Podcasts about with president joe biden

With President Joe Biden set to address the nation, Dave and Debbie look into VP Harris' concession speech from Wednesday and break down the key points she emphasized.

With President Joe Biden's final Quad meeting taking place last weekend, Miles Yu gives us some background on the multilateral group of nations, and it's importance in defining, and bringing order to, the Indo-Pacific. Next, we cover the continued rise of violent xenophobia inside China in light of another stabbing and death of a 10-year old Japanese schoolboy. This time the Japanese government, along with Japanese companies in China, is making it clear that they're fed up with the Chines Communist Party's culture of fear.  Finally, the U.S. Commerce Department officially proposed a new ban on Chinese-made car parts, citing not economics as the reason, but rather national security. 

In this episode, Mark passionately addresses a YouTube commenter on the importance of fracking in New Mexico. He pulls no punches in advocating for energy production, explaining why it's vital for the well-being of the state's residents.Krysty then takes the stage to express her outrage over Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent ad campaign in Texas. Funded with taxpayer dollars, the ad aimed to attract Texas doctors to New Mexico. The catch? It targeted only abortion providers. In a state where abortions have surged by 250% in the last two years, Krysty questions why the governor isn't focusing on recruiting primary care physicians or OBGYNs, which are desperately needed.We also tackle the ongoing issue of Vice President Kamala Harris's frequent policy flip-flops, from fracking to Medicare. Why does the media remain silent? We delve into the realities of how much longer Harris can keep hiding from tough questions we all deserve the answer to.Additionally, Mark provides a deep dive into some unsettling stories that raise the question of who's really running the country. With President Joe Biden's continued struggles amidst a faltering economy and escalating Middle East conflict, are we entering a perilous time with no clear leadership due to Biden's cognitive issues?Lastly, we break down the latest Olympic boxing controversy. The advancement of two men in the women's division has sparked widespread outrage. How could this possibly happen?#2024 #biden #trump #newmexico #michellelujangrisham #breakingnews #immigration #border #economy #election #abq #albuquerqueWebsite: https://www.nodoubtaboutitpodcast.com/Twitter: @nodoubtpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoDoubtAboutItPod/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markronchettinm/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Two dozen prisoners spread throughout seven countries are free after the largest prisoner swap between the West and Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met the government jet as it arrived on U.S. soil when Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva stepped onto the tarmac ending a month of highly secret negotiation that involved several governments across the globe. Three-time CIA Station Chief, Senior Executive Clandestine Services Officer, and FOX News Contributor Dan Hoffman explains why getting so many countries on board with the swap was such an extraordinary achievement for the United States. With President Joe Biden suspending his 2024 reelection campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee, the fundamentals of the race haven't really changed. Elections in the U.S. are usually decided by a few battleground states with persuadable voters pushing one candidate over the edge. However, with the 2024 race being anything but traditional, will the shake-up have any impact on the outcome? Co-Director of the FOX News Poll, member of the FOX News Decision Desk, and political science professor at the University of Texas, Daron Shaw weighs in on what the state of the race looks like following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the Vice President announcing her campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two dozen prisoners spread throughout seven countries are free after the largest prisoner swap between the West and Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met the government jet as it arrived on U.S. soil when Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva stepped onto the tarmac ending a month of highly secret negotiation that involved several governments across the globe. Three-time CIA Station Chief, Senior Executive Clandestine Services Officer, and FOX News Contributor Dan Hoffman explains why getting so many countries on board with the swap was such an extraordinary achievement for the United States. With President Joe Biden suspending his 2024 reelection campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee, the fundamentals of the race haven't really changed. Elections in the U.S. are usually decided by a few battleground states with persuadable voters pushing one candidate over the edge. However, with the 2024 race being anything but traditional, will the shake-up have any impact on the outcome? Co-Director of the FOX News Poll, member of the FOX News Decision Desk, and political science professor at the University of Texas, Daron Shaw weighs in on what the state of the race looks like following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the Vice President announcing her campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two dozen prisoners spread throughout seven countries are free after the largest prisoner swap between the West and Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met the government jet as it arrived on U.S. soil when Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva stepped onto the tarmac ending a month of highly secret negotiation that involved several governments across the globe. Three-time CIA Station Chief, Senior Executive Clandestine Services Officer, and FOX News Contributor Dan Hoffman explains why getting so many countries on board with the swap was such an extraordinary achievement for the United States. With President Joe Biden suspending his 2024 reelection campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee, the fundamentals of the race haven't really changed. Elections in the U.S. are usually decided by a few battleground states with persuadable voters pushing one candidate over the edge. However, with the 2024 race being anything but traditional, will the shake-up have any impact on the outcome? Co-Director of the FOX News Poll, member of the FOX News Decision Desk, and political science professor at the University of Texas, Daron Shaw weighs in on what the state of the race looks like following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the Vice President announcing her campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1,025 - Bruce LeVell Bruce LeVell joins The Paul Leslie Hour! At midnight tonight it will be 100 days until Election Day 2024. With President Joe Biden leaving the race, the new Democrat presumptive nominee is Kamala Harris. Will Kamala Harris be a formidable opponent to 45th President Donald J. Trump? Will Team Harris be able to spin up a campaign with such precious little time left on the clock? Bruce LeVell, a longtime advisor to President Donald J. Trump spoke with me to give his perspectives on this election and what the American people are facing. Mr. LeVell tells it like it is and pulls no punches. Tune in and see why he's been a compelling voice on national and local radio and television with hundreds and hundreds of appearances. It was great to welcome Bruce LeVell on The Paul Leslie Hour where some of the most fascinating people of our time have shared their perspectives. Everyone from Willie Nelson, Woody Allen, Gene Wilder, Maya Angelou, Jeff Bridges, Larry King and more than 1,000 others have joined The Paul Leslie Hour as a guest. It's a conversational style. Right now, it's time for Mr. Bruce LeVell. Happy listening.

With President Joe Biden stepping down, Kamala Harris stepping in, and JD Vance being tacked on to the Trump presidential ticket, what the next few months will bring in the US presidential campaign is anyone's guess. Joining Dermot Whelan to look ahead to what promises to be a seismic few months in US politics is Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder and White House Bureau Chief

"Previously agreed upon September 10th debate. He agreed to that previously. Now it appears he's backpedaling. But I'm ready, and I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage. And so, I'm ready. Let's go." Former President Donald Trump's campaign announced that they would not commit to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris until she is officially confirmed as the Democratic nominee for president. The decision follows Harris' challenge, where she expressed her readiness for the previously scheduled September debate and highlighted the need for voters to see the differences between the two candidates clearly. Trump's campaign stated that committing now would be premature, as Harris' nomination isn't finalized. Harris responded on social media questioning Trump's commitment to debate "any time, any place." With President Joe Biden stepping down and endorsing Harris, the Democrats are expected to confirm her nomination by August 7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we delve into the high-stakes 2024 U.S. Presidential election, focusing on the face-off between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. With President Joe Biden stepping down and endorsing Harris, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. The 2024 U.S. Presidential election has taken a dramatic turn with Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the Democratic front-runner following President Biden's withdrawal. Harris has quickly amassed significant support from key Democrats and raised substantial campaign funds, while former President Trump's team recalibrates its strategy. Recent polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Harris, with Trump holding a slight lead within the margin of error, suggesting a highly competitive election ahead. The demographic breakdown shows Harris performing strongly among Black voters, while Trump maintains better support among white voters. Both candidates are focusing on crucial battleground states and addressing key issues such as immigration, gun violence, climate change, and the economy. The upcoming presidential debates will be pivotal in swaying undecided voters. Harris's potential to attract independent and third-party voters, particularly dissatisfied Republicans, could prove decisive in this closely contested race, making the 2024 election one of the most unpredictable in recent history.   Feel free to download and review this episode and  Share your thoughts, participate in our polls, and engage directly with our hosts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your voice matters in this crucial dialogue! By downloading and engaging with us, you'll not only stay informed but also become part of a community shaping the discourse around this pivotal election. Let's decode this political puzzle together – download, follow, and let's make your voice heard in the 2024 Presidential race!

With President Joe Biden in the White House at 81 and Donald Trump at 78 running to replace him, plenty of Americans are wondering how people at advanced ages handle high-pressure jobs. Stacy Vernon is program manager, head of adult assessment at the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what makes a “super ager,” common health ailments for senior citizens, and if age makes a demanding job more difficult.

With President Joe Biden out of the race, prominent Democrats and donors are coalescing around Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, making it unlikely there will be a truly open nominating convention in Chicago next month. For most of American history, open conventions were the norm. Some ended in chaos, with the party and its chosen nominee weakened heading into the general election. In this episode, Georgetown University historian Michael Kazin delves into the fascinating, rough-and-tumble history of political conventions in presidential election years, and he explains why the major parties did away with them in the early 1970s. Recommended reading: What It Took To Win: A History of the Democratic Party by Michael Kazin

The 2024 US Presidential race is shaping up to be the most interesting and exciting in recent memory. With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, next month's Democratic National Convention will be something we haven't seen in over 50 years. We discuss what the process to name a new Democratic nominee will look like with Philip Klinkner, Professor in the Department of Government at Hamilton College.   Is surgical privatization hurting our healthcare system and has the increase of privatization had an impact on ‘surgical capacity' in the province? We tackle the topic with Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of “Friends of Medicare”.   Finally. It's a trip back in time. We catch up with “The Gadget Guy”, Mike Yawney, for details on a new trend which features the resurgence of technology close to 40 years old. Mike brings us details on the potential ‘return' of the CD Player.

With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris. There are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout. With Biden stepping aside, Democrats technically start with an open convention. But realistically, his endorsement pushes Democrats into murky territory. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. Today on AirTalk, we're taking the full two-hours to analyze Biden's decision, what happens next and hear from you. Call us at 866-983-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.    With files from the Associated Press. 

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 22nd of July and here are today's headlines.Ahead of the Modi 3.0 Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023-24 in the Monsoon Session of Lok Sabha parliament highlighting an 8.2 per cent economic growth estimation in real terms in the financial year consolidating to post-Covid recovery, fiscal and monetary with policymakers. While inflation for specific food items has elevated, the headline inflation is under control with a surplus registered in the last quarter.Speaking of the parliament, a day ahead of the much-awaited Union Budget, the Lok Sabha session kicked off with partisan attacks on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the ‘Question Hour' rowing over the NEET - UG paper leak case. Congress MP Manickam Tagore and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised Pradhan over the purported paper leak incident, whereas Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi claimed that Pradhan will “blame everybody but himself”.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has resumed the NEET matter hearing today. Senior advocate Hooda told the top court that the paper leak took place through WhatsApp so it was impossible that it was confined only to Patna in Bihar. He said, “Solvers were taken from Rajasthan. Dissemination was through WhatsApp. It is not possible that the leak is confined to Patna.``. He added that if the apex court is “not considering re-NEET, at least qualified people should be asked to retake the exam, which will be about 13 lakh people.”A day after a 14-year-old boy in Malappuram succumbed to the Nipah virus, the Kerala health department confirmed today that he had consumed hog plum fruit from his neighbourhood, where the presence of fruit bats, known as a reservoir of the zoonotic virus, was confirmed. Health minister Veena George, after a review in Malappuram, said the boy's friends have said that he consumed the fruit, known locally as ambazhanga, from the vicinity of his house days before he developed the fever.With President Joe Biden opting out of the US presidential race and endorsing his Vice President as the Democrat's nominee, Kamala Harris praised his extraordinary leadership and has raised $49.6 million for her presidential campaign in less than a day of Biden withdrawing, Reuters reported. Harris said, quote “I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” unquote. This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

With President Joe Biden's health in question, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) is one of at least 13 House Democrats to publicly call for Mr. Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Smith joined Major to explain why there needs to be a new candidate, emphasizing that Mr. Biden can no longer carry the message of the party. The congressman, who called Mr. Biden one of the best first term presidents ever, envisions an optimistic future for both the country and the Democratic party with Kamala Harris as the nominee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Dark with Hosts Rob & Andrew – America stands at a crossroads under Democratic leadership. With President Joe Biden steering, our national and global reputation faces unprecedented challenges. The current administration's ideologies deepen divisions. As global events escalate, particularly with Russia and Israel, a beacon emerges: Republicans introduce Congressman Mike Johnson as the new Speaker. Notably, former...

After Dark with Hosts Rob & Andrew – America stands at a crossroads under Democratic leadership. With President Joe Biden steering, our national and global reputation faces unprecedented challenges. The current administration's ideologies deepen divisions. As global events escalate, particularly with Russia and Israel, a beacon emerges: Republicans introduce Congressman Mike Johnson as the new Speaker. Notably, former...

With President Joe Biden still at the beach and Congress in August recess, there's one gigantic story dominating the headlines today: Donald Trump's expected arraignment in Washington D.C. following his indictment this week stemming from his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein about what to expect from this latest arraignment.

With President Joe Biden's visit to Ottawa in the rear-view mirror, Chris sits down with CBC's Washington-based correspondent Alexander Panetta to discuss Canadians' reaction to the two-day summit and reflect on policy developments affecting migration, foreign engagement, and cross-border supply chains.

With President Joe Biden's promised trip to Canada around the corner, Chris and Scotty welcome Jennifer Savage, Director of the State Department's Office of Canadian Affairs, for a conversation on life in the foreign service and US perspective on the bilateral relationship.

With President Joe Biden's speech Wednesday night, Bishop On Air reviews some of the latest rhetoric with just days before the midterm election.

The moral curve of history is bending closer to the arc of equal justice for all. With President Joe Biden's appointment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court a move 232 years and 115 justices in the making. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's exemplary background reflects the Biden administration's commitment to nominating exceptional judges at every level. Upon confirmation, Judge Jackson would not only have more experience than four of the current justices combined, but she would also be the first and only justice with experience as a public defender. Judge Jackson served as an assistant public defender from February 2005 to June 2007, before returning to work in corporate law. As a 2020 report from the Center for American Progress outlined, judges with more diverse professional experience improve jurisprudence so that it better acknowledges people's unique lived experiences. Judge Jackson's experience as a public defender deepens her understanding of the U.S. justice system and how it touches people's lives. , Judge Jackson would replace former Justice Stephen Breyer, the justice for whom she clerked from 1999 to 2000. Judge Jackson's clerkship experience provided her with an insider's view of the operations of the court, as well as deep knowledge of Justice Breyer's consensus-building approach to the role of justice. To dive deeper into this historic appointment, I enlisted the expertise of Whitney Traylor Legal Analyst at KUSA-TV, 9NEWS in greater Denver. Who joined me to discuss the legal and societal implications of this monumental moment and its impact on American history For more information: https://traylorlawgroup.com/ LinkedIn: @WhitneyTraylor Discover More www.Youtellmepodcast.com

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia could not feel "safe, develop, and exist" because of what he claimed was a constant threat from modern Ukraine. Immediately after, a full-scale military invasion on Ukraine was launched, resulting in number of casualties, both military and civilian. With President Joe Biden's recent decisions to increase sanctions on Russia and keep all Russian airlines out of U.S. airspace as tensions escalate, it is pertinent to analyze and evaluate the role the United States will play in this crisis. While current events are still current, the Council is dedicated to offering a RealTime Report, hosting speakers with firsthand knowledge of the issues at bay and the ability to best interpret the situation as it unfolds. For this Russo-Ukrainian crisis, we've invited the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, the 22nd permanent representative of the United States to NATO, in conversation with moderator and Russia and Near East expert Anna Borshchevskaya. Ambassador Hutchison has worked tirelessly with members of the 72-year-old alliance to protect our freedoms at home and abroad. She will share her informed insights on the world's response to the unfolding war in Ukraine while Borshchevskaya will offer perspective on Putin's intentions and Russia's foreign policy. Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison served her term as U.S. permanent representative to NATO in Brussels, Belgium from 2017-2021. During her three-and-a-half years as permanent representative, she focused on the importance of U.S. leadership in the organization and strengthening the transatlantic bond that provides the security umbrella for Europe and North America. She represented Texas in the U.S. Senate from 1993-2013 and was Texas state treasurer from 1991-1993. Ambassador Hutchison is also the author of three books, including the bestseller American Heroines. She earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. Anna BorshchevskayaModerated by Anna Borshchevskaya Anna Borshchevskaya is a senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on the Great Power Competition and the Middle East, focused on Russia's policy toward the Middle East. She is also a contributor to Oxford Analytica and a fellow at the European Foundation for Democracy. Borshchevskaya has experience as a former analyst for a U.S. military contractor in Afghanistan and has served as communications director at the American Islamic Congress. Alongside her other publications, Borshchevskaya is the author of the 2021 book, Putin's War in Syria: Russian Foreign Policy and the Price of America's Absence. She holds a B.A. from State University of New York at Geneseo, an M.A. from John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a Ph.D. from George Mason University. . . Do you believe in the importance of international education and connections? The nonprofit World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth is supported by gifts from people like you, who share our passion for engaging in dialogue on global affairs and building bridges of understanding. While the Council is not currently charging admission for virtual events, we ask you to please consider making a one-time or recurring gift to help us keep the conversation going through informative public programs and targeted events for students and teachers. Donate: https://www.dfwworld.org/donate

With President Joe Biden's prioritization of Environmental Justice issues, Greenberg Traurig Shareholders Maribel Nicholson-Choice and Libby Stennes discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's historical and current definition of Environmental Justice, steps for corporations to protect their brands, and how to effectively work with communities and stakeholders.

Folks, we are already getting excited about Christmas around here. It is November, so that is allowed right? Well starting now, for all those who sign up for an annual Silver membership or above will get our CrossPolitic Christmas Man Box. This box will come with:  -Special Fresca Holiday T-Shirt* -CrossPolitic Patch Hat -3 Fight Laugh Feast Cigars (Little Anthony's) -CrossPolitic Ceramic Camper Mug So, go to FightLaughFeast.com, click on Shop, and make sure you select an annual membership that is Silver or above for this offer. Included in this offer is a 13 month member, meaning we will bill you in January, CrossPolitic stickers, and a signed thank you note by the CrossPolitic crew. Get this while supplies last!  Secondly, all club members will be getting a free copy of our Flight Laugh Feast Christmas magazine. I know some club members are already magazine subscribers, so if that is the case, you can just gift the magazine to your favorite friend for Christmas.  Lastly ladies, we have not forgotten about you. Actually men, here is your opportunity to buy your wife a unique Christmas present. Rowdy Christian Clothing is now carrying beautiful Fight Laugh Feast bracelets that come in brass, gold, or silver. Go to RowdyChristian.com and order them while supplies last for Christmas! Hiker discovers Hawaiian stream with 1.2% alcohol content https://notthebee.com/article/hiker-discovers-a-hawaiian-stream-with-12-percent-alcohol-content File this under Happy Thanksgiving and tell me God ain't good! According to the Bee: “A hiker in Hawaii's Oahu island was walking around when he sniffed out a familiar smell... alcohol. He followed his nose and it led him to stream 120 feet beneath a freeway. Once the hiker discovered the boozy brook, he contacted a local environmental activist, who alerted the Department of Health (way to ruin all the fun). A sample of the water was tested and it was found to contain 1.2 percent alcohol and .04 percent sugar – which is the same amount of alcohol in many low-ABV beers. They are looking at a spill from a Department of Transportation-owned storm pipe adjacent to the highway. The DOT has linked the spill to Hawaii's largest alcoholic beverage supplier, Paradise Beverages, which owns a warehouse across the freeway. But they are still unsure what is causing the spill.” California's Santa Cruz County mandates mask-wearing in private homes https://www.theblaze.com/news/california-santa-cruz-county-mandates-mask-wearing-in-private-homes According to the Blaze: “An indoor mask mandate has been reinstated in Santa Cruz County, California, after a surge in winter coronavirus cases has led to increased hospitalizations. The county health department is requiring that people wear face coverings in indoor settings, including in private homes. The mandate went into effect on Sunday at 11:59 p.m, after the county reported a seven-day average of 72 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people — placing it in the "substantial" transmission category, according to the CDC. "Unfortunately, a potential winter surge appears to be a significant threat to the health and safety of our community," Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gaill Newel said in a statement. Both people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and those who have not are required to wear face coverings indoors. Business and governmental entities are being told to require their employees to wear masks and to post signage at points of entry for their indoor settings to alert the public of the mask requirement.” Exemptions for sale: How a central Washington doctor helped workers dodge vaccine mandate https://www.krem.com/article/news/investigations/covid-vaccine-exemptions-for-sale-anna-elperin-awake-health-ellensburg/281-3fdbfa97-32fb-41b4-a25b-2394b0d38afd According to KREM: “In Ellensburg, doctor removed her mask as she entered a small medical exam room in October and began signing a COVID-19 vaccine exemption form for a first-time patient, without asking a single question about her medical history. The only way most workers who were opposed to being vaccinated against COVID-19 could potentially keep their jobs was to seek a religious or medical exemption before the Oct. 18 deadline. But such medical exemptions required documentation from a licensed physician, like Dr. Anna Elperin. A three-month KING 5 investigation found Elperin repeatedly signed and sold those mask and COVID vaccine exemptions to residents across Washington state, in some cases with no questions asked. The doctor wrote exemptions for patients who did not provide a legitimate medical reason to receive one, including people who sought to evade local and state pandemic-related mandates. Charging each patient from $150 to $200 for the forms, Elperin potentially raked in tens of thousands of dollars from medical exemption sales a month and profited from state, local and private company policies intended to reduce the spread of coronavirus.   “What you just described is an ‘exemption mill,'” said Dr. Gabriel Bosslet, one of three national medical ethics experts consulted for this story and an associate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. “You hand over money, and I ask no questions and give you a piece of paper that satisfies the state that you have an exemption.”   This investigation is based on the experiences of four undercover journalists who received mask and vaccine exemptions signed by Elperin this fall. Reporters also interviewed three former Awake Health employees, who said they watched the doctor sell hundreds of COVID-related exemptions without asking patients medical questions or conducting any medical exams.”  Werkz: DNB Shan and his team at Werkz specialize in concealed carry holsters for pistols with lights. They believe every defensive pistol should have a light and a holster. They currently offer holsters for 1,274 pistol and light combinations, plus can help outfit your pistol with a light. Use their holster finder at Werkz.com/CrossPolitic and be prepared to defend day and night. Washington public schools lose over 55,000 students https://thepostmillennial.com/washington-public-schools-lose-over-55-000-students/?fbclid=IwAR2pEJb2PMu1ReiBHYmlrill76wIMEVA2StsGX64iahMYtd0Hrbzgcp7RlY According to the Postmillennial, I have a praise report to bring you: “It was revealed last week in a presentation to a state Senate committee that the "November 2021 forecast is, on average, 50,334 students or 4.5 percent lower than the February forecast, and 42,036 students or 3.8 percent lower than the June forecast for the 2021-23 Biennium." Many parents opted for private school, learning pods and home schooling. Parents told The Post Millennial that they chose other educational options. Parents cited multiple factors including that schools did not offer in-person instruction during the Covid pandemic, lack of safety on campus, teaching practices and curriculum based in critical race theory and radical, hyper-sexualized curriculum, as well as a substandard education.” And as sort of a side note at the end of the article, it says: “Less than 20 of Washington's 9,056 deaths from COVID have been children under 19.” 6 Senate Democrats waffling on massive social spending bill https://justthenews.com/government/congress/sen-blackburn-says-many-six-senate-democrats-waffling-massive-social-spending “With President Joe Biden's massive social spending bill facing an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate, most media attention has focused on two skeptical Democrats, Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. But a prominent Republican says she senses more Democrats in the chamber who are facing tight 2022 reelection races are considering bolting from their party's $1.75 trillion signature Build Back Better legislation, which passed the House last week on a party line vote. "Not only is it Manchin, but you've got about five or six others in the Senate that are looking at their races, they're down in the polls, or they're tied up in the polls," Sen. Marsha Blackburn told Just the News on Monday. "And the Republican ballot is up. Joe Biden, his popularity is just unbelievably low. I mean, whoever thought he would be lower than Jimmy Carter. "It is harder every day for Democrats to support this abysmal bill," she said during an interview with the John Solomon Reports podcast. "And some of these House members who finally came around and voted for it. They might as well start cleaning their office out and heading home, give somebody their proxy to vote. They will not be reelected." Blackburn suggested Democratic support is weakening as the CBO found the legislation will add significantly to the U.S. debt. Americans realize those costs will be passed on to them, and fears grow that a massive injection of federal spending will only worsen persistent inflation. "All of this is going to be paid by people that are hardworking people, and Joe Biden said, 'Oh, I'm not raising a penny in taxes on anybody making under $400,000 a year,'" she said. "Well, that's not accurate. It's not accurate on a lot of different fronts. And people know this."” The Reformed Sage: MWF Plug + Logo + Unboxing The Reformed Sage loves biblical theology, evangelism, and coffee. They sell really cool merchandise with a strong Reformed message and amazing (no really, it is!) coffee. Their desire is that our merchandise and coffee can be a conversation starter with those around you who don't know Christ, and through conversations about a design or around a cup of Reformed Roasters sanctified beans, may it lead them to an understanding of the knowledge of God. Visit the Reformed Sage's website at www.ReformedSage.com, where you'll receive a 10% off promo code for first-time buyers!  Rittenhouse Interview with Tucker: What would you say to Biden? https://rumble.com/vpnj9h-rittenhouse-nukes-biden-for-calling-him-a-white-supremacist.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=10 Rittenhouse Torches Media: https://rumble.com/vpnj8d-kyle-rittenhouse-torches-the-media-for-lying-about-his-case.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=9 Closing This is Gabriel Rench with CrossPolitic News. Support Rowdy Christian media by joining our club at fightlaughfeast.com, downloading our App, and head to our annual Fight Laugh Feast Events. With your partnership, together we will fight outdated and compromised media, engage news and politics with the gospel, and replace lies and darkness with truth and light. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to take all these actions. Have a great day. Lord bless 

