theblaze--2020-05-20--Florida GOP governor destroys media for predicting statewide COVID-19 calamity that 'hasn't happened

Florida GOP governor destroys media for predicting statewide COVID-19 calamity that 'hasn't happened'

'We 've succeeded , and I think that people just do n't want to recognize it because it challenges their @ @

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday ripped into the media for repeatedly predicting a statewide coronavirus disaster that "hasn't happened" — and the Republican added that "people just don't want to recognize" Florida has "succeeded" in fighting the pandemic "because it challenges their narrative."
What's the background?
During a news briefing in Orlando, DeSantis stood next to Vice President Mike Pence and fielded questions about the firing of Rebekah Jones from the state's Department of Health, WFLA-TV reported, adding that Jones — who played a role in managing Florida's COVID-19 dashboard — wrote a note to her former team claiming her ouster was for being too transparent.
At one point during the Q&A, DeSantis addressed the subject, saying "our data is available, our data is transparent" and that Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force has spoken "multiple times about how Florida has the absolute best data."
Then the governor took the media to task: "Any insinuation otherwise is just typical partisan narrative trying to be spun. And part of the reason is that because you've got a lot of people in your profession who waxed poetically for weeks and weeks about how Florida was gonna be just like New York. 'Wait two weeks, Florida's gonna be next. Just like Italy, wait two weeks.' Well, hell, we're eight weeks away from that, and it hasn't happened."
After highlighting the state's lower death rate compared to numerous other states, DeSantis took one more shot at the media: "So we've succeeded, and I think that people just don't want to recognize it because it challenges their narrative, it challenges their assumption, so they've gotta try to find a boogeyman."
Gov. Ron DeSantis Rips media over COVID-19 coverage! youtu.be
Anything else?
The governor's office released the following statement on Jones and her dismissal, WFLA-TV reported:
Rebekah Jones' duties were to display data obtained by the Department's epidemiological staff. The team that created the graphics on the dashboard, which was made up by multiple people, received data that was provided by subject matter experts, including Senior Epidemiologists, Surveillance Epidemiologists, and a Senior Database Analyst.
Rebekah Jones exhibited a repeated course of insubordination during her time with the Department, including her unilateral decisions to modify the Department's COVID-19 dashboard without input or approval from the epidemiological team or her supervisors. The blatant disrespect for the professionals who were working around the clock to provide the important information for the COVID-19 website was harmful to the team.
Accuracy and transparency are always indispensable, especially during an unprecedented public health emergency such as COVID-19. Having someone disruptive cannot be tolerated during this public pandemic, which led the Department to determine that it was best to terminate her employment.
Please note that under Florida law correspondence sent to the Governor's Office, which is not confidential or exempt pursuant to chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, is a public record made available upon request.
The station added that it reached out to Jones by email and phone and through Facebook, but "only received an automated message saying she was not doing interviews."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Unnamed NFL player sues United Airlines over claims of sexual assault, harassment

An unnamed NFL player has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines after a fellow passenger reportedly sexually harassed and assaulted him during a February flight .
The player filed the suit in the Superior Court of California in the County of Los Angeles .
The unnamed NFL player also reportedly requested a jury trial .
What are the details ?
According to a Bleacher Report article Wednesday , the player filed the suit against the airline after the company reportedly did not properly react to several of his complaints about a fellow passenger .
The alleged incident took place on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newark , New Jersey , flight .
The player , who is listed as John Doe 1 in the complaint , filed the suit with another male passenger whom the suit names as plaintiff John Doe 2 .
The suit states that no fewer than four complaints were made against a female passenger seated in the Does ' row after she reportedly made continuous `` unwanted sexual advances . ''
The suit stated that flight attendants only moved the passenger — who was reportedly intoxicated — elsewhere on the aircraft after the harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the unnamed woman reportedly tore off the unnamed player 's protective face mask — which he was wearing to guard against COVID-19 — and grabbed his genitals .
In addition to drinking , the woman was also reportedly taking prescription pills during the flight , according to the suit .
In a statement , a spokesperson for United Airlines told Fox News , `` The safety and well-being of our customers is always our top priority .
In this instance , the customer involved was moved to a different seat .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to provide further comment . ''
A statement from the player 's lawyer reads , `` Our goal is to shine a light on how assaults can , and are , being made on men , and not just women .
This is significant because assault is assault , regardless of the gender , race , and physical attributes of the victim . ''

An unnamed NFL player has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines after a fellow passenger reportedly sexually harassed and assaulted him during a February flight.
The player filed the suit in the Superior Court of California in the County of Los Angeles. The unnamed NFL player also reportedly requested a jury trial.
What are the details?
According to a Bleacher Report article Wednesday, the player filed the suit against the airline after the company reportedly did not properly react to several of his complaints about a fellow passenger.
The alleged incident took place on Feb. 10 on a Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, flight.
The player, who is listed as John Doe 1 in the complaint, filed the suit with another male passenger whom the suit names as plaintiff John Doe 2. The suit states that no fewer than four complaints were made against a female passenger seated in the Does' row after she reportedly made continuous "unwanted sexual advances."
The suit stated that flight attendants only moved the passenger — who was reportedly intoxicated — elsewhere on the aircraft after the harassment turned physical. During the alleged assault, the unnamed woman reportedly tore off the unnamed player's protective face mask — which he was wearing to guard against COVID-19 — and grabbed his genitals.
In addition to drinking, the woman was also reportedly taking prescription pills during the flight, according to the suit.
What else?
In a statement, a spokesperson for United Airlines told Fox News, "The safety and well-being of our customers is always our top priority. In this instance, the customer involved was moved to a different seat. Because litigation is now pending, we're unable to provide further comment."
A statement from the player's lawyer reads, "Our goal is to shine a light on how assaults can, and are, being made on men, and not just women. This is significant because assault is assault, regardless of the gender, race, and physical attributes of the victim."


theblaze--2020-05-20--BOMBSHELL: Here's what newly released audiotapes expose about Biden-Ukraine quid pro quo

On the radio program Thursday , Glenn Beck sat down with chief researcher Jason Buttrill to go over two bombshell developments that have recently come to light regarding former Vice President Joe Biden 's role in the 2016 dismissal of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin .
`` Wow !
Two huge stories dropped within about 24 hours of each other , '' Jason began .
He went on to explain that a court ruling in Ukraine has just prompted an `` actual criminal investigation against Joe Biden in Ukraine . ''
This stunning development coincided with the release of leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2015 and early 2016 , allegedly among then-Vice President Biden , Secretary of State John Kerry , and Ukraine 's former President Petro Poroshenko .
One of the audiotapes seems to confirm allegations of a quid pro quo between Biden and Poroshenko , with the later admitting that he asked Shokin to resign despite having no evidence of him `` doing anything wrong '' in exchange for a $ 1 billion loan guarantee .
`` Poroshenko said , 'despite the fact that we did n't have any corruption charges on [ Shokin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any information about him doing something wrong , I asked him to resign , ' '' Jason explained .
`` But none of the Western media is pointing this out . ''
Watch the video below for more details : Listen to the released audiotapes in full here .
Use code GLENN to save $ 10 on one year of BlazeTV .
Want more from Glenn Beck ?
To enjoy more of Glenn 's masterful storytelling , thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos , subscribe to BlazeTV — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love America , defend the Constitution and live the American dream .

On the radio program Thursday, Glenn Beck sat down with chief researcher Jason Buttrill to go over two bombshell developments that have recently come to light regarding former Vice President Joe Biden's role in the 2016 dismissal of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin.
"Wow! Two huge stories dropped within about 24 hours of each other," Jason began. He went on to explain that a court ruling in Ukraine has just prompted an "actual criminal investigation against Joe Biden in Ukraine."
This stunning development coincided with the release of leaked phone conversations, which took place in late 2015 and early 2016, allegedly among then-Vice President Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Ukraine's former President Petro Poroshenko.
One of the audiotapes seems to confirm allegations of a quid pro quo between Biden and Poroshenko, with the later admitting that he asked Shokin to resign despite having no evidence of him "doing anything wrong" in exchange for a $1 billion loan guarantee.
"Poroshenko said, 'despite the fact that we didn't have any corruption charges on [Shokin], and we don't have any information about him doing something wrong, I asked him to resign,'" Jason explained. "But none of the Western media is pointing this out."
Watch the video below for more details:
Listen to the released audiotapes in full here.
Use code GLENN to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multiplatform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Gov. Cuomo still refuses to take responsibility for nursing home deaths — now he's blaming President

Gov. Cuomo still refuses to take responsibility for nursing home deaths — now he's blaming President Trump

Gov .
Cuomo still refuses to take responsibility for nursing home deaths — now he 's blaming President Trump He @ @ @ @ @ held accountable

