westernjournal--2020-07-11--Police Seek Leftists Who Attacked Cerebral Palsy Victim, 58

And today in thoroughly depressing news — because we needed more of it , apparently — police are looking for protesters in Columbus , Ohio , who attacked a 58-year-old man with cerebral palsy .
In a series of social media postings , the Columbus Division of Police with information about the rioters who attacked Eldon Hawkins on May 31 to come forward .
Police also posted a three-minute composite video of attack on YouTube .
As the clip begins , Hawkins ’ car is being blocked by protesters .
He reverses at slow speed and ends up hitting someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sadly ( yet predictably ) , things got ugly from there .
“ They threw a bicycle on my windshield and started kicking my doors and windows .
It scared the life out of me , ” Hawkins said at a Monday Columbus City Council meeting , according to the Columbus Dispatch .
WARNING : The following video contains vulgar language and violent images that some viewers will find disturbing : Protesters even ransacked his trunk , littering the street with flowers that had been in the back of the car .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk sense into the people destroying his vehicle , although not until after the Buick had sustained more than $ 8,000 in damage .
Hawkins said that “ some nice people who came and pulled me out of the car ” guided him to the curb .
Don ’ t think the problems stopped there , however .
According to WSYX-TV , rioters also attacked those who were trying to help .
Witness Phillip Hurst , meanwhile , said that Hawkins was attacked until people realized he had cerebral palsy .
“ Reacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until soon after they realized this gentleman is handicapped , ” Hurst told WBNS-TV .
“ I saw a mix of both destroying and a mix of both helping , ” Hurst said , adding that Hawkins “ accidentally struck , and I emphasize accidentally struck ” the biker .
“ It ’ s one thing to protest , but when people start breaking windows and spray-painting the F-word , that ’ s turning this beautiful city into a dive , ” Hawkins said .
Hawkins said he ’ s protested before — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he marched with him at the Ohio Statehouse in solidarity with first responders unions .
“ We did not break one window , and we did not spray-paint foul language , because this is our city , ” Hawkins said .
“ If troublemakers don ’ t like it , they can leave.
” Well , that ’ s not how it works nowadays .
Troublemakers are encouraged .
So what that Hawkins car needed $ 8,000 of work .
I mean , they eventually stopped attacking him , right ?
Everything should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this isn ’ t a guy who drove through protesters or meant to hit them .
We don ’ t even know why he reversed .
Perhaps he was flustered , perhaps it was a function of the cerebral palsy .
What is clear is that he doesn ’ t seem to be suspected of doing anything wrong .
There ’ s also the sick irony here .
These protests were all supposed to be about police brutality , given that they were triggered by the tragic death of George Floyd .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is called for , much less someone with cerebral palsy , a sentiment with which most protesters would likely agree .
Only a few were actually willing to do something about it , however — and they were apparently attacked .
At least in this corner of Columbus , the focus on ending brutality seemed to be lost .
It ’ s stomach-churning to watch this video and look at how many were willing to participate in this violence , how many were willing to avert their gaze and how few intervened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These were people who were out to protest what they perceived as grave injustice .
When injustice happened right in front of their face , however , they were far more reluctant to raise their voice or spring into action .
Sickening .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

And today in thoroughly depressing news — because we needed more of it, apparently — police are looking for rioters in Columbus, Ohio, who attacked a 58-year-old man with cerebral palsy.
In a series of social media postings, the Columbus Division of Police with information about the rioters who attacked Eldon Hawkins on May 31 to come forward.
Columbus Police Looking For Persons Of Interest Involving Victim With CP Who Was Attacked During Riots – 5/31/20 Anyone info contact Det. Nace at 614-645-2119 or snace@columbuspolice.org or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 Click for video: https://t.co/PR7BlXN6B0 pic.twitter.com/eAdXbmVqy9 — Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) July 8, 2020
Police also posted a three-minute composite video of the attack on YouTube.
As the clip begins, Hawkins’ car is being blocked by protesters and rioters. He reverses at slow speed and ends up hitting someone on a bike with his rear bumper. Sadly (yet predictably), things got ugly from there.
“They threw a bicycle on my windshield and started kicking my doors and windows. It scared the life out of me,” Hawkins said at a Monday Columbus City Council meeting, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
WARNING: The following video contains vulgar language and violent images that some viewers will find disturbing:
Rioters even ransacked his trunk, littering the street with flowers that had been in the back of the car. Thankfully, Hawkins said, there were “some nice people who came and pulled me out of the car” before anything worse could happen to him.
