freebeacon--2020-07-23--Baseball Is Back! Here’s Why Your Favorite MLB Team Is Racist

Baseball is back , baby !
And so is America 's favorite pastime : racism .
Now that Major League Baseball teams are taking the field again , it 's probably a good time to learn why your favorite one is racist .
The Washington Nationals , beloved by political journalists and corporate lobbyists , are a racist abomination .
That goes without saying .
There 's something rotten about our nation 's capital .
Its NFL team was recently canceled for being too racist , and its NHL team is captained by a dirty Russian .
What about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , most of them are racist .
Here 's why : Houston Astros — City named for a racist who supported Andrew Jackson .
The first astronauts were white .
Cheating is a form of racism .
Oakland Athletics — The team shares a mascot ( an elephant ) with the Republican Party .
They might as well call themselves the Oakland Hitlers .
Milwaukee Brewers — We get it , they brew beer .
Guess who likes beer ?
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , a Donald Trump appointee .
Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black anymore ?
Probably because he played for a profoundly racist organization .
Arizona Diamondbacks — Named after a type of snake .
Racists attacked Elizabeth Warren , a woman of color , for acting like a `` snake '' when she refused to endorse Bernie Sanders .
San Francisco Giants — Nobody hated Barry Bonds until he played for the Giants .
Hmm , wonder why ?
Seattle Mariners — The team 's mascot , a moose , resides in predominantly white areas of the country and the world .
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scher is an enthusiastic Mets fan .
Enough said .
San Diego Padres — Cultural appropriation at its worst , and a glorification of the Catholic monarchs who funded the genocidal ambitions of Christopher Columbus .
Philadelphia Phillies — Everything about Philadelphia is terrible and racist .
Pittsburgh Pirates — Of course the `` pirate '' on their jerseys is white , even though the most notorious modern-day pirates are from Somalia .
( Having a black pirate would also be racist . )
Texas Rangers — According to the Washington Post , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far off from being called the Texas Klansmen . ''
Chuck Norris is a Republican .
Cincinnati Reds — Sounds an awful lot like `` Redskins , '' does n't it ?
Kansas City Royals — The British Royal Family .
The British Empire .
Colonialism was n't cool , folks .
It was very racist .
Minnesota Twins — Do cops like baseball ?
Thought so .
Abolish them .

Baseball is back, baby! And so is America's favorite pastime: racism. Now that Major League Baseball teams are taking the field again, it's probably a good time to learn why your favorite one is racist.
The Washington Nationals, beloved by political journalists and corporate lobbyists, are a racist abomination. That goes without saying. There's something rotten about our nation's capital. Its NFL team was recently canceled for being too racist, and its NHL team is captained by a dirty Russian.
What about the other MLB teams? As it turns out, most of them are racist. Here's why:
Los Angeles Angels — Angels aren't real, but structural racism is.
Houston Astros — City named for a racist who supported Andrew Jackson. The first astronauts were white. Cheating is a form of racism.
Oakland Athletics — The team shares a mascot (an elephant) with the Republican Party. They might as well call themselves the Oakland Hitlers.
Toronto Blue Jays — The Canadian prime minister has a blackface obsession.
Atlanta Braves — Duh.
Milwaukee Brewers — We get it, they brew beer. Guess who likes beer? Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Donald Trump appointee.
Chicago Cubs — Why isn't Sammy Sosa black anymore? Probably because he played for a profoundly racist organization.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Named after a type of snake. Racists attacked Elizabeth Warren, a woman of color, for acting like a "snake" when she refused to endorse Bernie Sanders.
San Francisco Giants — Nobody hated Barry Bonds until he played for the Giants. Hmm, wonder why?
Cleveland Indians — Duh.
Seattle Mariners — The team's mascot, a moose, resides in predominantly white areas of the country and the world.
New York Mets — Washington Free Beacon editor Brent Scher is an enthusiastic Mets fan. Enough said.
Washington Nationals — Closely linked to slavery and Nazism.
San Diego Padres — Cultural appropriation at its worst, and a glorification of the Catholic monarchs who funded the genocidal ambitions of Christopher Columbus.
Philadelphia Phillies — Everything about Philadelphia is terrible and racist.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Of course the "pirate" on their jerseys is white, even though the most notorious modern-day pirates are from Somalia. (Having a black pirate would also be racist.)
Texas Rangers — According to the Washington Post, "the team's name is not so far off from being called the Texas Klansmen." Chuck Norris is a Republican.
Cincinnati Reds — Sounds an awful lot like "Redskins," doesn't it?
Boston Red Sox — Ibid.
Kansas City Royals — The British Royal Family. The British Empire. Colonialism wasn't cool, folks. It was very racist.
Minnesota Twins — Do cops like baseball? Thought so. Abolish them.
Chicago White Sox — Was "White Supremacy" taken?
New York Yankees — Gross.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--In Landmark Speech, Pompeo Says China is World’s Biggest Threat

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday identified China as the world 's greatest threat and called on Western nations to unite against Beijing as part of a global effort to eradicate the Communist Party 's growing control of the international order .
In one of his most significant foreign policy speeches since taking office , Pompeo railed against the Communist Party 's gross human rights abuses , cyber espionage operations , and routine bullying of Western nations .
Pompeo said the world must immediately act to ensure that Communist China 's vision for world dominance is not realized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideology poses to the world and sought to reestablish America 's democratic principles , saying the country will never bow before Beijing .
`` If we do n't act now , ultimately , the CCP will erode our freedoms and subvert the rules-based order free societies have built , '' Pompeo said during his remarks at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in California .
`` If we bend the knee now , our children 's children may be at the mercy of the CCP , whose actions are the primary challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free world does n't change Communist China , Communist China will change us .
There can be no return to past practices just because they 're comfortable or convenient . ''
The location of the speech was not a coincidence .
Pompeo chose the Nixon Presidential Library due to Nixon 's efforts to open up relations with China .
While Pompeo praised Nixon 's efforts to bring China into the community of nations , he warned that continued deference to Beijing would change the world for the worst .
Pompeo 's speech marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior Trump administration officials took China to task on the public stage .
White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien delivered a similar speech last month , as did Attorney General William Barr .
The goal of these speeches has been to wake up the American people and Western nations to the threat posed by Communist China .
America 's engagement with China has backfired , Pompeo said .
He also said America can not continue to deal with China as if it is an honest broker .
The Communist Party thrives on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair with other nations .
This has been on full display as China hacks international businesses , stealing their trade secrets and proprietary research .
It lied about the coronavirus pandemic , leading to chaos and death across the world .
And China eagerly serves as a top ally of America 's top enemies , including Iran and Russia .
`` China ripped off our prized intellectual property and trade secrets , '' Pompeo said .
`` It sucked supply chains away from America , and then added a widget of slave labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waterways less safe for international commerce . ''
America can `` no longer ignore the fundamental political ideological differences between our countries , '' Pompeo said .
Communist ideology must be battled and not become accepted as normal .
`` I reject the notion that we 're living in the age of inevitability , that some ‘ trap ’ is pre-ordained , that CCP supremacy is the future , '' Pompeo said .
`` Our approach is n't destined to fail because America is n't in decline . ''

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday identified China as the world's greatest threat and called on Western nations to unite against Beijing as part of a global effort to eradicate the Communist Party's growing control of the international order.
In one of his most significant foreign policy speeches since taking office, Pompeo railed against the Communist Party's gross human rights abuses, cyber espionage operations, and routine bullying of Western nations. Pompeo said the world must immediately act to ensure that Communist China's vision for world dominance is not realized.
Pompeo spoke frankly about the dangers Communist ideology poses to the world and sought to reestablish America's democratic principles, saying the country will never bow before Beijing.
"If we don't act now, ultimately, the CCP will erode our freedoms and subvert the rules-based order free societies have built," Pompeo said during his remarks at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in California. "If we bend the knee now, our children's children may be at the mercy of the CCP, whose actions are the primary challenge to the free world. If the free world doesn't change Communist China, Communist China will change us. There can be no return to past practices just because they're comfortable or convenient."
The location of the speech was not a coincidence. Pompeo chose the Nixon Presidential Library due to Nixon's efforts to open up relations with China. While Pompeo praised Nixon's efforts to bring China into the community of nations, he warned that continued deference to Beijing would change the world for the worst. Pompeo's speech marked the fourth time in recent weeks that senior Trump administration officials took China to task on the public stage. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien delivered a similar speech last month, as did Attorney General William Barr. The goal of these speeches has been to wake up the American people and Western nations to the threat posed by Communist China.
America's engagement with China has backfired, Pompeo said.
He also said America cannot continue to deal with China as if it is an honest broker. The Communist Party thrives on deceit and has no interest in playing fair with other nations. This has been on full display as China hacks international businesses, stealing their trade secrets and proprietary research. It lied about the coronavirus pandemic, leading to chaos and death across the world. And China eagerly serves as a top ally of America's top enemies, including Iran and Russia.
"China ripped off our prized intellectual property and trade secrets," Pompeo said. "It sucked supply chains away from America, and then added a widget of slave labor. It made the world's key waterways less safe for international commerce."
America can "no longer ignore the fundamental political ideological differences between our countries," Pompeo said. Communist ideology must be battled and not become accepted as normal.
"I reject the notion that we're living in the age of inevitability, that some ‘trap’ is pre-ordained, that CCP supremacy is the future," Pompeo said. "Our approach isn't destined to fail because America isn't in decline."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Washington to Putin: Don’t ‘Rewrite History’

