theblaze--2020-09-22--Biden refuses to say if he'd pack the Supreme Court with liberals if Republicans fill Ginsburg's sea

Biden refuses to say if he'd pack the Supreme Court with liberals if Republicans fill Ginsburg's seat

Biden refuses to say if he 'd pack the Supreme Court with liberals if Republicans fill Ginsburg 's seat He @ @ @ @ @ plan floated by many on the left

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden refused to say whether he'd sign on to a plan to pack the Supreme Court with more liberal justices if the Republicans are able to fill late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat on the high court.
The former vice president made the comments on Monday in an interview with WBAY-TV.
"Let me tell you why I'm not gonna answer that question. Because it would shift all the focus," Biden said.
Democrats have tried to pressure the Republicans against trying to fill the seat, vacated by Ginsburg's death, by threatening to expand the court and pack it with more liberal justices. The Constitution does not stipulate how many justices should be on the Supreme Court.
"That's what he wants, he never wants to talk about the issue at hand he always tries to change the subject," Biden said of the president.
"But let's say I answer that question, then the whole debate's gonna be about what Biden said or didn't say. Biden said he would or wouldn't," he explained.
"The discussion should be about why he's moving in a direction totally that's totally inconsistent with what the founders wanted. The design in the Constitution it says, the design, voters get to pick the president, who gets to make the pick, and the Senate gets to decide," Biden said.
"We're in the middle of an election right now, you know, people are voting now. By the time this Supreme Court hearing would be held if they hold one, we'd in fact, we'd probably, there's estimated 30 to 40 percent of the American people would already have voted," he continued.
"It is a fundamental breach of constitutional principle," Biden concluded.
On Monday, the Republicans in the Senate appear to have enough support from their party to move ahead with the nomination process once the president makes it.
"We've got the votes to confirm Justice Ginsburg's replacement before the election, we're going to move forward in the committee, we're going to report the nomination out of the committee to the floor of the United States Senate so we can vote before the election," said Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Here's the video of Biden's comments:


theblaze--2020-09-22--DOJ denies House Dems' request for officials to testify citing  treatment of AG Barr in prior hearin

DOJ denies House Dems' request for officials to testify citing  treatment of AG Barr in prior hearing

DOJ denies House Dems ' request for officials to testify citing treatment of AG Barr in prior hearing One official @ @ @ @ @ deteriorate into 'public spectacles '

Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd on Monday refused the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee's request that Department of Justice officials testify in two upcoming hearings, saying he fears the question-and-answer sessions would deteriorate into "public spectacles" considering how Attorney General William Barr was treated by Democrats during a hearing in July.
What are the details?
In a letter to Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) obtained by BuzzFeed, Boyd responded to the committee's request that his fellow Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband appear before a Judiciary subcommittee later this week, and that Bureau of Prison Director Michael Carvajal and U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington testify before another Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Oct. 1.
Boyd told Nadler that while the DOJ "recognizes that the Committee has a legitimate interest in oversight of the Department," the agency would not send the officials to testify because of the way Democrats treated Barr when he appeared before the full committee on July 28.
The assistant attorney general cited a New York Times story that reported, "Democrat after Democrat posed questions to Mr. Barr only to cut him off when he tried to reply, substituting their own replies for his."
"All told, when the Attorney General tried to address the Committee's questions, he was interrupted and silenced in excess of 70 times," Boyd wrote, explaining:
"We very much regret that the Committee did not elect to engage in a meaningful, good-faith effort to obtain information and views from the Attorney General while he was present and prepared to testify. Having squandered its opportunity to conduct a meaningful oversight hearing with the Attorney General, it remains unclear how further public spectacles with other Department officials would now—a mere 14 legislative days since the Attorney General's hearing—advance the Committee's legitimate oversight efforts."
Boyd also pointed out that Barr was made available to address the topics the committee wants to inquire about from other DOJ officials in the coming weeks, but that the Department "would be happy to work with [the committee] regarding the scheduling of additional oversight hearings in the future."
During Barr's July 28 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, there were a number of tense exchanges that commonly occur during hearings that are televised for the public.
In one particular moment that was blasted by some for its perceived pettiness, Chairman Nadler denied the attorney general's request for a five-minute break to have lunch.
Nadler eventually gave in and allowed the recess following protest from other members and Barr himself who shook his head and laughed when he told Nadler, "You're a real class act, Mr. Chairman. A real class act."


theblaze--2020-09-22--South Carolina sheriff criticized over comments about black males in shooting incident, but he is no

South Carolina sheriff criticized over comments about black males in shooting incident, but he is not backing down

South Carolina sheriff criticized over comments about black males in shooting incident , but he is not backing down ' @ @ @ @ @ an apology for doing my job '

A South Carolina sheriff was criticized heavily for his comments made in relation to two black males who were arrested in a shooting incident, but he remained defiant.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said that his deputies would have been in the right if they had shot two black males who were thought to have shot at officers from their car in a Sept. 13 incident.
Tarus Mallory, 23, and Akymzee Holbert, 22, were arrested after the incident and charged with attempted murder. After a review of the evidence, the charges were dismissed and the pair were charged instead with aggravated breach of peace.
Mallory and Holbert are demanding an apology from Wright, who called them idiots.
"I would like him to know, you know, innocent until proven guilty, you know, we didn't even get, there wasn't any evidence brought up yet, he was already accusing us," Holbert said to WHNS-TV.
"So I just wanted to, I just want it to be avoided," added Holbert, "because it easily could have been avoided, if he had just waited a couple of days."
Spartanburg City Council member Michael Brown, who is also the president of the Spartanburg NAACP, told WHNS that the sheriff's comments were inappropriate.
"Just because it come out of the mouth of the sheriff, and in the manner in which he did it, which was completely wrong, it's unacceptable," Brown said.
"We live in an age in which things can be said, but you can't unring a bell, you can't take back what you said once you have all the facts," he added. "And clearly the cowboyism, the manner in which the sheriff comes out time and time and time and time again and says the things he says, it's just unacceptable."
Here's the interview with WHNS:
2 men who were accused of shooting at deputies tell their side of the story youtu.be
The sheriff responded by saying that they could have dragged out the process for months but instead charged them quickly so that they could be with their families and think about what they did.
Wright says that the two men admit to the shooting, but they claim they were not shooting at deputies.
"I guess some people that are very confused thinking that I owe them an apology," said Wright in an interview with WHNS.
"I didn't say anything that I need to apologize for, because it's very irresponsible to shoot out of a car window in a moving car, or in a parked car for that matter," he added, "out in the public like that just because they wanted to do that."
Wright said that his comments were partly a response to accusations from black celebrities claiming that black people were being hunted by police.
Here is the interview with Sheriff Wright:
'I have no reason to apologize' - Sheriff Wright explains why charges were reduced for shooting www.youtube.com
Wright addressed the furor at a city council meeting where members of the community were allowed to voice their concerns.
"It's not my fault that you misunderstand me, and I don't owe you an apology for doing my job," Wright said at the meeting.
"I am going to continue to do my job no matter how loud you get or what you say, and I'm going to do the right thing, and do it for everybody, all the people here," he added.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Mitch McConnell has enough support for nomination to the Supreme Court after statements from Grassle

Mitch McConnell has enough support for nomination to the Supreme Court after statements from Grassley and Gardner Democrats hoped to @ @ @ @ @ their cause

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will likely be able to push the Senate to consider a nomination to the Supreme Court after several Republicans made statements of support on Monday.
Democrats and their supporters were hopeful that enough moderates would break from the party line in order to doom the effort to fill the seat left empty by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday.
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said in a statement that he would not stand in the way of another nomination by President Donald Trump.
"Over the years, and as recently as July, I've consistently said that taking up and evaluating a nominee in 2020 would be a decision for the current chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Senate Majority Leader," Grassley said in the statement.
"Both have confirmed their intentions to move forward, so that's what will happen. Once the hearings are underway, it's my responsibility to evaluate the nominee on the merits, just as I always have. The Constitution gives the Senate that authority, and the American people's voices in the most recent election couldn't be clearer," he continued.
"While there was ambiguity about the American people's will for the direction of the Supreme Court in 2016 under a divided government, there is no such ambiguity in 2020," Grassley added.
Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, informed members of the committee on Saturday that he would hold confirmation hearings for the nomination.
'Senate must decided how to best fulfill its constitutional duty'
Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado also said that he would not stand in the way of a nomination.
"When a President exercises constitutional authority to nominate a judge for the Supreme Court vacancy, the Senate must decided how to best fulfill its constitutional duty of advice and consent," Gardner said.
"I have and will continue to support judicial nominees who will protect our Constitution, not legislate from the bench, and uphold the law," he concluded. "Should a qualified nominee who meets this criteria be put forward, I will vote to confirm."
A heated debate
Democrats have argued that if Republicans were to push a nomination that it would be hypocritical because of McConnell's refusal to consider former President Barack Obama's nomination so close to the 2016 election.
Republicans have countered that the history of nominations to the Supreme Court offers precedence for senators of the same party as the president to have the mandate from the people to move forward on a nomination.
"[M]ake no mistake: if the shoe were on the other foot, Senate Democrats wouldn't hesitate to use their Constitutional authority and anything else at their disposal to fill this seat," Grassley said.
Republicans have a 53 to 47 majority in the Senate, but Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have already said they would not support a nomination before the election.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) has not made a statement about his position in the debate, but if no other Republicans go against the party line, a tie in the Senate would lead to a tiebreaker vote from Vice President Mike Pence.
Here's more about the nomination debate:


theblaze--2020-09-23--ESPN host claims 'extreme right-wing agitators' carrying out violence 'to make protests look bad'

