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Via Priceonomics,

The coronavirus outbreak and resulting shelter-in-place orders have created enormous changes in the hourly job market. Some industries, like hospitality, have seen unprecedented job losses. Other industries, like warehouse and logistics, have actually seen job growth as the delivery of goods becomes essential.

In this article, we’ll look at job applications. Are people looking for work currently or still shying away from employment due to the virus?

We found that in March and April, job applications for hourly jobs plummeted compared to February. However, this May, we’ve seen a very strong rebound. A lot of this rebound in May has been due to restaurants and healthcare facilities reopening. Nevertheless, most industries are seeing job applications below pre-pandemic levels.

While almost all metropolitan statistical areas have seen an increase in job applications, Miami, Las Vegas and Baltimore have seen the largest surge in applications this May.

***

First let’s examine the overall national trends in job applications. What happened to the number of applications on Snagajob since before the pandemic through the end of May? The chart below shows the total applications, indexed to 100 in February:

In March and April we saw a steep decline in job applications, with job applications down 42% from their pre-pandemic level. However, this May has seen a sudden rebound in job applications as states have lifted stay-at-home restrictions. Applications are still well below pre-pandemic levels.

Is this dynamic of falling (and then rising) job applications because of fewer job postings available or because skittish individuals are less likely to apply for jobs during the pandemic? The answer is a little bit of both. The chart below shows the number of job applications per available position on Snagajob:

As the pandemic began, the number of applications per position fell in March and stayed similarly low in April. However by May, the number of applications per position available swung back to pre-pandemic levels.

While people are applying for jobs again at pre-pandemic levels, total applications are still down because the number of job postings are still less than in February:

Compared to February, hourly job postings are down 19%. Companies are hiring more in May than in April, but still at a much lower level than in February. On the national level, it appears as though both employers and potential employees are re-entering the labor market in May.

Which industries are seeing this great rebound in job postings this May? The chart below shows categories experiencing the largest (and smallest) surge in applicants last month:

By a considerable margin, sit-down restaurants have seen the largest surge in applications in May compared to April. Because of the COVID-19 lockdown, most restaurants across the country were closed for sit-down dining in April. As these restaurants have reopened, job applications have returned. Grocery stores continue to attract applications, as they have continued hiring throughout the pandemic. Cleaning services have also rebounded during reopening, as have healthcare job applications as places like dentist offices are now allowed to operate.

However, most of these categories are receiving fewer applications in May than they were prior to the pandemic beginning in February:

Compared to prior to the pandemic, only the categories of Logistics/Warehouse have seen strong applications growth. On the other hand, Hospitality and Entertainment applications are down over 80% from February.

As economies have reopened across the United States, we have seen a growth in job applications. The chart below shows the growth in job postings in the top 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) on Snagajob in May compared to April.

This prior month, the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of Miami, Las Vegas and Baltimore have seen the highest surge in job applications, followed by Houston and Orlando. Boston and Detroit have seen the smallest surge in job applicants, though both cities still received 13% more job applications than the prior month.

However, almost all geographies are seeing fewer hourly job applications than before the pandemic in February:

Just 13 of the top 50 largest metro areas on Snagajob are receiving more applications than prior to the pandemic’s start in February. Each of the top 6 locations are in the South, with Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina leading the way. Of all the metros we examined, Detroit has had the largest dropoff in applications with 46% fewer job applications in May compared to February.

***

As the economy has reopened, job applications have flooded back this May. The average job posting on our site in May got about as many applications as one would have in February. However, employer job postings still haven’t fully bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, for some job categories like restaurants, job applications are booming.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf condemned “rampant, long-lasting violence” in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, after the city “has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city,” he said in a Thursday morning statement. 

Wolf traveled to Portland to survey the city after members of Antifa established the “Chinook Land Autonomous Territory” outside of the Portland federal courthouse earlier in the week.

#BREAKING Motorcade with acting Homeland Security Secty Chad Wolf in Portland #KOIN6NEWS #PortlandProtest #BLM pic.twitter.com/BzBKHoGgke

— Lisa Balick (@lisabKOIN) July 16, 2020

City of Portland is working overtime to clean up ASAP the mess left by antifa. DHS acting secretary is reportedly in Portland now to do a walkthrough soon. pic.twitter.com/NbmmYWLjR2

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 16, 2020

“A federal courthouse is a symbol of justice – to attack it is to attack America,” Wolf said, referring to the protesters as “anarchists.”