Some in the crowd eventually managed to talk sense into the people destroying his vehicle, although not until after the Buick had sustained more than $8,000 in damage.
Eldon Hawkins car was smashed out on May 31st. He drove through Broad and High and unknowingly drive into a crowd of protesters. @ColumbusPolice are asking for help if you have any information. pic.twitter.com/Qo2fX7rG2f — Lacey Crisp (@LaceyCrisp) July 9, 2020
Don’t think the problems stopped there, however. According to WSYX-TV, rioters also attacked those who were trying to help.
Do you think those responsible for attacking Hawkins should face prison time? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (2187 Votes) No: 0% (5 Votes)
Witness Phillip Hurst, meanwhile, said that Hawkins was attacked until people realized he had cerebral palsy.
“Reacted with a lot of anger and hate until soon after they realized this gentleman is handicapped,” Hurst told WBNS-TV.
“I saw a mix of both destroying and a mix of both helping,” Hurst said, adding that Hawkins “accidentally struck, and I emphasize accidentally struck” the biker.
“It’s one thing to protest, but when people start breaking windows and spray-painting the F-word, that’s turning this beautiful city into a dive,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he’s protested before — his father was a union man and he marched with him at the Ohio Statehouse in solidarity with first responders unions.
“We did not break one window, and we did not spray-paint foul language, because this is our city,” Hawkins said. “If troublemakers don’t like it, they can leave.”
Well, that’s not how it works nowadays. Troublemakers are encouraged.
Remember, damage to property really isn’t violence.
So what that Hawkins’ car needed $8,000 of work. I mean, they eventually stopped attacking him, right? Everything should be fine.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a guy who drove through rioters and protesters or meant to hit them. We don’t even know why he reversed. Perhaps he was flustered, perhaps it was a function of the cerebral palsy.
What is clear is that he doesn’t seem to be suspected of doing anything wrong.
There’s also the sick irony here. The protests-turned-riots that week were all supposed to be about police brutality.
I don’t think attacking anyone like this is called for, much less someone with cerebral palsy, a sentiment with which most sane people would likely agree. Only a few were actually willing to do something about it, however — and they were apparently attacked.
At least in this corner of Columbus, the focus on ending brutality seemed to be lost.
It’s stomach-churning to watch this video and look at how many were willing to participate in this violence, how many were willing to avert their gaze and how few intervened to put a stop to it.
Many people were out to protest what they perceived as grave injustice. When injustice happened right in front of their faces, however, they were far more reluctant to raise their voice or spring into action.
Sickening.
CORRECTION, July 13, 2020: When originally published, this article’s headline referred to Hawkins’ attackers as “leftists” without the evidence to support that claim. The headline has been updated to more accurately describe those who attacked him. We apologize to our readers for the error, and for any confusion we may have caused.
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--2020-07-11--Expert Warns Google Could Shift 10% of Vote Away from Trump, Hand 2020 Election to Biden

A behavioral and tech expert says Google is an active player in the 2020 election and that the company ’ s efforts to manipulate Americans could shift 10 percent of the vote away from President Donald Trump .
Robert Epstein , the senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology , spoke Friday with Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow on “ Breitbart News Daily.
” During the interview , Epstein characterized Google and Facebook as “ two big monopolies ” with the power to dramatically impact how Americans think by altering what information they receive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet users are both subtle and profound .
“ Just by fiddling with search suggestion , Google has the power to turn a 50-50 split among undecided voters into a 90-10 split with no one knowing that they have been manipulated , ” he said .
Epstein said leaks from within Google have confirmed the tech company ’ s mindset .
“ People don ’ t understand how big this threat is ; you mentioned that leak , that video that you exposed which was quite astonishing , ” he said to Marlow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a time when Google can help elect Democratic nominee Joe Biden over President Trump .
“ One of the things that was said there by one of their top executives is , ‘ We ’ re going to use every means at our disposal , all of Google ’ s power , to make sure Trump is not re-elected , ’ so if they ’ re using every single means at their disposal , then they ’ re using all of the techniques I ’ ve discovered and probably more that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Epstein said the impact of these efforts is substantial .
“ That ’ s enough to shift roughly 10 percent of the voting population of the United States with no one knowing that they ’ re being manipulated , and without a paper trail for authorities to trace , ” he said .
Epstein said the next goal of his research is to track and expose how internet users are manipulated .
