freebeacon--2020-09-28--People of Praise Accuser Has Long History Of Far-Fetched Lawsuits and Online Partisanship

An Oregon woman airing allegations against the People of Praise , a Christian charismatic group to which Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is connected , has a track record of hyper-partisan online posting , farfetched lawsuits , and fantastic grievance peddling that casts doubt on her credibility .
In the days following the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death , Coral Anika Theill 's lurid descriptions of life in the group 's Corvallis , Ore. , branch appeared in Reuters , Politico , the Washington Post , and Newsweek , among other publications .
A review of Theill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media footprint shows that Theill has accused her own children , her parents , her therapists , and her attorneys of abuse and neglect , while waging a quixotic legal crusade against them since the late 1990s .
Her ex-husband , Vaughn Martin Warner , obtained a defamation judgment against her in 2014 .
Theill 's quick and unscrutinized emergence continues a trend of bungled coverage of Barrett 's religious practices by Democrats and parts of the establishment press .
Her ascendance mirrors that of Tara Reade and Julie Swetnick , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , respectively , enjoyed a wide hearing in the media before complicating evidence materialized .
Personal blog posts and Theill 's memoir liken life within the People of Praise to Margaret Atwood 's novel The Handmaid 's Tale .
Among other charges , Theill says members of the community shunned her socially , made her sit on the floor during group meetings , and closely observed how she spent her time .
Theill writes that she and her husband joined the Corvallis , Ore. , branch of the People of Praise in 1979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 1982 , according to a spokesman for the group .
`` Neither the men nor women leaders in the People of Praise Corvallis branch are aware that there were ever any allegations of physical or mental abuse concerning Ms. Theill and her husband at the time , '' People of Praise spokesman Sean Connolly told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Her charges of the mistreatment of women , insularity , lack of privacy and shunning are contradictory to our beliefs and our practices as a community . ''
Theill 's memoir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casts her 20-year marriage as an unending conflict against a revolving set of religious antagonists .
She describes an unhappy home life with a domineering and sexually needy husband whom she accuses of regular physical and psychological abuse .
She also accuses her children of complicity in her ex-husband 's alleged predations .
By Theill 's telling , her husband asked their older children to surveil her and report on supposed infractions , giving them `` more and more authority over my life . ''
Her twin daughters are a special target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severing their relationship with her , writing that they chose to `` support predators and dismiss victims . ''
A review of the memoir and social media indicates Theill is estranged from all eight of her children .
Similarly , Theill claims her own attorneys conspired against her when she sued Warner for divorce in 1995 .
She accuses successive lawyers of berating her and engaging in predatory billing practices , and she laments that she was `` ridiculed and tormented in court '' by counsel for both sides and the presiding judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their children .
Citing those experiences , Theill filed a lawsuit in 2017 in federal court that accused numerous state officers , private attorneys , and physicians of discrimination and misconduct .
She acted as her own attorney and sought $ 15 million in damages .
The case was dismissed in January 2018 .
`` The State Courts and State of Oregon should restore Ms. Theill 's good name and offer Ms. Theill an apology for the harm and wrongful removal of her children since the children have aged out and been brainwashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit reads .
She likewise sued her former therapist , Dr. Charles Kuttner , for professional negligence in August 2004 , seeking $ 530,000 .
The case was dismissed in February 2005 , though the Free Beacon was unable to obtain underlying court documents before press time .
Legal outcomes were also bad for Theill when she was a defendant .
Warner , her ex-husband , prevailed in a 2013 defamation lawsuit against Theill and an associate who runs an alternative news site called Salem-News.com .
Docket entries indicate that Warner obtained an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but filings from the case were not immediately available .
The memoir elsewhere recounts a sorrowful childhood featuring an unbalanced and fanatically religious mother , Carolyn Hall .
Theill writes that Hall `` was a cross between the Mommy Dearest and Carrie movie . ''
In one representative allegation , Theill said Hall liked to throw Bibles at her while she slept .
Her mother is archetypal for almost every other religious individual mentioned in the book .
The Catholic Church in particular is a frequent foil .
Theill faults Catholics for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in liturgy and accuses the Church of burning millions of women as witches during the Middle Ages .
Those statements track Theill 's social media footprint .
In three September Facebook posts , she styled evangelical Christians `` the American Taliban , '' compared Judge Barrett to a witch doctor , and mocked a Trump supporter who died of the coronavirus , calling him a `` # covidiot . ''
She also attacked the president himself , comparing him and his supporters to the Nazi regime and Jim Jones 's Peoples Temple cult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried just like in Nuremberg ! ''
she wrote on Facebook on Sept. 15 .
Theill did not respond to the Free Beacon ‘ s request for comment .
Counsel for Warner declined to comment .

An Oregon woman airing allegations against the People of Praise, a Christian charismatic group to which Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is connected, has a track record of hyper-partisan online posting, farfetched lawsuits, and fantastic grievance peddling that casts doubt on her credibility.
In the days following the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, Coral Anika Theill's lurid descriptions of life in the group's Corvallis, Ore., branch appeared in Reuters, Politico, the Washington Post, and Newsweek, among other publications. A review of Theill's writings, litigation history, and social media footprint shows that Theill has accused her own children, her parents, her therapists, and her attorneys of abuse and neglect, while waging a quixotic legal crusade against them since the late 1990s. Her ex-husband, Vaughn Martin Warner, obtained a defamation judgment against her in 2014.
Theill's quick and unscrutinized emergence continues a trend of bungled coverage of Barrett's religious practices by Democrats and parts of the establishment press. Her ascendance mirrors that of Tara Reade and Julie Swetnick, whose allegations against Joe Biden and Brett Kavanaugh, respectively, enjoyed a wide hearing in the media before complicating evidence materialized.
Personal blog posts and Theill's memoir liken life within the People of Praise to Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale. Among other charges, Theill says members of the community shunned her socially, made her sit on the floor during group meetings, and closely observed how she spent her time. Theill writes that she and her husband joined the Corvallis, Ore., branch of the People of Praise in 1979, but that chapter was not established until 1982, according to a spokesman for the group.
"Neither the men nor women leaders in the People of Praise Corvallis branch are aware that there were ever any allegations of physical or mental abuse concerning Ms. Theill and her husband at the time," People of Praise spokesman Sean Connolly told the Washington Free Beacon. "Her charges of the mistreatment of women, insularity, lack of privacy and shunning are contradictory to our beliefs and our practices as a community."
Theill's memoir BONSHEÁ: Making Light of the Dark casts her 20-year marriage as an unending conflict against a revolving set of religious antagonists. She describes an unhappy home life with a domineering and sexually needy husband whom she accuses of regular physical and psychological abuse. She also accuses her children of complicity in her ex-husband's alleged predations. By Theill's telling, her husband asked their older children to surveil her and report on supposed infractions, giving them "more and more authority over my life."
Her twin daughters are a special target of resentment. She castigates her daughters for severing their relationship with her, writing that they chose to "support predators and dismiss victims." A review of the memoir and social media indicates Theill is estranged from all eight of her children.
Similarly, Theill claims her own attorneys conspired against her when she sued Warner for divorce in 1995. She accuses successive lawyers of berating her and engaging in predatory billing practices, and she laments that she was "ridiculed and tormented in court" by counsel for both sides and the presiding judge. Warner was ultimately awarded custody of their children.
Citing those experiences, Theill filed a lawsuit in 2017 in federal court that accused numerous state officers, private attorneys, and physicians of discrimination and misconduct. She acted as her own attorney and sought $15 million in damages. The case was dismissed in January 2018.
"The State Courts and State of Oregon should restore Ms. Theill's good name and offer Ms. Theill an apology for the harm and wrongful removal of her children since the children have aged out and been brainwashed to reject their mother," the lawsuit reads.
She likewise sued her former therapist, Dr. Charles Kuttner, for professional negligence in August 2004, seeking $530,000. The case was dismissed in February 2005, though the Free Beacon was unable to obtain underlying court documents before press time.
Legal outcomes were also bad for Theill when she was a defendant. Warner, her ex-husband, prevailed in a 2013 defamation lawsuit against Theill and an associate who runs an alternative news site called Salem-News.com. Docket entries indicate that Warner obtained an $11,000 judgment after an arbitration process, but filings from the case were not immediately available.
The memoir elsewhere recounts a sorrowful childhood featuring an unbalanced and fanatically religious mother, Carolyn Hall. Theill writes that Hall "was a cross between the Mommy Dearest and Carrie movie." In one representative allegation, Theill said Hall liked to throw Bibles at her while she slept. Her mother is archetypal for almost every other religious individual mentioned in the book.
The Catholic Church in particular is a frequent foil. Theill faults Catholics for "decadent displays of opulent excesses" in liturgy and accuses the Church of burning millions of women as witches during the Middle Ages.
Those statements track Theill's social media footprint. In three September Facebook posts, she styled evangelical Christians "the American Taliban," compared Judge Barrett to a witch doctor, and mocked a Trump supporter who died of the coronavirus, calling him a "#covidiot." She also attacked the president himself, comparing him and his supporters to the Nazi regime and Jim Jones's Peoples Temple cult.
"This administration needs to be tried just like in Nuremberg!" she wrote on Facebook on Sept. 15.
Theill did not respond to the Free Beacon's request for comment. Counsel for Warner declined to comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Loudoun County Schools Spend Hundreds of Thousands on Critical Race Theory

