Home '' order prohibits public or private gatherings of more than 10 people except under specific circumstances , such as shopping .
It also restricts religious gatherings to fewer than 10 individuals .
The lawsuit argues that Evers 's policy limits the constitutionally protected religious and political expression of Wisconsin citizens , according to Charles Cooper , the lead attorney for the plaintiffs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ state does n't have a compelling interest in addressing this health care crisis .
We concede and recognize that , '' Cooper told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The point is that the state ca n't single out or discriminate against and disadvantage individuals who seek to leave their homes for these constitutionally protected purposes . ''
The lawsuit comes in the midst of uncertainty over the future of statewide lockdown orders .
Legal challenges have been filed against the policies in a number of states from groups that have faced limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Second Amendment activists , abortionists , and churches .
Cooper filed the lawsuit on behalf of two Wisconsin citizens who see the order as overreaching and unjust in its treatment of religious gatherings .
`` The state has clearly gone too far , needlessly infringing our most basic constitutional liberties to an extent that is without precedent and that would have been virtually unimaginable in a free society just two months ago , '' Jeré Fabick , one of the plaintiffs , said .
The lawsuit acknowledges the gravity of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70,000 lives and crippled economic activity in the United States .
The suit argues that the state 's restrictions , while enacted in good faith , have needlessly trampled on the rights of residents .
The plaintiffs take issue with the singling out of religious gatherings , along with the order 's effective ban on any political demonstration and nonessential travel .
Certain gatherings , such as at grocery stores , are allowed , though individuals are encouraged to practice social distancing .
The plaintiffs say that religious believers have been denied an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead face blanket shutdowns from the Evers administration .
`` The petitioners we represent are entirely willing to abide by general masking and social distancing protocols that the state has put in place for other types of groupings , '' Cooper said .
Cooper said the Justice Department has indicated its support for lawsuits challenging stay-at-home restrictions .
In April , Attorney General William Barr issued a memorandum stating that the department will be focusing on overly stringent lockdown orders .
Some states have begun to lift restrictions on businesses and organizations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for social distancing and attention to hygiene .
Others argue that it is too soon to lift the orders .
New models indicate that deaths from the coronavirus will exceed 100,000 by the end of the summer , and President Trump 's statement that there could be a vaccine before the end of the year has been met with skepticism .
Evers issued a roadmap for getting Wisconsin back to normal after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic has passed .
The criteria include 14 consecutive days of declining coronavirus case counts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The timeline for the recovery is not specified .
Evers 's office did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit .
Cooper stressed the importance of balancing constitutional rights with concerns about public health .
`` The executive officials in Wisconsin have quite understandably taken firm action to protect the public health of the citizenry .
But they ’ ve gone too far in their restrictions on fundamental constitutional liberties , '' Cooper said .
`` In that respect , they have used a machete where the Constitution requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scalpel when they 're restricting those liberties . ''

Two Wisconsin citizens are challenging the state's stay-at-home order in court, arguing the executive order is unconstitutional because it singles out religious and political expression.
Democratic governor Tony Evers's "Safer at Home" order prohibits public or private gatherings of more than 10 people except under specific circumstances, such as shopping. It also restricts religious gatherings to fewer than 10 individuals. The lawsuit argues that Evers's policy limits the constitutionally protected religious and political expression of Wisconsin citizens, according to Charles Cooper, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
"The point isn't that the state doesn't have a compelling interest in addressing this health care crisis. We concede and recognize that," Cooper told the Washington Free Beacon. "The point is that the state can't single out or discriminate against and disadvantage individuals who seek to leave their homes for these constitutionally protected purposes."
The lawsuit comes in the midst of uncertainty over the future of statewide lockdown orders. Legal challenges have been filed against the policies in a number of states from groups that have faced limitations due to the coronavirus, including businesses, Second Amendment activists, abortionists, and churches. Cooper filed the lawsuit on behalf of two Wisconsin citizens who see the order as overreaching and unjust in its treatment of religious gatherings.
"The state has clearly gone too far, needlessly infringing our most basic constitutional liberties to an extent that is without precedent and that would have been virtually unimaginable in a free society just two months ago," Jeré Fabick, one of the plaintiffs, said.
The lawsuit acknowledges the gravity of the coronavirus crisis, which has claimed more than 70,000 lives and crippled economic activity in the United States. The suit argues that the state's restrictions, while enacted in good faith, have needlessly trampled on the rights of residents.
The plaintiffs take issue with the singling out of religious gatherings, along with the order's effective ban on any political demonstration and nonessential travel. Certain gatherings, such as at grocery stores, are allowed, though individuals are encouraged to practice social distancing. The plaintiffs say that religious believers have been denied an opportunity to adopt similar safety measures and instead face blanket shutdowns from the Evers administration.
"The petitioners we represent are entirely willing to abide by general masking and social distancing protocols that the state has put in place for other types of groupings," Cooper said.
Cooper said the Justice Department has indicated its support for lawsuits challenging stay-at-home restrictions. In April, Attorney General William Barr issued a memorandum stating that the department will be focusing on overly stringent lockdown orders.
"I am directing each of our United States Attorneys to also be on the lookout for state and local directives that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens," Barr wrote. "If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court." Religious liberty suits have found mixed success in court. A federal judge in Kansas blocked the implementation of a stay-at-home rule because the ban on gatherings of more than 10 people violated religious freedoms. A federal judge in California, however, rejected a pastor's claim that California's lockdown order violated First Amendment rights.
Some states have begun to lift restrictions on businesses and organizations that were deemed nonessential while emphasizing the need for social distancing and attention to hygiene. Others argue that it is too soon to lift the orders. New models indicate that deaths from the coronavirus will exceed 100,000 by the end of the summer, and President Trump's statement that there could be a vaccine before the end of the year has been met with skepticism.
Evers issued a roadmap for getting Wisconsin back to normal after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic has passed. The criteria include 14 consecutive days of declining coronavirus case counts and hospitals showing sufficient treatment and testing capacities. The timeline for the recovery is not specified.
Evers's office did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
Cooper stressed the importance of balancing constitutional rights with concerns about public health.
"The executive officials in Wisconsin have quite understandably taken firm action to protect the public health of the citizenry. But they’ve gone too far in their restrictions on fundamental constitutional liberties," Cooper said. "In that respect, they have used a machete where the Constitution requires that they take care to use a scalpel when they're restricting those liberties."