“ We will be capturing what they ’ re doing in real time as it ’ s occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t do that , because think about it , if you do a search on Google or you see a news feed or something on Facebook , that ’ s generated on-the-fly just for you , it affects you , it disappears and it ’ s gone , it ’ s not stored anywhere .
“ So in other words there ’ s no trace of it ; you can ’ t go back in time and see what these companies are showing people , you can ’ t see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ephemeral , fleeting .
“ When you search on anything that has any political-bent search suggestions , answers boxes , news feeds that are all slanted in one direction , he said .
The result , he said , is that “ content that maybe you should be seeing is being suppressed.
” Epstein posted several tweets to illustrate his points .
Epstein said the world of modern technology is one where privacy is history .
“ Everyone is being surveilled now ; 24/7 , our kids included to an extent that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve got to change that.
” Epstein warned of censorship on a global scale in which “ two American companies are deciding what we can see and what we can ’ t see.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A behavioral and tech expert says Google is an active player in the 2020 election and that the company’s efforts to manipulate Americans could shift 10 percent of the vote away from President Donald Trump.
Robert Epstein, the senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology, spoke Friday with Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow on “Breitbart News Daily.”
During the interview, Epstein characterized Google and Facebook as “two big monopolies” with the power to dramatically impact how Americans think by altering what information they receive.
Epstein said the techniques used to impact internet users are both subtle and profound.
“Just by fiddling with search suggestion, Google has the power to turn a 50-50 split among undecided voters into a 90-10 split with no one knowing that they have been manipulated,” he said.
Epstein said leaks from within Google have confirmed the tech company’s mindset.
“People don’t understand how big this threat is; you mentioned that leak, that video that you exposed which was quite astonishing,” he said to Marlow.
Epstein noted that the 2020 election is a time when Google can help elect Democratic nominee Joe Biden over President Trump.
“One of the things that was said there by one of their top executives is, ‘We’re going to use every means at our disposal, all of Google’s power, to make sure Trump is not re-elected,’ so if they’re using every single means at their disposal, then they’re using all of the techniques I’ve discovered and probably more that I haven’t discovered yet,” he said.
Should tech giants be regulated? 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% (259 Votes) No: 1% (3 Votes)
Epstein said the impact of these efforts is substantial.
“That’s enough to shift roughly 10 percent of the voting population of the United States with no one knowing that they’re being manipulated, and without a paper trail for authorities to trace,” he said.
Epstein said the next goal of his research is to track and expose how internet users are manipulated.
“We will be capturing what they’re doing in real time as it’s occurring,” he said. “Normally you can’t do that, because think about it, if you do a search on Google or you see a news feed or something on Facebook, that’s generated on-the-fly just for you, it affects you, it disappears and it’s gone, it’s not stored anywhere.
“So in other words there’s no trace of it; you can’t go back in time and see what these companies are showing people, you can’t see the manipulations as they’re all ephemeral, fleeting.
“When you search on anything that has any political-bent search suggestions, answers boxes, news feeds that are all slanted in one direction, he said.
The result, he said, is that “content that maybe you should be seeing is being suppressed.”
Epstein posted several tweets to illustrate his points.
#Google claims that they NEVER give you negative search suggestions when you search for information about a person. That’s false. Look what happens when you simply type the word “was” into Google’s search engine. Just “was”: pic.twitter.com/5ZpsGMtbs4 — Dr. Robert Epstein (@DrREpstein) June 30, 2020
This screenshot, which I just captured, says it all: In response to “#Trump is,” #Google gave me 4 search suggestions, 2 of which are negative. They usually show 10 results, but they only gave me 4 – the optimal number for controlling people’s searches. #BeAfraid pic.twitter.com/3pK7p27wiA — Dr. Robert Epstein (@DrREpstein) July 9, 2020
Epstein said the world of modern technology is one where privacy is history.
“Everyone is being surveilled now; 24/7, our kids included to an extent that’s never happened before in human history,” he said. “We’ve got to change that.”
Epstein warned of censorship on a global scale in which “two American companies are deciding what we can see and what we can’t see.”
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--2020-07-11--Op-Ed: Vet Journalist — 3 Years Ago Trump Said MSM Is ‘the Enemy of the People’; He Was Right

I was standing in the Rose Garden when my suspicion was confirmed : The establishment media ’ s grudge against President Donald Trump is real , and it ’ s the basis for their bias .
I ’ m a longtime journalist , and last November I went to the White House to cover the traditional delivery of the Christmas tree that is displayed in the Blue Room .
