wnd--2020-01-24--We all have a pulpit – are you using yours?

When I became a Christian , I was amazed to realize that God would forgive someone like me , that he would change me and that he had a plan for my life .
But when it came to God actually using me for his purposes , I wondered what I could bring to the table .
I was n't some great academic .
I was n't a musician .
And I was n't an orator .
I was just a 17-year-old kid with not a lot to offer to God .
In fact , I felt a little like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Feeding of the Five Thousand .
He had a few barley loaves and a couple of fish , yet Jesus multiplied them .
The thought that God could use me amazed me , actually .
And I had been a believer for about two weeks when I heard that I should be out telling people about Christ .
So I thought I 'd give it a go .
I saw a woman about the age of my mom sitting on the beach in Newport Beach , and I thought she might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked up to her , and with my voice shaking , I engaged her in a conversation about Jesus .
I 'm sure I made a mess of it that day , but much to my shock and delight , she said yes when I asked her if she would like to accept Christ into her life .
TRENDING : Trump on Virginia gun grab : 'It will never happen as long as I 'm here' Afterward I thought , `` I want to do this more . ''
I wanted God to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of time has passed since then , but I can honestly say the greatest joy I know , next to being a Christian , is being used by God .
What a privilege it is .
In the book of Ezekiel , chapter 22 , God said , `` I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land .
I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I would n't have to destroy the land , but I found no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think about that .
I believe God is still looking for people to use .
He 's looking and saying , `` Is there someone I could use , someone who could stand in the gap ?
Is there someone who could speak up for me , who would not be embarrassed or afraid ?
Is there someone who would just take a little bit of risk and let me speak through them ? ''
Years ago , a young man named Dwight Lyman Moody was working in a shoe store .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as a result Moody became a believer .
Then one day someone said to him , `` The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him . ''
Moody thought , `` By the Holy Spirit in me I 'll be that man . ''
So he went from selling soles to saving souls .
God used D.L .
Moody powerfully to touch thousands , even millions , of people .
Check out Greg Laurie 's books and movies in the WND Superstore And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or woman he could work through who is fully committed to him .
Everyone has a pulpit , wherever they are .
That pulpit , so to speak , is the people we influence .
It might be the people we run into when we get our morning coffee or the people around us at work .
It 's people in our families and in our neighborhoods .
That 's our platform , our pulpit .
I am reminded of the teacher who sent me this letter recently : I 'm a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a public school teacher , I have to find creative ways of witnessing to students and sharing the love of Jesus with them , because Jesus is a very foreign concept to many of the students here .
So I decided to give the students some extra credit if they would go to the Harvest Crusade over the weekend .
I 'm very happy to report that a few the students gave their lives to Jesus , and several were asking me questions , which is an amazing opportunity to plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the students thinking about things they never hear about in their homes .
My prayer is those that saw the crusade and have n't made that decision will make that decision .
But no matter what , I 'll keep in contact with these kids and continue to be a witness to them .
Now , that is someone who 's using his pulpit effectively .
Then there 's Kanye West , who says he 's a follower of Jesus Christ now .
He released an album last year called `` Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pop-up services around the country , which thousands of people have attended .
In an interview he said , `` Now that I 'm in service to Christ , my job is to spread the gospel , to let people know what Jesus has done for me .
I 've spread a lot of things .
There was a time I let you know what high fashion had done for me , I was letting you know what the Hennessy had done for me … now I 'm letting you know what Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's fantastic , because he 's taking his considerable platform ( and he has quite a platform ) to talk about faith .
It has people talking about Jesus .
And I 'm happy for that conversation .
I applaud anyone who makes any movement toward God , and I want to encourage them in that .
You do n't have to be a preacher to have a pulpit .
We all have a pulpit to preach from , no matter who we are , no matter what we do .

When I became a Christian, I was amazed to realize that God would forgive someone like me, that he would change me and that he had a plan for my life.
But when it came to God actually using me for his purposes, I wondered what I could bring to the table. I wasn't some great academic. I wasn't a musician. And I wasn't an orator.
I was just a 17-year-old kid with not a lot to offer to God. In fact, I felt a little like the boy in the New Testament story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. He had a few barley loaves and a couple of fish, yet Jesus multiplied them.
The thought that God could use me amazed me, actually. And I had been a believer for about two weeks when I heard that I should be out telling people about Christ. So I thought I'd give it a go. I saw a woman about the age of my mom sitting on the beach in Newport Beach, and I thought she might be nice to me.
So I walked up to her, and with my voice shaking, I engaged her in a conversation about Jesus. I'm sure I made a mess of it that day, but much to my shock and delight, she said yes when I asked her if she would like to accept Christ into her life.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Afterward I thought, "I want to do this more." I wanted God to use me in other ways. A lot of time has passed since then, but I can honestly say the greatest joy I know, next to being a Christian, is being used by God. What a privilege it is.
In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 22, God said, "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one" (verse 30 NLT).
Think about that. I believe God is still looking for people to use. He's looking and saying, "Is there someone I could use, someone who could stand in the gap? Is there someone who could speak up for me, who would not be embarrassed or afraid? Is there someone who would just take a little bit of risk and let me speak through them?"
Years ago, a young man named Dwight Lyman Moody was working in a shoe store. His coworker shared the gospel with him, and as a result Moody became a believer. Then one day someone said to him, "The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him."
Moody thought, "By the Holy Spirit in me I'll be that man."
So he went from selling soles to saving souls. God used D.L. Moody powerfully to touch thousands, even millions, of people.
Check out Greg Laurie's books and movies in the WND Superstore
And God is still looking for the man or woman he could work through who is fully committed to him.
Everyone has a pulpit, wherever they are. That pulpit, so to speak, is the people we influence. It might be the people we run into when we get our morning coffee or the people around us at work. It's people in our families and in our neighborhoods. That's our platform, our pulpit.
I am reminded of the teacher who sent me this letter recently:
Dear Pastor Greg, I'm a high school teacher in a pretty tough area. As a public school teacher, I have to find creative ways of witnessing to students and sharing the love of Jesus with them, because Jesus is a very foreign concept to many of the students here. So I decided to give the students some extra credit if they would go to the Harvest Crusade over the weekend. I'm very happy to report that a few the students gave their lives to Jesus, and several were asking me questions, which is an amazing opportunity to plant more seeds. The crusade got many of the students thinking about things they never hear about in their homes. My prayer is those that saw the crusade and haven't made that decision will make that decision. But no matter what, I'll keep in contact with these kids and continue to be a witness to them.
Now, that is someone who's using his pulpit effectively.
Then there's Kanye West, who says he's a follower of Jesus Christ now. He released an album last year called "Jesus Is King." He's done pop-up services around the country, which thousands of people have attended.
In an interview he said, "Now that I'm in service to Christ, my job is to spread the gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me. I've spread a lot of things. There was a time I let you know what high fashion had done for me, I was letting you know what the Hennessy had done for me … now I'm letting you know what Jesus has done for me."
I think it's fantastic, because he's taking his considerable platform (and he has quite a platform) to talk about faith. It has people talking about Jesus. And I'm happy for that conversation.
I applaud anyone who makes any movement toward God, and I want to encourage them in that.
You don't have to be a preacher to have a pulpit. We all have a pulpit to preach from, no matter who we are, no matter what we do.


Pencil-neck art critic

Trump on Virginia gun grab : 'It will never happen as long as I 'm here '

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wnd--2020-01-24--Why National Review's advice to GOP on impeachment is bad

( THE FEDERALIST ) -- In an editorial published Wednesday at National Review , the editors argue that an “ unspoken consensus ” has emerged among Republican senators that what President Trump did was wrong but it doesn ’ t warrant his removal from office .
The editors think this a “ reasonable ” position and that Republicans should make the case for it publicly , but they can ’ t because of the president ’ s “ obstinacy ” in defending his actions vis-à-vis Ukraine .
Instead of insisting that Trump “ can not be impeached for any abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of a criminal violation of a statute , ” they write , “ Republicans would be better off arguing that in this case the president ’ s behavior , while objectionable , should be left , as scheduled , to the judgment of the voters directly.
” My colleague David Marcus yesterday pointed out some serious problems with this argument , not least of which is that there is no evidence of an emerging unspoken consensus among GOP senators that what Trump did was objectionable—just the opposite , in fact , as @ @ @ @ @ @

(THE FEDERALIST) -- In an editorial published Wednesday at National Review, the editors argue that an “unspoken consensus” has emerged among Republican senators that what President Trump did was wrong but it doesn’t warrant his removal from office. The editors think this a “reasonable” position and that Republicans should make the case for it publicly, but they can’t because of the president’s “obstinacy” in defending his actions vis-à-vis Ukraine.
Instead of insisting that Trump “cannot be impeached for any abuse of power unless that abuse took the form of a criminal violation of a statute,” they write, “Republicans would be better off arguing that in this case the president’s behavior, while objectionable, should be left, as scheduled, to the judgment of the voters directly.”
My colleague David Marcus yesterday pointed out some serious problems with this argument, not least of which is that there is no evidence of an emerging unspoken consensus among GOP senators that what Trump did was objectionable—just the opposite, in fact, as the impeachment trial drags on.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Schiff last April: Obama had duty to probe candidate Trump

Lead House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , contends Donald Trump must be removed from office for seeking the investigation of a political rival .
But last April , Schiff argued in a Washington Post column that a president has a duty -- as a matter of national security -- to investigate a candidate from the rival party if he is suspected of foreign corruption , noted Joel Pollak , senior editor-at-large at Breitbart News .
Schiff was justifying the Barack Obama administration 's counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign , which relied on a bogus `` dossier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee .
`` Counterintelligence investigations differ from criminal investigations in their means , scope and ultimate disposition , '' Schiff wrote in his Post op-ed .
`` Their goal is not successful prosecutions , but to identify and mitigate threats to national security .
`` If a foreign power possessed compromising information on a U.S. government official in a position of influence , that is a counterintelligence risk .
If a foreign power possessed leverage , or the perception of it , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightmare , '' he said .
Significantly , Schiff insisted the public must see the material that the FBI obtained regarding the Trump campaign .
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz 's investigation of FISA abuse concluded the dossier `` played a central and essential role '' in the bureau 's decision to seek warrants to spy on the Trump campaign .
And among 17 `` significant inaccuracies and omissions , '' it cited the FBI 's altering of evidence favorable to then-Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
On Thursday , the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declassified summary of a Justice Department assessment finding that at least two of the FBI 's surveillance applications lacked probable cause .

