hotair--2020-09-06--Another beauty giant enters the arena on re-branding skin lighteners

This is the kind of story that wouldn ’ t even be a part of the discussion in relation to the social justice movement but this is 2020 and everything is magnified .
Corporations are so nervous about being the next target of hyper-sensitive protesters that they are going above and beyond in order to prove their level of wokeness .
Beauty conglomerate Estee Lauder has entered the discussion of skin lightening products .
As Jazz wrote about in July , these products are a huge source of revenue for beauty companies .
We ’ re talking billions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Mind you , none of the beauty companies intend to do away with these products , they just have to figure out a new way to market them , to re-brand them .
The words “ lightening ” and “ brightening ” have to be less conspicuous .
This is all in the name of cultural sensitivity .
The coronavirus pandemic has affected sales .
Women who are not working or working from home are not purchasing cosmetics and skincare products as much as they might under normal circumstances .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groceries or say , rent , if a person is trying to make ends meet .
Products sold by upscale brands like Estee Lauder and some of its other lines can easily be substituted for brands sold in drug stores .
Budget-conscious consumers have lots of choices available to them .
Criticism has come over something called colorism – promoting products that promise to lighten skin color , with the message being that light skin is more attractive or pleasing than dark skin .
Changes made by other companies have moved Estee Lauder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being offered are also under scrutiny .
Susan Akkad , the Estee Lauder senior vice president whose department oversees cultural sensitivity , said in a telephone interview that her team considers several factors when assessing products both new and old .
Staff will , among other things , make sure products have appropriate shading .
They also will consider local and regional cultural influences , which tend to be intangible and nuanced .
The appraisal will also determine if certain product lines should offer wider ranges of shades or formulas for a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tones have historically been neglected by many big beauty brands , though more products to appeal to these consumers have been introduced in recent years .
“ We need to make sure that our communication is positive and sensitive in every part of the world , ” Akkad said .
In June , employees of Estee Lauder wrote to Chairman William Lauder to address the company ’ s relationship with the black community and its own black workers .
So , like other companies bending to employee demands , Estee Lauder announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These included more black hiring , partnering with black community organizations , and donating to black causes .
The company is also creating an external advisory board for the company ’ s efforts to work with more black-owned businesses .
The exact products under review remain undisclosed .
Voicing support for the Black Lives Matter movement isn ’ t enough .
Activists demand that companies pay a ransom , so to speak .
Either they write some big checks and concentrate on black businesses or they will face boycotts and negative publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business as usual in today ’ s environment , even in the cosmetics and skincare business .
Skin lightening products fall into a general category .
I admit I ’ m no expert .
My skin tone is very light and I use products at the lightest end of the color scale .
Lightening cremes are sold as overnight cremes , apparently , and are different than , say , concealers .
I use concealer to camouflage dark circles under my eyes or random spots from sun damage but that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am curious about something , though .
If companies are concerned about racism in marketing and cultural appropriation , what about bronzer ?
Just a thought .
White women like me use it to warm up our faces .
Is that product next on the list to be criticized as cultural appropriation .
It ’ s how crazy some of these arguments have become .
We ’ ll see if changing up words on the packaging and advertising appeases the offended consumers or not .

This is the kind of story that wouldn’t even be a part of the discussion in relation to the social justice movement but this is 2020 and everything is magnified. Corporations are so nervous about being the next target of hyper-sensitive protesters that they are going above and beyond in order to prove their level of wokeness.
Beauty conglomerate Estee Lauder has entered the discussion of skin lightening products. As Jazz wrote about in July, these products are a huge source of revenue for beauty companies. We’re talking billions of dollars in skin lightening skincare creams around the world. Mind you, none of the beauty companies intend to do away with these products, they just have to figure out a new way to market them, to re-brand them. The words “lightening” and “brightening” have to be less conspicuous. This is all in the name of cultural sensitivity.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected sales. Women who are not working or working from home are not purchasing cosmetics and skincare products as much as they might under normal circumstances. It’s not a necessity, like groceries or say, rent, if a person is trying to make ends meet. Products sold by upscale brands like Estee Lauder and some of its other lines can easily be substituted for brands sold in drug stores. Budget-conscious consumers have lots of choices available to them.
Estée Lauder Companies owns more than 25 cosmetic, fragrance, and haircare brands. It reported net sales of $2.43 billion in the three months to June 30, a 32% drop from the same period in 2019. The sales slump, caused by stores closing during lockdown, prompted it to shut 15% of its stores for good and cut up to 2,000 jobs.
Criticism has come over something called colorism – promoting products that promise to lighten skin color, with the message being that light skin is more attractive or pleasing than dark skin. Changes made by other companies have moved Estee Lauder to act. The shades of make-up being offered are also under scrutiny.
Susan Akkad, the Estee Lauder senior vice president whose department oversees cultural sensitivity, said in a telephone interview that her team considers several factors when assessing products both new and old. Staff will, among other things, make sure products have appropriate shading. They also will consider local and regional cultural influences, which tend to be intangible and nuanced. The appraisal will also determine if certain product lines should offer wider ranges of shades or formulas for a more diverse set of shoppers. Darker skin tones have historically been neglected by many big beauty brands, though more products to appeal to these consumers have been introduced in recent years. “We need to make sure that our communication is positive and sensitive in every part of the world,” Akkad said.
In June, employees of Estee Lauder wrote to Chairman William Lauder to address the company’s relationship with the black community and its own black workers. So, like other companies bending to employee demands, Estee Lauder announced a list of commitments to meet their demands. These included more black hiring, partnering with black community organizations, and donating to black causes. The company is also creating an external advisory board for the company’s efforts to work with more black-owned businesses. The exact products under review remain undisclosed.
Representatives for Estee Lauder declined to say which products have been reviewed so far. The company has used “whitening” on labeling of some items in the past and recently promoted “brightening” for goods such as its CyberWhite HD Advanced Brightening Night Creme.
Voicing support for the Black Lives Matter movement isn’t enough. Activists demand that companies pay a ransom, so to speak. Either they write some big checks and concentrate on black businesses or they will face boycotts and negative publicity. It is not possible to conduct business as usual in today’s environment, even in the cosmetics and skincare business.
Skin lightening products fall into a general category. I admit I’m no expert. My skin tone is very light and I use products at the lightest end of the color scale. Lightening cremes are sold as overnight cremes, apparently, and are different than, say, concealers. I use concealer to camouflage dark circles under my eyes or random spots from sun damage but that’s the extent of my personal use of products. I am curious about something, though. If companies are concerned about racism in marketing and cultural appropriation, what about bronzer? Just a thought. White women like me use it to warm up our faces. Is that product next on the list to be criticized as cultural appropriation. It’s how crazy some of these arguments have become. We’ll see if changing up words on the packaging and advertising appeases the offended consumers or not.


hotair--2020-09-06--Judge bars Detroit police from using rubber bullets, tear gas

As in other cities plagued by violent riots and looting , the police in Detroit , Michigan have regularly resorted to the use of non-lethal countermeasures in an attempt to restore order .
These tactics have included the usual tools of deploying tear gas , pepper spray or rubber bullets , among others .
This led an activist group named Detroit Will Breath to file a lawsuit in which they asked the court to forbid the use of such tactics on the “ protesters.
” On Friday evening the group managed to find a federal judge willing to agree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Laurie J. Michelson , an Obama appointee , granted the request and issued a temporary order forbidding the police from engaging in such acts for two weeks while more evidence is presented .
But the order came with several important strings attached .
( Detroit News ) A federal judge late Friday granted a temporary restraining order requested Monday by the protest group Detroit Will Breathe , which bars Detroit police officers from using several tactics and equipment on “ peaceful protesters ” for 14 days .
Police Chief James Craig responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laurie J. Michelson by saying his officers only have used force when protesters weren ’ t peaceful and that the ruling won ’ t change how the department handles demonstrations .
Detroit Will Breathe filed a federal lawsuit alleging Detroit police used “ unnecessary , unreasonable and excessive force ” and violated members ’ constitutional rights .
City attorney Lawrence Garcia responded that he welcomed the suit , because he said it allowed the city to file a counter-suit .
Here ’ s where we come to all of the strings attached to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes several specific police actions , but they all come with the same provision .
Here ’ s one example ( emphasis added ) : Using striking weapons ( including , but not limited to , batons and shields ) , chemical agents ( including , but not limited to , tear gas and pepper spray ) , or rubber bullets against any individual peacefully engaging in protest or demonstrations who does not pose a physical threat to the safety of the public or police .
In other words , if you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs , giving speeches or any of the other usual activities one finds at a demonstration , the cops aren ’ t allowed to just start firing off tear gas canisters or shooting rubber bullets into the crowd .
Detroit ’ s Police Chief was able to respond with the obvious and correct rebuttal .
The order is essentially meaningless because they aren ’ t tear gassing actual peaceful protesters , nor are they firing rubber bullets at them or anything else of the sort .
It ’ s only when the protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being assaulted , stores are being looted and police stations are being set on fire that the cops break out the more serious hardware .
The judge ’ s ruling offers no sort of protection to rioters and looters , so the order should have no impact on the operations of the police .
An attorney for the group still declared victory for the group , saying that “ The decision today affirms that we are on the right side of both the law and history.
” I suppose that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re trying to generate some good sound bites for the media , but it seems rather silly when you consider that nothing has really changed .
You can still peacefully assemble and protest to your hearts content , but as soon as it turns into a riot , the police retain the right to beat you down .
The problem is that the police are still frequently outnumbered by a significant margin when compared to the rioters .
Riot shields , batons and tear gas will only protect you just so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you is overwhelming .
But that ’ s still the entire point of keeping nonlethal offensive technology in your arsenal .
If the courts take that away , the cops are left with a choice of either standing down and allowing lawlessness to prevail or opening fire with live ammunition .
Which one do you think the rioters would prefer ?
I ’ m assuming they would prefer taking a rubber bullet to the gut than a lead slug .
But the cheerleaders for the rioters in the media might not be quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t generate as big of a headline as an actual shooting , now do they ?