The annual event is a light-hearted affair , and it makes for an easy holiday story .
Not long after first lady Melania Trump received the tree and the ceremony concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Rose Garden , so I joined a rush of reporters as we lined up outside of the West Wing before heading into the courtyard .
Trump called the gathering to introduce Conan , the dog that chased Islamic State leader leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to his demise down a dead-end tunnel in Syria last October .
As reporters clamored for space , Trump exited the Oval Office , stood next to the dog and said , “ He ’ s trained that if you open your mouths , you will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , very careful.
” Trump grinned as he made the remark , but among the reporters around me who stood silent , stone-faced and solemn , the joke fell flat .
It was clear that , when it comes to covering Trump , the establishment media has no time for banter or humor when that coverage is based on disdain and rooted in bias .
Mind you , the Rose Garden incident wasn ’ t the first time I had witnessed the establishment media ’ s personal dislike of Trump .
After spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know bias and subjectivity when I see it , and in the case of Trump , the two nasty elements are intertwined in today ’ s journalism .
While examples of bias from the national establishment media have been widely — and frequently — publicized , the same problem is prevalent inside the smaller newsrooms of cities and towns across the country .
Having worked in such environments , it ’ s easy to understand why the president simply can ’ t get a fair shake from that media .
In March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heating up , I was working for a mid-sized daily in pivotal Pennsylvania , and I landed an exclusive interview with Donald Trump Jr. that should have been Page 1 material for the newspaper .
During the interview , Trump Jr. and I spoke at length about his passion for the outdoors , his connection to Pennsylvania and life on the campaign trail with his father .
The next day , when the story ran on Page 3 , I was shocked to see that my editor had tweaked the first paragraph in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ controversial ” before a reference to the elder Trump .
While the addition of a single word might not seem like a big deal , in this case it was very telling that a newspaper editor would describe someone as “ controversial ” in what otherwise was a straight news story .
In journalism , the use of such a term is dangerous .
Just because some people might think a person is controversial , it doesn ’ t mean everyone feels that way .
The fact that my editor thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generalization showed he was unable to put aside his personal dislike for Trump in the name of objectivity .
RELATED : Herman Cain : What Value Is There in the Media 's Gotcha Questions ?
And the examples didn ’ t end there .
I ’ ve witnessed reporters gather around the newsroom television to cheer on CNN as pundits twisted and misconstrued Trump ’ s words .
I ’ ve listened as reporters and editors held impromptu bull sessions , hammering the president on everything from his policies to his appearance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsroom got so bad that on an uneventful day in 2018 , reporters and editors launched into an expletive-filled tirade against Trump when their phones buzzed with a “ Presidential Alert.
” ( It actually was a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert system issued by FEMA , but why waste an opportunity to blame Trump for something ? )
So while the bias of the national establishment media against Trump is cause for concern , the reciprocating mindset of community-based newspapers is just as troubling .
These are the institutions the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust to keep them informed .
There ’ s nothing worse a newspaper can do than betray that trust , yet less than four months before the 2020 election , that ’ s exactly what ’ s happening .
As the establishment media shows no sign of righting the ship and replacing bias with objectivity when it comes to President Trump , it ’ s no wonder that many of the smaller newspapers are cutting staff or closing the doors .
People see through the charade , and their trust in the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one reason why subscriptions are dwindling , advertising dollars are vanishing and the business model is broken .
Now more than ever , the public desires journalism that informs , enlightens and helps them hold elected officials accountable when it comes time to vote .
Simply put , there ’ s a fine line between informing readers and telling them how to think , and the establishment media has crossed that line in their coverage of Trump .
Unfortunately , the establishment media is so committed to their hatred of Trump that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to reporting both sides of a story and let the readers make up their own minds .
It ’ s a downward spiral that began when animosity toward Trump crept out of newsrooms and onto the pages of newspapers big and small .
Trump took a lot of heat from the establishment media in 2017 when he first called them “ the enemy of the people.
” Three years later , it turns out he was right .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

I was standing in the Rose Garden when my suspicion was confirmed: The establishment media’s grudge against President Donald Trump is real, and it’s the basis for their bias.
I’m a longtime journalist, and last November I went to the White House to cover the traditional delivery of the Christmas tree that is displayed in the Blue Room. The annual event is a light-hearted affair, and it makes for an easy holiday story.
Not long after first lady Melania Trump received the tree and the ceremony concluded, an impromptu press briefing was announced for the Rose Garden, so I joined a rush of reporters as we lined up outside of the West Wing before heading into the courtyard.