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Ruth Bader Ginsburg In Hospital With Infection, Supreme Court Says

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday for a benign gallbladder condition , the Supreme Court announced .
Ginsburg , 87 , underwent non-surgical treatment for the condition earlier in the day at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore .
She expects to remain in the hospital for a day or two , where she will continue participating in oral arguments by telephone .
According to the Court ’ s announcement , Ginsburg sought outpatient tests on Monday at a Washington-area hospital .
They confirmed a gallstone was blocking her cystic duct , causing an infection .
The condition is formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daunting gauntlet of health problems in recent years .
Since November 2018 she has been treated for lung cancer , a pancreatic tumor , and broken ribs .
While the justice anticipates a quick return to work , her hospitalization during the coronavirus pandemic is sure to carry risk .
The diagnosis did not impede her participation in oral arguments on Tuesday , and her work in recent months shows no signs of deficiency .
She ’ s authored four majority opinions since October , placing her in a three-way tie for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite recent health challenges , Ginsburg has consistently waved off speculation about her retirement , pointing favorably to the example of Justice John Paul Stevens , her onetime colleague who served until age 90 .
Stevens died in 2019 .
Yet she also appears sensitive to intense public interest in her health .
She kept an aggressive public schedule after concluding a three-week regimen of radiation therapy in 2019 .
In a matter of days , she accepted an honorary degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law , visited the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Library of Congress book festival .
Other cases set for the ongoing teleconference session , which runs through May 13 , include disputes over subpoenas for President Donald Trump ’ s tax returns .

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday for a benign gallbladder condition, the Supreme Court announced.
Ginsburg, 87, underwent non-surgical treatment for the condition earlier in the day at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She expects to remain in the hospital for a day or two, where she will continue participating in oral arguments by telephone.
According to the Court’s announcement, Ginsburg sought outpatient tests on Monday at a Washington-area hospital. They confirmed a gallstone was blocking her cystic duct, causing an infection. The condition is formally called acute cholecystitis.
Ginsburg has faced a daunting gauntlet of health problems in recent years. Since November 2018 she has been treated for lung cancer, a pancreatic tumor, and broken ribs. While the justice anticipates a quick return to work, her hospitalization during the coronavirus pandemic is sure to carry risk.
The diagnosis did not impede her participation in oral arguments on Tuesday, and her work in recent months shows no signs of deficiency. She’s authored four majority opinions since October, placing her in a three-way tie for most decisions written at this juncture.
Despite recent health challenges, Ginsburg has consistently waved off speculation about her retirement, pointing favorably to the example of Justice John Paul Stevens, her onetime colleague who served until age 90. Stevens died in 2019.
Yet she also appears sensitive to intense public interest in her health. She kept an aggressive public schedule after concluding a three-week regimen of radiation therapy in 2019. In a matter of days, she accepted an honorary degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law, visited the University of Arkansas, and appeared at a Library of Congress book festival.
Other cases set for the ongoing teleconference session, which runs through May 13, include disputes over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s tax returns.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--BUSTED: ‘Slate’ Hit Piece on Trump’s Baseball Career Fails to Mention Obama’s Embarrassing Lack of S

BUSTED: ‘Slate’ Hit Piece on Trump’s Baseball Career Fails to Mention Obama’s Embarrassing Lack of Skill