The Loudoun County , Virginia , Public School district has spent $ 422,500 in taxpayer funds since 2018 on diversity training inspired by critical race theory , which claims racism is inherent in nearly every aspect of America .
According to documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon , the school district spent $ 314,000 in 2019 on coaching and training sessions hosted by The Equity Collaborative , a California-based business that works with schools to `` create educational equity and social justice by addressing bias and oppression . ''
The business also offers six different services for schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' `` culturally responsive practice workshops , '' and `` equity focused '' coaching—each with a hefty price tag .
The firm 's educational tools , meanwhile , include an introduction to `` Critical Race Theory '' and call for discussions about `` oppression and education . ''
`` In [ Critical Race Theory ] , racism is seen as an inherent part of American civilization , privileging white individuals over people of color in most areas of life , including education , '' an Equity Collaborative study pack reads .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ richest county in the nation—signed a contract with `` equity leadership coach '' Jamie Almanzan for $ 242,000 .
The contract included $ 120,000 for an eight-day `` Systemic Equity Assessment , '' $ 32,000 for a `` District Equity Plan , '' and $ 90,000 in salary for Almanzan .
Additionally , the district included an addendum for $ 22,000 to create a four-day `` Equity in the Center Co-Facilitation . ''
The Equity Collaborative billed the district an extra $ 56,000 outside of their contract and $ 100,000 in 2020 thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter movement , Loudoun County School District released a `` Comprehensive Equity Plan '' mandating that `` 100 % of new teachers will engage in onboarding training sessions on Equity and Culturally Responsive Instruction . ''
The plan also calls for current teachers to engage in ongoing instruction about `` white privilege '' and `` equity literacy and racial consciousness . ''
A Loudoun County school district spokesman told the Free Beacon that the Equity Collaborative did not directly train teachers , saying that it hired the business for a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an equity assessment of the school district .
Loudoun 's plan also calls for `` anti-discriminatory '' disciplinary standards to reduce suspensions of black and Hispanic students , without explaining how to reach that goal .
Loudoun County has come under fire in the past for teaming up with the Southern Poverty Law Center to create a new `` social justice '' school curriculum .
Proposed lesson plans recommend restructuring kindergartners ' history and social studies classes to emphasize slavery as fundamental to American society .
President Trump recently criticized critical race theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote it .
Critical race theory `` is especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds , who should be uplifted , not disparaged , '' Trump said .
`` Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse in the truest sense of those words . ''

The Loudoun County, Virginia, Public School district has spent $422,500 in taxpayer funds since 2018 on diversity training inspired by critical race theory, which claims racism is inherent in nearly every aspect of America.
According to documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, the school district spent $314,000 in 2019 on coaching and training sessions hosted by The Equity Collaborative, a California-based business that works with schools to "create educational equity and social justice by addressing bias and oppression." The business also offers six different services for schools, including a two-day "racial equity institute," "culturally responsive practice workshops," and "equity focused" coaching—each with a hefty price tag. The firm's educational tools, meanwhile, include an introduction to "Critical Race Theory" and call for discussions about "oppression and education."
"In [Critical Race Theory], racism is seen as an inherent part of American civilization, privileging white individuals over people of color in most areas of life, including education," an Equity Collaborative study pack reads.
In 2019, the Loudoun County school district—the richest county in the nation—signed a contract with "equity leadership coach" Jamie Almanzan for $242,000. The contract included $120,000 for an eight-day "Systemic Equity Assessment," $32,000 for a "District Equity Plan," and $90,000 in salary for Almanzan. Additionally, the district included an addendum for $22,000 to create a four-day "Equity in the Center Co-Facilitation."
The Equity Collaborative billed the district an extra $56,000 outside of their contract and $100,000 in 2020 thus far.
Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Loudoun County School District released a "Comprehensive Equity Plan" mandating that "100% of new teachers will engage in onboarding training sessions on Equity and Culturally Responsive Instruction." The plan also calls for current teachers to engage in ongoing instruction about "white privilege" and "equity literacy and racial consciousness."
A Loudoun County school district spokesman told the Free Beacon that the Equity Collaborative did not directly train teachers, saying that it hired the business for a variety of other tasks, such as conducting an equity assessment of the school district.
Loudoun's plan also calls for "anti-discriminatory" disciplinary standards to reduce suspensions of black and Hispanic students, without explaining how to reach that goal.
Loudoun County has come under fire in the past for teaming up with the Southern Poverty Law Center to create a new "social justice" school curriculum. Proposed lesson plans recommend restructuring kindergartners' history and social studies classes to emphasize slavery as fundamental to American society.
President Trump recently criticized critical race theory, promising to defund public schools that promote it.
Critical race theory "is especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds, who should be uplifted, not disparaged," Trump said. "Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse in the truest sense of those words."


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Dems Love Biden’s Catholicism But Fear Barrett’s

David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two years @ @ @ @ @ freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ @ @

Democrats have reacted differently to the Catholic faiths of their 2020 standard-bearer Joe Biden and Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Biden Camp Scolds AOC for Snubbing Israeli Leader

The Biden campaign accused progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) of undermining the Democratic Party by pulling out of an upcoming event meant to honor Israeli peacemaker Yitzhak Rabin .
A Biden campaign associate called Ocasio-Cortez 's decision `` problematic '' and told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that `` if she agrees [ to participate in the event ] and then pulls out , she ’ s creating problems for her own party . ''
Ocasio-Cortez was scheduled to participate in an Oct. 20 event sponsored by the dovish Americans for Peace Now that will memorialize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was assassinated in 1995 for his efforts to foster peace with the Palestinians .
Ocasio-Cortez withdrew from the event late last week after anti-Israel activists called out her participation in an event honoring an Israeli leader .
The incident is just the latest flashpoint between Biden ’ s campaign and far-left Democrats who object to the former vice president ’ s pro-Israel policies .
Ocasio-Cortez and her allies in Congress have tried to push the Democratic Party to adopt policies many see as anti-Israel , including lending support to the Israel boycott movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans for Peace Now event was not billed to her as a memorial to Rabin .
`` This event and my involvement was presented to my team differently from how it ’ s now being promoted , '' she wrote following questions about her participation .

The Biden campaign accused progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) of undermining the Democratic Party by pulling out of an upcoming event meant to honor Israeli peacemaker Yitzhak Rabin.
A Biden campaign associate called Ocasio-Cortez's decision "problematic" and told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that "if she agrees [to participate in the event] and then pulls out, she’s creating problems for her own party."
Ocasio-Cortez was scheduled to participate in an Oct. 20 event sponsored by the dovish Americans for Peace Now that will memorialize the former Israeli prime minister, who was assassinated in 1995 for his efforts to foster peace with the Palestinians.
Ocasio-Cortez withdrew from the event late last week after anti-Israel activists called out her participation in an event honoring an Israeli leader.
The incident is just the latest flashpoint between Biden’s campaign and far-left Democrats who object to the former vice president’s pro-Israel policies. Ocasio-Cortez and her allies in Congress have tried to push the Democratic Party to adopt policies many see as anti-Israel, including lending support to the Israel boycott movement.
Ocasio-Cortez claimed on Twitter that the Americans for Peace Now event was not billed to her as a memorial to Rabin.
"This event and my involvement was presented to my team differently from how it’s now being promoted," she wrote following questions about her participation.


freebeacon--2020-09-28--U.S. Threatens To Close Iraq Embassy

U.S. Threatens To Close Iraq Embassy

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Iraqi government that the United States will close its Baghdad embassy if attacks within the country continue to target Americans , the Washington Post reported Sunday .
An official familiar with the matter told reporters that Pompeo made the warning during a Saturday night phone call .
A State Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the conversation 's specifics , though she emphasized America ’ s growing frustration with `` Iran-backed groups launching rockets at our Embassy . ''
Repeated attacks are `` a danger not only to us but to the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and residents of the former International Zone and surrounding areas , '' the spokeswoman added .
Those attacks include one in March 2020 , which killed two American servicemen , and one in December 2019 , which killed an American civilian contractor and wounded four American servicemen .
Since last year , attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq have markedly increased .
The United States ' killing of high-ranking Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by drone strike likely caused that uptick .
Following the strike , Iraqi lawmakers called for the expulsion of U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up operations near or on American installations in Iraq .
`` The presence of lawless , Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to additional investment in Iraq , '' the State Department spokeswoman noted .
The announcement comes as the Trump administration is changing American involvement in the Middle East conflict .
This month , the Pentagon announced a modest troop increase in Syria to combat a resurging ISIS threat and Russian activity in the region .
At the same time , the administration 's tightened Iran sanctions and pro-Israel peace deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan in November 2020 , according to a Pentagon press release .
`` We 've long maintained that our force presence in Afghanistan is conditions-based , '' David Helvey , acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs , told Congress .
`` The president [ decided ] that the conditions of Afghanistan were sufficient to reduce our force presence . ''

