J6 Committee Member Has Business Ties to China and the Chinese Communists

With the January 6th Committee giving us a Mueller Witchunt2.0, this GP journalist believes that the American people deserve to know that one of the key members of the J6 Committee may be compromised by the Chinese Communist Party.

For years, this journalist has covered Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Central Florida, who co-chairs the allegedly moderate Blue Dog Coalition. While Murphy has consistently argued that she is a “moderate” problem solver that Independent and Republican voters can trust, the truth paints a very different picture.

She voted for both smamp sham impeachments of President Donald J. Trump, supports the radical BLM movement, backs unconstitutional gun-grabbing laws, is in favor of open borders, and votes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 95% of the time. Murphy has even advocated for the banning of anyone who attended the 2020 “Stop The Steal” rallies or shared “Qanon” content from serving in the military or obtaining security clearances.

However, it is Murphy who should be questioned for her top-secret clearances or prevented from access to briefings on matters of national security. Here’s why…

When the Chinese Communist Party unleashed the Coronavirus pandemic on the world, Murphy openly called on President Trump to be investigated for the effects of the pandemic, not the CCP.

Congresswoman Murphy even argued that we should remove tariffs on Chinese imports, rewarding the Chinese Communist Party for the deadly global pandemic.

What would motivate her to fight so fervently on behalf of the CCP? As usual, it’s all about the money. As the Tampa Bay Times reported in 2017, Murphy has sought to support legislation to “strengthen” US manufacturing, yet her husband’s company 3n2, which produces sports apparel, manufactures their products in China-based factories.

Congresswoman Murphy even holds a patent on a product she designed for her husband’s company, according to financial disclosures reviewed by Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News for an article highlighting the hypocrisy of Murphy’s involvement in 3n2.

The 1993 Company Law in China requires that all companies based in China, both foreign and domestic, “allow the establishment of units to carry out the activities of the party”, and the very strong hand of the CCP in the private sector has only gotten stronger in recent years as President Xi Jinping has been actively jailing, seizing funds, or “disappearing” prominent billionaires who have crossed his regime.

As far as Murphy’s company is concerned, her husband has continued to admit that some of their most popular products, including cleats and the pants designed by Congresswoman Murphy, are cheaper to produce in China.

Angeli Datt, a Senior Research Analyst on China, wrote in April of this year about how the CCP’s control of clothing and apparel manufacturing, in particular the Xinjiang region where China and the Middle East are linked along the ancient Silk Road trading route.

This area is known to use the forced labor of the Uyghurs and Turkic Muslims who are the subject of gross human rights violations at the hands of the CCP and President Xi Jinpang, which have been called crimes against humanity. According to Datt, 20% of the world’s cotton comes from this region, at the hands of slave labor, to fuel international companies.

Major companies like Adidas, Lacoste and H&M have condemned the crimes against humanity in those forced labor camps in Xinjiang.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/j6-committee-member-business-ties-china-chinese-communists/

https://youtu.be/Brr7rLu_R68

US Army reports 98% vaccination rate among active-duty soldiers

The U.S. Army reported Thursday that 97.9% of active-duty soldiers had received at least one dose of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine following this week's deadline; however, the Associated Press reports that more than 3,800 soldiers have outright refused the vaccine and could face removal proceedings next month.

The Army has the second-highest vaccination rate, with fewer than 1,700 soldiers seeking religious exemptions. This number is quite low in comparison to the other three branches, with 3,000 in the Marine Corps, 4,700 in the Air Force, and 2,700 in the Navy seeking religious exemptions, according to the Associated Press report.

At this time, no religious exemptions have been granted. The Army has a policy of reviewing each exemption on a case-by-case basis to determine if the request is appropriate. Medical exemptions are reviewed by health care providers, while religious exemptions require that a soldier must be interviewed by a chaplain, as well as receive recommendations from the chain of command and undergo public health and legal review, according to a statement released by the Army Thursday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin mandated that all service members be fully vaccinated earlier this year, following the FDA's approval of the vaccine. "Our administration of safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines has produced admirable results to date, and I know the Department of Defense will come together to finish the job, with urgency, professionalism, and compassion," Austin wrote in a memo released in August.

The Pentagon has not yet decided if it will make booster shots mandatory for all service members, but is still evaluating the option, according to the Associated Press.

The Army announced Thursday that 468,459 active-duty soldiers had taken the vaccine, and those who have not will be removed from service beginning in January if they haven't received an exemption or don't have pending exemption status.

Army reports also indicate that commanders have relieved six active-duty leaders, including two battalion commanders, and have issued 2,767 general officer written reprimands to soldiers for refusing the vaccination order, according to a statement released by Army officials.

