thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--South Carolina:  “You’re Doing 65 In A 70”: Racial Profiling Cop Pulls Over Innocent Man For Driving

South Carolina:  “You’re Doing 65 In A 70”: Racial Profiling Cop Pulls Over Innocent Man For Driving Under Speed Limit (Video)

Sampson County , SC — Over the years , the Free Thought Project has reported on countless incidents of racial profiling which has led to the immeasurable suffering of innocent minorities .
In case after infuriating case , we ’ ve seen innocent black men , women , and children shaken down , unlawfully detained , beaten , and even killed for being black in the wrong place at the wrong time .
As the following case illustrates , even when successful innocent black people do everything they can to make sure they don ’ t break any law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist cops .
Ace Perry was on his way to work last week when he was targeted by a Sampson County deputy and pulled over .
When Perry asked the cop why he was pulled over , the cop said that Perry was driving 5 mph under the speed limit — which happens to be completely legal .
The incident and subsequent video were so infuriating that Perry took to Facebook to express how he felt .
As the video shows , the officer had no problem telling Perry that he pulled him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit of 70 .
“ You ’ re driving 65 , and you know the speed limit is 70 .
I ’ m just wondering what ’ s wrong .
I mean , are you OK ?
” the deputy , who is white , asked Perry .
Do you think that this cop would ’ ve pulled over a white person for driving 5 mph under the limit and asked them the same questions ?
“ Are you OK ?
” Really ?
How would obeying all traffic laws and safely driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK ” ?
This officer cited that I was stopped for merely driving 5 MPH below the speed limit after taking a look at me at a stopped intersection and trailing me for more than 10 minutes once I merged into a freeway without committing one single traffic violation .
No missed signal no following to close .
This area in particular seems to have a heightened police presence and I ’ m constantly followed on my commutes to and from work .
Being that I manage multiple branches within this region it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these roadways for express transitions both to and from .
However I do not feel safe nor comfortable after this obvious misuse of power .
Civil servants must remember there primary function is to serve and protect and this officer has clearly lost sight of what that truly is .
We agree with Perry .
This cop was protecting and serving no one .
He was harassing innocent people in search of substances deemed illegal by the state and an innocent man suffered as a result .
When Perry confronted him after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving under the speed limit , the cop claimed obeying all the traffic laws and not speeding was “ suspicious.
” He couldn ’ t even look at Perry in the eye , likely knowing that his job consists of harassing innocent people for no reason .
“ Wouldn ’ t you say it is kind of suspicious to travel under the speed limit and when the speed limit is 70 ?
” the deputy asked before he dismissed Perry , telling him , “ I ’ ve got stuff to do.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has stuff to do too and would have appreciated not being pulled over and harassed by a racial profiling cop .
According to WRAL , a spokesman for the Sampson County Sheriff ’ s Office said leaders there would review the in-car camera of the deputy involved .
“ Should personnel action be necessary , we will take appropriate action , ” he said , noting that Perry has not filed a formal complaint .
“ In regards to the law regarding stopping someone under the speed limit , please keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicion to stop a vehicle , ” the spokesman added .
To those who pay attention , however , they know exactly what this was , a fishing expedition by a racial profiling cop .
One of the comments on Perry ’ s post laid it out perfectly and had a tip for when this happens to others , never answer questions .

Sampson County, SC — Over the years, the Free Thought Project has reported on countless incidents of racial profiling which has led to the immeasurable suffering of innocent minorities. In case after infuriating case, we’ve seen innocent black men, women, and children shaken down, unlawfully detained, beaten, and even killed for being black in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the following case illustrates, even when successful innocent black people do everything they can to make sure they don’t break any law, they will still be targeted by apparently racist cops.
Ace Perry was on his way to work last week when he was targeted by a Sampson County deputy and pulled over. When Perry asked the cop why he was pulled over, the cop said that Perry was driving 5 mph under the speed limit — which happens to be completely legal. The incident and subsequent video were so infuriating that Perry took to Facebook to express how he felt.
In lieu of Black History Month I felt compelled to share my experience on yesterday with an officer of the Sampson County Police Dept. While it is ever so important to celebrate and uplift our heritage and progress in America with regard to racial disparities. We must always continue to challenge racial injustice, inequalities, and discrimination to show true honor to those that gave tirelessly to the cause both negro and other.
As the video shows, the officer had no problem telling Perry that he pulled him over for driving 5 mph under the limit of 70.
“You’re driving 65, and you know the speed limit is 70. I’m just wondering what’s wrong. I mean, are you OK?” the deputy, who is white, asked Perry.
“As opposed to what?” asks Perry.
Do you think that this cop would’ve pulled over a white person for driving 5 mph under the limit and asked them the same questions? “Are you OK?” Really? How would obeying all traffic laws and safely driving down the freeway make someone not “OK”?
Perry continues:
This officer cited that I was stopped for merely driving 5 MPH below the speed limit after taking a look at me at a stopped intersection and trailing me for more than 10 minutes once I merged into a freeway without committing one single traffic violation. No missed signal no following to close. This area in particular seems to have a heightened police presence and I’m constantly followed on my commutes to and from work. Being that I manage multiple branches within this region it is imperative that I make use of these roadways for express transitions both to and from. However I do not feel safe nor comfortable after this obvious misuse of power. Civil servants must remember there primary function is to serve and protect and this officer has clearly lost sight of what that truly is.
We agree with Perry. This cop was protecting and serving no one. He was harassing innocent people in search of substances deemed illegal by the state and an innocent man suffered as a result.
When Perry confronted him after he received a “written warning” for driving under the speed limit, the cop claimed obeying all the traffic laws and not speeding was “suspicious.” He couldn’t even look at Perry in the eye, likely knowing that his job consists of harassing innocent people for no reason.
“Wouldn’t you say it is kind of suspicious to travel under the speed limit and when the speed limit is 70?” the deputy asked before he dismissed Perry, telling him, “I’ve got stuff to do.”
Perry answered back, telling the cop that he has stuff to do too and would have appreciated not being pulled over and harassed by a racial profiling cop.
According to WRAL, a spokesman for the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office said leaders there would review the in-car camera of the deputy involved. “Should personnel action be necessary, we will take appropriate action,” he said, noting that Perry has not filed a formal complaint.
“In regards to the law regarding stopping someone under the speed limit, please keep in mind an officer only needs reasonable suspicion to stop a vehicle,” the spokesman added.
To those who pay attention, however, they know exactly what this was, a fishing expedition by a racial profiling cop.
One of the comments on Perry’s post laid it out perfectly and had a tip for when this happens to others, never answer questions.
This was your classic drug interdiction stop. The Officer knew he was behind a rental vehicle by running the tags. He knew there was a Black male driver and he observed the vehicle traveling 5 mph under the speed limit. His line of questioning was consistent with him trying to observe any discrepancy in regards to the drivers whereabouts or unreasonable nervousness. Like I tell all Black motorist. DONT ANSWER POLICE QUESTIONS!!!
Posted by Ace Perry on Thursday, February 13, 2020
Posted by Ace Perry on Thursday, February 13, 2020


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--The National Governor’s Association Is At Heart Of Sinister Plot To Unite Education, Jobs & The Econ

