freebeacon--2020-06-30--San Francisco Dem Wants Zuckerberg’s Name Removed from Hospital

A member of San Francisco ’ s board of supervisors called to remove Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg ’ s name from the city ’ s general hospital because the social media platform does n't do enough to combat hate speech .
`` Massive advertising boycott of Facebook for failing to regulate hate speech & disinformation , '' Matt Haney , a Democrat who represents the city 's sixth district , tweeted .
`` Huge staff walkouts & protests… .
Much of it seems directly tied to Mark Zuckerberg .
Why is his name still on our SF public general hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Priscilla Chan , made a $ 75 million donation to the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation in 2015 .
It was the largest monetary donation the hospital has ever received and was used in part to purchase new equipment for the acute care and trauma center .
Haney , who was elected in 2018 , tweeted in a thread that while Zuckerberg 's gift was generous , keeping the donor 's last name on the side of the hospital is `` a lot less awesome . ''
`` We should be grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , requiring your name to be forever emblazoned on hospital , a lot less awesome , '' Haney said .
`` Zuck is n't a doctor .
Health care is a right .
We do n't sell it off , does n't reflect our values as it relates to health or medical profession , to put someone 's name on a hospital [ because ] they gave $ . ''
Activists across the country have called on cities and universities to remove statues and rename buildings named after controversial historical figures .
Princeton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's name from its School of Public and International Affairs and residence college after the school decided the honor should not be given to the pro-segregation president .

A member of San Francisco’s board of supervisors called to remove Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s name from the city’s general hospital because the social media platform doesn't do enough to combat hate speech.
"Massive advertising boycott of Facebook for failing to regulate hate speech & disinformation," Matt Haney, a Democrat who represents the city's sixth district, tweeted. "Huge staff walkouts & protests.... Much of it seems directly tied to Mark Zuckerberg. Why is his name still on our SF public general hospital?"
Massive advertising boycott of Facebook for failing to regulate hate speech & disinformation Huge staff walk outs & protests. Cozy relationship w Trump, $ to Republicans. Much of it seems directly tied to Mark Zuckerberg Why is his name still on our SF public general hospital? — Matt Haney (@MattHaneySF) June 28, 2020
Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, made a $75 million donation to the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation in 2015. It was the largest monetary donation the hospital has ever received and was used in part to purchase new equipment for the acute care and trauma center.
Haney, who was elected in 2018, tweeted in a thread that while Zuckerberg's gift was generous, keeping the donor's last name on the side of the hospital is "a lot less awesome."
"We should be grateful and encourage such donations—on the other hand, requiring your name to be forever emblazoned on hospital, a lot less awesome," Haney said. "Zuck isn't a doctor. Health care is a right. We don't sell it off, doesn't reflect our values as it relates to health or medical profession, to put someone's name on a hospital [because] they gave $."
Activists across the country have called on cities and universities to remove statues and rename buildings named after controversial historical figures. Princeton University recently voted to remove Woodrow Wilson's name from its School of Public and International Affairs and residence college after the school decided the honor should not be given to the pro-segregation president.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--DC Mayor Wants to Scrub Democrat’s Name From High School

Washington D.C. 's mayor wants to rename a local high school bearing the name of segregationist Democratic president Woodrow Wilson .
After years of petitioning , activists won the support of Mayor Muriel Bowser ( D. ) in their efforts to rename Woodrow Wilson High School .
During a Tuesday press conference , Bowser said she supports the petition to remove the former Democratic president 's name from the Tenleytown school .
`` There is an opportunity for us to kind of step back and look at any statues or other historical references like the naming of a school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of things like that in the District , and step back and look at them holistically… .
I think that [ Woodrow Wilson High School 's name ] should be changed , '' Bowser said .
`` We know the legacy of President Wilson .
I think that it has been appropriately disavowed .
It is particularly impactful here in the District , the seat of the federal government , his legacy of segregationist policy . ''
Bowser announced she would assign a task force to research racially insensitive street names , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` any historical reference . ''
The mayor 's remarks came just days after Princeton University scrubbed Wilson—who was president of the university before becoming U.S. president—from the public policy program and residence hall that bore his name .
Thousands of activists have rallied behind a petition to rename the D.C. high school .
The D.C. History and Justice Collective called Wilson a `` tarnished figurehead '' in a letter asking Bowser to remove his name from the high school .
`` We are urging you to join … Princeton University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on which we have left him for far too long , '' the letter reads .
`` Washington may not be the fastest to end the shameful allegiance to a tarnished figurehead , but it can yet be the model for affirming our civic values over the racist history that continues to shape our city 's inequities today . ''
The movement has found allies within D.C. 's education establishment .
On Monday , Ruth Wattenberg , Ward Three member of the D.C. State Board of Education , told the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his other accomplishments as a president and educator .
`` Whatever else may be true of his life 's work , here in D.C. , he worked aggressively to segregate the federal civil service , '' Wattenberg said .
`` Naming a high school in D.C. after Woodrow Wilson is wrong . ''
Bowser is not the only elected official closely following the battle over Wilson 's legacy .
President Trump also took notice , saying on Twitter that the movement to tear down monuments or rename institutions reflects `` incredible stupidity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation 's capital , as well as in Maryland and Virginia suburbs , have succeeded in recent years .
Last year , the Montgomery County Council president asked E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring , Maryland , to rename itself because of Lee 's segregationist policies .
In 2018 , Orr Elementary School in Northeast D.C. was rebranded as Lawrence Boone Elementary after the school discovered Benjamin Orr—the city 's fourth mayor—was a slaveowner .

Washington D.C.'s mayor wants to rename a local high school bearing the name of segregationist Democratic president Woodrow Wilson.
After years of petitioning, activists won the support of Mayor Muriel Bowser (D.) in their efforts to rename Woodrow Wilson High School. During a Tuesday press conference, Bowser said she supports the petition to remove the former Democratic president's name from the Tenleytown school.
"There is an opportunity for us to kind of step back and look at any statues or other historical references like the naming of a school, or rec center, or any other types of things like that in the District, and step back and look at them holistically.... I think that [Woodrow Wilson High School's name] should be changed," Bowser said. "We know the legacy of President Wilson. I think that it has been appropriately disavowed. It is particularly impactful here in the District, the seat of the federal government, his legacy of segregationist policy."
Bowser announced she would assign a task force to research racially insensitive street names, monuments, buildings, and anything else with "any historical reference."
The mayor's remarks came just days after Princeton University scrubbed Wilson—who was president of the university before becoming U.S. president—from the public policy program and residence hall that bore his name. Thousands of activists have rallied behind a petition to rename the D.C. high school. The D.C. History and Justice Collective called Wilson a "tarnished figurehead" in a letter asking Bowser to remove his name from the high school.
"We are urging you to join ... Princeton University in taking this white supremacist off the pedestal on which we have left him for far too long," the letter reads. "Washington may not be the fastest to end the shameful allegiance to a tarnished figurehead, but it can yet be the model for affirming our civic values over the racist history that continues to shape our city's inequities today."
The movement has found allies within D.C.'s education establishment. On Monday, Ruth Wattenberg, Ward Three member of the D.C. State Board of Education, told the Washington Free Beacon that Wilson's record on segregation outweighs his other accomplishments as a president and educator.
"Whatever else may be true of his life's work, here in D.C., he worked aggressively to segregate the federal civil service," Wattenberg said. "Naming a high school in D.C. after Woodrow Wilson is wrong."
Bowser is not the only elected official closely following the battle over Wilson's legacy. President Trump also took notice, saying on Twitter that the movement to tear down monuments or rename institutions reflects "incredible stupidity."
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277581155945021440?s=20
Campaigns to rename schools in the nation's capital, as well as in Maryland and Virginia suburbs, have succeeded in recent years. Last year, the Montgomery County Council president asked E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland, to rename itself because of Lee's segregationist policies. In 2018, Orr Elementary School in Northeast D.C. was rebranded as Lawrence Boone Elementary after the school discovered Benjamin Orr—the city's fourth mayor—was a slaveowner.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--House Dems Reject Resolution Condemning China for Coronavirus Cyberattacks

House Democrats voted down a resolution that condemned China for launching cyberattacks aimed at stealing valuable coronavirus data from American research institutions .
Rep. Adam Kinzinger ( R. , Ill. ) introduced the resolution on Tuesday morning .
It notes China 's `` long history of conducting cyberattacks on Americans '' and further warns that the Communist nation 's coronavirus-related attacks could `` jeopardize the delivery of secure , effective , and efficient treatment options for American citizens . ''
Kinzinger 's resolution also demands that China be held accountable for `` perpetrating such belligerent acts . ''
Rep. Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of the resolution , calling China 's cyberattacks `` a new low . ''
`` At a time when scientists around the world are working together in an epic race against time to develop a life-saving vaccine to rescue the world from the grips of the coronavirus , the CCP is trying to steal that research for their own selfish purposes , '' he said .
The Texas Republican also admonished the Communist regime for its role in spreading the virus .
McCaul said China `` lied to the world at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , silencing doctors , and downplaying human-to-human transmission .
`` They are trying to steal our research to develop a vaccine to save the world from the very pandemic that they created .
This is absolutely unacceptable and must be condemned , '' the congressman said .
`` Let 's move forward together on calling out the CCP for their continued outrageous and dangerous misbehavior . ''
No House Democrats voted in favor of Kinzinger 's resolution .
National security agencies have been monitoring the issue .
The FBI and Department of Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May to warn U.S. medical research organizations of `` likely targeting and network compromise by the People 's Republican of China ( PRC ) . ''
The announcement accused China of seeking `` valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines , treatments and testing . ''
Kinzinger 's resolution calls on the Trump administration to implement sanctions in an effort to `` punish those responsible and to dissuade others from engaging in the same acts . ''