Pompeo warns Iraqi leaders that continued violence against U.S. troops will not be tolerated
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Iraqi government that the United States will close its Baghdad embassy if attacks within the country continue to target Americans, the Washington Post reported Sunday.
An official familiar with the matter told reporters that Pompeo made the warning during a Saturday night phone call.
A State Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the conversation's specifics, though she emphasized America’s growing frustration with "Iran-backed groups launching rockets at our Embassy."
Repeated attacks are "a danger not only to us but to the Government of Iraq, neighboring diplomatic missions, and residents of the former International Zone and surrounding areas," the spokeswoman added.
Those attacks include one in March 2020, which killed two American servicemen, and one in December 2019, which killed an American civilian contractor and wounded four American servicemen. Since last year, attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq have markedly increased.
The United States' killing of high-ranking Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by drone strike likely caused that uptick. Following the strike, Iraqi lawmakers called for the expulsion of U.S. troops, and Iran-backed terror groups ramped up operations near or on American installations in Iraq.
"The presence of lawless, Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to additional investment in Iraq," the State Department spokeswoman noted.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration is changing American involvement in the Middle East conflict. This month, the Pentagon announced a modest troop increase in Syria to combat a resurging ISIS threat and Russian activity in the region.
At the same time, the administration's tightened Iran sanctions and pro-Israel peace deals will also likely lead to troop reductions in Afghanistan in November 2020, according to a Pentagon press release.
"We've long maintained that our force presence in Afghanistan is conditions-based," David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, told Congress. "The president [decided] that the conditions of Afghanistan were sufficient to reduce our force presence."


freebeacon--2020-09-28--Russia Sends Troops to Belarus, Challenging NATO

Russian troops deployed to Belarus for military exercises last week have not yet left , potentially challenging the security of NATO countries in the Baltic region .
Joint exercises between Belarusian forces and about 1,000 Russian troops ended on September 25 , but there is no evidence as of this weekend that all Russian forces have left the country .
More joint exercises in Belarus are expected to come in October , which could lead to a more permanent military presence from Russia within the country .
Perhaps to counter these ambitions , Washington sent 500 American troops to Lithuania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said that the move `` is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe . ''
Beyond Belarus ’ s borders , Russia has built up its forces in the neighboring Kaliningrad Oblast , a Russian exclave that borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania .
If Russia retains forces in Belarus , some NATO planners worry Russian forces will be in a position to cut off the land route between Baltic states and Central Europe , which goes through a small border gap in Poland that borders the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the east .
In the past , Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has resisted increased integration with Moscow .
The disputed results of his election and condemnation from the West , however , have limited his options when dealing with Putin .
About 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets over the weekend to protest the corrupt presidential election , which gave Lukashenko a lopsided victory .
American and European leaders alike refused to recognize the results of the August election and continue to bolster regional military power to deter a possible invasion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cohesion of NATO and the EU , the unmistakable U.S. commitment to Europe—that ’ s why Russia hasn ’ t attacked , '' former commander of U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges told the Wall Street Journal .
Without that commitment , `` the risk goes up , '' he added .
Putin has been one of the few world leaders to consistently affirm Lukashenko ’ s right to rule , drawing the two nations closer together .
`` All these events have shown us that we need to have closer ties with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all issues , '' Lukashenko said ahead of talks between the two countries earlier this month .

Russian troops deployed to Belarus for military exercises last week have not yet left, potentially challenging the security of NATO countries in the Baltic region.
Joint exercises between Belarusian forces and about 1,000 Russian troops ended on September 25, but there is no evidence as of this weekend that all Russian forces have left the country.
More joint exercises in Belarus are expected to come in October, which could lead to a more permanent military presence from Russia within the country.
Perhaps to counter these ambitions, Washington sent 500 American troops to Lithuania earlier this month. An official Army statement said that the move "is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe."
Beyond Belarus’s borders, Russia has built up its forces in the neighboring Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave that borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. If Russia retains forces in Belarus, some NATO planners worry Russian forces will be in a position to cut off the land route between Baltic states and Central Europe, which goes through a small border gap in Poland that borders the Kaliningrad Oblast to the west and Belarus to the east.
In the past, Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has resisted increased integration with Moscow.
The disputed results of his election and condemnation from the West, however, have limited his options when dealing with Putin. About 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets over the weekend to protest the corrupt presidential election, which gave Lukashenko a lopsided victory.
American and European leaders alike refused to recognize the results of the August election and continue to bolster regional military power to deter a possible invasion of Belarus by the Kremlin.
"The cohesion of NATO and the EU, the unmistakable U.S. commitment to Europe—that’s why Russia hasn’t attacked," former commander of U.S. Army Europe Ben Hodges told the Wall Street Journal. Without that commitment, "the risk goes up," he added.
Putin has been one of the few world leaders to consistently affirm Lukashenko’s right to rule, drawing the two nations closer together.
"All these events have shown us that we need to have closer ties with our elder brother [Russia] and cooperate on all issues," Lukashenko said ahead of talks between the two countries earlier this month.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--PREVIEW: Everything You Need to Know About the First Trump-Biden Presidential Debate

Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
• Donald J. Trump , successful businessman and President of the United States .
• An opportunity for the presidential candidates to display their physical and intellectual stamina on a national stage .
• Will there be a live audience ?
( A small one .
Between 75-80 people will be allowed to attend . )
• Has Joe Biden agreed to be drug tested ?
( No . )
• Is Fox News really `` fair and balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
• Does the winner of the debate automatically become president ?
( No . )
What Trump Must Do to Win : • Invite a cardboard cutout of Tara Reade to the debate .
• Capture the hearts and minds of voters with an extraordinary display of physical stamina and intellectual fortitude .
• Use his natural good looks and sexual charisma to improve his standing with female voters .
• Highlight the `` leadership gap '' between him and his opponent .
• Obtain a sample of Joe Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug testing .
What Biden Must Do to Win : • Do n't attempt to recite a quote that is n't already written down in front of him .
• Remember what year it is , and use examples and analogies relevant to the present day .
• Avoid personal anecdotes , especially ones involving trains , flapjacks , and Adlai Stevenson .
• Thwart opponent 's efforts to collect his blood , urine , or saliva for drug testing .
• Why do you think Democrats are trying so hard to rig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times be prosecuted for publishing your tax returns ?
• You 've been president for almost four years .
Why has n't Hillary Clinton been arrested ?
• A number of social media users have accused your opponent of being a pedophile .
Thoughts ?
• What is your name ?
• Where are you ?
• What year is it ?
• Why wo n't you acknowledge the existence of your seventh grandchild , referred to in Arkansas court documents as `` NJR '' ?
Does n't the son Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Dallas '' deserve to be loved ?
• `` I never attacked [ Rand Paul ] on his looks and believe me , there is plenty of subject matter right there . ''
( September 2015 ) • `` I do carry [ a gun ] on occasion , sometimes a lot .
But I like to be unpredictable . ''
( October 2015 ) • HILLARY : `` It 's just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd be in jail . ''
( October 2016 ) • `` That 's a [ incomprehensible ] of my position across the board .
I did not praise racists . ''
( June 2019 ) • `` If you agree with me , go to Joe , three-oh , three , three-oh , and help me in this fight . ''
( July 2019 ) • `` Play the radio .
Make sure the television—excuse me , make sure you have the record player on at night .
The phone—make sure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 ) PREVIEW : How the Media Will Cover the Debate on Wednesday* BIDEN STEADY IN FIRST DEBATE AS FURIOUS TRUMP ASSAULTS TRUTH Former vice president Joe Biden prevailed as successful bystander to President Donald Trump 's violent , race-fueled assault on truth during Tuesday night 's presidential debate , controversially hosted by Fox News .
Moderator Chris Wallace aided the truth crime by refusing to check facts and forcing Biden to answer questions .
Biden , however , exceeded expectations by staying alert and rejecting racism .
* This preview was generated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proprietary bot technology .

Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
WHO:
Donald J. Trump, successful businessman and President of the United States.
Joseph R. Biden, 77-year-old Democrat from Scranton, Pa.
Chris Wallace, Fox News host and debate moderator.
WHERE:
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
WHEN:
9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
WHY:
An opportunity for the presidential candidates to display their physical and intellectual stamina on a national stage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will there be a live audience? (A small one. Between 75-80 people will be allowed to attend.)
Does Joe Biden have dementia? (TBD.)
Has Joe Biden agreed to be drug tested? (No.)
Where is Hunter Biden? (Unknown.)
Is Fox News really "fair and balanced"? (Yes, of course.)
Does the winner of the debate automatically become president? (No.)
What Trump Must Do to Win:
Invite a cardboard cutout of Tara Reade to the debate.
Rattle his opponent by frequently referencing Hunter Biden's crimes.
Capture the hearts and minds of voters with an extraordinary display of physical stamina and intellectual fortitude.
Use his natural good looks and sexual charisma to improve his standing with female voters.
Highlight the "leadership gap" between him and his opponent.
Obtain a sample of Joe Biden's blood, urine, or saliva for drug testing.
What Biden Must Do to Win:
Amphetamines.
Don't attempt to recite a quote that isn't already written down in front of him.
Remember what year it is, and use examples and analogies relevant to the present day.
Avoid personal anecdotes, especially ones involving trains, flapjacks, and Adlai Stevenson.
Thwart opponent's efforts to collect his blood, urine, or saliva for drug testing.
Cheat.
Key Questions for Trump:
Why do you think Democrats are trying so hard to rig the election?
Should the failing New York Times be prosecuted for publishing your tax returns?
You've been president for almost four years. Why hasn't Hillary Clinton been arrested?
A number of social media users have accused your opponent of being a pedophile. Thoughts?
Key Questions for Biden:
What is your name?
Where are you?
What year is it?
Why won't you acknowledge the existence of your seventh grandchild, referred to in Arkansas court documents as "NJR"? Doesn't the son Hunter fathered with an exotic dancer known as "Dallas" deserve to be loved?
Highlights From Trump's Debating Career:
"I never attacked [Rand Paul] on his looks and believe me, there is plenty of subject matter right there." (September 2015)
"I do carry [a gun] on occasion, sometimes a lot. But I like to be unpredictable." (October 2015)
HILLARY: "It's just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country." TRUMP: "Because you'd be in jail." (October 2016)
Highlights From Biden's Debating Career:
"That's a [incomprehensible] of my position across the board. I did not praise racists." (June 2019)
"If you agree with me, go to Joe, three-oh, three, three-oh, and help me in this fight." (July 2019)
"Play the radio. Make sure the television—excuse me, make sure you have the record player on at night. The phone—make sure the kids hear words." (September 2019)
PREVIEW: How the Media Will Cover the Debate on Wednesday*
BIDEN STEADY IN FIRST DEBATE AS FURIOUS TRUMP ASSAULTS TRUTH
Former vice president Joe Biden prevailed as successful bystander to President Donald Trump's violent, race-fueled assault on truth during Tuesday night's presidential debate, controversially hosted by Fox News.
Moderator Chris Wallace aided the truth crime by refusing to check facts and forcing Biden to answer questions. Biden, however, exceeded expectations by staying alert and rejecting racism.
* This preview was generated using the Washington Free Beacon's proprietary bot technology.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Lawsuit Alleges Mich. Dem Folded to Left-Wing Push to Expand Mail-In Voting

Michigan Republicans are challenging a move by Michigan 's Democratic secretary of state to allow ballots without a legible postmark to be counted even after Election Day .
Michigan state senator Ruth Johnson ( R. ) and two Republican presidential electors filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging secretary of state Jocelyn Benson ( D. ) folded to a Democratic litigation effort to change how mail-in ballots are counted .
Previous state laws required absentee ballots to come in by Election Day , but a state judge determined that the deadline for counting ballots could be extended without strict requirements on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enacted after legal challenges from top Democratic lawyer Marc Elias and other liberal groups , could result in ballots without legible postmarks being counted two weeks after Election Day , the lawsuit alleges .
It accuses Benson of failing to defend the state 's election laws in court .
`` [ Benson ] refused to appeal the decision permitting the non-enforcement of the receipt deadline for absentee ballots , '' the lawsuit states .
`` In so doing , the Secretary has chosen to abandon the enforcement of statutes enacted by the Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to an email request for comment .
A decision on the legal challenge is expected soon .
Elias , the former general counsel for both Hillary Clinton 's and John Kerry 's failed presidential campaigns , brought the main legal challenge that resulted in the court 's injunction .
State judge Cynthia Stephens 's decision was met with praise from both Elias , who described it as a `` HUGE win , '' and Benson , who said it `` recognizes many of the unique challenges that the pandemic has created for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for voter disenfranchisement due to mail delays . ''
The plaintiffs ' lawsuit has the backing of the Honest Elections Project , a nonpartisan election integrity group that is also involved in a similar case against Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon ( D. ) .
Republicans filed a lawsuit to challenge Simon 's effort to allow ballots lacking postmarks to be counted more than a week after Election Day .

Michigan Republicans are challenging a move by Michigan's Democratic secretary of state to allow ballots without a legible postmark to be counted even after Election Day.
Michigan state senator Ruth Johnson (R.) and two Republican presidential electors filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging secretary of state Jocelyn Benson (D.) folded to a Democratic litigation effort to change how mail-in ballots are counted. Previous state laws required absentee ballots to come in by Election Day, but a state judge determined that the deadline for counting ballots could be extended without strict requirements on legible postmarks.
The new policy, enacted after legal challenges from top Democratic lawyer Marc Elias and other liberal groups, could result in ballots without legible postmarks being counted two weeks after Election Day, the lawsuit alleges. It accuses Benson of failing to defend the state's election laws in court.
"[Benson] refused to appeal the decision permitting the non-enforcement of the receipt deadline for absentee ballots," the lawsuit states. "In so doing, the Secretary has chosen to abandon the enforcement of statutes enacted by the Michigan Legislature."
Secretary Benson did not respond to an email request for comment. A decision on the legal challenge is expected soon.
Elias, the former general counsel for both Hillary Clinton's and John Kerry's failed presidential campaigns, brought the main legal challenge that resulted in the court's injunction. State judge Cynthia Stephens's decision was met with praise from both Elias, who described it as a "HUGE win," and Benson, who said it "recognizes many of the unique challenges that the pandemic has created for all citizens and will reduce the potential for voter disenfranchisement due to mail delays."
The plaintiffs' lawsuit has the backing of the Honest Elections Project, a nonpartisan election integrity group that is also involved in a similar case against Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon (D.). Republicans filed a lawsuit to challenge Simon's effort to allow ballots lacking postmarks to be counted more than a week after Election Day.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Russia and China Reject U.N. Report on North Korean Sanctions Violations

China and Russia , which both benefit from North Korea 's international sanctions violations , rejected the findings of a United Nations report on Pyongyang 's breach of sanctions , the Times of Israel reported Tuesday .
The two countries , which are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council , said their council 's findings on North Korea 's violations are `` based on assumptions and estimations . ''
Published in late August , the Security Council report documented several major economic and political areas where Pyongyang has ignored international law and punitive measures taken by the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations , North Korea has developed ballistic missiles , retained nuclear facilities , imported large quantities of refined petroleum , exported coal , and even imported luxury items like foreign automobiles and alcohol .
Despite the international community 's recent efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its malign behavior , both China and Russia continue to aid and abet the rogue state as strongman Kim Jong Un extends economic opportunities to both countries .
North Korea has opened its waters for illegal fishing to fleets of Chinese boats , and North Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for financial hacking assistance .
Seven teams of North Korean information technology technicians also accrued more than $ 1 million while working in both countries past the U.N. deadline for their repatriation , placing both Moscow and Beijing in violation of international sanctions .
In a more direct threat to American security , North Korea has also sent mixed messages on its weapons development this summer .
Pyongyang , which froze its missile tests in April , appears to be developing new and improved weapons systems that would increase the range of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport vehicle for one such weapon , an intercontinental ballistic missile , was captured on satellite by an American security firm last week .
Experts have voiced concern that North Korea may unveil the weapons systems next month during national parades .

China and Russia, which both benefit from North Korea's international sanctions violations, rejected the findings of a United Nations report on Pyongyang's breach of sanctions, the Times of Israel reported Tuesday.
The two countries, which are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, said their council's findings on North Korea's violations are "based on assumptions and estimations."
Published in late August, the Security Council report documented several major economic and political areas where Pyongyang has ignored international law and punitive measures taken by the international community against the regime. Among its violations, North Korea has developed ballistic missiles, retained nuclear facilities, imported large quantities of refined petroleum, exported coal, and even imported luxury items like foreign automobiles and alcohol.
Despite the international community's recent efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its malign behavior, both China and Russia continue to aid and abet the rogue state as strongman Kim Jong Un extends economic opportunities to both countries. North Korea has opened its waters for illegal fishing to fleets of Chinese boats, and North Korean government officials also likely paid Russian cybercriminals for financial hacking assistance. Seven teams of North Korean information technology technicians also accrued more than $1 million while working in both countries past the U.N. deadline for their repatriation, placing both Moscow and Beijing in violation of international sanctions.
In a more direct threat to American security, North Korea has also sent mixed messages on its weapons development this summer. Pyongyang, which froze its missile tests in April, appears to be developing new and improved weapons systems that would increase the range of the country's strike capacity. A possible transport vehicle for one such weapon, an intercontinental ballistic missile, was captured on satellite by an American security firm last week. Experts have voiced concern that North Korea may unveil the weapons systems next month during national parades.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--100,000 Voters in Brooklyn Receive Erroneous Ballots

Almost 100,000 voters in Brooklyn will receive new ballots after a vendor sent return envelopes with the wrong name , address , and voter ID on them , the New York City Board of Elections said on Tuesday .
Elections board spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Diaz said the vendor , which prints ballots for Brooklyn and Queens , mistakenly printed the wrong information on `` oath envelopes '' that were sent to 99,477 voters , CNN reported Tuesday .
This comes during a record-breaking year for mail-in ballot requests due to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic , magnifying some voters ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One Brooklyn voter told CNN he fears the mistake could lead to somebody else casting a vote in his name .
`` Presumably , someone out there has an envelope with my name on it , and if they don ’ t read the ballot as closely as I did , they could cast a vote in my name , '' Anders Kapur said .
Absentee voters in New York are required to enclose their ballots within an `` oath envelope , '' which includes the voter ’ s name , address , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to be counted .
CNN said it was unclear if any of the ballots or envelopes had been returned to the elections board .
This is the second time New York City 's board of elections has flubbed mail-in voting in Brooklyn .
One in four ballots cast for one Brooklyn primary in June were found to be invalid .
A string of recent incidents of faulty mail-in ballots or erroneous voting practices has surfaced during this unconventional election season .
A printing vendor in Washington state made a similar error and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelopes , which could affect up to 365 voters .
CNN reported that another printing error in Newaygo County , Mich. , affected 6,100 ballots .

