hotair--2020-06-27--Did this company's threat of boycott push Facebook's ad policy reversal over the edge?

The growing advertising boycott of Facebook by some really large corporations as well as some smaller ones , too , is experiencing success .
As John wrote about Friday , it looks as though the decision of European giant conglomerate Unilever to not just stop advertising for the month of July but for the rest of 2020 was the final straw .
But was it the only one ?
Thursday I wrote about the advertising boycott that has been organized by some far-left social justice warrior groups .
The goal is for Facebook and its sister social media platform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from companies pausing their advertising campaigns on the two platforms .
The ultimate goal is for President Trump and his re-election campaign to be kicked off social media .
The premise is that the bad Orange Man puts out hate speech and incites violence with his Facebook posts and Instagram posts .
But , was it the announcement from Unilever that escalates the boycott through the end of the year , and Verizon joining in on the July boycott that pushed Zuckerberg over the edge ?
His policy reversal may have also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , that company announced it was taking a pause in advertising during the month of July .
Shortly after that , Levi and Dockers joined in , too .
Here ’ s the twist with the Coca-Cola announcement – the company said it is not “ officially ” joining in the boycott but “ we are pausing ” their advertising .
How ’ s that for a weasel statement ?
Coca-Cola is pausing all paid advertising on all social media platforms globally for at least 30 days .
Sure sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising to me .
Coke just took it further than Facebook and Instagram by saying “ all social media platforms ” which I assume means Twitter , Snapchat , and the like .
The timing of Coke ’ s announcement had to have had a factor in Zuckerberg ’ s decision to do a Facebook Live statement about his policy reversal .
He went from publicly standing up for free speech for all , not just Democrats and the left , to saying Facebook stands against hate or anything that incites violence or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that content “ no matter where it comes from.
” OK , Mark .
We ’ ll hold you to that last part .
I don ’ t think it is going out on a limb to say I feel certain that conservatives will feel the full force of the policy reversal , especially the Trump campaign , while liberal voices will not be held to the same standards .
After Coca-Cola went on the record with its decision , Levi and Dockers jumped on the bandwagon .
Hershey fell into line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Levi ’ s and Dockers said they will be pausing all advertising on Facebook and Instagram through “ at least ” July : “ Facebook must take actions to stop misinformation and hate speech on its platforms .
It is an unacceptable affront to our values .
We and Dockers are joining the # stophateforprofit campaign and pausing all ads on Facebook.
” Hershey ’ s also announced late Friday it will be cutting spending on Facebook and Instagram by a third for the rest of the year and joining the # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that Facebook is effectively managing violent and divisive speech on their platform .
Despite repeated assertions by Facebook to take action , we have not seen meaningful change , ” the company said in a statement .
“ Earlier this month we communicated to Facebook that we were unhappy with their stance on hate speech .
We have now cut our spending on Facebook and their platforms , including Instagram , by a third for the remainder of the year .
We are hopeful that Facebook will take action and make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicate and gather .
As a company , we stand for the values of togetherness and inclusion and we are resolute in our commitment to make a difference and be part of positive change.
” Coca-Cola has been politically correct for decades so its decision isn ’ t a surprise .
What is a surprise is the cowardly nature of its boycott , er , “ pause ” .
Why not just go all in and “ officially ” join the rest of the boycott since it is doing the same thing ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can go woke in a half-way statement , can it ?
Don ’ t they have to be full-throated in support of Black Lives Matter ?
As I write this , I keep hearing one of their advertising songs in my head – “ I ’ d Like To Teach The World To Sing.
” If you are old enough , you know what I ’ m talking about .
Currently , the company ’ s Twitter feed is full of feel-good tweets about racial justice .
This tweet is pinned to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is some encouragement to vote : Remember , Coke is headquartered in Atlanta .
That city has been run by Democrats for a very long time .
When I was in high school in Atlanta , back in the day , Maynard Jackson became the first black mayor of the city .
Should Coke drinkers vote for real change and elect Republicans ?
I don ’ t think that is the message they are trying to deliver .
Facebook would like to spin this policy reversal as one that wasn ’ t affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s share price dropped 8 % on Friday , wiping an estimated $ 7 billion off CEO Mark Zuckerberg ’ s fortune .
Zuckerberg is an extremely wealthy man but to say it ’ s not all about the bottom line when major policy decisions are made is just silly .
It ’ s a business decision .
Advertising accounts for almost 100 % of Facebook ’ s revenue .
Sorry conservatives , it was nice while it lasted .

The growing advertising boycott of Facebook by some really large corporations as well as some smaller ones, too, is experiencing success. As John wrote about Friday, it looks as though the decision of European giant conglomerate Unilever to not just stop advertising for the month of July but for the rest of 2020 was the final straw. But was it the only one?
Thursday I wrote about the advertising boycott that has been organized by some far-left social justice warrior groups. The goal is for Facebook and its sister social media platform, Instagram, to feel the financial pinch from companies pausing their advertising campaigns on the two platforms. The ultimate goal is for President Trump and his re-election campaign to be kicked off social media. The premise is that the bad Orange Man puts out hate speech and incites violence with his Facebook posts and Instagram posts.
But, was it the announcement from Unilever that escalates the boycott through the end of the year, and Verizon joining in on the July boycott that pushed Zuckerberg over the edge? His policy reversal may have also been influenced by another huge advertiser – Coca-Cola. On Friday, that company announced it was taking a pause in advertising during the month of July. Shortly after that, Levi and Dockers joined in, too.
Here’s the twist with the Coca-Cola announcement – the company said it is not “officially” joining in the boycott but “we are pausing” their advertising. How’s that for a weasel statement? Coca-Cola is pausing all paid advertising on all social media platforms globally for at least 30 days. Sure sounds like all the other companies boycotting Facebook advertising to me. Coke just took it further than Facebook and Instagram by saying “all social media platforms” which I assume means Twitter, Snapchat, and the like.
“There is no place for racism in the world and there is no place for racism on social media,” Coca-Cola CEO and Chairman, James Quincey, said in a statement. “The Coca-Cola Company will pause paid advertising on all social media platforms globally for at least 30 days. We will take this time to reassess our advertising policies to determine whether revisions are needed. We also expect greater accountability and transparency from our social media partners.”
The timing of Coke’s announcement had to have had a factor in Zuckerberg’s decision to do a Facebook Live statement about his policy reversal. He went from publicly standing up for free speech for all, not just Democrats and the left, to saying Facebook stands against hate or anything that incites violence or suppresses voting. And Facebook will remove that content “no matter where it comes from.” OK, Mark. We’ll hold you to that last part. I don’t think it is going out on a limb to say I feel certain that conservatives will feel the full force of the policy reversal, especially the Trump campaign, while liberal voices will not be held to the same standards.
After Coca-Cola went on the record with its decision, Levi and Dockers jumped on the bandwagon. Hershey fell into line, too.
Following Coca-Cola’s announcement, Levi’s and Dockers said they will be pausing all advertising on Facebook and Instagram through “at least” July: “Facebook must take actions to stop misinformation and hate speech on its platforms. It is an unacceptable affront to our values. We and Dockers are joining the #stophateforprofit campaign and pausing all ads on Facebook.” Hershey’s also announced late Friday it will be cutting spending on Facebook and Instagram by a third for the rest of the year and joining the #stophateforprofit boycott. “We do not believe that Facebook is effectively managing violent and divisive speech on their platform. Despite repeated assertions by Facebook to take action, we have not seen meaningful change,” the company said in a statement. “Earlier this month we communicated to Facebook that we were unhappy with their stance on hate speech. We have now cut our spending on Facebook and their platforms, including Instagram, by a third for the remainder of the year. We are hopeful that Facebook will take action and make it a safe space for our consumers to communicate and gather. As a company, we stand for the values of togetherness and inclusion and we are resolute in our commitment to make a difference and be part of positive change.”
Coca-Cola has been politically correct for decades so its decision isn’t a surprise. What is a surprise is the cowardly nature of its boycott, er, “pause”. Why not just go all in and “officially” join the rest of the boycott since it is doing the same thing? I don’t think a company can go woke in a half-way statement, can it? Don’t they have to be full-throated in support of Black Lives Matter? As I write this, I keep hearing one of their advertising songs in my head – “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing.” If you are old enough, you know what I’m talking about. Currently, the company’s Twitter feed is full of feel-good tweets about racial justice.
This tweet is pinned to the top of its page:
Building a better future means joining together as we move forward. We are donating to @100blackmen as a part of the effort to end systemic racism and bring true equality to all. This is just a first step. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QqwYseKjAS — Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) June 3, 2020
And there is some encouragement to vote:
Together we must make our voices heard. That is why host @KennyBurns thinks it's important for everyone to exercise their right to vote. pic.twitter.com/UVZtuXOchB — Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) June 26, 2020
Remember, Coke is headquartered in Atlanta. That city has been run by Democrats for a very long time. When I was in high school in Atlanta, back in the day, Maynard Jackson became the first black mayor of the city. Should Coke drinkers vote for real change and elect Republicans? I don’t think that is the message they are trying to deliver.
Facebook would like to spin this policy reversal as one that wasn’t affected by financial pressure.
In a recent memo to advertisers obtained by CNBC, Facebook’s VP of global marketing solutions, Carolyn Everson, said “boycotting in general is not the way for us to make progress together.” “I also really hope by now you know that we do not make policy changes tied to revenue pressure,” she said in the memo. “We set our policies based on principles rather than business interests.”
Marlarkey. Facebook’s share price dropped 8% on Friday, wiping an estimated $7 billion off CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s fortune. Zuckerberg is an extremely wealthy man but to say it’s not all about the bottom line when major policy decisions are made is just silly. It’s a business decision. Advertising accounts for almost 100% of Facebook’s revenue.
Sorry conservatives, it was nice while it lasted.


hotair--2020-06-27--Shameless: Minneapolis city council votes to disband police -- but pays $4500 a day for private secu

Shameless: Minneapolis city council votes to disband police -- but pays $4500 a day for private security

Protection for we , social workers for thee ?
The Minneapolis city council seems determined to prove the hypocrisy of “ defund the police , ” all the way to the point of satire .
Yesterday , the council voted unanimously to pursue a still-ambiguous plan to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a more politically correct “ Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention.
” Would that include police , though — and if so , what ’ s the point ?
No one ’ s quite sure yet : The council voted unanimously to advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention .
Within that , the city could create a division that includes “ licensed peace officers , ” though it would not be required to do so .
It ’ s unclear how many , if any , officers would continue to be employed by the city if the proposal passes .
Council Member Cam Gordon said it ’ s consistent with the pledge from council members to fundamentally alter local policing in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing by Minneapolis officers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department are gone , ” Gordon said .
“ Certainly , there is a provision in here that would allow this council or future councils to maintain a Division of Law Enforcement Services , but I think what we need to do is have that possibility there and talk to people about what the future should look like.
” Maybe we should know what the “ future ” looks like before changing the present .
The city council can ’ t actually change the present anyway , thanks to a city charter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with precise staffing levels .
The best they can do under the charter is impose a cut of around 20 % , but even that would fall afoul of the collective bargaining agreement with the police union .
( Agreements negotiated and signed by a succession of progressive city councils , I might add here . )
That makes yesterday ’ s vote an exercise in pusillanimity ; there ’ s no cost to it at all .
That ’ s more than we can say about the three most vocal advocates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis has shelled out $ 4500 a day in private security at the same time these councillors have plotted to dismantle policing in the city , the local Fox News affiliate reported late last night : The City of Minneapolis is spending $ 4,500 a day for private security for three council members who have received threats following the police killing of George Floyd , FOX 9 has learned .
A city spokesperson said the private security details have cost the city $ 63,000 over the past three weeks .
The three council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrea Jenkins ( Ward 8 ) , and Phillipe Cunningham ( Ward 4 ) , and Alondra Cano ( Ward 9 ) – have been outspoken proponents of defunding the Minneapolis Police Department .
Jenkins blamed it on “ white nationalists ” ( natch ) , but it ’ s veeeeeerrrrry interesting that none of the three have filed police reports about these death threats .
If not , why not ?
And for that matter , why does this require security details at all ?
Surely the city council can task social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making death threats .
That is , after all , their plan for everyone else in Minneapolis .
We ’ re back to security for we , bupkis for thee .
That is precisely how this will play out in the community , too , if the city council actually succeeds in this plan .
The wealthier enclaves will pay for private armed security out of their own pockets , and powerful politicians out of everyone else ’ s , that they control while leaving the rest of the city to the social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill the power vacuum .
The rich and powerful will get the policing they like , while the middle- and working classes will get left to the violent extremists and the armed “ neighborhood watch ” bands that arise to combat them .
Don ’ t expect the middle- and working classes to stick around for long after that .
Hopefully this lesson in hypocrisy will prompt those voters to reject this nonsense proposal — and get rid of a few city councillors along the way , too .

Protection for we, social workers for thee? The Minneapolis city council seems determined to prove the hypocrisy of “defund the police,” all the way to the point of satire. Yesterday, the council voted unanimously to pursue a still-ambiguous plan to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a more politically correct “Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention.”
Would that include police, though — and if so, what’s the point? No one’s quite sure yet:
The council voted unanimously to advance a proposal that would create a new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention. Within that, the city could create a division that includes “licensed peace officers,” though it would not be required to do so. It’s unclear how many, if any, officers would continue to be employed by the city if the proposal passes. Council Member Cam Gordon said it’s consistent with the pledge from council members to fundamentally alter local policing in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis officers. “Those things that we called the police department are gone,” Gordon said. “Certainly, there is a provision in here that would allow this council or future councils to maintain a Division of Law Enforcement Services, but I think what we need to do is have that possibility there and talk to people about what the future should look like.”
Maybe we should know what the “future” looks like before changing the present. The city council can’t actually change the present anyway, thanks to a city charter that requires them to maintain a police department with precise staffing levels. The best they can do under the charter is impose a cut of around 20%, but even that would fall afoul of the collective bargaining agreement with the police union. (Agreements negotiated and signed by a succession of progressive city councils, I might add here.) That makes yesterday’s vote an exercise in pusillanimity; there’s no cost to it at all.
That’s more than we can say about the three most vocal advocates for eliminating police on the city council. Minneapolis has shelled out $4500 a day in private security at the same time these councillors have plotted to dismantle policing in the city, the local Fox News affiliate reported late last night:
The City of Minneapolis is spending $4,500 a day for private security for three council members who have received threats following the police killing of George Floyd, FOX 9 has learned. A city spokesperson said the private security details have cost the city $63,000 over the past three weeks. The three council members who have the security detail – Andrea Jenkins (Ward 8), and Phillipe Cunningham (Ward 4), and Alondra Cano (Ward 9)– have been outspoken proponents of defunding the Minneapolis Police Department.
Jenkins blamed it on “white nationalists” (natch), but it’s veeeeeerrrrry interesting that none of the three have filed police reports about these death threats. If not, why not? And for that matter, why does this require security details at all? Surely the city council can task social workers to de-escalate the issue with people making death threats. That is, after all, their plan for everyone else in Minneapolis.
We’re back to security for we, bupkis for thee. That is precisely how this will play out in the community, too, if the city council actually succeeds in this plan. The wealthier enclaves will pay for private armed security out of their own pockets, and powerful politicians out of everyone else’s, that they control while leaving the rest of the city to the social workers and the violent actors that will fill the power vacuum. The rich and powerful will get the policing they like, while the middle- and working classes will get left to the violent extremists and the armed “neighborhood watch” bands that arise to combat them. Don’t expect the middle- and working classes to stick around for long after that. Hopefully this lesson in hypocrisy will prompt those voters to reject this nonsense proposal — and get rid of a few city councillors along the way, too.


hotair--2020-06-27--Market Watch: Over/under for June jobs report is ... 3 million?

