westernjournal--2020-01-11--Bottom Half of Households Nearly 50% Richer Under Trump

The Trump economy is giving the greatest benefits to those who have been at the bottom , according to new data from the Council of Economic Advisers .
Data released by the CEA shows that over 11 quarters from the end of 2016 through the first half of 2019 , the net wealth of the top 1 percent of American households rose 13 percent .
However , that rise is dwarfed by the 47 percent increase seen by the bottom 50 percent of America ’ s households over that same period .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tandem with a jobs report that showed America ’ s unemployment rate remained at a record low in December , the White House released a report revealing that since January 2017 , when Trump took office , Americans at the lower end of the wage scale have seen transformative wage hikes .
The report said that on average , workers ’ pay has been rising faster than that of managers , and wage gains for Americans without a bachelor ’ s degree are rising faster than those for Americans with a bachelor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in keeping with Trump ’ s campaign promise to lift up black Americans , “ average wage growth for African Americans now outpaces wage growth for white Americans , ” according to the White House report .
America ’ s labor force is growing because Americans who were not formerly even looking for jobs are now employed , the report said .
“ In the fourth quarter of 2019 , 74.2 percent of workers entering employment came from out of the labor force rather than from unemployment , which is the highest share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This influx of workers has brought the labor force participation rate for prime-age adults ( ages 25-54 ) up to 82.9 percent in December—1.6 percentage points above the rate in November 2016 , ” the report said .
Varney also called the stock market ’ s gain of 11,000 points since Trump ’ s election “ an explosive rally ” and argued the market ’ s growth is part of an expansion of the wealth of the American economy by $ 12.8 trillion .
Pointing out that the economy added an average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House tried to put this number into context .
“ To put that growth into perspective , the U.S. economy needs to create around 70,000 jobs a month to keep pace with working-age population growth .
Any employment growth above this level is typically from workers coming off the sidelines .
With employment gains surpassing 100,000 in 34 of the 37 months since the 2016 election , and the economy adding jobs in each month , this is precisely what is happening under President Trump , ” the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 've Never Heard Of Is California Lawyer Robert O'Brien The Labor Department ’ s December jobs numbers , meanwhile , showed that women now are the majority in the American workforce .
“ Why is today a milestone ?
It ’ s a milestone because it ’ s really heralding the future and not just telling us where we are today , ” Betsey Stevenson , a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan , told The Washington Post .
Larry Kudlow , director of the National Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political ramifications .
“ This stuff will translate in the election , I ’ m surprised the Democrats are so pessimistic painting a picture of a deep recession , ” Kudlow told The Post .
“ The key point here is 3.5 percent unemployment continues , and that is a very low number historically and shows you still have a healthy economy and healthy job market.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Trump economy is giving the greatest benefits to those who have been at the bottom, according to new data from the Council of Economic Advisers.
Data released by the CEA shows that over 11 quarters from the end of 2016 through the first half of 2019, the net wealth of the top 1 percent of American households rose 13 percent. However, that rise is dwarfed by the 47 percent increase seen by the bottom 50 percent of America’s households over that same period.
??? Under @realDonaldTrump real net wealth held by the bottom half of households has grown by nearly 50% — that’s over 3 times the rate of increase for the top 1% of households! pic.twitter.com/6UJInbh7zA — CEA (@WhiteHouseCEA) January 10, 2020
That’s not all.
In tandem with a jobs report that showed America’s unemployment rate remained at a record low in December, the White House released a report revealing that since January 2017, when Trump took office, Americans at the lower end of the wage scale have seen transformative wage hikes.
The report said that on average, workers’ pay has been rising faster than that of managers, and wage gains for Americans without a bachelor’s degree are rising faster than those for Americans with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
And, in keeping with Trump’s campaign promise to lift up black Americans, “average wage growth for African Americans now outpaces wage growth for white Americans,” according to the White House report.
America’s labor force is growing because Americans who were not formerly even looking for jobs are now employed, the report said.
Do you think President Trump has followed through on his economic campaign promises? 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% (120 Votes) No: 2% (3 Votes)
“In the fourth quarter of 2019, 74.2 percent of workers entering employment came from out of the labor force rather than from unemployment, which is the highest share since the series began in 1990. This influx of workers has brought the labor force participation rate for prime-age adults (ages 25-54) up to 82.9 percent in December—1.6 percentage points above the rate in November 2016,” the report said.
Speaking Friday on Fox News, commentator Stuart Varney called December’s 3.5 percent unemployment rate “historically, extremely low.”
Varney also called the stock market’s gain of 11,000 points since Trump’s election “an explosive rally” and argued the market’s growth is part of an expansion of the wealth of the American economy by $12.8 trillion.
Pointing out that the economy added an average of 176,000 jobs per month in 2019, the White House tried to put this number into context.
“To put that growth into perspective, the U.S. economy needs to create around 70,000 jobs a month to keep pace with working-age population growth. Any employment growth above this level is typically from workers coming off the sidelines. With employment gains surpassing 100,000 in 34 of the 37 months since the 2016 election, and the economy adding jobs in each month, this is precisely what is happening under President Trump,” the report said.
The Labor Department’s December jobs numbers, meanwhile, showed that women now are the majority in the American workforce.
“Why is today a milestone? It’s a milestone because it’s really heralding the future and not just telling us where we are today,” Betsey Stevenson, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, told The Washington Post.
Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said the jobs report has political ramifications.
“This stuff will translate in the election, I’m surprised the Democrats are so pessimistic painting a picture of a deep recession,” Kudlow told The Post. “The key point here is 3.5 percent unemployment continues, and that is a very low number historically and shows you still have a healthy economy and healthy job market.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-11--Adam Schiff Faces Impeachment Fallout as Celeb Dr. Drew Mulls Primarying Him

Dr. Drew Pinsky has plans for his life that do not include politics .
However , the reality-show star and addiction expert said that the state of decay he sees on California ’ s streets and in Washington politics may force his hand .
“ I was watching all the impeachment proceedings and I was going , ‘ Oh my God , our Congress is tied up and we ’ re dying out here in California .
What are these people doing ?
’ ” Pinsky said in a recent interview , according to The Hill .
Pinsky lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Schiff , one of the architects of House Democrats ’ impeachment effort against President Donald Trump .
He said that if he runs , he would run in a Democratic primary against Schiff .
“ I thought , ‘ Oh my God , I have to run for that office at least just to get him to start participating in the governance of this region , ' ” he said .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' “ People have sort of been swirling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you should run for mayor.
’ Well I didn ’ t really want that job .
‘ Well , you should run for governor.
’ Well , that ’ s not really possible .
So I was sort of thinking about these things , ” Pinsky said .
Pinsky said Beltway politics are bad , but the streets of Los Angeles are worse .
“ I wake up every day and drive through this town and I am morally moved where I feel like I have to do something , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying in our streets.
” In a May interview with Laura Ingraham , Pinsky said the condition of Los Angeles is terrifying .
“ I can ’ t believe I live in a city where — this is not third-world , this is medieval .
Third-world countries are insulted if they are accused of being like this .
No city on earth tolerates this .
The entire population is at risk .
And God forbid measles .
This is a population that ’ s suboptimally immunized .
If measles gets in , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my knees in the gutter tending to people , ” he said then , according to Real Clear Politics .
In an October appearance on “ Fox & Friends , ” he focused on the homelessness crisis in California .
“ The ideology is — this is a housing crisis .
Period .
End of story .
It ’ s income inequality .
It ’ s not .
It is a mental health crisis , ” he said .
“ If you don ’ t wake up from that theological fog , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people die on the streets every day in Los Angeles county .
Three every day , and people who get in the way of treating those people are murderers .
They are , and I ’ m sick of it.
” RELATED : Trump on Why He Did n't Tell Congress About Soleimani Attack : They Would 've Leaked It Pinsky said the homeless have “ lots of mental health issues .
We started this back in the 1960s , which was eviscerating the state mental health system.
” “ We belched people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and the prisons .
We ’ ve mostly taken them out of the prisons and we ’ ve pushed them out onto the street .
It ’ s awful … [ it ] will not work unless you provide the services necessary to get well , ” he added , according to Fox News .
Pinsky said he has no love for elected office but is growing tired of seeing problems grow while elected officials do nothing .
“ Believe me , I don ’ t want to , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change my whole life , and I ’ m not really prepared to do that just yet.
” He said he ’ s open to other ways to change the state for the better .
“ Point me in another direction where we can help the citizens of California , please .
I ’ m all ears , ” he said .
“ But the fact that I keep thinking about it tells me how profound the problems are that I feel obliged to maybe turn my life upside down just to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dr. Drew Pinsky has plans for his life that do not include politics. However, the reality-show star and addiction expert said that the state of decay he sees on California’s streets and in Washington politics may force his hand.
“I was watching all the impeachment proceedings and I was going, ‘Oh my God, our Congress is tied up and we’re dying out here in California. What are these people doing?’” Pinsky said in a recent interview, according to The Hill.
Pinsky lives in the district of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, one of the architects of House Democrats’ impeachment effort against President Donald Trump. He said that if he runs, he would run in a Democratic primary against Schiff.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I have to run for that office at least just to get him to start participating in the governance of this region,'” he said.
“I pray you run. Dr Drew Pinsky you would be such a breath of fresh air for California.” https://t.co/F8CQePJ3N6 — Maynie Kuo (@chattymaynie) January 9, 2020
“People have sort of been swirling around me, going, ‘Oh, you should run for mayor.’ Well I didn’t really want that job. ‘Well, you should run for governor.’ Well, that’s not really possible. So I was sort of thinking about these things,” Pinsky said.
Pinsky said Beltway politics are bad, but the streets of Los Angeles are worse.
“I wake up every day and drive through this town and I am morally moved where I feel like I have to do something,” he said. “We have people literally dying in our streets.”
Would you vote for Dr. Drew over Adam Schiff? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (4247 Votes) No: 1% (45 Votes)
In a May interview with Laura Ingraham, Pinsky said the condition of Los Angeles is terrifying.
“I can’t believe I live in a city where — this is not third-world, this is medieval. Third-world countries are insulted if they are accused of being like this. No city on earth tolerates this. The entire population is at risk. And God forbid measles. This is a population that’s suboptimally immunized. If measles gets in, I just have an image of myself on my knees in the gutter tending to people,” he said then, according to Real Clear Politics.
In an October appearance on “Fox & Friends,” he focused on the homelessness crisis in California.
“The ideology is — this is a housing crisis. Period. End of story. It’s income inequality. It’s not. It is a mental health crisis,” he said.
“If you don’t wake up from that theological fog, more people are going to die. Three people die on the streets every day in Los Angeles county. Three every day, and people who get in the way of treating those people are murderers. They are, and I’m sick of it.”
Pinsky said the homeless have “lots of mental health issues. We started this back in the 1960s, which was eviscerating the state mental health system.”
“We belched people out onto the streets, the nursing homes and the prisons. We’ve mostly taken them out of the prisons and we’ve pushed them out onto the street. It’s awful … [it] will not work unless you provide the services necessary to get well,” he added, according to Fox News.
Pinsky said he has no love for elected office but is growing tired of seeing problems grow while elected officials do nothing.
“Believe me, I don’t want to,” he said. “I’d have to change my whole life, and I’m not really prepared to do that just yet.”
He said he’s open to other ways to change the state for the better.
“Point me in another direction where we can help the citizens of California, please. I’m all ears,” he said. “But the fact that I keep thinking about it tells me how profound the problems are that I feel obliged to maybe turn my life upside down just to get things governed out here.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-11--There’s So Much More at Stake in 2020 Than Just the Presidency – and Democrats Know It

The reins of political power in the U.S. for the next decade could be determined in this year ’ s elections — not necessarily by who wins the presidency , but by thousands of lower-profile contests for state legislative seats across the country .
In many states , the winners of those legislative races will have a role in drawing new districts for Congress or state legislatures based on the 2020 census .
If a political party can win control of those state legislative chambers now , it can draw voting districts to boost its chances in future elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election when it comes to redistricting , because it is the election that will set the players in place who will do redistricting come 2021 , ” said Wendy Underhill , director of elections and redistricting for the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Voters will be electing more than 5,000 state lawmakers in 35 states who will play a significant role in crafting or passing new maps for Congress or state House and Senate districts .
Voters also will be electing governors in eight states who could enact or veto those maps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 10 years .
That population count then is used to redraw districts for the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislative chambers .
States that grow rapidly can gain congressional seats while those that fail to keep pace can lose seats .
Migration among cities , suburbs and rural areas also can lead to changes in district lines to try to equalize the number of residents in each voting jurisdiction .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' Seven states have only one congressional district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remaining 43 states , eight use redistricting commissions for Congress that leave little or no role for the state legislature .
Eleven of the 50 states rely on independent commissions for redistricting their state House and Senate seats .
The rest involve lawmakers in the process , and most also give governors a say .
Republicans generally outmaneuvered Democrats during the last round of redistricting by converting big wins in the 2010 state elections into favorable maps for the future .
Democrats successfully challenged some of those maps in court , forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have remained in place for the full decade .
This time , Democrats are pouring more money into the redistricting fight .
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has boosted its fundraising target from about $ 10 million during the 2009-2010 election cycle to $ 50 million in the 2019-2020 elections .
Various Democratic-aligned groups are kicking in tens of millions more , including the National Democratic Redistricting Committee led by former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder .
“ We ’ ve got the next 10 years of politics at stake in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications director for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee .
The Republican State Leadership Committee , which calls its redistricting campaign “ Right Lines 2020 , ” hasn ’ t disclosed a fundraising goal for the year .
But it had a target of as much as $ 50 million for state legislative and down-ballot statewide races during the 2017-18 election cycle .
“ This is the long-term investment , ” Republican State Leadership Committee President Austin Chambers said .
“ This is about making sure that we have a congressional majority and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local level for the next decade.
” Four of the biggest redistricting prizes in the 2020 legislative elections are Texas , Florida , North Carolina and Georgia .
Those states combined account for 90 U.S. House seats , one-fifth of the nationwide total , and Republicans currently hold more than 60 percent of them .
Texas , Florida and North Carolina all are projected to gain congressional seats because of their population growth , which would give the party in power an opportunity to shape new districts to their liking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Stay Away from Obamacare for Now All four states have complete Republican control in their state legislatures , giving them an edge in redistricting , although Florida ’ s constitution says districts can ’ t be drawn to favor a political party .
Texas , Florida and Georgia also have Republican governors who were elected to four-year terms in 2018 .
Texas has 36 U.S. House seats , second only to California , and the potential to gain as many as three more because of its rapid growth .
“ The reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redistricting , ” said Vicky Hausman , co-founder of Forward Majority , a Democratic organization that is targeting key Republican-led legislatures in the 2020 elections .
If Democrats could flip control of at least one legislative chamber in GOP-led states , they could gain leverage for redistricting compromises that could increase their odds of winning future elections and building their majority in Congress .
“ A lot of where we ’ re trying to win would be disruption , like Texas , that has to force Democrats and Republicans to work together for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee .
In North Carolina , all congressional and some state legislative candidates will be running under newly redrawn districts this year after state courts stopped the use of prior maps drawn by the Republican-led Legislature .
Democrats had argued that the old districts were an example of extreme partisan gerrymandering .
Republicans hold 10 of North Carolina ’ s 13 seats in the U.S. House , even though statewide elections between Republicans and Democrats are usually close .
Democrats would need to gain five state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flip control of the chambers .
North Carolina ’ s governor , a Democrat who is up for re-election in 2020 , is irrelevant in redistricting because the office has no power to sign or veto the plans passed by the Legislature .
North Carolina “ is going to be one of the top spends for our committee in 2020 , and we ’ re going to do everything in our power to maintain the state House and the state Senate , ” said Chambers , of the Republican state committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ target for the political parties .
After the 2010 census , Republicans controlled the House , Senate , governor ’ s office and other key executive offices that gave them firm control over redistricting .
Republicans still control Ohio government .
But a pair of constitutional amendments approved by voters since the last census have changed the redistricting process to inject greater bipartisanship .
After the 2020 census , a congressional redistricting plan must receive a 60 percent vote in both the House and Senate — including support from at least half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to last for the full decade .
A similar bipartisan threshold is required from the commission of elected officials that handles state legislative redistricting .
Winning control of the Ohio House or Senate would be difficult for Democrats , yet each seat they can gain will increase the number of Democratic votes needed for the Republican majorities to enact new districts .
Slim margins also could make a big difference in the historically Republican state of Kansas .
Gov .
Laura Kelly , a Democrat , will be able to veto redistricting plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question is whether Republicans will have the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto and be able to stick together if they do .
In the Senate , Republicans currently hold 29 of the 40 seats — two more than the override threshold .
In the House , Republicans hold 84 of the 125 seats — exactly what ’ s needed for an override .
In some states with politically divided governments , Democrats will be making a play in the 2020 elections to win full control of redistricting while Republicans will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the table .
Minnesota currently is the only state where Democrats control one legislative chamber and Republicans the other .
But the 75-59 Democratic majority in the House is more solid than the 35-32 Republican majority in the Senate .
If Democrats gain two Senate seats , they would hold the trifecta of redistricting power , because they already control the governor ’ s office .
In New Hampshire , the redistricting battle centers around the 2020 gubernatorial election .
Democrats currently control the state House and Senate while the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sununu , who is running for re-election .
In August , Sununu vetoed a bipartisan measure that would have created an independent commission to redraw the state ’ s legislative districts .
Sununu said there was no need for it because the current process — which allows the governor to veto redistricting plans passed by the legislature — is fair .
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also are redistricting targets for both Democrats and Republicans .
Both states have Democratic governors who aren ’ t up for re-election in 2020 and Republican legislative majorities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ override vetoes .
Unless one party wins big in the 2020 legislative elections , compromise may be necessary during the next round of congressional redistricting .
The 2020 elections won ’ t matter at all in some states — at least not when it comes to redistricting .
That ’ s the case in the nation ’ s most populous state of California , which will use a 14-member citizens commission to draw its congressional and state legislative districts after the 2020 census .
Not only are lawmakers excluded from the commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees , political party officials , campaign staff members , lobbyists and big political donors .
The only role for state legislative leaders is in whittling down the list of applicants before the members — five Republicans , five Democrats and four independents — are randomly selected .
Michigan had been expected to be a big redistricting battleground in the 2020 legislative elections .
But a ballot measure approved in 2018 by voters created an independent commission to handle the task that had previously been the domain of the legislature and governor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to California ’ s .
Other states with independent redistricting commissions include Arizona , Colorado , Hawaii , Idaho , Montana , New Jersey and Washington .
Missouri and Pennsylvania use independent commissions only for state legislative districts , not congressional ones , so the 2020 elections still can have an impact on redistricting in those states .
Though Republicans aren ’ t likely to lose their grip on Missouri ’ s legislature , Democrats are mounting a challenging to the incumbent GOP governor this year .
The Associated Press contributed to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The reins of political power in the U.S. for the next decade could be determined in this year’s elections — not necessarily by who wins the presidency, but by thousands of lower-profile contests for state legislative seats across the country.
In many states, the winners of those legislative races will have a role in drawing new districts for Congress or state legislatures based on the 2020 census. If a political party can win control of those state legislative chambers now, it can draw voting districts to boost its chances in future elections.
“The 2020 election is the premier election when it comes to redistricting, because it is the election that will set the players in place who will do redistricting come 2021,” said Wendy Underhill, director of elections and redistricting for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Voters will be electing more than 5,000 state lawmakers in 35 states who will play a significant role in crafting or passing new maps for Congress or state House and Senate districts. Voters also will be electing governors in eight states who could enact or veto those maps.
The Constitution requires a census once every 10 years. That population count then is used to redraw districts for the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislative chambers. States that grow rapidly can gain congressional seats while those that fail to keep pace can lose seats. Migration among cities, suburbs and rural areas also can lead to changes in district lines to try to equalize the number of residents in each voting jurisdiction.
Seven states have only one congressional district because of their small populations. Of the remaining 43 states, eight use redistricting commissions for Congress that leave little or no role for the state legislature. Eleven of the 50 states rely on independent commissions for redistricting their state House and Senate seats. The rest involve lawmakers in the process, and most also give governors a say.
Republicans generally outmaneuvered Democrats during the last round of redistricting by converting big wins in the 2010 state elections into favorable maps for the future. Democrats successfully challenged some of those maps in court, forcing them to be redrawn, but others have remained in place for the full decade.
This time, Democrats are pouring more money into the redistricting fight. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has boosted its fundraising target from about $10 million during the 2009-2010 election cycle to $50 million in the 2019-2020 elections.
Various Democratic-aligned groups are kicking in tens of millions more, including the National Democratic Redistricting Committee led by former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder.
Do you think the Democrats are more organized around redistricting this year than the Republicans are? 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: 53% (21 Votes) No: 47% (19 Votes)
“We’ve got the next 10 years of politics at stake in these elections,” said Patrick Rodenbush, communications director for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.
The Republican State Leadership Committee, which calls its redistricting campaign “Right Lines 2020,” hasn’t disclosed a fundraising goal for the year. But it had a target of as much as $50 million for state legislative and down-ballot statewide races during the 2017-18 election cycle.
“This is the long-term investment,” Republican State Leadership Committee President Austin Chambers said. “This is about making sure that we have a congressional majority and a conservative majority across the country at the state and local level for the next decade.”
The Big Four
Four of the biggest redistricting prizes in the 2020 legislative elections are Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. Those states combined account for 90 U.S. House seats, one-fifth of the nationwide total, and Republicans currently hold more than 60 percent of them. Texas, Florida and North Carolina all are projected to gain congressional seats because of their population growth, which would give the party in power an opportunity to shape new districts to their liking.
All four states have complete Republican control in their state legislatures, giving them an edge in redistricting, although Florida’s constitution says districts can’t be drawn to favor a political party. Texas, Florida and Georgia also have Republican governors who were elected to four-year terms in 2018.
Texas has 36 U.S. House seats, second only to California, and the potential to gain as many as three more because of its rapid growth.
“The reality is Texas is the crown jewel of redistricting,” said Vicky Hausman, co-founder of Forward Majority, a Democratic organization that is targeting key Republican-led legislatures in the 2020 elections.
If Democrats could flip control of at least one legislative chamber in GOP-led states, they could gain leverage for redistricting compromises that could increase their odds of winning future elections and building their majority in Congress.
“A lot of where we’re trying to win would be disruption, like Texas, that has to force Democrats and Republicans to work together for maps,” said Matt Harringer, press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
In North Carolina, all congressional and some state legislative candidates will be running under newly redrawn districts this year after state courts stopped the use of prior maps drawn by the Republican-led Legislature. Democrats had argued that the old districts were an example of extreme partisan gerrymandering. Republicans hold 10 of North Carolina’s 13 seats in the U.S. House, even though statewide elections between Republicans and Democrats are usually close.
Democrats would need to gain five state Senate seats and six state House seats to flip control of the chambers. North Carolina’s governor, a Democrat who is up for re-election in 2020, is irrelevant in redistricting because the office has no power to sign or veto the plans passed by the Legislature.
North Carolina “is going to be one of the top spends for our committee in 2020, and we’re going to do everything in our power to maintain the state House and the state Senate,” said Chambers, of the Republican state committee.
Margins Matter
Ohio has long been a top redistricting target for the political parties. After the 2010 census, Republicans controlled the House, Senate, governor’s office and other key executive offices that gave them firm control over redistricting. Republicans still control Ohio government.
But a pair of constitutional amendments approved by voters since the last census have changed the redistricting process to inject greater bipartisanship. After the 2020 census, a congressional redistricting plan must receive a 60 percent vote in both the House and Senate — including support from at least half the minority party members in each chamber — to last for the full decade. A similar bipartisan threshold is required from the commission of elected officials that handles state legislative redistricting.
Winning control of the Ohio House or Senate would be difficult for Democrats, yet each seat they can gain will increase the number of Democratic votes needed for the Republican majorities to enact new districts.
Slim margins also could make a big difference in the historically Republican state of Kansas.
Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, will be able to veto redistricting plans passed by the Republican-led Legislature. The question is whether Republicans will have the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto and be able to stick together if they do. In the Senate, Republicans currently hold 29 of the 40 seats — two more than the override threshold. In the House, Republicans hold 84 of the 125 seats — exactly what’s needed for an override.
Split Power
In some states with politically divided governments, Democrats will be making a play in the 2020 elections to win full control of redistricting while Republicans will be seeking to hold on to a seat at the table.
Minnesota currently is the only state where Democrats control one legislative chamber and Republicans the other. But the 75-59 Democratic majority in the House is more solid than the 35-32 Republican majority in the Senate. If Democrats gain two Senate seats, they would hold the trifecta of redistricting power, because they already control the governor’s office.
In New Hampshire, the redistricting battle centers around the 2020 gubernatorial election. Democrats currently control the state House and Senate while the governor’s office is held by Republican Chris Sununu, who is running for re-election. In August, Sununu vetoed a bipartisan measure that would have created an independent commission to redraw the state’s legislative districts. Sununu said there was no need for it because the current process — which allows the governor to veto redistricting plans passed by the legislature — is fair.
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also are redistricting targets for both Democrats and Republicans. Both states have Democratic governors who aren’t up for re-election in 2020 and Republican legislative majorities that remain short of the threshold needed to override vetoes. Unless one party wins big in the 2020 legislative elections, compromise may be necessary during the next round of congressional redistricting.
Redistricting Bystanders
The 2020 elections won’t matter at all in some states — at least not when it comes to redistricting.
That’s the case in the nation’s most populous state of California, which will use a 14-member citizens commission to draw its congressional and state legislative districts after the 2020 census. Not only are lawmakers excluded from the commission, but so are other federal and state employees, political party officials, campaign staff members, lobbyists and big political donors.
The only role for state legislative leaders is in whittling down the list of applicants before the members — five Republicans, five Democrats and four independents — are randomly selected.
Michigan had been expected to be a big redistricting battleground in the 2020 legislative elections. But a ballot measure approved in 2018 by voters created an independent commission to handle the task that had previously been the domain of the legislature and governor. Michigan’s process is now similar to California’s.
Other states with independent redistricting commissions include Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey and Washington.
Missouri and Pennsylvania use independent commissions only for state legislative districts, not congressional ones, so the 2020 elections still can have an impact on redistricting in those states.
Though Republicans aren’t likely to lose their grip on Missouri’s legislature, Democrats are mounting a challenging to the incumbent GOP governor this year.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-11--Nearly 100% of Up-&-Coming Dems Disagree America Is the Greatest Country in the World

It ’ s a quote that ’ s commonly , but inaccurately , attributed to Winston Churchill : “ If you ’ re not a liberal when you ’ re 25 , you have no heart .
If you ’ re not a conservative by the time you ’ re 35 , you have no brain.
” As the International Churchill Society notes , the ol ’ bulldog was a Tory at the age of 15 and a liberal at age 35 .
( He ’ d eventually find his brain . )
However , it ’ s a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted : Young liberals will eventually age out of their more extreme opinions and , if not become card-carrying Republicans , at least become moderates .
One hopes that ’ s true — especially in the area of patriotism .
As it stands now , according to the results of a poll released Wednesday , 95 percent of young Democrats don ’ t think the United States is the greatest country in the world .
The Pew Research Center ’ s headline is a masterpiece of understatement : “ Younger Americans more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries that are better than the U.S. ” TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' How much more likely ?
Forty-seven percent of young Americans between the ages of 18-29 who identified as Democrats or lean Democratic said they believe there are better countries than the United States .
Another 48 percent said the United States is only among the greatest countries , not the greatest .
Just 5 percent said that the United States is the greatest country in the world .
Among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t much better .
Only 7 percent said America is the world ’ s greatest nation , compared with 59 percent who said it ’ s one of the greatest nations and 34 percent who felt there were better countries .
Young Republicans , meanwhile , were far more likely to say America was the greatest country in the world ; 34 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 ranked it as number one while 47 percent said it was among the top nations .
Only 19 percent said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 24 percent of total respondents of all ages felt that America was the world ’ s greatest nation , 55 percent said they thought it was among the greatest nations and 21 percent thought there were other , better nations out there .
The survey of 9,895 respondents was conducted between Sept. 3 and Sept. 15 , 2019 , and had a margin of error of plus- or minus-1.5 percentage points .
RELATED : New York Times Frets About 'Political Overtones ' of Airing National Anthem on TV “ Views of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long been divided along partisan lines , ” the Pew Research Center said .
But these differences have widened in recent years as Democrats have become more likely to say there are other countries that are better than the U.S. “ In telephone surveys , the share of Democrats saying this is higher than at any point since the question was first asked by Pew Research Center in 2011 , and there has been a corresponding decline in the share saying the U.S. stands above other nations , ” Pew reported .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election , either .
In 2011 , the first time the question was asked , 31 percent of those who identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic and were polled over the phone said the United States was the greatest country in the world .
That number was down to 23 percent in 2014 and 2015 .
In 2017 , it was down to 19 percent .
In 2019 , 15 percent .
Opinions about America ’ s position as the world ’ s preeminent military superpower were also troubling among young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s status as a military superpower , a majority of adults ( 61 % ) say that U.S. policies should try to maintain the country ’ s position as the only military superpower , while 36 % say it would be acceptable if another country were to become as militarily powerful , ” Pew stated .
“ Mirroring age divides in attitudes about U.S. exceptionalism , younger adults are more likely than older adults to say it would be acceptable if another country became as militarily powerful as the U.S. “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats under age 30 say it would be acceptable if other nations became as militarily powerful as the U.S. , while Democrats ages 30 to 49 are divided on this question .
Democrats 50 and older are more likely to say policies should try to keep it so the U.S. remains militarily superior than to say it would be acceptable for another country to gain similar military strength ( 57 % vs. 39 % ) .
” Meanwhile , among Republicans under 30 , 60 percent said that America ’ s policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the only military superpower , compared with 38 percent who found it acceptable if other nations were to surpass us militarily .
It ’ s unclear whether these young Democrats understood that if a nation were to overtake the United States militarily , it wouldn ’ t be those friendly Swedish socialists , who finally figured out how to mount hypersonic guided missiles atop their stealth Volvos .
Volvo , it ’ s worth noting , is now under Chinese ownership — as will be much of the South China Sea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States is no longer the preeminent military superpower in the world .
There ’ s a reason why Beijing recently held joint naval drills with Iran and Russia , and it wasn ’ t because they want those nations to step up and become more responsible members of the international community .
It ’ s ironic that the Democrats are usually the ones who squeal about both-sidesism — the horrible thought crime of looking at the excesses of the right and of the left through the same lens and thinking they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just that they don ’ t think America is the greatest country in the world .
This is dispiriting but hardly surprising .
Rather , it ’ s the kind of credulousness it takes to believe that the United States and the world ’ s other military superpowers are morally equivalent enough that it will hardly matter if the mantle is passed .
If young Democrats don ’ t think it will matter much what superpower can use the proverbial big stick most effectively to get their way diplomatically , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and they ’ ll find out with a decided swiftness why the United States is the greatest country on Earth .
At that point , however , it won ’ t particularly matter .
Liberalism may indeed be an inherent tendency of youth .
You hope that these are the kinds of opinions people grow out of .
There are reasons to suspect otherwise , however .
The Democratic Party has now been handed over , in part , to doomsday prophets like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change our system but who fundamentally reject its precepts .
President Donald Trump ’ s election didn ’ t spark this trend , but it certainly accelerated it .
We have an entire party that can now only be proud of its own country if they ’ re the ones in power — and even then the pride is questionable .
In short , the safe assumption that these are the kinds of opinions people age out of is anything but safe .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .

It’s a quote that’s commonly, but inaccurately, attributed to Winston Churchill: “If you’re not a liberal when you’re 25, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative by the time you’re 35, you have no brain.”
As the International Churchill Society notes, the ol’ bulldog was a Tory at the age of 15 and a liberal at age 35. (He’d eventually find his brain.)
However, it’s a bit of folk wisdom that we take for granted: Young liberals will eventually age out of their more extreme opinions and, if not become card-carrying Republicans, at least become moderates.
One hopes that’s true — especially in the area of patriotism. As it stands now, according to the results of a poll released Wednesday, 95 percent of young Democrats don’t think the United States is the greatest country in the world.
The Pew Research Center’s headline is a masterpiece of understatement: “Younger Americans more likely than older adults to say there are other countries that are better than the U.S.”
How much more likely?
Forty-seven percent of young Americans between the ages of 18-29 who identified as Democrats or lean Democratic said they believe there are better countries than the United States. Another 48 percent said the United States is only among the greatest countries, not the greatest.
Just 5 percent said that the United States is the greatest country in the world.
Among those ages 30-49, the numbers weren’t much better. Only 7 percent said America is the world’s greatest nation, compared with 59 percent who said it’s one of the greatest nations and 34 percent who felt there were better countries.
Do you think America is the greatest country in the world? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (1021 Votes) No: 1% (8 Votes)
Young Republicans, meanwhile, were far more likely to say America was the greatest country in the world; 34 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 ranked it as number one while 47 percent said it was among the top nations.
Only 19 percent said there were other, better nations.
Overall, 24 percent of total respondents of all ages felt that America was the world’s greatest nation, 55 percent said they thought it was among the greatest nations and 21 percent thought there were other, better nations out there.
The survey of 9,895 respondents was conducted between Sept. 3 and Sept. 15, 2019, and had a margin of error of plus- or minus-1.5 percentage points.
“Views of how the U.S. compares with other countries have long been divided along partisan lines,” the Pew Research Center said.
But these differences have widened in recent years as Democrats have become more likely to say there are other countries that are better than the U.S.
“In telephone surveys, the share of Democrats saying this is higher than at any point since the question was first asked by Pew Research Center in 2011, and there has been a corresponding decline in the share saying the U.S. stands above other nations,” Pew reported.
This isn’t just a function of the 2016 election, either.
In 2011, the first time the question was asked, 31 percent of those who identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic and were polled over the phone said the United States was the greatest country in the world. That number was down to 23 percent in 2014 and 2015.
In 2017, it was down to 19 percent. In 2019, 15 percent.
Opinions about America’s position as the world’s preeminent military superpower were also troubling among young Democrats.
“When it comes to America’s status as a military superpower, a majority of adults (61%) say that U.S. policies should try to maintain the country’s position as the only military superpower, while 36% say it would be acceptable if another country were to become as militarily powerful,” Pew stated.
“Mirroring age divides in attitudes about U.S. exceptionalism, younger adults are more likely than older adults to say it would be acceptable if another country became as militarily powerful as the U.S.
“A narrow majority (55%) of Democrats under age 30 say it would be acceptable if other nations became as militarily powerful as the U.S., while Democrats ages 30 to 49 are divided on this question. Democrats 50 and older are more likely to say policies should try to keep it so the U.S. remains militarily superior than to say it would be acceptable for another country to gain similar military strength (57% vs. 39%).”
Meanwhile, among Republicans under 30, 60 percent said that America’s policies should be aimed at maintaining our position as the only military superpower, compared with 38 percent who found it acceptable if other nations were to surpass us militarily.
It’s unclear whether these young Democrats understood that if a nation were to overtake the United States militarily, it wouldn’t be those friendly Swedish socialists, who finally figured out how to mount hypersonic guided missiles atop their stealth Volvos.
Volvo, it’s worth noting, is now under Chinese ownership — as will be much of the South China Sea and, indeed, much of Asia if the United States is no longer the preeminent military superpower in the world.
There’s a reason why Beijing recently held joint naval drills with Iran and Russia, and it wasn’t because they want those nations to step up and become more responsible members of the international community.
It’s ironic that the Democrats are usually the ones who squeal about both-sidesism — the horrible thought crime of looking at the excesses of the right and of the left through the same lens and thinking they’re equally troublesome.
It isn’t just that they don’t think America is the greatest country in the world.
This is dispiriting but hardly surprising.
Rather, it’s the kind of credulousness it takes to believe that the United States and the world’s other military superpowers are morally equivalent enough that it will hardly matter if the mantle is passed.
If young Democrats don’t think it will matter much what superpower can use the proverbial big stick most effectively to get their way diplomatically, they’re in for quite a shock — and they’ll find out with a decided swiftness why the United States is the greatest country on Earth.
At that point, however, it won’t particularly matter.
Liberalism may indeed be an inherent tendency of youth. You hope that these are the kinds of opinions people grow out of.
There are reasons to suspect otherwise, however.
The Democratic Party has now been handed over, in part, to doomsday prophets like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
These aren’t people who want to change our system but who fundamentally reject its precepts.
President Donald Trump’s election didn’t spark this trend, but it certainly accelerated it.
We have an entire party that can now only be proud of its own country if they’re the ones in power — and even then the pride is questionable.
In short, the safe assumption that these are the kinds of opinions people age out of is anything but safe.
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--2020-01-11--‘On Pain of Imprisonment’: What’s Next for Impeachment in the Senate

Hear ye , hear ye : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is finally hitting the send button on President Donald Trump ’ s article of impeachment .
That ’ s after she paused the whole constitutional matter , producing a three-week standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and complicating the campaigning picture for the five Democratic senators in the White House race .
By Friday , three weeks before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses , what leverage Pelosi , D-Calif. , had possessed was still in question .
She wanted McConnell to allow witnesses and documents .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later — by the Republican-controlled Senate , not anyone in the Democratic-run House .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' With 51 votes for that plan , McConnell never budged , though at least a few Republicans appear open to hearing witness testimony once the trial begins .
Here ’ s what to watch as the impeachment charges make their slow-motion journey to the Senate this week .
Pelosi insisted for weeks that she would send the articles when she was ready .
Before noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stampeded out of session for the weekend without acting on impeachment , a grinning Pelosi made her way toward her office .
She paused at the threshold , casting Democrats as “ a thousand flowers blossoming beautifully in our caucus , ” apparently without irony .
Then Pelosi disappeared into her suite .
It was 11:43 a.m. At that precise moment , Pelosi ’ s “ Dear Colleague ” letter saying she would send the impeachment articles this coming week landed in hundreds of congressional inboxes .
Pelosi said she was directing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , to write a resolution naming House managers to prosecute the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress at Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial .
Whoever wins the plum assignments is a white-hot topic in the Capitol , and Pelosi has held the number of managers and their identities close .
The speaker also said she would discuss the process “ further ” at a caucus meeting Tuesday .
It ’ s McConnell ’ s turn .
The model , he said , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1999 .
This past week , McConnell announced that he had the 51 votes required to launch the trial on those terms , and not Pelosi ’ s .
Back then , all 100 senators agreed to start Clinton ’ s trial without an agreement to bring witnesses or testimony , as the Democrats have demanded in Trump ’ s proceedings .
McConnell , protective of the 53-seat GOP majority and up for reelection himself this year , delivered hot words on the Senate floor in which he refused to “ cede @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell said the resolution starting Trump ’ s Senate trial would not mirror Clinton ’ s word for word .
Tactics and strategy , not drama , is McConnell ’ s style .
But McConnell did say that what was good for Clinton is good for Trump .
That likely means Senate rules and the 1999 resolution that governed Clinton ’ s trial would provide the framework at least to start Trump ’ s proceedings , so it ’ s worth looking at what happened then , beginning on Jan. 7 , 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton ’ s trial , including then-Rep. Lindsey Graham , now a GOP senator from South Carolina .
Their procession into the Senate , the oath-taking of the chief justice and all senators and the call of the sergeant at arms provided some pageantry .
“ Hear ye !
Hear ye !
Hear ye !
All persons are commanded to keep silent , on pain of imprisonment , while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment , ” proclaimed James Ziglar , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Senate rules say the trial then begins , and run six days a week — except Sundays — until it ’ s resolved .
But senators could vote to change the schedule .
Who is on the Senate floor for the trial , and where , will be an extraordinary sight in a chamber that strictly guards who breathes its rarified air .
Start with the presiding officer , in the top-most chair , normally occupied by Vice President Mike Pence or a rotating cast of senators .
Instead , Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and direct the proceedings .
Also on the floor : The House managers selected by Pelosi will prosecute the case against Trump .
Defending Trump will be a team of lawyers and advisers .
The senators will be seated around the chamber , ( supposedly ) wordlessly and not checking their phones , during the proceedings .
The President Will Be Summoned The rules call for the Senate to summon Trump in terms the president isn ’ t likely used to hearing .
According to a template in the Senate rules , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there to abide by , obey , and perform such orders , directions , and judgments ” according to the Senate , the Constitution and the laws .
“ Hereof you are not to fail , ” Trump will be told , but in reality his lawyers can appear for him .
Senators take an oath , by which they “ solemnly swear ( or affirm , as the case may be ) ” to “ do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws : so help me God.
” During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to sign their name in an oath book that is now stored at the National Archives .
It is expected to be brought out again for Trump ’ s trial .
The practice began in 1986 , according to the Senate historian ’ s office .
The pages are blank ; the senators create a list by signing their names .
If — and it remains a big “ if ” — the Senate agrees to allow witnesses , they could first be deposed .
The Senate would decide which , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton trial , former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was deposed privately but not called to testify .
She and Clinton had had an extramarital relationship , they both said .
A template for the witness subpoena , included in the Senate rules , summons them to appear before the Senate .
For five senators who are running for the Democratic presidential nomination , the impeachment trial complicates the face-to-face contact that ’ s critical for candidates before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses .
New Hampshire is set to hold its first-in-the-nation primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado would have to return to Washington to attend the trial .
The timing of the trial could thus benefit candidates who aren ’ t members of the Senate .
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , have spent months crowded near the top of the Democratic field with Warren and Sanders .
Look for high-profile surrogates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for Sanders and former presidential candidate Julián Castro for Warren , to fill in .
And there could be scheduling gymnastics .
Warren says she ’ s prepared to spend days in the Senate , then fly back to Iowa for evening campaigning “ if that ’ s what it takes.
” But that ’ s a tall logistical order given the limited commercial flight options between Washington and Iowa .
Taking private flights could make things easier , but it would also open them up to legitimate charges of hypocrisy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as climate-damaging and on such displays of wealth in general .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Hear ye, hear ye: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is finally hitting the send button on President Donald Trump’s article of impeachment.
That’s after she paused the whole constitutional matter, producing a three-week standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and complicating the campaigning picture for the five Democratic senators in the White House race.
By Friday, three weeks before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, what leverage Pelosi, D-Calif., had possessed was still in question.
The answer, largely, was “none.”
She wanted McConnell to allow witnesses and documents. He answered that those decisions would be made later — by the Republican-controlled Senate, not anyone in the Democratic-run House.
With 51 votes for that plan, McConnell never budged, though at least a few Republicans appear open to hearing witness testimony once the trial begins.
Here’s what to watch as the impeachment charges make their slow-motion journey to the Senate this week.
She Says She’s Ready
Pelosi insisted for weeks that she would send the articles when she was ready.
Do you think the Senate will acquit Donald Trump of these charges? 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: 95% (162 Votes) No: 5% (8 Votes)
“Probably,” she said Thursday. “Soon.”
Before noon the next day, after House members stampeded out of session for the weekend without acting on impeachment, a grinning Pelosi made her way toward her office. She paused at the threshold, casting Democrats as “a thousand flowers blossoming beautifully in our caucus,” apparently without irony.
Then Pelosi disappeared into her suite. It was 11:43 a.m. At that precise moment, Pelosi’s “Dear Colleague” letter saying she would send the impeachment articles this coming week landed in hundreds of congressional inboxes.
But First…
Pelosi said she was directing the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to write a resolution naming House managers to prosecute the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress at Trump’s Senate impeachment trial.
Whoever wins the plum assignments is a white-hot topic in the Capitol, and Pelosi has held the number of managers and their identities close.
The speaker also said she would discuss the process “further” at a caucus meeting Tuesday.
At Last
It’s McConnell’s turn. The model, he said, would be President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999.
This past week, McConnell announced that he had the 51 votes required to launch the trial on those terms, and not Pelosi’s.
Back then, all 100 senators agreed to start Clinton’s trial without an agreement to bring witnesses or testimony, as the Democrats have demanded in Trump’s proceedings.
McConnell, protective of the 53-seat GOP majority and up for reelection himself this year, delivered hot words on the Senate floor in which he refused to “cede” decision making to the House.
“It’s been a long wait,” McConnell said Friday. “And I’m glad it’s over.“
The Model
McConnell said the resolution starting Trump’s Senate trial would not mirror Clinton’s word for word. Tactics and strategy, not drama, is McConnell’s style.
But McConnell did say that what was good for Clinton is good for Trump. That likely means Senate rules and the 1999 resolution that governed Clinton’s trial would provide the framework at least to start Trump’s proceedings, so it’s worth looking at what happened then, beginning on Jan. 7, 1999.
There were 13 impeachment prosecutors during Clinton’s trial, including then-Rep. Lindsey Graham, now a GOP senator from South Carolina. Their procession into the Senate, the oath-taking of the chief justice and all senators and the call of the sergeant at arms provided some pageantry.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment,” proclaimed James Ziglar, who was the Senate sergeant at arms at the time.
Senate rules say the trial then begins, and run six days a week — except Sundays — until it’s resolved. But senators could vote to change the schedule.
On the Floor
Who is on the Senate floor for the trial, and where, will be an extraordinary sight in a chamber that strictly guards who breathes its rarified air.
Start with the presiding officer, in the top-most chair, normally occupied by Vice President Mike Pence or a rotating cast of senators. Instead, Chief Justice John Roberts will take that seat and direct the proceedings.
Also on the floor: The House managers selected by Pelosi will prosecute the case against Trump.
Defending Trump will be a team of lawyers and advisers.
The senators will be seated around the chamber, (supposedly) wordlessly and not checking their phones, during the proceedings.
The President Will Be Summoned
The rules call for the Senate to summon Trump in terms the president isn’t likely used to hearing.
According to a template in the Senate rules, Trump is summoned to appear “… then and there to abide by, obey, and perform such orders, directions, and judgments” according to the Senate, the Constitution and the laws.
“Hereof you are not to fail,” Trump will be told, but in reality his lawyers can appear for him.
Oaths, By the Book
Senators take an oath, by which they “solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be)” to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: so help me God.”
During the Clinton trial, senators also lined up to sign their name in an oath book that is now stored at the National Archives. It is expected to be brought out again for Trump’s trial.
The practice began in 1986, according to the Senate historian’s office. The pages are blank; the senators create a list by signing their names.
Witnesses
If — and it remains a big “if” — the Senate agrees to allow witnesses, they could first be deposed.
The Senate would decide which, if any, witnesses testify.
During the Clinton trial, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was deposed privately but not called to testify. She and Clinton had had an extramarital relationship, they both said.
A template for the witness subpoena, included in the Senate rules, summons them to appear before the Senate.
“Fail not,” they read.
The Would-Be Presidents
For five senators who are running for the Democratic presidential nomination, the impeachment trial complicates the face-to-face contact that’s critical for candidates before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. New Hampshire is set to hold its first-in-the-nation primary only eight days later.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado would have to return to Washington to attend the trial.
The timing of the trial could thus benefit candidates who aren’t members of the Senate. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, have spent months crowded near the top of the Democratic field with Warren and Sanders.
Look for high-profile surrogates, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for Sanders and former presidential candidate Julián Castro for Warren, to fill in.
And there could be scheduling gymnastics. Warren says she’s prepared to spend days in the Senate, then fly back to Iowa for evening campaigning “if that’s what it takes.” But that’s a tall logistical order given the limited commercial flight options between Washington and Iowa.
Taking private flights could make things easier, but it would also open them up to legitimate charges of hypocrisy, given their regular attacks on air travel as climate-damaging and on such displays of wealth in general.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
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westernjournal--2020-01-11--Again: Magnitude 6 Shock Rocks Quake-Stunned Puerto Rico

A magnitude 5.9 quake shook Puerto Rico on Saturday , causing further damage along the island ’ s southern coast , where previous recent quakes have toppled homes and schools .
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 8:54 a.m. ( 12:54 GMT ) quake hit 8 miles ( 13 kilometers ) southeast of Guanica at a shallow depth of 3 miles ( 5 kilometers ) .
It was followed by several aftershocks , including a magnitude 5.2 temblor less than two minutes later .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' Puerto Rico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were reported across much of southern Puerto Rico and crews were assessing possible damage at power plants .
There were no immediate reports of injuries , but Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Ocasio in the southern coastal city of Ponce told The Associated Press that officials closed the city ’ s downtown area and two other nearby areas because of weakened infrastructure .
“ There is a lot of historic infrastructure in Ponce.
” Bárbara Cruz , a prosecutor who was in Ponce when the new quake hit , said concrete debris hit the sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everyone is out on the street , ” she said .
More landslides and damaged homes were reported , along with severe cracks on a bridge in the southwest coastal town of Guanica .
The quake , which initially had been calculated at magnitude 6.0 , was the strongest shake since a magnitude 6.4 quake — the most potent to hit the island in a century — struck before dawn on Tuesday , knocking out power across Puerto Rico and leaving many without water .
More than 4,000 people are in shelters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and others unable to because of extensive damage .
RELATED : AOC Gets Emotional , Blames Climate Change for Her 'Dreams of Motherhood ' Being 'Bittersweet' The director of Puerto Rico ’ s Electric Power Authority ordered the temporary closure of the company ’ s largest plant , which crews had been inspecting for damage caused by earlier quakes .
The ground in southwest Puerto Rico has been shaking since Dec. 28 , with more than 1,100 earthquakes , of which more than 100 were felt and more than 66 were of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that the quakes had moved the land in parts of southern Puerto Rico as much as 5.5 inches ( 14 centimeters ) , based on satellite images before and after the temblors .
Víctor Huérfano , director of Puerto Rico ’ s Seismic Network , told the AP that he expects still more aftershocks as a result of the latest large one .
“ It ’ s going to re-energize an unstable situation , ” he said , adding that seismologists are studying which faults were activated .
Thousands of Puerto Ricans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thousands are staying in shelters and sleeping on sidewalks since Tuesday ’ s earthquake .
That temblor killed one person , injured nine others and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and several schools and businesses in the island ’ s southwest region .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A magnitude 5.9 quake shook Puerto Rico on Saturday, causing further damage along the island’s southern coast, where previous recent quakes have toppled homes and schools.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 8:54 a.m. (12:54 GMT) quake hit 8 miles (13 kilometers) southeast of Guanica at a shallow depth of 3 miles (5 kilometers).
It was followed by several aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.2 temblor less than two minutes later.
We’re headed to the southwestern part of Puerto Rico, to the earthquake damaged areas, & we’ve noticed countless vehicles hauling bottles of water. Many Puerto Ricans have organized efforts to collect items that can be distributed to their neighbors down south, & r doing it today pic.twitter.com/Hru0KBg4AN — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) January 11, 2020
Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority said outages were reported across much of southern Puerto Rico and crews were assessing possible damage at power plants.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, but Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Ocasio in the southern coastal city of Ponce told The Associated Press that officials closed the city’s downtown area and two other nearby areas because of weakened infrastructure.
“One building completely collapsed,” she said.
“There is a lot of historic infrastructure in Ponce.”
Bárbara Cruz, a prosecutor who was in Ponce when the new quake hit, said concrete debris hit the sidewalk as buildings continued to crumble.
“Everyone is out on the street,” she said.
More landslides and damaged homes were reported, along with severe cracks on a bridge in the southwest coastal town of Guanica.
The quake, which initially had been calculated at magnitude 6.0, was the strongest shake since a magnitude 6.4 quake — the most potent to hit the island in a century — struck before dawn on Tuesday, knocking out power across Puerto Rico and leaving many without water.
More than 4,000 people are in shelters, many fearful of returning to their homes, and others unable to because of extensive damage.
The director of Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority ordered the temporary closure of the company’s largest plant, which crews had been inspecting for damage caused by earlier quakes.
The ground in southwest Puerto Rico has been shaking since Dec. 28, with more than 1,100 earthquakes, of which more than 100 were felt and more than 66 were of magnitude 3.5 or greater.
NASA reported Friday that the quakes had moved the land in parts of southern Puerto Rico as much as 5.5 inches (14 centimeters), based on satellite images before and after the temblors.
Víctor Huérfano, director of Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network, told the AP that he expects still more aftershocks as a result of the latest large one.
“It’s going to re-energize an unstable situation,” he said, adding that seismologists are studying which faults were activated.
“It’s a complex zone.”
Thousands of Puerto Ricans are still without power and water, and thousands are staying in shelters and sleeping on sidewalks since Tuesday’s earthquake.
That temblor killed one person, injured nine others and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and several schools and businesses in the island’s southwest region.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-11--Nigerian Has Perfect Response to Cardi B Ditching America for Africa: Let’s Trade

In the wake of the airstrike which killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani , Cardi B decided it was time to decamp to Nigeria in order to avoid the fallout from World War III , which was no doubt imminent .
Now , one Nigerian has a modest proposal for her : How about a trade ?
For those of you who missed it , Ms. B ( legal name Belcalis Almánzar ) announced on Twitter it was high time to hightail after Soleimani ’ s death , referencing the # WWIII memes that had taken over Twitter back when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Naaaaa these memes are f—in [ laughing emojis ] but s— ain ’ t no joke !
Specially being from New York , ” the rapper tweeted .
“ Its sad this man is putting Americans live in danger , ” she added .
“ Dumbest move Trump did till date …I ’ m filing for my Nigerian citizenship.
” Never mind the fact that Nigeria was ranked the third-most dangerous country in the world by expatriates in InterNations ’ s 2019 Expat Insider Survey and the 16th-most dangerous in the Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace Index for 2019 , meaning that if you wanted to hide out from war you probably could have chosen more wisely .
TRENDING : Rep. Cheney : 'Speaker Pelosi Is an Embarrassment & Unfit for Office' Nigerian officials were more than willing to seize upon Cardi B ’ s tweet , with one blue-checkmarked member of the government opening the country ’ s arms to her .
“ As one in charge of the Diaspora for [ Nigeria ] , We can ’ t wait to receive you again .
Our doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dabiri-Erewa tweeted .
“ And you need to talk a walk through the Door of Return in Badagry .
It ’ s an indescribable experience.
” Cardi B might not need Dabiri-Erewa ’ s help , however , because she has someone willing to exchange places with her .
“ Cardi B , I am so much ready to give you my National ID Card while you give me your American passport , ” one user , whose Twitter bio says he works in the digital communications field in Lagos , Nigeria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overstate the irony of Cardi B thinking she could escape a chimerical war by going to Nigeria , a country which would place her much closer to dangerous conflict than being in the United States would .
RELATED : Saying Trump Puts Americans in Danger , Rapper Asks 3rd-Most-Dangerous Country on the Planet - Nigeria - for Citizenship We ’ ve seen the response by the Iranians to the death of Soleimani .
They launched 22 missiles into the dirt at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
We now know the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military during the action was the tragic downing of a Ukrainian International Airlines flight , which led to the loss of 176 innocent lives .
Meanwhile , do you think that World War III would have dissuaded anyone from emigrating from Nigeria to the United States if they got the chance ?
Let ’ s let this happen , at least for a little while .
It ’ ll be like “ Trading Places.
” Cardi B can take the life of Mr. Table Shaker and visa versa .
She ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ?
All by moving into Boko Haram ’ s neighborhood ?
This sort of facile tweet , tossed off by a ridiculously wealthy entertainer whose analysis of the Trump presidency has long achieved escape velocity from reality , was covered as if it were news — the state of the union delivered from the Hollywood diaspora , all in 280 characters or less .
The United States is the greatest , freest society ever created by man , where a member of the middle class has material comforts unavailable to the wealthiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations .
Nigeria has none of these things going for it .
No matter how much money an entertainer or magnate has , that won ’ t turn Lagos into Los Angeles .
It won ’ t give her freedom of speech in a country where the government stifles the media on a routine basis .
Cardi B , like hundreds of other entertainers before her , never once had a moment where she planned to leave the United States for Nigeria .
The only reason this deserved coverage is that she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a country that ’ s 158th out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index .
She deserves points for creativity in the imaginary destination she set up for herself .
That ’ s about it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In the wake of the airstrike which killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Cardi B decided it was time to decamp to Nigeria in order to avoid the fallout from World War III, which was no doubt imminent.
Now, one Nigerian has a modest proposal for her: How about a trade?
For those of you who missed it, Ms. B (legal name Belcalis Almánzar) announced on Twitter it was high time to hightail after Soleimani’s death, referencing the #WWIII memes that had taken over Twitter back when the left thought war was imminent.
“Naaaaa these memes are f—in [laughing emojis] but s— ain’t no joke! Specially being from New York,” the rapper tweeted.
“Its sad this man is putting Americans live in danger,” she added. “Dumbest move Trump did till date …I’m filing for my Nigerian citizenship.”
Never mind the fact that Nigeria was ranked the third-most dangerous country in the world by expatriates in InterNations’s 2019 Expat Insider Survey and the 16th-most dangerous in the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index for 2019, meaning that if you wanted to hide out from war you probably could have chosen more wisely.
Nigerian officials were more than willing to seize upon Cardi B’s tweet, with one blue-checkmarked member of the government opening the country’s arms to her.
“As one in charge of the Diaspora for [Nigeria], We can’t wait to receive you again. Our doors are open, sister,” Abike Dabiri-Erewa tweeted.
“And you need to talk a walk through the Door of Return in Badagry. It’s an indescribable experience.”
Cardi B might not need Dabiri-Erewa’s help, however, because she has someone willing to exchange places with her.
Cardi B, I am so much ready to give you my National ID Card while you give me your American passport. — Table Shaker ?? ??  (@iamvictor__) January 3, 2020
“Cardi B, I am so much ready to give you my National ID Card while you give me your American passport,” one user, whose Twitter bio says he works in the digital communications field in Lagos, Nigeria, tweeted.
It’s difficult to overstate the irony of Cardi B thinking she could escape a chimerical war by going to Nigeria, a country which would place her much closer to dangerous conflict than being in the United States would.
Do you think Cardi B will actually leave for Nigeria? 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: 3% (65 Votes) No: 97% (2129 Votes)
We’ve seen the response by the Iranians to the death of Soleimani.
They launched 22 missiles into the dirt at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops.
We now know the only death directly caused by Iran’s military during the action was the tragic downing of a Ukrainian International Airlines flight, which led to the loss of 176 innocent lives.
Meanwhile, do you think that World War III would have dissuaded anyone from emigrating from Nigeria to the United States if they got the chance?
Let’s let this happen, at least for a little while. It’ll be like “Trading Places.”
Cardi B can take the life of Mr. Table Shaker and visa versa.
She’ll be able to avoid World War III, right? All by moving into Boko Haram’s neighborhood?
This sort of facile tweet, tossed off by a ridiculously wealthy entertainer whose analysis of the Trump presidency has long achieved escape velocity from reality, was covered as if it were news — the state of the union delivered from the Hollywood diaspora, all in 280 characters or less.
The United States is the greatest, freest society ever created by man, where a member of the middle class has material comforts unavailable to the wealthiest in many of the world’s nations.
Nigeria has none of these things going for it.
No matter how much money an entertainer or magnate has, that won’t turn Lagos into Los Angeles.
It won’t give her freedom of speech in a country where the government stifles the media on a routine basis.
Cardi B, like hundreds of other entertainers before her, never once had a moment where she planned to leave the United States for Nigeria.
The only reason this deserved coverage is that she didn’t just choose Canada or Europe but a country that’s 158th out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index.
She deserves points for creativity in the imaginary destination she set up for herself. That’s about it.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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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--2020-01-12--Famous Faces Who Passed Away in December 2019

Elite Academy of Dance- Greenocks Royal Academy Classical Ballet School / Facebook ; The Life & Times of Hollywood / Facebook ; Larry Busacca / Getty Images for AFTRA These are the famous faces who passed away in December 2019 .
Jack Burns , a child actor and dancer , died on Dec. 1 .
He was only 14 years old .
He is most recognized for his role in “ Outlander.
” TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East Internet cat sensation Lil Bub died on Dec. 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lil Bub first appeared on Reddit and quickly won the hearts of millions with her droopy tongue , according to The New York Times .
Former Notre Dame and NFL running back George Atkinson III died on Dec. 2. at age 27 .
He battled depression after his twin brother died in 2018 .
Ron Leibman , a Tony Award-winning actor , died on Dec. 6 after contracting pneumonia .
Leibman is known for his performance as Roy Cohn in the original Broadway production of Tony Kushner ’ s “ Angels in America.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ television sitcom “ Friends ” as Rachel Green ’ s father .
RELATED : Jillian Michaels Labeled a 'Bully ' for Daring To Ask 'Why are We Celebrating ' Pop Star Lizzo 's Body ?
Actor René Auberjonois passed away on Dec. 8 after battling metastatic lung cancer ; he was 79 years old .
Auberjonois played many iconic roles over the years including military chaplain Father John Mulcahy in the 1970 film version of “ MASH , ” chief of staff Clayton Runnymede Endicott III from “ Benson ” and head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trek : Deep Space Nine.
” Marie Fredriksson , of the Swedish pop duo Roxette , died Dec. 9 after a longtime battle with cancer .
One of the duo ’ s most memorable song was “ It Must Have Been Love.
” Academy Award nominee Danny Aiello , known for his role in the 1989 Spike Lee film “ Do the Right Thing , ” died on Dec. 12 .
He was 86 years old .
Rosalee Glass , who survived the Holocaust and used her story to inspire others , passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 102 years old .
Just a few days before her death , President Donald Trump honored her life at the White House .
Claudine Auger , the French actress known for her role as Dominique “ Domino ” Derval in the 1965 James Bond film “ Thunderball , ” died on Dec. 18 .
She was 78 years old .
NASCAR legend Robert Glenn Johnson Jr. , most commonly known as Junior Johnson , passed away on Dec. 20 .
Lee Mendelson , the producer who brought “ A Charlie Brown Christmas ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas day after suffering from congestive heart failure at 86 .
He also wrote the lyrics to the iconic song “ Christmas Time is Here ” which was featured on the special .
Jerry Herman , the Tony Award-winning composer behind such iconic Broadway shows as “ Hello , Dolly !
” and “ Mame , ” died Dec. 26 at 88 years old .
Legendary radio personality Don Imus died on Dec. 27 after being hospitalized on Christmas Eve .
His controversial disregard for political correctness offended many , but others applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monty Python ” writer and actor Neil Innes died of natural causes on Dec. 29 .
He was 75 years old .
Reality TV stars Bill and Joe Smith , 32-year-old twin brothers who appeared on the British version of the TLC show “ My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding , ” allegedly died in a double suicide .
They were found in Sevenoaks , England , on Dec. 28 .
Micah Downey , an American reality star who appeared on Australia ’ s “ Bride & Prejudice , ” died on Dec. 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
British actress Elizabeth Sellars died on Dec. 30 at 98 years old .
She is known for her role in the 1954 film “ The Barefoot Contessa.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Celebrity Deaths December 2019
These are the famous faces who passed away in December 2019.
Jack Burns
Jack Burns, a child actor and dancer, died on Dec. 1. He was only 14 years old. He is most recognized for his role in “Outlander.”
Lil Bub
Internet cat sensation Lil Bub died on Dec. 1; she was 8 years old. Lil Bub first appeared on Reddit and quickly won the hearts of millions with her droopy tongue, according to The New York Times.
George Atkinson III
Former Notre Dame and NFL running back George Atkinson III died on Dec. 2. at age 27. He battled depression after his twin brother died in 2018.
Former ND RB George Atkinson III has died at age 27, just over a year following his brother’s death https://t.co/c79W76Jl10 — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 3, 2019
Ron Leibman
Ron Leibman, a Tony Award-winning actor, died on Dec. 6 after contracting pneumonia. Leibman is known for his performance as Roy Cohn in the original Broadway production of Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America.” He also appeared on the popular television sitcom “Friends” as Rachel Green’s father.
Ron Leibman, an actor whose career of more than six decades in film, television and the theater was highlighted by a Tony Award in 1993 for his electrifying performance as Roy Cohn in the first part of “Angels in America,” has died https://t.co/BCBTrW7j3d — NYT Theater (@nytimestheater) December 9, 2019
René Auberjonois
Actor René Auberjonois passed away on Dec. 8 after battling metastatic lung cancer; he was 79 years old. Auberjonois played many iconic roles over the years including military chaplain Father John Mulcahy in the 1970 film version of “MASH,” chief of staff Clayton Runnymede Endicott III from “Benson” and head of security and changeling Odo on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
Marie Fredriksson
Marie Fredriksson, of the Swedish pop duo Roxette, died Dec. 9 after a longtime battle with cancer. One of the duo’s most memorable song was “It Must Have Been Love.”
Danny Aiello
Academy Award nominee Danny Aiello, known for his role in the 1989 Spike Lee film “Do the Right Thing,” died on Dec. 12. He was 86 years old.
“This is my pizzeria!!!”
One of the greats. RIP Danny Aiello. pic.twitter.com/TVv4KS9quc — Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) December 13, 2019
Rosalee Glass
Rosalee Glass, who survived the Holocaust and used her story to inspire others, passed away on Dec. 14. She was 102 years old. Just a few days before her death, President Donald Trump honored her life at the White House.
Claudine Auger
Claudine Auger, the French actress known for her role as Dominique “Domino” Derval in the 1965 James Bond film “Thunderball,” died on Dec. 18. She was 78 years old.
French actor Claudine Auger, who starred opposite Sean Connery in the James Bond film “Thunderball,” has died aged 78 https://t.co/cvQcwwnK07 — NBC News World (@NBCNewsWorld) December 20, 2019
Robert Glenn Johnson Jr.
NASCAR legend Robert Glenn Johnson Jr., most commonly known as Junior Johnson, passed away on Dec. 20.
Junior Johnson wasn’t just an American Hero ?? He was “The Last American Hero” #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/kMsWnbfPtd — Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) December 20, 2019
Lee Mendelson
Lee Mendelson, the producer who brought “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to television in 1965, died on Christmas day after suffering from congestive heart failure at 86. He also wrote the lyrics to the iconic song “Christmas Time is Here” which was featured on the special.
Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman, the Tony Award-winning composer behind such iconic Broadway shows as “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame,” died Dec. 26 at 88 years old.
Broadway’s lights are being dimmed tonight at 6:45 PM in memory of #Broadway legend Jerry Herman. pic.twitter.com/1G4Em9mbEq — Shubert Organization (@ShubertOrg) January 7, 2020
Don Imus
Legendary radio personality Don Imus died on Dec. 27 after being hospitalized on Christmas Eve. His controversial disregard for political correctness offended many, but others applauded him for his blunt commentary.
Neil Innes
“Monty Python” writer and actor Neil Innes died of natural causes on Dec. 29. He was 75 years old.
Bill and Joe Smith
Reality TV stars Bill and Joe Smith, 32-year-old twin brothers who appeared on the British version of the TLC show “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding,” allegedly died in a double suicide. They were found in Sevenoaks, England, on Dec. 28.
‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’ twins made suicide pact after one brother’s cancer diagnosis https://t.co/NAbpOzEG4b pic.twitter.com/o1V42JUp1M — Page Six (@PageSix) December 30, 2019
Micah Downey
Micah Downey, an American reality star who appeared on Australia’s “Bride & Prejudice,” died on Dec. 28. He was only 26 years old.
Elizabeth Sellars
British actress Elizabeth Sellars died on Dec. 30 at 98 years old. She is known for her role in the 1954 film “The Barefoot Contessa.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-12--Photographer Catches ‘Devil Horns’ Rising Off Coast of Iran

Shortly before a confrontation between the United States and Iran put the world on edge , a photographer captured a freaky sight rising above the Islamic Republic .
Elias Chasiotis took photos of the eclipsed sunrise , which appeared as a giant pair of glowing red horns thanks to the lighting and angle .
According to Chasiotis , the pictures were taken on Dec. 26 , a little over a week before Iran would make headline news for a strike on one of its leading military commanders .
From his location in Qatar , the rising partial eclipse in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if not over it .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East Check out the viral “ devil horn ” sunrise picture , as well as some other stunning shots in Chasiotis ’ post below .
Maps from eclipse-focused website EclipseWise appear to show the Dec. 26 event casting a partial shadow over Iran .
While some observers pointed to the creepy event as an omen or a divine message about the wickedness of Iran , others simply appreciated the photos for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any meaning behind the eclipse , the timing of the event is highly coincidental .
Shortly after the photo was taken , a U.S. drone strike on Iranian terror leader Qassem Soleimani would ignite tensions in the region and cause worldwide fear over a potential retaliation from Iran .
Even after the drone strike took a crucial leader away from the Islamic Republic , the country continued to be pummeled by misfortune .
During a march to honor the late terrorist , a stampede resulted in dozens of Iranian deaths .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation , seen as its revenge for the killing of Soleimani , failed to produce even a single American casualty despite striking military structures .
Shortly after the failed missile launch , a Ukrainian passenger jet with 176 people aboard crashed after takeoff in Iran .
There were no survivors .
RELATED : Octopus Had Bald Eagle in Death Grip .
Then Salmon Farmers Arrived To Save the Day While Tehran maintains the plane crashed because of a malfunction , some have speculated that a jumpy anti-aircraft crew might have brought down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand over the plane ’ s black boxes to Boeing or the United States , this may remain a mystery .
Only time will tell if the truth makes it out of the Islamic Republic .
Despite the setbacks , Iran continues to threaten America , living up to its international image — which makes the devil horns ’ connotations even more appropriate .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Shortly before a confrontation between the United States and Iran put the world on edge, a photographer captured a freaky sight rising above the Islamic Republic.
Elias Chasiotis took photos of the eclipsed sunrise, which appeared as a giant pair of glowing red horns thanks to the lighting and angle.
According to Chasiotis, the pictures were taken on Dec. 26, a little over a week before Iran would make headline news for a strike on one of its leading military commanders.
From his location in Qatar, the rising partial eclipse in the east would put it near Iran, if not over it.
Check out the viral “devil horn” sunrise picture, as well as some other stunning shots in Chasiotis’ post below.
Maps from eclipse-focused website EclipseWise appear to show the Dec. 26 event casting a partial shadow over Iran.
While some observers pointed to the creepy event as an omen or a divine message about the wickedness of Iran, others simply appreciated the photos for their unique and extraordinary material.
Regardless of any meaning behind the eclipse, the timing of the event is highly coincidental.
Is there a deeper meaning to this event? 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: 71% (379 Votes) No: 29% (157 Votes)
Shortly after the photo was taken, a U.S. drone strike on Iranian terror leader Qassem Soleimani would ignite tensions in the region and cause worldwide fear over a potential retaliation from Iran.
Even after the drone strike took a crucial leader away from the Islamic Republic, the country continued to be pummeled by misfortune.
During a march to honor the late terrorist, a stampede resulted in dozens of Iranian deaths.
A missile salvo later launched by the rogue nation, seen as its revenge for the killing of Soleimani, failed to produce even a single American casualty despite striking military structures.
Shortly after the failed missile launch, a Ukrainian passenger jet with 176 people aboard crashed after takeoff in Iran. There were no survivors.
While Tehran maintains the plane crashed because of a malfunction, some have speculated that a jumpy anti-aircraft crew might have brought down the civilian airliner. With Iran refusing to hand over the plane’s black boxes to Boeing or the United States, this may remain a mystery.
Only time will tell if the truth makes it out of the Islamic Republic.
Despite the setbacks, Iran continues to threaten America, living up to its international image — which makes the devil horns’ connotations even more appropriate.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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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.