westernjournal--2020-01-06--13-Year-Old American Girl Killed in Ambush in Mexico

Mexican authorities continued searching Monday for the gunmen responsible for an attack on a sparsely traveled stretch of highway near the Texas border that left a 13-year-old U.S. citizen dead and four relatives wounded .
On Saturday night , a family traveling in two vehicles was attacked on a two-lane highway paralleling the U.S.-Mexico border in the township of Ciudad Mier .
One SUV of attackers passed the family and then cut them off , causing them to collide and come to a halt .
Gunmen then opened fire , according to a statement from the state of Tamaulipas security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from one of the family ’ s vehicles , both of which had Oklahoma license plates .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ The gunmen escaped in another vehicle .
A 10-year-old relative was among those wounded .
On Sunday , authorities listed the wounded as in stable condition .
The family was returning to the U.S. after spending the holidays in the central Mexico state of San Luis Potosi .
The area where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartels .
For years , Ciudad Mier was the uppermost edge of the Gulf cartel ’ s control and Nueva Ciudad Guerrero was the limit for the Nuevo Laredo-based Zetas .
In 2010 , after the Zetas split from the Gulf cartel and established themselves as an organized criminal power through prominent displays of graphic violence , Mier became a battleground for the two cartels and most of its residents abandoned the quaint colonial town .
More recently , however , the Zetas ’ splinter group known as the Northeast cartel has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aleman and Camargo , well into what was traditionally the Gulf cartel ’ s territory .
Photographs from Saturday night ’ s crime scene showed the Northeast cartel ’ s Spanish initials — “ CDN ” — scrawled on the back window of one of the vehicles .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Mexican authorities continued searching Monday for the gunmen responsible for an attack on a sparsely traveled stretch of highway near the Texas border that left a 13-year-old U.S. citizen dead and four relatives wounded.
On Saturday night, a family traveling in two vehicles was attacked on a two-lane highway paralleling the U.S.-Mexico border in the township of Ciudad Mier.
One SUV of attackers passed the family and then cut them off, causing them to collide and come to a halt.
Gunmen then opened fire, according to a statement from the state of Tamaulipas security coordinating group.
All of the wounded came from one of the family’s vehicles, both of which had Oklahoma license plates.
The gunmen escaped in another vehicle.
A 10-year-old relative was among those wounded.
On Sunday, authorities listed the wounded as in stable condition.
Atacan a paisanos y muere un Menor
En Carretera a ciudad Mier #LasNoticiasMty pic.twitter.com/fV4AAuMXAi — Las Noticias (@_LASNOTICIASMTY) January 6, 2020
The family was returning to the U.S. after spending the holidays in the central Mexico state of San Luis Potosi.
The area where the attack occurred is contested by drug cartels.
Llegando a la infame Ciudad Mier, dos vehículos les marcan un alto. A lo lejos parece un retén ilegal. Lo es. José acelera para no quedar a merced de los pistoleros, pero no avanza muy lejos. Dos vehículos con placas de Tamaulipas los impactan y logran detenerlos. pic.twitter.com/ZdatLpbg1q — Oscar Balmen (@oscarbalmen) January 6, 2020
For years, Ciudad Mier was the uppermost edge of the Gulf cartel’s control and Nueva Ciudad Guerrero was the limit for the Nuevo Laredo-based Zetas.
Between them sits uninhabited scrubland.
In 2010, after the Zetas split from the Gulf cartel and established themselves as an organized criminal power through prominent displays of graphic violence, Mier became a battleground for the two cartels and most of its residents abandoned the quaint colonial town.
More recently, however, the Zetas’ splinter group known as the Northeast cartel has been as far downriver as Mier, Miguel Aleman and Camargo, well into what was traditionally the Gulf cartel’s territory.
Photographs from Saturday night’s crime scene showed the Northeast cartel’s Spanish initials — “CDN” — scrawled on the back window of one of the vehicles.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-06--Ad Seeks Nanny for 18-Year-Old College Student, Must Keep Fridge Stocked with ‘Snacks, Juice’

If you want to know the secret sauce to raising a special snowflake , you could take a cue from a parent who placed an ad in England for a nanny for an 18-year-old Canadian college student attending the University of Leeds .
The parent , who is concerned about the rigors of a “ demanding first year program , ” is seeking someone who “ can ensure my daughter eats three healthy meals a day and the fridge is always full of healthy snacks , juice etc.
” The ad , which was posted on Indeed in late December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one user commenting on the “ child ’ s ” ability to navigate in the “ real world ” and practice law .
“ Seriously ?
!
If she can ’ t look after herself as a student how the hell is she going to manage in the real world practising law !
I wouldn ’ t want her representing me !
” TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran 's 'Bounty ' on Trump : 'We 'll Do It for Half' Another user took a jab at the student ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case will be an undergraduate at the University of Leeds in West Yorkshire and is pursuing a degree in law .
Her parent said “ she is Canadian and she needs someone to cook and clean for her.
” Rather than teaching their daughter self-sufficiency , independence and time management skills , it ’ s clear this parent doesn ’ t think their progeny can shop , prepare her own food and do her own laundry while studying .
The girl even has a personal driver , ensuring that she doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Centre from her “ lovely apartment ” or pick up the shopping .
But misplaced privilege such as this could come at a higher price than the cost of a nanny .
According to Psychology Today , “ the offspring of the affluent today are more distressed than other youth .
They show disturbingly high rates of substance use , depression , anxiety , eating disorders , cheating , and stealing .
It gives a whole new meaning to having it all.
” Sociologist Rachel Sherman , the author of “ Uneasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” has written that “ Almost all of the 50 affluent parents in and around New York City that I interviewed for my book … expressed fears that children would be ‘ entitled ’ — a dirty word that meant , variously , lazy , materialistic , greedy , rude , selfish , and self-satisfied .
RELATED : Mother Celebrates as Trans Child Receives Implant , Insists She 's Giving Him the Life He Deserves “ Instead , they strove to keep their children ‘ grounded ’ and ‘ normal ’ .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoiled children ; but for those who face relatively few material limits , this possibility is distinctly heightened.
” In one national survey that looked at “ helicopter ” parents of college students , 38 percent of freshmen and 29 percent of seniors said their parents intervened with college officials on their behalves to solve problems either “ very often ” or “ sometimes.
” Just several decades ago , 18-year-olds were going to war .
Today , students can ’ t seem to problem-solve on their own without having a parent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had parents who could help us financially or guide us through the confusing student years , but the question of when is it too much must be asked : “ Give a man a fish , and you feed him for a day .
Teach a man to fish , and you feed him for a lifetime.
” I ’ ll take an attorney who can navigate the shark-infested waters and bring me back a fish any day over one who never did her own laundry .
We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

If you want to know the secret sauce to raising a special snowflake, you could take a cue from a parent who placed an ad in England for a nanny for an 18-year-old Canadian college student attending the University of Leeds.
The parent, who is concerned about the rigors of a “demanding first year program,” is seeking someone who “can ensure my daughter eats three healthy meals a day and the fridge is always full of healthy snacks, juice etc.”
The ad, which was posted on Indeed in late December, has been mocked on Twitter, with one user commenting on the “child’s” ability to navigate in the “real world” and practice law.
“Seriously?! If she can’t look after herself as a student how the hell is she going to manage in the real world practising law! I wouldn’t want her representing me!”
Another user took a jab at the student’s assumed privilege.
Meanwhile half her classmates will be working two jobs to survive. — Jenny Foxe (@urbanfoxe) December 29, 2019
The “child” in this case will be an undergraduate at the University of Leeds in West Yorkshire and is pursuing a degree in law. Her parent said “she is Canadian and she needs someone to cook and clean for her.”
Rather than teaching their daughter self-sufficiency, independence and time management skills, it’s clear this parent doesn’t think their progeny can shop, prepare her own food and do her own laundry while studying.
I’m studying law and work 3 jobs alongside to pay my rent. She will never cope as an actual lawyer if she can’t manage her time well enough to cook lmao. — Buz James (@BuzJ) December 30, 2019
The girl even has a personal driver, ensuring that she doesn’t have to navigate around Leeds City Centre from her “lovely apartment” or pick up the shopping.
But misplaced privilege such as this could come at a higher price than the cost of a nanny. According to Psychology Today, “the offspring of the affluent today are more distressed than other youth. They show disturbingly high rates of substance use, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, cheating, and stealing. It gives a whole new meaning to having it all.”
Sociologist Rachel Sherman, the author of “Uneasy Street: The Anxieties of Affluence,” has written that “Almost all of the 50 affluent parents in and around New York City that I interviewed for my book … expressed fears that children would be ‘entitled’ — a dirty word that meant, variously, lazy, materialistic, greedy, rude, selfish, and self-satisfied.
“Instead, they strove to keep their children ‘grounded’ and ‘normal’. Of course, no parent wishes to raise spoiled children; but for those who face relatively few material limits, this possibility is distinctly heightened.”
Do you think college students should be more self-sufficient? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (222 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
In one national survey that looked at “helicopter” parents of college students, 38 percent of freshmen and 29 percent of seniors said their parents intervened with college officials on their behalves to solve problems either “very often” or “sometimes.”
Just several decades ago, 18-year-olds were going to war. Today, students can’t seem to problem-solve on their own without having a parent on speed dial.
We all wished we had parents who could help us financially or guide us through the confusing student years, but the question of when is it too much must be asked: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
I’ll take an attorney who can navigate the shark-infested waters and bring me back a fish any day over one who never did her own laundry.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
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westernjournal--2020-01-06--Some Things Never Change

Some Things Never Change

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/opinion/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Aldi opened its first store in the U.S. in 1976 after it was founded a decade earlier in Germany by two brothers.


westernjournal--2020-01-06--Comedian George Lopez on Iran’s ‘Bounty’ on Trump: ‘We’ll Do It for Half’

Let ’ s see if the Secret Service is laughing .
Left-wing comedian George Lopez ’ s entertainment career might not be rocketing lately , but he found himself back in the spotlight on Monday after a controversial contribution to an Instagram post about an Iranian “ bounty ” placed on President Donald Trump ’ s life .
It ’ s questionable how real the “ bounty ” actually was .
It was a suggestion from an anonymous voice on Iranian state TV during coverage of funeral proceedings for slain terrorist Gen. Qassem Soleimani , according to the U.K. website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no question about how the vocally anti-Trump Lopez responded on social media .
And the backlash has been fierce .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ According to The Week , the idea of Iranians paying for Trump ’ s assassination in retaliation for Thursday ’ s drone strike that killed Soleimani at Baghdad ’ s airport arose from a male announcer eulogizing the general and his three-decade reign of terror in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabiya , The Week reported that the announcer said , “ We are 80 million Iranians , if each one of us puts aside one American dollar , we will have 80 million American dollars , and we will reward anyone who brings us [ Trump ’ s ] head with that amount.
” That ’ s not quite as explicit or official as the barbaric bounty put openly on the head of writer Salman Rushdie beginning in 1989 , when the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini first offered $ 2.6 million for Rushdie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel “ The Satanic Verses.
” But it ’ s still a call for the paid-for murder of an American president taking place on state-sponsored television in a country where “ Death to America ” is practically a national motto .
So , how did the Los Angeles native Lopez respond to Iranian talk of “ 80 million American dollars ” for Trump ’ s murder ?
On an Instagram post from Chicano World Star reporting the bounty , Lopez was succinct : “ We ’ ll do it for half , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been much more famous in recent years for his virulent Trump hatred than anything approaching comedy , it ’ s pretty clear that he wouldn ’ t mind at all if the president were killed .
In 2018 , for instance , Lopez was charged with battery for an altercation with a Trump supporter at a Las Cruces , New Mexico , Hooters , according to Fox News .
In July of the same year , Lopez made headlines with a thoroughly gross video of himself appearing to urinate on the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fame .
Social media users came down hard on Lopez ’ s crack about assassinating the president .
Conservative radio ’ s “ The Great One , ” Mark Levin , was one of them .
That last one summed it up almost perfectly .
The Trump years have seen a steady stream of Hollywood has-beens recovering their time in the limelight by attacking the president — comedian Kathy Griffin is probably best known of them .
The administration has also seen its share of threats or quasi-threats from celebrities still in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musing about an actor assassinating the president and Democratic lawmakers including jokes about Trump ’ s assassination as a fundraising ploy .
But what Lopez is doing is on a different level entirely .
Officially or not , a foreign media outlet broached the subject of paying for the assassination of the president of the United States .
Lopez didn ’ t just agree , he said “ we ’ ll do it for half ” the amount mentioned .
Lopez supporters — there must be some — and the anti-Trump crowd will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing off as just another unfunny joke by a comedian whose stop-and-go career shows he hasn ’ t been all that consistently funny to begin with .
A whole lot of Americans aren ’ t buying that , though .
Let ’ s see if the Secret Service thinks it ’ s funny .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Let’s see if the Secret Service is laughing.
Left-wing comedian George Lopez’s entertainment career might not be rocketing lately, but he found himself back in the spotlight on Monday after a controversial contribution to an Instagram post about an Iranian “bounty” placed on President Donald Trump’s life.
It’s questionable how real the “bounty” actually was. It was a suggestion from an anonymous voice on Iranian state TV during coverage of funeral proceedings for slain terrorist Gen. Qassem Soleimani, according to the U.K. website The Week.
But there’s no question about how the vocally anti-Trump Lopez responded on social media.
And the backlash has been fierce.
According to The Week, the idea of Iranians paying for Trump’s assassination in retaliation for Thursday’s drone strike that killed Soleimani at Baghdad’s airport arose from a male announcer eulogizing the general and his three-decade reign of terror in the Middle East.
Citing the Saudi news station Al Arabiya, The Week reported that the announcer said, “We are 80 million Iranians, if each one of us puts aside one American dollar, we will have 80 million American dollars, and we will reward anyone who brings us [Trump’s] head with that amount.”
That’s not quite as explicit or official as the barbaric bounty put openly on the head of writer Salman Rushdie beginning in 1989, when the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini first offered $2.6 million for Rushdie’s death as punishment for the novel “The Satanic Verses.”
(That bounty still stood in 2016, when it had reached $4 million, according to a report in The New York Times.)
But it’s still a call for the paid-for murder of an American president taking place on state-sponsored television in a country where “Death to America” is practically a national motto.
So, how did the Los Angeles native Lopez respond to Iranian talk of “80 million American dollars” for Trump’s murder?
On an Instagram post from Chicano World Star reporting the bounty, Lopez was succinct:
“We’ll do it for half,” he wrote.
Considering that Lopez has been much more famous in recent years for his virulent Trump hatred than anything approaching comedy, it’s pretty clear that he wouldn’t mind at all if the president were killed.
In 2018, for instance, Lopez was charged with battery for an altercation with a Trump supporter at a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Hooters, according to Fox News.
In July of the same year, Lopez made headlines with a thoroughly gross video of himself appearing to urinate on the president’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
So, he’s a class act, clearly.
Social media users came down hard on Lopez’s crack about assassinating the president.
Conservative radio’s “The Great One,” Mark Levin, was one of them.
I think he needs a little visit from the secret service. It is not OK to threaten our President!!!!! — ??MonaMarie???? (@TheMonaMarie1) January 6, 2020
Not even funny as a joke. He needs a ‘wellness check’ from the Secret Service. — Brandt Johnson ?? ????????? (@dingorex) January 6, 2020
He’s following the Kathy griffin model, trying to resurrect a dead career that wasn’t very good to begin with. — soundtrip (@soundtrip) January 6, 2020
That last one summed it up almost perfectly.
The Trump years have seen a steady stream of Hollywood has-beens recovering their time in the limelight by attacking the president — comedian Kathy Griffin is probably best known of them.
The administration has also seen its share of threats or quasi-threats from celebrities still in the public eye, like actor Johnny Depp musing about an actor assassinating the president and Democratic lawmakers including jokes about Trump’s assassination as a fundraising ploy.
Do you think George Lopez should be arrested for his comment? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 95% (2413 Votes) No: 5% (119 Votes)
But what Lopez is doing is on a different level entirely.
Officially or not, a foreign media outlet broached the subject of paying for the assassination of the president of the United States.
Lopez didn’t just agree, he said “we’ll do it for half” the amount mentioned.
Lopez supporters — there must be some — and the anti-Trump crowd will no doubt try to pass the whole thing off as just another unfunny joke by a comedian whose stop-and-go career shows he hasn’t been all that consistently funny to begin with.
A whole lot of Americans aren’t buying that, though.
Let’s see if the Secret Service thinks it’s funny.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-06--More Trouble in Socialist Venezuela as Opposition Leader Violently Blocked from Entering Congress fo

More Trouble in Socialist Venezuela as Opposition Leader Violently Blocked from Entering Congress for Re-Election

Nicolás Maduro ’ s government moved aggressively to wipe out what remains of resistance to his socialist rule , attempting to install a pliant leadership in congress in a move opponents compared to an attempted coup in Venezuela ’ s last democratic institution .
The surprise gambit took place during a chaotic National Assembly session Sunday at which Maduro ’ s chief challenger , Juan Guaidó , expected to be reelected head of the opposition-dominated legislature — and in the view of many countries , Venezuela ’ s legitimate leader .
With security forces in riot gear blocking entry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scale an iron fence to enter .
Inside , lawmakers loyal to Maduro nimbly rushed to choose a substitute leader from a small faction of opposition deputies recently banished for allegedly taking government bribes .
“ This is what I ’ ve been dreaming would happen , ” Maduro said at an event inaugurating a baseball stadium near Caracas .
“ The entire country repudiates Juan Guaidó as a puppet of American imperialism.
” The move was immediately condemned by the United States and other nations that consider Guaidó Venezuela ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his role as head of congress .
Even the leftist government of Argentina , which has been at pains to distance itself from a regional trend to pile on Maduro , questioned the legitimacy of the move .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ Hours later , Guaidó — as was expected all along — was re-elected with the support of 100 of the National Assembly ’ s 167 members in an impromptu session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the last major opposition newspaper .
Still , the move by Maduro ’ s allies is another setback for Guaidó , who had been struggling to maintain unity in the opposition coalition after a year of failed efforts to oust the socialist leader .
It also sets the stage for another battle for institutional power of the sort Venezuelans have grown used to in recent years .
A critical first test will come Tuesday , when both Guaidó and his newfound rival , lawmaker Luis Parra , have called for legislative sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s disturbances took place .
Analysts said such a brazen attack on congress by Maduro closes off the possibility of dialogue aimed at rescuing a disastrous economy .
“ Maduro feels so strong right now that he doesn ’ t care about having any sign of legitimacy , ” said Dimitris Pantoulas , a Caracas-based political analyst .
The opposition complained Parra ’ s election was invalid on numerous grounds — arguing the session was never officially opened , no quorum count was taken and no formal vote was called ; there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist deputies stormed the dais .
A year ago , Guaidó asserted at a street demonstration that his position as legislative leader made him Venezuela ’ s interim president in place of the “ usurper ” Maduro , whose 2018 reelection has been rejected by the U.S. , European Union and several Latin American governments .
Key opposition figures were barred from running in that election .
The European Union said Sunday it would continue to recognize Guaidó .
Brazil ’ s government called the initial session an “ affront to democracy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement congratulating Guaidó on his reelection and reasserting U.S. recognition of him as the country ’ s interim president .
RELATED : Bernie Sanders Hires Undocumented Immigrant To Help Run 2020 Campaign “ For months corrupt regime officials have engaged in an unlawful , violent , and despicable campaign of arrests , intimidation , and bribery to destroy the last democratic institution in Venezuela , the National Assembly , ” Pompeo said .
The weeks leading up to Sunday ’ s vote were marked by tension , with the opposition alleging a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers into voting against Guaidó .
Parra is one of a small handful of lawmakers who recently broke with Guaidó and have since been expelled from their parties for alleged involvement in a corruption scandal involving allies of Maduro .
Socialist lawmakers argued that Guaidó ’ s absence forced them to initiate their session without him .
But even opposition lawmakers allowed into the chamber had faced challenges from security forces who set up several barricades downtown .
At one checkpoint , security forces demanded that each lawmaker present credentials , arguing they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several lawmakers banned from carrying out their duties by the loyalist supreme court .
Support for Guaidó inside the opposition has taken a hit since several minority parties in November splintered off to create a separate bloc to negotiate directly with Maduro — something that Guaidó has refused , arguing that talks are simply a time-buying exercise aimed at keeping Maduro in power .
The small group of opposition lawmakers who broke with Guaidó argue that in stubbornly sticking to a naive plan of removing Maduro by force , he has put his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have largely tuned out from the political fight while enduring an economy in shambles and under stiff U.S. sanctions .
“ In 2019 you represented the hopes of the nation , but today you ’ re its biggest deception , ” said José Brito , one of the lawmakers who turned against Guaidó .
Venezuela sits atop vast oil and mineral resources , but it has been imploding economically and socially in recent years .
Critics blame the plunge on years of failed socialist rule and corruption , while Maduro ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll on the economy .
The South American nation ’ s 30 million people suffer soaring inflation and shortages of gasoline , running water and electricity , among basic services .
An estimated 4.5 million Venezuelans have abandoned their nation in an exodus rivaling war-torn Syria .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Nicolás Maduro’s government moved aggressively to wipe out what remains of resistance to his socialist rule, attempting to install a pliant leadership in congress in a move opponents compared to an attempted coup in Venezuela’s last democratic institution.
The surprise gambit took place during a chaotic National Assembly session Sunday at which Maduro’s chief challenger, Juan Guaidó, expected to be reelected head of the opposition-dominated legislature — and in the view of many countries, Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
With security forces in riot gear blocking entry to the neoclassical legislature, Guaidó tried unsuccessfully to scale an iron fence to enter. Inside, lawmakers loyal to Maduro nimbly rushed to choose a substitute leader from a small faction of opposition deputies recently banished for allegedly taking government bribes.
“This is what I’ve been dreaming would happen,” Maduro said at an event inaugurating a baseball stadium near Caracas. “The entire country repudiates Juan Guaidó as a puppet of American imperialism.”
The move was immediately condemned by the United States and other nations that consider Guaidó Venezuela’s rightful leader — recognition that is based on his role as head of congress. Even the leftist government of Argentina, which has been at pains to distance itself from a regional trend to pile on Maduro, questioned the legitimacy of the move.
Hours later, Guaidó — as was expected all along — was re-elected with the support of 100 of the National Assembly’s 167 members in an impromptu session held at the newsroom of El Nacional, the last major opposition newspaper.
Still, the move by Maduro’s allies is another setback for Guaidó, who had been struggling to maintain unity in the opposition coalition after a year of failed efforts to oust the socialist leader. It also sets the stage for another battle for institutional power of the sort Venezuelans have grown used to in recent years.
A critical first test will come Tuesday, when both Guaidó and his newfound rival, lawmaker Luis Parra, have called for legislative sessions at the same palace where Sunday’s disturbances took place.
Analysts said such a brazen attack on congress by Maduro closes off the possibility of dialogue aimed at rescuing a disastrous economy.
“Maduro feels so strong right now that he doesn’t care about having any sign of legitimacy,” said Dimitris Pantoulas, a Caracas-based political analyst.
The opposition complained Parra’s election was invalid on numerous grounds — arguing the session was never officially opened, no quorum count was taken and no formal vote was called; there was merely a rushed show of hands as socialist deputies stormed the dais.
A year ago, Guaidó asserted at a street demonstration that his position as legislative leader made him Venezuela’s interim president in place of the “usurper” Maduro, whose 2018 reelection has been rejected by the U.S., European Union and several Latin American governments. Key opposition figures were barred from running in that election.
The European Union said Sunday it would continue to recognize Guaidó. Brazil’s government called the initial session an “affront to democracy.”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement congratulating Guaidó on his reelection and reasserting U.S. recognition of him as the country’s interim president.
“For months corrupt regime officials have engaged in an unlawful, violent, and despicable campaign of arrests, intimidation, and bribery to destroy the last democratic institution in Venezuela, the National Assembly,” Pompeo said.
The weeks leading up to Sunday’s vote were marked by tension, with the opposition alleging a covert government campaign to intimidate and bribe lawmakers into voting against Guaidó.
Parra is one of a small handful of lawmakers who recently broke with Guaidó and have since been expelled from their parties for alleged involvement in a corruption scandal involving allies of Maduro.
Socialist lawmakers argued that Guaidó’s absence forced them to initiate their session without him.
But even opposition lawmakers allowed into the chamber had faced challenges from security forces who set up several barricades downtown.
At one checkpoint, security forces demanded that each lawmaker present credentials, arguing they were under orders to deny entry to several lawmakers banned from carrying out their duties by the loyalist supreme court.
Support for Guaidó inside the opposition has taken a hit since several minority parties in November splintered off to create a separate bloc to negotiate directly with Maduro — something that Guaidó has refused, arguing that talks are simply a time-buying exercise aimed at keeping Maduro in power.
The small group of opposition lawmakers who broke with Guaidó argue that in stubbornly sticking to a naive plan of removing Maduro by force, he has put his political ambitions above the needs of Venezuelans who have largely tuned out from the political fight while enduring an economy in shambles and under stiff U.S. sanctions.
“In 2019 you represented the hopes of the nation, but today you’re its biggest deception,” said José Brito, one of the lawmakers who turned against Guaidó.
Venezuela sits atop vast oil and mineral resources, but it has been imploding economically and socially in recent years. Critics blame the plunge on years of failed socialist rule and corruption, while Maduro’s allies say U.S. sanctions are taking a toll on the economy. The South American nation’s 30 million people suffer soaring inflation and shortages of gasoline, running water and electricity, among basic services.
An estimated 4.5 million Venezuelans have abandoned their nation in an exodus rivaling war-torn Syria.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-06--Gervais Blasts Hollywood Elite to Their Faces at Golden Globes: ‘You Know Nothing About the Real Wor

Gervais Blasts Hollywood Elite to Their Faces at Golden Globes: ‘You Know Nothing About the Real World’

Comedian Ricky Gervais scorched Hollywood on Sunday night with his opening monologue for the Golden Globe Awards , dishing out a dose of mockery to those who push their political opinions .
“ Apple roared into the TV game with ‘ The Morning Show , ’ a superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing , made by a company that runs sweatshops in China , ” he said as he opened a riff on Hollywood hypocrisy .
“ Well , you say you ’ re woke , but the companies you work for in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Amazon , Disney .
If ISIS started a streaming service you ’ d call your agent , wouldn ’ t you ?
” he said .
Gervais continued by saying the evening ’ s acceptance speeches should be devoid of politics .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ “ So if you do win an award tonight , don ’ t use it as a platform to make a political speech , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no position to lecture the public about anything .
You know nothing about the real world .
Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg .
“ So if you win , come up , accept your little award , thank your agent , and your God and f—off.
” Earlier in his monologue , Gervais reminded his audience to have a sense of humor .
“ Remember , they ’ re just jokes .
We ’ re all gon na die soon and there ’ s no sequel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But you all look lovely all dolled up .
You came here in your limos .
I came here in a limo tonight and the license plate was made by Felicity Huffman , ” Gervais said .
“ No , shush.
” Given that the event was part of Hollywood , the subject of sexual misconduct could not be far off .
“ Tonight isn ’ t just about the people in front of the camera .
In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People from every background .
“ But they all have one thing in common : They ’ re all terrified of Ronan Farrow .
He ’ s coming for ya .
He ’ s coming for ya.
” Twitter had a lot to say about the performance .
“ All the best actors have jumped to Netflix , HBO .
And the actors who just do Hollywood movies now do fantasy-adventure nonsense .
They wear masks and capes and really tight costumes .
Their job isn ’ t acting anymore .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day and taking steroids , really .
Have we got an award for most ripped junky ?
No point , we ’ d know who ’ d win that , ” he said .
Traditional humor to jab celebrities was not entirely absent .
“ ‘ The Irishman ’ was amazing , ” Gervais said .
“ It was amazing .
It was great .
Long , but amazing .
“ It wasn ’ t the only epic movie .
‘ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , ’ nearly three hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by the end his date was too old for him .
Even Prince Andrew was like , ‘ Come on , Leo , mate .
You ’ re nearly 50-something . '
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Comedian Ricky Gervais scorched Hollywood on Sunday night with his opening monologue for the Golden Globe Awards, dishing out a dose of mockery to those who push their political opinions.
“Apple roared into the TV game with ‘The Morning Show,’ a superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing, made by a company that runs sweatshops in China,” he said as he opened a riff on Hollywood hypocrisy.
“Well, you say you’re woke, but the companies you work for in China — I mean, unbelievable. Apple, Amazon, Disney. If ISIS started a streaming service you’d call your agent, wouldn’t you?” he said.
Gervais continued by saying the evening’s acceptance speeches should be devoid of politics.
“So if you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech,” he said. “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.
“So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f—off.”
Earlier in his monologue, Gervais reminded his audience to have a sense of humor.
“Remember, they’re just jokes. We’re all gonna die soon and there’s no sequel, so remember that,” he said.
Did you enjoy Gervais' opening monologue? Yes No
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“But you all look lovely all dolled up. You came here in your limos. I came here in a limo tonight and the license plate was made by Felicity Huffman,” Gervais said. “No, shush.”
Given that the event was part of Hollywood, the subject of sexual misconduct could not be far off.
“Tonight isn’t just about the people in front of the camera. In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in the world,” he said. “People from every background.
“But they all have one thing in common: They’re all terrified of Ronan Farrow. He’s coming for ya. He’s coming for ya.”
Twitter had a lot to say about the performance.
I know so many of us here on. twitter have been cheering @rickygervais’ epic performance last night. But the Hollywood elite was definitely triggered. Dig this review: https://t.co/Ts9mnF7jFT — David Reaboi (@davereaboi) January 6, 2020
? ??? ????? I have refused to watch awards shows for over a decade because of the hypocritical,virtue signalling actors and their speeches. I can’t believe I missed this epic takedown of all of them by Ricky Gervais.? Twitter, sometimes you’re awesome. https://t.co/lWrIRh4XzZ — Maria K. (@MariaK46861456) January 6, 2020
Gervais bemoaned the state of movie-making.
“All the best actors have jumped to Netflix, HBO. And the actors who just do Hollywood movies now do fantasy-adventure nonsense. They wear masks and capes and really tight costumes. Their job isn’t acting anymore. It’s going to the gym twice a day and taking steroids, really. Have we got an award for most ripped junky? No point, we’d know who’d win that,” he said.
Traditional humor to jab celebrities was not entirely absent.
“‘The Irishman’ was amazing,” Gervais said. “It was amazing. It was great. Long, but amazing.
“It wasn’t the only epic movie. ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ nearly three hours long. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the premiere and by the end his date was too old for him. Even Prince Andrew was like, ‘Come on, Leo, mate. You’re nearly 50-something.'”
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westernjournal--2020-01-06--Wallace, Pompeo Exchange on ‘Vulnerable’ Trump Goes Viral When Pompeo Says, ‘Ask Soleimani’

In an appearance on “ Fox News Sunday ” this weekend , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked whether or not our adversaries viewed President Trump as being “ vulnerable ” due to his impeachment and the attendant worries that was causing .
Pompeo ’ s response is what I believe the kids are fond of calling a “ clapback ” these days : “ You should ask Mr. Soleimani , ” he responded .
The questioning came as part of a broader segment in which Wallace asked Pompeo whether the Iranian regime had become more bellicose under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news came in that Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi , currently leading a caretaker government after resigning the post due to months of protests , called upon U.S. troops to leave the country and termed the drone strike that killed Soleimani and another Iranian-backed official as “ assassinations.
” “ The American people should know that President Trump will never shy away from protecting America , that ’ s what we ’ ve done over these past weeks and days , ” Pompeo said .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ “ That ’ s what we ’ ve done over our entire three years with our Middle East strategy .
The activity you ’ re seeing today is fully consistent with that.
” Here ’ s a video of the entire interview ; the interaction that led to the remarks on Soleimani begins at 5:40 : Wallace mentioned Trump ’ s “ maximum pressure ” strategy on Iran and discussed whether it had worked , listing instances of Iranian aggression in 2019 which included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack on Saudi oil fields via their Yemeni proxies , targeting six ships and initiating joint military exercises with China and Russia .
Pompeo responded by telling Wallace to “ remember where we came in ” after the Obama administration empowered Iran ’ s leadership , “ underwriting them , underwriting the very militias that killed Americans.
” Wallace then played video relating to the president ’ s promise to take the U.S. out of wars in the Middle East , countering with the troop deployments to the region in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning whether the president was getting us more bogged down in the region .
“ Endless wars are the direct result of weakness , ” Pompeo said , sounding like the West Point graduate he is .
“ We ’ re going to get it right , we ’ re going to get the force posture right , we ’ re going to get our facilities as hardened as we can possibly get them to defend against what Iran may possibly do .
“ But make no mistake , America ’ s mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East reduced while still keeping America safe , safe from rogue regimes ” like Iran , Pompeo said .
Wallace then addressed impeachment , arguing that some thought the impeachment “ has emboldened enemies like Iran and North Korea to think they can confront him.
” RELATED : Soleimani Was Actively Planning Attack on Americans & Libs Are Angry He 's Dead “ Do you think that , as misguided as it may be , that some of our enemies think this president is more vulnerable because of this impeachment effort ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he understood that .
He asked again whether our enemies would consider Trump more vulnerable because of the impeachment effort .
“ I don ’ t , ” Pompeo said .
“ Our adversaries understand that President Trump and our administration will do the right thing to protect the American people every place that we find risk.
” The original answer probably ought to have sufficed , but apparently we need everything spelled out for us nowadays , so there you go .
There are substantive questions about the Soleimani strike that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d say they ’ re far more narrow than the media is admitting .
( Soleimani ’ s death , for instance , isn ’ t debatably an “ assassination ” ; this was a leader of a terrorist group , however state-sponsored that group may have been , on foreign soil . )
One of them — and I ’ m surprised Wallace even bothered to ask it — isn ’ t whether or not foreign leaders still think impeachment makes President Trump more vulnerable abroad .
In Iraq , the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike against Soleimani in just the past few weeks , both aggressive operations , neither of which one could have seen the Obama administration going forward with .
In terms of North Korea , it ’ s difficult to be surprised that Pyongyang has yet to deliver the “ Christmas present ” it was promising the United States if the administration didn ’ t get more flexible .
Given that the Hermit Kingdom is still late to the 1970s , the fact that our holiday presents will be delivered belatedly , if at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one .
However , plopping a few missiles into the ocean to show us the Kim regime Means Business , while certainly a setback , is unlikely to be a substantive development .
One almost wonders whether this was a roundabout way to bring cannier viewers back to the controversy caused by then-President Clinton ’ s strike against a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan as the calls for his impeachment grew louder .
The rationale was that the plant was supposedly linked to Osama bin Laden and producing VX nerve gas for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false and critics of the Clinton administration have long claimed the strike was orchestrated as a show of strength to divert attention from the inquiry into l ’ affaire Lewinsky .
If so , the connection is tenuous at best and it went unmentioned by Wallace .
The show of strength , in this case , hardly seems false and nobody in the administration is foolish enough to believe it would take a minute away from the impeachment coverage the media doth love .
The strike is wholly consistent with a tough line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict .
Those who doubt that can , of course , ask Mr. Soleimani .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” this weekend, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked whether or not our adversaries viewed President Trump as being “vulnerable” due to his impeachment and the attendant worries that was causing.
Pompeo’s response is what I believe the kids are fond of calling a “clapback” these days: “You should ask Mr. Soleimani,” he responded.
The questioning came as part of a broader segment in which Wallace asked Pompeo whether the Iranian regime had become more bellicose under the Trump administration.
It began as the news came in that Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, currently leading a caretaker government after resigning the post due to months of protests, called upon U.S. troops to leave the country and termed the drone strike that killed Soleimani and another Iranian-backed official as “assassinations.”
“The American people should know that President Trump will never shy away from protecting America, that’s what we’ve done over these past weeks and days,” Pompeo said.
“That’s what we’ve done over our entire three years with our Middle East strategy. The activity you’re seeing today is fully consistent with that.”
Here’s a video of the entire interview; the interaction that led to the remarks on Soleimani begins at 5:40:
Wallace mentioned Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran and discussed whether it had worked, listing instances of Iranian aggression in 2019 which included shooting down a U.S. drone, launching an attack on Saudi oil fields via their Yemeni proxies, targeting six ships and initiating joint military exercises with China and Russia.
Do you think America's enemies think President Trump is vulnerable? Yes No
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Pompeo responded by telling Wallace to “remember where we came in” after the Obama administration empowered Iran’s leadership, “underwriting them, underwriting the very militias that killed Americans.”
Wallace then played video relating to the president’s promise to take the U.S. out of wars in the Middle East, countering with the troop deployments to the region in the wake of the embassy attack in Baghdad and questioning whether the president was getting us more bogged down in the region.
“Endless wars are the direct result of weakness,” Pompeo said, sounding like the West Point graduate he is. “We’re going to get it right, we’re going to get the force posture right, we’re going to get our facilities as hardened as we can possibly get them to defend against what Iran may possibly do.
“But make no mistake, America’s mission is to have our footprint in the Middle East reduced while still keeping America safe, safe from rogue regimes” like Iran, Pompeo said.
Wallace then addressed impeachment, arguing that some thought the impeachment “has emboldened enemies like Iran and North Korea to think they can confront him.”
“Do you think that, as misguided as it may be, that some of our enemies think this president is more vulnerable because of this impeachment effort?”
“You should ask Mr. Soleimani,” Pompeo responded.
After a deafening pause, Wallace said he understood that. He asked again whether our enemies would consider Trump more vulnerable because of the impeachment effort.
“I don’t,” Pompeo said. “Our adversaries understand that President Trump and our administration will do the right thing to protect the American people every place that we find risk.”
The original answer probably ought to have sufficed, but apparently we need everything spelled out for us nowadays, so there you go.
There are substantive questions about the Soleimani strike that can be argued, although I’d say they’re far more narrow than the media is admitting. (Soleimani’s death, for instance, isn’t debatably an “assassination”; this was a leader of a terrorist group, however state-sponsored that group may have been, on foreign soil.)
One of them — and I’m surprised Wallace even bothered to ask it — isn’t whether or not foreign leaders still think impeachment makes President Trump more vulnerable abroad. In Iraq, the administration approved airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias and the strike against Soleimani in just the past few weeks, both aggressive operations, neither of which one could have seen the Obama administration going forward with.
In terms of North Korea, it’s difficult to be surprised that Pyongyang has yet to deliver the “Christmas present” it was promising the United States if the administration didn’t get more flexible.
Given that the Hermit Kingdom is still late to the 1970s, the fact that our holiday presents will be delivered belatedly, if at all, should be a shock to no one.
However, plopping a few missiles into the ocean to show us the Kim regime Means Business, while certainly a setback, is unlikely to be a substantive development.
One almost wonders whether this was a roundabout way to bring cannier viewers back to the controversy caused by then-President Clinton’s strike against a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan as the calls for his impeachment grew louder.
The rationale was that the plant was supposedly linked to Osama bin Laden and producing VX nerve gas for him; both of these proved to be false and critics of the Clinton administration have long claimed the strike was orchestrated as a show of strength to divert attention from the inquiry into l’affaire Lewinsky.
If so, the connection is tenuous at best and it went unmentioned by Wallace.
The show of strength, in this case, hardly seems false and nobody in the administration is foolish enough to believe it would take a minute away from the impeachment coverage the media doth love.
The strike is wholly consistent with a tough line on Iran that Iran can’t predict.
Those who doubt that can, of course, ask Mr. Soleimani.
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westernjournal--2020-01-06--Dozens of Unhatched Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle Stolen, Reward Offered

A community in southern Thailand has offered a reward for catching whoever stole dozens of unhatched eggs of an endangered turtle species .
The Pacific Leatherback turtle eggs were stolen before dawn Sunday from a beach in the southern province of Phang-nga , said Pratom Rassamee , head of the provincial Marine and Coastal Resources office .
“ This theft is a grave incident for both marine biologists like me and local residents near the beach , ” said Thon Thamrongnawasawat , one of Thailand ’ s top marine biologists .
“ We believe around 50 or more precious eggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ Outraged local residents donated about $ 1,660 for a reward to catch the thieves , and the sum was matched by provincial authorities , bringing the total to $ 3,320 .
The eggs are protected by law , and stealing or possessing them is punishable by a prison term of three to 15 years and a fine of up to about $ 50,000 .
“ Police are hunting those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone .
“ The animal is loved by people living around here.
” He said footage from security cameras along the road might offer some clues to the thieves ’ identity .
The Pacific Leatherback is the world ’ s largest sea turtle but is also critically endangered , and its nests had not been seen in Thailand for five years until January 2019 .
They are disappearing because of attacks by predators , excessive fishing , egg poaching by humans for food and increasingly unsuitable natural environments .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pratom said .
“ I hope police can bring those thieves to justice .
… “ They have to know that those turtle eggs are not food , and they mean a lot both Thailand and the world.
” The area around Thai Muang Beach , where the nest was discovered , has long been known as an egg-laying area and hosts a turtle sanctuary run by the government ’ s Phang-nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center .
The regional national park office offers a reward of up to $ 660 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the beaches of Phang-nga and neighboring Phuket in order to facilitate their protection .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A community in southern Thailand has offered a reward for catching whoever stole dozens of unhatched eggs of an endangered turtle species.
The Pacific Leatherback turtle eggs were stolen before dawn Sunday from a beach in the southern province of Phang-nga, said Pratom Rassamee, head of the provincial Marine and Coastal Resources office.
“This theft is a grave incident for both marine biologists like me and local residents near the beach,” said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, one of Thailand’s top marine biologists.
“We believe around 50 or more precious eggs are gone,” he said.
Outraged local residents donated about $1,660 for a reward to catch the thieves, and the sum was matched by provincial authorities, bringing the total to $3,320.
The eggs are protected by law, and stealing or possessing them is punishable by a prison term of three to 15 years and a fine of up to about $50,000.
“Police are hunting those thieves down,” Pratom said by phone. “The animal is loved by people living around here.”
He said footage from security cameras along the road might offer some clues to the thieves’ identity.
The Pacific Leatherback is the world’s largest sea turtle but is also critically endangered, and its nests had not been seen in Thailand for five years until January 2019.
They are disappearing because of attacks by predators, excessive fishing, egg poaching by humans for food and increasingly unsuitable natural environments.
“That’s why so many people are upset,” Pratom said. “I hope police can bring those thieves to justice. …
“They have to know that those turtle eggs are not food, and they mean a lot both Thailand and the world.”
The area around Thai Muang Beach, where the nest was discovered, has long been known as an egg-laying area and hosts a turtle sanctuary run by the government’s Phang-nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center.
The regional national park office offers a reward of up to $660 for anyone discovering a new turtle nest on the beaches of Phang-nga and neighboring Phuket in order to facilitate their protection.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-06--Britain’s ‘Most Prolific Rapist’ Sentenced After Sexually Assaulting at Least 48 Men

A man described as “ the most prolific rapist in British legal history ” has been sentenced to life in prison with a possible release after 30 years following his conviction for sexual offenses against 48 men .
Authorities said the evidence against 36-year-old Reynhard Sinaga indicates he had many more victims , with roughly 195 men apparently having been filmed while being abused when they were in his apartment .
Many were unconscious at the time .
Judge Suzanne Goddard said in Manchester Crown Court the true number of Sinaga ’ s victims may never be known .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has preyed upon young men who came into the city center wanting nothing more than a good night out with their friends , ” she said .
“ One of your victims described you as a monster , ” Goddard said .
“ The scale and enormity of your offending confirms this as an accurate description.
” TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran ’ s ‘ Bounty ’ on Trump : ‘ We ’ ll Do It for Half ’ She said the courts had rarely if ever seen such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that had prevented the publication of Sinaga ’ s name were lifted Monday .
Prosecutors say Sinaga had a non-threatening manner .
He befriended young men , including many who were intoxicated after a night out , and offered them a place to stay at his apartment .
He filmed many of the forced sexual encounters .
Prosecutor Ian Rushton said many victims initially thanked Sinaga for offering them accommodation .
“ But once back at his flat , he used victims as objects purely for his own gratification , ” Rushton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with New Sex Crime Indictments Just as Trial on Existing Charges Begins Sinaga arrived in Britain from his native Indonesia on a student visa in 2007 .
He received two degrees in sociology and planning from the University of Manchester and was studying for his Ph.D. at the University of Leeds when he was suspended following his arrest in 2017 .
His thesis was called : “ Sexuality and everyday transnationalism : South Asian gay and bisexual men in Manchester.
” His Manchester church offered a statement in support of his character that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is almost beyond belief that someone who could profess some Christian faith could at the same time have been committing such wicked and evil crimes , ” she said .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A man described as “the most prolific rapist in British legal history” has been sentenced to life in prison with a possible release after 30 years following his conviction for sexual offenses against 48 men.
Authorities said the evidence against 36-year-old Reynhard Sinaga indicates he had many more victims, with roughly 195 men apparently having been filmed while being abused when they were in his apartment. Many were unconscious at the time.
Judge Suzanne Goddard said in Manchester Crown Court the true number of Sinaga’s victims may never be known.
“You are an evil serial sexual predator who has preyed upon young men who came into the city center wanting nothing more than a good night out with their friends,” she said.
“One of your victims described you as a monster,” Goddard said. “The scale and enormity of your offending confirms this as an accurate description.”
She said the courts had rarely if ever seen such a prolonged “campaign of rape.”
Reporting restrictions that had prevented the publication of Sinaga’s name were lifted Monday.
I want to commend the bravery of all the victims & hope they have easy access to support & therapy. I also hope this case encourages other male victims to speak out & seek justice & help. For anyone affected, contact @SurvivorsUK @GalopUK https://t.co/BbPcc8ICWP — Victims’ Commissioner for London (@LDNVictimsComm) January 6, 2020
Prosecutors say Sinaga had a non-threatening manner. He befriended young men, including many who were intoxicated after a night out, and offered them a place to stay at his apartment. He filmed many of the forced sexual encounters.
Prosecutor Ian Rushton said many victims initially thanked Sinaga for offering them accommodation.
“But once back at his flat, he used victims as objects purely for his own gratification,” Rushton said.
Sinaga doped the men with a drug like GHB. They were all unconscious during the rapes and none of them remember what happened — Judith Moritz (@JudithMoritz) January 6, 2020
Sinaga arrived in Britain from his native Indonesia on a student visa in 2007.
He received two degrees in sociology and planning from the University of Manchester and was studying for his Ph.D. at the University of Leeds when he was suspended following his arrest in 2017.
His thesis was called: “Sexuality and everyday transnationalism: South Asian gay and bisexual men in Manchester.”
His Manchester church offered a statement in support of his character that did not seem to sway the judge.
“It is almost beyond belief that someone who could profess some Christian faith could at the same time have been committing such wicked and evil crimes,” she said.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-07--CNN Agrees To Pay Out Settlement to Covington Catholic Student Nick Sandmann

CNN settled out of court this week in a longstanding lawsuit from Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann .
According to WXIX-TV , the size of the settlement was not publicly disclosed at the hearing Tuesday in Kentucky ’ s federal courthouse in Covington .
Sandmann had sued CNN , and similar left-wing establishment news outlets The Washington Post and NBC Universal , for defamation last year in light of dangerously selective reports surrounding a politically controversial incident involving the teen .
The three lawsuits sought a combined $ 800 million total , the outlet reported .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' on Trump : 'We 'll Do It for Half' Sandmann earned nationwide media attention , and the ire of numerous left-wing political activists , in January 2018 when video of the teen wearing a red “ Make America Great Again ” hat and smugly grinning at a Native American protester in Washington , D.C. , went viral .
The Covington Catholic student and his peers had been in the city for the annual pro-life March for Life and were reportedly gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial to wait for their school bus when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical Black Hebrew Israelites descended upon them , verbally accosting the conservative youths .
Establishment media outlets quickly ran with selectively edited versions of the video , withholding minutes of introductory context and details from their reports and leaving American audiences to believe Sandmann and his peers had initiated the standoff .
“ Attorney for the damned ” L. Lin Wood , who specializes in libel and slander law , would eventually step up to represent Sandmann in the prominent lawsuits that followed shortly thereafter , according to WCPO-TV .
All three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and summer for federal Judge William Bertelsman to dismiss their respective cases .
After much deliberation , and one decision in NBC Universal ’ s favor , Bertelsman did eventually allow for all three suits to proceed in some capacity .
Lawsuits lodged against The Washington Post and NBC Universal are still pending , though trial dates are yet to be set .
Another suit , which will reportedly target Gannett media company , owners of The Cincinnati Enquirer , is also intended to be brought within the next 60 days .
Monetary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his family suffered ” is not , however , the primary motivator behind the slew of suits , according to Sandmann ’ s attorney .
Instead , Wood told WXIX , the family and its legal team are on a mission to “ deter the defendants ” from engaging in similar reporting in the future .
The Western Journal has reached out to CNN for comment but has not yet received a response .
We will update this article if and when we do .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

CNN settled out of court this week in a longstanding lawsuit from Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann.
According to WXIX-TV, the size of the settlement was not publicly disclosed at the hearing Tuesday in Kentucky’s federal courthouse in Covington.
Sandmann had sued CNN, and similar left-wing establishment news outlets The Washington Post and NBC Universal, for defamation last year in light of dangerously selective reports surrounding a politically controversial incident involving the teen.
The three lawsuits sought a combined $800 million total, the outlet reported.
Nicholas Sandmann appeared on NBC’s Today Show to respond after a viral video showed a tense situation at the Lincoln Memorial. This timeline details how the events unfolded. https://t.co/IzA3lFCpXo pic.twitter.com/IC5rOwtqPA — USA TODAY Video (@usatodayvideo) January 23, 2019
L. Lin Wood, P.C., the law firm representing Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann, released this video today slamming the media for their lies about Sandmann. pic.twitter.com/DlTpQH7jBr — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) March 13, 2019
Sandmann earned nationwide media attention, and the ire of numerous left-wing political activists, in January 2019 when video of the teen wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat and smugly grinning at a Native American protester in Washington, D.C., went viral.
The Covington Catholic student and his peers had been in the city for the annual pro-life March for Life and were reportedly gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial to wait for their school bus when Indigenous People’s March demonstrators and radical Black Hebrew Israelites descended upon them, verbally accosting the conservative youths.
Establishment media outlets quickly ran with selectively edited versions of the video, withholding minutes of introductory context and details from their reports and leaving American audiences to believe Sandmann and his peers had initiated the standoff.
“Attorney for the damned” L. Lin Wood, who specializes in libel and slander law, would eventually step up to represent Sandmann in the prominent lawsuits that followed shortly thereafter, according to WCPO-TV.
All three of the sued outlets did motion last spring and summer for federal Judge William Bertelsman to dismiss their respective cases.
After much deliberation, and one decision in NBC Universal’s favor, Bertelsman did eventually allow for all three suits to proceed in some capacity.
A judge rules Covington Catholic student Nicholas Sandmann’s lawsuit against NBCUniversal can proceed. pic.twitter.com/Z0o6mCfBfv — Fox & Friends First (@FoxFriendsFirst) November 22, 2019
Lawsuits lodged against The Washington Post and NBC Universal are still pending, though trial dates are yet to be set.
Another suit, which will reportedly target Gannett media company, owners of The Cincinnati Enquirer, is also intended to be brought within the next 60 days.
Do you think the coverage of the Covington kids story was media malpractice? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (266 Votes) No: 1% (3 Votes)
Monetary compensation for the “emotional distress Nicholas and his family suffered” is not, however, the primary motivator behind the slew of suits, according to Sandmann’s attorney.
Instead, Wood told WXIX, the family and its legal team are on a mission to “deter the defendants” from engaging in similar reporting in the future.
The Western Journal has reached out to CNN for comment but has not yet received a response. We will update this article if and when we do.
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westernjournal--2020-01-07--Biden’s Gaffes Are Back — He Can’t Even Keep Iraq and Iran Straight

Joe Biden ’ s bent toward mangling language has been quiet for a while – but it just came back with a bang .
In a speech Monday in New York City , according to The Daily Caller , the former vice president surpassed even some of his own mistakes of recent months – like confusing what state he was in .
This time , he managed to confuse a country the United States military has occupied for 15 years with a nation it has been in a virtual state of war with for four decades .
TRENDING : Comedian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trump : 'We 'll Do It for Half' “ The Iran parliament , ” Biden said .
“ The Iran parliament voted to reject all American and coalition forces from the country , and however you may feel about American military presence in the Middle East , there ’ s a right way and a wrong way to draw down our troops.
” It was not , of course , the Iran parliament that did any such thing .
It was the Iraq parliament that did that .
It might seem like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confuse the country of Iraq – population about 40 million — with Iran , population nearly 85 million .
But as anyone who ’ s paid even glancing attention to world affairs for the past few decades , there ’ s difference between the two that ’ s much bigger than a single letter of the alphabet .
Since the 1979 Islamic revolution , Iran has been one of the United States ’ most virulent opponents on the world stage , acting as a state sponsor of terrorism with “ death to America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An American voter should expect a contender for the presidency to know as much .
Even Democrats should expect that .
Check out a longer segment of the Biden speech here to get some context .
RELATED : Young Man Scorches Biden on Obamacare , Publicly Asks , 'Were You Lying to My Dad ?
But the problems with Biden ’ s faux pas go beyond simply mistaking one letter for another .
His speech also lacked a crucial context .
While Iraq ’ s parliament did indeed vote to expel U.S. troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , on Monday things had changed .
According to the U.K .
Guardian , Iraqi members of parliament and the country ’ s current prime minister have backed off on their demands for a U.S. troop withdrawal – possibly because President Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the country .
It ’ s not clear whether Biden and his team were aware of that development on Tuesday , but they should have been .
Then again , if Biden can ’ t keep straight the names of two of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as U.S. interests are concerned , maybe asking him and his staff to keep up on current events is too much .
At any rate , Biden critics on social media , who have been a little light on Biden-isms lately , were back on the gaffe in force .
That last one states the case .
No matter how liberals try to spin history , the fact of the matter is that Iran is a bloodthirsty theocracy that has spent the past 40 years engaging in a proxy war with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Satan ” and “ Little Satan ” respectively ) .
Former President Barack Obama ’ s experiment with appeasing the murderous mullahs was a disaster , and left Islamic Republic even more dangerous than before ( thanks to eased sanctions and pallets of obscene amounts money delivered under shady circumstances ) .
Among Trump ’ s many jobs has been dealing with the fallout of that mess .
There ’ s not a Democrat in the 2020 field that ’ s willing , or able , to assert American interests in the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drone strike Thursday that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani is just a sign of how seriously he ’ s taking it .
Meanwhile , the Democratic front-runner has largely counted it a success that he ’ s kept his own mouth from getting him in trouble lately ( except for some coal miners ) , but even that run of luck seems to be over .
Tuesday ’ s speech wasn ’ t the only proof that Joe Biden isn ’ t the man to step in to the Oval Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as any .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Joe Biden’s bent toward mangling language has been quiet for a while – but it just came back with a bang.
In a speech Tuesday in New York City, according to The Daily Caller, the former vice president surpassed even some of his own mistakes of recent months — like confusing what state he was in.
This time, he managed to confuse a country the United States military has occupied for 15 years with a nation it has been in a virtual state of war with for four decades.
President Trump is responding with surgical, tactical force Iranian aggression Joe Biden is running to take his job—but he can’t even remember the difference between Iraq and Iran This is the “foreign policy expert” of the Democratic field? ? pic.twitter.com/tJVB6ARkWs — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 7, 2020
“The Iran parliament,” Biden said. “The Iran parliament voted to eject all American and coalition forces from the country, and however you may feel about American military presence in the Middle East, there’s a right way and a wrong way to draw down our troops.”
It was not, of course, the Iran parliament that did any such thing. It was the Iraq parliament that did that.
It might seem like a small slip of the tongue to confuse the country of Iraq — population about 40 million — with Iran, population over 80 million.
But as anyone who’s paid even glancing attention to world affairs for the past few decades, there’s difference between the two that’s much bigger than a single letter of the alphabet.
Do you think Joe Biden is unfit to be president? Yes No
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Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran has been one of the United States’ most virulent opponents on the world stage, acting as a state sponsor of terrorism with “death to America” being practically a national motto.
An American voter should expect a contender for the presidency to know as much.
Even Democrats should expect that.
Check out a longer segment of the Biden speech here to get some context:
But the problems with Biden’s faux pas go beyond simply mistaking one letter for another. His speech also lacked a crucial context.
While Iraq’s parliament did indeed vote to expel U.S. troops on Sunday, according to The Associated Press, on Monday things had changed.
According to the U.K. Guardian, Iraqi members of parliament and the country’s current prime minister have backed off on their demands for a U.S. troop withdrawal — possibly because President Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the country.
It’s not clear whether Biden and his team were aware of that development on Tuesday, but they should have been.
Then again, if Biden can’t keep straight the names of two of the most important countries in the Middle East as far as U.S. interests are concerned, maybe asking him and his staff to keep up on current events is too much.
At any rate, Biden critics on social media, who have been a little light on Biden-isms lately, were back on the gaffe in force.
They’ve been touting him as a foreign policy expert for years and he has always been one sandwich shy of a picinic. — JP Duffy (@JPDuffy8) January 7, 2020
I don’t think Biden knows where he is. — Bulldog (@bfolda) January 7, 2020
#SleepyJoe Biden the so called “Foreign policy expert” is the reason Trump has to clean up the Obama administration’s mess in the middle east. Iran is a terrorist Dictatorship that murders it’s own people and Americans. Obama and Biden failed to address Iran while in office. — America First (@redwing01svt) January 7, 2020
That last one states the case.
No matter how liberals try to spin history, the fact of the matter is that Iran is a bloodthirsty theocracy that has spent the past 40 years engaging in a proxy war with the United States and Israel (“Great Satan” and “Little Satan,” respectively).
Former President Barack Obama’s experiment with appeasing the murderous mullahs was a disaster, and left the Islamic Republic even more dangerous than before (thanks to eased sanctions and pallets of obscene amounts money delivered under shady circumstances).
Among Trump’s many jobs has been dealing with the fallout of that mess.
There’s not a Democrat in the 2020 field who’s willing, or able, to assert American interests in the Middle East the way Trump has — and the drone strike last week that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani is just a sign of how seriously he’s taking it.
Meanwhile, the Democratic front-runner has largely counted it a success that he’s kept his own mouth from getting him in trouble lately (except for with some coal miners), but even that run of luck seems to be over.
Tuesday’s speech wasn’t the only proof that Joe Biden isn’t the man to step in to the Oval Office now, but it’s as good as any.
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westernjournal--2020-01-07--Warren Tries Everything To Not Call Soleimani ‘Terrorist,’ Literally Sticks in Her Throat When She A

Warren Tries Everything To Not Call Soleimani ‘Terrorist,’ Literally Sticks in Her Throat When She Admits It

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s attempt to avoid calling dead Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani a terrorist was captured on camera , as well as the moment she was finally forced to admit the vanquished American enemy wasn ’ t a very good guy .
The most shocking part of this all is that it wasn ’ t the result of a hidden camera exposé , but rather part of Warren ’ s appearance on a popular television show .
During Monday ’ s airing of ABC ’ s “ The View , ” co-host Meghan McCain relentlessly hammered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seemingly avoid defaming the dead commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ Quds Force .
McCain first called Warren out for labeling Soleimani a “ murderer ” and a “ senior foreign military official , ” but stopping short of calling him a terrorist .
“ This is a man who is obviously responsible for hundreds of American troops ’ deaths , carnage , that we can ’ t even imagine , ” McCain said .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran 's 'Bounty ' on Trump : 'We 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department and the State Department have both designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization .
I don ’ t understand the flip-flop .
I don ’ t understand why it was so hard to call him a terrorist , and I would just like you to explain.
” Instead of simply saying “ Soleimani was a terrorist ” and putting a potentially image-ruining issue to rest , Warren instead responded by attacking President Donald Trump .
“ The question is what is the response that the president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interests of the United States of America , ” Warren said before going on a tangent about the Iraq War .
McCain didn ’ t let her get away with that .
The co-host interrupted Warren ’ s rant , asking point blank : “ Do you think he ’ s a terrorist ?
” “ He ’ s part of a group that– ” Warren began , before McCain cut her off .
Again , Warren avoided saying anything directly negative about Soleimani , continuing to talk about his group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
RELATED : Ocasio-Cortez Goes After Biden , Complains Democratic Party Is Too Inclusive “ Of course he is , ” Warren ultimately admitted before pivoting back to questioning Trump ’ s explosive drone strike .
“ He ’ s part of a group that our federal government has designated as a terrorist .
The question , though , is what ’ s the right response ?
” What does it say about the state of American politics when one of the Democratic Party ’ s leading presidential candidates walks on eggshells to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s seemingly the hatred of Trump that drives some on the left to soften the image of a brutal promoter of terror .
Labeling Soleimani as a terrorist is an admission that at least one of Trump ’ s actions made America — and the world — a little bit safer .
Apparently , this is a bridge too far for some .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s attempt to avoid calling dead Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani a terrorist was captured on camera, as well as the moment she was finally forced to admit the vanquished American enemy wasn’t a very good guy.
The most shocking part of this all is that it wasn’t the result of a hidden camera exposé, but rather part of Warren’s appearance on a popular television show.
During Monday’s airing of ABC’s “The View,” co-host Meghan McCain relentlessly hammered the presidential hopeful about Soleimani as Warren struggled to seemingly avoid defaming the dead commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.
McCain first called Warren out for labeling Soleimani a “murderer” and a “senior foreign military official,” but stopping short of calling him a terrorist.
“This is a man who is obviously responsible for hundreds of American troops’ deaths, carnage, that we can’t even imagine,” McCain said.
“The Treasury Department and the State Department have both designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. I don’t understand the flip-flop. I don’t understand why it was so hard to call him a terrorist, and I would just like you to explain.”
Instead of simply saying “Soleimani was a terrorist” and putting a potentially image-ruining issue to rest, Warren instead responded by attacking President Donald Trump.
“The question is what is the response that the president of the United States should make, and what advances the interests of the United States of America,” Warren said before going on a tangent about the Iraq War.
McCain didn’t let her get away with that.
Do you think Warren was trying to avoid calling Soleimani a terrorist? Yes No
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The co-host interrupted Warren’s rant, asking point blank: “Do you think he’s a terrorist?”
“He’s part of a group that–” Warren began, before McCain cut her off.
“But is he a terrorist?” McCain insisted.
Again, Warren avoided saying anything directly negative about Soleimani, continuing to talk about his group’s designation before McCain finally cornered her.
“So he’s not a terrorist?” McCain asked.
“Of course he is,” Warren ultimately admitted before pivoting back to questioning Trump’s explosive drone strike. “He’s part of a group that our federal government has designated as a terrorist. The question, though, is what’s the right response?”
Watch the full exchange below:
Asked by @MeghanMcCain if Gen. Soleimani was a terrorist, Sen. @ewarren says, “Of course he is. He’s part of a group that our federal government has designated as a terrorist. The question, though, is what’s the right response?” https://t.co/jhLJCNiPuo pic.twitter.com/Ywg8XEKc68 — The View (@TheView) January 7, 2020
What does it say about the state of American politics when one of the Democratic Party’s leading presidential candidates walks on eggshells to avoid labeling a terrorist as such?
It’s seemingly the hatred of Trump that drives some on the left to soften the image of a brutal promoter of terror.
Labeling Soleimani as a terrorist is an admission that at least one of Trump’s actions made America — and the world — a little bit safer.
Apparently, this is a bridge too far for some.
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westernjournal--2020-01-07--Police Share Trucker’s Handwritten Apology Note After Semi Crash Kills 3 People

The Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office in Indiana shared a semi truck driver ’ s handwritten apology after he plowed into slowing traffic on Sunday , killing three people and leaving over a dozen injured .
The driver was not suspected to be intoxicated while driving , but claimed he “ looked down to set his coffee cup down ” moments before the accident , police said .
According to the sheriff ’ s office , the accident occurred on Sunday morning on I-65 northbound around 11 a.m. and involved eight vehicles .
The driver , 34-year-old Mathew Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the other vehicles involved in the accident , according to police .
TRENDING : Comedian George Lopez on Iran 's 'Bounty ' on Trump : 'We 'll Do It for Half' After the collision , one car was pinned against the guardrail by Small ’ s truck and later caught on fire .
All three people in the car — Mariah Tomey , 21 , Hadley Tomey , 1 and Kaylee Kirk , 19 — were pronounced dead at the scene .
Fourteen others were rushed to local hospitals to receive treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now facing three counts of reckless homicide .
“ A sad day for two Boone County families .
The loss of two young women and a one-year-old child , ” Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said in a statement .
“ Distracted driving or driver inattention is a major cause of many accidents on our public roadways .
“ In this case , we believe it was a contributing factor in this fatal crash .
The Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office feels strongly that those that cause death on our public roadways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held accountable.
” Nielsen said Small is “ very regretful and upset ” for the damage he caused on Sunday .
“ My heart and prayers are with the families , ” Small said in a handwritten apology note .
“ I am in agony over this whole ordeal.
” RELATED : Brave Border Collie Helps Save Flock of Sheep from Fires in Australia The Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office is still investigating the contributing factors surrounding the tragic incident , including what caused the backup in the first place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must take into account the families of the victims , the family of Mr. Small and the numerous agencies all working together to figure out what transpired , and why , ” the sheriff ’ s office wrote on Facebook .
“ Having said that , we ask that you give us time to compile data and complete a very thorough investigation before any other information is conveyed .
Thank you.
” “ Please pay attention to your driving when operating a motor vehicle , ” Nielsen implored .
“ Give yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , put down your phone or other objects , DO NOT drive distracted or impaired !
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana shared a semi truck driver’s handwritten apology after he plowed into slowing traffic on Sunday, killing three people and leaving over a dozen injured.
The driver was not suspected to be intoxicated while driving, but claimed he “looked down to set his coffee cup down” moments before the accident, police said.
According to the sheriff’s office, the accident occurred on Sunday morning on I-65 northbound around 11 a.m. and involved eight vehicles.
The driver, 34-year-old Mathew Lewis Small of Grandville, Michigan, collided with the other vehicles involved in the accident, according to police.
After the collision, one car was pinned against the guardrail by Small’s truck and later caught on fire.
All three people in the car — Mariah Tomey, 21, Hadley Tomey, 1 and Kaylee Kirk, 19 — were pronounced dead at the scene.
Fourteen others were rushed to local hospitals to receive treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Small is now facing three counts of reckless homicide.
“A sad day for two Boone County families. The loss of two young women and a one-year-old child,” Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said in a statement. “Distracted driving or driver inattention is a major cause of many accidents on our public roadways.
Do you think the driver should be held accountable for his actions? Yes No
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“In this case, we believe it was a contributing factor in this fatal crash. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office feels strongly that those that cause death on our public roadways, because of driver inattention, should be held accountable.”
Nielsen said Small is “very regretful and upset” for the damage he caused on Sunday.
“My heart and prayers are with the families,” Small said in a handwritten apology note. “I am in agony over this whole ordeal.”
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the contributing factors surrounding the tragic incident, including what caused the backup in the first place.
“When tragedies like this strike, we must take into account the families of the victims, the family of Mr. Small and the numerous agencies all working together to figure out what transpired, and why,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook. “Having said that, we ask that you give us time to compile data and complete a very thorough investigation before any other information is conveyed. Thank you.”
“Please pay attention to your driving when operating a motor vehicle,” Nielsen implored. “Give yourself plenty of room to have a way out, put down your phone or other objects, DO NOT drive distracted or impaired!”
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westernjournal--2020-01-07--Secret Service ‘Aware’ of Comedian George Lopez’s Comment About Trump Bounty

The Secret Service says it is “ aware ” of comedian George Lopez ’ s controversial comment about a reported bounty placed on President Donald Trump ’ s head .
Trump drew the Iranian government ’ s ire by ordering a drone strike last week that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ Quds Force .
During an Iranian state TV broadcast of Soleimani ’ s funeral procession , a eulogist suggested crowdfunding an $ 80 million bounty for whoever kills Trump , according to the U.K. news outlet The Week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if each one of us puts aside one American dollar , we will have 80 million American dollars , and we will reward anyone who brings us [ Trump ’ s ] head with that amount , ” the eulogist said .
Replying to an Instagram post about the reported $ 80 million bounty , Lopez wrote : “ We ’ ll do it for half.
” While the Secret Service would not go into specifics , the agency tasked with protecting the president said it is “ aware ” of Lopez ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lopez on Iran 's 'Bounty ' on Trump : 'We 'll Do It for Half' “ The Secret Service is aware of the [ post ] made by Mr. Lopez , ” an agency representative said in a statement to The Daily Caller .
“ The Secret Service takes all threats against the President and or any of our protectees seriously , and as a matter of practice , we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence , ” the statement went on .
Moreover , law enforcement sources told TMZ that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legitimacy of Lopez ’ s apparent threat against Trump .
While Iran ’ s reported $ 80 million bounty on Trump appears to have just been a crowdfunding gimmick , some Iranian officials have issued threats against the U.S. in the wake of Soleimani ’ s death .
On Sunday , Abolfazl Abutorabi , a member of Iran ’ s parliament , vowed to take Iran ’ s revenge of Soleimani ’ s death to American soil .
“ We can attack the White House itself , we can respond to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power , and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time , ” he said .
“ This is a declaration of war , which means if you hesitate you lose .
When someone declares war do you want to respond to the bullets with flowers ?
They will shoot you in the head.
” But Trump has promised swift retaliation if Iran strikes .
“ These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & perhaps in a disproportionate manner , ” the president tweeted Sunday .
“ Such legal notice is not required , but is given nevertheless !
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Secret Service says it is “aware” of comedian George Lopez’s controversial comment about a reported bounty placed on President Donald Trump’s head.
Trump drew the Iranian government’s ire by ordering a drone strike last week that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.
During an Iranian state TV broadcast of Soleimani’s funeral procession, a eulogist suggested crowdfunding an $80 million bounty for whoever kills Trump, according to the U.K. news outlet The Week.
“We are 80 million Iranians, if each one of us puts aside one American dollar, we will have 80 million American dollars, and we will reward anyone who brings us [Trump’s] head with that amount,” the eulogist said.
Replying to an Instagram post about the reported $80 million bounty, Lopez wrote: “We’ll do it for half.”
While the Secret Service would not go into specifics, the agency tasked with protecting the president said it is “aware” of Lopez’s post.
“The Secret Service is aware of the [post] made by Mr. Lopez,” an agency representative said in a statement to The Daily Caller.
“The Secret Service takes all threats against the President and or any of our protectees seriously, and as a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence,” the statement went on.
Do you think George Lopez's comments constituted a threat against the president of the United States? Yes No
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Moreover, law enforcement sources told TMZ that the Secret Service was working to ascertain the legitimacy of Lopez’s apparent threat against Trump.
While Iran’s reported $80 million bounty on Trump appears to have just been a crowdfunding gimmick, some Iranian officials have issued threats against the U.S. in the wake of Soleimani’s death.
On Sunday, Abolfazl Abutorabi, a member of Iran’s parliament, vowed to take Iran’s revenge of Soleimani’s death to American soil.
“We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time,” he said.
“This is a declaration of war, which means if you hesitate you lose. When someone declares war do you want to respond to the bullets with flowers? They will shoot you in the head.”
But Trump has promised swift retaliation if Iran strikes.
These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020
“These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner,” the president tweeted Sunday. “Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!”
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