Category Archives: Second Amendment

Hanks measure was rejected after copious testimony from state and local election officials, who said it would make Colorados system less secure and scuttle an elections process that has won national praise.

The major issues that I see are: timeframes, it's inadequate, (the) technology doesn't exist, ballot anonymity is destroyed, (and an) insufficient amount of vendors to provide paper, saidFremont County Republican Clerk Justin Grantham who testified on behalf of the Colorado County Clerks Association.

One Republican lawmaker joined Democrats to defeat the measure.

A second, and even more sweeping election bill, from Hanks would do away with Colorados mail ballot system and require everyone to vote in person on Election Day. Its awaiting its first committee hearing. Republican state lawmakers across the country have introduced bills to restrict or eliminate the use of mail-in ballots and early voting.

Hanks is not the only Republican lawmaker to introduce short-lived election bills this year.

The House State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee also voted down HB-1078 from state Rep. Mark Baisely. It would have required the state to only use election equipment that meets the standards of the federal Election Assistance Commission.

Opponents said it was unnecessary, and nonpartisan analysts found that some elements would be impossible to enact because there isnt equipment available yet that meets the latest federal standard.

The committee aso rejected HB-1084, which would have required county clerks to automatically remove people from the voter rolls if they report being ineligible for jury duty because they arent a citizen or no longer live in the county, and HB-1045, which tried to make it more difficult for citizen-led ballot initiatives to get on the statewide ballot, by requiring backers to collect signatures in each of the states 35 senate districts.

Since Democrats control the state legislature, any bills from the GOP will need bipartisan support to move through the Capitol something a few election bills have managed to do, at least so far.

Republican state Rep. Dave Williams and Democratic state Rep. Chris Kennedy have teamed up on HB-1044 to change the rules for how political parties select vacancy committee members when a political seat opens up. Another bipartisan bill, HB-1156, would change the deadlines for some campaign finance and personal financial disclosures.

While Democrats have pushed for major election reforms over the past decade most notably spearheading the law that moved Colorado to an all-mail ballot state this session is relatively quiet. The partys biggest push so far is for the Vote Without Fear Act. It would prevent anyone from openly carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a voting location, unless their property falls within that buffer.

Supporters say the law is needed to prevent the harassment of voters and poll workers, arguing that the current intimidation law can be difficult to enforce.

We have a long history of people being intimidated with firearms, and quite frankly, the people who intend to intimidate bring them for a reason because of how final the outcome could be, said Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Bacon, one of the main sponsors.

Opponents argue that since Colorado is an open-carry state (with a few exceptions), the bill infringes on peoples Second Amendment rights. The measure is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled legislature.

A second Democratic bill also aims to increase security for people involved with elections. HB-1273 would make it a misdemeanor to threaten or intimidate state and local election workers for just doing their jobs.

Election officials around the country and in Colorado have reported increasing threats, especially connected to false theories that the 2020 election was stolen from president Trump. A number of states are moving to add or strengthen penalties for people who harass election workers.

Colorados bill would also make it illegal to publish election officials personal information publicly a practice known as doxxing and allows those workers and their immediate families to remove their private information from open records requests. Lawmakers extended similar protections to public health workers last year.

Democrats are also pushing a bill this year that would limit individual donations in school board races to $2,500. Donations from small donor committees would also be limited to $25,000 per candidate. HB-1060 cleared the House on a party-line vote and will now be heard in the Senate.

Even though Democrats arent making many changes to Colorados voting laws this year, they did touch off passionate partisan debate early in the session with a resolution to support their partys national push for new voting rights laws.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include information about HB-1273.

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Dueling bills show the partisan divide over how Colorado should run its elections - Colorado Public Radio

This week has been a busy one for gun rights in the Evergreen State. Anti-gun House bills advanced out of policy Committees to the Rules Committee, the last stop before a final vote on the SenateFloor.The Senate has been pushing through multiple anti-gun bills, and your Senator needs to hear from you now!Please click the Take Action button below and urge your Senator to OPPOSE House Bills 1705, 1630, and 1901.

GHOST GUNS BANHouse Bill 1705furtherrestricts the centuries-old practice of manufacturing firearms for personaluse and self-defenseby imposing requirements that far exceed those in federal law. It seeks to prohibit privateindividuals from possessing certain unregulated components commonlyused byAmericansto make their own firearmsfor self-defense, sport and hobby, andfrom possessing currently legal firearms that dont have serial numbers.This bill would make lawfully built firearms retroactively illegal if built after 2019.

BAN FIREARMS FROM ELECTION-RELATED PLACES,SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL MEETINGSHouse Bill 1630prohibits any firearm at school board meetings, including CPL holders,and bans the open carry of firearms atmunicipal meetings. This bill would alsoprohibitopen-carry at election-related places, andprohibitCPL holders from ballot-counting centers.

EXPANDRED FLAG LAWS-House Bill 1901would allow petitioners for civil protection orders to assert that another has coercive control over them, leading to an unconstitutional revocation of firearm rightswithout due process of law. As amended, this bill creates situations where otherwise lawful activities, such as carrying a firearm, can be cause for bad actors to falsely assert malicious intent and call for ones Second Amendment rights to be revoked. Further, this measure permits the releaseof private and protected personal information contained inconcealed pistol license applications, to authorized persons and wouldcreate anenvironmentthat is ripe for abuse.

Again, please contact your state Senator to OPPOSE House Bills 1705, 1630, and 1901.

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Washington: House Anti-Gun Bills on the Move in the Senate - NRA ILA

If you liked the first bit of amendment training, just wait until you get to do all the other ones.

