wnd--2020-06-13--How Hattie McDaniel blazed a trail for blacks

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Didn ’ t HBO pick an odd day to go all Taliban on us by removing “ Gone With the Wind ” from its platform ?
Yesterday , you see , was Hattie McDaniel ’ s birthday .
I ’ ve previously written about the great actress .
I see that I need to do so again .
Eighty years ago , The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences honored her as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of “ Mammy ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was the first Oscar won by any African American .
It would take another 10 years for a second black actor to even be nominated for an acting award -- and not until 1964 , when the great Sidney Poitier won for his performance in “ Lilies in the Field , ” did another black actor actually win .
TRENDING : Trump preparing executive order that pushes 'the opposite ' of defunding police Now seems like a good time in our nation 's history to offer an observation about these two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wind , ” which “ 12 Years a Slave ” screenwriter John Ridley urged HBO to do in a Los Angeles Times op-ed Tuesday , means censoring a film that garnered eight Academy Awards , including Best Screenplay and Best Picture -- and for both actress categories .
This was even more impressive than it seems : The other movies in nomination on Feb. 29 , 1940 , represented Hollywood ’ s greatest output in any year before or since .
Among the movies released in 1939 were “ The Wizard of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goes to Washington , ” “ Stagecoach , ” “ Destry Rides Again , ” “ Wuthering Heights , ” “ Goodbye , Mr. Chips , ” “ Ninotchka , ” “ Of Mice and Men , ” and “ The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
” Regarding “ Gone With the Wind , ” the NAACP complained at the time that Margaret Mitchell ’ s epic Southern romance and the screenplay adapted from it idealized the Old South while glossing over the horrors of slavery .
This was a fair critique , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly didn ’ t write the script .
She did , however , turn in a nuanced performance as an independent-minded housemaid doing her best to maintain her human dignity .
Audiences recognized that , as did her peers in the profession .
Yet even while bestowing its highest honor on a black woman , the Motion Picture Academy revealed how far it -- and the United States of America -- had to go in 1940 : McDaniel was seated at a segregated table , away from her fellow “ Gone With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wichita , Kan. , in 1895 , Hattie McDaniel had always known what she was up against .
She viewed her talent as a way to forge a better life for herself -- and for other African American women .
To those who sniped at her for playing subservient roles , McDaniel had two answers .
The first was a practical one : If she wasn ’ t being paid handsomely to play a maid on the screen , she ’ d be paid poorly to be an actual maid in real life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoed these sentiments to those who recommended that he not host the 2016 awards show .
“ How come all these unemployed people are telling you to quit something ?
” Rock said .
“ I thought about quitting , but they ’ re going to have the Oscars anyway.
” In McDaniel ’ s case , she wasn ’ t using wit or hyperbole .
She knew firsthand what it was like to slip a rung on the ladder to success .
A star minstrel performer , and one of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio , McDaniel was reduced during the Great Depression to working as a ladies ’ washroom attendant in a Milwaukee nightclub that hired only white performers .
Eventually , the managers were persuaded to make an exception , and McDaniel honed her talents while plotting her escape to Hollywood .
McDaniel ’ s second response to her critics was more subversive .
Although specializing in the role of genial , if sometimes sassy , cooks or household servants , she subtly undermined the very stereotype she was playing .
That attitude was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the humorous asides written into the scripts of the films she made .
She asserted the character ’ s -- and the actress ’ -- own independence and resilience .
A half-dozen years after her performance as Mammy , McDaniel returned to radio as the star of “ The Beulah Show.
” Once again , she portrayed a bubbly Southern maid .
But in postwar America , audiences better understood the strength of spirit that animated Beulah .
McDaniel 's former critics embraced her , and the serial was picked up for television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , she learned she had breast cancer .
She died months later in 1952 , at age 57 .
Although racial segregation prevented her from being buried in the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery , with other movie industry stars , some 3,000 people attended her funeral .
In 1999 , the cemetery offered to have McDaniel reinterred there .
Her family declined the offer , but the Hollywood Forever Cemetery , as it was renamed , erected a tomb in McDaniel ’ s honor on the lawn overlooking its peaceful lake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attraction .
Asked about “ Gone With the Wind ” the year after it was made , McDaniel revealed how hard she worked at her craft .
“ I read that book three times through , ” she said .
“ Not for weeks have I been Hattie McDaniel .
I ’ ve just been going through the house all the time , peeping and peering like Mammy does after Miss Scarlett.
” She was paired with Vivien Leigh during her screen test .
Producer David O. Selznick didn ’ t know he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners when he viewed the test , but he knew he had something special on his set .
“ Save your overhead , boys , ” he instructed his crew .
“ We can start shooting tomorrow.
” Coming into his own two decades later , Sidney Poitier had artistic choices Hattie McDaniel was not allowed .
Part of this was his noble bearing and leading man charisma .
Part of it was the changing times .
But in the harsh glare of the ’ 60s -- a time like our own -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small group of leftists , black and white .
He ’ s retired now , residing in Florida as the oldest living Oscar winner , but two decades ago , Poitier was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey .
It was one incandescent luminary interviewing another , although Oprah was openly star-struck .
In the interview , Poitier told Oprah that in the late 1950s , he ’ d been pressured by his agent Marty Baum and studio head Sam Goldwyn to play Porgy in “ Porgy and Bess.
” It was not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only because he couldn ’ t sing .
But there was another part he desperately wanted , Noah Cullen in “ The Defiant Ones , ” and it was made clear to him that it was a package deal .
“ So I had a lot of thinking to do , and I agonized , ” he told Oprah .
“ Finally , Marty and I came up with the only thing I could do , because I wanted to do ‘ The Defiant Ones.
’ I did one movie , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do the other .
It was painful , but it was useful .
I learned some lessons , and if I had it to do again , I wouldn ’ t do it any differently , because I had work to do .
”

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Carl M. Cannon
Real Clear Politics
Didn’t HBO pick an odd day to go all Taliban on us by removing “Gone With the Wind” from its platform? Yesterday, you see, was Hattie McDaniel’s birthday.
I’ve previously written about the great actress. I see that I need to do so again. Eighty years ago, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences honored her as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of “Mammy” in the famous movie set in antebellum Georgia. This was the first Oscar won by any African American. It would take another 10 years for a second black actor to even be nominated for an acting award -- and not until 1964, when the great Sidney Poitier won for his performance in “Lilies in the Field,” did another black actor actually win.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Now seems like a good time in our nation's history to offer an observation about these two artistic pioneers.
* * *
De-platforming “Gone With the Wind,” which “12 Years a Slave” screenwriter John Ridley urged HBO to do in a Los Angeles Times op-ed Tuesday, means censoring a film that garnered eight Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay and Best Picture -- and for both actress categories. This was even more impressive than it seems: The other movies in nomination on Feb. 29, 1940, represented Hollywood’s greatest output in any year before or since. Among the movies released in 1939 were “The Wizard of Oz,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Stagecoach,” “Destry Rides Again,” “Wuthering Heights,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “Ninotchka,” “Of Mice and Men,” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Regarding “Gone With the Wind,” the NAACP complained at the time that Margaret Mitchell’s epic Southern romance and the screenplay adapted from it idealized the Old South while glossing over the horrors of slavery. This was a fair critique, as it is today, although Hattie McDaniel certainly didn’t write the script. She did, however, turn in a nuanced performance as an independent-minded housemaid doing her best to maintain her human dignity. Audiences recognized that, as did her peers in the profession.
Yet even while bestowing its highest honor on a black woman, the Motion Picture Academy revealed how far it -- and the United States of America -- had to go in 1940: McDaniel was seated at a segregated table, away from her fellow “Gone With the Wind” cast members.
Born in Wichita, Kan., in 1895, Hattie McDaniel had always known what she was up against. She viewed her talent as a way to forge a better life for herself -- and for other African American women. To those who sniped at her for playing subservient roles, McDaniel had two answers. The first was a practical one: If she wasn’t being paid handsomely to play a maid on the screen, she’d be paid poorly to be an actual maid in real life.
Four years ago, Chris Rock echoed these sentiments to those who recommended that he not host the 2016 awards show. “How come all these unemployed people are telling you to quit something?” Rock said. “I thought about quitting, but they’re going to have the Oscars anyway.”
In McDaniel’s case, she wasn’t using wit or hyperbole. She knew firsthand what it was like to slip a rung on the ladder to success. A star minstrel performer, and one of the first African American women to perform on the radio, McDaniel was reduced during the Great Depression to working as a ladies’ washroom attendant in a Milwaukee nightclub that hired only white performers. Eventually, the managers were persuaded to make an exception, and McDaniel honed her talents while plotting her escape to Hollywood.
McDaniel’s second response to her critics was more subversive. Although specializing in the role of genial, if sometimes sassy, cooks or household servants, she subtly undermined the very stereotype she was playing. That attitude was the key. She did more than repeat the humorous asides written into the scripts of the films she made. She asserted the character’s -- and the actress’ -- own independence and resilience.
A half-dozen years after her performance as Mammy, McDaniel returned to radio as the star of “The Beulah Show.” Once again, she portrayed a bubbly Southern maid. But in postwar America, audiences better understood the strength of spirit that animated Beulah. McDaniel's former critics embraced her, and the serial was picked up for television. After filming the first few episodes, however, she learned she had breast cancer. She died months later in 1952, at age 57. Although racial segregation prevented her from being buried in the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery, with other movie industry stars, some 3,000 people attended her funeral.
In 1999, the cemetery offered to have McDaniel reinterred there. Her family declined the offer, but the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, as it was renamed, erected a tomb in McDaniel’s honor on the lawn overlooking its peaceful lake. The monument has become a popular tourist attraction.
Asked about “Gone With the Wind” the year after it was made, McDaniel revealed how hard she worked at her craft. “I read that book three times through,” she said. “Not for weeks have I been Hattie McDaniel. I’ve just been going through the house all the time, peeping and peering like Mammy does after Miss Scarlett.”
She was paired with Vivien Leigh during her screen test. Producer David O. Selznick didn’t know he was looking at two future Academy Award winners when he viewed the test, but he knew he had something special on his set.
“Save your overhead, boys,” he instructed his crew. “We can start shooting tomorrow.”
Coming into his own two decades later, Sidney Poitier had artistic choices Hattie McDaniel was not allowed. Part of this was his noble bearing and leading man charisma. Part of it was the changing times. But in the harsh glare of the ’60s -- a time like our own -- he, too, was criticized by a small group of leftists, black and white. He’s retired now, residing in Florida as the oldest living Oscar winner, but two decades ago, Poitier was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. It was one incandescent luminary interviewing another, although Oprah was openly star-struck. In the interview, Poitier told Oprah that in the late 1950s, he’d been pressured by his agent Marty Baum and studio head Sam Goldwyn to play Porgy in “Porgy and Bess.” It was not a role he wanted to do, and not only because he couldn’t sing. But there was another part he desperately wanted, Noah Cullen in “The Defiant Ones,” and it was made clear to him that it was a package deal.
“So I had a lot of thinking to do, and I agonized,” he told Oprah. “Finally, Marty and I came up with the only thing I could do, because I wanted to do ‘The Defiant Ones.’ I did one movie, ‘Porgy and Bess,’ so I could do the other. It was painful, but it was useful. I learned some lessons, and if I had it to do again, I wouldn’t do it any differently, because I had work to do.”


