westernjournal--2020-08-22--While Establishment Media Freak Over Kamala Birther Theory, Don’t Forget They Tried Same Strategy wi

While Establishment Media Freak Over Kamala Birther Theory, Don’t Forget They Tried Same Strategy with McCain, Cruz

The establishment media are going nuts over remarks President Donald Trump made regarding Sen. Kamala Harris ’ eligibility to be the Democrats ’ nominee for vice president .
A New York Times article last week reported that Trump “ encouraged a racist conspiracy theory ” about Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
The Times said his “ attack ” was “ reminiscent of the lie he perpetrated for years that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya.
” That is laughable .
The president did not bring up Harris ’ eligibility .
A reporter asked him about it during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House transcript confirms the reporter raised the issue this way : “ There are claims circulating on social media that Kamala Harris is not eligible to be — to run for vice president because she was an ‘ anchor baby , ’ I quote .
Do you or can you definitively say whether or not Kamala Harris is eligible — legal — and meets the legal requirements to run as vice president ?
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I just heard that .
I heard it today that she doesn ’ t meet the requirements.
” He went on to say , “ I have no idea if that is right.
” When the reporter pressed the president to take a definitive position on the issue , he simply stated , “ Yeah , I don ’ t know about it .
I just heard about it .
I ’ ll take a look.
” Even though Trump said he had just heard the claim and that he didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal media and Democratic politicians labeled him as a “ racist ” for his answer .
Moreover , the questions some raised about Harris ’ eligibility have nothing to do with her race , but with her parents ’ nationalities .
As explained by NewsBusters , the senator ’ s father is Jamaican and her mother is Indian .
Democrats often turn to race-baiting when they can not run on their record .
This despicable tactic is part of a pre-emptive strike to try to discredit any negative attacks against Harris .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not make and 2 ) has absolutely nothing to do with race in order to claim the president is a “ racist.
” The NewsBusters article illustrated how all of this birther nonsense — casting doubt on whether a candidate qualifies as a “ natural born citizen ” as required by the Constitution — stems from many claims Democrats and the liberal media have made over the years about Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates .
RELATED : The 1st VP of Color Was Elected Over 90 Years Ago ; He Was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when some people questioned then-Sen. Barack Obama ’ s eligibility to be president — an effort led by the campaign of Obama ’ s Democratic primary opponent , Hillary Clinton .
The birther movement actually began in 1880 when the Democrats claimed that Chester A. Arthur was ineligible to run for vice president .
He was born in Vermont , but some claimed he was born in Canada .
His mother was born in Vermont , so Arthur ’ s birthplace was a moot point .
He was a natural-born citizen and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times that said Trump “ encouraged a racist conspiracy ” about Harris questioned the eligibility of the GOP nominee , Sen. John McCain , because he was born on a military installation in the Panama Canal Zone while his father was serving there in the U.S. Navy .
Democrats and the liberal media have raised similar birther questions about GOP Michigan Gov .
George Romney in 1968 and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016 .
It is part of their playbook .
The eligibility of another Republican , Arizona Sen. Barry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit in 1964 .
None of these claims passed muster .
The Democratic Party and its media allies desperately want to paint Trump as unreasonable , so they make this accusation that he supported a false racist conspiracy when he did no such thing .
You may ask why Trump doesn ’ t just say that Harris ( who was born in the U.S. ) is a natural-born citizen and is eligible to be vice president so that he can end this nonsense .
The reason is that he is playing with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is beating them at their own game .
By letting them get into a tizzy over this non-issue , he allows them to lose their focus .
They will keep harping on this point , while he continues to talk about the issues Americans will consider in November when they cast their votes , such as reviving the economy , improving national security , preserving the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution and lowering health care costs without socializing the entire health care system .
Trump is a master at making his opponents look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collusion and impeachment .
He did it last week too .
As CNN reported , the president signed four executive orders to help with coronavirus relief .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the executive orders were unconstitutional .
When asked about a potential lawsuit to stop the orders , she replied , “ As my constitutional advisors tell me , they ’ re absurdly unconstitutional.
” She did not say whether she planned to file a suit .
Maybe a lawsuit is justified in this case , but Pelosi knows that filing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who desperately need it will make her appear petty and selfish , if not downright evil .
Trump , however , knows that simply talking about a potential lawsuit will have a similar effect .
He is happy to let Pelosi and the Democrats run with this .
Trump truly enjoys letting the Democrats destroy themselves .
By criticizing everything the president has done over the past year , the Democrats have positioned themselves as the party that supports Iranian terrorists , the Chinese Communist Party , violent riots and the elimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now they are clinging to this birther claim that Trump did not even make .
One is compelled to ask if the their behavior is blatant hypocrisy or simple idiocy .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The establishment media are going nuts over remarks President Donald Trump made regarding Sen. Kamala Harris’ eligibility to be the Democrats’ nominee for vice president.
A New York Times article last week reported that Trump “encouraged a racist conspiracy theory” about Joe Biden’s running mate.
The Times said his “attack” was “reminiscent of the lie he perpetrated for years that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya.”
That is laughable. The president did not bring up Harris’ eligibility. A reporter asked him about it during an Aug. 13 news conference.
The White House transcript confirms the reporter raised the issue this way: “There are claims circulating on social media that Kamala Harris is not eligible to be — to run for vice president because she was an ‘anchor baby,’ I quote. Do you or can you definitively say whether or not Kamala Harris is eligible — legal — and meets the legal requirements to run as vice president?”
Trump calmly responded, “So, I just heard that. I heard it today that she doesn’t meet the requirements.” He went on to say, “I have no idea if that is right.”
When the reporter pressed the president to take a definitive position on the issue, he simply stated, “Yeah, I don’t know about it. I just heard about it. I’ll take a look.”
Even though Trump said he had just heard the claim and that he didn’t know anything about it, the liberal media and Democratic politicians labeled him as a “racist” for his answer.
“In the midst of this crisis, he chooses to participate in nasty, racist, distracting, comments, about an American citizen, who happens to be a Black woman,” says Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee about Trump’s attacks on VP candidate Kamala Harris.https://t.co/fk6TbndMGc pic.twitter.com/icTuYvEBOD — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) August 14, 2020
Moreover, the questions some raised about Harris’ eligibility have nothing to do with her race, but with her parents’ nationalities. As explained by NewsBusters, the senator’s father is Jamaican and her mother is Indian.
Democrats often turn to race-baiting when they cannot run on their record. This despicable tactic is part of a pre-emptive strike to try to discredit any negative attacks against Harris. They take a claim that 1) Trump did not make and 2) has absolutely nothing to do with race in order to claim the president is a “racist.”
The NewsBusters article illustrated how all of this birther nonsense — casting doubt on whether a candidate qualifies as a “natural born citizen” as required by the Constitution — stems from many claims Democrats and the liberal media have made over the years about Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Do you believe President Trump's reply about Kamala Harris' eligibility was racist? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 2% (52 Votes) No: 98% (2222 Votes)
It did not start in 2008 when some people questioned then-Sen. Barack Obama’s eligibility to be president — an effort led by the campaign of Obama’s Democratic primary opponent, Hillary Clinton.
The birther movement actually began in 1880 when the Democrats claimed that Chester A. Arthur was ineligible to run for vice president.
He was born in Vermont, but some claimed he was born in Canada. His mother was born in Vermont, so Arthur’s birthplace was a moot point. He was a natural-born citizen and was eligible.
In 2008, the same New York Times that said Trump “encouraged a racist conspiracy” about Harris questioned the eligibility of the GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain, because he was born on a military installation in the Panama Canal Zone while his father was serving there in the U.S. Navy.
Democrats and the liberal media have raised similar birther questions about GOP Michigan Gov. George Romney in 1968 and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016. It is part of their playbook. The eligibility of another Republican, Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, was the subject of a lawsuit in 1964.
None of these claims passed muster.
The Democratic Party and its media allies desperately want to paint Trump as unreasonable, so they make this accusation that he supported a false racist conspiracy when he did no such thing.
You may ask why Trump doesn’t just say that Harris (who was born in the U.S.) is a natural-born citizen and is eligible to be vice president so that he can end this nonsense. The reason is that he is playing with the Democrats and the establishment media. He is beating them at their own game.
By letting them get into a tizzy over this non-issue, he allows them to lose their focus. They will keep harping on this point, while he continues to talk about the issues Americans will consider in November when they cast their votes, such as reviving the economy, improving national security, preserving the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution and lowering health care costs without socializing the entire health care system.
Trump is a master at making his opponents look foolish. He did it with Russia collusion and impeachment. He did it last week too.
As CNN reported, the president signed four executive orders to help with coronavirus relief. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the executive orders were unconstitutional. When asked about a potential lawsuit to stop the orders, she replied, “As my constitutional advisors tell me, they’re absurdly unconstitutional.” She did not say whether she planned to file a suit.
Maybe a lawsuit is justified in this case, but Pelosi knows that filing a lawsuit to prevent money from going to people who desperately need it will make her appear petty and selfish, if not downright evil. Trump, however, knows that simply talking about a potential lawsuit will have a similar effect. He is happy to let Pelosi and the Democrats run with this.
Trump truly enjoys letting the Democrats destroy themselves. By criticizing everything the president has done over the past year, the Democrats have positioned themselves as the party that supports Iranian terrorists, the Chinese Communist Party, violent riots and the elimination of the police – all losing positions.
Now they are clinging to this birther claim that Trump did not even make.
One is compelled to ask if the their behavior is blatant hypocrisy or simple idiocy.
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--Watch: Owner Trains Cat To Play Mini Piano Instead of Meowing for Food

Most of the time when you see a pet performing some cutesy trick , chances are that it ’ s a dog .
They seem more eager to please than their feline counterparts , who are often distant and aloof .
But cats have to eat , too , and food can become a reward for certain behaviors .
One particular cat from Philadelphia named Winslow has been entertaining the internet with his mealtime shows .
When Winslow ’ s owner first got him and brought him home , it took a while to adjust .
“ He was originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw his little face , and I was like , this is the one , ” owner Kate Nyx told NPR .
“ I could tell from the second I looked at him that his name would be Winslow .
And he ’ s the first cat I ’ ve ever had that I could tell liked me back.
” TRENDING : Alyssa Milano Blasted by Rose McGowan : 'What Have the Democrats Done To Solve Anything ? '
“ He would get into things and topple things over .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I a terrible case of ringworm because he was all messed up from the streets.
” “ And we ended up getting engaged because we were just so dedicated to him and each other that we realized that there was no point in pretending we were going to go through this with anyone else .
So we call it our engagement ringworm.
” The act that has been catching everyone ’ s attention originally started out of practicality .
As cat owners know , hungry cats meow .
A lot .
Even when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowl .
Even if they only think they might be hungry .
And if you try to sleep in past a scheduled feeding or forget about it , the cat will continue to remind you until the situation is rectified .
Winslow had been interested in a piano when he was little — so Nyx put the two together , and adorableness ensued .
“ He used to run around screaming all the time , and I was like , ‘ This is no good , ' ” Nyx told SWNS , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the piano as a kitten and now we use it as a way to split up his food throughout the day to keep him on his diet , ” she wrote on Facebook .
He varies his technique , too , to demonstrate how urgent his request is .
RELATED : Marine Vet Saved by Dog After Allegedly Being Lured Into Woods , Left To Die “ He likes to go up and down the keyboard depending on how little we ’ re paying attention , ” Nyx explained .
“ If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll do a lot of really aggressive playing , sometimes with his forehead.
” “ He ’ s very emotional , you know ?
Like , he just uses the piano as a way to communicate his creative spirit .
He ’ s like me in that way.
” Nyx , an artist , put together clips of the kitty with lyrics and the video went viral , catapulting Winslow to internet fame .
“ It was one of the first times where I was able to realize that I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she continued .
“ When I hear him play piano , it ’ s just proof that I can bring light into the world , that I can bring joy and make beautiful stuff happen.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Most of the time when you see a pet performing some cutesy trick, chances are that it’s a dog. They seem more eager to please than their feline counterparts, who are often distant and aloof.
But cats have to eat, too, and food can become a reward for certain behaviors. One particular cat from Philadelphia named Winslow has been entertaining the internet with his mealtime shows.
When Winslow’s owner first got him and brought him home, it took a while to adjust.
“He was originally from the streets of Camden, but I saw his little face, and I was like, this is the one,” owner Kate Nyx told NPR. “I could tell from the second I looked at him that his name would be Winslow. And he’s the first cat I’ve ever had that I could tell liked me back.”
“He would get into things and topple things over. And he gave, well, my then-boyfriend and I a terrible case of ringworm because he was all messed up from the streets.”
“And we ended up getting engaged because we were just so dedicated to him and each other that we realized that there was no point in pretending we were going to go through this with anyone else. So we call it our engagement ringworm.”
The act that has been catching everyone’s attention originally started out of practicality. As cat owners know, hungry cats meow. A lot. Even when there’s some food in their bowl. Even if they only think they might be hungry.
And if you try to sleep in past a scheduled feeding or forget about it, the cat will continue to remind you until the situation is rectified.
Winslow had been interested in a piano when he was little — so Nyx put the two together, and adorableness ensued.
“He used to run around screaming all the time, and I was like, ‘This is no good,'” Nyx told SWNS, according to Fox News.
“He loved the piano as a kitten and now we use it as a way to split up his food throughout the day to keep him on his diet,” she wrote on Facebook.
He varies his technique, too, to demonstrate how urgent his request is.
“He likes to go up and down the keyboard depending on how little we’re paying attention,” Nyx explained. “If we’re not paying attention enough, he’ll do a lot of really aggressive playing, sometimes with his forehead.”
“He’s very emotional, you know? Like, he just uses the piano as a way to communicate his creative spirit. He’s like me in that way.”
Nyx, an artist, put together clips of the kitty with lyrics and the video went viral, catapulting Winslow to internet fame.
“It was one of the first times where I was able to realize that I could affect things outside of me positively,” she continued. “When I hear him play piano, it’s just proof that I can bring light into the world, that I can bring joy and make beautiful stuff happen.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--LA Mayor Openly Admits To Becoming a Tyrant After House Gets Utilities Cut for Having Parties

Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that he had directed the utilities to be shut off at a home in the Hollywood Hills after several large parties had been hosted there in “ flagrant violation ” of the city ’ s COVID-19 restrictions .
Of course , it is rather easy to flagrantly violate LA ’ s coronavirus orders , given their number and severity .
One of the rental tenants of the home in question is apparently TikTok star Bryce Hall , “ who made headlines over the weekend when he celebrated his 21st birthday with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” NPR reported .
“ The announcement comes two weeks after Garcetti first warned that properties hosting ‘ un-permitted large gatherings ’ could have their water and power service shut off as a consequence , ” according to the news outlet .
Garcetti said in a statement that the Hollywood Hills home had “ turned into a nightclub.
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“ With more than 2,000 Angelenos — and over 170,000 Americans — lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertake critical safeguards to stop the spread of this virus .
That includes not hosting or attending parties that put themselves , their neighbors , and many others at risk , ” the mayor said .
“ Despite several warnings , this house has turned into a nightclub in the hills , hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders , ” he added .
“ The City has now disconnected utilities at this home to stop these parties that endanger our community.
” Garcetti did not identify Hall or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gray , who reportedly also live at the property .
However , the same day of Garcetti ’ s announcement , Bryce tweeted : “ suddenly the turns have tabled.
” He followed up the next day with : “ woke up sweating bullets in this 100 degree weather / no air condition # dope.
” That evening , Hall said having his power cut off during the most severe heat wave LA has experienced in years made him want to help those in need in the city .
RELATED : 'We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' : Video Shows Fed-Up Vet Savaging Council on COVID Shutdown He pledged to donate a portion of his merchandise sales to No Kid Hungry .
Perhaps it was at least in part a PR move , but regardless , it was a nice gesture .
LA County remains over the top in its COVID-19 restrictions .
Meanwhile , the city prohibits “ all public and private gatherings of any number of people , ” with a few exceptions .
But protests involving tens of thousands of people are apparently fine ?
Basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while restaurants still only remain open for take-out or outdoor dining .
Churches can only meet outside , which is certainly not desirable with temperatures ranging from the 90s to the 100s .
A Los Angeles County prosecutor in Pasadena threatened the leadership and members of Harvest Rock Church with fines , up to a year of jail time and closure of their congregation altogether if they continue to hold in-person indoor church services .
All this should be a wake-up call : Americans living in places like Los Angeles must reassert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be equally recognized .
If people want to have house parties in violation of city COVID-19 orders , is shutting off their utilities an acceptable form of correction in the middle of a heat wave ?
That sounds like the kind of “ cruel and unusual punishment ” the Constitution forbids .
It has been truly scary to see what actions Democratic leaders like LA Mayor Garcetti have taken during the COVID-19 pandemic .
May it be a wake-up call to all who value freedom and spur them to vote accordingly in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that he had directed the utilities to be shut off at a home in the Hollywood Hills after several large parties had been hosted there in “flagrant violation” of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Of course, it is rather easy to flagrantly violate LA’s coronavirus orders, given their number and severity.
One of the rental tenants of the home in question is apparently TikTok star Bryce Hall, “who made headlines over the weekend when he celebrated his 21st birthday with a massive party at a different rental property,” NPR reported.
“The announcement comes two weeks after Garcetti first warned that properties hosting ‘un-permitted large gatherings’ could have their water and power service shut off as a consequence,” according to the news outlet.
Garcetti said in a statement that the Hollywood Hills home had “turned into a nightclub.”
“With more than 2,000 Angelenos — and over 170,000 Americans — lost to COVID-19, we need every resident to undertake critical safeguards to stop the spread of this virus. That includes not hosting or attending parties that put themselves, their neighbors, and many others at risk,” the mayor said.
“Despite several warnings, this house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders,” he added. “The City has now disconnected utilities at this home to stop these parties that endanger our community.”
Garcetti did not identify Hall or fellow TikTok stars Noah Beck and Blake Gray, who reportedly also live at the property.
Today I authorized the City to disconnect utility service at a house in the Hollywood Hills to stop the large parties held there in flagrant violation of our public health orders. Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk. — MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) August 19, 2020
However, the same day of Garcetti’s announcement, Bryce tweeted: “suddenly the turns have tabled.”
He followed up the next day with: “woke up sweating bullets in this 100 degree weather / no air condition #dope.”
woke up sweating bullets in this 100 degree weather / no air condition #dope — Bryce Hall (@BryceHall) August 20, 2020
That evening, Hall said having his power cut off during the most severe heat wave LA has experienced in years made him want to help those in need in the city.
He pledged to donate a portion of his merchandise sales to No Kid Hungry.
Perhaps it was at least in part a PR move, but regardless, it was a nice gesture.
with my power recently being shut off I now see what having no power can have on someone.
I decided to donate a portion of my upcoming merch sales to @nokidhungry
hoping to do my small part to help those in need in LA during these times. #losangeleshttps://t.co/Yprxl9fZRl — Bryce Hall (@BryceHall) August 21, 2020
LA County remains over the top in its COVID-19 restrictions.
Meanwhile, the city prohibits “all public and private gatherings of any number of people,” with a few exceptions.
But protests involving tens of thousands of people are apparently fine?
Wait – the virus couldn’t magically detect the reason crowds were gathering?? https://t.co/BmUuiJ1v0b — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) July 3, 2020
Basketball and volleyball courts are also closed down, while restaurants still only remain open for take-out or outdoor dining.
Churches can only meet outside, which is certainly not desirable with temperatures ranging from the 90s to the 100s.
Do you think Garcetti is being hypocritical by allowing protests, but not social gatherings? 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% (813 Votes) No: 0% (3 Votes)
A Los Angeles County prosecutor in Pasadena threatened the leadership and members of Harvest Rock Church with fines, up to a year of jail time and closure of their congregation altogether if they continue to hold in-person indoor church services.
All this should be a wake-up call: Americans living in places like Los Angeles must reassert their First Amendment rights and demand they be equally recognized.
If people want to have house parties in violation of city COVID-19 orders, is shutting off their utilities an acceptable form of correction in the middle of a heat wave ?
No!
That sounds like the kind of “cruel and unusual punishment” the Constitution forbids.
It has been truly scary to see what actions Democratic leaders like LA Mayor Garcetti have taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May it be a wake-up call to all who value freedom and spur them to vote accordingly in November.
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--Watch: Hit-and-Run Car Throws Motorcycle Rider, Drags His Bike Down the Highway

The video makes what happened to a Corona , California , man ’ s motorcycle look like a cool Hollywood stunt .
But to the man , Chain Arunritthirot , what took place earlier this summer on State Route 91 , known as the 91 Freeway , was “ scary.
” “ I was just in my lane , going , thinking about which way I ’ m gon na go home because of traffic and then , boom !
He just hit me [ from behind ] out of nowhere , ” Arunritthirot told KABC-TV after the accident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 25 , who was driving a minivan , in connection with the incident .
With sparks flying , Valentin allegedly kept going with the motorcycle stuck to his bumper after Arunritthirot was thrown off and landed about 200 feet away , in the middle of the freeway , according to reports .
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“ He hit me .
I was tumbling .
When I finally came to a stop , I couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , helped me off to the side of the road , ” Arunritthirot said .
The victim was able to escape the collision with little more than cuts and bruises , but his concern was for his motorcycle .
“ I didn ’ t know where my bike went .
I was looking , like , we were all asking that question : Where ’ s the bike at ?
” Arunritthirot said .
In speaking about the incident to KCAL-TV , he said he believes he was hit intentionally .
“ Oh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Those weren ’ t the words .
There was a lot more foul language .
I feel like it was intentional , like he hunted me down , ” Arunritthirot said .
Motorists Natalie Duran and Will Ross videoed the incident as they followed the minivan and called police .
“ My first thought was ‘ Oh , my gosh , where is this poor motorcyclist ?
What happened to him ?
’ ” Duran said .
“ The best I kept trying to describe to the 911 operator was it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a movie .
It was shocking .
I ’ ve never seen anything like it before in my life , ” Ross said .
Arunritthirot told KABC : “ It was scary , but I ’ m alive .
So I ’ m here to see my kids this Father ’ s Day .
I made it.
” Police said the driver eventually dislodged the motorcycle from his van but crashed into a fence .
Valentin was charged with felony hit and run .
A disposition of his case wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transportation Safety Administration said motorists in general play a major role in trying to avoid accidents involving motorcycles .
“ Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation ’ s highways , ” the NHTSA said on its website .
“ But it ’ s especially important for drivers to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists such as size and visibility , and motorcycle riding practices like downshifting and weaving to know how to anticipate and respond to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The video makes what happened to a Corona, California, man’s motorcycle look like a cool Hollywood stunt.
But to the man, Chain Arunritthirot, what took place earlier this summer on State Route 91, known as the 91 Freeway, was “scary.”
“I was just in my lane, going, thinking about which way I’m gonna go home because of traffic and then, boom! He just hit me [from behind] out of nowhere,” Arunritthirot told KABC-TV after the accident.
Police later arrested Corona resident George Valentin, 25, who was driving a minivan, in connection with the incident. With sparks flying, Valentin allegedly kept going with the motorcycle stuck to his bumper after Arunritthirot was thrown off and landed about 200 feet away, in the middle of the freeway, according to reports.
“He hit me. I was tumbling. When I finally came to a stop, I couldn’t get up. Some couple pulled over, helped me off to the side of the road,” Arunritthirot said.
The victim was able to escape the collision with little more than cuts and bruises, but his concern was for his motorcycle.
“I didn’t know where my bike went. I was looking, like, we were all asking that question: Where’s the bike at?” Arunritthirot said.
In speaking about the incident to KCAL-TV, he said he believes he was hit intentionally.
Do motorists practice safe driving where motorcycles are concerned? 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: 14% (10 Votes) No: 86% (64 Votes)
“Oh, this guy did try to kill me. Those weren’t the words. There was a lot more foul language. I feel like it was intentional, like he hunted me down,” Arunritthirot said.
Motorists Natalie Duran and Will Ross videoed the incident as they followed the minivan and called police.
“My first thought was ‘Oh, my gosh, where is this poor motorcyclist? What happened to him?’ ” Duran said.
“The best I kept trying to describe to the 911 operator was it literally looked like I witnessed something out of a movie. It was shocking. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life,” Ross said.
Arunritthirot told KABC: “It was scary, but I’m alive. So I’m here to see my kids this Father’s Day. I made it.”
Police said the driver eventually dislodged the motorcycle from his van but crashed into a fence. Valentin was charged with felony hit and run. A disposition of his case wasn’t available this week.
Distracted motorists are especially dangerous for motorcyclists. In Ohio, 52 deaths resulted from 13,876 distracted driving-related crashes in 2018, according to @ODOT_Statewide. Many of these accidents involved motorcycles. Look Twice, Save a Life! pic.twitter.com/eKeXu8Na5N — Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLC (@1800HURTNOW) August 20, 2020
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said motorists in general play a major role in trying to avoid accidents involving motorcycles.
DHSMV is reminding motorists statewide to share the road with motorcycles & bikes in an effort to reduce crashes! pic.twitter.com/y9GMv009c0 — Pasco Sheriff (@PascoSheriff) May 3, 2017
“Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways,” the NHTSA said on its website. “But it’s especially important for drivers to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists such as size and visibility, and motorcycle riding practices like downshifting and weaving to know how to anticipate and respond to them. By raising motorists’ awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--Op-Ed: It Turns Out Pro Athletes Taking a Knee During the Anthem Is Pointless

As the long-awaited return of professional sports swept across the country earlier this summer , many players and coaches kicked off their seasons by taking a knee .
As if it were planned – well , in some cases it was – players from all major sports put a knee to the grass , hardwood or ice .
Major League Baseball players and coaches started the trend when several knelt during the national anthem on July 23 .
Later in the month , NBA players expectedly followed suit .
And on Aug. 1 , the first NHL player – Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem in what turned out to be a bizarre sequence of events .
You see , Dumba knelt before the start of the game between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks .
Dumba , um , plays for the Minnesota Wild , so why was he even at the game ?
Stranger yet was his decision to kneel for the U.S. national anthem but to stand when the Canadian anthem subsequently was played in the empty arena .
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To his credit , Dumba said he “ kind of froze up ” and regretted not remaining on one knee for the Canadian anthem .
Going forward , Dumba assured , he ’ ll protest both anthems before games .
But … he might not always take a knee because if he ’ s not starting he ’ ll be on the bench , and then no one can see him if he kneels .
Therefore , Dumba said he ’ ll remain standing with fist in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banner ” and “ O Canada ” are played .
That ’ s good .
If you ’ re going to protest , you have to be seen .
After all , when it comes to fighting racism and oppression , it ’ s all about the visual .
See how silly this kneeling business in sports has become ?
Anyhow , more than a month has passed since pro athletes and coaches began their kneeling crusade against police brutality and racial inequality .
What did it all accomplish ?
Aside from alienating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weeks since pro athletes took a knee to start their seasons , I haven ’ t seen the mainstream media report any decline in racism — systemic or otherwise .
And as recently as this week , protests against police brutality still were occurring , so I assume kneeling didn ’ t solve that issue , either .
But that ’ s not the way it was supposed to work .
When the multi-millionaire athletes and coaches knelt , they told us they were using their platforms to amplify voices , raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all sound like things that should help find a solution , so why didn ’ t it ?
Outside of throwing balls and strikes and scoring goals , maybe the impact of kneeling was minimal because athletes don ’ t have the platform they think they do .
Sure , their voices matter when it comes to the sports they play , but once they stray off-topic , people just , well , lose interest .
For example , I ’ d be more interested in hearing Dumba talk about a game-winning goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise a fist behind the bench .
Unfortunately , pro athletes and coaches have placed themselves on such a lofty pedestal that they can ’ t even see that their voices don ’ t have much clout when it comes to solving the world ’ s problems .
San Francisco Giants Manager Gabe Kapler is a good example .
He made headlines on July 20 by taking a knee during the anthem before his team ’ s exhibition game against the Oakland A ’ s .
Kapler said he knelt for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices of the black and marginalized communities .
He added that the decision to kneel was made in order to stand up “ for people who need us to stand up for them.
” I don ’ t believe in the term “ white privilege , ” but if it were a tangible thing , it would seem that Kapler is exercising it to the extreme .
Why does Kapler , who is white , feel he has the power to “ amplify ” the voices of marginalized communities ?
And why does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand up for them ?
The last time I viewed coverage of the riots going on in Democrat-led cities across the country , I didn ’ t witness anyone begging and pleading for baseball players to kneel .
I doubt the rioters in Portland , Oregon , are keeping their fingers crossed that NFL players will kneel in September .
But it didn ’ t end there with Kapler .
After President Donald Trump tweeted his displeasure about players kneeling for the anthem , Kapler responded in defense of the action .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for what you believe in , ” the manager told reporters .
And that ’ s exactly what Trump was doing when he sent the tweet .
In essence , Kapler indirectly , and likely unknowingly , defended Trump ’ s stance while he was upholding his own .
Considering the Giants are in last place in their division , I think fans would rather Kapler focus not on social justice issues but on doing his job .
While all of the kneeling and raised fists in MLB , the NBA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , it soon will be the NFL ’ s turn to play martyr .
The league already has indicated that “ Lift Every Voice and Sing , ” the so-called black national anthem , will be played before games during the opening week , and some players already said they will kneel for the anthem .
However , like the failure of the other major sports to solve racism , I doubt the NFL will be more successful .
In fact , if the league wants to do it the right way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick to taking a knee at the end of a game to run out the clock — and that ’ s it .
Let ’ s face it : Someone who is racist isn ’ t going to stop being that way because pro athletes are kneeling .
And the likelihood of people being reprimanded because of racist actions — which should happen — doesn ’ t increase because a bunch of baseball players taking a knee suddenly made us more aware of the problem .
We already know it exists .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When we watch games and cheer for teams , we ’ re doing it as a brief respite from the stresses in life .
We do it because it ’ s fun and we like to be entertained .
We don ’ t become fans in order to be educated by privileged players on subjects such as oppression .
Still , any time a player kneels , the act draws attention .
Cameras zoom in while the anthem plays , and after the game reporters flock to a player ’ s locker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why that player kneeled .
It ’ s been that way since Colin Kaepernick started the trend in 2016 , when he played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers .
That ’ s fine .
But what the mainstream media needs to start asking players who kneel is why it didn ’ t work .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submission guidelines and process here .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As the long-awaited return of professional sports swept across the country earlier this summer, many players and coaches kicked off their seasons by taking a knee.
As if it were planned – well, in some cases it was – players from all major sports put a knee to the grass, hardwood or ice.
Major League Baseball players and coaches started the trend when several knelt during the national anthem on July 23. Later in the month, NBA players expectedly followed suit. And on Aug. 1, the first NHL player – Matt Dumba – took a knee during the anthem in what turned out to be a bizarre sequence of events.
You see, Dumba knelt before the start of the game between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks. Dumba, um, plays for the Minnesota Wild, so why was he even at the game?
Stranger yet was his decision to kneel for the U.S. national anthem but to stand when the Canadian anthem subsequently was played in the empty arena.
Is racism not a problem in Canada?
To his credit, Dumba said he “kind of froze up” and regretted not remaining on one knee for the Canadian anthem.
Going forward, Dumba assured, he’ll protest both anthems before games. But … he might not always take a knee because if he’s not starting he’ll be on the bench, and then no one can see him if he kneels. Therefore, Dumba said he’ll remain standing with fist in the air while both the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” are played.
That’s good. If you’re going to protest, you have to be seen. After all, when it comes to fighting racism and oppression, it’s all about the visual.
Do you support athletes who kneel during the anthem? Yes No
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See how silly this kneeling business in sports has become?
Anyhow, more than a month has passed since pro athletes and coaches began their kneeling crusade against police brutality and racial inequality.
What did it all accomplish?
Aside from alienating some fans, not much.
In the weeks since pro athletes took a knee to start their seasons, I haven’t seen the mainstream media report any decline in racism — systemic or otherwise.
And as recently as this week, protests against police brutality still were occurring, so I assume kneeling didn’t solve that issue, either.
But that’s not the way it was supposed to work.
When the multi-millionaire athletes and coaches knelt, they told us they were using their platforms to amplify voices, raise awareness and spread the message.
Those all sound like things that should help find a solution, so why didn’t it?
Outside of throwing balls and strikes and scoring goals, maybe the impact of kneeling was minimal because athletes don’t have the platform they think they do.
Sure, their voices matter when it comes to the sports they play, but once they stray off-topic, people just, well, lose interest.
For example, I’d be more interested in hearing Dumba talk about a game-winning goal than about the logistics behind his decision to raise a fist behind the bench.
Unfortunately, pro athletes and coaches have placed themselves on such a lofty pedestal that they can’t even see that their voices don’t have much clout when it comes to solving the world’s problems.
San Francisco Giants Manager Gabe Kapler is a good example. He made headlines on July 20 by taking a knee during the anthem before his team’s exhibition game against the Oakland A’s.
Kapler said he knelt for the anthem because he wanted to amplify the voices of the black and marginalized communities. He added that the decision to kneel was made in order to stand up “for people who need us to stand up for them.”
I don’t believe in the term “white privilege,” but if it were a tangible thing, it would seem that Kapler is exercising it to the extreme.
Why does Kapler, who is white, feel he has the power to “amplify” the voices of marginalized communities? And why does he think people need pro athletes to stand up for them?
The last time I viewed coverage of the riots going on in Democrat-led cities across the country, I didn’t witness anyone begging and pleading for baseball players to kneel. I doubt the rioters in Portland, Oregon, are keeping their fingers crossed that NFL players will kneel in September.
But it didn’t end there with Kapler.
After President Donald Trump tweeted his displeasure about players kneeling for the anthem, Kapler responded in defense of the action.
“I see nothing more American than standing up for what you believe in,” the manager told reporters.
And that’s exactly what Trump was doing when he sent the tweet. In essence, Kapler indirectly, and likely unknowingly, defended Trump’s stance while he was upholding his own.
Considering the Giants are in last place in their division, I think fans would rather Kapler focus not on social justice issues but on doing his job.
While all of the kneeling and raised fists in MLB, the NBA and NHL have yet to halt or reduce racism, it soon will be the NFL’s turn to play martyr.
The league already has indicated that “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the so-called black national anthem, will be played before games during the opening week, and some players already said they will kneel for the anthem.
However, like the failure of the other major sports to solve racism, I doubt the NFL will be more successful. In fact, if the league wants to do it the right way and avoid alienating fans, players would stick to taking a knee at the end of a game to run out the clock — and that’s it.
Let’s face it: Someone who is racist isn’t going to stop being that way because pro athletes are kneeling. And the likelihood of people being reprimanded because of racist actions — which should happen — doesn’t increase because a bunch of baseball players taking a knee suddenly made us more aware of the problem.
We already know it exists. That’s not the purpose of sports. When we watch games and cheer for teams, we’re doing it as a brief respite from the stresses in life. We do it because it’s fun and we like to be entertained.
We don’t become fans in order to be educated by privileged players on subjects such as oppression.
Still, any time a player kneels, the act draws attention. Cameras zoom in while the anthem plays, and after the game reporters flock to a player’s locker to lob a few softball questions about why that player kneeled.
It’s been that way since Colin Kaepernick started the trend in 2016, when he played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
That’s fine. But what the mainstream media needs to start asking players who kneel is why it didn’t work.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-08-22--Expert Warns America: Here’s What States May Do If You Refuse a COVID Vaccine

In the pantheon of Supreme Court cases , Jacobson v. Massachusetts doesn ’ t exactly get a whole lot of play .
It ’ s certainly not one of the precedent-setting rulings your average high school American history student can name — Roe v. Wade , Plessy v. Ferguson , Brown v. Board of Education , Obergefell v. Hodges .
It doesn ’ t even make the second- or third-tier of cases that you might potentially be aware of , judgments such as Loving v. Virginia , Korematsu v. United States , Mapp v. Ohio , Hamdan v. Rumsfeld , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be about to change , Dov Fox says .
Fox is the director of the Center for Health Law Policy and Bioethics at the University of San Diego .
He told KGTV-TV that if and when a vaccine for the coronavirus is developed , you could be fined and even jailed for not getting it .
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“ States can compel vaccinations in more or less intrusive ways , ” he told the San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to schools or services or jobs if people don ’ t get vaccinated .
They could force them to pay a fine or even lock them up in jail.
” That precedent goes back to Jacobson v. Massachusetts , a 1905 case in which the court ruled that it was within the police power granted to the states to enforce vaccination laws .
The particular case involved a Cambridge , Massachusetts , law requiring residents to submit to a smallpox vaccination during an outbreak of the disease .
The defendant in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ refused to submit to vaccination for the reason that he had , ‘ when a child , ’ been caused great and extreme suffering for a long period by a disease produced by vaccination , and that he had witnessed a similar result of vaccination not only in the case of his son , but in the cases of others , ” according to the decision .
In his decision , Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote that “ as to an adult residing in the community , and a fit subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invalid as in derogation of any of the rights of such person under the Fourteenth Amendment.
” “ The safety and the health of the people of Massachusetts are , in the first instance , for that Commonwealth to guard and protect , ” Harlan wrote .
“ They are matters that do not ordinarily concern the National Government , ” he wrote .
“ So far as they can be reached by any government , they depend , primarily , upon such action as the State in its wisdom may take , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation has invaded any right secured by the Federal Constitution.
” RELATED : Should the Gov't Be Allowed To Control Your Thoughts ?
This Prof Thinks So “ Courts have found that when medical necessity requires it , the public health outweighs the individual rights and liberties at stake , ” Fox said .
For the most part , Jacobson hasn ’ t been a particularly high-stakes ruling , although it has had some significant implications .
It laid the groundwork for laws where public schools can require childhood vaccinations , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v. King , Justice Louis Brandeis wrote for a unanimous court that the case “ settled that it is within the police power of a state to provide for compulsory vaccination ” and “ also settled that a state may , consistently with the federal Constitution , delegate to a municipality authority to determine under what conditions health regulations shall become operative.
” However , it ’ s likelier than not that Jacobson is about to join the pantheon of Supreme Court cases pretty much every American can name .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 vaccination if and when it becomes available .
A Gallup tracking survey of 7,632 adults taken between July 20 and Aug. 2 found that only 65 percent would get the vaccine compared with 35 percent who wouldn ’ t .
Unfortunately , then , we would be dealing with state governments across America deciding whether to levy fines or — to take America into deeper waters — jail time to those who refuse to be vaccinated .
That ’ s never been done in the United States , Fox said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already tried it .
What ’ s clear is there are some governors who might be willing to go that route , particularly given the draconian measures we ’ ve seen in areas where the constitutional waters are much murkier .
Jacobson makes it clear , however , that vaccination laws are the police power of the state .
How far states will go is another issue entirely .
That ’ s a real problem .
Large numbers of Americans have a serious aversion to vaccines right now .
Consider this : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear and relative penury because of the coronavirus .
Over 170,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The entire world is now on the brink of depression .
Millions of Americans were filing jobless claims every week in the immediate aftermath of the lockdowns .
Yet , when a vaccine becomes available to presumably help put an end to this state of affairs , 35 percent of Americans still wouldn ’ t take it .
One would guess they ’ d be worried about the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been developed in such a hurry .
A much smaller percentage could have more paranoid reasons for not taking the vaccine .
How , exactly , would states plan on enforcing any Jacobson-backed law ?
Are we going to fine or jail what could be 35 percent ( or more ) of the population ?
Would states throw that kindling onto the fires of division ?
This is a bridge we ’ re eventually going to have to cross .
That doesn ’ t mean refusing to get a vaccine for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , if it ’ s safe and effective , it likely wouldn ’ t be .
It shouldn ’ t be an offense that leads to serious fines or jail time , however .
Eradicating freedom to eradicate a disease leads us down a dangerous path — one we can ’ t necessarily find our way back from once COVID-19 is , one prays , a distant memory .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In the pantheon of Supreme Court cases, Jacobson v. Massachusetts doesn’t exactly get a whole lot of play.
It’s certainly not one of the precedent-setting rulings your average high school American history student can name — Roe v. Wade, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Obergefell v. Hodges.
It doesn’t even make the second- or third-tier of cases that you might potentially be aware of, judgments such as Loving v. Virginia, Korematsu v. United States, Mapp v. Ohio, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, that sort of thing.
That could be about to change, Dov Fox says.
Fox is the director of the Center for Health Law Policy and Bioethics at the University of San Diego. He told KGTV-TV that if and when a vaccine for the coronavirus is developed, you could be fined and even jailed for not getting it.
“States can compel vaccinations in more or less intrusive ways,” he told the San Diego ABC affiliate.
“They can limit access to schools or services or jobs if people don’t get vaccinated. They could force them to pay a fine or even lock them up in jail.”
That precedent goes back to Jacobson v. Massachusetts, a 1905 case in which the court ruled that it was within the police power granted to the states to enforce vaccination laws.
The particular case involved a Cambridge, Massachusetts, law requiring residents to submit to a smallpox vaccination during an outbreak of the disease.
Should states require individuals to take a COVID vaccine? 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: 8% (421 Votes) No: 92% (5055 Votes)
The defendant in the case, the Rev. Henning Jacobson, “refused to submit to vaccination for the reason that he had, ‘when a child,’ been caused great and extreme suffering for a long period by a disease produced by vaccination, and that he had witnessed a similar result of vaccination not only in the case of his son, but in the cases of others,” according to the decision.
In a 7-2 ruling, the court upheld Jacobson’s conviction.
In his decision, Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote that “as to an adult residing in the community, and a fit subject of vaccination, the statute is not invalid as in derogation of any of the rights of such person under the Fourteenth Amendment.”
“The safety and the health of the people of Massachusetts are, in the first instance, for that Commonwealth to guard and protect,” Harlan wrote.
“They are matters that do not ordinarily concern the National Government,” he wrote. “So far as they can be reached by any government, they depend, primarily, upon such action as the State in its wisdom may take, and we do not perceive that this legislation has invaded any right secured by the Federal Constitution.”
“Courts have found that when medical necessity requires it, the public health outweighs the individual rights and liberties at stake,” Fox said.
For the most part, Jacobson hasn’t been a particularly high-stakes ruling, although it has had some significant implications.
It laid the groundwork for laws where public schools can require childhood vaccinations, for instance; in a 1922 case, Zucht v. King, Justice Louis Brandeis wrote for a unanimous court that the case “settled that it is within the police power of a state to provide for compulsory vaccination” and “also settled that a state may, consistently with the federal Constitution, delegate to a municipality authority to determine under what conditions health regulations shall become operative.”
However, it’s likelier than not that Jacobson is about to join the pantheon of Supreme Court cases pretty much every American can name.
That’s because not every American plans on getting a COVID-19 vaccination if and when it becomes available.
A Gallup tracking survey of 7,632 adults taken between July 20 and Aug. 2 found that only 65 percent would get the vaccine compared with 35 percent who wouldn’t.
Unfortunately, then, we would be dealing with state governments across America deciding whether to levy fines or — to take America into deeper waters — jail time to those who refuse to be vaccinated.
That’s never been done in the United States, Fox said, although other countries, including France, have already tried it.
What’s clear is there are some governors who might be willing to go that route, particularly given the draconian measures we’ve seen in areas where the constitutional waters are much murkier.
Jacobson makes it clear, however, that vaccination laws are the police power of the state. How far states will go is another issue entirely. That’s a real problem.
Large numbers of Americans have a serious aversion to vaccines right now.
Consider this: We now live in a state of fear and relative penury because of the coronavirus. Over 170,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The entire world is now on the brink of depression. Millions of Americans were filing jobless claims every week in the immediate aftermath of the lockdowns.
Yet, when a vaccine becomes available to presumably help put an end to this state of affairs, 35 percent of Americans still wouldn’t take it.
One would guess they’d be worried about the potential side effects, given that the vaccine would have been developed in such a hurry. A much smaller percentage could have more paranoid reasons for not taking the vaccine.
How, exactly, would states plan on enforcing any Jacobson-backed law? Are we going to fine or jail what could be 35 percent (or more) of the population? Would states throw that kindling onto the fires of division?
Some would.
This is a bridge we’re eventually going to have to cross.
That doesn’t mean refusing to get a vaccine for the coronavirus is necessarily intelligent. In fact, if it’s safe and effective, it likely wouldn’t be.
It shouldn’t be an offense that leads to serious fines or jail time, however.
Eradicating freedom to eradicate a disease leads us down a dangerous path — one we can’t necessarily find our way back from once COVID-19 is, one prays, a distant memory.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-08-22--Biden’s Acceptance Speech Sees Sharp Drop in Viewers Compared to Hillary Clinton’s

If TV ratings were votes , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wouldn ’ t be happy .
The good news for Biden from early estimates by Nielsen Media Research was that 21.8 million people watched his acceptance speech on TV Thursday night , according to The Hill , which reported that Biden drew more viewers than any other speaker during the virtual Democratic National Convention .
But Biden ’ s numbers are 21 percent lower than the ratings rolled up by presidential nominee Hillary Clinton when she made her DNC acceptance speech in 2016 .
The convention had been struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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The Biden audience number , which might change when more networks are added , comes out to be over 38 percent lower than the 34.9 million viewers President Donald Trump attracted in 2016 when he accepted the Republican nomination .
Trump will have his chance to top his numbers next week when the Republican National Convention is held at the White House .
The convention already produced one surge .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey was at 51 percent on Friday .
The number was 47 percent on the first day of the Democratic convention Monday .
The margin of error in the poll , which factors in likely voters , is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points .
RELATED : Ex-Acting AG : DOJ Policy Does Not Preclude Durham from Releasing FBI Corruption Findings Close to Election The Trump campaign was ready with an explanation of the DNC , with Boris Epshteyn , a strategic adviser to the campaign , calling it a “ socialist snoozefest.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the second night was a bunch of losers like John Kerry , last night was retreads like Hillary Clinton … and tonight was supposed to be the big night .
… Is this the worst major party convention in our lifetimes ?
” he said Thursday , according to Fox News .
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said Biden ’ s speech had something missing .
“ What we did not hear from Joe Biden was standing up for our law enforcement , ” Stefanik said of the speech .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden how he ’ s going to grow our economy , and we deserve these answers.
” In commenting on Biden ’ s speech , Michael Goodwin wrote on Fox News that Biden cleared an “ incredibly low bar.
” “ As for the actual content of the speech , it was more pedestrian than soaring , and the ideas were presented in simple , stark contrasts .
Light vs dark , hope vs fear , almost always in short sentences , ” Goodwin wrote in an op-ed .
With the speech behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he should be treated as any other candidate , ” Goodwin wrote .
“ He can start by releasing his health and medical reports , which he has so far refused to do .
Most importantly , there is no excuse for him to hide any longer in his basement .
Hidin ’ Biden must be a thing of history.
” “ Joe Biden has broken the protective shell , and he can ’ t now wrap himself in it again .
Ever.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

If TV ratings were votes, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wouldn’t be happy.
The good news for Biden from early estimates by Nielsen Media Research was that 21.8 million people watched his acceptance speech on TV Thursday night, according to The Hill, which reported that Biden drew more viewers than any other speaker during the virtual Democratic National Convention.
But Biden’s numbers are 21 percent lower than the ratings rolled up by presidential nominee Hillary Clinton when she made her DNC acceptance speech in 2016.
The convention had been struggling all week to attract a TV audience.
Assuming this is a Monday-to-Monday comparison, it’s pretty stark. The bigger Q is what will ratings be for Biden’s speech Thursday compared with past acceptance speeches. https://t.co/mb40un66ly — Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) August 18, 2020
The Biden audience number, which might change when more networks are added, comes out to be over 38 percent lower than the 34.9 million viewers President Donald Trump attracted in 2016 when he accepted the Republican nomination.
Biden acceptance speech generates 38% less audience than Trump in 2016 | Just The News https://t.co/tZehxODhry — John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) August 21, 2020
Have voters already had enough of Joe Biden? Yes No
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Trump will have his chance to top his numbers next week when the Republican National Convention is held at the White House.
The convention already produced one surge.
Trump’s approval rating on the daily Rasmussen Reports survey was at 51 percent on Friday. The number was 47 percent on the first day of the Democratic convention Monday. The margin of error in the poll, which factors in likely voters, is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
The Trump campaign was ready with an explanation of the DNC, with Boris Epshteyn, a strategic adviser to the campaign, calling it a “socialist snoozefest.”
“The first night was boring, the second night was a bunch of losers like John Kerry, last night was retreads like Hillary Clinton … and tonight was supposed to be the big night. … Is this the worst major party convention in our lifetimes?” he said Thursday, according to Fox News.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said Biden’s speech had something missing.
“What we did not hear from Joe Biden was standing up for our law enforcement,” Stefanik said of the speech. “We did not hear from Joe Biden how he’s going to grow our economy, and we deserve these answers.”
In commenting on Biden’s speech, Michael Goodwin wrote on Fox News that Biden cleared an “incredibly low bar.”
“As for the actual content of the speech, it was more pedestrian than soaring, and the ideas were presented in simple, stark contrasts. Light vs dark, hope vs fear, almost always in short sentences,” Goodwin wrote in an op-ed.
With the speech behind him, “The bar is raised and he should be treated as any other candidate,” Goodwin wrote. “He can start by releasing his health and medical reports, which he has so far refused to do. Most importantly, there is no excuse for him to hide any longer in his basement. Hidin’ Biden must be a thing of history.”
“Joe Biden has broken the protective shell, and he can’t now wrap himself in it again. Ever.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--Desperate Fire Crews Get Boost in Battle Against California Blazes

Firefighters and aircraft from 10 states began arriving in California on Friday to help weary crews battling some of the largest blazes in state history as weekend weather threatened to renew the advance of flames that have killed six people and incinerated hundreds of homes .
Some 560 wildfires were burning throughout the state , but many were small and remote .
The bulk of the damage came from three clusters of blazes that were ravaging forest and rural areas in the wine country and San Francisco Bay Area .
Those complexes , consisting of dozens of fires , exploded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had scorched 991 square miles and destroyed more than 500 homes and other buildings , fire officials said .
At least 100,000 people were under evacuation orders .
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Two Bay Area clusters , the LNU Lightning Complex and the SCU Lightning Complex , became respectively the second- and third-largest wildfires in recent state history by size , according to Cal Fire records .
The third blaze , the CZU Lightning Complex , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fires were sparked by lightning earlier in the week .
Cooler , more humid weather overnight helped firefighters gain ground against the fires , but the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch from Sunday morning into Tuesday for the entire Bay Area and central coast .
Forecasters said there was a chance of thunderstorms bringing more lightning and erratic gusts .
More than 12,000 personnel were fighting fires around the state , aided by fleets of helicopters and other aircraft .
By Friday , the state ’ s fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out 96 percent of its available fire engines .
The number of personnel assigned to the LNU complex north of San Francisco more than doubled from 580 to over 1,400 on Friday and nearly 200 fire engines were on the scene , fire officials said .
“ I ’ m happy to see the jumps that we ’ ve had today , ” Cal Fire incident commander Sean Kavanaugh said .
RELATED : Watch : Hit-and-Run Car Throws Motorcycle Rider , Drags His Bike Down the Highway That could help crews make further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just 15 percent contained .
“ I feel like we ’ re up on our feet , standing straight and actually moving a little bit forward , ” Kavanaugh said Friday night .
However , the number of large fires was “ staggering ” and had put “ tremendous strain ” on firefighting resources throughout the Western states , he said .
Nevada and Arizona , for example , have battled sizable blazes this week as a heat wave swept the West .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said 10 states were sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was reaching out to Canada and Australia for help .
“ We have more people but it ’ s not enough , ” Newsom said .
In the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco , about 1,000 firefighters were battling a fire 10 times the size they typically would cover , according to Dan Olsen , a Cal Fire spokesman .
Cal Fire Chief Mark Brunton pleaded with residents to stop battling fires on their own , saying that only causes more problems for professional firefighters .
“ We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our vital , very few resources away , ” he said .
But Peter Koleckai credits a neighbor , not firefighters , with saving his home in a rural area where dozens of homes were reduced to smoldering ruins .
“ We were here at about 3 o ’ clock in the morning and the fire department just left .
They just left , ” he said .
Koleckai said he ran to a firefighter and told him a brush fire was erupting next to a house .
“ They never went up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , took the house out , ” he said .
A neighbor with a high pressure hose , firefighting equipment and a generator saved his home , Koleckai said .
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Smith said typically a wildfire of the size burning through the region would have 10 or even 20 times as many firefighters .
“ We are doing absolutely everything we can , ” he said .
The death toll from California fires has reached at least six .
Three bodies were found Thursday in a burned home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in neighboring Solano County , and a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the Vacaville area .
Also Wednesday , a helicopter pilot died in a crash while dropping water on a blaze in Fresno County .
Smoke and ash billowing from the fires has fouled the air throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and along California ’ s central coast .
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Read our editorial standards .

Firefighters and aircraft from 10 states began arriving in California on Friday to help weary crews battling some of the largest blazes in state history as weekend weather threatened to renew the advance of flames that have killed six people and incinerated hundreds of homes.
Some 560 wildfires were burning throughout the state, but many were small and remote.
The bulk of the damage came from three clusters of blazes that were ravaging forest and rural areas in the wine country and San Francisco Bay Area.
Those complexes, consisting of dozens of fires, exploded in size on Friday. Together, they had scorched 991 square miles and destroyed more than 500 homes and other buildings, fire officials said.
At least 100,000 people were under evacuation orders.
Two Bay Area clusters, the LNU Lightning Complex and the SCU Lightning Complex, became respectively the second- and third-largest wildfires in recent state history by size, according to Cal Fire records.
The third blaze, the CZU Lightning Complex, is in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.
The fires were sparked by lightning earlier in the week.
Cooler, more humid weather overnight helped firefighters gain ground against the fires, but the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch from Sunday morning into Tuesday for the entire Bay Area and central coast.
Do you think the fires will continue to grow? Yes No
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Forecasters said there was a chance of thunderstorms bringing more lightning and erratic gusts.
More than 12,000 personnel were fighting fires around the state, aided by fleets of helicopters and other aircraft. By Friday, the state’s fire agency, Cal Fire, had called out 96 percent of its available fire engines.
But reinforcements began to arrive.
The number of personnel assigned to the LNU complex north of San Francisco more than doubled from 580 to over 1,400 on Friday and nearly 200 fire engines were on the scene, fire officials said.
“I’m happy to see the jumps that we’ve had today,” Cal Fire incident commander Sean Kavanaugh said.
That could help crews make further progress against the sprawling fire, which was just 15 percent contained.
“I feel like we’re up on our feet, standing straight and actually moving a little bit forward,” Kavanaugh said Friday night.
However, the number of large fires was “staggering” and had put “tremendous strain” on firefighting resources throughout the Western states, he said.
Nevada and Arizona, for example, have battled sizable blazes this week as a heat wave swept the West.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said 10 states were sending personnel and equipment. The governor also said he was reaching out to Canada and Australia for help.
“We have more people but it’s not enough,” Newsom said.
In the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco, about 1,000 firefighters were battling a fire 10 times the size they typically would cover, according to Dan Olsen, a Cal Fire spokesman.
With firefighting resources tight, homes in remote places burned unattended.
Cal Fire Chief Mark Brunton pleaded with residents to stop battling fires on their own, saying that only causes more problems for professional firefighters.
“We had last night three separate rescues that pulled our vital, very few resources away,” he said.
But Peter Koleckai credits a neighbor, not firefighters, with saving his home in a rural area where dozens of homes were reduced to smoldering ruins.
“We were here at about 3 o’clock in the morning and the fire department just left. They just left,” he said.
Koleckai said he ran to a firefighter and told him a brush fire was erupting next to a house.
“They never went up there and it engulfed the whole house, took the house out,” he said.
A neighbor with a high pressure hose, firefighting equipment and a generator saved his home, Koleckai said.
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Smith said typically a wildfire of the size burning through the region would have 10 or even 20 times as many firefighters.
“We are doing absolutely everything we can,” he said.
The death toll from California fires has reached at least six. Three bodies were found Thursday in a burned home in Napa County.
A man also died in neighboring Solano County, and a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the Vacaville area.
Also Wednesday, a helicopter pilot died in a crash while dropping water on a blaze in Fresno County.
Smoke and ash billowing from the fires has fouled the air throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and along California’s central coast.
[jwplayer ilXeN4Ku]
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--Gulf States Brace for One-Two Punch as Tropical Storms Gather Strength

Two tropical storms advanced across the Caribbean on Saturday as potentially historic threats to the U.S. Gulf Coast , one dumping rain on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands while the other was pushing through the gap between Mexico ’ s Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba .
Tropical Storms Laura and Marco were both projected to approach the U.S. Gulf Coast at or close to hurricane force .
The current , uncertain track would take them to Texas or Louisiana .
Two hurricanes have never appeared in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time , according to records going back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
The last time two tropical storms were in the Gulf together was in 1959 , he said .
TRENDING : Alyssa Milano Blasted by Rose McGowan : 'What Have the Democrats Done To Solve Anything ? '
The last time two storms made landfall in the United States within 24 hours of each other was in 1933 , Klotzbach said .
The projected track from the U.S. National Hurricane Center would put both storms together in the Gulf on Tuesday , with Marco hitting Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a day later , though both tracks remain uncertain .
Laura was already hitting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Saturday morning and was expected to drench the Dominican Republic , Haiti and parts of Cuba during the day on its westward course .
Puerto Rico Gov .
Wanda Vázquez declared a state of emergency and warned that flooding could be worse than what Tropical Storm Isaias unleashed three weeks ago because the ground is now saturated .
“ No one should be out on the streets , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles south of San Juan , with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph .
It was moving west at 18 mph .
Officials said they were most concerned about the thousands of people who have been living under tarps since 2017 ’ s Hurricane Maria and the hundreds of families living along Puerto Rico ’ s southern coast in homes damaged by a string of strong earthquakes this year .
Marco , meanwhile , was strengthening while centered about 105 miles east of Cozumel island , headed to the north-northwest at 12 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 mph .
It was expected to become a hurricane later in the day .
The Hurricane Center said it expects the storms to stay far enough apart to prevent direct interaction as the region braces for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season , which is forecast to be unusually active .
RELATED : Desperate Fire Crews Get Boost in Battle Against California Blazes Both storms were expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain , threatening widespread flooding across a vast region .
Forecasters said that while atmospheric conditions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passage over Puerto Rico and the mountains of Haiti , the Dominican Republic and Cuba could tear it apart or weaken it before it enters warm Gulf waters conducive to growth .
Officials in the Florida Keys , which Laura might pass over on its route into the Gulf , declared a local state of emergency on Friday and issued a mandatory evacuation order for anyone living on boats , in mobile homes and in campers .
Citing both storm systems , Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too soon to know exactly where , when or how these dual storms will affect Louisiana , but now is the time for our people to prepare for these storms , ” Edwards said in a statement .
Laura had earlier forced the closure of schools and government offices in the eastern Caribbean islands of Anguilla and Antigua , according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Two tropical storms advanced across the Caribbean on Saturday as potentially historic threats to the U.S. Gulf Coast, one dumping rain on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands while the other was pushing through the gap between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba.
Tropical Storms Laura and Marco were both projected to approach the U.S. Gulf Coast at or close to hurricane force.
The current, uncertain track would take them to Texas or Louisiana.
Two hurricanes have never appeared in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time, according to records going back to at least 1900, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
The last time two tropical storms were in the Gulf together was in 1959, he said.
The last time two storms made landfall in the United States within 24 hours of each other was in 1933, Klotzbach said.
The projected track from the U.S. National Hurricane Center would put both storms together in the Gulf on Tuesday, with Marco hitting Texas and Laura making landfall a little less than a day later, though both tracks remain uncertain.
Laura was already hitting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Saturday morning and was expected to drench the Dominican Republic, Haiti and parts of Cuba during the day on its westward course.
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez declared a state of emergency and warned that flooding could be worse than what Tropical Storm Isaias unleashed three weeks ago because the ground is now saturated.
Are you worried about the possibility of two hurricanes hitting the US? Yes No
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“No one should be out on the streets,” she said.
The storm was centered about 20 miles south of San Juan, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving west at 18 mph.
Officials said they were most concerned about the thousands of people who have been living under tarps since 2017’s Hurricane Maria and the hundreds of families living along Puerto Rico’s southern coast in homes damaged by a string of strong earthquakes this year.
Marco, meanwhile, was strengthening while centered about 105 miles east of Cozumel island, headed to the north-northwest at 12 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. It was expected to become a hurricane later in the day.
The Hurricane Center said it expects the storms to stay far enough apart to prevent direct interaction as the region braces for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is forecast to be unusually active.
Both storms were expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain, threatening widespread flooding across a vast region.
Forecasters said that while atmospheric conditions are favorable for Laura to grow, its passage over Puerto Rico and the mountains of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba could tear it apart or weaken it before it enters warm Gulf waters conducive to growth.
Officials in the Florida Keys, which Laura might pass over on its route into the Gulf, declared a local state of emergency on Friday and issued a mandatory evacuation order for anyone living on boats, in mobile homes and in campers.
Citing both storm systems, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Friday night.
“It is too soon to know exactly where, when or how these dual storms will affect Louisiana, but now is the time for our people to prepare for these storms,” Edwards said in a statement.
Laura had earlier forced the closure of schools and government offices in the eastern Caribbean islands of Anguilla and Antigua, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
[jwplayer QoNyOJpQ]
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westernjournal--2020-08-22--School Assignment Features ‘Abhorrent’ Cartoon Comparing Police to Slave Owners, KKK

An assignment given to students at a Texas school included a cartoon comparing police officers to slave owners and Klu Klux Klan members , the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported .
The cartoon depicted five scenes , starting with what appeared to be a slave owner kneeling on a black man ’ s neck and ending with a police officer kneeling on a black man ’ s neck with text saying “ I can ’ t breathe , ” the Star-Telegram reported .
The cartoon also included a depiction of a member of the Ku Klux Klan kneeling on a black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alyssa Milano Blasted by Rose McGowan : 'What Have the Democrats Done To Solve Anything ? '
The assignment was given to social studies students at Cooper Junior High in the Wylie Independent School District , north of Dallas , Texas .
“ In hindsight , we say that they could have picked a more balanced approach , ” Wylie Independent School District spokesman Ian Halperin said .
“ Editorial cartoons have a place in education , but try to present a more balanced approach as an educator.
” The cartoon was reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The assignment was removed after criticism , and the cartoon was not in line with the school ’ s curriculum , according to Halperin .
The incident is being reviewed and disciplinary action has yet to be taken .
“ The last thing we want is for our young people to be scared to talk to us or confide in us , ” Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson said .
Henderson said the cartoon harms the positive relationship between students and the police department .
The vice president of the National Fraternal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the cartoon “ abhorrent and disturbing ” in a letter to Superintendent David Vinson .
“ We are willing to sit down with anyone and have a fact-based conversation about our profession , but divisiveness like your teachers showed does nothing to move that conversation forward , ” Gamaldi said .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An assignment given to students at a Texas school included a cartoon comparing police officers to slave owners and Klu Klux Klan members, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The cartoon depicted five scenes, starting with what appeared to be a slave owner kneeling on a black man’s neck and ending with a police officer kneeling on a black man’s neck with text saying “I can’t breathe,” the Star-Telegram reported.
The cartoon also included a depiction of a member of the Ku Klux Klan kneeling on a black man’s neck.
? @JoeGamaldi blasted @WylieISD Superintendent for pushing disturbing material: “I cannot begin to tell you how abhorrent & disturbing this comparison is, but what is more disturbing is that no adult within your school thought better before sending this assignment to children.” pic.twitter.com/zEZC0yPVW8 — National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) August 20, 2020
The assignment was given to social studies students at Cooper Junior High in the Wylie Independent School District, north of Dallas, Texas.
“In hindsight, we say that they could have picked a more balanced approach,” Wylie Independent School District spokesman Ian Halperin said.
“Editorial cartoons have a place in education, but try to present a more balanced approach as an educator.”
The cartoon was reportedly meant to teach students about political satire.
Should this cartoon have been shown to children? Yes No
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The assignment was removed after criticism, and the cartoon was not in line with the school’s curriculum, according to Halperin.
The incident is being reviewed and disciplinary action has yet to be taken.
“The last thing we want is for our young people to be scared to talk to us or confide in us,” Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson said.
Henderson said the cartoon harms the positive relationship between students and the police department.
The vice president of the National Fraternal Order of Police, Joe Gamaldi, called the cartoon “abhorrent and disturbing” in a letter to Superintendent David Vinson.
“We are willing to sit down with anyone and have a fact-based conversation about our profession, but divisiveness like your teachers showed does nothing to move that conversation forward,” Gamaldi said.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-08-21--Seattle Mayor’s Veto Saves Police from Budget-Slashing Bill

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday she will veto City Council-approved proposals that would include reducing the police department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition .
The council ’ s proposals approved last week were strongly opposed by the mayor and police Chief Carmen Best .
Durkan said in a news conference on Friday that she did not agree with cutting the officers , nor with measures that included a reduction in Best ’ s roughly $ 294,000 annual salary and the salaries of other police leaders , as well as a plan to take officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She also complained that the council had not discussed their plans with her or the police chief before taking action .
“ This veto was because the bills as passed did not have the type of collaboration that I think we will have going forward , and that I ’ m hopeful we will have going forward , ” she said .
TRENDING : Alyssa Milano Blasted by Rose McGowan : 'What Have the Democrats Done To Solve Anything ? '
“ There ’ s some flaws in each of these [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can correct , or with discussions , we can find a path forward together.
” Only council member Kshama Sawant voted against the budget package , saying it did not decrease the police budget enough .
Seattle now has about 1,400 police officers , and the proposed reductions fell far short of the calls from many Black Lives Matter protesters for a 50 percent cut to the department .
Hours after the vote , Best announced she would be leaving her post , saying she was OK with her pay cut , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
Durkan said Friday she has been talking with Council President Lorena González and is optimistic that the council and her office can work out a compromise .
González told The Seattle Times she was “ disappointed ” by the mayor ’ s veto decision , but she would work with her on a path forward .
“ I have to believe that we agree on more than we disagree , and I will strive to bridge the gap on our few but critical differences of opinion , ” González said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their elected leaders are committed to working together on achieving a long-overdue transformation of our law enforcement and criminal justice systems that have for far too long perpetuated trauma and harm on our black , brown and indigenous neighbors.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday she will veto City Council-approved proposals that would include reducing the police department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition.
The council’s proposals approved last week were strongly opposed by the mayor and Police Chief Carmen Best.
Durkan said in a news conference on Friday that she did not agree with cutting the officers, nor with measures that included a reduction in Best’s roughly $294,000 annual salary and the salaries of other police leaders, as well as a plan to take officers off a team that removes homeless camps.
She also complained that the council had not discussed their plans with her or the police chief before taking action.
“This veto was because the bills as passed did not have the type of collaboration that I think we will have going forward, and that I’m hopeful we will have going forward,” she said.
“There’s some flaws in each of these [bills] that I hope the council can correct, or with discussions, we can find a path forward together.”
Only council member Kshama Sawant voted against the budget package, saying it did not decrease the police budget enough.
Seattle now has about 1,400 police officers, and the proposed reductions fell far short of the calls from many Black Lives Matter protesters for a 50 percent cut to the department.
Hours after the vote, Best announced she would be leaving her post, saying she was OK with her pay cut, but not with having to lay off new officers.
Do you support Mayor Durkan's veto? Yes No
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Durkan said Friday she has been talking with Council President Lorena González and is optimistic that the council and her office can work out a compromise.
González told The Seattle Times she was “disappointed” by the mayor’s veto decision, but she would work with her on a path forward.
“I have to believe that we agree on more than we disagree, and I will strive to bridge the gap on our few but critical differences of opinion,” González said.
“I hope that the public knows that their elected leaders are committed to working together on achieving a long-overdue transformation of our law enforcement and criminal justice systems that have for far too long perpetuated trauma and harm on our black, brown and indigenous neighbors.”
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