Trump called the gathering to introduce Conan, the dog that chased Islamic State leader leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to his demise down a dead-end tunnel in Syria last October.
As reporters clamored for space, Trump exited the Oval Office, stood next to the dog and said, “He’s trained that if you open your mouths, you will be attacked. You want to be very, very careful.”
Trump grinned as he made the remark, but among the reporters around me who stood silent, stone-faced and solemn, the joke fell flat.
It was clear that, when it comes to covering Trump, the establishment media has no time for banter or humor when that coverage is based on disdain and rooted in bias.
Mind you, the Rose Garden incident wasn’t the first time I had witnessed the establishment media’s personal dislike of Trump. After spending more than 20 years in newsrooms, I know bias and subjectivity when I see it, and in the case of Trump, the two nasty elements are intertwined in today’s journalism.
While examples of bias from the national establishment media have been widely — and frequently — publicized, the same problem is prevalent inside the smaller newsrooms of cities and towns across the country. Having worked in such environments, it’s easy to understand why the president simply can’t get a fair shake from that media.
Do you think the mainstream media is biased against President Trump? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (1050 Votes) No: 0% (5 Votes)
Anywhere.
In March 2016, when the Republican Primary was heating up, I was working for a mid-sized daily in pivotal Pennsylvania, and I landed an exclusive interview with Donald Trump Jr. that should have been Page 1 material for the newspaper.
During the interview, Trump Jr. and I spoke at length about his passion for the outdoors, his connection to Pennsylvania and life on the campaign trail with his father. The next day, when the story ran on Page 3, I was shocked to see that my editor had tweaked the first paragraph in a major way, adding the word “controversial” before a reference to the elder Trump.
While the addition of a single word might not seem like a big deal, in this case it was very telling that a newspaper editor would describe someone as “controversial” in what otherwise was a straight news story.
In journalism, the use of such a term is dangerous. Just because some people might think a person is controversial, it doesn’t mean everyone feels that way. The fact that my editor thought it was OK to use such a disparaging generalization showed he was unable to put aside his personal dislike for Trump in the name of objectivity.
And the examples didn’t end there.
I’ve witnessed reporters gather around the newsroom television to cheer on CNN as pundits twisted and misconstrued Trump’s words. I’ve listened as reporters and editors held impromptu bull sessions, hammering the president on everything from his policies to his appearance.
The daily disdain for Trump in my newsroom got so bad that on an uneventful day in 2018, reporters and editors launched into an expletive-filled tirade against Trump when their phones buzzed with a “Presidential Alert.” (It actually was a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert system issued by FEMA, but why waste an opportunity to blame Trump for something?)
So while the bias of the national establishment media against Trump is cause for concern, the reciprocating mindset of community-based newspapers is just as troubling. These are the institutions the residents of small towns and mid-sized cities trust to keep them informed. There’s nothing worse a newspaper can do than betray that trust, yet less than four months before the 2020 election, that’s exactly what’s happening.
As the establishment media shows no sign of righting the ship and replacing bias with objectivity when it comes to President Trump, it’s no wonder that many of the smaller newspapers are cutting staff or closing the doors. People see through the charade, and their trust in the community newspaper is gone. That’s one reason why subscriptions are dwindling, advertising dollars are vanishing and the business model is broken.
Now more than ever, the public desires journalism that informs, enlightens and helps them hold elected officials accountable when it comes time to vote. Simply put, there’s a fine line between informing readers and telling them how to think, and the establishment media has crossed that line in their coverage of Trump.
Unfortunately, the establishment media is so committed to their hatred of Trump that it’s too late to simply go back to reporting both sides of a story and let the readers make up their own minds.
It’s a downward spiral that began when animosity toward Trump crept out of newsrooms and onto the pages of newspapers big and small.
Trump took a lot of heat from the establishment media in 2017 when he first called them “the enemy of the people.”
Three years later, it turns out he was right.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-07-11--Ahead of Big Fight, UFC Star Defends Goya Foods: Actions ‘Speak Louder Than the #Woke Mob’

On the eve of a big fight , most UFC combatants are probably thinking about the same things .
What are your opponent ’ s strengths and weaknesses ?
Striking or grappling ?
Head shots or body blows ?
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal , however , was also apparently thinking about Goya Foods before Saturday ’ s welterweight title bout against Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 .
