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Friday, November 19, 2021

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U.S. Citizens Still Trapped in Afghanistan, Ignored by U.S. Government

From the story: MIKE EDWARDS, founder of the volunteer rescue group Project Exodus, told NatSec Daily that at least nine American citizens still in Afghanistan who’ve contacted the U.S. government seeking rescue haven’t heard back yet. SCOTT MANN, leader of Task Force Pineapple, said they have “at least five American citizens” on their manifest who haven’t been contacted by the U.S. government for evacuation. MATT NELSON of the September Group says he knows of seven Americans who haven’t been contacted by State but are ready to go.

Politico

WSJ: Actual Cost of Build Back Better Closer to $4.6 Trillion

From the editorial board: The Congressional Budget Office on Thursday released its “official” cost estimates for the House tax and entitlement bill, but don’t believe it. The CBO gnomes aren’t lying about a 10-year deficit estimate of $367 billion. They’re obliged to score the bill under rules that Democrats have rigged with multiple tricks that disguise the real cost by trillions of dollars. Democrats phase out the biggest programs in the bill while paying for them with 10 years of tax increases. They phase-in other programs and off-load costs to the states. The Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates the House bill would cost nearly $4.6 trillion over 10 years if temporary provisions are made permanent, as most will be (WSJ). From Tom Cotton: He lied about evacuating Americans from Afghanistan. Now President Biden is lying about the cost of his reckless spending plan. His word is no good (Twitter). From Kevin McCarthy: Every page of the Democrats’ Socialist Spending Scam will be paid for by or borrowed from you: America’s hardworking taxpayers. This is the single most reckless and irresponsible spending bill in our nation’s history (Twitter).

Tennis World Stands Up to China Where NBA Shriveled

From the story: Two years ago the National Basketball Association apologized when one of its general managers angered China with a tweet about Hong Kong. In sharp contrast, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is today standing firm on its demand that an allegation by a star player that she was sexually assaulted by a high-ranking Chinese official “must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship” (WSJ). A tweet from tennis superstar Serena Williams: I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai (Twitter). The World Tennis Association demanded China prove Peng is safe (ABC). Background on the story (NY Times). From Jim Geraghty: The Chinese government is not the laws-based force for stability and order that its cheerleaders in the West want to believe it is. The men who run China’s government are deeply corrupt brutes who enforce their will from the barrel of a gun and who are willing to harm anyone who gets in their way — even one of the country’s most successful and famous athletes. They see other people as objects to be used and discarded as they please. They are no more ethical or legitimate rulers than the mafia or drug cartels. They just have a worldwide propaganda effort to hide or downplay their crimes and celebrate them as poor boys who worked hard and rose to the top (National Review).

Gallup: Biden Underwater on Nearly Every Key Issue

The only one he’s not: Response to Covid, tied at 49. He’s 23 points underwater in the most important issue, the economy, and 35 points under on Immigration (Gallup). Biden’s approval rating is lower than any governor in the United States, just below Oregon Democrat Kate Brown, who is the lowest (National Review).

Barronelle Stutzman Ends Legal Battle with ACLU

The 77-year-old great grandmother spent the last 8 years fighting for religious liberty against the ACLU. But the Supreme Court opted not to take her case, so another will need to continue that battle. From the story: A settlement has been reached in the legal case that allows Stutzman to avoid having to pay crippling fines and legal fees. As part of the agreement, Stutzman will pay the same-sex couple $5,000 while the ADF will, in return, withdraw a petition to the Supreme Court for reconsideration (Christian Post). Stutzman was interview by Salem’s Georgene Rice (Christian Outlook). She explained her reasons for ending her courageous battle in a letter to supporters (ADF). From Kristen Waggoner: It’s a sad day when the gov’t and the ACLU can bully an artist for nearly ten years for living out her faith. Barronelle’s legal journey ends today, but we must continue the fight. We can’t afford not to. Join us (Twitter).

Rittenhouse Jury Heads Home with No Decision

But will return today (Daily Caller). Andrew McCarthy argues the decision not to sequester the jury means “it is more likely that the case is headed for a mistrial because of a hung jury. If that happens, it will very likely be because jurors were intimidated — believing that an acquittal of Rittenhouse, even if compelled by the evidence, would ignite more of the same violent rioting that led to Rittenhouse’s fateful confrontations on August 25, 2020” (National Review). Tim Carney looks at how a father in the home might have changed the outcome for a number of young men in this story (Washington Examiner). Five Kenosha schools have gone to virtual learning, fearing a verdict and violence (CBS).

Marriott Hotel in Prague Refuses to Host Conference of Uyghur Activists

They cited “political neutrality” as an excuse. The story notes “The decision to reject the conference reflects China’s growing ability to extend authoritarian control beyond its borders by making clear to corporations that crossing the party’s red lines will be bad for business” (Axios). From Tim Carney: China has so many companies by the sensitive parts (Twitter). Josh Kraushaar called it “Morally indefensible” (Twitter).

West Virginia Poll Shows Support for Manchin, Not for Biden or His Spending

Manchin approval is at 60 percent while Biden’s is at 32 in West Virginia. 74 percent of the voters want Manchin to oppose the Build Back Better plan (Metro News). A poll shows over 52 percent of Americans see the Build Back Better plan as “hurtful to America’s economic recovery” (Trafalgar Group).

Poll Shows Americans Want Republicans to Win Control of House and Senate

The poll also has Biden at 38 percent approval and 68 percent say the higher prices are changing their spending habits.

Quinnipiac

10.

Portland Among the Woke Cities Adding Funds to Police Departments

From the story: On Wednesday, the Portland City Council unanimously passed a fall budget bump that included increasing the current $230 million police budget by an additional $5.2 million. The added police spending is occurring amid a year of a record number of homicides, the city’s greatest police staffing shortage in decades and reform recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Justice (AP). After three murders, the University of Chicago is rethinking their demand to defund the police (Washington Examiner).