Since November of 2019 there have been over 70 reported incidents of discrimination towards targeted groups of individuals based on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

The actions reported range from verbal and digital harassment to vandalism, direct threats, and intimidation. Clearly, since there are students who are not fully aware of where the line in the sand is, it is important to make a clear-cut guide on what is and is not allowed. To guide the students, staff, and faculty at Iowa State, the First Amendment training modules were created for all individuals to complete.

The initial training has been so conducive and well received, that 26 more trainings have been made to thoroughly educate the people of our community on the rights afforded to us.

The initial training takes only an estimated 20 minutes to complete; in only a jiffy were the trainees fully versed on the five modules of reading and quiz that was required to finish. With that track record, participants should be able to finish the other 26 training sessions in only a little more than eight and a half hours. Luckily, we do not have to pay for the half semester's worth of learning, but no credit hours are received either.

Some students had qualms with the training but for many different reasons, one student has been quoted saying I cant read that much, Im an animal science major.

Other students were disappointed in the fact that although the training was said to be required, the quizzes were easily made so that they could be passed even without doing the actual reading. Despite the disappointment of some students, others were excited about some of the training.

I did the Second Amendment training so good said Saul T. Wang, an undeclared second year senior.

The Iowa State community looks forward to having a constitutionally proficient campus and is excited to see further violations of rights no longer being reported.

See original here:
Satire: Iowa State students forced to take trainings on all 27 amendments following the initial First Amendment training - Iowa State Daily

Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the media during a press conference at city hall June 2, 2021, in Dallas.

March 1 is primary election day for Texas, with voters electing candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and other positions.

These are lists of candidates who are running in this years Texas primary elections. The positions are for governor, lieutenant governor, District 6 and District 33 U.S. representatives and Tarrant County Judge.

Both District 6 and 33 encompass areas of Arlington.

Governor

Governors are state managers who implement state laws and oversee the state executive branch. They advance new and revised policies and programs through executive orders, executive budgets, legislative proposals and vetoes, according to the National Governers Association.

We have pretty much morphed into the idea that [governors] are crisis managers, political science professor Thomas Marshall said. When we have hurricanes or polar freeze, utility grid blackouts, it's their problem. And they are the liaison to resolve those issues.

The current governor, Greg Abbott, has served in the position since 2015 and is running for reelection.

REPUBLICAN:

Paul Belew has served over 25 years as a criminal defense attorney, according to his campaign website. He wants to make Texas more Texan again and hopes to generate revenue for the state by legalizing THC and casino gaming. He also looks to lower property taxes, improve the energy sector and reform health care and education.

Kandy Kaye Horn has a background in philanthropic efforts. Horns vision for Texas is focused on economic development, education and securing Texas borders, according to her campaign website.

Don Huffines served as a Texas State Senator representing Dallas Countys District 16 and earned a reputation for being one of Texas most conservative lawmakers, according to his campaign website. Huffines aims to shut down the border, eliminate property taxes, expose voter fraud, end abortion, eliminate vehicle inspections, implement term limits and fight against human trafficking.

Chad Prather has done humanitarian work and been on various boards, such as American Valor, according to his campaign website. Prather hopes to cut government spending, minimize government involvement in certain schooling, support the Texas border walls completion, strengthen Texas agricultural base, push for election integrity and fight human trafficking.

Allen West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran and former member of the U.S. Congress. In July 2020, he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, according to his campaign website. West seeks to strengthen border security, reduce taxes, support Texas energy industries, election integrity and gun rights.

Danny Harrison aims to protect the border, assist small businesses, fight against interest groups, support property owners rights and keep Texas coastal beaches open to the public, according to his campaign website.

Greg Abbott was the 50th attorney general before his election in 2014 as the 48th governor of Texas. He also served as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a state district judge in Harris County, according to his campaign website. Abbotts vision for Texas is focused on growing the economy, elevating the education system, protecting individual liberties and securing the Texas border.

DEMOCRAT:

Beto ORourke has been a small business owner, a city council representative and a member of Congress, according to his campaign website. ORourke aims to weatherize the power grid and natural gas supply, fully fund schools and support teachers and staff, expand Medicaid, invest in rural communities, repeal the anti-choice law, make voting more accessible, legalize marijuana and expunge related arrest records, protect the Second Amendment while ensuring gun safety and strengthen services for Texas veterans.

Michael Cooper is from Beaumont, Texas, and serves as the NAACP Beaumont Chapter president, according to his campaign website. He aims to monitor infrastructure progress, improve natural resources, reform the criminal justice system, provide quality health care to all Texans and create affordable housing.

Joy Diaz hopes to expand highways, reallocate taxes toward education, support sustainable energy initiatives, expand Medicaid and increase access to health care, according to her campaign website.

Rich Wakeland has served as the policy adviser for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, according to his campaign website. His fundamental goals as governor include protecting Texas oil and gas, ensuring reliability in the electric grid and improving education through increased funding.

Inocencio Barrientez is also a candidate on the ballot. Barrientez doesnt have a website to promote the campaign or share policies.

Lieutenant Governor

The Texas lieutenant governor has more than 80 statutory duties, including administering oaths and creating emergency interim succession, according to the National Lieutenant Governors Association. The lieutenant governor also serves as a member or joint chair of more than 70 boards and commissions, or they appoint members to them.

The current lieutenant governor is Dan Patrick, who was first elected in 2014 and assumed office in 2015. He is running for reelection.

