The News Roundup — Domestic (The 1A) 2021-07-30

As the Delta variant continues its rapid spread in the U.S., the CDC released updated guidelines recommending that vaccinated citizens wear masks indoors in areas where Covid-19 transmission is high. Currently, about two-thirds of all U.S. counties qualify.

President Joe Biden gave a speech Thursday addressing vaccination rules for the federal workforce. The White House is also backing a push by 57 medical organizations to urge mandatory vaccinations for U.S. health care workers.

The House committee on the Jan. 6 insurrection met for the first time this week. It heard testimony from four Capitol police officers present the day of the attack. Committee members have signaled they are ready to begin issuing subpoenas for further witnesses and may meet again in August.

In the Olympics, both China and Japan are leading the United States in the gold medal count– but after the withdrawal of her teammate, Simone Biles, U.S. gymnast Sunisa Lee went on to take the gold in the women’s gymnastic all-around competition.
Interview: 

https://the1a.org/segments/delta-guidelines-insurrection/

The News Roundup — International (The 1A) 2021-07-30

The U.S. has pledged to remove its forces from Iraq by the end of the year — a goal that presents some huge challenges, logistical and otherwise. Some officials are concerned about what would fill the power vacuum left by the military. The U.S. is also facilitating the return of some 17,000 Iraqi archaeological treasures, the oldest of which dates back 4,000 years.

The first person to be tried under Hong Kong’s new, restrictive security law has been found guilty of secessionism and terrorism. Tong Ying-kit’s conviction is being condemned by human rights groups and perceived as a sign of China’s efforts to crack down on the city.

Lines of communication between North Korea and South Korea have reopened, with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un agreeing to “restore mutual confidence and develop their relationships again as soon as possible.”
Interview: 

https://the1a.org/segments/isis-hong-kong-korea/

GOP Senator Asks Biden Nominee If He Believes in God (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #385)

— Come to our in-person meetup in Chicago this August!

— A GOP senator asked a Biden nominee if he believed in God. (1:19)

— An Ohio church invited a transphobic speaker and can’t handle the backlash. (17:13)

— What is going on with Hobby Lobby and the Gilgamesh tablet? (29:00)

— A preacher claimed to have proof of God’s powers. We know he’s lying. (37:39)

— Mark Driscoll‘s former elders say he shouldn’t be preaching. Too little, too late. (46:33)

— Facebook is helping churches now. Oh no… (58:39)

— A Catholic priest says residential school survivors are lying to make money. (1:04:05)

— Pastor Greg Locke says he’ll kick you out of his church if you’re wearing a mask. (1:07:07)
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-6r63v-f6ae88f

More on the Censorious Right’s Unconstitutional Quest to Cancel Knowledge (Opening Arguments podcast OA511)

In a dizzy euphoria at having had a single good interaction with a stranger on Facebook, Andrew decided to listen to an episode of Bari Weiss’s podcast featuring a debate between Chris Rufo and David French on Critical Race Theory. Apparently, Andrew has too much free time and not enough things to be mad at. But it inspired part 3 on Critical Race Theory and what the likely next Pokemon evolution of the moral panic will be.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-x2erb-f6243a9

In one-two punch to Trump, Justice Dept OK's release of taxes, memo | Reuters

"Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen," Trump told Jeffrey Rosen, referring to Republicans, in a Dec. 27 phone call days before Rosen was appointed as acting attorney general...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-election-idUSKBN2F02FW

‘The war has changed’: Internal CDC document urges new messaging, warns delta infections likely more severe - The Washington Post

…CDC scientists were so alarmed by the new research that the agency earlier this week significantly changed guidance for vaccinated peopleeven before making new data public…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/29/cdc-mask-guidance/

Trump’s false election fraud claims fuel Michigan GOP meltdown - POLITICO

The ex-president's refusal to accept defeat is taking a toll on the party in a key battleground state…

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/30/michigan-gop-trump-election-fraud-501701

Top Democrat goes MEGAVIRAL shredding Republicans on House floor

BREAKING: Top Democrat Tim Ryan just went megaviral slamming Republicans over their mask tantrum on the House floor.
https://youtu.be/wODOuqXv7JI

WOTME: God is Kind?

