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SMALL TEEPEE … `` ‘ Did n't answer the second part of my question ' : Pete Buttigieg grilled by anti-abortion Democrat , '' via EXAMINER : `` The Democratic platform contains language that basically says that we do n't belong , we have no part in the party because it says abortion should be legal up to nine months ; the government should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing that says that people that have a diversity of views on this issue should be included in the party , '' [ said Democrats for Life president Kristen Day ] … '' I support the position of my party that this kind of medical care needs to be available to everyone , '' Buttigieg said … `` And again , the best I can offer is that we may disagree on that very important issue , and hopefully we 'll be able to partner on other issues . ''
BRUSBAND UPDATE … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her brother , '' via NY POST : Two FBI agents held an hours-long meeting in Minnesota in mid-October with a concerned party who handed over a trove of documents regarding Omar ’ s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi , a source with knowledge of the event said … If Omar did marry her brother , she could be found guilty of committing marriage fraud — a felony offense punishable with a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $ 250,000 .
ON MESSAGE ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sundance and Addresses Those Bernie Comments , '' via THR : Asked why she felt it was important for her to speak out about the current Democratic candidates and what she wanted to convey with her comments on Bernie [ Sanders ] , Clinton replied : `` Well , you know , I shot that interview probably a year and a half ago , and I didn ’ t think about the election .
I ’ ve made it very clear that I will work hard for whoever our Democratic nominee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steinem—cheered for Clinton 's key milestones and passionate speeches during the screening , and there was applause for when Barack Obama appeared in the film .
As viewers watched the events of the 2016 play out again towards the end , many audience members had tears glistening on their faces .
WHERE ’ S HUNTER ’ S FATHER ?
… `` Biden leaves voters and reporters hanging during swing through N.H. , '' via POLITICO : [ Joe Biden ] made no mention of the state ’ s opioid epidemic , which polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
Voters at the events said they also would have liked to hear about his plans for health care , the cost of prescription drugs , and the economy … Biden ’ s decision to skip q-and-a 's left some people in the audience disappointed .
At a packed event at an elementary school in one of the most Republican areas of the state , a number of topics voters said they would have liked to hear about went unaddressed .
HAMASBARA … `` Rashida Tlaib retweets unverified claim Israelis killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib retweeted a claim that `` Israeli settlers '' had `` kidnapped and executed '' a Palestinian boy .
In fact the boy was found by Israeli emergency services dead in a cistern on Saturday morning after going missing on Friday … Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi retweeted the allegation and added `` the heart just shatters , the pain is unbearable , no words . ''
Congresswoman Tlaib then retweeted the Ashrawi tweet that included the allegations .
However Ashrawi apologized for her tweet .
`` My apologizes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verified .
It seems that the news of his being kidnapped is not certain . ''
She also tweeted other clarifications and then appeared to delete the tweet .
Tlaib ’ s retweet was also thereafter deleted but she did not apologize for spreading the false information .
POCAHONTAS INSPIRES HER RIVALS … `` Joe Biden Lied About His Record On Social Security , '' via INTERCEPT : Biden , when he acknowledges his past support for cuts , portrays the advocacy as deep in the past .
But a close inspection finds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s support for cuts—including in Biden ’ s recent recounting of a conversation he had with China ’ s president , Xi Jinping , and in his choice of Bruce Reed , a longtime deficit hawk , as a senior policy adviser in his current presidential campaign … A review of media reports from the 1990s shows that groups dedicated to protecting Social Security , including the AARP , saw Biden ’ s votes and advocacy as a betrayal .
REALITY BITES … `` CNN 's Axelrod says impeachment did n't come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' via THE HILL : Former Obama chief strategist David Axelrod said he attended a focus group with Democratic voters in Chicago on Friday , describing the gathering as `` chilling '' because impeachment `` did n't come up '' until more than an hour into the session despite it taking place amid the Senate trial of President Trump .
CHICOM CONTAGION UPDATE … `` China Urges Calm Over Virus During ‘ Critical Period ’ , '' via WSJ : `` We are now in a critical period of prevention and control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s cabinet-level National Health Commission , said at a press briefing in Beijing on Sunday to deal with the unnamed coronavirus that has infected more than 2,000 people and killed at least 56 , the vast majority of them in central China ’ s Hubei province … In an unprecedented move , officials have locked down several cities in Hubei , including Wuhan .
But the cities weren ’ t sealed off until after millions of residents had scattered to visit family for Lunar New Year .
SEND THE BOMBERS … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah-Controlled Lebanon , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : The State Department 's concession to Congress that it would commit to halting financial aid to Lebanon if U.S. taxpayer dollars go to Hezbollah is now being brought to the forefront .
That guarantee from the State Department is fueling a growing push to freeze all aid in light of Hezbollah 's unprecedented takeover of the Lebanese government , sources confirmed .
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , who has led a battle on Capitol Hill against unconditional assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration to halt the aid if it is shown Hezbollah is the beneficiary , according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter .
SMOKE SIGNAL … `` In Official Endorsement Des Moines Register Says Warren Would ‘ Treat Truth As Something That Matters ’ , '' via DAILY WIRE : Yes , they suggested that Elizabeth Warren , who lied about being a Native American , lied when she promised to serve her full Senate term if reelected in 2018 , lied when she said her children attended public schools , lied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a janitor , lied when she said she was fired for being `` visibly pregnant , '' has a knack for being honest … In November , she told a school-choice activist in Atlanta that her children didn ’ t go to private schools , but the next day her campaign told a different story—that her son transferred to a private school after facing difficulty in a public institution .
That admission came after a yearbook , obtained by the Washington Free Beacon , showed that during the 1986-1987 school year , Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hall , which currently charges nearly $ 18,000 per year for tuition .
SWAMPFEST … `` Jeff Bezos throws lavish party at his new $ 23million , 11-bedroom Washington D.C. mansion attended by Ivanka Trump , Bill Gates , and Ben Stiller , '' via DAILY MAIL : Also in attendance at Bezos 's party were United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao , JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon , businessman David Rubeinstein , Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon , CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell , Case Foundation CEO Jean Case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico founder Robert Allbritton , Barbie Allbritton , former House Speaker Paul Ryan and wife Janna , former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney and wife Good Morning America correspondent Claire Shipman , former Defense for Public Affairs Geoff Morrell , and Hilton president Chris Nassetta .
TWITTER TRIGGERED … `` Twitter Attaches Warning to Trump Campaign ’ s Pro-Life Video , '' by WFB ’ s Bill McMorris : Hours before Trump [ became ] the first sitting U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life , his official campaign account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a pregnant woman looking at an ultrasound of her baby … The video was flagged as containing `` sensitive material , '' despite showing no sexual , violent , or hateful imagery .
WON ’ T SEE THIS ON RELIABLE SOURCES … `` CNN Blames Bar Shooting on Lax Gun Laws .
It Got The Facts Wrong , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : A CNN article on a recent Kansas City bar shooting mischaracterized the shooter 's criminal history to blame the killing on Missouri 's gun laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooter who killed one woman and injured 15 before he was killed by an armed guard January 19 .
CNN published a report Wednesday saying Swift likely would have gone to prison over a weapons charge if not for the state 's 2017 permitless carry law .
However , the report obfuscated the date of Swift 's charge to suggest the law let him off the hook for it .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,142 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' —Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

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


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Trump Admin Reconsidering U.S. Aid to Hezbollah-Controlled Lebanon