Folks, we are already getting excited about Christmas around here. It is November, so that is allowed right? Well starting now, for all those who sign up for an annual Silver membership or above will get our CrossPolitic Christmas Man Box. This box will come with: -Special Fresca Holiday T-Shirt* -CrossPolitic Patch Hat -3 Fight Laugh Feast Cigars (Little Anthony's) -CrossPolitic Ceramic Camper Mug So, go to FightLaughFeast.com, click on Shop, and make sure you select an annual membership that is Silver or above for this offer. Included in this offer is a 13 month member, meaning we will bill you in January, CrossPolitic stickers, and a signed thank you note by the CrossPolitic crew. Get this while supplies last! Secondly, all club members will be getting a free copy of our Flight Laugh Feast Christmas magazine. I know some club members are already magazine subscribers, so if that is the case, you can just gift the magazine to your favorite friend for Christmas. Lastly ladies, we have not forgotten about you. Actually men, here is your opportunity to buy your wife a unique Christmas present. Rowdy Christian Clothing is now carrying beautiful Fight Laugh Feast bracelets that come in brass, gold, or silver. Go to RowdyChristian.com and order them while supplies last for Christmas! Hiker discovers Hawaiian stream with 1.2% alcohol content https://notthebee.com/article/hiker-discovers-a-hawaiian-stream-with-12-percent-alcohol-content File this under Happy Thanksgiving and tell me God ain't good! According to the Bee: “A hiker in Hawaii's Oahu island was walking around when he sniffed out a familiar smell... alcohol. He followed his nose and it led him to stream 120 feet beneath a freeway. Once the hiker discovered the boozy brook, he contacted a local environmental activist, who alerted the Department of Health (way to ruin all the fun). A sample of the water was tested and it was found to contain 1.2 percent alcohol and .04 percent sugar – which is the same amount of alcohol in many low-ABV beers. They are looking at a spill from a Department of Transportation-owned storm pipe adjacent to the highway. The DOT has linked the spill to Hawaii's largest alcoholic beverage supplier, Paradise Beverages, which owns a warehouse across the freeway. But they are still unsure what is causing the spill.” California's Santa Cruz County mandates mask-wearing in private homes https://www.theblaze.com/news/california-santa-cruz-county-mandates-mask-wearing-in-private-homes According to the Blaze: “An indoor mask mandate has been reinstated in Santa Cruz County, California, after a surge in winter coronavirus cases has led to increased hospitalizations. The county health department is requiring that people wear face coverings in indoor settings, including in private homes. The mandate went into effect on Sunday at 11:59 p.m, after the county reported a seven-day average of 72 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people — placing it in the "substantial" transmission category, according to the CDC. "Unfortunately, a potential winter surge appears to be a significant threat to the health and safety of our community," Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gaill Newel said in a statement. Both people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and those who have not are required to wear face coverings indoors. Business and governmental entities are being told to require their employees to wear masks and to post signage at points of entry for their indoor settings to alert the public of the mask requirement.” Exemptions for sale: How a central Washington doctor helped workers dodge vaccine mandate https://www.krem.com/article/news/investigations/covid-vaccine-exemptions-for-sale-anna-elperin-awake-health-ellensburg/281-3fdbfa97-32fb-41b4-a25b-2394b0d38afd According to KREM: “In Ellensburg, doctor removed her mask as she entered a small medical exam room in October and began signing a COVID-19 vaccine exemption form for a first-time patient, without asking a single question about her medical history. The only way most workers who were opposed to being vaccinated against COVID-19 could potentially keep their jobs was to seek a religious or medical exemption before the Oct. 18 deadline. But such medical exemptions required documentation from a licensed physician, like Dr. Anna Elperin. A three-month KING 5 investigation found Elperin repeatedly signed and sold those mask and COVID vaccine exemptions to residents across Washington state, in some cases with no questions asked. The doctor wrote exemptions for patients who did not provide a legitimate medical reason to receive one, including people who sought to evade local and state pandemic-related mandates. Charging each patient from $150 to $200 for the forms, Elperin potentially raked in tens of thousands of dollars from medical exemption sales a month and profited from state, local and private company policies intended to reduce the spread of coronavirus. “What you just described is an ‘exemption mill,'” said Dr. Gabriel Bosslet, one of three national medical ethics experts consulted for this story and an associate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. “You hand over money, and I ask no questions and give you a piece of paper that satisfies the state that you have an exemption.” This investigation is based on the experiences of four undercover journalists who received mask and vaccine exemptions signed by Elperin this fall. Reporters also interviewed three former Awake Health employees, who said they watched the doctor sell hundreds of COVID-related exemptions without asking patients medical questions or conducting any medical exams.” Werkz: DNB Shan and his team at Werkz specialize in concealed carry holsters for pistols with lights. They believe every defensive pistol should have a light and a holster. They currently offer holsters for 1,274 pistol and light combinations, plus can help outfit your pistol with a light. Use their holster finder at Werkz.com/CrossPolitic and be prepared to defend day and night. Washington public schools lose over 55,000 students https://thepostmillennial.com/washington-public-schools-lose-over-55-000-students/?fbclid=IwAR2pEJb2PMu1ReiBHYmlrill76wIMEVA2StsGX64iahMYtd0Hrbzgcp7RlY According to the Postmillennial, I have a praise report to bring you: “It was revealed last week in a presentation to a state Senate committee that the "November 2021 forecast is, on average, 50,334 students or 4.5 percent lower than the February forecast, and 42,036 students or 3.8 percent lower than the June forecast for the 2021-23 Biennium." Many parents opted for private school, learning pods and home schooling. Parents told The Post Millennial that they chose other educational options. Parents cited multiple factors including that schools did not offer in-person instruction during the Covid pandemic, lack of safety on campus, teaching practices and curriculum based in critical race theory and radical, hyper-sexualized curriculum, as well as a substandard education.” And as sort of a side note at the end of the article, it says: “Less than 20 of Washington's 9,056 deaths from COVID have been children under 19.” 6 Senate Democrats waffling on massive social spending bill https://justthenews.com/government/congress/sen-blackburn-says-many-six-senate-democrats-waffling-massive-social-spending “With President Joe Biden's massive social spending bill facing an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate, most media attention has focused on two skeptical Democrats, Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. But a prominent Republican says she senses more Democrats in the chamber who are facing tight 2022 reelection races are considering bolting from their party's $1.75 trillion signature Build Back Better legislation, which passed the House last week on a party line vote. "Not only is it Manchin, but you've got about five or six others in the Senate that are looking at their races, they're down in the polls, or they're tied up in the polls," Sen. Marsha Blackburn told Just the News on Monday. "And the Republican ballot is up. Joe Biden, his popularity is just unbelievably low. I mean, whoever thought he would be lower than Jimmy Carter. "It is harder every day for Democrats to support this abysmal bill," she said during an interview with the John Solomon Reports podcast. "And some of these House members who finally came around and voted for it. They might as well start cleaning their office out and heading home, give somebody their proxy to vote. They will not be reelected." Blackburn suggested Democratic support is weakening as the CBO found the legislation will add significantly to the U.S. debt. Americans realize those costs will be passed on to them, and fears grow that a massive injection of federal spending will only worsen persistent inflation. "All of this is going to be paid by people that are hardworking people, and Joe Biden said, 'Oh, I'm not raising a penny in taxes on anybody making under $400,000 a year,'" she said. "Well, that's not accurate. It's not accurate on a lot of different fronts. And people know this."” The Reformed Sage: MWF Plug + Logo + Unboxing The Reformed Sage loves biblical theology, evangelism, and coffee. They sell really cool merchandise with a strong Reformed message and amazing (no really, it is!) coffee. Their desire is that our merchandise and coffee can be a conversation starter with those around you who don't know Christ, and through conversations about a design or around a cup of Reformed Roasters sanctified beans, may it lead them to an understanding of the knowledge of God. Visit the Reformed Sage's website at www.ReformedSage.com, where you'll receive a 10% off promo code for first-time buyers! Rittenhouse Interview with Tucker: What would you say to Biden? https://rumble.com/vpnj9h-rittenhouse-nukes-biden-for-calling-him-a-white-supremacist.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=10 Rittenhouse Torches Media: https://rumble.com/vpnj8d-kyle-rittenhouse-torches-the-media-for-lying-about-his-case.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=9 Closing This is Gabriel Rench with CrossPolitic News. Support Rowdy Christian media by joining our club at fightlaughfeast.com, downloading our App, and head to our annual Fight Laugh Feast Events. With your partnership, together we will fight outdated and compromised media, engage news and politics with the gospel, and replace lies and darkness with truth and light. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to take all these actions. Have a great day. Lord bless