The National Governor ’ s Association Is At Heart Of Sinister Plot To Unite Education , Jobs & The Economy Anti Fed Ed Wariors , ‘ learn to earn ’ sort of sounds much less aggressive and truthful than ‘ womb to tomb workforce training ’ .
Yet that ’ s precisely WHAT ‘ learn to earn ’ is .
Did you know the NGA ( National Governors Association ) owns half of the copyrights to CCSS ( Common Core State Standards ) ?
Sure , we ’ ve been told and assured by many in the CCSS Machine that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we know it lives on in 2020 .
That ’ s right , and in this campaign season , many may try to convince you that while CCSS is ‘ dead ’ , this job-focused , skill-based education is the way to go for a great 2020 and beyond .
So , what does the NGA have to do with elections ?
Plenty !
Their agenda is centered on one thing : Why does it matter where your candidate of choice stands on these ?
Because IF your candidate is already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been indoctrinated by the NGA .
If your candidate is against the CCSS Machine , they too will be swamped with CCSS Machine agenda to join in .
After all , the State ’ s economy is at stake .
If you doubt this , go back and look at the money trails connected to your candidate of choice .
Then , factor in that every newly elected Governor has to go to the NGA for grooming .
Returning Governors also attend to help ‘ mentor ’ the ‘ new kids ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agenda For 2020 And Beyond : Warriors , from this January 2020 press release , you ’ ll see that 6 States were chosen as ‘ mentors ’ for all other States/Territories .
The 6 are : AL , NV , NC , RI , UT , and WA .
I encourage to read the comments of the 6 Governors in the press release .
Also , note that STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering , and , Math ) has been a priority of the NGA for quite some time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NGA has a global outreach for the States/Territories .
As we know , STEM is the UN ( United Nations ) door to the SDGs ( Sustainable Development Goals ) .
The SDGs are also woven into the USMCA ( US-Mexico-Canada Agreement ) , so each State/Territory will kowtow to ALL the SDGs .
It ’ s important We the People demand our States/Territories nullify the USMCA !
Especially knowing the NGA has such a stranglehold of power over each Governor !
Warriors , also in the Jan. 2020 press release was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Learning Policy Academy ” .
It ’ s important to point out that policy is NOT law , but an interpretation of the law .
As we ’ ve seen in the CCSS Machine ’ s standard operating procedures , policy has overtaken law .
Warriors , it ’ s here you ’ ll find all kinds of ‘ feel good ’ evidence for why each State/Territory should embed workforce based preparation into their government .
A NGA led national initiative has begun ( as a result of the MT Governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Jobs for All Americans ” .
There ’ s even a Governor ’ s Action Guide .
Also , From Jan. 2020 And The NGA : From this NGA white paper on ‘ scaling work/skill based education ’ , a quote : Warriors , be sure to read the entire report .
It ’ s ghastly .
In this particular report , you can find how NC Gov .
Cooper helped launch “ Navigator ” to align businesses and education .
It ’ s a project that was based on a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their cabinets to embed workforce based learning , particularly using STEM and CTE .
How far back ?
At least 1995 with Apprenticeship 2000 !
You ’ ll also see a lot from KY , MD , and CO. You can also see the Swiss Model for workforce based education on page 9 .
The Swiss Model is centered on VTE ( Vocational Training Education ) .
I wrote about the German Model back in 2019 and featured the VTE Resource .
1 ) To see the NGA complete partner list , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States/Territories these corporations are based in or operate through .
Think of the economics of these States/Territories .
2 ) “ NGA maintains five standing committees – Economic Development and Commerce ; Education , Early Childhood and Workforce ; Health and Human Services ; Homeland Security and Public Safety and Natural Resources “ ( source ) 3 ) “ NGA is the premier resource for not only governors but also for their cabinet members , the U.S. Congress , private business enterprise and the international community.
” ( source ) 4 ) ICYMI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how data and demographics were being used in KS to keep students pinned down to certain locations to fill jobs .
If you look at the CCSS Machine efforts to expand this nationwide , it ’ s fitting right into place with the UN ’ s regionalism as well as ( Every Student Succeeds Act ) ESSA ’ s region specific ‘ education ’ mandates .
It ’ s important to note that Business RoundTable is a big backer of this .
If you remember , BR also fully supported CCSS .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper on how governors can embed workforce learning into education .
5 ) In this NGA 2019 Webinar slide show , look at how Governors were prompted to ‘ leverage ’ CTE ( Career Tech Education ) funding to create workforce pipelines .
Warriors , do you see the pattern ?
It ’ s a monopoly using our citizens to feed the CCSS Machine ’ s global workforce plot .
The States/Territories are the playing board .
We have to keep all this in mind as we go to the voting booths for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and visiting campaigns .
As we know , ALL political parties are supportive of workforce based education .
Our current President and his Administration included .
Go back and read my articles on the FY 2021 Budget Requests .
You ’ ll see plenty of support from the federal ‘ community chest ’ to the States and Territories .
From 2002 to today , Lynne has been a featured speaker at small meetings and large conferences .
Since 2009 , she has served as a frequent guest on nationwide radio and multimedia shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preserving Integrity and Excellence in Education ) .
She is a retired private ( homeschool ) teacher and regionally recognized support group leader .
She has also been a business owner , worked with children 's ministry and currently is an education liaison for Protecting Innocence Campaign ( based in OH ) , wife and mom .
Lynne is also an adviser to the national grassroots campaign `` Child Abuse in the Classroom '' , where it is the campaign 's belief that `` Repealing ESSA and Restoring FERPA '' are the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education system .
She was also awarded the 2011 Distinguished Educator from the National Society of High School Scholars , as well as the 2016 L & B Network 's Torchbearer Award for educational advocacy .
She has been recognized by her peers as an expert in Common Core , Career Tech Education , Career Pathways , workforce and competency-based education reform , federal overreaches into education and our families .

The National Governor’s Association Is At Heart Of Sinister Plot To Unite Education, Jobs & The Economy
Anti Fed Ed Wariors, ‘learn to earn’ sort of sounds much less aggressive and truthful than ‘womb to tomb workforce training’. Yet that’s precisely WHAT ‘learn to earn’ is.
Did you know the NGA (National Governors Association) owns half of the copyrights to CCSS (Common Core State Standards)? Sure, we’ve been told and assured by many in the CCSS Machine that CCSS is ‘dead’, yet, we know it lives on in 2020.
That’s right, and in this campaign season, many may try to convince you that while CCSS is ‘dead’, this job-focused, skill-based education is the way to go for a great 2020 and beyond.
So, what does the NGA have to do with elections? Plenty! Their agenda is centered on one thing:
Work Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeships
Why does it matter where your candidate of choice stands on these? Because IF your candidate is already in the Governor’s office, he/she has been indoctrinated by the NGA. If your candidate is against the CCSS Machine, they too will be swamped with CCSS Machine agenda to join in.
After all, the State’s economy is at stake. If you doubt this, go back and look at the money trails connected to your candidate of choice.
Then, factor in that every newly elected Governor has to go to the NGA for grooming. Returning Governors also attend to help ‘mentor’ the ‘new kids’.
NGA’s ‘New’ Agenda For 2020 And Beyond:
Warriors, from this January 2020 press release, you’ll see that 6 States were chosen as ‘mentors’ for all other States/Territories. The 6 are: AL, NV, NC, RI, UT, and WA. I encourage to read the comments of the 6 Governors in the press release. Also, note that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and, Math) has been a priority of the NGA for quite some time.
Why would I point out STEM? The NGA has a global outreach for the States/Territories. As we know, STEM is the UN (United Nations) door to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The SDGs are also woven into the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement), so each State/Territory will kowtow to ALL the SDGs.
It’s important We the People demand our States/Territories nullify the USMCA! Especially knowing the NGA has such a stranglehold of power over each Governor!
Warriors, also in the Jan. 2020 press release was the mention of the “Work Based Learning Policy Academy”.
It’s important to point out that policy is NOT law, but an interpretation of the law. As we’ve seen in the CCSS Machine’s standard operating procedures, policy has overtaken law.
NGA’s Work Based Learning Policy Academy:
Warriors, it’s here you’ll find all kinds of ‘feel good’ evidence for why each State/Territory should embed workforce based preparation into their government.
A NGA led national initiative has begun (as a result of the MT Governor’s leadership). That initiative? “Good Jobs for All Americans”. There’s even a Governor’s Action Guide.
Also, From Jan. 2020 And The NGA:
From this NGA white paper on ‘scaling work/skill based education’, a quote:
“Governors can create supportive environments for talent pipeline partners to develop, strengthen and increase the number of high-quality work-based learning opportunities by embedding work-based learning approaches into state education and workforce systems.”
Warriors, be sure to read the entire report. It’s ghastly. In this particular report, you can find how NC Gov. Cooper helped launch “Navigator” to align businesses and education. It’s a project that was based on a long standing foundation by other former NC governors and their cabinets to embed workforce based learning, particularly using STEM and CTE. How far back? At least 1995 with Apprenticeship 2000!
You’ll also see a lot from KY, MD, and CO. You can also see the Swiss Model for workforce based education on page 9. The Swiss Model is centered on VTE (Vocational Training Education). I wrote about the German Model back in 2019 and featured the VTE Resource.
Related Resources:
1) To see the NGA complete partner list, visit here. Then, consider the States/Territories these corporations are based in or operate through. Think of the economics of these States/Territories.
2) “NGA maintains five standing committees – Economic Development and Commerce; Education, Early Childhood and Workforce; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security and Public Safety and Natural Resources“ (source)
3) “NGA is the premier resource for not only governors but also for their cabinet members, the U.S. Congress, private business enterprise and the international community.” (source)
4) ICYMI, back in 2019 I showed you how data and demographics were being used in KS to keep students pinned down to certain locations to fill jobs. If you look at the CCSS Machine efforts to expand this nationwide, it’s fitting right into place with the UN’s regionalism as well as (Every Student Succeeds Act) ESSA’s region specific ‘education’ mandates.
It’s important to note that Business RoundTable is a big backer of this. If you remember, BR also fully supported CCSS. They are also mentioned in a NGA white paper on how governors can embed workforce learning into education.
5) In this NGA 2019 Webinar slide show, look at how Governors were prompted to ‘leverage’ CTE (Career Tech Education) funding to create workforce pipelines.
Closing:
Warriors, do you see the pattern? It’s a monopoly using our citizens to feed the CCSS Machine’s global workforce plot. The States/Territories are the playing board. We have to keep all this in mind as we go to the voting booths for early voting, election day voting, and visiting campaigns. As we know, ALL political parties are supportive of workforce based education. Our current President and his Administration included. Go back and read my articles on the FY 2021 Budget Requests. You’ll see plenty of support from the federal ‘community chest’ to the States and Territories.
Article posted with permission from Lynne Taylor


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--Logan Act Violations, Again?  John Kerry & Democrat Senators Held a Secret Meeting With Iran – Where

Logan Act Violations, Again?  John Kerry & Democrat Senators Held a Secret Meeting With Iran – Where’s Justice, Mr. President?

