Tag: SEN. CORY BOOKER

Suspect Arrested ’He Has Made No Statement to Police’

By John Nolte

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Empire star Jussie Smollett surrendered to police at 5:00 a.m. and is now in custody, reports ABC 7 Chicago.

“Smollett surrendered to authorities Thursday morning after he was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report,” the report says.

“Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Smollett is in custody after surrendering to authorities after 5 a.m. Police said they would conduct a news conference at 9 a.m. Smollett is expected to appear in bond court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.”

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The bond hearing will likely be a formality. The “judge is expected to formally read the charge against Smollett, set his bond and then he will be released. Smollett will return to court at a later date to enter his plea,” reports ABC 7.

On January 29, Smollett reported a hate crime to police, claiming he had been assaulted in downtown Chicago at 1:30 a.m. by two bigots.

Smollett told police the two men recognized him, hurled racial and homophobic slurs (Smollett is black and gay) and assaulted him. Before warning him “This is MAGA country!” — a reference to President Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign slogan — he said the two men poured bleach on his black skin and tied a noose around his neck. The men wore red hats, similar to those worn by Trump supporters, and black facemasks.

According to police, two brothers, both of whom are black, have admitted to being paid by Smollett to stage the attack. Local reporters have found surveillance video of the brothers purchasing the items (see above) allegedly used in the hoax, including a red hat and face masks.

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As of now, Smollett claims he is innocent. His attorneys released a statement: “Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”

The problem with Smollett’s claim of innocence is that he is hanging the two brothers out to dry with the claim they were the ones who, for whatever reason, committed a hate crime against him. According to various reports, Smollett was friendly with the brothers. One or both worked on Empire with him. One might have even been his personal trainer.

But now Smollett apparently wants us to believe they sat outside in subzero weather waiting for the opportunity to beat on him and call him a “nigger” and “faggot,” to pour bleach on him and wrap a noose around his neck.

The attorney representing the brothers told reporters Wednesday: “I think Jusse Smollett should come clean because the truth will set you free. … I think that Jesse’s conscience is not letting him sleep right now, so I think he should unload that conscience and just come out and tell the American people what actually happened.”

She also said her clients did receive money from Smollett.

Smollett is also under investigation over a piece of hate mail sent to him at the Empireoffices. The racist letter contained a white powder (that proved to be harmless), but local media is reporting the brothers told police Smollett arranged to have the letter sent to himself.

For filing a false police report, Smollett could face three years in prison and a hefty fine that could include the cost of the investigation. The hate letter could mean federal mail fraud charges.

As of now, Smollett’s employers at Fox are standing by their star, although there have been reports his role was dramatically reduced in upcoming episodes and that the filing of felony charges could mean a suspension.

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DON LEMON: IT’S NOT JUSSIE SMOLLETT’S “FAULT” THAT HE LOST IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION

Don Lemon: It's Not Jussie Smollett's "Fault" That He Lost in the Court of Public Opinion

CNN host runs defense for actor arrested for staging his own hate crime

 | Infowars.com – FEBRUARY 21, 2019

CNN host Don Lemon ran defense for Jussie Smollett on his show last night, claiming that it’s not the actor’s “fault” that he lost in the court of public opinion.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi announced that Smollett was “under arrest and in custody of detectives” this morning. His bail hearing is set for 1:30pm local time.

Smollett launched a media firestorm at the end of last month when he claimed he was assaulted by two individuals who shouted “this is MAGA country” and had a noose placed around his neck.

However, evidence soon emerged clearly suggesting Smollett had paid two Nigerian brothers who worked on the show Empire with him to stage the attack.

Despite some on the left deleting old tweets that signaled vehement support for Smollett and with others keen to avoid talking about the issue altogether, Don Lemon appeared to double down by absolving Smollett of blame.

https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1098442187795161089

During a segment on his show last night, the CNN host said Smollett had “lost the fight in the court of public opinion”.

“He lost that because of how – not his fault – maybe people were – I don’t know what they were saying to him, maybe because of his representatives, who knows – but it was handled poorly,” said Lemon.

CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson pushed back, commenting, “I don’t know if it’s not his fault, Don.”

“You think it’s his fault, you think he was doing what he wanted?” asked Lemon.