An internal divide in the Trump administration over American aid to Lebanon is reaching a breaking point as Lebanon forms a government controlled by the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah , according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon .
The State Department 's concession to Congress that it would commit to halting financial aid to Lebanon if U.S. taxpayer dollars go to Hezbollah is now being brought to the forefront .
That guarantee from the State Department is fueling a growing push to freeze all aid in light of Hezbollah 's unprecedented takeover of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , who has led a battle on Capitol Hill against unconditional assistance to Lebanon , recently wrenched promises from the administration to halt the aid if it is shown Hezbollah is the beneficiary , according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter .
Internal administration battles over both economic and military assistance recently spilled into the public .
The administration released hundreds of millions of dollars to Lebanon in late December over the objections of Trump loyalists in the National Security Council and State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aiding Hezbollah and its allies embedded in the Lebanese government , sources confirmed .
These battles were followed by previously unreported jostling in Beirut and Washington , D.C. , over the future of such policies , which opponents say will only embolden Hezbollah and its Iranian benefactors in the region .
David Hale , the State Department 's undersecretary of state for political affairs , drew a red line in recent meetings with Lebanese officials , telling them the Trump administration would deny aid to any Lebanese government controlled by Hezbollah , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents viewed by the Free Beacon , Cruz leveraged the nomination of Dorothy Shea , the State Department nominee to be the next ambassador to Lebanon , to obtain a written commitment that the United States will ensure that `` assistance does not benefit Hezbollah '' and that even locally targeted aid will only go to municipalities that `` are not controlled by Hezbollah or any other designated foreign terrorist organization . ''
`` I am committed to implementing the law and U.S. policies as directed , including ensuring that U.S. assistance does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , '' Shea wrote , according to a copy of her written answers obtained by the Free Beacon .
`` This process verifies that select municipal councils proposed to benefit from assistance are not controlled by Hezbollah or any other designated foreign terrorist organization , '' Shea said .
Cruz is reportedly circulating legislation that would prohibit funding to any Hezbollah-controlled government .
The new commitments are likely to shape battles over aid moving forward , according to experts and sources who spoke to the Free Beacon .
`` There 's very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said one veteran congressional aide familiar with the back-and-forth being fought between skeptics of aid and officials inside the Trump administration who remain committed to sending aid to Lebanon .
`` Any future aid to Lebanon will rightly be viewed as a dramatic reversal .
The President would be right to ask why Deep State actors embedded in the State and Defense Departments are gutting his maximum pressure campaign against Iran by financing Hezbollah , while hawks on the Hill would accuse the administration of a bait-and-switch . ''
Lebanon 's recently elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah than ever before .
Its parliament will be comprised of members who openly back the terror group and take their marching orders from Tehran .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab 's `` government will be the first in Lebanon 's history that is exclusively beholden to a parliamentary coalition led by Iran 's Lebanese ally , Hezbollah , '' Foreign Policy wrote this week .
Tony Badran , a Lebanon expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , told the Free Beacon that unlike past Lebanese governments , the newly formed body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to Tehran .
`` In forming the latest Lebanese government , Hezbollah did away with the fig leaf it had maintained with previous governments , '' Badran said .
`` Whereas in the past it put forward faces more amenable to the U.S. and Europe , such as former prime minister Saad Hariri , and divvied up portfolios among all the major actors of the Lebanese political class , with this government it went exclusively with its own political bloc .
That is to say , previous governments were Hezbollah governments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretenses . ''
The United States must acknowledge this development and treat the new government as part of Iran 's regional network , Badran said .
`` It is critical for the U.S. not to fall for the corrupt Lebanese political class 's trick , and believe that a government which includes the rest of the Lebanese sectarian barons , and is headed by Hariri , would be any less a Hezbollah government , '' Badran said .
`` The political class as a whole are merely junior partners of Hezbollah , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which emerges from this order and this class is by definition a Hezbollah government . ''

An internal divide in the Trump administration over American aid to Lebanon is reaching a breaking point as Lebanon forms a government controlled by the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
The State Department's concession to Congress that it would commit to halting financial aid to Lebanon if U.S. taxpayer dollars go to Hezbollah is now being brought to the forefront. That guarantee from the State Department is fueling a growing push to freeze all aid in light of Hezbollah's unprecedented takeover of the Lebanese government, sources confirmed.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who has led a battle on Capitol Hill against unconditional assistance to Lebanon, recently wrenched promises from the administration to halt the aid if it is shown Hezbollah is the beneficiary, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
Internal administration battles over both economic and military assistance recently spilled into the public. The administration released hundreds of millions of dollars to Lebanon in late December over the objections of Trump loyalists in the National Security Council and State Department, who feared the money is directly aiding Hezbollah and its allies embedded in the Lebanese government, sources confirmed.
These battles were followed by previously unreported jostling in Beirut and Washington, D.C., over the future of such policies, which opponents say will only embolden Hezbollah and its Iranian benefactors in the region.
David Hale, the State Department's undersecretary of state for political affairs, drew a red line in recent meetings with Lebanese officials, telling them the Trump administration would deny aid to any Lebanese government controlled by Hezbollah, according to Lebanese media reports.
According to documents viewed by the Free Beacon, Cruz leveraged the nomination of Dorothy Shea, the State Department nominee to be the next ambassador to Lebanon, to obtain a written commitment that the United States will ensure that "assistance does not benefit Hezbollah" and that even locally targeted aid will only go to municipalities that "are not controlled by Hezbollah or any other designated foreign terrorist organization."
"I am committed to implementing the law and U.S. policies as directed, including ensuring that U.S. assistance does not benefit Hezbollah or any other terrorist group," Shea wrote, according to a copy of her written answers obtained by the Free Beacon.
"This process verifies that select municipal councils proposed to benefit from assistance are not controlled by Hezbollah or any other designated foreign terrorist organization," Shea said.
Cruz is reportedly circulating legislation that would prohibit funding to any Hezbollah-controlled government.
The new commitments are likely to shape battles over aid moving forward, according to experts and sources who spoke to the Free Beacon.
"There's very little wiggle room any more," said one veteran congressional aide familiar with the back-and-forth being fought between skeptics of aid and officials inside the Trump administration who remain committed to sending aid to Lebanon. "Any future aid to Lebanon will rightly be viewed as a dramatic reversal. The President would be right to ask why Deep State actors embedded in the State and Defense Departments are gutting his maximum pressure campaign against Iran by financing Hezbollah, while hawks on the Hill would accuse the administration of a bait-and-switch."
Lebanon's recently elected government has brought the country closer to Hezbollah than ever before. Its parliament will be comprised of members who openly back the terror group and take their marching orders from Tehran.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab's "government will be the first in Lebanon's history that is exclusively beholden to a parliamentary coalition led by Iran's Lebanese ally, Hezbollah," Foreign Policy wrote this week.
Tony Badran, a Lebanon expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the Free Beacon that unlike past Lebanese governments, the newly formed body is making no efforts to cover its ties to Tehran.
"In forming the latest Lebanese government, Hezbollah did away with the fig leaf it had maintained with previous governments," Badran said. "Whereas in the past it put forward faces more amenable to the U.S. and Europe, such as former prime minister Saad Hariri, and divvied up portfolios among all the major actors of the Lebanese political class, with this government it went exclusively with its own political bloc. That is to say, previous governments were Hezbollah governments in camouflage, this Hezbollah government drops all pretenses."
The United States must acknowledge this development and treat the new government as part of Iran's regional network, Badran said.
"It is critical for the U.S. not to fall for the corrupt Lebanese political class's trick, and believe that a government which includes the rest of the Lebanese sectarian barons, and is headed by Hariri, would be any less a Hezbollah government," Badran said. "The political class as a whole are merely junior partners of Hezbollah, which runs the political order. Any government which emerges from this order and this class is by definition a Hezbollah government."


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Combat Vet Senator Accused of ‘Betraying the Troops’

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
was targeted Sunday for comments in defense of President Donald Trump , who had earlier been accused of downplaying Iran ’ s retaliation for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , in which no Americans were killed .
The Iranian strike at U.S. bases in Iraq did require 34 U.S. soldiers to be evaluated for potential long-term brain injury as a result of the blasts , and Trump described the injuries as `` headaches . ''
When pressed on Sunday morning , Cotton defended Trump .
Cotton , an Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made clear he considers traumatic brain injuries in the military a serious matter , but he fended off repeated calls by CBS Face The Nation host Margaret Brennan to hit Trump , who said he 'd heard the soldiers were n't seriously hurt during Iran 's attack .
Cotton praised the military 's handling of brain injuries compared to when he was serving , but Brennan cut him off to play Trump 's remarks .
`` Veterans groups are calling on the president to apologize , '' Brennan said .
`` Should he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
`` He 's not dismissing their injuries .
He 's describing their injuries , '' Cotton said .
Brennan repeated her question , but Cotton replied if the soldiers ' injuries were on the `` less serious side of the scale , '' then Trump had simply described what happened to them .
`` So you consider [ traumatic brain injuries ] a serious injury ? ''
Brennan asked .
`` Yes , but again , there is a big scale of that .
That can be a return to duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , traumatic , lasting injury , and I think he 's describing , thankfully , what end of the scale that lies on , '' Cotton said .
Liberal columnists like the Washington Post ’ s Jennifer Rubin pounced , saying he `` even betrays the troops '' to defend Trump .
Vox reporter Aaron Rupar called Cotton 's comments `` unbelievable . ''
Quoting him selectively , they omitted comments that made clear he takes the issue seriously .
Cotton served as an Army Ranger captain and has a long record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees .
A Pentagon spokesman said Friday 17 of the 34 soldiers diagnosed with brain injuries had returned to duty , while the other 17 are still being treated in the United States and Germany .
The Pentagon had initially stated the night of the Jan. 8 attack that there were no U.S. casualties indicated .