REPUBLICAN:

Daniel Miller is a technology consultant, a best-selling author and the president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, an organization dedicated to Texas independence, according to his campaign website. If elected, his priorities are to secure the border, abolish property taxes, ensure election integrity and protect the power grid.

Dan Patrick was first elected lieutenant governor of Texas in 2014 and reelected in 2018, according to the Lieutenant Governor of Texas website. Patricks priorities include securing the border, reducing property and business taxes, protecting the Second Amendment and addressing Texas infrastructure challenges.

Zach Vance is a retired Marine and Purple Heart recipient, according to his campaign website. He aims to eliminate property taxes for some individuals, improve pay for teachers, support public safety, create an affordable and reliable power grid and increase access to health care.

Aaron Sorrells aims to get rid of property taxes, secure the border, ensure election integrity, enforce term limits and overhaul child protective services, according to his campaign website.

Trayce Bradford serves as the Eagle Forum National Issues Chair on Human Trafficking, according to her campaign website. She aims to ensure energy independence, limit government overreach, fight human trafficking and work for election integrity.

Todd Bullis is currently a Denton County precinct chair and has been a delegate to the two previous Texas Republican Conventions, according to his campaign website. He would focus on election integrity, abolishing taxpayer-funded lobbying and reorganizing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

DEMOCRAT:

Mike Collier seeks to fund public education, improve the power grid, defend constitutional rights, take action against climate change, bolster the economy and reform the criminal justice system, according to his campaign website.

Michelle Beckley has served House District 65 in the Texas House of Representatives, according to her campaign website. Her priorities as lieutenant governor would be increasing access to health care, funding public education, ensuring both election integrity and accessibility and addressing challenges in the Texas economy caused by the pandemic.

Carla Brailey has served as Texas Democratic Party vice-chair and the Democratic National Committee Interfaith Council co-chair. She is also a sociology professor at Texas Southern University, according to her campaign website. Her priorities include supporting public school education, expanding Medicaid and access to health care, improving the power grid, working on state infrastructure, fighting for work safety and security and reforming the criminal justice system.

Gubernatorial candidate BetoORourke exits the stage after his speech to the crowdduring his Beto for Texas Dallas Campaign Kickoff Event on Nov. 21, 2021, at Fair Park in Dallas. O'Rourke ran for the Senate in 2018 and the Democratic nominee for 2020 presidential election.

District 33 U.S. Representative

Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people and creates the nation's laws, according to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website. While sharing power with the executive branch and the judicial branch, Congress is the only one elected directly by the people of the three government branches.

REPUBLICAN:

Patrick Gillespie supports the sanctity of human life, limiting government power to the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, creating well-educated children and promoting peoples right to defend themselves and their property, according to his campaign website.

Robert MacGlaflin focuses on supporting trade schools and parents involvement in schooling decisions. He aims to provide more funding for the police and military while addressing issues within their institutions, according to his campaign website. He also wants to secure the Mexico-U.S. border and bring back the countrys energy independence.

DEMOCRAT:

Carlos Quintanilla advocates for equitable access to health care and public transit, supports small businesses and believes in reproductive rights and the creation of a path to legal status for immigrant laborers, according to his campaign website.

Marc Veasey commits to job creation, economic growth, immigration reform and the promotion of health and wellness, according to his U.S. House of Representatives profile. Veasey is running for reelection.

District 6 U.S. Representatives

REPUBLICAN:

Jake Ellzey served as commissioner on the Texas Veterans Commission, according to his campaign website. As an elected representative, Ellzey works to defend the Second Amendment, secure the border, protect private property rights, improve public education, cut taxes and help the economy recover. Ellzey is the incumbent candidate.

James Buford aims to protect Second Amendment rights, secure the border and protect parental rights, according to his campaign website.

Bill Payne is also a candidate on the ballot. Payne doesnt have a website to promote the campaign or share policies.

Tarrant County Judge

The county judge serves as the presiding officer of the commissioners court, depending on the countys size. These judges represent the county administratively and serve as budget officers in counties with fewer than 225,000 residents, according to the Texas Association of Counties website.

Most have broad judicial duties, such as presiding over misdemeanor criminal and small civil cases, probate matters and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court. They also serve as head of emergency management.

Incumbent County Judge Glen Whitley has served as Tarrant County judge since 2007 and is not seeking re-election.

REPUBLICAN:

Byron Bradford plans for Tarrant County include lowered taxes, developing economic and workforce, government transparency and safer communities, according to his campaign website.

Betsy Price has served as Fort Worth mayor for a decade, according to her campaign website. She aims to continue her work as a taxpayer watchdog, support law enforcement, grow the economy, commit to government transparency and ensure election integrity.

Tim OHare spent three years as a city councilman in Farmers Branch before serving as mayor from 2008 to 2011,according to his campaign website. OHare seeks to increase government transparency, lower tax burdens, use emergency management authorizations sparingly, support local law enforcement, promote high-quality jobs and ensure election integrity.

Robert Trevor Buker has been living in Tarrant County for 11 years, according to his campaign website. Buker promises county transparency, election integrity and to eliminate mandates.

Kristen Collins is also on the ballot. Collins doesn't have a website to promote the campaigns or share policies.

DEMOCRAT:

Marvin Sutton has served on Arlington city council as representative for District 3 and spent 20 years as an election judge and precinct chair, according to his campaign website. Sutton aims to lower taxes, stimulate economic development and job opportunities and deliver quality health care at an affordable price.

