freebeacon--2020-08-04--Israel Launches Counteroffensive Against Hezbollah, Hamas

Israel waged counterstrikes on Tuesday in southern Syria and the Gaza Strip following aggression from Hamas , Hezbollah , and Syrian military forces , the Wall Street Journal reported .
Israel Defense Forces deployed a contingent of helicopters , fighter jets , and drones against Syrian military installations purposed for observation , intelligence gathering , and communication .
This attack came a day following a thwarted Hezbollah attack in a contested area in the Golan Heights , in which four terrorists were killed by IDF responders .
Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Hezbollah planned the attack as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems [ Hezbollah leader Hassan ] Nasrallah tried his luck from the Syrian front , '' Yadlin wrote on Twitter .
Iranian-backed Hezbollah has a storied relationship with Syria and the Assad regime , along with a documented history of cooperation during the Syrian Civil War .
Both Syria and Hezbollah harbor resentment towards Israel and have had few qualms about the use of violence .
`` Hezbollah needs to know that it ’ s playing with fire , '' Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week .
`` Any attack against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Meanwhile , Israel acted with dispatch on its southern border against terror group Hamas on Monday .
IDF forces bombed Hamas sites on the Gaza Strip hours after a rocket was launched towards southern Israel .
Tit-for-tat operations in Gaza are nothing new .
Israel ’ s `` Iron Dome '' missile defense system intercepted more than 470 shells last year from Gaza-based terrorist rockets—an 85 percent success rate , according to the IDF .
On Monday , American defense firm Raytheon announced its partnership with Israeli contractor Rafael Advanced Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system in the United States .
With such strong defenses , Israel hopes to nudge Gaza towards a less militaristic posture .
`` [ Hamas ] must stop manufacturing rockets and use pipes to build proper water and sewage infrastructure for their children , '' said Brigadier General Eliezer Toledano .
`` They must stop sowing launchers and harvest rockets and sow wheat and harvest grain . ''

Israel waged counterstrikes on Tuesday in southern Syria and the Gaza Strip following aggression from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syrian military forces, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Israel Defense Forces deployed a contingent of helicopters, fighter jets, and drones against Syrian military installations purposed for observation, intelligence gathering, and communication. This attack came a day following a thwarted Hezbollah attack in a contested area in the Golan Heights, in which four terrorists were killed by IDF responders.
Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Hezbollah planned the attack as revenge for previous skirmishes. "It seems [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah tried his luck from the Syrian front," Yadlin wrote on Twitter.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah has a storied relationship with Syria and the Assad regime, along with a documented history of cooperation during the Syrian Civil War. Both Syria and Hezbollah harbor resentment towards Israel and have had few qualms about the use of violence.
"Hezbollah needs to know that it’s playing with fire," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week. "Any attack against us will be answered with great force."
Meanwhile, Israel acted with dispatch on its southern border against terror group Hamas on Monday. IDF forces bombed Hamas sites on the Gaza Strip hours after a rocket was launched towards southern Israel.
Tit-for-tat operations in Gaza are nothing new. Israel’s "Iron Dome" missile defense system intercepted more than 470 shells last year from Gaza-based terrorist rockets—an 85 percent success rate, according to the IDF. On Monday, American defense firm Raytheon announced its partnership with Israeli contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to build a similar missile defense system in the United States.
With such strong defenses, Israel hopes to nudge Gaza towards a less militaristic posture.
"[Hamas] must stop manufacturing rockets and use pipes to build proper water and sewage infrastructure for their children," said Brigadier General Eliezer Toledano. "They must stop sowing launchers and harvest rockets and sow wheat and harvest grain."


freebeacon--2020-08-04--Iran Abducts American Resident in Dubai

Iran Abducts American Resident in Dubai

California resident Jamshid Sharmahd was abducted by Iran while visiting Dubai , the Associated Press reported Tuesday .
A member of the California-based Kingdom Assembly of Iran 's Tondar militant wing , Sharmahd is a vocal member of the armed opposition to the Ayatollah regime .
Though Iran has not released details about how it took Sharmahd into custody , the country has accused him of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people and wounded more than 200 .
Sharmahd 's family maintains that he was only a spokesman for the opposition group and was not an active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared with reporters by Sharmahd 's family indicate that he was taken to Oman and ultimately Iran , likely against his will .
The Iranian Intelligence Ministry released a picture of Sharmahd blindfolded on Saturday .
`` We 're seeking support from any democratic country , any free country , '' Sharmahd 's son , Shayan , told reporters .
`` It is a violation of human rights .
You ca n't just pick someone up in a third country and drag them into your country . ''
A resident of California for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtaining U.S. citizenship .
He is also a citizen of Germany .
The German embassy in Tehran has made an inquiry for more information on Sharmahd 's arrest , but Iran has so far stonewalled such efforts .
Sharmahd has consistently been a vocal critic of the Khamenei regime .
In a December video , he called for regime change in Tehran .
`` We are not only seeking the liberation of the homeland , but we are also moving toward a special direction , and that is to be Iranian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly unstable Iran recently executed at least one Iranian national for suspected American espionage .
Last week , a wave of protests swept through the country as it reels from a flattened economy , U.S. sanctions , and a series of unidentified explosions , suspected to be of Israeli or American origin , in military and industrial areas .

California resident Jamshid Sharmahd was abducted by Iran while visiting Dubai, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
A member of the California-based Kingdom Assembly of Iran's Tondar militant wing, Sharmahd is a vocal member of the armed opposition to the Ayatollah regime. Though Iran has not released details about how it took Sharmahd into custody, the country has accused him of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people and wounded more than 200.
Sharmahd's family maintains that he was only a spokesman for the opposition group and was not an active and violent member. Mobile phone data shared with reporters by Sharmahd's family indicate that he was taken to Oman and ultimately Iran, likely against his will. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry released a picture of Sharmahd blindfolded on Saturday.
"We're seeking support from any democratic country, any free country," Sharmahd's son, Shayan, told reporters. "It is a violation of human rights. You can't just pick someone up in a third country and drag them into your country."
A resident of California for years, Sharmahd was on the path to obtaining U.S. citizenship. He is also a citizen of Germany. The German embassy in Tehran has made an inquiry for more information on Sharmahd's arrest, but Iran has so far stonewalled such efforts.
Sharmahd has consistently been a vocal critic of the Khamenei regime. In a December video, he called for regime change in Tehran. "We are not only seeking the liberation of the homeland, but we are also moving toward a special direction, and that is to be Iranian," Sharmahd said in Farsi.
The increasingly unstable Iran recently executed at least one Iranian national for suspected American espionage. Last week, a wave of protests swept through the country as it reels from a flattened economy, U.S. sanctions, and a series of unidentified explosions, suspected to be of Israeli or American origin, in military and industrial areas.


freebeacon--2020-08-04--Obama Keeps ‘Squad’ Off List of Endorsements

Former president Barack Obama announced on Monday his first list of endorsements for the November election , but excluded the four members of the far-left group of House Democrats known as `` the Squad . ''
Obama endorsed six Democratic candidates for the House in New York , but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , the progressive `` Squad '' member representing the Bronx , did not make the list .
He also failed to include Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( Mich. ) , who faces a contentious primary battle in her Detroit district .
Ilhan Omar ( Minn. ) and Ayanna Pressley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the list .
Since they took office in 2018 , the leftist group has at times been a hassle for more moderate Democrats .
After Omar was accused of anti-Semitism for alleging that her colleagues had loyalty to Israel , her allies prevented House Democrats from backing a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in favor of a broader condemnation of bigotry .
Tlaib recently refused to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , instead saying her focus is on turning out Democratic votes in her district .
After all four women voted against House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Calif. ) border-funding bill last year , the speaker dismissed the group and said they had `` no following . ''
A number of progressive candidates did make Obama 's list even though `` the Squad '' was left out .
He endorsed Jamaal Bowman , who ousted the incumbent and establishment-backed Rep. Eliot Engel ( N.Y. ) in the Democratic primary for New York ’ s 16th Congressional District in July .

Former president Barack Obama announced on Monday his first list of endorsements for the November election, but excluded the four members of the far-left group of House Democrats known as "the Squad."
Obama endorsed six Democratic candidates for the House in New York, but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive "Squad" member representing the Bronx, did not make the list. He also failed to include Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), who faces a contentious primary battle in her Detroit district. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) were also excluded from the list.
Since they took office in 2018, the leftist group has at times been a hassle for more moderate Democrats. After Omar was accused of anti-Semitism for alleging that her colleagues had loyalty to Israel, her allies prevented House Democrats from backing a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in favor of a broader condemnation of bigotry. Tlaib recently refused to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, instead saying her focus is on turning out Democratic votes in her district.
After all four women voted against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D., Calif.) border-funding bill last year, the speaker dismissed the group and said they had "no following."
A number of progressive candidates did make Obama's list even though "the Squad" was left out. He endorsed Jamaal Bowman, who ousted the incumbent and establishment-backed Rep. Eliot Engel (N.Y.) in the Democratic primary for New York’s 16th Congressional District in July.


freebeacon--2020-08-04--BEASTMODE: Elliott Abrams Informs Rand Paul That Venezuela’s Maduro Is a Murderous Dictator

Sen. Rand Paul ( R. , Ky. ) argued there is no difference between Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and pro-democracy @ @ @ @ @ who is recognized by the United States as the legitimate head of the country , @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela Elliott Abrams was there to set the record straight .

Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) argued there is no difference between Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and pro-democracy opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by the United States as the legitimate head of the country, but Trump Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams was there to set the record straight.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Abortion Giants, Soros Propel Wendy Davis Run

Failed gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis is relying heavily on out-of-district donors in her bid to unseat Rep. Chip Roy ( R. , Texas ) , hauling in max contributions from the Soros family and big-spending national abortion groups .
Davis has repeatedly touted her `` grassroots '' campaign , boasting that she 'll stack up her donors against Roy 's `` special interest supporters any day of the week . ''
The Texas Democrat , however , has raised 60 percent of her itemized campaign funds—more than $ 2.1 million dollars—from outside of the state 's 21st Congressional District .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash , meanwhile , comes from outside of the district , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Davis catapulted to prominence in 2013 following an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to filibuster a pro-life bill in the Texas Senate .
The national attention has proven lucrative for her campaign—Davis has received at least $ 13,000 in direct contributions from Planned Parenthood Action Fund , EMILY 's List , and NARAL Pro-Choice America .
She has also received nearly $ 50,000 in contributions funneled through the abortion giants .
All three groups have endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from national abortion groups , Davis has accepted $ 5,600—the maximum allowed under federal law—from Jennifer Allan Soros , the wife of liberal billionaire George Soros 's son , Jonathan .
Davis has also received $ 5,600 and $ 2,800 , respectively , from billionaires and top Democratic donors Eli Broad and Lynda Resnick .
Davis 's national profile has won her endorsements from top liberals , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and former president Barack Obama .
Davis is also backed by a slew of top gun-control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Moms Demand Action .
The groups have combined to contribute at least $ 11,000 to the Texas Democrat 's campaign .
While Davis claims to have not taken `` a single corporate PAC dollar '' and called her campaign `` people-powered , '' she has accepted thousands in contributions from Democratic leadership PACs funded by corporate money .
Davis received $ 10,000 from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's ( D. , Calif. ) PAC to the Future , which has taken more than $ 450,000 in corporate-backed cash in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,000 from Pelosi 's campaign committee .
Davis 's big-spending allies have driven her to outraise Roy , with Davis raking in nearly $ 4.5 million to Roy 's $ 2.6 million .
She also benefited from fawning national attention in her failed 2014 run for governor , raising almost $ 40 million .
Davis lost the race to Republican governor Greg Abbott by more than 20 points , the worst showing by a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful in the state since 1998 .
The historic loss prompted comparisons to failed Democratic Senate candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 80 million in his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz before losing to the Texas Republican by roughly 200,000 votes .
`` Like Beto O'Rourke , Wendy Davis raised tens of millions of dollars and thrilled liberal Democrats in Massachusetts and New York and California , '' Cruz said in 2018 .
`` But at the end of the day , the platform she was campaigning on was out of step with the people of Texas . ''
As a state senator , Davis was ranked the fourth most liberal out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of her three terms by Rice University political scientist Mark Jones .
She was most famous for her viral , 11-hour-long filibuster of a pro-life bill in 2014 , with the pink shoes she wore during the filibuster described as `` an emblem of what women have to endure in places that hold them in contempt '' by the Toronto Star .
Davis repeatedly voted against bills requiring an ultrasound before an abortion in 2009 and 2011 , and as a Fort Worth City Council member in 2011 , she supported restricting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

Failed gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis is relying heavily on out-of-district donors in her bid to unseat Rep. Chip Roy (R., Texas), hauling in max contributions from the Soros family and big-spending national abortion groups.
Davis has repeatedly touted her "grassroots" campaign, boasting that she'll stack up her donors against Roy's "special interest supporters any day of the week." The Texas Democrat, however, has raised 60 percent of her itemized campaign funds—more than $2.1 million dollars—from outside of the state's 21st Congressional District. Just 46 percent of Roy's campaign cash, meanwhile, comes from outside of the district, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Davis catapulted to prominence in 2013 following an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to filibuster a pro-life bill in the Texas Senate. The national attention has proven lucrative for her campaign—Davis has received at least $13,000 in direct contributions from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, EMILY's List, and NARAL Pro-Choice America. She has also received nearly $50,000 in contributions funneled through the abortion giants. All three groups have endorsed Davis.
In addition to her support from national abortion groups, Davis has accepted $5,600—the maximum allowed under federal law—from Jennifer Allan Soros, the wife of liberal billionaire George Soros's son, Jonathan. Davis has also received $5,600 and $2,800, respectively, from billionaires and top Democratic donors Eli Broad and Lynda Resnick.
Davis's national profile has won her endorsements from top liberals, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and former president Barack Obama. Davis is also backed by a slew of top gun-control groups, including Giffords, Brady PAC, and Moms Demand Action. The groups have combined to contribute at least $11,000 to the Texas Democrat's campaign.
While Davis claims to have not taken "a single corporate PAC dollar" and called her campaign "people-powered," she has accepted thousands in contributions from Democratic leadership PACs funded by corporate money. Davis received $10,000 from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) PAC to the Future, which has taken more than $450,000 in corporate-backed cash in the 2020 cycle alone. Davis also received $4,000 from Pelosi's campaign committee.
Davis's big-spending allies have driven her to outraise Roy, with Davis raking in nearly $4.5 million to Roy's $2.6 million. She also benefited from fawning national attention in her failed 2014 run for governor, raising almost $40 million. Davis lost the race to Republican governor Greg Abbott by more than 20 points, the worst showing by a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful in the state since 1998. The historic loss prompted comparisons to failed Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, who raised a whopping $80 million in his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz before losing to the Texas Republican by roughly 200,000 votes.
"Like Beto O'Rourke, Wendy Davis raised tens of millions of dollars and thrilled liberal Democrats in Massachusetts and New York and California," Cruz said in 2018. "But at the end of the day, the platform she was campaigning on was out of step with the people of Texas."
Rice University political scientist Mark Jones ranked Davis the fourth most liberal out of 31 colleagues who served during at least two of her three terms as state senator. She was most famous for her viral, 11-hour-long filibuster of a pro-life bill in 2014, with the pink shoes she wore during the filibuster described by the Toronto Star as "an emblem of what women have to endure in places that hold them in contempt." Davis repeatedly voted against bills requiring an ultrasound before an abortion in 2009 and 2011, and as a Fort Worth City Council member in 2011, she supported restricting firearm sales at gun shows.
The Davis campaign did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--China Building Underwater Surveillance Network in South China Sea

China is building an advanced underwater surveillance system in the South China Sea that could be used by the country 's military , Forbes reported Wednesday .
Known as the `` Blue Ocean Information Network '' and `` Underwater Great Wall , '' the systems are a combination of floating radar posts and sonar systems laid on the ocean floor .
Most of these installations are in Chinese territory , but a few also sit in international waters .
China maintains that the technology will be used for civilian purposes , although its design allows for military use .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Military-Civil Fusion , '' which encourages technological cooperation and information sharing between state enterprise , researchers , and China 's military .
`` It is unrealistic to assume that their sensor data can not be accessed by the [ People 's Liberation Army Navy ] for military purposes , '' writes defense analyst H.I .
Sutton .
China 's development of these systems could also be a violation of international law .
China has placed some of the installations on the contested Spratly Islands , as well as the country 's artificial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ islands stretch beyond United Nations-recognized Chinese territorial claims .
The development of such technologies comes during a period of escalating tensions between China and the United States , in which the South China Sea is a hot spot of contention .
Washington announced in July that it would no longer recognize Chinese claims in the region , and both countries have expanded the capabilities of their blue-water navies and conduct exercises in the area .
Part of China 's surveillance strategy could be related to Taiwan—China has recently undertaken efforts to develop its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be used to invade the island nation .
In recent weeks , the United States has drawn Beijing 's ire for facilitating arms sales to Taiwan , and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar announced an upcoming visit to the country on Wednesday , making him the highest-ranking official to visit since 1979 .