As in other cities plagued by violent riots and looting, the police in Detroit, Michigan have regularly resorted to the use of non-lethal countermeasures in an attempt to restore order. These tactics have included the usual tools of deploying tear gas, pepper spray or rubber bullets, among others. This led an activist group named Detroit Will Breath to file a lawsuit in which they asked the court to forbid the use of such tactics on the “protesters.” On Friday evening the group managed to find a federal judge willing to agree to their demands… sort of. U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson, an Obama appointee, granted the request and issued a temporary order forbidding the police from engaging in such acts for two weeks while more evidence is presented. But the order came with several important strings attached. (Detroit News)
A federal judge late Friday granted a temporary restraining order requested Monday by the protest group Detroit Will Breathe, which bars Detroit police officers from using several tactics and equipment on “peaceful protesters” for 14 days. Police Chief James Craig responded to the order by U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson by saying his officers only have used force when protesters weren’t peaceful and that the ruling won’t change how the department handles demonstrations. Detroit Will Breathe filed a federal lawsuit alleging Detroit police used “unnecessary, unreasonable and excessive force” and violated members’ constitutional rights. City attorney Lawrence Garcia responded that he welcomed the suit, because he said it allowed the city to file a counter-suit.
Here’s where we come to all of the strings attached to the judge’s order. It includes several specific police actions, but they all come with the same provision. Here’s one example (emphasis added):
Using striking weapons (including, but not limited to, batons and shields), chemical agents (including, but not limited to, tear gas and pepper spray), or rubber bullets against any individual peacefully engaging in protest or demonstrations who does not pose a physical threat to the safety of the public or police.
In other words, if you’re marching, chanting, holding up signs, giving speeches or any of the other usual activities one finds at a demonstration, the cops aren’t allowed to just start firing off tear gas canisters or shooting rubber bullets into the crowd.
Detroit’s Police Chief was able to respond with the obvious and correct rebuttal. The order is essentially meaningless because they aren’t tear gassing actual peaceful protesters, nor are they firing rubber bullets at them or anything else of the sort. It’s only when the protest turns into a riot and people are being assaulted, stores are being looted and police stations are being set on fire that the cops break out the more serious hardware. The judge’s ruling offers no sort of protection to rioters and looters, so the order should have no impact on the operations of the police.
An attorney for the group still declared victory for the group, saying that “The decision today affirms that we are on the right side of both the law and history.” I suppose that’s the sort of thing you say when you’re trying to generate some good sound bites for the media, but it seems rather silly when you consider that nothing has really changed. You can still peacefully assemble and protest to your hearts content, but as soon as it turns into a riot, the police retain the right to beat you down.
The problem is that the police are still frequently outnumbered by a significant margin when compared to the rioters. Riot shields, batons and tear gas will only protect you just so much if the mass of bodies assembled against you is overwhelming. But that’s still the entire point of keeping nonlethal offensive technology in your arsenal. If the courts take that away, the cops are left with a choice of either standing down and allowing lawlessness to prevail or opening fire with live ammunition.
Which one do you think the rioters would prefer? I’m assuming they would prefer taking a rubber bullet to the gut than a lead slug. But the cheerleaders for the rioters in the media might not be quite as concerned. Rubber bullets don’t generate as big of a headline as an actual shooting, now do they?


hotair--2020-09-06--Governor Abbott considers placing Austin P.D. under state control

Governor Abbott is looking at ways to stop the Austin City Council from defunding the Austin Police Department .
Austin is the first city in Texas to approve such an action .
In August , Governor Abbott and other top Republican state leadership mulled over a proposal to stop cities from defunding police departments by freezing that city ’ s ability to raise property taxes .
On Thursday the governor announced he is considering a legislative proposal that would place the Austin Police Department under the control of the State of Texas , if passed .
Texas ’ governor tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy that would stop city officials ’ efforts to shift resources away from police departments and into other social services .
Austin became the first Texas city to approve cutting its police budget last month as calls rise to “ defund police ” during a revived movement against police brutality and racial injustice .
“ This proposal for the state to take over the Austin Police Department is one strategy I ’ m looking at , ” Abbott tweeted in response to an article from Reform Austin .
“ We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for law enforcement to endanger the public & invite chaos like in Portland and Seattle.
” Former Texas House members and parliamentarians Terry Keel and Ron Wilson sent Governor Abbott potential legislation that can be looked at as a roadmap for Texas to address the Defund the Police movement .
Keel , who is also a former Travis County sheriff , said Austin opened the door for the legislation and is potentially creating a public safety crisis .
Here is how the legislation would work – a city with a population over 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 1,000 residents , like Austin , will have its police force consolidated with the Texas Department of Public Safety , the state ’ s law enforcement branch .
DPS would take over the local police department and create a new department .
This only happens if the governor decided there were “ insufficient municipal resources being appropriated for public safety needs.
” With that , the director of DPS would be in charge of the new department .
The Texas Public Safety Commission would decide its budget .
That money would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sent to the city .
Keel and Wilson say they have been working with other former parliamentarians privately .
They say this approach would “ permanently and effectively fix the array of continual public safety problems created by Austin ’ s local government.
” They point to the legislation as a necessary tool in light of Austin ’ s continuing , growing problems of homelessness and rise in crime .
It ’ s a public safety issue as well as one that affects the quality of life for Austin residents .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rules of the House and Senate allow for a bill addressing a problem in a specific locality if it is of a subject matter of statewide import and its classification scheme relates to the bill ’ s purpose .
They claim that is exactly the type of situation Austin has handed state leaders .
They have even written out the proposed legislation , which they say could serve as a warning to other cities considering following Austin ’ s actions .
“ It is not realistic to expect that Austin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its anti-police political leanings .
The explosion of homelessness , quality of life crimes and spikes in robberies and homicides will continue and worsen for citizens of Austin and all Texans here in the capital city as long as Austin ’ s local politicians remain in charge of the police department , ” they stated .
Austin Mayor Steve Adler ’ s response is no surprise to anyone familiar with how he governs the city .
He has been feckless in timely responses to the growing problems in Austin , as both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supports defunding the police department .
He falls in line with other liberal Democrat mayors in Portland and Seattle and other cities experiencing riots and destruction at the hands of angry BLM protesters and professional agitators .
And , of course , he blames the bad Orange Man for his own ineffective leadership .
“ Austin is the safest big city in Texas and one of the safest in the country .
Public safety is our priority and we support our police .
We ’ re also always looking for ways for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not surprising the President ’ s rhetoric is finding its way to Texas as we get closer to November , ” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler in commenting on the proposal .
Governor Abbott is trying to head off going in the direction of Portland and Seattle in Austin .
He doesn ’ t want the Defund the Police movement to spread further in Texas , though other cities are considering such action .
Austin is the only city in Texas so far to cut police funding in this manner .
This may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislative solution is only under consideration at this point .
Formal legislation will have to be written and put before the state legislature when it comes back into session if the governor decides to go with it .

Governor Abbott is looking at ways to stop the Austin City Council from defunding the Austin Police Department. Austin is the first city in Texas to approve such an action.
In August, Governor Abbott and other top Republican state leadership mulled over a proposal to stop cities from defunding police departments by freezing that city’s ability to raise property taxes. On Thursday the governor announced he is considering a legislative proposal that would place the Austin Police Department under the control of the State of Texas, if passed.
Texas’ governor tweeted Thursday that he was looking at a strategy that would stop city officials’ efforts to shift resources away from police departments and into other social services. Austin became the first Texas city to approve cutting its police budget last month as calls rise to “defund police” during a revived movement against police brutality and racial injustice. “This proposal for the state to take over the Austin Police Department is one strategy I’m looking at,” Abbott tweeted in response to an article from Reform Austin. “We can’t let Austin’s defunding & disrespect for law enforcement to endanger the public & invite chaos like in Portland and Seattle.”
This proposal for the state to takeover the Austin Police Department is one strategy I'm looking at. We can't let Austin's defunding & disrespect for law enforcement to endanger the public & invite chaos like in Portland and Seattle.#BackTheBlue https://t.co/nPiRYXhx5j — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 3, 2020
Former Texas House members and parliamentarians Terry Keel and Ron Wilson sent Governor Abbott potential legislation that can be looked at as a roadmap for Texas to address the Defund the Police movement. Keel, who is also a former Travis County sheriff, said Austin opened the door for the legislation and is potentially creating a public safety crisis.
Here is how the legislation would work – a city with a population over 1 million and less than two police officers per 1,000 residents, like Austin, will have its police force consolidated with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state’s law enforcement branch. DPS would take over the local police department and create a new department. This only happens if the governor decided there were “insufficient municipal resources being appropriated for public safety needs.” With that, the director of DPS would be in charge of the new department. The Texas Public Safety Commission would decide its budget. That money would be taken from state sales revenue taxes that are sent to the city.
Keel and Wilson say they have been working with other former parliamentarians privately. They say this approach would “permanently and effectively fix the array of continual public safety problems created by Austin’s local government.” They point to the legislation as a necessary tool in light of Austin’s continuing, growing problems of homelessness and rise in crime. It’s a public safety issue as well as one that affects the quality of life for Austin residents.
According to the duo, the Texas Constitution and rules of the House and Senate allow for a bill addressing a problem in a specific locality if it is of a subject matter of statewide import and its classification scheme relates to the bill’s purpose. They claim that is exactly the type of situation Austin has handed state leaders. They have even written out the proposed legislation, which they say could serve as a warning to other cities considering following Austin’s actions. “It is not realistic to expect that Austin’s council during our lifetime will significantly change its anti-police political leanings. The explosion of homelessness, quality of life crimes and spikes in robberies and homicides will continue and worsen for citizens of Austin and all Texans here in the capital city as long as Austin’s local politicians remain in charge of the police department,” they stated.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s response is no surprise to anyone familiar with how he governs the city. He has been feckless in timely responses to the growing problems in Austin, as both the homeless population and crime have risen, and supports defunding the police department. He falls in line with other liberal Democrat mayors in Portland and Seattle and other cities experiencing riots and destruction at the hands of angry BLM protesters and professional agitators. And, of course, he blames the bad Orange Man for his own ineffective leadership.
“Austin is the safest big city in Texas and one of the safest in the country. Public safety is our priority and we support our police. We’re also always looking for ways for everyone to be even more safe. Not surprising the President’s rhetoric is finding its way to Texas as we get closer to November,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler in commenting on the proposal.
Governor Abbott is trying to head off going in the direction of Portland and Seattle in Austin. He doesn’t want the Defund the Police movement to spread further in Texas, though other cities are considering such action. Austin is the only city in Texas so far to cut police funding in this manner. This may or may not be a viable solution. The legislative solution is only under consideration at this point. Formal legislation will have to be written and put before the state legislature when it comes back into session if the governor decides to go with it.


hotair--2020-09-06--Am I my brother's keeper? Sunday reflection

Jesus said to his disciples : “ If your brother sins against you , go and tell him his fault between you and him alone .
If he listens to you , you have won over your brother .
If he does not listen , take one or two others along with you , so that ‘ every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
’ If he refuses to listen to them , tell the church .
If he refuses to listen even to the church , then treat him as you would a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I say to you , whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven , and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven .
Again , amen , I say to you , if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray , it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father .
For where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them.
” Where is it toughest to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer is obvious — when I ’ m driving .
When I ’ m on the road , that whole judge not lest ye be judged thing goes right out the window … along with a few choice words and/or gestures .
This does not always work out as anonymously as I ’ d like .
On one occasion , having gone into a paroxysm over someone ’ s belated and abrupt lane change , it turned out that we were both pulling into the same gas station .
The woman started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop her and tell her that I owed her the apology .
Fortunately , she had a good sense of humor and we wished each other well over some sheepish laughter .
This also amuses my wife , who during our recent vacation road trip ( our first in an RV , actually ) kept asking me what I was muttering about .
When I explained that I was offering lessons in proper driving habits to the other benighted travelers on the road , she asked , “ Do you really think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Of course they are , I wanted to say , or at least they should be .
If everyone else would just listen to me , the roads would work much better .
As opposed to , say , following my own example at times .
So much for the whole humility thing , too .
Today ’ s Gospel reading brings all this squarely to mind , however , because it deals with the same issue in a much more serious manner .
Jesus teaches us that we are to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what are we to do with bad behavior and missteps ?
Needless to say , Jesus doesn ’ t advise that we should wildly gesticulate from the road and call others morons ( oh , well ! )
, but that we do have a responsibility to correct those who sin against others .
And in our first reading , Ezekiel warns that the responsibility will get accounted to our own standing with the Lord : The ancient question “ Am I my brother ’ s keeper ?
” comes from Genesis 4:9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover up his murder of his brother Abel .
The answer from the Lord shows that Cain was certainly accountable for his sin against his brother .
Ezekiel ’ s prophecy shows that accountability goes beyond that , however .
We are all part of the community of God , and part of our duty to that community is to evangelize His word .
That becomes more necessary when members of the community fall into error or sin , and the need to proclaim the truth of His word becomes all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accomplish this task , not just for the best effect but also to keep from falling into sin ourselves ?
After all , the Pharisees spend most of the Gospels rebuking Jesus and the disciples over what they see as violations of the Law , and eventually would conspire to put Jesus to death over those .
Jesus also specifically warned against judging others , although as we see in this Gospel passage , He also makes a crucial distinction between dealing with the sin and dealing with the sinner .
Rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin , as the Pharisees did and fed their own sense of authority by doing so , Jesus instructs us to start with a personal effort to resolve the issue .
This is also how evangelization works best in all other contexts , too — in one-on-one encounters .
For those who feel sinned against , it allows for the chance to work things out without involving anyone else and to give the other person an opportunity to make things right .
Only if that does not resolve the situation are we to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three others to witness the effort , and then by bringing it to the whole community if that does not work .
If the sin remains and the person is not repentant , then Jesus recommends shunning as the final answer .
What is most notable in this progression is that it focuses especially on peace between all parties .
Even in the extreme , when the whole church gets involved , the emphasis is on whether to remain engaged with the person who persists in offense , error , or sin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sin involved , and no consequence other than the loss of membership in the community — which the individual chooses by refusing to listen to the church and mend his ways .
As brothers and sisters in Christ , we are the keepers of our brothers and sisters to the extent of making sure they have heard the truth and the Gospel , but beyond that , each person has to choose whether to accept it and live by it .
The choice to harden the heart belongs to that individual ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to evangelize the truth and the Word .
This goes beyond how we relate to each other , too .
We make this same decision in our relationship with the Lord as we do with His church .
When we sin against the Lord , He calls us back to account for those sins , and waits for us to “ listen ” to Him in our hearts .
Jesus provides us with witnesses to remind us of His truth , and then the church itself to give us another path to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we do not listen , we remove ourselves from that community whether we ’ re still attending it or not .
For a great example of this reconciliation process through peace , read the epistles of Paul , especially to the Corinthians .
The church in Corinth fell into a number of errors , and Paul had to rebuke them on several issues .
However , Paul never disowns the church , nor does he wash his hands of it .
Instead , Paul evangelizes the Word and rebukes their actions while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motives .
Paul writes passionately at times , but he never loses sight of the fact that these are his brothers and sisters , and his greatest desire is to see them correct their errors and come back into full communion with Christ .
Maybe that ’ s something I should consider on my next road trip .
Rather than get angry at foolish behavior , perhaps it would be better to pray for my brothers and sisters on the road so that they could return to the straight and narrow .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-page image is a detail from a 1684 Arabic manuscript of the Gospels , copied in Egypt by Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib ( likely a Coptic monk ) .
In the collection of The Walters Art Museum , Baltimore , Md .
Via Wikimedia Commons .
“ Sunday Reflection ” is a regular feature , looking at the specific readings used in today ’ s Mass in Catholic parishes around the world .
The reflection represents only my own point of view , intended to help prepare myself for the Lord ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion .
Previous Sunday Reflections from the main page can be found here .