Deborah Peoples served as the Tarrant County Democratic Party chairwoman, according to her campaign website. Peoples aims to invest in education, increase funding for mental healthcare in schools and provide assistance to residents in finding affordable housing.

In 2020, 66.8% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election, the highest voter turnout of the 21st century, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

However, in primary, school board, runoff and city council elections, information is harder to get, and fewer people vote, Marshall said.

This is just one of those elections, he said. We get the big excitement in November, where probably five or six million people will vote statewide.

@WolfIsaly

news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

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Overview of primary election candidates for governor and other positions - The Shorthorn

Sheriff Rick Staly was clearly and explicitly appalled with having to call Danial G. Marashi a victim of the home-invasion and shooting on Dec. 29 at 8 Regent Lane in Palm Coast. He had no interest in being diplomatic about it. He called Marashi a drug dealer or a drug dealer-victim no fewer than 13 times in a 15-minute press conference this morning, and left no doubt that he wished he could have been prosecuted.

Staly was briefing media for the first time in person since Fridays report here of the arrests of Kwentel Lakelvrick Moultrie, 23, and Moultries girlfriend Taylor Manjarres, 19, both of Palm Coast, on charges of second degree murder and armed burglary in the shooting death of Zaire Roberts, 23, at the Regent Lane home, which belongs to Marashis parents. Marashi was using his parents home to conduct a drug deal, Staly said.

As detailed in an account on Sunday, Moultrie, Manjarres and Roberts had planned to rob him. Roberts confronted Marashi with a gun, Marashi defended himself, first physically batting Zaires gun away then shooting and killing Roberts with multiple rounds, though not before Roberts shot Marashi twice. (See: Resident Involved in Drug Deal Gone Bad Killed Zaire Roberts After Getting Shot, Reports Show.)

Staly crafts his press conferences around prepared texts, as he did today, but almost invariably speaks more earnestly when he gets off his scriptas he did today: This was a very difficult case made more difficult because the home invasion drug dealer victimand I really hate to call him a victim, because if he wasnt a drug dealer, this home invasion would have never occurred, Staly said, referring to Marashi, whose name he never spoke.

Marashi was not immediately forthcoming with detectives, probably because he didnt want us to know what his illegal occupation was, the sheriff continued. Detectives had to use all investigative means at their disposal to get him to confirm what we already knew. He was a drug dealer, and this was a drug ripoff home invasion. Staly said he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and Floridas Stand Your Ground law, in effect since 2005 b(the law, when invoked, allows an individual to shoot an assailant to kill, or use deadly force, without having to retreat, if the individual is in his or her own home or property.

Staly became even more explicit: This crime only occurred because the victim was a drug dealer. I wish we could charge him because if he was not selling drugs, this crime likely would not have occurred. Staly spoke with State Attorney R.J. Larizza about it, obviously seeking a way to charge Marashi: a person may not invoke Stand Your Ground when committing a criminal act, as Marashi is alleged to have been doing. So that law is moot in this case. Still, he could not be charged.

The sheriff referred to the Castle Doctrine part of the Stand Your Ground law that inside ones house, you have the right to defend yourself. But Marashi remains a victim slash witness. And we need his testimony to get to put the other two devils in prison, he said. So you have to kind of gauge where youre going to go. And we need to to that we arrested sent away for a long time. He stressed that theres been no deal made at all, though deals, if deals there are, are made by the State Attorneys Office.

All I can say is sometimes in law enforcement you have to dance with the devil to get the other devils involved in a crime, Staly said. This is the disgusting part of our job and the criminal justice system. But its a stark reality. He summed up the breadth of the investigation, which involved numerous detectives, work hours and investigative means, and rejected the claim that marijuana lessens the gravity or violence of criminal activity. Well, this is what happens with just marijuana, he said. Illegal activity often attracts and breeds other criminal activity, like home invasions, drive by shootings, or in this case, a murder, and destroys the quality of life in a neighborhood for law abiding citizens.

The sheriff had no forgiving words for Roberts, either, recalling his own criminal history and recent release from state prison, where hed served a seven-year sentence for shooting of Philip Haire in the L Section in 2015. (Haire, who is now himself serving 25 years in prison for shooting at his own father and a law enforcement officer, had pleaded with the judge not to give Roberts 25 years.) He served only five years and the state system let him out, Staly said. Maybe if hed served his whole seven years hed be alive today. In fact, Roberts served almost six years, including the nearly full year he served in jail before his sentence, and was let out under the states gain-time law, routinely applied since 1889. It enables the system to forgive 15 percent of a prisoners sentence for good behavior in most cases.

Roberts died at the scene, though initially the sheriff would not confirm that report. Many of you questioned why we initially withheld that information, which I agree is unusual, Staly said. This was an investigative tactic to keep the suspects and their friends guessing and active on social media platforms during the New Years holiday, that we were monitoring. And frankly, this tactic worked. The suspects werent sure whether Roberts had been killed, he said.

Marashi commanded more attention than the two suspects during the brief news conference. Asked by a reporter whether Marahsi would be under surveillance, Staly said he would not answer that particular question. If that wasnt a clear enough answer in itself (Im not going to talk about a possible or future investigations), the rest of his response made it clear enough: He has certainly brought himself to our attention going forward.

Marashi also brought himself to Volusia County law enforcements attention repeatedly over the past few years, with misdemeanor and felony charges, the last time just two weeks before the Dec. 29 shooting. He claimed on Dec. 16 to Daytona Beach police that his neighbor had attacked him. The neighbor provided video footage that discredited Marashis claim. It was Marashi who was charged with criminal mischief and stalking/harassment.