House Democrats voted down a resolution that condemned China for launching cyberattacks aimed at stealing valuable coronavirus data from American research institutions.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R., Ill.) introduced the resolution on Tuesday morning. It notes China's "long history of conducting cyberattacks on Americans" and further warns that the Communist nation's coronavirus-related attacks could "jeopardize the delivery of secure, effective, and efficient treatment options for American citizens." Kinzinger's resolution also demands that China be held accountable for "perpetrating such belligerent acts."
Rep. Michael McCaul (R., Texas) argued in support of the resolution, calling China's cyberattacks "a new low."
"At a time when scientists around the world are working together in an epic race against time to develop a life-saving vaccine to rescue the world from the grips of the coronavirus, the CCP is trying to steal that research for their own selfish purposes," he said.
The Texas Republican also admonished the Communist regime for its role in spreading the virus. McCaul said China "lied to the world at every turn" by destroying virus samples, silencing doctors, and downplaying human-to-human transmission.
"They are trying to steal our research to develop a vaccine to save the world from the very pandemic that they created. This is absolutely unacceptable and must be condemned," the congressman said. "Let's move forward together on calling out the CCP for their continued outrageous and dangerous misbehavior."
No House Democrats voted in favor of Kinzinger's resolution.
National security agencies have been monitoring the issue. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a public service announcement in May to warn U.S. medical research organizations of "likely targeting and network compromise by the People's Republican of China (PRC)." The announcement accused China of seeking "valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines, treatments and testing."
Kinzinger's resolution calls on the Trump administration to implement sanctions in an effort to "punish those responsible and to dissuade others from engaging in the same acts."


freebeacon--2020-06-30--‘Daily Show’ Discussion on CNN, MSNBC Plummets in Trevor Noah Era

Discussion of Comedy Central 's The Daily Show on MSNBC and CNN has tanked since Trevor Noah took over for Jon Stewart in 2015 , a Washington Free Beacon analysis finds .
A Kinetiq media search showed CNN and MSNBC 's mentions of the satirical news program or its host fell from a combined 4,420 times during the last five years of Stewart 's tenure to 634 times during the first five years of Noah 's .
The drastic decrease reflects the loss of influence of Comedy Central 's flagship show since Stewart 's departure .
While Stewart , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political satire Irresistible , was cited dozens of times per month on the left-leaning outlets , Noah is a comparative afterthought among the elites .
MSNBC mentioned or cited `` Jon Stewart '' or `` The Daily Show '' 2,855 times from Nov. 1 , 2010 , through Aug. 7 , 2015 , the day after Stewart 's final hosting appearance .
That fell to 319 mentions of `` Trevor Noah '' and `` The Daily Show '' from Sept. 27 , 2015 , the day before Noah 's first show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decrease of 88.8 percent .
CNN mentioned or cited `` Jon Stewart '' or `` The Daily Show '' 1,565 times from Nov. 1 , 2010 , through Aug. 7 , 2015 .
`` Trevor Noah '' and `` The Daily Show , '' however , were mentioned only 315 times from Sept. 26 , 2015 , through June 29 , 2020 , a decrease of 79.9 percent .
The Free Beacon ‘ s analysis did not include reruns .
MSNBC ( 284 ) and CNN ( 260 ) mentioned Stewart and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his retirement—almost as much as they have discussed Noah and the show during Noah 's entire tenure .
MSNBC ( 264 ) and CNN ( 147 ) also extensively covered Stewart 's final week on the show in August 2015 .
Both networks leaned on Stewart clips in October 2012 , the final month before President Barack Obama 's reelection campaign against Mitt Romney .
Stewart and The Daily Show received 226 mentions combined on MSNBC ( 122 ) and CNN ( 114 ) in that month .
In October 2016 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton 's election battle , Noah and The Daily Show got just eight mentions from MSNBC ( 1 ) and CNN ( 7 ) .
Besides a brief burst of attention when the largely unknown South African comedian took Stewart 's position in September 2015 , CNN and MSNBC have almost entirely ignored Noah .
While he largely mirrors Stewart 's left-wing sensibilities , he has a more cheerful persona than Stewart 's sardonic one and focuses less than his predecessor on cable news .
Stewart also largely had the politically focused realm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 years anchoring the show .
Owed in part to The Daily Show ‘ s influence and popularity with the media , however , the Trump era has seen an increase in politically focused humor from Noah 's fellow late-night hosts .
Liberal comedians Seth Meyers , Jimmy Kimmel , and former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert focus heavily on politics and Trump on their nightly network programs .
The same goes for liberal hosts Samantha Bee and John Oliver , also former Daily Show correspondents , on their weekly shows Full Frontal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took over The Daily Show in 1999 , the cable show transitioned from a focus on pop culture to skewering politicians and the media from a liberal perspective .
His departure was met with open mourning on CNN and MSNBC in 2015 .
On Aug. 6 , 2015 , the day Stewart signed off , Rachel Maddow hailed it as the `` best news and satire show that our country has ever had . ''
`` If you care about the kinds of things that you probably care about if you watch this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unreasonable to look at this event tonight , to look at Jon Stewart ending The Daily Show , and ask , ‘ Who are we actually going to be as a country after tonight 's last Daily Show ? ''
she said .
According to Kinetiq , Maddow has only mentioned The Daily Show three times in the last three years .
Two of those times , it was in reference to Stewart .

Discussion of Comedy Central's The Daily Show on MSNBC and CNN has tanked since Trevor Noah took over for Jon Stewart in 2015, a Washington Free Beacon analysis finds.
A Kinetiq media search showed CNN and MSNBC's mentions of the satirical news program or its host fell from a combined 4,420 times during the last five years of Stewart's tenure to 634 times during the first five years of Noah's.
The drastic decrease reflects the loss of influence of Comedy Central's flagship show since Stewart's departure. While Stewart, in the news again with the release of his political satire Irresistible, was cited dozens of times per month on the left-leaning outlets, Noah is a comparative afterthought among the elites.
MSNBC mentioned or cited "Jon Stewart" or "The Daily Show" 2,855 times from Nov. 1, 2010, through Aug. 7, 2015, the day after Stewart's final hosting appearance. That fell to 319 mentions of "Trevor Noah" and "The Daily Show" from Sept. 27, 2015, the day before Noah's first show, through June 30, 2020, a decrease of 88.8 percent.
CNN mentioned or cited "Jon Stewart" or "The Daily Show" 1,565 times from Nov. 1, 2010, through Aug. 7, 2015. "Trevor Noah" and "The Daily Show," however, were mentioned only 315 times from Sept. 26, 2015, through June 29, 2020, a decrease of 79.9 percent.
The Free Beacon's analysis did not include reruns.
MSNBC (284) and CNN (260) mentioned Stewart and his program in February 2015—the month he announced his retirement—almost as much as they have discussed Noah and the show during Noah's entire tenure. MSNBC (264) and CNN (147) also extensively covered Stewart's final week on the show in August 2015.
Both networks leaned on Stewart clips in October 2012, the final month before President Barack Obama's reelection campaign against Mitt Romney. Stewart and The Daily Show received 226 mentions combined on MSNBC (122) and CNN (114) in that month. In October 2016, the final month of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's election battle, Noah and The Daily Show got just eight mentions from MSNBC (1) and CNN (7).
Besides a brief burst of attention when the largely unknown South African comedian took Stewart's position in September 2015, CNN and MSNBC have almost entirely ignored Noah. While he largely mirrors Stewart's left-wing sensibilities, he has a more cheerful persona than Stewart's sardonic one and focuses less than his predecessor on cable news.
Stewart also largely had the politically focused realm of late-night humor to himself during his 16 years anchoring the show. Owed in part to The Daily Show's influence and popularity with the media, however, the Trump era has seen an increase in politically focused humor from Noah's fellow late-night hosts.
Liberal comedians Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert focus heavily on politics and Trump on their nightly network programs. The same goes for liberal hosts Samantha Bee and John Oliver, also former Daily Show correspondents, on their weekly shows Full Frontal and Last Week Tonight.
After Stewart took over The Daily Show in 1999, the cable show transitioned from a focus on pop culture to skewering politicians and the media from a liberal perspective.
His departure was met with open mourning on CNN and MSNBC in 2015. On Aug. 6, 2015, the day Stewart signed off, Rachel Maddow hailed it as the "best news and satire show that our country has ever had."
"If you care about the kinds of things that you probably care about if you watch this show, it's not all that unreasonable to look at this event tonight, to look at Jon Stewart ending The Daily Show, and ask, 'Who are we actually going to be as a country after tonight's last Daily Show?" she said.
According to Kinetiq, Maddow has only mentioned The Daily Show three times in the last three years. Two of those times, it was in reference to Stewart.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--FCC Issues Final Orders Declaring Huawei, ZTE National Security Threats

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday formally designated China ’ s Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp as posing threats to U.S. national security , a declaration that bars U.S. firms from tapping an $ 8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies .
The U.S. telecommunications regulator voted in November 5-0 to issue the declaration and proposed requiring rural carriers to remove and replace equipment from the two Chinese companies from existing U.S. networks .
`` We can not and will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to exploit network vulnerabilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement Tuesday .
Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to requests for comment but have previously sharply criticized the FCC ’ s actions .
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said on Tuesday that `` untrustworthy equipment '' remains in place in U.S. networks and said the U.S. Congress must allocate funding for replacements .
In May 2019 , Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by companies posing a national security risk .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacklist last year .
The FCC has taken an increasingly hard line against Chinese firms .
In April , the FCC said it may shut down U.S. operations of three state-controlled Chinese telecommunications companies The FCC required China Telecom Americas , China Unicom Americas , Pacific Networks Corp and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet ( USA ) LLC to explain why it should not start the process of revoking authorizations enabling their U.S. operations .
The FCC granted its approvals to the firms more than a decade ago .
In May 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese telecommunications company , China Mobile Ltd , the right to provide U.S. services , citing risks that the Chinese government could use the company to conduct espionage against the U.S. government .