With President Joe Biden set to sign a large, bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) explains what impact it could have on North Texas and state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) discusses why he decided to run for attorney general. Plus, aviation reporter Kyle Arnold of The Dallas Morning News on what to expect as the holiday travel season kicks into gear.

On Friday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli, Paul chatted with University of Toronto Professor Emeritus Bart J. Wilson about his new book, "The Property Species: Mine, Yours, and the Human Mind" (8:28). With President Joe Biden visiting Connecticut, we heard from several listeners, as well as former Bridgeport Mayor Mary Moran, about their experiences meeting past, present and future presidents (0:30). Image Credit: Reuters

With President Joe Biden ceding a red line of August 31st to the Taliban as a withdrawal deadline for our citizens from Afghanistan, media members like Richard Engel of NBC News and lawmakers like Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) come out swinging against the weakness and fecklessness of America's Commander-In-Chief.

With President Joe Biden meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, we speak with Alina Polyakova (A-LEAN-A Poly-ah-KOVA), President of the Center for European Policy Analysis. She shares her insights on how Russian President Vladimir Putin views the United States and what President Biden must keep in mind before and during the meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With President Joe Biden cresting the first 100 days of his administration, experts are forecasting a strong economic rebound in the United States and Canada, but worries persist about the impacts of a third wave of the pandemic. BMO hosted the third in a series of panels on the road to recovery and how we're tracking recovery from a health, markets and macroeconomic perspective. Dan Barclay, CEO, BMO Capital Markets, moderated this discussion that included medical experts, Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer, WebMD, Dr. Allison McGeer, Senior Clinician-Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health and BMO's own Brian Belski, Chief Investment Strategist, BMO Capital Markets and Earl Davis, Head of Fixed Income & Money Markets, BMO Global Asset Management. For a transcript of this episode visit bmocm.com/covid19.

With President Joe Biden nearing his 100th day in office, his administration's economic policies have begun to take shape. The latest episode of "In Visible Capital" takes a closer look at what Biden's plans could mean for the private equity and venture capital world, including changes to tax policy, how his infrastructure plan could impact investors, the renewed push for financial regulation and a possible clampdown on the world's tech giants.

With President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure bill, every state in the country is looking to get its piece of the pie. WTBU special correspondent Iris Tao is here to tell us what goodies might come to Massachusetts if the mega-bill ever gets approved in Congress.

With President Joe Biden set to unveil his trillion-dollar-plus “American Families Plan” before a joint session of Congress Wednesday night, he’s under intense pressure from Democratic constituencies who want their priorities included — and even better, highlighted in the speech. Olivia Reingold is an editor-producer for POLITICO Audio.  Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio.  Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

With President Joe Biden announcing the US is pulling out of Afghanistan and the Taliban declaring victory, what fate awaits the people? We speak to Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary about the country's increasing violence and his fears for the future.

