freebeacon--2020-10-26--‘Economist’ Failed to Disclose Lucrative Beijing Ties

The Economist provided sympathetic coverage of a Chinese tech giant widely considered a national security risk without disclosing the publication 's lucrative business relationship with the firm that spanned nearly a decade .
Huawei Technologies commissioned the Economist ‘ s business consulting division to advance its policy agendas and deflect cybersecurity concerns raised by Western governments .
The influential British magazine produced reports on a wide range of subjects—including a report on broadband access in the United Kingdom that Huawei credits to have influenced British policy .
The publication has also run numerous Huawei advertisements , and its editors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , helping the tech firm boost its public image as it faced growing scrutiny from the developed world for its close ties with the Chinese government .
The Economist defended Huawei in a front-page cover story in 2012—the year the publication 's consulting division started working with the company—that accused Western countries of using cybersecurity concerns as a pretense to oppose legitimate competition from Huawei .
The publication 's coverage of the tech company has become less overtly pro-Huawei in recent years , but the Economist ‘ s coverage of the company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PR division has cited several of the magazine 's articles to deflect criticism .
`` The rise of a Chinese world-beater is stoking fears of cyber-espionage .
Techno-nationalism is not the answer , '' reads the 2012 piece 's headline .
Huawei nurtured a lucrative relationship with the Economist just as it faced growing concerns from Western countries that broadband networks built by the tech firm serve as a conduit for Chinese espionage .
Such cybersecurity concerns have pushed the United States , Japan , Australia , the United Kingdom , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban the company 's operations in their countries .
Huawei fought tooth and nail to stave off the government sanctions , an effort the Economist played a major role in .
The publication 's consulting division twice advised Huawei on how to address the concerns of Western countries and avoid their wrath .
Huawei 's ad buys in the Economist helped sanitize the company 's murky ties with the Chinese government by borrowing the magazine 's global reputation as a standard-bearer for an enlightened cosmopolitanism .
Neither the Economist nor Huawei responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ s relationship with Huawei can be traced back to at least 2010 , when the publication selected Huawei as the winner of its Corporate Use of Innovation award .
But the partnership started in earnest in 2012 , when the Economist Intelligence Unit—the magazine 's consulting division—started publishing reports sponsored by Huawei .
In total , the unit published at least seven Huawei-sponsored reports between 2012 and 2018 .
Many of the reports analyzed the state of broadband networks in different parts of the world , from the United Kingdom to South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's broader agenda of making countries amenable to more investments in broadband networks and discouraging protectionist policies .
For example , Huawei touted that findings from a 2012 Economist white paper on the British broadband network `` have been considered and adopted by [ the ] U.K .
government . ''
Other Economist Intelligence Unit reports explicitly supported Huawei 's interests .
In response to growing national security concerns about the firm in the United States and elsewhere , Huawei commissioned two reports—one public , one private—analyzing how Huawei can respond to growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public report , published in 2014 , advised Huawei to become an `` industry leader in cyber-security . ''
`` [ Huawei ] should also distance itself from China 's image as a rather weak cyber-security environment , '' the report reads .
`` This would help to counter the negative perception of Huawei as a company willing to help governments monitor their populations . ''
That goal , according to the report , could be achieved by hosting public forums to `` develop and co-ordinate industry standards on cyber-security . ''
Huawei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsoring several international forums to discuss IT-related issues .
The Economist played a major role in legitimizing these forums—its editors frequently participate in Huawei-hosted forums , including the magazine 's deputy editor and business editor .
The most recent forum took place on July 17 .
The Economist also published an online advertisement feature to promote Huawei 's premier forum on the digital economy in 2018 .
In turn , Huawei executives have also participated in prestigious international forums sponsored by the Economist to tout the company 's virtues .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads in the Economist print edition and paid the magazine to produce sponsored content on its website .
The most recent sponsored content—a foreboding video about the impact of the coronavirus on globalization—was published in September .
While the Economist ‘ s coverage of Huawei has become more skeptical of the Chinese firm over the years , the magazine continues to criticize U.S. efforts to sanction Huawei .
The company has been all too happy to cite some of the Economist ‘ s coverage in its `` facts '' section , which seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO , Ren Zhengfei , also gave open-ended interviews with the publication in December 2019 and January 2020 , the latter with the Economist ‘ s editor in chief .
None of the Economist ‘ s coverage of Huawei mentioned the publication 's long-standing business relationship with the tech firm .
Nile Gardiner , a foreign policy expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation , said that Huawei 's relationship with the Economist appears to be part of its multifaceted campaign to influence British and European public opinion .
`` Huawei has a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sums of money to influence thinking in Europe , '' he said .
`` It is very disappointing that some European media organizations and businesses chose to collaborate with an entity that is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party . ''

The Economist provided sympathetic coverage of a Chinese tech giant widely considered a national security risk without disclosing the publication's lucrative business relationship with the firm that spanned nearly a decade.
Huawei Technologies commissioned the Economist's business consulting division to advance its policy agendas and deflect cybersecurity concerns raised by Western governments. The influential British magazine produced reports on a wide range of subjects—including a report on broadband access in the United Kingdom that Huawei credits to have influenced British policy. The publication has also run numerous Huawei advertisements, and its editors have cohosted several global forums with the company, helping the tech firm boost its public image as it faced growing scrutiny from the developed world for its close ties with the Chinese government.
The Economist defended Huawei in a front-page cover story in 2012—the year the publication's consulting division started working with the company—that accused Western countries of using cybersecurity concerns as a pretense to oppose legitimate competition from Huawei. The publication's coverage of the tech company has become less overtly pro-Huawei in recent years, but the Economist's coverage of the company is seen as friendly enough that Huawei's PR division has cited several of the magazine's articles to deflect criticism.
"The rise of a Chinese world-beater is stoking fears of cyber-espionage. Techno-nationalism is not the answer," reads the 2012 piece's headline.
Huawei nurtured a lucrative relationship with the Economist just as it faced growing concerns from Western countries that broadband networks built by the tech firm serve as a conduit for Chinese espionage. Such cybersecurity concerns have pushed the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other U.S. allies to severely curtail or outright ban the company's operations in their countries.
Huawei fought tooth and nail to stave off the government sanctions, an effort the Economist played a major role in. The publication's consulting division twice advised Huawei on how to address the concerns of Western countries and avoid their wrath. Huawei's ad buys in the Economist helped sanitize the company's murky ties with the Chinese government by borrowing the magazine's global reputation as a standard-bearer for an enlightened cosmopolitanism.
Neither the Economist nor Huawei responded to a request for comment.
The Economist's relationship with Huawei can be traced back to at least 2010, when the publication selected Huawei as the winner of its Corporate Use of Innovation award. But the partnership started in earnest in 2012, when the Economist Intelligence Unit—the magazine's consulting division—started publishing reports sponsored by Huawei. In total, the unit published at least seven Huawei-sponsored reports between 2012 and 2018.
Many of the reports analyzed the state of broadband networks in different parts of the world, from the United Kingdom to South East Asia. These reports advanced Huawei's broader agenda of making countries amenable to more investments in broadband networks and discouraging protectionist policies. For example, Huawei touted that findings from a 2012 Economist white paper on the British broadband network "have been considered and adopted by [the] U.K. government."
Other Economist Intelligence Unit reports explicitly supported Huawei's interests. In response to growing national security concerns about the firm in the United States and elsewhere, Huawei commissioned two reports—one public, one private—analyzing how Huawei can respond to growing government scrutiny and avoid crackdowns. The public report, published in 2014, advised Huawei to become an "industry leader in cyber-security."
"[Huawei] should also distance itself from China's image as a rather weak cyber-security environment," the report reads. "This would help to counter the negative perception of Huawei as a company willing to help governments monitor their populations."
That goal, according to the report, could be achieved by hosting public forums to "develop and co-ordinate industry standards on cyber-security." Huawei appears to have followed the recommendations, sponsoring several international forums to discuss IT-related issues.
The Economist played a major role in legitimizing these forums—its editors frequently participate in Huawei-hosted forums, including the magazine's deputy editor and business editor. The most recent forum took place on July 17. The Economist also published an online advertisement feature to promote Huawei's premier forum on the digital economy in 2018. In turn, Huawei executives have also participated in prestigious international forums sponsored by the Economist to tout the company's virtues.
In addition to the forums, Huawei also ran several ads in the Economist print edition and paid the magazine to produce sponsored content on its website. The most recent sponsored content—a foreboding video about the impact of the coronavirus on globalization—was published in September.
While the Economist's coverage of Huawei has become more skeptical of the Chinese firm over the years, the magazine continues to criticize U.S. efforts to sanction Huawei. The company has been all too happy to cite some of the Economist's coverage in its "facts" section, which seeks to assuage concerns about Huawei. Its CEO, Ren Zhengfei, also gave open-ended interviews with the publication in December 2019 and January 2020, the latter with the Economist's editor in chief.
None of the Economist's coverage of Huawei mentioned the publication's long-standing business relationship with the tech firm.
Nile Gardiner, a foreign policy expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said that Huawei's relationship with the Economist appears to be part of its multifaceted campaign to influence British and European public opinion.
"Huawei has a large propaganda operation in Europe and invests vast sums of money to influence thinking in Europe," he said. "It is very disappointing that some European media organizations and businesses chose to collaborate with an entity that is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party."


freebeacon--2020-10-27--Schumer: Barrett Confirmation ‘One of the Darkest Days’ in Senate History

