theblaze--2020-12-30--'Significantly more contagious' COVID-19 variant from UK has hit the US

'Significantly more contagious ' COVID-19 variant from UK has hit the US Man in his 20s 'is currently in isolation @ @ @ @ @ no travel history '

A variant of COVID-19 spreading through the United Kingdom is now in America, as confirmed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) who announced Tuesday that his state has discovered its first case of the "significantly more contagious" virus.
What are the details?
Polis' office issued a notice saying that a man in his 20s tested positive for the B.1.1.7. variant to COVID-19, pointing out that the individual "is currently in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history."
The governor said in a statement, "There is a lot we don't know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious."
According to The Daily Mail, the B.1.1.7. mutation is possibly as much as 70% "more infectious and more of a concern for children," and has been detected in roughly 60% of the recent COVID-19 cases in London.
But the The Washington Post reported:
Although the U.K. variant appears more contagious, it is not leading to higher rates of hospitalizations or deaths, according to a report from Public Health England, a government agency. Nor is there any sign that people who were infected months ago with the coronavirus are more likely to be reinfected if exposed to the variant, according to the report. All available evidence indicates that vaccines, and immunity built up in the population, should be protective against this variant.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokeswoman Belsie González said in an email to CBS News that the agency "is aware of Colorado's report of the first U.S. case associated with the U.K. variant of COVID-19."
González noted, "In addition to the reported case in Colorado, we expect that there will be additional cases that are likely to be detected in the coming days."


theblaze--2020-12-30--Watch: These humanoid robots can really dance and people are freaking out

Watch : These humanoid robots can really dance and people are freaking out 'They 'll look great dancing on our @ @ @ @ @ begins '

A video of Boston Dynamics' "family" of robots dancing to "Do You Love Me" from The Contours is circulating the internet, and social media reactions indicate that many humans are not at all comfortable with the machines' advanced abilities.
What are the details?
On Tuesday, tech CEO Reza Zadeh tweeted a video showing BD's robots showing off and cutting a rug with a variety of moves.
"It's pretty awesome how dancing makes robots less intimidating," Zadeh wrote. "Looking forward to seeing more nontrivial Machine Learning on these robots."
Most followers did not agree that the advancements were "pretty awesome," rather they voiced concerned over whether the machines were simply one step closer to ending mankind.
One person wrote, "I mean, yeah, this is pretty interesting tech, but does anyone honestly think these *won't* be used to render humans completely obsolete? Robots don't need healthcare, they don't ask for raises, and they don't form unions. They aren't meant to assist us, they're to REPLACE us."
Another weighed in, "Uh, you did see those robots do an overhead kick right? It's only a matter of time until these things hunt us down in the streets when we make rich people angry. Finally, they won't have to pay cops to keep us in line."
Someone else chimed in, "Less threatening? Now they've been programmed to dance on our graves!" while another added, "They'll look great dancing on our corpses when the machine revolution begins."
The media took notice, too. For The Win's Mike Sykes II declared, "The Boston Dynamics robots have learned how to dance and it's terrifying." Gizmodo's Andrew Liszewski wrote that the Boston Dynamics' video might "be a ploy to distract humanity from their ultimate goal: total dominance on the dance floor, or the eradication of humans." He added, "both seem equally plausible."
Boston Dynamics was recently purchased by Hyundai Motors for nearly $1 billion. The robot maker developed "Spot," a robot dog, years ago, and the model has since been tested out by law enforcement as a possible replacement for K-9 officers.
Spot was also used in Singapore earlier this year to patrol a park — equipped with cameras — reminding people to socially distance in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
But Spot has been dancing for years, now. Here's a 2018 video of the robot getting down to Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk":


theblaze--2020-12-30--Kamala Harris receives coronavirus vaccine after saying she wouldn't take it if developed during Tru

Kamala Harris receives coronavirus vaccine after saying she wouldn't take it if developed during Trump admin

Kamala Harris receives coronavirus vaccine after saying she would n't take it if developed during Trump admin 'If Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ it , I 'm not taking it . '

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris received the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday after saying she wouldn't take it if it were developed under President Donald Trump before or after the election.
Harris happily posed for photographs while receiving the Moderna vaccine injection at the United Medical Center in southeast Washington, D.C.
Harris had said in September that she wouldn't receive a coronavirus vaccine developed under the Trump administration because she had doubts on whether he would streamline the process in order to improve his voter support.
"Well, I think that's gonna be an issue for all of us," Harris said to Dana Bash on CNN.
"I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump, and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he's talking about," she explained. "I will not take his word for it."
She went on to say that the president was "grasping for whatever he can get to pretend that he's been a leader on this issue when he's not."
Later in October, Vice President Mike Pence criticized Harris during the vice presidential debate for undermining public trust in the development of the vaccine.
"If the public health professionals, if Dr. [Anthony] Fauci, if the doctors tell us that we should take it, I'll be the first in line to take it," Harris said during the debate. "But if Donald Trump tells us we should take it, I'm not taking it."
Pence called her statement "unconscionable" and accused her of playing politics with people's lives.
On Tuesday, Harris appeared to reiterate her anti-Trump pro-science comments when she received the vaccine.
"I trust the scientists and it's the scientists who created and approve the vaccine," Harris said. "I urge everyone when it's your turn to get vaccinated."
Republican chairwoman Ronna McDaniel slammed Harris for hypocritically changing her position on the vaccine.
"Over the summer, Kamala Harris shamefully decided to play politics and undermined confidence in a vaccine," she tweeted.
"Today, she was able to get one because of [President Donald Trump's Operation Warp Speed]," she added.
Here's more about Harris and the vaccine:


theblaze--2020-12-30--Woman charged for allegedly making death threats against Republican election official in Michigan an

Woman charged for allegedly making death threats against Republican election official in Michigan and her daughter 'You should be afraid @ @ @ @ @ afraid '

A woman was charged with making threats against a Republican election official in Michigan who had refused to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Details of the charges against 23-year-old Katelyn Jones were documented last week in an FBI court filing.
Prosecutors say that Jones sent a photos of a dead body and a threat to the family of Monica Palmer, a member of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.
The Wayne County Board became one of the centers of contention in the 2020 presidential election when two members refused to certify the results that claimed former Vice President Joe Biden was the winner.
"Based on what I saw and went through in poll books in this canvass, I believe that we do not have complete and accurate information in those poll books," said Palmer, the Republican chairwoman of the board, at the time.
The Republican members were publicly excoriated until they relented and later voted to certify the results.
Part of that public outrage included threats from Jones, said prosecutors.
Screenshots of the text messages allegedly sent by Jones showed photos of corpses blurred out. One of the messages asks Palmer to imagine the dead person is her daughter. Another calls her a terrorist for interfering in the election.
"The allegations in this case should make all of us disgusted," U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said. "There is simply no place in Michigan, or in the United States, for chilling threats like this to people who are simply doing what they believe is correct."
Schneider said there are other investigations into separate incidents of threats made against election officials.
Jones was charged with making threats of violence, and she faces up to 20 years of prison if found guilty of the charges.
After voting to certify the results, Palmer signed an affidavit saying she rescinded her vote because she was bullied and lied to by the Democrats.
Here's more about the threats against Palmer:


theblaze--2020-12-29--Bill O’Reilly blasts media over 'DISGUSTING' coverage of election

Bill O'Reilly told Glenn Beck that the mainstream media 's coverage of the 2020 presidential election was — and continues @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He said he does n't think the media even wants to know what @ @ @ @ @ and he believes the partnership between the media and the far left poses a `` @ @ @ @ @ '' Watch the video clip below to find out why : Bill O'Reilly is “ @ @ @ @ @ 's coverage of election Want more from Glenn Beck ?
To enjoy more of Glenn @ @ @ @ @ analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos , subscribe to BlazeTV — @ @ @ @ @ voices who love America , defend the Constitution and live the American dream .

Bill O'Reilly told Glenn Beck that the mainstream media's coverage of the 2020 presidential election was — and continues to be — "disgusting." He said he doesn't think the media even wants to know what really happened in November, and he believes the partnership between the media and the far left poses a "danger to the republic."
Watch the video clip below to find out why:
Bill O'Reilly is “REALLY ANGRY" about media's coverage of election youtu.be
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Salon owner sues Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, accusing Democrat of retaliating over lockdown defiance

'She terrorized myself , she terrorized my stylists , and she terrorized my family . '