If your religion is kindness, I know you're not a follower of the Tribal War god of Abraham... or His son/self.
https://youtu.be/uA5JXQ9r5J4

Opinion | Justice Department’s brief in Swalwell lawsuit against Mo Brooks is bad news for Trump - The Washington Post

…Inciting an attack on Congress "is not within the scope of employment of … any federal employee," the department reminded us, and Trump, in its brief. That single word, "any," marks the difference between a president and a dictator…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/29/will-trump-ever-be-held-accountable-justice-department-just-increased-odds/

Blame Joe Biden for inflation? Most government spending came earlier - PolitiFact

Government spending contributes to inflation, but so do other factors, like supply-chain disruptions that produce temporary shortages…

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jul/29/rick-scott/blame-joe-biden-inflation-most-government-spending/

Mike Lindell's Plot to Destroy America - The Atlantic

In the time I spent with Mike Lindell, I came to learn that he is affable, devout, philanthropic—and a clear threat to the nation...
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/mike-lindells-plot-destroy-america/619593/

The false GOP claim that Pelosi turned down National Guard before Jan. 6 attack - The Washington Post

Repeating a false claim does not make it truer. No evidence has emerged to suggest that Pelosi ignored intelligence reports about potential threats or turned down a request for reinforcements from the National Guard as officials prepared for Jan. 6...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/28/false-gop-claim-that-pelosi-turned-down-national-guard-before-jan-6-attack/

Jim Jordan sinks himself with damning admission on national TV

https://youtu.be/7G6yQqv3dsI

GOP Rep. Admits ‘Nobody Actually Believes’ Election Was Stolen From Donald Trump | HuffPost

"Save one or two maybe out here, nobody, and I think it's very important to repeat, nobody actually believes the election was stolen from Donald Trump but a lot of them are happy to go out and say it was," Kinzinger told CNN's Wolf Blitzer...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/adam-kinzinger-republicans-donald-trump-election-lie_n_61025da5e4b0d3b5897a4afa

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA stokes vaccine resistance as Delta variant surges - The Washington Post

… communications by Turning Point USA and its affiliate, Turning Point Action, reflect the increasingly hard line taken by the group, which describes itself as the "largest and fastest-growing youth organization in America" and claims a presence on more than 2,500 college and high school campuses. Its dire warnings about a government-backed inoculation program — now a major theme of its Facebook ads, which have been viewed millions of times — illustrate how the Trump-allied group is capitalizing on the stark polarization around vaccine policy...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/29/vaccine-mandates-charlie-kirk-tpusa/

Indigenous Americans demand a reckoning with brutal colonial history

…From the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego, Indigenous Americans have taken aim at the Catholic Church, national governments and other powerful institutions...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/27/indigenous-americans-protesting-brutal-colonial-history

DOJ fires warning shot against ‘unusual’ post-election ballot reviews - POLITICO

…The Justice Department's new memo reminded states that allowing ballots to be mishandled can violate federal law…

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/doj-warning-election-ballot-reviews-501295

What the China-Australia Spat Means for America - The Atlantic

"China has and will continue to behave badly," Geoff Raby, Australia's ambassador to Beijing from 2007 to 2011, told me. "China won't be changing, and we have to find a way of living with a China that is not like us but is big, powerful, and ugly."

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/07/china-australia-america/619544/

Capitol insurrection hearing exposes Trumpworld delusions | TheHill

As a party, the Republicans can't handle the truth…

https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/565173-capitol-insurrection-hearing-exposes-trumpworld-delusions

Laura Ingraham’s 'Despicable' Response To Cops' Jan. 6 Testimony Slammed On Twitter | HuffPost

The Fox News personality mocked police officers who testified about fending off violent Donald Trump supporters with a spoof awards ceremony...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tucker-carlson-laura-ingraham-jan-6-commission-responses_n_610104efe4b0fd216c202197

The Republicans Go All In On Identity Politics For Their New Party Slogan

After losing the White House in an election focused on the blatant racism of Donald Trump, Republicans have decided to turn the tables and embrace identity politics to sway the electorate in 2024.
https://youtu.be/L-k3o3wcj1s

Ben Shapiro DESTROYS New CDC Mask Policy That.. Doesn't Even Exist

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro couldn't find a legitimate reason to rage against the CDC's new masking guidelines, so he invented a CDC guideline that doesn't exist.
https://youtu.be/mv2vFvn5Szg

See GOP lawmaker's reaction when he's confronted over insurrection remarks

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) confronted Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) over his comparison of the Capitol insurrection to a tourist visit.
https://youtu.be/8aJ5u-xurmw

Trump tries to sabotage the Biden infrastructure deal - POLITICO

… Though he has increasingly sought to undermine negotiations, Trump's efforts to derail any infrastructure package have, so far, mostly been met with a shrug on Capitol Hill...

