hotair--2020-07-20--Hmmm: Family of federal judge in Epstein-connected lawsuit shot; one dead; <span class='red'>Update:

Hmmm: Family of federal judge in Epstein-connected lawsuit shot; one dead; Update: Unrelated

Was a federal judge targeted for assassination over a connection to a Jeffrey Epstein-related case ?
Or is this brutal attack just a horrible coincidence ?
Late last night , a gunman dressed as a FedEx delivery man targeted the family of Judge Esther Salas , whose son was killed and husband wounded in the attack .
Only this week , Salas got assigned to a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank by its investors , in part because of its work with Epstein .
Lots of questions here and very few answers , so far : A gunman shot the son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Jersey on Sunday , according to an official with knowledge of the situation .
The Associated Press reported that he had died and that the judge ’ s husband also had been shot .
The judge , Esther Salas , was home at the time of the shooting at her residence in North Brunswick , N.J. , but was not injured , said the official , who spoke on condition of anonymity because the authorities had not made any public statements .
Her son , Daniel Anderl , a college student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , Mark Anderl , was injured , Chief District Judge Freda Wolfson told The Associated Press .
Salas has handled high-profile cases in the past , having handled the tax-fraud cases of reality-TV stars Teresa and Joe Giudice .
It ’ s the connection to the Epstein case , even an indirect connection , that seems intriguing : The Epstein connection has lifted some eyebrows , but this seems distant enough that a motive for a shooting would be unlikely .
The lawsuit isn ’ t specifically about Epstein at all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investor fight more than anything else , and Salas wouldn ’ t make an obvious target for anyone ’ s ire .
What possible gain would anyone have in targeting a judge in this lawsuit ?
It ’ s not impossible that the shooting was connected to it , as people can act irrationally , but it doesn ’ t seem very likely .
Still , someone went to some trouble to go after Salas or her family .
Coming up with a disguise shows premeditation , and the lack of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point was to murder someone .
But was Salas the target ?
The gunman shot two other people but never attacked Salas , so perhaps she wasn ’ t the target .
Her husband is a well-known defense attorney who might have made an enemy at some point .
Or it might have been nothing more than a botched home-invasion attempt and the Salas/Anderl family was just unfortunate to be chosen for it .
The FBI announced last night that they are looking for “ one subject ” : Does “ one subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooter , or just that only one shooter was involved ?
I suspect it just means the latter , but they might have some idea about who might have wanted either Salas or Anderl dead , too .
They are almost assuredly combing through their case files as we speak to put together a suspect list , and they won ’ t be leaving anyone out yet — not even an Epstein connection , even if that does seem unlikely at the moment .
Update : The FBI reports that the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unrelated to the Epstein case : So no hitman , no Epstein connection .
But it ’ s still a tragedy , and a reminder that unbalanced people create risks for judges and law enforcement .

Was a federal judge targeted for assassination over a connection to a Jeffrey Epstein-related case? Or is this brutal attack just a horrible coincidence? Late last night, a gunman dressed as a FedEx delivery man targeted the family of Judge Esther Salas, whose son was killed and husband wounded in the attack. Only this week, Salas got assigned to a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank by its investors, in part because of its work with Epstein.
Lots of questions here and very few answers, so far:
A gunman shot the son of a federal judge at her home in New Jersey on Sunday, according to an official with knowledge of the situation. The Associated Press reported that he had died and that the judge’s husband also had been shot. The judge, Esther Salas, was home at the time of the shooting at her residence in North Brunswick, N.J., but was not injured, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the authorities had not made any public statements. Her son, Daniel Anderl, a college student, died in the shooting and her husband, Mark Anderl, was injured, Chief District Judge Freda Wolfson told The Associated Press.
Salas has handled high-profile cases in the past, having handled the tax-fraud cases of reality-TV stars Teresa and Joe Giudice. It’s the connection to the Epstein case, even an indirect connection, that seems intriguing:
On July 15, four days before the shooting, Salas was assigned to the ongoing lawsuit brought by Deutsche Bank investors who claim the company made false and misleading statements about its anti-money laundering policies. The suit also alleged the bank failed to properly monitor “high-risk” customers, including convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Epstein connection has lifted some eyebrows, but this seems distant enough that a motive for a shooting would be unlikely. The lawsuit isn’t specifically about Epstein at all, as Newsweek notes; it’s an investor fight more than anything else, and Salas wouldn’t make an obvious target for anyone’s ire. What possible gain would anyone have in targeting a judge in this lawsuit? It’s not impossible that the shooting was connected to it, as people can act irrationally, but it doesn’t seem very likely.
Still, someone went to some trouble to go after Salas or her family. Coming up with a disguise shows premeditation, and the lack of any other crime strongly suggests that the whole point was to murder someone. But was Salas the target? The gunman shot two other people but never attacked Salas, so perhaps she wasn’t the target. Her husband is a well-known defense attorney who might have made an enemy at some point. Or it might have been nothing more than a botched home-invasion attempt and the Salas/Anderl family was just unfortunate to be chosen for it.
The FBI announced last night that they are looking for “one subject”:
The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Ester Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey earlier this evening, July 19. We're looking for one subject & ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information call us at 1-973-792-3001. — FBI Newark (@FBINewark) July 20, 2020
Does “one subject” mean they have an ID on the shooter, or just that only one shooter was involved? I suspect it just means the latter, but they might have some idea about who might have wanted either Salas or Anderl dead, too. They are almost assuredly combing through their case files as we speak to put together a suspect list, and they won’t be leaving anyone out yet — not even an Epstein connection, even if that does seem unlikely at the moment.
Update: The FBI reports that the suspect is dead, and that it’s unrelated to the Epstein case:
BREAKING: Suspect in shooting of judge's family found dead of apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, multiple law enforcement sources tell @ABC News. The deceased suspect was an attorney who had a case before Judge Salas in 2015, sources say. https://t.co/RaYCDRhFro — ABC News (@ABC) July 20, 2020
So no hitman, no Epstein connection. But it’s still a tragedy, and a reminder that unbalanced people create risks for judges and law enforcement.


hotair--2020-07-21--WaPo Poll: Americans not as woke as WaPo would have you believe

There must be some sad faces over at the Washington Post this week after they received the results of a new poll conducted with ABC News .
The subject under examination was once again the issue of racial tension in American society , excessive use of force by police against minorities and tearing down symbols some people find objectionable .
As to the overall view of the Black Lives Matter movement , they found that BLM still enjoys increased support over the levels we saw back in 2016 .
A majority of Americans support the movement with 69 % saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t receive fair or equal treatment from law enforcement .
There are multiple questions on variations of that theme and the article spends quite some time detailing each aspect supporting those propositions .
But then we get to the part that liberals won ’ t be happy to see , though you have scroll down twenty paragraphs before it ’ s mentioned .
How do Americans feel about defunding the police or tearing down statues and other symbols that the mobs disapprove of ?
As it turns out , that ’ s all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans .
Yet the Post-ABC poll finds far less support for some other high-profile proposals that have been in the forefront of public debate recently .
On the issue of police funding , for example , 55 percent of Americans oppose moving funds from police departments to social services — and 43 percent say they oppose it “ strongly.
” Republicans are the most opposed , with 84 percent saying they ’ re against such a shift .
Among independents , 53 percent are opposed , while 59 percent of Democrats support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a sizable generation gap .
Over half of Americans under age 40 support a funding shift , while less than a third of Americans 40 and older are in favor of moving funding from police to social services .
To listen to the talking heads on CNN every day you ’ d think that defunding the police was a de facto popular idea around the country .
But majorities of both Republicans and independents are opposed to the concept .
Democrats are the outliers here , and even then , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea or have no opinion .
And yet we see one elected Democratic official or candidate after another lining up to condemn the police and talk about “ reallocating ” some of their funding .
( Including Joe Biden , no matter how much the press tries to shield him from his own words . )
But the bad news for the woke crowd doesn ’ t stop there .
63 % of Americans oppose paying reparations to the descendants of slaves , while only 31 % support the proposal .
Once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the largest support coming from Democrats at 53 % .
A slight majority ( 52 % ) oppose removing public statues honoring Confederate generals .
Solid majorities of both Republicans and independents are opposed .
How about removing statues of American presidents who were slave owners ?
68 percent of Americans are opposed to that scheme , with only one quarter ( 25 % ) being in favor .
The list goes on from there in a similar theme .
Half of Americans oppose renaming military bases currently named after Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule is not popular with most voters .
And yet to listen to Democratic politicians and the media figures who love them , you could easily be led to believe that all of these things are popular except with a handful of racist holdouts in conservative enclaves .
The people opposed to all of this woke madness generally aren ’ t given a voice in the mainstream media .
The real question is whether the silent majority will be showing up in November and having the final say on the matter .

