theblaze--2020-12-10--Hate speech against transgenders — even when spoken in private — outlawed in Norway, punishable by y

Hate speech against transgenders — even when spoken in private — outlawed in Norway, punishable by year in jail

Hate speech against transgenders — even when spoken in private — outlawed in Norway , punishable by year in jail @ @ @ @ @ in jail for hate speech against transgender people that 's uttered in public

Hate speech against transgender people — even when uttered in private — has been outlawed by Norway's parliament in an expansion of the country's penal code that's protected gays and lesbians since 1981, Reuters reported.
What are the details?
Those found guilty of hate speech spoken in private face a fine or up to a year in jail, the outlet said, adding that those found guilty of public hate speech face a maximum of three years in jail.
"I'm very relieved actually, because [the lack of legal protection] has been an eyesore for trans people for many, many years," Birna Rorslett, vice president of the Association of Transgender People in Norway, told Reuters.
More from the outlet:
Norway is one of the most liberal countries in Europe for LGBT+ people, allowing trans people to legally change gender without a medical diagnosis in 2016. But reported homophobic crimes have risen, according to advocacy group, ILGA-Europe.
Minister of Justice and Public Security Monica Maeland told Reuters that transgender people are "an exposed group when it comes to discrimination, harassment, and violence" and that "it is imperative that the protection against discrimination offered by the criminal legislation is adapted to the practical situations that arise."
The amendments approved in late November outlaw discrimination based on "gender identity or gender expression" and "homosexual orientation" was changed to "sexual orientation," meaning bisexual as well as lesbian and gay people will be explicitly protected from discrimination, the outlet said.
And those charged with violent crimes can receive harsher sentences if judges decide their actions were motivated by victims' sexual orientation or gender identity, Reuters reported, citing the penal code.
Pushback
Professor and legal scholar Jonathan Turley argued that the move is deadly to free speech in Norway.
"In their homes, people will often share religious and political views that depart from majoritarian values or beliefs," Turley wrote. "This law would regulate those conversations and criminalize the expression of prohibited viewpoints."
More from Turley's column:
The most chilling fact is that European-style speech controls have become a core value in the Democratic Party. Once a party that fought for free speech, it has become the party demanding Internet censorship and hate speech laws. President-Elect Joe Biden has called for speech controls and recently appointed a transition head for agency media issues that is one of the most pronounced anti-free speech figures in the United States. It is a trend that seems now to be find support in the media, which celebrated the speech of French President Emmanuel Macron before Congress where he called on the United States to follow the model of Europe on hate speech.
For free speech advocates, we need to educate the public on where this road leads in places like Norway. What is at stake is the very right that has long defined us as a nation. Once we cross the Rubicon into speech criminalization and controls, Europe has shown that it is rarely possible to work back to liberties lost. We are moving into potentially the most anti-free speech period of American history — and possibly the most anti-free speech Administration. Many politicians are already arguing for citizens to give up their free speech rights in forums like the Internet. With the media echoing many of these anti-free speech sentiments, it will require a greater effort of those who value the First Amendment and its core place in our constitutional system.
(H/T: FaithWire)


theblaze--2020-12-10--POLL: Who do you trust the least?

POLL: Who do you trust the least?

POLL : Who do you trust the least ?
Cast your vote and do n't forget to share !

POLL: Who do you trust the least?
Cast your vote and don't forget to share!


theblaze--2020-12-10--Viral video shows moment angry youth football coach beats 9-year-old football player. NBA star LeBro

Viral video shows moment angry youth football coach beats 9-year-old football player. NBA star LeBron James takes to social media to condemn the attack.

Viral video shows moment angry youth football coach beats 9-year-old football player .
NBA star LeBron James takes to social @ @ @ @ @ .

Viral video captured the moment a youth football coach struck a 9-year-old youth football player in the head at the national championships in Florida.
The video has garnered much attention from across social media, and has even caught the ire of NBA superstar LeBron James who said that he might have fought the coach in question if he were there.
You can watch the video here and below.
What are the details?
According to TMZ, the incident involving the unnamed child recently took place at the American Youth Football National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida.
Video caught the moment that the coach — later identified as Alexis Cobb, according to the Grio — began chastising the boy, identified as a Savannah Gators player, after a play. At one point, he hits the child — who was wearing a helmet — in the head and then shoves him to the sidelines.
International Business Times reported that the Gators issued a "half-hearted" apology for the incident, and said, "We understand what we all saw yesterday was disturbing to us all but let's not blame everyone for one man's actions. The guy in the video is our 9U head coach he is a good guy that just took it a little too far on a 9U player."
The apology in question has reportedly since been deleted.
Following outcry, the coach issued an apology saying, "At the end of the day, I am a man. I'm not going to make no excuses for what I did."
"I shouldn't have discipled [the child] in public," he added. "I should've waited till we got back. At the end of the day I apologize to him, the kids, the city, and my family back at home. I do apologize."
LeBron James was so outraged that he shared the video on his Instagram Stories and said, "Ain't no ... way!! Couldn't be my kid! Hell if I there and it's not even my kid we gone have more than words for sure," James said Wednesday.
TMZ reports that it is unclear at the time of this writing whether the coach will face criminal charges in connection to the attack.
International Business Times, however, reported that the coach has been banned from the league for life.


theblaze--2020-12-10--Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani bashes male Trump supporters, says 'traditional masculinity is a dis

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani bashes male Trump supporters, says 'traditional masculinity is a disease'

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani drew thousands of responses on Twitter after declaring that `` traditional masculinity is a disease . ''
The critique , which was seen as inflammatory by many , was a response to a tweet regarding President Donald Trump 's popularity with men in the 2020 election .
Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux , a senior writer at FiveThirtyEight , promoted one of her articles in a tweet captioned : `` Why did so many men stick with Trump in 2020 ?
The COVID-19 pandemic may have given him a way to reach more masculine men .
Many of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off ' approach . ''
Nanjiani retweeted the post about men who voted for Trump and added his own commentary that appeared to be an insult to male Trump supporters .
The tweet read , `` Traditional masculinity is a disease . ''
Nanjiani did not expound on his belief that `` traditional masculinity is a disease . ''
The vague statement was immediately met with a wave of backlash .
Gad Saad , an evolutionary psychologist and professor in the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University , simply asked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or is it a virtue ? ''
Former NFL player Cory Procter astutely replied , `` Masculinity is a power to be harnessed .
Not suppressed . ''
One reaction on Twitter that garnered more than 3,500 `` Likes '' stated , `` Traditional masculinity is what brought men out from primitive status .
Traditional masculinity means men willing to lay down their lives for the right cause .
It means doing hard things because they are right .
It means being a loving father , standing against evil .
Being a shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hit , and to keep on standing .
Being a man means original thought , the spirit of discovery and adventure .
Challenging preconceived notions while staying rooted enough for a stable future .
Rolling over .
Denigrating yourself to blind . ''
Many internet commentators pointed out that Nanjiani seemed to take great pride in getting a chiseled , `` masculine '' body last December for his role in the Marvel superhero movie `` The Eternals , '' where he played Kingo , a 16th-century Samurai warrior .
Nanjiani gleefully posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new physique on Instagram .
He admitted the photo of his new body was to grab attention and said , `` I never thought I 'd be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless , but I 've worked way too hard for way too long so here we are . ''
`` I found out a year ago I was going to be in Marvel 's Eternals and decided I wanted to transform how I looked , '' Nanjiani said .
One commenter noted that Nanjiani and his fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Silicon Valley '' were on the March 2018 cover of the Hollywood Reporter magazine with the headline : `` Triumph of the Beta Male . ''
In July 2019 , Nanjiani spoke out against traditional masculinity in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter .
`` I feel like we 're in a time where we can talk about masculinity and how it 's always been very traditionally defined in a narrow way and how that 's led to problems for everyone — for women and for men , '' Nanjiani said during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies .
Nanjiani is a fervent activist for the Democratic Party .
The actor , along with other celebrities , started Win Both Seats , an organization supporting the Democratic Senate candidates in the upcoming Georgia runoff election .
On Wednesday , Nanjiani issued a dire-sounding warning to his 3 million Twitter followers and instructed them to vote for Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock.
`` The soul of our democracy is at stake .
to save the Senate . ''