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) said on Monday that Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation to the Supreme Court will `` go down as one of the darkest days '' in the Senate 's history .
At the close of his speech ahead of the Senate 's confirmation vote , Schumer lamented that `` generations yet unborn will suffer the consequences '' of Barrett 's nomination and characterized Monday as `` one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate . ''
While notably more civil than the last confirmation battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sought to cast Barrett as a retrograde jurist and a political pawn of the GOP .
They have argued , among other things , that a Barrett appointment to the Supreme Court would end Obamacare or provide President Donald Trump with an advantage in the event of a contested election .
Senate Democrats also lambasted Barrett for her use of the term `` sexual preference '' while discussing the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges , even though leading Democrats have used the term for years .
For her part , Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originalist jurisprudence , arguing that her appointment would not lead to dramatic changes in Supreme Court precedent .
But when Republicans voted to approve Barrett 's nomination last week , Democrats boycotted the vote , leaving in their empty seats poster pictures of constituents who would be harmed if Obamacare were overturned .
Legal experts said it is highly unlikely the Supreme Court will undo the health care law .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said on Monday that Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court will "go down as one of the darkest days" in the Senate's history.
At the close of his speech ahead of the Senate's confirmation vote, Schumer lamented that "generations yet unborn will suffer the consequences" of Barrett's nomination and characterized Monday as "one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate."
While notably more civil than the last confirmation battle to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats have sought to cast Barrett as a retrograde jurist and a political pawn of the GOP. They have argued, among other things, that a Barrett appointment to the Supreme Court would end Obamacare or provide President Donald Trump with an advantage in the event of a contested election.
Senate Democrats also lambasted Barrett for her use of the term "sexual preference" while discussing the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, even though leading Democrats have used the term for years.
For her part, Barrett has sought to return focus to her originalist jurisprudence, arguing that her appointment would not lead to dramatic changes in Supreme Court precedent.
But when Republicans voted to approve Barrett's nomination last week, Democrats boycotted the vote, leaving in their empty seats poster pictures of constituents who would be harmed if Obamacare were overturned. Legal experts said it is highly unlikely the Supreme Court will undo the health care law.


freebeacon--2020-10-27--Supreme Court Rejects Late Ballots In Battleground Wisconsin

In a victory for Republicans Monday , the Supreme Court rejected a Democratic request to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day in Wisconsin .
The Court rejected the request , from a group of Democratic voters in Wisconsin , five to three , with Justice Elena Kagan leading the liberal trio in dissent .
The Wisconsin Elections Commission anticipates that between 1.8 and 2 million voters will cast absentee ballots , and Democrats believe as many as 160,000 ballots will be received after the election even though they were sent on time .
The decision comes as Wisconsin officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not designed to accommodate mail-in voting on the scale expected this year .
Unlike many states that rely on a single agency , Wisconsin 's decentralized system leaves election administration to dozens of county clerks and thousands of municipal officials .
President Trump carried Wisconsin by 20,000 votes in 2016 , presaging an anxious and potentially chaotic night for poll workers in a state that could decide the election .
U.S. District Judge William Conley on Sept. 21 ordered election officials to make a range of accommodations in light of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized the online delivery of mail-in or absentee ballots and pushed the Election Day deadline for mail-in ballots back six days , provided they were sent on or by Election Day .
The Seventh U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals paused Conley 's order on Oct. 8 , citing a legal principle that judges should rarely alter election rules as the balloting nears .
The timing question is central to Monday 's case and to numerous other election disputes surrounding the November election .
In a 2006 Supreme Court case called Purcell v. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments to voting procedures should be avoided for the good of the political process .
`` Court orders affecting elections , especially conflicting orders , can themselves result in voter confusion and consequent incentive to remain away from the polls , '' Purcell reads .
`` As an election draws closer , that risk will increase . ''
Purcell has been central to the pandemic-related election cases hurtling through the courts .
Much of that litigation has unfolded in battleground states , meaning the principle may be a factor in the ultimate outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts seemed to make reference to Purcell Monday , admonishing the district court for tinkering with Wisconsin 's laws `` in the thick of an election season . ''
In his own opinion Monday night , Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted the Court has made this position clear half a dozen times in recent months .
Some have treated Purcell like a bright-line rule that generally forbids judges from last-minute interference with election procedures .
In a recent case from South Carolina , Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson dissented when the Fourth U.S .
Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial judge who suspended the state 's witness signature requirement for absentee ballots .
Wilkinson lamented that the court was `` gumming up the works and making a hard task even harder . ''
`` It is a challenging enough task to run an election in these trying circumstances without the uncertainty and upheaval of injunctions , stays , appeals , etc , '' Wilkinson wrote .
`` This ‘ judicially created confusion ' is one reason why the Supreme Court has prohibited lower courts from changing voting rules shortly before elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin voters in Monday 's case , say Purcell does n't set a hard stop on judicial changes to election procedures .
Rather , the principle warns that the prospect of confusion or administrative chaos might outweigh other considerations , like harm to voters .
So while Purcell implies a presumption against late-breaking adjustments , it 's not an absolute prohibition .
That 's especially true now , when the coronavirus has made in-person voting riskier .
`` These are extraordinary circumstances , '' lawyers for the Wisconsin voters told the justices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic caused by a virus that spreads most easily in the conditions in which we usually vote .
As a consequence , millions of voters , at the encouragement of the state , have turned to voting by mail , even while the Postal Service is hampered by delays .
Whatever the rule for ordinary circumstances , Purcell has precious little to say about the circumstances here . ''

In a victory for Republicans Monday, the Supreme Court rejected a Democratic request to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day in Wisconsin.
The Court rejected the request, from a group of Democratic voters in Wisconsin, five to three, with Justice Elena Kagan leading the liberal trio in dissent. The Wisconsin Elections Commission anticipates that between 1.8 and 2 million voters will cast absentee ballots, and Democrats believe as many as 160,000 ballots will be received after the election even though they were sent on time.
The decision comes as Wisconsin officials scramble to reform a vote-tabulating system that is not designed to accommodate mail-in voting on the scale expected this year. Unlike many states that rely on a single agency, Wisconsin's decentralized system leaves election administration to dozens of county clerks and thousands of municipal officials. President Trump carried Wisconsin by 20,000 votes in 2016, presaging an anxious and potentially chaotic night for poll workers in a state that could decide the election.
U.S. District Judge William Conley on Sept. 21 ordered election officials to make a range of accommodations in light of the coronavirus pandemic: Among other things, he authorized the online delivery of mail-in or absentee ballots and pushed the Election Day deadline for mail-in ballots back six days, provided they were sent on or by Election Day. The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused Conley's order on Oct. 8, citing a legal principle that judges should rarely alter election rules as the balloting nears.
The timing question is central to Monday's case and to numerous other election disputes surrounding the November election. In a 2006 Supreme Court case called Purcell v. Gonzalez, the justices said last-minute judicial amendments to voting procedures should be avoided for the good of the political process.
"Court orders affecting elections, especially conflicting orders, can themselves result in voter confusion and consequent incentive to remain away from the polls," Purcell reads. "As an election draws closer, that risk will increase."
Purcell has been central to the pandemic-related election cases hurtling through the courts. Much of that litigation has unfolded in battleground states, meaning the principle may be a factor in the ultimate outcome of the election.
Chief Justice John Roberts seemed to make reference to Purcell Monday, admonishing the district court for tinkering with Wisconsin's laws "in the thick of an election season." In his own opinion Monday night, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted the Court has made this position clear half a dozen times in recent months.
Some have treated Purcell like a bright-line rule that generally forbids judges from last-minute interference with election procedures. In a recent case from South Carolina, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson dissented when the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stop a trial judge who suspended the state's witness signature requirement for absentee ballots. Wilkinson lamented that the court was "gumming up the works and making a hard task even harder."
"It is a challenging enough task to run an election in these trying circumstances without the uncertainty and upheaval of injunctions, stays, appeals, etc," Wilkinson wrote. "This 'judicially created confusion' is one reason why the Supreme Court has prohibited lower courts from changing voting rules shortly before elections."
The Supreme Court ultimately reinstated South Carolina's witness signature rule.
Others, like the lawyers representing Wisconsin voters in Monday's case, say Purcell doesn't set a hard stop on judicial changes to election procedures. Rather, the principle warns that the prospect of confusion or administrative chaos might outweigh other considerations, like harm to voters. So while Purcell implies a presumption against late-breaking adjustments, it's not an absolute prohibition. That's especially true now, when the coronavirus has made in-person voting riskier.
"These are extraordinary circumstances," lawyers for the Wisconsin voters told the justices. "The world is in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic caused by a virus that spreads most easily in the conditions in which we usually vote. As a consequence, millions of voters, at the encouragement of the state, have turned to voting by mail, even while the Postal Service is hampered by delays. Whatever the rule for ordinary circumstances, Purcell has precious little to say about the circumstances here."
Monday's case is No. 20A66 DNC v. Wisconsin State Legislature.
DNC v. Wisconsin state legi... by Washington Free Beacon


freebeacon--2020-10-27--Barrett Faces Gauntlet of Challenges in First Weeks As Justice

Justice Amy Coney Barrett , sworn in Monday night after the Senate confirmed her nomination 52-48 , has joined the Supreme Court under trying circumstances .
The Court is currently handling an emergency application involving absentee mail-in ballot deadlines in North Carolina , a hotly contested battleground .
Democrats and progressive advocacy groups are pressing Barrett to recuse herself from such matters , arguing that President Donald Trump has created an appearance of bias by connecting her nomination with post-election court battles .
Beyond the election , the Court will soon decide whether to hear an abortion appeal from Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict the procedure .
Barrett would have held the deciding vote in an emergency appeal from the battleground state of Pennsylvania that deadlocked the short-handed Court on Oct. 19 .
In that case , the Pennsylvania Supreme Court told election officials to count tardy mail-in ballots received by Nov. 6 , unless it was more likely than not the ballot was submitted after Election Day .
Keystone State Republicans asked the justices to impose an Election Day deadline .
The justices split four to four , so the Pennsylvania court 's order was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disqualify herself from such cases , after Trump said the Senate should confirm his nominee to ensure the Court has a full complement of justices to resolve any post-election disputes .
The pressure campaign leans on a 2009 Supreme Court case involving a West Virginia coal baron who donated $ 3 million to help elect a state judge .
That judge in turn cast a deciding vote protecting the donor 's company from a $ 50 million damages judgment .
A 5-4 Court held that the Constitution required the judge to recuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge was biased based on an `` appraisal of psychological tendencies and human weakness . ''
Applying that standard to Barrett 's case , Democrats argue the reasonable onlooker will suspect the new justice feels bound to support the man who just appointed her to the High Court .
Barrett pledged to fully and faithfully apply the recusal law during her confirmation hearings , but declined to disqualify herself from particular cases in advance .
`` The issue is not whether Barrett has good intentions or is horribly biased ; it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her participating in a dispute involving Trump ’ s reelection as a neutral arbiter of fact and law , '' Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse ( D. , R.I. ) wrote in a Washington Post column .
`` This inherent conflict was evident from the start—but Trump gave away the game . ''
Decisions to disqualify ultimately rest with each individual justice .
While federal judges are required to follow a code of conduct , those ethics rules are not binding on justices of the Supreme Court .
Barrett may look to the example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was similarly urged to recuse himself from a 2004 case involving then-vice president Dick Cheney , a friend and hunting companion .
Scalia refused and wrote a 20-page memo explaining why recusal , though sometimes necessary , would disservice the Court and the parties in that particular case .
Beyond the immediate press of the election , Barrett will soon have an opportunity to weigh in on an abortion petition that has been pending before the Court since August .
The dispute involves a Mississippi law that bans abortions past 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One question in the case arose from the Supreme Court 's June abortion decision , in which Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal bloc to strike down Louisiana 's abortion-clinic regulations .
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote an opinion for the four liberal justices holding the regulations unconstitutional because the burdens they created outweighed the benefits .
Roberts wrote a solo opinion striking down Louisiana 's law on different grounds .
In the ensuing months , federal courts have split as to which legal test from June 's case they should follow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rationale is binding on the lower courts , while a third court chose to follow the burdens-benefits approach .
While that disagreement may sound arcane , it 's very significant for the odds that the justices will hear the Mississippi case .
The Supreme Court tends to take up cases involving legal questions over which multiple courts disagree .
Legal briefs from all sides of the Mississippi dispute were submitted by August 19 .
The next step is for the justices to decide whether to hear the case .
The case is No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization .

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, sworn in Monday night after the Senate confirmed her nomination 52-48, has joined the Supreme Court under trying circumstances.
The Court is currently handling an emergency application involving absentee mail-in ballot deadlines in North Carolina, a hotly contested battleground. Democrats and progressive advocacy groups are pressing Barrett to recuse herself from such matters, arguing that President Donald Trump has created an appearance of bias by connecting her nomination with post-election court battles. Beyond the election, the Court will soon decide whether to hear an abortion appeal from Mississippi, which could embolden state-level efforts to restrict the procedure.
Barrett would have held the deciding vote in an emergency appeal from the battleground state of Pennsylvania that deadlocked the short-handed Court on Oct. 19. In that case, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court told election officials to count tardy mail-in ballots received by Nov. 6, unless it was more likely than not the ballot was submitted after Election Day. Keystone State Republicans asked the justices to impose an Election Day deadline. The justices split four to four, so the Pennsylvania court's order was upheld.
Barrett is facing heavy pressure to disqualify herself from such cases, after Trump said the Senate should confirm his nominee to ensure the Court has a full complement of justices to resolve any post-election disputes. The pressure campaign leans on a 2009 Supreme Court case involving a West Virginia coal baron who donated $3 million to help elect a state judge. That judge in turn cast a deciding vote protecting the donor's company from a $50 million damages judgment. A 5-4 Court held that the Constitution required the judge to recuse, saying a reasonable person would conclude the judge was biased based on an "appraisal of psychological tendencies and human weakness."
Applying that standard to Barrett's case, Democrats argue the reasonable onlooker will suspect the new justice feels bound to support the man who just appointed her to the High Court. Barrett pledged to fully and faithfully apply the recusal law during her confirmation hearings, but declined to disqualify herself from particular cases in advance.
"The issue is not whether Barrett has good intentions or is horribly biased; it's whether a reasonable observer could reasonably question her participating in a dispute involving Trump’s reelection as a neutral arbiter of fact and law," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.) wrote in a Washington Post column. "This inherent conflict was evident from the start—but Trump gave away the game."
Decisions to disqualify ultimately rest with each individual justice. While federal judges are required to follow a code of conduct, those ethics rules are not binding on justices of the Supreme Court. Barrett may look to the example of her one-time mentor, Justice Antonin Scalia, who was similarly urged to recuse himself from a 2004 case involving then-vice president Dick Cheney, a friend and hunting companion. Scalia refused and wrote a 20-page memo explaining why recusal, though sometimes necessary, would disservice the Court and the parties in that particular case.
Beyond the immediate press of the election, Barrett will soon have an opportunity to weigh in on an abortion petition that has been pending before the Court since August. The dispute involves a Mississippi law that bans abortions past 15 weeks, barring severe fetal abnormality.
One question in the case arose from the Supreme Court's June abortion decision, in which Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal bloc to strike down Louisiana's abortion-clinic regulations. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote an opinion for the four liberal justices holding the regulations unconstitutional because the burdens they created outweighed the benefits. Roberts wrote a solo opinion striking down Louisiana's law on different grounds.
In the ensuing months, federal courts have split as to which legal test from June's case they should follow. Two federal appeals courts say Roberts's rationale is binding on the lower courts, while a third court chose to follow the burdens-benefits approach.
While that disagreement may sound arcane, it's very significant for the odds that the justices will hear the Mississippi case. The Supreme Court tends to take up cases involving legal questions over which multiple courts disagree.
Legal briefs from all sides of the Mississippi dispute were submitted by August 19. The next step is for the justices to decide whether to hear the case. The case is No. 19-1392 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.


freebeacon--2020-10-27--HANDMAID’S FAIL: Liberal Cosplay Couldn’t Stop Amy Coney Barrett from Joining Supreme Court

Amy Coney Barrett officially joined the Supreme Court on Monday , one year to the day after President Donald J. Trump successfully assassinated ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and 38 days since the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Barrett was sworn in at the White House after the Senate voted 52-48 to confirm her nomination , an outcome favored by a majority of Americans .
Barrett 's `` her-storic '' ascension to the High Court is a victory for Trump , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , the Republican Party , and all Americans who support greater female representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. , N.Y. ) said today `` will go down as one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate , '' while Sen. Ed Marley ( D. , Mass . )
denounced Barrett as a `` racist , '' sexist '' `` homophobe . ''
Others suggested Barrett was secretly plotting to reinstitute slavery in the United States .
Democrats had spent weeks trying to thwart the will of the people by painting Barrett as a religious fanatic with too many children whose fondness for modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` originalist '' view of the Constitution , which was authored prior to the invention of electricity .
Aggrieved liberals protested Barrett 's nomination by , among other things , engaging in hysterical cosplay .
They paraded in front of the Supreme Court dressed in red robes and white bonnets like characters from The Handmaid 's Tale , a novel-turned-Hulu-series about what liberals think Mike Pence actually believes .
Professional journalists and other Democrats amplified hysterical accusations from an unreliable source about a Christian group with which Barrett is affiliated .
They flagrantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful women without engaging in `` sexist reporting . ''
They even attacked Barrett 's family , which is more racially diverse than most leading liberal institutions , by refusing to condemn preeminent `` anti-racism '' scholar Ibram X. Kendi for describing Barrett 's adopted black children as `` props '' of white supremacy .
None of it worked , however , because Barrett was an intelligent and likable nominee .
She ingratiated herself with viewers of her confirmation hearings by politely suffering through mansplaining lectures from male Democratic senators .
Not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onetime Democratic presidential frontrunner who led the # Resistance to Brett Kavanaugh 's nomination in 2018 , could dig up allegations that would tarnish Barrett 's reputation .
In fairness , his failure to do so was mainly the result of being in prison for fraud .
In some ways , the addition of Barrett to the Supreme Court honors the legacy of the woman she replaced .
The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tireless advocate for female empowerment ; Barrett is female .
QED .
But it also represents an embarrassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have retired at any point during the Obama administration .
Instead , she bet the house on Hillary Clinton 's ability to win an election—a misguided decision , in retrospect .
McConnell celebrated Ginsburg 's hubris during a speech on the Senate floor .
`` This is something to really be proud of and feel good about , '' he said of Barrett ’ s confirmation .
`` We made an important contribution to the future of this country .
A lot of what we have done over the last four years will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next election .
[ The libs ] won ’ t be able to do much about this for a long time to come . ''

Amy Coney Barrett officially joined the Supreme Court on Monday, one year to the day after President Donald J. Trump successfully assassinated ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and 38 days since the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Barrett was sworn in at the White House after the Senate voted 52-48 to confirm her nomination, an outcome favored by a majority of Americans. Barrett's "her-storic" ascension to the High Court is a victory for Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican Party, and all Americans who support greater female representation in government.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said today "will go down as one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate," while Sen. Ed Marley (D., Mass.) denounced Barrett as a "racist," sexist" "homophobe." Others suggested Barrett was secretly plotting to reinstitute slavery in the United States.
Democrats had spent weeks trying to thwart the will of the people by painting Barrett as a religious fanatic with too many children whose fondness for modern comforts such as electricity violated her so-called "originalist" view of the Constitution, which was authored prior to the invention of electricity.
Aggrieved liberals protested Barrett's nomination by, among other things, engaging in hysterical cosplay. They paraded in front of the Supreme Court dressed in red robes and white bonnets like characters from The Handmaid's Tale, a novel-turned-Hulu-series about what liberals think Mike Pence actually believes.
Professional journalists and other Democrats amplified hysterical accusations from an unreliable source about a Christian group with which Barrett is affiliated. They flagrantly violated expert guidelines on how to cover powerful women without engaging in "sexist reporting."
They even attacked Barrett's family, which is more racially diverse than most leading liberal institutions, by refusing to condemn preeminent "anti-racism" scholar Ibram X. Kendi for describing Barrett's adopted black children as "props" of white supremacy.
None of it worked, however, because Barrett was an intelligent and likable nominee. She ingratiated herself with viewers of her confirmation hearings by politely suffering through mansplaining lectures from male Democratic senators.
Not even the super lawyer Michael Avenatti, a onetime Democratic presidential frontrunner who led the #Resistance to Brett Kavanaugh's nomination in 2018, could dig up allegations that would tarnish Barrett's reputation. In fairness, his failure to do so was mainly the result of being in prison for fraud.
In some ways, the addition of Barrett to the Supreme Court honors the legacy of the woman she replaced. The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tireless advocate for female empowerment; Barrett is female. QED. But it also represents an embarrassing blunder. "Notorious RBG" could have retired at any point during the Obama administration. Instead, she bet the house on Hillary Clinton's ability to win an election—a misguided decision, in retrospect.
McConnell celebrated Ginsburg's hubris during a speech on the Senate floor. "This is something to really be proud of and feel good about," he said of Barrett’s confirmation. "We made an important contribution to the future of this country. A lot of what we have done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election. [The libs] won’t be able to do much about this for a long time to come."


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Hamas Releases Palestinian Peace Activists Arrested for Talking to Israelis on Zoom

GAZA ( Reuters ) – Gaza ’ s Islamist rulers Hamas convicted three Palestinian peace activists of `` weakening revolutionary spirit '' for having held a Zoom call with Israelis peace campaigners , but ordered the release of two of them after six months in jail .
Hamas arrested Rami Aman , 39 , and seven other activists in April after the conference call , describing it as `` treason . ''
Such grassroots dialogue between Israelis and Gaza Palestinians is rare .
While five of the activists were released within days of being arrested , Gaza military prosecutors charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ordered them jailed until their trial .
One of the three was granted bail in July .
A Hamas-run military court on Monday convicted all three of `` weakening revolutionary spirit '' but ordered authorities to release Aman and the other campaigner who had remained in jail .
Speaking to Reuters soon after his release , Aman said he had told the court he was not calling for a normalization of ties with Israel .
`` I call for a just and comprehensive peace , and believe that as long as there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Aman said , referring to Israel ’ s occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza .
Hamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The military court handed Aman a one-year suspended sentence and ordered the other activist , whose name has not been made public , to be released on the basis of time served , the Palestinian Center for Human Rights , which had defended them , said in a statement .
Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 and has since fought three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared border are relatively frequent .
Israel regards Hamas as a terrorist group and keeps Gaza under blockade , saying its aim is to stop weapons from reaching militant groups .

GAZA (Reuters) - Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas convicted three Palestinian peace activists of "weakening revolutionary spirit" for having held a Zoom call with Israelis peace campaigners, but ordered the release of two of them after six months in jail.
Hamas arrested Rami Aman, 39, and seven other activists in April after the conference call, describing it as "treason."
Such grassroots dialogue between Israelis and Gaza Palestinians is rare.
While five of the activists were released within days of being arrested, Gaza military prosecutors charged Aman and two others with aiding Israel and ordered them jailed until their trial. One of the three was granted bail in July.
A Hamas-run military court on Monday convicted all three of "weakening revolutionary spirit" but ordered authorities to release Aman and the other campaigner who had remained in jail.
Speaking to Reuters soon after his release, Aman said he had told the court he was not calling for a normalization of ties with Israel.
"I call for a just and comprehensive peace, and believe that as long as there is occupation, there will be resistance," Aman said, referring to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza.
Hamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The military court handed Aman a one-year suspended sentence and ordered the other activist, whose name has not been made public, to be released on the basis of time served, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which had defended them, said in a statement.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 and has since fought three wars with Israel. Flare-ups along the shared border are relatively frequent.
Israel regards Hamas as a terrorist group and keeps Gaza under blockade, saying its aim is to stop weapons from reaching militant groups.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Rami Ayyub in Jerusalem; Editing by Alison Williams)


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Northwestern President Condemns Anti-Semitic Protests

Northwestern University 's president condemned anti-Semitic protesters who swarmed his residence in the name of police abolition .
University president Morton Schapiro issued a statement condemning students and outside agitators who vandalized and burned school property and surrounded his home after six consecutive nights of anti-police protests .
Protesters gathered in front of Schapiro 's home and chanted `` Piggy Morty , '' a slur that Schapiro wrote came `` dangerously close to a longstanding trope against observant Jews like myself . ''
`` What started as peaceful protests have recently grown into expressions that have been anything but peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I refuse to engage with individuals who continue to use the tactics of intimidation and violence . ''
`` Whether it was done out of ignorance or out of anti-Semitism , it is completely unacceptable , '' he noted .
The protests were led by the activist group `` NU Community Not Cops , '' which calls for the abolition of the Northwestern University police department .
Calls for police department abolition have become commonplace on campuses across the nation , including at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university 's police department but has no intention of abolishing it .
He also promised to punish students who break the law .
`` An essential aspect of education is the discernment of actions and consequences , '' his statement reads .
`` If you , as a member of the Northwestern community , violate rules and laws , I am making it abundantly clear that you will be held accountable . ''

Northwestern University's president condemned anti-Semitic protesters who swarmed his residence in the name of police abolition.
University president Morton Schapiro issued a statement condemning students and outside agitators who vandalized and burned school property and surrounded his home after six consecutive nights of anti-police protests. Protesters gathered in front of Schapiro's home and chanted "Piggy Morty," a slur that Schapiro wrote came "dangerously close to a longstanding trope against observant Jews like myself."
"What started as peaceful protests have recently grown into expressions that have been anything but peaceful or productive," Schapiro said. "I refuse to engage with individuals who continue to use the tactics of intimidation and violence."
"Whether it was done out of ignorance or out of anti-Semitism, it is completely unacceptable," he noted.
The protests were led by the activist group "NU Community Not Cops," which calls for the abolition of the Northwestern University police department. Calls for police department abolition have become commonplace on campuses across the nation, including at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University.
Schapiro said Northwestern will continue to improve the university's police department but has no intention of abolishing it. He also promised to punish students who break the law.
"An essential aspect of education is the discernment of actions and consequences," his statement reads. "If you, as a member of the Northwestern community, violate rules and laws, I am making it abundantly clear that you will be held accountable."


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Poll: Majority Believe Biden Knew About Son’s Foreign Business Ventures

Most likely voters believe Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was involved in his son 's foreign business deals , according to a Monday Rasmussen poll .
The survey found that 54 percent of likely voters believe that Joe Biden likely was `` consulted about and perhaps even profited in '' Hunter Biden 's foreign involvement in a Chinese company .
Only 38 percent of respondents said it was unlikely the former vice president knew about his son 's affairs abroad .
The poll comes just days after one of Hunter Biden 's former business partners alleged that Joe Biden was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son 's dealings with CEFC China Energy Co. , a Chinese oil company .
Ninety-five percent of President Donald Trump 's supporters believe it 's likely the elder Biden was at least informed of his son 's business ventures , compared with just 15 percent of Biden supporters .
The report also found that 35 percent of likely voters believe Joe Biden is `` less ethical '' than most politicians , compared with 33 percent of respondents who believe he is more ethical .
And while 45 percent of white respondents believe Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business dealings , more than half of black respondents also said it was `` very likely '' that the former vice president knew about Hunter Biden 's work abroad .
The results were consistent for each age and racial demographic group identified by Rasmussen .
In addition to recent allegations that the elder Biden knew about his son 's overseas business deals , the New York Post uncovered an email exchange from 2014 in which the younger Biden appeared to use his clout to increase his salary at Burisma , one of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's also profited from dealings in other countries , including China and Kazakhstan .
A State Department official testified last year that he warned Joe Biden about his son 's role in Burisma in 2015 , saying the younger Biden 's work there looked `` terrible '' for the Obama administration .
The Post ‘ s sweep of a hard drive—believed to be a copy from Hunter Biden 's laptop—also discovered photos of Hunter Biden smoking a crackpipe and , allegedly , child pornography .
Evidence of the latter has been sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has denied all involvement in his son 's business dealings .

Most likely voters believe Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was involved in his son's foreign business deals, according to a Monday Rasmussen poll.
The survey found that 54 percent of likely voters believe that Joe Biden likely was "consulted about and perhaps even profited in" Hunter Biden's foreign involvement in a Chinese company. Only 38 percent of respondents said it was unlikely the former vice president knew about his son's affairs abroad.
The poll comes just days after one of Hunter Biden's former business partners alleged that Joe Biden was privy to discussions in 2017 regarding his son's dealings with CEFC China Energy Co., a Chinese oil company.
Ninety-five percent of President Donald Trump's supporters believe it's likely the elder Biden was at least informed of his son's business ventures, compared with just 15 percent of Biden supporters. The report also found that 35 percent of likely voters believe Joe Biden is "less ethical" than most politicians, compared with 33 percent of respondents who believe he is more ethical. And while 45 percent of white respondents believe Joe Biden was involved in his son's business dealings, more than half of black respondents also said it was "very likely" that the former vice president knew about Hunter Biden's work abroad.
The results were consistent for each age and racial demographic group identified by Rasmussen.
BREAKING: Most Likely Voters say Joe Biden consulted about & perhaps profited from his son Hunter's overseas business deals including at least one involving a company in mainland China. Majority of every demographic group - except one - agrees. Marked crosstabs & story below https://t.co/RdHDe2AMKd pic.twitter.com/fhIqilLKRs — Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) October 26, 2020
In addition to recent allegations that the elder Biden knew about his son's overseas business deals, the New York Post uncovered an email exchange from 2014 in which the younger Biden appeared to use his clout to increase his salary at Burisma, one of Ukraine's largest natural gas companies. He's also profited from dealings in other countries, including China and Kazakhstan.
A State Department official testified last year that he warned Joe Biden about his son's role in Burisma in 2015, saying the younger Biden's work there looked "terrible" for the Obama administration.
The Post's sweep of a hard drive—believed to be a copy from Hunter Biden's laptop—also discovered photos of Hunter Biden smoking a crackpipe and, allegedly, child pornography. Evidence of the latter has been sent to the FBI for investigation.
Joe Biden has denied all involvement in his son's business dealings.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Channeling Beto O’Rourke, Cal Cunningham Abandons Family to Publish Travel Blog

Cheatin ' Cal Cunningham , the North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate , is channeling failed politician Beto O'Rourke as he tries to run out the clock in the final days of his scandal-plagued 2020 campaign .
Cunningham has avoided the media since his disastrous virtual press conference on October 9 , in which he repeatedly refused to say whether or not he cheated on his wife with more than one mistress .
`` I 've said what I 'm gon na say about it , '' he said , awkwardly .
`` I 've answered the question . ''
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same website that broke the story of Cunningham 's affair with Arlene Guzman Todd , the candidate is n't even hiding out in his own basement these days .
Cunningham 's wife , Elizabeth , appears to have kicked her husband out of their family home in Raleigh—where Cunningham had sex with his mistress in July—shortly after that embarrassing press conference .
Cunningham has reportedly been staying with his sister , Catherine , for the past several weeks .
During that time , Cunningham has pretended to campaign like a regular candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife .
He has been posting photos on social media of his `` conversations '' with regular voters—staged events to which the press was not invited .
His campaign also published a blog documenting Cunningham 's travels across the state .
The prose is not as resplendent as Beto 's , but the yearning for catharsis is the same , as are the absentee father vibes .
At least the worst thing Beto ever did to his wife was serving her a bowl of `` avocado '' that was actually a child 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this campaign is about : improving people 's lives , '' Cunningham 's blog concludes .
His wife and kids might beg to differ .

Cheatin' Cal Cunningham, the North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate, is channeling failed politician Beto O'Rourke as he tries to run out the clock in the final days of his scandal-plagued 2020 campaign.
Cunningham has avoided the media since his disastrous virtual press conference on October 9, in which he repeatedly refused to say whether or not he cheated on his wife with more than one mistress. "I've said what I'm gonna say about it," he said, awkwardly. "I've answered the question." (He hadn't.)
According to the same website that broke the story of Cunningham's affair with Arlene Guzman Todd, the candidate isn't even hiding out in his own basement these days. Cunningham's wife, Elizabeth, appears to have kicked her husband out of their family home in Raleigh—where Cunningham had sex with his mistress in July—shortly after that embarrassing press conference.
Cunningham has reportedly been staying with his sister, Catherine, for the past several weeks. During that time, Cunningham has pretended to campaign like a regular candidate who wasn't caught cheating on his wife. He has been posting photos on social media of his "conversations" with regular voters—staged events to which the press was not invited.
Today at Sharp Farms, I had the opportunity to speak with Pender — one of many North Carolina farmers who’s paid the price for this administration’s reckless trade policies. It’s time for NC to have a Senator who will stand up for our farmers and agriculture workers. pic.twitter.com/ZxbINo0YpH — Cal Cunningham (@CalforNC) October 21, 2020
His campaign also published a blog documenting Cunningham's travels across the state. The prose is not as resplendent as Beto's, but the yearning for catharsis is the same, as are the absentee father vibes. At least the worst thing Beto ever did to his wife was serving her a bowl of "avocado" that was actually a child's turd.
"These conversations illustrate what this campaign is about: improving people's lives," Cunningham's blog concludes. His wife and kids might beg to differ.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--New Hampshire Dem Failed to Disclose Relationship with Lobbyist

A New Hampshire Democrat failed to disclose his relationship with an ex-lobbyist , the New Hampshire Union-Leader reported .
Rep. Chris Pappas did not publicly disclose his relationship with former Amazon lobbyist Vann Bentley , who left his job in August 2019 .
At that time , Pappas was a sitting member of Congress .
Pappas 's Republican opponent , Matt Mowers , first broached the issue in a debate last week .
`` Congressman , you want to talk about relationships with corporate special interests ? ''
Mowers asked Pappas .
`` With all due respect , you 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lobbying on behalf of Amazon at the time .
You were dating a corporate lobbyist .
And the fact of the matter is you never disclosed it . ''
Pappas confirmed the relationship after the debate but said it did not affect his actions while in Congress .
`` By his own admission , congressman Pappas has confirmed what we knew all along : he is n't being truthful with the people of New Hampshire , '' said Mowers campaign manager John Corbett .
The potential conflict of interest is just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , he sent out a fundraising email with recently deceased Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's name in the sender line .
In September , two New Hampshire police unions flipped their 2018 endorsement of Pappas to Mowers because of dissatisfaction with the congressman 's law and order record .
Mowers , a former Trump campaign communications official and State Department diplomat , recently broke even in polls .
RealClearPolitics announced Monday it now rates the race a `` Toss Up . ''

A New Hampshire Democrat failed to disclose his relationship with an ex-lobbyist, the New Hampshire Union-Leader reported.
Rep. Chris Pappas did not publicly disclose his relationship with former Amazon lobbyist Vann Bentley, who left his job in August 2019. At that time, Pappas was a sitting member of Congress.
Pappas's Republican opponent, Matt Mowers, first broached the issue in a debate last week.
"Congressman, you want to talk about relationships with corporate special interests?" Mowers asked Pappas. "With all due respect, you've been dating a corporate lobbyist who actually was lobbying on behalf of Amazon at the time. You were dating a corporate lobbyist. And the fact of the matter is you never disclosed it."
Pappas confirmed the relationship after the debate but said it did not affect his actions while in Congress.
"By his own admission, congressman Pappas has confirmed what we knew all along: he isn't being truthful with the people of New Hampshire," said Mowers campaign manager John Corbett.
The potential conflict of interest is just the latest headache for Pappas. Earlier this month, he sent out a fundraising email with recently deceased Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name in the sender line. In September, two New Hampshire police unions flipped their 2018 endorsement of Pappas to Mowers because of dissatisfaction with the congressman's law and order record.
Mowers, a former Trump campaign communications official and State Department diplomat, recently broke even in polls. RealClearPolitics announced Monday it now rates the race a "Toss Up."


freebeacon--2020-10-26--U.S. Colleges Hid More Than $6.5 Billion in Foreign Funding, Education Department Finds

Major American universities failed to disclose more than $ 6.5 billion in donations from foreign governments , including China , Russia , and Saudi Arabia , according to an investigation by the Department of Education .
`` The threat of improper foreign influence in higher education is real , '' Education Department secretary Betsy DeVos said in a statement announcing the findings last week .
`` Transparency in foreign funding of higher education is not just something I think is a good thing ; it ’ s the law .
For too long , enforcement of that law was lax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure follows a months-long investigation by the Education Department into the ways foreign governments peddle influence at American colleges , including Harvard University , Georgetown , Cornell , Yale , and Stanford .
While American schools are required to report the contributions they receive from outside the country , many have failed to do so during the past four decades .
Universities receiving money from foreign nations , such as China and Russia , are often pressured to hold programs and events that portray those nations in a favorable light .
Since launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily allows schools to report foreign funding , the Education Department has recorded more than 7,000 transactions totaling nearly $ 4 billion .
Federal investigators found that some schools misreported the amounts of money they receive .
At least two universities `` failed to accurately account '' for funding that went to campuses located in Doha , Qatar .
The Qatari government partially funded both campuses , fostering concerns that Qatar `` exerted its financial influence to stifle free speech . ''
It was also found that Chinese technology company Huawei , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government , `` had financial ties to nearly all the investigated institutions . ''
This is of particular concern due to Huawei ’ s efforts to gain a competitive edge over Western tech companies .
Chinese companies also were found to be working with at least one U.S. university on a research project involving crowd surveillance and predictive AI behavior , `` which the Chinese government could potentially harness for nefarious purposes , '' according to the Education Department .
Saudi Arabian prince Alwaleed bin Talal used his fortune to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tailored its teaching programs to avoid issues that might paint the Middle Eastern state in a poor light , the investigation found .

Major American universities failed to disclose more than $6.5 billion in donations from foreign governments, including China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, according to an investigation by the Department of Education.
"The threat of improper foreign influence in higher education is real," Education Department secretary Betsy DeVos said in a statement announcing the findings last week. "Transparency in foreign funding of higher education is not just something I think is a good thing; it’s the law. For too long, enforcement of that law was lax, but not anymore."
The disclosure follows a months-long investigation by the Education Department into the ways foreign governments peddle influence at American colleges, including Harvard University, Georgetown, Cornell, Yale, and Stanford. While American schools are required to report the contributions they receive from outside the country, many have failed to do so during the past four decades. Universities receiving money from foreign nations, such as China and Russia, are often pressured to hold programs and events that portray those nations in a favorable light.
Since launching an online portal in June that more easily allows schools to report foreign funding, the Education Department has recorded more than 7,000 transactions totaling nearly $4 billion.
Federal investigators found that some schools misreported the amounts of money they receive.
At least two universities "failed to accurately account" for funding that went to campuses located in Doha, Qatar. The Qatari government partially funded both campuses, fostering concerns that Qatar "exerted its financial influence to stifle free speech."
It was also found that Chinese technology company Huawei, which has been deemed a national-security threat by the U.S. government, "had financial ties to nearly all the investigated institutions." This is of particular concern due to Huawei’s efforts to gain a competitive edge over Western tech companies.
Chinese companies also were found to be working with at least one U.S. university on a research project involving crowd surveillance and predictive AI behavior, "which the Chinese government could potentially harness for nefarious purposes," according to the Education Department.
Saudi Arabian prince Alwaleed bin Talal used his fortune to send money to Georgetown, which in turn tailored its teaching programs to avoid issues that might paint the Middle Eastern state in a poor light, the investigation found.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Dems Boost Libertarian in Kentucky in Hail Mary to Defeat McConnell

A liberal PAC is spending more than $ 1 million to bolster Kentucky 's Libertarian Party nominee in a last-ditch attempt to funnel votes away from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. ) .
Ditch Mitch Fund , an anti-McConnell PAC founded by national liberal operatives , has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from far-left donors to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) , campaign-finance disclosures show .
The money has helped the group spend more than $ 10 million on ads slamming McConnell and championing Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing days of the campaign , Ditch Mitch Fund is instead spending big to sing the praises of Libertarian candidate Brad Barron .
The move is part of a larger liberal strategy to peel votes away from red-state Republicans by putting substantial funds behind little-known third-party candidates .
One anti-McConnell super PAC—Fire Mitch Save America—has spent more than $ 250,000 on pro-Barron mailers in October .
In South Carolina , Democratic Senate nominee Jaime Harrison , the state 's Democratic Party , and an outside group aligned with Harrison have spent hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe `` the only true conservative on the ballot . ''
Federal Election Commission filings show that Ditch Mitch Fund launched an affiliate PAC called True Kentucky Patriots on October 13 .
Just days later , the group pushed back on reports that it was pulling its TV ads in the race 's final two weeks , instead saying it was `` simply adjusting and moving around '' the ad buys .
True Kentucky Patriots went on to report more than $ 300,000 spent on TV , radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Kentucky 's true conservative for U.S .
Senate . ''
According to ad-buying tracker Advertising Analytics , the total ad blitz is worth more than $ 1 million .
`` Brad Barron is a farmer and businessman who will protect our liberties from Washington politicians , '' one True Kentucky Patriots TV ad states .
`` Sorry , Mitch , 36 years is too long .
Vote your values and for freedom .
Vote for conservative libertarian Brad Barron . ''
The ad campaign dwarfs Barron 's own spending in the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 17,000 as of June 30 and has failed to file the last two required FEC reports .
McGrath has personally boosted Barron throughout her bid to unseat McConnell .
The Democrat in August invited Barron to join three proposed debates against McConnell `` so Kentuckians can hear from all of the candidates on the ballot . ''
She later retreated from an attempt to reject any debate invitations that excluded Barron , facing McConnell one-on-one in October .
McGrath 's campaign , which has denounced `` excessive money in politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire Mitch Save America in January .
`` I think the signal is for people who are interested in contributing beyond the legal limit , they should have confidence to contribute to the super PAC , '' then-campaign manager Mark Nickolas told the Lexington Herald-Leader .
`` We 've got to fight fire with fire . ''
Ditch Mitch Fund has close ties to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) , having raised more than $ 24,000 from Schumer 's Senate Majority PAC , according to the Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid Washington , D.C.-based advertising firm Beacon Media thousands for its ads boosting Barron—the firm has also received more than $ 25,000 from the Nancy Pelosi-affiliated House Majority PAC since 2018 .
Neither Barron nor Ditch Mitch Fund responded to requests for comment .

A liberal PAC is spending more than $1 million to bolster Kentucky's Libertarian Party nominee in a last-ditch attempt to funnel votes away from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.).
Ditch Mitch Fund, an anti-McConnell PAC founded by national liberal operatives, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from far-left donors to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), campaign-finance disclosures show. The money has helped the group spend more than $10 million on ads slamming McConnell and championing Democratic nominee Amy McGrath. But in the closing days of the campaign, Ditch Mitch Fund is instead spending big to sing the praises of Libertarian candidate Brad Barron.
The move is part of a larger liberal strategy to peel votes away from red-state Republicans by putting substantial funds behind little-known third-party candidates. One anti-McConnell super PAC—Fire Mitch Save America—has spent more than $250,000 on pro-Barron mailers in October. In South Carolina, Democratic Senate nominee Jaime Harrison, the state's Democratic Party, and an outside group aligned with Harrison have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on campaign materials that call Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe "the only true conservative on the ballot."
Federal Election Commission filings show that Ditch Mitch Fund launched an affiliate PAC called True Kentucky Patriots on October 13. Just days later, the group pushed back on reports that it was pulling its TV ads in the race's final two weeks, instead saying it was "simply adjusting and moving around" the ad buys. True Kentucky Patriots went on to report more than $300,000 spent on TV, radio, and digital spots that call Barron "Kentucky's true conservative for U.S. Senate." According to ad-buying tracker Advertising Analytics, the total ad blitz is worth more than $1 million.
"Brad Barron is a farmer and businessman who will protect our liberties from Washington politicians," one True Kentucky Patriots TV ad states. "Sorry, Mitch, 36 years is too long. Vote your values and for freedom. Vote for conservative libertarian Brad Barron."
The ad campaign dwarfs Barron's own spending in the race. The third-party candidate has disbursed less than $17,000 as of June 30 and has failed to file the last two required FEC reports.
McGrath has personally boosted Barron throughout her bid to unseat McConnell. The Democrat in August invited Barron to join three proposed debates against McConnell "so Kentuckians can hear from all of the candidates on the ballot." She later retreated from an attempt to reject any debate invitations that excluded Barron, facing McConnell one-on-one in October.
McGrath's campaign, which has denounced "excessive money in politics," also encouraged donors to contribute to Fire Mitch Save America in January.
"I think the signal is for people who are interested in contributing beyond the legal limit, they should have confidence to contribute to the super PAC," then-campaign manager Mark Nickolas told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "We've got to fight fire with fire."
Ditch Mitch Fund has close ties to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), having raised more than $24,000 from Schumer's Senate Majority PAC, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. True Kentucky Patriots has paid Washington, D.C.-based advertising firm Beacon Media thousands for its ads boosting Barron—the firm has also received more than $25,000 from the Nancy Pelosi-affiliated House Majority PAC since 2018.
Neither Barron nor Ditch Mitch Fund responded to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Biden Calls Russia Greatest Threat to America After Mocking Romney’s Hawkish Views

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called Russia the greatest threat to the United States in his 60 Minutes interview this @ @ @ @ @ mocking Republican Mitt Romney 's `` Cold War mindset '' for the same opinion .
@ @ @ @ @ at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two years @ @ @ @ @ freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called Russia the greatest threat to the United States in his 60 Minutes interview this week, eight years after mocking Republican Mitt Romney's "Cold War mindset" for the same opinion.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Top al Qaeda Operative Reportedly Killed in Afghanistan

Afghan security forces claim they killed a top al Qaeda operative listed on the FBI ’ s most-wanted list , Politico reported Sunday .
Husam Abd al-Rauf , also known as Abu Muhsin al-Masri , ranked as al Qaeda ’ s second-in-command .
The Egyptian national was on the FBI 's list of most-wanted terrorists for his role in the terrorist organization and in a conspiracy to kill Americans .
Afghan officials claim they killed al-Rauf in one of Afghanistan ’ s eastern provinces this weekend .
NATO and U.S. missions in the country have not yet confirmed al-Rauf ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as al Qaeda 's chief propagandist after first joining mujahideen fighters during their resistance against the Soviet Union in 1986 .
Terror expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Tom Joscelyn called al-Rauf a `` trusted subordinate '' of current al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri .
An Afghan official said the Taliban had harbored al-Rauf before his death .
The Taliban continue to maintain they have no hand in aiding al Qaeda operations in Afghanistan .
Cooperation between the Taliban and al Qaeda would stand to violate the February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doha .
As part of an agreement to facilitate U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan , Washington made clear that the Taliban could not provide aid to al Qaeda .
The Taliban neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in harboring al-Rauf , but told the Associated Press they are investigating the matter .
Al-Rauf ’ s death comes in the wake of another major blow to al Qaeda .
An American drone strike reportedly killed two senior al Qaeda-affiliated operatives in Syria ’ s Idlib Governorate .
Meanwhile , a recent State Department estimate puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan at less than 200 members .