Local businesses have reported $23 million in losses due to looting and rioting that have gripped its downtown area, and rioters were seen lighting mattresses on fire and setting off fireworks in the streets. Protesters have also set up tents in the park near the federal courthouse and have barricaded streets to create their own autonomous zone, likened to the since-disbanded Capitol Hill Organized Protest in Seattle.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security deployed more than a half-dozen law enforcement agencies and departments, with officers from the U.S. Marshals, the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection rotating protection services throughout the city in a bid to quell the violence and protect federal property — a move opposed by local politicians. –Fox News

“Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community. This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day,” the statement continues.

.@PortlandPolice have released photos of the #antifa autonomous zone that was set up overnight in the parks by the federal courthouse. Extremists confronted police during the standoff. The area has extensive damage. Nine were arrested. https://t.co/5vYntPRaGg #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/d1RVhNNbrD

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 16, 2020

According to journalist Andy Ngo, “One of the biggest scandals of the last 50 days is how Portland media & politicians describe rioters as peaceful while declaring police violent agitators. This lie keeps riots going.”

Wolf provided a list of offenses committed by “Violent anarchists” in Portland going back to late May:

05/29/2020

• Violent anarchists broke a front window at the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Overall, the cost of damages on federal property done by the violent mob this first night was estimated at $5,000.

05/30/2020

• Violent anarchists graffitied the BPA Building.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Building.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Terry Schrunk Plaza.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the 911 Federal Building.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Pioneer Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Gus J. Solomon Courthouse.

06/01/2020

• Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists graffitied Terry Schrunk Plaza.
• Violent anarchists graffitied The Pioneer Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists graffitied The Gus J Solomon Courthouse.

06/02/2020

• Violent anarchists graffitied the U.S. Custom House.

06/06/2020

• Violent anarchists destroyed fencing surrounding federal property.

06/07/2020

• Violent anarchists damaged and breached the fence around the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Portland Police were forced to deploy crowd control spray to disperse a crowd that was throwing animal seed at officers.

06/08/2020

• Violent anarchists broke a window at the Hatfield Courthouse while pelting the building with objects.
• Violent anarchists cut a hole in the fence surrounding Hatfield Courthouse.

06/10/2020

• Violent anarchists removed the entire fence around Hatfield Courthouse and graffitied its front columns.
• Violent anarchists attempted to remove wooden barriers from a window on the Hatfield Courthouse.

06/11/2020

• Violent anarchists dismantled a section of the fence protecting the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Federal Building.

06/13/2020

• Violent anarchists destroyed the card reader at the Hatfield Courthouse by ripping it off its mount.
• Violent anarchists destroyed the fence at the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists threw metal pipes at the Hatfield Courthouse, causing Portland Police to issue a disbursal warning for unlawful assembly.

06/17/2020

• Violent anarchists graffitied the Hatfield Courthouse.

06/20/2020

• Among a group of over 400 protesters marching in front of the Pioneer Courthouse, violent anarchists attempted to cause eye damage to officers with commercial grade lasers.
• Violent anarchists graffitied the Gus J. Solomon Courthouse.

06/25/2020

• Violent anarchists vandalized an FPS camera at the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists breached the fence of the Justice Center, adjacent to the courthouse.

06/30/2020

• Violent anarchists ripped down plywood covering the windows at the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Building, before breaking the windows.

7/01/2020

• Violent anarchists graffitied new plywood covering the windows at the Hatfield Courthouse and ripped down plywood on the other side of the building.
• A group of over 200 violent anarchists blocked access to the building and proceeded to launch aerial fireworks at federal property.

07/02/2020

• Violent anarchists broke a front window to the Hatfield Courthouse and attempted to enter the building.
• Violent anarchists refused orders to vacate the Hatfield Courthouse area, and instead launched fireworks and threw objects at officers, while attempting to cause eye damage with lasers. One explosive firework was shot into the courthouse.
• FPS law enforcement officers were forced to utilized crowd control measures for safety.

07/03/2020

• After ongoing riots around the Hatfield Courthouse, crowds were dispersed only to make a return later into the night.
• Violent Anarchists broke the front window of the Hatfield U.S. Courthouse and shot fireworks into the building.
• Violent anarchists firebombed the building. Federal law enforcement extinguished the fire.

07/04/2020

• Around 1,000 violent anarchists spray painted, threw rocks, and shot fireworks (including mortar style fireworks) at the Hatfield Courthouse. They also destroyed a security camera at the facility.
  • A CBP team supporting FPS at the courthouse arrested suspects from the graffiti and camera vandalism incidents.
  • The mob continued to throw rocks and paint-filled balloons, while attempting to breach the doors.
  • Teams were forced to utilize crowd control measures for safety.
• Multiple individuals were seen carrying rifles, including the driver of a vehicle who attempted to strike a Portland Police Bureau officer with his car in front of the Hatfield Courthouse.