This morning’s Gospel reading is Matthew 18:15–20:
Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Where is it toughest to be a true Christian? For me, the answer is obvious — when I’m driving. When I’m on the road, that whole judge not lest ye be judged thing goes right out the window … along with a few choice words and/or gestures. This does not always work out as anonymously as I’d like. On one occasion, having gone into a paroxysm over someone’s belated and abrupt lane change, it turned out that we were both pulling into the same gas station. The woman started to apologize, but I was embarrassed enough to stop her and tell her that I owed her the apology. Fortunately, she had a good sense of humor and we wished each other well over some sheepish laughter.
This also amuses my wife, who during our recent vacation road trip (our first in an RV, actually) kept asking me what I was muttering about. When I explained that I was offering lessons in proper driving habits to the other benighted travelers on the road, she asked, “Do you really think they’re listening to you?” Of course they are, I wanted to say, or at least they should be. If everyone else would just listen to me, the roads would work much better. As opposed to, say, following my own example at times.
So much for the whole humility thing, too.
Today’s Gospel reading brings all this squarely to mind, however, because it deals with the same issue in a much more serious manner. Jesus teaches us that we are to leave judgment of souls to Him, but what are we to do with bad behavior and missteps? Needless to say, Jesus doesn’t advise that we should wildly gesticulate from the road and call others morons (oh, well!), but that we do have a responsibility to correct those who sin against others. And in our first reading, Ezekiel warns that the responsibility will get accounted to our own standing with the Lord:
If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.
The ancient question “Am I my brother’s keeper?” comes from Genesis 4:9, spoken by Cain to the Lord to cover up his murder of his brother Abel. The answer from the Lord shows that Cain was certainly accountable for his sin against his brother. Ezekiel’s prophecy shows that accountability goes beyond that, however. We are all part of the community of God, and part of our duty to that community is to evangelize His word. That becomes more necessary when members of the community fall into error or sin, and the need to proclaim the truth of His word becomes all the more important.
But how are we to accomplish this task, not just for the best effect but also to keep from falling into sin ourselves? After all, the Pharisees spend most of the Gospels rebuking Jesus and the disciples over what they see as violations of the Law, and eventually would conspire to put Jesus to death over those. Jesus also specifically warned against judging others, although as we see in this Gospel passage, He also makes a crucial distinction between dealing with the sin and dealing with the sinner.
Rather than make a public spectacle of rebuking sin, as the Pharisees did and fed their own sense of authority by doing so, Jesus instructs us to start with a personal effort to resolve the issue. This is also how evangelization works best in all other contexts, too — in one-on-one encounters. For those who feel sinned against, it allows for the chance to work things out without involving anyone else and to give the other person an opportunity to make things right. Only if that does not resolve the situation are we to involve others, starting off with two or three others to witness the effort, and then by bringing it to the whole community if that does not work. If the sin remains and the person is not repentant, then Jesus recommends shunning as the final answer.
What is most notable in this progression is that it focuses especially on peace between all parties. Even in the extreme, when the whole church gets involved, the emphasis is on whether to remain engaged with the person who persists in offense, error, or sin. There is no “punishment” for sin involved, and no consequence other than the loss of membership in the community — which the individual chooses by refusing to listen to the church and mend his ways. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are the keepers of our brothers and sisters to the extent of making sure they have heard the truth and the Gospel, but beyond that, each person has to choose whether to accept it and live by it. The choice to harden the heart belongs to that individual; our responsibility, as Ezekiel prophesies, is to evangelize the truth and the Word.
This goes beyond how we relate to each other, too. We make this same decision in our relationship with the Lord as we do with His church. When we sin against the Lord, He calls us back to account for those sins, and waits for us to “listen” to Him in our hearts. Jesus provides us with witnesses to remind us of His truth, and then the church itself to give us another path to finding our way back to Him. If we do not listen, we remove ourselves from that community whether we’re still attending it or not.
For a great example of this reconciliation process through peace, read the epistles of Paul, especially to the Corinthians. The church in Corinth fell into a number of errors, and Paul had to rebuke them on several issues. However, Paul never disowns the church, nor does he wash his hands of it. Instead, Paul evangelizes the Word and rebukes their actions while not making assumptions about their hearts or motives. Paul writes passionately at times, but he never loses sight of the fact that these are his brothers and sisters, and his greatest desire is to see them correct their errors and come back into full communion with Christ.
Maybe that’s something I should consider on my next road trip. Rather than get angry at foolish behavior, perhaps it would be better to pray for my brothers and sisters on the road so that they could return to the straight and narrow. Or at least their own lane.
The front-page image is a detail from a 1684 Arabic manuscript of the Gospels, copied in Egypt by Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib (likely a Coptic monk). In the collection of The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Md. Via Wikimedia Commons.
“Sunday Reflection” is a regular feature, looking at the specific readings used in today’s Mass in Catholic parishes around the world. The reflection represents only my own point of view, intended to help prepare myself for the Lord’s day and perhaps spark a meaningful discussion. Previous Sunday Reflections from the main page can be found here.


hotair--2020-09-06--Dem unions planning strikes over social justice... just in time for the election

Thus far there ’ s no official announcement or projected date , but some of the staunchest allies of the Democrats are cooking up one of the most shamelessly political maneuvers I can ever recall seeing in an effort to squeak out a win in November .
With Joe Biden ’ s poll number slipping in several critical states , a collection of labor unions have issued a letter calling for a general , national strike to obtain “ racial justice ” and to support the Black Lives Matter movement .
You don ’ t need to look much further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this scheme to see what ’ s going on .
But the net effect , if they manage to pull this off , would be another gutshot to the economy just as we roll into the final couple of months before voters go to the polls .
( Associated Press ) Ahead of Labor Day , unions representing millions across several working-class sectors are threatening to authorize work stoppages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement amid calls for concrete measures that address racial injustice .
In a statement first shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who represent teachers , autoworkers , truck drivers and clerical staff , among others , signaled a willingness Friday to escalate protest tactics to force local and federal lawmakers to take action on policing reform and systemic racism .
They said the walkouts , if they were to move forward with them , would last for as long as needed .
The real objective here is painfully obvious .
The Democrats are desperate to keep the economy shut down as much as possible and the maximum number of people out of work until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters who are unhappy will vote against the party in power .
( And traditionally that ’ s not a bad bet . )
But with more and more people revolting against continuing the shutdowns and being eager to get back to work , many states are already reopening .
spurring lower unemployment numbers and slow signs of improvement .
This is similar to all of the trash-talking going on about a vaccine becoming available in the next month or so .
If there ’ s an end to the pandemic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad about keeping the status quo in place .
The Democrats would far prefer to see the economy “ miraculously ” spring back into action and the pandemic fade away after November 4th so Joe Biden can take credit for it .
So if things start looking better on the jobs front , one way to turn that progress around would be a massive labor strike for “ social justice.
” So which unions are speaking up in favor of a shutdown of business and more workers being out on the streets ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the usual suspects who always show up when the Democrats need cash or a larger megaphone .
The list includes the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) , the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) , and affiliates of the National Education Association ( the teachers ’ unions ) .
These are the fattest cash cows funding the Democratic Party , but it looks like now they ’ re willing to do more than simply pour money into the DNC ’ s coffers .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be met in order to end the strike , assuming they manage to organize it ?
Let ’ s take a look .
Again , this is the same old song and dance we always hear with some new “ anti-racism ” initiatives added in for 2020 flavoring .
“ Divest from the police ” = Defund or abolish the police .
“ Redistribute the stolen wealth ” of billionaires = Wealth tax , the abolition of the most successful “ Universal health care ” – Medicare for All “ Universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent “ Cash assistance ” = Universal basic income for those unable or unwilling to work Of course , none of those things are achievable in any immediate time frame , but that doesn ’ t matter .
If Joe Biden somehow wins the election , the strike will miraculously come to an end the day after the results are called despite not a single one of their stated demands having been met .
That way the Democrats can take credit for the amazing “ Biden recovery ” of jobs and the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the immediate release of the first available COVID vaccine on the same day .
It ’ s still not clear if they could actually get their workers to go along with this scheme after so many of them have been out of work for so long .
But never sell the unions short .
If there ’ s a way to make this happen , they ’ ll do it .

Thus far there’s no official announcement or projected date, but some of the staunchest allies of the Democrats are cooking up one of the most shamelessly political maneuvers I can ever recall seeing in an effort to squeak out a win in November. With Joe Biden’s poll number slipping in several critical states, a collection of labor unions have issued a letter calling for a general, national strike to obtain “racial justice” and to support the Black Lives Matter movement. You don’t need to look much further than the list of unions signing on to this scheme to see what’s going on. But the net effect, if they manage to pull this off, would be another gutshot to the economy just as we roll into the final couple of months before voters go to the polls. (Associated Press)
Ahead of Labor Day, unions representing millions across several working-class sectors are threatening to authorize work stoppages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement amid calls for concrete measures that address racial injustice. In a statement first shared with The Associated Press, labor leaders who represent teachers, autoworkers, truck drivers and clerical staff, among others, signaled a willingness Friday to escalate protest tactics to force local and federal lawmakers to take action on policing reform and systemic racism. They said the walkouts, if they were to move forward with them, would last for as long as needed.
The real objective here is painfully obvious. The Democrats are desperate to keep the economy shut down as much as possible and the maximum number of people out of work until the election, banking on the idea that voters who are unhappy will vote against the party in power. (And traditionally that’s not a bad bet.) But with more and more people revolting against continuing the shutdowns and being eager to get back to work, many states are already reopening. spurring lower unemployment numbers and slow signs of improvement.
This is similar to all of the trash-talking going on about a vaccine becoming available in the next month or so. If there’s an end to the pandemic in sight, voters might not feel so bad about keeping the status quo in place. The Democrats would far prefer to see the economy “miraculously” spring back into action and the pandemic fade away after November 4th so Joe Biden can take credit for it. So if things start looking better on the jobs front, one way to turn that progress around would be a massive labor strike for “social justice.”
So which unions are speaking up in favor of a shutdown of business and more workers being out on the streets? The gang’s all here, with the usual suspects who always show up when the Democrats need cash or a larger megaphone. The list includes the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and affiliates of the National Education Association (the teachers’ unions). These are the fattest cash cows funding the Democratic Party, but it looks like now they’re willing to do more than simply pour money into the DNC’s coffers.
So what are the “demands” that need to be met in order to end the strike, assuming they manage to organize it? Let’s take a look.
“We echo the call to local and federal government to divest from the police, to redistribute the stolen wealth of the billionaire class, and to invest in what our people need to live in peace, dignity, and abundance: universal health care and housing, public jobs programs and cash assistance, and safe working conditions,” the statement reads.
Again, this is the same old song and dance we always hear with some new “anti-racism” initiatives added in for 2020 flavoring.
“Divest from the police” = Defund or abolish the police.
“Redistribute the stolen wealth” of billionaires = Wealth tax, the abolition of the most successful
“Universal health care” – Medicare for All
“Universal housing” = Nobody has to pay rent
“Cash assistance” = Universal basic income for those unable or unwilling to work
Of course, none of those things are achievable in any immediate time frame, but that doesn’t matter. If Joe Biden somehow wins the election, the strike will miraculously come to an end the day after the results are called despite not a single one of their stated demands having been met. That way the Democrats can take credit for the amazing “Biden recovery” of jobs and the economy. They’ll no doubt push for the immediate release of the first available COVID vaccine on the same day.
It’s still not clear if they could actually get their workers to go along with this scheme after so many of them have been out of work for so long. But never sell the unions short. If there’s a way to make this happen, they’ll do it.


hotair--2020-09-07--BLM activists attacking and harassing people in Pittsburgh, police investigating (Update: Activists

BLM activists attacking and harassing people in Pittsburgh, police investigating (Update: Activists vs. Ed)