There must be some sad faces over at the Washington Post this week after they received the results of a new poll conducted with ABC News. The subject under examination was once again the issue of racial tension in American society, excessive use of force by police against minorities and tearing down symbols some people find objectionable.
As to the overall view of the Black Lives Matter movement, they found that BLM still enjoys increased support over the levels we saw back in 2016. A majority of Americans support the movement with 69% saying Black people and other minorities don’t receive fair or equal treatment from law enforcement. There are multiple questions on variations of that theme and the article spends quite some time detailing each aspect supporting those propositions. But then we get to the part that liberals won’t be happy to see, though you have scroll down twenty paragraphs before it’s mentioned. How do Americans feel about defunding the police or tearing down statues and other symbols that the mobs disapprove of? As it turns out, that’s all a bridge too far for a majority of Americans.
Yet the Post-ABC poll finds far less support for some other high-profile proposals that have been in the forefront of public debate recently. On the issue of police funding, for example, 55 percent of Americans oppose moving funds from police departments to social services — and 43 percent say they oppose it “strongly.” Republicans are the most opposed, with 84 percent saying they’re against such a shift. Among independents, 53 percent are opposed, while 59 percent of Democrats support such shifts. On this issue, there is a sizable generation gap. Over half of Americans under age 40 support a funding shift, while less than a third of Americans 40 and older are in favor of moving funding from police to social services.
To listen to the talking heads on CNN every day you’d think that defunding the police was a de facto popular idea around the country. But majorities of both Republicans and independents are opposed to the concept. Democrats are the outliers here, and even then, only 40% of them either support the idea or have no opinion. And yet we see one elected Democratic official or candidate after another lining up to condemn the police and talk about “reallocating” some of their funding. (Including Joe Biden, no matter how much the press tries to shield him from his own words.)
But the bad news for the woke crowd doesn’t stop there. 63% of Americans oppose paying reparations to the descendants of slaves, while only 31% support the proposal. Once again, both Republicans and independents are opposed, with the largest support coming from Democrats at 53%. A slight majority (52%) oppose removing public statues honoring Confederate generals. Solid majorities of both Republicans and independents are opposed.
How about removing statues of American presidents who were slave owners? 68 percent of Americans are opposed to that scheme, with only one quarter (25%) being in favor. The list goes on from there in a similar theme. Half of Americans oppose renaming military bases currently named after Confederate generals. All of this woke mob rule is not popular with most voters.
And yet to listen to Democratic politicians and the media figures who love them, you could easily be led to believe that all of these things are popular except with a handful of racist holdouts in conservative enclaves. The people opposed to all of this woke madness generally aren’t given a voice in the mainstream media. The real question is whether the silent majority will be showing up in November and having the final say on the matter.


hotair--2020-07-20--Brian Stelter should stop downplaying vandalism and violence in American cities

Sunday , Brian Stelter ’ s Reliable Sources show closed with a segment about Fox News highlighting 50 straight nights of rioting in Portland .
Stelter made that the main theme of his Monday newsletter : When I saw Sean Hannity leading his show with “ MORE VIOLENCE GRIPS PORTLAND ” and scary video from the streets , I knew something was up .
Right-wing media ramped up its coverage of scattered unrest in Portland , Oregon at the same time that federal officers descended on the downtown area .
Evidently a small group of self-described anarchists suddenly deserved national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight nights of skirmishes with police and vandalism do not deserve national news coverage .
Stelter went on to cite a piece in the Oregonian which similarly downplayed the significance of the nightly skirmishes .
This map , which Stelter higlighted on his TV show is intended to show the small area where the clashes with police have taken place .
This strikes me as a fairly stupid argument for the Oregonian to make and for Stelter to embrace for several reasons .
First , while the action may be happening in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are out there every night and the police who are battling them probably live in areas all over this map .
So the idea that other communities are disconnected from these riots is a stretch .
But the main issue is that the size of the affected area doesn ’ t really have anything to do with whether or not this is a serious problem .
After all , if you pinpointed the areas where murders or rapes happened on a map of the city , you could narrow down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean the rest of the city should feel unconcerned because it didn ’ t happen on their street or in their house .
Simply put , a roving mob could decide to go anywhere , indeed some of them have gone into the suburbs to protest in front of private homes in the past .
When pressed on Twitter , Stelter denied that he was suggesting the violent protests being covered by Fox News weren ’ t happening or that they weren ’ t a problem , but he maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gross exaggeration.
” Here are two reasons why Brian Stelter is wrong and why he should stop downplaying what is happening in Portland .
First , because what ’ s happening in Portland isn ’ t just happening in Portland , it ’ s actually one part of a larger violent movement which has popped up in many cities .
Last Wednesday , four NYPD officers including the Chief of the entire Department were injured when a man fought with police and another man beat two officers over the head with a stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent riot in Chicago .
Protesters wanted to tear down a statue of Christopher Columbus and when police officers got in their way they began pelting them with objects including fireworks .
18 officers were injured .
Sunday , a group of a few hundred rampaged through Seattle leaving a trail of broken glass .
There was some looting and an attempt to set one police precinct on fire .
Twelve officers were injured including one who had to be taken to a hospital after a firework thrown by a rioter exploded and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of BLM counter-protesters in Denver disrupted a pro-police rally .
The group ’ s explicit goal was to shut down the other rally , violating their rights to assemble and speak .
The mob succeeded in cutting the pro-police rally short and at least two people on the pro-police side were injured after being hit/beaten by members of the anti-police side .
One person was arrested .
All of this has happened in the past five days but all Brian Stelter wants to do is downplay the Portland riots as something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s just not accurate .
What ’ s happening in Portland is happening across the country .
The second point is that all of this vandalism and violence , much of it aimed at the police , is ideologically connected .
I ’ m not suggesting there is some Antifa master plan at work ( though honestly who knows ) .
But at a minimum all of this is coming from groups of people with the same anti-police mindset .
In other words , there is a running thread that ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Stelter wants us to think Fox News is the problem for reporting on this .
Actually it ’ s a significant story that police are being attacked with sticks , rocks and explosives every few days around the U.S .
This has been going on since May .
Stelter should take his head out of the sand and admit there is more going on here then a few hundred violent extremists in one far-left city .
This is not just a local news story .
There are people like this all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been given a green light to go on the attack because of the Black Lives Matter protests .
There numbers may be small but they are doing a disproportionate amount of damage and eating up a lot of police resources .
Does anyone think Stelter would be taking this tone if right-wing protesters were rampaging like this in major cities ?
I suspect he would suddenly see the problem if that were the case .

Sunday, Brian Stelter’s Reliable Sources show closed with a segment about Fox News highlighting 50 straight nights of rioting in Portland. Stelter made that the main theme of his Monday newsletter:
When I saw Sean Hannity leading his show with “MORE VIOLENCE GRIPS PORTLAND” and scary video from the streets, I knew something was up. Right-wing media ramped up its coverage of scattered unrest in Portland, Oregon at the same time that federal officers descended on the downtown area. Evidently a small group of self-described anarchists suddenly deserved national news coverage.
Clearly Stelter believes 50 straight nights of skirmishes with police and vandalism do not deserve national news coverage. Stelter went on to cite a piece in the Oregonian which similarly downplayed the significance of the nightly skirmishes. This map, which Stelter higlighted on his TV show is intended to show the small area where the clashes with police have taken place.
This strikes me as a fairly stupid argument for the Oregonian to make and for Stelter to embrace for several reasons. First, while the action may be happening in a small area downtown, the hundreds of people who are out there every night and the police who are battling them probably live in areas all over this map. So the idea that other communities are disconnected from these riots is a stretch.
But the main issue is that the size of the affected area doesn’t really have anything to do with whether or not this is a serious problem. After all, if you pinpointed the areas where murders or rapes happened on a map of the city, you could narrow down to one street or one house. That doesn’t mean the rest of the city should feel unconcerned because it didn’t happen on their street or in their house. Simply put, a roving mob could decide to go anywhere, indeed some of them have gone into the suburbs to protest in front of private homes in the past.
When pressed on Twitter, Stelter denied that he was suggesting the violent protests being covered by Fox News weren’t happening or that they weren’t a problem, but he maintained that right wing coverage was a “gross exaggeration.”
False. As I said on CNN, there are "real problems in Portland." I criticized the anarchists. But the right wing coverage is a "gross exaggeration." https://t.co/ZVMBWPxARv — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 20, 2020
Here are two reasons why Brian Stelter is wrong and why he should stop downplaying what is happening in Portland. First, because what’s happening in Portland isn’t just happening in Portland, it’s actually one part of a larger violent movement which has popped up in many cities.
Last Wednesday, four NYPD officers including the Chief of the entire Department were injured when a man fought with police and another man beat two officers over the head with a stick.
Friday night, there was another violent riot in Chicago. Protesters wanted to tear down a statue of Christopher Columbus and when police officers got in their way they began pelting them with objects including fireworks. 18 officers were injured.
Sunday, a group of a few hundred rampaged through Seattle leaving a trail of broken glass. There was some looting and an attempt to set one police precinct on fire. Twelve officers were injured including one who had to be taken to a hospital after a firework thrown by a rioter exploded and burned his neck.
Also Sunday, a group of BLM counter-protesters in Denver disrupted a pro-police rally. The group’s explicit goal was to shut down the other rally, violating their rights to assemble and speak. The mob succeeded in cutting the pro-police rally short and at least two people on the pro-police side were injured after being hit/beaten by members of the anti-police side. One person was arrested.
All of this has happened in the past five days but all Brian Stelter wants to do is downplay the Portland riots as something happening in a few square blocks. That’s just not accurate. What’s happening in Portland is happening across the country.
The second point is that all of this vandalism and violence, much of it aimed at the police, is ideologically connected. I’m not suggesting there is some Antifa master plan at work (though honestly who knows). But at a minimum all of this is coming from groups of people with the same anti-police mindset. In other words, there is a running thread that ties these incidents together.
And yet, Brian Stelter wants us to think Fox News is the problem for reporting on this. Actually it’s a significant story that police are being attacked with sticks, rocks and explosives every few days around the U.S. This has been going on since May.
Stelter should take his head out of the sand and admit there is more going on here then a few hundred violent extremists in one far-left city. This is not just a local news story. There are people like this all over the place and they clearly feel they have been given a green light to go on the attack because of the Black Lives Matter protests. There numbers may be small but they are doing a disproportionate amount of damage and eating up a lot of police resources. Does anyone think Stelter would be taking this tone if right-wing protesters were rampaging like this in major cities? I suspect he would suddenly see the problem if that were the case.