Slate published a lengthy smear job Tuesday questioning President Donald J. Trump 's athletic prowess , specifically his dominance of the New York high school baseball scene in the early 1960s .
The article is the embodiment of corrupt mainstream media bias .
The article suggests that Trump , despite possessing legendary physical strength and stamina and being described by medical experts as `` the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency , '' might not have been an all-star first baseman at the New York Military Academy .
Beyond an original statement from White House deputy press secretary Hogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article simply ca n't be trusted .
`` President Trump loves baseball and has a deep appreciation and profound respect for the game , '' said Gidley .
`` By all accounts , President Trump was an outstanding baseball player who garnered interest from some professional teams . ''
Logic dictates that Trump easily could have pursued a career as a professional baseball player—that he chose not to on account of his superior intellect .
Trump reasoned , correctly , that he could achieve a far greater level of success , wealth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality star turned president .
The most damning aspect of the Slate report , however , is its failure to provide crucial context on the issue of presidential baseball proficiency .
The article 's one-sided effort to undermine Trump neglects key details that would give readers a more thorough understanding of a complex subject .
Case in point : The name of Trump 's predecessor , Barack Obama , does not appear once in the article .
That 's curious , especially given that Obama 's presence at sporting events has routinely resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This trend is sometimes referred to as the `` Obama Curse . ''
The article does acknowledge the historic nature of Trump 's presidency when it comes to professional baseball , among other things .
He is the first president since William H. Taft not to throw out the first pitch at a major league game , for example .
But the author fails to consider that Obama does n't even know how to throw a baseball correctly .
Obama made several attempts to `` throw '' out a first pitch at major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Washington Post analysis compared one of his attempted throws with those of other celebrities , the results were embarrassing for the former president .
Upon further analysis , Obama 's throwing motion is less suited for baseball than it is for darts .
Being able to throw a baseball correctly is a trait shared by some of America 's greatest leaders .
Obama 's ability to throw a baseball , such as it is , does not hold up under scrutiny .
That 's embarrassing .
Even more embarrassing , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media continue to serve as willing apologists for Obama 's failed presidency while relentlessly attacking one of the most gifted leaders—athletically and otherwise—this nation has ever known .

Slate published a lengthy smear job Tuesday questioning President Donald J. Trump's athletic prowess, specifically his dominance of the New York high school baseball scene in the early 1960s. The article is the embodiment of corrupt mainstream media bias.
The article suggests that Trump, despite possessing legendary physical strength and stamina and being described by medical experts as "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency," might not have been an all-star first baseman at the New York Military Academy.
Beyond an original statement from White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, the so-called reporting in the article simply can't be trusted. "President Trump loves baseball and has a deep appreciation and profound respect for the game," said Gidley. "By all accounts, President Trump was an outstanding baseball player who garnered interest from some professional teams."
Logic dictates that Trump easily could have pursued a career as a professional baseball player—that he chose not to on account of his superior intellect. Trump reasoned, correctly, that he could achieve a far greater level of success, wealth, and prominence as a real-estate tycoon turned reality star turned president.
The most damning aspect of the Slate report, however, is its failure to provide crucial context on the issue of presidential baseball proficiency. The article's one-sided effort to undermine Trump neglects key details that would give readers a more thorough understanding of a complex subject.
Case in point: The name of Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, does not appear once in the article. That's curious, especially given that Obama's presence at sporting events has routinely resulted in prominent players suffering severe injuries. This trend is sometimes referred to as the "Obama Curse."
The article does acknowledge the historic nature of Trump's presidency when it comes to professional baseball, among other things. He is the first president since William H. Taft not to throw out the first pitch at a major league game, for example. But the author fails to consider that Obama doesn't even know how to throw a baseball correctly.
Obama made several attempts to "throw" out a first pitch at major league games—none of them successful. When a Washington Post analysis compared one of his attempted throws with those of other celebrities, the results were embarrassing for the former president.
Upon further analysis, Obama's throwing motion is less suited for baseball than it is for darts.
Being able to throw a baseball correctly is a trait shared by some of America's greatest leaders. Obama's ability to throw a baseball, such as it is, does not hold up under scrutiny.
Regardless of age...
Regardless of gender...
That's embarrassing. Even more embarrassing, however, is the extent to which the mainstream media continue to serve as willing apologists for Obama's failed presidency while relentlessly attacking one of the most gifted leaders—athletically and otherwise—this nation has ever known.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Attorney Who Drafted Violence Against Women Act With Joe Biden Doesn’t Believe Tara Reade