There was a day when Treason was not taken so lightly in America .
Now it seems to be a normal part of the political game , at least for Democrats .
Ever heard of the Logan Act ?
ANY CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES , WHEREVER HE MAY BE , WHO , WITHOUT AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES , DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMMENCES OR CARRIES ON ANY CORRESPONDENCE OR INTERCOURSE WITH ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF , WITH INTENT TO INFLUENCE THE MEASURES OR CONDUCT OF ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR OF ANY OFFICER OR AGENT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OR CONTROVERSIES WITH THE UNITED STATES , OR TO DEFEAT THE MEASURES OF THE UNITED STATES , SHALL BE FINED UNDER THIS TITLE OR IMPRISONED NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS , OR BOTH .
THIS SECTION SHALL NOT ABRIDGE THE RIGHT OF A CITIZEN TO APPLY , HIMSELF OR HIS AGENT , TO ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR THE AGENTS THEREOF FOR REDRESS OF ANY INJURY WHICH HE MAY HAVE SUSTAINED FROM SUCH GOVERNMENT OR ANY OF ITS AGENTS OR SUBJECTS .
Last week several key Democrats may have violated the Logan Act AGAIN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who no longer has the right to represent America in any way .
Democrats only do two things .
They harm political opposition at any cost to the citizens , and they advance the Democratic Party at any cost to the citizens .
The Democratic Party serves the elite of western civilization , not the citizens of the USA .
John Kerry was the last in the line of Democrats that was accused of violating the Logan Act but he didn ’ t face any criminal investigation .
The Dems argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But now another case surface where we can see a clear example of violating the Logan Act .
Chris Murphy and other Democratic Senators held a secret meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif last week , a high-level source reports .
Via The Federalist : Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and other Democratic senators had a secret meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jahad Zarif during the Munich Security Conference last week , according to a source briefed by the French delegation to the conference .
Murphy ’ s office did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Such a meeting would mean Murphy had done the type of secret coordination with foreign leaders to potentially undermine the U.S. government that he accused Trump officials of doing as they prepared for Trump ’ s administration .
In February 2017 , Murphy demanded investigations of National Security Advisor Mike Flynn because he had a phone call with his counterpart-to-be in Russia .
“ Any effort to undermine our nation ’ s foreign policy – even during a transition period – may be illegal and must be taken seriously , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Flynn ’ s phone call with Russian ambassador Sergey Kisylak were published .
He also strongly criticized the open letter some Republican senators sent Iranian leaders during the Obama administration ’ s campaign for a nuclear agreement .
A State Department official who spoke on background said that the State Department was not aware of any side meetings with Iranian officials that Murphy was engaged in .
According to a press release from Republican Lindsey Graham , other Democrats at the meeting included Sens .
Robert Menendez of New Jersey , Kirsten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rhode Island and Chris Coons of Delaware .
Former Secretary Of State John Kerry was also at the meeting .
In truth , John Kerry likely organized the meeting .
He ’ s done this before .
The Logan Act is just another one of those laws that have been conveniently memory-holed .
• LOCK HER UP : Did Dianne Feinstein just violate The Logan Act while Conversing with Iran ’ s Foreign Minister ?
• John Kerry Violates the Logan Act – Law Enforcement & Media Do Nothing • U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany likely in violation of the Logan Act How is it that President Trump can be brought to task for killing a terrorist but these Senators can ’ t be touched for negotiating with our enemy ?
Many Democrat Senators accused President Trump of overstepping his bounds by killing a known terrorist .
Privately negotiating with the enemy seems to be a much deeper concern .

There was a day when Treason was not taken so lightly in America.
Now it seems to be a normal part of the political game, at least for Democrats.
Ever heard of the Logan Act?
ANY CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, WHEREVER HE MAY BE, WHO, WITHOUT AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMMENCES OR CARRIES ON ANY CORRESPONDENCE OR INTERCOURSE WITH ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF, WITH INTENT TO INFLUENCE THE MEASURES OR CONDUCT OF ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR OF ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF, IN RELATION TO ANY DISPUTES OR CONTROVERSIES WITH THE UNITED STATES, OR TO DEFEAT THE MEASURES OF THE UNITED STATES, SHALL BE FINED UNDER THIS TITLE OR IMPRISONED NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS, OR BOTH. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT ABRIDGE THE RIGHT OF A CITIZEN TO APPLY, HIMSELF OR HIS AGENT, TO ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR THE AGENTS THEREOF FOR REDRESS OF ANY INJURY WHICH HE MAY HAVE SUSTAINED FROM SUCH GOVERNMENT OR ANY OF ITS AGENTS OR SUBJECTS.
Last week several key Democrats may have violated the Logan Act AGAIN.
One of them was John Kerry, who no longer has the right to represent America in any way.
Here’s more from ConservativesRUs:
Democrats only do two things. They harm political opposition at any cost to the citizens, and they advance the Democratic Party at any cost to the citizens. The Democratic Party serves the elite of western civilization, not the citizens of the USA.
John Kerry was the last in the line of Democrats that was accused of violating the Logan Act but he didn’t face any criminal investigation.
The Dems argued that there wasn’t enough evidence.
But now another case surface where we can see a clear example of violating the Logan Act.
Chris Murphy and other Democratic Senators held a secret meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif last week, a high-level source reports.
Via The Federalist:
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and other Democratic senators had a secret meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jahad Zarif during the Munich Security Conference last week, according to a source briefed by the French delegation to the conference. Murphy’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment by press time.
Such a meeting would mean Murphy had done the type of secret coordination with foreign leaders to potentially undermine the U.S. government that he accused Trump officials of doing as they prepared for Trump’s administration. In February 2017, Murphy demanded investigations of National Security Advisor Mike Flynn because he had a phone call with his counterpart-to-be in Russia.
“Any effort to undermine our nation’s foreign policy – even during a transition period – may be illegal and must be taken seriously,” Murphy said in 2017 after anonymous leaks of Flynn’s phone call with Russian ambassador Sergey Kisylak were published. He also strongly criticized the open letter some Republican senators sent Iranian leaders during the Obama administration’s campaign for a nuclear agreement.
A State Department official who spoke on background said that the State Department was not aware of any side meetings with Iranian officials that Murphy was engaged in.
According to a press release from Republican Lindsey Graham, other Democrats at the meeting included Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Chris Coons of Delaware.
Former Secretary Of State John Kerry was also at the meeting.
#####
In truth, John Kerry likely organized the meeting. He’s done this before.
The Logan Act is just another one of those laws that have been conveniently memory-holed.
How is it that President Trump can be brought to task for killing a terrorist but these Senators can’t be touched for negotiating with our enemy?
Many Democrat Senators accused President Trump of overstepping his bounds by killing a known terrorist.
Privately negotiating with the enemy seems to be a much deeper concern.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Article posted with permission from Dean Garrison


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--Commie Bernie Video Resurfaces Praising “Breadlines”

Many Americans , like myself , have no idea how a full-blown communist can be even a minor contender for our nation ’ s top office .
Yet , no matter how much hate Bernie Sanders spews , there are millions of Americans who seem to just eat it up and ask for more .
Our country is in trouble .
While most people know of the horrors of socialism , there are several people who still think it ’ s a good idea .
Bernie Sanders is one .
Sanders , who is running for president , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s even been seen half naked singing the communist anthem in the USSR .
And as the mayor of Burlington , Vermont , Bernie Sanders seems to have thought that the existence of Depression-like bread lines prompted by food shortages was a good thing in socialist Nicaragua under dictator Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista National Liberation Front .
Now , video of him praising breadlines and food rationing for everyone in 1985 has resurfaced .
In the following video Sanders refers to them as good things .
“ It ’ s funny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad a country is , that people are lining up for food .
That is a good thing !
In other countries people don ’ t line up for food : the rich get the food and the poor starve to death , ” Sanders says .
Sanders has sought to separate his socialist views from those of tyrannical socialist regimes throughout history .
The problem is that back in the 1980 ’ s Sanders was outspoken in his support of communist dictator Fidel Castro as well as the Soviet-aligned Sandinista government in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t line up for food : the rich get the food and the poor starve to death , ” Sanders says .
Here we have a welfare system that causes strain on taxpayers .
We support those who can ’ t or WON ’ T support themselves .
America is socialist enough and Bernie wants to lead us closer to being a full-blown communist country .
• Flashback — 1973 : Communist Bernie Sanders Condemned American Actions in Vietnam as ‘ Almost as Bad as Hitler ’ • Star of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record • Bernie Sanders and Robert Reich Don ’ t Just Want to Tax the Rich , They Want to Abolish Billionaires • “ Decarbonize ” means DEPOPULATION , because humans are carbon-based organisms… AOC , Bernie Sanders are actually promoting extermination of humans • Venezuelan Politician Dares Bernie Sanders to Come to His Country ‘ Without Bodyguards ’ Bernie Sanders is just the latest whack job who worships a system ( communism ) that has never worked for the people .
He knows that it always works for those at the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Bernie becomes President , Americans will have elected a man that has aspirations of being a communist dictator .
Bernie is dangerous and it ’ s not just his supporters that talk tough .
How can we take this man seriously ?
He thinks it ’ s funny to feature a mock assassination of a President that most Americans support .
If that ad would have played on Obama ’ s watch , Bernie or some of his people would have been visited by men in black .
During the Trump era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed acceptable .