With President Joe Biden announcing the forthcoming withdrawal of ground troops from Afghanistan, the West’s 20 year war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close. Allan and Darren open this week’s podcast with a discussion of whether this is the right decision, and what lessons we should take from this decades-long conflict. The episode then turns to a busy week in bilateral relations with China for both New Zealand and Australia. Kiwi Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta gave her first major speech on China, and followed it with some controversial comments (in Australia, at least) about the expansion of the remit of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping. Meanwhile, the Australian government used purpose-built legislation to cancel two memoranda of understanding between the Victorian state government and the Chinese government on the Belt and Road Initiative – to Beijing’s predictable displeasure. Does this past week reveal a split in the two countries’ approach to China? What is the logic of each approach? Finally, Japan’s Prime Minister Suga met with Joe Biden at the White House, with China front and centre of the discussion—what are the major takeaways? We thank AIIA intern Dominique Yap for research and audio editing, and thanks also to Rory Stenning for composing our theme music. Relevant Links “Remarks by President Biden on the Way Forward in Afghanistan”, 14 April 2021: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/04/14/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-way-forward-in-afghanistan/ Scott Morrison, Press Conference, Stirling Community Centre, WA, 15 April 2021: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-stirling-community-centre-wa Nanaia Mahuta, “He Taniwha He Tipua, He Tipua He Taniwha - The Dragon and the Taniwha”, Speech to the NZ China Council, 19 April 2021: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/%E2%80%9Che-taniwha-he-tipua-he-tipua-he-taniwha-dragon-and-taniwha%E2%80%9D Jane Patterson, “New Zealand, Australia foreign ministers discuss China, Five Eyes, 501 deportees”, Radio NZ, 23 April 2021: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/441073/new-zealand-australia-foreign-ministers-discuss-china-five-eyes-501-deportees (Youtube Video) “'Beautiful to see': New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the travel bubble | ABC News” [Ardern’s comments on Five Eyes], 20 April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c1S2pIDKH8 Andrew Tillett, “Dumped foreign deals were never used”, Australian Financial Review, 22 April 2021: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/dumped-foreign-deals-were-never-used-20210422-p57lhm U.S.- Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement: “U.S. – JAPAN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW ERA”, 16 April 2021: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/16/u-s-japan-joint-leaders-statement-u-s-japan-global-partnership-for-a-new-era/ (Youtube video) “How New is the New Era? 2021 Annual Reischauer Lecture with Rana Mitter, Part 1”, 7 April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3bi9N2NY6E Adam Tooze, “The gatekeeper”, London Review of Books, 22 April 2021: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v43/n08/adam-tooze/the-gatekeeper Ezra Klein, “Four ways of looking at the radicalism of Joe Biden”, 8 April 2021: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/opinion/biden-jobs-infrastructure-economy.html C. Lee Shea, “The longest telegram: A visionary blueprint for the comprehensive grand strategy against China we need”, War on the Rocks, 1 April 2021: https://warontherocks.com/2021/04/the-longest-telegram-a-visionary-blueprint-for-the-comprehensive-grand-strategy-against-china-we-need/