While at first blush that may seem like the strangest thing to think about before a championship fight , Masvidal deserves credit for taking a stand against cancel culture regardless of the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things seems to be the left ’ s go-to reaction after hearing comments they don ’ t like , so it really should have come as no surprise that Goya Foods came under intense scrutiny and calls for boycotts this week because the company ’ s CEO had the unmitigated gall to say something nice about the sitting president of the United States .
“ We ’ re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump , who is a builder , ” Goya Foods CEO Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honoring Hispanic leaders on Thursday .
“ We have an incredible builder .
And we pray , ” Unanue added .
“ We pray for our leadership , our president , and we pray for our country — that we will continue to prosper and to grow.
” For some reason , those wholly benign platitudes sparked outrage and triggered a “ # BoycottGoya ” trend on Twitter .
Celebrities and politicians pounced on the trend to denounce the food producer : Masvidal was not having any of that nonsense .
The 35-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ louder than words , especially when it comes to the philanthropic endeavors of Goya Foods : Masvidal , who is of Cuban and Peruvian descent , reminded his 533,000 followers that in 2018 , Goya donated one million pounds of food to those impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico .
“ Actions of @ GoyaFoods speak louder than the # woke mob .
My people don ’ t get influenced by those that don ’ t know .
They ’ ve been helping our people when we needed it most , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s worth , Masvidal is 100 percent correct .
Even if you feel that paying a small compliment to President Donald Trump is somehow an unforgivable sin , you can ’ t argue against the charitable work that Goya Foods has done .
A million pounds of food is nothing to sneeze at , and you can be rest assured that those aided by it probably don ’ t care that Unanue thinks Trump is a “ builder.
” Speaking of Unanue , he also deserves credit for echoing Masvidal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appearing on Friday ’ s edition of “ Fox & Friends , ” Unanue lamented the backlash and reminded viewers that he also worked with former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama .
“ So , you ’ re allowed to talk good or to praise one president , ” he said .
“ And you make a positive comment [ about another ] , all of a sudden , that ’ s not acceptable.
” It ’ s also worth mentioning that lost amid the Trump compliment backlash on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be donating 2 million pounds of food to various food banks in the United States : According to the “ woke ” mob , donating millions of pounds of food to those most in need is apparently a meaningless gesture if you dare praise the president , which is made out to be the height of heinousness .
If that doesn ’ t tell you everything you need to know about the fringes of the far left , nothing will .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

On the eve of a big fight, most UFC combatants are probably thinking about the same things.
What are your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses? Striking or grappling? Head shots or body blows?
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, however, was also apparently thinking about Goya Foods before Saturday’s welterweight title bout against Kamaru Usman at UFC 251.
While at first blush that may seem like the strangest thing to think about before a championship fight, Masvidal deserves credit for taking a stand against cancel culture regardless of the time or place.
In 2020, canceling things seems to be the left’s go-to reaction after hearing comments they don’t like, so it really should have come as no surprise that Goya Foods came under intense scrutiny and calls for boycotts this week because the company’s CEO had the unmitigated gall to say something nice about the sitting president of the United States.
“We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder,” Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue said during a White House event honoring Hispanic leaders on Thursday.
“We have an incredible builder. And we pray,” Unanue added. “We pray for our leadership, our president, and we pray for our country — that we will continue to prosper and to grow.”
For some reason, those wholly benign platitudes sparked outrage and triggered a “#BoycottGoya” trend on Twitter.
Celebrities and politicians pounced on the trend to denounce the food producer:
We learned to bake bread in this pandemic, we can learn to make our own adobo con pimienta. Bye. https://t.co/qKHNYfkqCq — Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 10, 2020
Oh look, it’s the sound of me Googling “how to make your own Adobo” https://t.co/YOScAcyAnC — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 10, 2020
Masvidal was not having any of that nonsense. The 35-year-old fighter quickly pointed out that actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to the philanthropic endeavors of Goya Foods:
Masvidal, who is of Cuban and Peruvian descent, reminded his 533,000 followers that in 2018, Goya donated one million pounds of food to those impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
“Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob. My people don’t get influenced by those that don’t know. They’ve been helping our people when we needed it most,” Masvidal tweeted Friday night.
Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob. My people don’t get influenced by those that don’t know. They’ve been helping our people when we needed it most https://t.co/lXYpUcu7uh — Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) July 11, 2020
For what it’s worth, Masvidal is 100 percent correct. Even if you feel that paying a small compliment to President Donald Trump is somehow an unforgivable sin, you can’t argue against the charitable work that Goya Foods has done.