Many Americans, like myself, have no idea how a full-blown communist can be even a minor contender for our nation’s top office.
Yet, no matter how much hate Bernie Sanders spews, there are millions of Americans who seem to just eat it up and ask for more.
Our country is in trouble.
PCMustDie has the latest…
While most people know of the horrors of socialism, there are several people who still think it’s a good idea. Bernie Sanders is one.
Sanders, who is running for president, has been an outspoken socialist for years. He’s even been seen half naked singing the communist anthem in the USSR.
And as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Bernie Sanders seems to have thought that the existence of Depression-like bread lines prompted by food shortages was a good thing in socialist Nicaragua under dictator Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista National Liberation Front.
Now, video of him praising breadlines and food rationing for everyone in 1985 has resurfaced. In the following video Sanders refers to them as good things.
Watch the video:
https://www.dcclothesline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bernie-Sanders-Praising-Bread-Lines-and-Food-Rationing.mp4
“It’s funny, sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is, that people are lining up for food. That is a good thing! In other countries people don’t line up for food: the rich get the food and the poor starve to death,” Sanders says.
Sanders has sought to separate his socialist views from those of tyrannical socialist regimes throughout history. The problem is that back in the 1980’s Sanders was outspoken in his support of communist dictator Fidel Castro as well as the Soviet-aligned Sandinista government in Nicaragua.
Read the rest…
#####
“In other countries people don’t line up for food: the rich get the food and the poor starve to death,” Sanders says.
This doesn’t apply to America Bernie.
Here we have a welfare system that causes strain on taxpayers.
We support those who can’t or WON’T support themselves.
America is socialist enough and Bernie wants to lead us closer to being a full-blown communist country.
Bernie Sanders is just the latest whack job who worships a system (communism) that has never worked for the people.
Bernie is not stupid.
He knows that it always works for those at the top, who play by different rules.
And…
If Bernie becomes President, Americans will have elected a man that has aspirations of being a communist dictator.
That’s a fact.
Bernie is dangerous and it’s not just his supporters that talk tough.
How can we take this man seriously?
He thinks it’s funny to feature a mock assassination of a President that most Americans support.
If that ad would have played on Obama’s watch, Bernie or some of his people would have been visited by men in black.
During the Trump era, these veiled threats are now somehow deemed acceptable.
Article posted with permission from Dean Garrison


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--Slovakia: Doesn’t Welcome Muslim Migrants -15 Straight Years Without a Terrorist Attack & Not a Mosq

Slovakia : Doesn ’ t Welcome Muslim Migrants -15 Straight Years Without a Terrorist Attack & Not a Mosque in Sight In 2016 they had 1 .
For all of the talk about how Islam is invading and ruining Europe , I thought today it would be nice to shine a light on a country that simply refuses Islam .
Slovakia – along with many other Central and Eastern European countries–has repeatedly adopted a hard-line stance against the integration of Islam , perhaps overshadowed by right-populist countries such as Poland and Hungary .
According to Voice of Europe , Slovakia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Mosque within its borders .
At the inception of the 2015 Migrant Crisis , Slovakia refused a small quota of 200 Muslim migrants , according to the Telegraph .
An interior minister , at the time , said , “ We want to help Europe with the migration issue .
We could take 800 Muslims but we don ’ t have any mosques in Slovakia so how can Muslims be integrated if they are not going to like it here ?
” Slovakia still doesn ’ t recognize Islam as an official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population–who call the Central European country their home are of European descent , galvanizing the interior minister ’ s argument concerning integration .
Referring to Slovakia ’ s politicians ’ view on the matter , Indian publication , The Youth , said , “ In the year of 2007 , politicians had changed the nation ’ s laws , rules and regulations so much so that 20,000 signatures from members were required to be recognized by the state.
” “ In 2017 , they were more than doubled the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim population is not afforded the same religious rights as 18 other groups recognized by the country ’ s government .
This means that no religious leaders , marriages , or similar financial contributions are provided .
Following the 2015 anti-Muslim stance , the European Commission disapproved , saying , “ We act here in the spirit of the treaty , which prevents any form of discrimination.
” It is a bit dated , but here is more info from a 2018 Voice of Europe piece… Slovakia is the last EU Member State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
Previous attempts to build have been halted by politicians .
The country does not recognise Islam as a religion and only have a few thousand Muslim residents .
Islam must not be taught in schools and the 5,000 Muslims , mostly European ones , who reside in the country are not officially recognised .
They account for only 0.1 % of the population .
In 2007 , politicians changed the country ’ s laws so that 20,000 signatures from members were required to be recognised by the state .
In 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary signatures .
Not being officially recognised poses major difficulties for the group .
Among other things , they are not allowed to have official religious leaders , conduct Muslim marriages or receive financial contributions from the State , rights which 18 other recognised religions have .
According to some of the country ’ s politicians , Islam is a serious threat .
“ Islamisation begins with kebab and in Bratislava it has already begun .
So understand what it could be like in 5-10 years , ” says MP Andrej Danko .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ atheist fears this satanic pedophile creation of the devil , ” rumbles another critical MP .
According to TRT , the situation was further complicated for the country ’ s Muslims in connection with the 2015 asylum wave .
Slovakia then used the absence of mosques as an argument not to accept any migrants .
The TV channel also claims that Slovakia violates EU rights laws by not permitting the building of mosques .
A population that is only 0.1 % Muslim .
It seems like Slovakia has it figured out .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow their lead ?
• Muslim migrant tells TV anchor he moved to Sweden to fight for jihad , Islamic takeover of Sweden and Europe , lives on welfare he calls jizya • The Strange Death of Europe : Muslims Never Integrate Into a Host Country • At Least 80 Confirmed Dead After Bastille Day Terror Attack in France : RAW GRAPHIC FOOTAGE • Axe-Wielding Terrorist Attacks Train Passengers In Germany And A Police Car Is Firebombed In Florida What ’ s so hard to figure out Europe ?
Europe has very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
America needs to learn from the case study of Europe , before it ’ s too late .

Slovakia: Doesn’t Welcome Muslim Migrants -15 Straight Years Without a Terrorist Attack & Not a Mosque in Sight
Slovakia went 15 years (2001=2015) without a single recorded terrorist attack.
In 2016 they had 1.
For all of the talk about how Islam is invading and ruining Europe, I thought today it would be nice to shine a light on a country that simply refuses Islam.
From Nationalfile:
Slovakia – along with many other Central and Eastern European countries–has repeatedly adopted a hard-line stance against the integration of Islam, perhaps overshadowed by right-populist countries such as Poland and Hungary.
According to Voice of Europe, Slovakia is the last EU member state without a Mosque within its borders.
At the inception of the 2015 Migrant Crisis, Slovakia refused a small quota of 200 Muslim migrants, according to the Telegraph.
An interior minister, at the time, said, “We want to help Europe with the migration issue. We could take 800 Muslims but we don’t have any mosques in Slovakia so how can Muslims be integrated if they are not going to like it here?”
Slovakia still doesn’t recognize Islam as an official religion; and the 5,000–or 0.1% of the population–who call the Central European country their home are of European descent, galvanizing the interior minister’s argument concerning integration.
Referring to Slovakia’s politicians’ view on the matter, Indian publication, The Youth, said, “In the year of 2007, politicians had changed the nation’s laws, rules and regulations so much so that 20,000 signatures from members were required to be recognized by the state.”
“In 2017, they were more than doubled the number of required signatures.”
Additionally, that small Muslim population is not afforded the same religious rights as 18 other groups recognized by the country’s government. This means that no religious leaders, marriages, or similar financial contributions are provided.
Following the 2015 anti-Muslim stance, the European Commission disapproved, saying, “We act here in the spirit of the treaty, which prevents any form of discrimination.”
Read more…
####
It is a bit dated, but here is more info from a 2018 Voice of Europe piece…
Slovakia is the last EU Member State without a single mosque, TRT World reports. Previous attempts to build have been halted by politicians.
The country does not recognise Islam as a religion and only have a few thousand Muslim residents. Islam must not be taught in schools and the 5,000 Muslims, mostly European ones, who reside in the country are not officially recognised. They account for only 0.1% of the population.
In 2007, politicians changed the country’s laws so that 20,000 signatures from members were required to be recognised by the state. In 2017 they more than doubled the number of necessary signatures.
Not being officially recognised poses major difficulties for the group. Among other things, they are not allowed to have official religious leaders, conduct Muslim marriages or receive financial contributions from the State, rights which 18 other recognised religions have.
According to some of the country’s politicians, Islam is a serious threat.
“Islamisation begins with kebab and in Bratislava it has already begun. So understand what it could be like in 5-10 years,” says MP Andrej Danko.
“Every normal European, Christian or atheist fears this satanic pedophile creation of the devil,” rumbles another critical MP.
According to TRT, the situation was further complicated for the country’s Muslims in connection with the 2015 asylum wave. Slovakia then used the absence of mosques as an argument not to accept any migrants.
The TV channel also claims that Slovakia violates EU rights laws by not permitting the building of mosques.
More…
#####
No mosques.
A population that is only 0.1% Muslim.
Virtually no terror.
It seems like Slovakia has it figured out.
Why can’t the rest of Europe follow their lead?
What’s so hard to figure out Europe?
Less Muslim Migrants = Less Terrorism
Europe has very much turned its back on its own people.
America needs to learn from the case study of Europe, before it’s too late.
Article posted with permission from Dean Garrison


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-18--The Aftermath of World War One Near Term Results

Tim Brown is an author and Editor at FreedomOutpost.com GunsInTheNews.com and TheWashingtonStandard.com .
He is husband to his `` more @ @ @ @ @ , father of 10 `` mighty arrows '' , jack of all trades , Christian @ @ @ @ @ He resides in the U.S. occupied Great State of South Carolina .
.
Follow Tim @ @ @ @ @ him out on Gab Mumbl It and Steemit

Tim Brown is an author and Editor at FreedomOutpost.com GunsInTheNews.com and TheWashingtonStandard.com . He is husband to his "more precious than rubies" wife, father of 10 "mighty arrows", jack of all trades, Christian and lover of liberty. He resides in the U.S. occupied Great State of South Carolina. . Follow Tim on Twitter . Also check him out on Gab Mumbl It and Steemit


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-19--“Doctors For Assange” Concerned He May Die In Prison:  “Effectively Been Tortured To Death”