Lead House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., contends Donald Trump must be removed from office for seeking the investigation of a political rival.
But last April, Schiff argued in a Washington Post column that a president has a duty -- as a matter of national security -- to investigate a candidate from the rival party if he is suspected of foreign corruption, noted Joel Pollak, senior editor-at-large at Breitbart News.
Schiff was justifying the Barack Obama administration's counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign, which relied on a bogus "dossier" based on Russian propaganda that was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
"Counterintelligence investigations differ from criminal investigations in their means, scope and ultimate disposition," Schiff wrote in his Post op-ed. "Their goal is not successful prosecutions, but to identify and mitigate threats to national security.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"If a foreign power possessed compromising information on a U.S. government official in a position of influence, that is a counterintelligence risk. If a foreign power possessed leverage, or the perception of it, over the president, that is a counterintelligence nightmare," he said.
Significantly, Schiff insisted the public must see the material that the FBI obtained regarding the Trump campaign.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's investigation of FISA abuse concluded the dossier "played a central and essential role" in the bureau's decision to seek warrants to spy on the Trump campaign. And among 17 "significant inaccuracies and omissions," it cited the FBI's altering of evidence favorable to then-Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
On Thursday, the nation's top-secret court court released a newly declassified summary of a Justice Department assessment finding that at least two of the FBI's surveillance applications lacked probable cause.


wnd--2020-01-25--FISA ruling on spy warrants could void ALL Mueller convictions

The ruling by the nation 's top spy court that at least two of the four warrants obtained by the Obama administration to surveil onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page were `` not valid '' states that the FBI must `` sequester all '' relevant information and evidence .
The notation prompted speculation that convictions obtained in Robert Mueller 's special counsel investigation that relied on material obtained from the Page surveillance could be voided .
Evidence obtained by authorities through illegal means is not admissible in court cases .
The spy warrants were based largely on the infamous `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded by Hillary Clinton 's campaign and the Democratic National Committee .
Former British spy Christopher Steele alleged Page was part of a `` well-developed conspiracy of cooperation '' between the Trump campaign and Russian government to influence the 2016 election .
U.S. Attorney John Durham is now conducting a criminal investigation into the origins of the Obama counter-intelligence investigation of the Trump campaign .
The Jan. 7 FISA ruling by Judge James Boasberg cited the Justice Department inspector general 's finding of `` material misstatements and omissions in the applications filed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` The court understands the government to have concluded , in view of the material misstatements and omissions , that the court 's authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679 were not valid , '' the ruling stated .
The ruling said the `` validity '' of two other authorizations was not yet determined .
Democrats point to the convictions obtained through the Mueller investigation as proof of President Trump 's culpability , even though the cases were unrelated to the central and now-debunked claim of Trump campaign collusion with Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort , former Trump attorney Michael Cohen , former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , Richard Pineda , Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan , former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates , former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Roger Stone .
The charges included bank and tax fraud , lying to investigators and conspiracy .
Twitter user Undercover Huber , who has been following the FISA-abuse story , said the `` sequestration '' is very significant .
`` It suggests that FBI/DOJ is firewalling off all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page FISAs , likely because they realize that if illegal , all the info collected is 'fruit of the poisonous tree . '
'' He wrote that someone should ask Mueller and his team whether `` any of their cases relied on information gathered or derived from the Page FISAs , either directly from Page or two hops away from him . ''
The Federalist pointed out the FISA court order noted it is a federal crime for any federal official to intentionally disclose or use `` information obtained under color of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any reason to know that the information was obtained through electronic surveillance not authorized '' by law .
The following sentence of Boasberg 's ruling is redacted , the Federalist noted , raising questions about whether the government used any information obtained through the now-invalid Page surveillance warrants in other cases .

The ruling by the nation's top spy court that at least two of the four warrants obtained by the Obama administration to surveil onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page were "not valid" states that the FBI must "sequester all" relevant information and evidence.
The notation prompted speculation that convictions obtained in Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation that relied on material obtained from the Page surveillance could be voided.
Evidence obtained by authorities through illegal means is not admissible in court cases.
The spy warrants were based largely on the infamous "Steele dossier" of unsubstantiated Russian propaganda funded by Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Former British spy Christopher Steele alleged Page was part of a "well-developed conspiracy of cooperation" between the Trump campaign and Russian government to influence the 2016 election.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
U.S. Attorney John Durham is now conducting a criminal investigation into the origins of the Obama counter-intelligence investigation of the Trump campaign.
The Jan. 7 FISA ruling by Judge James Boasberg cited the Justice Department inspector general's finding of "material misstatements and omissions in the applications filed by the government in the above-captioned dockets."
"The court understands the government to have concluded, in view of the material misstatements and omissions, that the court's authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679 were not valid," the ruling stated.
The ruling said the "validity" of two other authorizations was not yet determined.
Democrats point to the convictions obtained through the Mueller investigation as proof of President Trump's culpability, even though the cases were unrelated to the central and now-debunked claim of Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
Axios noted the convictions include former Trump 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, Richard Pineda, Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan, former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.
The charges included bank and tax fraud, lying to investigators and conspiracy.
Twitter user Undercover Huber, who has been following the FISA-abuse story, said the "sequestration" is very significant.
"It suggests that FBI/DOJ is firewalling off all of the data and information collected via the Page FISAs, likely because they realize that if illegal, all the info collected is 'fruit of the poisonous tree.'"
He wrote that someone should ask Mueller and his team whether "any of their cases relied on information gathered or derived from the Page FISAs, either directly from Page or two hops away from him."
The Federalist pointed out the FISA court order noted it is a federal crime for any federal official to intentionally disclose or use "information obtained under color of law by electronic surveillance, knowing or having any reason to know that the information was obtained through electronic surveillance not authorized" by law.
The following sentence of Boasberg's ruling is redacted, the Federalist noted, raising questions about whether the government used any information obtained through the now-invalid Page surveillance warrants in other cases.


wnd--2020-01-25--Now Dem likens Trump to Civil War, Jim Crow, 9/11

House impeachment manager Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , on Friday likened Donald Trump 's presidency to the Civil War , the 1929 stock market crash , the Great Depression , World War II , Jim Crow and 9/11 .
Jeffries , recalling periods of `` adversity '' in the nation 's history , charged Trump `` tried to cheat and solicit foreign interference in an American election . ''
`` America is a great nation .
We can handle adversity better than any other country in the world .
Whenever American has found itself in a tough spot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side , '' he said .
`` We were in a tough spot during the Civil War , when America was at risk of tearing itself apart but we made it to the other side .
A tough spot in October of 1929 when the stock market collapsed , plunging us into the Great Depression , but we made it to the other side .
We were in a tough spot in December of 1941 when a foreign power struck , plunging us into a great conflict with the evil empire of Nazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other side .
We were in a tough spot in the 1960s dealing with the inherent contradictions of Jim Crow but we made it to the other side .
We were in a tough spot on Sept. 11 , when the towers were struck , and young men and woman like Jason Crow were sent to Afghanistan to fight the terrorists there so we did n't have to fight the terrorists here and we made it to the other side , '' said Jeffries .
`` America is a great country .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation in the world , but what are we going to do about our character , '' he said .
`` President Trump , tried to cheat and solicit foreign interference in an American election .
That is an attack on our character . ''
A cartoon was posted with an image of Hitler demanding : `` Stop comparing Trump to me .
I am one of you guys . ''
`` No critical thinking skills , '' another Twitter user said .
And there was the diagnosis , `` More @ RepJeffries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter user Dwain Kerr asked , `` Is there anything they wo n't say . ''
CatchingRye wrote : `` The more they talk , the better it is for Trump .
Mitch should ask them if they want another 24 hours . ''
Another Twitter user said , `` Let 's agree here that we live in a country filled with hate and mental illness . ''
Twitter news aggregator Twitchy wondered : `` And the day is n't over yet .
What do the Dem impeachment managers have planned for their @ @ @ @ @

House impeachment manager Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Friday likened Donald Trump's presidency to the Civil War, the 1929 stock market crash, the Great Depression, World War II, Jim Crow and 9/11.
Jeffries, recalling periods of "adversity" in the nation's history, charged Trump "tried to cheat and solicit foreign interference in an American election."
Unhinged: On the Senate floor, Democrat Rep and impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries compares Trump to terrorists who attacked America on 9/11 and Nazis in WWII pic.twitter.com/qczaXAHs56 — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 24, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"America is a great nation. We can handle adversity better than any other country in the world. Whenever American has found itself in a tough spot, we always make it to the other side," he said.
"We were in a tough spot during the Civil War, when America was at risk of tearing itself apart but we made it to the other side. A tough spot in October of 1929 when the stock market collapsed, plunging us into the Great Depression, but we made it to the other side. We were in a tough spot in December of 1941 when a foreign power struck, plunging us into a great conflict with the evil empire of Nazi Germany but America made it to the other side. We were in a tough spot in the 1960s dealing with the inherent contradictions of Jim Crow but we made it to the other side. We were in a tough spot on Sept. 11, when the towers were struck, and young men and woman like Jason Crow were sent to Afghanistan to fight the terrorists there so we didn't have to fight the terrorists here and we made it to the other side," said Jeffries.
"America is a great country. We can handle adversity better than any other nation in the world, but what are we going to do about our character," he said. "President Trump, tried to cheat and solicit foreign interference in an American election. That is an attack on our character."
Twitter users lit into Jeffries.
A cartoon was posted with an image of Hitler demanding: "Stop comparing Trump to me. I am one of you guys."
"No critical thinking skills," another Twitter user said.
And there was the diagnosis, "More @RepJeffries TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME #MAGA."
Twitter user Dwain Kerr asked, "Is there anything they won't say."
CatchingRye wrote: "The more they talk, the better it is for Trump. Mitch should ask them if they want another 24 hours."
Another Twitter user said, "Let's agree here that we live in a country filled with hate and mental illness."
Twitter news aggregator Twitchy wondered: "And the day isn't over yet. What do the Dem impeachment managers have planned for their grand finale later?"


wnd--2020-01-25--With 2nd Amendment being dismantled in Virginia, Dem targets freedom of speech next

Despite massive rallies in support of the Second Amendment , Virginia Democrats are proceeding with attempts to dismantle the right to bear arms in the commonwealth .
Now , at least one elected official wants to chip away at the First Amendment as well .
The attack on free speech is hidden in a bill that is nominally about prosecution of threats against state officials .
Virginia House Bill 1627 , introduced by Democratic Delegate Jeffrey Bourne earlier this month , would largely maintain existing criminal penalties for threatening violence , but adds special protections for state officials .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to exist for credible threats , but this bill takes existing law to an uncomfortable place .
The governor and other officials of the commonwealth get special treatment under HB 1627 that could see the accused hauled to the state 's capital , Richmond .
Normally , a person accused of sending a threatening message would either be tried in the jurisdiction where the message was sent or received .
But under this legislation , if the threat is made against certain state officials , that goes out the window .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat in question was made against `` the Governor , Governor-elect , Lieutenant Governor , Lieutenant Governor-elect , Attorney General , or Attorney General-elect , a member or employee of the General Assembly , a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia , or a judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia , '' according to the bill 's text .
The worst part of the bill is an addendum hidden near the bottom of the wordy document .
That subsection of HB 1627 targets those who would do the unthinkable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a computer .
While existing law already makes it a crime to `` use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene , vulgar , profane , lewd , lascivious , or indecent language '' if the intent is `` to coerce , intimidate , or harass any person , '' HB 1627 tacks on an additional stipulation .
If the target of the harassment is the governor or other listed officials , the accused could be dragged to Richmond to answer for his or her crimes .
This bill seems more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than our own , however .
Americans have a long and proud tradition of pushing the limits of criticism protected under freedom of speech .
This bill would limit that ability by making crimes against government officials special cases that could require special circumstances , like a trial in the capital .
Considering how Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam thought Second Amendment activists were intent on `` insurrection '' during a peaceful march on Richmond , his definition of what constitutes harassment is likely built on shaky ground .
Attacks against the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example that jumps to mind .
There 's no doubt that some people will find the governor 's school nickname of `` Coonman '' to be obscene and vulgar .
Is a protester who sends that criticism to Northam now guilty of a crime ?
Will he be hauled in chains to Richmond to defend himself in a court of law ?
This bill seems to hint that yes , he very well could be .
Though this may seem like a small change to the law , it 's an intimidation against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of protest .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Despite massive rallies in support of the Second Amendment, Virginia Democrats are proceeding with attempts to dismantle the right to bear arms in the commonwealth.
Now, at least one elected official wants to chip away at the First Amendment as well.
The attack on free speech is hidden in a bill that is nominally about prosecution of threats against state officials.
Virginia House Bill 1627, introduced by Democratic Delegate Jeffrey Bourne earlier this month, would largely maintain existing criminal penalties for threatening violence, but adds special protections for state officials.
There's no disputing that a legal remedy needs to exist for credible threats, but this bill takes existing law to an uncomfortable place.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The governor and other officials of the commonwealth get special treatment under HB 1627 that could see the accused hauled to the state's capital, Richmond.
Normally, a person accused of sending a threatening message would either be tried in the jurisdiction where the message was sent or received. But under this legislation, if the threat is made against certain state officials, that goes out the window.
The accused could be dragged to Richmond if the threat in question was made against "the Governor, Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant Governor-elect, Attorney General, or Attorney General-elect, a member or employee of the General Assembly, a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, or a judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia," according to the bill's text.
The worst part of the bill is an addendum hidden near the bottom of the wordy document.
That subsection of HB 1627 targets those who would do the unthinkable -- harass the governor and other officials through a computer.
While existing law already makes it a crime to "use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent language" if the intent is "to coerce, intimidate, or harass any person," HB 1627 tacks on an additional stipulation. If the target of the harassment is the governor or other listed officials, the accused could be dragged to Richmond to answer for his or her crimes.
This bill seems more at home in Russia's law books than our own, however.
Americans have a long and proud tradition of pushing the limits of criticism protected under freedom of speech.
This bill would limit that ability by making crimes against government officials special cases that could require special circumstances, like a trial in the capital.
Considering how Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam thought Second Amendment activists were intent on "insurrection" during a peaceful march on Richmond, his definition of what constitutes harassment is likely built on shaky ground.
Attacks against the governor using his racist past are one prominent example that jumps to mind.
There's no doubt that some people will find the governor's school nickname of "Coonman" to be obscene and vulgar.
Is a protester who sends that criticism to Northam now guilty of a crime?
Will he be hauled in chains to Richmond to defend himself in a court of law?
This bill seems to hint that yes, he very well could be.
Though this may seem like a small change to the law, it's an intimidation against Virginians that robs them of a potent form of protest.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-26--Vietnam vet wanted only 2 things before he died: To be baptized and catch 1 last fish

In the final days of his life , Vietnam veteran Connie Willhite left no unfinished business , caring for his spiritual and emotional health until the end .
It was 2016 when Willhite passed away , but the story of his final days in hospice still offer an important lesson to the rest of us .
Willhite , a U.S. Navy combat veteran , moved into Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin , Georgia , as his health began to fail .
Battling advanced colon cancer , Willhite knew his time on earth was limited .
He shared his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the first , to get baptized , and the second , to take one last fishing trip .
His caretakers went above and beyond to honor the veteran 's requests , first by planning a baptism service .
Family members joined to witness the moment Willhite was baptized by VA chaplain Sam Scaggs , an event that Willhite said would help him `` cross over '' into life after death .
Hospice worker Greg Senters helped organize Willhite 's final fishing trip , complete with a specialized hospital bed that allowed Willhite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We ca n't do a lot about the quantity of days you have but we can do a lot about the quality , '' Senters told CNN in September 2016 .
Initially , Senters was concerned that Willhite would be disappointed if he did not catch any fish at the nearby Lake Leisure .
But he soon learned the veteran was not concerned with reeling in a fish as much as he simply wanted the outing .
`` It 's called fishing , it 's not called catching , '' Senters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` So I told him we may not catch anything , but he said it does n't matter , '' Senters told WGXA-TV .
`` He said just being out there doing this was just as good . ''
As Willhite enjoyed the few precious hours he spent at the lake , Senters noticed a change in his patient 's demeanor .
`` All of a sudden , the cancer and everything else went away , and what you see is that precious few moments of someone really enjoying life , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avid fisherman according to his family , caught four hand-sized fish on that day .
It was all he could talk about when his cousin , Lisa Kittrill , came for her daily visit .
`` He talked and talked when I came in that day , and said he went fishing and got baptized , and for that I 'm so glad , '' Kittrill said .
Senters said that while most people think of hospice as synonymous with death , he views it as a way to savor life .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot about living , '' Senters told CNN .
`` Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day we forget about what 's important . ''
Willhite died peacefully on Aug. 20 , 2016 , at the age of 68 , just days after his final catch .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

In the final days of his life, Vietnam veteran Connie Willhite left no unfinished business, caring for his spiritual and emotional health until the end.
It was 2016 when Willhite passed away, but the story of his final days in hospice still offer an important lesson to the rest of us.
Willhite, a U.S. Navy combat veteran, moved into Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, as his health began to fail.
Battling advanced colon cancer, Willhite knew his time on earth was limited. He shared his final two wishes with the VA staff: the first, to get baptized, and the second, to take one last fishing trip.
His caretakers went above and beyond to honor the veteran's requests, first by planning a baptism service.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Family members joined to witness the moment Willhite was baptized by VA chaplain Sam Scaggs, an event that Willhite said would help him "cross over" into life after death.
Hospice worker Greg Senters helped organize Willhite's final fishing trip, complete with a specialized hospital bed that allowed Willhite to fish while he remained in bed.
"We can't do a lot about the quantity of days you have but we can do a lot about the quality," Senters told CNN in September 2016.
Veteran catches final fish as dying wish (via @MattThielkeWGXA) https://t.co/SCS77JGtm6 pic.twitter.com/bbOwJYcjXU — WGXA (@WGXAnews) September 8, 2016
Initially, Senters was concerned that Willhite would be disappointed if he did not catch any fish at the nearby Lake Leisure. But he soon learned the veteran was not concerned with reeling in a fish as much as he simply wanted the outing.
"It's called fishing, it's not called catching," Senters recalled Willhite telling him before the trip.
"So I told him we may not catch anything, but he said it doesn't matter," Senters told WGXA-TV. "He said just being out there doing this was just as good."
As Willhite enjoyed the few precious hours he spent at the lake, Senters noticed a change in his patient's demeanor.
"All of a sudden, the cancer and everything else went away, and what you see is that precious few moments of someone really enjoying life," Senters said.
Willhite, once an avid fisherman according to his family, caught four hand-sized fish on that day.
It was all he could talk about when his cousin, Lisa Kittrill, came for her daily visit.
"He talked and talked when I came in that day, and said he went fishing and got baptized, and for that I'm so glad," Kittrill said.
Senters said that while most people think of hospice as synonymous with death, he views it as a way to savor life.
"A dying person can teach you a lot about living," Senters told CNN. "Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day we forget about what's important."
Willhite died peacefully on Aug. 20, 2016, at the age of 68, just days after his final catch.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-25--Multiple Dem senators already considering voting to acquit Trump

( THE BLAZE ) At least two Senate Democrats are already signaling they could vote for President Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ president 's legal team began their defense , The Hill reported .
After Saturday 's @ @ @ @ @ early to allow Democratic senators to hit the campaign trail — Sen. Joe Manchin ( @ @ @ @ @ legal team did such a `` good job '' that their arguments are `` making @ @ @ @ @ '' `` One thing that stuck in my mind is they said there is n't @ @ @ @ @ so far that had direct contact with the president .
I 'd love to hear @ @ @ @ @ '' Manchin told a CNN reporter .
`` I 'll be very impartial til the @ @ @

(THE BLAZE) At least two Senate Democrats are already signaling they could vote for President Donald Trump's acquittal just hours into the president's legal team began their defense, The Hill reported.
After Saturday's trial session — which ended early to allow Democratic senators to hit the campaign trail — Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Trump's legal team did such a "good job" that their arguments are "making me think about things."
"One thing that stuck in my mind is they said there isn't a witness they have had so far that had direct contact with the president. I'd love to hear from Mulvaney and Bolton," Manchin told a CNN reporter. "I'll be very impartial til the end."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Professor: UFOs could be time-traveling humans from the future

( NEWSHUB ) UFO skeptics say they ca n't be alien ships because the vast distances of space are just @ @ @ @ @ university professor in the US thinks he 's solved that problem - they 're not @ @ @ @ @ .
They 're piloted by humans , but from the future .
`` We know @ @ @ @ @ know humans exist , '' professor of biological anthropology at Montana Technological University told space.com @ @ @ @ @ know that we 've had a long evolutionary history on this planet .
And we @ @ @ @ @ to be more advanced in the future .
`` I think the simplest explanation , @ @ @ @ @ is us .
I 'm just trying to offer what is likely the most parsimonious @ @ @

(NEWSHUB) UFO skeptics say they can't be alien ships because the vast distances of space are just too much.
But a university professor in the US thinks he's solved that problem - they're not from other planets at all. They're piloted by humans, but from the future.
"We know we're here. We know humans exist," professor of biological anthropology at Montana Technological University told space.com last week.
"We know that we've had a long evolutionary history on this planet. And we know our technology is going to be more advanced in the future.
"I think the simplest explanation, innately, is that it is us. I'm just trying to offer what is likely the most parsimonious explanation."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Nationwide campaign launched to 'Ban Facial Recognition' technology on campus

( CAMPUS REFORM ) Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Fight for the Future , a nonprofit advocacy group in @ @ @ @ @ , are working together to launch a campaign against colleges using biometric surveillance , also @ @ @ @ @ According to EdScoop , the University of San Francisco implemented some of this technology in @ @ @ @ @ the campus one of the pioneers in biometric surveillance in higher education .
Although not @ @ @ @ @ recognition technology companies have their sights set on schools .
CNET reported that at least @ @ @ @ @ implemented facial recognition technology : Stanford University and the University of Southern California .
But @ @ @ @ @ out against the use of this technology , particularly on college campuses .

(CAMPUS REFORM) Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Fight for the Future, a nonprofit advocacy group in the area of digital rights, are working together to launch a campaign against colleges using biometric surveillance, also known as facial recognition.
According to EdScoop, the University of San Francisco implemented some of this technology in its dormitories in 2013 making the campus one of the pioneers in biometric surveillance in higher education. Although not yet commonplace, many facial recognition technology companies have their sights set on schools. CNET reported that at least two more California campuses have implemented facial recognition technology: Stanford University and the University of Southern California.
But privacy advocates are now speaking out against the use of this technology, particularly on college campuses.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Under Trump, Americans most satisfied with country since 2005, double Obama's number

I do n't know if you watch the Democrat debates .
I do , because I 'm paid to .
It 's the same way you 're paid to write TPS reports , though .
Is it something you 'd do on your own ?
Probably not , unless you really love your job .
Take me , for example .
I 'm addicted to politics , and the Democratic debates are beginning to feel like the TPS reports of the 2020 cycle for me .
However , despite the three hours of sleep hypnosis last week , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready to take on Donald Trump on the economy .
Now , I did n't quite see how they were planning to take him on , just that they were ready to take him on .
“ With regard to the economy , I can hardly wait to have that debate with him .
Where I come from , the neighborhoods I come from , they ’ re in real trouble -- working-class people , middle-class people , ” former Vice President Joe Biden said .
“ I ’ d love that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clobbered .
The wealthy are the only ones doing well -- period . ''
“ Whoever is going to beat Mr. Trump is going to have to beat him on the economy , and I have the experience and the expertise to show he ’ s a fake there and a fraud , '' billionaire tartan-tie enthusiast Tom Steyer said .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , meanwhile , said , `` I am ready to take on this president on the economy , because I am from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pretends to speak to and has proven to turn his back on -- and guided that community through a historic transformation.
” Have fun with that , gents , since the results of a new Gallup poll found that under the current president , more Americans are `` satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. '' since 2005 .
Perhaps most problematic for the Democrats , that 's more than twice the number of Americans who responded the same way at this point in the first term of Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under .
`` Satisfaction 'with the way things are going ' in the United States has reached a 15-year high , about four times better than the low points registered under President Barack Obama , '' the Washington Examiner reported First , the numbers : According to the Examiner , `` Gallup said that 41 % are satisfied with the direction of the nation .
The last time it hit that level was in 2005 , during the administration of President George W. Bush .
`` Under Obama , it hit about 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it rose to the mid-30s in his last year , '' the outlet added .
Under Trump , it 's currently 41 percent .
For comparison 's sake , in January 2012 ( the last full January of Obama 's first term ) , just 18 percent of respondents told Gallup they were `` satisfied with the way things are going . ''
The reason for the great numbers under Trump , unsurprisingly , is the good economic data .
“ The higher level of satisfaction measured in the Jan. 2-15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans ' evaluations of the U.S. economy are the best they have been in nearly two decades , perhaps because of continued low unemployment and record stock values , ” Gallup 's analysis said .
Satisfaction reached its lowest level in 2008 -- 7 percent -- and has risen steadily ever since .
Fifty-eight percent were still dissatisfied in the most recent survey , but this is actually quite low .
During most of the Obama administration , the numbers for that statistic were in the 70s and 80s .
The numbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Republicans satisfied vs. 14 percent of Democrats .
Nevertheless , that 's still some pretty impressive stuff .
( Gallup conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,014 adults .
The margin of error was plus- or minus-4 percentage points . )
Then you have the low unemployment rate , a high stock market , wage growth , tight labor markets -- all of these are very good things , and none of them sound like the bleak economic picture that the Democrats painted during their debate earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the Democrats , the answer is clear : The economy is horrible under Trump , even if the fundamentals look good .
And yet , so many Americans are satisfied with the direction the country is going .
And the reason why is simple : Deregulation , a defanged Environmental Protection Agency , a federal government that finally remembers that the business of America is business , conservative judges , great unemployment figures -- including for minorities and women -- and lower taxes .
Democrats want us to believe that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long since gone .
As it turns out , not so much .
Do Democrats really want to run on opposing the great things that our country currently has going for it ?
It certainly seems like this is their strategy .
If it is , I can guarantee you Donald Trump is going to be a very happy man .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

I don't know if you watch the Democrat debates.
I do, because I'm paid to.
It's the same way you're paid to write TPS reports, though.
Is it something you'd do on your own? Probably not, unless you really love your job.
Take me, for example.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
I'm addicted to politics, and the Democratic debates are beginning to feel like the TPS reports of the 2020 cycle for me.
However, despite the three hours of sleep hypnosis last week, there was something important I learned: The Democrats are ready to take on Donald Trump on the economy.
Now, I didn't quite see how they were planning to take him on, just that they were ready to take him on.
“With regard to the economy, I can hardly wait to have that debate with him. Where I come from, the neighborhoods I come from, they’re in real trouble -- working-class people, middle-class people,” former Vice President Joe Biden said.
“I’d love that debate because the American public is getting clobbered. The wealthy are the only ones doing well -- period."
“Whoever is going to beat Mr. Trump is going to have to beat him on the economy, and I have the experience and the expertise to show he’s a fake there and a fraud," billionaire tartan-tie enthusiast Tom Steyer said.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, meanwhile, said, "I am ready to take on this president on the economy, because I am from the exact kind of industrial Midwestern community that he pretends to speak to and has proven to turn his back on -- and guided that community through a historic transformation.”
Have fun with that, gents, since the results of a new Gallup poll found that under the current president, more Americans are "satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S." since 2005.
Perhaps most problematic for the Democrats, that's more than twice the number of Americans who responded the same way at this point in the first term of Barack Obama, the president Joe Biden served under.
"Satisfaction 'with the way things are going' in the United States has reached a 15-year high, about four times better than the low points registered under President Barack Obama," the Washington Examiner reported
First, the numbers: According to the Examiner, "Gallup said that 41% are satisfied with the direction of the nation. The last time it hit that level was in 2005, during the administration of President George W. Bush.
"Under Obama, it hit about 10% in his first and third year, but it rose to the mid-30s in his last year," the outlet added.
Under Trump, it's currently 41 percent. For comparison's sake, in January 2012 (the last full January of Obama's first term), just 18 percent of respondents told Gallup they were "satisfied with the way things are going."
The reason for the great numbers under Trump, unsurprisingly, is the good economic data.
“The higher level of satisfaction measured in the Jan. 2-15 Gallup poll comes at a time when Americans' evaluations of the U.S. economy are the best they have been in nearly two decades, perhaps because of continued low unemployment and record stock values,” Gallup's analysis said.
Satisfaction reached its lowest level in 2008 -- 7 percent -- and has risen steadily ever since.
Fifty-eight percent were still dissatisfied in the most recent survey, but this is actually quite low. During most of the Obama administration, the numbers for that statistic were in the 70s and 80s.
The numbers are divided, of course, with 72 percent of Republicans satisfied vs. 14 percent of Democrats. Nevertheless, that's still some pretty impressive stuff. (Gallup conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,014 adults. The margin of error was plus- or minus-4 percentage points.)
Then you have the low unemployment rate, a high stock market, wage growth, tight labor markets -- all of these are very good things, and none of them sound like the bleak economic picture that the Democrats painted during their debate earlier this month.
So which is it?
Well, for the Democrats, the answer is clear: The economy is horrible under Trump, even if the fundamentals look good.
And yet, so many Americans are satisfied with the direction the country is going.
And the reason why is simple: Deregulation, a defanged Environmental Protection Agency, a federal government that finally remembers that the business of America is business, conservative judges, great unemployment figures -- including for minorities and women -- and lower taxes.
Democrats want us to believe that the days when these were good things are long since gone.
As it turns out, not so much.
Do Democrats really want to run on opposing the great things that our country currently has going for it?
It certainly seems like this is their strategy.
If it is, I can guarantee you Donald Trump is going to be a very happy man.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-25--Meet the group injured most by ban on counseling against gayness

Local and state governments in the United States and other nations have been banning counseling individuals to get rid of unwanted same-sex attractions .
But there 's one population that 's being injured each time that happens .
In the United States , more than a dozen states or local governments have moved to suppress information that counselors could provide to those victims .
Recently , officials in the city of Tampa , Florida , appealed a federal judge 's decision to block an ordinance prohibiting the counseling of children who seek help overcoming same-sex attractions .
In that case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more intimate , more private , and more sensitive , than a growing young man or woman talking to a mental health therapist about sex , gender , preferences , and conflicting feelings .
The ordinance inserts the city 's code enforcers into the middle of this sensitive , intense and private moment .
But this moment is already governed by Florida 's very broad rights of privacy , something the ordinance ignores .
...
The Florida Constitution 's privacy amendment suggests that government should stay out of the therapy room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional issue , and in doing so the city attempts to occupy a very private space , contrary to a strong statewide policy . ''
Now , an expert with Christian Concern , a non-profit legal group in the United Kingdom , is arguing a whole population is harmed by the counseling bans .
Carys Mosely of Christian Concern explained : `` What has happened in the last 15 years is that one-sided uncritical normalization of homosexuality has taken over social research .
The result is lack of further research on how rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them into homosexuality , and the resultant silence from the counseling profession and organizations helping victims .
The fact that most victims were heterosexual with many now experiencing homosexual attraction would have been an inconvenient truth for some gay activists .
Exactly how this situation arose needs to be investigated thoroughly as it has real-world implications . ''
She continued : `` There is a great deal of research literature arguing that there is a stigma to men admitting to being victims that is due to homophobia , i.e .
fear of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to being rape victims .
As the term homophobia is a loaded word this kind of claim needs to be approached with caution .
For the claim could be taken to mean that acceptance of homosexuality would make it easier for victims to come forward .
`` In reality , what is needed is a climate where it is acceptable for victims to tell those professionals helping them that the same-sex attraction they experience as a result of being raped is unwanted .
On this basis , victims need to be free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this unwanted same-sex attraction and any ensuing homosexual behavior .
However , this is no longer possible .
`` The reason for this is a professional ban on any counseling or therapy which helps clients diminish same-sex attraction . ''
Her comments were triggered by a case in the U.K. against Reynhard Sinaga , who was imprisoned for life for raping up to 195 men .
The report said Sinaga , a doctoral student from Indonesia , `` was jailed for life for 159 sexual offenses , including 136 rapes of men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified 48 victims but have been appealing for the many more they have hitherto failed to track down .
The police have told the press that they believe he may have targeted up to 195 men .
The Crown Prosecution Service told the BBC that he is the 'most prolific ' rapist ever in recorded legal history in the U.K. , if not the entire world , leading to the largest rape inquiry in British history . ''
The rapist 's strategy , the report said , was to live near a gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He used to watch for young men leaving bars and clubs to lure them to his flat , all the while offering them help to sit down and have a drink , '' the report said .
`` Detectives inferred from available evidence that once back in his flat he would spike their drinks with GHB , an illegal Class C drug widely used in the gay scene .
The victims became unconscious as a result and therefore mostly had no memory of being attacked . ''
However , one victim awoke and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stole a mobile phone , which `` turned out to have videos of his crimes . ''
The spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West told the BBC that he thought Sinaga took `` particular pleasure in preying on heterosexual men . ''
Christian Concern 's Mosley said : `` Nobody has said anything about the fact of unwanted same-sex attraction among some adult male victims of male rape .
This is very important because historic research literature going back decades shows that victims are at risk of experiencing confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For example [ a ] dissertation from the University of Central Lancashire in 2004 found that 70 % of male rape victims surveyed experienced ' a long term crisis over sexual identity ' ( Table 3.5 , page 107 ) .
Furthermore , it was found that over one third ( 35 % ) of its sample of male rape victims had experienced problems with sexual orientation as a result ( Appendix 4E , page 254 ) . ''
In `` nearly all cases , '' she said , the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual preference .
`` Some victims were said to have started homosexual behavior as an undesired reaction to being raped , '' she said .
The issue is being litigated in a number of jurisdictions .
At least one case is expected to reach the Supreme Court , which then will have to rule on the speech limits the ordinances impose .

Local and state governments in the United States and other nations have been banning counseling individuals to get rid of unwanted same-sex attractions.
But there's one population that's being injured each time that happens.
Rape victims.
Male rape victims.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In the United States, more than a dozen states or local governments have moved to suppress information that counselors could provide to those victims. Recently, officials in the city of Tampa, Florida, appealed a federal judge's decision to block an ordinance prohibiting the counseling of children who seek help overcoming same-sex attractions.
In that case, the judge wrote: "Nothing is more intimate, more private, and more sensitive, than a growing young man or woman talking to a mental health therapist about sex, gender, preferences, and conflicting feelings. The ordinance inserts the city's code enforcers into the middle of this sensitive, intense and private moment. But this moment is already governed by Florida's very broad rights of privacy, something the ordinance ignores. ... The Florida Constitution's privacy amendment suggests that government should stay out of the therapy room. The Tampa Ordinance does not address this constitutional issue, and in doing so the city attempts to occupy a very private space, contrary to a strong statewide policy."
Now, an expert with Christian Concern, a non-profit legal group in the United Kingdom, is arguing a whole population is harmed by the counseling bans.
Carys Mosely of Christian Concern explained: "What has happened in the last 15 years is that one-sided uncritical normalization of homosexuality has taken over social research. The result is lack of further research on how rape of adult men by men can push them into homosexuality, and the resultant silence from the counseling profession and organizations helping victims. The fact that most victims were heterosexual with many now experiencing homosexual attraction would have been an inconvenient truth for some gay activists. Exactly how this situation arose needs to be investigated thoroughly as it has real-world implications."
She continued: "There is a great deal of research literature arguing that there is a stigma to men admitting to being victims that is due to homophobia, i.e. fear of being perceived to be gay if they admit to being rape victims. As the term homophobia is a loaded word this kind of claim needs to be approached with caution. For the claim could be taken to mean that acceptance of homosexuality would make it easier for victims to come forward.
"In reality, what is needed is a climate where it is acceptable for victims to tell those professionals helping them that the same-sex attraction they experience as a result of being raped is unwanted. On this basis, victims need to be free to ask for counseling that helps them diminish this unwanted same-sex attraction and any ensuing homosexual behavior. However, this is no longer possible.
"The reason for this is a professional ban on any counseling or therapy which helps clients diminish same-sex attraction."
Her comments were triggered by a case in the U.K. against Reynhard Sinaga, who was imprisoned for life for raping up to 195 men.
The report said Sinaga, a doctoral student from Indonesia, "was jailed for life for 159 sexual offenses, including 136 rapes of men, in Manchester Crown Court. The police identified 48 victims but have been appealing for the many more they have hitherto failed to track down. The police have told the press that they believe he may have targeted up to 195 men. The Crown Prosecution Service told the BBC that he is the 'most prolific' rapist ever in recorded legal history in the U.K., if not the entire world, leading to the largest rape inquiry in British history."
The rapist's strategy, the report said, was to live near a gathering place for the homosexual community.
"He used to watch for young men leaving bars and clubs to lure them to his flat, all the while offering them help to sit down and have a drink," the report said. "Detectives inferred from available evidence that once back in his flat he would spike their drinks with GHB, an illegal Class C drug widely used in the gay scene. The victims became unconscious as a result and therefore mostly had no memory of being attacked."
However, one victim awoke and hit back at Sinaga.
He also stole a mobile phone, which "turned out to have videos of his crimes."
The spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West told the BBC that he thought Sinaga took "particular pleasure in preying on heterosexual men."
Christian Concern's Mosley said: "Nobody has said anything about the fact of unwanted same-sex attraction among some adult male victims of male rape. This is very important because historic research literature going back decades shows that victims are at risk of experiencing confusion in sexual orientation," Moseley said. "For example [a] dissertation from the University of Central Lancashire in 2004 found that 70% of male rape victims surveyed experienced 'a long term crisis over sexual identity' (Table 3.5, page 107). Furthermore, it was found that over one third (35%) of its sample of male rape victims had experienced problems with sexual orientation as a result (Appendix 4E, page 254)."
In "nearly all cases," she said, the victims reported damage that included confusion over their sexual preference.
"Some victims were said to have started homosexual behavior as an undesired reaction to being raped," she said.
The issue is being litigated in a number of jurisdictions. At least one case is expected to reach the Supreme Court, which then will have to rule on the speech limits the ordinances impose.


wnd--2020-01-25--Video: Bigfoot spotted in Washington — again, state officials say

( BELLINGHAM HERALD ) Bigfoot must be traveling through Washington state this week , and the Washington State Department of @ @ @ @ @ seat .
Earlier this week the department apparently captured photos of the creature on its @ @ @ @ @ 20 webcam .
Now officials are saying they have a video of the legend in @ @ @ @ @ The transportation department ’ s Twitter account for Snoqualmie Pass traffic shared a video of @ @ @ @ @ walking along the wildlife overcrossing on Interstate 90 .

(BELLINGHAM HERALD) Bigfoot must be traveling through Washington state this week, and the Washington State Department of Transportation has had a front-row seat.
Earlier this week the department apparently captured photos of the creature on its Sherman Pass on State Route 20 webcam. Now officials are saying they have a video of the legend in a completely different location.
The transportation department’s Twitter account for Snoqualmie Pass traffic shared a video of what appears to be Bigfoot walking along the wildlife overcrossing on Interstate 90.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Baby covers AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck,' after dad recorded his noises for a year

( CNN ) Does it seem like recording artists are getting younger and younger ?
It 's not your imagination @ @ @ @ @ Billie Eilish became the youngest artist to write and perform a James Bond theme song @ @ @ @ @ a teen , might have some competition from the diaper set .
Meet Baby Ryan @ @ @ @ @ l nugget you ever did see , whose father , Matt MacMillan had the genius @ @ @ @ @ sounds for a year and arranging them into `` Thunderstruck '' by AC/DC .

(CNN) Does it seem like recording artists are getting younger and younger?
It's not your imagination. Earlier this month, Billie Eilish became the youngest artist to write and perform a James Bond theme song. But now Eilish, a teen, might have some competition from the diaper set.
Meet Baby Ryan, the cutest li'l nugget you ever did see, whose father, Matt MacMillan had the genius idea of recording his baby sounds for a year and arranging them into "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--Axelrod dashes Dems' hopes: Even Dems don't care about impeachment trial

( RED STATE ) Democrats have desperately trying to convince Republicans and Americans on impeachment .
Their chances of convincing @ @ @ @ @ especially after the patently deficient case they have presented which left many Republicans saying “ @ @ @ @ @ ” But they were hoping that maybe with televised proceedings they could pull some more @ @ @ @ @ the performance art of House Intel Chair Adam Schiff , who has been the primary @ @ @ @ @ case .

(RED STATE) Democrats have desperately trying to convince Republicans and Americans on impeachment.
Their chances of convincing Republicans are pretty slim, especially after the patently deficient case they have presented which left many Republicans saying “there’s no evidence.”
But they were hoping that maybe with televised proceedings they could pull some more Americans into the corner with the performance art of House Intel Chair Adam Schiff, who has been the primary House impeachment manager presenting the case.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-25--'MoveOn' demands Bernie denounce Joe Rogan endorsement

( GATEWAY PUNDIT ) The Democrat establishment is out in full force trying to bring down Sen. Bernie Sanders as @ @ @ @ @ their preferred candidates , and MoveOn is now demanding that he denounce the endorsement of @ @ @ @ @ Joe Rogan .
MoveOn claims to be a progressive organization , originally started to oppose @ @ @ @ @ , but is more ingrained with the Democrat Party establishment .
In an absurd and @ @ @ @ @ , MoveOn called on Sanders and his campaign to “ apologize ” and said that @ @ @ @ @ with folks hurt by this .
”

(GATEWAY PUNDIT) The Democrat establishment is out in full force trying to bring down Sen. Bernie Sanders as he continues to rise above their preferred candidates, and MoveOn is now demanding that he denounce the endorsement of massively popular comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan.
MoveOn claims to be a progressive organization, originally started to oppose the impeachment of Bill Clinton, but is more ingrained with the Democrat Party establishment.
In an absurd and laughable statement posted to Twitter, MoveOn called on Sanders and his campaign to “apologize” and said that they stand in “solidarity with folks hurt by this.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-26--Bolivia religious debate: Bible vs Andean earth deity

( ASSOCIATED PRESS ) Hoisting a large leather Bible above her head , Bolivia ’ s new interim president delivered @ @ @ @ @ Evo Morales fled under pressure , the end of a nearly 14-year presidency that celebrated @ @ @ @ @ religious beliefs like never before .
“ The Bible has returned to the palace , @ @ @ @ @ she walked amid a horde of allies and news media cameras into the presidential palace @ @ @ @ @ Bible from official government ceremonies and replaced it with acts honoring the Andean earth deity @ @ @ @ @ conservative evangelical senator , from a region where people often scoff at Pachamama beliefs , @ @ @ @ @ head and flashed a beaming smile .
While Bolivians are deeply divided on Morales ’ @ @ @ @ @ a lawyer and opposition leaderwho wants to make the Bible front and center in public @ @ @ @ @ class and racial divisions at a time of great uncertainty in the Andean nation , @ @ @ @ @ as descendants of native peoples .

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) Hoisting a large leather Bible above her head, Bolivia’s new interim president delivered an emphatic message hours after Evo Morales fled under pressure, the end of a nearly 14-year presidency that celebrated the country’s indigenous religious beliefs like never before.
“The Bible has returned to the palace,” bellowed Jeanine Añez as she walked amid a horde of allies and news media cameras into the presidential palace where Morales had jettisoned the Bible from official government ceremonies and replaced it with acts honoring the Andean earth deity called the Pachamama. The conservative evangelical senator, from a region where people often scoff at Pachamama beliefs, thrust the Bible above her head and flashed a beaming smile.
While Bolivians are deeply divided on Morales’ legacy, his replacement,a lawyer and opposition leaderwho wants to make the Bible front and center in public life, is reigniting deep-rooted class and racial divisions at a time of great uncertainty in the Andean nation, where 6 in 10 identify as descendants of native peoples.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Leaked McDonald's marketing bible reveals how seriously company takes its reputation

The fast-food giant has determined Ronald McDonald has good eating habits , does n't smoke and `` does not touch @ @ @ @ @ . ''
All appearances of the mascot must be approved by the company and deemed @ @ @ @ @ personality '' — meaning Ronald McDonald is specifically banned from visiting a nightclub or lounge @ @ @ @ @ '' is strictly off limits .
These are just a few of the rules spelled @ @ @ @ @ of McDonald 's `` Golden Arches code '' obtained by Business Insider .
The code @ @ @ @ @ for McDonald 's , intended for internal use , spelling out every aspect of the @ @ @ @ @

(BUSINESS INSIDER) McDonald's takes Ronald McDonald very seriously.
The fast-food giant has determined Ronald McDonald has good eating habits, doesn't smoke and "does not touch anyone in any inappropriate way." All appearances of the mascot must be approved by the company and deemed consistent with his "core personality" — meaning Ronald McDonald is specifically banned from visiting a nightclub or lounge. The nickname "Ronnie" is strictly off limits.
These are just a few of the rules spelled out in a 2012 copy of McDonald's "Golden Arches code" obtained by Business Insider. The code acts as a marketing bible for McDonald's, intended for internal use, spelling out every aspect of the fast-food giant's brand.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Iran sentences Christian convert to prison on charge of 'insulting Islamic beliefs'

( CHRISTIAN POST ) A court in Iran has sentenced a 65-year-old convert to Christianity to three years in prison @ @ @ @ @ beliefs ” even as he is yet to be tried in the court for two @ @ @ @ @ freedom watchdog group has reported .
The U.K.-based group Article 18 reported this week that @ @ @ @ @ to appeal his sentencing and that the court referred to Article 513 of the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ for a punishment between one and five years in prison .
Maghrebinejad was convicted for @ @ @ @ @ phone that allegedly made fun of Iran ’ s ruling clerics .

(CHRISTIAN POST) A court in Iran has sentenced a 65-year-old convert to Christianity to three years in prison for “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs” even as he is yet to be tried in the court for two other charges, a religious freedom watchdog group has reported.
The U.K.-based group Article 18 reported this week that Ismaeil Maghrebinejad has 20 days to appeal his sentencing and that the court referred to Article 513 of the Islamic Penal Code, which provides for a punishment between one and five years in prison.
Maghrebinejad was convicted for forwarding a message on his phone that allegedly made fun of Iran’s ruling clerics.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Pastor who praised God in ransom video beheaded after refusing to deny Christ

( CHRISTIAN POST ) A pastor who made headlines earlier this month for praising God in a ransom video has @ @ @ @ @ militants in Nigeria .
International human rights activists have condemned the killing of Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ of the Christian Association of Nigeria ’ s chapter in the Michika Local Government Area @ @ @ @ @ was declared missing on Jan. 3 following a raid by the Islamic extremist group in @ @ @ @ @ appears to show Andimi being forced into a vehicle by his captors .

(CHRISTIAN POST) A pastor who made headlines earlier this month for praising God in a ransom video has been executed by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria.
International human rights activists have condemned the killing of Rev. Lawan Andimi, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s chapter in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Andimi was declared missing on Jan. 3 following a raid by the Islamic extremist group in Michika. Video posted online appears to show Andimi being forced into a vehicle by his captors.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Mike Pence's daughter fires off at abortion crowd: 'Pro-life is pro-women'

The daughter of Vice President Mike Pence says America 's real pro-women movement supports life , not abortion .
“ The pro-choice movement is not pro-woman , I think it ’ s ultimately sending a message of defeat , I think that it ’ s giving women a choice , but really they ’ re not given a choice , they ’ re told the right thing to do , ” Charlotte Pence Bond , 26 , told The Daily Caller in an interview Friday .
Bond said supporting abortion has become a liberal societal dictate from which women must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't telling women that they have to , you know , stay in the kitchen anymore , but they still are being told how to enter society or how to enter the workplace , '' she said .
She said the pro-abortion movement `` does a disservice to women '' who `` choose to be a single mother or to give a child up for adoption . ''
`` The pro-life movement , on the other hand , as we 're seeing at the march today , their theme this year is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bond said .
The pro-life movement can be a place where `` we encourage women , we do n't shame them , we help them , we support them , we point them in the right directions to make a decision that 's going to ultimately be better for them , '' she added .
The pro-abortion movement is `` filled with a lot of people who are in pain , '' Bond said .
She called President Donald Trump 's appearance at Friday 's March for Life `` a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pro-life movement , and it means a lot to people all over the country . ''
`` President Trump went out of his way to get here and to show his support and I 'm really inspired by that , '' she said .
Bond has said faith and science together show that the pro-life philosophy is the only sound approach when considering when life begins .
“ My reasons are founded in my faith , they ’ re grounded in the fact that I was taught the value of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed up by other things .
They ’ re backed up by science , '' she said at Thursday 's March for Life youth rally , according to The Christian Post .
`` Science continues to prove that life begins earlier and earlier than previously thought . ''
And she encouraged young people to delve into the roots of their pro-life beliefs .
“ Why do you believe what you believe ? ''
Bond said .
`` Why do you have that feeling in your gut that there ’ s something just not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that supporting life is not popular .
“ You know that you ’ re not the in-crowd .
You ’ re not reflected in the mainstream media and you ’ re not popular all the time , but that ’ s OK because anyone who made a difference in the history of the world wasn ’ t really popular at the time , ” Bond said .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The daughter of Vice President Mike Pence says America's real pro-women movement supports life, not abortion.
“The pro-choice movement is not pro-woman, I think it’s ultimately sending a message of defeat, I think that it’s giving women a choice, but really they’re not given a choice, they’re told the right thing to do,” Charlotte Pence Bond, 26, told The Daily Caller in an interview Friday.
Bond said supporting abortion has become a liberal societal dictate from which women must break free.
"Our society isn't telling women that they have to, you know, stay in the kitchen anymore, but they still are being told how to enter society or how to enter the workplace," she said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
She said the pro-abortion movement "does a disservice to women" who "choose to be a single mother or to give a child up for adoption."
"The pro-life movement, on the other hand, as we're seeing at the march today, their theme this year is that pro-life is pro-women, because it is," Bond said.
The pro-life movement can be a place where "we encourage women, we don't shame them, we help them, we support them, we point them in the right directions to make a decision that's going to ultimately be better for them," she added.
The pro-abortion movement is "filled with a lot of people who are in pain," Bond said.
She called President Donald Trump's appearance at Friday's March for Life "a huge statement, and it means a lot to the pro-life movement, and it means a lot to people all over the country."
"President Trump went out of his way to get here and to show his support and I'm really inspired by that," she said.
Bond has said faith and science together show that the pro-life philosophy is the only sound approach when considering when life begins.
“My reasons are founded in my faith, they’re grounded in the fact that I was taught the value of human life. But they’re also backed up by other things. They’re backed up by science," she said at Thursday's March for Life youth rally, according to The Christian Post. "Science continues to prove that life begins earlier and earlier than previously thought."
And she encouraged young people to delve into the roots of their pro-life beliefs.
“Why do you believe what you believe?" Bond said. "Why do you have that feeling in your gut that there’s something just not right about the pro-choice arguments?”
She added that supporting life is not popular.
“You know that you’re not the in-crowd. You’re not reflected in the mainstream media and you’re not popular all the time, but that’s OK because anyone who made a difference in the history of the world wasn’t really popular at the time,” Bond said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-26--U.S. defense chief: China is a '21st century surveillance state'

( REUTERS ) US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday that China ’ s Communist Party had created a @ @ @ @ @ intelligence to repress Muslim minorities and pro-democracy demonstrators .
China has faced an outcry from @ @ @ @ @ governments and UN rights experts over mass detentions and strict surveillance of the mostly Muslim @ @ @ @ @ groups who call Xinjiang home .
“ As we speak , the Communist Party of @ @ @ @ @ to repress Muslin minority communities and pro-democracy demonstrators , ” Esper said during a speech @ @ @

(REUTERS) US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday that China’s Communist Party had created a surveillance state that uses artificial intelligence to repress Muslim minorities and pro-democracy demonstrators.
China has faced an outcry from activists, scholars, foreign governments and UN rights experts over mass detentions and strict surveillance of the mostly Muslim Uygur minority and other Muslim groups who call Xinjiang home.
“As we speak, the Communist Party of China is using artificial intelligence to repress Muslin minority communities and pro-democracy demonstrators,” Esper said during a speech in Washington.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Weeks before lockdown, Wuhan authorities downplayed coronavirus

( GLOBE & MAIL ) As Chinese authorities widened a massive urban lockdown and flew large numbers of medical personnel @ @ @ @ @ of a new SARS-like virus , medical authorities provided new indications that weeks of inaction @ @ @ @ @ spread widely before serious measures were taken .
Chinese authorities initially reported that the new @ @ @ @ @ affected the elderly and those left vulnerable by pre-existing health conditions .
But an academic @ @ @ @ @ in The Lancet on Friday found that of the first 41 confirmed cases of the @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , “ less than half had underlying diseases.
” Nearly half were 49 years @ @ @ @ @ And a third had not been exposed to the wild animal market identified as the @ @ @ @ @ that even from the earliest days , it had begun to leap between people .

(GLOBE & MAIL) As Chinese authorities widened a massive urban lockdown and flew large numbers of medical personnel to Wuhan, the epicentre of a new SARS-like virus, medical authorities provided new indications that weeks of inaction had allowed the virus to spread widely before serious measures were taken.
Chinese authorities initially reported that the new 2019-nCoV coronavirus had most seriously affected the elderly and those left vulnerable by pre-existing health conditions.
But an academic study published by Chinese researchers in The Lancet on Friday found that of the first 41 confirmed cases of the virus, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms, “less than half had underlying diseases.” Nearly half were 49 years of age or younger. And a third had not been exposed to the wild animal market identified as the source of virus, suggesting that even from the earliest days, it had begun to leap between people.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Historians slam 'completely false' Putin Holocaust claims at Jerusalem ceremony

( TIMES OF ISRAEL ) Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s prime speaking slot at a Holocaust commemoration event in @ @ @ @ @ controversy even before the longtime leader took the podium .
His remarks Thursday at the @ @ @ @ @ of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army has done little to quell it @ @ @ @ @ Vashem Holocaust museum , Putin claimed that 40 percent of the Jews who died in @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet Union .
Historians called the claim absurd .
`` It 's completely false @ @ @ @ @ a historian at the University of Ottawa , told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an @ @

(TIMES OF ISRAEL) Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prime speaking slot at a Holocaust commemoration event in Jerusalem this week was generating controversy even before the longtime leader took the podium. His remarks Thursday at the event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army has done little to quell it.
Speaking at the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, Putin claimed that 40 percent of the Jews who died in the Holocaust were citizens of the Soviet Union. Historians called the claim absurd.
"It's completely false,” Jan Grabowski, a historian at the University of Ottawa, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an interview.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Bernie rolls out video casting Trump as threat to Jews

( TIMES OF ISRAEL ) Bernie Sanders launched a campaign video highlighting his Jewish identity and casting President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ nationalist threat .
The four-minute video posted Thursday night on Sanders ’ Twitter feed , @ @ @ @ @ speech last year to J Street , the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group , @ @ @ @ @ , the campaign ’ s Jewish outreach director .
It starts with Sanders ’ declaration @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m very proud to be Jewish and look forward to becoming @ @ @ @ @ the history of this country , ” Sanders says .

(TIMES OF ISRAEL) Bernie Sanders launched a campaign video highlighting his Jewish identity and casting President Donald Trump as part of the white nationalist threat.
The four-minute video posted Thursday night on Sanders’ Twitter feed, interpolates excerpts from Sanders’ speech last year to J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, with commentary by Joel Rubin, the campaign’s Jewish outreach director.
It starts with Sanders’ declaration of pride in being Jewish. “I’m very proud to be Jewish and look forward to becoming the first Jewish president in the history of this country,” Sanders says.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Outbreak sends Chinese people to social media

( NPR ) `` I do n't feel in the Chinese New Year mood at all this year , '' @ @ @ @ @ ?
?
qwertyuiop416 posted this week on Weibo , China 's equivalent to Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ I 'm getting more scared every day . ''
That sentiment reflects a trend on @ @ @ @ @ cases of the Wuhan coronavirus surge .
Initially , there was some lightheartedness in posts @ @ @ @ @ it was `` the perfect time '' to stay home and play a mobile phone @ @ @ @ @ But as the situation has worsened , people in Wuhan , the city that 's @ @ @ @ @ , and other affected areas in China are glued to their mobile phones .
They @ @ @ @ @ , Facebook and Twitter to express their fear and anger — and to cry for @ @

(NPR) "I don't feel in the Chinese New Year mood at all this year," a netizen with username ???qwertyuiop416 posted this week on Weibo, China's equivalent to Twitter. "I'm panicking. I'm getting more scared every day."
That sentiment reflects a trend on Chinese social media as confirmed cases of the Wuhan coronavirus surge.
Initially, there was some lightheartedness in posts. One Weibo user commented it was "the perfect time" to stay home and play a mobile phone game called Plague Inc.
But as the situation has worsened, people in Wuhan, the city that's the epicenter of the outbreak, and other affected areas in China are glued to their mobile phones. They're using apps like Weibo, Facebook and Twitter to express their fear and anger — and to cry for help.
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wnd--2020-01-26--Network news reporter refers to L.A. 'Ni**ers' in Kobe Bryant death, then denies saying it

While the world was stunned Sunday by the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and four others in a California helicopter crash , an MSNBC reporter covering the tragedy shocked viewers by apparently referring to the Los Angeles Lakers as the Los Angeles `` Ni**ers , '' and then forcefully denying she ever said it .
Allison Morris is the reporter who misstated the name of Bryant 's team , as she noted Bryant `` was just the kind of athlete , the kind of star that was perfectly cast on the Los Angeles Ni**ers , Los Angles Lakers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe .
TRENDING : On VIDEO : Stephanopoulos shuts down Sekulow with throat-cutting sign A woman watching Morris make the statement can be heard shouting , `` What the f*** ?
! ''
Upon hearing the flub .
Another astonished viewer tweeted : `` @ MSNBC REPORTER ALLISON MORRIS SAID KOBE PLAYED FOR THE 'LOS ANGELES NIGGERS ?
?
?
? '
PLEASE SPREAD SO SHE CAN GET FIRED '' Morris , who is white , is vociferously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Sunday afternoon : `` Earlier today , while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant 's passing , I unfortunately stuttered on air , combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say 'Nakers . '
Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term .
I apologize for the confusion this caused . ''
But she was mostly pummeled by respondents to her denial , with comments including : '' That 's not what you said , love .
We all heard you say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you . ''
`` Yeah I listened to the clip SEVERAL times and you said the N word with a HARD G. So no we do n't believe you . ''
`` There was no ' k ' in what you said !
There were two G 's and a hard R , though ! ''
`` Allison , that was n't a mistake .
I heard a hard R MULTIPLE times from multiple sound sources .
Please do n't take the ' I stuttered on-air ' route and just resign and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us .
We have ears , We heard what you said . ''
`` Right , and then tried to do an Olympic style flip with it .
She got ta be fired ASAP . ''
`` MSNBC would go ballistic and demand deplatforming if someone not part of the corporate legacy media had made that 'mistake . '
Your company has attempted to get people doxed , harassed , or fired for making the 'OK ' sign before . ''
`` Cut the lady some slack .
Maybe she was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us at this horrible news .
Stop .
Think .
Would anyone on a major network use such an expletive at such a sad time ?
!
She made a mistake .
Anyone out there never been tongue-tied ?
Be kind . ''
Bryant , 41 , who transcended basketball , played for the Lakers from 1996-2016 , helping them win five championships while being named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player twice .
He was san 18-time All-Star and was named All-Star MVP four times , tying him with Bob Pettit for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bryant was a successful Olympic athlete , winning a gold medal in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games .
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs

While the world was stunned Sunday by the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and eight others in a California helicopter crash, an MSNBC reporter covering the tragedy shocked viewers by stumbling over the name of the Los Angeles Lakers, making it appear to sound like the N-word to some, then forcefully denying she made any racial slur.
Alison Morris is the reporter who misstated the name of Bryant's team, as she noted Bryant "was just the kind of athlete, the kind of star that was perfectly cast on the Los Angeles [possible N-word], Los Angles Lakers," correcting herself instantly.
"So this @MSNBC reporter just referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe," one poster on Twitter said.
So this @MSNBC reporter just referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe. pic.twitter.com/htfPRwlgV6 — Jimmy Jump 🏁 (@Littles1126) January 26, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A woman watching Morris make the statement can be heard shouting, "What the f***?!" upon hearing the flub.
"It's almost too hard to believe, but it happened," reported Grabien News.
Another astonished viewer tweeted: "@MSNBC
REPORTER ALLISON MORRIS SAID KOBE PLAYED FOR THE 'LOS ANGELES NIGGERS????' PLEASE SPREAD SO SHE CAN GET FIRED"
@MSNBC REPORTER ALLISON MORRIS SAID KOBE PLAYED FOR THE “LOS ANGELES NIGGERS????” PLEASE SPREAD SO SHE CAN GET FIRED #RIPKobeBryant #ripkobe pic.twitter.com/iMNfLDv1PW — R.I.P KOBE BRYANT💛💜 (@Lilvampiree1) January 26, 2020
Morris, who is white, is vociferously denying she used the N-word, tweeting late Sunday afternoon: "Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant's passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say 'Nakers.' Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused."
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say “Nakers.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused. — Alison Morris (@AlisonMorrisNOW) January 26, 2020
But she was mostly pummeled by respondents to her denial, with comments including:
"That's not what you said, love. We all heard you say it live."
"No one believes you."
"Yeah I listened to the clip SEVERAL times and you said the N word with a HARD G. So no we don't believe you."
"There was no 'k' in what you said! There were two G's and a hard R, though!"
"Alison, that wasn't a mistake. I heard a hard R MULTIPLE times from multiple sound sources. Please don't take the 'I stuttered on-air' route and just resign and make an ACTUAL apology instead of BLATANTLY lying to us. We have ears, We heard what you said."
"Right, and then tried to do an Olympic style flip with it. She gotta be fired ASAP."
"MSNBC would go ballistic and demand deplatforming if someone not part of the corporate legacy media had made that 'mistake.' Your company has attempted to get people doxed, harassed, or fired for making the 'OK' sign before."
"Cut the lady some slack. Maybe she was as shocked & stunned as the rest of us at this horrible news. Stop. Think. Would anyone on a major network use such an expletive at such a sad time?! She made a mistake. Anyone out there never been tongue-tied? Be kind."
Ma’am you did not say Nakers pic.twitter.com/Se47a1179d — LilEsBella 💅🏽 (@LilEsBella) January 26, 2020
Nah you said the whole thing, own up to it. pic.twitter.com/8AyGvmeFvZ — ĸɇmP (@ESPNKemp) January 26, 2020
The national uproar over the MSNBC flub has Bronson Stocking of Townhall.com quipping: "If this happened on Fox News, MSDNC would spend the rest of the election reporting on it. It would probably be introduced as a third article of impeachment against the president."
Bryant, 41, who transcended basketball, played for the Lakers from 1996-2016, helping them win five championships while being named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player twice. He was an 18-time All-Star and was named All-Star MVP four times, tying him with Bob Pettit for the most All-Star MVP awards in NBA history. Bryant was a successful Olympic athlete, winning a gold medal in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
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