westernjournal--2020-12-26--Nazi Descendant Tracks Down Jewish Family To Give Them Astonishing Message

It ’ s the time of year when we talk a lot about the power of forgiveness — about asking for it and granting it .
It ’ s letting bygones be bygones in the spirit of Christmas or Hanukkah .
For many of us , though , forgiveness is that scene at the end of “ Home Alone , ” where — at the advice of Macaulay Culkin ’ s character , the stern old man in his neighborhood reunites with son , whom he ’ s been estranged from for decades over a vicious fight .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movie , but the profound forgiveness we ’ re instructed to pursue and to grant in the Old and New Testaments is a bit more messy and profound than that .
The case of Germany ’ s Thomas Edelmann might be on the extreme end of things , granted .
It ’ s also a sign of what real forgiveness looks like — on both ends .
Edelmann , 49 , had heard rumblings about his grandfather ’ s hardware store in Bad Mergentheim , a town in southern Germany .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past few years when his worst fears were confirmed .
TRENDING : 'It 's Like Wearing Your Underwear ' on Your Face : Sen. Paul Blasts Mask Mandates in Interview He came across Nazi-era tax records that proved his grandfather , Wilhelm Edelmann , had bought the shop from a man named Benjamin Heidelberger in 1938 after the Nuremberg Laws made it illegal for Jewish people to own businesses in Germany .
“ In July 1938 , we sold our shop and warehouse for the bargain price of 28,500 Reichsmark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought it 30 years earlier , ” Heidelberger , who kept a diary , wrote about the sale , according to CNN .
“ Under different circumstances , I could have sold it for 40,000 .
But back then many Jewish businesses in Bad Mergentheim were sold under value .
While he lost touch with his father and his side of the family after his parents divorced in the early 1970s — and therefore hasn ’ t prospered from the chain of hardware stores the first shop facilitated — he still felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family that had to sell the business , CNN reported .
When a salesman called from the genealogical service MyHeritage about his subscription in 2019 , Edelmann mentioned the tax records he ’ d found and Benjamin Heidelberger ’ s name .
It was an unusual case , atypical enough that the salesman forwarded it to his research team .
In two weeks , MyHeritage had two pieces of important information for him .
The first was that the organization had found Benjamin Heidelberger ’ s 1942 British Mandatory Palestine naturalization record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British Mandatory Palestine would become the state of Israel .
They were able to track down Heidelberger ’ s grave , where he was buried next to his wife , Emma .
The second was that Heidelberger had a living granddaughter — Hanna Ehrenreich , an 83-year-old retired teacher .
With that knowledge , Edelmann sent Ehrenreich a letter of apology in English through MyHeritage .
“ I believe that if my family supported the injustice your grandparents experienced , it is our duty to take this into account and take over responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to listen and learn , ” he wrote , according to CNN .
“ As I am part of the Edelmann family I want to take the first step and listen to you .
“ I do understand that you might not see any benefit for yourself personally in talking to me .
But with me understanding and being able to teach my children and possibly other family members about the impact of particular historical decisions , this might help them to make better decisions in their lives , ” Edelmann continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country is poisoned .
There is a new antisemitism upcoming .
I want to make sure that at least my family will never again be responsible for injustice experienced by others , but stand up to take part for the weak , ” he added .
Ehrenreich agreed to talk , and the two spoke for 90 minutes a few weeks later — in German , a language both knew .
“ It was a very good conversation , ” Ehrenreich told CNN .
“ Thomas wanted to hear how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy and we have had a good life.
” Ehrenreich was familiar with the shop , too .
In fact , she has a picture of it hanging on her wall .
She also shared some entries from her grandfather ’ s diary about Wilhelm Edelmann .
Apparently , while he bought the shop from Heidelberger at a discount due to the Nuremberg laws ( in addition to his house , also sold at a discount ) , he didn ’ t think Edelmann was monstrous .
“ My business successor , Wilhelm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month to pay the rent , and even though he was a member of the Nazi party , he was a decent man and not an anti-Semite , ” Heidelberger wrote , according to CNN .
Edelmann also warned Heidelberger he should get out of the country .
“ One day , Edelmann came to me and said I should leave Germany as quickly as possible , ” he wrote .
“ There were plans in place to act against Jews and he felt obliged to warn me , his good acquaintance.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pogroms against Jewish people , although it ’ s unclear whether it was based off this warning .
Ehrenreich even visited the shop in the 1980s : “ I knew Edelmann was indeed the person who bought the shop , ” she told CNN .
“ I understood that he was a good man , although he was a member of the Nazi party.
” The call went well , and the two have stayed in touch .
Edelmann said he hopes to visit Israel when he can .
“ He was very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear the story from my side — he was almost crying , ” Ehrenreich said .
“ It was such an emotional moment when I heard Hanna on the phone and when she told me about her grandfather , ” Edelmann told CNN .
“ Although her family was treated so badly , she was very friendly and didn ’ t hold me responsible for anything.
” “ I know my grandfather was a very good businessman .
When he was a student during the 1920s , he was already a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Hitler came to power , ” he said .
“ So I don ’ t believe he was such a good man ; I ’ m not 100 percent convinced .
I doubt he didn ’ t take advantage of the situation.
” However , this is what real forgiveness looks like .
Edelmann knew the gravity of the situation and could have shied away .
He could have put those doubts about the business in the back of his mind .
Having found the Nazi-era tax documents , he could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his kids and gone no further .
Ehrenreich had every reason to feel pain over what the Edelmann family had done .
She could have ignored the letter or used him as an avatar of the the anti-Semitism she ’ s experienced throughout her life or on the impact the Nazis had on her .
( Her maternal grandparents stayed in Germany and died under the Nazis . )
Forgiveness is messy and difficult .
It ’ s not “ Home Alone.
” It ’ s often bittersweet — but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward as people and as a society .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s the time of year when we talk a lot about the power of forgiveness — about asking for it and granting it. It’s letting bygones be bygones in the spirit of Christmas or Hanukkah.
For many of us, though, forgiveness is that scene at the end of “Home Alone,” where — at the advice of Macaulay Culkin’s character, the stern old man in his neighborhood reunites with son, whom he’s been estranged from for decades over a vicious fight.
This will elicit tears at every holiday showing of the movie, but the profound forgiveness we’re instructed to pursue and to grant in the Old and New Testaments is a bit more messy and profound than that.
The case of Germany’s Thomas Edelmann might be on the extreme end of things, granted. It’s also a sign of what real forgiveness looks like — on both ends.
Edelmann, 49, had heard rumblings about his grandfather’s hardware store in Bad Mergentheim, a town in southern Germany. The father of two had been pursuing genealogy over the past few years when his worst fears were confirmed.
He came across Nazi-era tax records that proved his grandfather, Wilhelm Edelmann, had bought the shop from a man named Benjamin Heidelberger in 1938 after the Nuremberg Laws made it illegal for Jewish people to own businesses in Germany.
“In July 1938, we sold our shop and warehouse for the bargain price of 28,500 Reichsmark, the same sum for which I had bought it 30 years earlier,” Heidelberger, who kept a diary, wrote about the sale, according to CNN.
“Under different circumstances, I could have sold it for 40,000. But back then many Jewish businesses in Bad Mergentheim were sold under value.
While he lost touch with his father and his side of the family after his parents divorced in the early 1970s — and therefore hasn’t prospered from the chain of hardware stores the first shop facilitated — he still felt the need to find out what happened with the family that had to sell the business, CNN reported.
Would you have forgiven Thomas Edelmann? 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: 94% (173 Votes) No: 6% (11 Votes)
When a salesman called from the genealogical service MyHeritage about his subscription in 2019, Edelmann mentioned the tax records he’d found and Benjamin Heidelberger’s name. It was an unusual case, atypical enough that the salesman forwarded it to his research team.
In two weeks, MyHeritage had two pieces of important information for him.
The first was that the organization had found Benjamin Heidelberger’s 1942 British Mandatory Palestine naturalization record. In six years, portions of British Mandatory Palestine would become the state of Israel. They were able to track down Heidelberger’s grave, where he was buried next to his wife, Emma.
The second was that Heidelberger had a living granddaughter — Hanna Ehrenreich, an 83-year-old retired teacher.
With that knowledge, Edelmann sent Ehrenreich a letter of apology in English through MyHeritage.
“I believe that if my family supported the injustice your grandparents experienced, it is our duty to take this into account and take over responsibility at least in getting in touch with you to listen and learn,” he wrote, according to CNN.
“As I am part of the Edelmann family I want to take the first step and listen to you.
“I do understand that you might not see any benefit for yourself personally in talking to me. But with me understanding and being able to teach my children and possibly other family members about the impact of particular historical decisions, this might help them to make better decisions in their lives,” Edelmann continued.
“Currently, the political climate in our country is poisoned. There is a new antisemitism upcoming. I want to make sure that at least my family will never again be responsible for injustice experienced by others, but stand up to take part for the weak,” he added.
Ehrenreich agreed to talk, and the two spoke for 90 minutes a few weeks later — in German, a language both knew.
“It was a very good conversation,” Ehrenreich told CNN. “Thomas wanted to hear how we had been. I said we were happy and we have had a good life.”
Ehrenreich was familiar with the shop, too. In fact, she has a picture of it hanging on her wall.
She also shared some entries from her grandfather’s diary about Wilhelm Edelmann. Apparently, while he bought the shop from Heidelberger at a discount due to the Nuremberg laws (in addition to his house, also sold at a discount), he didn’t think Edelmann was monstrous.
“My business successor, Wilhelm Edelmann, came every first of the month to pay the rent, and even though he was a member of the Nazi party, he was a decent man and not an anti-Semite,” Heidelberger wrote, according to CNN.
Edelmann also warned Heidelberger he should get out of the country.
“One day, Edelmann came to me and said I should leave Germany as quickly as possible,” he wrote. “There were plans in place to act against Jews and he felt obliged to warn me, his good acquaintance.”
Heidelberg left just before the 1938 Kristallnacht pogroms against Jewish people, although it’s unclear whether it was based off this warning.
Ehrenreich even visited the shop in the 1980s: “I knew Edelmann was indeed the person who bought the shop,” she told CNN. “I understood that he was a good man, although he was a member of the Nazi party.”
The call went well, and the two have stayed in touch. Edelmann said he hopes to visit Israel when he can.
“He was very moved and said he was so happy to hear the story from my side — he was almost crying,” Ehrenreich said.
“It was such an emotional moment when I heard Hanna on the phone and when she told me about her grandfather,” Edelmann told CNN. “Although her family was treated so badly, she was very friendly and didn’t hold me responsible for anything.”
Edelmann still holds his grandfather responsible.
“I know my grandfather was a very good businessman. When he was a student during the 1920s, he was already a member of the Nazi party, which was before Hitler came to power,” he said. “So I don’t believe he was such a good man; I’m not 100 percent convinced. I doubt he didn’t take advantage of the situation.”
However, this is what real forgiveness looks like. Edelmann knew the gravity of the situation and could have shied away. He could have put those doubts about the business in the back of his mind. Having found the Nazi-era tax documents, he could have just used it as a teachable moment for his kids and gone no further.
He didn’t.
Ehrenreich had every reason to feel pain over what the Edelmann family had done. She could have ignored the letter or used him as an avatar of the the anti-Semitism she’s experienced throughout her life or on the impact the Nazis had on her. (Her maternal grandparents stayed in Germany and died under the Nazis.)
She didn’t.
Forgiveness is messy and difficult. It’s not “Home Alone.” It’s often bittersweet — but it’s a bittersweet sensation that moves us forward as people and as a society.
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--Oh, Deer: Furry Target Flips Script on Hunter, Steals Rifle and Turns Tail

A hunter in the Czech Republic had a startling encounter with a deer last Friday that left him without his hunting rifle .
According to Fox News , the Czech police involved in the situation say they are still looking for the angry deer that charged the hunter , ripped his sleeve and inadvertently snagged the strap of the .22-caliber Hornet rifle in its large antlers .
The hunter implied that it was his hunting dogs that spooked the deer .
The deer quickly leaped away into the forest with the rifle still lodged in its antlers .
The hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed .
TRENDING : 'It 's Like Wearing Your Underwear ' on Your Face : Sen. Paul Blasts Mask Mandates in Interview He eventually filed a police report that included the fact that the rifle was not even loaded at the time of the attack from the deer .
The impacted hunter was forced to declare the weapon as missing according to the Czech Republic ’ s Firearms and Ammunition Act .
According to Fox News , this declaration is typically made by hunters that unfortunately forget their weapons on the hood of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another hunter had reported seeing the mammal with the rifle still stuck in its antlers approximately a mile away from the scene .
Authorities are urging citizens to call the authorities if they happen to find the hunter ’ s missing gun or see the armed deer trotting through the South Bohemian Region of Czechoslovakia .
“ If anyone finds the weapon , he is obliged to hand it over to the nearest police department , ” Czech police said in a press release .
This is not the first time a deer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Oct. 22 2019 , a hunter in Arkansas died after a deer that he had shot attacked him , according to NBC News .
“ I ’ ve worked for the Game and Fish Commission for 20 years , and it ’ s one of the more unusual things that ’ s happened , ” Keith Stephens , the agency ’ s chief of communications informed NBC News .
RELATED : Investigation Opened After Authorities See What Was Written on Deer 's Ear Tags The victim was an experienced hunter .
Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buck while hunting near Yellville , Arkansas .
Alexander was found with multiple puncture wounds to his body inflicted by the deer after being shot .
Alexander was immediately taken to a hospital where he soon died from his injuries .
Stephens said that hunters are advised to not approach a downed deer unless it has not moved for at least 30 minutes .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A hunter in the Czech Republic had a startling encounter with a deer last Friday that left him without his hunting rifle.
According to Fox News, the Czech police involved in the situation say they are still looking for the angry deer that charged the hunter, ripped his sleeve and inadvertently snagged the strap of the .22-caliber Hornet rifle in its large antlers.
The hunter implied that it was his hunting dogs that spooked the deer.
The deer quickly leaped away into the forest with the rifle still lodged in its antlers.
The hunter tried tracking down the deer himself but failed.
He eventually filed a police report that included the fact that the rifle was not even loaded at the time of the attack from the deer.
The impacted hunter was forced to declare the weapon as missing according to the Czech Republic’s Firearms and Ammunition Act.
According to Fox News, this declaration is typically made by hunters that unfortunately forget their weapons on the hood of their cars as they drive away.
Another hunter had reported seeing the mammal with the rifle still stuck in its antlers approximately a mile away from the scene.
Do you think this armed deer will be found? 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: 74% (153 Votes) No: 26% (55 Votes)
Authorities are urging citizens to call the authorities if they happen to find the hunter’s missing gun or see the armed deer trotting through the South Bohemian Region of Czechoslovakia.
“If anyone finds the weapon, he is obliged to hand it over to the nearest police department,” Czech police said in a press release.
This is not the first time a deer has fought back against a hunter.
On Oct. 22 2019, a hunter in Arkansas died after a deer that he had shot attacked him, according to NBC News.
“I’ve worked for the Game and Fish Commission for 20 years, and it’s one of the more unusual things that’s happened,” Keith Stephens, the agency’s chief of communications informed NBC News.
The victim was an experienced hunter. Thomas Alexander, 66, had shot the buck while hunting near Yellville, Arkansas.
Alexander was found with multiple puncture wounds to his body inflicted by the deer after being shot.
Alexander was immediately taken to a hospital where he soon died from his injuries.
Stephens said that hunters are advised to not approach a downed deer unless it has not moved for at least 30 minutes.
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--NYC Bridge Closed; Crazy Video Showed Why It Was the Right Decision

Nature ’ s fury shifted into high gear recently on New York ’ s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — the city ’ s longest bridge — when it swayed under pressure from hefty winds .
Mid-morning on Nov. 30 , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Twitter that it had diverted both sides of upper-level bridge traffic to the span ’ s lower levels because of severe gales during that day ’ s blustery rainstorms .
The New York Post reported in the afternoon that the 13,700-foot-long suspension bridge was being shut down entirely , with MTA officials telling the Post in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 mph .
TRENDING : 'It 's Like Wearing Your Underwear ' on Your Face : Sen. Paul Blasts Mask Mandates in Interview A Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesperson told the Staten Island Advance after the bridge had closed completely that the lower level was open again about a half-hour later and regular traffic patterns had resumed within two hours .
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge groaned on a New York City Fire Department video .
Tiffany Buccheri also posted a clip to TikTok from her father , an electrician , who stood on the shuttered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you didn ’ t have a fear of bridges already… well… you do now , ” Buccheri wrote .
After New York City Emergency Management posted to Twitter about the closure and flying debris on the bridge , one user responded with a video account of her ride .
RELATED : Olympics Adds First 'Urban Event ' as Games Try To Diversify According to the Advance , traffic bottlenecked on the Staten Island and Gowanus expressways , with traffic reporter Greg Rice on radio station WINS tweeting video and images showing stopped motorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared the bridge phenomenon to “ a Hans Zimmer musical cue from Inception ” and “ scenes from a Christopher Nolan movie.
” “ The way the bridge is ‘ breathing ’ reminds me of something from David Cronenberg ’ s Videodrome or the second Ghostbusters movie , ” Yakas wrote .
“ In other words , it is everything that we could have hoped from practical FX from the ’ 80s.
” Aaron Donovan , a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman , said the bridge was behaving as designed .
“ Suspension bridges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America – are engineered to be flexible and any movements on the bridge were within its safety standards , ” Donovan said in a statement , according to the Post .
“ The MTA ’ s weather event safety protocols were activated early and worked as designed with no structural damage , no major vehicular accidents and no injuries resulting from Monday ’ s high winds , ” Donovan added .
In May , similar gusts rocked a suspension bridge in China , though heavy traffic proceeded while it rippled .
The South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 to 7 winds ” triggered waves on the Guangdong province bridge .
The outlet later wrote , “ The structure of the bridge is safe and it remains closed for inspection.
” Washington state ’ s Tacoma Narrows Bridge , coined “ Galloping Gertie ” and featured in a Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum segment , was one bridge that didn ’ t survive windy conditions .
The segment ’ s hosts explained that , after the bridge opened in 1940 , bridge workers had nicknamed it for its movements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Unfortunately , four months after its ribbon was cut , Gertie collapsed on film , thankfully without injuries .
Two bridges replaced the Tacoma Narrows , and as the segment hosts explained , its collapse “ spurred research into bridge design that is still influencing how bridges are built today.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Nature’s fury shifted into high gear recently on New York’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — the city’s longest bridge — when it swayed under pressure from hefty winds.
Mid-morning on Nov. 30, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Twitter that it had diverted both sides of upper-level bridge traffic to the span’s lower levels because of severe gales during that day’s blustery rainstorms.
The upper level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is closed to all traffic in both directions because of high wind conditions. Traffic is being diverted to the lower level at this time. — MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) November 30, 2020
The New York Post reported in the afternoon that the 13,700-foot-long suspension bridge was being shut down entirely, with MTA officials telling the Post in a follow-up story that gusts had reached 60 mph.
A Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesperson told the Staten Island Advance after the bridge had closed completely that the lower level was open again about a half-hour later and regular traffic patterns had resumed within two hours.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge groaned on a New York City Fire Department video.
This is why the #VerrazanoBridge was closed yesterday during the high winds. pic.twitter.com/QrefTGHVom — NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) December 1, 2020
Tiffany Buccheri also posted a clip to TikTok from her father, an electrician, who stood on the shuttered bridge as it swayed.
“If you didn’t have a fear of bridges already… well… you do now,” Buccheri wrote.
After New York City Emergency Management posted to Twitter about the closure and flying debris on the bridge, one user responded with a video account of her ride.
NYC Scanner also posted another perspective.
Verrazzano Bridge upper level towards Brooklyn has been closed due to weather. pic.twitter.com/ZRHsFmnTRe — NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) November 30, 2020
According to the Advance, traffic bottlenecked on the Staten Island and Gowanus expressways, with traffic reporter Greg Rice on radio station WINS tweeting video and images showing stopped motorists walking around.
And on the #StatenIsland side, the @1010WINS Jam Cams show us the approaches to the #Brooklyn-bound #Verrazzano Upper & Lower Levels CLOSED, with drivers out of their cars and milling around. More on #1010WINS! @WINSTRAFFICNYC pic.twitter.com/JAQ5bmtYoM — Greg Rice (@GregRice1010) November 30, 2020
Gothamist journalist Ben Yakas compared the bridge phenomenon to “a Hans Zimmer musical cue from Inception” and “scenes from a Christopher Nolan movie.”
“The way the bridge is ‘breathing’ reminds me of something from David Cronenberg’s Videodrome or the second Ghostbusters movie,” Yakas wrote. “In other words, it is everything that we could have hoped from practical FX from the ’80s.”
Aaron Donovan, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman, said the bridge was behaving as designed.
Are you fearful of driving on bridges? 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: 38% (214 Votes) No: 62% (345 Votes)
“Suspension bridges – particularly the longest span in North America – are engineered to be flexible and any movements on the bridge were within its safety standards,” Donovan said in a statement, according to the Post.
“The MTA’s weather event safety protocols were activated early and worked as designed with no structural damage, no major vehicular accidents and no injuries resulting from Monday’s high winds,” Donovan added.
In May, similar gusts rocked a suspension bridge in China, though heavy traffic proceeded while it rippled.
The South China Morning Post reported that “level 6 to 7 winds” triggered waves on the Guangdong province bridge.
The outlet later wrote, “The structure of the bridge is safe and it remains closed for inspection.”
Washington state’s Tacoma Narrows Bridge, coined “Galloping Gertie” and featured in a Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum segment, was one bridge that didn’t survive windy conditions.
The segment’s hosts explained that, after the bridge opened in 1940, bridge workers had nicknamed it for its movements, modifying the bridge in attempts to restrain it.
Unfortunately, four months after its ribbon was cut, Gertie collapsed on film, thankfully without injuries.
Two bridges replaced the Tacoma Narrows, and as the segment hosts explained, its collapse “spurred research into bridge design that is still influencing how bridges are built today.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-12-26--Dr. Fauci Admits He’s Been Moving the Goalposts on COVID on Purpose

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
He quickly became America ’ s go to guru on all things related to the pandemic .
Back in March , Dr. Fauci told us that in order to achieve herd immunity in the U.S. , 60 to 70 percent of Americans would need to acquire resistance to COVID-19 , “ either through infection or vaccination.
” In recent appearances , however , his earlier estimate has gradually increased to the 80 to 85 percent level .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving the goalposts .
The New York Times reports , “ About a month ago , he began saying ’ 70 , 75 percent ’ in television interviews .
And last week , in an interview with CNBC News , he said ’ 75 , 80 , 85 percent ’ and ’ 75 to 80-plus percent . '
” “ In a telephone interview the next day , Dr. Fauci acknowledged that he had slowly but deliberately been moving the goal posts .
He is doing so , he said , partly based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his gut feeling that the country is finally ready to hear what he really thinks , ” the Times reported .
“ When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine , I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent , ” Fauci said during a telephone interview with the Times .
“ Then , when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it , I thought , ‘ I can nudge this up a bit , ’ so I went to 80 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some humility here , ” he said .
“ We really don ’ t know what the real number is .
I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent .
But , I ’ m not going to say 90 percent.
” He won ’ t say 90 percent , he told the Times , because he ’ s “ not sure there will be enough voluntary acceptance of vaccines to reach that goal.
” According to the Times , approximately 20 percent of Americans are opposed to taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a Kaiser Family Foundation poll , released on Dec. 15 , which found that 15 percent of those surveyed “ definitely won ’ t get vaccinated.
” So is Dr. Fauci basing his expert opinion on how Americans “ feel ” about taking the vaccine , rather than on the science behind it ?
It sure seems like it .
And are his changing numbers inspired by shifts in poll results , in other words , politics , instead of science ?
It sure appears that way .
In March , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flatten the curve .
This measure was introduced to keep U.S. hospitals from being overwhelmed with large numbers of coronavirus patients .
On March 13 , three days before the nationwide lockdown began , USA TODAY presented the results of their analysis which warned that “ if the nation sees a major spike , there could be almost six seriously ill patients for every existing hospital bed.
” Now , the 60 to 70 percent requirement to achieve herd immunity is turning into 90 percent .
That isn ’ t how public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times that “ a herd-immunity figure at 90 percent or above is in the range of the infectiousness of measles.
” He adds , “ I ’ d bet my house that Covid isn ’ t as contagious as measles.
” Give it to us straight Dr. Fauci .
You ’ re supposed to be the expert .
Americans deserve to know the truth so they may make their own decisions on how to handle it .
The truth is that with incomplete information , it may be impossible for even an expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance in the population necessary to achieve herd immunity .
The problem is that Fauci has been ratcheting up his estimates based upon decidedly non-scientific data .
Or more accurately , he ’ s been basing his assessments on politics .
This is not new for him .
Over the last year , Fauci has given Americans mixed and even conflicting messages .
On March 8 , in an interview with 60 Minutes , he said , “ there ’ s no reason to be walking around with a mask.
” In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked , “ Bottom line , we don ’ t have to worry about this one , right ?
” He responded , “ Well , you know , obviously , you need to take it seriously and do the kinds of things that the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security are doing .
But this is not a major threat ( emphasis added ) for the people of the United States , and this is not something that the citizens of the United States right now should be worried about.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been elevated to heroes ’ status .
It ’ s time Americans stop taking all of this man ’ s statements as the gospel .
Ridiculously , D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser went so far as to proclaim Christmas Eve “ Dr .
Fauci Day.
” Unfortunately , Fauci will assume the role of chief medical adviser in the Biden administration .
Isn ’ t it time for this career bureaucrat ’ s 15 minutes of fame to end and for our lives to get back in order ?
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He quickly became America’s go to guru on all things related to the pandemic.
Back in March, Dr. Fauci told us that in order to achieve herd immunity in the U.S., 60 to 70 percent of Americans would need to acquire resistance to COVID-19, “either through infection or vaccination.” In recent appearances, however, his earlier estimate has gradually increased to the 80 to 85 percent level. And Fauci readily admits he’s been moving the goalposts.
The New York Times reports, “About a month ago, he began saying ‘70, 75 percent’ in television interviews. And last week, in an interview with CNBC News, he said ‘75, 80, 85 percent’ and ‘75 to 80-plus percent.'”
“In a telephone interview the next day, Dr. Fauci acknowledged that he had slowly but deliberately been moving the goal posts. He is doing so, he said, partly based on new science, and partly on his gut feeling that the country is finally ready to hear what he really thinks,” the Times reported.
“When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent,” Fauci said during a telephone interview with the Times. “Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, ‘I can nudge this up a bit,’ so I went to 80, 85.”
“We need to have some humility here,” he said. “We really don’t know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I’m not going to say 90 percent.”
He won’t say 90 percent, he told the Times, because he’s “not sure there will be enough voluntary acceptance of vaccines to reach that goal.”
According to the Times, approximately 20 percent of Americans are opposed to taking a vaccine. The Washington Post reported on a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, released on Dec. 15, which found that 15 percent of those surveyed “definitely won’t get vaccinated.”
So is Dr. Fauci basing his expert opinion on how Americans “feel” about taking the vaccine, rather than on the science behind it? It sure seems like it.
Are you going to get the coronavirus vaccine? Yes No
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And are his changing numbers inspired by shifts in poll results, in other words, politics, instead of science? It sure appears that way.
In March, we were told to quarantine for 15 days to flatten the curve. This measure was introduced to keep U.S. hospitals from being overwhelmed with large numbers of coronavirus patients. On March 13, three days before the nationwide lockdown began, USA TODAY presented the results of their analysis which warned that “if the nation sees a major spike, there could be almost six seriously ill patients for every existing hospital bed.”
Now, the 60 to 70 percent requirement to achieve herd immunity is turning into 90 percent. That isn’t how public health should work.
Fauci tells the Times that “a herd-immunity figure at 90 percent or above is in the range of the infectiousness of measles.” He adds, “I’d bet my house that Covid isn’t as contagious as measles.”
Give it to us straight Dr. Fauci. You’re supposed to be the expert. Americans deserve to know the truth so they may make their own decisions on how to handle it.
The truth is that with incomplete information, it may be impossible for even an expert to determine the precise amount of acquired resistance in the population necessary to achieve herd immunity. The problem is that Fauci has been ratcheting up his estimates based upon decidedly non-scientific data. Or more accurately, he’s been basing his assessments on politics.
This is not new for him. Over the last year, Fauci has given Americans mixed and even conflicting messages. On March 8, in an interview with 60 Minutes, he said, “there’s no reason to be walking around with a mask.”
In a January 21 interview with Newsmax, he was asked, “Bottom line, we don’t have to worry about this one, right?”
He responded, “Well, you know, obviously, you need to take it seriously and do the kinds of things that the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security are doing. But this is not a major threat (emphasis added) for the people of the United States, and this is not something that the citizens of the United States right now should be worried about.”
In the meantime, Fauci has been elevated to heroes’ status. It’s time Americans stop taking all of this man’s statements as the gospel. Ridiculously, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser went so far as to proclaim Christmas Eve “Dr. Fauci Day.”
Unfortunately, Fauci will assume the role of chief medical adviser in the Biden administration.
Isn’t it time for this career bureaucrat’s 15 minutes of fame to end and for our lives to get back in order?
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--Report: Person of Interest Identified in Nashville Bombing, FBI on Scene at Home in Tennessee Capita

Report: Person of Interest Identified in Nashville Bombing, FBI on Scene at Home in Tennessee Capital Neighborhood

Authorities investigating the Christmas morning explosion in downtown Nashville have identified a person of interest in connection with the vehicle that exploded , reports say .
According to The Nashville Tennessean , no arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon .
“ A law enforcement source told CBS News at least one person of interest has been identified in connection to the recreational vehicle that exploded on Christmas morning , rocking downtown Nashville .
Multiple sources confirm that Anthony Quinn Warner , a Nashville area resident , had a similar make and model RV as the one in photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News reported .
Citing FBI Special Agent Jason Pack , The Associated Press reported that members of local and federal law enforcement agencies , including the FBI , “ were at a home in Antioch , in suburban Nashville , after receiving information relevant to the investigation.
” “ Another law enforcement official , who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity , said investigators regard a person associated with the property as a person of interest in the bombing.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Metro Nashville Police Department were also on the scene , according to Darrell DeBusk , an FBI public affairs officer .
Meanwhile , the Washington Examiner reported : “ Property records obtained by the Washington Examiner that show an Anthony Q. Warner owned the property also showed that the home was sold nearly one month ago.
” “ Information developed during the course of the investigation led us to this address , ” DeBusk told Tennessean reporter Natalie Neysa Alund .
“ Currently , we have members of the FBI , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department on scene conducting an investigation .
At this time , we can not release any additional information.
” Alund said neighbors of the property recalled that an RV similar to the one that exploded Christmas morning had been seen at the property in recent weeks .
A Google Earth image from 2019 appeared to show an RV similar to the one that exploded in Nashville parked at the home police were searching .
More than 250 FBI personnel were on the case , FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Korneski said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times .
“ Our investigative team is turning over every stone to make sure we know as many details as possible to answer the question of who is responsible for this , and also to understand , why did they do this ?
” Korneski said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
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Authorities investigating the Christmas morning explosion in downtown Nashville have identified a person of interest in connection with the vehicle that exploded, reports say.
According to The Nashville Tennessean, no arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon.
“A law enforcement source told CBS News at least one person of interest has been identified in connection to the recreational vehicle that exploded on Christmas morning, rocking downtown Nashville. Multiple sources confirm that Anthony Quinn Warner, a Nashville area resident, had a similar make and model RV as the one in photos released to the public,” CBS News reported.
…#exclusive @CBSNews has learned the name of a person of interest tied to the explosion that rocked #Nashville on #Christmas Day. Multiple sources tell us that Anthony Quinn Warner, a Nashville area resident, had a similar make and model RV. — Jeff Pegues (@jeffpeguescbs) December 26, 2020
Citing FBI Special Agent Jason Pack, The Associated Press reported that members of local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, “were at a home in Antioch, in suburban Nashville, after receiving information relevant to the investigation.”
“Another law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said investigators regard a person associated with the property as a person of interest in the bombing.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Metro Nashville Police Department were also on the scene, according to Darrell DeBusk, an FBI public affairs officer.
Meanwhile, the Washington Examiner reported: “Property records obtained by the Washington Examiner that show an Anthony Q. Warner owned the property also showed that the home was sold nearly one month ago.”
“Information developed during the course of the investigation led us to this address,” DeBusk told Tennessean reporter Natalie Neysa Alund.
“Currently, we have members of the FBI, the ATF, and the Metro Nashville Police Department on scene conducting an investigation. At this time, we cannot release any additional information.”
FBI public affairs officer Darrell DeBusk said information developed during the course of the investigation led law enforcement to this home on Bakertown Road in Antioch. #nashvillebombing pic.twitter.com/se8FvCpMni — Natalie Neysa Alund (@nataliealund) December 26, 2020
Alund said neighbors of the property recalled that an RV similar to the one that exploded Christmas morning had been seen at the property in recent weeks.
Local and federal agents are here at a home for “court authorized activity” in the 100 block of Bakertown Road, an FBI spokesman here told me.
Neighbors said an RV similar to the one in the explosion was parked at the home within the last 2 weeks. #nashvillebombing #Nashville pic.twitter.com/s1VpiDdqOo — Natalie Neysa Alund (@nataliealund) December 26, 2020
A Google Earth image from 2019 appeared to show an RV similar to the one that exploded in Nashville parked at the home police were searching.
Google street-view images, taken in 2019, show an RV parked in back yard of Person of interest in Nashville Christmas bombing. The camper is similar to one in image released by @MNPDNashville pic.twitter.com/I6FtNk9rqT — Nick Caloway (@NickJCaloway) December 26, 2020
More than 250 FBI personnel were on the case, FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Korneski said at a news conference, according to The New York Times.
“Our investigative team is turning over every stone to make sure we know as many details as possible to answer the question of who is responsible for this, and also to understand, why did they do this?” Korneski said.
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--65-Year-Old Grandmother Surprised with New Car from Secret Santa

When it comes to charitably giving back , there is no time like the Christmas season .
According to People magazine , a 65-year-old Idaho grandmother was the recipient of just that type of generosity this year , with the gift of a brand new car .
Diana Boldman works full-time at a Mcdonald ’ s restaurant to support her husband , Cameron , who the East Idaho News reports is on disability .
As if that weren ’ t enough , Boldman also wakes up early every morning before her shift to deliver 150 newspapers in a worn-out van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work has apparently not gone unnoticed in her community , however , and seemed to catch the eye of a local Secret Santa that has been surprising neighbors with anonymous gifts for the last six years .
This year , the video shows that Secret Santa anonymously surprised Boldman with a green box containing $ 1,000 and $ 5,000 in gas cards .
As if that were not enough , the thankful grandmother was gifted the keys to a brand new Hyundai Tucson as well .
The gifts were delivered by East Idaho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked a shift sometime before Thanksgiving .
Eaton has acted on behalf of the anonymous gift-giver several times in recent years , earning himself the “ Santa ’ s Little Helper ” nickname from NPR in the process .
As Eaton informed the outlet , he had received a random phone call in 2015 from a local seeking aid in an effort to help members of his community with roughly $ 100,000 in gifts for the Christmas season .
“ I want to be sure that the money goes to people who truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly told him .
“ People that would never ask for a handout , people that , you know , are working hard .
They ’ ve just run out of money and they ’ ve run out of luck.
” In a subsequent interview with TODAY , Eaton revealed the Secret Santa had given out $ 500,000 worth of gifts just last year and voiced intentions to continue the trend with expanded giving this year .
RELATED : Cop Gets a Call from 13-Year-Old 's Mother ; Family Amazed After Seeing What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally people who never ask for help .
They ’ re humble , ” Eaton told TODAY .
“ They ’ re not asking for handouts or assistance.
” The Secret Santa has certainly done an excellent job at spreading holiday cheer , and God willing , he will continue to bless Idaho residents with his generosity .
With more than 200,000 miles on her previous vehicle , however , you can bet Boldman was overjoyed at the prospect of a replacement .
“ Wow .
Oh , my goodness , ” Boldman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about her gift .
“ Tell the Secret Santa : Thank you ever so much.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When it comes to charitably giving back, there is no time like the Christmas season.
According to People magazine, a 65-year-old Idaho grandmother was the recipient of just that type of generosity this year, with the gift of a brand new car.
Diana Boldman works full-time at a Mcdonald’s restaurant to support her husband, Cameron, who the East Idaho News reports is on disability.
As if that weren’t enough, Boldman also wakes up early every morning before her shift to deliver 150 newspapers in a worn-out van.
The Idaho senior’s hard work has apparently not gone unnoticed in her community, however, and seemed to catch the eye of a local Secret Santa that has been surprising neighbors with anonymous gifts for the last six years.
This year, the video shows that Secret Santa anonymously surprised Boldman with a green box containing $1,000 and $5,000 in gas cards.
As if that were not enough, the thankful grandmother was gifted the keys to a brand new Hyundai Tucson as well.
The gifts were delivered by East Idaho News reporter Nate Eaton, while Boldman worked a shift sometime before Thanksgiving.
Eaton has acted on behalf of the anonymous gift-giver several times in recent years, earning himself the “Santa’s Little Helper” nickname from NPR in the process.
As Eaton informed the outlet, he had received a random phone call in 2015 from a local seeking aid in an effort to help members of his community with roughly $100,000 in gifts for the Christmas season.
“I want to be sure that the money goes to people who truly need it,” the anonymous caller reportedly told him.
“People that would never ask for a handout, people that, you know, are working hard. They’ve just run out of money and they’ve run out of luck.”
In a subsequent interview with TODAY, Eaton revealed the Secret Santa had given out $500,000 worth of gifts just last year and voiced intentions to continue the trend with expanded giving this year.
“These are generally people who never ask for help. They’re humble,” Eaton told TODAY. “They’re not asking for handouts or assistance.”
The Secret Santa has certainly done an excellent job at spreading holiday cheer, and God willing, he will continue to bless Idaho residents with his generosity.
With more than 200,000 miles on her previous vehicle, however, you can bet Boldman was overjoyed at the prospect of a replacement.
“Wow. Oh, my goodness,” Boldman repeated with every new detail Eaton revealed about her gift.
“Tell the Secret Santa: Thank you ever so much.”
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--IED Took Marine’s Legs, After 13 Years of Perseverance He’s Officially Sworn in as a Police Officer

What happens to a dream deferred ?
For one Marine , it meant never giving up in the depths of adversity and getting there in the end .
Zach Briseno had always planned on joining the Forth Worth Police Department in Texas , according to WFAA-TV .
Then came Fallujah .
On Nov. 29 , 2007 , an IED explosion hit the Humvee in which he was riding and took both of his legs .
He expected to die .
“ I just remember telling them , ‘ Hey , tell my son I love him , ’ because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Briseno said in a video about his quest to become a police officer , Recovery and what Briseno called “ a rollercoaster of emotions ” followed .
But the dream lived on .
Briseno said his outlook was this : “ Let me show you .
I ’ m going to find a way to show you how to do it.
” Prosthetic legs led him to consider how far he could go .
First steps were followed by hard training .
“ That part of people saying it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your mind , ” he told KXAS-TV .
“ You ’ re psyching yourself out at that point if you say , ‘ I have this problem.
’ No .
How bad do you want it ?
How hard do you want to work for it ?
” The challenges did not end when he entered the police academy .
A bout with COVID-19 put the 35-year-old in the hospital for 10 days .
RELATED : Teens Form Human Chain To Save Lives of Two Children Who Had Fallen Into Icy Pond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 graduates of this year ’ s police academy class .
“ Don ’ t give up , ” he told KCAX .
“ Leave the past in the past and keep moving forward .
Our time tomorrow isn ’ t always promised .
You ’ ve got to make the best today.
” “ You can do anything you want to do , you just really have to put the work in for it , ” he added in the video .
“ It may cost you some blood , sweat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad enough , you can do it.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

What happens to a dream deferred? For one Marine, it meant never giving up in the depths of adversity and getting there in the end.
Zach Briseno had always planned on joining the Forth Worth Police Department in Texas, according to WFAA-TV.
Then came Fallujah. On Nov. 29, 2007, an IED explosion hit the Humvee in which he was riding and took both of his legs. He expected to die.
“I just remember telling them, ‘Hey, tell my son I love him,’ because he was the only child that I had,” Briseno said in a video about his quest to become a police officer,
Recovery and what Briseno called “a rollercoaster of emotions” followed.
But the dream lived on.
Briseno said his outlook was this: “Let me show you. I’m going to find a way to show you how to do it.”
Prosthetic legs led him to consider how far he could go. First steps were followed by hard training.
@NDFootball & @Rangers fan AND @fortworthpd Officer Zach Briseno is an inspiration to all of us. Zach is only the 2nd double-amputee police officer in the United States.https://t.co/Hf2nEdZgWY — Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) December 11, 2020
“That part of people saying it’s a disability, that’s all in your mind,” he told KXAS-TV. “You’re psyching yourself out at that point if you say, ‘I have this problem.’ No. How bad do you want it? How hard do you want to work for it?”
The challenges did not end when he entered the police academy.
A bout with COVID-19 put the 35-year-old in the hospital for 10 days.
He came back to become one of 24 graduates of this year’s police academy class.
Briseno shared his secret of success.
“Don’t give up,” he told KCAX. “Leave the past in the past and keep moving forward. Our time tomorrow isn’t always promised. You’ve got to make the best today.”
“You can do anything you want to do, you just really have to put the work in for it,” he added in the video. “It may cost you some blood, sweat and tears, but if you want it bad enough, you can do it.”
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--70-Year-Old Taco Bell Employee Receives Tip Worth Over $6,000: ‘His Spirit Is Just Magical’

Most people wouldn ’ t consider working at a fast-food restaurant “ groundbreaking , ” but that ’ s because most people aren ’ t 70-year-old Taco Bell Joe .
Taco Bell Joe , also known as Joe DeCicco , hails from Daytona , Florida , where he ’ s worked at a local Taco Bell for nearly two decades .
And in that time , he ’ s made a difference .
He ’ s bright , he ’ s chatty , he ’ s personable — and he was just shown gratitude in the form of an unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love him so much .
It began when Tricia Phillippi ran a contest on a Facebook page for local foodies .
The group ’ s members identified Joe as their “ favorite employee , ” according to Newsweek .
The original plan was to award the winner with $ 50 , but then the members decided that wasn ’ t enough for someone as priceless as Joe .
Video of the reveal posted last weekend shows Phillippi presenting Joe , who is reeling in shock and awe , with a giant check listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m a little speechless right now too , but the original prize was a $ 50 cash prize , ” Phillippi said in the video .
“ And after I saw all the comments that were coming through about the kindness — the kindness that you have been giving people for more than 20 years , making all of us your friend and giving us exceptional service , on the behalf of the foodie review page and all of your friends here within your community , I ’ m so proud to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 6,095 .
“ Thank you for your amazing customer service and for being friends to all of us .
Happy holidays , Joe .
Joe , true to form , immediately turned the attention onto his workplace and customers .
“ This job has been an enormous blessing to me , ” he said .
“ It has brought out the best in me with the wonderful customers that we have .
“ They gave me strength .
They give me wisdom .
They give me vitality .
And these wonderful people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have put grace into my Christmas .
RELATED : Canadian Man Drives Over 1,000 Miles To Help American Family Stuck in Snow “ It ’ s my customers that I owe this to .
They bring out the best in me .
It ’ s them .
I couldn ’ t do it without their help.
” Phillippi posted photos and video on Facebook from the heartwarming reveal .
“ This is my favorite moment of 2020 , ” she shared on Dec. 18 .
“ I ’ m so blessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of kind , compassionate , loving people .
“ God knew exactly what he was doing when he placed me here .
Merry Christmas Taco Bell Joe , you are the true model of kindness and selflessness.
” In speaking with Newsweek , Phillippi reiterated that “ he deserves the recognition , ” adding “ he truly is the kindest , most gentle , most wonderful man , ” and that “ his spirit is just magical.
” No doubt this is a Christmas that Taco Bell Joe will remember and appreciate through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as he ’ s appreciated and loved by his customers .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Most people wouldn’t consider working at a fast-food restaurant “groundbreaking,” but that’s because most people aren’t 70-year-old Taco Bell Joe.
Taco Bell Joe, also known as Joe DeCicco, hails from Daytona, Florida, where he’s worked at a local Taco Bell for nearly two decades. And in that time, he’s made a difference.
He’s bright, he’s chatty, he’s personable — and he was just shown gratitude in the form of an unexpected cash prize because he has customers who love him so much.
It began when Tricia Phillippi ran a contest on a Facebook page for local foodies. The group’s members identified Joe as their “favorite employee,” according to Newsweek.
The original plan was to award the winner with $50, but then the members decided that wasn’t enough for someone as priceless as Joe.
Video of the reveal posted last weekend shows Phillippi presenting Joe, who is reeling in shock and awe, with a giant check listed at over $6,000.
“I’m a little speechless right now too, but the original prize was a $50 cash prize,” Phillippi said in the video.
“And after I saw all the comments that were coming through about the kindness — the kindness that you have been giving people for more than 20 years, making all of us your friend and giving us exceptional service, on the behalf of the foodie review page and all of your friends here within your community, I’m so proud to present you with a cash prize of $6,095.
“Thank you for your amazing customer service and for being friends to all of us. Happy holidays, Joe.
“You deserve every single penny of it.”
Joe, true to form, immediately turned the attention onto his workplace and customers.
“This job has been an enormous blessing to me,” he said. “It has brought out the best in me with the wonderful customers that we have.
“They gave me strength. They give me wisdom. They give me vitality. And these wonderful people have been true to me for Christmas. They have put grace into my Christmas.
“It’s my customers that I owe this to. They bring out the best in me. It’s them. I couldn’t do it without their help.”
Phillippi posted photos and video on Facebook from the heartwarming reveal.
“This is my favorite moment of 2020,” she shared on Dec. 18. “I’m so blessed to live in such amazing community full of kind, compassionate, loving people.
“God knew exactly what he was doing when he placed me here. Merry Christmas Taco Bell Joe, you are the true model of kindness and selflessness.”
In speaking with Newsweek, Phillippi reiterated that “he deserves the recognition,” adding “he truly is the kindest, most gentle, most wonderful man,” and that “his spirit is just magical.”
No doubt this is a Christmas that Taco Bell Joe will remember and appreciate through the rest of his life, almost as much as he’s appreciated and loved by his customers.
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--Far-Left Journalist Arrested in Connection with Anti-Police Firebombing

A far-left journalist working in Arkansas was among four suspects arrested last week in connection with firebombings of police vehicles amid Black Lives Matter protests over the summer .
Left-wing journalist Renea Baek Goddard is alleged to be associated with a group of three people who tossed a Molotov cocktail at an Arkansas State Police vehicle on Aug. 28 at state police headquarters .
A fourth person allegedly helped toss Molotov cocktails toward Little Rock Police Department vehicles outside a department substation during a protest on Aug. 25 .
Goddard has interned for Arkansas Public Media , reported for KUAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Autostraddle , according to her LinkedIn and Medium pages .
“ As more and more white supremacists try to rebrand themselves , journalists have a responsibility to be vigilant , ” she wrote in a column for Truthout in 2019 .
“ There needs to be an end to this farce that neutrality necessitates taking a centrist position.
” Her personal website , meanwhile , says that she “ focuses on local and state news , but she also enjoys writing commentary on issues like mass incarceration , U.S militarism , and identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advocacy journalism.
” After a months-long investigation , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas alleged that Goddard , Brittany Jeffrey , Emily Nowlin and Aline Espinosa-Villegas were responsible for the targeted attacks on the police vehicles .
Goddard , Nowlin and Espinosa-Villegas are being charged in connection with the Aug. 28 incident , during which they also allegedly slashed police car tires , while Jeffrey is being charged for allegedly helping to carry out the Aug. 25 attack .
“ Today ’ s arrests send a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be tolerated , ” U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland said in a statement .
“ Breaking into a police compound and fire bombing a police vehicle with a homemade explosive device is clearly not a peaceful protest.
” He added , “ Those who would target law enforcement with violent acts will not do so in the Eastern District of Arkansas without the full resources of the federal government being deployed to assist our state and local partners in bringing those responsible to justice .
They will be prosecuted to the fullest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been previously arrested and charged with obstructing government operations while violating a local curfew during a protest on June 2 , The Post-Millenial reported .
The other three suspects have also been linked to far-left activism .
Jeffrey reportedly live-streamed her arrest on Facebook , and the video showed her refusing to exit her car until the officers told her what the federal warrant was for , according to The Post-Millennial .
The video ended after her phone was confiscated , and she has since been released from police custody , the outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd and has been arrested a number of times .
Espinosa-Villegas , a transgender Chilean national , has also been arrested multiple times following protests and was being held at Pulaski County Detention Center without bond on federal charges , according to The Post-Millenial .
Nowlin faces charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct , in addition to the firebombing charges , for allegedly blocking traffic during a June 2 protest .
The four defendants made their first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Volpe on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A far-left journalist working in Arkansas was among four suspects arrested last week in connection with firebombings of police vehicles amid Black Lives Matter protests over the summer.
Left-wing journalist Renea Baek Goddard is alleged to be associated with a group of three people who tossed a Molotov cocktail at an Arkansas State Police vehicle on Aug. 28 at state police headquarters. A fourth person allegedly helped toss Molotov cocktails toward Little Rock Police Department vehicles outside a department substation during a protest on Aug. 25.
Goddard has interned for Arkansas Public Media, reported for KUAR Public Radio and contributed to LGBT magazine Autostraddle, according to her LinkedIn and Medium pages.
“As more and more white supremacists try to rebrand themselves, journalists have a responsibility to be vigilant,” she wrote in a column for Truthout in 2019. “There needs to be an end to this farce that neutrality necessitates taking a centrist position.”
Her personal website, meanwhile, says that she “focuses on local and state news, but she also enjoys writing commentary on issues like mass incarceration, U.S militarism, and identity politics,” and “is interested in advocacy journalism.”
After a months-long investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas alleged that Goddard, Brittany Jeffrey, Emily Nowlin and Aline Espinosa-Villegas were responsible for the targeted attacks on the police vehicles.
Goddard, Nowlin and Espinosa-Villegas are being charged in connection with the Aug. 28 incident, during which they also allegedly slashed police car tires, while Jeffrey is being charged for allegedly helping to carry out the Aug. 25 attack.
“Today’s arrests send a message that violence targeted toward law enforcement will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland said in a statement.
“Breaking into a police compound and fire bombing a police vehicle with a homemade explosive device is clearly not a peaceful protest.”
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He added, “Those who would target law enforcement with violent acts will not do so in the Eastern District of Arkansas without the full resources of the federal government being deployed to assist our state and local partners in bringing those responsible to justice. They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Goddard had been previously arrested and charged with obstructing government operations while violating a local curfew during a protest on June 2, The Post-Millenial reported.
The other three suspects have also been linked to far-left activism.
Jeffrey reportedly live-streamed her arrest on Facebook, and the video showed her refusing to exit her car until the officers told her what the federal warrant was for, according to The Post-Millennial.
The video ended after her phone was confiscated, and she has since been released from police custody, the outlet reported.
Jeffrey has led other Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd and has been arrested a number of times.
Espinosa-Villegas, a transgender Chilean national, has also been arrested multiple times following protests and was being held at Pulaski County Detention Center without bond on federal charges, according to The Post-Millenial.
Nowlin faces charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, in addition to the firebombing charges, for allegedly blocking traffic during a June 2 protest.
The four defendants made their first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Volpe on Dec. 17.
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westernjournal--2020-12-26--Start Your 2021 Reading Resolution Off with 5 Conservative Classics

Christmas may have just passed us by , but the new year is right around the bend — and you know what that means .
Resolutions .
Resolutions that last a week , resolutions that last a month and , if you are truly strong-willed , resolutions that live out the entire year .
Your local gym , which will likely be absolutely packed on Jan. 1 , just might be empty by February .
A ghost town in the year ’ s opening weeks , the waiting area at McDonald ’ s may be seeing more traffic by March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all the characters authored into their third or fourth chapter , then abandoned by April .
If you are resolved to read more in the new year , however , allow us to lend a little support with a list of five conservative classics to toss on your nightstand .
All right , I would be lying if I said this was anything but the hardest decision on this list .
From “ Brave New World ” to “ Atlas Shrugged , ” there is simply more collectivist dystopian fiction in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick at .
Could I just group them all together ?
Who could blame me if I did ?
I mean , how could anybody choose just one ?
Of course , when I finally caved and went to editorial with the dilemma , I found out how .
In fact , I found out exactly which one everybody else would pick as well .
“ 1984 , ” said every Western Journal employee who outranks me , from the cat we keep downstairs to our editor-in-chief , George Upper , who called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fiction of the bunch .
On reflection , he could not have been more correct .
( And I would never say that just to get him off my case . )
George Orwell ’ s unequivocal magnum opus , “ 1984 ” is a definitive work of fiction when it comes to the topics of individuality , censorship and the abominable nature of big government .
In fact , he quite literally coined the popular anti-government epithet “ Big Brother.
” And his brief , accessible story of global superpowers surveilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to exhibit subconscious control over the general public is — as you have likely heard a thousand times — oddly reminiscent of the modern political and pop-cultural landscape , albeit it on a much smaller scale .
Main character Winston Smith ’ s tragic war against the Oceanian propaganda machine is an emotional must-read warning about the power of words and the immorality of shameless , all-encompassing authority .
On the flip side , it might also be best for modern conservatives to familiarize themselves with the bold words of “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All Conservatives Can Get Behind - And They 're Found in Video Games As the believers in our audience hopefully know , you can never spend too much time in the Word .
We are often told , from the pews to the parables of Jesus , that the Word of God is a powerful seed .
When watered well and cared for properly , it has a tendency to take root deep within the heart and bear fantastic fruit in every area of a believer ’ s life .
Every page is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alike .
From the flawed , yet faithful example of the Old Testament heroes to the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ ’ s life , death and resurrection , there is nothing in the Word that a believer can not learn from and no excuse for missing an opportunity to read it more frequently this coming year .
None of this is to say that the Word is for Christian readers alone , however .
In fact , there is no question that “ The Bible ” should rest high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and time again , “ The Bible ” has gone down as the “ most influential ” piece of writing ever published .
Western civilization was , quite literally , crafted by historical characters who held the work in high esteem , from the Roman and British empires to the American founding .
The morality laid out within its pages shaped modern society — making it worth a read , if only to see where it is we come from culturally .
Who knows , it might even change your life .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copy of the single most important work written at the time of the American founding .
No , we are not about to suggest the Declaration of Independence , the U.S. Constitution or even Thomas Paine ’ s “ Common Sense ” — though a great number of Americans would likely benefit from brushing up on those as well .
Instead , take a step beyond the classic texts prescribed in high school civics this coming year and venture forth into the oft-cited pages of “ The Federalist Papers.
” Penned by Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the collective pseudonym “ Publius , ” the 85 collected essays were initially published in popular national periodicals between October 1787 and May 1788 , with the hope of convincing American audiences the ratification of a broader federal system of government was necessary .
All famed figures in the revolution , the three authors were among the first to come down in favor of such a system when the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the poorly respected Articles of Confederation , which left the states unequally represented and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act in matters of defense and diplomacy .
When arguments in favor of such institutions as an independent judiciary , bicameral legislature and Electoral College finally won out , the Constitution as we know it was drafted — and successful arguments in favor were collected for presentation to the educated public .
To this day , those 85 essays remain the strongest and most important defense of America ’ s treasured institutions , no matter what your misguided and misinformed peers post on Facebook or Twitter .
It should almost go without saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is a book every American with even a shred of conservative instinct should read in their lifetime .
Of course , we aren ’ t talking about the coward ’ s guide to conservatism published by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona a year and a half before his 2019 departure from Congress .
We are , instead , talking about the 1960s classic that kick-started the engine of modern conservatism .
Written by failed 1964 presidential candidate and Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona , “ The Conscience of a Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak of modern political philosophy .
Coming shortly after former President Dwight Eisenhower and former Vice President Richard Nixon ’ s efforts to emphasize fiscal responsibility as a core tenet of the Republican Party , Goldwater ’ s work is a brief , bellowing call for renewed social conservatism which resonated on to ignite the Reagan Revolution and recenter the cultural ideals of the American right .
Belittling perennial claims that the conservative ideal was “ out of date , ” the roughly 100-page book effectively worked to “ bridge the gap between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Heritage Foundation , making traditional conservative positions on limited government , regulation , rights , welfare and education more palatable , where other figures from the era had simply hidden them .
In just four short years , the pithy print would in turn elevate Goldwater and his ideals to the national stage .
And where the ideological achievement failed to move the nation on Election Day , it succeeded in moving social conservatives for more than a generation .
‘ Righteous Indignation : Excuse Me While I Save the World !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ writings for the modern conservative is , admittedly , not a classic but a bombastic autobiography and political strategy guide from my personal idol , Andrew Breitbart .
Published in 2011 , “ Righteous Indignation ” is a humorous and deeply humanizing look at Breitbart ’ s journey from “ default liberal ” drunkard to trench-fighting Tea Party conservative .
It is a moving memoir that details every major moment in the late media legend ’ s life , from his lazy college years to his ideological awakening amid the Supreme Court confirmation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with famed liberal blogger Arianna Huffington to the founding of the Breitbart news network .
Beyond all that , however , the book also serves as a deep dive into the mentality and ideological underpinnings of the American left , covering everything from the Frankfurt School to the “ politics of personal destruction , ” and even former President Barack Obama ’ s masterful adoption of community organizing .
Giving the left its due and seeking to analyze its winning strategy , Breitbart does what he always did best here : Think outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wheel , attacking the left as foolish or suggesting a simple return to classical conservative thinking , Breitbart uses the pages of “ Righteous Indignation ” to encourage a more aggressive , small-government conservatism , as he breaks down for right-wing audiences the sound strategy of Saul Alinsky ’ s “ Rules for Radicals.
” The author ’ s only full-length work , “ Righteous Indignation ” is written for everyone from the media consumer to the conservative activist , and it ’ s well worth reading … and re-reading … and re-re-reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Christmas may have just passed us by, but the new year is right around the bend — and you know what that means.
Resolutions. Resolutions that last a week, resolutions that last a month and, if you are truly strong-willed, resolutions that live out the entire year.
Your local gym, which will likely be absolutely packed on Jan. 1, just might be empty by February. A ghost town in the year’s opening weeks, the waiting area at McDonald’s may be seeing more traffic by March. And boy, do I feel for all the characters authored into their third or fourth chapter, then abandoned by April.
If you are resolved to read more in the new year, however, allow us to lend a little support with a list of five conservative classics to toss on your nightstand.
‘1984’
All right, I would be lying if I said this was anything but the hardest decision on this list. From “Brave New World” to “Atlas Shrugged,” there is simply more collectivist dystopian fiction in this world than one could possibly shake a stick at. Could I just group them all together? Who could blame me if I did? I mean, how could anybody choose just one?
Of course, when I finally caved and went to editorial with the dilemma, I found out how. In fact, I found out exactly which one everybody else would pick as well.
“1984,” said every Western Journal employee who outranks me, from the cat we keep downstairs to our editor-in-chief, George Upper, who called it the “most predictive” work of fiction of the bunch.
On reflection, he could not have been more correct. (And I would never say that just to get him off my case.)
George Orwell’s 1984 portrays a dystopian world where Big Brother reigns supreme. Today, however, it reads more like a newspaper than a work of fiction. Dave Rubin @RubinReport explains how Orwellian society has become. pic.twitter.com/h4lOvgmRsQ — PragerU (@prageru) December 18, 2020
George Orwell’s unequivocal magnum opus, “1984” is a definitive work of fiction when it comes to the topics of individuality, censorship and the abominable nature of big government. In fact, he quite literally coined the popular anti-government epithet “Big Brother.”
And his brief, accessible story of global superpowers surveilling, curtailing and redefining speech in an effort to exhibit subconscious control over the general public is — as you have likely heard a thousand times — oddly reminiscent of the modern political and pop-cultural landscape, albeit it on a much smaller scale.
Main character Winston Smith’s tragic war against the Oceanian propaganda machine is an emotional must-read warning about the power of words and the immorality of shameless, all-encompassing authority.
‘The Bible’
On the flip side, it might also be best for modern conservatives to familiarize themselves with the bold words of “The Holy Bible.”
As the believers in our audience hopefully know, you can never spend too much time in the Word. We are often told, from the pews to the parables of Jesus, that the Word of God is a powerful seed. When watered well and cared for properly, it has a tendency to take root deep within the heart and bear fantastic fruit in every area of a believer’s life. Every page is ripe with revelations about God and man alike.
Join our Two-Year Bible Reading Plan at https://t.co/UOMAPUvHso! pic.twitter.com/u9v8yVdekv — Family Research Council (@FRCdc) December 10, 2020
From the flawed, yet faithful example of the Old Testament heroes to the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, there is nothing in the Word that a believer cannot learn from and no excuse for missing an opportunity to read it more frequently this coming year.
None of this is to say that the Word is for Christian readers alone, however. In fact, there is no question that “The Bible” should rest high on any conservative reading list.
Time and time again, “The Bible” has gone down as the “most influential” piece of writing ever published. Western civilization was, quite literally, crafted by historical characters who held the work in high esteem, from the Roman and British empires to the American founding. The morality laid out within its pages shaped modern society — making it worth a read, if only to see where it is we come from culturally.
Who knows, it might even change your life.
‘The Federalist Papers’
It may also be worth dusting off a copy of the single most important work written at the time of the American founding.
No, we are not about to suggest the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution or even Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” — though a great number of Americans would likely benefit from brushing up on those as well.
Do you intend to do more reading in the new year? 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% (200 Votes) No: 4% (8 Votes)
Instead, take a step beyond the classic texts prescribed in high school civics this coming year and venture forth into the oft-cited pages of “The Federalist Papers.”
Penned by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay under the collective pseudonym “Publius,” the 85 collected essays were initially published in popular national periodicals between October 1787 and May 1788, with the hope of convincing American audiences the ratification of a broader federal system of government was necessary.
(1/3) Madison: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary… pic.twitter.com/A4OchtXEMJ — Larry O’Connor (@LarryOConnor) May 9, 2020
All famed figures in the revolution, the three authors were among the first to come down in favor of such a system when the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the poorly respected Articles of Confederation, which left the states unequally represented and gave the national government little authority to act in matters of defense and diplomacy.
When arguments in favor of such institutions as an independent judiciary, bicameral legislature and Electoral College finally won out, the Constitution as we know it was drafted — and successful arguments in favor were collected for presentation to the educated public.
To this day, those 85 essays remain the strongest and most important defense of America’s treasured institutions, no matter what your misguided and misinformed peers post on Facebook or Twitter.
‘The Conscience of a Conservative’
It should almost go without saying that “The Conscience of a Conservative” is a book every American with even a shred of conservative instinct should read in their lifetime.
Of course, we aren’t talking about the coward’s guide to conservatism published by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona a year and a half before his 2019 departure from Congress. We are, instead, talking about the 1960s classic that kick-started the engine of modern conservatism.
Written by failed 1964 presidential candidate and Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona, “The Conscience of a Conservative” is a moral masterclass at the peak of modern political philosophy.
Coming shortly after former President Dwight Eisenhower and former Vice President Richard Nixon’s efforts to emphasize fiscal responsibility as a core tenet of the Republican Party, Goldwater’s work is a brief, bellowing call for renewed social conservatism which resonated on to ignite the Reagan Revolution and recenter the cultural ideals of the American right.
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” — Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, Republican Nomination Acceptance Speech (1964) — Arizona Republican Party (@AZGOP) December 20, 2020
Belittling perennial claims that the conservative ideal was “out of date,” the roughly 100-page book effectively worked to “bridge the gap between theory and practice,” according to The Heritage Foundation, making traditional conservative positions on limited government, regulation, rights, welfare and education more palatable, where other figures from the era had simply hidden them.
In just four short years, the pithy print would in turn elevate Goldwater and his ideals to the national stage. And where the ideological achievement failed to move the nation on Election Day, it succeeded in moving social conservatives for more than a generation.
‘Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World!’
Last on this list of must-read writings for the modern conservative is, admittedly, not a classic but a bombastic autobiography and political strategy guide from my personal idol, Andrew Breitbart.
Published in 2011, “Righteous Indignation” is a humorous and deeply humanizing look at Breitbart’s journey from “default liberal” drunkard to trench-fighting Tea Party conservative. It is a moving memoir that details every major moment in the late media legend’s life, from his lazy college years to his ideological awakening amid the Supreme Court confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas, his work with famed liberal blogger Arianna Huffington to the founding of the Breitbart news network.
Beyond all that, however, the book also serves as a deep dive into the mentality and ideological underpinnings of the American left, covering everything from the Frankfurt School to the “politics of personal destruction,” and even former President Barack Obama’s masterful adoption of community organizing.
“I only have two speeds, jocularity and righteous indignation” – Andrew Breitbart. #FF @TheRebelTV. — Sheila Gunn Reid (@SheilaGunnReid) February 21, 2015
Giving the left its due and seeking to analyze its winning strategy, Breitbart does what he always did best here: Think outside the box.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, attacking the left as foolish or suggesting a simple return to classical conservative thinking, Breitbart uses the pages of “Righteous Indignation” to encourage a more aggressive, small-government conservatism, as he breaks down for right-wing audiences the sound strategy of Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals.”
The author’s only full-length work, “Righteous Indignation” is written for everyone from the media consumer to the conservative activist, and it’s well worth reading … and re-reading … and re-re-reading.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-12-26--Press Sec Kayleigh McEnany Always Wears a Visible Cross, Now She’s Finally Explaining Why

If you ’ ve watched White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany throughout her time at the podium this year , you ’ ve likely noticed that trademark golden cross necklace she adorns .
The 32-year-old mother of one told The Daily Caller in a recent interview that she wears that cross to honor Christ because it ’ s the least she can do to serve and honor him — day in and day out .
When McEnany isn ’ t battling the left ’ s activist reporters in the White House press pool , she ’ s raising her infant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Major League Baseball player Sean Gilmartin .
But she ’ s also a woman of strong faith , as she ’ s clearly stated in the past .
Perhaps one would have to have that strong connection with God to confidently face the gauntlet of nasty and loaded questions she does every time she attempts to do her job .
That job is to keep the public up to date about what ’ s going on in the White House and with President Donald Trump — and the mainstream media never makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceedingly well , by the way .
When speaking with The Daily Caller earlier this week , McEnany was finally asked some questions that were long overdue .
The mother , wife , Christian , and hard working professional got a chance to answer a few easy questions , which was refreshing as the leftist establishment media has never been too keen on giving her the chance to tell people about herself .
The media , of course , only reserve its softball questions for Democrats .
When speaking partially about that bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with The Daily Caller ’ s Mary Margaret Olohan , McEnany was finally asked a little bit about herself .
The answers to her questions were of course thoughtful and insightful .
“ I always see that you visibly wear a cross and that ’ s not something that all Americans do .
A lot of Americans feel a little awkward about wearing a cross in public and maybe don ’ t want to talk about their faith .
Can you explain a little bit why you wear a cross so visibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olohan asked McEnany .
“ Because faith is the reason I ’ m here , ” the press secretary said .
“ It was an unlikely path to getting here.
” McEnany reminded Olohan that she was once a young intern for the administration of former President George W. Bush .
“ I ’ ll never forget watching Dana Perino give her press briefing — never thinking that I would one day be behind that podium , ” she said .
“ It never was my goal , I always wanted to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really set out for that position.
” RELATED : Here 's How the Establishment Media Is Using Mayor Pete To Erase Trump 's Legacy “ It all fit together like a woven web because God had a path lined up for me as He does for each and every person on Earth and all you have to do is trust Him and follow the path and pray and he makes all the dots fit together , ” McEnany said .
“ And the very least I can do is wear the cross , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died on to save humanity , Jesus Christ , ” McEnany added .
The answer to Olohan ’ s question came easy for McEnany , who arguably embodies everything the left finds disdainful about conservative women .
The press secretary balances the virtues of intellect , strength , family and motherhood , and she isn ’ t shy about outwardly celebrating her faith , either .
She ’ s turned the tables on the establishment media since her first briefing on May 1 .
As the adage goes : in a time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a revolutionary act .
McEnany is of course a master of exposing the media ’ s deceit and of correcting the record .
She appears to always have the upper hand in a game of chess being played with a media whose job it is to take her down .
But she has of course shined since day one and perhaps her unrelenting faith is the reason why .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you’ve watched White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany throughout her time at the podium this year, you’ve likely noticed that trademark golden cross necklace she adorns.
The 32-year-old mother of one told The Daily Caller in a recent interview that she wears that cross to honor Christ because it’s the least she can do to serve and honor him — day in and day out.
When McEnany isn’t battling the left’s activist reporters in the White House press pool, she’s raising her infant daughter or spending time with her husband, Major League Baseball player Sean Gilmartin. But she’s also a woman of strong faith, as she’s clearly stated in the past.
Perhaps one would have to have that strong connection with God to confidently face the gauntlet of nasty and loaded questions she does every time she attempts to do her job. That job is to keep the public up to date about what’s going on in the White House and with President Donald Trump — and the mainstream media never makes it easy.
She does that job exceedingly well, by the way.
When speaking with The Daily Caller earlier this week, McEnany was finally asked some questions that were long overdue. The mother, wife, Christian, and hard working professional got a chance to answer a few easy questions, which was refreshing as the leftist establishment media has never been too keen on giving her the chance to tell people about herself.
The media, of course, only reserve its softball questions for Democrats.
When speaking partially about that bias in a media in a sit-down video interview with The Daily Caller’s Mary Margaret Olohan, McEnany was finally asked a little bit about herself. The answers to her questions were of course thoughtful and insightful.
Do you think Kayleigh McEnany gets enough credit for how she's handled her time as press secretary? 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: 3% (33 Votes) No: 97% (937 Votes)
“I always see that you visibly wear a cross and that’s not something that all Americans do. A lot of Americans feel a little awkward about wearing a cross in public and maybe don’t want to talk about their faith. Can you explain a little bit why you wear a cross so visibly every day on national television?” Olohan asked McEnany.
“Because faith is the reason I’m here,” the press secretary said. “It was an unlikely path to getting here.”
McEnany reminded Olohan that she was once a young intern for the administration of former President George W. Bush.
“I’ll never forget watching Dana Perino give her press briefing — never thinking that I would one day be behind that podium,” she said. “It never was my goal, I always wanted to be in politics and media, but never really set out for that position.”
“It all fit together like a woven web because God had a path lined up for me as He does for each and every person on Earth and all you have to do is trust Him and follow the path and pray and he makes all the dots fit together,” McEnany said.
“And the very least I can do is wear the cross, a symbol the very instrument that He died on to save humanity, Jesus Christ,” McEnany added.
The answer to Olohan’s question came easy for McEnany, who arguably embodies everything the left finds disdainful about conservative women. The press secretary balances the virtues of intellect, strength, family and motherhood, and she isn’t shy about outwardly celebrating her faith, either.
She’s turned the tables on the establishment media since her first briefing on May 1. As the adage goes: in a time of universal deceit — telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
McEnany is of course a master of exposing the media’s deceit and of correcting the record. She appears to always have the upper hand in a game of chess being played with a media whose job it is to take her down.
But she has of course shone since day one and perhaps her unrelenting faith is the reason why.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.