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani drew thousands of responses on Twitter after declaring that "traditional masculinity is a disease." The critique, which was seen as inflammatory by many, was a response to a tweet regarding President Donald Trump's popularity with men in the 2020 election.
Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux, a senior writer at FiveThirtyEight, promoted one of her articles in a tweet captioned: "Why did so many men stick with Trump in 2020? The COVID-19 pandemic may have given him a way to reach more masculine men. Many of those men actually liked Trump's 'shrug it off' approach."
Nanjiani retweeted the post about men who voted for Trump and added his own commentary that appeared to be an insult to male Trump supporters. The tweet read, "Traditional masculinity is a disease."
Nanjiani did not expound on his belief that "traditional masculinity is a disease."
The vague statement was immediately met with a wave of backlash.
Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist and professor in the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, simply asked, "Is traditional femininity also a disease or is it a virtue?"
Former NFL player Cory Procter astutely replied, "Masculinity is a power to be harnessed. Not suppressed."
One reaction on Twitter that garnered more than 3,500 "Likes" stated, "Traditional masculinity is what brought men out from primitive status. Traditional masculinity means men willing to lay down their lives for the right cause. It means doing hard things because they are right. It means being a loving father, standing against evil. Being a shield for the innocent. It means taking the hit, and to keep on standing. Being a man means original thought, the spirit of discovery and adventure. Challenging preconceived notions while staying rooted enough for a stable future. Rolling over. Denigrating yourself to blind."
Many internet commentators pointed out that Nanjiani seemed to take great pride in getting a chiseled, "masculine" body last December for his role in the Marvel superhero movie "The Eternals," where he played Kingo, a 16th-century Samurai warrior.
Nanjiani gleefully posted a shirtless photo of himself with his new physique on Instagram. He admitted the photo of his new body was to grab attention and said, "I never thought I'd be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless, but I've worked way too hard for way too long so here we are."
"I found out a year ago I was going to be in Marvel's Eternals and decided I wanted to transform how I looked," Nanjiani said.
One commenter noted that Nanjiani and his fellow cast members on the HBO TV show "Silicon Valley" were on the March 2018 cover of the Hollywood Reporter magazine with the headline: "Triumph of the Beta Male."
In July 2019, Nanjiani spoke out against traditional masculinity in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
"I feel like we're in a time where we can talk about masculinity and how it's always been very traditionally defined in a narrow way and how that's led to problems for everyone — for women and for men," Nanjiani said during a press blitz for one of his movies.
Nanjiani is a fervent activist for the Democratic Party. The actor, along with other celebrities, started Win Both Seats, an organization supporting the Democratic Senate candidates in the upcoming Georgia runoff election.
On Wednesday, Nanjiani issued a dire-sounding warning to his 3 million Twitter followers and instructed them to vote for Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock. "The soul of our democracy is at stake. #VoteWarnock to save the Senate."


theblaze--2020-12-10--WATCH: Texas AG breaks down SCOTUS suit

WATCH: Texas AG breaks down SCOTUS suit

We go LIVE with the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to get the latest details on the lawsuit going to @ @ @ @ @ n't watch ?
Listen to the podcast here Use promo code LWC to save $ @ @ @ @ @ BlazeTV .
Want more from Steven Crowder ?
To enjoy more of Steven 's uncensored @ @ @ @ @ funny , join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and @ @ @

We go LIVE with the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to get the latest details on the lawsuit going to the Supreme Court.
Can't watch? Listen to the podcast here
Use promo code LWC to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-12-10--Leftist militants have stockpiled weapons, spike strips, armed guards at Portland autonomous zone

Police chief said force will be used if necessary to end occupation but asked militants to leave before it comes @ @

Leftist militants on their third day of occupying several residential blocks in Portland, Oregon, over a foreclosed house have stockpiled weapons, homemade spike strips, and armed guards at the entrances of their autonomous zone.
But the city's police chief said cops will use force if necessary to end the occupation.
What's the background?
The autonomous zone was set up Tuesday — the same day leftists militants were caught on video chasing Portland police away from the foreclosed house. In fact, they kicked and threw rocks at retreating police vehicles and ran up on cops and appeared to try to steal their equipment while taunting and threatening them as they literally chased officers down a street.
"We ain't f***in' around!" one militant was heard yelling at cops while another leftist declared, "I'll knock you the f*** out, bitch!"
Here's the clip. Content warning: Language:
And the leftists bullied, physically attacked, and forced a local TV reporter and videographer to leave the autonomous zone Tuesday soon after they entered in an attempt to interview occupiers:
Content warning: Language:
What did the police have to say?
"I certainly am respectful of the issue that people are there to address, but blocking streets and chasing police officers out of the neighborhood is still not OK and really contrary to our values as Portlanders," Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis told the Oregonian Tuesday evening.
Davis added that police "have to be thoughtful about" the situation and go about it "in the right way" and "consider all the angles and do our best to resolve the situation as safely as possible," the paper reported.
But Police Chief Chuck Lovell struck a different tone in a video message, saying he's aware of the leftists' weapons and threats they're making — and that officers will use force to end the occupation if necessary:
Lovell added in another Twitter post that police also are aware of "armed sentries, attacks on journalists & threats to kill officers in graffiti in this public space."
And as you can see from the below Twitter video, the leftists have installed homemade spike strips in front of one barricaded entrance:


theblaze--2020-12-10--Parler CEO rips YouTube's 'shameful and deceitful' move to censor information about the 2020 preside

Parler CEO rips YouTube's 'shameful and deceitful' move to censor information about the 2020 presidential election

Parler CEO rips YouTube 's 'shameful and deceitful ' move to censor information about the 2020 presidential election 'This is @ @ @ @ @ coming to Parler '

Parler CEO John Matze has blasted YouTube's decision to moderate information regarding the 2020 presidential election during a Wednesday interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.
Matze appeared on Wednesday's episode of Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle," where he said that the Google-owned tech company is "shameful and deceitful" for the move.
On Wednesday, YouTube announced it would begin removing content that it deemed misleading to viewers by "alleging that widespread fraud or errors changed the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election."
What are the details?
The segment opened with host Laura Ingraham questioning whether the "entirety of conservative thought" could eventually be censored by technology giants following YouTube's big announcement.
"So get this: YouTube is targeting the views of more than 74 million Americans who voted for Trump?" Ingraham began. "Maybe concerned about the integrity of the election?"
The 27-year-old tech entrepreneur told Ingraham that he believed it may already be happening.
"YouTube frankly should be embarrassed. This is shameful and deceitful, and this is why millions of people are coming to Parler," he said of the moderation. "In 2016, comfortable with the conspiracy theory that Russia stole the election; now they have conspiracy theories on YouTube about how aliens created the pyramids, that is all acceptable, but the 2020 election — you can't talk about that — it's pretty crazy."
According to Newsweek, Ingraham, elsewhere during the exchange, "appeared to suggest in the interview that YouTube was hosting propaganda linked to the Chinese and Venezuelan governments, but did not elaborate further."
"If something, John, they say is misleading, does that mean they're taking down all of the commentaries saying that Trump was a Russian agent?" she asked.
Matze shot back, "It sounds like they endorse all content that they have on their platform and they only take down stuff they don't. It sounds like they are acting like a publication. That's why people are uploading their videos on Parler now or going elsewhere."
You can watch a video of the exchange here.
What else?
In a Wednesday statement, YouTube executives said, "Yesterday was the safe harbor deadline for the U.S. Presidential election and enough states have certified their election results to determine a President-elect. Given that, we will start removing any piece of content uploaded today (or anytime after) that misleads people by alleging that widespread fraud or errors changed the outcome of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, in line with our approach towards historical U.S. Presidential elections."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Biden, Harris named Time's 'Person of the Year'; mag says Fauci, frontline workers are 'Guardians of

Biden, Harris named Time's 'Person of the Year'; mag says Fauci, frontline workers are 'Guardians of the Year'

Biden , Harris named Time 's 'Person of the Year ' ; mag says Fauci , frontline workers are 'Guardians @ @ @ @

Time magazine has named former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as its "Person of the Year."
The long-running publication also named Dr. Anthony Fauci and America's frontline workers at its "Guardians of the Year."
What are the details?
The magazine's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said that Biden and Harris won the honor for "changing the American story" with regard to the 2020 presidential election.
The two also showed that the "forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division, for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world."
"Every elected president since FDR has at some point during his term been a Person of the Year, nearly a dozen of those in a presidential election year," Felsenthal said. "This is the first time we have included a vice president."
The magazine's candidates for Person of the Year included President Donald Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
TIME Person Of The Year: Joe Biden And Kamala Harris www.youtube.com
What else?
Fauci and America's frontline workers, however, were named "Guardians of the Year."
The magazine's Jeffrey Kluger and Alice Park write, "Guardians put themselves on the line to defend the ideals sacred to democracy. In 2020, they fought on many fronts. On the front line against COVID-19, the world's health care workers displayed the best of humanity — selflessness, compassion, stamina, courage — while protecting as much of it as they could."
"By risking their lives every day for the strangers who arrived at their workplace, they made conspicuous a foundational principle of both medicine and democracy: equality," Kluger and Park wrote. "By their example, health care workers this year guarded more than lives."
Further, Fauci is celebrated as having led the fight for "truth" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In Washington, Dr. Anthony Fauci led not only the battle against COVID-19 but also the fight for truth — clear, consistent messaging being fundamental to public health," Time explained. "With steadfast integrity, Fauci nudged, elided, and gently corrected a president used to operating in a reality of his own construction, buoyed by the fervent repetition of lies."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Liberal anti-Trump activist mocks Christian conservatives and faces a 's**tstorm' of backlash