By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday formally designated China’s Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp as posing threats to U.S. national security, a declaration that bars U.S. firms from tapping an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies.
The U.S. telecommunications regulator voted in November 5-0 to issue the declaration and proposed requiring rural carriers to remove and replace equipment from the two Chinese companies from existing U.S. networks. "We cannot and will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to exploit network vulnerabilities and compromise our critical communications infrastructure," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement Tuesday.
Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to requests for comment but have previously sharply criticized the FCC’s actions.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said on Tuesday that "untrustworthy equipment" remains in place in U.S. networks and said the U.S. Congress must allocate funding for replacements.
In May 2019, Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by companies posing a national security risk. The Trump administration also added Huawei to its trade blacklist last year.
The FCC has taken an increasingly hard line against Chinese firms.
In April, the FCC said it may shut down U.S. operations of three state-controlled Chinese telecommunications companies
The FCC required China Telecom Americas, China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks Corp and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC to explain why it should not start the process of revoking authorizations enabling their U.S. operations.
The FCC granted its approvals to the firms more than a decade ago.
In May 2019, the FCC voted to deny another state-owned Chinese telecommunications company, China Mobile Ltd, the right to provide U.S. services, citing risks that the Chinese government could use the company to conduct espionage against the U.S. government.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Sandra Maler)


freebeacon--2020-06-30--McGrath Ekes Out Victory in KY’s Democratic Primary

Amy McGrath held on to win the Kentucky Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday , surviving a late push from a progressive state legislator whom she outspent 40-to-1 .
With the national party 's backing , McGrath has raised at least $ 41 million—more than any congressional candidate in the 2020 cycle—and spent more than $ 21 million on the primary .
Kentucky state representative Charles Booker , meanwhile , spent just over $ 500,000 on the race as of June 3 .
The huge spending advantage was enough to hand the Democrat a narrow victory .
With roughly 90 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booker by less than 2 points , garnering nearly 227,000 votes to Booker 's nearly 219,000 .
McGrath turned her attention to out-of-state donors to give her an edge in her bid to run against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) .
Her campaign launch video in July 2019 did not mention the word `` Kentucky , '' and the Democrat went on to spend big on national ads that loosened liberal purse strings .
Long considered an afterthought in the primary , Booker 's campaign surged as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Black Lives Matter protests following the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville .
The progressive received endorsements from Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and Ayanna Pressley ( D. , Mass . )
in the days leading up to the primary .
He also won the backing of former Kentucky secretary of state Alison Lundergan Grimes—who lost to McConnell in 2014—as well as the Louisville Courier Journal and Lexington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGrath 's campaign `` unimaginative and uninspiring '' in its endorsement .
Results from the race were delayed by widespread absentee voting due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Many Kentucky counties chose not to report any absentee results until one week after the June 23 primary .
Both McGrath and Booker held early leads as in-person Election Day votes trickled in , with Booker leading in Louisville 's Jefferson County by nearly 65 points .
His final push came too late , however , as absentee voting opened in the state weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 percent of Democratic voters submitted ballots in person .
McGrath 's massive spending advantage pushed her over the edge in a gaffe-filled primary in which she alternatively portrayed herself as a blue-dog Democrat and true-blue progressive .
She was forced to backtrack in July 2019 after saying she `` probably '' would have voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court .
The Democrat went on to argue that it was her opponent—Mitch McConnell—who was obstructing Trump 's agenda , telling voters `` you ca n't drain the swamp until you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the strategy helped her war chest , it may have alienated Bluegrass State residents .
A Data for Progress poll released in June showed McGrath with a favorable rating of just 24 percent and an unfavorable rating of 59 percent .
McGrath will now face McConnell in November .

Amy McGrath held on to win the Kentucky Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, surviving a late push from a progressive state legislator whom she outspent 40-to-1.
With the national party's backing, McGrath has raised at least $41 million—more than any congressional candidate in the 2020 cycle—and spent more than $21 million on the primary. Kentucky state representative Charles Booker, meanwhile, spent just over $500,000 on the race as of June 3.
The huge spending advantage was enough to hand the Democrat a narrow victory. With roughly 90 percent of the vote counted, McGrath led Booker by less than 2 points, garnering nearly 227,000 votes to Booker's nearly 219,000.
McGrath turned her attention to out-of-state donors to give her an edge in her bid to run against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.). Her campaign launch video in July 2019 did not mention the word "Kentucky," and the Democrat went on to spend big on national ads that loosened liberal purse strings.
Long considered an afterthought in the primary, Booker's campaign surged as the African-American state legislator played a prominent role in Black Lives Matter protests following the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville. The progressive received endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.) in the days leading up to the primary. He also won the backing of former Kentucky secretary of state Alison Lundergan Grimes—who lost to McConnell in 2014—as well as the Louisville Courier Journal and Lexington Herald Leader. The Courier Journal called McGrath's campaign "unimaginative and uninspiring" in its endorsement.
Results from the race were delayed by widespread absentee voting due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many Kentucky counties chose not to report any absentee results until one week after the June 23 primary. Both McGrath and Booker held early leads as in-person Election Day votes trickled in, with Booker leading in Louisville's Jefferson County by nearly 65 points. His final push came too late, however, as absentee voting opened in the state weeks before his campaign reached peak momentum. Just 18 percent of Democratic voters submitted ballots in person.
McGrath's massive spending advantage pushed her over the edge in a gaffe-filled primary in which she alternatively portrayed herself as a blue-dog Democrat and true-blue progressive. She was forced to backtrack in July 2019 after saying she "probably" would have voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Democrat went on to argue that it was her opponent—Mitch McConnell—who was obstructing Trump's agenda, telling voters "you can't drain the swamp until you get rid of Mitch McConnell."
While the strategy helped her war chest, it may have alienated Bluegrass State residents. A Data for Progress poll released in June showed McGrath with a favorable rating of just 24 percent and an unfavorable rating of 59 percent.
McGrath will now face McConnell in November.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--BLM Activists Are Funneling Donations Back to Their Own Companies, Documents Show

The left-wing activist and former Bernie Sanders surrogate Shaun King is among the most visible faces of the Black Lives Matter movement .
The former Daily Kos blogger is also one of its prominent fundraisers : In 2017 , King founded a political action committee—the Real Justice PAC—with an eye toward driving criminal-justice reform across the country using the same mass mobilization techniques employed by the Sanders campaign .
But over the past 15 months , the Real Justice PAC , staffed by a number of left-wing activists , has funneled a quarter of the money it has brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since January of 2019 , the PAC has cut dozens of checks totaling more than $ 460,000 to three political consultancy firms linked to PAC employees .
The PAC 's data strategist , Jin Ding , and its treasurer , Becky Bond , manage two of them : Social Practice LLC and Bernal Alto LLC .
The third—Middle Seat Consulting—was cofounded by one of the PAC 's original leaders , Hector Sigala .
`` There are legal and ethical ways to have people in leadership positions at an organization also serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Walter , president of the Capital Research Center , a money-in-politics watchdog , told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` But these relationships properly raise questions , especially for a group whose leaders include someone like Shaun King , who has repeatedly been accused of enriching himself improperly . ''
`` For 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) charities , the IRS actually prohibits what ’ s called ‘ private inurement ' or excessive benefit to an individual from the organization ’ s coffers , '' Walter said .
`` Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseen by the IRS but a PAC overseen by the Federal Election Commission , which so far as I know doesn ’ t have such a strict regulation .
Still , groups like Real Justice that routinely criticize their opponents for things like ‘ dark money ' influence—should be prepared to defend practices that let leaders write checks to their own for-profit consultancies . ''
Ding , the PAC 's technology strategist , is registered as the manager for the California-based Social Practice LLC and Bernal Alto LLC in the firms ' state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250,000 from Real Justice PAC this cycle for campaign consulting and digital services .
Bernal Alto , which dissolved earlier this year , was paid $ 20,000 for consulting and organizing services .
Bond , a cofounder of the PAC and former senior adviser to Bernie Sanders 's 2016 presidential campaign , is also listed as a manager for both companies .
Progressive digital firm Middle Seat Consulting , which was cofounded by Sigala , received $ 193,000 from the PAC for advertising services .
While it does not appear that King is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments , the activist has faced accusations of pocketing money he fundraised for Haitian orphans and the families of black individuals killed by police .
`` Some of that money went to survivors or victims ’ families , but much of the largess either went into failed projects , King ’ s own pockets , or is unaccounted for , '' the Daily Beast reported in 2019 .
King called the accusations `` bulls—t '' and said that `` people need to understand that failure is not fraud . ''
King promised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money in March of last year , but never did .
Real Justice PAC 's profile has grown amid widespread protests against racism and police violence .
The group claimed it has seen an influx of new donations—though it did not specify the amount—and is featured on donation-guide lists for Black Lives Matter supporters .
The financial arrangement is in keeping with the PAC 's previous practices .
During the 2018 election cycle , the PAC sent more than half a million dollars to Bernal Alto and Middle Seat , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could raise questions about how the PAC will use its windfall of new donations .
In previous cycles Real Justice PAC has been pivotal in helping elect far-left district attorneys .
In 2017 it provided outside fundraising services for far-left Philadelphia DA candidate Larry Krasner , who went on to win .
The group backed a slew of other left-wing candidates including San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin and state 's attorney for Cook County , Ill. , Kim Foxx .
King , Bond , and several others formed Real Justice PAC in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism . ''
It has since worked alongside George Soros 's criminal justice PAC on DA contests across the country .
Those efforts have given many far-left candidates major money advantages in their races .
Real Justice has pulled in nearly $ 2 million so far this cycle .
Much of that sum came from Cari Tuna , the wife of Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz .
Tuna was also the PAC 's first donor .
Tuna 's foundation , the Open Philanthropy Action Fund , made a $ 750,000 contribution to the PAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another $ 50,000 .
The PAC has also received $ 100,000 this cycle from the Sixteen Thirty Fund , a dark money group that falls under the umbrella of Arabella Advisors , a massive D.C.-based network wealthy Democratic donors use to conceal the sources of hundreds of millions donated to liberal groups and initiatives every year .
The Real Justice PAC did not respond to a request for comment on the payments .