Afghan security forces claim they killed a top al Qaeda operative listed on the FBI’s most-wanted list, Politico reported Sunday.
Husam Abd al-Rauf, also known as Abu Muhsin al-Masri, ranked as al Qaeda’s second-in-command. The Egyptian national was on the FBI's list of most-wanted terrorists for his role in the terrorist organization and in a conspiracy to kill Americans. Afghan officials claim they killed al-Rauf in one of Afghanistan’s eastern provinces this weekend. NATO and U.S. missions in the country have not yet confirmed al-Rauf’s death.
Al-Rauf served for years as al Qaeda's chief propagandist after first joining mujahideen fighters during their resistance against the Soviet Union in 1986. Terror expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Tom Joscelyn called al-Rauf a "trusted subordinate" of current al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
An Afghan official said the Taliban had harbored al-Rauf before his death. The Taliban continue to maintain they have no hand in aiding al Qaeda operations in Afghanistan.
Cooperation between the Taliban and al Qaeda would stand to violate the February deal made with the United States in Doha. As part of an agreement to facilitate U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Washington made clear that the Taliban could not provide aid to al Qaeda.
The Taliban neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in harboring al-Rauf, but told the Associated Press they are investigating the matter.
Al-Rauf’s death comes in the wake of another major blow to al Qaeda. An American drone strike reportedly killed two senior al Qaeda-affiliated operatives in Syria’s Idlib Governorate. Meanwhile, a recent State Department estimate puts al Qaeda’s overall force size in Afghanistan at less than 200 members.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Biden Unmentioned in Obama’s Telling of Health Care Bill’s Passage

Barack Obama published a 13,000-word essay Monday about passing the Affordable Care Act that only mentions his vice president , current Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , once .
In the New Yorker essay , excerpted from his upcoming White House memoir A Promised Land , Obama goes into minute detail about his and other Democrats ' efforts to pass the legislation .
Obama 's only reference to Biden is in reference to then-congressman Joe Wilson 's shouting `` You lie ! ''
while Obama was speaking before Congress .
`` For the briefest moment , a stunned silence fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I turned to look for the heckler ( as did Speaker Pelosi and Joe Biden , Nancy aghast and Joe shaking his head ) .
I was tempted to exit my perch , make my way down the aisle , and smack the guy in the head . ''
That aside marks the only time Biden appears in the piece , in which Obama frequently references Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) and former Senate majority leader Harry Reid ( D , Nev. ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesser-known figures , such as aide Nancy-Ann DeParle , but does not present Biden as a part of the project .
Biden 's absence from the story stands in stark contrast to his presidential campaign 's message that his efforts were vital on Obamacare .
`` The Obama-Biden Administration got it done , '' Biden 's website tells visitors .
Biden has his own plans for how to make health care part of his legacy , however .
He has proposed expanding Obamacare 's reach by adding the option to buy into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Bidencare . ''
Democrats across the country have made health care a primary issue in the run-up to next week 's election , in particular claiming that Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett would rule against Obamacare 's legality in a hypothetical case .

Barack Obama published a 13,000-word essay Monday about passing the Affordable Care Act that only mentions his vice president, current Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, once.
In the New Yorker essay, excerpted from his upcoming White House memoir A Promised Land, Obama goes into minute detail about his and other Democrats' efforts to pass the legislation.
Obama's only reference to Biden is in reference to then-congressman Joe Wilson's shouting "You lie!" while Obama was speaking before Congress.
"For the briefest moment, a stunned silence fell over the chamber," Obama writes. "I turned to look for the heckler (as did Speaker Pelosi and Joe Biden, Nancy aghast and Joe shaking his head). I was tempted to exit my perch, make my way down the aisle, and smack the guy in the head."
That aside marks the only time Biden appears in the piece, in which Obama frequently references Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and former Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D, Nev.).
The former president even makes repeated references to lesser-known figures, such as aide Nancy-Ann DeParle, but does not present Biden as a part of the project.
Biden's absence from the story stands in stark contrast to his presidential campaign's message that his efforts were vital on Obamacare.
"The Obama-Biden Administration got it done," Biden's website tells visitors.
Biden has his own plans for how to make health care part of his legacy, however. He has proposed expanding Obamacare's reach by adding the option to buy into a government-run plan, calling his proposed fixes "Bidencare."
Democrats across the country have made health care a primary issue in the run-up to next week's election, in particular claiming that Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett would rule against Obamacare's legality in a hypothetical case.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--New York Democratic Staffer Arrested for Sexual Assault

A longtime aide to top Democrats in New York was arrested this weekend after he allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman .
Joseph Brady , legislative director for New York state assemblyman Peter Abbate Jr. ( D. ) , allegedly assaulted the young woman at his residence on Saturday after sending her 16-year-old boyfriend to purchase drugs .
The FBI and local authorities searched Brady ’ s home and said they found narcotics and materials they believe could be used to build a bomb .
Brady joined Abbate ’ s office after working under former New York City Democratic mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Times Union , which first reported his arrest , Brady works with local union officials to develop and implement labor legislation .
Law enforcement officials said this weekend they added Brady to a watch list last year after suspecting he was involved in the disappearance of a 42-year-old man , whom they now presume was murdered .
The New York Post reported in 2013 that Brady had used a loophole in state law—while working as Abbate ’ s staffer—to participate in mixed martial arts fighting , despite the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brady evaded the law , designating himself as an amateur fighter .
The staffer is also allegedly involved in a motorcycle gang connected to the Hells Angels .
Brady is being held in a county jail on $ 50,000 bail .

A longtime aide to top Democrats in New York was arrested this weekend after he allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman.
Joseph Brady, legislative director for New York state assemblyman Peter Abbate Jr. (D.), allegedly assaulted the young woman at his residence on Saturday after sending her 16-year-old boyfriend to purchase drugs. The FBI and local authorities searched Brady’s home and said they found narcotics and materials they believe could be used to build a bomb.
Brady joined Abbate’s office after working under former New York City Democratic mayor Mike Bloomberg as a legislative staffer. According to the Times Union, which first reported his arrest, Brady works with local union officials to develop and implement labor legislation.
Law enforcement officials said this weekend they added Brady to a watch list last year after suspecting he was involved in the disappearance of a 42-year-old man, whom they now presume was murdered.
The New York Post reported in 2013 that Brady had used a loophole in state law—while working as Abbate’s staffer—to participate in mixed martial arts fighting, despite the state’s prior prohibition on professional brawls. Brady evaded the law, designating himself as an amateur fighter. The staffer is also allegedly involved in a motorcycle gang connected to the Hells Angels.
Brady is being held in a county jail on $50,000 bail.


freebeacon--2020-10-26--Top Gun-Control Group Ducks Guns in Election Ad

A top gun-control group has blanketed Virginia airwaves with a new ad , but its missive is missing one key word : guns .
Brady PAC , which advocates for increased gun control , released an ad attacking Virginia Republican congressional candidate Nick Freitas on health care policy .
The ad , for which Brady and the House Majority PAC paid , does not mention gun issues at all .
Brady 's turn away from gun-control messaging comes after Everytown , the largest gun-control group in the country , also abandoned the issue in election ads .
The change provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups do not view gun control as a winning issue in 2020—a year that has seen record gun sales and an influx of new gun owners .
George Mason University law professor Joyce Malcolm told the Washington Free Beacon that gun-control groups have lost faith in their core message and believe focusing on other issues is the best way to get their allies elected .
`` The gun-control issue is a loser at this point , '' she said .
`` So , the gun-control groups are pushing the health care issue in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden . ''
Biden 's pledge to take away `` assault weapons '' and support for a variety of strict new gun-control proposals are key reasons the groups support him , Malcolm said .
`` If Biden wins , the gun-control folks expect to be in the driver 's seat , '' Malcolm said .
Gun-rights proponents have taken Brady 's ad as a sign of capitulation .
`` That is the Brady Campaign , whose sole existence is to take away our gun rights , '' Philip Van Cleave , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email to supporters .
`` Not a word about guns in that ad .
Not a word .
That silence on gun-control is n't an accident , folks . ''
Van Cleave pointed out that gun-rights groups , such as the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America , have stuck to running gun-focused ads .
He argued the groups are `` scared to death of gun-owners voting '' in Virginia , especially in light of the pro-Second-Amendment `` sanctuary '' movement and January 's massive rally against the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that they woke a powerful , sleeping giant and they desperately want that giant to go back to sleep , as they seek to strip us of our guns through backdoor political ads , '' Van Cleave said .
The Brady PAC did not respond to a request for comment .
The ad is currently running in the Richmond and Fredericksburg markets .

