westernjournal--2020-06-18--Clarence Thomas Calls Out Fellow Justices’ Political Hypocrisy in Scorching DACA Dissent

The Supreme Court ’ s decision Thursday that the Trump administration had overstepped its bounds in trying to end President Barack Obama ’ s policy of allowing a certain class of illegal aliens to remain in the country made a great show of paying lip service to the idea of following the law .
But Thomas ’ dissent poked through the pretense to state what was actually happening : The suspiciously pliant Chief Justice John Roberts had found a way — once again — to justify joining the court ’ s liberal bloc to arrive at a liberal conclusion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized for what it is : an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision , ” Thomas wrote .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began There are few more damning words that can be said about a court ruling than that it substituted political expedience for sound legal reasoning .
For a court that ’ s supposedly dedicated to upholding the principles of the United States Constitution , it ’ s hypocrisy in its most poisonous form .
Thursday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , the Obama-era policy that protected illegal aliens from deportation if they were brought to the country as children .
USA Today ’ s coverage called DACA “ popular.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed in a Twitter post that he “ literally cried tears of joy ” when he heard the decision .
But a federal policy ’ s popularity , or “ Cryin ’ Chuck ” Schumer and his political histrionics , aren ’ t supposed to be how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , politics shouldn ’ t even the issue , Thomas wrote .
Because when political considerations supplant constitutional concerns , it ’ s the country as a whole that suffers because the door is open to more chaotic controversies in the future .
“ [ T ] he majority has decided to prolong DHS ’ initial overreach by providing a stopgap measure of its own .
In doing so , it has given the green light for future political battles to be fought in this Court rather than where they rightfully belong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forsakes the Court ’ s duty to apply the law according to neutral principles , and the ripple effects of the majority ’ s error will be felt throughout our system of self-government .
[ Emphasis added . ]
“ Perhaps even more unfortunately , the majority ’ s holding creates perverse incentives , particularly for outgoing administrations .
Under the auspices of today ’ s decision , administrations can bind their successors by unlawfully adopting significant legal changes through Executive Branch agency memoranda .
Even if the agency lacked authority to effectuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be undone by the same agency in a successor administration unless the successor provides sufficient policy justifications to the satisfaction of this Court .
In other words , the majority erroneously holds that the agency is not only permitted , but required , to continue administering unlawful programs that it inherited from a previous administration.
” According to Jonathan Adler , a Case Western Reserve University law professor writing at Reason ’ s Volokh Conspiracy blog , politically driven decisions have become standard practice for Chief Justice John Roberts .
RELATED : Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Down on Gun Rights “ He dislikes decisions that alter precedent , invalidate federal statutes , sweep too broadly or ( as here ) upset settled expectations or cause administrative disruptions .
This is also a sufficient priority for him that his concern for disruption will trump his concern for adhering to statutory text or constitutional principle , ” Adler wrote .
Well , it ’ s fair to ask , if a chief justice of the Supreme Court allows his distaste for upsetting “ settled expectations ” to outweigh “ statutory text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we have a Supreme Court at all ?
Conservatives haven ’ t trusted Roberts since the astounding , disgraceful and legally incoherent ruling that preserved Obamacare in 2012 .
In doing so , as conservative commentator Avik Roy wrote on Forbes at the time , Roberts “ invented out of whole cloth a new definition of taxation that contravenes precedent .
… And he forever tarnished his legacy as a Justice , and his promise to the nation that he would serve as an umpire , and ‘ remember that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes , and not to pitch or bat . '
” That was then , and this is now .
And Roberts has pretty well kept the course of choosing his result , then making up the law to go along with it .
In a May 29 decision upholding an assault by the state of California on religious freedoms , Roberts dismissed arguments about the First Amendment — a cornerstone of American liberty — by likening church attendance to “ lectures , concerts , movie showings , spectator sports , and theatrical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather in close proximity for extended periods of time.
” That ’ s nonsense on stilts .
And even Roberts has to know it .
The drift of the Supreme Court in the Trump era has been unmistakable .
As Adler , who is apparently no fan of Trump , notes in his Reason piece , government lawyers have to be painstaking to make sure “ to never to give a court that dislikes a policy decision an excuse to invalidate the action on procedural grounds.
” That ’ s another way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe even Supreme Court chief justices , will let their personal and political preferences dictate their legal decisions .
Thomas , confirmed in 1991 , is the court ’ s longest-serving justice at the moment , has obviously seen plenty of court decisions in the course of the past three decades .
And that ’ s enough for him to speak plainly in Thursday ’ s dissent .
The DACA program was illegal from the beginning , he wrote .
The Trump administration ’ s decision to end it should be the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to countermand an unlawful agency action is clearly reasonable .
So long as the agency ’ s determination of illegality is sound , our review should be at an end.
” It ’ s not the end , thanks to John Roberts and the court ’ s liberal wing .
But if there ’ s any silver lining in Thursday ’ s ruling , it ’ s that it was based on procedural grounds , rather than President Donald Trump ’ s actual authority to end the DACA program completely .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration will have a new chance to end a clearly illegal policy Barack Obama himself admitted he didn ’ t have the authority for , before he did it .
And if Trump wins re-election in November , the likelihood of his appointing at least one more Supreme Court justice is fairly high , given the advanced ages of some on the court today .
It ’ s a chance for the court to get more justices like Thomas , who don ’ t pretend that “ politically controversial ” is more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ruling , like the May 29 decision on religious liberty in the California case and last week ’ s rejection of a slate of Second Amendment cases , gives Trump supporters all the more reason to ensure he returns to the Oval Office comes January 2021 .
Even for conservatives who are uneasy with some aspects of the Trump presidency , the Supreme Court ’ s decisions during his time in office make it even more apparent that a Trump re-election is key to preserving American liberties from the grasping hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no sense pretending otherwise .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Justice Clarence Thomas was through pretending.
The Supreme Court’s decision Thursday that the Trump administration had overstepped its bounds in trying to end President Barack Obama’s policy of allowing a certain class of illegal aliens to remain in the country made a great show of paying lip service to the idea of following the law.
But Thomas’ dissent poked through the pretense to state what was actually happening: The suspiciously pliant Chief Justice John Roberts had found a way — once again — to justify joining the court’s liberal bloc to arrive at a liberal conclusion.
“Today’s decision must be recognized for what it is: an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision,” Thomas wrote.
In his dissent in the SCOTUS DACA case Justice Thomas says The decision is “An effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision.” pic.twitter.com/kFvWt4f2BH — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 18, 2020
There are few more damning words that can be said about a court ruling than that it substituted political expedience for sound legal reasoning. For a court that’s supposedly dedicated to upholding the principles of the United States Constitution, it’s hypocrisy in its most poisonous form.
Thursday’s court ruling rejected the Trump administration’s efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the Obama-era policy that protected illegal aliens from deportation if they were brought to the country as children.
USA Today’s coverage called DACA “popular.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed in a Twitter post that he “literally cried tears of joy” when he heard the decision.
Do you think President Trump will be re-elected in November? 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% (2106 Votes) No: 2% (48 Votes)
But a federal policy’s popularity, or “Cryin’ Chuck” Schumer and his political histrionics, aren’t supposed to be how Supreme Court decisions are made.
In fact, politics shouldn’t even the issue, Thomas wrote. Because when political considerations supplant constitutional concerns, it’s the country as a whole that suffers because the door is open to more chaotic controversies in the future.
“[T]he majority has decided to prolong DHS’ initial overreach by providing a stopgap measure of its own. In doing so, it has given the green light for future political battles to be fought in this Court rather than where they rightfully belong — the political branches. Such timidity forsakes the Court’s duty to apply the law according to neutral principles, and the ripple effects of the majority’s error will be felt throughout our system of self-government. [Emphasis added.]
“Perhaps even more unfortunately, the majority’s holding creates perverse incentives, particularly for outgoing administrations. Under the auspices of today’s decision, administrations can bind their successors by unlawfully adopting significant legal changes through Executive Branch agency memoranda. Even if the agency lacked authority to effectuate the changes, the changes cannot be undone by the same agency in a successor administration unless the successor provides sufficient policy justifications to the satisfaction of this Court. In other words, the majority erroneously holds that the agency is not only permitted, but required, to continue administering unlawful programs that it inherited from a previous administration.”
According to Jonathan Adler, a Case Western Reserve University law professor writing at Reason’s Volokh Conspiracy blog, politically driven decisions have become standard practice for Chief Justice John Roberts.
“He dislikes decisions that alter precedent, invalidate federal statutes, sweep too broadly or (as here) upset settled expectations or cause administrative disruptions. This is also a sufficient priority for him that his concern for disruption will trump his concern for adhering to statutory text or constitutional principle,” Adler wrote.
Well, it’s fair to ask, if a chief justice of the Supreme Court allows his distaste for upsetting “settled expectations” to outweigh “statutory text or constitutional principle,” then why do we have a Supreme Court at all?
Conservatives haven’t trusted Roberts since the astounding, disgraceful and legally incoherent ruling that preserved Obamacare in 2012.
In doing so, as conservative commentator Avik Roy wrote on Forbes at the time, Roberts “invented out of whole cloth a new definition of taxation that contravenes precedent. … And he forever tarnished his legacy as a Justice, and his promise to the nation that he would serve as an umpire, and ‘remember that it’s my job to call balls and strikes, and not to pitch or bat.'”
That was then, and this is now. And Roberts has pretty well kept the course of choosing his result, then making up the law to go along with it.
In a May 29 decision upholding an assault by the state of California on religious freedoms, Roberts dismissed arguments about the First Amendment — a cornerstone of American liberty — by likening church attendance to “lectures, concerts, movie showings, spectator sports, and theatrical performances, where large groups of people gather in close proximity for extended periods of time.”
That’s nonsense on stilts. And even Roberts has to know it.
The drift of the Supreme Court in the Trump era has been unmistakable.
As Adler, who is apparently no fan of Trump, notes in his Reason piece, government lawyers have to be painstaking to make sure “to never to give a court that dislikes a policy decision an excuse to invalidate the action on procedural grounds.”
That’s another way of saying some federal court justices, and maybe even Supreme Court chief justices, will let their personal and political preferences dictate their legal decisions.
Thomas, confirmed in 1991, is the court’s longest-serving justice at the moment, has obviously seen plenty of court decisions in the course of the past three decades.
And that’s enough for him to speak plainly in Thursday’s dissent. The DACA program was illegal from the beginning, he wrote. The Trump administration’s decision to end it should be the end of the matter.
“The decision to countermand an unlawful agency action is clearly reasonable. So long as the agency’s determination of illegality is sound, our review should be at an end.”
It’s not the end, thanks to John Roberts and the court’s liberal wing. But if there’s any silver lining in Thursday’s ruling, it’s that it was based on procedural grounds, rather than President Donald Trump’s actual authority to end the DACA program completely.
That means, if Trump is re-elected, his administration will have a new chance to end a clearly illegal policy Barack Obama himself admitted he didn’t have the authority for, before he did it.
And if Trump wins re-election in November, the likelihood of his appointing at least one more Supreme Court justice is fairly high, given the advanced ages of some on the court today.
It’s a chance for the court to get more justices like Thomas, who don’t pretend that “politically controversial” is more important than “legally correct.”
Thursday’s ruling, like the May 29 decision on religious liberty in the California case and last week’s rejection of a slate of Second Amendment cases, gives Trump supporters all the more reason to ensure he returns to the Oval Office comes January 2021.
Even for conservatives who are uneasy with some aspects of the Trump presidency, the Supreme Court’s decisions during his time in office make it even more apparent that a Trump re-election is key to preserving American liberties from the grasping hands of a progressive state.
And there’s no sense pretending otherwise.
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--2020-06-18--Police Swoop In and Clear ‘Autonomous Zone’ as Quickly as It Began

A copycat effort in Portland , Oregon , to mimic the autonomous zone created in Seattle failed Thursday as Portland police dismantled barricades that had been erected overnight .
Beginning at around midnight , demonstrators began dragging whatever they could find to serve as a barrier , including dumpsters , recycling bins and pallets , to an area they believed to be near the residence of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler .
However , by 5:30 a.m. local time Thursday , police moved in , according to KOIN-TV .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autonomous zone named for Patrick Kimmons , who was killed by Portland police in 2018 .
Thursday morning , police declared a civil disturbance and unlawful assembly and asked residents of the area to shelter in place .
Most protesters left after the declaration was announced .
One person , Hailley Nolan , 27 , was arrested and charged with interfering with a police officer .
The end of the protest did not mean the end of the work .
The area where protesters had gathered needed to be cleaned of debris .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ area back up and running as soon as possible so people can go about their day , ” Portland Police Bureau Lt. Tina Jones said .
“ We want people to know the area is safe .
We ’ re very pleased with the successful outcome this morning .
There was an intent to create an autonomous zone in Portland and that failed last night.
” “ I am proud of our PPB officers and command staff who carefully and safely dispersed this unlawful assembly , ” PPB Chief Chuck Lovell said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ barricade city streets and begin the creation of an autonomous zone caused great concern for public safety .
Emergency responders need to be able to respond to critical life safety calls .
There are acceptable ways to express first amendment rights and this was beyond the threshold for what is acceptable for Portland.
” Wheeler emerged from his apartment at about 7 a.m. , saying he was there to help clean up , and stated he opposes creating an autonomous zone as a way to address grievances .
“ I do not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , according to My Northwest .
“ I ’ m watching what ’ s happening in Seattle , and I ’ m not impressed .
I think it ’ s a distraction from the larger movement , and the movement is justice for black people.
” “ What I ’ m hearing coming out of Seattle concerns me , ” he said .
“ Armed people walking around the autonomous zone .
People being asked to show their papers and demonstrate where they are from at the entrance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shaken down to be allowed to operate within the autonomous zone .
If you are asking if that is something I support , let me be unequivocally clear : I absolutely do not support that.
” Portland has endured almost three weeks of protests that initially were touched off by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A copycat effort in Portland, Oregon, to mimic the autonomous zone created in Seattle failed Thursday as Portland police dismantled barricades that had been erected overnight.
Beginning at around midnight, demonstrators began dragging whatever they could find to serve as a barrier, including dumpsters, recycling bins and pallets, to an area they believed to be near the residence of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.
However, by 5:30 a.m. local time Thursday, police moved in, according to KOIN-TV.
Playtime over: Portland autonomous zone is no more
pic.twitter.com/Yzvv8fkINM — ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) June 18, 2020
Some protesters wanted the autonomous zone named for Patrick Kimmons, who was killed by Portland police in 2018.
This has been declared the Patrick Kimmons autonomous zone, and by request of Patrick’s mother we are demanding for the reopening Patrick’s case, along with abolishing the PPB and the stolen land we call Portland. #BlackLivesmatter #PKAZ#PatrickKimmonsAutnomousZone pic.twitter.com/g3BaRjtlvi — PNW Youth Liberation Front (@PNWYLF) June 18, 2020
Thursday morning, police declared a civil disturbance and unlawful assembly and asked residents of the area to shelter in place. Most protesters left after the declaration was announced.
One person, Hailley Nolan, 27, was arrested and charged with interfering with a police officer.
The end of the protest did not mean the end of the work. The area where protesters had gathered needed to be cleaned of debris.
“Our goal is to get the area back up and running as soon as possible so people can go about their day,” Portland Police Bureau Lt. Tina Jones said.
“We want people to know the area is safe. We’re very pleased with the successful outcome this morning. There was an intent to create an autonomous zone in Portland and that failed last night.”
“I am proud of our PPB officers and command staff who carefully and safely dispersed this unlawful assembly,” PPB Chief Chuck Lovell said. “The actions taken by some to barricade city streets and begin the creation of an autonomous zone caused great concern for public safety. Emergency responders need to be able to respond to critical life safety calls. There are acceptable ways to express first amendment rights and this was beyond the threshold for what is acceptable for Portland.”
Wheeler emerged from his apartment at about 7 a.m., saying he was there to help clean up, and stated he opposes creating an autonomous zone as a way to address grievances.
Are you glad someone finally took action against an 'autonomous zone'? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (1832 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“I do not want an autonomous zone set up in Portland,” he said, according to My Northwest. “I’m watching what’s happening in Seattle, and I’m not impressed. I think it’s a distraction from the larger movement, and the movement is justice for black people.”
“What I’m hearing coming out of Seattle concerns me,” he said. “Armed people walking around the autonomous zone. People being asked to show their papers and demonstrate where they are from at the entrance to the autonomous zone.
“Businesses potentially being shaken down to be allowed to operate within the autonomous zone. If you are asking if that is something I support, let me be unequivocally clear: I absolutely do not support that.”
Portland has endured almost three weeks of protests that initially were touched off by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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--2020-06-18--Ex-Secret Service Agent Bongino Schools Geraldo on Police Shootings

During an explosive exchange on Monday ’ s edition of “ Hannity , ” frequent Fox News guest and former Secret Service agent and police officer Dan Bongino tore into Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera , taking issue with his analysis about the death of Rayshard Brooks and calling him “ full of crap.
” The contentious conversation focused on the death of Brooks , an African-American man who was shot dead by an Atlanta police officer Friday night .
Police were summoned because Brooks fell asleep in his car , which was parked in a Wendy ’ s drive-thru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed a sobriety test , one of the officers attempted to arrest him .
He then resisted arrest and grabbed one of the officer ’ s stun guns .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , “ [ r ] estaurant surveillance video released late Saturday by the GBI shows Brooks running away and then turn and appear to fire the Taser at the pursuing officers.
” It was at that point that now-fired Officer Garrett Rolfe shot Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged with murder .
While Bongino acknowledged that “ any death is a tragedy , ” he argued that the police officers in Atlanta should not have handled the situation differently : “ What would you do in this scenario ?
You had a subject who was pulled over and stopped for allegedly driving drunk .
Are you going to let him take off in the car and potentially hurt someone ?
” “ What reasonable person wouldn ’ t respond to defend their own life ?
” Rivera , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have let Brooks go : “ He ’ s a drunk driver .
He ’ s running away with the taser .
Where ’ s he going to run ?
How far is he going to run before he runs out of steam ?
” At this point , Bongino began ripping into Rivera : “ You don ’ t know what you ’ re talking about !
” Bongino went on to point out that Rivera had “ never walked a foot post or engaged in a foot pursuit ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not empathize with the difficult situation the officers found themselves in .
As Rivera attempted to defend himself , Bongino urged him to “ stand down.
” Bongino repeatedly shouted “ you don ’ t know what you ’ re talking about ” as Rivera continued speaking .
Bongino continued : “ You are putting yourself in the shoes of a police officer .
You have zero experience .
You are full of crap and you know it !
” Rivera once again minimized the risks associated with letting Brooks walk free , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go , Dan ?
” RELATED : Black Pastor Uses His 2nd Amendment Rights After Mob Allegedly Attacks Him Bongino reminded Rivera that Brooks “ fled and pointed a stolen weapon in the face of a police officer in hot pursuit.
” Rivera talked over Bongino and maintained that “ you don ’ t get shot in the back for that ” before accusing his fellow guest of “ defending the indefensible.
” While it ’ s understandable that Rivera would be upset about Brooks ’ death , his analysis fails to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond the way he did .
As Bongino pointed out , “ he engaged in an action that could have caused serious physical injury or death to the law enforcement officer.
” As the segment came to a close , Bongino told Rivera : “ The only person humiliating themselves in this interview is you pretending you have any idea what you ’ re talking about.
” Conservative scholar Heather MacDonald , author of “ The War on Cops , ” explained another consequence of letting Brooks go free during an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday : “ What if he had walked home and gotten hit by a car ?
Then , the officers would also have been accused of murder and indifference to black life.
” Rivera and Bongino ’ s heated exchange reflects the fact that the country is on edge after George Floyd ’ s death as well as the shooting of Rayshard Brooks , both of which led to violent and destructive riots .
Regardless of the circumstances that preceded it , Bongino ’ s takedown of Rivera has already secured a spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorable cable news moments ” of 2020 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

During an explosive exchange on Monday’s edition of “Hannity,” frequent Fox News guest and former Secret Service agent and police officer Dan Bongino tore into Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera, taking issue with his analysis about the death of Rayshard Brooks and calling him “full of crap.”
The contentious conversation focused on the death of Brooks, an African-American man who was shot dead by an Atlanta police officer Friday night.
Police were summoned because Brooks fell asleep in his car, which was parked in a Wendy’s drive-thru lane, blocking traffic.
Dan Bongino loses it on Geraldo in shouting match over Atlanta Bongino loses it on Geraldo in shouting match over Atlanta: 'Don't you dare be a fraud right now! Stand down!' Posted by Sean Hannity on Tuesday, June 16, 2020
After Brooks failed a sobriety test, one of the officers attempted to arrest him. He then resisted arrest and grabbed one of the officer’s stun guns.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “[r]estaurant surveillance video released late Saturday by the GBI shows Brooks running away and then turn and appear to fire the Taser at the pursuing officers.”
It was at that point that now-fired Officer Garrett Rolfe shot Brooks in the back. Rolfe has now been charged with murder.
While Bongino acknowledged that “any death is a tragedy,” he argued that the police officers in Atlanta should not have handled the situation differently: “What would you do in this scenario? You had a subject who was pulled over and stopped for allegedly driving drunk. Are you going to let him take off in the car and potentially hurt someone?”
“What reasonable person wouldn’t respond to defend their own life?”
Do you think Rolfe should have been charged with murder? 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: 2% (52 Votes) No: 98% (2040 Votes)
Rivera, on the other hand, argued that the police should have let Brooks go: “He’s a drunk driver. He’s running away with the taser. Where’s he going to run? How far is he going to run before he runs out of steam?”
At this point, Bongino began ripping into Rivera: “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Bongino went on to point out that Rivera had “never walked a foot post or engaged in a foot pursuit” in his life and therefore, he could not empathize with the difficult situation the officers found themselves in.
As Rivera attempted to defend himself, Bongino urged him to “stand down.” Bongino repeatedly shouted “you don’t know what you’re talking about” as Rivera continued speaking.
Bongino continued: “You are putting yourself in the shoes of a police officer. You have zero experience. You are full of crap and you know it!”
Rivera once again minimized the risks associated with letting Brooks walk free, asking “Where’s he going to go, Dan?”
Bongino reminded Rivera that Brooks “fled and pointed a stolen weapon in the face of a police officer in hot pursuit.” Rivera talked over Bongino and maintained that “you don’t get shot in the back for that” before accusing his fellow guest of “defending the indefensible.”
While it’s understandable that Rivera would be upset about Brooks’ death, his analysis fails to acknowledge what may have happened if Rolfe did not respond the way he did. As Bongino pointed out, “he engaged in an action that could have caused serious physical injury or death to the law enforcement officer.”
As the segment came to a close, Bongino told Rivera: “The only person humiliating themselves in this interview is you pretending you have any idea what you’re talking about.”
Conservative scholar Heather MacDonald, author of “The War on Cops,” explained another consequence of letting Brooks go free during an appearance on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Wednesday: “What if he had walked home and gotten hit by a car? Then, the officers would also have been accused of murder and indifference to black life.”
By undercutting the legitimacy of law enforcement, we're putting thousands of black lives at risk. My interview with @TuckerCarlson last night on the Atlanta police shooting. pic.twitter.com/tYDxE23JyJ — Heather Mac Donald (@HMDatMI) June 18, 2020
Rivera and Bongino’s heated exchange reflects the fact that the country is on edge after George Floyd’s death as well as the shooting of Rayshard Brooks, both of which led to violent and destructive riots.
Regardless of the circumstances that preceded it, Bongino’s takedown of Rivera has already secured a spot on a list of the “most memorable cable news moments” of 2020.
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--2020-06-18--US Ahead of Schedule in Withdrawal from Afghanistan

The United States has reduced its troop presence in Afghanistan to 8,600 , fulfilling its obligation as part of a February deal with the Taliban , the general who oversees American forces in that region said Thursday .
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie noted that the February deal requires the U.S. to fully withdraw its troops by next May .
He called that an “ aspirational ” commitment that would depend on certain actions by the Taliban .
President Donald Trump has been eager for a full U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan , asserting that American soldiers are merely policing a civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The war began in October 2001 .
The February agreement said the U.S. would drop to 8,600 troops by mid-July .
It represents a reduction from about 12,000 at the time of the agreement .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began “ We have met our part of the agreement , ” McKenzie said , speaking at an Aspen Strategy Group webinar .
The general said a full U.S. withdrawal would happen if conditions are right .
“ Conditions would have to be met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not the Taliban .
That is , of course , al-Qaida and ISIS , ” referring to the extremist group that planned the Sept. 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks in Afghanistan during the Taliban ’ s previous rule , as well as the Islamic State group ’ s Afghanistan affiliate .
As part of the February deal , the Taliban agreed they would not allow any extremist group to use Afghan territory to plan or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The jury is still very much out on that ” commitment , McKenzie said , “ and so we will watch the Taliban.
” He added , “ They have not yet completely made that case .
There remains an opportunity for them to do it , but time is now beginning to grow short.
” McKenzie spoke cautiously of trends in Iraq , where several thousand U.S. troops are training and advising Iraqi forces and contending with periodic hostility from Iranian-backed militia groups .
Although he praised recent efforts by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influences in the country , he cited “ a beginning of a spike in unprovoked rocket attacks on Iraqi bases that host U.S. forces.
” He said he thinks Iran and its proxies in Iraq are conducting these recent attacks “ because they have been unable to prevail in the political arena in Iraq.
” He spoke after Iraqi authorities reported that four rockets exploded inside Baghdad ’ s fortified Green Zone near the American Embassy .
It was the third such reported attack since the U.S. embarked on strategic talks with Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The United States has reduced its troop presence in Afghanistan to 8,600, fulfilling its obligation as part of a February deal with the Taliban, the general who oversees American forces in that region said Thursday.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie noted that the February deal requires the U.S. to fully withdraw its troops by next May.
He called that an “aspirational” commitment that would depend on certain actions by the Taliban.
President Donald Trump has been eager for a full U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, asserting that American soldiers are merely policing a civil conflict and should be brought home. The war began in October 2001.
The February agreement said the U.S. would drop to 8,600 troops by mid-July. It represents a reduction from about 12,000 at the time of the agreement.
“We have met our part of the agreement,” McKenzie said, speaking at an Aspen Strategy Group webinar.
The general said a full U.S. withdrawal would happen if conditions are right.
“Conditions would have to be met that satisfy us that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan,” he said.
“That’s not the Taliban. That is, of course, al-Qaida and ISIS,” referring to the extremist group that planned the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in Afghanistan during the Taliban’s previous rule, as well as the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate.
Do you support the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 91% (103 Votes) No: 9% (10 Votes)
As part of the February deal, the Taliban agreed they would not allow any extremist group to use Afghan territory to plan or carry out attacks on the United States.
“The jury is still very much out on that” commitment, McKenzie said, “and so we will watch the Taliban.”
He added, “They have not yet completely made that case. There remains an opportunity for them to do it, but time is now beginning to grow short.”
McKenzie spoke cautiously of trends in Iraq, where several thousand U.S. troops are training and advising Iraqi forces and contending with periodic hostility from Iranian-backed militia groups.
Although he praised recent efforts by the Iraqi government to deal with Iranian influences in the country, he cited “a beginning of a spike in unprovoked rocket attacks on Iraqi bases that host U.S. forces.”
He said he thinks Iran and its proxies in Iraq are conducting these recent attacks “because they have been unable to prevail in the political arena in Iraq.”
He spoke after Iraqi authorities reported that four rockets exploded inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone near the American Embassy. It was the third such reported attack since the U.S. embarked on strategic talks with Iraq’s new government.
[jwplayer OUDbOFDy]
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-18--Black Pastor Uses His 2nd Amendment Rights After Mob Allegedly Attacks Him

In Virginia , the case of a black pastor who pulled his gun on a racist mob has been making news for a number of reasons .
First , he was initially arrested by sheriff ’ s deputies when they arrived at the scene , even though he ’ d been the alleged victim .
The sheriff has now apologized for the arrest .
Meanwhile , the pastor ’ s five alleged assailants — four men and one woman — are facing “ hate crime ” charges .
However , there ’ s one aspect that isn ’ t being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the power to defend himself in the first place because the Second Amendment guaranteed it .
According to WHSV-TV , Pastor Leon McCray , 61 , says the trouble began on June 1 when he noticed two people who were going to throw away an old refrigerator at the dumpsters in the apartment complex McCray owns in Edinburg , Virginia .
When he requested the two men leave the property , they “ got irate ” but left , he said .
Their absence didn ’ t last long .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' as Quickly as It Began The men allegedly came back with three other people , who he said were “ using all types of racial slurs ” toward him .
“ Racial epithets , and the n-word , and your black life , your [ expletive ] black life don ’ t make , it doesn ’ t make a difference in this county , it doesn ’ t make a difference to me , and we will kill you , ” McCray said .
The mob allegedly proceeded to surround him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a head-butt , he said .
When one of their number “ snatched his shirt off and circled behind me , ” McCray said had no choice but to exercise his Second Amendment rights — taking out his handgun and pointing it at his assailants while calling 911 .
“ It got to the point where this is really getting really , really bad , ” McCray said .
“ I couldn ’ t leave , I couldn ’ t do anything , and with the threats , I felt to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my gun.
” According to The New York Times , McCray told his congregation in a recorded sermon that he had a license for the weapon .
Unfortunately , that ’ s where things go south .
According to WHSV , “ when deputies arrived , McCray says only one talked with him , didn ’ t ask for his story , spoke with the white family who had attacked him , and then seized his weapon and arrested him in front of the people who had just been assaulting him.
” McCray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county courthouse in Woodstock earlier this month , told The Northern Virginia Daily he “ had to draw my weapon to save my life.
” RELATED : Supreme Court Conservatives Blast Fellow Justices for Backing Down on Gun Rights “ I got arrested for brandishing a weapon , ” he said .
“ It saved my life .
‘ I don ’ t care.
’ In other words , my Second Amendment right , they didn ’ t care .
“ And so they took my weapon , and in front of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still threatening my life when the police and sheriff [ deputies ] showed up … they put me in handcuffs , put me in the car , took me to jail.
” “ How humiliating , ” he said .
“ How dehumanizing … to look at this mob of individuals cheering on the sidelines waving as I was carted off to go to jail.
” He was charged with brandishing a firearm ; something that changed after he met with Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter on June 3 .
After the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local district attorney , decided to drop the charges .
“ After talking with him about the incident , it was apparent to me that the charge of brandishing was certainly not appropriate , ” Carter said in a statement on Facebook .
“ Actually , as I told Mr. McCray , if I were faced with similar circumstances , I would have probably done the same thing.
” Yes , there are a whole lot of horrible aspects to this story that can ’ t be sugar-coated .
The role the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ignored , however .
We don ’ t know how this would have ended had McCray not been able to defend himself , but allegedly racist mobs accused of head-butting a 61-year-old man aren ’ t known for restraint .
This was a situation that could have ended much worse than it did — even though the reported behavior of the law enforcement involved leaves much to be desired .
In what can be considered a happy-ish ending , two supervisors in the sheriff ’ s department have been placed on administrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry .
Yes , I understand the case of Leon McCray isn ’ t going to get many people focusing on the Second Amendment aspects of the narrative .
The other elements are timely in a sordid and tragic way .
What shouldn ’ t get lost here is what made these individuals stop allegedly assaulting McCray : The Constitution guaranteed this pastor ’ s God-given right to defend himself .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In Virginia, the case of a black pastor who pulled his gun on a racist mob has been making news for a number of reasons.
First, he was initially arrested by sheriff’s deputies when they arrived at the scene, even though he’d been the alleged victim. The sheriff has now apologized for the arrest.
Meanwhile, the pastor’s five alleged assailants — four men and one woman — are facing “hate crime” charges. However, there’s one aspect that isn’t being routinely discussed — the fact the pastor had the power to defend himself in the first place because the Second Amendment guaranteed it.
According to WHSV-TV, Pastor Leon McCray, 61, says the trouble began on June 1 when he noticed two people who were going to throw away an old refrigerator at the dumpsters in the apartment complex McCray owns in Edinburg, Virginia.
When he requested the two men leave the property, they “got irate” but left, he said. Their absence didn’t last long.
The men allegedly came back with three other people, who he said were “using all types of racial slurs” toward him.
“Racial epithets, and the n-word, and your black life, your [expletive] black life don’t make, it doesn’t make a difference in this county, it doesn’t make a difference to me, and we will kill you,” McCray said.
The mob allegedly proceeded to surround him, with one of the men giving him a head-butt, he said.
When one of their number “snatched his shirt off and circled behind me,” McCray said had no choice but to exercise his Second Amendment rights — taking out his handgun and pointing it at his assailants while calling 911.
Do you think this pastor made the right move by pulling out his gun? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (1314 Votes) No: 0% (4 Votes)
“It got to the point where this is really getting really, really bad,” McCray said. “I couldn’t leave, I couldn’t do anything, and with the threats, I felt to save my life, I had to draw my gun.”
According to The New York Times, McCray told his congregation in a recorded sermon that he had a license for the weapon.
Unfortunately, that’s where things go south. According to WHSV, “when deputies arrived, McCray says only one talked with him, didn’t ask for his story, spoke with the white family who had attacked him, and then seized his weapon and arrested him in front of the people who had just been assaulting him.”
McCray, who attended a protest at the county courthouse in Woodstock earlier this month, told The Northern Virginia Daily he “had to draw my weapon to save my life.”
“I got arrested for brandishing a weapon,” he said. “It saved my life. ‘I don’t care.’ In other words, my Second Amendment right, they didn’t care.
“And so they took my weapon, and in front of this mob of five white individuals that were still threatening my life when the police and sheriff [deputies] showed up … they put me in handcuffs, put me in the car, took me to jail.”
“How humiliating,” he said. “How dehumanizing … to look at this mob of individuals cheering on the sidelines waving as I was carted off to go to jail.”
He was charged with brandishing a firearm; something that changed after he met with Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter on June 3. After the meeting, the sheriff, along with the local district attorney, decided to drop the charges.
“After talking with him about the incident, it was apparent to me that the charge of brandishing was certainly not appropriate,” Carter said in a statement on Facebook. “Actually, as I told Mr. McCray, if I were faced with similar circumstances, I would have probably done the same thing.”
Virginia law states it’s legal to brandish a firearm in “justifiable self-defense.”
Yes, there are a whole lot of horrible aspects to this story that can’t be sugar-coated. The role the right to self-defense played here shouldn’t be ignored, however.
We don’t know how this would have ended had McCray not been able to defend himself, but allegedly racist mobs accused of head-butting a 61-year-old man aren’t known for restraint. This was a situation that could have ended much worse than it did — even though the reported behavior of the law enforcement involved leaves much to be desired.
In what can be considered a happy-ish ending, two supervisors in the sheriff’s department have been placed on administrative leave and the sheriff has ordered an inquiry.
Yes, I understand the case of Leon McCray isn’t going to get many people focusing on the Second Amendment aspects of the narrative. The other elements are timely in a sordid and tragic way.
What shouldn’t get lost here is what made these individuals stop allegedly assaulting McCray: The Constitution guaranteed this pastor’s God-given right to defend himself.
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--2020-06-18--LAPD Racked Up $40 Million in Overtime Pay Thanks to Protests, Now They Might Not Be Paid

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has said that , in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody , he ’ s considering up to a $ 150 million budget diversion from the police , part of what will constitute a $ 250 million program that will encompass youth jobs programs and “ peace centers , ” according to the Los Angeles Times .
It is a curious decision .
This isn ’ t because of political inexpediency .
In fact , given that the idea of defunding police is currently having its moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tone that tends to get you noticed in flowery prose .
I ’ m saying this because the LAPD ’ s budget is so overstretched as it is the city can ’ t pay its officers for some of the overtime pay that they accrued due to the protests Floyd ’ s death touched off .
Instead of getting paid for their extra work post-June 7 , officers will be given compensation time .
“ I recognize that you have worked tirelessly these past couple weeks during the protests and prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Your dedication and commitment have not gone unnoticed , ” LAPD Chief Michel Moore wrote in a memorandum June 11 .
TRENDING : Ex-CNN Anchor : Network Exec Told Her She Could Only Have the ‘ Right Kind ’ of Black Guests “ During this extraordinary time , including the full mobilization of our sworn members , the Department has expended more than $ 40 million in overtime expenses .
This amount far exceeds any budgetary reserve to address unusual occurrences .
A tweet from Bill Melugin of KTTV-TV in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said morale was at “ rock bottom.
” Proof , Melugin said , came from the number of shift cancelations the LAPD was seeing .
Since they were mobilized to deal with the protests on March 30 , the Los Angeles Times reports that the entire force — almost 10,000 strong — has been working seven days a week to deal with the crisis .
In a statement , the department said it “ offers cash overtime to officers when it is available , and when those allotted amounts are depleted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Survey : Landslide Majority of Truckers Say They Will Not Deliver to Cities That Defund Police “ The COVID-19 pandemic and full mobilization of the Department depleted that cash reserve before the end of the fiscal year , and we transitioned to comp time last week.
” How this would go over apparently didn ’ t occur to Garcetti ’ s administration , which has been touting the budget cuts in the weeks since Floyd ’ s death — sometimes in language that should have been considered a bit more carefully .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , some of them saying , ‘ I ’ m so excited , ’ and other ones saying : ‘ What the hell did you do ?
Now I got ta shift money , ’ ” Garcetti said during a speech earlier this month .
“ That ’ s exactly the point .
It starts someplace , and we say we are going to be who we want to be , or we ’ re going to continue being the killers that we are.
” The LAPD ’ s union was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric , do you really believe that Los Angeles police officers are killers ?
” said Detective Jamie McBride , a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board , according to KTTV-TV .
“ The same officers that provide you 24-hour security extra measures at your residence 365 days a year ?
The same officers that came to your political rescue when crime was out of control ?
… I don ’ t think so , Eric.
” The mayor insisted he didn ’ t mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is so important what we say , but it ’ s also so important to listen to what we say , ” Garcetti said .
“ But when I talked about killers , I said , our collective burden here in this society is that we let black men and women die in this city.
” That ’ s not quite what I took from the context ( if you want to watch the mayor ’ s remarks , they ’ re here ) , but if Garcetti wants us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , go for it .
The bigger problem is going to end up being the program he ’ s promoting , particularly given that the shift has come just as the city is most vulnerable .
This annus horribilis doesn ’ t particularly feel like turning happy anytime soon .
When the Netflix miniseries on 2020 eventually comes out — and you know it will , just as surely as any major Democrat can get a development contract with the streaming service if he or she wants it — this is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t feel like Act Three is going to be unalloyed joy with a placid resolution .
As much as I ’ m sure Garcetti is aware police are particularly unpopular at the moment , he ’ s also likely aware that they ’ re particularly necessary .
Cutting money as the department turns overtime pay into time off isn ’ t going to play particularly well , especially when that overtime pay was earned during the most explosive spate of protests the city has seen since 1992 and the country has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the time for Los Angeles to invest in “ peace centers ” at the expense of the very people who ’ ve been maintaining the law .
Nice as it may sound to the ears of progressives , “ defund police ” shouldn ’ t be the chant Los Angeles is using at the moment .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has said that, in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, he’s considering up to a $150 million budget diversion from the police, part of what will constitute a $250 million program that will encompass youth jobs programs and “peace centers,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
It is a curious decision. This isn’t because of political inexpediency. In fact, given that the idea of defunding police is currently having its moment, Garcetti is striking just the kind of tone that tends to get you noticed in flowery prose.
I’m saying this because the LAPD’s budget is so overstretched as it is the city can’t pay its officers for some of the overtime pay that they accrued due to the protests Floyd’s death touched off.
Instead of getting paid for their extra work post-June 7, officers will be given compensation time.
“I recognize that you have worked tirelessly these past couple weeks during the protests and prior to that during the Safer At Home order. Your dedication and commitment have not gone unnoticed,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore wrote in a memorandum June 11.
“During this extraordinary time, including the full mobilization of our sworn members, the Department has expended more than $40 million in overtime expenses. This amount far exceeds any budgetary reserve to address unusual occurrences.
“Additionally, all non-essential overtime is canceled.”
A tweet from Bill Melugin of KTTV-TV in Los Angeles on Monday quoted sources inside the department who said morale was at “rock bottom.”
NEW: LAPD officers racked up $40 million in overtime during the recent protests, but won’t be paid for it, and will instead be given comp time, according to a memo sent out by Chief Moore I obtained. Budget is out of cash. LAPD sources tell me morale is at “rock bottom”. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/Hs4iZSofaE — Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 16, 2020
Proof, Melugin said, came from the number of shift cancelations the LAPD was seeing.
According to multiple LAPD sources, LAPD Transit Division/MTA services, which is paid via OT, had 43 officers cancel their shifts today, and they are now averaging 12-18 cancellations per shift. I’ll be live at 6 on @FOXLA — Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 16, 2020
Since they were mobilized to deal with the protests on March 30, the Los Angeles Times reports that the entire force — almost 10,000 strong — has been working seven days a week to deal with the crisis.
In a statement, the department said it “offers cash overtime to officers when it is available, and when those allotted amounts are depleted that compensation is offered in time.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and full mobilization of the Department depleted that cash reserve before the end of the fiscal year, and we transitioned to comp time last week.”
How this would go over apparently didn’t occur to Garcetti’s administration, which has been touting the budget cuts in the weeks since Floyd’s death — sometimes in language that should have been considered a bit more carefully.
“I got calls from mayors around the country, some of them saying, ‘I’m so excited,’ and other ones saying: ‘What the hell did you do? Now I gotta shift money,’” Garcetti said during a speech earlier this month.
Should LAPD officers continue to receive overtime pay? 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% (899 Votes) No: 1% (8 Votes)
“That’s exactly the point. It starts someplace, and we say we are going to be who we want to be, or we’re going to continue being the killers that we are.”
The LAPD’s union was predictably infuriated by the remarks.
“Eric, do you really believe that Los Angeles police officers are killers?” said Detective Jamie McBride, a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board, according to KTTV-TV.
“The same officers that provide you 24-hour security extra measures at your residence 365 days a year? The same officers that came to your political rescue when crime was out of control? … I don’t think so, Eric.”
The mayor insisted he didn’t mean that his police officers were killers.
“It is so important what we say, but it’s also so important to listen to what we say,” Garcetti said. “But when I talked about killers, I said, our collective burden here in this society is that we let black men and women die in this city.”
That’s not quite what I took from the context (if you want to watch the mayor’s remarks, they’re here), but if Garcetti wants us to believe that’s what he meant, go for it.
The bigger problem is going to end up being the program he’s promoting, particularly given that the shift has come just as the city is most vulnerable.
This annus horribilis doesn’t particularly feel like turning happy anytime soon. When the Netflix miniseries on 2020 eventually comes out — and you know it will, just as surely as any major Democrat can get a development contract with the streaming service if he or she wants it — this is a very unhappy Act Two, and it doesn’t feel like Act Three is going to be unalloyed joy with a placid resolution.
As much as I’m sure Garcetti is aware police are particularly unpopular at the moment, he’s also likely aware that they’re particularly necessary.
Cutting money as the department turns overtime pay into time off isn’t going to play particularly well, especially when that overtime pay was earned during the most explosive spate of protests the city has seen since 1992 and the country has seen since the 1960s.
This isn’t the time for Los Angeles to invest in “peace centers” at the expense of the very people who’ve been maintaining the law.
Nice as it may sound to the ears of progressives, “defund police” shouldn’t be the chant Los Angeles is using at the moment.
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--2020-06-18--Remember Trump’s Charlottesville Quote? Video Resurfaces of Biden Also Calling Confederate Group ‘Fi

Remember Trump’s Charlottesville Quote? Video Resurfaces of Biden Also Calling Confederate Group ‘Fine People’

The words “ fine people ” have a very specific context in our national debate over race these days , and you ’ re likely to hear them more than a few times during this presidential campaign .
That ’ s hardly surprising .
What ’ s surprising is that you may hear them being thrown Joe Biden ’ s way , too .
That three-word construct is usually attached to President Donald Trump ’ s remarks after the far-right rally in Charlottesville , Virginia in 2017 .
The common misconception remains that he used the words “ very fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the white nationalists at the event , but over the next few months that ’ s probably going to undergo another few spells of reevaluation on various cable shows where people tend real screamy .
That far-right rally , you may recall , was prompted by the planned removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee .
In December , it just so happened that a curious video of Joe Biden related to the Confederacy started making the rounds on social media .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Began At the time , though , the Biden campaign was on the downswing and the focus was far from being race or the Confederacy .
Thus , its circulation was short-lived .
Given it ’ s content , it could come back with a vengeance this year , however .
And considering Biden sewed up the number of delegates necessary to win the Democratic presidential nomination with his June 6 victory in Guam , according to Politico , it ’ s relevancy has returned .
The clip has now re-arrived on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Post and the Daily Wire .
Biden made the remarks during the 1993 confirmation hearings of current Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
A bit of context : Biden , then a senator from Delaware , was referring to a speech by Alabama Democrat Sen. Howell Heflin on the floor of the Senate in support of Democrat Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois , who was looking to deny a Confederate flag patent for the United Daughters of the Confederacy , a Southern women ’ s organization that promotes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , heard that speech and , for the public listening to this , the senator made a very moving and eloquent speech , ” Biden said .
“ As a son of the Confederacy , acknowledging that it was time to change and yield to a position that Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun raised on floor of the Senate , not granting a federal charter to an organization made up of many fine people who continue to display the Confederate flag as a symbol .
“ The charter would have given them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to do that , ” Biden continued , according to the New York Post .
“ It had nothing to do with the First Amendment , judge , so don ’ t worry .
But the senator made a very significant speech rivaled only , in my view , by a private speech given to me personally by a man whose office I now occupy , Sen. John Stennis from Mississippi , ” he continued .
RELATED : Biden Attempts To Capitalize on Pandemic Job Loss with Wildly Misleading Ad That doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given Biden ’ s history of remarks and positions that Democrats now find troubling .
There were his 1970s positions on busing , which had him making common cause with segregationists ( he would ignite this controversy when he talked about the “ civility ” of their working relationship ) .
In the 1990s , he would help author the crime bill which the left has correlated with the mass incarceration of people of color .
And then there ’ s this doozy of a comment from his busing days , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all election cycle long : “ I do not buy the concept , popular in the ’ 60s , which said , ‘ We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead in the race for everything our society offers .
In order to even the score , we must now give the black man a head start , or even hold the white man back , to even the race , ’ ” Biden said in 1975 .
“ I don ’ t buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that the senator Biden referred to , the late John Stennis of Mississippi , was a vocal segregationist who signed “ The Southern Manifesto ” a 1956 reaction to the Supreme Court ’ s 1954 Brown decision that outlawed segregated schools in the United States .
“ We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use of force in its implementation , ” the manifesto stated , among other words of defiance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first gained attention for the presidential election , Biden still had tentative support among black voters .
Nevertheless , it wasn ’ t until Democrat South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn , an African-American , endorsed him right before his state ’ s Feb. 29 primary did Biden ’ s comeback begin in earnest .
If Clyburn ’ s endorsement acted as a deus ex machina for Biden ’ s troubled campaign , many Democrats have assumed galvanizing the black vote for Biden wouldn ’ t be necessary in the general election .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way into another crisis by saying that “ if you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black ” during a May appearance on the black-centric radio program “ The Breakfast Club.
” And now there ’ s this video , which reappears just as the statues of contentious historical figures — particularly Confederate historical figures — is again a matter of pitched debate .
It ’ s also relevant because Biden began his campaign with a video that focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reached for comment by the New York Post about Biden ’ s 1993 remarks , Biden spokesman Andrew Bates could only point the paper toward a tweet of Biden ’ s that said , “ You don ’ t want to bring up the phrase ‘ fine people ’ in any context.
” If you ’ re Joe Biden , no you don ’ t , particularly since it ’ s virtually the same thing Trump said after Charlottesville .
Different sort of moment , yes — but clearly the same sentiment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign for the Democratic nomination , he needed Clyburn to get his momentum back .
Biden is not quite at the point where another endorsement — or even a black vice presidential pick — is going to wallpaper over things like this .
A lukewarm black vote could end up dooming the Democratic ticket .
One way you would get that is certain clips like this resurfacing at inopportune times .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The words “fine people” have a very specific context in our national debate over race these days, and you’re likely to hear them more than a few times during this presidential campaign. That’s hardly surprising.
What’s surprising is that you may hear them being thrown Joe Biden’s way, too.
That three-word construct is usually attached to President Donald Trump’s remarks after the far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. The common misconception remains that he used the words “very fine people on both sides” to refer to the white nationalists at the event, but over the next few months that’s probably going to undergo another few spells of reevaluation on various cable shows where people tend real screamy.
That far-right rally, you may recall, was prompted by the planned removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
In December, it just so happened that a curious video of Joe Biden related to the Confederacy started making the rounds on social media.
At the time, though, the Biden campaign was on the downswing and the focus was far from being race or the Confederacy. Thus, its circulation was short-lived. Given it’s content, it could come back with a vengeance this year, however.
And considering Biden sewed up the number of delegates necessary to win the Democratic presidential nomination with his June 6 victory in Guam, according to Politico, it’s relevancy has returned.
The clip has now re-arrived on Twitter and received write-ups in publications like the New York Post and the Daily Wire.
?Joe Biden once said people who “display the Confederate flag” are “fine people.” pic.twitter.com/Nqout82fPk — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 & get the APP (@TrumpWarRoom) June 12, 2020
Biden made the remarks during the 1993 confirmation hearings of current Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
A bit of context: Biden, then a senator from Delaware, was referring to a speech by Alabama Democrat Sen. Howell Heflin on the floor of the Senate in support of Democrat Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who was looking to deny a Confederate flag patent for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a Southern women’s organization that promotes the commemoration of Confederate history.
“I, too, heard that speech and, for the public listening to this, the senator made a very moving and eloquent speech,” Biden said.
“As a son of the Confederacy, acknowledging that it was time to change and yield to a position that Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun raised on floor of the Senate, not granting a federal charter to an organization made up of many fine people who continue to display the Confederate flag as a symbol.
“The charter would have given them the right, the imprimatur of the federal government to do that,” Biden continued, according to the New York Post. “It had nothing to do with the First Amendment, judge, so don’t worry. But the senator made a very significant speech rivaled only, in my view, by a private speech given to me personally by a man whose office I now occupy, Sen. John Stennis from Mississippi,” he continued.
Does this show Biden is a hypocrite when it comes to racial issues? 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% (819 Votes) No: 1% (6 Votes)
That doesn’t look too good, particularly given Biden’s history of remarks and positions that Democrats now find troubling.
There were his 1970s positions on busing, which had him making common cause with segregationists (he would ignite this controversy when he talked about the “civility” of their working relationship). In the 1990s, he would help author the crime bill which the left has correlated with the mass incarceration of people of color.
And then there’s this doozy of a comment from his busing days, which he’s been trying to live down all election cycle long: “I do not buy the concept, popular in the ’60s, which said, ‘We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead in the race for everything our society offers. In order to even the score, we must now give the black man a head start, or even hold the white man back, to even the race,’” Biden said in 1975. “I don’t buy that.”
And then there’s the fact that the senator Biden referred to, the late John Stennis of Mississippi, was a vocal segregationist who signed “The Southern Manifesto” a 1956 reaction to the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown decision that outlawed segregated schools in the United States.
“We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use of force in its implementation,” the manifesto stated, among other words of defiance.
Back in December, when the video first gained attention for the presidential election, Biden still had tentative support among black voters. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until Democrat South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, an African-American, endorsed him right before his state’s Feb. 29 primary did Biden’s comeback begin in earnest.
If Clyburn’s endorsement acted as a deus ex machina for Biden’s troubled campaign, many Democrats have assumed galvanizing the black vote for Biden wouldn’t be necessary in the general election. Biden said as much when he gaffed his way into another crisis by saying that “if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black” during a May appearance on the black-centric radio program “The Breakfast Club.”
And now there’s this video, which reappears just as the statues of contentious historical figures — particularly Confederate historical figures — is again a matter of pitched debate.
It’s also relevant because Biden began his campaign with a video that focused on Trump’s remarks about Charlottesville.
The core values of this nation… our standing in the world… our very democracy…everything that has made America — America –is at stake. That’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. #Joe2020 https://t.co/jzaQbyTEz3 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2019
Reached for comment by the New York Post about Biden’s 1993 remarks, Biden spokesman Andrew Bates could only point the paper toward a tweet of Biden’s that said, “You don’t want to bring up the phrase ‘fine people’ in any context.”
If you’re Joe Biden, no you don’t, particularly since it’s virtually the same thing Trump said after Charlottesville. Different sort of moment, yes — but clearly the same sentiment.
At a low point in Biden’s campaign for the Democratic nomination, he needed Clyburn to get his momentum back. Biden is not quite at the point where another endorsement — or even a black vice presidential pick — is going to wallpaper over things like this.
A lukewarm black vote could end up dooming the Democratic ticket. One way you would get that is certain clips like this resurfacing at inopportune times.
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--2020-06-18--Colin Kaepernick Gets a New Job

Colin Kaepernick Gets a New Job

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a new job .
It ’ s just probably not the one his most ardent fans and supporters were hoping for .
Kaepernick , 32 , has joined the board of directors for online publishing platform Medium , according to company CEO Evan Williams .
In a Thursday announcement on the official Medium blog , Williams said he “ couldn ’ t be more happy to welcome Colin to Medium.
” “ Today , we announce that civil rights activist and athlete Colin Kaepernick will be joining our Board of Directors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medium will partner with Colin and Kaepernick Publishing to create and feature stories focused on race and civil rights in America , and to elevate emerging voices from communities of color , ” Williams said .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began Williams noted that he had been wanting to work with Kaepernick ever since meeting him “ a couple years ago.
” “ He ’ s an incisive , independent thinker , whose integrity has inspired so many .
The world needs more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Variety reported , Kaepernick is Medium ’ s “ first non-white member of the board.
” It ’ s also worth noting that Kaepernick has never held a notable job in the tech industry , unless throwing a football near Silicon Valley counts .
“ I know he will bring valuable insights and leadership to Medium , especially in this moment when the world is finally catching up to his vision on racial justice , ” Williams said .
As far as the type of content one can expect from Kaepernick on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less what we should expect from the outspoken activist .
“ He will be sharing his thoughts on anti-Black racism in our society , and Medium and Kaepernick Publishing will co-publish thought-provoking feature stories from diverse writers of color , ” Williams said .
Kaepernick Publishing , the former NFL star ’ s publishing company that aims to “ inspire all generations of readers and listeners , ” will also be working in partnership with Medium .
Notably , Kaepernick is still not employed by the NFL , although that could change soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support this week for a team signing the former dual-threat quarterback .
“ But I welcome that , support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that , ” Goodell said in an ESPN interview .
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn also spoke out in support of Kaepernick on Wednesday , according to ESPN .
“ I haven ’ t spoken with Colin , not sure where he ’ s at as far as in his career , what he wants to do , ” Lynn said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quarterback for the system that we ’ re going to be running .
I ’ m very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have , but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway.
” But perhaps the most surprising voice of support for Kaepernick getting rehired by the NFL came from President Donald Trump during an appearance on the Fox News show “ Hannity.
” “ If he has the ability , look , you know , he could only get it if he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview that aired Wednesday night .
“ They ’ re not going to lose games because of , you know , wanting to be politically correct or whatever term you make .
I don ’ t know if that ’ s politically correct or the opposite .
“ But if he has the ability , look , he was a great rookie and his second year was great .
And then after that , he started going downhill rather rapidly .
And then he was out of football and then he started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a lot more money doing that than he did with the football.
” Kaepernick became the center of controversy when he began kneeling during the national anthem prior to NFL games in 2016 .
He last took an NFL snap on Jan. 1 , 2017 , in a 25-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a new job.
It’s just probably not the one his most ardent fans and supporters were hoping for.
Kaepernick, 32, has joined the board of directors for online publishing platform Medium, according to company CEO Evan Williams.
In a Thursday announcement on the official Medium blog, Williams said he “couldn’t be more happy to welcome Colin to Medium.”
“Today, we announce that civil rights activist and athlete Colin Kaepernick will be joining our Board of Directors. In addition to the board seat, Medium will partner with Colin and Kaepernick Publishing to create and feature stories focused on race and civil rights in America, and to elevate emerging voices from communities of color,” Williams said.
Williams noted that he had been wanting to work with Kaepernick ever since meeting him “a couple years ago.”
“He’s an incisive, independent thinker, whose integrity has inspired so many. The world needs more of that,” Williams said.
As Variety reported, Kaepernick is Medium’s “first non-white member of the board.” It’s also worth noting that Kaepernick has never held a notable job in the tech industry, unless throwing a football near Silicon Valley counts.
“I know he will bring valuable insights and leadership to Medium, especially in this moment when the world is finally catching up to his vision on racial justice,” Williams said.
Do you think Colin Kaepernick will take an NFL snap this 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: 5% (186 Votes) No: 95% (3639 Votes)
As far as the type of content one can expect from Kaepernick on Medium, it’s more or less what we should expect from the outspoken activist.
“He will be sharing his thoughts on anti-Black racism in our society, and Medium and Kaepernick Publishing will co-publish thought-provoking feature stories from diverse writers of color,” Williams said.
Kaepernick Publishing, the former NFL star’s publishing company that aims to “inspire all generations of readers and listeners,” will also be working in partnership with Medium.
We’re excited to announce our founder, @kaepernick7, will be the newest Board Member @medium. In addition to this, #KaepernickPublishing partners with Medium to further our mission uplifting voices of our communities. pic.twitter.com/FQYYNdTQcP — Kaepernick Publishing (@KaepernickPub) June 18, 2020
Notably, Kaepernick is still not employed by the NFL, although that could change soon.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed public support this week for a team signing the former dual-threat quarterback.
“But I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that,” Goodell said in an ESPN interview.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn also spoke out in support of Kaepernick on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
“I haven’t spoken with Colin, not sure where he’s at as far as in his career, what he wants to do,” Lynn said.
“But Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system that we’re going to be running. I’m very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have, but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway.”
But perhaps the most surprising voice of support for Kaepernick getting rehired by the NFL came from President Donald Trump during an appearance on the Fox News show “Hannity.”
“If he has the ability, look, you know, he could only get it if he has the ability,” Trump said in an interview that aired Wednesday night. “They’re not going to lose games because of, you know, wanting to be politically correct or whatever term you make. I don’t know if that’s politically correct or the opposite.
“But if he has the ability, look, he was a great rookie and his second year was great. And then after that, he started going downhill rather rapidly. And then he was out of football and then he started suing everybody. And I think he made a lot more money doing that than he did with the football.”
Kaepernick became the center of controversy when he began kneeling during the national anthem prior to NFL games in 2016.
He last took an NFL snap on Jan. 1, 2017, in a 25-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
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--2020-06-18--Confederate Portraits Now in Pelosi’s Crosshairs

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she is ordering the removal from the Capitol of portraits honoring four previous House speakers who served in the Confederacy .
In a letter to the House clerk , Pelosi ordered the immediate removal of portraits depicting the former speakers Robert Hunter of Virginia , James Orr of South Carolina and Howell Cobb and Charles Crisp , both of Georgia .
The portraits were to be removed later Thursday .
Calling the halls of Congress “ the very heart of our democracy , ″ Pelosi said , “ There is no room in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any place of honor for memorializing men who embody the violent bigotry and grotesque racism of the Confederacy.″ Pelosi noted that Friday is Juneteenth , the day in 1865 when many African-Americans learned of the end of slavery .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began She called Juneteenth “ a beautiful and proud celebration of freedom for African Americans ” and noted that this year ’ s celebration comes “ during a moment of extraordinary national anguish , as we grieve for the hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police brutality , including George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and so many others.
” Orr , who served as speaker from 1857-59 , swore on the House floor to “ preserve and perpetuate ” slavery in order to “ enjoy our property in peace , quiet and security , ” Pelosi wrote in her letter .
Hunter , who served at nearly every level of the Confederacy , including as Confederate secretary of state , served as speaker from 1839-41 .
Cobb served as speaker from 1849-51 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1891-95 .
Earlier this month , Pelosi urged the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol and the renaming of U.S. military bases that honor Confederate Army officers .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she is ordering the removal from the Capitol of portraits honoring four previous House speakers who served in the Confederacy.
In a letter to the House clerk, Pelosi ordered the immediate removal of portraits depicting the former speakers Robert Hunter of Virginia, James Orr of South Carolina and Howell Cobb and Charles Crisp, both of Georgia. The portraits were to be removed later Thursday.
Calling the halls of Congress “the very heart of our democracy,″ Pelosi said, “There is no room in the hallowed halls of Congress or in any place of honor for memorializing men who embody the violent bigotry and grotesque racism of the Confederacy.″
Pelosi noted that Friday is Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when many African-Americans learned of the end of slavery.
Should the portraits be removed from the Capitol? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (6 Votes) No: 99% (437 Votes)
She called Juneteenth “a beautiful and proud celebration of freedom for African Americans” and noted that this year’s celebration comes “during a moment of extraordinary national anguish, as we grieve for the hundreds of Black Americans killed by racial injustice and police brutality, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others.”
Orr, who served as speaker from 1857-59, swore on the House floor to “preserve and perpetuate” slavery in order to “enjoy our property in peace, quiet and security,” Pelosi wrote in her letter.
Hunter, who served at nearly every level of the Confederacy, including as Confederate secretary of state, served as speaker from 1839-41.
Cobb served as speaker from 1849-51, while Crisp served after the Civil War, from 1891-95.
Earlier this month, Pelosi urged the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol and the renaming of U.S. military bases that honor Confederate Army officers.
[jwplayer iRZ6D4Ae]
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-18--Deputy Receives Note from Two Women at Cracker Barrel After They Pay for His Breakfast

It ’ s hard to know what to believe these days , with video clips cut to emphasize certain angles over others , photos cropped to streamline a certain message , and sides being as polarized as they are .
News tends to focus on the exciting , the sensational and the tragic , but that can give us a lopsided view of the world .
Sure , plenty of terrible , heartbreaking and worrisome things are happening , but there ’ s a lot of good going on , steadily but surely , and it tends to get eclipsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced a bit of that good on Tuesday morning when he sat down to breakfast at a Cracker Barrel in Nashville , Tennessee .
He ordered his food , and as his meal was brought to his table , the waitress had something besides a plate for him .
TRENDING : Police Swoop In and Clear 'Autonomous Zone ' as Quickly as It Began “ I was told to give this to you , ” she said , according to Fox News .
She handed him a piece of lined paper that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message scrawled across it .
“ BLM , ” the note began , “ But so does yours !
Thank you for your service .
Breakfast paid.
” With many of the highlighted interactions between civilians and police being so negatively charged as of late , McDowell was the unsuspecting recipient of a lovely gesture of kindness from a pair of women who ’ d spotted him as he settled in .
He posted a photo of the note and shared their kindness with the world .
“ I want to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my breakfast this morning , ” he wrote .
“ While waiting for a transport to be completed , I decided to have breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville airport .
I received this note from them.
” While he didn ’ t catch the ladies ’ names , he certainly caught their kindness and told them so at the restaurant when they paused to thank him for his service .
Since posting the note on Tuesday morning , McDowell has gotten hundreds of comments and shares and over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken the hint and picked up the piece , spreading a little bit of sunshine .
“ Thanks for showing that to us !
” one person commented on McDowell ’ s original post .
“ We always hear the bad , but this is what we need to see more of .
Thanks for your service , sweet nephew !
” “ It is the beautiful caring hearts inside , not the color of all of our skins , ” another wrote .
“ That was so kind and caring of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly believe that there are more people who feel this way than we see at the protests , ” a third wrote .
“ Thank you for your service.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s hard to know what to believe these days, with video clips cut to emphasize certain angles over others, photos cropped to streamline a certain message, and sides being as polarized as they are.
News tends to focus on the exciting, the sensational and the tragic, but that can give us a lopsided view of the world. Sure, plenty of terrible, heartbreaking and worrisome things are happening, but there’s a lot of good going on, steadily but surely, and it tends to get eclipsed.
Sumner County Patrol Deputy Jody McDowell experienced a bit of that good on Tuesday morning when he sat down to breakfast at a Cracker Barrel in Nashville, Tennessee.
He ordered his food, and as his meal was brought to his table, the waitress had something besides a plate for him.
“I was told to give this to you,” she said, according to Fox News.
She handed him a piece of lined paper that had been torn out of a notebook with a message scrawled across it.
“BLM,” the note began, “But so does yours! Thank you for your service. Breakfast paid.”
With many of the highlighted interactions between civilians and police being so negatively charged as of late, McDowell was the unsuspecting recipient of a lovely gesture of kindness from a pair of women who’d spotted him as he settled in.
He posted a photo of the note and shared their kindness with the world.
“I want to thank the two sweet black ladies who paid for my breakfast this morning,” he wrote. “While waiting for a transport to be completed, I decided to have breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville airport. I received this note from them.”
While he didn’t catch the ladies’ names, he certainly caught their kindness and told them so at the restaurant when they paused to thank him for his service.
Since posting the note on Tuesday morning, McDowell has gotten hundreds of comments and shares and over a thousand likes. News outlets have even taken the hint and picked up the piece, spreading a little bit of sunshine.
“Thanks for showing that to us!” one person commented on McDowell’s original post. “We always hear the bad, but this is what we need to see more of. Thanks for your service, sweet nephew!”
“It is the beautiful caring hearts inside, not the color of all of our skins,” another wrote. “That was so kind and caring of them. Thank you all.”
“I truly believe that there are more people who feel this way than we see at the protests,” a third wrote. “Thank you for your service.”
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--2020-06-18--Trump Shreds Bolton as a ‘Washed Up Guy’ Who ‘Never Had a Clue’

President Donald Trump on Thursday lambasted former National Security Advisor John Bolton over a book Bolton has written about his time in the Trump White House .
“ When Wacko John Bolton went on Deface the Nation and so stupidly said that he looked at the ‘ Libyan Model ’ for North Korea , all hell broke out .
Kim Jong Un , who we were getting along with very well , went ‘ ballistic ’ , just like his missiles — and rightfully so , ” Trump tweeted .
“ He didn ’ t want Bolton anywhere near him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements set us back very badly with North Korea , even now .
I asked him , ‘ what the hell were you thinking ?
’ He had no answer and just apologized .
That was early on , I should have fired him right then & there !
” TRENDING : Ex-CNN Anchor : Network Exec Told Her She Could Only Have the ‘ Right Kind ’ of Black Guests Trump said the book , excerpts of which have been made public in news reports , paints a false picture of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , which is getting terrible reviews , is a compilation of lies and made up stories , all intended to make me look bad .
Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made , pure fiction .
Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is !
” Trump tweeted .
The president said Bolton never was a good fit in his administration .
“ Wacko John Bolton ’ s ‘ exceedingly tedious ' ( New York Times ) book is made up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all good about me , in print , until the day I fired him .
A disgruntled boring fool who only wanted to go to war .
Never had a clue , was ostracized & happily dumped .
What a dope !
” Trump tweeted During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired Wednesday night , Trump lashed out at Bolton and the book .
Trump said he took a chance on Bolton , but regretted it .
“ He was a washed up guy .
I gave him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate confirmed so I gave him a non-Senate confirmed position where I could just put him there , see how he worked , ” the president said .
“ I wasn ’ t very enamored , ” Trump said , noting Bolton ’ s support for the 2003 Iraq War .
“ He was one of the big guns for ‘ Let ’ s go into Iraq ’ and that didn ’ t work out too well and I was against that a long time ago.
” Trump said Bolton sought to print @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have approval.
” The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to block the scheduled June 23 release of the book , claiming that it contains classified information and that Bolton did not complete a required pre-publication review process , according to The Hill .
“ What I would note is this book is full of classified information , which is inexcusable , ” she said , according to a White House media pool report .
“ Former National Security Advisor John Bolton should know all too well that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the government of the United States in a book that will be published .
It ’ s unacceptable .
It has not gone through the review process , and that ’ s where we currently stand.
” Also Wednesday , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said it was “ kind of remarkable to have a book be published while people are still in office , ” according to a White House media pool report .
Conway also tweaked the media over the Bolton book .
“ It is actually precious and adorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
It ’ s really cute , ” she said .
Conway said a review of the book is essential for the nation .
“ I would just think that it ’ s very important to the nation ’ s security , not even the president himself , but for the presidency itself and the nation ’ s security to make sure the review processes have been completed , ” she said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump on Thursday lambasted former National Security Advisor John Bolton over a book Bolton has written about his time in the Trump White House.
“When Wacko John Bolton went on Deface the Nation and so stupidly said that he looked at the ‘Libyan Model’ for North Korea, all hell broke out. Kim Jong Un, who we were getting along with very well, went ‘ballistic’, just like his missiles — and rightfully so,” Trump tweeted.
“He didn’t want Bolton anywhere near him. Bolton’s dumbest of all statements set us back very badly with North Korea, even now. I asked him, ‘what the hell were you thinking?’ He had no answer and just apologized. That was early on, I should have fired him right then & there!”
….He didn’t want Bolton anywhere near him. Bolton’s dumbest of all statements set us back very badly with North Korea, even now. I asked him, “what the hell were you thinking?” He had no answer and just apologized. That was early on, I should have fired him right then & there! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2020
Trump said the book, excerpts of which have been made public in news reports, paints a false picture of the White House.
Bolton’s book, which is getting terrible reviews, is a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad. Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made, pure fiction. Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2020
“Bolton’s book, which is getting terrible reviews, is a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad. Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made, pure fiction. Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is!” Trump tweeted.
The president said Bolton never was a good fit in his administration.
Wacko John Bolton’s “exceedingly tedious”(New York Times) book is made up of lies & fake stories. Said all good about me, in print, until the day I fired him. A disgruntled boring fool who only wanted to go to war. Never had a clue, was ostracized & happily dumped. What a dope! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2020
“Wacko John Bolton’s ‘exceedingly tedious'(New York Times) book is made up of lies & fake stories. Said all good about me, in print, until the day I fired him. A disgruntled boring fool who only wanted to go to war. Never had a clue, was ostracized & happily dumped. What a dope!” Trump tweeted
During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired Wednesday night, Trump lashed out at Bolton and the book.
“He broke the law,” Trump said.
Trump said he took a chance on Bolton, but regretted it.
Was hiring John Bolton a mistake? 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% (752 Votes) No: 2% (19 Votes)
“He was a washed up guy. I gave him a chance. He couldn’t get Senate confirmed so I gave him a non-Senate confirmed position where I could just put him there, see how he worked,” the president said.
“I wasn’t very enamored,” Trump said, noting Bolton’s support for the 2003 Iraq War. “He was one of the big guns for ‘Let’s go into Iraq’ and that didn’t work out too well and I was against that a long time ago.”
Trump said Bolton sought to print “highly classified information. And he did not have approval.”
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to block the scheduled June 23 release of the book, claiming that it contains classified information and that Bolton did not complete a required pre-publication review process, according to The Hill.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany touched on Bolton’s book Wednesday during a media briefing,.
“What I would note is this book is full of classified information, which is inexcusable,” she said, according to a White House media pool report. “Former National Security Advisor John Bolton should know all too well that it’s unacceptable to have highly classified information from the government of the United States in a book that will be published. It’s unacceptable. It has not gone through the review process, and that’s where we currently stand.”
Also Wednesday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said it was “kind of remarkable to have a book be published while people are still in office,” according to a White House media pool report.
Conway also tweaked the media over the Bolton book.
“It is actually precious and adorable, how pro-John Bolton you all are now. It’s really cute,” she said.
Conway said a review of the book is essential for the nation.
“I would just think that it’s very important to the nation’s security, not even the president himself, but for the presidency itself and the nation’s security to make sure the review processes have been completed,” she said.
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.