theblaze--2020-04-20--Democrats claim PAC money is evil — but most of the Top 20 labor PAC contributions have gone to Dems

Democrats claim PAC money is evil — but most of the Top 20 labor PAC contributions have gone to Dems. And it's not even close.

Democrats claim PAC money is evil — but most of the Top 20 labor PAC contributions have gone to Dems @ @ @ @ @ even close .

Democrats have cried for years that America must get money out of politics. They claim that big money has a corrupting influence on our elections — and point to political action committees, or PACs, that are allegedly bringing down our republic (well, they call it a "democracy" — tomato, tomahto).
Therefore, because they are holier than Republicans, they have sworn off money from all outside PACs.
Well, not all outside PACs, just PACs connected to businesses.
Well, not all PACs connected to businesses, just any so-called "corporate PACs" that have direct ties to specific companies.
See, Democrats are happy to take money from PACs for trade association, which are just private groups that are formed by companies from the same industry. For example, big bad oil companies have a trade association called the American Petroleum Institute, and as the Intercept noted a year ago, banks have multiple associations, including the American Bankers Association and the Financial Services Roundtable.
What about labor union PACs? Anyone who has followed U.S. politics for any amount of time knows the close ties the Democratic Party has to Big Labor. And that relationship has been lucrative for the campaigns of Democratic candidates for decades.
What is the difference between a dollar from a corporate PAC and a dollar from a labor union PAC? Not a thing.
Except that Democrats are happy to take the labor union PAC dollar.
And the labor union PACs are happy to give it. The most recent FEC data on labor PAC contributions compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics shows just how willing Democrats are to take PAC money — as long it's from a union.
Here are the top 20 labor PAC contributors to candidates in the 2020 election so far, and the political breakdown for where those dollars went — and it's not even close.
No. 1: Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Union
● Total amount: $1,633,150
● % to Dems: 91%
● % to GOP: 9%
No. 2: National Air Traffic Controllers Assn
● Total amount: $1,444,350
● % to Dems: 67%
● % to GOP: 33%
No. 3: Operating Engineers Union
● Total amount: $1,395,000
● % to Dems: 83%
● % to GOP: 17%
No. 4: American Federation of Teachers
● Total amount: $1,122,250
● % to Dems: 100%
● % to GOP: 0%
No. 5: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
● Total amount: $1,103,000
● % to Dems: 96%
● % to GOP: 4%
No. 6: Carpenters & Joiners Union
● Total amount: $1,091,550
● % to Dems: 81%
● % to GOP: 19%
No. 7: Laborers Union
● Total amount: $1,006,200
● % to Dems: 80%
● % to GOP: 20%
No. 8: American Federation of State/County/Municipal Employees
● Total amount: $982,000
● % to Dems: 99%
● % to GOP: 1%
No. 9: Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union
● Total amount: $970,000
● % to Dems: 96%
● % to GOP: 4%
No. 10: Teamsters Union
● Total amount: $936,055
● % to Dems: 97%
● % to GOP: 3%
No. 11: Plumbers/Pipefitters Union
● Total amount: $865,800
● % to Dems: 80%
● % to GOP: 20%
No. 12: International Assn of Fire Fighters
● Total amount: $777,750
● % to Dems: 79%
● % to GOP: 21%
No. 13: Air Line Pilots Assn
● Total amount: $747,500
● % to Dems: 52%
● % to GOP: 48%
No. 14: Seafarers International Union
● Total amount: $740,750
● % to Dems: 52%
● % to GOP: 47%
No. 15: Painters & Allied Trades Union
● Total amount: $711,600
● % to Dems: 88%
● % to GOP: 10%
No. 16: United Food & Commercial Workers Union
● Total amount: $705,400
● % to Dems: 100%
● % to GOP: 0%
No. 17: National Assn of Letter Carriers
● Total amount: $670,000
● % to Dems: 79%
● % to GOP: 21%
No. 18: Service Employees International Union
● Total amount: $606,500
● % to Dems: 100%
● % to GOP: 0%
No. 19: UNITE HERE
● Total amount: $507,678
● % to Dems: 94%
● % to GOP: 6%
No. 20: National Education Assn
● Total amount: $500,350
● % to Dems: 97%
● % to GOP: 3%


theblaze--2020-04-20--Sweden avoided a national coronavirus lockdown, and it may have worked, says chief epidemiologist

' ... the economy could be better placed to rebound' Sweden avoided a national coronavirus lockdown , and it may @ @ @ @ @ epidemiologist Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell of the Public Health Agency of Sweden answers journalists ' questions @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 coronavirus situation on Monday in Solna , Sweden .
( Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND @ @ @

Sweden didn't implement the strict social distancing and stay-at-home orders seen in the United States and other countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategy may have paid off, said the country's chief epidemiologist.
What's the story? Anders Tegnell, the top epidemiologist at Sweden's Public Health Agency, said the decision to implement moderate social distancing recommendations, rather than ordering people to stay in their homes, has allowed the population to build an immunity that is slowing the spread of the virus.
"According to our modelers, we are starting to see so many immune people in the population in Stockholm that it is starting to have an effect on the spread of the infection," said Tegnell, who said herd immunity was inevitable, according to the New York Daily News. "Our models point to some time in May."
Swedish leaders recommended that residents observe social distancing guidelines such as working from home if possible and staying isolated if they are in an at-risk category. Gatherings as large as 500 people were allowed, in contrast with the common U.S. ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. Gyms, schools, bars, and restaurants remained open, with the responsibility placed on citizens to conduct themselves appropriately and safely.
"While Sweden's unwillingness to lock down the country could ultimately prove to be ill-judged, for now, if the infection curve flattens out soon, the economy could be better placed to rebound," said HSBC Global Research economist James Pomeroy.
What do the numbers show? Just more than 1,540 people have died of COVID-19 in Sweden, out of 14,385 confirmed cases. Even that death toll, Tegnell said, is not an indicator of a policy failure.
"It is a failure to protect our elderly who live in care homes," Tegnell said.
Data coming out of Europe shows that 40% to 50% of COVID-19 deaths in some countries have been nursing home residents. Even in the United States, there have been significant and deadly outbreaks in senior care facilities, such as in Seattle where the first known U.S. cases were found.


theblaze--2020-04-20--'The View' co-host Joy Behar likens lockdown protests to terrorism: ‘Terrorists … bring guns to thin

'The View' co-host Joy Behar likens lockdown protests to terrorism: ‘Terrorists … bring guns to things’

'The View ' co-host Joy Behar likens lockdown protests to terrorism : ‘ Terrorists … bring guns to things ’

"The View" co-host Joy Behar said that gun-toting protesters were like terrorists for bringing their weapons to protest lockdown orders.
What are the details?
During Monday's broadcast, Behar blasted Americans engaging in the protest of stay-at-home orders, and suggested they leave their guns at home if they want to demonstrate.
During a segment, Behar — blaming "right-wing media" — said that while it is understandable people are upset about closed state economies, it was inexcusable to protest in public amid the COVID-19 crisis.
"These people are being egged on by right-wing media," she insisted. "People like Alex Jones and Rush Limbaugh. And why are you bringing guns to a rally? You want to call yourself protesters, leave your guns home. Those are terrorists who bring guns to things. To rallies. I don't trust that at all. And don't listen to these people."
Co-host Sunny Hostin, however, said that President Donald Trump was to blame for inciting an insurrection as well as condoning violence.
"What really disturbed me was the president's tweets, you know, you have the president saying things like 'Liberate Virginia' and then also, in the same sentence, bringing up the Second Amendment," Hostin said. "And, to Joy's point, you saw protesters with guns, and I think, you know, he's in a sense, implying an incited — an insurrection."
She continued, "I think the argument can be made that he is inciting violence by these tweets. He's inciting government insurrection, and many are saying, 'Well, it's his free speech,' but the Supreme Court has found many times that if you are inciting lawlessness that's leading to violence, that that type of speech isn't protected."
Hostin pointed out that she was "shocked" that Trump would be "inciting this kind of behavior," and "inciting these protests."
What else?
Behar later turned the focus back on the media, and said that Limbaugh and Jones were both part of an "extreme right-wing media" that is to blame for the insurrection.
"There's so much, you know, lying and negativity coming out of this extreme right wing media, you know, between Limbaugh and Infowars and all that other stuff, that it's very hard for the media to counteract all of that," she fretted.


theblaze--2020-04-20--The city dumped 37 tons of sand on their skatepark as part of COVID lockdown, so skaters used it to

The city dumped 37 tons of sand on their skatepark as part of COVID lockdown, so skaters used it to ride dirt bikes. Then they dug up the sand and continued skating.

The city dumped 37 tons of sand on their skatepark as part of COVID lockdown , so skaters used it @ @ @ @ @ Then they dug up the sand and continued skating .

