wnd--2020-09-26--Case of juror removed for receiving divine guidance gets new hearing

The 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday agreed to hear a full court appeal of a case in which a juror was dismissed for stating he received divine guidance during trial deliberations .
Former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown is asking for a retrial of her fraud case , arguing U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan wrongly removed a juror for telling other jurors he had prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit and believed Brown was innocent .
Brown was convicted in May 2017 on 18 counts of conspiracy , mail and wire fraud and tax charges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison .
The juror insisted he came to his conclusion based on the evidence , but the judge determined he had illegally `` received guidance '' from outside the trial and was relying on prayer to make his decision .
TRENDING : Democrats quietly backpedal from 'vote by mail ' as it backfires in real time Lea Patterson , legal counsel for the non-profit First Liberty , said the judges set a harmful standard .
`` Dismissing a deliberating juror for believing prayer is effective denies the noble and civic duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of Americans who seek divine guidance through prayer , '' Patterson said .
`` How is it possible that we demand a juror take an oath invoking God ’ s aid in rendering a verdict but then dismiss that same juror for taking that oath seriously ?
If this decision stands millions of Americans are disqualified from fulfilling their civic duty as jurors simply because they believe that God answers prayer . ''
First Liberty said Judge Corrigan questioned the juror , who confirmed that he had no `` political , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preclude [ him ] from serving as a fair and impartial juror '' and that he was not `` having any difficulties with any religious or moral beliefs that are , at this point , bearing on or interfering with [ his ] ability to decide the case on the facts presented and on the law as [ the court ] gave it to [ him ] in the instructions . ''
Brown sought a new trial , arguing the juror was improperly removed , but the district court denied the motion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit was rejected , prompting the request for a full hearing .
In the three-judge panel , Judge William Pryor dissented , contending that both the district court and his panel 's majority opinion misunderstood the nature of prayer .
He said that finding the juror ’ s religious expression inherently disqualifying beyond a reasonable doubt endangered the ability of qualified , religious citizens to serve on juries .

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday agreed to hear a full court appeal of a case in which a juror was dismissed for stating he received divine guidance during trial deliberations.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown is asking for a retrial of her fraud case, arguing U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan wrongly removed a juror for telling other jurors he had prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit and believed Brown was innocent.
Brown was convicted in May 2017 on 18 counts of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud and tax charges in a charity scam and sentenced to five years in prison.
The juror insisted he came to his conclusion based on the evidence, but the judge determined he had illegally "received guidance" from outside the trial and was relying on prayer to make his decision.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A three-judge panel rejected Brown's appeal, 2-1.
Lea Patterson, legal counsel for the non-profit First Liberty, said the judges set a harmful standard.
"Dismissing a deliberating juror for believing prayer is effective denies the noble and civic duty to serve as a juror to hundreds of millions of Americans who seek divine guidance through prayer," Patterson said. "How is it possible that we demand a juror take an oath invoking God’s aid in rendering a verdict but then dismiss that same juror for taking that oath seriously? If this decision stands millions of Americans are disqualified from fulfilling their civic duty as jurors simply because they believe that God answers prayer."
First Liberty said Judge Corrigan questioned the juror, who confirmed that he had no "political, religious, or moral beliefs that would preclude [him] from serving as a fair and impartial juror" and that he was not "having any difficulties with any religious or moral beliefs that are, at this point, bearing on or interfering with [his] ability to decide the case on the facts presented and on the law as [the court] gave it to [him] in the instructions."
Brown sought a new trial, arguing the juror was improperly removed, but the district court denied the motion and imposed a sentence.
Her appeal to a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit was rejected, prompting the request for a full hearing.
In the three-judge panel, Judge William Pryor dissented, contending that both the district court and his panel's majority opinion misunderstood the nature of prayer.
He said that finding the juror’s religious expression inherently disqualifying beyond a reasonable doubt endangered the ability of qualified, religious citizens to serve on juries.


wnd--2020-09-26--U.S. legislation proposes every citizen have Fed account in which they can store digital dollars

( CCNEWS24 ) At the beginning of the videoconference the Federal Reserve Bank first focused on the consequences of the @ @ @ @ @ of increasing the widespread interest of companies as well as individuals in digital services and @ @ @ @ @ that some payment technologies are more resilient , scalable and more flexible to respond to @ @ @ @ @ user ’ s behavior .
At the same time , however , he adds that @ @ @ @ @ evaluating payment technology for some time and also is investing in cloud technology along with @ @ @ @ @

(CCNEWS24) At the beginning of the videoconference the Federal Reserve Bank first focused on the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the sense of increasing the widespread interest of companies as well as individuals in digital services and faster connectivity.
FRB recognizes that some payment technologies are more resilient, scalable and more flexible to respond to such a rapid changes in user’s behavior. At the same time, however, he adds that the Federal Reserve has been evaluating payment technology for some time and also is investing in cloud technology along with initiatives to modernize platforms.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-09-28--Trump 'strongly demanding' Biden take drug test before or after debate

With the first presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday , President Trump on Sunday pressed again for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to take a drug test either before or after the event .
`` I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to , or after , the Debate on Tuesday night , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Naturally , I will agree to take one also . ''
The president said of Biden , `` His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN , to put it mildly .
Only drugs could have caused this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group This is not the first time Trump has brought up the issue , having told `` Fox & Friends '' this month he believed Barack Obama 's vice president was taking something to help his `` mental clarity . ''
`` I think he should take a drug test , '' Trump said at the time .
Biden fired back at the president 's initial demand , saying : `` I 'm looking forward to the debate and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just foolish . ''
`` Get ready , Mr. President .
Here I come , '' Biden added .
In response to the dispute , former Fox News contributor Dr. David Samadi said : `` There 's nothing wrong with both of you doing that .
It should be done for all candidates running for office . ''
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs

With the first presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday, President Trump on Sunday pressed again for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to take a drug test either before or after the event.
"I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, the Debate on Tuesday night," Trump tweeted. "Naturally, I will agree to take one also."
The president said of Biden, "His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy???"
I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, the Debate on Tuesday night. Naturally, I will agree to take one also. His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy??? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
This is not the first time Trump has brought up the issue, having told "Fox & Friends" this month he believed Barack Obama's vice president was taking something to help his "mental clarity."
"I think he should take a drug test," Trump said at the time.
Biden fired back at the president's initial demand, saying: "I'm looking forward to the debate and he's a fool. The comments are just foolish."
Should both Biden and Trump take drug tests before or after the presidential debate? 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. 97% (307 Votes) 3% (11 Votes)
"Get ready, Mr. President. Here I come," Biden added.
In response to the dispute, former Fox News contributor Dr. David Samadi said: "There's nothing wrong with both of you doing that. It should be done for all candidates running for office."
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs
Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeKovacsNews


wnd--2020-09-28--Princeton admits to being racist for PC points, prompting Trump to launch investigation

In the weeks and months following George Floyd 's death on May 25 , the presidents of America 's most prestigious colleges and universities have gone to their nearby tailors and all got fitted for a metaphorical hair shirt on race .
The itchier the shirt , the longer it was worn and the more publicly the wearer was in agony , the better .
It was like an expensive , bespoke suit if the purpose of the suit was self-flagellation .
If you were at the helm of any major institution of higher learning in these United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by pointing out just how perfidious you and your university had been in sentences composed mostly out of stock phrases like `` systemic racism , '' `` embedded structures of hate '' and `` institutionalized bigotry . ''
This is all so pro forma as to render the hair shirt wearer 's writhing and contorting meaningless , but they 're going to do it anyway , Take Christopher L. Eisgruber , president of Princeton University , for example .
Princeton is an ivory tower within an ivory tower , so it 's probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lacerating .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group It was so lacerating , in fact , that the Department of Education is now investigating the school for being racist because , well , it called itself racist to score points .
According to a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner , the investigation began after Eisgruber 's Sept. 2 letter to `` members of the Princeton community . ''
The letter is an update from a June statement in which , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet ... to develop plans to combat systemic racism at Princeton and beyond .
`` In my letter , I invited suggestions from all of you , and many individuals and groups responded , '' he wrote .
The conclusion he reached was that the university was a deeply racist place .
`` Racism and the damage it does to people of color nevertheless persist at Princeton as in our society , sometimes by conscious intention but more often through unexamined assumptions and stereotypes , ignorance or insensitivity , and the systemic legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eisgruber wrote .
`` Race-based inequities in America ’ s health care , policing , education , and employment systems affect profoundly the lives of our staff , students , and faculty of color .
`` Racist assumptions from the past also remain embedded in structures of the University itself .
For example , Princeton inherits from earlier generations at least nine departments and programs organized around European languages and culture , but only a single , relatively small program in African studies .
`` This summer ’ s effort to address systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we announced in June , '' he continued .
`` These included new funding for teaching , research , and service projects related to racial justice and the changes to the names of what are now the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and First College . ''
This transitioned into a bullet-pointed action plan that the university may or may not follow through on .
There are few concrete goals there -- and indeed , it 'd be inadvisable to put those forward , given that concrete goals would be tantamount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's illegal for institutions which receive federal funding .
That being said , without those concrete goals , there 's not much aside from the president of Princeton wearing the hair shirt -- which , in the end , might have been the entire point .
Under federal law , of course , schools that get financial assistance from the federal government ca n't be racist .
If they are , that 's a serious issue -- one that the Department of Education should get involved in .
`` Since you became President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well over $ 75 million in federal Title IV taxpayer funds alone , Princeton University ( 'Princeton ' ) has repeatedly represented and warranted to the U.S. Department of Education ( 'Department ' ) Princeton 's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , '' the Sept. 16 letter read .
`` Title VI provides no person in the United States shall , on the ground of race , color , or national origin , be excluded from participation in , be denied the benefits of , or be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity receiving Federal financial assistance .
Also , Princeton has made many material nondiscrimination and equal opportunity representations to students , parents , and consumers in the market for education certificates during this time . ''
But of course , Eisgruber admitted that Princeton had been racist -- exceptionally so , in fact .
`` Based on its admitted racism , the U.S. Department of Education ( 'Department ' ) is concerned Princeton ’ s nondiscrimination and equal opportunity assurances in its Program Participation Agreements from at least 2013 to the present may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read .
`` The Department is further concerned Princeton perhaps knew or should have known , these assurances were false at the time they were made .
`` Finally , the Department is further concerned Princeton ’ s many nondiscrimination and equal opportunity claims to students , parents , and consumers in the market for education certificates may have been false , misleading , and actionable substantial misrepresentations in violation of 20 U.S.C .
§ 1094 ( c ) ( 3 ) ( B ) and 34 CFR 668.71 ( c ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Postsecondary Education , in consultation with the Department ’ s Office of the General Counsel , is opening this investigation . ''
Now , Princeton probably is n't any more or less racist than any other American school at present .
The school certainly said it was , however .
You can see this one of two ways : It was either a political move on the part of the Trump administration or it was the natural result of a Department of Education that has an obligation to look into a school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least on the latter count , the government has fairly ample evidence to start an investigation .
Among the things the feds are looking for : `` records concerning , relating to , or referencing Princeton 's 'systemic ' and/or 'embedded ' racism , as those terms are used in the President 's Letter , '' a `` spreadsheet identifying each person who has , on the ground of race , color , or national origin , been excluded from participation in , been denied the benefits of , or been subjected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal financial assistance as a result of the Princeton racism or 'damage ' referenced in the President ’ s Letter '' and a `` spreadsheet of all Princeton employees and outside advisers or consultants ... who were consulted regarding or who participated in collecting information for and drafting the President 's Letter and/or the Diversity Measures '' the university is using to correct its supposed racism , among other things .
Eisgruber will also have to sit for an interview under oath , along with a `` designated corporate representative . ''
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it 's also admitting to breaking the law .
And making such an admission is exactly what Princeton did , even though it believed they was simply wearing the most ostentatious , itchy bespoke hair shirt in all of the Ivy Leagues .
This will be perceived by many as a knee-jerk points-scoring political reaction to a letter that was meant to be taken seriously but not literally .
To say it was n't supposed to be taken literally , however , is to reduce it to meaningless posturing .
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next day in a statement that seemed to indicate it meant to look at the wider issue of race in America , not to admit that the school itself was particularly racist .
In a short statement , the university said it `` stands by our statements about the prevalence of systemic racism and our commitment to reckon with its continued effects , including the racial injustice and race-based inequities that persist throughout American society .
`` Attracting talent from every sector of society is crucial to our academic mission , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
`` The University will respond to the Department of Education ’ s letter in due course .
It is unfortunate that the Department appears to believe that grappling honestly with the nation ’ s history and the current effects of systemic racism runs afoul of existing law .
`` The University disagrees and looks forward to furthering our educational mission by explaining why our statements and actions are consistent not only with the law , but also with the highest ideals and aspirations of this country . ''
Officials from other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Department of Education for even pursuing this .
“ Across the nation , individuals , families , communities , businesses , corporations , and educational institutions are coming to grips with the country ’ s legacies of slavery and racial oppression , ” read yet another hair-shirt letter signed by over 80 of America 's leading institutions of higher learning , according to The Washington Post .
“ As presidents of colleges and universities , we , too , acknowledge the ways that racism has affected and continues to affect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own.
” However , in City Journal , Seth Barron put it best when he said that the Department of Education `` has executed a jiu-jitsu maneuver with the potential to neutralize the entire systemic racism narrative .
`` If racism is institutionally embedded somewhere , the United States has a juggernaut of laws , courts , investigators , and prosecutors that can tear the offending institution into shreds and pulverize its racism , '' Barron wrote .
If Princeton is racist in a specific sense , it should cooperate unfailingly .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was bathed in meaninglessness from the beginning .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

In the weeks and months following George Floyd's death on May 25, the presidents of America's most prestigious colleges and universities have gone to their nearby tailors and all got fitted for a metaphorical hair shirt on race.
The itchier the shirt, the longer it was worn and the more publicly the wearer was in agony, the better. It was like an expensive, bespoke suit if the purpose of the suit was self-flagellation.
If you were at the helm of any major institution of higher learning in these United States, the point was to outdo your colleagues by pointing out just how perfidious you and your university had been in sentences composed mostly out of stock phrases like "systemic racism," "embedded structures of hate" and "institutionalized bigotry."
This is all so pro forma as to render the hair shirt wearer's writhing and contorting meaningless, but they're going to do it anyway,
Take Christopher L. Eisgruber, president of Princeton University, for example. Princeton is an ivory tower within an ivory tower, so it's probably unsurprising that its self-excoriation was going to be lacerating.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It was so lacerating, in fact, that the Department of Education is now investigating the school for being racist because, well, it called itself racist to score points.
According to a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner, the investigation began after Eisgruber's Sept. 2 letter to "members of the Princeton community."
The letter is an update from a June statement in which, as Eisgruber recalled, he "charged my Cabinet ... to develop plans to combat systemic racism at Princeton and beyond.
"In my letter, I invited suggestions from all of you, and many individuals and groups responded," he wrote.
The conclusion he reached was that the university was a deeply racist place.
"Racism and the damage it does to people of color nevertheless persist at Princeton as in our society, sometimes by conscious intention but more often through unexamined assumptions and stereotypes, ignorance or insensitivity, and the systemic legacy of past decisions and policies," Eisgruber wrote.
"Race-based inequities in America’s health care, policing, education, and employment systems affect profoundly the lives of our staff, students, and faculty of color.
"Racist assumptions from the past also remain embedded in structures of the University itself. For example, Princeton inherits from earlier generations at least nine departments and programs organized around European languages and culture, but only a single, relatively small program in African studies.
"This summer’s effort to address systemic racism began with changes and initiatives that we announced in June," he continued.
"These included new funding for teaching, research, and service projects related to racial justice and the changes to the names of what are now the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and First College."
This transitioned into a bullet-pointed action plan that the university may or may not follow through on. There are few concrete goals there -- and indeed, it'd be inadvisable to put those forward, given that concrete goals would be tantamount to a quota system, and that's illegal for institutions which receive federal funding.
That being said, without those concrete goals, there's not much aside from the president of Princeton wearing the hair shirt -- which, in the end, might have been the entire point.
Under federal law, of course, schools that get financial assistance from the federal government can't be racist. If they are, that's a serious issue -- one that the Department of Education should get involved in.
Lo and behold...
Princeton Letter 09.15.2020 by TJVD
"Since you became President in 2013, and in exchange for well over $75 million in federal Title IV taxpayer funds alone, Princeton University ('Princeton') has repeatedly represented and warranted to the U.S. Department of Education ('Department') Princeton's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," the Sept. 16 letter read.
"Title VI provides no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Also, Princeton has made many material nondiscrimination and equal opportunity representations to students, parents, and consumers in the market for education certificates during this time."
But of course, Eisgruber admitted that Princeton had been racist -- exceptionally so, in fact.
"Based on its admitted racism, the U.S. Department of Education ('Department') is concerned Princeton’s nondiscrimination and equal opportunity assurances in its Program Participation Agreements from at least 2013 to the present may have been false," the letter read.
"The Department is further concerned Princeton perhaps knew or should have known, these assurances were false at the time they were made.
"Finally, the Department is further concerned Princeton’s many nondiscrimination and equal opportunity claims to students, parents, and consumers in the market for education certificates may have been false, misleading, and actionable substantial misrepresentations in violation of 20 U.S.C. § 1094(c)(3)(B) and 34 CFR 668.71(c). Therefore, the Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education, in consultation with the Department’s Office of the General Counsel, is opening this investigation."
Now, Princeton probably isn't any more or less racist than any other American school at present. The school certainly said it was, however.
You can see this one of two ways: It was either a political move on the part of the Trump administration or it was the natural result of a Department of Education that has an obligation to look into a school that admitted it was racist. At least on the latter count, the government has fairly ample evidence to start an investigation.
Among the things the feds are looking for: "records concerning, relating to, or referencing Princeton's 'systemic' and/or 'embedded' racism, as those terms are used in the President's Letter," a "spreadsheet identifying each person who has, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, been excluded from participation in, been denied the benefits of, or been subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance as a result of the Princeton racism or 'damage' referenced in the President’s Letter" and a "spreadsheet of all Princeton employees and outside advisers or consultants ... who were consulted regarding or who participated in collecting information for and drafting the President's Letter and/or the Diversity Measures" the university is using to correct its supposed racism, among other things.
Eisgruber will also have to sit for an interview under oath, along with a "designated corporate representative."
If Princeton is admitting that it acted discriminatorily, then it's also admitting to breaking the law.
And making such an admission is exactly what Princeton did, even though it believed they was simply wearing the most ostentatious, itchy bespoke hair shirt in all of the Ivy Leagues.
This will be perceived by many as a knee-jerk points-scoring political reaction to a letter that was meant to be taken seriously but not literally.
To say it wasn't supposed to be taken literally, however, is to reduce it to meaningless posturing. Which is basically what Princeton admitted it was the next day in a statement that seemed to indicate it meant to look at the wider issue of race in America, not to admit that the school itself was particularly racist.
In a short statement, the university said it "stands by our statements about the prevalence of systemic racism and our commitment to reckon with its continued effects, including the racial injustice and race-based inequities that persist throughout American society.
"Attracting talent from every sector of society is crucial to our academic mission, and we will continue to lead on these issues.
"The University will respond to the Department of Education’s letter in due course. It is unfortunate that the Department appears to believe that grappling honestly with the nation’s history and the current effects of systemic racism runs afoul of existing law.
"The University disagrees and looks forward to furthering our educational mission by explaining why our statements and actions are consistent not only with the law, but also with the highest ideals and aspirations of this country."
Officials from other universities, meanwhile, began to pile on the Department of Education for even pursuing this.
“Across the nation, individuals, families, communities, businesses, corporations, and educational institutions are coming to grips with the country’s legacies of slavery and racial oppression,” read yet another hair-shirt letter signed by over 80 of America's leading institutions of higher learning, according to The Washington Post.
“As presidents of colleges and universities, we, too, acknowledge the ways that racism has affected and continues to affect the country’s institutions, including our own.”
However, in City Journal, Seth Barron put it best when he said that the Department of Education "has executed a jiu-jitsu maneuver with the potential to neutralize the entire systemic racism narrative.
"If racism is institutionally embedded somewhere, the United States has a juggernaut of laws, courts, investigators, and prosecutors that can tear the offending institution into shreds and pulverize its racism," Barron wrote.
"This isn’t 1955 anymore."
If Princeton is racist in a specific sense, it should cooperate unfailingly. If not, Eisgruber should retract his letter, which was bathed in meaninglessness from the beginning.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-28--Higher narcissism linked to more active role in politics, study suggests

( STUDY FINDS ) -- UNIVERSITY PARK , Pa. — Many believe the more people who participate in the political process , the better it is for a democracy .
A new international study finds the character of both the politicians and the voters involved can undermine that process .
Researchers say narcissistic people tend to take a more active role in politics and their views don ’ t necessarily put the country ’ s interests first .
Narcissism is a personality trait which combines selfishness , a feeling of entitlement , and a need for admiration .
A series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Denmark reveals that individuals displaying higher levels of narcissism are more likely to want their voices heard in the political arena .
When it comes to narcissistic voters , these people tend to contact political officials , sign more petitions , donate to campaigns , and vote more often in midterm elections .
“ If people who are more interested in their own personal gain and status take a greater part in elections , then we can expect candidates to emerge who reflect their desires — narcissism begets narcissism , ” Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science at Penn State says in a media release .

(STUDY FINDS) -- UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Many believe the more people who participate in the political process, the better it is for a democracy. A new international study finds the character of both the politicians and the voters involved can undermine that process. Researchers say narcissistic people tend to take a more active role in politics and their views don’t necessarily put the country’s interests first.
Narcissism is a personality trait which combines selfishness, a feeling of entitlement, and a need for admiration. A series of three studies in the United States and Denmark reveals that individuals displaying higher levels of narcissism are more likely to want their voices heard in the political arena. When it comes to narcissistic voters, these people tend to contact political officials, sign more petitions, donate to campaigns, and vote more often in midterm elections.
“If people who are more interested in their own personal gain and status take a greater part in elections, then we can expect candidates to emerge who reflect their desires — narcissism begets narcissism,” Peter Hatemi, a distinguished professor of political science at Penn State says in a media release.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-09-27--'Who are black people supposed to call? Ghostbusters?' NBA legend rips push to defund cops

NBA great Charles Barkley , who 's on TNT 's studio analyst team , is curious whom citizens -- particularly those who live in poorer areas -- are supposed to call when the police are defunded .
He 's now getting excoriated online , in part because of that and in part because he bothered to mention the facts in the Breonna Taylor case during the network 's Thursday coverage .
The comments came one night after violence gripped Louisville , Kentucky .
when a grand jury only returned one charge related to the March police raid that ended with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot during the protests and 127 demonstrators were arrested , according to WLKY-TV .
`` We have to really be careful , '' Barkley said during the pregame show before the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game .
`` I hear these fools on TV talking about 'defund the police ' and things like that .
We need police reform , prison reform , and things like that .
Because you know who ai n't going to defund the cops ?
White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group '' So , that notion , they keep saying that , '' Barkley continued .
`` I 'm like , wait a minute , who are black people supposed to call ?
Ghostbusters ? ''
And then there was the matter of the Breonna Taylor shooting , in which we 're supposed to be outraged without actually considering the facts of the case -- that Taylor 's boyfriend fired at police , which is why none of the police officers involved in the raid was charged directly in her death .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it was like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and things like that , ” Barkley said .
“ I feel bad this young lady lost her life .
But , you know , we do have to take into account her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop.
” “ So , like I say , even though I am really sorry she lost her life , I just do n't think we can put this in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaquille O'Neal -- another analyst on the TNT team -- also criticized the knee-jerk reaction to the Taylor case .
`` I have to agree with Charles , this one is sort of lumped in .
You have to get a warrant signed , and some states do allow no-knock warrants , '' said O'Neal , who has been named an auxiliary sheriff 's deputy in Broward County , Florida , according to Fox News .
`` And everyone was asking for murder charges .
When you talk about murder , you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we 're sorry a homicide occurred .
When you have a warrant signed by the judge , you are doing your job , and I would imagine that you would fire back . ''
Twitter officially lost its mind .
For instance , this gentleman suddenly did n't think that athletes and entertainers were worth listening to : To be clear , Breonna Taylor 's ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Gl0ver , who was the target of the investigation , was the subject of a near-simultaneous raid .
According to the Louisville Courier-Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Louisville police , who believed Glover was receiving packages of illegal drugs through Taylor .
Even defunding the police was problematic to many of the denizens of social media .
Americans are n't in favor of defunding the police , despite what liberals and the mainstream media want you might think .
According to a Gallup poll taken between June 23 and July 6 , 61 percent of black Americans wanted the police to maintain their presence , with only 19 percent wanting less policing in their communities .
Twenty percent actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
In at least one major city that defunded and neutered its police in the febrile days after George Floyd 's death , they want the police back now .
Minneapolis , the place where Floyd died and the epicenter of the early demonstrating , has also experienced a huge spike in crime .
City council members are openly asking where the police are .
A few months ago , they were looking to disband their department , something that may still happen .
Reality is a harsh drug .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left envisioned a world where police were glorified social workers .
They did n't just want reform to law enforcement , they wanted to dismantle it .
When it came to causes célèbres like Breonna Taylor , the facts did n't matter .
When someone dropped reality on them , the reaction was practically anaphylactic .
Cutting police funding hurts black communities .
Furthermore , doing it in the name of Breonna Taylor is an inherently flawed idea .
Yes , her death was a tragedy .
It could have been averted if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , a fact that 's rarely discussed because it 's considered impolite .
We simply expect people to virtue-signal on the matter by sacrificing the police officers to mob justice .
Sadly , there are plenty of people who still think calling Ghostbusters is better than calling the police .
Charles Barkley may not have changed anyone 's mind immediately , but he was one of the few people speaking in the media speaking truthfully about what defunding the police will really do .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal @

It's not a bad question.
NBA great Charles Barkley, who's on TNT's studio analyst team, is curious whom citizens -- particularly those who live in poorer areas -- are supposed to call when the police are defunded. He's now getting excoriated online, in part because of that and in part because he bothered to mention the facts in the Breonna Taylor case during the network's Thursday coverage.
The comments came one night after violence gripped Louisville, Kentucky. when a grand jury only returned one charge related to the March police raid that ended with Taylor dead. Two police officers were shot during the protests and 127 demonstrators were arrested, according to WLKY-TV.
"We have to really be careful," Barkley said during the pregame show before the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game.
"I hear these fools on TV talking about 'defund the police' and things like that. We need police reform, prison reform, and things like that. Because you know who ain't going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"So, that notion, they keep saying that," Barkley continued.
"I'm like, wait a minute, who are black people supposed to call? Ghostbusters?"
Charles Barkley on defunding the police "Who are black people supposed to call Ghost Busters when we have crime in our neighborhood? We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap" pic.twitter.com/uEIsnX729g — gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
And then there was the matter of the Breonna Taylor shooting, in which we're supposed to be outraged without actually considering the facts of the case -- that Taylor's boyfriend fired at police, which is why none of the police officers involved in the raid was charged directly in her death.
"This one, I don’t think it was like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and things like that,” Barkley said. “I feel bad this young lady lost her life. But, you know, we do have to take into account her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop.”
“So, like I say, even though I am really sorry she lost her life, I just don't think we can put this in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery," he added.
God bless Barkley. He also is the only NBA commentator willing to point out that Brianna Taylor’s boyfriend fired first and hit a cop before they returned fire at him. The lack of basic factual understanding in this case is staggering. pic.twitter.com/2DFIs1XjNn — Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 25, 2020
According to The Hill, Shaquille O'Neal -- another analyst on the TNT team -- also criticized the knee-jerk reaction to the Taylor case.
"I have to agree with Charles, this one is sort of lumped in. You have to get a warrant signed, and some states do allow no-knock warrants," said O'Neal, who has been named an auxiliary sheriff's deputy in Broward County, Florida, according to Fox News.
"And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred, and we're sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back."
Twitter officially lost its mind. For instance, this gentleman suddenly didn't think that athletes and entertainers were worth listening to:
This why I dislike entertainers and athletes. Barkley and Shaq just told half the story. The girl boyfriend was already in jail. so why were they going to Breonna Taylor house if the person they were looking for was already in custody? — ThisMemphisGuyIsAlwaysStandUp (@MemphisThis) September 25, 2020
To be clear, Breonna Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Gl0ver, who was the target of the investigation, was the subject of a near-simultaneous raid. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, there were several raids being executed by Louisville police, who believed Glover was receiving packages of illegal drugs through Taylor.
Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal just defended the police killing Breonna Taylor on national television. And you wonder why we keep saying NO ONE cares about black women. Not even these black men with these prominent platforms can think beyond their paychecks. — ✨10k Hours✨ (@pen_and_a_lens) September 25, 2020
Even defunding the police was problematic to many of the denizens of social media.
Lord, I know everyone is able to have an opinion but I wish people like the @NBAonTNT would do more researching before speaking about things about their pay grade. Charles Barkley sounds like an entire idiot talking about defund the police. He doesn't even understand what it — Goldburn P. Maynard Jr. (@deathntaxesprof) September 25, 2020
Americans aren't in favor of defunding the police, despite what liberals and the mainstream media want you might think. According to a Gallup poll taken between June 23 and July 6, 61 percent of black Americans wanted the police to maintain their presence, with only 19 percent wanting less policing in their communities. Twenty percent actually wanted the police to spend more time there.
In at least one major city that defunded and neutered its police in the febrile days after George Floyd's death, they want the police back now. Minneapolis, the place where Floyd died and the epicenter of the early demonstrating, has also experienced a huge spike in crime. City council members are openly asking where the police are. A few months ago, they were looking to disband their department, something that may still happen.
Reality is a harsh drug. In the early days of the protests, the left envisioned a world where police were glorified social workers.
They didn't just want reform to law enforcement, they wanted to dismantle it. When it came to causes célèbres like Breonna Taylor, the facts didn't matter. When someone dropped reality on them, the reaction was practically anaphylactic.
Cutting police funding hurts black communities. Furthermore, doing it in the name of Breonna Taylor is an inherently flawed idea.
Yes, her death was a tragedy. It could have been averted if her boyfriend didn't shoot at police officers, a fact that's rarely discussed because it's considered impolite. We simply expect people to virtue-signal on the matter by sacrificing the police officers to mob justice.
Sadly, there are plenty of people who still think calling Ghostbusters is better than calling the police. Charles Barkley may not have changed anyone's mind immediately, but he was one of the few people speaking in the media speaking truthfully about what defunding the police will really do.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-27--'Passion of the Christ' sequel will reportedly tell story of Jesus' resurrection

Actor Jim Caviezel has confirmed a sequel to `` The Passion of the Christ '' is in the works , and the new film will center on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead .
The 2004 blockbuster , which took in over $ 610 million at the box office , ended with Jesus , healed and whole , walking out of the tomb .
There has been talk in Hollywood for years that there would be a sequel to `` The Passion , '' which Mel Gibson -- who directed , co-wrote and co-produced the film -- has stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , host of SiriusXM ’ s Breitbart News Daily , recently asked Caviezel , who portrayed Jesus in the original film , where things stood with the project .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group “ Mel Gibson just sent me the third picture , the third draft [ of the script ] .
It ’ s coming , ” Caviezel responded .
“ It ’ s called ‘ The Passion of the Christ : Resurrection . '
'' `` It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world history , ” the actor said .
Pastor Greg Laurie raised the issue of a `` Passion '' sequel directly with Gibson during their 2016 appearance at the Christian stadium event SoCal Harvest .
No script was written at that time , according to Gibson , but `` Braveheart '' ( 1995 ) writer Randall Wallace had been brought on board to draft it .
In addition to working together on `` Braveheart , '' the two teamed up for `` We Were Soldiers '' ( 2002 ) , which Gibson starred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directed .
Wallace also co-wrote and directed `` Heaven is for Real '' ( 2014 ) .
Gibson told Laurie the resurrection of Jesus was a `` very big subject '' but he believed Wallace was `` up to the task . ''
`` It needs to be looked at because we don ’ t want to just do a simple rendering of it , '' Gibson said .
`` I mean we can all read what happened , but in order to really experience and explore probably deeper meanings of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to take some doing , '' he added .
Later in 2016 , Gibson hinted during an interview with CBS `` Late Show '' host Stephen Colbert that part of the story might be what Jesus did between the time of his death on Good Friday and his resurrection on the third day .
Some have interpreted passages in the Bible 's book of 1 Peter to mean that Jesus descended into hell , or at least some unearthly realm , and set free the spirits of those held captive by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his crucifixion .
Some of the most memorable scenes in `` The Passion '' were Satan 's interactions with Jesus and the crowd who called for his crucifixion , as well as the moment the demon leader had the terrible realization that Christ had won their contest by voluntarily dying for the sins of mankind .
Following his resurrection , Jesus made multiple appearances to his followers before his ascension 40 days later .
Mary Magdalene was the first to see him .
Later , in a powerful encounter , Jesus restored Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his thrice denial that they even knew each other in the hours leading up to the crucifixion .
There 's also the famous `` doubting Thomas '' incident during which Jesus appeared to the apostle , making him a believer in the resurrection .
Caviezel 's portrayal of a resurrected Jesus will certainly be a nice contrast to his enacting the agony of the cross .
The Washington state native told The Western Journal he physically suffered during the film 's shooting , recounting he became very ill when a virus attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two surgeries .
Caviezel told NBC 's `` Today '' prior to `` The Passion 's '' release in 2004 that an actor playing a Roman soldier had cut a 14-inch gash in his back during the scourging scene .
The devout Roman Catholic also dislocated his shoulder carrying the cross and caught pneumonia .
Asked about a recurring theme of his portrayal of people wrongfully being taken captive and tortured -- `` The Count of Monte Cristo '' ( 2002 ) , `` The Passion '' and now his latest in theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that once producers and directors see you can go there on camera , they want you in their picture .
Gibson saw Caviezel 's performance in the World War II movie `` The Thin Red Line '' and thought he would be good for `` The Passion . ''
Stephen McEveety , one of the film 's producers , agreed .
McEveety then brought him on director Cyrus Nowrasteh 's `` The Stoning of Soraya M '' ( 2008 ) , which led to Nowrasteh casting him in `` Infidel . ''
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caviezel told The Western Journal .
`` You 'll meet other actors that will say , ' I wish I could get what you get , you know , those real intense roles , ' and so eventually , one day , I may find a decent comedy , '' he said .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Actor Jim Caviezel has confirmed a sequel to "The Passion of the Christ" is in the works, and the new film will center on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
The 2004 blockbuster, which took in over $610 million at the box office, ended with Jesus, healed and whole, walking out of the tomb.
There has been talk in Hollywood for years that there would be a sequel to "The Passion," which Mel Gibson -- who directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film -- has stated his intention to do.
Alex Marlow, host of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily, recently asked Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in the original film, where things stood with the project.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“Mel Gibson just sent me the third picture, the third draft [of the script]. It’s coming,” Caviezel responded. “It’s called ‘The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.'"
"It’s going to be the biggest film in world history,” the actor said.
Pastor Greg Laurie raised the issue of a "Passion" sequel directly with Gibson during their 2016 appearance at the Christian stadium event SoCal Harvest.
No script was written at that time, according to Gibson, but "Braveheart" (1995) writer Randall Wallace had been brought on board to draft it.
In addition to working together on "Braveheart," the two teamed up for "We Were Soldiers" (2002), which Gibson starred in and Wallace wrote the screenplay for and directed.
Wallace also co-wrote and directed "Heaven is for Real" (2014).
Gibson told Laurie the resurrection of Jesus was a "very big subject" but he believed Wallace was "up to the task."
"It needs to be looked at because we don’t want to just do a simple rendering of it," Gibson said.
"I mean we can all read what happened, but in order to really experience and explore probably deeper meanings of what it’s about, it's going to take some doing," he added.
Later in 2016, Gibson hinted during an interview with CBS "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert that part of the story might be what Jesus did between the time of his death on Good Friday and his resurrection on the third day.
Some have interpreted passages in the Bible's book of 1 Peter to mean that Jesus descended into hell, or at least some unearthly realm, and set free the spirits of those held captive by the devil and sin who had died before his crucifixion.
Some of the most memorable scenes in "The Passion" were Satan's interactions with Jesus and the crowd who called for his crucifixion, as well as the moment the demon leader had the terrible realization that Christ had won their contest by voluntarily dying for the sins of mankind.
Following his resurrection, Jesus made multiple appearances to his followers before his ascension 40 days later.
Mary Magdalene was the first to see him.
Later, in a powerful encounter, Jesus restored Peter to his calling, forgiving the apostle for his thrice denial that they even knew each other in the hours leading up to the crucifixion.
There's also the famous "doubting Thomas" incident during which Jesus appeared to the apostle, making him a believer in the resurrection.
Caviezel's portrayal of a resurrected Jesus will certainly be a nice contrast to his enacting the agony of the cross.
The Washington state native told The Western Journal he physically suffered during the film's shooting, recounting he became very ill when a virus attacked his heart and he had to undergo two surgeries.
Caviezel told NBC's "Today" prior to "The Passion's" release in 2004 that an actor playing a Roman soldier had cut a 14-inch gash in his back during the scourging scene.
The devout Roman Catholic also dislocated his shoulder carrying the cross and caught pneumonia.
Asked about a recurring theme of his portrayal of people wrongfully being taken captive and tortured -- "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002), "The Passion" and now his latest in theaters, "Infidel" -- Caviezel responded that once producers and directors see you can go there on camera, they want you in their picture.
Gibson saw Caviezel's performance in the World War II movie "The Thin Red Line" and thought he would be good for "The Passion." Stephen McEveety, one of the film's producers, agreed.
McEveety then brought him on director Cyrus Nowrasteh's "The Stoning of Soraya M" (2008), which led to Nowrasteh casting him in "Infidel."
They are "really good stories," Caviezel told The Western Journal.
"You'll meet other actors that will say, 'I wish I could get what you get, you know, those real intense roles,' and so eventually, one day, I may find a decent comedy," he said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-09-27--Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice' group

Casual readers taking in the first few paragraphs of the story of a vehicle attacking protesters in Southern California would already think they know the kind of person the perpetrator is : '' A vehicle struck at least two people in Yorba Linda on Saturday during a Black Lives Matter protest and counter-protest , marking the second incident in three days involving vehicles careening through protesting crowds in the Southland , '' KCBS-TV in Los Angeles reported .
`` The BLM march was going along Imperial Highway with the counter-protesters holding pro-President Donald Trump signs on the other side , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations . ''
For most readers , the impression is clear : Another racist ran a vehicle through the Black Lives Matter protesters .
This is just sick , they might think , absolutely sick -- and it 's got to be the pro-Trump fringe .
However , the more perceptive might notice something strange about the KCBS coverage : The station is a bit cagey about who committed this act and what the motive was .
If this was a snarling mask-hater in a MAGA hat and a Ram pickup trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned straight off the bat .
( Particularly the MAGA hat , which is the definitive sign of any political villain . )
Instead , silence .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group Readers who go down a little further would learn that just after 3 p.m. , a woman injured two people when her vehicle ran through the crowd .
The report does n't say which crowd .
“ A male adult suffered two broken legs and one female adult suffered moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Department Sgt .
Dennis Breckner told reporters , according to KCBS .
The car was caught on video and officials eventually surrounded the vehicle of 40-year-old Tatiana Turner of Long Beach , who was taken into custody , the report stated .
Again , no indication of motive .
The article touches on other protesters being arrested at the event on Saturday and how Turner was booked into jail on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon .
In paragraph nine -- nine !
-- it finally mentions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 Justice . ''
There 's your first hint about the political leanings of the suspected assailant .
What is `` Caravan 4 Justice ? ''
I 'm glad you asked , because KCBS clearly thought this was n't worth exploring .
The Long Beach Press-Telegram barely touched on it , either , in its write-up of the event , simply saying Turner was a supporter and that the group `` campaigns against police violence . ''
ABC News mentioned the group in the first paragraph of its coverage , but there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ABC was a bit more explicit about what had happened , noting that Turner allegedly `` drove through a group of protesters , many waving Trump flags , outside the Yorba Linda Public Library at about 3 p.m. local time .
Two people , a man and a woman , were hit by the car , with both suffering 'major injuries . '
Both are expected to survive , officials said . ''
Turner 's social media is an unsettling look at an individual wholly envenomed by the less savory aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose Facebook profile was under the name `` Tia Turner , '' was n't just involved with the Caravan 4 Justice group ; as of Sunday afternoon , she was still an admin on its Facebook page .
Other media reports about Caravan 4 Justice identify her as a `` protest organizer . ''
The group hosts socially distanced protests using cars -- an issue when those cars are turned into weapons .
Saturday 's protest -- which really seems like a counter-counter-protest aimed at fighting the conservatives and Trump supporters in attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Instagram page with the caption : '' Today is the main event !
Help us combat racism !
!
These racist are on full alert .
Please do the same .
Please be careful !
! ''
As it turns out , it should have been the Caravan 4 Justice opponents who were on alert .
Turner 's individual posts were also eerily telling .
Here 's a livestream from Taylor in June , which did n't exactly evince a rational person : WARNING : The following video contains graphic language that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What 's being put in handcuffs and being detained for a little while and getting a ticket over saving the lives of my future nieces and nephews ? ''
Turner said , about the 2:45 mark in the video .
After invoking Rosa Parks , she said that `` everybody wants to talk about Malcolm X -- what Malcolm X did with his peacefulness ... people do n't understand what it takes to go against the grain . ''
I suppose if your idea of peaceful protest is Malcolm X , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Facebook profile is filled with pictures of her with a megaphone leading protests .
One particularly graphic post showed an image of a women who had been hit in the head with some projectile .
Turner described the incident as a `` protest , '' but did n't include information about where or when the photo was taken .
She wrote `` I can only pray to go out of martyr like this . ''
An extremist with an expressed wish for martyrdom would be a national story if Turner had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative agenda .
In fact , much of the coverage of the incident and Tatiana Turner 's subsequent arrest focused on another incident during a protest in Hollywood ; this one involved a truck , so of course it merited more reportage .
( In fact , KCBS ' headline was .
`` Vehicle Hits Protesters Again : 2 Hospitalized After Driver Speeds Through Crowd In Yorba Linda . ''
) This is n't a well individual .
Drape her in the American flag , she 'd become the symbol of bigotry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an adult Nick Sandmann -- and this time , she 'd allegedly committed a serious crime .
In this case , readers have to wait until the ninth paragraph of the KCBS story to find out the group she was active in -- and the fact that it was n't , by any stretch of the imagination , conservative .
I do n't think you need much imagination to figure out why this was .
Tatiana Turner will dissipate into the background with all due rapidity .
There 's no lesson about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be grokked from her alleged crime , even though she should , by rights , be the symbol of the kind of out-of-control rage these protests engender .
Attempted murder , all from a woman determined to become a `` martyr . ''
That 's how far political divisiveness on the left has allegedly gone .
And the mainstream media is just going to ignore it .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Casual readers taking in the first few paragraphs of the story of a vehicle attacking protesters in Southern California would already think they know the kind of person the perpetrator is:
"A vehicle struck at least two people in Yorba Linda on Saturday during a Black Lives Matter protest and counter-protest, marking the second incident in three days involving vehicles careening through protesting crowds in the Southland," KCBS-TV in Los Angeles reported.
"The BLM march was going along Imperial Highway with the counter-protesters holding pro-President Donald Trump signs on the other side, and about 200 officers were monitoring the demonstrations."
For most readers, the impression is clear: Another racist ran a vehicle through the Black Lives Matter protesters. This is just sick, they might think, absolutely sick -- and it's got to be the pro-Trump fringe. However, the more perceptive might notice something strange about the KCBS coverage: The station is a bit cagey about who committed this act and what the motive was.
If this was a snarling mask-hater in a MAGA hat and a Ram pickup trying to hit antiracist demonstrators, that's usually mentioned straight off the bat. (Particularly the MAGA hat, which is the definitive sign of any political villain.) Instead, silence.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Readers who go down a little further would learn that just after 3 p.m., a woman injured two people when her vehicle ran through the crowd. The report doesn't say which crowd.
“A male adult suffered two broken legs and one female adult suffered moderate injuries,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Dennis Breckner told reporters, according to KCBS.
The car was caught on video and officials eventually surrounded the vehicle of 40-year-old Tatiana Turner of Long Beach, who was taken into custody, the report stated. Again, no indication of motive.
The article touches on other protesters being arrested at the event on Saturday and how Turner was booked into jail on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
In paragraph nine -- nine! -- it finally mentions that Turner was a member of "Caravan 4 Justice." There's your first hint about the political leanings of the suspected assailant.
A car just drove through a crowd. The crowd then chased after the white sedan. This person was hurt. pic.twitter.com/0iAhWkcRnu — Brian Rokos (@Brian_Rokos) September 26, 2020
What is "Caravan 4 Justice?" I'm glad you asked, because KCBS clearly thought this wasn't worth exploring. The Long Beach Press-Telegram barely touched on it, either, in its write-up of the event, simply saying Turner was a supporter and that the group "campaigns against police violence."
ABC News mentioned the group in the first paragraph of its coverage, but there was little exploration of what the group did.
ABC was a bit more explicit about what had happened, noting that Turner allegedly "drove through a group of protesters, many waving Trump flags, outside the Yorba Linda Public Library at about 3 p.m. local time. Two people, a man and a woman, were hit by the car, with both suffering 'major injuries.' Both are expected to survive, officials said."
Turner's social media is an unsettling look at an individual wholly envenomed by the less savory aspects of the current protest movement.
Turner, whose Facebook profile was under the name "Tia Turner," wasn't just involved with the Caravan 4 Justice group; as of Sunday afternoon, she was still an admin on its Facebook page.
Other media reports about Caravan 4 Justice identify her as a "protest organizer."
The group hosts socially distanced protests using cars -- an issue when those cars are turned into weapons.
Saturday's protest -- which really seems like a counter-counter-protest aimed at fighting the conservatives and Trump supporters in attendance -- was widely advertised on Caravan 4 Justice Instagram page with the caption:
"Today is the main event! Help us combat racism!! These racist are on full alert. Please do the same. Please be careful!!"
As it turns out, it should have been the Caravan 4 Justice opponents who were on alert.
Turner's individual posts were also eerily telling. Here's a livestream from Taylor in June, which didn't exactly evince a rational person:
WARNING: The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive.
Posted by Tia Turner on Thursday, June 4, 2020
"What's being put in handcuffs and being detained for a little while and getting a ticket over saving the lives of my future nieces and nephews?" Turner said, about the 2:45 mark in the video.
After invoking Rosa Parks, she said that "everybody wants to talk about Malcolm X -- what Malcolm X did with his peacefulness ... people don't understand what it takes to go against the grain." I suppose if your idea of peaceful protest is Malcolm X, there are much deeper issues at play.
Turner's Facebook profile is filled with pictures of her with a megaphone leading protests. One particularly graphic post showed an image of a women who had been hit in the head with some projectile. Turner described the incident as a "protest," but didn't include information about where or when the photo was taken.
She wrote "I can only pray to go out of martyr like this."
An extremist with an expressed wish for martyrdom would be a national story if Turner had the MAGA hat, the truck and the conservative agenda. In fact, much of the coverage of the incident and Tatiana Turner's subsequent arrest focused on another incident during a protest in Hollywood; this one involved a truck, so of course it merited more reportage. (In fact, KCBS' headline was. "Vehicle Hits Protesters Again: 2 Hospitalized After Driver Speeds Through Crowd In Yorba Linda.")
This isn't a well individual. Drape her in the American flag, she'd become the symbol of bigotry, fear and rage overnight. She'd be an adult Nick Sandmann -- and this time, she'd allegedly committed a serious crime. In this case, readers have to wait until the ninth paragraph of the KCBS story to find out the group she was active in -- and the fact that it wasn't, by any stretch of the imagination, conservative. I don't think you need much imagination to figure out why this was.
Tatiana Turner will dissipate into the background with all due rapidity. There's no lesson about How Divided We Are Right Now to be grokked from her alleged crime, even though she should, by rights, be the symbol of the kind of out-of-control rage these protests engender.
Attempted murder, all from a woman determined to become a "martyr." That's how far political divisiveness on the left has allegedly gone. And the mainstream media is just going to ignore it.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
CORRECTION, Sept. 29, 2020: This story's headline previously identified the group that Tatiana Turner is affiliated with as "Caravan 4 Peace." In fact, the group's name is "Caravan 4 Justice," and the headline has been updated to note as much. We apologize for the error.


wnd--2020-09-27--Now Civil Rights Commission hit by 'cancel culture'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
America ’ s culture wars are typically fought at our universities and on our streets .
Among the countless other venues for battle , the federal bureaucracy and commissions are places where conservatives , often outnumbered , face long odds .
The result is an increasing leftist bent .
I was reminded of this when I was recently cancelled from the Idaho Advisory Committee on Civil Rights .
The Idaho committee serves under the United States Commission on Civil Rights .
The USCCR produces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights in America , usually to fawning media attention .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group While the national commission has bipartisan representation ( each party has four members ) , state advisory committees are made up of civil rights activists who decide , almost without exception , the issues the panels will take up .
State committees can do a lot of mischief .
They use the good name of civil rights to prod or embarrass states into action .
Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscientific report on the “ gender wage gap ” in the state , hoping to press legislators for a response .
The Wyoming board recently released a tendentious report about the need for hate crime legislation in the Equality State , though there may have been no hate crimes there over the last 10 years .
I have served on the Idaho advisory committee for eight years .
Outnumbered , my goal has been to persuade fellow members to stick to sound research methods and make circumscribed recommendations in line with the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application , and my name was forwarded to the USCCR for approval for a third term .
USCCR Commissioner Michael Yaki , a former adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , objected to my membership on the Idaho panel because , I was informed , I was “ hostile to marriage equality and transgender rights ” and my public statements “ render [ me ] incapable of , and unable to , protect ( sic ) the constitutional rights supported by recent Supreme Court cases.
” My writings for the Heritage Foundation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Recovery of Family Life , ” were the pretext for Yaki ’ s objection .
I was given two days to respond .
On the Yaki standard , Justices Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas would be ineligible to serve on a civil rights committees , since they dissented from the relevant Supreme Court cases on transgender rights or marriage equality .
Commissioner Yaki ’ s objection to my participation shows that conservatives will not be allowed to participate in civil rights discussions unless they abandon their conservatism .
Conservatives should have space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , properly understood , can produce a free and just society .
Conservatives worry , I argued , that the assertion of transgender rights ( and others ) will compromise other important , well-established civil rights .
For example , claims of transgender rights for children can abridge parental rights to oversee their children ’ s education and development .
But too often commissioners consciously elevate the importance of some civil rights at the expense of all other civil rights claims .
Addressing civil rights claims should always involve balancing .
Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights advocacy , but instead is using the good name of the civil rights movement to promote an agenda where only the latest , most radical expressions of civil rights have legitimacy or deserve representation .
This should give civil rights a bad name .
The gender ideology Commissioner Yaki pushes comes with a demand that governments and other citizens recognize new genders as objective facts .
This in itself would abridge the freedom of association , free speech rights and the freedom of mind of others .
It forces people to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberty and mutual forbearance with their fellow citizens .
Commissioner Yaki is gripped by a poisonous theory which holds that all disparities between racial or sexual groups are traceable to discrimination alone .
This ideology underlies the Black Lives Matter movement as much as the civil rights establishment .
Not only does this ideology rob society of its vitality and create endless grievances and civil disharmony , but it is demonstrably false : Inequalities arise from the diverse values of different subcultures or from natural differences between individual men and women , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Yaki and his Democratic colleagues .
I was excluded from the Idaho committee .
A fourth Republican commissioner was then appointed , Christian Adams .
The Republican commissioners , now equal in number with the Democrats , voted against the formation of the Idaho commission .
There we sit .
Americans are justly proud of our accomplishments in spreading freedom and opportunity to people of all races , creeds , and ethnicities .
Some of that has been accomplished under the banner of civil rights , so much so that the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character for our citizens : If it is civil rights , it must be good .
This brings with it many temptations and dangers .
People rightly respect the label , but the label can be hijacked and provide cover for radicalism and error .
This has probably happened to the USCCR and to our civil rights establishment generally .
It has become a thoroughly partisan institution run by a clique of narrow ideologues .
Government support for such a strictly partisan organ should cease .
And the good name of civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom , should either be reclaimed or jettisoned .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Scott Yenor
Real Clear Politics
America’s culture wars are typically fought at our universities and on our streets. Among the countless other venues for battle, the federal bureaucracy and commissions are places where conservatives, often outnumbered, face long odds. The result is an increasing leftist bent. I was reminded of this when I was recently cancelled from the Idaho Advisory Committee on Civil Rights.
The Idaho committee serves under the United States Commission on Civil Rights. The USCCR produces several national reports on the status of civil rights in America, usually to fawning media attention.
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While the national commission has bipartisan representation (each party has four members), state advisory committees are made up of civil rights activists who decide, almost without exception, the issues the panels will take up. State committees can do a lot of mischief. They use the good name of civil rights to prod or embarrass states into action. Utah’s committee recently released a typically unscientific report on the “gender wage gap” in the state, hoping to press legislators for a response. The Wyoming board recently released a tendentious report about the need for hate crime legislation in the Equality State, though there may have been no hate crimes there over the last 10 years.
I have served on the Idaho advisory committee for eight years. Outnumbered, my goal has been to persuade fellow members to stick to sound research methods and make circumscribed recommendations in line with the evidence. In June, I renewed my application, and my name was forwarded to the USCCR for approval for a third term. USCCR Commissioner Michael Yaki, a former adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, objected to my membership on the Idaho panel because, I was informed, I was “hostile to marriage equality and transgender rights” and my public statements “render [me] incapable of, and unable to, protect (sic) the constitutional rights supported by recent Supreme Court cases.” My writings for the Heritage Foundation, included in my forthcoming book, “The Recovery of Family Life,” were the pretext for Yaki’s objection.
I was given two days to respond. On the Yaki standard, Justices Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas would be ineligible to serve on a civil rights committees, since they dissented from the relevant Supreme Court cases on transgender rights or marriage equality. Commissioner Yaki’s objection to my participation shows that conservatives will not be allowed to participate in civil rights discussions unless they abandon their conservatism.
Conservatives should have space to make their arguments about how civil rights, properly understood, can produce a free and just society. Conservatives worry, I argued, that the assertion of transgender rights (and others) will compromise other important, well-established civil rights. For example, claims of transgender rights for children can abridge parental rights to oversee their children’s education and development. But too often commissioners consciously elevate the importance of some civil rights at the expense of all other civil rights claims.
Addressing civil rights claims should always involve balancing. Commissioner Yaki is no longer involved in civil rights advocacy, but instead is using the good name of the civil rights movement to promote an agenda where only the latest, most radical expressions of civil rights have legitimacy or deserve representation. This should give civil rights a bad name.
The gender ideology Commissioner Yaki pushes comes with a demand that governments and other citizens recognize new genders as objective facts. This in itself would abridge the freedom of association, free speech rights and the freedom of mind of others. It forces people to live according an official narrative instead of in liberty and mutual forbearance with their fellow citizens.
Commissioner Yaki is gripped by a poisonous theory which holds that all disparities between racial or sexual groups are traceable to discrimination alone. This ideology underlies the Black Lives Matter movement as much as the civil rights establishment. Not only does this ideology rob society of its vitality and create endless grievances and civil disharmony, but it is demonstrably false: Inequalities arise from the diverse values of different subcultures or from natural differences between individual men and women, for instance.
My letter failed to convince Commissioner Yaki and his Democratic colleagues. I was excluded from the Idaho committee. A fourth Republican commissioner was then appointed, Christian Adams. The Republican commissioners, now equal in number with the Democrats, voted against the formation of the Idaho commission. There we sit.
Americans are justly proud of our accomplishments in spreading freedom and opportunity to people of all races, creeds, and ethnicities. Some of that has been accomplished under the banner of civil rights, so much so that the idea of civil rights has an almost sacred character for our citizens: If it is civil rights, it must be good.
This brings with it many temptations and dangers. People rightly respect the label, but the label can be hijacked and provide cover for radicalism and error. This has probably happened to the USCCR and to our civil rights establishment generally. It has become a thoroughly partisan institution run by a clique of narrow ideologues. Government support for such a strictly partisan organ should cease. And the good name of civil rights, sullied by those who compromise civil freedom, should either be reclaimed or jettisoned.


wnd--2020-09-27--Climate change didn't leave California forests loaded up with fuel

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]
Hot weather can raise your body temperature .
One study found that the temperature of its participants rose by nearly a degree F above the normal temperature when the air temperature was 95 degrees F. Though the impact on core temperatures is very likely to be much less , it still would be evidence supporting the theory that hot weather adds to a fever .
Should this change the recommended therapy for a bacterial infection ?
That is , when presented with a patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a climate policy as the cure ?
Of course not .
First , none of the proposed climate policies would have any measurable impact on climate and much less impact on body temperature , and second , even this immeasurable impact would not occur anytime soon .
On the other hand , an antibiotic has a curative impact in a matter of days .
It is a good thing doctors are not as insane when treating infections as some politicians and climate activists are when addressing wildfires .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 Justice ' group It ’ s no secret that dryer wood burns more readily than wet wood .
Nor is it news that hotter , dryer weather will dry things faster .
What seems to be a secret from less self-evident to some is that parts of the West Coast get really hot and dry , over and over .
According to studies on past droughts , the recent ones in California are not even close to being the longest .
Some droughts have lasted more than a century .
It seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively wet .
Even if a one-degree-warmer world led to warmer West Coast forests , the high intensity of the recent wildfires can ’ t be attributed to air temperatures being 109 degrees instead of 108 .
The much bigger problem is fuel loading—the amount of dead wood and other organic matter on forest floors , compounded by a higher density of small trees .
Two years ago , the non-partisan Legislative Analyst ’ s Office of the California Legislature warned : A combination of factors have resulted in poor conditions across these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ density and an overabundance of small trees and brush .
Such conditions have contributed to more prevalent and severe wildfires and unprecedented tree mortality in recent years , and experts are concerned these trends will continue if steps are not taken to significantly improve the health of the state ’ s forests .
Reducing this forest fuel load involves multiple steps , including forest-thinning and prescribed burns .
As noted in 2018 , California ’ s forests have been in dire need of such policies for years .
Nothing will end wildfires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fuel load helps turn manageable , regenerative fires into overwhelmingly destructive blazes like the ones we have seen this year .
Carbon-neutral electricity mandates will not reduce the frequency or intensity of wildfires—but they will raise prices and increase the likelihood of blackouts .
No number of photo-ops or press conferences can change this reality .
Carbon dioxide is well mixed in the atmosphere—and thus , reducing ( or increasing ) CO2 emissions brings no local effects .
The global impact of a California carbon-neutral power mandate is negligible .
A total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. would moderate world temperature by less than 0.2 degrees Celsius , and even that impact would not occur before the year 2100 .
Blaming wildfires on climate has some data problems , too .
NASA satellites observed a 25 percent reduction in burned area worldwide between 2013 and 2019 .
Assessment of a longer U.S. record fails to support the global-warming-equals-more-fires story .
Numbers for the past century from the National Interagency Fire Center show huge variability , uncorrelated with world temperature or CO2 .
Going back even farther , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prehistoric wildfires burned an average of 5.5 million to 19 million acres each year—considerably more than the “ record ” 2.2 million acres burned this year .
Even if climate change worsens wildfires , its impact is dwarfed by other factors .
To be sure , this year ’ s wildfires are devastating , but blaming them on a president who opposes extreme climate policies is a total fraud .
It is like suing a physician for malpractice should they not prescribe windmills for a sinus infection .
Pure diversion .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wildfires , but they too often have been ignored .
Over the last several decades , while one party has dominated California politics , the state ’ s forests became a timebomb .
This summer , the counter hit zero .
Following a 25-year academic career , Dr. David Kreutzer spent the past 12 years researching climate/energy issues and is now Senior Economist at the Institute for Energy Research .
[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]
By David W. Kreutzer
Real Clear Energy
Hot weather can raise your body temperature. One study found that the temperature of its participants rose by nearly a degree F above the normal temperature when the air temperature was 95 degrees F. Though the impact on core temperatures is very likely to be much less, it still would be evidence supporting the theory that hot weather adds to a fever.
Should this change the recommended therapy for a bacterial infection? That is, when presented with a patient suffering an infection should a physician recommend a climate policy as the cure? Of course not. First, none of the proposed climate policies would have any measurable impact on climate and much less impact on body temperature, and second, even this immeasurable impact would not occur anytime soon. On the other hand, an antibiotic has a curative impact in a matter of days. It is a good thing doctors are not as insane when treating infections as some politicians and climate activists are when addressing wildfires.
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It’s no secret that dryer wood burns more readily than wet wood. Nor is it news that hotter, dryer weather will dry things faster. What seems to be a secret from less self-evident to some is that parts of the West Coast get really hot and dry, over and over. According to studies on past droughts, the recent ones in California are not even close to being the longest. Some droughts have lasted more than a century. It seems the past 100 years have actually been relatively wet.
Even if a one-degree-warmer world led to warmer West Coast forests, the high intensity of the recent wildfires can’t be attributed to air temperatures being 109 degrees instead of 108. The much bigger problem is fuel loading—the amount of dead wood and other organic matter on forest floors, compounded by a higher density of small trees. Two years ago, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office of the California Legislature warned:
A combination of factors have resulted in poor conditions across these forests and watersheds, including excessive vegetation density and an overabundance of small trees and brush. Such conditions have contributed to more prevalent and severe wildfires and unprecedented tree mortality in recent years, and experts are concerned these trends will continue if steps are not taken to significantly improve the health of the state’s forests.
Reducing this forest fuel load involves multiple steps, including forest-thinning and prescribed burns. As noted in 2018, California’s forests have been in dire need of such policies for years. Nothing will end wildfires, but ignoring the problems of tree density and fuel load helps turn manageable, regenerative fires into overwhelmingly destructive blazes like the ones we have seen this year.
Carbon-neutral electricity mandates will not reduce the frequency or intensity of wildfires—but they will raise prices and increase the likelihood of blackouts. No number of photo-ops or press conferences can change this reality.
Carbon dioxide is well mixed in the atmosphere—and thus, reducing (or increasing) CO2 emissions brings no local effects. The global impact of a California carbon-neutral power mandate is negligible. A total elimination of CO2 from all power sources in the U.S. would moderate world temperature by less than 0.2 degrees Celsius, and even that impact would not occur before the year 2100.
Blaming wildfires on climate has some data problems, too. NASA satellites observed a 25 percent reduction in burned area worldwide between 2013 and 2019. Assessment of a longer U.S. record fails to support the global-warming-equals-more-fires story. Numbers for the past century from the National Interagency Fire Center show huge variability, uncorrelated with world temperature or CO2. Going back even farther, it is estimated that California’s prehistoric wildfires burned an average of 5.5 million to 19 million acres each year—considerably more than the “record” 2.2 million acres burned this year. Even if climate change worsens wildfires, its impact is dwarfed by other factors.
To be sure, this year’s wildfires are devastating, but blaming them on a president who opposes extreme climate policies is a total fraud. It is like suing a physician for malpractice should they not prescribe windmills for a sinus infection. Pure diversion.
There are policies for reducing the intensity and frequency of wildfires, but they too often have been ignored. Over the last several decades, while one party has dominated California politics, the state’s forests became a timebomb. This summer, the counter hit zero.
Following a 25-year academic career, Dr. David Kreutzer spent the past 12 years researching climate/energy issues and is now Senior Economist at the Institute for Energy Research.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]


wnd--2020-09-27--Attack on 'voter suppression' actually 'power play by Pennsylvania Democrats'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy . ]
A ruling last week by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court all but guaranteed that we will not know the results of the 2020 presidential election on the night of November 3 .
In response to challenges from the Pennsylvania Democratic Party , the court extended the deadline for acceptance of absentee ballots to three days after Election Day .
That ’ s a prescription for trouble , because if this year ’ s primaries — in which more than half a million mail ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s that in-person voting remains the smartest way to go about presidential elections .
Students of American political history can remember the controversy surrounding the 1960 presidential contest , when Chicago Mayor Richard Daley , to the benefit of John F. Kennedy , allegedly withheld votes on Election Night .
Sixty years later , Pennsylvania is setting itself up for its own “ count votes until you win ” scenario .
TRENDING : Alleged attacker behind carnage at pro-Trump event linked to 'Caravan 4 Justice ' group Delayed results generate controversy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for absentee ballots , Pennsylvania has opened the way for partisan legal teams to descend on the Keystone State .
Is this how we want to conduct our elections , with lawyers fighting it out over what counts as a signature on a mail ballot ?
Does Pennsylvania want to subject the rest of the country to a drawn-out battle over which ballots to count and which to discard until December 15th , when the Electoral College convenes ?
Democrats insist that President Trump has undermined American political institutions , but they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the election .
Widespread voting by mail is being sold as “ ending voter suppression.
” In reality , it ’ s a power play by Pennsylvania Democrats to change the rules with fewer than 50 days to go .
Our elections are no longer free and fair , and our electoral process no longer legitimate , when we make late-game changes to the rules .
Americans deserve to see their elections resolved in a swift and timely manner .
The best way to do that is the old-fashioned way — voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presents unique challenges , of course , with the Covid-19 pandemic , but Dr. Anthony Fauci himself has said repeatedly that with proper precautions , in-person voting is safe .
Conversely , the U.S .
Postal Service has a poor track record of delivering election mail even in good years .
It makes no sense to believe that it could handle such an influx of election mail this year .
Of course , we must always allow for some amount of absentee voting , but to actively encourage voters to cast their ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person opens the process up to corruption .
Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic Party officials know that the system in place for voting by mail is deeply flawed .
It ’ s a system that can ’ t be fixed just months before an election .
By pressing the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to extend the deadline for absentee ballots , Democrats are taking advantage of these weaknesses .
In the name of defending democracy and the electoral process , they are doing the opposite — empowering lawyers , rather than American voters , @ @ @ @ @

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy.]
By Adam Brandon
Real Clear Policy
A ruling last week by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court all but guaranteed that we will not know the results of the 2020 presidential election on the night of November 3. In response to challenges from the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, the court extended the deadline for acceptance of absentee ballots to three days after Election Day. That’s a prescription for trouble, because if this year’s primaries — in which more than half a million mail ballots were rejected — tell us anything, it’s that in-person voting remains the smartest way to go about presidential elections.
Students of American political history can remember the controversy surrounding the 1960 presidential contest, when Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, to the benefit of John F. Kennedy, allegedly withheld votes on Election Night. Sixty years later, Pennsylvania is setting itself up for its own “count votes until you win” scenario.
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Delayed results generate controversy and chaos. By arbitrarily extending the deadline for absentee ballots, Pennsylvania has opened the way for partisan legal teams to descend on the Keystone State. Is this how we want to conduct our elections, with lawyers fighting it out over what counts as a signature on a mail ballot? Does Pennsylvania want to subject the rest of the country to a drawn-out battle over which ballots to count and which to discard until December 15th, when the Electoral College convenes?
Democrats insist that President Trump has undermined American political institutions, but they’re the ones effectively changing the date of the election. Widespread voting by mail is being sold as “ending voter suppression.” In reality, it’s a power play by Pennsylvania Democrats to change the rules with fewer than 50 days to go. Our elections are no longer free and fair, and our electoral process no longer legitimate, when we make late-game changes to the rules.
Americans deserve to see their elections resolved in a swift and timely manner. The best way to do that is the old-fashioned way — voting in-person on Election Day. This year presents unique challenges, of course, with the Covid-19 pandemic, but Dr. Anthony Fauci himself has said repeatedly that with proper precautions, in-person voting is safe. Conversely, the U.S. Postal Service has a poor track record of delivering election mail even in good years. It makes no sense to believe that it could handle such an influx of election mail this year.
Of course, we must always allow for some amount of absentee voting, but to actively encourage voters to cast their ballots by mail when most could otherwise vote in person opens the process up to corruption.
Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party officials know that the system in place for voting by mail is deeply flawed. It’s a system that can’t be fixed just months before an election. By pressing the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to extend the deadline for absentee ballots, Democrats are taking advantage of these weaknesses. In the name of defending democracy and the electoral process, they are doing the opposite — empowering lawyers, rather than American voters, to determine the result.