hotair--2020-07-20--Facebook's largest advertiser very quietly joins boycott without a public announcement

During the month of July , many large companies have joined an advertising boycott of Facebook in the name of “ Stop Hate for Profit ” .
The organizers of this boycott are protesting Facebook ’ s refusal to shut down free speech .
By free speech , I mean anything posted by President Trump , his campaign , his supporters , and conservative websites in general .
The boycott is meant to be a one-month commitment for the month of July and lots of the usual suspects quickly jumped on board .
Disney has now very quietly joined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t Disney made a big splash and announced its boycott as the other companies did ?
Why so quiet , Disney ?
The Stop the Hate for Profit coalition is headed up by the NAACP , the Anti-Defamation League , and Sleeping Giants .
Large corporations don ’ t want to risk feeling the wrath of the angry cancel culture mobs so they acquiesce to the demands of social justice warriors .
Liberal white guilt is a hella drug .
It ’ s no secret that Disney is a liberal-run corporation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” its advertising spending on Facebook .
Some companies extended their commitment to boycott advertising spending on Facebook beyond the month of July , some through the end of the year , but Disney hasn ’ t said what its timeframe is yet .
That question could have been answered if the company had issued a public statement .
During the pandemic , Disney has concentrated on advertising Disney+ , its new streaming service .
The entertainment giant , which is concerned about Facebook ’ s enforcement of its policies surrounding objectionable content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service Disney+ , the people familiar with the situation said .
Disney has promoted the service heavily this year and it makes up a substantial portion of the company ’ s spending on marketing .
In the first half of this year , Disney spent an estimated $ 210 million on Facebook ads for Disney+ in the U.S. , according to Pathmatics .
Disney was the biggest ad spender during that period .
Last year , it was the No .
2 Facebook advertiser in the U.S. , behind Home Depot Inc. Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sister streaming service Hulu , a person familiar with matter said .
Hulu spent $ 16 million on Instagram from April 15 to June 30 , Pathmatics said .
Other divisions of Disney are also re-examining their advertising on Facebook .
Ads for ABC and Disney-owned cable networks such as Freeform have all but vanished from the site .
While there are fewer shows to market during the summer , a person familiar with the matter said , it is unlikely that ads will return when new episodes need to be promoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
Maybe Disney understands that at least half of the people using Facebook and Instagram will not be pleased to learn that it is joining in on the boycott and doesn ’ t appreciate corporate virtue-signaling .
Nor do they appreciate boycotts that specifically target President Trump , his supporters , and conservatives in general .
The entire population of the country has not been overcome with fever dreams of a socialist or Marxist America , at least not yet .
The stockholders in the Walt Disney Company certainly understand how capitalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many other online companies , have felt the pinch of smaller advertising dollars being spent during the pandemic .
Many brands , though , prefer to not cut their Facebook advertising budgets because Facebook is an especially effective marketing vehicle .
Smaller companies thrive from advertising on Facebook .
Large companies can afford to discontinue advertising for a month or so but that ’ s not an option for others , even if the smaller companies wanted to join the boycott .
In the case of Disney , most of their advertising dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their theme parks are beginning to re-open so the family vacation market is coming into play .
It ’ s impossible to think that the timing of slashing the Facebook advertising budget and the decision to not make a public announcement about it is separate from re-opening considerations the company faces .
The re-opening of Disney World is off to a bumpy start .
The theme park is now banning guests from eating and drinking while walking around – it is limited to a stationary act .
Guests must remain in place while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about the face mask mandate and social distancing .
The park ’ s website updated its face mask policy , as noted by several Disney World fan blogs over the weekend .
It still allows guests to remove their face masks while eating or drinking , but asks that they remain stationary and socially distant from other people as they do it .
“ Face coverings are required for all guests ( ages 2 and up ) and cast members .
Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking , but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing , ” the park ’ s website now says under the face coverings section .
Guests didn ’ t want to wear face masks outside in the Florida heat ( and who can blame them ? )
so they were using the excuse of drinking or eating as a way to not wear them .
Masks are uncomfortable enough indoors , outdoors in the summer heat and humidity makes them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that guests wear masks , now they have to stay put somewhere and eat or drink in one place .
This will be hard for adults , imagine how difficult parents and grandparents will find it with young kids .
No more whipping out a water bottle as they walk to a ride or exhibit in the sun .

During the month of July, many large companies have joined an advertising boycott of Facebook in the name of “Stop Hate for Profit”. The organizers of this boycott are protesting Facebook’s refusal to shut down free speech.
By free speech, I mean anything posted by President Trump, his campaign, his supporters, and conservative websites in general. The boycott is meant to be a one-month commitment for the month of July and lots of the usual suspects quickly jumped on board. Disney has now very quietly joined the boycott. The question is why hasn’t Disney made a big splash and announced its boycott as the other companies did? Why so quiet, Disney?
The Stop the Hate for Profit coalition is headed up by the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, and Sleeping Giants. Large corporations don’t want to risk feeling the wrath of the angry cancel culture mobs so they acquiesce to the demands of social justice warriors. Liberal white guilt is a hella drug. It’s no secret that Disney is a liberal-run corporation. Walt Disney Company has “drastically slashed” its advertising spending on Facebook. Some companies extended their commitment to boycott advertising spending on Facebook beyond the month of July, some through the end of the year, but Disney hasn’t said what its timeframe is yet. That question could have been answered if the company had issued a public statement.
During the pandemic, Disney has concentrated on advertising Disney+, its new streaming service.
The entertainment giant, which is concerned about Facebook’s enforcement of its policies surrounding objectionable content, has paused advertising of its streaming-video service Disney+, the people familiar with the situation said. Disney has promoted the service heavily this year and it makes up a substantial portion of the company’s spending on marketing. In the first half of this year, Disney spent an estimated $210 million on Facebook ads for Disney+ in the U.S., according to Pathmatics. Disney was the biggest ad spender during that period. Last year, it was the No. 2 Facebook advertiser in the U.S., behind Home Depot Inc. Disney also paused spending on Facebook-owned Instagram for its sister streaming service Hulu, a person familiar with matter said. Hulu spent $16 million on Instagram from April 15 to June 30, Pathmatics said. Other divisions of Disney are also re-examining their advertising on Facebook. Ads for ABC and Disney-owned cable networks such as Freeform have all but vanished from the site. While there are fewer shows to market during the summer, a person familiar with the matter said, it is unlikely that ads will return when new episodes need to be promoted, unless the social platform polices itself better.
Maybe Disney understands that at least half of the people using Facebook and Instagram will not be pleased to learn that it is joining in on the boycott and doesn’t appreciate corporate virtue-signaling. Nor do they appreciate boycotts that specifically target President Trump, his supporters, and conservatives in general. The entire population of the country has not been overcome with fever dreams of a socialist or Marxist America, at least not yet. The stockholders in the Walt Disney Company certainly understand how capitalism works.
Facebook, as well as many other online companies, have felt the pinch of smaller advertising dollars being spent during the pandemic. Many brands, though, prefer to not cut their Facebook advertising budgets because Facebook is an especially effective marketing vehicle. Smaller companies thrive from advertising on Facebook. Large companies can afford to discontinue advertising for a month or so but that’s not an option for others, even if the smaller companies wanted to join the boycott.
In the case of Disney, most of their advertising dollars have gone to promoting Disney+ but now their theme parks are beginning to re-open so the family vacation market is coming into play. It’s impossible to think that the timing of slashing the Facebook advertising budget and the decision to not make a public announcement about it is separate from re-opening considerations the company faces. The re-opening of Disney World is off to a bumpy start. The theme park is now banning guests from eating and drinking while walking around – it is limited to a stationary act. Guests must remain in place while partaking in refreshments. It’s all about the face mask mandate and social distancing.
The park’s website updated its face mask policy, as noted by several Disney World fan blogs over the weekend. It still allows guests to remove their face masks while eating or drinking, but asks that they remain stationary and socially distant from other people as they do it. “Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and cast members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing,” the park’s website now says under the face coverings section.
Guests didn’t want to wear face masks outside in the Florida heat (and who can blame them?) so they were using the excuse of drinking or eating as a way to not wear them. Masks are uncomfortable enough indoors, outdoors in the summer heat and humidity makes them unbearable. In order to make sure that guests wear masks, now they have to stay put somewhere and eat or drink in one place. This will be hard for adults, imagine how difficult parents and grandparents will find it with young kids. No more whipping out a water bottle as they walk to a ride or exhibit in the sun.