Last week, the city of San Clemente, California, decided to dump 37 tons of sand on a local skatepark in order to prevent kids from skating during the coronavirus lockdown. But just a few days later, local skaters were shredding again.
A group of determined skaters brought dustpans, shovels, and buckets to the park over the weekend in order to dig up the sand. Remarkably, by Sunday evening, much of the skatepark was usable.
The dig-up was filmed by motocross videographer Connor Ericsson, who headed over to the skatepark to help the effort and use the sand as a dirt bike course.
"Took advantage of all the sand the city dumped into the San Clemente skatepark then helped some local skaters dig it all out so they could do some social shredding," read the caption of Ericsson's Instagram post Sunday, which showed him riding his bike in the park and then digging up the sand.
One Twitter user posted the Instagram videos on his Twitter account with the caption: "LOOOL checkmate government dweebs ... Turning skatepark into a dirt bike track now."
San Clemente Skatepark Coalition, the local nonprofit that raised $50,000 to light the park, said that the city didn't even reach out to contact them before deciding to dump the sand.
The nonprofit's president, Stephanie Aguilar, said that had the city reached out, the group could have urged people to stay away on their social media channels. Instead, city officials opted to fill the park on their own terms as a part of the statewide order to close all parks effective April 1 — and they did it at taxpayers' expense.
"We have a pretty far reach with the skate community, we would have been happy to spread the message," she said. "But there was no warning or anything."
Now, city officials will likely have another decision to make as the park is once again effectively up and running.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Oil prices drop below $0 for the first time in history

Oil prices drop below $ 0 for the first time in history

On Monday afternoon, oil prices hit an all-time low, dipping below $0 for the first time in history. Traders blamed the drop on the expiration of the May futures contract on Tuesday coupled with a sharp decline in demand amidst the coronavirus shutdowns.
According to NPR, at the start of the year, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil — a key benchmark for U.S. oil prices — was around $60. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, prices dropped steadily to just $18 a barrel Friday.
But on Monday, the price began to free-fall below zero all the way to negative $37.63. That means traders are paying $37.63 for someone to accept a delivery of a barrel of oil.
Part of the reason for WTI's plummet is a Tuesday trading deadline, which means that oil traders have until Tuesday to sell off the current futures contract. But buyers who are capable of receiving and storing that much oil have become scarce, hence the bizarre under $0 selloff.
Other types of crude that don't have an impending deadline have not yet dropped that sharply. While May has taken a hit, June futures are currently trading above $20/barrel. But the limited amount of storage space will continue to be a concern as days and weeks pass without oil being used in its typical fashion.
"Oil is already being stockpiled on barges out at sea, and in any nook and cranny companies can find in their storage facilities. Now, traders are worrying that even this space is running out," the New York Times reported.
In its report of the news, CNN warned that the downturn could result in hundreds of U.S. oil companies going bankrupt.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Kanye West, Chick-fil-A partner with Dream Center — which has served 300,000 meals amid COVID-19: 'M

Kanye West, Chick-fil-A partner with Dream Center — which has served 300,000 meals amid COVID-19: 'Miracle of biblical proportions'

Kanye West , Chick-fil-A partner with Dream Center — which has served 300,000 meals amid COVID-19 : 'Miracle of biblical @ @

Rapper Kanye West and Chick-fil-A have partnered with the Los Angeles Dream Center, which has served at least 300,000 meals to the needy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dream Center is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles and founded in 1994.
What are the details?
In a statement to Fox News, Dream Center co-founder Matthew Barnett said, "Every morning I wake up and stand in the parking lot with our dedicated staff, I am blown away that day after day, week after week, there is enough food to provide to folks that need it."
"The Los Angeles Dream Center has transformed into the Grand Central Station of food distribution and other basic essentials," he added. "I'm so grateful that our team has stayed healthy, and that we've found a safe way to meet the urgent needs within our community. I can't say thank you enough to the various donors who've made this a reality. This is what a neighborhood, a community, and a church should always look like."
The outlet reported that the center has also provided at least 11,000 meals per day in the Los Angeles Unified School District since the schools shut down on March 13.
Barnett added that the 300,000 meals have been a "miracle of biblical proportions."
Barnett said that West's generosity has enabled the organization to expand its meal delivery service to include shut-in senior citizens. Chick-fil-A has also been donating sandwiches daily.
What else?
According to a Friday press release from the Missions Box, the center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. local time.
"[The center has] implemented a drive-thru process to safely and quickly move families in and out of the campus," the release pointed out. "For those who are simply walking in, it is a pick-up-and-go system, with limited contact. Through the Dream Center's mobile food banks, food is also being delivered to 20 different outreach sites within a 19-mile radius of the Dream Center that includes communities in Watts and Skid Row. They are also serving the city's elderly population by delivering care packages with food and other resources to residences and senior living homes in Echo Park."
The organization is continuing to accept food and financial donations to keep helping local citizens during this grievous time of need.
In March, Barnett marveled over the number of people who were donating food to the organization at the time.
"We have people showing up bringing loaves of bread, pasta, canned foods, milk, pinto beans," Barnett said. "It's incredible."
"Compassion is coming from places we've never seen before," he said. "Typically, we get a lot of church support, but churches are going through their own personal armageddons right now. They are struggling to survive, like all of us are. Our support is coming more from the local Los Angeles community and strange places I never would expect."


theblaze--2020-04-20--President Trump: Dems 'go after Christian churches, but they don't tend to go after mosques'; wonder

President Trump: Dems 'go after Christian churches, but they don't tend to go after mosques'; wonders if social distancing will be enforced for Ramadan

President Trump : Dems 'go after Christian churches , but they do n't tend to go after mosques ' ; @ @ @ @ @ be enforced for Ramadan A CAIR official blasted Trump 's words as a 'bigoted attempt @ @ @ @ @ a political football '

President Donald Trump accused Democrats of bias against Christians and Jews — and wondered if coronavirus social distancing policies will be enforced against Muslims during Ramadan.
"They go after Christian churches, but they don't tend to go after mosques," Trump said of Democrats during a news conference Saturday.
What are the details?
A reporter asked Trump about his retweet of conservative author Paul Sperry's Twitter post, which asked, "Let's see if authorities enforce the social-distancing orders for mosques during Ramadan (April 23-May 23) like they did churches during Easter."
During Ramadan — a 30-day period which begins Thursday — Muslims don't eat or drink between dawn and sunset.
Trump replied, "I would like to see that. And, you know, I just spoke with leaders and people that love mosques. They love mosques. And I'm all in favor of that. But I would say that there could be a difference. And we'll have to see what will happen, because I've seen a great disparity in this country. I've seen a great disparity."
The president then turned his attention to Democrats in Congress, particularly freshmen U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Ilhan Omar (Minnesota), Rashida Tlaib (Michigan), and Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts).
"I mean, I've seen a very strong anti-Israel bent in Congress with Democrats," Trump said, adding that it "was unthinkable seven or eight or 10 years ago. And now they're into a whole different thing between Omar and AOC — I say AOC plus three; add them on. You have — I mean, the things that they say about Israel are so bad. And I — I can't believe it."
Omar and Tlaib both have made multiple anti-Semitic statements.
'They go after Christian churches, but they don't tend to go after mosques'
Then apparently turning back to Democratic governors who've made headlines for enforcing coronavirus stay-at-home orders prior to Easter, Trump said he would be "very interested" to see what happens over Ramadan "because they go after Christian churches, but they don't tend to go after mosques. And I don't want them to go after mosques, but I do want to see what their — what their bent is."
But when a reporter asked Trump if he's suggesting "imams wouldn't follow social distancing," the president said no, adding that he just had a "tremendous" phone call with imams, rabbis, and ministers.
"I am somebody that believes in faith," Trump also said. "And it matters not what your faith is, but our politicians seem to treat different faiths very differently. And they seem to think — and I don't know what happened with our country — but the Christian faith is treated much differently than it was. And I think it's treated very unfairly."
As it happens, a mosque in New York is reportedly still open for daily prayers amid the coronavirus pandemic — and Muslims are still allowed gather in the mosque's prayer room for calls to prayer throughout the week.
CAIR blasts Trump
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned Trump's words, saying on Sunday that he promoted a "notorious anti-Muslim bigot's tweet questioning whether U.S. mosques will be treated differently during the upcoming month of Ramadan than churches were treated during Easter amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown."
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement that Trump's "bigoted attempt to use American Muslims as a political football just before the holy month of Ramadan was as divisive as it was insulting. Mosques across our nation have already announced plans to remain closed indefinitely because the American Muslim community, unlike President Trump, recognizes the ongoing threat of the coronavirus."
Awad added that the president's "claim that American mosques — many of which have been protested, threatened, vandalized and even bombed in the years since he launched his first presidential campaign — receive preferential treatment compared to other faiths is an Islamophobic fantasy. Instead of fanning the flames of bigotry to distract the public from his own failures, the President should focus on combating the continued spread of the coronavirus."
Here's a clip of Trump's news conference via CAIRtv, which called them "incoherent":


theblaze--2020-04-20--New York mosque still open for daily prayers while churches across the country face mandatory shutdo

New York mosque still open for daily prayers while churches across the country face mandatory shutdowns

