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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Solomon: Joe Biden's Energy Adviser Aided Kremlin Nuclear Agenda

Exclusive excerpts from 'Fallout: Nuclear Bribes, Russian Spies and the Washington Lies that Enriched the Clinton and Biden Dynasties' by John Solomon and Seamus Bruner. These excerpts come from chapter 9, ‘The Ukraine Boomerang: Obama's Russia Failures Unleash New Chaos and Cronyism in Ukraine.'

Last month, Just the News reported that shortly after Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian gas company landed a deal with the Obama State Department's Agency for International Development (USAID). At the time, Burisma was under multiple investigations for corruption.

Not only did the controversial Ukrainian energy firm get a deal with USAID while Hunter Biden was on the board, but Joe Biden's energy advisor, Amos Hochstein, promoted the very program which worked to legitimize Burisma amid the allegations.

As an Obama official, Hochstein testified repeatedly to Congress, urging lawmakers to help "reform" Ukraine's energy sector to mitigate Putin's advances.

Honored to sit on #Rada floor for @VP inspiring address as P @Poroshenko and @PM_Yatsenyuk listen.@GeoffPyatt pic.twitter.com/mX2HrVMLpT— amos hochstein (@amoshochstein) December 8, 2015

@EnergyAtState: .@amoshochstein & @VP today during the #Caribbean Energy Security Summitpic.twitter.com/EiE9xp01gW”— amos hochstein (@amoshochstein) January 27, 2015

At an event hosted by the Atlantic Council (a think tank funded in part by Burisma), Hochstein warned that Russia's weaponization of energy deals was predictable and must be counterbalanced:

"When the gas was shut off from Russia to Ukraine on June 16th [2014], that was not a unique event. It happened in 2006 and it happened in 2009 and, therefore, it happened again in 2014. And there is no reason to believe it will not happen again," Hochstein said.

"The way to prevent it from happening again is to … [create] new infrastructures that can allow for energy, for gas and for other sources of energy to come into Europe from other places to compete with Russian supplies."

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NBA Allows Anti-Cop Slogans on Jerseys, Not ‘Free Hong Kong

Customers looking to purchase NBA jerseys with approved custom slogans on the back have found that the NBA store endorses anti-cop slogans, but “Free Hong Kong” was forbidden.

Several would-be NBA customers took to social media to report that the NBA’s official store had curious criteria for what phrases it will allow to be put on official NBA merchandise.

“The NBA bans you, the fan, from putting #freehongkong on customized league jerseys even as they allow players to wear customized jerseys,” Clay Travis tweeted Monday.

Travis included a short video clip showing him trying to put “Free Hong Kong” into the NBA’s customization field on its website. But when he tried to type in “Free Hong Kong,” the site would not allow the phrase.

“We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered,” the website says after the phrase is typed in. “Please try a different entry.”

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CBS Commits 25 Percent of Development Budget to ‘Black, Indigenous, and People of Color’

CBS has now committed to using 25 percent of its production budget to produce TV projects dedicated to “BIPOC” topics — an acronym for “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color” — and will increase the number of minorities in creative roles.

The network has promised to flood its production companies with new minority hires, to produce minority shows, and movies, according to The Wrap. And not only will CBS dedicate 25 percent of its script-writing budget to what some assume will be woke programming, the media giant said 40 percent of its writers’ rooms on all programs will be populated by non-white writers. The network further promised that half the writing staff of every show would be required to be minorities by 2023.

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Uh-Oh: AOC's Goya Boycott is Having a Massive Effect Across the Country

After Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue visited the White House for a Hispanic jobs initiative and said nice things about President Trump, the wise and tolerant left had a tantrum and threatened to destroy his company unless he bends the knee to them.
AOC, the job-killing congresswoman and Joe Biden climate adviser from New York, took to Twitter to support a boycott.
Julian Castro, whose political appeal becomes more selective the more his fringe positions become known, joined the fray.
A recent cancel culture target develops an affinity for his captors.

Ghislaine Maxwell secretly married but won't reveal husband's name, prosecutors say

The bombshell detail was divulged as prosecutors accused her of purposely hiding her wealth

Ghislaine Maxwell is secretly married — and refusing to reveal her husband’s name, prosecutors said this week at the accused madame’s bail hearing.

The bombshell detail was divulged Tuesday as Manhattan prosecutors accused her of purposely hiding the extent of her wealth.