If the allegations are proven true, quite how anyone but Smollett himself is to blame for staging a hate crime which according to some could have kicked off racial violence in America is somewhat baffling.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Smollett’s lawyers say they will “mount an aggressive defense,” with the actor potentially facing jail time.

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On January 29, Two Hate Crimes Occurred. The Media Only Covered The Fake One. Here’s Why.

By BEN SHAPIRO

On January 29, 2019, Chicago Police opened a hate crime investigation into the alleged assault of Empire actor Jussie Smollett. Smollett, who is black and gay, alleged that two men approached him at 2 a.m. in Chicago, where they shouted “f*****” and “n*****,” tried to wrap a noose around his neck, and poured bleach on him. He also told TMZ that the men shouted, “This is MAGA country.”

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THE WOLF WHO CRIED MAGA

MAGA

By Carter Evans

Last Updated Feb 17, 2019 3:09 AM EST

The two Nigerian brothers arrested in connection with the assault on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett are no longer suspects in the attack. They’re now cooperating with police.

A source close to the investigation confirms to CBS News the brothers told detectives Smollett paid them to participate in the alleged attack on January 29 and that they purchased the rope — which was found around Smollett’s neck — at a nearby hardware store. The source said detectives have evidence to corroborate the sale, something the men’s attorney alluded to Friday night.

“New evidence that was brought to their attention, obviously I had it, my clients had it,” said Gloria Schmidt, the brothers’ attorney.

The Chicago Police Department released a statement Saturday night saying information from the brothers had “shifted the trajectory of the investigation.”

“We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We’ve reached out to the Empire cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview.”

Smollett’s attorneys, Todd S. Pugh and Victor P. Henderson, issued a statementlate Saturday saying Smollett was “angered and devastated” by reports that he knew the people associated with the alleged attack.

“One of these purported suspects was Jussie’s personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video. It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity,” the statement said.

The attorneys said the actor would continue to cooperate with authorities as the investigation continues. “At the present time, Jussie and his attorneys have no inclination to respond to ‘unnamed’ sources inside of the investigation, but will continue discussions through official channels,” the statement said.

Police said the two men — identified as Ola and Abel Osundairo — were captured on surveillance video at the time that Smollett said he was attacked.

Ola Osundairo is connected to Smollett through the hit show “Empire” where he played a prisoner in season two.

Both brothers apparently left Chicago on the day of the alleged attack and were detained when they returned Wednesday. Chicago detectives tore through their apartment looking for clues, and an evidence log shows they found ropes, masks and bleach. They were released Friday night without charges.

A Chicago Police Department spokesperson said “detectives have additional investigative work to complete.”

In a recent interview with “Good Morning America,” Smollett said he was sure the men in the photo were his attackers.

“And then I see the attacker, masked. And he said, ‘This is MAGA country, n*****.’ Punches me right in the face. So, I punched his ass back,” Smollett said. “I think what people need to hear is just the truth.”

Smollett has not spoken publicly about the arrest and subsequent release of the two brothers. Earlier this week, Chicago police said Smollett was still being treated as a victim, not a suspect.

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‘Modern-Day Lynching:’ Booker and Kamala Didn’t Wait for the Facts in the Jussie Smollett Case

Don’t hold your breath for apologies.

By

Two 2020 presidential candidates, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) jumped at the opportunity to accuse ordinary Americans of harboring hatred for minorities in the wake of the attack on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.

“The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I’m glad he’s safe,” Booker said of the attack. “To those in Congress who don’t feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention.”

Harris had a similar message.

“This was an attempted modern day lynching,” she claimed. “No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”

Trending: Obama Declared 13 National Emergencies — 11 Are Still Active

As it turns out, the “crime” was neither a lynching attempt, nor motivated by race or sexuality. In fact, it was totally made up. Chicago police now believe that Smollett orchestrated the “attack” with two men, his “attackers.” Both are reportedly Nigerian nationals and extras on “Empire.”

Smollett’s story – that bigots yelling “this is MAGA country” beat him, wrapped a rope around his neck, and soaked him in bleach – conformed to the worldview of Harris and Booker perfectly. They believe that America is a fundamentally bad country filled with intolerant racists, and that only the progressive agenda can save America from the backwards people in “flyover country” who would commit a heinous crime like the one Smollett made up.