The left-wing activist and former Bernie Sanders surrogate Shaun King is among the most visible faces of the Black Lives Matter movement. The former Daily Kos blogger is also one of its prominent fundraisers: In 2017, King founded a political action committee—the Real Justice PAC—with an eye toward driving criminal-justice reform across the country using the same mass mobilization techniques employed by the Sanders campaign.
But over the past 15 months, the Real Justice PAC, staffed by a number of left-wing activists, has funneled a quarter of the money it has brought in back to companies linked to PAC leaders.
Since January of 2019, the PAC has cut dozens of checks totaling more than $460,000 to three political consultancy firms linked to PAC employees. The PAC's data strategist, Jin Ding, and its treasurer, Becky Bond, manage two of them: Social Practice LLC and Bernal Alto LLC. The third—Middle Seat Consulting—was cofounded by one of the PAC's original leaders, Hector Sigala.
"There are legal and ethical ways to have people in leadership positions at an organization also serve as vendors to the same organization," Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, a money-in-politics watchdog, told the Washington Free Beacon. "But these relationships properly raise questions, especially for a group whose leaders include someone like Shaun King, who has repeatedly been accused of enriching himself improperly."
"For 501(c)(3) charities, the IRS actually prohibits what’s called 'private inurement' or excessive benefit to an individual from the organization’s coffers," Walter said. "Real Justice PAC isn’t a nonprofit overseen by the IRS but a PAC overseen by the Federal Election Commission, which so far as I know doesn’t have such a strict regulation. Still, groups like Real Justice that routinely criticize their opponents for things like 'dark money' influence—should be prepared to defend practices that let leaders write checks to their own for-profit consultancies."
Ding, the PAC's technology strategist, is registered as the manager for the California-based Social Practice LLC and Bernal Alto LLC in the firms' state filings. Social Practice received nearly $250,000 from Real Justice PAC this cycle for campaign consulting and digital services. Bernal Alto, which dissolved earlier this year, was paid $20,000 for consulting and organizing services. Bond, a cofounder of the PAC and former senior adviser to Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign, is also listed as a manager for both companies. Progressive digital firm Middle Seat Consulting, which was cofounded by Sigala, received $193,000 from the PAC for advertising services.
While it does not appear that King is personally profiting from Real Justice PAC's payments, the activist has faced accusations of pocketing money he fundraised for Haitian orphans and the families of black individuals killed by police. "Some of that money went to survivors or victims’ families, but much of the largess either went into failed projects, King’s own pockets, or is unaccounted for," the Daily Beast reported in 2019. King called the accusations "bulls—t" and said that "people need to understand that failure is not fraud." King promised to release records of where he spent fundraised money in March of last year, but never did.
Real Justice PAC's profile has grown amid widespread protests against racism and police violence. The group claimed it has seen an influx of new donations—though it did not specify the amount—and is featured on donation-guide lists for Black Lives Matter supporters.
The financial arrangement is in keeping with the PAC's previous practices. During the 2018 election cycle, the PAC sent more than half a million dollars to Bernal Alto and Middle Seat, according to the Daily Caller, and the continued payments could raise questions about how the PAC will use its windfall of new donations.
In previous cycles Real Justice PAC has been pivotal in helping elect far-left district attorneys. In 2017 it provided outside fundraising services for far-left Philadelphia DA candidate Larry Krasner, who went on to win. The group backed a slew of other left-wing candidates including San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin and state's attorney for Cook County, Ill., Kim Foxx.
King, Bond, and several others formed Real Justice PAC in 2017 with the goal of "fighting structural racism." It has since worked alongside George Soros's criminal justice PAC on DA contests across the country. Those efforts have given many far-left candidates major money advantages in their races. Real Justice has pulled in nearly $2 million so far this cycle. Much of that sum came from Cari Tuna, the wife of Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz. Tuna was also the PAC's first donor.
Tuna's foundation, the Open Philanthropy Action Fund, made a $750,000 contribution to the PAC in October. Tuna has directly donated another $50,000. The PAC has also received $100,000 this cycle from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a dark money group that falls under the umbrella of Arabella Advisors, a massive D.C.-based network wealthy Democratic donors use to conceal the sources of hundreds of millions donated to liberal groups and initiatives every year.
The Real Justice PAC did not respond to a request for comment on the payments.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--Supreme Court Strengthens Right Of Religious Schools To Public Funding

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a landmark decision that strengthens the right of religious schools to obtain public funds , ruling that Montana violated the First Amendment when it excluded faith-based educators from a scholarship program supported by public monies .
Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the decision for a 5-4 Court , over three dissents from the liberal justices .
The decision comes as surveys show support for President Donald Trump slipping among religious conservatives and could provide a needed buoy to his supporters as a Court he purported to stack with conservative jurists has delivered victories for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days .
`` A state need not subsidize private education , '' Roberts wrote .
`` But once a state decides to do so , it can not disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious . ''
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , long a champion of school vouchers , was on hand for oral arguments before the High Court in January .
DeVos and GOP lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) have proposed a $ 5 billion tax credit to support private education , through which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who contribute to scholarship programs .
The decision is a victory for religious conservatives and school choice groups , who were deeply invested in a case they viewed as a potential landmark .
In the past , school choice advocates maintained a modest posture in the High Court , asking the justices to uphold low-dollar voucher programs in Ohio and Arizona .
In Tuesday 's case , they posed a grander proposition—the Constitution requires states to include religious schools in their student aid programs .
The Trump administration supported the plaintiffs in Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Kayleigh McEnany praised the decision , saying President Donald Trump `` believes that school choice is a civil rights issue , and that no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing school . ''
The Montana legislature enacted a school choice program in 2015 that provided a tax credit of up to $ 150 for donations to nonprofit scholarship funds .
In turn , those organizations make payments to qualifying families who wish to send their children to private schools , including religious institutions .
About two-thirds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliation .
Shortly after the program took effect , a state agency issued a rule prohibiting recipient families from using their scholarship awards at religious schools .
The agency cited the Montana constitution 's no religious aid provision as justification for the rule .
Three plaintiffs—Kendra Espinoza , Jeri Anderson , and Jaime Schaefer—who wish to send their children to Stillwater Christian School using scholarship funds challenged the rule in state court .
The Montana Supreme Court struck down the tax credit program in its entirety , prompting an appeal to the justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties groups see the case as a serious threat to public education and religious neutrality in civic life .
The American Federation of Teachers ( AFT ) , the second-largest teachers ' union in the nation , filed an amicus brief urging the justices to uphold Montana 's no religious aid law .
`` Make no mistake , if a majority of the justices side with the petitioners , the Supreme Court will be responsible for unleashing a virtual earthquake in this country that threatens both religious liberty and public education , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments in January .
The decision follows a 2017 case , Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer , in which a 7-2 Court said Missouri was wrong to exclude a church from a grant program that finances playground resurfacing .
Though the decision only addressed Missouri ’ s program and went no further , the justices said denying eligible applicants a grant solely because of their religious status is `` odious to the Constitution . ''
Roberts built on that 2017 case on Tuesday , saying the Montana constitution ’ s no religious aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That violates the First Amendment guarantee to free practice of religion , the Court said .
`` The Montana Constitution discriminates based on religious status just like the Missouri policy in Trinity Lutheran , '' Roberts wrote .
More than 30 states have similar provisions in their constitutions banning support for `` sectarian '' schools .
Many were enacted in the 1870s—a period of sustained persecution against Catholics by a Protestant majority—with the specific intent of excluding Catholic institutions from the public fisc .
The chief justice wrote that those laws , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigotry '' against Catholics in Tuesday ’ s ruling .
`` The no-aid provisions of the 19th century hardly evince a tradition that should inform our understanding of the free exercise clause , '' Roberts wrote .
Eliminating Blaine amendments has been a top priority of religious freedom cause lawyers .
`` The Supreme Court was right to recognize the unconstitutionality of Montana ’ s Blaine Amendment and we are confident that this ruling will rid our country of these pernicious laws , '' said Diana Verm , a lawyer at the Becket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for religious education also has a rich founding-era pedigree , Roberts wrote .
The federal government made land grants to religious schools , while Congress supported denominational schools in the capital and financed churches that ran schools for Native Americans .
In a solo opinion , Justice Neil Gorsuch sounded a note of warning about the Court ’ s approach .
Though he joined the majority opinion , he worried that the Court ’ s focus on status-based discrimination is under-inclusive , failing to encompass religious activity .
He voiced that same concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What point is it to tell a person that he is free to be Muslim but he may be subject to discrimination for doing what his religion commands ? ''
Gorsuch wrote .
In dissent , Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the state court decision , which scrapped the tax-credit program in its entirety , cured any First Amendment problems .
Without a scholarship program , there ’ s no occasion for discrimination , and the matter is ended , she argued .
`` The decision below puts petitioners to no choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor declining to send their children to sectarian schools , would affect their entitlement to scholarship funding , '' Ginsburg wrote .
`` There simply are no scholarship funds to be had . ''
The case is No .
18-1195 Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue .
Updates 12:38 p.m. , 2:01 p.m. : This post has been updated with further information .