A mosque in New York is reportedly still open for daily prayers amid the coronavirus pandemic that has forced Christian churches across the country to close their doors and cancel their in-person gatherings.
While churchgoers in many states have been criticized and even punished for continuing to gather, that same level of scrutiny has apparently not been leveled at the Mosque of Jesus, Son of Mary in Syracuse, New York.
What are the details?
Despite the state's executive order, which broadly bans all "non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason," neighborhood Muslims are still allowed gather together in the mosque's prayer room for calls to prayer throughout the week.
"About 10 worshippers in masks are allowed in at a time, though rarely do that many show up. They stand far apart from each other as they follow a prayer leader standing on a plastic-covered prayer rug," a Syracuse.com report notes. (Though in a video of one of the prayers, it appears that the worshippers are not at least 6 feet away, as the Centers for Disease Control recommends).
While it should be noted that the mosque has gone to great lengths to limit attendees' exposure to the virus by covering the prayer room in plastic and installing a special ventilation system, it is unclear as to how that exempts the mosque from the government mandate.
Yet instead of facing criticism for continuing to gather, the mosque was commended by the news outlet for its efforts to "keep the faith" during the pandemic, especially as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.
Syracuse mosque aims to protect worshippers against coronavirus youtu.be
According to the report, Irfan Elahi, an asbestos abatement expert who worships at the mosque, said that when the outbreak started, mosque leaders in the area were worried that Muslims would panic if daily prayers were cancelled.
What's the background?
Over the past few weeks, churchgoers in many states have been prohibited from gathering and, in many cases, have been punished for doing so despite government orders.
In Mississippi, some churchgoers received $500 fines for sitting in their vehicles in a church parking lot listening to a radio broadcast of the service. In Kentucky, nails were allegedly scattered at the parking lot entrances to prevent people from attending the Easter service. A northern California county even outlawed singing during church livestreams unless people are in a home.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to "permanently" shut down churches and synagogues if they refused to comply with the government's shelter-in-place order.
New York state, where the mosque is located, has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, with over 130,000 confirmed cases and more than 14,000 deaths reported as of Monday, according to the New York Times.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Facebook is working with state governments to take down anti-quarantine protest event listings

Facebook has coordinated with at least three state governments to remove event listings on its site that promote protests against COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, CNN reported.
As more protests emerge against social distancing policies and stay-at-home orders that have caused economic turmoil and record unemployment, many organizers have used Facebook to create protest groups and promote events.
Facebook spokesman Andy Stone told CNN the site's policy is to remove events that would violate a state's coronavirus policies. Currently, such posts will be removed only for events in California, New Jersey, and Nebraska.
CNN reported that Facebook has also reached out to New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to determine whether anti-quarantine events promoted on Facebook violate orders in those states.
"Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organized on Facebook," Stone told CNN. "For this same reason, events that defy government's guidance on social distancing aren't allowed on Facebook."
These protests have been framed in mainstream media with not-so-subtle derision as right-wing demonstrations. The source of the protests, however, is growing concern about elected officials using the emergency to infringe on constitutional rights, as well as frustration that states without severe outbreaks are under the same restrictions as New York, which has been hit hardest by COVID-19.
For example, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) recently smiled during an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson as he admitted he didn't consider the Bill of Rights when setting policy that led to people being arrested for attending religious gatherings.
Residents in Michigan have grown increasingly frustrated with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) who has implemented COVID-19 measures so strict that it's now illegal for a resident to travel to someone else's home. Whitmer has threatened to extend the lockdown order if people keep gathering to protest.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Wisconsin sheriff refuses to enforce Democratic governor's stay-at-home order, cites Constitution

' I can not in good faith participate in the destruction of Racine County '

Wisconsin Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, who serves Racine County, believes Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, has issued an unconstitutional stay-at-home order — and he is taking a stand to protect the rights of his constituents.
Evers extended the Badger State's lockdown order last week by one month, now projecting to lift mandatory restrictions on May 26.
From Wisconsin Public Radio:
Like under the original order, people don't need permission to leave their homes, but are only allowed to do so for specific things, like going to the grocery store or to the doctor. People are still allowed to exercise outside, but are required to keep 6 feet between themselves and others, unless they live with the person. Group sports, like basketball, soccer and ultimate frisbee, are banned. Playgrounds will also remain closed.
Essential businesses and operations, such as hospitals, grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies, will continue operations and don't need any special certification to do so. Wisconsin has been under the restrictions since March 25.
The extension resulted in protests at the Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison over the weekend.
In a statement, Schmaling punched back at the governor and said that he would not enforce an order that encroaches on constitutional rights, WISN-TV reported.
"Wisconsin law gives the Governor and the Wisconsin DHS the authority to develop emergency measures and enforce rules and orders to protect the public during a health crisis," he said. "However, state law does not have the power to supersede or suspend the Constitutional rights of American citizens.
"The overreaching measures taken by State government will have dire lifetime consequences for businesses, homeowners, and families. I took an oath to uphold the constitutional rights of our citizens and I can not in good faith participate in the destruction of Racine County businesses or interfere in the freedoms granted to all of us by our Constitution."
Instead, Schmaling said he would leave enforcement of the governor's order to public health officials.
The governor has not responded to Schmaling's statement. However, other officials have.
Racine public health director Dottie-Kay Bowersox called Schmaling's statement "concerning and alarming," State Rep. Greta Neubauer (D) said she was "disappointed" by Schmaling's position, and Racine Mayor Cory Mason defended the stay-at-home order, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
On Friday, the city of Racine reported it reached a new peak in daily cases, with 11 new cases and one death on Thursday, the Journal Sentinel reported. The city had 77 confirmed cases and three deaths, and the county reported 163 cases and eight total deaths, including two new deaths Friday.


theblaze--2020-04-20--State official's chief of staff: Protesters against stay-at-home orders should be lured into 'MAGA'

State official's chief of staff: Protesters against stay-at-home orders should be lured into 'MAGA' warehouse, locked in — 'then let Darwin work his magic'

State official 's chief of staff : Protesters against stay-at-home orders should be lured into 'MAGA ' warehouse , locked @ @ @ @ @ work his magic '

Len Foxwell — chief of staff for Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot — last Monday on Facebook shared a link to an article about a group called "The Patriot Movement," which called on people to defy coronavirus-related stay-at-home orders, WJZ-TV reported.
The station said Foxwell wrote the following on his post, which has since been taken down:
Let's lure them into a big, big warehouse (we'll call it something real classy to suit their refined sensibilities, like "America MAGA Platinum Palace") with the promise of all the unfiltered Camels they can smoke, all the Salisbury steak and banana moonpies they can eat, washed down by all the Old Crow and Icehouse they can drink.
Plus, autographs from Scott Baio and pics with Tawny Kitean [sic], posing all sexy and everything on a sportscar, just like in that old Whitesnake video! Get them in, bar the door, and then let Darwin work his magic.
Backlash
Maryland Republican Party Chairman Dirk Haire got wind of Foxwell's post and called on Franchot to fire his chief of staff, WJZ reported.
"I hope you agree with me that Mr. Foxwell's statements suggesting the genocide of President Trump's supporters are extraordinarily inappropriate and representative of a base and destructive mindset," Haire wrote, the station said. "A review of Mr. Foxwell's Facebook page shows many similar posts by Mr. Foxwell."
Haire also said Franchot — a Democrat — should keep his future in mind, the Baltimore Sun reported.
"As an announced candidate for governor of Maryland in 2022, I expect you to do the right thing and terminate Mr. Foxwell's employment as your chief of staff," Haire wrote to Franchot, the paper said. "If you do not, you can be certain that Mr. Foxwell's views, and your refusal to repudiate such views, will be made aware to every voter in Maryland during the 2022 campaign by the Maryland Republican Party."
'My deep, searing distaste for the President's politics'
Foxwell on Saturday responded that his comments were made "in a typical spirit of sarcasm and jest" and were not directed at Trump supporters but rather at the leaders and members of the group, WJZ said:
Again, this had nothing to do with rank-and-file Trump supporters — notwithstanding my deep, searing distaste for the President's politics and his catastrophic mismanagement of this crisis. Nor, obviously, did I ever express hope that someone would die. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply, absolutely false. By now, it's fairly obvious that, like so many other social media brush fires that revolve around this President, a handful of provocateurs twisted unrelated content to suit their narrative of victimization and government persecution.
'I remain 100 percent supportive of Len Foxwell'
Franchot on Saturday night wrote the following on Facebook about the controversy:
Over the past few hours, I've fielded a few angry messages and texts from people who are demanding that my Chief of Staff, Len Foxwell, resign or be fired. This, in response to satirical comments that he made on his personal social media feed about the Patriot Movement and their willingness to violate "Stay at Home" orders imposed by the Governor of Idaho.
It has never been my policy to comment on social media content posted by members of my staff, so long as it is done on their own time. I won't start now. Suffice to say, however, that I remain 100 percent supportive of Len Foxwell and the exceptional work he continues to do for me and for the people of Maryland. He is an exceptional public servant, a dear family friend, and I look forward to his continued service as my Chief of Staff for years to come.
Enjoy your evening and the rest of this weekend. Stay safe, everyone!
How did folks react to the comptroller's defense of his chief of staff?
Franchot's Facebook post drew about 2,000 comments — and as you can imagine, more than a few were angry at his support for Foxwell:
"You just lost my vote ..."
"MD gov't is becoming a huge joke. This statement and Mr. Foxwell's are a disgrace coming from people CLAIMING to work for the best interest of the public. Just disgusting. Supporting people that are this partisan will ruin our society."
"But these stay at home nuts are about saving so many lives. Now they are making excuses for having Naziesque fantasies. Shame on you Peter Franchot for supporting someone who fantasizes of murdering people he doesn't agree with."
"So because he is a family friend you condone his actions above the Marylander's you serve. You are just as crooked as he. Time for you to go too. Wake up people of Maryland!!!"
"Peter Franchot lest you forget, you both serve at the behest of the voters of Maryland. They have long memories and will remember Len Foxwell's nasty assessment of how he sees the people of Maryland. Reminds me of Hillary Clinton's 'Basket of Deplorables' comment that may have cost her the election."
Anything else?
Haire on Sunday responded to Franchot's statement by emailing the following to party supporters, the Sun said: "The Maryland Republican Party will be ready to deploy significant amounts of advertising and communications dollars in the 2022 Governor's race to make sure every Maryland voter is aware of Comptroller Franchot's views."
Foxwell earned $181,000 last year, the paper reported, citing a state salary database.
Oh yeah, remember Foxwell's mention of conservative actor Scott Baio in his controversial Facebook post? Well, Baio has something for Foxwell:


theblaze--2020-04-20--Harvard professor blasts homeschooling: ‘Dangerous’ for parents to have ‘authoritarian control over

