freebeacon--2020-09-29--CENTER STAGE: Five Crucial Tax Questions for Joe Biden

President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden will square off in Cleveland on Tuesday in the first presidential debate .
They will discuss a number of issues , including whether or not Biden is under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs and why his campaign refused to submit to an earpiece inspection .
In light of recent news reports , one issue in particular will be of interest to the viewing public : Taxes .
Much is already known about Trump 's taxes and the business skills he expertly deploys to avoid paying them .
Biden , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman .
If he wants to allay the concerns of undecided voters , Biden must answer these crucial tax-related questions at tonight 's debate .
1 ) Did you claim Hunter Biden as a dependent on your latest tax return ?
Hunter is reportedly trying to make it as an artist in Los Angeles .
He has no discernible source of income but somehow managed to pay off—in less than a week—a $ 453,890 tax lien filed by the District of Columbia in July .
Where 'd that money come from ?
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in taxes on the $ 3.5 million wire transfer he received from Elena Baturina , the richest woman in Russia ?
The curious payment was unearthed by a Senate Republican investigation into Hunter 's shady business dealings abroad .
Baturina is the widow of Yury Luzhkov , the former mayor of Moscow .
3 ) Do you support making the monthly child support payments Hunter Biden agreed to send the mother of `` NJR , '' the grandson whose existence you refuse to acknowledge , tax deductible ?
After initially denying he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named `` Dallas , '' Hunter reached a confidential financial settlement with the Arkansas woman after a court-ordered DNA test found him to be the father of the unnamed child .
Joe Biden has consistently refused to claim `` NJR '' as his grandchild , although it is unclear whether this is due to spite or the steady decline in his cognitive ability .
4 ) Should getting plastic surgery to look like your historic female running mate Kamala Harris be a tax-deductible expense ?
According to a local NBC news affiliate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergo eight operations in an effort to look like Harris , whom the woman described as `` an inspiration and an excellent role model for women of color , as well as for all women and all people everywhere . ''
The full-body makeover will include breast augmentation , a liquid rhinoplasty , and liposuction .
5 ) You 've been in politics your entire life .
Why are you so poor ?
Biden has a net worth of about $ 9 million .
The former VP 's 2019 tax return reveals that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , earned less than $ 1 million last year .
Barack Obama , by comparison , is raking in book advances and Netflix deals worth tens of millions and is on track to become the first U.S. president to achieve billionaire status after leaving office .
Bill Clinton and Al Gore are multi-multi-millionaires as well .
What happened ?

President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden will square off in Cleveland on Tuesday in the first presidential debate. They will discuss a number of issues, including whether or not Biden is under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs and why his campaign refused to submit to an earpiece inspection.
In light of recent news reports, one issue in particular will be of interest to the viewing public: Taxes. Much is already known about Trump's taxes and the business skills he expertly deploys to avoid paying them. Biden, on the other hand, is not a successful businessman. If he wants to allay the concerns of undecided voters, Biden must answer these crucial tax-related questions at tonight's debate.
1) Did you claim Hunter Biden as a dependent on your latest tax return?
Hunter is reportedly trying to make it as an artist in Los Angeles. He has no discernible source of income but somehow managed to pay off—in less than a week—a $453,890 tax lien filed by the District of Columbia in July. Where'd that money come from?
2) How much did Hunter Biden pay in taxes on the $3.5 million wire transfer he received from Elena Baturina, the richest woman in Russia?
The curious payment was unearthed by a Senate Republican investigation into Hunter's shady business dealings abroad. Baturina is the widow of Yury Luzhkov, the former mayor of Moscow.
3) Do you support making the monthly child support payments Hunter Biden agreed to send the mother of "NJR," the grandson whose existence you refuse to acknowledge, tax deductible?
After initially denying he had a sexual relationship with an exotic dancer named "Dallas," Hunter reached a confidential financial settlement with the Arkansas woman after a court-ordered DNA test found him to be the father of the unnamed child. Joe Biden has consistently refused to claim "NJR" as his grandchild, although it is unclear whether this is due to spite or the steady decline in his cognitive ability.
4) Should getting plastic surgery to look like your historic female running mate Kamala Harris be a tax-deductible expense?
According to a local NBC news affiliate, a woman in Houston is planning to undergo eight operations in an effort to look like Harris, whom the woman described as "an inspiration and an excellent role model for women of color, as well as for all women and all people everywhere." The full-body makeover will include breast augmentation, a liquid rhinoplasty, and liposuction.
5) You've been in politics your entire life. Why are you so poor?
Biden has a net worth of about $9 million. The former VP's 2019 tax return reveals that he and his wife, Dr. Jill, earned less than $1 million last year. Barack Obama, by comparison, is raking in book advances and Netflix deals worth tens of millions and is on track to become the first U.S. president to achieve billionaire status after leaving office. Bill Clinton and Al Gore are multi-multi-millionaires as well. What happened?


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Top Biden Labor Ally Drops Reelection Bid Amid Federal Probe

One of Joe Biden 's closest labor allies dropped his reelection bid as union president amid a federal probe into allegations that he illegally siphoned more than $ 1 million from the union treasury .
Harold Schaitberger , the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters , announced his decision to forgo reelection in an email sent Tuesday morning to union members , putting an end to his 20-year tenure as the top honcho of a labor group that represents more than 300,000 members .
He will step down from office after the union 's January election .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life to this wonderful union , I have decided not to run for re-election as your General President , '' Schaitberger wrote in the email .
`` This IAFF is too important .
I can not stand by and allow our union to become even more divided . ''
Schaitberger 's fall from grace started in March , when an internal probe led by the union 's second-in-command Ed Kelly found that he misappropriated millions of dollars from the union pension fund .
The internal probe , which the Washington Free Beacon first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 million in union funds had disappeared during Schaitberger 's tenure .
The FBI launched its own corruption probe into the union in September , causing many dues-paying firefighters to lose faith in the organization .
The union leader 's exit is a major loss for the Biden campaign , which counted the Schaitberger-led IAFF as one of its most loyal labor allies .
The union endorsed Biden on the day of his campaign launch , the first major national union to back the former vice president .
The union also donated $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly $ 75,000 in outside spending to support him in 2019 , throwing a critical lifeline to a campaign that faced persistent challenges from the progressive left .
Schaitberger , for his part , has attempted to beat back pro-Trump elements in the union and pledged to `` do everything in my power to help Joe Biden become the next president . ''
His exit may dampen the union 's support for Biden , especially since many rank-and-file members objected to the endorsement .
IAFF Local 22 , which represents more than 4,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump hours after Schaitberger sent his email to the union membership .
Kelly , the union 's number two and a top candidate to replace Schaitberger , employs a top staffer who is aligned with Trump and fundraised for the Republican Party .
Daniel Coughlin , an IAFF firefighter in New Haven , Connecticut , said many rank-and-file union members have always supported the president even if the national union does not .
`` Unions , especially the IAFF , have been neck-and-neck with the Democratic Party , but there 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls who are pro-Trump , '' he said .
Schaitberger denied the corruption allegations against him in the email .
Instead , he maintained that he has wrongly been made the `` stalking horse of much of the false information , division , anger and rancor '' that have caused division in the union .
`` The innuendo , baseless allegations and misleading accusations .
There 's no accountability and , that , in my view , has harmed our great union , '' he said .
Coughlin said the announcement did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rank-and-file members since they did not see how the union president could survive the scandal .
He hoped Schaitberger 's resignation would pave the way for a more accountable union leadership that could restore trust .
`` I do n't think it 's unexpected—something had to be done .
I could n't see him surviving this , one way or another , '' he said .
`` I think [ Schaitberger 's exit ] might give the men and women of the international a little hope that someone is out there looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank Ricci , a senior strategist for the Yankee Institute and former IAFF local president , said the union , as well as federal investigators , should continue to scrutinize Schaitberger 's financial dealings .
He criticized national union executives for fostering a culture of corruption .
`` It is clear President Schaitberger ’ s and his cronies ' personal greed , scandals , and schemes has fractured the IAFF ’ s influence , '' Ricci said .
`` Schaitberger ending his failed reelection campaign should not close the door to wider FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were complicit in his actions that need to be smoked out . ''
The union did not respond to a request for comment .