“Vaccinating our Soldiers against COVID-19 is first and foremost about Army readiness,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth in an official statement Thursday.

Vaccination rates for the other three branches of service also appear to be quite high, with the Navy at an over 98% vaccination rate and the Air Force's current rate totaling 97.5%. The Marine Corps has the lowest rate of vaccination at 95%, according to numbers given to the Associated Press.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/us-army-reports-98-vaccination-rate-among-active-duty-soldiers

‘Striking’ vaccine resistance in Omicron variant: Columbia University

A new study out of Columbia University says the Omicron variant is “markedly resistant” to vaccines and boosters might not do much to help, spelling bad news for the country as Omicron spreads and COVID-19 cases rise nationally.

“A striking feature of this variant is the large number of spike mutations that pose a threat to the efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies,” according to the study authored by more than 20 scientists at Columbia and the University of Hong Kong.

The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa in November and is widely believed to soon become the dominant strain in the US, eclipsing the Delta variant.

The scientists express concern in the study published Wednesday that the variant’s “extensive” mutations can “greatly compromise” the vaccine, even neutralizing it. The report said the booster shots prevent some of the neutralization, but the variant “may still pose a risk” for those with their third shot.

“Even a third booster shot may not adequately protect against Omicron infection,” the study said, adding it’s still smart to get a booster.

The results are “in line with emerging clinical data on the Omicron variant demonstrating higher rates of reinfection and vaccine breakthroughs,” the authors said.

One study recently showed Omicron is roughly 70 times more transmissible than Delta, but less severe.

The new Columbia study ends with a grave warning and a call to action to the scientific community.

“It is not too far-fetched to think that this [COVID-19] is now only a mutation or two away from being pan-resistant to current antibodies,” it says. “We must devise strategies that anticipate the evolutional direction of the virus and develop agents that target better conserved viral elements.”

More than 5.3 people million worldwide, including more than 802,000 in the US, have died from COVID-19 as of Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

https://nypost.com/2021/12/16/columbia-university-finds-omicron-vaccine-resistance/

Omicron only appeared last week - rapid study - solution get more shots

Texas Governor Tells Defense Secretary COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on National Guard Won’t be Enforced

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday informed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate won’t be imposed on National Guard troops in Texas.

“As governor of Texas, I am the commander-in-chief of this state’s militia,” Abbott, a Republican, wrote in a letter (pdf) to Austin, a Biden nominee.

Abbott has ordered Major Gen. Tracy Norris, the adjutant general of Texas, not to compel any person to get a COVID-19 vaccine, pointing to an executive order he signed earlier this year that forbids governmental entities from mandating vaccination.

“Under this order, General Norris will not punish any guardsman in Texas for choosing not to receive the vaccine,” Abbott told Austin. “If unvaccinated guardsmen suffer any adverse consequences within the State of Texas, they will have only President Biden and his administration to blame.”

Austin has threatened to cut off funding for National Guard members who don’t get a vaccine, and military officials have indicated they will move to oust members who don’t get the jab or an approved exemption by mandate deadlines, which vary by force.

Abbott promised to use “every legal tool to me as governor” in defense of Texas members of the Guard facing repercussions.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Abbott’s stance is part of a growing pushback against the Biden administration’s mandate, with a particular focus on the National Guard.

Oklahoma Adjutant General Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino last month ordered a halt to the mandate, citing a directive from Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Oklahoma officials said the governor is in charge of the Guard unless it’s mobilized by Biden, citing Title 32 of the U.S. code.

https://www.ntd.com/texas-governor-tells-defense-secretary-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-on-national-guard-wont-be-enforced_715360.html

Australia signs UK free trade deal, scrapping import tariffs and opening British jobs market

Australia and the United Kingdom will today formally sign a free trade deal, which is expected to make it easier for Australians to live and work in Britain, as well as eliminating or phasing out tariffs on a vast range of products, including lamb, beef, sugar and dairy.

Key points:

The deal is the first free trade agreement struck by the UK since it left the European Union

It will make it easier for more young Australians to live and work in the UK

Meanwhile, the UK is hoping the deal will generate momentum in other trade negotiations

Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison announced an in-principle agreement on the FTA back in June, but negotiators have spent the past six months finalising the text.

Today the two countries will agree to immediate tariff-free quotas on a number of Australian exports, with plans to scrap the taxes entirely in a decade, as well as cutting $200 million worth of costs imposed on imported British cars, whisky, confectionery, biscuits and cosmetics.

Trade Minister Dan Tehan said the deal covered nearly all Australian business with the UK.

"It is a true free trade agreement, it covers all areas," Mr Tehan said.