So they pounced (in the parlance of our times) without waiting for the facts to come to light, despicably seizing on the opportunity to race-bait, and to prove that their worldview is the correct one. They were wrong. Again.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gets a dishonorable mention, too.

“The racist, homophobic attack on  is an affront to our humanity. No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love. I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery & that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once & for all,” she Tweeted.

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To be sure, these people do not care about Smollett, or even racism and homophobia. They care about virtue signaling to their idiotic progressive base to score cheap political points.

Fortunately for the Speaker, justice will be served. And Smollett will be on the losing end.

 

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LABOR UNIONS FEAR ‘GREEN NEW DEAL’ A JOB KILLER

Labor Unions Fear 'Green New Deal' a Job Killer

Unions withhold support for economy-destroying scheme

Valerie Volcovici

4 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Labor unions say they are withholding support for a Green New Deal unveiled by Democrats last week to transition the American economy away from fossil fuels, arguing the loosely-defined plan could kill jobs if its architects aren’t careful.

The cool response from unions underscores the challenge facing Democratic presidential hopefuls who support aggressive action on climate change but must also win back the blue-collar voters that swept President Donald Trump to victory in 2016.

The Green New Deal is a non-binding Congressional resolution introduced by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey that would legislate government-led investment in clean energy infrastructure with the goal of making America carbon neutral within a decade.

Democratic presidential hopeful Senators Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren have already thrown their support behind it.

The resolution’s backers say the plan – once fully sketched out in the legislation – would create jobs in much the same way as President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s by putting Americans to work on transformative government-led projects.

It also calls for a “just transition” for current fossil fuel workers – from coal miners to pipeline workers – through guarantees of healthcare, jobs, and job training.

Union officials told Reuters they were skeptical.

“We will never settle for ‘just transition’ language as a solution to the job losses that will surely come from some of the policies in the resolution,” said Yvette Pena O’Sullivan, executive director of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), whose members work in construction and other industries.

Phil Smith, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers (UMWA), which represents workers in the coal industry, echoed the concerns.

“We’ve heard words like ‘just transition’ before, but what does that really mean? Our members are worried about putting food on the table,” he said.

LIUNA and UMWA said they were not contacted for input on the resolution before it was released.

Sean McGarvey, president of the North America’s Building Trades Unions, representing construction workers across all sectors including energy, said his staff had been contacted by Markey’s office about the Green New Deal, but said his members are skeptical of “green job” promises.

Members “working in the oil and gas sector can make a middle-class living, whereas renewable energy firms have been less generous,” he said at a pipeline safety event last week.

APPALACHIAN BACKLASH

Democrats backing the resolution are seeking to highlight the contrast in their position with the Trump administration’s vocal support for drilling and mining and its skepticism about the causes and impacts of global warming.

Trump’s approach was warmly received in 2016 in parts of Appalachia and the Rust Belt, which have been suffering from manufacturing and mining jobs losses.

Trump’s Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton struggled to sell her clean energy agenda in those regions, and suffered politically after saying her policies would “put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.”

The Sunrise Movement, a youth organization backing the Green New Deal, plans to launch a multi-state campaign in March to drum up support, featuring stops in Michigan, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

“A lot of places struggling with joblessness are fossil fuel dependent places that suffer from poor air and water quality. Guaranteeing the right of clean air, water and jobs is something we think a lot of people can get behind,” said Stephen O’Hanlon, a spokesman for the group.

Unions have expressed support in the past for more moderate approaches to addressing climate change, including cap-and-trade systems to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

Ocasio-Cortez and Markey’s offices did not respond to a request for comment.

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‘Don’t want to get into that’: Democrats’ #MeToo double standard on Kavanaugh and Fairfax

CAP

Whether the Democrats went too hard in their pursuit of Brett Kavanaugh for alleged sexual assault, or have been too soft on fellow party member Justin Fairfax, it all amounts to the same thing – hypocrisy is an unbecoming look.

Unlike the since-confirmed Supreme Court justice, who was accused of a nearly forty-year-old crime with no verifiable dates, witnesses, circumstances or even a location, the allegations which the Virginia lieutenant governor faces are relatively recent, specific, and involve different accounts of an encounter that both parties admitted happened.

Yet, even though Fairfax accuser Vanessa Tyson hiring the same legal team as Christine Blasey Ford, among the top Democrats there hasn’t been a rush to “believe all women.”