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo still refuses to accept any sort of accountability for the thousands of nursing home deaths after he ordered the homes to accept coronavirus-positive patients.
Now he's trying to blame President Donald Trump for the death count, the New York Post revealed.
What did Cuomo say?
The state of New York has seen more than 5,000 coronavirus deaths in its nursing homes, deaths that occurred following Cuomo's order that nursing homes must take patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The governor's order was a death sentence for thousands of people, but he rejects any sort of culpability for it.
First, he tried to blame nursing homes, saying that he wouldn't have had to make the order had nursing homes not irrationally refused to accept people infected with the coronavirus. He added that nursing homes should have been able to care for those infected patients with separate staffers, and if they couldn't, then it was on them to move a patient or ask the state to set up a transfer.
Then, he waved off the tragic nursing home death toll by saying the vulnerable people were going to die anyway.
Now, he wants people to believe the president caused the deaths.
During a news conference Wednesday, Cuomo faced more questions about the tragic nursing home deaths. He responded that the media and his critics should "ask President Trump."
"Look, this is a political season. I get it. I have refrained from politics," he said. "I'm not going to get into the political back and forth.
"Anyone who wants to ask why did the state do that with COVID patients and nursing homes, it's because the state followed President Trump's CDC guidance," Cuomo continued. "So they should ask President Trump.
"The CDC guidance said a nursing home cannot discriminate against a COVID patient," the governor claimed, according to the Post.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are demanding an independent investigation into New York's nursing home fiasco, Newsday reported.


theblaze--2020-05-20--VIDEO: Mississippi pastor wins 'The Voice,' blows judges away with powerful performance of 'I Can On

VIDEO: Mississippi pastor wins 'The Voice,' blows judges away with powerful performance of 'I Can Only Imagine'

VIDEO : Mississippi pastor wins 'The Voice , ' blows judges away with powerful performance of ' I Can Only @ @ @ @ @ to tears

A pastor from Mississippi won the NBC singing competition "The Voice" on Tuesday night, and concluded his time on the show with a powerful finale performance of the Christian hit "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, the Christian Post reported.
Todd Tilghman, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian, Mississippi, was coached on the show by country music star Blake Shelton. One of the judges, Kelly Clarkson, had trouble getting through her evaluation of the performance because she was overcome with emotion.
"Literally, you are so moving," Clarkson said. "It's because you are a pastor, because you have such a bigger belief inside you than just yourself. I would love to come to your church just to hear you speak, not only sing. You're very special."
Todd Tilghman Performs MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine" - The Voice Finale Performances 2020 youtu.be
Tilghman had to perform remotely due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
"I wish I knew how to say thank you," Tilghman tweeted after the win. "And I wish y'all knew how much I respect and admire my new friends and fellow artists/contestants on @NBCTheVoice. I don't know how long it'll take me to process, but I sure am grateful for every moment."
According to the Christian Post, Tilghman had recently preached a message that was very relevant to his success on the national stage.
"Take those talents that the Master gave you before we were separated and multiply those during this time, so that when we come back together, you'll come back with more than you left with," Tilghman preached in a virtual sermon.
Tilghman, 42, is the oldest contestant to ever win on the show. He's a husband, and the father of eight children. His win on "The Voice" now opens up the potential for him to pursue a musical career.
"'The Voice' could change everything for me," Tilghman said earlier in the season, according to the Washington Post. "Right now, I only sing at church. I don't perform or record. To be able to support my family strictly through music would be a dream."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Media outlets shred Trump for saying having the most COVID-19 cases in the world is a ‘badge of hono

Media outlets shred Trump for saying having the most COVID-19 cases in the world is a ‘badge of honor.’ They completely missed the point.

Media outlets shred Trump for saying having the most COVID-19 cases in the world is a ‘ badge of honor.
@ @ @ @ @ point .

Much of the media castigated President Donald Trump for his remarks that having the most positive coronavirus cases in the country is a "badge of honor" for America.
While many outlets reported the president's remarks, they did not appear to put them into context, or delve into the deeper meaning of what Trump apparently meant.
What did he say?
On Tuesday, the president made the remarks to reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
Trump said, "If you're testing 14 million people, you're going to find many more cases. Many of these people aren't very sick, but they still go down as a case. So actually, the number of cases — and we're also a much bigger country than most — so when we have a lot of cases, I don't look at that as a bad thing, I look at that in a certain respect as being a good thing, because it means our testing is much better."
He later added, "So, if we were testing a million people, instead of 14 million people, we would have far fewer cases. ... So I view it as a badge of honor. Really, it's a badge of honor. It's a great tribute to the testing and all other work that a lot of professionals have done."
Trump Calls U.S. Virus Cases a 'Badge of Honor' www.youtube.com
What are people saying about this?
Slate writer Elliot Hannon wrote, "Trump recasting a failure to contain the virus as a success in later counting those afflicted by that failure shows how far we've careened from reality, empathy, and accountability. At the highest level of American life, we're currently floating unmoored."
Hannon wasn't the only one taking Trump to task over his innocuous remarks.
Harvard Law's Lawrence Tribe likened the president's remarks to "calling a trail of corpses a badge of honor for the police department that let the serial murderer run free for months."
Author and political analyst Jared Yates Sexton added, "The President of the United States said he considered our massive amount of infections 'a badge of honor.' I'd recommend making this into a campaign ad, but the amount of self-incriminating and disgusting things he's said at this point is just overwhelming."
On Twitter, Demitri Dawson — congressional staffer for Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Pa.) — spat, "@realDonaldTrump believes that coronavirus numbers are a 'badge of honor.' You should not take pride in the death of Americans, especially when faster action could have saved lives."
How about this perspective
Trump is correct that the more tests that are readily available, then that much more testing can be done on potential COVID-19 patients. This naturally means that if more people are have access to the tests, there will be more positive results than if tests were hard to come by.
Thusly, the more patients who are able to receive testing and diagnosis will help track the disease's virulent path. Creating a web of possible infections will help educate more Americans about isolation, if necessary.
In short: more tests, more testing. More testing, more diagnosis. More diagnosis, more tracking. More tracking, better containment.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Churches in Baltimore area hold services in defiance of local stay-at-home orders: 'If Walmart's ope

Churches in Baltimore area hold services in defiance of local stay-at-home orders: 'If Walmart's open, it’s time for the churches to be open'

Churches in Baltimore area hold services in defiance of local stay-at-home orders : 'If Walmart 's open , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ to be open' 'We got a mayor saying we can only worship in our parking @ @ @ @ @ '

Maryland's Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday moved from a statewide stay-at-home order to a safer-at-home public health advisory in the continuing fight against the coronavirus.
Part of the announcement said churches and houses of worship "may begin to safely hold religious services, at up to 50 percent capacity, with outdoor services strongly encouraged."
Good news for churches, right?
Well, that depends on where churches are located — because Hogan's reopening plan also "empowers individual jurisdictions to make decisions regarding the timing of reopenings."
And for Friendship Baptist Church in Baltimore City and Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk — where local officials are still prohibiting indoor religious services of more than 10 people — it was bad news.
The defiant ones
But both churches opened up anyway for services Sunday at 50% capacity in keeping with Hogan's directive but in direct defiance of local officials' mandates, WJZ-TV reported.
"We got a mayor saying we can only worship in our parking lots, which is ridiculous," Rev. Alvin Gwynn, pastor of Friendship Baptist, told the station in reference to Democratic Baltimore Mayor Jack Young, who's keeping the city under a stay-at-home order even though Hogan said restrictions could be loosened.
The first service at Friendship Baptist was held at 7:45 a.m. and the next one was scheduled for 10:45 a.m., WBAL-TV reported, which added that people were entering the church, but not many.
Gwynn also told WBAL that a police car parked in front of the church was meant to intimidate him and the attendees.
"The city has no legal standing," he added to the station. "What are they going to do? Have officers come and take body cameras and record you and then go back and talk to their attorneys to see what they can do with them or not? That's nothing but intimidation."
Baltimore pastor again defies stay-home order youtu.be
David Gibbs, legal counsel for Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk, Baltimore County, told WJZ: "If Walmart's open, it's time for the churches to be open."
He added to the station that while Hogan "opened churches back up, unbelievably your county has acted unconstitutionally."
Indeed Calvary Baptist also held Sunday services in defiance of the county's executive order that prohibits indoor services of more than 10 people.
And in the wake of all that, the church's pastor, Stacey Shiflett, went on video to describe "intimidating statements" in a "cease and desist" letter from Baltimore County's Department of Health and Human Services, which warned the church it "could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000" if further services were held that "violate Executive Order 2020-005."
Shiflett asked those watching the clip to pray for him and the church in light of the developments, saying that he and other church members have had it with not being able to gather.
"We're not satisfied with teleconferencing and Zoom services," he said. "We want to go back to church the way God intended, the way our Constitution intended."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Atlanta's Democratic mayor admits Georgia's reopening was 'not as bad as I thought that it would be'

Atlanta 's Democratic mayor admits Georgia 's reopening was 'not as bad as I thought that it would be' She @ @ @ @ @ Brian Kemp 's plan

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms (D) was highly critical of Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's plan to allow Georgia businesses to reopen earlier than federal guidelines recommended, but she now concedes that the result of the reopening hasn't been as catastrophic as she anticipated, according to Fox News.
In late April, Bottoms wrote a piece for The Atlantic titled, "Atlanta isn't ready to reopen—and neither is Georgia," in which she called Kemp's decision "irresponsible" and predicted that state hospitals could be seriously strained by new COVID-19 cases. That did not happen.
"Well, what I can say, Brian, is it's not as bad as I thought that it would be," Bottoms told MSNBC's Brian Williams.
Still, Bottoms wasn't ready to give Kemp credit for a successful reopening yet, although she admitted that the rate of new cases in the state has slowed since the reopening.
"So, I am pleased about that, but I still think it's too soon to say," Bottoms said. "The reason being, whereas initially, we were seeing increases between deaths and people testing positive, rising anywhere from 25% to 30% over a seven-day period. Right now, we're somewhere between 12% and 15%. And it's better than it was, but it's still not great."
Many predicted a dangerous spike in coronavirus cases in Georgia after reopening, and President Donald Trump was even critical of Kemp, a fellow Republican. One national headline about the reopening read, "Reopening Georgia could lead to a doubling of coronavirus death rate, according to model."
But the data appears to show the lifting of restrictions did not cause harm. From KOMO-TV, the average number of new cases is going down even as more people get tested:
Georgia began lifting restrictions April 24 amid widespread ridicule and even a warning from President Donald Trump that it was too soon to reopen. ... Statewide testing has reportedly increased. The average number of new COVID-19 cases has declined more than 20% since the reopening date, according to the Georgia Department of Health.