Increasingly , we ’ re seeing evidence that BLM “ protests ” on the streets of various cities aren ’ t aimed solely at raising awareness for an issue , they are also intended to directly confront anyone they encounter , sometimes violently .
That ’ s what happened in downtown Pittsburgh Saturday and some of it was captured on video .
The woman who shot these two clips provided this description : In this first clip , a guy with a bullhorn is yelling in the ear of a man carrying a bike .
He uses the bullhorn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The man carrying the bike responds by swatting at the bullhorn .
And then a 2nd person swings and hits the man holding the bike over the head with a skateboard .
Fortunately , he was wearing a bike helmet but this is clearly assault .
It appears that this same group returned to the restaurant they had already passed and began harassing people who were eating there .
As you can see , one woman even walks up to a table and drinks a beer belonging to one of the customers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t Matter.
” There ’ s an obvious racial component to these incidents .
The people doing the hitting and harassing are black and the targets of abuse are mostly white .
In some cases the abuse is specifically because people are white .
It ’ s clearly not because the diners are doing anything to the activists .
They ’ re just trying to have lunch .
Later that night a woman who appears to be the same person who drank the stranger ’ s beer was leading the protesters as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Mayor ’ s house .
More harassment , this time targeting a restaurant owner they claim offended them : The harassment of people dining is similar to what happened at two restaurants in Rochester last week and to another incident in Washington , DC .
The activists aren ’ t content to march and protest anymore , they want to confront strangers and scream at them .
WTAE reports police in Pittsburgh are now looking into the incident .
At a minimum , the person who hit the bike rider with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with assault .
Update : Hadn ’ t seen this one .
It ’ s the same group of people and at some point they took their bullhorn show into a McDonalds .
Bullhorn-guy in the pink shirt shouted at the manager , whose name is Ed , until he came out .
Bullhorn guy tried shouting directly in his face with the bullhorn and Ed wasn ’ t having it .
Ed pushed him back and it briefly turned into a scuffly .
Bullhorn guy then blocked the manager ’ s entrance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was a lot of shouting but the camera then turned away to focus on another woman screaming about being touched .
The clip ends with Ed the manager walking around to the far side and hopping over the counter while the woman in the “ Nazi Lives Don ’ t Matter ” shirt harasses him some more .
Needless to say , Ed would be running on a loop at CNN and MSNBC if he were white .
This group can ’ t get away with as much when the person they @ @ @ @ @

Increasingly, we’re seeing evidence that BLM “protests” on the streets of various cities aren’t aimed solely at raising awareness for an issue, they are also intended to directly confront anyone they encounter, sometimes violently. That’s what happened in downtown Pittsburgh Saturday and some of it was captured on video. The woman who shot these two clips provided this description:
Yesterday I was enjoying a late lunch in Pittsburgh on an outdoor table when a “peaceful” demonstration came though right past us. I was shocked with what I experienced next. We witnessed demonstrators bullying, harassing and physically assaulting random people simply walking past them or quietly enjoying a meal. Drinks were taken out of restaurant patrons hands and drank before throwing to the ground. People were shaken & scared as they ran away from their tables around us.
In this first clip, a guy with a bullhorn is yelling in the ear of a man carrying a bike. He uses the bullhorn to shove the guy in the head. The man carrying the bike responds by swatting at the bullhorn. And then a 2nd person swings and hits the man holding the bike over the head with a skateboard. Fortunately, he was wearing a bike helmet but this is clearly assault.
PITTSBURGH PA pic.twitter.com/xXn6EQpENb — President-Elect Dr BadPantsGator PhD (@drrollergator) September 7, 2020
It appears that this same group returned to the restaurant they had already passed and began harassing people who were eating there. As you can see, one woman even walks up to a table and drinks a beer belonging to one of the customers. Her shirt reads “Nazi Lives Don’t Matter.”
PITTSBURGH PA pic.twitter.com/PxZGxpJIca — President-Elect Dr BadPantsGator PhD (@drrollergator) September 6, 2020
There’s an obvious racial component to these incidents. The people doing the hitting and harassing are black and the targets of abuse are mostly white. In some cases the abuse is specifically because people are white. It’s clearly not because the diners are doing anything to the activists. They’re just trying to have lunch.
Later that night a woman who appears to be the same person who drank the stranger’s beer was leading the protesters as they disrupted other restaurants on their way to the Mayor’s house.
9/5/20 Pittsburgh, PA | Protesters march through commercial district to Mayor Peduto’s home again. Credit: Christian Snyder pic.twitter.com/AomWsTjRzC — Liz Jones (@LizJone26271417) September 6, 2020
More harassment, this time targeting a restaurant owner they claim offended them:
9/5/20 Pittsburgh, PA | Protesters arrive at Mayor Peduto’s home. They chant “F*ck 12!” at police and shine strobe lights at them. Credit: Christian Snyder pic.twitter.com/RmrD46tmvR — Liz Jones (@LizJone26271417) September 6, 2020
The mayor of Pittsburgh wasn’t thrilled:
Tonight at my home – private property. The 1st Amendment doesn’t protect you to close down streets, without a permit. Yes, we have granted extra rights to assure free speech. But, continual denial of law, will end up in arrests. Actions have consequences https://t.co/MQTb2JYqA4 — bill peduto (@billpeduto) September 6, 2020
The harassment of people dining is similar to what happened at two restaurants in Rochester last week and to another incident in Washington, DC. The activists aren’t content to march and protest anymore, they want to confront strangers and scream at them. WTAE reports police in Pittsburgh are now looking into the incident. At a minimum, the person who hit the bike rider with his skateboard should be arrested and charged with assault.
Update: Hadn’t seen this one. It’s the same group of people and at some point they took their bullhorn show into a McDonalds. Bullhorn-guy in the pink shirt shouted at the manager, whose name is Ed, until he came out. Bullhorn guy tried shouting directly in his face with the bullhorn and Ed wasn’t having it. Ed pushed him back and it briefly turned into a scuffly.
Bullhorn guy then blocked the manager’s entrance to the back of the restaurant. There was a lot of shouting but the camera then turned away to focus on another woman screaming about being touched.
The clip ends with Ed the manager walking around to the far side and hopping over the counter while the woman in the “Nazi Lives Don’t Matter” shirt harasses him some more. Needless to say, Ed would be running on a loop at CNN and MSNBC if he were white. This group can’t get away with as much when the person they are harassing is black.


hotair--2020-09-07--Comrade Duch: Jailer and executioner for Khmer Rouge died in prison last week

His name was Kaing Guek Eav but he was better known as Comrade Duch ( pronounced doik ) , a teacher who joined the communist revolution in Cambodia and eventually became the head jailer at its most notorious prison .
Last week he died in prison where he was serving a life sentence .
Duch led the regime ’ s Tuol Sleng prison , code-named S-21 .
He was one of the few Khmer Rouge officials to admit any responsibility for the 1975-79 genocide that ultimately left 1.7 million Cambodians dead from execution , overwork or starvation .
Only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuol Sleng , a fact that he himself acknowledged during his war crimes trial .
An estimated 14,000 people died there during the Khmer Rouge rule , some of them regime officials accused of disloyalty .
The NY Times adds that one of the key issues in his 2010 trial was a handwritten note : One question hovered above the trial : the source of the “ evil ” — as he himself described it — that could have compelled him to scribble on a list of 17 children , “ Kill them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become part of a project of mass murder ?
” asked Alexander Laban Hinton , the author of “ Man or Monster ?
” ( 2016 ) , a book about Duch .
“ It ’ s too easy to dismiss people as sociopaths or psychos .
Instead you really have to grapple with their humanity.
” The prison was liberated in 1979 though only 12 people were left alive at the time .
It is now a museum/memorial to those who were tortured and killed there .
From the museum ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor without mats , mosquito nets , or blankets .
All prisoners had to follow strict rules ; otherwise , they were punished by flogging or electric shock , and the victims were not allowed to scream out in pain .
Any action by prisoners even sitting up , turning over or relieving themselves required the permission of the Khmer Rouge guards .
The crowded and poor hygienic conditions of the prison led to lice infestations and serious diseases .
At 4:30 am each day , prisoners were made to strip for inspection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether shackles were loose or if prisoners had hidden any objects they could use to commit suicide .
Over the years , several prisoners managed to kill themselves , so the guards were very careful in checking the shackles and cells each day .
Most of the prisoners at S-21 were accused of betraying the party or the revolution , or of working for traitorous cadres who had already been arrested .
With the passage of time , the Khmer Rouge leaders became increasingly suspicious and distrustful of their own cadres and soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in S-21 also became prisoners .
They „ confessed “ to being lazy in preparing documents , to damaging machines and other equipment , or beating prisoners to death without permission when assisting with interrogations .
The interrogators at Tuol Sleng forced detainees to confess to the accusations with which they were charged .
Often prisoners had no idea why they had been arrested , yet they were forced to confess their „ crimes “ through torture .
Among the forms of torture used were electric shock ; submersion in water vats ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by rope behind the back until the onset of unconsciousness .
After confessing , prisoners were marked for execution .
Those who survived their torture were killed initially nearby and later at the killing field of Choeung Ek , just outside the city .
Often , prisoners were made to dig their own graves or the graves of other prisoners before being killed themselves with rudimentary weapons .
Nuon Chea , known as Brother Number 2 , died in prison last year .
Unlike Comrade Duch , he never confessed or apologized for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , Nuon Chea said the goal of the revolution was to move the country “ towards socialist prosperity.
” He also said that part of their goal was to rid the nation of individualism .
Despite the killing of more than a million people , he believed the revolution only failed because of outside interference .
Here ’ s an Australian report on Comrade Duch ’ s conviction ten years ago .
Note that his initial sentence of 35 years was eventually extended to life .
Below that is a video in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the camp , Chum Mey , tells visitors to the museum what he experienced there just a little over four decades ago .