One of Joe Biden's closest labor allies dropped his reelection bid as union president amid a federal probe into allegations that he illegally siphoned more than $1 million from the union treasury.
Harold Schaitberger, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, announced his decision to forgo reelection in an email sent Tuesday morning to union members, putting an end to his 20-year tenure as the top honcho of a labor group that represents more than 300,000 members. He will step down from office after the union's January election.
"After dedicating almost 50 years of my life to this wonderful union, I have decided not to run for re-election as your General President," Schaitberger wrote in the email. "This IAFF is too important. I cannot stand by and allow our union to become even more divided."
Schaitberger's fall from grace started in March, when an internal probe led by the union's second-in-command Ed Kelly found that he misappropriated millions of dollars from the union pension fund. The internal probe, which the Washington Free Beacon first reported on, alleged that roughly $6 million in union funds had disappeared during Schaitberger's tenure. The FBI launched its own corruption probe into the union in September, causing many dues-paying firefighters to lose faith in the organization.
The union leader's exit is a major loss for the Biden campaign, which counted the Schaitberger-led IAFF as one of its most loyal labor allies. The union endorsed Biden on the day of his campaign launch, the first major national union to back the former vice president. The union also donated $5,000 to the Biden campaign and spent nearly $75,000 in outside spending to support him in 2019, throwing a critical lifeline to a campaign that faced persistent challenges from the progressive left. Schaitberger, for his part, has attempted to beat back pro-Trump elements in the union and pledged to "do everything in my power to help Joe Biden become the next president."
His exit may dampen the union's support for Biden, especially since many rank-and-file members objected to the endorsement. IAFF Local 22, which represents more than 4,700 emergency responders in Philadelphia, endorsed President Donald Trump hours after Schaitberger sent his email to the union membership. Kelly, the union's number two and a top candidate to replace Schaitberger, employs a top staffer who is aligned with Trump and fundraised for the Republican Party.
Daniel Coughlin, an IAFF firefighter in New Haven, Connecticut, said many rank-and-file union members have always supported the president even if the national union does not.
"Unions, especially the IAFF, have been neck-and-neck with the Democratic Party, but there's a lot of blue collar regular guys and girls who are pro-Trump," he said.
Schaitberger denied the corruption allegations against him in the email. Instead, he maintained that he has wrongly been made the "stalking horse of much of the false information, division, anger and rancor" that have caused division in the union. "The innuendo, baseless allegations and misleading accusations. There's no accountability and, that, in my view, has harmed our great union," he said.
Coughlin said the announcement did not come as a surprise to most of the rank-and-file members since they did not see how the union president could survive the scandal. He hoped Schaitberger's resignation would pave the way for a more accountable union leadership that could restore trust.
"I don't think it's unexpected—something had to be done. I couldn't see him surviving this, one way or another," he said. "I think [Schaitberger's exit] might give the men and women of the international a little hope that someone is out there looking out for them after all."
Frank Ricci, a senior strategist for the Yankee Institute and former IAFF local president, said the union, as well as federal investigators, should continue to scrutinize Schaitberger's financial dealings. He criticized national union executives for fostering a culture of corruption.
"It is clear President Schaitberger’s and his cronies' personal greed, scandals, and schemes has fractured the IAFF’s influence," Ricci said. "Schaitberger ending his failed reelection campaign should not close the door to wider FBI investigations. There are other rats that were complicit in his actions that need to be smoked out."
The union did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--UFC Fighters to Campaign With Don Jr. Ahead of Election

Jorge Masvidal and other UFC fighters will campaign with Donald Trump Jr. this weekend in a tour they 're calling the `` Fighters Against Socialism . ''
The UFC welterweight contender will participate in three rallies across Florida this Saturday , Sept. 3. , ESPN 's Ariel Helwani reported .
`` Jorge Masvidal will join Donald Trump Jr. on a day long ‘ Fighters Against Socialism ’ bus tour across Florida this Saturday , '' Helwani wrote on Twitter .
`` They will hold 3 rallies in Tampa , Orlando and Miami .
Their final rally will be at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous fighters to join . ''
It is not clear which fighters will join Masvidal on the tour , but Trump has had many vocal supporters in the mixed martial arts .
UFC president Dana White was an early supporter of Trump and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention , and welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has also attended Trump campaign events and received warm wishes from the president .
Last Friday Trump tipped his hat to the Miami-born Masvidal during a `` Latinos for Trump '' campaign event in Doral , Fla. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said .
`` And one I heard , in particular , I saw a very fast knockout not so long ago .
Where ’ s Jorge ? ''
`` Great to have you , man .
I ’ m a big fan , '' Trump added .
Masvidal later said he was `` humbled '' the president knew him by name .

Jorge Masvidal and other UFC fighters will campaign with Donald Trump Jr. this weekend in a tour they're calling the "Fighters Against Socialism."
The UFC welterweight contender will participate in three rallies across Florida this Saturday, Sept. 3., ESPN's Ariel Helwani reported.
"Jorge Masvidal will join Donald Trump Jr. on a day long ‘Fighters Against Socialism’ bus tour across Florida this Saturday," Helwani wrote on Twitter. "They will hold 3 rallies in Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Their final rally will be at the American Top Team gym where they expect numerous fighters to join."
Jorge Masvidal will join Donald Trump Jr. on a day long "Fighters Against Socialism" bus tour across Florida this Saturday. They will hold 3 rallies in Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Their final rally will be at the American Top Team gym where they expect numerous fighters to join. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 29, 2020
It is not clear which fighters will join Masvidal on the tour, but Trump has had many vocal supporters in the mixed martial arts. UFC president Dana White was an early supporter of Trump and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has also attended Trump campaign events and received warm wishes from the president.
Last Friday Trump tipped his hat to the Miami-born Masvidal during a "Latinos for Trump" campaign event in Doral, Fla.
"We have some real champions here," Trump said. "And one I heard, in particular, I saw a very fast knockout not so long ago. Where’s Jorge?"
"Great to have you, man. I’m a big fan," Trump added.
Masvidal later said he was "humbled" the president knew him by name.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--New Ad from Pro-Trump MOMS PAC Highlights Liberal Mob Violence

A new $ 3 million ad campaign uses the violent liberal protests in cities across the country from this summer to argue that reelecting President Trump is the `` only safe option '' for families .
In the ad from Moms for Safe Neighborhoods , a new pro-Trump super PAC , a mother has a nightmare about rioters smashing her car and house windows—a familiar sight in many neighborhoods during this summer 's anti-police riots .
`` They ’ ll defund the police .
They 'll disarm them , '' the ad warns of electing Democrats this November .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true . ''
The ad from the group , which will go by MOMS , will appear nationally on A & E , Bravo , TLC , and Fox News .
Jessica Anderson , a former Trump administration aide heading up the new group , told the Washington Free Beacon that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would threaten the safety of American families if elected .
`` Biden has been forced to embrace a radical liberal agenda that would mean fewer police to protect our families , '' she said .
`` President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods and safe families , the only way we can keep that progress going is making sure he gets reelected in November . ''
Riots broke out in many major cities following the death of George Floyd in late May .
The Justice Department last week called out New York , Portland , and Seattle city governments for `` permitting anarchy '' by failing to stop the violent outbreaks .

Moms for Safe Neighborhoods says Trump is the 'only safe option' for families
A new $3 million ad campaign uses the violent liberal protests in cities across the country from this summer to argue that reelecting President Trump is the "only safe option" for families.
In the ad from Moms for Safe Neighborhoods, a new pro-Trump super PAC, a mother has a nightmare about rioters smashing her car and house windows—a familiar sight in many neighborhoods during this summer's anti-police riots. "They’ll defund the police. They'll disarm them," the ad warns of electing Democrats this November. "Don’t let the nightmare come true."
The ad from the group, which will go by MOMS, will appear nationally on A&E, Bravo, TLC, and Fox News.
Jessica Anderson, a former Trump administration aide heading up the new group, told the Washington Free Beacon that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would threaten the safety of American families if elected.
"Biden has been forced to embrace a radical liberal agenda that would mean fewer police to protect our families," she said. "President Trump has repeatedly stood up for safe neighborhoods and safe families, the only way we can keep that progress going is making sure he gets reelected in November."
Riots broke out in many major cities following the death of George Floyd in late May. The Justice Department last week called out New York, Portland, and Seattle city governments for "permitting anarchy" by failing to stop the violent outbreaks.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Trump and Biden’s Great Debate Moments

Trump and Biden’s Great Debate Moments

President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden are experienced debaters .
The Washington Free Beacon looks back at @ @ @ @ @ at the podium .
David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
@ @ @ @ @ reporter for two years in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington @ @ @ @ @ Vanderbilt University in 2010 and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ @ @ @ @ @ reached at rutz @ freebeacon.com .

President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden are experienced debaters. The Washington Free Beacon looks back at the highlights of their turns at the podium.


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Israel Won’t Rule Out Preemptive Strike on Iran, Bibi Says

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that he is `` not ruling out '' a preemptive strike on Iran , the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday .
`` A preemptive strike is a difficult thing to do , '' Netanyahu explained .
`` I know that if Iran wants to base itself in the north , we are ready to fight them… .
We will do everything in order to protect the State of Israel ; we are not ruling out a preliminary strike . ''
The prime minister ’ s remarks came during a memorial for the 1973 Yom Kippur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab states after Egypt deployed a rapid attack on the Sinai region .
Accordingly , Netanyahu exhorted fellow Israelis to take to heart lessons from the war , which include standing watch against regional adversaries .
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin agreed that vigilance in security and domestic affairs remains critical .
`` The surprise that was our lot in that war must not be forgotten and must not be repeated : not in security , but also not in health or in the economy , '' said Rivlin .
In order to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown , leaders emphasized strength and readiness .
Growing threats from Iran and its robust military buildup have made Jerusalem an attractive ally to other Gulf states , leading to peace deals with Bahrain and the UAE in the last month .
`` This is the power on our side , '' Netanyahu said .
`` [ It is ] the power that brought peace with Jordan , Egypt , agreements with the UAE and Bahrain .
The power that will bring peace with additional states . ''
With a new coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination of intensified rhetoric and progress in nuclearization from Tehran has kept the option of a preemptive strike on the table .
Israel has used the tactic before on adversaries with nuclear aspirations : A 1981 preemptive airstrike called `` Operation Opera '' set back Iraq ’ s nuclear program for decades .
The strike prompted the creation of the `` Begin doctrine , '' a defining feature of Israeli statecraft named after former prime minister Menachem Begin .
The doctrine holds that it is Israel 's policy to carry out preemptive strikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Netanyahu 's remarks at the memorial service echo the rhetoric used by Begin .
`` On no account shall we permit an enemy to develop weapons of mass destruction against the people of Israel , '' Begin ’ s government said soon after the airstrike .
`` We shall defend the citizens of Israel in good time and with all the means at our disposal . ''