theblaze--2020-05-20--VIDEO: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany gets emotional while discussing Ravi Zacharias'

VIDEO: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany gets emotional while discussing Ravi Zacharias' influence on her faith

VIDEO : White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany gets emotional while discussing Ravi Zacharias ' influence on her faith She @ @ @ @ @ welled up in her eyes

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany recently got emotional while discussing the passing of renowned Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, who died Tuesday morning from a rare form of cancer.
During an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, McEnany explained how Zacharias' lifetime of reasoned defense of Christianity helped equip her during her time at Oxford University, an institution prevalent with distinguished atheist scholars.
"It's a huge loss. You know, my dad said to me that Billy Graham was the great evangelist, and I think Ravi Zacharias is the great apologist," McEnany said as tears welled up in her eyes.
"To have someone from an academic place, as an apologist could equip you with those arguments where you didn't have to check your brain at the door when you became a Christian where there is the intellectual foundation for everything we believe," McEnany explained. "There's prophecy. There's the human cell. There's the amazing creation of the human body and all of its complexity and the planet, the universe."
EXCLUSIVE: Kayleigh McEnany's Emotional Tribute To Ravi Zacharias youtu.be
"And he put a philosophical and academic rationale for the heart that I had for Christ, but gave me the ability to go to Oxford, where there are renowned atheist scholars who try to say there's no intellectual undergirding for Christianity," she continued. "Ravi Zacharias, who happened to have an office at Oxford was the person who provided the counter to that, the intelligence behind why we believe what we believe."
McEnany spent a year studying politics and international relations abroad at Oxford while she was pursuing an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries has operated a study center at Oxford since 2005.
Zacharias, an immensely popular Christian author, speaker, and apologist, spent the better portion of his life defending the faith by answering questions of origins, morality, and ultimate destiny and training others to do the same.
His organization, with its stated mission of "helping the thinker believe and the believer think" now employs almost 100 Christian apologists in 15 countries around the world.
"He is someone I'll meet in heaven and rest assured his legacy will always be here and he will continue to change lives," McEnany said.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger goes to the barber — and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is not happy about

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger goes to the barber — and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is not happy about it

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger goes to the barber — and Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf is not happy about it @ @ @ @ @ .
Killjoy is not .

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent season-ending elbow surgery in September, just two weeks into the 2019 season. At the time, the veteran quarterback said he wouldn't cut his hair or trim his beard again until he could throw "a legit NFL pass."
This week, much to the delight of Steeler Nation, the team released a video of Big Ben completing passes during a workout with teammates.
But at least one well-known Pennsylvania resident was not happy about it: Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
Why was the governor bent out of shape?
After the Steelers' video showed footage of Roethlisberger throwing to running back James Conner and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, the post cut to the all-star passer sitting in a barber chair with his hair cut and beard trimmed.
Image source: Twitter screenshot
That was a big problem for Wolf.
Reacting to the Roethlisberger video, the governor made it clear at a news conference Tuesday that he disapproved of anyone who would put themselves and others "in harm's way" by patronizing businesses that should not be open yet as dictated by the state's reopening plan, the Washington Post said.
"Anybody who puts himself or herself into harm's way is something that I think we have to try to avoid," he said.
Norman's Cuttin' Edge Barbershop where Roethlisberger got his trim is in a Pittsburgh suburb in Allegheny County, which, according to ESPN, has not moved past the governor's "yellow phase" designation that requires the continued closure of all hair salons and barbershops. Those businesses can open once the county they are in has moved to the "green phase."
"When you go to something like a barbershop and you're not protected, I don't care who you are, the chances of that virus wreaking havoc on your life increases," Wolf stated. "I don't think any Pennsylvanian ought to take that chance. I certainly don't want to take that chance myself."
ESPN reported that the shop's owner, Carlos Norman, is friends with Roethlisberger. According to Norman's lawyer, the shop has been closed since the governor's initial shutdown order, though he did cut the quarterback's hair as a favor and for free.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Senate committee votes to authorize subpoenas in Hunter Biden investigation

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to authorize Chairman Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) to issue subpoenas to Blue Star Strategies in connection with an investigation into Hunter Biden 's dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings .
The investigation into the presumptive Democratic nominee 's son came about as the result of the Democrats ' attempt to impeach President Donald Trump .
The Democratic investigation conducted by the House along party lines sought to remove the president from office on the basis that he allegedly pressured the Ukrainian government into investigating Hunter Biden .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was revealed that former Vice President Joe Biden 's son Hunter had been paid a $ 50,000 a month salary by Burisma despite having no obvious expertise in the natural gas industry .
Since the impeachment investigation , Republicans in the Senate have sought to investigate whether Blue Star Strategies , a public relations firm retained by Burisma , sought to leverage Hunter Biden 's position on Burisma 's board to influence policymakers in the Obama State Department .
Democrats have condemned the investigation as a partisan gimmick and all Democrats on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which seeks documents and a deposition from Blue Star Strategies CEO Karen Tramontano .
According to Politico , Johnson responded to Democratic objections by asking , `` What is everybody worried about ?
If there 's nothing there , we 'll find out there 's nothing there .
But if there 's something there , the American people need to know that . ''
Former Vice President Joe Biden has denied any wrongdoing by himself or his son Hunter in connection with Burisma .

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to authorize Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to issue subpoenas to Blue Star Strategies in connection with an investigation into Hunter Biden's dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings.
The investigation into the presumptive Democratic nominee's son came about as the result of the Democrats' attempt to impeach President Donald Trump. The Democratic investigation conducted by the House along party lines sought to remove the president from office on the basis that he allegedly pressured the Ukrainian government into investigating Hunter Biden.
During the course of that investigation, it was revealed that former Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter had been paid a $50,000 a month salary by Burisma despite having no obvious expertise in the natural gas industry.
Since the impeachment investigation, Republicans in the Senate have sought to investigate whether Blue Star Strategies, a public relations firm retained by Burisma, sought to leverage Hunter Biden's position on Burisma's board to influence policymakers in the Obama State Department.
Democrats have condemned the investigation as a partisan gimmick and all Democrats on the committee voted against authorizing the subpoena, which seeks documents and a deposition from Blue Star Strategies CEO Karen Tramontano.
According to Politico, Johnson responded to Democratic objections by asking, "What is everybody worried about? If there's nothing there, we'll find out there's nothing there. But if there's something there, the American people need to know that."
Former Vice President Joe Biden has denied any wrongdoing by himself or his son Hunter in connection with Burisma.


theblaze--2020-05-20--EPIC: Megyn Kelly weighs in on #BelieveAllWomen

Does anyone else want to be Megyn Kelly when they grow up or is it just me ?
On Wednesday 's episode of Steven Crowder 's `` Good Morning Mug Club , '' Kelly gave possibly the best interview to date on the # BelieveAllWomen movement .
We 've all sat forward and trolled sad souls like Alyssa Milano and her brain-dead Twitter followers because they want everyone to believe that women never lie .
They want us to lie to ourselves by drinking the Kool-Aid and accepting the arrogant notion the women should inherently be believed .
Patriots understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we believe in our right to due process .
What we see today is a divide that spawned two factions : # BelieveAllWomen and patriots .
Patriots understand an accuser should be heard , but their testimony must be scrutinized before any guilty judgment is handed down — by a judge and the public alike .
Tara Reade , a former staffer who worked in Joe Biden 's Senate office in the 1990s , recently talked about her allegations of sexual misconduct against Biden during an exclusive interview with Kelly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tara Reade ... As someone who has been in the media and covered this type of story with the # MeToo movement , for a long time , '' Crowder began , `` I think you have been very fair-minded about it .
And like you just said , you 've been a victim of it yourself , how do you balance presenting what you believe as plausible versus sort of what had become a Twitter trend ?
Because there are two camps : Believe all women always and then people who believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if sometimes you believe somebody , and another instance you do n't , people think you are on the other team ? ''
`` No .
I think that is baloney .
You pick whom you believe .
You listen , and you use your brain and common sense as a juror would in a courtroom , and you 'll figure out who you believe and who you do n't , and that is the way it should be , '' Kelly answered .
Watch the video below to hear Megyn discuss her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the treatment of men on college campuses no thanks to # BelieveAllWomen . ''
To enjoy more of Steven 's uncensored late-night comedy that 's actually funny , join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand .

Does anyone else want to be Megyn Kelly when they grow up or is it just me? On Wednesday's episode of Steven Crowder's "Good Morning Mug Club," Kelly gave possibly the best interview to date on the #BelieveAllWomen movement.
We've all sat forward and trolled sad souls like Alyssa Milano and her brain-dead Twitter followers because they want everyone to believe that women never lie. They want us to lie to ourselves by drinking the Kool-Aid and accepting the arrogant notion the women should inherently be believed.
Patriots understand we are all innocent until proven guilty, and we believe in our right to due process. What we see today is a divide that spawned two factions: #BelieveAllWomen and patriots.
Patriots understand an accuser should be heard, but their testimony must be scrutinized before any guilty judgment is handed down — by a judge and the public alike.
Tara Reade, a former staffer who worked in Joe Biden's Senate office in the 1990s, recently talked about her allegations of sexual misconduct against Biden during an exclusive interview with Kelly.
"Let me ask you this about Tara Reade ... As someone who has been in the media and covered this type of story with the #MeToo movement, for a long time," Crowder began, "I think you have been very fair-minded about it. And like you just said, you've been a victim of it yourself, how do you balance presenting what you believe as plausible versus sort of what had become a Twitter trend? Because there are two camps: Believe all women always and then people who believe in due process. And unfortunately, if sometimes you believe somebody, and another instance you don't, people think you are on the other team?"
"No. I think that is baloney. You pick whom you believe. You listen, and you use your brain and common sense as a juror would in a courtroom, and you'll figure out who you believe and who you don't, and that is the way it should be," Kelly answered.
Watch the video below to hear Megyn discuss her interview with Tara Reade, modern-day feminism, and the treatment of men on college campuses no thanks to #BelieveAllWomen."
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To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Report: Coronavirus has undergone changes making the virus more difficult to battle

Report : Coronavirus has undergone changes making the virus more difficult to battle The news comes as China implements a @ @

Chinese doctors reviewing a new flare-up of coronavirus infections in northern China believe COVID-19 may have undergone significant changes, making the virus more difficult to detect and harder to beat.
Bloomberg News reported:
Patients found in the northern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang appear to carry the virus for a longer period of time and take longer to test negative, Qiu Haibo, one of China's top critical care doctors, told state television on Tuesday.
Patients in the northeast also appear to be taking longer than the one to two weeks observed in Wuhan to develop symptoms after infection, and this delayed onset is making it harder for authorities to catch cases before they spread, said Qiu, who is now in the northern region treating patients.
Among the noticeable differences with the cluster of new infections is where the virus attacks.
According to Qui, COVID-19 results in multi-organ damage — including in the kidneys, liver, and lungs — but the new infections mostly show signs of lung damage.
On the positive side, only 10% of the reported new cases have become critical, according to Bloomberg.
However, what is not yet scientifically clear is whether COVID-19 has undergone significant genetic mutation. But, even if it has, there is no evidence showing whether such changes would result in a strain of the virus that is more contagious to humans.
"In theory, some changes in the genetic structure can lead to changes in the virus structure or how the virus behaves," Keiji Fukuda, director and clinical professor at the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, told Bloomberg.
"However, many mutations lead to no discernible changes at all," he explained.
News of possible virus changes come as China instituted a new lockdown in the northern part of the country where the cluster of new infections is located.
The new lockdown reportedly impacts 108 million people in China's northeast region.


theblaze--2020-05-20--NYC to utilize ultraviolet light to disinfect public transportation: 'The results have been very enc

NYC to utilize ultraviolet light to disinfect public transportation: 'The results have been very encouraging'

NYC to utilize ultraviolet light to disinfect public transportation : 'The results have been very encouraging' It 's the first @ @ @ @ @ used for this purpose

The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority is testing the use of ultraviolet light to disinfect subways and buses, which it believes could be more efficient than the current process of cleaning public transportation vehicles, ABC News reported.
Studies at Columbia University have shown evidence that UV light is effective against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which can live on a bus or subway seat for up to 72 hours, the report said.
"The results have been very encouraging," David Brenner, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University, said, according to ABC. "As scientists, we're going to repeat the studies, we're going to write them up for peer review. But it's certainly looking absolutely that UV light is very efficient for killing this virus."
The pilot program will initially cost about $1 million for MTA to purchase 150 UV lamps. The current process of cleaning subways, which involves sending cleaners every night to disinfect trains, reportedly costs "hundreds of millions of dollars." The UV disinfecting process would just require putting the lamps on the train, closing the doors, and turning them on.
If the pilot program is successful, it could be expanded to other public transit systems in the region. MTA CEO Patrick Foye said the method has proven to be effective in hospitals and other health care settings.
President Donald Trump has mentioned the potential effectiveness of UV light against the coronavirus, but was criticized for his suggestion that it be applied to people and not surfaces.
"So supposing we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful, light — and I think you said that hasn't been checked but you're going to test it — and then I said suppose you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way," Trump said last month during a press briefing. "And I think you said you're going to test that, too. Sounds interesting."


theblaze--2020-05-20--VIDEO: Costco employee tells off customer refusing to wear mask — and Twitter gushes over 'freaking

VIDEO: Costco employee tells off customer refusing to wear mask — and Twitter gushes over 'freaking rock star' worker

VIDEO : Costco employee tells off customer refusing to wear mask — and Twitter gushes over 'freaking rock star ' @ @ @ @ @ like a badass ! '

A Costco employee is getting a landslide of praise from Twitter users after he was caught on video telling off a customer who refused to wear a mask in the store.
What went down?
After the customer threatens to post cellphone video of the confrontation on Instagram, the employee — whose badge identifies him as "Tison" — welcomes the conflict and reads him the riot act.
"Hi everyone!" Tison says, waving at the camera. "I work for Costco, and I'm asking this member to put on a mask because that is our company policy."
The customer then turns the camera to his mask-free face and says, "And I'm not doing it 'cause I woke up in a free country."
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
With that Tison takes the customer's cart away: "Sir, have a great day. You are no longer welcome here in our warehouse. You need to leave. Thank you very much."
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
The customer finishes the clip by calling Tison a "pu**y little b***h" and saying, "There he is walking away with all my stuff. There he goes. 'Cuz I'm not a f***in' sheep."
The clip went viral after journalist Elon James White shared it Tuesday, Newsweek said.
Content warning: Language:
How are folks responding?
The clip James posted has been getting a ton of attention, and it appears comments are decidedly in favor of the Costco employee.
Outspoken far-left U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) commented that Costco "has the right to require that customers wear a mask. Businesses have the right to prevent people from spewing saliva droplets in their stores. Because we live in a free country. And because there's a frickin' life-threatening virus that's spread through saliva droplets."
Who is that masked man?
Tison revealed himself on Twitter in the aftermath, basking in the adoration:
The floodgates open
After Tison's post revealing his maskless face, he seemingly became an instant celebrity on Twitter.
"Thank you Tison & #costco! You won the 'who's balls are bigger' contest by a landslide," one user wrote. "You also potentially saved my life or anybody else's in there. We appreciate you. @Costco give this man a raise! And give the free country plump 'man' a big wet cough."
"You were BADA$ in how you handled the giant dou*hebag," another user wrote. "You never lost your cool while stating Costco's position. Thank you for protecting Costco guests and your co-workers with class & sass."
"You are a freaking rock star!" another user wrote. "Keep up the great work!"
"Fabulous and professional! You handled that man like a badass!" another user said. "Love #Costco!"
Vanquished customer responds
The man whose shopping cart taken created a video response to the Costco altercation, which Mediaite said was deleted from Reddit — but the clip lived on elsewhere.
"I've got every f***ing right to not wear a mask anywhere because this isn't about wearing a mask, this is about control, OK?" the shirtless man says on the clip. "And I'm not the f***in' sheep. Ya'll are the f***in' sheep, every single one of you, going along with what everybody else is saying. I was one of the only people in that store not wearing a mask, which means that you're protected from me, and I'm protected from you, OK? That dude was hoverin' over me, he was stalkin' me, he was f***in' with me. I just took out my camera at that moment so I could show people how this guy was acting toward one person, OK? So if everyone else is wearing a mask, then one person should be able to fly, if anything."
Content warning: Language:


theblaze--2020-05-20--Study finds COVID-19 could drain Social Security reserves this decade

A new study is estimating that the coronavirus pandemic may deplete Social Security trust funds by the end of this decade .
The Bipartisan Policy Center found that , if the current economic downturn were to continue , `` the Disability Insurance ( DI ) trust fund 's reserves may be depleted during the next presidential term , and the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance ( OASI ) trust fund 's reserves may be depleted right around the time of the 2028 presidential election . ''
The report noted that since Social Security relies on the health of the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Specifically , the program collects the bulk of its resources through payroll taxes and , as the report notes , `` a laid-off worker does n't pay payroll taxes . ''
As such , at least 26 million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the pandemic .
Moreover , many of those who have kept their jobs have experienced a reduction in hours , which further depresses the payroll tax revenue .
Add this to the fact that a recession usually means more program payouts , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DI claims typically go up as do OASI claims from older workers forced to retire early .
What does it mean ?
After the Great Recession of 2008 , Social Security trustees projected that the program 's reserves were on course to be depleted by 2033 , moving up from 2041 pre-recession estimates .
Now , the new study projects that the depletion date will move up again , this time to 2029 , if another recession were to result from the pandemic .
`` The closer those dates come , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions that maintain the traditional financing structure of the program , '' the study concludes .
`` If policymakers fail to address Social Security 's financial imbalance soon , they will have to pursue some combination of sharply increasing taxes , drastically cutting benefits , or financing promised benefits through general revenues . ''
Are the reserves are a fiction , anyway ?
The dirty little secret is that the Social Security reserves do n't really exist .
Well , not in the way most Americans think of them , anyway .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine assets , only government bonds , or IOUs .
The Office of Management and Budget under the Clinton administration previously acknowledged that the trust fund `` balances '' only exist in a `` bookkeeping '' sense : `` They do not consist of real economic assets that can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits . ''
Read what the late Charles Krauthammer had to say on the matter in 2011 : Since the reserves do n't exist in a concrete sense , but are loaned to the government by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called `` reserves '' is greater as the economy worsens .
In its report , the Washington Examiner explains that the coming depletion `` does not mean Social Security wo n't be around but that the system will exhaust its cash reserves and will only be able to pay out what it takes in year-to-year in taxes . ''