ESPN host claims 'extreme right-wing agitators ' carrying out violence 'to make protests look bad' Max Kellerman did not provide @ @ @ @

ESPN host Max Kellerman claimed Tuesday that "a big percentage" of the violence that has occurred during the ongoing protests in the U.S. for the past several months has been carried out by "extremist right-wing agitators," who are trying "to make the protests look bad."
What are the details?
According to The Hill, Kellerman, who co-hosts "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith, told the show's audience that "93% of the protests are peaceful," arguing that "the 7 percent [that] are not, there is a very broad definition of what's not quote-unquote peaceful. For example, if you block traffic or something like that. Or if you respond to police provocation.
"And even then," Kellerman continued, "a big percentage of that that wasn't peaceful is actually outside agitators, extremist right-wing agitators posing as protesters to make the protests look bad."
Max Kellerman reacts to Colby Covington trashing LeBron James | First Take www.youtube.com
Politicos on both sides of the aisle reacted to Kellerman's comments on social media, with conservative Ian Miles Cheong tweeting, "There is no evidence to support this claim, and it dismisses the unrest Antifa itself is proud of."
Liberal Wajahat Ali tweeted, "White Trump supporters are really angry with Max Kellerman which means he probably said something on point."
The sports pundit was reacting to UFC star Colby Covington, a fan of President Donald Trump, saying in a post-victory speech over the weekend, "I'm sick of these woke athletes and these spineless cowards like LeBron James."
Anything else?
Kellerman is starting to make a name for himself in the political world, thanks to statements he has made recently that have won him both praise and scorn on social media.
Last month, Kellerman said on "First Take" that SEC football fans "seem to be very low, susceptible to very low quality information and easy to propagandize and almost immune to facts," such as Fox News' "propaganda."
Kellerman echoed similar feelings in a separate segment, saying that Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher seemed "susceptible to low-quality information" after the former NFL player criticized NBA players for boycotting playoff games over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
"Brett Favre played the MNF game the day his dad died, threw 4 TDs in the first half, and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity," Urlacher posted on Instagram, according to NFL.com. "NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police."
The NFL's news release distanced the league and the Chicago Bears from Urlacher over his comments, but noted, "Court records show an arrest warrant had been issued for Blake for criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and third-degree sexual assault, a felony, per The New York Times."


theblaze--2020-09-23--Trump supporters slap rapper Cardi B and her sister with a lawsuit over beach dispute she posted on

Trump supporters slap rapper Cardi B and her sister with a lawsuit over beach dispute she posted on social media @ @ @ @ @ trio were homophobic and racist

Three New York beachgoers sued rapper Cardi B and her sister over an altercation about a parking spot that was posted on social media.
The incident occurred Labor Day weekend at Smith Point Beach in Long Island, New York.
Cardi B was not present at the altercation but she later posted a video captured by her sister, Hennessy Carolina Almanzar, of her profanity-laced confrontation with three beachgoers.
"I have the #1 song & yet my sister can't go to the beach in the Hampton's wit out trump supporters harassing cause they were by themselves & Santa Claus was harassing my sis GF all because they are a Afro/Hispanic gay couple," tweeted Cardi B.
In the video, one of the men is wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, and his car reportedly had a pro-Trump flag on it as well.
Those three beachgoers claim in their lawsuit that they were accosted by Almanzar after they told her to move her vehicle because she was blocking other vehicles parked at the beach.
Manuel Alarcon, Peter Caliendo and Pauline Caliendo claim that they were defamed by Cardi B and her sister.
The rapper posted a conversation between herself and her sister where they said that the three yelled at them to go back to their country, but Alarcon and the Caliendos say that is a false claim.
"It happened so fast, I mean, we were just sitting there relaxing like we always do, and all at once, we're being attacked," said Peter Caliendo to WABC-TV.
The trio claim that Almanzar edited out the portion of the video where they simply asked them to move their car.
The lawsuit accuses Alamanzar of assault and battery over the spittle that she sprayed as she yelled at them.
"Hennessy Carolina knew or should have known that her spraying of spittle upon plaintiffs at a time when COVID-19 virus infection was a nationwide threat to all persons in the U.S. was assaulting, threatening and intimidating," the lawsuit read.
The lawsuit also accused them of exposing the trio to "public contempt, ridicule and disgrace," because of the social media posts. They are asking for real and punitive damages of at least $20 million over the incident.
Cardi B has been very open about her support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 election. The popular rapper has also said that she is considering running for political office, explaining, "I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense."
Here's a local news report about the lawsuit:


theblaze--2020-09-23--Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin form new NASCAR team, sign Bubba Wallace to multiyear deal

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin form new NASCAR team , sign Bubba Wallace to multiyear deal ' I see this @ @ @ @ @ a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing , ' Jordan @

NBA legend Michael Jordan has partnered with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin to form a new NASCAR team, and the duo has already signed Bubba Wallace to "a multiyear deal to drive for the yet-to-be named, single car team," according to a news release by the NBA.
What are the details?
"Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life," Jordan, who is majority owner, said in a statement. "The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me."
"Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners," added Jordan, who is also the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise. "The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing."
Hamlin — who is still a NASCAR driver himself — made the announcement of his partnership with Jordan on social media, saying that the team would be competing in 2021 while declaring, "Deciding on a driver was easy - it had to be Bubba Wallace."
"Bubba has shown tremendous improvement since joining the Cup Series and we believe he's ready to take his career to a higher level," Hamlin continued. "He deserves the opportunity to compete for race wins and our team will make sure he has the resources to do that."
He added, "Off the track, Bubba has been a loud voice for change in our sport and our country. MJ and I support him fully in those efforts and stand beside him."
In response to Hamlin's post, Wallace tweeted, "This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I believe is a great fit for me at this point in my career. I'm grateful and humbled that they believe in me and I'm super pumped to begin this adventure with them."
What else?
NBC Sports noted that Wallace, 26, "is in his third full season in Cup," and that "all 105 of his starts in NASCAR's premier series have been with Richard Petty Motorsports."
The outlet further reported that Wallace is "the only Black driver competing full-time in any of NASCAR's top three national series," pointing out that "he has been active in helping lead NASCAR through social changes, including the banning of the Confederate flag at series events and tracks."
Wallace parted ways with Richard Petty Motorsports earlier this month, according to NPR, which reported that Jordan is "trying to make NASCAR more inclusive."


theblaze--2020-09-22--Vox co-founder Matthew Yglesias: America doesn't do GREAT things by fighting amongst ourselves

Vox co-founder Matthew Yglesias : America does n't do GREAT things by fighting amongst ourselves We really are n't that @ @

This week on the Glenn Beck Podcast, Glenn spoke with Vox co-founder Matthew Yglesias about his new book, "One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger."
Matthew and Glenn agree that, while conservatives and liberals may disagree on a lot, we're not as far apart as some make it seem. If we truly want America to continue doing great things, we must spend less time fighting amongst ourselves.
Watch a clip from the full interview with Matthew Yglesias below:
Find the full podcast on Glenn's YouTube channel or on Blaze Media's podcast network.
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theblaze--2020-09-22--Mike Bloomberg helps pay court fines for 31,100 Florida felons so they can vote

Mike Bloomberg helps pay court fines for 31,100 Florida felons so they can vote Former prisoners eligible to apply for @ @ @ @ @ black or Latino ''

Billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has raised more than $16 million toward paying off the court fines of Florida felons in order to make them eligible to vote, and so far the ongoing effort has settled obligations in full for more than 31,000 former prisoners ahead of Election Day.
What are the details?
Bloomberg aides told The Daily Mail that the former mayor of New York City — who has pledged to spend $100 million to help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden win on Nov. 3 — rallied other donors and added nearly $17 million to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition's $5 million raised toward pay off fines owed by felons so that they can vote.
The outlet reported that according to the Florida Right Restoration Coalition, "other donors include John Legend, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Ben & Jerry's, Levi Strauss & Co, the Miami Dolphins, the Orlando Magic, the Miami Heat and Steven Spielberg."
After Bloomberg and friends' contributions, the initiative has raised enough money to pay off the accounts of 31,100 felons, and according to Axios, the fines for those individuals have already been paid.
"The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and no American should be denied that right. Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it," Bloomberg said in a written statement, The Daily Mail reported.
The former prisoners eligible to apply for their fines and restitution being paid must already be registered to vote with payoffs of less than $1,500, and they must be "black or Latino," the outlet noted. NBC News reported that these are "populations that have historically backed Democrats in larger numbers."
What's the background?
The Washington Post reported that organizing by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition led to Florida voters passing "a statewide constitutional amendment in 2018 that gave former felons, except those convicted of murder or felony sexual offenses, the opportunity to vote in upcoming elections."
As TheBlaze previously noted:
After Florida's lifetime voting ban for felons was reversed by an amendment, the Republican-controlled Florida legislature passed a law requiring those convicted felons to pay all outstanding court debts before being allowed to vote.
In May, a federal judge called that law unconstitutional, saying it was essentially a poll tax and ordering the state to come up with a different process.
The Post also pointed out:
Subsequent court challenges upheld the power of the legislature to condition voting rights on the payment of debts by former felons. Judge Barbara Lagoa, who is under consideration by President Trump as a possible replacement for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, cast a concurring opinion on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the state law requiring payment of debts.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Former Democratic lawmaker says Trump is selling a 'mutated' vision to 'white trash across the count