hotair--2020-07-21--Pentagon: Esper wants federal cops in Portland to stop wearing military uniforms

One of the arguments I read somewhere yesterday for getting the feds to stand down in Portland is that if they keep using heavy-handed tactics they ’ re going to end up damaging public perceptions of federal law enforcement .
( Which aren ’ t great anyway post-Russiagate , but still . )
It ’ s fascinating that Esper seems to be worried that having these people cosplaying as soldiers might end up damaging perceptions of the military too .
It does no favors to the world ’ s greatest army to have dudes dressed up as troops caught on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper spray into a guy ’ s face because he didn ’ t move quickly enough when told .
And no doubt if Esper feels that way , there are plenty of other people inside the Pentagon who feel that way too .
Remember that one reason he turned chilly on using the Insurrection Act against looters in June was that some of his deputies disliked seeing him and Mark Milley accompany Trump for his victory strut through Lafayette Park after protesters were pushed out .
The Defense Department institutionally seems to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s proper to get physical with Americans than the White House does .
Think of that .
People who have been trained to kill are watching how the DHS secret police are operating in Portland right now and thinking , “ Maybe turn it down a notch , guys.
” After nationwide protests over racial injustice and police violence erupted in June , Esper expressed concern that in some cases , federal law enforcement officers were being confused with troops because of their similar uniforms , said Jonathan Hoffman , chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more clearly distinguish between the two , Hoffman said .
“ We saw this take place back in June when there were some law enforcement that wear uniforms that make them appear military in appearance , ” Hoffman said .
Esper has told administration officials that “ we want a system where people can tell the difference.
” Esper may be looking to have a conversation with Attorney General William Barr , acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and their teams about the issue in the near future , Hoffman said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have yet to hear a convincing explanation for why they ’ re wearing camouflage .
Allegedly the reason they ’ re not wearing markings apart from their agency armpatch is that protesters might dox them , but ( a ) cops all over the country run that same risk when they do crowd control for protests yet don ’ t get to operate incognito and ( b ) at the very least a badge number could be worn so that that officer can be held accountable by his superiors if eyewitnesses see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re wearing fatigues , though , is … what ?
They ’ re not blending into anything .
They ’ re not in a combat zone , no matter how much Trump might like to imagine he ’ s heroically battling an enemy as dangerous as Al Qaeda .
It ’ s a pure intimidation tactic aimed at American citizens to signal that the government is making war on them , not enforcing law .
No wonder Esper ’ s watching that and worrying what sort of new connotations will be formed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not using the warfare analogy offhandedly either .
Here ’ s a United States senator , who ’ s been itching to send U.S. troops in to crack the heads of looters in American streets since June , comparing the Portland riffraff to the Confederacy : My sense is that if Cotton has any complaints about what ’ s happening in Portland it ’ s that the feds aren ’ t using tanks and artillery ( yet ) .
Which would be bad enough if the standoff in Portland were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mounting that it won ’ t be .
Trump seems to be en route to assembling his own little nascent Interior Ministry to be deployed in various cities across the country .
Why ?
For all James Comey ’ s many faults , and mindful of the fact that he ’ s in no position anymore to lecture on proper police work , the theory he offers in this piece is plausible .
Is Portland just a big election-year pageant by the president to show him being “ tough ” on vandals ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
That might at last explain why the feds are kitted out like soldiers .
It ’ s simply better television .
What could be more stirring than watching American “ troops ” defend our sacred homeland from “ terrorists ” ?
As with all federal law enforcement agencies , the components of the Department of Homeland Security that are now prominent in Portland depend upon relationships with local law enforcement .
That has long been true for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration , two Justice Department elements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The FBI does nothing alone ” is how I often explained our dependence upon partnerships with local and state law enforcement .
The willingness of cities , counties and states to contribute their resources — most importantly , their people — to our task forces was at the heart of the FBI ’ s and DEA ’ s success .
Town councils and mayors around the country supported those relationships because they trusted us .
For Homeland Security , it will now be a long road back to trust and partnerships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road back to trust for the FBI too , Jimbo — but I digress .
He ’ s right tocal officials in Portland have been adamant that they don ’ t want the feds there and don ’ t want them using tactics like tear gas , fearing that the antagonism might grow or prolong the demonstrations .
But that raises another question : Is there an ulterior strategic reason for why , say , Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is so anti-fed ?
This theory is also reasonable , that mayors like Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how their own PDs conduct business and would love nothing more than to turn that anger away from themselves and onto Trump and DHS .
Everybody wins politically .
Trump gets to play the strongman who won ’ t stand for the sort of nonsense that soft liberal mayors will while those same liberal mayors get to symbolically join the Resistance by demanding that Trump go away .
William McGurn pointed out in a piece today that the feds are supposed to be merely defending federal property , not performing general police duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they stray into the state ’ s jurisdiction then the “ Pottery Barn rule ” will apply : “ The moment Mr. Trump intervenes in a troubled city , he owns it.
” I think he ’ s missing the point , though .
Trump wants to own it .
Like Comey says , he ’ d be just fine with TV news airing video of camouflaged feds fighting with Antifa droogs every night from now until Election Day .
It would help Americans to stop focusing on the coronavirus and start focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t stand up to vandals nearly as forcefully as Trump will .
He ’ ll happily “ break ” Portland and other cities to get a campaign platform like that .
It can only help him at this point .
Legislation is afoot in the House to try to address some of the problems here , from requiring federal agents to identify themselves to limiting the president ’ s powers under the Insurrection Act , but none of it has a chance of attaining veto-proof majorities .
Republicans are far too weak-kneed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an election year , no matter how gross the spectacle of an Interior Ministry operating in Portland is .
Here ’ s Andrew Napolitano giving his libertarian view to Fox .
You can guess what it is .

