RINGSIDE POLITICS – JUNE 17, 2021

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Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere

Today’s Hot Topics:

1) President Joe Biden confused Libya and Syria three times during a press conference from the G-7 summit.

“There is a lot going on where we can work together with Russia,” Biden said Sunday in response to a question from NBC’s Peter Alexander on how the president plans to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“For example, in Libya, we should be opening up the passes to be able to go through and provide food assistance, an economic, I mean, vital assistance to a population that is in real trouble. I think I’m gonna try very hard — by the way, there’s places where — I should not be starting off by negotiating in public here, but let me say it this way: Russia has engaged in activities which we believe are contrary to international norms,” Biden continued, apparently attempting to allude to Russia’s military presence in Syria.

Biden then appeared to confuse the countries two more times as he continued to make his point.

2) President Biden said Wednesday that good reporters have to have a “negative view of life,” but they’ll be frustrated if they expect him to adopt the same attitude.

“Look, to be a good reporter you gotta be negative. You’ve got to have a negative view of life. OK? Seems to me the way you all, you never ask a positive question,” Biden said shortly before boarding Air Force One in Geneva to return to the U.S. after a week of diplomatic meetings in Europe.

Biden made the statements while answering a reporter’s questions about the chances of a positive outcome from his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier in the day, he snapped at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins, who asked a similar question about negotiating with Putin.

While journalists may assume negative outcomes in their questions, Biden said “you’d guarantee nothing happens” if he approached talks the same way.

“There’s a value to being realistic and [to] put on a front, an optimistic face,” Biden said.

3) President Joe Biden mischaracterized the death of Brian Sicknick on Wednesday, contradicting the medical examiner’s report by claiming the U.S. Capitol Police officer was killed by “criminals” who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Sicknick, 42, died on Jan. 7, one day after rioters broke into the Capitol as lawmakers counted electoral votes to affirm Biden’s victory over former President Donald Trump. There were false reports about the cause of death, with many outlets initially saying he was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher, a claim that was later debunked.

4) President Joe Biden mischaracterized the death of Brian Sicknick on Wednesday, contradicting the medical examiner’s report by claiming the U.S. Capitol Police officer was killed by “criminals” who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Sicknick, 42, died on Jan. 7, one day after rioters broke into the Capitol as lawmakers counted electoral votes to affirm Biden’s victory over former President Donald Trump. There were false reports about the cause of death, with many outlets initially saying he was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher, a claim that was later debunked.

“CSS seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a majority opinion. “The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment.”

Today’s Guests:

1) Col. Allen West, Chairman of the Texas Republican Party

2) Liz Wheeler, Host of The Liz Wheeler Show

3)  Major General Jeffrey Schloesser, author of “Marathon War: Leadership in Combat in Afghanistan”

3) Steve Konos, Ringside Politics Creative Director; Ringside Politics Parody of the Week

4) Josh Bernstein, Ringside All-Star, Josh Bernstein Uncensored