Stephen K. Bannon's Blog, page 724

State Dept Withholding Evidence on Afghanistan Withdrawal

The chief watchdog for U.S. activities in Afghanistan is accusing the State Department of “unreasonably” withholding information about the Biden administration’s botched U.S. withdrawal from that war-torn country and its consequences since.John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, sent a letter last week to Congress raising his concerns that State and its foreign aid arm, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were “coordinating to obstruct” his office’s audit and investigative work.
State and USAID are “unreasonably refusing to provide information and assistance requested by SIGAR” and “now appear to have adopted a premeditated position of obstruction,” Sopko wrote in the letter, which also was sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power.
Sopko’s team has been investigating the collapse of the U.S.-backed government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to the Taliban as U.S. troops were withdrawing last summer, State and USAID’s compliance with laws and regulations regarding the prohibition of transferr …

The post State Dept Withholding Evidence on Afghanistan Withdrawal appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Boeing Pressuring Air Force for AF One Funds

Air Force One refuels at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on President Donald Trump’s return to Washington D.C. from the North Korea summit, June 12, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)
WASHINGTON: Boeing’s next generation Air Force One plane is more than $1 billion over budget and at least two years late, but that hasn’t stopped it from seeking more money from the Air Force for what the company sees as changes to previously agreed upon technical specifications, the Air Force’s top acquisition official said today.
In 2018, the Air Force and Boeing signed a $4.9 billion fixed-price contract for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the VC-25B — commonly known as Air Force One when the president is onboard. After the program became delayed due to issues with a now-bankrupt subcontractor, Boeing has racked up $1.1 billion in cost overruns that it must pay out of pocket.
However, the nature of the contract also gives Boeing wiggle room to ask for more money every time it can make a case that what the Air Force says it wants exceeds the stated technical requirements — a circumstance that Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, called a “problematic incentive” during a roundtable with reporters today.
“When you’re in this arrangement, the Air Force comes and says, ‘What we really need the airplane to do is this.’ Boeing says, ‘Well, you know, our written contract doesn’t use those exact word,’” Hunter said.
“You get this dynamic, where they become very focused on, ‘We need to finish, we’re going to finish what’s in the contract, anything that appears to us to be in any way, shape, or form not 100% required explicitly in the contract is an extra bill.’ And so it doesn’t align the incentives between the government and the contractor. And that’s the challenge.”
Hunter didn’t elaborate on which specific systems or technical specifications Boeing and the Air Force are at odds on, but said there’s an opportunity to …

The post Boeing Pressuring Air Force for AF One Funds appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Foreign Policy Restraint Doesn’t Mean Dumping Ukraine

As the war on terror went off the rails in the last two decades, calls for the US to show greater restraint in its foreign policy grew. One hears such language regularly now from both US political parties. Crucially, however, greater caution in US foreign policy need not translate into abandoning Ukraine to be slowly taken apart by Russia. Greater ‘realism’ in US – and Western – foreign policy is not the same thing as cynicism. There is a clear prudential case for helping Ukraine.Greater Restraint
By now the case for greater restraint in US foreign policy is well understood. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States emerged as the sole superpower, far ahead of any potential rivals. While the administration of President Bill Clinton did not fully grasp just how distinct the US had become, the next administration of President George W. Bush did. And in the wake of the 9/11 terror strike, it launched a massive effort to re-make the Middle East, something only a state with the extraordinary leverage the US had would even contemplate. This led to exorbitant claims fifteen years that the US was an ‘empire.’
But the war on terror was beyond even America’s reach. Massive hard power advantages did not translate well into the soft power skills to re-make states. By the election of Barack Obama as presi …

The post Foreign Policy Restraint Doesn’t Mean Dumping Ukraine appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Roe Gets Aborted

|
Posted: Jun 27, 2022 7:45 AM

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. I had to keep reloading the Supreme Court’s official page. Was today finally going to be the day that justice would be done?Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Every 10 minutes the Highest Court in the land incites high blood pressure on Order Issuance Day. Famously giving a play-by-play on SCOTUSblog, those posting their thoughts and predictions had no more insight than I did.Refresh. Refresh. Re-. There it was. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization! My heart pounded in disbelief. The final ruling had been released! Just as I was going to click on the link, my phone rang. It was my wife, Bethany, crying. I could hear a lot of noise in the background. She couldn’t get her words out. For a moment, I was terrified. It’s crazy how a split-second can feel like eternity.“They did it. They did it. Roe was overturned,” she said weeping.My soul cried out: “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!”Bethany was at the annual Pro-Life Women’s Conference and had to go, but we shared that historic moment as a couple who have been fighting this battle for years with everything within us. Through death threats, smeared reputations, losses of life-long friendships …

