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RINGSIDE POLITICS – JULY 20, 2021

Written by on July 20, 2021

Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere

Today’s Hot Topics:

1) Hundreds of migrants in Mexico converged at a gate on the border in Del Rio, Texas, Monday morning, and tried to force their way into the United States as Border Patrol agents and law enforcement struggled to hold the line.

The violent confrontation began when US authorities, including state troopers, started admitting select migrant families through the gate and into the US. But soon, single adults and others not chosen attempted to force their way through the gate along with the families, making it hard for US officials to close the massive door behind each family.

Eight federal agents and police officers pushed back on the gate to prevent the hundreds of people on the Mexican side from pushing their way through. The majority of migrants attempting to get through the gate were men, according to a video recording posted to Twitter amid the commotion.

2) As Cubans took to the streets to protest in numbers not seen since before the 1959 Revolution, Cuban Americans are challenging the view that the demonstrations are just about economic frustration.

While Cubans expressed anger over shortages in food and medicine, rising inflation and power outages — amid the challenges of Covid-19 — many of the chants throughout the island called for political change and included expressions such as “libertad” (liberty), “We want change” and “Down with the dictatorship.”

Many Cuban Americans say that should not be glossed over.

3) A growing bipartisan chorus of Minnesota political leaders are calling on Rep. John Thompson, DFL-St. Paul, to resign after allegations of abuse and the dispute over his residence.

Court records dating back to 2003 show at least three instances in which Thompson was charged with disorderly conduct. Thompson was also charged with obstruction in connection with a 2019 incident at North Memorial Health Hospital; that case is still ongoing.

In a statement Sunday, Thompson’s lawyer Jordan Kushner said that Thompson “challenges the authenticity” of the reports and that Thompson and his wife “categorically deny” the occurrence of any of the allegations.

4) Pandemic restrictions on Florida-based cruise ships will remain in place after a federal appeals court temporarily blocked a previous ruling that sided with a Florida lawsuit challenging the regulations.

The one-paragraph decision by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was filed at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, just minutes before a Tampa judge’s previous ruling on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restrictions was set to take effect.

The judges’ issuance of a temporary stay keeps the CDC regulations regarding Florida-based cruise ships in place while the CDC appeals the June decision by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday.

Today’s Guests:

1) John Milkovich, Attorney, Former LA State Senator

2) Michelle Hirstius, Author and Commentator, Ringside Politics All-Star

3) Brandon Irlbeck, CEO and Found of YORESPOT.COM