Mocking religion while trying to win Georgia is not a smart stategy

Liberal activist Amy Siskind fired off a dismissive tweet mocking conservative Christians and when she checked into her social media account later, she said there was a "s**tstorm" of backlash.
Siskind posted a popular meme that aimed to divide the United States into a country composed of the region with majority liberals united with Canada separated from those regions with majority conservatives.
"Proposed map. NY and CA are sick of supporting these red welfare states!" she tweeted.
The meme also referred to the latter as "Jesusland" to ridicule Christians.
Her missive was immediately met with an onslaught from those defending Christians and the political right.
Siskind deleted the tweet but screenshots were circulated by her critics.
Siskind later tweeted that she returned to her account to find a surprising amount of backlash.
"I sent a tweet in response to Limbaugh's comments on secession that was meant to be cheeky in response to the hypocrisy of the GOP not wanting to "bail out" blue states w/ Covid. It was poorly written and the meme was a bad choice," she said.
"Was offline for a few hours...and came back to the s**tstorm I had caused," she added in a second tweet.
"My apologies to anyone offended. It was just sloppy work and I take the responsibility and will be more careful in constructing what I post. I am always a work in progress, but today I failed. Please accept my apology," she added.
Many on Twitter definitely did not accept her apology.
"Hey @Amy_Siskind, You're a bigot. That seems clear from the map you posted but let me tell ya something, I'd choose Jesusland 100 out of 100 times vs. living in the United Socialist States of leftist virtue signaling that's hypocritically run by a guy who wore blackface for fun," responded director Robby Starbuck.
"So you're copying someone else's map from 2004, taking the whitest states in the Union, and admitting liberals are godless... all in one tweet," responded another social media user.
The phrase "Jesusland" also trended nationally on Twitter as thousands of people responded.
The ridicule of conservative Christians was especially egregious given the Democrats' campaign to win the U.S. Senate by winning two runoff elections in Georgia, a state with conservative and Christian leanings.
Here's more about Siskind's anti-Trump activism:


theblaze--2020-12-11--Joe Biden's brother is reportedly also being investigated by federal prosecutors

Joe Biden 's brother is reportedly also being investigated by federal prosecutors The feds are looking into his dealings with @ @ @ @

The brother of former Vice President Joe Biden is reportedly being investigated in the same probe looking into allegations of money laundering against his son, Hunter Biden.
A Politico report said Thursday that James Biden was being investigated by federal officials in the Western District of Pennsylvania over his former role in a now-bankrupt company named Americore Health. In January, two hospitals managed by the company were raided by the FBI over allegations of gross mismanagement.
On Wednesday, Hunter Biden admitted that he was the subject of a federal investigation but short of describing it as a probe into his "tax affairs," he offered few details.
"I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," Hunter Biden said.
Politico reported that the securities fraud unit in the Southern District of New York were also looking into Hunter Biden's business activities.
President Donald Trump and his allies had used the salacious stories involving Hunter Biden and the accusations that he had cashed in on his father's position in government to damage Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Speculation spiked when it was discovered that Hunter Biden had left his laptop at a computer repair shop in Delaware and the contents of that computer had ended up with Rudy Giuliani, the president's attorney.
Joe Biden was dismissive and combative about the allegations when asked by the press before the election.
"I knew you'd ask it. I have no response. It's another smear campaign. It's right up your alley. Those are the questions you always ask," Biden said in October.
There is no indication so far that Joe Biden himself is under investigation.
Here's more about the charges against the Biden family:


theblaze--2020-12-12--Shocking video shows driver running over protesters after they bang on her car during Manhattan demo

Shocking video shows driver running over protesters after they bang on her car during Manhattan demonstration against ICE Two different @ @ @ @

A liberal demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement turned violent when a driver ran through protesters, and shocking video captured the altercation.
Police said there were about 50-60 protesters in the area when the incident unfolded on Friday.
WNBC-TV reported that witnesses said the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. when a female driver was confronted by protesters.
They said that she accelerated her BMW through the crowd, sending many of them flying.
6 pedestrians taken to the hospital, but they reportedly had injuries that were not life threatening.
A protester told WNBC that the demonstration was in solidarity with a hunger strike from ICE detainees at the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey.
Police sources told WNBC that the woman panicked when protesters surrounded her car and began banging and tapping on it, and that she was just trying to get away from them.
A video showing the altercation went viral on social media soon after the incident.
One protester spoke to WNBC and said that she saw two white women in the car.
"Came through, sped through, 3rd and 39th street, hitting to my knowledge at least six of our non-violent protesters," said Sofia Vickerman.
"I hear people screaming in the front, I look behind me, the woman is plowing through, I run out of the way, I see bodies flying," she added. "I look up, the car is speeding, people are trying to run."
WNBC reporter Adam Harding also posted video of the incident from a surveillance camera nearby.
The woman and her female passenger were detained by police at the scene and questioned, but no arrests had been made early Friday evening.
One arrest was made however - police arrested a protester for obstructing a police investigation.
Here's a local news report about the incident:


theblaze--2020-12-12--Man arrested in murder of Nashville nurse who was shot while driving to work

Man arrested in murder of Nashville nurse who was shot while driving to work Police say the suspect did not @ @ @

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman, who was fatally shot last week while driving to her job at St. Thomas West Hospital.
Police say the suspect, 21-year-old Devaunte Hill, did not know Ms. Kaufman.
What are the details?
Kaufman, 26, was killed Dec. 3 while driving her vehicle on I-440 on her way to her 7 p.m. shift, ABC News reported. More than a week later, Hill has been charged with criminal homicide.
During a press conference Friday announcing Hill's arrest, Nashville Police Chief John Drake told reporters that investigators received a "major break" in the case after local business owners offered an award for information and a "concerned citizen" came forward pointing to Hill as a suspect.
KDKA-TV reported that police said "they received more than 50 tips, but the one that broke the case wide open arrived late Thursday as the reward for information reached $65,000."
Hill was brought in for questioning, and implicated himself in the slaying according to police, WSMV-TV reported. Drake says Hill did not know Kaufman.
According to WTVF-TV, law enforcement was able to match a firearm owned by Hill "with bullets found at the crime scene," and "his cell phone provider also confirms his phone was in the vicinity of the crime scene during the time of the shooting."
Hill was arrested by SWAT at his apartment at 6:15 a.m.
The lead detective in the case, Chris Dickerson, recalled reaching out to Caitlyn's mother, Diane Kaufman, to deliver the news of Hill's arrest.
"While it was a relief to be able to sign the arrest warrant, it was an exceptional relief to be able to call Diane Kaufman, who is back in Pennsylvania right now," Dickerson said, going on to briefly describe the phone call: "Obviously a lot of tears, just joy. She said that she was able to get some closure before the funeral."


theblaze--2020-12-12--Breaking: Supreme Court denies lawsuit by Texas seeking to nullify election results from 4 states

Breaking : Supreme Court denies lawsuit by Texas seeking to nullify election results from 4 states The Supreme Court said @ @ @ @ @ under the U.S. Constitution .

The Supreme Court put an end to one of the last ditch efforts to overturn the official results of the 2020 election when it said on Friday that it would not hear a lawsuit by the state of Texas.
The order from the Supreme Court was brief and said simply that the plaintiff did not have standing to sue over the manner in which other states run their elections.
The State of Texas's motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections. All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.
Justice Alito offered a separate statement, to which Justice Thomas agreed.
In my view, we do not have discretion to deny the filing of a bill of complaint in a case that falls within our original jurisdiction. I would therefore grant the motion to file the bill of complaint but would not grant other relief, and I express no view on any other issue.
The order likely dooms any legal recourse President Donald Trump has to deny the official results saying former Vice President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.
Later on Friday evening, the president tweeted about the decision.
"The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!" he said.
Here's more about the SCOTUS decision:
Supreme Court rejects Texas' effort to toss out election results in 4 key states www.youtube.com
This article has been updated with additional information.


theblaze--2020-12-12--Florida Gov. DeSantis defends agents who served search warrant on home of fired data analyst Rebeka

Florida Gov. DeSantis defends agents who served search warrant on home of fired data analyst Rebekah Jones

Florida Gov .
DeSantis defends agents who served search warrant on home of fired data analyst Rebekah Jones 'These people @ @ @ @ @ 've been smeared as the gestapo . '

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) came out swinging on Friday in defense of the state police officers who served a search warrant on the home of one of his administration's former employees earlier in the week.
What are the details?
On Monday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant on the home of Rebekah Jones, who was fired in May from her position as a data analyst for the Florida Department of Health. The DeSantis administration said she was let go for insubordination, and that she altered the state's coronavirus dashboard without authorization.
Jones claims the state has been misleading the public about its COVID-19 numbers, and now publishes her own independent data from her home.
When police arrived at Jones' house, she set up a camera to record what happened, and posted footage online showing officers entering her residence and walking through a hallway calling for Jones' husband to come downstairs with guns drawn in what's widely been reported as a "raid."
Ms. Jones claims agents "pointed a gun in [her] face" and "pointed guns at [her] kids." The footage does not show Jones' children or her husband. She hit out at DeSantis afterward, saying he "sent the gestapo" to get her to "shut up."
The FDLA confirmed serving the warrant, saying that they had been investigating a complaint from the Health Department that someone had "illegally hacked into their emergency alert system." The law enforcement agency denied that weapons were pointed at anyone in the home.
During a press conference Friday, a reporter asked DeSantis whether he knew "about the Rebekah Jones raid before it happened."
The governor said he "knew there was an investigation," but took offense to the reporter's use of the term "raid" to describe the incident where officers seized property from Jones' home.
"It's not a raid," DeSantis insisted, saying, "With all due respect, what you just said is editorializing," and he told the reporter, "I'm not going to let you get away with it."
"These people did their jobs," he continued. "They've been smeared as the gestapo for doing their jobs. They did a search warrant."
"Why did they do a search warrant on the house? Because her IP address was linked to the felony," DeSantis explained. "What were they supposed to do? Just ignore it? Of course not. They went, they followed protocol, we actually have video from the Tallahassee PD showing that they were very respectful. She was not cooperative."
"It was not a raid," DeSantis reiterated. "They were serving valid process in accordance with the laws and Constitution of the United States and the state of Florida. They did it with integrity, they did it with honor, and to say it's a raid is disinformation."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Trump turns on AG Bill Barr after report claims he knew about probe of Hunter Biden before election

