Archive for the ‘Rand Paul’ Category

Not allowed to say that | News, Sports, Jobs – The Inter-Mountain

Over the past three years, we reporters learned there were certain things that we werent allowed to say. Not long ago, in fact, my new video may have been censored.

One dangerous idea, we were told, was that COVID might have been created in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. That seems very possible, since the institute studied coronaviruses in bats, and Americas National Institutes of Health gave the lab money to perform gain-of-function research, experiments where scientists try to make a virus more virulent or transmissible.

A Washington Post writer worried the lab leak theory could increase racist attacks against Chinese people and further fuel anti-Asian hate.

The establishment media fell in line, insisting that COVID most likely came from a local market that sold animals.

Left-wing TV mocked the lab theory as a fringe idea that came from a certain corner of the right.

This coronavirus was not manmade, said MSNBCs Chris Hayes, confidently, That is not a possibility.

Not even a possibility?

Debate about it, we were told, posed a new threat: misinformation.

Facebook banned the lab leak theory, calling it a false claim.

But now the U.S. Department of Energy says the pandemic most likely came from a lab leak. FBI director Christopher Wray now says the origin of the pandemic is most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan.

For two years, the most likely explanation was censored.

Do the media gatekeepers apologize for their censorship? No.

The closest to an admission of guilt I found was from Chris Hayes, who eventually said, Theres a kernel of truth to the idea that some folks were too quick to shut down the lab leak theory.

There was more than a kernel of truth. Again and again, politically correct media silenced people who spoke the truth.

Facebook throttled the reach of science journalist John Tierneys articles simply because he reported, accurately, that requiring masks can hurt kids.

YouTube suspended Sen. Rand Paul for saying, Most of the masks you get over the counter dont work.

But what they said is true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance to say cloth masks are not very effective. And now a big study failed to find evidence that wearing even good masks stops the spread of viruses.

Probably the most blatant censorship was Twitters shutting down the New York Posts reporting about Hunter Bidens laptop.

Twitter wouldnt let users decide for themselves. The company just called the Posts report potentially harmful and blocked users from sharing it.

Facebook, as usual, was sneakier, suppressing the story instead of banning it outright. Thats what they do to my climate change reporting.

Today, the media admit the Post story is true. But they dont admit they were wrong. Now they just say things like, Nobody cares about Hunter Bidens laptop.

Bad as the media are, whats worse is that government wanted to censor.

Sen. Mark Warner complained, Weve done nothing in terms of content regulation!

Fortunately, his colleagues were not as irresponsible as he; no censorship legislation passed. But government did apply lots of pressure.

The White House asked Facebook to kill what they called disinformation, even urging them to censor private WhatsApp messages.

Now that Elon Musk owns Twitter and opened up the companys internal files, we know that censorhip requests came from every corner of government, as journalist Matt Taibbi put it.

Even individual politicians tried to censor.

Maine Sen. Angus Kings staff complained about Twitter accounts that they considered anti-King. Rep. Adam Schiffs office asked Twitter to suppress search results.

Fortunately, Twitter refused.

But the sad truth is that lots of government agencies and media tyrants want to limit what you read and hear.

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Not allowed to say that | News, Sports, Jobs - The Inter-Mountain

Key Bills Advance out of Senate Homeland Security Committee – FEDmanager

April 11, 2023 FEDmanager

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs has advanced a slew of legislation that could impact the federal workforce.

The Saving Money and Accelerating Repairs Through (SMART) Leasing Act (S.211)

This legislation would create a program that allows federal agencies to lease underutilized and vacant properties to the private sector. The Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) must approve the leases. The rent payments would be used to fund capital project and facilities maintenance.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) authored the legislation.

Federal Agency Performance Act of 2023 (S.709)

The legislation aims to improve accountability and transparency among federal agencies by requiring regular reviews of an agencys performance goals and then making more of that data public. It updates the Government Performance and Budget Act.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) authored the bill.

Increased transparency and accountability are key when it comes to improving the performance of federal agencies for taxpayers, said Senator Braun.

Clear and Concise Content Act (S.717)

The bill would ensure that information published by the government, including guidance, instructions, and other key information, is written in plain language. It also updates the Plain Writing Act of 2010 to expand the types of information that agencies must publish in plain writing.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) authored the legislation.

Duplication Scoring Act of 2023 (S.780)

This legislation, sponsored by Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rand Paul (R-KY), aims to prevent duplicate programs in the federal government. The bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to analyze legislation reported by any congressional committee, and then report if the legislation would create a duplicate program, office, or initiative, with the goal of cutting down on wasteful spending.

Guidance Clarity Act of 2023 (S.108)

The legislation would require federal agencies to include a guidance clarity statement, which states that the guidance is not issued in accordance with the rulemaking process and therefore is not legally binding.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) sponsored the bill.

Federal Data Center Enhancement Act (S.933)

The legislation instructs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop security protection requirements at federal data centers. That includes both cyber and physical threats such as wildfires.

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sponsored the bill.

GAO Database Modernization Act of 2023 (S.679)

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) sponsored this legislation that would require federal agencies to report to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) any rules that are revoked, suspended, replaced, amended, or otherwise made ineffective.

IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act (S.670)

This bipartisan legislation enhances the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) ability to fight human trafficking by making permanent and expanding the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Victim Assistance Program. The bill also improves and makes permanent a program that promotes the wellbeing of HSI employees who deal with the stress and associated trauma of supporting victims of human trafficking.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sponsored the bill.

The federal government must support victims of human trafficking, as well as the professionals who work each and every day to stop these crimes, said Senator Peters.

END FENTANYL Act (S.206) (Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life Act)

The legislation aims to cut down on illegal drugs, by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to review and update policies related to inspections at ports of entry and the border. The updates would be required every three years to ensure the guidance is up to date.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is the chief sponsor.

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Key Bills Advance out of Senate Homeland Security Committee - FEDmanager

Riley Gaines says she was attacked after speaking at California … – khqa.com

SAN FRANCISCO (TND) Riley Gaines, who used to swim for the University of Kentucky and who has gained attention for speaking out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports, says that she was attacked after she gave a speech to students at San Francisco State University on Thursday night.

Gaines spoke on "Saving Women's Sports" at a Turning Point USA and Leadership Institute even on the university's campus that night, according to Fox News. The former U.K. swimmer says on Twitter that she was "ambushed" and "physically hit twice by a man" after her speech.

Gaines's husband, Louis Barker, reportedly told Fox News that he was able to have "brief conversations" with his wife while she was barricaded in a room for almost three hours.

Gaines reportedly had to be escorted by police and barricaded in a room as protesters continued to gather on campus. A Turning Point USA spokesperson reportedly told Fox News that protesters "rushed in when the event was over" and that they were there to protest Gaines's speech alongside Turning Point USA as a whole.

Several social media users took videos of the event and shared them with their followers. Some prominent conservative voices responded to the video clips, and Gaines's statement, by condemning the protesters.

Victoria Coley, vice president for communications at Independent Womens Forum (IWF) said in a statement that her organization "strongly condemn[s] the violence perpetrated against" Gaines.

The University Police Department (UPD) at San Francisco State University has told Fox News that they are "conducting an ongoing investigation into the situation" but there "were no arrests related to the event." The UPD reportedly did acknowledge that "the disruption" happened after Turning Point USA's event was over and that it "made it necessary for UPD officers to move the event speaker from the room to a different, safe location."

The topic of transgender inclusion in women's sports has been a hot political issue for some time now. Transgender athlete Lia Thomas, who swam for the University of Pennsylvania, ignited much of the conversation after repeatedly dominating at women's meets and championships. Thomas has long since been surrounded by controversy, but Gaines has been a particularly vocal critic of the transgender athlete after the two competed.

Gaines and Thomas competed at the NCAA Championships in the 200-meter race. Both swimmers tied times down to the hundredth of a second, but Gaines claims Thomas received a trophy that day for "photo purposes" while she had to wait for hers in the mail. Gaines later claimed that Thomas was disrespecting female athletes by competing in women's divisions.

The University of Kentucky swimmer's outspokenness earned her praise from supporters and incredible ire from critics, some of whom claimed Gaines was "transphobic" and a "sore loser." Gaines has seen support from Republican lawmakers, having been featured in a campaign advertisement for her state's Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., reelection efforts. Gaines said at the time Paul was "not afraid to fight for fairness" and she was supporting his midterm 2022 bid, which he later won.