What kind of surprise can we expect from Thursday ’ s jobs report for June ?
A month ago , we got a hugely pleasant surprise for the May report — so surprising that it took a day of tamping down conspiracy theories about the numbers before people accepted it .
Market Watch predicts another pleasant surprise this week from the June report , and based on metrics seen thus far , that seems like a safe bet .
But it ’ s still a gamble , and expectations might be getting too high after May ’ s rebound : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people returned to work in May .
They might get fooled again in June , but they worry the next surprise won ’ t be so pleasant .
Wall Street DJIA , -2.83 % predicts the U.S. regained an additional 3 million jobs in June , with forecasts going as high as 8 million .
The economy added back 2.7 million jobs in May , confounding expectations for another big decline .
The unemployment rate , meanwhile , is seen falling again to 12 % from 13.3 % when the Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day earlier than usual because of the July Fourth celebrated on Friday this year .
The veneer of optimism about the June forecast , however , is unable to hide festering doubts .
What kind of doubts ?
For one thing , weekly initial jobless claims still run at madman levels of 1.5 million per week .
The number of people getting benefits has dropped significantly , finally getting below 20 million for the first time since the meltdown began .
That ’ s not a sign of benefits running out — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least — so it shows people are returning to work .
Unfortunately , it also shows people losing jobs , too , but just at a somewhat slower pace .
The next biggest worry relates more to the July report .
The impact of the re-closings of parts of state economies with new COVID-19 spikes has yet to be seen .
Unemployment surveys key on status as of the second week of a month , so the actions taken in Texas , Florida , and some other states over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June report .
It might get seen first in the jobless-claims report this week , but certainly in the report a week from Thursday .
Still , other signs look strong .
Durable goods orders rose by 15.8 % in May , which would prompt rehiring or unforloughing to service .
New-house sales rose by a similar amount in May too , a good sign that people feel ready to invest in their future and have the money to do it .
Plus , yesterday ’ s report on consumer spending indicated more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American economy has begun to rev up again : American consumers increased their spending by a record 8.2 % in May , partly erasing huge plunges the previous two months , against the backdrop of an economy that ’ s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter .
Last month ’ s rebound in consumer spending followed record spending drops of 6.6 % in March and 12.6 % in April , when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses , forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drawing consumers back into shops and restaurants and restoring some lost jobs .
Friday ’ s Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2 % decline in personal income , which had soared by 10.8 % the previous month .
Income had jumped in April on the strength of billions of dollars in support through government payments in the form of unemployment aid as well as one-time $ 1,200 stimulus checks .
In May , those stimulus checks were no longer counted as income for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit to unpack in that report .
Consumer spending not just provides economic activity , it also indicates job activity .
People don ’ t increase spending when they ’ re unemployed .
Not only does the spending create jobs , it indicates a trend of people getting back to work .
The jump in income in April and drop in May meant something else , too .
By and large , the people who lost their jobs first were lower income workers — retail , restaurant , pub workers whose businesses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the employed rose sharply as a result , and then dropped again when lower-income workers returned to work .
Given the problems in issuing the stimulus checks , and that many Americans received them in May rather than April , I ’ d guess that was more the dynamic than whether we counted stimulus checks as income .
With all this in mind , don ’ t be surprised to see another blockbuster report on Thursday for June , when most of the lights had switched to green .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpleasant surprises .

What kind of surprise can we expect from Thursday’s jobs report for June? A month ago, we got a hugely pleasant surprise for the May report — so surprising that it took a day of tamping down conspiracy theories about the numbers before people accepted it. Market Watch predicts another pleasant surprise this week from the June report, and based on metrics seen thus far, that seems like a safe bet.
But it’s still a gamble, and expectations might be getting too high after May’s rebound:
Investors already got fooled once after several million people returned to work in May. They might get fooled again in June, but they worry the next surprise won’t be so pleasant. Wall Street DJIA, -2.83% predicts the U.S. regained an additional 3 million jobs in June, with forecasts going as high as 8 million. The economy added back 2.7 million jobs in May, confounding expectations for another big decline. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, is seen falling again to 12% from 13.3% when the Labor Department reports the monthly data next Thursday, a day earlier than usual because of the July Fourth celebrated on Friday this year. The veneer of optimism about the June forecast, however, is unable to hide festering doubts.
What kind of doubts? For one thing, weekly initial jobless claims still run at madman levels of 1.5 million per week. The number of people getting benefits has dropped significantly, finally getting below 20 million for the first time since the meltdown began. That’s not a sign of benefits running out — they are in place until next month, at least — so it shows people are returning to work. Unfortunately, it also shows people losing jobs, too, but just at a somewhat slower pace.
The next biggest worry relates more to the July report. The impact of the re-closings of parts of state economies with new COVID-19 spikes has yet to be seen. Unemployment surveys key on status as of the second week of a month, so the actions taken in Texas, Florida, and some other states over the past few days won’t impact the June report. It might get seen first in the jobless-claims report this week, but certainly in the report a week from Thursday.
Still, other signs look strong. Durable goods orders rose by 15.8% in May, which would prompt rehiring or unforloughing to service. New-house sales rose by a similar amount in May too, a good sign that people feel ready to invest in their future and have the money to do it. Plus, yesterday’s report on consumer spending indicated more directly that the main engine of the American economy has begun to rev up again:
American consumers increased their spending by a record 8.2% in May, partly erasing huge plunges the previous two months, against the backdrop of an economy that’s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter. Last month’s rebound in consumer spending followed record spending drops of 6.6% in March and 12.6% in April, when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses, forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession. Since then, many businesses have reopened, drawing consumers back into shops and restaurants and restoring some lost jobs. Friday’s Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2% decline in personal income, which had soared by 10.8% the previous month. Income had jumped in April on the strength of billions of dollars in support through government payments in the form of unemployment aid as well as one-time $1,200 stimulus checks. In May, those stimulus checks were no longer counted as income for most people.
There’s a bit to unpack in that report. Consumer spending not just provides economic activity, it also indicates job activity. People don’t increase spending when they’re unemployed. Not only does the spending create jobs, it indicates a trend of people getting back to work.
The jump in income in April and drop in May meant something else, too. By and large, the people who lost their jobs first were lower income workers — retail, restaurant, pub workers whose businesses were forced to close. Average income among the employed rose sharply as a result, and then dropped again when lower-income workers returned to work. Given the problems in issuing the stimulus checks, and that many Americans received them in May rather than April, I’d guess that was more the dynamic than whether we counted stimulus checks as income.
With all this in mind, don’t be surprised to see another blockbuster report on Thursday for June, when most of the lights had switched to green. It’s the next jobs report that may hold some unpleasant surprises.


hotair--2020-06-27--Victory for Senators Cornyn and Cruz: Feds extend funding for COVID-19 testing sites in Texas

That was quick .
Just Thursday I was writing about the federal government ’ s plan to end funding to thirteen coronavirus testing sites across the country , seven of which are in Texas .
Other sites in Illinois , New Jersey , Colorado , and Pennsylvania face the same fate .
Texas is experiencing a spike in new cases of COVID-19 so the announcement wasn ’ t met with favorable responses by local lawmakers .
By Friday afternoon the decision had been postponed .
The reason for the change was said to be because the testing program used at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is moving away from it to expand testing options .
So , though assurances were made by Assistant HHS Secretary Brett Giroir that the change would be as smooth as possible and services would not be affected , let ’ s be honest – the timing was not great given the situation on the ground right now in Houston and other major cities in the state .
Lawmakers raised concerns about two testing sites in particular in Houston , referred to as the backbone of testing efforts in the city .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60,000 people have been tested , and they are maxing out before noon every single day now , ” Turner said .
“ They are hugely important.
” The mayor said that the city would pick up the costs of these sites when federal money stopped .
HHS was careful to explain that local and state officials were on board with taking over control of testing sites .
Local lawmakers and both of the state ’ s Republican senators , Senators Cornyn and Cruz , wrote letters to HHS asking for an extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) on Thursday sent a letter urging Secretary of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) Alex Azar and Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) Pete Gaynor to continue federal support for the successful program , saying : “ Texas is currently experiencing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases .
[ … ] Some of the state ’ s largest cities-where these CBTS sites are located-are experiencing single-day records of new cases .
Now is not the time to end a program that is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities in the state.
” By Friday afternoon , I received a press release from Senator Cruz ’ s office announcing that the efforts of both him and Senator Cornyn had been successful .
An extension has been granted , though not until August .
The extension is for two weeks .
Governor Abbott said he also asked for additional time for the funding to continue .
“ The State of Texas remains unwavering in our efforts to secure access to testing in communities across the state , ” said Governor Abbott .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital.
” Also on Friday , Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo raised the threat level to red for the county , the highest level .
Under the new Level 1 advisory , the following guidance is in effect : Stay home , except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine .
Avoid and cancel all gatherings of any size .
All vulnerable individuals ( 65+ or with pre-existing health conditions ) stay home .
Self-quarantine for 14 days if in close and prolonged contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Avoid non-essential business and personal travel .
Avoid public transportation where possible .
Avoid and cancel all indoor and outdoor gatherings , including concerts , rodeos , large sporting events , etc .
Schools and after-school activities for youth close , as directed by educational authorities .
Like other Democrats , Hidalgo blames the re-opening of business and activities in the state for the spike in new cases and hospitalizations .
She says it was too soon and lessons must be learned .
She used hyperbole to make her case to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it sound like those who may have loosened their mitigation practices to stop the spread of the coronavirus are making a conscious decision to kill people or something .
Sadly , this type of language has come to be common for her .
These sorts of statements by Hidalgo make for good television drama but most people realize that the state can not shut down forever .
Whether it was being said out loud or not , most people understood that as the state re-opened and people came out of their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott closed the bars as of Friday noon in hotspots like Houston yet left open dine-in restaurants , though he brought capacity limits back down to 50 % .
That sort of order may not make sense but it looks to be a compromise between shutting down obvious social settings where it is impossible to enforce social distancing and facial masks while allowing restaurants to remain open .

That was quick. Just Thursday I was writing about the federal government’s plan to end funding to thirteen coronavirus testing sites across the country, seven of which are in Texas. Other sites in Illinois, New Jersey, Colorado, and Pennsylvania face the same fate. Texas is experiencing a spike in new cases of COVID-19 so the announcement wasn’t met with favorable responses by local lawmakers. By Friday afternoon the decision had been postponed.
The reason for the change was said to be because the testing program used at these sites is antiquated. The federal government is moving away from it to expand testing options. So, though assurances were made by Assistant HHS Secretary Brett Giroir that the change would be as smooth as possible and services would not be affected, let’s be honest – the timing was not great given the situation on the ground right now in Houston and other major cities in the state.
Lawmakers raised concerns about two testing sites in particular in Houston, referred to as the backbone of testing efforts in the city. “Just those two sites alone, over 60,000 people have been tested, and they are maxing out before noon every single day now,” Turner said. “They are hugely important.” The mayor said that the city would pick up the costs of these sites when federal money stopped. HHS was careful to explain that local and state officials were on board with taking over control of testing sites.
Local lawmakers and both of the state’s Republican senators, Senators Cornyn and Cruz, wrote letters to HHS asking for an extension to August.
Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Thursday sent a letter urging Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar and Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pete Gaynor to continue federal support for the successful program, saying: “Texas is currently experiencing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases. […] Some of the state’s largest cities-where these CBTS sites are located-are experiencing single-day records of new cases. Now is not the time to end a program that is working and successfully increasing testing capacity-especially for underserved communities in the state.”
By Friday afternoon, I received a press release from Senator Cruz’s office announcing that the efforts of both him and Senator Cornyn had been successful. An extension has been granted, though not until August. The extension is for two weeks.
“I’m grateful the administration heeded my call with Sen. Cornyn to extend federal support for Community-Based Testing Sites in Texas. Our fight against the coronavirus isn’t over, and it is important to provide state and local officials every tool available to protect public health. We must remain vigilant as we work to defeat this virus and get our economy get back on its feet. Testing is crucial to those endeavors.”
Governor Abbott said he also asked for additional time for the funding to continue. “The State of Texas remains unwavering in our efforts to secure access to testing in communities across the state,” said Governor Abbott. “These federally-supported testing sites are a vital.”
Also on Friday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo raised the threat level to red for the county, the highest level.
The current red Level 1, “signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening and that testing and contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded.” “The harsh truth is that our current infection rate is on pace to overwhelm our hospitals in the very near future,” Judge Hidalgo said. “We hope this serves as a wakeup call to everyone that the time to act is now.”
Under the new Level 1 advisory, the following guidance is in effect:
Stay home, except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine. Avoid and cancel all gatherings of any size. Essential workers practice special precautions to prevent spread. All vulnerable individuals (65+ or with pre-existing health conditions) stay home. Self-quarantine for 14 days if in close and prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19. Wear face coverings to protect others. Avoid non-essential business and personal travel. Avoid public transportation where possible. Cancel visits to nursing homes, long term care facilities, and hospitals. Avoid and cancel all indoor and outdoor gatherings, including concerts, rodeos, large sporting events, etc. Schools and after-school activities for youth close, as directed by educational authorities.
Like other Democrats, Hidalgo blames the re-opening of business and activities in the state for the spike in new cases and hospitalizations. She says it was too soon and lessons must be learned. She used hyperbole to make her case to the reporters at the press conference. She made it sound like those who may have loosened their mitigation practices to stop the spread of the coronavirus are making a conscious decision to kill people or something. Sadly, this type of language has come to be common for her.
“When did we lose our respect for human life? Since when did we decide as a society that instead of saving a life … we would treat human lives as collateral damage? This pandemic is like an invisible hurricane”
These sorts of statements by Hidalgo make for good television drama but most people realize that the state cannot shut down forever. Whether it was being said out loud or not, most people understood that as the state re-opened and people came out of their homes, the virus would spread. Governor Abbott closed the bars as of Friday noon in hotspots like Houston yet left open dine-in restaurants, though he brought capacity limits back down to 50%. That sort of order may not make sense but it looks to be a compromise between shutting down obvious social settings where it is impossible to enforce social distancing and facial masks while allowing restaurants to remain open.


hotair--2020-06-26--"Myth" busted? NJ AG indicts four over mail-in ballot fraud; "hundreds" of mail-in ballots discovere

"Myth" busted? NJ AG indicts four over mail-in ballot fraud; "hundreds" of mail-in ballots discovered (updated)

And here I thought we had it on the highest authority that mail-in balloting didn ’ t have more risk for fraud and manipulation .
Don ’ t tell that to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal , who just indicted four men for voter fraud connected to hundreds of fraudulent mail-in ballots .
Two of suspects are city council members in Paterson , in fact : Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced voting fraud charges against 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson , 3rd Ward Council-Elect Alex Mendez and two other men , weeks after the May 12 local election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elections decided not to count 800 city ballots found scattered across different municipalities .
Both Jackson , 48 , and Mendez , 45 , were charged with fraud in casting mail-in votes , unauthorized possession of ballots , tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records , according to the statement .
Mendez was additionally charged with election fraud and false registration or transfer .
Along with Jackson and Mendez , two Passaic County men , Shelim Khalique , 51 , of Wayne , and Abu Razyen , 21 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The investigation was sparked by reports that hundreds of mail-in ballots were found in a mailbox in Paterson and in a mailbox in Haledon .
The coronavirus pandemic has forced voters to mail in their ballots , as voting sites are no longer open .
This can ’ t be !
We have been assured repeatedly by our elite that mail-in balloting doesn ’ t create more risks for voter fraud than normal voting .
If that ’ s really the case , it might be the most depressing part of this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem may have been in the thousands — and that it came close to 20 % of all voting in the election : In the City Council election , 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots were received , but only 13,557 votes were counted .
More than 3,190 votes , 19 % of the total ballots cast , were disqualified by the board of elections .
Due to the pandemic , Paterson ’ s election was done through vote-by-mail .
Community organizations , such as the city ’ s NAACP chapter , are calling for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reporting by NBC further uncovered citizens of Paterson who are listed as having voted , but who told the news outlet they never received a ballot and did not vote .
One woman , Ramona Javier , after being shown the list of people on her block who allegedly voted , told the outlet she knew of eight family members and neighbors who were wrongly listed .
“ We did not receive vote-by-mail ballots and thus we did not vote , ” she said .
“ This is corruption .
This is fraud.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of mail-in ballots were left on the lobby floors of apartment buildings and not delivered to residents ’ individual mailboxes , further casting doubt on the integrity of the election .
It ’ s not the first time we ’ ve seen this kind of fraud , either .
North Carolina needed to hold a special election to deal with “ ballot harvesting ” fraud that took place in its 9th CD election in the 2018 midterms .
Remember that the operative at the center of that fraud had over 800 mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , and might have manipulated the primary that defeated the sitting GOP incumbent .
Republican Dan Bishop won the special election , but the entire mess pointed up the risk factors of massive mail-in ballots .
This provides a more on-point warning .
This was just a municipal election , but it still resulted in “ hundreds ” of fraudulent ballots that may well have changed the outcome of the race had they been used .
Multiply that into the scale of voting needed for House , Senate , and presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcomes for those offices — and it ’ s not difficult at all to see a potentially massive nightmare coming in November .
The only reliable and secure method for voting is in-person casting of paper ballots , preferably using scan technology for efficient counting .
That not only allows for better voting security , it also means that we can get the results quickly enough for confidence in the system and a proper transition period if necessary .
Putting tens of millions of ballots into a mode of non-secure transmission via mailboxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual voter and the counting is practically an invitation for fraud — as Paterson and New Jersey discovered .
One last note : The charges won ’ t stop Jackson or Mendez from getting sworn into office on July 1 , PIX11 news notes .
Both men are protesting their innocence , so don ’ t expect them to resign in disgrace in the next few days .
Correction : The headline on this was incorrect , and conflated two different aspects of this case .
The hundreds of ballots discovered after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but appear to have been fraudulently collected and held .
The charges against the four men relate to mail-in ballot fraud and voter fraud , but not ( yet ) with the hundreds of ballots discovered .
I have changed the headline accordingly .
Thanks to Alex Wingate and Whey Standard on Twitter for pointing this out .

And here I thought we had it on the highest authority that mail-in balloting didn’t have more risk for fraud and manipulation. Don’t tell that to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who just indicted four men for voter fraud connected to hundreds of fraudulent mail-in ballots. Two of suspects are city council members in Paterson, in fact:
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced voting fraud charges against 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson, 3rd Ward Council-Elect Alex Mendez and two other men, weeks after the May 12 local election in which the Passaic County Board of Elections decided not to count 800 city ballots found scattered across different municipalities. Both Jackson, 48, and Mendez, 45, were charged with fraud in casting mail-in votes, unauthorized possession of ballots, tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records, according to the statement. Mendez was additionally charged with election fraud and false registration or transfer. Along with Jackson and Mendez, two Passaic County men, Shelim Khalique, 51, of Wayne, and Abu Razyen, 21, of Prospect Park, were also charged. The investigation was sparked by reports that hundreds of mail-in ballots were found in a mailbox in Paterson and in a mailbox in Haledon. The coronavirus pandemic has forced voters to mail in their ballots, as voting sites are no longer open.
This can’t be! We have been assured repeatedly by our elite that mail-in balloting doesn’t create more risks for voter fraud than normal voting. If that’s really the case, it might be the most depressing part of this story arc.
Mark Hemingway says the actual problem may have been in the thousands — and that it came close to 20% of all voting in the election:
In the City Council election, 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots were received, but only 13,557 votes were counted. More than 3,190 votes, 19% of the total ballots cast, were disqualified by the board of elections. Due to the pandemic, Paterson’s election was done through vote-by-mail. Community organizations, such as the city’s NAACP chapter, are calling for the entire election to be invalidated. … Reporting by NBC further uncovered citizens of Paterson who are listed as having voted, but who told the news outlet they never received a ballot and did not vote. One woman, Ramona Javier, after being shown the list of people on her block who allegedly voted, told the outlet she knew of eight family members and neighbors who were wrongly listed. “We did not receive vote-by-mail ballots and thus we did not vote,” she said. “This is corruption. This is fraud.” There were multiple reports that large numbers of mail-in ballots were left on the lobby floors of apartment buildings and not delivered to residents’ individual mailboxes, further casting doubt on the integrity of the election.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen this kind of fraud, either. North Carolina needed to hold a special election to deal with “ballot harvesting” fraud that took place in its 9th CD election in the 2018 midterms. Remember that the operative at the center of that fraud had over 800 mail-in ballots in his possession for the general election, and might have manipulated the primary that defeated the sitting GOP incumbent. Republican Dan Bishop won the special election, but the entire mess pointed up the risk factors of massive mail-in ballots.
This provides a more on-point warning. This was just a municipal election, but it still resulted in “hundreds” of fraudulent ballots that may well have changed the outcome of the race had they been used. Multiply that into the scale of voting needed for House, Senate, and presidential elections — and the increasing stakes of the outcomes for those offices — and it’s not difficult at all to see a potentially massive nightmare coming in November.
The only reliable and secure method for voting is in-person casting of paper ballots, preferably using scan technology for efficient counting. That not only allows for better voting security, it also means that we can get the results quickly enough for confidence in the system and a proper transition period if necessary. Putting tens of millions of ballots into a mode of non-secure transmission via mailboxes and the hands of others between the individual voter and the counting is practically an invitation for fraud — as Paterson and New Jersey discovered.
One last note: The charges won’t stop Jackson or Mendez from getting sworn into office on July 1, PIX11 news notes. Both men are protesting their innocence, so don’t expect them to resign in disgrace in the next few days.
Correction: The headline on this was incorrect, and conflated two different aspects of this case. The hundreds of ballots discovered after the election were not necessarily themselves fraudulent, but appear to have been fraudulently collected and held. The charges against the four men relate to mail-in ballot fraud and voter fraud, but not (yet) with the hundreds of ballots discovered. I have changed the headline accordingly. Thanks to Alex Wingate and Whey Standard on Twitter for pointing this out.


hotair--2020-06-28--Sunday morning talking heads

Sunday morning talking heads

After weeks of coverage of civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd the Sunday shows return to their springtime roots today .
It ’ s back to COVID-19 and the outbreaks across southern states that have already slowed America ’ s reopening and might soon reverse it .
The people the White House has chosen to lead its messaging effort this morning are an interesting bunch : No Fauci , no Birx , no career scientists at all ( at least according to the schedule as of Saturday ) .
Instead they ’ re sending out political appointees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relied on to paint a rosier picture of the current outbreak than a Fauci or Birx might be willing to .
VP Mike Pence will chat with “ Face the Nation ” while HHS Secretary Alex Azar sits down with “ Meet the Press ” and “ State of the Union.
” Expect them to emphasize that deaths from coronavirus are still waaaaay down from their peak , which is true , and that the current uptick in cases isn ’ t that big a deal , which is not true .
Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trump ’ s insistence on holding indoor rallies amid the outbreak and whether there ’ s a Plan B for the upcoming GOP convention in Jacksonville as Florida copes with a major spike .
The other star guest is John Bolton , who ’ ll speak to “ Meet the Press ” about his book and criticisms of Trump various and sundry .
Bolton ’ s been harder on POTUS during his book tour for how he handled China and North Korea than for how he ’ s handled Russia , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s asked about U.S. intelligence discovering that Russian intel had placed “ bounties ” on U.S. soldiers with Afghan jihadis .
The National Security Council was chatting about that as far back as March , the NYT reports , and Trump himself was allegedly briefed on it .
And yet as recently as June 3 the president was pushing the G7 to include Russia in its next summit .
Why ?
What ’ s their punishment for targeting American soldiers ?
Elsewhere , Tim Scott will talk with “ Face the Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform in Congress this year .
And Andrew Cuomo will get the “ distinguished expert ” treatment on “ Meet the Press , ” where he ’ ll gloat over the fact that southern states that reopened early are now struggling to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 .
The grim reality : New York State has one-third the total population of new hot spots Texas , Florida , and Arizona and yet more than four times as many deaths .
The number of nursing-home residents in New York who died amid Cuomo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeds the overall death toll in Texas and Florida — combined .
That ’ s what bad governance will get you , but take that victory lap , Andrew .
The full line-up is at the AP .

After weeks of coverage of civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd the Sunday shows return to their springtime roots today. It’s back to COVID-19 and the outbreaks across southern states that have already slowed America’s reopening and might soon reverse it. The people the White House has chosen to lead its messaging effort this morning are an interesting bunch: No Fauci, no Birx, no career scientists at all (at least according to the schedule as of Saturday). Instead they’re sending out political appointees, the sort of people who can be relied on to paint a rosier picture of the current outbreak than a Fauci or Birx might be willing to.
VP Mike Pence will chat with “Face the Nation” while HHS Secretary Alex Azar sits down with “Meet the Press” and “State of the Union.” Expect them to emphasize that deaths from coronavirus are still waaaaay down from their peak, which is true, and that the current uptick in cases isn’t that big a deal, which is not true. Pence will also be grilled (further) on Trump’s insistence on holding indoor rallies amid the outbreak and whether there’s a Plan B for the upcoming GOP convention in Jacksonville as Florida copes with a major spike.
The other star guest is John Bolton, who’ll speak to “Meet the Press” about his book and criticisms of Trump various and sundry. Bolton’s been harder on POTUS during his book tour for how he handled China and North Korea than for how he’s handled Russia, but that may change this morning when he’s asked about U.S. intelligence discovering that Russian intel had placed “bounties” on U.S. soldiers with Afghan jihadis. The National Security Council was chatting about that as far back as March, the NYT reports, and Trump himself was allegedly briefed on it. And yet as recently as June 3 the president was pushing the G7 to include Russia in its next summit. Why? What’s their punishment for targeting American soldiers?
Elsewhere, Tim Scott will talk with “Face the Nation” about the dimming prospects for police reform in Congress this year. And Andrew Cuomo will get the “distinguished expert” treatment on “Meet the Press,” where he’ll gloat over the fact that southern states that reopened early are now struggling to contain an outbreak of COVID-19. The grim reality: New York State has one-third the total population of new hot spots Texas, Florida, and Arizona and yet more than four times as many deaths. The number of nursing-home residents in New York who died amid Cuomo’s infamous policy of readmitting the infected exceeds the overall death toll in Texas and Florida — combined. That’s what bad governance will get you, but take that victory lap, Andrew. The full line-up is at the AP.


hotair--2020-06-28--POLITICO: Trump tells advisers he's losing

Concerns may run through Trumpland about a potentially major defeat in the upcoming election .
POLITICO reported multiple people told them President Donald Trump realizes things aren ’ t going well .
In the week since his Tulsa rally , the president has grudgingly conceded that he ’ s behind , according to three people who are familiar with his thinking .
Trump , who vented for days about the event , is starting to take a more hands-on role in the campaign and has expressed openness to adding more people to the team .
He has also held meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states .
Trump ’ s son-in-law Jared Kushner , who effectively oversees the campaign from the White House , is expected to play an even more active role… Trump ’ s team insists the president ’ s numbers are bound to improve as he steps up his public events and intensifies his attacks on Biden .
People involved in the campaign say they have settled on two main avenues to go after the former vice president : That he ’ s beholden to liberals who want to do away with law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a consummate Washington insider .
The campaign has begun a massive TV ad campaign going after the 77-year-old former vice president , including over his mental capacity and his nearly five-decade political career .
Hoping to make inroads with African-American voters , Trump ’ s campaign is running ads slamming Biden over his central role in the 1994 crime bill .
Biden ’ s role in the 1994 crime bill is extremely troublesome for anyone who cares about justice reform , however , African-Americans love him .
And not just because Biden was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign took off in South Carolina earlier this year ( boy , this election year has gone on forever ) so going after him on justice reform might work among younger progressives , but not necessarily older African-Americans .
One other troublesome comment comes from former adviser Sam Nunberg ( who proclaimed to be a Trump supporter despite crowing to CNN in 2018 , “ I ’ m not a Donald Trump fan , as I told you before , okay ?
He treated me like crap.
” ) regarding the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I ’ ll believe it when I see it which I doubt will happen .
Although , boy , would 2020 be completely wheels off if both Biden and Trump stepped aside for health or polling reasons .
Although that might make it harder for Libertarian nominee Dr. Jo Jorgensen to somehow end up on the debate stage .
Anyway , Trump ’ s campaign appears far from worried about the prospects of a 2020 loss .
“ There was similar fretting in 2016 and if it had been accurate , Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
Joe Biden is the weakest Democrat candidate in a generation and we are defining him that way , ” said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh to POLITICO .
“ We are four months from Election Day and in the end it will be a clear choice between President Trump ’ s incredible record of achievement and Joe Biden ’ s half-century of failure in Washington , D.C. ” Murtaugh is right regarding Election Day because we ’ re only at the end of June when it feels like early September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls will probably tighten up as we get closure to November , however , would anyone be shocked if Trump just decided to pack things up and leave the nomination to someone else ?
Exit comment from the President which may have been a response to the POLITICO piece .
Four months to go .
Four .
Long .
Months .

Concerns may run through Trumpland about a potentially major defeat in the upcoming election. POLITICO reported multiple people told them President Donald Trump realizes things aren’t going well.
In the week since his Tulsa rally, the president has grudgingly conceded that he’s behind, according to three people who are familiar with his thinking. Trump, who vented for days about the event, is starting to take a more hands-on role in the campaign and has expressed openness to adding more people to the team. He has also held meetings recently focusing on his efforts in individual battleground states. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who effectively oversees the campaign from the White House, is expected to play an even more active role… Trump’s team insists the president’s numbers are bound to improve as he steps up his public events and intensifies his attacks on Biden. People involved in the campaign say they have settled on two main avenues to go after the former vice president: That he’s beholden to liberals who want to do away with law and order, and that he’s a consummate Washington insider. The campaign has begun a massive TV ad campaign going after the 77-year-old former vice president, including over his mental capacity and his nearly five-decade political career. Hoping to make inroads with African-American voters, Trump’s campaign is running ads slamming Biden over his central role in the 1994 crime bill.
Biden’s role in the 1994 crime bill is extremely troublesome for anyone who cares about justice reform, however, African-Americans love him. And not just because Biden was vice-president to Barack Obama. Biden’s campaign took off in South Carolina earlier this year (boy, this election year has gone on forever) so going after him on justice reform might work among younger progressives, but not necessarily older African-Americans.
One other troublesome comment comes from former adviser Sam Nunberg (who proclaimed to be a Trump supporter despite crowing to CNN in 2018, “I’m not a Donald Trump fan, as I told you before, okay? He treated me like crap.”) regarding the 2020 prospects of the GOP. Via POLITICO:
If Trump’s numbers erode to 35 percentage points over the next two weeks, Nunberg added, “He’s going to be facing realistically a 400-plus electoral vote loss and the president would need to strongly reconsider whether he wants to continue to run as the Republican presidential nominee.”
I’ll believe it when I see it which I doubt will happen. Although, boy, would 2020 be completely wheels off if both Biden and Trump stepped aside for health or polling reasons. Although that might make it harder for Libertarian nominee Dr. Jo Jorgensen to somehow end up on the debate stage.
Anyway, Trump’s campaign appears far from worried about the prospects of a 2020 loss.
“There was similar fretting in 2016 and if it had been accurate, Hillary Clinton would be in the White House right now. Joe Biden is the weakest Democrat candidate in a generation and we are defining him that way,” said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh to POLITICO. “We are four months from Election Day and in the end it will be a clear choice between President Trump’s incredible record of achievement and Joe Biden’s half-century of failure in Washington, D.C.”
Murtaugh is right regarding Election Day because we’re only at the end of June when it feels like early September 2030 from a timeline standpoint. The polls will probably tighten up as we get closure to November, however, would anyone be shocked if Trump just decided to pack things up and leave the nomination to someone else?
Exit comment from the President which may have been a response to the POLITICO piece.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277219673315119106
Four months to go. Four. Long. Months.


hotair--2020-06-28--China begins review of Hong Kong security law

China appears ready to further crush dissent within Hong Kong as its Standing Committee of the 13th National People ’ s Congress begins review on a draft of the security law .
The government claims to need the secretive bill in hopes of ending unrest while also vowing the importance of toeing the societal line .
“ In the name of “ Hong Kong independence ” and “ self-determination , ” radicals openly challenge the central government and the SAR government and seriously touch the bottom line of the “ one country ” principle , ” Hong Kong Chief Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official blog published only in Chinese ( Thanks to Google Translate for the assist . )
today .
“ Coupled with the inadequacies of Hong Kong ’ s legal system and enforcement mechanism for maintaining national security , Hong Kong has become a gap in national security risks…The national security legislation aims to prevent , stop and punish the very few illegal elements that endanger national security , protect the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens who abide by the law , and protect their life and property as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordance with the law.
” Kin-chung rambles on about the need to “ safeguard national security ” through consolidation of the “ one country , two systems ” method of government for HK while issuing a warning to protest leaders and students who view freedom and universal suffrage key in their disputes with the Chinese and Hong Kong governments .
“ We often remind young people that it is not feasible to make mistakes and embark on a wrong path , otherwise they will destroy their future .
This principle also applies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong Special Administrative Region takes the right path again , the room for development will be infinite .
No matter in the past , present or future , the motherland is always a strong backing for Hong Kong.
” Opponents rightly ask , “ Security , at what cost ?
” Hong Kong police wantonly used pepper spray again today during a peaceful protest causing injuries to demonstrators walking the sidewalk and journalists covering the scene .
A Hong Kong member of the National People ’ s Congress told RTHK he believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found guilty of the proposed law into a gulag for life ( ! )
because it targets few people .
Those believing the “ few people ” claim deserve a good dunking in the South China Sea given Beijing ’ s concentra-err- “ vocational training camps ” filled to the brim with Uighurs .
Something similar likely exists already for Hongkongers who dare question the merits of communism and China ’ s more hands-on approach to affairs within the region .
The immediate response from most Americans towards China is a desire for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s no wisdom in this given the likelihood the end result is death on all sides .
History teaches us militant nationalism usually begets more conflict within regions when the economy wanes .
China likely sees Hong Kong as an economic peach despite recent moves in Washington , DC to bruise its monetary appeal by applying China policy to HK .
The DC policy may only inflame China to act more swiftly in hopes of protecting its own allies and grabbing as much money as possible .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an overt show of force on city streets is the ultimate solution if and when the security law gets approval .
The American government is limited in its authority , however , it can extend refugee status to Hongkongers looking to escape from tyranny .
It gives them another road to freedom outside of Great Britain or Tawain which are viewed as the most likely landing spots for democracy advocates or those who have no love of China .
Individual Americans have more power to help than the government .
People can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy organizations including Demosisto or Hong Kong Free Press to directly help those who risk arrest at any day .
State power is limited , but individual power is not .
The moves may save a life or two more than total war – cold or not – along with preserving freedom within hearts and minds .

China appears ready to further crush dissent within Hong Kong as its Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress begins review on a draft of the security law. The government claims to need the secretive bill in hopes of ending unrest while also vowing the importance of toeing the societal line.
“In the name of “Hong Kong independence” and “self-determination,” radicals openly challenge the central government and the SAR government and seriously touch the bottom line of the “one country” principle,” Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung tuts in an official blog published only in Chinese (Thanks to Google Translate for the assist.) today. “Coupled with the inadequacies of Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanism for maintaining national security, Hong Kong has become a gap in national security risks…The national security legislation aims to prevent, stop and punish the very few illegal elements that endanger national security, protect the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens who abide by the law, and protect their life and property as well as the basic rights and freedoms they enjoy in accordance with the law.”
Kin-chung rambles on about the need to “safeguard national security” through consolidation of the “one country, two systems” method of government for HK while issuing a warning to protest leaders and students who view freedom and universal suffrage key in their disputes with the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. “We often remind young people that it is not feasible to make mistakes and embark on a wrong path, otherwise they will destroy their future. This principle also applies to our city. As long as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region takes the right path again, the room for development will be infinite. No matter in the past, present or future, the motherland is always a strong backing for Hong Kong.”
Opponents rightly ask, “Security, at what cost?”
Hong Kong police wantonly used pepper spray again today during a peaceful protest causing injuries to demonstrators walking the sidewalk and journalists covering the scene. A Hong Kong member of the National People’s Congress told RTHK he believed it “reasonable” to throw those found guilty of the proposed law into a gulag for life(!) because it targets few people. Those believing the “few people” claim deserve a good dunking in the South China Sea given Beijing’s concentra-err-“vocational training camps” filled to the brim with Uighurs. Something similar likely exists already for Hongkongers who dare question the merits of communism and China’s more hands-on approach to affairs within the region.
The immediate response from most Americans towards China is a desire for war whether it be economic or military. There’s no wisdom in this given the likelihood the end result is death on all sides. History teaches us militant nationalism usually begets more conflict within regions when the economy wanes. China likely sees Hong Kong as an economic peach despite recent moves in Washington, DC to bruise its monetary appeal by applying China policy to HK. The DC policy may only inflame China to act more swiftly in hopes of protecting its own allies and grabbing as much money as possible.
It’s likely China decides a Hong Kong crackdown with an overt show of force on city streets is the ultimate solution if and when the security law gets approval. The American government is limited in its authority, however, it can extend refugee status to Hongkongers looking to escape from tyranny. It gives them another road to freedom outside of Great Britain or Tawain which are viewed as the most likely landing spots for democracy advocates or those who have no love of China.
Individual Americans have more power to help than the government. People can still chip in cash to Hong Kong democracy organizations including Demosisto or Hong Kong Free Press to directly help those who risk arrest at any day. State power is limited, but individual power is not. The moves may save a life or two more than total war – cold or not – along with preserving freedom within hearts and minds.


hotair--2020-06-28--Black Lives Matter protesters in Beverly Hills: "Eat the rich!"

Remember just a couple of weeks ago when the Black Lives Matter activists and their supporters came to Beverly Hills , California and the protest march turned into looting all the swanky stores on Rodeo Drive ?
Then some protesters came into the residential areas and held a late-night protest among the homes of the rich and famous .
The residents very quickly reacted as most people would do – they demanded action from their local lawmakers to protect them and their property .
Funny how that happens , right ?
The wealthy liberals who carefully maintain their woke public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My Back Yard ( NIMBY ) mentality when the mobs come for their neighborhoods .
The city of Beverly Hills issued an emergency order two nights later that bans public gatherings of more than 10 people in residential areas between 9 PM and 8 AM .
So , how ’ s that emergency order going ?
Not so great , apparently .
It turns out that Black Lives Matter activists don ’ t abide by emergency orders .
Who knew ?
Anyone with a brain knew that ’ s who .
Who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wishes of a residential neighborhood when their marches are often infiltrated by Marxists and anarchists hell-bent on destroying the American way of life , capitalism in specific ?
The emergency order is a legal action .
The protesters aren ’ t interested in the legality of their actions .
The protesters headed back to Beverly Hills on Friday night .
Did they abide by the curfew ?
Of course not .
They did as they did in the previous protest – they blasted loud music and blocked the streets .
Reports are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flags from private property and chanted stale slogans like “ Eat the rich ” that is often cited as originating in the days of Jean-Jacques Rousseau , or in contemporary times to songs by that name from Aerosmith in the 90s and Motörhead before that , in the 80s .
Today ’ s Marxists are reaching back to past days instead of moving ahead with a new vision .
There is nothing new with the far left ’ s hatred of capitalism .
The protesters did their thing long past midnight .
Finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hills Police Department tweeted that the protest had ended , arrests were made , and the crowd had left the City of Beverly Hills .
The leader of the protest was arrested after 11:00 p.m. , though the emergency order calls for the curfew to begin at 9:00 p.m. Why did the police wait to arrest him ?
Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles and other protest groups are asking a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction to forbid the Los Angeles Police Department from using baton strikes and rubber bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say that batons and rubber bullets violate demonstrators ’ constitutional rights .
“ The LAPD has used so-called rubber bullets and batons indiscriminately to disrupt and disperse protesters with many serious injuries resulting , ” attorney Paul Hoffman wrote on behalf of BLM-L.A. and more than a dozen protesters injured by police officers .
“ The images of baton-wielding LAPD officers and protesters ’ injuries unacceptably increase the cost of public participation in these important exercises of First Amendment rights.
” The injunction effort comes as part of a class-action lawsuit filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapter of the National Lawyers Guild , Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network , which accuses the LAPD of repeatedly misapplying the law to clear the streets .
The lawsuit says demonstrators ’ constitutional rights were violated and many were left bloodied and bruised .
Somehow I don ’ t think that people watching at home across the country during these protests have a lot of sympathy for the protesters who may be injured during police responses to the crowds .
What about the innocent bystanders who are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marches that turn into riots and looters go wild ?
Molotov cocktails and rocks and skateboards used as battering rams on glass doors and windows produce injuries , too .
Marxists are violent and should expect to be treated as such .

Remember just a couple of weeks ago when the Black Lives Matter activists and their supporters came to Beverly Hills, California and the protest march turned into looting all the swanky stores on Rodeo Drive? Then some protesters came into the residential areas and held a late-night protest among the homes of the rich and famous. The residents very quickly reacted as most people would do – they demanded action from their local lawmakers to protect them and their property.
Funny how that happens, right? The wealthy liberals who carefully maintain their woke public images suddenly revert to a Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) mentality when the mobs come for their neighborhoods. The city of Beverly Hills issued an emergency order two nights later that bans public gatherings of more than 10 people in residential areas between 9 PM and 8 AM.
So, how’s that emergency order going? Not so great, apparently. It turns out that Black Lives Matter activists don’t abide by emergency orders. Who knew? Anyone with a brain knew that’s who. Who would sincerely expect highly motivated activists to respect the wishes of a residential neighborhood when their marches are often infiltrated by Marxists and anarchists hell-bent on destroying the American way of life, capitalism in specific? The emergency order is a legal action. The protesters aren’t interested in the legality of their actions.
The protesters headed back to Beverly Hills on Friday night. Did they abide by the curfew? Of course not. They did as they did in the previous protest – they blasted loud music and blocked the streets.
Protestors now outside wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, shouting, “wake they rich asses up!” pic.twitter.com/gSHP1V8CwY — The Convo Couch (@theconvocouch) June 27, 2020
Reports are that the protesting marchers tore down American flags from private property and chanted stale slogans like “Eat the rich” that is often cited as originating in the days of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, or in contemporary times to songs by that name from Aerosmith in the 90s and Motörhead before that, in the 80s. Today’s Marxists are reaching back to past days instead of moving ahead with a new vision. There is nothing new with the far left’s hatred of capitalism.
The Black Lives Matter mob in Los Angeles seized a privately owned American flag in a residential suburb, shredding it and pulling it down. pic.twitter.com/gCffXqZuwZ — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 27, 2020
Protestors shouting “eat the rich,” down a street full of mansions in Beverly Hills! #Eattherich pic.twitter.com/WUvnNtrH8G — The Convo Couch (@theconvocouch) June 27, 2020
The protesters did their thing long past midnight. Finally, after 3:00 a.m., the Beverly Hills Police Department tweeted that the protest had ended, arrests were made, and the crowd had left the City of Beverly Hills. The leader of the protest was arrested after 11:00 p.m., though the emergency order calls for the curfew to begin at 9:00 p.m. Why did the police wait to arrest him?
The unlawful assembly in the area of Rexford Dr & Carmelita Ave has ended with arrests being made. Protesters have now left the City. — Beverly Hills Police (@BeverlyHillsPD) June 27, 2020
Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles and other protest groups are asking a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction to forbid the Los Angeles Police Department from using baton strikes and rubber bullets to control crowds during future protests. They say that batons and rubber bullets violate demonstrators’ constitutional rights.
“The LAPD has used so-called rubber bullets and batons indiscriminately to disrupt and disperse protesters with many serious injuries resulting,” attorney Paul Hoffman wrote on behalf of BLM-L.A. and more than a dozen protesters injured by police officers. “The images of baton-wielding LAPD officers and protesters’ injuries unacceptably increase the cost of public participation in these important exercises of First Amendment rights.” The injunction effort comes as part of a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network, which accuses the LAPD of repeatedly misapplying the law to clear the streets. The lawsuit says demonstrators’ constitutional rights were violated and many were left bloodied and bruised.
Somehow I don’t think that people watching at home across the country during these protests have a lot of sympathy for the protesters who may be injured during police responses to the crowds. What about the innocent bystanders who are trying to protect their shops and property during the marches that turn into riots and looters go wild? Molotov cocktails and rocks and skateboards used as battering rams on glass doors and windows produce injuries, too. Marxists are violent and should expect to be treated as such.


hotair--2020-06-28--Federal judge orders all children with families detained by ICE to be released

A federal judge ruled Friday that minor children being held for longer than 20 days with their parents in detention facilities must be released .
The ruling affects three family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
The reason given by Judge Dolly M. Gee of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is the spread of the coronavirus in these facilities .
Judge Gee set a deadline of July 17 for the release of the children , who can be released with their families or to a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are operated by ICE and are distinct from the ones operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The judge ’ s ruling claims that 124 children are being detained in the family detention centers whereas the HHS facilities hold about 1,000 children , all unaccompanied .
The good news is that the number of those being detained has fallen , thanks to the Trump administration ’ s policies of removing most people trying to cross the border and to enforcement of the Migrant Protection Protocols , a.k.a .
the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order pertains to the court settlement governing the Flores agreement – the U.S. government ’ s treatment of immigrant children .
She has long declared the treatment of children in detention centers to be “ deplorable ” , first during the Obama presidency ( she ’ s an Obama appointee ) and now again during Trump ’ s administration .
According to her order , there arethree conditions in which ICE can refuse to release a child .
Gee ’ s order says ICE can decline to release a child if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the child ’ s parent waives rights under the Flores agreement , or if there is a “ prior unexplained failure to appear at a scheduled hearing.
” But most parents last month refused to designate a sponsor when ICE officials unexpectedly asked them who could take their children if the adults remained detained , according to lawyers for the families .
The agency said then it was conducting a “ routine parole review consistent with the law ” and Gee ’ s previous orders .
Activists would like to empty the detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus advocate for the release of all families .
Advocates contend that ICE should release all families from detention especially as the coronavirus has spread rapidly through immigration detention .
In court filings revealed Thursday , ICE said 11 children and parents have tested positive for COVID-19 at the family detention center in Karnes City , Texas… Amy Maldonado , an attorney who works with detained families , said Gee “ clearly recognized that the government is not willing to protect the health and safety of the children , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the sensible choice and release the parents to care for their children , ” she said of the government .
ICE is not supportive of the judge ’ s order to release families .
The reason is that while the coronavirus is spreading in its facilities , families are likely flight risks .
The judge addressed the problems with containing the coronavirus outbreaks in the detention center , ruling that more efforts must be made to release the children .
Liberal legal experts are pleased with Judge Gee ’ s ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit that brought about the Flores consent decree , Peter Schey .
“ We are grateful that the federal court has again stepped into this crisis and ordered the release of all minors to relatives in the U.S. in the next three weeks as long as the parent detained with the child wants their child released , ” Schey wrote in a statement to CBS News .
“ Some detained parents facing deportation brought their children to this country to save them from rampant and unchecked violence in their home countries and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here rather than being deported along with the parent to countries where children face harm , and sometimes death.
” It seems to me that the facilities should be required to isolate the people who are infected with the coronavirus and treat them .
Releasing the children to others or releasing the entire family will only spread the virus outside the facility .
It is impossible to expect detention centers to be disease-free because of the close quarters and the number of detainees being held .
Other federal facilities are dealing with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This just seems like an excuse to return to the status quo of allowing illegal immigrants to be released into the general population before their legal status is determined .

A federal judge ruled Friday that minor children being held for longer than 20 days with their parents in detention facilities must be released. The ruling affects three family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The reason given by Judge Dolly M. Gee of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is the spread of the coronavirus in these facilities. Judge Gee set a deadline of July 17 for the release of the children, who can be released with their families or to a family sponsor.
The family detention centers “are ‘on fire’ and there is no more time for half measures,” she wrote.
These three family detention centers are operated by ICE and are distinct from the ones operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The judge’s ruling claims that 124 children are being detained in the family detention centers whereas the HHS facilities hold about 1,000 children, all unaccompanied. The good news is that the number of those being detained has fallen, thanks to the Trump administration’s policies of removing most people trying to cross the border and to enforcement of the Migrant Protection Protocols, a.k.a. the Remain in Mexico policy.
Judge Gee’s order pertains to the court settlement governing the Flores agreement – the U.S. government’s treatment of immigrant children. She has long declared the treatment of children in detention centers to be “deplorable”, first during the Obama presidency (she’s an Obama appointee) and now again during Trump’s administration. According to her order, there arethree conditions in which ICE can refuse to release a child.
Gee’s order says ICE can decline to release a child if there is not a suitable sponsor, the child’s parent waives rights under the Flores agreement, or if there is a “prior unexplained failure to appear at a scheduled hearing.” But most parents last month refused to designate a sponsor when ICE officials unexpectedly asked them who could take their children if the adults remained detained, according to lawyers for the families. The agency said then it was conducting a “routine parole review consistent with the law” and Gee’s previous orders.
Activists would like to empty the detention centers by using the excuse of the spread of the coronavirus advocate for the release of all families.
Advocates contend that ICE should release all families from detention especially as the coronavirus has spread rapidly through immigration detention. In court filings revealed Thursday, ICE said 11 children and parents have tested positive for COVID-19 at the family detention center in Karnes City, Texas… Amy Maldonado, an attorney who works with detained families, said Gee “clearly recognized that the government is not willing to protect the health and safety of the children, which is their obligation.” “They need to make the sensible choice and release the parents to care for their children,” she said of the government.
ICE is not supportive of the judge’s order to release families. The reason is that while the coronavirus is spreading in its facilities, families are likely flight risks.
More than 2,500 people in ICE custody have tested positive for COVID-19. The agency says it has released at least 900 people considered to have heightened medical risk and reduced the populations at its three family detention centers. But in court filings last month, ICE said it considered most of the people in family detention to be flight risks because they had pending deportation orders or cases under review.
The judge addressed the problems with containing the coronavirus outbreaks in the detention center, ruling that more efforts must be made to release the children.
“Given the severity of the outbreak in the counties in which FRCs are located and the Independent Monitor and Dr. Wise’s observations of non-compliance or spotty compliance with masking and social distancing rules, renewed and more vigorous efforts must be undertaken to transfer (children) residing at the FRCs to non-congregate settings,” Gee wrote in her order.
Liberal legal experts are pleased with Judge Gee’s ruling, including the co-counsel in the original lawsuit that brought about the Flores consent decree, Peter Schey.
“We are grateful that the federal court has again stepped into this crisis and ordered the release of all minors to relatives in the U.S. in the next three weeks as long as the parent detained with the child wants their child released,” Schey wrote in a statement to CBS News. “Some detained parents facing deportation brought their children to this country to save them from rampant and unchecked violence in their home countries and would prefer to see them released to relatives here rather than being deported along with the parent to countries where children face harm, and sometimes death.”
It seems to me that the facilities should be required to isolate the people who are infected with the coronavirus and treat them. Releasing the children to others or releasing the entire family will only spread the virus outside the facility. It is impossible to expect detention centers to be disease-free because of the close quarters and the number of detainees being held. Other federal facilities are dealing with the pandemic as best as is possible. This just seems like an excuse to return to the status quo of allowing illegal immigrants to be released into the general population before their legal status is determined.