China is building an advanced underwater surveillance system in the South China Sea that could be used by the country's military, Forbes reported Wednesday.
Known as the "Blue Ocean Information Network" and "Underwater Great Wall," the systems are a combination of floating radar posts and sonar systems laid on the ocean floor. Most of these installations are in Chinese territory, but a few also sit in international waters.
China maintains that the technology will be used for civilian purposes, although its design allows for military use. The Xi regime has promoted a policy of "Military-Civil Fusion," which encourages technological cooperation and information sharing between state enterprise, researchers, and China's military.
"It is unrealistic to assume that their sensor data cannot be accessed by the [People's Liberation Army Navy] for military purposes," writes defense analyst H.I. Sutton.
China's development of these systems could also be a violation of international law. China has placed some of the installations on the contested Spratly Islands, as well as the country's artificial islands. Many of China's artificial islands stretch beyond United Nations-recognized Chinese territorial claims.
The development of such technologies comes during a period of escalating tensions between China and the United States, in which the South China Sea is a hot spot of contention. Washington announced in July that it would no longer recognize Chinese claims in the region, and both countries have expanded the capabilities of their blue-water navies and conduct exercises in the area.
Part of China's surveillance strategy could be related to Taiwan—China has recently undertaken efforts to develop its amphibious forces, which some experts believe could be used to invade the island nation.
In recent weeks, the United States has drawn Beijing's ire for facilitating arms sales to Taiwan, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar announced an upcoming visit to the country on Wednesday, making him the highest-ranking official to visit since 1979.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--U.S. Puts $10 Million Bounty on 2020 Election Hackers

The Trump administration will offer up to $ 10 million to any individual who provides information about foreign hackers who @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020 election .
The reward is available under the State Department 's Rewards @ @ @ @ @ who can provide the United States with `` information leading to the identification or location @ @ @ @ @ with or for a foreign government for the purpose of interfering with U.S. elections through @ @ @ @ @ '' The United States is seeking the identifying information of perpetrators of interference in `` @ @ @ @ @ , or local election , '' according to the State Department .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ who aims to commit computer fraud relating to the elections , including hacking into electronic @ @ @ @ @ .
Foreign meddling in U.S. elections has been among the top concerns leading into November @ @ @ @ @ efforts by Russia and other countries to tip the scale of the 2016 election .

The Trump administration will offer up to $10 million to any individual who provides information about foreign hackers who seek to influence the outcome of the 2020 election.
The reward is available under the State Department's Rewards for Justice program to anyone who can provide the United States with "information leading to the identification or location of any person who works with or for a foreign government for the purpose of interfering with U.S. elections through certain illegal cyber activities."
The United States is seeking the identifying information of perpetrators of interference in "any U.S. federal, state, or local election," according to the State Department.
The Trump administration vowed to prosecute any person who aims to commit computer fraud relating to the elections, including hacking into electronic voter records and polling sites.
Foreign meddling in U.S. elections has been among the top concerns leading into November, in the wake of efforts by Russia and other countries to tip the scale of the 2016 election.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Left-Wing UC Berkeley Professor Doesn’t Want Poor People Moving Into His Posh Neighborhood

Robert Reich , a left-wing professor at the University of California Berkeley who served as labor secretary during the Clinton administration , is very concerned about income inequality .
He urged Wall Street executives to `` invest '' in cities by funding low-income housing projects .
He also praised a `` promising initiative '' to promote the construction of affordable housing units in San Francisco .
Reich is not so keen , however , on a proposal to tear down a dilapidated building in his Berkeley neighborhood and replace it with a 10-unit development that would include low-income housing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are imploring the city 's Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the dilapidated structure , known as the Payson House , as a Berkeley landmark in order to stop the proposed development .
In a letter to the commission , Reich said the proposed housing units would destroy the `` charm of an older era of Berkeley '' and likened the developers ' actions to `` the illegal practices and corrupt politics of the late nineteenth century . ''
`` If historic preservation means anything , it means maintaining enough of the character of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its history and provide continuity with the present , '' Reich wrote .
`` Development for the sake of development makes no sense when it imposes social costs like this . ''
Rich white liberals have long invoked similar rhetoric to exempt their own posh neighborhoods from policies they claim to support .
Wealthy residents of San Francisco 's Embarcadero neighborhood , for example , presumably have no objection to building affordable housing in Berkeley , but many of them furiously opposed the city government 's proposal to build a 200-bed homeless shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the more striking examples of the rank hypocrisy of rich white liberals , particularly in the state of California , whose expressed concern for affordable housing , income inequality , and social justice disappears the minute their own property values and exclusive neighborhoods are targeted for corrective action .
MORE : Rich Liberals in Nancy Pelosi ’ s District Launch GoFundMe to Stop Homeless Shelter Please keep Robert Reich in your thoughts and prayers .
The landmarks commission is meeting on Thursday to decide whether to use its authority to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most Americans ca n't even conceive of the burden carried by libs who are so woke , and yet so rich .

Robert Reich, a left-wing professor at the University of California Berkeley who served as labor secretary during the Clinton administration, is very concerned about income inequality. He urged Wall Street executives to "invest" in cities by funding low-income housing projects. He also praised a "promising initiative" to promote the construction of affordable housing units in San Francisco.
Reich is not so keen, however, on a proposal to tear down a dilapidated building in his Berkeley neighborhood and replace it with a 10-unit development that would include low-income housing.
Reich and some of his wealthy neighbors are imploring the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the dilapidated structure, known as the Payson House, as a Berkeley landmark in order to stop the proposed development. In a letter to the commission, Reich said the proposed housing units would destroy the "charm of an older era of Berkeley" and likened the developers' actions to "the illegal practices and corrupt politics of the late nineteenth century."
"If historic preservation means anything, it means maintaining enough of the character of an older neighborhood to remind people of its history and provide continuity with the present," Reich wrote. "Development for the sake of development makes no sense when it imposes social costs like this."
Rich white liberals have long invoked similar rhetoric to exempt their own posh neighborhoods from policies they claim to support. Wealthy residents of San Francisco's Embarcadero neighborhood, for example, presumably have no objection to building affordable housing in Berkeley, but many of them furiously opposed the city government's proposal to build a 200-bed homeless shelter in their own backyard.
It is one of the more striking examples of the rank hypocrisy of rich white liberals, particularly in the state of California, whose expressed concern for affordable housing, income inequality, and social justice disappears the minute their own property values and exclusive neighborhoods are targeted for corrective action.
MORE: Rich Liberals in Nancy Pelosi’s District Launch GoFundMe to Stop Homeless Shelter
Please keep Robert Reich in your thoughts and prayers. The landmarks commission is meeting on Thursday to decide whether to use its authority to stop the housing development in his neighborhood. Most Americans can't even conceive of the burden carried by libs who are so woke, and yet so rich.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--WaPo Publishes Article Applauding Chinese Communist Party

The Washington Post published an article Tuesday that described the Chinese Communist Party as a `` ticket to a better future '' for many citizens .
`` It 's easy for people outside China to view the Communist Party as a throwback to Soviet times , which , in many ways , it is , '' the article reads .
`` But in China , the reality is more complicated . ''
`` The [ CCP ] is relevant to many people 's lives .
… For many , it is a ticket to a brighter future , '' it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how young Chinese people can become party members to access `` better education prospects '' and `` nicer apartments , '' is at odds with a growing concern in the United States about the CCP 's human rights abuses and authoritarian practices .
In recent months alone , the CCP has orchestrated the transportation of thousands of Uyghurs to forced labor camps , committed a hostile takeover of Hong Kong , and upgraded its military capabilities as it stares down Taiwan for potential reclamation .
Despite its transgressions , the Post has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Tuesday Washington Free Beacon report revealed that the Post , among other high-profile media companies , has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Chinese state media to run English versions of Chinese propaganda articles .
Though the Post has not engaged in such practices since 2019 , a Post spokesman did not clarify if the paper 's relationship with CCP media has been terminated .
Tuesday 's article drew heavy scrutiny from Republicans .
Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R. , Texas ) said the article `` read [ s ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Communism never leads to a better future .
It only leads to a path of deception , corruption , poverty , and death , '' said Rep. Vicky Hartzler ( R. , Mo. )
.
`` The # CCP are holding the people of # China hostage as they commit atrocious crimes against humanity .
China is not the future . ''

The Washington Post published an article Tuesday that described the Chinese Communist Party as a "ticket to a better future" for many citizens.
"It's easy for people outside China to view the Communist Party as a throwback to Soviet times, which, in many ways, it is," the article reads. "But in China, the reality is more complicated."
"The [CCP] is relevant to many people's lives. ... For many, it is a ticket to a brighter future," it continues.
The article, which highlights how young Chinese people can become party members to access "better education prospects" and "nicer apartments," is at odds with a growing concern in the United States about the CCP's human rights abuses and authoritarian practices.
In recent months alone, the CCP has orchestrated the transportation of thousands of Uyghurs to forced labor camps, committed a hostile takeover of Hong Kong, and upgraded its military capabilities as it stares down Taiwan for potential reclamation.
Despite its transgressions, the Post has had a lucrative business relationship with the CCP. A Tuesday Washington Free Beacon report revealed that the Post, among other high-profile media companies, has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Chinese state media to run English versions of Chinese propaganda articles. Though the Post has not engaged in such practices since 2019, a Post spokesman did not clarify if the paper's relationship with CCP media has been terminated.
Tuesday's article drew heavy scrutiny from Republicans. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R., Texas) said the article "read[s] like a CCP press release."
"Communism never leads to a better future. It only leads to a path of deception, corruption, poverty, and death," said Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R., Mo.). "The #CCP are holding the people of #China hostage as they commit atrocious crimes against humanity. China is not the future."