Oregon salon owner Lindsey Graham has filed a lawsuit against her state, its Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, and a number of agency officials, seeking $100,000 in damages after being hit with fines and even a visit from child welfare workers after Graham defied COVID-19 lockdown orders.
What are the details?
Graham says Brown retaliated against her, her business, and her family for reopening her Glamour salon in May, violating the state's stay-at-home order. After reopening, Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Division hit her with a $14,000 fine and the state's Child Welfare Division sent workers to search her home, questioning her, her husband, and one of her kids.
"I've never expected such a violent, aggressive, vindictive thing could have ever been done to me or my family," the business owner of 15 years said at the time.
Graham filed a lawsuit Dec. 18 against a slew of state officials including Brown herself, alleging that the defendants violated Graham's U.S. and state constitutional rights, intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the salon owner, and abused processes in order to target Graham in retaliation.
The lawsuit states:
"While individuals and businesses such as Graham and Glamour struggled to make ends meet for nearly six (6) weeks, government employees like Defendant Kate Brown and the other individual named defendants did not have to worry about where their next paycheck would come from."
The suit also claims:
"Defendant Kate Brown grew increasingly frustrated with the fact that Graham and Glamour refused to bow down to her authority. Defendant Kate Brown publicly called Graham and Glamour's 're-opening' 'unfortunate' and 'irresponsible' — only further making Graham and Glamour a target by the government."
'She came at me with the full weight of the state'
"As soon as I tried to open my doors against the governor's mandate back in May, she came at me with the full weight of the state," Graham told Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" with Laura Ingraham on Monday. "She terrorized myself, she terrorized my stylists, and she terrorized my family. She took every government agency she could, and she put her full weight into intimidating me into closing, including sending Child Protective Services to my home and threatening the removal of my children."
Graham noted that CPS showed up on her doorstep just a few days after her salon reopening, claiming they were acting on an anonymous call.
"[They] opened a full-blown case against me which was completely bogus and unwarranted, and it didn't come until I shot back at them with a threat of the lawsuit" that they closed the case, she told Fox News.
KATU-TV reached out to Gov. Brown's office last week seeking comment on the lawsuit, but has not yet received a response.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Antifa takes a break from rioting, starts a soccer league in Portland

Just when you thought 2020 could n't get weirder

In a strange public relations move, Antifa members in Portland, Oregon, recently decided to take their efforts off the streets and onto the pitch by starting their own soccer league.
The new group, called Antifa FC, or football club, posted on Instagram this week announcing its plans for a four-team league of seven or nine "comrades" each, depending on interest level. The inaugural match is set to take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Duniway Field in the riot-ravaged Pacific Northwest city.
"PORTLAND ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIRST MATCH?" the caption for a recent post stated. "We are going to need teams. If you have a team ready let us know! We want to make sure this is inclusive as possible. All are welcome to play and participate."
"We Love Soccer, Hate Fascism," the group wrote in its byline on the social media platform.
The league plans to operate under regular soccer rules "with the exception of slide tackles," the post indicates, before adding in all caps, "MASKS REQUIRED."
Apparently, black bloc — the traditional nondescript garb donned by Antifa members — will not be required. However, those who do choose to wear it are asked to use some other form of identification so that they can be recognized by teammates.
"Get f***ing ready. Grab your cleats and your gas mask," tweeted one of the teams to sign up, Blunt Bloc PDX, ahead of the first games.
"Just kidding," it added — quickly acknowledging, "I think."
By Tuesday afternoon, the group reported that all spots for the league had been filled, with some allegedly put on a waiting list.
With spots filled and the inaugural match a go, the group made sure to remind participants that they "better be nice" to the referees. Respect for authority is not exactly Antifa's shtick.
As expected, some commenters took offense at the notion of referees.
"No masters, no refs," one said, while another wrote, "abolish penalties."
Still another wrote: "Refs are soccer cops."
"Everyone gets a participation award. But if they lose or you disagree with them, they will burn your s**t to the ground," one witty commenter wrote on Twitter regarding the whole ordeal.
While the league is set to play in Portland, interested parties in other riot-torn cities may soon get in on the action.
"Seattle, we after u bb," the group announced in another Instagram post.
(H/T: New York Post)


theblaze--2020-12-29--Sen. Marsha Blackburn opposes $2,000 stimulus payments, warns of 'pathway' to 'guaranteed minimum in

Sen. Marsha Blackburn opposes $2,000 stimulus payments, warns of 'pathway' to 'guaranteed minimum income'

'The best stimulus is a job , but they do n't want to open the economy '

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Monday declared her opposition to a plan to increase $600 stimulus payments to Americans who qualify to $2,000, warning that such handouts could lead to "guaranteed minimum income."
Blackburn, speaking on Fox Business Network, criticized Democrats for refusing to compromise with Republicans over the summer and into the fall to extend increased $300 weekly unemployment benefits.
"You could've had a lot more money than $2,000 in the pocket of hard-working Americans," Blackburn said. "Now, we know that what the Democrats are trying to do with this is to put us on a pathway to a guaranteed the minimum income, which is one of their socialist agenda items."
On Monday, House Democrats rushed to pass a bill to amend the COVID-19 relief package in the omnibus spending bill signed by President Donald Trump, increasing direct payments to many Americans from $600 to $2,000 per individual. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the measure, but while there are several Republican senators who support the increase, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), there are still those like Blackburn who are wary of having the government send direct payments to people instead of more targeted relief.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday asked for the unanimous consent of the Senate to hold an up or down vote on the payment increase, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected, blocking the bill for now.
Blackburn criticized the omnibus bill's "wasteful spending" and accused Democrats of dragging their feet on economic stimulus measures prior to the election to increase their chances of winning.
"We also know that President Trump is frustrated, as am I, by a lot of the wasteful spending that is in the budget that was passed, the omnibus spending bill," Blackburn said. "And I think it is just so insulting to American citizens that [Speaker of the House] Nancy Pelosi even admitted — I mean, she came out and admitted that she had delayed getting this money to individuals through … unemployment insurance, because it benefited them politically to wait and do it until after the election."
Host Gregg Jarrett, filling in for Lou Dobbs, asked Blackburn if it was a "bad look" for Republicans to oppose stimulus check payments while Americans face economic hardship during the pandemic.
"The aid has been delayed, and aid should be targeted, it should be temporary, it should be there when people need it," Blackburn replied. "And see, what the Democrats did was to delay it and prohibit it and they didn't want to do the things that were necessary to create the very best stimulus.
"The best stimulus is a job," she continued. "But they don't want to open the economy, they don't want to get children back to school. They would prefer to keep people locked in their houses and out of work" until there are widespread vaccinations for coronavirus.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Thousands of Colorado residents have no heat after 'intentional attack' on gas services

Thousands of Colorado residents have no heat after 'intentional attack ' on gas services Tuesday night 's temperature is expected @ @ @ @ @

Thousands of residents in Aspen, Colorado, are without heat after what authorities say was an "intentional attack" on local gas service.
According to a Tuesday report from ABC News, the temperature in Aspen is expected to fall to just 2 degrees Tuesday night.
What are the details?
Authorities say that the attack — "coordinated acts of vandalism" — took place Saturday night and impacted at least three area Black Hills Energy locations.
The outlet reported, "At one of the targeted sites, police said they found the words 'Earth first' scrawled, and investigators were looking into whether the self-described 'radical environmental group' Earth First! was involved."
As work crews continued to restore gas service across the city, authorities began handing out electric-powered space heaters to residents without heat service on Tuesday as a storm is expected to roll in this week and dump an additional eight inches of snow on the region.
Work crews were forced to visit each gas meter on an individual basis, manually turn them off, and relight pilot lights in order to restore services. It wasn't just homes impacted by the attack — authorities said that businesses including area hotels and restaurants were forced to close their doors following the apparent sabotage.
In a statement, Aspen Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn said that the vandals appear to have had "some familiarity" with the natural gas line system.
"They tampered with the flow lines," he revealed. "They turned off gas lines."
Linn — who is also working with the FBI as it investigates the attack — added that physical evidence recovered at the three scenes included footprints. The three locations did not have security cameras, Linn said.
What else?
About 3,500 customers were impacted by the outage. It remains unclear how long it will take crews to restore service to all customers.
In a statement, Pitkin County Commissioner Patti Clapper added, "It's almost, to me, an act of terrorism. It's trying to destroy a mountain community at the height of the holiday season. This wasn't a national gas glitch. This was a purposeful act. Someone is looking to make a statement of some kind."


theblaze--2020-12-29--Spain to register people who refuse the coronavirus vaccine and share the data with other countries

Spain to register people who refuse the coronavirus vaccine and share the data with other countries But the vaccine is @ @ @ @ @

Spain plans to set up a register of people who refuse to receive a vaccination for the coronavirus and share it with officials in other European Union nations, the country's top public health official announced this week.
Spain's health minister, Salvador Illa, insisted the vaccine will not be mandatory and that the list of those who refuse it will not be made public. But those claims are highly questionable given the fact that the country will essentially harass those who don't receive the vaccine by tracking them on a blacklist of sorts before sharing that list with other nations.
"What will be done is a register, which will be shared with our European partners of those people who have been offered [a vaccine] and have simply rejected it," the minister said in an interview with La Sexta, a Spanish television channel, on Monday. "It is not a document which will be made public and it will be done with the utmost respect for data protection."
"People who are offered a therapy that they refuse for any reason, it will be noted in the register ... that there is no error in the system, not to have given this person the possibility of being vaccinated," he added.
Illa reportedly noted that while vaccination is voluntary, officials in the country "all see that the best form to defeat the virus is to get all vaccinated — the more the better." He portrayed receiving a vaccination as "an act of solidarity toward our loved ones and our citizenship."
Spain is one of the European countries hit hardest by the virus, as more than 1.8 million confirmed cases have been reported since the start of the outbreak, resulting in more than 50,000 deaths.
The news came just one day after Spain began its rollout of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine with a plan to inoculate 2.5 million individuals in high-risk categories before March.
BBC News reported that some in the country are still reluctant to receive the vaccination, though that number has fallen dramatically of late. The news outlet cited a recent poll showing the number of Spanish citizens who said they will not take the vaccine fell from 47% to 28% in November.
"People who decide not to get vaccinated, which we think is a mistake, are within their rights," Illa added during the interview. "We are going to try to solve doubts. Getting vaccinated saves lives, it is the way out of this pandemic."
It is unclear whether Spain's initiative to "solve doubts" will persuade more people to receive the vaccine or whether it will have the opposite effect.
It's just the latest public health initiative that may prove to threaten individual freedom and privacy. It was also reported this week that "vaccine passports" may soon be required to travel or enter certain venues.


theblaze--2020-12-29--BIBLE STORIES: The Complete 2020 Saga (Parody)

Steven Crowder and his crew offer a modern take on Bible stories .
These stories have been hand-crafted by Crowder @ @ @ @ @ accurate as possible .
The saga begins with Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit @ @ @ @ @ twist .
This time , Adam tells Eve she is not allowed to eat the @ @ @ @ @ Eve .
Eve transforms into a hostile feminist and accuses Adam of mansplaining .
Sit @ @ @ @ @ Bible Stories : The Complete Saga '' in glorious 4K .
Download the podcast and @ @ @ @ @ Use promo code LWC to save $ 10 on one year of BlazeTV .
Want @ @ @ @ @ To enjoy more of Steven 's uncensored late-night comedy that 's actually funny , join @ @ @ @ @ place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand .

Steven Crowder and his crew offer a modern take on Bible stories. These stories have been hand-crafted by Crowder's researchers to be as accurate as possible.
The saga begins with Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, but with a modern twist. This time, Adam tells Eve she is not allowed to eat the forbidden fruit, which triggers Eve. Eve transforms into a hostile feminist and accuses Adam of mansplaining.
Sit back and enjoy watching "Bible Stories: The Complete Saga" in glorious 4K.
Download the podcast and never miss an episode.
Use promo code LWC to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Portland police forced to beg for community's help in curbing out-of-control violence

Portland police forced to beg for community 's help in curbing out-of-control violence

The Portland Police Bureau is asking for the community's help in ending a spike in violence across the city.
What's a brief history here?
According to Fox News, at least 850 shootings have been reported in Portland as of Dec. 24. The outlet noted that there were at least 59 reported shootings in December alone.
"As of Christmas Eve, this year's shootings had surpassed last year's by more than 116%, with 393 shootings reported in all of 2019, statistics show," Fox pointed out. "At least 53 murders have been reported in Portland as of Dec. 24 — the highest yearly total the city has seen in nearly 30 years."
What's happening now?
Portland Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell in a Dec. 16 video appealed to the public and insisted that the public needed to lock arms and "do everything we can together to break the cycle of violence."
"Gun violence has plagued our city at twice the rate of last year," he said. "On average, someone is shot in Portland roughly every two days."
"We've come together to mask up, to stay home to keep others safe. We have come together to do our best to stop the spread of a deadly disease," he continued. "Violence is also a disease that kills and our community is suffering the consequences."
"We cannot lose sight of the fact these are human beings who have died," Lovell added.
According to a report from KGW-TV, Portland Police Bureau Lieutenant Greg Pashley reported that there were at least 225 victims of gun violence in Portland in 2020 alone.
"The number of bullets that must have been flying around our neighborhoods, city streets, sidewalks — it's awful," Pashley said.
The bureau is now asking for a a community-wide effort and action to help put a stop to gun violence across the city after its gun violence reduction team was disbanded over the summer.
The team was dismantled after activists and gun control activists said that the bureau was guilty of racism in "stopping people of color disproportionately to others," the station reported.
Pashley later said that "[s]ocial services, government organizations, non-government organizations, church based [organizations]" are of utmost importance "so that people feel as if they have support and options other than to act out violently."
What else?
Sgt. Kenneth Duilio — who worked on the now-disbanded gun violence reduction task force for approximately 19 years — said that many of the killings are gang-related.
"Theyr'e all connected," he said. "And some of these connections don't just go back, like, for a few weeks or a few months. They go back years and years."


theblaze--2020-12-29--Schumer hits Republicans for $600 stimulus checks, doesn't mention all the offers to pass $1,200 che

Schumer hits Republicans for $600 stimulus checks, doesn't mention all the offers to pass $1,200 checks he ignored

Schumer hits Republicans for $ 600 stimulus checks , does n't mention all the offers to pass $ 1,200 checks @ @ @ @ @ blocked Sen. Chuck Schumer 's request Tuesday to take up $ 2,000 stimulus check bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday blocked a request from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to increase coronavirus stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 with unanimous consent from the Senate.
Before signing the next coronavirus stimulus package into law, President Donald Trump asked Congress to increase the direct payments to Americans.
"I simply want to get our great people $2,000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill," Trump tweeted on Dec. 26.
In response, Democrats in the House of Representatives on Monday passed the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act, or CASH Act, a bill to increase the direct payments by providing $2,000 per individual making under $75,000 and $4,000 for couples making under $150,000. In a statement given on why he would sign the $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill that was paired with $900 billion in coronavirus relief, the president said that the Senate would "start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000."
On Tuesday, Schumer attempted to fast-track the CASH Act by requesting the unanimous consent of the Senate to hold an up or down vote on the bill.
"The fastest way to get money into Americans' pockets is to send some of their tax dollars right back from where they came," Schumer said. "$2,000 stimulus checks could mean the difference between American families having groceries for a few extra weeks or going hungry. The difference between paying the rent or being kicked out of your home that you've lived in for years. It could buy precious time for tens of millions of people as the vaccine thankfully makes its way across the country."
During his remarks, he chastised Republicans for taking so long to consider an additional round of stimulus payments to Americans and criticized the initial compromise value of $600 checks.
"Of course, we could have taken up this issue weeks ago," Schumer claimed. "In the COIVD bill Congress just passed, Democrats wanted generous direct payments to the American people. Speaker Pelosi and I repeatedly asked our Republican counterparts how much they could support. Their answer? $600."
"$600 was the most Republicans would support," Schumer charged. But the Democratic leader did not mention several opportunities Republicans gave Democrats to advance direct economic relief payments to Americans with additional relief provisions.
When Republicans introduced their $1 trillion economic stimulus bill on July 29, Schumer declared his opposition to the bill — which included $1,200 stimulus checks — saying the GOP bill did not go far enough and demanding billions of dollars more to bail out state and local governments facing budget shortfalls. A day later, when Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a competing stand-alone bill to provide $1,200 stimulus payments, Schumer ignored the legislation and it never advanced in the Senate. Additionally, when President Trump in October offered to sign a clean "Stand Alone Bill" for stimulus checks, Democratic leaders in Congress rebuffed the president's offer.
Now, Schumer says that passing the CASH Act is "the only way to deliver these stimulus checks before the end of session."
McConnell objected to Schumer's request, noting that the president also asked the Senate to consider reforms to Section 230's protections for big tech companies and additional election-related items.
"Those are the three important subjects the president has linked together. This week, the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus," McConnell said, seeming to indicate that the Senate will take up these issues at a later time.


theblaze--2020-12-29--President Trump beats out Dr. Fauci, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and the pope for 'most admired man' of

President Trump beats out Dr. Fauci, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and the pope for 'most admired man' of 2020

President Trump beats out Dr. Fauci , Joe Biden , Barack Obama , and the pope for 'most admired man @ @ @

In the same year that President Donald Trump was impeached, received massive criticism from the media for his handling of of the coronavirus pandemic, and lost a presidential election, Gallup's annual poll of Americans' most admired men, which was published Tuesday, found the outgoing commander in chief atop the list.
Not even ever-popular former President Barack Obama, President-elect Joe Biden, the media's sainted Dr. Anthony Fauci, or the pope could beat him.
And Trump won handily.
What were the results?
Every year for the last 74 years, Gallup has asked Americans to name — without prompting — which man living anywhere on the planet they most admire.
Since 1946, the president has been the top vote-getter 60 times in Gallup's annual survey. But that has not been the case for most of President Trump's term.
In 2017 and 2018, Trump came in second place to Obama. And last year, he tied Obama for the top spot.
This year — which has actually been a tough one for the president — Trump sits alone at the top of the list, beating Obama by three points, 18% to 15%.
The third-place finisher was Trump's 2020 election opponent, but Biden was not even close to getting the numbers Trump received. In fact, at 6%, he got only one-third the number of votes in the survey that the president did.
Dr. Fauci, the man who has been the face of America's response to the coronavirus — right or wrong — and a beloved figure among members of the mainstream media, came in a very distant fourth, with just 3% of Americans naming him as their most admired man.
In fifth place was Pope Francis. The man who has upset many Catholics — as well as a lot of Protestants — with his various statements that seem to run counter to traditional church teachings received 2% of the vote.
Gallup broke the results down by party:
● Forty-eight percent of Republicans name Trump this year, with no other public figure receiving more than 2% of Republicans' votes.
● Obama is the top choice among Democrats, at 32%, but that is down from 41% last year. President-elect Joe Biden (13%) is also commonly named by Democrats.
● Additionally, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, is named by 5% of Democrats but only 1% of Republicans, further contributing to Democrats' relative dispersion of choices.
● Independents are evenly split between Trump (11%) and Obama (11%), with another 3% naming Biden and 2% Fauci.
Rounding out the top 10 list of most admired men of 2020, with 1% of the vote each, were Tesla's Elon Musk, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, NBA star LeBron James, and the Dalai Lama.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Rocker Dave Grohl posts 'huge, heartfelt thank you' for $10 billion for music venues included in COV