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange continues to be abused in prison in the United Kingdom .
Meanwhile , the Trump administration continues to seek his extradition to the US to prosecute him even though he was the one who exposed the corruption of the US government .
Yet , more than 10o doctors are urging the UK to stop the “ psychological torture ” of Julian Assange .
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may die in a UK prison , having “ effectively been tortured to death , ” claim Doctors for Assange , a group of 117 doctors from 18 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Lancet , a leading medical journal .
The letter says that Assange requires urgent medical care , and has been exposed to “ prolonged psychological torture ” .
The group once again asks for him to be moved to a university teaching hospital for medical assessment and treatment .
WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson , on the other hand , has claimed that Assange ’ s health is improving and he is no longer being held in solitary confinement .
Hrafnsson spoke to journalists ahead of next week ’ s court hearing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health has been worrying his supporters for a while now .
Nils Melzer , the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture , visited Assange in prison in May 2019 , and reported that the journalist showed “ all the symptoms typical of prolonged exposure to psychological torture ” .
By that point , Assange had spent seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London living in a converted office under constant surveillance , before being detained in Belmarsh maximum security prison .
Soon after Melzer ’ s visit , the public saw Assange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , 2019 .
“ Doctors for Assange ” says that he appeared “ pale , underweight , aged , and limping , and he had visibly struggled to recall basic information , focus on his thoughts , or articulate his words ” .
By the end of the proceedings , the journalist told the judge “ he had not understood what had happened in court ” .
The hearing was held to decide whether the US can state its case to extradite Assange to the US .
The WikiLeaks founder is wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosing classified documents related to the national defense ” with the help of former intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning .
The Justice Department has indicted the journalist on 18 counts , which carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison .
Worried about the extradition proceedings and Assange ’ s medical needs , “ Doctors for Assange ” had previously written two open letters to the UK government in November 2019 , to no reply .
They had also asked the Australian government to intercede in the proceedings on his behalf , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received no reply .
Over and over , this administration and foreign powers have sought to silence Julian Assange .
It ’ s time the American people demanded the Trump administration put their money where their mouths are and stop the extradition and the charges against Assange and push for a demand for his release and start prosecuting the real criminals instead of giving us the same tired ridiculous claims that they can ’ t bring justice against domestic terrorists in our government .

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange continues to be abused in prison in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to seek his extradition to the US to prosecute him even though he was the one who exposed the corruption of the US government. Yet, more than 10o doctors are urging the UK to stop the “psychological torture” of Julian Assange.
RT reports:
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may die in a UK prison, having “effectively been tortured to death,” claim Doctors for Assange, a group of 117 doctors from 18 countries, in a recent letter published in The Lancet, a leading medical journal.
The letter says that Assange requires urgent medical care, and has been exposed to “prolonged psychological torture”. The group once again asks for him to be moved to a university teaching hospital for medical assessment and treatment.
WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, on the other hand, has claimed that Assange’s health is improving and he is no longer being held in solitary confinement. Hrafnsson spoke to journalists ahead of next week’s court hearing on the US extradition request.
Assange’s health has been worrying his supporters for a while now.
Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, visited Assange in prison in May 2019, and reported that the journalist showed “all the symptoms typical of prolonged exposure to psychological torture”.
By that point, Assange had spent seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London living in a converted office under constant surveillance, before being detained in Belmarsh maximum security prison. Soon after Melzer’s visit, the public saw Assange at his case management hearing on October 21, 2019. “Doctors for Assange” says that he appeared “pale, underweight, aged, and limping, and he had visibly struggled to recall basic information, focus on his thoughts, or articulate his words”. By the end of the proceedings, the journalist told the judge “he had not understood what had happened in court”.
The hearing was held to decide whether the US can state its case to extradite Assange to the US. The WikiLeaks founder is wanted by Washington for “unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defense” with the help of former intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. The Justice Department has indicted the journalist on 18 counts, which carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison.
Worried about the extradition proceedings and Assange’s medical needs, “Doctors for Assange” had previously written two open letters to the UK government in November 2019, to no reply. They had also asked the Australian government to intercede in the proceedings on his behalf, since he is an Australian citizen, but received no reply.
Over and over, this administration and foreign powers have sought to silence Julian Assange. It’s time the American people demanded the Trump administration put their money where their mouths are and stop the extradition and the charges against Assange and push for a demand for his release and start prosecuting the real criminals instead of giving us the same tired ridiculous claims that they can’t bring justice against domestic terrorists in our government.


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-20--Termites Destroyed The Foundation

Termites Destroyed The Foundation

NOTE : This commentary was originally written in 2002 .
Please keep in mind this represents the political climate 18 years ago , but it is still relevant today .
“ It all depends on what the meaning of is , is.
” With those words , then president of the United States Bill Clinton , crystallized to the world something that we all had sensed .
Like a soft buzzing in our ears , we were aware something was out of whack in America , but we couldn ’ t quite put our finger on it .
That proclamation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful man in America diagnosed the ailment .
The greatest nation in the history of the world , a government of laws undergirded by Truth , had been replaced .
There was a new sheriff in town .
A coup de tat had taken place in the culture and the mouth of the President trumpeted the arrival of this new nation .
A nation not of laws , but of opinions .
The greatest threat to America has always been from within .
While we focused on the enemies from without , ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the radar screen was eating away at the foundations of the nation like the termites in an oak tree .
The gnawing upon the foundation was within plain view , but we were told that the termites were actually strengthening the foundation , chewing away all of the rotten wood .
The termites , we were told , would eventually make the nation stronger .
What are the foundations of this great nation ?
What has made America great ?
Even a casual reading of early American history will reveal that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution was created .
The United States Constitution and the Decalogue had one thing in common .
They were both based on the rule of law .
Honored in our homes , and posted in our classrooms , Americans knew that the teaching of these precepts to our Children insured the passing from generation to generation the foundations that supported the nation .
Some things were right , and some things were wrong , but we all agreed on a standard by which all Americans would be judged .
The 10 Commandments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule books .
For 200 years the nation thrived .
Enter the termites .
Few at first , but ravenous nonetheless .
Madalyn Murray , The ACLU , People For The American Way , Liberal Seminaries and Universities , labor unions , all munching away at the main beam supporting this experiment in self-government .
“ Separation of Church and State ” their teeth gnawed .
No prayer in school , remove the 10 Commandments off of the wall , no prayer at graduation…or before football games , take God out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation .
“ We ’ re good Americans too “ the white ants cried .
“ We want to see the Constitution applied to everyone .
No one has the right to tell another person what to do .
You have no right to force your religion on me ” , the winged Isopterans moaned .
Like the proverbial frog in a pan of boiling water , the heat was gradually turned up to the point where God-fearing Americans believed that they were the ones who were wrong .
Intolerant , hate-monger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a cow chewing his cud , continually ruminated .
In 1980 the Supreme Court of the United States , standing on the same shaky foundation , ruled that the posting of the 10 Commandments in public schools was unconstitutional .
The American rule book , holding together this republic for 2 centuries was taken off of the wall .
The Termites had broken through .
A crack had appeared in the foundation .
It would take years for the real damage to take full effect , but the white ants moved rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girders of this once great Christian nation .
THOU SHALL NOT MURDER became……a woman ’ s right to choose .
THOU SHALL NOT LIE became….
” It all depends on what the meaning of is , is.
” The fault line was complete .
The rules had been altered .
The standards had changed .
The Truth no longer mattered .
The sawdust of the Termites ’ destruction has finally been exposed .
The President of the United States lied under oath and got away with it .
40 million babies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CHOICE .
The institution of marriage is no longer valued .
Alcohol and drugs ravage a generation in the name of freedom .
Enron , World Com , and Global Crossing have been swallowed up in covetousness .
Do you remember the election debacle in Florida ?
Chads , dimples , perforations counted as votes .
Never before had the Termites chewed so publicly , eating away at election laws .
It all depends on what the meaning of “ vote , ” is .
Knowing the national foundations had been removed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the middle of the game , after the election was over , they wanted to change the standards .
After years of sitting in slowly boiling water , God -fearing Americans were unable to recognize the insect ’ s blatant disregard for the rule of law .
The standards had changed and we couldn ’ t even recognize it .
I am reminded today of a conversation I had with my 81-year-old father before the election of 2000 .
My dad , a dyed-in-the-wool union Democrat , had been a tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent his life , giving us a better one .
I had to ask him the question .
“ Dad , why are you voting for Al Gore ?
” I looked upon his deeply wrinkled face , wearied by WWII , and the pressures of raising a family in the 60 ’ s and 70 ’ s .
His lip quivered as he spoke .
“ Well Dave , for as long as I can remember , whenever there was a Democrat in office the economy was good .
When there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war or a recession.
” The Termites had infected this proud , patriotic , Christian American .
I took a deep breath and spoke into his still-lively soul .
“ I see your point , Dad… .
But the last time there was a Democratic president , I had to explain to my 11-year-old daughter what oral sex was.
” I guess the Termites where right….It ’ s the economy , stupid .
A wise man leaves an inheritance to his children ’ s children .
Proverbs13:22 .
When age finally takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be his money I will treasure .
His sense of right and wrong , his love of family , and the Christian American work ethic , that ’ s the inheritance my father has left me .
What are we leaving to our kids ?
In the end , isn ’ t that all that matters ?

