westernjournal--2020-08-06--Oops: Tourist Breaks Toes off 200-Year-Old Statue While Posing for Photo

Museums are wonderful places full of beauty and history .
Even from a young age , many of us are taught to look , but not touch .
Some teachers and parents even train their kids to lace their fingers behind their backs to fend off the temptation .
But then there are those who like to get up close and personal .
On Friday , one tourist got a little too up close and personal with a statue at the Gipsoteca Museum in Possagno , Italy .
The 200-year-old statue , Antonio Canova ’ s “ Paolina Bonaparte , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The subsequent marble statue is in Rome .
Plaster is not nearly as durable as marble , but that didn ’ t seem to put off the 50-year-old Austrian tourist who almost certainly knew better than to cozy up with the museum ’ s inhabitants .
According to what police told CNN , the man sat on the base of the statue and “ sprawled over the statue ” while a woman with him took his photo .
In the process , however , the tourist accidentally hit the statue ’ s toes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without saying a word , the couple left , and the damage only became apparent when a room guard caught on and notified the authorities .
Vittorio Sgarbi , the president of the Antonio Canova Foundation , posted on social media calling for swift action .
“ I ask for clarity and penalty to the police and the judiciary , ” he wrote in a translated post , “ … identifying with security tools the unconscious vandal , and not allowing him to go unpunished and return home .
The scar in Canova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all , showing the man lying on the statue , breaking off the toes and then quickly moving off once he realized what had happened .
In an odd turn of events , the man may never have been identified if it hadn ’ t been for the coronavirus .
As a safety measure , the museum had all guests list their names and contact information upon entry in case an outbreak occurred .
RELATED : Rare 1776 Continental Dollar Purchased for Less Than $ 1 at Flea Market Actually Worth Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her name and her husband ’ s , and when she was contacted she broke down in tears and confessed that it was her husband who had done the damage .
The man called his faux pas a “ stupid move , ” and a Treviso court is currently deciding whether to press charges .
“ We reiterate that our heritage must be protected , ” the museum posted on Facebook .
“ [ A ] dopting responsible behavior within the Museum while respecting the works and goods preserved in it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign of respect for what our history and culture testifies and that must be proudly handed down to future generations.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Museums are wonderful places full of beauty and history. Even from a young age, many of us are taught to look, but not touch. Some teachers and parents even train their kids to lace their fingers behind their backs to fend off the temptation.
But then there are those who like to get up close and personal. On Friday, one tourist got a little too up close and personal with a statue at the Gipsoteca Museum in Possagno, Italy.
The 200-year-old statue, Antonio Canova’s “Paolina Bonaparte,” is a plaster cast model. The subsequent marble statue is in Rome.
Plaster is not nearly as durable as marble, but that didn’t seem to put off the 50-year-old Austrian tourist who almost certainly knew better than to cozy up with the museum’s inhabitants.
According to what police told CNN, the man sat on the base of the statue and “sprawled over the statue” while a woman with him took his photo.
In the process, however, the tourist accidentally hit the statue’s toes, breaking off three of them.
Without saying a word, the couple left, and the damage only became apparent when a room guard caught on and notified the authorities.
Vittorio Sgarbi, the president of the Antonio Canova Foundation, posted on social media calling for swift action.
“I ask for clarity and penalty to the police and the judiciary,” he wrote in a translated post, “… identifying with security tools the unconscious vandal, and not allowing him to go unpunished and return home. The scar in Canova is unacceptable.”
The security camera caught it all, showing the man lying on the statue, breaking off the toes and then quickly moving off once he realized what had happened.
In an odd turn of events, the man may never have been identified if it hadn’t been for the coronavirus. As a safety measure, the museum had all guests list their names and contact information upon entry in case an outbreak occurred.
The wife had apparently written in her name and her husband’s, and when she was contacted she broke down in tears and confessed that it was her husband who had done the damage.
The man called his faux pas a “stupid move,” and a Treviso court is currently deciding whether to press charges.
“We reiterate that our heritage must be protected,” the museum posted on Facebook. “[A]dopting responsible behavior within the Museum while respecting the works and goods preserved in it is not only a civic duty, but a sign of respect for what our history and culture testifies and that must be proudly handed down to future generations.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-06--‘What Utter, Racist BS’: Ted Cruz Rips Oprah

Forgive me , reader , for I have sinned : I once purchased ( and read ) a Michael Moore book .
It was New Year ’ s Eve eve of 2003 and , returning from spending Christmas with family and facing a red-eye from LAX to Newark Airport , I realized I ’ d forgotten my reading material .
Moore ’ s “ Dude , Where ’ s My Country ?
” was heavily discounted in the terminal bookstore .
I was mildly curious and very broke — plus , I ’ m guessing “ Atlas Shrugged ” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t big sellers when people are just looking for something to take their mind off of popping ears and crying babies on their way to Minneapolis .
The vast majority of it was risible — and 17 years later , most of it remains so .
I remember agreeing with one thing in the book ( “ Mumia probably killed that guy ” ) , but the rest was rubbish that I suspect Moore barely even read , much less wrote .
Even then , it was short and undemanding enough that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten some sleep , no less — before the Continental 757 touched down in New Jersey .
I ’ ve long since lost the book and forgotten most of its contents , but one of Moore ’ s stranger ideas has stuck with me for over a decade and a half : He wanted Oprah Winfrey to run for president .
This was in the context of the 2004 election , where it was assumed , at that time , Moore ’ s Democrats would probably be nominating Howard Dean to face George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a very loud turn . )
Oprah , meanwhile , offered a televised lifestyle accoutrement to upper-middle-class women — who always seemed to be of a moderate-liberal bent , in my experience , but Oprah herself never ventured deeply enough into politics to get anyone to change the channel .
This changed four years later when she endorsed Barack Obama , but even then , the idea of Oprah as a presidential candidate seemed a bit farfetched .
After Donald Trump ’ s win in 2016 , however , people started taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because they concluded that the reason Donald Trump won was simply because he was a rich person on TV , proof there ’ s a legion of opinion leaders who ’ ll actively avoid getting the point if it means having to admit uncomfortable truths about their political worldview to themselves .
I always thought the Oprah-for-president idea was piffle , but I ’ m changing course , even though it ’ s too late for her to join the fray this year .
Oprah should be the Democratic nominee , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win .
After watching parts of her conversation with former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho , I ’ m convinced she ’ s the most visible , most on-brand personification of the new American wokeness .
Oprah is a woman who , in the midst of America ’ s cultural tumult , has the courage to tell it like it is .
Sure , she may be a billionaire , one of the most powerful media figures to stride upon this Earth — but she ’ s going to lecture you white people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are white people who are not as powerful as the system of white people — the caste system that ’ s been put in place — but they still , no matter where they are on the rung , or the ladder of success , they still have their whiteness , ” Oprah said during a recent episode of “ The Oprah Conversation , ” according to TheBlaze .
“ [ Whites have a ] leg up , ” she added .
“ You still have your whiteness .
That ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage , no matter .
It is the fundamental issue.
” So much wokeness .
So much power speaking truth to the common people .
And , as Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz pointed out on Twitter , so much “ utter , racist BS.
” The episode of Oprah ’ s new show , which streams on Apple TV+ , was titled “ Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man : Part 1.
” It ’ s unclear from that title who this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could quickly grasp the meaning from context .
RELATED : Even Lib Bill Maher Is Hopeless over 2020 Dems , Rips Candidates Apart in Brutal Routine “ I firmly believe that if the white person is your problem , only the white person can be your solution , ” said Acho , now a Fox Sports 1 analyst .
The “ solution , ” such as it was on the episode , involved ordinary white people spilling out their racism in scenes that felt eerily like Scientologist auditing for white privilege .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” who Winfrey said had “ become woke during this period , and realized in that awakening that you are racist.
” “ I was born in the ’ 70s , ” Seth said .
“ I was born and raised in Manhattan .
I ’ ve always considered myself to be liberal .
Now I ’ m not only a friend of people of color , but also an advocate … but this movement over the last month has been powerful .
… I realized that I couldn ’ t be not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a racist or an anti-racist , and I wasn ’ t — I ’ m not — an anti-racist.
” Another confessor , “ Lisa ” , admitted to having the same “ unconscious biases that white people have.
” These white privilege confessions seemed to have the intended message : “ Look , white America : If these people say they ’ re racist , how bad must you be ?
” Real racists , however , aren ’ t going to sit through this — and neither are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racists , including plenty of people who aren ’ t white .
Acho , for his part , said white suburbia was partially to blame .
“ Here ’ s what I told my friends with their white children , ” Acho said .
“ I said ‘ Y ’ all live in a white cul-de-sac , in a white neighborhood , in a white city , in a white state .
If you were not careful , your children will live their whole white life , and at 26 , 27 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the problem , because you just let them and allowed them to live a completely white , sheltered , and cultureless life.
” He added that “ white people — the proverbial phrase of white people — they run America .
CEOs , Fortune 500 companies , execs , ownership .
They run America .
Not an individual white person , but collective white people.
” It ’ s worth noting those are individual white people , however — “ CEOs , Fortune 500 companies , execs , ownership ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are shut out of those positions of running America , as well .
I understand liking one black media mogul doesn ’ t necessarily mean you ’ re not a racist , but I ’ d argue it makes you a lot less likely to be .
Whatever the case , there ’ s a difference between acknowledging racism and this sort of anaphylactic reaction , which will be summarily dismissed by anyone who wasn ’ t in lockstep with Oprah and her guests before they started watching .
One of the wealthiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all on how privileged we are just because of our race is farcical — and , as Ted Cruz noted , “ utter , racist BS.
” And yet , it ’ s very much of the moment .
Seventeen years later , Michael Moore ’ s tossed-off idea has fully ripened .
Sure , on the minutiae of how to run a nation , Oprah would be an empty vessel — but so is Joe Biden , at this point , and it ’ s difficult for a man who worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop forced busing in the 1970s to grasp the shibboleths of the new woke American left quite as easily as Oprah can .
She ’ s the candidate they want — and which they deserve .
Alas , Moore and Oprah will both just be celebrities making money off of telling their audience how awful they are .
If only she ’ d picked up “ Dude , Where ’ s My Country ?
” , maybe she could have turned that contempt into votes .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Forgive me, reader, for I have sinned: I once purchased (and read) a Michael Moore book.
It was New Year’s Eve eve of 2003 and, returning from spending Christmas with family and facing a red-eye from LAX to Newark Airport, I realized I’d forgotten my reading material. Moore’s “Dude, Where’s My Country?” was heavily discounted in the terminal bookstore. I was mildly curious and very broke — plus, I’m guessing “Atlas Shrugged” or “The Road to Serfdom” aren’t big sellers when people are just looking for something to take their mind off of popping ears and crying babies on their way to Minneapolis.
The vast majority of it was risible — and 17 years later, most of it remains so. I remember agreeing with one thing in the book (“Mumia probably killed that guy”), but the rest was rubbish that I suspect Moore barely even read, much less wrote. Even then, it was short and undemanding enough that I’d finished it — and gotten some sleep, no less — before the Continental 757 touched down in New Jersey.
I’ve long since lost the book and forgotten most of its contents, but one of Moore’s stranger ideas has stuck with me for over a decade and a half: He wanted Oprah Winfrey to run for president.
This was in the context of the 2004 election, where it was assumed, at that time, Moore’s Democrats would probably be nominating Howard Dean to face George W. Bush. (Things would soon take a very loud turn.) Oprah, meanwhile, offered a televised lifestyle accoutrement to upper-middle-class women — who always seemed to be of a moderate-liberal bent, in my experience, but Oprah herself never ventured deeply enough into politics to get anyone to change the channel.
This changed four years later when she endorsed Barack Obama, but even then, the idea of Oprah as a presidential candidate seemed a bit farfetched. After Donald Trump’s win in 2016, however, people started taking Moore’s idea seriously — if just because they concluded that the reason Donald Trump won was simply because he was a rich person on TV, proof there’s a legion of opinion leaders who’ll actively avoid getting the point if it means having to admit uncomfortable truths about their political worldview to themselves.
I always thought the Oprah-for-president idea was piffle, but I’m changing course, even though it’s too late for her to join the fray this year. Oprah should be the Democratic nominee, even though I don’t want her to win. After watching parts of her conversation with former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, I’m convinced she’s the most visible, most on-brand personification of the new American wokeness.
Oprah is a woman who, in the midst of America’s cultural tumult, has the courage to tell it like it is. Sure, she may be a billionaire, one of the most powerful media figures to stride upon this Earth — but she’s going to lecture you white people about your arrant privilege.
“There are white people who are not as powerful as the system of white people — the caste system that’s been put in place — but they still, no matter where they are on the rung, or the ladder of success, they still have their whiteness,” Oprah said during a recent episode of “The Oprah Conversation,” according to TheBlaze.
Did you think Oprah's message was racist? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (3537 Votes) No: 1% (18 Votes)
“[Whites have a] leg up,” she added. “You still have your whiteness. That’s what the term ‘white privilege’ is. It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage, no matter. It is the fundamental issue.”
So much wokeness. So much power speaking truth to the common people. And, as Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz pointed out on Twitter, so much “utter, racist BS.”
Billionaire Oprah lectures the rest of us: “You still have your whiteness. That’s what the term ‘white privilege’ is. It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage, no matter.” What utter, racist BS. https://t.co/02PADVJkrZ — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 5, 2020
The episode of Oprah’s new show, which streams on Apple TV+, was titled “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man: Part 1.” It’s unclear from that title who this was supposed to be uncomfortable for, although you could quickly grasp the meaning from context.
“I firmly believe that if the white person is your problem, only the white person can be your solution,” said Acho, now a Fox Sports 1 analyst.
The “solution,” such as it was on the episode, involved ordinary white people spilling out their racism in scenes that felt eerily like Scientologist auditing for white privilege.
There was a guest named “Seth” who Winfrey said had “become woke during this period, and realized in that awakening that you are racist.”
“I was born in the ’70s,” Seth said. “I was born and raised in Manhattan. I’ve always considered myself to be liberal. Now I’m not only a friend of people of color, but also an advocate … but this movement over the last month has been powerful. … I realized that I couldn’t be not racist. I realized that I either was a racist or an anti-racist, and I wasn’t — I’m not — an anti-racist.”
Another confessor, “Lisa”, admitted to having the same “unconscious biases that white people have.”
These white privilege confessions seemed to have the intended message: “Look, white America: If these people say they’re racist, how bad must you be?” Real racists, however, aren’t going to sit through this — and neither are a lot of other people who aren’t racists, including plenty of people who aren’t white.
Acho, for his part, said white suburbia was partially to blame.
“Here’s what I told my friends with their white children,” Acho said. “I said ‘Y’all live in a white cul-de-sac, in a white neighborhood, in a white city, in a white state. If you were not careful, your children will live their whole white life, and at 26, 27, they’ll end up being a part of the problem, because you just let them and allowed them to live a completely white, sheltered, and cultureless life.”
He added that “white people — the proverbial phrase of white people — they run America. CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, execs, ownership. They run America. Not an individual white person, but collective white people.”
It’s worth noting those are individual white people, however — “CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, execs, ownership” — whereas the vast majority of white people are shut out of those positions of running America, as well.
There’s another irony here worth noting:
Said the billionaire made a billionaire by her overwhelmingly white audience. What a fraud. https://t.co/aNoUrga6SP — Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) August 5, 2020
Per Oprah’s recent comments about white people, a picture of Oprah’s fanbase which made her a billionaire. #oprah #OprahWinfrey pic.twitter.com/JJZF2PiwX5 — Charlie (@CharlieBayer8) August 5, 2020
I understand liking one black media mogul doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not a racist, but I’d argue it makes you a lot less likely to be.
Whatever the case, there’s a difference between acknowledging racism and this sort of anaphylactic reaction, which will be summarily dismissed by anyone who wasn’t in lockstep with Oprah and her guests before they started watching.
One of the wealthiest, most powerful people in media lecturing us all on how privileged we are just because of our race is farcical — and, as Ted Cruz noted, “utter, racist BS.” And yet, it’s very much of the moment.
Seventeen years later, Michael Moore’s tossed-off idea has fully ripened. Sure, on the minutiae of how to run a nation, Oprah would be an empty vessel — but so is Joe Biden, at this point, and it’s difficult for a man who worked with arch-segregationists like Sen. James Eastland to stop forced busing in the 1970s to grasp the shibboleths of the new woke American left quite as easily as Oprah can. She’s the candidate they want — and which they deserve.
Alas, Moore and Oprah will both just be celebrities making money off of telling their audience how awful they are. If only she’d picked up “Dude, Where’s My Country?”, maybe she could have turned that contempt into votes.
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Bradley Cooper's latest role has not gone down well with everyone, particularly with regard to his use of a prosthetic nose.


westernjournal--2020-08-06--Karen Bass Called Communist Dictator’s Death ‘A Great Loss’ – And His Victims Aren’t Happy

Until recently , Robert Lewis had never heard of Karen Bass , the California congresswoman in contention to be Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
But the recent college graduate had long heard stories from his grandfather recounting the days of oppression in Cuba under Fidel Castro .
When he learned that Bass had called Castro ’ s death “ a great loss , ” he considered it a disregard for the plight of those who suffered at the hands of Castro ’ s government .
“ Through the stories from my grandparents and because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like their experiences were my own , ” Lewis said .
The 22-year-old is a political independent who is still weighing his choices ahead of the presidential election .
Lewis ’ reaction is a blow to Democrats who in recent years have tried to pull young Cubans in Florida away from the Republican Party , the political home of many of their parents and grandparents .
The next generation is less focused on the past and open to change , Democrats hoped , as President Barack Obama embraced engagement with Cuba and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last remnant of the Cold War.
” But Bass ’ comments provide fresh evidence to the contrary .
Polling shows young Cubans in Florida remain skeptical of the Cuban government and , experts note , wary of politicians who aren ’ t .
For Cuban-Americans , the congresswoman ’ s remarks are troubling — and a reminder that Castro still stirs strong passions .
“ Say it ain ’ t so , Joe , ” one person posted in a Facebook community called “ Cubanos Con Biden , ” a 6,000-member group partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been dominated by discussion about Bass in recent days .
Hispanics account for one-fourth of the population of Florida , a critical presidential battleground , and 1 in every 5 of its 13.8 million voters .
The Pew Research Center estimates that nearly a third of Florida ’ s Hispanic voters have roots in Cuba .
Republicans have long dominated with those voters , in part by maintaining a hard line on the embargo against the island .
But shifting views on the embargo have given Democrats hope .
A 2018 poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a generational and age divide in their views on U.S.-Cuba policy .
The poll by Florida International University found that among those who migrated to the United States before 1980 , about 3 in 5 opposed establishment of diplomatic relations , while about 70 percent of those who were born in the U.S. or arrived after 1980 were in favor .
But support for the embargo has grown among those who migrated before 1980 , with 68 percent in support in 2018 , up from 57 percent in 2016 .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments would hurt Biden ’ s chances in Florida , noted Guillermo Grenier , the poll ’ s lead researcher .
Rather , he said , it ’ s likely that many Cuban-American voters have already solidified around Trump .
“ The folks who are pro-Trump are going to stay pro-Trump .
There is a small number of undecided , but if they are swayed by the selection of Bass as VP , they really weren ’ t undecided , ” he said .
Still , Democrats are clearly worried about the risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made after Castro ’ s death in 2016 — that “ the passing of Comandante en Jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba.
” No offense was intended , Bass said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” on Sunday .
“ Lesson learned .
Wouldn ’ t do that again , ” she said .
“ Talked immediately to my colleagues from Florida and realized that that was something that just shouldn ’ t have been said.
” “ My position on Cuba , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the position of the Obama administration.
” The apology wasn ’ t helped by trips Bass took to Cuba as a member of Congress and as a young activist in the 1970s .
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida , a Cuban-American , has called the congresswoman a “ Castro sympathizer.
” Bass is hardly the only Democrat to be hit with the charge .
Sen. Bernie Sanders earlier this year came under fire for a television interview in which he lauded Castro for a literacy program and asserted that it was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in Cuba .
Sanders lost Florida by nearly 40 percentage points in the Democratic presidential primary in March , with Biden garnering 62 percent of the vote .
Such comments are not just a problem with Cuban-Americans , according to Fernand Amandi , a Miami political consultant .
Bass ’ comments could peel away support among other Latinos , especially those from Nicaragua and Venezuela , who fled the oppressive conditions of their native countries .
“ The litmus test in Florida is : Do no harm , because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thinnest of margins .
Just taking off the table any segment of the Florida electorate could prove fatal , ” he said .
Bass is on a short list of women who are said to be finalists for Biden ’ s vice presidential pick .
She recently came under fire for praising the controversial Church of Scientology at a 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Until recently, Robert Lewis had never heard of Karen Bass, the California congresswoman in contention to be Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s running mate.
But the recent college graduate had long heard stories from his grandfather recounting the days of oppression in Cuba under Fidel Castro.
When he learned that Bass had called Castro’s death “a great loss,” he considered it a disregard for the plight of those who suffered at the hands of Castro’s government.
“Through the stories from my grandparents and because of my upbringing, it makes me feel like their experiences were my own,” Lewis said. The 22-year-old is a political independent who is still weighing his choices ahead of the presidential election.
Lewis’ reaction is a blow to Democrats who in recent years have tried to pull young Cubans in Florida away from the Republican Party, the political home of many of their parents and grandparents.
The next generation is less focused on the past and open to change, Democrats hoped, as President Barack Obama embraced engagement with Cuba and in 2014 declared he would “bury the last remnant of the Cold War.”
But Bass’ comments provide fresh evidence to the contrary. Polling shows young Cubans in Florida remain skeptical of the Cuban government and, experts note, wary of politicians who aren’t.
For Cuban-Americans, the congresswoman’s remarks are troubling — and a reminder that Castro still stirs strong passions.
“Say it ain’t so, Joe,” one person posted in a Facebook community called “Cubanos Con Biden,” a 6,000-member group partially run by the Biden campaign. It has been dominated by discussion about Bass in recent days.
Do you think Biden will choose Bass as his running mate? 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: 11% (33 Votes) No: 89% (279 Votes)
Hispanics account for one-fourth of the population of Florida, a critical presidential battleground, and 1 in every 5 of its 13.8 million voters. The Pew Research Center estimates that nearly a third of Florida’s Hispanic voters have roots in Cuba.
Republicans have long dominated with those voters, in part by maintaining a hard line on the embargo against the island. But shifting views on the embargo have given Democrats hope.
A 2018 poll of Cuban Americans in Miami-Dade County showed a generational and age divide in their views on U.S.-Cuba policy.
The poll by Florida International University found that among those who migrated to the United States before 1980, about 3 in 5 opposed establishment of diplomatic relations, while about 70 percent of those who were born in the U.S. or arrived after 1980 were in favor.
But support for the embargo has grown among those who migrated before 1980, with 68 percent in support in 2018, up from 57 percent in 2016.
That’s not necessarily evidence that Bass and her comments would hurt Biden’s chances in Florida, noted Guillermo Grenier, the poll’s lead researcher. Rather, he said, it’s likely that many Cuban-American voters have already solidified around Trump.
“The folks who are pro-Trump are going to stay pro-Trump. There is a small number of undecided, but if they are swayed by the selection of Bass as VP, they really weren’t undecided,” he said.
Still, Democrats are clearly worried about the risks.
Bass has walked back her remarks made after Castro’s death in 2016 — that “the passing of Comandante en Jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba.”
No offense was intended, Bass said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“Lesson learned. Wouldn’t do that again,” she said. “Talked immediately to my colleagues from Florida and realized that that was something that just shouldn’t have been said.”
“My position on Cuba,” she said, “is really no different than the position of the Obama administration.”
The apology wasn’t helped by trips Bass took to Cuba as a member of Congress and as a young activist in the 1970s.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a Cuban-American, has called the congresswoman a “Castro sympathizer.”
Bass is hardly the only Democrat to be hit with the charge.
Sen. Bernie Sanders earlier this year came under fire for a television interview in which he lauded Castro for a literacy program and asserted that it was “unfair to simply say everything is bad” in Cuba.
Sanders lost Florida by nearly 40 percentage points in the Democratic presidential primary in March, with Biden garnering 62 percent of the vote.
Such comments are not just a problem with Cuban-Americans, according to Fernand Amandi, a Miami political consultant.
Bass’ comments could peel away support among other Latinos, especially those from Nicaragua and Venezuela, who fled the oppressive conditions of their native countries.
“The litmus test in Florida is: Do no harm, because it’s a state that is always decided by the thinnest of margins. Just taking off the table any segment of the Florida electorate could prove fatal,” he said.
Bass is on a short list of women who are said to be finalists for Biden’s vice presidential pick. She recently came under fire for praising the controversial Church of Scientology at a 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
[jwplayer PLYjkSBX]
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-08-07--Rape Suspect Allegedly Murders Accuser After Being Released from Jail Due to COVID

An alleged rapist who was let out of jail early amid fears he might contract the coronavirus while behind bars is accused of murdering his victim last week in Virginia .
Ibrahm E. Bouaichi was released from jail in Alexandria , where he was being held on charges of rape , sodomy , strangulation and kidnapping , The Washington Post reported .
Bouaichi , 33 , had been ordered to be held in jail without bond after allegedly committing the crimes against Karla DominguezDominguez in October 2019 .
His attorneys argued that the coronavirus posed a danger to both him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted bond .
When asking for bond , the attorneys claimed that “ social distancing and proper disinfecting measures are impossible while incarcerated , ” The Post reported .
They further argued that “ the risk of contracting Covid-19 in a jail is exceedingly obvious.
” Ignoring a protest from the prosecution , Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins ruled that Bouaichi could be freed on $ 25,000 bond .
Part of the condition of his release was that he remain under house arrest at his residence in Maryland , which he could only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal team about the rape accusation .
But according to police in Alexandria , Bouaichi did not stay isolated in his home .
They say he instead returned to Dominguez ’ s home on July 29 and shot and killed her .
Police issued a bulletin for the public to be on the lookout for the alleged killer .
RELATED : Escaped CO Prisoner Caught After Nearly 50 Years On the Run “ On July 29 , 2020 , at 6:20 a.m. , the Alexandria Police Department responded to a call regarding shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a deceased woman with gunshot wounds on her upper body , who was later identified as Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez , ” the department wrote .
“ Anyone with information regarding Bouaichi ’ s whereabouts is asked to call the Alexandria Police Department immediately , ” it added , describing Bouaichi as “ armed and dangerous ” and saying he posed a “ potential threat to anyone who comes into contact with him.
” Bouaichi was spotted by police in Prince George ’ s County , Maryland , on Wednesday .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crashing his vehicle and being apprehended , The Post reported .
“ Ibrahm Elkahlil Bouaichi , who was wanted for the July 29 murder of Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez , has been taken into custody , ” Alexandria police announced in a news release .
The news release added , “ Officers approaching the vehicle found Bouaichi with a self-inflicted gunshot wound .
He was transported to a hospital , where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
” Judge Dawkins , who retired in June , did not respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first alleged criminal to be let out of jail amid fears about the coronavirus , only to allegedly commit a murder after being freed .
In April , Joseph Edward Williams was released from a jail in Tampa , Florida , where he was being held for allegedly possessing four grams of heroin , which is a felony .
Police said that after being released in order to reduce inmate populations to slow the spread of the coronavirus , Williams shot and killed a man , the Tampa Bay Times reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An alleged rapist who was let out of jail early amid fears he might contract the coronavirus while behind bars is accused of murdering his victim last week in Virginia.
Ibrahm E. Bouaichi was released from jail in Alexandria, where he was being held on charges of rape, sodomy, strangulation and kidnapping, The Washington Post reported.
Bouaichi, 33, had been ordered to be held in jail without bond after allegedly committing the crimes against Karla DominguezDominguez in October 2019.
His attorneys argued that the coronavirus posed a danger to both him and them and that he should be granted bond.
When asking for bond, the attorneys claimed that “social distancing and proper disinfecting measures are impossible while incarcerated,” The Post reported.
They further argued that “the risk of contracting Covid-19 in a jail is exceedingly obvious.”
Ignoring a protest from the prosecution, Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins ruled that Bouaichi could be freed on $25,000 bond.
He left the jail April 9.
Part of the condition of his release was that he remain under house arrest at his residence in Maryland, which he could only leave in order to meet with his legal team about the rape accusation.
But according to police in Alexandria, Bouaichi did not stay isolated in his home.
They say he instead returned to Dominguez’s home on July 29 and shot and killed her.
Released from jail at height of pandemic, rape suspect allegedly killed his accuser https://t.co/uQtJt1FZQz — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 7, 2020
Police issued a bulletin for the public to be on the lookout for the alleged killer.
“On July 29, 2020, at 6:20 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department responded to a call regarding shots fired on S. Greenmount Drive. Officers found a deceased woman with gunshot wounds on her upper body, who was later identified as Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez,” the department wrote.
“Anyone with information regarding Bouaichi’s whereabouts is asked to call the Alexandria Police Department immediately,” it added, describing Bouaichi as “armed and dangerous” and saying he posed a “potential threat to anyone who comes into contact with him.”
Bouaichi was spotted by police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Wednesday.
A chase ensued and resulted in the suspect crashing his vehicle and being apprehended, The Post reported.
“Ibrahm Elkahlil Bouaichi, who was wanted for the July 29 murder of Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez, has been taken into custody,” Alexandria police announced in a news release.
The news release added, “Officers approaching the vehicle found Bouaichi with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.”
Judge Dawkins, who retired in June, did not respond to a request for comment from The Post.
Bouaichi is not the first alleged criminal to be let out of jail amid fears about the coronavirus, only to allegedly commit a murder after being freed.
In April, Joseph Edward Williams was released from a jail in Tampa, Florida, where he was being held for allegedly possessing four grams of heroin, which is a felony.
Police said that after being released in order to reduce inmate populations to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Williams shot and killed a man, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
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westernjournal--2020-08-07--‘Daddy’s Hero’: Boy, 9, Does the Incredible To Save Dad’s Life After Diving Injury

A family from Pensacola , Florida , was enjoying a day at Quietwater Beach when disaster struck .
Thankfully , the family ’ s 9-year-old son seemed to have a sixth sense for safety , and he behaved quickly in a manner beyond his years that ended up saving his father ’ s life .
Josh and Audrey Williams headed to the beach with their kids last Saturday for some outside time .
They spent the day hanging out , swimming and having a good time until sunset , when Asaih Williams , 9 , asked his dad to jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Audrey was with the younger children on the beach as father and son headed to the water again .
Asaih went before his dad , jumping in feet-first .
Josh followed with a dive — but either because of the dark , his unfamiliarity with the area , or both , he didn ’ t realize the water was much shallower where they were .
TRENDING : Prosecutors : Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail “ They were kind of playing around where the ferry docks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 feet deep right there , ” Audrey said , according to the Pensacola News Journal .
“ Then they went down a little bit further , to the right , at the end , where it was a lot more shallow .
They couldn ’ t see that well.
” When Josh came up , he knew immediately that he ’ d made a serious mistake .
“ All I remember was that he said he broke his neck and he said he was scared , ” Asaih said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head .
If I jump in and the person I ’ m jumping with in that certain amount of time ( doesn ’ t come up ) , I go after them.
” “ Asaih saw that daddy wasn ’ t coming up as quickly as he should have , and he knew something was wrong , ” Audrey said .
When Josh surfaced , he floated with his back facing up , unable to move .
Using all of his strength , and then some , Asaih flipped his father over so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to shore .
Once the boy got closer to shore and people realized what was happening , they rushed to provide help , and medical backup was called for .
RELATED : Three Inmates Help Save Prison Guard 's Life During Heart Attack That night , Josh was taken to Baptist Hospital on trauma alert , according to the News Journal .
Shortly afterward , he was taken to another hospital to undergo C1-C3 fusion surgery .
“ Josh told me from the hospital , ‘ I knew when I impacted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Audrey said .
Now that he ’ s had surgery and time to heal , Josh is slowly regaining control of his body .
He ’ s been told he should have a full recovery and that he shouldn ’ t need a wheelchair beyond the immediate future .
“ He ’ s working on trying to get his feeling back in his arms and legs , ” Audrey said .
“ His left side is worse than his right.
” “ Doctors are saying he should have a full recovery .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted his head and sat up in a chair ( Tuesday ) .
” On Tuesday , Josh posted a brief status update on Facebook , which was doubly encouraging because it gave his friends and family some news and illustrated he was getting better .
Audrey and many others are making sure to recognize Asaih ’ s contributions .
The boy hadn ’ t had any formal swimming training , but his instincts kicked in and he was able to keep his dad alive .
“ I ’ m so grateful that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because if he wasn ’ t there , my husband probably wouldn ’ t be here today , ” Audrey said .
“ The fact that a 9-year-old thought so fast in thinking , ‘ Oh , I got ta help , I ’ m the only one here to help him.
’ He brought him all the way back to shore all by himself.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A family from Pensacola, Florida, was enjoying a day at Quietwater Beach when disaster struck. Thankfully, the family’s 9-year-old son seemed to have a sixth sense for safety, and he behaved quickly in a manner beyond his years that ended up saving his father’s life.
Josh and Audrey Williams headed to the beach with their kids last Saturday for some outside time. They spent the day hanging out, swimming and having a good time until sunset, when Asaih Williams, 9, asked his dad to jump into the water one more time with him.
Audrey was with the younger children on the beach as father and son headed to the water again.
Asaih went before his dad, jumping in feet-first. Josh followed with a dive — but either because of the dark, his unfamiliarity with the area, or both, he didn’t realize the water was much shallower where they were.
“They were kind of playing around where the ferry docks in, so it’s about 15 feet deep right there,” Audrey said, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
“Then they went down a little bit further, to the right, at the end, where it was a lot more shallow. They couldn’t see that well.”
When Josh came up, he knew immediately that he’d made a serious mistake.
“All I remember was that he said he broke his neck and he said he was scared,” Asaih said. “I had a little time limit in my head. If I jump in and the person I’m jumping with in that certain amount of time (doesn’t come up), I go after them.”
“Asaih saw that daddy wasn’t coming up as quickly as he should have, and he knew something was wrong,” Audrey said.
When Josh surfaced, he floated with his back facing up, unable to move. Using all of his strength, and then some, Asaih flipped his father over so he could breathe and then painstakingly towed him to shore.
Once the boy got closer to shore and people realized what was happening, they rushed to provide help, and medical backup was called for.
That night, Josh was taken to Baptist Hospital on trauma alert, according to the News Journal. Shortly afterward, he was taken to another hospital to undergo C1-C3 fusion surgery.
“Josh told me from the hospital, ‘I knew when I impacted, my neck was gone,’ ” Audrey said.
Now that he’s had surgery and time to heal, Josh is slowly regaining control of his body. He’s been told he should have a full recovery and that he shouldn’t need a wheelchair beyond the immediate future.
“He’s working on trying to get his feeling back in his arms and legs,” Audrey said. “His left side is worse than his right.”
“Doctors are saying he should have a full recovery. He’s progressing pretty fast. He lifted his head and sat up in a chair (Tuesday).”
On Tuesday, Josh posted a brief status update on Facebook, which was doubly encouraging because it gave his friends and family some news and illustrated he was getting better.
“Just keep praying love y’all,” the post read.
Audrey and many others are making sure to recognize Asaih’s contributions. The boy hadn’t had any formal swimming training, but his instincts kicked in and he was able to keep his dad alive.
“I’m so grateful that (Asaih) was there for him because if he wasn’t there, my husband probably wouldn’t be here today,” Audrey said. “The fact that a 9-year-old thought so fast in thinking, ‘Oh, I gotta help, I’m the only one here to help him.’ He brought him all the way back to shore all by himself.”
“He’s daddy’s hero, that’s for sure.”
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--2020-08-07--Superintendent Announces ‘Black and Brown Students’ Will Return to School First: Report

A Chicago-area school district is planning on reopening its classrooms for in-person learning but is reportedly giving students of color the first opportunity to return .
On July 22 , School District 65 announced that it would reopen its schools , if it is safe to do so , for in-person instruction on Sept. 29 , the Evanston Round Table reported .
If more families opted to return to school than use the online-learning path , the district would prioritize certain groups of students first , the report said .
Deputy Superintendent Latarsha Green said these groups include “ students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brown students , students who received an I [ Incomplete ] or less than 50 % on their report cards , emerging bilinguals and students with IEPs , ” according to the Evanston Round Table .
“ We are in a pandemic .
And we also know that everyone is affected by this differently , ” Superintendent Devon Horton said , according to the report .
TRENDING : Prosecutors : Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail “ But there was a pandemic before this , ” Horton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , and classism and all of these other things .
And so I just want to make sure that as we ’ re making a decision — no decision is going to make everyone happy — we understand that.
” He added that the school district wanted to make sure that students who have been oppressed are given the opportunity .
“ I ’ ve heard for quite some time that this is a community that ’ s about equity for Black and Brown students , for special education students , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We know that this is important work , and we ’ re going to prioritize that.
” The priority decisions might come into play because the district is not forcing its teachers to work on-site , so some school buildings will not be able to accommodate all students .
“ This decision aligns directly to the guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education on June 23 in using an equity lens to implement and transition into blended learning .
This was also a top idea recommended by our Community-based Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Messinger told Fox News .
“ As a community deeply committed to educational equity , we will continue to root our decisionmaking on how to best serve our most vulnerable student populations.
” The Trump administration has been pushing for schools to reopen for in-person instruction as usual in the fall .
“ It is our firm belief that our schools are essential places of business , if you will ; that our teachers are essential personnel , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said July 24 at a news briefing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Being Released from Jail Due to COVID Vice President Mike Pence added at a speech at Marian University in Indianapolis that “ opening up our schools again is the best thing for our kids , ” VOA News reported .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also published an article on July 23 about the importance of reopening schools and giving children the opportunity to return to school safely .
The Western Journal reached out to School District 65 for comment but did not receive a response .
We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

UPDATE: This article was revised at 9 a.m. ET Monday to add a statement from District 65 spokeswoman Melissa Messinger to The Western Journal.
A Chicago-area school district is planning on reopening its classrooms for in-person learning but is reportedly giving students of color the first opportunity to return.
On July 22, School District 65 announced that it would reopen its schools, if it is safe to do so, for in-person instruction on Sept. 29, the Evanston Round Table reported.
If more families opted to return to school than use the online-learning path, the district would prioritize certain groups of students first, the report said.
Deputy Superintendent Latarsha Green said these groups include “students receiving free or reduced lunch, Black and Brown students, students who received an I [Incomplete] or less than 50% on their report cards, emerging bilinguals and students with IEPs,” according to the Evanston Round Table.
“We are in a pandemic. And we also know that everyone is affected by this differently,” Superintendent Devon Horton said, according to the report.
“But there was a pandemic before this,” Horton said. “That was inequity and racism, and classism and all of these other things. And so I just want to make sure that as we’re making a decision — no decision is going to make everyone happy — we understand that.”
He added that the school district wanted to make sure that students who have been oppressed are given the opportunity.
“I’ve heard for quite some time that this is a community that’s about equity for Black and Brown students, for special education students, for LGBTQ students,” Horton said.
Do you think it is fair to prioritize some students over others based on race? 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: 4% (24 Votes) No: 96% (543 Votes)
“We know that this is important work, and we’re going to prioritize that.”
The priority decisions might come into play because the district is not forcing its teachers to work on-site, so some school buildings will not be able to accommodate all students.
The Western Journal asked school district spokeswoman Melissa Messinger about the policy.
“Thank you for reaching out to clarify,” she said in an email. “We don’t yet know whether or not we will have to limit the number of in-person seats. We are still gathering the data and putting the puzzle together on building capacities, staffing, family selection of preferred learning pathways. We hope that we are able to safely welcome back every child whose family has indicated preference for in-person learning. If we are unable to accomodate all of these families, it may be necessary to prioritize students for return based on need, which includes those from historically marginalized communities.
“This decision would align directly to the guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education in using an equity lens to implement and transition into blended learning. This was also a top idea recommended by our Community-based Task Force this summer. As a community deeply committed to educational equity, we will continue to root our decision-making on how to best serve our most vulnerable student populations.”
The Trump administration has been pushing for schools to reopen for in-person instruction as usual in the fall.
“It is our firm belief that our schools are essential places of business, if you will; that our teachers are essential personnel,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said July 24 at a news briefing.
Vice President Mike Pence added at a speech at Marian University in Indianapolis that “opening up our schools again is the best thing for our kids,” VOA News reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also published an article on July 23 about the importance of reopening schools and giving children the opportunity to return to school safely.
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--2020-08-07--Op-Ed: Want To Know Dem Anarchists’ Next Move? Look to Mao’s Infamous Red Guard for the Answer

“ The newspaper announced that the mission of the Red Guards was to rid the country of the ‘ Four Olds ’ : old culture , old customs , old habits , and old ways of thinking .
There was no clear definition of ‘ old ’ ; it was left to the Red Guards to decide .
First of all , they changed street names.
” These words leaped out at me yesterday while rereading an old copy of Nien Cheng ’ s classic “ Life and Death in Shanghai.
” Her firsthand account of the inanities and horrors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-1960s confirms that today ’ s cancel culture is neither rational nor commendable .
Indeed , there is nothing new in this year ’ s cancel culture with its pseudo-virtuous name-changing gimmickry , its silly statue-toppling and offensive Bible-burning , its noisy aggression and erratic rioting .
The copycats today in the name of BLM and antifa are mindlessly mimicking the exhibitionism of communist-style revisionist history and senseless destruction of property launched by the Red Guards in Shanghai some 55 years ago .
“ Day and night the city resounded with the loud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ransacking of private homes … The violence of the Red Guards seemed to have escalated .
… Articles in the newspapers … encouraged the Red Guards and congratulated them on their vandalism .
They were … exhorted to be fearless in their work of toppling the old world and building a new one based on Mao ’ s teachings.
” TRENDING : Prosecutors : Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail Nien Cheng recorded that “ after unleashing the Red Guards … to serve his political purposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control them.
” Here in the U.S. , in this election year , it ’ s highly probable that Democratic leaders , having unleashed today ’ s anarchists to serve their political purposes , will after the election be no longer able to control them .
The whirlwinds of any revolution are tricky to ride .
All revolutions start out with fierce ideals to right some wrong .
But most revolutions after the initial high begin to falter .
At that point , agitated revolutionaries , lunging desperately to maintain gains , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they initiate intimidation and authorize violence against those who are deemed to stymie their success .
Second , they resort to distorting newfound liberty into undisciplined license , setting fires , looting , assaulting , injuring , even killing .
Third , they begin defacing , burning , destroying or appropriating private property “ for the cause.
” Such was the ignominious fate of not only the Chinese Cultural Revolution but also the French and the Russian Revolutions before that .
The woke revolutionaries of today are heading for similar ignominy .
RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just Proved He Should n't Be Trusted To Run a Snow Cone Stand For there can be no place in our communities for the deliberate stoking of resentment and hatred against any group of Americans .
Rioters Reject the Founders ’ First Principle : The Unalienable Right to Life All Americans should proudly acknowledge that , throughout history , the original American Revolution was surely the most successful and consistently moral of all revolutionary ventures .
The secret of this success was that the American revolutionaries laid down three firm principles and stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , the Declaration of Independence , followed by the U.S. Constitution , established that there is to be no taking of anyone ’ s life without due process .
With the support of the Democratic Party , the Supreme Court progressives ditched this one in Roe v. Wade ( 1973 ) to legalize a right to abortion that has resulted , among other injustices , in the disproportionate killing of black American children in their mothers ’ wombs .
Right now in this year ’ s unchecked rioting , Democratic governors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many innocent lives , adults and children , have been brutally sacrificed in the terrible anarchy that has characterized this “ summer of love ” in so many Democrat-controlled states and cities .
Irresponsible Democratic leadership has refused to maintain law and order and has let anarchy rip .
The Democrats ’ solution to the problem that black lives that do not appear to matter is to increase the multibillion-dollar budget for dispensing vote-buying largesse and food stamps to black lives jeopardized by violence , poverty , family dysfunction , physical and mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence , is the Democrats ’ perennial goal to ensure that black lives matter to Democratic Party victory at election time .
It ’ s surely significant that Democratic leaders would not utter one word of praise for the remarkable rise in black employment achieved in the first three years of President Trump ’ s term .
The Founders ’ Second Principle : The Right to Liberty Their obsessive hatred of President Trump has lured Democratic leaders into tolerating , excusing and even extolling as “ mostly peaceful protests ” a truly terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no liberty to do deliberate harm to others , to laser officers of the law , no liberty to burn , to loot , to deface and to destroy small businesses , police stations and public property .
In refusing to condemn and restrain these assaults on law and order , Democrats have facilitated their continuation .
They have revamped the right to liberty as a right to licentiousness , a “ private ” right to indulge the worst excesses of anarchy and vice .
Starting with the sexual revolution , progressives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mores that tried to maintain for American families , irrespective of race , a stable and ethical society that is truly protective of all children .
We must rediscover the reasoned wisdom behind age-old rules essential for weaving the seamless protection that must serve each defenseless child from conception to maturity .
Traditional Judeo-Christian rules governing morality still today have a powerful logic — to protect children .
Their rational purpose is to secure for each new generation at least some minimum of order and belonging and trust and the understanding that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithfully and are themselves to learn to love in like manner .
The Founders ’ Third Principle : The Right to Property The “ squad ” of progressive Democratic lawmakers recently signaled their party ’ s disdain for property rights in Section 6 of the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020 .
Purchasers who take advantage of the bill ’ s “ Affordable Housing Acquisition Fund ” must agree to “ democratic control ” by residents .
Purchasers must also agree to provide residents “ with free , voluntary supportive services that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chronic homelessness or housing instability , including access to healthcare , employment or education assistance , childcare , financial literacy education and other community-based support services , as the Secretary [ of Housing and Urban Development ] shall require.
” This list of needs that are to be provided by private property owners to renters is eerily reminiscent of extreme edicts set forth in early 20th-century communist manifestos .
Social Prudence Is Swept Away in Most Revolutions In the frenzy of revolutionary deconstruction , social prudence , no less a virtue than social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualty .
Today ’ s revolutionaries , secure in the empathy of federal and state Democratic leadership , are no exception .
Democratic leaders have been shamelessly cooperative in accommodating every brash new ideological value threatening family and societal stability .
Regrettably , these newly concocted woke values are antithetical to the foundational natural-law values and religious-based ethics that have served to fashion the unique American character , rule of law and democratic government .
The extreme nature of this woke revolution must be recognized , resisted and defeated before it can wreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of President Trump has triggered the politicization of the tragic coronavirus pandemic .
Even amid the crisis , Democratic leaders continue to hold up urgently needed relief to millions of Americans in deep distress caused by a natural disaster — and not by President Trump and the Republicans .
Democrats and Republicans “ Don ’ t Have Shared Values , ” Says Nancy Pelosi At a recent media briefing , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that Democrats and Republicans “ don ’ t have shared values , that ’ s just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very honest .
Democrats , having lurched to the extreme left , can no longer be entrusted with the presidency and the legislature .
Indeed , in bonding with anarchists and rioters that injure the innocent and wantonly destroy property , damage churches and burn Bibles , Democrats have shifted so far left in this term that they no longer share the values that the Founders set out in the Declaration .
They are no longer to be entrusted to uphold the God-given , unalienable rights possessed by every human being , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rule of law in this gallant republic .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal , you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

“The newspaper announced that the mission of the Red Guards was to rid the country of the ‘Four Olds’: old culture, old customs, old habits, and old ways of thinking. There was no clear definition of ‘old’; it was left to the Red Guards to decide. First of all, they changed street names.”
These words leaped out at me yesterday while rereading an old copy of Nien Cheng’s classic “Life and Death in Shanghai.” Her firsthand account of the inanities and horrors of the Chinese Cultural Revolution of the mid-1960s confirms that today’s cancel culture is neither rational nor commendable.
Indeed, there is nothing new in this year’s cancel culture with its pseudo-virtuous name-changing gimmickry, its silly statue-toppling and offensive Bible-burning, its noisy aggression and erratic rioting.
The copycats today in the name of BLM and antifa are mindlessly mimicking the exhibitionism of communist-style revisionist history and senseless destruction of property launched by the Red Guards in Shanghai some 55 years ago.
“Day and night the city resounded with the loud noise of drums and gongs … looting and the ransacking of private homes … The violence of the Red Guards seemed to have escalated. … Articles in the newspapers … encouraged the Red Guards and congratulated them on their vandalism. They were … exhorted to be fearless in their work of toppling the old world and building a new one based on Mao’s teachings.”
Nien Cheng recorded that “after unleashing the Red Guards … to serve his political purposes, Mao Zedong was no longer able to control them.”
Here in the U.S., in this election year, it’s highly probable that Democratic leaders, having unleashed today’s anarchists to serve their political purposes, will after the election be no longer able to control them.
When Revolutions Go Wrong
The whirlwinds of any revolution are tricky to ride. All revolutions start out with fierce ideals to right some wrong. But most revolutions after the initial high begin to falter. At that point, agitated revolutionaries, lunging desperately to maintain gains, resort to illicit means.
Do you think today's rioters and anarchists resemble the Red Guard of communist China? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (292 Votes) No: 2% (5 Votes)
First, they initiate intimidation and authorize violence against those who are deemed to stymie their success.
Second, they resort to distorting newfound liberty into undisciplined license, setting fires, looting, assaulting, injuring, even killing.
Third, they begin defacing, burning, destroying or appropriating private property “for the cause.”
Such was the ignominious fate of not only the Chinese Cultural Revolution but also the French and the Russian Revolutions before that.
The woke revolutionaries of today are heading for similar ignominy.
For there can be no place in our communities for the deliberate stoking of resentment and hatred against any group of Americans.
Rioters Reject the Founders’ First Principle: The Unalienable Right to Life
All Americans should proudly acknowledge that, throughout history, the original American Revolution was surely the most successful and consistently moral of all revolutionary ventures.
The secret of this success was that the American revolutionaries laid down three firm principles and stuck to them through thick and thin.
First, the Declaration of Independence, followed by the U.S. Constitution, established that there is to be no taking of anyone’s life without due process.
With the support of the Democratic Party, the Supreme Court progressives ditched this one in Roe v. Wade (1973) to legalize a right to abortion that has resulted, among other injustices, in the disproportionate killing of black American children in their mothers’ wombs.
Right now in this year’s unchecked rioting, Democratic governors and mayors have condoned right-to-life violations.
Too many innocent lives, adults and children, have been brutally sacrificed in the terrible anarchy that has characterized this “summer of love” in so many Democrat-controlled states and cities.
Irresponsible Democratic leadership has refused to maintain law and order and has let anarchy rip.
The Democrats’ solution to the problem that black lives that do not appear to matter is to increase the multibillion-dollar budget for dispensing vote-buying largesse and food stamps to black lives jeopardized by violence, poverty, family dysfunction, physical and mental ill-health and drugtaking.
Dependency, not independence, is the Democrats’ perennial goal to ensure that black lives matter to Democratic Party victory at election time.
It’s surely significant that Democratic leaders would not utter one word of praise for the remarkable rise in black employment achieved in the first three years of President Trump’s term.
The Founders’ Second Principle: The Right to Liberty
Their obsessive hatred of President Trump has lured Democratic leaders into tolerating, excusing and even extolling as “mostly peaceful protests” a truly terrible abuse of the liberty principle.
There is no liberty to do deliberate harm to others, to laser officers of the law, no liberty to burn, to loot, to deface and to destroy small businesses, police stations and public property.
In refusing to condemn and restrain these assaults on law and order, Democrats have facilitated their continuation. They have revamped the right to liberty as a right to licentiousness, a “private” right to indulge the worst excesses of anarchy and vice.
Starting with the sexual revolution, progressives mocked the traditional moral virtues and sexual mores that tried to maintain for American families, irrespective of race, a stable and ethical society that is truly protective of all children.
We must rediscover the reasoned wisdom behind age-old rules essential for weaving the seamless protection that must serve each defenseless child from conception to maturity.
Traditional Judeo-Christian rules governing morality still today have a powerful logic — to protect children. Their rational purpose is to secure for each new generation at least some minimum of order and belonging and trust and the understanding that these children are to be loved chastely and faithfully and are themselves to learn to love in like manner.
The Founders’ Third Principle: The Right to Property
The “squad” of progressive Democratic lawmakers recently signaled their party’s disdain for property rights in Section 6 of the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020.
Purchasers who take advantage of the bill’s “Affordable Housing Acquisition Fund” must agree to “democratic control” by residents.
Purchasers must also agree to provide residents “with free, voluntary supportive services that help address the needs of those experiencing chronic homelessness or housing instability, including access to healthcare, employment or education assistance, childcare, financial literacy education and other community-based support services, as the Secretary [of Housing and Urban Development] shall require.”
This list of needs that are to be provided by private property owners to renters is eerily reminiscent of extreme edicts set forth in early 20th-century communist manifestos.
Social Prudence Is Swept Away in Most Revolutions
In the frenzy of revolutionary deconstruction, social prudence, no less a virtue than social justice, is too often the first casualty. Today’s revolutionaries, secure in the empathy of federal and state Democratic leadership, are no exception.
Democratic leaders have been shamelessly cooperative in accommodating every brash new ideological value threatening family and societal stability.
Regrettably, these newly concocted woke values are antithetical to the foundational natural-law values and religious-based ethics that have served to fashion the unique American character, rule of law and democratic government.
The extreme nature of this woke revolution must be recognized, resisted and defeated before it can wreak irreversible harm.
The progressives’ hatred of President Trump has triggered the politicization of the tragic coronavirus pandemic. Even amid the crisis, Democratic leaders continue to hold up urgently needed relief to millions of Americans in deep distress caused by a natural disaster — and not by President Trump and the Republicans.
Democrats and Republicans “Don’t Have Shared Values,” Says Nancy Pelosi
At a recent media briefing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that Democrats and Republicans “don’t have shared values, that’s just the way it is.”
She was being very honest.
Democrats, having lurched to the extreme left, can no longer be entrusted with the presidency and the legislature.
Indeed, in bonding with anarchists and rioters that injure the innocent and wantonly destroy property, damage churches and burn Bibles, Democrats have shifted so far left in this term that they no longer share the values that the Founders set out in the Declaration.
They are no longer to be entrusted to uphold the God-given, unalienable rights possessed by every human being, which are the core values at the heart of the rule of law in this gallant republic.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-08-07--Former Team Employee Charged in Death of MLB Pitcher

A former employee of the Los Angeles Angels has been arrested in connection with the 2019 drug overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs .
Skaggs , 27 , died July 1 of last year in his hotel room while his team was staying in Southlake , Texas , during a series against the Texas Rangers .
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas , Skaggs died after ingesting fentanyl , a powerful synthetic opioid he had obtained from Eric Prescott Kay , the Angels ’ director of communications at the time .
Kay , 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute fentanyl , according to U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox .
“ Tyler Skaggs ’ s overdose – coming , as it did , in the midst of an ascendant baseball career – should be a wake-up call : No one is immune from this deadly drug , whether sold as a powder or hidden inside an innocuous-looking tablet , ” Nealy Cox in a news release .
TRENDING : Prosecutors : Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail “ Suppressing the spread of fentanyl is a priority for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Speaking on behalf of the DOJ , Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez also commented on the arrest .
“ Fentanyl does not discriminate in its potential deadly consequences , ” he said .
“ With the prevalence of fentanyl in many of the counterfeit prescription drugs sold on the streets , every pill taken could be your last .
The Dallas DEA mourns not only with the Skaggs family , but with all families who have endured loved ones taken too soon due to a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed the DEA will remain vigilant with regard to investigating those suspected of trafficking fentanyl .
“ As with Mr. Kay ’ s arrest , we will continue to identify and investigate those who distribute these drugs to ensure they face justice , ” Chavez said .
Kay was arrested in Fort Worth and appeared in federal court Friday morning .
The former Major League Baseball employee was implicated after his phone showed he and Skaggs had exchanged text messages about drugs , the government said .
The federal government stated that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly had dealt drugs to Skaggs and others on a regular basis .
Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room at the Southlake Town Square Hilton .
According to a medical examiner , he died from a drug overdose after ingesting ethanol , fentanyl and oxycodone .
Federal authorities said fentanyl was the cause of his death .
In seven major-league seasons , Skaggs had a 28-38 record and a 4.41 earned-run average .
He was a native of Woodland Hills , California .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

A former employee of the Los Angeles Angels has been arrested in connection with the 2019 drug overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Skaggs, 27, died July 1 of last year in his hotel room while his team was staying in Southlake, Texas, during a series against the Texas Rangers.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Skaggs died after ingesting fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid he had obtained from Eric Prescott Kay, the Angels’ director of communications at the time.
Kay, 45, was charged Friday with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox.
“Tyler Skaggs’s overdose – coming, as it did, in the midst of an ascendant baseball career – should be a wake-up call: No one is immune from this deadly drug, whether sold as a powder or hidden inside an innocuous-looking tablet,” Nealy Cox in a news release.
“Suppressing the spread of fentanyl is a priority for the Department of Justice,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the DOJ, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez also commented on the arrest.
“Fentanyl does not discriminate in its potential deadly consequences,” he said.
“With the prevalence of fentanyl in many of the counterfeit prescription drugs sold on the streets, every pill taken could be your last. The Dallas DEA mourns not only with the Skaggs family, but with all families who have endured loved ones taken too soon due to a drug overdose,” Chavez added.
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Chavez vowed the DEA will remain vigilant with regard to investigating those suspected of trafficking fentanyl.
“As with Mr. Kay’s arrest, we will continue to identify and investigate those who distribute these drugs to ensure they face justice,” Chavez said.
Kay was arrested in Fort Worth and appeared in federal court Friday morning.
The former Major League Baseball employee was implicated after his phone showed he and Skaggs had exchanged text messages about drugs, the government said.
The federal government stated that in its investigation, agents found that Kay allegedly had dealt drugs to Skaggs and others on a regular basis.
Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room at the Southlake Town Square Hilton.
According to a medical examiner, he died from a drug overdose after ingesting ethanol, fentanyl and oxycodone. Federal authorities said fentanyl was the cause of his death.
In seven major-league seasons, Skaggs had a 28-38 record and a 4.41 earned-run average. He was a native of Woodland Hills, California.
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westernjournal--2020-08-07--Justin Bieber and Wife Hailey Baldwin Celebrate Joint Baptism, Confess Faith in Jesus

Justin Bieber is a household name , perhaps because he enjoyed fame at a young age .
As he grew — thanks to his celebrity status — his mistakes and poor choices were incredibly public .
But he didn ’ t stop there .
He kept living , he kept growing and — surprising to many — he became a Christian .
Now , Bieber is just as public about his faith and understanding of Jesus as he was about purely worldly topics before .
“ I really took a deep dive in my faith .
… I believed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when it says following Jesus is actually turning away from sin , and so there ’ s no , what it talks about it in the Bible , there ’ s no faith without obedience , ” he told Apple Music ’ s Zane Lowe in February .
TRENDING : Prosecutors : Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail Bieber was raised as Christian but says his understanding of God was knowledge without real faith .
Now , he is putting his belief on full display .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , guilt , condemnation , jealousy , bitterness , unforgiveness , selfishness the list goes on , ” he shared on Instagram on July 31 .
“ Jesus came to bring healing !
” “ I don ’ t know what idea of Jesus you have but Jesus came to save us .
He came to sacrifice himself on the cross so that you and I could have a way out .
Jesus took the punishment of our wrongs so that we can walk with God with no insecurities or shame .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR US !
!
” “ God has a full extraordinary life for you .
Do you trust God enough to let go of some things ?
( greed , bitterness , unforgiveness etc ) give it to God he welcomes us with open arms and he isn ’ t surprised by our mess .
My hope is in a person and his name is Jesus.
” The musician has been singing worship music and getting involved in church services .
During quarantine , according to The Christian Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services with Judah Smith , his pastor .
But now , both he and his wife , Hailey Baldwin , have followed Jesus in baptism , and they shared the news and proof on social media on Wednesday .
RELATED : Powerful Faith Video Shared by Justin Bieber Has Been Viewed by Over 4 Million People in Just 1 Day “ The moment @ haileybieber my wife and I got baptized together !
” he shared .
“ This was one of most special moments of my life .
Confessing our love and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family.
” The couple had to work through their pasts together , and they ’ ve addressed their journey on their Facebook Watch series .
“ We both had made mistakes , ” Bieber said during one episode .
“ And , you know , I think when we understand how much God ’ s forgiven us and given us grace , it gives us the ability to give each other grace.
” Beiber encourages people to see that Jesus is approachable and hopes that his public testimony will help those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t this religious elite guy … but he was in the dirt , and he found me in my dirt and pulled me out , ” Bieber told Lowe .
“ I never want to be someone that ’ s trying to persuade anyone to believe in what I believe .
I think God persuades people .
“ But I definitely want to tell my story so that if that resonates with anybody they can hopefully learn from it.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
@ @ @ @ @

Justin Bieber is a household name, perhaps because he enjoyed fame at a young age. As he grew — thanks to his celebrity status — his mistakes and poor choices were incredibly public.
But he didn’t stop there. He kept living, he kept growing and — surprising to many — he became a Christian.
Now, Bieber is just as public about his faith and understanding of Jesus as he was about purely worldly topics before.
“I really took a deep dive in my faith. … I believed in Jesus but I never really, like, when it says following Jesus is actually turning away from sin, and so there’s no, what it talks about it in the Bible, there’s no faith without obedience,” he told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in February.
Bieber was raised as Christian but says his understanding of God was knowledge without real faith. Now, he is putting his belief on full display.
“Jesus is the answer to our shame, guilt, condemnation, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness the list goes on,” he shared on Instagram on July 31. “Jesus came to bring healing!”
“I don’t know what idea of Jesus you have but Jesus came to save us. He came to sacrifice himself on the cross so that you and I could have a way out. Jesus took the punishment of our wrongs so that we can walk with God with no insecurities or shame. So we can walk in the FULLNESS OF ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR US!!”
“God has a full extraordinary life for you. Do you trust God enough to let go of some things? (greed, bitterness, unforgiveness etc) give it to God he welcomes us with open arms and he isn’t surprised by our mess. My hope is in a person and his name is Jesus.”
The musician has been singing worship music and getting involved in church services. During quarantine, according to The Christian Post, he also has hosted remote church services with Judah Smith, his pastor.
But now, both he and his wife, Hailey Baldwin, have followed Jesus in baptism, and they shared the news and proof on social media on Wednesday.
“The moment @haileybieber my wife and I got baptized together!” he shared. “This was one of most special moments of my life. Confessing our love and trust in Jesus publicly with our friends and family.”
The couple had to work through their pasts together, and they’ve addressed their journey on their Facebook Watch series.
“We both had made mistakes,” Bieber said during one episode. “And, you know, I think when we understand how much God’s forgiven us and given us grace, it gives us the ability to give each other grace.”
Beiber encourages people to see that Jesus is approachable and hopes that his public testimony will help those in similar circumstances.
“Jesus wasn’t this religious elite guy … but he was in the dirt, and he found me in my dirt and pulled me out,” Bieber told Lowe.
“I never want to be someone that’s trying to persuade anyone to believe in what I believe. I think God persuades people.
“But I definitely want to tell my story so that if that resonates with anybody they can hopefully learn from it.”
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.