Harvard professor blasts homeschooling: ‘Dangerous’ for parents to have ‘authoritarian control over their children’

Harvard professor blasts homeschooling : ‘ Dangerous ’ for parents to have ‘ authoritarian control over their children ’ Dumb @ @ @ @ @ though

A Harvard University law professor says homeschooling is dangerous because it allows parents to have "authoritarian control" over their children.
What are the details?
Featured in an article for Harvard Magazine, Elizabeth Bartholet — Wasserstein public interest professor of law and faculty director of the Law School's Child Advocacy Program — argued that homeschooling for children is simply a means for depriving children of any "meaningful education."
In the article, "The Risks of Homeschooling," Bartholet wrote, "We have an essentially unregulated regime in the area of homeschooling. If you look at the legal regime governing homeschooling, there are very few requirements that parents do anything."
She pointed out that children are missing out on the experience of a public education and will likely not be able to contribute to a democratic society because of their lack of such an experience and such "detrimental" isolation.
"The issue is, do we think that parents should have 24/7, essentially authoritarian control over their children from ages zero to 18?" she asked. "I think that's dangerous. I think it's always dangerous to put powerful people in charge of the powerless, and to give the powerful ones total authority.
"From the beginning of compulsory education in this country, we have thought of the government as having some right to educate children so that they become active, productive participants in the larger society," she wrote. "But it's also important that children grow up exposed to community values, social values, democratic values, ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people's viewpoints."
Bartholet did not appear to provide any fact-based information throughout her remarks to highlight the dangers of homeschooling, and, instead, offered up her opinion as a teacher of civil rights and family law. Bartholet, who said that she specializes in child welfare, adoption, and reproductive technology, also asserted that children are at a higher risk of enduring abuse due to being cut off from teachers and other non-family authority figures.
Was there any kind of response?
Melba Pearson, an honors graduate from Harvard University, took note of Bartholet's remarks and refused to remain silent.
In a now-viral article published on Medium, Pearson — who was homeschooled prior to her Harvard University admission — wrote, "I was proud of my school, until last night, when I read Harvard Magazine's article on the so-called 'risks' of homeschooling."
"In essence, this article is not an attack on a form of education some might view as lesser quality," she added. "In essence, this article is an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms that make our country (and until recently, institutions such as Harvard) what they are."
She continued, "The idea that a government, already so inefficient and inadequate in so many areas, can care for and educate every child better than its parent is wrong."
Pearson insisted that she was accepted at the prestigious school — and excelled — because she was homeschooled.
"[O]f that, I am proud," she concluded. "It is deeply disappointing that Harvard is choosing and promoting an intellectual totalitarian path that calls for a ban of the liberties that helped me and countless others succeed, for it is those liberties and ideals that have made America the great nation it is today."
(H/T: Faithwire)


theblaze--2020-04-20--US police departments are using Chinese drones to enforce social distancing, raising security concer

US police departments are using Chinese drones to enforce social distancing, raising security concerns

The company may be sending data back to China US police departments are using Chinese drones to enforce social distancing @ @ @ @ @ DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise drone equipped with a thermal sensor used by municipal police in @ @ @ @ @ temperature is pictured in flight on April 9 , 2020 in Treviolo , near Bergamo @ @ @ @ @ country 's lockdown .
( Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP )

Police departments in the United States are using drones made in China to conduct surveillance and enforce social distancing policies, raising concerns about what the Chinese government-backed company that manufactures the drones may be doing with the data it gathers, according to the Daily Wire.
What's this about? State and local entities in at least 22 states are using drones manufactured and donated by DJI. Federal officials told The New York Times in 2017 that they have "moderate confidence" that the drones were "providing U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government."
The drones are used by police to monitor areas that aren't accessible by patrol cars. They reportedly don't take pictures or video, but rather are used to issue warnings to people out of compliance with social distancing rules, according to an MSNBC report.
The concerns are so significant that the U.S. Army ordered soldiers to stop using DJI consumer drones and software because of an "increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products," and the Interior Department grounded its fleet of DJI drones at the beginning of this year out of fear they might be utilized by the Chinese for spying.
The China problem: Under normal circumstances, a reliance on Chinese surveillance technology was problematic for government and law enforcement. That issue takes on new significance when that technology is being used to manage a virus outbreak that originated in China and was made worse by the Chinese government's attempts to cover it up.
"Think about this for a second. This virus originated in Communist China and the Chinese Communist Party's lies helped it spread around the world," tweeted Florida Sen. Rick Scott. "Now we're using drones made by a Chinese company and backed by the CCP to enforce social distancing. This is crazy!"
The drones are reportedly being used by 43 agencies in the following states: Oregon, Washington, California, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Tourists get stuck in India when coronavirus lockdown hits. So they decide to hide from the disease

Tourists get stuck in India when coronavirus lockdown hits. So they decide to hide from the disease in a cave.

Tourists get stuck in India when coronavirus lockdown hits .
So they decide to hide from the disease in a @ @

What do you do if you're a tourist in a foreign country and the worldwide coronavirus lockdowns begin and then you run out of money?
One group of tourists decided their best option was to hide in a cave.
What's that now?
Six foreign tourists, including one American, were found hiding in a cave in northern India hoping to wait out the pandemic, the Daily Mail reported Monday.
India's current national lockdown, which is set to go through at least May 3, began in late March, the paper noted.
Apparently, the tourists — four men and two women — took up residence in the cave near Rishikesh on March 24 after running out of money during the COVID-19 lockdown, police inspector Rajendra Singh Kathait said, according to the Daily News.
Kathait told the media that the tourists had been living in a hotel but moved to the cave when their funds ran dry.
"However," the inspector noted, "they had saved some money to buy food and other supplies." He added that one of the tourists, a man from Nepal, had been helping cave dwellers buy essential items.
Authorities said the tourists have not shown coronavirus symptoms but have been moved to a 14-day quarantine in Swarg Ashram, the Daily Mail said.
Though these six people might have been the tourists who found shelter in a cave, they are far from being the only tourists trapped in Rishikesh: The government says some 700 foreign tourists are still stranded there.
Rishikesh? That sounds familiar. Have I heard of it before?
Yes, if you're a Beatles fan, you've likely heard of Rishikesh. In the '60s, the group found refuge and wrote a bunch of their songs there.
The Beatles and their wives at the Rishikesh in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, March 1968. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The New York Post reported:
In 1968, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr sought refuge from Beatlemania by going to Rishikesh for spiritual enlightenment and to immerse themselves in Indian culture.
In addition to practicing transcendental meditation, the Fab Four also wrote about 40 songs at their ashram in the yoga retreat city, including some featured on “Abbey Road" and “The White Album."
No word on whether the six cave-dwellers have signed with a label yet.


theblaze--2020-04-20--CNN's Brian Stelter 'gutted' by coronavirus, Trump's response, 'crawled in bed and cried for our pre

CNN's Brian Stelter 'gutted' by coronavirus, Trump's response, 'crawled in bed and cried for our pre-pandemic lives'

CNN 's Brian Stelter 'gutted ' by coronavirus , Trump 's response , 'crawled in bed and cried for our @ @ @

CNN media critic Brian Stelter "hit a wall" and had an emotional breakdown last weekend over coronavirus fears and dismay over President Donald Trump's leadership during the pandemic.
The "Reliable Sources" host admitted that his overwhelming emotions caused him to miss his newsletter deadline Friday night for the first time in years.
"Last night, I hit a wall," Stelter tweeted Saturday. "Gutted by the death toll. Disturbed by the govt's shortcomings. Dismayed by political rhetoric that bears no resemblance to reality. Worried about friends who are losing jobs; kids who are missing school; and senior citizens who are living in fear.
"I crawled in bed and cried for our pre-pandemic lives," he added. "Tears that had been waiting a month to escape. I wanted to share because it feels freeing to do so. Now is not a time for faux-invincibility. Journos are living this, hating this, like everyone else."
Though Stelter didn't mention the president by name in his tweets, he did specifically mention Trump several times in his Saturday newsletter.
In the newsletter, Stelter castigated Trump's "ever-changing position" on the coronavirus pandemic and designated a segment to the apparent disparity between the president's characterization of the pandemic and the state of things in local municipalities across the country.
"Scrolling through the Newseum's gallery of newspaper front pages, the # of headlines about Trump's antics and 'reopening' plans are vastly outnumbered by the daily reality of the virus. The front pages serve as a reality check to Trump's unreality," he argued.
'It's okay to not be okay right now'
Then, during his Sunday show, Stelter repeated the message that he shared on Twitter the day before. This time he added that "it's okay to not be okay right now."
"All of us are grieving, whether we sense it or not. All of us have lost something in the past few weeks, some have suffered the ultimate loss of a father, or mother or spouse or relative. Others have lost livelihoods, they lost access to family and friends," Stelter said. "I tried to bottle it all up; I guess I was trying to be stoic for my wife and kids, it wasn't until this Friday night that I hit a wall."
Stelter encouraged people who are experiencing emotions not to bottle them up like he did, but to talk about them, and even use social media to do so. He said that after crying and opening up on social media, he felt better.
"Almost everyone is experiencing isolation or stress or anxiety or other emotions, as a result of this crisis," he added. "[But] it's okay to not be okay right now."
(H/T: Fox News)


theblaze--2020-04-20--ESPN's long-anticipated 'The Last Dance' Chicago Bulls documentary edits the team name 'Washington B

ESPN's long-anticipated 'The Last Dance' Chicago Bulls documentary edits the team name 'Washington Bullets' out of existence

ESPN 's long-anticipated 'The Last Dance ' Chicago Bulls documentary edits the team name 'Washington Bullets ' out of existence

In the absence of real sports due to the coronavirus pandemic, sports programming networks like ESPN have been forced to get creative with their programming, and sports fans have been left to starve for actual sports programming. All of this has combined to make ESPN's documentary series about the 1990s Chicago Bulls — who won six NBA titles with larger than life names like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson — one of the most anticipated sports programs of the year.
ESPN released the first two parts of the documentary last night to generally positive reviews, but some users noted an oddity. When displaying what appeared to be an original copy of the NBA Eastern Conference standings for 1986, ESPN flashed a graphic showing that the "Washington Wizards" were in sixth place.
However, there was no such team as the "Washington Wizards" in 1986 — at the time, the team was known as the "Washington Bullets," which was the team name from 1974-1997 (prior to that, they were known as the Capital Bullets and prior to that, the Baltimore Bullets).
The team's name was changed in 1997 after team owner Abe Pollin declared that the nickname "Bullets" had unwelcome associations with "street violence," and that it was not appropriate for a team based in D.C., which had a high gun homicide rate at the time.
The sports media at the time widely praised Pollin's move, predictably lamenting the scourge of "gun violence" in America and pretending, in their usual fashion, that bullets all on their own were mysteriously killing people. When Pollin died in 2009, most of his media eulogies specifically praised him for having struck a blow against guns by changing the name of the sports team he owned.
But the fact remains that, in 1986, the team's name was unquestionably NOT the Wizards, but instead was the Washington Bullets. Apparently, however, the mere word "Bullets" was so offensive that ESPN edited the historical record of their documentary to remove it.
Michael Jordan would end up playing the final years of his career with the Washington Wizards franchise, after their name change.
ESPN did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the reason for this change.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Obama gave infamous Wuhan lab millions in taxpayer money. Trump has vowed to end further grants.

Obama gave infamous Wuhan lab millions in taxpayer money .
Trump has vowed to end further grants .
'2015 ?
@ @ @ @ @ I wonder '

President Donald Trump vowed last week to stop giving taxpayer funds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the place where American intelligence indicates the coronavirus outbreak may have originated.
The Obama administration granted the Wuhan laboratory $3.7 million for research in 2015 via the National Institutes of Health, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) revealed last week.
Gaetz told Fox News host Tucker Carlson:
I'm against funding Chinese research in our country, but I'm sure against funding it in China. The NIH gives a $3.7 million grant to the Wuhan Institute of Virology [and] they then advertise that they need coronavirus researchers and following that, coronavirus erupts in Wuhan.
What's really troubling to me is either conspicuously or miraculously the Wuhan Institute of Virology is able to sequence the virus on January 2 but China doesn't admit to the virus existing until January 9 and then the Wuhan Institute of Virology doesn't release this important scientific information to the world until January 12.
So at best, Americans are funding people who are lying to us and at worst, we're funding people who we knew had problems handling pathogens, who then birthed a monster virus onto the world.
The grant was meant for the studying of bats that carry the viruses that have triggered the present pandemic as well as the SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago, according to the Daily Mail.
Any further funding will immediately end, Trump declared on Friday.
On Friday, a reporter asked the president, "U.S. intelligence is saying this week that the coronavirus likely came from a level 4 lab in Wuhan. There's also another report that the NIH, under the Obama administration, in 2015 gave that lab $3.7 million in a grant. Why would the U.S. give a grant like that to China?"
Trump responded, "The Obama administration gave them a grant of $3.7 million? I've been hearing about that. And we've instructed that if any grants are going to that area — we're looking at it, literally, about an hour ago, and also early in the morning. We will end that grant very quickly.
"But it was granted quite a while ago. They were granted a substantial amount of money," he continued. "We're going to look at it and take a look. But I understand it was a number of years ago, right?"
When Trump asked the reporter to again state when the Obama administration gave the Wuhan lab the taxpayer-funded grant, Trump quipped, "2015? Who was president then? I wonder."


theblaze--2020-04-20--NBA will begin withholding 25% of players’ salaries during COVID-19 pandemic

NBA will begin withholding 25 % of players ’ salaries during COVID-19 pandemic

The NBA will begin withholding 25% of each NBA player's check beginning May 15, according to an ESPN report.
The league and players' union announced the agreement on Friday.
What are the details?
The agreement, set between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, goes into effect due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The NBA suspended its season in March after Utah's Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
According to ESPN, "The agreement clears the way for a gradual reduction in player salaries should the force majeure provision in the collective bargaining agreement be enacted with the cancellation of regular season games."
The players are expected to receive backpay in the event that the league resumes regular season games.
"Otherwise," the report notes, "teams would keep a percentage of the money based on the cancellation of games."
The outlet predicts that NBA players stand to lose approximately 23% to 26% of their season salary if NBA games do not resume.
The NBA has no current plans to announce the cancellation of regular season games. The union says it told players that they may have to wait till June 15 to find out whether games are cancelled, and, if so, how many.
What else?
The force majeure provision covers a variety of "catastrophic circumstances," including, but not limited to, epidemics and pandemics. The collective bargain agreement stipulates that the force majeure is triggered once there is a cancellation of games because of such events.
"The NBA doesn't want a scenario in which it has to pursue players for payment on cancelled games, which is part of why the NBA and NBPA spent the last several weeks negotiating so the players would have the ability to budget the loss of income on this season's salary over an extended period," ESPN reports.
On Friday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that the league is in no place to consider the resumption of games at this point in time. He also acknowledged the suspension has had a "huge financial impact" on the NBA because "no revenue'' is coming in.
"The sense of our board was that the safety, health, and well-being of our players, coaches, fans, everyone involved in our game, is paramount,'' Silver said following the spring Board of Governors meeting that was held remotely, according to the New York Post. "Based on the reports we have gotten from various outside officials, current public health officials, we are not in a position to make any decisions, and it's unclear when we will be."
You can read more on the move here.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Erratic IHME model changes again to project 8,000 fewer coronavirus deaths than previous week

Erratic IHME model changes again to project 8,000 fewer coronavirus deaths than previous week White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. @ @ @ @ @ April 10 daily briefing of the White House coronavirus task force in the James Brady @ @ @ @ @ House .
( Alex Wong/Getty Images )

The coronavirus projection model from the University of Washington's Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation again revised the number of expected COVID-19 deaths to project 8,000 fewer overall U.S. deaths than it did the previous week.
The IHME model is possibly the most prominent of all available projection models, and likely has influence in state and federal government decisions about when to relax the social distancing policies, which have been deemed necessary to slow the spread of the virus, but that have had disastrous economic impact nationwide.
The new projection: On Friday, the IHME model projected a total of 60,308 U.S. COVID-19 deaths, with an estimate range of 34,063 to 140,381. On April 13, it projected 68,841 deaths and a range of 30,188 to 175,965.
The IHME model produced the projections that led President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus response task force to announce that even if Americans did everything right, as many as 240,000 people would die of the coronavirus by the end of the summer.
The model has also overestimated the number of hospitalizations and the number of needed ventilators, and those projections have had political implications and also been economically damaging for health care providers that shut down all nonessential medical procedures to prepare for COVID-19 surges that, in some areas, never arrived.
What's the problem? The IHME model's method of producing projections has led to inaccuracy and volatility, both of which make it unhelpful for forming public health policy, according to STAT News. The model looks at the progression of the virus in other countries with earlier outbreaks, tries to determine where the U.S. fits on that bell curve progression, and produces projections from there.
The model assumes that the U.S. curve will mimic the curve in other countries, without accounting for all the variables such as differences in social distancing policy and different timing for implementing those policies. Because it is a statistical model that started with very little U.S. data, it can shift significantly every time new U.S. data is added to the model.
The IHME model has been inaccurate even when projecting the next day, STAT News reported, with next-day deaths falling outside the projected range 70% of the time.
"That the IHME model keeps changing is evidence of its lack of reliability as a predictive tool," said epidemiologist Ruth Etzioni of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, according to STAT News. Etzioni has served on a search committee for IHME. "That it is being used for policy decisions and its results interpreted wrongly is a travesty unfolding before our eyes."
(H/T Washington Examiner)


theblaze--2020-04-20--Tennis mega star and vaccine opponent Novak Djokovic might not resume his tennis career if COVID-19

Tennis mega star and vaccine opponent Novak Djokovic might not resume his tennis career if COVID-19 vaccinations are required

Whenever the ATP Tour season reopens after the coronavirus-inspired global lockdowns end, it might have to do so without its top ranked player.
Widely regarded to be one of the sport's all-time greats, 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is worried that if the ATP makes compulsory vaccinations mandatory as a condition of participating in a resumed tennis season, he will be faced with a difficult decision about whether he will be able to participate.
According to ESPN, Djokovic said in a Facebook live event on Sunday that, "Personally, I am opposed to vaccination, and I wouldn't want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel. ... But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision. I have my own thoughts about the matter, and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don't know."
As of right now, all ATP Tour events have been suspended through at least July 13. Since tennis is one of the most travel-intensive and international sports in the world, some tennis stars have called for the season to be suspended for even longer than that.
Djokovic did not elaborate on the reasons that he opposes vaccines. He did, however, leave open the possibility that he might join resumed play, noting that, "Hypothetically, if the season was to resume in July, August or September, though unlikely, I understand that a vaccine will become a requirement straight after we are out of strict quarantine, and there is no vaccine yet."
Djokovic, who hails from Serbia, won the last tennis major to be played, the 2020 Australian Open. His 17 major titles place him third on the all-time list, behind only Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. At the age of 32, Djokovic is still a dominant figure in the sport, and many expect him to end his career with the most Grand Slam titles of any player in history. Every single Grand Slam title in tennis since the start of 2017 has been won by either Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic.
It is widely expected that an effective vaccine against the coronavirus would not be available for months, which places the remainder of the seasons for international sports in particular in serious jeopardy.
Update: The tour, organized by the governing body of men's professional tennis, is called the ATP Tour.


theblaze--2020-04-20--Crook steals car, drives off, ditches it, then tries breaking into nearby residence. But gun-toting

Crook steals car, drives off, ditches it, then tries breaking into nearby residence. But gun-toting homeowner ends his escapade.