The post Roe Gets Aborted appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Make Workhouses And Sanitariums Great Again

After reading that headline, your first question might probably be something along the lines of, “Were workhouses and sanitariums ever, uh, great?” To which I would agree that no, such places — which were common in the western world during the 18th, 19th, and even up to the mid-20th century — certainly weren’t up to our modern standards of sanitation, nutrition, education, and even humane treatment. Certainly, workhouses and sanitariums have a bleak reputation that was well-earned. Consult any historian or read any contemporary account — particularly by author Charles Dickens — of what life was like for inmates and you’ll quickly find that they weren’t places anyone wanted to be, even by the already-low standards of those times. However, while not “great,” per se, they were still a logical, earnest, meaningful way to deal with two societal problems that still plague us to this day — homelessness and severe mental illness (and in too many cases, both in the same people). Two thousand …

The post Make Workhouses And Sanitariums Great Again appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

2023 Investigations on Biden Family

Some conservatives have fretted the four years it has taken federal prosecutors to investigate Hunter Biden’s business dealings. But make no mistake, the man most likely to run the main House investigative committee if Republicans win control of Congress next year is determined to document how President Joe Biden’s foreign policy has been compromised by his son’s infamous wheeling and dealing.“We feel that Hunter Biden is a national security threat,” Rep. James Comer (R‑Ky.) told Just the News in a wide-ranging interview Friday laying out his priorities if he becomes chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. “We’ve been poring over his financial records for many weeks now, and it’s troubling.
“So we’ve got a lot of questions about Hunter’s business dealings and questions for Biden administration officials to determine if thepresident is in fact compromised because of Hunter’s shady business dealings.”  
Comer was asked whether the evidence he has seen shows the president’s so …

The post 2023 Investigations on Biden Family appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Pelosi Elbows Daughter of Rep. Mayra Flores

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A newly-elected congresswoman took to Twitter and accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of pushing her young daughter during a photo op last week.“I am so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter for not allowing this to faze her,” Rep. Mayra Flores, R‑Texas, said in a tweet with a video of the incident that took place during her swearing-in ceremony on June 21.
Rep. Mayra Flores poses with her family and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after being sworn in on June 21, 2022, in Washington. 
(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)“She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a Queen,” Flores said of her daughter.The video shows Pelosi waving to someone off-camera when she looks down to Flores’ daughter standing next to her and extends her elbow at the same time the child moves to the side. MIDTERMS BECOME URGENT PRIORITY FOR BIDEN, PELOSI AFTER SCOTUS ABORTION RULING“No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!!” Flores added in the tweet.The incident took place as Pelosi welcomed the newly-elected Flores, 30, to the House of Representatives.“It’s a great honor to welcome Congresswoman Flores to the Capitol and to the Congress of the United States with great congratulations,” Pelosi said Sunday. “And again, grateful for her leadership and her beautiful family who is here today.“DEMOCRATS TO MAKE ABORTION RULING CENTRAL TO 2022 MIDTERMS, REPUBLICANS INSIST VOTERS MORE FOCUSED ON ECONOMYFlores was also officially sworn in as a Member during the ceremony, becoming the first Mexican-born congressional representative.The two lawmakers shook hands and completed the ceremony without incident.“Thank you, Congresswoman Flores, for your courage to run for office and best wishes for your success,” Pelosi added during the ceremony. “It’s an honor to work with you.”
Rep. Mayra Flores and her family after she is sworn in by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on June 21, 2022, in Washington.
(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)Flores is an outspoken pro-life Texan who celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.“I thank God for the Supreme Court’s historic decision today. It is clear that the Constitution never created a right to abortion, and this ruling rightly returns the authority to regulate abortion back to the people and their elected representatives in the states. All life is precious, and today life won,” she wrote on social media.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFlores was born in Burgos Tamaulipas, Mexico, and came legally to the United States at 6 years old, according to her bio. She then became a naturalized American citizen.She spent most of her life in Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, San Benito and Memphis areas.Flores will face another election in November against Democratic nominee Vicente Gonzalez. …

The post Pelosi Elbows Daughter of Rep. Mayra Flores appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Feminist Writer Says Democrats Should Admit That Abortion Is Killing Babies Because Its OK

