wnd--2020-06-14--Paying a high price: Government officials admit taking pot-shop bribes

Two former city officials in California have pleaded guilty to taking bribes to smooth the path for the opening of a pot shop .
The Department of Justice on Friday said a former Calexico City councilman along with a former commissioner on the city ’ s Economic Development and Financial Advisory Commission , David Romero , 36 , and Bruno Suarez Soto , 28 , pleaded guilty to corruption charges .
The two admitted they accepted cash bribes in exchange for promises of official action by the city .
They are scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 4 and are free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The DOJ said : `` According to their plea agreements , Romero and Soto accepted $ 35,000 in cash bribes from an undercover FBI agent who they believed represented investors seeking to open a cannabis dispensary in Calexico .
In return , Romero and Soto guaranteed the rapid issuance of a city permit for the dispensary , and to revoke or hinder other applicants if necessary to ensure that the bribe payer ’ s application was successful . ''
In addition to being a councilman , Romero was serving as Calexico ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to become mayor in July 2020 .
Soto recently resigned from the city commission responsible for promoting business and community growth and coordinating with prospective developers to help them invest in the City of Calexico .
Moreover , both men admitted they had taken bribes from others in the past , according to the charging document .
The federal government alleged that during a Dec. 19 , 2019 , meeting at a restaurant in Calexico with the undercover FBI agent , Romero and Soto agreed to fast-track the agent 's purported application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI agent also asked if the two city officials would later demand more money .
Romero , according to court papers , responded : `` This is done .
Set and sealed . ''
But they demanded the money up front since `` they had done similar work for other people , and those people had not paid the agreed-upon fee after the favors had been rendered , '' the charging documents explain .
At a later meeting , on Jan. 9 , the undercover agent handed Soto $ 17,500 in cash in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another with $ 8,700 .
The second installment was delivered Jan. 30 , the documents allege .

Two former city officials in California have pleaded guilty to taking bribes to smooth the path for the opening of a pot shop.
The Department of Justice on Friday said a former Calexico City councilman along with a former commissioner on the city’s Economic Development and Financial Advisory Commission, David Romero, 36, and Bruno Suarez Soto, 28, pleaded guilty to corruption charges. The two admitted they accepted cash bribes in exchange for promises of official action by the city.
They are scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 4 and are free on $10,000 bonds until then.
The DOJ said: "According to their plea agreements, Romero and Soto accepted $35,000 in cash bribes from an undercover FBI agent who they believed represented investors seeking to open a cannabis dispensary in Calexico. In return, Romero and Soto guaranteed the rapid issuance of a city permit for the dispensary, and to revoke or hinder other applicants if necessary to ensure that the bribe payer’s application was successful."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In addition to being a councilman, Romero was serving as Calexico’s mayor pro tem, meaning he was set to become mayor in July 2020. Soto recently resigned from the city commission responsible for promoting business and community growth and coordinating with prospective developers to help them invest in the City of Calexico.
Moreover, both men admitted they had taken bribes from others in the past, according to the charging document.
The federal government alleged that during a Dec. 19, 2019, meeting at a restaurant in Calexico with the undercover FBI agent, Romero and Soto agreed to fast-track the agent's purported application for a cannabis dispensary permit.
The FBI agent also asked if the two city officials would later demand more money. Romero, according to court papers, responded: "This is done. Set and sealed."
But they demanded the money up front since "they had done similar work for other people, and those people had not paid the agreed-upon fee after the favors had been rendered," the charging documents explain.
At a later meeting, on Jan. 9, the undercover agent handed Soto $17,500 in cash in two envelopes, one with $8,800 and another with $8,700.
The second installment was delivered Jan. 30, the documents allege.


wnd--2020-06-14--Armed citizens form 'battle line' to protect Kentucky Confederate monument

Proclaiming themselves to be a `` battle line , '' a crowd gathered in Kentucky on Friday and Saturday to guard a monument to Confederate soldiers against potential attacks by Black Lives Matter protesters .
A statue to Confederate soldiers that was moved from the University of Louisville in 2017 stands in Brandenburg , Kentucky .
On Friday , the Meade County Sheriff 's Office used its Facebook page to alert residents of an impending protest .
`` The Meade County Sheriff ’ s Office and the Brandenburg City Police Dept .
are aware of the protest planned at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Main St. in downtown Brandenburg .
`` We have reached out to other law enforcement agencies for support .
We have plans in place to accommodate the protestors in their right to peaceful protest as well as protecting the lives and property of our community and its citizens , '' the post said .
`` We ask that the citizens of our community continue their support for our community and local law enforcement by praying for a safe and peaceful demonstration at this event .
`` We recognize and appreciate all citizens that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , with that right comes great responsibility .
Please help your law enforcement do their jobs as safely and efficiently as possible by demonstrating that responsibility .
`` Together we can make this event a peaceful event by working to protect everyone ’ s rights , '' the post read .
Although protesters did gather in Brandenburg , about 30 miles southwest of Louisville , so did others who blocked access to the monument .
Some of the monument 's defenders were armed .
On Friday , the groups hurled epithets at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to WDRB .
Cletus Evans , who was at the monument , said there are different motives at work in the protests .
“ There 's some legitimate groups that have very good advocating rights to protest and they do it peacefully .
It 's just like when Dr. Martin Luther King protested , he did peaceful protests .
It 's the groups that went beyond that and tear up buildings , that 's when , you ca n't gain anything from that , ” Evans said , according to WHAS-TV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
`` We all have our opinions about history , but I 've never looked at this thing as representing slavery .
You know , this is a confederates veterans monument , and that 's all , '' Brandenburg Mayor Ronnie Joyner said in 2017 when the statue was moved to its current location , according to WDRB-TV .
`` [ I ] t 's about is the veterans , '' he said then .
Tumultuous protests and physical destruction of Confederate monuments has been concentrated mainly on Southern states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as North Carolina , Tennessee and Virginia .
Kentucky never officially seceded from the Union during the Civil War , but its population 's sympathies were sharply divided , as Battlefields.org has noted .
Some divisions about contemporary views of the Confederacy remain to this day .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Proclaiming themselves to be a "battle line," a crowd gathered in Kentucky on Friday and Saturday to guard a monument to Confederate soldiers against potential attacks by Black Lives Matter protesters.
A statue to Confederate soldiers that was moved from the University of Louisville in 2017 stands in Brandenburg, Kentucky.
On Friday, the Meade County Sheriff's Office used its Facebook page to alert residents of an impending protest.
"The Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Brandenburg City Police Dept. are aware of the protest planned at the site of the civil war monument on Main St. in downtown Brandenburg.
"We have reached out to other law enforcement agencies for support. We have plans in place to accommodate the protestors in their right to peaceful protest as well as protecting the lives and property of our community and its citizens," the post said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"We ask that the citizens of our community continue their support for our community and local law enforcement by praying for a safe and peaceful demonstration at this event.
"We recognize and appreciate all citizens that want to exercise their constitutional rights. However, with that right comes great responsibility. Please help your law enforcement do their jobs as safely and efficiently as possible by demonstrating that responsibility.
"Together we can make this event a peaceful event by working to protect everyone’s rights," the post read.
Although protesters did gather in Brandenburg, about 30 miles southwest of Louisville, so did others who blocked access to the monument. Some of the monument's defenders were armed.
On Friday, the groups hurled epithets at each other, but nothing more, according to WDRB.
“This is our battle line. No one is crossing it.” People are gathered in a group with their weapons making a plan to protect the statue @WHAS11 #nightteam pic.twitter.com/kOrNzqofRu — Jessie Cohen (@jessiecohennews) June 13, 2020
We just arrived in Bradenburg where the city is preparing for protestors to come to the confederate statue. There is talk about people tearing it down, while dozens of citizens have lined the streets to protect it @WHAS11 #nightteam pic.twitter.com/3TSO7CoZ5q — Jessie Cohen (@jessiecohennews) June 13, 2020
As the sun is setting here in Brandenburg, the line of people is officially up around the confederate statue @WHAS11 #nightteam pic.twitter.com/EoSBvg9XUj — Jessie Cohen (@jessiecohennews) June 13, 2020
Cletus Evans, who was at the monument, said there are different motives at work in the protests.
“There's some legitimate groups that have very good advocating rights to protest and they do it peacefully. It's just like when Dr. Martin Luther King protested, he did peaceful protests. It's the groups that went beyond that and tear up buildings, that's when, you can't gain anything from that,” Evans said, according to WHAS-TV.
The 70-foot-tall monument was banished from Louisville in 2016.
"We all have our opinions about history, but I've never looked at this thing as representing slavery. You know, this is a confederates veterans monument, and that's all," Brandenburg Mayor Ronnie Joyner said in 2017 when the statue was moved to its current location, according to WDRB-TV.
"[I]t's about is the veterans," he said then.
Tumultuous protests and physical destruction of Confederate monuments has been concentrated mainly on Southern states that were part of the old Confederacy, such as North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Kentucky never officially seceded from the Union during the Civil War, but its population's sympathies were sharply divided, as Battlefields.org has noted. Some divisions about contemporary views of the Confederacy remain to this day.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-06-14--White House press corps ignoring historic Trump milestone

Women have reached a historic milestone under the Trump administration , for the first time making up half of the senior leadership of the National Security Council .
Madeline Osburn , a staff editor for The Federalist , writes that 12 of the 24 directorates are led by women .
That includes three of the six regional directorates that cover the world .
`` While the White House press corps has not yet noticed that fact , and Vanity Fair didn ’ t have Annie Leibovitz come do a photo shoot , as would have been obligatory in the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed and appreciated the historic first , '' she wrote .
In the report , Ivanka Trump , adviser to the president , said her father `` has demonstrated his commitment to empowering women in the U.S. and across the world , implementing a pro-growth , pro-family agenda that lifts up women of all backgrounds . ''
`` It ’ s no surprise that women are leading the way across the Trump administration , including more women leaders at the National Security Council than at any other time in history , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's operations regarding international organizations , border security and COVID-19 as well as the regions of Africa , Asia and South Asia .
Osburn noted that last year national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien began to rebuild the council , cutting its size .
The report noted policy staff had swelled from a dozen during the Cuban missile crisis to well over 200 in the Obama administration , which O'Brien said was far too large .
`` Under President Trump ’ s leadership , over the past nine months we have brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and role as a lean and efficient advisory body , and we were able to make that happen because we have some of the strongest leaders in the history of the NSC , half of whom are women for the first time ever , '' O'Brien said in the report .
NSC members have praised the streamlining of the council , with Rebeccah Heinrichs , a scholar with the Hudson Institute , noting its `` exceptionally capable people . ''
The Federalist report said the female NSC leaders include arguably the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and diplomat serving as head of the coronavirus response .
In February , O ’ Brien named her to the NSC , where she works on detail from the State Department .
Other women include Allison Hooker , handling Asia ; Elizabeth Erin Walsh , handling Africa ; Sue J. Bai , the principal deputy legal adviser ; and Julia Nesheiwat , handling homeland security .

Women have reached a historic milestone under the Trump administration, for the first time making up half of the senior leadership of the National Security Council.
Madeline Osburn, a staff editor for The Federalist, writes that 12 of the 24 directorates are led by women.
That includes three of the six regional directorates that cover the world.
"While the White House press corps has not yet noticed that fact, and Vanity Fair didn’t have Annie Leibovitz come do a photo shoot, as would have been obligatory in the previous administration, women in the White House noticed and appreciated the historic first," she wrote.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In the report, Ivanka Trump, adviser to the president, said her father "has demonstrated his commitment to empowering women in the U.S. and across the world, implementing a pro-growth, pro-family agenda that lifts up women of all backgrounds."
"It’s no surprise that women are leading the way across the Trump administration, including more women leaders at the National Security Council than at any other time in history," she said.
Women now lead the NSC's operations regarding international organizations, border security and COVID-19 as well as the regions of Africa, Asia and South Asia.
Osburn noted that last year national security adviser Robert O’Brien began to rebuild the council, cutting its size.
Do you expect national media to ever report news that puts Trump in a positive light? 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. 3% (6 Votes) 97% (216 Votes)
The report noted policy staff had swelled from a dozen during the Cuban missile crisis to well over 200 in the Obama administration, which O'Brien said was far too large.
"Under President Trump’s leadership, over the past nine months we have brought the NSC back to its proper size and role as a lean and efficient advisory body, and we were able to make that happen because we have some of the strongest leaders in the history of the NSC, half of whom are women for the first time ever," O'Brien said in the report.
NSC members have praised the streamlining of the council, with Rebeccah Heinrichs, a scholar with the Hudson Institute, noting its "exceptionally capable people."
The Federalist report said the female NSC leaders include arguably the most important, Dr. Deborah Birx, the physician and diplomat serving as head of the coronavirus response. In February, O’Brien named her to the NSC, where she works on detail from the State Department.
Other women include Allison Hooker, handling Asia; Elizabeth Erin Walsh, handling Africa; Sue J. Bai, the principal deputy legal adviser; and Julia Nesheiwat, handling homeland security.


wnd--2020-06-14--Again! Cops show up at home when someone offended by 'gun' on computer screen

Commentator Todd Starnes reports a Pennsylvania mother was stunned when police showed up at her home because someone on a Zoom class with her son saw a toy gun .
Sheila Perez Smith told Starnes another parent on the call was made `` uncomfortable '' by the toy .
Police ignored the fact that it was a toy and lectured her and her husband on gun safety .
Children , the officers said , are `` too young to interact with any guns . ''
The mother said her children were terrified by the police visit .
Starnes noted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snitching on neighbors during the 1920s and '30s – leading up to World World II . ''
`` It 's horrifying to imagine that such tendencies might exist in modern-day America . ''
But it was n't the first time a `` virtual school lesson '' caused trouble for a family .
WBFF-TV in Baltimore reported Courtney Lancaster of Baltimore County said someone complained after spotting a BB gun in the room behind her 11-year-old son during a school video conference .
She has years of experience with guns , and her son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuit of an Eagle Scout ranking .
Baltimore police pulled up in front of her house .
`` I had no idea what to think .
I 've never been in any legal trouble whatsoever .
I 've never had any negative encounter with law enforcement , '' Lancaster said .
`` I had no idea .
I really did n't know what to think . ''
She said she answered the door and officers explained the problem was an `` issue with my son 's school . ''
`` And then explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search for weapons , in my home .
And I consented to let him in .
And then I , unfortunately , stood there and watched police officers enter my 11-year-old son 's bedroom . ''
Lancaster exchanged emails with the school and learned that a screenshot taken during an online class was the reason the principal of Seneca Elementary was notified .
The school 's `` safety officer '' called police .
`` Who are on these calls ?
Who do we have viewing your children and subsequently taking these screenshots that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any purpose ? ''
she told the station .
`` So , what are the parameters ?
Where are the lines drawn ?
If my son is sitting at the kitchen island next to a butcher block , does that constitute a weapon ?
It 's not allowed at school , right ?
So , would my home then be searched because he 's sitting next to a butcher block .
I feel like parents need to be made aware of what the implications are , what the expectations are , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal should be fired `` for basically spying on students and how they handled this . ''
`` If I was this parent I would put a piece of tape over the WebCam and that school would have no view of my child 's room ever again . ''
Another said , `` Sane people need to get the hell out of places like this . ''

It's happened again.
Commentator Todd Starnes reports a Pennsylvania mother was stunned when police showed up at her home because someone on a Zoom class with her son saw a toy gun.
Sheila Perez Smith told Starnes another parent on the call was made "uncomfortable" by the toy.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Police ignored the fact that it was a toy and lectured her and her husband on gun safety. Children, the officers said, are "too young to interact with any guns."
The mother said her children were terrified by the police visit.
Starnes noted the German government "perfected the process of snitching on neighbors during the 1920s and '30s – leading up to World World II."
"It's horrifying to imagine that such tendencies might exist in modern-day America."
Do events like these make you fear for the future of America? 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. 98% (519 Votes) 2% (8 Votes)
But it wasn't the first time a "virtual school lesson" caused trouble for a family.
WBFF-TV in Baltimore reported Courtney Lancaster of Baltimore County said someone complained after spotting a BB gun in the room behind her 11-year-old son during a school video conference.
She has years of experience with guns, and her son learned to shoot the BB gun in pursuit of an Eagle Scout ranking.
Baltimore police pulled up in front of her house.
"I had no idea what to think. I've never been in any legal trouble whatsoever. I've never had any negative encounter with law enforcement," Lancaster said. "I had no idea. I really didn't know what to think."
She said she answered the door and officers explained the problem was an "issue with my son's school."
"And then explained to me that he was here to search for weapons, in my home. And I consented to let him in. And then I, unfortunately, stood there and watched police officers enter my 11-year-old son's bedroom."
Lancaster exchanged emails with the school and learned that a screenshot taken during an online class was the reason the principal of Seneca Elementary was notified. The school's "safety officer" called police.
Officers found no violations.
She's concerned now about "virtual learning."
"Who are on these calls? Who do we have viewing your children and subsequently taking these screenshots that can be sent anywhere or used for any purpose?" she told the station.
"So, what are the parameters? Where are the lines drawn? If my son is sitting at the kitchen island next to a butcher block, does that constitute a weapon? It's not allowed at school, right? So, would my home then be searched because he's sitting next to a butcher block. I feel like parents need to be made aware of what the implications are, what the expectations are," she said.
INSANE: School safety officer notified when boy's BB gun is spotted on his wall through his Web cam while he's attending VIRTUAL school. Principal equates the electronic depiction of the boy's bedroom wall w/ bringing a weapon to school. Cops search house.https://t.co/PRhuQha3TE pic.twitter.com/HZTNd3zoUD — John Dias 🇺🇸 (@TheRealJohnDias) June 11, 2020
One Twitter user said the principal should be fired "for basically spying on students and how they handled this."
"If I was this parent I would put a piece of tape over the WebCam and that school would have no view of my child's room ever again."
Another said, "Sane people need to get the hell out of places like this."


wnd--2020-06-15--Biden sponsored bill protecting cops under investigation 4 times as senator

• Former Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly sponsored the State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline , Accountability , and Due Process Act as a U.S. senator .
• One provision of the bill would have given police officers under investigation access to their entire investigative file before interrogation .
• Critics say such a bill would give police officers privileges not afforded to the average American .
Vice President Joe Biden sponsored a bill which proposed to grant special privileges to police officers under criminal investigation four times while he served in the U.S. Senate .
Biden , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline , Accountability , and Due Process Act in 2000 , 2003 , 2005 , and 2007 , according to congressional records .
The bill was never passed .
“ The law enforcement officer shall be provided with a copy of the complete file of the pre-disciplinary investigation ; and access to and , if so requested , copies of all documents , including transcripts , records , written statements , written reports , analyses , and electronically recorded information , ” the bill read .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer under investigation to review the file that investigators have on them before interrogation .
The legislation would have required investigators to notify the officer “ of all physical , non-documentary evidence.
” The officer would have been given the opportunity to analyze the evidence at least ten days before a disciplinary hearing .
FREE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON ANTIFA !
What exactly is ANTIFA and what are its real goals ?
Why does it viciously attack America at every opportunity , prompting President Trump to label it a `` domestic terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original , in-depth investigative report on ANTIFA – absolutely FREE !
Sign-up here for your copy of this powerful 22,000-word e-book exposing ANTIFA , which will be delivered to you immediately !
The bill was lobbied for by major police unions such as the National Fraternal Order of Police in 2005 and 2007 , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The National Association of Police Organizations , a coalition of police organizations which lobbies on behalf of police unions on Capitol Hill , also lobbied for the bill , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation is an example of a law enforcement officers ’ bill of rights , which are legal guidelines for how police officers can be treated during the course of an investigation into their conduct .
Such laws are one of the main legal provisions protecting bad cops , according to Trevor Burrus , research fellow at Cato Institute ’ s Robert A .
Levy Center for Constitutional Studies .
Although the proposed bill Biden sponsored wasn ’ t passed into law , there are several states with a law enforcement bill of rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia , Minnesota and Illinois are among the states with such a law .
In the wake of the death of George Floyd , some states are reviewing their law enforcement bill of rights laws .
Delaware and Rhode Island have both begun this process .
Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer kneeled on his neck , video shows .
Protests and riots have taken place around the country in response to Floyd ’ s death .
“ Imagine if , prior to conducting interrogations , police officers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a full and truthful accounting of all the evidence against them , ” a 2017 Duke Law Journal study on police union contracts reads .
“ And imagine if police were required to provide all suspects and their attorneys with advance notice—anywhere from twenty-four hours to ten days in length—before conducting interrogations , ” the study states .
“ Most experienced police officers would balk at such hindrances on their ability to interrogate criminal suspects.
” Biden has faced repeated criticism for his position on the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for and continues to support .
The bill included a “ three strikes ” rule , which ensured harsh penalties for repeat offenders .
Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 until 2009 .
Biden ’ s campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
The National Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations also did not respond to requests for comment .
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]

By Thomas Catenacci
Daily Caller News Foundation
Former Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly sponsored the State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act as a U.S. senator.
One provision of the bill would have given police officers under investigation access to their entire investigative file before interrogation.
Critics say such a bill would give police officers privileges not afforded to the average American.
Vice President Joe Biden sponsored a bill which proposed to grant special privileges to police officers under criminal investigation four times while he served in the U.S. Senate.
Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, pushed the State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act in 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2007, according to congressional records. The bill was never passed.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“The law enforcement officer shall be provided with a copy of the complete file of the pre-disciplinary investigation; and access to and, if so requested, copies of all documents, including transcripts, records, written statements, written reports, analyses, and electronically recorded information,” the bill read.
This provision in the law would have enabled an officer under investigation to review the file that investigators have on them before interrogation.
The legislation would have required investigators to notify the officer “of all physical, non-documentary evidence.” The officer would have been given the opportunity to analyze the evidence at least ten days before a disciplinary hearing.
FREE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON ANTIFA! What exactly is ANTIFA and what are its real goals? Why does it viciously attack America at every opportunity, prompting President Trump to label it a "domestic terror group"? WND is offering an original, in-depth investigative report on ANTIFA – absolutely FREE! Sign-up here for your copy of this powerful 22,000-word e-book exposing ANTIFA, which will be delivered to you immediately!
The bill was lobbied for by major police unions such as the National Fraternal Order of Police in 2005 and 2007, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The National Association of Police Organizations, a coalition of police organizations which lobbies on behalf of police unions on Capitol Hill, also lobbied for the bill, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The legislation is an example of a law enforcement officers’ bill of rights, which are legal guidelines for how police officers can be treated during the course of an investigation into their conduct.
Such laws are one of the main legal provisions protecting bad cops, according to Trevor Burrus, research fellow at Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies.
Although the proposed bill Biden sponsored wasn’t passed into law, there are several states with a law enforcement bill of rights written in their state law. California, Virginia, Minnesota and Illinois are among the states with such a law.
In the wake of the death of George Floyd, some states are reviewing their law enforcement bill of rights laws. Delaware and Rhode Island have both begun this process. Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer kneeled on his neck, video shows. Protests and riots have taken place around the country in response to Floyd’s death.
“Imagine if, prior to conducting interrogations, police officers were required to provide suspects and their attorneys with a full and truthful accounting of all the evidence against them,” a 2017 Duke Law Journal study on police union contracts reads.
“And imagine if police were required to provide all suspects and their attorneys with advance notice—anywhere from twenty-four hours to ten days in length—before conducting interrogations,” the study states. “Most experienced police officers would balk at such hindrances on their ability to interrogate criminal suspects.”
Biden has faced repeated criticism for his position on the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which he voted for and continues to support. The bill included a “three strikes” rule, which ensured harsh penalties for repeat offenders.
Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 until 2009.
Biden’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. The National Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations also did not respond to requests for comment.
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


wnd--2020-06-16--HHS under Trump determines sex is male, or female

This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics .
The Trump administration has a narrow view of sex , and in the eyes of the law , his Department of Health and Human Services will define sex as determined by biology — that is , male and female .
HHS has finalized a rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that restores the traditional definition and revokes the redefinition of sex discrimination implemented under President Obama .
The previous administration had defined sex as “ one ’ s internal sense of gender.
” TRENDING : Failed Dem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ethics violations As of Friday , that is no more .
“ We are restoring respect to the rule of law , ” Roger Severino , the director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS , told RealClearPolitics .
The old definition implemented by Obama , he argued , had created “ extraordinary confusion in the science and medical fields.
” The return to the traditional definition is a promise made by Trump-the-candidate , and a promise kept by Trump-the-president .
Controversy will certainly follow , especially ahead of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the culture war is not the objective .
Severino says he wants clear-eyed regulators instead , ones guided by science rather than shifting gender-identity politics .
“ If there 's any agency where the biological understanding of sex matters , it would be HHS , ” he told RCP .
“ We 've done so much work in the field of medicine and science , where sex is considered a biological variable.
” The administration believes the courts will rule on its side .
The return to a traditional definition at HHS comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Department of Education .
It also comes at a moment when the issue of sex and gender have become fraught political topics .
Each of the Democratic primary contenders except for the eventual nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden , made a show of defining their gender identity and adding their preferred pronouns to their Twitter bios .
While the decision to define sex according to biology means a cultural fight , Severino insists it will in no way affect how HHS “ respects the dignity of every human being.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our response to the pandemic , we vigorously protect and enforce the civil rights of all to the fullest extent permitted by our laws as passed by Congress .
We are unwavering in our commitment to enforcing civil rights in health care , ” he added .
And the administration insists that this decision will not harm the rights of those who identify their sex as different than male or female .
The return to the traditional definition , instead , Severino said , makes clear that biological sex and gender are different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake , both as a matter of law , but also leads to all sorts of confusion that could lead to tragic consequences , ” he added .
The director pointed to a tragic case documented in the New England Journal of Medicine when a man arrived at a hospital experiencing severe abdominal pains .
Nurses did not consider the case an emergency , until they realized that the patient was pregnant .
He was a transgender man in labor .
The pregnancy ended in a stillbirth .
“ Treating sex as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Severino added , `` can make a tremendous difference to health outcomes.
” This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics .

This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.
By Philip Wegmann
Real Clear Politics
The Trump administration has a narrow view of sex, and in the eyes of the law, his Department of Health and Human Services will define sex as determined by biology — that is, male and female.
HHS has finalized a rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that restores the traditional definition and revokes the redefinition of sex discrimination implemented under President Obama. The previous administration had defined sex as “one’s internal sense of gender.”
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
As of Friday, that is no more.
“We are restoring respect to the rule of law,” Roger Severino, the director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS, told RealClearPolitics. The old definition implemented by Obama, he argued, had created “extraordinary confusion in the science and medical fields.”
The return to the traditional definition is a promise made by Trump-the-candidate, and a promise kept by Trump-the-president. Controversy will certainly follow, especially ahead of the presidential election.
But advancing the front on the culture war is not the objective. Severino says he wants clear-eyed regulators instead, ones guided by science rather than shifting gender-identity politics. “If there's any agency where the biological understanding of sex matters, it would be HHS,” he told RCP. “We've done so much work in the field of medicine and science, where sex is considered a biological variable.”
Should a person's sex be determined by biology? 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. 99% (582 Votes) 1% (8 Votes)
The administration believes the courts will rule on its side.
The return to a traditional definition at HHS comes on the heels of a similar decision by the Department of Education. It also comes at a moment when the issue of sex and gender have become fraught political topics. Each of the Democratic primary contenders except for the eventual nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, made a show of defining their gender identity and adding their preferred pronouns to their Twitter bios.
While the decision to define sex according to biology means a cultural fight, Severino insists it will in no way affect how HHS “respects the dignity of every human being.”
“As we have shown in our response to the pandemic, we vigorously protect and enforce the civil rights of all to the fullest extent permitted by our laws as passed by Congress. We are unwavering in our commitment to enforcing civil rights in health care,” he added.
And the administration insists that this decision will not harm the rights of those who identify their sex as different than male or female. The return to the traditional definition, instead, Severino said, makes clear that biological sex and gender are different.
“To conflate the two is a mistake, both as a matter of law, but also leads to all sorts of confusion that could lead to tragic consequences,” he added.
The director pointed to a tragic case documented in the New England Journal of Medicine when a man arrived at a hospital experiencing severe abdominal pains. Nurses did not consider the case an emergency, until they realized that the patient was pregnant. He was a transgender man in labor. The pregnancy ended in a stillbirth.
“Treating sex as a biological reality or not,” Severino added, "can make a tremendous difference to health outcomes.”
This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.


wnd--2020-06-16--College chief aims at 'hate speech,' hits First Amendment

A college president is being called out for violating the First Amendment in his effort to combat `` hate speech . ''
Jay Clune of Nicholls State University recently sent an email to students and faculty affirming the school 's `` solidarity with our Black community . ''
`` Nicholls will not tolerate any form of hate speech , '' he said .
`` Free speech does not protect hate speech . ''
TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations The problem with that statement , points out the Foundation for Individual Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not true .
`` It ’ s a common refrain – that the First Amendment doesn ’ t protect hate speech , '' said Adam Steinbaugh , who wrote to Nicholls in behalf of FIRE .
`` The problem is , that ’ s wrong .
Some hateful expression is not protected because it falls into one of the other exceptions to the First Amendment , but there is no categorical ‘ hate speech ’ exception .
Everybody has their own definition of ‘ hate speech , ’ and a university president should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution permits him to do . ''
Clune threatened `` the swiftest , harshest action allowed by law if any member of our campus community is found acting or communicating in a manner that does not support our values . ''
Fire told Clune that his email actually is `` a roadmap to violating the well-established First Amendment rights of Nicholls State students and faculty . ''
`` It has long been settled law that the First Amendment is binding on public colleges like Nicholls State , '' the letter explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent with the First Amendment . ''
The Supreme Court has determined that speech can not be banned `` simply because it offends others , on- or off-campus . ''
`` This core First Amendment principle is why the authorities can not prohibit the burning of the American flag – or , for that matter , the Confederate flag . ''
FIRE commented : `` While Nicholls State is free to 'encourage the expression of free thoughts and ideas , ' the First Amendment forbids it from drawing a line between speech it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ) and expression 'contrary to the values ' of university administrators . ''
The First Amendment allows restrictions on `` true threats '' and `` fighting words , '' but `` the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that expression does not lose First Amendment protection solely because some , or even many , deem it to be hateful . ''
`` If the state could punish expression it deems to be hateful , it would imperil a broad range of political speech , and would unquestionably be used against those a 'hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect , '' the letter said .
FIRE warned , `` Your assertion that the First Amendment does not protect 'hate speech ' is wrong , and it will have an unconstitutional chilling effect on protected expression , particularly given that you coupled that erroneous assertion with a promise to enforce it to the 'harshest ' extent . ''

A college president is being called out for violating the First Amendment in his effort to combat "hate speech."
Jay Clune of Nicholls State University recently sent an email to students and faculty affirming the school's "solidarity with our Black community."
"Nicholls will not tolerate any form of hate speech," he said. "Free speech does not protect hate speech."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The problem with that statement, points out the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, is that it's not true.
"It’s a common refrain – that the First Amendment doesn’t protect hate speech," said Adam Steinbaugh, who wrote to Nicholls in behalf of FIRE. "The problem is, that’s wrong. Some hateful expression is not protected because it falls into one of the other exceptions to the First Amendment, but there is no categorical ‘hate speech’ exception. Everybody has their own definition of ‘hate speech,’ and a university president should not mislead students and faculty about what the Constitution permits him to do."
Clune threatened "the swiftest, harshest action allowed by law if any member of our campus community is found acting or communicating in a manner that does not support our values."
He condemned "racist, hateful, and hurtful language."
Fire told Clune that his email actually is "a roadmap to violating the well-established First Amendment rights of Nicholls State students and faculty."
"It has long been settled law that the First Amendment is binding on public colleges like Nicholls State," the letter explained. The university's actions "must be consistent with the First Amendment."
The Supreme Court has determined that speech cannot be banned "simply because it offends others, on- or off-campus."
"This core First Amendment principle is why the authorities cannot prohibit the burning of the American flag – or, for that matter, the Confederate flag."
FIRE commented: "While Nicholls State is free to 'encourage the expression of free thoughts and ideas,' the First Amendment forbids it from drawing a line between speech it views as acceptable ('thoughts and ideas') and expression 'contrary to the values' of university administrators."
The First Amendment allows restrictions on "true threats" and "fighting words," but "the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that expression does not lose First Amendment protection solely because some, or even many, deem it to be hateful."
"If the state could punish expression it deems to be hateful, it would imperil a broad range of political speech, and would unquestionably be used against those a 'hate speech' exception would be intended to protect," the letter said.
FIRE warned, "Your assertion that the First Amendment does not protect 'hate speech' is wrong, and it will have an unconstitutional chilling effect on protected expression, particularly given that you coupled that erroneous assertion with a promise to enforce it to the 'harshest' extent."


wnd--2020-06-16--Dr. Marc Siegel: Coronavirus spike not '2nd wave'

Some state health officials are warning of a second wave of the coronavirus , but the reported increase in cases in some parts of the country are part of the `` first wave , '' contends Dr. Marc Siegel , professor of medicine at New York University .
`` I 'm calling it a migratory virus right now , '' he said on Fox News , `` because different regions are affected . ''
The Northeast , which has been the hardest hit , is now seeing a decrease in cases while there is an increase in the South , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out Health officials in South Carolina , Utah , Arkansas and Texas say they 've seen a rise in cases and hospitalizations .
TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations But Siegel , a Fox News contributor , said one reason for the increase in cases is simply an increase is testing .
Regarding hospitalizations , Conservative Review columnist Daniel Horowitz points out the number of new patients being admitted for serious coronavirus infections is extremely low .
`` What they are actually counting are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the delayed health care caused by the lockdown , '' he wrote .
`` But thanks to universal testing in hospitals , they are discovering more asymptomatic cases than ever before , which had nothing to do with the original purpose of the hospital stay .
Thus , they are blaming the fallout of the lockdown on the easing of the lockdown ! ''

Some state health officials are warning of a second wave of the coronavirus, but the reported increase in cases in some parts of the country are part of the "first wave," contends Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at New York University.
"I'm calling it a migratory virus right now," he said on Fox News, "because different regions are affected."
The Northeast, which has been the hardest hit, is now seeing a decrease in cases while there is an increase in the South, the Southwest and the West, he pointed out
Health officials in South Carolina, Utah, Arkansas and Texas say they've seen a rise in cases and hospitalizations.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
But Siegel, a Fox News contributor, said one reason for the increase in cases is simply an increase is testing.
Regarding hospitalizations, Conservative Review columnist Daniel Horowitz points out the number of new patients being admitted for serious coronavirus infections is extremely low.
"What they are actually counting are the extra people coming in for all of the delayed health care caused by the lockdown," he wrote.
"But thanks to universal testing in hospitals, they are discovering more asymptomatic cases than ever before, which had nothing to do with the original purpose of the hospital stay. Thus, they are blaming the fallout of the lockdown on the easing of the lockdown!"


wnd--2020-06-16--Dems' push to defund police creates chaos

This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics .
The protection of life , liberty , and property are cornerstones of our republic .
As a former police officer , a former congressman , and the current Louisiana attorney general , I ’ ve had the privilege of working alongside the men and women dressed in blue who are on the frontlines in our communities .
Almost all of them are heroes who work tirelessly to keep us safe .
They selflessly put themselves in harm ’ s way to confront uncertainty and danger when we need them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police ” is dangerous .
At best , it is designed by lawless liberals to push an extremist agenda .
At worst , it ’ s intended to create communities of chaos and undermine the economic and political stability of our nation .
Defunding the police has nothing to do with reform in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing and everything to do with disturbing the peace and disrupting years of progress .
Graffiti messages of “ ACAB , ” “ F the 12 , ” “ Capitalism is Murder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spray-painted on courthouses , statues of Abraham Lincoln , and small businesses .
They are not part of any conversation we should have as Americans , and I don ’ t believe they summarize the feelings of the majority of protesters .
This hateful and destructive propaganda is done purposefully by antifa to sow deeper divisions in our communities and stifle discourse .
TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations FREE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON ANTIFA !
What exactly is ANTIFA and what are its real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America at every opportunity , prompting President Trump to label it a `` domestic terror group '' ?
WND is offering an original , in-depth investigative report on ANTIFA – absolutely FREE !
Sign-up here for your copy of this powerful 22,000-word e-book exposing ANTIFA , which will be delivered to you immediately !
I entered politics to serve .
It ’ s the same reason I wore a badge , and the reason I went to law school .
Discussions centered on meaningful and lasting reforms to make our country better are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there ’ s no place for the violence , damage , and destruction being waged by antifa .
This left-wing extremist group claims to be fighting injustice but , ironically , small business owners who serve marginalized communities , residents of majority minority neighborhoods , and law enforcement officers who protect these individuals have been the victims of antifa ’ s vitriol and hatred .
I believe in the rule of law and have spent my career protecting and defending it .
Our civic and political leaders have an obligation to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anarchy .
Unfortunately , last week a Democrat attorney general cheered the burning of America , and this week senior policy advisers to Joe Biden endorsed the defunding of police .
Americans must demand that their leaders do better .
While politicians can passionately pursue systemic change through advocacy and proper legislative channels , they do not cede their moral imperative and legal obligation to enforce the rule of law and ensure stability for all citizens .
George Floyd should still be alive .
His death is a tragedy that should not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring the rule of law is being followed so those responsible for his killing face the consequences of their reckless actions .
Unfortunately , too many innocent victims , from law enforcement officers to minority store owners to residents , have unfairly faced the consequences too , as their lives , livelihoods , homes , and neighborhoods have been destroyed .
As American cities burn , now more than ever before we need law and order , not the anarchist solution of `` defund the police '' nor the reckless politicians who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawlessness .
We believe that our greatest days are yet to come – that means we must always seek ways to do better , to improve , and to ensure the freedom to fail or to succeed is bestowed upon every American .

This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.
By Jeff Landry
Real Clear Politics
The protection of life, liberty, and property are cornerstones of our republic. As a former police officer, a former congressman, and the current Louisiana attorney general, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the men and women dressed in blue who are on the frontlines in our communities. Almost all of them are heroes who work tirelessly to keep us safe. They selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to confront uncertainty and danger when we need them.
The Democrat refrain to “defund the police” is dangerous. At best, it is designed by lawless liberals to push an extremist agenda. At worst, it’s intended to create communities of chaos and undermine the economic and political stability of our nation. Defunding the police has nothing to do with reform in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and everything to do with disturbing the peace and disrupting years of progress.
Graffiti messages of “ACAB,” “F the 12,” “Capitalism is Murder,” and other hate phrases have been spray-painted on courthouses, statues of Abraham Lincoln, and small businesses. They are not part of any conversation we should have as Americans, and I don’t believe they summarize the feelings of the majority of protesters. This hateful and destructive propaganda is done purposefully by antifa to sow deeper divisions in our communities and stifle discourse.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
FREE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON ANTIFA! What exactly is ANTIFA and what are its real goals? Why does it viciously attack America at every opportunity, prompting President Trump to label it a "domestic terror group"? WND is offering an original, in-depth investigative report on ANTIFA – absolutely FREE! Sign-up here for your copy of this powerful 22,000-word e-book exposing ANTIFA, which will be delivered to you immediately!
I entered politics to serve. It’s the same reason I wore a badge, and the reason I went to law school. Discussions centered on meaningful and lasting reforms to make our country better are at the heart of our republic, but there’s no place for the violence, damage, and destruction being waged by antifa. This left-wing extremist group claims to be fighting injustice but, ironically, small business owners who serve marginalized communities, residents of majority minority neighborhoods, and law enforcement officers who protect these individuals have been the victims of antifa’s vitriol and hatred.
I believe in the rule of law and have spent my career protecting and defending it. Our civic and political leaders have an obligation to promote stability and order, not cheer on anarchy. Unfortunately, last week a Democrat attorney general cheered the burning of America, and this week senior policy advisers to Joe Biden endorsed the defunding of police. Americans must demand that their leaders do better. While politicians can passionately pursue systemic change through advocacy and proper legislative channels, they do not cede their moral imperative and legal obligation to enforce the rule of law and ensure stability for all citizens.
George Floyd should still be alive. His death is a tragedy that should not have happened, and our legal system is ensuring the rule of law is being followed so those responsible for his killing face the consequences of their reckless actions.
Unfortunately, too many innocent victims, from law enforcement officers to minority store owners to residents, have unfairly faced the consequences too, as their lives, livelihoods, homes, and neighborhoods have been destroyed.
As American cities burn, now more than ever before we need law and order, not the anarchist solution of "defund the police" nor the reckless politicians who are fanning the flames of destruction and encouraging lawlessness. We believe that our greatest days are yet to come – that means we must always seek ways to do better, to improve, and to ensure the freedom to fail or to succeed is bestowed upon every American.


wnd--2020-06-15--Redefining 'sex' expected to hit sports, schools, health care, speech

Redefining the word `` sex '' in the Civil Rights Act , as the Supreme Court did Monday , will have `` far-reaching consequences '' regarding bathrooms , schools , women 's sports and much more , wrote Associate Justice Samuel Alito in dissent .
The 6-3 majority opinion , written by Neil Gorsuch , said , `` An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII . ''
Critics , including Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel , argued the opinion `` departs from the clear language of Title VII and is no less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations Alito pointed out that more than 100 federal laws prohibit discrimination because of sex .
Now , men who say they are women have a legal basis to demand permission to use restrooms , lockers and shower rooms designated for women .
`` For some , this may simply be a question of modesty , but for others , there is more at stake .
For women who have been victimized by sexual assault or abuse , the experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anatomy of a male in a confined and sensitive location such as a bathroom or locker room can cause serious psychological harm , '' he said .
Further , female athletes may be forced to compete against students `` who have a very significant biological advantage , including students who have the size and strength of a male but identify as female . ''
In housing , colleges could be sued if they refuse to assign students of the opposite biological sex as roommates .
Religious groups are not necessarily protected , either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious school teaches that sex outside marriage and sex reassignment procedures are immoral , the message may be lost if the school employs a teacher who is in a same-sex relationship , '' Staver said .
In health care , `` transgender employees have brought suit … to challenge employer-provided health insurance plans that do not cover costly sex reassignment surgery . ''
And regarding freedom of speech , it now could be a `` punishable offense '' for someone not to use someone 's `` preferred pronoun . ''
There 's even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of sexual orientation or gender identity with discrimination because of sex , the court 's decision will be cited as a ground for subjecting all three forms of discrimination to the same exacting standard of review , '' he wrote .
The opinion addressed three cases before the court brought by people alleging they were dismissed because they were gay or transgender .
The majority opinion acknowledge that `` homosexuality and transgender status are distinct concepts from sex . ''
But it concluded it did n't matter that the original law did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly has considered adding sexual orientation and gender identity protections to the law but has refused each time .
Writing a separate dissent , Justice Brent Kavanaugh , wrote : `` Like many cases in this court , this case boils down to one fundamental question : Who decides ?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination 'because of ' an individual 's 'race , color , religion , sex , or national origin . '
The question here is whether Title VII should be expanded to prohibit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the Constitution ’ s separation of powers , the responsibility to amend Title VII belongs to Congress and the president in the legislative process , not to this court . ''
He charged that other judges were usurping the role of Congress .
`` The best way for judges to demonstrate that we are deciding cases based on the ordinary meaning of the law is to walk the walk , even in the hard cases when we might prefer a different policy outcome , '' he said .
`` A plain reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it refers to biological male and female .
The implications of today ’ s opinion could be far reaching , particularly with regard to ‘ gender identity ’ in sports and public accommodations , '' Staver said .
`` The original intent and meaning of the law is clear , and the common sense reading of ‘ sex ’ as male and female is made even more obvious by Congress repeatedly refusing to amend the law .
When Congress refuses to amend its own law , courts have no authority to rewrite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of the Supreme Court did today . ''
Diane Gramley , president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania , said : `` Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on any of five specified grounds : 'race , color , religion , sex , national origin . '
In 1964 everyone knew , as anyone with any common sense today knows , there are only two sexes -- male and female and a Supreme Court decision will never change that .
In 1964 the supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orientation and gender identity -- both relatively new terms -- to be included .
These six are not lawmakers , yet they have taken on that role .
They have unconstitutionally redefined the language of a decades old law . ''
Penny Nance , CEO of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee , said : `` The majority of the court has effectively destabilized protections for women in federal law with this ruling .
Today they invite federal lawsuits in every other area of federal law where the word ‘ sex ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their efforts to retain the protections that have cost us so much throughout the years .
And that is exactly what we will do .
`` The protections based on ‘ sex ’ in federal law were specifically enacted to protect women and strengthen justice , not threaten it because of the beautiful differences between males and females .
But today , the court erases that and envisions a world where fundamental truths can be twisted to mean whatever the ‘ woke ’ culture of the times dictates .
`` Worse , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a woman and the status and dignity of being female .
This is not a left or right issue .
Concerned Women for America rallied in front of the Supreme Court alongside radical feminists who boldly stood to ask the court to stand strong for women and not deviate from the truthful application of the word ‘ sex ’ in federal law.
” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said : `` The core issue before the court in this case was whether it is within the legitimate power of judges to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rewrite a 55-year-old statute .
Sadly , the court answered in the affirmative .
`` Allowing judges to rewrite the Civil Rights Act to add gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes poses a grave threat to religious liberty .
We 've already witnessed in recent years how courts have used the redefinition of words as a battering ram to crush faith-based businesses and organizations , '' concluded Perkins .
Peter Sprigg , FRC 's senior fellow for policy studies , said , `` When Congress prohibited employment discrimination based on 'sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1964 , both their intention and the plain meaning of the word indicated that they were prohibiting discrimination against an individual because the person is biologically male or biologically female .
`` We are disappointed the Supreme Court chose to radically re-write the statute by expanding its meaning to cover 'gender identity ' and 'sexual orientation . '
The failure of LGBT activists to achieve their goals through the democratic process is no excuse to simply bypass that process and obtain their goal by judicial fiat instead , '' said Sprigg .

Redefining the word "sex" in the Civil Rights Act, as the Supreme Court did Monday, will have "far-reaching consequences" regarding bathrooms, schools, women's sports and much more, wrote Associate Justice Samuel Alito in dissent.
The 6-3 majority opinion, written by Neil Gorsuch, said, "An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII."
Critics, including Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, argued the opinion "departs from the clear language of Title VII and is no less than legislation from the bench."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Alito pointed out that more than 100 federal laws prohibit discrimination because of sex.
Now, men who say they are women have a legal basis to demand permission to use restrooms, lockers and shower rooms designated for women.
"For some, this may simply be a question of modesty, but for others, there is more at stake. For women who have been victimized by sexual assault or abuse, the experience of seeing an unclothed person with the anatomy of a male in a confined and sensitive location such as a bathroom or locker room can cause serious psychological harm," he said.
Further, female athletes may be forced to compete against students "who have a very significant biological advantage, including students who have the size and strength of a male but identify as female."
In housing, colleges could be sued if they refuse to assign students of the opposite biological sex as roommates.
Religious groups are not necessarily protected, either, he said.
"If a religious school teaches that sex outside marriage and sex reassignment procedures are immoral, the message may be lost if the school employs a teacher who is in a same-sex relationship," Staver said.
In health care, "transgender employees have brought suit … to challenge employer-provided health insurance plans that do not cover costly sex reassignment surgery."
And regarding freedom of speech, it now could be a "punishable offense" for someone not to use someone's "preferred pronoun."
There's even a threat to
"By equating discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity with discrimination because of sex, the court's decision will be cited as a ground for subjecting all three forms of discrimination to the same exacting standard of review," he wrote.
The opinion addressed three cases before the court brought by people alleging they were dismissed because they were gay or transgender.
The majority opinion acknowledge that "homosexuality and transgender status are distinct concepts from sex."
But it concluded it didn't matter that the original law didn't mention them.
Alito noted Congress repeatedly has considered adding sexual orientation and gender identity protections to the law but has refused each time.
Writing a separate dissent, Justice Brent Kavanaugh, wrote: "Like many cases in this court, this case boils down to one fundamental question: Who decides? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination 'because of ' an individual's 'race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.' The question here is whether Title VII should be expanded to prohibit employment discrimination because of sexual orientation. Under the Constitution’s separation of powers, the responsibility to amend Title VII belongs to Congress and the president in the legislative process, not to this court."
He charged that other judges were usurping the role of Congress.
"The best way for judges to demonstrate that we are deciding cases based on the ordinary meaning of the law is to walk the walk, even in the hard cases when we might prefer a different policy outcome," he said.
"A plain reading of federal employment law is clear that it refers to biological male and female. The implications of today’s opinion could be far reaching, particularly with regard to ‘gender identity’ in sports and public accommodations," Staver said. "The original intent and meaning of the law is clear, and the common sense reading of ‘sex’ as male and female is made even more obvious by Congress repeatedly refusing to amend the law. When Congress refuses to amend its own law, courts have no authority to rewrite the law. Yet, that is what the majority of the Supreme Court did today."
Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania, said: "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on any of five specified grounds: 'race, color, religion, sex, national origin.' In 1964 everyone knew, as anyone with any common sense today knows, there are only two sexes -- male and female and a Supreme Court decision will never change that. In 1964 the supporters of Title VII never intended for sexual orientation and gender identity -- both relatively new terms -- to be included. These six are not lawmakers, yet they have taken on that role. They have unconstitutionally redefined the language of a decades old law."
Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, said: "The majority of the court has effectively destabilized protections for women in federal law with this ruling. Today they invite federal lawsuits in every other area of federal law where the word ‘sex’ appears. Women will need to redouble their efforts to retain the protections that have cost us so much throughout the years. And that is exactly what we will do.
"The protections based on ‘sex’ in federal law were specifically enacted to protect women and strengthen justice, not threaten it because of the beautiful differences between males and females. But today, the court erases that and envisions a world where fundamental truths can be twisted to mean whatever the ‘woke’ culture of the times dictates.
"Worse, the court majority diminishes what it means to be a woman and the status and dignity of being female. This is not a left or right issue. Concerned Women for America rallied in front of the Supreme Court alongside radical feminists who boldly stood to ask the court to stand strong for women and not deviate from the truthful application of the word ‘sex’ in federal law.”
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said: "The core issue before the court in this case was whether it is within the legitimate power of judges to suddenly redefine the meaning of words and rewrite a 55-year-old statute. Sadly, the court answered in the affirmative.
"Allowing judges to rewrite the Civil Rights Act to add gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes poses a grave threat to religious liberty. We've already witnessed in recent years how courts have used the redefinition of words as a battering ram to crush faith-based businesses and organizations," concluded Perkins.
Peter Sprigg, FRC's senior fellow for policy studies, said, "When Congress prohibited employment discrimination based on 'sex' in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, both their intention and the plain meaning of the word indicated that they were prohibiting discrimination against an individual because the person is biologically male or biologically female.
"We are disappointed the Supreme Court chose to radically re-write the statute by expanding its meaning to cover 'gender identity' and 'sexual orientation.' The failure of LGBT activists to achieve their goals through the democratic process is no excuse to simply bypass that process and obtain their goal by judicial fiat instead," said Sprigg.


wnd--2020-06-15--Freedom Watch wants 'Because there is no law' painted on D.C. street

Lawyer Larry Klayman , founder of Judicial Watch and now the president of Freedom Watch , says he wants a slogan painted on the streets of Washington , D.C. , or `` we will have to clarify the law once again by filing suit . ''
His selected slogan is `` Because there is no law , '' and he wants in it the newly public forum the D.C. mayor created when she had a Black Lives Matter slogan painted on a city street .
`` D.C. and other cities like New York now having thrown open a new limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only express their message 'in the streets ' but now literally on the streets , '' he wrote in a letter to city officials with his request .
`` Therefore , we have an equal right to participate in public messaging in the same manner , particularly as it is currently a highly effective manner of being heard . ''
TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations It was only days earlier that the group Klayman founded , Judicial Watch , said it had a right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its request is for `` Because no one is above the law . ''
Klayman 's letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Karl Racine said the mayor had approved having `` Black Lives Matter '' and `` Defund the Police '' painted on streets .
`` Both messages claim to be expressive activity within the meaning of the free speech aspects of the First Amendment , '' he said .
`` I request cooperation with our constitutional right to have a similar expressive message 'Because there is no law ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street and 13th Street , in front of our office , in exactly the same manner , size of lettering , and lettering font as used to paint the previously message 'Black Lives Matter ' on 16th Street NW , '' he said .
`` Things have certainly changed when free speech now involves blocking traffic on public streets and painting messages on the streets .
While current forms of communicating messages have changed , the attorney general of Washington , D.C. , can confirm hat once a government opens up a forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages , the government can not discriminate on the basis of the message . ''
He said an original objective for Judicial Watch was to monitor behavior in the judiciary .
`` Things have gotten far worse , '' he said , calling the slogan a warning message that needs to be sent .
He said the painting could be done when `` traffic is typically light . ''

Lawyer Larry Klayman, founder of Judicial Watch and now the president of Freedom Watch, says he wants a slogan painted on the streets of Washington, D.C., or "we will have to clarify the law once again by filing suit."
His selected slogan is "Because there is no law," and he wants in it the newly public forum the D.C. mayor created when she had a Black Lives Matter slogan painted on a city street.
"D.C. and other cities like New York now having thrown open a new limited public forum, allowing protesters to not only express their message 'in the streets' but now literally on the streets," he wrote in a letter to city officials with his request.
"Therefore, we have an equal right to participate in public messaging in the same manner, particularly as it is currently a highly effective manner of being heard."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It was only days earlier that the group Klayman founded, Judicial Watch, said it had a right to have a slogan on the streets. Its request is for "Because no one is above the law."
Klayman's letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Karl Racine said the mayor had approved having "Black Lives Matter" and "Defund the Police" painted on streets.
"Both messages claim to be expressive activity within the meaning of the free speech aspects of the First Amendment," he said.
Then he noticed Judicial Watch's request.
"I request cooperation with our constitutional right to have a similar expressive message 'Because there is no law' painted similary on Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th Street and 13th Street, in front of our office, in exactly the same manner, size of lettering, and lettering font as used to paint the previously message 'Black Lives Matter' on 16th Street NW," he said.
"Things have certainly changed when free speech now involves blocking traffic on public streets and painting messages on the streets. While current forms of communicating messages have changed, the attorney general of Washington, D.C., can confirm that once a government opens up a forum for the expression of political or other messages, the government cannot discriminate on the basis of the message."
He said an original objective for Judicial Watch was to monitor behavior in the judiciary.
"Things have gotten far worse," he said, calling the slogan a warning message that needs to be sent.
He said the painting could be done when "traffic is typically light."


wnd--2020-06-15--The Great Society 'succeeded' in institutionalizing hatred

Typically , when I disagree with my good friend Allen West it is over my belief in the merits of a good cigar and his stubborn belief that green tea is the elixir of angels .
So , with respect to his June 15 , 2020 , commentary titled : `` The Great Society Has Failed , '' ( cnsnews.com ) I submit what he and others call failure is the desired outcome .
I believe that secretly the `` success '' of Lyndon Johnson 's Great Society Program must be measured by what reasonable minds view as an unmitigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , specifically the nuclear family of Americans who are black .
In my Sept. 6 , 2011 , syndicated commentary titled , `` How the Great Society Harmed Blacks , '' I argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was Lyndon Johnson 's stroke of Machiavellian genius that provided the implementation of the Wilsonian-Roosevelt-Kennedy template for socialism , via the `` Great Society Initiatives . ''
The Great Society Initiatives were harmful to all , but no group was harmed more than blacks .
Johnson 's not so-veiled government dependency agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically for blacks .
Within the Great Society construct came the abolishment of the nuclear family , accompanied by the reinvention of same to elevate and accommodate sexual sin .
This now includes debaucherous sexual deviancy masquerading as a family unit .
TRENDING : Failed Dem for president now seeking Senate gets blasted for ethics violations The Great Society Initiative construct empowered government to define the needs of the people .
Through the late 1960s and early/mid 1970s , women and specifically those who were black and Puerto Rican were rewarded for having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , food stamps , health care and spending money .
All they had to do was continue to have illegitimate children .
The caveat was that in order to receive the financial government provisions there could n't be a man in the house – this included the father of the children .
I personally know women who were evicted from their apartment in the Projects because the night watchman caught the father in the apartment .
Occupants were encouraged to report those they might see sneaking a man in or out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all males had to be out of a female tenant 's apartment by 10 p.m. That , my friends , was 1971 .
The proliferation of government entitlement programs has increased exponentially since that time .
Along with government provision has come the dehumanization of the family .
As I have repeated countless times , the industrialized systematic murder of children by abortion is the No .
1 cause of death for blacks .
The No .
1 cause of preventable death of young blacks is homicide at the hands of another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ta-Nehisi Coates , claim there 's no such thing as black-on-black crime , despite all quantifiable evidence to the contrary .
( See : `` Blacks Are The Hunters , Not The Hunted , '' Aug. 18 , 2014 , mychal-massie.com . )
White Americans are shamed and vilified as spoilers of life for blacks because of the privilege they have .
White students are told they 're inherently racist .
Since the death of George Floyd , this godless and damnable lie has gone global .
You have pimple-heads the world over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as this megalith of racism .
I happen to be a proud American .
Most importantly , I happen to be a born-again Christian who is an ordained Reverend .
I take exception before God to the heretical blasphemers who are being funded in many cases with taxpayer dollars unbeknownst and unsuspected by taxpayers as a whole .
Everyone who believes George Soros is the only ghastly ugly satanic gremlin behind the political curtain is clueless .
But I digress .
The Great Society Initiative resulted in the destruction of married two-parent homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to the socio-politically inculcated grievance from womb to the grave .
The lucifarian parasitosis are being funded by liberal entities to brainwash young athletes into not just believing a Satanic anti-God theology – but to inculcate and indemnify a godless heterodoxy they purport to be Christ-centric .
I was recently made aware that this very practice is taking place within an organization called The Gospel Coalition ( TGC ) .
They claim : `` The Gospel Coalition exists to equip the next generation of believers , pastors , and church leaders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
( See : thegospelcoalition.org ) But the truth is found in the details .
Under the heading TGC Courses , Bible study is centered on articles written by Cole Brown , one of which is : `` Jesus Is Not Colorblind '' ( thegospelcoalition.org , March 20 , 2018 ) and another titled , `` Why Your Small Group May Need to Stop Talking About the Bible '' ( thegospelcoalition.org , Sept. 20 , 2018 ) .
In their effort to promote the false narrative of white systemic racism , TGC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have tried to bully and intimidate a 39-year-old born-again Christian business professional and retired athlete into assisting them to spread their heresy , because , as he was made to understand , they needed his skin color .
This self-professing Bible group tried to bully and intimidate this man into helping them indoctrinate blacks into grievance and portraying whites the oppressors – because to them he is a high-profile African American .
When he took exception with their demonic advances , the bullying tactics continued .
This is what the Great Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what groups hiding behind respectable facades are forcing upon your/our children .
This is why when my wife and I drove through Hellertown , Pennsylvania , this past Saturday afternoon , the Black Lives Matter rally of perhaps 100 people or more was comprised of white Ivy-League university students with perhaps a half-dozen or so token blacks in attendance .
Every one of these so-called Black Lives Matter rallies I have personally witnessed have been over 90 percent white high school and college students protesting .
There is a deliberate plot to destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already successful agenda of the Great Society Initiative .
As I said , the Great Society Initiative has n't failed .
It has been a monumental success for the evildoers .
Order Mychal Massie 's new book , `` I Feel the Presence of the Lord , '' a collection of devotions intended to encourage the reader to seek and see the Lord in every aspect of life .

Typically, when I disagree with my good friend Allen West it is over my belief in the merits of a good cigar and his stubborn belief that green tea is the elixir of angels.
So, with respect to his June 15, 2020, commentary titled: "The Great Society Has Failed," (cnsnews.com) I submit what he and others call failure is the desired outcome. I believe that secretly the "success" of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society Program must be measured by what reasonable minds view as an unmitigated disaster vis-à-vis the destruction of the nuclear family, specifically the nuclear family of Americans who are black.
In my Sept. 6, 2011, syndicated commentary titled, "How the Great Society Harmed Blacks," I argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was Lyndon Johnson's stroke of Machiavellian genius that provided the implementation of the Wilsonian-Roosevelt-Kennedy template for socialism, via the "Great Society Initiatives."
The Great Society Initiatives were harmful to all, but no group was harmed more than blacks. Johnson's not so-veiled government dependency agenda cemented the decline of American civilization, specifically for blacks.
Within the Great Society construct came the abolishment of the nuclear family, accompanied by the reinvention of same to elevate and accommodate sexual sin. This now includes debaucherous sexual deviancy masquerading as a family unit.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The Great Society Initiative construct empowered government to define the needs of the people. Through the late 1960s and early/mid 1970s, women and specifically those who were black and Puerto Rican were rewarded for having children out-of-wedlock. Government provided subsidized housing, food stamps, health care and spending money. All they had to do was continue to have illegitimate children. The caveat was that in order to receive the financial government provisions there couldn't be a man in the house – this included the father of the children. I personally know women who were evicted from their apartment in the Projects because the night watchman caught the father in the apartment.
Occupants were encouraged to report those they might see sneaking a man in or out of their apartment at night. As I recall, all males had to be out of a female tenant's apartment by 10 p.m. That, my friends, was 1971.
The proliferation of government entitlement programs has increased exponentially since that time. Along with government provision has come the dehumanization of the family.
As I have repeated countless times, the industrialized systematic murder of children by abortion is the No. 1 cause of death for blacks. The No. 1 cause of preventable death of young blacks is homicide at the hands of another black person. Yet spurious calumniators like Ta-Nehisi Coates, claim there's no such thing as black-on-black crime, despite all quantifiable evidence to the contrary. (See: "Blacks Are The Hunters, Not The Hunted," Aug. 18, 2014, mychal-massie.com.)
White Americans are shamed and vilified as spoilers of life for blacks because of the privilege they have. White students are told they're inherently racist.
Since the death of George Floyd, this godless and damnable lie has gone global. You have pimple-heads the world over pointing fingers at America and attacking her as this megalith of racism.
I happen to be a proud American. Most importantly, I happen to be a born-again Christian who is an ordained Reverend. I take exception before God to the heretical blasphemers who are being funded in many cases with taxpayer dollars unbeknownst and unsuspected by taxpayers as a whole. Everyone who believes George Soros is the only ghastly ugly satanic gremlin behind the political curtain is clueless. But I digress.
The Great Society Initiative resulted in the destruction of married two-parent homes amongst black families.
Such factoids give way to the socio-politically inculcated grievance from womb to the grave. The lucifarian parasitosis are being funded by liberal entities to brainwash young athletes into not just believing a Satanic anti-God theology – but to inculcate and indemnify a godless heterodoxy they purport to be Christ-centric.
I was recently made aware that this very practice is taking place within an organization called The Gospel Coalition (TGC). They claim: "The Gospel Coalition exists to equip the next generation of believers, pastors, and church leaders to shape life and ministry around the gospel." (See: thegospelcoalition.org)
But the truth is found in the details. Under the heading TGC Courses, Bible study is centered on articles written by Cole Brown, one of which is: "Jesus Is Not Colorblind" (thegospelcoalition.org, March 20, 2018) and another titled, "Why Your Small Group May Need to Stop Talking About the Bible" (thegospelcoalition.org, Sept. 20, 2018).
In their effort to promote the false narrative of white systemic racism, TGC has provided shelter for so-called Bible teachers who have tried to bully and intimidate a 39-year-old born-again Christian business professional and retired athlete into assisting them to spread their heresy, because, as he was made to understand, they needed his skin color. This self-professing Bible group tried to bully and intimidate this man into helping them indoctrinate blacks into grievance and portraying whites the oppressors – because to them he is a high-profile African American. When he took exception with their demonic advances, the bullying tactics continued.
This is what the Great Society Initiative has wrought, and this is what groups hiding behind respectable facades are forcing upon your/our children. This is why when my wife and I drove through Hellertown, Pennsylvania, this past Saturday afternoon, the Black Lives Matter rally of perhaps 100 people or more was comprised of white Ivy-League university students with perhaps a half-dozen or so token blacks in attendance. Every one of these so-called Black Lives Matter rallies I have personally witnessed have been over 90 percent white high school and college students protesting.
There is a deliberate plot to destroy our system of government and further the already successful agenda of the Great Society Initiative. As I said, the Great Society Initiative hasn't failed. It has been a monumental success for the evildoers.
Order Mychal Massie's new book, "I Feel the Presence of the Lord," a collection of devotions intended to encourage the reader to seek and see the Lord in every aspect of life.