The attorney who drafted the Violence Against Women Act with Joe Biden in the early 1990s said she doesn ’ t believe Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegations against the former vice president and questioned whether the Russian government or the Bernie Sanders campaign are behind the claims .
Victoria Nourse , who also served as Biden ’ s chief counsel in 2015 , told the Washington Free Beacon by email that Reade ’ s allegations against Biden don ’ t `` make sense '' based on her personal experience with the former vice president .
She also pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and said that Biden once saved her when Nourse was sexually harassed by a public official in the early 1990s .
`` I never worked with Tara Reade , '' Nourse , who is now a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center , told the Free Beacon .
`` I never heard of her .
I do n't think the allegations make sense at all to the Biden I know . ''
`` The press should continue to do its job , and investigate how the allegations arose ( Bernie ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` [ T ] he changing story … and all other relevant factors that might contribute to our understanding .
They should also realize that we are in the middle of a pandemic . ''
Other Biden supporters have raised questions about Reade ’ s motivation for coming forward .
Last April , George W. Bush 's former White House ethics counsel Richard Painter noted that Reade wrote and later deleted a Medium article about her support for Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018 .
Reade , a former staffer who worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 1993 , has accused Biden of accosting her in a hallway , pushing her against a wall , and putting his hand up her skirt .
She said he previously made remarks about liking her legs and had asked her to serve drinks at one of his events .
Biden denied the allegations in an interview on MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe last week .
Nourse said she doubts Reade 's story because Biden `` once saved me from a minor incident of sexual harassment , sometime between 1990-1993 . ''
Nourse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time , said she was on a four-person plane with Biden when another senior official , whom she declined to name , openly declared that he wanted to sit next to her on the flight because she was `` the pretty girl . ''
She said Biden , apparently sensing her discomfort , whispered in her ear to sit directly across from him , keep her eyes on him and prep him for a VAWA speech he was planning to give .
Nourse also sent the Free Beacon a link to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Biden in 1990 , which classified sexual assault as a federal civil rights violation .
The designation was later overturned by the Supreme Court .
`` Sounds like the author is a sexual assaulter , right ? ''
she said .
`` Now , can we get back to the pandemic … and voting by mail [ ? ]
''

The attorney who drafted the Violence Against Women Act with Joe Biden in the early 1990s said she doesn’t believe Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegations against the former vice president and questioned whether the Russian government or the Bernie Sanders campaign are behind the claims.
Victoria Nourse, who also served as Biden’s chief counsel in 2015, told the Washington Free Beacon by email that Reade’s allegations against Biden don’t "make sense" based on her personal experience with the former vice president. She also pointed to Reade’s "changing story" and said that Biden once saved her when Nourse was sexually harassed by a public official in the early 1990s.
"I never worked with Tara Reade," Nourse, who is now a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, told the Free Beacon. "I never heard of her. I don't think the allegations make sense at all to the Biden I know."
"The press should continue to do its job, and investigate how the allegations arose (Bernie?), Putin," she added. "[T]he changing story ... and all other relevant factors that might contribute to our understanding. They should also realize that we are in the middle of a pandemic."
Other Biden supporters have raised questions about Reade’s motivation for coming forward. Last April, George W. Bush's former White House ethics counsel Richard Painter noted that Reade wrote and later deleted a Medium article about her support for Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018.
Reade, a former staffer who worked in Biden's Senate office in 1992 and 1993, has accused Biden of accosting her in a hallway, pushing her against a wall, and putting his hand up her skirt. She said he previously made remarks about liking her legs and had asked her to serve drinks at one of his events. Biden denied the allegations in an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe last week.
Nourse said she doubts Reade's story because Biden "once saved me from a minor incident of sexual harassment, sometime between 1990-1993."
Nourse, who was lead counsel on VAWA at the time, said she was on a four-person plane with Biden when another senior official, whom she declined to name, openly declared that he wanted to sit next to her on the flight because she was "the pretty girl." She said Biden, apparently sensing her discomfort, whispered in her ear to sit directly across from him, keep her eyes on him and prep him for a VAWA speech he was planning to give.
Nourse also sent the Free Beacon a link to the first VAWA bill she worked on with Biden in 1990, which classified sexual assault as a federal civil rights violation. The designation was later overturned by the Supreme Court. "Sounds like the author is a sexual assaulter, right?" she said. "Now, can we get back to the pandemic ... and voting by mail[?]"


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Roberts, Liberal Justices Wary of Trump Exemptions to Birth Control Mandate