One of the arguments I read somewhere yesterday for getting the feds to stand down in Portland is that if they keep using heavy-handed tactics they’re going to end up damaging public perceptions of federal law enforcement. (Which aren’t great anyway post-Russiagate, but still.) It’s fascinating that Esper seems to be worried that having these people cosplaying as soldiers might end up damaging perceptions of the military too. It does no favors to the world’s greatest army to have dudes dressed up as troops caught on video casually unloading half a canister of pepper spray into a guy’s face because he didn’t move quickly enough when told.
And no doubt if Esper feels that way, there are plenty of other people inside the Pentagon who feel that way too. Remember that one reason he turned chilly on using the Insurrection Act against looters in June was that some of his deputies disliked seeing him and Mark Milley accompany Trump for his victory strut through Lafayette Park after protesters were pushed out. The Defense Department institutionally seems to have a much more responsible view of when it’s proper to get physical with Americans than the White House does.
Think of that. People who have been trained to kill are watching how the DHS secret police are operating in Portland right now and thinking, “Maybe turn it down a notch, guys.”
After nationwide protests over racial injustice and police violence erupted in June, Esper expressed concern that in some cases, federal law enforcement officers were being confused with troops because of their similar uniforms, said Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesperson. Esper urged efforts to more clearly distinguish between the two, Hoffman said. “We saw this take place back in June when there were some law enforcement that wear uniforms that make them appear military in appearance,” Hoffman said. Esper has told administration officials that “we want a system where people can tell the difference.” Esper may be looking to have a conversation with Attorney General William Barr, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and their teams about the issue in the near future, Hoffman said, but did not specify a timeline.
I have yet to hear a convincing explanation for why they’re wearing camouflage. Allegedly the reason they’re not wearing markings apart from their agency armpatch is that protesters might dox them, but (a) cops all over the country run that same risk when they do crowd control for protests yet don’t get to operate incognito and (b) at the very least a badge number could be worn so that that officer can be held accountable by his superiors if eyewitnesses see him misbehave. The reason they’re wearing fatigues, though, is … what? They’re not blending into anything. They’re not in a combat zone, no matter how much Trump might like to imagine he’s heroically battling an enemy as dangerous as Al Qaeda. It’s a pure intimidation tactic aimed at American citizens to signal that the government is making war on them, not enforcing law. No wonder Esper’s watching that and worrying what sort of new connotations will be formed in Americans’ minds for military uniforms.
I’m not using the warfare analogy offhandedly either. Here’s a United States senator, who’s been itching to send U.S. troops in to crack the heads of looters in American streets since June, comparing the Portland riffraff to the Confederacy:
On Fox & Friends, Sen. Tom Cotton compares protesters to the Confederacy: "These insurrectionists in the streets of Portland are little different from the insurrectionists who seceded from the union in 1861 in South Carolina, and tried to take over Fort Sumter." pic.twitter.com/7ylYh3N1dB — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) July 21, 2020
My sense is that if Cotton has any complaints about what’s happening in Portland it’s that the feds aren’t using tanks and artillery (yet). Which would be bad enough if the standoff in Portland were confined to Portland, but evidence is mounting that it won’t be. Trump seems to be en route to assembling his own little nascent Interior Ministry to be deployed in various cities across the country. Why?
For all James Comey’s many faults, and mindful of the fact that he’s in no position anymore to lecture on proper police work, the theory he offers in this piece is plausible. Is Portland just a big election-year pageant by the president to show him being “tough” on vandals? Does he want violent confrontations on TV? That might at last explain why the feds are kitted out like soldiers. It’s simply better television. What could be more stirring than watching American “troops” defend our sacred homeland from “terrorists”?
As with all federal law enforcement agencies, the components of the Department of Homeland Security that are now prominent in Portland depend upon relationships with local law enforcement. That has long been true for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, two Justice Department elements that have not been evident in Portland. “The FBI does nothing alone” is how I often explained our dependence upon partnerships with local and state law enforcement. The willingness of cities, counties and states to contribute their resources — most importantly, their people — to our task forces was at the heart of the FBI’s and DEA’s success. Town councils and mayors around the country supported those relationships because they trusted us. For Homeland Security, it will now be a long road back to trust and partnerships.
It’ll be a long road back to trust for the FBI too, Jimbo — but I digress. He’s right tocal officials in Portland have been adamant that they don’t want the feds there and don’t want them using tactics like tear gas, fearing that the antagonism might grow or prolong the demonstrations. But that raises another question: Is there an ulterior strategic reason for why, say, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is so anti-fed? This theory is also reasonable, that mayors like Wheeler are feeling the heat from locals over how their own PDs conduct business and would love nothing more than to turn that anger away from themselves and onto Trump and DHS.
4. And so they would LOVE to redirect the anger that is being directed at them and their vicious, violent police departments. — David Menschel (@davidminpdx) July 21, 2020
Everybody wins politically. Trump gets to play the strongman who won’t stand for the sort of nonsense that soft liberal mayors will while those same liberal mayors get to symbolically join the Resistance by demanding that Trump go away. William McGurn pointed out in a piece today that the feds are supposed to be merely defending federal property, not performing general police duties in the neighborhood, and that once they stray into the state’s jurisdiction then the “Pottery Barn rule” will apply: “The moment Mr. Trump intervenes in a troubled city, he owns it.” I think he’s missing the point, though. Trump wants to own it. Like Comey says, he’d be just fine with TV news airing video of camouflaged feds fighting with Antifa droogs every night from now until Election Day. It would help Americans to stop focusing on the coronavirus and start focusing on his claim that President Biden won’t stand up to vandals nearly as forcefully as Trump will. He’ll happily “break” Portland and other cities to get a campaign platform like that. It can only help him at this point.
Legislation is afoot in the House to try to address some of the problems here, from requiring federal agents to identify themselves to limiting the president’s powers under the Insurrection Act, but none of it has a chance of attaining veto-proof majorities. Republicans are far too weak-kneed about crossing Trump on this, especially in an election year, no matter how gross the spectacle of an Interior Ministry operating in Portland is.
Here’s Andrew Napolitano giving his libertarian view to Fox. You can guess what it is.


hotair--2020-07-21--Ellison: Come on, do you really want police responding to a rape?

The answer to this question is a big ya , you betcha , but the absurdity of it escaped Minnesota ’ s attorney general .
In a clip from a discussion on dismantling the police department , Ellison wonders aloud why a rape victim would want the police rather than a social worker to respond .
After all , Ellison argues , police officers are only trained in “ how to use a firearm , ” which is not just untrue but also would be an indictment of his own office and the state of Minnesota .
NPR moderator Yamiche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) don ’ t appear terribly impressed with this argument , looking elsewhere when Ellison winds up his pitch with a “ Right ?
” Keith Ellison , former Democrat National Committee vice chairman and current Minnesota attorney general , said he does not want police officers to respond to rape calls .
The shocking policy suggestion occurred during a Zoom conversation featuring Ellison and Rep. Karen Bass ( D-Calif. ) to discuss racism and police reforms .
The dialogue was moderated by White House correspondent for “ PBS NewsHour ” Yamiche Alcindor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re a woman who ’ s been a victim of a sexual assault , and the assailant ran away , wouldn ’ t you rather talk to somebody who is trained in helping you deal with what you ’ re dealing with , as opossed to somebody whose main training is that they know how to use a firearm ?
Right ?
” It ’ s a short clip , and so the context of this comment is not entirely known .
On the other hand , what context would make this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ this is the absurdity of dismantling the police department , ” not much .
“ If the assailant ran away ” doesn ’ t count as context , either .
If there ’ s a rapist on the loose , don ’ t we need police to respond in order to collect evidence and to start an investigation to protect other women in the community ?
Shouldn ’ t an Attorney General know that ?
Curiously , this dialogue didn ’ t even garner any attention for its mansplaining of rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mention that Ellison ’ s own history with allegations of sexual misconduct makes this look even creepier .
So much for # MeToo , I guess .
Needless to say , having the state ’ s top law enforcement officer question the need for police involvement in sexual assaults isn ’ t exactly a confidence builder .
That ’ s unfortunate , since police have made improvements in and out of Minnesota in their handling of such cases .
Police routinely make counselors available while investigating rapes as the serious and violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rape and other sexual assaults are one of the many reasons why policing is a necessity , not a luxury , and the suggestion that women only need counseling afterward rather than enforcement at all times is as condescending as it is absurd .
Hardly any media has reported on this story , so kudos to the Federalist ’ s Evita Duffy for highlighting it today .
Ellison has other problems on his hands today , though ; his office has been accused of violating a gag order in the prosecution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd .
Ellison ’ s office called the claim a “ smear ” : The Minnesota attorney general ’ s office rejected as “ entirely baseless ” allegations by defense attorneys that it violated a judicial gag order in the case of four fired Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd .
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank , in a brief filed before a Tuesday motions hearing in Hennepin County District Court , argued against an assertion last week from one defense attorney that Attorney General Keith Ellison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed ” after issuing a news release last week that highlighted the addition of four pro-bono attorneys to the prosecution team .
“ Defendants ’ motions for contempt/sanctions are a complete distraction from the intended purpose behind the Court ’ s Gag Order and must be denied , ” Frank wrote .
“ They should be seen for what they are : a ploy to publicly smear the office tasked with prosecuting this matter and a tacit attempt to taint the jury pool in an effort to encourage the Court to later order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no reason to announce that these so called ‘ super stars ’ are joining the prosecution and that they ’ re doing it for free .
It is an obvious statement to the public that these ‘ super stars ’ believe that our clients are guilty , ” [ defense attorney Earl ] Gray wrote .
The demand for Ellison to be jailed over an announcement of the prosecution-team expansion is hyperbolic .
However , one has to wonder why Ellison ’ s office issued that press release at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that the prosecution of the four officers is so popular that people are lining up to join the effort for free .
Gray ’ s correct that this looks like a political statement , and as such should be covered by the gag order — or if not , then defense attorneys should have as much access to the media as Ellison has .
Maybe a few days in the clink would be a good idea for Ellison , however .
It might keep him from shooting his mouth off about rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The answer to this question is a big ya, you betcha, but the absurdity of it escaped Minnesota’s attorney general. In a clip from a discussion on dismantling the police department, Ellison wonders aloud why a rape victim would want the police rather than a social worker to respond. After all, Ellison argues, police officers are only trained in “how to use a firearm,” which is not just untrue but also would be an indictment of his own office and the state of Minnesota.
NPR moderator Yamiche Alcindor and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) don’t appear terribly impressed with this argument, looking elsewhere when Ellison winds up his pitch with a “Right?”
Keith Ellison, former Democrat National Committee vice chairman and current Minnesota attorney general, said he does not want police officers to respond to rape calls. The shocking policy suggestion occurred during a Zoom conversation featuring Ellison and Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) to discuss racism and police reforms. The dialogue was moderated by White House correspondent for “PBS NewsHour” Yamiche Alcindor. Ellison stated: “If you’re a woman who’s been a victim of a sexual assault, and the assailant ran away, wouldn’t you rather talk to somebody who is trained in helping you deal with what you’re dealing with, as opossed to somebody whose main training is that they know how to use a firearm? Right?”
It’s a short clip, and so the context of this comment is not entirely known. On the other hand, what context would make this sound good? Other than a framing of “this is the absurdity of dismantling the police department,” not much. “If the assailant ran away” doesn’t count as context, either. If there’s a rapist on the loose, don’t we need police to respond in order to collect evidence and to start an investigation to protect other women in the community? Shouldn’t an Attorney General know that?
Curiously, this dialogue didn’t even garner any attention for its mansplaining of rape to two women of color. Not to mention that Ellison’s own history with allegations of sexual misconduct makes this look even creepier. So much for #MeToo, I guess.
Needless to say, having the state’s top law enforcement officer question the need for police involvement in sexual assaults isn’t exactly a confidence builder. That’s unfortunate, since police have made improvements in and out of Minnesota in their handling of such cases. Police routinely make counselors available while investigating rapes as the serious and violent crimes that they are. In fact, rape and other sexual assaults are one of the many reasons why policing is a necessity, not a luxury, and the suggestion that women only need counseling afterward rather than enforcement at all times is as condescending as it is absurd.
Hardly any media has reported on this story, so kudos to the Federalist’s Evita Duffy for highlighting it today. Ellison has other problems on his hands today, though; his office has been accused of violating a gag order in the prosecution of the four officers involved in the homicide of George Floyd. Ellison’s office called the claim a “smear”:
The Minnesota attorney general’s office rejected as “entirely baseless” allegations by defense attorneys that it violated a judicial gag order in the case of four fired Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank, in a brief filed before a Tuesday motions hearing in Hennepin County District Court, argued against an assertion last week from one defense attorney that Attorney General Keith Ellison and an office spokesman “should be jailed” after issuing a news release last week that highlighted the addition of four pro-bono attorneys to the prosecution team. “Defendants’ motions for contempt/sanctions are a complete distraction from the intended purpose behind the Court’s Gag Order and must be denied,” Frank wrote. “They should be seen for what they are: a ploy to publicly smear the office tasked with prosecuting this matter and a tacit attempt to taint the jury pool in an effort to encourage the Court to later order a change of venue.” … “There is no reason to announce that these so called ‘super stars’ are joining the prosecution and that they’re doing it for free. It is an obvious statement to the public that these ‘super stars’ believe that our clients are guilty,” [defense attorney Earl] Gray wrote.
The demand for Ellison to be jailed over an announcement of the prosecution-team expansion is hyperbolic. However, one has to wonder why Ellison’s office issued that press release at all. It certainly appears to make a public case that the prosecution of the four officers is so popular that people are lining up to join the effort for free. Gray’s correct that this looks like a political statement, and as such should be covered by the gag order — or if not, then defense attorneys should have as much access to the media as Ellison has.
Maybe a few days in the clink would be a good idea for Ellison, however. It might keep him from shooting his mouth off about rape and its relative unimportance in law enforcement.