His name was Kaing Guek Eav but he was better known as Comrade Duch (pronounced doik), a teacher who joined the communist revolution in Cambodia and eventually became the head jailer at its most notorious prison. Last week he died in prison where he was serving a life sentence.
Duch led the regime’s Tuol Sleng prison, code-named S-21. He was one of the few Khmer Rouge officials to admit any responsibility for the 1975-79 genocide that ultimately left 1.7 million Cambodians dead from execution, overwork or starvation. Only a handful of inmates survived their time in Tuol Sleng, a fact that he himself acknowledged during his war crimes trial. An estimated 14,000 people died there during the Khmer Rouge rule, some of them regime officials accused of disloyalty.
The NY Times adds that one of the key issues in his 2010 trial was a handwritten note:
One question hovered above the trial: the source of the “evil” — as he himself described it — that could have compelled him to scribble on a list of 17 children, “Kill them all.” “How do human beings become part of a project of mass murder?” asked Alexander Laban Hinton, the author of “Man or Monster?” (2016), a book about Duch. “It’s too easy to dismiss people as sociopaths or psychos. Instead you really have to grapple with their humanity.”
The prison was liberated in 1979 though only 12 people were left alive at the time. It is now a museum/memorial to those who were tortured and killed there. From the museum’s website:
Prisoners slept on the bare floor without mats, mosquito nets, or blankets. All prisoners had to follow strict rules; otherwise, they were punished by flogging or electric shock, and the victims were not allowed to scream out in pain. Any action by prisoners even sitting up, turning over or relieving themselves required the permission of the Khmer Rouge guards. The crowded and poor hygienic conditions of the prison led to lice infestations and serious diseases. At 4:30 am each day, prisoners were made to strip for inspection. The guards would check to see whether shackles were loose or if prisoners had hidden any objects they could use to commit suicide. Over the years, several prisoners managed to kill themselves, so the guards were very careful in checking the shackles and cells each day. Most of the prisoners at S-21 were accused of betraying the party or the revolution, or of working for traitorous cadres who had already been arrested. With the passage of time, the Khmer Rouge leaders became increasingly suspicious and distrustful of their own cadres and soldiers. Some of the people who worked in S-21 also became prisoners. They „confessed“ to being lazy in preparing documents, to damaging machines and other equipment, or beating prisoners to death without permission when assisting with interrogations. The interrogators at Tuol Sleng forced detainees to confess to the accusations with which they were charged. Often prisoners had no idea why they had been arrested, yet they were forced to confess their „crimes“ through torture. Among the forms of torture used were electric shock; submersion in water vats; and suspension from gallows with hands tied by rope behind the back until the onset of unconsciousness. After confessing, prisoners were marked for execution. Those who survived their torture were killed initially nearby and later at the killing field of Choeung Ek, just outside the city. Often, prisoners were made to dig their own graves or the graves of other prisoners before being killed themselves with rudimentary weapons.
Nuon Chea, known as Brother Number 2, died in prison last year. Unlike Comrade Duch, he never confessed or apologized for his crimes. In a film about him, Nuon Chea said the goal of the revolution was to move the country “towards socialist prosperity.” He also said that part of their goal was to rid the nation of individualism. Despite the killing of more than a million people, he believed the revolution only failed because of outside interference.
Here’s an Australian report on Comrade Duch’s conviction ten years ago. Note that his initial sentence of 35 years was eventually extended to life. Below that is a video in which one of the few documented survivors of the camp, Chum Mey, tells visitors to the museum what he experienced there just a little over four decades ago.


hotair--2020-09-07--Queen Elizabeth opens Britain's newest drive-in movie venue ... her estate

It doesn ’ t matter if you are an Anglophile or not , a trip to a drive-in movie on the grounds of Sandringham Estate would make for an extraordinary visit .
Queen Elizabeth is making that possible by opening up Sandringham for one weekend at the end of this month .
The coronavirus pandemic is bringing back a fading entertainment experience – the drive-in movie .
In the United States , there is a rich history of drive-in movies and I ’ m old enough to remember when it was a popular thing to do on a summer night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit relatives in the midwest .
With social distancing requirements due to the coronavirus , drive-ins are experiencing a comeback .
The general public may be hesitant to sit in an indoor movie theatre with a bunch of strangers during the plague , but a drive-in offers a perhaps safer choice for those looking to get out of the house .
With social distancing guidelines in effect , cars will be far enough apart for moviegoers to get out and stretch their legs .
There will be a pop-up bar that will sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snacks .
The Queen is opening up the grounds of Sandringham in Norfolk , England , her winter retreat , as an entertainment alternative for a weekend .
It is normally open to the public but like everywhere else , Sandringham Estate has made changes during the pandemic .
According to its website , there are a few activities coming up – garden tours , apple picking in October , a light trail in November and December , and a Christmas craft , food , and gift fair .
So , clearly public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s an interesting assortment of movies that have been selected .
There will be a matinee offered that is suitable for young audiences on Saturday and Sunday .
Early evening movies at 5:00 p.m. are followed by 9:00 p.m. showings .
Tickets cost about $ 40.00 .
People can pay extra to rent a table and chairs to set up next to the car .
Rotating food vendors will circulate during the movie .
Starting on Sept. 25 , the 20,000-acre private home of Queen Elizabeth and several previous monarchs will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” “ A Star Is Born , ” “ Bohemian Rhapsody ” and more .
Sam Mendes ’ Oscar-winning war film will kick off the drive-in series at 5 p.m. on Sept. 25 , followed by “ Rocketman , ” Taron Egerton ’ s turn as legendary British musician Elton John , at 9 p.m. A trio of drive-in films follows on the next two days .
Pixar ’ s original “ Toy Story ” will play at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26 , then Hugh Jackman ’ s musical “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , and finally “ Bohemian Rhapsody , ” the biographical drama about British rock band Queen , will close out the night at 9 p.m .
The final day , Sept. 27 , keeps the musical theme going with some classic films and newer titles .
Disney ’ s animated film “ Moana ” will play at 1 p.m. , the iconic ’ 70s musical “ Grease ” rocks the screen at 5 p.m. , and Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga ’ s Oscar winner “ A Star Is Born ” will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do they show a movie during daylight hours ?
In the United States , drive-in movie venues are also offering concerts as an entertainment option .
Last month , Walmart launched free , family-friendly drive-in movies in their parking lots .
Walmart teamed up with Tribeca Enterprises to show the movies in 160 locations .
“ Beginning in August , Walmart will roll out this red carpet experience in towns across the country for a combined 320 showings , ” the company wrote on its website .
“ This family-friendly night will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmmakers and celebrities and concessions delivered right to customer vehicles.
” The Walmart Drive-in promises families a fun , contact-free experience where they can watch popular films thoughtfully curated by the Tribeca Film Festival , ” Tribeca wrote on their site .
“ Enjoy a wide range of films safely from your vehicle , including nostalgic favorites from your childhood and action-packed films that ’ ll make your kids feel like superheroes.
” I guess this is making the best of a lousy summer thanks to the coronavirus .
It ’ s good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

