westernjournal--2020-07-27--Op-Ed: Horrible Consequences Will Occur if Islamic Leaders Don’t Speak Out for Religious Freedom

After years of talking about it , Turkish President Recep Erdoğan has finally fulfilled his promise of turning the Hagia Sophia site into a mosque .
A museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site , the newly minted mosque held its first prayer services on Friday .
For Erdoğan and a section of the Turkish populace who supported the building ’ s change of status , this is a victory — both political and religious .
But for Muslims who care about religious freedom and the global reputation of Islam , it ’ s a shameful depiction of their faith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ predates Islam by a century .
It was the seat of Christianity in the East for over a thousand years until Sultan Mehmet II ordered its conversion into a mosque following his conquest of Constantinople in 1453 .
Converting the building wasn ’ t simply a matter of practicality .
It was a declaration of one religion triumphing over another .
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk , the father of Turkey , had a vision of a modern , secular nation .
He had the foresight to convert the Hagia Sophia into a neutral religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Eastern Orthodox Christians to maintain it as a historical site in their traditions .
Now Erdoğan is regressing Turkey to the time of Mehmet II , when religion was used to trample other faiths .
Erdoğan knows this act is deeply offensive to people of all faiths across Asia .
Religious symbols are venerated in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures , and desecrating them is tantamount to insulting an entire community .
In India , the dispute between Muslims and Hindus over the 500-year-old Babri Masjid mosque in Uttar Pradesh — long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord Ram — led to thousands of people dying in communal riots .
After decades of fighting over the holy site , the Supreme Court of India last November handed the site to a Hindu trust for the building of a Lord Ram temple .
In more extreme cases , terrorist groups offer an example of how desecration of religious sites can be weaponized .
In 2001 in Afghanistan , the Taliban destroyed the giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan .
Most recently in Iraq , ISIS sought to erase other religions — particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crosses and desecrating religious artifacts .
While not done violently , converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque reinforces the perception that when Islamists are in power they will ride roughshod over the religious faith , symbols and practices of others .
Not only does this action damage the global image of Islam ; it also reinforces the perception that Muslim nations practice an obscurant form of Islam that tramples on the religious symbols of other faiths .
It is high time Islamic leaders who care about their faith speak up for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise , their moral authority to speak into other situations of religious intolerance and oppression will be compromised .
RELATED : Ilhan Omar Accuses Those She Hates of Being 'Phobic' The consequences of remaining silent are evident in the plight of the Uighurs being held in internment camps in Xinjiang , China .
While Christian-majority nations in the West have been at the forefront of defending the civil rights of the Uighurs , many nations in the Muslim world who are financially dependent on China have remained mum .
Crown Prince Mohammed bin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to defend China ’ s actions , saying , “ China has the right to carry out anti-terrorism and de-extremization work for its national security.
” In Pakistan , Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to “ fight Islamophobia , ” yet hasn ’ t spoken against the treatment of Uighurs in China .
As the plight of the Uighurs prolongs , their silence speaks volumes .
Recent news reports have revealed that China is forcing minority women , including Uighurs , to use intrauterine devices for birth control , get sterilized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders of the Muslim world remain silent while 1 million Uighurs languish in camps , why should we expect them to call out Erdoğan for converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque ?
Even more , we should ask if the leaders of Muslim-majority nations believe in religious equality — and for that matter , universal human rights such as freedom of speech and of belief — or are they willing to trample the rights of minorities for their political benefit ?
Ultimately , they will be judged by how they treat their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal , you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

After years of talking about it, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan has finally fulfilled his promise of turning the Hagia Sophia site into a mosque. A museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the newly minted mosque held its first prayer services on Friday.
For Erdoğan and a section of the Turkish populace who supported the building’s change of status, this is a victory — both political and religious. But for Muslims who care about religious freedom and the global reputation of Islam, it’s a shameful depiction of their faith.
Built in 537, the Hagia Sophia predates Islam by a century. It was the seat of Christianity in the East for over a thousand years until Sultan Mehmet II ordered its conversion into a mosque following his conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Converting the building wasn’t simply a matter of practicality. It was a declaration of one religion triumphing over another.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of Turkey, had a vision of a modern, secular nation.
He had the foresight to convert the Hagia Sophia into a neutral religious monument and museum, allowing both Muslims and Eastern Orthodox Christians to maintain it as a historical site in their traditions.
Now Erdoğan is regressing Turkey to the time of Mehmet II, when religion was used to trample other faiths.
Erdoğan knows this act is deeply offensive to people of all faiths across Asia.
Religious symbols are venerated in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, and desecrating them is tantamount to insulting an entire community.
In India, the dispute between Muslims and Hindus over the 500-year-old Babri Masjid mosque in Uttar Pradesh — long claimed by Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram — led to thousands of people dying in communal riots. After decades of fighting over the holy site, the Supreme Court of India last November handed the site to a Hindu trust for the building of a Lord Ram temple.
Do you think the Hagia Sophia should have remained a neutral religious monument? 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: 96% (44 Votes) No: 4% (2 Votes)
In more extreme cases, terrorist groups offer an example of how desecration of religious sites can be weaponized.
In 2001 in Afghanistan, the Taliban destroyed the giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan. Most recently in Iraq, ISIS sought to erase other religions — particularly Christianity — by destroying churches, removing crosses and desecrating religious artifacts.
While not done violently, converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque reinforces the perception that when Islamists are in power they will ride roughshod over the religious faith, symbols and practices of others.
Not only does this action damage the global image of Islam; it also reinforces the perception that Muslim nations practice an obscurant form of Islam that tramples on the religious symbols of other faiths.
It is high time Islamic leaders who care about their faith speak up for the cause of respect for all faiths; otherwise, their moral authority to speak into other situations of religious intolerance and oppression will be compromised.
The consequences of remaining silent are evident in the plight of the Uighurs being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, China. While Christian-majority nations in the West have been at the forefront of defending the civil rights of the Uighurs, many nations in the Muslim world who are financially dependent on China have remained mum.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia went as far as to defend China’s actions, saying, “China has the right to carry out anti-terrorism and de-extremization work for its national security.”
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to “fight Islamophobia,” yet hasn’t spoken against the treatment of Uighurs in China. As the plight of the Uighurs prolongs, their silence speaks volumes.
Recent news reports have revealed that China is forcing minority women, including Uighurs, to use intrauterine devices for birth control, get sterilized and even get abortions.
If the leaders of the Muslim world remain silent while 1 million Uighurs languish in camps, why should we expect them to call out Erdoğan for converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque?
Even more, we should ask if the leaders of Muslim-majority nations believe in religious equality — and for that matter, universal human rights such as freedom of speech and of belief — or are they willing to trample the rights of minorities for their political benefit?
Ultimately, they will be judged by how they treat their minorities.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--‘Baby Lives Matter’ Mural Appears in Front of a Planned Parenthood Facility in Washington, DC

A “ Baby Lives Matter ” mural appeared on the street in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington , D.C. , over the weekend .
“ The ‘ Baby Lives Matter ’ movement is responsible for the mural .
They are painting such murals around the country , ” Benny Johnson , chief creative officer with the student activist group Turning Point USA , tweeted Sunday .
The mural is located in front of the Carol Whitehill Moses Planned Parenthood Center near Union Market in Washington , about 1.5 miles from the U.S. Capitol .
Tayler Hansen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted , “ 10 unarmed Black Americans were killed by police in 2019 .
They have murals all around the country .
“ Almost 400,000 innocent babies were murdered by Planned Parenthood in 2019 .
It ’ s about d— time they get a mural too.
” Earlier this month , the pro-life activist painted the same message in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Salt Lake City .
In a video posted to Twitter on July 17 , Hansen explained his motivation .
“ In 2019 , abortion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Almost 43 million children were denied the most basic right of all — life .
Which is why I felt inclined to demonstrate a true peaceful protest dedicated to those abandoned without a voice , ” he said .
The artist told KUTV-TV that he purposely used a paint that would wash away to avoid any criminal liability .
Johnson noted in a tweet at the time , “ Once leftists opened up public roads for political speech it was only a matter of time before a conservative response.
” RELATED : Beatty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Change the Culture : 'That Is Not What Christians Are' In a statement to The Western Journal last year , Douglass Leadership Institute chairman and Human Coalition Outreach director Dean Nelson pointed out the devastating impact Planned Parenthood has had on black people and other racial minorities .
“ Planned Parenthood has a long and well-documented history of targeting minority populations , ” he said .
“ This agenda goes back to Planned Parenthood ’ s founder , Margaret Sanger , whose life ’ s work was to eradicate all individuals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live.
” In a statement to The Western Journal on Monday , Nelson said , “ I am inspired by the pro life message I saw in front of Planned Parenthood in DC .
That message along with the recent statement from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York about Margaret Sanger ’ s racism has provoked black leaders and students to connect the dots this weekend by painting Black PreBorn Lives Matter at the same location.
” In its Abortion Surveillance report released last fall , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women accounted for 38 percent of all abortions , though black people make up only 13 percent of the overall population .
Hansen launched a GoFundMe campaign for more murals to be painted in front of Planned Parenthood facilities around the country .
“ The goal was simple : To draw attention to the tens of millions of innocent lives that have been ended by Planned Parenthood , ” the GoFundMe page reads .
As of Monday afternoon , he had raised more than $ 7,400 toward his goal of $ 10,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tayler , ” the GoFundMe page says .
“ He completed the [ Salt Lake City ] mural by himself and spent a considerable portion of his life savings buying the material to get the job done.
” Hansen is looking to fund 10 more murals .
UPDATE , July 27 , 2020 : After the publication of this article , Dean Nelson responded to The Western Journal ’ s request for comment with an emailed statement .
This article has been updated to include additional comments from Nelson .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A “Baby Lives Matter” mural appeared on the street in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington, D.C., over the weekend.
“The ‘Baby Lives Matter’ movement is responsible for the mural. They are painting such murals around the country,” Benny Johnson, chief creative officer with the student activist group Turning Point USA, tweeted Sunday.
The mural is located in front of the Carol Whitehill Moses Planned Parenthood Center near Union Market in Washington, about 1.5 miles from the U.S. Capitol.
BREAKING: Massive ‘Baby Lives Matter’ mural painted on the street front of a Planned Parenthood in heart of Washington DC overnight. The ‘Baby Lives Matter’ movement is responsible for the mural. They are painting such murals around the country.
Their pro-life founder @TaylerUSA pic.twitter.com/ErmwQRtHUz — Benny (@bennyjohnson) July 26, 2020
Tayler Hansen, founder of the Baby Lives Matter movement, tweeted, “10 unarmed Black Americans were killed by police in 2019. They have murals all around the country.
“Almost 400,000 innocent babies were murdered by Planned Parenthood in 2019. It’s about d— time they get a mural too.”
Earlier this month, the pro-life activist painted the same message in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Salt Lake City.
In a video posted to Twitter on July 17, Hansen explained his motivation.
“In 2019, abortion was the leading cause of death worldwide. Almost 43 million children were denied the most basic right of all — life. Which is why I felt inclined to demonstrate a true peaceful protest dedicated to those abandoned without a voice,” he said.
BABY LIVES MATTER MURAL pic.twitter.com/owqjQxQ1qL — Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) July 17, 2020
The artist told KUTV-TV that he purposely used a paint that would wash away to avoid any criminal liability.
Johnson noted in a tweet at the time, “Once leftists opened up public roads for political speech it was only a matter of time before a conservative response.”
‘Baby Lives Matter’ painted on the street front of a Planned Parenthood in Salt Lake City overnight. Once leftists opened up public roads for political speech it was only a matter of time before a conservative response. The pro-life artist was @TaylerUSA Expect more of this: pic.twitter.com/IcoVpVY9C3 — Benny (@bennyjohnson) July 18, 2020
In a statement to The Western Journal last year, Douglass Leadership Institute chairman and Human Coalition Action executive director Dean Nelson pointed out the devastating impact Planned Parenthood has had on black people and other racial minorities.
“Planned Parenthood has a long and well-documented history of targeting minority populations,” he said.
Do you support the Baby Lives Matter murals? 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% (438 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
“This agenda goes back to Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, whose life’s work was to eradicate all individuals and groups she considered ‘unfit’ to live.”
In a statement to The Western Journal on Monday, Nelson said, “I am inspired by the pro life message I saw in front of Planned Parenthood in DC. That message along with the recent statement from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York about Margaret Sanger’s racism has provoked black leaders and students to connect the dots this weekend by painting Black PreBorn Lives Matter at the same location.”
In its Abortion Surveillance report released last fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined for the year 2016, African-American women accounted for 38 percent of all abortions, though black people make up only 13 percent of the overall population.
Hansen launched a GoFundMe campaign for more murals to be painted in front of Planned Parenthood facilities around the country.
“The goal was simple: To draw attention to the tens of millions of innocent lives that have been ended by Planned Parenthood,” the GoFundMe page reads.
As of Monday afternoon, he had raised more than $7,400 toward his goal of $10,000.
“This was a pure passion project for Tayler,” the GoFundMe page says. “He completed the [Salt Lake City] mural by himself and spent a considerable portion of his life savings buying the material to get the job done.”
Hansen is looking to fund 10 more murals.
UPDATE, July 27, 2020: After the publication of this article, Dean Nelson responded to The Western Journal’s request for comment with an emailed statement. This article has been updated to include additional comments from Nelson.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Targets Military Recruitment Funding in New Proposal

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to block funding to prevent the U.S. military from courting middle and high school students .
The New York Times reported the New York Democrat and “ Squad ” member has introduced an amendments to the annual defense spending bill that would prevent military branches from interacting with potential recruits .
Joining the military can generally offer young people from all backgrounds life options , such as tuition-free college , health care , home and business loans , cash bonuses and rewarding careers .
According to The Times , Ocasio-Cortez is seeking to limit the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking the military from using federal funding to recruit in middle and high schools and request student data .
In a related amendment , she invoked the use of video games and e-sports by the military for recruitment purposes , and accused the military of targeting financially disadvantaged youths .
“ Whether through recruitment stations in their lunchrooms or now through e-sports teams , children in low-income communities are persistently targeted for enlistment , ” she said .
She admitted joining the military “ can for some provide a rewarding career , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given anywhere near the same information or access to trade schools , college or other post-graduate opportunities.
” “ In many public high schools where military recruiters have a daily presence , there is not even a counselor , ” she said .
“ As a result , the military stops feeling like a ‘ choice ’ and starts feeling like the only option for many young , low-income Americans.
” One of Ocasio-Cortez ’ s proposals would prohibit the use of congressionally appropriated funds by the military to “ maintain a presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-sports , or live-streaming platform.
” The proposals will be considered by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday .
The Military Times reported the New York Democrat ’ s proposal for the defense spending budget comes amid a controversy surrounding the e-sports teams of the Army , Navy and Air Force .
Each branch maintains a competitive e-sports team and an online presence as a tool for recruiting .
The Army account stopped broadcasting on the video game streaming platform Twitch last week .
RELATED : Biden Takes a Page Out of AOC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move was to review its policies in the face of criticism , as some commenters on the platform were banned by the channel after asking about war crimes , the video game blog Kotaku reported .
An Army representative told The Military Times , “ Army recruiters understand that in order to do their job , they must be visible where their audience resides , ” which is why they created a presence online .
Ocasio-Cortez , in an interview with VICE , blasted the military ’ s use of video game streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Marine Corps ’ decision not to engage in this recruiting tool should be a clear signal to the other branches of the military to cease this practice entirely , ” she said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to block funding to prevent the U.S. military from courting middle and high school students.
The New York Times reported the New York Democrat and “Squad” member has introduced an amendment to the annual defense spending bill that would prevent military branches from interacting with potential recruits.
Joining the military can generally offer young people from all backgrounds life options, such as tuition-free college, health care, home and business loans, cash bonuses and rewarding careers.
According to The Times, Ocasio-Cortez is seeking to limit the information available about those programs to teens by blocking the military from using federal funding to recruit in middle and high schools and request student data.
In a related amendment, she invoked the use of video games and e-sports by the military for recruitment purposes, and accused the military of targeting financially disadvantaged youths.
“Whether through recruitment stations in their lunchrooms or now through e-sports teams, children in low-income communities are persistently targeted for enlistment,” she said.
She admitted joining the military “can for some provide a rewarding career, but claimed “low-income Americans are not being given anywhere near the same information or access to trade schools, college or other post-graduate opportunities.”
“In many public high schools where military recruiters have a daily presence, there is not even a counselor,” she said.
“As a result, the military stops feeling like a ‘choice’ and starts feeling like the only option for many young, low-income Americans.”
Would you encourage your child or grandchild to join the U.S. military? 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: 91% (2784 Votes) No: 9% (263 Votes)
One of Ocasio-Cortez’s proposals would prohibit the use of congressionally appropriated funds by the military to “maintain a presence on Twitch.com or any video game, e-sports, or live-streaming platform.”
The proposals will be considered by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.
The Military Times reported the New York Democrat’s proposal for the defense spending budget comes amid a controversy surrounding the e-sports teams of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Each branch maintains a competitive e-sports team and an online presence as a tool for recruiting.
The Army account stopped broadcasting on the video game streaming platform Twitch last week.
That move was to review its policies in the face of criticism, as some commenters on the platform were banned by the channel after asking about war crimes, the video game blog Kotaku reported.
An Army representative told The Military Times, “Army recruiters understand that in order to do their job, they must be visible where their audience resides,” which is why they created a presence online.
Ocasio-Cortez, in an interview with VICE, blasted the military’s use of video game streaming.
“War is not a game, and the Marine Corps’ decision not to engage in this recruiting tool should be a clear signal to the other branches of the military to cease this practice entirely,” she said.
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--Discovery Near US Embassy in Jerusalem Appears To Back Up Biblical Account of the Kingdom of Judah

Another piece of the ancient history of the Holy Land has been revealed in Jerusalem and casts light on the story of the Kingdom of Judah .
Amid excavations for the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem , a tax collection and administrative complex was uncovered that dates back roughly 2,700 years , according to The Times of Israel .
“ This is one of the most significant discoveries from the period of the kings in Jerusalem made in recent years , ” said Israel Antiquities Authority excavation co-directors Neri Sapir and Nathan Ben-Ari .
“ At the site we excavated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed and distributed food supplies not only for shortage but administered agricultural surplus amassing commodities and wealth.
” The compound was located 1.8 miles outside of the Old City of Jerusalem .
Experts believe the center functioned during the reigns of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh , which would be around the 8th century B.C .
to the 7th century B.C .
Archaeologists discovered over 120 jar handles stamped with Hebrew script indicating that the jars belonged to the king .
An insight into Judean life was also found in the form of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the figurines are designed in the form of women , horse riders or as animals .
These figurines are usually interpreted as objects used in pagan worship and idolatry — a phenomenon , which according to the Bible , was prevalent in the Kingdom of Judah , ” Sapir and Ben-Ari said .
For example , 2 Chronicles 33:21-23 , reads : “ Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king , and he reigned in Jerusalem two years .
He did evil in the eyes of the Lord , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made .
But unlike his father Manasseh , he did not humble himself before the Lord ; Amon increased his guilt.
” References from the time of Hezekiah also make it clear that the battle against pagan idols was raging .
In 2 Kings 18 : 1-4 , the Bible says : “ In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel , Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign .
He was twenty-five years old when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jerusalem twenty-nine years .
RELATED : As Hagia Sophia Opens to Muslim Worshippers , Turkish President Vows To 'Liberate ' Jerusalem Mosque “ His mother ’ s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah .
He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord , just as his father David had done .
He removed the high places , smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles .
He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made , for up to that time the Israelites had been burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Nehushtan . )
” Archaeologist Yuval Baruch of the IAA said efforts will be made to preserve the site .
“ The archaeological discoveries at Arnona identify the site as a key site — the most important in the history of the final days of the Kingdom of Judah and of the return to Zion decades after the destruction of the Kingdom , ” he said .
“ This site joins a number of other key sites uncovered in the area of Jerusalem which were connected to the centralized administrative system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until its destruction.
” When the site was at its zenith , it sat amid an agribusiness center of the Judean state .
“ The site once dominated large agricultural plots and orchards of olive trees and grape vines which included agricultural industrial facilities such as winepresses for winemaking , ” Sapir and Ben-Ari said .
The site appears to have been abandoned at the time of the exile to Babylon , which took place in approximately 586 B.C .
However , the archaeologists said activity resumed in 538 upon the return of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Another piece of the ancient history of the Holy Land has been revealed in Jerusalem and casts light on the story of the Kingdom of Judah.
Amid excavations for the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, a tax collection and administrative complex was uncovered that dates back roughly 2,700 years, according to The Times of Israel.
“This is one of the most significant discoveries from the period of the kings in Jerusalem made in recent years,” said Israel Antiquities Authority excavation co-directors Neri Sapir and Nathan Ben-Ari.
“At the site we excavated, there are signs that governmental activity managed and distributed food supplies not only for shortage but administered agricultural surplus amassing commodities and wealth.”
The compound was located 1.8 miles outside of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Archaeologists near Jerusalem have found a Judah government complex from the reigns of Hezekiah and Manasseh, recovering 120+ seal impressions as well as what appear to be remains of some clay idols. Another good find! https://t.co/GJ9vguLAAL — Jonathan Brown (@RevJonathanB) July 23, 2020
Experts believe the center functioned during the reigns of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh, which would be around the 8th century B.C. to the 7th century B.C.
Archaeologists discovered over 120 jar handles stamped with Hebrew script indicating that the jars belonged to the king.
Does this affirm Israel's historic right to Jerusalem? 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: 98% (372 Votes) No: 2% (7 Votes)
An insight into Judean life was also found in the form of a collection of clay idols.
“Some of the figurines are designed in the form of women, horse riders or as animals. These figurines are usually interpreted as objects used in pagan worship and idolatry — a phenomenon, which according to the Bible, was prevalent in the Kingdom of Judah,” Sapir and Ben-Ari said.
For example, 2 Chronicles 33:21-23, reads: “Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt.”
References from the time of Hezekiah also make it clear that the battle against pagan idols was raging.
In 2 Kings 18: 1-4, the Bible says: “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years.
“His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)”
Archaeologist Yuval Baruch of the IAA said efforts will be made to preserve the site.
“The archaeological discoveries at Arnona identify the site as a key site — the most important in the history of the final days of the Kingdom of Judah and of the return to Zion decades after the destruction of the Kingdom,” he said.
“This site joins a number of other key sites uncovered in the area of Jerusalem which were connected to the centralized administrative system of the Kingdom of Judah from its peak until its destruction.”
When the site was at its zenith, it sat amid an agribusiness center of the Judean state.
“The site once dominated large agricultural plots and orchards of olive trees and grape vines which included agricultural industrial facilities such as winepresses for winemaking,” Sapir and Ben-Ari said.
The site appears to have been abandoned at the time of the exile to Babylon, which took place in approximately 586 B.C.
However, the archaeologists said activity resumed in 538 upon the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.
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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--2020-07-27--Ivanka Trump Hands Out Food to Community Members at Faith-Based DC Dream Center

An act of charity has simultaneously fed the needy and sent the left into a tizzy .
In a move shunned by the godless left , daughter of President Donald Trump and Senior White House Advisor Ivanka Trump assisted the faith-based DC Dream Center charity and others in distributing boxes of food to the needy on July 20 , according to the U.K. Daily Mail .
The food was purchased through the Farmers to Families Food Box program , an initiative Ivanka Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue partnered to launch as part of the $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed in March .
The program was devised as relief for the agricultural industry rocked by plummeting demand after COVID-19 shut down the restaurant and hospitality industries while using their surplus perishable food that would otherwise have gone to waste to feed hungry Americans .
The Department of Agriculture was allotted $ 3 billion to purchase meat , dairy and produce from family-owned and large producers alike with distribution handled by nonprofits , churches and food banks throughout the nation .
So far , 34.5 million boxes have been distributed with an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by summer ’ s end .
Trump , who converted to Judaism prior to marrying husband Jared Kushner , also joined with White House ’ s Faith and Opportunity Initiative adviser Paula White to meet with community leaders prior to the distribution that day , which totaled over 1,000 boxes of food .
“ Millions of families across this country are benefiting from the Farmers to Families Food Box program , with nearly 40 million boxes of fresh , locally sourced produce , meat and dairy delivered so far , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am excited to witness first-hand the good work of faith-based and non-profit organizations in the District to help propel our shared mission of feeding those most in need , ” she added .
Trump also shared her experience on Twitter , posting photos of her masked and handing out food during the event .
“ Great day volunteering at the local @ DCDreamCenter and distributing Farmers to Families Food Boxes to the last mile of need , ” Trump tweeted on July 20 .
“ This program is creating a link between hungry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The businesswoman and mother of three drew ire from members of the Twitter cesspool who pounce on anything the Trump family does , including charity .
In contrast , one of the people actually inolved with Trump ’ s initiative was grateful for their efforts .
“ My mother and I , we ’ ve been homeless , we ’ ve been sleeping out of a vehicle , ” Kiesha Davis began in a video tweeted by White House official Carolina Hurley , “ but I ’ m a community advocate.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and debilitating , but I ’ m so grateful and thankful for Ivanka coming here with everyone today to partner with DC Dream Center that has been awesome to get food out into the community , ” Davis said .
“ They ’ ve allowed me to come and pick up food to be able to deliver to people that are shut in , that are needy , that are homeless and disabled — you name it , ” Davis said of the program .
The Trump family is never shy about partnering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate , drawing a stark contrast to the left , which tends to slinks away from anything affiliated with the divine .
Ivanka Trump is using her prominence to help those severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic , leading by example to represent and inspire those who still cherish America ’ s Judeo-Christians values .
She is giving back to the community and showing the way for those who have successfully weathered the shutdowns and quarantines .
Guided by her Jewish faith and Presbyterian upbringing , Trump embodies the intersection of Christian charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most on the left are currently using their position to permit destruction and codify chaos for political gain .
Never have the lines between Christian love of neighbor and atheistic nihilism been clearer , and hopefully the American people remember that in November at the ballot box .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An act of charity has simultaneously fed the needy and sent the left into a tizzy.
In a move shunned by the godless left, daughter of President Donald Trump and Senior White House Advisor Ivanka Trump assisted the faith-based DC Dream Center charity and others in distributing boxes of food to the needy on July 20, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.
The food was purchased through the Farmers to Families Food Box program, an initiative Ivanka Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue partnered to launch as part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed in March.
The program was devised as relief for the agricultural industry rocked by plummeting demand after COVID-19 shut down the restaurant and hospitality industries while using their surplus perishable food that would otherwise have gone to waste to feed hungry Americans.
The Department of Agriculture was allotted $3 billion to purchase meat, dairy and produce from family-owned and large producers alike with distribution handled by nonprofits, churches and food banks throughout the nation.
So far, 34.5 million boxes have been distributed with an estimated 6.9 million more due to be handed out by summer’s end.
Trump, who converted to Judaism prior to marrying husband Jared Kushner, also joined with White House’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative adviser Paula White to meet with community leaders prior to the distribution that day, which totaled over 1,000 boxes of food.
“Millions of families across this country are benefiting from the Farmers to Families Food Box program, with nearly 40 million boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce, meat and dairy delivered so far,” Trump said in a statement.
“I am excited to witness first-hand the good work of faith-based and non-profit organizations in the District to help propel our shared mission of feeding those most in need,” she added.
Do you think Ivanka Trump is treated unfairly by the left? Yes No
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Trump also shared her experience on Twitter, posting photos of her masked and handing out food during the event.
“Great day volunteering at the local @DCDreamCenter and distributing Farmers to Families Food Boxes to the last mile of need,” Trump tweeted on July 20.
“This program is creating a link between hungry families and struggling farmers affected by COVID-19.”
Great day volunteering at the local @DCDreamCenter and distributing Farmers to Families Food Boxes
?????to the last mile of need. This program is creating a link between hungry families and struggling farmers affected by COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/VhJRKoLPgg — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 20, 2020
The businesswoman and mother of three drew ire from members of the Twitter cesspool who pounce on anything the Trump family does, including charity.
You mean the food from farmers $100 BILLION tax payer funds was handed to them because of @realDonaldTrump @stevenmnuchin1 @VP Tariffs , and many of the farmers are NOT voting for daddy , and still going bankrupt, on medicaid , food stamps, and welfare now because of daddy? — CwazyGTC4Lusso (@CwazyGTC4Lusso) July 20, 2020
Thousands of people are facing eviction. But yeah, a box of food fixes it. — Enough is enough, 45 has got to go (@amazed_always) July 20, 2020
If you and your family had displayed this level of benevolence prior to your father receiving the news of sinking poll numbers, or caging kids, or ignoring a pandemic, this photo op would come across as a genuine gesture. BTW, are you allowed within 100 miles of a charity??? — Brent Morton (@Cuisinart1965) July 20, 2020
Wow, look at you. Maybe tomorrow you can volunteer at one of the hospitals that are overflowing with sick people. If @realDonaldTrump had had a strategy you wouldn’t be in this mess. Don’t forget your mask. — Kristi MV (@malabar56) July 20, 2020
In contrast, one of the people actually inolved with Trump’s initiative was grateful for their efforts.
“My mother and I, we’ve been homeless, we’ve been sleeping out of a vehicle,” Kiesha Davis began in a video tweeted by White House official Carolina Hurley, “but I’m a community advocate.”
“Yes, it has been depressing and debilitating, but I’m so grateful and thankful for Ivanka coming here with everyone today to partner with DC Dream Center that has been awesome to get food out into the community,” Davis said.
“They’ve allowed me to come and pick up food to be able to deliver to people that are shut in, that are needy, that are homeless and disabled — you name it,” Davis said of the program.
“I am so grateful, and thankful, for @IvankaTrump coming here with everyone today to partner with @DCDreamCenter that has been awesome to get food out into the community” -Kiesha Davis, 41, D.C. resident & community advocate pic.twitter.com/utprMDVonE — Carolina Hurley (@CLH45) July 20, 2020
The Trump family is never shy about partnering with religious organizations to help the less fortunate, drawing a stark contrast to the left, which tends to slinks away from anything affiliated with the divine.
Ivanka Trump is using her prominence to help those severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading by example to represent and inspire those who still cherish America’s Judeo-Christians values.
She is giving back to the community and showing the way for those who have successfully weathered the shutdowns and quarantines.
Guided by her Jewish faith and Presbyterian upbringing, Trump embodies the intersection of Christian charity and interfaith cooperation.
In contrast, most on the left are currently using their position to permit destruction and codify chaos for political gain.
Never have the lines between Christian love of neighbor and atheistic nihilism been clearer, and hopefully the American people remember that in November at the ballot box.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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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--2020-07-27--Twitter Censors Tim Tebow’s Inspirational Bible Video

Twitter censored an inspirational post by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow asking Christians to hold onto their faith during times of personal tribulation .
The former Heisman Trophy winner tweeted a simple message Tuesday : Keep your faith intact , and remember that all of the Bible ’ s messengers struggled .
“ This could be your time .
That breakthrough could be tomorrow , or it could be next year .
But , you have the opportunity to turn however you ’ re being tested into a testimony .
So many heroes were wounded deeply before they were used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video message .
But Tebow ’ s tweet was censored by Twitter .
“ The following media includes potentially sensitive content , ” read a warning from the social media giant that covered the video portion of his post .
The Western Journal reached out to Twitter for comment about why the video post was labeled with a warning but did not immediately receive a response .
It ’ s difficult to discern what anyone could find “ sensitive ” about the content in Tebow ’ s video .
In the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent workout , called on Christians to turn to God during times of difficulty .
“ Bible believers , when we look at the Bible , and we see a lot of the heroes , a lot of times they truly were wounded deeply before they were ever used greatly , ” he said .
“ So maybe you ’ re going through a time in your life where you feel like you ’ ve just been wounded greatly .
It hasn ’ t been your year , hasn ’ t been your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like this is your time , ” Tebow continued .
“ But this could be your time for learning .
This could be your time for growing .
This could be your time for adapting .
This could be the time that is a test for you , but tomorrow it gets to turn into a testimony , ” he said .
RELATED : Watch Tim Tebow Crush His First Home Run with the New York Mets “ Because you never know what God is doing with your life .
You never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So many times in the Bible , when we look at the heroes , there were times in their life where if they stopped , if they quit , if they said , ‘ No , God , I ’ ve had enough , ’ then they would have missed out on the most impactful , most influential times of their life , ” the former Florida Gator said .
Tebow then appealed to those who might be struggling .
“ Maybe that is the next step for you .
Maybe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , maybe that is next year , ” he said .
“ But when we quit , we will never know what we missed out on .
We will never know what ’ s in store for us .
“ Because maybe that breakthrough is coming tomorrow .
Maybe it ’ s next year .
Maybe you have a little bit more time going through a hard time in your life .
“ But I can tell you this : We get to trust an unknown future to a known God , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
We know what he did for us in sending his son .
He gave his best for us .
… “ When we remember that , then we can have trust in the character of our God , because we know how much he loves us .
That ’ s how we get through the tough times .
Tebow concluded his video message by saying , “ Right where you ’ re at , whatever you ’ re doing , whatever you ’ re going through , he loves you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ die on the cross , that ’ s how much you ’ re loved .
Hold onto that in your time of need.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Twitter censored an inspirational post by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow asking Christians to hold onto their faith during times of personal tribulation.
The former Heisman Trophy winner tweeted a simple message Tuesday: Keep your faith intact, and remember that all of the Bible’s messengers struggled.
“This could be your time. That breakthrough could be tomorrow, or it could be next year. But, you have the opportunity to turn however you’re being tested into a testimony. So many heroes were wounded deeply before they were used greatly!” he wrote, alongside a video message.
But Tebow’s tweet was censored by Twitter.
“The following media includes potentially sensitive content,” read a warning from the social media giant that covered the video portion of his post.
The Western Journal reached out to Twitter for comment about why the video post was labeled with a warning but did not immediately receive a response.
It’s difficult to discern what anyone could find “sensitive” about the content in Tebow’s video.
In the post, Tebow, breathing heavily after an apparent workout, called on Christians to turn to God during times of difficulty.
This could be your time. That breakthrough could be tomorrow, or it could be next year. But, you have the opportunity to turn however you’re being tested into a testimony. So many heroes were wounded deeply before they were used greatly! pic.twitter.com/ldTu5acIDO — Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) July 27, 2020
“Bible believers, when we look at the Bible, and we see a lot of the heroes, a lot of times they truly were wounded deeply before they were ever used greatly,” he said.
“So maybe you’re going through a time in your life where you feel like you’ve just been wounded greatly. It hasn’t been your year, hasn’t been your day — you just don’t feel like this is your time,” Tebow continued.
“But this could be your time for learning. This could be your time for growing. This could be your time for adapting. This could be the time that is a test for you, but tomorrow it gets to turn into a testimony,” he said.
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“Because you never know what God is doing with your life. You never know what he is preparing you for. So many times in the Bible, when we look at the heroes, there were times in their life where if they stopped, if they quit, if they said, ‘No, God, I’ve had enough,’ then they would have missed out on the most impactful, most influential times of their life,” the former Florida Gator said.
Tebow then appealed to those who might be struggling.
“Maybe that is the next step for you. Maybe that is tomorrow. Maybe that is next week, maybe that is next year,” he said. “But when we quit, we will never know what we missed out on. We will never know what’s in store for us.
“Because maybe that breakthrough is coming tomorrow. Maybe it’s next year. Maybe you have a little bit more time going through a hard time in your life.
Sadly this tweet is now unviewable saying it is sensitive media. ?♀?♀ — Leigh Anne Bedingfield (@BedingfieldAnne) July 27, 2020
“But I can tell you this: We get to trust an unknown future to a known God, because we know how much he loves us. We know what he did for us in sending his son. He gave his best for us. …
“When we remember that, then we can have trust in the character of our God, because we know how much he loves us. That’s how we get through the tough times.
Tebow concluded his video message by saying, “Right where you’re at, whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re going through, he loves you. You were enough for his son to die on the cross, that’s how much you’re loved. Hold onto that in your time of need.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--The Mob Is Attempting To Breach Courthouse Security with Power Tools

Oh , what I would have been given to be in The Associated Press ’ newsroom when this headline was brewed up : “ On Portland ’ s streets : Anger , fear , and a fence that divides.
” The anger is the righteous outrage over pretty much everything that ’ s been percolating over the past few months .
Take your pick .
The fear being described in the AP article Monday is two-fold : the fear being felt by the federal agents under attack at the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland , Oregon , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the indignities of law enforcement enforcing laws as the city hits 60 straight days of truculent protests .
And then there ’ s “ a fence that divides.
” This is the fence recently put up to divide the agents tasked with protecting the federal courthouse with the demonstrators who want to get into the federal courthouse , and presumably not because they want a Kit-Kat from the vending machine in the lobby .
Picture this headline in other contexts .
“ At the airport : Delays , CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Jail : Criminals , orange jumpsuits and bars that divide.
” “ A NASCAR race : Loud noises , lots of sponsorship and a wall and a fence around the track that divides.
” There are reasons barriers exist , a fact that has baffled a certain type of person throughout history .
“ There exists in such a case a certain institution or law ; let us say , for the sake of simplicity , a fence or gate erected across a road .
The more modern type of reformer goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ I don ’ t see the use of this ; let us clear it away.
’ To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer : ‘ If you don ’ t see the use of it , I certainly won ’ t let you clear it away .
Go away and think .
Then , when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it , I may allow you to destroy it . '
” So anyway , to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the use of that fence that divides : That ’ s a Saturday tweet from journalist Andy Ngô — best known as a tireless chronicler of all things in Portland that have to do with people who wear black bandanas across their faces for reasons other than preventing transmission of the novel coronavirus — going at that divisive fence with power tools .
He credited the video to reporter and YouTube host Drew Hernandez .
The rioters actually used an angle grinder , not a circle saw , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events , the decision to use the angle grinder on the fence came less than a half-hour after someone projected “ The Fence Is a Lie ” on the side of the courthouse .
If that were the case , it should have been easier to get past than with an angle grinder , now , shouldn ’ t it ?
Unlike previous nights , protesters were able to do serious damage to the fence surrounding the courthouse : RELATED : Seattle Residents Now in Danger of Being Burned Out of Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage to broach part of it .
Those lasers , by the way , aren ’ t part of some kind of lights-and-display show ; this is what demonstrators have been shining at federal agents with the aim of temporarily — or permanently — blinding them .
Federal agents were able to get the rioters under control eventually ; after several rounds of tear gas and other irritants , the crowd was reduced from over 1,000 to just a few hundred in the early hours of the morning .
This , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploded over the fence and the gathering outside the courthouse was declared illegal for the second straight night .
There ’ s nothing “ mostly peaceful ” about what ’ s been happening at the federal courthouse in Portland .
No amount of rationalizing can make this appear to be anything but violence — and not just violence against property , which is considered very excusable in certain sectors of the left these days .
“ It ’ s scary .
You open those doors out , when the crowd is shaking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of that fence are people that want to kill you because of the job we chose to do and what we represent , ” a deputy U.S. marshal told the AP .
“ I am worried for my life , every time I walk outside of the building.
” To the extent this is “ a fence that divides , ” it divides those who are sworn to protect life , liberty and property from those who don ’ t think particularly much of any of those three — at least not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t like .
There ’ s a better word for a fence like that than “ divides ” : “ protects.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Oh, what I would have been given to be in The Associated Press’ newsroom when this headline was brewed up: “On Portland’s streets: Anger, fear, and a fence that divides.”
The anger is the righteous outrage over pretty much everything that’s been percolating over the past few months. Take your pick.
The fear being described in the AP article Monday is two-fold: the fear being felt by the federal agents under attack at the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and the fear felt by protesters who have to deal with the indignities of law enforcement enforcing laws as the city hits 60 straight days of truculent protests.
And then there’s “a fence that divides.” This is the fence recently put up to divide the agents tasked with protecting the federal courthouse with the demonstrators who want to get into the federal courthouse, and presumably not because they want a Kit-Kat from the vending machine in the lobby.
Picture this headline in other contexts. “At the airport: Delays, CNN, and a security line that divides.” “Jail: Criminals, orange jumpsuits and bars that divide.” “A NASCAR race: Loud noises, lots of sponsorship and a wall and a fence around the track that divides.”
There are reasons barriers exist, a fact that has baffled a certain type of person throughout history.
Philosopher G.K. Chesterton summed the problem up thusly:
“There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, ‘I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.’ To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: ‘If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'”
So anyway, to save a lot of people some time, this is the use of that fence that divides:
Rioters are using a circle saw to cut apart the fence protecting the federal courthouse. Video by @livesmattershow pic.twitter.com/okZ56jpH5B #PortlandRiots — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 25, 2020
That’s a Saturday tweet from journalist Andy Ngô — best known as a tireless chronicler of all things in Portland that have to do with people who wear black bandanas across their faces for reasons other than preventing transmission of the novel coronavirus — going at that divisive fence with power tools. He credited the video to reporter and YouTube host Drew Hernandez.
The rioters actually used an angle grinder, not a circle saw, according to The Oregonian.
Ironically, given its timeline of events, the decision to use the angle grinder on the fence came less than a half-hour after someone projected “The Fence Is a Lie” on the side of the courthouse. If that were the case, it should have been easier to get past than with an angle grinder, now, shouldn’t it?
Unlike previous nights, protesters were able to do serious damage to the fence surrounding the courthouse:
There is extensive damage to the heavy-duty barrier protecting the courthouse after rioters pulled down part of the fence. This was the event that caused the violent gathering to be declared a riot. #antifa #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/t0xmhDvJIX — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 26, 2020
They would eventually manage to broach part of it.
Antifa rioters successfully broke down the barrier protecting the federal courthouse. They ignored dozens of orders to stop. Video by @livesmattershow #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/5MkvdMJUAO — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 26, 2020
Those lasers, by the way, aren’t part of some kind of lights-and-display show; this is what demonstrators have been shining at federal agents with the aim of temporarily — or permanently — blinding them.
Federal agents were able to get the rioters under control eventually; after several rounds of tear gas and other irritants, the crowd was reduced from over 1,000 to just a few hundred in the early hours of the morning.
This, however, was after projectiles were launched, fireworks exploded over the fence and the gathering outside the courthouse was declared illegal for the second straight night.
A federal officer is hit in the face by a projectile from rioters. Far-left accounts and antifa have been celebrating this video. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/WTojfVoae6 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 26, 2020
There’s nothing “mostly peaceful” about what’s been happening at the federal courthouse in Portland. No amount of rationalizing can make this appear to be anything but violence — and not just violence against property, which is considered very excusable in certain sectors of the left these days.
Should police crack down on protesters in Portland? Yes No
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“It’s scary. You open those doors out, when the crowd is shaking the fence, and … on the other side of that fence are people that want to kill you because of the job we chose to do and what we represent,” a deputy U.S. marshal told the AP. “I am worried for my life, every time I walk outside of the building.”
To the extent this is “a fence that divides,” it divides those who are sworn to protect life, liberty and property from those who don’t think particularly much of any of those three — at least not if it belongs to someone they don’t like.
There’s a better word for a fence like that than “divides”: “protects.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--As Minneapolis Officials Try To Defund Police, Citizens Take Matters Into Their Own Hands

After Minneapolis became ground zero of the riots that have swept across Democrat-dominated cities this summer , its leftist City Council members became pioneers in the national movement to “ defund ” police departments .
Now some of its neighborhoods are breaking ground in a new way of dealing with the criminal element to keep pleasant residential areas from turning into crime-ridden slums , and it ’ s a good chance liberals will like it even less than they like cops : Citizen patrols — both armed and unarmed — are cropping up , aiming to keep the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , according to The Wall Street Journal , one of the groups has gone so far as to set up physical barriers to keep outsiders out — with the blessing of the police department , “ as long as emergency responders could get through if requested by the neighborhood.
” Given the city ’ s recent past , it ’ s easy to understand why .
It was in Minneapolis , of course , that a black man named George Floyd died in police custody after a white police office knelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even though no racial element has been established in Floyd ’ s death — Floyd and the officer had actually worked at the same club at the same time last year — the event became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement , which is bent on convincing America that the country ’ s cops are racist killers .
That led the City Council to vote unanimously to pass a resolution that is the first step toward amending the city ’ s charter to allow it to get rid of or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituted .
But changing the city charter is a lengthy process , and one Minneapolis neighborhood made national headlines when its residents vowed not to call the police about criminal activity .
To the surprise of literally no sentient human being other than the nation ’ s liberals , those idealistic residents were soon confronted by a homeless encampment and children victimized by crime .
Oddly , the national mainstream media paid virtually no attention last week when authorities finally moved to clean out the last of the “ residents ” of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tribune reported .
Now , as The Wall Street Journal reports , some neighborhood residents are banding together to make sure their own areas are safe , “ as the city council on Friday approved its first permanent cuts to the police budget , amid calls to defund the department and generally lower tax revenue due to the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
” RELATED : Riot Death Toll Creeps Higher as Charred Body Found Under 2-Month-Old Rubble of Torched Pawn Shop For an average , law-abiding civilian , the timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much worse .
“ Shootings [ in the city ] more than tripled in June to 75 from 24 a year earlier , ” The Wall Street Journal reported .
“ In the first half of July , there were 43 shootings , compared with 29 in all of July 2019.
” And now citizens are setting up their own patrols to keep their neighborhoods safe .
A group called Minnesota Freedom Fighters , which advocates gun ownership in the black community , started patrols in a heavily black business district , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group ’ s leader told the newspaper its patrols were shot at , but they never shot back because “ but we weren ’ t going to return fire into a dark street.
” ) In late June , according to The Journal , neighbors of an area near the Third Police Precinct , which has been abandoned by the city and torched by rioters , decided they ’ d had enough of lawlessness .
“ It got to the point where crime had no consequences , ” 30-year-old Tania Rivera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neighborhood with her mother , told The Journal .
“ It was being done deliberately out in the open .
Drive-through drug dealing , drive-through prostitution , everything from gunshots to assaults to sex out in the public .
Everything you didn ’ t want your neighborhood to look like.
” That led to community meetings where residents agreed to start putting up barriers to keep nonresidents out of their neighborhood .
“ Neighborhood men also began an armed patrol , kicking out anyone who didn ’ t belong on the block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For many , the absurdity of the Minneapolis course of action — having the city ’ s elected officials declare war on the police department , only to leave the job of protecting life and property to citizens — was self-evident .
That last one makes the point that really matters .
No matter how widespread the violence has been since Floyd ’ s death , it has been almost entirely confined to cities that are run by Democrats .
That makes the feigned outrage of Democratic officeholders such as House Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it also gives the rest of the country a hint as to the stakes in the 2020 election .
If Democrats manage to take the White House while flipping the Senate and holding onto the House of Representatives , Americans will be faced with the federal equivalent of the Minneapolis city government .
The City Council , as Townhall pointed out , has 13 members that break down to 12 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members ( Democrats ) and one Green Party member .
Congress would not be so Democratically dominated , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolish the Senate filibuster , any Democratic majority is critically dangerous .
Plus there ’ s its mayor , the tragically ineffectual and pathetically arrogant Jacob Frey , a Democrat .
“ Tragically ineffectual ” and “ pathetically arrogant ” sound like perfect adjectives for a potential President Joe Biden .
Minneapolis residents might be commended for taking responsibility for their own safety — just as many , many gun owners around the country would do if their own police departments were to suddenly vanish .
But the reality is , the safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instituted among men .
What ’ s happening in Minneapolis is the government abdicating that most fundamental responsibility .
Citizens are capable of taking up the slack temporarily , but that ’ s not how a healthy civilization is run .
Democrats have proved over and over again in the nation ’ s urban areas that they ’ re literally incapable of governing .
Americans should never again give them a chance to prove it on a national scale .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
@ @ @ @ @

After Minneapolis became ground zero of the riots that have swept across Democrat-dominated cities this summer, its leftist City Council members became pioneers in the national movement to “defund” police departments.
Now some of its neighborhoods are breaking ground in a new way of dealing with the criminal element to keep pleasant residential areas from turning into crime-ridden slums, and it’s a good chance liberals will like it even less than they like cops:
Citizen patrols — both armed and unarmed — are cropping up, aiming to keep the kind of order their City Council wants to abandon.
And, according to The Wall Street Journal, one of the groups has gone so far as to set up physical barriers to keep outsiders out — with the blessing of the police department, “as long as emergency responders could get through if requested by the neighborhood.”
Minneapolis residents in some areas still recovering from rioting and unrest are forming community watch groups, some bearing firearms, to fight a surge of crime in the wake of the George Floyd killing https://t.co/zzuzwe7hlN — The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 26, 2020
Given the city’s recent past, it’s easy to understand why.
It was in Minneapolis, of course, that a black man named George Floyd died in police custody after a white police office knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Even though no racial element has been established in Floyd’s death — Floyd and the officer had actually worked at the same club at the same time last year — the event became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which is bent on convincing America that the country’s cops are racist killers.
Do you expect more cities to start seeing groups like this form? Yes No
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That led the City Council to vote unanimously to pass a resolution that is the first step toward amending the city’s charter to allow it to get rid of or radically alter the police department as currently constituted.
(One proposal is to change the police department into a “Community Safety and Violence Prevention Department,” according to KSTP-TV.)
But changing the city charter is a lengthy process, and one Minneapolis neighborhood made national headlines when its residents vowed not to call the police about criminal activity. To the surprise of literally no sentient human being other than the nation’s liberals, those idealistic residents were soon confronted by a homeless encampment and children victimized by crime.
Oddly, the national mainstream media paid virtually no attention last week when authorities finally moved to clean out the last of the “residents” of that homeless camp, as the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Now, as The Wall Street Journal reports, some neighborhood residents are banding together to make sure their own areas are safe, “as the city council on Friday approved its first permanent cuts to the police budget, amid calls to defund the department and generally lower tax revenue due to the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.”
For an average, law-abiding civilian, the timing of such cuts couldn’t be much worse.
“Shootings [in the city] more than tripled in June to 75 from 24 a year earlier,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “In the first half of July, there were 43 shootings, compared with 29 in all of July 2019.”
And now citizens are setting up their own patrols to keep their neighborhoods safe.
A group called Minnesota Freedom Fighters, which advocates gun ownership in the black community, started patrols in a heavily black business district, according to The Wall Street Journal. (The group’s leader told the newspaper its patrols were shot at, but they never shot back because “but we weren’t going to return fire into a dark street.”)
In late June, according to The Journal, neighbors of an area near the Third Police Precinct, which has been abandoned by the city and torched by rioters, decided they’d had enough of lawlessness.
“It got to the point where crime had no consequences,” 30-year-old Tania Rivera, who runs a child care center in the neighborhood with her mother, told The Journal.
“It was being done deliberately out in the open. Drive-through drug dealing, drive-through prostitution, everything from gunshots to assaults to sex out in the public. Everything you didn’t want your neighborhood to look like.”
That led to community meetings where residents agreed to start putting up barriers to keep nonresidents out of their neighborhood.
“Neighborhood men also began an armed patrol, kicking out anyone who didn’t belong on the block after dark,” The Journal reported.
For many, the absurdity of the Minneapolis course of action — having the city’s elected officials declare war on the police department, only to leave the job of protecting life and property to citizens — was self-evident.
Hey, what if there was a group of people whose job it was to protect the community, was hired by the local government to do so, and paid for by the people who live in that community through their local taxes…if only….
This is absurd.
Time to act!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH — RJ_inNOVA (@RJ_in_NOVA) July 26, 2020
Largely armed community watch groups to square off against ‘largely peaceful protests’. I wonder why that is necessary. Undoubtedly, the NYT and WaPo are dispatching a platoon of largely honest ‘journalists’ to answer this tough question. — Austere Sacrilegious Scholar (@u5n89) July 26, 2020
Getting rid of police or law enforcement creates a power vacuum that’s bound to be filled sooner rather than later. The only question is who shows up first the good guys or the bad guys? Given the times, the answer won’t be so clear no matter who shows up. — Toasty (@Toasty84822150) July 26, 2020
This is what happens when you have liberal Mayors and City Council who want to defund and eliminate Police. Biden would allow this to happen all over America. — the Patriot (@thePatr37533772) July 26, 2020
That last one makes the point that really matters.
No matter how widespread the violence has been since Floyd’s death, it has been almost entirely confined to cities that are run by Democrats.
That makes the feigned outrage of Democratic officeholders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over alleged police brutality ludicrous. But it also gives the rest of the country a hint as to the stakes in the 2020 election.
If Democrats manage to take the White House while flipping the Senate and holding onto the House of Representatives, Americans will be faced with the federal equivalent of the Minneapolis city government.
The City Council, as Townhall pointed out, has 13 members that break down to 12 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members (Democrats) and one Green Party member. Congress would not be so Democratically dominated, but at a time when Democrats vow to abolish the Senate filibuster, any Democratic majority is critically dangerous.
Plus there’s its mayor, the tragically ineffectual and pathetically arrogant Jacob Frey, a Democrat. “Tragically ineffectual” and “pathetically arrogant” sound like perfect adjectives for a potential President Joe Biden.
Minneapolis residents might be commended for taking responsibility for their own safety — just as many, many gun owners around the country would do if their own police departments were to suddenly vanish. But the reality is, the safety of the individual is why governments are instituted among men.
What’s happening in Minneapolis is the government abdicating that most fundamental responsibility. Citizens are capable of taking up the slack temporarily, but that’s not how a healthy civilization is run.
Democrats have proved over and over again in the nation’s urban areas that they’re literally incapable of governing.
Americans should never again give them a chance to prove it on a national scale.
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westernjournal--2020-07-27--Fire Captain Could Be Fired for Controversial Posts About BLM, Riots, Race

Nashville Fire Department Captain Tracy Turner isn ’ t exactly a deep political thinker .
Neither are most people on social media — but in Turner ’ s case , that could cost him his job .
Turner has some particularly strong views on the Black Lives Matter movement , race , the recent protest movements and whether or not you should use face masks in public places .
None of them are particularly deep and some of them are bound to anger people .
In Nashville , Tennessee , members of the fire department are required to make clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone and have been strongly encouraged not to make controversial social media statements .
Prominent voices in the community want Turner fired — although not because he breached those regulations .
They just don ’ t like what he had to say .
It ’ s not particularly difficult to see why .
Turner , who works at the city ’ s Station 18 , is a firefighter in a majority-black district , for one .
Second , many of his remarks ( while not necessarily offensive ) have the relative depth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even if you may agree , in principle , with some of his positions , this isn ’ t the man you want speaking out about them .
Here are a few of Turner ’ s Facebook musings , as per WKRN-TV and WZTV-TV : On slavery : “ If all white people can be guilty for slavery because of a few plantation owners… then black people get to share the same guilt .
There were Black plantation owners as well .
So if all whites are guilty so are blacks.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not that the Anti-Fa and BLM thugs are so strong that they are able to take over part of a city…It ’ s that the Democrat Mayors are so weak as to let it happen .
Shameful.
” On race : “ What we done ?
We have raised a generation of morons that think that police are evil , especially the white ones …that all white people are racist and privileged …what have we done ?
” On racism : “ If you ’ ve been mistreated by someone of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time it ’ s because one of you are a jerk .
Not your skin color.
” On wearing masks : “ Lady asked me where my mask was today in a store .
I told her I roll Commando !
” However uncomplicated and controversial Turner ’ s view of the world may be , calling it “ hate speech ” would be a stretch .
That wasn ’ t the opinion of two prominent Nashville politicians though , who ’ ve made Turner ’ s comments a heated public debate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday for his scheduled shift NFD leadership met with him to discuss the posts .
They placed him on paid administrative leave pending a disciplinary panel , ” the Nashville Fire Department said in a statement to WKRN last week .
“ He will not be allowed to return to work until after that process is completed .
The hearing typically happens within 10 days.
” RELATED : Seattle Residents Now in Danger of Being Burned Out of Their Homes by the Mob On Thursday , Turner issued an apology on his Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to put out a public apology to anyone I may have offended …I am a Conservative , I love my job as a firefighter and have worked in the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Nashville …some of closest friends are black fireman.
” The fact that this wasn ’ t enough to mollify the left shouldn ’ t surprise anyone .
Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Vincent Dixie , who represents constituents served by Station 18 , wants Turner fired , questioning whether the captain would really give his all for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s aid .
“ The constituents , the first thing without me saying anything , the first thing they were saying , ‘ How do I know that he ’ s going to take care of me ?
That he ’ s going to come and give me the best aid that I need in order to survive ?
’ and people are worried about that , ” Dixie said .
“ When your clients or your customers come from the same background that you ’ re denigrating , or that you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feeling that I ’ m getting the best product — that I ’ m getting the best from you .
“ Is that the person that the Nashville Fire Department feels is giving 100 percent every time they go out on a call ?
So I think that ’ s up to the Fire Department to decipher .
They know him better than I do , I can only judge his actions and his words in which I don ’ t have much confidence in , ” he added .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fireman might pick and choose how much effort they ’ re going to give based on the neighborhood they ’ re assigned to or the race of the individual involved .
It feels a little bit like Dixie just cut-and-pasted the arguments he would use regarding a police officer who said these things on social media — where the issue of judgment calls based on race might hold a bit of water — into his take on a firefighter who said the same things .
It ’ s difficult on this end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would just stand by and watch a house burn because he didn ’ t like the skin color of the residents , but apparently not in the mind of Dixie .
He made it clear there ’ s no amount of apologizing Turner could do to keep his job .
“ Honestly , I don ’ t think he should be a fireman and a first responder in an African-American , a predominantly African-American , community , ” Dixie said .
“ I just don ’ t believe that because I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us 100 percent effort every time he goes out on a call and — when he sees a black person that ’ s in need — that he ’ s giving a 100 percent effort in order to save this person.
” “ We ’ re past asking for additional training , sensitivity training , and things of that nature , ” he added .
“ You know what ’ s right and you know what ’ s wrong.
” Nashville Metro Council Member Emily Benedict , meanwhile , used Turner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think any individual should be a public official if they express any reservations whatsoever about the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ The actions of Mr. Turner are yet another example of the institutional racism that exists in American culture today .
When vulgarities like this come to light , we need to have a dialogue .
We need to directly address these unacceptable behaviors , ” she said in a statement .
“ Outside of the consequences he faces , we can use this as an opportunity to show others in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be talked about today .
We need to have a conversation about race .
We need to listen , and try to look through a different lens than our own .
All of his hate speech should be discussed , including the reference to the LGBTQ community .
“ The BLM movement is vital to the future of our country .
I want to see , and be part , of the change we need .
Every public official should , from the President to the local Council , and every level in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country can heal when we are accountable for our history and work to change it , ” she added .
It ’ s amazing the number of words in Benedict ’ s statement that don ’ t mean what they ’ re supposed to .
Turner doesn ’ t want to have a “ dialogue ” — not , at least , with people who might think that Turner ’ s comments don ’ t necessarily constitute a fireable offense .
I would assume she doesn ’ t want to talk with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself with the beliefs of the Black Lives Matter movement should be a prerequisite for every public official in the nation .
Perhaps what ’ s most striking is how little of Benedict ’ s statement actually has to do with Turner .
Instead , she makes it clear she ’ s more interested in making an example out of him , given his punishment is a convenient jumping-point for a very specific set of arguments .
It ’ s well-known that people have their lives and careers upended and destroyed all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serves an ideological purpose .
You tend to lose people , however , when you make it clear that you ’ re out looking for sacrificial lambs .
What was interesting is that neither Dixie nor Benedict is quoted mentioning a June memo from the deputy director chief of the Nashville Fire Department which said , “ employees are expected to refrain from social media and online activities that reflect poorly upon the Nashville Fire Department.
” “ Nashville Fire Department employees while using social media must state in clear terms that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reflect the views of the Nashville Fire Department , ” the memo added .
If either Dixie or Benedict specifically cited this memo , it remained unrecorded in either news article .
If either politician thought Turner was unqualified to serve as a fireman , they should be waving that thing around like a national flag at a World Cup match .
If you want an actionable reason to say Turner should be fired , there you go .
All of us need to be especially careful about our social media postings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case , Nashville firemen were very specifically warned about it in a time of heightened political emotions .
Instead , what we got was Two Minutes Hate against a fire captain who they said , because of some Facebook rants , wasn ’ t going to give his all to help black people in danger and needed to be made an example of .
This wasn ’ t , in other words , about whether or not Turner should be fired .
It ’ s whether Turner ’ s punishment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media .
It ’ s worth noting neither Dixie nor Benedict said anything as controversial as Turner did , but there was a noticeable similarity among what all three had to say : They were all guided by a spirit of raw emotion , one that was unmoved by logic or equanimity .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Nashville Fire Department Captain Tracy Turner isn’t exactly a deep political thinker. Neither are most people on social media — but in Turner’s case, that could cost him his job.
Turner has some particularly strong views on the Black Lives Matter movement, race, the recent protest movements and whether or not you should use face masks in public places. None of them are particularly deep and some of them are bound to anger people.
In Nashville, Tennessee, members of the fire department are required to make clear their opinions on social media are theirs alone and have been strongly encouraged not to make controversial social media statements.
Prominent voices in the community want Turner fired — although not because he breached those regulations. They just don’t like what he had to say.
It’s not particularly difficult to see why. Turner, who works at the city’s Station 18, is a firefighter in a majority-black district, for one. Second, many of his remarks (while not necessarily offensive) have the relative depth of a particularly riled-up caller to talk radio. Even if you may agree, in principle, with some of his positions, this isn’t the man you want speaking out about them.
Here are a few of Turner’s Facebook musings, as per WKRN-TV and WZTV-TV:
On slavery: “If all white people can be guilty for slavery because of a few plantation owners… then black people get to share the same guilt. There were Black plantation owners as well. So if all whites are guilty so are blacks.”
On the recent protests: “It’s not that the Anti-Fa and BLM thugs are so strong that they are able to take over part of a city…It’s that the Democrat Mayors are so weak as to let it happen. Shameful.”
On race: “What we done? We have raised a generation of morons that think that police are evil, especially the white ones …that all white people are racist and privileged …what have we done?”
Should this firefighter lose his job? 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: 1% (13 Votes) No: 99% (1458 Votes)
On racism: “If you’ve been mistreated by someone of a different race, most of the time it’s because one of you are a jerk. Not your skin color.”
On wearing masks: “Lady asked me where my mask was today in a store. I told her I roll Commando!”
However uncomplicated and controversial Turner’s view of the world may be, calling it “hate speech” would be a stretch. That wasn’t the opinion of two prominent Nashville politicians though, who’ve made Turner’s comments a heated public debate.
“When Captain Turner reported for duty Thursday for his scheduled shift NFD leadership met with him to discuss the posts. They placed him on paid administrative leave pending a disciplinary panel,” the Nashville Fire Department said in a statement to WKRN last week.
“He will not be allowed to return to work until after that process is completed. The hearing typically happens within 10 days.”
On Thursday, Turner issued an apology on his Facebook page, writing, “I would like to put out a public apology to anyone I may have offended …I am a Conservative, I love my job as a firefighter and have worked in the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Nashville …some of closest friends are black fireman.”
The fact that this wasn’t enough to mollify the left shouldn’t surprise anyone. Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Vincent Dixie, who represents constituents served by Station 18, wants Turner fired, questioning whether the captain would really give his all for black residents who needed the fire department’s aid.
“The constituents, the first thing without me saying anything, the first thing they were saying, ‘How do I know that he’s going to take care of me? That he’s going to come and give me the best aid that I need in order to survive?’ and people are worried about that,” Dixie said.
“When your clients or your customers come from the same background that you’re denigrating, or that you have these biased opinions towards — how am I feeling that I’m getting the best product — that I’m getting the best from you.
“Is that the person that the Nashville Fire Department feels is giving 100 percent every time they go out on a call? So I think that’s up to the Fire Department to decipher. They know him better than I do, I can only judge his actions and his words in which I don’t have much confidence in,” he added.
This is a curious line of thinking — that a fireman might pick and choose how much effort they’re going to give based on the neighborhood they’re assigned to or the race of the individual involved.
It feels a little bit like Dixie just cut-and-pasted the arguments he would use regarding a police officer who said these things on social media — where the issue of judgment calls based on race might hold a bit of water — into his take on a firefighter who said the same things.
It’s difficult on this end to imagine a situation where a fireman would just stand by and watch a house burn because he didn’t like the skin color of the residents, but apparently not in the mind of Dixie.
He made it clear there’s no amount of apologizing Turner could do to keep his job.
“Honestly, I don’t think he should be a fireman and a first responder in an African-American, a predominantly African-American, community,” Dixie said. “I just don’t believe that because I don’t believe that he’s giving us 100 percent effort every time he goes out on a call and — when he sees a black person that’s in need — that he’s giving a 100 percent effort in order to save this person.”
“We’re past asking for additional training, sensitivity training, and things of that nature,” he added. “You know what’s right and you know what’s wrong.”
Nashville Metro Council Member Emily Benedict, meanwhile, used Turner’s case to say she doesn’t think any individual should be a public official if they express any reservations whatsoever about the Black Lives Matter movement.
“The actions of Mr. Turner are yet another example of the institutional racism that exists in American culture today. When vulgarities like this come to light, we need to have a dialogue. We need to directly address these unacceptable behaviors,” she said in a statement.
“Outside of the consequences he faces, we can use this as an opportunity to show others in the department and the community that this must be talked about today. We need to have a conversation about race. We need to listen, and try to look through a different lens than our own. All of his hate speech should be discussed, including the reference to the LGBTQ community.
“The BLM movement is vital to the future of our country. I want to see, and be part, of the change we need. Every public official should, from the President to the local Council, and every level in between, support this movement. Our country can heal when we are accountable for our history and work to change it,” she added.
It’s amazing the number of words in Benedict’s statement that don’t mean what they’re supposed to. Turner doesn’t want to have a “dialogue” — not, at least, with people who might think that Turner’s comments don’t necessarily constitute a fireable offense.
I would assume she doesn’t want to talk with people who don’t necessarily think aligning yourself with the beliefs of the Black Lives Matter movement should be a prerequisite for every public official in the nation.
Perhaps what’s most striking is how little of Benedict’s statement actually has to do with Turner.
Instead, she makes it clear she’s more interested in making an example out of him, given his punishment is a convenient jumping-point for a very specific set of arguments.
It’s well-known that people have their lives and careers upended and destroyed all the time because making them a sacrificial lamb serves an ideological purpose. You tend to lose people, however, when you make it clear that you’re out looking for sacrificial lambs.
What was interesting is that neither Dixie nor Benedict is quoted mentioning a June memo from the deputy director chief of the Nashville Fire Department which said, “employees are expected to refrain from social media and online activities that reflect poorly upon the Nashville Fire Department.”
“Nashville Fire Department employees while using social media must state in clear terms that their expressed views are theirs alone and do not reflect the views of the Nashville Fire Department,” the memo added.
If either Dixie or Benedict specifically cited this memo, it remained unrecorded in either news article. If either politician thought Turner was unqualified to serve as a fireman, they should be waving that thing around like a national flag at a World Cup match.
If you want an actionable reason to say Turner should be fired, there you go. All of us need to be especially careful about our social media postings in this day and age — but in this case, Nashville firemen were very specifically warned about it in a time of heightened political emotions.
Instead, what we got was Two Minutes Hate against a fire captain who they said, because of some Facebook rants, wasn’t going to give his all to help black people in danger and needed to be made an example of. This wasn’t, in other words, about whether or not Turner should be fired. It’s whether Turner’s punishment was an opportunity to get some attention in the media.
It’s worth noting neither Dixie nor Benedict said anything as controversial as Turner did, but there was a noticeable similarity among what all three had to say: They were all guided by a spirit of raw emotion, one that was unmoved by logic or equanimity.
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