Democrats on Kavanaugh

“I cannot sit here, I cannot participate in what I know history is going to look back on as a dark moment,” presidential candidate and New Jersey senator Cory Booker said as he explained his reasons for rejecting Kavanaugh. “You are either complicit in the evil, you are either contributing to the wrong, or you are fighting against it.”

“This is a real test for our nation to see how we treat women, especially women who are victims of sexual assault,” said senior California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

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“I believe her,” said junior California Senator Kamala Harris.

“Over 150 sexual assault survivors have reached out to me to say they are dismayed by the Senate’s actions, they struggle to see empathy in the eyes of their leaders, and they now fear no one would take them seriously if they came forward with their own stories. I want them and all survivors to know this: You don’t need to suffer in silence. You deserve to be taken seriously. You deserve to be listened to,” said Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, disheartened after Kavanaugh narrowly won the confirmation vote.

“I believe Dr. Ford. Brett Kavanaugh does not belong on the Supreme Court,” said the independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

“We have to think about what it would mean if Judge Kavanaugh were to be confirmed to the Supreme Court with credible sexual assault allegations against him, Specifically what it would mean to the millions of women across America who were survivors of sexual assault, women who have been scared to come forward with their stories for fear they would be mocked, ridiculed, and shunned,” opined Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois.

Democrats on Fairfax

“I am not getting into that. I have so many things I am working on, this isn’t one of them,” saidDurbin, adding “I don’t know her” about Tyson.

“I don’t want to get into that,” said Feinstein, after saying that she “doesn’t know” who Justin Fairfax is, despite him being next in line for Virginia governorship.

“I think we should be focusing on what’s right now happening with the governor. I know you guys are going to try to focus on a lot of things right now, but right now my focus is on again calling for the governor to step down,” said Booker,changing the subject to Virginia governor Ralph Northam’s blackface scandal – though he did subsequently call for an investigation into Fairfax.

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Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, left, with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herrin – all three men are now embroiled in scandal. ©  REUTERS/Aaron Bernstein

“It’s premature,” said Kaine, explaining why he isn’t calling for the resignation for Fairfax who is “someone we know real well” and “denies the charges unequivocally.”

 

“I haven’t had the chance to see her. I did have the chance to see Dr. Blasey Ford testify right in the room in front of me. So she had a chance to display great personal credibility. I have not seen this other witness or victim,” said Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, demanding a personal testimony before he is convinced.

“Busy with bills and focused on matters at hand right now,” said leader of Virginia House Democrats Eileen Filler-Corn. Shejust doesn’t have the time.

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#MeToo: Admitted Sexual Predator Cory Booker Joins Presidential Race

Will the FBI investigate his admitted sexual misconduct?

By Peter D’Abrosca

Screen Shot 2019-02-01 at 10.55.27 AM

A heterosexual U.S. Senator from New Jersey announced Friday morning that he will join the crowded 2020 Democratic presidential field.

“In America, we have a common pain,” said a video posted to Twitter by Sen. Cory Booker. “But what we’re lacking is a sense of common purpose. I grew up knowing that the only way we can make change is when people come

The announcement was typical of a Democrat. The main message is this: America is a fundamentally bad place and I will fix it. It is reminiscent of the eight year message of do-nothing President Barack Obama.

Booker, though, has some problems of his own to contend with. Mainly, he admitted to sexual misconduct with a teenaged girl in an op-ed he wrote in Stanford University’s newspaper.

Big League Politics reported:

New Jersey Senator who has been sharply critical of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wrote a 1992 column in which he bragged about groping a high school friend.

“As we fumbled upon the bed, I remember debating my next ‘move’ as if it were a chess game,” said Sen. Cory “Spartacus” Booker in the column. “With the ‘Top Gun’ slogan ringing in my head, I slowly reached for her breast. After having my hand pushed away once, I reached my ‘mark.’”

Screen Shot 2019-02-01 at 10.57.30 AM

Booker admittedly ignored his female friend’s rejection before moving forward in his column called “So Much for Stealing Second.” Apparently “no” means “yes” in Booker’s mind.

Booker’s column surfaced while he, playing the role of male feminist, grilled Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh for unprovable allegations of sexual assault during Kavanaugh’s September confirmation hearing.

Booker enters an already-crowded field which includes Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, among other lesser-known candidates. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has teased an independent run.

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