The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed wary of Trump administration exemptions to the Obamacare birth control mandate in a marathon teleconference session that lasted over 90 minutes .
The mandate requires employers to provide contraceptive coverage to their workers at no cost .
Trump administration rules at issue in Wednesday 's case allow employers , including universities and publicly traded companies , to self-exempt from the mandate if they have religious or moral qualms about providing birth control to their workers .
The case closely divided the Court , which has twice heard cases involving accommodations under the mandate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-leaning justices appeared concerned that the Trump rule is overbroad , doing more work than necessary to placate objectors .
Speaking from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore , Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the Trump policy ignores the Affordable Care Act and forces workers and students to spend their own money because of an employer 's religious scruples .
`` The glaring feature of what the government has done in expanding this exemption is to toss to the winds entirely Congress 's instruction that women need and shall have seamless , no-cost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general Noel Francisco .
Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday with a benign gallbladder condition .
She sounded healthy and spoke at length during Wednesday 's tele-argument .
The justice anticipates leaving the hospital in a day or two .
Roberts had pointed questions for the administration and wondered if the Trump policy swept `` too broadly . ''
He later asked if a compromise is feasible , a possibility Justice Stephen Breyer also raised .
`` Is it really the case that there is no way to resolve those differences ? ''
Roberts said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey , challenged the administration 's rules in federal court .
A trial judge issued a nationwide injunction barring enforcement of the exemption across the country .
The Third U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states , prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court .
Francisco argued the exemption is allowed under Obamacare and required under a 1993 law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act .
RFRA seeks to strike `` sensible balances '' between the government and religious objectors .
A happy balance has proved elusive in recent battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Sisters of the Poor , an order of Catholic nuns involved in Wednesday 's case , have pressed for protection from the mandate for almost a decade .
`` For seven years this unnecessary legal battle has hung over our ministry like a storm cloud , '' Mother Loraine Marie Maguire of the Little Sisters said on a press call following Wednesday 's argument .
`` There are very strong interests on both sides here , which is what makes the case difficult , '' Justice Brett Kavanaugh said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` substantial burden '' on religion without a very good reason .
Even then , it must use the least restrictive means possible to achieve its goal .
Francisco said the government 's far-reaching exemption is one way to comply with RFRA 's requirements .
`` Once there 's a substantial burden , the government has the flexibility to lift it in different ways , including through a traditional exemption , '' Francisco said .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was less certain , noting some findings show upward of 120,000 people will lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules take effect .
`` I would note that in this particular litigation , the [ states ] have n't yet identified anyone who would actually lose access to contraception as a result of these rules , I think presumably because contraception is widely available in this country , '' Francisco replied .
The ACA itself is another source of authority for the exemption , Francisco said .
It 's up to the administration to choose which `` preventative services '' are offered at no cost and who can be exempted from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conservative justices seemed to agree .
`` Looking at the statute here , it 's about as … expansive a delegation of statutory authority as one might imagine , '' said Justice Neil Gorsuch .
The case has some of the justices playing against type .
Liberal jurists tend to tolerate broad `` delegations '' of power from Congress to an agency while conservatives usually read those delegations narrowly for fear of regulatory overreach .
In Wednesday 's case , however , the conservatives seemed comfortable with the idea that the ACA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide which employers are exempt from the birth control mandate .
Pennsylvania and New Jersey counter that the statute lets the administration decide what `` preventative services '' must be covered in insurance plans .
It says nothing , on the other hand , about exemptions .
Justice Samuel Alito noted that the Obama administration granted churches an exemption from the mandate from the start .
If the states were right , Alito said , that would mean even the initial Obama exemption is unlawful .
Pennsylvania lawyer Michael Fischer replied that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but struggled to articulate how it would extend beyond clergy .
The original Obama exemption covered both ministers and church employees doing secular work .
There could be a consolation prize for the administration if Trump 's rules are struck down .
Francisco asked the justices to make clear that nationwide injunctions are not an appropriate tool for trial judges if they lose the core dispute over the exemption .
Justice Clarence Thomas , who has criticized nationwide injunctions in his past writings , pressed attorneys from both sides on that point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think that he or she has a monopoly on the reasoning here and should impose a remedy that affects people across the nation seems to me to be very imprudent , '' said lawyer Paul Clement , who represented the Little Sisters in Wednesday 's argument .
A decision in the case , No .
19-431 Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania , is expected by the summer .