Crook steals car , drives off , ditches it , then tries breaking into nearby residence .
But gun-toting homeowner @ @ @ @ @ another win for the Second Amendment

Ryan Johnson Davis' calendar apparently displayed a full schedule Thursday night.
What happened?
Phoenix, Arizona, police said the 32-year-old allegedly stole a vehicle near 51st and Van Buren Streets around 10 p.m., KPNX-TV reported, adding that Davis dished out a minor injury to the owner who fought with the suspect to prevent his car from being stolen.
Davis then allegedly drove a few miles away to the area of 53rd Street and Indian School Road, where he ditched the car and tried to break into a home, KPHO-TV reported.
But the homeowner had a gun — and wasn't having any of it. KPNX said the homeowner shot Davis.
What happened to the suspect?
Soon after the suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital with an injury that wasn't life threatening, KPNX reported.
When Davis was released from the hospital, the station said he was booked into the Maricopa County Jail for robbery, theft of means of transportation, residential burglary, and trespassing.
UPDATE: Nov. 19, 10 p.m.: According to the Maricopa County Superior Court, Davis pleaded guilty to reduced charges on criminal trespass and theft — and that paved the way for the dismissal of his third and fourth charges.
He was sentenced to probation on May 26, court records indicate.
This story has been updated


theblaze--2020-04-21--Here's why the COVID-19 panic paddlers stopped talking about Sweden

Here 's why the COVID-19 panic paddlers stopped talking about Sweden

On Monday, BlazeTV host Steve Deace presented a solid month of data that highlighted Sweden's approach to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as having a higher success rate than surrounding countries.
Deace explained, that despite backlash from talking heads, Sweden has dramatically lowered its COVID-19 death rate while the United Kingdom still sees an increase.
Watch the video below for the full story.
Here's Why the Panic Peddlers Stopped Talking About Sweden | Steve Deace Show youtu.be Want more from Steve Deace?
To enjoy more of Steve's take on national politics, Christian worldview and principled conservatism with a snarky twist, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-04-21--'There is shame to go around!' — Dagen McDowell excoriates Democrats for small business relief debac

'There is shame to go around!' — Dagen McDowell excoriates Democrats for small business relief debacle

'There is shame to go around ! '
— Dagen McDowell excoriates Democrats for small business relief debacle ' I @ @ @ @ @ horse manure they can all jump in ! '

Dagen McDowell went into an impassioned rant against Democrats who were claiming that the coronavirus stimulus funds were being funneled into red states and not helping Democrat-majority states.
She made the comments on Fox News' "The Five" on Monday after co-host Dana Perino asked her about the delay in a new round of funding for the bill in relief for small businesses.
"These are people, these are family businesses that are flat on their backs, and these people don't know how they're going to stay open because the Democrats were playing politics with a reload and a refresh and a refill of this small business paycheck protection program," said McDowell.
"Seven days before that program ran out of money, [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) put in front of the Democrats a 25-line bill just for the money. And what did they do? They dragged their feet," she said.
"So every time any one of these Democrats ever says 'small businesses' and they're gonna tell you how important they are to the fabric of America, those two words should be preceded with 'go to hell, small businesses!' 'cuz that's what you did!" she exclaimed.
'I've got a steaming pile of horse manure'
McDowell then addressed the accusations from Democrats like Rep. Jackie Speier of California that Trump was helping red states more than blue states.
"And now they're trying to turn it on the Republicans, the Democrats are, talkin' about, 'Why did the blue states not get as many loans filled as some of the red states did?' You know why? Because that's where the big banks were, and they deserve a lot of the blame as well, because Wells Fargo made, what, a hundred, about a hundred and twenty million dollars in loans out of a $350 billion program?" she asked rhetorically.
"Those big banks, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, they slow-walked these loans for the first ten days of the program when they shoulda been stepping up like the community banks," she said.
"There is shame to go around," concluded McDowell, "and I've got a steaming pile of horse manure they can all jump in!"
Perino pointed out that the deal lawmakers are likely to reach is not substantively different from one weeks ago, meaning that politicians were "playing politics" for no reason while Americans suffered.
McDowell also responded to the accusations from Speier directly on Twitter.
"You should be PRAISING the small community banks for hustling + doing the right thing!" she tweeted.
Here's the video of McDowell's response on "The Five":


theblaze--2020-04-21--President Trump tweets that he will suspend all immigration

President Trump tweets that he will suspend all immigration This will likely anger his critics even more

President Donald Trump tweeted on Monday that he would issue an order to suspend all immigration to the United States.
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" he tweeted.
The president has used the phrase "the invisible enemy" to refer to the coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the globe since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in late December.
The extraordinary announcement builds upon the initial response that the president had to the coronavirus breakout when he ordered a travel ban on Jan. 31 for those people trying to enter the United States from China.
Critics of the president initially claimed that his travel ban was "xenophobic" and racist, but some have admitted as the contagion grew that his action was likely the correct course.
There are more than 745,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States, with 39,000 deaths.
Here's more about the coronavirus pandemic:


theblaze--2020-04-21--North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 'in grave danger following a surgery': report

The communist dictator has not been seen in public since April 11

The United States is investigating intelligence information that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's "health is in grave danger following a surgery," according to a new report from CNN.
What are the details?
CNN's Jim Sciutto tweeted Monday evening that "The US is monitoring intelligence that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's health is in grave danger following a surgery, a US official with direct knowledge tells me."
Sciutto then linked to a full story from CNN, found here.
Shortly after the CNN report, the Houston Chronicle reported that the South Korean government is also "looking into reports saying North Korea's Kim Jong Un is in fragile condition after surgery."
According to the Los Angeles Times, "The Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that gathers information from informants inside the isolated nation, reported Tuesday that Kim underwent 'a cardiovascular surgical procedure' and was now mostly recovered."
The outlet noted that "it was impossible to immediately verify the report, which the Daily NK said was based on one person inside North Korea."
A White House reporter for Bloomberg News tweeted that the "Trump admin received information that Kim Jong Un had heart surgery last week and if he's alive, his health is poor, I'm told. KJU hasn't been seen at key events in recent days. It's unclear to US officials if he's dead or alive."
She added, "Trump administration officials are looking into who would be in the line of succession if Kim Jong Un dies or is already dead, I'm told."
Kim has not been seen in public since April 11.


theblaze--2020-04-20--CNN's Brian Stelter cries about his own fake news

CNN 's Brian Stelter cries about his own fake news

CNN's Brian Stelter decided that "it's okay to not be okay right now" on Friday while writing his nightly newsletter about the COVID-19 pandemic and how Americans have been effected.
Crowder used his comedic genius to describe Stelter's lame claim of hitting an emotional wall.
"He is crying over his own fake news," Crowder began.
Watch the video below to see Crowder and the "Louder with Crowder" crew give a play-by-play of Stelter's fake news-driven grief over the COVID-19 pandemic..
Brian Stelter Cries About His Own Fake News | Louder With Crowder youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-04-22--Richard Grenell shuts down Adam Schiff's attempt to control intel staffing decisions

