freebeacon--2020-09-23--Trump Signs Order Protecting Infants Who Survive Abortions

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order protecting infant survivors of late-term abortions .
`` We believe in the joy of family , the blessing of freedom , and the dignity of work , and the eternal truth that every child , born and unborn , is made in the holy image of God , '' Trump said during his address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast .
`` I will always protect the vital role of religion and prayer in American society and I will always defend the sacred right to life . ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked a legislative amendment in February that would have protected abortion survivors .
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R. , Neb . )
also proposed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act , a law that would mandate medical care for infants who survive late-term abortions , but the Democratic minority filibustered it in February .
Sen. Sasse called on Congress to take action following Trump 's executive order .
`` This is really simple : every baby deserves a fighting chance .
Whether she ’ s born in a state-of-the-art NICU or an abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies deserve medical care and dignity , '' Sasse said .
`` Today ’ s executive order is a step in the right direction , and it ’ s time for Congress to change the law to make sure that every baby is protected .
Congress ought to follow today ’ s news by passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act . ''

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order protecting infant survivors of late-term abortions.
"We believe in the joy of family, the blessing of freedom, and the dignity of work, and the eternal truth that every child, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of God," Trump said during his address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. "I will always protect the vital role of religion and prayer in American society and I will always defend the sacred right to life."
Trump's executive order comes after congressional Democrats blocked a legislative amendment in February that would have protected abortion survivors. Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) also proposed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a law that would mandate medical care for infants who survive late-term abortions, but the Democratic minority filibustered it in February.
Sen. Sasse called on Congress to take action following Trump's executive order.
"This is really simple: every baby deserves a fighting chance. Whether she’s born in a state-of-the-art NICU or an abortion clinic in a strip mall, these babies deserve medical care and dignity," Sasse said. "Today’s executive order is a step in the right direction, and it’s time for Congress to change the law to make sure that every baby is protected. Congress ought to follow today’s news by passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act."


freebeacon--2020-09-23--Anti-Racism Expert Robin DiAngelo Snubbed by TIME 100 List

Every year Time magazine identifies the 100 `` most influential people '' in the world .
The 2020 version of this list , published Wednesday , contains what some might call a glaring omission .
Robin DiAngelo , the white anti-racism expert , corporate consultant , and bestselling author of White Fragility : Why It 's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism , was not among the 100 influencers featured in the once-prominent publication .
DiAngelo 's seminal literary work , originally published in 2018 , became one of the most popular titles of 2020 following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Media outlets scrambled to interview the author about why , according to her book , all white people are racist , and why attempting to deny this fact is just further evidence of racism .
Columbia University professor John McWhorter called White Fragility a work of `` dehumanizing condescension . ''
DiAngelo 's primary competitor in the lucrative anti-racism consulting racket , Ibram X. Kendi , did make the Time 100 list , where he was praised by activist Al Sharpton as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his generation . ''
Kendi was similarly hailed in elite media circles as a critical source for white liberals seeking to assuage their racial guilt .
His books , How to Be an Antiracist ( 2019 ) and Stamped from the Beginning : The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America ( 2016 ) , jockeyed with White Fragility for position atop national bestseller lists .
Despite the snub , DiAngelo is still primed to cash in on the culture of mandatory wokeness that is increasingly embraced by U.S. universities and corporations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech .
Kendi charges a mere $ 25,000 , but his speaking fee is certain to skyrocket as America 's wealthiest activists , such as Bill Gates and George Soros , open their wallets to fund whatever it is he actually does at his `` Center for Antiracist Research . ''
It is not immediately clear whether Time ‘ s decision to promote Kendi while snubbing DiAngelo was racist , anti-racist , both , or neither .

Every year Time magazine identifies the 100 "most influential people" in the world. The 2020 version of this list, published Wednesday, contains what some might call a glaring omission.
Robin DiAngelo, the white anti-racism expert, corporate consultant, and bestselling author of White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, was not among the 100 influencers featured in the once-prominent publication.
DiAngelo's seminal literary work, originally published in 2018, became one of the most popular titles of 2020 following the widespread protests and racial unrest in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Media outlets scrambled to interview the author about why, according to her book, all white people are racist, and why attempting to deny this fact is just further evidence of racism. Columbia University professor John McWhorter called White Fragility a work of "dehumanizing condescension."
DiAngelo's primary competitor in the lucrative anti-racism consulting racket, Ibram X. Kendi, did make the Time 100 list, where he was praised by activist Al Sharpton as "one of the most important scholars of his generation." Kendi was similarly hailed in elite media circles as a critical source for white liberals seeking to assuage their racial guilt. His books, How to Be an Antiracist (2019) and Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (2016), jockeyed with White Fragility for position atop national bestseller lists.
Despite the snub, DiAngelo is still primed to cash in on the culture of mandatory wokeness that is increasingly embraced by U.S. universities and corporations. She charges $30,000 for an hourlong speech. Kendi charges a mere $25,000, but his speaking fee is certain to skyrocket as America's wealthiest activists, such as Bill Gates and George Soros, open their wallets to fund whatever it is he actually does at his "Center for Antiracist Research."
It is not immediately clear whether Time's decision to promote Kendi while snubbing DiAngelo was racist, anti-racist, both, or neither.


freebeacon--2020-09-23--McMaster: Trump is Tough on Russia

McMaster: Trump is Tough on Russia

Former national security adviser for the Trump administration H.R .
McMaster toured multiple media networks Tuesday , telling news anchors that President Donald Trump ’ s decision-making on Russia has been in large part sound .
`` I felt it was my duty when I was there to present the president with the best analysis from across all departments and agencies , '' McMaster said on MSNBC 's Morning Joe Tuesday .
`` What I found is : When presented with that analysis , he made good decisions on Russia .
You might recall in that first year of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions on Putin and his criminalized patronage network . ''
Media personalities pressed McMaster on a variety of subjects , not least of which was Russia ’ s behavior in world affairs .
McMaster did not deny that Russian disinformation is a major problem for American national security , noting that digital attacks on Americans have exacerbated polarization on major issues such as race and gun control , among others .
`` It ’ s a sustained campaign of political subversion … an attack on our confidence in who we are as Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Williams .
But McMaster was not shy to point out that Trump has been aware of Putin ’ s opportunism in multiple strategic dimensions and has accordingly punished Moscow for it .
`` There have been really severe consequences on Putin , '' McMaster told Williams .
`` I was really proud of the fact that the Trump administration imposed very high costs on Putin and … the oligarchs around him . ''
The Trump administration has extended sanctions related to Putin ’ s takeover of parts of Ukraine in 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assad regime in Syria and violation of the Global Magnitsky Act .
And the Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act , passed in 2017 , has been applied to Putin ’ s network of criminals and arms dealers multiple times throughout the current administration 's tenure .
Tough sanctions combined with an economy flattened by coronavirus have forced Putin to cut his defense budget by 5 percent this year .
Trump spoke favorably of McMaster following his media appearances Tuesday .
`` Our wonderful General blew up [ Joe ] Scarborough ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted Tuesday .
`` Thank you General H.R .
McMaster .
Look forward to reading your book , ‘ Battlegrounds : The Fight to Defend the Free World . '
''

Former national security adviser for the Trump administration H.R. McMaster toured multiple media networks Tuesday, telling news anchors that President Donald Trump’s decision-making on Russia has been in large part sound.
"I felt it was my duty when I was there to present the president with the best analysis from across all departments and agencies," McMaster said on MSNBC's Morning Joe Tuesday. "What I found is: When presented with that analysis, he made good decisions on Russia. You might recall in that first year of his presidency he imposed a tremendous number of sanctions on Putin and his criminalized patronage network."
Media personalities pressed McMaster on a variety of subjects, not least of which was Russia’s behavior in world affairs.
McMaster did not deny that Russian disinformation is a major problem for American national security, noting that digital attacks on Americans have exacerbated polarization on major issues such as race and gun control, among others.
"It’s a sustained campaign of political subversion ... an attack on our confidence in who we are as Americans," he warned MSNBC’s Brian Williams.
But McMaster was not shy to point out that Trump has been aware of Putin’s opportunism in multiple strategic dimensions and has accordingly punished Moscow for it. "There have been really severe consequences on Putin," McMaster told Williams. "I was really proud of the fact that the Trump administration imposed very high costs on Putin and ... the oligarchs around him."
The Trump administration has extended sanctions related to Putin’s takeover of parts of Ukraine in 2014, in addition to his support of the Assad regime in Syria and violation of the Global Magnitsky Act. And the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed in 2017, has been applied to Putin’s network of criminals and arms dealers multiple times throughout the current administration's tenure.
Tough sanctions combined with an economy flattened by coronavirus have forced Putin to cut his defense budget by 5 percent this year.
Trump spoke favorably of McMaster following his media appearances Tuesday.
"Our wonderful General blew up [Joe] Scarborough’s FAKE two year narrative," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "Thank you General H.R. McMaster. Look forward to reading your book, 'Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World.'"


freebeacon--2020-09-23--Manchin Opposes Democratic Court-Packing Scheme

Democratic senator Joe Manchin ( W. Va. ) said Wednesday he opposed Democratic calls to pack the Supreme Court if they take control of the White House and U.S. Senate .
`` I do not believe that would help anybody , '' Manchin said on Fox News .
`` Basically no one is working together .
So if you have 11 or 13 , it 's going to flip the other way no matter who comes in power .
Why would you go down that path ? ''
Once only a liberal fringe notion , Democratic calls to pack the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Ed Markey ( D. , Mass . )
and Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D. , Hawaii ) both called for expansion over the past week , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) said `` everything is on the table '' if Republicans fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
President Donald Trump will announce his nominee to replace Ginsburg on Saturday , and Senate Republicans have the votes to proceed with the confirmation process .
Losing Manchin 's support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass a statute expanding the Supreme Court , should they win the majority in November .
The Supreme Court was set at its current size of nine by the Judiciary Act of 1869 .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would not say this week whether he supported court packing after calling it a `` bonehead idea '' earlier in his career .
Last year , Biden said Democrats would `` rue that day '' if they did it .

