westernjournal--2020-07-10--Biden Vows To Restore Obama-Era Policy in Wake of Supreme Court’s ‘Disappointing’ Religious Liberty

Biden Vows To Restore Obama-Era Policy in Wake of Supreme Court’s ‘Disappointing’ Religious Liberty Ruling

In Joe Biden ’ s America , the government will decide how employers structure health care plans , regardless of an employer ’ s religious beliefs .
That was the bottom line Biden expressed after Wednesday ’ s Supreme Court ruling affirming a Trump administration policy that provided a broad exception to Obamacare ’ s mandate which required employers to fund contraceptives as part of health insurance , according to Fox News .
Past court rulings involving the Little Sisters of the Poor , an order of nuns , and Hobby Lobby , had supported an exemption to Obamacare that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private companies .
Wednesday ’ s ruling upheld the Trump administration ’ s broad exemption to the Obamacare mandate .
“ As disappointing as the Supreme Court ’ s ruling is , there is a clear path to fixing it : electing a new President who will end Donald Trump ’ s ceaseless attempts to gut every aspect of the Affordable Care Act , ” Biden said in a statement , according to Fox News .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If I am elected , I will restore the Obama-Biden policy that existed before the Hobby Lobby ruling : providing an exemption for houses of worship and an accommodation for nonprofit organizations with religious missions.
” Biden said the court was putting women at risk by siding with the Trump administration .
“ Health care is a right that should not be dependent on race , gender , income or zip code .
Yet as a result of today ’ s decision , countless women are at risk of losing access to affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden said the policy developed when he was vice president was good enough .
“ The accommodation will allow women at these organizations to access contraceptive coverage , not through their employer-provided plan , but instead through their insurance company or a third-party administrator , ” he said .
That so-called accommodation allowed religious-based charities to avoid paying for contraceptives , but simply shifted the cost to the states .
The Trump campaign jabbed Biden after the court ruling .
“ Joe Biden ’ s decade-long war against Catholic nuns and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .
Today ’ s Supreme Court ruling is a landmark win for religious liberty .
Unlike Joe Biden , President Trump has been a staunch defender of religious freedom since taking office and will always fight to defend communities of faith , ” said Ali Pardo , the Trump 2020 deputy communications director .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement saying the ruling was a win for religious freedom .
RELATED : Trump Victory Draws the Line Against Team Biden in Key Battleground State “ Today ’ s Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious freedom and freedom of conscience .
Almost a decade ago , the Obama administration attempted to force employers , including religious nonprofits like the Little Sisters of the Poor , an order of nuns , to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees , in violation of their religious beliefs , ” she said .
“ Twice before in this ongoing saga , the Supreme Court has blocked these overly rigid and misguided efforts and sided with religious freedom .
Today , it has once again vindicated the conscience rights of people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since Day One , the Trump Administration has sought to lift burdens on religious exercise for people of all faiths , ” she said .
McEnany said the administration is showing it can be pro-woman and also support religious freedom .
“ This Administration will continue working to protect healthcare , including contraceptive healthcare , for the American people .
Unlike the last administration , however , we have the courage of our convictions : “ We are allowing women who lack access to contraceptive coverage because of their employer ’ s religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access such care through the Title X program at little to no cost .
Ensuring that women receive the healthcare they need does not require banishing religious groups that refuse to surrender their beliefs from the public square.
” One commentator said the court appears to be solidly behind religious freedom .
“ The majority of justices on the Supreme Court have increasingly treated religious liberty rights as of greater importance and weight than other fundamental constitutional and civil rights , ” Katherine Franke , a law professor at Columbia University , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When they are asked to adjudicate conflicts between religious liberty and other fundamental rights , they have consistently ruled that religious liberty supersedes other rights.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In Joe Biden’s America, the government will decide how employers structure health care plans, regardless of an employer’s religious beliefs.
That was the bottom line Biden expressed after Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling affirming a Trump administration policy that provided a broad exception to Obamacare’s mandate which required employers to fund contraceptives as part of health insurance, according to Fox News.
Past court rulings involving the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of nuns, and Hobby Lobby, had supported an exemption to Obamacare that covered groups with religious affiliations and some private companies. Wednesday’s ruling upheld the Trump administration’s broad exemption to the Obamacare mandate.
Biden did not approve.
“As disappointing as the Supreme Court’s ruling is, there is a clear path to fixing it: electing a new President who will end Donald Trump’s ceaseless attempts to gut every aspect of the Affordable Care Act,” Biden said in a statement, according to Fox News.
“If I am elected, I will restore the Obama-Biden policy that existed before the Hobby Lobby ruling: providing an exemption for houses of worship and an accommodation for nonprofit organizations with religious missions.”
Biden said the court was putting women at risk by siding with the Trump administration.
“Health care is a right that should not be dependent on race, gender, income or zip code. Yet as a result of today’s decision, countless women are at risk of losing access to affordable, preventive care,” he said.
Biden said the policy developed when he was vice president was good enough.
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“The accommodation will allow women at these organizations to access contraceptive coverage, not through their employer-provided plan, but instead through their insurance company or a third-party administrator,” he said.
That so-called accommodation allowed religious-based charities to avoid paying for contraceptives, but simply shifted the cost to the states.
The Trump campaign jabbed Biden after the court ruling.
“Joe Biden’s decade-long war against Catholic nuns and the Little Sisters of the Poor is finally over. Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a landmark win for religious liberty. Unlike Joe Biden, President Trump has been a staunch defender of religious freedom since taking office and will always fight to defend communities of faith,” said Ali Pardo, the Trump 2020 deputy communications director.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement saying the ruling was a win for religious freedom.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a big win for religious freedom and freedom of conscience. Almost a decade ago, the Obama administration attempted to force employers, including religious nonprofits like the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of nuns, to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees, in violation of their religious beliefs,” she said.
“Twice before in this ongoing saga, the Supreme Court has blocked these overly rigid and misguided efforts and sided with religious freedom. Today, it has once again vindicated the conscience rights of people of faith,” she said.
“Since Day One, the Trump Administration has sought to lift burdens on religious exercise for people of all faiths,” she said.
McEnany said the administration is showing it can be pro-woman and also support religious freedom.
“This Administration will continue working to protect healthcare, including contraceptive healthcare, for the American people. Unlike the last administration, however, we have the courage of our convictions:
“We are allowing women who lack access to contraceptive coverage because of their employer’s religious beliefs or moral convictions to more easily access such care through the Title X program at little to no cost. Ensuring that women receive the healthcare they need does not require banishing religious groups that refuse to surrender their beliefs from the public square.”
One commentator said the court appears to be solidly behind religious freedom.
“The majority of justices on the Supreme Court have increasingly treated religious liberty rights as of greater importance and weight than other fundamental constitutional and civil rights,” Katherine Franke, a law professor at Columbia University, said, according to The Hill.
“When they are asked to adjudicate conflicts between religious liberty and other fundamental rights, they have consistently ruled that religious liberty supersedes other rights.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--How One Woman Heroically Stopped a Stranger from Jumping Off Bridge

Sometimes a voice is all you need to feel less alone .
A steady , calm presence from a stranger who ’ s not afraid to look you in the eye and tell you that you matter , can make all the difference when you ’ re in a dark place .
Francis Gonzalez from Lowell , Massachusetts , is just that sort of person .
Co-chair of the Merrimack Valley Out of the Darkness Walks and a 5-year veteran volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention , she has received training to know how to help those at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going through a rough time and dealing with depression , you feel like nobody understands you and you ’ re all alone , ” Gonzalez told the Lowell Sun .
“ You just have to let the person know that you ’ re there.
” But she also knows her help comes from above .
“ I believe that God was preparing me for that day , ” she told WBZ-TV .
“ That day ” was June 19 , when Gonzalez and her two daughters were in the car driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for no real reason — though the reason soon became apparent .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera As they drove over Church Street Bridge , her daughter , Francheska Ortiz , spotted a man who looked like he needed some help .
“ He was over the railing and leaning forward , ” Ortiz said .
“ I yelled to my mother , ‘ He ’ s going to jump .
You got to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
She parked the car and quickly made her way over to where the man was perched and began talking to him .
“ I said , ‘ I see you , ' ” she reassured him .
“ I ’ m here.
” “ Please , there ’ s hope , there ’ s hope .
I ’ m a stranger .
I know I am .
But , I am here to help you .
I see you .
I hear you.
” She looked him in the eye as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially with the current climate .
He didn ’ t speak , only cried and responded by nodding or shaking his head .
“ I ’ ll never forget his face , ” Gonzalez said .
“ You could see the pain .
Such despair.
” RELATED : TikTok Star Dead at Age 16 : She 'Was a Bright Talent' Confirming that this was a serious situation , Gonzalez reached for her phone only to find that she ’ d left it in her car in her rush to approach the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught Gonzalez ’ s signal and dialed 911 .
“ God sent her , I tell ya , ” Gonzalez confirmed .
At one point , someone in a passing car yelled “ just do it and jump !
” Gonzalez quickly countered that heartless message .
“ It was horrible , ” she said .
“ I said to him , ‘ Don ’ t listen to them .
I ’ m here for you . '
” The whole ordeal took 20-30 minutes before authorities arrived and the man was convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was escorted to a hospital , but before he left , Gonzalez gave him a hug .
“ I gave him a big hug and I said , ‘ You ’ re going to make it .
You ’ re going to make it .
Thank you for giving yourself another chance , ' ” Gonzalez said .
“ If it wasn ’ t for the courage God gave me that day and what I have learned from AFSP I wouldn ’ t have been able to be a lifesaver that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention page .
“ After he left with the ambulance , I hugged my girls and cried .
I share my experience to spread hope and awareness .
This is what The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works hard for to help save lives .
I pray for that man and hope he gets the help he needs to get better.
” While the man ’ s name has not been released to help protect his identity , Gonzalez hopes she ’ ll get to meet him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to him .
I want to know if he ’ s OK , ” she said .
“ I appreciate life but it made me appreciate life even more.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Sometimes a voice is all you need to feel less alone. A steady, calm presence from a stranger who’s not afraid to look you in the eye and tell you that you matter, can make all the difference when you’re in a dark place.
Francis Gonzalez from Lowell, Massachusetts, is just that sort of person. Co-chair of the Merrimack Valley Out of the Darkness Walks and a 5-year veteran volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, she has received training to know how to help those at risk of suicide.
“When you’re going through a rough time and dealing with depression, you feel like nobody understands you and you’re all alone,” Gonzalez told the Lowell Sun. “You just have to let the person know that you’re there.”
But she also knows her help comes from above. “I believe that God was preparing me for that day,” she told WBZ-TV.
“That day” was June 19, when Gonzalez and her two daughters were in the car driving home. They took a different route for no real reason — though the reason soon became apparent.
“He was over the railing and leaning forward,” said 19-year-old Francheska Ortiz. “I yelled to my mother, ‘He’s going to jump. You got to turn around.’” https://t.co/Ds8AzFyf3k — The Lowell Sun (@LowellSunNews) July 5, 2020
As they drove over Church Street Bridge, her daughter, Francheska Ortiz, spotted a man who looked like he needed some help.
“He was over the railing and leaning forward,” Ortiz said. “I yelled to my mother, ‘He’s going to jump. You got to turn around.'”
Gonzalez did just that. She parked the car and quickly made her way over to where the man was perched and began talking to him.
“I said, ‘I see you,'” she reassured him. “I’m here.”
“Please, there’s hope, there’s hope. I’m a stranger. I know I am. But, I am here to help you. I see you. I hear you.”
She looked him in the eye as she spoke about life and its difficulties, especially with the current climate. He didn’t speak, only cried and responded by nodding or shaking his head.
“I’ll never forget his face,” Gonzalez said. “You could see the pain. Such despair.”
Confirming that this was a serious situation, Gonzalez reached for her phone only to find that she’d left it in her car in her rush to approach the man. Thankfully, a woman passing by caught Gonzalez’s signal and dialed 911.
“God sent her, I tell ya,” Gonzalez confirmed.
At one point, someone in a passing car yelled “just do it and jump!” Gonzalez quickly countered that heartless message.
“It was horrible,” she said. “I said to him, ‘Don’t listen to them. I’m here for you.'”
The whole ordeal took 20-30 minutes before authorities arrived and the man was convinced to climb back over the railing. He was escorted to a hospital, but before he left, Gonzalez gave him a hug.
“I gave him a big hug and I said, ‘You’re going to make it. You’re going to make it. Thank you for giving yourself another chance,'” Gonzalez said.
“If it wasn’t for the courage God gave me that day and what I have learned from AFSP I wouldn’t have been able to be a lifesaver that day,” she shared on the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention page.
“After he left with the ambulance, I hugged my girls and cried. I share my experience to spread hope and awareness. This is what The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works hard for to help save lives. I pray for that man and hope he gets the help he needs to get better.”
While the man’s name has not been released to help protect his identity, Gonzalez hopes she’ll get to meet him again.
“I would love to talk to him. I want to know if he’s OK,” she said. “I appreciate life but it made me appreciate life even more.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Trump Victory Draws the Line Against Team Biden in Key Battleground State

The southwestern arm of President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign spoke out Thursday against 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for late entry into the Arizona grassroots .
According to The Arizona Republic , Biden did not begin to establish any sort of substantial footprint in the state until mid-June , when his campaign finally hired its first permanent staffers to facilitate operations in the region .
The former vice president had reportedly been late to the general election ground game as a result of laser focus placed on ensuring victory in the Democratic primary — a conclusion widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a series of discouraging losses in first-to-vote states .
Local operatives across the aisle , however , described the Biden campaign ’ s late arrival as an arrogant attempt to “ parachute into Arizona ” at the last minute and sneak out an inexpensive victory .
Come November , Trump Victory spokesperson Keith Schipper told The Western Journal it would cost the Democratic National Committee another crucial election .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that they can parachute into Arizona with four months until Election Day and they are going to be sadly mistaken when they realize that we have had a permanent ground game here in Arizona since 2016 , ” Schipper said .
“ We ’ ve been building relationships with not only our volunteers , but also obviously voters .
We have built this operation for years and , as you can see with how we ’ re producing , it ’ s a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president and Republicans down the ballot.
” “ I think the Democrats , what their strategy seems to be is just kind of dropping in at the last minute and trying to replicate what we have going on , ” he added .
“ The DNC has been broke for most of the last few years and we ’ ve obviously invested .
We ’ ve been setting fundraising records and invested heavily , and I think it does show that [ Biden ] … Perhaps he ’ s resting on kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to be said for the Trump campaign , Schipper said , touting several years of consistent grassroots efforts within the state .
According to TownHall , Trump Victory ’ s July 4 Weekend of Action saw campaign volunteers nationwide engage roughly 340,000 likely voters at their front doors and make more 1.7 million phone calls .
The result was nearly 4,000 Americans directly registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election and another 52,000 interacting with the Republican National Committee ’ s voter registration website .
Arizona alone accounted for roughly 190,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this past weekend , Schipper told The Western Journal , adding that the Trump apparatus in-state has made more than 2 million voter contacts and held roughly 2,000 official campaign events to date .
RELATED : Biden Vows To Restore Obama-Era Policy in Wake of Supreme Court 's 'Disappointing ' Religious Liberty Ruling Having handily secured victory in the state by four percent of the vote in 2016 , Trump himself has also made it a point to highlight Arizona as an essential part of his 2020 re-election efforts .
Reinvigorating his trademark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped off in Phoenix on June 23 to headline a Students for Trump convention which included guest speakers like GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida , Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and Trump campaign senior advisors Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump , Jr .
The event filled the local Dream City megachurch to capacity with approximately 3,000 young voters .
Trump is not the only major administration figure to make his presence known in Arizona over the past few weeks .
On July 1 , Vice President Mike Pence , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , flew to Phoenix for a brief meeting with Republican state Gov .
Doug Ducey to discuss a major surge in the state ’ s confirmed COVID-19 case totals .
“ I couldn ’ t be more proud of our nation ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , ” Pence told The Western Journal during a media gaggle following that meeting .
“ From very early on , at the president ’ s direction , not only did we reinvent testing — now , more than 33 million tests — and perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done around the country but , in the area of personal protective equipment and ventilators , the president marshaled a whole-of-America response.
” “ I ’ m very confident that if all of us do our part each and every day , we ’ ll slow the spread , we ’ ll flatten the curve , we ’ ll save lives all across this state and we will lay a foundation to bring this state ’ s economy back bigger and better than ever before , ” the vice president added .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s policy and public relations interplay with battleground states like Arizona , Schipper said , would be key to driving voter turnout in November .
The spokesperson would go on to tout Trump ’ s success in driving economic change across stagnant states by renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and cracking down on illegal immigration at the U.S. Southern border with enhanced surveillance and piecemeal construction of physical barriers .
“ [ Trump ] has built the greatest economy .
It ’ s set records and he ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Arizonans know they can trust that he is going to build the greatest economy this world ’ s ever seen again .
The [ United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ] has been huge for our manufacturers and our farmers and ranchers down South .
Those are big things that impact Arizonans in their daily lives.
” “ Compare that to Joe Biden , who has embraced socialist policies such as giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants or , Joe Biden , big part of NAFTA — and obviously everyone felt the pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those are just contrasts that Arizonans can see , ” he added .
“ The promises made , promises kept agenda is what Arizona needs for the next four years.
” Public opinion data , however , seem to show that agenda may not be resonating as strongly with heartland America as the Trump campaign might like .
According to RealClearPolitics polling aggregates , Trump currently trails Biden by between 3 and 11 percent of the vote in the key battlegrounds of Arizona , Florida , Michigan , Minnesota , North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling trends in 2016 , a politically untested Trump did manage a historic victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , a similar Democratic establishment figure .
The Western Journal has reached out to the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee for comment , but has not received a response .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

[jwplayer ZF6d1PKB]The southwestern arm of President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign spoke out Thursday against 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for late entry into the Arizona grassroots.
According to The Arizona Republic, Biden did not begin to establish any sort of substantial footprint in the state until mid-June, when his campaign finally hired its first permanent staffers to facilitate operations in the region.
The former vice president had reportedly been late to the general election ground game as a result of laser focus placed on ensuring victory in the Democratic primary — a conclusion widely expected, but momentarily called into question by a series of discouraging losses in first-to-vote states.
Local operatives across the aisle, however, described the Biden campaign’s late arrival as an arrogant attempt to “parachute into Arizona” at the last minute and sneak out an inexpensive victory.
Come November, Trump Victory spokesperson Keith Schipper told The Western Journal it would cost the Democratic National Committee another crucial election.
“Biden and the DNC, they think that they can parachute into Arizona with four months until Election Day and they are going to be sadly mistaken when they realize that we have had a permanent ground game here in Arizona since 2016,” Schipper said.
“We’ve been building relationships with not only our volunteers, but also obviously voters. We have built this operation for years and, as you can see with how we’re producing, it’s a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication from people that are passionate to re-elect the president and Republicans down the ballot.”
“I think the Democrats, what their strategy seems to be is just kind of dropping in at the last minute and trying to replicate what we have going on,” he added.
“The DNC has been broke for most of the last few years and we’ve obviously invested. We’ve been setting fundraising records and invested heavily, and I think it does show that [Biden]… Perhaps he’s resting on kind of neglecting Arizona.”
Turning Point Action and Students For Trump are proud to stand with our great President! Our student activists are working to deliver ONE MILLION votes for President @realDonaldTrump to ensure FOUR MORE YEARS of conservative leadership in the White House! Join our mission! pic.twitter.com/eGjeNafjcl — Students For Trump (@TrumpStudents) July 1, 2020
The same was not to be said for the Trump campaign, Schipper said, touting several years of consistent grassroots efforts within the state.
According to TownHall, Trump Victory’s July 4 Weekend of Action saw campaign volunteers nationwide engage roughly 340,000 likely voters at their front doors and make more 1.7 million phone calls.
The result was nearly 4,000 Americans directly registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election and another 52,000 interacting with the Republican National Committee’s voter registration website.
Arizona alone accounted for roughly 190,000 of the campaign’s voter contacts this past weekend, Schipper told The Western Journal, adding that the Trump apparatus in-state has made more than 2 million voter contacts and held roughly 2,000 official campaign events to date.
Having handily secured victory in the state by four percent of the vote in 2016, Trump himself has also made it a point to highlight Arizona as an essential part of his 2020 re-election efforts.
Reinvigorating his trademark stadium-series rallies last month, the president stopped off in Phoenix on June 23 to headline a Students for Trump convention which included guest speakers like GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and Trump campaign senior advisors Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump, Jr.
The event filled the local Dream City megachurch to capacity with approximately 3,000 young voters.
Trump is not the only major administration figure to make his presence known in Arizona over the past few weeks.
On July 1, Vice President Mike Pence, head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, flew to Phoenix for a brief meeting with Republican state Gov. Doug Ducey to discuss a major surge in the state’s confirmed COVID-19 case totals.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic,” Pence told The Western Journal during a media gaggle following that meeting.
“From very early on, at the president’s direction, not only did we reinvent testing — now, more than 33 million tests — and perform nearly 600,000 tests a day are being done around the country but, in the area of personal protective equipment and ventilators, the president marshaled a whole-of-America response.”
“I’m very confident that if all of us do our part each and every day, we’ll slow the spread, we’ll flatten the curve, we’ll save lives all across this state and we will lay a foundation to bring this state’s economy back bigger and better than ever before,” the vice president added.
This level of intentionality in the Trump administration’s policy and public relations interplay with battleground states like Arizona, Schipper said, would be key to driving voter turnout in November.
The spokesperson would go on to tout Trump’s success in driving economic change across stagnant states by renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and cracking down on illegal immigration at the U.S. Southern border with enhanced surveillance and piecemeal construction of physical barriers.
Do you think Trump's ground game will win out in the American heartland? Yes No
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“[Trump] has built the greatest economy. It’s set records and he’s going to do it again,” Schipper said. “Arizonans know they can trust that he is going to build the greatest economy this world’s ever seen again. The [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] has been huge for our manufacturers and our farmers and ranchers down South. Those are big things that impact Arizonans in their daily lives.”
“Compare that to Joe Biden, who has embraced socialist policies such as giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants or, Joe Biden, big part of NAFTA — and obviously everyone felt the pain of the economy during the Obama-Biden years. Those are just contrasts that Arizonans can see,” he added.
“The promises made, promises kept agenda is what Arizona needs for the next four years.”
Public opinion data, however, seem to show that agenda may not be resonating as strongly with heartland America as the Trump campaign might like.
According to RealClearPolitics polling aggregates, Trump currently trails Biden by between 3 and 11 percent of the vote in the key battlegrounds of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Despite similar polling trends in 2016, a politically untested Trump did manage a historic victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a similar Democratic establishment figure.
The Western Journal has reached out to the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee for comment, but has not received a response.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Trump Weighing Pardon as High-Risk Roger Stone Only Days Away from Beginning of Prison Sentence

President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering a pardon for longtime Republican operative Roger Stone , who is scheduled to report to prison next week .
Stone , who was not charged with any underlying crimes related to former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , was found guilty of lying to investigators and witness tampering last year .
In February , Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison , a term he has described as a “ death penalty , ” according to NBC News .
But Stone is holding out hope that Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some form of clemency .
Trump , who has been a friend and ally of Stone for decades , could oblige him .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera “ I ’ ll be looking at it , ” Trump said outside the White House on Friday when asked if he was going to pardon Stone .
“ I think Roger Stone was very unfairly treated , as were many people , ” the president added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiated the investigation which eventually led to Stone ’ s conviction .
“ And in the meantime , [ former FBI Director James ] Comey and all these guys are walking around , ” Trump said , “ including [ former Vice President Joe ] Biden and [ former President Barack ] Obama , because we caught them spying on my campaign .
Who would have believed that ?
” Stone told Fox News this week that he is praying for a presidential intervention .
The 67-year-old , who also told RealClearPolitics he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested he had no preference between a pardon or a commutation , noting that “ either one obviously would have an effect , in my opinion , of saving my life.
” “ I have deep concerns about going to a prison where there absolutely is COVID virus , and , therefore , either one would have an effect of saving my life , ” Stone told Fox .
“ If I should be fortunate enough to get a commutation , I would continue to fight for vindication , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media Friday that a pardon or commutation could come as early as Friday night .
RELATED : House Democrats Seeking Materials To Start New Articles of Impeachment Against Trump A separate report from Fox News appeared to confirm that news .
“ Sources told Fox News Friday that the president could announce a commutation of Stone ’ s sentence as early as Friday evening , ” the network reported .
NBC News analyst Howard Fineman said he spoke with Stone on Friday , and that Stone would prefer a commutation over a pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with # RogerStone .
He says he doesn ’ t want a pardon ( which implies guilt ) but a commutation , and says he thinks # Trump will give it to him .
‘ He knows I was under enormous pressure to turn on him .
It would have eased my situation considerably .
But I didn ’ t , ’ ” Fineman tweeted .
Stone told Fox that he has not been in contact with the White House about the matter .
“ The president , who I ’ ve known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of fairness .
He is aware that the people trying to destroy Michael Flynn , now trying to destroy me , are the people trying to destroy him , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering a pardon for longtime Republican operative Roger Stone, who is scheduled to report to prison next week.
Stone, who was not charged with any underlying crimes related to former special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, was found guilty of lying to investigators and witness tampering last year.
In February, Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison, a term he has described as a “death penalty,” according to NBC News.
But Stone is holding out hope that Trump, his longtime friend, will grant him some form of clemency.
Trump, who has been a friend and ally of Stone for decades, could oblige him.
“I’ll be looking at it,” Trump said outside the White House on Friday when asked if he was going to pardon Stone.
“I think Roger Stone was very unfairly treated, as were many people,” the president added.
Trump also criticized those who allegedly initiated the investigation which eventually led to Stone’s conviction.
“And in the meantime, [former FBI Director James] Comey and all these guys are walking around,” Trump said, “including [former Vice President Joe] Biden and [former President Barack] Obama, because we caught them spying on my campaign. Who would have believed that?”
Do you think Roger Stone should be pardoned by Trump? Yes No
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Stone told Fox News this week that he is praying for a presidential intervention.
The 67-year-old, who also told RealClearPolitics he has a history of respiratory problems, suggested he had no preference between a pardon or a commutation, noting that “either one obviously would have an effect, in my opinion, of saving my life.”
“I have deep concerns about going to a prison where there absolutely is COVID virus, and, therefore, either one would have an effect of saving my life,” Stone told Fox.
“If I should be fortunate enough to get a commutation, I would continue to fight for vindication,” he added.
There was speculation from many on social media Friday that a pardon or commutation could come as early as Friday night.
A separate report from Fox News appeared to confirm that news.
“Sources told Fox News Friday that the president could announce a commutation of Stone’s sentence as early as Friday evening,” the network reported.
NBC News analyst Howard Fineman said he spoke with Stone on Friday, and that Stone would prefer a commutation over a pardon.
“Just had a long talk with #RogerStone. He says he doesn’t want a pardon (which implies guilt) but a commutation, and says he thinks #Trump will give it to him. ‘He knows I was under enormous pressure to turn on him. It would have eased my situation considerably. But I didn’t,’” Fineman tweeted.
Just had a long talk with #RogerStone. He says he doesn’t want a pardon (which implies guilt) but a commutation, and says he thinks #Trump will give it to him. “He knows I was under enormous pressure to turn on him. It would have eased my situation considerably. But I didn’t.” — howardfineman (@howardfineman) July 10, 2020
Stone told Fox that he has not been in contact with the White House about the matter.
“The president, who I’ve known for 40 years, has an incredible sense of fairness. He is aware that the people trying to destroy Michael Flynn, now trying to destroy me, are the people trying to destroy him,” he said.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Virus Fears Delay 1st Federal Execution in 17 Years

A federal judge in Indiana on Friday halted the first federal execution planned in 17 years .
Daniel Lee , 47 , had been scheduled to die by lethal injection on Monday .
Lee , of Yukon , Oklahoma , was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of William Mueller , his wife , Nancy , and her 8-year-old daughter , Sarah Powell .
But Chief District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ruled that the execution would be put on hold because relatives of the victims wanted to attend but were afraid of traveling during the coronavirus pandemic .
The relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost her daughter and granddaughter in the killing , had urged the federal government for months not to move forward with the death sentence .
They have pleaded for years that Lee instead should receive the same life sentence as the ringleader in the murders .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : 'It 's Outright Cruelty ' To Leave Him in Front of Camera “ The harm to Ms. Peterson , for example , is being forced to choose whether being present for the execution of a man responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is worth defying her doctor ’ s orders and risking her own life , ” the judge wrote .
The court order applies only to Lee ’ s execution and does not halt two other executions that are scheduled for later next week .
Chevie Kehoe , whom prosecutors described as the ringleader in the deadly scheme , and Lee were arrested for the killings of the Muellers and Sarah in Tilly , Arkansas , about 75 miles northwest of Little Rock .
At their 1999 trial , prosecutors said Kehoe , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns and $ 50,000 in cash from the Muellers .
Lee ’ s attorneys cite evidence from his trial that Kehoe actually killed Sarah .
The executions appeared set to happen following a Supreme Court decision affirming the ruling .
It ’ s not clear what will happen with the other scheduled executions , which are scheduled next week for Wednesday and Friday .
Wesley Ira Purkey , of Kansas , who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman , is scheduled to be executed Wednesday .
Dustin Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , including two children , is scheduled to be executed Friday .
Keith Dwayne Nelson , scheduled to be executed in August , was convicted of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl while she was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home , raping her in a forest behind a church and then strangling her .
RELATED : New York Times Must Have Forgotten About Its Own 2015 Report That Refutes Systemic Racism We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A federal judge in Indiana on Friday halted the first federal execution planned in 17 years.
Daniel Lee, 47, had been scheduled to die by lethal injection on Monday. Lee, of Yukon, Oklahoma, was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell.
But Chief District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ruled that the execution would be put on hold because relatives of the victims wanted to attend but were afraid of traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The relatives, including Earlene Branch Peterson, who lost her daughter and granddaughter in the killing, had urged the federal government for months not to move forward with the death sentence.
They have pleaded for years that Lee instead should receive the same life sentence as the ringleader in the murders.
“The harm to Ms. Peterson, for example, is being forced to choose whether being present for the execution of a man responsible for the death of her daughter and granddaughter is worth defying her doctor’s orders and risking her own life,” the judge wrote.
The court order applies only to Lee’s execution and does not halt two other executions that are scheduled for later next week.
Chevie Kehoe, whom prosecutors described as the ringleader in the deadly scheme, and Lee were arrested for the killings of the Muellers and Sarah in Tilly, Arkansas, about 75 miles northwest of Little Rock.
At their 1999 trial, prosecutors said Kehoe, of Colville, Washington, and Lee stole guns and $50,000 in cash from the Muellers.
Do you believe the execution should have been halted? Yes No
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Lee’s attorneys cite evidence from his trial that Kehoe actually killed Sarah.
The executions appeared set to happen following a Supreme Court decision affirming the ruling. It’s not clear what will happen with the other scheduled executions, which are scheduled next week for Wednesday and Friday.
Wesley Ira Purkey, of Kansas, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman, is scheduled to be executed Wednesday.
Dustin Lee Honken, who killed five people in Iowa, including two children, is scheduled to be executed Friday.
Keith Dwayne Nelson, scheduled to be executed in August, was convicted of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl while she was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home, raping her in a forest behind a church and then strangling her.
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The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Sculpture of Escaping Slave Vandalized with BLM Graffiti

Members of a congregation in Indiana are taking extra measures to protect their church after a statue an African-American woman who escaped slavery in the 19th century was defaced last week .
A statue memorializing Lucy Higgs Nichols , a former slave who escaped a life of captivity and became a nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War , was vandalized at the Second Baptist Church in New Albany — just north of Louisville , Kentucky , across the Ohio River .
The statue depicts the former slave escaping captivity with her infant daughter .
WAVE-TV reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote “ BLM , ” an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement , in red spray paint .
Other graffiti was spray-painted on the statue as well : TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera Second Baptist Church Pastor LeRoy Marshall told WAVE that the almost 170-year-old house of worship was once viewed as a sanctuary of sorts for escaped slaves who were able to make it across the river to freedom .
Marshall also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WAVE reported has a majority black congregation , are upset that the statue was defaced .
“ This , this whole situation was really depressing for a lot of our church members , ” Marshall told the outlet .
“ This is a slap in the face to everybody.
” The Second Baptist Church — which was part of the Underground Railroad , according to the Jeffersonville-based News and Tribune newspaper — has taken measures to restore the statue , including enlisting the monument ’ s creator to chisel away some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church also intends to put the entire property under video surveillance .
A nonprofit group called Friends of the Town Clock Church is currently holding an online fundraiser which will use donations to install security cameras around the church .
RELATED : New York Times Must Have Forgotten About Its Own 2015 Report That Refutes Systemic Racism The organization ’ s treasurer , Jerry Finn , said people are stepping up to help .
“ All community donations , just people saying , ‘ I want to help , ” Finn told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to do is put cameras in place to monitor the gardens and the church as well.
” “ Please join us as the Friends of the Town Clock Church raises funds to install a security system to protect the building and Underground Railroad Gardens .
After getting bids , we have increased the fundraising total to be able to purchase this needed equipment to avoid future vandalism , ” a GoFundMe page set up by Finn reads .
As of Friday afternoon , the page had raised more that $ 5,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 6,600 had been raised when including other donations .
The church hopes to have its new security cameras installed within 10 days .
The desecration of Nichols ’ monument comes as monuments and statues — even of those who fought against slavery — have become targets of vandalism across the country .
This past weekend , a statue of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass was toppled in Rochester , New York .
Nichols , while not as well known as Douglas , was an important figure in the movement to abolish slavery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she was born a slave in Tennessee in 1838 .
In 1862 , during the Civil War , the former slave escaped and joined the 23rd Regiment , Indiana Volunteers as a nurse , where she treated wounded soldiers until the conclusion of the war in 1865 .
She settled in New Albany and later petitioned Congress for a pension owed to Civil War nurses , but she was denied .
Several years later , Nichols was finally awarded a pension .
She died in 1915 .
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

Members of a congregation in Indiana are taking extra measures to protect their church after a statue an African-American woman who escaped slavery in the 19th century was defaced last week.
A statue memorializing Lucy Higgs Nichols, a former slave who escaped a life of captivity and became a nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, was vandalized at the Second Baptist Church in New Albany — just north of Louisville, Kentucky, across the Ohio River.
The statue depicts the former slave escaping captivity with her infant daughter.
WAVE-TV reported the monument was vandalized Friday by someone who wrote “BLM,” an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement, in red spray paint.
Other graffiti was spray-painted on the statue as well:
The Lucy Higgs Nichols statue on the grounds of the historic Second Baptist Church in New Albany was vandalized this morning. pic.twitter.com/gh0ryIomnL — Daniel Suddeath (@DsuddeathNT) July 3, 2020
Second Baptist Church Pastor LeRoy Marshall told WAVE that the almost 170-year-old house of worship was once viewed as a sanctuary of sorts for escaped slaves who were able to make it across the river to freedom.
Marshall also said members of his church, which WAVE reported has a majority black congregation, are upset that the statue was defaced.
Do you think there is a coordinated effort by leftist activists to erase American history? 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% (280 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“This, this whole situation was really depressing for a lot of our church members,” Marshall told the outlet.
“This is a slap in the face to everybody.”
The Second Baptist Church — which was part of the Underground Railroad, according to the Jeffersonville-based News and Tribune newspaper — has taken measures to restore the statue, including enlisting the monument’s creator to chisel away some of the paint as a temporary solution.
But the church also intends to put the entire property under video surveillance.
A nonprofit group called Friends of the Town Clock Church is currently holding an online fundraiser which will use donations to install security cameras around the church.
The organization’s treasurer, Jerry Finn, said people are stepping up to help.
“All community donations, just people saying, ‘I want to help,” Finn told WAVE. “What it will allow us to do is put cameras in place to monitor the gardens and the church as well.”
“Please join us as the Friends of the Town Clock Church raises funds to install a security system to protect the building and Underground Railroad Gardens. After getting bids, we have increased the fundraising total to be able to purchase this needed equipment to avoid future vandalism,” a GoFundMe page set up by Finn reads.
As of Friday afternoon, the page had raised more that $5,000, but the group reported that a total of $6,600 had been raised when including other donations.
The church hopes to have its new security cameras installed within 10 days.
The desecration of Nichols’ monument comes as monuments and statues — even of those who fought against slavery — have become targets of vandalism across the country.
This past weekend, a statue of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass was toppled in Rochester, New York.
Nichols, while not as well known as Douglas, was an important figure in the movement to abolish slavery.
According to the Indiana Historical Bureau, she was born a slave in Tennessee in 1838.
In 1862, during the Civil War, the former slave escaped and joined the 23rd Regiment, Indiana Volunteers as a nurse, where she treated wounded soldiers until the conclusion of the war in 1865.
She settled in New Albany and later petitioned Congress for a pension owed to Civil War nurses, but she was denied.
Several years later, Nichols was finally awarded a pension. She died in 1915.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Goya Foods CEO Won’t Apologize for Praising Trump’s Leadership in Face of Boycott Threats

Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue refused to apologize in the face of calls to boycott his company after he praised President Donald Trump at a White House event for Hispanic leaders on Thursday .
“ We ’ re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump , who is a builder , ” Unanue said .
“ We have an incredible builder .
And we pray , ” the CEO added .
“ We pray for our leadership , our president , and we pray for our country — that we will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera Following Unanue ’ s complimentary comments about Trump , the hashtag # BoycottGoya trended on Twitter , along with calls from high-profile Democratic Hispanic leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and former presidential candidate Julian Castro to not buy Goya products .
“ Oh look , it ’ s the sound of me Googling ‘ how to make your own Adobo , ' ” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted .
Additionally , Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a staple of so many Latino households for generations .
Now their CEO , Bob Unanue , is praising a president who villainizes and maliciously attacks Latinos for political gain .
Americans should think twice before buying their products .
# Goyaway.
” Appearing Friday morning on “ Fox & Friends , ” Unanue spoke about calls to boycott Goya , describing them as “ suppression of speech.
” Unanue recounted that he participated in events for former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with no such backlash .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good or to praise one president , ” he observed .
“ And you make a positive comment [ about another ] , all of a sudden , that ’ s not acceptable.
” RELATED : Lady A Tries To Be Racially Aware , Sues Black Singer for Rights to New Name Unanue was also asked to comment on how his company would fare if former Vice President Joe Biden were to defeat Trump in November , and the Democrat implemented his proposed economic policies .
“ The president has taken away a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosperity , ” Unanue answered .
“ The function of the government is to provide an environment in which businesses can prosper .
As soon as the government gets involved in impeding that , that makes doing business a lot harder.
” The business leader pointed out that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak , the Hispanic unemployment rate was at a record low .
“ It ’ s not easy to build and run a business today .
It really is difficult , and so we need the most help so that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unanue also announced at Thursday ’ s White House event that his company would be donating 2 million pounds of food to food banks around the nation .
Commentator Meghan McCain tweeted in response to calls to boycott Goya that she frequently uses products from companies whose CEOs hold different views than hers .
“ It seems weird & callous to boycott a company who supplies food to the masses and employs 4,000 people during a pandemic , ” she wrote .
“ No matter what your politics , who wants more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every CEO , boss , & person I interact with and consume products from disagrees with me.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue refused to apologize in the face of calls to boycott his company after he praised President Donald Trump at a White House event for Hispanic leaders on Thursday.
“We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder,” Unanue said.
“We have an incredible builder. And we pray,” the CEO added. “We pray for our leadership, our president, and we pray for our country — that we will continue to prosper and to grow.”
Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue: “We’re all truly blessed… to have a leader like President Trump who is a builder.” pic.twitter.com/2VdG4qAnpK — The Hill (@thehill) July 9, 2020
Following Unanue’s complimentary comments about Trump, the hashtag #BoycottGoya trended on Twitter, along with calls from high-profile Democratic Hispanic leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and former presidential candidate Julian Castro to not buy Goya products.
“Oh look, it’s the sound of me Googling ‘how to make your own Adobo,'” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
Oh look, it’s the sound of me Googling “how to make your own Adobo” https://t.co/YOScAcyAnC — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 10, 2020
Additionally, Castro wrote: “@GoyaFoods has been a staple of so many Latino households for generations. Now their CEO, Bob Unanue, is praising a president who villainizes and maliciously attacks Latinos for political gain. Americans should think twice before buying their products. #Goyaway.”
Do you support Robert Unanue's refusal to apologize? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (4294 Votes) No: 1% (42 Votes)
Appearing Friday morning on “Fox & Friends,” Unanue spoke about calls to boycott Goya, describing them as “suppression of speech.”
Unanue recounted that he participated in events for former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with no such backlash.
“So, you’re allowed to talk good or to praise one president,” he observed. “And you make a positive comment [about another], all of a sudden, that’s not acceptable.”
Unanue was also asked to comment on how his company would fare if former Vice President Joe Biden were to defeat Trump in November, and the Democrat implemented his proposed economic policies.
“The president has taken away a lot of the regulations and roadblocks to prosperity,” Unanue answered. “The function of the government is to provide an environment in which businesses can prosper. As soon as the government gets involved in impeding that, that makes doing business a lot harder.”
The business leader pointed out that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Hispanic unemployment rate was at a record low.
“It’s not easy to build and run a business today. It really is difficult, and so we need the most help so that we can create jobs,” he said.
Unanue also announced at Thursday’s White House event that his company would be donating 2 million pounds of food to food banks around the nation.
Goya continues to work for the prosperity & education of our country! #GOYAGIVES two million pounds of food to food banks across the nation who are in desperate need of food for families impacted by COVID19. pic.twitter.com/ZUdxRUnpBl — Goya Foods (@GoyaFoods) July 10, 2020
Commentator Meghan McCain tweeted in response to calls to boycott Goya that she frequently uses products from companies whose CEOs hold different views than hers.
It seems weird & callous to boycott a company who supplies food to the masses and employs 4,000 people during a pandemic. No matter what your politics, who wants more people out of work? Almost every CEO, boss, & person I interact with and consume products from disagrees with me. — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 10, 2020
“It seems weird & callous to boycott a company who supplies food to the masses and employs 4,000 people during a pandemic,” she wrote. “No matter what your politics, who wants more people out of work?
“Almost every CEO, boss, & person I interact with and consume products from disagrees with me.”
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Biden Mocks ‘Genius’ Trump: ‘I Can Hardly Wait To Debate Him’

Former Vice President Joe Biden mocked President Donald Trump ’ s intelligence this week and said that he is very much looking forward to debating his general election opponent in the coming months .
While The New York Times has floated the idea of Biden either refusing to debate Trump or doing so with certain conditions , the Democratic presidential nominee said Thursday he is excited get on the stage with the president .
“ I can hardly wait .
I can hardly wait to deal with what he refers to himself as a ‘ stable genius , ' ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
“ I can hardly wait to debate him , ” Biden added .
The comments were made as Biden faces continued and widespread speculation about his cognitive health .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera The former vice president has previously admitted that he is a “ gaffe machine , ” according to The Guardian .
But while Biden has displayed a lifelong propensity toward putting his foot in his mouth , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even many Trump critics : Since he announced his candidacy last year , Biden has often looked and sounded lost .
He has confused dates and places , and has at times appeared bewildered with regard to the context of the events unfolding around him .
RELATED : Trump Commutes Roger Stone 's Sentence Just Days Before He Was Set To Report to Prison Trump previously hit Biden by posting a video montage on Twitter of some of Biden ’ s verbal blunders : Last week , during Biden ’ s first news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snapped at a reporter who questioned his cognitive state .
The Democrat claimed his cognitive abilities are tested “ constantly , ” and attacked the reporter for asking the question , describing him as “ a lying dog face.
” “ Look , all you got to do is watch me and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I ’ m running against .
Thank you so much , ” he added .
The 77-year-old also attacked Trump ’ s own cognitive abilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He doesn ’ t seem to be cognitively aware of what ’ s going on .
He either reads and/or gets briefed on important issues and he forgets it or he doesn ’ t think it ’ s necessary that he needs to know it , ” Biden said .
Trump , meanwhile , has asserted that Biden is not up to the task of being president .
The president told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday that he doesn ’ t believe Biden could pass a cognitive test .
Regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ constantly ” tested for his cognitive abilities , Trump said Biden is so lost that the Democrat actually meant to say he is constantly tested for the coronavirus , but could not differentiate between the two modes of testing .
“ He didn ’ t mean that , because he hasn ’ t taken any cognitive tests because he couldn ’ t pass one , ” Trump told Fox News during the phone interview .
Trump also said he passed a recent cognitive test , which was conducted at the Walter Reed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both men in recent days were made as an alarming share of Americans now believe Biden has dementia .
Rasmussen reported last month that 38 percent of likely voters polled believe Biden is suffering from dementia , while another 14 percent said they were unsure .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Vice President Joe Biden mocked President Donald Trump’s intelligence this week and said that he is very much looking forward to debating his general election opponent in the coming months.
While The New York Times has floated the idea of Biden either refusing to debate Trump or doing so with certain conditions, the Democratic presidential nominee said Thursday he is excited get on the stage with the president.
“I can hardly wait. I can hardly wait to deal with what he refers to himself as a ‘stable genius,'” Biden told WBRE-TV while campaigning in Pennsylvania on Thursday.
“I can hardly wait to debate him,” Biden added.
The comments were made as Biden faces continued and widespread speculation about his cognitive health.
The former vice president has previously admitted that he is a “gaffe machine,” according to The Guardian.
But while Biden has displayed a lifelong propensity toward putting his foot in his mouth, the candidate’s recent behavior has alarmed even many Trump critics:
This is actually not funny. It’s very sad. These can’t just be all gaffes. People need to be worrying about VP Biden’s overall health. https://t.co/fQqN2oy4vq — Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) August 26, 2019
Biden’s team won’t let him do interviews. He made 2 short teleprompter speeches in Missouri this weekend & both generated massive gaffes that went viral. You can’t beat Trump by trying to hide to avoid the issue of #BidensCognitiveDecline. How is this not a massive red flag? — Dr. Jill Stein? (@DrJillStein) March 9, 2020
Biden has always made gaffes by the bushel, but some his recent ones suggest the kind of memory loss associated with senility. E.G: This one, plus forgetting remembering he was not vp when meeting Parkland students, twice confusing Theresa May with Margaret Thatcher. https://t.co/WpXDd0XVQL — Brit Hume (@brithume) August 24, 2019
Since he announced his candidacy last year, Biden has often looked and sounded lost. He has confused dates and places, and has at times appeared bewildered with regard to the context of the events unfolding around him.
Trump has seized upon Biden’s frequent gaffes:
Reporter tells @realDonaldTrump that Biden attacked him in a tweet. President Trump: “He didn’t write that…he’s probably not even watching right now. And if he is, he doesn’t understand what he is watching.” pic.twitter.com/dhRsnSmDZU — The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) April 4, 2020
Trump previously hit Biden by posting a video montage on Twitter of some of Biden’s verbal blunders:
WOW! Sleepy Joe doesn’t know where he is, or what he’s doing. Honestly, I don’t think he even knows what office he’s running for! pic.twitter.com/454v9GFpgF — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2020
Last week, during Biden’s first news conference in almost three months, he snapped at a reporter who questioned his cognitive state.
The Democrat claimed his cognitive abilities are tested “constantly,” and attacked the reporter for asking the question, describing him as “a lying dog face.”
“Look, all you got to do is watch me and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I’m running against. Thank you so much,” he added.
Biden gets called out for cognitive decline. This is exactly how you answer that question. Spot on. pic.twitter.com/4x1ADpjNzF — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) June 30, 2020
The 77-year-old also attacked Trump’s own cognitive abilities.
Do you think Joe Biden is suffering from dementia? Yes No
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“He talks about cognitive capability. He doesn’t seem to be cognitively aware of what’s going on. He either reads and/or gets briefed on important issues and he forgets it or he doesn’t think it’s necessary that he needs to know it,” Biden said.
Trump, meanwhile, has asserted that Biden is not up to the task of being president.
The president told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday that he doesn’t believe Biden could pass a cognitive test.
Regarding Biden’s assertion that he is “constantly” tested for his cognitive abilities, Trump said Biden is so lost that the Democrat actually meant to say he is constantly tested for the coronavirus, but could not differentiate between the two modes of testing.
“He didn’t mean that, because he hasn’t taken any cognitive tests because he couldn’t pass one,” Trump told Fox News during the phone interview.
Trump tells Hannity that he “very recently” “aced” a cognitive test: “I took it at Walter Reed, a medical center, in front of doctors, and they were very surprised” pic.twitter.com/CavfF4BdKB — John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) July 10, 2020
Trump also said he passed a recent cognitive test, which was conducted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Comments from both men in recent days were made as an alarming share of Americans now believe Biden has dementia.
Rasmussen reported last month that 38 percent of likely voters polled believe Biden is suffering from dementia, while another 14 percent said they were unsure.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Dangerous Dog Dispute Ends in Murder of 11-Year-Old Girl, Her Father

A Florida man allegedly killed two of his neighbors , including an 11-year-old girl , on Monday after a dispute over his dog , police said .
The alleged attacker , Ronald Delserro , 82 , who was armed with two handguns when he entered his neighbors ’ house , was found dead by members of the responding SWAT team , according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department .
Since March , Delserro and his wife Sandra had been in a dispute concerning their dog with their neighbors , the Hansman family .
Harper Hansman , 11 , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in her home and shooting a gun , police said .
Officers responded and engaged in a firefight with Delserro .
One unidentified officer was shot twice but was released from the hospital later with non-life-threatening injuries , according to police .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright Cruelty ’ To Leave Him in Front of Camera The St. Lucie County Sheriff ’ s Office Deputy removed the 11-year-old from the home during the shooting , but she was pronounced dead at the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead on the scene .
He was the father of Harper Hansman .
Delserro was found dead on the second floor of the home , according to police .
An investigation into the cause of his death is ongoing .
“ On March 4 , 2020 , Port St. Lucie Police Department Animal Control Officers responded to the victim and suspect ’ s residences for a dog bite involving the suspect ’ s dog , a female gray Mastiff named ‘ Roxy , ’ ” police said in a statement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported she was attacked and bitten by the suspect ’ s dog , which led to a Dangerous Dog hearing.
” The shooting appeared to be directly related to the dog dispute , according to Port St. Lucie Assistant Police Chief Richard Del Torro , Treasure Coast Palm News reported .
Delserro agreed to quarantine the dog in his home for 10 days after the original March complaint , but one day after he signed the agreement , it was seen running around the Hansmans ’ yard .
Animal control officers subsequently ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby compound , police said in an updated statement .
The dog was soon returned to the Delserros , but they violated dangerous dog restrictions two additional times , according to police .
RELATED : New York Times Must Have Forgotten About Its Own 2015 Report That Refutes Systemic Racism The Special Magistrate declared the dog to be dangerous in June , but when Delserro was presented with a final declaration letter on July 1 , he refused to sign .
Four other individuals were in the house when the shooting began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucie police said .
The dog was euthanized on Wednesday .
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 .

A Florida man allegedly killed two of his neighbors, including an 11-year-old girl, on Monday after a dispute over his dog, police said.
The alleged attacker, Ronald Delserro, 82, who was armed with two handguns when he entered his neighbors’ house, was found dead by members of the responding SWAT team, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Since March, Delserro and his wife Sandra had been in a dispute concerning their dog with their neighbors, the Hansman family.
Harper Hansman, 11, called 911 on Monday saying that a neighbor was in her home and shooting a gun, police said. Officers responded and engaged in a firefight with Delserro.
One unidentified officer was shot twice but was released from the hospital later with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Deputy removed the 11-year-old from the home during the shooting, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Guy Alexander Hansman, 55, was pronounced dead on the scene. He was the father of Harper Hansman.
Delserro was found dead on the second floor of the home, according to police. An investigation into the cause of his death is ongoing.
“On March 4, 2020, Port St. Lucie Police Department Animal Control Officers responded to the victim and suspect’s residences for a dog bite involving the suspect’s dog, a female gray Mastiff named ‘Roxy,’” police said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The adult female victim reported she was attacked and bitten by the suspect’s dog, which led to a Dangerous Dog hearing.”
The shooting appeared to be directly related to the dog dispute, according to Port St. Lucie Assistant Police Chief Richard Del Torro, Treasure Coast Palm News reported.
Delserro agreed to quarantine the dog in his home for 10 days after the original March complaint, but one day after he signed the agreement, it was seen running around the Hansmans’ yard.
Animal control officers subsequently ordered the Delserros to take the dog to a nearby compound, police said in an updated statement.
The dog was soon returned to the Delserros, but they violated dangerous dog restrictions two additional times, according to police.
The Special Magistrate declared the dog to be dangerous in June, but when Delserro was presented with a final declaration letter on July 1, he refused to sign.
Four other individuals were in the house when the shooting began but managed to escape, Port St. Lucie police said.
The dog was euthanized on Wednesday.
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--‘Totally and Utterly Abandoned’: 150 Minneapolis Cops Allegedly File Disability Claims

More than 150 Minneapolis police officers are filing work-related disability claims after the death of George Floyd and ensuing unrest , with about three-quarters citing post-traumatic stress disorder as the reason for their planned departures , according to an attorney representing the officers .
Their disability claims come as the city is seeing an increase in violent crime and while city leaders push a proposal to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new agency .
While Floyd ’ s death in May and the unrest that followed are not the direct cause of many of the duty disability requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events and what Meuser called a lack of support from city leadership were a breaking point for many who had been struggling with PTSD from years on the job .
Duty disability means the officer was disabled while engaged in inherently dangerous acts specific to the job .
“ Following the George Floyd incident , unfortunately it became too much and as a result they were unable to , and are unable to , continue on and move forward , ” Meuser said .
TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Leave Him in Front of Camera He said many officers he represents were at a precinct that police abandoned as rioters broke in during the unrest .
Some officers feared they wouldn ’ t make it home , he said , and wrote final notes to loved ones .
Rioters ultimately set fire to the building .
Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement saying that unrest following Floyd ’ s death tested the community and officers in profound ways .
He said cities need resources to reflect the realities on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am committed to supporting those officers committed to carrying out their oath to serve and protect the people of Minneapolis during a challenging time for our city , ” he said .
Meuser said in recent weeks , 150 officers have retained his office for help in filing for duty disability benefits through the state ’ s Public Employment Retirement Association , or PERA .
So far , 75 of them have already left the job , he said .
The Minneapolis Police Department currently has about 850 officers and will adjust staffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police spokesman John Elder said .
The city said it has received 17 PTSD workers compensation claims in the last month , but when it comes to PERA duty disability , officers are not obligated to notify the police department that an application was submitted .
Meuser said the city isn ’ t being transparent about departures and that the numbers it sees will lag , as PERA benefits take months to process .
RELATED : New York Times Must Have Forgotten About Its Own 2015 Report That Refutes Systemic Racism Doug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 150 officers seeking duty disability from one department would be high .
PERA approved 105 disability applications from both police and firefighters statewide in 2019 , including 60 claims for duty-related PTSD and 20 for other work-related injuries .
PERA is primarily a retirement plan , in which members and employers contribute funds .
Members who become disabled can receive a disability benefit until age 55 , at which time retirement benefits kick in .
A high percentage of those on duty disability do not return to the job , Anderson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as a general rule is a permanent designation entitling them for benefits for the rest of their life , ” Meuser said .
Meuser made his announcement amid an increase in violent crime .
From Thursday night to Friday morning alone , nine people were shot in Minneapolis , including one fatally .
Police data analyzed by the Star Tribune show that at least 243 people have been shot so far this year , compared with 269 in all of 2019 .
Meuser said he believes Minneapolis officers are being unfairly tarnished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call out “ decades of failed leadership ” in the city .
Meuser opposes calls to dismantle or defund the police department , and said he hopes the news that veteran officers are leaving will make the public reassess the city ’ s current trajectory .
“ The men and women in public safety who give their heart and soul to serve Minneapolis and keep it safe deserve to have Minneapolis leaders to step up and supporting them , ” he said .
“ Instead of spending time plotting the dismantling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve community trust and work towards a safer city for all .
“ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

More than 150 Minneapolis police officers are filing work-related disability claims after the death of George Floyd and ensuing unrest, with about three-quarters citing post-traumatic stress disorder as the reason for their planned departures, according to an attorney representing the officers.
Their disability claims come as the city is seeing an increase in violent crime and while city leaders push a proposal to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new agency.
While Floyd’s death in May and the unrest that followed are not the direct cause of many of the duty disability requests, attorney Ron Meuser said, those events and what Meuser called a lack of support from city leadership were a breaking point for many who had been struggling with PTSD from years on the job.
Duty disability means the officer was disabled while engaged in inherently dangerous acts specific to the job.
“Following the George Floyd incident, unfortunately it became too much and as a result they were unable to, and are unable to, continue on and move forward,” Meuser said.
“They feel totally and utterly abandoned.”
He said many officers he represents were at a precinct that police abandoned as rioters broke in during the unrest. Some officers feared they wouldn’t make it home, he said, and wrote final notes to loved ones. Rioters ultimately set fire to the building.
Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement saying that unrest following Floyd’s death tested the community and officers in profound ways. He said cities need resources to reflect the realities on the ground.
“In the meantime, I am committed to supporting those officers committed to carrying out their oath to serve and protect the people of Minneapolis during a challenging time for our city,” he said.
Has Minneapolis turned on its own police department? 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% (239 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
Meuser said in recent weeks, 150 officers have retained his office for help in filing for duty disability benefits through the state’s Public Employment Retirement Association, or PERA.
So far, 75 of them have already left the job, he said.
The Minneapolis Police Department currently has about 850 officers and will adjust staffing to ensure it can do its job, police spokesman John Elder said.
The city said it has received 17 PTSD workers compensation claims in the last month, but when it comes to PERA duty disability, officers are not obligated to notify the police department that an application was submitted.
Meuser said the city isn’t being transparent about departures and that the numbers it sees will lag, as PERA benefits take months to process.
Doug Anderson, executive director for PERA, said 150 officers seeking duty disability from one department would be high.
PERA approved 105 disability applications from both police and firefighters statewide in 2019, including 60 claims for duty-related PTSD and 20 for other work-related injuries.
PERA is primarily a retirement plan, in which members and employers contribute funds. Members who become disabled can receive a disability benefit until age 55, at which time retirement benefits kick in.
A high percentage of those on duty disability do not return to the job, Anderson said.
“It’s a disability that as a general rule is a permanent designation entitling them for benefits for the rest of their life,” Meuser said.
Meuser made his announcement amid an increase in violent crime. From Thursday night to Friday morning alone, nine people were shot in Minneapolis, including one fatally.
Police data analyzed by the Star Tribune show that at least 243 people have been shot so far this year, compared with 269 in all of 2019.
Meuser said he believes Minneapolis officers are being unfairly tarnished and that it’s time to call out “decades of failed leadership” in the city.
Meuser opposes calls to dismantle or defund the police department, and said he hopes the news that veteran officers are leaving will make the public reassess the city’s current trajectory.
“The men and women in public safety who give their heart and soul to serve Minneapolis and keep it safe deserve to have Minneapolis leaders to step up and supporting them,” he said.
“Instead of spending time plotting the dismantling of the force, let’s come together to improve community trust and work towards a safer city for all. “
[jwplayer GzfRFwzd]
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westernjournal--2020-07-10--Politician Receives Racist Letter – Then Police Discover He Sent It Himself

Getting started in politics is a difficult thing .
You need name recognition and , at least at first , you need effort .
Jonathan Lopez was willing to put in the work .
He didn ’ t have name recognition , however .
How could he ?
The Hermiston , Oregon , man ’ s first attempt at breaking into the field involved a run for Umatilla County commissioner .
He lost in the primary .
Nevertheless , he persisted .
He decided to think outside the box .
Authorities said he sent a racist letter to himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound strategy for getting some free publicity — but hey , an alleged hate crime hoax worked for Jussie Smollett , however briefly .
“ Don ’ t waste your time trying to become anything in this county , ” the letter said , according to a photo provided to KEPR-TV .
“ [ W ] e will make sure you never win and your family suffers along with all the other f—– Mexicans in the area !
” TRENDING : James Woods on Latest Biden Gaffe : ‘ It ’ s Outright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Camera The letter added that Mexicans were “ not welcome here ” and “ America is for the God fearing , pro gun , pro life humans who refuse to be controlled by the government.
” In a Facebook post that has since been deleted , Lopez expounded on his feelings about the letter — which included campaign-worthy language .
“ Many don ’ t know me or who I am and where I stand , ” Lopez wrote .
“ As an American born man who served in the [ United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue services .
I ’ m also proud of where my parents and grandparents were born and raised , Mexico .
I have lived a life full of obstacles and challenges Including racism .
There is no room or tolerance of that.
” This was , he said , an opportunity to check our rhetoric and hearts .
“ We now more than ever must address these issues that are destroying and distancing us from unification , ” Lopez wrote .
“ We must be mature and adults about things and address them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we can come to an agreement or mutual understanding !
” “ I hold no resentment for whom ever wrote this ; I ’ m just simply heart broken for the lack of knowledge , education and respect missing .
I pray for you and wish you prosperity in your life .
God bless us all !
” Our minor-league Jussie Smollett turned the letter over to the Hermiston Police and worked with the Umatilla County Sheriff ’ s Office .
That didn ’ t end well .
RELATED : Black Pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allegedly Attacks Him According to the East Oregonian , police announced Monday that Lopez had admitted to writing the letter .
“ From the onset , this alleged incident has been thoroughly investigated , ” Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said in an email .
“ Our investigation has shown that Mr. Lopez wrote the letter himself and made false statements to the police and on social media .
The end result is a verbal and written admission by Mr. Lopez that the letter was fabricated.
” “ This investigation is particularly frustrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple major investigations while battling a resource shortage due to the current pandemic , ” Edmiston added .
“ The time spent on this fictitious claim means time lost on other matters , not to mention it needlessly adds to the incredible tension that exists in our nation today .
As a lifelong resident of this diverse community , I ’ m disgusted someone would try to carelessly advance their personal ambitions at the risk of others.
” Lopez swears he never meant to mislead , claiming the letter was supposed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d experienced .
“ I never meant to file a report , it just kind of spiraled out , ” he said .
It seems other things have “ spiraled out ” for Lopez , however .
The candidate hadn ’ t served in the military , police said , which would be a violation of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 .
Police say they ’ re investigating other documents presented by Lopez during his run for office that might have been fake , according to KOMO-TV .
Filing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor in Oregon .
He also had what KOMO called “ a lengthy criminal history.
” The case has been passed on to the Umatilla County District Attorney ’ s office for possible charges .
On Wednesday , Lopez apologized to “ esteemed Umatilla county commissioners , leaders , representatives , law enforcement , community members and all residents ” in another letter , this one somewhat less salacious .
“ With the most deepest sincerity of what ’ s left of my heart and life .
I would like to apologize for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The letter written by me came from a dark low place .
It should have never been written.
” The hate crime hoax arose , Lopez said , from a “ moment of weakness and desperation.
” “ I know I am only but one man , but one man who can try and hope to come to a place of peace and compassion , ” he wrote .
“ I do with my most sincerity regret that letter and actions .
I do encourage the community to work strongly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still ahead of all .
To set aside all and any hard differences that are simply opinions and work to make solid solutions for the progression of all !
” Alas , he probably won ’ t be involved in crafting those solutions , at least as an elected official .
I also don ’ t think he ’ s going to get the Smollett treatment from prosecutors , who are less inclined to let admitted hoaxers go with a minor cash fine and some very desultory work with Jesse Jackson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starred in high-profile TV shows .
As for the takeaway from the l ’ affaire Lopez , Britt Griffith probably said it best : And that ’ s the thing — what Lopez wants you to know is that even though he wrote a fake hate letter directed at him , you shouldn ’ t think that liberals are blowing up racist acts for political purposes or anything .
For instance , see if you can parse this answer he gave KEPR-TV on the issue of his hoax : “ It can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other possible form or way or act of racial issues reason being is law enforcement their job is to secure and protect everyone , ” he said .
“ If they start thinking because of one bad apple , in this case one bad situation the rest are bad then they are not going to do their job properly or correct and you know that ’ s not what they are here for.
” Right .
Whatever that meant .
But that still means incidents like this — particularly when they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t necessarily be uncritically accepted .
So , alas , the political career of Jonathan Lopez looks to be over .
Then again , America loves a comeback .
I wonder what other hoax he might be able to perpetrate .
Maybe those brothers Smollett contracted out for his “ attack ” can cook something up .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Getting started in politics is a difficult thing. You need name recognition and, at least at first, you need effort.
Jonathan Lopez was willing to put in the work. He didn’t have name recognition, however. How could he?
The Hermiston, Oregon, man’s first attempt at breaking into the field involved a run for Umatilla County commissioner. He lost in the primary. Nevertheless, he persisted. He decided to think outside the box.
Authorities said he sent a racist letter to himself in late June. Not the most ethically sound strategy for getting some free publicity — but hey, an alleged hate crime hoax worked for Jussie Smollett, however briefly.
“Don’t waste your time trying to become anything in this county,” the letter said, according to a photo provided to KEPR-TV. “[W]e will make sure you never win and your family suffers along with all the other f—– Mexicans in the area!”
The letter added that Mexicans were “not welcome here” and “America is for the God fearing, pro gun, pro life humans who refuse to be controlled by the government.”
It was signed, “Sincerely, America!”
In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Lopez expounded on his feelings about the letter — which included campaign-worthy language.
“Many don’t know me or who I am and where I stand,” Lopez wrote. “As an American born man who served in the [United States Coast Guard], fire and rescue services. I’m also proud of where my parents and grandparents were born and raised, Mexico. I have lived a life full of obstacles and challenges Including racism. There is no room or tolerance of that.”
Should this former candidate be charged for his alleged hate crime hoax? 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: 97% (2195 Votes) No: 3% (57 Votes)
This was, he said, an opportunity to check our rhetoric and hearts.
“We now more than ever must address these issues that are destroying and distancing us from unification,” Lopez wrote. “We must be mature and adults about things and address them properly at a table or meeting in which we can come to an agreement or mutual understanding!”
“I hold no resentment for whom ever wrote this; I’m just simply heart broken for the lack of knowledge, education and respect missing. I pray for you and wish you prosperity in your life. God bless us all!”
Our minor-league Jussie Smollett turned the letter over to the Hermiston Police and worked with the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office. That didn’t end well.
“[W]e will make sure you never win & your family suffers along with all the other f— Mexicans in the area!” A racist, anti-gay threat signed by “America” that was sent to an Oregon politician (@preacherjona) was actually written by himself as a #HateHoax https://t.co/fg5Ld26Adw pic.twitter.com/rfTmrczPF2 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 8, 2020
According to the East Oregonian, police announced Monday that Lopez had admitted to writing the letter.
“From the onset, this alleged incident has been thoroughly investigated,” Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said in an email.
“Our investigation has shown that Mr. Lopez wrote the letter himself and made false statements to the police and on social media. The end result is a verbal and written admission by Mr. Lopez that the letter was fabricated.”
“This investigation is particularly frustrating as we are in the midst of multiple major investigations while battling a resource shortage due to the current pandemic,” Edmiston added.
“The time spent on this fictitious claim means time lost on other matters, not to mention it needlessly adds to the incredible tension that exists in our nation today. As a lifelong resident of this diverse community, I’m disgusted someone would try to carelessly advance their personal ambitions at the risk of others.”
Lopez swears he never meant to mislead, claiming the letter was supposed to be a composite of the kind of hate he’d experienced.
“I never meant to file a report, it just kind of spiraled out,” he said.
It seems other things have “spiraled out” for Lopez, however. The candidate hadn’t served in the military, police said, which would be a violation of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.
Police say they’re investigating other documents presented by Lopez during his run for office that might have been fake, according to KOMO-TV. Filing a false police report is a class A misdemeanor in Oregon. He also had what KOMO called “a lengthy criminal history.”
The case has been passed on to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s office for possible charges.
On Wednesday, Lopez apologized to “esteemed Umatilla county commissioners, leaders, representatives, law enforcement, community members and all residents” in another letter, this one somewhat less salacious.
“With the most deepest sincerity of what’s left of my heart and life. I would like to apologize for my wrongful doings,” he wrote. “The letter written by me came from a dark low place. It should have never been written.”
The hate crime hoax arose, Lopez said, from a “moment of weakness and desperation.”
“I know I am only but one man, but one man who can try and hope to come to a place of peace and compassion,” he wrote. “I do with my most sincerity regret that letter and actions. I do encourage the community to work strongly and united to overcome the obstacles that are still ahead of all. To set aside all and any hard differences that are simply opinions and work to make solid solutions for the progression of all!”
Alas, he probably won’t be involved in crafting those solutions, at least as an elected official.
I also don’t think he’s going to get the Smollett treatment from prosecutors, who are less inclined to let admitted hoaxers go with a minor cash fine and some very desultory work with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition if they haven’t starred in high-profile TV shows.
As for the takeaway from the l’affaire Lopez, Britt Griffith probably said it best:
And people wonder why we can’t “just believe” claims of racism… Dude admitted to write the racist letter to himself…https://t.co/nbbXSrlm44 — Britt Griffith (@britttgriffith) July 8, 2020
And that’s the thing — what Lopez wants you to know is that even though he wrote a fake hate letter directed at him, you shouldn’t think that liberals are blowing up racist acts for political purposes or anything.
For instance, see if you can parse this answer he gave KEPR-TV on the issue of his hoax:
“It cannot be used as something to discredit any other possible form or way or act of racial issues reason being is law enforcement their job is to secure and protect everyone,” he said.
“If they start thinking because of one bad apple, in this case one bad situation the rest are bad then they are not going to do their job properly or correct and you know that’s not what they are here for.”
Right. Whatever that meant.
But that still means incidents like this — particularly when they’re high-profile and make a political point — shouldn’t necessarily be uncritically accepted.
So, alas, the political career of Jonathan Lopez looks to be over. Then again, America loves a comeback.
I wonder what other hoax he might be able to perpetrate. Maybe those brothers Smollett contracted out for his “attack” can cook something up.
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.