wnd--2020-06-13--Antifa #CHAZ thugs attack, choke, sexually assault street preacher in Seattle

( GATEWAY PUNDIT ) A street preacher who entered the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone established by Antifa and Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ attacked by Antifa thugs on Saturday who choked , sexually assaulted and pinned him to @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter activist intervened on behalf of the preacher .
One video shows the preacher @ @ @ @ @ a self-proclaimed gay man holding him in a bear hug who repeatedly kissed the preacher @ @ @ @ @ him at one point .

(GATEWAY PUNDIT) A street preacher who entered the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone established by Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists in Seattle was attacked by Antifa thugs on Saturday who choked, sexually assaulted and pinned him to the ground. A Black Lives Matter activist intervened on behalf of the preacher.
One video shows the preacher surrounded by Antifa goons with a self-proclaimed gay man holding him in a bear hug who repeatedly kissed the preacher against his will and choked him at one point.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-13--Indian healer who kissed hands to cure coronavirus dies of coronavirus

( VICE ) A spiritual healer in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh , who claimed to have the @ @ @ @ @ kisses , has died of the same disease .
This `` Baba '' or self-styled @ @ @ @ @ black magic healer from the Ratlam district , who claimed he could cure his followers @ @ @ @ @ ” '' He got himself tested for coronavirus after he began having severe symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ ” Ratlam ’ s District Magistrate Ruchika Chauhan told VICE over the phone .
“ @ @ @ @ @ have done so far , seven of his family members and thirteen followers have tested @ @ @ @ @ the transmission and trying to contain it .
”

(VICE) A spiritual healer in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, who claimed to have the power to cure COVID-19 through kisses, has died of the same disease.
This "Baba" or self-styled holy man was apparently a black magic healer from the Ratlam district, who claimed he could cure his followers by "kissing their hands.”
"He got himself tested for coronavirus after he began having severe symptoms, and passed away immediately,” Ratlam’s District Magistrate Ruchika Chauhan told VICE over the phone. “From the contact tracing we have done so far, seven of his family members and thirteen followers have tested positive. We are investigating the transmission and trying to contain it.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-13--Boston's fight against Christian flag moves to appeals court

Boston 's years-long fight against the Christian flag has moved to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals , where the city is facing accusations that it allowed hundreds of other private banners in a designated `` public forum '' but then banned the emblem of faith .
The issue is that the city refused to allow Camp Constitution to fly its flag on a public flagpole that previously had been used for many other private banner , includes those advocating specific social causes , those representing foreign nations , even others with religious meaning .
Liberty Counsel is handling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its manager , Hal Shurtleff , , and now has submitted a brief to the appeals court .
It argues that the city is violating the First Amendment in its censoring of the flag .
The document questions whether the lower court was wrong to decide that `` private flags '' are actually government speech `` when they are raised briefly on a city flag pole , '' especially when the city policy `` expressly '' designated the pole a public forum .
TRENDING : Trump preparing executive order that pushes 'the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Christian flag also is disallowed `` viewpoint discrimination , '' the brief explains , and is an illegal prior restraint on free speech .
`` The city ’ s blatant discrimination against Camp Constitution 's Christian viewpoint is unconstitutional censorship and an insult to the First Amendment , '' explained LC chief Mat Staver .
`` The city admitted in a court filing that its official policy is to make permit decisions based on whether the city approves the 'message ' of the applicant .
`` There is a crucial difference between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which government is bound to respect .
Private religious speech in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted does not violate the Constitution .
Censoring religious viewpoints does violate the First Amendment .
Where the city of Boston allows numerous other flags from private organizations , it may not ban the Christian flag as part of a privately-sponsored event . ''
The camp wanted to use the city flagpole like other organizations have .
It wanted to raise the flag for about an hour while celebrating Constitution Week .
`` Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian flag , which is white with a blue square in the upper corner and a red cross .
The flag contains no writing , '' Liberty Counsel explained .
Shurtleff and Camp Constitution first asked the city in 2017 for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day and the civic and cultural contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston , the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , religious tolerance , the Rule of Law , and the U.S. Constitution , the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city has allowed at least 284 applications by private groups to use the flagpole .
Those have included the Turkish flag , which includes the Islamic star and crescent , and the Portuguese flag , which also has religious imagery .
Other flags have honored the homosexual agenda , the pink and blue of the transgender movement , Albania , Brazil , Ethiopia , Peru , Portugal , Communist China and Cuba .
It was Judge Denise Casper who decided Boston was just fine discriminating against the Christian flag .
She claimed there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` improper preference for non-religion over religion . ''
The court filing explains the city specifically has solicited participation in the flag flying .
`` We want to create an environment in the city where everyone feels included , and is treated with respect , '' the city boasts .
`` We also want to raise awareness in Greater Boston and beyond about the many countries and cultures around the world .
Our goal is to foster diversity and build and strengthen connections among Boston 's many communities . ''
It specifically invites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston 's `` public forums . ''

Boston's years-long fight against the Christian flag has moved to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, where the city is facing accusations that it allowed hundreds of other private banners in a designated "public forum" but then banned the emblem of faith.
The issue is that the city refused to allow Camp Constitution to fly its flag on a public flagpole that previously had been used for many other private banner, includes those advocating specific social causes, those representing foreign nations, even others with religious meaning.
Liberty Counsel is handling the battle on behalf of the camp and its manager, Hal Shurtleff,, and now has submitted a brief to the appeals court. It argues that the city is violating the First Amendment in its censoring of the flag.
The document questions whether the lower court was wrong to decide that "private flags" are actually government speech "when they are raised briefly on a city flag pole," especially when the city policy "expressly" designated the pole a public forum.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The ban on the Christian flag also is disallowed "viewpoint discrimination," the brief explains, and is an illegal prior restraint on free speech.
"The city’s blatant discrimination against Camp Constitution's Christian viewpoint is unconstitutional censorship and an insult to the First Amendment," explained LC chief Mat Staver. "The city admitted in a court filing that its official policy is to make permit decisions based on whether the city approves the 'message' of the applicant.
"There is a crucial difference between government endorsement of religion and private speech, which government is bound to respect. Private religious speech in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted does not violate the Constitution. Censoring religious viewpoints does violate the First Amendment. Where the city of Boston allows numerous other flags from private organizations, it may not ban the Christian flag as part of a privately-sponsored event."
The camp wanted to use the city flagpole like other organizations have. It wanted to raise the flag for about an hour while celebrating Constitution Week.
"Never has Boston censored any flag until the Christian flag, which is white with a blue square in the upper corner and a red cross. The flag contains no writing," Liberty Counsel explained.
A lower court judge sided with the city.
Shurtleff and Camp Constitution first asked the city in 2017 for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day and the civic and cultural contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, religious tolerance, the Rule of Law, and the U.S. Constitution, the legal team explained.
City records confirm the city has allowed at least 284 applications by private groups to use the flagpole.
Those have included the Turkish flag, which includes the Islamic star and crescent, and the Portuguese flag, which also has religious imagery.
Other flags have honored the homosexual agenda, the pink and blue of the transgender movement, Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia, Peru, Portugal, Communist China and Cuba.
It was Judge Denise Casper who decided Boston was just fine discriminating against the Christian flag.
She claimed there was no evidence the city had any "improper preference for non-religion over religion."
The court filing explains the city specifically has solicited participation in the flag flying.
"We want to create an environment in the city where everyone feels included, and is treated with respect," the city boasts. "We also want to raise awareness in Greater Boston and beyond about the many countries and cultures around the world. Our goal is to foster diversity and build and strengthen connections among Boston's many communities."
It specifically invites "all applicants" for events at Boston's "public forums."


wnd--2020-06-13--Nickelodeon's Pride tweet reignites debate on SpongeBob's sexual orientation

( USA TODAY ) Nickelodeon is celebrating Pride month with a tweet that has social media buzzing about SpongeBob Squarepants @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Celebrating # Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and @ @ @ @ @ network tweeted Saturday along with photos of SpongeBob , Avatar Korra from `` The Legend @ @ @ @ @ D. Cohen from `` Henry Danger . ''
Cohen shared that he transitioned from female @ @ @ @ @ ago and Korra identifies as bisexual , leaving social media to speculate that SpongeBob is @ @ @ @ @ as well .

(USA TODAY) Nickelodeon is celebrating Pride month with a tweet that has social media buzzing about SpongeBob Squarepants' sexual orientation – again.
"Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month," the network tweeted Saturday along with photos of SpongeBob, Avatar Korra from "The Legend of Korra" and Michael D. Cohen from "Henry Danger."
Cohen shared that he transitioned from female to male about 20 years ago and Korra identifies as bisexual, leaving social media to speculate that SpongeBob is part of the LGBTQ+ community as well.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-13--Polish president compares 'LGBT ideology' to Soviet indoctrination

( REUTERS ) Poland ’ s president compared LGBT “ ideology ” to communist doctrine in a campaign speech on @ @ @ @ @ become a hotly debated issue ahead of a June 28 presidential election in the staunchly @ @ @ @ @ Duda is an ally of the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party ( PiS ) @ @ @ @ @ of lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) rights as a foreign @ @ @ @ @ traditional values .
On Wednesday , Duda introduced a “ Family Card ” of election @ @ @ @ @ to not allow gay couples to marry or adopt children and to ban teaching about @ @ @ @ @

(REUTERS) Poland’s president compared LGBT “ideology” to communist doctrine in a campaign speech on Saturday, as LGBT rights become a hotly debated issue ahead of a June 28 presidential election in the staunchly Catholic country.
President Andrzej Duda is an ally of the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), which dismisses the promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights as a foreign influence undermining Poland’s traditional values.
On Wednesday, Duda introduced a “Family Card” of election proposals, including a vow to not allow gay couples to marry or adopt children and to ban teaching about LGBT issues in schools.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-13--Disarming of National Guard emboldening mob?

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
The riots and protests that have roiled cites across the country over the last two weeks are dying down in the East Coast but still raging on in Seattle , a bastion of far-left activism .
TRENDING : Trump preparing executive order that pushes 'the opposite ' of defunding police The ongoing chaos in Seattle is fueling new questions about whether decisions to disarm the state ’ s National Guard and have the Seattle police stand down are fanning the flames of protest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 1 , after several nights of chaotic riots and looting in Seattle that included protesters setting several police cars ablaze , Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee called in the National Guard to help stabilize the unrest that erupted following George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer .
“ The guard are unarmed peacekeepers .
They are here to help support the local communities , ” Inslee , a Democrat who briefly ran for president before dropping out last summer , said at a press conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was provided during fire season or what they ’ re doing for our COVID-19 response.
” Eight days later , tensions were still running high after a weekend filled with clashes between Seattle police and protesters and an incident involving a man driving into a crowd of protesters and shooting one .
On Monday night , a team of National Guard soldiers , armed only with batons and plastic shields and surrounded by protesters , pushed their way through the crowd and into a Seattle police precinct to remove weapons , ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave , according to an eyewitness who spoke to RealClearPolitics .
Police Chief Carmen Best had ordered police to abandon the building , and the Guard soldiers appeared to play a key role in carrying it out .
Afterward , the police precinct , along with apartments and businesses on the block , were sprayed with foam fire suppressant to help protect them from a “ credible threat ” to burn the structure down .
It was a prudent precaution after a Minneapolis police precinct was torched and suffered damage in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Day weekend .
Firefighters are standing by to protect the building and nearby businesses .
Protesters , touting their victory against police , immediately declared the area a “ cop-free zone ” and sprayed barricades bordering the area with the words “ now leaving the USA ” and entering the “ Capitol Hill autonomous zone ” or “ Free Capitol Hill.
” Still , protesters still weren ’ t satisfied .
With police standing down Tuesday night , thousands of them broke into Seattle ’ s City Hall to demand that Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over her failure to immediately embrace the push to defund the police .
( Several members of the City Council had joined the frontlines of protests and earlier that day agreed to consider a proposal to cut police funding by 50 % . )
The chaotic events that have unfolded in Seattle over the past several days offer the latest evidence of sharp political clashes over public officials ’ responses to the violence and destruction accompanying more peaceful protests against racial injustice across the country .
The Black Lives Matter movement in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police forces around the country .
Meanwhile , some on the right , including President Trump , Sen. Tom Cotton and others , have gone to the other extreme , calling on state and local officials to dominate the streets with military crackdowns on protests to stop the violence , looting and destruction .
Some 700 law-enforcement officers have been injured during the nationwide unrest over Floyd ’ s death , according to Justice Department data , and their lives matter too , Cotton argues , as do the livelihoods of all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and/or destroyed .
But activists on the left say the police have gone too far in trying to restore law and order in Seattle and elsewhere .
The ACLU filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that Best and Durkan had violated the constitutional rights of protesters by allowing officers , working with the guard , to disperse crowds with tear gas and flash-bang devices .
Even though Washington National Guardsmen were unarmed , aerial drone photos of police clashing with protesters over the weekend show a line of soldiers standing immediately behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a sea of protesters .
Eyewitnesses told RCP that the protests were much more violent than previously reported – that there were pipe bombs thrown at police and guardsmen , that people were throwing bottles , rocks , fireworks and other “ incendiary devices ” and shining green lasers into the eyes of police and Guard soldiers .
The Seattle police Twitter feed said several police officers were injured Sunday with two taken to the hospital for treatment .
At least one guardsman was struck in the head by a glass bottle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Karina Shagren , spokeswoman for the Washington Military Department , which works with the National Guard , said the soldier was not injured and was back at work the next day .
Shagren also said that the role the Guard performed in Seattle wasn ’ t at odds with Inslee ’ s earlier assertion that they would offer peaceful support of police .
“ They serve to ensure that the important message of those peacefully protesting in our communities isn ’ t overshadowed by criminals who are using the events to mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , without referring to the constraints placed upon the police and Guard in performing that task .
“ To suggest anything different is inaccurate and an unfair characterization .
While the civil disturbance missions are different than COVID-related or wildfire missions – at the end of the day , our men and women leave their families and jobs to help our local communities preserve life and property , ” Shagren added .
But Trump , Cotton and other critics says the hands-off approach is only spurring more needless deaths , injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years for some inner cities to recover from , and does a disservice to Floyd ’ s death .
`` One thing above all else will restore order to our streets : an overwhelming show of force to disperse , detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers , '' Cotton said in a controversial New York Times op-ed titled `` Send In the Troops , '' calling on Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act .
The Cotton opinion piece lead to an employee protest at the Times , which issued a subsequent apology for running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for green-lighting the op-ed later resigned , part of developments that have fueled an intense national debate over “ woke ” censorship of dissenting views .
The 213-year-old Insurrection Act gives the president the power to deploy active-duty military troops on U.S. soil to `` restore public order and enforce the laws '' when `` domestic violence has occurred to such an extent that the constituted authorities of the State or possession are incapable of maintaining public order . ''
Over the last 60 years , presidents have used the law a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights laws in the Deep South in the late 1950s , as Cotton pointed out in his op-ed .
More recently , it was used to quell violence during the 1992 Los Angeles riots in the wake of the Rodney King beating and police officers ’ acquittal for it .
In early June , after days of violence and looting in Washington , D.C. , President Trump declared himself the “ law and order ” president and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military troops if the destruction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak , I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel , and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting , looting , vandalism , assaults , and the wanton destruction of property , ” Trump said .
The “ heavily armed ” part of that statement was largely untrue .
As in Seattle , the vast majority of the National Guard troops deployed to D.C. were equipped with riot gear but didn ’ t carry firearms .
“ At the request of the Secretary of the Army , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons , ” D.C. National Guard spokeswoman Darla Torres told RCP .
“ In limited circumstances , some guardsmen may be armed as necessary , to accomplish the mission of preserving life and property .
However , the vast majority of the service members will be equipped with personal protective equipment such as shields , shin guards , helmets and batons.
” If Trump , along with liberal activists and other members of public , are confused about the National Guard ’ s ability to use lethal force against rioters , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governors ultimately have the final say over how to arm these soldiers operating in their states .
“ Under state law , it ’ s the governor who decides how to equip and deploy the National Guard , ” said John Yoo , a law professor at the University of California , Berkeley , who served as a legal counsel at the Justice Department during the George W. Bush administration .
“ If the anyone is unhappy about the way the National Guard are equipped for deployment , in most cases , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way the governor and his aides wanted it.
” Yoo last week wrote his own op-ed disagreeing with Cotton , arguing that the Insurrection Act isn ’ t needed at this time because “ states still have the resources to respond to civil disorder.
” ( Yoo is no shrinking violet when it comes to the use of force .
He is credited with co-writing the infamous Torture Memo in 2002 , which provided a legal rationale for the torture of detainees during the Global War on Terror . )
Over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the manpower at their disposal , mobilizing their Guard units .
A confusing patchwork of state policies has emerged as a result : Some news photos show guardsmen toting M4 rifles while others show these troops carrying only batons and plastic shields .
In California , for instance , Gov .
Gavin Newsom allowed National Guard soldiers to carry M4s , along with live ammunition , during a week-long mobilization that ended over the weekend .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti reluctantly mobilized the Guard in early June in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars – unrest that subsided in a matter of days after the armed troops were called in to support police .
In contrast to the protesters storming Seattle City Hall Tuesday night , the armed Guardsmen in L.A. helped monitor City Hall there as the downtown was cleaned up .
Newsom didn ’ t respond to a request for comment about the rationale for allowing the soldiers to carry rifles .
“ California National Guardsmen deploy with their assigned individual weapon they are qualified on and a reduced ammunition load for self-defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military Department .
When Inslee was asked at a press conference last week why he decided not to arm guardsmen working with police , he turned to Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty , the commander of the Washington National Guard , to respond .
“ We always arm ourselves to the level that ’ s appropriate for the threat that we face , and right now that threat appears to be looters who are breaking windows and stealing merchandise – clearly criminal activity worthy of being arrested and sent to jail but not deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would discuss any changes to the threat level and those recommendations with Inslee .
He referred to an incident in which two Kentucky National Guard members shot and killed a protester in Louisville , although Louisville police fired too .
A Kentucky official Tuesday night said evidence shows the gunshot that killed the man came from the Guard member , not a police officer .
Other state National Guards surveyed by RCP said states were using their soldiers in less public-facing roles , arming some and not arming others .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some soldiers are carrying M4s while others are armed with 9mm pistols , depending on their mission .
“ There are some missions where they are not required at all , ” he said .
“ The majority of our missions are behind the scenes , and we are rarely interacting with the community .
Other states have their guard members on the front lines with riot gear .
We do not .
We are serving in capacities that enable more law enforcement [ officers ] to interact with the community .
”

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
The riots and protests that have roiled cites across the country over the last two weeks are dying down in the East Coast but still raging on in Seattle, a bastion of far-left activism.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The ongoing chaos in Seattle is fueling new questions about whether decisions to disarm the state’s National Guard and have the Seattle police stand down are fanning the flames of protest and emboldening activists hell-bent on anarchy.
On June 1, after several nights of chaotic riots and looting in Seattle that included protesters setting several police cars ablaze, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee called in the National Guard to help stabilize the unrest that erupted following George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
“The guard are unarmed peacekeepers. They are here to help support the local communities,” Inslee, a Democrat who briefly ran for president before dropping out last summer, said at a press conference. “Their service is no different than what was provided during fire season or what they’re doing for our COVID-19 response.”
Eight days later, tensions were still running high after a weekend filled with clashes between Seattle police and protesters and an incident involving a man driving into a crowd of protesters and shooting one. On Monday night, a team of National Guard soldiers, armed only with batons and plastic shields and surrounded by protesters, pushed their way through the crowd and into a Seattle police precinct to remove weapons, ammunition and other supplies and allow all employees to leave, according to an eyewitness who spoke to RealClearPolitics.
Police Chief Carmen Best had ordered police to abandon the building, and the Guard soldiers appeared to play a key role in carrying it out.
Afterward, the police precinct, along with apartments and businesses on the block, were sprayed with foam fire suppressant to help protect them from a “credible threat” to burn the structure down. It was a prudent precaution after a Minneapolis police precinct was torched and suffered damage in the first few days of the protests over Memorial Day weekend.
Firefighters are standing by to protect the building and nearby businesses. Protesters, touting their victory against police, immediately declared the area a “cop-free zone” and sprayed barricades bordering the area with the words “now leaving the USA” and entering the “Capitol Hill autonomous zone” or “Free Capitol Hill.”
Still, protesters still weren’t satisfied. With police standing down Tuesday night, thousands of them broke into Seattle’s City Hall to demand that Mayor Jenny Durkan, a Democrat, resign over her failure to immediately embrace the push to defund the police. (Several members of the City Council had joined the frontlines of protests and earlier that day agreed to consider a proposal to cut police funding by 50%.)
The chaotic events that have unfolded in Seattle over the past several days offer the latest evidence of sharp political clashes over public officials’ responses to the violence and destruction accompanying more peaceful protests against racial injustice across the country.
The Black Lives Matter movement in recent days has renewed its push to demilitarize police forces around the country. Meanwhile, some on the right, including President Trump, Sen. Tom Cotton and others, have gone to the other extreme, calling on state and local officials to dominate the streets with military crackdowns on protests to stop the violence, looting and destruction.
Some 700 law-enforcement officers have been injured during the nationwide unrest over Floyd’s death, according to Justice Department data, and their lives matter too, Cotton argues, as do the livelihoods of all the business owners who saw their establishments looted and/or destroyed.
But activists on the left say the police have gone too far in trying to restore law and order in Seattle and elsewhere. The ACLU filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that Best and Durkan had violated the constitutional rights of protesters by allowing officers, working with the guard, to disperse crowds with tear gas and flash-bang devices.
Even though Washington National Guardsmen were unarmed, aerial drone photos of police clashing with protesters over the weekend show a line of soldiers standing immediately behind the Seattle Police, who were facing off against a sea of protesters. Eyewitnesses told RCP that the protests were much more violent than previously reported – that there were pipe bombs thrown at police and guardsmen, that people were throwing bottles, rocks, fireworks and other “incendiary devices” and shining green lasers into the eyes of police and Guard soldiers.
The Seattle police Twitter feed said several police officers were injured Sunday with two taken to the hospital for treatment. At least one guardsman was struck in the head by a glass bottle, according to a police department tweet. Karina Shagren, spokeswoman for the Washington Military Department, which works with the National Guard, said the soldier was not injured and was back at work the next day.
Shagren also said that the role the Guard performed in Seattle wasn’t at odds with Inslee’s earlier assertion that they would offer peaceful support of police.
“They serve to ensure that the important message of those peacefully protesting in our communities isn’t overshadowed by criminals who are using the events to mask their dangerous and illegal activities,” she said, without referring to the constraints placed upon the police and Guard in performing that task.
“To suggest anything different is inaccurate and an unfair characterization. While the civil disturbance missions are different than COVID-related or wildfire missions – at the end of the day, our men and women leave their families and jobs to help our local communities preserve life and property,” Shagren added.
But Trump, Cotton and other critics says the hands-off approach is only spurring more needless deaths, injuries and costly destruction, which will take years for some inner cities to recover from, and does a disservice to Floyd’s death.
"One thing above all else will restore order to our streets: an overwhelming show of force to disperse, detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers," Cotton said in a controversial New York Times op-ed titled "Send In the Troops," calling on Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. The Cotton opinion piece lead to an employee protest at the Times, which issued a subsequent apology for running it.
An opinion editor under fire for green-lighting the op-ed later resigned, part of developments that have fueled an intense national debate over “woke” censorship of dissenting views.
The 213-year-old Insurrection Act gives the president the power to deploy active-duty military troops on U.S. soil to "restore public order and enforce the laws" when "domestic violence has occurred to such an extent that the constituted authorities of the State or possession are incapable of maintaining public order."
Over the last 60 years, presidents have used the law a number of times, including to uphold federal civil rights laws in the Deep South in the late 1950s, as Cotton pointed out in his op-ed. More recently, it was used to quell violence during the 1992 Los Angeles riots in the wake of the Rodney King beating and police officers’ acquittal for it.
In early June, after days of violence and looting in Washington, D.C., President Trump declared himself the “law and order” president and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military troops if the destruction in U.S. cities continued.
“As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and the wanton destruction of property,” Trump said.
The “heavily armed” part of that statement was largely untrue. As in Seattle, the vast majority of the National Guard troops deployed to D.C. were equipped with riot gear but didn’t carry firearms.
“At the request of the Secretary of the Army, National Guard forces will not deploy with weapons,” D.C. National Guard spokeswoman Darla Torres told RCP. “In limited circumstances, some guardsmen may be armed as necessary, to accomplish the mission of preserving life and property. However, the vast majority of the service members will be equipped with personal protective equipment such as shields, shin guards, helmets and batons.”
If Trump, along with liberal activists and other members of public, are confused about the National Guard’s ability to use lethal force against rioters, there’s a good reason for it. Governors ultimately have the final say over how to arm these soldiers operating in their states.
“Under state law, it’s the governor who decides how to equip and deploy the National Guard,” said John Yoo, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who served as a legal counsel at the Justice Department during the George W. Bush administration. “If the anyone is unhappy about the way the National Guard are equipped for deployment, in most cases, it’s because that’s the way the governor and his aides wanted it.”
Yoo last week wrote his own op-ed disagreeing with Cotton, arguing that the Insurrection Act isn’t needed at this time because “states still have the resources to respond to civil disorder.” (Yoo is no shrinking violet when it comes to the use of force. He is credited with co-writing the infamous Torture Memo in 2002, which provided a legal rationale for the torture of detainees during the Global War on Terror.)
Over the last two weeks, some 31 states have used the manpower at their disposal, mobilizing their Guard units. A confusing patchwork of state policies has emerged as a result: Some news photos show guardsmen toting M4 rifles while others show these troops carrying only batons and plastic shields.
In California, for instance, Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed National Guard soldiers to carry M4s, along with live ammunition, during a week-long mobilization that ended over the weekend. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti reluctantly mobilized the Guard in early June in the wake of massive looting and the torching of police cars – unrest that subsided in a matter of days after the armed troops were called in to support police.
In contrast to the protesters storming Seattle City Hall Tuesday night, the armed Guardsmen in L.A. helped monitor City Hall there as the downtown was cleaned up.
Newsom didn’t respond to a request for comment about the rationale for allowing the soldiers to carry rifles.
“California National Guardsmen deploy with their assigned individual weapon they are qualified on and a reduced ammunition load for self-defense,” said a spokesman for the California Military Department.
When Inslee was asked at a press conference last week why he decided not to arm guardsmen working with police, he turned to Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty, the commander of the Washington National Guard, to respond.
“We always arm ourselves to the level that’s appropriate for the threat that we face, and right now that threat appears to be looters who are breaking windows and stealing merchandise – clearly criminal activity worthy of being arrested and sent to jail but not deadly force,” Daugherty said, noting that he would discuss any changes to the threat level and those recommendations with Inslee.
He referred to an incident in which two Kentucky National Guard members shot and killed a protester in Louisville, although Louisville police fired too. A Kentucky official Tuesday night said evidence shows the gunshot that killed the man came from the Guard member, not a police officer.
Other state National Guards surveyed by RCP said states were using their soldiers in less public-facing roles, arming some and not arming others.
A spokesman for the Arizona National Guard said some soldiers are carrying M4s while others are armed with 9mm pistols, depending on their mission.
“There are some missions where they are not required at all,” he said. “The majority of our missions are behind the scenes, and we are rarely interacting with the community. Other states have their guard members on the front lines with riot gear. We do not. We are serving in capacities that enable more law enforcement [officers] to interact with the community.”


wnd--2020-06-13--Nostalgic for the old Sunday newspaper?

Nostalgic for the old Sunday newspaper?

Banner ads .
Who needs them , right ?
They just make the site hard to read .
We at WND hear this all the time , but unfortunately we need those ads , even though they do n't even cover our costs of production , thanks to the greed of Google and Facebook who together have vacuumed up between 70 and 90 percent of all digital advertising .
But the point is , we still need the ads in order to produce WND 's popular , independent , pro-American , pro-Constitution news coverage seven days a week .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on all of WND 's news in review WITHOUT any ads at all – and with better graphics , photos , videos , illustrations and production values – you should check out WND Weekly .
It 's been compared to the old-fashioned Sunday newspaper , and not just because that 's the day it arrives in your email in-box .
Like the Sunday paper you grew up with , you can take your time reading all the content in WND Weekly – at your leisure ( it wo n't go away ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can print it , save it , or share it .
You ’ re an astute consumer so you can check out a free video preview here before you make a decision .
TRENDING : Trump preparing executive order that pushes 'the opposite ' of defunding police To get a free sample , just sign up here .
Each week , all the original content from WND.com is collected , repackaged with spectacular designs and beautifully illustrated , and delivered to your computer , tablet , or phone for you to read , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspect , peruse , pore over , scan , search , skim , study , AND KEEP FOREVER … absolutely ad-free !
How do we do it ?
It 's a premium subscription service with a surprisingly low price-tag that may just be perfect for you .
We 'd love for you to sample it for FREE , and to see if it would enrich your life to find it in your inbox every Sunday morning – 52 weeks a year for only $ 29.99 , and right now , for a limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23.99 !
We welcome you to sample a FREE issue of WND Weekly – no cost or obligation – so you can experience for yourself this easy , convenient and classy way of reading WND 's news and commentary .
Better yet , take advantage of our lowest price ever and subscribe right now at a super-low discount price while it lasts !

Banner ads. Who needs them, right? They just make the site hard to read.
We at WND hear this all the time, but unfortunately we need those ads, even though they don't even cover our costs of production, thanks to the greed of Google and Facebook who together have vacuumed up between 70 and 90 percent of all digital advertising. But the point is, we still need the ads in order to produce WND's popular, independent, pro-American, pro-Constitution news coverage seven days a week.
However, if you would prefer to catch up on all of WND's news in review WITHOUT any ads at all – and with better graphics, photos, videos, illustrations and production values – you should check out WND Weekly. It's been compared to the old-fashioned Sunday newspaper, and not just because that's the day it arrives in your email in-box. Like the Sunday paper you grew up with, you can take your time reading all the content in WND Weekly – at your leisure (it won't go away), and with no ads. You can print it, save it, or share it.
You’re an astute consumer so you can check out a free video preview here before you make a decision.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
To get a free sample, just sign up here.
Each week, all the original content from WND.com is collected, repackaged with spectacular designs and beautifully illustrated, and delivered to your computer, tablet, or phone for you to read, browse, check out, examine, inspect, peruse, pore over, scan, search, skim, study, AND KEEP FOREVER … absolutely ad-free!
How do we do it? It's a premium subscription service with a surprisingly low price-tag that may just be perfect for you. We'd love for you to sample it for FREE, and to see if it would enrich your life to find it in your inbox every Sunday morning – 52 weeks a year for only $29.99, and right now, for a limited time, temporarily reduced to only $23.99!
We welcome you to sample a FREE issue of WND Weekly – no cost or obligation – so you can experience for yourself this easy, convenient and classy way of reading WND's news and commentary.
Better yet, take advantage of our lowest price ever and subscribe right now at a super-low discount price while it lasts!


wnd--2020-06-13--GOP congressional candidate puts far left, 'establishment' Republicans on notice

With GOP sights set on reclaiming the House of Representatives in 2020 , hard-line conservative candidates in key districts across the nation are testing the political waters in an effort check progressive and establishment Republican agendas on Capitol Hill .
Nolan Reidhead , a Republican primary candidate for Arizona 's 1st Congressional District , is one such candidate .
Branding himself the `` conservative choice for Congress , '' Reidhead told The Western Journal in a Thursday interview that the broad government growth and elevated cultural tensions of recent years and decades have exposed a breach in America 's representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to values-based , local-first leadership .
`` We 're seeing it now .
We 're seeing a breakdown of of the constitutional values and rights that we have , '' Reidhead said .
`` When in our nation 's history have you had the opportunity to go out and get an abortion , yet you 're not able to go to church ?
When are you not able to go out and purchase a firearm , exercise your Second Amendment rights , yet you 're able to go buy pot on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order that pushes 'the opposite ' of defunding police '' We 're seeing our right to assemble being attacked .
We 're seeing our right to exercise our freedom of religion being attacked . ''
`` Those principles -- principles of free enterprise economy , principles of limited government -- those are the principles that we 've seen through the Reagan era , we 're seeing through the Trump administration .
So that , to me , is conservatism and freedom : having the ability to make decisions based on our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
`` And that 's what I see as a true conservative .
Not just going to Washington to be a part of the establishment , be a part of the swamp , if you will .
But it 's taking the values of your roots and taking them to Washington to integrate proper legislation . ''
A native Arizonan , Reidhead was born in Payson and spent his early years in the district , moving east with his family .
He would go on to learn the values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and integrity '' during an adolescence spent rising in the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America and laboring in the northern Arizona logging industry alongside his father , according to a bio released by his campaign .
These values , as well as a firm respect for the constitutional foundations of the United States , were cultivated further over the course of a legal education from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul , Minnesota , eventually allowing Reidhead to open his own practice in Tucson .
Campaigning in a district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribal lands and rural industrial centers of the state 's northern and eastern sectors , Reidhead should benefit from this diverse resume -- an edge he will need to capitalize on should he manage to secure the nomination .
Incumbent Rep. Tom O'Halleran , who was elected in 2016 , took office in the midst of a now-8-year Democratic streak for the district , which has a history of frequent partisan transitions .
A former Republican and currently a co-chair of the `` fiscally responsible '' Blue Dog Democrat Coalition , O'Halleran won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 7 percentage points in the 2018 midterm elections .
The Lugar Center ’ s 2019 congressional bipartisanship report ranked the representative at No .
21 in terms of his willingness to reach across the aisle .
According to Reidhead , however , O'Halleran `` has a voting record '' -- one that stands to paint the representative in a far more radical light than he may like .
`` In previous elections , Tom O'Halleran has run more as a moderate , '' Reidhead told The Western Journal .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- independents play a huge role in [ congressional district 1 ] .
And so they see him as an independent .
They seen him as a person who would , I guess , work across the aisle . ''
`` The problem is for Mr. O'Halleran , he has a voting record , and he voted to impeach our president .
He 's voted against the [ Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act ] .
He 's voted against these free enterprise economic principles .
He 's voting against some of the principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there , '' Reidhead added .
But sending just any Republican to the Hill in O'Halleran 's place was not going to cut it in 2020 , the candidate said .
Reidhead said fellow Republican primary candidate Tiffany Shedd , who garnered just 19 percent support in the 2018 Republican primary for the seat , is not dissimilar to those establishment Republican representatives in the 115th Congress who squandered opportunities to see the Trump agenda accomplished following President Donald Trump 's inauguration , instead dragging their feet on failed health care legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by .
`` On one side you have my opponent , who is an establishment candidate in the likes of your John McCain 's , your Mitt Romney 's , your Jeff Flake 's -- the establishment side -- and is going to go to Washington in that vein . ''
Avoiding the company of such establishment figures , Reidhead claimed he will be joining the House Freedom Caucus if elected .
Made up of roughly 30 members , the Freedom Caucus is a coalition of constitutionalist and libertarian-leaning representatives .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has a rocky reputation among more moderate members of the party .
`` We need better leadership .
We need leadership that 's going to stand up -- and you see it throughout the country : Good leaders stand up .
They stand for their principles .
They do n't waffle based on the winds of change , '' Reidhead said .
`` The Freedom Caucus individuals stood up for President Trump during the impeachment process . ''
`` They 've stood up for economic values .
They stood up for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it 's a situation where that 's what Americans are looking for .
They 're looking for somebody who will bring those leadership values . ''
The Republican primary for Arizona 's 1st Congressional District is scheduled for Aug. 4 .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

With GOP sights set on reclaiming the House of Representatives in 2020, hard-line conservative candidates in key districts across the nation are testing the political waters in an effort check progressive and establishment Republican agendas on Capitol Hill.
Nolan Reidhead, a Republican primary candidate for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, is one such candidate.
Branding himself the "conservative choice for Congress," Reidhead told The Western Journal in a Thursday interview that the broad government growth and elevated cultural tensions of recent years and decades have exposed a breach in America's representative class -- and the need for a return to values-based, local-first leadership.
"We're seeing it now. We're seeing a breakdown of of the constitutional values and rights that we have," Reidhead said. "When in our nation's history have you had the opportunity to go out and get an abortion, yet you're not able to go to church? When are you not able to go out and purchase a firearm, exercise your Second Amendment rights, yet you're able to go buy pot on the street?"
"We're seeing our right to assemble being attacked. We're seeing our right to exercise our freedom of religion being attacked."
"Those principles -- principles of free enterprise economy, principles of limited government -- those are the principles that we've seen through the Reagan era, we're seeing through the Trump administration. So that, to me, is conservatism and freedom: having the ability to make decisions based on our own conscience, based on our own rights," he added.
"And that's what I see as a true conservative. Not just going to Washington to be a part of the establishment, be a part of the swamp, if you will. But it's taking the values of your roots and taking them to Washington to integrate proper legislation."
A native Arizonan, Reidhead was born in Payson and spent his early years in the district, moving east with his family.
He would go on to learn the values of "hard work, personal responsibility and integrity" during an adolescence spent rising in the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America and laboring in the northern Arizona logging industry alongside his father, according to a bio released by his campaign.
These values, as well as a firm respect for the constitutional foundations of the United States, were cultivated further over the course of a legal education from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, eventually allowing Reidhead to open his own practice in Tucson.
Campaigning in a district that extends from metropolitan Phoenix to the tribal lands and rural industrial centers of the state's northern and eastern sectors, Reidhead should benefit from this diverse resume -- an edge he will need to capitalize on should he manage to secure the nomination.
Incumbent Rep. Tom O'Halleran, who was elected in 2016, took office in the midst of a now-8-year Democratic streak for the district, which has a history of frequent partisan transitions.
A former Republican and currently a co-chair of the "fiscally responsible" Blue Dog Democrat Coalition, O'Halleran won re-election over Republican nominee Wendy Rogers by more than 7 percentage points in the 2018 midterm elections.
The Lugar Center’s 2019 congressional bipartisanship report ranked the representative at No. 21 in terms of his willingness to reach across the aisle.
According to Reidhead, however, O'Halleran "has a voting record" -- one that stands to paint the representative in a far more radical light than he may like.
"In previous elections, Tom O'Halleran has run more as a moderate," Reidhead told The Western Journal.
"And so a lot of independents in Arizona -- independents play a huge role in [congressional district 1]. And so they see him as an independent. They seen him as a person who would, I guess, work across the aisle."
"The problem is for Mr. O'Halleran, he has a voting record, and he voted to impeach our president. He's voted against the [Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act]. He's voted against these free enterprise economic principles. He's voting against some of the principles that the president is trying to get out there," Reidhead added.
But sending just any Republican to the Hill in O'Halleran's place was not going to cut it in 2020, the candidate said.
Reidhead said fellow Republican primary candidate Tiffany Shedd, who garnered just 19 percent support in the 2018 Republican primary for the seat, is not dissimilar to those establishment Republican representatives in the 115th Congress who squandered opportunities to see the Trump agenda accomplished following President Donald Trump's inauguration, instead dragging their feet on failed health care legislation and tax cuts that only just skated by.
"There's a huge contrast," Reidhead said.
"On one side you have my opponent, who is an establishment candidate in the likes of your John McCain's, your Mitt Romney's, your Jeff Flake's -- the establishment side -- and is going to go to Washington in that vein."
Avoiding the company of such establishment figures, Reidhead claimed he will be joining the House Freedom Caucus if elected.
Made up of roughly 30 members, the Freedom Caucus is a coalition of constitutionalist and libertarian-leaning representatives. It is headed up by Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs and has a rocky reputation among more moderate members of the party.
"We need better leadership. We need leadership that's going to stand up -- and you see it throughout the country: Good leaders stand up. They stand for their principles. They don't waffle based on the winds of change," Reidhead said.
"The Freedom Caucus individuals stood up for President Trump during the impeachment process."
"They've stood up for economic values. They stood up for our Constitution," he added. "And it's a situation where that's what Americans are looking for. They're looking for somebody who will bring those leadership values."
The Republican primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District is scheduled for Aug. 4.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-06-13--Ukraine: $6M bribe attempt to close case against Burisma chief

( ASSOCIATED PRESS ) Ukrainian authorities said Saturday they intercepted an attempt to offer a $ 6 million bribe in @ @ @ @ @ a criminal investigation into the head of a natural gas company where the son of @ @ @ @ @ Biden once held a board seat .
At a news conference , during which officials @ @ @ @ @ U.S. currency , Ukraine ’ s anti-corruption prosecutor Nazar Kholodnitsky said neither of the Bidens @ @ @ @ @ attempt .
Kholodnitsky and the head of the national anti-corruption bureau , Artem Sytnik , @ @ @ @ @ to encourage their offices to close an investigation of Mykola Zlochevsky , the head of @ @ @ @ @ and a former minister of ecology .

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) Ukrainian authorities said Saturday they intercepted an attempt to offer a $6 million bribe in return for the dropping of a criminal investigation into the head of a natural gas company where the son of former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden once held a board seat.
At a news conference, during which officials displayed large bags of seized U.S. currency, Ukraine’s anti-corruption prosecutor Nazar Kholodnitsky said neither of the Bidens is connected to the bribe attempt.
Kholodnitsky and the head of the national anti-corruption bureau, Artem Sytnik, said the bribe was intended to encourage their offices to close an investigation of Mykola Zlochevsky, the head of the Burisma natural gas company and a former minister of ecology.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-15--American tourist instructed to leave Israel after violating quarantine

( JERUSLAEM POST ) -- American tourist Brandon Korff has been instructed to leave Israel after breaching its quarantine rules @ @ @ @ @ Administration announced on Sunday .
As part of the nationwide effort of limiting the spread @ @ @ @ @ decided on March 18 that foreigners will not be allowed entry into Israel .
However @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that he plans to visit his brother who is currently serving as an @ @ @ @ @ light of the circumstances and after having had verified all necessary paperwork , Korff 's @ @ @ @ @ set by the Health Ministry .

(JERUSLAEM POST) -- American tourist Brandon Korff has been instructed to leave Israel after breaching its quarantine rules, the Population and Immigration Administration announced on Sunday.
As part of the nationwide effort of limiting the spread of coronavirus, it was decided on March 18 that foreigners will not be allowed entry into Israel.
However, Korff requested an exception, arguing that he plans to visit his brother who is currently serving as an IDF lone solider. In light of the circumstances and after having had verified all necessary paperwork, Korff's request was approved under restrictions set by the Health Ministry.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-15--Study: Hundreds of 'protected areas' threatened by renewable energy

Hundreds of `` protected areas , '' including some of the world 's greatest wilderness resources , are being threatened by renewable energy projects , according to a new study .
The green projects are degrading 886 protected areas , 748 Key Biodiversity Areas and 40 distinct wilderness areas , '' according to the study , published online at ResearchGate .
Authored by Jose Andres Rehbein of the World Bank , and Joe Lane , James Watson and Laura Sonter of University of Queensland , the study explains : `` Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is fundamental for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewable energy facilities can be land‐use intensive and impact conservation areas , and little attention has been given to whether the aggregated effect of energy transitions poses a substantial threat to global biodiversity . ''
The researchers assessed `` the extent of current and likely future renewable energy infrastructure associated with onshore wind , hydropower and solar photovoltaic generation , within three important conservation areas : protected areas , Key Biodiversity Areas and Earth ’ s remaining wilderness . ''
They identified 2,206 fully operational renewable energy facilities within the boundaries of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under development .
`` Combined , these facilities span and are degrading 886 protected areas , 749 Key Biodiversity Areas , and 40 distinct wilderness areas , '' they summarized .
`` Two trends are particularly concerning .
First , while the majority of historical overlap occurs in Western Europe , the renewable electricity facilities under development increasingly overlap with conservation areas in South East Asia , a globally important region for biodiversity .
Second , this next wave of renewable energy infrastructure represents a ~30 % increase in the number of protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could increase the number of compromised wilderness areas by ~60 % . ''
They warned : `` If the world continues to rapidly transition towards renewable energy these areas will face increasing pressure to allow infrastructure expansion .
Coordinated planning of renewable energy expansion and biodiversity conservation is essential to avoid conflicts that compromise their respective objectives . ''
`` If nations pursue a singular focus on decarbonization through renewable energy expansion , they risk undermining the global mission to avert the biodiversity crisis which they have committed to via the United Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` Strategic planning that simultaneously integrates conservation objectives with the needs of the transitioning energy sector , setting clear limits on development within important conservation areas is urgently needed . ''
The researchers said there easily could end up being a `` lose-lose '' outcome for biodiversity and climate stabilization `` if renewable energy developments led to the conversion of carbon-rich habitat ( e.g .
tropical forests . ''
The NoTricksZone blog said : `` To avert climate change , the United Nations demands a 10-fold increase in renewable energy by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in developing regions like Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa , where the most biodiverse regions in the world are the most threatened . ''

Hundreds of "protected areas," including some of the world's greatest wilderness resources, are being threatened by renewable energy projects, according to a new study.
The green projects are degrading 886 protected areas, 748 Key Biodiversity Areas and 40 distinct wilderness areas," according to the study, published online at ResearchGate.
Authored by Jose Andres Rehbein of the World Bank, and Joe Lane, James Watson and Laura Sonter of University of Queensland, the study explains: "Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is fundamental for halting anthropogenic climate change. However, renewable energy facilities can be land‐use intensive and impact conservation areas, and little attention has been given to whether the aggregated effect of energy transitions poses a substantial threat to global biodiversity."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The researchers assessed "the extent of current and likely future renewable energy infrastructure associated with onshore wind, hydropower and solar photovoltaic generation, within three important conservation areas: protected areas, Key Biodiversity Areas and Earth’s remaining wilderness."
They identified 2,206 fully operational renewable energy facilities within the boundaries of the conservation areas, with another 922 facilities under development.
"Combined, these facilities span and are degrading 886 protected areas, 749 Key Biodiversity Areas, and 40 distinct wilderness areas," they summarized.
"Two trends are particularly concerning. First, while the majority of historical overlap occurs in Western Europe, the renewable electricity facilities under development increasingly overlap with conservation areas in South East Asia, a globally important region for biodiversity. Second, this next wave of renewable energy infrastructure represents a ~30% increase in the number of protected areas and Key Biodiversity Areas impacted and could increase the number of compromised wilderness areas by ~60%."
They warned: "If the world continues to rapidly transition towards renewable energy these areas will face increasing pressure to allow infrastructure expansion. Coordinated planning of renewable energy expansion and biodiversity conservation is essential to avoid conflicts that compromise their respective objectives."
The outlook isn't good, they found.
"If nations pursue a singular focus on decarbonization through renewable energy expansion, they risk undermining the global mission to avert the biodiversity crisis which they have committed to via the United Nation's Sustainable Development goals," they wrote.
"Strategic planning that simultaneously integrates conservation objectives with the needs of the transitioning energy sector, setting clear limits on development within important conservation areas is urgently needed."
The researchers said there easily could end up being a "lose-lose" outcome for biodiversity and climate stabilization "if renewable energy developments led to the conversion of carbon-rich habitat (e.g. tropical forests."
The NoTricksZone blog said: "To avert climate change, the United Nations demands a 10-fold increase in renewable energy by 2060. This emphasis will especially occur in developing regions like Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the most biodiverse regions in the world are the most threatened."


wnd--2020-06-14--As wealthy families flee, NYC's private schools brace for uncertain fall

( CNBC ) -- When the coronavirus crisis hit New York , many of the city ’ s wealthiest families @ @ @ @ @ what the fall will look like , some are debating if they will return to @ @ @ @ @ which could open up an unprecedented number of spots at even the most elite institutions @ @ @ @ @ , president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting .
“ In my 21 years of practice @ @ @ @ @ anything like this in terms of extreme levels of churn and uncertainty , ” she @ @

(CNBC) -- When the coronavirus crisis hit New York, many of the city’s wealthiest families went elsewhere.
Without knowing what the fall will look like, some are debating if they will return to New York at all, which could open up an unprecedented number of spots at even the most elite institutions, according to Emily Glickman, president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting.
“In my 21 years of practice, I have never seen anything like this in terms of extreme levels of churn and uncertainty,” she said.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-06-14--Leftists demand Disney close 'racist' Splash Mountain ride

The most famous theme park ride in America could soon be radically changed , all because the attraction is loosely based on a dated cartoon .
Petitions are now circulating the internet demanding Disney revamp its Splash Mountain rides located in several of the company 's parks .
`` While the ride is considered a beloved classic it ’ s history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South , '' a Change.org petition reads .
Although the log flume is enjoyed by countless families every day , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stepping stone to achieving that perennial goal of the left : cultural diversity .
`` There is a huge need for diversity in the parks , '' the petition continues , `` and this could help fill that need . ''
Instead of Br'er Rabbit , Br'er Bear , Br'er Fox and all other characters `` steeped '' in racism , activists suggest a complete remodel of the ride to center around the 2009 film `` The Princess and the Frog . ''
`` This change could kill two birds with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` remove the offensive stereotypical theming the ride currently has and bring a much needed diversity to the parks .
As well as a much bigger merchandising opportunity for Princess and the Frog . ''
While it may seem tempting to remove one of the parks ' most iconic rides to replace it with a 2009 cartoon , it 's unclear if the multibillion-dollar Walt Disney Company plans to do so .
Although Disney is seemingly content with Splash Mountain remaining in its parks , the same hospitality ca n't be said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film 's release , `` Song of the South '' has remained an embarrassing thorn in the company 's side thanks to its portrayal of black Americans .
To date , Disney has not released an uncensored version of the movie on home video .
Despite the company 's attempt to memory-hole the film , the leftist mob is still demanding blood in the form of a completely revamped Splash Mountain .
The demands come as rioters topple statues across the nation in the wake of the alleged police killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American history have had memorials and statues thrown to the ground by the angry crowds , with some cities seemingly unwilling to stop the destruction .
While Splash Mountain may be a little more difficult to raze than a statue in a public park , this does n't mean the problematic log flume will escape the wrath of the left .
To pacify activist shareholders and avoid a potential boycott of the park , it 's entirely possible that Disney will make some substantial changes to the ride in the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the America envisioned by the radical left looks nothing like the country we know and love .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The most famous theme park ride in America could soon be radically changed, all because the attraction is loosely based on a dated cartoon.
Petitions are now circulating the internet demanding Disney revamp its Splash Mountain rides located in several of the company's parks.
"While the ride is considered a beloved classic it’s history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South," a Change.org petition reads.
Although the log flume is enjoyed by countless families every day, it's now seen as nothing more than a stepping stone to achieving that perennial goal of the left: cultural diversity.
"There is a huge need for diversity in the parks," the petition continues, "and this could help fill that need."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Instead of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Bear, Br'er Fox and all other characters "steeped" in racism, activists suggest a complete remodel of the ride to center around the 2009 film "The Princess and the Frog."
"This change could kill two birds with one stone," the petition claims, "remove the offensive stereotypical theming the ride currently has and bring a much needed diversity to the parks. As well as a much bigger merchandising opportunity for Princess and the Frog."
While it may seem tempting to remove one of the parks' most iconic rides to replace it with a 2009 cartoon, it's unclear if the multibillion-dollar Walt Disney Company plans to do so.
Although Disney is seemingly content with Splash Mountain remaining in its parks, the same hospitality can't be said of the ride's inspiration.
Since the film's release, "Song of the South" has remained an embarrassing thorn in the company's side thanks to its portrayal of black Americans.
To date, Disney has not released an uncensored version of the movie on home video domestically, though it has released the film in some foreign markets where, one presumes, any backlash would have been expected to be limited.
Despite the company's attempt to memory-hole the film, the leftist mob is still demanding blood in the form of a completely revamped Splash Mountain.
The demands come as rioters topple statues across the nation in the wake of the alleged police killing of George Floyd.
Christopher Columbus and other figures central to American history have had memorials and statues thrown to the ground by the angry crowds, with some cities seemingly unwilling to stop the destruction.
While Splash Mountain may be a little more difficult to raze than a statue in a public park, this doesn't mean the problematic log flume will escape the wrath of the left.
To pacify activist shareholders and avoid a potential boycott of the park, it's entirely possible that Disney will make some substantial changes to the ride in the future.
As of now, it's clear that the America envisioned by the radical left looks nothing like the country we know and love.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
CORRECTION, June 17, 2020: We have added language to this article to clarify the point that Disney has never released "Song of the South" domestically on VHS or any other home media. The film was released in foreign markets.


wnd--2020-06-14--County gets sued for discriminating against Christian ministry

A federal court ruling has advanced a case against a Georgia county by the American Center for Law and Justice on behalf of a Christian ministry called Vision Warriors .
Cherokee County was accused nearly a year ago of violating the Federal Fair Housing Act as well as the Fourteenth Amendment through `` a series of discriminatory land use decisions made by the county in an effort to keep the ministry from using the property as intended . ''
The complaint charges the county revoked Vision Warriors ' previously granted zoning approval and tenant occupancy permit , erroneously classifying Vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reasonable accommodation , as required under federal law .
The county even changed its zoning ordinance to ensure that Vision Warriors would have to endure a `` laborious land use application process only to be denied , '' ACLJ said .
The organization is a `` faith community that seeks to transform men ’ s lives so that they can be better disciples , fathers , husbands , leaders , and friends . ''
The dispute came about when the county withdrew permission for the ministry to use land it bought for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The case is in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia .
ACLJ said Vision Warriors was assured at least twice by the county 's zoning officials , including in writing , that its plans were approved .
So the group spent $ 750,000 on the property and started assembling ministry operations .
But then the county revoked its permission .
The 6.5 acres of land in Woodstock , Georgia , previously housed a church , residence and retreat for missionaries and families in need .
It had operated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had a residence that included an apartment , a worship hall , dorms with kitchen facilities , several shops for car repair and woodworking , and a storage building .
Zoning officials had said similar uses were allowed to continue .
But they later changed their position , stating `` that neighbors had expressed opposition regarding the type of residents Vision Warriors ministers to . ''
ACLJ said the county had wanted the case dismissed , claiming it was immune to such claims .
Its lawyers argued it should not `` be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state or federal law . ''
But the court rejected the county 's position , explaining `` the historical background and the sequence of events leading up to [ the county ’ s ] challenged actions suggests discriminatory intent . ''
The court further held that Vision Warriors had adequately alleged a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by alleging that the county ’ s actions were `` exclusionary , arbitrary , capricious and without any rational basis '' and `` discriminate between plaintiff and other similarly situated individuals @ @ @ @ @

A federal court ruling has advanced a case against a Georgia county by the American Center for Law and Justice on behalf of a Christian ministry called Vision Warriors.
Cherokee County was accused nearly a year ago of violating the Federal Fair Housing Act as well as the Fourteenth Amendment through "a series of discriminatory land use decisions made by the county in an effort to keep the ministry from using the property as intended."
The complaint charges the county revoked Vision Warriors' previously granted zoning approval and tenant occupancy permit, erroneously classifying Vision Warriors’ proposed use and denying it a reasonable accommodation, as required under federal law.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The county even changed its zoning ordinance to ensure that Vision Warriors would have to endure a "laborious land use application process only to be denied," ACLJ said.
The organization is a "faith community that seeks to transform men’s lives so that they can be better disciples, fathers, husbands, leaders, and friends."
The dispute came about when the county withdrew permission for the ministry to use land it bought for temporary housing for men recovering from addictions.
The case is in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Are Christians in America being unfairly targeted by the government? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 100% (112 Votes) 0% (0 Votes)
ACLJ said Vision Warriors was assured at least twice by the county's zoning officials, including in writing, that its plans were approved. So the group spent $750,000 on the property and started assembling ministry operations.
But then the county revoked its permission.
The 6.5 acres of land in Woodstock, Georgia, previously housed a church, residence and retreat for missionaries and families in need. It had operated for decades with the county's approval. It had a residence that included an apartment, a worship hall, dorms with kitchen facilities, several shops for car repair and woodworking, and a storage building.
Zoning officials had said similar uses were allowed to continue. But they later changed their position, stating "that neighbors had expressed opposition regarding the type of residents Vision Warriors ministers to."
ACLJ said the county had wanted the case dismissed, claiming it was immune to such claims. Its lawyers argued it should not "be held responsible for any alleged violations of state or federal law."
But the court rejected the county's position, explaining "the historical background and the sequence of events leading up to [the county’s] challenged actions suggests discriminatory intent."
The court further held that Vision Warriors had adequately alleged a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by alleging that the county’s actions were "exclusionary, arbitrary, capricious and without any rational basis" and "discriminate between plaintiff and other similarly situated individuals and property owners."


wnd--2020-06-14--Newly released video shows man shot by Atlanta police apparently aiming stolen taser at officer

New video has been released that shows more of the events that led to the death of Rayshard Brooks Friday night .
Brooks was killed by Atlanta police officers who were summoned to a Wendy 's after a report that a man was asleep in his car in the drive-thru line .
The interaction between Brooks and the police included officers administering a field sobriety test , which he reportedly failed , GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said , according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
“ After failing the test , the officers attempted to place the male subject into custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper .
“ During the arrest , the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued .
The officer deployed a Taser.
” Brooks managed to wrestle the Taser away from the officer before being shot .
The shooting has sparked sometimes-violent demonstrations .
The Wendy 's restaurant where the incident occurred was burned down Saturday night as demonstrators protested what they considered an unjustified shooting .
To some , however , like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani , himself a former federal prosecutor , the circumstances are still up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident were recorded by the Wendy 's security camera and a cell phone camera of another customer at the scene .
GBI Director Vic Reynolds said the surveillance footage from the restaurant appears to show Brooks turned toward the police even as he fled and pointed the Taser at one of the officers .
That means that the narrative of police shooting an `` unarmed '' black is open to more questions -- if not shattered .
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday there was no gray area in this case .
“ While there may be debate as to whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force , I firmly believe that there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do .
I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force and have called for the immediate termination of the officer , '' she said .
Officer Garrett Rolfe , who fired the shots that killed Brooks , according to the Journal-Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the scene , Devin Bronsan , has been placed on administrative duty .
Chris Stewart , an attorney for Brooks 's family , said the officer who killed Brooks must be charged , according to CBS .
`` Black , white , Hispanic , whatever you are , '' Stewart said .
`` Are you not tired of seeing cases like this happen ? ''
Stewart said the officer chasing Brooks was not in danger , according to the Journal-Constitution .
“ He had other options than shooting a man in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County District Attorney Paul Howard said the decision on filing charges against the officers will be made by Wednesday , according to CNN .
`` [ Brooks ] did not seem to present any kind of threat to anyone , and so the fact that it would escalate to his death just seems unreasonable , '' Howard said .
`` If that shot was fired for some reason other than to save that officer 's life or prevent injury to him or others , then that shooting is not justified under the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting during an appearance on `` Fox News Sunday , '' Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson said all the facts are not yet in , according to Fox News .
“ This is a situation that is not clear cut , you know , like the callous murder that occurred in Minnesota , ” Carson said , bringing up the death of George Floyd .
Floyd ’ s May 25 death while in Minneapolis police custody has rippled throughout American society and the political sphere .
“ Certainly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do things but , again , we do n't know .
We , the public , do n't know , ” Carson said .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

New video has been released that shows more of the events that led to the death of Rayshard Brooks Friday night.
Brooks was killed by Atlanta police officers who were summoned to a Wendy's after a report that a man was asleep in his car in the drive-thru line. The interaction between Brooks and the police included officers administering a field sobriety test, which he reportedly failed, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“After failing the test, the officers attempted to place the male subject into custody,” Miles said, according to the newspaper. “During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued. The officer deployed a Taser.”
Brooks managed to wrestle the Taser away from the officer before being shot.
The shooting has sparked sometimes-violent demonstrations. The Wendy's restaurant where the incident occurred was burned down Saturday night as demonstrators protested what they considered an unjustified shooting.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
To some, however, like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, himself a former federal prosecutor, the circumstances are still up for debate.
Whatever the Atlanta shooting is, it is not the George Floyd case. This video appears to present circumstances which may justify this use of force. The only responsible position is to suspend judgment until a full investigation is done. — Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) June 14, 2020
Two very different looks at the incident were recorded by the Wendy's security camera and a cell phone camera of another customer at the scene.
Warning: The video contains disturbing images.
GBI Director Vic Reynolds said the surveillance footage from the restaurant appears to show Brooks turned toward the police even as he fled and pointed the Taser at one of the officers.
That means that the narrative of police shooting an "unarmed" black is open to more questions -- if not shattered.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for the Democratic ticket, said Saturday there was no gray area in this case.
“While there may be debate as to whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe that there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do. I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force and have called for the immediate termination of the officer," she said.
Officer Garrett Rolfe, who fired the shots that killed Brooks, according to the Journal-Constitution, was later fired. The other officer at the scene, Devin Bronsan, has been placed on administrative duty.
Chris Stewart, an attorney for Brooks's family, said the officer who killed Brooks must be charged, according to CBS.
"Black, white, Hispanic, whatever you are," Stewart said. "Are you not tired of seeing cases like this happen?"
Stewart said the officer chasing Brooks was not in danger, according to the Journal-Constitution.
“He had other options than shooting a man in the back,” Stewart said.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said the decision on filing charges against the officers will be made by Wednesday, according to CNN.
"[Brooks] did not seem to present any kind of threat to anyone, and so the fact that it would escalate to his death just seems unreasonable," Howard said.
"If that shot was fired for some reason other than to save that officer's life or prevent injury to him or others, then that shooting is not justified under the law," he said.
Asked about the shooting during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson said all the facts are not yet in, according to Fox News.
“This is a situation that is not clear cut, you know, like the callous murder that occurred in Minnesota,” Carson said, bringing up the death of George Floyd.
Floyd’s May 25 death while in Minneapolis police custody has rippled throughout American society and the political sphere.
“Certainly in retrospect, there probably are other ways to do things but, again, we don't know. We, the public, don't know,” Carson said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.