Cut to the News
Cut through the clutter to today's top news
October 20, 2021
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Welcome to today's top news.
Leading the News . . .
Leftism is the enemy of liberalism -- Why Liberals Keep Voting for the Leftists? . . . Commentary. Liberalism and leftism have virtually nothing in common. In fact, leftism is the enemy of liberalism.
- The Left has never believed in free speech and has suppressed dissent wherever it has assumed power. Free speech is a pillar of liberalism, and it has always embraced dissent.
- The Left rejects the anti-racist ideal of colorblindness. Colorblind is the liberal racial ideal.
- The Left supports racial segregation — such as all-black dorms and separate black graduations. Liberals have always advocated racial integration.
- The Left has always loathed capitalism. Liberals were always major advocates of capitalism — recognizing that only capitalism has lifted billions of people out of poverty.
- The Left has always been anti-Israel. Liberals have always been fervent supporters of Israel.
- The Left has always held America in contempt. Liberals loved this country. A liberal wrote “God Bless America.” No leftist would write such a song.
- Leftists want to defund the police. No liberal does.
It is conservatives who protect virtually every liberal value. It is conservatives who seek to preserve free speech, racial integration, love of America, a strong Israel and capitalism.
So why do liberals vote for the Left, for the very people who hold liberals and their values in contempt? Patriot Post
Good question.
Biden’s low approval rating may soon be set in stone . . . Biden’s net negative job approval numbers are cementing, according to pollster David Paleologos. Disapproval of Biden outpaced his approval in the last seven national surveys, other than a CNN tie , Suffolk University Political Research Center’s director told the Washington Examiner. “You can only break that hardening with some added wins legislatively, or you
have some major event that totally reshapes Biden’s approval and the public’s perception of Biden’s approval,” he said, employing Sept. 11 as a previous example. Biden’s problems are exacerbated by the economy, particularly so-called “stagflation,” according to Paleologos. Stagflation refers to the confluence of stagnant economic growth and high inflation rates. White House Dossier
Dems hit crossroads on voting rights . . . Democrats are about to reach a new political crossroads on voting rights as the Senate gears up for a procedural vote Wednesday that is doomed to failure. The vote to proceed to the bill would require 60 votes in the Senate, meaning 10 Republicans would have to join with all 50 Democrats to overcome a filibuster. Yet Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has made clear that Republicans
will not help Democrats move forward on legislation that many in the GOP believe would cost Republicans in future elections. Another failure would set up more disappointment for Democrats, who feel they have little to show from having elected President Biden to the White House and winning majorities in the House and Senate. The Hill
Biden nominee Saule Omarova calls financial services 'quintessential a------ industry' . . . President Joe Biden’s nominee for Comptroller of the Currency in the Department of Treasury once used a strong epithet to refer to those in the financial services industry, raising questions about her objectivity if confirmed to the post. "The financial services industry, in my view, and I don’t think I’m alone here, is the quintessential a------
industry," Cornell University law professor Saule Omarova can be seen saying in a video circulating on social media. Fox News
Biden makes transgender Rachel Levine a four-star ‘admiral’ in uniformed health service . . . According to a statement from HHS: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publicly announced today the nation’s first openly transgender four-star officer across any of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Admiral Rachel Levine, who serves as the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health and head of the U.S. Public Health
Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, was ceremonially sworn in as a four-star admiral. Admiral Levine now serves as the highest ranking official in the USPHS Commissioned Corps and its first-ever female four-star admiral. Today’s historic announcement builds on the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ History Month and is a major step forward as we work to create a more inclusive society. White House Dossier
Insult to women, especially to those who serve.
Harris takes central role in climate fight . . . When Vice President Harris took the lead Monday on selling the Biden administration’s infrastructure and climate change plans, her allies say it represented a moment for her to speak to an issue that she has championed since her days as a senator. “She is very personally engaged in climate and environmental justice,” said one ally close to the White House, pointing to Harris’s days in the
Senate. “In the Senate, she had more meaningful climate bills than people realized,” the ally said, pointing to the former California senator’s climate equity plan unveiled in 2019 with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). The Hill
She now needs to acquire a private jet, like Kerry.
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US military only ‘marginally able’ to meet needs, think tank argues . . . The U.S. military is only “marginally” able to defend the country’s national interests at home and abroad, the conservative Heritage Foundation’s 2022 Index of U.S. Military Strength found. The more than 600-page index, released on Tuesday night, concludes that the U.S. military is “likely capable” of meeting the demands of a single major regional conflict though it
“certainly would be ill-equipped to handle two nearly simultaneous” major regional conflicts. The conservative think tank rated each military branch on its capacity, capability, and readiness. Each was given a ranking: "very weak," "weak," "marginal," "strong," or "very strong," in addition to an overall grade. Washington Examiner
Cybersecurity firm says Chinese digital spies have hacked telecom data . . . A network of digital spies with connections to Chinese interests has hacked part of the global telecommunications network to steal a large amount of cellphone data, according to a California-based cybersecurity firm. CrowdStrike reported on its blog Tuesday the results of an investigation that shows the hacking group, dubbed “LightBasin” by the firm and known
publicly as UNC1945, has compromised at least 13 global telecommunications companies since 2019. The Washington Times
Colonial Pipeline Hack by Russia Shows Peril Of Ignoring Military Cyber Vulnerabilities . . . The Colonial Pipeline hack should serve as a wake up call for the US military, which needs to move quickly to protect its logistics enterprise from cyber attacks, two top defense officials said today. In May, Russian-based hackers breached Colonial Pipeline’s networks, causing a gas shortage, skyrocketing fuel prices and ultimately costing the
company $5 million in ransom money — and all those hackers needed was one password, said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who spoke at the National Defense Transportation Association conference Monday. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. If we don’t protect our data, it is wide open for our competitors to steal or manipulate and to disrupt our military operations,” he said. Breaking Defense
Russia scrambles fighter jets to escort U.S. strategic bombers over Black Sea . . . Russia scrambled two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to escort a pair of U.S. B-1B strategic bombers over the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday, an incident that coincided with a visit to the region by the U.S. secretary of defense. The supersonic U.S. Cold war-era planes were originally designed to carry nuclear bombs and missiles but now
carry conventional payloads. "Russian fighter crews identified the aerial targets as two U.S. Air Force supersonic strategic B-1B bombers, accompanied by two KC-135 refuelling planes, and escorted them over the waters of the Black Sea," the defence ministry said in a statement accompanied by video footage of the U.S. aircraft in flight. Reuters
China’s test of hypersonic weapon is part of a program to rapidly expand strategic and nuclear systems . . . China is in the midst of a rapid expansion of its strategic and nuclear weapons systems, and its progress has alarmed U.S. national security officials. Most recently, in August, China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic vehicle that partially orbited the globe before hurtling toward earth. It also has constructed hundreds of
new missile silos. And it is building a new generation of strategic ballistic missile submarines. Washington Post
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Putin takes advantage of democratic Europe’s self-defeating climate policies . . . With winter fast approaching, Europe finds itself in an energy crisis—and reliant on the tender mercies of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. It’s a self-induced disaster years in the making. European energy prices are up more than five times from a year ago, as Asian consumption has risen and supply has tightened around the world.
Russia supplies about half of the Continent’s natural gas, which heats homes and powers industry. While Moscow is fulfilling long-term contracts, it is refusing significant spot gas sales. Mr. Putin said last week that his country is supplying as much gas as possible, but International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol estimated this month that Russia could boost exports to Europe by 15%. Several Russian officials have made clear that political concessions would ease the crisis. Wall Street Journal
U.S. Tells Russia to Return Crimea to Ukraine, Stop Cyber Attacks on America and Allies . . . The U.S. has affirmed Ukraine's sovereignty despite Russia's aggression within the nation. In a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the U.S. and its allies support Ukraine's authority in the future of their foreign policy. Zelenskyy has said that the U.S. is
Ukraine's "chief partner in security and defense" as Russia annexation of Crimea in Ukraine threatens the country's territorial integrity. Austin has criticized Russia for the Ukrainian take over of the peninsula and for their support of the rebels in East Ukraine. Newsweek
Maybe Joe Biden should promise Putin "more flexibility"? Since waiving the sanctions on Nordstream 2 and handing in a target list for Russian cyber attacks on US critical infrastructure didn't make Putin like us yet. You never know, it might work this time.
Russia’s Move to Cut NATO Ties Complicates Biden’s Pivot to China . . . Moscow’s decision to halt its mission to NATO escalates a growing dispute with the alliance and complicates the Biden administration’s effort to manage deteriorating relations with Russia as it seeks to focus on China. Russia’s decision to recall its diplomats from its mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s headquarters in Brussels at the end of October
follows the alliance’s expulsion earlier this month of eight Russian officials, whom NATO called undeclared intelligence officers. The Russian Foreign Ministry called its move on Monday a reaction to “unfriendly actions.” The ministry also said it would close NATO’s military mission and information bureau in Moscow. Wall Street Journal
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October surprise for Navy vax evaders: Service might claw back bonuses, training, education costs . . . Under new administrative guidance issued last week, the U.S.Navy will discharge from service all active-duty personnel who don't get the COVID jabs by the Nov. 28 deadline "absent a pending or approved exemption" — and might demand that refuseniks personally reimburse the service for a range of costs associated with their compensation and
training. The Reserve deadline is Dec. 28. The initial COVID vaccine mandate was issued Aug. 25 by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Navy's new guidance officially prescribes penalties and provides enforcement authorities for noncompliance within the service. Just the
News
Supreme Court Declines To Block Vaccine Mandate For Health Workers . . . The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block a vaccine mandate for health workers in the state of Maine on Tuesday, sending a potential green light to state mandates across the country. Justice Stephen Breyer, who handles emergency requests from Maine for the court, was responsible for the denial, which he said came “without prejudice.” The challenge came from a group of
Maine health workers who argued Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ vaccine mandate was illegal. With the SCOTUS denial, the mandate for employees at hospitals and nursing homes will take effect next week. Daily Caller
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Warnock has spent over $600K in campaign cash on personal security, despite gun control push . . . Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, has spent more than $600,000 on personal security over the past year, despite repeatedly pushing for gun control, according to new campaign finance data reviewed by FOX Business. Federal Election Commission filings released last Friday show that Warnock's campaign paid $603,161
between October 2020 and September 2021 to Executive Protection Agencies, an Atlanta-based private security detail company. The company, according to its website, provides executive protection that comes with a "keen eye with a thorough knowledge of the venue through threat assessment" for its clients. In the third quarter alone, Warnock spent $159,791 on personal security. Fox Business
Video | Jen Psaki: Spending won’t cost anything, because I said so . . . Of course President Biden’s plans are going to cost future generations. For one, the tax increases needed to pay for them are now tax increases that can’t be used to pay down the
deficit. Not that we need tax increases instead of spending cuts. But what’s more, these programs always go on longer than they are supposed to, and always cost more than expected. Or at better, more than advertised. From the transcript of Wednesday’s White House briefing:
Q Does the President still believe that Build Back Better will not add a dime to the national debt?
MS. PSAKI: Correct. It won’t.
Q Why would he — why should Americans believe that?
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Christian employers seek injunction against Biden rule on transgender procedure payments . . . A national group representing Christian employers has sued the Biden administration over mandates that religious nonprofit and for-profit employers fund “gender transition surgeries, procedures, counseling, and treatments,” attorneys at the Alliance Defending Freedom said.
The action, filed in federal district court in Bozeman, Montana, on behalf of the Christian Employers Alliance, which represents nonprofit and for-profit organizations, is the latest of several actions involving the mandates. On Tuesday, the public interest law firm filed a motion asking a federal court to immediately halt enforcement of the measures. Washington Times
Jan. 6 committee recommends Bannon face criminal contempt for defying subpoena . . . The House Jan. 6 select committee voted Tuesday night to recommend that Steve Bannon, a one-time top adviser to former President Donald Trump, be held in contempt of Congress over his refusal to cooperate with an ongoing investigation into the Capitol riot. The panel’s unanimous recommendation will advance to the full House for another vote, which will
occur Thursday. If approved, the measure will advance to the Justice Department, whose officials will make the final decision on whether to prosecute Bannon. The former Trump adviser could face a fine or a jail term of up to 12 months. Fox News
Joe Rogan Issues Stark Warning: ‘Ideas That You Can’t Make Fun Of Are Dangerous’ . . . Joe Rogan warned that ideas “you can’t make fun of are dangerous” as he slammed the outrage over Dave Chappelle’s LGBTQ comments. “If you don’t have an enemy, you make an enemy,” the host explained Tuesday during “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast when discussing the backlash over Chappelle’s Netflix stand-up special “The Closer”. He noted how when the
level of “people who” truly hate someone drops, a person starts looking for “equilibrium and what they “are upset about.” “So, now you’re more upset about jokes,” Rogan explained. “Now silence is violence … it becomes this weird control level. When you start equating jokes with real feelings, they are not the same thing.” Daily
Caller
US marshals inspect DC jail and speak with Jan. 6 inmates . . . U.S. marshals visited the Washington, D.C., Central Detention Facility Monday and spoke to inmates arrested during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol following claims of poor treatment, according to new reports. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chris Geldart confirmed the inspectors were speaking with Jan. 6 defendants and said all court orders were being followed at the
facility, NBC4 reported. “We have been working with the Marshals office,” he said. “As a matter of fact, they’re in there today doing an inspection of the jail and talking with many of the Jan. 6 folks that are there to make sure that we are continuing to do that.” Washington Examiner
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Police answering 4-year-old’s call confirm his toys are cool . . . An emergency call made by a 4-year-old New Zealand boy asking for police to come over and check out his toys prompted a real-life callout and confirmation from an officer that the toys were, indeed, pretty cool. Police shared audio of the call on social media this week along with a photo of the smiling boy sitting on the hood of a patrol cruiser, noting that while they
don’t encourage children to call the emergency number, the incident was “too cute not to share.”
The call begins all business: “This is police, where is the emergency?”
There’s a pause as the unidentified boy hesitantly says, “Hi,” and then “Police lady?”
“Yes,” the dispatcher asks, switching to a friendlier, singsong tone. “What’s going on?”
“Um, can I tell you something?” the boy asks, and after being told he can, says “I’ve got some toys for you.”
“You’ve got some toys for me?” says the dispatcher.
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