Rocker Dave Grohl posts 'huge, heartfelt thank you' for $10 billion for music venues included in COVID relief bill President Trump signed Sunday

Rocker Dave Grohl posts 'huge , heartfelt thank you ' for $ 10 billion for music venues included in COVID @ @ @ @ @ Sunday Help for musicians , artists , and venues

President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited $900 billion COVID relief bill Sunday night.
The news gained praise from millions of Americans who have lost income and business owners looking for a way to stay afloat due to government-imposed coronavirus restrictions.
One of the biggest names to offer a massive "thank you" for the bill was Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who celebrated a $10 billion provision created to help concert venues that have had to shutter as officials have banned large crowds.
What was in the bill?
The relief legislation, which was combined with an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, includes $600 payments for individuals and $300 per week "enhanced" unemployment payments for up to 11 weeks. It also provides $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans, $25 billion in rental assistance, $13 billion increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits, and tens of billions of dollars for other priorities, Axios reported.
One of those priorities was the Save Our Stages Act, which, as Rolling Stone noted, sought $10 billion for independent concerts venues. The passage of the act, which was rolled into the COVID stimulus package (with an additional $5 billion for museums and movie theaters), received plaudits from Grohl for its immediate impact on local businesses that host concerts as well as its long-term impact on the music industry.
"A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Save Our Stages Act," Grohl said in a statement the Foo Fighters posted Monday afternoon.
"The preservation of America's smaller, independent venues is not only crucial to the millions of concert goers whose lives are bettered by experiencing their favorite artists in the flesh, but to the future of music itself, as it gives the next generation of young musicians a place to cut their teeth, hone their craft and grow into the voices of tomorrow," he continued.
"The absence of live music this year has left us all longing for that communal feeling of connection, one that is best felt when joined in a song," Grohl added. “The Save Our Stages Act brings us one step closer to sharing that feeling again, one that I hope we can all experience again very soon. Every day we're one step closer. See you there."
Funds from the Save Our Stages Act can be spent on rent, utilities, mortgages, PPE and other costs, Rolling Stone said.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Chicago police union boss slams defund-the-police cuts as city faces 'historic levels' of homicide

At least eight people were killed and 30 more injured by gun violence over Christmas weekend

The president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police spoke out against the mayor's decision to cut more than 600 police jobs after several people were killed over Christmas weekend as violent crime continues to ravage the city.
At least eight people were killed and 30 more were wounded in citywide shootings over the extended holiday weekend, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday. Three people were shot and killed on Christmas Day.
"We're over 700 homicides by gun in Chicago this year and close to 800 total homicides for the year," Chicago FOP President John Catanzara told Fox News Tuesday. "It's reaching historic levels, and this when the city council and the mayor's budget just cut over 600 jobs from the police department's budget when crime is soaring. It's ridiculous."
"Literally, just two days ago, we had a kid who just turned 13-years-old go into the store to get batteries for a Christmas toy at 9 am in one of the peacefullest parts of the city, who was gunned down," he continued.
In October, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced cuts to the police department's budget in response to demands from Black Lives Matter activists to defund the police and reduce the department's $1.6 billion budget.
Lightfoot announced that the city would eliminate 618 police jobs, even as disgruntled police officers are leaving the job or retiring, creating staffing issues for the department. In her remarks on the budget cuts, Lightfoot said that police departments have played a "complicit role" in "brutally enforcing racist, Jim Crow laws, depriving Black and Brown people" of their "full rights as citizens."
"These are not just ancient times, but recent history, right here in Chicago. And so, in breaking down these barriers, we must also continue to closely scrutinize all policing practices and policies to eliminate any and all bias," she added.
Catanzara accused the mayor and other city officials of giving in to violent Antifa rioters who have "hijacked" efforts by peaceful protesters to call for police reform.
"We had many examples this summer in Chicago where peaceful protests were hijacked by anarchists," Catanzara said. "Specifically, everybody's seen the video footage from the Columbus statue assault where 52 of our officers were injured in that assault by violent anarchists. They have absolutely hijacked the movement and the narrative."
"If the goal is to have a lawless, non-police society, mission accomplished," he added. "Because the politicians in this city and state are actually falling for it."


theblaze--2020-12-29--Horowitz: NY judge releases juvenile murder suspect a second time — after he allegedly stabbed a wo

Horowitz: NY judge releases juvenile murder suspect a second time — after he allegedly stabbed a woman

Horowitz : NY judge releases juvenile murder suspect a second time — after he allegedly stabbed a woman Today 's @ @ @ @ @ the Big Apple

It's a good thing for young Jordon Benjamin that he is not a restaurant owner trying to earn a living and opening his establishment in defiance of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's unconstitutional orders. In that case, he'd actually get locked up. But unfortunately for society, murder and stabbing are not considered high-level crimes sufficient to lock up juvenile suspects like Benjamin in today's version of "justice" in the Big Apple.
For the past year, I've been gathering stories from New York where violent criminals are released from jail only to commit more violent crimes. Now, we will have to create a special section for those released a second time, even after committing an additional violent crime after the first release.
Benjamin is accused of stomping 60-year-old Juan Fresnada to death for 15 minutes on Christmas Eve 2019 together with a few friends after mugging him for just one dollar cash. One of the adult suspects was held without bail. Sixteen-year-old Benjamin was initially charged with second-degree murder and gang assault and was confined to a juvenile facility in Brooklyn, New York. However, like so many violent criminals, Benjamin was set free this past March by Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle due to – you guessed it – coronavirus. Because, after all, in the minds of these perverted judges, there is a greater threat of a 16-year-old dying from coronavirus in juvenile detention than of an extremely violent youth victimizing someone else on the street.
Except, of course, the opposite is true. On Dec. 14, Benjamin allegedly stabbed Amya Hicks in the stomach as part of a random attack near his Bronx home. The young woman had to undergo surgery for her wounds, but by the time she got out of the hospital, Justice Denis Boyle had already sprung Benjamin from jail again, according to the New York Post.
It's unclear whether COVID was the consideration for release the second time or if this judge in general simply doesn't believe juveniles can be a threat to the public.
Oh, and on top of Benjamin being out of jail, he will now have access to all the personal information of his victim, Amya Hicks. The new jailbreak law signed by the governor in 2019 allows criminal defendants to access all information of witnesses and victims within 15 days of the arraignment, thereby aggravating the anti-bail provision. The same criminal defendants now out on the streets immediately after violently attacking people also have more access to potential witnesses than ever before — while out of jail. Hicks lives just two blocks from where Benjamin and his gang hang out, according to her mother.
Our broken juvenile system is perhaps the greatest threat to our streets today. The system gets more and more lenient while so many youths become more violent than even adults at an increasingly young age. The less they are deterred, the more violent they get and the more their younger brothers learn that crime pays.
Nearly 40 years ago, President Reagan's Task Force on Victims of Crime presciently observed in its final report, "A substantial proportion of the violent crime in this country is committed by juveniles, who are becoming more violent at an increasingly early age."
The problem has gotten exponentially worse in recent years. Juveniles essentially never serve time and are back on the streets to victimize more people, often involving roving gangs of 5-15 hardened and fully grown men in all but name only. "Armed robbery, rape, and murder cannot be laid at the door of mere immaturity or youthful exuberance," warned Reagan's Task Force. "The victims of these crimes are no less traumatized because the offender was under age."
Earlier this year, a teen who killed a senior in a knockout attack at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Maryland as part of a massive group attack received zero prison time.
Have you heard a single Republican call for a task force for victims of crime and to specifically address the leaky juvenile justice system? Where is the dialogue about true "criminal justice reform" in the way Reagan used the term in 1982 — on behalf of victims of crime?
New York City alone has seen a 103% increase in shootings this year. Across the country, 51 major cities have experienced an average homicide increase of 31% over 2019. Yet both parties — to varying degrees — are focused on the police as the problem, not on the criminals and the policies behind releasing them, which include coronavirus jailbreak. Meanwhile, in 2018, there were just five killings by the NYPD, compared to 93 in 1971.
So why is the negative public policy focus all on the positive trajectory of police shootings and not on the negative trajectory of crime and homicides? Because neither party represents the people. They just sent tens of billions of dollars to the very cities that have shut down our lives while using the virus to release these dangerous criminals.
Victims of crime, taxpayers, and business owners simply don't have a seat at the table in this two-tiered justice system supported by the uniparty controlling our government.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Federal judge — who is Stacey Abrams’ sister — orders two Georgia counties to stop removing voters f

Federal judge — who is Stacey Abrams’ sister — orders two Georgia counties to stop removing voters from rolls ahead of Jan. 5 runoffs

Federal judge — who is Stacey Abrams ’ sister — orders two Georgia counties to stop removing voters from rolls @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of voters were set to be removed from rolls