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a landmark decision that strengthens the right of religious schools to obtain public funds, ruling that Montana violated the First Amendment when it excluded faith-based educators from a scholarship program supported by public monies.
Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the decision for a 5-4 Court, over three dissents from the liberal justices. The decision comes as surveys show support for President Donald Trump slipping among religious conservatives and could provide a needed buoy to his supporters as a Court he purported to stack with conservative jurists has delivered victories for liberals on abortion and LGBT rights in recent days.
"A state need not subsidize private education," Roberts wrote. "But once a state decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious."
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, long a champion of school vouchers, was on hand for oral arguments before the High Court in January. DeVos and GOP lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) have proposed a $5 billion tax credit to support private education, through which participating states provide dollar-for-dollar credits to taxpayers who contribute to scholarship programs.
The decision is a victory for religious conservatives and school choice groups, who were deeply invested in a case they viewed as a potential landmark. In the past, school choice advocates maintained a modest posture in the High Court, asking the justices to uphold low-dollar voucher programs in Ohio and Arizona. In Tuesday's case, they posed a grander proposition—the Constitution requires states to include religious schools in their student aid programs.
The Trump administration supported the plaintiffs in Tuesday’s case. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany praised the decision, saying President Donald Trump "believes that school choice is a civil rights issue, and that no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing school."
The Montana legislature enacted a school choice program in 2015 that provided a tax credit of up to $150 for donations to nonprofit scholarship funds. In turn, those organizations make payments to qualifying families who wish to send their children to private schools, including religious institutions. About two-thirds of private schools in Montana have a religious affiliation.
Shortly after the program took effect, a state agency issued a rule prohibiting recipient families from using their scholarship awards at religious schools. The agency cited the Montana constitution's no religious aid provision as justification for the rule. Three plaintiffs—Kendra Espinoza, Jeri Anderson, and Jaime Schaefer—who wish to send their children to Stillwater Christian School using scholarship funds challenged the rule in state court. The Montana Supreme Court struck down the tax credit program in its entirety, prompting an appeal to the justices.
Teachers' unions and leftwing civil liberties groups see the case as a serious threat to public education and religious neutrality in civic life. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the second-largest teachers' union in the nation, filed an amicus brief urging the justices to uphold Montana's no religious aid law.
"Make no mistake, if a majority of the justices side with the petitioners, the Supreme Court will be responsible for unleashing a virtual earthquake in this country that threatens both religious liberty and public education," AFT president Randi Weingarten said after oral arguments in January.
The decision follows a 2017 case, Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, in which a 7-2 Court said Missouri was wrong to exclude a church from a grant program that finances playground resurfacing. Though the decision only addressed Missouri’s program and went no further, the justices said denying eligible applicants a grant solely because of their religious status is "odious to the Constitution."
Roberts built on that 2017 case on Tuesday, saying the Montana constitution’s no religious aid rule discriminates based on religious status. That violates the First Amendment guarantee to free practice of religion, the Court said.
"The Montana Constitution discriminates based on religious status just like the Missouri policy in Trinity Lutheran," Roberts wrote.
More than 30 states have similar provisions in their constitutions banning support for "sectarian" schools. Many were enacted in the 1870s—a period of sustained persecution against Catholics by a Protestant majority—with the specific intent of excluding Catholic institutions from the public fisc. The chief justice wrote that those laws, called Blaine amendments, were "born of bigotry" against Catholics in Tuesday’s ruling.
"The no-aid provisions of the 19th century hardly evince a tradition that should inform our understanding of the free exercise clause," Roberts wrote.
Eliminating Blaine amendments has been a top priority of religious freedom cause lawyers.
"The Supreme Court was right to recognize the unconstitutionality of Montana’s Blaine Amendment and we are confident that this ruling will rid our country of these pernicious laws," said Diana Verm, a lawyer at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
Public support for religious education also has a rich founding-era pedigree, Roberts wrote. The federal government made land grants to religious schools, while Congress supported denominational schools in the capital and financed churches that ran schools for Native Americans.
In a solo opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch sounded a note of warning about the Court’s approach. Though he joined the majority opinion, he worried that the Court’s focus on status-based discrimination is under-inclusive, failing to encompass religious activity. He voiced that same concern in the 2017 Trinity Lutheran decision.
"What point is it to tell a person that he is free to be Muslim but he may be subject to discrimination for doing what his religion commands?" Gorsuch wrote.
In dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the state court decision, which scrapped the tax-credit program in its entirety, cured any First Amendment problems. Without a scholarship program, there’s no occasion for discrimination, and the matter is ended, she argued.
"The decision below puts petitioners to no choice: Neither giving up their faith, nor declining to send their children to sectarian schools, would affect their entitlement to scholarship funding," Ginsburg wrote. "There simply are no scholarship funds to be had."
The case is No. 18-1195 Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
Espinoza v. Montana Departm... by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd
Updates 12:38 p.m., 2:01 p.m.: This post has been updated with further information.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--DNC Bashes Mount Rushmore

DNC Bashes Mount Rushmore

The Democratic National Committee 's official Twitter account on Monday attacked President Donald Trump 's planned Fourth of July celebration at Mount Rushmore as `` a rally glorifying white supremacy . ''
`` Trump has disrespected Native communities time and again .
He 's attempted to limit their voting rights and blocked critical pandemic relief , '' the since-deleted tweet read .
`` Now he 's holding a rally glorifying white supremacy at Mount Rushmore — a region once sacred to tribal communities . ''
The tweet linked to a Guardian article that detailed criticism from Native American tribes about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The article quoted a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe who said Mount Rushmore symbolized white supremacy and glorified conquerors who committed genocide .
`` Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy , of structural racism that ’ s still alive and well in society today , '' the member told the newspaper .
`` It ’ s an injustice to actively steal indigenous people ’ s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide . ''
The DNC 's Twitter account deleted the tweet after posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1941 , displays the faces of Presidents George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Theodore Roosevelt , and Abraham Lincoln .
In May 2019 , Trump announced that the annual fireworks display would return to Mount Rushmore after a 10-year absence .
The fireworks display ended in 2009 due to concerns over environmental impacts .
Gov .
Kristi Noem ( R. , S.D . )
said that free face masks will be provided at the event , set to take place Friday , but that attendees will not be required to practice social @ @

The Democratic National Committee's official Twitter account on Monday attacked President Donald Trump's planned Fourth of July celebration at Mount Rushmore as "a rally glorifying white supremacy."
"Trump has disrespected Native communities time and again. He's attempted to limit their voting rights and blocked critical pandemic relief," the since-deleted tweet read. "Now he's holding a rally glorifying white supremacy at Mount Rushmore — a region once sacred to tribal communities."
The tweet linked to a Guardian article that detailed criticism from Native American tribes about Trump's proposed Fourth of July event. The article quoted a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe who said Mount Rushmore symbolized white supremacy and glorified conquerors who committed genocide.
"Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today," the member told the newspaper. "It’s an injustice to actively steal indigenous people’s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide."
The DNC's Twitter account deleted the tweet after posting it.
The famed monument, completed in 1941, displays the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
In May 2019, Trump announced that the annual fireworks display would return to Mount Rushmore after a 10-year absence. The fireworks display ended in 2009 due to concerns over environmental impacts.
Gov. Kristi Noem (R., S.D.) said that free face masks will be provided at the event, set to take place Friday, but that attendees will not be required to practice social distancing.


freebeacon--2020-06-30--Qatar Hired Former CIA Agents to Hack Prominent GOP Official, Lawsuit Alleges