07/05/2020

• A hostile crowd of about 250 violent anarchists returned to the vicinity of Hatfield Courthouse to vandalize and attack numerous facilities and police, while failing to comply with dispersal order.
• Violent anarchists surrounded and blocked law enforcement from the area as extremists proceeded to attack police with thrown projectiles and large mortar style fireworks.
• Two Portland Police Bureau officers were injured by the crowd (possible concussion). 
• Portland Police Bureau took five into custody for directing lasers against aircraft.
• Violent anarchists set fires in front of Hatfield Courthouse and Chapman park.
• At the entrance of Hatfield Courthouse, Violent Anarchists fired large fireworks and threw other dangerous objects toward the entrance and the personnel protecting it.
• The mob was pushed completely out of the area of Hatfield Courthouse; FPS made two arrests during push.
• Portland Police made multiple arrests and found a loaded weapon on one subject.
• Two more violent anarchists were arrested, and one was found to be carrying what appears to be a pipe bomb.
• Violent anarchists assaulted construction crews by targeting them with fireworks while they repaired Hatfield Building.
• A joint team had to be deployed to create buffer between violent anarchists and construction crew to protect construction workers.

07/06/2020

• Violent anarchists attempted to cause vision damage to personnel with lasers. Five arrests were made for assaulting law enforcement.

07/07/2020

• Violent anarchists held a “Night of Rage,” in which a 400-500-person protest devolved into riots, assaulting law enforcement officers and federal property.
• Approximately 200 violent anarchists began pursuing law enforcement officers to disrupt enforcement actions, assaulting them with rocks and bottles.
• Around 150 violent anarchists in front of the Justice Center began attacking personnel with lasers and peppered the area with fireworks.
• Three violent anarchists were arrested for attacking law enforcement.

07/08/2020

• Approximately 200 violent anarchists attacked DHS law enforcement officers while apprehending a subject who was wanted for property damage.
• One arrest was made after three law enforcement officers were injured.
• Law enforcement officers’ personal information was publicly exposed, including FPS, ICE, and CBP personnel.
• Violent anarchists continued to attack officers with lasers. 

07/09/2020

• Violent anarchists attacked DHS law enforcement officers while apprehending a subject who was wanted for property damage.
• A violent anarchist graffitied the Hatfield courthouse.
• An unidentified subject fired several shots from a gun into the air from the rear seat of a passing white SUV. 

07/10/2020

• Crowds of approximately 300 violent anarchists vandalized federal property and cameras with spray paint, blocked roadways, and assaulted law enforcement officers.
• Three were arrested for Assault on a Federal Officer.
• Violent anarchists attempted to ambush Portland Police Department PD during their shift change, but a DHS team was deployed and able to prevent any attacks.

07/11/2020

• DHS law enforcement officers supported local police to help a violent anarchist who overdosed.
• Four violent anarchists were arrested, including one who attempted to assault an officer with a hammer.
• Violent anarchists sieged the barricade of the courthouse and tried to damage it with a large hammer.
• A law enforcement officer was assaulted with blows from a hammer. Violent anarchists fought officers while they were arresting those responsible.

07/12/2020

• Six violent anarchists were detained and cited.
• A mob of 300 refused to comply with directions not to trespass on federal property.
• Another mob of 200 individuals armed with sledgehammers, tasers and/or stun guns, gathered in Chapman Park across from the Hatfield Courthouse.
• Violent anarchists launched fireworks, threw fecal matter and large objects, and pointed lasers at federal law enforcement officers.
• Violent anarchists deployed a plywood blockade while graffitiing the Edith Green-Wenell Wyatt Federal Building, before firing wrist rockets at the facility.
• When an arrest team was deployed to apprehend a rioter who encroached on a police barrier and refused to leave, they were assaulted by violent anarchists.
• A rioter trespassed on the steps of the Hatfield Courthouse and was confronted by federal law enforcement Officers, then swallowed a large amount of narcotics. Law enforcement called medical services after the individual started to convulse.
• Despite more orders to stay off of federal property and to cease unlawful activity, FPS was forced to push back violent anarchists. The Portland Police Bureau declared the mob an unlawful assembly.

07/13/2020

• Violent anarchists released personal information of federal law enforcement officers to the public, publishing names of those in Portland.
• Violent anarchists continued to assault law enforcement officers with lasers, slingshots and fireworks. Others were armed with sledge hammers, tasers, and stun guns, and dragged flaming debris into the scene.

