53percenter's Blog

Russia, Russia, Russia! It’s the rallying cry of the usual suspects of the establishment media and anti-Trump camp. Nothing of any significance has been proven thus far, however, there may be actual foreign election interference of significance going on.

While all eyes, so to speak, are focused on Russia, China has been busy creating an animated propaganda video bashing President Donald Trump’s tariffs against the nation, published as ‘opinion’ on the website of the China Global Television Network, according to Breitbart.

So how does a video with a talking almond published on a Chinese TV website interfere with an American election? Because the video directly gives ammunition to Democrats. It also directly speaks to American voters in relation to the upcoming midterms.

“California’s 7,000 almond growers have actually been left out in the cold. Though the traditionally blue state voted for the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, many of our state’s farmers supported Trump,” the video said.

“Some of our top almond-producing regions in the state are actually represented by Republicans. But unfortunately, with neither trade nor aid, our state’s farmers now stand to lose the most in this escalating trade war.”

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“Tell me, do you want all those fruits, nuts, and veggies to pile up and rot simply because President Trump is killing trade at the expense of the many?”

There are several districts in California that Democrats would love to flip to blue. One is the rural 10th Congressional District, currently served by U.S. Representative Jeff Dehman, who is also an almond rancher. According to Ballotpedia, Denham will be facing Democrat Josh Harder, who has been endorsed by former president Barrack Obama and has worked with the Gates Foundation.

CGTN has a YouTube channel and has published news videos targeting Trump’s tariffs on soybeans and almonds and the American farmers potentially hit by them. This almond video is not animated, but could easily be seen as decidedly “Trump tariffs against China are bad for YOU.”:

In the news video, it’s reported that before the tariffs took effect, the California Almond board expected growth in exports to China to increase by 6 percent every year. However, the board’s July 2018 position report reveals that exports overall have seen a 6.45 percent increase.

The animated video reportedly claims that only farmers in the mid-west have been helped. It does not differentiate that the help was for the soybean industry, found in those states, along with other crops also found in that region.

United States almonds are only grown in California, so naturally soybean aid would go to where they are grown. A state growing a different crop or set of crops would not qualify for that help.

To address any possible losses to the almond and other agricultural industries in California, the government will buy “surplus produce,” according to The Sacramento Bee. However, this program is suggested to be “partisan politics” by The Bee.

Several members of Congress, including Denham, have written a letter to Trump. In it, they ask him for more help for California farmers.

RELATED: China Folds to Trump’s Pressure, Quietly Removes Oil Tariff

The Bee also noted that Trump has tweeted “China ‘is spending a fortune on ads and P.R. trying to convince and scare our politicians to fight me.’ He went on: ‘Tariffs will make our country much richer than it is today. Only fools would disagree.’”

So is China participating in some kind of election interference, or even “collusion” with Democrats to swing vulnerable areas in their favor? If so, why has there been no establishment media outcry or government investigation launched?

Some would say that as long as it fits the liberal left agenda, none of the aforementioned will do anything to address, correct or punish it. Based on mounting evidence, that may be a sadly realistic viewpoint.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

If there was ever any doubt about where the heart of the compassionate left lies, this should clear that up for good.

When it comes to the ugliness of abortion, liberals throw everything under the bus — including the lives of the unborn.

In this case, Chelsea Clinton showed her true colors as she expresses her preference for women to have abortions because it is, in her opinion, financially advantageous for the economy.

Clinton made these comments at the pro-abortion event “Rise Up for Roe” in New York City on Aug. 11, according to the Christian Post.

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“It is not a disconnect fact that American Women entering the labor force from 1970 to 2009 added $3.5 trillion dollars to our economy. The net, new entrance of women, that is not disconnected from the fact that Roe became the law of the land in January of 1973,” Clinton said.

“So, whatever it is that people say they care about, I think you can connect to this issue. Of course I would hope that they would care about our equal rights and dignity to make our own choices, but it that is not sufficiently persuasive hopefully some these other arguments you are hearing expressed so beautifully, will be.”

If her statement leaves you cold, you may not be alone. But it certainly fired up evangelist Franklin Graham and he expressed his outrage on Facebook.

“Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, claims that legalizing abortion added trillions of dollars to the economy. What a lie. Hitler probably also claimed that killing the Jews would be good for their economy. Legalizing abortion hasn’t added anything to our country, it has only taken away. It has cost this nation more than 60 million lives—lives precious to God. Just think of the contribution these people would have made. There will be another high cost. I believe God will judge America for allowing the heinous murder of our own children in the womb. And to everyone who has had an abortion, that is murder in God’s eyes. But I am happy to tell you the wonderful news that God will forgive you. He can take the shame and guilt you have been carrying around all these years and take it away if you are willing to turn to Him and put your faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. Not only will He forgive you, He will save you for eternity—and you will be reunited one day in Heaven with that child.”

Graham posted similar comments on his Twitter page.

.@ChelseaClinton, daughter of former President @BillClinton & @HillaryClinton, claims that legalizing abortion added trillions of dollars to the economy. What a lie. Hitler probably also claimed that killing the Jews would be good for their economy. 1/3 https://t.co/q381oYx7nP

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 15, 2018

Conservative Erick Erickson also weighed in, to compare Clinton’s defense of abortion with the antebellum defense of American slavery. Clinton tried, weakly, to defend herself.

In the 1800’s, slave owners said slavery was about economic rights. Always and without fail the arguments of the abortion movement in the United States mirror the arguments of slave owners. Both are grave evils. https://t.co/3tkd4Vj03i

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 15, 2018

Hi Erick – protecting reproductive health rights is first about protecting women’s human rights and health. From 1973-1985, American women’s deaths from abortion declined 5-fold. And, reproductive rights are about women’s economic rights and agency. It’s … not the same at all. https://t.co/sM7egoZTzu

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 15, 2018

RELATED: UN Gives Human Rights Leadership Position to Someone Who Advocates Murdering Babies

Can the life of an unborn child be less valuable than that of illegals who cross our borders in search of prosperity?

It’s truly amazing how liberals can display such disrespect for the dignity of human life when they so vehemently advocate for, in the name of compassion, the illegal aliens who break our laws and drain our social programs.

It could be fair to say these unborn children victimized by abortion were also victims of leftist selective compassion.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Former Chilean president and pro-choice activist Michelle Bachelet has been nominated to take the position of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed her to replace Jordanian Prince Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein after his announcement in December that he would not seek to extend his term in the position, The New York Times reported.

Unsurprisingly, former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power, President Barack Obama’s representative before the international organization, lauded the choice, claiming that “has a lifelong commitment to the cause of human rights.”

Apparently, Power does not consider the right of a preborn child to take its first breath a “human right.”

Strong choice. In addition to being a successful two-term president and experienced w/in @UN, Bachelet has a lifelong commitment to the cause of human rights. Her father was tortured under Pinochet & died in custody. She and her mom were also arrested and beaten. She’s a fighter https://t.co/aWhCtWmpgF

— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) August 8, 2018

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Others, however, had “serious concerns” about Bachelet’s suitability for her new role.

During Bachelet’s time as president of Chile, she campaigned for abortion to be decriminalized.

GENEVA, August 8, 2018 — In reaction to the news of @MBachelet‘s nomination as the next @UNHumanRights chief, UN Watch said it had “serious concerns” over her spotty record on supporting human rights in #Cuba, #Nicaragua, and #Venezuelahttps://t.co/g8QU4UgTi2

— UN Watch (@UNWatch) August 8, 2018

HRF shares @UNWatch‘s concern over @mBachelet‘s fitness to hold the highest office @UNHumanRights, due to her track record cozying up to Latin American dictators. Her rhetoric would need to change dramatically for her not make a mockery of the office. https://t.co/oPOqL0E3St pic.twitter.com/km7AiuvXI7

— HRF (@HRF) August 9, 2018

Her choice probably seems logical to most of the left, including most of the U.N., which has for some time argued that unfettered access to abortion is a “right to life.”

That would make a pretty good punch line if there anything at all funny about murdered infants.

During her second term as president of Chile, Bachelet faced accusations of government corruption and responsibility for a failing economy.

In between terms she utilized her time as the first Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.