A new study is estimating that the coronavirus pandemic may deplete Social Security trust funds by the end of this decade.
The Bipartisan Policy Center found that, if the current economic downturn were to continue, "the Disability Insurance (DI) trust fund's reserves may be depleted during the next presidential term, and the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund's reserves may be depleted right around the time of the 2028 presidential election."
The report noted that since Social Security relies on the health of the economy, recessions significantly impact the well-being of the program.
Specifically, the program collects the bulk of its resources through payroll taxes and, as the report notes, "a laid-off worker doesn't pay payroll taxes." As such, at least 26 million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the pandemic. Moreover, many of those who have kept their jobs have experienced a reduction in hours, which further depresses the payroll tax revenue.
Add this to the fact that a recession usually means more program payouts, as well. When workers lose their jobs, DI claims typically go up as do OASI claims from older workers forced to retire early.
What does it mean?
After the Great Recession of 2008, Social Security trustees projected that the program's reserves were on course to be depleted by 2033, moving up from 2041 pre-recession estimates.
Now, the new study projects that the depletion date will move up again, this time to 2029, if another recession were to result from the pandemic.
"The closer those dates come, the more difficult it will be to find policy solutions that maintain the traditional financing structure of the program," the study concludes. "If policymakers fail to address Social Security's financial imbalance soon, they will have to pursue some combination of sharply increasing taxes, drastically cutting benefits, or financing promised benefits through general revenues."
Are the reserves are a fiction, anyway?
The dirty little secret is that the Social Security reserves don't really exist. Well, not in the way most Americans think of them, anyway. The Social Security trust fund does not contain genuine assets, only government bonds, or IOUs.
The Office of Management and Budget under the Clinton administration previously acknowledged that the trust fund "balances" only exist in a "bookkeeping" sense: "They do not consist of real economic assets that can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits."
Read what the late Charles Krauthammer had to say on the matter in 2011:
When your FICA tax is taken out of your paycheck, it does not get squirreled away in some lockbox in West Virginia where it's kept until you and your contemporaries retire. Most goes out immediately to pay current retirees, and the rest (say, $100) goes to the U.S. Treasury — and is spent. On roads, bridges, national defense, public television, whatever — spent, gone.
In return for that $100, the Treasury sends the Social Security Administration a piece of paper that says: IOU $100. There are countless such pieces of paper in the lockbox. They are called "special issue" bonds.
Special they are: They are worthless.
Since the reserves don't exist in a concrete sense, but are loaned to the government by purchasing securities, the threat to the so-called "reserves" is greater as the economy worsens.
In its report, the Washington Examiner explains that the coming depletion "does not mean Social Security won't be around but that the system will exhaust its cash reserves and will only be able to pay out what it takes in year-to-year in taxes."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Matt Lauer lashes out at Ronan Farrow, says he ‘betrayed the truth’ — and insists rape accusations w

Matt Lauer lashes out at Ronan Farrow, says he ‘betrayed the truth’ — and insists rape accusations were a lie

Matt Lauer lashes out at Ronan Farrow , says he ‘ betrayed the truth ’ — and insists rape accusations @ @ @

Disgraced NBC anchor Matt Lauer is speaking out against journalist Ronan Farrow's reporting, as well as the sexual assault allegations levied against Lauer that ended his career.
What are the details?
Lauer, who penned a lengthy essay for Mediaite, said that Pulitzer Prize-winning Farrow is guilty of biased and inaccurate journalism in his book, "Catch and Kill."
The book, which was released in 2019, features a woman's lurid rape allegation against longtime NBC anchor Lauer.
Lauer has repeatedly insisted upon his innocence, and said that he had a consensual sexual relationship with his accuser, former NBC staffer Brooke Nevils.
In the essay, Lauer wrote, "On October 9, 2019, I was falsely accused of rape."
"The allegation came from Brooke Nevils, the same woman whose complaint resulted in my termination at NBC," he continued. "It was made public as part of the promotional rollout for a new book by Ronan Farrow. This accusation was one of the worst and most consequential things to ever happen in my life, it was devastating for my family, and outrageously it was used to sell books."
Lauer pointed out that Nevils never used the words "assault" or "rape" in her official complaints to NBC.
"That has been confirmed publicly," he said. "NBC never suggested I was being accused of such an offense when I met with their attorney on Nov. 28 of that same year. They have also confirmed that publicly."
What else?
Lauer's diatribe came just a day after a New York Times investigation said that Farrow was not thorough in his fact-checking when preparing to release "Catch and Kill."
In an article published on Monday, Times writer Ben Smith wrote, "At times, [Farrow] does not always follow the typical journalistic imperatives of corroboration and rigorous disclosure, or he suggests conspiracies that are tantalizing but he cannot prove."
In his own essay, Lauer said that Farrow refused to corroborate several accusations against him in the book.
"What I found when I read the book was frankly shocking, and it should concern anyone who cares about journalism," Lauer wrote. "This is not just about accusations against the former host of the 'Today' show."
Lauer said that Farrow long had bad blood with NBC News after it reportedly refused to air investigative reports he carried out with regard to the Harvey Weinstein story.
After NBC News reportedly snubbed Farrow's Weinstein story, the reporter took his material to the New Yorker, which ran the piece.
"I was also disappointed, but not surprised, that Ronan Farrow's overall reporting faced so little scrutiny," Lauer added. "Until this week's critical reporting by The New York Times, many in the media perceived his work as inherently beyond basic questioning. However, he was hardly an unbiased journalist when it came to anything to do with NBC, and he was rarely challenged as he dropped salacious stories in a daily marketing effort designed to create media attention for his book.
"[Farrow] became a magnet and a willing ear for anyone with negative stories about [NBC] and the people who worked for it," Lauer revealed.
According to Lauer, Farrow manipulated the story in at least four ways, all of which reportedly impacted the narrative.
"There are four primary ways in which Ronan betrayed the truth in writing his book," Lauer wrote.
1. He consistently failed to confirm stories told to him by his main sources.
2. He failed to provide evidence of important communications he alleges took place between accusers and me. In most cases, Ronan doesn't even claim to have personally seen evidence of those communications.
3. He used misleading language to manipulate readers into believing things that could easily be false, or were at least un-provable. In some cases he undeniably withheld information from the reader that would call the credibility of sources into question.
4. He routinely presented stories in a way that would suit his activist goals, as opposed to any kind of journalistic standards.
Did Farrow respond?
In a Monday tweet, Farrow wrote, "All I'll say on this is that Matt Lauer is just wrong. Catch and Kill was thoroughly reported and fact-checked, including with Matt Lauer himself."
In a follow-up statement, Little, Brown, and Co. — Farrow's publisher — said, "Ronan's dedication to a deep and thorough fact-check of his reporting, his commitment to the rights of victims, and his impeccable attention to detail and nuance make us proud to be his publisher."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Senators expand probe into 'unmasking,' suggest Trump campaign surveillance began much earlier than

Senators expand probe into 'unmasking,' suggest Trump campaign surveillance began much earlier than reported

Senators expand probe into 'unmasking , ' suggest Trump campaign surveillance began much earlier than reported The house of cards @ @

Two Senate committees conducting an oversight investigation into the Trump-Russia investigation are expanding their probe and suggested in a letter on Tuesday that surveillance of Trump campaign associates began earlier than the Department of Justice previously admitted.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell requesting additional information regarding the "unmasking" of Americans.
"We write now both to reiterate our request for the declassification of additional information related to the unmasking of Americans around the time of the 2016 election, but also to expand the scope of our request to include information as early as January 2016," the senators wrote.
According to the senators, they have reason to believe surveillance of the Trump campaign began much earlier than July 2016, the date when the FBI launched its counterintelligence probe into the Trump campaign.
"Based on our investigation and recent press reports, we are increasingly concerned that the surveillance of U.S. persons affiliated with the Trump campaign began earlier than the opening of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation in late July 2016," Johnson and Grassley wrote.
The senators explained:
As we explained in our May 12, 2020, letter to you, one of the most significant unanswered questions about what occurred during the 2016 election is how many Americans were "unmasked," at whose request, and for what purpose.
It has become evident that the FBI, and possibly members of the U.S. Intelligence Community, were focused on U.S. persons affiliated with the Trump campaign in early 2016, if not even earlier. One example is that, in April 2016, FBI headquarters directed its New York Field Office to open a counterintelligence investigation of Carter Page, which on August 10, 2016, became part of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
Due to the expanding nature of their investigation, the senators requested that Grenell immediately make available all "unmasking" requests made by members of the Obama administration against Trump campaign associates from January 2016 to January 2017.
The FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign, and how involved the Obama administration was in the probe, has received fresh scrutiny in the wake of the DOJ dropping its charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Despite accusations of "Obamagate," a newly declassified email from Susan Rice, national security adviser for the Obama administration, that was released on Tuesday showed that former President Barack Obama instructed the government to conduct the Trump-Russia investigation "by the book."


