westernjournal--2020-04-18--Fight Underway in Michigan To Keep Checks on ‘Tyrant’ Democrats in 2020

Forced to contend with an energized Democratic Party set to run on the most progressive platform in its history this presidential election cycle , veteran candidates and campaign operations across the aisle are gearing up for a series of hard-fought electoral skirmishes this November .
Working in war rooms across America to craft ironclad tickets top to bottom in answer to a progressive wave orchestrated by the Democratic National Committee in the 2018 midterm elections , however , Republicans are also leaning on fresh conservative faces to fill out the ranks , particularly in purple states and districts key to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Gina Johnsen , blue-collar Michigan , where she ’ s running to represent the state ’ s 71st district in Michigan House of Representatives , is one such battleground , now politically open for a fresh coat of red paint .
Historically fluid in terms of its partisan leanings , Michigan had long rested in the periphery for Republicans — that is , until a surprise 2016 presidential victory for then-candidate Donald Trump , who became the first Republican presidential candidate to carry the state since 1988 , seemed to not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but cement it as key to conservative electoral strategy for the foreseeable future .
A fresh face herself , Johnsen told The Western Journal on Thursday that she has every intention of being part of that strategy .
TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off She said she ’ s been emboldened in recent months to aid the party in stonewalling Democratic efforts to secure greater legislative and executive control in the oft-overlooked lower levels of government .
“ At the state level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you have a governor who loves to wield his or her power — especially when they have the support of the attorney general , as in our case — and you don ’ t have a legislature to push that back , it ’ s a free for all for them and you just have to live under that rule until it ’ s over , ” she said in an interview .
A native Michigander , Johnsen has long been active in the conservative movement , working in her spare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years now .
With Republican control of the state legislature put in jeopardy by substantial losses last cycle , however , and a Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer proving deeply progressive , Johnsen decided 2020 was her time to step into the political foreground .
The decision was not easy .
As the owner of a small business and highly influential member of the local Christian community , Johnsen was in need of neither a job nor the stress of a political campaign when local Republicans encouraged her to run for a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month of prayer and a watchful eye over the policy goals forwarded by Whitmer ’ s growing Democratic coalition seemed to lead Johnsen to the conclusion that no expense or effort could be spared in ensuring Michigan ’ s conservative resurgence continued .
The alternative would be major steps to the left for Michigan , steps colored by increased economic regulation , restrictions on school choice and an easing of restrictions on the abortion industry — all of which Johnen said are supported by both Whitmer and the Democrat whose seat Johnsen is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Witwer .
“ [ Witwer ] votes with her radical Dems , ” Johnsen , who ’ s running unopposed thus far in the GOP primary , said .
“ She stays in lockstep with them .
The only time she ’ s veered from voting with them is when it doesn ’ t matter and it ’ s over some little picky detail on a legislative process.
” “ She gets her orders from them , she doesn ’ t think on her own .
So , how in the world can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate said .
And led by who she referred to as a “ tyrant ” in the governor ’ s mansion , Johnsen suggested Michigan Democrats would only look to expand the scope of government control further with a stronger electoral mandate .
Sweeping legislation to loosen abortion restrictions , the introduction of transgender curriculums in the public education system and new state taxes and fees — including a gas tax — have all reportedly been floated for passage by an unchecked Democratic government in Michigan .
According to Johnsen , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more experience facing off against progressives and proponents of big government .
Ideologically tested across four years at the women ’ s-only Wellesley College in Massachusetts , Johnsen , already a Republican at the time , said frequent and harsh challenges to her beliefs , values and faith were integral to solidifying all of them .
Unlike previous graduates Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright , Johnsen would not depart Wellesley a progressive .
On the contrary , the young businesswoman would find herself more certain than ever of her Christian conservative leanings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political dialogue with her father , a state litigator who made the transition from Blue Dog Democrat to staunch Republican .
“ The challenges were all intellectual .
The onslaught was nonstop .
And if you were a Christian , a conservative , you were a narrow-minded idiot and it was clear from the get-go , ” Johnsen said .
“ When in you ’ re in that kind of atmosphere , when you do come head-to-head with a topic of discussion , classroom or outside the classroom , you better know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it made me better for it .
And I now look back , now I ’ m running for state rep , and I look back and I think , ‘ Yep , that was training .
Those are training wheels , ' ” the candidate added .
The training wheels have long since been removed , however , and even on the campaign trail , Johnsen prides herself on standing in firm opposition to government overreach .
Johnsen ’ s team made its presence well known , for example , outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Wednesday as thousands of state residents protested Whitmer ’ s executive management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — a response effort some constituents believe has been an exercise in partisanship and control , rather than public health .
“ [ Whitmer ] is a career politician .
She ’ s not a doctor , but she slammed down the use of hydroxychloroquine .
As fast as it was mentioned by Trump , she said we couldn ’ t have it prescribed in the state , ” Johnsen said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme to begin with , ” the candidate added .
“ But , they were understandable because we didn ’ t know how bad this was.
” “ But as time went on , the way she was rolling out the guidelines was not adding up .
It was controlling and , see , she ’ s a Democrat , so we already know that ’ s going to be the tendency.
” First put into place on March 24 , Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order for the state was extended last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded to restrict both the movement of state residents and the occupancy of essential shopping centers , according WDIV-TV .
Unable to sway the Democratic governor , however , Wednesday ’ s protest was not without its upside , according to Johnsen , who suggested the event — looking much like the Tea Party rallies of 2009 — was an indicator Michigan residents have begun to feel overly restricted and under-served by their elected representatives .
Driven by her Christian faith , Johnsen said community service would not so easily be replaced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manages to fashion for herself in the coming months .
Leaning on the wisdom of Matthew 20 , she told The Western Journal that servanthood would be at the heart of her campaign .
“ I have a job .
I have a business .
I don ’ t need a job .
I need this like a hole in my head .
But I ’ m going to make the time to serve in this way , because the need is there and I can do it , ” the candidate said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve as well.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Forced to contend with an energized Democratic Party set to run on the most progressive platform in its history this presidential election cycle, veteran candidates and campaign operations across the aisle are gearing up for a series of hard-fought electoral skirmishes this November.
Working in war rooms across America to craft ironclad tickets top to bottom in answer to a progressive wave orchestrated by the Democratic National Committee in the 2018 midterm elections, however, Republicans are also leaning on fresh conservative faces to fill out the ranks, particularly in purple states and districts key to the national party in 2020.
According to Gina Johnsen, blue-collar Michigan, where she’s running to represent the state’s 71st district in Michigan House of Representatives, is one such battleground, now politically open for a fresh coat of red paint.
Historically fluid in terms of its partisan leanings, Michigan had long rested in the periphery for Republicans — that is, until a surprise 2016 presidential victory for then-candidate Donald Trump, who became the first Republican presidential candidate to carry the state since 1988, seemed to not only put the state back in play, but cement it as key to conservative electoral strategy for the foreseeable future.
A fresh face herself, Johnsen told The Western Journal on Thursday that she has every intention of being part of that strategy.
She said she’s been emboldened in recent months to aid the party in stonewalling Democratic efforts to secure greater legislative and executive control in the oft-overlooked lower levels of government.
“At the state level, if you have an abusive governor, if you have a governor who loves to wield his or her power — especially when they have the support of the attorney general, as in our case — and you don’t have a legislature to push that back, it’s a free for all for them and you just have to live under that rule until it’s over,” she said in an interview.
Enter, Stage Right
A native Michigander, Johnsen has long been active in the conservative movement, working in her spare time as a campaign volunteer for several years now.
With Republican control of the state legislature put in jeopardy by substantial losses last cycle, however, and a Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proving deeply progressive, Johnsen decided 2020 was her time to step into the political foreground.
The decision was not easy.
As the owner of a small business and highly influential member of the local Christian community, Johnsen was in need of neither a job nor the stress of a political campaign when local Republicans encouraged her to run for a seat in the state legislature.
But a month of prayer and a watchful eye over the policy goals forwarded by Whitmer’s growing Democratic coalition seemed to lead Johnsen to the conclusion that no expense or effort could be spared in ensuring Michigan’s conservative resurgence continued.
The alternative would be major steps to the left for Michigan, steps colored by increased economic regulation, restrictions on school choice and an easing of restrictions on the abortion industry — all of which Johnen said are supported by both Whitmer and the Democrat whose seat Johnsen is gunning for: incumbent state Rep. Angela Witwer.
“[Witwer] votes with her radical Dems,” Johnsen said. “She stays in lockstep with them. The only time she’s veered from voting with them is when it doesn’t matter and it’s over some little picky detail on a legislative process.”
“She gets her orders from them, she doesn’t think on her own. So, how in the world can she represent the people?” the candidate said.
And led by who she referred to as a “tyrant” in the governor’s mansion, Johnsen suggested Michigan Democrats would only look to expand the scope of government control further with a stronger electoral mandate.
Sweeping legislation to loosen abortion restrictions, the introduction of transgender curriculums in the public education system and new state taxes and fees — including a gas tax — have all reportedly been floated for passage by an unchecked Democratic government in Michigan.
‘Baptism by Fire’
According to Johnsen, however, there is not a local candidate with more experience facing off against progressives and proponents of big government.
Ideologically tested across four years at the women’s-only Wellesley College in Massachusetts, Johnsen, already a Republican at the time, said frequent and harsh challenges to her beliefs, values and faith were integral to solidifying all of them.
Will you be voting for down-ballot Republicans like Johnsen in November? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (377 Votes) No: 2% (7 Votes)
Unlike previous graduates Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, Johnsen would not depart Wellesley a progressive. On the contrary, the young businesswoman would find herself more certain than ever of her Christian conservative leanings, which she said were fostered through years of political dialogue with her father, a state litigator who made the transition from Blue Dog Democrat to staunch Republican.
“The challenges were all intellectual. The onslaught was nonstop. And if you were a Christian, a conservative, you were a narrow-minded idiot and it was clear from the get-go,” Johnsen said.
“It was a baptism by fire.”
“When in you’re in that kind of atmosphere, when you do come head-to-head with a topic of discussion, classroom or outside the classroom, you better know why you believe what you believe. And it made me better for it. And I now look back, now I’m running for state rep, and I look back and I think, ‘Yep, that was training. Those are training wheels,'” the candidate added.
Control vs. Service
The training wheels have long since been removed, however, and even on the campaign trail, Johnsen prides herself on standing in firm opposition to government overreach.
Johnsen’s team made its presence well known, for example, outside the capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday as thousands of state residents protested Whitmer’s executive management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — a response effort some constituents believe has been an exercise in partisanship and control, rather than public health.
Thousands of people from all over Michigan are converging on our state Capitol today to protest the governor’s restrictive “Stay Home” order and get their voices, and car horns, heard. #OperationGridlock pic.twitter.com/bgjH4wKCUQ — MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) April 15, 2020
“[Whitmer] is a career politician. She’s not a doctor, but she slammed down the use of hydroxychloroquine. As fast as it was mentioned by Trump, she said we couldn’t have it prescribed in the state,” Johnsen said.
“The stay-at-home orders, I thought, were extreme to begin with,” the candidate added. “But, they were understandable because we didn’t know how bad this was.”
“But as time went on, the way she was rolling out the guidelines was not adding up. It was controlling and, see, she’s a Democrat, so we already know that’s going to be the tendency.”
First put into place on March 24, Whitmer’s stay-at-home order for the state was extended last week to cover the entirety of April and expanded to restrict both the movement of state residents and the occupancy of essential shopping centers, according WDIV-TV.
Unable to sway the Democratic governor, however, Wednesday’s protest was not without its upside, according to Johnsen, who suggested the event was an indicator Michigan residents have begun to feel overly restricted and under-served by their elected representatives.
Chants of “recall Whitmer,” “USA” and “lock her up” outside Michigan Capitol. #OperationGridlock pic.twitter.com/7Q7niiNFUF — Malachi Barrett (@PolarBarrett) April 15, 2020
Driven by her Christian faith, Johnsen said community service would not so easily be replaced by self service in whatever political career she manages to fashion for herself in the coming months.
Leaning on the wisdom of Matthew 20, she told The Western Journal that servanthood would be at the heart of her campaign.
“I have a job. I have a business. I don’t need a job. I need this like a hole in my head. But I’m going to make the time to serve in this way, because the need is there and I can do it,” the candidate said.
“And I encourage everyone else to serve as well.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--As US Begins Massive Study To Combat COVID-19, WHO Begins Undermining Hope

As the U.S. combats the coronavirus pandemic and looks to prepare for future waves , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have started conducting preliminary studies to find out how many Americans have been infected with the virus , though the World Health Organization quickly shot down any hope the studies could bring .
The CDC aims to determine how many cases have evaded detection in three different studies , deputy incident manager for the CDC ’ s pandemic response Joe Bresee said , according to STAT News .
The studies will first look at blood samples from people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like New York , before using samples from across the country .
The final test will focus on health care workers to see how the virus spread among them .
“ We ’ re just starting to do testing and we ’ ll report out on these very quickly , ” Bresee said at a media briefing earlier this month .
“ We think the serum studies will be very important to understand what the true amount of infection is out in the community.
” TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tells Him Off The tests — known as sero-surveys — will determine how many people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , but had mild or no symptoms .
Knowing how many mild or asymptomatic cases are in the country will help authorities prepare for future responses to COVID-19 , but the WHO says that the tests probably won ’ t be as helpful as people hope .
The WHO issues a warning Friday that said there isn ’ t any evidence the serological tests will determine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer runs the risk of being reinfected by the coronavirus , CNBC reported .
“ These antibody tests will be able to measure that level of serology presence , that level of antibodies , but that does not mean that somebody with antibodies ” is immune , Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove , head of WHO ’ s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit , said .
As of Saturday morning , there were nearly 2.3 million cases of coronavirus worldwide and more than 715,000 cases in the United States , according to data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict the total number of cases is most likely higher , as many people are either asymptomatic or have symptoms but were not tested .
Kerkhove said that although many countries suggest the new antibody tests will be able to “ capture what they think will be a measure of immunity , ” there currently is “ no evidence ” that the use of a serological test will be able to show that .
Dr. Mike Ryan , executive director of WHO ’ s emergencies program , said that scientists also don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect a person from being reinfected .
“ Nobody is sure whether someone with antibodies is fully protected against having the disease or being exposed again , ” he said .
WHO officials said Monday that not all patients who recover from the coronavirus will be able to fight a second infection , according to CNBC .
“ With regards to recovery and then reinfection , I believe we do not have the answers to that , ” Ryan said .
“ That is an unknown.
” We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

As the U.S. combats the coronavirus pandemic and looks to prepare for future waves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have started conducting preliminary studies to find out how many Americans have been infected with the virus, though the World Health Organization quickly shot down any hope the studies could bring.
The CDC aims to determine how many cases have evaded detection in three different studies, deputy incident manager for the CDC’s pandemic response Joe Bresee said, according to STAT News.
The studies will first look at blood samples from people in some of the COVID-19 hot spots, like New York, before using samples from across the country. The final test will focus on health care workers to see how the virus spread among them.
“We’re just starting to do testing and we’ll report out on these very quickly,” Bresee said at a media briefing earlier this month.
“We think the serum studies will be very important to understand what the true amount of infection is out in the community.”
The tests — known as sero-surveys — will determine how many people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but had mild or no symptoms.
Knowing how many mild or asymptomatic cases are in the country will help authorities prepare for future responses to COVID-19, but the WHO says that the tests probably won’t be as helpful as people hope.
8) Getting a sense of how many mild and asymptomatic cases there are helps plan for future responses to #Covid19. If a high %people were likely infected when ? moved through during its first wave, response to reappearance later might be tailored to protect only high-risk people — Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 5, 2020
Do you think the antibody tests will help with future outbreaks? 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: 89% (899 Votes) No: 11% (107 Votes)
The WHO issues a warning Friday that said there isn’t any evidence the serological tests will determine if a person is immune to or no longer runs the risk of being reinfected by the coronavirus, CNBC reported.
“These antibody tests will be able to measure that level of serology presence, that level of antibodies, but that does not mean that somebody with antibodies” is immune, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said.
As of Saturday morning, there were nearly 2.3 million cases of coronavirus worldwide and more than 715,000 cases in the United States, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
Infectious disease experts also predict the total number of cases is most likely higher, as many people are either asymptomatic or have symptoms but were not tested.
Kerkhove said that although many countries suggest the new antibody tests will be able to “capture what they think will be a measure of immunity,” there currently is “no evidence” that the use of a serological test will be able to show that.
Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s emergencies program, said that scientists also don’t know how long the antibodies might protect a person from being reinfected.
“Nobody is sure whether someone with antibodies is fully protected against having the disease or being exposed again,” he said.
WHO officials said Monday that not all patients who recover from the coronavirus will be able to fight a second infection, according to CNBC.
“With regards to recovery and then reinfection, I believe we do not have the answers to that,” Ryan said. “That is an unknown.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-18--As Big Brother Expands, Gov’t Drones Now Tracking Americans’ Body Temps Without Permission

The concept of drones tracking Americans during a pandemic , scolding them and taking their body temperatures without permission is something out of a dystopian science fiction universe .
Blessedly , because we all don ’ t have enough to worry about this panicked springtime , police are making that vision a reality for us .
In Volusia County , Florida — home to Daytona Beach and a popular tourist destination — the sheriff ’ s office has more than a dozen drones that it can put in the air to make sure people practice social distancing .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounter with one of these drones as she walked along the beach .
She took a few photos of the drone , which emitted a warning through its speakers .
“ This is the Volusia Sheriff ’ s office , please adhere to social-distancing guidelines , ” the drone told Andrade .
“ It speaks ?
They can speak through it ?
Wow , ” a stunned Andrade told Fox News .
The Volusia County Sheriff ’ s Office currently has 18 of these things that they ’ re deploying to disperse people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to get a deputy involved .
“ Unfortunately in law enforcement , we can ’ t practice social distancing , ” Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said .
“ People are still committing crimes , people are still being knuckleheads and having these pop-up block parties.
” With the drones , Chitwood said , they could break up gatherings without having to risk police officers getting coronavirus .
“ We can say ‘ hey , you in the blue shirt , we ’ re watching .
And , we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why don ’ t you respect us and follow the guidelines and let ’ s break up this party , ' ” he said .
In Daytona Beach itself , they actually have drones which will take your temperature .
This is all apparently very necessary and won ’ t erode trust in law enforcement in any appreciable manner .
The drones are equipped with a device known as a FLIR ( a not-at-all creepy acronym for Forward Looking Infrared ) which can detect people ’ s temperatures in a range between 99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s say if you have a 103 fever .
That ’ ll come in handy letting us know at a glance , ‘ Are you someone who possibly has the virus ?
’ ‘ Do we need to make sure you have extra precautions , ’ ” Sgt .
Tim Ehrenkaufer , the head of the Daytona Beach drone unit , told WOFL .
RELATED : Is This America ?
Drones Watching , Following Citizens in Effort To Enforce Social Distancing We ’ ve been told that coronavirus can be very debilitating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point where you have a 103-degree temperature .
Not having had it myself but judging by the stories I ’ ve heard , I tend to believe that .
Also , this is just a postulate , but even if you ’ re not on your way to the ICU , you ’ re also not on your way to the beach or robbing a bank .
Ehrenkaufer ’ s attitude was the same as Chitwood ’ s : This is all about keeping police officers out of the fray .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go out there , walk into the park property , walking into a crowd of people , share those germs back and forth just to deliver a message that , ‘ The park ’ s closed .
Don ’ t be in here , ' ” he said .
It ’ s not just Florida , in case you were wondering .
In Meriden , Connecticut , the mayor touted the fact the police “ have launched their drone , which will be used to remind residents of the social distancing orders that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sheer creepiness is Elizabeth , New Jersey , where drones with a recorded message from Mayor Chris Bollwage telling social-distancing recalcitrants to “ stop gathering , disperse and go home ” will patrol the streets , according to The Hill .
And of course , they defended their use of the drones with the “ just one life ” gambit : Fine .
Look , let ’ s just go all-out at this point .
Paint all these drones gunmetal grey , and equip them with body modifications that make them look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on mostly empty hiking trails to disperse and go home , have the drones read the script to Apple ’ s “ 1984 ” commercial : “ Today we celebrate the first glorious anniversary of the Information Purification Directives.
” This isn ’ t to simply beat up on police , who are making choices they never thought they ’ d have to make because of coronavirus .
I can understand , if not fully comprehend , the fear first responders face right now .
Several of my friends are police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not just the fear of knowing you might not come home at the end of your shift anymore that gets them , it ’ s the very fear of knowing you might come home with a deadly pathogen .
That said , this doesn ’ t mean they ’ re immune from criticism when they make a poor choice — in this case , I ’ d argue a very poor one .
Whatever the benefit this sort of drone usage might confer , it ’ s outweighed by the cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unseemly parallels to a full-on surveillance state .
The idea that drones represent the path of least resistance in a time of crisis is a short-sighted decision with long-term consequences .
This is the kind of thing that drives people to the steps of state capitols ( something I decidedly don ’ t encourage ) , which is a social-distancing nightmare that becomes inevitable when government decides playing Big Brother is the most expedient way to deal with its problems .
Perhaps most troubling in all of the stories and news releases I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officials quoted seemed to grasp the possibility of unforeseen consequences from drone usage .
Where they even acknowledged an issue , they fell back on the idea that it was all worth it if it saved just one life .
If the fear that mass protests — like we ’ ve witnessed in Michigan and Minnesota — which could infect more people and cost more lives might play out in their own communities entered the decision-making calculus , it wasn ’ t in evidence anywhere I could find .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where messaging is the whole ballgame .
Unless police can assure a restive public this won ’ t end the same way , they ’ re potentially putting themselves on a collision course with a problem much worse than the one they aim to solve .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The concept of drones tracking Americans during a pandemic, scolding them and taking their body temperatures without permission is something out of a dystopian science fiction universe.
Blessedly, because we all don’t have enough to worry about this panicked springtime, police are making that vision a reality for us.
In Volusia County, Florida — home to Daytona Beach and a popular tourist destination — the sheriff’s office has more than a dozen drones that it can put in the air to make sure people practice social distancing.
According to Fox News, Kim Andrade had an encounter with one of these drones as she walked along the beach. She took a few photos of the drone, which emitted a warning through its speakers.
“This is the Volusia Sheriff’s office, please adhere to social-distancing guidelines,” the drone told Andrade.
“It speaks? They can speak through it? Wow,” a stunned Andrade told Fox News.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office currently has 18 of these things that they’re deploying to disperse people who aren’t socially distancing without having to get a deputy involved.
“Unfortunately in law enforcement, we can’t practice social distancing,” Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “People are still committing crimes, people are still being knuckleheads and having these pop-up block parties.”
With the drones, Chitwood said, they could break up gatherings without having to risk police officers getting coronavirus.
“We can say ‘hey, you in the blue shirt, we’re watching. And, we don’t want to send deputies in, so why don’t you respect us and follow the guidelines and let’s break up this party,'” he said.
Do you support the usage of police drones in this manner? 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: 12% (107 Votes) No: 88% (771 Votes)
In Daytona Beach itself, they actually have drones which will take your temperature. This is all apparently very necessary and won’t erode trust in law enforcement in any appreciable manner.
The drones are equipped with a device known as a FLIR (a not-at-all creepy acronym for Forward Looking Infrared) which can detect people’s temperatures in a range between 99 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Let’s say if you have a 103 fever. That’ll come in handy letting us know at a glance, ‘Are you someone who possibly has the virus?’ ‘Do we need to make sure you have extra precautions,’” Sgt. Tim Ehrenkaufer, the head of the Daytona Beach drone unit, told WOFL.
We’ve been told that coronavirus can be very debilitating, particularly if you get to the point where you have a 103-degree temperature. Not having had it myself but judging by the stories I’ve heard, I tend to believe that. Also, this is just a postulate, but even if you’re not on your way to the ICU, you’re also not on your way to the beach or robbing a bank.
Ehrenkaufer’s attitude was the same as Chitwood’s: This is all about keeping police officers out of the fray.
“We’re reducing the officer having to go out there, walk into the park property, walking into a crowd of people, share those germs back and forth just to deliver a message that, ‘The park’s closed. Don’t be in here,'” he said.
It’s not just Florida, in case you were wondering.
In Meriden, Connecticut, the mayor touted the fact the police “have launched their drone, which will be used to remind residents of the social distancing orders that are in place.”
Taking the prize for sheer creepiness is Elizabeth, New Jersey, where drones with a recorded message from Mayor Chris Bollwage telling social-distancing recalcitrants to “stop gathering, disperse and go home” will patrol the streets, according to The Hill.
And of course, they defended their use of the drones with the “just one life” gambit:
Regarding comments on drones, we are trying to save lives, not be big brother. If this plan saves 1 life, then its worth it. All its doing is spreading an automated notice about social distance. No recording or pictures are taken, just a tool of encouragement to follow the rules. pic.twitter.com/KnptwsxBQ2 — Elizabeth NJ Police (@epdnj) April 8, 2020
Fine. Look, let’s just go all-out at this point. Paint all these drones gunmetal grey, and equip them with body modifications that make them look like cacotopian insects. After they tell people on mostly empty hiking trails to disperse and go home, have the drones read the script to Apple’s “1984” commercial: “Today we celebrate the first glorious anniversary of the Information Purification Directives.”
This isn’t to simply beat up on police, who are making choices they never thought they’d have to make because of coronavirus.
I can understand, if not fully comprehend, the fear first responders face right now. Several of my friends are police officers or married to them. It’s not just the fear of knowing you might not come home at the end of your shift anymore that gets them, it’s the very fear of knowing you might come home with a deadly pathogen.
That said, this doesn’t mean they’re immune from criticism when they make a poor choice — in this case, I’d argue a very poor one.
Whatever the benefit this sort of drone usage might confer, it’s outweighed by the cost of eroded trust in the authorities and the unseemly parallels to a full-on surveillance state.
The idea that drones represent the path of least resistance in a time of crisis is a short-sighted decision with long-term consequences.
This is the kind of thing that drives people to the steps of state capitols (something I decidedly don’t encourage), which is a social-distancing nightmare that becomes inevitable when government decides playing Big Brother is the most expedient way to deal with its problems.
Perhaps most troubling in all of the stories and news releases I read, barely any of the law enforcement officials quoted seemed to grasp the possibility of unforeseen consequences from drone usage.
Where they even acknowledged an issue, they fell back on the idea that it was all worth it if it saved just one life. If the fear that mass protests — like we’ve witnessed in Michigan and Minnesota — which could infect more people and cost more lives might play out in their own communities entered the decision-making calculus, it wasn’t in evidence anywhere I could find.
This is a stunning failure of messaging in a matter where messaging is the whole ballgame.
We’ve seen dystopian movies.
Unless police can assure a restive public this won’t end the same way, they’re potentially putting themselves on a collision course with a problem much worse than the one they aim to solve.
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--Police in 22 States Accept Drones from Company Allegedly Funneling Data to China

Police agencies in 22 states have accepted drones to help enforce social distancing rules from a Chinese company accused of sending information to China .
The Elizabeth Police Department in New Jersey is just one of the agencies using drones to help patrol the streets to enforce social distancing rules in places that are not easy to reach in a patrol car .
“ We have been using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ( Drones ) since 2018 , however , the new models are equipped with voice capabilities , ” the police department explained in a Facebook post .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 UAV , on loan through DJI ’ s Public Safety Disaster Relief Program.
” TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off People who are caught congregating in groups by the drones can face a summons or $ 1,000 fine .
Authorities downplayed the use of surveillance by drones donated by a Chinese company , claiming that the machines are not taking pictures or videos but merely serving as a “ high tech warning , ” MSNBC reported .
“ The drones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have gone to 43 agencies in 22 states , all to help enforce social distancing rules , ” MSNBC ’ s Rehema Ellis said .
However , the Department of Homeland Security accused Da Jing Innovations , a company based in Shenzhen , China , of sending sensitive information about American infrastructure to China in 2017 .
“ [ Special Agent in Charge Intelligence Program ] Los Angeles assesses with high confidence the critical infrastructure and law enforcement entities using DJI systems are collecting sensitive intelligence that the Chinese government could use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and its population , ” the memo read .
D.J.I .
denied the allegations and said the report was “ based on clearly false and misleading statements , ” The New York Times reported .
Despite that denial , the U.S. Army issued guidance for its forces to stop using the D.J.I .
drones .
RELATED : US Navy Aircraft Carrier Captain Pleads for Help as Coronavirus Outbreak Worsens Aboard Ship Moreover , in 2019 , the DHS ’ s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that the Chinese-made drones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization ’ s information , ” according to CNN .
Although it didn ’ t specifically name D.J.I.
, nearly 80 percent of the drones used in the United States come from the Chinese company , CNN said last year .
“ The United States government has strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access , ” the alert said .
“ Those concerns apply with equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems ) -connected devices capable of collecting and transferring potentially revealing data about their operations and the individuals and entities operating them , as China imposes unusually stringent obligations on its citizens to support national intelligence activities.
” The Trump administration banned U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment from Chinese company Huawei in 2019 over similar national security concerns , CNN reported .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Police agencies in 22 states have accepted drones to help enforce social distancing rules from a Chinese company accused of sending information to China.
The Elizabeth Police Department in New Jersey is just one of the agencies using drones to help patrol the streets to enforce social distancing rules in places that are not easy to reach in a patrol car.
“We have been using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) since 2018, however, the new models are equipped with voice capabilities,” the police department explained in a Facebook post.
“We were able to secure 5 DJI Mavic 2 UAV, on loan through DJI’s Public Safety Disaster Relief Program.”
People who are caught congregating in groups by the drones can face a summons or $1,000 fine.
Authorities downplayed the use of surveillance by drones donated by a Chinese company, claiming that the machines are not taking pictures or videos but merely serving as a “high tech warning,” MSNBC reported.
“The drones, donated by DJI, a Chinese company, have gone to 43 agencies in 22 states, all to help enforce social distancing rules,” MSNBC’s Rehema Ellis said.
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However, the Department of Homeland Security accused Da Jing Innovations, a company based in Shenzhen, China, of sending sensitive information about American infrastructure to China in 2017.
“[Special Agent in Charge Intelligence Program] Los Angeles assesses with high confidence the critical infrastructure and law enforcement entities using DJI systems are collecting sensitive intelligence that the Chinese government could use to conduct physical or cyber attacks against the United States and its population,” the memo read.
D.J.I. denied the allegations and said the report was “based on clearly false and misleading statements,” The New York Times reported.
Despite that denial, the U.S. Army issued guidance for its forces to stop using the D.J.I. drones.
“The drones, donated by DJI, a Chinese company, have gone to 43 agencies in 22 states, all to help enforce social distancing rules.” US using Chinese drones to spy on and lecture Americans about a virus caused by communist China Oh, and DJI “may be sending data to China” pic.twitter.com/LqH6VzonzH — Elizabeth Harrington (@LizRNC) April 17, 2020
Moreover, in 2019, the DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that the Chinese-made drones were a “potential risk to an organization’s information,” according to CNN.
Although it didn’t specifically name D.J.I., nearly 80 percent of the drones used in the United States come from the Chinese company, CNN said last year.
“The United States government has strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access,” the alert said.
“Those concerns apply with equal force to certain Chinese-made (unmanned aircraft systems)-connected devices capable of collecting and transferring potentially revealing data about their operations and the individuals and entities operating them, as China imposes unusually stringent obligations on its citizens to support national intelligence activities.”
The Trump administration banned U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment from Chinese company Huawei in 2019 over similar national security concerns, CNN reported.
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--Dr. Fauci Says Sporting Events Could Resume Soon, But No Fans Allowed

For sports fanatics dying to see some competition , there may be some good news on the horizon .
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , sporting events could resume within a couple of months .
However , just like an outfielder chasing down a potential home run , there is one agonizing catch : The sports world would likely have to march forward with no fans in attendance , at least for the time being .
“ Nobody comes to the stadium .
Put them in big hotels wherever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well surveiled , ” Fauci said in an interview Wednesday on the Snapchat show “ Good Luck America.
” “ Have them tested , like , every week .
Make sure they don ’ t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out , ” he told host Peter Hamby .
“ I mean , people say , ‘ Well , you can ’ t play without spectators.
’ Well , I think you ’ d probably get enough buy-in from people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off Fauci said whether or not we have sports again soon will depend on how the pandemic progresses over the next few months , as well as the “ initiative ” of sports team owners .
“ It ’ s really going to depend on what actually evolves over the next couple of months , ” Fauci said , according to Hamby ’ s write-up of his interview in Vanity Fair .
“ You know , regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think this is going to be implemented by the initiation and the initiative of the people who own these clubs.
” The doctor went on to suggest that sporting events could return as soon as July 4 , a prospect that is sure to excite many sports fans .
“ If you could get on television , Major League Baseball , to start July 4 .
Let ’ s say , nobody comes to the stadium .
You just , you do it , ” he said .
Fauci isn ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports world .
Wednesday , President Donald Trump convened a phone call with various sports team owners about the possibility of athletes returning to play .
According to a readout of the president ’ s call , industry leaders such as Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban , Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft participated in the call .
“ The President expressed optimism to the major sports organizations that are eager to get their athletes back on courts , courses , and fields of play , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are missing their favorite teams and players , ” the White House said .
“ Leaders of the sports organizations expressed appreciation for the President ’ s attention to their industry and offered innovative input on social distancing guidelines.
” At a time when so many Americans are stuck at home with nothing to do , bringing back sporting events could be a huge emotional win for the country .
This good news , combined with the fact that Trump has released guidelines to reopen the nation ’ s economy in a safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look forward to .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

For sports fanatics dying to see some competition, there may be some good news on the horizon.
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sporting events could resume within a couple of months.
However, just like an outfielder chasing down a potential home run, there is one agonizing catch: The sports world would likely have to march forward with no fans in attendance, at least for the time being.
“Nobody comes to the stadium. Put them in big hotels wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveiled,” Fauci said in an interview Wednesday on the Snapchat show “Good Luck America.”
“Have them tested, like, every week. Make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out,” he told host Peter Hamby. “I mean, people say, ‘Well, you can’t play without spectators.’ Well, I think you’d probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game.”
Fauci said whether or not we have sports again soon will depend on how the pandemic progresses over the next few months, as well as the “initiative” of sports team owners.
“It’s really going to depend on what actually evolves over the next couple of months,” Fauci said, according to Hamby’s write-up of his interview in Vanity Fair. “You know, regarding sports, I believe, and I think this is going to be implemented by the initiation and the initiative of the people who own these clubs.”
The doctor went on to suggest that sporting events could return as soon as July 4, a prospect that is sure to excite many sports fans.
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“If you could get on television, Major League Baseball, to start July 4. Let’s say, nobody comes to the stadium. You just, you do it,” he said.
Fauci isn’t the only one with good news for the sports world.
Wednesday, President Donald Trump convened a phone call with various sports team owners about the possibility of athletes returning to play.
According to a readout of the president’s call, industry leaders such as Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft participated in the call.
Readout of Trump’s conference call today with US sports leaders, per WH pool. pic.twitter.com/s3kp3XXKf8 — Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) April 16, 2020
“The President expressed optimism to the major sports organizations that are eager to get their athletes back on courts, courses, and fields of play, and for the millions of sports fans who are missing their favorite teams and players,” the White House said. “Leaders of the sports organizations expressed appreciation for the President’s attention to their industry and offered innovative input on social distancing guidelines.”
At a time when so many Americans are stuck at home with nothing to do, bringing back sporting events could be a huge emotional win for the country.
This good news, combined with the fact that Trump has released guidelines to reopen the nation’s economy in a safe, responsible way, gives American plenty to look forward to.
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--The Real Numbers Show US’s COVID Response Is World-Class, Far Superior to Anti-Trump Media’s Portray

The Real Numbers Show US’s COVID Response Is World-Class, Far Superior to Anti-Trump Media’s Portrayal

You know the media spiel : Our response to coronavirus has been among the worst in the world .
Just look at The New York Times on April 11 : “ He Could Have Seen What Was Coming : Behind Trump ’ s Failure on the Virus.
” Or look at it on April 13 : “ Trump ’ s Slow Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
” On April 14 : “ Criticized for Pandemic Response , Trump Tries Shifting Blame to the W.H.O.
” This is a pretty steady drumbeat , both in news coverage and opinion pieces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to The Times , though , and I think their editors do , too . )
The basic gist of it is this : The Trump administration caught the virus late , has mismanaged the response since and has tried to divert America ’ s attention elsewhere .
According to John R. Lott Jr. , the noted conservative economist and political commentator , that ’ s entirely wrong .
In a situation where no one knows precisely how to manage a pandemic , he says , the United States ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a piece published Wednesday at Townhall , Lott argued that media outlets were misreading statistics , and not just in terms of neglecting to put things in per capita terms .
“ Many use the number of deaths as a measure of how the U.S. is faring relative to other countries , but that is extremely misleading .
It would be the same comparing the number of rapes in Sweden and the United States , ” Lott wrote .
“ For example , while Sweden had 5,960 rapes in 2014 , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that a woman was more likely to be raped in the United States ?
Hardly .
The United States has about 33 times more people living in it than Sweden .
Sweden ’ s rape rate per capita is more than twice the rate in the United States .
“ It makes no more sense to compare the number of Wuhan coronavirus deaths in the U.S. versus other countries than it does to compare rape rates .
But looking at the death rate also isn ’ t perfect , ” he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that because coronavirus was almost certainly introduced into different countries at different times , useful comparisons are difficult .
“ The length of time of exposure to the virus also matters , and different countries faced exposure at different times .
A country that has had been the chance to expose people over months is going to have a lot more potential deaths than a country where exposure has just taken place over a few days.
” For instance , take Germany .
Even The New York Times ran an article which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ A German Exception ?
Why the Country ’ s Coronavirus Death Rate Is Low.
” However , if you take the number of days since the first recorded death of coronavirus and look at the percentage of the population that ’ s died , the United States comes out better than Germany does .
The first coronavirus death in the United States was on Feb. 29 , while the first death in Germany was on March 9 .
In coronavirus terms , that ’ s nearly an eternity .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly developed countries when it comes to coronavirus deaths .
“ When we adjust for population , it is clear that the U.S. has fared very well at each date after the first death compared to Western Europe .
Belgium , Germany , Italy , the Netherlands , Norway , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , and the United Kingdom all have higher coronavirus death rates than the U.S. , ” Lott said of what happens when you look at the data from the time of the first death .
RELATED : As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tracking Americans ' Body Temps Without Permission “ The only country that isn ’ t clear for is France , and that is because a Chinese tourist who was visiting France died 11 days before anyone else in the country died from the virus .
If you include the Chinese tourist in the death count , the 11 days without any additional deaths makes the spread of the virus deaths in France look a little slower than those in the U.S .
But if we exclude that one case , the U.S. looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease.
” While Lott didn ’ t mention it in the article , it ’ s also worth noting that even if you don ’ t count from the time of the first coronavirus death , we look pretty good .
This is the coronavirus per capita death rate as of Wednesday : If you pull New York City ’ s deaths out of this — which accounted for 46 percent of our deaths as of Wednesday — the U.S. ends up in the bottom octile .
And , as Lott noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with pre-existing conditions .
“ Governments ’ coronavirus response policies won ’ t explain all of the differences across countries .
Some countries are simply healthier than others .
The vast majority of coronavirus deaths are associated with pre-existing conditions , such as obesity , diabetes , high blood pressure , and heart or lung disease , ” Lott wrote .
“ Those rates vary a lot across countries .
Americans are more likely to be obese and have diabetes , but are somewhat less likely to have high blood pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system also matters a lot , and the U.S. system has few equals .
“ The media is spending so much time these days is trying to pin blame on someone for the coronavirus deaths .
A lot of people have died , it ’ s true .
But we don ’ t have to be so hard on ourselves .
For many reasons , the U.S. is faring substantially better than Western European nations.
” And that ’ s some good news we can take away during an exceptionally gloomy period in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , it ’ s not enough simply to be doing better than Western Europe .
We have to be combating this effectively , not more effectively than nations with an ineffective response .
However , we ’ re not bungling things .
There have been hurdles we ’ ve missed , absolutely , given that no nation in the world was truly prepared for this .
That said , our numbers aren ’ t as bad as they ’ re made out to be .
The establishment media may say otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ re going to be all right .
That ’ s a message we all need to hear .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

You know the media spiel: Our response to coronavirus has been among the worst in the world.
Just look at The New York Times on April 11: “He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump’s Failure on the Virus.” Or look at it on April 13: “Trump’s Slow Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.” On April 14: “Criticized for Pandemic Response, Trump Tries Shifting Blame to the W.H.O.”
This is a pretty steady drumbeat, both in news coverage and opinion pieces. (I have trouble telling them apart when it comes to The Times, though, and I think their editors do, too.) The basic gist of it is this: The Trump administration caught the virus late, has mismanaged the response since and has tried to divert America’s attention elsewhere.
According to John R. Lott Jr., the noted conservative economist and political commentator, that’s entirely wrong. In a situation where no one knows precisely how to manage a pandemic, he says, the United States’ response has actually been world-class.
In a piece published Wednesday at Townhall, Lott argued that media outlets were misreading statistics, and not just in terms of neglecting to put things in per capita terms.
“Many use the number of deaths as a measure of how the U.S. is faring relative to other countries, but that is extremely misleading. It would be the same comparing the number of rapes in Sweden and the United States,” Lott wrote.
“For example, while Sweden had 5,960 rapes in 2014, the United States had 84,767. But does that mean that a woman was more likely to be raped in the United States? Hardly. The United States has about 33 times more people living in it than Sweden. Sweden’s rape rate per capita is more than twice the rate in the United States.
“It makes no more sense to compare the number of Wuhan coronavirus deaths in the U.S. versus other countries than it does to compare rape rates. But looking at the death rate also isn’t perfect,” he continued.
In addition to that, Lott stated that because coronavirus was almost certainly introduced into different countries at different times, useful comparisons are difficult.
Is Donald Trump doing a good job on coronavirus? Yes No
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“The length of time of exposure to the virus also matters, and different countries faced exposure at different times. A country that has had been the chance to expose people over months is going to have a lot more potential deaths than a country where exposure has just taken place over a few days.”
For instance, take Germany. Even The New York Times ran an article which praised the job that Germany was doing: “A German Exception? Why the Country’s Coronavirus Death Rate Is Low.”
However, if you take the number of days since the first recorded death of coronavirus and look at the percentage of the population that’s died, the United States comes out better than Germany does. The first coronavirus death in the United States was on Feb. 29, while the first death in Germany was on March 9. In coronavirus terms, that’s nearly an eternity.
The United States also compares relatively well with other highly developed countries when it comes to coronavirus deaths.
“When we adjust for population, it is clear that the U.S. has fared very well at each date after the first death compared to Western Europe. Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom all have higher coronavirus death rates than the U.S.,” Lott said of what happens when you look at the data from the time of the first death.
“The only country that isn’t clear for is France, and that is because a Chinese tourist who was visiting France died 11 days before anyone else in the country died from the virus. If you include the Chinese tourist in the death count, the 11 days without any additional deaths makes the spread of the virus deaths in France look a little slower than those in the U.S. But if we exclude that one case, the U.S. looks much better in slowing the spread of the disease.”
While Lott didn’t mention it in the article, it’s also worth noting that even if you don’t count from the time of the first coronavirus death, we look pretty good.
This is the coronavirus per capita death rate as of Wednesday:
If you pull New York City’s deaths out of this — which accounted for 46 percent of our deaths as of Wednesday — the U.S. ends up in the bottom octile.
And, as Lott noted, the majority of these deaths had to do with pre-existing conditions.
“Governments’ coronavirus response policies won’t explain all of the differences across countries. Some countries are simply healthier than others. The vast majority of coronavirus deaths are associated with pre-existing conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart or lung disease,” Lott wrote.
“Those rates vary a lot across countries. Americans are more likely to be obese and have diabetes, but are somewhat less likely to have high blood pressure. The quality of the existing medical system also matters a lot, and the U.S. system has few equals.
“The media is spending so much time these days is trying to pin blame on someone for the coronavirus deaths. A lot of people have died, it’s true. But we don’t have to be so hard on ourselves. For many reasons, the U.S. is faring substantially better than Western European nations.”
And that’s some good news we can take away during an exceptionally gloomy period in this nation’s life.
Of course, it’s not enough simply to be doing better than Western Europe. We have to be combating this effectively, not more effectively than nations with an ineffective response.
However, we’re not bungling things. There have been hurdles we’ve missed, absolutely, given that no nation in the world was truly prepared for this.
That said, our numbers aren’t as bad as they’re made out to be. The establishment media may say otherwise, but we’re doing all right and we’re going to be all right.
That’s a message we all need to hear.
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--Sen. Cotton, Rep. Crenshaw Team Up on Bill To ‘Hold the Chinese Government Accountable’

Two Republican legislators are supporting legislation that would allow Americans to fight back against China as the coronavirus causes death and disruption across the U.S .
The ‘ ‘ Holding the Chinese Communist Party Accountable for Infecting Americans Act of 2020 ’ ’ was introduced Thursday by Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas .
The bill comes against a backdrop of allegations , including from Taiwan , that the Chinese government covered up facts in December , as well as a sudden spike in the number of deaths reported in Wuhan , where the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks its statistics were perfect .
The bill ’ s goal is to allow Americans to sue China for the economic and personal damage cased by the coronavirus , which Cotton ’ s office termed the “ Wuhan Virus ” in the news release announcing the legislation .
It does so by amending the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to allow suits against China in this particular instance .
TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off The release said the bill “ gives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China to pay for the damage it has caused : If the United States and China come to an agreement to settle the claims , then the private suits could be dismissed .
“ In other words , China can take responsibility and agree to pay for the damage it has caused , or it can face potentially millions of claims in federal court.
” The legislation reads like an indictment of China .
“ The Communist Party of China covered up the existence and downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus disease 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as December 2019 , ” it begins .
“ Chinese Government officials engaged in a campaign to silence and delegitimize doctors , including Dr. Li Wenliang , who were warning their colleagues and others about COVID-19 .
“ Chinese Government officials ordered the destruction of laboratory samples and research regarding COVID-19 in January 2020 .
Chinese Government officials have detained or otherwise silenced researchers , journalists , and citizens who attempted to share information that could have proven unflattering to the response of the Chinese Government to the COVID-19 outbreak.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about secrecy ; it is about the consequences of that secrecy .
“ Academic studies have shown that , had appropriate interventions occurred to stop the spread of COVID-19 even just weeks earlier , the spread of COVID-19 would have been severely curtailed , ” it said .
“ The cover-up of COVID-19 by the Chinese Government ( A ) has caused significant death , injury , and economic harm in the United States and around the world ; and ( B ) is , at minimum , grossly negligent behavior causing significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be held accountable for its actions : RELATED : Bill Maher Sends Warning to Media : Keep up Dishonest Virus Reporting , and Trump Will Win 2020 “ We need to hold the Chinese government accountable for their malicious lies and coverup that allowed the coronavirus to spread across the world , ” Crenshaw said in a statement .
“ The communist regime expelled journalists , silenced whistleblowers , and withheld vital information that delayed the global response to the pandemic .
Simply put : their actions cost American lives and livelihoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions are not without consequences.
” “ By silencing doctors and journalists who tried to warn the world about the coronavirus , the Chinese Communist Party allowed the virus to spread quickly around the globe .
Their decision to cover up the virus led to thousands of needless deaths and untold economic harm .
It ’ s only appropriate that we hold the Chinese government accountable for the damage it has caused , ” Cotton added .
China is also facing the wrath of political leaders after a new report suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wet market in Wuhan , as the Chinese government has claimed , but from a lab located in that city .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Two Republican legislators are supporting legislation that would allow Americans to fight back against China as the coronavirus causes death and disruption across the U.S.
The ‘‘Holding the Chinese Communist Party Accountable for Infecting Americans Act of 2020’’ was introduced Thursday by Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas.
The bill comes against a backdrop of allegations, including from Taiwan, that the Chinese government covered up facts in December, as well as a sudden spike in the number of deaths reported in Wuhan, where the virus first emerged, after China insisted for weeks its statistics were perfect.
The bill’s goal is to allow Americans to sue China for the economic and personal damage cased by the coronavirus, which Cotton’s office termed the “Wuhan Virus” in the news release announcing the legislation.
It does so by amending the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to allow suits against China in this particular instance.
The release said the bill “gives the United States a powerful tool to get China to pay for the damage it has caused: If the United States and China come to an agreement to settle the claims, then the private suits could be dismissed.
“In other words, China can take responsibility and agree to pay for the damage it has caused, or it can face potentially millions of claims in federal court.”
The legislation reads like an indictment of China.
“The Communist Party of China covered up the existence and downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), at least as early as December 2019,” it begins. “Chinese Government officials engaged in a campaign to silence and delegitimize doctors, including Dr. Li Wenliang, who were warning their colleagues and others about COVID-19.
Do you support making China pay for the damage done by this disease? Yes No
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“Chinese Government officials ordered the destruction of laboratory samples and research regarding COVID-19 in January 2020. Chinese Government officials have detained or otherwise silenced researchers, journalists, and citizens who attempted to share information that could have proven unflattering to the response of the Chinese Government to the COVID-19 outbreak.”
The legislation said that the bill is not about secrecy; it is about the consequences of that secrecy.
“Academic studies have shown that, had appropriate interventions occurred to stop the spread of COVID-19 even just weeks earlier, the spread of COVID-19 would have been severely curtailed,” it said.
“The cover-up of COVID-19 by the Chinese Government (A) has caused significant death, injury, and economic harm in the United States and around the world; and (B) is, at minimum, grossly negligent behavior causing significant injury.”
The legislators said China has to be held accountable for its actions:
This is spot on from Dr. Gottlieb & outlines facts much of the media seems to forget: – China lied & tried to coverup their failure to contain coronavirus – WHO was validating the communist regime’s false claims – All of this made the global spread of this pandemic much worse https://t.co/jVNCmT7EgC — Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) April 13, 2020
When your hatred for Trump makes you defend a communist government that deliberately hid a virus they knew was spreading around the world. This is a Senator. From the United States. It’s unbelievable. https://t.co/Byr5dL1M42 — Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) April 15, 2020
“We need to hold the Chinese government accountable for their malicious lies and coverup that allowed the coronavirus to spread across the world,” Crenshaw said in a statement.
“The communist regime expelled journalists, silenced whistleblowers, and withheld vital information that delayed the global response to the pandemic. Simply put: their actions cost American lives and livelihoods. This bill will help ensure China’s actions are not without consequences.”
China is a pariah state. https://t.co/cJSK24eCex — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 15, 2020
“By silencing doctors and journalists who tried to warn the world about the coronavirus, the Chinese Communist Party allowed the virus to spread quickly around the globe. Their decision to cover up the virus led to thousands of needless deaths and untold economic harm. It’s only appropriate that we hold the Chinese government accountable for the damage it has caused,” Cotton added.
China is also facing the wrath of political leaders after a new report suggested that the virus did not emerge from a wet market in Wuhan, as the Chinese government has claimed, but from a lab located in that city.
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--California City Dumps 37 Tons of Sand in Skatepark To Keep Kids Out

How much does it take to enforce government restrictions during the era of the coronavirus ?
In San Clemente , California , the answer comes to 37 tons of sand , which the city dumped into Ralph ’ s Skate Court to keep kids away .
The city said it acted because despite issuing social-distancing guidelines and officially closing all parks on April 1 , the skateboard park was still being used .
“ On April 1 , we kind of let it play out to see if users would abide by the closure , ” Samantha Wylie , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beaches , Parks and Recreation Department , told the San Clemente Times .
“ During that [ two-week period ] , we saw people continue to skate the park , groups would gather , kids with their parents ; it became a regular [ occurrence ] .
It appeared the closure was not being abided by.
” TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off Wylie said the action was simply following a trend set by others .
“ The sand was what other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing what other parks have done to enforce that message of social distancing , ” she said .
She claimed that the city ’ s action was an efficient response .
“ We did consider fencing .
Fencing is really difficult to get right now , and we know we ’ ve done fencing at the skatepark before , and it just gets hopped over , ” Wylie said .
“ We also considered security , but there ’ s a cost to that .
The sand , it cost us nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll cost us nothing to remove it .
So that ’ s why we went with that decision.
” Stephanie Aguilar , president of the San Clemente Skatepark Coalition , was not happy with the action , which came without the group being consulted , she told The Orange County Register .
The coalition has raised funds in the past to support the park .
“ It just seems there could have been better communication , which could have helped with the response to everybody , ” Aguilar told the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people within our community who have put a lot of time and money , personal money … to the skatepark.
” RELATED : Elon Musk Fires Back at CNN Over Ventilator Story , Says What 's 'Most Surprising Is that CNN Still Exists' She also said the action produced a terrible image for the city .
“ That visual representation of the city dumping sand into the skatepark , it almost feels like , when you look at it , the city vandalized its own park , and I think it pains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The city ’ s action was not well-received on Twitter : Although Aguilar said she is worried the sand could trap moisture and damage the concrete it is now covering , Wylie said that would not happen , and even if it did , the city could make the repairs .
But Aguilar said the city has shown it has a double standard .
“ Social distancing hasn ’ t been followed in a lot of different areas , whether it ’ s on our trails , tennis courts , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we didn ’ t see the city dump sand on the walking trail , ” she said .
“ We didn ’ t see them dump sand onto any other sport area that ’ s being used .
It just plays into , kind of feeds into that double standard the skate community has been treated with.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

How much does it take to enforce government restrictions during the era of the coronavirus?
In San Clemente, California, the answer comes to 37 tons of sand, which the city dumped into Ralph’s Skate Court to keep kids away.
The city said it acted because despite issuing social-distancing guidelines and officially closing all parks on April 1, the skateboard park was still being used.
“On April 1, we kind of let it play out to see if users would abide by the closure,” Samantha Wylie, the recreation manager for the city’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department, told the San Clemente Times.
“During that [two-week period], we saw people continue to skate the park, groups would gather, kids with their parents; it became a regular [occurrence]. It appeared the closure was not being abided by.”
Wylie said the action was simply following a trend set by others.
“The sand was what other agencies were doing. We’re doing what other parks have done to enforce that message of social distancing,” she said.
She claimed that the city’s action was an efficient response.
“We did consider fencing. Fencing is really difficult to get right now, and we know we’ve done fencing at the skatepark before, and it just gets hopped over,” Wylie said.
Do you think this was an overreaction on the part of the government? Yes No
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“We also considered security, but there’s a cost to that. The sand, it cost us nothing to put it in, [and] it’ll cost us nothing to remove it. So that’s why we went with that decision.”
Stephanie Aguilar, president of the San Clemente Skatepark Coalition, was not happy with the action, which came without the group being consulted, she told The Orange County Register.
The coalition has raised funds in the past to support the park.
“It just seems there could have been better communication, which could have helped with the response to everybody,” Aguilar told the Times.
“There’s a lot of people within our community who have put a lot of time and money, personal money … to the skatepark.”
She also said the action produced a terrible image for the city.
“That visual representation of the city dumping sand into the skatepark, it almost feels like, when you look at it, the city vandalized its own park, and I think it pains people to see it,” Aguilar said.
The city’s action was not well-received on Twitter:
Yet they can’t fix the roads? Another long term ploy to keep people divided! Time to use our Constitutional rights and get these guys out of office! https://t.co/mdPPvg0mHx — houseofhowlers (@houseofhowlers) April 17, 2020
This is the kind of utter madness that this…madness has unleashed on this abused country. https://t.co/twSiki5IdS — Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) April 17, 2020
So city workers filled a skateboard park w 37 TONS of sand to stop people from skating OUTSIDE in the open? Money well spent?!?! — DJ Pat D (@djpatd) April 17, 2020
Although Aguilar said she is worried the sand could trap moisture and damage the concrete it is now covering, Wylie said that would not happen, and even if it did, the city could make the repairs.
But Aguilar said the city has shown it has a double standard.
“Social distancing hasn’t been followed in a lot of different areas, whether it’s on our trails, tennis courts, the basketball courts, the walking paths; we didn’t see the city dump sand on the walking trail,” she said.
“We didn’t see them dump sand onto any other sport area that’s being used. It just plays into, kind of feeds into that double standard the skate community has been treated with.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-18--Doctors Warn of Link Between Marijuana and Bad COVID-19 Symptoms

Vices , while not usually unpopular , are dispiritingly in favor right now as we self-isolate .
The title of a Forbes piece by Jack Kelly from last week lays it out pretty well : “ Americans Are Excessively Eating , Drinking , Smoking Pot , Playing Video Games And Watching Porn While Quarantined.
” Wonderful .
The embrace of one vice in the article caught my eye : marijuana consumption .
Sales of the drug are high ( pun unintended ) in states where it ’ s legal .
“ Illinois marijuana dispensaries , which have remained open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal weed in March , ” Kelly wrote .
“ This happened during a time period in which the state shut almost all other stores and ordered people to remain indoors .
The Los Angeles Times reported that ‘ amid coronavirus siege , California cannabis sales soared.
’ ” One could give this consumption a pass considering marijuana ’ s anti-anxiety effects and the fact we all live in unremitting terror now , huddled in front of our televisions watching “ Tiger King ” and trying to imagine ourselves in Joe Exotic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demented than ours .
TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , Unamused Manager Tells Him Off Unfortunately , if you want to invite the worst-case scenario upon yourself , smoking marijuana could be one of the most effective ways to do it .
According to Business Insider , experts are saying that marijuana smokers may be more likely to contract coronavirus and have serious COVID-19 symptoms than non-smokers .
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos , a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association , warned that marijuana smoking causes cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aiding immune system response to die .
“ A good portion of the world will be infected by [ the coronavirus ] , but the level of severity of symptoms is going to depend on so many variables , from genetic components to just your overall preexisting conditions , ” the pulmonologist told Business Insider .
“ From my standpoint , meshing [ together ] all of the variables that put in things that are not air into your lungs , I would view them all kind of in the same category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best and most efficient data we have is about tobacco and its impact on COVID-19 , ” he added .
“ For e-cigarette and marijuana use , the data isn ’ t as robustly collected , ” but marijuana should be considered in the same category as tobacco when calculating the risk to smokers .
Data from two of the hardest hit countries , pulmonologist Dr. Barry J .
Make said , showed people with respiratory issues had a greater chance of hospitalization from COVID-19 .
“ From China and Italy , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying lung disease , [ they ] have more complications and die more often , ” Make said .
“ So this is the perfect time to stop smoking.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed 7,162 cases for which data on underlying conditions was available .
They found that 9.2 percent of those patients had chronic lung conditions such as asthma , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema .
RELATED : As Big Brother Expands , Gov't Drones Now Tracking Americans ' Body Temps Without Permission These are also conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The lung disease you usually get from smoking and vaping and marijuana doesn ’ t occur until you ’ ve smoked for a number of years and it very slowly develops , ” Make said .
“ A lot of lung disease related to these inhalants are silent until they ’ re very far advanced.
” Even without a chronic disease , Galiatsatos said , marijuana could put you at a higher risk of ending up with a bad case of COVID-19 .
“ We know cigarettes and marijuana both cause cellular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cellular behavior , so that would be a biologically plausible explanation to say if you got an infection from [ COVID-19 ] , you ’ re likely to have more dire symptoms , ” he told Business Insider .
This is enough to even get the people at NORML — the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws , one of the most ardent groups of pro-pot activists — to recommend marijuana users consider a different method of consumption .
“ Individuals should consider that consuming hot smoke from combusted plant material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , especially for those currently showing symptoms , ” Erik Altieri , NORML ’ s executive director , told Rolling Stone for an article titled “ How to Get High Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
” The magazine that once featured Hunter S. Thompson on its masthead has its priorities , after all .
There is another element that those unfamiliar with hacky sacks , meandering Phish live albums and living with your parents until you ’ re 38 might not be acquainted with : Marijuana culture is , at its core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug is apparently best consumed in a circle of people who pass a pipe or a joint around as they share vapid ontological thoughts .
This , in an era of communicable disease , would be particularly unintelligent .
“ Community has always been central to cannabis culture , but given the health crisis we find ourselves in , it is best we think of community a little differently , ” Altieri said .
How much of a risk factor this presents depends on how much you trust the average stoner to comprehend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” share the same etymological root , something that may be difficult for the demographic that once made “ Aqua Teen Hunger Force ” — a plotless , barely coherent adult cartoon featuring anthropomorphic fast-food items — a hit .
Whatever the case , there are an unfortunate number of risk factors that surround inhaled marijuana consumption — Bill Clinton , you ’ re safe — which make it less than ideal in the current environment .
Reality is enough of a downer at the moment , and lung issues plus COVID-19 will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Vices, while not usually unpopular, are dispiritingly in favor right now as we self-isolate.
The title of a Forbes piece by Jack Kelly from last week lays it out pretty well: “Americans Are Excessively Eating, Drinking, Smoking Pot, Playing Video Games And Watching Porn While Quarantined.”
Wonderful. The embrace of one vice in the article caught my eye: marijuana consumption. Sales of the drug are high (pun unintended) in states where it’s legal.
“Illinois marijuana dispensaries, which have remained open, sold almost $36 million worth of legal weed in March,” Kelly wrote. “This happened during a time period in which the state shut almost all other stores and ordered people to remain indoors. The Los Angeles Times reported that ‘amid coronavirus siege, California cannabis sales soared.’”
One could give this consumption a pass considering marijuana’s anti-anxiety effects and the fact we all live in unremitting terror now, huddled in front of our televisions watching “Tiger King” and trying to imagine ourselves in Joe Exotic’s world, which somehow feels less demented than ours.
Unfortunately, if you want to invite the worst-case scenario upon yourself, smoking marijuana could be one of the most effective ways to do it.
According to Business Insider, experts are saying that marijuana smokers may be more likely to contract coronavirus and have serious COVID-19 symptoms than non-smokers.
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, warned that marijuana smoking causes cells in the lungs responsible for removing germs and aiding immune system response to die.
“A good portion of the world will be infected by [the coronavirus], but the level of severity of symptoms is going to depend on so many variables, from genetic components to just your overall preexisting conditions,” the pulmonologist told Business Insider.
Should marijuana be legal? 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: 49% (340 Votes) No: 51% (350 Votes)
“From my standpoint, meshing [together] all of the variables that put in things that are not air into your lungs, I would view them all kind of in the same category,” he continued.
“The best and most efficient data we have is about tobacco and its impact on COVID-19,” he added. “For e-cigarette and marijuana use, the data isn’t as robustly collected,” but marijuana should be considered in the same category as tobacco when calculating the risk to smokers.
Data from two of the hardest hit countries, pulmonologist Dr. Barry J. Make said, showed people with respiratory issues had a greater chance of hospitalization from COVID-19.
“From China and Italy, we see people who developed COVID-19 and had underlying lung disease, [they] have more complications and die more often,” Make said. “So this is the perfect time to stop smoking.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed 7,162 cases for which data on underlying conditions was available. They found that 9.2 percent of those patients had chronic lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.
These are also conditions you may not know you have.
“The lung disease you usually get from smoking and vaping and marijuana doesn’t occur until you’ve smoked for a number of years and it very slowly develops,” Make said.
“A lot of lung disease related to these inhalants are silent until they’re very far advanced.”
Even without a chronic disease, Galiatsatos said, marijuana could put you at a higher risk of ending up with a bad case of COVID-19.
“We know cigarettes and marijuana both cause cellular toxicity and changes in cellular metabolism and cellular behavior, so that would be a biologically plausible explanation to say if you got an infection from [COVID-19], you’re likely to have more dire symptoms,” he told Business Insider.
This is enough to even get the people at NORML — the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, one of the most ardent groups of pro-pot activists — to recommend marijuana users consider a different method of consumption.
“Individuals should consider that consuming hot smoke from combusted plant material can be an irritant to the respiratory system, especially for those currently showing symptoms,” Erik Altieri, NORML’s executive director, told Rolling Stone for an article titled “How to Get High Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic.” The magazine that once featured Hunter S. Thompson on its masthead has its priorities, after all.
There is another element that those unfamiliar with hacky sacks, meandering Phish live albums and living with your parents until you’re 38 might not be acquainted with: Marijuana culture is, at its core, one based around sharing.
The drug is apparently best consumed in a circle of people who pass a pipe or a joint around as they share vapid ontological thoughts.
This, in an era of communicable disease, would be particularly unintelligent.
“Community has always been central to cannabis culture, but given the health crisis we find ourselves in, it is best we think of community a little differently,” Altieri said.
How much of a risk factor this presents depends on how much you trust the average stoner to comprehend that “community” and “communicable” share the same etymological root, something that may be difficult for the demographic that once made “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” — a plotless, barely coherent adult cartoon featuring anthropomorphic fast-food items — a hit.
I have my doubts.
Whatever the case, there are an unfortunate number of risk factors that surround inhaled marijuana consumption — Bill Clinton, you’re safe — which make it less than ideal in the current environment.
Reality is enough of a downer at the moment, and lung issues plus COVID-19 will definitely harsh your mellow.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-18--Poll: Voters Disagree with Biden Over Importance of Race, Gender in Choosing VP

Experience trumps identity politics in a new poll concerning former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s selection of a running mate .
Now that Biden has all but secured the Democratic presidential nomination , the next major step is his selection of a vice presidential candidate .
Biden has said he will pick a woman .
Gender , however , is not the top characteristic Democrats want in their vice president candidate , according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll released Wednesday .
“ While former 2020 candidates have an advantage in name ID , voters place a premium on executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick , ” Morning Consult vice president Tyler Sinclair said .
“ This experience is top of mind for voters amid this pandemic , as seen in the high approval ratings for their governors.
” The survey found that only 29 percent of voters polled said it was important to them that Biden ’ s running mate be female .
Thirty-four percent said it was “ very unimportant.
” Only 22 percent said choosing a non-white running mate was important .
TRENDING : Man Tries Returning Hoard of TP and Hand Sanitizer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those polled said it was important that Biden , 77 , pick a running mate who is younger than he is .
Overall , 66 percent said Biden ’ s pick should have executive experience and 67 percent said the person Biden picks should have legislative experience .
The survey found that only 25 percent said it was important Biden picks someone more liberal than he is .
The survey ’ s margin of error was two percent .
The results were slightly different among the Democratic contingent of those surveyed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that Biden ’ s pick be a person of color while 49 percent said it was important that the pick be a woman .
Although those numbers were higher than in the overall sample , they still trailed the need for experience .
Seventy-nine percent of Democrats said it was important that Biden ’ s running mate have executive experience while 81 percent said it was important that his running mate have legislative experience .
Among Democrats , 53 percent said it was important that Biden pick someone younger than he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he pick someone more liberal than he is .
Many on Twitter are lending their opinions to the debate of whom Biden should pick .
RELATED : Bill Maher Sends Warning to Media : Keep up Dishonest Virus Reporting , and Trump Will Win 2020 Biden has indicated he might have eleven to fifteen names on his list of potential running mates , according to USA Today .
Sens .
Kamala Harris of California , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts — all of whom challenged Biden for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed as potential choices .
Biden has cited Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer as one possible pick .
In its rundown of possible picks , USA Today included Stacey Abrams , who lost the Georgia gubernatorial race in 2018 and has said she wants to be vice president ; Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin ; Rep. Val Demings of Florida ; Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois ; New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ; and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Experience trumps identity politics in a new poll concerning former Vice President Joe Biden’s selection of a running mate.
Now that Biden has all but secured the Democratic presidential nomination, the next major step is his selection of a vice presidential candidate. Biden has said he will pick a woman.
Gender, however, is not the top characteristic Democrats want in their vice president candidate, according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll released Wednesday.
“While former 2020 candidates have an advantage in name ID, voters place a premium on executive and legislative experience for the Democratic vice-presidential pick,” Morning Consult vice president Tyler Sinclair said. “This experience is top of mind for voters amid this pandemic, as seen in the high approval ratings for their governors.”
The survey found that only 29 percent of voters polled said it was important to them that Biden’s running mate be female. Thirty-four percent said it was “very unimportant.” Only 22 percent said choosing a non-white running mate was important.
Forty-eight percent of those polled said it was important that Biden, 77, pick a running mate who is younger than he is. Overall, 66 percent said Biden’s pick should have executive experience and 67 percent said the person Biden picks should have legislative experience.
The survey found that only 25 percent said it was important Biden picks someone more liberal than he is.
The survey’s margin of error was two percent.
The results were slightly different among the Democratic contingent of those surveyed. Thirty-six percent of Democrats said it was important that Biden’s pick be a person of color while 49 percent said it was important that the pick be a woman.
Are you sick of liberal identity politics? 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% (455 Votes) No: 0% (2 Votes)
Although those numbers were higher than in the overall sample, they still trailed the need for experience. Seventy-nine percent of Democrats said it was important that Biden’s running mate have executive experience while 81 percent said it was important that his running mate have legislative experience.
Among Democrats, 53 percent said it was important that Biden pick someone younger than he is while 41 percent said it was important that he pick someone more liberal than he is.
Many on Twitter are lending their opinions to the debate of whom Biden should pick.
OK guys, just putting this out there. I endorse Sen. Kamala Harris for Vice-President of the United States. Biden/Harris — Covie (@roper_93) April 8, 2020
https://t.co/5mNMnJ7Kh1 This is the only thing giving me hope as we watch the march of Biden, who was never my choice. If he picks anyone other than her, basically he won’t win. — Brittney Cooper (@ProfessorCrunk) April 15, 2020
Imagine this Administration: President Joe Biden
Vice-President Stacy Abrams
Treasury Sec. Warren
Sec. Health/Human Serv. Sanders
Attorney General Harris
Sec. of Labor Yang
Sec. of Defense Buttigieg
Sec. of State Klobuchar Each campaigning on how they’d run their own space. ?. — Robert J. DeNault (@robertjdenault) April 8, 2020
Biden has indicated he might have eleven to fifteen names on his list of potential running mates, according to USA Today.
Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts — all of whom challenged Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination — are among those listed as potential choices.
Biden has cited Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as one possible pick.
In its rundown of possible picks, USA Today included Stacey Abrams, who lost the Georgia gubernatorial race in 2018 and has said she wants to be vice president; Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin; Rep. Val Demings of Florida; Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois; New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham; and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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