Paul, during an appearance on Fox News alongside Gaines, said that fairness in women's sports is "not really a Republican or Democrat issue" as "no one thinks this is fair." Gaines said, during the same Fox News segment, that support from people like Sen. Rand Paul "means a lot," considering those circumstances.

During the interview, Gaines went on to say that she believes President Joe Biden's administration's policies are "absolutely not pro-women" and left-wing policies are, at times, "regressive."

In the United States, some lawmakers are drafting legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in any women's sports. Some of those proposals are sitting in state legislatures, and some have been signed into law. So far, at least 16 states now have bans in effect covering at least high school interscholastic sports.

On Thursday, the same day Gaines was allegedly attacked, President Joe Biden's administration released a proposal that would forbid schools and colleges across America from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, with some allowances in certain cases.

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Riley Gaines says she was attacked after speaking at California ... - khqa.com

Aide to Senator Rand Paul critically wounded in Washington DC stabbing – The Guardian US

Washington DC

Suspect in custody after member of Republicans staff attacked in apparently random incident

Tue 28 Mar 2023 08.58 EDT

A member of Senator Rand Pauls staff was stabbed and critically wounded in Washington on Saturday in an attack that is likely to raise fears about violence in the nations capital.

This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington DC, the Kentucky senator said in a statement to ABC News late Monday. I ask you to join [wife] Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions after the stabbing.

According to a police report obtained by the outlet, officers responded at about 5.15pm to a call about a stabbing fewer than two miles north-east of the US Capitol.

The victim, who has not been named, was treated on the scene for stab wounds and was seen by a witness bleeding from the head, and was later hospitalized for treatment of life-threatening injuries, the report states.

A suspect is reported to have been taken into custody and is being held without bail.

On Monday, DC police said that 42-year-old local resident Glynn Neal was arrested in connection with the attack on counts of assault with intent to kill and wielding a knife. Neal reportedly told police officers a voice had threatened to get him before the attack occurred.

According to one of two witnesses cited in the police report, the suspect had popped out of the corner and stabbed the Paul staffer multiple times.

The victim was able to grab [the suspects] arms and the witness with him tackled the suspect, leading to a struggle between the parties. The victim and the witness ran as the suspect fled, the report added.

We are relieved to hear the suspect has been arrested, Pauls statement said. At this time we would ask for privacy so everyone can focus on healing and recovery.

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Aide to Senator Rand Paul critically wounded in Washington DC stabbing - The Guardian US

Sen. Rand Paul staffer stabbed multiple times in DC, suspect arrested – ABC News

The Kentucky lawmaker called it a "brutal" assault.

March 27, 2023, 10:04 PM ET

3 min read

A staffer for Sen. Rand Paul was stabbed and seriously injured in Washington, D.C., on Saturday and a suspect has since been arrested, according to police and Paul's office.

"This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C.," Paul, R-Ky,. said in a statement to ABC News on Monday. "I ask you to join [wife] Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions."

Paul's office has not publicly identified the staffer.

According to a police report obtained by ABC News, officers first responded Saturday around 5:15 p.m. to a call about a stabbing on the 1300 block of H Street Northeast in the district.

The victim was treated on the scene for "stab wounds" and was seen by a witness "bleeding from the head," the report states.

According to one of two witnesses cited in the report, the suspect had "popped out of the corner" and stabbed the Paul staffer multiple times as he and the witness were walking. The victim "was able to grab [the suspect's] arms" and the witness with him tackled the suspect, "leading to a struggle between the parties," the report states. Then, the victim and the witness ran as the suspect fled.

The first witness shouted to another about what was happening and that person called the authorities while they aided the victim, according to the report.

On Monday, D.C. police said that 42-year-old Glynn Neal, a D.C. resident, was arrested later on Saturday and had been charged with assault with intent to kill, wielding a knife, in connection with the attack. Court filings state that he has told officers he heard a voice was going to get him before the attack occurred.

Paul's staffer was hospitalized "for treatment of life-threatening injuries," police said, but further information about his condition was not available.

"We are relieved to hear the suspect has been arrested. At this time we would ask for privacy so everyone can focus on healing and recovery," Paul said in his statement.

Neal appeared in court on Monday and remains held without bond.

A public defender representing him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Sen. Rand Paul staffer stabbed multiple times in DC, suspect arrested - ABC News