07/14/2020

• Violent anarchists set a container of liquid on fire at the Terry Schrunk Plaza.
• Violent anarchists jumped a fence and attempted to breach the Edith Green Federal Building.
• Violent anarchists assaulted federal law enforcement officers with cans and other hard objects while they attempted to unblock the entrance of the Edith Green Federal Building.

07/15/2020

• Violent anarchists doxed members of federal law enforcement.
• Violent anarchists attempted to damage the Hatfield Courthouse by throwing objects at it and spray painting it. Numerous fireworks were also lit.
• Violent anarchists trespassed on federal property and destroyed a card reader at the Justice Center.

Submitted by Luke Eastwood,

Since the crash of 2008 much has been made of the fact that the world did not end or the sky fall in on us – unless of course you are one of the people who have been touched by bankrupcy, homelessness, addiction or even suicide as a result of the crash. The truth is that, since the financial collapse, life has not improved, improved very little or even got worse for a huge number of individuals around the world.

Many political and financial pundits have highlighted the fact that the problems that caused the sub-prime crisis and subsequent bank collapses around the world are  in fact a systemic problem. However, it appears that very little has been done to remedy  the situation.  The basic problem is not complex at all – it is very simple in fact:

1. All closed systems have limits and the economic and ecological world system  is  nearing the limits of tolerance.

2. The main beneficiaries of the current system are a tiny minority (often referred to as the 1%), which is in fact growing smaller, further exacerbating imbalance.

3. No attempt has been made to address a flawed system that is ultimately unsustainable – papering of the crack is all that has occurred.

If you accept the 3 points above then it is easy to see that we are not in fact headed anywhere better in the short or medium term. If no attempts are made to deal with the distribution of capital, the availability of financially meaningful employment, the facilitation of resources and investment in genuinely productive and beneficial enterprises then circumstances will continue to deteriorate.

The short to medium term solution to the 2008 crisis was quantitative easing, or stimulus, however many would argue that the stimulus was given to the arse when it needed to be given to the brain of the patient. Stimulus in the wrong place is of no benefit if the system remains unchanged, or if the beneficiaries only gain more from maintaining the status quo, instead of engaging in reform.

So here we are in 2020, QE or stimulus never ended, although somewhat declining in recent years, it has now been ramped up again to frightening levels. We now have a situation where the broken system of 2008 is still broken but now with a level of leveraging across countries and corporations that is eye-wateringly catastrophic. If this is not a black swan moment in itself, the fact that we have to contend with COVID19, political and social unrest, locust plagues in Africa and Asia, increased threat of war, plus increased protectionism and nationalism should be ringing everyone’s alarm bells.

There is a significant drag in the system, a time delay or delayed reaction if you will. I personally regard this as being about 6 months lag between disaster A and full comprehension of the impact of disaster A. This is then followed by the repercussions of this new understanding, which is from that point onwards is reflected in financial markets, on main street, employment levels, the media and in every day life.  At this moment we are seeing or are about to see Q2 figures from across the world, which is the beginning of the comprehension of disaster A, and a growing awareness that disasters B, C, D and E are in progress right now.

Preppers have long been derided as maniacs who see doom and gloom and impending disaster around every corner. While many of these people and social/financial commentators may have been wrong about the timing, they have been right all along about the systemic weakness and the strong likelihood of an implosion that could gut societies all across the world. It may have been fun to have a good laugh at ‘Johnny no mates’, filling his plastic bins with non-perishable foods and buying gold coins, but now Johnny is not look so stupid any more.

The full impact of the coming financial devastation is a long way off, what we have seem this year is just the entré, a small taste of what is to come. I would suggest that Q3 and Q4 will yield results of unprecedented disaster that will lead to a mass exodus from financial markets, a collapse of the derivatives market, commercial and domestic property collapse and possibly the insolvency of many large financial institutions and corporations across the world.

For those who have not prepared at all for the coming economic and social chaos, I would to suggest that right now is a good time to start – as soon as you have finished reading this article! Those with a high level of debt would be wise to pay it off if they have the ability to do so. Those with financial assets likely to be devalued by a stock market slide, derivatives collapse etc would be wise to get out while the getting is good. Those that have property that is expensive, costly to maintain and not generating income would also be wise to sell it while it still retains any quantifiable value.

In my own case, I have sold my home which had an unsustainable mortgage and cleared that debt. I have made arrangements to settle all other borrowings within the next 12 months. I have relocated to a low population area, living in a very affordable rented home. I have changed job and now work part-time as a government employee in a pensionable job. I also have a supply of non-perishable food that will last 3-6 months, tools and equipment to deal with lack of supply and a shared ‘allotment’ near by, to grow food. I also have a reasonable supply of 1oz silver coins and bars, which should hopefully retain some purchasing value when the hyperinflation eventually hits.