It doesn’t matter if you are an Anglophile or not, a trip to a drive-in movie on the grounds of Sandringham Estate would make for an extraordinary visit. Queen Elizabeth is making that possible by opening up Sandringham for one weekend at the end of this month.
The coronavirus pandemic is bringing back a fading entertainment experience – the drive-in movie. In the United States, there is a rich history of drive-in movies and I’m old enough to remember when it was a popular thing to do on a summer night, especially during our family trips to visit relatives in the midwest. With social distancing requirements due to the coronavirus, drive-ins are experiencing a comeback. The general public may be hesitant to sit in an indoor movie theatre with a bunch of strangers during the plague, but a drive-in offers a perhaps safer choice for those looking to get out of the house. With social distancing guidelines in effect, cars will be far enough apart for moviegoers to get out and stretch their legs. There will be a pop-up bar that will sell soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snacks.
The Queen is opening up the grounds of Sandringham in Norfolk, England, her winter retreat, as an entertainment alternative for a weekend. It is normally open to the public but like everywhere else, Sandringham Estate has made changes during the pandemic. According to its website, there are a few activities coming up – garden tours, apple picking in October, a light trail in November and December, and a Christmas craft, food, and gift fair. So, clearly public support of the estate is encouraged.
At the end of September we'll be welcoming @EnchantedCinema for a variety of Drive In Movies in the grounds of Sandringham – see the full list and book tickets via the website – https://t.co/co2ZWPQyjV pic.twitter.com/mIsGKaciNQ — Sandringham (@sandringham1870) September 4, 2020
It’s an interesting assortment of movies that have been selected. There will be a matinee offered that is suitable for young audiences on Saturday and Sunday. Early evening movies at 5:00 p.m. are followed by 9:00 p.m. showings. Tickets cost about $40.00. People can pay extra to rent a table and chairs to set up next to the car. Rotating food vendors will circulate during the movie.
Starting on Sept. 25, the 20,000-acre private home of Queen Elizabeth and several previous monarchs will screen award-winning movies, like “1917,” “A Star Is Born,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and more. Sam Mendes’ Oscar-winning war film will kick off the drive-in series at 5 p.m. on Sept. 25, followed by “Rocketman,” Taron Egerton’s turn as legendary British musician Elton John, at 9 p.m. A trio of drive-in films follows on the next two days. Pixar’s original “Toy Story” will play at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26, then Hugh Jackman’s musical “The Greatest Showman” will air at 5 p.m., and finally “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the biographical drama about British rock band Queen, will close out the night at 9 p.m. The final day, Sept. 27, keeps the musical theme going with some classic films and newer titles. Disney’s animated film “Moana” will play at 1 p.m., the iconic ’70s musical “Grease” rocks the screen at 5 p.m., and Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s Oscar winner “A Star Is Born” will close out the series at 9 p.m.
How do they show a movie during daylight hours?
If you are wondering how a drive-in works during daylight hours, the Sandringham pop-up will use an LED screen as opposed to projection. (Audio will be transmitted to the vehicle’s “bluetooth or aux,” not a left band FM frequency.)
In the United States, drive-in movie venues are also offering concerts as an entertainment option.
Last month, Walmart launched free, family-friendly drive-in movies in their parking lots. Walmart teamed up with Tribeca Enterprises to show the movies in 160 locations.
“Beginning in August, Walmart will roll out this red carpet experience in towns across the country for a combined 320 showings,” the company wrote on its website. “This family-friendly night will include hit movies, special appearances from filmmakers and celebrities and concessions delivered right to customer vehicles.” The Walmart Drive-in promises families a fun, contact-free experience where they can watch popular films thoughtfully curated by the Tribeca Film Festival,” Tribeca wrote on their site. “Enjoy a wide range of films safely from your vehicle, including nostalgic favorites from your childhood and action-packed films that’ll make your kids feel like superheroes.”
There’s never been a better time for a drive-in. 😄 Get ready for some family fun in the parking lot of 160 stores nationwide with ~free~ movies like Black Panther, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Back to the Future, and more. #WalmartDriveIn — Walmart (@Walmart) August 5, 2020
I guess this is making the best of a lousy summer thanks to the coronavirus. It’s good to see people thinking outside the box.


hotair--2020-09-07--Team Trump tours Texas: Trump up in Texas but race remains tight

The latest poll is out in the Trump versus Biden race in Texas .
Texas is a must-win state for Republicans in order to hold the White House .
In The Dallas Morning News/UT Tyler Poll conducted from August 28 to September 2 , President Trump is up 48 % to 46 % .
According to the latest polling summarized at Real Clear Politics , Trump has led polling since August , with the last poll that showed Biden ahead was a Quinnipiac poll in the middle of July that had Biden up by 1 point .
The Democrats remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state in the presidential election .
Texas is a battleground state this cycle but it likely will remain in the Trump column on Election Night .
I ’ m willing to bet this isn ’ t the year that Texas hands the presidential election to the Democrats .
I ’ ve written about it many times – the demographics in Texas are changing and it is changing elections .
There is also the influx of out-of-state people moving to Texas for job opportunities and a good standard of living , many of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some of them aren ’ t learning the lesson that red states are best because of Republican leadership .
Much of Texas has become purple .
The Trump re-election campaign is sending surrogates on bus tours in swing states .
This is a smart move .
Voters like to see familiar faces and have conversations with them .
Last week , a Trump bus tour kicked off in Texas .
Lt .
Governor Dan Patrick was joined by other Texans – campaign senior adviser Katrina Pierson , and senior adviser Brad Parscale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Texas will go for Trump in November .
“ Welcome to the Trump bus tour in Texas , ” Patrick said in his first remarks to reporters off the bus , before quickly volunteering : “ We are absolutely 100 % confident that President Donald Trump will carry Texas , ” and “ solidly ” so .
Patrick , the chairman of Trump ’ s 2020 campaign in Texas , was followed by Trump campaign senior adviser Katrina Pierson , who insisted the president would “ carry the state and carry it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Brad Parscale , who claimed Trump is “ in a very good position for Texas ” and said he laughs when people approach him with concerns about the state , noting the attention that the Democratic nominee , Joe Biden , is paying to it .
“ That ’ s all just a little bit of smoke and mirrors , ” said Parscale , who was Trump ’ s campaign manager earlier this election cycle .
“ The president ’ s in a clear position to win this state.
” Trump carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was the smallest margin of victory that a GOP nominee got in Texas since 1996 .
The attention the Biden campaign is paying to Texas is raising the enthusiasm of Democrats who are desperate to see Trump be defeated .
Beto O ’ Rourke says if Biden wins Texas , there is no way Trump will win re-election , and he is right .
Republicans can ’ t win the White House without Texas .
O ’ Rourke is measuring the drapes for Sleepy Joe and pushing for “ a very aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say on television .
Even Biden admitted that if his policy proposals and agenda comes into action with a win in November , “ I ’ m going to go down as one of the most progressive presidents ever.
” So much for the narrative that Joe Biden is moderate .
Joe Biden is an opportunist who bends with popular opinion .
We all know he ’ s not up to the task of running the country 24/7 and will be essentially a figurehead for the Kamala Harris administration .
Lt. Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by double digits in November .
He also denies that Texas is a swing state .
The bus tour , though , shows the campaign isn ’ t taking Texas for granted and that is smart .
Remember what happened to Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin in 2016 ?
That state was important for her election and she ignored it .
Trump hasn ’ t held a campaign-style rally in Texas since last October .
He needs to do one or two before the election – preferably one in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps in central Texas .
Women for Trump have been doing bus tours in swing states , too .
The tour included Arizona where they worked to shore up support for Sen. Martha McSally , who looks like she will be defeated if the polling there is correct .
Either way , she is in a very tough race .
Onboard a pink Trump bus was Sen. Martha McSally ; Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward ; Arizona GOP first vice-chair Pam Kirby and Mercedes Schlapp , a senior adviser for Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Trump , participants emphasized the need to reopen schools , lower taxes and take jobs back from China .
“ As we ’ re talking to people and women around the state , I think it ’ s a very clear choice about jobs , opportunity , hope for the future , and safety and security for families and kids , ” McSally , R-Ariz. , said .
“ It ’ s not just one issue for women — there ’ s a diverse number of issues for women , ” Schlapp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters are going to look at that and say , ‘ I need a president who is going to be one to ensure that we keep our communities safe and that we ’ re able to rebuild a strong economy and that choice is President Trump . '
” As I said , the race remains tight , if the polls are to be believed .
Trump ’ s campaign is smart to do bus tours and talk to people on the ground .
The Democrats in Texas say Texans are ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Senator John Cornyn who is in a solid double-digit lead against his Democrat opponent .
The poll is of registered voters , which is less reliable than likely voters and it ’ s a relatively small sampling , too .
That ’ s something to keep in mind as we keep an eye out for more polling now that we ’ re at the Labor Day point of the campaign .

The latest poll is out in the Trump versus Biden race in Texas. Texas is a must-win state for Republicans in order to hold the White House. In The Dallas Morning News/UT Tyler Poll conducted from August 28 to September 2, President Trump is up 48% to 46%.
According to the latest polling summarized at Real Clear Politics, Trump has led polling since August, with the last poll that showed Biden ahead was a Quinnipiac poll in the middle of July that had Biden up by 1 point. The Democrats remain hopeful of flipping Texas to a blue state in the presidential election. Texas is a battleground state this cycle but it likely will remain in the Trump column on Election Night. I’m willing to bet this isn’t the year that Texas hands the presidential election to the Democrats.
I’ve written about it many times – the demographics in Texas are changing and it is changing elections. There is also the influx of out-of-state people moving to Texas for job opportunities and a good standard of living, many of whom are coming from blue states. Sadly, some of them aren’t learning the lesson that red states are best because of Republican leadership. Much of Texas has become purple.
The Trump re-election campaign is sending surrogates on bus tours in swing states. This is a smart move. Voters like to see familiar faces and have conversations with them. Last week, a Trump bus tour kicked off in Texas. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick was joined by other Texans – campaign senior adviser Katrina Pierson, and senior adviser Brad Parscale. Their message is one of confidence that Texas will go for Trump in November.
“Welcome to the Trump bus tour in Texas,” Patrick said in his first remarks to reporters off the bus, before quickly volunteering: “We are absolutely 100% confident that President Donald Trump will carry Texas,” and “solidly” so. Patrick, the chairman of Trump’s 2020 campaign in Texas, was followed by Trump campaign senior adviser Katrina Pierson, who insisted the president would “carry the state and carry it well.” Then came another senior adviser, Brad Parscale, who claimed Trump is “in a very good position for Texas” and said he laughs when people approach him with concerns about the state, noting the attention that the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, is paying to it. “That’s all just a little bit of smoke and mirrors,” said Parscale, who was Trump’s campaign manager earlier this election cycle. “The president’s in a clear position to win this state.”
Trump carried Texas by 9 points in 2016, which was the smallest margin of victory that a GOP nominee got in Texas since 1996. The attention the Biden campaign is paying to Texas is raising the enthusiasm of Democrats who are desperate to see Trump be defeated. Beto O’Rourke says if Biden wins Texas, there is no way Trump will win re-election, and he is right. Republicans can’t win the White House without Texas. O’Rourke is measuring the drapes for Sleepy Joe and pushing for “a very aggressive agenda”, as I heard him say on television. Even Biden admitted that if his policy proposals and agenda comes into action with a win in November, “I’m going to go down as one of the most progressive presidents ever.” So much for the narrative that Joe Biden is moderate. Joe Biden is an opportunist who bends with popular opinion. We all know he’s not up to the task of running the country 24/7 and will be essentially a figurehead for the Kamala Harris administration.
Lt. Gov. Patrick predicts that Trump will win Texas by double digits in November. He also denies that Texas is a swing state. The bus tour, though, shows the campaign isn’t taking Texas for granted and that is smart. Remember what happened to Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin in 2016? That state was important for her election and she ignored it. Trump hasn’t held a campaign-style rally in Texas since last October. He needs to do one or two before the election – preferably one in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and another in either the Houston area or perhaps in central Texas.
Women for Trump have been doing bus tours in swing states, too. The tour included Arizona where they worked to shore up support for Sen. Martha McSally, who looks like she will be defeated if the polling there is correct. Either way, she is in a very tough race.
Onboard a pink Trump bus was Sen. Martha McSally; Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward; Arizona GOP first vice-chair Pam Kirby and Mercedes Schlapp, a senior adviser for Trump’s re-election campaign. As they talked up Trump, participants emphasized the need to reopen schools, lower taxes and take jobs back from China. “As we’re talking to people and women around the state, I think it’s a very clear choice about jobs, opportunity, hope for the future, and safety and security for families and kids,” McSally, R-Ariz., said. “It’s not just one issue for women — there’s a diverse number of issues for women,” Schlapp said. “I think that women voters are going to look at that and say, ‘I need a president who is going to be one to ensure that we keep our communities safe and that we’re able to rebuild a strong economy and that choice is President Trump.'”
As I said, the race remains tight, if the polls are to be believed. Trump’s campaign is smart to do bus tours and talk to people on the ground. The Democrats in Texas say Texans are ready for a change.
“As the Trump campaign conducts its last-ditch bus tour of Texas, it has never been clearer that they are on the verge of breaking,” state Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. “Texans are demanding change. Texas will go to Joe Biden on November 3.”
Trump will be helped by Senator John Cornyn who is in a solid double-digit lead against his Democrat opponent.
“Trump is ahead,” said political scientist Mark Owens, who directed the poll, adding that the fates of the two Republicans at the top of the ticket are closely entwined. “Trump is helped by Cornyn.” The poll, conducted Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, surveyed 1,176 registered voters. Of those, 901 said they are “extremely likely” to vote in November. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.87 percentage points for the bigger group, and 3.22 points for the subset of likely voters.
The poll is of registered voters, which is less reliable than likely voters and it’s a relatively small sampling, too. That’s something to keep in mind as we keep an eye out for more polling now that we’re at the Labor Day point of the campaign.