A top gun-control group has blanketed Virginia airwaves with a new ad, but its missive is missing one key word: guns.
Brady PAC, which advocates for increased gun control, released an ad attacking Virginia Republican congressional candidate Nick Freitas on health care policy. The ad, for which Brady and the House Majority PAC paid, does not mention gun issues at all.
Brady's turn away from gun-control messaging comes after Everytown, the largest gun-control group in the country, also abandoned the issue in election ads.
The change provides further evidence that Democrats and liberal interest groups do not view gun control as a winning issue in 2020—a year that has seen record gun sales and an influx of new gun owners.
George Mason University law professor Joyce Malcolm told the Washington Free Beacon that gun-control groups have lost faith in their core message and believe focusing on other issues is the best way to get their allies elected.
"The gun-control issue is a loser at this point," she said. "So, the gun-control groups are pushing the health care issue in hopes of helping the election of Joe Biden."
Biden's pledge to take away "assault weapons" and support for a variety of strict new gun-control proposals are key reasons the groups support him, Malcolm said.
"If Biden wins, the gun-control folks expect to be in the driver's seat," Malcolm said.
Gun-rights proponents have taken Brady's ad as a sign of capitulation.
"That is the Brady Campaign, whose sole existence is to take away our gun rights," Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said in an email to supporters. "Not a word about guns in that ad. Not a word. That silence on gun-control isn't an accident, folks."
Van Cleave pointed out that gun-rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America, have stuck to running gun-focused ads. He argued the groups are "scared to death of gun-owners voting" in Virginia, especially in light of the pro-Second-Amendment "sanctuary" movement and January's massive rally against the state's new gun-control laws.
"They know that they woke a powerful, sleeping giant and they desperately want that giant to go back to sleep, as they seek to strip us of our guns through backdoor political ads," Van Cleave said.
The Brady PAC did not respond to a request for comment. The ad is currently running in the Richmond and Fredericksburg markets.


freebeacon--2020-10-27--Maddow Laments Failure to Interrogate Barrett’s Faith

MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow on Monday expressed regret that Senate Democrats ' did not grill Amy Coney Barrett about her Catholic faith .
Maddow argued that Barrett 's faith poses a threat to gays and that her ascension to the Supreme Court threatens to `` make abortion illegal in this country . ''
`` Barrett will be ruling on an important gay rights case [ Fulton v. City of Philadelphia ] , '' Maddow said .
`` One of the things that did not quite come up in her confirmation process is that she was on the board of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there if their mom or dad is gay [ and ] wo n't hire gay teachers .
How do you think she 's going to rule on the gay rights case ? ''
Democrats largely avoided confrontations with Barrett over her faith after Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D. , Calif. ) elicited swift blowback when she told Barrett , in her 2017 confirmation hearings to the federal bench , that `` the dogma lives loudly within you . ''
The Democrat 's accusation became a rallying cry for the right .
Maddow also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had promised to overturn Obamacare , pointing to an article she wrote criticizing Chief Justice John Roberts 's decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius , arguing that the individual mandate to buy health insurance is a constitutional exercise of Congress ' taxing power .
The case before the Court centers on a different legal question , and legal experts consider it unlikely to result in the law being overturned .

MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow on Monday expressed regret that Senate Democrats' did not grill Amy Coney Barrett about her Catholic faith.
Maddow argued that Barrett's faith poses a threat to gays and that her ascension to the Supreme Court threatens to "make abortion illegal in this country."
"Barrett will be ruling on an important gay rights case [Fulton v. City of Philadelphia]," Maddow said. "One of the things that did not quite come up in her confirmation process is that she was on the board of a school that won't let kids go there if their mom or dad is gay [and] won't hire gay teachers. How do you think she's going to rule on the gay rights case?"
Democrats largely avoided confrontations with Barrett over her faith after Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) elicited swift blowback when she told Barrett, in her 2017 confirmation hearings to the federal bench, that "the dogma lives loudly within you." The Democrat's accusation became a rallying cry for the right.
Maddow also charged, without evidence, that Barrett had promised to overturn Obamacare, pointing to an article she wrote criticizing Chief Justice John Roberts's decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, arguing that the individual mandate to buy health insurance is a constitutional exercise of Congress's taxing power.
The case before the Court centers on a different legal question, and legal experts consider it unlikely to result in the law being overturned.


freebeacon--2020-10-27--Senator: College Board Gave Chinese Influence Op Advanced Placement in U.S. High Schools

Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R. , Tenn. ) is demanding that the College Board explain its decades-long partnership with a Chinese front group that has allowed Beijing to influence thousands of American students .
Blackburn asked the educational nonprofit to explain the nature of its long-standing partnership with the Confucius Institute , also known as Hanban—a Chinese government-backed group that the federal government says is a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party .
The Republican senator said the lucrative relationship could unduly influence the College Board , which administers the SAT as well as college-level `` Advanced Placement '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is my concern that the Chinese government is manipulating this [ College Board ] partnership to characterize China in a wholesome light and stifle conversation that might be detrimental to the reputation of the Chinese Communist Party , '' Blackburn said in a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
`` College Board 's relationship with Hanban creates momentous security concerns . ''
An August report from the National Association of Scholars found that the College Board received nearly $ 700,000 from the Confucius Institute to develop the Chinese curriculum for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education of thousands of U.S. high school students who take the course each year .
The College Board also helped place hundreds of Chinese teachers—vetted by the Confucius Institute—in schools across the country and cohosts the largest conference for Chinese teachers with the regime-backed group .
Blackburn asked College Board CEO David Coleman to explain what role institute officials play in teacher selection and test criteria , as well as whether the relationship could give regime figures `` undue influence '' over American students .
The College Board did not return a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confucius Institute .
The senator 's letter , which was sent Tuesday , is the latest in the bipartisan push to rein in the activities of the Confucius Institute , which had more than 100 branches in U.S. colleges and K-12 schools across the country at its height in 2017 .
Congress prohibited American universities from diverting Pentagon funding to support Confucius Institute programming in 2018 , and the Senate unanimously passed a bill in June that would require all federally funded universities to exercise `` full managerial control '' of the China-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its operations are only designed to foster Mandarin literacy and appreciation for Chinese culture .
Experts and U.S. officials disagree—several bipartisan government reports found that the Confucius Institute often requires its instructors to follow Chinese laws on U.S. soil and prohibits them from discussing issues related to Tibet , Xinjiang , and other topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government .
While policymakers have focused on the Confucius Institute 's ties with the U.S. higher education system , less attention has been paid to its role in the country 's K-12 school system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the first of its kind to spotlight this under-reported aspect of China 's involvement in American education .
The education watchdog found that the College Board helped the Confucius Institute place more than 1,650 Chinese government-vetted teachers in dozens of public schools across the country , impacting the learning of tens of thousands of students .
Growing government scrutiny of the Confucius Institute—coupled with student and activist protests against the organization—has helped convince dozens of American universities to shutter the Confucius Institute programs on their campuses .
More than 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the program , according to a Free Beacon tally from August .
The Confucius Institute did not respond to a request for comment .

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) is demanding that the College Board explain its decades-long partnership with a Chinese front group that has allowed Beijing to influence thousands of American students.
Blackburn asked the educational nonprofit to explain the nature of its long-standing partnership with the Confucius Institute, also known as Hanban—a Chinese government-backed group that the federal government says is a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party. The Republican senator said the lucrative relationship could unduly influence the College Board, which administers the SAT as well as college-level "Advanced Placement" courses for high school students.
"It is my concern that the Chinese government is manipulating this [College Board] partnership to characterize China in a wholesome light and stifle conversation that might be detrimental to the reputation of the Chinese Communist Party," Blackburn said in a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. "College Board's relationship with Hanban creates momentous security concerns."
An August report from the National Association of Scholars found that the College Board received nearly $700,000 from the Confucius Institute to develop the Chinese curriculum for its Advanced Placement program, shaping the education of thousands of U.S. high school students who take the course each year. The College Board also helped place hundreds of Chinese teachers—vetted by the Confucius Institute—in schools across the country and cohosts the largest conference for Chinese teachers with the regime-backed group. Blackburn asked College Board CEO David Coleman to explain what role institute officials play in teacher selection and test criteria, as well as whether the relationship could give regime figures "undue influence" over American students.
The College Board did not return a request for comment about its dealings with the Confucius Institute.
The senator's letter, which was sent Tuesday, is the latest in the bipartisan push to rein in the activities of the Confucius Institute, which had more than 100 branches in U.S. colleges and K-12 schools across the country at its height in 2017. Congress prohibited American universities from diverting Pentagon funding to support Confucius Institute programming in 2018, and the Senate unanimously passed a bill in June that would require all federally funded universities to exercise "full managerial control" of the China-backed programs.
The Confucius Institute has said its operations are only designed to foster Mandarin literacy and appreciation for Chinese culture. Experts and U.S. officials disagree—several bipartisan government reports found that the Confucius Institute often requires its instructors to follow Chinese laws on U.S. soil and prohibits them from discussing issues related to Tibet, Xinjiang, and other topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government.
While policymakers have focused on the Confucius Institute's ties with the U.S. higher education system, less attention has been paid to its role in the country's K-12 school system. The National Association of Scholars report was one of the first of its kind to spotlight this under-reported aspect of China's involvement in American education. The education watchdog found that the College Board helped the Confucius Institute place more than 1,650 Chinese government-vetted teachers in dozens of public schools across the country, impacting the learning of tens of thousands of students.
Growing government scrutiny of the Confucius Institute—coupled with student and activist protests against the organization—has helped convince dozens of American universities to shutter the Confucius Institute programs on their campuses. More than 50 colleges and universities have ended their partnerships with the program, according to a Free Beacon tally from August.
The Confucius Institute did not respond to a request for comment.