In 2019 he was involved in a confrontation with a woman after allegedly almost backing into her car. According to his arrest report at the time, he called her a name, threw his drink in her face and drove away. She followed him to his house and asked him why hed thrown the drink in her face. He allegedly flashed his gun, tucked in his waistband, and she drove off. The aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge was subsequently dropped.

See the original post:
A Disgusted Sheriff Explains Why a 'Drug Dealer Victim' Won't Be Charged in Home-Invasion Killing - FlaglerLive.com

With Daniel Lippman

WHAT UKRAINES LOBBYISTS IN WASHINGTON HAVE BEEN UP TO: As lobbyists on K Street rushed to drop newly sanctioned clients in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, including the developers and financial partners of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, one of Ukraines top lobbyists in the nations capital has been working the Hill to lay the groundwork for sanctions on Russias energy sector, Yorktown Solutions Daniel Vajdich, who represents Ukraines oil and gas lobby, told PI.

After spearheading a fierce lobbying campaign for Washington to reimpose sanctions on Nord Stream 2, Vajdich, who also represents the Ukrainian nonprofit Civil Movement for a Just Ukraine, said in an interview that his current focus includes creating an infrastructure in terms of financial sanctions against Russian financial institutions, including the central bank, that will allow us to go after the Russian energy industry. The U.S. has thus far steered clear of touching Russian energy interests, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki again appeared hesitant in a news briefing this afternoon, reiterating that we have not taken some steps on energy sanctions in part because we weigh their potential impact on the global markets and the American people. That doesn't mean they're off the table, she added.

Vajdich, a former adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), said that his firm is seeking to counter those concerns. Were in the process of explaining to folks how the consequences of this can be minimized," he said, adding that hes working with several of the same people responsible for crafting the Trump administrations crippling sanctions on Irans oil and gas industry.

WHAT WAS ON THE CD: Meanwhile Andrew Mac, a partner in the Washington office of the Ukrainian law firm Asters who is registered as a foreign agent working as an unpaid adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been making the media rounds, according to recent documents filed with the Justice Department.

On Friday, DOJ posted a notice of informational materials that were filed by Mac on behalf of Zelenskyy the previous day on a CD, which the document noted would be available for review at the FARA Registration Units public office in D.C. When PI inquired about doing so, your host was told that the office was currently closed to the public, and that the unit would be meeting to determine how to allow access to the CDs contents.

After acquiring an external CD drive over the weekend just in case, DOJ spokesperson Wyn Hornbuckle this afternoon shared with PI that the CD contained an audio recording from a radio broadcast and we were able to find the broadcast in podcast form from a radio station in Peoria, IL, which is available at this link.

In the interview with host Craig Collins apparently hours before hostilities broke out, Mac explains that as an adviser to Zelenskyy on relationships in the U.S., I've been very active in the last few months as this crisis has unfolded. Much of the interview describes the historical backdrop of Russian President Vladimir Putins recognition of the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

Mac says that, if God forbid we had an all out war between Russia and Ukraine, it would be devastating for Ukraine, but warns also that Ukraine is very much a Second Amendment type of place, and that we would see definitely millions of Ukrainians taking up arms ordinary citizens in the event of a Russian invasion.

Mac in the interview also appeared to throw some shade at the Wests pre-invasion strategy. I think many people were hoping that the steps the United States has taken to publicly tell the world about Russian plans in Ukraine and we've seen that on a daily basis for months now would deter Putin, he argued. Obviously, he doesn't seem very deterred. Mac also added that arguably the time for pre-invasion deterrents had passed, while estimating his level of concern at a 10 out of 10.

Separate documents show that Mac participated in an interview with the Reuters Global Market Forum, warning that a Ukrainian default is inevitable if the fighting there lasts more than a few weeks.

Good afternoon and welcome to PI. Send lobbying tips and gossip: [emailprotected]. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.

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A GLIMPSE AT FARAS FUTURE?: Twitter announced this afternoon that it would begin adding labels to and reducing the visibility of tweets containing content from Russian state-affiliated media outlets such as RT and Sputnik, both of which have been ordered by the Justice Department to register under FARA in recent years.

The announcement quickly sparked a discussion among FARA experts on the platform who noted the labels could serve as a template for the Justice Department as it weighs whether and how to expand FARAs conspicuous statement disclosure requirements for materials disseminated by foreign agents to digital and social media platforms.

This is exactly how #FARA labeling requirements could be updated to identify content being spread by registered foreign agents, the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecrafts Ben Freeman wrote in a tweet applauding Twitters move.

Meanwhile David Laufman, a partner at Wiggin and Dana who co-authored an American Bar Association report last year laying out how to fix the Nazi-era statute, and Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstocks Josh Rosenstein, who also praised Twitters announcement in light of the forthcoming FARA updates, quibbled over whether DOJ requirements should disclose the foreign principal in question as well as the foreign agent distributing content. Ideally both, but in this case Id settle for the principal, Laufman responded.

TRAVEL, BUSINESS GROUPS PRESS BIDEN TO DITCH MASKS ON PLANES: The airline industry Friday petitioned the White House to scrap the federal requirement that people wear masks at airports and on board aircraft once it expires next month, a request that came on the same day that the CDC eased its mask wearing guidance for other parts of American life, POLITICOs Oriana Pawlyk reports.

In a letter to White House Covid-19 czar Jeffrey Zients, Airlines for America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Travel Association urged the Biden administration to shift away from pandemic-era travel advisories, requirements and restrictions toward endemic-focused policies of a new normal that enable travel to resume fully, freely and safely.