Trump turns on AG Bill Barr after report claims he knew about probe of Hunter Biden before election The tweet @ @ @ @ @ the president and the attorney general

President Donald Trump criticized U.S. Attorney General William Barr after a report claimed that he knew about the federal investigation into Hunter Biden before the election.
The report from the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday that Barr knew about two investigations into his business dealings at about the time that his father was vice president of the United States.
The Department of Justice has rules against taking investigative steps that would have an affect on any election, and Barr's decision to keep the investigations under wraps might have been in order to satisfy that policy.
On Friday the president reacted negatively to the report via his social media account.
"Now it turns out that my phone call to the President of Ukraine, which many, including me, have called 'perfect', was even better than that," tweeted Trump.
"I predicted Biden corruption, said to call the A.G. [Bill Barr], who perhaps knew of the corruption during the impeachment hoax?" he added.
The president was referring to a conversation he had with Ukrainian President Zelensky where he asked him to look into charges of corruption against former Vice President Joe Biden. Democrats impeached the president partly over the call because they said it was an abuse of power.
While accusations of criminal activity by Hunter Biden were tossed around before the election by allies of the president, the existence of a federal investigation was revealed on Wednesday.
"I learned yesterday for the first time that the US Attorney's Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs," said Hunter Biden in a statement put out by the Biden Harris transition team.
"I take this matter very seriously, but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," he added.
A later report said that the probe was much more expansive than his "tax affairs," and could include accusations of money laundering and illegal conduct with foreign countries.
Here's more about the rift between Trump and Barr:


theblaze--2020-12-11--CDC says child abuse hospitalizations 'increased significantly' during pandemic, despite emergency r

CDC says child abuse hospitalizations 'increased significantly' during pandemic, despite emergency room visits plunging

CDC says child abuse hospitalizations 'increased significantly ' during pandemic , despite emergency room visits plunging

During the coronavirus pandemic, there was a major drop in emergency room visits for cases of child abuse. However, child abuse hospitalizations "increased significantly," according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Emergency room visits for cases of child abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18, plummeted 53% in mid-March compared to the same time period in 2019, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that was published on Friday. At this time, the White House introduced the "15 Days to Slow the Spread" strategy, President Donald Trump proclaimed a national emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and several governors began to implement stay-at-home orders.
"The total number of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect began decreasing below the corresponding 2019 period during week 11 (March 15–March 22, 2020) for all age groups examined, coinciding with the declaration of a national emergency on March 13 (2); simultaneously, the proportion of these visits per 100,000 ED visits began increasing above the 2019 baseline for all age groups," the CDC revealed.
Even though visits to the emergency room plunged, hospitalizations of children suffering from abuse or neglect increased.
"Despite decreases in the weekly number of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect, the weekly number of these visits resulting in hospitalization remained stable in 2020; however, the yearly percentage of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect resulting in hospitalization increased significantly among all age groups," the health agency reported.
"The percentage of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect ending in hospitalization increased significantly among children and adolescents aged <18 years, from 2.1% in 2019 to 3.2% in 2020," the CDC stated. "Significant increases in the percentage of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect ending in hospitalization were also observed for children aged 0–4 years (3.5% in 2019 versus 5.3% in 2020; p<0.001) and 5–11 years (0.7% in 2019 versus 1.3% in 2020; p<0.001), and adolescents aged 12–17 years (1.6% in 2019 versus 2.2% in 2020)."
"Although the increased proportion of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect might be associated with a decrease in the overall number of ED visits, these findings also suggest that health care–seeking patterns have shifted during the pandemic," the report stated.
Regarding the increased hospitalizations, the CDC hypothesized, "Heightened stress, school closures, loss of income, and social isolation resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have increased the risk for child abuse and neglect."
For the report, CDC analyzed data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program between Jan. 6, 2019, and Sept. 6, 2020. Child abuse hospital visits were labeled as such if the facility "documented suspected or confirmed physical, sexual, or emotional abuse."
The emotional toll of the COVID-19 lockdowns and switch from in-person to remote schooling has affected young adults. The CDC found that more than a quarter of young adults in the U.S. considered suicide in the month of June.
"There has been another cost that we've seen, particularly in high schools," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in July. "We're seeing, sadly, far greater suicides now than we are deaths from COVID. We're seeing far greater deaths from drug overdose that are above excess that we had as background than we are seeing the deaths from COVID."


theblaze--2020-12-11--California HHS secretary admits bans on outdoor dining aren't based on evidence of danger

California HHS secretary admits bans on outdoor dining are n't based on evidence of danger It 's a policy designed @ @ @ @ @ .
But what are the costs ?

As business anxiety mounts over renewed coronavirus lockdowns in several states, California's secretary of Health and Human Services made a stunning admission this week that will do little to assuage the concerns of those who say the restrictions go too far.
Delivering an update on COVID-19 in California Tuesday, state HHS Secretary Mark Ghaly admitted that policies banning restaurants from hosting outdoor dining are not based on evidence that suggests dining outdoors is unsafe. The policy, Reason reported, is actually about incentivizing people to stay home and is "not a comment on the relative safety of outdoor dining," Ghaly said.
"The decision to include, among other sectors, outdoor dining and limiting that, turning to restaurants to deliver and provide takeout options instead, really has to do with the goal of trying to keep people at home," he explained.
Previously, Ghaly said, "We have worked hard with that industry to create safer ways for outdoor dining to happen."
The state encouraged restaurants to adopt precautions such as "keeping tables farther apart," or "ensuring masking happens as much as possible" to limit the risk of viral transmission.
"All of those factors make sectors like outdoor dining lower risk," Ghaly continued. "But right now, with the levels of transmission that we're seeing, we advise against anything that you can do in another way, in a lower-risk way, that avoids you either leaving your home or…leaving your home in a way that…cause[s] you to mix with others."
Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new regional stay-at-home order that separates the state into five regions and goes into effect in a given region when remaining hospital ICU capacity there drops below 15%. In addition to mandating that people stay home and limiting the size of private and public gatherings, the state ordered some "nonessential" businesses to close and mandated that restaurants only serve takeout or delivery. Indoor and outdoor dining is banned in the state, ostensibly to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
But lockdown policies have real consequences for business owners and their employees who are told by the state they are not allowed to provide their services. A recent survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association found that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, one in six restaurants nationwide has been forced to close permanently.
Unemployment, obviously, has skyrocketed since the pandemic began. Some 1.3 million Americans will owe a collective $7.2 billion in unpaid rent by the end of this year. Millions of Americans face economic hardship this season, and business owners in California and other states imposing lockdowns are speaking out because it's not fair.
One woman who owns a restaurant in Los Angeles posted a video that went viral in early December in which she tearfully expressed her outrage that the state told her she could not serve customers outdoors but local officials permitted a TV production to ignore the restrictions and serve outdoor catering. Another California business owner recently complained to Fox News that California's restrictions have a "trickle-down effect" — if some businesses are forced to close because the state says they cannot serve customers, other service providers who rely on those businesses as clients also suffer and may be forced close too.
Some fed-up restauranteurs have begun challenging the state in court, with initial success. A judge on Tuesday ruled that Los Angeles County had acted "arbitrarily" in imposing a ban on outdoor dining without conducting a proper "risk-benefit" analysis beforehand. However, these local restrictions were superseded by Newsom's statewide order, which has not yet been successfully challenged in court.
Elsewhere in the country there are those who have chosen to outright defy government mandates that order them to close. The owners of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey, have kept their facility open despite the government fining them $15,497.76 for every day they do so. Gym co-owner Frank Trumbetti argues that he shouldn't have to close his business if he adopts safety protocols that enforce proper social distancing to keep his customers safe. He says that after 83,000 visits to his facility, not one case of COVID-19 has been traced back to Atilis Gym. His complaint is that the government is not providing sufficient evidence to show why ordering businesses to close will be effective at reducing the spread of the virus.
It's a complaint echoed by Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy who blasted New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for ordering New York City restaurants to cease indoor dining in a viral video posted Friday.
"In this country, politicians are taking away to the right to earn a living. It's that simple and it's insanity," Portnoy asserted.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Bill O’Reilly: President Trump did NOT concede election

The trending topic on Twitter has it all wrong

"Trump Conceded" was a trending topic on Twitter Friday, but the American people (at least some of them) may be a bit confused. Bill O'Reilly joined the Glenn Beck Radio Program Friday to explain what President Donald Trump really meant in his recent tweet (hint: he did NOT concede the election) and to stress that no matter who's in the White House next year, something must be done to keep America's future elections free and fair.
Watch the video below to catch more of the conversation:
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theblaze--2020-12-11--Grandma flips table, uses it to knock down customer who attacked daughter, infant grandson in her re

Grandma flips table, uses it to knock down customer who attacked daughter, infant grandson in her restaurant

Grandma flips table , uses it to knock down customer who attacked daughter , infant grandson in her restaurant 'At @ @ @ @ @ do what I had to do '

Especially in these wacky times, you never know when somebody might lose it for the most insignificant reasons.
But keep in mind, too, that you never know how willing some folks to stand up to violence — even grandmothers.
What are the details?
Surveillance video showed a woman at Panchitas Pupuseria in San Francisco's Mission District becoming agitated while waiting for a to-go order late last month, KGO-TV reported.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
"We told her it would take 15 minutes, and it took about 20 minutes," Doris Vargas, the restaurant's manager, told the station.
A happy camper she most definitely was not.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
So hearing about the delay with her order, the woman "grabbed a jug of five-pound hand sanitizer and launched it at me while I was holding my son," Vargas added to KGO.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
With that, Doris Campos — the restaurant's owner and Vargas' mother — took action, the station said.
"At that moment I had to do what I had to do because my daughter and grandson were in the middle of the drama," Campos recalled to KGO.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
So Campos — who's nearly 60 — threw an object back at the customer.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
The she grabbed the table in front of her, flipped it, and then pushed it toward the customer.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
The customer seemed to explode with rage and tried to throw a punch at Campos, but the grandmother kept moving the table forward — and soon knocked the irate patron right on her rear end.
Image source: KGO-TV video screenshot
What happened next?
It appears from the surveillance video that a man tried to pick up the woman from the floor. KGO said the woman eventually left the restaurant, and no one was hurt. Police said an investigation is ongoing, the station reported.
Vargas is speaking out in hopes of identifying the woman and holding her accountable, KGO noted.
"Bad behavior is something we don't forecast for," she added to the station before offering a plea to those patronizing her restaurant — and all eateries during the pandemic.
"Be considerate of the employees and the business," Vargas told KGO. "And just have some empathy for the industry itself. We're trying to stay afloat for the community and ourselves.".


theblaze--2020-12-11--Here's why Steven Crowder's final episode of 2020 will be Livestreamed from an RV

Here 's why Steven Crowder 's final episode of 2020 will be Livestreamed from an RV

Next week, Steven Crowder and special guest Dave Landau hit the road for Crowder's final episode of the year. Crowder and the guys will be streaming live from a rented RV conducting an investigation into registered addresses used by voters in the 2020 election that may or may not exist. Catch the uncut final Livestream on Thursday, December 17. More information to come.
Can't watch? Listen to the podcast here.
UPDATE: Steven Crowder rescheduled this event to air January 2021.
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theblaze--2020-12-11--VIDEO: Election officials in Coffee County, Ga., allegedly demonstrate how Dominion machines can swi

VIDEO: Election officials in Coffee County, Ga., allegedly demonstrate how Dominion machines can switch votes, fill out blank ballots

VIDEO : Election officials in Coffee County , Ga. , allegedly demonstrate how Dominion machines can switch votes , fill @ @ @ @ @ intend to do wrong ... certainly can '

Election officials from a small county in Georgia are arguing they can prove the much-maligned Dominion Voting Systems machines used in several battleground states during the 2020 election are fraught with security risks.
What are the details?
In a pair of videos posted on YouTube Wednesday, Coffee County elections supervisor Misty Martin appeared to demonstrate how, with relative ease, the machines can be used to wrongfully tabulate votes in a range of ways — such as to scan the same ballots multiple times, switch votes, or even fill out blank ballots.
"So there's my blank ballot that I want to adjudicate, and I'm going to vote for Doug Collins ... and I just counted that vote," Martin said on the video, showing other election officials how someone could allegedly scan a blank ballot into the system and then proceed to fill it out in adjudication.
Earlier in the recording, Martin showed how a batch of ballots could allegedly be scanned through the system and accepted more than once. She also demonstrated how an election worker could view a filled-out ballot in adjudication and, from there, switch votes from one candidate to another.
Dominion Voting Machine Flaws -- 2020 Election Coffee County, Georgia Video 1 youtu.be
Dominion Voting Machine Flaws -- 2020 Election Coffee County, Georgia Video 2 youtu.be
At one point, the camera was taken outside of Martin's office in order to demonstrate the perspective of a poll observer watching the process. The officials conclude that someone watching from that distance would not be able to adequately assess what was happening.
As the second video concludes, you can hear someone say, "It works fine for honest people ... those who intend to do wrong, though ... certainly can."
What else?
In the videos, election officials do not allege that widespread fraud occurred in Coffee County, rather they point to the potential for fraud in any county where the Dominion voting machines were used.
It should be noted that officials in the video appeared to be running tests with the ballots and not actually counting them toward 2020 election totals. Whether the system has the same security settings for tests and official counts was not immediately clear.
TheBlaze attempted to contact Martin several times for more information about the tests but has not yet received a reply.
Anything else?
Dominion has denied that any ballot manipulation occurred during the 2020 election. A spokesperson for the company, Michael Steel, told Fox News in November that it was "physically impossible" to switch votes on the machines. That statement would appear to be misleading if what Martin demonstrates in the video is true.
Steel also alleged that if any electronic interference occurred, it would be found out when cross-referenced with printed ballots.
Coffee County, as of Thursday, had refused to certify the results of its electronic recount. County officials claimed in a letter to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that they could not certify the electronic recount numbers given their "inability to repeatably duplicate creditable election results."
Raffensperger has since launched an investigation into the county and certified the statewide results given the fact that the discrepancy of votes in the county was not large enough to change the outcome of the election.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Virginia Dem. Gov. Northam tells faithful how to worship, discourages church attendance: 'You don't

Virginia Dem. Gov. Northam tells faithful how to worship, discourages church attendance: 'You don't have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers'

Virginia Dem .
Gov .
Northam tells faithful how to worship , discourages church attendance : 'You do n't have @ @ @ @ @ pew for God to hear your prayers' Right in the middle of Advent and hours @ @

Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam announced new COVID-19 restrictions Thursday that are designed to impact social gatherings, expand mask mandates, and install a curfew for Virginians.
Northam used the announcement to link the spread of the virus to worship services and to lecture the faithful on how they should practice their faith, specifically calling out believers who feel they need to gather in person in order to worship.
Not coincidentally, the announcement came just hours before the start of Hanukkah.
What did the governor say?
During a news conference Thursday, Northam outlined the new restrictions included in his newly signed executive order, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
The restrictions include limiting all social gatherings to 10 people, instituting a curfew for citizens from midnight to 5 a.m., expanding mask mandates to require anyone over 5 years of age to wear one indoors and outdoors when they are away from their home, further reducing the number of people permitted to attend kids' sporting events, and emphasizing already strict requirements on restaurants and gyms that want to stay open.
The order will go into effect Sunday night at midnight and is set to expire Jan. 31.
After laying out the new edicts, the governor went on to lecture religious Virginians and attempted to tie faith services to the spread of COVID-19.
The governor delivered his chastisement on the same day that Jews were preparing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah and as Christians continue to mark the days of Advent leading up to Christmas.
"I'd like to take a moment to talk about our faith communities," the governor began his admonishment. "This is a holy time for multiple faith traditions. Tonight, as a matter of fact, is the first night of Hanukkah. Christmas is two weeks away."
However, the governor warned, those who value the importance of corporate worship should not let the joy and beauty and togetherness of the season cloud "what is truly the most important thing."
'What is truly the most important thing'?
In an attempt to discourage church attendance, he then scolded anyone who wanted to gather for worship for apparently not knowing what is truly important — worship — or how to appropriately engage in it.
"The holidays are typically times of joy and community. We gather together, we celebrate our faith, and we celebrate with family," Northam said. "But this year we need to think about what is truly the most important thing. Is it the worship or the building? For me, God is wherever you are. You don't have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers."
Gov. Northam turned his focus to religious leaders to "set an example" for the faithful, explaining to them what real worship is.
"I strongly call on our faith leaders to lead the way and set an example for their members," he said. "Worship with a mask on is still worship. Worship outside or worship online is still worship."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Team USA to allow Olympic athletes to protest in 'support of racial and social justice,' defying IOC

Team USA to allow Olympic athletes to protest in 'support of racial and social justice,' defying IOC rules

Team USA to allow Olympic athletes to protest in 'support of racial and social justice , ' defying IOC rules

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said Thursday it would allow its athletes to protest in "support of racial and social justice." Demonstrations are strictly prohibited by the International Olympic Committee.
On Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day, the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice released a statement: "The Council's recommendation is built on the foundation that athletes should have the right to peacefully protest and demonstrate against racial and social injustices and to promote human dignity through global sport."
"In support of this recommendation, the USOPC will not sanction Team USA athletes for respectfully demonstrating in support of racial and social justice for all human beings," the statement reads. "This decision addresses the responsibility the USOPC has in the application of IOC and IPC rules prohibiting demonstrations at the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter declares, "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
The IPC Paralympic Handbook has a similar regulation, known as "Section 2.2."
The Team USA Council noted, "We want to make unmistakably clear that human rights are not political; yet, they have been politicized both in the U.S. and globally to perpetuate the wrongful and dehumanizing myth of sport as an inherently neutral domain."
The Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice, which was recently created in June amid the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, instructed the IOC and IPC to "update guidelines to allow for peaceful actions that specifically advocate for human rights and racial and social justice, and distinguishes those acts from to-be-defined 'divisive demonstrations' - including, but not limited to, currently prohibited acts of hate speech, racist propaganda, political statements and discrimination."
Dr. Yannick Kluch, an assistant professor at Rowan University and external consultant on the Team USA Council's Protests and Demonstrations Steering Committee, said, "The recommendations, released on International Human Rights Day, work towards centering marginalized voices, particularly those of racially minoritized populations such as Black athletes, in the global sport community by clearly capturing how peaceful protests and demonstrations are a fundamental human right and can serve as a moral compass in promoting human dignity through global sport."
Moushaumi Robinson, chair of the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice and 2004 Olympic gold medalist in track and field, released a statement: "The Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice provided its recommendation to the USOPC, NGBs, IOC and IPC in an effort to show the power and duty athletes have to build a more inclusive world through sport. The Council believes the diversity of Team USA athletes is our strength, and that this recommendation can be a catalyst for change."
USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said, "The USOPC values the voices of Team USA athletes and believes that their right to advocate for racial and social justice, and be a positive force for change, absolutely aligns with the fundamental values of equality that define Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic movements."
The IOC Athlete Commission is "soliciting feedback," and likely to provide an update in 2021.
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo have been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and are rescheduled from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021.


theblaze--2020-12-11--'It's insanity!' Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy says Cuomo and other politicians are stealin

'It's insanity!' Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy says Cuomo and other politicians are stealing your right to earn a living

'It 's insanity ! '
Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy says Cuomo and other politicians are stealing your right to @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announces NYC restaurants must halt indoor dining services on Monday

Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy blasted New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to close New York City's restaurants in a video rant that has gone viral.
Cuomo announced Friday that New York City restaurants will be ordered to close indoor dining services Monday as the city battles surging coronavirus cases. Restaurants are permitted to provide takeout, delivery, and host outdoor dining, though the approaching winter weather could make dining outside unattractive.
In a video posted to social media, Portnoy accused Cuomo and other politicians of stealing Americans' right to earn a living.
"New York City just closed indoor dining. What do they think is going to happen? What do they think is going to happen to thousands of restaurants — they're done!" Portnoy exclaimed.
"The bar and restaurant industry and small businesses have been squeezed and squeezed and squeezed, and they've tried everything. They've been as creative as possible!"
Noting how bars and restaurants have adopted social distancing protocols, changed seating arrangements, and built plexiglass and other barriers to continue to serve customers during the pandemic, Portnoy lamented that the despite these efforts the government is ordering businesses to stop serving customers.
"How do you expect these people to survive? What are people going to go out to dinner now in ice cold temperatures? It's insanity!" he said.
"Listen, the vaccine is right around the corner. If you're health-impaired, you're afraid of it, you're old, don't go out. Stay inside for three months, the vaccine is coming. But let people decide!" he continued.
"I can't believe in this country, what I consider the most basic right of them all — the right to earn a living, the right to earn a livelihood — is now being stolen, it is being stolen by a few politicians who believe they are smarter than me and you. They believe they have the right to tell me and you how to live our lives," Portnoy said. "They're saying they're protecting us, let us protect ourselves. You're not protecting a family that you just destroyed. These people aren't getting their livelihoods back."
He also criticized the lack of uniformity in the coronavirus restrictions, noting how they vary from state to state or even from county to county. He also suggested that telling restaurants to close won't deter people from going out.
"If somebody wants to go out, where do you think they're going? House parties!" he said. "It doesn't even make sense ... the people who will be going to these restaurants are still going out, I promise you. All you're doing is ruining thousands and thousands and thousands of lives."
"In this country, politicians are taking away to the right to earn a living. It's that simple and it's insanity," Portnoy stated.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Cops called to campus dorm — for drawing of penis on dry-erase board. Police take no action, but it'

Cops called to campus dorm — for drawing of penis on dry-erase board. Police take no action, but it's reported to Bias Response Team.

Cops called to campus dorm — for drawing of penis on dry-erase board .
Police take no action , but @ @ @ @ @ Response Team .

It was quite the scene at the Wells House residence hall on the campus of Missouri State University, the College Fix reported.
Officers from the Springfield Police Department were called, and they — along with campus officials and resident assistants — met in the dorm lobby before they were escorted to the fourth floor, the outlet said, citing a report filed by Campus Safety Officer John Matthews.
And what did they encounter when they entered the hallway? An all-out brawl? Drunken students? Drugs?
No, nothing that mundane. Instead the intervening party were in for an eyeful of something truly unique: A drawing of a penis on a dry-erase board on a student's door — along with the words "You're a dick" next to the drawing, the Fix said.
What are the details?
The resident assistant who found the drawing told police she "did not have any information about who might have made the drawing or when it was done," the outlet noted, adding that the RA also told cops that she was unaware of "any problems on her floor that might be related."
After officials were through scraping their shocked bodies off the floor and administering smelling salts to each other, a decision was made.
The Fix said police "took no further action," according to the report.
But alas, the outlet added that the incident was reported to the Missouri State Bias Response Team — and the school encourages students and faculty to notify the BRT when bias arises. Turns out the penis-drawn-on-dry-erase-board fracas was one of 28 incidents filed that year with the school's Bias Response Team, the Fix said.
The outlet said it obtained copies of the reports through an open records law request, and many student names are redacted in the reports to protect their identities.
According to the Missouri State BRT website, a campus community member accused of bias may be subject to "voluntary interventions" that may include "a variety of activities including discussion, mediation, training, counseling and consensus building," the Fix said.
Other bias incidents
The Wells House dorm apparently was a popular spot for other bias incidents.
A resident assistant found two female students writing, "Hi my name is Slim Shady! or Nazi Baby" on the whiteboard outside another female student's door, the outlet said. When asked to explain themselves, the students said "Nazi Baby" was an affectionate nickname they had given the other student because of her blonde hair and blue eyes, the Fix added. But still police were called at 11:22 p.m., and an officer arrived a half hour later to look at the whiteboard message, the outlet said. The officer "stated that no report would be written due to there not being any malicious intent perceived in the comment," the Fix said.
University Safety was called over a whiteboard message that read, "Hi! Shabbat Shalom! Allahu Akbar," the outlet noted. The area safety coordinator knocked on the door several times but did not detect any movement inside the room, the Fix said, adding that RAs debated about calling police. Campus safety was notified and recommended not calling police, the outlet said, adding that clearance was then given to erase the whiteboard.
Oh, and a faculty member riding the Bear Line shuttle overheard on the bus radio that "a little oriental girl is waiting" at a stop, the Fix said, adding that the bias complaint said the voice sounded like it was from an "older male" radioing in from another bus. "His tone wasn't mean spirited, and I don't think he meant anything negative by it, but training on current, respectful vs. outdated, inappropriate language seems needed," the complaint read, according to the outlet.


theblaze--2020-12-11--In major setback for NY's economy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo shutters indoor dining amid COVID-19 spike

Ban goes into effect on Monday

New York City's indoor dining will be shut down, according to a Friday report from The Hill.
What are the details?
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday that the new regulations are in an attempt to stem the tide of rising COVID-19 cases across the city and state. The ban goes into effect on Monday.
According to Cuomo, restaurants will still be permitted to utilize outdoor dining and offer both takeout and delivery options to customers.
The outlet reported that indoor dining resumed at just 25% capacity in late September in New York City.
"In New York City, you put the CDC caution on indoor dining together with the rate of transmission and the density, and the crowding," he said. "That is a bad situation."
The Hill reported that the state's contact tracing data of 46,000 confirmed cases between the months of September and November show that small gatherings have driven at least 74% of all infections. Infections attributed to restaurants and bars, however, accounted for just 1.4% of all infections between those months.
"It's not forever," Cuomo promised. "We have to get through this period, and the faster we can get through this period, all businesses can open again."
Cuomo said New York is expecting 170,000 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday or Monday after it receives emergency approval, The Hill reported. And the highly anticipated vaccine from Moderna could get the green light next week, and Cuomo said the state expects 346,000 doses of that vaccine the week of Dec. 21.
According to the New York Post, Cuomo said that there will be "economic hardship."
"The 25 percent to 0 percent [capacity], but we have compensated in other ways," he reasoned. "The restaurants have adapted and New Yorkers have really adapted. ... We're asking everyone to hold on. The end is in sight, but we still have to get there."
What else?
Eater on Friday reported that nearly half of New York's restaurants are in danger of closing.
A new survey by the New York State Restaurant Association has found that New York restaurants are being more adversely impacted when compared to the restaurant industry nationwide.
The survey — carried out on 6,000 restaurant operators, to include 238 restaurant operators in New York — found that 54% of New York restaurant owners say it is "likely" that they will be forced to close within the next six months if a second federal stimulus package does not come through. And 60% of restaurant owners in New York also reported that they are considering a temporary closure until the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Just 37% of restauranteurs outside of New York said they would be forced to close within six months without a federal aid package, and 36% of operators said they were considering the temporary closure, the survey said.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Bloomberg News staffer arrested by Chinese authorities for 'jeopardizing national security': report