The United States—joined by Latvia , Lithuania , and Estonia—issued a statement condemning Russian president Vladimir Putin 's attempt to `` rewrite history '' by asserting that the Soviet takeover of the Baltic states was consensual , Reuters reported Thursday .
`` We stand firmly against any attempts by Russia to rewrite history in order to justify the 1940 occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote in collaboration with the three Baltic states ' foreign ministers .
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of American condemnation of Soviet aggression in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's commitment to the sovereignty of its NATO allies by standing against Moscow .
Last month , Putin published an article in the National Interest that claimed the annexation of the Baltics during the Second World War `` was implemented on a contractual basis , with the consent of the elected authorities . ''
`` This was in line with international and state law of that time , '' Putin added .
Putin borrowed from the same Soviet rhetorical and legal playbook in 2014 when Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of international law by the United Nations , Putin argued in a 2014 speech that the annexation was a `` matter for Russia 's own political decision , and any decision here can be based only on the people 's will , because the people is the ultimate source of all authority . ''
Some analysts believe Putin 's ambitions for annexing former Soviet territories go beyond Ukraine—the Kremlin has already taken some actions toward threatening Baltic sovereignty .
Using a television , radio , and internet propaganda machine , Russia frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ability to participate effectively in multilateral institutions , thereby undermining their sovereignty .
`` It 's a constant negative , undermining approach , '' said then-U.S. ambassador to Lithuania Deborah McCarthy in 2016 .
Russia denies any such efforts .

The United States—joined by Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—issued a statement condemning Russian president Vladimir Putin's attempt to "rewrite history" by asserting that the Soviet takeover of the Baltic states was consensual, Reuters reported Thursday.
"We stand firmly against any attempts by Russia to rewrite history in order to justify the 1940 occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote in collaboration with the three Baltic states' foreign ministers.
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of American condemnation of Soviet aggression in the Baltics, the statement reaffirms Washington's commitment to the sovereignty of its NATO allies by standing against Moscow.
Last month, Putin published an article in the National Interest that claimed the annexation of the Baltics during the Second World War "was implemented on a contractual basis, with the consent of the elected authorities."
"This was in line with international and state law of that time," Putin added.
Putin borrowed from the same Soviet rhetorical and legal playbook in 2014 when Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Though the move was condemned as a violation of international law by the United Nations, Putin argued in a 2014 speech that the annexation was a "matter for Russia's own political decision, and any decision here can be based only on the people's will, because the people is the ultimate source of all authority."
Some analysts believe Putin's ambitions for annexing former Soviet territories go beyond Ukraine—the Kremlin has already taken some actions toward threatening Baltic sovereignty. Using a television, radio, and internet propaganda machine, Russia frequently attacks Baltic leaders and questions the states' ability to participate effectively in multilateral institutions, thereby undermining their sovereignty. "It's a constant negative, undermining approach," said then-U.S. ambassador to Lithuania Deborah McCarthy in 2016. Russia denies any such efforts.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Russia Tests Space-Based Weaponry

Russia Tests Space-Based Weaponry

On July 15 , the Kremlin launched a new object into orbit from the Cosmos 2543 satellite , conducting a `` non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon , '' United States Space Command observed .
This test included launching the object unusually close to another Russian satellite .
A previous instance of such activity was described as `` inconsistent with their stated mission '' with space devices , which the State Department deemed `` hypocritical and concerning . ''
`` These satellites displayed characteristics of a space-based weapon , '' the State Department added .
Russia used the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in a previous `` unusual and disturbing '' operation that entailed trailing an American spy satellite , according to the Space Force .
The United States is taking grave notice of increased Russian belligerence in space .
The recent test `` highlights Russia 's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control , with which Moscow aims to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace program—both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry , '' Christopher Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international security and nonproliferation , said .
Washington 's rivals in Moscow and Beijing have ramped up and militarized their ambitions for space .
Last week , Russia announced its intention to bolster its partnership capacities with the Chinese space mission .
The two countries are developing high-tech space weaponry with deep national security implications for American satellites and communications systems .

Russia successfully launched a new space-based anti-satellite weapon system last week, Space.com reported Thursday.
On July 15, the Kremlin launched a new object into orbit from the Cosmos 2543 satellite, conducting a "non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon," United States Space Command observed.
This test included launching the object unusually close to another Russian satellite. A previous instance of such activity was described as "inconsistent with their stated mission" with space devices, which the State Department deemed "hypocritical and concerning."
"These satellites displayed characteristics of a space-based weapon," the State Department added.
Russia used the same hardware to conduct this test as it did in a previous "unusual and disturbing" operation that entailed trailing an American spy satellite, according to the Space Force.
The United States is taking grave notice of increased Russian belligerence in space.
The recent test "highlights Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control, with which Moscow aims to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace program—both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry," Christopher Ford, the assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, said.
Washington's rivals in Moscow and Beijing have ramped up and militarized their ambitions for space. Last week, Russia announced its intention to bolster its partnership capacities with the Chinese space mission. The two countries are developing high-tech space weaponry with deep national security implications for American satellites and communications systems.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--U.S. Launches Airstrike on ISIS Operatives in Somalia

The U.S. launched a drone strike in northern Somalia that killed at least seven Islamic State operatives , the Long War Journal reported Thursday .
Though the kill count has not yet been confirmed by an independent source , the United States Africa Command ( AFRICOM ) announced it deployed the drone in concurrence with autonomous regional security forces against an ISIS-Somalia contingent on July 21 .
It said no civilian casualties occurred as a result of the military action .
In its own statement , Somalia claims more than 20 ISIS fighters were killed in the operation .
ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the standoff , claiming it killed and wounded seven members of the joint anti-terrorist contingent .
The Islamic State has extensive operations throughout North Africa—6,000 fighters in nine different terror cells , one of which is located in Somalia .
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point estimates ISIS-Somalia has between 100 and 300 fighters .
ISIS-Somalia claimed responsibility for 67 attacks as of summer 2018 , and more since .
`` We continue to apply pressure on terrorist groups and assist our Somali partners in disrupting their operations , '' said Brigadier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of operations .
`` We continue our support to rid Somalia of the likes of ISIS and al-Shabaab . ''

The U.S. launched a drone strike in northern Somalia that killed at least seven Islamic State operatives, the Long War Journal reported Thursday.
Though the kill count has not yet been confirmed by an independent source, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced it deployed the drone in concurrence with autonomous regional security forces against an ISIS-Somalia contingent on July 21. It said no civilian casualties occurred as a result of the military action.
In its own statement, Somalia claims more than 20 ISIS fighters were killed in the operation. ISIS media retorted with a falsified account of the standoff, claiming it killed and wounded seven members of the joint anti-terrorist contingent.
The Islamic State has extensive operations throughout North Africa—6,000 fighters in nine different terror cells, one of which is located in Somalia. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point estimates ISIS-Somalia has between 100 and 300 fighters. ISIS-Somalia claimed responsibility for 67 attacks as of summer 2018, and more since.
"We continue to apply pressure on terrorist groups and assist our Somali partners in disrupting their operations," said Brigadier General Miguel Castellanos, AFRICOM's deputy director of operations. "We continue our support to rid Somalia of the likes of ISIS and al-Shabaab."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Fordham Demands Apology For Student’s Tiananmen Protest