Former Democratic lawmaker says Trump is selling a 'mutated' vision to 'white trash across the country'

Former Democratic lawmaker says Trump is selling a 'mutated ' vision to 'white trash across the country' Garcia denigrated supporters @ @ @ @ @ local news article

A former Democratic member of Congress referred to the supporters of President Donald Trump as "white trash" when describing why Trump's doing better among Hispanic males and not females.
Joe Garcia, a former Democratic congressman from Florida, was quoted in the Charlotte Observer in an article published Tuesday.
"They're selling success, right?" Garcia said of Republicans.
"And they're selling a mutated, macho-istic, celebrity version of success, which is the same thing Donald Trump is selling to white trash across the country." he continued. "Look at me, I'm a billionaire, I married my mistress and I still have a family."
Garcia was commenting on a report that showed Trump was performing better among Hispanic males than Hispanic females.
"The gender gap has been one of the largest findings that we have uncovered in our polling over the last year," said Stephanie Valencia, a co-founder of Equis Research that analyzes Latino voting trends.
The Observer report documented that while most Hispanic males are not fervent supporters of the president, they believe that his policies will be better for the economy than those of his Democratic counterpart Joe Biden.
"I think he has a better platform on the economy than Joe Biden does," said 49-year-old Edward Santiago, of South Florida who identified himself as a "lifelong, moderate Republican."
In Arizona, a key swing state, a study found that 40% of Hispanic males were voting for Trump, while only 19% of Hispanic females said they would support the president. Of Hispanic males, 55% said they would support Biden, while 69% of Hispanic females said they would support the Democratic nominee.
A similar gap between Hispanic males and females were measured in North Carolina and Nevada, while the gap narrowed in Florida.
In 2014, Garcia lost his re-election bid to Republican challenger Carlos Curbelo, who himself held the seat for Florida's 26th Congressional District until 2019.
Here's more about the Latino vote in the 2020 election:


theblaze--2020-09-22--'A convenient boogeyman for misinformation artists': Why is the New York Times defending George Soro

'A convenient boogeyman for misinformation artists': Why is the New York Times defending George Soros?

' A convenient boogeyman for misinformation artists ' : Why is the New York Times defending George Soros ?

On the "Glenn Beck Radio Program" Tuesday, Glenn discussed the details of a recent New York Times article that claims left-wing billionaire financier George Soros "has become a convenient boogeyman for misinformation artists who have falsely claimed that he funds spontaneous Black Lives Matter protests as well as antifa, the decentralized and largely online, far-left activist network that opposes President Trump."
The Times article followed last week's bizarre Fox News segment in which former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appeared to be censored for criticizing Soros (read more here). The article also labeled Glenn a "conspiracy theorist" for his tweet supporting Gingrich.
Watch the video clip below for details:
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theblaze--2020-09-22--Charlie Hebdo head of HR forced to flee her home after French mag republishes Mohammed cartoons

Charlie Hebdo head of HR forced to flee her home after French mag republishes Mohammed cartoons 'We have received all @ @ @ @ @ threats from al-Qaeda '

The head of human resources at Charlie Hebdo — the French satirical magazine targeted in a deadly radical Islamic terror attack in January 2015 — has been forced to flee her home because of death threats.
What are the details?
BBC News reported Tuesday that Marika Bret told a French newspaper that her security guards received the "precise and detailed threats" last week.
The threats came amid the long-awaited trial of 14 people accused of assisting the two gunmen, brothers Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, in their attack on the magazine's offices, which left 12 dead and 11 injured.
The two gunmen were killed by French police in a shootout two days later, but the attack sparked a string of subsequent jihadist attacks across France.
As the trial began, Charlie Hebdo decided to republish the cartoons of Muslim prophet Mohammed that served as the motive for the original attack.
"Since the start of the trial and with the republication of the cartoons, we have received all kinds of horrors, including threats from al-Qaeda and calls to finish the work of the [gunmen from the 2015 attack]," Bret said.
She reportedly blamed "a level of hallucinatory hatred around Charlie Hebdo" for the recent threats.
Speaking with Le Point Magazine, Bret recalled, "I had 10 minutes to do my business and leave my home, 10 minutes to give up part of my existence ... I won't be coming home."
What else?
Earlier this month, the magazine posted an explanation for republishing the cartoons that lampoon Islam and its principal human figure.
In the explanation, the magazine suggest that the drawings belong to history and argue it would be "inadmissible for [them] to approach this trial without communicating [the drawings] to readers and citizens."
To not republish the caricatures would amount to "political or journalistic cowardice," the explanation read.
Here is the full statement (translated into English using Google translation feature):
The reasons for this coverage are as follows. These drawings are now part of history, and history cannot be rewritten, nor can it be erased. This happened: it is the publication of these drawings, considered blasphemy by a number of Muslims, which is the motive for the January 7 massacre by assassins who wanted to, as they shouted on leaving from the premises of Charlie Hebdo , " avenge the Prophet ".
These drawings are therefore exhibits. It was inadmissible for us to approach this trial without communicating them to readers and citizens. Because since 2006, fourteen years have passed, and the young French people who have been born since will be the witnesses of a trial that they would not understand, these drawings having never been republished. It is therefore a duty of information which imposes to bring to the knowledge of the public these documents which have both historical and criminal value.
We have often been asked since January 2015 to produce other caricatures of Muhammad. We have always refused to do so, not because it is prohibited, the law allows us to do so, but because there had to be a good reason to do it, a reason which has meaning and which brings something to the debate. Reproducing these cartoons this week of the opening of the January 2015 terrorist attacks seemed essential to us. All the reasons that could be opposed to us relate only to political or journalistic cowardice. Do we want to live in a country that prides itself on being a great free and modern democracy, and which, at the same time, gives up on asserting its deepest convictions? For our part, it is out of the question. Except to live in another country, another regime, another world.


theblaze--2020-09-22--77-year-old veteran attacked for wearing MAGA hat, police say

' I was so shocked for the hate that people have , you know '

Another individual has reportedly gone berserk at the sight of a little red hat.
An elderly military veteran from California said he was attacked last week by a man for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat supporting President Donald Trump.
The man, who did not wish to be identified, described the attack to KRCR-TV. He said he was at the Red Bluff post office on Friday when he was caught completely by surprise.
The victim said he was wearing a MAGA hat and a "Back the Blue" face mask with a blue line in support of police when he was approached by two people, a man and a woman.
"She looked at me and she goes, 'We just don't like people like you,'" the victim said. "[I] just kind of got shocked a little bit and said, 'Well, that breaks my heart.'"
Shortly after those words left his mouth he got hit on the left side of his head, he stated.
"Then somehow he got me in a headlock and started pounding me on top of my head ... I got blood all over the place and I'm trying to figure, you know, where's my hat, where's my package?" he said.
KRCR reported that the victim was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. A photo the man provided to the news channel shows cuts and scrapes on the top of his head. He said he's still suffering from headaches three days later.
Police have arrested a suspect, 26-year-old Daniel Gomez-Martinez, on charges of battery and elder abuse.
The victim blamed himself for not seeing the attack coming.
"I just feel kind of bad, seven years in the military, Vietnam veteran and 30-plus years in law enforcement and you're always taught situational awareness. And this guy came out of — I never saw it coming," he said. "I was so shocked for the hate that people have, you know. I don't hate them. I never met them. I just can't believe they would do something like that."
This is not the first reported attack on an individual wearing a MAGA hat this year.
In February, retired New York City police Officer Daniel Sprague was celebrating his 50th birthday at a bar, wearing his hat when he says a woman spun him around and punched him in the face. The attack left him bloody.
Again in March, police said a man wearing a red hat with "Make America Great Again" written in Russian was repeatedly punched in the face during a restroom visit in Hermosa Beach, California.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Left-wing protester — who's also a convicted felon — arrested after pointing gun at Louisville motor

Left-wing protester — who's also a convicted felon — arrested after pointing gun at Louisville motorist

Left-wing protester — who 's also a convicted felon — arrested after pointing gun at Louisville motorist Arrestee 's defenders @ @ @ @ @ gun first