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/infrastructure-deal-trump-5012873

‘I went to hell and back’: officer condemns Republican lawmakers who spurned Capitol attack hearing

"The indifference shown to my colleagues is disgraceful."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/28/capitol-attack-hearing-republicans-slammed-police-officer

The Obscene Hypocrisy of Republicans Blaming Everyone But Themselves: The COVID Edition – Mother Jones

… Conservatives spent so much time owning the libs, they forgot to care about the lives of their constituents…

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/07/the-obscene-hypocrisy-of-republicans-blaming-everyone-but-themselves-the-covid-edition/

Our Renewable Energy Future (Terry Gross; Fresh Air)

'New York Times' reporter Ivan Penn unpacks the debate over infrastructure: Do we go big and fund huge wind and solar farms with new transmission lines, or go local, with rooftop solar panels, batteries and micro-grids?

Interview: 

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/14/1016117476/our-renewable-energy-future

Top U.S. & World Headlines — July 28, 2021

https://youtu.be/GwN4Mvwv234

Read: Liz Cheney's opening statement at Jan. 6 hearing - POLITICO

…We cannot leave the violence of January 6th – and its causes – uninvestigated. The American people deserve the full and open testimony of every person with knowledge of the planning and preparation for January 6th. We must know what happened here at the Capitol. We must also know what happened every minute of that day in the White House – every phone call, every conversation, every meeting leading up to, during, and after the attack. Honorable men and women have an obligation to step forward. If those responsible are not held accountable, and if Congress does not act responsibly, this will remain a cancer on our Constitutional Republic, undermining the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democratic system. We will face the threat of more violence in the months to come, and another January 6th every four years...

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/27/liz-cheney-opening-statement-jan-6-hearing-500836

Wayne Berman

A notice to GOP donors: It may be your right to give money to whoever you like — but it is our right to tell Americans who and what you’re funding.
https://youtu.be/hVnf5bUfgoo

Alabama is prosecuting a mom for taking prescribed medication while pregnant

"It really has taken its toll," she said of her felony charge. "I didn't get to bond with my baby. I've had severe postpartum depression with this baby." If there's any so-called "child endangerment" in this case, it's not coming from her…

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/27/alabama-prosecuting-woman-medication-pregnant

Jan. 6 committee live updates: Police officers recount brutal, racist attack by Trump mob - ABC News

Calling Trump supporters "terrorists," they said they feared for their lives…

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/?id=79070131

Heroes

This week, the heroes of January 6 will finally get the chance to tell their stories. We owe it to each of them to listen.
https://youtu.be/QOmManx6S5U

With bogus NSA story, Tucker Carlson assumes control of Fox News - The Washington Post - Opinion

… When that debunking finally came, Fox News executives had a choice: They could force Carlson to amend his outlandish claims, or they could sign on to his deceptive package, a tack that required casting unsubstantiated doubt on the government's actions. Those executives chose to side with Carlson's fantasy, ratings and money...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/27/tucker-carlson-nsa-story-bogus/

Trump Jr. inches past DeSantis as most popular GOP figure in new poll: Axios | TheHill

…A new poll shows Donald Trump Jr. and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis topping other GOP figures in a survey measuring the popularity of key Republicans…

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/564963-trump-jr-inches-past-desantis-as-most-popular-gop-figure-in-new-poll-axios

No evidence for viral claim that ‘22 million illegal aliens’ are ‘voting illegally’ - PolitiFact

There is no evidence that 22 million people in the U.S. without legal permission voted illegally in the 2020 election or regularly vote in American elections…

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jul/27/facebook-posts/no-evidence-viral-claim-22-million-illegal-aliens-/

2 Colorado Officers Are Charged After A Violent Arrest : NPR

"This video will shock your conscience. It is very disturbing," said Wilson, who took over the department last year. "We're disgusted. We're angry. This is not police work. We don't train this."…

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/27/1021384186/aurora-colorado-police-arrested-violent-arrest

Five takeaways from a bracing day of Jan. 6 testimony | TheHill

"On Jan. 6, for the first time, I was more afraid working at the Capitol than during my entire Army deployment to Iraq," said Aquilino Gonell, a Capitol Police sergeant and Army veteran...

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/565124-five-takeaways-from-a-bracing-day-of-jan-6-testimony

CDC urges everyone in schools to wear masks - The Washington Post

…and not just the unvaccinated …
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/07/27/school-masks-cdc-guidelines/

What did Jim Jordan know about the insurrection and when did he know it?

"While these maniacs are going through the place," said Cheney, about the insurrection at the Capitol on 6 January, "I'm standing in the aisle and he said, 'We need to get the ladies away from the aisle. Let me help you.' I smacked his hand away and told him, 'Get away from me. You fucking did this.'"