The groups added that when the TSAs current mandate for wearing masks on planes and in airports expires on March 18, the administration should use this date as a decision point for either repealing or announcing a plan and timeline to repeal the federal mask mandate within the subsequent 90 days.

The request came hours after the CDC announced that Americans can stop wearing masks, even indoors, especially if individuals are healthy and vaccinated. Given travels slow economic recovery, and in light of the improved public health metrics in the U.S. and medical advancements to prevent the worst outcomes of COVID-19, we encourage the Administration to immediately remove travel requirements that no longer fit with the current environment and to set clear timelines and metrics for when others will be lifted, the groups wrote.

Their letter included a series of policy recommendations such as scrapping a policy requiring pre-departure testing for vaccinated individuals traveling to the United States and ditching messaging that could discourage travel. The trade associations also asked the administration to develop benchmarks and timelines for a pathway to the new normal that repeals pandemic-focused travel restrictions by June 1.

WALL STREET LOBBIES AGAINST BOOTING RUSSIA FROM SWIFT: Some of Wall Streets largest banks told lawmakers and the Biden administration that kicking Russia off the SWIFT financial-messaging system would have far-reaching fallout that could hurt the global economy and undermine the purpose of the penalties, Bloombergs Daniel Flatley, Katherine Doherty and Hannah Levitt report, citing people familiar with the matter.

Firms including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. suggested Washington stick with other types of sanctions to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private talks. Other banks with less international exposure were more receptive to the idea, telling officials that it would be a manageable step. Representatives from the banks declined to comment.

Opponents of the idea passed along a warning: Booting Russia from the critical global system which handles 42 million messages a day and serves as a lifeline to some of the worlds biggest financial institutions could backfire, sending inflation higher, pushing Russia closer to China and shielding financial transactions from scrutiny by the West. It might also encourage the development of a SWIFT alternative that could eventually damage the supremacy of the U.S. dollar.

Garrett Levin has renewed his contract as president and chief executive at the Digital Media Association, which represents major music streaming services like Amazon, Apple, Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube, for an additional three years. DiMA also promoted Sally Rose Larson to vice president of government relations and public affairs and tapped Lauren Danzy to serve as director for external affairs and industry relations.

Chris Rinkus has joined education technology company GoGuardian to lead their government affairs in D.C. He was previously deputy assistant secretary at the Education Department.

Forbes Tate Partners is adding Michael Pepe as a grassroots advocacy senior vice president, Taylor Mason as a state government relations vice president, and Eliza Green as an analyst on the public affairs team. Pepe most recently was senior director of communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mason most recently was executive director of the Rare Disease Company Coalition, and is a David Young alum.

Tom Davis has joined the Financial Technology Association as vice president of membership and development. He was most recently global membership director for the Young Presidents Organization.

Jamie Geller is joining Purple Strategies as a senior director and communications lead. She spent seven years on the Hill, most recently as communications director for Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Rachael Hartford is joining Precision Strategies as associate vice president for communications. She previously was deputy communications director for Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

Ryan Diffley is now senior manager at Troutman Pepper Strategies. He previously was legislative assistant for Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.).

Annaliese Yukawa will be legislative assistant/professional staff member for House Oversight Government Operations Subcommittee Chair Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), per Playbook. She previously was senior policy analyst with Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas.

Targeted Victory is launching a crypto practice, led by Josh Arnold. Arnold previously was deputy chief of staff for Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

Chris DAloia is now D.C. press secretary for Rep. Josh Gottheimers (D-N.J.), Huddle reports. He was most recently a senior account executive at LEVICK.

Everett Eissenstat will be chair of North America and global trade lead at Edelman Global Advisory, Playbook reports. He most recently was senior vice president of global public policy at General Motors, and is a Trump White House alum.

HAWLEY SHOW-ME STRONG COMMITTEE (Sen. Josh Hawley, Fighting for Missouri PAC, Rep. Vicky Hartzler)Jake Auchincloss Victory Fund (Rep. Jake Auchincloss, MA 4 Dems PAC)JOHN GIBBS GREAT LAKES COMMITTEE (John Gibbs for Congress, Inc., THE GREAT LAKES LEADERSHIP PAC)JOHN JAMES FOR MICHIGAN (John James for Congress, Inc., Mission First People Always PAC)

Crypto Foundation of America (PAC)THE GREAT LAKES LEADERSHIP PAC (Leadership PAC: John Gibbs)Healthy Louisiana PAC (PAC)MICHIGAN CONSERVATIVE ACTION (Super PAC)MLK PAC (Super PAC)Tyo Jerkins for Congress (Super PAC)Voting Genie LLC (Super PAC)

Baker & Hostetler LLP: The Freedom InitiativeBgr Government Affairs: Eos Defense Systems USa, Inc.Bgr Government Affairs: Iranian American Community Of Northern CaliforniaBgr Government Affairs: Targa ResourcesBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Greenidge Generation Holdings Inc.Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Running TideClyburn Consulting, LLC: National Healthy Start AssociationCornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: California Walnut CommissionFarragut Partners LLP: Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.Farragut Partners LLP: Pharmaceutical Research And Manufacturers Of AmericaFoley & Lardner LLP: Haymarket Media, Inc.Hogan Lovells US LLP: Mercedes-Benz USa, LLCHolland & Knight LLP: Emd Serono, Inc.Lobbyit.Com: Forest Stewardship Council United StatesSteptoe & Johnson LLP: International Dairy Foods AssociationStrategies 360: Golden Valley Electric AssociationTownsend Public Affairs: Golden State Natural Resources, Inc.

Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): Nord Stream 2 AgVenable LLP: Sberbank Cib USa, Inc.

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What Ukraine's lobbyists have been up to - Politico

A gun-rights bill that would exempt Wyoming officials and law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal gun control laws violating the Second Amendment has passed a legislative committee and is headed to the Wyoming Senate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted 4-0 in favor of the bill. You can read Senate File 102 here.

While the measure is designed to protect gun ownership in Wyoming, some gun rights activists consider the measure as weak compared with Senate File 87/House Bill 133, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which failed to pass introduction votes in both houses of the Wyoming Legislature last week.

Supporters of that legislation say Senate File 102 is flawed because it doesn't name specific acts that would be deemed as unconstitutional and because state officials are only barred from using state funds to enforce federal gun control laws, but could still enforce those laws using federal money. Wyoming law enforcement officials in 2021 came out against similar legislation to Senate File 87 in 2021, in part because of concerns that the legislation would remove qualified immunity from Wyoming law enforcement officers under some circumstances.

All of the state's 23 county sheriffs signed a letter opposing the 2021 bill that was similar to this year's Senate File 87.

In Judiciary Committee discussion of Senate File 102 on Monday. Byron Oedekoven, the former Sheriff of Campbell County who is now a lobbyist for the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs And Chiefs Of Police [WASCOP] spoke in favor of the bill.

Oedekoven said the legislation ''looks to prohibit law enforcement, or anyone else for that matter, from taking any action on any unconstitutional attempts to infringe on the Second Amendment. So it likewise leaves in place the federal legislation that is constitutional.''

Senate File 102 now faces three readings in the Wyoming Senate. If the Senate signs off on the legislation, it would then move on to the Wyoming House of Representatives.

Hundreds Of Miles Of Tumbleweeds Trapped By Wyoming Fencing

Here Are the Top 10 Reasons Why You're Lucky to Be Living in Wyoming

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Second Amendment Protection Act Passes Wyoming Committee - Kgab

Since taking office just over a year ago, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have spent more than $3 trillion on big-government programs, many of which were included in the so-called American Rescue Plan. This out-of-control spending has led to an economic crisis culminating in the highest rate of inflation in 40 years, the highest gas prices since 2014, and a broken supply chain that has left store shelves bare. Yet, instead of reining in the reckless spending that has led to this situation, this week, Democrats on the House Budget Committee doubled down on their tax-and-spend agenda and held a hearing advocating for the elimination of the debt ceiling. Given the worsening fiscal outlook for the Nation, this plan is outrageous. During the hearing, I expressed my dismay over the Majoritys attempt to eliminate one of the few potential ways we can push back against the Lefts runaway spending. Democrats must recognize that we cannot continue to spend in the manner in which they have been if we wish to preserve the long-term viability of our economy.

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Whether in Richmond or Washington, I have always been a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. That is why I joined my colleagues inwritingto the Acting Director of theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to express our outrage about a proposed rule that would allow the agency to create apermanent database to track all lawful firearm sales. This rule would essentially serve as a federal gun registry, the creation of which has previously been prohibited by Congressional action.According to documents published at the time, the ATF had already collected 54.7 million records in FY 2021 alone. In response to the aforementioned letter, the ATF informed Congress that they were in possession of an estimated 920,664,765 records on firearm transfers. It is an affront to the Second Amendment and the American people that the federal government would maintain such extensive records of law-abiding citizens firearm transfers. I will continue to fight any attempt to create a Federal gun registry. To read the latest letter I sent to the ATF, clickhere.

Congressman Ben Cline (R-6)

Originally posted here:
Defending Fiscal Sanity & The 2nd Amendment - The Roanoke Star

The once-free, English-speaking democracy of Canada is plummeting into thuggish tyranny. Mounted police trample unarmed peaceful protestors, on the orders of Fidel Castros Mini-Me, Justin Trudeau. North Americas Ceauescu declared a state of emergency and suspended Canadas Constitution. Translated into German, he invoked the Enabling Act to deal with the Reichstag Truckers.

So what should run through our heads? A number of things:

First we should pray for those brave Canadians fighting for their Magna Carta rights, against a regime run by a petty dictator who publicly admires Communist China. Heres the prayer the great Archbishop Vigano is offering:

Next lets offer prayers of thanks that our ancestors revolted against Great Britain. We can see now in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, that speaking English is no magic guarantee against Latin American-style fascism. There is something peculiar about the United States, which has so far held us back from the brink.

Lets think about that something. What was it? How can we cling to it, restore it, and carry it into the future?

As Ive argued here before, on a legal, practical level, that something is the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Speaking spiritually and psychologically, its the attitude toward citizenship that exists among citizens who retain the power to protect themselves. And in the worst extremity, to resist a tyrannical state.

Governments just dont dare try things like locking a whole population up in their homes. Not if those homes hold military-style weapons, and citizens ready to use them in self-defense. It might sound ugly to say this. If David French hears it, he will probably burst into tears. But its a grim reality of our fallen condition that the only guarantee against deadly force is force.

Our founders knew that from grim experience. Theyd heard countless sermons from Christian pulpits about the persecutions which Puritans and other dissenters had suffered at the hands of Stuart monarchs. Theyd helped their neighbors defend their settlements against American Indians whod understandably fought to resist Colonial landgrabs. Theyd seen that the very spark of the War of Independence was a struggle in New England over access to gunpowder.