A federal judge has ordered two counties in Georgia to reverse course on removing thousands of individuals from voter rolls ahead of the state's Jan. 5 Senate runoffs.
The judge, Leslie Abrams Gardner — who is the sister of former Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams, a prominent ally of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden — issued the ruling Monday, concluding the counties relied on unverified change-of-address data to proceed with the action.
"Defendants are enjoined from removing any challenged voters in Ben Hill and Muscogee Counties from the registration lists on the basis of National Change of Address data," Gardner wrote in the order.
Politico reported that the majority of the registrations officials were seeking to rescind, about 4,000, came from Muscogee County, where Biden claimed an easy victory, while an additional 150 registrations were from Ben Hill County, where President Trump won by a sizable margin.
The number of registrations could prove significant in the hotly contested state where, in November, Biden defeated Trump by just under 12,000 votes and Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler were unable to accrue the majority needed for victory and avoid runoff elections.
The elections boards in each of the counties had approved motions filed by local voters claiming the registrations should be removed based on data from the United States Postal Service's National Change of Address database that allegedly showed the individuals had moved out of the county.
In her Monday order, Gardner ruled that the evidence in each case was not conclusive enough to support their removal and noted that the removals may have violated federal law because the voters were not given proper notice as is required within 90 days of a federal election.
Earlier on Monday, the Muscogee County elections board filed a motion requesting Gardner's recusal from the case given her connection to Abrams, but the request was denied.
Abrams, after losing her run for governor in 2018, has become a vocal proponent of increasing voter registration in the state. Earlier this month, the Georgia secretary of state's office announced it had launched an investigation into the New Georgia Project, a third-party registration group founded by Abrams, for "repeatedly and aggressively" seeking to register "ineligible, out-of-state, or deceased voters" ahead of the runoff elections.
In the motion, lawyers for the board described Abrams as "a Georgia politician and voting rights activist who was the Democratic candidate in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election and has since engaged in various highly publicized efforts to increase voter registration and turnout for the 2020 general election in Georgia."
This week, during an interview on CNN, Abrams charged that "Republicans do not know how to win without voter suppression as one of their tools."


theblaze--2020-12-29--As mutated COVID strains spread, WHO expert warns that this pandemic is 'not necessarily the big one

As mutated COVID strains spread, WHO expert warns that this pandemic is 'not necessarily the big one'

As mutated COVID strains spread , WHO expert warns that this pandemic is 'not necessarily the big one '

Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the World Health Organization's emergencies program, said this week that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — including two more easily transmissible strains of the deadly virus — is "not necessarily the big one" when considering possibly worse future pandemics.
The new variants are named B.1.1.7 and 501.V2 and, according to reports, could affect the current course of the pandemic.
What are the details?
According to Newsweek, Ryan said that the COVID-19 pandemic is just "not necessarily the big one."
While the COVID-19 pandemic is "very severe," the worst may not yet have happened.
Ryan, who made the remarks during a Monday briefing, said, "This pandemic has been very severe, has spread around the world extremely quickly, it has affected every corner of this planet. But this is not necessarily the big one."
He added, "This virus is very transmissible ... and it kills people and it has deprived so many people of loved ones. But its current case fatality is reasonably low in comparison to other emerging diseases. This is a wakeup call."
Ryan pointed out that the planet is in a "fragile" state and the global society is becoming "increasingly complex."
"These threats will continue," he warned. "If there's one thing we need to take from this pandemic with all of the tragedy and loss is that we need to get our act together, we need to get ready for something that may even be more severe in future. In this we must honor those we've lost by getting better at what we do every day."
What else?
According to Newsweek, more than a dozen countries across the globe have reported COVID-19 cases caused by the new, concerning variants, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
"Neither strain has been detected in the U.S., but last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the U.K. variant 'could already be in the United States without having been detected,'" the outlet reported.
On Monday, Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Special Pathogens Unit at Boston Medical Center, told CNBC that the variant may only have been overlooked in the U.S. due to current testing capacity.
"To find that strain, what we need to do is to take a percentage of the samples that are diagnosed and do deep genetic analysis, and [in] the U.S., our capacity hasn't been spectacular," she explained, pointing to a CDC report from earlier in December.
"If the strain is here, we might just be missing it because the holes in our net are too wide," Bhadelia explained.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Russian official reveals Russia's COVID death toll is likely 3 times higher than what Moscow has rep

Russian official reveals Russia's COVID death toll is likely 3 times higher than what Moscow has reported

Russian official reveals Russia 's COVID death toll is likely 3 times higher than what Moscow has reported

Russia has reported millions of COVID cases but has maintained a low mortality rate that has caused international observers to raise questions about the nation's official pandemic reporting.
This week, new data from Moscow revealed that the country's COVID death count is actually three times higher than previously reported, Sky News said Tuesday.
What is Russia's real death figure?
Before Monday, Russia had reported slightly more than 3 million confirmed COVID cases and approximately 55,000 deaths.
But new data reported Monday from Moscow's government statistics agency, Rosstat, revealed that the COVID death count is actually more than 186,000, according to Sky News. This would move Russia from being the country with the eighth-highest number of total deaths to the third-highest — ranking behind the U.S. (335,000) and Brazil (191,000).
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously claimed that his country's low number of deaths was because of his people's effective handling of the pandemic.
However, analysts said the surprisingly small fatality rate was due to the fact that the government had required that, in order for a death to be counted as an official COVID fatality, COVID had to be listed on an autopsy as the main cause of death.
Rosstat revealed Monday that the number of total deaths from all causes in 2020 (from January through November) was up 229,700 compared to the same time last year. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, "more than 81%" of those extra deaths were due to COVID," Sky News said, which means more than 186,000 Russians died from the virus over that 11-month period.
Golikova's take on the data has yet to be reflected in any of Russia's official COVID reports.
Russia is hoping its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, which the government claims is 95% effective, will have a serious impact on its growing COVID numbers.
But there's a catch with the vaccine that is bad news for a lot of Russians: Patients need to abstain from alcohol for about two months during the inoculation process.
Golikova warned would-be vaccine patients that they must not only continue virus mitigation efforts — wearing face masks, socially distancing, using sanitizers — but also "refrain from drinking alcohol or taking immunosuppressant drugs."


theblaze--2020-12-29--Mac shop owner caught up in Hunter Biden's laptop scandal sues Twitter for $500 million

Mac shop owner caught up in Hunter Biden 's laptop scandal sues Twitter for $ 500 million He argues the @ @ @ @ @ him a hacker

The computer repairman at the center of the Hunter Biden laptop scandal is suing Twitter for defamation, alleging the social media company falsely labeled him a hacker and forced him to close his business.
John Paul Mac Isaac, the former owner of the Mac Shop in Wilmington, Delaware, filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on Monday, seeking a whopping $500 million in punitive damages from the company over its handling of the New York Post stories involving him.
In October, Mac Isaac was publicly identified as the computer repairman in original possession of a laptop belonging to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, after the Post published a series of bombshell reports about a laptop belonging to Biden that contained highly sensitive materials about the Biden family and their overseas business dealings.
Biden had reportedly dropped off the now infamous laptop and hard drive at Mac Isaac's shop in April 2019 but never returned to retrieve it. Mac Isaac, after discovering the sensitive material, reportedly made copies of the hard drive and handed them off to the Post — through President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani — and to the FBI.
Upon publication, Twitter acted quickly to censor to the reports on its platform, locking the New York Post's account and restricting users' ability to share the stories. The company initially justified its actions by claiming the reports violated its "hacked materials" policy. That policy has since been updated in the wake of the scandal.
In the lawsuit, Mac Isaac now claims Twitter made that decision to "communicate to the world that [he] is a hacker," adding that his business began to receive negative reviews and that he began to receive death threats as a direct result of the company's actions. Because of Twitter's moderation decision, he is "now widely considered a hacker," he states.
"[But] plaintiff is not a hacker and the information obtained from the computer does not [constitute] hacked materials because Plaintiff lawfully gained access to the computer, first with permission of its owner, Biden, and then, after Biden failed to retrieve the hard drive despite Plaintiff's requests, in accordance with the Mac Shop's abandoned property policy," a portion of the lawsuit states.
In a video posted on YouTube in December, Mac Isaac spoke out against assertions that he is a Russian agent and a hacker, saying that being a hacker is a "death sentence" in his industry.
"To imply that I'm a hacker or that information is hacked has an irreversible impact on my business and my character," he added.


theblaze--2020-12-29--California business owner blocks in health inspector's car after he threatens lockdown citations: 'I

California business owner blocks in health inspector's car after he threatens lockdown citations: 'If we can't work, he can't work'

California business owner blocks in health inspector 's car after he threatens lockdown citations : 'If we ca n't work @ @ @ @ @ Things are getting tense in California