In November 2019, about 40 people packed into a conference room at the Westchester Regional Library that sits at the heart of Miami-Dade's suburban Cuban American community.The group whispered among themselves and occasionally raised their voices in exasperation, seeking answers to a problem that continues to affect thousands of South Florida families to this day.The topic of concern: the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. For years, the program has served as a straightforward, legal way to reunite Cuban families in the US.Related: Biden slow to restore refugee admissions programThe issues with the program were complicated by geopolitics.After staff at the US Embassy in Havana were mysteriously injured in what the US believes to be sonic attacks, the Trump administration all but shut down the embassy and removed staff at the end of 2017. And as the staff went away, all of the families that were enrolled in the program were left in limbo, with no one to conduct the necessary interviews and to process the piles of paperwork.Related: From 'aliens' to 'noncitizens' — a Biden word change that matters A woman passes out prayer beads to a gathering of people affected by the pause in the family reunification program at the Ermita de la Caridad National Shrine in Miami, taken in March. Credit: Daniel Rivero/WLRN By 2019, the embassy was still largely shut down and families had been waiting years to reunite with their loved ones, with no end in sight.“My family has been completely [torn] apart."Claudia Bringuier, who arrived in the US at the age of 20“My family has been completely [torn] apart,” said Claudia Bringuier, who was 27 at the time. She arrived in the US at the age of 20 and had paid $2,000 to get her parents into the program.“My parents get sick, and I get sick and I'm here by myself,” she said. “I'm lucky enough to have people I love and I want them with me. Some people maybe don't have them, and don't have this issue. I do.”Bringuier is still waiting to reunite with her parents through the program.Related: Immigration rights activists call on Biden to end private detentionThe group gathered in Westchester to hear from two lawmakers, who were not of Cuban origin, but who nonetheless were seeking solutions to their concerns.Then-Democratic Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell was sponsoring a bill that would have forced the State Department, under President Trump, to start processing the cases — through offering options like video conferencing. Then-Representative Donna Shalala co-sponsored the bill, and she was also present.“We denounce the Cuban government, but let's not punish the Cuban families that are suffering the consequences of that government."Former Democratic Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell“We denounce the Cuban government, but let's not punish the Cuban families that are suffering the consequences of that government,” said Mucarsel-Powell at the time. “There should be bipartisan support on this program. The [Trump] administration is not taking action, then we need to.”“We are begging the administration officials to move these cases,” added Shalala. “This is not new immigration law. This is asking the administration to implement existing law.”Related: Biden expands quick bid to undo Trump's immigration policies Cuban Americans call on Biden administration to help reunite their families. Credit: Daniel Rivero/WLRN  The law that created the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program was signed in 2007 by former President George W. Bush.The bill that would have forced the Trump administration to start working through the backlog of cases was introduced to the House of Representatives, but it never received any votes or even a committee hearing.'The years have gone by us'With President Joe Biden in office now, some Cuban American families stuck in limbo are hoping that things will soon change. To date, an estimated 22,000 family reunification cases have been stuck in the immigration backlog, as basic services remain on hold at the US Embassy in Havana.On a recent Sunday, dozens of Cuban families gathered at the Ermita de la Caridad National Shrine in Miami in a show of solidarity with one another, hoping to spur changes from the Biden administration.“I claimed my son in March of 2016,” said Marietta Medialdea.Medialdea held a heart-shaped box with a written plea to President Biden and a T-shirt featuring photos of her son. She came to the US in 2014 seeking liberty and said she never imagined the clearly-outlined legal process would still be dragging on. Her son was only 13 years old when she first claimed him, she said. Now, he is about to turn 18.“We're asking Biden to restart consular services in Cuba. We've done everything the way that they asked us to."Marietta Medialdea, Cuban mother“Right on the edge of them taking him to do his year of service in the Cuban military,” she said. Conscription for the military is mandatory in Cuba, something that keeps her up at night. “We're asking Biden to restart consular services in Cuba. We've done everything the way that they asked us to,” she said.Related: A therapists' network supports immigrants, advocates during pandemic Marietta Medialdea holds a heart-shaped candy box with a message to President Biden to restart consular services in Cuba. Credit: Daniel Rivero/WLRN Without a functioning US Embassy in Cuba, the only way for her to be able to bring her son to Miami would be by setting up an interview for him at a US Embassy in a third country: Guyana.But even this is off-limits for Medialdea. She can't afford the trip.“He's a minor, so I would have to go with him,” she said. “That means two plane tickets, two mouths to feed, two everything.”She whimpered in the arms of a friend while explaining her situation.“The years have gone by us,” she cried.The Robaina family came so close to reuniting with their loved ones.“My family was at the embassy in Havana in 2017. They went on an interview, they were approved. They have a paper saying ‘Welcome to the United States of America,' come back to pick your visa up next month."Niubis Robaina, a Cuban American, hoping to reunite with her cousin, aunt and uncle“My family was at the embassy in Havana in 2017. They went on an interview, they were approved. They have a paper saying ‘Welcome to the United States of America,' come back to pick your visa up next month,” said Niubis Robaina, who is hoping to reunite with her cousin, aunt and uncle.“They closed the embassy and all of their documents are in there. For over three years.”Robaina harbors a small amount of optimism because the Biden administration seems more immigration-friendly than the previous administration.“But at the same time, I don't know what's going to happen,” she said.The impacted families have spent the last three years sending letters, calling members of Congress — of both political parties — and launching a social media campaign to bring awareness to their situation. Robaina has been active on all fronts, but now watches the Biden administration move forward with other kinds of immigration reforms with a bit of unease.“Right now they did everything for Venezuelans, for the people in Mexico — I am all for it. I want immigration to happen to this country — I'm here and I'm a professional in this country because of it,” she said. “But I want it for my family, too. We did it legally. We paid thousands of dollars for it. We went to the lawyers. We waited for it. It's not fair.”An uptick in rafts to the USIn addition to the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program cases that have been held up with a scaled-back US Embassy in Havana, more than 78,000 other immigrant visas from Cuba have been backlogged, bringing the total to more than 100,000 pending cases.The Cuban government has accused the US of promoting illegal migration, through clandestine boat-smuggling networks, by not processing visas on the island.The worsening economic conditions on the island, due to the coronavirus pandemic, increased US sanctions, newly created obstacles to sending remittances to the island and repressive Cuban economic policies, have formed a worrying cumulative effect.Since October, 152 Cubans have been intercepted on the water en route to the US, according to the US Coast Guard. In the previous fiscal year, there were only 49 interceptions, although those numbers might have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.The uptick is notable, but still far below years past. For instance, 1,468 Cubans were intercepted in 2017, and 5,396 in 2016. A Coast Guard cutter interdicts 17 Cuban migrants aboard a vessel approximately 54 miles south of Key West, March 18, 2021. The migrants were sent back to Cuba. Credit: US Coast Guard Some boats have quietly made it to Florida's shores, and others have not been so lucky.One boat originating from northern Cuba and bound for the US was capsized in the Bahamas in March, resulting in at least one death and many missing passengers. Another raft just off the coast of Martin County, Florida, capsized in February, although everyone survived.Also in March, federal agents arrested four people in the Florida Keys under charges that they were running a migrant-trafficking operation from Cuba, based out of Key Largo and Homestead. The alleged operators were charging up to $10,000 per-person for the trip, according to court records.Cuba 'simply cannot be trusted' to keep embassy safeIn a statement to WLRN, the State Department said it cannot provide a date when consular services in Havana might return to normal. In the meantime, any Cuban wishing to get a visa to come to the US should proceed to the designated third-country embassy in Guyana, said the department.Florida Senator Marco Rubio said in a statement to WLRN that any potential threat of mysterious sonic attacks need to be put in place before the regular consular services can resume on the island.“While I understand the importance of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program in helping Cuban families reunite, the Cuban regime has proven that it simply cannot be trusted with our diplomatic corps' well-being and safety."Senator Marco Rubio, Florida“While I understand the importance of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program in helping Cuban families reunite, the Cuban regime has proven that it simply cannot be trusted with our diplomatic corps' well-being and safety," said Rubio."The customary functions of the US Embassy in Havana cannot return to normal as long as our diplomats, who assist with these applications, remain at risk of direct attacks. The Cuban regime is either conducting these attacks themselves or allowing them to continue in violation of their international treaty commitments.”Former Democratic Representative Joe Garcia said that clearly "something happened" at the embassy and the US still needs to get answers. But he fears the attacks were capitalized upon by Republicans like Rubio and Trump, who opposed the 2015 normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba in the first place, long before the mysterious attacks.“The Trump administration in particular bungled the investigation, but used it as a pretext to further put pressure on Cuba and close this embassy. ... This is what classically happens when rhetoric takes over policy."Former Democratic Representative Joe Garcia“The Trump administration in particular bungled the investigation, but used it as a pretext to further put pressure on Cuba and close this embassy," said Garcia. “This is what classically happens when rhetoric takes over policy."The Biden administration has launched its own review of the mysterious suspected sonic attacks. Yet even if clear-cut answers about what happened are not learned through the review, Garcia said the current status quo of not offering any consular services in Havana is unsustainable for regular Cubans and Cuban American families.Desperate families wanting to reunite are being left without viable options, he said.“That you're gonna make them travel to Guyana, spend two weeks there for processing, to then return to Cuba, to come to the United States, it just — it boggles the mind that we can't find a better way to do this,” Garcia said.A recent video posted to Twitter by the US Embassy in Havana pleads for Cubans not to take to the high seas in unsafe rafts in hopes of arriving in the United States.“The government of the United States reminds you that taking to the seas in these inadequate rafts is illegal and extremely dangerous,” Lt. Cmdr. Mario Gil, the Coast Guard liaison officer at the embassy, says in the video.“We ask you to use the pathways that are legal, secure and orderly to immigrate to the United States.”

With President Joe Biden sworn in and his administration already charging ahead with their agenda at an unprecedented pace, Christians have to stop and ask themselves: is this the beginning of the end for religious liberty? graceriverva.com