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Biden Won’t Travel to Accept Dem Nomination

Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept his nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention , CNN reported Wednesday .
After consultation with the DNC , campaign staffers , and public health officials , Biden 's campaign announced that the coronavirus pandemic made it too hazardous for the former vice president to travel to accept the nomination .
He will instead accept it from his home state of Delaware .
The unannounced vice presidential pick will not attend either , a party spokesperson confirmed .
Earlier reports indicated Biden would choose his running mate around August 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce its choice .
Scrutiny over hopefuls such as Rep. Karen Bass ( D. , Calif. ) and Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) has continued to intensify .
`` The fear of community spread in Milwaukee , with media , production teams and party officials was just getting to be too much , '' a senior Democratic official said .
`` We do n't want to risk anyone 's health for this . ''
Despite the campaign 's tone of caution , Biden ’ s recent travel schedule has included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president recently traveled to Washington , D.C. , to pay his respects to the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis .
Biden has kept a low media profile since the pandemic began .
In July , after President Donald Trump 's interview with Fox News 's Chris Wallace , many suggested that Wallace interview the Democratic nominee .
Despite overtures from Wallace himself , Biden declined these interview requests .
Some Biden supporters are even entertaining the idea that the Democrat should decline to debate Trump this fall .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid apparent withdrawal from media appearances .
He made headlines Wednesday when he asked a reporter if he was a `` junkie . ''
When asked if he took a cognitive fitness test akin to the one taken by Trump , Biden lashed out , saying he had not .
`` No , I have n't taken a test .
Why the hell would I take a test ?
Come on , man , '' Biden said .
`` That 's like saying to you , before you got on this program if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking cocaine or not .
What do you think , huh ?
Are you a junkie ? ''
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place August 17-20 .

The Democratic nominee travelled just days before, but cites ‘public health’ as reason for his absence
Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept his nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention, CNN reported Wednesday.
After consultation with the DNC, campaign staffers, and public health officials, Biden's campaign announced that the coronavirus pandemic made it too hazardous for the former vice president to travel to accept the nomination. He will instead accept it from his home state of Delaware.
The unannounced vice presidential pick will not attend either, a party spokesperson confirmed. Earlier reports indicated Biden would choose his running mate around August 1, but the campaign has yet to announce its choice. Scrutiny over hopefuls such as Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) has continued to intensify.
"The fear of community spread in Milwaukee, with media, production teams and party officials was just getting to be too much," a senior Democratic official said. "We don't want to risk anyone's health for this."
Despite the campaign's tone of caution, Biden’s recent travel schedule has included trips outside of Delaware. The former vice president recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to pay his respects to the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.
Biden has kept a low media profile since the pandemic began. In July, after President Donald Trump's interview with Fox News's Chris Wallace, many suggested that Wallace interview the Democratic nominee. Despite overtures from Wallace himself, Biden declined these interview requests.
Some Biden supporters are even entertaining the idea that the Democrat should decline to debate Trump this fall.
Biden has attempted to defend his cognitive ability amid apparent withdrawal from media appearances. He made headlines Wednesday when he asked a reporter if he was a "junkie." When asked if he took a cognitive fitness test akin to the one taken by Trump, Biden lashed out, saying he had not.
"No, I haven't taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test? Come on, man," Biden said. "That's like saying to you, before you got on this program if you had taken a test were you taking cocaine or not. What do you think, huh? Are you a junkie?"
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place August 17-20.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Sally Yates Admits Comey Went ‘Rogue’ With Flynn Interview

Former deputy attorney general Sally Yates said Wednesday that former FBI director James Comey went `` rogue '' when he arranged an interview with former national security adviser Michael Flynn without her authorization .
`` You could use that term [ rogue ] , yes , '' Yates told Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) .
That conversation would lead to Flynn pleading guilty to lying to FBI investigators , a plea he later reversed due to FBI misconduct .
`` I was upset that Director Comey did n't coordinate that with us and acted unilaterally , yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing .
Yates said she did not want to authorize the FBI 's interview of Flynn , which occurred after the bureau reversed its decision to drop charges against him .
Instead , she said she wanted to go to the White House to inform them of Flynn 's phone conversation with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Graham asked Yates whether or not Flynn was being investigated for violating the Logan Act , a centuries-old act that prohibits unauthorized correspondences between American citizens and foreign governments in dispute with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was not about the Logan Act , but that there was a counterintelligence investigation into Flynn .
Graham pointed out that on Jan. 4 , 2017 , FBI agents were prepared to close the investigation after failing to uncover evidence that Flynn was working against the United States .
Flynn 's interview with the FBI occurred on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
The recommendation to end the investigation was reversed suddenly , and communications between agents indicate that it was continued due to interest from FBI leadership .
Comey soon directed agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Flynn did not lie to them , Special Counsel Robert Mueller later got Flynn to plead guilty to lying .
Flynn eventually withdrew his guilty plea , and the Department of Justice dropped the charges due to evidence of agents ' misconduct .
`` You did n't authorize the interview .
As a matter of fact , you wanted to go to the White House and tell them about the problem , did n't you ? ''
Graham asked Yates .
`` That 's right , '' Yates said .
Flynn withdrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI agents appearing to discuss entrapping him .
The Justice Department dropped charges against Flynn in May , saying the interview `` was untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI ’ s counterintelligence investigation into Mr .
Flynn . ''

Former deputy attorney general Sally Yates said Wednesday that former FBI director James Comey went "rogue" when he arranged an interview with former national security adviser Michael Flynn without her authorization.
"You could use that term [rogue], yes," Yates told Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.). That conversation would lead to Flynn pleading guilty to lying to FBI investigators, a plea he later reversed due to FBI misconduct.
"I was upset that Director Comey didn't coordinate that with us and acted unilaterally, yes I was," Yates added during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Yates said she did not want to authorize the FBI's interview of Flynn, which occurred after the bureau reversed its decision to drop charges against him. Instead, she said she wanted to go to the White House to inform them of Flynn's phone conversation with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Graham asked Yates whether or not Flynn was being investigated for violating the Logan Act, a centuries-old act that prohibits unauthorized correspondences between American citizens and foreign governments in dispute with the United States. Yates said the investigation was not about the Logan Act, but that there was a counterintelligence investigation into Flynn. Graham pointed out that on Jan. 4, 2017, FBI agents were prepared to close the investigation after failing to uncover evidence that Flynn was working against the United States. Flynn's interview with the FBI occurred on Jan. 24, 2017.
The recommendation to end the investigation was reversed suddenly, and communications between agents indicate that it was continued due to interest from FBI leadership. Comey soon directed agents to interview Flynn, and although they said Flynn did not lie to them, Special Counsel Robert Mueller later got Flynn to plead guilty to lying. Flynn eventually withdrew his guilty plea, and the Department of Justice dropped the charges due to evidence of agents' misconduct.
"You didn't authorize the interview. As a matter of fact, you wanted to go to the White House and tell them about the problem, didn't you?" Graham asked Yates.
"That's right," Yates said.
Flynn withdrew his guilty plea after unsealed documents showed FBI agents appearing to discuss entrapping him. The Justice Department dropped charges against Flynn in May, saying the interview "was untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn."


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Pro-Greenfield ‘Small Biz Owner’ Is Actually A Dem Official

Senate contender Theresa Greenfield is out with a new ad featuring the praise of a local `` small business owner '' who is in reality a longtime Democratic activist and former elected official .
In the ad , former Des Moines City Council member and Democratic donor Loretta Sieman calls criticism of Greenfield 's business record `` flat-out false . ''
Greenfield has come under fire for her work as a real estate executive , which included evicting local businesses from an Iowa shopping center in a failed attempt to make way for a multinational corporation .
In March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former real estate companies from her campaign site .
Sieman , who runs a Des Moines-based nonprofit consulting firm , served 17 years on the West Des Moines City Council .
She has repeatedly identified herself as a liberal—in a September 2019 interview with liberal blog Bleeding Heartland , Sieman said she was `` born a Democrat . ''
Iowa Democratic congresswoman Cindy Axne also touted Sieman 's endorsement on a 2018 list of notable supporters .
Campaign finance disclosures show that Sieman has contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She has given exclusively to Democrats at the federal level , including $ 750 to former Iowa Democratic Senate nominee Roxanne Conlin in 2010 .
At the state level , nearly 80 percent of Sieman 's donations—more than $ 2,650—have gone to Democrats .
Recipients include failed gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell , who received $ 1,000 from Sieman , as well as the Iowa Democratic Party .
Sieman , who spent two years as a Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa board member , has also contributed nearly $ 1,000 to the Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business record has become a flashpoint in her race against Sen. Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) , with Republicans alleging that she failed everyday Iowa workers during her 20 years in real estate .
Greenfield responded to the criticism in a June press release that quoted a donor to her campaign and the former head of a real estate trade group , Michele Stevens , who said that Greenfield `` can be trusted to do what 's best for our small businesses . ''
Stevens contributed $ 2,000 to Greenfield 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her failed 2018 congressional bid .
Local business leaders have repeatedly criticized the eviction project she led , which they said `` blindsided '' tenants and forced out at least five small businesses .
`` How can small business owners trust that , given your record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses , you would prioritize our needs as a U.S .
Senator ? ''
a June letter signed by nearly a dozen Iowa entrepreneurs reads .
Just days later , Iowa small business owners gathered at the shopping center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` concerning '' business record .
`` We need someone in Washington who is going to be loyal and committed , '' Jacob Handsaker of Hands On Excavating LLC said at the press conference .
`` I 'm concerned that small business owners will be tossed to the side when the next big dollar sign comes in . ''
Neither Greenfield nor Sieman responded to requests for comment .