hotair--2020-07-21--Dems want GOP rep sanctioned for calling AOC a "f***ing b*tch"

There isn ’ t much to say here beyond reciting the facts , yet the story must be blogged because it ’ s so … so 2020 .
On the one hand , there ’ s the lecturing young wokester pushing weak-even-for-her theories about how the uptick in murders and grand theft in NYC might be due to hungry people needing bread .
On the other hand , there ’ s the snarling older righty who seems to find virtue in how nasty he ’ s willing to be in confronting the left .
What happens when these two crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter how bad this year makes you feel , and how much it encourages you to despair for America ’ s future , rest assured that it will get worse .
Day by miserable day .
This is terrible form by Ted Yoho if it ’ s true , needless to say .
Apparently he and AOC passed each other yesterday on the Capitol steps — within earshot of a reporter from The Hill .
In a brief but heated exchange , which was overheard by a reporter , Yoho told Ocasio-Cortez she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that poverty and unemployment are driving a spike in crime in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ You are out of your freaking mind , ” Yoho told her .
Ocasio-Cortez shot back , telling Yoho he was being “ rude.
” The two then parted ways .
Ocasio-Cortez headed into the building , while Yoho , joined by Rep. Roger Williams ( R-Texas ) , began descending toward the House office buildings .
A few steps down , Yoho offered a parting thought to no one in particular .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked about it later , although his spokesman told CNN today that he never said what he ’ s alleged to have said .
AOC herself told Yahoo News that she heard him muttering as she walked away but couldn ’ t make out what he said .
She also accused fellow Republican Roger Williams , who was with Yoho at the time , of joining in on the initial confrontation .
“ That kind of confrontation hasn ’ t ever happened to me — ever , ” she told The Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that kind of abrupt , disgusting kind of disrespect levied at me.
” She had some support today on Twitter from the right , in some cases fairly predictable… …and in other cases less so : Ocasio-Cortez also told Yahoo News that she spoke to Yoho afterward about how he behaved — and got another earful : “ I actually confronted him later that day about what he did and he doubled down , yelling at me again for a second time later in the afternoon.
” Congrats to Ted Yoho on becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination in 2024 , I guess .
House Dems want consequences , not just to show the left that they ’ re willing to back up a progressive superstar when a righty gets in her face but to call women voters ’ attention to Yoho ’ s behavior .
Women are poised to deliver a landslide victory to Biden this fall if you believe the latest polling .
Anything Democrats can do to try to further alienate them from the GOP is useful to them : Are they going to sanction him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to sanction him for the profane insult specifically ?
Given that Yoho ’ s office denies that he said it , presumably they ’ ll have to haul in the reporter who overheard it and get him/her to vouch for it before they sanction him .
It sure doesn ’ t sound like he ’ s going to apologize .
He has only a few months left as a congressman , as he ’ s retiring after this term .
It ’ s not like he needs to rebuild cordial relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karen Bass vowing that there ’ ll be a “ response ” of some sort .

There isn’t much to say here beyond reciting the facts, yet the story must be blogged because it’s so … so 2020. On the one hand, there’s the lecturing young wokester pushing weak-even-for-her theories about how the uptick in murders and grand theft in NYC might be due to hungry people needing bread. On the other hand, there’s the snarling older righty who seems to find virtue in how nasty he’s willing to be in confronting the left. What happens when these two crazy kids come face to face?
Nothing good. Nothing good.
No matter how bad this year makes you feel, and how much it encourages you to despair for America’s future, rest assured that it will get worse. Day by miserable day.
This is terrible form by Ted Yoho if it’s true, needless to say. Apparently he and AOC passed each other yesterday on the Capitol steps — within earshot of a reporter from The Hill.
In a brief but heated exchange, which was overheard by a reporter, Yoho told Ocasio-Cortez she was “disgusting” for recently suggesting that poverty and unemployment are driving a spike in crime in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic. “You are out of your freaking mind,” Yoho told her. Ocasio-Cortez shot back, telling Yoho he was being “rude.” The two then parted ways. Ocasio-Cortez headed into the building, while Yoho, joined by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), began descending toward the House office buildings. A few steps down, Yoho offered a parting thought to no one in particular. “F***ing b*tch,” he said.
“No comment,” said Yoho when asked about it later, although his spokesman told CNN today that he never said what he’s alleged to have said. AOC herself told Yahoo News that she heard him muttering as she walked away but couldn’t make out what he said. She also accused fellow Republican Roger Williams, who was with Yoho at the time, of joining in on the initial confrontation.
I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me on the steps of the nation’s Capitol yesterday. Believe it or not, I usually get along fine w/ my GOP colleagues. We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door. But hey, “b*tches” get stuff done. 🤷🏽♀ https://t.co/WlG3xccwR7 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 21, 2020
What’s wild to me @RogerWilliamsTX is why would you blatantly lie to a reporter who saw this exchange? You were yelling at me too, about “throwing urine.” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 21, 2020
“That kind of confrontation hasn’t ever happened to me — ever,” she told The Hill. “I’ve never had that kind of abrupt, disgusting kind of disrespect levied at me.” She had some support today on Twitter from the right, in some cases fairly predictable…
.@AOC and I disagree on literally almost everything – but this mysogynistic trend where every woman you disagree with is a “bitch” is archaic, reductive and completely despicable. If you’re not emotionally mature enough to handle working with strong women, then resign Ted Yoho. https://t.co/udznGm1W8c — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 21, 2020
…and in other cases less so:
I can confirm that AOC gets along w many of her Republican colleagues on a range of things that don’t have anything to do w legislation or politics. She is not a bitch. — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) July 21, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez also told Yahoo News that she spoke to Yoho afterward about how he behaved — and got another earful: “I actually confronted him later that day about what he did and he doubled down, yelling at me again for a second time later in the afternoon.” Congrats to Ted Yoho on becoming the new populist frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2024, I guess.
House Dems want consequences, not just to show the left that they’re willing to back up a progressive superstar when a righty gets in her face but to call women voters’ attention to Yoho’s behavior. Women are poised to deliver a landslide victory to Biden this fall if you believe the latest polling. Anything Democrats can do to try to further alienate them from the GOP is useful to them:
2) Hoyer says says Yoho was acting like "a bully.…It was the antithesis to John Lewis. It needs to be sanctioned" — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 21, 2020
Are they going to sanction him for general “rudeness” or are they going to sanction him for the profane insult specifically? Given that Yoho’s office denies that he said it, presumably they’ll have to haul in the reporter who overheard it and get him/her to vouch for it before they sanction him. It sure doesn’t sound like he’s going to apologize. He has only a few months left as a congressman, as he’s retiring after this term. It’s not like he needs to rebuild cordial relations with anyone.
Here’s Dem Rep. Karen Bass vowing that there’ll be a “response” of some sort.


hotair--2020-07-21--Jerusalem Post: Another case of apparent coronavirus reinfection after recovery

Last week I wrote about a study from the UK which found that coronavirus antibodies only seemed to last a few months in the body .
As I explained at the time , that study was far from conclusive because it was only looking at one type of immunity ( that given by antibody production ) .
The study did not look at another type of immunity ( that provided by T-cells ) which may turn out to be more important for providing immunity to the virus .
The Atlantic published a piece yesterday in which experts suggested we probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the antibody study .
However , what would be worrisome is if we start seeing people get reinfected after recovering .
That would suggest that , at least for some people , immunity to the virus really isn ’ t lasting very long .
On that point , last week I pointed out this piece at Vox in which a doctor described a patient who apparently got the virus a second time .
The doctor couldn ’ t confirm that this wasn ’ t a case of a lingering infection but he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what it might mean for our natural immunity to the virus .
Today , the Jerusalem Post published a similar story about a doctor at a hospital in Israel who may have been reinfected : The doctor suffered from fever , cough and muscle pain when she tested positive for the virus in April , but she recovered and tested negative in May and June .
Earlier this month , she came in contact with a confirmed patient and subsequently tested positive for the virus .
The cases are the latest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have raised questions concerning how long immunity against the virus lasts .
That certainly sounds like a case of reinfection but a spokesman for the hospital said the doctor , “ tested positive again because she has remnants of her first virus still floating around in her body.
” So the hospital seems to be suggesting this was not a new infection but a lingering one .
There are a handful of other cases like this .
A news station in Colorado produced this story about a woman named Michelle who tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
In Michelle ’ s case , this sounds less like reinfection and more like a lingering infection .
She says in the clip above that even when she tested negative some of her symptoms persisted .
So maybe this is just a case of false negatives in the testing , though obviously the doctor interviewed for this story isn ’ t willing to rule out reinfection as a possibility .
So far these cases seem rare enough that they could be flukes , i.e .
false negatives .
We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if , as time passes , more of the people who had the virus early on complain about getting it a second time .
If the number of these cases remain very small we probably don ’ t have to worry too much .
If however this sort of report becomes more common that might suggest bad news about the duration of immunity .

Last week I wrote about a study from the UK which found that coronavirus antibodies only seemed to last a few months in the body. As I explained at the time, that study was far from conclusive because it was only looking at one type of immunity (that given by antibody production). The study did not look at another type of immunity (that provided by T-cells) which may turn out to be more important for providing immunity to the virus. The Atlantic published a piece yesterday in which experts suggested we probably shouldn’t read too much into the antibody study.
However, what would be worrisome is if we start seeing people get reinfected after recovering. That would suggest that, at least for some people, immunity to the virus really isn’t lasting very long. On that point, last week I pointed out this piece at Vox in which a doctor described a patient who apparently got the virus a second time. The doctor couldn’t confirm that this wasn’t a case of a lingering infection but he was clearly worried about the possibility of reinfection and what it might mean for our natural immunity to the virus.
Today, the Jerusalem Post published a similar story about a doctor at a hospital in Israel who may have been reinfected:
The doctor suffered from fever, cough and muscle pain when she tested positive for the virus in April, but she recovered and tested negative in May and June. Earlier this month, she came in contact with a confirmed patient and subsequently tested positive for the virus. The cases are the latest in a series of incidents of suspected reinfection that have raised questions concerning how long immunity against the virus lasts.
That certainly sounds like a case of reinfection but a spokesman for the hospital said the doctor, “tested positive again because she has remnants of her first virus still floating around in her body.” So the hospital seems to be suggesting this was not a new infection but a lingering one.
There are a handful of other cases like this. A news station in Colorado produced this story about a woman named Michelle who tested negative several times and then tested positive again.
In Michelle’s case, this sounds less like reinfection and more like a lingering infection. She says in the clip above that even when she tested negative some of her symptoms persisted. So maybe this is just a case of false negatives in the testing, though obviously the doctor interviewed for this story isn’t willing to rule out reinfection as a possibility.
So far these cases seem rare enough that they could be flukes, i.e. false negatives. We’ll have to keep an eye out to see if, as time passes, more of the people who had the virus early on complain about getting it a second time. If the number of these cases remain very small we probably don’t have to worry too much. If however this sort of report becomes more common that might suggest bad news about the duration of immunity.


hotair--2020-07-21--Delta Airlines follows Southwest into the layoff zone

It ’ s Déjà vu all over again .
Delta Airlines has followed in the footsteps of some of their competitors and put thousands of their workers on notice .
Barring some huge recovery in air travel habits , the company will not be able to maintain the status quo for much longer .
They ’ re offering incentive packages to buy out some of their employees , warning those who don ’ t take the option to leave voluntarily that they will probably have the choice made for them in September .
This has the usual labor unions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be few options left for Delta .
( Associated Press ) Delta Air Lines said Wednesday that it expects to take a charge of $ 2.7 billion to $ 3.3 billion to cover the cost of early retirements and buyouts for employees as it shrinks in response to a sharp decline in air travel .
The airline said this week that 17,000 employees have agreed to depart .
Delta said in a regulatory filing that $ 500 million to $ 600 million of the charge would go toward cash payments to pilots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departing employees in the July-September quarter .
Employees who agree to leave get payments , health insurance and , in some cases , retiree health care benefits .
If this story sounds familiar , that may be because Southwest made an almost identical announcement less than a week ago .
And just like Southwest , Delta is offering a variety of sweeteners to its workers in an effort to coax them out the door early .
Those who don ’ t voluntarily head for the unemployment lines now may find themselves out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eight weeks .
Also like Southwest ’ s experience , Delta is forbidden from laying off or furloughing any of its employees until then .
That ’ s because they took more than $ 5.4 billion in taxpayer-funded aid during the first round of pandemic relief passed by Congress .
Keeping their workers on the payroll was part of that agreement , but it ’ s going to be expiring in the beginning of September unless a new round of congressional relief includes a similar bailout for them .
We should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as I did with Southwest .
After the pandemic struck , demand for air travel services cratered completely .
But by using taxpayer money to keep unneeded workers on the payroll , Congress distorted the marketplace in favor of the airlines .
If the company was only able to run 10 % as many flights , they could have laid off a majority of their workers and remained mostly solvent .
And those workers could have gone and applied for federally enhanced unemployment benefits just like everyone else .
If that hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t have “ closed down ” or “ gone away ” entirely .
They could have filed for bankruptcy just like they did in 2005 .
Then , when the pandemic finally passes and the demand for their business returns , they could emerge from bankruptcy once again , recall their workers , and return to profitability .
None of this was necessary and all they ’ ve managed to do is burn through billions of dollars of congressional ( read taxpayer ) cash for no purpose beyond staving off the @ @ @ @ @ @

It’s Déjà vu all over again. Delta Airlines has followed in the footsteps of some of their competitors and put thousands of their workers on notice. Barring some huge recovery in air travel habits, the company will not be able to maintain the status quo for much longer. They’re offering incentive packages to buy out some of their employees, warning those who don’t take the option to leave voluntarily that they will probably have the choice made for them in September. This has the usual labor unions in an uproar, but there seem to be few options left for Delta. (Associated Press)
Delta Air Lines said Wednesday that it expects to take a charge of $2.7 billion to $3.3 billion to cover the cost of early retirements and buyouts for employees as it shrinks in response to a sharp decline in air travel. The airline said this week that 17,000 employees have agreed to depart. Delta said in a regulatory filing that $500 million to $600 million of the charge would go toward cash payments to pilots, flight attendants, ground workers and other departing employees in the July-September quarter. Employees who agree to leave get payments, health insurance and, in some cases, retiree health care benefits.
If this story sounds familiar, that may be because Southwest made an almost identical announcement less than a week ago. And just like Southwest, Delta is offering a variety of sweeteners to its workers in an effort to coax them out the door early. Those who don’t voluntarily head for the unemployment lines now may find themselves out the door with no added benefits in six to eight weeks.
Also like Southwest’s experience, Delta is forbidden from laying off or furloughing any of its employees until then. That’s because they took more than $5.4 billion in taxpayer-funded aid during the first round of pandemic relief passed by Congress. Keeping their workers on the payroll was part of that agreement, but it’s going to be expiring in the beginning of September unless a new round of congressional relief includes a similar bailout for them.
We should be taking issue with Delta’s decisions just as I did with Southwest. After the pandemic struck, demand for air travel services cratered completely. But by using taxpayer money to keep unneeded workers on the payroll, Congress distorted the marketplace in favor of the airlines. If the company was only able to run 10% as many flights, they could have laid off a majority of their workers and remained mostly solvent. And those workers could have gone and applied for federally enhanced unemployment benefits just like everyone else.
If that hadn’t worked, the airline still wouldn’t have “closed down” or “gone away” entirely. They could have filed for bankruptcy just like they did in 2005. Then, when the pandemic finally passes and the demand for their business returns, they could emerge from bankruptcy once again, recall their workers, and return to profitability. None of this was necessary and all they’ve managed to do is burn through billions of dollars of congressional (read taxpayer) cash for no purpose beyond staving off the inevitable for a few months.