My own prepping is fairly minor, compared to some, however I feel adequately prepared to ride out the inevitable storms that are coming our way. I would not have revealed these steps in the past, given the general derision of most people towards those preparing for disaster. I would most likely be lumped in with the ‘tin foil hat’ conspiracists for taking steps to avoid destitution, hunger and the disintegration of my personal situation, brought on by events beyond my control. Now that we have finally arrived at the ‘perfect storm’ people like me are not looking like fools any more.

In truth it is the people with zero vision, foresight and planning who are going to look stupid. It is those who have sleep-walked through the last decade and done nothing to safeguard their own future who will be feeling stupid very soon. However, total disaster is not upon us just yet – it is still in the post. There is still time to sell up, move house, change career, pay off debt. If you have not already analysed your life and its future viability, in the face of unprecedented change, now would be a very good time to start.

*  *  *

Luke Eastwood is a horticulturist and writer, living in Ireland. He has formerly worked in the financial industry in UK, journalism, publishing, design, advertsing and marketing. You can read more of his work at lukeeastwood.com

Several months ago, we noticed parking lots across the US were quickly filling up with rental cars as the entire car rental industry collapsed. The virus-induced recession crushed the travel and tourism industry, so it would only make sense that indirect industries, like rental cars, would get hammered.

In May, rental car fleets were being shifted from airports to massive parking lots at sports stadiums from Philipedia to Los Angeles; the pictures below show the magnitude of the collapse: 

Thanks to mcm-ct.com, who also showed us the commercial real estate bust in South Florida in May, has once again posted stunning pictures of where rental cars now ‘go to die’. 

MCM might have uncovered the evolution of what happens to rental cars after they’re temporarily parked at sports stadiums or massive parking lots – that is, as he describes – ends up in a “death yard” – as Hertz and other rental car companies will eventually markdown these assets from their respective balance sheets. 

On Sunday, MCM’s Twitter post said he “drove past” the Palm Beach International Airport on Saturday and uncovered a huge parking lot of “rental cars needing maintenance/out of commission.” 

Drove past the WPB Airport yesterday & saw this:

A DEATH YARD FOR RENTAL CARS NEEDING MAINTENANCE/OUT OF COMMISSION

1. EVERY CAR mechanical issue marked on window

2. THEY ARE BAKING IN THE

3. WILL TAKE YEARS & $$$ TO GET THROUGH THESE REPAIRS

Can you say asset impairment? /1 pic.twitter.com/oSLi0JoBkv

— mcm-ct.com (@mcm_ct) July 12, 2020

He said, “every car” had mechanical issues “marked on” the window – as they bake in the South Florida sun. He said it would “take years & $$$ to get through these repairs,” as he suggested: “Can you say asset impairment?” 

From the street, MCM snapped a panoramic view of the parking lot with at least a thousand of these cars left in the sun to die.  

He shows every window is “marked with mechanical issues.” 

Here’s another angle of the yard – with a closer look – all of these vehicles are basically brand-new. 

Another view:

And another: 

MCM said: “Anyway you look at it, its YEARS OF INVENTORY that is sitting baking in the sun…it is a major operation imo just to find the keys for these cars let alone repair and move them – they will be there for a very long time it seems and that means these cars will deteriorate a lot.” 

Adding that, “DON’T WORRY THE @federalreserve CAN FIX THIS as @neelkashkari is on the job.” 

And if MCM is right – Hertz and or other rental car companies could be on the cusp of writing down their vehicle fleets as the anticipation of steady cash flows from these assets are now deemed unrecoverable as the whole travel and tourism industry has gone bust and will remain depressed for years. 

Submitted by Mark Glennon of Wirepoints

Claiming ‘Unique Opportunity to Lead the Nation,’ Parents Ask High School to Adopt ‘Freedom of Expression Resolution’

Has the cancel culture infected your kids’ school? A parent group may have a partial remedy. A resolution submitted to the New Trier High School board in north suburban Chicago would, if adopted, assure:

New Trier High School’s fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the New Trier High School community to be offensive, unwise.

It would guaranty all members of the school community “the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn.”

The resolution apparently would be the first of its kind in the nation at the high school level. It is modeled on The Chicago Statement, which was adopted by the University of Chicago in 2015 in response to the illiberal trend of free speech intolerance on college campuses. The full resolution appears below.

It was drafted by New Trier Neighbors, a parent group that grew out of opposition to what was criticized as one-sided content in the school’s “Seminar Day” in 2017, which a Wall Street Journal article called “Racial Indoctrination Day.”

The seminar received extensive, national media attention because of its exclusive focus on topics like systemic racism, implicit bias and, as the Journal put it, the “divisive view of race as a primordial fact, the essence of identity, a bright line between oppressed and oppressor.”

We wrote about it here at the time. My son attended the school then. I was among the critics who asked for a broader range of viewpoints like those of Robert Woodson, Shelby Steele, Thomas Sowell, John McWhorter and Corey Brooks. The school rejected our requests.

Since then, the school has only broadened what it describes as its “equity initiative,” expanding what dissenting parents regard as authoritarian imposition of the far left’s single-minded views on race – as well as other topics. Last year, the school moved to infuse its administration’s views on “equity” into virtually all subject areas including math, science, sports, language and more, which you can see in the memo linked here.

Some right-of-center students have spoken up about having their viewpoints squelched, and even being penalized on grading for their views. My kids reported the same things when there.

New Trier is hardly alone. Similar stories from high schools and even grade schools around the country are now common.

The resolution presents the school with an opportunity to move in a more balanced direction that respects diversity of opinion and returns the school to a focus on critical thinking skills.  New Trier Neighbors drafted the resolution in consultation with the K-12 policy experts at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

No word yet on how or when the school board will act on it.

We often receive emails at Wirepoints from ordinary citizens asking “What can I do? How can I get involved to stop what’s happening?”

This resolution is one answer. Push for a similar one in your school districts.

The cancel culture that now plagues the nation has its roots where it should have no place whatsoever – schools. That’s especially true about the disastrously counterproductive orthodoxy on systemic racism, implicit bias and the like. Its easily predictable consequences are now apparent across the nation – more racism and division. Race relations have been set back by fifty years.

For those reasons, what New Trier itself does with the resolution is actually secondary. While we hope it will adopt the resolution, it’s far more important that its introduction set a trend for districts around the nation.

Indoctrination long ago replaced education on most college campuses. Freedom of expression resolutions might help save high schools from the same fate.

Parents, it’s in your hands.

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.

*******************

The New Trier High School Freedom of Expression Resolution, presented to the Board for adoption in its entirety, and based on The Chicago Statement:

Because New Trier High School is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the New Trier High School community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Except insofar as limitations on that freedom are necessary to the functioning of New Trier High School, New Trier High School fully respects and supports the freedom of all members of the New Trier High School community “to discuss any problem that presents itself.”

Of course, the ideas of different members of the New Trier High School community will often and quite naturally conflict. But it is not the proper role of New Trier High School to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even offensive. Although New Trier High School greatly values civility, and although all members of the New Trier High School community share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussion of ideas, however offensive or disagreeable those ideas may be to some members of our community.

The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not, of course, mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. New Trier High School may restrict expression that violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of New Trier High School.In addition, New Trier High School may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of New Trier High School. But these are narrow exceptions to the general principle of freedom of expression, and it is vitally important that these exceptions never be used in a manner that is inconsistent with New Trier High School’s commitment to a completely free and open discussion of ideas.

In a word, New Trier High School’s fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the New Trier High School community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the individual members of the New Trier High School community, not for New Trier High School as an institution, to make those judgments for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose. Indeed, fostering the ability of members of the New Trier High School community to engage in such debate and deliberation in an effective and responsible manner is an essential part of New Trier High School’s educational mission.

As a corollary to New Trier High School’s commitment to protect and promote free expression, members of the New Trier High School community must also act in conformity with the principle of free expression. Although members of the New Trier High School community are free to criticize and contest the views expressed on campus, and to criticize and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe. To this end, New Trier High School has a solemn responsibility not only to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it.”

A bombshell new investigative report in Yahoo News could shed light on the recent spate of ‘mystery’ blasts rocking strategic Iranian sites like Natanz nuclear plant and ballistic missile bases. 

The report details that in 2018 President Trump issued a ‘secret authorization’ essentially allowing a ‘gloves off’ approach by US intelligence agencies in conducting cyber warfare against Iran and other so-called rogue states:

The Central Intelligence Agency has conducted a series of covert cyber operations against Iran and other targets since winning a secret victory in 2018 when President Trump signed what amounts to a sweeping authorization for such activities, according to former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the matter.

It appears the kind of hidden ‘dirty war’ operations which accompanied the Washington’s long-running proxy war against Assad in Syria. This amid a broader Iran policy spanning across administrations – through at least the Bush years – targeting Tehran for regime change. 

“The secret authorization, known as a presidential finding, gives the spy agency more freedom in both the kinds of operations it conducts and who it targets, undoing many restrictions that had been in place under prior administrations,” the report continues. “The finding allows the CIA to more easily authorize its own covert cyber operations, rather than requiring the agency to get approval from the White House.”

But it’s not just Iran, according to the report, but other ‘official enemies’ and so-called rogue states like North Korea, and including Russia and China.

This also as both Russia and China have this week stood accused of attempting to hack US labs and pharmaceutical companies to gain valuable coronavirus research and vaccine development information. 

The Yahoo News report continues: 

The “very aggressive” finding “gave the agency very specific authorities to really take the fight offensively to a handful of adversarial countries,” said a former U.S. government official. These countries include Russia, China, Iran and North Korea — which are mentioned directly in the document — but the finding potentially applies to others as well, according to another former official. “The White House wanted a vehicle to strike back,” said the second former official. “And this was the way to do it.”

Trump authorized covert ops when Pompeo was director of CIA, then made him Secretary of State. One goal of operation is *destabilizing* #Iran.

Pompeo never really left CIA, he uses Sec of State post for propaganda & sabotage. He’s an agent not a diplomat.https://t.co/bjMQaSF6ye

— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) July 16, 2020

In essence this means the CIA can simply authorize its own operations regarding these countries if there’s evidence or even just strong suspicion that an entity could be a threat to US national security. This means for example that Iranian or journalists, banks, or their foreign organizations could (and have been) targeted for state-run hacking and cyber-warfare operations. 

One former official who remains critical of the Trump authorization said: “Our government is basically turning into f***ing WikiLeaks.” Consider this explosive section of the report:

The finding has made it easier for the CIA to damage adversaries’ critical infrastructure, such as petrochemical plants, and to engage in the kind of hack-and-dump operations that Russian hackers and WikiLeaks popularized, in which tranches of stolen documents or data are leaked to journalists or posted on the internet. It has also freed the agency to conduct disruptive operations against organizations that were largely off limits previously, such as banks and other financial institutions.

Another key change with the finding is it lessened the evidentiary requirements that limited the CIA’s ability to conduct covert cyber operations against entities like media organizations, charities, religious institutions or businesses believed to be working on behalf of adversaries’ foreign intelligence services, as well as individuals affiliated with these organizations, according to former officials.

And now recall the widespread speculation this month that the series of over six ‘random’ blasts and fires which have disabled key Iranian military and industrial sites is part of either a US or Israeli sabotage operation. 

Asia Times recently asked for example: are we witnessing the “the son of Stuxnet?”

Recent explosions in Iran may have been caused by computer viruses similar to the Stuxnet virus that disabled Iranian centrifuges in 2010.

Two of the blasts took place at power plants, one at a missile research, development and production site, one at a new uranium enrichment centrifuge center, and the last (if it can be considered part of the attacks) in downtown Tehran at a medical facility that could have been a cover for nuclear operations such as a hidden command center.

Thus the timing of this new revelation detailing the secret Trump presidential finding essentially giving the CIA near carte blanche powers to wage cyberwarfare is curious indeed. 

Authored by McKenna Dallmeyer via Campus Reform,

Even after the police chief at West Virginia University publicly apologized for a “Thin Blue Line” flag displayed in his home during a Zoom meeting, professors at the university are still demanding his resignation. 

In response to George Floyd’s death, West Virginia University’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Meshea Poore and W.P. Chedester, chief of University Police, sent out a letter to the students and faculty of WVU.

“We stand united against the violence and racism, discrimination or bias towards Black people that has plagued our country for so many years,” the letter read.

“And by recognizing there is a systemic problem in many law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and taking a stand against injustice, we can begin the process of rebuilding trust within our communities.”

In order to discuss “how we can work together to foster a safe, diverse, and inclusive culture,” West Virginia University hosted a virtual Campus Conversation over Zoom. The format of the call allowed students to ask questions to university officials regarding race relations on campus.

Visible during the video conference was a hand-carved Thin Blue Line flag on Chedester’s wall. 

The Thin Blue Line flag is viewed by many as a symbol of “honor and respect” for law enforcement. According to Flags of Valor, “the Thin Blue Line embodies the unbreakable component of law enforcement standing as a safety barrier between the law-abiding citizens of America and the criminally inclined.”

Students and faculty were outraged by the chief’s choice of wall decor and expressed their grievances with WVU immediately.

Within hours, Chedester issued a letter of apology for the pro-law enforcement flag being displayed behind him during the virtual conference. 