Do you plan to buy Goya Foods products now that the left is boycotting the company? 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% (508 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
A million pounds of food is nothing to sneeze at, and you can be rest assured that those aided by it probably don’t care that Unanue thinks Trump is a “builder.”
Speaking of Unanue, he also deserves credit for echoing Masvidal and refusing to apologize for his comments.
Appearing on Friday’s edition of “Fox & Friends,” Unanue lamented the backlash and reminded viewers that he also worked with former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
“So, you’re allowed to talk good or to praise one president,” he said. “And you make a positive comment [about another], all of a sudden, that’s not acceptable.”
It’s also worth mentioning that lost amid the Trump compliment backlash on Thursday, Goya Foods actually announced that it would be donating 2 million pounds of food to various food banks in the United States:
Goya continues to work for the prosperity & education of our country! #GOYAGIVES two million pounds of food to food banks across the nation who are in desperate need of food for families impacted by COVID19. pic.twitter.com/ZUdxRUnpBl — Goya Foods (@GoyaFoods) July 10, 2020
According to the “woke” mob, donating millions of pounds of food to those most in need is apparently a meaningless gesture if you dare praise the president, which is made out to be the height of heinousness.
If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the fringes of the far left, nothing will.
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--2020-07-11--The New, Woke NBA League Is Becoming Directly Involved in Elections

One could not be faulted for mistaking the National Basketball Association for a left-wing political action committee .
Liberal basketball star LeBron James ’ effort to turn NBA arenas into polling places serves as just the latest example of the sports league putting its wokeness on full display .
According to Fox News , James , the current Los Angeles Laker who formed a voting rights group called More Than A Vote , is “ joining with other professional basketball leaders and Michigan ’ s top elections official to push for mega voting sites to accommodate in-person balloting amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venues in Detroit and Atlanta have already signed on to serve as polling locations for the November elections .
The Detroit Pistons have offered use of the complex that also houses the team ’ s headquarters and practice facilities .
TRENDING : Golf Pro and His Three Children Tragically Killed in Plane Crash The State Farm Arena , home of the Atlanta Hawks , will also be used as a polling place : As Fox News reported , liberals cried foul when Kentucky elections officials opened two huge arenas in the state for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville Exposition Center and the University of Kentucky football stadium in Lexington .
However , now that James , a prominent left-winger , has jumped on board , the left has changed its tune .
The NBA ’ s latest venture into the political sphere comes not long after reports surfaced that the league would paint the phrase “ Black Lives Matter ” on the courts of the three Orlando , Florida , arenas that will house NBA games for the remainder of the 2019-20 season .
The NBA ’ s embrace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impression that the league agrees with the notion that America is a fundamentally racist country .
NBA executives and players do not realize how good they have it here in the United States .
As Kentucky State University political science professor Wilfred Reilly pointed out in an interview with conservative talk show host Mark Levin , the NBA serves as a perfect rebuttal to the claim that America suffers from “ systemic racism.
” After all , the NBA is made up of predominantly black athletes in a country where blacks are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t favor athletes because of their skin color , just their talent , Reilly said .
The United States as a whole is the same way , he said .
If the NBA really cared about promoting the idea of racial equality , then it would not work so hard to cozy up to China , one of the most racist societies on the planet .
Yet , the NBA , including LeBron James , came to China ’ s defense in the fall after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong .
It ’ s not just the NBA that has succumbed to woke politics .
The National Football League , which has also expressed interest in offering its facilities as “ mega voting sites , ” announced last week that it would play the “ Black National Anthem ” before football games .
In addition , NFL player Malcolm Jenkins , now with the New Orleands Saints , has joined CNN as a “ social justice contributor ” and the San Francisco 49ers recently put up a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So much for the idea of sports as an escape from politics .
The political activism of both the NBA and NFL should raise questions about their true motivations for setting up these “ mega voting sites.
” The country has come a long way in creating polling places where voters can make their voices heard without fear of harassment or intimidation from partisan interests .
With less than four months to go until Election Day , it remains to be seen how many more NBA and NFL teams will decide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling places .
Regardless of what happens in this regard , it seems almost certain that both leagues will continue to battle it out for first prize in the “ Wokeness Olympics.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One could not be faulted for mistaking the National Basketball Association for a left-wing political action committee.
Liberal basketball star LeBron James’ effort to turn NBA arenas into polling places serves as just the latest example of the sports league putting its wokeness on full display.