The acting director of national intelligence told Schiff to stay in his own lane

Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell shut down the recent attempt of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to control the director's staffing decisions, sending the congressman a letter reminding him of the separation between the legislative and executive branches of government.
What are the details?
Earlier this month, Schiff — who led the impeachment effort against President Donald Trump — wrote a letter to Grenell, a Trump loyalist, expressing his "concern" that Grenell was "pursuing organizational and personnel changes at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence without consulting and seeking authorization from Congress in a manner that undermines critical intelligence functions."
Schiff expressed concern over the firing of former DNI Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who delivered the whistleblower complaint to Congress that triggered the president's impeachment.
According to Grenell, Schiff's letter was obtained by the media before it even hit his desk. The DNI tweeted at the time, "These press leaks politicizing the intelligence community must stop."
Grenell wrote Schiff a response on Monday, in a letter described by CBS News's Catherine Herridge as "combative."
The DNI began by thanking Schiff for his "suggestions for reforming the Office of the Director of National Intelligence," before expressing his "surprise" that Schiff did not acknowledge "the historic appointment of the first female Director of the National Counterterrorism Center."
"Instead," Grenell wrote, "You expressed concerns regarding the retirement of the former male Director."
Grenell went to on tell Schiff, "I must disagree with your proposals to divest the DNI of managerial competence and personnel decision-making authority, and to replace your committee's mandate for Intelligence Community oversight with a mandate for IC administration."
He explained, "Career IC officials have conducted four studies in the last two years calling for reforms at the ODNI, and the career officials are eager to implement the recommendations. It is my duty to listen to these ODNI career employees who have ideas on how to improve the work we do for the American people."
"Going forward," Grenell suggested to Schiff, "I encourage you to think of the relationship between your committee and the IC as that between the legislative and executive branches of government, rather than that between a hedge fund and a distressed asset, as your letter suggests."
Grenell closed his letter by taking a hit at Schiff for being the sole signatory on the letter he sent representing his committee, telling the chairman, "Lastly, I strongly agree with your statement of a bipartisan legislative commitment to the IC. I would hope to see this commitment reflected on the signature line of your future letters."
How did Schiff react?
According to Politico, Schiff issued a statement on Tuesday in reaction to Grenell's letter, saying:
In his letter, Acting Director Grenell did not respond in any way to our oversight requests regarding the decision to fire the IC IG, sudden staffing changes at the NCTC, and his pursuit of structural and personnel changes at the ODNI without the approval of Congress.
And the Acting Director failed to respond to important questions about whether [DNI inspector general Michael Atkinson] was investigating matters that may go uninvestigated as a result of his firing by Trump. The simple fact he was not willing to respond to a reasonable request form his agency's oversight committee raises new basis for our concerns, particularly given this Administration's history of covering up blatant misconduct.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence owes us, and the Senate as well, answers to these questions. We remain ready to work with ODNI to ensure compliance with our oversight requests, consistent with its legal obligation to keep the Committee fully and currently informed of its activities.


theblaze--2020-04-22--Trump promises Harvard will give back the millions it received of coronavirus relief funds

President Donald Trump said that Harvard University will be returning millions in coronavirus relief money it received after a public outcry that the money didn't go to smaller businesses.
The president made the announcement during the coronavirus task force media briefing on Tuesday.
"Harvard is gonna pay back the money. They shouldn't be taking it. So, Harvard is going to. You have a number of, I'm not gonna mention any other names," he said.
"But when I saw Harvard, they have one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country, maybe in the world, I guess," continued Trump.
"And, uh, they're gonna pay back that money," he concluded.
Harvard University was singled out by many on social media as an example of the unfair distribution of the relief funds from the program because the storied university has a $40 billion endowment it can lean on.
Forbes education editor Susan Adams outlined the argument against Harvard receiving such funds.
Harvard has become a lightning rod because it has the largest endowment of any school in the country. In June 2019, the endowment was valued at $41 billion. Why can't Harvard just spend that money to help students and cover any of its own new expenses resulting from the pandemic?
A representative for Harvard said that the school deserved the funding because it had been hit with extraordinary expenses from the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
On Monday, Dagen McDowell condemned the large banks for stalling on getting the funds out to businesses, while praising the small community banks that worked to help at a much faster rate. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin voiced similar observations at Tuesday's media briefing.
Also on Tuesday, Senate Republicans passed a bill to re-fund the relief program and provide more money to distressed businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's the announcement from the president:


theblaze--2020-04-22--Steven Crowder's astute take on why Trump risks holding daily COVID-19 press briefings

Steven Crowder 's astute take on why Trump risks holding daily COVID-19 press briefings

In case you haven't heard, some mainstream media outlets (like CNN and MSNBC) decided to shield their viewers from real news by no longer streaming President Trump's live press briefings. Why? Because fake news gonna fake news. Instead, CNN and MSNBC take soundbites so they can control the tone of the president, which also perfectly illustrates the fake news reporting model.
Following Tuesday's briefing, Crowder offered his take on why Trump holds daily press briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic that caused national shutdown.
"The things that aren't said is the bet that Donald Trump is making. He can only make the gamble of these press briefings if he believes in the American spirit. That is why the press won't report it," Steven asserted.
Watch the video below for more from Steven and his crew.
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theblaze--2020-04-21--Mayor Bill de Blasio's social distancing 'snitch' line backfires spectacularly

New Yorkers let their mayor know how they really feel about the 'service '

Democrat New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's call for citizens to tattle on their fellow New Yorkers for violating social distancing guidelines backfired spectacularly, according to reports revealing that the text number became so overwhelmed with prank messages that it shut down over the weekend.
The mayor himself was even turned in.
What are the details?
On Saturday, de Blasio released a video encouraging New Yorkers to take photos of individuals who may be violating social distancing rules and to turn in offenders by texting the picture and location to a 311 number so that they could be reported to the police.
The mayor explained that it is "easier than ever" to tell on those who are breaking the rules.
But according to the New York Post, de Blasio's "snitch number" was inundated with "penis photos" and "Hitler memes" amid a wave of prank messages.
In a separate report, the Post confirmed that the line was so overwhelmed with "crank complaints" that it briefly shut down on Sunday.
People also shared screenshots of their fake "reports" to the 311 number on Twitter in reaction to the mayor's announcement, with several users flipping the bird. The mayor's feed was also flooded with screenshots of him and other New York City officials encouraging large gatherings after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
One notable legitimate complaint, however, was when someone reported Mayor de Blasio to the 311 number for violating his own social distancing orders.
De Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, were spotted earlier this month taking a stroll through a park that is roughly 12 miles from his home — despite the mayor's insistence that New Yorkers should stay inside amid the pandemic.
Citing a report from the Daily Mail on de Blasio's reaction to being called a hypocrite, one Twitter user told the mayor, "Thanks, Bill. I just reported you," with a screenshot of her message to the 311 number saying, "Mayor bill isn't adhering to lockdown rules."


theblaze--2020-04-21--WATCH: Here's what REALLY happened at Washington's anti-lockdown rally

WATCH : Here 's what REALLY happened at Washington 's anti-lockdown rally The MSM does n't want you to know

The mainstream media have done their best to make Sunday's protest against Washington state's coronavirus stay-home order look like an "ugly and dangerous" scene with Confederate flag-waving racists and Trump supporters inciting a potentially deadly "insubordination" during a pandemic.
But BlazeTV's Elijah Schaffer, who attended the rally, says nothing could be further from the truth.
Here's what really happened in Olympia, Washington, last weekend:
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theblaze--2020-04-21--BREAKING: After 12 days of Democratic delays, Senate passes $484 billion relief bill

Senate Republicans applauded a deal to refund the relief to coronavirus-stricken businesses on Tuesday after 12 days of delays they blamed on Democratic stalling .
The bill includes $ 310 billion to refund the Paycheck Protection Program , and $ 100 billion for hospitals and testing .
`` More help is on the way , '' read a tweet from Senate Republicans .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) criticized Democrats for stalling the relief deal in order to shoehorn their provisions into the bill .
`` Republicans never wanted this crucial program for workers and small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Fox News .
`` We tried to pass additional funding a week before it lapsed , '' he explained .
`` But Democratic leaders blocked the money and spent days trying to negotiate extraneous issues that were never on the table .
I am grateful our colleagues have walked away from those demands and will finally let Congress act . ''
President Donald Trump outlined his plan for further relief after this deal was completed and signed into law .
`` After I sign this Bill , we will begin discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief to State/Local Governments for lost revenues from COVID 19 , much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges , Tunnels , Broadband , Tax Incentives for Restaurants , Entertainment , Sports , and Payroll Tax Cuts to increase Economic Growth , '' Trump tweeted .
Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said that the House was expected to vote to approve the deal on Thursday .
Here 's more about the relief bill refunding :

Senate Republicans applauded a deal to re-fund the relief to coronavirus-stricken businesses on Tuesday after 12 days of delays they blamed on Democratic stalling.
The bill includes $310 billion to re-fund the Paycheck Protection Program, and $100 billion for hospitals and testing.
"More help is on the way," read a tweet from Senate Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized Democrats for stalling the relief deal in order to shoehorn their provisions into the bill.
"Republicans never wanted this crucial program for workers and small businesses to shut down," said McConnell, according to Fox News.
"We tried to pass additional funding a week before it lapsed," he explained. "But Democratic leaders blocked the money and spent days trying to negotiate extraneous issues that were never on the table. I am grateful our colleagues have walked away from those demands and will finally let Congress act."
President Donald Trump outlined his plan for further relief after this deal was completed and signed into law.
"After I sign this Bill, we will begin discussions on the next Legislative Initiative with fiscal relief to State/Local Governments for lost revenues from COVID 19, much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges, Tunnels, Broadband, Tax Incentives for Restaurants, Entertainment, Sports, and Payroll Tax Cuts to increase Economic Growth," Trump tweeted.
Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said that the House was expected to vote to approve the deal on Thursday.
Here's more about the relief bill refunding:


theblaze--2020-04-21--Progressive Democrat admits on video to blocking money for workers in order to gain political 'lever

Progressive Democrat admits on video to blocking money for workers in order to gain political 'leverage.' It didn't work.