In August of 2017, “Chile’s highest court approved a law that decriminalized abortion in cases of rape, fatal disability, and when a mother’s life is at risk,” reported the Center for Family and Human Rights.

RELATED: Franklin Graham Rips Chelsea Clinton for Saying Abortions Added Trillions to Economy

However, Ambassador Michael Kozak told reporters that “abortion is not a human right.”

Bachelet has done a lot of work in her life to support the pro-choice argument, as well as advocate for other social issues, such as women’s empowerment and social protection programs.

Now, she will continue her work in office as the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. That means, that she will have more influence to share her pro-choice views and continue to encourage the U.N. in efforts of making abortion a right to life.

Abortion cannot be a right to life because it is literally taking a life, therefore acting in controversy because it is violating another individual’s basic human right to live.

Bachelet is a strong leader in the world of politics, but she may not be fit to be a leader in the world of human rights.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Before the 2016 presidential election, countless “experts” predicted economic doom and gloom if Donald Trump were to win.

Now, coming up on two years since President Trump took office, a chain of positive economic news could be summarized in four words: Experts are often wrong.

First, even the president’s opponents were forced to admit that everything didn’t fall apart the moment he took office. As Trump has frequently reminded his critics, unemployment numbers for blacks and Hispanics are near record lows, even as he’s attacked as an enemy of minorities.

Now, there’s even more good news for the Trump economy. On Thursday, the nonpartisan Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that young people are doing very well on the job front.

“From April to July 2018, the number of employed youth 16 to 24 years old increased by 2.0 million to 20.9 million,” the BLS said.

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“The unemployment rate among young Americans fell to its lowest level in more than 50 years this summer,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

Trump himself proudly shared that information via Twitter on Friday, in a post that was “liked” over 84,000 times.

Just announced, youth unemployment is at a 50 year low! @foxandfriends

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018

Perhaps the most interesting observation is that many of the groups who have been reluctant to vote for Trump — black Americans and young people, for instance — are benefiting the most from his presidency.

The majority of millennials, 55 percent, voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 election, according to an analysis of exit poll data from USA Today.

At the same time, a stunning number of younger Americans seem enamored by political promises that would almost certainly be disastrous for jobs and the country overall.

“(M)ore Millennials would prefer to live in a socialist country (44%) than in a capitalist one (42%). … The percentage of Millennials who would prefer socialism to capitalism is a full 10 points higher than that of the general population,” said a 2017 Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation/YouGov survey, which we reported on last year.

“It seems that the majority of America’s largest generation would prefer to live in a socialist or communism society than in a free enterprise system that respects the rule of law, private property, and limited government,” the foundation said.

Maybe it’s a cliched statement, but the youth in America might not know how good they have it. By almost every measure, life for Americans of all backgrounds is better than it has ever been and offers dramatically more opportunities compared with world standards.

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The simple fact is that there are plenty of jobs for young people who want to make money and countless career options for almost anyone who is willing to show up and apply themselves.

Why so many young Americans are jaded and disenchanted despite living in a time of peace and opportunity may come down to a matter of messaging. If conservatives want to advance their ideas, communicating the principles that have made America great to the next generation is extremely important.

That may take a while … but pointing out how good things actually are in 2018 is definitely a strong start.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

During the August 18, 2018, airing of Breitbart News Saturday, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry explained that he  chose, in part, to withhold $600 million from Citigroup and Bank of America because they are “trying to become the social police.”

On August 16, 2018, Breitbart News reported Landry’s decision to withhold the $600 million, a decision shared by the Louisiana Bond Commission and State Treasurer John Schroder.

The decision to withhold the money came after Citigroup and Bank of America each unilaterally placed gun control demands on their customers, going so far as to stipulate that bank-sponsored gun regulations had to be followed if financing was desired.

Landry used his appearance on Breitbart News Saturday to explain:

About four months ago, Citigroup and Bank of America, like, unfortunately some big corporations are trying to become the social police, they put out policies trying to restrict American citizens’ ability to legally access firearms. They both have someone different policies, but they basically would not extend financing to gun manufacturers or retailers, some of whom may sell guns legally to persons under 21.