Senate contender Theresa Greenfield is out with a new ad featuring the praise of a local "small business owner" who is in reality a longtime Democratic activist and former elected official.
In the ad, former Des Moines City Council member and Democratic donor Loretta Sieman calls criticism of Greenfield's business record "flat-out false."
Greenfield has come under fire for her work as a real estate executive, which included evicting local businesses from an Iowa shopping center in a failed attempt to make way for a multinational corporation. In March, she quietly deleted all mentions of her former real estate companies from her campaign site.
Sieman, who runs a Des Moines-based nonprofit consulting firm, served 17 years on the West Des Moines City Council. She has repeatedly identified herself as a liberal—in a September 2019 interview with liberal blog Bleeding Heartland, Sieman said she was "born a Democrat." Iowa Democratic congresswoman Cindy Axne also touted Sieman's endorsement on a 2018 list of notable supporters.
Campaign finance disclosures show that Sieman has contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and liberal causes over the last 16 years. She has given exclusively to Democrats at the federal level, including $750 to former Iowa Democratic Senate nominee Roxanne Conlin in 2010. At the state level, nearly 80 percent of Sieman's donations—more than $2,650—have gone to Democrats. Recipients include failed gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell, who received $1,000 from Sieman, as well as the Iowa Democratic Party. Sieman, who spent two years as a Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa board member, has also contributed nearly $1,000 to the Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa PAC.
Greenfield's business record has become a flashpoint in her race against Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), with Republicans alleging that she failed everyday Iowa workers during her 20 years in real estate. Greenfield responded to the criticism in a June press release that quoted a donor to her campaign and the former head of a real estate trade group, Michele Stevens, who said that Greenfield "can be trusted to do what's best for our small businesses." Stevens contributed $2,000 to Greenfield's Senate campaign and over $1,000 to her failed 2018 congressional bid.
Local business leaders have repeatedly criticized the eviction project she led, which they said "blindsided" tenants and forced out at least five small businesses.
"How can small business owners trust that, given your record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses, you would prioritize our needs as a U.S. Senator?" a June letter signed by nearly a dozen Iowa entrepreneurs reads.
Just days later, Iowa small business owners gathered at the shopping center cleared out by Greenfield, highlighting her "concerning" business record.
"We need someone in Washington who is going to be loyal and committed," Jacob Handsaker of Hands On Excavating LLC said at the press conference. "I'm concerned that small business owners will be tossed to the side when the next big dollar sign comes in."
Neither Greenfield nor Sieman responded to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Pro-Lifers Threaten Suit After D.C. Arrests

Activists plan to sue the mayor of Washington , D.C. , after police arrested two students for chalking a pro-life message outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic .
Students for Life will file a lawsuit against D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser ( D. ) following the arrest of a student activist and staffer for writing `` Black Preborn Lives Matter '' with sidewalk chalk outside of the clinic .
In a letter from Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins the group outlined its upcoming lawsuit , which alleges Bowser violated the group 's First Amendment rights .
`` The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in the courtroom , '' the letter reads .
`` Because Students for Life will sue the city of Washington , D.C. , for violating our First Amendment rights to free speech and expression . ''
The activist group was met with six police cars and members were threatened with arrest before writing the message .
Video footage shows police officers handcuffing 29-year-old staffer Warner DePriest and Towson University student Erica Caporaletti .
Students for Life spokeswoman Kristi Hamrick told the Washington Free Beacon DePriest and Caporaletti were charged with defacing public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were citation released , '' Alaina Gertz , a spokeswoman for the D.C. police department , said .
`` Prior to authorizing the arrests , the lieutenant onsite issued multiple warnings to the individuals writing on the sidewalk that doing so was in violation of D.C .
code . ''
The group initially planned to write `` Black Preborn Lives Matter '' in temporary paint but opted to use sidewalk chalk after being confronted by police officers .
Following the death of George Floyd in May and the protests that followed , Bowser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write `` Black Lives Matter '' in downtown D.C. alongside other political messages such as `` defund the police . ''
Hawkins said she was told by the D.C. police that the mayor `` opened a Pandora 's box '' by painting public streets , meaning they were open for public expression .
The pro-life group said it applied for and received a permit for their event in D.C. on August 1 and were given specific instructions to use temporary paint for any messaging .
Hamrick told the Free Beacon the permit can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was turned over to attorneys .
`` [ The permit ] has been turned over to the attorney as this is now a legal matter , '' Hamrick said .
`` But to be clear , two students were arrested for chalking .
We applied for an event permit in which we were told we would not be prevented from painting and told what paint to buy . ''
The D.C. mayor 's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment .
The D.C .
Planned Parenthood office could not confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of the Students for Life protests .
The letter also criticized Bowser for her `` wokeness '' and accused the mayor of promoting freedom of speech exclusively for political allies .
Hawkins suggested that after the Students for Life lawsuit , the mayor would recognize the First Amendment and Planned Parenthood 's ties to eugenics .
`` Well , Mayor Bowser , you 're about to get WOKE on Planned Parenthood 's racist past and present , '' the letter reads .
`` You 're about to get WOKE on the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get WOKE on the FIRST AMENDMENT . ''
The lawsuit has yet to be filed , but Hawkins told the Free Beacon that attorneys have been hired and legal action is underway .

Activists plan to sue the mayor of Washington, D.C., after police arrested two students for chalking a pro-life message outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic.
Students for Life will file a lawsuit against D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser (D.) following the arrest of a student activist and staffer for writing "Black Preborn Lives Matter" with sidewalk chalk outside of the clinic. In a letter from Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins the group outlined its upcoming lawsuit, which alleges Bowser violated the group's First Amendment rights.
"The next place Mayor Bowser will see us will be in the courtroom," the letter reads. "Because Students for Life will sue the city of Washington, D.C., for violating our First Amendment rights to free speech and expression."
The activist group was met with six police cars and members were threatened with arrest before writing the message. Video footage shows police officers handcuffing 29-year-old staffer Warner DePriest and Towson University student Erica Caporaletti.
The fact that two of our students were arrested for chalking pro-life messages in Washington D.C. shows that government officials are practicing viewpoint discrimination and blocking our free speech rights. We’ll see you in court. pic.twitter.com/Jb14oN6ik1 — Students for Life of America (@StudentsforLife) August 3, 2020
Students for Life spokeswoman Kristi Hamrick told the Washington Free Beacon DePriest and Caporaletti were charged with defacing public and private property.
"Both individuals were citation released," Alaina Gertz, a spokeswoman for the D.C. police department, said. "Prior to authorizing the arrests, the lieutenant onsite issued multiple warnings to the individuals writing on the sidewalk that doing so was in violation of D.C. code."
The group initially planned to write "Black Preborn Lives Matter" in temporary paint but opted to use sidewalk chalk after being confronted by police officers. Following the death of George Floyd in May and the protests that followed, Bowser allowed activists to use permanent paint to write "Black Lives Matter" in downtown D.C. alongside other political messages such as "defund the police." Hawkins said she was told by the D.C. police that the mayor "opened a Pandora's box" by painting public streets, meaning they were open for public expression.
The pro-life group said it applied for and received a permit for their event in D.C. on August 1 and were given specific instructions to use temporary paint for any messaging. Hamrick told the Free Beacon the permit cannot be shared with the public as it was turned over to attorneys.
"[The permit] has been turned over to the attorney as this is now a legal matter," Hamrick said. "But to be clear, two students were arrested for chalking. We applied for an event permit in which we were told we would not be prevented from painting and told what paint to buy."
The D.C. mayor's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The D.C. Planned Parenthood office could not confirm whether the police presence was requested in light of the Students for Life protests.
The letter also criticized Bowser for her "wokeness" and accused the mayor of promoting freedom of speech exclusively for political allies. Hawkins suggested that after the Students for Life lawsuit, the mayor would recognize the First Amendment and Planned Parenthood's ties to eugenics.
"Well, Mayor Bowser, you're about to get WOKE on Planned Parenthood's racist past and present," the letter reads. "You're about to get WOKE on the violence of abortion. You're about to get WOKE on the FIRST AMENDMENT."
The lawsuit has yet to be filed, but Hawkins told the Free Beacon that attorneys have been hired and legal action is underway.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Top Trump Admin Official to Visit Taiwan Amid Growing Standoff With China

A top Trump administration official is set to lead a U.S. delegation to Taiwan amid a growing standoff with China , marking the highest-level visit by an American cabinet official since 1979 , according to senior Trump administration officials .
Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar is scheduled for a trip to Taiwan in the coming days , a move that will see the United States lend its support to the embattled island as it faces a widening diplomatic war with China , which has sought to isolate Taiwan and bar it from key international forums , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will `` demonstrate the robust U.S.-Taiwan partnership in health security , one of many aspects of our comprehensive and strategic bilateral relationship , '' according to a senior Trump administration official , who discussed details of the trip on background .
The trip has already been met with opposition by China and is likely to further frustrate the Trump administration 's adversarial relationship with the Communist regime .
China claims Taiwan as its own sovereign territory and U.S. administrations have historically avoided challenging Beijing 's claims in an effort to foster closer economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ravage the globe , the Trump administration has helmed multiple efforts to hold China accountable for the virus 's spread .
The Taiwan trip is yet another salvo in a diplomatic battle between Washington and Beijing that many have likened to the days of the Cold War with Russia .
`` Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it , '' Azar said in a statement .
`` I look forward to conveying President Trump 's support for Taiwan 's global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health . ''
Azar will work to boost relations with Taiwan and share in its experience battling the coronavirus , administration officials say .
Azar will meet with senior Taiwanese officials , coronavirus experts , and medical researchers with the aim of increasing technology sharing between the United States and Taiwan .
Azar also will deliver what U.S. officials described as a landmark speech in which he will argue for Taiwan 's inclusion on the international stage—a main source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought hard to keep Taiwan excluded from recent WHO meetings surrounding the coronavirus and is likely to view Azar 's trip as another provocative move from the Trump administration .
Taiwan was among the first to report the existence of the coronavirus and has been key in combating Chinese propaganda claiming China was open with the world about the illness .
`` The United States condemns Taiwan 's exclusion from the World Health Assembly in May 2020 , '' the senior administration official told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` At a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , we need international organizations to deliver on their stated missions and to serve the interests of all member states—not to play politics while lives are at stake.
`` In 2018 , the Trump administration enacted the Taiwan Travel Act , which upgraded relations with the territory .
U.S. officials see Taiwan as a source of economic freedom that can counter China 's regional police state and aggressive military posturing .
`` Taiwan dealt with CCP malfeasance during the SARS crisis of 2003 and learned a valuable lesson , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwanese health authorities have not taken the Chinese government at its word on health-related information . ''

A top Trump administration official is set to lead a U.S. delegation to Taiwan amid a growing standoff with China, marking the highest-level visit by an American cabinet official since 1979, according to senior Trump administration officials.
Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar is scheduled for a trip to Taiwan in the coming days, a move that will see the United States lend its support to the embattled island as it faces a widening diplomatic war with China, which has sought to isolate Taiwan and bar it from key international forums, including the World Health Organization.
Azar's trip will "demonstrate the robust U.S.-Taiwan partnership in health security, one of many aspects of our comprehensive and strategic bilateral relationship," according to a senior Trump administration official, who discussed details of the trip on background.
The trip has already been met with opposition by China and is likely to further frustrate the Trump administration's adversarial relationship with the Communist regime. China claims Taiwan as its own sovereign territory and U.S. administrations have historically avoided challenging Beijing's claims in an effort to foster closer economic relations. As the coronavirus continues to ravage the globe, the Trump administration has helmed multiple efforts to hold China accountable for the virus's spread. The Taiwan trip is yet another salvo in a diplomatic battle between Washington and Beijing that many have likened to the days of the Cold War with Russia.
"Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it," Azar said in a statement. "I look forward to conveying President Trump's support for Taiwan's global health leadership and underscoring our shared belief that free and democratic societies are the best model for protecting and promoting health."
Azar will work to boost relations with Taiwan and share in its experience battling the coronavirus, administration officials say. Azar will meet with senior Taiwanese officials, coronavirus experts, and medical researchers with the aim of increasing technology sharing between the United States and Taiwan. Azar also will deliver what U.S. officials described as a landmark speech in which he will argue for Taiwan's inclusion on the international stage—a main source of irritation for China.
The Communist regime fought hard to keep Taiwan excluded from recent WHO meetings surrounding the coronavirus and is likely to view Azar's trip as another provocative move from the Trump administration. Taiwan was among the first to report the existence of the coronavirus and has been key in combating Chinese propaganda claiming China was open with the world about the illness.
"The United States condemns Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly in May 2020," the senior administration official told the Washington Free Beacon. "At a time when the world continues to struggle with the pandemic, we need international organizations to deliver on their stated missions and to serve the interests of all member states—not to play politics while lives are at stake. "
In 2018, the Trump administration enacted the Taiwan Travel Act, which upgraded relations with the territory. U.S. officials see Taiwan as a source of economic freedom that can counter China's regional police state and aggressive military posturing.
"Taiwan dealt with CCP malfeasance during the SARS crisis of 2003 and learned a valuable lesson," the official said. "Since then, Taiwanese health authorities have not taken the Chinese government at its word on health-related information."


freebeacon--2020-08-05--FBI Escalates Investigation Into Ukrainian Oligarch Tied to Florida Democrat

The FBI on Tuesday raided two business entities owned by a Ukrainian oligarch who is closely tied to the husband of freshman Democratic congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell .
The federal investigation into financial crimes by Ukrainian billionaire Igor Kolomoisky , whose businesses have paid Mucarsel-Powell 's husband hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal work in recent years , has been ongoing for at least a year .
Kolomoisky in recent years has faced multiple criminal allegations , including embezzlement , bribery , and murder .
Mucarsel-Powell has faced questions on the income earned from her husband 's work for Kolomoisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , when she defeated longtime Republican congressman Carlos Curbelo .
Mucarsel-Powell has managed to sidestep the issue , but the ramped up probe into Kolomoisky 's U.S. businesses could spell trouble as she fights to hold on to the hotly contested south Florida seat in November .
Though her campaign denied that her husband , Robert Powell , ever directly worked for or received payment from Kolomoisky , an investigation by the Miami Herald found that he worked for companies bankrolled by the Ukrainian businessman until a year before his wife decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his decision to end his relationship with the companies had nothing to do with his wife 's election .
Financial disclosures filed by Mucarsel-Powell show the work was lucrative—in Powell 's final two years of work for Felman Trading Inc. , a mining company owned by Kolomoisky , for example , he earned $ 695,000 .
Earlier this year a lawsuit alleged that a Florida businessman who contributed thousands to Mucarsel-Powell 's first campaign played a key role in Kolomoisky 's illegal business schemes in the United States .
The businessman , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegation in a statement to the Daily Beast .
Mucarsel-Powell 's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the FBI investigation .
Mucarsel-Powell won her election by fewer than 5,000 votes in 2018 and is one of the most vulnerable freshmen members in the House .
The Florida Democrat faced criticism earlier this year after old photos revealing a history of cultural appropriation were unearthed by the Washington Free Beacon .
The primary to determine her opponent will be held on Aug. 18 .
Among the candidates are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local firefighter union leader Omar Blanco .

The FBI on Tuesday raided two business entities owned by a Ukrainian oligarch who is closely tied to the husband of freshman Democratic congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
The federal investigation into financial crimes by Ukrainian billionaire Igor Kolomoisky, whose businesses have paid Mucarsel-Powell's husband hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal work in recent years, has been ongoing for at least a year. Kolomoisky in recent years has faced multiple criminal allegations, including embezzlement, bribery, and murder.
Mucarsel-Powell has faced questions on the income earned from her husband's work for Kolomoisky since her first run for Congress in 2018, when she defeated longtime Republican congressman Carlos Curbelo. Mucarsel-Powell has managed to sidestep the issue, but the ramped up probe into Kolomoisky's U.S. businesses could spell trouble as she fights to hold on to the hotly contested south Florida seat in November.
Though her campaign denied that her husband, Robert Powell, ever directly worked for or received payment from Kolomoisky, an investigation by the Miami Herald found that he worked for companies bankrolled by the Ukrainian businessman until a year before his wife decided to run for office. Powell said his decision to end his relationship with the companies had nothing to do with his wife's election.
Financial disclosures filed by Mucarsel-Powell show the work was lucrative—in Powell's final two years of work for Felman Trading Inc., a mining company owned by Kolomoisky, for example, he earned $695,000.
Earlier this year a lawsuit alleged that a Florida businessman who contributed thousands to Mucarsel-Powell's first campaign played a key role in Kolomoisky's illegal business schemes in the United States. The businessman, who worked with Mucarsel-Powell's husband, denied the allegation in a statement to the Daily Beast.
Mucarsel-Powell's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the FBI investigation.
Mucarsel-Powell won her election by fewer than 5,000 votes in 2018 and is one of the most vulnerable freshmen members in the House. The Florida Democrat faced criticism earlier this year after old photos revealing a history of cultural appropriation were unearthed by the Washington Free Beacon.
The primary to determine her opponent will be held on Aug. 18. Among the candidates are former Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez and local firefighter union leader Omar Blanco.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Squad-Backed Liberal Defeats 20-Year Incumbent in Dem Primary

Bush bested Clay by a 3 point margin in a rematch of the 2018 primary .
She received increased turnout and support during a moment of urban unrest over racial tensions .
Leftist politicians and groups from Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and progressive House candidate Jamaal Bowman to the Democratic Socialists of America buoyed Bush ’ s campaign .
Clay has held the seat since 2000 .
The Missouri progressive is the latest far-left challenger to defeat a Democratic incumbent with the support of Justice Democrats , a group founded by former staffers from Sanders 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) .
More recently , Bronx educator Jamaal Bowman defeated Rep. Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) , a powerful establishment Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Relations Committee , in a July primary .
Bush previously worked for Sanders 's 2016 campaign , and her positions match those of her progressive peers .
She supports a Green New Deal , abolishing ICE , and a universal basic income .
`` Tonight , Missouri ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incremental approach isn ’ t going to work any longer , '' Bush said Tuesday after her victory .
`` We decided that we the people have the answers , and we will lead from the front lines . ''
Bush , who gained momentum as protests against police violence swept the country , is no stranger to the Black Lives Matter movement .
During the Ferguson protests after the killing of Michael Brown in 2014 , Bush acted as a medic and community organizer .
`` She ’ s being buoyed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s origin is in Ferguson , '' Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid said .
`` If you don ’ t know , now you know : The Squad is here to stay , and it ’ s growing , '' added Alexandra Rojas , executive director of Justice Democrats .

Far-left challenger Cori Bush defeated 10-term incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay (D., Mo.) in a primary challenge Tuesday.
Bush bested Clay by a 3 point margin in a rematch of the 2018 primary. She received increased turnout and support during a moment of urban unrest over racial tensions. Leftist politicians and groups from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and progressive House candidate Jamaal Bowman to the Democratic Socialists of America buoyed Bush’s campaign. Clay has held the seat since 2000.
The Missouri progressive is the latest far-left challenger to defeat a Democratic incumbent with the support of Justice Democrats, a group founded by former staffers from Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign. Justice Democrats also backed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.). More recently, Bronx educator Jamaal Bowman defeated Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), a powerful establishment Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Relations Committee, in a July primary.
Bush previously worked for Sanders's 2016 campaign, and her positions match those of her progressive peers. She supports a Green New Deal, abolishing ICE, and a universal basic income.
"Tonight, Missouri’s First District has decided that an incremental approach isn’t going to work any longer," Bush said Tuesday after her victory. "We decided that we the people have the answers, and we will lead from the front lines."
Bush, who gained momentum as protests against police violence swept the country, is no stranger to the Black Lives Matter movement. During the Ferguson protests after the killing of Michael Brown in 2014, Bush acted as a medic and community organizer.
"She’s being buoyed by this movement, and the movement’s origin is in Ferguson," Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid said.
"If you don’t know, now you know: The Squad is here to stay, and it’s growing," added Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats.


freebeacon--2020-08-05--Four in Five Black Americans Want Same or More Cop Presence in Neighborhood

Over 80 percent of black Americans want the police to spend as much or more time in their neighborhoods as they currently do , new polling from Gallup conducted last month finds .
Asked if they would prefer police spend more , less , or the same amount of time in their neighborhoods , 61 percent of black respondents told Gallup the same , while a further 20 percent said more .
Just 19 percent said less .
Black respondents were more likely to want more police presence than white , Asian , and all adults overall .
The overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds among black respondents who say they see the police often or very often .
Two in three of those say they would like to see the police the same amount or more ; 84 percent of black respondents who see the police `` sometimes '' responded that way , along with 92 percent of those who see the police rarely or never .
These findings are just the latest survey evidence to run contrary to the intuitions underlying the progressive push to defund police departments .
They also confirm the view that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting the need for more , rather than fewer , police .
The poll does find that black Americans are less likely to be confident that they would be treated `` with courtesy and respect '' by police .
Although the plurality of black respondents said they were `` somewhat confident , '' they were more likely than white , Hispanic , and Asian respondents to say they were `` not too '' or `` not at all '' confident , and less likely to say they were `` very '' confident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers treat people has a strong effect on their support for the police .
While simply having an interaction with the police has no effect on black respondents ' preference for level of police presence , 45 percent of those who reported not being treated with respect in those interactions wanted a smaller police presence , compared to just 13 percent who felt respected .
The widespread support for larger police presence overall follows more general polling trends apparent since the start of protests surrounding the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their local police departments .
Almost as many consistently oppose the move to `` defund '' the police , perhaps explaining why many national Democrats , including presidential nominee Joe Biden , have been loath to publicly support the movement .
Even in Minneapolis , many black residents oppose efforts to defund—a stark departure from the views of the majority-white city council .

Over 80 percent of black Americans want the police to spend as much or more time in their neighborhoods as they currently do, new polling from Gallup conducted last month finds.
Asked if they would prefer police spend more, less, or the same amount of time in their neighborhoods, 61 percent of black respondents told Gallup the same, while a further 20 percent said more. Just 19 percent said less. Black respondents were more likely to want more police presence than white, Asian, and all adults overall.
The overwhelming support for current levels of policing even holds among black respondents who say they see the police often or very often. Two in three of those say they would like to see the police the same amount or more; 84 percent of black respondents who see the police "sometimes" responded that way, along with 92 percent of those who see the police rarely or never.
These findings are just the latest survey evidence to run contrary to the intuitions underlying the progressive push to defund police departments. They also confirm the view that some black communities are likely under-policed, suggesting the need for more, rather than fewer, police.
The poll does find that black Americans are less likely to be confident that they would be treated "with courtesy and respect" by police. Although the plurality of black respondents said they were "somewhat confident," they were more likely than white, Hispanic, and Asian respondents to say they were "not too" or "not at all" confident, and less likely to say they were "very" confident.
Notably, the poll finds that how police officers treat people has a strong effect on their support for the police. While simply having an interaction with the police has no effect on black respondents' preference for level of police presence, 45 percent of those who reported not being treated with respect in those interactions wanted a smaller police presence, compared to just 13 percent who felt respected.
The widespread support for larger police presence overall follows more general polling trends apparent since the start of protests surrounding the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. Large majorities of Americans report trusting their local police departments.
Almost as many consistently oppose the move to "defund" the police, perhaps explaining why many national Democrats, including presidential nominee Joe Biden, have been loath to publicly support the movement. Even in Minneapolis, many black residents oppose efforts to defund—a stark departure from the views of the majority-white city council.


freebeacon--2020-08-06--The TikTok Derangement Syndrome

The TikTok Derangement Syndrome

To understand business in China , look to the demise of Neihan Duanzi , a popular joke-sharing app shuttered by authorities in 2018 for `` indecent '' content .
Rather than protesting , the CEO of Neihan Duanzi-owner ByteDance , Zhang Yiming , issued a groveling apology for creating `` content that goes against socialist core values '' and failing to `` direct public opinion in the right way . ''
Four months after writing that `` socialist core values are the prerequisite to technology , '' Zhang introduced the U.S. version of TikTok , the popular video-sharing site used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenagers .
If Zhang ’ s self-professed fealty to `` socialist values '' is news to you , it may be because it 's gone largely unmentioned in mainstream coverage of President Donald Trump 's efforts to ban the app .
Instead , prominent outlets have rushed to defend TikTok .
The New York Times ‘ s Taylor Lorenz dedicated a single paragraph to the fact that ByteDance is Chinese , `` potentially giving the Chinese government access to American user data . ''
If word count is any indication , Lorenz is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the thought of losing the app .
Trump , in Lorenz ’ s telling , is angry that TikTokers made him look bad by allegedly faking attendance reservations for his Tulsa rally—a theory for which Lorenz herself is the source .
The Times is not the only offender .
Axios called Trump 's potential ban evidence that `` the U.S. is now playing by China 's internet rules '' and argued that Trump just wants to favor American businesses .
Scandalous !
Vogue speculated that Trump wants the app gone because a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Like every social media site , TikTok hoovers up vast amounts of data , and ByteDance , like every other business in the PRC , is beholden to the Communist Party .
The Chinese government is not above misusing TikTok ’ s data or pushing the CCP ’ s political agenda .
This is why the Trump administration wants to see TikTok sold or shut down .
It 's also why dozens of families are suing TikTok over privacy violations , why major companies like Wells Fargo have made employees stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer supports a ban .
The media ’ s mindless opposition to a TikTok ban is in keeping with their defense of the World Health Organization even as it has transformed into a puppet of the Chinese , as well as with their view that the Communist Party is a `` ticket to a better future '' for young Chinese citizens—the ones that aren ’ t in prison camps , anyway .
They laud the CCP for the same reason that they can not imagine why Trump would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each story only through the lens of their unyielding opposition to the president .
If that means handing data on millions of American children to the genocidal communist regime in Beijing , so be it .
TikTok ’ s sale to Microsoft may take another year , as some 15 million lines of code sitting on Chinese servers are transferred to the United States .
That ’ s one more year in which American kids will be left exposed to a devious and conniving regime .
If the threat is real—and it is—then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or an outright ban reconsidered .
Tick-tock .

To understand business in China, look to the demise of Neihan Duanzi, a popular joke-sharing app shuttered by authorities in 2018 for "indecent" content. Rather than protesting, the CEO of Neihan Duanzi-owner ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, issued a groveling apology for creating "content that goes against socialist core values" and failing to "direct public opinion in the right way."
Four months after writing that "socialist core values are the prerequisite to technology," Zhang introduced the U.S. version of TikTok, the popular video-sharing site used by as many as half of American teenagers.
If Zhang’s self-professed fealty to "socialist values" is news to you, it may be because it's gone largely unmentioned in mainstream coverage of President Donald Trump's efforts to ban the app. Instead, prominent outlets have rushed to defend TikTok.
The New York Times's Taylor Lorenz dedicated a single paragraph to the fact that ByteDance is Chinese, "potentially giving the Chinese government access to American user data." If word count is any indication, Lorenz is far more focused on teens’ distress at the thought of losing the app. Trump, in Lorenz’s telling, is angry that TikTokers made him look bad by allegedly faking attendance reservations for his Tulsa rally—a theory for which Lorenz herself is the source.
The Times is not the only offender. Axios called Trump's potential ban evidence that "the U.S. is now playing by China's internet rules" and argued that Trump just wants to favor American businesses. Scandalous! Vogue speculated that Trump wants the app gone because a comedian uses it to make fun of him.
Like every social media site, TikTok hoovers up vast amounts of data, and ByteDance, like every other business in the PRC, is beholden to the Communist Party. The Chinese government is not above misusing TikTok’s data or pushing the CCP’s political agenda.
This is why the Trump administration wants to see TikTok sold or shut down. It's also why dozens of families are suing TikTok over privacy violations, why major companies like Wells Fargo have made employees stop using it, and why even Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer supports a ban.
The media’s mindless opposition to a TikTok ban is in keeping with their defense of the World Health Organization even as it has transformed into a puppet of the Chinese, as well as with their view that the Communist Party is a "ticket to a better future" for young Chinese citizens—the ones that aren’t in prison camps, anyway.
They laud the CCP for the same reason that they cannot imagine why Trump would have real concerns about TikTok: They view each story only through the lens of their unyielding opposition to the president. If that means handing data on millions of American children to the genocidal communist regime in Beijing, so be it.
TikTok’s sale to Microsoft may take another year, as some 15 million lines of code sitting on Chinese servers are transferred to the United States. That’s one more year in which American kids will be left exposed to a devious and conniving regime. If the threat is real—and it is—then a faster solution must be found, or an outright ban reconsidered. Tick-tock.


freebeacon--2020-08-06--NJ Dem Lobbied Against Sex Offender Registry

New Jersey Democratic congressman Tom Malinowski fought against the establishment of the national sex offender registry as the top lobbyist for Human Rights Watch , according to a review of congressional records and lobbying disclosures .
Prior to assuming office , the Democrat opposed a 2006 crime bill that imposed tougher penalties on sexual predators , including a permanent record on the national sex offender registry for violent offenders who victimized children .
He and his fellow lobbyists argued in a letter to Congress that `` no legitimate community safety justification '' exists to create such a registry , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of retaliation and discrimination . ''
`` Crime , even a crime that involves sexual misconduct , should not be license to run roughshod over principles of fairness and proportionality , '' the group wrote in the letter signed by Malinowski 's colleague .
`` Human Rights Watch urges you to vote against [ the sexual offender bill ] . ''
Malinowski first rose to prominence when the Obama administration tapped him to become assistant secretary for democracy , human rights , and labor at the State Department in 2014 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malinowski 's reputation as a `` good guy lobbyist , '' according to the Center for Responsive Politics , but Malinowski 's earlier efforts to block a widely popular effort to hold sex predators accountable complicates his legacy as a Beltway lobbyist .
As a freshman representative , Malinowski has frequently touted his tenure at Human Rights Watch to bolster his credentials as a human rights crusader .
His campaign did not respond to requests for comments about whether the congressman stands by his previous lobbying efforts against the sex offender bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington director between 2001 and 2013 , pushing the agenda of a nonprofit group that is praised for its humanitarian work but criticized for its alleged anti-Israel bias .
The group 's executive director promoted an op-ed tying white supremacy to Zionism and blamed Israel for growing anti-Semitism in Europe .
Malinowski lobbied on a wide variety of bills during his 12-year tenure , including the sex offender legislation , according to lobbying disclosures .
The crime bill passed both the House and the Senate via voice vote in 2006 , indicating bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the national sex offender registry , the bill also imposed tougher punishments for sex offenders by expanding the death penalty and requiring higher minimum sentencing for offenders .
Malinowski 's team opposed these tougher punishments as well , arguing that harsher sentences are arbitrary and excessively cruel .
Malinowski is running a tough reelection campaign against GOP state senate leader Tom Kean Jr .
The most recent poll , conducted in April , showed the two candidates neck-and-neck , with Kean holding a slight lead .

New Jersey Democratic congressman Tom Malinowski fought against the establishment of the national sex offender registry as the top lobbyist for Human Rights Watch, according to a review of congressional records and lobbying disclosures.
Prior to assuming office, the Democrat opposed a 2006 crime bill that imposed tougher penalties on sexual predators, including a permanent record on the national sex offender registry for violent offenders who victimized children. He and his fellow lobbyists argued in a letter to Congress that "no legitimate community safety justification" exists to create such a registry, which they warned will put offenders "at risk of retaliation and discrimination."
"Crime, even a crime that involves sexual misconduct, should not be license to run roughshod over principles of fairness and proportionality," the group wrote in the letter signed by Malinowski's colleague. "Human Rights Watch urges you to vote against [the sexual offender bill]."
Malinowski first rose to prominence when the Obama administration tapped him to become assistant secretary for democracy, human rights, and labor at the State Department in 2014. The White House chose him because they liked Malinowski's reputation as a "good guy lobbyist," according to the Center for Responsive Politics, but Malinowski's earlier efforts to block a widely popular effort to hold sex predators accountable complicates his legacy as a Beltway lobbyist.
As a freshman representative, Malinowski has frequently touted his tenure at Human Rights Watch to bolster his credentials as a human rights crusader. His campaign did not respond to requests for comments about whether the congressman stands by his previous lobbying efforts against the sex offender bill.
Malinowski served as Human Rights Watch's Washington director between 2001 and 2013, pushing the agenda of a nonprofit group that is praised for its humanitarian work but criticized for its alleged anti-Israel bias. The group's executive director promoted an op-ed tying white supremacy to Zionism and blamed Israel for growing anti-Semitism in Europe. Malinowski lobbied on a wide variety of bills during his 12-year tenure, including the sex offender legislation, according to lobbying disclosures.
The crime bill passed both the House and the Senate via voice vote in 2006, indicating bipartisan support for the legislation. In addition to the national sex offender registry, the bill also imposed tougher punishments for sex offenders by expanding the death penalty and requiring higher minimum sentencing for offenders. Malinowski's team opposed these tougher punishments as well, arguing that harsher sentences are arbitrary and excessively cruel.
Malinowski is running a tough reelection campaign against GOP state senate leader Tom Kean Jr. The most recent poll, conducted in April, showed the two candidates neck-and-neck, with Kean holding a slight lead.


freebeacon--2020-08-06--Cotton, McConnell Introduce College Campus Free Speech Act

Senator Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) introduced a bill to ensure that public universities properly comply with students ' First Amendment rights .
Cotton and McConnell , along with Sens .
Kelly Loeffler ( R. , Ga. ) and Kevin Cramer ( R. , S.D . )
, introduced the Free Speech Restoration Act on Thursday .
The bill will block federal funding to public schools that do not comply with federal regulations on such practices as free speech zones and speech codes .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to private universities that are insufficiently transparent about their own expression policies .
`` The right to free expression is among the most precious of our liberties , '' Cotton ’ s office said in a press release .
`` The Campus Free Speech Restoration Act will ensure that this much-neglected liberty is restored and protected on our nation ’ s college campuses . ''
The bill also proposes a reporting process allowing students to file complaints if private universities fail to comply with their own speech codes .
If the evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could trigger a federal investigation .
The bill , however , contains exemptions for religious institutions of higher education .
Higher education experts applauded the bill as a strong defense of First Amendment rights .
`` An energetic effort to pass Cotton ’ s campus free-speech bill will do wonders—not just for our college campuses but for the country as a whole , '' wrote Ethics and Public Policy Center senior fellow Stanley Kurtz .
`` In short , Tom Cotton ’ s Campus Free Speech Restoration Act is at the leading edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional principle to our college campuses—and to our country . ''

Senator Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) introduced a bill to ensure that public universities properly comply with students' First Amendment rights.
Cotton and McConnell, along with Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R., Ga.) and Kevin Cramer (R., S.D.), introduced the Free Speech Restoration Act on Thursday. The bill will block federal funding to public schools that do not comply with federal regulations on such practices as free speech zones and speech codes. The bill allows the federal government to revoke funding to private universities that are insufficiently transparent about their own expression policies.
"The right to free expression is among the most precious of our liberties," Cotton’s office said in a press release. "The Campus Free Speech Restoration Act will ensure that this much-neglected liberty is restored and protected on our nation’s college campuses."
The bill also proposes a reporting process allowing students to file complaints if private universities fail to comply with their own speech codes. If the evidence of a violation is sufficient, these complaints could trigger a federal investigation. The bill, however, contains exemptions for religious institutions of higher education.
Higher education experts applauded the bill as a strong defense of First Amendment rights.
"An energetic effort to pass Cotton’s campus free-speech bill will do wonders—not just for our college campuses but for the country as a whole," wrote Ethics and Public Policy Center senior fellow Stanley Kurtz. "In short, Tom Cotton’s Campus Free Speech Restoration Act is at the leading edge of the fight to restore liberty and constitutional principle to our college campuses—and to our country."