The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed wary of Trump administration exemptions to the Obamacare birth control mandate in a marathon teleconference session that lasted over 90 minutes.
The mandate requires employers to provide contraceptive coverage to their workers at no cost. Trump administration rules at issue in Wednesday's case allow employers, including universities and publicly traded companies, to self-exempt from the mandate if they have religious or moral qualms about providing birth control to their workers.
The case closely divided the Court, which has twice heard cases involving accommodations under the mandate. Chief Justice John Roberts and the four left-leaning justices appeared concerned that the Trump rule is overbroad, doing more work than necessary to placate objectors.
Speaking from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the Trump policy ignores the Affordable Care Act and forces workers and students to spend their own money because of an employer's religious scruples.
"The glaring feature of what the government has done in expanding this exemption is to toss to the winds entirely Congress's instruction that women need and shall have seamless, no-cost, comprehensive coverage," Ginsburg told solicitor general Noel Francisco.
Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday with a benign gallbladder condition. She sounded healthy and spoke at length during Wednesday's tele-argument. The justice anticipates leaving the hospital in a day or two.
Roberts had pointed questions for the administration and wondered if the Trump policy swept "too broadly." He later asked if a compromise is feasible, a possibility Justice Stephen Breyer also raised.
"Is it really the case that there is no way to resolve those differences?" Roberts said.
Two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, challenged the administration's rules in federal court. A trial judge issued a nationwide injunction barring enforcement of the exemption across the country. The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Francisco argued the exemption is allowed under Obamacare and required under a 1993 law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. RFRA seeks to strike "sensible balances" between the government and religious objectors.
A happy balance has proved elusive in recent battles over the birth control mandate. The Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of Catholic nuns involved in Wednesday's case, have pressed for protection from the mandate for almost a decade.
"For seven years this unnecessary legal battle has hung over our ministry like a storm cloud," Mother Loraine Marie Maguire of the Little Sisters said on a press call following Wednesday's argument.
"There are very strong interests on both sides here, which is what makes the case difficult," Justice Brett Kavanaugh said.
According to RFRA, the government cannot place a "substantial burden" on religion without a very good reason. Even then, it must use the least restrictive means possible to achieve its goal. Francisco said the government's far-reaching exemption is one way to comply with RFRA's requirements.
"Once there's a substantial burden, the government has the flexibility to lift it in different ways, including through a traditional exemption," Francisco said.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was less certain, noting some findings show upward of 120,000 people will lose cost-free birth control coverage if the Trump rules take effect.
"I would note that in this particular litigation, the [states] haven't yet identified anyone who would actually lose access to contraception as a result of these rules, I think presumably because contraception is widely available in this country," Francisco replied.
The ACA itself is another source of authority for the exemption, Francisco said. It's up to the administration to choose which "preventative services" are offered at no cost and who can be exempted from its mandates, he argued.
Several of the conservative justices seemed to agree.
"Looking at the statute here, it's about as … expansive a delegation of statutory authority as one might imagine," said Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The case has some of the justices playing against type. Liberal jurists tend to tolerate broad "delegations" of power from Congress to an agency while conservatives usually read those delegations narrowly for fear of regulatory overreach. In Wednesday's case, however, the conservatives seemed comfortable with the idea that the ACA gives the administration a lot of room to decide which employers are exempt from the birth control mandate.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey counter that the statute lets the administration decide what "preventative services" must be covered in insurance plans. It says nothing, on the other hand, about exemptions.
Justice Samuel Alito noted that the Obama administration granted churches an exemption from the mandate from the start. If the states were right, Alito said, that would mean even the initial Obama exemption is unlawful. Pennsylvania lawyer Michael Fischer replied that the exemption was required by the Constitution but struggled to articulate how it would extend beyond clergy. The original Obama exemption covered both ministers and church employees doing secular work.
There could be a consolation prize for the administration if Trump's rules are struck down. Francisco asked the justices to make clear that nationwide injunctions are not an appropriate tool for trial judges if they lose the core dispute over the exemption. Justice Clarence Thomas, who has criticized nationwide injunctions in his past writings, pressed attorneys from both sides on that point.
"For a single district court judge to think that he or she has a monopoly on the reasoning here and should impose a remedy that affects people across the nation seems to me to be very imprudent," said lawyer Paul Clement, who represented the Little Sisters in Wednesday's argument.
A decision in the case, No. 19-431 Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, is expected by the summer.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--FLASHBACK: Democrats Said Women Don’t Make Up Sexual Assaults

Several top Democrats said in 2018 that women do not concoct sexual assault allegations , emphasizing that Christine Blasey Ford @ @ @ @ @ '' from accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct Many of those same @ @ @ @ @ nominee Joe Biden in 2020 as he denies a sexual assault allegation by Tara Reade @ @ @ @ @ from the broad proclamations they issued during the Kavanaugh confirmation fight , including demands that @ @ @ @ @ that the presumption of innocence does not apply to those seeking high office , as @ @ @ @ @ federal investigations of decades-old claims .

Several top Democrats said in 2018 that women do not concoct sexual assault allegations, emphasizing that Christine Blasey Ford had "nothing to gain" from accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct
Many of those same Democrats have unified behind presumptive nominee Joe Biden in 2020 as he denies a sexual assault allegation by Tara Reade. Democrats have turned away from the broad proclamations they issued during the Kavanaugh confirmation fight, including demands that all women be believed, that the presumption of innocence does not apply to those seeking high office, as well as the calls for federal investigations of decades-old claims.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--GOP Congressional Candidate Worked to Spread Scandalous Rumor About Primary Opponent