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/27/jim-jordan-republican-capitol-attack-insurrection-house-select-committee

Republicans poised to rig the next election by gerrymandering electoral maps

…In Michigan, a Republican operative bragged about cramming "Dem garbage" into certain districts as they drew a congressional map that advantaged Republicans 9-5. In Ohio, GOP operatives worked secretly from a hotel room called "the bunker", as they tweaked a congressional map that gave Republicans a 12-4 advantage. In North Carolina, a state lawmaker publicly said he was proposing a map that would elect 10 Republicans to Congress because he did not think it was possible to draw one that would elect 11…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/27/gerrymandering-republicans-electoral-maps-political-heist

Nashville pastor Greg Locke threatens to kick out churchgoers who wear masks - The Washington Post

"They will be serving Frostys in hell before we shut this place down, just because a buck wild, demon-possessed government tells us to," Locke said, referencing the frozen dessert from Wendy's…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/27/tennessee-pastor-greg-locke-masks/

Talk Heathen 05.26 with ObjectivelyDan and @Jimmy Snow

SHOW TIME-STAMPS

00:00 Intro
07:37 Adam-NC | The State Of Apologetics
17:08 David-SC | Atheist Activism Vs Proselytization
26:21 Moldred-NY | We All Maintain The Universe
39:19 Alfred-FL | The God Of Confirmation Bias
49:05 CJ-MI | Prove Your Religious, Er Science, Texts
53:45 Christopher-AZ | Why Do You Believe Your Own Beliefs?
1:06:48 Kevin-NY | The Explanatory Power Of UFOs
1:21:03 David-CA | Atheist Cried Out To Jesus
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/QEdZ1jpXtjU

The Atheist Experience 25.26 with Matt Dillahunty and Hemant Mehta (@Friendly Atheist )

SHOW TIME-STAMPS

00:00 Intro
02:21 Marlon-(PH) | God Grants The Power Of Fire Hands
13:08 Pete-TX | Measurable Positive Impact Of Atheist Shows
31:09 David-CA | God Can Be Proven Through History
37:30 Danny-FL | Depression After Deconversion
50:57 Richard-CA | Where A Book Or Article Is Published Absolutely Matters
56:16 Mark-CA | Anyone Who Isn't Saved Is Going To Hell
1:03:25 Sharon-IL | You Can't Prove Consciousness Doesn't Need The Immaterial
1:10:18 Leo-WI | Matt Is Lilith
1:21:31 Sohaib-(CA) | Opinion Of The Islamic Variant Of Hell?
1:26:51 Tanner-UT | Father Claims To Not Care About What's True
1:33:10 Brian-(NZ) | Is God A Puppeteer?
1:35:55 William-OH | Raising A Child While Surrounded By Believers
1:44:01 Outro
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/1JtKAMzAnhA

Claim of Susan Rice tribunal, Gavin Newsom indictment is Pants on Fire false - PolitiFact

The claim of military court action against the two prominent Democrats is baseless and was made by a website with a history of producing false information…

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jul/26/facebook-posts/claim-susan-rice-tribunal-gavin-newsom-indictment-/

Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance blames America’s woes on ‘the childless left’

"… Vance praised a policy by Viktor Orbán that pays parents who have multiple children … but didn't mention the Democrats' child tax credit."…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/26/ohio-senate-candidate-jd-vance

Stelter: I watched Hannity's show for a week. Here's what I found

CNN's Brian Stelter says the content coming from pro-Trump media, led by Fox News host Sean Hannity, softens the ground for conspiracies and makes their audience comfortable with violence.
https://youtu.be/SexVw9K77cM

‘We’re f---ed’: Dems fear turnout catastrophe from GOP voting laws - POLITICO

…The state's new voter I.D. requirement for mail-in ballots could affect the more than 270,000 Georgians lacking identification. The provision cutting the number of ballot drop boxes could affect hundreds of thousands of voters who cast absentee ballots that way in 2020 — and that's just in the populous Atlanta suburbs alone...

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/26/democrats-gop-voting-laws-crisis-500726

Nancy Pelosi primes Capitol attack panel to take hard line on Trump

…"We have the duty, to the constitution and the country, to find the truth of the 6 January insurrection and to ensure that such an assault on our Democracy cannot again happen," Pelosi said of the investigation in a letter to Democrats.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/26/nancy-pelosi-capitol-attack-panel-trump

Trump pressures McConnell, GOP to ditch bipartisan talks until they have majority | TheHill

…Former President Trump on Monday urged Senate Republicans to abandon talks on a bipartisan infrastructure deal until after the midterm elections or when the GOP retakes majorities in Congress…

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/564801-trump-pressures-mcconnell-gop-to-ditch-bipartisan-talks-until-they

Opinion | The real reason Republicans want to sabotage the investigation into Jan. 6 - The Washington Post

…As with so many of our current political controversies, Republicans see their greatest political advantage in increasing distrust, stoking anger, and exacerbating division...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/26/real-reason-republicans-want-sabotage-investigation-into-jan-6/

GOP Senator Who Egged On Insurrectionists Introduces Bill About Loving America | HuffPost

Josh Hawley's legislation isn't even about patriotism. It's about pandering and whitewashing American history...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/josh-hawley-insurrection-critical-race-theory_n_60fed63ae4b05ff8cfcb045f

Evolution Shmevolution!

Ignorant Darwinists are still religiously devoted to a lame story from way back in the 1800s. It's SO out of date. Can we please just move forward?

https://youtu.be/uvrm9E4fUGQ

8 Months (Allison Gill and Andrew Torrez; Cleanup on Aisle 45 podcast episode 27)

This week: what could the first felony sentence handed down to an insurrectionist mean for the rest of them; Calk talk - Stephen M. Calk gets convicted of bribery and corruptly using his position; how laughable are McQarthy’s picks for the House Insurrection Commission and a friendly wager on how Pelosi will proceed.

Interview:

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-y474p-f52d877

Hatchet Man by Elie Honig Chapters 1 - 3 (Allison Gill, Mueller She Wrote Book Club podcast

This week AG goes over the first 3 chapters of Elie Honig's new book: Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke the Prosecutor's Code and Corrupted the Justice Department.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-dybaz-f49d19e

Fauci says health officials considering mask guidance revision for vaccinated

97% of hospital admissions and 99.5% of Covid deaths were occurring among unvaccinated people.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/25/fauci-covid-mask-guidance-vaccinated-booster-shots

Michigan Republicans will return Covid relief funds used to pay own bonuses

…Two Michigan congressmen, a Democrat and a Republican, said federal virus aid was not intended to reward elected officials…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/25/michigan-republicans-covid-relief-funds-bonuses

AP FACT CHECK: Trump is relentless in election fabrications - ABC News

…So far, only four cases have led to charges. No one has been convicted. No person's vote was found to have been counted twice…

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ap-fact-check-trump-relentless-election-fabrications-79038801

Critical race theory founders respond to GOP attacks - Axios

…Republican efforts to frame CRT as a form of anti-white racism, López said, is part of a "central lie" which posits that "people of color threaten white people."…

https://www.axios.com/critical-race-theory-founders-gop-attacks-7bc8e0ca-4fc7-4dde-85e8-be9b051a3fab.html

Casey Michel: Tom Barrack suggests Trump's White House was even more vulnerable than we thought

… According to prosecutors, Barrack's efforts on behalf of the UAE ran the gamut. Barrack allegedly changed Trump's speeches in order to praise the Emirati dictatorship and lobbied for more pro-UAE policy and staffing decisions. He secretly passed internal White House discussions to the UAE government and gathered a so-called wish list of policy decisions from UAE officials that they wanted the Trump administration to implement, according to the indictment. Barrack also lobbied in more public ways, such as writing pro-UAE op-eds, it said...
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/tom-barrack-suggests-trump-s-white-house-was-even-more-ncna1274880

The YouTubers who blew the whistle on an anti-vax plot - BBC News

"Bad-mouthing vaccines in the West undermines trust in our democracies and is supposed to increase trust in Russia's vaccines, and there is only one side that benefits and that is the Kremlin."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-57928647

People Are Not Animals! (and evolution never happened)

The deluded, ignorant followers of Darwin believe that man is actually a type of animal. I disprove this godless blasphemy with totally real facts.
https://youtu.be/swlsqkAyxqY

Ex-Cop Offends Tucker Carlson With Basic Facts

Former New York corrections officer Ed Gavin offended Tucker Carlson with basic facts to the point that he kicked him off the show.
https://youtu.be/xWnn_G2Sls8

Murders are up. Crime is not. What’s going on? - Vox

…While murder rates rose in some developed countries last year, like Canada and Germany, the increases are far below the double-digit spikes America is seeing. That's especially notable because the United States already had a higher baseline of murders, after controlling for population. Despite claims that Democratic mayors or progressive criminal justice policies are driving the increase, it also appears indifferent to the political party in charge: As Asher and criminal justice expert John Pfaff have shown, murder rates increased in cities run by Democrats and Republicans, progressive and not…

https://www.vox.com/22578430/murder-crime-2020-2021-covid-19-pandemic