A New York City college has barred a Chinese immigrant from campus and demanded he apologize for posing with a legally owned rifle in a social media post that criticized China for the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre .
Fordham University administrators are demanding that rising senior Austin Tong submit an apology letter to the school by July 23 after he posted to Instagram a photo that shows him holding a firearm in honor of the Tiananmen Square protests , according to a disciplinary letter from the school .
Tong risks suspension or expulsion if he refuses to apologize .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afoul of its commitment to combat bias and hate crimes .
D. Keith Eldredge , Fordham 's dean of students , said Tong will not be welcome on campus regardless of whether he attends the university-sanctioned `` implicit bias '' training demanded of him under the disciplinary letter .
Tong says his photograph , which shows him holding an AR-15 rifle pointing at the ground , with the caption `` Do n't tread on me , '' did not pose a threat to fellow students .
In an interview with the Washington Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to apologize .
`` I will not apologize .
I did nothing wrong and they did everything wrong , '' he said .
`` [ Fordham is ] a total disgrace .
I will not apologize , whatever consequence there may be .
I do n't think I 'll even be able to finish college .
This is a total bet on my part , but we 'll see what happens . ''
University officials showed up at the student 's home unannounced at approximately 10 p.m. to let him—and his parents—know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of conduct , Tong said .
He is now banned from the campus and will have to complete his degree online .
Tong 's lawyer is preparing a lawsuit against Fordham University , which they may file in the upcoming weeks .
The student 's lawyer , Brett Josphe , claims that the school smeared Tong 's reputation and permanently damaged his future career prospects .
`` For a mere $ 50,000 a year in tuition , Fordham has smeared our client 's reputation and permanently damaged his career prospects , '' Josphe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior by the school and its officials shocks the conscience and there should be a heavy price to pay . ''
Tong has won the support of gun-rights activists .
The National Rifle Association released a video highlighting the university 's actions .
The rising senior implores other students and immigrants to join the NRA and stand up for their gun rights in the video .
`` Thankfully , America ’ s oldest civil-rights group—the National Rifle Association of America—came to my defense , '' Tong said in the video .
`` Me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Students for 2A , and the tens of millions of gun owners will never stop fighting for the Second Amendment . ''
`` Under no circumstances should he be attacked by gutless keyboard troopers or penalized by his university because of his support of the Second Amendment , '' she said .
`` It ’ s absolutely shameful that anyone would condemn him for supporting the Bill of Rights .
Fordham University owes Mr. Tong a full apology . ''
Tong said that he does not consider himself an activist .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been put in a bad situation by his school and is unwilling to back down because he believes he ’ s done nothing wrong .
`` I just think of myself as a student , '' Tong told the Free Beacon .
`` There are thousands of people across the world who have reached out to me and they have all sorts of backgrounds and stories about how they were silenced , how they were bullied , how their university silenced them .
When I saw that , I felt something within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to ensure other students do not have to face punishment for their legally owned firearms .
`` I do think that I 'm not going to label myself as an activist , '' Tong said .
`` I 'm just someone that wants to take this opportunity . ''
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education penned a letter to the university 's president calling for the reversal of Tong 's disciplinary probation .
The letter 's author , Lindsie Rank , told the Free Beacon that the group will fight back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their free-expression code .
`` Private universities that promise free expression to their students have to live up to that promise , '' Rank said .
`` That , in our opinion , becomes a contractual obligation that they 've made with their students . ''
Tong said the university 's actions appear hypocritical in light of the recent violent protests in New York City .
He said that Fordham has not condemned or taken any action against students who have harassed and harmed police officers .
The university has remained silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal charges after being caught on camera torching a cop car .
`` [ Fordham ] is very hypocritical and they do n't denounce anything that [ liberal ] students do , '' Tong said .
`` One [ Fordham alum ] threw a molotov cocktail out of a car .
You have students supporting hurting police and hurting businesses and Fordham turned a blind eye . ''
Tong immigrated from China in 2005 , but the America he dreamed of looks entirely different to him now .
The young student said America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union than the American dream .
`` For me , as an immigrant , it is a disappointment to see the country like this because this is not what people expect when they hear about the American dream , '' he said .
`` This is not the American dream , this is a Soviet nightmare . ''

Austin Tong is refusing to back down after posting a photograph in which he criticized China's Tiananmen Square massacre
A New York City college has barred a Chinese immigrant from campus and demanded he apologize for posing with a legally owned rifle in a social media post that criticized China for the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Fordham University administrators are demanding that rising senior Austin Tong submit an apology letter to the school by July 23 after he posted to Instagram a photo that shows him holding a firearm in honor of the Tiananmen Square protests, according to a disciplinary letter from the school. Tong risks suspension or expulsion if he refuses to apologize.
The school is arguing that the photograph ran afoul of its commitment to combat bias and hate crimes. D. Keith Eldredge, Fordham's dean of students, said Tong will not be welcome on campus regardless of whether he attends the university-sanctioned "implicit bias" training demanded of him under the disciplinary letter.
Tong says his photograph, which shows him holding an AR-15 rifle pointing at the ground, with the caption "Don't tread on me," did not pose a threat to fellow students. In an interview with the Washington Free Beacon, he said he has no plans to apologize.
"I will not apologize. I did nothing wrong and they did everything wrong," he said. "[Fordham is] a total disgrace. I will not apologize, whatever consequence there may be. I don't think I'll even be able to finish college. This is a total bet on my part, but we'll see what happens."
University officials showed up at the student's home unannounced at approximately 10 p.m. to let him—and his parents—know he had violated the school's code of conduct, Tong said. He is now banned from the campus and will have to complete his degree online.
Tong's lawyer is preparing a lawsuit against Fordham University, which they may file in the upcoming weeks. The student's lawyer, Brett Joshpe, claims that the school smeared Tong's reputation and permanently damaged his future career prospects.
"For a mere $50,000 a year in tuition, Fordham has smeared our client's reputation and permanently damaged his career prospects," Joshpe told the Free Beacon. "This behavior by the school and its officials shocks the conscience and there should be a heavy price to pay."
Tong has won the support of gun-rights activists. The National Rifle Association released a video highlighting the university's actions. The rising senior implores other students and immigrants to join the NRA and stand up for their gun rights in the video.
"Thankfully, America’s oldest civil-rights group—the National Rifle Association of America—came to my defense," Tong said in the video. "Me, my fellow five million NRA members, Students for 2A, and the tens of millions of gun owners will never stop fighting for the Second Amendment."
NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter called Tong a "victim of intolerance."
"Under no circumstances should he be attacked by gutless keyboard troopers or penalized by his university because of his support of the Second Amendment," she said. "It’s absolutely shameful that anyone would condemn him for supporting the Bill of Rights. Fordham University owes Mr. Tong a full apology."
Tong said that he does not consider himself an activist. Instead, he views himself as somebody who has been put in a bad situation by his school and is unwilling to back down because he believes he’s done nothing wrong.
"I just think of myself as a student," Tong told the Free Beacon. "There are thousands of people across the world who have reached out to me and they have all sorts of backgrounds and stories about how they were silenced, how they were bullied, how their university silenced them. When I saw that, I felt something within me."
He said his goal is to ensure other students do not have to face punishment for their legally owned firearms.
"I do think that I'm not going to label myself as an activist," Tong said. "I'm just someone that wants to take this opportunity."
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education penned a letter to the university's president calling for the reversal of Tong's disciplinary probation. The letter's author, Lindsie Rank, told the Free Beacon that the group will fight back against Fordham's refusal to comply with their free-expression code.
"Private universities that promise free expression to their students have to live up to that promise," Rank said. "That, in our opinion, becomes a contractual obligation that they've made with their students."
Tong said the university's actions appear hypocritical in light of the recent violent protests in New York City. He said that Fordham has not condemned or taken any action against students who have harassed and harmed police officers. The university has remained silent about alum Urooj Rahman, who faces federal charges after being caught on camera torching a cop car.
"[Fordham] is very hypocritical and they don't denounce anything that [liberal] students do," Tong said. "One [Fordham alum] threw a molotov cocktail out of a car. You have students supporting hurting police and hurting businesses and Fordham turned a blind eye."
Tong immigrated from China in 2005, but the America he dreamed of looks entirely different to him now. The young student said America's college campuses look more like the Soviet Union than the American dream.
"For me, as an immigrant, it is a disappointment to see the country like this because this is not what people expect when they hear about the American dream," he said. "This is not the American dream, this is a Soviet nightmare."


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Biden Diminishes Proud History of Democratic Presidential Racism

Joe Biden incorrectly described President Donald Trump as the first `` racist '' president in American history , a possibly dementia-related gaffe that unfairly diminishes Democrats ' proud history of presidential racism .
`` No sitting president has ever done this , '' Biden said during a virtual town hall on Wednesday .
`` Never , never , never .
No Republican president has done this .
No Democratic president .
We 've had racists , and they 've existed , they 've tried to get elected president .
He 's the first one that has . ''
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and malicious or simply a consequence of his extensive cognitive decline .
Either way , the former vice president 's statement erased the existence of several proud Democratic racists who occupied the White House .
Lyndon B. Johnson — A racist N-word aficionado who cynically exploited the civil rights movement for political gain .
Johnson approved FBI wiretaps on `` hysterical preacher '' Martin Luther King Jr. Franklin D. Roosevelt — HuffPost described his 1942 executive order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as `` arguably the most racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt invited white athletes to the White House after the 1936 Olympics in Berlin , but not four-time gold medalist Jesse Owens .
Woodrow Wilson — A virulent racist whose family supported slavery and the Confederacy .
That 's why Princeton University is removing his name from its school of public policy .
Wilson resegregated the federal government and supported the `` great Ku Klux Klan '' and its efforts to terrorize and disenfranchise black voters in the South .
Andrew Johnson — The `` most racist president of all time , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst president of all time ( not named Carter or Obama ) .
Johnson pardoned high-ranking Confederate officials , refused to recognize wartime orders granting land to freed slaves , and opposed amendments to the Constitution granting blacks citizenship and the right to vote .
James K. Polk — A slaveholder for most of his adult life , Polk fought to expand slavery into the new southwestern territories acquired as a result of his racist war against Mexico .
Andrew Jackson — The founding father of Democratic Party racism , Jackson was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolish slavery .
His efforts to enact and enforce the relocation of Native Americans via the Trail of Tears remain one of the Democratic Party 's most notable presidential accomplishments .
If Biden wins in November , he will have an opportunity to continue this proud tradition of racism .
In fact , the former VP made borderline racist remarks during the same town hall in which he said Trump was America 's first racist president , suggesting that Americans `` do n't make a distinction … from a South Korean and someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's Asian . ''
Biden 's history of racial gaffes—typically , misguided attempts at imitating ethnic accents—suggest that he is well-positioned to carry the Democratic Party 's torch of racism into the future .