Almost 100,000 voters in Brooklyn will receive new ballots after a vendor sent return envelopes with the wrong name, address, and voter ID on them, the New York City Board of Elections said on Tuesday.
Elections board spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Diaz said the vendor, which prints ballots for Brooklyn and Queens, mistakenly printed the wrong information on "oath envelopes" that were sent to 99,477 voters, CNN reported Tuesday. This comes during a record-breaking year for mail-in ballot requests due to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, magnifying some voters' concerns over fraudulent or erroneous voting.
One Brooklyn voter told CNN he fears the mistake could lead to somebody else casting a vote in his name.
"Presumably, someone out there has an envelope with my name on it, and if they don’t read the ballot as closely as I did, they could cast a vote in my name," Anders Kapur said.
Absentee voters in New York are required to enclose their ballots within an "oath envelope," which includes the voter’s name, address, and voter ID, before mailing them back to be counted. CNN said it was unclear if any of the ballots or envelopes had been returned to the elections board.
This is the second time New York City's board of elections has flubbed mail-in voting in Brooklyn. One in four ballots cast for one Brooklyn primary in June were found to be invalid.
A string of recent incidents of faulty mail-in ballots or erroneous voting practices has surfaced during this unconventional election season. A printing vendor in Washington state made a similar error and printed the wrong names on ballot return envelopes, which could affect up to 365 voters. CNN reported that another printing error in Newaygo County, Mich., affected 6,100 ballots.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Declassified Docs: Clinton Authorized Trump-Russia Smear Campaign

Recently declassified intelligence documents allege that Hillary Clinton `` approved a campaign plan to stir up a scandal against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump by tying him to [ Russian president Vladimir ] Putin and the Russians ' hacking of the Democratic National Committee . ''
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe released new information on Tuesday showing that Clinton , then a challenger against Trump in the 2016 election , attempted to use the Russian hacking claims `` as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private mail server . ''
The documents were released following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R. , S.C. ) into the Obama administration ’ s alleged operations to target Trump .
The documents contain unverified intelligence community claims that Clinton was behind the Trump smear campaign and intended to use it to discredit her opponent and distract from her own set of controversies , including her use of a homebrewed email server .
In early September 2016 , `` U.S. intelligence officials forwarded an investigative referral to [ then- ] FBI director James Comey and deputy assistant director of counterintelligence Peter Strzok regarding , ‘ U.S .
Presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan concerning U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private mail server.
’ '' Former CIA director John Brennan briefed Barack Obama and his national security team on the intelligence , according to handwritten notes taken by Brennan .
This includes the `` alleged approval by Hillary Clinton on July 26 , 2016 , of a proposal from one of her foreign-policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by Russian security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday with former FBI director James Comey .
`` This latest information provided by DNI Ratcliffe shows there may have been a double standard by the FBI regarding allegations against the Clinton campaign and Russia , '' Graham said in a statement .
`` Whether these allegations are accurate is not the question .
The question is did the FBI investigate the allegations against Clinton like they did Trump ?
If not , why not ? ''

Recently declassified intelligence documents allege that Hillary Clinton "approved a campaign plan to stir up a scandal against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump by tying him to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin and the Russians' hacking of the Democratic National Committee."
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe released new information on Tuesday showing that Clinton, then a challenger against Trump in the 2016 election, attempted to use the Russian hacking claims "as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private mail server."
The documents were released following an inquiry from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) into the Obama administration’s alleged operations to target Trump. The documents contain unverified intelligence community claims that Clinton was behind the Trump smear campaign and intended to use it to discredit her opponent and distract from her own set of controversies, including her use of a homebrewed email server.
In early September 2016, "U.S. intelligence officials forwarded an investigative referral to [then-] FBI director James Comey and deputy assistant director of counterintelligence Peter Strzok regarding, ‘U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's approval of a plan concerning U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private mail server.’"
Former CIA director John Brennan briefed Barack Obama and his national security team on the intelligence, according to handwritten notes taken by Brennan.
This includes the "alleged approval by Hillary Clinton on July 26, 2016, of a proposal from one of her foreign-policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by Russian security services."
The documents were released ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday with former FBI director James Comey.
"This latest information provided by DNI Ratcliffe shows there may have been a double standard by the FBI regarding allegations against the Clinton campaign and Russia," Graham said in a statement. "Whether these allegations are accurate is not the question. The question is did the FBI investigate the allegations against Clinton like they did Trump? If not, why not?"


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Police Officers Assaulted at Portland Riot

Rioters assaulted multiple police officers at a Monday night anti-police gathering in Portland after Multnomah County police declined to assist city police forces , citing Democratic mayor Ted Wheeler 's ban on certain crowd control measures .
A crowd demanding the dissolution of police and the closing of prisons gathered at Kenton Park and marched to the Portland Police Association building .
After officers warned demonstrators not to block street traffic , the crowd began throwing water bottles and rocks at cops .
One rioter punched a sergeant , who was then taken to the hospital , and other rioters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent .
Last week , Portland Police Bureau deputy chief Chris Davis asked Multnomah County sheriff Mike Reese for backup after hearing of two protests planned for Saturday .
Reese declined the request , citing Wheeler 's tear gas ban , which leaves police `` with no sound tactical options to quickly disperse a large crowd engaged in dangerous acts of violence . ''
Wheeler implemented the tear gas ban earlier this month as violent protests entered their 100th straight night .
At the time , he also told his neighbors he planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the protesters have targeted .
Some groups have called for the mayor to resign , citing his inability to keep Portland safe .
Portland 's protests lulled for a few days last week as fires sweeping the West Coast compromised the city ’ s air quality .
They began again last weekend , heightened by Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron 's Wednesday announcement that a grand jury had not directly charged the officer who killed Breonna Taylor for her death .

Rioters assaulted multiple police officers at a Monday night anti-police gathering in Portland after Multnomah County police declined to assist city police forces, citing Democratic mayor Ted Wheeler's ban on certain crowd control measures.
A crowd demanding the dissolution of police and the closing of prisons gathered at Kenton Park and marched to the Portland Police Association building. After officers warned demonstrators not to block street traffic, the crowd began throwing water bottles and rocks at cops. One rioter punched a sergeant, who was then taken to the hospital, and other rioters sprayed five officers with an unknown chemical agent.
Last week, Portland Police Bureau deputy chief Chris Davis asked Multnomah County sheriff Mike Reese for backup after hearing of two protests planned for Saturday. Reese declined the request, citing Wheeler's tear gas ban, which leaves police "with no sound tactical options to quickly disperse a large crowd engaged in dangerous acts of violence."
Wheeler implemented the tear gas ban earlier this month as violent protests entered their 100th straight night. At the time, he also told his neighbors he planned on moving out of his condominium, which the protesters have targeted. Some groups have called for the mayor to resign, citing his inability to keep Portland safe.
Portland's protests lulled for a few days last week as fires sweeping the West Coast compromised the city’s air quality. They began again last weekend, heightened by Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron's Wednesday announcement that a grand jury had not directly charged the officer who killed Breonna Taylor for her death.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Rep. Andy Barr Hits Dem Trial Lawyer for Undermining Coronavirus Care

A new ad from Rep. Andy Barr ( R. , Ky. ) criticizes his Democratic challenger , trial lawyer Josh Hicks , for undermining efforts to defeat the coronavirus by tying them up in litigation .
`` I 'm a physician who works across central Kentucky .
We 're all fighting to end the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Dr. George Ginter of Lexington , Ky. , says in the ad .
`` But trial lawyer Josh Hicks is looking to make a quick buck , suing hospitals who are treating COVID patients .
Hicks even filed a lawsuit against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hicks 's law firm specializes in `` personal injury , car and truck accident , slip and fall , medical malpractice , and nursing home abuse and neglect , '' according to its Campton , Ky. , office .
Hicks opened the office amid the coronavirus pandemic in May , the firm 's Facebook page shows .
Barr contrasted his record of fighting for federal pandemic relief to that of Hicks , who has persisted in pursuing the lawsuits—which date back to 2019—amid the pandemic .
`` While liberal trial lawyer Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buck by suing the very hospitals and doctors treating COVID patients , I went to work to help defeat the virus by fighting for those hospitals and doctors , '' Barr told the Washington Free Beacon .
Hicks did not respond to a request for comment .
The Democrat has not been shy about his trial lawyer past .
Hicks has previously used inclement weather to attract customers , writing that it 's `` officially slip-and-fall and rear-end accident season in Kentucky '' in a November 2018 social media post .
Hicks served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2008 prior to becoming an attorney .
He has drawn scrutiny for how he has portrayed his law enforcement career on the campaign trail .
Hicks has claimed to have witnessed systemic racism in law enforcement firsthand , saying that it 's `` been going on for a long time '' during a June debate .
`` I 'm speaking from a position of responsibility because this is a profession I was in , '' Hicks said .
The Kentucky Democrat once mocked the liberal activists he is hoping to turn out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics in a 2005 online message board post , writing that `` it 's become trendy and cool to say ‘ F— THA POLICE DAWG ' and have that sort of attitude ; '' he further urged the public to `` call bull— on the overwhelming number of people who claim to have bad experiences . ''
Hicks will face Barr in November after receiving 72 percent of the vote in the state 's June primary .
Barr previously held off a challenge from current Democratic Senate nominee Amy McGrath in 2018 .