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) was targeted Sunday for comments in defense of President Donald Trump, who had earlier been accused of downplaying Iran’s retaliation for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, in which no Americans were killed.
The Iranian strike at U.S. bases in Iraq did require 34 U.S. soldiers to be evaluated for potential long-term brain injury as a result of the blasts, and Trump described the injuries as "headaches." When pressed on Sunday morning, Cotton defended Trump.
Cotton, an Army combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, made clear he considers traumatic brain injuries in the military a serious matter, but he fended off repeated calls by CBS Face The Nation host Margaret Brennan to hit Trump, who said he'd heard the soldiers weren't seriously hurt during Iran's attack.
Cotton praised the military's handling of brain injuries compared to when he was serving, but Brennan cut him off to play Trump's remarks.
"Veterans groups are calling on the president to apologize," Brennan said. "Should he apologize for calling it not very serious?"
"He's not dismissing their injuries. He's describing their injuries," Cotton said.
Brennan repeated her question, but Cotton replied if the soldiers' injuries were on the "less serious side of the scale," then Trump had simply described what happened to them.
"So you consider [traumatic brain injuries] a serious injury?" Brennan asked.
"Yes, but again, there is a big scale of that. That can be a return to duty in one day, or have severe, traumatic, lasting injury, and I think he's describing, thankfully, what end of the scale that lies on," Cotton said.
Liberal columnists like the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin pounced, saying he "even betrays the troops" to defend Trump. Vox reporter Aaron Rupar called Cotton's comments "unbelievable." Quoting him selectively, they omitted comments that made clear he takes the issue seriously.
Now Cotton even betrays the troops to continue blind obedience to Trump. I wonder how those who served with him feel. https://t.co/DCpsbCUurl — Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) January 26, 2020
On CBS, @SenTomCotton defends Trump downplaying traumatic brain injuries suffered by US troops as mere "headaches," saying, "he's not dismissing their injuries, he's describing their injuries." Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/qx2H8a2KvU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 26, 2020
Cotton served as an Army Ranger captain and has a long record of attention to military matters and foreign policy. He serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees.
A Pentagon spokesman said Friday 17 of the 34 soldiers diagnosed with brain injuries had returned to duty, while the other 17 are still being treated in the United States and Germany. The Pentagon had initially stated the night of the Jan. 8 attack that there were no U.S. casualties indicated.


freebeacon--2020-01-28--Biden Praises ‘Profound’ Question Comparing Trump’s Border Policies to Holocaust

Former vice president Joe Biden on Monday praised a woman at his Iowa campaign event for her `` profound '' question comparing President Donald Trump 's immigration policies to the Holocaust .
The questioner , who identified herself as Kathy , used the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz to ask how Biden plans to deal with the ways `` we are living in the 1930s again . ''
`` What can we do , given what Donald Trump is doing at the border with those children who are incarcerated , so that they do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stigmatization that so many Jewish people and gypsies and Romas did in Europe ? ''
the woman asked .
`` It 's so important , particularly when anti-Semitism in the United States is on the rise again and it 's frightening .
We are living in the 1930s again in so many ways . ''
Biden did not push back against the comparison , instead calling it `` profound . ''
He went on to address the recent rash of anti-Semitic violence by blaming it on Trump .
`` There 's a phrase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Never again . '
Never again , meaning we 'll never allow this to ever happen again , but it is happening in other parts of the world , but it 's not just in this case—it 's not just Jews now , '' Biden said .
`` In America , they are being victimized .
There have been more attacks on synagogues and on Jewish houses of worship than any time in American history since this man 's become president of the United States . ''
The Democratic Party has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitic scandals , prompting the House of Representatives to pass a resolution last March condemning anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric , understood as a response to Rep. Ilhan Omar 's ( D. , Minn. ) comment that supporters of Israel were being paid off .
This is n't the first time the Trump administration 's immigration policies have been compared to the Holocaust .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) said the children in detention facilities were actually in `` concentration camps . ''
`` I want to talk to the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that ‘ never again ' means something , and the fact that concentration camps are now an institutionalized practice in the home of the free is extraordinarily disturbing , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .

Former vice president Joe Biden on Monday praised a woman at his Iowa campaign event for her "profound" question comparing President Donald Trump's immigration policies to the Holocaust.
The questioner, who identified herself as Kathy, used the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz to ask how Biden plans to deal with the ways "we are living in the 1930s again."
"What can we do, given what Donald Trump is doing at the border with those children who are incarcerated, so that they don't go out and experience the kind of stigmatization that so many Jewish people and gypsies and Romas did in Europe?" the woman asked. "It's so important, particularly when anti-Semitism in the United States is on the rise again and it's frightening. We are living in the 1930s again in so many ways."
Biden did not push back against the comparison, instead calling it "profound." He went on to address the recent rash of anti-Semitic violence by blaming it on Trump.
"There's a phrase in the Jewish community, which is 'Never again.' Never again, meaning we'll never allow this to ever happen again, but it is happening in other parts of the world, but it's not just in this case—it's not just Jews now," Biden said. "In America, they are being victimized. There have been more attacks on synagogues and on Jewish houses of worship than any time in American history since this man's become president of the United States."
The Democratic Party has faced increased scrutiny over the last year for anti-Semitic scandals, prompting the House of Representatives to pass a resolution last March condemning anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric, understood as a response to Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D., Minn.) comment that supporters of Israel were being paid off.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration's immigration policies have been compared to the Holocaust. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) said the children in detention facilities were actually in "concentration camps."
"I want to talk to the people that are concerned enough with humanity to say that ‘never again' means something, and the fact that concentration camps are now an institutionalized practice in the home of the free is extraordinarily disturbing," Ocasio-Cortez said.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--WFB’s Kredo Warns Tehran’s Terror Capabilities Have Become More Organized

Washington Free Beacon senior writer Adam Kredo on Monday said the recent arrests of Iranian spies in the United States are a sign that Tehran is `` more organized '' than previously thought .
`` We can look at some of the recent arrests .
We had arrests in California and Michigan , I believe , and these were organized Iranian spies .
These were not random people , '' Kredo said on Newsmax TV .
`` They were conducting surveillance on potential sites and also opposition groups—that is , Iranian dissidents—who are anti-regime and more pro-western . ''
Kredo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand its terror capabilities in the United States .
Discussing his reporting , he highlighted the three main worries that U.S. officials and regional experts have about Iran : lone wolves , Hezbollah proxies , and the Quds Force , an `` offshoot of the [ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ] that specializes in unconventional warfare . ''
He also said Iranian spies have been arrested for exporting nuclear materials .
`` These recent spy arrests and some of the ones over the years—we 've had Iranians arrested for exporting carbon fiber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are banned nuclear materials , trying to export those back to Iran and the U.S. , so we 've seen quite a few different cases across the spectrum that really builds quite a concern about what Tehran 's capabilities in the U.S .
are . ''
Kredo finished by saying that both Republicans and Democrats have warned him that they believe Tehran 's terror capabilities are stronger than that of many other terrorist groups .