Joe Biden incorrectly described President Donald Trump as the first "racist" president in American history, a possibly dementia-related gaffe that unfairly diminishes Democrats' proud history of presidential racism.
"No sitting president has ever done this," Biden said during a virtual town hall on Wednesday. "Never, never, never. No Republican president has done this. No Democratic president. We've had racists, and they've existed, they've tried to get elected president. He's the first one that has."
It is unclear whether Biden's gaffe was deliberate and malicious or simply a consequence of his extensive cognitive decline. Either way, the former vice president's statement erased the existence of several proud Democratic racists who occupied the White House.
Lyndon B. Johnson — A racist N-word aficionado who cynically exploited the civil rights movement for political gain. Johnson approved FBI wiretaps on "hysterical preacher" Martin Luther King Jr.
Franklin D. Roosevelt — HuffPost described his 1942 executive order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as "arguably the most racist executive order in American history." Roosevelt invited white athletes to the White House after the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, but not four-time gold medalist Jesse Owens.
Woodrow Wilson — A virulent racist whose family supported slavery and the Confederacy. That's why Princeton University is removing his name from its school of public policy. Wilson resegregated the federal government and supported the "great Ku Klux Klan" and its efforts to terrorize and disenfranchise black voters in the South.
Andrew Johnson — The "most racist president of all time," according to HuffPost, and quite possibly the worst president of all time (not named Carter or Obama). Johnson pardoned high-ranking Confederate officials, refused to recognize wartime orders granting land to freed slaves, and opposed amendments to the Constitution granting blacks citizenship and the right to vote.
James K. Polk — A slaveholder for most of his adult life, Polk fought to expand slavery into the new southwestern territories acquired as a result of his racist war against Mexico. Andrew Jackson — The founding father of Democratic Party racism, Jackson was really annoyed by people who wanted to abolish slavery. His efforts to enact and enforce the relocation of Native Americans via the Trail of Tears remain one of the Democratic Party's most notable presidential accomplishments.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--Chicago Mayor Says Sending Feds to High-Crime Cities is Sexist

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot ( D. ) suggested at a press conference on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is deploying federal officers to cities because their mayors are Democratic women .
`` The president has been on a campaign now for some time against Democratic mayors across the country , '' Lightfoot said .
`` Whether it 's me , whether it ’ s Keisha Lance Bottoms in Atlanta , whether it ’ s Muriel Bowser in Washington , D.C. , whether it ’ s Jenny Durkan in Seattle .
You see a common theme here ? ''
Trump announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago to combat the high levels of violent crime in the city .
Year-to-date murders in Chicago are up 51 percent , and shootings are up 47 percent , according to the most recent crime statistics .
Trump also plans to send officers to Albuquerque , New Mexico—whose mayor is a man—as part of Operation Legend , an anti-violence initiative named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro , who was fatally shot in Kansas City in June .
Two weeks ago , Trump sent officers to Portland to quell protesters who have repeatedly attacked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal officers have also been deployed to Kansas City .
The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked protests across the country this summer , some of which turned into violent anti-police riots .

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot (D.) suggested at a press conference on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is deploying federal officers to cities because their mayors are Democratic women.
"The president has been on a campaign now for some time against Democratic mayors across the country," Lightfoot said. "Whether it's me, whether it’s Keisha Lance Bottoms in Atlanta, whether it’s Muriel Bowser in Washington, D.C., whether it’s Jenny Durkan in Seattle. You see a common theme here?"
Trump announced Wednesday a surge of federal officers to Chicago to combat the high levels of violent crime in the city. Year-to-date murders in Chicago are up 51 percent, and shootings are up 47 percent, according to the most recent crime statistics.
Trump also plans to send officers to Albuquerque, New Mexico—whose mayor is a man—as part of Operation Legend, an anti-violence initiative named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot in Kansas City in June. Two weeks ago, Trump sent officers to Portland to quell protesters who have repeatedly attacked a federal courthouse and other government buildings. Federal officers have also been deployed to Kansas City.
The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked protests across the country this summer, some of which turned into violent anti-police riots.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--D.C. Exempts Lawmakers, Government Employees From New Mask Order

Washington , D.C. , mayor Muriel Bowser ( D. ) issued a universal masking order for her city Wednesday but exempted lawmakers , judges , and federal employees .
The order mandates the wearing of masks in all indoor and outdoor settings where social distancing can not be observed .
No other designated profession is exempt from wearing a mask , except when a piece of work equipment would preclude mask use .
Consequences for ignoring the order include fines of up to $ 1,000 .
The mayor ’ s office did not respond to a request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States about the limits of government and the authority of public health officials .
While such officials have been unified about the safety of masks , governors and mayors have differed as to how to enact these measures .
Last week , Georgia governor Brian Kemp ( R. ) sued Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ( D. ) after she issued a universal masking mandate in her city , heightening national political division over the issue .
Bottoms suggested without evidence that President Donald Trump was behind Kemp 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affirmed the usefulness of masks and said wearing one is `` patriotic . ''
Members of Congress have also haggled over masking mandates and the use of masks while in session on Capitol Hill .
Mayor Bowser also sent an investigator on Wednesday to find out whether President Trump violated D.C. masking regulations during a fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel , but the investigator found no violations .
Bowser 's order also makes exceptions for people with medical conditions and for people doing things such as eating , drinking , smoking , @ @ @ @

Washington, D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser (D.) issued a universal masking order for her city Wednesday but exempted lawmakers, judges, and federal employees.
The order mandates the wearing of masks in all indoor and outdoor settings where social distancing cannot be observed. No other designated profession is exempt from wearing a mask, except when a piece of work equipment would preclude mask use. Consequences for ignoring the order include fines of up to $1,000.
The mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Masking mandates have prompted contentious public discussion in the United States about the limits of government and the authority of public health officials. While such officials have been unified about the safety of masks, governors and mayors have differed as to how to enact these measures.
Last week, Georgia governor Brian Kemp (R.) sued Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D.) after she issued a universal masking mandate in her city, heightening national political division over the issue. Bottoms suggested without evidence that President Donald Trump was behind Kemp's decision to sue her, although Trump has affirmed the usefulness of masks and said wearing one is "patriotic."
Members of Congress have also haggled over masking mandates and the use of masks while in session on Capitol Hill.
Mayor Bowser also sent an investigator on Wednesday to find out whether President Trump violated D.C. masking regulations during a fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel, but the investigator found no violations.
Bowser's order also makes exceptions for people with medical conditions and for people doing things such as eating, drinking, smoking, or solitary exercise.


freebeacon--2020-07-23--NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Maxes Out to Biden

NBA commissioner and China apologist Adam Silver contributed $ 2,800 to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's campaign , according to campaign finance records .
Silver 's contribution—the maximum amount an individual can give to the candidate 's campaign—came on June 18 .
Scrutiny over the league 's relationship with China reignited weeks later as Silver announced a new jersey policy that allows players to wear custom messages in support of Black Lives Matter protests but forbids them from selecting messages that criticize China 's human rights abuses .
Silver and the NBA have repeatedly kowtowed to China after Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters in October 2019 .
The NBA responded with a statement on its Chinese Twitter account , saying it was `` extremely disappointed in the inappropriate comment . ''
Rockets star James Harden also apologized for Morey 's stance , appearing alongside teammate Russell Westbrook to say , `` We love China . ''
The NBA went on to confiscate pro-Hong Kong signs at a game between the Washington Wizards and a Chinese team just days later .
Silver has since called Morey 's tweet a `` bump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's relationship with China , saying the communist nation has `` a different view of how things have been done '' and that he hopes to `` find mutual respect for each other . ''
The comments came as China imposed a new national security law on Hong Kong that criminalizes any act of secession , subversion , or foreign collusion with a penalty of life imprisonment .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
responded by sending Silver an open letter .
The Missouri Republican accused Silver of `` excusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Communist regime , '' writing that the league is `` more committed to promoting the CCP 's interests than to celebrating its home nation . ''
Hawley went on to express support for a Senate subpoena of Silver in an attempt to further reveal the league 's relationship with the communist nation .
Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R. , Tenn. ) also sent Silver a letter criticizing the NBA for operating a training academy in Xinjiang , where China reportedly holds one million Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` torture , physical abuse , and prolonged detention without trial , '' as well as `` sterilization treatments and forced abortions in a barbaric attempt to reduce Uyghur birth rates . ''
Silver did not respond to Blackburn 's letter , instead directing deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to answer .
Tatum revealed on Tuesday that the league has `` terminated '' its relationship with the Xinjiang academy .
While Blackburn praised the decision , she criticized Tatum 's response to scrutiny over the NBA 's relationship with Alibaba—the Chinese tech giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ma , is a CCP member .
According to Tatum , the NBA has a `` multi-year contractual relationship '' with the company , which includes `` NBA game highlights and other NBA-related content '' on Alibaba 's digital platforms and `` operates a store on Alibaba 's e-commerce platform . ''
Blackburn said the partnership `` remains a cause for concern . ''
`` Chinese companies are notorious for stealing American intellectual property and technology , and these thefts have cost our businesses billions of dollars in economic loss , '' Blackburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
`` The NBA 's continued financial relationship with Alibaba requires a closer look . ''
According to federal campaign finance disclosures , Silver did not donate to Democratic causes prior to January 2019 , when he gave $ 1,000 to Sen. Kamala Harris 's ( D. , Calif. ) presidential campaign .
Silver has also contributed $ 2,700 to Sen. Cory Booker 's ( D. , N.J. ) presidential campaign , $ 1,000 to Pete Buttigieg 's presidential campaign , and $ 1,000 to New York attorney and former Democratic congressional @ @ @ @

NBA commissioner and China apologist Adam Silver contributed $2,800 to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's campaign, according to campaign finance records.
Silver's contribution—the maximum amount an individual can give to the candidate's campaign—came on June 18. Scrutiny over the league's relationship with China reignited weeks later as Silver announced a new jersey policy that allows players to wear custom messages in support of Black Lives Matter protests but forbids them from selecting messages that criticize China's human rights abuses.
Silver and the NBA have repeatedly kowtowed to China after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters in October 2019. The NBA responded with a statement on its Chinese Twitter account, saying it was "extremely disappointed in the inappropriate comment." Rockets star James Harden also apologized for Morey's stance, appearing alongside teammate Russell Westbrook to say, "We love China." The NBA went on to confiscate pro-Hong Kong signs at a game between the Washington Wizards and a Chinese team just days later.
Silver has since called Morey's tweet a "bump in the road" in the league's relationship with China, saying the communist nation has "a different view of how things have been done" and that he hopes to "find mutual respect for each other." The comments came as China imposed a new national security law on Hong Kong that criminalizes any act of secession, subversion, or foreign collusion with a penalty of life imprisonment.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) responded by sending Silver an open letter. The Missouri Republican accused Silver of "excusing and apologizing for the brutal repression of the Chinese Communist regime," writing that the league is "more committed to promoting the CCP's interests than to celebrating its home nation." Hawley went on to express support for a Senate subpoena of Silver in an attempt to further reveal the league's relationship with the communist nation.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) also sent Silver a letter criticizing the NBA for operating a training academy in Xinjiang, where China reportedly holds one million Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps. According to Blackburn's letter, detainees are subject to "torture, physical abuse, and prolonged detention without trial," as well as "sterilization treatments and forced abortions in a barbaric attempt to reduce Uyghur birth rates."
Silver did not respond to Blackburn's letter, instead directing deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to answer. Tatum revealed on Tuesday that the league has "terminated" its relationship with the Xinjiang academy. While Blackburn praised the decision, she criticized Tatum's response to scrutiny over the NBA's relationship with Alibaba—the Chinese tech giant's founder and former chairman, Jack Ma, is a CCP member. According to Tatum, the NBA has a "multi-year contractual relationship" with the company, which includes "NBA game highlights and other NBA-related content" on Alibaba's digital platforms and "operates a store on Alibaba's e-commerce platform." Blackburn said the partnership "remains a cause for concern."
"Chinese companies are notorious for stealing American intellectual property and technology, and these thefts have cost our businesses billions of dollars in economic loss," Blackburn said in a statement following Tatum's response. "The NBA's continued financial relationship with Alibaba requires a closer look."
According to federal campaign finance disclosures, Silver did not donate to Democratic causes prior to January 2019, when he gave $1,000 to Sen. Kamala Harris's (D., Calif.) presidential campaign. Silver has also contributed $2,700 to Sen. Cory Booker's (D., N.J.) presidential campaign, $1,000 to Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign, and $1,000 to New York attorney and former Democratic congressional candidate Adam Schleifer.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--The Blessings of Baseball

The Blessings of Baseball

No sport is as over-intellectualized as baseball .
It ’ s the favorite pastime not only of America but also of America ’ s writers .
Perhaps it ’ s the wealth of data , the length of the season , the nuances of the craft that invite curiosity , inspire comment , and engender lyricism .
Whatever the reason , scribblers can ’ t stay away .
Red Smith , Tom Verducci , Roger Angell , Thomas Boswell , George Will , David Halberstam , Michael Lewis , Charles Krauthammer—the pantheon of baseball laureates is grand .
And imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject .
I ’ m going to write about it anyway .
Not because I have special insight .
Far from it : My running commentary as I watch the Nationals on television is limited to `` nice hit '' and `` great catch '' and—most pathetic of all— '' wow . ''
Nor am I the sort of fan who goes to every home game .
Having two kids under the age of seven is something of a constraint .
When we do make it to Nationals Park , more time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gift shop , and restrooms than our seats .
As for my ability to keep track of statistics , the less said the better .
Numbers are not a personal strength .
My six-year-old and his seven-year-old cousins put me to shame .
It is the abnormality of this season that makes it worth opining on .
Baseball arrives at the very moment when America most needs a pick me up .
A resurgent pandemic , economic depression , lawlessness in Portland and Chicago , widespread school closures , a bitter election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sense that things are out of control .
What a relief to spend a few hours each day in blissful ignorance of world events , consumed instead by a perfectly delivered change-up , a risky late-innings pitching change , or a walk-off home run .
With the days of Tiger King and The Last Dance long past , and the release of summer blockbusters such as Tenet and Black Widow delayed until the future , only sports can leaven our national life with entertainment and novelty .
The uniqueness of each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chaos that followed the spread of the coronavirus , for most individuals everyday life since March has been rather monotonous .
The days have had a tendency to run together .
Wake up , work , eat , get disgusted by the news , drink , sleep , repeat .
Kids have no school , no camp , no jobs .
Sports bring contingency .
They thrive on randomness .
Each game has the one unexpected play , the soul-crushing unforced error , and the amazing and incongruous event that makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The daily matchups and results anchor us in time .
Even a 60-game schedule provides fixed reference points—Opening Day , the playoffs , a World Series—that set themselves apart from the indistinct and blurry morass of illness , unemployment , disconnection , civil strife , and social vituperation that has characterized the last four months .
( Has it been only four ?
God help us . )
The rituals of sports can be more satisfying than Zoom happy hours .
They also can be healthier .
`` Sports are our brotherhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote the theologian Michael Novak ( 1933-2017 ) in The Joy of Sports ( 1976 ) .
`` Sports are religions of place , of particulars , of deeds done here and at a concrete hour . ''
How good to have them back .
And how promising .
This year has been a master class in government failure .
Authorities at the federal , state , and local levels botched the coronavirus response .
Mayors across the country decided to live with vandalism , arson , and crime rather than risk confrontations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragic combination of diffidence and imperiousness that defines America ’ s leaders produced political , economic , and social outcomes that will haunt us for years .
Paralyzed by fear , large numbers of elites have simply thrown up their hands .
What 's needed is creative thinking .
And a willingness to settle for half-measures .
If we can ’ t have all of our normal routines back , let ’ s at least reclaim some of them .
In early July , Nats left-hand relief pitcher Sean Doolittle said that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ functioning society . ''
He was incorrect .
Sports are n't a reward .
They are second nature .
They are as much a sign of a functioning society as work , school , churchgoing , and family and associational life .
To allow the coronavirus to rob us of all these institutions is worse than self-defeating .
It is appeasement .
Which is why the return of baseball , and soon of basketball and hockey , is worth celebrating .
The financial , organizational , medical , and logistical obstacles the leagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible .
No doubt there will be setbacks and surprises , drama and defeat .
These are the things that attract us to professional sports in the first place .
At least the major leagues are trying to subvert the idea that life in suspended animation must continue indefinitely .
The beginning of a baseball season , even a shortened one , brings to mind its end .
Every year I look forward to October when the air cools and the leaves change and baseball and football and basketball overlap .
Imagine how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when scientists announce they have a vaccine on the same day that the Nationals repeat .

No sport is as over-intellectualized as baseball. It’s the favorite pastime not only of America but also of America’s writers. Perhaps it’s the wealth of data, the length of the season, the nuances of the craft that invite curiosity, inspire comment, and engender lyricism. Whatever the reason, scribblers can’t stay away. Red Smith, Tom Verducci, Roger Angell, Thomas Boswell, George Will, David Halberstam, Michael Lewis, Charles Krauthammer—the pantheon of baseball laureates is grand. And imposing. Lesser pundits are wise to avoid the subject.
I’m going to write about it anyway. Not because I have special insight. Far from it: My running commentary as I watch the Nationals on television is limited to "nice hit" and "great catch" and—most pathetic of all—"wow." Nor am I the sort of fan who goes to every home game. Having two kids under the age of seven is something of a constraint. When we do make it to Nationals Park, more time is spent visiting the concessions, playground, gift shop, and restrooms than our seats. As for my ability to keep track of statistics, the less said the better. Numbers are not a personal strength. My six-year-old and his seven-year-old cousins put me to shame.
It is the abnormality of this season that makes it worth opining on. Baseball arrives at the very moment when America most needs a pick me up. A resurgent pandemic, economic depression, lawlessness in Portland and Chicago, widespread school closures, a bitter election, and increased tensions with China contribute to the sense that things are out of control. What a relief to spend a few hours each day in blissful ignorance of world events, consumed instead by a perfectly delivered change-up, a risky late-innings pitching change, or a walk-off home run. With the days of Tiger King and The Last Dance long past, and the release of summer blockbusters such as Tenet and Black Widow delayed until the future, only sports can leaven our national life with entertainment and novelty.
The uniqueness of each game is key. For all of the chaos that followed the spread of the coronavirus, for most individuals everyday life since March has been rather monotonous. The days have had a tendency to run together. Wake up, work, eat, get disgusted by the news, drink, sleep, repeat. Kids have no school, no camp, no jobs.
Sports bring contingency. They thrive on randomness. Each game has the one unexpected play, the soul-crushing unforced error, and the amazing and incongruous event that makes it special. They are moments worth savoring.
The daily matchups and results anchor us in time. Even a 60-game schedule provides fixed reference points—Opening Day, the playoffs, a World Series—that set themselves apart from the indistinct and blurry morass of illness, unemployment, disconnection, civil strife, and social vituperation that has characterized the last four months. (Has it been only four? God help us.)
The rituals of sports can be more satisfying than Zoom happy hours. They also can be healthier. "Sports are our brotherhood with ancient and medieval times," wrote the theologian Michael Novak (1933-2017) in The Joy of Sports (1976). "Sports are religions of place, of particulars, of deeds done here and at a concrete hour." How good to have them back.
And how promising. This year has been a master class in government failure. Authorities at the federal, state, and local levels botched the coronavirus response. Mayors across the country decided to live with vandalism, arson, and crime rather than risk confrontations between protesters and local police. The tragic combination of diffidence and imperiousness that defines America’s leaders produced political, economic, and social outcomes that will haunt us for years. Paralyzed by fear, large numbers of elites have simply thrown up their hands.
What's needed is creative thinking. And a willingness to settle for half-measures. If we can’t have all of our normal routines back, let’s at least reclaim some of them. In early July, Nats left-hand relief pitcher Sean Doolittle said that "Sports are like the reward of a functioning society." He was incorrect. Sports aren't a reward. They are second nature. They are as much a sign of a functioning society as work, school, churchgoing, and family and associational life. To allow the coronavirus to rob us of all these institutions is worse than self-defeating. It is appeasement.
Which is why the return of baseball, and soon of basketball and hockey, is worth celebrating. The financial, organizational, medical, and logistical obstacles the leagues surmounted in resuming their seasons have been incredible. No doubt there will be setbacks and surprises, drama and defeat. These are the things that attract us to professional sports in the first place. At least the major leagues are trying to subvert the idea that life in suspended animation must continue indefinitely.
The beginning of a baseball season, even a shortened one, brings to mind its end. Every year I look forward to October when the air cools and the leaves change and baseball and football and basketball overlap. Imagine how glorious the fall will be this year, when scientists announce they have a vaccine on the same day that the Nationals repeat.
A guy can dream, can’t he?


freebeacon--2020-07-24--CNN’s ‘Reliable Sources’ Fixated on ‘Right-Wing’ Media

CNN 's Reliable Sources team purports to cover the entire press , but it overwhelmingly discusses and criticizes conservative and right-wing media and personalities , a Washington Free Beacon analysis finds .
Over a six-month span from Jan. 22 to July 21 , the media newsletter published by Brian Stelter and Oliver Darcy mentioned `` right-wing '' or `` far-right '' media , personalities , or elements 172 times , while it mentioned `` left-wing '' or `` far-left '' just 8 times , a ratio of 21.5 to 1 .
It mentioned `` conservative news '' or `` conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` liberal news '' or `` liberal media '' only 4 times in that span .
Stelter 's Sunday CNN program Reliable Sources similarly skewed toward covering the right , with 50 combined mentions of `` right-wing '' and `` far-right '' in that span , as opposed to just three mentions of `` left-wing '' and `` far left . ''
It mentioned `` conservative news '' or `` conservative media '' eight times , but made 3 mentions of `` liberal news '' or `` liberal media , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media plays an outsized role in our politics and society , '' Stelter told the Washington Free Beacon in an email .
`` It is the most important story on the media beat right now . ''
Even when Stelter or Darcy do mention the `` left , '' it often is in the context of criticizing the right .
Two of the mentions of `` liberal media '' came when Stelter quoted Sen. Chris Murphy 's ( D. , Conn. ) interview on Feb. 2 with the New York Times , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press as a threat to the country .
Stelter mentioned Murphy 's remark both on his show that day and in his nightly newsletter .
The only mention of `` far-left '' in the newsletter was a quote on April 1 from Sean Hannity in which the Fox News host referred to Recode cofounder Kara Swisher as a `` far-left media mob maniac . ''
It was part of a section of the newsletter that ripped Hannity for being a Trump `` attack dog '' against New York governor Andrew Cuomo ( D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's younger brother , is a primetime host on CNN .
Reliable Sources coverage is frequently critical of Fox News and other right-leaning outlets .
Stelter ripped `` right-wing media '' on Monday for giving too much coverage to `` scattered unrest in Portland , Oregon . ''
On May 10 , he criticized right-wing `` obsession '' with new revelations about the origins of the Russia investigation , which Stelter covered extensively over the past three years .
Darcy joined CNN after stints at Business Insider and the Blaze , a conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fox host Tucker Carlson 's top writer Blake Neff had posted racist remarks on online forums for years , leading to Neff 's resignation .
Darcy defended CNN 's extensive attention to right-leaning media because of its influence over President Donald Trump .
`` The president of the United States watches large volumes of right-wing media , hires people from right-wing media , and seeks out the advice of personalities in right-wing media , '' Darcy said in an email .
`` Ignoring this—or covering it through a bothsidesism lens—would be doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reliable Sources debuted on CNN in 1992 , and Stelter took over the show in 2013 after he left the New York Times .
Tim Graham of the conservative Media Research Center said Stelter 's program had evolved in the Trump era to focus more on trashing Trump and his media defenders than `` evaluating journalism . ''
`` CNN ’ s obsession with taking apart Fox News isn ’ t just attacking a conservative competitor .
Stelter paints Fox as unofficially Trump-owned , '' Graham said in a message .

CNN's Reliable Sources team purports to cover the entire press, but it overwhelmingly discusses and criticizes conservative and right-wing media and personalities, a Washington Free Beacon analysis finds.
Over a six-month span from Jan. 22 to July 21, the media newsletter published by Brian Stelter and Oliver Darcy mentioned "right-wing" or "far-right" media, personalities, or elements 172 times, while it mentioned "left-wing" or "far-left" just 8 times, a ratio of 21.5 to 1. It mentioned "conservative news" or "conservative media" 40 times, but mentioned "liberal news" or "liberal media" only 4 times in that span.
Stelter's Sunday CNN program Reliable Sources similarly skewed toward covering the right, with 50 combined mentions of "right-wing" and "far-right" in that span, as opposed to just three mentions of "left-wing" and "far left." It mentioned "conservative news" or "conservative media" eight times, but made 3 mentions of "liberal news" or "liberal media," according to a Kinetiq media search.
"Right-wing media plays an outsized role in our politics and society," Stelter told the Washington Free Beacon in an email. "It is the most important story on the media beat right now."
Even when Stelter or Darcy do mention the "left," it often is in the context of criticizing the right. Two of the mentions of "liberal media" came when Stelter quoted Sen. Chris Murphy's (D., Conn.) interview on Feb. 2 with the New York Times, in which the senator said conservatives view the press as a threat to the country. Stelter mentioned Murphy's remark both on his show that day and in his nightly newsletter.
The only mention of "far-left" in the newsletter was a quote on April 1 from Sean Hannity in which the Fox News host referred to Recode cofounder Kara Swisher as a "far-left media mob maniac." It was part of a section of the newsletter that ripped Hannity for being a Trump "attack dog" against New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D.). Chris Cuomo, the governor's younger brother, is a primetime host on CNN.
Reliable Sources coverage is frequently critical of Fox News and other right-leaning outlets. Stelter ripped "right-wing media" on Monday for giving too much coverage to "scattered unrest in Portland, Oregon." On May 10, he criticized right-wing "obsession" with new revelations about the origins of the Russia investigation, which Stelter covered extensively over the past three years.
Darcy joined CNN after stints at Business Insider and the Blaze, a conservative outlet. He recently broke the story that Fox host Tucker Carlson's top writer Blake Neff had posted racist remarks on online forums for years, leading to Neff's resignation. Darcy defended CNN's extensive attention to right-leaning media because of its influence over President Donald Trump.
"The president of the United States watches large volumes of right-wing media, hires people from right-wing media, and seeks out the advice of personalities in right-wing media," Darcy said in an email. "Ignoring this—or covering it through a bothsidesism lens—would be doing a disservice to our audience."
Reliable Sources debuted on CNN in 1992, and Stelter took over the show in 2013 after he left the New York Times. Tim Graham of the conservative Media Research Center said Stelter's program had evolved in the Trump era to focus more on trashing Trump and his media defenders than "evaluating journalism."
"CNN’s obsession with taking apart Fox News isn’t just attacking a conservative competitor. Stelter paints Fox as unofficially Trump-owned," Graham said in a message.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--Continetti: Presidential Election Hinges on Debates

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Thursday said the presidential debates will have outsized importance in the 2020 election .
`` This election will really depend more so than usual on the debates , '' Continetti said on Fox News ’ s Special Report .
`` Those will really be the one , or three , instances where we have both candidates in a traditional setting up against each other .
The conventions do n't matter as much .
There 's no campaign trail , rallies .
It will come down , I think , to the debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee Joe Biden have reduced their campaign activities since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
In that time , Biden has mostly made public statements through videos broadcast online from his basement .
Earlier on Thursday , Trump announced the cancellation of the Republican National Convention 's planned events next month in Jacksonville , Fla. During the daily coronavirus briefing , he said the decision was made in the best interest of public health .
`` We have to be vigilant .
We have to be careful , '' Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set an example .
I think setting the example is very important .
It 's hard for us to say we 're going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people should n't do it . ''
Trump said Republicans will still host the convention online and plan to put on something `` very nice . ''
Democrats have reportedly downsized their convention in Milwaukee to `` almost nothing , '' and the reduced slate of speakers and events will be broadcast online .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Thursday said the presidential debates will have outsized importance in the 2020 election.
"This election will really depend more so than usual on the debates," Continetti said on Fox News’s Special Report. "Those will really be the one, or three, instances where we have both candidates in a traditional setting up against each other. The conventions don't matter as much. There's no campaign trail, rallies. It will come down, I think, to the debates."
President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have reduced their campaign activities since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In that time, Biden has mostly made public statements through videos broadcast online from his basement.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced the cancellation of the Republican National Convention's planned events next month in Jacksonville, Fla. During the daily coronavirus briefing, he said the decision was made in the best interest of public health.
"We have to be vigilant. We have to be careful," Trump said. "And we also have to set an example. I think setting the example is very important. It's hard for us to say we're going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people shouldn't do it."
Trump said Republicans will still host the convention online and plan to put on something "very nice." Democrats have reportedly downsized their convention in Milwaukee to "almost nothing," and the reduced slate of speakers and events will be broadcast online.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--Washington Post Settles Lawsuit With Covington Catholic Student Nicholas Sandmann

The Washington Post settled a defamation lawsuit Friday with former Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann , who filed a suit last year over the paper 's inaccurate coverage of his confrontation with Native American activists .
`` On 2/19/19 , I filed [ a ] $ 250M defamation lawsuit against Washington Post , '' Sandmann tweeted .
`` Today , I turned 18 & WaPo settled my lawsuit .
Thanks to [ my lawyers ] for their advocacy .
Thanks to my family & millions of you who have stood your ground supporting me .
I still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended the March for Life in Washington , D.C. , in January 2019 and was confronted , along with other students , by a group of Native American activists led by Nathan Phillips .
Media coverage at the time portrayed Sandmann and the students as aggressors , but a longer video of the incident later revealed that Phillips had approached the Covington students .
The lawsuit alleged that the Washington Post portrayed Sandmann as engaging in `` racist misconduct '' and attacked him `` because he was the white , Catholic student wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' souvenir cap . ''
Though the original lawsuit asked for $ 250 million—the amount Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos paid to buy the newspaper in 2013—Sandmann 's lawyers did not disclose how much the media outlet settled for .
In January , CNN became the first media outlet to settle with Sandmann , who has also filed suits against ABC , CBS , and the New York Times , among others .
Sandmann was a 2019 recipient of the Washington Free Beacon ‘ s Man of the Year award .

The Washington Post settled a defamation lawsuit Friday with former Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann, who filed a suit last year over the paper's inaccurate coverage of his confrontation with Native American activists.
"On 2/19/19, I filed [a] $250M defamation lawsuit against Washington Post," Sandmann tweeted. "Today, I turned 18 & WaPo settled my lawsuit. Thanks to [my lawyers] for their advocacy. Thanks to my family & millions of you who have stood your ground supporting me. I still have more to do."
Then-16-year-old Sandmann attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January 2019 and was confronted, along with other students, by a group of Native American activists led by Nathan Phillips. Media coverage at the time portrayed Sandmann and the students as aggressors, but a longer video of the incident later revealed that Phillips had approached the Covington students.
The lawsuit alleged that the Washington Post portrayed Sandmann as engaging in "racist misconduct" and attacked him "because he was the white, Catholic student wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' souvenir cap." Though the original lawsuit asked for $250 million—the amount Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos paid to buy the newspaper in 2013—Sandmann's lawyers did not disclose how much the media outlet settled for.
In January, CNN became the first media outlet to settle with Sandmann, who has also filed suits against ABC, CBS, and the New York Times, among others.
Sandmann was a 2019 recipient of the Washington Free Beacon's Man of the Year award.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--Rutgers Declares Grammar Racist

Rutgers Declares Grammar Racist

The English department at a public university declared that proper English grammar is racist .
Rutgers University 's English department will change its standards of English instruction in an effort to `` stand with and respond '' to the Black Lives Matter movement .
In an email written by department chairwoman Rebecca Walkowitz , the Graduate Writing Program will emphasize `` social justice '' and `` critical grammar . ''
Walkowitz said the department would respond to recent events with `` workshops on social justice and writing , '' `` increasing focus on graduate student life , '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedagogy . ''
The `` critical grammar '' approach challenges the standard academic form of the English language in favor of a more inclusive writing experience .
The curriculum puts an emphasis on the variability of the English language instead of accuracy .
`` This approach challenges the familiar dogma that writing instruction should limit emphasis on grammar/sentence-level issues so as to not put students from multilingual , non-standard ‘ academic ' English backgrounds at a disadvantage , '' Walkowitz said .
`` Instead , it encourages students to develop a critical awareness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them [ with ] regard to micro-level issues in order to empower them and equip them to push against biases based on ‘ written ' accents . ''
Additionally , the department said it will provide more reading to upper-level writing classes on the subjects of racism , sexism , homophobia , and related forms of `` systemic discrimination . ''
Leonydus Johnson , a speech pathologist and libertarian activist , said the school 's change makes the racist assumption that minorities can not comprehend traditional English .
Johnson called the change `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , extremely racist . ''
`` The idea that expecting a student to write in grammatically correct sentences is indicative of racial bias is asinine , '' Johnson told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` It 's like these people believe that being non-white is an inherent handicap or learning disability… .
That 's racism .
It has become very clear to me that those who claim to be ‘ anti-racist ' are often the most racist people in this country . ''
Rutgers 's new anti-racist language standard comes alongside a litany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University 's board of trustees voted to remove Woodrow Wilson 's name from its public policy school and one of its residential colleges to denounce the former president 's `` racist thinking and policies . ''
The James Madison residential college at Michigan State University is considering making a similar change .
Activists at the University of Pittsburgh have called for the firing of any employee deemed racist or discriminatory by students , and the school said it will give the demands `` serious consideration . ''
The Rutgers English department created a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
In light of Black Lives Matter protests , the school has moved past bias awareness and prevention and into a focus on `` decolonization . ''
Walkowitz 's email talks of `` decolonizing the writing center . ''
The department offers a specific internship titled `` Decolonizing the Writing Center '' to `` make the writing centers more linguistically diverse . ''
The university and Walkowitz did not respond to requests for comment .

The English department at a public university declared that proper English grammar is racist.
Rutgers University's English department will change its standards of English instruction in an effort to "stand with and respond" to the Black Lives Matter movement. In an email written by department chairwoman Rebecca Walkowitz, the Graduate Writing Program will emphasize "social justice" and "critical grammar."
Walkowitz said the department would respond to recent events with "workshops on social justice and writing," "increasing focus on graduate student life," and "incorporating 'critical grammar' into our pedagogy." The "critical grammar" approach challenges the standard academic form of the English language in favor of a more inclusive writing experience. The curriculum puts an emphasis on the variability of the English language instead of accuracy.
"This approach challenges the familiar dogma that writing instruction should limit emphasis on grammar/sentence-level issues so as to not put students from multilingual, non-standard 'academic' English backgrounds at a disadvantage," Walkowitz said. "Instead, it encourages students to develop a critical awareness of the variety of choices available to them [with] regard to micro-level issues in order to empower them and equip them to push against biases based on 'written' accents."
Additionally, the department said it will provide more reading to upper-level writing classes on the subjects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and related forms of "systemic discrimination."
Leonydus Johnson, a speech pathologist and libertarian activist, said the school's change makes the racist assumption that minorities cannot comprehend traditional English. Johnson called the change "insulting, patronizing, and in itself, extremely racist."
"The idea that expecting a student to write in grammatically correct sentences is indicative of racial bias is asinine," Johnson told the Washington Free Beacon. "It's like these people believe that being non-white is an inherent handicap or learning disability.... That's racism. It has become very clear to me that those who claim to be 'anti-racist' are often the most racist people in this country."
Rutgers's new anti-racist language standard comes alongside a litany of changes at other universities. Princeton University's board of trustees voted to remove Woodrow Wilson's name from its public policy school and one of its residential colleges to denounce the former president's "racist thinking and policies." The James Madison residential college at Michigan State University is considering making a similar change. Activists at the University of Pittsburgh have called for the firing of any employee deemed racist or discriminatory by students, and the school said it will give the demands "serious consideration."
The Rutgers English department created a Committee on Bias Awareness and Prevention in 2012. In light of Black Lives Matter protests, the school has moved past bias awareness and prevention and into a focus on "decolonization." Walkowitz's email talks of "decolonizing the writing center." The department offers a specific internship titled "Decolonizing the Writing Center" to "make the writing centers more linguistically diverse."
The university and Walkowitz did not respond to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--Iran Calls U.S. Flyby of Passenger Plane a ‘Terrorist Act’

Iran said an American fighter jet that claimed it conducted a visual inspection of an Iranian passenger plane engaged in a `` terrorist act , '' Reuters reported Friday .
Flying over Syria , a U.S. Central Command ( CENTCOM ) jet allegedly flew near a Mahan Air passenger plane , forcing the airliner to quickly change altitude .
Iranian state television footage showed passengers panicked and injured—at least one was seen bleeding—after the sudden maneuver .
CENTCOM maintains , however , that the jet adhered to strict protocol .
The F-15 `` conducted a standard visual inspection of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance of about 1,000 meters ( 3,280 feet ) , '' said Captain Bill Urban , the senior CENTCOM spokesman .
Urban also said that `` the visual inspection occurred to ensure the safety of coalition personnel at Tanf garrison , '' and `` once the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger plane , the F-15 safely opened distance from the aircraft . ''
Tehran , however , opposed the CENTCOM account of events , levying a theory that the jet 's alleged aggressive behavior was tied to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of West Asia should not become a plaything in the U.S. election campaign , '' Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said .
Washington 's relationship with the increasingly unstable Iran has taken a dive in recent months .
Iran has been wracked with a series of mysterious explosions , which some suspect are orchestrated by the United States and Israel .
In the last month , the Islamic regime has executed at least one of its own citizens for suspected ties to foreign espionage .
Tehran `` warn [ s ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they continue their prattle , they will see the upper hand of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the resistance front in action , '' Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi told state press last week .

Iran said an American fighter jet that claimed it conducted a visual inspection of an Iranian passenger plane engaged in a "terrorist act," Reuters reported Friday.
Flying over Syria, a U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) jet allegedly flew near a Mahan Air passenger plane, forcing the airliner to quickly change altitude.
Iranian state television footage showed passengers panicked and injured—at least one was seen bleeding—after the sudden maneuver.
CENTCOM maintains, however, that the jet adhered to strict protocol. The F-15 "conducted a standard visual inspection of a Mahan Air passenger airliner at a safe distance of about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)," said Captain Bill Urban, the senior CENTCOM spokesman.
Urban also said that "the visual inspection occurred to ensure the safety of coalition personnel at Tanf garrison," and "once the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger plane, the F-15 safely opened distance from the aircraft."
Tehran, however, opposed the CENTCOM account of events, levying a theory that the jet's alleged aggressive behavior was tied to the 2020 presidential election.
"The security of West Asia should not become a plaything in the U.S. election campaign," Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.
Washington's relationship with the increasingly unstable Iran has taken a dive in recent months. Iran has been wracked with a series of mysterious explosions, which some suspect are orchestrated by the United States and Israel. In the last month, the Islamic regime has executed at least one of its own citizens for suspected ties to foreign espionage.
Tehran "warn[s] the Zionist liars and their puppeteers that if they continue their prattle, they will see the upper hand of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the resistance front in action," Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi told state press last week.


freebeacon--2020-07-24--San Fran Pays Whistleblower $400K After Retaliation From Progressive Prosecutor

The city of San Francisco was forced to pay a whistleblower $ 400,000 after former district attorney and prominent progressive prosecutor George Gascón repeatedly targeted him in a `` pattern of retaliation and harassment . ''
Henry McKenzie served as a senior investigator under Gascón when the latter was the San Francisco district attorney , but was fired in October 2017 after , McKenzie claimed , he reported Gascón to the TSA for bringing a firearm on flights .
Gascón also placed McKenzie on a so-called Brady list , meaning McKenzie 's credibility would always be in question at trial—a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career .
The settlement may be ammo for moderate Los Angeles district attorney Jackie Lacey , who is running a tight race against the ultra-progressive Gascón .
Their race is widely perceived as a bellwether for efforts to install progressives in district attorneys ' offices across the country , a project of the criminal justice reform movement funded by liberal billionaire George Soros .
`` San Francisco taxpayers have been forced to pay $ 400,000 for George Gascón 's recklessness .
Anyone entrusted to be a prosecutor must understand that no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The people of L.A. County deserve to know why he felt the need to bring firearms on commercial flights and if he knew he was breaking federal law in doing so .
The pattern of harassment and retaliation shown towards the whistleblower demonstrates that he does not possess the leadership and integrity required to run the largest DA 's office in the country . ''
McKenzie and other investigators reported Gascón to the TSA after learning that Gascón was carrying a gun while traveling by air—a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peace officer , which Gascón was not .
Gascón , who has called the entire charge a `` farce , '' claims that he stopped carrying a gun when regulations changed in 2016 .
McKenzie had claimed that his subsequent firing was direct retaliation for the report .
McKenzie told local news Tuesday that he felt vindicated by the unanimous decision from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to settle .
A city spokesman said that it had done so because it would be cheaper to settle than to proceed to trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grist for the mill for Lacey , who has already been forced to fight an arduous first round of campaigning to protect her job as Los Angeles 's first black and first female district attorney .
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti and Rep. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) both walked back their endorsements of Lacey amid nationwide protests of police , by whom Lacey is thought to be favored .
Gascón , who has received financial backing from liberal billionaire George Soros , would likely bring substantial change to the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms in San Francisco that his successor , Chesa Boudin , has brought fully to fruition , and which critics blame for the declining quality of life in the city .

The city of San Francisco was forced to pay a whistleblower $400,000 after former district attorney and prominent progressive prosecutor George Gascón repeatedly targeted him in a "pattern of retaliation and harassment."
Henry McKenzie served as a senior investigator under Gascón when the latter was the San Francisco district attorney, but was fired in October 2017 after, McKenzie claimed, he reported Gascón to the TSA for bringing a firearm on flights. Gascón also placed McKenzie on a so-called Brady list, meaning McKenzie's credibility would always be in question at trial—a decision McKenzie called an effort to destroy his career.
The settlement may be ammo for moderate Los Angeles district attorney Jackie Lacey, who is running a tight race against the ultra-progressive Gascón. Their race is widely perceived as a bellwether for efforts to install progressives in district attorneys' offices across the country, a project of the criminal justice reform movement funded by liberal billionaire George Soros.
"San Francisco taxpayers have been forced to pay $400,000 for George Gascón's recklessness. Anyone entrusted to be a prosecutor must understand that no one is above the law," Lacey told the Washington Free Beacon. "The people of L.A. County deserve to know why he felt the need to bring firearms on commercial flights and if he knew he was breaking federal law in doing so. The pattern of harassment and retaliation shown towards the whistleblower demonstrates that he does not possess the leadership and integrity required to run the largest DA's office in the country."
McKenzie and other investigators reported Gascón to the TSA after learning that Gascón was carrying a gun while traveling by air—a violation of federal law unless one is a peace officer, which Gascón was not. Gascón, who has called the entire charge a "farce," claims that he stopped carrying a gun when regulations changed in 2016. McKenzie had claimed that his subsequent firing was direct retaliation for the report.
McKenzie told local news Tuesday that he felt vindicated by the unanimous decision from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to settle. A city spokesman said that it had done so because it would be cheaper to settle than to proceed to trial.
The ruling against Gascón is likely grist for the mill for Lacey, who has already been forced to fight an arduous first round of campaigning to protect her job as Los Angeles's first black and first female district attorney. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti and Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) both walked back their endorsements of Lacey amid nationwide protests of police, by whom Lacey is thought to be favored.
Gascón, who has received financial backing from liberal billionaire George Soros, would likely bring substantial change to the city if elected. He helped pilot progressive reforms in San Francisco that his successor, Chesa Boudin, has brought fully to fruition, and which critics blame for the declining quality of life in the city.