NOTE: This commentary was originally written in 2002. Please keep in mind this represents the political climate 18 years ago, but it is still relevant today.
“It all depends on what the meaning of is, is.”
With those words, then president of the United States Bill Clinton, crystallized to the world something that we all had sensed. Like a soft buzzing in our ears, we were aware something was out of whack in America, but we couldn’t quite put our finger on it. That proclamation out of the mouth of the most powerful man in America diagnosed the ailment. The greatest nation in the history of the world, a government of laws undergirded by Truth, had been replaced. There was a new sheriff in town. A coup de tat had taken place in the culture and the mouth of the President trumpeted the arrival of this new nation.
A nation not of laws, but of opinions.
“…every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes” Deut. 12:8
The greatest threat to America has always been from within. While we focused on the enemies from without, (can you say cold war) subversion below the radar screen was eating away at the foundations of the nation like the termites in an oak tree. The gnawing upon the foundation was within plain view, but we were told that the termites were actually strengthening the foundation, chewing away all of the rotten wood. The termites, we were told, would eventually make the nation stronger.
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3
What are the foundations of this great nation? What has made America great? Even a casual reading of early American history will reveal that the 10 Commandments was the model upon which the Constitution was created. The United States Constitution and the Decalogue had one thing in common. They were both based on the rule of law. Honored in our homes, and posted in our classrooms, Americans knew that the teaching of these precepts to our Children insured the passing from generation to generation the foundations that supported the nation. Some things were right, and some things were wrong, but we all agreed on a standard by which all Americans would be judged.
The 10 Commandments and The U. S. Constitution were the rule books. For 200 years the nation thrived.
Enter the termites. Few at first, but ravenous nonetheless. Madalyn Murray, The ACLU, People For The American Way, Liberal Seminaries and Universities, labor unions, all munching away at the main beam supporting this experiment in self-government.
“Separation of Church and State” their teeth gnawed. No prayer in school, remove the 10 Commandments off of the wall, no prayer at graduation…or before football games, take God out of the pledge…they hacked away at the root of the nation. “We’re good Americans too “the white ants cried. “We want to see the Constitution applied to everyone. No one has the right to tell another person what to do. You have no right to force your religion on me”, the winged Isopterans moaned. Like the proverbial frog in a pan of boiling water, the heat was gradually turned up to the point where God-fearing Americans believed that they were the ones who were wrong. Intolerant, hate-monger, homo-phobe the nest of foundation-eaters, like a cow chewing his cud, continually ruminated.
In 1980 the Supreme Court of the United States, standing on the same shaky foundation, ruled that the posting of the 10 Commandments in public schools was unconstitutional. The American rule book, holding together this republic for 2 centuries was taken off of the wall. The Termites had broken through. A crack had appeared in the foundation. It would take years for the real damage to take full effect, but the white ants moved rapidly into the crevice, boring away at the girders of this once great Christian nation.
THOU SHALL NOT MURDER became……a woman’s right to choose.
THOU SHALL NOT COMMITT ADULTERY became….homosexual rights.
THOU SHALL NOT LIE became….”It all depends on what the meaning of is, is.”
The fault line was complete. The rules had been altered. The standards had changed. The Truth no longer mattered. The sawdust of the Termites’ destruction has finally been exposed.
The President of the United States lied under oath and got away with it. 40 million babies have been murdered hiding behind the banner of CHOICE. The institution of marriage is no longer valued. Alcohol and drugs ravage a generation in the name of freedom. Enron, World Com, and Global Crossing have been swallowed up in covetousness.
Do you remember the election debacle in Florida? Chads, dimples, perforations counted as votes. Never before had the Termites chewed so publicly, eating away at election laws. It all depends on what the meaning of “vote,” is. Knowing the national foundations had been removed, the insects moved in for the kill. In the middle of the game, after the election was over, they wanted to change the standards. After years of sitting in slowly boiling water, God -fearing Americans were unable to recognize the insect’s blatant disregard for the rule of law.
The standards had changed and we couldn’t even recognize it.
I am reminded today of a conversation I had with my 81-year-old father before the election of 2000. My dad, a dyed-in-the-wool union Democrat, had been a tremendous moral example to his children. He had spent his life, giving us a better one. I had to ask him the question.
“Dad, why are you voting for Al Gore?” I looked upon his deeply wrinkled face, wearied by WWII, and the pressures of raising a family in the 60’s and 70’s. His lip quivered as he spoke.
“Well Dave, for as long as I can remember, whenever there was a Democrat in office the economy was good. When there was a Republican, we had either a war or a recession.”
The Termites had infected this proud, patriotic, Christian American.
I took a deep breath and spoke into his still-lively soul. “I see your point, Dad…. But the last time there was a Democratic president, I had to explain to my 11-year-old daughter what oral sex was.”
I guess the Termites where right….It’s the economy, stupid.
A wise man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. Proverbs13:22.
When age finally takes my dad from the earth it won’t be his money I will treasure. His sense of right and wrong, his love of family, and the Christian American work ethic, that’s the inheritance my father has left me.
What are we leaving to our kids? In the end, isn’t that all that matters?
Article by Dave Daubenmire


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-20--Taking Down the Kingpin of Child Porn

Taking Down the Kingpin of Child Porn

The child pornography industry is more prevalent than most of us can even fathom .
In the case of Eric Marques , who ran a hosting service for numerous dark web child pornography and exploitation sites , an FBI investigation revealed that the hosting service housed more than 8.5 million photographs and videos of material involving the exploitation of children .
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur remarked , “ This is an egregious case where one individual facilitated the abuse of more than a million new child victims and attempted to keep the abuse hidden on the dark web.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubbed Marques as , “ the largest facilitator of child pornography on the planet.
” A 2016 National Child Exploitation Threat Assessment reported that the child pornography industry has exploded with the increased globalization of the market , sophistication of encryption techniques , and the ability to evade detection using dark web networks .
Thousands upon thousands of pedophiles worldwide drive the demand for this depraved imagery .
In just one example cited by the National Child Exploitation Threat Assessment , the FBI investigated a single website on the dark web which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only is the production and distribution of these images perpetuating the demand for new material , ” the report states , but , “ the 2016 National Strategy survey shows that offenders also have increased their demand for more depraved and egregious content.
” Eric Marques ’ Freedom Hosting service was a massive hub for this depraved and egregious child abuse material .
As a dual citizen born in New York to a Brazilian father and Irish mother who are divorced , Marques lived with his mother and sister in Ireland since childhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father ’ s Dublin home for years , prior to a police raid and his apprehension from the residence in August of 2013 .
Neighbors described Marques as a recluse who spent most of his days in solitude on his computer .
The amended criminal complaint against Marques alleges that between July 24 , 2008 and July 29 , 2013 , the facilitator “ conspired to advertise and to distribute child pornography , and aided and abetted the advertising and distribution of child pornography by allegedly operating a free , anonymous web @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ dark web ” , an area of the Internet that is only accessible by means of special software , allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable .
” Around the same time that Marques began facilitating child pornography sites , the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported that child pornography files submitted between 2005 to 2009 , for the purposes of identifying children , increased by 432 % .
Marques ’ Freedom Hosting harbored more than 500 servers in Europe , providing anonymity to sites like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2011 , a group identifying as “ Anonymous , ” carried out a mission they described as “ Operation Darknet , ” in which they briefly took down 40 sites allegedly trading in child abuse images .
Lolita City was among those sites targeted by Anonymous .
The group then published the identities of 1500 site users .
One member of the Anonymous group is alleged to have been an FBI informant .
The FBI then led a probe in 2012 and 2013 targeting two particular websites hosted by Freedom Hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home page as “ Girls , ” “ All ” and “ Boys , ” ranging in ages from 0-2 up to 15-17 .
Documents reveal the FBI discovered thousands of images and videos depicting bondage , bestiality , torture , and violent sexual abuse of children as young as infants .
Of the 1.4 million files on this single site hosted by Freedom Hosting , one million of which were reviewed by agents , nearly all contained child sexual abuse images .
Marques attempted to shield Freedom Hosting from liability as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted , by a warning on the homepage that stated , “ We do not give permission for upload of any illegal files .
If you chose to do so anyway , we are not responsible for your actions.
” However , FBI documents note that , “ In reality AHS [ the anonymous hosting site ] has full control over all of the websites hosted on their servers.
” The FBI documents go on to report that , though the anonymous hosting service did not necessarily create or maintain any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ do whatever they wanted with the sites they host as they inherently have full access to the databases behind the sites.
” Investigators allege that Marques not only knew of the child pornography content on sites hosted by his service , but that he had control of at least one of those sites .
From the FBI probe , investigators identified an IP address associated with the anonymous hosting service as well as the two targeted websites under scrutiny .
Agents then traced the location of the server to France , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered the server was registered under Marques with a billing address listed in Las Vegas .
Investigators then discovered the account held by Marques at the private mailing facility in Las Vegas listed a forwarding address in Dublin , Ireland .
FBI then contacted the Irish state police , who surveilled the address and confirmed Marques lived at the residence .
On July 29 , 2013 , the Irish state police raided Marques ’ home , apprehended the suspect , and confiscated his computer .
Then a few days later , Freedom Hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse sites were reportedly infected with JavaScript exploits , making it possible to identify site users and their IP addresses .
Marques remained in custody in Ireland while fighting extradition to the United States for six years .
He was finally extradited in March of 2019 .
Authorities seized approximately $ 155,000 from Marques , who admitted that his business was “ very successful , ” during his extradition hearing .
Then in February of 2020 , Marques pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to advertise child abuse images .
He faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison , with a maximum of 30 years possible .
The plea agreement is seeking a sentence of 15 to 21 years in prison , though the US district judge is not bound by these parameters .
No further details of the plea agreement have been reported , though there is speculation as to whether cooperation with authorities , regarding the identities of child abuse site owners and users , may be part of the plea deal .
Marques reportedly warned users of Freedom Hosting , “ If my identity is compromised and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , I will do it to ensure my freedom.
” Article posted with permission from Corey Lynn , originally published at CoreysDigs.com