theblaze--2020-05-20--Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's family opted to spend much of pandemic in Florida

Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's family opted to spend much of pandemic in Florida Restrictions have been lighter down @

The family of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) spent about two months in Florida, where they had traveled in early March — just before the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mitigation efforts escalated, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Pritzker was questioned last month about a report claiming his family had been traveling to and from Florida during the pandemic. At the time, he refused to answer, saying that his family had nothing to do with his duties as governor. He called the line of questioning "reprehensible."
On Friday, Pritzker admitted that his family had been in Florida from March until recently. Pritzker owns an equestrian farm in Florida.
Since leaving Florida, his family still hasn't been staying full time in Illinois, the Tribune reported. Pritzker said they've been at a horse farm the family owns in Wisconsin.
"I just will say we have a working farm," Pritzker said. "They're there now. There are animals on that farm, that it's an essential function to take care of animals at a farm, so that's what they're doing."
Pritzker's spokesperson later said the governor's family wasn't staying in Wisconsin, but had traveled back and forth.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has faced heavy media criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. DeSantis has taken a more measured approach to the pandemic, and the results have been better than some states that imposed severe restrictions.
He was criticized for allowing people on beaches even though there appears to be little risk of COVID-19 transmission in warm, outdoor environments when reasonable social distancing is practiced by individuals, and he received little credit for signing executive orders protecting nursing home residents, which have proven to be where the virus is most deadly.
Illinois won't allow gatherings of more than 50 people until there is a COVID-19 vaccine or a "highly effective treatment widely available." Illinois's coronavirus death toll is 4,379, and Florida's is 2,052, according the respective states' websites.


theblaze--2020-05-20--DOJ sends warning to California Gov. Gavin Newsom: Stop discriminating against churches

'There is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution '

In a letter Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division warned California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that his plan to reopen the state discriminates against churches.
The Justice Department argued that the governor's current four-part plan to reopen places an "unfair burden" on religious institutions by delaying in-person gatherings until the third phase, which is after schools, restaurants, businesses, and shopping centers are permitted to reopen in the second phase.
This constitutes "unequal treatment of faith communities," the letter, sent by Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband, along with four other U.S. attorneys in California, suggested.
"Simply put, there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights," Dreiband wrote.
According to the Associated Press, the letter does not threaten immediate legal action but rather serves as a warning to the state that legal action could follow should the state not make any changes.
"The Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate for religious worship, including in Stage 2 of the Reopening plan," the letter advised. "Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter."
The letter refers to a statement issued by Attorney General William P. Barr in April that warned state and local authorities to be careful not to violate the constitutional rights of Americans while enforcing emergency social distancing measures. The letter made specific reference to Americans' right to worship.
"Even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers," Barr stated.
Later in April, Barr instructed federal prosecutors to "be on the lookout" for instances where state and local ordinances violated constitutional rights.
"The Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis," he added.
Gov. Newsom has had shaky relations with the state's faithful since the start of the pandemic, as many have felt that their rights have been infringed upon by strict executive orders. In mid-April, a group of churches in the state even sued the governor over his social distancing ordinances.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Toledo police: Callers are 'tying up' 911 lines to snitch on social distancing violators. Reaction i

Toledo police: Callers are 'tying up' 911 lines to snitch on social distancing violators. Reaction is pure annoyance.

Toledo police : Callers are 'tying up ' 911 lines to snitch on social distancing violators .
Reaction is pure @ @ @ @ @ waste my tax dollars calling the police , Karen '

Police in Toledo, Ohio, said Tuesday on Twitter that callers are "tying up" 911 lines to snitch on social distancing violators — and those reacting to the news are more than a little annoyed.
After police gave the health department's number that people can call instead to report "people not social distancing at bars and restaurants," Twitter commenters were collectively annoyed at those who were calling 911:


theblaze--2020-05-20--We. Are. Live. Today's Special Guest: Megyn Kelly

Steven and the crew discuss what 's trending in the news .
Later , special guest Megyn Kelly joins the @ @ @ @ @ this epic episode of Good Morning Mug Club !
Steven Crowder goes live at 10 @ @ @ @ @ LWC to save $ 10 om one year of BlazeTV .
Want more from Steven @ @ @ @ @ of Steven 's uncensored late-night comedy that 's actually funny , join Mug Club — @ @ @ @ @ of Crowder uncensored and on demand .

Steven and the crew discuss what's trending in the news. Later, special guest Megyn Kelly joins the show! Don't miss this epic episode of Good Morning Mug Club!
Steven Crowder goes live at 10 AM ET.
Use code LWC to save $10 om one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-05-20--China threatens US after Mike Pompeo sends message of support to Taiwan's president

China threatens US after Mike Pompeo sends message of support to Taiwan 's president ' ... the consequences will be @ @ @ @ @ '

The Chinese communist government threatened the United States early Wednesday after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a message of support to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
On Tuesday, Pompeo released a statement congratulating Tsai on the start of her second presidential term while also reaffirming U.S.-Taiwan relations.
I would like to congratulate Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on the commencement of her second term as Taiwan's President. Her re-election by a huge margin shows that she has earned the respect, admiration, and trust of the people on Taiwan. Her courage and vision in leading Taiwan's vibrant democracy is an inspiration to the region and the world. ...
As we look toward the future, I am confident that, with President Tsai at the helm, our partnership with Taiwan will continue to flourish.
The Chinese Communist Party responded with "strong indignation and condemnation" and threatened "necessary counter-measures."
"On Pompeo's congratulation to Tsai Ing-wen on her inauguration, we express strong indignation and condemnation. China will take necessary counter-measures, and the consequences will be borne by the US side," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian wrote on Twitter.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also released a formal statement condemning the U.S. for "seriously violating" the one-China policy by recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty.
The statement said:
We are telling the US that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and indulging and supporting "Taiwan independence" is doomed to failure. Any action that damages China's core interests and interferes in China's internal affairs will be vigorously countered by China, and will not stop the historical trend of China's reunification.
China urges the US to immediately correct its mistakes, abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, stop official US-Taiwan exchanges and enhance substantive relations with Taiwan, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop any words and deeds that harm the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and Sino-US relations.
China will take necessary countermeasures against the above-mentioned wrong actions of the US, and the consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the US.
China's threatening statement comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing escalate over trade, national security matters, and China's culpability in the coronavirus pandemic.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Georgia, Texas churches forced to close doors once more after congregants come down with coronavirus

Georgia , Texas churches forced to close doors once more after congregants come down with coronavirus Faith in the time @ @

At least two churches in Georgia and Texas closed their doors once more amid the COVID-19 pandemic after congregants reportedly tested positive for the virus.
So what's happening in Georgia?
A spokesperson for Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, Georgia, told the Christian Post that the church shuttered for a second time during the coronavirus pandemic after some of its congregants began "dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 virus."
The church, according to the spokesman, would no longer be offering "in-person worship services for the foreseeable future."
The church will remain closed until "further notice in an effort of extreme caution for the safety and well-being of our families."
Catoosa initially reopened its doors in early May after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced the plan to begin reopening the state and lessening restrictions on all non-essential businesses.
"Seating was marked only to permit sitting within the six foot guidelines, all doors were open to allow access without the touching of doors, and attendees were asked to enter in a social distancing manner and were dismissed in a formal manner as well to ensure that the social distancing measures were adhered [to] by all," the spokesperson said.
And in Texas?
Houston, Texas, church Holy Ghost Parish followed suit after reportedly experiencing a similar uptick in COVID-19 infections.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said that the church — which began holding services just weeks ago — closed its doors in an effort to eradicate the spread of coronavirus.
The decision followed the death of one of its leaders, Father Donnell Kirchner, 79. Kirchner reportedly died after contracting the deadly respiratory illness.
The archdiocese said, "Although the parish had followed cleaning, sanitation, and social distancing guidelines prescribed by state health officials since reopening on May 2nd, they determined that at that time it was best to close the Church immediately to public Masses."
"This past weekend," the statement continued, "five of the seven members of the Redemptorists religious community learned that they had tested positive for COVID-19, including two priests who had been active in celebrating public Masses at Holy Ghost since May 2nd. As a result of these findings, all Masses at Holy Ghost Church remain cancelled until further notice."
“While the Redemptorists currently residing at Holy Ghost are asymptomatic, they, and the other members of the community, are in quarantine in the residence isolated from the others," the statement added.
At the time of this writing, researchers at Johns Hopkins University estimate that there have been at least 38,855 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia, as well as 50,552 cases across the state of Texas.


theblaze--2020-05-20--Home Depot co-founder says the media have done a bang-up job of unnecessarily scaring American publi

Home Depot co-founder says the media have done a bang-up job of unnecessarily scaring American public over COVID-19