“In addition to failing to describe in any way the absence of proposed co-signers of a bond, the defendant also makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse whose identity she declined to provide to Pretrial Services,” Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe told Manhattan federal court Judge Alison Nathan during a video conference.

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Atlanta mayor’s ties to predecessor could damage her VP chances

Several officials from Kasim Reed's administration have been charged

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, considered to be on the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s shortlist of vice presidential candidates, could have her chances complicated by her ties to her predecessor, who left his position amid a federal pay-for-play investigation that resulted in charges for several of his top aides, according to a report.

Bottoms’ star has risen in the last several weeks amid racial justice protests in Atlanta in the wake of the police-involved deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, during which many feel she showed strong leadership.

Former Mayor Kasim Reed, who left the office in 2018, has not been accused or charged in the investigation into more than $1 million allegedly received as bribes for profitable contracts during his administration, ABC News reported. He has denied any wrongdoing. Bottoms hasn't been tied to the investigation.

“The uncertainty of the federal investigation into corruption at city hall would be something I would not want to overlook if I were choosing a running mate,” Harvey Newman, a professor at Georgia State University who has advised previous Atlanta mayors, told ABC News. “I see it as a potential problem.”

Bottoms has known Reed for decades, something she’s been public about, but she has distanced herself from him during the investigation, the report said.

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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/atlanta-mayors-ties-to-predecessor-involved-in-corruption-probe-could-damage-vp-chances

Trump may intervene in case of St. Louis couple wielding guns at protesters, Missouri governor said

The couple said they feared protesters would 'kill us'

The governor of Missouri says President Trump has promised to "do everything he could within his powers" to shield a St. Louis couple who wielded guns at protesters in their gated community from prosecution, even as an attorney for the client says charges are imminent.

Gov. Mike Parson said he spoke to Trump Tuesday and was reassured that the president-- who previously has retweeted a photo of the couple, Mark and Patricia McCloskey holding up guns in front of their house in the June 28 incident--"understands the situation in Missouri."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-st-louis-couple-wielding-guns-protesters-missouri-governor

Democrat Strategist and Hillary Clinton Crony Tells GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn to “F*ck Off,” Calls Her “Inbred Racist Trash” For Criticizing BLM

This is the left.

Democrat strategist and longtime Hillary Clinton advisor Adam Parkhomenko told GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) to “f*ck off” and called her “racist inbred trash” because she dared to criticize Black Lives Matter Marxists.

Parkhomenko served as an advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

“The life of every African American matters. But Black Lives Matter is a 501 (c)(3) organization run by “trained Marxists.” We cannot allow our great country to be destroyed under the pretense of social justice,” Senator Blackburn said in a Monday tweet.

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Joe Biden Refuses to Take Questions from Reporters for 2nd Time in Under a Week

For the second time in less than a week, Joe Biden refused to take any questions from reporters.

Biden concluded his prepared remarks and a journalist shouted, “Mr. Vice President, time for a few questions?”

"Mr. Vice President, time for a few questions?"@joebiden:pic.twitter.com/cuRCxXB4Hj

— Chris Martin (@chrisjdmartin) July 14, 2020

Biden didn’t look back and continued walking towards the exit.

On Friday, Biden visited his childhood home in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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Former Trump Attorney: John Durham “Ought to Take a Hard Look” at Mueller’s Pitbull Andrew Weissmann

In August 2019 The Gateway Pundit reported and provided support to show that the entire criminal Mueller hoax was an obstruction trap.

The Gateway Pundit reported on text messages from Peter Strzok to Lisa Page showing the Mueller Special Counsel in its first month was already working on an obstruction trap for President Trump to fall into.

They must have already known then that there was no collusion.
Yet they pursued their investigation as an attempt to take down the innocent President of the United States.

In less than a month after the Mueller Special Counsel was created, the Mueller gang was already working on their obstruction efforts against the President.

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TOTAL FAILURE: New York State and Governor Cuomo Had the Worst Coronavirus Death Ratio in the World – Higher than Any State and Higher than ANY NATION!

On Monday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo released a poster at his press conference Monday that celebrates his response to the COVID-19 China coronavirus that devastated New York state and especially New York City this year.

New York state ended up being the epicenter of the coronavirus. The state totaled over 32,000 deaths.

The new poster is cynically topped with a statement by Cuomo, “Wake Up America! Forget the Politics, Get Smart!”