A New Mexico Republican congressional candidate collaborated with a conservative meme-maker to push the claim that her primary opponent had an affair while her husband was deployed , according to text messages obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Those messages show Yvette Herrell , who is running against Claire Chase for the Republican nomination in New Mexico 's Second Congressional District , working with the internet cartoonist Roger Rael , known for publishing ruthless memes about New Mexican politicians , on a cartoon depicting Chase having an affair with her current husband while her then-husband , Ben Gray , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign says the allegation is false and provided information showing that Chase and Gray were not divorced until two years after he returned from Afghanistan .
It also says the divorce was finalized months before she had met her current husband .
Chase has called for Herrell to drop out of the race after a news report surfaced indicating that she helped spread the rumor , a charge that Herrell has vigorously denied .
But a review of the text messages and interviews with sources who say that Herrell contacted them and detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Associated Press , which obtained her text messages with Rael , that she received unsolicited messages from the cartoonist and provided guidance at his behest .
`` The second Claire is spelled wrong , '' she told him in one message .
`` It should say gold digging , not good digging .
Let me send them in the morning , there are a couple of more . ''
But Rael told the Free Beacon on Tuesday that he created the cartoon at Herrell 's direction .
`` She asked me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it out there , because she did n't want ties to it , '' Rael said , adding that Herrell offered to pay him $ 200 for the task .
Herrell has attacked Rael 's credibility , pointing to pending criminal charges against the cartoonist , and said she had no relationship with him .
But the string of text messages , which began last November and stretches until this February , suggest otherwise .
Among the text messages Rael provided to the Free Beacon , one message from Herrell refers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known each other .
`` I know you know me better than to buy into this crap , '' Herrell wrote in a Feb. 17 message .
`` You have known me a long time and you know my priorities are the people of New Mexico . ''
Herrell 's campaign did not respond to requests for comment .
Rael , who is facing charges for disorderly conduct , is not the only person who has accused Herrell of slinging mud .
Retired U.S. Marine Jared Richardson , who is an influential voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active in politics , told the Free Beacon that Herrell detailed the rumor to him in an April 8 phone call in an attempt to convince him to back her rather than Chase .
Richardson said he was contacted by several of Herrell 's advisers after he posted on Facebook that he was supporting Chase and eventually received a call from Herrell herself .
`` She cheated on her husband while he was deployed in Afghanistan , '' Herrell said , according to Richardson .
`` As a military man , do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you be lobbying for other military members to support her when she cheated on her husband while he was deployed ? ''
Richardson says he believes Rael 's account .
`` She gave the same information to me , '' he told the Free Beacon .
`` So I believe him 150 percent . ''
Phone records reviewed by the Free Beacon confirm that Herrell called Richardson last month and spoke to him for 36 minutes .
Both Chase and her ex-husband have slammed the rumor and those circulating it , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gray says the two remain `` good friends '' and that he is supporting her campaign .
Chase has called for Herrell to drop out of the race .
`` This despicable , untrue , and deeply personal attack reveals who Yvette Herrell is as a person , and it isn ’ t pretty , '' Chase said .
`` Yvette ’ s candidacy is no longer viable and she should drop out of this race for the good of the Republican Party . ''
The New Mexico Republican Party declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Herrell worked with Rael .
Anissa Tinnin , the party 's executive director , said the party would support the eventual nominee .
Voting in the primary election began on Tuesday and will run through June 2 .
The winner of the primary will face Democratic congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small , who narrowly defeated Herrell in 2018 .

A New Mexico Republican congressional candidate collaborated with a conservative meme-maker to push the claim that her primary opponent had an affair while her husband was deployed, according to text messages obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Those messages show Yvette Herrell, who is running against Claire Chase for the Republican nomination in New Mexico's Second Congressional District, working with the internet cartoonist Roger Rael, known for publishing ruthless memes about New Mexican politicians, on a cartoon depicting Chase having an affair with her current husband while her then-husband, Ben Gray, was deployed in Afghanistan. Chase's campaign says the allegation is false and provided information showing that Chase and Gray were not divorced until two years after he returned from Afghanistan. It also says the divorce was finalized months before she had met her current husband.
Chase has called for Herrell to drop out of the race after a news report surfaced indicating that she helped spread the rumor, a charge that Herrell has vigorously denied. But a review of the text messages and interviews with sources who say that Herrell contacted them and detailed the rumor undermine her denial.
Herrell told the Associated Press, which obtained her text messages with Rael, that she received unsolicited messages from the cartoonist and provided guidance at his behest. "The second Claire is spelled wrong," she told him in one message. "It should say gold digging, not good digging. Let me send them in the morning, there are a couple of more."
But Rael told the Free Beacon on Tuesday that he created the cartoon at Herrell's direction. "She asked me to make a meme for her and put it out there, because she didn't want ties to it," Rael said, adding that Herrell offered to pay him $200 for the task.
Herrell has attacked Rael's credibility, pointing to pending criminal charges against the cartoonist, and said she had no relationship with him. But the string of text messages, which began last November and stretches until this February, suggest otherwise. Among the text messages Rael provided to the Free Beacon, one message from Herrell refers to the "long time" they've known each other.
"I know you know me better than to buy into this crap," Herrell wrote in a Feb. 17 message. "You have known me a long time and you know my priorities are the people of New Mexico."
Herrell's campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Rael, who is facing charges for disorderly conduct, is not the only person who has accused Herrell of slinging mud. Retired U.S. Marine Jared Richardson, who is an influential voice in New Mexico's military community and active in politics, told the Free Beacon that Herrell detailed the rumor to him in an April 8 phone call in an attempt to convince him to back her rather than Chase. Richardson said he was contacted by several of Herrell's advisers after he posted on Facebook that he was supporting Chase and eventually received a call from Herrell herself.
"She cheated on her husband while he was deployed in Afghanistan," Herrell said, according to Richardson. "As a military man, don't you find that reprehensible? How could you be lobbying for other military members to support her when she cheated on her husband while he was deployed?"
Richardson says he believes Rael's account. "She gave the same information to me," he told the Free Beacon. "So I believe him 150 percent."
Phone records reviewed by the Free Beacon confirm that Herrell called Richardson last month and spoke to him for 36 minutes.
Both Chase and her ex-husband have slammed the rumor and those circulating it, calling it "disgusting" and "despicable." Gray says the two remain "good friends" and that he is supporting her campaign.
Chase has called for Herrell to drop out of the race. "This despicable, untrue, and deeply personal attack reveals who Yvette Herrell is as a person, and it isn’t pretty," Chase said. "Yvette’s candidacy is no longer viable and she should drop out of this race for the good of the Republican Party."
The New Mexico Republican Party declined to comment on the record about the allegation that Herrell worked with Rael. Anissa Tinnin, the party's executive director, said the party would support the eventual nominee.
Voting in the primary election began on Tuesday and will run through June 2. The winner of the primary will face Democratic congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small, who narrowly defeated Herrell in 2018.