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that he is "not ruling out" a preemptive strike on Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.
"A preemptive strike is a difficult thing to do," Netanyahu explained. "I know that if Iran wants to base itself in the north, we are ready to fight them.... We will do everything in order to protect the State of Israel; we are not ruling out a preliminary strike."
The prime minister’s remarks came during a memorial for the 1973 Yom Kippur War, which pitted Israel against multiple Arab states after Egypt deployed a rapid attack on the Sinai region. Accordingly, Netanyahu exhorted fellow Israelis to take to heart lessons from the war, which include standing watch against regional adversaries.
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin agreed that vigilance in security and domestic affairs remains critical. "The surprise that was our lot in that war must not be forgotten and must not be repeated: not in security, but also not in health or in the economy," said Rivlin.
In order to keep Israel secure as it enters a second coronavirus lockdown, leaders emphasized strength and readiness. Growing threats from Iran and its robust military buildup have made Jerusalem an attractive ally to other Gulf states, leading to peace deals with Bahrain and the UAE in the last month.
"This is the power on our side," Netanyahu said. "[It is] the power that brought peace with Jordan, Egypt, agreements with the UAE and Bahrain. The power that will bring peace with additional states."
With a new coalition to push back against Iran, the combination of intensified rhetoric and progress in nuclearization from Tehran has kept the option of a preemptive strike on the table.
Israel has used the tactic before on adversaries with nuclear aspirations: A 1981 preemptive airstrike called "Operation Opera" set back Iraq’s nuclear program for decades.
The strike prompted the creation of the "Begin doctrine," a defining feature of Israeli statecraft named after former prime minister Menachem Begin. The doctrine holds that it is Israel's policy to carry out preemptive strikes to prevent enemies from acquiring nuclear weapons. Netanyahu's remarks at the memorial service echo the rhetoric used by Begin.
"On no account shall we permit an enemy to develop weapons of mass destruction against the people of Israel," Begin’s government said soon after the airstrike. "We shall defend the citizens of Israel in good time and with all the means at our disposal."


freebeacon--2020-09-29--Adopting Biden Line, Chinese State Media Compares Pompeo to Nazi

Chinese state media called Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a `` modern-day Joseph Goebbels '' on Saturday , imitating language Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden used the same day to describe President Donald Trump .
Chen Weihua , European Union bureau chief for the state-run China Daily , took a page out of the Biden playbook in response to a Pompeo statement about Chinese technology .
The statement focused on protecting American data privacy from the Chinese Communist Party .
`` Pompeo may not realize that his daily attacks on China in his tweets and speeches help unite the 1.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chen replied .
`` By now , the whole world understands what a modern-day Joseph Goebbels Pompeo is . ''
Joseph Goebbels was the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany and one of Adolf Hitler ’ s top lieutenants .
Presidential nominee Joe Biden used similar language about Donald Trump hours before Chen ’ s tweet .
During an interview with MSNBC ’ s Stephanie Ruhle , he compared Trump to the Nazi leader in response to Trump ’ s claims that Biden is pushing a socialist agenda .
`` [ Trump is ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Ruhle .
`` You say the lie long enough , keep repeating it , repeating it , repeating it , it becomes common knowledge . ''
Biden added that Trump is more `` Castro than Churchill . ''
The Trump campaign strongly rejected the comparison .
`` Rather than launching preposterous accusations against the president , Joe Biden and his team should answer for inviting notorious anti-Semites Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour to speak at the Democrat National Convention , '' said Ken Farnaso , the campaign ’ s deputy national press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distract Americans from his disastrous record and socialist policies . ''
This is not the first time Biden campaign surrogates and the Chinese Communist Party have shared language to describe the current administration and its leaders as Nazis .
Former ambassador to China under Barack Obama and Biden campaign surrogate Max Baucus compared Trump ’ s behavior toward Beijing to the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler in May as the White House criticized China ’ s mishandling of the coronavirus .
Baucus has also repeatedly likened Trump ’ s approach to China to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state media .
The term is a favored one among Communist Party elites to deflect criticism of China ’ s failed record on human rights , accountability , and transparency , often used by CCP foreign minister Wang Yi .

Chinese state media called Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a "modern-day Joseph Goebbels" on Saturday, imitating language Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden used the same day to describe President Donald Trump.
Chen Weihua, European Union bureau chief for the state-run China Daily, took a page out of the Biden playbook in response to a Pompeo statement about Chinese technology. The statement focused on protecting American data privacy from the Chinese Communist Party.
"Pompeo may not realize that his daily attacks on China in his tweets and speeches help unite the 1.4 billion Chinese around their government," Chen replied. "By now, the whole world understands what a modern-day Joseph Goebbels Pompeo is."
Joseph Goebbels was the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany and one of Adolf Hitler’s top lieutenants.
Presidential nominee Joe Biden used similar language about Donald Trump hours before Chen’s tweet. During an interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, he compared Trump to the Nazi leader in response to Trump’s claims that Biden is pushing a socialist agenda.
"[Trump is] sort of like Goebbels," Biden told Ruhle. "You say the lie long enough, keep repeating it, repeating it, repeating it, it becomes common knowledge." Biden added that Trump is more "Castro than Churchill."
The Trump campaign strongly rejected the comparison.
"Rather than launching preposterous accusations against the president, Joe Biden and his team should answer for inviting notorious anti-Semites Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour to speak at the Democrat National Convention," said Ken Farnaso, the campaign’s deputy national press secretary. "Biden is desperately trying to distract Americans from his disastrous record and socialist policies."
This is not the first time Biden campaign surrogates and the Chinese Communist Party have shared language to describe the current administration and its leaders as Nazis.
Former ambassador to China under Barack Obama and Biden campaign surrogate Max Baucus compared Trump’s behavior toward Beijing to the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler in May as the White House criticized China’s mishandling of the coronavirus.
Baucus has also repeatedly likened Trump’s approach to China to "McCarthyism," often on Chinese state media. The term is a favored one among Communist Party elites to deflect criticism of China’s failed record on human rights, accountability, and transparency, often used by CCP foreign minister Wang Yi.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--House GOP Calls for Moving Vital Industries From China to America

House Republicans are pushing to seal the deal on a host of policies to withdraw vital American industries from China in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
The GOP-chartered House China Task Force issued a report on Wednesday that calls in part for Congress to enact the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act 's bevy of policies .
Those policies , many of which have already passed the House , aim at reducing U.S. supply chain dependency on the Chinese Communist regime , which the report labeled a risk to American safety and prosperity .
`` The next step is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this defense bill—we sadly kicked the can on that to December—to get that over the finish line , '' Rep. Michael Waltz ( R. , Fla. ) , who helped draft the report , told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` I think it has a number of very good provisions in there .
I think that 's the most immediate legislative vehicle . ''
Republicans have been pushing for supply chain repatriation since late March , when coronavirus-induced hoarding in China contributed to the United States ' struggle to provide adequate medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Task Force 's recommendations signal that Republicans and some Democrats are still eager to pass reshoring measures through the act and other legislation in the next session .
The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission 's decision to unilaterally seize control of medical manufacturing and logistics `` down to the factory level '' made the need for supply chain repatriation clear , the report argues .
The move allowed China to quintuple its production of protective masks , but also prohibited foreign companies from taking their medical products out of China—a major threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure public health .
The task force report calls for legal changes to increase domestic production of medical goods and reduce dependency on China , including the identification of `` drugs , biologics , vaccines , and critical medical equipment '' as part of the United States ' national security strategy .
Another proposal would create federal incentives for companies to produce drugs ' active ingredients in the United States—a major concern when China currently makes an estimated 40 percent of those ingredients .
The coronavirus crisis served as a `` wake-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-shoring medical supplies , Waltz argued .
`` We found that we could n't get access to PPE , that we could n't get access to the drugs that we needed , and not only are they offshore , but they are controlled by an adversary , '' he said .
`` It 's a critical national security issue we have to address . ''
Wednesday 's report , however , goes even broader , calling for the repatriation of other industries on national security concerns .
One such industry is the production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elements , over which China currently exercises substantial control .
Waltz told the Free Beacon he 's optimistic that the NDAA and other repatriation bills will pass the House by a bipartisan majority .
He noted that while Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) pulled support for the China Task Force , other House Democrats `` who are really seeing the threat-reporting and what 's going on '' are sympathetic to the push .
Waltz fears that Joe Biden , if elected president , would undo Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however .
`` I worry that a Biden administration will carry forward … this old thinking that [ if ] we just continue to cooperate with China economically , eventually they 'll transform politically and democratically , '' Waltz said .
`` I think we 've shown that to be not the case , particularly under President Xi . ''

House Republicans are pushing to seal the deal on a host of policies to withdraw vital American industries from China in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The GOP-chartered House China Task Force issued a report on Wednesday that calls in part for Congress to enact the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act's bevy of policies. Those policies, many of which have already passed the House, aim at reducing U.S. supply chain dependency on the Chinese Communist regime, which the report labeled a risk to American safety and prosperity.
"The next step is to get this NDAA, to get this defense bill—we sadly kicked the can on that to December—to get that over the finish line," Rep. Michael Waltz (R., Fla.), who helped draft the report, told the Washington Free Beacon. "I think it has a number of very good provisions in there. I think that's the most immediate legislative vehicle."
Republicans have been pushing for supply chain repatriation since late March, when coronavirus-induced hoarding in China contributed to the United States' struggle to provide adequate medical materiel to front-line doctors. The China Task Force's recommendations signal that Republicans and some Democrats are still eager to pass reshoring measures through the act and other legislation in the next session.
The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission's decision to unilaterally seize control of medical manufacturing and logistics "down to the factory level" made the need for supply chain repatriation clear, the report argues. The move allowed China to quintuple its production of protective masks, but also prohibited foreign companies from taking their medical products out of China—a major threat to western countries dependent on Chinese production to secure public health.
The task force report calls for legal changes to increase domestic production of medical goods and reduce dependency on China, including the identification of "drugs, biologics, vaccines, and critical medical equipment" as part of the United States' national security strategy. Another proposal would create federal incentives for companies to produce drugs' active ingredients in the United States—a major concern when China currently makes an estimated 40 percent of those ingredients.
The coronavirus crisis served as a "wake-up call" as to the risks of off-shoring medical supplies, Waltz argued.
"We found that we couldn't get access to PPE, that we couldn't get access to the drugs that we needed, and not only are they offshore, but they are controlled by an adversary," he said. "It's a critical national security issue we have to address."
Wednesday's report, however, goes even broader, calling for the repatriation of other industries on national security concerns. One such industry is the production of military-grade semiconductor chips and rare earth elements, over which China currently exercises substantial control.
Waltz told the Free Beacon he's optimistic that the NDAA and other repatriation bills will pass the House by a bipartisan majority. He noted that while Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) pulled support for the China Task Force, other House Democrats "who are really seeing the threat-reporting and what's going on" are sympathetic to the push.
Waltz fears that Joe Biden, if elected president, would undo Donald Trump's more standoffish approach to China, however.
"I worry that a Biden administration will carry forward … this old thinking that [if] we just continue to cooperate with China economically, eventually they'll transform politically and democratically," Waltz said. "I think we've shown that to be not the case, particularly under President Xi."


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Harris Dodges Question on Court Packing: ‘Deal With Later Later’

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris ( Calif. ) would again not directly say whether she would support expanding the Supreme Court Tuesday night .
`` We are 35 days away from an election that is probably the most important election of our lifetime and our children 's lifetime , '' she said on CNN .
`` The Republican leader of the Senate together with Donald Trump are , in the spirit of hypocrisy , trying to push through a nominee while the American people are voting .
Joe has been really clear .
Let 's focus on what 's happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
CNN anchor Jake Tapper said Joe Biden and Harris had not been willing to `` give a straight answer '' on the issue and noted after Harris 's response she had dodged again .
Some Senate Democrats have voiced support for packing the Supreme Court if they take power in 2021 as retaliation for Republicans confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Biden previously opposed court packing but has been noncommittal in recent weeks .
At Tuesday night 's presidential debate , Biden said he would not answer Trump 's question on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dickerson to call it a `` straight-up dodge . ''
During her failed presidential run last year , Harris said she was `` absolutely open to '' expanding the Supreme Court .

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris (Calif.) would again not directly say whether she would support expanding the Supreme Court Tuesday night.
"We are 35 days away from an election that is probably the most important election of our lifetime and our children's lifetime," she said on CNN. "The Republican leader of the Senate together with Donald Trump are, in the spirit of hypocrisy, trying to push through a nominee while the American people are voting. Joe has been really clear. Let's focus on what's happening right now. Deal with later later."
CNN anchor Jake Tapper said Joe Biden and Harris had not been willing to "give a straight answer" on the issue and noted after Harris's response she had dodged again.
Some Senate Democrats have voiced support for packing the Supreme Court if they take power in 2021 as retaliation for Republicans confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Biden previously opposed court packing but has been noncommittal in recent weeks. At Tuesday night's presidential debate, Biden said he would not answer Trump's question on the subject, leading CBS reporter John Dickerson to call it a "straight-up dodge."
During her failed presidential run last year, Harris said she was "absolutely open to" expanding the Supreme Court.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--DEBATE WRAP: Biden Exceeds Expectations, Loses Shouting Match with Dignity Intact

`` That was a shitshow , '' said CNN pundit Dana Bash following the first presidential debate between President Donald J. Trump and Joe Biden , a 77-year-old Democrat from Scranton , Pennsylvania .
She was n't entirely wrong , though most observers expected as much .
Meanwhile , so little was expected of Biden that the former vice president won a moral victory of sorts by losing the chaotic shouting match with dignity , not to mention staying awake and reasonably alert throughout the contest , and speaking somewhat coherently .
For example , independent analysts were unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden was wearing an ear piece , while Free Beacon medical experts were divided as to whether Biden was under the influence of performance enhancing drugs .
At times Biden was unable to control his rage , imploring his opponent to `` shut up , man , '' and accusing Trump—without evidence—of being `` the worst president America has ever had . ''
Yet Biden did n't always let his notorious temper get the best of him .
`` It 's hard to get any word in with this clown , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the debate , before correcting himself .
`` Excuse me , this person . ''
Trump , meanwhile , asserted his dominance throughout by talking powerfully .
`` Antifa is a violent group , '' he scolded Biden during a discussion of civil unrest in Democratic cities .
`` They 'd overthrow you in two seconds . ''
Trump eviscerated his opponent for graduating college as `` the lowest or almost the lowest in your class , '' and warned Biden to never `` use the word ‘ smart ' with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart , Joe . ''
The president did not , however , invite Biden sexual assault accuser Tara Reade to attend the debate , which was hosted by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio .
Biden struggled to find coherence at times .
For example , he refused to answer Wallace 's question about whether he would support Democratic proposals to end the Senate filibuster and pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices .
`` People should go out and vote , '' Biden said , but without explaining why voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial issues before choosing a candidate .
He forcefully , but unconvincingly , defended his renegade son Hunter as having done `` nothing wrong '' because `` everybody , '' specifically `` the media , '' agrees with him .
Biden did not , however , agree to acknowledge `` NJR , '' the son Hunter fathered with an exotic dancer known as `` Dallas . ''
MORE : Biden Can ’ t Name Single Law Enforcement Group That Supports Him Wallace , for his part , struggled to appear relevant amidst the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage .
`` I hate to raise my voice .
But why should I be any different than the two of you ? ''
the moderator said , pathetically .
Wallace did , however , manage to ask Trump tougher questions than any mainstream media moderator would ever ask of a Democratic candidate .
In any event , the candidate largely ignored Wallace 's pleas for decorum , and proceeded to exchange barbs on stage .
`` China ate your lunch , Joe , '' Trump said during a back-and-forth about the communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He talks about the art of the deal , '' the former VP said of Trump .
`` China has perfected the art of the steal . ''
Perhaps most notably , Biden 's forehead was assessed by independent dermatological experts to be unusually smooth for someone of such an advanced age .
A subsequent Free Beacon analysis concurred with this assessment after reviewing the debate footage with the help of proprietary photographic enhancement technology .

"That was a shitshow," said CNN pundit Dana Bash following the first presidential debate between President Donald J. Trump and Joe Biden, a 77-year-old Democrat from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She wasn't entirely wrong, though most observers expected as much. Meanwhile, so little was expected of Biden that the former vice president won a moral victory of sorts by losing the chaotic shouting match with dignity, not to mention staying awake and reasonably alert throughout the contest, and speaking somewhat coherently.
For example, independent analysts were unable to determine with scientific certainty whether or not Biden was wearing an ear piece, while Free Beacon medical experts were divided as to whether Biden was under the influence of performance enhancing drugs. At times Biden was unable to control his rage, imploring his opponent to "shut up, man," and accusing Trump—without evidence—of being "the worst president America has ever had."
Yet Biden didn't always let his notorious temper get the best of him. "It's hard to get any word in with this clown," Biden told moderator Chris Wallace at one point during the debate, before correcting himself. "Excuse me, this person."
Trump, meanwhile, asserted his dominance throughout by talking powerfully. "Antifa is a violent group," he scolded Biden during a discussion of civil unrest in Democratic cities. "They'd overthrow you in two seconds." Trump eviscerated his opponent for graduating college as "the lowest or almost the lowest in your class," and warned Biden to never "use the word 'smart' with me" because "nothing about you is smart, Joe." The president did not, however, invite Biden sexual assault accuser Tara Reade to attend the debate, which was hosted by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Biden struggled to find coherence at times. For example, he refused to answer Wallace's question about whether he would support Democratic proposals to end the Senate filibuster and pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices. "People should go out and vote," Biden said, but without explaining why voters shouldn't know his stance on those crucial issues before choosing a candidate. He forcefully, but unconvincingly, defended his renegade son Hunter as having done "nothing wrong" because "everybody," specifically "the media," agrees with him. Biden did not, however, agree to acknowledge "NJR," the son Hunter fathered with an exotic dancer known as "Dallas."
MORE: Biden Can’t Name Single Law Enforcement Group That Supports Him
Wallace, for his part, struggled to appear relevant amidst the septuagenarian mayhem playing out on the debate stage. "I hate to raise my voice. But why should I be any different than the two of you?" the moderator said, pathetically. Wallace did, however, manage to ask Trump tougher questions than any mainstream media moderator would ever ask of a Democratic candidate.
In any event, the candidate largely ignored Wallace's pleas for decorum, and proceeded to exchange barbs on stage. "China ate your lunch, Joe," Trump said during a back-and-forth about the communist nation. Biden struck back. "He talks about the art of the deal," the former VP said of Trump. "China has perfected the art of the steal."
Perhaps most notably, Biden's forehead was assessed by independent dermatological experts to be unusually smooth for someone of such an advanced age. A subsequent Free Beacon analysis concurred with this assessment after reviewing the debate footage with the help of proprietary photographic enhancement technology.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Who Wins an Unwatchable Debate?

Who Wins an Unwatchable Debate?

Over coffee this morning I read a fascinating interview with Martin Gurri , the former CIA analyst who first noticed the seismic impact of social media on world politics .
The author of The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium , Gurri studies the fracturing of discourse and the frantic attempts of elites to reassert control over public life .
`` We are in the first stages of a gigantic transformation from the industrial mode of information and communication to something that does n't even have a name yet , '' Gurri said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the narratives .
The ideal of representative democracy is in trouble , for example , and the institutions around that ideal will have to be reformed if they wish to retain any sort of legitimacy . ''
The first presidential debate offered plenty of evidence for Gurri 's thesis .
No one who watched the 90-minute spectacle would be able to arrive at the conclusion that representative democracy is in good shape .
And the various interpretations of who `` won '' the cross-talk and insults and pleas from the moderator to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the contemporary political landscape .
As I scanned my Twitter feed , President Trump 's fans ( and even one of his most prominent detractors ) were sure that he dominated his opponent .
But Joe Biden 's supporters were equally convinced that the former vice president was dignified and sensible in the face of Trump 's verbal assault .
The conventional wisdom was that the debate would be the last chance for the president to change the dynamic of the race , where he has consistently lagged Biden in national and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they wanted to see , and heard what they wanted to hear , and have already made up their mind about the incumbent , would one debate ( or three ) make a real difference ?
I 'm skeptical , especially because large portions of the evening were incomprehensible .
There was a lot of yelling .
There were too many interruptions .
The moderator had trouble controlling the participants , but who can blame him , since they did not seem overly interested in being controlled .
I wonder how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics watched the debate in its entirety .
Not a few people probably ended up being disgusted with politics as a result of the debate .
Who wins an unwatchable debate ?
The candidate who had the momentum to begin with .
On a national level , that would mean Joe Biden .
But the race is much closer in the battleground states , and the bases of both candidates were in all likelihood pleased with elements of what they saw in Cleveland .
Biden 's dodge on court packing , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't think the Trump boat parades are going to stop anytime soon .
And there is also the question of whether you would want to win the first debate , since previous challengers who were thought to have done so—Mitt Romney , John Kerry , Walter Mondale—went on to defeat .
`` There will be , at some point , new stories that take into account the new environment and ensure a return of trust in rulers and institutions , '' Martin Gurri told his interviewer .
`` The will to believe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is how much damage will be inflicted before that civilizational turning , and whether liberal democracy will still exist on the other side . ''
What tonight 's debate suggested is that the answers to Gurri 's questions are ( a ) a lot and ( b ) only with the most strenuous and sustained effort .

Over coffee this morning I read a fascinating interview with Martin Gurri, the former CIA analyst who first noticed the seismic impact of social media on world politics. The author of The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium, Gurri studies the fracturing of discourse and the frantic attempts of elites to reassert control over public life. "We are in the first stages of a gigantic transformation from the industrial mode of information and communication to something that doesn't even have a name yet," Gurri said. "It's an extinction event for the narratives. The ideal of representative democracy is in trouble, for example, and the institutions around that ideal will have to be reformed if they wish to retain any sort of legitimacy."
The first presidential debate offered plenty of evidence for Gurri's thesis. No one who watched the 90-minute spectacle would be able to arrive at the conclusion that representative democracy is in good shape. And the various interpretations of who "won" the cross-talk and insults and pleas from the moderator to adhere to the rules were as splintered as the contemporary political landscape. As I scanned my Twitter feed, President Trump's fans (and even one of his most prominent detractors) were sure that he dominated his opponent. But Joe Biden's supporters were equally convinced that the former vice president was dignified and sensible in the face of Trump's verbal assault.
The conventional wisdom was that the debate would be the last chance for the president to change the dynamic of the race, where he has consistently lagged Biden in national and state polls. But if voters saw what they wanted to see, and heard what they wanted to hear, and have already made up their mind about the incumbent, would one debate (or three) make a real difference?
I'm skeptical, especially because large portions of the evening were incomprehensible. There was a lot of yelling. There were too many interruptions. The moderator had trouble controlling the participants, but who can blame him, since they did not seem overly interested in being controlled. I wonder how many of the voters who are disgusted with politics watched the debate in its entirety. Not a few people probably ended up being disgusted with politics as a result of the debate.
Who wins an unwatchable debate? The candidate who had the momentum to begin with. On a national level, that would mean Joe Biden. But the race is much closer in the battleground states, and the bases of both candidates were in all likelihood pleased with elements of what they saw in Cleveland. Biden's dodge on court packing, for example, left him vulnerable. I don't think the Trump boat parades are going to stop anytime soon. And there is also the question of whether you would want to win the first debate, since previous challengers who were thought to have done so—Mitt Romney, John Kerry, Walter Mondale—went on to defeat.
"There will be, at some point, new stories that take into account the new environment and ensure a return of trust in rulers and institutions," Martin Gurri told his interviewer. "The will to believe is real. The question, for me, is how much damage will be inflicted before that civilizational turning, and whether liberal democracy will still exist on the other side." What tonight's debate suggested is that the answers to Gurri's questions are (a) a lot and (b) only with the most strenuous and sustained effort.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--CNN Anchors Ask Whether We’ll See Another Debate

Veteran CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper said Tuesday 's debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden could be @ @ @ @ @ the election .
`` I would n't be surprised if this is the last presidential @ @ @ @ @ the United States and the former vice president of the United States , '' Blitzer @ @ @ @ @ debate .
Blitzer described the evening as `` chaotic '' and added that it `` @ @ @ @ @ of questions about the future of the presidential debate between these two candidates . ''
@ @ @ @ @ should be further debates .
Barack Obama 's chief campaign strategist David Axelrod , now @ @ @ @ @ Americans would likely agree with Biden refusing to `` dignify this with another debate .
@

Veteran CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper said Tuesday's debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden could be the last one held before the election.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last presidential debate between the president of the United States and the former vice president of the United States," Blitzer said after Tuesday night's debate.
Blitzer described the evening as "chaotic" and added that it "will certainly raise a lot of questions about the future of the presidential debate between these two candidates."
Cooper openly questioned whether there should be further debates. Barack Obama's chief campaign strategist David Axelrod, now a CNN commentator, said Americans would likely agree with Biden refusing to "dignify this with another debate."


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Biden Can’t Name Single Law Enforcement Group That Supports Him

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden failed to name a single law enforcement group that supports his campaign during Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ does n't have any law support—no law enforcement support , almost nothing , '' President @ @ @ @ @ Who do you have ?
Name one group that supports you . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ '' Biden responded after calling Trump 's accusation `` not true . ''
The nation @ @ @ @ @ Order of Police—endorsed Trump in early September , saying the president `` has shown time @ @ @ @ @ our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day . ''
@ @ @ @ @ Benevolent Association also endorsed Trump in August—the first time the group has made a presidential @ @ @ @ @ according to union head Patrick Lynch .

'Who do you have? Name one group that supports you'
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden failed to name a single law enforcement group that supports his campaign during Tuesday night's debate.
"He doesn't have any law support—no law enforcement support, almost nothing," President Donald Trump said. "Who do you have? Name one group that supports you."
"We don't have time," Biden responded after calling Trump's accusation "not true."
The nation's largest police union—the Fraternal Order of Police—endorsed Trump in early September, saying the president "has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day."
The New York City Police Benevolent Association also endorsed Trump in August—the first time the group has made a presidential endorsement in 36 years, according to union head Patrick Lynch.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Biden Lies Again About Trump’s Push for Coronavirus Inspectors in China

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden repeated a debunked claim that the Trump administration did not push the Chinese government to @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , China , during the early days of the pandemic in Tuesday night 's @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government repeatedly asked the Chinese government to permit Centers for Disease Control experts @ @ @ @ @ assist with the pandemic response in January .
`` What did he do ?
We @ @ @ @ @ we had on the ground in China should be able to go into Wuhan and @ @ @ @ @ this was .
He did not even ask Xi [ Jinping ] to do that @ @ @ @ @ referring to the Chinese leader .
Politifact declared that argument false when Biden debuted it @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden repeated a debunked claim that the Trump administration did not push the Chinese government to allow U.S. experts to enter Wuhan, China, during the early days of the pandemic in Tuesday night's debate. In fact, the U.S. government repeatedly asked the Chinese government to permit Centers for Disease Control experts to enter the country and assist with the pandemic response in January.
"What did he do? We were insisting that the people we had on the ground in China should be able to go into Wuhan and determine for themselves how dangerous this was. He did not even ask Xi [Jinping] to do that," Biden said, referring to the Chinese leader.
Politifact declared that argument false when Biden debuted it in March.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Biden Demurs on Court Packing

Biden Demurs on Court Packing

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden refused to say whether he will add seats to the Supreme Court should he prevail @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm not going to answer the question , '' Biden said when pressed @ @ @ @ @ Biden has similarly rebuffed calls to release a list of prospective Supreme Court nominees , @ @ @ @ @ appointment would be an African-American woman .
The Washington Free Beacon compiled a list of @ @ @ @ @ .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden refused to say whether he will add seats to the Supreme Court should he prevail in the November election.
"I'm not going to answer the question," Biden said when pressed by President Donald Trump.
Biden has similarly rebuffed calls to release a list of prospective Supreme Court nominees, saying only that his first appointment would be an African-American woman. The Washington Free Beacon compiled a list of possible Biden nominees in May.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--House Republicans Move to Cripple China’s Growing Military

The Congressional China Task Force unveiled a legislative proposal Wednesday to cripple China ’ s military industrial base by blacklisting any company tied to Chinese armed forces .
After months of closed-door interviews with policymakers , experts , and military officials , the task force presented multiple proposals , including a boycott of companies known to aid China 's military .
The goal is to economically isolate the People 's Liberation Army ( PLA ) , one of the primary instruments of China ’ s expanding influence .
The report also calls for major increases to the U.S. defense budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conventional weapons , [ and ] develop cutting-edge capabilities to counter China in space and cyberspace , '' Rep. Liz Cheney ( R. , Wyo . )
, the China Task Force 's deputy chair , told the Washington Free Beacon .
Lawmakers and congressional sources told the Free Beacon the task force 's findings should serve as a wake-up call for the American public about the pressing threat China poses .
The report includes nearly 200 legislative proposals that officials hope will undermine China 's growing military and ensure the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The task force , which Congressional Democrats boycotted and labeled a `` distraction , '' hopes the report will serve as a template for GOP leaders as they push a range of policies meant to undermine China .
Rep. Michael McCaul ( R. , Texas ) , the China Task Force 's lead member , said financial blacklists would force American companies to divest from China ’ s military and its supporting industries .
`` We should n't be using our capital to support companies that are building weapons aimed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Beacon .
`` As an investor , is it a good long-term strategy to invest in these types of companies when they have a very high potential to come under U.S. government sanctions in the future ? ''
Along with the blacklists , GOP lawmakers are also considering a proposal to require any companies tied to China 's military sector to divest .
The recommendations are meant to identify and address Beijing 's fusion of military , business , and politics , according to a senior congressional aide who worked on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ navy in the world , rapidly expanded amphibious capacity , and significant leaps in its space and communications technologies .
These developments point toward Chinese leader Xi Jinping ’ s ultimate goal—replacing the United States as the world 's foremost military , economic , and technological power by 2049 .
The task force report contains a comprehensive list of key military investments the United States must make to maintain its edge over China , including defense budget growth of at least of 3-5 percent each year .
Congressional leaders also say the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indo-Pacific region and partner with allies to help push back Communist forces .

The Congressional China Task Force unveiled a legislative proposal Wednesday to cripple China’s military industrial base by blacklisting any company tied to Chinese armed forces.
After months of closed-door interviews with policymakers, experts, and military officials, the task force presented multiple proposals, including a boycott of companies known to aid China's military. The goal is to economically isolate the People's Liberation Army (PLA), one of the primary instruments of China’s expanding influence.
The report also calls for major increases to the U.S. defense budget to "modernize our nuclear triad and conventional weapons, [and] develop cutting-edge capabilities to counter China in space and cyberspace," Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.), the China Task Force's deputy chair, told the Washington Free Beacon.
Lawmakers and congressional sources told the Free Beacon the task force's findings should serve as a wake-up call for the American public about the pressing threat China poses.
The report includes nearly 200 legislative proposals that officials hope will undermine China's growing military and ensure the United States has the resources for any potential conflict. The task force, which Congressional Democrats boycotted and labeled a "distraction," hopes the report will serve as a template for GOP leaders as they push a range of policies meant to undermine China.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R., Texas), the China Task Force's lead member, said financial blacklists would force American companies to divest from China’s military and its supporting industries.
"We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party’s military aggression and ambitions to go unchecked on the world stage," McCaul said. "It is critical that we are not unwittingly benefitting the Chinese Communist Party’s military, and there are several recommendations in the report that will help accomplish that goal."
"We shouldn't be using our capital to support companies that are building weapons aimed at the United States," a congressional aide on the task force told the Free Beacon. "As an investor, is it a good long-term strategy to invest in these types of companies when they have a very high potential to come under U.S. government sanctions in the future?"
Along with the blacklists, GOP lawmakers are also considering a proposal to require any companies tied to China's military sector to divest.
The recommendations are meant to identify and address Beijing's fusion of military, business, and politics, according to a senior congressional aide who worked on the report.
China currently boasts the largest navy in the world, rapidly expanded amphibious capacity, and significant leaps in its space and communications technologies. These developments point toward Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ultimate goal—replacing the United States as the world's foremost military, economic, and technological power by 2049.
The task force report contains a comprehensive list of key military investments the United States must make to maintain its edge over China, including defense budget growth of at least of 3-5 percent each year. Congressional leaders also say the United States must forward deploy troops in the Indo-Pacific region and partner with allies to help push back Communist forces.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Liberals Slam Hickenlooper for Environmental Record

Left-wingers have slammed Colorado Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper for his record on environmental issues , the Colorado Sun reported Tuesday .
Often called `` Frackenlooper '' by his detractors , the former geologist and businessman has long promoted pro-business and development energy policies that put him at loggerheads with his party 's increasingly environmentalist wing .
In a 2013 Senate hearing , Hickenlooper even drank fracking fluid as a political prop to promote the process , which his memoir applauds as `` good … for our environment . ''
With pressure mounting from his left , Hickenlooper changed positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado and hopes to make the method redundant by 2050 .
The former Colorado governor 's about-face and vagueness on the issue , however , have drawn fire from environmental activists .
Hickenlooper is `` using buzz words but not really addressing the problem , '' said Anne Lee Foster of Safe and Healthy Colorado , a coalition of organizations that oppose drilling near communities .
`` He ’ s done very little to make fracking obsolete , and he ’ s done an enormous amount to support this destructive practice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s opponent , Sen. Cory Gardner ( R. ) , has advocated balancing job-creation with investment in sustainable energy .
In recent weeks , Gardner joined a bipartisan effort to study and advocate for new carbon capture technologies , which have received $ 13 million in federal funding in Colorado alone .
Gardner has voiced concerns that Hickenlooper 's unclear fracking views could cost constituents thousands of jobs .
`` Gov .
Hickenlooper has said he wants to make fracking obsolete , and in turn , put more than 230,000 Colorado workers out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Sun .
`` Unlike John Hickenlooper , I am fighting for more jobs—not fewer .
During an economic crisis , the last thing Coloradans want their leaders to do is to force mass layoffs and that is exactly what the Hickenlooper plan would do . ''
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has also had problems with clarifying his environmental positions .
In Tuesday 's debate he vociferously defended the Green New Deal—but also said he did not support the legislative package .
Like Hickenlooper , Biden has been unclear on fracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters he was `` not banning fracking '' despite his past statements supporting a ban .
Days later , however , his vice-presidential nominee , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , said that `` there is no question '' she supports a fracking ban .

Left-wingers have slammed Colorado Democratic Senate candidate John Hickenlooper for his record on environmental issues, the Colorado Sun reported Tuesday.
Often called "Frackenlooper" by his detractors, the former geologist and businessman has long promoted pro-business and development energy policies that put him at loggerheads with his party's increasingly environmentalist wing.
In a 2013 Senate hearing, Hickenlooper even drank fracking fluid as a political prop to promote the process, which his memoir applauds as "good ... for our environment."
With pressure mounting from his left, Hickenlooper changed positions. He now says he opposes fracking in Colorado and hopes to make the method redundant by 2050.
The former Colorado governor's about-face and vagueness on the issue, however, have drawn fire from environmental activists.
Hickenlooper is "using buzz words but not really addressing the problem," said Anne Lee Foster of Safe and Healthy Colorado, a coalition of organizations that oppose drilling near communities. "He’s done very little to make fracking obsolete, and he’s done an enormous amount to support this destructive practice in Colorado."
Meanwhile, Hickenlooper’s opponent, Sen. Cory Gardner (R.), has advocated balancing job-creation with investment in sustainable energy. In recent weeks, Gardner joined a bipartisan effort to study and advocate for new carbon capture technologies, which have received $13 million in federal funding in Colorado alone.
Gardner has voiced concerns that Hickenlooper's unclear fracking views could cost constituents thousands of jobs.
"Gov. Hickenlooper has said he wants to make fracking obsolete, and in turn, put more than 230,000 Colorado workers out of a job," Gardner told the Colorado Sun. "Unlike John Hickenlooper, I am fighting for more jobs—not fewer. During an economic crisis, the last thing Coloradans want their leaders to do is to force mass layoffs and that is exactly what the Hickenlooper plan would do."
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has also had problems with clarifying his environmental positions. In Tuesday's debate he vociferously defended the Green New Deal—but also said he did not support the legislative package.
Like Hickenlooper, Biden has been unclear on fracking specifically. In August, he told voters he was "not banning fracking" despite his past statements supporting a ban. Days later, however, his vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), said that "there is no question" she supports a fracking ban.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--CNN and MSNBC Give ‘Proud Boys’ Free Advertising

After Joe Biden invoked the far-right `` Proud Boys '' group and President Donald Trump told them to `` stand @ @ @ @ @ '' CNN and MSNBC gave the club some nonstop advertising on Wednesday .
David Rutz @ @ @ @ @ Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two years in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and lives @ @ @ @ @ Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ freebeacon.com .

After Joe Biden invoked the far-right "Proud Boys" group and President Donald Trump told them to "stand back and stand by," CNN and MSNBC gave the club some nonstop advertising on Wednesday.
Published under: CNN , Media , MSNBC , SUPERcuts , Video


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Liberals Nostalgic for ‘Simpler Time’ When They Could Freak Out About a Nice Mormon Who Hired Women

Ladies and gentleman , we regret to inform you that the libs are at it again .
They were so offended by Tuesday night 's slugfest of a presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden that they 're actually trying to cancel the remaining debates on the schedule .
In the warped mind of the modern lib , the debate was an unconscionable display of male bravado on the part of Donald Trump .
Once again , they argued , Trump 's behavior was imperiling democracy with race-fueled falsehoods and egregious fascism .
It 's been months since most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see their therapists face-to-face .
Not surprisingly , they are starting to freak out .
Quite a few libs who watched the candidates face off on Tuesday expressed nostalgia for the debates of campaigns past , specifically the showdowns between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in 2012 , when Romney made `` outrageous '' remarks about pursuing `` binders full of women '' in search of qualified female candidates to hire as governor of Massachusetts .
What a `` hot mess '' that was at the time , obviously , but adorably quaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn back the clock to these `` simpler times , '' when a nice Mormon 's attempt to field female job applicants could be a week-long scandal that dominated cable news broadcasts and prompted multiple headlines in the New York Times , including `` Binders , Keepers , '' and `` Blunders and Binders . ''
Libs dressed up as actual binders—for Halloween that year or simply to protest Romney for being bad .
It was rather embarrassing for those involved .
Another way in which 2012 was different from more recent elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry all of Romney 's rallies live and in full .
One has to wonder , if Trump is n't reelected in November , what on earth are professional media pundits going to talk about all day ?

Ladies and gentleman, we regret to inform you that the libs are at it again. They were so offended by Tuesday night's slugfest of a presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden that they're actually trying to cancel the remaining debates on the schedule.
In the warped mind of the modern lib, the debate was an unconscionable display of male bravado on the part of Donald Trump. Once again, they argued, Trump's behavior was imperiling democracy with race-fueled falsehoods and egregious fascism. It's been months since most of these libs have been able to see their therapists face-to-face. Not surprisingly, they are starting to freak out.
Quite a few libs who watched the candidates face off on Tuesday expressed nostalgia for the debates of campaigns past, specifically the showdowns between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in 2012, when Romney made "outrageous" remarks about pursuing "binders full of women" in search of qualified female candidates to hire as governor of Massachusetts. What a "hot mess" that was at the time, obviously, but adorably quaint in retrospect.
I'm kind of nostalgic for those binders full of women. — Elizabeth Angell (@ElizabethAngell) September 30, 2020
Remember when we thought 'binders full of women" was outrageous. I’m thinking binders full of Americans currently are a little uneasy. — Laura Kessel (@LauraAKessel) September 30, 2020
I’m old enough to remember when 'Binders Full of Women" was the hot mess debate comment of the night#Debate2020 — Dr. Sarah Parcak (@indyfromspace) September 30, 2020
The libs want to turn back the clock to these "simpler times," when a nice Mormon's attempt to field female job applicants could be a week-long scandal that dominated cable news broadcasts and prompted multiple headlines in the New York Times, including "Binders, Keepers," and "Blunders and Binders." Libs dressed up as actual binders—for Halloween that year or simply to protest Romney for being bad. It was rather embarrassing for those involved.
https://twitter.com/NishWeiseth/status/1311315745523949568
romney's "binders full of women" comment dominated the news cycle for a week or so https://t.co/Bqi61ATPSN — David Mack (@davidmackau) September 30, 2020
I’m old enough to remember when Romney’s 'Binders full of women" was a notable debate gaffe. #standbackandstandby #ProudBoys #Trump2020 — Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) September 30, 2020
The bedlam we just witnessed makes 'binders full of women" seem like 'blissful wonder." A tragedy in American discourse. #debates2020 — Harrison Golden (@harrisongolden) September 30, 2020
Another way in which 2012 was different from more recent elections is that mainstream media outlets didn't carry all of Romney's rallies live and in full. One has to wonder, if Trump isn't reelected in November, what on earth are professional media pundits going to talk about all day?
WATCH: Joe Biden Threatens to Destroy CNN If Elected


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Case Western Offers Presidential Debate Safe Spaces

Case Western Reserve University , which cohosted Tuesday 's debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ spaces '' for students to share their post-debate feelings .
The university 's health and @ @ @ @ @ `` Presidential Debate Support Space '' Zoom groups , in which students will discuss `` @ @ @ @ @ events '' such as the debate and the election in general .
The sessions began @ @ @ @ @ October 9 .
The safe space registration website notes that the safe spaces are not @ @ @ @ @ treatment or psychotherapy .
The rise of the `` safe space '' began after Trump @ @ @ @ @ when a host of colleges and universities opened public spaces and offered therapy for students @ @ @ @ @ election ’ s results .

Case Western Reserve University, which cohosted Tuesday's debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, is offering online "safe spaces" for students to share their post-debate feelings.
The university's health and counseling services will host nine "Presidential Debate Support Space" Zoom groups, in which students will discuss "the impact of recent national events" such as the debate and the election in general. The sessions began Monday and will continue through October 9.
The safe space registration website notes that the safe spaces are not a substitute for mental health treatment or psychotherapy.
The rise of the "safe space" began after Trump’s 2016 election, when a host of colleges and universities opened public spaces and offered therapy for students "triggered" by the election’s results.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Female GOP Senators Blast Leftist Smears, Double Standards on Barrett

Female Republican senators blasted Democrats for their smear campaign against Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court and their double standards for women in politics in a Wednesday press conference .
`` We know that the worst elements of the Left will come after Judge Amy Coney Barrett with everything they have , '' Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R. , Ga. ) told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` But as someone who has stood up to the radical Left ’ s cancel culture and won , my advice for a fellow strong woman is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep fighting , and keep winning . ''
Senate Republicans have made it a priority to fight back in defense of their judicial nominee .
Last week , Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
rolled out a Supreme Court war room to track and respond to liberal assaults on Barrett ’ s character , record , and fitness .
With Wednesday ’ s conference , Loeffler , Sen. Martha McSally ( R. , Ariz. ) , and others now see an opportunity to do their part in defending Barrett ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling out the double standards of the left .
`` We ’ re seeing [ hypocrisy ] from some in the media and on the left for [ Barrett ] being a mom , '' McSally told reporters .
`` You would normally have the feminists and the left lining up to defend her , and so we ’ re asking : Where are those voices ? ''
Sen. Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) hoped Barrett ’ s nomination would inspire young women going into politics , especially those who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is what a mom can do , '' Ernst said .
`` I ’ m so thankful that other young women will see that now we have one extraordinary female Supreme Court justice in Ruth Bader Ginsburg being followed by another truly extraordinary female in Amy Coney Barrett . ''
The senators ' remarks come in the wake of a series of attacks from both the media and prominent Democratic lawmakers over Barrett ’ s religious affiliations and the timing of Senate Republicans ’ choice to nominate a justice for the open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic group People of Praise , which multiple media sources have painted as an organization oppressive toward women .
Democratic lawmakers such as Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D. , Hawaii ) and Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) have also announced their intention not to meet with Barrett before her nomination hearing , a violation of Senate norms not seen even during the contentious confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Open hostility to Barrett and other Catholic judges is nothing new from the Democrats .
In 2017 , Sen. Dianne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett—a mother of seven , including two adopted children—that her religious convictions could be a problem for her potential approval for federal court .
In 2018 , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) and Hirono smeared another Catholic judicial nominee for his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus , a charitable organization for Catholic men .

Female Republican senators blasted Democrats for their smear campaign against Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court and their double standards for women in politics in a Wednesday press conference.
"We know that the worst elements of the Left will come after Judge Amy Coney Barrett with everything they have," Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R., Ga.) told the Washington Free Beacon. "But as someone who has stood up to the radical Left’s cancel culture and won, my advice for a fellow strong woman is this: Keep going, keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep winning."
Senate Republicans have made it a priority to fight back in defense of their judicial nominee. Last week, Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) rolled out a Supreme Court war room to track and respond to liberal assaults on Barrett’s character, record, and fitness.
With Wednesday’s conference, Loeffler, Sen. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), and others now see an opportunity to do their part in defending Barrett’s nomination, in large part by calling out the double standards of the left.
"We’re seeing [hypocrisy] from some in the media and on the left for [Barrett] being a mom," McSally told reporters. "You would normally have the feminists and the left lining up to defend her, and so we’re asking: Where are those voices?"
Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) hoped Barrett’s nomination would inspire young women going into politics, especially those who want to be mothers.
"Folks, this is what a mom can do," Ernst said. "I’m so thankful that other young women will see that now we have one extraordinary female Supreme Court justice in Ruth Bader Ginsburg being followed by another truly extraordinary female in Amy Coney Barrett."
The senators' remarks come in the wake of a series of attacks from both the media and prominent Democratic lawmakers over Barrett’s religious affiliations and the timing of Senate Republicans’ choice to nominate a justice for the open seat. Barrett belongs to the charismatic Catholic group People of Praise, which multiple media sources have painted as an organization oppressive toward women.
Democratic lawmakers such as Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) have also announced their intention not to meet with Barrett before her nomination hearing, a violation of Senate norms not seen even during the contentious confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Open hostility to Barrett and other Catholic judges is nothing new from the Democrats. In 2017, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) told Barrett—a mother of seven, including two adopted children—that her religious convictions could be a problem for her potential approval for federal court.
In 2018, Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) and Hirono smeared another Catholic judicial nominee for his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a charitable organization for Catholic men.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Seattle Mayor Proposes $22 Million Police Funding Cut

Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan ( D. ) proposed a 2021 budget that includes cutting $ 22 million from the city 's police department .
Durkan presented the budget proposal to Seattle City Council on Tuesday .
Along with slashing the department ’ s funding—which would cut 22 officers from the force—the budget creates a separate department for the city ’ s 911 emergency response system , removing that authority from the police .
The changes reflect an `` initial step '' in addressing `` systemic racism built into government , '' the proposed budget says .
In August , Durkan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment , which would have subtracted $ 3 million more than her own original $ 20 million cut .
The amendment would have eliminated 100 officers from the department , which Durkan said would have hit the `` most diverse class '' of officers the city ever had .
Former police chief Carmen Best , who resigned from her position earlier this month after repeated squabbles with the council , called the amendment `` reckless . ''
Even as Seattle moves to defund the department and cut police jobs , the city hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve as `` community liaison '' and educate the city ’ s police force in deescalation tactics .
Seattle 's funding debates began this summer in response to the wave of anti-police protests .
Durkan and the council 's slashes , however , still fall short of protesters ’ demand that the city chop police funding in half .
Last week , the Justice Department labeled Seattle , along with Portland and New York , an `` anarchist jurisdiction '' for moving to defund its police department while allowing violent outbreaks to @ @ @ @

Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan (D.) proposed a 2021 budget that includes cutting $22 million from the city's police department.
Durkan presented the budget proposal to Seattle City Council on Tuesday. Along with slashing the department’s funding—which would cut 22 officers from the force—the budget creates a separate department for the city’s 911 emergency response system, removing that authority from the police.
The changes reflect an "initial step" in addressing "systemic racism built into government," the proposed budget says.
In August, Durkan vetoed the city council's police budget amendment, which would have subtracted $3 million more than her own original $20 million cut. The amendment would have eliminated 100 officers from the department, which Durkan said would have hit the "most diverse class" of officers the city ever had. Former police chief Carmen Best, who resigned from her position earlier this month after repeated squabbles with the council, called the amendment "reckless."
Even as Seattle moves to defund the department and cut police jobs, the city hired an ex-pimp as "street czar" to serve as "community liaison" and educate the city’s police force in deescalation tactics.
Seattle's funding debates began this summer in response to the wave of anti-police protests. Durkan and the council's slashes, however, still fall short of protesters’ demand that the city chop police funding in half. Last week, the Justice Department labeled Seattle, along with Portland and New York, an "anarchist jurisdiction" for moving to defund its police department while allowing violent outbreaks to continue for months.


freebeacon--2020-09-30--NO KIDDING: America’s Children Weigh in on the Trump-Biden Debate

One of the perks of being a professional journalist is all the text messages we get from friends explaining how their children reacted to various political events .
CNN 's Jake Tapper , for example , shared one of these exchanges on air following the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
`` We 're all getting text messages from friends all over the country .
A friend of mine in Kansas City watching her first debate with her sixth-grade daughter .
Daughter bursts into tears , has to run to bed because she was so appalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she saw from the president of the United States , '' Tapper relayed to his colleagues , who were also appalled .
In the interest of fairness and journalistic integrity , the Washington Free Beacon reached out directly to children who watched the debate .
We wanted to hear directly from them , and to provide an outlet for the kids to express their thoughts on Tuesday 's debate—free of parental meddling .
You might be surprised by what they had to say .
`` That orange fella was awfully loud .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in my view , Joe Biden 's refusal to take a position on court packing and ending the filibuster was simply disqualifying , and a real bummer—especially for someone like me , a member of the future generation . ''
`` That debate was turnt AF !
I 'm obsessed with listening to great minds battle it out in debate .
Sure , there was a lot of interrupting , but it was the name-calling that really upset me .
Joe Biden kept calling Donald Trump a ‘ clown , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immature .
My homeroom teacher is always telling us to respect others , even our enemies . ''
`` I guess now we know why Biden 's campaign backed out of the ear-pierce inspection before the debate .
Did you see that bulge under his suit jacket ? ''
`` Joe ‘ Botox ' Biden has the smoothest forehead I have ever seen .
He 's like that lame grandfather who gives out raisins and toothpaste on Halloween .
Trump seems like a full-size candy bar kind of guy , which totally rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of his attacks on deadbeat Hunter Biden .
What was all that foreign money for ? ''
`` All the adults are talking about how Joe Biden ‘ exceeded expectations . '
Why , exactly ?
Because he didn ’ t make a mess on stage by peeing or pooping through his diapers ?
I think we should expect more from our presidential candidates . ''
`` I was listening to a Blink-182 song the other day and the lyrics really struck a chord with me : ‘ Corporate leaders , politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect them . '
I do n't think America 's kids would vote for either of these geezers , but especially not Joe Biden .
He said the Green New Deal would ‘ pay for itself , ' but he does n't support it ?
C'mon man . ''
`` I think Trump probably would have won if Chris Wallace had n't teamed up with Sleepy Joe .
I hate to say it , but the media really is the enemy of the people .
I enjoyed the discussion about tax policy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more kid-focused issues , such as why Joe Biden still wo n't acknowledge the existence of the son Hunter fathered with that stripper from Arkansas .
The DNA test was conclusive , and I thought Democrats were supposed to believe in science . ''

One of the perks of being a professional journalist is all the text messages we get from friends explaining how their children reacted to various political events. CNN's Jake Tapper, for example, shared one of these exchanges on air following the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
"We're all getting text messages from friends all over the country. A friend of mine in Kansas City watching her first debate with her sixth-grade daughter. Daughter bursts into tears, has to run to bed because she was so appalled, this sixth-grade girl, at what she saw from the president of the United States," Tapper relayed to his colleagues, who were also appalled.
https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1311144937459777539
In the interest of fairness and journalistic integrity, the Washington Free Beacon reached out directly to children who watched the debate. We wanted to hear directly from them, and to provide an outlet for the kids to express their thoughts on Tuesday's debate—free of parental meddling. You might be surprised by what they had to say.
Johnny G., Age 10:
"That orange fella was awfully loud. I can see why some people took offense. But in my view, Joe Biden's refusal to take a position on court packing and ending the filibuster was simply disqualifying, and a real bummer—especially for someone like me, a member of the future generation."
Jasmine F., Age 9:
"That debate was turnt AF! I'm obsessed with listening to great minds battle it out in debate. Sure, there was a lot of interrupting, but it was the name-calling that really upset me. Joe Biden kept calling Donald Trump a 'clown,' which I thought was pretty tasteless and immature. My homeroom teacher is always telling us to respect others, even our enemies."
Lincoln W., Age 8:
"I guess now we know why Biden's campaign backed out of the ear-pierce inspection before the debate. Did you see that bulge under his suit jacket?"
Wario P., Age 9:
"Joe 'Botox' Biden has the smoothest forehead I have ever seen. He's like that lame grandfather who gives out raisins and toothpaste on Halloween. Trump seems like a full-size candy bar kind of guy, which totally rules. I also found myself agreeing with most of his attacks on deadbeat Hunter Biden. What was all that foreign money for?"
Geraldine C., Age 7:
"All the adults are talking about how Joe Biden 'exceeded expectations.' Why, exactly? Because he didn’t make a mess on stage by peeing or pooping through his diapers? I think we should expect more from our presidential candidates."
McBraylen Q., Age 13:
"I was listening to a Blink-182 song the other day and the lyrics really struck a chord with me: 'Corporate leaders, politicians. Kids can't vote, adults elect them.' I don't think America's kids would vote for either of these geezers, but especially not Joe Biden. He said the Green New Deal would 'pay for itself,' but he doesn't support it? C'mon man."
Brendetta J., Age 10:
"I think Trump probably would have won if Chris Wallace hadn't teamed up with Sleepy Joe. I hate to say it, but the media really is the enemy of the people. I enjoyed the discussion about tax policy, but I wish they'd talked about more kid-focused issues, such as why Joe Biden still won't acknowledge the existence of the son Hunter fathered with that stripper from Arkansas. The DNA test was conclusive, and I thought Democrats were supposed to believe in science."


freebeacon--2020-09-30--Media: No More Debates!

Media: No More Debates!

Media anchors and pundits suggested no more presidential debates should take place between Donald Trump and Joe Biden after Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ .
David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously @ @ @ @ @ years in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He @ @ @ @ @ 2010 and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ freebeacon.com .

Media anchors and pundits suggested no more presidential debates should take place between Donald Trump and Joe Biden after Tuesday night's slugfest in Cleveland.
Published under: Debate , Media , SUPERcuts , Video