Democratic senator Joe Manchin (W. Va.) said Wednesday he opposed Democratic calls to pack the Supreme Court if they take control of the White House and U.S. Senate.
"I do not believe that would help anybody," Manchin said on Fox News. "Basically no one is working together. So if you have 11 or 13, it's going to flip the other way no matter who comes in power. Why would you go down that path?"
Once only a liberal fringe notion, Democratic calls to pack the court have grown increasingly mainstream since 2016. Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) both called for expansion over the past week, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said "everything is on the table" if Republicans fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
President Donald Trump will announce his nominee to replace Ginsburg on Saturday, and Senate Republicans have the votes to proceed with the confirmation process.
Losing Manchin's support would make it more difficult for Democrats to pass a statute expanding the Supreme Court, should they win the majority in November. The Supreme Court was set at its current size of nine by the Judiciary Act of 1869.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would not say this week whether he supported court packing after calling it a "bonehead idea" earlier in his career. Last year, Biden said Democrats would "rue that day" if they did it.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Arizona Governor Halts Last-Minute Dem Push to Change Voting Laws

Arizona 's Republican governor Doug Ducey rejected a push by the state 's Democratic secretary of state to permit online and phone options for individuals to register and even vote in the upcoming election .
`` The responsibility of election officials to uphold our constitution and laws is not only a crucial responsibility , it should stand as the final test on whether changes to our election policies and procedures are appropriate—no exceptions , '' Ducey said in a letter to Katie Hobbs , Arizona 's secretary of state .
Hobbs requested the governor issue an executive order to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hospitalized or in assisted living facilities and could not vote in person .
But Ducey said he would not make procedural changes this close to Election Day and denied the request , arguing that weeks before the election is not the `` time to experiment '' with rule changes .
`` The eyes of the country will be on Arizona , and the only way we can assure the electorate of the integrity of our election system is to refrain from changes in the middle of the election cycle , '' Ducey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to experiment . ''
Ducey told Hobbs that further proposals to change the voting laws `` will not be considered at this time . ''
Arizona is the latest state where Democratic officials are trying to change the voting rules weeks before the election .
Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon is being sued by Republicans for his decree to allow ballots mailed in eight days after the election , even if they lack a postmark .

Arizona's Republican governor Doug Ducey rejected a push by the state's Democratic secretary of state to permit online and phone options for individuals to register and even vote in the upcoming election.
"The responsibility of election officials to uphold our constitution and laws is not only a crucial responsibility, it should stand as the final test on whether changes to our election policies and procedures are appropriate—no exceptions," Ducey said in a letter to Katie Hobbs, Arizona's secretary of state.
Hobbs requested the governor issue an executive order to allow telephone and video conferencing for people who are hospitalized or in assisted living facilities and could not vote in person. But Ducey said he would not make procedural changes this close to Election Day and denied the request, arguing that weeks before the election is not the "time to experiment" with rule changes.
"The eyes of the country will be on Arizona, and the only way we can assure the electorate of the integrity of our election system is to refrain from changes in the middle of the election cycle," Ducey wrote. "This isn't the time to experiment."
Ducey told Hobbs that further proposals to change the voting laws "will not be considered at this time."
Arizona is the latest state where Democratic officials are trying to change the voting rules weeks before the election. Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon is being sued by Republicans for his decree to allow ballots mailed in eight days after the election, even if they lack a postmark.


freebeacon--2020-09-25--Saudi King Slams Iran’s Funding of Terrorism in U.N. Speech

The 84-year-old King Salman of Saudi Arabia blasted Iran for its production of `` chaos , extremism , and sectarianism '' on Wednesday in his first speech to the United Nations since taking the throne in 2015 .
`` [ Saudi Arabia ] ’ s hands were extended to Iran in peace with a positive and open attitude over the past decades , but to no avail , '' Salman told his fellow U.N. members .
`` Time and again , the entire world witnessed how the Iranian regime exploited these efforts in order to intensify its expansionist activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism , and in the process squandering the resources and wealth of the Iranian people for the purpose of its expansionist projects which produced nothing but chaos , extremism , and sectarianism . ''
Salman cited Iran ’ s efforts to destabilize Yemen , Lebanon , and its launching of over 700 drone and missile strikes through proxies on Saudi Arabia to date .
In Yemen and Lebanon , Iran uses proxy forces such as Houthi militias and the terrorist group Hezbollah to inflict violence .
Salman blamed Hezbollah for the massive explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 people .
The Saudi king also briefly touched on coalition efforts to root out ISIS and al Qaeda groupings in Yemen as a part of the larger efforts Riyadh has made in combating extremism in the region .
Aside from detailing the record of Iranian aggression , Salman made clear his interest in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East .
To this end , he took note of major deals brokered by Washington between Israel and neighboring Gulf states .
`` Peace in the Middle East is our strategic option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the efforts of the current U.S. administration to achieve peace in the Middle East by bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement . ''
While relations are not normalized between Riyadh and Jerusalem at present , Salman ’ s explicit mention of developments between the Israelis and Gulf neighbors are significant .
As more states continue to normalize their ties with Israeli , many hope Saudi Arabia will follow suit .
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner indicated earlier this month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement with Israel .
`` I do believe it ’ s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East '' will eventually make peace with Israel , Kushner said during a phone call with reporters .
`` I think [ the agreement ] was noticed by everyone in the region , how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received . ''

The 84-year-old King Salman of Saudi Arabia blasted Iran for its production of "chaos, extremism, and sectarianism" on Wednesday in his first speech to the United Nations since taking the throne in 2015.
"[Saudi Arabia]’s hands were extended to Iran in peace with a positive and open attitude over the past decades, but to no avail," Salman told his fellow U.N. members.
"Time and again, the entire world witnessed how the Iranian regime exploited these efforts in order to intensify its expansionist activities, create its terrorist networks, and use terrorism, and in the process squandering the resources and wealth of the Iranian people for the purpose of its expansionist projects which produced nothing but chaos, extremism, and sectarianism."
Salman cited Iran’s efforts to destabilize Yemen, Lebanon, and its launching of over 700 drone and missile strikes through proxies on Saudi Arabia to date. In Yemen and Lebanon, Iran uses proxy forces such as Houthi militias and the terrorist group Hezbollah to inflict violence. Salman blamed Hezbollah for the massive explosion in Beirut in August that killed nearly 200 people.
The Saudi king also briefly touched on coalition efforts to root out ISIS and al Qaeda groupings in Yemen as a part of the larger efforts Riyadh has made in combating extremism in the region.
Aside from detailing the record of Iranian aggression, Salman made clear his interest in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. To this end, he took note of major deals brokered by Washington between Israel and neighboring Gulf states.
"Peace in the Middle East is our strategic option," Salman said. "We support the efforts of the current U.S. administration to achieve peace in the Middle East by bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis to the negotiation table to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement."
While relations are not normalized between Riyadh and Jerusalem at present, Salman’s explicit mention of developments between the Israelis and Gulf neighbors are significant. As more states continue to normalize their ties with Israeli, many hope Saudi Arabia will follow suit.
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner indicated earlier this month that Saudi Arabia could soon reach a peace agreement with Israel.
"I do believe it’s an inevitability that all countries in the Middle East" will eventually make peace with Israel, Kushner said during a phone call with reporters. "I think [the agreement] was noticed by everyone in the region, how well the deal with Israel and UAE was received."


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Trump Announces ‘America First’ Health Care Plan

President Donald Trump on Thursday evening signed a series of executive orders which he said constituted part of a long-promised health care plan .
Speaking before a crowd in Charlotte , N.C. , Trump said that his plan would would offer `` better care , with more choice , at a much lower cost , and working to ensure that Americans have access to the care they need . ''
He detailed a set of concrete policy goals : affordable insurance , cutting prescription drug costs , ending surprise billing , increasing price transparency , and protecting patients with preexisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those goals , however , remains unclear .
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told reporters earlier in the day that the orders would make it the `` policy of the United States '' that individuals will not be denied insurance coverage on the basis of preexisting conditions , and calls on Congress to produce legislation to that effect .
Absent such legislation , Azar would be required to investigate regulatory alternatives—although what those would be remains undefined .
Text of an Executive Order released Thursday evening is similarly light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage as official policy of the United States , alongside `` more choice , lower costs , and better care . ''
It instructs the secretaries of the Treasury , Labor , and Health and Human Services to find ways to pursue these goals , including calling on Congress to end surprise billing .
The order 's sole concrete action requires Azar to add information about hospital billing quality to Medicare.gov 's Hospital Compare service .
`` The president will protect people with pre-existing conditions , end surprise billing , drive down prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine , and provide affordable insulin and EpiPens for low-income Americans , '' Tim Murtaugh , Trump campaign communications director , said in a statement .
`` This builds on his record of success in healthcare , which includes reducing Obamacare premiums for the first time , eliminating the unfair Obamacare individual mandate , expanding healthcare choice , enacting Right to Try legislation , and making real progress in reducing the price of prescription drugs . ''
Trump 's order comes just weeks before the eight-man Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contending that the Affordable Care Act is now unconstitutional after Republicans removed its tax on those without insurance as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act .
Judicial repeal of Obamacare would remove the law 's ban on denying coverage on the basis of preexisting conditions—an outcome Trump 's executive order seems meant to avert .
Trump 's `` America First Healthcare Plan '' is also meant as a counterstrike to 2020 opponent Joe Biden , whose own health care proposal has been available for much of the campaign .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public option—a scrapped component of the original Affordable Care Act—as well as enhance the minimum quality of Obamacare exchange plans in what , one health care expert previously told the Washington Free Beacon , would amount to a substantial handout to insurance companies .