Yeah, that’s a rather blunt headline, right? It’s something that we’ve known for decades. It’s why this issue is intense, emotional, and loaded with nuance. With the Dobbs decision, the Supreme Court wiped out Roe v. Wade yesterday. It did not ban abortion nationwide. Abortion is not illegal. The Court did what it should have done with this issue eons ago—return it to the legislative process. There is nothing in the Constitution about abortion. There is no constitutional right to an abortion—that’s left-wing propaganda. The fact that the Constitution doesn’t say anything about isn’t a smackdown of the pro-abortion side. It’s a fact. Our founding document doesn’t prohibit it. That’s a good thing for both sides. Pro-life and pro-abortion wings of America can now mount a campaign through the legislative process to either ban or support abortion rights. The way is clear. If pro-abortion forces convince enough people, get enough lawmakers elected, and pass a la …

The post Feminist Writer Says Democrats Should Admit That Abortion Is Killing Babies Because Its OK appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

North Korea Marks Anniversary of Korean War by Vowing Revenge

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
North Korea marked its anniversary of the Korean War on Saturday, denouncing Western “aggression” and vowing revenge.“Upset by the ever-growing national strength of the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea], they are now getting hell-bent on the anti-DPRK aggression moves as never before, in alliance with the South Korean puppet forces and the Japanese reactionaries,” wrote North Korean news organization KCNA, according to a translation from a watchdog. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime marks the Korean War anniversary based on its start date, June 25, 1950. The regime has consistently escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula via missile tests and other aggressive measures.“Such insolent behavior of the U.S. fans the anger and revenge of the Korean people,” it continued. “The cruelest-ever destruction warfare in the world history of wars, committed by the U.S. imperialists, can never be forgotten no matter how much water flows under the bridge. It is still and further inciting the Korean people’s hatred toward the U.S. imperialists.“NORTH KOREA FIRES BA …

The post North Korea Marks Anniversary of Korean War by Vowing Revenge appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.

Ghislaine Maxwell Placed on Suicide Watch Ahead of Sentencing

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Ghislaine Maxwell has been placed on suicide watch just days before her sentencing hearing, despite not being suicidal, her attorneys announced.Maxwell, who was convicted of helping ex-lover Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls, is scheduled to have a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of 30 to 55 years for Maxwell, who is 60, after she was previously found guilty on five of six criminal counts. 
Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Audrey Strauss, announces charges against Ghislaine Maxwell during a July 2, 2020, press conference in New York City. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
In a new request, her attorneys have argued that she does not have access to any legal documents and is unable to adequately prepare for her sentencing.GHISLAINE MAXWELL TRIAL: PROSECUTORS SAY SHE SHOULD BE SENTENCED TO 30–55 YEARS FOR SEX CRIMES“Dear Judge Nathan, I write to inform the Court of a recent development which may require postponement of Tuesday’s sentencing proceeding. Yesterday, without having conducted a psychological evaluation and without justification, the MDC placed Ms. Maxwell on suicide watch,” the attorneys said in the letter.“She is not permitted to possess and review legal documents and is not permitted paper or pen,” they continued. “This has prevented her from preparing for sentencing.”
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend de Grisogono Sponsors The 2005 Wall Street Concert Series on March 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)The attorneys, who have complained about Maxwell’s detainment before, have contended their client is “not suicidal.“GHISLAINE MAXWELL’S CELLMATE CLAIMS SHE WAS ‘OFFERED MONEY’ TO KILL MAXWELL“Ms. Maxwell was abruptly removed from general population and returned to solitary confinement, this time without any clothing, toothpaste, soap, legal papers, etc. She was provided a ‘suicide smock’ and is given a few sheets of toilet paper on request,” they continued in the letter. “This morning, a psychologist evaluated Ms. Maxwell and determined she is not suicidal.”
NEW YORK, NY — DECEMBER 29:  Bobbi Sternheim, attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, speaks outside federal court on December 29, 2021 in New York City.  (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)
“I met with Ms. Maxwell today (after a 97-minute delay following my arrival at the facility). She is not suicidal,” attorney Bobbi C. Sternheim wrote.GHISLAINE MAXWELL ASKS FOR SEX TRAFFICKING SENTENCE ‘WELL BELOW’ RECOMMENDATION Sternheim said Maxwell’s legal representation could motion for an adjournment if they think their client is not properly cared for.“Currently, she is unable to properly prepare for sentencing,” the lawyer contended. “If Ms. Maxwell remains on suicide watch, is prohibited from reviewing legal materials prior to sentencing, becomes sleep-deprived, and is denied sufficient time to meet with and confer with counsel, we will be formally moving on Monday for an adjournment.“CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPEpstein died in August 2019, a month after he was placed on suicide watch, while he was awaiting trial. A psyc …

The post Ghislaine Maxwell Placed on Suicide Watch Ahead of Sentencing appeared first on Populist Press ©2022.