Sometimes those peaceful, gun-shunning leftists can surprise you.
Seems one of them who took part in a Louisville protest march Friday evening pointed a gun at a motorist — and to top it off, the arrestee is a convicted felon, WDRB-TV reported.
What are the details?
Louisville Metro Police on Saturday released video taken from a police helicopter that was circling over the march, and it shows a woman — identified as Robin Ash — pointing a gun at the driver of a dark gray Ford Taurus, the station said.
Ash is facing charges of wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief, WDRB reported, citing court records.
But others at the scene defended Ash, saying the driver pointed a gun at demonstrators first, the station said.
In the police video, which contains no sound, the car in question is traveling in the opposite direction from the march — and one protester appears to be standing in the left-hand turn lane the car enters.
The car comes to a stop after passing the protester, and that's when the trouble starts.
Several protesters approach the car, including a woman who pulls out a gun and points it at the motorist.
Image source: Facebook video screenshot via Louisville Metro Police Department
After another protester appears to intervene, the woman who pointed the gun walks away from the scene and seems to place something in her pocket or waistband.
Image source: Facebook video screenshot via Louisville Metro Police Department
Others remained near the car and WDRB said one person appears to kick the vehicle while other protesters try to get the crowd away. The police video shows the car drive a short distance down the street before it comes to a stop, and the station said the driver exits the car as police gather around the vehicle and protesters continue to move forward.
Another video, another story
Sheri Wright took her own video of the march and posted a clip of the incident involving the car on her Facebook page, WDRB said — and at a Sunday news conference at the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, she said the motorist "tried to run over protesters."
Wright's video shows the Ford Taurus drive closely past at least two people marching in the street before coming to a stop, the station said.
More from WDRB:
As Wright approaches the car, video shows the man behind the wheel pulling out a gun and pointing it at the demonstrators near his car. Ash is not seen approaching the car in Wright's video, which is focused on the driver's window.
Wright follows the car as it moves a few feet down the road, and her video shows the man get out of the car and again point a gun at protesters as he inspects a dent in his vehicle. The man then gestures in the direction of police, who are seen moments later moving the crowd away from the vehicle.
Image source: Facebook video screenshot via Sheri Wright
Here's Wright's video. (Content warning: Language):
"What do you do when somebody threatens you with a gun? You know, you run or you defend — fight or flight," Wright said, according to the station. "So I'm not going to knock anyone who felt her life was threatened, because I certainly felt my life was threatened, as did everyone there."
She added to WDRB that police "surrounded themselves around this man and his vehicle in a protective fashion."
"It seems very one-sided as far as where LMPD interjects itself into a conflict," Wright also noted to the station. "From my observation, they want to protect the people who are opposed to the protesters against police brutality. I've seen this over and over and over again."
What did police have to say?
Sgt. Lamont Washington said in a statement that the motorist wasn't arrested because he was a victim in the incident, WDRB said.
"LMPD released the video to show the whole story," Washington added to the station. "A still photo or single angle often doesn't do that. No charges are expected of the driver whose name will not be released since he was the victim."
(H/T: Bearing Arms)


theblaze--2020-09-22--Joy Behar concedes Democrats' SCOTUS loss: 'We've lost that battle'

Joy Behar , co-host on `` The View , '' said Tuesday that Democrats have lost the fight for the Supreme Court .
What are the details ?
Behar said on the daytime show that Republicans won the battle for the control of the Supreme Court during a segment about replacing late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Friday .
`` You know , I was thinking about the Supreme Court , because we 've lost that battle , '' she admitted .
`` I do n't want to talk about the Republicans anymore .
We 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean we lost the Senate .
There are states up for grabs — Colorado , Georgia , Iowa , Maine , Montana , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Texas ... and Arizona , too . ''
Behar added , `` Those states could become Democratic , help the Democrats win the Senate . ''
She insisted that she personally does n't need to worry too much about what the Supreme Court does because she 's `` white . ''
“ I do n't have to worry about the Supreme Court that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm post menopausal so I ca n't get pregnant , thank God , '' she continued .
`` I happen to be straight .
I have money because I 've been working on 'The View ' for so many years . ''
Behar pointed out that those in more precarious situations should worry about what the Supreme Court will be like in the coming years .
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg voiced her agreement and admitted that she did n't want to think about the Supreme Court all that much , either — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swipe at purported top SCOTUS pick , Amy Coney Barrett .
“ Well , here 's what I 'll say about — you know , talking about the woman who has the seven kids , '' Goldberg said .
“ She 's up for becoming a justice .
You know , you ca n't really Kavanaugh her because Kavanaugh was Kavanaughed because he was accused of rape and people wanted to make sure that that was n't the case .
No one 's going to accuse her of anything .
And I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her religion . ''
Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney indicated Tuesday that he would vote to confirm a qualified Trump nominee , which would likely kill any chances Democrats had of obstructing the nomination .

Joy Behar, co-host on "The View," said Tuesday that Democrats have lost the fight for the Supreme Court.
What are the details?
Behar said on the daytime show that Republicans won the battle for the control of the Supreme Court during a segment about replacing late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday.
"You know, I was thinking about the Supreme Court, because we've lost that battle," she admitted. "I don't want to talk about the Republicans anymore. We've lost the battle. That doesn't mean we lost the Senate. There are states up for grabs — Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas ... and Arizona, too."
Behar added, "Those states could become Democratic, help the Democrats win the Senate."
She insisted that she personally doesn't need to worry too much about what the Supreme Court does because she's "white."
“I don't have to worry about the Supreme Court that much because I'm white. Because I'm post menopausal so I can't get pregnant, thank God," she continued. "I happen to be straight. I have money because I've been working on 'The View' for so many years."
Behar pointed out that those in more precarious situations should worry about what the Supreme Court will be like in the coming years.
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg voiced her agreement and admitted that she didn't want to think about the Supreme Court all that much, either — but she couldn't help taking a backhanded swipe at purported top SCOTUS pick, Amy Coney Barrett.
“Well, here's what I'll say about — you know, talking about the woman who has the seven kids," Goldberg said. “She's up for becoming a justice. You know, you can't really Kavanaugh her because Kavanaugh was Kavanaughed because he was accused of rape and people wanted to make sure that that wasn't the case. No one's going to accuse her of anything. And I haven't really seen people going after her for her religion."
Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney indicated Tuesday that he would vote to confirm a qualified Trump nominee, which would likely kill any chances that Democrats had of obstructing the nomination.
(H/T: The Daily Caller)


theblaze--2020-09-22--CDC says trick-or-treating is too ‘high risk,’ suggests small 'open-air costume parades where partic

CDC says trick-or-treating is too ‘high risk,’ suggests small 'open-air costume parades where participants can remain 6 feet apart’ instead

CDC says trick-or-treating is too ‘ high risk , ’ suggests small 'open-air costume parades where participants can remain 6 @ @ @ @

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has put a major damper on forthcoming fall festivities with its newly released guidelines for celebrating Halloween amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses," the guidelines state, adding that Americans will need to practice the October tradition differently this year.
Among the traditional activities considered to be no-no's by the health agency are trick-or-treating, crowded costume parties, haunted houses, and even rural fall festivals. So essentially everything fun that many Americans associate with the holiday.
Here's the full list of "higher risk activities":
Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors
Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19
Fortunately, the CDC has not left Americans without ways to celebrate, but made sure to suggest "several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween."
Of course, these suggestions all account for proper sanitation and usually involve people staring awkwardly at each other from at least six feet away.
Among the agency's suggested "lower risk" or "moderate risk" activities are:
Small group, open-air costume parades where participants can remain six feet apart;
Outdoor costume parties where protective masks are used and social distancing is required;
Outdoor movie nights
Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
The guidelines also made sure to clarify that costume masks don't count as protective face coverings, for all the clever kids who thought they'd be able to kill two birds with one stone.
"A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask," the guidelines note. "A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn't leave gaps around the face."
"Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe," the guidelines add.
"Instead," it continues, one should "consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask."


theblaze--2020-09-22--Officer involved in Breonna Taylor's death sends message to fellow officers slamming protesters, FBI

Officer involved in Breonna Taylor's death sends message to fellow officers slamming protesters, FBI: 'Don't put up with their s**t'

Officer involved in Breonna Taylor 's death sends message to fellow officers slamming protesters , FBI : 'Do n't put @ @ @ @ @ Metro police officers arrive to defuse confrontations in front of the Louisville Metro Hall on @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky .
( Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images )

A Louisville Metropolitan Police Department officer sent an email to about 1,000 fellow officers at 2 a.m. Tuesday criticizing protesters, city officials, department leadership, and the FBI as he awaits a decision on whether he will be charged in Breonna Taylor's death, Vice News reported.
The email, written by Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and obtained by Vice News' Roberto Aram Ferdman, foreshadowed a "rough" period to come as the city braces for potential unrest if Mattingly, Officer Myles Cosgrove, and Sgt. Brett Hankison are not charged in Taylor's death this week.
"No matter the ineptitude in upper command or the mayor's office, this is one of the greatest jobs on earth," Mattingly wrote. "With that being said, these next few days are going to be tough. They are going to be long, they are going to be frustrating. They will put a tremendous amount of stress on your families."
The Louisville Metro PD declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of an expected grand jury decision on whether to charge the three officers who executed the no-knock search warrant on Taylor's home the night they shot and killed her. Hankison was fired, but Mattingly and Cosgrove are still with the department on administrative leave.
Mattingly told the other officers in the email that they didn't deserve the abuse they will potentially face from protesters in coming days.
"You DO NOT DESERVE to be in this position," Mattingly wrote. "The position that allows thugs to get in your face and yell, curse, and degrade you. Throw bricks, bottles, and urine on you and expect you to do nothing. It goes against EVERYTHING we were all taught in the academy. The position that if you make a mistake, during one of the most stressful times in your career, the department and FBI (who aren't cops and would piss their pants if they had to hold the line) go after you for civil rights violations. Your civil rights mean nothing, but the criminal has total autonomy."
Mattingly defended the officers' actions the night Taylor was killed. After the officers broke in the door of Taylor's apartment, Taylor's boyfriend shot at them, saying he believed it was a home invasion, and they returned fire with about 20 shots. Five of them hit Taylor, killing her.
"Regardless of the outcome today or Wednesday, I know we did the legal, moral, and ethical thing that night," Mattingly wrote. "It's sad how the good guys are demonized, and criminals are canonized. Put that aside for a while, keep your focus and do your jobs that you are trained and capable of doing. Don't put up with their s**t, and go home to those lovely families and relationships."
The officers had a warrant for Taylor because she was believed to be connected to her ex-boyfriend's drug trafficking operation. No drugs or money were found at her home.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Taxpayer-paid leftist professor uses Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death to attack 'M*GA f*ckstick bootlicke

Taxpayer-paid leftist professor uses Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death to attack 'M*GA f*ckstick bootlicker' Trump supporters

A professor at the University of Alabama is under fire after using the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to insult supporters of President Donald Trump .
Ginsburg died on Friday at the age of 87 after a lengthy battle with cancer .
What are the details ?
According to a Tuesday Campus Reform report , University of Alabama-Birmingham professor Sarah Parcak made the inflammatory remarks on her personal Twitter page .
On Friday , Parcak — an archaeologist and professor in the school 's department of anthropology — wrote , `` [ Ginsburg ] hung on as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Genius .
Loving wife , mother , grandmother .
Beloved wearer of Egyptian menat collars adorning Pharaohs of old .
Powerful arbiter of truth and justice , even when she was in the minority .
In her honor , dig deep , fight like hell , VOTE # rbg . ''
She later added , `` RBG planked for a minute for multiple sets at AGE 86 and did tons of pushups .
She was stronger in her mid 80 's [ sic ] than any M*GA f*ckstick bootlicker could ever dream of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and always into the voting booth , the polls , and online to donate . ''
Her Ginsburg-centric diatribe did n't end there , and two days after Ginsburg 's passing , she wrote , `` You know what happens when the most brilliant ethical judges with huge hearts and love for this country get nominated+confirmed to the Supreme Court ?
When they die , our country weeps .
Imagine an entire SCOTUS with RGBs . ''
In an apparent jab referring to the allegations made against Trump-nominated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SCOTUS filled with qualified judges and not rapist drunken abusers [ . ]
'' A spokesperson for the school told Campus Reform that Parcak 's comments `` reflect poor judgment . ''
`` Comments such as these reflect poor judgement and do not represent the opinions of our university , '' the spokesperson told the outlet .
`` Our 45,000+ students , faculty , and staff often use social media to express thoughts that do not necessarily reflect the voice of the university . ''

A professor at the University of Alabama is under fire after using the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to insult supporters of President Donald Trump.
Ginsburg died on Friday at the age of 87 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
What are the details?
According to a Tuesday Campus Reform report, University of Alabama-Birmingham professor Sarah Parcak made the inflammatory remarks on her personal Twitter page.
On Friday, Parcak — an archaeologist and professor in the school's department of anthropology — wrote, "[Ginsburg] hung on as long as she could. Icon. Genius. Loving wife, mother, grandmother. Beloved wearer of Egyptian menat collars adorning Pharaohs of old. Powerful arbiter of truth and justice, even when she was in the minority. In her honor, dig deep, fight like hell, VOTE #rbg."
She later added, "RBG planked for a minute for multiple sets at AGE 86 and did tons of pushups. She was stronger in her mid 80's [sic] than any M*GA f*ckstick bootlicker could ever dream of. Take that energy with you tonight and always into the voting booth, the polls, and online to donate."
Her Ginsburg-centric diatribe didn't end there, and two days after Ginsburg's passing, she wrote, "You know what happens when the most brilliant ethical judges with huge hearts and love for this country get nominated+confirmed to the Supreme Court? When they die, our country weeps. Imagine an entire SCOTUS with RGBs."
In an apparent jab referring to the allegations made against Trump-nominated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, she added, "Imagine a SCOTUS filled with qualified judges and not rapist drunken abusers[.]"
A spokesperson for the school told Campus Reform that Parcak's comments "reflect poor judgment."
"Comments such as these reflect poor judgment and do not represent the opinions of our university," the spokesperson told the outlet. "Our 45,000+ students, faculty, and staff often use social media to express thoughts that do not necessarily reflect the voice of the university."


theblaze--2020-09-22--NFL levies more than $1 million in fines for violating mask rules: Report

Following through on their threats NFL levies more than $ 1 million in fines for violating mask rules : Report @ @ @ @ @ Fangio , left , talks with Denver Broncos strong safety Kareem Jackson on the sidelines @ @ @ @ @ Heinz Field on Sunday .
( Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty @ @

Last week, the NFL threatened coaches who ignore the league's mask rules on the sidelines during games.
This week, ESPN reported, the NFL's higher-ups followed through on that threat and handed out more than $1 million in fines Monday.
What happened?
After Week 1 of the season, NFL vice president of football operations Troy Vincent sent a stern memo to every team with a reminder that they are required to follow league edicts on mask-wearing.
"[W]e must remain vigilant and disciplined in following the processes and protocols put in place by not only the league, union and clubs, but also by state and local governments," he said.
"The NFL-NFLPA Game Day Protocol, which reflects the advice of infectious disease experts, club medical staffs and local and state governmental regulations requires all individuals with bench area access (including coaches and members of the club medical staff) to wear face coverings at all times," Vincent continued.
Players — including players who see little to no action — are exempt from the mask requirements.
"Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in accountability measures being imposed against offending individuals and/or clubs," he warned.
Turns out he was serious about this.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday night that the league fined three head coaches $100,000 each for failing to wear masks during Week 2 games Sunday. The three coaches are Seattle's Pete Carroll, San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan, and Denver's Vic Fangio.
And to make sure the message was sent, the NFL also fined each coach's team an additional $250,000, Schefter said during halftime of the Monday Night Football matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders and Saints coaches may be added to list
Following that game, at least two more coaches and their teams could be added to NFL's list of targets. Raiders coach Jon Gruden wore his face mask around his chin during the game, while Saints coach Sean Payton wore his gaiter around his neck.
Gruden apologized after the game, ESPN said, and revealed he had had COVID-19 already:
Following the Raiders' 34-24 win over the Saints on Monday night, Gruden, who last week said he felt the league's memo was directed at him, revealed he'd had COVID-19 and apologized for violating the rules.
"I'm doing my best," Gruden said. "I've had the virus. I'm doing my best. I'm very sensitive about it ... I'm calling plays. I just wanna communicate in these situations, and if I get fined, I'll have to pay the fine, but I'm very sensitive about that and I apologize."
Payton, like Gruden, was seen in Week 1 not wearing a mask. And like Gruden, USA Today reported, Payton has had COVID-19. In fact, the paper said, he was the "first known NFL figure to test positive."
Asked about the Week 1 mask-wearing hubbub, Payton noted to ESPN's Suzy Kolber that "as a play caller, you're allowed to pull it down while you're calling a play." To which Kolber quickly added, "but then you need to push it back up."


theblaze--2020-09-22--Debate commission reveals the topics for the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe

Debate commission reveals the topics for the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden Debate time is Sept. @ @ @ @ @ ET

The topics for the first presidential debate between Republican President Donald Trump and former Vice President and Democratic nominee Joe Biden were posted Tuesday. They were selected by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who will moderate the debate next week.
The Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit and nonpartisan group that sponsors presidential debates, posted the selected topics to be discussed at the debate, which will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. The topics include:
The Trump and Biden Records
The Supreme Court
COVID-19
The Economy
Race and Violence in our Cities
The Integrity of the Election
Each of these topics will be discussed in six 15-minute segments, "to encourage deep discussion of the leading issues facing the country." There is no particular order of discussion, and the debate may begin with any of these topics.
The debate will begin at 9 p.m. ET and continue for 90 minutes without commercial breaks.
The selected topics reflect recent polling on what Americans view as the the top issues facing the country. A Gallup poll conducted in July found 30% of Americans consider COVID-19 to be the most important problem in the country. The next most important issue was the government/poor leadership, according to 23% of those polled, and 16% said race relations were most important.
Both Trump and Biden face pressure to perform well. Early and absentee voting in many states begins well before Nov. 3, making the first debate one of the last opportunities the candidates will have to make the argument for their candidacies on prime-time TV before some voters make up their minds.
Ahead of next Tuesday night's showdown, the Trump campaign is building up expectations for Biden's performance. In an interview on Fox News Monday, President Trump predicted Biden is "going to do great" before attacking the Democratic nominee's record.
"I've done more in 47 months than he's done in 47 years, and that's absolutely true," Trump said.
"I think he's a professional," Trump said of Biden. "I don't know if he's all there, but I think he's a professional."
The Biden debate team is preparing Biden to aggressively fact-check Trump's record on the debate stage.
"He's going to lie and lie some more and spin everything and blame it on Biden and Obama," a Biden aide reportedly told The Hill. "The VP needs to go on offense and immediately say, 'This is on you. The state of the economy, high unemployment, kids out of school, a pandemic that has gone unchecked. All of it is on you."
"The only way he 'wins' is if he stays on offense," another Biden ally reportedly said. "The second it goes the other way, things could go sideways."


theblaze--2020-09-22--Bodycam footage of police officer shooting autistic teen paints painfully grim picture after mother

Bodycam footage of police officer shooting autistic teen paints painfully grim picture after mother calls cops on 'sick' son — who is afraid of police

Bodycam footage of police officer shooting autistic teen paints painfully grim picture after mother calls cops on 'sick ' son @ @ @ @ @ police

Utah authorities have released bodycam footage showing a Utah police officer shooting a 13-year-old boy with autism during a mental health call.
What are the details?
Salt Lake City authorities released the footage on Monday, showing an unnamed officer shooting 13-year-old Linden Cameron during a Sept. 9 encounter in the city.
Linden's mother, Golda Barton, phoned authorities when her son reportedly began experiencing a mental health emergency.
"He's sick," Barton told the dispatcher who answered the emergency call. "He needs to go to the hospital."
Barton also told dispatchers that she was looking for a crisis intervention team to assist her son. She added, however, that her son had threatened to shoot one of her co-workers and break the windows in their home.
She also told dispatchers that her son had been involved in a "shootout" in Nevada, as well as a high-speed chase with police, according to audio released by the department.
Barton told dispatchers during the call that her father was reportedly killed by a sheriff's deputy earlier in the year and that her son "does not like cops at all."
"That's why we need a mental health worker," she added. "It's super important."
SLCPD 911 calls from September 4, 2020 www.youtube.com
According to previous reports, the child suffers from Asperger's syndrome and experiences separation anxiety.
Salt Lake City police officers responded to Barton's home, where she told them that her son — whom she described as an out-of-control narcissist — was experiencing a mental health episode.
Barton, in the video, told the officers her son likely had a BB gun or pellet gun or prop gun, adding that she did not believe it was a real gun.
Responding officers told Barton that even if the teen was not armed that they would have to proceed and approach him as if he were, according to protocol.
"Unfortunately, we have to treat them all as if they are," an officer told her.
Barton told the officers that she understood.
She remained behind as the officers began chasing the teen and demanding that he stop. When he refused, an officer fired several shots at the teen, striking him.
While on the ground, the teen said, "I don't feel good. Tell my mom I love her."
At the time, Sgt. Keith Horrocks of the Salt Lake City Police Department said that officers were responding to a call reporting a "violent psych issue" involving a juvenile "having a mental health episode" and "making threats to some folks with a weapon."
None of the officers involved in the call have been identified at the time of this reporting, and the department has not yet announced whether any of the officers involved in the call were placed on administrative duty pending an investigation.
An independent police investigation is being conducted.
A GoFundMe page for the teen, who is still hospitalized, and his family has received more than $99,000 in donations at the time of this writing.
Content warning: rough language and disturbing imagery
20-1597272 Body-Worn Camera Footage www.youtube.com
Anything else
On Monday, former Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said that he couldn't understand how an officer of the law could shoot a 13-year-old even in crisis.
"This is not an adult in mental health crisis. This is a 13-year-old," he told KSL-FM. "I don't know why you get to the point where you pull your gun out of the holster in this circumstance."
He added, "I'm really struggling to understand why deadly force was used, when there are so many other options available to police today. There is hands-on physical, there are Tasers, there is pepper spray, there are batons. What was it that caused the need for a physical confrontation? The threat to the community was minimal, if at all."
"If [Cameron] had a gun and pointed it at a police officer," he insisted. "That is the only [rational] explanation in my mind."


theblaze--2020-09-22--The 2020 Emmy Awards pandered to the left and garnered the lowest TV audience ever

The 2020 Emmy Awards aired on Sunday, but you probably missed it.
According to culture and entertainment site Vulture, this year's awards ceremony became by far the least-watched in Nielsen ratings history. Just 6.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the once-popular TV awards event, which is 13% fewer than the previous low mark set the year before, when 7 million people watched.
Apparently, celebrities accepting awards over video as late-night host Jimmy Kimmel operated alone in an empty Staples Center in Los Angeles, wasn't intriguing enough for people to tune in.
Vulture blamed the low viewership on COVID-19 and "unprecedented sports competition," including Sunday Night Football — which isn't exactly new — and NBA playoff coverage.
But awards show viewership has been on a steady decline for years, as Hollywood show hosts and honorees have consistently alienated audiences by pandering to the left and attacking conservatives during the ceremonies.
The 2020 Emmy Awards were no different in this regard.
Pandering to the left
During his opening monologue, Kimmel took a swipe at President Donald Trump and his supporters, congratulating himself and the Emmys for choosing not to have a live audience amid the coronavirus pandemic, in contrast to rallies recently held by the president.
"Of course we don't have an audience; this isn't a MAGA rally, it's the Emmys. Instead of the live audience, we took a page from baseball tonight and we filled the seats with cardboard cutouts of the nominees," Kimmel said.
Then later in the show, actor Anthony Anderson, star of the sitcom "Black-ish," awkwardly led Kimmel in chanting "Black Lives Matter!" on stage.
"Louder, Jimmy!" Anderson hollered at Kimmel during the rehearsed bit. "Say it so that my kids can hear it!"
TheBlaze's Dave Urbanski noted that there was, curiously, no mention of the fact that Kimmel was recently forced to take a leave of absence from "Jimmy Kimmel Live" after a controversial video of him in blackface resurfaced.
The show also spoofed the ongoing controversies surround the postal service and mail-in voting with a rehearsed exchange between Kimmel and a peculiar — and obviously Russian — mail carrier.
Jimmy Kimmel's Odd New Mailman at the Emmys youtu.be
Anything else?
Though not watched by many, the awards show was praised for its diversity of nominees and winners. Deadline reported that black and LGBTQ nominees experienced a marked uptick in this year's ceremony.
"On the acting side, there were more than 30 people of color nominated, while actors who have openly identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community took in nearly a dozen nominations. On the hosting side, six people of color were nominated while seven people who identified as LGBTQ+ received nods," the outlet noted.


theblaze--2020-09-22--GOP Congressman to propose constitutional amendment on court packing he says will get Congress throu

GOP Congressman to propose constitutional amendment on court packing he says will get Congress through this 'momentary temper tantrum' 'Any @ @ @ @ @ get their way , they want to change the rules '

A Republican congressman running for U.S. Senate in Georgia says he has a proposal that will end the political war that erupted after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday.
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that he says will "take the heat of the moment out of" Supreme Court nomination fights as Democrats threaten to pack the court should President Donald Trump and the Senate GOP majority move forward with a new Supreme Court nominee before the inauguration of the next president.
"Any time the Democrats don't get their way, they want to change the rules," Collins, the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, said on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday.
"So what we're gonna say is this, if you want to pack the court, like Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said and others have said, then we want to put in a constitutional amendment that says let's take the heat of the moment out of this."
Collins' proposed amendment would prohibit legislation designed to change the size of the court from taking effect until 10 years after such legislation is passed by Congress and signed by the president.
Watch:
On Saturday, the day after Ginsburg's death was reported, House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.J.) publicly called for the next Senate to "immediately" expand the Supreme Court if Trump's next nominee is confirmed before the election.
Nadler is one of several Democrats who have renewed threats to pack the court if they win the election.
Collins believes that like "sham impeachment," this is another case of "any time the Democrats don't get their way, they want to change the rules."
He said that a 10-year waiting period for expanding the Supreme Court will temper the passions of both parties that threaten to do it.
"That way, if you're really serious about this, if you have a reason to expand this court beyond your momentary temper tantrum, then we actually will have something that you can go ahead with it, but it takes place ten years after the heat of the moment that we're in," Collins explained.
Any proposal to amend the Constitution faces the extraordinarily high bar of a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
President Trump and Senate Republicans have been clear that a nominee will be announced this weekend and the confirmation process will begin shortly after.
The president on Tuesday said he will make his nomination on Saturday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), took to the floor of the Senate Monday to reiterate that Trump's nominee "will receive a vote on the floor of the Senate." Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday sent a letter to the Democrats on his committee declaring his intention to hold confirmation hearings for the president's nominee.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Dads tackle, detain registered sex offender accused of peeping at 15-year-old girl under restroom st

Dads tackle, detain registered sex offender accused of peeping at 15-year-old girl under restroom stall

Dads tackle , detain registered sex offender accused of peeping at 15-year-old girl under restroom stall ' A lot of @ @ @ @ @ bad guy '

A 15-year-old girl said that when she was in the women's restroom at a South Carolina Cracker Barrel on Sunday morning, she noticed something moving at her feet, WSPA-TV reported.
Image source: WSPA-TV video screenshot
Turns out it was a man's head coming from the adjacent stall — and the man was looking at her, the girl told Duncan Police, according to the station.
What happened next?
When the girl left the restroom, WSPA said she told her father, who then got a female employee to remove the man from the restroom.
Witnesses said the 15-year-old wasn't the only girl in the restroom. "I'll never forget the way they looked after," one noted to the station. "They were traumatized."
Police Chief Carl Long told WSPA the girl's father confronted the man at the restroom entrance. And the dad apparently had a special greeting for him
"The guy came running, sprinting out the front door with a very bloody nose," a witness told the station.
A witness told WYFF-TV he heard a commotion that sounded like a fight and heard people say, "Get him! He's getting away!"
Long added to WSPA that other fathers aware of what happened reportedly helped tackle the man in the parking lot and restrained him until police arrived.
The witness who spoke to WYFF said he and his his son saw people hit the man, and then the witness handed off his son to his wife and went outside and recorded video.
Image source: WSPA-TV video screenshot
That same witness added to the station that his son asked him a lot of questions about what happened, and he told his boy that "there was a bad guy, and a lot of good guys took down the bad guy."
Image source: WSPA-TV video screenshot
Long told WYFF that the parents were in town for a girls' softball tournament.
Who is the suspect?
Police identified the suspect as 53-year-old registered sex offender Douglas Lane of Charlotte, North Carolina, WSPA reported. Lane's phone was found on the restroom floor and was taken by police, the station said.
Douglas Lane Image source: Spartanburg Co. (South Carolina) Detention Center
Long told the station that Lane was charged with voyeurism and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in connection with Sunday's incident.
Lane was charged for peeping at least eight previous times, WSPA reported.
During Monday's bond hearing, a court official said Lane told authorities he didn't realize he was in the women's restroom until he sat down, WYFF reported.
WSPA said Lane received a $2,000 surety bond and will be monitored by GPS. The judge also ordered that he move to South Carolina but must have no contact with the victim or her family, the station added. Lane's initial court hearing will be 9 a.m. Nov. 12, WSPA reported.
Additional charges could be possible at the conclusion of the investigation, the station said.
More from WYFF:
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations says Lane was registered as a sex offender in 2008.
He was convicted of secretly peeping into an occupied room in 2004 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, records show. The record says the victims were 8 and 9 years old.
In 2008, records show Lane was convicted of secretly peeping into an occupied room, also in Mecklenburg County. The victim in this case was 18 years or older, records show.
The South Carolina sex offender registry says Lane was convicted of peeping, voyeurism or aggravated voyeurism in South Carolina in 1997 and failure to register in 1999.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Report: Democrats funding pet projects like free college with taxpayer dollars meant for COVID relie

Report: Democrats funding pet projects like free college with taxpayer dollars meant for COVID relief

Report : Democrats funding pet projects like free college with taxpayer dollars meant for COVID relief Yet Democrats are demanding @ @ @ @ @

Taxpayer dollars allocated to states and municipalities in the coronavirus relief bill known as the CARES Act are reportedly being used for pet projects by Democratic politicians.
What are the details?
The CARES Act, passed in March after COVID-related lockdowns crippled the American economy, allocated $150 billion to the COVID Relief Fund, $139 billion of which was earmarked to state and local governments to be used exclusively for public health costs.
But, according to Fox News, Democratic governors and mayors are using the taxpayer dollars to fund projects completely unrelated to COVID-19 relief.
For example, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, announced earlier in September that she will use $24 million of CARES Act money to fund free college for some Michigan essential workers.
"This initiative is Michigan's way of expressing gratitude to essential workers for protecting public health and keeping our state running," Whitmer said.
Meanwhile, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, a Democrat, announced a plan earlier in September to use $300,000 in CARES Act funds to pilot a universal basic income project. Carter said he would sign an executive order giving 150 families in his city $500 per month, no strings attached, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Rep. Betty McCollum (D) has raised questions over Carter's spending.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, another Democrat, is also getting in on the action. Caldwell is using $629,000 in CARES Act money to hire more than a dozen community relations specialists and another $200,000 to pressure-wash sidewalks in one part of his city, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.
Why so much wasteful spending?
State and local governments are racing to use the funds because they will be forced to return unused monies by Dec. 30, 2020, according to the Department of Treasury.
But didn't Democrats want more money?
Part of the reason Democrats have refused to compromise with Republicans on a second COVID relief bill — which they say is critical for the millions of Americans whose livelihood remains in limbo due to virus-related economic woes — is because they say states need more money than Republicans are willing to give.
Last month, after lawmakers failed to compromise, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lashed out at Republicans.
"Their contempt for state, local, tribal and territorial governments endangers health care workers, first responders and other frontline workers, in addition to teachers. Support for teachers and education are essential for the children. But Mitch McConnell has said that states should just go bankrupt," she said.
But as it turned out, states were given more money than they could spend, which is why they're racing to spend it on pet projects now.
In fact, the Washington Free Beacon reported that, at the end of July, states had spent less than one-quarter of the money they received.
That fact, however, did not stop Democrats from demanding nearly $1 trillion more for state and local governments.
"They also want to spend another trilliondollars bailing out state and local governments that have only spent 25% of the money we sent them in March," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said.


theblaze--2020-09-22--DC mayor's new program would help restaurants 'winterize' and 'maintain' outdoor dining areas by tur

DC mayor's new program would help restaurants 'winterize' and 'maintain' outdoor dining areas by turning them into indoor dining areas in heated tents

DC mayor 's new program would help restaurants 'winterize ' and 'maintain ' outdoor dining areas by turning them into @ @ @ @ @ tents Not sure this qualifies as 'outdoors '

In cities across the U.S., restaurant owners are working to find any way they can to stay in business.
Some locations have been able to adapt their indoor seating for social distancing and limited capacity per state regulations.
Other restaurants have worked to create outdoor eating venues — and in some cities, outdoor eating is the only option for restaurants trying to say afloat.
So, what are these places that rely on outdoor seating to do when the weather turns cold?
Well, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her plan over the weekend: grants to help winterize outdoor seating — including by setting up heated tents that would effectively turn outdoor eating spaces into indoor eating spaces.
In a Sunday night tweet, Bowser announced the Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program, "an investment of $4 million to help small businesses winterize outdoor dining areas and maintain outdoor dining operations in the District."
The program is designed to "allow businesses to continue outdoor dining as weather gets chillier," WDVM-TV said.
In a city like D.C., where the autumn and winter seasons can get quite cold, putting tents over the outdoor spaces would likely be the most effective method of winterizing, which is why, according the program's FAQ page, the one-time $6,000 grants can be used for tents, heaters, propane, lighting, furniture, advertising, marketing, and outdoor operational costs.
This will essentially turn the outdoor dining that the city claims to be preserving into indoor dining.
Social media was quick to go after the mayor's announcement for this apparent flaw in the city's logic:
"So, $4 million to create.......indoor seating."
"Wouldn't that be indoor dining? You're welcome, I just saved you $4 million. This mayor stuff is easy."
"Building outdoor heated tents is creating INDOOR SEATING. Tonight, the Mayor of DC takes the lead as the dumbest f***ing Mayor in America."
"But if everyone is in an enclosed space (in the tents) that are circulating heat (by circulating warm air, and microbes in the air) how is this different than dining indoors?"
"They are creating an indoor area outdoors, so it is no different than being indoors. Plus it will have worse air circulation than indoors would so it would increase Covid risk. Plus the additional cost hurts the business. But other than that, it's great!"
"How is building heated tents around tables outdoor dinning [sic]? Won't this be the same risk as indoor dinning [sic]?"
(H/T: HotAir)


theblaze--2020-09-22--Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono: Packing the court is 'long overdue'

Senate Democrats are telling the American people they are ready to go all in on packing the Supreme Court if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the election in November .
Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D-Hawaii ) is the latest in a growing chorus of Democrats vowing to expand the court , calling the extreme legislation `` long overdue court reform . ''
`` This is long overdue court reform as far as I 'm concerned , and I have been thinking about court reform and what we can do regarding the Supreme Court to make it so much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Sen Hirono Insists Court Packing “ Long Overdue , '' To Be Discussed “ If The Dems Take Back The Senate '' '' This is not something that a lot of us have not thought about , '' she added .
But she acknowledged a `` serious discussion '' about packing the courts can only happen `` if the Democrats take back the Senate . ''
Nine justices have sat on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years .
The Constitution grants Congress the power to determine the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to change its makeup came during the New Deal , when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt threatened to expand the court to as many as 15 justices .
FDR 's opponents accused Roosevelt of attempting to `` pack '' the courts with justices sympathetic to his policies after various New Deal programs were initially declared unconstitutional .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has so far refused to say whether he would approve of a Democrat-led effort in Congress to expand the court .
Confronted by a reporter in Wisconsin on Monday , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
But let me tell you why I 'm not going to answer that question : because it will shift all the focus .
That 's what [ President Donald Trump ] wants , '' he said .
`` He never wants to talk about the issue at hand .
He always tries to change the subject . ''
Previously , Biden publicly opposed expanding the court , telling Iowa Starting Line last year , `` I 'm not prepared to go on and try to pack the court , because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' During a Democratic primary debate in October , Biden again opposed the idea .
`` I would not get into court packing , '' Biden said .
`` We add three justices .
Next time around , we lose control , they add three justices .
We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all . ''
`` Mitch McConnell set the precedent .
No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year , '' Sen. Ed Markey ( D-Mass . )
tweeted Friday .
`` If he violates it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next Congress , we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court . ''
Among the Democratic senators who ran for president in the primary , Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) , Kirsten Gillibrand ( D-N.Y. ) , Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) , Amy Klobuchar ( D-Minn. ) , and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
said they were open to the idea of expanding the courts .

Senate Democrats are telling the American people they are ready to go all in on packing the Supreme Court if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the election in November. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is the latest in a growing chorus of Democrats vowing to expand the court, calling the extreme legislation "long overdue court reform."
"This is long overdue court reform as far as I'm concerned, and I have been thinking about court reform and what we can do regarding the Supreme Court to make it so much more objective," Hirono said on CNN Tuesday.
Sen Hirono Insists Court Packing “Long Overdue," To Be Discussed “If The Dems Take Back The Senate" www.youtube.com
"This is not something that a lot of us have not thought about," she added. But she acknowledged a "serious discussion" about packing the courts can only happen "if the Democrats take back the Senate."
Nine justices have sat on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years. The Constitution grants Congress the power to determine the size of the court, though the last serious attempt to change its makeup came during the New Deal, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt threatened to expand the court to as many as 15 justices. FDR's opponents accused Roosevelt of attempting to "pack" the courts with justices sympathetic to his policies after various New Deal programs were initially declared unconstitutional.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has so far refused to say whether he would approve of a Democrat-led effort in Congress to expand the court. Confronted by a reporter in Wisconsin on Monday, Biden dodged.
"It's a legitimate question. But let me tell you why I'm not going to answer that question: because it will shift all the focus. That's what [President Donald Trump] wants," he said. "He never wants to talk about the issue at hand. He always tries to change the subject."
Previously, Biden publicly opposed expanding the court, telling Iowa Starting Line last year, "I'm not prepared to go on and try to pack the court, because we'll live to rue that day."
During a Democratic primary debate in October, Biden again opposed the idea. "I would not get into court packing," Biden said. "We add three justices. Next time around, we lose control, they add three justices. We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all."
But many Senate Democrats don't agree.
"Mitch McConnell set the precedent. No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year," Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tweeted Friday. "If he violates it, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court."
Among the Democratic senators who ran for president in the primary, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said they were open to the idea of expanding the courts.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Newsweek attacks potential Trump SCOTUS nominee for her Christian faith, has to issue a major correc

Newsweek attacks potential Trump SCOTUS nominee for her Christian faith, has to issue a major correction

Newsweek attacks potential Trump SCOTUS nominee for her Christian faith , has to issue a major correction

President Donald Trump will announce his Supreme Court nomination this weekend, and Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is believed to be a top candidate.
So media outlets have begun digging into her background, many of them with the intent of finding unfavorable information about the woman who could become President Donald Trump's third Supreme Court appointment of his first term. Barrett's Catholic faith has been a primary focus.
Newsweek published an article that claimed in the headline that a Catholic group Barrett is a member of was the inspiration for "The Handmaid's Tale," a novel by Margaret Atwood that was recently made into a television show. This is not true, and Newsweek had to issue a correction.
"Correction: This article's headline originally stated that People of Praise inspired 'The Handmaid's Tale'. The book's author, Margaret Atwood, has never specifically mentioned the group as being the inspiration for her work," the correction read. "A New Yorker profile of the author from 2017 mentions a newspaper clipping as part of her research for the book of a different charismatic Catholic group, People of Hope. Newsweek regrets the error."
"The Handmaid's Tale" is described on IMDb as follows: "A religion based autocracy has taken over most of the United States, renaming the country Gilead. In this country women are second-class citizens. Anyone trying to escape is punished."
The article described some of the aspects of People of Praise, such as opposition to premarital or extramarital sex, opposition to abortion, and opposition to homosexuality and quoted a professor who questioned whether Barrett would be able to make individual decisions as a member of such a group.
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised that Barrett's ties to the group as would influence her decisions on the Supreme Court.
"These groups can become so absorbing that it's difficult for a person to retain individual judgment," Sarah Barringer Gordon, a professor of constitutional law and history at the University of Pennsylvania, previously told The Times.
And while the People of Praise group was never brought up in Barrett's 2017 confirmation hearing for her current post, Senator Dianne Feinstein told Barrett: "The dogma lives loudly within you." Barrett told the senators that her faith would not affect her decisions as a judge.
President Donald Trump has said he will announce his nominee on Saturday, after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's funeral. In addition to Barrett, the shortlist reportedly includes Judge Barbara Lagoa of the Eleventh Circuit and Judge Allison Jones Rushing of the Fourth Circuit.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Man shoots intruders, one of them fatally, after they shatter home's window in middle of night

Man shoots intruders , one of them fatally , after they shatter home 's window in middle of night You @ @ @ @ @

As gun sales spike amid a growing wave of violence in America's streets over the past several months, one would assume that thoughtful, reflective criminals would be aware that the odds of targeting gun owners likely increase by the day.
And it would seem that a pair of southern California crooks simply hadn't been reading the writing on the wall.
What went down?
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said two suspects were trying to get into a home in Pico Rivera — about 20 minutes southeast of Los Angeles — around 1:20 a.m. Friday, KTTV-TV reported.
The resident woke up to the sound of shattering glass and saw one man inside the home, the station said, and the resident reportedly grabbed his handgun and shot the suspect.
Lt. Brad Hall told KCBS-TV that the resident shot the suspect in the chest.
The resident then went to the back patio, where he encountered the second suspect, KCBS reported, adding that the resident thought he saw the suspect make a move toward his waist.
Afraid the second suspect was grabbing for a gun, the resident fired again, striking the suspect, who died at the scene, Hall told KCBS.
Deputies who responded to the incident in the 8400 block of Serapis Avenue, east of Rosemead Boulevard, found the suspect lying dead in the home's back yard, KTTV reported.
Image source: KTTV-TV video screenshot
The deceased suspect's name was not released, KCBS said, adding that it's unclear whether he was armed.
The first suspect fled the home, after which a woman getaway driver transported him to a hospital, where he was undergoing surgery, the station said. His condition is unknown, KCBS reported. KTTV said sheriff's deputies arrested him at the the hospital.
Hall said sheriff's deputies took the woman getaway driver into custody, KCBS reported. Other people were in a different part of the home when the shooting occurred, but Hall told the station they weren't hurt.
What happened to the resident?
The resident wasn't arrested, but KTTV said he was taken to the sheriff's office for questioning. It's unclear whether he will face any charges, KCBS reported.
KTTV said the incident is being investigated as a burglary or home invasion robbery.
The two suspects may be linked to a gang, Hall told KCBS. There was no word on whether the home was specifically targeted or if the break-in was random, the station added.
"We always see people coming in, coming out, on bicycles, a lot of people were just outside most of the times," neighbor Raul Perez told KCBS.


theblaze--2020-09-22--Tim Tebow joins AG Barr to announce $100 million grant to fight human trafficking

'Not on our watch '

Attorney General William Barr — joined by former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, first daughter Ivanka Trump, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) — announced at a roundtable event on Monday that the Department of Justice would be awarding more than $100 million to help combat human trafficking.
The grant money will be given to task forces aimed at stopping human trafficking and to organizations that provide housing and services to victims, the Associated Press reported.
The announcement comes just one month after the Trump administration awarded $35 million in separate grant money to organizations that provide safe housing for victims.
The Tim Tebow Foundation, a charitable organization run by the former NFL quarterback and his wife, Demi, is heavily invested in anti-human trafficking efforts around the world.
During the roundtable, Tebow called human trafficking the "greatest form of evil in the world today."
He also charged those in the room, which included members of law enforcement and other philanthropic organizations, to "push back this evil" and finally say "not on our watch."
Tim Tebow Foundation joins human trafficking effort at Atlanta roundtable youtu.be
"The reason why we got into this," Tebow continued, "was because eight years ago, my dad was preaching in a remote country, and there were four girls that he was next to that were being sold, and he took out all the money out of his wallet — which was $1,250 — and he bought those four girls."
"Then, he called me and said, 'I just bought four girls and I'm not really sure what to do now.' And I said, 'That's okay, Dad, we've got your back,'" Tebow said.
Tebow's foundation now works with the federal government to strengthen families in areas where trafficking is prevalent, support rescue missions of trafficked individuals, and support survivors' long-term recovery.
According to the International Labor Organization, there are as many as 40 million people around the world who are victims of some form of modern-day slavery or human trafficking. Among the victims, women and children are disproportionately affected.
Last month, the Tim Tebow Foundation launched a fundraiser to aid the war on human trafficking.
"I can't help but feel that we are at a point in history where we cannot stand silently and passively watch as evil rages on," Tebow wrote on the GoFundMe page. "It's time for Christians around the world to take a stand, to raise our voices and say no more. No more will we allow girls and boys, many of whom are just children, to be bought and sold as if they were just products for someone else's personal gain. Every person on this earth is created in the image of God – uniquely, beautifully, and perfectly. Their value is priceless, and they are not for sale."
At the time of this article's publication, more than $700,000 had been raised.