She was last seen on Monday being taken away by Chinese authorities

Bloomberg News reported early Friday morning that one of its employees was arrested by Chinese authorities under suspicion she participated in activities that "jeopardized national security."
What are the details?
Haze Fan, a Chinese national who works for the news outlet's Beijing bureau, was reportedly last seen being escorted out of her apartment building by plainclothes security officers shortly after 11:30 a.m. Monday local time.
In the days since her disappearance, the news outlet has reportedly been seeking information about Fan's whereabouts and condition from the communist government as well as from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. But to date, the only response they have received from Chinese authorities is the vague reason for her detainment.
In a statement to the company, Chinese authorities said, "Chinese citizen Ms. Fan has been detained by the Beijing National Security Bureau according to relevant Chinese law on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardize national security. The case is currently under investigation. Ms. Fan's legitimate rights have been fully ensured and her family has been notified."
A Bloomberg spokesperson said, "We are very concerned for her, and have been actively speaking to Chinese authorities to better understand the situation. We are continuing to do everything we can to support her while we seek more information."
Fan had been working as a news assistant for Bloomberg since 2017, and previously worked for other western news agencies: CNBC, CBS News, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.
What's the background?
Bloomberg noted that under current Chinese law, citizens of the country can work only as news assistants for foreign news bureaus in China and are barred from doing any independent reporting.
Chinese nationals, like Fan, who work for Western media companies have reportedly been told to "watch their step" of late amid deteriorating conditions in the country for Western media.
In March, Chinese authorities revoked the press credentials of American journalists working for three major U.S. news outlets — the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal — effectively expelling them from the country. The Chinese government claimed the move was a necessary retaliation to a U.S. State Department action a month before, which designated five Chinese state media outlets as "foreign missions."
Anything else?
Beijing-based Bloomberg News anchor Tom Mackenzie called Fan's arrest "deeply disturbing" on Twitter Friday.
"I worked alongside Haze for almost 2 years when she was our China TV Producer. It's no exaggeration to say she is one of the best, most driven and committed journalists out here," he added.


theblaze--2020-12-11--NH governor blasts anti-mask lawmakers after newly sworn-in GOP speaker dies of COVID-19

New Hampshire Republicans are harshly condemning their mask-skeptical colleagues after the newly sworn-in speaker of the state House contracted COVID-19 and died .
State Rep. Dick Hinch , 71 , was found dead in his home last Wednesday , one week after he was nominated by his colleagues to serve as New Hampshire 's speaker of the house , the Washington Post reported .
On Thursday , New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announced that a medical examination had concluded that Hinch 's death was caused by COVID-19 .
Speaking at a news conference Thursday , Republican Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` tireless leader , '' warning that his death should serve as a `` cautionary tale '' about the risks of refusing to wear a mask .
`` For those who are just out there doing the opposite just to make some ridiculous political point , it is horribly wrong , '' Sununu said .
`` Please use your heads .
Do n't act like a bunch of children , frankly . ''
Other Republicans severely reprimanded their colleagues who have flouted safety and health precautions like mask-wearing .
`` Those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are responsible for Dick Hinch 's death , '' state Rep. William Marsh ( R ) , a former doctor , tweeted .
Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate have called on Gov .
Sununu to provide testing for all lawmakers and their staff who were in attendance on Organization Day , the Dec. 2 in-person ceremony where new members of the legislature were sworn in .
Only 270 representatives of the 400-member state House attended the swearing-in ceremony in person .
Most Democrats opted to participate in a video conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn-in virtually .
At the in-person event , about 80 Republican lawmakers were grouped in an area reserved for those who refused to wear masks .
The Concord Monitor reported that Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette said the state is conducting contact tracing to determine who else may have been exposed to the coronavirus by Hinch .
To protect the privacy of those involved , the state will not disclose its findings to the public unless it determines there is a need to know .
Following news of Hinch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker 's office staff tested positive for COVID-19 .
In recent weeks , Republicans have faced criticism for hosting large indoor gatherings with lax social distancing and mask-wearing protocols .
On Nov. 9 , state Republicans held an indoor celebration after winning control of both houses of the state legislature in the 2020 elections and none of 50 representatives who were photographed were wearing masks .
The state Department of Health and Human Services said that after another gathering on Nov. 20 , four individuals who attended the event tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his office said that all of those who tested positive were isolating and would not participate in Organization Day on Dec. 2 , but Democrats blasted Republicans accusing GOP leaders of neglecting to inform them of the outbreak , saying they learned about it from the media , according to the Concord Monitor .
`` We know from past sessions many members of the Republican Caucus do not take COVID-19 seriously , '' outgoing Democratic Speaker Steve Shurtleff said at the time .
`` We know it is serious and should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's death , Democrats sent a letter to the governor Thursday , blasting Republicans for potentially exposing staffers and their colleagues to the coronavirus at the swearing-in ceremony .
`` No one , in any job , should have to fear for their health at work , '' the letter said .
`` The legislature and the entire state government can not function without dedicated state employees and it is our duty to protect them and all legislators from undue harm . ''

New Hampshire Republicans are harshly condemning their mask-skeptical colleagues after the newly sworn-in speaker of the state House contracted COVID-19 and died.
State Rep. Dick Hinch, 71, was found dead in his home last Wednesday, one week after he was nominated by his colleagues to serve as New Hampshire's speaker of the house, the Washington Post reported. On Thursday, New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announced that a medical examination had concluded that Hinch's death was caused by COVID-19.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu called Hinch a close friend and "tireless leader," warning that his death should serve as a "cautionary tale" about the risks of refusing to wear a mask.
"For those who are just out there doing the opposite just to make some ridiculous political point, it is horribly wrong," Sununu said. "Please use your heads. Don't act like a bunch of children, frankly."
Other Republicans severely reprimanded their colleagues who have flouted safety and health precautions like mask-wearing.
"Those in our caucus who refused to take precautions are responsible for Dick Hinch's death," state Rep. William Marsh (R), a former doctor, tweeted.
Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate have called on Gov. Sununu to provide testing for all lawmakers and their staff who were in attendance on Organization Day, the Dec. 2 in-person ceremony where new members of the legislature were sworn in. Only 270 representatives of the 400-member state House attended the swearing-in ceremony in person. Most Democrats opted to participate in a video conference ceremony on Dec. 3 where they were sworn-in virtually. At the in-person event, about 80 Republican lawmakers were grouped in an area reserved for those who refused to wear masks.
The Concord Monitor reported that Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette said the state is conducting contact tracing to determine who else may have been exposed to the coronavirus by Hinch. To protect the privacy of those involved, the state will not disclose its findings to the public unless it determines there is a need to know.
Following news of Hinch's death Wednesday, a member of the speaker's office staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In recent weeks, Republicans have faced criticism for hosting large indoor gatherings with lax social distancing and mask-wearing protocols.
On Nov. 9, state Republicans held an indoor celebration after winning control of both houses of the state legislature in the 2020 elections and none of 50 representatives who were photographed were wearing masks.
The state Department of Health and Human Services said that after another gathering on Nov. 20, four individuals who attended the event tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, Hinch and his office said that all of those who tested positive were isolating and would not participate in Organization Day on Dec. 2, but Democrats blasted Republicans accusing GOP leaders of neglecting to inform them of the outbreak, saying they learned about it from the media, according to the Concord Monitor.
"We know from past sessions many members of the Republican Caucus do not take COVID-19 seriously," outgoing Democratic Speaker Steve Shurtleff said at the time. "We know it is serious and should be treated that way."
Following Hinch's death, Democrats sent a letter to the governor Thursday, blasting Republicans for potentially exposing staffers and their colleagues to the coronavirus at the swearing-in ceremony.
"No one, in any job, should have to fear for their health at work," the letter said. "The legislature and the entire state government cannot function without dedicated state employees and it is our duty to protect them and all legislators from undue harm."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Computer repairman at center of 'Biden laptop' scandal breaks silence after reportedly receiving dea

Computer repairman at center of 'Biden laptop' scandal breaks silence after reportedly receiving death threats: I'm no 'Russian agent'

Computer repairman at center of 'Biden laptop ' scandal breaks silence after reportedly receiving death threats : I 'm no @ @ @

John Paul Mac Isaac, the computer repairman at the center of a reported Biden family scandal, is speaking out against any assertions that he is a Russian agent or hacker.
Mac Isaac made the remarks in a new video shared to YouTube on Saturday.
What's a brief history here?
Mac Isaac previously stated that he was in receipt of a laptop computer and hard drive containing highly sensitive information regarding former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and purported business dealings with Ukraine.
In November, Mac Isaac's lawyer, Brian Della Rocca, said that Mac Isaac closed his Wilmington, Delaware, computer repair shop after receiving death threats. A neighbor also told the outlet that Mac Isaac left town.
Hunter has not spoken about the laptop, and the former vice president said that the allegations were nothing more than a "desperate campaign to smear me and my family." He did not confirm whether the laptop belonged to his son.
What are the details of the new video?
As highlighted by the New York Post, Mac Isaac spoke out in the video insisting that he is not a double agent.
"For two generations, the Mac Isaac family has fought for the entirety of the Cold War against communism in the '70s," he said. "That's why it's completely absurd that why anyone would ever consider me to be a Russian agent or influenced by Russians. I am proud of my family, I'm proud of my country. I am proud to be an American."
Elsewhere in the three-minute video, titled "The Truth," Mac Isaac added, "For the record, I am not nor have I ever been a hacker. Those guys make so much more money than I do. I was hired — never paid — to perform a data transfer from a MacBook Pro to an external hard drive. The signed paperwork clearly states the process and sets the expectations. There's no magic or Hollywood. The process is no different than dragging or dropping from a USB drive. The only difference is I had to perform some surgery on the Mac to get it to boot."
Mac Isaac also said that he is absolutely not a hacker, which he said would be a "death sentence" in his industry.
"To imply that I'm a hacker or that information is hacked has an irreversible impact on my business and my character," he added.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Tony Dungy questions faith of 'pro-choice pastor' and Georgia Senate candidate Raphael Warnock: 'Is

Tony Dungy questions faith of 'pro-choice pastor' and Georgia Senate candidate Raphael Warnock: 'Is he a Christian?'