A California restaurant owner has gone viral for his actions after blocking in a health inspector's vehicle after the inspector threatened citations for being open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the details?
In video obtained by the Daily Caller, Carlos Roman — owner of Bread and Barley in Covina, California — can be seen arguing with a police officer who is called to his restaurant after he moved his vehicle to block in a health inspector's car.
The unnamed health inspector reportedly arrived at the restaurant, took photos of patrons dining outside the restaurant, and allegedly told Roman that he would be issuing a citation related to COVID-19 restriction orders.
According to KCBS-TV, the incident took place last Sunday outside the Covina restaurant when a health inspector came to enforce coronavirus guidelines at the restaurant.
"A citation from the health department said the inspector found two customers dining outside, which goes against current protocols," KCBS reported. "Roman says they were on a public bench, and not his property."
"We weren't going out. We weren't serving them," Roman told the station.
Roman, who adamantly refused to move his vehicle after the confrontation with the inspector, said that if he and his employees could not work, the health inspectors would not be able to work, either.
"This isn't about me," he said of the closures. "They can't pay their bills. The cook just had a baby. He's with his family right now."
The officer on the scene told Roman that a tow truck was on its way and would remove his truck from the premises if he refused to let the health inspector leave.
According to the Daily Caller, "The officer told Roman 'it wasn't [the health inspector's] fault' and that he was following orders from his supervisor."
The officer also told Roman that his blocking the inspector's vehicle "is not the way to settle things." Roman ultimately moved his vehicle, but not before advising the officer and the inspector that he is desperate to feed his children.
"We're all in this together, we'll just all starve to death and die," he said.
What else do we know about Roman's situation?
KCBS reported that Roman invested thousands of dollars in his restaurant by opening an outdoor patio when outdoor dining was still permitted in Los Angeles County and even began digging into his own personal savings account to pay staff and serve customers.
"I think we have entered into the realm of a lose-lose situation," he admitted.
A GoFundMe page to benefit Roman's restaurant and employees has received more than $32,000 in donations at the time of this reporting.
In a statement, the Covina Police Department said, "The peace was kept and Mr. Roman's vehicle was moved from the roadway, allowing the health inspector to leave. We have no information on citations or fines issued by L.A. County Health Inspectors as they are a different entity."
The L.A. County Public Health Department has not responded to the Daily Caller's request for comment at the time of this reporting, but KCBS reports that Roman is facing two $500 fines for failure to comply and interfering with the health officer.


theblaze--2020-12-29--'It's another defund movement': Glenn Beck reacts to Seattle's proposed 'poverty defense' for misdem

'It's another defund movement': Glenn Beck reacts to Seattle's proposed 'poverty defense' for misdemeanors

'It 's another defund movement ' : Glenn Beck reacts to Seattle 's proposed 'poverty defense ' for misdemeanors New @ @ @ @ @ that can be linked to poverty , addiction , or mental disorders

Lawmakers in Seattle have proposed new legislation that would excuse most misdemeanor crimes that can be linked to poverty, addiction, or mental disorders. The proposal, referred to as a "poverty defense," would cover more than 90% of Seattle's misdemeanor defendants, according to the city's former public safety adviser, and would include crimes of theft, assault, trespass, property destruction, and more. The proposal excludes misdemeanors related to impaired driving and domestic violence.
On the radio program, Glenn Beck and Stu Burguiere discussed the potentially devastating effects such measures would have on the citizens of Seattle, who have already seen a 525% spike in crime this year, according to Democratic Mayor Jenny Durkan.
"This will work out really well for Seattle," Glenn said sarcastically.
"Do you know why they're doing this?" Glenn asked. "They're doing this because [they] are trying to starve the justice system. If [they] make those things not illegal, there won't be anybody in the courthouse. So [they] can cut the funding of the courts, because the courts are just sending people to prison. And the courts are the problem. There is no justice. It's another defund movement, just in a different way."
Watch the video below to catch more of the conversation:
THESE are the 'poverty' crimes Seattle may no longer prosecute youtu.be
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-12-29--Horowitz: Every single budget bill of Trump’s presidency passed with more Dem than Republican suppor

Horowitz: Every single budget bill of Trump’s presidency passed with more Dem than Republican support

Horowitz : Every single budget bill of Trump ’ s presidency passed with more Dem than Republican support

The budget betrayal didn't begin during the final budget of Trump's presidency. In an era when Congress barely legislates and surrenders all the power to the other two branches, the annual budget bills encompass every priority under the sun. Sadly, every single budget bill that Trump signed in the Oval Office was a Democratic bill. In fact, to my knowledge, every budget bill Trump has signed has actually garnered more Democratic support than Republican support.
When Congress sent Trump a budget bill in March 2018 that contained nearly every Democratic priority and voted on the 2,000+-page bill within hours of it being written, Trump promised, "I will never sign another bill like this again."
Imagine how different this country would look had this promise been fulfilled. Sadly, there has never been a budget bill signed by this president that has not included all these policy and process flaws each and every time.
If you want to know why the border numbers are higher, the interior immigration enforcement numbers lower, the debt and dependency greater, and liberty less now than any time during the Obama presidency, it's all in these budget bills.
Here is a list of the voting record of each one:
H.R. 244 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017)
Senate: Supported by every Democrat and opposed by 18 Republicans (May 4, 2017)
House: Supported by Democrats 178-15; supported by Republicans 131-103 (May 3, 2017)
H.R. 601 (2017 blank check debt limit increase)
Senate: Supported by every Democrat and opposed by 17 Republicans (Sept. 7, 2017)
House: Supported by every Democrat; supported by Republicans 133-90 (Sept. 8, 2017)
TARGET Act (FY 2018 omnibus)
Senate: Supported by all but 6 Democrats; opposed by 26 Republicans (March 23, 2018)
House: Opposed by 77 Dems (supported by Pelosi); opposed by 90 Republicans (March 22, 2018)
FY 2019 "Cromnibus"
Senate: Supported by every Democrat except Bernie Sanders; opposed by 6 Republicans (Sept. 18, 2018)
House: Opposed by just 5 Democrats; opposed by 56 Republicans (Sept. 26, 2018)
2018 Trillion-dollar farm bill (read more here)
Senate: Supported by every Democrat; 13 Republicans opposed it (Dec. 11, 2018)
House: All but three Democrats supported it; 44 Republicans opposed it (Dec. 12, 2018)
FY 2019 Homeland Security omnibus bill that ended shutdown without funding border wall
Senate: Opposed by just 3 Dems (all running for president); opposed by 13 Republicans (Feb. 14, 2019)
House: Opposed by just 19 Democrats; opposed by 109 (majority of) Republicans (Feb. 14, 2019)
Debt ceiling increase and busting of budget caps
Senate: Supported by all but 4 Democrats; opposed by 24 Republicans (Aug. 1, 2019)
House: Passed by Democrats 219-16; opposed by roughly two-thirds of Republicans (July 25, 2019)
FY 2020 continuing resolution
Senate: Supported by every Democrat; opposed by 16 Republicans (Sept. 26, 2019)
House: Passed by Democrats 225-3; opposed by Republicans 76-119 (Sept. 19, 2019)
5,593-page FY 2021 omnibus with COVID bailout for states and education cartel
Senate: Supported by every single Democrat; opposed by 6 Republicans (Dec. 21, 2020)
House: Supported by all but 2 Democrats; opposed by 50 Republicans (Dec. 21, 2020)
Thus, we see that every single major piece of legislation that has affected our country garnered more support from Democrats, often unanimous, and most often with support from their leadership. Yet Trump not only signed each of them, but Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiated them from the get-go. Republicans had control of both houses of Congress for the first two years and control of the Senate along with the White House for all four years. This was an alliance between Trump's liberal cabinet members, Democrat leadership, and RINOs against conservatives every single time. This swamp was refilled rather than drained.
It's important to remember that the Republican opposition to most of these bills would have been even stronger had Trump himself opposed them. However, many more members supported them because his administration negotiated them before Trump, in some cases, made last-minute protestations against the bill after hearing complaints from conservatives.
This is how we are now saddled with $7.6 trillion in additional debt from the past four years, dwarfing the $5.8 trillion in debt accrued during Obama's first term. Perhaps if Republicans would spend less time forewarning about socialism and actually eschewing support for it at present, we'd be in better shape altogether.


theblaze--2020-12-30--Chart-topping singer forced to apologize after sharing a personal post about her eating disorder wit

Chart-topping singer forced to apologize after sharing a personal post about her eating disorder without adequate 'trigger warning'

Chart-topping singer forced to apologize after sharing a personal post about her eating disorder without adequate 'trigger warning '

Singer Halsey issued a heartfelt apology Monday after sharing a photo of herself dealing with an eating disorder.
Social media users came out in droves and accused the singer — real name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane — of insensitivity because she didn't share the post on her personal Instagram page with a "trigger warning" that was considered good enough.
What are the details?
According to a Tuesday report from Insider, social media users took Halsey — who also lives with bipolar disorder — to task over the offending photo, prompting her to issue an apology and delete the post.
The singer and entertainer also announced a temporary social media break to recalibrate after the attack on her judgment.
Insider reported, "The 'Clementine' singer shared an image of herself living with the disorder on Instagram, after a fan asked to see her at her 'lowest point.'"
In response, Halsey shared a mirror selfie with the caption, "TW [trigger warning]: ED [eating disorder], ask for help." In the photo, Halsey is topless — but using her arms to protect her modesty — and looking decidedly thin and frail. You can view the original photo here.
Needless to say, some social media users came out to attack the singer for not paying mind to crafting a more comprehensive "trigger warning" so as to avoid offending or hurting the feelings of those social media users in question. You can read some of the backlash here.
Following the outcry over the photo, Halsey tweeted, "TW: disordered eating[.] I am very sorry for posting a photo of myself depicting my struggle with ED without a sufficient trigger warning. I was very nervous to post it and didn't think properly. I had positive intentions. I would never want to harm someone who shares my struggle."
In a subsequent tweet, the artist said she was going to "log off" to deal with the backlash.
"[W]ith that being said," she added, "Im [sic] gonna log off now because this has turned into something I am not emotionally equipped to handle for the time being. I hope that's okay."
Anything else?
This isn't the first time that the entertainer has been candid about her personal life and she said that she's been "committed" at least twice since entering the spotlight.
In 2019, she told Rolling Stone that she manages as best as she is able on a daily basis.
"I've been committed twice since [I became] Halsey, and no one's known about it," she said. "But I'm not ashamed of talking about it now."
"It's been my choice [to seek help]," she continues. "I've said to [my manager], 'Hey, I'm not going to do anything bad right now, but I'm getting to the point where I'm scared that I might, so I need to go figure this out.' It's still happening in my body. I just know when to get in front of it."


theblaze--2020-12-30--Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies from coronavirus complications days before being sworn

Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies from coronavirus complications days before being sworn in The 41-year-old left behind a wife and @ @ @

A Congressman-elect from Louisiana died from coronavirus complications just days before the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
The family of Republican Luke Letlow confirmed that the 41-year-old died on Tuesday.
"The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time," said Andrew Bautsch, a spokesman for Letlow. "A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time."
Letlow announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 18 and said that he was quarantining at home. A day later, he was admitted to a hospital in Monroe, and four days after that he was moved into the Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Shreveport.
He had won the congressional seat representing a district including the cities of Monroe and Alexandria after working as the chief of staff for Republican Ralph Abraham who held the seat before him. Letlow had also worked for the administration of former Gov. Bobby Jindal. Letlow was from the small town of Start in Richland Parish.
He is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two young children.
Dr. G.E. Ghali of Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport told The Advocate that Letlow suffered a cardiac event that led to his death. He added that Letlow had no underlying conditions that made his death more likely.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards offered his condolences in a tweet from his account.
"It is with heavy hearts that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's family on his passing after a battle with COVID-19," he tweeted.
"Louisiana has lost more than 7,300 people to COVID-19 since March, and each one of them leaves a tremendous hole in our state," he added.
Edwards said that he had ordered the flag to be flown at half-staff on the day of Letlow's funeral.
Here's a local news report about Letlow's death:


theblaze--2020-12-30--Authorities were warned a year ago that Nashville suspect was 'building bombs in the RV': report

Authorities were warned a year ago that Nashville suspect was 'building bombs in the RV ' : report Police made @ @ @ @ @ 's home in 2019 after being tipped off

The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI were warned a year ago that Anthony Warner, the man suspected of carrying out the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Tennessee, had been "building bombs in the RV" he kept at his home, according to a report.
What are the details?
According to The Tennessean, an NMPD report from August 2019 said that Warner's girlfriend told officers that he "was building bombs in the RV trailer at his residence," and the department passed that information along to the FBI.
Police were first tipped off by attorney Raymond Throckmorton III, who reportedly represented both Warner and the girlfriend and became concerned over comments the girlfriend made. Throckmorton told officers at the time that Warner "frequently talks about the military and bomb making," and that Warner "knows what he is doing and is capable of making a bomb."
Officers first went to the girlfriend's home to question her, before heading to Warner's residence where he did not answer the door.
The Tennessean reported:
Officers saw his RV behind the house, but the vehicle was fenced off and police were unable to see inside of it, the report said. While there, police noted that there were "several security cameras and wires attached to a alarm sign on the front door." The officers notified supervisors and detectives about the incident.
"They saw no evidence of a crime and had no authority to enter his home or fenced property," [MNPD spokesman Don] Aaron said of officers' unsuccessful attempt to make contact with Warner or look inside the RV.
The day after Friday's bombing, the FBI, ATF, and MNPD raided Warner's home.
No motive has yet been determined for the bombing that left the 63-year-old Warner dead, three bystanders injured, and dozens of buildings in downtown Nashville badly damaged.
Anything else?
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said, "It does appear that the intent was more destruction than death," noting "that's all speculation at this point as we continue in our investigation with all of our partners."
U.S. News & World Report reported that Rausch said of Warner during a news conference, "He was not on our radar. We are all taking pieces of the puzzle, working to determine what the motivation was for this individual."
The outlet noted:
Nashville Mayor John Cooper has said that local officials felt there had to be some connection between the bombing, which occurred near an AT&T Inc transmission building on the city's bustling Second Avenue, and the company. At the briefing on Monday, Rausch said Warner's father had worked for AT&T but that it was unclear if that was in any way connected.


theblaze--2020-12-30--Georgia secretary of state announces results of election signature match audit

Raffensperger said he wanted restrictions on who could vote by absentee ballot

Georgia's secretary of state announced the results of the signature match audit of ballots in Cobb County in order to quell fears of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger had been excoriated by many in the media and on social media for dismissing claims of voter fraud. On Dec. 14, he announced a signature match audit in order to reestablish Georgians' faith in the state's balloting system.
Two weeks later, that audit in Cobb County was completed.
Raffensperger said only two mismatched signatures were found among the more than 15,000 signatures audited. He said the inaccuracy came from a wife who signed the ballots for herself and her husband.
"It really shows you and should give voters confidence that there's accuracy and integrity, and security, in the absentee ballot process so we're really grateful for GBI's support," Raffensperger said to WSB-TV.
The signature match audit was the first of its kind in Georgia.
The audit involved state election investigators examining thousands of ballot envelopes and matching the signatures with those in public state records.
While Raffensperger defended the state's ability to conduct the 2020 election in a fair and secure manner, he has advocated against Georgia's no excuse absentee voting and wants restrictions on who can vote by absentee ballot.
"It's a huge burden for the counties. In effect, what we are asking the counties to do is run three elections, one with absentee voting early voting and then Election Day," Raffensperger explained.
In November, he defended the signature match system during an interview on MSNBC.
"Many people don't realize that it requires you to do your signature twice, once for the application, we signature match then, and a second time when your ballot comes back in, then we'll signature match that," he explained.
President-elect Joe Biden won Georgia by roughly 12,000 votes.
President Donald Trump and his legal team continue to challenge the election results in court, with the latest one challenging the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision.
Here's more about the audit in Georgia:


theblaze--2020-12-31--Poll: 55% of 'very conservative' Georgia voters who won't vote in runoffs say they'll stay home due

Poll: 55% of 'very conservative' Georgia voters who won't vote in runoffs say they'll stay home due to to 'rigged' process

Poll : 55 % of 'very conservative ' Georgia voters who wo n't vote in runoffs say they 'll stay @ @ @ @ @ ' process

A recent poll conducted in Georgia by SurveyUSA of voters who do not plan to show up for next week's runoffs elections found that 55% of respondents who identify as "very conservative" said the reason they will stay home is because they believe the process is "rigged" — a concerning sign for Republicans who count on the outcome in order to maintain control of U.S. Senate.
Georgia GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will face off on Jan. 5 against Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively. If both Republicans lose, the Senate would flip to Democratic control, leaving the left in charge of both chambers of Congress and the White House if President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office as anticipated.
What are the details?
In its analysis of the results conducted for WXIA-TV, SurveyUSA wrote:
Of those who are not voting in the US Senate runoffs, a disproportionate number are conservative. Of those who identify as "very conservative," 55% say they are not voting in the runoff elections because "the voting process is rigged." This compares to zero percent of liberals and very liberals.
Fox Business' Charles Payne reported the findings, calling the results "cray cray."
The polling firm did note that "Georgia is a hot mess and no opinion pollster could possibly say what will happen when votes are counted," but according to The New York Times, the GOP has been "on edge" already over the runoffs as numbers show strong early voting in some of Georgia's Democratic strongholds.
The outlet pointed to Walker County—which President Donald Trump won with 79% over Biden—as one example, where as of Wednesday, turnout "was only 47 percent of the general election total."
While President Donald Trump has campaigned in Georgia for Loeffler and Perdue and encouraged Republicans to show up in the runoffs to vote, he has been highly critical of the state's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for weeks, calling them "fools" on Wednesday while lambasting their oversight of the Nov. 3 presidential election in Georgia that was called for Biden.
Earlier this month, pro-Trump independent lawyers Lin Wood and Sidney Powell acted on their own accord during a "Stop the Steal" rally in urging Republican Georgia voters to boycott the runoffs unless officials made changes to the process ahead of next week.
If SurveyUSA's poll has any validity, that message might have resonated with some voters. The pollster wrote in its analysis that "7% of 'very conservative' voters say they are 'intentionally boycotting' the runoffs."


theblaze--2020-12-31--Father shoots and kills armed burglar threatening his family during home invasion in Texas

Father shoots and kills armed burglar threatening his family during home invasion in Texas The home was later the site @ @ @ @ @ a fire

A Texas father foiled a home invasion when he shot and killed one of three armed burglars who allegedly broke into his home and threatened his family at gunpoint, including two young children.
The alarming incident unfolded in Port Arthur, a city east of Houston, on Sunday.
Port Arthur police said that they were called to the home at about 8:30 p.m. and found a deceased 27-year-old who had been shot by the homeowner and father of the family.
The victims said that three armed burglars forced their way into the home as a female resident arrived at the house. The suspects allegedly demanded that the woman hand over her belongings.
From a separate room, the 29-year-old father of the home heard the commotion from the home invasion and confronted the intruders with his rifle. He says that he shot one of the intruders and the other two fled. Police are seeking the two suspects who escaped.
The father was trying to protect his two young children, who where also in the house at the time. Port Arthur Detective Mike Hebert told KBMT-TV that the suspect who was killed was not a stranger to the homeowner who killed him.
"We know that the individual who defended himself inside the house was an acquaintance of the suspect that was shot and killed within the house," said Hebert.
Police said two other suspicious incidents occurred at the same residence.
Hours after the lethal shooting, the home was subject to a drive-by shooting, but no one was at the home at the time. Then, a day later, the home was engulfed in flames. Police are investigating whether the three incidents are connected.
The mother of the children, who doesn't live at the house, said that her 5-year-old child was shaken up by the incident because one of the suspects pointed a gun at his face.
The deceased suspect was later identified and KBMT reported that he had been previously arrested for assault, numerous times for deadly conduct, and for making terroristic threats.
Here's a local news report about the incident:


theblaze--2020-12-31--Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he'll wait on getting COVID-19 vaccine until elderly receive it

Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis says he 'll wait on getting COVID-19 vaccine until elderly receive it ' I am @ @ @ @ @ 're the priority '

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Wednesday that while he is willing to take one of the newly-developed vaccines for COVID-19, he believes seniors should take priority over healthy younger people — including leaders like himself.
What are the details?
WPTV-TV reported that DeSantis made remarks during a visit to watch three senior citizens receive the Moderna vaccine at the Kings Point community in Delray Beach.
On his way out of the press conference, DeSantis was asked about whether he had been vaccinated for the coronavirus yet, to which he replied: "What I've said is I'm willing to take it, but I'm not the priority." Pointing across the room, the governor said, "They're the priority."
"I'm under 45," he explained. "People under 45 are not going to be first in line for this, so when it's my turn I will take it, but this is who I want to be vaccinated. I want my parents, our grandparents to be able to get it."
DeSantis said during the presser, "You talk about a place like Kings Point, you have people from the Greatest Generation, people who fought in World War II, survived the Holocaust – these are people that we've got to stand with and prioritize."
The recent FDA emergency approvals of two COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. have sparked debate over who should be first to receive the inoculations for the virus that has proven to be more fatal in elderly populations.
Under the federal government's distribution, several younger members of Congress have faced criticism from colleagues for taking the jab ahead of citizens who are statistically more vulnerable to the disease. But a number of House members have held off on receiving the vaccine, voicing the same reasoning DeSantis echoed.
On one side of the debate are folks who believe elected officials should take the vaccine publicly to build the public's trust in the safety of the shots, while others say those politicians are jumping the line in front of those who need the vaccine most.
Acknowledging the topic, DeSantis quipped, "Granted I'm an elected official but whoop dee doo. At the end of the day, let's focus on where the risk is."
Anything else?
Fox News reported that Florida is currently experiencing long wait times for seniors who are lining up to take the vaccines that the governor's executive order from last week makes available to health care workers, nursing home residents, and anyone in the state age 65 and over.
"Supply is limited," DeSantis told his audience on Wednesday. He acknowledged, "We don't have enough vaccines for all four million plus senior citizens in Florida," but said more doses are expected to continue to flow in.


theblaze--2020-12-30--Republican congressman claims Trump's base is turning against him, calls fundraising from election a

Republican congressman claims Trump's base is turning against him, calls fundraising from election a scam

Republican congressman claims Trump 's base is turning against him , calls fundraising from election a scam

A Republican member of Congress excoriated President Donald Trump's fundraising in hopes of overturning the results of the election, and claimed that he's heard from many in the Republican base that they're turning against the president.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois spoke to Dana Bash on CNN on Tuesday and said that some Republican politicians are privately distancing themselves from the president.
"I think they're starting to, I'll tell you the base is starting to turn," Kinzinger claimed.
"I get texts every day, granted people that are mad at me that are my friends probably aren't going to text me," he explained, "but, a lot of people that I thought would be upset with me calling this out, that are texting saying, 'you know what you're right, it's time, and nobody else is saying it,' you know if the president says the election is stolen and nobody rebuts him, you're generally gonna believe him."
"I do think it's starting to turn," Kinzinger concluded.
Kinzinger went on to say that the president would be a "player" in the Republican party after he leaves office, but that he wouldn't be as influential for as long as many believe.
He also said in the interview that the president's efforts to overturn the results of the election were undermining Democracy, and called his fundraising efforts to that end a scam.
"People that work hard for their money, hardworking taxpayers are giving their money to this because they're convinced because the president's telling them this, that they can win, and they can't," said Kinzinger.
"And the scam in congress with January 6th, all these members of Congress that are posting crazy things so they can get a ton of followers and retweets and raise money," he added.
"I think we have to call it out finally because if we don't people are just gonna believe it," Kinzinger concluded.
Allies and supporters of the president who believe a massive voter fraud scheme stole the 2020 election from him plan a rally on January 6, the day of the Electoral College Certification Process in Congress.
Kinzinger is a U.S. Air Force veteran and lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.
Here's the video of Kinzinger's comments:


theblaze--2020-12-30--FUNNY: Steven Crowder formally 'apologizes' for his offensive comments and videos (2019)

FUNNY : Steven Crowder formally 'apologizes ' for his offensive comments and videos ( 2019 )

In 2019, Steven Crowder issued an epic 'apology' for his offensive comments, videos, and overall tone on his program, Louder with Crowder.
"It was brought to my attention that many of the comments, videos, and overall tenor and tone of this program have been considered hurtful and offensive to many. And while not in violation of policy guidelines certainly skirted the lines of human decency. I along with everyone here at Louder with Crowder am not above recognizing my mistakes and attempting to rectify them," Crowder began.
Crowder proceeds to revisit many of his most savage jokes and comments directed at: Hillary Clinton; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-D); Feminists; BuzzFeed, and more.
Watch the video to hear Crowder's full apology. Can't watch? Download the podcast here.
Use promo code LWC to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-12-30--'Gilligan's Island' star Dawn Wells dies at 82

The actress , who played Mary Ann Summers on the 1960s show , passed away due to complications from COVID-19

Actress Dawn Wells, best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers in the 1960s sitcom "Gilligan's Island," has died at the age of 82.
What are the details?
Wells' publicist Harlan Boll announced her death in a Facebook post on Wednesday, disclosing that the actress "passed peacefully this morning, in no pain as a result of complications due to Covid."
Boll gave a biography detailing Wells' career, writing:
A native of Reno, Ms. Wells represented Nevada in the Miss America pageant in 1959. She found success in Hollywood immediately afterward, appearing in such shows as 77 SUNSET STRIP, MAVERICK, BONANZA, THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW and HAWAIIAN EYE. She was later cast in the role of a lifetime as Mary Ann in GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, beating out 350 other actresses. Dawn appeared and starred in TV shows, including WILD WILD WEST, THE F.B.I., VEGA$, GROWING PAINS, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, and BAYWATCH (as Mary Ann Summers).
The New York Times wrote in Wells' obituary that in her role on "Gilligan's Island," she "radiated all-American wholesomeness, Midwestern practicality and a youthful naïve charm."
Beyond her successful television and movie career, Wells "appeared in more than 60 theatrical productions," Fox News reported, noting that she also published a memoir in 2014 titled, "What Would Mary Ann Do?"
According to CBS News, "Gilligan's Island" ran from 1964 to 1967, and remains popular in reruns. The show's setting was a deserted island where seven shipwrecked tour-boat passengers found themselves stranded.
With the passing of Wells, the only remaining cast member of the show alive today is Tina Louise, who played a movie star named Ginger.


theblaze--2020-12-30--US military bracing for Iranian attack as anniversary of Soleimani's death approaches, officials say

US military bracing for Iranian attack as anniversary of Soleimani 's death approaches , officials say 'The threat streams are @ @ @

The United States military suspects that an Iranian-linked attack on American personnel and interests in Iraq could be immanent as the one-year anniversary of Iranian terrorist leader Qassem Soleimani's death approaches.
On Jan. 2, 2020, the U.S. launched a drone strike on an envoy near the Baghdad airport that killed the renowned Iranian military leader along with Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
What are the details?
Defense officials reportedly expressed their suspicions of a retaliatory attack on Wednesday as two B-52 bombers finished a round-trip, 30-hour mission from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to the Middle East. The mission was part of an effort to demonstrate American military might in the region and deter any action by Iran.
"The United States continues to deploy combat-ready capabilities into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to deter any potential adversary, and make clear that we are ready and able to respond to any aggression directed at Americans or our interests," said Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, chief of U.S. Central Command, according to the Washington Post.
"We do not seek conflict, but no one should underestimate our ability to defend our forces or to act decisively in response to any attack," he added.
Another defense official speaking anonymously told the Post that "the threat streams are very real" and that a "fair amount of advanced conventional weaponry" has flowed over the border from Iran into Iraq in recent weeks.
Last week, McKenzie similarly indicated to ABC News that U.S. forces remained "in a period of heightened risk," but emphasized that the military is "not looking for war with Iran."
Those comments came as the U.S. Navy acknowledged that it sent a submarine into the Persian Gulf, "a move widely seen as sending a message to Iran," the outlet reported.
What else?
Soleimani's death was a major blow to the terror-sponsoring Iranian regime as he was the leader of the elite Quds Force, a special wing of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. For years, he had coordinated attacks on U.S. forces and assets in the Middle East.
Given how high profile a leader he was, a retaliatory attack near the anniversary of his death is certainly a possibility, especially as tensions rise in the region.
Last week, unknown attackers launched more than 20 rockets on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, killing at least one Iraqi civilian, though no Americans were hurt. Iran denied any involvement, but the Post reported that U.S. officials believe the attack was carried out by militias coordinating with the regime.
President Trump responded to the attack with a sober warning for Iran: