wnd--2020-10-19--Enthusiasm for Trump 'much greater than 4 years ago'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
After descending sharp , treacherous turns on Schuylkill County ’ s Route 61 , you ’ ll pass a sleepy town , tucked in a coal-scarred valley , where steeples and onion domes command blocks of duplexes and rowhomes .
This is St. Clair , the hometown of Tim Holden , a Blue Dog Democrat who served in Congress from 1993 to 2013 .
Holden was the type of Democrat who garnered bipartisan support in Schuylkill , where , not long ago , voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not party allegiance .
Now , Schuylkill is solid Republican territory thanks to Donald Trump , who won nearly 70 % of the county ’ s votes -- and every precinct -- in 2016 .
These 44,000 votes equaled Trump ’ s narrow statewide margin of victory .
Today , Republicans now outnumber Democrats by 18,000 voters .
For perspective , in 2008 , the county ’ s GOP only had a 5,000 voter-registration edge .
Indeed , east of the Susquehanna River , it ’ s hard to find a more ardent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schuylkill , which has the world ’ s richest veins of anthracite coal .
An ethnic melting pot , Schuylkill ’ s 141,359 residents either live , as locals put it , “ south of the mountain ” or “ north of the mountain.
” In the south , scenic agricultural valleys -- untouched by coal -- are inhabited by German Protestants who have long trended Republican .
Meanwhile , the north features poorer Catholic coal towns shaped by the mining experience .
TRENDING : Caravan of Trump supporters reportedly stretches 30 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic , northern Schuylkill ’ s residents are pro-life and pro-gun , but also retain an inherited attachment to labor and social welfare .
Many families have endured tragedy , hardships , and played the hand they were dealt .
They embody what one historian called the region ’ s “ coalcracker culture -- self-reliance , a strong work ethic , a capacity to save born out of a psychology of scarcity , a deep commitment to family , a sense of community , and strong religious ties.
” Though stoic , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s backing of Trump .
Howard Merrick , Schuylkill ’ s GOP chairman , said , “ The enthusiasm is much greater than four years ago.
” As Merrick noted , there ’ s an overwhelming demand for campaign signs at the party ’ s headquarters in downtown Pottsville , the county seat and home to Yuengling ’ s brewery .
Those who stop by are often “ Democrats who tell me they ’ re Democrat , but still ask for signs -- that didn ’ t happen four years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had more signs , I could give out more at a faster rate , but I don ’ t have enough signs.
” This fervent support reflects a county that was always politically combustible .
In 1868 , Holden ’ s great-grandfather , John Siney , founded the Workingmen ’ s Benevolent Association , an early union which fought Schuylkill ’ s oppressive mine operators and , over time , led to the United Mine Workers .
During that period , the Molly Maguires -- a secret society of Irish immigrant miners -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Through the late 19th century , Schuylkill ’ s Irish and eastern European immigrants helped fuel America ’ s labor movement .
Their descendants nurtured a devotion to the Catholic Church , the UMW , and the Democratic Party .
As a Pottsville native , John O ’ Hara , famed 20th century writer , understood Schuylkill ’ s culture of “ accident and coincidence and luck.
” O ’ Hara chronicled Schuylkill ’ s social hierarchy in novels and short stories .
In a 1965 column , O ’ Hara , once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political sentiments expressed by Trump ’ s base .
“ I get my laughs at the expense of the liberals and the intellectuals , ” he wrote .
As an “ independent conservative , ” O ’ Hara called himself a member of the “ Outs , and yet I need not conform to the policies and restrictions of the Outs if I don ’ t feel like it.
” Indeed , Schuylkill ’ s “ Outs ” are all in for Trump in a county that has markedly declined since O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Schuylkill , a conveyor over Route 54 declares in black letters : “ Coal Keeps the Lights On.
” But the anthracite coal industry -- its dominance an enduring memory -- is a shared cultural heritage rather than a going concern .
In reality , it ’ s distribution centers that keep Schuylkill ’ s lights on .
Warehousing projects have continued despite the Covid-era economy .
Merrick , the GOP chair , factors this economic resilience as a reason behind Schuylkill ’ s continued support for Trump .
“ The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , “ and a person can find a good paying job.
” If anything , Merrick noted , locals express anger over Tom Wolf , the Democratic governor , who has enforced strident -- and contested -- lockdowns .
In Schuylkill , community life revolves around parishes , taverns , and local sports .
Covid-19 measures , though , resulted in crowd limits at football games , closed bars , and cancelled summer festivals .
Of course , not all of Schuylkill ’ s residents direct their ire toward Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a group of about 40 Democrats marched in downtown Pottsville to support Joe Biden .
They walked to the county Democrats ’ headquarters , located off the city ’ s Garfield Square , where John F. Kennedy campaigned before thousands just days before the 1960 election .
That year , Schuylkill ’ s Catholic base played a crucial role in Kennedy ’ s Pennsylvania victory .
But today , Schuylkill ’ s Catholic voters favor Trump over Biden , who would be America ’ s second Catholic president .
It remains unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offset the anger over Trump ’ s presidency in Pennsylvania ’ s cities and suburbs .
RealClearPolitics ’ polling average shows Biden leading Trump in Pennsylvania by 5.7 points .
But in Schuylkill , Merrick sees the “ spontaneous eruptions ” of people participating in Trump flag drops and decorating their houses with campaign regalia .
It ’ s this enthusiasm that keeps both campaigns active in Pennsylvania -- and what makes this state so unpredictable in electoral politics .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Charles McElwee
Real Clear Politics
After descending sharp, treacherous turns on Schuylkill County’s Route 61, you’ll pass a sleepy town, tucked in a coal-scarred valley, where steeples and onion domes command blocks of duplexes and rowhomes. This is St. Clair, the hometown of Tim Holden, a Blue Dog Democrat who served in Congress from 1993 to 2013.
Holden was the type of Democrat who garnered bipartisan support in Schuylkill, where, not long ago, voters split tickets based on local ties, not party allegiance. Now, Schuylkill is solid Republican territory thanks to Donald Trump, who won nearly 70% of the county’s votes -- and every precinct -- in 2016. These 44,000 votes equaled Trump’s narrow statewide margin of victory. Today, Republicans now outnumber Democrats by 18,000 voters. For perspective, in 2008, the county’s GOP only had a 5,000 voter-registration edge. Indeed, east of the Susquehanna River, it’s hard to find a more ardent slice of Trump’s base than Schuylkill, which has the world’s richest veins of anthracite coal. An ethnic melting pot, Schuylkill’s 141,359 residents either live, as locals put it, “south of the mountain” or “north of the mountain.” In the south, scenic agricultural valleys -- untouched by coal -- are inhabited by German Protestants who have long trended Republican. Meanwhile, the north features poorer Catholic coal towns shaped by the mining experience.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Though historically Democratic, northern Schuylkill’s residents are pro-life and pro-gun, but also retain an inherited attachment to labor and social welfare. Many families have endured tragedy, hardships, and played the hand they were dealt. They embody what one historian called the region’s “coalcracker culture -- self-reliance, a strong work ethic, a capacity to save born out of a psychology of scarcity, a deep commitment to family, a sense of community, and strong religious ties.”
Though stoic, there’s nothing timid about this region’s backing of Trump. Howard Merrick, Schuylkill’s GOP chairman, said, “The enthusiasm is much greater than four years ago.” As Merrick noted, there’s an overwhelming demand for campaign signs at the party’s headquarters in downtown Pottsville, the county seat and home to Yuengling’s brewery. Those who stop by are often “Democrats who tell me they’re Democrat, but still ask for signs -- that didn’t happen four years ago,” he said. “If I had more signs, I could give out more at a faster rate, but I don’t have enough signs.”
This fervent support reflects a county that was always politically combustible. In 1868, Holden’s great-grandfather, John Siney, founded the Workingmen’s Benevolent Association, an early union which fought Schuylkill’s oppressive mine operators and, over time, led to the United Mine Workers. During that period, the Molly Maguires -- a secret society of Irish immigrant miners -- committed violence against local mine bosses. Through the late 19th century, Schuylkill’s Irish and eastern European immigrants helped fuel America’s labor movement. Their descendants nurtured a devotion to the Catholic Church, the UMW, and the Democratic Party.
As a Pottsville native, John O’Hara, famed 20th century writer, understood Schuylkill’s culture of “accident and coincidence and luck.” O’Hara chronicled Schuylkill’s social hierarchy in novels and short stories. In a 1965 column, O’Hara, once a “straight-ticket Democrat,” foreshadowed the political sentiments expressed by Trump’s base. “I get my laughs at the expense of the liberals and the intellectuals,” he wrote. As an “independent conservative,” O’Hara called himself a member of the “Outs, and yet I need not conform to the policies and restrictions of the Outs if I don’t feel like it.”
Indeed, Schuylkill’s “Outs” are all in for Trump in a county that has markedly declined since O’Hara’s stories. In northern Schuylkill, a conveyor over Route 54 declares in black letters: “Coal Keeps the Lights On.” But the anthracite coal industry -- its dominance an enduring memory -- is a shared cultural heritage rather than a going concern. In reality, it’s distribution centers that keep Schuylkill’s lights on. Warehousing projects have continued despite the Covid-era economy.
Merrick, the GOP chair, factors this economic resilience as a reason behind Schuylkill’s continued support for Trump. “The number of jobs out there is amazing,” he said, “and a person can find a good paying job.” If anything, Merrick noted, locals express anger over Tom Wolf, the Democratic governor, who has enforced strident -- and contested -- lockdowns. In Schuylkill, community life revolves around parishes, taverns, and local sports. Covid-19 measures, though, resulted in crowd limits at football games, closed bars, and cancelled summer festivals.
Of course, not all of Schuylkill’s residents direct their ire toward Wolf. Earlier this month, for example, a group of about 40 Democrats marched in downtown Pottsville to support Joe Biden. They walked to the county Democrats’ headquarters, located off the city’s Garfield Square, where John F. Kennedy campaigned before thousands just days before the 1960 election. That year, Schuylkill’s Catholic base played a crucial role in Kennedy’s Pennsylvania victory. But today, Schuylkill’s Catholic voters favor Trump over Biden, who would be America’s second Catholic president.
It remains unclear if a county like Schuylkill could help offset the anger over Trump’s presidency in Pennsylvania’s cities and suburbs. RealClearPolitics’ polling average shows Biden leading Trump in Pennsylvania by 5.7 points. But in Schuylkill, Merrick sees the “spontaneous eruptions” of people participating in Trump flag drops and decorating their houses with campaign regalia. It’s this enthusiasm that keeps both campaigns active in Pennsylvania -- and what makes this state so unpredictable in electoral politics.


wnd--2020-10-20--How U.S. rescue mission helped Trump's historic Middle East peace deal

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- A U.S. rescue mission that saved the lives of Emirati soldiers and retrieved a member @ @ @ @ @ the way to the historic pact between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , according @ @ @ @ @ “ That general is part of my family , ” Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al @ @ @ @ @ diplomat , told President Trump before the signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords .
The @ @ @ @ @ Miguel Correa , the Army general who oversees the White House National Security Council ’ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf .
The envoy ’ s comment underscored the degree to which Correa 's background @ @ @ @ @ orchestrate the rescue of the Emirati prince .

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- A U.S. rescue mission that saved the lives of Emirati soldiers and retrieved a member of the royal family paved the way to the historic pact between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, according to a new report.
“That general is part of my family,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a top Emirati diplomat, told President Trump before the signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords.
The foreign minister was gesturing at Miguel Correa, the Army general who oversees the White House National Security Council’s policy team for the Gulf. The envoy’s comment underscored the degree to which Correa's background as a military official helped orchestrate the rescue of the Emirati prince.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-10-20--Trump earns support from Catholics with Barrett pick

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- Joe Biden 's lead among Catholics in swing states is within the margin of error after President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Biden , a Catholic , has consistently led Trump with fellow members of his faith throughout the campaign .
But the Democratic presidential nominee now only boasts a slim advantage over the president in the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania , Michigan , and Wisconsin , as well as Arizona , Florida , and North Carolina , according to a poll conducted by RealClear Opinion Research .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Barrett to the Supreme Court , a move met widely with approval from Catholics .
Barrett , who is all but certain to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , found favor with a plurality of Catholics .
About 46 % approved of her nomination , while only 28 % opposed it .
A majority of Catholics , regardless of whether they supported Barrett , who , like Biden , is Catholic , said that during her confirmation process , it was not acceptable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- Joe Biden's lead among Catholics in swing states is within the margin of error after President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Biden, a Catholic, has consistently led Trump with fellow members of his faith throughout the campaign. But the Democratic presidential nominee now only boasts a slim advantage over the president in the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina, according to a poll conducted by RealClear Opinion Research. That narrowing coincided with Trump's nomination of Barrett to the Supreme Court, a move met widely with approval from Catholics.
Barrett, who is all but certain to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, found favor with a plurality of Catholics. About 46% approved of her nomination, while only 28% opposed it. A majority of Catholics, regardless of whether they supported Barrett, who, like Biden, is Catholic, said that during her confirmation process, it was not acceptable for her to face questions about her faith.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-10-20--We're drowning in the lies of the left – here are just 9 of them

There are conservatives who lie , and there are liberals who lie , but both conservatism and liberalism hold truth to be a supreme value .
This is not true for leftism .
Truth is simply not a left-wing value .
Lying is to the left what breathing is to biological life .
That is why the father of modern leftism , Vladimir Lenin , named the Soviet communist newspaper `` Pravda , '' the Russian word for `` truth . ''
Truth is what a leftist says it is .
It is not an objective reality .
The left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and retain power .
This is as true today in the United States as it was in the Soviet Union .
TRENDING : Caravan of Trump supporters reportedly stretches 30 miles in battleground state of Arizona Here are examples of lies Americans are told they must hold lest they be removed from social media , shamed , ostracized and even fired from their jobs .
In no order of importance : Men menstruate .
ACLU tweet , Nov. 19 , 2019 : `` Men who get their periods are men .
Men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
If this is not a lie , the word has no meaning .
It is fair when males who identify as females compete in girls ' and women 's sports .
In Connecticut , two biological men who are trans women have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017 .
According to The Wall Street Journal , `` 19 state athletic conferences … allow athletes to compete based solely on their expressed gender identity . ''
No one with a passing acquaintance with truth could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colorblind is to be racist .
This left-wing assertion is the opposite of the basic liberal ideal to end racism : to have everyone colorblind , meaning we are all to view and judge people solely as individuals irrespective of race .
`` Colorblind is racist '' is not just a lie ; it is an Orwellian lie .
But it is actually normative on the left .
See , for example , `` Color-Blindness Is Counterproductive '' ( The Atlantic , Sept. 13 , 2015 ) or the book `` Colorblind Racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University .
The Trump 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to win the election .
This lie has permeated the American media for more than three years .
There was never any truth to it .
But those on the left – the Democratic Party and the mainstream media – found it a very useful claim , and they are doing so again in the 2020 campaign .
President Donald Trump said there were `` very fine '' Nazis .
This is `` the Charlottesville lie . ''
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now Joe Biden has run with it , claiming repeatedly that this was the reason he decided to run for president .
Of course , what Biden said is a lie ; he has wanted to run for president all his life .
At Trump 's press conference on Aug. 15 , 2017 , right after the Charlottesville march and demonstrations , Trump made it clear he was n't referring to the neo-Nazis when he said there were `` very fine people on both sides . ''
He told the press , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the white nationalists because they should be condemned totally . ''
He was referring to the two sides at the protest over statues .
See the video `` The Charlottesville Lie '' by former CNN reporter Steve Cortes at PragerU.com .
Donald Trump is a dictator .
This lie has been told since before Trump was elected .
It is repeated by virtually every left-wing commentator and politician .
See , for example , `` 10 Ways Trump Is Becoming a Dictator , Election Edition '' by Harvard professor Stephen M. Walt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ) or `` Donald Trump Wants To Be a Dictator '' by Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland ( The Guardian , July 5 , 2019 ) .
It is a lie .
The fact is no conservative American politician is a likely dictator because one of the fundamental goals of American conservatives is to shrink the power of the government .
A dictatorship in America is far more likely to come from the left , which seeks to massively increase government power .
For example , as reported in Politico on Aug. 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` I would shut it down , '' referring to the American economy and Americans ' freedom of movement to combat the COVID-19 virus .
America is a racist society .
This is the greatest national lie since the medieval blood libel , in which Christians accused Jews of slaughtering Christian children to use their blood to bake matzo for Passover .
America is , in fact , the least racist country in history .
That 's why , for example , there are so many race hoaxes ; the real thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't need to concoct anti-Jewish hoaxes to prove there was widespread anti-Semitism in Germany in the 1930s .
Ferguson was an example of racist police brutality .
The Ferguson lie is frequently cited by the left as an example of police racism , including by figures as prominent as Barack Obama .
Yet , a grand jury , which included black jurors , declined to indict the white police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown , a black man , because Brown had attacked the officer , sought to steal his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second attack when he was killed .
The claim that Brown had said , `` Hands up , do n't shoot '' was also a left-wing lie .
Brown never said it .
See the PragerU video with Larry Elder .
America was founded in 1619 , not 1776 .
This is the infamous New York Times lie for which the Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize .
This is the same prize awarded to the same newspaper in 1932 for its horrific lie that there was no famine in Ukraine when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately starving about 5 million Ukrainians to death .
Leading liberal scholars of American history have condemned the Times ' rewriting of American history – that the American Revolution was fought in order to preserve slavery – as a lie .
These are just some of the left-wing lies increasing numbers of Americans believe .
America 's survival depends on Americans – especially young Americans – recognizing them as such .

There are conservatives who lie, and there are liberals who lie, but both conservatism and liberalism hold truth to be a supreme value.
This is not true for leftism.
Truth is simply not a left-wing value.
Lying is to the left what breathing is to biological life. That is why the father of modern leftism, Vladimir Lenin, named the Soviet communist newspaper "Pravda," the Russian word for "truth." Truth is what a leftist says it is. It is not an objective reality.
The left has always relied on lies to gain and retain power. This is as true today in the United States as it was in the Soviet Union.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Here are examples of lies Americans are told they must hold lest they be removed from social media, shamed, ostracized and even fired from their jobs.
In no order of importance:
Men menstruate. ACLU tweet, Nov. 19, 2019: "Men who get their periods are men. Men who get pregnant and give birth are men." If this is not a lie, the word has no meaning.
It is fair when males who identify as females compete in girls' and women's sports. In Connecticut, two biological men who are trans women have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017. According to The Wall Street Journal, "19 state athletic conferences … allow athletes to compete based solely on their expressed gender identity." No one with a passing acquaintance with truth could say this is fair.
To be colorblind is to be racist. This left-wing assertion is the opposite of the basic liberal ideal to end racism: to have everyone colorblind, meaning we are all to view and judge people solely as individuals irrespective of race. "Colorblind is racist" is not just a lie; it is an Orwellian lie. But it is actually normative on the left. See, for example, "Color-Blindness Is Counterproductive" (The Atlantic, Sept. 13, 2015) or the book "Colorblind Racism" by Meghan Burke, associate professor of sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University.
The Trump 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to win the election. This lie has permeated the American media for more than three years. There was never any truth to it. But those on the left – the Democratic Party and the mainstream media – found it a very useful claim, and they are doing so again in the 2020 campaign.
President Donald Trump said there were "very fine" Nazis. This is "the Charlottesville lie." First, the media spread it, and now Joe Biden has run with it, claiming repeatedly that this was the reason he decided to run for president. Of course, what Biden said is a lie; he has wanted to run for president all his life. At Trump's press conference on Aug. 15, 2017, right after the Charlottesville march and demonstrations, Trump made it clear he wasn't referring to the neo-Nazis when he said there were "very fine people on both sides." He told the press, "I'm not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists because they should be condemned totally." He was referring to the two sides at the protest over statues. See the video "The Charlottesville Lie" by former CNN reporter Steve Cortes at PragerU.com.
Donald Trump is a dictator. This lie has been told since before Trump was elected. It is repeated by virtually every left-wing commentator and politician. See, for example, "10 Ways Trump Is Becoming a Dictator, Election Edition" by Harvard professor Stephen M. Walt (Foreign Policy, Sept. 8, 2020) or "Donald Trump Wants To Be a Dictator" by Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, July 5, 2019). It is a lie. The fact is no conservative American politician is a likely dictator because one of the fundamental goals of American conservatives is to shrink the power of the government. A dictatorship in America is far more likely to come from the left, which seeks to massively increase government power. For example, as reported in Politico on Aug. 21, 2020, Biden has already pledged, "I would shut it down," referring to the American economy and Americans' freedom of movement to combat the COVID-19 virus.
America is a racist society. This is the greatest national lie since the medieval blood libel, in which Christians accused Jews of slaughtering Christian children to use their blood to bake matzo for Passover. America is, in fact, the least racist country in history. That's why, for example, there are so many race hoaxes; the real thing is so hard to find. Jews didn't need to concoct anti-Jewish hoaxes to prove there was widespread anti-Semitism in Germany in the 1930s.
Ferguson was an example of racist police brutality. The Ferguson lie is frequently cited by the left as an example of police racism, including by figures as prominent as Barack Obama. Yet, a grand jury, which included black jurors, declined to indict the white police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, a black man, because Brown had attacked the officer, sought to steal his gun and was in the process of a second attack when he was killed. The claim that Brown had said, "Hands up, don't shoot" was also a left-wing lie. Brown never said it. See the PragerU video with Larry Elder.
America was founded in 1619, not 1776. This is the infamous New York Times lie for which the Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. This is the same prize awarded to the same newspaper in 1932 for its horrific lie that there was no famine in Ukraine when, in fact, Joseph Stalin was deliberately starving about 5 million Ukrainians to death. Leading liberal scholars of American history have condemned the Times' rewriting of American history – that the American Revolution was fought in order to preserve slavery – as a lie.
These are just some of the left-wing lies increasing numbers of Americans believe. America's survival depends on Americans – especially young Americans – recognizing them as such.


wnd--2020-10-21--Tony Lewis of '80s rock band 'The Outfield' dead at age 62

Famous British singer Tony Lewis died at the age of 62 at his London home on Tuesday .
The cause of death has not been shared .
Born in London on Dec. 21 , 1957 , Lewis heard the Beatles at the tender age of 9 and it compelled him to pursue music as well , according to the bio on his website .
He ended up in his first band , Syrius B , while in school , but he and bandmates John Spinks and Alan Jackman went their own ways for a while after their group did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , `` The Outfield '' ( initially called `` The Baseball Boys '' ) , was a roaring success .
The trio was well-known for hits such as `` Your Love , '' `` All the Love , '' and `` Say It Is n't So . ''
TRENDING : Joy Behar tries to dox Trump fan on national television Though the band 's heydays were during the 80s , the music has continued to be popular with listeners .
`` I can ’ t believe that there are over 250 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lewis shared in July .
`` 'Your Love ' peaked at No .
6 and continues to remain one of the most liked songs from the past 30 years and still continues to grow , '' Lewis ' website states .
`` On a weekly basis , 'Your Love ' is played on over 1000 radio stations , and averages over 2 million streams on Pandora , 1 million views on Youtube , and 1 million streams on Spotify . ''
The group remained together until 2014 , when Spinks passed away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lewis was still an active musician up until his death , with an EP due to release next spring .
His death was confirmed on his social media accounts , with the posts only saying that his death was `` unexpected . ''
`` It is with great sadness and sorrow to announce that Tony Lewis has unexpectedly passed away , '' the Tony Lewis Facebook page posted on Tuesday .
`` He was a beautiful soul who touched so many lives with his love , his spirit , and his music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoyed every opportunity he had when meeting all of you . ''
`` Please respect the family 's privacy during this difficult time . ''
The musician is survived by his wife , Carol , daughters Gemma and Rosie , and three grandchildren .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Famous British singer Tony Lewis died at the age of 62 at his London home on Tuesday. The cause of death has not been shared.
Born in London on Dec. 21, 1957, Lewis heard the Beatles at the tender age of 9 and it compelled him to pursue music as well, according to the bio on his website.
He ended up in his first band, Syrius B, while in school, but he and bandmates John Spinks and Alan Jackman went their own ways for a while after their group didn't get much traction.
Their next project together, "The Outfield" (initially called "The Baseball Boys"), was a roaring success. The trio was well-known for hits such as "Your Love," "All the Love," and "Say It Isn't So."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Though the band's heydays were during the 80s, the music has continued to be popular with listeners.
"I can’t believe that there are over 250 million plays of Your Love on Spotify!" Lewis shared in July.
"'Your Love' peaked at No. 6 and continues to remain one of the most liked songs from the past 30 years and still continues to grow," Lewis' website states.
"On a weekly basis, 'Your Love' is played on over 1000 radio stations, and averages over 2 million streams on Pandora, 1 million views on Youtube, and 1 million streams on Spotify."
The group remained together until 2014, when Spinks passed away from liver cancer, according to People.
Lewis was still an active musician up until his death, with an EP due to release next spring. His death was confirmed on his social media accounts, with the posts only saying that his death was "unexpected."
"It is with great sadness and sorrow to announce that Tony Lewis has unexpectedly passed away," the Tony Lewis Facebook page posted on Tuesday.
"He was a beautiful soul who touched so many lives with his love, his spirit, and his music. He loved his fans dearly and enjoyed every opportunity he had when meeting all of you."
"Please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."
The musician is survived by his wife, Carol, daughters Gemma and Rosie, and three grandchildren.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-10-21--'Echoes of 1930s Germany' found in corporate social agendas

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations . ]
A white physician working in Raleigh , N.C. , says he has participated in multiple diversity training exercises – including two in the last two years – without a fuss .
But he was taken aback when his employer , Duke University Health System , said this summer it will roll out a comprehensive strategy to purge the last vestiges of racism from the workplace .
The way it looks to him , Duke basically wants him to admit he ’ s a racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to dox Trump fan on national television Like a growing number of organizations around the country responding to the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement , Duke is adopting anti-racist advocacy as an organizational mission .
That mission doesn ’ t mention time-honored workplace goals like color-blindness , meritocracy , or equal opportunity ; instead , its target is the so-called complicity of America and its citizens in “ structural racism , ” “ oppression , ” and denialism .
“ I feel like my employer is calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I must agree , ” the doctor , who requested anonymity , told RealClearInvestigations .
He said he is troubled that Duke ’ s leadership is imposing its political ideology on staff , implicating employees in a sweeping moral narrative , and dedicating itself to the task of “ uncovering this hidden racism the employer is sure lurks within.
” Workers are coming under increasing pressure to support social justice programs on race and gender that would have been considered radical just a few years ago and too divisive to be injected into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s commitment to fighting racism and identity-related “ phobias ” increasingly involves encouraging , pressing , or even requiring workers to get behind the company ’ s social justice mission .
And it can spell trouble for employees who balk or publicly disagree .
Duke University President Vincent Price suggested in a June email that his take on American social relations is not up for debate , and that employees who dissent should reflect on their personal shortcomings .
“ I can not as a white person begin to fully understand the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endemic to the Black experience , ” Price said in his email .
“ Ultimately , real progress will require an embrace of both personal and institutional humility , admitting to our blindness , our lack of understanding , and confusion.
” Price ’ s consciousness-raising is part of a growing movement .
Microsoft , Wells Fargo , Google , Apple , Boeing and other corporations are vowing to revamp their cultures and pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to diversity causes and organizations .
Major firms are promising to move quickly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leadership roles .
Some companies , such as Starbucks and Microsoft , are tying executive compensation to meeting aggressive diversity targets , while a few are even experimenting with offering reparations to black customers .
Executives and managers are setting a confessional tone of guilt and penance , typical of anti-racism workshops , for all employees to emulate .
“ I must continue my journey of understanding and empathy and examine actions I take , or don ’ t take , every day , ” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take accountability for my own continued learning on the realities of privilege , inequity and race and modeling the behavior I want to see in the world.
” Such perspectives are filtering down to the rank and file .
Workplace wokeness can take the form of employees confessing to their unearned white privilege in diversity training sessions , workers wearing social justice slogans on the job , and employees participating in company-sponsored 8-minute 46-second moments of silence for George Floyd .
It ’ s too early to tell if these cultural changes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but some employees find them inappropriate , intrusive or even coercive , even as others feel they are long overdue .
To supporters , they are not impingements on personal conscience but compassionate and enlightened responses to deeply ingrained structures of oppression , ones that produce unequal outcomes for people of color in life expectancy , household income , education level , incarceration rates and other measures .
With the belief that doing nothing is supporting the status quo , the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health declared in June that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the problem : “ We each must choose to be allies , as standing by idly or silently is to be complicit in perpetuating racist systems and structures.
” The backlash has been almost immediate .
Just last month , the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a religious discrimination complaint against Kroger Co. , the grocery chain , for firing two conservative Christian employees who refused to wear mandatory rainbow hearts on their work aprons in an Arkansas store because , they said , it constituted advocacy for LGBTQ causes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hogue , said he is representing about 10 other Kroger employees who are seeking a religious exemption from wearing the hearts on their smocks .
Also last month , President Trump issued an executive order banning racial and gender stereotyping in federal agencies and by federal contractors .
What Trump had in mind wasn ’ t old-fashioned chauvinists and bigots – he was targeting racial-sensitivity workshops informed by a doctrine known as critical race theory .
“ Many people are pushing a different vision of America that is grounded in hierarchies based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inherent and equal dignity of every person as an individual , ” the executive order states .
“ This ideology is rooted in the pernicious and false belief that America is an irredeemably racist and sexist country ; that some people , simply on account of their race or sex , are oppressors ; and that racial and sexual identities are more important than our common status as human beings and Americans.
” Trump was responding to news reports , based on leaked anti-racism training materials , describing how white federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discomfort while listening to black colleagues talk about their pain .
In at least one session white males were asked to take responsibility for their heterosexual privilege and they were instructed that white male culture is associated with white supremacy and mass killings .
Trump ’ s order , which goes into effect Nov. 21 , has wide reach .
It applies to all federal contractors , which includes many universities , nonprofits and businesses .
But the White House was already moving against anti-racism activities before the executive order .
When Princeton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September declaring that anti-black racism is spread deeply throughout the Ivy League school , the Trump Education Department evidently called Princeton ’ s bluff by treating the mea culpa literally – announcing an investigation under federal anti-discrimination law .
Ordinary workers are paying the price for dissenting from the new workplace ethos .
This summer Silicon Valley networking giant Cisco Systems fired several employees who posted “ Black lives don ’ t matter .
All Lives Matter ” and other disapproving comments during a virtual all-hands diversity forum , according to Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white data analyst for the Civis Analytics consulting firm in Chicago , was canned in June merely for tweeting out a link to a study by black Princeton University professor Omar Wasow concluding that violent race riots in 1968 had a consequence unwelcome to the protesters : tipping that year ’ s presidential election to Republican Richard Nixon .
The trend is “ a sign of the times , ” said Ann-Marie Ahern , an employment lawyer in Cleveland at McCarthy , Lebit , Crystal & Liffman .
“ In recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people terminated for taking a position on one of these issues that is inconsistent with the position of the employer.
” Ahern said the employees in question were fired for harshly criticizing the social justice tenet of “ white privilege ” and using language that their employers found racially insensitive .
She has also heard from people who experienced repercussions for expressing anti-LGBTQ views “ in terms that have been less than respectful.
” What ’ s noteworthy about these cases is that the individuals lost their jobs or were disciplined for posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for expressing the views at work .
At the federal level , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden could rescind Trump ’ s executive order if elected , and it is not binding on businesses that don ’ t have federal contracts .
In fact , the practices the order seeks to ban are increasingly accepted .
“ The overarching question is : Should companies be involved in social issues at all ? ''
said Robert Föehl , a professor of business ethics and business law at Ohio University in Athens , Ohio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite honestly , is that customers , employees , investors and communities expect them to .
And companies are trying to meet these expectations.
” At some companies , it ’ s the workers who are demanding the right to express support for social causes in the workplace and pushing their employers to become advocates .
Some have pushed back against companies that have disciplined and dismissed employees for expressing social justice views in violation of company dress code policy .
For example , at the Whole Foods and Whataburger chains , employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear Black Lives Matter buttons and facemasks in customer-facing jobs .
Starbucks recently reversed its ban on divisive political messages and said it will allow employees to wear Black Lives Matter shirts and slogans .
Employment lawyers say that people who work for private employers have limited rights under the nation ’ s well-established at-will employment doctrine .
Employers can discipline and dismiss workers for any reason , including a bad reason or no reason , as long as they don ’ t violate discrimination laws covering protected categories such as race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed the basis of the EEOC complaint against Kroger , because those employees had requested special accommodations for their beliefs .
Civil servants and other public employees also have some First Amendment protections , and about half the states allow political expression as an exception to the at-will employment doctrine , but the exceptions can be very limited , according to a 2012 analysis .
“ It ’ s really important that people don ’ t overestimate the rights they have in the workplace , ” Ahern said .
“ The employees need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a right to say ‘ no ’ to this.
” A recent article in Harvard Business Review titled “ We ’ re Entering the Age of Corporate Social Justice ” said programs under the feel-good rubric of corporate social responsibility , or CSR , are being supplanted by wholesale commitments to moral causes as central to the corporate mission .
“ Where CSR is often realized through a secondary or even vanity program tacked onto a company ’ s main business , ” the article stated , “ Corporate Social Justice requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way a company functions.
” In outlining Duke University ’ s anti-racist mission , President Price declared there is “ overwhelming evidence ” that systemic racism in the United States creates unequal opportunities , and chastised skeptics who “ choose to explain away these disparities.
” Price urged employees to reflect on how systemic racism manifests itself in their churches , neighborhoods and their families .
Furthermore , Duke employees “ must ” begin the work of “ personal transformation ” to become committed to anti-racist reforms , Price declared .
Because Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutional culture committed to progressive values , it offers a vivid example of how such institutional changes affect employees personally and emotionally .
“ Duke has a tremendous opportunity to course-correct things , not only within our organization but the communities we service , ” said Jessica Johnson , administrative director at Duke University Hospital in Durham .
“ The main hospital in 90 years old .
In those nine decades , to the best of my knowledge , I ’ ve not seen a movement with so much momentum.
” Johnson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made her comments in an hour-long video testimonial about race and racism , called Black Women @ Duke and in America , as part of Duke ’ s institutional response to the Floyd killing in May .
Johnson discussed her anxiety at being perceived as a “ diversity hire ” and a “ quota filler , ” and how overcoming those negative stereotypes is “ an everyday struggle ” for her .
Thomas Pfau , a professor of Germanic languages and literature , said by phone that he fully agrees with Price ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , and he wholeheartedly supports many of the proposed remedies – such as financial aid for African American students and salary equity for African American faculty and employees .
But Pfau is troubled by Price ’ s statement that this vision of American society will become obligatory in courses , research and diversity trainings .
When asked if Price ’ s letter contains echoes of 1930s Germany , Pfau acknowledged that “ it has come to mind.
” “ Obviously , President Price 's intention is noble and sound , and thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , ” Pfau said by email .
“ Still , to compel Duke faculty and students to offer public testimonials , as part of some mandatory training session , as to how they have enjoyed an undeserved privilege all these years , risks generating an atmosphere of moral coercion.
” '' There would be a point where I would draw the line and would not be comfortable in participating in what might shape up to be a sort-of re-education session , '' Pfau said .
Gregory Kamer , an employment lawyer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes the notion that at-will employment law gives workers in private companies no rights to resist social justice initiatives that some employees see as heavy-handed .
Kamer , who worked as counsel to the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for two years in the 1980s , said employees who find these workplaces practices offensive or discriminatory could fight back in the courts by claiming they are being subjected to a hostile work environment under federal anti-discrimination law .
“ The bottom line is : Employees will resent this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations.]
By John Murawski
Real Clear Investigations
A white physician working in Raleigh, N.C., says he has participated in multiple diversity training exercises – including two in the last two years – without a fuss. But he was taken aback when his employer, Duke University Health System, said this summer it will roll out a comprehensive strategy to purge the last vestiges of racism from the workplace.
The way it looks to him, Duke basically wants him to admit he’s a racist and repent.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Like a growing number of organizations around the country responding to the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, Duke is adopting anti-racist advocacy as an organizational mission. That mission doesn’t mention time-honored workplace goals like color-blindness, meritocracy, or equal opportunity; instead, its target is the so-called complicity of America and its citizens in “structural racism,” “oppression,” and denialism.
“I feel like my employer is calling me 'racist' and I then saying I must agree,” the doctor, who requested anonymity, told RealClearInvestigations. He said he is troubled that Duke’s leadership is imposing its political ideology on staff, implicating employees in a sweeping moral narrative, and dedicating itself to the task of “uncovering this hidden racism the employer is sure lurks within.”
Workers are coming under increasing pressure to support social justice programs on race and gender that would have been considered radical just a few years ago and too divisive to be injected into the workplace. Now an organization’s commitment to fighting racism and identity-related “phobias” increasingly involves encouraging, pressing, or even requiring workers to get behind the company’s social justice mission. And it can spell trouble for employees who balk or publicly disagree.
Duke University President Vincent Price suggested in a June email that his take on American social relations is not up for debate, and that employees who dissent should reflect on their personal shortcomings.
“I cannot as a white person begin to fully understand the daily fear and pain and oppression that is endemic to the Black experience,” Price said in his email. “Ultimately, real progress will require an embrace of both personal and institutional humility, admitting to our blindness, our lack of understanding, and confusion.”
Price’s consciousness-raising is part of a growing movement. Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, Boeing and other corporations are vowing to revamp their cultures and pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to diversity causes and organizations. Major firms are promising to move quickly to increase African American representation in executive management and leadership roles. Some companies, such as Starbucks and Microsoft, are tying executive compensation to meeting aggressive diversity targets, while a few are even experimenting with offering reparations to black customers.
Executives and managers are setting a confessional tone of guilt and penance, typical of anti-racism workshops, for all employees to emulate.
“I must continue my journey of understanding and empathy and examine actions I take, or don’t take, every day,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a June email to employees. “I take accountability for my own continued learning on the realities of privilege, inequity and race and modeling the behavior I want to see in the world.”
Such perspectives are filtering down to the rank and file. Workplace wokeness can take the form of employees confessing to their unearned white privilege in diversity training sessions, workers wearing social justice slogans on the job, and employees participating in company-sponsored 8-minute 46-second moments of silence for George Floyd. It’s too early to tell if these cultural changes will become a permanent feature of the workplace, but some employees find them inappropriate, intrusive or even coercive, even as others feel they are long overdue.
To supporters, they are not impingements on personal conscience but compassionate and enlightened responses to deeply ingrained structures of oppression, ones that produce unequal outcomes for people of color in life expectancy, household income, education level, incarceration rates and other measures. With the belief that doing nothing is supporting the status quo, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health declared in June that employees who do not get involved are part of the problem: “We each must choose to be allies, as standing by idly or silently is to be complicit in perpetuating racist systems and structures.”
The backlash has been almost immediate. Just last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a religious discrimination complaint against Kroger Co., the grocery chain, for firing two conservative Christian employees who refused to wear mandatory rainbow hearts on their work aprons in an Arkansas store because, they said, it constituted advocacy for LGBTQ causes. The women’s attorney, David Hogue, said he is representing about 10 other Kroger employees who are seeking a religious exemption from wearing the hearts on their smocks.
Also last month, President Trump issued an executive order banning racial and gender stereotyping in federal agencies and by federal contractors. What Trump had in mind wasn’t old-fashioned chauvinists and bigots – he was targeting racial-sensitivity workshops informed by a doctrine known as critical race theory.
“Many people are pushing a different vision of America that is grounded in hierarchies based on collective social and political identities rather than in the inherent and equal dignity of every person as an individual,” the executive order states. “This ideology is rooted in the pernicious and false belief that America is an irredeemably racist and sexist country; that some people, simply on account of their race or sex, are oppressors; and that racial and sexual identities are more important than our common status as human beings and Americans.”
Trump was responding to news reports, based on leaked anti-racism training materials, describing how white federal workers were required to sit silently in discomfort while listening to black colleagues talk about their pain. In at least one session white males were asked to take responsibility for their heterosexual privilege and they were instructed that white male culture is associated with white supremacy and mass killings.
Trump’s order, which goes into effect Nov. 21, has wide reach. It applies to all federal contractors, which includes many universities, nonprofits and businesses. But the White House was already moving against anti-racism activities before the executive order. When Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber issued a letter in September declaring that anti-black racism is spread deeply throughout the Ivy League school, the Trump Education Department evidently called Princeton’s bluff by treating the mea culpa literally – announcing an investigation under federal anti-discrimination law.
Ordinary workers are paying the price for dissenting from the new workplace ethos. This summer Silicon Valley networking giant Cisco Systems fired several employees who posted “Black lives don’t matter. All Lives Matter” and other disapproving comments during a virtual all-hands diversity forum, according to Bloomberg News.
Meanwhile, David Shor, a white data analyst for the Civis Analytics consulting firm in Chicago, was canned in June merely for tweeting out a link to a study by black Princeton University professor Omar Wasow concluding that violent race riots in 1968 had a consequence unwelcome to the protesters: tipping that year’s presidential election to Republican Richard Nixon.
The trend is “a sign of the times,” said Ann-Marie Ahern, an employment lawyer in Cleveland at McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman. “In recent months I’ve had several calls from people terminated for taking a position on one of these issues that is inconsistent with the position of the employer.”
Ahern said the employees in question were fired for harshly criticizing the social justice tenet of “white privilege” and using language that their employers found racially insensitive. She has also heard from people who experienced repercussions for expressing anti-LGBTQ views “in terms that have been less than respectful.”
What’s noteworthy about these cases is that the individuals lost their jobs or were disciplined for posting private opinions on social media, not for expressing the views at work.
At the federal level, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden could rescind Trump’s executive order if elected, and it is not binding on businesses that don’t have federal contracts. In fact, the practices the order seeks to ban are increasingly accepted.
“The overarching question is: Should companies be involved in social issues at all?" said Robert Föehl, a professor of business ethics and business law at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. "The overwhelming response to that, quite honestly, is that customers, employees, investors and communities expect them to. And companies are trying to meet these expectations.”
At some companies, it’s the workers who are demanding the right to express support for social causes in the workplace and pushing their employers to become advocates. Some have pushed back against companies that have disciplined and dismissed employees for expressing social justice views in violation of company dress code policy. For example, at the Whole Foods and Whataburger chains, employees have taken legal action for the right to wear Black Lives Matter buttons and facemasks in customer-facing jobs. Starbucks recently reversed its ban on divisive political messages and said it will allow employees to wear Black Lives Matter shirts and slogans.
Employment lawyers say that people who work for private employers have limited rights under the nation’s well-established at-will employment doctrine. Employers can discipline and dismiss workers for any reason, including a bad reason or no reason, as long as they don’t violate discrimination laws covering protected categories such as race, national origin and religion. Religion formed the basis of the EEOC complaint against Kroger, because those employees had requested special accommodations for their beliefs.
Civil servants and other public employees also have some First Amendment protections, and about half the states allow political expression as an exception to the at-will employment doctrine, but the exceptions can be very limited, according to a 2012 analysis.
“It’s really important that people don’t overestimate the rights they have in the workplace,” Ahern said. “The employees need to be aware that they may not have a right to say ‘no’ to this.”
A recent article in Harvard Business Review titled “We’re Entering the Age of Corporate Social Justice” said programs under the feel-good rubric of corporate social responsibility, or CSR, are being supplanted by wholesale commitments to moral causes as central to the corporate mission.
“Where CSR is often realized through a secondary or even vanity program tacked onto a company’s main business,” the article stated, “Corporate Social Justice requires deep integration with every aspect of the way a company functions.”
In outlining Duke University’s anti-racist mission, President Price declared there is “overwhelming evidence” that systemic racism in the United States creates unequal opportunities, and chastised skeptics who “choose to explain away these disparities.” Price urged employees to reflect on how systemic racism manifests itself in their churches, neighborhoods and their families. Furthermore, Duke employees “must” begin the work of “personal transformation” to become committed to anti-racist reforms, Price declared.
Because Duke has been so public about creating an institutional culture committed to progressive values, it offers a vivid example of how such institutional changes affect employees personally and emotionally.
“Duke has a tremendous opportunity to course-correct things, not only within our organization but the communities we service,” said Jessica Johnson, administrative director at Duke University Hospital in Durham. “The main hospital in 90 years old. In those nine decades, to the best of my knowledge, I’ve not seen a movement with so much momentum.”
Johnson is one of four African American women who made her comments in an hour-long video testimonial about race and racism, called Black Women @Duke and in America, as part of Duke’s institutional response to the Floyd killing in May.
Johnson discussed her anxiety at being perceived as a “diversity hire” and a “quota filler,” and how overcoming those negative stereotypes is “an everyday struggle” for her.
Thomas Pfau, a professor of Germanic languages and literature, said by phone that he fully agrees with Price’s depiction of America’s systemic racism, and he wholeheartedly supports many of the proposed remedies – such as financial aid for African American students and salary equity for African American faculty and employees.
But Pfau is troubled by Price’s statement that this vision of American society will become obligatory in courses, research and diversity trainings. When asked if Price’s letter contains echoes of 1930s Germany, Pfau acknowledged that “it has come to mind.”
“Obviously, President Price's intention is noble and sound, and thus stands in sharpest contrast with what transpired then,” Pfau said by email. “Still, to compel Duke faculty and students to offer public testimonials, as part of some mandatory training session, as to how they have enjoyed an undeserved privilege all these years, risks generating an atmosphere of moral coercion.”
"There would be a point where I would draw the line and would not be comfortable in participating in what might shape up to be a sort-of re-education session," Pfau said.
Gregory Kamer, an employment lawyer at Kamer Zucker Abbott in Las Vegas, disputes the notion that at-will employment law gives workers in private companies no rights to resist social justice initiatives that some employees see as heavy-handed.
Kamer, who worked as counsel to the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for two years in the 1980s, said employees who find these workplaces practices offensive or discriminatory could fight back in the courts by claiming they are being subjected to a hostile work environment under federal anti-discrimination law.
“The bottom line is: Employees will resent this,” Kamer said.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations.]


wnd--2020-10-21--'Good Old Days' of hanging chads recalled

Even without Florida ’ s `` hanging chads '' of 2000 , Trump vs. Biden is already showing signs that it will give Bush vs. Gore a run for its money in the Election Litigation Debacle Derby .
This year ’ s race is already being fought out in courts across the country because of the surge in mail-in ballots – and there is every expectation that the battles will continue and intensify after Nov. 3 .
TRENDING : Joy Behar tries to dox Trump fan on national television Mail-in voting in the national election is expected to almost double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by fears of COVID-19 and also encouraged by progressive special interest groups who have long argued it encourages voter participation .
In response , there are currently more than a dozen cases in federal and state courts dealing with mail balloting , according to the 2020 Election Litigation Tracker .
Most of the cases are being heard in state courts and involve efforts to modify existing laws in order to make it easier to vote .
Questions include the legality of extending deadlines for when people can register to vote and when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be signed in the presence of witnesses ; and whether a third party can deliver ballots .
Even the drop boxes for mail ballots have been part of legal squabbles .
In Texas , the state ’ s decision to place one collection box per county was unsuccessfully challenged in court by a group including the National League of United Latin American Citizens and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus .
In many instances , the courts are rewriting election laws .
On Monday , for example , the U.S. Supreme Court let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase the number of days during which ballots can be accepted .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Monday restored the Texas procedure for rejecting ballots with mismatched signatures without giving the voters a chance to fix the flaw .
A lower court previously had ruled in favor of a change to allow voters to address the problem .
The lawsuits follow a similar pattern .
Almost everywhere , Democrats , who expect many of their supporters to vote by mail , are pushing to ease restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot access , they are seeking to relax requirements in some states that require a witness also signs an absentee ballot while also trying to extend the time a mail ballot can be received .
“ The thinking is that previously , voting by mail is mostly an option , but the reason we ’ re seeing more lawsuits to allow voters to ‘ cure ’ their ballot is because it seems a public health necessity to vote by mail , ” said Mara Suttmann-Lea , a professor at Connecticut College , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not so much an option at this time.
” Republicans , for the most part , are opposing such measures , arguing that judges should not be rewriting elections laws passed by legislatures .
“ There is a state-by-state battle over this , with lawsuits in almost every state , where the progressive left is trying to change the rules in place for absentee ballots , ” said Hans von Spakovsky , a former elections official in Fairfax County , Va. , and a lawyer at the conservative Heritage Foundation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , are almost certainly creating a scenario for widely contested elections and prolonged vote counts , from tight congressional races to the presidential election .
“ You should not be changing the rules in the middle of the election , ” von Spakovsky said .
Fixing flawed ballots , he added , may sound good in theory .
“ But from a practical standpoint , where in the past you might have a couple hundred ballots where people screwed up , now you have tens of thousands .
Imagine having to contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks.
” The court cases have produced a mixed result of victories and losses for both sides .
What is clear is that mail-in ballots are often problematic -– around 1 % of the 33.2 million ballots cast by mail nationwide in 2016 were rejected .
The issues have intensified this year , in part because mail-in votes are being scrutinized more closely .
President Trump and many Republicans insist that loosening the mail ballot rules and extending the receipt time increases the chances of mail ballot fraud or error , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular party , and poor or hurried oversight during the counting process .
Reported voter fraud cases are relatively rare .
Nevertheless , the illegal collection of mail ballots on behalf of a Republican congressional candidate in North Carolina in 2018 caused the election results to be thrown out and the election had to be held again .
The Heritage Foundation ’ s election fraud database lists 14 convictions of individuals in 2020 .
There have been probes and convictions this year in many states including Arizona , Indiana , New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a judge invalidated the City Council election in Paterson , N.J. , because of widespread voter fraud .
Law enforcement in Texas has prosecuted numerous cases of ballot fraud , although authorities there insist they are barely scratching the surface of the practice due to limited resources .
Election experts say partisans on both sides will scour ballots for signs of fraud they can litigate .
The larger battle involves ballots that are rejected for a variety of reasons .
In New Jersey ’ s May primary , thousands of blank mail ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around one in 10 mail ballots were rejected , most commonly because of unmatched signatures .
In New York City ’ s Democratic primary in June , one in five ballots was rejected , and it took six weeks to determine the winners in two congressional contests .
The city ’ s Board of Elections found the ballots were tossed for arriving late , failing to include a voter ’ s signature or lacking a required postmark .
The Washington Post reported in August that “ more than 534,000 mail ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year.
” It said the ballots were disallowed for a variety of reasons – including late arrival and lack of proper signatures – and that a similar rejection rate during the general election has the potential to tip a close race .
To handle the increase in mail ballots , most elections offices , with the help of $ 400 million in CARES Act funding dedicated to states for election costs , have beefed up their temporary staffing .
Some states are opening and tallying votes each day and week in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 .
Cuyahoga County , Ohio , with 1.2 million people , expects to receive 250,000 mail-in ballots , more than double the usual number .
The votes can ’ t be counted until Election Day , but mail ballots are being opened and processed .
Voters whose ballots are not properly filled out are contacted and have until seven days after the election to correct their errors .
“ They are running a full-scale post office , and have a desk with two people , one Democrat and one Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a database on their laptop , ” said Aaron Ockerman , executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials .
“ It used to be that if a ballot had incorrect information , the only option we had was for the board of elections to send a form to that voter , ” Ockerman said .
The secretary of state ’ s office , he said , is now encouraging counties to call the voter to advise them of a problem with their ballot .
The voter is then asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They prefer the voter hand-deliver the information to a collection box or to a main office .
“ Ballots have to be postmarked the day before Election Day , ” Ockerman said .
“ But with mailing back and forth , who knows how long that can take.
” Court cases in Georgia and North Carolina and legislation in New Jersey have allowed more time to cure a mail ballot that would have previously been rejected , giving a voter an opportunity to fix a mismatched signature or otherwise errant ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots with a signature that doesn ’ t match their voter registration on file are given a “ cure affidavit , ” which allows them to provide a copy of their identification or other required information to allow their vote to be reconsidered .
A ballot lacking the proper information or a mismatched signature is set aside and the voter is contacted .
“ The day we get a ballot , the process starts , ” said Steve Vancore , spokesman for the Broward County elections office in Florida .
The fix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , email or in person .
“ We call , email and send a postcard , all at once.
” The Broward office has hired 150 extra people to handle the mail ballots , he said .
If the voter is motivated enough , he or she will fix the ballot , but many voters won ’ t respond .
“ Up to now , the people who vote by mail are people who are interested in the whole process , ” said Enrijeta Shino , an assistant professor of political science at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections and voting behavior .
“ We have known that people who vote by mail are more engaged.
” With this new group of mail voters , “ I would expect they are not as invested to follow through , mostly because they don ’ t know how , ” she said .
Democrats and some academics insist that voting by mail is necessary during a pandemic , and the resulting errors from those unaccustomed to the practice merit some leeway .
“ If this is a close election , and states aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballots as happened in New York , it will take quite a while to determine winners , ” von Spakovsky said .
“ And if the number of rejected ballots is larger than the margin of victory , we will get extended litigation over that.
” [ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations . ]

By Steve Miller
Real Clear Investigations
Even without Florida’s "hanging chads" of 2000, Trump vs. Biden is already showing signs that it will give Bush vs. Gore a run for its money in the Election Litigation Debacle Derby.
This year’s race is already being fought out in courts across the country because of the surge in mail-in ballots – and there is every expectation that the battles will continue and intensify after Nov. 3.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Mail-in voting in the national election is expected to almost double this year compared to 2016, spurred by fears of COVID-19 and also encouraged by progressive special interest groups who have long argued it encourages voter participation.
In response, there are currently more than a dozen cases in federal and state courts dealing with mail balloting, according to the 2020 Election Litigation Tracker. Most of the cases are being heard in state courts and involve efforts to modify existing laws in order to make it easier to vote. Questions include the legality of extending deadlines for when people can register to vote and when they can return absentee ballots; whether ballots must be signed in the presence of witnesses; and whether a third party can deliver ballots.
Even the drop boxes for mail ballots have been part of legal squabbles. In Texas, the state’s decision to place one collection box per county was unsuccessfully challenged in court by a group including the National League of United Latin American Citizens and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.
In many instances, the courts are rewriting election laws. On Monday, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a Pennsylvania court’s decision to increase the number of days during which ballots can be accepted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Monday restored the Texas procedure for rejecting ballots with mismatched signatures without giving the voters a chance to fix the flaw. A lower court previously had ruled in favor of a change to allow voters to address the problem.
The lawsuits follow a similar pattern. Almost everywhere, Democrats, who expect many of their supporters to vote by mail, are pushing to ease restrictions on mail-in ballots. In the name of ballot access, they are seeking to relax requirements in some states that require a witness also signs an absentee ballot while also trying to extend the time a mail ballot can be received.
“The thinking is that previously, voting by mail is mostly an option, but the reason we’re seeing more lawsuits to allow voters to ‘cure’ their ballot is because it seems a public health necessity to vote by mail,” said Mara Suttmann-Lea, a professor at Connecticut College, who studies voting reforms. “It’s not so much an option at this time.”
Republicans, for the most part, are opposing such measures, arguing that judges should not be rewriting elections laws passed by legislatures.
“There is a state-by-state battle over this, with lawsuits in almost every state, where the progressive left is trying to change the rules in place for absentee ballots,” said Hans von Spakovsky, a former elections official in Fairfax County, Va., and a lawyer at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
The late changes in the process, he said, are almost certainly creating a scenario for widely contested elections and prolonged vote counts, from tight congressional races to the presidential election.
“You should not be changing the rules in the middle of the election,” von Spakovsky said. Fixing flawed ballots, he added, may sound good in theory. “But from a practical standpoint, where in the past you might have a couple hundred ballots where people screwed up, now you have tens of thousands. Imagine having to contact that many voters; it will take weeks.”
The court cases have produced a mixed result of victories and losses for both sides. What is clear is that mail-in ballots are often problematic -– around 1% of the 33.2 million ballots cast by mail nationwide in 2016 were rejected. The issues have intensified this year, in part because mail-in votes are being scrutinized more closely.
President Trump and many Republicans insist that loosening the mail ballot rules and extending the receipt time increases the chances of mail ballot fraud or error, including the potential theft of ballots by agents of a particular party, and poor or hurried oversight during the counting process.
Reported voter fraud cases are relatively rare. Nevertheless, the illegal collection of mail ballots on behalf of a Republican congressional candidate in North Carolina in 2018 caused the election results to be thrown out and the election had to be held again.
The Heritage Foundation’s election fraud database lists 14 convictions of individuals in 2020. There have been probes and convictions this year in many states including Arizona, Indiana, New Hampshire and West Virginia. In August, a judge invalidated the City Council election in Paterson, N.J., because of widespread voter fraud.
Law enforcement in Texas has prosecuted numerous cases of ballot fraud, although authorities there insist they are barely scratching the surface of the practice due to limited resources.
Election experts say partisans on both sides will scour ballots for signs of fraud they can litigate.
The larger battle involves ballots that are rejected for a variety of reasons.
In New Jersey’s May primary, thousands of blank mail ballots were dumped in bulk at apartment complexes. Around one in 10 mail ballots were rejected, most commonly because of unmatched signatures. In New York City’s Democratic primary in June, one in five ballots was rejected, and it took six weeks to determine the winners in two congressional contests. The city’s Board of Elections found the ballots were tossed for arriving late, failing to include a voter’s signature or lacking a required postmark.
The Washington Post reported in August that “more than 534,000 mail ballots were rejected during the primaries across 23 states this year.” It said the ballots were disallowed for a variety of reasons – including late arrival and lack of proper signatures – and that a similar rejection rate during the general election has the potential to tip a close race.
To handle the increase in mail ballots, most elections offices, with the help of $400 million in CARES Act funding dedicated to states for election costs, have beefed up their temporary staffing. Some states are opening and tallying votes each day and week in order to avoid a prolonged counting period starting Nov. 3.
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, with 1.2 million people, expects to receive 250,000 mail-in ballots, more than double the usual number. The votes can’t be counted until Election Day, but mail ballots are being opened and processed. Voters whose ballots are not properly filled out are contacted and have until seven days after the election to correct their errors.
“They are running a full-scale post office, and have a desk with two people, one Democrat and one Republican, verifying the information on those ballots, through a database on their laptop,” said Aaron Ockerman, executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials.
“It used to be that if a ballot had incorrect information, the only option we had was for the board of elections to send a form to that voter,” Ockerman said.
The secretary of state’s office, he said, is now encouraging counties to call the voter to advise them of a problem with their ballot. The voter is then asked to provide the correct information in written form. They prefer the voter hand-deliver the information to a collection box or to a main office.
“Ballots have to be postmarked the day before Election Day,” Ockerman said. “But with mailing back and forth, who knows how long that can take.”
Court cases in Georgia and North Carolina and legislation in New Jersey have allowed more time to cure a mail ballot that would have previously been rejected, giving a voter an opportunity to fix a mismatched signature or otherwise errant ballot.
In Florida, voters who return mail-in ballots with a signature that doesn’t match their voter registration on file are given a “cure affidavit,” which allows them to provide a copy of their identification or other required information to allow their vote to be reconsidered.
A ballot lacking the proper information or a mismatched signature is set aside and the voter is contacted. “The day we get a ballot, the process starts,” said Steve Vancore, spokesman for the Broward County elections office in Florida. The fix, he added, can come via fax, email or in person. “We call, email and send a postcard, all at once.”
The Broward office has hired 150 extra people to handle the mail ballots, he said.
If the voter is motivated enough, he or she will fix the ballot, but many voters won’t respond. “Up to now, the people who vote by mail are people who are interested in the whole process,” said Enrijeta Shino, an assistant professor of political science at the University of North Florida who studies elections and voting behavior. “We have known that people who vote by mail are more engaged.”
With this new group of mail voters, “I would expect they are not as invested to follow through, mostly because they don’t know how,” she said.
Democrats and some academics insist that voting by mail is necessary during a pandemic, and the resulting errors from those unaccustomed to the practice merit some leeway.
“If this is a close election, and states aren’t prepared to process and count the ballots as happened in New York, it will take quite a while to determine winners,” von Spakovsky said. “And if the number of rejected ballots is larger than the margin of victory, we will get extended litigation over that.”
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Investigations.]


wnd--2020-10-21--Grant funded by Zuckerberg used to boost Dem vote

Grant money funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is being used to improve vote turnout in a Democrat stronghold .
Officials in Philadelphia obtained a grant from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civil Life by promising to open 800 polling places and grow voting to as many as 800,000 , reported Just the News .
Paperwork that became public under a federal court order confirms `` millions of dollars in nonprofit grant money donated by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is being used to quadruple the number of voting places and massively grow the number of ballots cast in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The information became public as part of a lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society .
TRENDING : Joy Behar tries to dox Trump fan on national television The papers show city officials wanted to have four times the 190 polling places that opened during a primary election earlier this year .
They estimated that would amount to an additional 120,000 voters .
Philadelphia officials successfuly applied for $ 10 million to implement their expansion of polling places .
The CTCL , which approved the grant request , is being funded largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250 million then revealed an additional $ 100 million donation .
Phill Kline , a counsel involved in the Thomas More Society lawsuit , alleges `` the money is wrongly privatizing an election function that should be handled entirely by government and that the grants are targeting mostly Democratic strongholds , raising questions of election interference . ''
JTN reported that of the top 20 CTCL grants , totaling close to $ 63 million , only one , for a modest $ 289,000 , had gone to a county Trump won in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , show the money donated by Zuckerberg to CTCL and given to the city is being used `` to compensate poll workers with 'hazard pay , ' including election judges who decide ballot integrity issues . ''
The $ 10 million grant also includes some $ 5 million to buy equipment to process increased mail-in and absentee ballots .
CTCL and city officials did not respond to requests for comment , JTN said .
But Kline told the publication the documents show `` Zuckerberg 's funding is designed more to improve Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania than to address the COVID-19 crisis . ''
`` This privatization of elections undermines the integrity of the election by using government to play favorites , '' he said .
`` Government targeting a demographic to increase turnout is the opposite side of the same coin as government targeting a demographic to suppress the vote . ''

Grant money funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is being used to improve vote turnout in a Democrat stronghold.
Officials in Philadelphia obtained a grant from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civil Life by promising to open 800 polling places and grow voting to as many as 800,000, reported Just the News.
Paperwork that became public under a federal court order confirms "millions of dollars in nonprofit grant money donated by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is being used to quadruple the number of voting places and massively grow the number of ballots cast in the Democratic stronghold on Nov. 3."
The information became public as part of a lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The papers show city officials wanted to have four times the 190 polling places that opened during a primary election earlier this year. They estimated that would amount to an additional 120,000 voters.
The city routinely votes about 80% Democrat.
Philadelphia officials successfuly applied for $10 million to implement their expansion of polling places.
The CTCL, which approved the grant request, is being funded largely by Zuckerberg, who recently donated $250 million then revealed an additional $100 million donation.
Phill Kline, a counsel involved in the Thomas More Society lawsuit, alleges "the money is wrongly privatizing an election function that should be handled entirely by government and that the grants are targeting mostly Democratic strongholds, raising questions of election interference."
JTN reported that of the top 20 CTCL grants, totaling close to $63 million, only one, for a modest $289,000, had gone to a county Trump won in 2016.
The records, according to the report, show the money donated by Zuckerberg to CTCL and given to the city is being used "to compensate poll workers with 'hazard pay,' including election judges who decide ballot integrity issues."
The $10 million grant also includes some $5 million to buy equipment to process increased mail-in and absentee ballots.
CTCL and city officials did not respond to requests for comment, JTN said.
But Kline told the publication the documents show "Zuckerberg's funding is designed more to improve Democrat turnout in a key battleground state like Pennsylvania than to address the COVID-19 crisis."
"This privatization of elections undermines the integrity of the election by using government to play favorites," he said. "Government targeting a demographic to increase turnout is the opposite side of the same coin as government targeting a demographic to suppress the vote."


wnd--2020-10-21--Pro wrestler Príncipe Aéreo dead at age 26 after collapsing during match

Fans present at a wrestling match between Luis Ángel Salazar , known in the ring as `` Príncipe Aéreo , '' and `` Redeemed '' on Saturday night watched as 26-year-old Salazar collapsed on the mat .
The tag-team match was being held east of the Mexican capital , in Ciudad Netzahualcóyotl , at Arena San Juan Pantitlán .
Video of the match shows the wrestler had just received slaps to the chest and a kick to the stomach from Redeemed , but shortly after he staggered sideways and fell flat on his back .
Salazar 's opponent seemed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon the referee was involved , too .
Another wrestler even kicked Redeemed while he was kneeling next to Salazar , but soon he too realized this was n't part of the evening 's plans .
According to the BBC , medics entered the ring and began attending to Salazar , and he was taken across the street to a clinic , but he was already gone .
TRENDING : Joy Behar tries to dox Trump fan on national television Rumors spread about the cause of death being a heart attack , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ruptured middle cerebral artery that claimed the life of the 26-year-old .
Salazar 's passing has elicited an outpouring of support and condolences from around the world .
`` My deepest condolences to the family , friends and fans of luchador Principe Aereo , who died in the ring , following an apparent stroke , '' former WWE star Mick Foley tweeted .
Other wrestling events have held moments of applause to remember the young wrestler .
`` The Naucalpan Arena gave a minute of applause to Príncipe Aéreo , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Very sad news about the death of # PrincipeAereo , '' a translation of a tweet from wrestler `` El Hijo del Santo '' says .
`` I wish his family prompt resignation and eternal rest for him . ''
Principe had been wrestling for around a decade , and many are shocked that he has been taken at such a young age .
Wrestlers and the organizer of the match , The Mexa Wrestling company , have volunteered to pay for the medical and funeral costs as well as raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time of loss .
Did you know that The Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English , for international audiences ?
Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español !
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Fans present at a wrestling match between Luis Ángel Salazar, known in the ring as "Príncipe Aéreo," and "Redeemed" on Saturday night watched as 26-year-old Salazar collapsed on the mat.
The tag-team match was being held east of the Mexican capital, in Ciudad Netzahualcóyotl, at Arena San Juan Pantitlán.
Video of the match shows the wrestler had just received slaps to the chest and a kick to the stomach from Redeemed, but shortly after he staggered sideways and fell flat on his back. Salazar's opponent seemed to quickly notice something was wrong, and soon the referee was involved, too.
Another wrestler even kicked Redeemed while he was kneeling next to Salazar, but soon he too realized this wasn't part of the evening's plans.
According to the BBC, medics entered the ring and began attending to Salazar, and he was taken across the street to a clinic, but he was already gone.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Rumors spread about the cause of death being a heart attack, but the autopsy showed that it was actually a ruptured middle cerebral artery that claimed the life of the 26-year-old.
Salazar's passing has elicited an outpouring of support and condolences from around the world.
"My deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of luchador Principe Aereo, who died in the ring, following an apparent stroke," former WWE star Mick Foley tweeted.
"Rest in peace Principe."
Other wrestling events have held moments of applause to remember the young wrestler.
La Arena Naucalpan rindió un minuto de aplausos a Príncipe Aéreo pic.twitter.com/hAhBKET7Bn — Más Lucha 14 Años (@mas_lucha) October 19, 2020
"The Naucalpan Arena gave a minute of applause to Príncipe Aéreo," the Más Lucha 14 Años twitter account shared.
"Very sad news about the death of #PrincipeAereo," a translation of a tweet from wrestler "El Hijo del Santo" says. "I wish his family prompt resignation and eternal rest for him."
Muy triste noticia el fallecimiento de #PrincipeAereo deseo pronta resignación a su familia y para él descanso eterno. — El Hijo del Santo (@ElHijodelSanto) October 18, 2020
Principe had been wrestling for around a decade, and many are shocked that he has been taken at such a young age.
Wrestlers and the organizer of the match, The Mexa Wrestling company, have volunteered to pay for the medical and funeral costs as well as raise money to help out his family during this time of loss.
Did you know that The Western Journal now publishes some content in Spanish as well as English, for international audiences? Click here to read this article on The Western Journal en Español!
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-10-21--Joe Biden's tax plan would be highest increase in 3 decades

If Joe Biden is elected president , his proposed tax plan will increase the combined statutory rate in California to 62 % for people making more than $ 400,000 , the highest rate in three decades , according to a tax group .
The Tax Foundation , a low-tax advocacy group , said that in New Jersey , the combined statutory rates would also likely be above 60 % for those earning more than $ 1 million , and about 58.2 % in New York City , DailyMail.com reported .
Already , rapper 50 Cent has reacted to the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump because he does n't want to become `` 20 Cent . ''
TRENDING : Joy Behar tries to dox Trump fan on national television On Twitter , he called a 62 % rate `` a very bad idea . ''
The statutory tax rate , DailyMail.com explained , is the rate on taxable income within a particular tax bracket while the effective tax rate is the percentage of income actually paid , taking into account deductions and exemptions .
Under Biden 's plan , the effective tax rate for those with incomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would increase to 39.8 % from 26.8 % .
Biden also proposes a payroll tax of 12.4 % on salaries over $ 400,000 that would be split between the employer and the employee .
The Tax Foundation points out such increases often are passed on to the employee .
It that happens , the group says , the top combined statutory rates might soar to more than 65 % in California , 62.9 % in New Jersey and 64.7 % in New York .
WND noted in June that when a Democratic former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent vowed to the American people that , if elected , he would raise their taxes , it did n't turn out well for the Democrat .
At a virtual event in June , Biden told potential donors he would end most of President Trump 's multitrillion-dollar tax cuts , even though `` a lot of you may not like that . ''
Biden said that prior to the coronavirus lockdown , Trump 's `` irresponsible sugar-high tax cuts had already pushed us into a trillion-dollar deficit . ''
`` I 'm going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's $ 2 trillion tax cut , '' Biden said , `` and a lot of you may not like that , but I 'm going to close loopholes like capital gains and stepped-up basis . ''
Biden also vowed to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 % .
The Trump plan reduced corporate taxes to 21 % from 35 % .
In 1984 , the moderate Mondale also said he would raise taxes only on the wealthy .
`` Mr. Reagan will raise taxes , and so will I , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nomination .
`` He wo n't tell you .
I just did . ''

If Joe Biden is elected president, his proposed tax plan will increase the combined statutory rate in California to 62% for people making more than $400,000, the highest rate in three decades, according to a tax group.
The Tax Foundation, a low-tax advocacy group, said that in New Jersey, the combined statutory rates would also likely be above 60% for those earning more than $1 million, and about 58.2% in New York City, DailyMail.com reported.
Already, rapper 50 Cent has reacted to the news, announcing he will vote for President Trump because he doesn't want to become "20 Cent."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
On Twitter, he called a 62% rate "a very bad idea."
👀Yeah, i don’t want to be 20cent. 62% is a very, very,bad idea. 😟i don’t like it ! #abcforlife nov 18 #starzgettheapp pic.twitter.com/y9TsSs0o6Q — 50cent (@50cent) October 20, 2020
The statutory tax rate, DailyMail.com explained, is the rate on taxable income within a particular tax bracket while the effective tax rate is the percentage of income actually paid, taking into account deductions and exemptions.
Would JoeBiden's tax plan benefit 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. 0% (0 Votes) 100% (37 Votes)
Under Biden's plan, the effective tax rate for those with incomes of more than $400,000 per year would increase to 39.8% from 26.8%.
Biden also proposes a payroll tax of 12.4% on salaries over $400,000 that would be split between the employer and the employee.
The Tax Foundation points out such increases often are passed on to the employee. It that happens, the group says, the top combined statutory rates might soar to more than 65% in California, 62.9% in New Jersey and 64.7% in New York.
WND noted in June that when a Democratic former vice president running against a tax-cutting Republican incumbent vowed to the American people that, if elected, he would raise their taxes, it didn't turn out well for the Democrat.
Walter Mondale won a mere 13 electoral votes while President Ronald Reagan took 525.
At a virtual event in June, Biden told potential donors he would end most of President Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax cuts, even though "a lot of you may not like that."
Biden said that prior to the coronavirus lockdown, Trump's "irresponsible sugar-high tax cuts had already pushed us into a trillion-dollar deficit."
"I'm going to get rid of the bulk of Trump's $2 trillion tax cut," Biden said, "and a lot of you may not like that, but I'm going to close loopholes like capital gains and stepped-up basis."
Biden also vowed to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%. The Trump plan reduced corporate taxes to 21% from 35%.
In 1984, the moderate Mondale also said he would raise taxes only on the wealthy.
"Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I," he said in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination. "He won't tell you. I just did."