hotair--2020-09-07--Harris flip-flops: Never mind my "false choice" claim last year, let's not ban fracking after all

Alternate headline : Candidate checks electoral map , discovers why Pennsylvania ’ s called the Keystone State .
At least Kamala Harris didn ’ t try to pretend that this was her position all along , as Joe Biden has for the last few weeks , but that doesn ’ t make this flip-flop much less crass .
CNN ’ s Dana Bash sets this up as comfortably as possible for Harris , who now calls a fracking ban a “ false choice ” — even though Harris demanded one while campaigning last year : BASH : President Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning more and more on the issue of fracking , which is a process of oil and gas drilling .
They think that this is going to help them win votes in key states like Pennsylvania .
Joe Biden has said — quote — “ I am not banning fracking.
” During your primary campaign , you said that you supported a ban .
Are you comfortable with Joe Biden ’ s position ?
HARRIS : Yes , because Joe is saying , listen , one , those are good- paying jobs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that we need to also invest and put a significant investment in the good-paying union jobs that we can create around clean energy , around renewable energy .
And that is the kind of approach we need to have , but always understanding that it ’ s a false choice to suggest that we either take care of jobs or we take care of our environment .
We can do both , and we should do both .
Funny…it wasn ’ t a “ false choice ” at CNN ’ s Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Harris didn ’ t even mention jobs when given a chance to come out in favor of outlawing fracking .
Not only would she ban fracking , Harris told an anti-fracking questioner at the CNN town hall last year , Harris told moderator Erin Burnett that she would also ban all offshore drilling : JESSIE BLUEDORN , CLIMATE ACTIVIST : Hi , thank you .
My family lives in western Pennsylvania where fracked gas wells have become a common sight .
Yet the toxic impacts of fracking on the community are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to poisonous emissions — will you commit to implementing a federal ban on fracking your first day in office , adding the United States to the list of countries who have banned this devastating practice ?
HARRIS : There ’ s no question I ’ m in favor of banning fracking , so yes .
And starting — and starting with what we can do on day one around public lands , right ?
And then there has to be legislation , but yes — and this is something I ’ ve taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of working on this issue .
And to your point , we have to just acknowledge that the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the impact on the health and safety of communities — yeah , so thank you .
BURNETT : So would you ban offshore drilling ?
HARRIS : Yes , and I ’ ve again , worked on that .
You can — you can talk to the folks in Santa Barbara about the work that I ’ ve done there where it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big problem in many areas of our country — and yes , I would .
Yes .
Burnett replied at the time ( not caught in the above clip ) , “ All right , two very definitive answers.
” So we thought at the time , anyway .
This should play directly into the Team Trump strategy to define Harris and Biden as dishonest pols who will say anything to get elected .
Donald Trump himself said that was why Harris was his “ number one draft pick ” for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Well , she lied .
I mean , she said things that were untrue .
She is a person that ’ s told many , many stories that weren ’ t true .
She ’ s very big into raising taxes .
She wants to slash funds for our military at a level that nobody has — can even believe .
She is against fracking .
Fracking is — she ’ s against petroleum products .
I mean , how do you do that and go into Pennsylvania or Ohio or Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is against fracking ; fracking is a big deal .
It ’ s a bigger deal than Harris or Biden realized during the primaries .
The question that Team Trump will pose in those energy-producing states will be whether voters can trust Biden and Harris to stick to their latest position — or whether they should expect the same radical-Left pressure that pushed them to support fracking bans in the primary will prevail after the election .
Even better : why take that chance ?
Unfortunately for the American economy , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Alternate headline: Candidate checks electoral map, discovers why Pennsylvania’s called the Keystone State. At least Kamala Harris didn’t try to pretend that this was her position all along, as Joe Biden has for the last few weeks, but that doesn’t make this flip-flop much less crass. CNN’s Dana Bash sets this up as comfortably as possible for Harris, who now calls a fracking ban a “false choice” — even though Harris demanded one while campaigning last year:
BASH: President Trump, Vice President Pence, they have been campaigning more and more on the issue of fracking, which is a process of oil and gas drilling. They think that this is going to help them win votes in key states like Pennsylvania. Joe Biden has said — quote — “I am not banning fracking.” During your primary campaign, you said that you supported a ban. Are you comfortable with Joe Biden’s position? HARRIS: Yes, because Joe is saying, listen, one, those are good- paying jobs in places like Pennsylvania, and, two, that we need to also invest and put a significant investment in the good-paying union jobs that we can create around clean energy, around renewable energy. And that is the kind of approach we need to have, but always understanding that it’s a false choice to suggest that we either take care of jobs or we take care of our environment. We can do both, and we should do both.
Funny…it wasn’t a “false choice” at CNN’s Climate Crisis Town Hall almost exactly a year ago. Harris didn’t even mention jobs when given a chance to come out in favor of outlawing fracking. Not only would she ban fracking, Harris told an anti-fracking questioner at the CNN town hall last year, Harris told moderator Erin Burnett that she would also ban all offshore drilling:
JESSIE BLUEDORN, CLIMATE ACTIVIST: Hi, thank you. My family lives in western Pennsylvania where fracked gas wells have become a common sight. Yet the toxic impacts of fracking on the community are immense. HARRIS: Yeah — BLUEDORN: From contaminated groundwater to poisonous emissions — will you commit to implementing a federal ban on fracking your first day in office, adding the United States to the list of countries who have banned this devastating practice? HARRIS: There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking, so yes. And starting — and starting with what we can do on day one around public lands, right? And then there has to be legislation, but yes — and this is something I’ve taken on in California. I have a history of working on this issue. And to your point, we have to just acknowledge that the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the impact on the health and safety of communities — yeah, so thank you. BURNETT: So would you ban offshore drilling? HARRIS: Yes, and I’ve again, worked on that. You can — you can talk to the folks in Santa Barbara about the work that I’ve done there where it’s a big problem — but it’s a big problem in many areas of our country — and yes, I would. Yes.
Burnett replied at the time (not caught in the above clip), “All right, two very definitive answers.” So we thought at the time, anyway.
This should play directly into the Team Trump strategy to define Harris and Biden as dishonest pols who will say anything to get elected. Donald Trump himself said that was why Harris was his “number one draft pick” for Biden’s running mate:
THE PRESIDENT: Well, she lied. I mean, she said things that were untrue. She is a person that’s told many, many stories that weren’t true. She’s very big into raising taxes. She wants to slash funds for our military at a level that nobody has — can even believe. She is against fracking. Fracking is — she’s against petroleum products. I mean, how do you do that and go into Pennsylvania or Ohio or Oklahoma or the great state of Texas? She is against fracking; fracking is a big deal.
It’s a bigger deal than Harris or Biden realized during the primaries. The question that Team Trump will pose in those energy-producing states will be whether voters can trust Biden and Harris to stick to their latest position — or whether they should expect the same radical-Left pressure that pushed them to support fracking bans in the primary will prevail after the election. Even better: why take that chance? Unfortunately for the American economy, that is no “false choice.”