freebeacon--2020-05-06--Pompeo: China Still Hiding Critical Information About Coronavirus

The Chinese government continues to hide important information about the coronavirus that could help nations better develop a response to the pandemic , according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
`` China is still refusing to share the information we need to keep people safe , such as viral isolates , clinical specimens , and details about the many COVID-19 patients in December 2019 , not to mention ‘ patient zero , ' '' Pompeo told reporters on Wednesday .
As U.S. and other global medical researchers seek a cure for the virus , China has denied access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pompeo said , adding that it still remains unclear whether the coronavirus emerged organically or was leaked from a Wuhan-based laboratory .
The United States has evidence that China ordered samples of the virus to be destroyed in the early days of its spread , according to Pompeo .
`` We still do n't have the access , '' he said .
`` We collectively , the world , do n't have the samples .
It 's not even just that in the moment they could n't do the right thing ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to deny access for this important information that our researchers , our epidemiologists need . ''
Countries are also beginning to hold China accountable for its dissemination of faulty medical equipment .
Pompeo said the Communist Party 's efforts to mislead world authorities about the virus have exposed the regime 's corruption .
`` As a result of China 's choices , countries are starting to understand the risk of doing business with the Chinese Communist Party and taking action to protect their people , '' Pompeo said .
`` The free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that China does n't share those democratic values that we hold dear—or their economic interests—and that this matters to the entire world . ''
Pompeo said it is still unclear whether the virus originated in a lab or in nature .
`` The intelligence community is still figuring out precisely where this virus began , '' he said .
`` Here 's how this could get solved really quickly : The Chinese Communist Party could do what they 're committed to do under their obligations to the World Health Organization—to be transparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the simple things that nations all around the world do to make sure that pandemics like this do n't get out of control , and in fact , importantly , stay out of control . ''

The Chinese government continues to hide important information about the coronavirus that could help nations better develop a response to the pandemic, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
"China is still refusing to share the information we need to keep people safe, such as viral isolates, clinical specimens, and details about the many COVID-19 patients in December 2019, not to mention 'patient zero,'" Pompeo told reporters on Wednesday.
As U.S. and other global medical researchers seek a cure for the virus, China has denied access to samples that could push these efforts forward, Pompeo said, adding that it still remains unclear whether the coronavirus emerged organically or was leaked from a Wuhan-based laboratory. The United States has evidence that China ordered samples of the virus to be destroyed in the early days of its spread, according to Pompeo.
"We still don't have the access," he said. "We collectively, the world, don't have the samples. It's not even just that in the moment they couldn't do the right thing; they continue to be opaque and they continue to deny access for this important information that our researchers, our epidemiologists need."
Countries are also beginning to hold China accountable for its dissemination of faulty medical equipment. Pompeo said the Communist Party's efforts to mislead world authorities about the virus have exposed the regime's corruption.
"As a result of China's choices, countries are starting to understand the risk of doing business with the Chinese Communist Party and taking action to protect their people," Pompeo said. "The free nations of the world are starting to understand that China doesn't share those democratic values that we hold dear—or their economic interests—and that this matters to the entire world."
Pompeo said it is still unclear whether the virus originated in a lab or in nature.
"The intelligence community is still figuring out precisely where this virus began," he said. "Here's how this could get solved really quickly: The Chinese Communist Party could do what they're committed to do under their obligations to the World Health Organization—to be transparent, to be open, to do the simple things that nations all around the world do to make sure that pandemics like this don't get out of control, and in fact, importantly, stay out of control."