Qatar hired a team of former CIA and U.S. military intelligence officials to conduct a hack attack on a prominent American political activist after he raised questions about the country ’ s support for terrorism , according to allegations in a new lawsuit .
Republican financier Elliott Broidy alleges that Qatar enlisted former U.S. intelligence officials to carry out a 2018 cyber espionage operation on his personal and business email servers .
That information , Broidy alleges , was later leaked to the media in order to discredit the longtime GOP activist and advance Doha ’ s interests in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hackers affiliated with the Global Risk Advisors ( GRA ) consulting group were paid by Qatar to carry out the illicit scheme and similar attacks on prominent critics of Qatar .
GRA , an American cyber security consulting group , is composed of former CIA and other military intelligence officials with extensive experience in the cyber espionage realm .
GRA `` conspired with [ American ] public-relations strategists to steal Mr. Broidy ’ s confidential materials and plant carefully curated excerpts and manipulated materials with the press to cause Plaintiffs maximum damage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was perfectly suited for this work because it employs former National Security Agency , Central Intelligence Agency , and U.S. Armed Forces personnel with extensive offensive hacking expertise . ''
The filing marks another salvo in a long-running legal dispute between Broidy and Qatar , which is accused of orchestrating multiple hack attacks on its most prominent U.S. and European critics .
In addition to the quarrel with Broidy , Qatar is believed to be behind a series of similar cyber attacks on prominent GOP and Jewish community activists who have pressured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Broidy previously sued several U.S. public-relations companies he accuses of helping Qatar distribute his stolen information .
Qatar has long been suspected of financing the hack on Broidy and other leading critics of Doha ’ s terror financing network , which includes support for Hamas and other Iranian-backed militia groups .
In addition to targeting perceived critics , Qatar allegedly spied on prominent Jewish community members in Washington , D.C. , to collect information about their anti-Doha lobbying efforts .
Congress is investigating the country over these claims .
The information leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covert lobbying work on behalf of the United Arab Emirates , one of Qatar ’ s top regional opponents .
It also included claims that the married Broidy engaged in an affair .
At least a portion of the leaked information , including details of his business dealings , has been discredited .
Broidy is seeking a trial by jury to determine if GRA and several other U.S. consulting groups were complicit in Qatar ’ s alleged conspiracy .
Qatar is said to have hired the organization as part of a `` criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online networks and collect confidential data .
GRA ’ s employees `` are the world-class hackers who , primarily from their U.S. locations and with U.S. citizen hackers , illegally broke into the email servers of Mr. Broidy , his wife , [ and ] his executive assistant , '' according to the lawsuit .
`` They then distributed the hacked materials in a secure manner to various media outlets , as directed by other members of the conspiracy , to inflict maximum damage on Mr .
Broidy . ''
GRA is further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' officials from the FIFA soccer league as part of Qatar ’ s bid to host the 2022 World Cup .
The U.S. Justice Department alleges that Qatar bribed and blackmailed scores of FIFA officials over a 10-year period to secure rights for the 2022 World Cup .
GRA is alleged to have helped Qatar collect information on FIFA officials as part of an operation that eventually targeted Broidy for his public criticisms .
These hacking operations , including the one targeting Broidy , were conducted by a small group of highly specialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretive , illegal conduct , '' the lawsuit alleges .
The hacks were allegedly carried out from locations in the United States and Qatar .
An email sent to GRA requesting comment was not returned by press time .

Qatar hired a team of former CIA and U.S. military intelligence officials to conduct a hack attack on a prominent American political activist after he raised questions about the country’s support for terrorism, according to allegations in a new lawsuit.
Republican financier Elliott Broidy alleges that Qatar enlisted former U.S. intelligence officials to carry out a 2018 cyber espionage operation on his personal and business email servers. That information, Broidy alleges, was later leaked to the media in order to discredit the longtime GOP activist and advance Doha’s interests in America.
The suit reveals allegations that U.S.-based hackers affiliated with the Global Risk Advisors (GRA) consulting group were paid by Qatar to carry out the illicit scheme and similar attacks on prominent critics of Qatar. GRA, an American cyber security consulting group, is composed of former CIA and other military intelligence officials with extensive experience in the cyber espionage realm.
GRA "conspired with [American] public-relations strategists to steal Mr. Broidy’s confidential materials and plant carefully curated excerpts and manipulated materials with the press to cause Plaintiffs maximum damage," the lawsuit alleges. "GRA was perfectly suited for this work because it employs former National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and U.S. Armed Forces personnel with extensive offensive hacking expertise."
The filing marks another salvo in a long-running legal dispute between Broidy and Qatar, which is accused of orchestrating multiple hack attacks on its most prominent U.S. and European critics. In addition to the quarrel with Broidy, Qatar is believed to be behind a series of similar cyber attacks on prominent GOP and Jewish community activists who have pressured the Trump administration to cut ties with Doha. Broidy previously sued several U.S. public-relations companies he accuses of helping Qatar distribute his stolen information.
Qatar has long been suspected of financing the hack on Broidy and other leading critics of Doha’s terror financing network, which includes support for Hamas and other Iranian-backed militia groups. In addition to targeting perceived critics, Qatar allegedly spied on prominent Jewish community members in Washington, D.C., to collect information about their anti-Doha lobbying efforts. Congress is investigating the country over these claims.
The information leaked about Broidy has elicited allegations that he was working as a covert lobbyist for the United Arab Emirates, one of Qatar’s top regional opponents. At least a portion of the leaked information, including details of his business dealings, has been discredited.
Broidy is seeking a trial by jury to determine if GRA and several other U.S. consulting groups were complicit in Qatar’s alleged conspiracy. Qatar is said to have hired the organization as part of a "criminal enterprise" to penetrate Broidy’s online networks and collect confidential data.
GRA’s employees "are the world-class hackers who, primarily from their U.S. locations and with U.S. citizen hackers, illegally broke into the email servers of Mr. Broidy, his wife, [and] his executive assistant," according to the lawsuit. "They then distributed the hacked materials in a secure manner to various media outlets, as directed by other members of the conspiracy, to inflict maximum damage on Mr. Broidy."
GRA is further accused of "hacking and covertly neutralizing" officials from the FIFA soccer league as part of Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup. The U.S. Justice Department alleges that Qatar bribed and blackmailed scores of FIFA officials over a 10-year period to secure rights for the 2022 World Cup. GRA is alleged to have helped Qatar collect information on FIFA officials as part of an operation that eventually targeted Broidy for his public criticisms.
These hacking operations, including the one targeting Broidy, were conducted by a small group of highly specialized GRA employees who were engaged in "secretive, illegal conduct," the lawsuit alleges. The hacks were allegedly carried out from locations in the United States and Qatar.
An email sent to GRA requesting comment was not returned by press time.
CORRECTION 3:25 p.m.: This report originally stated that Broidy's leaked e-mails sparked allegations of marital infidelity. Evidence of that infidelity was revealed by the Wall Street Journal in April of 2018.


freebeacon--2020-06-29--Wilson’s Princeton Downfall Could Have Domino Effect

Princeton University 's decision to remove Woodrow Wilson 's name from campus could have a domino effect on other institutions bearing the name of the Democratic president .
Princeton 's board of trustees voted to change the names of the university 's public policy school and one of its residential colleges , both of which bore the name of the professor-turned-president , in light of his `` racist thinking and policies . ''
The Ivy League college 's decision has driven others to scrutinize Wilson 's legacy .
A petition created by the D.C. History and Justice Collective asking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson High School has garnered thousands of signatures since Princeton made its announcement .
`` We are urging you to join … Princeton University in taking this white supremacist off the pedestal on which we have left him for far too long , '' the letter to D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser reads .
`` Washington may not be the fastest to end the shameful allegiance to a tarnished figurehead , but it can yet be the model for affirming our civic values over the racist history that continues to shape our city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Justice Collective , which was created in 2018 , did not respond to a request for comment .
The petition has already found allies among elected officials in Washington .
Ruth Wattenberg , Ward Three member of the D.C. State Board of Education , told the Washington Free Beacon that Wilson does not deserve the honors that have been bestowed upon him .
`` Whatever else may be true of his life 's work , here in D.C. , he worked aggressively to segregate the federal civil service , '' Wattenberg said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. after Woodrow Wilson is wrong . ''
Neither D.C. Public Schools chancellor Lewis Ferebee nor Mayor Bowser returned requests for comment .
The petition to rename Wilson High School took off after Princeton 's board of trustees announced on June 26 that its public policy school will be known as the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and its residential college , `` First College . ''
Some on campus objected to the move .
Princeton student Akhil Rajasekar told the Free Beacon that the decision was not only `` rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ultimately [ not ] about race at all . ''
`` The decision to remove Woodrow Wilson 's name from Princeton 's campus is unprecedented and deeply problematic .
It was rushed , without any input from students , faculty , or alumni , '' Rajasekar said .
`` It 's going to have exactly zero influence on anybody that a few words were symbolically changed… .
This is little more than a power tactic that reveals how strong the pressure to conform and give in to the mob is , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewpoints . ''
The university justified the decision , saying that such an honor implies an endorsement of the individual as a `` role model , '' rather than a mere reflection of his accomplishments .
`` We have taken this extraordinary step because we believe that Wilson 's racist thinking and policies make him an inappropriate namesake for a school whose scholars , students , and alumni must be firmly committed to combating the scourge of racism in all its form , '' the board said .
`` Identifying a political leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school inevitably suggests that the honoree is a role model… .
We must therefore ask whether it is acceptable for the University 's school of public affairs to bear the name of a racist who segregated the nation 's civil service after it had been integrated for decades . ''
The decision has extended beyond high school and college campuses , drawing the attention of President Trump .
He defended his Democratic predecessor—as well as Hollywood actor John Wayne—from those seeking to erase his legacy .
The movement to tear down monuments or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' according to Trump .
`` Can anyone believe that Princeton just dropped the name of Woodrow Wilson from their highly respected policy center .
Now the Do Nothing Democrats want to take off the name John Wayne from an airport .
Incredible stupidity , '' he tweeted .
The renaming campaign against Wilson is not unprecedented in the Washington , D.C. , Virginia , and Maryland area .
In 2018 , Orr Elementary School in Northeast D.C. changed its name to Lawrence Boone Elementary after the school discovered Benjamin Orr—the fourth mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2017 , the Montgomery County Council president asked Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring , Maryland , to rename itself due to Lee 's segregationist policies .
The campaign against Wilson dates back years on Princeton 's campus , though the board of trustees said as recently as 2015 that it would not remove the Democrat 's name from the school , but would do its best to be `` honest and forthcoming about [ his ] history . ''
Activism at Wilson High School began in earnest in 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum of Princeton 's concession .
Activists have found a champion in Wattenberg .
`` He was working actively to roll back the degree of desegregation that already existed here in D.C. , '' Wattenberg said .
`` That work should not be honored by a D.C. high school with his name . ''
Rajasekar fears the name changes will set a precedent for others to follow suit .
If an elite institution like Princeton is unwilling to defend Wilson , it will only encourage others to throw historic figures under the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time before they shift their attention from individuals to ideals .
`` What 's deeply worrisome is that academic freedom may be next on the chopping block if the mob gets its way , and I hope the university takes an absolute and uncompromising stand in its defense when the mob comes calling for its destruction , '' he said .

Princeton University's decision to remove Woodrow Wilson's name from campus could have a domino effect on other institutions bearing the name of the Democratic president.
Princeton's board of trustees voted to change the names of the university's public policy school and one of its residential colleges, both of which bore the name of the professor-turned-president, in light of his "racist thinking and policies." The Ivy League college's decision has driven others to scrutinize Wilson's legacy. A petition created by the D.C. History and Justice Collective asking the city to change the name of Woodrow Wilson High School has garnered thousands of signatures since Princeton made its announcement.
"We are urging you to join ... Princeton University in taking this white supremacist off the pedestal on which we have left him for far too long," the letter to D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser reads. "Washington may not be the fastest to end the shameful allegiance to a tarnished figurehead, but it can yet be the model for affirming our civic values over the racist history that continues to shape our city's inequities today."
The D.C. History and Justice Collective, which was created in 2018, did not respond to a request for comment.
The petition has already found allies among elected officials in Washington. Ruth Wattenberg, Ward Three member of the D.C. State Board of Education, told the Washington Free Beacon that Wilson does not deserve the honors that have been bestowed upon him.
"Whatever else may be true of his life's work, here in D.C., he worked aggressively to segregate the federal civil service," Wattenberg said. "Naming a high school in D.C. after Woodrow Wilson is wrong."
Neither D.C. Public Schools chancellor Lewis Ferebee nor Mayor Bowser returned requests for comment.
The petition to rename Wilson High School took off after Princeton's board of trustees announced on June 26 that its public policy school will be known as the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and its residential college, "First College." Some on campus objected to the move. Princeton student Akhil Rajasekar told the Free Beacon that the decision was not only "rushed" and "problematic," but "ultimately [not] about race at all."
"The decision to remove Woodrow Wilson's name from Princeton's campus is unprecedented and deeply problematic. It was rushed, without any input from students, faculty, or alumni," Rajasekar said. "It's going to have exactly zero influence on anybody that a few words were symbolically changed.... This is little more than a power tactic that reveals how strong the pressure to conform and give in to the mob is, with no regard for reasoned approaches or competing viewpoints."
The university justified the decision, saying that such an honor implies an endorsement of the individual as a "role model," rather than a mere reflection of his accomplishments.
"We have taken this extraordinary step because we believe that Wilson's racist thinking and policies make him an inappropriate namesake for a school whose scholars, students, and alumni must be firmly committed to combating the scourge of racism in all its form," the board said. "Identifying a political leader as the namesake for a public policy school inevitably suggests that the honoree is a role model.... We must therefore ask whether it is acceptable for the University's school of public affairs to bear the name of a racist who segregated the nation's civil service after it had been integrated for decades."
The decision has extended beyond high school and college campuses, drawing the attention of President Trump. He defended his Democratic predecessor—as well as Hollywood actor John Wayne—from those seeking to erase his legacy. The movement to tear down monuments or rename institutions reflects "incredible stupidity," according to Trump.
"Can anyone believe that Princeton just dropped the name of Woodrow Wilson from their highly respected policy center. Now the Do Nothing Democrats want to take off the name John Wayne from an airport. Incredible stupidity," he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277581155945021440
The renaming campaign against Wilson is not unprecedented in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area. In 2018, Orr Elementary School in Northeast D.C. changed its name to Lawrence Boone Elementary after the school discovered Benjamin Orr—the fourth mayor of the nation's capitol—owned slaves. In 2017, the Montgomery County Council president asked Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland, to rename itself due to Lee's segregationist policies.
The campaign against Wilson dates back years on Princeton's campus, though the board of trustees said as recently as 2015 that it would not remove the Democrat's name from the school, but would do its best to be "honest and forthcoming about [his] history." Activism at Wilson High School began in earnest in 2015, but the renaming effort is enjoying the momentum of Princeton's concession. Activists have found a champion in Wattenberg.
"He was working actively to roll back the degree of desegregation that already existed here in D.C.," Wattenberg said. "That work should not be honored by a D.C. high school with his name."
Rajasekar fears the name changes will set a precedent for others to follow suit. If an elite institution like Princeton is unwilling to defend Wilson, it will only encourage others to throw historic figures under the bus. It is only a matter of time before they shift their attention from individuals to ideals.
"What's deeply worrisome is that academic freedom may be next on the chopping block if the mob gets its way, and I hope the university takes an absolute and uncompromising stand in its defense when the mob comes calling for its destruction," he said.


The ADL’s Disgrace

It ’ s hard to think of a more prominent anti-Semite in American public life over the last 30 years than the Rev .
Al Sharpton .
Louis Farrakhan may give him a run for his money , but the leader of the so called Nation of Islam remains a pariah—Barack Obama was photographed with him once , in 2005 , and never made that mistake again .
Sharpton is a different story .
He has never apologized for leading a pogrom against the Jews of Brooklyn that marked the worst outburst of anti-Semitic violence in modern American history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of it , has laundered himself into an elder statesman and star television host whose endorsement ambitious Democratic politicians must now seek .
Look no further than MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough , who personally introduced a resolution condemning Sharpton ’ s `` racist and anti-Semitic views '' in his previous life as a Republican congressman .
In his present life as a Trump-hating MSNBC host who has toyed with a presidential run , Scarborough celebrates Sharpton ’ s moral clarity about Facebook .
We never thought we ’ d see Sharpton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what ’ s transpiring now as the Anti-Defamation League strays onto the Reverend ’ s turf—leading a boycott campaign against one of the most successful Jewish-owned businesses in the world .
Its CEO , Jonathan Greenblatt , has tapped Sharpton as a partner in a political project to police objectionable speech that both are trying to cast as a modern civil rights issue .
Sharpton has come a long way .
So has the ADL .
As Crown Heights burned , the organization had no trouble identifying Sharpton as an enemy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the place in Crown Heights , '' the ADL ’ s then-director , Abraham Foxman , told the New York Times in August 1991 .
`` It is ugly , it is crude , it is classical and it is deadly .
And the fact that it is American and it is black should not make it invisible or tolerable . ''
Sharpton , then as now , `` denied the charges of anti-Semitism , '' telling the paper `` this is a classical example of trying to turn the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , like any victim would , Sharpton traveled to Israel for a publicity stunt to `` hunt down '' the Jew who had provided the pretext for his riots .
Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport , he was heckled by an Israeli who told him to `` go to hell . ''
Sharpton ’ s response : `` I am in hell already .
I am in Israel . ''
Since then , Sharpton has had ample opportunity to apologize , to make amends .
He has been steadfast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how does this man end up in cahoots with the Anti-Defamation League ?
Look no further than Greenblatt , who has led the ADL since 2014 .
Since the winter , Greenblatt , a professional do-gooder whose resume is littered with self-promotional schemes that have culminated in payouts from Fortune 500 companies , has been blaming the anti-Semitic violence that has convulsed New York City on Facebook and other social media giants .
He and Sharpton may not agree on the Jews , but that is less important , in this case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
It is from that vantage point alone that the current campaign makes sense .
The Greenblatt-Sharpton campaign is a left-wing power grab disguised as a civil rights mission .
They and their allies are calling on Facebook to massively expand moderation of harassment based on `` specific identity characteristics '' like race or religion .
That process `` must include experts on various forms of identity-based hate '' —doubtless appointed from groups like the ADL and Sharpton ’ s National Action Network , and with those organizations very well compensated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the systematic silencing of voices that dissent from the increasingly rigid orthodoxy of the Democratic Party .
It is already clear that under that system , the anti-Semites like Sharpton will continue to get a pass and that `` hate '' will be sniffed out and silenced only when it doesn ’ t align with progressive goals .
If the goal is to force corporations to buckle to left-wing demands , Greenblatt has found the perfect partner .
Sharpton has plenty of experience stoking hatred and resentment against Jewish business owners , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , Sharpton has incited precisely the sort of anti-Semitic violence , and in precisely the same places , that Greenblatt now blames on Facebook .
Awkward .

It’s hard to think of a more prominent anti-Semite in American public life over the last 30 years than the Rev. Al Sharpton. Louis Farrakhan may give him a run for his money, but the leader of the so called Nation of Islam remains a pariah—Barack Obama was photographed with him once, in 2005, and never made that mistake again.
Sharpton is a different story. He has never apologized for leading a pogrom against the Jews of Brooklyn that marked the worst outburst of anti-Semitic violence in modern American history, but despite all that, or perhaps because of it, has laundered himself into an elder statesman and star television host whose endorsement ambitious Democratic politicians must now seek.
Look no further than MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, who personally introduced a resolution condemning Sharpton’s "racist and anti-Semitic views" in his previous life as a Republican congressman. In his present life as a Trump-hating MSNBC host who has toyed with a presidential run, Scarborough celebrates Sharpton’s moral clarity about Facebook.
We never thought we’d see Sharpton embraced by Jews, but that’s what’s transpiring now as the Anti-Defamation League strays onto the Reverend’s turf—leading a boycott campaign against one of the most successful Jewish-owned businesses in the world. Its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, has tapped Sharpton as a partner in a political project to police objectionable speech that both are trying to cast as a modern civil rights issue.
Sharpton has come a long way. So has the ADL.
As Crown Heights burned, the organization had no trouble identifying Sharpton as an enemy of the Jewish people. "Anti-Semitism is all over the place in Crown Heights," the ADL’s then-director, Abraham Foxman, told the New York Times in August 1991. "It is ugly, it is crude, it is classical and it is deadly. And the fact that it is American and it is black should not make it invisible or tolerable."
Sharpton, then as now, "denied the charges of anti-Semitism," telling the paper "this is a classical example of trying to turn the victim into the victimizer."
Later that year, like any victim would, Sharpton traveled to Israel for a publicity stunt to "hunt down" the Jew who had provided the pretext for his riots. Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, he was heckled by an Israeli who told him to "go to hell." Sharpton’s response: "I am in hell already. I am in Israel."
Since then, Sharpton has had ample opportunity to apologize, to make amends. He has been steadfast in his refusal to do so. So how does this man end up in cahoots with the Anti-Defamation League?
Look no further than Greenblatt, who has led the ADL since 2014. Since the winter, Greenblatt, a professional do-gooder whose resume is littered with self-promotional schemes that have culminated in payouts from Fortune 500 companies, has been blaming the anti-Semitic violence that has convulsed New York City on Facebook and other social media giants.
He and Sharpton may not agree on the Jews, but that is less important, in this case, than their pursuit of the same political end. It is from that vantage point alone that the current campaign makes sense.
The Greenblatt-Sharpton campaign is a left-wing power grab disguised as a civil rights mission. They and their allies are calling on Facebook to massively expand moderation of harassment based on "specific identity characteristics" like race or religion. That process "must include experts on various forms of identity-based hate"—doubtless appointed from groups like the ADL and Sharpton’s National Action Network, and with those organizations very well compensated for the service.
The result will be the systematic silencing of voices that dissent from the increasingly rigid orthodoxy of the Democratic Party. It is already clear that under that system, the anti-Semites like Sharpton will continue to get a pass and that "hate" will be sniffed out and silenced only when it doesn’t align with progressive goals.
If the goal is to force corporations to buckle to left-wing demands, Greenblatt has found the perfect partner. Sharpton has plenty of experience stoking hatred and resentment against Jewish business owners, just ask Fred Harari.
On the other hand, Sharpton has incited precisely the sort of anti-Semitic violence, and in precisely the same places, that Greenblatt now blames on Facebook. Awkward.


freebeacon--2020-06-29--Unilever Continues Work in Iran While Targeting Facebook for ‘Divisiveness’

Unilever continues to work in Iran , including with companies affiliated with the country 's terrorist military arm , though it has stopped advertising on U.S. social media platforms that it says have spread `` divisiveness '' and `` hate speech '' ahead of the presidential election .
The global soap and food manufacturer , which is based in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands , announced last week that it would cease advertising to U.S. audiences on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram until after the 2020 election .
The company pointed to the `` polarized atmosphere '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Unilever 's `` responsibility framework . ''
Unilever operates in Iran through a foreign subsidiary and has advertised its products on Iranian government television , according to its annual reports .
Unilever even conducted business with companies affiliated with Iran 's Revolutionary Guard Corps , which the United States designated as a terrorist organization in 2019 .
Unilever did not respond to questions about whether it would continue its business dealings in Iran .
Unilever 's ad announcement that it would pump the breaks on social media advertising comes on the heels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook into enacting stricter speech restrictions ahead of the presidential election .
Joe Biden has blasted Facebook for its alleged failure to police `` misinformation '' from Donald Trump supporters on the platform , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) recently called on advertisers to boycott Facebook .
In a statement on Friday , Unilever said its decision to pull its ads was related to `` divisiveness and hate speech during this polarized election period in the U.S. '' '' Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
We will be monitoring ongoing and will revisit our current position if necessary , '' said the company .
No such announcement was made regarding Unilever 's business with authoritarian states , including countries that do not have free and fair elections .
Unilever 's most recent corporate disclosure statement from 2019 said it had no plans to halt its business operations in Iran .
`` While we currently continue our activities in Iran , we are continuously evaluating such activities in the light of the evolving regulatory environment , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its business in Iran represents `` significantly less than one percent of Unilever 's worldwide turnover . ''
Revenue made in Iran came from the `` sale of food , personal care and home care products to the Hotel Homa Group , which is owned by the Social Security Organization of Iran , and IRR Mohammad Rasoullah Pharmacy & Kowsar ‘ Veterans of IRGC , ’ which are affiliated with the Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guard Corps , '' said the company statement .
`` Income , payroll and other taxes , duties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payable to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities in connection with our operations , '' said the corporate disclosure .
`` Our non-U.S. subsidiary maintains bank accounts in Iran with various banks to facilitate our business in the country and make any required payments to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities . ''
In its 2018 annual report , Unilever also noted that it `` advertised [ its ] products on television networks that are owned by the Government of Iran or affiliated entities . ''
It is unclear whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television , and Unilever did not respond to a request for comment .
Iran is not the only authoritarian state where Unilever conducts business , according to reports .
In 2015 , the company partnered with Alibaba , the Chinese government-backed tech giant , to expand Unilever 's marketing and digital advertising reach .
The company has also had significant business operations in Russia since the early 1990s .

Unilever continues to work in Iran, including with companies affiliated with the country's terrorist military arm, though it has stopped advertising on U.S. social media platforms that it says have spread "divisiveness" and "hate speech" ahead of the presidential election.
The global soap and food manufacturer, which is based in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, announced last week that it would cease advertising to U.S. audiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram until after the 2020 election. The company pointed to the "polarized atmosphere" of the social media platforms, which conflicts with Unilever's "responsibility framework."
Unilever operates in Iran through a foreign subsidiary and has advertised its products on Iranian government television, according to its annual reports. Unilever even conducted business with companies affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States designated as a terrorist organization in 2019. Unilever did not respond to questions about whether it would continue its business dealings in Iran.
Unilever's ad announcement that it would pump the breaks on social media advertising comes on the heels of a massive Democrat-led campaign to pressure Facebook into enacting stricter speech restrictions ahead of the presidential election. Joe Biden has blasted Facebook for its alleged failure to police "misinformation" from Donald Trump supporters on the platform, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) recently called on advertisers to boycott Facebook.
In a statement on Friday, Unilever said its decision to pull its ads was related to "divisiveness and hate speech during this polarized election period in the U.S."
"Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society. We will be monitoring ongoing and will revisit our current position if necessary," said the company.
No such announcement was made regarding Unilever's business with authoritarian states, including countries that do not have free and fair elections. Unilever's most recent corporate disclosure statement from 2019 said it had no plans to halt its business operations in Iran.
"While we currently continue our activities in Iran, we are continuously evaluating such activities in the light of the evolving regulatory environment," said the company, while noting that its business in Iran represents "significantly less than one percent of Unilever's worldwide turnover."
Revenue made in Iran came from the "sale of food, personal care and home care products to the Hotel Homa Group, which is owned by the Social Security Organization of Iran, and IRR Mohammad Rasoullah Pharmacy & Kowsar ‘Veterans of IRGC,’ which are affiliated with the Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guard Corps," said the company statement.
"Income, payroll and other taxes, duties and fees (including for utilities) were payable to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities in connection with our operations," said the corporate disclosure. "Our non-U.S. subsidiary maintains bank accounts in Iran with various banks to facilitate our business in the country and make any required payments to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities."
In its 2018 annual report, Unilever also noted that it "advertised [its] products on television networks that are owned by the Government of Iran or affiliated entities." It is unclear whether the company continues to advertise on Iranian government television, and Unilever did not respond to a request for comment.
Iran is not the only authoritarian state where Unilever conducts business, according to reports. In 2015, the company partnered with Alibaba, the Chinese government-backed tech giant, to expand Unilever's marketing and digital advertising reach. The company has also had significant business operations in Russia since the early 1990s.