Thats why the right of citizens to bear arms comparable to the military found unanimous support among the founders. As Stephen Halbrook documents, the debates over the ratification of the Bill of Rights saw repeated references by various founding fathers to citizens militias and an armed citizenry as the final guarantee of freedom. It took the COVID panic, which elites worldwide weaponized to bully and micromanage billions of people, to drive the point home again.

Notice that even in America, it was only in blue states where the Second Amendment is effectively and wrongfully nullified that suffocating constraints prevailed, and still prevail. Thats no coincidence. A populace that knows it is disarmed, helpless, and utterly dependent upon the police is much more docile. Like a Petsmart full of lapdogs, instead of a wood full of wolves.

The problem with shrinking into a lapdog, of course, is that the world is still full of wolves. The modern, secular State is one enormous wolf, like the world-ending Fenrir from Norse mythology. His snout is spattered red with the blood of innocents 170 million civilians murdered by their governments between 1914 and 1990. Those victims had one thing in common. Theyd been disarmed by those governments first.

At this point I hear in my head a nasal, whiny voice. Its the sound of the Servile Christian commentator, chiming in like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons. Okely-dokely, but what about Romans: 13? It sounds to me like youre callin on folks to act like a bunch of Zealots. And as Josephus noticed, it didnt work out too well for them in AD 70 in Jerusalem!So lets look at that passage. I will spend most of my columns this week examining how interpretations of this injunction by St. Paul have changed over the centuries. I ask you to read it slowly and reflectively, considering the implications of how you interpret it. If your reading of a Bible verse leads to outrageous consequences, which violate Natural Law or vitiate the Old Testament, or seem to condemn the behavior of many saints then youre reading it wrong.

A wrong reading of Romans 13 would imply that Holy Scripture condemned in advance:

Now the passage, from St. Paul addressing the church in Rome:

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is Gods servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are Gods servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are Gods servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

I have too much reverence for St. Pauls human wisdom, beside the inspiration of Scripture, to take this sensible, prudent piece of advice and run with it over the Gadarene slope into the sea. That is what many Christians have done over the centuries for instance by teaching that slavery was legal, and hence must be accepted. Or else by telling their congregations to be good Germans and obey the Nazis.

St. Paul was writing to a group of underground Christians living in an absolute monarchy dressed up like a republic. In the Rome of his day, wealthy senators could be falsely denounced for treason then summarily executed, with their estates seized for the State. Hed seen Jewish Zealots crucified for rebelling against the Romans. He knew that a third or more of that citys population were slaves. Furthermore, Paul was concerned to make clear to his readers that the Church was not a political movement seeking power. Instead, it was a family concerned with preaching the Gospel and offering sacraments, such as Baptism.

Paul did wish to rebuke those tempted to anarchism or antinomianism, who thought that the Kingdom of Christ dethroned all earthly authority and laws. He taught that it is good for men to live in organized societies, where legitimate rulers protected order and punished crimes. Some Christian thinkers have argued that the Fall is the only reason men need to have governments. Thomas Aquinas disagreed, asserting that even unfallen men would still need a single authority to organize and rule them.

Many early Christians were tempted to absolute pacifism rejection of military and even police use of force. Later on, many others would be drawn to political quietism refusal to resist evil laws or unjust authorities.

In my next few columns Ill explore the history which taught Christians the necessity, and the limits, of resistance to the government.

John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of God, Guns, & the Government.

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Mike Lindell Is Sending the Freedom Convoy Pillows. I'd Like to Send Them Our Second Amendment - The Stream

WASHINGTONOn Tuesday, Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21), alongside more than twenty colleagues, introduced the No Backdoor Gun Control Act. This legislation would remove Any Other Weapon (AOW) from the definition of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) could not use the AOW section to violate Americans' Second Amendment rights. This is especially important should legislation that removes short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns (SBRs, SBSs) from the NFA be enacted. Closing this loophole is an important step forward in reining in the ATF.

Bearing arms in self-defense is a human right. It is evident from the ATFs behavior that, under Joe Bidens Department of Justice, the agency is hellbent on attacking the Second Amendment through every means at its disposal. I am grateful for my colleagues work in Congress to remove short-barreled rifles and shotguns (SBRs, SBSs) from regulation under the National Firearms Act. However, should that legislation be successful in doing so, the NFAs Any Other Weapon provision would still allow an anti-gun administration to use the ATF to unilaterally regulate these firearms, and, more importantly, target their owners. The No Backdoor Gun Control Act would close this notable loophole and help protect law-abiding gun owners, Rep. Roy said.

The federal government has no business taxing and registering privately owned firearms with a catch-all term like Any Other Weapon or AOW. With the Biden Administration weaponizing definitions from the draconian National Firearms Act of 1934 to ban as many as 40,000,000 lawfully acquired guns like AR-15s, Rep. Chip Roys repeal of federal AOW regulations could not come at a better time, said Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs, Gun Owners of America.

The No Backdoor Gun Control Act:

The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Daniel Webster (FL-01), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Ted Budd (NC-13), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Marjorie Taylor Green (GA-14), Ken Buck (CO-04), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Matt Rosendale, (MT-at-Large), Jody Hice (GA-10), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Alex X. Mooney (WV-02), Randy Weber (TX-14), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Bob Good (VA-05), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Michelle Fischbach (MN -07), and Mary Miller (IL-15).

This legislation is supported by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Association of Gun Rights (NAGR).

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Rep. Roy Introduces Bill to Close Loophole in National Firearms Act - Chip Roy