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President Trump Defends Armed McCloskey Family Against the Mob

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Townhall Tuesday morning from the White House, President Trump defended St. Louis residents Mark and Patricia McCloskey after they fought for their lives and property against a trespassing mob.

"When you look at St. Louis, where two people, they came out. They were going to be beat up badly if they were lucky. If they were lucky. They were going be beat up badly and the house was going to be totally ransacked and probably burned down like they tried to burn down churches. And these people were standing there, never used it and they were legal, the weapons, and now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. It's a disgrace," Trump said.

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President Trump Threatens Federal Action in Violent, Democrat Run Cities

During an exclusive interview with Townhall from the White House Tuesday morning, President Trump warned his administration will take action if Democratic mayors and governors can't get crime under control.

"They are cities run by liberal Democrats," Trump said. "We're now looking at having to do something. You know, we have to be asked to go into a city like Chicago, which is so ridiculous where they had like, 68 shootings and 18 deaths over the weekend. It's not even comprehensible. Worse than Afghanistan, worse than any war zone."

"We're supposed to be asked. She is supposed to call, the mayor, Lightfoot, Lori, she's supposed to call and say 'we need your help.' We call her, 'would you like to have us come in,' and they don't want us and I say, 'what's going on?'" he continued.

During the interview, President Trump said police in cities like Chicago and New York City aren't allowed to do their jobs and are terrified of legal action.

"We are going to have to do something very comprehensive," he said. "It means sending people in. It means sending people in to clean it up... there's a point at which we're allowed to go in and that point is rapidly being reached... there's a point at which we will have to do it because we just have to do it for the good of the country."

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Hogan Administration Uncovers Massive Criminal Fraud Scheme

47,500 Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Using Identity Theft Totaling Over $501 MillionAlerted U.S. Attorney and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector GeneralMaryland Department of Labor Assisting in Investigation of Similar Fraud Cases 
In States Across the Country
Governor Provides Brief COVID-19 Update, Stresses ‘Safer at Home’ Public Health Guidance
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has uncovered a massive and sophisticated criminal enterprise involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Maryland and totaling over $501 million. The governor was joined for today’s announcement by Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and Special Agent Derek Pickle from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
Maryland’s swift and decisive actions to notify federal authorities and expose this illegal scheme helped shed light on related fraudulent criminal activity in other states across the country. The Maryland Department of Labor continues to coordinate on the ongoing investigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOL-OIG.
“Thanks to the efforts of our Labor Department, not only did we identify the fraudulent activity here in Maryland and save the taxpayers half a billion dollars, but we also helped federal authorities uncover related illegal activity in states across the country,” said Governor Hogan. “This criminal enterprise seeking to take advantage of a global pandemic to steal hundreds of millions—perhaps billions—of dollars from taxpayers is despicable. We will continue to work with both the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General on this ongoing investigation, both here in Maryland and in other states across the country, to do whatever it takes to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis by using their stolen personal information to fraudulently attempt to obtain unemployment benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We are grateful for our partnership with the State of Maryland in stopping unemployment fraud and believe that this joint federal-state partnership will continue to bear fruit. We will continue to work together to prevent this abuse as well as continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of COVID-19 scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity or fraudulent use of their personal information.”
“Today’s announcement results from our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State of Maryland, and demonstrates our joint commitment to combating fraud in the Unemployment Insurance program,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge, Washington Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “The OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to aggressively pursue criminals who choose to enrich themselves without regard for taxpayers and individuals who truly need assistance.” 
The Maryland Department of Labor is now reporting the following:
  • Over $4.3 billion in CARES Act and regular unemployment insurance benefits payments have been paid out.
  • 96.4% of all claims have been successfully processed.
  • The proportion of pending cases (3.6%) is below pre-pandemic levels.
COVID-19 UPDATES: In the second part of his press conference, Governor Hogan provided a number of COVID-19 updates to Marylanders. On Tuesday, he met with the Maryland Coronavirus Recovery Team of doctors, public health experts, scientists, business, and labor leaders, and held an emergency meeting of the full Cabinet.
  • Bars and Enforcement. The governor continued to stress the importance of local leaders enforcing public health requirements in bars and restaurants. State health officials are strongly advising that young people should avoid crowded bars, house parties, and large gatherings of any kind. Any Marylanders who have engaged in this type of behavior should immediately get tested for COVID-19.
  • Out-of-State Travel. State health officials are strongly advising that Marylanders refrain from traveling to areas that are experiencing rapidly escalating numbers. Any Marylander who has traveled to, or is returning from travel out of state, especially from any states that are experiencing spiking numbers should immediately get tested.
     
  • Safer At Home. The governor continues to advise Marylanders to heed all state and local public health guidance:
     
    • All Marylanders are still safer at home, particularly older and more vulnerable populations. 
    • Employers should continue to encourage telework for their employees whenever possible. 
    • Marylanders should not use public transportation unless it is absolutely necessary.
    • Everyone should continue wearing masks or face coverings in public areas, businesses, and on public transportation. 
    • Marylanders should continue practicing physical distancing, staying six feet apart when possible, and should avoid all large gatherings.
       
  • Schools. Local jurisdictions continue to submit their proposed reopening plans for Maryland public schools to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) ahead of the August 14 deadline. MSDE will institute protocols that follow CDC guidance, take into account the input of public health experts, and provide flexibility to local school systems. State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon will provide an update to Marylanders next week.
  • Testing. While a number of states have experienced testing shortages, Maryland continues to expand its testing capacity, with a strategic stockpile of tests and a long-term strategy. Maryland has more than 220 testing sites available across the state. Visitcovidtest.maryland.gov to find a site that is convenient for you.

The Time for School Choice Is Now

On Monday, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation's second-largest public school system, announced that every child will not be returning to their classrooms this fall and will be forced to attend classes via digital, at-home learning protocols.

On the very same day, St. John Bosco High School, a prestigious Catholic school in Los Angeles county just seventeen miles from downtown LA announced it'd open their classrooms to its students for full-time, five-day-a-week learning next month.

What's the difference between Bosco and LAUSD? Why has the private school figured out how to accommodate basic COVID safety protocols for regular classroom functions and the government-run school system can't?

It appears the difference could be the California teacher's union whose leadership presented a fact-challenged paper making a series of demands on the school district to meet before their membership would agree to return to the classroom.

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Michigan dispute over wearing coronavirus mask inside convenience store leads to stabbing, fatal shooting

The incident came on the second day of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's order that toughened requirements that masks be worn inside businesses

A Michigan man suspected of stabbing an elderly man outside a convenience store after being refused service for not wearing a mask was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy, authorities said Tuesday.

Sean Ernest Ruis, 43, of Grand Ledge, walked into a Quality Dairy store in Windsor Township before just after 6:30 a.m. and got into an argument with 77-year-old man inside during a confrontation over Ruis' refusal to wear a face covering, Michigan State Police Lt. Brian Oleksyk said.

Both men left the store and continued the dispute in the parking lot. Ruis stabbed the man and fled the area in a car, Oleksyk said.

An Eaton County Sheriff's deputy spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Ruis allegedly got out the car holding a knife and approached the deputy, authorities said.

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California beach revival attended by 1,000: ‘The church has left the building’

A worship leader believes it's a sign 'we're in the beginning of something historic'

Days before California churches closed due to a surge in coronavirus cases, there was a massive evangelical Christian gathering on Huntington Beach near Los Angeles.

Around 1,000 gathered at Lifeguard Stand 20, bringing together several local ministries. Last week, 30 people were baptized on the beach, according to organizers.

The beachside evangelical movement is called "Saturate OC" and co-organizer Jessi Green told the Los Angeles Times it has had a "ripple-effect."

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Gutfeld knocks Biden over climate change plan: 'Apocalyptic nine-year vision' is 'not based on any science'

'Greg Gutfeld Show' host calls Biden economic plan 'kind of terrifying'

"The Five" co-host Greg Gutfeld argued Tuesday that Joe Biden's strategy to combat climate change is not based on established science but rather left-wing "hysteria" conjured by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

"Biden, economically, is kind of terrifying because he's all in on the Green New Deal, including this apocalyptic nine-year vision that is not based on any science but rather AOC-led hysteria," The "Greg Gutfeld Show" host said.

During his remarks in Wilmington, Biden accused President Trump of considering climate change a "hoax," while claiming that "science tells us we have nine years before the damage is irreversible."

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https://www.foxnews.com/media/greg-gutfeld-biden-climate-change-apocalyptic-vision

Mayors endorse reparations that study pegged at $6.2 quadrillion

Unanimously adopt resolution supports congressional study group

A political organization for U.S. mayors has adopted a resolution in support of reparations for blacks, and while the mayors didn't address the cost, one study has suggested it could reach $6.2 quadrillion.