A new ad from Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) criticizes his Democratic challenger, trial lawyer Josh Hicks, for undermining efforts to defeat the coronavirus by tying them up in litigation.
"I'm a physician who works across central Kentucky. We're all fighting to end the COVID-19 pandemic," Dr. George Ginter of Lexington, Ky., says in the ad. "But trial lawyer Josh Hicks is looking to make a quick buck, suing hospitals who are treating COVID patients. Hicks even filed a lawsuit against a company developing a vaccine against COVID-19."
Hicks's law firm specializes in "personal injury, car and truck accident, slip and fall, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse and neglect," according to its Campton, Ky., office. Hicks opened the office amid the coronavirus pandemic in May, the firm's Facebook page shows.
Barr contrasted his record of fighting for federal pandemic relief to that of Hicks, who has persisted in pursuing the lawsuits—which date back to 2019—amid the pandemic.
"While liberal trial lawyer Josh Hicks was looking to make a quick buck by suing the very hospitals and doctors treating COVID patients, I went to work to help defeat the virus by fighting for those hospitals and doctors," Barr told the Washington Free Beacon.
Hicks did not respond to a request for comment.
The Democrat has not been shy about his trial lawyer past. Hicks has previously used inclement weather to attract customers, writing that it's "officially slip-and-fall and rear-end accident season in Kentucky" in a November 2018 social media post.
Hicks served in the Maysville Police Department from 2003 to 2008 prior to becoming an attorney. He has drawn scrutiny for how he has portrayed his law enforcement career on the campaign trail. Hicks has claimed to have witnessed systemic racism in law enforcement firsthand, saying that it's "been going on for a long time" during a June debate.
"I'm speaking from a position of responsibility because this is a profession I was in," Hicks said.
The Kentucky Democrat once mocked the liberal activists he is hoping to turn out in November. He railed against police critics in a 2005 online message board post, writing that "it's become trendy and cool to say 'F— THA POLICE DAWG' and have that sort of attitude;" he further urged the public to "call bull— on the overwhelming number of people who claim to have bad experiences."
Hicks will face Barr in November after receiving 72 percent of the vote in the state's June primary. Barr previously held off a challenge from current Democratic Senate nominee Amy McGrath in 2018.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Barrett Nomination Could Signal End of Supreme Court Inaction on Guns

Activists are hopeful that the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court will lead the Court to hear more Second Amendment cases and set future precedents that expand gun rights .
The Supreme Court has ruled in just one gun case since 2008 's District of Columbia v. Heller decision , which established an individual right to keep and bear arms .
The Court incorporated that right to the states in 2010 's McDonald v. City of Chicago .
But it has dismissed nearly all of the gun cases since then .
Barrett 's record gives activists hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctance to expand on or further clarify Heller .
In a 2019 dissent , Barrett argued for an expanded view of Second Amendment protections .
At a Hillsdale College event later that year , she noted the Supreme Court has left a lot of room for more gun litigation .
In the absence of clarification from the High Court , however , federal circuit court justices are required to perform `` a deep dive into founding era documents , '' rather than rely on precedent .
`` The Supreme Court decided District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it has only taken one other Second Amendment case since then .
So , there 's just not a lot of precedent out there , '' she said at the event .
If confirmed , Barrett would become the third Supreme Court justice to take issue with the refusal to hear gun-rights cases .
Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh accused the Court of `` looking the other way '' on gun cases in a June dissent .
And as a Seventh U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals judge , Barrett has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2019 dissent that Heller provided `` a place to start '' to determine whether or not a Wisconsin man convicted of mail fraud should be barred from owning guns for the rest of his life .
But she noted that since the Supreme Court decided on a handgun ban in Heller and `` explicitly deferred analysis of '' gun ownership by felons , `` the scope of its assertion is unclear '' on the issue—as well as on other Second Amendment issues .
`` That sounds kind of radical to say ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's because what the long-standing prohibitions were , and in fact had been even under federal law until more recently , that violent felons could n't have firearms , '' Barrett said during the 2019 event .
`` What the history showed me is there 's been a long-standing practice of saying that those who pose a threat of violence to the community can not have firearms .
And that makes sense , right ?
History is consistent with common sense . ''
Jacob D. Charles , executive director of Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Washington Free Beacon that Barrett 's nomination means it is `` very likely '' another gun case could make its way to the Court sooner than later .
`` The conservative justices who ( reporting suggests ) were unsure of where the Chief Justice might come down on Second Amendment issues would no longer need to rely on his vote to take the Court in a direction that expands gun rights , '' he said .
Alan Gottlieb , founder of the Second Amendment Foundation , which litigates gun-rights cases across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical '' and said he believed it would lead to new gun cases at the High Court .
`` We should finally see a right-to-carry case and hopefully a magazine case as well on the SCOTUS calendar soon , '' he told the Free Beacon .
But Charles cautioned it is hard to know exactly what kind of gun case the Court could take up next .
A lot depends , he said , on what cases are out there to be taken up .
Legal challenges to magazine bans and other controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal courts across the country .
`` What issue the Supreme Court takes may depend on how patiently a majority wants to be about finding the right case in which to expand gun rights , '' he said .
The country 's leading gun-rights groups have united in their praise for Barrett—calling her a `` strong choice '' who `` could help advance the Second Amendment '' —while leading gun-control groups have decried her nomination as `` extreme '' and `` a real risk to the progress we 've made . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution , '' the National Rifle Association said in a statement .
`` With this nomination , President Trump continues his record of nominating qualified , fair-minded federal judges who respect the Bill of Rights—including the Second Amendment—to our nation 's highest court . ''
The Firearms Policy Coalition said Barrett `` could help advance the Second Amendment and our other fundamental freedoms '' in a message to supporters .
The National Shooting Sports Foundation 's Lawrence Keane said she `` will reaffirm the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans . ''
Gun Owners of America 's Erich Pratt called her a `` strong choice '' who would `` examine and apply the Second Amendment as written . ''
`` Gun owners will relish seeing a new addition to the Supreme Court who is ready to hold lower courts accountable for failing to uphold the Constitution and for refusing to follow the Heller and McDonald precedents , '' Pratt said in a statement .
On the other hand , gun-control groups attacked the nomination .
Giffords PAC called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views on the Second Amendment . ''
Kris Brown , president of Brady United Against Gun Violence , told supporters that `` our fears just came true '' and Barrett `` could roll back every single common-sense gun law in our country . ''
David Hogg , cofounder of March For Our Lives , was even more critical , calling Barrett a `` conservative gun extremist '' and Trump `` a fascist . ''
`` Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination will not only lead to more violence in a country already besieged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and racist organizations like the NRA to pump more money into our political institutions to uphold white supremacy , '' he said in a statement .
Hogg 's group followed up the heated rhetoric with a protest outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's ( R. , Ky. ) home , where the activists painted a mural in the street .
Barrett 's confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin on Oct. 12 .

Activists are hopeful that the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court will lead the Court to hear more Second Amendment cases and set future precedents that expand gun rights.
The Supreme Court has ruled in just one gun case since 2008's District of Columbia v. Heller decision, which established an individual right to keep and bear arms. The Court incorporated that right to the states in 2010's McDonald v. City of Chicago. But it has dismissed nearly all of the gun cases since then.
Barrett's record gives activists hope her appointment will end the Court's reluctance to expand on or further clarify Heller. In a 2019 dissent, Barrett argued for an expanded view of Second Amendment protections. At a Hillsdale College event later that year, she noted the Supreme Court has left a lot of room for more gun litigation. In the absence of clarification from the High Court, however, federal circuit court justices are required to perform "a deep dive into founding era documents," rather than rely on precedent.
"The Supreme Court decided District of Columbia v. Heller not that long ago and it has only taken one other Second Amendment case since then. So, there's just not a lot of precedent out there," she said at the event.
If confirmed, Barrett would become the third Supreme Court justice to take issue with the refusal to hear gun-rights cases. Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh accused the Court of "looking the other way" on gun cases in a June dissent.
And as a Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, Barrett has challenged gun restrictions. Barrett argued in a 2019 dissent that Heller provided "a place to start" to determine whether or not a Wisconsin man convicted of mail fraud should be barred from owning guns for the rest of his life. But she noted that since the Supreme Court decided on a handgun ban in Heller and "explicitly deferred analysis of" gun ownership by felons, "the scope of its assertion is unclear" on the issue—as well as on other Second Amendment issues.
"That sounds kind of radical to say 'felons can have firearms' but I think it's because what the long-standing prohibitions were, and in fact had been even under federal law until more recently, that violent felons couldn't have firearms," Barrett said during the 2019 event. "What the history showed me is there's been a long-standing practice of saying that those who pose a threat of violence to the community cannot have firearms. And that makes sense, right? History is consistent with common sense."
Jacob D. Charles, executive director of Duke University's Center for Firearms Law, told the Washington Free Beacon that Barrett's nomination means it is "very likely" another gun case could make its way to the Court sooner than later.
"The conservative justices who (reporting suggests) were unsure of where the Chief Justice might come down on Second Amendment issues would no longer need to rely on his vote to take the Court in a direction that expands gun rights," he said.
Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, which litigates gun-rights cases across the country, called the nomination "critical" and said he believed it would lead to new gun cases at the High Court.
"We should finally see a right-to-carry case and hopefully a magazine case as well on the SCOTUS calendar soon," he told the Free Beacon.
But Charles cautioned it is hard to know exactly what kind of gun case the Court could take up next. A lot depends, he said, on what cases are out there to be taken up. Legal challenges to magazine bans and other controversial gun-control measures are making their way through federal courts across the country.
"What issue the Supreme Court takes may depend on how patiently a majority wants to be about finding the right case in which to expand gun rights," he said.
The country's leading gun-rights groups have united in their praise for Barrett—calling her a "strong choice" who "could help advance the Second Amendment"—while leading gun-control groups have decried her nomination as "extreme" and "a real risk to the progress we've made."
"Judge Barrett's record demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution," the National Rifle Association said in a statement. "With this nomination, President Trump continues his record of nominating qualified, fair-minded federal judges who respect the Bill of Rights—including the Second Amendment—to our nation's highest court."
The Firearms Policy Coalition said Barrett "could help advance the Second Amendment and our other fundamental freedoms" in a message to supporters. The National Shooting Sports Foundation's Lawrence Keane said she "will reaffirm the importance of originalist jurists when protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans." Gun Owners of America's Erich Pratt called her a "strong choice" who would "examine and apply the Second Amendment as written."
"Gun owners will relish seeing a new addition to the Supreme Court who is ready to hold lower courts accountable for failing to uphold the Constitution and for refusing to follow the Heller and McDonald precedents," Pratt said in a statement.
On the other hand, gun-control groups attacked the nomination. Giffords PAC called Barrett a right-wing judge with "extreme views on the Second Amendment." Kris Brown, president of Brady United Against Gun Violence, told supporters that "our fears just came true" and Barrett "could roll back every single common-sense gun law in our country." David Hogg, cofounder of March For Our Lives, was even more critical, calling Barrett a "conservative gun extremist" and Trump "a fascist."
"Amy Coney Barrett's nomination will not only lead to more violence in a country already besieged by guns, it will also empower corrupt and racist organizations like the NRA to pump more money into our political institutions to uphold white supremacy," he said in a statement.
Hogg's group followed up the heated rhetoric with a protest outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R., Ky.) home, where the activists painted a mural in the street. Barrett's confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin on Oct. 12.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--CNN Article on Trump’s ‘Apprentice’ Windfall Doesn’t Mention CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Who Made It Possib

CNN Article on Trump’s ‘Apprentice’ Windfall Doesn’t Mention CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Who Made It Possible

Despite employing the world 's most tenacious journalist , Jim Acosta , CNN was unable to get the scoop on Donald Trump 's tax returns .
Instead , the middling cable network has been forced to regurgitate the original reporting published in the New York Times .
For example , the headline for one CNN article reads : `` 4 things to know about Trump and ‘ The Apprentice , ' according to the New York Times . ''
It 's not very interesting , apart from the fact that , for some reason , it omits a crucial fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most people already know that Trump made a lot of money from The Apprentice .
Most journalists also know that , before boosting Trump 's political career with unlimited free airtime as CNN president in 2016 , Jeff Zucker boosted Trump 's television career as president of NBC Entertainment .
Zucker 's name does not appear once in the CNN article on Trump 's financial windfall as host of The Apprentice , which also made Zucker and other NBC executives very rich .
`` I understood the appeal of Donald Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody else did , '' Zucker said in 2018 of his decision to hire the `` publicity magnet '' Trump to host the show on NBC .
In a recent New York Times article about how Zucker `` created Donald Trump , '' media reporter Ben Smith asked the CNN boss if he had any regrets about the role he played in Trump 's rise .
`` I have no regrets about the part that I played in his career , '' Zucker said after laughing `` uproariously . ''
Zucker has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
`` Little Jeff Zuker [ sic ] , whose job is in jeopardy , is not having much fun lately , '' the president tweeted in 2018 .
`` They should clean up and strengthen CNN and get back to honest reporting ! ''

Despite employing the world's most tenacious journalist, Jim Acosta, CNN was unable to get the scoop on Donald Trump's tax returns. Instead, the middling cable network has been forced to regurgitate the original reporting published in the New York Times.
For example, the headline for one CNN article reads: "4 things to know about Trump and 'The Apprentice,' according to the New York Times." It's not very interesting, apart from the fact that, for some reason, it omits a crucial fact about Trump's rise to TV stardom.
Most people already know that Trump made a lot of money from The Apprentice. Most journalists also know that, before boosting Trump's political career with unlimited free airtime as CNN president in 2016, Jeff Zucker boosted Trump's television career as president of NBC Entertainment.
Zucker's name does not appear once in the CNN article on Trump's financial windfall as host of The Apprentice, which also made Zucker and other NBC executives very rich. "I understood the appeal of Donald Trump in a way that I don't think anybody else did," Zucker said in 2018 of his decision to hire the "publicity magnet" Trump to host the show on NBC.
In a recent New York Times article about how Zucker "created Donald Trump," media reporter Ben Smith asked the CNN boss if he had any regrets about the role he played in Trump's rise. "I have no regrets about the part that I played in his career," Zucker said after laughing "uproariously."
A leaked phone conversation between Zucker and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen in 2016 revealed that the CNN president actively advised the GOP candidate, praised his "great instincts," and offered to produce a "weekly show with [Trump]" on CNN after the election.
Zucker has been a frequent target of Trump's rage on social media. "Little Jeff Zuker [sic], whose job is in jeopardy, is not having much fun lately," the president tweeted in 2018. "They should clean up and strengthen CNN and get back to honest reporting!"


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Dem Senate Hopefuls Dodge on Court Packing

A trio of top Democratic Senate nominees dodged direct questions about whether they would support liberal proposals to pack the Supreme Court .
Asked during a Monday night debate if he would `` vote for any changes '' to the Supreme Court , including `` increasing the size of the Court itself , '' Montana governor Steve Bullock ( D. ) refused to take a position .
Bullock , who is running to unseat Sen. Steve Daines ( R. ) , said that `` we have to do what we can to take the politics out of the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do so .
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Sara Gideon also skirted questions on court packing in a Monday night debate against Sen. Susan Collins ( R. ) .
Asked to identify her support for `` suggested reforms like term limits and more justices on the Court , '' Gideon stressed the need to focus on `` how we get back to a judiciary that is independent once again '' without offering any specifics .
Sen. Gary Peters ' ( D. , Mich. ) position on the issue is also unclear .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansion during a Friday television appearance , saying he would not `` get into parlor games as to what the future may hold . ''
The Democrats ' hesitance to take a definitive stance comes after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) warned that `` everything is on the table '' if Republicans confirm appeals court judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
While a number of Senate progressives , including Sens .
Ed Markey ( D. , Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hawaii ) , have embraced the idea , court packing remains unpopular among voters , potentially undermining Schumer 's ability to flip the upper chamber in November .
According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll , just 32 percent of adults support increasing the number of Supreme Court justices .
Collins , who called court packing `` one of the worst ideas for trying to make the Supreme Court less political , '' criticized Gideon for her vague response .
`` Sara has refused to rule out packing the court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , ‘ Well , maybe , I 'm a bit skeptical of it but maybe we 'll have to do it . '
We 'd like to know . ''
Bullock , Gideon , and Peters did not return requests for comment from the Washington Free Beacon asking them to clarify their stances .
Bullock said that expanding should be `` on the table '' during his failed presidential bid .
His Senate campaign , however , backtracked on that in a recent statement .
While the Democratic governor still does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` does n't believe that in this hyper-political time '' it 's `` a conversation to be having '' or `` a solution to the challenges we face . ''
Gideon has also distanced herself from court packing without dismissing the idea entirely .
The Democrat told Politico that `` at this time , '' she has `` doubts '' that expanding the Supreme Court would make it `` an independent body free from politics . ''
Other Democrats running in competitive 2020 races have come out against court packing in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cal Cunningham ( N.C. ) , and Theresa Greenfield ( Iowa ) .
Kentucky Senate nominee Amy McGrath , meanwhile , said that Supreme Court expansion is `` definitely an option '' during a Monday campaign event .
Justice Ginsburg criticized proposals to expand the Supreme Court in July 2019 , saying `` nine seems to be a good number , and it 's been that way for a long time . ''

A trio of top Democratic Senate nominees dodged direct questions about whether they would support liberal proposals to pack the Supreme Court.
Asked during a Monday night debate if he would "vote for any changes" to the Supreme Court, including "increasing the size of the Court itself," Montana governor Steve Bullock (D.) refused to take a position. Bullock, who is running to unseat Sen. Steve Daines (R.), said that "we have to do what we can to take the politics out of the Supreme Court" but did not elaborate how he would do so.
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Sara Gideon also skirted questions on court packing in a Monday night debate against Sen. Susan Collins (R.). Asked to identify her support for "suggested reforms like term limits and more justices on the Court," Gideon stressed the need to focus on "how we get back to a judiciary that is independent once again" without offering any specifics.
Sen. Gary Peters' (D., Mich.) position on the issue is also unclear. He failed to rule out a Supreme Court expansion during a Friday television appearance, saying he would not "get into parlor games as to what the future may hold."
The Democrats' hesitance to take a definitive stance comes after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) warned that "everything is on the table" if Republicans confirm appeals court judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. While a number of Senate progressives, including Sens. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) and Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii), have embraced the idea, court packing remains unpopular among voters, potentially undermining Schumer's ability to flip the upper chamber in November. According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, just 32 percent of adults support increasing the number of Supreme Court justices.
Collins, who called court packing "one of the worst ideas for trying to make the Supreme Court less political," criticized Gideon for her vague response.
"Sara has refused to rule out packing the court," Collins said. "She's said, 'Well, maybe, I'm a bit skeptical of it but maybe we'll have to do it.' We'd like to know."
Bullock, Gideon, and Peters did not return requests for comment from the Washington Free Beacon asking them to clarify their stances.
Bullock said that expanding should be "on the table" during his failed presidential bid. His Senate campaign, however, backtracked on that in a recent statement. While the Democratic governor still does not rule out court packing, he now "doesn't believe that in this hyper-political time" it's "a conversation to be having" or "a solution to the challenges we face."
Gideon has also distanced herself from court packing without dismissing the idea entirely. The Democrat told Politico that "at this time," she has "doubts" that expanding the Supreme Court would make it "an independent body free from politics."
Other Democrats running in competitive 2020 races have come out against court packing in recent days, including Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Cal Cunningham (N.C.), and Theresa Greenfield (Iowa). Kentucky Senate nominee Amy McGrath, meanwhile, said that Supreme Court expansion is "definitely an option" during a Monday campaign event.
Justice Ginsburg criticized proposals to expand the Supreme Court in July 2019, saying "nine seems to be a good number, and it's been that way for a long time."


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Columbia University Students Pass BDS Resolution

As Jews rang in the New Year , students at Columbia University voted in favor of an anti-Israel referendum that calls on the university to divest from companies that do business with Israel .
The vote will have no tangible impact—Columbia University president Lee Bollinger has said he opposes any move to economically isolate Israel—but signals rising anti-Israel sentiment on the college campus .
The referendum , the results of which were announced Tuesday morning , was pushed by Columbia University Apartheid Divest , a group that argues Israel is an apartheid state .
The referendum 's most ardent opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbied against the motion to no avail .
Ofir Dayan , the president of SSI , told the Washington Free Beacon that the vote reflected a disturbing tolerance of anti-Semitism .
`` The news is extremely saddening as this is not the decision that we wanted nor that we worked so hard for , '' Dayan said .
`` It is an extremely saddening realization that anti-Semitism on our campus is not only a forgivable offense but an acceptable , celebratory alternative view to hold . ''
Boycott , divestment , and sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek to economically cripple the world 's only Jewish state .
They have become increasingly common on college campuses : The student government at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign voted in favor of a BDS provision last week .
The Columbia vote comes on the heels of a decision by the university 's student newspaper , the Columbia Spectator , to remove a paid advertisement from Students Supporting Israel , the pro-Israel student group , that urged students to `` keep Jewish students safe on campus . ''
The paper 's management—editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shubham Saharan , and publisher Isabel Jauregui—issued a statement telling readers that the ad was `` clearly inappropriate . ''
`` We deeply apologize for giving this advertisement space on our platform and are immediately reviewing our internal processes to ensure that publication of such material will never happen again , '' Xia , Saharan , and Jauregui said .
Dayan told the Free Beacon that the Spectator had invoiced the group for the ad and removed it without notice .
Anti-Israel groups at the school have been calling on the university to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine celebrated its passage .
`` We are so excited to announce that our divestment referendum has passed with majority student support at Columbia College , '' the group said .
`` Thank you for your support and for voting . ''
Bollinger , the university president , has been a staunch opponent of the BDS campaign and issued a statement last March , in anticipation of the vote , saying that he feared the rise of `` hostility and even hatred '' toward Jews @ @ @

As Jews rang in the New Year, students at Columbia University voted in favor of an anti-Israel referendum that calls on the university to divest from companies that do business with Israel.
The vote will have no tangible impact—Columbia University president Lee Bollinger has said he opposes any move to economically isolate Israel—but signals rising anti-Israel sentiment on the college campus.
The referendum, the results of which were announced Tuesday morning, was pushed by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a group that argues Israel is an apartheid state. The referendum's most ardent opponent, the Students Supporting Israel group, lobbied against the motion to no avail.
Ofir Dayan, the president of SSI, told the Washington Free Beacon that the vote reflected a disturbing tolerance of anti-Semitism. "The news is extremely saddening as this is not the decision that we wanted nor that we worked so hard for," Dayan said. "It is an extremely saddening realization that anti-Semitism on our campus is not only a forgivable offense but an acceptable, celebratory alternative view to hold."
Boycott, divestment, and sanctions initiatives, also known as BDS, seek to economically cripple the world's only Jewish state. They have become increasingly common on college campuses: The student government at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign voted in favor of a BDS provision last week.
The Columbia vote comes on the heels of a decision by the university's student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, to remove a paid advertisement from Students Supporting Israel, the pro-Israel student group, that urged students to "keep Jewish students safe on campus." The paper's management—editor in chief Karen Xia, managing editor Shubham Saharan, and publisher Isabel Jauregui—issued a statement telling readers that the ad was "clearly inappropriate."
"We deeply apologize for giving this advertisement space on our platform and are immediately reviewing our internal processes to ensure that publication of such material will never happen again," Xia, Saharan, and Jauregui said.
Dayan told the Free Beacon that the Spectator had invoiced the group for the ad and removed it without notice.
Anti-Israel groups at the school have been calling on the university to divest from Israel since 2015, and the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine celebrated its passage. "We are so excited to announce that our divestment referendum has passed with majority student support at Columbia College," the group said. "Thank you for your support and for voting."
Bollinger, the university president, has been a staunch opponent of the BDS campaign and issued a statement last March, in anticipation of the vote, saying that he feared the rise of "hostility and even hatred" toward Jews on campus.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Dozens of Absentee Voters in Washington State Receive Erroneous Ballots

Eighty-eight residents in Pierce County , Washington , received absentee ballots that included return envelopes printed with the wrong names on them due to a printing malfunction .
While the ballots were addressed and sent to the right voters , return envelopes were labeled with the wrong names , the Pierce County auditor 's office said Monday .
Pierce County auditor Julie Anderson told K5 Seattle the mistake could affect up to 365 absentee ballots , and the auditor 's office is now in the process of sending new , corrected ballots to affected residents .
Most of the affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anderson said the vendor contracted to print and mail the ballots attempted to manually correct the printing problem when they should have instead discarded the affected ballots and reprinted them .
She insisted that `` everybody is going to get to vote , and nobody gets to vote twice . ''
Requests for mail-in ballots have skyrocketed this year , due in part to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic .
Instances of fraudulent voting and other errors have begun already , with more than a month left until the general election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queens , New York , received mail-in ballots marked for military use .
One in four ballots cast in one primary election in Brooklyn were found to be invalid .
And on Monday , President Donald Trump called for an investigation into Minnesota Democratic representative Ilhan Omar 's campaign for an alleged ballot harvesting scheme .

Eighty-eight residents in Pierce County, Washington, received absentee ballots that included return envelopes printed with the wrong names on them due to a printing malfunction.
While the ballots were addressed and sent to the right voters, return envelopes were labeled with the wrong names, the Pierce County auditor's office said Monday. Pierce County auditor Julie Anderson told K5 Seattle the mistake could affect up to 365 absentee ballots, and the auditor's office is now in the process of sending new, corrected ballots to affected residents.
Most of the affected ballots were addressed to out-of-state military voters. Anderson said the vendor contracted to print and mail the ballots attempted to manually correct the printing problem when they should have instead discarded the affected ballots and reprinted them. She insisted that "everybody is going to get to vote, and nobody gets to vote twice."
Requests for mail-in ballots have skyrocketed this year, due in part to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Instances of fraudulent voting and other errors have begun already, with more than a month left until the general election. Roughly a dozen civilian residents in Queens, New York, received mail-in ballots marked for military use. One in four ballots cast in one primary election in Brooklyn were found to be invalid. And on Monday, President Donald Trump called for an investigation into Minnesota Democratic representative Ilhan Omar's campaign for an alleged ballot harvesting scheme.