It is the first new free trade deal struck by the United Kingdom since it left the European Union and has been spruiked by Mr Johnson as evidence that Britain can strike out on its own and open up new markets to soften the economic impact of Brexit.

To secure it, Mr Johnson had to stare down some of his own backbenchers and reassure the UK farm lobby, which warned that a flood of Australian agricultural exports could hurt British farmers.

In contrast, Australian farming groups gave full-throated backing to the FTA, saying it will provide farmers with welcome new export opportunities.

The agreement will also make it easier for younger Australians to live and work in the United Kingdom – and for Brits to come here – by increasing the age limit for the working holiday visa to 35.

For both countries, though, the total economic benefits are modest. The United Kingdom estimates an FTA could lift its GDP (gross domestic product) by around $900 million, while modelling suggests Australia's economy could be boosted by around $1.3 billion.

However, the United Kingdom believes the deal will make it easier for its companies to bid for Australian government contacts, as well as open up new opportunities in financial and legal services.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/australia-signs-free-trade-agreement-united-kingdom/100706992

Vaccination mandates extended to all primary care and other private sector health care providers

NSW Health has expanded its mandatory vaccinations to all primary care and private sector health care services with employees who refuse to get vaccinated not allowed to work.

The NSW government in association with NSW Health has announced an extension of the mandatory vaccination program for health care workers.

As part of the changes mandatory vaccinations will be extended to all primary care and other private sector health service providers across the state.

“The revised Public Health Order will retain the existing coverage of NSW Health staff and staff in public and private hospitals,” a statement from NSW Health read.

“It will also extend vaccination requirements to health practitioners working in private and community settings, such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists, speech pathologists, dieticians and naturopaths. It will also cover support staff working in these practices.”

The health care workers affected must be fully vaccinated by January 31 next year with NSW Health stating the changes are consistent with vaccine mandates in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

NSW Health has asked employers to take “reasonable steps” to ensure workers comply adding that employees will not be able to work in medical settings unless they are fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption.

Health authorities have further announced they will be consulting with key medical and health stakeholders prior to commencement of the changes.

The change in vaccine mandates comes as the state recorded its highest daily coronavirus case figure on Thursday with 1,742 new infections.

There were no deaths reported but there are currently 192 patients in hospital battling COVID-19 with 26 in intensive care and eight requiring ventilation.

In NSW the double dose vaccination rate sits at 93.3 per cent while 94.8 per cent have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday the state further relaxed restrictions with the unvaccinated population being allowed back into venues while requirements for masks and QR codes check-ins also reduced.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/vaccination-mandates-extended-to-all-primary-care-and-other-private-sector-health-care-providers/news-story/db01aaeb80acd8b356341da9b9f4df6c

Former Defense Contractor Arrested for Attempted Espionage

South Dakota Man Emailed Classified Information to FBI Undercover Posing as Russian Agent

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-defense-contractor-arrested-attempted-espionage

Peter Dutton says there is no escaping Omicron’s spread in Australia

Australia is set to face a confronting rise in Omicron cases but a senior government minister warns the variant cannot be escaped.

Defence Minister Peter Duttonhas called for calm despite foreshadowing a “confronting” battle with Omicron that Australia can’t escape.

As cases rise across the country, many have been forced into isolation and others have been left scrambling for a booster shot.

But speaking with Nine, Mr Dutton said Australia can no longer hide from the virus.

“It is confronting because they are big (case) numbers but this is what we have been preparing for,” Mr Dutton said.

“This is why we have asked people to get vaccinated … Because there is no hiding from this variant.

“But we can‘t lock down because there is no escaping from this … if we go into lockdown, we might as well be in lockdown for the next couple of years because we just won’t deal with it.

“We are in the best possible position to deal with it and we want people to reunite at Christmas and not to miss out on having another family Christmas together.”

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles agreed, telling Nine that Australia can’t turn back now.

“I think we have crossed the Rubicon as a nation in terms of living with the virus,” he said.

“I think where it is all at now is making sure that we get the booster rollout happening and happening efficiently.”

But, AMA Vice President Dr Chris Moy cautioned there was still not yet enough evidence to categorically say Omicron is less severe than other variants.

“Although there have been these early reports, which are not clear, Omicron may be a milder condition, the sheer number of people who are infected … we still may end up with a large number of people in hospitals at the same time,” he told ABC’s Radio National.

So far, close to a million Australians have received a third shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.

But the emergence of the Omicron variant has reignited concerns about the effectiveness about the vaccine rollout after a decision to bring forward booster shots to five months led to a rush of people attempting to get a third shot.

https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/peter-dutton-says-there-is-no-escaping-omicrons-spread-in-australia/news-story/e80795d519b776ca3da9e7c37724ad5a