The child pornography industry is more prevalent than most of us can even fathom. In the case of Eric Marques, who ran a hosting service for numerous dark web child pornography and exploitation sites, an FBI investigation revealed that the hosting service housed more than 8.5 million photographs and videos of material involving the exploitation of children. U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur remarked, “This is an egregious case where one individual facilitated the abuse of more than a million new child victims and attempted to keep the abuse hidden on the dark web.” An FBI agent on the case has dubbed Marques as, “the largest facilitator of child pornography on the planet.”
A 2016 National Child Exploitation Threat Assessment reported that the child pornography industry has exploded with the increased globalization of the market, sophistication of encryption techniques, and the ability to evade detection using dark web networks. Thousands upon thousands of pedophiles worldwide drive the demand for this depraved imagery. In just one example cited by the National Child Exploitation Threat Assessment, the FBI investigated a single website on the dark web which had approximately 200,000 registered users. “Not only is the production and distribution of these images perpetuating the demand for new material,” the report states, but, “the 2016 National Strategy survey shows that offenders also have increased their demand for more depraved and egregious content.” Eric Marques’ Freedom Hosting service was a massive hub for this depraved and egregious child abuse material.
As a dual citizen born in New York to a Brazilian father and Irish mother who are divorced, Marques lived with his mother and sister in Ireland since childhood. Marques later worked and lived in his father’s Dublin home for years, prior to a police raid and his apprehension from the residence in August of 2013. Neighbors described Marques as a recluse who spent most of his days in solitude on his computer. The amended criminal complaint against Marques alleges that between July 24, 2008 and July 29, 2013, the facilitator “conspired to advertise and to distribute child pornography, and aided and abetted the advertising and distribution of child pornography by allegedly operating a free, anonymous web hosting service (AHS) located on the “dark web”, an area of the Internet that is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable. ” Around the same time that Marques began facilitating child pornography sites, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported that child pornography files submitted between 2005 to 2009, for the purposes of identifying children, increased by 432%.
Marques’ Freedom Hosting harbored more than 500 servers in Europe, providing anonymity to sites like PedoEmpire, Love Zone and Lolita City. In 2011, a group identifying as “Anonymous,” carried out a mission they described as “Operation Darknet,” in which they briefly took down 40 sites allegedly trading in child abuse images. Lolita City was among those sites targeted by Anonymous. The group then published the identities of 1500 site users. One member of the Anonymous group is alleged to have been an FBI informant.
The FBI then led a probe in 2012 and 2013 targeting two particular websites hosted by Freedom Hosting. One site provided categories listed on the home page as “Girls,” “All” and “Boys,” ranging in ages from 0-2 up to 15-17. Documents reveal the FBI discovered thousands of images and videos depicting bondage, bestiality, torture, and violent sexual abuse of children as young as infants. Of the 1.4 million files on this single site hosted by Freedom Hosting, one million of which were reviewed by agents, nearly all contained child sexual abuse images.
Marques attempted to shield Freedom Hosting from liability as to the content of the sites he hosted, by a warning on the homepage that stated, “We do not give permission for upload of any illegal files. If you chose to do so anyway, we are not responsible for your actions.” However, FBI documents note that, “In reality AHS [the anonymous hosting site] has full control over all of the websites hosted on their servers.” The FBI documents go on to report that, though the anonymous hosting service did not necessarily create or maintain any of the sites hosted, Freedom Hosting could, “do whatever they wanted with the sites they host as they inherently have full access to the databases behind the sites.” Investigators allege that Marques not only knew of the child pornography content on sites hosted by his service, but that he had control of at least one of those sites.
From the FBI probe, investigators identified an IP address associated with the anonymous hosting service as well as the two targeted websites under scrutiny. Agents then traced the location of the server to France, and in working with the French police, discovered the server was registered under Marques with a billing address listed in Las Vegas. Investigators then discovered the account held by Marques at the private mailing facility in Las Vegas listed a forwarding address in Dublin, Ireland. FBI then contacted the Irish state police, who surveilled the address and confirmed Marques lived at the residence.
On July 29, 2013, the Irish state police raided Marques’ home, apprehended the suspect, and confiscated his computer. Then a few days later, Freedom Hosting website went down, and several child abuse sites were reportedly infected with JavaScript exploits, making it possible to identify site users and their IP addresses.
Photo Credit: Collins Courts
Marques remained in custody in Ireland while fighting extradition to the United States for six years. He was finally extradited in March of 2019. Authorities seized approximately $155,000 from Marques, who admitted that his business was “very successful,” during his extradition hearing. Then in February of 2020, Marques pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to advertise child abuse images. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum of 30 years possible. The plea agreement is seeking a sentence of 15 to 21 years in prison, though the US district judge is not bound by these parameters. No further details of the plea agreement have been reported, though there is speculation as to whether cooperation with authorities, regarding the identities of child abuse site owners and users, may be part of the plea deal. Marques reportedly warned users of Freedom Hosting, “If my identity is compromised and I am questioned/forced to co-operate to identify you, I will do it to ensure my freedom.”
Article posted with permission from Corey Lynn, originally published at CoreysDigs.com


thewashingtonstandard--2020-02-20--The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship “Quarantine”:  Did It Just Infect More People With Covid-19 & Sprea

The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship “ Quarantine ” : Did It Just Infect More People With Covid-19 & Spread It Further ?
The “ quarantine ” of passengers on the cruise ship , Diamond Princess , drew toward an end yesterday when several hundred people were allowed to disembark .
Those who were released tested negative for Covid-19 .
They ’ ll be issued a certificate by Japanese health authorities stating that they were not infected at the time they left the ship .
When the passengers left , they were , according to Japan ’ s health minister Katsunobu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find their own way home to from the port ” which most likely means public transport for many of the passengers .
Is it possible that all the Diamond Princess quarantine did was infect more people with Covid-19 and that the aftermath of the poorly-executed quarantine will spread the virus across the globe ?
Was this quarantine done correctly ?
The entire quarantine of this ship seems to have run contrary to my understanding of what “ quarantine ” actually means .
First of all , being on that ship cooped up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in rooms next door had to be nightmarish to people who only wanted to go on a nice vacation .
The entire time , I wondered why a more suitable facility was not made available for quarantining passengers who were at risk .
There on the ship , people were constantly exposed , even though they had to stay in their rooms .
The food had to be prepared by somebody and delivered by somebody .
Fresh towels ?
Somebody laundered and delivered those too .
Drinking water ?
Also delivered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-5 people per hour were confirmed to be infected .
With a rate of infection like that , the likelihood of contracting the virus was extremely high .
I can ’ t imagine that keeping 3700 people on board a floating death trap was the best way to contain the outbreak .
That ship was the site of the largest cluster of infections outside of China .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health , told USA Today bluntly that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Dr. Fauci is not the only public health expert who felt the quarantine was not carried out correctly .
We have to remember , this quarantine was carried out by folks who work on a cruise ship , not by infectious disease specialists .
While I ’ m sure they did the best they could given the circumstances , the quarantine seems to have been poorly conceived .
The continued spread throughout the quarantined passengers and crew led the United States to evacuate American citizens from the ship and fly them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers are being further quarantined in the US .
The people testing negative are quarantined in California and Texas and the 14 who are infected are hospitalized in Omaha , Nebraska .
According to Dr. Fauci , health officials expect to see more cases among the quarantined evacuees .
I think that the US had the right idea .
Leaving people on that floating death trap for a longer period of time just puts them at higher risk of contracting the virus .
While the quarantine was poorly executed , the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think just letting people disembark and hop into the nearest taxi is the best way to “ end the quarantine.
” Granted I ’ m certainly no public health expert , but the biggest question I have is this : If people aboard that ship are being infected at the rate of 4-5 per hour , shouldn ’ t the clock restart on the quarantine after the most recent infection ?
Shouldn ’ t it be fourteen days after the most recent confirmation ?
I guess they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re releasing several hundred people per day based on a negative test ( a test that may not be reliable – keep reading ) after those people have been in a veritable petri dish of novel coronavirus .
The only folks who are remaining in quarantine are those who were sharing a cabin with infected people and each day a few hundred more people will be released willy-nilly into Japan ’ s public transportation system to make their way back to 50 different countries – most likely on public transportation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Survival Manual , Cat Ellis wrote about ending quarantines : So if one were to follow this advice , the people disembarking from the Diamond Princess should really be isolated at the very least , not hopping on a plane .
How sure are we that the folks disembarking are truly not infected ?
We don ’ t know a lot about this illness yet – it ’ s brand new .
But one thing we do know is that the Covid-19 nucleic acid test is not extremely reliable .
According to Medicinenet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reason that the people repatriated to the United States are being put into further quarantine .
Although the folks who were released all tested negative and are not showing symptoms , it seems extremely likely we will see more cases sprouting up all over the world from former passengers of the Diamond Princess .
The CDC agrees and is not allowing any of the disembarking passengers to return to the US without restrictions .
CDC believes the rate of new infections on board , especially among those without symptoms , represents an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health of the American public , all passengers and crew of the ship have been placed under travel restrictions , preventing them from returning to the United States for at least 14 days after they had left the Diamond Princess .
Currently , there are more than 100 U.S. citizens still onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in hospitals in Japan .
These citizens have been placed under the restrictions , as have the ship ’ s other passengers and crew .
After disembarkation from the Diamond Princess , these passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days without having symptoms or a positive coronavirus test result before they are permitted to board flights to the United States .
If an individual from this cruise arrives in the United States before the 14-day period ends , they will still be subject to a mandatory quarantine until they have completed the 14-day period with no symptoms or positive coronavirus test results .
Because of their high-risk exposure , there may be additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the remaining passengers on board the Diamond Princess .
( source ) South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking entry to Diamond Princess passengers .
The BBC reports that “ Japanese officials have defended their approach , saying that the majority of infections likely occurred before the quarantine period.
” Will this lead to new clusters of Covid-19 outside of China ?
This morning , the day after the quarantine officially ended , 79 more people who are still on the Diamond Princess tested positive for the novel coronavirus , bringing the total of infected people to 621 .
Meanwhile , those leaving the quarantine are “ finding their own way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I think it ’ s a pretty safe bet to believe that out of several thousand exposed people heading to 50 different countries , at least a few of them are going to be bringing a little something with them .
It ’ s difficult to imagine this won ’ t make its way to the United States and elsewhere .
I suggest you pick up this book and get prepared for the possibility of real quarantines before the word becomes official .
If we ’ ve learned anything throughout this debacle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to cover their rears and “ not cause a panic.
” Unfortunately , this means that we don ’ t get crucial information until it ’ s too late to act on it .
There are already shortages in the United States of things like gloves and masks – they ’ re practically nowhere to be found .
Look for bleach , antibacterial product , and hand sanitizer shortages next .
This whole thing could end up being like the Ebola scare of 2014 , something legitimately unnerving , but ultimately not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We may get lucky and Covid-19 may by some miracle be contained .
But I wouldn ’ t bet my family ’ s lives on it .