Tony Dungy questions faith of 'pro-choice pastor ' and Georgia Senate candidate Raphael Warnock : 'Is he a Christian ?
@ @ @ @ @ teachings of Jesus , and does he believe that the Bible is the absolute word @ @ @ @

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy is an outspoken Christian who's not afraid to stand up to those who speak falsely about the faith.
The Rev. Raphael Warnock — a Georgia Democrat who's running against incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a runoff election Jan. 5 — earlier this week tweeted that he's a "pro-choice pastor."
Rev. Warnock, meet Coach Dungy:
"Rev. Warner may be a pastor," Dungy tweeted about the leader of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. "My question would be, 'Is he a Christian?' That is, does he follow the teachings of Jesus, and does he believe that the Bible is the absolute word of God?"
The Super Bowl-winning coach added, "I would think it would be difficult for someone who believes that God sees us when we are in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16) to think that it is OK to choose not to bring that life to fruition."
When a Twitter user brought up back-alley abortions to Dungy and that "all women should choose what happens to their body," Dungy replied by asking the critic to read the verses in Psalm 139 he referenced the previous day.
"Then tell me if you think God puts babies in the womb or man does?" Dungy continued. "If you believe they randomly get there, then I have no argument. But if you believe God puts them there, then how does anyone have a right to 'choose' which ones survive?"
In another tweet, Dungy also focused the debate on an unborn baby being a life:
"What if I was advocating for the right to kill someone who was already born?" Dungy argued. "Would that be morally OK? Of course not. The only question in this debate is what we think of the unborn baby? Is it a life, or is it not?"
And then a left-wing commenter declared to Dungy that the definition of a Christian is "someone who dedicates their life to the service of the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Someone who lives without judgement [sic] or lies. This applies to about 0% of conservative 'Christians.'"
But Dungy had something to say about that, too.
"A Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins," Dungy wrote. "They follow God's teachings and use the word of God to make all their decisions. I don't know how many people in the world that applies to but there are many."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Time magazine taken to the woodshed after announcing Joe Biden, Kamala Harris as 'Person of the Year

Time magazine taken to the woodshed after announcing Joe Biden, Kamala Harris as 'Person of the Year'

Time magazine taken to the woodshed after announcing Joe Biden , Kamala Harris as 'Person of the Year' Went over @ @ @ @

Time magazine faced a barrage of backlash on Friday morning after announcing that former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris were the recipients of its "Person of the Year" award.
What's a very brief history here?
Time magazine editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said that the magazine chose the duo for "changing the American story" with regard to the 2020 presidential election.
The two also showed that the "forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division, for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world," he said.
Biden responded to the announcement on Twitter, writing, "I'm honored to be Person of the Year with @KamalaHarris and grateful to be on this list with so many extraordinary folks. From front line workers to racial justice organizers, Americans met this year with strength, fortitude, and an unflinching belief in a brighter tomorrow."
Harris wrote, "Honored to be named @TIME's Person of the Year with President-elect @JoeBiden. We're at a moment where we're being confronted by multiple crises that have converged. We have a lot we need to handle in the days ahead but I know together we can get it done."
What was the response to the announcement?
Many people responded to the news by decrying the magazine's actions and said that scientists and doctors, or even the Black Lives Matter organization, should have been chosen instead.
Reporter Jenan Moussa wrote, "Odd. Feels like it should have been the healthcare workers and the scientists behind the [COVID-19] vaccine."
ABC News' chief political analyst, Matthew Dowd, added, "I actually don't think winning this Time award is going to help them. It is just going to feed negativity by many that they get an award before actually doing anything."
CNET editorial director Mark Serrels wrote, "Scientists who developed vaccines in record shattering time, frontline workers who risked their lives during COVID, Jacinda Ardern, BLM activists. This is such a ridiculous, US centric choice."
Bloomberg writer Eli Lake wrote, "I get that the magazine is trying to seem hip and appeal to zoomers and millennials, but this is such obvious pandering."
Author and podcast host Graham Allen chimed in, "Person of the year for ushering in the radical left to our country..... so sad."
News anchor Elex Michaelson wrote, "With respect to these politicians, I would have voted for health care workers & other essential workers who've sacrificed greatly to keep us all safe."
Fox News contributor Sara Carter added, "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris named Time Magazine 'Person of the Year.' A complete political move. #Biden didn't come out of his basement all year... we never saw him."


theblaze--2020-12-11--Gov. Cuomo wins award for coronavirus pandemic 'leadership,' despite New York having the most COVID-

Gov. Cuomo wins award for coronavirus pandemic 'leadership,' despite New York having the most COVID-19 deaths

Gov .
Cuomo wins award for coronavirus pandemic 'leadership , ' despite New York having the most COVID-19 deaths

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo won an award for his "leadership on public safety throughout the coronavirus pandemic," despite New York having the most COVID-19 deaths in the entire country.
Cuomo, along with Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, were the recipients of the 2020 Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for Inspired Leadership.
"Congratulations to Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, the 2020 recipients of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for Inspired Leadership for their nonpartisan leadership on public safety throughout the coronavirus pandemic on behalf of their respective states," the Edward M. Kennedy Institute said.
The institute stated that the award "recognizes an individual who possesses qualities that reflect the legacy of Senator Edward M. Kennedy: modeling exemplary leadership, inspiring others to action, and making a difference through service to the community and country."
The governors were presented the 2020 Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award by presidential debate moderator and NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday.
Massachusetts has suffered 1,626 coronavirus deaths per million people, third worst in the nation. While Cuomo's New York has 1,816 COVID-19 deaths per million people, the second worst in the United States, only trailing New Jersey. New York has the most COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with more than 35,000, which is 11,000 more than Texas, which has the second most.
Cuomo has been widely criticized for his directive on March 25 to send coronavirus patients into nursing homes. A report from the Associated Press estimated that more than 4,500 recovering COVID-19 patients were sent to New York's already vulnerable nursing homes because of Cuomo's directive.
Cuomo finally ended the dangerous directive on May 10. By the middle of May, there were 5,800 COVID-19 deaths in nursing and adult care facilities in New York — more than in any other state.
Last month, it was announced that Cuomo won an Emmy. The governor was declared the winner of the International Emmy Founder's Award "in recognition of his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world."
Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean, who lost her elderly in-laws to the coronavirus in a New York City nursing home earlier this year, blasted the decision to reward Cuomo.
"It's just more grief. Every time we see this governor celebrating himself on television, it's just a reminder of the people that we lost, partly because of his leadership," Dean said.


theblaze--2020-12-11--Biden policy director vows 'big, bold' executive actions on guns, health care, and more

Biden policy director vows 'big , bold ' executive actions on guns , health care , and more 'There 's @ @ @ @ @ do through guidance and executive action '

Democratic nominee Joe Biden is planning to use executive power to enact sweeping changes across a range of issues during the first days of his presidency, according to one of his top aides.
Stef Feldman, who serves as Biden's national policy director, made the claim during a Zoom briefing hosted by Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service last week.
According to the Washington Examiner, during the briefing, Feldman indicated that Biden is planning to "make big, bold changes through executive action, not just on policing and climate like we talked about previously, but in healthcare and education, on gun violence, on a range of issues."
"There's really a lot you can do through guidance and executive action," she added.
Why does it matter?
The comments come as a cloud of uncertainty remains surrounding Biden's intention to use executive orders to accomplish policy objectives.
Leaked audio from a recent closed-door meeting between the former vice president and civil rights leaders showed a defiant Biden rejecting the type of flippant use of executive authority pushed by his "progressive friends." During the meeting, Biden pushed back against suggestions that he use executive orders to accomplish objectives like instituting a national database on police misconduct or banning assault weapons.
Though at the same time he said he was "not going to hesitate" to use executive authority to "undo every single damn thing" that President Trump has done over the last four years.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), along with other progressive lawmakers, has been urging Biden to circumvent Congress and cancel $50,000 of federal student loan debt for every borrower, and this week, Schumer told reporters that Biden is "considering" the proposal.
The mixed messaging coming from Biden and his policy director suggests that either there is a degree of miscommunication within Biden's team or that the team's approach to use of executive authority is evolving.
What else?
Despite what Biden told civil rights leaders, it is largely expected that his administration would attempt to bypass Congress where possible to push through Democratic policy objectives, especially if Republicans maintain their majority in the Senate.
Given the expectation, industries such as the gun industry are readying aggressive action to counter any controversial executive orders.
"I'm going to be pretty busy," a top gun lobbyist reportedly told the Examiner.