President Donald Trump on Thursday evening signed a series of executive orders which he said constituted part of a long-promised health care plan.
Speaking before a crowd in Charlotte, N.C., Trump said that his plan would would offer "better care, with more choice, at a much lower cost, and working to ensure that Americans have access to the care they need." He detailed a set of concrete policy goals: affordable insurance, cutting prescription drug costs, ending surprise billing, increasing price transparency, and protecting patients with preexisting conditions.
How the administration will achieve those goals, however, remains unclear. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told reporters earlier in the day that the orders would make it the "policy of the United States" that individuals will not be denied insurance coverage on the basis of preexisting conditions, and calls on Congress to produce legislation to that effect. Absent such legislation, Azar would be required to investigate regulatory alternatives—although what those would be remains undefined.
Text of an Executive Order released Thursday evening is similarly light on details. The order establishes preexisting condition coverage as official policy of the United States, alongside "more choice, lower costs, and better care." It instructs the secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to find ways to pursue these goals, including calling on Congress to end surprise billing. The order's sole concrete action requires Azar to add information about hospital billing quality to Medicare.gov's Hospital Compare service.
"The president will protect people with pre-existing conditions, end surprise billing, drive down prescription drug prices, help seniors pay for medicine, and provide affordable insulin and EpiPens for low-income Americans," Tim Murtaugh, Trump campaign communications director, said in a statement. "This builds on his record of success in healthcare, which includes reducing Obamacare premiums for the first time, eliminating the unfair Obamacare individual mandate, expanding healthcare choice, enacting Right to Try legislation, and making real progress in reducing the price of prescription drugs."
Trump's order comes just weeks before the eight-man Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit, brought by a bevy of states, contending that the Affordable Care Act is now unconstitutional after Republicans removed its tax on those without insurance as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Judicial repeal of Obamacare would remove the law's ban on denying coverage on the basis of preexisting conditions—an outcome Trump's executive order seems meant to avert.
Trump's "America First Healthcare Plan" is also meant as a counterstrike to 2020 opponent Joe Biden, whose own health care proposal has been available for much of the campaign. Biden's plan would seek to implement a public option—a scrapped component of the original Affordable Care Act—as well as enhance the minimum quality of Obamacare exchange plans in what, one health care expert previously told the Washington Free Beacon, would amount to a substantial handout to insurance companies.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--‘Boystown’ Neighborhood in Chicago Changes Name Over Gender Exclusion Concerns

Boystown , a prominent LGBT neighborhood in Chicago , is changing its name , citing the need to be more inclusive to all genders .
The Northalsted Business Alliance changed the name of `` Chicago 's Proudest Neighborhood '' to Northalsted after some residents complained the name `` Boystown '' was exclusive .
The business alliance said they are already working on a new marketing campaign as well as new signs and flags for the district featuring its new name .
LGBT activist Devlyn Camp created a petition to rename the neighborhood in July , which received more than 1,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with renaming the neighborhood , despite a survey launched by the group finding that nearly 60 percent of respondents wanted to keep the name , and 80 percent said the name was not offensive .
In a press release , the alliance said the new name will `` ensure all members of the LGBTQ community feel welcome in the business district . ''
The neighborhood became known as Boystown in the 1990s , assuming the name of a well-known column in Outlines , a newspaper in Chicago marketed toward the gay community .

Boystown, a prominent LGBT neighborhood in Chicago, is changing its name, citing the need to be more inclusive to all genders.
The Northalsted Business Alliance changed the name of "Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood" to Northalsted after some residents complained the name "Boystown" was exclusive. The business alliance said they are already working on a new marketing campaign as well as new signs and flags for the district featuring its new name.
LGBT activist Devlyn Camp created a petition to rename the neighborhood in July, which received more than 1,300 signatures. The alliance will move forward with renaming the neighborhood, despite a survey launched by the group finding that nearly 60 percent of respondents wanted to keep the name, and 80 percent said the name was not offensive. In a press release, the alliance said the new name will "ensure all members of the LGBTQ community feel welcome in the business district."
The neighborhood became known as Boystown in the 1990s, assuming the name of a well-known column in Outlines, a newspaper in Chicago marketed toward the gay community.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--County Sheriff Won’t Help Portland Police, Citing Mayor’s Tear Gas Ban

The Multnomah County sheriff declined the Portland Police Bureau 's request for backup at a planned demonstration on Saturday , citing the city ’ s strict regulations on crowd control methods .
Portland mayor Ted Wheeler ( D. ) banned the use of tear gas earlier this month as violent nightly demonstrations—which led the mayor himself to move out of his condominium—reached their 100th straight night .
County sheriff Mike Reese told the Portland Police Bureau that he would not send his team to assist local police under the mayor ’ s orders , which leave `` no sound tactical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If officers have to use high levels of physical force to protect the safety of the participants , it may lead to substantial injuries and may not be effective in achieving the desired outcome , '' Reese said in an email to the Portland Police Bureau .
Chris Davis , deputy chief of the Portland Police Bureau , asked Reese for backup after learning that two opposing groups , the far-right Proud Boys and far-left Antifa , both plan on demonstrating Saturday night .
These groups , according to Reese , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief Chuck Lovell said in a press conference earlier this week that he and the mayor are creating plans to address the two demonstrations this weekend .
The Justice Department called out Portland , as well as Seattle and New York City , for their failure to quell violence in their cities this summer during a wave of anti-police protests .
Wheeler said earlier this summer that , instead of addressing violence , he planned to just let it `` burn itself out . ''

The Multnomah County sheriff declined the Portland Police Bureau's request for backup at a planned demonstration on Saturday, citing the city’s strict regulations on crowd control methods.
Portland mayor Ted Wheeler (D.) banned the use of tear gas earlier this month as violent nightly demonstrations—which led the mayor himself to move out of his condominium—reached their 100th straight night. County sheriff Mike Reese told the Portland Police Bureau that he would not send his team to assist local police under the mayor’s orders, which leave "no sound tactical options" to disperse violent crowds.
"If officers have to use high levels of physical force to protect the safety of the participants, it may lead to substantial injuries and may not be effective in achieving the desired outcome," Reese said in an email to the Portland Police Bureau.
Chris Davis, deputy chief of the Portland Police Bureau, asked Reese for backup after learning that two opposing groups, the far-right Proud Boys and far-left Antifa, both plan on demonstrating Saturday night. These groups, according to Reese, have a history of violent feuds.
Police chief Chuck Lovell said in a press conference earlier this week that he and the mayor are creating plans to address the two demonstrations this weekend.
The Justice Department called out Portland, as well as Seattle and New York City, for their failure to quell violence in their cities this summer during a wave of anti-police protests. Wheeler said earlier this summer that, instead of addressing violence, he planned to just let it "burn itself out."


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Democratic Senate Candidates Largely Opposed to Court Packing