The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship “Quarantine”: Did It Just Infect More People With Covid-19 & Spread It Further?
The “quarantine” of passengers on the cruise ship, Diamond Princess, drew toward an end yesterday when several hundred people were allowed to disembark.
Those who were released tested negative for Covid-19. They’ll be issued a certificate by Japanese health authorities stating that they were not infected at the time they left the ship. When the passengers left, they were, according to Japan’s health minister Katsunobu Kato, going to “have to find their own way home to from the port” which most likely means public transport for many of the passengers.
Is it possible that all the Diamond Princess quarantine did was infect more people with Covid-19 and that the aftermath of the poorly-executed quarantine will spread the virus across the globe?
Was this quarantine done correctly?
The entire quarantine of this ship seems to have run contrary to my understanding of what “quarantine” actually means.
First of all, being on that ship cooped up in tiny quarters with all of the sick people in rooms next door had to be nightmarish to people who only wanted to go on a nice vacation. The entire time, I wondered why a more suitable facility was not made available for quarantining passengers who were at risk.
There on the ship, people were constantly exposed, even though they had to stay in their rooms. The food had to be prepared by somebody and delivered by somebody. Fresh towels? Somebody laundered and delivered those too. Drinking water? Also delivered. From staff onboard a ship where literally 4-5 people per hour were confirmed to be infected.
With a rate of infection like that, the likelihood of contracting the virus was extremely high. I can’t imagine that keeping 3700 people on board a floating death trap was the best way to contain the outbreak. That ship was the site of the largest cluster of infections outside of China.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told USA Today bluntly that the quarantine effort had been a failure.
…the original idea to keep people safely quarantined on the ship wasn’t unreasonable. But even with the quarantine process on the ship, virus transmission still occurred… …”The quarantine process failed,” Fauci said. “I’d like to sugarcoat it and try to be diplomatic about it, but it failed. People were getting infected on that ship. Something went awry in the process of the quarantining on that ship. I don’t know what it was, but a lot of people got infected on that ship.” (source)
And Dr. Fauci is not the only public health expert who felt the quarantine was not carried out correctly.
Kentaro Iwata, professor at the infectious diseases division of Japan’s Kobe University, described the situation on board as “completely inadequate in terms of infection control”. After visiting the ship, Prof Iwata posted a video to YouTube stating that the quarantine measures he witnessed failed to separate the infected from the healthy. The expert said he was more afraid of catching the virus on board than he had been working in the field in Africa during the Ebola epidemic and in China during the Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak. (source)
We have to remember, this quarantine was carried out by folks who work on a cruise ship, not by infectious disease specialists. While I’m sure they did the best they could given the circumstances, the quarantine seems to have been poorly conceived.
The continued spread throughout the quarantined passengers and crew led the United States to evacuate American citizens from the ship and fly them back to the US. About 300 passengers are being further quarantined in the US. The people testing negative are quarantined in California and Texas and the 14 who are infected are hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska. According to Dr. Fauci, health officials expect to see more cases among the quarantined evacuees.
I think that the US had the right idea. Leaving people on that floating death trap for a longer period of time just puts them at higher risk of contracting the virus.
While the quarantine was poorly executed, the end of the quarantine is even worse.
I don’t think just letting people disembark and hop into the nearest taxi is the best way to “end the quarantine.” Granted I’m certainly no public health expert, but the biggest question I have is this:
If people aboard that ship are being infected at the rate of 4-5 per hour, shouldn’t the clock restart on the quarantine after the most recent infection? Shouldn’t it be fourteen days after the most recent confirmation?
I guess they don’t think so in Japan. Because they’re releasing several hundred people per day based on a negative test (a test that may not be reliable – keep reading) after those people have been in a veritable petri dish of novel coronavirus.
The released passengers made their way onto waiting coaches or into taxis, reports the BBC’s Laura Bicker, who is at the port in Yokohama. They will be allowed to return to life as normal, but will be contacted over a period of several days to check on their health, Japan’s health ministry said. (source)
The only folks who are remaining in quarantine are those who were sharing a cabin with infected people and each day a few hundred more people will be released willy-nilly into Japan’s public transportation system to make their way back to 50 different countries – most likely on public transportation.
In her best-selling book, The Wuhan Coronavirus Survival Manual, Cat Ellis wrote about ending quarantines:
A person is quarantined for the entire duration of the illness’ incubation (latency) period. For Wuhan coronavirus, the current guidance for a quarantine for a person for 14 days. However, there was one study suggesting the incubation period is actually 24 days. If this is the real incubation period, then our current measures for quarantine are insufficient, and may be allowing the virus to spread. This is not the only explanation. It could also mean that the initial exposure opportunity did not result in an infection, and then there was a subsequent exposure opportunity when infection did happen. If this is the case, the 14-day period is probably the correct one. As always, err on the side of caution. I would quarantine for 24 days until this is proven incorrect. (source)
So if one were to follow this advice, the people disembarking from the Diamond Princess should really be isolated at the very least, not hopping on a plane.
How sure are we that the folks disembarking are truly not infected?
We don’t know a lot about this illness yet – it’s brand new. But one thing we do know is that the Covid-19 nucleic acid test is not extremely reliable. According to Medicinenet:
Reports suggest some people test negative up to six times even though they are infected with the virus, according to the BBC and Chinese media. Such was the case with Dr. Li Wenliang, the ophthalmologist who first identified the outbreak and was reprimanded by Chinese authorities when he tried to warn others… …False-negative test results, where patients are told they do not have a condition when they actually do, cause several problems. Patients may be turned away from hospitals and medical facilities when they require care. They may infect others at home, work, school, or in the community. Patients’ conditions may also worsen without treatment. When faced with a highly infectious, potentially deadly pathogen, even a small number of false negatives can have a potentially serious and widespread impact on the larger population. (source)
This, of course, is the reason that the people repatriated to the United States are being put into further quarantine.
Although the folks who were released all tested negative and are not showing symptoms, it seems extremely likely we will see more cases sprouting up all over the world from former passengers of the Diamond Princess.
The CDC agrees and is not allowing any of the disembarking passengers to return to the US without restrictions.
CDC believes the rate of new infections on board, especially among those without symptoms, represents an ongoing risk. Therefore, to protect the health of the American public, all passengers and crew of the ship have been placed under travel restrictions, preventing them from returning to the United States for at least 14 days after they had left the Diamond Princess. Currently, there are more than 100 U.S. citizens still onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in hospitals in Japan. These citizens have been placed under the restrictions, as have the ship’s other passengers and crew. After disembarkation from the Diamond Princess, these passengers and crew will be required to wait 14 days without having symptoms or a positive coronavirus test result before they are permitted to board flights to the United States. If an individual from this cruise arrives in the United States before the 14-day period ends, they will still be subject to a mandatory quarantine until they have completed the 14-day period with no symptoms or positive coronavirus test results. Because of their high-risk exposure, there may be additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the remaining passengers on board the Diamond Princess. (source)
South Korea has also said they’re blocking entry to Diamond Princess passengers.
The BBC reports that “Japanese officials have defended their approach, saying that the majority of infections likely occurred before the quarantine period.”
Will this lead to new clusters of Covid-19 outside of China?
This morning, the day after the quarantine officially ended, 79 more people who are still on the Diamond Princess tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total of infected people to 621. Meanwhile, those leaving the quarantine are “finding their own way home.” Zero Hedge sums it up:
As we’ve noted several times, the notion that thousands of people are about to be released while hundreds of cases of the virus are still being confirmed seems like insanity. While most of the patients will face two more weeks of quarantine when they return home, how are they planning on getting there? There’s been no word of an official government transport. (source)
I think it’s a pretty safe bet to believe that out of several thousand exposed people heading to 50 different countries, at least a few of them are going to be bringing a little something with them.
It’s difficult to imagine this won’t make its way to the United States and elsewhere. I suggest you pick up this book and get prepared for the possibility of real quarantines before the word becomes official.
If we’ve learned anything throughout this debacle, it’s that governments will try to cover their rears and “not cause a panic.” Unfortunately, this means that we don’t get crucial information until it’s too late to act on it. There are already shortages in the United States of things like gloves and masks – they’re practically nowhere to be found. Look for bleach, antibacterial product, and hand sanitizer shortages next.
This whole thing could end up being like the Ebola scare of 2014, something legitimately unnerving, but ultimately not widespread outside of the hot zone. We may get lucky and Covid-19 may by some miracle be contained.
But I wouldn’t bet my family’s lives on it.
Article posted with permission from Daisy Luther