Home Depot co-founder and billionaire Bernie Marcus says that the media has not done much for Americans other than scaring them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the details?
Marcus, who appeared on Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Monday, said the media is at fault for creating panic and division amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"[The media have done a] wonderful job in frightening America," he said.
He added that the country would be better served taking care of its infirm population who are more likely to suffer deadly complications of the respiratory disease.
"My age bracket is really the problem," Marcus, who is 91 years old, said. "If we take care of my age bracket, that is 70 or above, I think that we can end a lot of the problems that are out there. People that are 70 or above have to be so careful because you are compromised in many different ways. But we're only a small portion of the population, and we're closing down everybody in addition to the schools."
Marcus also pointed out that certain states — such as Florida and Georgia, who have employed ambitious reopening measures to get the local economy back on its feet — have the right idea, and should be an example to follow.
"What [those states] did is a perfect example of thinking and understanding that people need to get out of the house, needed to start their businesses again, needed to go to work again," he opined. "But there are bureaucrats all over the country in the blue states that are still closed, and God knows when they'll open."
He concluded, "Those people [in some blue states], they are still struggling and it is a desperate time for many of them."
According to research compiled by Fox News, a total of 48 states have begun partial reopening processes.


theblaze--2020-05-21--Police chief warns Houston is experiencing 'unprecedented' violence because of the pandemic

Police chief warns Houston is experiencing 'unprecedented ' violence because of the pandemic 'Put up some prayers for this evil @ @ @ @

The Houston police chief says that the city is experiencing "unprecedented" violence because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
In one alarming incident, police say Kendrick Dante Thomas shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend, her sister, and their mother. The ex-girlfriend and the baby died from their injuries. He later found and shot his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.
Thomas was surrounded by the police but he shot and killed himself.
"Sadly, this appears to be a case of domestic violence turned deadly," said Police Chief Art Acevedo, according to KHOU.
"The last few months have been a time frame of just some unprecedented violence," he added, "put up some prayers for this evil series of events that are going on in our city."
"This is just the tip of the iceberg"
Crime victims' advocate Andy Kahan warned that the violence will get worse because of the bail reform measures passed by city officials.
"Murder has just skyrocketed," said Kahan. "I haven't seen levels like this in quite a while. And I think this is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Crooks, criminals, you chill!"
At the end of March, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was faced with ridicule over his comments pleading with criminals to "just chill" while they battled the pandemic.
"Stay home, OK? Stay home. And don't commit any crimes!" Turner said at a media briefing.
"And that way, they'll stay safe and out of jail, and police officers can stay safe and go home to their families, OK?" Turner added. "So everybody chill! Crooks, criminals, you chill! Wait until the coronavirus is over! OK, and then we'll all be OK!"
Apparently, the criminals didn't heed his plea.
"You've got a powder keg out there waiting to explode," said Kahan.
Here's a local news video about Houston violence:
Houston's police chief says city is experiencing 'unprecedented violence' during COVID-19 pandemic www.youtube.com
Update: Police Chief Art Acevedo's title was corrected.


theblaze--2020-05-21--FedEx faces online furor for firing black drivers who posted viral video of altercation with a white

FedEx faces online furor for firing black drivers who posted viral video of altercation with a white customer It 's @ @ @ @ @

FedEx is facing calls for a boycott after they fired two black drivers who posted video of their altercation with a white customer who videotaped them during a delivery.
The heated argument occurred in Leesburg, Georgia, and was recorded by one of the drivers who posted the video on Twitter.
One driver, identified only as Antonio, said that the customer cursed and yelled at them while they were trying to deliver a package. He claimed the man followed them outside and threatened to beat them and call the police.
The video shows the other driver, identified only as Felinzay, accosting the man who is also video-recording them.
Update FedEx called and told me to take down this video and fired both of us Today .. I'm reposting this video because people like him doesn't matter white or any race should never disrespect essential workers putting their lives in jeopardy especially with this covid-19 pic.twitter.com/Fw0S5gNRso
— antonio (@Toniob38) May 20, 2020
Antonio claimed that the customer told the police he believed the two were intending to rob his home with his wife and children inside.
So we stop the truck and that's when i started recording the incident.. after the video the police came and we told our side of the story & the man said to the police “they look like they would've broke into my house while my wife is there" the white dude was lying the whole time
— antonio (@Toniob38) May 20, 2020
Social media users quickly jumped to criticize FedEx and some called for a boycott, which trended nationally on Wednesday. Many assumed that the motivation of the customer had been out of a racist attitude against the two drivers.
FedEx released a statement addressing the altercation but offering no further details.
"FedEx Ground expects the highest level of conduct from service providers and their employees," the statement read.
"We are aware of this incident and have reviewed the matter with the customer and the service provider business that employed the individuals depicted in the video," the statement concluded.
A social media website set up a GoFundMe donation page for the fired drivers, and it had raised more than $36,000 in less than 12 hours.


theblaze--2020-05-21--Volkswagen forced to pull ad deemed to be 'racist'

Volkswagen forced to pull ad deemed to be 'racist' The German automaker apologized , saying they were 'horrified ' by @ @

German carmaker Volkswagen has pulled one of its commercials after receiving heavy backlash from viewers who said the advertisement was racist.
What are the details?
In a spot that ran on Instagram to promote the company's Golf model, the hand of an apparent white woman can be seen pushing around a black man before flicking him into a building and away from a yellow Volkswagen as she laughs.
Volkswagen "Racist" Ad May 2020 www.youtube.com
According to The Daily Mail, "social media users noted that as a slogan, 'Der Neue Golf' — 'The New Golf' — fades into view, the jumbled letters appear to spell out the N-word in German." The ad was also criticized because the name of the cafe pictured is Petit Colon, which means "Little Colonist" in French.
Reuters reported that "German television noted that the hand could be interpreted as making a 'white power' gesture."
The automaker removed the ad amid the negative publicity, and launched an investigation into the matter.
Volkswagen's board member for sales and marketing, Juergen Stackmann, issued an apology, writing:
We understand the public outrage at this. Because we're horrified, too. This video is an insult to all achievements of the civil rights movement. It is an insult to every decent person.
We at Volkswagen are aware of the historical origins and the guilt of our company during the Nazi regime. That is precisely why we resolutely oppose all forms of hatred, slander/propaganda and discrimination.
Reuters pointed out that VW was "founded on orders by Adolph Hitler to build the 'people's car,'" and that the company "employed forced laborers for the Nazi war effort."


theblaze--2020-05-21--Democratic Governors Association becomes a laughingstock over failed meme attempt

'You guys are so , so bad at this '

The Democratic Governors Association made an apparent attempt to dunk on someone on Wednesday by using a popular online meme trend, but ended up embarrassing its own organization for not only missing the mark but accidently hitting themselves in the face.
What are the details?
Social media has been filled lately with people postingfunny memes showing images indicating their optimism for what their grand plans for 2020 were originally, next to a disappointing image representing how the year has actually turned out so far.
In an attempt to join in on the fun, the DGA posted a picture of failed 2018 Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, next to the Republican who beat her, now-Gov. Brian Kemp.
The posting on Twitter drew immediate ridicule. Beyond the obvious fact that the race between Abrams and Kemp happened years ago, the images drew attention to the fact that Kemp was the victor despite Abrams' refusal to ever concede the race and inability to accept her loss.
One Twitter user reacted by replying, "Congrats on finally conceding, you loon," while another wrote, "So your plans are delusional...got it." Someone else posted, "You guys are so, so bad at this."
Several called the DGA's ratioed post a "self-own," and many also issued the common refrain that "the left can't meme."
In one of the more polite responses, a tweeter was kind enough to explain to the DGA, "You missed the point. You're supposed to put something wonderful under 'my plans' and something unexpectedly bad under '2020.'"


theblaze--2020-05-21--Kayleigh McEnany calls out CNN's Chris Cuomo on his hypocrisy over coronavirus medicine

Kayleigh McEnany calls out CNN 's Chris Cuomo on his hypocrisy over coronavirus medicine McEnany takes on the media yet @

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called out the hypocrisy from CNN's Chris Cuomo over the attacks on President Donald Trump announcing that he was taking hydroxychloroquine to ward off coronavirus.
McEnany made her comments to reporters in a media briefing on Wednesday.
"You had Chris Cuomo saying the president knows that hydroxychloroquine is not supported by science, he knows it has been flagged by his own people and he's using it," she said.
Numerous media figures had mocked and jeered the president for taking the drug, which can be fatal when not supervised by medical professionals.
"Well Cuomo mocked the president for this, and interestingly, I found this out just before coming here, hydroxychloroquine of course is an FDA-approved medication with a long proven track record for safety, it turns out that Chris Cuomo took a less safe version of it called quinine, which the FDA removed from the market in 2006 because it had serious side effects, including death," said McEnany.
"So really interesting to have that criticism of the president," she concluded.
McEnany was referring to Cuomo's wife posting on her blog that he had been taking a plant derivative similar to hydroxychloroquine.
She went on to cite quotes from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Chris Cuomo's brother, that were hopeful about the possibility of using hydroxychloroquine in the battle against coronavirus.
Here are the comments from McEnany:


theblaze--2020-05-21--GOP state lawmaker kicked out of Illinois House session for refusing to wear a mask

GOP state lawmaker kicked out of Illinois House session for refusing to wear a mask The lower chamber voted 81-27 @ @ @ @ @ ( R ) removed from the floor