hotair--2020-07-21--Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell: I wish her well

Bro , if you liked the Roger Stone commutation , you ’ re going to love the Ghislaine Maxwell election-eve pardon .
Maybe she ’ ll even turn up at one of the inauguration balls in January after she ’ s sprung .
The only correct answer when asked about something like this , says Michael Brendan Dougherty , is “ Let justice be done.
” Right , that would have been a better response than reminding the world gratuitously that you ’ ve met a monstrous degenerate like Maxwell numerous times in the past .
Some hardcore Resistance types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-wishes are evidence that he ’ s afraid Maxwell has the goods on him and is being extra polite so as not to piss her off .
That ’ s silly .
If she has anything on him , and there ’ s no evidence that she does , what she offers the DOJ will depend on what they ’ re willing to offer her in return , not how personally warm the president is in his comments about her to reporters .
I don ’ t think he meant much of anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was just a knee-jerk noncommittal thing to say about a former acquaintance .
But yes , as a rule , when you ’ re asked how you feel about the indictment of someone with whom you ’ ve been photographed multiple times on charges of sex-trafficking minors , a bit of ceremonial indignation is called for .
The only thing missing here is Trump telling reporters , “ Tell her I say hi.
” The irony is that this came during the Q & A of his first revived daily coronavirus briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without Pence , Fauci , or Birx .
Apart from his kind words for the , er , accused procurer for a notorious pedophile , it went well — much better than the long rants common to his briefings in April .
The point was to show that he ’ s taking the crisis seriously and has grown more realistic about the challenge .
He touted masks , as you ’ ll see in the second clip below , and he acknowledged that the crisis will get worse before it gets better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than a few hours , God only knows ; he was telling Chris Wallace on Fox that he thought the virus would go away on its own as recently as two days ago .
But these short scripted sessions in which he notes progress and pushes responsible precautions will do him some good if he sticks to them .
Maybe drop the Q & As going forward , though .
Or at least seem a little more judgmental about allegations of child-rape facilitation .

Bro, if you liked the Roger Stone commutation, you’re going to love the Ghislaine Maxwell election-eve pardon.
Maybe she’ll even turn up at one of the inauguration balls in January after she’s sprung.
The only correct answer when asked about something like this, says Michael Brendan Dougherty, is “Let justice be done.” Right, that would have been a better response than reminding the world gratuitously that you’ve met a monstrous degenerate like Maxwell numerous times in the past.
Some hardcore Resistance types are theorizing on social media that his well-wishes are evidence that he’s afraid Maxwell has the goods on him and is being extra polite so as not to piss her off. That’s silly. If she has anything on him, and there’s no evidence that she does, what she offers the DOJ will depend on what they’re willing to offer her in return, not how personally warm the president is in his comments about her to reporters. I don’t think he meant much of anything by “I wish her well.” It was just a knee-jerk noncommittal thing to say about a former acquaintance.
But yes, as a rule, when you’re asked how you feel about the indictment of someone with whom you’ve been photographed multiple times on charges of sex-trafficking minors, a bit of ceremonial indignation is called for. The only thing missing here is Trump telling reporters, “Tell her I say hi.”
The irony is that this came during the Q&A of his first revived daily coronavirus briefing, which he held today by himself without Pence, Fauci, or Birx. Apart from his kind words for the, er, accused procurer for a notorious pedophile, it went well — much better than the long rants common to his briefings in April. The point was to show that he’s taking the crisis seriously and has grown more realistic about the challenge. He touted masks, as you’ll see in the second clip below, and he acknowledged that the crisis will get worse before it gets better. Whether he sticks to those talking points for more than a few hours, God only knows; he was telling Chris Wallace on Fox that he thought the virus would go away on its own as recently as two days ago. But these short scripted sessions in which he notes progress and pushes responsible precautions will do him some good if he sticks to them.
Maybe drop the Q&As going forward, though. Or at least seem a little more judgmental about allegations of child-rape facilitation.
Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell: I just wish her well frankly. I’ve met her numerous times over the years especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach but I wish her well pic.twitter.com/wCfzsZfjTT — Acyn (@Acyn) July 21, 2020


hotair--2020-07-21--FBI Deputy Director announces charges against Chinese hackers

FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich announced charges today against two Chinese hackers accused of working at the direction of the Chinese government to steal intellectual property from U.S. companies .
According to the FBI , the two hackers charged today have been at this for more than a decade and have stolen information from companies around the U.S .
According to the 11-count indictment , Li Xiaoyu , 34 , and Dong Jiazhi , 33 , conducted a global hacking campaign for more than a decade .
The indictment alleges that the defendants were able to successfully steal terabytes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Australia , Belgium , Germany , Japan , Lithuania , the Netherlands , Spain , South Korea , Sweden , and the United Kingdom .
The Department of Justice said in a statement that high tech manufacturing processes , gaming software , solar energy engineering , pharmaceuticals and defense industries were among those targeted in the hack .
A California technology and defense company , a Maryland technology and manufacturing company , the Department of Energy ’ s Hanford site in Washington , a Texas engineering firm , a Virginia defense contractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California gaming software company and several U.S. drug makers were among the 13 American businesses that were targeted .
These hackers have recently been attempting to hack into the networks of companies involved in coronavirus research , though it seems those efforts were not successful .
The pair did try to hack a Massachusetts biotech firm researching a vaccine as early as Jan. 27 , according to the indictment .
On Feb. 1 , the pair tried to find vulnerabilities on the networks of a California biotech firm that had announced it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May , Mr. Li investigated a California diagnostic firm developing virus testing kits… The suspects also tried to steal other information on Chinese activists for the Ministry of State Security , Beijing ’ s civilian spy agency , said John Demers , the assistant attorney general for national security .
The suspects handed over account information and passwords belonging to a Hong Kong community organizer , a former Tiananmen Square protester and a pastor of a Christian church in China .
“ You can see by the variety of the hacks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the government , ” Mr. Demers said at a news conference in Washington .
“ Extorting someone for cryptocurrency is not something that the government is usually interested in , nor are criminal hackers are not usually interested in human rights activists and clergymen.
” So these hackers have are engaged in a kind of hybrid crime .
On the one hand they commit hacking crimes to extort money for themselves .
But they allowed to do that because they also work directly for the Chinese government .
In announcing the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech FBI Director Wray gave early this month in which he said that Chinese thefts of U.S. intellectual property were “ one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history.
” Bowdich went on to compare the behavior of China in directing these efforts to organized crime :

FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich announced charges today against two Chinese hackers accused of working at the direction of the Chinese government to steal intellectual property from U.S. companies. According to the FBI, the two hackers charged today have been at this for more than a decade and have stolen information from companies around the U.S.
According to the 11-count indictment, Li Xiaoyu, 34, and Dong Jiazhi, 33, conducted a global hacking campaign for more than a decade. The indictment alleges that the defendants were able to successfully steal terabytes of data from the United States as well as Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The Department of Justice said in a statement that high tech manufacturing processes, gaming software, solar energy engineering, pharmaceuticals and defense industries were among those targeted in the hack. A California technology and defense company, a Maryland technology and manufacturing company, the Department of Energy’s Hanford site in Washington, a Texas engineering firm, a Virginia defense contractor, a Massachusetts software firm, a California gaming software company and several U.S. drug makers were among the 13 American businesses that were targeted.
These hackers have recently been attempting to hack into the networks of companies involved in coronavirus research, though it seems those efforts were not successful.
The pair did try to hack a Massachusetts biotech firm researching a vaccine as early as Jan. 27, according to the indictment. On Feb. 1, the pair tried to find vulnerabilities on the networks of a California biotech firm that had announced it was researching coronavirus antiviral drugs. Then, in May, Mr. Li investigated a California diagnostic firm developing virus testing kits… The suspects also tried to steal other information on Chinese activists for the Ministry of State Security, Beijing’s civilian spy agency, said John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security. The suspects handed over account information and passwords belonging to a Hong Kong community organizer, a former Tiananmen Square protester and a pastor of a Christian church in China. “You can see by the variety of the hacks that they did how they were being directed by the government,” Mr. Demers said at a news conference in Washington. “Extorting someone for cryptocurrency is not something that the government is usually interested in, nor are criminal hackers are not usually interested in human rights activists and clergymen.”
So these hackers have are engaged in a kind of hybrid crime. On the one hand they commit hacking crimes to extort money for themselves. But they allowed to do that because they also work directly for the Chinese government.
In announcing the charges today, Deputy Director Bowdich referenced a speech FBI Director Wray gave early this month in which he said that Chinese thefts of U.S. intellectual property were “one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history.” Bowdich went on to compare the behavior of China in directing these efforts to organized crime: