College throws its Ivy League-educated president under the bus for 'liking' tweets critical of COVID vaccines, trans surgeries for kids



Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University came down hard on its president for "liking" tweets critical of COVID vaccines and trans surgeries for kids.

What are the details?

A Philadelphia Inquirer story over the weekend called out the college's 70-year-old president, Dr. Mark Tykocinski, saying the Yale-educated molecular immunologist "has used his Twitter account to 'like' tweets that question the science of COVID-19 vaccines, call gender reassignment surgery 'child mutilation,' and are critical of diversity offices on college campuses, among other controversial topics."

The Inquirer did some counting and discovered that Tykocinski in the last year "liked" nearly 30 tweets from Alex Berenson, whom the paper said was "once called 'the pandemic’s wrongest man' by the Atlantic."

With that, Thomas Jefferson University CEO Joseph G. Cacchione on Sunday messaged faculty, employees, and students and ripped Tykocinski's "careless use" of Twitter, adding that "at his level, he is held to a higher standard and should have known better," the Inquirer said in a follow-up story.

Berenson responded on Twitter by saying "academic freedom is dead" — and Twitter CEO Elon Musk added that the school's response is "absurd."

\u201c@AlexBerenson This is absurd. Shame on the CEO and board of trustees of Thomas Jefferson University!\u201d
— Alex Berenson (@Alex Berenson) 1682985001

Musk wasn't done:

\u201c@DrJBhattacharya @AlexBerenson So the president of a university, which is supposed to be a bastion of freedom of expression, was almost fired for liking factually correct tweets!?\n\nThat is seriously messed up. The board of trustees should hang their heads in shame and apologize!\u201d
— Jay Bhattacharya (@Jay Bhattacharya) 1683043510

Apology parade

As you might guess, a Tykocinski apology parade has been in full swing.

According to the Inquirer, Tykocinski said in a statement that he “liked” the tweets in question in order to bookmark them so he could "learn more about the subject matter or the particular viewpoint."

“What I did not understand was that by liking a tweet, it could be interpreted as endorsement of the thought expressed or the person expressing it. ... I certainly had no intention of endorsing the content of individual tweets or the person tweeting," he added to the paper.

“I regret my lack of understanding of how ‘liking’ a tweet is an implied endorsement. I also regret how my lack of understanding of the Twitter platform caused some to question my views on these complex issues," he also told the Inquirer.

The paper added that in regard to COVID-19 vaccines, Tykocinski clarified: “I do not believe vaccines are harmful. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were originally made available through an accelerated [emergency use authorization] process: and hence, the speed in which they were developed saves millions of lives. There is still much to be learned. Academic institutions play a key role in answering these questions.”

The Inquirer added that when asked if he regarded transgender surgery as child mutilation, Tykocinksi replied: “This is not my clinical area of expertise. In general, any issue involving children should be referred to clinical experts at children’s hospitals who offer the full complement of services necessary.”

A 'teaching moment'

A Jefferson spokesperson told the Inquirer that the college "intends to use this opportunity as a teaching moment regarding the understanding, impact, and prudent use of social media.”

More from the paper:

Patricia D. Wellenbach, chair of the Thomas Jefferson University board of trustees and president and CEO of the Please Touch Museum, said in an email Monday afternoon that the situation “is getting my and the board’s full attention.”

“I, and the board of trustees, have complete confidence in [Cacchione], and the management team who are thoughtfully managing the situation while continuing to remain focused on our mission to serve our community every day.”

Cacchione in his message further went on to emphasize that a “diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is fundamental” to Jefferson’s mission and that COVID-19 vaccines “saved countless lives.” Jefferson followed all guidelines, including requiring its employees and students to be vaccinated, he wrote.

Inquirer reporter feeling the heat, too

Susan Snyder, the Inquirer reporter who penned both stories, has been getting criticized on Twitter:

  • "That hit piece you wrote about that medical doctor is disgraceful," one user told her. "You know you need to resign immediately."
  • "You're nothing but a bully guised as a journalist," another commenter said. "Shame on you."
  • "You are making a mockery of journalism," another user wrote. "Resign."
  • "You are an inspector with the thought police, not a journalist," another commenter said.
  • "How dare you spy on what a person LIKES ON TWITTER FGS!" another user exclaimed. "You should be fired, not HIM."

Grammy Awards feature satanic-looking 'Unholy' performance, 'unrecognizable' Madonna



The 65th annual Grammy Awards held in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday featured Satan, cages, dominatrices, whips, fire, and an "unrecognizable" Madonna.

"It's a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live," performer Kim Petras, a German-born, transgender woman (i.e., a biological man), said of the "Unholy" performance, Variety reported.

"I think a lot of people, honestly, have kind of labeled what I stand for and what Sam [Smith] stands for as religiously not cool, and I personally grew up wondering about religion and wanting to be a part of it but slowly realizing it didn’t want me to be a part of it," Petras also said.

\u201c#Grammy winner Kim Petras on the religious inspiration behind her award show performance, \u201cIt\u2019s a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live.\u201d https://t.co/JUB36VWZsf\u201d
— Variety (@Variety) 1675657852

"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award," the performer said in an acceptance speech, to a standing ovation from the crowd.

\u201c"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award." Watch Kim Petras' acceptance speech from the #Grammys:\u201d
— Variety (@Variety) 1675649027

"Saturday Night Live" hosted a performance of the song "Unholy" two weeks ago. Sam Smith
performed in an enormous, hot pink, fluffy tulle gown. Petras was revealed to be sitting under the voluminous skirt as the gown was flipped open.

Billy Hallowell, who penned "Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts," described the "Unholy" performance at the Grammy Awards as "heartbreaking." He encouraged viewers to pray for "people who mock God, flaunt that mockery, and [are] then praised for it."

"Unholy's" lyrics address themes of marital infidelity and betrayal.

\u201cThe "Unholy" performance wasn't really outrageous or innovative; it was just sad. It's really heartbreaking to watch people mock God, flaunt that mockery, and then be praised for it. This should break our hearts and send us into prayer for these people. Truly.\u201d
— Billy Hallowell (@Billy Hallowell) 1675680114

Page Six described Madonna as "unrecognizable." The "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl" pop legend presented ahead of Smith's and Petras' "Unholy" performance.

Though she wore her signature fishnet gloves, some viewers were shocked by Madonna's near-unrecognizable face.

"Her lips appeared plumped and pouty and her skin was smooth and without wrinkles," according to the Mirror's gracious description of 64-year-old Madonna.

Others were more blunt.

"I'm all for cosmetic surgery but @Madonna should have left her face alone after her last lift," said actor Damon Gonzalez.

"The mother of reinvention needs an intervention. And yes, I'll be paying 1,300 to see her at MSG this summer," Gonzalez added.

\u201cI\u2019m all for cosmetic surgery but @Madonna should have left her face alone after her last lift. Her hair, makeup & eyebrows make her only look worse. The mother of reinvention needs an intervention. And yes, I\u2019ll be paying 1,300 to see her at MSG this summer. #GRAMMYs\u201d
— Damon Gonzalez (@Damon Gonzalez) 1675666352

"Madonna can't see it. It's filter fatigue. People get so used to their face they no longer see it's different, so they continue to get more," said writer and director Jay Arnold.

\u201cMadonna can\u2019t see it. \n\nIt\u2019s filler fatigue. People get so used to their face they no longer see it\u2019s different, so they continue to get more.\u201d
— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1675693134

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Watch a California family unleash a paintball barrage to thwart thieves from stealing catalytic converters from cars in their driveway



A blitzkrieg of paintballs pelted catalytic converter criminals who were caught red-handed. A family unleashed a paintball attack on unsuspecting thieves who were attempting to steal catalytic converters from vehicles in the driveway of a California home.

In broad daylight, two men attempted to steal catalytic converters from two trucks parked in the driveway of a home in Turlock, California. Around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 4, two men tried to steal the catalytic converter from a 2000 Ford Excursion, according to Turlock Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Mike Parmley.

A car alarm sounded momentarily, but the men go back underneath the vehicle after the noise stops.

Family members caught wind of the attempted theft and thwarted the thieves by unleashing a paintball barrage.

Surveillance camera footage shows two men underneath the SUV attempting to remove the catalytic converter. Suddenly, the popping sound of paintball guns shooting the apparent thieves erupts from the home's garage.

The suspected thieves scurried from the driveway as they are pelted with paintballs.

Two shirtless and shoeless men hunt down the suspected thieves with their paintball guns. The alleged catalytic converter thieves fled to a red car that was driven by a third suspect.

"A frustrated resident of the home is captured on home surveillance shooting the two male suspects, multiple times, with a paintball gun," Parmley told KXTV.

The family told the Turlock Police Department that this was the seventh time that catalytic converters were attempted to be stolen from their vehicles. Three of the attempts have caused damage to their cars.

Unlike law enforcement in Florida which encourages residents to defend their property, the police in California advise against it.

"Despite having the right to defend your own property, these types of actions could be very unsafe. Upon confronting individuals committing crimes, their actions are often unpredictable and could lead to intervening citizens becoming victims of an assault or more serious crime," Parmley said.

Anyone with information on the suspects are encouraged to contact Turlock Police Department officer Greg Roton at (209) 668-6536.

None
— Jay Lalik (@Jay Lalik) 1665248644

Catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed in recent years.

According to a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 1,298 catalytic converter theft claims in 2018, followed by 3,389 claims in 2019, and a whopping 14,433 claims in 2020 – a 325% jump.

Catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be hawked for significant money.

"It's platinum, palladium, and rhodium. You have platinum for around $800 or $900 dollars an ounce. You have palladium for around $2,200 an ounce. You have rhodium that's $18 to $20,000 an ounce," scrap shop owner Dennis Laviage of C&D Scrap Metal told KTRK-TV in April.

Since 2019 through the first three months of 2022, the top five vehicles targeted for catalytic converter theft are:

  1. 1985-2021 Ford F-Series
  2. 1989-2020 Honda Accord
  3. 2007-17 Jeep Patriot
  4. 1990-2022 Ford Econoline
  5. 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado

Special Olympics drops vaccine mandate after Florida threatens $27.5 million fine



The Special Olympics on Thursday reversed its vaccine requirement for upcoming games in Orlando, Florida, this weekend after receiving pressure from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration.

ABC News reporter Jay O'Brien revealed Friday that the state of Florida threatened the Special Olympics with a $27.5 million fine because it said the organization's vaccine requirement violated state law.

\u201cFlorida said the vaccine rule conflicted with state law, and disqualified Special Olympics athletes from competing based on their vaccine status.\n\nState said they heard from athletes and families of athletes who complained. \n\nHere\u2019s the letter the state sent. 2/3\u201d
— Jay O'Brien (@Jay O'Brien) 1654263402

O'Brien shared a letter the Florida Department of Health sent to the Special Olympics International on June 2 giving notice of the fine. The Special Olympics "required proof certifying COVID-19 vaccination from 5,500 individuals to gain access to entry upon, and/or services from the 2022 USA Special Olympics Games, in violation of Florida law," the letter stated.

DOH said that Florida law "prohibits a business entity, which includes a charitable organization, from requiring any patron or customer to provide documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business entity." The state government imposed a fine of $5,000 against the Special Olympics for each individual or separate violation.

On Thursday, the organization announced it is "lifting the vaccine requirement for delegation members attending the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games being held in Orlando, Florida, June 5-12, as demanded by the state of Florida officials."

"We don't want to fight. We want to play," the charity said.

In April 2021, DeSantis signed an executive order banning so-called "vaccine passports" in the state of Florida. One month later, the state legislature passed a bill that the governor signed into law prohibiting businesses and governments from requiring proof of vaccination and imposing fines for each violation.

At a press conference Friday, DeSantis reiterated his opposition to vaccine mandates or passports and said Florida's rejection of those policies has led to a boom in tourism and economic growth in the state.

"Your rights or your freedoms should not be circumscribed by your decision to take or not to take a COVID vaccine," DeSantis said, according to WFTX-TV. "That was inappropriate. At the end of the day, our view was there has to be choice in this regard."

He also praised the Special Olympics' decision to comply with Florida law.

"This will be a relief to a lot of the athletes," DeSantis said. "There's a significant number of them who were in limbo up until this week."

DeSantis has won praise among his supporters and fierce condemnation from his critics for his willingness to use the government's power to go after businesses that challenge his policies.

Earlier this year, the governor supported an effort by the state legislature to strip the Walt Disney World Resort of its special tax status because of Disney's opposition to Florida's Parental Rights in Education law. On Thursday, DeSantis vetoed $35 million in state funding for new baseball practice facility for the Tampa Bay Rays seemingly in response to the MLB organization advocated for gun control on social media.

Critics rip former Biden health adviser, MSNBC for peddling lie that unvaccinated kids are likely to get 'serious' COVID: 'Dangerous misinformation'



Critics are calling out a former COVID policy adviser to President Joe Biden after he recently claimed on national TV that children are "likely" to get a "serious" case of COVID-19 if they do not get vaccinated against the virus.

What did he say?

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, who formerly served in the Obama administration and as a member of Biden's coronavirus advisory board, made the fallacious claim during an interview with MSNBC reporter Kristen Welker on Wednesday.

The two were discussing vaccine efficacy in children amid the rise of the Omicron variant, when he said, "With the Omicron variant, kids are either going to get the vaccine or they're likely to get a serious condition of Omicron."

"I am confused about parents’ attitude. Five and above, seems like it's a no-brainer," he added. "Two to five, I understand some hesitancy. Two and under with the small dose, I think probably a very good idea."

"Parents have to be more willing" to get their children vaccinated, Emanuel argued.

MSNBC followed up the interview by promoting Emanuel's warning on Twitter, despite his claim being obviously dubious.

Numerous scientific studies since the start of the pandemic have shown that children are extremely unlikely to present even mild symptoms as a result of the virus, much less come down with a severe case of COVID-19.

Furthermore, Reuters reported last month that a recent study showed Omicron is even less dangerous for children than previous variants of the pathogen.

What was the reaction?

Critics were quick to call out Emanuel and MSNBC for peddling misinformation about the pandemic, many noting that they reported the post to Twitter for removal.

"Report this dangerous misinformation," columnist Phil Kerpen tweeted.

Report this dangerous misinformation.https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Phil Kerpen (@Phil Kerpen) 1643937935

"This is a lie," Townhall senior editor Matt Vespa added.

This is a liehttps://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Matt Vespa (@Matt Vespa) 1643942360

Reason editor at large Matt Welch added, "This statement is not remotely true."

This statement is not remotely true.https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Matt Welch (@Matt Welch) 1643939630

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) said, "This is garbage @MSNBC. Totally, 100%, indisputably untrue COVID misinformation."

This is garbage @MSNBC. Totally, 100%, indisputably untrue COVID misinformation.https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Lee Zeldin (@Lee Zeldin) 1643944160

"There is zero evidence that unvaccinated kids as young as 5 are 'likely to get a serious condition of omicron.' Zero," The Hill columnist Joe Concha argued.

There is zero evidence that unvaccinated kids as young as 5 are \u201clikely to get a serious condition of omicron.\u201d Zero.https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Joe Concha (@Joe Concha) 1643957299

New York Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo called Emanuel's claim "demonstrably false" and "straight up fearmongering."

This is demonstrably false. Straight up fearmongering.https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Jarett Gandolfo (@Jarett Gandolfo) 1643940285

WEX magazine managing editor Jay Caruso noted the statement as an example of how "platforms are much more lenient with COVID/vaccine hysteria content than they are with COVID/vaccine skeptical content."

This is a good example of an issue @JonathanTurley raised several weeks ago. Platforms are much more lenient with COVID/vaccine hysteria content than they are with COVID/vaccine skeptical content.https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Jay Caruso (@Jay Caruso) 1643974544

Others contrasted Big Tech's silence over Emanuel's and MSNBC's claims to the loud criticism being incessantly launched against Spotify podcaster Joe Rogan because of his opinions on COVID-19 treatments.

"This kind of stuff only proves the whole Spotify thing has nothing to do with misinformation and everything to do with power," Bridget Phetasy tweeted.

This kind of stuff only proves the whole Spotify thing has nothing to do with misinformation and everything to do with power.
— Bridget Phetasy (@Bridget Phetasy) 1643939939

Washington Examiner contributor Brad Polumbo remarked, "Lol but Joe Rogan spreads COVID 'misinformation.''"

Lol but Joe Rogan spreads COVID \u201cmisinformation\u201dhttps://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1489400069203939335\u00a0\u2026
— Brad Polumbo \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u26bd\ufe0f \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Brad Polumbo \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u26bd\ufe0f \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1643946434

Leftists lash out at 'cowards' in RNC for threat to prohibit Republican candidates from participating in presidential, VP debates due to bias against GOP



After the Republican National Committee on Thursday threatened the Commission on Presidential Debates that it would "prohibit future GOP nominees from participating in future CPD-sponsored debates" over what the RNC sees as unfairness and bias against Republicans, leftists predictably lashed out.

Who said what?

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison tweeted that “Republicans can’t win a fair fight and they know it":

Republicans can't win a fair fight and they know it. Regardless of the RNC\u2019s tantrum, voters can count on hearing from President Biden and Vice President Harris who are proud of their records.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/presidential-debates-rnc.html\u00a0\u2026
— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1642106460

Joy Behar — loyal leftist co-host of "The View" — asked in a tweet, "Are they afraid that their candidates can’t keep up?"

Are they afraid that their candidates can\u2019t keep up?https://twitter.com/maggienyt/status/1481665695322681350\u00a0\u2026
— Joy Behar (@Joy Behar) 1642098655

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki — when asked for a reaction to the news — quipped that "it's a question best posed to the RNC on what they’re so afraid of":

\u201cIt\u2019s a question best posed to the RNC on what they\u2019re so afraid of.\u201d\n\n\u2014 WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki on RNC threatening to prohibit GOP presidential candidates from participating in debates sponsored by the non-profit commission that has hosted the debates for three decades.pic.twitter.com/tS2Mk3vIzn
— The Recount (@The Recount) 1642108057

Veteran Democratic politico Jon Cooper asked, "Who agrees these Republican cowards FEAR THE TRUTH?"

BREAKING: The RNC says it will require all presidential candidates to pledge to NOT participate in any debates run by the Commission on Presidential Debates, breaking a decades-long tradition.\n\nWho agrees these Republican cowards FEAR THE TRUTH?
— Jon Cooper \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jon Cooper \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1642094303

Journalist David Leavitt concluded that GOP candidates "don’t want to answer critical questions":

The RNC wants to stop all Republican candidates from participating in presidential debates because they don\u2019t want to answer critical questions.
— David Leavitt (@David Leavitt) 1642097606

New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen surmised that the GOP "wants out" of "a common world of fact, about which candidates for president can be questioned":

Ominous sign. The debates are full of problems and quadrennially a disappointment, but they do carry forward one key idea: there exists a common world of fact, about which candidates for president can be questioned. The RNC wants out of that.https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1481665661139140616\u00a0\u2026
— Jay Rosen (@Jay Rosen) 1642103604

Columnist Tim O'Brien tweeted that the RNC's move is "another example of Republicans’ antipathy toward public institutions and civic processes leading them to just…walk away. Doesn’t bode well for accountability or transparency":

Another example of Republicans\u2019 antipathy toward public institutions and civic processes leading them to just\u2026walk away. Doesn\u2019t bode well for accountability or transparency.https://twitter.com/maggienyt/status/1481665695322681350\u00a0\u2026
— Tim O'Brien (@Tim O'Brien) 1642092529

Comedian Titus attempted to summarize the RNC's stance like so: "Alright guys, our candidates can’t form complete sentences, answer questions or think on their feet, so instead of finding good candidates, let’s refuse to let the morons speak, cool?"

\u201cAlright guys, our candidates can\u2019t form complete sentences, answer questions or think on their feet, so instead of finding good candidates, let\u2019s refuse to let the morons speak, cool?\u201d\nRNC Signals a Pullout From Presidential Debates - The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/presidential-debates-rnc.html\u00a0\u2026
— Titus (@Titus) 1642109927

Writer Molly Jong-Fast said the RNC's decision "makes me think the GOP is doubling down on its anti-democratic instincts":

The RNC deciding it won\u2019t do debates anymore makes me think the gop is doubling down on its anti-democratic instincts.
— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1642094860

Nick Knudsen, executive director of nonprofit DemCast, echoed Jong-Fast's sentiments: "The GOP is fully withdrawing from democracy":

Wow. \n\nThe RNC is going to require that presidential candidates pledge to not participate in presidential debates.\n\nThe GOP is fully withdrawing from democracy.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/republican-presidential-debate-dispute.html?referringSource=articleShare\u00a0\u2026
— Nick Knudsen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Nick Knudsen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1642091905

Anything else?

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tweeted in regard to her letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates said that "for years" the organization that's supposed to be nonpartisan "has shown bias against Republicans. Since they continue to stonewall commonsense reforms, the RNC is leveling the playing field to make debates fair for future nominees."

Among the reforms the RNC wants:

  • term limits on the CPD's board of directors;
  • hold at least one debate prior to the start of early voting;
  • create a code of conduct for CPD officials prohibiting them from making public statements about candidates or taking part in political activities with candidates;
  • establish criteria for disqualifying debate moderators with conflict of interest regarding candidates; and
  • establish a code of conduct for debate moderators in regard to what extent they will interact with nominees.

In the 2020 debates between then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trump, it would seem that the moderators made more headlines than they should have.

In the first debate, moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News asked Trump to condemn "white supremacists and right-wing militia" even though Trump had done so repeatedly and even vowed the week before to designate the Ku Klux Klan as a terrorist organization. However, Wallace didn't ask Biden to condemn Antifa — and Biden, in fact, actually claimed during the debate that the violent leftist group is "an idea, not an organization." Interestingly, Wallace announced last month his departure from Fox News to join CNN.

The CPD tapped Steve Scully — then-political editor for C-SPAN — to moderate the second Trump-Biden debate, but it was soon reported that Scully had served as an intern for then-Sen. Joe Biden in college and later worked on the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy's staff. What's more, C-SPAN suspended Scully after he admitted he lied about his Twitter feed being hacked in regard to a question he posted to former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci after Trump accused Scully of being a "nevertrumper." Soon the second debate was canceled after Trump complained about the format being changed to a virtual event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And despite a report that the third debate moderator, Kristen Welker — chief White House correspondent for NBC News — has deep ties to the Democratic Party, she won high praise from both sides of the aisle for her job moderating the third debate.

Florida surgeon general says Biden admin is 'actively preventing' distribution of monoclonal antibody treatment amid Omicron surge



The Biden administration is "actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments" for treatment of COVID-19, according to Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Ladapo said the federal government's abrupt pause of monoclonal antibody treatment distribution is causing "another immediate and life-threatening shortage of treatment options to the State of Florida."


Florida state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

"The sudden suspension of multiple monoclonal antibody therapy treatments from distribution to Florida removes a health care provider's ability to decide the best treatment options for their patients in this state," Ladapo wrote.

"This shortsightedness is especially evident given that the federal government effectively prohibited states from purchasing these monoclonal antibodies and serving their populations directly," he continued. "Florida is a large, diverse state with one of the highest percentages of seniors in the U.S., and we must empower health care providers to make decisions that will save the lives of Americans everywhere without the dictates imposed by the federal government."

Ladapo concluded his letter by using President Joe Biden's own words against him, writing:

President Biden recently stated there is no federal solution to COVID-19, and solving this pandemic will happen at the state level. Therefore, as Surgeon General, I respectfully request that you allow states and healthcare practitioners to provide treatment options that best benefit the communities they know and serve.

Indeed, while speaking to governors on Monday, Biden said, "Look, there is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level."

NEW: Florida Surgeon General says Biden Admin is "actively preventing" distribution of monoclonal antibodies by pausing shipments of Regeneron, in letter to HHS Sec. \n \nFeds paused Regeneron bc it may not work against Omicron. FL says it can still be used in existing Delta cases.pic.twitter.com/9mmw5SsuZJ
— Jay O'Brien (@Jay O'Brien) 1640731733

Last week, the Biden administration ceased the distribution of COVID-19 antibody treatments from Eli Lilly and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

In a joint statement, the Food and Drug Administration and the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response explained the decision was needed because the Omicron variant "may be associated with resistance to monoclonal antibodies."

Some states, in fact, are already running out of their monoclonal antibody supply.

Texas announced Tuesday that its infusion centers have exhausted the state's supply. The statement noted "the federal government controls the distribution of monoclonal antibodies." Texas public health officials said that new oral antiviral drugs authorized by the FDA may be an alternative treatment, but noted the initial distribution of such drugs will be limited and that "the federal government will also control their distribution."

Although monoclonal antibodies have been denounced in lieu of vaccines, Forbes noted that monoclonal antibodies "have proven to be a valuable asset in the war against COVID-19."

Records show top US biosafety expert urged counterpart in Wuhan to answer crucial questions on COVID-19 origins



A top American biosafety expert with close ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology urged Chinese scientists in early 2020 to begin an "investigation" into whether COVID-19 could have been leaked from the institute, emails reveal.

Emails published by the nonprofit investigative group U.S. Right to Know show that Dr. James LeDuc, a professor and former director of Galveston National Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch, encouraged his Chinese colleagues to be transparent and prepare to answer questions about their work to address speculation that the SARS-CoV-2 virus came from the Wuhan lab.

LeDuc is a renowned expert on biosafety with years of experience operating a biosafety level 4 laboratory — the highest safety level designation, reserved for labs that work with the most dangerous pathogens, like the Ebola or Marburg viruses. His lab in Galveston has worked with China since at least 2013, when construction on the Wuhan lab began, and he has made several trips to Wuhan to train staff since at least 1986. LeDuc's Galveston lab also hosted two Chinese post-doctoral students, who were trained to work safely in BSL-4 facilities and who returned to China to work in the Wuhan lab.

In early 2020, after the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was traced to a seafood market in Wuhan, China, many speculated that the nearby Wuhan Institute of Virology and its coronavirus research may have been connected to the origins of the virus.

In a Feb. 9, 2020, email to Wuhan Institute Professor Yuan Zhiming, previously the director of the WIV BSL-4 laboratory, LeDuc asked the Chinese scientist to "aggressively address these rumors and presumably false accusations quickly and provide definitive, honest information to counter misinformation."

“If there are weaknesses in your program, now is the time to admit them and get them corrected. I trust that you will take my suggestions in the spirit of one friend trying to help another during a very difficult time,” he wrote.

2/9/20 email from @utmbhealth James Le Duc to Wuhan Institute of Virology's Yuan Zhiming calling for an "Investigation into the possibility that the nCoV was the result of a release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology" \nhttps://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Le-Duc_Yuan_Email-and-Investigation-List.pdf\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/tGEeQ36vof
— Gary Ruskin (@Gary Ruskin) 1638478013

LeDuc and Yuan are colleagues who in 2018 co-authored an article in Science magazine that urged the construction of new maximum biocontainment laboratories to fight dangerous diseases. In the article, they discussed their "partnership" and wrote that they had "engaged in short- and long-term personnel exchanges focused on biosafety training, building operations and maintenance, and collaborative scientific investigations in biocontainment."

In his email to Yuan, LeDuc posed a series of questions he believed the Wuhan Institute of Virology needed to answer as part of an investigation into whether COVID-19 was "the result of a release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (main campus or new BSL3/BSL4 facilities)."

"Where is coronavirus research conducted? What level of biocontainment?" was one question.

"What are the coronaviruses in your possession that are most closely related to nCoV [novel coronaviruses] based on genetic sequences and are able to replicate in culture?" was another.

"Is anyone on your team conducting gain of function studies, recombination studies or any other studies that may have resulted in the creation of the nCoV ?" asked a third.

These and many other questions asked by LeDuc in Feb. 2020 about the possibility that COVID-19 was engineered or found in nature, collected by the lab, and then accidentally released were not answered and remain unanswered today.

LeDuc did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

World Health Organization-led investigations into COVID-19's origins have been stonewalled by China, and a U.S. intelligence report on the origins of the virus presented by President Joe Biden in August was inconclusive because of a lack of transparency from the Chinese government.

China has even frustrated U.S. Right to Know's attempts at an independent investigation. So have American universities and federal agencies.

LeDuc's emails were obtained by the group with a public records request through the Texas Public Information Act that was made on July 3, 2020. The University of Texas Medical Branch did not produce the requested documents until Nov. 23, 2021, more than 16 months later. USRTK said a second TPIA request filed with the university system on Sept. 23, 2020, also remains unanswered 14 months later.

On Nov. 15, 2021, UTMB sent a letter to the Texas attorney general's office asking to withhold certain requested documents because of outside "third parties" that objected to their release.

"We have notified the affected third parties of the request and sent notice to advise them of their opportunity to object to the release of their documents (TAB 4). The third parties have not agreed to the release of the information at issue," the letter states.

The state-run @utmbhealth in Texas is asking AG @KenPaxtonTX's office to withhold documents related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology because outside "third-parties" object. One of those third parties is a top Wuhan lab official. #txlege #transparencyhttps://twitter.com/garyruskin/status/1460680541930360836\u00a0\u2026
— Jay Root (@Jay Root) 1637098199

One of the "third parties" listed is none other than Dr. Yuan Zhiming, who now works for the state-controlled Chinese Academy of Sciences in addition to his association with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Gary Ruskin, the executive director for U.S. Right to Know, called the interference from the Wuhan institute "outrageous."

"It is outrageous that the Wuhan Institute of Virology should be allowed to block the release of documents under the Texas Public Information Act related to the origins of #COVID19," he tweeted on Nov. 16.

It is outrageous that the Wuhan Institute of Virology should be allowed to block the release of documents under the Texas Public Information Act related to the origins of #COVID19. Why is @utsystem abetting the WIV in choking off transparency? https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/University-of-Texas-letter-111521.pdf\u00a0\u2026https://twitter.com/garyruskin/status/1460680783253807104\u00a0\u2026
— Gary Ruskin (@Gary Ruskin) 1637088527

"Why is @utsystem abetting the WIV in choking off transparency?" he asked.

In an email to TheBlaze, Ruskin said, "It's been quite a challenge to pry information about the origins of Covid-19 out of the clenched fingers of various federal agencies and universities across the world."

He noted that USRTK has filed eight FOIA lawsuits to force various government agencies to hand over documents and said "more are probably coming."


Duke basketball season over after one positive COVID-19 test, ending team's 24-year NCAA tournament streak



The Duke men's basketball season is over after the Blue Devils' were pulled from their next Atlantic Coast Conference tournament game after a single member of the team tested positive for the coronavirus. The single positive COVID-19 test also ends an impressive streak for legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Duke announced Thursday that a member of the program's Tier 1 personnel tested positive for the coronavirus after Wednesday's game, where the No. 10 seed Blue Devils defeated No. 7 seed Louisville 70-56 in the ACC tournament. The team did not reveal the identity of the member who tested positive.

Duke (13-11) was slated to play Florida State (15-5) on Thursday in the ACC tournament quarterfinals.

The NCAA's health and safety protocols for the men's basketball tournament in Indianapolis require seven consecutive negative COVID-19 tests.

Current and former Duke basketball players reacted to the "heartbreaking" news.

Pain😭😭
— Henry Coleman III (@Henry Coleman III)1615476658.0
Worked so hard for this.💔
— Matthew Hurt (@Matthew Hurt)1615481103.0
Wow.. that’s awful 😞
— Tre Jones (@Tre Jones)1615477829.0
https://t.co/jnxAqIID3Y https://t.co/Xc9FKPTwyI
— Jay Williams (@Jay Williams)1615477105.0
.@RealJayWilliams said it best over on our Instagram post. This group fought through a lot and came out at the end… https://t.co/068cTXOYuc
— Duke MBB (@Duke MBB)1615487669.0
😭😭😭
— Mark Williams (@Mark Williams)1615476581.0
💔
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@Duke Men’s Basketball)1615478820.0

Hall of Fame coach Krzyzewski issued a statement:

While our season was different than any other that I can remember, I loved the 2020-21 Duke Basketball team and was honored to be their coach. We have not asked more of any team in our history, and they deserve enormous credit for handling everything like the outstanding young men they are. I feel deeply for our players, who have done a terrific job all season in taking care of each other and the team. I am extremely proud of their collective attitudes and effort, which could not have been stronger. We are disappointed we cannot keep fighting together as a group after two outstanding days in Greensboro. This season was a challenge for every team across the country and as we have seen over and over, this global pandemic is very cruel and is not yet over. As many safeguards as we implemented, no one is immune to this terrible virus.
Coach K: "We have not asked more of any team in our history, and they deserve enormous credit for handling everythi… https://t.co/WZ8j16lvgr
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@Duke Men’s Basketball)1615479793.0

Duke athletic director Kevin White also commented on the situation:

Unfortunately, after going an entire season with no positive COVID-19 tests among our men's basketball student-athletes and coaching staff, one member of our program tested positive following Wednesday's ACC Tournament game in Greensboro. After working with our medical professionals and following Duke and ACC Medical Advisory Group health, safety, and contact tracing protocols, the student-athletes on our team are now in quarantine. Since last March when the pandemic started, we have listened to our medical experts and always put safety at the forefront of any determinations regarding competition. As a result, this will end our 2020-21 season. We wish every team still playing college basketball good health and the very best during the next few weeks.

With Duke's season over, it also ended the Blue Devils' 24-year streak of reaching the NCAA tournament, the third-longest streak of all-time.

Fellow college basketball powerhouse Kentucky will also miss the NCAA tourney, making it the first time since 1976 that the NCAA tournament didn't include either the Wildcats or the Blue Devils.

Wow first NCAA Tournament without Duke & Kentucky since 1976.FIRST time in 59 SEC tournaments that Kentucky isn’t… https://t.co/ZgvwsDTHAE
— Taylor Rooks (@Taylor Rooks)1615489785.0

University of Texas names journalism award after Dan Rather



The University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism and Media announced Wednesday that it has introduced new awards "honoring reporting as well as exceptional content," named after former CBS News anchor Dan Rather.

While the school did not mention the fact that Rather was fired after being caught reporting fake news based on forged documents smearing President George W. Bush in 2004, observers on social media were quick to remind them.

What are the details?

Jay Bernhart, dean of UT's Moody College of Education, tweeted, "Dan Rather is not only a legend -- he's the namesake of new awards honoring his career and the work of today's journalists. We are thrilled to announce the @DanRather Medals for News and Guts."

Dan Rather is not only a legend -- he’s the namesake of new awards honoring his career and the work of today’s jour… https://t.co/xJSkh0shna
— Jay Bernhardt (@Jay Bernhardt)1608134562.0

The dean's post was roundly mocked and criticized, garnering reactions such as, "It's interesting that someone created an award for a man who was forced to resign in disgrace for violating the most basic standards of journalism. A legend, indeed."

Another person joked, "The back has the inscription 'Fake, but accurate," while someone else wrote, "I've got to believe that even Dan finds this embarrassing."

"Irony is dead, buried, and cremated," quipped Daily Telegraph opinion editor James Morrow.

In their promotion of the new awards, UT stated, "The Dan Rather Medals for News and Guts honor the process of journalism as much as the end product. They will be awarded to professional and collegiate journalists who go the extra yard — overcoming obstacles like stonewalling and harassment — to get the story that tells truth to power."

They added, "While journalism and journalists have long been under constant fire from the powerful, recognizing those who show "News and Guts" has never been more important than it is today."

UT did not mention the fact that Rather was fired for reporting false information.

Fox News reported:

Rather, a Texas native, was forced out of the CBS anchor chair in 2005 after using unauthenticated documents in a 2004 report claiming that George W. Bush had gone absent without leave from the Texas Air National Guard. He has enjoyed a recent career renaissance thanks to his folksy, far-left Twitter persona and standing among media correspondents like CNN's Brian Stelter.

According to The Washington Examiner's Becket Adams, "Rather should be a pariah in media, especially because he still maintains he did nothing wrong (he did). But he has enjoyed a renaissance in the news business these past couple of years, thanks, in large part, to his anti-President Trump social media activities."