A Republican state lawmaker was booted from a session of the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday, after the chamber voted to have him removed for refusing to wear a mask in accordance with a new rule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
What are the details?
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rep. Darren Bailey (R) refused to wear a face covering during the first three sessions, prompting his colleagues—including some fellow Republicans—to vote 81-27 to have him kicked out. The action did not remove him from office, and he is able to return to the people's business if he falls in line and wears a mask.
Following the motion, the acting speaker declared, "Doormen, please remove Rep. Bailey."
But Bailey did not appear bothered by his dismissal from the session, and left with a smile on his face before greeting reporters outside. He told the press, "It's time to put an end to this stuff and say enough is enough."
State rep removed from first legislative session since pandemic began for refusing to wear mask www.youtube.com
State Rep. Bailey has been an outspoken critic of coronavirus-related restrictions, according to WMAQ-TV. The Republican even sued Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month for extending the state's stay-at-home mandates.
Pritzker called Bailey's decision to refuse to wear a mask "a callous disregard for life, callous disregard for people's health."
Other GOP members had threatened to attend House proceedings without wearing facial coverings, but ultimately decided against fighting the rule. Rep. Chris Miller (R) told WMAQ, "If we are required, I will play along. I don't want to be a distraction from the real issues of JB's failed leadership."
Rep. Brad Halbrook (R) added, "If the rule is adopted I will abide by it. I trust that we will spend as much time on the long overdue issues of spending reform, pension reform, property tax and many other needed reforms."


theblaze--2020-05-22--Michigan AG calls Trump 'a petulant child,' says he's no longer welcome in state after not wearing a

Michigan AG calls Trump 'a petulant child,' says he's no longer welcome in state after not wearing a mask

Michigan AG calls Trump ' a petulant child , ' says he 's no longer welcome in state after not @ @ @ @ @ ( D ) has also threatened to sue a Ford plant for not forcing the @ @ @ @ @ covering during his visit

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) on Thursday called President Donald Trump "a petulant child" and said that as far as her office concerned, he is no longer welcome in the state after the president was seen touring a Ford production plant while not wearing a mask.
What are the details?
President Trump visited a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and sent the mainstream media into a flurry over the fact that he did not wear a facial covering in accordance with the state's strict social distancing laws amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Following his trip, Nessel rushed to be on liberal network CNN for the second time that day, where she was egged on to deliver a tirade against the commander in chief for daring to skirt Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's (D) rules.
Host Wolf Blitzer noted that Nessel had vowed prior to President Trump's visit that if he did not wear a mask while touring facilities, he "would be asked not to return to any undisclosed facilities" in the state. Wolf asked the attorney general, "Is the president no longer welcome in Michigan?"
The Democrat replied, "Well, I will say, speaking on behalf of my department and my office—that's right! That's exactly right. I mean, today's events were extremely disappointing and yet, totally predictable." Nessel added, "The president is like a petulant child, who refuses to follow the rules."
The attorney general also would not rule out bringing legal action against Ford for allowing the President of the United States to go without wearing a facial covering in their factory. Nessel has previously threatened other companies with lawsuits over such violations.
Trump is Banned 🤦♂from the State of Michigan for not wearing a Mask www.youtube.com
Anything else?
This is not the first time Nessel has thrown around insults to people who dared skirt her state's controversial dictates.
Last week, the attorney general lambasted 77-year-old barber Karl Manke — who reopened his shop in violation of Michigan's shutdown order — saying that the elderly man is "not a patriot," and that he is "selfish."


theblaze--2020-05-21--LIVE NOW: Louder with Crowder's Thursday Livestream

Talking all things : Brian Stelter 's attempt to rip Trump ( and still pretending he 's straight ) , @ @ @ @ @ dumping problem of the human poop variety , and a Georgia man learned the hard @ @ @ @ @ ladies is still frowned upon .
Joined by Gavin McInnes to discuss Obamagate .
America @ @ @ @ @ on at 8 PM .
Use code LWC to save $ 10 on one year @ @ @ @ @ from Steven Crowder ?
To enjoy more of Steven 's uncensored late-night comedy that 's @ @ @ @ @ Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand .

Talking all things: Brian Stelter's attempt to rip Trump (and still pretending he's straight), North Idaho has a public dumping problem of the human poop variety, and a Georgia man learned the hard way that sex with dead ladies is still frowned upon. Joined by Gavin McInnes to discuss Obamagate.
America's best late-night show is on at 8 PM.
Use code LWC to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-05-21--Americans are fighting back, DEFYING 'tyrannical' government orders during COVID-19 shutdown

'Our nanny state has gone too far ! '

Time after time, Americans have taken to the streets to defend our constitutional rights, whether it was our livelihood at stake -- or our lives. But, what was the point of all the civil rights movements that came before, if we're about to let the government take our rights away now?
On his Wednesday night special, Glenn Beck argued that Americans are tired of having our rights trampled by "tyrannical" leaders from state and local governments who are ignoring our unalienable rights during this pandemic.
"Our nanny state has gone too far. The men and women in office -- the ones closest to our communities, our towns, our cities -- are now taking advantage of our fear," Glenn said. "Like our brothers and sisters of the past, we need to start making the decisions that will put our destiny, and our children's destiny, back into our hands."
It took less than two months of the coronavirus tyranny to make America unrecognizable, but some Americans are fighting back, risking losing their jobs and businesses or even jail time, as they battle to take back our civil rights.
Here are just a few of their stories:
After New Jersey's Atilis Gym reopened in defiance of the governor's executive order, the Department of Health shut them down for "posing a threat to the public health." Co-owner Ian Smith says somebody sabotaged the gym's toilets with entire rolls of toilet paper to create the public health "threat."
Oregon Salon owner, Lindsey Graham, was fined $14 thousand for reopening. She said she was visited by numerous government organizations, including Child Protective Services, in what she believes are bullying tactics straight from the governor's office.
77-year-old Michigan barber, Karl Manke, refused to close his shop even when facing arrest. "I couldn't go another 30 days without an income," he said. But when local police refused to arrest him, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's (D) office suspending his business license instead.
Port of Seattle police officer Greg Anderson was suspended after he spoke out against enforcing what he called "tyrannical orders" imposed amid coronavirus lockdowns.
Kentucky mother-of-seven, Mary Sabbatino, found herself under investigation for alleged child abuse after breaking social distancing rules at a bank. After a social worker from child protective services determined there was no sign of abuse, he still sought to investigate why the Sabbatino's are homeschooling, and how they can give "adequate attention to that many children."
Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was sentenced to seven days in jail after she defied the state-mandated stay-at-home orders to reopen her business. Watch the video clip from Glenn's special below:
Watch the full special on BlazeTV YouTube here.
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multiplatform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-05-21--Breaking: Man who recorded the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery is arrested and charged with murder

Breaking : Man who recorded the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery is arrested and charged with murder He was also @ @ @ @ @ false imprisonment

Authorities arrested the man who recorded the video of the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery and charged with felony murder on Thursday.
50-year-old William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. is a neighbor of the two men who were recorded on the video shooting and killing Ahmaud Arbery. The father and son claimed that they were trying to apprehend Arbery believing that he had been responsible for a series of burglaries in their neighborhood.
The family of Arbery says he was merely out jogging when the lethal altercation occurred.
In addition to felony murder, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged Bryan with criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment.
Prior to his arrest, Bryan released a statement through his lawyer indicated that he had taken a polygraph test about his involvement and shared the results to the authorities in Georgia.
"Contrary to speculation, the polygraph examination confirms that on Feb. 23 2020, the day of the shooting, William 'Roddie' Bryan did not have any conversation with either Gregory or Travis McMichael prior to the shooting. Nor did William 'Roddie' Bryan have any conversation with anyone else that day prior to the shooting about criminal activity in the neighborhood," claimed attorney Kevin Gough.
The case has drawn national outrage and scrutiny as many have blamed racial animus for the shooting.
The GBI will hold a media briefing about the developments in the controversial case on Friday morning.
Here's a local news video about the arrest:


theblaze--2020-05-21--Appeals court to Flynn judge: Why haven't you dismissed this case?

Appeals court to Flynn judge : Why have n't you dismissed this case ?
Judge Emmet Sullivan has been ordered @ @ @

The federal judge presiding over the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn has been ordered by an appeals court to justify his reasoning for refusing to dismiss the case, weeks after the Department of Justice asked that all charges against the retired lieutenant general be dropped.
What are the details?
A panel of three judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an order on Thursday, demanding that U.S. Circuit Judge Emmet Sullivan file a response within ten days addressing Flynn's petition asking the higher court to force Sullivan to honor the government's request and drop the case.
The appeals court also offered the Department of Justice the same 10-day period to respond.
Politico reported that "the Appeals Court order is the latest twist in a remarkable series of events that have thrown the Flynn case into turmoil on the eve of his sentencing for pleading guilty to lying to the FBI."
Last week, Judge Sullivan made an unusual move, himself. After refusing to immediately dismiss the case against Flynn, he issued an order naming a retired judge to argue against the DOJ's request for dismissal, and to "address whether the Court should issue an Order to Show Cause why Mr. Flynn should not be held in criminal contempt for perjury."
In response, Flynn's attorney's took the issue over Sullivan's head to the D.C. Appeals Court, asking them to force Sullivan's hand and to "reassign the case to another district judge as to any further proceedings."
Following the order handed down to Sullivan by D.C. Circuit Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, Robert Wilkins, and Neomi Rao, Flynn's lead attorney, Sidney Powell, told The Washington Post, "Obviously the court is taking the issue very seriously, as it should."
What's the background?
Flynn was prosecuted as a result of the Mueller investigation that failed to find any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The former national security adviser for President Donald Trump eventually pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, but later retracted his guilty plea after obtaining new counsel.
The retired lieutenant general says he knew he was innocent all along, but agreed to plead guilty after authorities threatened to also prosecute his son. Recently released documents indicate Flynn was targeted by FBI agents who privately expressed their frustration over President Trump being elected.