That would be 6,200 trillion.

And that's without considering the "costs of colonial slavery, as well as racial discrimination following the abolition of slavery in the United States."

By comparison, the Gross Domestic Product of the world for 2019 was about $142 trillion, making the reparations about 43 times the total of the world's production for the year.

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Thomas Sowell: U.S. could reach 'point of no return' under Biden

'Systemic racism' has no true meaning, says revered black economist
Economist and author Thomas Sowell warned that a Joe Biden presidency could be the "point of no return" for America.
"If the election goes to Biden, there's a good chance that the Democrats will control [Congress] and considering the kinds of things that they're proposing, that could well be the point of no return for this country," he said in an interview that aired Sunday on "Life Liberty & Levin" with Mark Levin.

Sowell said that even though he is regarded as pessimistic he was "never pessimistic enough to think things would degenerate to the point where they are now where adult human beings are talking about getting rid of the police."

"I never dreamed we'd come to this point. It just seems such utter madness," he said. "And what is frightening is how many people in responsible positions are caving in to every demand that is made, repeating any kind of nonsense that you’re supposed to repeat."

Sowell, who turned 90 last month, has served on the faculties of universities such as Cornell and UCLA. Since 1980, he has been a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Levin asked Sowell about the left's claim that America is beset by "systemic racism."

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Zogby: Biden's support from blacks is 'dismal'

Likely will force him to choose African-American running mate

Pollster John Zogby says black support for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is "dismal," arguing for the selection of a black woman as his running mate.

Two recent polls reflect the possible concern for the Biden campaign. Zogby Strategies and EMI Research Solutions show Biden has the support of 77% of blacks. President Trump is at 14% support. And Rasmussen Reports recently found 21% of black people support a second term for Trump.

Zogby said the "whole world is watching" as Biden decides on a running mate.

"These numbers among blacks are dismal," he said.

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LA teachers union wants schools to stay closed until they defunding the police

Subject: Clueless: Portland Mayor Blames Trump for 'Escalating' Antifa and BLM Riots

For 46 nights, downtown Portland has been the scene out of a post-apocalyptic graphic novel with shadowy black-clad, tattooed antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters taking hammers and skateboards to bash-in the windows of banks, public buildings, and the heads of federal officers. But now the Portland mayor says the riots are President Trump’s fault.

The Mark O. Hatfield Justice Center, Portland’s federal courthouse, has been under siegenearly every night by rioters attempting to bash in the doors, set fires, and loot it.

President Trump sent in extra federal agents to defend the building.

The Portland Police Officers Association, which itself has become a target for antifa, has issued a no-confidence vote in political Portland.

An exasperated Portland police union President Daryl Turner said in a news conference, “I have no confidence that city council will stand up for all of Portland. I have no confidence that the city will stop the rioting and the looting and protect the safety and livelihood of Portlanders.”

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Way Fair Questions Need to Be Asked

Shenanigan's Closes Their Doors In Ocean City Maryland




Trump admin drops plan to deport foreign students amid lawsuits

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has abandoned plans to deport international students amid the coronavirus pandemic after two of the nation’s top universities sued immigration authorities.

Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology won a legal battle on Tuesday challenging new immigration guidelines that said international students would face being deported if they took their classes entirely online in the fall, according to multiple reports.

US District Judge Allison D. Burroughs made the announcement during a teleconferenced hearing after the top colleges brought the legal challenge last week.

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Veepstakes: Biden Wants a Black Woman Who Will Stay in Her Place

'Now that the White House finally seems within reach, he does not want to be outshone.'

Joe Biden has promised to pick a woman as his running mate and has faced increasing pressure to choose a black woman, but he also wants a VP candidate who will stay in her place and won't steal his spotlight.

The Atlantic reports that Biden's campaign is seriously considering Rep. Karen Bass (D., Calif.) as a potential running mate for one crucial reason: She doesn't want to be president.

Biden has wanted to be president for almost 40 years. Now that the White House finally seems within reach, he does not want to be outshone, according to people who know him. He wants to win, but he wants the win to be about him, not his running mate.

VP candidates typically don't matter much in presidential elections, but Biden's advanced age (77) and noticeable cognitive decline make his decision particularly consequential. Biden has hinted that he only plans to serve one term as president if he wins, so he essentially will be anointing the next Democratic nominee for president.

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GOP's Hawley Calls NBA Subpoena 'Great Idea'

MO senator wants league to explain financial dealings with China

Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) wants to subpoena NBA commissioner Adam Silver to testify about the league's relationship with China.

"We deserve to have them explain to us why they won't stand up to this authoritarian regime. … I mean, it's not a hard question to answer, do you think that the Chinese government ought to be putting people into concentration camps," Hawley said Monday morning on the Hugh Hewitt Show. "Getting these answers is absolutely crucial, and I'm open to just about any avenue to get them."

Hawley's comments came after the Missouri Republican sent an open letter to the NBA that condemned its new jersey policy, which allows players to wear messages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement but does not allow them to select messages criticizing human rights violations in China.

"If a player chooses to display a message of support for victims of the Chinese Communist Party on their jersey, will the NBA allow the player to wear their jersey or will it censor that player in order to avoid drawing Beijing's ire?" the letter reads. No amount of profit can justify collaborating with a regime for which violent suppression and enslavement are routine tools of governance."

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HAKIM LITTLETON GOT WHAT HE DESERVED

ALL BECAUSE SHE SAID ALL LIVES MATTER

Demo-cat? Voter Registration form Mailed to Family’s Long-Dead Cat

Ron Paul: Will The Fed Cause The Next Riots?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly both recently denied that the Federal Reserve’s policies create economic inequality. Unfortunately for Powell, Daly, and other Fed promoters, a cursory look at the Fed’s operations shows that the central bank is the leading cause of economic inequality.

The Federal Reserve manipulates the money supply by buying and selling government securities. This means that when the Fed decides to pump money into the economy, it does so by putting it in the pockets of wealthy, and oftentimes politically-connected, investors who are able to spend the new money before the Fed’s actions result in widespread inflation.

Wealthy individuals also tend to be among the first to invest in the bubbles that form when the Fed distorts interest rates, which are the price of money. These investors may lose some money when the bubble bursts, but these losses are usually outweighed by their gains, so they end up profiting from the Fed-created boom-bubble-bust cycle.

In contrast, middle-class Americans lose jobs as well as savings, houses, and other assets when bubbles burst. They will also not benefit as much as the rich and well-connected from government bailouts and stimulus schemes. Middle- and working-class Americans also suffer from a steady erosion of their standard of living because of the Fed’s devaluation of the currency. This is the reason why so many Americans rely on credit cards to cover routine expenses. The Federal Reserve is thus the reason why total US credit card debt is almost one trillion dollars.

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Executive Bob Culver Announces Acceptance of $18.1 Million CARES Act Grant Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport

The U. S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently extended a Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) grant offer with a maximum obligation of $18,120,304 to the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport. With the approval of Resolution No. 47-2020 on July 7, 2020, the Wicomico County Council authorized the County Executive to accept the grant award. On July 9, 2020, the grant agreement was fully executed.

The purpose of the grant is to maintain safe and efficient airport operations. The grant funds are available for a period of four years and can be used to help offset a severe decline in revenues resulting from diminished airport operations and activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Passenger counts at the airport have fallen significantly along with related revenues because of COVID-19. The airport will utilize funding for allowable operational and maintenance expenses as well as infrastructure repairs, improvements, and development projects that FAA determines eligible under the grant.

With the acceptance of the grant, Wicomico County and the airport agree to terms and conditions outlined in the grant agreement. These terms and conditions ensure that grant funds are spent appropriately, proper financial reporting and auditing is maintained, and other special conditions are adhered to.

Wicomico County extends its gratitude to Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen for supporting this much needed relief.

Harris Announces More Than $500,000 in Grants for Economic Development on Eastern Shore

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) announced that the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore have each been selected to receive sizable grants from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Specifically, the Mid-Shore Regional Council will receive $400,000 and the Tri-County Council will receive $107,937. Funding was provided through the CARES Act, which passed Congress this past Spring. These grants are designed to provide supplemental financial assistance to help the councils respond to the unusual and compelling urgency of the coronavirus pandemic.

Congressman Harris made the following statement:

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I applaud the award of these federal grants to the Eastern Shore regional councils to support redevelopment and revitalization on the Eastern Shore. These funds will help our regional communities and businesses respond to and recover from the devastating impact of the coronavirus outbreak and the shutdown of our local economy. I will continue to support our local governments and main street businesses working to maintain jobs during this pandemic.”