He continued:

At the same time that [Citigroup and Bank of America] put these policies out, the state of Louisiana was looking for underwriters for a $600 million infrastructure project here. And [Citigroup and Bank of America] applied for us to evaluate them to be one of the underwriters, and in a very strong statement, conservatives in Louisiana said no, we are not going to do business with corporations that infringe or restrict our citizens’ right to legally access firearms.

Landry said a Citigroup representative spoke at the Bond Commission and could not tell him how many firearm-related homicides there are a year in America. Landry pointed out there “10,000 to 12,000” firearm-related homicides, “in comparison to automobiles, which is like 36,000, compared to opioids, which is like 65,000.”

Yet Citigroup is not placing new regulations on car manufacturers or car dealers, not are they putting new regulations on pharmaceutical companies.

Landry summarized, “It’s an infiltration of the left into boardrooms of major boardrooms … [and] they want to become the social police. And in Louisiana, we’re just not going to stand for that.”

AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News, the host of the Breitbart podcast Bullets with AWR Hawkins, and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. Sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.

Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” national security adviser John Bolton said the removal of former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance by President Donald Trump was justified because “he and others in the Obama administration were politicizing intelligence.”

Bolton said, “It was my view at the time that he and others in the Obama administration were politicizing intelligence. I think that is a very dangerous thing to do.”

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN

The Vatican released a statement expressing “shame and sorrow” Thursday about the hundreds of predator priests uncovered in Pennsylvania. This statement comes after two days of silence and offers no quote from Pope Francis.

“There are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow,” the statement reads. “The Holy See treats with great seriousness the work of the Investigating Grand Jury of Pennsylvania… The Holy See condemns unequivocally the sexual abuse of minors.”

“Victims should know that the Pope is on their side. Those who have suffered are his priority, and the Church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror that destroys the lives of the innocent.”

In the middle of these platitudes, comes this: “By finding almost no cases after 2002, the Grand Jury’s conclusions are consistent with previous studies showing that Catholic Church reforms in the United States drastically reduced the incidence of clergy child abuse.”

This is what stood out to me… “Almost no cases after 2002.”

We are talking about the kind of sexual abuse against children that would make Harvey Weinstein blush and the Church is using the words “almost no” in its defense.

Let’s read that another way…

Ford Motor: “Almost no Ford Pintos exploded and killed their occupants after 2002.”

The FBI: “Almost no FBI agents were involved in manipulating presidential elections after 2002.”

The local mosque: “Almost none of our Imams sought to radicalize terrorists after 2002.”

CNN: “Almost none of our reporters spread fake news after 2002.”

the Catholic Church: “Almost no children were raped by our priests after 2002.”

And then there is the whole “fool me once” aspect of all this.

These are the kinds of statements we heard 15 years ago when the first child abuse scandal exploded on the Church, and I am afraid empty words are just not good enough anymore.

I joined the Church in 2008 in large part because I was assured this was behind us, assured an unforgivable blot on the 2,000-year-old institution had been eradicated, assured this would not and could not happen ever again. And yet here we are in 2018 with the discovery that the coverup has been ongoing and that the standard when it comes to predatory priests raping children is “almost no[ne].”

Just as unacceptably is this sentence in the Vatican’s statement, “The Holy See also wants to underscore the need to comply with the civil law, including mandatory child abuse reporting requirements.”

You have child rapists in your own home and a gangster mentality protecting those child rapists… How can you not be proactive? How can you not be calling on every attorney general in all 50 states to launch investigations — with the FULL cooperation of the church — in all 50 states?  How can you not be demanding these “secret archives” (incredibly, that was the Pennsylvania Church’s term for the secret files detailing the abuse and cover-ups) be released to the public in very diocese, not only here in America but throughout the world?

As a practicing Catholic, someone who loved the Church, who joined the Church as a 42-year-old adult, who was proud to call himself a Roman Catholic, I am horrified, not only by this report (which I intend to read in full), but by a powerful institution’s passive response to an unspeakable evil breeding within its own home.

And how are we to define this passiveness as something other than it is own kind of evil?

Follow John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC. Follow his Facebook Page here.