Progressive Democrat admits on video to blocking money for workers in order to gain political 'leverage . '
It did @ @ @ @ @ right out and said it

Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.) admitted that she and her progressive colleagues have been blocking legislation aimed at providing relief to small business workers in order to hold on to political leverage.
The congresswoman made the comments during a virtual news conference Monday with fellow progressive lawmakers and activists, in which they pushed for illegal immigrants to be included in the next round of coronavirus relief, among other Congressional Progressive Caucus priorities.
"We don't know what's in the package yet, we only know what's been reported," Jayapal said during the #PutPeopleFirst conference. "But I think what you're hearing from all of us on the call is that we have real concerns about giving away leverage now without getting some of the priorities we need."
The Senate Republican Communications Center posted a video of her remarks on Twitter, writing: "Think about that: Democrats would rather use workers as partisan leverage than actually help them."
Along with Jayapal, the #PutPeopleFirst conference included progressive activists, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and "squad" members Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
Jayapal's comments came as Congress was in the middle of negotiations over "Phase 3.5" of the coronavirus relief package designed to aid small businesses impacted by the coronavirus-related shutdowns. Then news broke on Tuesday afternoon that the White House and congressional leaders had reached a deal on the core components of the relief bill.
In a statement regarding the deal, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated that Democratic leaders finally abandoned a number of their "unrelated demands" during the final stages of negotiations, but lamented that they took 12 days to do so and at the expense of so many American workers.
The legislation is expected to get a vote in the coming days, and at this juncture, it appears that Jayapal and her progressive colleagues' push for leverage was a failure.


theblaze--2020-04-21--Hydroxychloroquine study on veteran patients shows no benefits, more deaths among patients using the

Hydroxychloroquine study on veteran patients shows no benefits, more deaths among patients using the drug

Hydroxychloroquine study on veteran patients shows no benefits , more deaths among patients using the drug It 's the largest @ @ @ @ @ far

A study of the effectiveness of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine on veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 showed that the drug had no positive impact on those who took it when compared to patients who did not, Politico reported.
The study included 368 patients and is the largest of its kind so far. There has been anecdotal evidence from doctors and patients in the United States and other countries that hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.
About the study: The researchers looked at the medical records for 368 patients who were hospitalized in veterans facilities with COVID-19, and who either died or were discharged by April 11.
The patients were divided into three categories: Those who took hydroxychloroquine along with standard COVID-19 care; those who took hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin along with standard care; and those who only received standard care.
The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia.
The results: The patients who took neither the hydroxychloroquine nor the azithromycin had the best outcomes; only 11% of those patients died. Of the patients who took only hydroxychloroquine, 28% died. Of those who took both drugs, 22% died. Researchers noted that the difference between that latter group and the ones who received standard care was small enough that other factors could've caused it.
Patients who took hydroxychloroquine were no less likely to need a ventilator to breathe, and researchers noted that the hydroxychloroquine may have caused some damage to organs.
Why this matters: Hydroxychloroquine has been suggested by President Donald Trump as a potentially promising treatment for COVID-19, and the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency authorization to allow it to be used for that purpose.
However, despite some encouraging accounts from patients and doctors, the drug's effects on COVID-19 patients have not been studied enough yet to certainly determine whether it is a broadly effective treatment for patients who contract the coronavirus. Politico reported that the NIH has other, more rigorous tests of the drug underway.


theblaze--2020-04-21--Helicopter apparently equipped with night vision nabs social distancing violators on Australian roof

Helicopter apparently equipped with night vision nabs social distancing violators on Australian rooftop — and it's all on video

Helicopter apparently equipped with night vision nabs social distancing violators on Australian rooftop — and it 's all on video @ @ @ @ @ you ... with your cold drinks '

Cops aren't pulling out all the stops to corral coronavirus social distancing violators only in the United States and United Kingdom — they're at it Down Under, too.
What are the details?
Police received several reports about illegal entering at a construction site in the Queensland, Australia, suburb of Palm Beach, Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler told 4BC News Talk.
"It was a set of units under construction, which raises a few issues," Wheeler added to the station. "It's an unsafe place to be, at the start."
It appears cops used night vision from a helicopter to locate the trouble. And indeed a trio of men — ages 19, 20, and 21 — were spotted on the site's rooftop Saturday night, 7News reported.
4BC News Talk said they were illegally drinking and socializing.
'The building is surrounded by police'
Video showed the moment the jig was up.
"This is the police, this is the police," an officer's voice can be heard from the helicopter as the young men start gazing skyward. "To the three people sitting on the building rooftop — yes, we can see you, with the hoodie in the middle, with your cold drinks. The building is surrounded by police. We need you to return to the ground floor. Return to the bottom immediately."
What happened to the culprits?
The trio of men will be fined $1,334 for breaching public health directions against gatherings for nonessential reasons, 7News reported, adding that they also were issued infringement notices for being unlawfully on the premises.
"This is a textbook example of a breach where there has been a total and blatant disregard for not only the law, but also the direction of the chief health officer's directions," Wheeler added to 7News.
The 19-year-old and 20-year-old also were charged with drug possession and will appear in court in July, 7News said.
4BC News Talk commentators wondered if police were being a bit heavy handed, but Wheeler shot that right down.
"This is about keeping the community safe; it's about stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Queensland," he told the radio station. "It's also about [protecting] people who've got businesses and premises that are not attended, that we … get around as much as we can to make sure those venues are secure."


theblaze--2020-04-21--Negative oil prices, EXPLAINED

Negative oil prices, EXPLAINED

How is that even possible ?

On Monday, oil prices dropped below $0 for the first time in history. As the coronavirus pandemic has caused global demand for oil to hit rock-bottom, oil speculators have been forced to pay traders to take the oil off their hands.
So, why are negative gas prices a bad thing? On the radio program Tuesday, Glenn Beck broke down exactly what happened, who's to blame, and most importantly, how this will affect our already crumbling U.S. economy.
Watch the video below for all the details:
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theblaze--2020-04-21--Jimmy Kimmel blasts 'crazy right-wing' protesters, Trump supporters, southern states: 'They want gun

Jimmy Kimmel blasts 'crazy right-wing' protesters, Trump supporters, southern states: 'They want guns. They want pollution.'

Jimmy Kimmel blasts 'crazy right-wing ' protesters , Trump supporters , southern states : 'They want guns .
They want @ @ @

Jimmy Kimmel, late-night host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" blasted Trump-supporting protesters during a Monday night monologue, questioning everything from their intellect to their intent.
What are the details?
Kimmel, delivering his monologue from his multimillion-dollar home in the Los Angeles area, said that demonstrators protesting the state's stay-at-home orders are "crazy right-wing" voters.
"People are getting restless," he said. "Especially the people who aren't too bright. In Florida, on Saturday, I saw the hashtag #FloridaMorons was trending and thought, well, this could mean a lot of things."
Pointing to the Florida mayor's decision to open the beaches in Jacksonville, Kimmel said, "[O]f course no one followed the rules. Fortunately, there are no old people living in Florida who might be at risk."
He then took a swipe at another southern state — Georgia — in an apparent swipe at country culture.
"The governor of Georgia is planning to reopen tattoo parlors and bowling alleys this week," he added. "Which I think that's on their state flag, right?"
What else?
Kimmel then went on to address the stay-at-home protests taking place across America.
"There were some very creative signs that illustrated this plight," he mocked. "Many are experiencing so powerfully, like, 'I need a haircut. Massage is essential. Jesus is my vaccine.'"
He continued, "In Denver, Colorado, there was a standoff between protesters and an angry health care worker. Well, you know what they say: It ain't over till the fat lady screams crazy, right-wing talking points at a medical professional who's trying to save her family's lives."
Kimmel said the big reason people are feeling so emboldened to stand up for their rights is because of President Donald Trump.
"[O]ur president is encouraging them," he insisted. "Despite everyone who works for him telling people to stay at home. Despite the official White House mandate being shelter-in-place, over the weekend, the guy who runs the White House tweeted, 'Liberate Michigan, liberate Minnesota, and liberate Virginia.'"
He continued, "I'm starting to think that these characters who support Trump might be suicidal. They seem to fight the hardest for the things that will kill them. They want freedom to gather in large groups during an epidemic. They want guns. They want pollution. I figured it out. They want to die and they're taking us down with them."
(H/T: Newsbusters)


theblaze--2020-04-21--FDA OKs first at-home collection kit for COVID-19 tests: ‘Convenient and reliable option’

FDA OKs first at-home collection kit for COVID-19 tests : ‘ Convenient and reliable option ’ Patients will self-collect in @ @

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced that it authorized the first at-home collection kit for the coronavirus testing.
What are the details?
In a statement, the FDA said it reissued an "Emergency Use Authorization for LabCorp to COVID-19 RT-PCR Test" for patients to self-collect in the privacy of their own homes.
"Throughout this pandemic, we have been facilitating test development to ensure patients access to accurate diagnostics, which includes supporting the development of reliable and accurate at-home sample collection options," FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said.
"The FDA's around-the-clock work since this outbreak began has resulted in the authorization of more than 50 diagnostic tests and engagement with over 350 test developers," he added. "Specifically, for tests that include home sample collection, we worked with LabCorp to ensure the data demonstrated from at-home patient sample collection is as safe and accurate as sample collection at a doctor's office, hospital or other testing site. With this action, there is now a convenient and reliable option for patient sample collection from the comfort and safety of their home."
The statement added, "This reissued EUA for LabCorp's molecular test permits testing of a sample collected from the patient's nose using a designated self-collection kit that contains nasal swabs and saline. Once patients self-swab to collect their nasal sample, they mail in their sample, in an insulated package, to a LabCorp lab for testing."
The FDA did not note any turnaround time for patients to receive a result on their at-home test.
The kit comes with its own Q-tip-style swab, and the FDA cautions users to use only the provided swab for testing.
"Due to concerns with sterility and cross-reactivity due to inherent genetic material in cotton swabs, other cotton swabs should not be used with this test at the present time," the statement added. "The FDA continues to work with test developers to determine whether or not Q-tip-style cotton swab can be used safely and effectively with other tests."
At the time of this writing, researchers at Johns Hopkins University estimate that at least 810,561 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States, with at least 43,630 deaths because of the virus.