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) said `` everything is on the table , '' including court packing , if Republicans fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's Supreme Court seat , but his current slate of candidates could thwart those efforts next year .
No Democrats running in competitive 2020 races publicly support expanding the size of the Supreme Court .
Those who have spoken out are either opposed—such as Mark Kelly ( Ariz. ) , Jon Ossoff ( Ga. ) , and Cal Cunningham ( N.C. ) —or hesitant to commit .
Ossoff and Kelly both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after earlier ambivalence on the issue .
Cunningham told reporters court-packing efforts were the `` exact wrong path , '' and Alaska independent Al Gross , who is running with Democratic support , said on MSNBC he also opposed adding new justices .
Alabama senator Doug Jones ( D. ) , who has the dimmest reelection hopes of any incumbent Democrat , called court packing `` crazy . ''
Montana governor Steve Bullock ( D. ) said during his failed presidential bid that expanding the Court should be `` on the table , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement through a Senate campaign spokeswoman that it is not a `` solution to the challenges we face now . ''
Polls have consistently shown majority opposition to court packing since Franklin D. Roosevelt 's failed effort to add six justices to the Supreme Court in 1937 .
A 2019 Rasmussen poll found only 27 percent of respondents supported expanding the Court 's size , and a Fox News survey that year showed only 37 percent in support .
A 2019 Marquette poll found 42 percent in favor but 57 percent still opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , Democrats could not change the size of the Court without Congress replacing the Judiciary Act of 1869 , which set the Court 's current number of nine justices .
Some candidates were not clear in their position .
Like Bullock , former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper expressed openness to expanding the Court during his ill-fated presidential bid .
Now a Senate hopeful , he told the Colorado Sun he would not entertain hypotheticals on the subject .
In Maine , Democratic challenger Sara Gideon left open future support but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court would make it a more independent body , according to Politico .
Iowa Senate hopeful Theresa Greenfield 's campaign released a statement that `` instead of adding more justices to the Supreme Court , '' she would support reforms like banning dark money and corporate PACs .
Asked for clarification by the Free Beacon , the campaign did not respond .
Rev .
Raphael Warnock , the leading Georgia Democrat in the jungle election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's ( R. , Ga. ) seat , declined to comment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
His campaign told the Washington Free Beacon it had nothing to add .
Some Republicans led by Sen. Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) support passing a constitutional amendment that would cement the number of Supreme Court justices at nine .
Loeffler and Sens .
Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) and David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) , who are all running for their seats this year , cosponsored the resolution this week .
Michigan senator Gary Peters ( D. ) and Democratic challengers Amy McGrath ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) did not respond to requests for comment .
Sens .
Ed Markey ( D. , Mass . )
and Mazie Hirono ( D. , Hawaii ) both called for court packing this week , but Schumer 's threat against Republicans appears hollow without more support .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said "everything is on the table," including court packing, if Republicans fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat, but his current slate of candidates could thwart those efforts next year.
No Democrats running in competitive 2020 races publicly support expanding the size of the Supreme Court. Those who have spoken out are either opposed—such as Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), and Cal Cunningham (N.C.)—or hesitant to commit.
Ossoff and Kelly both announced this week they opposed court packing after earlier ambivalence on the issue. Cunningham told reporters court-packing efforts were the "exact wrong path," and Alaska independent Al Gross, who is running with Democratic support, said on MSNBC he also opposed adding new justices. Alabama senator Doug Jones (D.), who has the dimmest reelection hopes of any incumbent Democrat, called court packing "crazy."
Montana governor Steve Bullock (D.) said during his failed presidential bid that expanding the Court should be "on the table," but he reversed course with a statement through a Senate campaign spokeswoman that it is not a "solution to the challenges we face now."
Polls have consistently shown majority opposition to court packing since Franklin D. Roosevelt's failed effort to add six justices to the Supreme Court in 1937. A 2019 Rasmussen poll found only 27 percent of respondents supported expanding the Court's size, and a Fox News survey that year showed only 37 percent in support. A 2019 Marquette poll found 42 percent in favor but 57 percent still opposed.
Even with Joe Biden in the White House, Democrats could not change the size of the Court without Congress replacing the Judiciary Act of 1869, which set the Court's current number of nine justices.
Some candidates were not clear in their position. Like Bullock, former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper expressed openness to expanding the Court during his ill-fated presidential bid. Now a Senate hopeful, he told the Colorado Sun he would not entertain hypotheticals on the subject. In Maine, Democratic challenger Sara Gideon left open future support but said she had "doubts" that expanding the Supreme Court would make it a more independent body, according to Politico.
Iowa Senate hopeful Theresa Greenfield's campaign released a statement that "instead of adding more justices to the Supreme Court," she would support reforms like banning dark money and corporate PACs. Asked for clarification by the Free Beacon, the campaign did not respond.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, the leading Georgia Democrat in the jungle election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R., Ga.) seat, declined to comment to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when asked for his position. His campaign told the Washington Free Beacon it had nothing to add.
Some Republicans led by Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) support passing a constitutional amendment that would cement the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. Loeffler and Sens. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and David Perdue (R., Ga.), who are all running for their seats this year, cosponsored the resolution this week.
Michigan senator Gary Peters (D.) and Democratic challengers Amy McGrath (Ky.) and Jaime Harrison (S.C.) did not respond to requests for comment.
Sens. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) and Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) both called for court packing this week, but Schumer's threat against Republicans appears hollow without more support.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Iranian Drones Track U.S. Warships in Persian Gulf

Iranian military leaders on Wednesday claimed the Islamic Republic ’ s fleet of homemade drones has been tracking U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf region , hinting that Tehran continues to prepare for a potential naval conflict with America .
Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri , naval commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) , discussed Iran ’ s operations in the region during a ceremony marking the commission of nearly 200 new spy drones and military helicopters , which will be used by the IRGC ’ s armed forces patrolling in the Persian Gulf .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which the Americans and Iranians threaten each other ’ s vessels in the Persian Gulf .
Earlier this month , Iran ’ s army claimed it surveilled and then chased off several American warplanes and drones that Tehran claims invaded its airspace .
IRGC leaders say its newest fleet of drones will help the country increase its patrols in the region , which mainly are aimed at intimidating U.S. forces stationed in international waters .
With the new military hardware , Iran will monitor `` all moves in the Persian Gulf , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea of Oman , '' according to Tangsiri , whose remarks were carried in the country ’ s state-controlled press .

Iranian military leaders on Wednesday claimed the Islamic Republic’s fleet of homemade drones has been tracking U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf region, hinting that Tehran continues to prepare for a potential naval conflict with America.
Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, naval commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), discussed Iran’s operations in the region during a ceremony marking the commission of nearly 200 new spy drones and military helicopters, which will be used by the IRGC’s armed forces patrolling in the Persian Gulf.
The operation is part of a growing stalemate in which the Americans and Iranians threaten each other’s vessels in the Persian Gulf. Earlier this month, Iran’s army claimed it surveilled and then chased off several American warplanes and drones that Tehran claims invaded its airspace.
IRGC leaders say its newest fleet of drones will help the country increase its patrols in the region, which mainly are aimed at intimidating U.S. forces stationed in international waters.
With the new military hardware, Iran will monitor "all moves in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman," according to Tangsiri, whose remarks were carried in the country’s state-controlled press.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Georgia Democrat Slams Stacey Abrams for ‘Candidate Suppression’

A Georgia Democratic Senate candidate accused Stacey Abrams of `` candidate suppression '' for her efforts to oust him from the race and rally around establishment favorite Raphael Warnock .
In a Twitter thread Thursday afternoon , Matt Lieberman criticized Abrams after she publicly called on him to quit the special election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's ( R. , Ga. ) seat .
`` [ Abrams ] is a respected leader in the movement to combat voter suppression , '' Lieberman tweeted .
`` But on behalf of the 18 candidates in this race not hand-picked by someone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say this sounds like candidate suppression to me . ''
Lieberman concluded his lengthy thread by saying he would remain in the race , to the chagrin of Abrams and national Democrats who want to coalesce around Warnock 's candidacy .
Lieberman is polling in the low double digits , costing Warnock critical support as he tries to finish ahead of either Loeffler or Republican congressman Doug Collins .
Since it is a `` jungle '' election , multiple candidates of both parties will be on the ballot in November , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runoff in the likely event no one reaches 50 percent of the vote .
Lieberman 's `` candidate suppression '' dig was a reference to Abrams 's continued insistence she was the victim of voter suppression during her 2018 campaign for governor .
She has refused to officially concede she lost the election to Republican Brian Kemp , claiming without evidence he effectively rigged the race as secretary of state .
Her narrow defeat catapulted her to national Democratic stardom , but she declined calls to run for president or either of Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For her crusades for expanded voting rights , she has been the subject of numerous flattering media profiles , such as a Vogue article headlined , `` Can Stacey Abrams Save American Democracy ? ''
Abrams endorsed Warnock , the pastor of Atlanta 's Ebenezer Baptist Church , when he entered the race in January .
Worried about a potential all-Republican runoff if Warnock finished third , Abrams told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday `` we need Matt Lieberman to understand he ’ s not called for this moment . ''
But it looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Either I ’ m in a statistical dead heat with Warnock or I ’ m sufficiently far behind not to be a threat , '' Lieberman told the AJC .
`` If I end up at 10 percent , I pose no threat whatsoever to Warnock advancing .
If I ’ m at 20 percent , I ’ m every bit as strong as he is . ''

A Georgia Democratic Senate candidate accused Stacey Abrams of "candidate suppression" for her efforts to oust him from the race and rally around establishment favorite Raphael Warnock.
In a Twitter thread Thursday afternoon, Matt Lieberman criticized Abrams after she publicly called on him to quit the special election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R., Ga.) seat.
"[Abrams] is a respected leader in the movement to combat voter suppression," Lieberman tweeted. "But on behalf of the 18 candidates in this race not hand-picked by someone in Washington or Atlanta, I have to say this sounds like candidate suppression to me."
.@staceyabrams is a respected leader in the movement to combat voter suppression. But on behalf of the 18 candidates in this race not hand-picked by someone in Washington or Atlanta, I have to say this sounds like candidate suppression to me. — Matt Lieberman (@LiebermanForGa) September 24, 2020
Lieberman concluded his lengthy thread by saying he would remain in the race, to the chagrin of Abrams and national Democrats who want to coalesce around Warnock's candidacy. Lieberman is polling in the low double digits, costing Warnock critical support as he tries to finish ahead of either Loeffler or Republican congressman Doug Collins. Since it is a "jungle" election, multiple candidates of both parties will be on the ballot in November, and the top two will advance to a January runoff in the likely event no one reaches 50 percent of the vote.
Lieberman's "candidate suppression" dig was a reference to Abrams's continued insistence she was the victim of voter suppression during her 2018 campaign for governor. She has refused to officially concede she lost the election to Republican Brian Kemp, claiming without evidence he effectively rigged the race as secretary of state. Her narrow defeat catapulted her to national Democratic stardom, but she declined calls to run for president or either of Georgia's U.S. Senate races in 2020.
For her crusades for expanded voting rights, she has been the subject of numerous flattering media profiles, such as a Vogue article headlined, "Can Stacey Abrams Save American Democracy?"
Abrams endorsed Warnock, the pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, when he entered the race in January. Worried about a potential all-Republican runoff if Warnock finished third, Abrams told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday "we need Matt Lieberman to understand he’s not called for this moment."
But it looks like Lieberman is not going anywhere.
"Either I’m in a statistical dead heat with Warnock or I’m sufficiently far behind not to be a threat," Lieberman told the AJC. "If I end up at 10 percent, I pose no threat whatsoever to Warnock advancing. If I’m at 20 percent, I’m every bit as strong as he is."


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Dem Candidate Who Attacked Opponent’s Ties to Big Pharma Relies on It for Retirement

Washington Democrat Carolyn Long has attacked her opponent , Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler , over her ties to Big Pharma—but Long has a vested interest in major pharmaceutical companies , according to her personal financial disclosures .
Long , a professor at Washington State University Vancouver , has painted Herrera Beutler as a puppet of the pharmaceutical industry , alleging that she has n't done enough to lower drug costs .
But Long 's own financial disclosure forms show that her husband has up to six figures in a retirement plan , pension , and depositary shares with pharma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Jamie Herrera Beutler run for Congress and the prescription drug industry funds her campaign , '' Long said in a campaign ad released in late August .
`` She votes to give those big drug companies big tax breaks and lets them raise prices—and they rake it in .
So when it 's campaign season again , there 's more money to give out , and we get higher prescription drug costs .
We 've got to put a stop to this . ''
At the time of the ad 's release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date to turn in her financial disclosure report .
In May , Long asked for an extension in filing the forms , which expired on Aug. 13 .
The forms , however , were not submitted until Sep. 17 after the Washington Free Beacon contacted the campaign inquiring about the report .
The disclosures may have been shielded because of Long 's personal reliance upon Big Pharma .
The forms show that Long 's husband has a retirement plan with Pfizer valued between $ 15,001 and $ 50,000 .
It also shows between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 1,001 and $ 15,000 in American depositary shares with Sanofi .
Pfizer and Sanofi are two of the world 's largest pharmaceutical companies .
Long 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
National Democrats are looking to Washington 's Third Congressional District as an opportunity to take over the seat Herrera Beutler won by 5 points over Long in 2018 .
Earlier this year , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the district to its top 12 seats to flip for the 2020 elections .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3rd Congressional District , combined with Carolyn ’ s grassroots campaign offer a sharp contrast with a GOP Member of Congress who has lost touch with the voters and listens more to her special interest backers , '' DCCC chairwoman Cheri Bustos said in an August statement .
`` This is a top Democratic pickup opportunity in November . ''
Herrera Beutler has so far outraised Long by nearly $ 550,000 .
The incumbent has hauled in $ 2.9 million to Long 's $ 2.4 million .
Despite the push from national Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely go again to Herrera Beutler .

Washington Democrat Carolyn Long has attacked her opponent, Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, over her ties to Big Pharma—but Long has a vested interest in major pharmaceutical companies, according to her personal financial disclosures.
Long, a professor at Washington State University Vancouver, has painted Herrera Beutler as a puppet of the pharmaceutical industry, alleging that she hasn't done enough to lower drug costs. But Long's own financial disclosure forms show that her husband has up to six figures in a retirement plan, pension, and depositary shares with pharma giants Pfizer and Sanofi.
"Politicians like Jamie Herrera Beutler run for Congress and the prescription drug industry funds her campaign," Long said in a campaign ad released in late August. "She votes to give those big drug companies big tax breaks and lets them raise prices—and they rake it in. So when it's campaign season again, there's more money to give out, and we get higher prescription drug costs. We've got to put a stop to this."
At the time of the ad's release, Long was well past the due date to turn in her financial disclosure report. In May, Long asked for an extension in filing the forms, which expired on Aug. 13. The forms, however, were not submitted until Sep. 17 after the Washington Free Beacon contacted the campaign inquiring about the report.
The disclosures may have been shielded because of Long's personal reliance upon Big Pharma. The forms show that Long's husband has a retirement plan with Pfizer valued between $15,001 and $50,000. It also shows between $50,001 and $100,000 in pension and $1,001 and $15,000 in American depositary shares with Sanofi. Pfizer and Sanofi are two of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.
Long's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
National Democrats are looking to Washington's Third Congressional District as an opportunity to take over the seat Herrera Beutler won by 5 points over Long in 2018. Earlier this year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the district to its top 12 seats to flip for the 2020 elections.
"The unprecedented grassroots energy in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, combined with Carolyn’s grassroots campaign offer a sharp contrast with a GOP Member of Congress who has lost touch with the voters and listens more to her special interest backers," DCCC chairwoman Cheri Bustos said in an August statement. "This is a top Democratic pickup opportunity in November."
Herrera Beutler has so far outraised Long by nearly $550,000. The incumbent has hauled in $2.9 million to Long's $2.4 million. Despite the push from national Democrats, pollsters believe that the district will likely go again to Herrera Beutler.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--‘Moderate’ New Mexico Dem Endorses Late-Term Taxpayer Funded Abortion

Abortion has taken center stage in one of the nation 's most competitive congressional races after the Democratic incumbent endorsed taxpayer funded , late-term abortion despite campaigning as a moderate in 2018 .
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small ( D. , N.M. ) said in a Q & A with the Albuquerque Journal Wednesday that abortion is a medical option that `` should not be limited . ''
`` Most women faced with a late-term abortion are in the midst of a medical crisis , and medical options should not be limited , '' Torres Small said .
`` Prohibiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that low-income women … would not have access to life-saving medical procedures . ''
The statement contradicts Torres Small 's presentation of herself as a moderate candidate .
Her Republican opponent , Yvette Herrell , called Torres Small `` out of touch . ''
`` Xochitl Torres Small worked for Planned Parenthood for years , and now she ’ s carrying out their radical abortion-on-demand agenda in Congress , '' Michael Horanburg , Herrell 's campaign manager , told the Washington Free Beacon .
Torres Small defeated Herrell by less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump won by 10 percent in 2016 .
Her 2018 victory helped to swing control of the House of Representatives to Democrats for the first time since 2010 .
Torres Small 's support for unrestricted abortion comes as the congresswoman enjoys financial support from some of the nation 's biggest pro-abortion interest groups .
Emily 's List ranks as her campaign 's biggest donor , pouring more than $ 100,000 into the race , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Biden holds a solid lead over Trump in New Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rematch between Herrell and Torres Small remains too close to call .
Torres Small 's campaign , which declined comment , has gone to great lengths to distance her from the sharp leftward shift of the Democratic Party on the campaign trail .
One of Torres Small 's 2020 campaign advertisements shows her shooting several different firearms in the desert .
She made a similar pitch in 2018 when she unveiled an advertisement featuring her shooting a rifle to appeal to rural voters , and told voters that she sought to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During her term , Torres Small has pushed back against different elements in the Democratic Party .
She voted against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi 's ( D. , Calif. ) $ 3 trillion coronavirus bill in May .
Torres Small also criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) when Ocasio-Cortez celebrated plunging oil prices in April .
Torres Small accused Ocasio-Cortez of taking joy in the suffering of oil workers .
Horanburg , however , said that Torres Small 's shift on abortion shows that she has embraced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Torres Small 's support for taxpayer funded late term abortion is disturbing and out of touch with our New Mexico values , '' he said .
An Albuquerque Journal poll conducted before Labor Day found Torres Small with a 2-point lead , but the race remains a toss-up in the closing weeks of the 2020 campaign , according to Real Clear Politics .

Abortion has taken center stage in one of the nation's most competitive congressional races after the Democratic incumbent endorsed taxpayer funded, late-term abortion despite campaigning as a moderate in 2018.
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D., N.M.) said in a Q&A with the Albuquerque Journal Wednesday that abortion is a medical option that "should not be limited."
"Most women faced with a late-term abortion are in the midst of a medical crisis, and medical options should not be limited," Torres Small said. "Prohibiting the use of tax dollars on abortion procedures means that low-income women … would not have access to life-saving medical procedures."
The statement contradicts Torres Small's presentation of herself as a moderate candidate. Her Republican opponent, Yvette Herrell, called Torres Small "out of touch."
"Xochitl Torres Small worked for Planned Parenthood for years, and now she’s carrying out their radical abortion-on-demand agenda in Congress," Michael Horanburg, Herrell's campaign manager, told the Washington Free Beacon.
Torres Small defeated Herrell by less than a 2 percent margin in a district that President Trump won by 10 percent in 2016. Her 2018 victory helped to swing control of the House of Representatives to Democrats for the first time since 2010.
Torres Small's support for unrestricted abortion comes as the congresswoman enjoys financial support from some of the nation's biggest pro-abortion interest groups. Emily's List ranks as her campaign's biggest donor, pouring more than $100,000 into the race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Biden holds a solid lead over Trump in New Mexico, according to public polls, but the rematch between Herrell and Torres Small remains too close to call.
Torres Small's campaign, which declined comment, has gone to great lengths to distance her from the sharp leftward shift of the Democratic Party on the campaign trail. One of Torres Small's 2020 campaign advertisements shows her shooting several different firearms in the desert. She made a similar pitch in 2018 when she unveiled an advertisement featuring her shooting a rifle to appeal to rural voters, and told voters that she sought to "campaign right down the middle."
During her term, Torres Small has pushed back against different elements in the Democratic Party. She voted against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) $3 trillion coronavirus bill in May. Torres Small also criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) when Ocasio-Cortez celebrated plunging oil prices in April. Torres Small accused Ocasio-Cortez of taking joy in the suffering of oil workers. Horanburg, however, said that Torres Small's shift on abortion shows that she has embraced the most radical positions of the Democratic party.
"Torres Small's support for taxpayer funded late term abortion is disturbing and out of touch with our New Mexico values," he said.
An Albuquerque Journal poll conducted before Labor Day found Torres Small with a 2-point lead, but the race remains a toss-up in the closing weeks of the 2020 campaign, according to Real Clear Politics.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Seattle Hires Ex-Pimp as ‘Street Czar’ As It Moves to Fire 100 Police Officers

Seattle hired a former pimp who was once convicted for prostitution-related charges to serve as the city ’ s `` street czar '' while at the same time moving forward with legislation to fire 100 police officers .
Seattle signed a $ 150,000 contract with Andre Taylor , who will serve as a `` community liaison '' and advise the city ’ s police department on deescalation tactics .
This comes as Seattle City Council on Tuesday voted to override Democratic mayor Jenny Durkan ’ s veto on their police budget , which cuts $ 3 million in funding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to his contract , the pimp-turned-community activist will provide `` urgent de-escalation of conflict and violence '' between police and Seattle residents and will also provide recommendations to city police on police engagement with the community .
Taylor told the Seattle Times that he saw a gap in communication between the police and some residents .
`` Not too many people can go talk to gangbangers in their territory , and then go talk to the government in their territory , '' Taylor said .
Taylor served more than five years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which involved an underage girl—in Las Vegas .
He later turned from his pimping lifestyle and started a nonprofit called Not This Time after his brother was killed by Seattle police in 2016 .
While Taylor was hired in July , PubliCola first reported on Taylor ’ s contract earlier this month .
Repeated disputes with Seattle City Council over their police department budget cuts pushed police chief Carmen Best—the first black woman to serve as Seattle ’ s top cop—to resign .
On Monday , the Justice Department labeled Seattle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , `` anarchist jurisdictions '' for their failure to control violent demonstrations this summer .

Seattle hired a former pimp who was once convicted for prostitution-related charges to serve as the city’s "street czar" while at the same time moving forward with legislation to fire 100 police officers.
Seattle signed a $150,000 contract with Andre Taylor, who will serve as a "community liaison" and advise the city’s police department on deescalation tactics. This comes as Seattle City Council on Tuesday voted to override Democratic mayor Jenny Durkan’s veto on their police budget, which cuts $3 million in funding and 100 jobs from the police department.
According to his contract, the pimp-turned-community activist will provide "urgent de-escalation of conflict and violence" between police and Seattle residents and will also provide recommendations to city police on police engagement with the community. Taylor told the Seattle Times that he saw a gap in communication between the police and some residents.
"Not too many people can go talk to gangbangers in their territory, and then go talk to the government in their territory," Taylor said.
Taylor served more than five years in prison after being convicted on prostitution-related charges—one of which involved an underage girl—in Las Vegas. He later turned from his pimping lifestyle and started a nonprofit called Not This Time after his brother was killed by Seattle police in 2016.
While Taylor was hired in July, PubliCola first reported on Taylor’s contract earlier this month.
Repeated disputes with Seattle City Council over their police department budget cuts pushed police chief Carmen Best—the first black woman to serve as Seattle’s top cop—to resign. On Monday, the Justice Department labeled Seattle, as well as Portland and New York City, "anarchist jurisdictions" for their failure to control violent demonstrations this summer.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--COUNTERPOINT: Unacknowledged Offspring ‘NJR’ Weighs in on Biden Family Drama

The endless drama surrounding Hunter Biden is bound to come up at next week 's debate between his father , Joe Biden , and President Donald Trump .
That 's bad news for Joe , who tends to react hysterically when asked to explain , for example , why Hunter received a $ 3.5 million payment in 2014 from the wife of the ex-mayor of Moscow .
Hunter 's daughter Naomi recently logged onto Twitter , the popular social networking website , in an effort to set the record straight about her father .
Among other things , she explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a transfer student because he wrote an amazing poem .
Because the Washington Free Beacon is dedicated to the pursuit of journalistic fairness through the promotion of dissenting viewpoints , we did n't believe Naomi 's biased views should be allowed to stand unchallenged .
That 's why we reached out to the child referred to in Arkansas court documents as `` NJR . ''
Following a court-ordered DNA test , the child was found `` with scientific certainty '' to be the son of Hunter Biden and former gentlemen 's club employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
We asked `` NJR '' to weigh in on the Biden family drama , and to respond to his grandfather 's repeated refusal to acknowledge his existence .
Biden has seven known grandchildren , according to science , but has never given any indication that he considers `` NJR '' to be a part of the family .
We are reprinting the child 's response in full below .
Enjoy !

The endless drama surrounding Hunter Biden is bound to come up at next week's debate between his father, Joe Biden, and President Donald Trump. That's bad news for Joe, who tends to react hysterically when asked to explain, for example, why Hunter received a $3.5 million payment in 2014 from the wife of the ex-mayor of Moscow.
Hunter's daughter Naomi recently logged onto Twitter, the popular social networking website, in an effort to set the record straight about her father. Among other things, she explained, Yale Law School accepted Hunter as a transfer student because he wrote an amazing poem.
Because the Washington Free Beacon is dedicated to the pursuit of journalistic fairness through the promotion of dissenting viewpoints, we didn't believe Naomi's biased views should be allowed to stand unchallenged.
That's why we reached out to the child referred to in Arkansas court documents as "NJR." Following a court-ordered DNA test, the child was found "with scientific certainty" to be the son of Hunter Biden and former gentlemen's club employee Lunden Alexis Roberts, aka "Dallas."
We asked "NJR" to weigh in on the Biden family drama, and to respond to his grandfather's repeated refusal to acknowledge his existence. Biden has seven known grandchildren, according to science, but has never given any indication that he considers "NJR" to be a part of the family. We are reprinting the child's response in full below. Enjoy!
Untitled
By "NJR"


freebeacon--2020-09-24--University of Illinois Student Government Buries BDS Provision in Racial Justice Resolution

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 's student government buried a boycott , divestment , and sanctions provision in a resolution opposing violence against blacks .
On Sept. 23 , the UIUC student government passed a motion calling on the school to divest from companies such as Northrop Grumman , Raytheon Company , Lockheed Martin , Caterpillar Inc. , and Elbit Systems Ltd. for allegedly partaking in `` human rights violations '' in `` Palestinian lands . ''
The BDS resolution was placed inside a larger resolution that called out anti-black violence on campus and supported efforts for racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the referendum an `` antisemitic litmus test '' and accused the student government of forcing Jewish students to pick between their Zionism and condemning violence against black people .
`` After five failed attempts in as many years to pass BDS , student activists enshrouded calls for divestment within a resolution opposing anti-Black violence , '' a statement from Illini Hillel reads .
`` This was an attempt to paint Israel and Jews as the obstacle to racial equity , amidst the holiest time in the Jewish calendar . ''
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out each company for its alleged role in human-rights atrocities and called for a student representative from Students for Justice in Palestine to work on a task force with the university chancellor .
The task force would be `` charged with divesting from corporations and index funds that violate human rights and reinvest in socially and environmentally responsible companies and index funds . ''
Several left-leaning groups endorsed the resolution , including the Illini Democrats , the Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students ' Education , Students for Environmental Concerns , and the Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , the school 's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine sponsored a separate BDS bill that passed the student government in a 20-7-9 vote .
The separate referendum called on the university to sever ties with any company `` that profit [ s ] from human rights violations in Palestine and other communities globally . ''
The bill also called on the school to end all partnerships with companies that provide `` weaponry and technology '' to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
Universities have increasingly harbored anti-Semitism under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hold a student-wide vote to decide whether the university should `` divest its stocks , funds , and endowment from companies that profit from or engage in the State of Israel 's acts towards Palestinians . ''
The bill is being sponsored by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group , which suggests that Israel is an apartheid state .
In a statement , the University of Illinois said that the student government is an independent organization that can pass nonbinding resolutions on any topic it chooses .
The school said , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it was `` designed to force students who oppose efforts to divest from Israel to also vote against support for the Black Lives Matter movement . ''
`` The resolution includes several points on which we can agree , but a foundational value of this institution is inclusion , and this resolution includes language that we can not and will not support , '' the university statement reads .
The Illini student government did not respond to requests for comment .

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's student government buried a boycott, divestment, and sanctions provision in a resolution opposing violence against blacks.
On Sept. 23, the UIUC student government passed a motion calling on the school to divest from companies such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Company, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar Inc., and Elbit Systems Ltd. for allegedly partaking in "human rights violations" in "Palestinian lands." The BDS resolution was placed inside a larger resolution that called out anti-black violence on campus and supported efforts for racial justice. The university's Hillel center called the referendum an "antisemitic litmus test" and accused the student government of forcing Jewish students to pick between their Zionism and condemning violence against black people.
"After five failed attempts in as many years to pass BDS, student activists enshrouded calls for divestment within a resolution opposing anti-Black violence," a statement from Illini Hillel reads. "This was an attempt to paint Israel and Jews as the obstacle to racial equity, amidst the holiest time in the Jewish calendar."
According to the Jewish News Syndicate, the resolution called out each company for its alleged role in human-rights atrocities and called for a student representative from Students for Justice in Palestine to work on a task force with the university chancellor. The task force would be "charged with divesting from corporations and index funds that violate human rights and reinvest in socially and environmentally responsible companies and index funds."
Several left-leaning groups endorsed the resolution, including the Illini Democrats, the Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students' Education, Students for Environmental Concerns, and the Muslim and Arab student associations.
Earlier this year, the school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine sponsored a separate BDS bill that passed the student government in a 20-7-9 vote. The separate referendum called on the university to sever ties with any company "that profit[s] from human rights violations in Palestine and other communities globally." The bill also called on the school to end all partnerships with companies that provide "weaponry and technology" to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Universities have increasingly harbored anti-Semitism under the guise of human-rights activism. Columbia University will hold a student-wide vote to decide whether the university should "divest its stocks, funds, and endowment from companies that profit from or engage in the State of Israel's acts towards Palestinians." The bill is being sponsored by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which suggests that Israel is an apartheid state.
In a statement, the University of Illinois said that the student government is an independent organization that can pass nonbinding resolutions on any topic it chooses. The school said, however, it found the resolution unfortunate insofar as it was "designed to force students who oppose efforts to divest from Israel to also vote against support for the Black Lives Matter movement."
"The resolution includes several points on which we can agree, but a foundational value of this institution is inclusion, and this resolution includes language that we cannot and will not support," the university statement reads.
The Illini student government did not respond to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--This Is What Amy Barrett Actually Wrote About Catholic Judges and the Death Penalty

News reports and social media commentators have repeatedly claimed that Judge Amy Coney Barrett , the frontrunner to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court , argued Catholic judges must recuse themselves from death penalty cases in a 1998 law review article .
In fact , the paper argues almost the opposite .
Democrats and allied advocacy groups made the article , `` Catholic Judges in Capital Cases , '' a centerpiece of their opposition to her nomination to the Seventh U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017 .
They cited the piece as evidence that Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the law if the two conflict , and a fresh round of imprecise reporting is feeding that charge .
Barrett and her coauthor say that Catholic judges with conscientious objections to capital punishment are morally and legally required to recuse themselves from the sentencing phase of a death penalty case .
The article concludes , however , that a faithful Catholic judge can participate in most other parts of death penalty litigation , including the trial phase of a capital prosecution and post-conviction reviews involving death row inmates .
Death penalty appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authors say Catholic objectors can hear such cases in most instances .
Barrett herself said she does not feel obligated to step back from any kind of case when she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017 .
`` Sitting here today , I ca n't think of any cases or category of cases on which I would feel obliged to recuse on grounds of conscience , '' she said .
As a Supreme Court justice , Barrett would have a steady diet of death penalty appeals .
By the article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not raise problems for a Catholic judge because they deal with auxiliary issues—like trial procedure or jury instructions—and not the sentence itself .
Appeals related to sentencing are trickier , but a Catholic 's involvement may be allowed given the nature of appellate review .
The job of an appeals judge is to `` check for a few defects , '' the authors note , and decide whether a decision is allowed under the law—not to endorse the decision .
The paper stresses that a Catholic judge should not bend the law to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Barrett has already participated in a death penalty case involving Daniel Lewis Lee , a federal death row inmate who was executed in July for murdering a family of three and stealing their possessions to support a white-supremacist organization .
Days before he was put to death , Barrett sat on a three-judge appeals panel that lifted an injunction pausing Lee 's execution because of the pandemic .
Relatives of Lee 's victims were slated to be on hand for the execution , but were unable to travel due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was wrong to schedule the execution without considering the relatives ' right to observe the execution .
Barrett joined an opinion lifting that order .
By her article 's reasoning , Barrett 's participation was permissible because the issue—whether the government should have considered the relatives ' right to be present—did not concern the capital sentence itself .
Barrett was the second author on the piece with John Garvey , himself a prominent Catholic scholar who currently serves as president of Catholic University in Washington , D.C .
In her 2017 testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Garvey asked for her support while she was a third-year law student at Notre Dame .
If the article becomes a problem for her prospective nomination this time around , her subordinate position could provide an escape hatch .
`` I was very much the junior partner in our collaboration , and that was appropriate given our relative statures , '' Barrett said during her 2017 testimony .
Barrett 's religious views are expected to feature prominently in the confirmation battle if she is selected for the High Court .
Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her faith and her legal views during her appeals court confirmation in 2017 .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D. , Calif. ) told Barrett that `` the dogma lives loudly within you , '' in reference to her past writings .
The hearing made Barrett a conservative folk hero and Supreme Court frontrunner almost instantaneously .
President Donald Trump is spoiling for a repeat of that 2017 fight , hoping Democratic missteps will reverse his flagging numbers with evangelical and Catholic voters .

News reports and social media commentators have repeatedly claimed that Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the frontrunner to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court, argued Catholic judges must recuse themselves from death penalty cases in a 1998 law review article. In fact, the paper argues almost the opposite.
Democrats and allied advocacy groups made the article, "Catholic Judges in Capital Cases," a centerpiece of their opposition to her nomination to the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. They cited the piece as evidence that Barrett believes judges should privilege their religious beliefs over the law if the two conflict, and a fresh round of imprecise reporting is feeding that charge.
Barrett and her coauthor say that Catholic judges with conscientious objections to capital punishment are morally and legally required to recuse themselves from the sentencing phase of a death penalty case. The article concludes, however, that a faithful Catholic judge can participate in most other parts of death penalty litigation, including the trial phase of a capital prosecution and post-conviction reviews involving death row inmates. Death penalty appeals are a closer question, but the authors say Catholic objectors can hear such cases in most instances.
Barrett herself said she does not feel obligated to step back from any kind of case when she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017.
"Sitting here today, I can't think of any cases or category of cases on which I would feel obliged to recuse on grounds of conscience," she said.
As a Supreme Court justice, Barrett would have a steady diet of death penalty appeals. By the article's lights, many of them would not raise problems for a Catholic judge because they deal with auxiliary issues—like trial procedure or jury instructions—and not the sentence itself. Appeals related to sentencing are trickier, but a Catholic's involvement may be allowed given the nature of appellate review. The job of an appeals judge is to "check for a few defects," the authors note, and decide whether a decision is allowed under the law—not to endorse the decision. The paper stresses that a Catholic judge should not bend the law to "save a life by cheating."
Barrett has already participated in a death penalty case involving Daniel Lewis Lee, a federal death row inmate who was executed in July for murdering a family of three and stealing their possessions to support a white-supremacist organization. Days before he was put to death, Barrett sat on a three-judge appeals panel that lifted an injunction pausing Lee's execution because of the pandemic. Relatives of Lee's victims were slated to be on hand for the execution, but were unable to travel due to the coronavirus. A federal district judge said the government was wrong to schedule the execution without considering the relatives' right to observe the execution. Barrett joined an opinion lifting that order.
By her article's reasoning, Barrett's participation was permissible because the issue—whether the government should have considered the relatives' right to be present—did not concern the capital sentence itself.
Barrett was the second author on the piece with John Garvey, himself a prominent Catholic scholar who currently serves as president of Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In her 2017 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barrett said that Garvey asked for her support while she was a third-year law student at Notre Dame. If the article becomes a problem for her prospective nomination this time around, her subordinate position could provide an escape hatch.
"I was very much the junior partner in our collaboration, and that was appropriate given our relative statures," Barrett said during her 2017 testimony.
Barrett's religious views are expected to feature prominently in the confirmation battle if she is selected for the High Court. Democratic lawmakers bungled questions about the intersection of her faith and her legal views during her appeals court confirmation in 2017. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) told Barrett that "the dogma lives loudly within you," in reference to her past writings. The hearing made Barrett a conservative folk hero and Supreme Court frontrunner almost instantaneously. President Donald Trump is spoiling for a repeat of that 2017 fight, hoping Democratic missteps will reverse his flagging numbers with evangelical and Catholic voters.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Cal Cunningham’s Problematic Ties to Shady Super PAC

Cal Cunningham , the Democrat running for Senate in North Carolina , has a narrow campaign platform : He served in the military ( as a lawyer ) , opposes corruption , and is pro-democracy .
The millions of dollars he 's receiving in outside campaign contributions , however , do n't seem to bother him .
VoteVets , a Democratic Super PAC with close ties to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.C. ) , has already spent nearly $ 5.8 million on ads supporting Cunningham and almost $ 1.5 million on ads attacking his opponent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Cunningham says he wants to represent the people of North Carolina , not the `` special interests that already have too much influence in Washington . ''
But that did n't stop the candidate from launching his campaign in 2019 with the help of Schumer and donations from his wealthy New York friends .
As it turns out , Cunningham knows a thing or two about representing `` special interests . ''
In 2011 , he worked as a lawyer for Southern Durham Development , which was trying to win approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development project opposed by local officials and environmental groups .
Cunningham 's client sought to buy influence .
The company created Durham Partnership for Progress , the first ever Super PAC in Durham County , and started funding county commission candidates who supported the new development .
The Super PAC went on to become the top spender in the 2012 county commission race , helping to elect friendly politicians who would go on to cast votes in support of the company 's agenda .
Cunningham personally lobbied on the project 's behalf in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in state government .
In 2019 , a spokeswoman for Cunningham 's campaign told The Intercept that the candidate `` has no connection to this PAC , '' which ended operations in 2013 , after successfully advancing its controversial interests .
Her use of the present tense is odd—and telling .
Morgan Jackson , whom the Super PAC hired to provide `` direct mail and compliance services , '' is a veteran political strategist now employed by the Cunningham campaign .
Jackson also worked as a consultant on Cunningham 's failed 2010 Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handwriting expert noted , too , the handwritings on a Durham Partnership for Progress document , a 2011 Cunningham campaign financial disclosure , and a personal application for a historic preservation tax credit are all suspiciously similar .
Democrats , who are constantly railing against the influence of money in politics , have a shot to retake the Senate next year , in no small part because of Super PAC spending for Cunningham and others .
If they do , maybe they 'll start passing new campaign finance restrictions .
Probably not , @ @

Cal Cunningham, the Democrat running for Senate in North Carolina, has a narrow campaign platform: He served in the military (as a lawyer), opposes corruption, and is pro-democracy. The millions of dollars he's receiving in outside campaign contributions, however, don't seem to bother him.
VoteVets, a Democratic Super PAC with close ties to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.C.), has already spent nearly $5.8 million on ads supporting Cunningham and almost $1.5 million on ads attacking his opponent, Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.).
Cunningham says he wants to represent the people of North Carolina, not the "special interests that already have too much influence in Washington." But that didn't stop the candidate from launching his campaign in 2019 with the help of Schumer and donations from his wealthy New York friends.
As it turns out, Cunningham knows a thing or two about representing "special interests." In 2011, he worked as a lawyer for Southern Durham Development, which was trying to win approval for a $500 million luxury multi-use development project opposed by local officials and environmental groups.
Cunningham's client sought to buy influence. The company created Durham Partnership for Progress, the first ever Super PAC in Durham County, and started funding county commission candidates who supported the new development.
The Super PAC went on to become the top spender in the 2012 county commission race, helping to elect friendly politicians who would go on to cast votes in support of the company's agenda. Cunningham personally lobbied on the project's behalf in Raleigh by reaching out to a contact in state government.
In 2019, a spokeswoman for Cunningham's campaign told The Intercept that the candidate "has no connection to this PAC," which ended operations in 2013, after successfully advancing its controversial interests. Her use of the present tense is odd—and telling.
Morgan Jackson, whom the Super PAC hired to provide "direct mail and compliance services," is a veteran political strategist now employed by the Cunningham campaign. Jackson also worked as a consultant on Cunningham's failed 2010 Senate campaign.
As a Washington Free Beacon handwriting expert noted, too, the handwritings on a Durham Partnership for Progress document, a 2011 Cunningham campaign financial disclosure, and a personal application for a historic preservation tax credit are all suspiciously similar.
Durham Partnership for Progress
Cal Cunningham financial disclosure
Cal Cunningham historic preservation tax credit application
Democrats, who are constantly railing against the influence of money in politics, have a shot to retake the Senate next year, in no small part because of Super PAC spending for Cunningham and others. If they do, maybe they'll start passing new campaign finance restrictions. Probably not, though.


freebeacon--2020-09-24--U.S. Will Not Recognize Reelection of Belarusian Strongman

The United States will not recognize the reelection of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko as legitimate , a State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Wednesday .
`` The elections August 9 were neither free nor fair .
The announced results were fraudulent and did not convey legitimacy , '' the spokesperson said .
`` The United States can not consider [ Lukashenko ] the legitimately elected leader of Belarus . ''
Lukashenko has held the title of president for 26 years .
Since taking power in 1994 , Lukashenko has faced minimal opposition as he has consolidated power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this August 's election , the strongman reportedly bought off election monitors , stuffed ballots , and employed security forces to beat protesters .
Lukashenko achieved victory with what he claimed was more than 80 percent of the popular vote .
The results of the election sparked outrage in the streets , with thousands protesting the regime for an unfair election .
Foreign dispatches have shown that thousands of pro-democracy protesters have been detained , beaten , and often tortured for standing against the regime .
Washington condemned these imprisonments in its statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an end of repression against peacefully protesting citizens is a first step toward genuine national dialogue , '' the State Department spokesperson said .
Perhaps fearing a loosening grip on his country , Lukashenko has turned to Russian president Vladimir Putin for aid .
Earlier this September , Putin vowed an aid package of $ 1.5 billion to Belarus , including energy agreements that would turn Belarus and Russia into a de facto `` union state . ''
`` We want Belarusians themselves … to sort out this situation calmly and through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern of noninterventionist rhetoric combined with aggressive political consolidation resembles similar strategies undertaken by Moscow during the 2014 Crimean crisis .
`` We want to be friends with Ukraine and we want Ukraine to be a strong , sovereign , and self-sufficient country , '' Putin said in 2014 only months before Russian tanks rolled through Crimea .
Washington finds itself with support from other European partners in denouncing Lukashenko .
On Thursday , the European Union issued its own statement strongly condemning Lukashenko ’ s inauguration for another presidential term .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new mandate claimed by Alexander Lukashenko lack any democratic legitimacy , '' the statement reads .
`` This ‘ inauguration ' directly contradicts the will of large parts of the Belarusian population , as expressed in numerous , unprecedented and peaceful protests since the elections , and serves to only further deepen the political crisis in Belarus . ''

The United States will not recognize the reelection of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko as legitimate, a State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Wednesday.
"The elections August 9 were neither free nor fair. The announced results were fraudulent and did not convey legitimacy," the spokesperson said. "The United States cannot consider [Lukashenko] the legitimately elected leader of Belarus."
Lukashenko has held the title of president for 26 years. Since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko has faced minimal opposition as he has consolidated power over all branches of government. In this August's election, the strongman reportedly bought off election monitors, stuffed ballots, and employed security forces to beat protesters. Lukashenko achieved victory with what he claimed was more than 80 percent of the popular vote.
The results of the election sparked outrage in the streets, with thousands protesting the regime for an unfair election. Foreign dispatches have shown that thousands of pro-democracy protesters have been detained, beaten, and often tortured for standing against the regime.
Washington condemned these imprisonments in its statement. "Release of those unjustly detained and an end of repression against peacefully protesting citizens is a first step toward genuine national dialogue," the State Department spokesperson said.
Perhaps fearing a loosening grip on his country, Lukashenko has turned to Russian president Vladimir Putin for aid. Earlier this September, Putin vowed an aid package of $1.5 billion to Belarus, including energy agreements that would turn Belarus and Russia into a de facto "union state."
"We want Belarusians themselves ... to sort out this situation calmly and through dialogue," Putin said.
This pattern of noninterventionist rhetoric combined with aggressive political consolidation resembles similar strategies undertaken by Moscow during the 2014 Crimean crisis.
"We want to be friends with Ukraine and we want Ukraine to be a strong, sovereign, and self-sufficient country," Putin said in 2014 only months before Russian tanks rolled through Crimea.
Washington finds itself with support from other European partners in denouncing Lukashenko. On Thursday, the European Union issued its own statement strongly condemning Lukashenko’s inauguration for another presidential term.
"The so-called 'inauguration' ... and the new mandate claimed by Alexander Lukashenko lack any democratic legitimacy," the statement reads. "This 'inauguration' directly contradicts the will of large parts of the Belarusian population, as expressed in numerous, unprecedented and peaceful protests since the elections, and serves to only further deepen the political crisis in Belarus."


freebeacon--2020-09-24--Treasury Department Sanctions Companies Tied to Russian Disinformation Operatives

The Treasury Department announced sanctions Wednesday on seven companies and eight of their employees for their ties to Russian disinformation operations .
Two African mining companies owned or controlled by Putin associate Yevgeniy Prigozhin , along with three senior employees of the businesses , are among those hit with sanctions .
Prigozhin operates a Russian troll-farm operation , the Internet Research Agency , which faced federal indictments in 2018 for attempted interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
The Treasury Department sanctioned both the operation and Prigozhin in 2018 for their election interference efforts .
`` Yevgeniy Prigozhin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his malign political and economic influence around the globe , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday .
`` The United States will continue to target the ability of Prigozhin to conduct operations globally . ''
The department also placed sanctions on a Russian underwater technology company , four Finnish freight companies , and five of the businesses ' senior employees for their ties to the covert Federal Security Service , a Russian intelligence agency .
In a statement , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sanctions counter the `` the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence organizations … for perpetrating an array of destabilizing activities , such as conducting malicious cyber activities and interfering in elections . ''
The latest sanctions follow recent calls from Republican lawmakers for the European Union to decouple from Russian energy sources .

The Treasury Department announced sanctions Wednesday on seven companies and eight of their employees for their ties to Russian disinformation operations.
Two African mining companies owned or controlled by Putin associate Yevgeniy Prigozhin, along with three senior employees of the businesses, are among those hit with sanctions.
Prigozhin operates a Russian troll-farm operation, the Internet Research Agency, which faced federal indictments in 2018 for attempted interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The Treasury Department sanctioned both the operation and Prigozhin in 2018 for their election interference efforts.
"Yevgeniy Prigozhin has an international network of supporters to spread his malign political and economic influence around the globe," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday. "The United States will continue to target the ability of Prigozhin to conduct operations globally."
The department also placed sanctions on a Russian underwater technology company, four Finnish freight companies, and five of the businesses' senior employees for their ties to the covert Federal Security Service, a Russian intelligence agency.
In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sanctions counter the "the Russian government's use of proxy actors and intelligence organizations ... for perpetrating an array of destabilizing activities, such as conducting malicious cyber activities and interfering in elections."
The latest sanctions follow recent calls from Republican lawmakers for the European Union to decouple from Russian energy sources.