Washington Free Beacon senior writer Adam Kredo on Monday said the recent arrests of Iranian spies in the United States are a sign that Tehran is "more organized" than previously thought.
"We can look at some of the recent arrests. We had arrests in California and Michigan, I believe, and these were organized Iranian spies. These were not random people," Kredo said on Newsmax TV. "They were conducting surveillance on potential sites and also opposition groups—that is, Iranian dissidents—who are anti-regime and more pro-western."
Kredo reported last week that Tehran is seeking to expand its terror capabilities in the United States. Discussing his reporting, he highlighted the three main worries that U.S. officials and regional experts have about Iran: lone wolves, Hezbollah proxies, and the Quds Force, an "offshoot of the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] that specializes in unconventional warfare."
He also said Iranian spies have been arrested for exporting nuclear materials.
"These recent spy arrests and some of the ones over the years—we've had Iranians arrested for exporting carbon fiber," Kredo said. "Those are banned nuclear materials, trying to export those back to Iran and the U.S., so we've seen quite a few different cases across the spectrum that really builds quite a concern about what Tehran's capabilities in the U.S. are."
Kredo finished by saying that both Republicans and Democrats have warned him that they believe Tehran's terror capabilities are stronger than that of many other terrorist groups.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Congress Threatens Massive Scale Back in U.S.-U.K. Intel Sharing Over Huawei Threat

Leading GOP lawmakers are threatening to scale back the level of intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom over its willingness to allow Chinese state-controlled telecom Huawei to take over the country 's mobile networks .
U.K. leaders are set to decide in the next day if they will permit Huawei , a Chinese telecom the United States views as spying on the communist regime 's behalf , to build Britain 's next-generation 5G mobile networks .
That decision has sparked a push by leading GOP lawmakers to enact legislation that would massively diminish the United States 's intelligence sharing partnership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the European ally 's sensitive infrastructure .
The lawmakers say they are prepared to completely reassess the U.S.-U.K. intelligence partnership , which ranks among the closest in the globe .
A U.K. deal with Huawei , the lawmakers said , is likely to throw a wrench in any post-Brexit trade deals with America .
The first salvo in this developing rift is a piece of legislation currently circulated in Congress that would `` prohibit the sharing of United States intelligence with countries that permit operation of Huawei fifth-generation telecommunications technology within their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bill viewed by the Washington Free Beacon .
In addition to cutting off direct intelligence sharing with any Huawei partner , the legislation would ban the sharing of intelligence products developed by the United States .
`` We have to recalculate or reassess if they can continue to be among the closest of our intelligence partners , '' Rep. Liz Cheney ( R. , Wyo . )
said of the U.S.-U.K. intelligence partnership during a briefing Monday with a small group of reporters .
`` We have no choice .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cheney , along with Reps. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
and Mike Gallagher ( R. , Wis. ) , warned Britain there would be severe repercussions for any decision that enables Huawei to build the country 's 5G networks .
`` This intelligence sharing relationship is the closest in the world , '' Gallagher said .
`` I do worry this is not only going to compromise that close intelligence relationship but complicate '' efforts to reach post-Brexit trade deals .
A partnership with Huawei would `` fundamentally '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. , '' Cheney added .
While the Trump administration , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , has warned global partners against using Huawei , there has been disagreement within the administration that lawmakers have viewed as unhelpful .
Administration officials have been unclear about presenting possible alternatives to Huawei .
While there is a consensus that Huawei poses a security risk to the United States and its allies , the Defense and Treasury Departments recently bucked more vocal administration opponents of the cell carrier when they struck down a set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telecom .
President Trump in May issued an executive order banning U.S. companies from using communications technology from foreign companies deemed a national security threat , a ban largely seen as aimed at Huawei .
`` The president has always had good instincts on Huawei , '' Banks said .
`` Those around him at times have had an inconsistent or incoherent approach to 5G that is n't always helpful . ''
`` The Huawei discussion and skepticism of Huawei and Chinese intentions with selling Huawei around the globe is as hot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ever been , '' Banks added .
Huawei has positioned itself as a global leader in the 5G push .
However , its cheaper pricing and other incentives are a ruse for the mass siphoning of sensitive data , the lawmakers alleged , saying that China could use this information to later blackmail leading governments .
`` Imagine the damage they will do , the threats and blackmail that will become possible once they 're in your system , '' Cheney said , describing the willingness of some major U.S. allies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortsighted . ''
`` They do n't want the data because they 're kind-hearted and want to help everyone move quickly , '' Cheney said .
`` This is n't an altruistic effort the Chinese are engaged in . ''
The lawmakers said they have received bipartisan support for legislation banning intelligence sharing with Huawei partners .
The United Kingdom has yet to formally announce its decision on Huawei .
It is possible that it could selectively partner with the company while banning it from accessing sensitive areas of the country 's mobile @ @

Leading GOP lawmakers are threatening to scale back the level of intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom over its willingness to allow Chinese state-controlled telecom Huawei to take over the country's mobile networks.
U.K. leaders are set to decide in the next day if they will permit Huawei, a Chinese telecom the United States views as spying on the communist regime's behalf, to build Britain's next-generation 5G mobile networks.
That decision has sparked a push by leading GOP lawmakers to enact legislation that would massively diminish the United States's intelligence sharing partnership with Britain if Huawei is granted access to the European ally's sensitive infrastructure.
The lawmakers say they are prepared to completely reassess the U.S.-U.K. intelligence partnership, which ranks among the closest in the globe. A U.K. deal with Huawei, the lawmakers said, is likely to throw a wrench in any post-Brexit trade deals with America.
The first salvo in this developing rift is a piece of legislation currently circulated in Congress that would "prohibit the sharing of United States intelligence with countries that permit operation of Huawei fifth-generation telecommunications technology within their borders," according to a copy of the bill viewed by the Washington Free Beacon.
In addition to cutting off direct intelligence sharing with any Huawei partner, the legislation would ban the sharing of intelligence products developed by the United States.
"We have to recalculate or reassess if they can continue to be among the closest of our intelligence partners," Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.) said of the U.S.-U.K. intelligence partnership during a briefing Monday with a small group of reporters. "We have no choice. It's our own security at risk."
Cheney, along with Reps. Jim Banks (R., Ind.) and Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), warned Britain there would be severe repercussions for any decision that enables Huawei to build the country's 5G networks.
"This intelligence sharing relationship is the closest in the world," Gallagher said. "I do worry this is not only going to compromise that close intelligence relationship but complicate" efforts to reach post-Brexit trade deals.
A partnership with Huawei would "fundamentally" alter "the relationship we have with the U.K.," Cheney added.
While the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has warned global partners against using Huawei, there has been disagreement within the administration that lawmakers have viewed as unhelpful.
Administration officials have been unclear about presenting possible alternatives to Huawei. While there is a consensus that Huawei poses a security risk to the United States and its allies, the Defense and Treasury Departments recently bucked more vocal administration opponents of the cell carrier when they struck down a set of rules restricting American sales to the telecom. President Trump in May issued an executive order banning U.S. companies from using communications technology from foreign companies deemed a national security threat, a ban largely seen as aimed at Huawei.
"The president has always had good instincts on Huawei," Banks said. "Those around him at times have had an inconsistent or incoherent approach to 5G that isn't always helpful."
"The Huawei discussion and skepticism of Huawei and Chinese intentions with selling Huawei around the globe is as hot of a topic on Capitol Hill as it's ever been," Banks added.
Huawei has positioned itself as a global leader in the 5G push. However, its cheaper pricing and other incentives are a ruse for the mass siphoning of sensitive data, the lawmakers alleged, saying that China could use this information to later blackmail leading governments.
"Imagine the damage they will do, the threats and blackmail that will become possible once they're in your system," Cheney said, describing the willingness of some major U.S. allies to partner with Huawei as "dangerous and shortsighted."
"They don't want the data because they're kind-hearted and want to help everyone move quickly," Cheney said. "This isn't an altruistic effort the Chinese are engaged in."
The lawmakers said they have received bipartisan support for legislation banning intelligence sharing with Huawei partners.
The United Kingdom has yet to formally announce its decision on Huawei. It is possible that it could selectively partner with the company while banning it from accessing sensitive areas of the country's mobile networks.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Hunter Biden Avoids Mandatory Court Appearance by Agreeing to Temporary Child Support Agreement

Hunter Biden reached a temporary child support agreement with plaintiff Lunden Alexis Roberts days before he was required to appear in court , a new case filing shows .
The agreement compels Biden to pay an undisclosed sum in monthly child support starting Feb. 1 .
Biden will also pay child support retroactive to Nov. 1 , 2018 , when he stopped paying voluntarily .
Biden was set to appear in court Wednesday and `` show cause , if any exists , as to why he should not be held in contempt '' over financial records he failed to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden to avoid the mandatory court appearance as his father Joe Biden approaches February 's Iowa caucuses .
Biden has until March 1 to produce the financial documents , which will be used to determine the exact amount of child support he will pay .
Though Roberts 's attorney has asserted there is `` no political motivation whatsoever '' behind the paternity suit , the documents could reveal just how much Biden earned through his lucrative appointment to the board of a Ukrainian gas company , as well as his financial ties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Republican lawmakers threaten to call Biden to testify on his business dealings in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
Biden was spotted Friday taking his new Porsche Panamera GTS to lunch .
He and his pregnant wife are currently renting a $ 3.8 million Hollywood home for $ 12,000 a month .
A DNA test established Biden as the father of Roberts 's child `` with near scientific certainty '' in November .
The two reportedly met at a Washington , D.C. , strip club where Roberts worked under the stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the child was not his .

Hunter Biden reached a temporary child support agreement with plaintiff Lunden Alexis Roberts days before he was required to appear in court, a new case filing shows.
The agreement compels Biden to pay an undisclosed sum in monthly child support starting Feb. 1. Biden will also pay child support retroactive to Nov. 1, 2018, when he stopped paying voluntarily.
Biden was set to appear in court Wednesday and "show cause, if any exists, as to why he should not be held in contempt" over financial records he failed to provide on three occasions. The agreement allows Biden to avoid the mandatory court appearance as his father Joe Biden approaches February's Iowa caucuses.
Biden has until March 1 to produce the financial documents, which will be used to determine the exact amount of child support he will pay. Though Roberts's attorney has asserted there is "no political motivation whatsoever" behind the paternity suit, the documents could reveal just how much Biden earned through his lucrative appointment to the board of a Ukrainian gas company, as well as his financial ties to other foreign companies.
The delay comes as Republican lawmakers threaten to call Biden to testify on his business dealings in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
Biden was spotted Friday taking his new Porsche Panamera GTS to lunch. He and his pregnant wife are currently renting a $3.8 million Hollywood home for $12,000 a month.
A DNA test established Biden as the father of Roberts's child "with near scientific certainty" in November. The two reportedly met at a Washington, D.C., strip club where Roberts worked under the stage name "Dallas."
Biden previously said the child was not his.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Veteran Rep. Stands Up for Religious Dog Tags After Pentagon Caved to Secularist Group

An Iraq War veteran congressman wants to protect religious dog tags after the military bowed to pressure from a secularist group .
In August , the Army , Air Force , and the Marine Corps ordered the company Shields of Strength to stop selling replica dog tags that feature both official military logos and Scripture , following complaints from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation ( MRFF ) .
Rep. Greg Steube ( R. , Fla. ) wants to overturn that ban with a new bill that will explicitly authorize the sale of religiously themed dog tags .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk their lives for the country by hiding the reason they serve .
`` Your dog tags are those very personal things .
They go with you everywhere you go , '' Steube told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It was obviously very frustrating for somebody who served .
Obviously my faith is important , as is the faith of many service members . ''
Steube 's bill is the latest chapter in the cultural skirmishes over the role of religion in the U.S. military .
Secularists have continued to resist what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state across the country , protesting a wide range of things—from Bibles in V.A .
hospitals to religious dog tags .
The issue reached the Supreme Court as recently as 2019 when justices declared a memorial cross constitutional in American Legion v. American Humanist Association .
Shields of Strength has shipped more than four million replica dog tags , selling its unofficial identification to service members since the opening days of the war in Afghanistan .
The company 's dog tags have since become a staple of U.S. military life , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment group challenging the military 's decision .
Nine out of ten operational units have received the dog tags since 2002 .
While Steube never used Shields of Strength products , he did customize his dog tags with a cross when he served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008 in the Judge Advocate General 's Corps .
He said the cross gave him the strength to push on in a `` very volatile environment . ''
`` When I deployed , my father had a small metal cross that he drilled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my dog tag , '' he said .
`` Being able to carry something like that when you ca n't always carry pictures and memorabilia and things like that on a mission , I think is very important to service members . ''
First Liberty appealed the decision in December and has convinced the Army to allow Shields of Strength to produce replica dog tags that feature three previously agreed upon Bible verses .
Michael Berry , the group 's director of military affairs , applauded Steube 's legislation .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve this problem once and for all , '' Berry said .
`` Shields of Strength items are a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who go into harm ’ s way for our nation .
The very least we can do is to remove any obstacles that deny them access to Shields of Strength items . ''
Not everyone is happy with the bill .
MRFF president Michael Weinstein accused Steube of treason , saying that the attempt to protect soldiers ' religious dog tags was `` the best example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently . ''
He said the bill critically undermines the secular nature of the American government .
`` Why do n't [ Steube ] and those who are supporting his bill just shred it and move forward with a new bill that would declare fundamentalist Christianity as the official religion of the United States of America and their version of fundamentalist Jesus Christ as the official lord and savior of America ? ''
Weinstein told the Free Beacon .
`` Because they do one and the same thing . ''
The congressman stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separation of church and state because the bill was not forcing service members to wear religious items .
It would be `` completely voluntary '' to wear such dog tags , Steube said .
Shields of Strength , which did not respond to a request for comment , has pulled most religious dog tags from its online store , except for some Army-themed dog tags .
First Liberty has yet to submit an appeal to the Air Force , while the Marines have yet to respond to the group 's inquiry .
Steube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee on Armed Services .

An Iraq War veteran congressman wants to protect religious dog tags after the military bowed to pressure from a secularist group.
In August, the Army, Air Force, and the Marine Corps ordered the company Shields of Strength to stop selling replica dog tags that feature both official military logos and Scripture, following complaints from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). Rep. Greg Steube (R., Fla.) wants to overturn that ban with a new bill that will explicitly authorize the sale of religiously themed dog tags. He said the ban insults many of the troops who risk their lives for the country by hiding the reason they serve.
"Your dog tags are those very personal things. They go with you everywhere you go," Steube told the Washington Free Beacon. "It was obviously very frustrating for somebody who served. Obviously my faith is important, as is the faith of many service members."
Steube's bill is the latest chapter in the cultural skirmishes over the role of religion in the U.S. military. Secularists have continued to resist what they consider the fusion of church and state across the country, protesting a wide range of things—from Bibles in V.A. hospitals to religious dog tags. The issue reached the Supreme Court as recently as 2019 when justices declared a memorial cross constitutional in American Legion v. American Humanist Association.
Shields of Strength has shipped more than four million replica dog tags, selling its unofficial identification to service members since the opening days of the war in Afghanistan. The company's dog tags have since become a staple of U.S. military life, according to documents submitted by First Liberty, a First Amendment group challenging the military's decision. Nine out of ten operational units have received the dog tags since 2002.
While Steube never used Shields of Strength products, he did customize his dog tags with a cross when he served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008 in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He said the cross gave him the strength to push on in a "very volatile environment."
"When I deployed, my father had a small metal cross that he drilled a hole in, and I added it to my dog tag," he said. "Being able to carry something like that when you can't always carry pictures and memorabilia and things like that on a mission, I think is very important to service members."
First Liberty appealed the decision in December and has convinced the Army to allow Shields of Strength to produce replica dog tags that feature three previously agreed upon Bible verses. Michael Berry, the group's director of military affairs, applauded Steube's legislation.
"This bill would effectively end the controversy and solve this problem once and for all," Berry said. "Shields of Strength items are a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who go into harm’s way for our nation. The very least we can do is to remove any obstacles that deny them access to Shields of Strength items."
Not everyone is happy with the bill. MRFF president Michael Weinstein accused Steube of treason, saying that the attempt to protect soldiers' religious dog tags was "the best example of a domestic enemy that I've seen recently." He said the bill critically undermines the secular nature of the American government.
"Why don't [Steube] and those who are supporting his bill just shred it and move forward with a new bill that would declare fundamentalist Christianity as the official religion of the United States of America and their version of fundamentalist Jesus Christ as the official lord and savior of America?" Weinstein told the Free Beacon. "Because they do one and the same thing."
The congressman stressed that his legislation did not jeopardize the separation of church and state because the bill was not forcing service members to wear religious items. It would be "completely voluntary" to wear such dog tags, Steube said.
Shields of Strength, which did not respond to a request for comment, has pulled most religious dog tags from its online store, except for some Army-themed dog tags. First Liberty has yet to submit an appeal to the Air Force, while the Marines have yet to respond to the group's inquiry. Steube's bill was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Media’s Favorite Anti-Pharma Expert Was Paid Hundreds of Thousands By Lawyers Suing Drug Companies

Hundreds of news stories cited a health care expert 's attacks on Big Pharma without mentioning that he was being paid six-figure sums by lawyers suing drug companies .
In a 2019 interview with CBS 's 60 Minutes , Brandeis University professor Andrew Kolodny denounced the pharmaceutical industry 's tactics in getting FDA approval for certain opioids .
`` If it 's not illegal , it should be illegal , '' he said of such behavior .
The news program failed to disclose that Kolodny had a financial stake in advancing such an opinion .
In a September conflict of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had `` received compensation for work as an expert in malpractice litigation involving opioid prescribing . ''
The total extent of Kolodny 's compensation is not known , but in testimony on behalf of Oklahoma 's lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson , the professor testified that he was receiving between `` $ 300,000 to $ 500,000 '' for that case alone .
Kolodny has been a popular media source according to Lexis Nexis , appearing in 704 English language news stories since January 2018 .
More than 200 of those stories described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while more than 400 cited his work as co-director of the `` Opioid Policy Research Collaborative . ''
Only 58 acknowledged that he served as an expert witness in lawsuits—only 12 divulged that the professor had been paid .
The disclosure of his lucrative consulting prompted some outlets that cited Kolodny , such as NBC News and Yahoo News , to issue corrections or clarifications that he was `` a paid consultant '' for those suing the pharmaceutical industry .
But others , including the New York Times , CNN , Bloomberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press issued no corrections despite interviewing Kolodny three separate times , getting juicy quotes calling Big Pharma donations `` blood money '' and saying the industry was responsible for a `` public health catastrophe . ''
A 60 Minutes spokesman defended the lack of a correction , noting that the program had identified Kolodny as `` an expert witness '' in the Big Pharma litigation .
The spokesman did not respond to follow-up questions asking whether the average viewer would understand that meant Kolodny was paid nearly half a million dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times , CNN , Bloomberg , NPR , and AP all failed to respond to requests for comment .

Hundreds of news stories cited a health care expert's attacks on Big Pharma without mentioning that he was being paid six-figure sums by lawyers suing drug companies.
In a 2019 interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, Brandeis University professor Andrew Kolodny denounced the pharmaceutical industry's tactics in getting FDA approval for certain opioids. "If it's not illegal, it should be illegal," he said of such behavior.
The news program failed to disclose that Kolodny had a financial stake in advancing such an opinion. In a September conflict of interest disclosure, the professor acknowledged that he had "received compensation for work as an expert in malpractice litigation involving opioid prescribing." The total extent of Kolodny's compensation is not known, but in testimony on behalf of Oklahoma's lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, the professor testified that he was receiving between "$300,000 to $500,000" for that case alone.
Kolodny has been a popular media source according to Lexis Nexis, appearing in 704 English language news stories since January 2018. More than 200 of those stories described Kolodny as a "professor," while more than 400 cited his work as co-director of the "Opioid Policy Research Collaborative." Only 58 acknowledged that he served as an expert witness in lawsuits—only 12 divulged that the professor had been paid.


freebeacon--2020-01-27--MSNBC Anchor: Everyone’s Drawing Huge Crowds in Iowa Except Biden

MSNBC anchor Katy Tur on Monday said former vice president Joe Biden 's lackluster campaign events in Iowa do not bode well for his chances in next week 's caucus .
`` Biden and [ former South Bend mayor Pete ] Buttigieg have basically had this state to themselves along with Yang and a couple others , '' Tur said , noting that the senators in the race are in Washington , D.C. , for the impeachment trial .
`` Why is Buttigieg starting to surge and Biden not surging ?
What is going on with his support ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with other contenders in Iowa , such as Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
`` Over the weekend Warren , Sanders , Buttigieg all got over a thousand people at rallies , Biden got a couple hundred , '' Tur said .
`` What does that mean for his support going forward ? ''
Tur argued that even Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , who is far behind Biden and others in the polls , drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president .
`` You can hear the excitement from the crowds from Warren , from Sanders , from Klobuchar , and from Buttigieg .
And then you hear Biden 's crowd and it 's just him , it 's just his voice . ''
Tur also compared the size of President Donald Trump ’ s campaign rallies in Iowa to that of Biden 's , saying turnout for Trump 's events should be a concern for Democrats in general .
`` As these candidates are getting a couple hundred , sometimes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na fly in here , and if past is precedent , get 5,000 , 10,000 people here in Des Moines , '' Tur said .
`` What does that say about the Democrats ' chances in November when Donald Trump is drawing crowds that are that big and the Democrats are not ? ''

MSNBC anchor Katy Tur on Monday said former vice president Joe Biden's lackluster campaign events in Iowa do not bode well for his chances in next week's caucus.
"Biden and [former South Bend mayor Pete] Buttigieg have basically had this state to themselves along with Yang and a couple others," Tur said, noting that the senators in the race are in Washington, D.C., for the impeachment trial. "Why is Buttigieg starting to surge and Biden not surging? What is going on with his support?"
Tur said Biden's numbers were paltry compared with other contenders in Iowa, such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
"Over the weekend Warren, Sanders, Buttigieg all got over a thousand people at rallies, Biden got a couple hundred," Tur said. "What does that mean for his support going forward?"
Tur argued that even Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), who is far behind Biden and others in the polls, drew more enthusiasm at rallies than the former vice president.
"You can hear the excitement from the crowds from Warren, from Sanders, from Klobuchar, and from Buttigieg. And then you hear Biden's crowd and it's just him, it's just his voice."
Tur also compared the size of President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies in Iowa to that of Biden's, saying turnout for Trump's events should be a concern for Democrats in general.
"As these candidates are getting a couple hundred, sometimes a thousand people, [Trump] is gonna fly in here, and if past is precedent, get 5,000, 10,000 people here in Des Moines," Tur said. "What does that say about the Democrats' chances in November when Donald Trump is drawing crowds that are that big and the Democrats are not?"


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Iraqi Security Forces Kill Protester, Rockets Hit U.S. Embassy

BAGHDAD ( Reuters ) – Iraqi security forces shot at anti-government protesters in Baghdad on Sunday , killing at least one person , and unidentified men set fire to sit-in tents in a southern Iraqi city , police and medics said , as months-long civil unrest escalated .
Separately , at least one of five Katyusha rockets fired at Baghdad 's fortified Green Zone hit the U.S. embassy , wounding three people , in a rare direct targeting of the compound , security sources said .
Reuters could not independently verify the rocket attacks .
Anti-government protests erupted in Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Security forces and unidentified gunmen have shot protesters dead .
Nearly 500 people have been killed in the unrest .
The protests are an unprecedented leaderless challenge to Iraq 's Shi'ite Muslim-dominated and largely Iran-backed ruling elite , which emerged after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 .
Demonstrators are demanding that all parties and politicians be removed , free and fair elections be held and corruption rooted out .
The government has responded with violence and piecemeal reform .
The international community has condemned the violence but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad , one protester was killed , police sources and medics said , and more than 100 others hurt across the country after the security forces tried to clear protest camps .
At least 75 of those hurt were in the southern city of Nassariya .
A Reuters witness said protesters set fire to two security vehicles and hundreds of other demonstrators controlled key bridges in the city .
Later , unidentified men set fire to tents that are part of a months-long sit-in in the city centre .
Protests have flared in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moqtada al-Sadr , many of whose supporters had participated , said he would no longer be involved in anti-government demonstrations .
Sadr opposes all foreign interference in Iraq but has aligned himself more closely in recent months with Iran and the Tehran-backed parties that dominate state institutions in Baghdad .
Some demonstrators have accused the populist cleric of treachery of their cause .
Sadr has organised separate anti-American demonstrations aimed at pressuring U.S. troops to leave Iraq , moves that critics say aim to eclipse the anti-establishment movement which has taken aim at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in unrest comes after Washington killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani , the mastermind of Iran 's control over Iraq , and an Iraqi paramilitary chief in a drone strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3 .
Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on two Iraqi military bases , but the killing has revived tensions in Iraqi politics and delayed the formation of a new government .
Five Katyusha rockets hit Baghdad 's Green Zone , which houses government buildings and foreign embassies , late on Sunday , a military statement said .
It did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters that at least one rocket landed inside the U.S. embassy compound and wounded three people .
If confirmed , it would be the first time in years that such attacks on the Green Zone , which are regular , have actually hurt staff there .
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the attack in a statement from his office , and said that the continuation of such acts could `` drag Iraq into becoming a battlefield . ''
Sadr had called for demonstrations against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and other cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his office giving `` avoiding internal strife '' as the reason .
Sadr 's supporters had bolstered anti-government protests before the assassination of Soleimani but have since been directed by their leader to focus their anger against America .
They began withdrawing from anti-government sit-in camps on Saturday .
`` We protest because we have a cause .
I don ’ t think Moqtada Sadr or any other politician will change our mind , '' said a protester in Baghdad who declined to give his name .
`` I don ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today because of what they did yesterday .
I want to express my solidarity with my brothers in Tahrir , '' said Hussain Ali , a student , referring to demonstrations in Tahrir Square , the main area of protests in the capital .
In Baghdad , protesters were coughing and washing their faces and eyes to rid themselves of the effects of tear gas while medical workers provided first aid , as the site was inaccessible to ambulances , a Reuters reporter said .
Tuk tuks evacuated wounded protesters in clouds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tyres .
Earlier on Sunday , hundreds of university students had gathered in Tahrir Square , the main protest camp , chanting slogans against the United States and Iran .
Protests also continued in the cities of Kerbala , Najaf and Diwaniya , defying attempts by security forces to end their months-long sit-in , police sources and Reuters witnesses said .

By Aziz El Yaakoubi and Nadine Awadalla
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces shot at anti-government protesters in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least one person, and unidentified men set fire to sit-in tents in a southern Iraqi city, police and medics said, as months-long civil unrest escalated.
Separately, at least one of five Katyusha rockets fired at Baghdad's fortified Green Zone hit the U.S. embassy, wounding three people, in a rare direct targeting of the compound, security sources said. Reuters could not independently verify the rocket attacks.
Anti-government protests erupted in Baghdad on Oct. 1 and quickly turned violent. Security forces and unidentified gunmen have shot protesters dead. Nearly 500 people have been killed in the unrest.
The protests are an unprecedented leaderless challenge to Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim-dominated and largely Iran-backed ruling elite, which emerged after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Demonstrators are demanding that all parties and politicians be removed, free and fair elections be held and corruption rooted out. The government has responded with violence and piecemeal reform. The international community has condemned the violence but not intervened to stop it.
In Baghdad, one protester was killed, police sources and medics said, and more than 100 others hurt across the country after the security forces tried to clear protest camps.
At least 75 of those hurt were in the southern city of Nassariya. A Reuters witness said protesters set fire to two security vehicles and hundreds of other demonstrators controlled key bridges in the city. Later, unidentified men set fire to tents that are part of a months-long sit-in in the city centre.
Protests have flared in the last two days after populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, many of whose supporters had participated, said he would no longer be involved in anti-government demonstrations.
Sadr opposes all foreign interference in Iraq but has aligned himself more closely in recent months with Iran and the Tehran-backed parties that dominate state institutions in Baghdad.
Some demonstrators have accused the populist cleric of treachery of their cause.
Sadr has organised separate anti-American demonstrations aimed at pressuring U.S. troops to leave Iraq, moves that critics say aim to eclipse the anti-establishment movement which has taken aim at all politicians including Sadr.
The increase in unrest comes after Washington killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, the mastermind of Iran's control over Iraq, and an Iraqi paramilitary chief in a drone strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3.
Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on two Iraqi military bases, but the killing has revived tensions in Iraqi politics and delayed the formation of a new government.
Five Katyusha rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, late on Sunday, a military statement said. It did not report casualties.
'INTERNAL STRIFE'
Security sources told Reuters that at least one rocket landed inside the U.S. embassy compound and wounded three people. If confirmed, it would be the first time in years that such attacks on the Green Zone, which are regular, have actually hurt staff there.
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the attack in a statement from his office, and said that the continuation of such acts could "drag Iraq into becoming a battlefield."
Sadr had called for demonstrations against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and other cities on Sunday but cancelled them, with his office giving "avoiding internal strife" as the reason.
Sadr's supporters had bolstered anti-government protests before the assassination of Soleimani but have since been directed by their leader to focus their anger against America. They began withdrawing from anti-government sit-in camps on Saturday.
"We protest because we have a cause. I don’t think Moqtada Sadr or any other politician will change our mind," said a protester in Baghdad who declined to give his name.
"I don’t go to protests often but I came out today because of what they did yesterday. I want to express my solidarity with my brothers in Tahrir," said Hussain Ali, a student, referring to demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the main area of protests in the capital.
In Baghdad, protesters were coughing and washing their faces and eyes to rid themselves of the effects of tear gas while medical workers provided first aid, as the site was inaccessible to ambulances, a Reuters reporter said.
Tuk tuks evacuated wounded protesters in clouds of tear gas and black smoke from burning tyres.
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of university students had gathered in Tahrir Square, the main protest camp, chanting slogans against the United States and Iran.
Protests also continued in the cities of Kerbala, Najaf and Diwaniya, defying attempts by security forces to end their months-long sit-in, police sources and Reuters witnesses said.
(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi and Iraq staff; Additional reporting by John Davison and Ahmed Rasheed, and Samar Ahmed in Cairo; Writing by Nadine Awadalla, Editing by William Maclean, Toby Chopra and Timothy Heritage)


freebeacon--2020-01-27--MSNBC Anchor: Sanders Is No ‘Good Samaritan’

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said on Monday that he could not picture Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) being a `` Good Samaritan '' for people in need of help .
`` Suppose you 're lying on the road hurt , maybe you 've had something happen to you , you fainted , whatever happened , which of the candidates would stop their car and get out and help you ? ''
Matthews asked during Morning Joe .
`` You have your candidate , I think .
I 'm not sure about all of them .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth maybe .
I do n't think Bernie wins it .
Do you honestly think Bernie would stop and help you ?
I 'm not sure .
`` I know these are tough questions , they cut to the gut , but they are the question you have to ask about .
Will this person help me when I need them ?
Because the rest is BS .
It is all speech writing , '' Matthews added .
`` So I may say yeah , I think Bernie would help me , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier in the segment , Scarborough asked Matthews if the Vermont senator relates to voters in a way that other Democratic candidates do not .
`` I do n't think so , but I do n't know .
I think people that are desperate to get rid of Trump will reach for any life raft thrown at them .
I do n't know .
I 'll just say I do n't know about that one , '' Matthews said .
`` I think they respond to Biden and a good running mate .
@

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said on Monday that he could not picture Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) being a "Good Samaritan" for people in need of help.
"Suppose you're lying on the road hurt, maybe you've had something happen to you, you fainted, whatever happened, which of the candidates would stop their car and get out and help you?" Matthews asked during Morning Joe. "You have your candidate, I think. I'm not sure about all of them. I think Biden wins that one pretty easily, Elizabeth maybe. I don't think Bernie wins it. Do you honestly think Bernie would stop and help you? I'm not sure.
"I know these are tough questions, they cut to the gut, but they are the question you have to ask about. Will this person help me when I need them? Because the rest is BS. It is all speech writing," Matthews added.
"So I may say yeah, I think Bernie would help me," Morning Joe anchor Joe Scarborough said.
"Joe, you're covering [for] yourself," Matthews responded.
Earlier in the segment, Scarborough asked Matthews if the Vermont senator relates to voters in a way that other Democratic candidates do not.
"I don't think so, but I don't know. I think people that are desperate to get rid of Trump will reach for any life raft thrown at them. I don't know. I'll just say I don't know about that one," Matthews said. "I think they respond to Biden and a good running mate."


freebeacon--2020-01-27--Buttigieg: No Room for Compromise With Pro-Life Democratic Voters

Former South Bend mayor and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg told a `` proud pro-life Democrat '' he did not think there was room for any compromise on the issue of abortion .
`` The Democratic platform contains language that basically says that we do n't belong , '' Democratic activist Kristen Day asked Buttigieg during a Fox News town hall Sunday night .
`` We have no part in the party because it says abortion should be legal up to nine months and the government should pay for it .
And there 's nothing that says people having a diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included in the party .
`` Would you be open to language like that in the Democratic platform that really did say that our party is diverse and inclusive and we want everybody ? ''
Day asked .
`` I support the position of my party that this kind of medical care needs to be available to everyone , '' Buttigieg said .
`` I support the Roe v. Wade framework that holds that early in pregnancy there are very few restrictions and late in pregnancy there are very few exceptions .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that we may disagree on that very important issue and hopefully we 'll be able to partner on other issues . ''
Day , executive director of Democrats For Life of America , has previously championed language to welcome pro-life voters in state party platforms only to be shut out by abortion activists .
She asked Buttigieg if he would support more moderate language in the national party platform .
The candidate said he would not .
`` I respect where you are coming from and I hope to earn your vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to earn your vote by tricking you .
I am pro-choice .
I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision , '' Buttigieg said .
Day said she was not satisfied with Buttigieg 's answer because he did not address whether or not he would support the softening of the Democratic platform 's language .
`` What do you say to Democrats who are pro-life , and there are obviously millions of them ?
What do you say to them on an issue of such deep conscience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed up .
`` That they should overlook this particular issue and look at the whole sum of views or go find another party ? ''
Buttigieg said he has never encountered another politician or voter with whom he agrees 100 percent .
`` I can not imagine a decision that a woman confronts is going to ever be better , medically or morally , because it 's being dictated by any government official .
That 's just where I am on the issues , '' he said .
Day tweeted about the @ @ @

Former South Bend mayor and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg told a "proud pro-life Democrat" he did not think there was room for any compromise on the issue of abortion.
"The Democratic platform contains language that basically says that we don't belong," Democratic activist Kristen Day asked Buttigieg during a Fox News town hall Sunday night. "We have no part in the party because it says abortion should be legal up to nine months and the government should pay for it. And there's nothing that says people having a diversity of views on this issues should be included in the party.
"Would you be open to language like that in the Democratic platform that really did say that our party is diverse and inclusive and we want everybody?" Day asked.
"I support the position of my party that this kind of medical care needs to be available to everyone," Buttigieg said. "I support the Roe v. Wade framework that holds that early in pregnancy there are very few restrictions and late in pregnancy there are very few exceptions. And again, the best I can offer is that we may disagree on that very important issue and hopefully we'll be able to partner on other issues."
Day, executive director of Democrats For Life of America, has previously championed language to welcome pro-life voters in state party platforms only to be shut out by abortion activists. She asked Buttigieg if he would support more moderate language in the national party platform. The candidate said he would not.
"I respect where you are coming from and I hope to earn your vote. But I'm not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you. I am pro-choice. I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision," Buttigieg said.
Day said she was not satisfied with Buttigieg's answer because he did not address whether or not he would support the softening of the Democratic platform's language.
"What do you say to Democrats who are pro-life, and there are obviously millions of them? What do you say to them on an issue of such deep conscience?" Fox News anchor Chris Wallace followed up. "That they should overlook this particular issue and look at the whole sum of views or go find another party?"
Buttigieg said he has never encountered another politician or voter with whom he agrees 100 percent. "I cannot imagine a decision that a woman confronts is going to ever be better, medically or morally, because it's being dictated by any government official. That's just where I am on the issues," he said.
Day tweeted about the exchange afterwards.


Beacon Extra

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
IMPEACHMENT UPDATE … Donald J. Trump is still President of the United States .
KULAKS BAND TOGETHER … `` Worried Democratic Operatives Scramble to Fund a Network to Take Down Bernie Sanders , '' via DAILY BEAST : `` It ’ s not any one group of people '' trying to build the anti-Sanders effort , said one of the Democratic sources .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who think he would be very problematic as a nominee .
There is , at this stage , calls to , and conversations with , donors and organizations that might support such an effort .
But as far as I can tell nobody has found sufficient financial support to get it off the ground . ''
The conversations have been driven by fear that Sanders could all but wrap up the nomination early in the campaign without having faced much pushback .
PA DEMS BALK AT ECO SUICIDE PACT … `` In Crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Could Sink Them , '' via NYT : `` In Pennsylvania , you ’ re talking hundreds of thousands of related jobs that would be—they would be unemployed overnight , '' said [ Lieutenant Governor John ] Fetterman , who endorsed [ Sen. Bernie Sanders ] in 2016 … `` Pennsylvania is a margin play , '' he added .
`` And an outright ban on fracking isn ’ t a margin play . ''
… [ Pittsburgh mayor Bill ] Peduto said `` the Warren-Sanders , ban-all-fracking-right-now '' position would `` absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pit environmentalists against workers at a time when Democrats need both .
SHOULD HAVE GOOGLED ‘ INCOGNITO MODE ’ … `` Michael Avenatti googled ‘ Nike put options , ' ‘ insider trading ' before allegedly trying to extort $ 25M , '' via FOX BUSINESS : Disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti may have been looking into how to make stock market riches off his alleged attempt to extort up to $ 25 million from the sneaker giant Nike , court papers show … A put option is a contract that gives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation , to sell a security at a specific price by a certain date .
The price at which the security can be sold at is called the `` strike price . ''
It is unclear what strike prices Avenatti was searching , so it can not be determined if they would have panned out .
EATING THEIR OWN … `` John Hickenlooper Goes Face to Face With Environmental Activist in Tense Confrontation , '' via MEDIAITE : `` Can you respond to and also apologize for suing Longmont for family voters trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' asked the activist , as Hickenlooper shouted , `` No , no , no , '' and then shushed the man .
`` Shhh !
Hold on , hold on .
Don ’ t shout at me , don ’ t shout at me , '' Hickenlooper continued , as he moved his face near the face of the activist .
`` Will you listen to me ?
Will you listen to me ? ''
EARTH TO POCAHONTAS … `` Dem Voters Do n't Want to Defund Charter Schools , '' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Surveying 1,275 likely voters , the poll found that 58 percent of respondents would be less likely to support a candidate who wants to eliminate federal charter school funding .
That figure includes 56 percent of Democratic voters , as well as 62 percent of black respondents and 65 percent of Latino respondents … Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) have sought to differentiate themselves from the pack in their vociferousness for defunding charter schools , a move unlikely to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and file .
KREMLIN LIFELINE LIFTS MADURO … `` How Putin Outfoxed Trump in Venezuela , '' via WSJ : The Trump administration ’ s bid to replace Venezuela ’ s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro hit a roadblock after a meeting with Russian officials in Rome last year—and has never recovered … This month , in a sign of how much the opposition is floundering , Venezuela security forces blocked [ Juan ] Guaidó from entering the National Assembly building , where he was seeking re-election as leader .
Mr. Guaidó , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scale the spiked iron fence .
GRAND MUFTI OF DETROIT HOLDS FIRM … `` ‘ Vicious Lie ’ : ADL CEO Demands Rashida Tlaib Apologize For Spreading ‘ Blood Libel ’ , '' via DAILY CALLER : Tlaib retweeted an unverified story on Twitter Saturday alleging that `` a Herd of violent # Israeli settlers '' kidnapped , assaulted and threw a 7-year-old Palestinian boy into a well .
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said Sunday that Tlaib must apologize for promoting the wild accusation .
`` This is an example of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Greenblatt wrote on Twitter .
PEDO PRINCE STONEWALLS … `` In Epstein investigation , Prince Andrew has provided ‘ zero cooperation ’ to U.S. law enforcement , prosecutor says , '' via WAPO : U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman made the assertion outside of [ Jeffrey ] Epstein ’ s New York City mansion at a news conference meant to raise awareness about a state law that provides a window for those sexually abused as children to sue their abuser even if the statute of limitations has expired … Epstein , a politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and former president Bill Clinton , was arrested in July on federal charges that he abused dozens of young girls at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach , Fla .
THANKS , CHICOMS … `` More than 100 tested for coronavirus in the U.S. ; just 5 cases confirmed so far , CDC says , '' via NBC NEWS : As the coronavirus outbreak rages on in China , at least 110 people in the United States are undergoing testing for the new respiratory illness , the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health risk to the general American public remains low .
`` We 're being aggressive and cautious in tracking those close contacts , '' Messonnier said .
`` So far , we have not seen any human-to-human transmission in the U.S. '' DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS … `` The Post ’ s misguided suspension of Felicia Sonmez over Kobe Bryant tweets , '' via WAPO : The Post has suspended reporter Felicia Sonmez following her social-media activity over the death of NBA great Kobe Bryant .
Here ’ s the explanation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political reporter Felicia Sonmez was placed on administrative leave while The Post reviews whether tweets about the death of Kobe Bryant violated The Post newsroom ’ s social media policy .
The tweets displayed poor judgment that undermined the work of her colleagues . ''
What did Sonmez do to deserve this brushback ?
She tweeted out a very good story from the Daily Beast .
END OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION … `` Yale Will Eliminate a Beloved Introductory Art Class for Being Too White , Male , and Western , '' via REASON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the art department has decided that the class might make some students uncomfortable due to the `` overwhelming '' whiteness , maleness , and straightness of the artists who comprise the Western canon ( though that last label may be dubious ) .
Indeed , the focus on Western art is `` problematic , '' course instructor Tim Barringer told the student newspaper … In its final iteration , the course will `` consider art in relation to questions of gender , class , and race and discuss its involvement with Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ syllabus .
Art 's relationship to climate change will also be a `` key theme . ''
MEANWHILE , AT HARVARD , OUR CHILDREN IS LEARNING … NASTY MAN … `` Bernie the Nasty Campaigner , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : As far back as the 1980s , [ Bernie ] Sanders was waging bizarre attacks against Democratic politicians .
In 1986 , while serving as mayor of Burlington , Vt. , Sanders took shots at the state 's first ( and only ) female governor , Madeleine Kunin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He claimed to be a better feminist than I was , '' Kunin said of Sanders during a recent interview .
`` It shocked me at the time . ''
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,143 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .