theblaze--2020-12-04--Woke mob comes for university police department that dared to put a 'thin blue line' flag on the wal

Woke mob comes for university police department that dared to put a 'thin blue line' flag on the wall. Department doesn't back down.

Woke mob comes for university police department that dared to put a 'thin blue line ' flag on the wall @ @ @ @ @ down .
Offensive because of 'racism and conservatism '

The University of Wisconsin Police Department is standing by its "thin blue line" flag — which is on display at a local station — despite students and community members' complaints of "racism and conservatism."
What are the details?
According to a Thursday report from Campus Reform, the University of Wisconsin Police Department shared an innocuous photo to social media about a theft of stolen exit signs.
A cheeky photo showed several masked officers standing around a table full of exit signs.
The photo's caption read, "We broke up a theft ring this weekend that clearly had a faulty exit strategy. This is what happens when you and your roommate attempt to 'collect' an exit sign from each residence hall over the last two nights. Please don't steal exit signs. Or anything."
In the background of the photo, a "thin blue line" flag can be seen on the station wall.
What was the response?
The photo immediately garnered backlash from triggered social media users, Campus Reform reported.
According to the outlet, at least one user said the photo was "toxic."
"This is so toxic," the user wrote. "UWPD is proudly displaying the racist Blue Lives Matter flag and an officer is prominently showcasing a gun on his vest. Blue Lives Matter is bulls*** because an officer can always take their uniform off."
"[T]his was a funny story until I saw the blue lives matter flag," another social media user added. "It's pretty much an anti black lives matter flag. A sign of racism and conservatism. A fitting metaphor for a police department I suppose."
The Badger Herald reported that Matthew Mitnick — chair of the Associated Students of Madison — also voiced his outrage over the flag's placement.
"The fact that UWPD not only displays the thin blue line flag in their office but prominently includes it in the center of a photo-op really concerns me," Mitnick admitted. "UWPD knew very well the undertones this tweet would convey, and used it in a way to denounce student activism for black lives."
What did the department say?
University of Wisconsin Police Chief Kristen Roman issued a statement on the photo as well as the flag.
"A photo shared to the department's social media channels over the weekend has led some members of our community to express concerns regarding a 'thin blue line' installation that appears in the background," Roman's statement began. "The installation that appears in the post is one of two installations displayed at UWPD, both of which were gifts from members of our community."
“The 'thin blue line' phrase and associated imagery date back decades," the chief's statement continued. "To many within and outside of the police profession, it symbolizes a commitment to public service and the countless selfless sacrifices willingly made to honor that commitment, up to and including laying down one's own life to protect the lives of others."
Roman pointed out that the department condemns "any usage or depiction" of the "thin blue line" flag "to defend hate or to attempt to invalidate social justice movement advocating for meaningful police reform."
Roman's statement concluded, "The department is in the midst of our Racial Equity Initiative, which aspires to establish formal, community-guided accountability metrics with respect to racial equity at UWPD. As part of this process, we have and will continue to address specific concerns that arise on a case-by-case basis to determine what policy revisions can and/or should be considered."


theblaze--2020-12-04--Joe Biden says he broke his foot after exiting the shower and grabbing his dog's tail

Joe Biden says he broke his foot after exiting the shower and grabbing his dog 's tail

Former Vice President Joe Biden finally revealed exactly how he broke his foot, and it is not your garden variety way of suffering such an injury. Also in the CNN interview, Biden said he would call on Americans to wear face masks for 100 days, and talked about his family's business dealings.
On Saturday, there was news that the 78-year-old Democrat was injured, and the initial reports stated that Biden had suffered a twisted ankle from playing with his dog. On Sunday, the former vice president visited an orthopedist in Newark, Delaware, who found that Biden had sustained a hairline fracture.
"Initial X-rays did not show any obvious fracture, but his clinical exam warranted more detailed imaging," said Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician. "Follow-up CT scan confirmed hairline (small) fractures of President-elect Biden's lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones, which are in the mid-foot. It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks."
On Thursday, Biden appeared on CNN and told the story of how he hurt his foot.
"What happened was I got out of the shower. I got a dog and anybody who's been around my house knows — dropped, little pup dropped a ball in front of me. And for me to grab the ball," Biden told CNN's Jake Tapper.
"And I'm walking through this little alleyway to get to the bedroom," Biden stated. "And I grabbed the ball like this and he ran. And I'm joking, running after him and grab his tail. And what happened was that he slid on a throw rug. And I tripped on the rug he slid on. That's what happened. Oh man, not a very exciting story."
Biden was allegedly playing with his dog named "Major," one of his two German shepherds. The other is named "Champ."
Biden's campaign stated that the former vice president might have to wear a walking boot for "several weeks," but he was seen without the medical boot on Thursday when he arrived at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware, for the CNN interview.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Also in Thursday's CNN interview, Biden vowed that his family's business dealings would not conflict with any White House responsibilities.
"My son, my family, will not be involved in any business, any enterprise, that is in conflict with or appears to be in conflict, with the appropriate distance from, the presidency and government," Biden said.
There has been much speculation about purported overseas business dealings by Biden's son and brother following the release of emails that were reportedly from Hunter Biden's laptop.
On the topic of the coronavirus, Biden said he would call on Americans to wear face masks for 100 days.
"Just 100 days to mask. Not forever — 100 days," Biden said. "I think we'll see a significant reduction if that occurs with vaccinations and masking, to drive down the numbers considerably."
In October, Biden hinted that he would implement a mask mandate on federal property.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has already said she won't comply if Biden attempts to institute a national mask mandate.


theblaze--2020-12-04--California is about to lock down again as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise

California is about to lock down again.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new regional stay-at-home order Thursday, calling for an "emergency break" to slow the spread of COVID-19 — again.
KABC-TV reported the order separates California into five regions: Northern California, Greater Sacramento, Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California. If any region's hospital ICU capacity drops below 15%, the stay-at-home lockdown will go into effect for that region.
Current projections estimate that all regions in California save for the Bay Area are expected to hit that threshold in the coming days. Southern California is currently at 20.6% ICU capacity, according to KABC-TV.
The lockdown will once again force bars, wineries, nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, and other personal care businesses to close. Private gatherings of any size will be restricted. Restaurants will need to shut down indoor and outdoor dining and will be permitted to stay open only for takeout and delivery. Retail stores will be allowed to operate at only 20% capacity. Finally, travel deemed "nonessential" will be "temporarily restricted statewide."
"This is the most challenging moment since the beginning of this pandemic," Newsom said. "If there was ever any time to put aside your doubt, to put aside your skepticism, to put aside your cynicism to put aside your ideology, to put aside any consideration except this: Lives are in the balance. Lives will be lost unless we do more than we've ever done."
Enforcement of these new coronavirus restrictions will be left to local governments, but Newsom threatened to deprive counties that refuse to comply of state funding.
"If you're unwilling to adopt the protocols to support the mitigation and the reduction of the spread of this disease, we're happy to redirect those dollars to counties that feel differently," he said.
The new round of lockdowns for Californians come as confirmed coronavirus cases are surging across the nation. There are now more than 14 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and on Wednesday, Johns Hopkins University reported more than 2,800 deaths, the highest death toll on a single day yet.
However, the actual number of cases in the U.S. may be far greater than officially reported.
In a report released last week, the CDC estimated that for every confirmed case of COVID-19, there are eight cases that go undetected. The report said that by the end of September there were 53 million Americans infected with the coronavirus, a number eight times greater than the confirmed cases reported at the time.
Of those 53 million estimated cases, the CDC says about 45 million developed symptoms at some point and about 2.4 million were hospitalized.
If that is true, supposing that the actual number of coronavirus cases is eight times greater than the officially reported 14 million, as many as 112 million Americans may already have contracted the virus — nearly one third of the U.S. population.
The efficacy of lockdowns in slowing the spread of coronavirus is disputed. Proponents of lockdown policies point to studies that show lockdowns are effective at limiting person-to-person contact and therefore reducing the transmission of the virus.
But the consequences of these policies are real and deadly — economic hardship, exacerbated mental health problems, delayed treatment for non-COVID related illnesses, and other collateral damage associated with lockdowns and social distancing policies must be weighed against intrusive government intervention to slow the spread of the virus.


theblaze--2020-12-04--A-listers Matthew McConaughey and Russell Brand slam the left for their treatment of conservatives

Actor Matthew McConaughey has blasted the "far left," and said that the "illiberal left" is condescending, patronizing, and arrogant when it comes to dealing with conservative Americans.
What are the details?
McConaughey recently spoke to fellow entertainer and British actor Russell Brand and discussed the attitudes of those on the "far left" when it comes to dealing with their conservative peers and working-class Americans.
"We live in a time, I feel, in my country and yours, where there's this sort of ... condemnation and criticism of what I might describe as ordinary working people," Brand began. "A kind of offhandedness, like, 'Oh, they're dumb, they're voting for Brexit, they're voting for Trump."
"I don't like it, and I don't like to hear it," Brand said. "I've spent enough time with people that have been described in this manner to feel ill at ease with it. How do you feel about ... that kind of judgment? Do you feel that there is a way of meshing together these apparently disparate groups right now?"
McConaughey responded, "I hope so. ... Let's get aggressively centric, I dare you. It's not a recessive, it's an aggressive move."
He went on to explain that many people on the "illiberal left" are hard-pressed to get along with those on the right.
"There are a lot [of people] on that illiberal left that absolutely condescend, patronize, and are arrogant towards the other 50%," he explained.
Brand responded in agreement and explained that his personal experiences growing up have turned him away from elitism.
"Our entire way of measuring what is valuable has been biased to such an alarming degree that it's created this kind of chasm of mistrust," Brand later insisted.
What else?
In October, McConaughey said that cancel culture is a poison upon society.
In remarks to podcaster Joe Rogan, McConaughey said, "We're making people persona non grata because of something they do that is right now deemed wrong or it's the hot point in a hot topic right now. You can't erase someone's entire existence. Where the heck does some forgiveness go?"
He also insisted that some progressives go too far left.
"Some people in our industry, not all this, there's some that go to the left so far that go to the illiberal left side so far, that is so condescending and patronizing to 50 percent of the world that need the empathy that the liberals have gives and should give to throw somebody, to illegitimize them because they say they are a believer," McConaughey said. "It's just so arrogant, and in some ways hypocritical to me."


theblaze--2020-12-04--Joe Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing to combat the pandemic, but it will likely go for muc

Joe Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing to combat the pandemic, but it will likely go for much longer

Joe Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing to combat the pandemic , but it will likely go for @ @

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that one of the first actions he will take as president to combat the coronavirus pandemic will be to call for 100 days of wearing masks.
"My inclination ... is on the first day I'm inaugurated is to say I'm going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask — not forever — one hundred days," the former vice president said during an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper.
If we do that, "I think we'll see a significant reduction ... [and] drive down the numbers considerably," Biden continued.
Biden raised eyebrows while on the campaign trail earlier this year when he repeatedly called for the implementation of a national mask mandate, even referring to the act of wearing a mask as a "patriotic duty." However, after the remarks drew swift backlash, Biden walked back his plan, acknowledging that such a mandate would likely be unconstitutional.
But Thursday's comments appeared to be at least a partial return to his prior commitment and demonstrated his willingness to use executive authority to push for widespread mask-wearing. If Biden orders the mask-wearing on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, the 100 days would end on April 30.
It will likely be much longer
Despite his promise that the action would last for only 100 days, many who hear the news will no doubt be concerned that it will extend much longer. At the start of the pandemic, many health experts and public officials similarly indicated that lockdown measures would be only temporary, yet many months later in several parts of the country, restrictions have persisted or been reinstated.
Those concerned that the "100 days" will just be the beginning have reason to be. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading health expert who recently agreed "on the spot" to serve as Biden's chief medical adviser, perhaps unwittingly admitted during an interview Friday that Americans will probably still need to wear masks after the 100 days.
Fauci indicated to NBC News host Savannah Guthrie that Biden's plan was a good way to initially get everyone on board.
"He's saying 'hey folks, trust me, everybody for 100 days,' " Fauci said. "Now it might be that after that, we still are gonna need it, but he just wants it, everybody for a commitment for 100 days."


theblaze--2020-12-04--Biden on Harris: If we have a 'fundamental disagreement,' then 'I'll develop some disease and say I

Biden on Harris: If we have a 'fundamental disagreement,' then 'I'll develop some disease and say I have to resign'

Biden on Harris : If we have a 'fundamental disagreement , ' then ' I 'll develop some disease and @ @ @ @ @ Biden says he has no major disagreements with his running mate

Former Vice President Joe Biden says that he has no major "moral" disagreements with his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and that the two are "simpatico" on their philosophy of government and positions on the issues.
Appearing with Harris for an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Biden said that he would handle their disagreements in the same way that he handled disagreements with President Barack Obama when he served as vice president. If the two had ever had a "fundamental disagreement" on some major "moral principle," Biden explained that he would have resigned under pretense of illness rather than continue serving under Obama, and said his relationship with Harris is similar.
"We are simpatico on our philosophy of government and simpatico on how we want to approach these issues that we are facing," Biden told Tapper. "When we disagree, it'll be just like — so far, it's been just like when Barack and I did. It's in private. She'll say, 'I think we should do A, B, C, or D,' and I'll say, 'I like A, don't like B and C. And let's go, OK.'"
"And like I told Barack, if I reached something where there's a fundamental disagreement we have based on a moral principle, I'll develop some disease and say I have to resign," Biden continued. "We don't have that I'm — we haven't — and we've discussed at length our views on foreign policy, on domestic policy, on intelligence."
Biden went on to praise his running mate.
The friendliness and apparent cooperation between the two Democrats marks a change from when they faced each other as presidential candidates in the Democratic primary.
In June 2019 at one of the Democratic debates, Harris torched Biden over his record on civil rights and his friendship with two pro-segregation Democratic senators.
"I will direct this at vice president Biden, I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground, but I also believe and it's personal and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country," Harris said at the time.
Of course, after Biden picked Harris for his presidential ticket, both candidates memory-holed that tense debate exchange. Politics makes strange bedfellows indeed.


theblaze--2020-12-04--Horowitz: Respected St. Paul cop fired for shooting naked man who livestreamed sexual assault of gir

Horowitz: Respected St. Paul cop fired for shooting naked man who livestreamed sexual assault of girlfriend

Horowitz : Respected St. Paul cop fired for shooting naked man who livestreamed sexual assault of girlfriend

Do you want to know why Minneapolis is experiencing crisis levels of police retirements? Or why St. Paul already had a recruitment problem even at the beginning of the year? Well, in a dangerous game of cops and robbers, the robbers are now the cops and the cops are the robbers.
According to a criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney's Office, in the St. Paul suburb of Lakeville, Joseph Javonte Washington, 31, kidnapped his former girlfriend on Saturday and brutally raped and beat her while filming the attack live on social media. Police have the video to confirm the victim's testimony. So how did he turn out to be a victim and award-winning officer Tony Dean a villain?
When police finally caught up with the depraved man on Saturday night after Washington had broken into a home in north St. Paul, he was hiding out naked in a dumpster. They deployed pepperball to get him to come out. He charged toward them, and the responding officers "deployed Tasers and a K9 in an effort to stop him, and one officer [Dean] shot the man, who was struck at least twice," according to the police statement. Washington remains in the hospital.
So, in what has become an automatic ritual these days, St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell immediately fired Officer Dean and chalked this up to another unjust shooting of an "unarmed" black man. "When I ask myself if the officer's actions on Saturday night were reasonable or necessary, the only answer I can come up with is no," Axtell said at a press conference.
What is usually missing in nearly every one of these incidents is the broader context. According to Dean's attorney, Robert Paule, this is the other side of the story:
Many attempts by law enforcement to de-escalate the situation using a variety of non-lethal methods were unsuccessful and the suspect did not cooperate. These attempts were not shown in the short body camera video just released. In efforts to add to the transparency of the situation, the following should be added to the description of the scene.
The suspect claimed to have a gun and threatened to use it against responding officers, saying, 'I have a gun in here.' The suspect also exited the dumpster and charged at the retreating police officers, even rounding a corner at them rather than attempting to escape.
At this point, Officer Dean was acting as a cover officer and discharged his firearm to protect his fellow officers and himself. The information he had at the scene was an understanding that the suspect claimed to have a gun and had used a knife earlier that evening in a violent assault and rape.
Ramsey County prosecutors are now passing off the decision of whether to prosecute Officer Dean to none other than Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Tony Dean had been a highly respected officer in the Gang and Gun Unit and was nominated as Minnesota American Legion's officer of the year. He had served in the Marine Corps for eight years prior to joining the St. Paul police force.
Who is Joseph Javonte Washington? He has a long rap sheet of violent crimes, gun offenses, and burglaries.
This is the point so many people have overlooked. The cascading effect of this de-incarceration agenda is that so many people like Washington are out on the streets in recent months and years who had previously been locked up. Police are now confronted with exponentially more depraved and crazed criminals who do not respond to common sense and will violently attack them. Let's face it: When such a depraved criminal is white, nobody has a problem with these split-second decisions made by officers. Sadly, it only becomes a problem when the suspect is black.
Taking a broad view of what is going on today, we are seeing a vicious cycle of further pressure on police leading to more hands-off policing, which leads to more violent crime, which leads to more opportunities for police to get ensnared in impossible situations that place their lives in danger. For example, in Chicago, there has been a 300% increase in attacks on police this year.
Remember, even if police take a hands-off approach in black neighborhoods (which is actually not a good thing for law-abiding residents), what happens when they get called to a scene of a violent crime? Keep in mind that in this case, as in most of these other high-profile police shooting incidents, the police were not simply riding around looking for crime. Other victims, usually African Americans, call 911 and the police are dispatched. In this case, they knew they were dealing with a violent rape suspect who had just broken into a home.
Why on earth would anyone want to be a policeman these days other than to arrest business owners for violating the cult of coronavirus? I can sure tell you that had a business owner being arrested for keeping his business open charged at police, none of these people would have a problem with the "suspect" getting shot.
At this point, what is the purpose of having a police force? While Republicans engage in a fake fight with Democrats over abolishing the police, what few realize is that they already have abolished police. Democrats (except for the most honest and extreme voices) will never officially fire all the police; they will merely prevent them from doing their job, which is a de facto abolishing that is even worse. Democrats want police around to enforce unconstitutional mandates, for which they will have full backing from the politicians to use heavy-handed tactics, but never to deter violent criminals. In that case, perhaps it's time for conservatives to support a de jure abolishment of the police.


theblaze--2020-12-04--Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp calls for a signature audit of the 2020 election results, calls oversight co

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp calls for a signature audit of the 2020 election results, calls oversight committee testimony 'concerning'

Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp calls for a signature audit of the 2020 election results , calls oversight committee testimony @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state who is in charge of elections

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to conduct a signature audit of the state's 2020 election results Thursday, calling some of the testimony to come out during that day's state Senate Oversight Committee hearing "concerning."
While it is unclear to what degree a signature audit can still be conducted in the state since mail-in ballots are separated from their signed envelopes before they are counted, the call matches what President Donald Trump has been asking for since counting was completed earlier this month showing Democratic nominee Joe Biden edging the incumbent in the state by just under 13,000 votes.
"You know, I've called early on for a signature audit, obviously the secretary of state, per the laws and the Constitution would have to order that; he has not done that," Kemp told Fox News' Laura Ingraham. "I think it should be done. I think, especially with what we saw today, it raises more questions. There needs to be transparency on that. I would again call for that, and I think in the next 24 hours hopefully we'll see a lot more from the hearings that the legislature had today and we'll be able to look and see what the next steps are."
Later in the interview, after Ingraham played video from the hearing showing Democratic poll workers in Fulton County allegedly pulling cases of ballots from under a table to count them while Republican poll watchers were no longer present, Kemp said, "Certainly what [we saw] today was concerning."
"We need to get answers from the secretary of state about exactly what happened," he added. "Obviously, they should be investigating this, I imagine they already are."
Kemp, a Trump supporter, has been under fire from the president this week. On Monday, Trump called the governor out on Twitter, asking, "Why won't Governor [Kemp], the hapless Governor of Georgia, use his emergency powers, which can be easily done, to overrule his obstinate Secretary of State, and do a match of signatures on envelopes[?]"
"It will be a 'goldmine' of fraud, and we will easily WIN the state," the president added. "Also, quickly check the number of envelopes versus the number of ballots. You may just find that there are many more ballots than there are envelopes. So simple, and so easy to do. Georgia Republicans are angry, all Republicans are angry. Get it done!"
After the tweet, Kemp's office quickly responded by clarifying that state law prohibits him from interfering in elections because "the Secretary of State, who is an elected constitutional officer, has oversight over elections that cannot be overridden by executive order."
During the Thursday interview, Ingraham also pressed Kemp on what he may be able to do as governor to ensure election fraud does not occur during next month's Senate runoff elections between Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their Democratic challengers, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock.
Kemp said he was considering calling the state legislature back to session or facilitating changes through the court system, but did not commit to any action.


theblaze--2020-12-04--Noah Cyrus appears to call Candace Owens a racist slur, then instantly regrets it

Noah Cyrus appears to call Candace Owens a racist slur , then instantly regrets it The little sister of Miley @ @ @ @ @ and she knows it

Noah Cyrus, the little sister of Miley Cyrus, is in hot water after seemingly lashing out at Candace Owens and calling her a racist slur.
The hullabaloo started last week when Owens critiqued a Vogue photoshoot featuring pop star Harry Styles wearing a dress.
"There is no society that can survive without strong men. The East knows this. In the west, the steady feminization of our men at the same time that Marxism is being taught to our children is not a coincidence. It is an outright attack," Owens wrote on Twitter. "Bring back manly men."
That prompted a response from Styles, who shared a photo of him wearing effeminate clothing and eating a banana with the caption: "Bring back manly men."
Noah Cyrus jumped into the social media fray and defended Styles by seemingly besmirching Owens with a racial slur. Conservative commentator Rob Smith posted a screencap of the Instagram Story post from Cyrus, which featured Styles wearing a dress and she wrote, "He wears this dress better than any of u nappy ass heauxz."
Cyrus quickly deleted the post and then issued an apology, claiming that she didn't know that the word "nappy" was racially insensitive and that she was "mortified" by the words she wrote only hours earlier.
"I am mortified that I used a term without knowing the context and history, but I know now and I am horrified and truly sorry," she posted on an Instagram Story. "I will never use it again. Thank you for educating me. I in no way meant to offend anyone. I am so so sorry."
The apology by Cyrus did not mention Candace Owens by name.
Owens shared a video on her Instagram addressing the contretemps with Cyrus. The conservative firebrand told Cyrus, "Please do not ever in your over-privileged life think that I will allow that statement to go by, unchecked. Also, who knew Hannah Montana had a sister?"
On Twitter, hundreds of people lambasted Cyrus over using the racial slur. Many of them were also not huge fans of Candace Owens.
The word "nappy" has historically been used as a derogatory term to describe the hair of black people.
In 2007, radio host Don Imus was fired by CBS Radio and his show was pulled by MSNBC for comments made while talking about the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The shock jock described the Rutgers University women's basketball team, which had nine black players, as "nappy-headed hoes."
Before he died on Dec. 27, 2019, the "Imus in the Morning" host said he had few regrets in his iconic, yet controversy-laden radio career. He determined that calling the Rutgers basketball players "nappy-headed hoes" was one of his biggest regrets.
During a March 2018 CBS "Sunday Morning" interview, Imus said he regretted the Rutgers incident "cause I knew better."


theblaze--2020-12-04--Christian NIH director urges churches to close amid the COVID-19 crisis: Do 'altruistic' thing and s

Christian NIH director urges churches to close amid the COVID-19 crisis: Do 'altruistic' thing and say 'I'm going to protect people from me'

Christian NIH director urges churches to close amid the COVID-19 crisis : Do 'altruistic ' thing and say ' I @ @ @ @ @ from me '

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins — an outspoken Christian — is asking churches across America to do the "altruistic, loving thing" and close — or stay closed — amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to NPR.
What are the details?
On Thursday, Collins issued a nationwide plea to religious leaders, urging them to close their churches.
"The virus is having a wonderful time right now, taking advantage of circumstances where people have let their guard go down," Collins said. "Churches gathering in person is a source of considerable concern, and has certainly been an instance where super spreading has happened and could happen again."
He added, "Most churches really ought to be advised to go to remote services if they're not already doing so."
He made the remarks during a virtual conference with Russell Moore, who is president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Collins pointed out that congregants initially seemed to fall in line with local public health directives, but seemed to falter when it came to longevity.
"Then you get to the end of the service," he said. "You can't get a bunch of Christians not to hug each other and not want to shake hands with the pastor as they go out the door and maybe have a conversation a lot closer than six feet away. And that's where the trouble happens."
Collins said that masks are a "lifesaving device," and not an "invasion of your political freedom" or a "political statement."
"Think about it that way," he urged. "And remember, when you put on that mask, you're protecting yourself from other people, but mostly you're protecting them from yourself. You're doing the altruistic, loving thing of saying, 'I'm going to protect people from me.' And that's a Christian action if ever I've heard one."


theblaze--2020-12-04--POLL: Do you think the election is...

POLL: Do you think the election is...

POLL : Do you think the election is ...
Cast your vote and do n't forget to share !

POLL: Do you think the election is...
Cast your vote and don't forget to share!


theblaze--2020-12-05--'I'm not an a**hole, the governor is': Celebrity chef torches Gavin Newsom for ban on outdoor dining

' I 'm not an a**hole , the governor is ' : Celebrity chef torches Gavin Newsom for ban on @ @ @ @ @ says he is keeping his restaurants open , despite California governor 's order

Celebrity Chef Andrew Gruel is making headlines after going viral for posting a video on social media blasting California Gov. Gavin Newsom's lockdown order banning outdoor dining.
In his message, Gruel — a former Food Network judge who owns seafood franchise Slapfish — vowed to keep his restaurants open for outdoor business despite the governor's order, arguing that there is no scientific basis for the ban and that Newsom is the "a**hole."
What are the details?
On Thursday, Gov. Newsom announced renewed coronavirus lockdowns across several regions in the state, forcing bars, salons, and other businesses to close up and go without income in an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants in the affected areas would also have to shut down indoor and outdoor dining, after many owners made steep investments to provide outdoor dining areas in reaction to previous orders.
In reaction to Newsom's new lockdown order, Gruel tweeted, "What did I say yesterday? I will not comply." He also noted that he had "just spent thousands" on outdoor heat lamps, joking that he would "be dropping these off at my local gov office for a full refund plus 10% interest."
Some of the chef's followers gave him heat over his defiance of the order, so he followed up with a video message to all the "haters" he says were calling him "a grandmother killer" and accusing him of not taking the coronavirus seriously.
"Here's the situation," Gruel said. "Do we take the pandemic seriously? Of course we do. Am I saying that we shouldn't close outdoor dining? Yes I am."
He explained, "At every single juncture along the way here, from the beginning shutdown to today, we've listened to all of the advice from government officials, only to be shut down over and over and over again and then not compensated for the elements that we put in place in our businesses in order to protect our customers."
Gruel argued, "There is zero scientific evidence that proves that outdoor dining is contributing to a rise in cases related to this, alright—I'm only saying we're going to continue dining outdoors."
He noted that people can still fly on airplanes and go to stores like Walmart.
In closing, the chef told his critics, "Outdoor dining does not lead to any of that. Therefore, screw that, we're staying opened outdoors. It's that simple. I'm not an a**hole. The governor is."
Newsom already faced heavy criticism leading up to his most recent crackdown, after he was busted weeks ago defying his own guidelines by dining with several people at a swanky restaurant to celebrate the birthday of a lobbyist. The governor apologize after his actions were exposed.


theblaze--2020-12-05--Kirstie Alley says pro-lockdown politicians should forego their salaries while Americans suffer from

Kirstie Alley says pro-lockdown politicians should forego their salaries while Americans suffer from their policies Her solution went viral on @

Actress Kirstie Alley opined that perhaps politicians pushing lockdown policies should forego their salaries while their constituents are suffering from the consequences of their decisions.
The vocal actress made the suggestion from her official social media account and it got thousands of positive interactions.
"My solution. All senators congressmen governors and city political officials from any state or city who impose shut downs to the extent that businesses and people have no form of income, take no salaries for the duration of the shutdown," tweeted Alley.
"Leadership leads by example & from the top," she added.
The missive received more than 12,500 retweets and more than 116,700 likes from social media users.
The outrage aimed at pro-pandemic politicians has peaked after several incidents of appalling hypocrisy from politicians ignoring social distancing guidelines while haranguing their constituents to follow the rules.
In one of the most egregious examples, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, was caught at a lavish dinner at an exclusive restaurant called the French Laundry. Photographs showed that he eschewed wearing a mask and his dinner companions neglected to distance themselves. Newsom later apologized for setting a bad example.
A few days later at the same ritzy restaurant, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, also a Democrat, was caught celebrating the birthday of a local wealthy socialite. Breed confirmed it was her at the restaurant.
Alley has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and has not shied away from using her social media account to express her political beliefs. On Tuesday, she signaled that she supported the effort to question the results of the 2020 election.
"I'm still holding the line by the way.... @realDonaldTrump .. I'm here till they drag me away," she tweeted.
Here's Kirstie Alley talking about her support for Trump:


theblaze--2020-12-06--Brutal brawl erupts between black bloc anarchists and 'Back the Blue' supporters in Washington

Brutal brawl erupts between black bloc anarchists and 'Back the Blue ' supporters in Washington Violent clashes also happened in @ @ @

There were violent clashes in Washington's capital on Saturday during a "Back the Blue" rally when black bloc anarchists held their own counterprotest.
The Olympia Police Department released a notice: "Large group of opposing protesters started near the Capitol and are now moving through downtown Olympia. Near City Hall. The groups have dispersed into smaller groups and are moving throughout the area. Officers are monitoring to ensure things are peaceful from here forward."
The black bloc anarchists held their own event titled "Squash Fascists." The two groups baited each other throughout the day, as seen in footage from photojournalist Independent Media PDX. The black bloc members burned American flags and the "Back the Blue" supporters retaliated by burning a black umbrella, which many Antifa members carry to conceal their identities.
(Content Warning: Explicit and violent videos):
At one point, a brutal brawl between the two groups erupted. Individuals dressed in all black are beaten with American and Trump flag poles.
The Olympia Police Department said the groups "have largely dispersed." The department said, "An arrest was made for two counts of felony assault. An additional charge may be referred for reckless endangerment as well."
"We did make an arrest for a subject that appeared to fire at least one round from a handgun into the opposing crowd," the police tweeted. "Any witnesses to that crime should contact @OlyPD through the 911 system."
Olympia wasn't the only place where groups clashed. In St Paul, Minneapolis, groups prepared for confrontation.
In California, Black bloc militants wielded shields and chanted, "No more Proud Boys in Sacramento!" There was a heavy police presence with officers wearing riot gear. Police officers fired non-lethal munitions at rowdy demonstrators dressed in all black.
At one point, alleged Proud Boys and black bloc members clashed. Black bloc members attacked Trump supporters and left them injured.


theblaze--2020-12-06--Top Dem pollster has eerie prediction for Democrats if they don't abandon socialism, 'defund the pol

Top Dem pollster has eerie prediction for Democrats if they don't abandon socialism, 'defund the police'

Top Dem pollster has eerie prediction for Democrats if they do n't abandon socialism , 'defund the police' Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ of the 2022 midterm elections

Doug Schoen, the longtime Democratic pollster who has worked for the Clintons, has a warning for the Democratic Party if they want to be competitive in upcoming elections: abandon the far-left progressive agenda.
Speaking with the New York Post, Schoen said his data show that Democrats will suffer massive losses in the 2022 midterm elections if they "go the progressive route."
"The data says to me that if the Democrats go the progressive route they can lose the House and the Senate overwhelmingly in 2022," Schoen explained.
"The incoming Biden administration has to understand that unless they take a moderate path, that is a likely potential outcome for the Democrats," he added.
Following last month's election, Schoen's polling firm, Schoen Cooperman Research, spoke with 1,000 voters. The respondents overwhelmingly said a Joe Biden presidency should embrace moderate Democratic politics, not the progressive agenda pushed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and her far-left friends.
"The hardcore activists, they like AOC. The rest of the country outside of hardcore party activists are not so keen on AOC or her agenda," Schoen told the Post. "The question for the Democrats is how to keep the progressives on the reservation without fracturing the party."
Anything else?
Schoen's post-election survey found that one policy, in particular, has hurt Democrats: the push to "defund the police."
This, of course, is no surprise given how angry moderate Democrats, many of whom narrowly won re-election when they thought a "blue wave" was coming, were after the election.
In a post-election House Democrats conference call, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) excoriated the faction of her party that embraces socialism and the "defund the police" agenda.
"We need to be pretty clear. It was a failure. It was not a success," Spanberger reportedly said of the election. "We lost incredible members of Congress."
"We have to commit to not saying the words 'defund the police' ever again," she added. "We need to not ever use the words socialist or socialism ever again. It does matter, and we have lost good members because of that."
"If we run this race again we will get f***ing torn apart again in 2022," Spanberger predicted.
Even former President Barack Obama has criticized the embrace of "defund the police," explaining this week that advocating such policy turns off a large swath of the country.
"If you believe, as I do, that we should be able to reform the criminal justice system so that it's not biased and treats everybody fairly, I guess you can use a snappy slogan, like Defund the Police, but, you know, you lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you're actually going to get the changes you want done," Obama said.
He continued, "But if you instead say, Hey, you know what? Let's reform the police department so that everybody's being treated fairly. And not just in policing, but in sentencing, how can we divert young people from getting into crime? And if there was a homeless guy, can maybe we send a mental health worker there instead of an armed unit that could end up resulting in a tragedy?"
"You know, suddenly a whole bunch of folks who might not otherwise listen to you are listening to you," Obama said.


theblaze--2020-12-05--Houston police arrest Honduran national in human trafficking ring bust, rescue 29 victims

The victims were reportedly all nearly naked when they were rescued

Nearly 30 people in Houston were rescued from an alleged human trafficking ring, and a suspect has been arrested in the case.
According to the Houston Police Department, officers "received a report of a male in his briefs running down the street yelling that he had been kidnapped." The nearly naked man informed authorities that "thirty more people were being held hostage in the house."
Inside the home in southwest Houston, police found 28 men and one female, who appeared to be a minor, according to KHOU-TV. The victims were in their underwear, but reportedly in good condition. Officials said the victims are from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Cuba.
Mary Lewis, who lives directly behind the home where the victims were discovered, recalled the moment when a victim approached her.
"When he ran up to me he looked like he was all cut up," Lewis told KYTX-TV. "He had like cuts in his face. But he was in his red shorts, drawers. And he was barefoot."
"Then I was backing up. I said, 'What's wrong, man? I can't understand you. What are you talking about?' And then he would look back that way," Lewis said.
The U.S. attorney's officenoted that the residence had boarded-up windows and deadbolt locks on the inside doors.
After the victims were rescued, they were taken to the Ridgemont Elementary School where they were provided with food and clothes. The victims were later transported to an immigration facility.
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are investigating the situation. The victims are cooperating with authorities, according to police.
A suspect has been arrested in the human trafficking bust. Officials named the suspect as Mauro Dominguez-Maldonado, a 36-year-old Honduran national. On Friday, federal prosecutors said the suspect was in the United States illegally, according to CNN.
The criminal complaint alleges Dominguez-Maldonado was in charge of watching over the individuals and performing multiple tasks in the alleged human smuggling operation.
Dominguez-Maldonado faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted. Dominguez-Maldonado is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy on Monday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Bennett is prosecuting the case.
Police Commander Jonathon Halliday told reporters that three people were detained as possible suspects.


theblaze--2020-12-05--AOC gets immediately fact checked after she paints Republicans as lazy, but herself as a hard worker

AOC gets immediately fact checked after she paints Republicans as lazy , but herself as a hard worker 'You do @ @ @ @ @ hard lives '

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was the recipient of a blistering fact check this week after she painted herself as a hard worker, but disparaged Republicans as lazy.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments came after she was blasted for, ironically, selling "Tax the Rich" shirts with her namesake on them for a whopping $58.
What did Ocasio-Cortez say?
"The thing that these conservative Senators don't seem to understand is that I've actually had a physically difficult working-class job without good healthcare most of my adult life. I bring that work ethic to Congress & to my community. They sit around on leather chairs all day," she tweeted.
In follow up remarks, the New York Democrat said, "Republicans like to make fun of the fact that I used to be a waitress, but we all know if they ever had to do a double they'd be the ones found crying in the walk-in fridge halfway through their first shift bc someone yelled at them for bringing seltzer when they wanted sparkling."
What was the reaction?
Republicans and conservatives, angered over Ocasio-Cortez's suggestion, informed her that they are anything but lazy.
"This comment is ridiculous stereotyping. I delivered newspapers year-round on foot or on my bike for several years. Worked numerous doubles in Respiratory Therapy where a mistake could result in death. Worked nearly full time to pay for college. What do I not understand?" Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.) replied.
"You used to be a waitress, I was a chimney sweep. Both stand as a testament to the great opportunity we have in America. The difference is, as conservatives we believe "if I can do it you can do it" and are fighting to make sure that never changes," Congressman-elect Burgess Owens (R-Utah) said.
"You might want to fact check yourself, @AOC … I spent years flipping burgers full time while writing code and farming in my spare time - and many of my colleagues have similar stories. You don't corner the market on hard lives," Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) said.
"My dad worked as a pianist in a restaurant for 20 years. My mom worked as a waitress in college. The difference between them and you is that they don't make a career whining about it, or selling $60 sweatshirts to decry a capitalist system that allowed them to rise economically," Ben Shapiro replied.
"This is wrong. I was a waitress for 5+ years throughout high school and college. I am a Republican and I cried in walk-in fridges just like you. The difference between us? I don't expect the gvt to provide for me. I make my own $ and provide for myself," Kasey Lovett, press secretary for Secretary Ben Carson, replied.
The response from Sarah Palin was perhaps the most blistering.
"Listen sweetie, you know how many of us waitressed through high school to save up for college? Then waitressed and blue-collared throughout to get our degrees? You know how many hard working, selfless American workers cont to do so? With babies to care for, elderly parents to tend to, businesses to run, voluntarily helping others, working second- and third jobs, etc without whining and drawing the self-attention for which you're known?" Palin said.
She continued, "Pulling one's self up from the bootstraps is inspiring, rewarding - and expected. We call it The American Dream. You're not special, Representative. To magnanimously think you're set aside deserving a seat of judgment SOLELY bc you temporarily slung shots proves that condescending woe-is-me entitlement thinking is what happens when every kid gets a trophy."


theblaze--2020-12-05--Mika Brzezinski says she's 'done being polite' to Republicans about masks; Trump is 'killing tens of

Mika Brzezinski says she's 'done being polite' to Republicans about masks; Trump is 'killing tens of thousands'

Mika Brzezinski says she 's 'done being polite ' to Republicans about masks ; Trump is 'killing tens of thousands' @ @ @ @ @ husband Joe Scarborough as he laughed

MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski blasted Republicans and President Donald Trump on the topic of face masks, and became so enraged that she declared she is "done being polite."
A very aggrieved Brzezinski attacked Republicans about coronavirus measures, as it pertains to mask mandates, as her co-host husband Joe Scarborough cracked jokes and laughed at her hostile temperament towards "his friends."
During a discussion about Joe Biden's call for Americans to wear face masks for 100 days, Brzezinski remarked on how "quickly the numbers would change" with a mask mandate and compliance.
Brzezinski then addressed Scarborough's "friends" and "some of the Republicans," who have not pushed face masks as fervently and forcibly as Democrats.
She denounced Republican politicians "who've been standing by as stooges to President Trump, not stepping up for the American people and their safety and, quite frankly, stepping up against the president's stupidity and cruelty, not being a leader on this coronavirus."
"Honestly, honestly, how stupid can you be at this point?" an annoyed Brzezinski questioned rhetorically, as reported by Mediaite. "If you just actually read about it, learn about it, how stupid can you be to be so arrogant and to be so flip about this when we have numbers like this? How crazy are you?"
Brzezinski asked, "And I wonder if your friends and those Republicans will actually admit that actually doing basic things to mitigate this virus would have changed the course of this pandemic?"
Scarborough joked with his wife, "Should I ask them that way?"
"Yeah, ask them," Brzezinski snapped back, as Scarborough began giggling. "Because you know what the numbers will change. And at this point, I don't even … I'd be careful."
"Well, we've been asking that question for quite some time. Again, I think I'll be a little polite first and I'll pick up the phone…" Scarborough replied.
"I'm done with being polite," Brzezinski barked. "I actually would like people in this country to stay alive. unlike some of your friends and Republicans in the Senate and in the House."
Brzezinski then snarled, "And President Trump, whose presidency is killing people by the tens of thousands."
"We agree with all that, we just don't agree about how I approach my friends," Scarborough responded.
Brzezinski sarcastically replied, "Friends? Those are great friends." She then added, "This president wanted you arrested, Joe. And they still stood by him. I'm just saying could you require that he doesn't kill people?"


theblaze--2020-12-05--Legal expert explains the 'devilishly clever' move by AG Barr to appoint John Durham as 'special cou

Legal expert explains the 'devilishly clever' move by AG Barr to appoint John Durham as 'special counsel'

Legal expert explains the 'devilishly clever ' move by AG Barr to appoint John Durham as 'special counsel' 'Barr has @ @ @ @ @ his successor—one that will put the next attorney general in a genuine bind '

Benjamin Wittes, an anti-Trump attorney and personal friend to former FBI Director James Comey, explained Friday that Attorney General William Barr's decision to elevate U.S. Attorney John Durham to "special counsel" was "devilishly clever."
Barr originally tasked Durham last year with investigating the origins of the Russia investigation.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday:
Barr told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he had appointed U.S. Attorney John Durham as a special counsel in October under the same federal regulations that governed special counsel Robert Mueller in the original Russia probe. He said Durham's investigation has been narrowing to focus more on the conduct of FBI agents who worked on the Russia investigation, known by the code name of Crossfire Hurricane.
What did Wittes say?
According to Wittes, the move to make Durham a "special counsel" will make it virtually impossible for Barr's successor and the Biden administration to stop Durham's investigation.
"The move has the effect of saddling Biden with a special counsel investigation. Because while as a U.S. attorney, Durham can—and likely will—be dismissed in the normal course of the change of administration, as a special counsel he is protected from removal by regulations that require he can be fired only for 'good cause' or for some gross impropriety. He is also guaranteed a certain amount of day-to-day independence," Wittes wrote in an essay at Lawfare.
There are, in fact, three genius reasons behind Barr's move.
According to Wittes, Durham has a "sweeping mandate" and broad investigative authority to uncover crimes. Second, Barr's move "creates a mandate for a public report from Durham." And third, Barr's appointment order of Durham as special counsel "closely resembles the appointment order for Mueller himself."
Wittes wrote:
This careful tracking of the Mueller appointment seems designed to make it awkward for a Democratic attorney general to come in and remove Durham or curtail his investigation. After all, Democrats, and many Republicans too, drew a firm line in insisting that Mueller not be fired and be allowed to complete his work. They also took a hard line in insisting that the special counsel regulations on the independence of the special counsel be respected. By setting this up as a direct legal parallel to the Mueller investigation, Barr puts those suspicious of the Durham investigation and wanting to curtail it in the position of having to argue, all of a sudden, that it's actually okay to fire a special prosecutor or to figure out ways around the special counsel rules.
"Barr has played a dirty trick on his successor—one that will put the next attorney general in a genuine bind. There likely won't be a good way to handle that bind," Wittes concluded.
Anything else?
Andrew McCarthy, a conservative and former assistant U.S. attorney, agreed that, at the very least, Barr's move "shored up" Durham's investigation.
So far, Durham's investigation has resulted in only one criminal case, prompting former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith to plead guilty to falsifying documents used to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant against Carter Page.


theblaze--2020-12-05--Former Philly archbishop says Joe Biden should be denied Holy Communion

Former Philly archbishop says Joe Biden should be denied Holy Communion The archbishop emeritus maintains that his opinion in not @ @ @ @ @ rather a `` pastoral concern . ''

The archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia proclaimed that Joe Biden should be denied the sacrament of Holy Communion. The former archbishop maintains that his opinion is not "political," but rather a "pastoral concern."
Charles Chaput said that despite Biden being Catholic, the former vice president should not receive Holy Communion. Chaput asserts that Biden's support for the "grave moral evil" of abortion should disqualify him from Holy Communion.
Chaput voiced his viewpoint in First Things, a religious journal aimed at "advancing a religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society."
"Public figures who identify as 'Catholic' give scandal to the faithful when receiving Communion by creating the impression that the moral laws of the Church are optional," Chaput wrote. "And bishops give similar scandal by not speaking up publicly about the issue and danger of sacrilege."
"Those bishops who publicly indicate in advance that they will undertake their own dialogue with President-elect Joseph Biden and allow him Communion effectively undermine the work of the task force established at the November bishops' conference meeting to deal precisely with this and related issues," Chaput explained. "This gives scandal to their brother bishops and priests, and to the many Catholics who struggle to stay faithful to Church teaching. It does damage to the bishops' conference, to the meaning of collegiality, and to the fruitfulness of the conference's advocacy work with the incoming administration."
"This is not a 'political' matter, and those who would describe it as such are either ignorant or willfully confusing the issue," he continued. "This is a matter of bishops' unique responsibility before the Lord for the integrity of the sacraments. Moreover, there is also the pressing matter of pastoral concern for a man's salvation."
"At minimum, every bishop has the duty of privately discussing these vital moral issues and the destructive effect of receiving Communion unworthily with public figures who act contrary to Church teaching," he concluded. "Reception of Communion is not a right but a gift and privilege; and on the subject of 'rights,' the believing community has a priority right to the integrity of its belief and practice."
The debate is ignited because Washington, D.C., Cardinal Wilton Gregory proclaimed that he would administer Holy Communion to Biden.
Cardinal-designate Gregory told the Catholic News Service, "I'm not going to veer from that," in regards to Biden receiving Holy Communion.
He said there is a need for dialogue within the church among people who think differently.
"Conflict within the church is not a new reality; it goes back to apostolic times," Gregory said. "What seems to be new is the capacity for people to broadcast the conflicts and to allow social communications to intensify the conflict."


theblaze--2020-12-05--Restaurant owner reduced to tears over Dem hypocrisy: Her business is shut down, but Hollywood gets

Restaurant owner reduced to tears over Dem hypocrisy: Her business is shut down, but Hollywood gets pass

Restaurant owner reduced to tears over Dem hypocrisy : Her business is shut down , but Hollywood gets pass The @ @ @ @ @ has gone mega viral

A Los Angeles-area restaurant owner is going viral after she exposed the cruel hypocrisy of coronavirus-related restrictions imposed by Democratic leaders.
The viral rant comes as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti enact new restrictions as COVID cases continue to surge in the Golden State.
What did the restaurant owner say?
Los Angeles County officials banned outdoor dining last month, one of the few lifelines afforded to restaurants, which have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But according to Angela Marsden, owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon & Grill in Sherman Oaks, local officials permitted a TV production to skirt the rules. Shockingly, the Hollywood crew had set up outdoor eating areas just feet from Marsden's restaurant.
In her blistering rant, Marsden blasted Garcetti and Newsom for prioritizing Hollywood over small businesses like hers.
"So this is my place, the Pineapple Hill Grill & Saloon. If you go to my page you can see all the work I did for outdoor dining, for tables being seven feet apart," Marsden said. "And I come in today because I'm organizing a protest and I came in to get stuff for that."
"And I walk into my parking lot — and obviously Mayor Garcetti has approved … this," she continued, pointing to the production setup, including tables for outdoor dining to be used by the production crew, "has approved this being set up for...this being set up for...for a movie company."
Marsden continued:
I'm losing everything. Everything I own is being taken away from me and they set up a movie company right next to my outdoor patio, which is right over here. And people wonder why I'm protesting and why I have had enough.
They have not given us money and they have shut us down. We cannot survive, my staff cannot survive. Look at this. Tell me that this is dangerous, but right next to me, as a slap in my face, that's safe. This is safe? Fifteen feet away?
This is dangerous. Mayor Garcetti and Gavin Newsom is [sic] responsible for every single person that doesn't have unemployment, that does not have a job, and all the businesses that are going under.
We need your help. We need somebody to do something about this.
According to KCAL-TV, Marsden spent about $80,000 to make her restaurant safe and compliant with the new COVID-related regulations. Yet, she remains shut down.
Unfortunately, Marsden told KCAL that the restaurant — which has existed for more than 40 years — will be shut permanently if leaders do not allow her to reopen by February.
"If I'm not open by February, I will no longer be here," Marsden said. "My restaurant can't open for to-go, what little money we have I have to try to hold on to for the hopes that we'll get to go to outdoor dining again, which is why I'm fighting so hard to get it open again."
Is there some good news?
L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ordered Los Angeles County public health officials this week to present him with scientific evidence proving why a ban on outdoor dining is necessary.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Chalfant is skeptical that such extreme measures are necessary to slow the spread of COVID.
"You have to do a risk-benefit analysis for public health. You don't just talk about the risk of spreading disease. You have to talk about the benefit of keeping restaurants open," Chalfant said.


theblaze--2020-12-05--Gov. Murphy attacks Rep. Gaetz for attending Republican event in NJ: 'I don't ever want you back in

Gov. Murphy attacks Rep. Gaetz for attending Republican event in NJ: 'I don't ever want you back in this state'

Gov .
Murphy attacks Rep. Gaetz for attending Republican event in NJ : ' I do n't ever want you @ @ @ @ @ venue has been shut down ; Gaetz reacts to New Jersey governor 's juvenile name-calling

Gov. Phil Murphy lashed out at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) for attending a private Republican event in New Jersey this week. The Democratic governor of New Jersey regressed to name-calling, and called Gaetz a "fool," for attending a gala.
Gaetz attended a gala in Jersey City hosted by the New York Young Republican Club on Thursday, where he was a featured speaker. Photos of the event were posted online, and Gov. Murphy took aim at Gaetz on Friday.
During a Friday news conference, Murphy attacked the Republican representative by calling him a "knucklehead."
"That guy in the middle, the tall, handsome fella in the gray suit, that is Representative Matt Putz - oh sorry, Matt Gaetz, and based upon his past performances, it is obvious being a knucklehead is not beyond the pale for him," Murphy said, according to WCMH-TV. "He was actually Sarah Palin's backup act for this event."
Murphy doubled down on his criticism of Gaetz on Twitter where he posted a photo of the event, which showed Gaetz and several other Republicans at the gala. Murphy went so far as to say he never wants Gaetz to return to New Jersey.
"Last night, the @NYYRC allegedly snuck into Jersey City to hold a 'gala fundraiser' – ignoring our social distancing and mask rules," Murphy tweeted. "It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state. Jersey City law enforcement is investigating this matter."
"It is also beyond the pale that Rep Matt Putz – I mean @RepMattGaetz – would participate in this. What a fool. Matt – You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don't ever want you back in this state," he added.
Gaetz responded on Twitter by highlighting that New Jerseyans are fleeing the state.
"You're gonna regret this tweet when you move to Florida like the rest of New Jersey," Gaetz retaliated.
Data compiled by United Van Lines from March 1 to Aug. 19 found that New Jersey had the highest rate of exodus of all states; 69% moved out of N.J. compared to 31% of people moving into the Garden State.
Florida was the third most popular destination for New Jersey taxpayers in 2017-18, according to census records. "Between the 2011-12 and 2017-18 tax years, the income of tax filers from those states moving to Florida has doubled."
Gaetz then responded to Murphy's comment with a light-hearted joke about his appearance.
New York Young Republicans Club President Gavin Wax refuted the allegations of wrongdoing at the gala.
"The @NYYRC Gala was held in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations," Wax tweeted. "Any suggestion to the contrary and any legal threats are made in bad faith and politically motivated. As far as we are aware, the First Amendment has not been repealed."
Vish Burra, the gala organizer and New York Young Republicans vice president, said the group "did everything by the book," and contended that the 150-person capacity complied with state rules because the event was protected political speech.
Jersey City officials launched an investigation into Maritime Parc, the venue that held the Republican event.
"In Jersey City we take Covid enforcement very seriously, and this event appears to be an egregious violation of the governor's executive orders, including capacity limitations and mandatory mask wearing," Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop (D) said in a statement.
Jake Hudnut, Jersey City's chief prosecutor, said, "These photos of COVID-19 violations are dangerous and unacceptable. Maritime Parc is under the jurisdiction of @NJGov's Liberty State Park. We will follow up w/ LSP Police today. Any summonses will be prosecuted fully in #JerseyCity's courts."
Fulop posted a photo of the health department's notice ordering the venue to shut down.
"This establishment known as Maritime Parc, 84 Audrey Zapp Dr., has been ordered CLOSED until such time as the operators prepare and submit a written operational plan to the Jersey City Department of Environmental Health," read the order, signed by Division of Environmental Health Director Happy James Boor.
A spokesperson for Maritime Parc said the booking was "last minute," but it was in a room with a maximum capacity of 600 people.
"The New Jersey State Police were in fact onsite throughout the event to ensure guidelines were followed, prior to issuing the initial statement as well as the order to temporarily close," the statement from Maritime read.
"Maritime Parc will assist the investigation in whatever ways necessary and is eager to help," the venue stated. "They had done everything in their capacity and that is required to be compliant here – including informing the group several times of New Jersey's social distancing regulations."
The venue's management declared that the event did not exceed capacity limits and only found out about the order to close through social media.
Gaetz reacted to the business being shut down by advising, "Dear Business Owners - Escape the Tyrany. Move to Florida."
He also asked, "Should we organize a "peaceful protest" of lockdowns in New Jersey?"
Some online critics pointed out that Murphy was being hypocritical since he previously attended a Black Lives Matter-inspired protest in Hillside, New Jersey. Murphy was seen at a crowded protest on June 7 for "Hillside Strong March to End Racism, Police Brutality & Embrace Diversity." Murphy was seen not practicing social distancing at the event, which violated the governor's own order he signed in late May that prohibited gatherings of more than 25 people.


theblaze--2020-12-05--Lawsuit requests 'new statewide election' in Georgia presidential contest over voter fraud allegatio

Lawsuit requests 'new statewide election' in Georgia presidential contest over voter fraud allegations

Lawsuit requests 'new statewide election ' in Georgia presidential contest over voter fraud allegations

The Trump campaign filed a new lawsuit in Georgia state court late Friday seeking to invalidate the results of the presidential contest in the Peach State over allegations of voter fraud.
What are the details?
According to WXIA-TV, Trump's legal team claims "tens of thousands of illegal votes" were cast in last month's election. The lawsuit requests the decertification of the state's election results, and wants the court to "order a new election to be conducted in the presidential race."
As alleged evidence of their claims, the lawsuit includes "dozens of signed affidavits from Georgia residents who claimed to have witnessed voter fraud," WXIA reported.
The lawsuit also demands that the court direct Georgia's Republican-controlled state legislature to appoint presidential electors.
Lead Trump campaign counsel Ray Smith said in a statement:
What was filed today clearly documents that there are literally tens of thousands of illegal votes that were cast, counted, and included in the tabulations the Secretary of State is preparing to certify. The massive irregularities, mistakes, and potential fraud violate the Georgia Election Code, making it impossible to know with certainty the actual outcome of the presidential race in Georgia.
The Secretary of State has orchestrated the worst excuse for an election in Georgia history. We are asking the Court to vacate the certification of the presidential election and to order a new statewide election for president. Alternatively, we are asking the Court to enjoin the certification and allow the Georgia legislature to reclaim its duty under the U.S. Constitution to appoint the presidential electors for the state.
The Trump campaign's statement explained, "Attached to the complaint are sworn affidavits from dozens of Georgia residents swearing under penalty of perjury to what they witnessed during the election: failure to process and secure the ballots, failure to verify the signatures on absentee ballots, the appearance of mysterious 'pristine' absentee ballots not received in official absentee ballot envelopes that were voted almost solely for Joe Biden, failure to allow poll watchers meaningful access to observe the election, among other violations of law."
What about voter fraud?
Despite the Trump campaign's claims, Attorney General William Barr said this week that the Department of Justice has not uncovered credible evidence of voter fraud.
"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election," Barr said.
The Georgia secretary of state's office also has clarified on multiple occasions they have not seen evidence of voter fraud, WXIA noted.


theblaze--2020-12-07--Charter jet CEO charged with sex trafficking of young girls

The CEO of a private jet company was reportedly busted for sex trafficking of children across state lines last week .
Paul Alexander , 57 , was arrested for reportedly bringing girls across state lines , according to the New York Attorney General .
Paul Alexander , the CEO of Central Jet Charter , has been charged with sex trafficking after allegedly being caught in a sting operation .
The investigation , dubbed `` Operation Mile High , '' claimed to have caught Alexander offering sex with a 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old girl for $ 300 to an undercover agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Daily Beast reported , `` An undercover cop posing as a customer met with Alexander—who showed him nude photos of the girls , charged him $ 300 for sex with them , and suggested he ply them with drugs and pot so they would be more cooperative , authorities said . ''
The arrest came from a months-long joint investigation by the Attorney General 's Organized Crime Task Force , the New York City Police Department 's Vice Major Case Squad , and Human Trafficking Team exposed the alleged crimes by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a Level 3 Sex Offender from the Bronx , has been charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking minors after months-long investigation by the NYPD and the New York Attorney General 's office , reports Daily Mail .
As per the report , Alexander is a registered sex offender and was arrested on Thursday , December 3 , for allegedly sex trafficking children throughout New York City .
According to criminal records , Alexander had previously been convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and possession of child pornography , as reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that Alexander sexually abused her and other underage girls and promoted them for prostitution to other men , '' the Daily Mail reported .
`` He has two previous convictions that placed him on the registry : first-degree sexual abuse in 1996 along with a separate conviction for possessing child pornography in 2003 .
There were no further details released on Alexander 's potential number of victims or for how long he had run the operation . ''
In the statement released on Thursday , New York Attorney General Letitia James said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than sexually exploiting a child . ''
`` This individual 's alleged actions jeopardized the health and safety of our children and highlighted the critical need for these new protections that strengthen our ability to hold perpetrators accountable for these gross violations of the law , '' James added .
`` I thank the NYPD for their partnership in this investigation , and I will continue to use all the tools at my office 's disposal to hold accountable those who seek to abuse our children . ''
`` The NYPD and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the survivors of child trafficking , and we will continue to fight on behalf of our society 's most vulnerable individuals , '' NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said .
`` I thank and commend the NYPD detectives involved in this investigation and the New York State Office of the Attorney General for their efforts to ensure child predators are taken off our streets .
The NYPD will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the trafficking of children in our city and work to bring justice to victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with sex trafficking of a child , attempted sex trafficking of a child , related counts of first and second degrees of promoting prostitution , and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child .
He faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted .

The CEO of a private jet company was reportedly busted for sex trafficking of children across state lines last week. Paul Alexander, 57, was arrested for reportedly bringing girls across state lines, according to the New York Attorney General.
Paul Alexander, the CEO of Central Jet Charter, has been charged with sex trafficking after allegedly being caught in a sting operation. The investigation, dubbed "Operation Mile High," claimed to have caught Alexander offering sex with a 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old girl for $300 to an undercover agent across state lines, according to authorities.
The Daily Beast reported, "An undercover cop posing as a customer met with Alexander—who showed him nude photos of the girls, charged him $300 for sex with them, and suggested he ply them with drugs and pot so they would be more cooperative, authorities said."
The arrest came from a months-long joint investigation by the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force, the New York City Police Department's Vice Major Case Squad, and Human Trafficking Team exposed the alleged crimes by Alexander.
Alexander, who is said to be a Level 3 Sex Offender from the Bronx, has been charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking minors after months-long investigation by the NYPD and the New York Attorney General's office, reports Daily Mail. As per the report, Alexander is a registered sex offender and was arrested on Thursday, December 3, for allegedly sex trafficking children throughout New York City.
According to criminal records, Alexander had previously been convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and possession of child pornography, as reported by the Daily Mail.
"The girl alleged that Alexander sexually abused her and other underage girls and promoted them for prostitution to other men," the Daily Mail reported. "He has two previous convictions that placed him on the registry: first-degree sexual abuse in 1996 along with a separate conviction for possessing child pornography in 2003. There were no further details released on Alexander's potential number of victims or for how long he had run the operation."
In the statement released on Thursday, New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "There is nothing more reprehensible than sexually exploiting a child."
"This individual's alleged actions jeopardized the health and safety of our children and highlighted the critical need for these new protections that strengthen our ability to hold perpetrators accountable for these gross violations of the law," James added. "I thank the NYPD for their partnership in this investigation, and I will continue to use all the tools at my office's disposal to hold accountable those who seek to abuse our children."
"The NYPD and our law enforcement partners share a commitment to protect the survivors of child trafficking, and we will continue to fight on behalf of our society's most vulnerable individuals," NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said. "I thank and commend the NYPD detectives involved in this investigation and the New York State Office of the Attorney General for their efforts to ensure child predators are taken off our streets. The NYPD will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the trafficking of children in our city and work to bring justice to victims of these heinous crimes."
Alexander was charged with sex trafficking of a child, attempted sex trafficking of a child, related counts of first and second degrees of promoting prostitution, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted.


theblaze--2020-12-07--Medical license of Oregon doctor revoked for questioning COVID-19, face mask efficacy

'Take off the mask of shame '

An Oregon medical doctor who allegedly dismissed the coronavirus as the "common cold" and blasphemed face masks by questioning their efficacy has now had his medical license revoked.
What are the details?
On Dec. 3, the Oregon Medical Board issued an emergency suspension to revoke Dr. Steven LaTulippe's medical license.
According to NBC News, the Oregon Medical Board took action after LaTulippe appeared at a "Stop the Steal" rally on Nov. 7 in Salem, Oregon, during which he dismissed the seriousness of COVID-19.
"I want you to know that I never shut down during the entire COVID season, from the time it was declared till now," LaTulippe said at the rally. "I hate to tell you this — it might scare you — but I and my staff, none of us once wore a mask in my clinic. And how many problems did we have in our clinic from that? Zero. Absolutely none."
"We have been utterly duped. And I want you to know that this is insanity and the purpose was only to shut down the American people," he continued. "Take off the mask of shame. It is a mask that is just to design to control and to shut you down."
Meanwhile, LaTulippe also stands accused of telling patients that face masks do not prevent COVID-19 transmission.
The Oregon Medical Board order against LaTulippe reads:
[LaTulippe] regularly tells his patients that masks are ineffective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and should not be worn. [LaTulippe] further asserts that, because virus particles are so small, they will pass through the recommended N95 masks and most other face coverings people are choosing to wear. [LaTulippe] directs patients to a YouTube video providing false information about mask wearing.
[LaTulippe] regularly advises, particularly for his elderly and pediatric patients, that it is "very dangerous" to wear masks because masks exacerbate COPD and asthma and cause or contribute to multiple serious health conditions, including but not limited to heart attacks, strokes, collapsed lungs, MRSA, pneumonia, and hypertension. [LaTulippe] asserts masks are likely to harm patients by increasing the body's carbon dioxide content through rebreathing of gas trapped behind a mask.
However, according to NBC News, LaTulippe has required patients with COVID-19 or those exhibiting symptoms of the virus to wear face masks.
"I'm very interested in sound medical practice, and I'm interested in good science," he said. "And when science and medicine become perverted with corrupt politics, then I'm up for a fight, and that's what made me go to that rally and say what I said."
The suspension of LaTulippe's license will remain "in effect until otherwise ordered," according to the Oregon Medical Board.


theblaze--2020-12-06--Republican congressman introduces bill requiring Americans to be alive to vote

A Republican congressman made a stand against dead people voting in elections and introduced a bill that requires Americans to be alive in order to cast ballots. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) proposed the You Must Be Alive to Vote Act last week.
"The right to vote is one of the most vital pillars of our democracy, the foundations of which are election integrity and confidence in our democratic processes," Babin said. "The ease with which someone is able to steal the ballot of a deceased person and cast an illegitimate vote should disturb, alarm, and outrage every American citizen, no matter what side of the aisle they sit on. To protect our democratic process and Americans' faith in our elections, we must ensure that deceased individuals are not allowed to remain on state voter rolls."
"My bill will prevent any funds from the U.S. Departments of Transportation or Education, with the exception of those going toward law enforcement agency grants, from going to counties of any state that do not annually check their voter lists against the Social Security Administration's most recent death records in order to purge them of any individuals found to be deceased," Babin declared. "All elected officials, from your local city council member to your U.S. President, have an obligation to obey the law and prevent fraud in our elections, and Congress should not be awarding taxpayer dollars to any counties or states that refuse to do the job they swore to do."
"You would think it would be unnecessary to have a bill like this, I mean it goes without saying you should be alive before you get to vote," Babin said in an OAN interview. "We've uncovered some fraudulent plans to register a bunch of dead people to vote down in South Florida, and it's the easiest thing in the world for these local counties to purge their voter list of deceased individuals. All they have to do is to go to the Social Security system and cross check against their deceased Social Security recipients on their list and then purge them off of the voter list."
"Everyone in this Congress — everyone in this country — should want an assurance that dead people are not voting. And we don't have that assurance right now because so many of these voter lists have just not been updated, whether it's intentional, and whether it's laziness indolence are just, you know, nonchalance," Babin explained. "We need to make sure that these voter lists are accurate and that deceased individuals are not on their voting."
Babin noted, "This is not a Republican bill," and that there should be a "bipartisan effort to make this election process a lot more transparent." The GOP congressman wants to "clean up our election process."
Babin points out, "We have an enormous number of individuals in this country that don't trust the election process. Not good."
The bill, which has eight co-sponsors thus far, arrives on the heels of President Donald Trump challenging the results of the 2020 election, claiming that there was widespread fraud. The Trump legal team has alleged that there has been voter fraud after deceased people have cast ballots.


theblaze--2020-12-06--LA Mayor Garcetti responds after restaurant owner called him out in viral video over lockdown hypocr

LA Mayor Garcetti responds after restaurant owner called him out in viral video over lockdown hypocrisy 'No one likes these @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has responded to a restaurant owner who called him out in a viral video over hypocritical coronavirus-related restrictions.
What's the background?
Angela Marsden, owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon & Grill in Sherman Oaks, decried Los Angeles' COVID restrictions, which currently includes a ban on outdoor dining, in a video on Friday. In the shocking video, Marsden revealed that a TV production crew just feet from her restaurant had been approved to have outdoor dining for its production.
"I'm losing everything. Everything I own is being taken away from me and they set up a movie company right next to my outdoor patio, which is right over here. And people wonder why I'm protesting and why I have had enough," Marsden said.
She later continued, "This is dangerous. Mayor Garcetti and Gavin Newsom is [sic] responsible for every single person that doesn't have unemployment, that does not have a job, and all the businesses that are going under."
Los Angeles County enacted a ban on outdoor dining at restaurants last month amid a surge of COVID cases. Public health officials claim the ban is necessary to prevent the virus from spreading further.
What did Garcetti say?
According to the New York Times, Garcetti said he empathizes with Marsden — but, in the same breath, claimed the restrictions are "necessary."
"My heart goes out to Ms. Marsden and the workers at the Pineapple Hill Saloon who have to comply with state and county public health restrictions that close outdoor dining," Garcetti said.
"No one likes these restrictions, but I do support them as our hospital ICU beds fill to capacity and cases have increased by 500%. We must stop this virus before it kills thousands of more Angelenos," he added.
More from the Times:
California has declared entertainment industry workers essential, and in Los Angeles County they must follow strict guidelines such as eating in staggered shifts or in an area large enough to stay six feet apart.
How did Marsden respond?
She told the Times that, when she arrived at her restaurant on Friday, she saw members of the Hollywood production crew without masks.
Meanwhile, she described the impact of the restrictions on her staff as "devastating."
"They can't pay their rent, they have to tell their kids they don't have a job or money for Christmas," Marsden told the Times.
Anything else?
Last week, L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ordered Los Angeles County public health officials to provide him scientific evidence proving why a ban on outdoor dining is necessary.
"You have to do a risk-benefit analysis for public health. You don't just talk about the risk of spreading disease. You have to talk about the benefit of keeping restaurants open," Chalfant said.


theblaze--2020-12-06--GOP congressman calls for Rashida Tlaib to lose committee assignments after 'disturbing pattern of a

GOP congressman calls for Rashida Tlaib to lose committee assignments after 'disturbing pattern of anti-Semitism' The congressman alleged Tlaib attended @ @ @ @ @ to terrorism financiers

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Penn.) is calling for the removal of Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) from her congressional committees because he claims that she has engaged in a "disturbing pattern of anti-Semitism," including attending an "anti-Israel advocacy" conference.
"This week, Democrat Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participated in a forum led by one of the nation's most anti-Israel advocacy groups that featured other participants with reported connections to Hamas, terrorism financiers, and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement," Reschenthaler wrote in a statement released on Saturday.
"Rep. Tlaib's participation in this conference, coupled with her recently deleted retweet of a slogan calling for the elimination of Israel, are just the latest examples of a deeply disturbing pattern of anti-Semitism that has been on display since she was elected," the GOP congressman stated. "Yet Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats refuse to condemn her heinous behavior."
Reschenthaler referred to the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were killed. Over 50 criminal charges, including 11 counts of hate crimes, were filed against the suspect, who the Justice Department will intend to seek the death penalty against.
"As a Member of Congress representing southwestern Pennsylvania, I have seen firsthand what happens when we stand by and allow anti-Semitism and intolerance to pervade our communities," Reschenthaler said. "In 2018, eleven Jewish worshippers were killed and six others were wounded at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh."
"The day after this cowardly act of violence, I stood in solidarity with Americans of all religions, races, and ethnicities at a vigil honoring the victims of this heinous crime, and the first time I ever spoke on the House floor was to denounce hatred and bigotry in all forms," he said.
Reschenthaler cited how Republicans vehemently denounced Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) for his comments about white supremacy and white nationalism.
"House Republicans demonstrated we have zero tolerance for hateful speech in our ranks," Reschenthaler noted. "When outgoing Republican Congressman Steve King made inexcusable racist remarks, not only did he receive widespread condemnation from both sides of the aisle, but Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy rightfully stripped him of his committee assignments."
Reschenthaler said on Sunday, "The lack of condemnation from the left regarding Rashida Tlaib's attendance at an anti-Israel conference last week is deeply disturbing."
During Thanksgiving weekend, the Democratic representatives headlined the annual American Muslims for Palestine conference, which was virtual this year.
Tlaib, along with fellow Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Betty McCollum (Minn.), reportedly attended a conference "run by one of the nation's most prolific anti-Israel advocacy groups, lending their support to an organization that champions boycotts of Israel and has partnered with individuals tied to terrorism," according to the Free Beacon.
Last week, Tlaib retweeted and then deleted a tweet that stated, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
"The phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' first rose to prominence as the slogan of the Palestine Liberation Organization during its founding in 1964. It refers to the notion that the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea should be entirely under Arab control, with a Jewish state eliminated," the New York Post reported.
The tweet, which was posted for "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People," was later deleted by Tlaib.
In March, Tlaib wore an eye-raising T-shirt that wiped Israel off the map.


theblaze--2020-12-06--Chris Wallace snaps when HHS secretary doesn't refer to Joe Biden as the 'president-elect'

Chris Wallace snaps when HHS secretary does n't refer to Joe Biden as the 'president-elect '

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace quickly corrected Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar Sunday when the Trump administration member refused to refer to Joe Biden as the "president-elect."
As President Donald Trump continues to battle his apparent election loss in court, most Republican lawmakers have refused to acknowledge Biden as the president-elect. In fact, according to the Washington Post, only 27 congressional Republicans have acknowledged Biden as the winner of the election. That means nearly 90% of Republican lawmakers have not said who won the election.
What happened?
While interviewing Azar on "Fox News Sunday," Wallace interrupted Azar when the Health and Human Services secretary referred to Biden as the former vice president.
Azar's reference to Biden as "former Vice President Biden" came after Wallace asked if America would "be in much better shape" had Trump embraced face masks in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic "like Joe Biden is right now."
"I welcome Vice President Biden to the club. Since the middle of April, the president's guidelines for re-opening have called for masks—" Azar responded before being cut off by Wallace.
"He's the president-elect, sir," Wallace interjected, referring to Biden. "He's the president-elect."
Azar, though, continued with his response during which he encouraged Americans to wear face masks to protect themselves from COVID-19. Once Azar had finished talking, however, Wallace chided him again.
"But first of all, it's the President-Elect Joe Biden, Secretary Azar," Wallace shot back.
"And secondly, the fact is the president said on the first day, April 30, that he wasn't going to wear a mask. He didn't wear a mask in public for three months until July. And just last night at that rally in Georgia, not only didn't he wear a mask — but I was watching the rally — thousands of people packed together, none of which I could see were wearing a mask. That is a direct violation of what the CDC and what you are recommending," the Fox News anchor continued.
Anything else?
In response to the Washington Post report about the Republican lawmakers who have acknowledged Biden as the president-elect, Trump reacted on Saturday by asking the media to "send me a list" of the "RINOS," an acronym meaning "Republican in name only."
Electors from every state are scheduled to meet on Dec. 14 to officially cast their ballots for president and vice president. Congress will then meet on Jan. 6 to officially count the ballots, finalizing the electoral process.