He said that the flag always symbolized “a way to honor the commitment I made as a first responder to protect our community,” adding “I understand now that it represents something else to many others; something that I now know was traumatic to some of our community tuning in for our Conversation.”

“I sincerely did not have any intent to suggest that police lives matter more than Black lives nor was I intentionally trying to cause any harm or offense,” Chedester continued.

Chedester then promised to remove the flag from his office. 

“I am committed to rebuilding that trust beginning today. I am taking the flag down from my office wall,” he concluded.

Some WVU facuty members were still not satisfied with these sentiments. 

On WVU’s tweet linking Chedester’s apology, assistant professor in WVU’s Department of English Rose Caseyreplied thanking Chedester and explaining that “the Blue Lives Matter flag is associated with white supremacy.” 

She then linked a Politico article conflating the flag with racism because it was spotted beside a Confederate flag at the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The same article quotes Arizona State University professor of criminology Michael White who said the flag
“fosters this ‘us versus them’ mentality.’”

WVU Associate Professor of Biochemical Genetics Vagner Benedito called for Chedester’s resignation on Twitter in reply to the chief’s apology letter: “The only way forward is with his resignation. Why is it so difficult to comprehend?”

The only way forward is with his resignation. Why is it so difficult to comprehend?

— Vagner Benedito (@vabenedito) June 11, 2020

Thank you. The Blue Lives Matter flag is associated with white supremacy. Given the racism that the country is grappling with, which this talk was meant to address, UPD Chief Chedester’s apology is welcome. Let’s continue to be talk honestly about what we’re addressing: racism.

— Rose Casey (@ARoseCasey) June 11, 2020

Benedito commented again on Twitter demanding Chedester’s resignation. 

“Campus police chief is a position we all should trust. POC will not be trusting his leadership. Moving forward, he must resign to make sure there is inclusions and equality regarding the police actions on campus!” Benedito wrote.

Benedito told Campus Reform that it while it would be “ludicrous” to expect Chedester to remove the flag from his office, he does “expect the police on campus to defend everyone, including minorities,” and believes that Chedesters’ possession of the flag demonstrates his unwillingness to do so. 

“As you already know, that flag was crafted to oppose the Black Lives Matter movement, even though historically police lives have always mattered while black lives have been taken away by systematic police brutality over and over again,” Benedito said.

Benedito added that he did not find Chedester’s apology letter “convincing.”

“If he was indeed ignorant about its meaning, he should not be in a position of so much power for being so much misinformed about the current situation of the country, especially in matters involving the police,” Benedito told Campus Reform.

“To be clear, the diverse community at WVU and allies are demanding the replacement of WVU Chief Police moving forward,” Benedito said.

A major Chinese state-run pharmaceutical company is going to extreme, and some might say dangerous, lengths to develop a coronavirus vaccine at a moment the global race is on to get one safely out. 

The company announced this week that its Chinese employees and even top executives stood in as guinea pigs for a “pre-test” of its potential new vaccine. 

SinoPharm said that 30 of its own “special volunteers” had the experimental vaccine administered to them prior to it going through a rigorous regulations and official approval process. It’s bringing up serious ethical questions over to what degree state-linked Chinese firms are coercing their employees into participating in unregulated and experimental pharmaceutical tests.

The Associated Press reported of the company statements: 

SinoPharm’s claim that 30 “special volunteers” rolled up their sleeves even before the company got permission for its initial human study raises ethical concerns among Western observers. The company’s post cites a “spirit of sacrifice” and shows seven men in suits and ties — a mix of scientists, businessmen and one Communist Party official with a background in military propaganda.

The SinoPharm statement touted that its employees were “giving a helping hand in forging the sword of victory.”

China’s state media propagated the firm’s statement via English language outlets:

Top Chinese executives at SinoPharm say they are proud to receive experimental shots ahead of government approved testing in people. The online post “giving a helping hand in forging the sword of victory,” highlights the world’s race to find a vaccine for #COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/nz72kiLANp

— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) July 16, 2020

Currently there’s some eight experimental vaccines in various stages of testing being developed in China, and many more at labs worldwide.

SinoPharm brochure touting that their own top executives are receiving an experimental shot: 

The Hill described that SinoPharm’s vaccine is unique, in that it “mirrors the development of the polio vaccine, and uses an ‘inactivated’ or killed virus to develop the vaccine. Most Western vaccine development uses technology to focus on the protein on the virus instead.”

Critics have said it sets a precedent for employees at Chinese companies to feel “pressured” or forced into being human subjects in unapproved and unregulated tests. The whole thing also presents a severe conflict of interest when it comes whatever limited anecdotal data might be gained from tests on a few dozen of their own employees.