According to Fox News, James, the current Los Angeles Laker who formed a voting rights group called More Than A Vote, is “joining with other professional basketball leaders and Michigan’s top elections official to push for mega voting sites to accommodate in-person balloting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
So far, NBA venues in Detroit and Atlanta have already signed on to serve as polling locations for the November elections.
The Detroit Pistons have offered use of the complex that also houses the team’s headquarters and practice facilities.
We are partnering with @michsos office and City Clerk of Detroit’s Office on a series of initiatives to drive voter awareness and participation. The @HenryFordNews Detroit Pistons Performance Center will serve as a voting center for the November 3 election. pic.twitter.com/H6OaQgb5XR — Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 1, 2020
The State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, will also be used as a polling place:
One week ago today it was announced that @StateFarmArena will become the largest-ever polling location in Georgia. Hawks CEO, Steve Koonin reflects on what inspired the Hawks, State Farm Arena and Fulton County (@fultoninfo). Read more: https://t.co/Nagbx5zFEu pic.twitter.com/RM6VXRKXmD — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 6, 2020
As Fox News reported, liberals cried foul when Kentucky elections officials opened two huge arenas in the state for June primary voting in June — the Louisville Exposition Center and the University of Kentucky football stadium in Lexington. However, now that James, a prominent left-winger, has jumped on board, the left has changed its tune.
The NBA’s latest venture into the political sphere comes not long after reports surfaced that the league would paint the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on the courts of the three Orlando, Florida, arenas that will house NBA games for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
The NBA’s embrace of the Black Lives Matter movement gives the impression that the league agrees with the notion that America is a fundamentally racist country. NBA executives and players do not realize how good they have it here in the United States.
As Kentucky State University political science professor Wilfred Reilly pointed out in an interview with conservative talk show host Mark Levin, the NBA serves as a perfect rebuttal to the claim that America suffers from “systemic racism.”
After all, the NBA is made up of predominantly black athletes in a country where blacks are a numerical minority. The NBA doesn’t favor athletes because of their skin color, just their talent, Reilly said. The United States as a whole is the same way, he said.
If the NBA really cared about promoting the idea of racial equality, then it would not work so hard to cozy up to China, one of the most racist societies on the planet.
Yet, the NBA, including LeBron James, came to China’s defense in the fall after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey sent out a tweet supporting pro-democracy protesters in the semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong.
It’s not just the NBA that has succumbed to woke politics. The National Football League, which has also expressed interest in offering its facilities as “mega voting sites,” announced last week that it would play the “Black National Anthem” before football games.
Former NFL executive Scott Pioli made a presentation last week at meeting of the National Association of Secretaries of State, proposing the use of professional and college sports facilities as voting locations throughout the country. — Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 1, 2020
In addition, NFL player Malcolm Jenkins, now with the New Orleands Saints, has joined CNN as a “social justice contributor” and the San Francisco 49ers recently put up a Black Lives Matter flag alongside the American flag. So much for the idea of sports as an escape from politics.
Does the left-wing activism of professional sports leagues make you less likely to tune in to their events? 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% (329 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
The political activism of both the NBA and NFL should raise questions about their true motivations for setting up these “mega voting sites.”
The country has come a long way in creating polling places where voters can make their voices heard without fear of harassment or intimidation from partisan interests.
With less than four months to go until Election Day, it remains to be seen how many more NBA and NFL teams will decide to offer their facilities to be used as polling places.
Regardless of what happens in this regard, it seems almost certain that both leagues will continue to battle it out for first prize in the “Wokeness Olympics.”
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--2020-07-11--Couple Discovers They Were Long-Lost Childhood Sweethearts After Looking at 20-Year-Old Photos

When it comes to romance , there are those who are starry-eyed idealists and those who are a bit more distant and rational .
Some believe in “ the one , ” and others have a hard time thinking that there ’ s someone out there for them .
But Ed and Heidi Savitt of London have a pretty compelling story to support the idea that they were bound by more than just chance : They were meant to be .
When Ed was attending Newcastle University in 2011 , he had some issues figuring out the dryer at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into .
He got a hold of Heidi ’ s contact info , since she had lived there previously , and asked for clarification .
But he ended up with a lot more than that .
Heidi was studying economics and management , he was studying psychology and business .
They hit it off and started dating .
After four years , they learned something fascinating , thanks to Heidi ’ s mom , Kay Parker .
When the couple met with both of their mothers for dinner , Parker mentioned that Heidi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ed ” back in the 90s while they were on holiday .
That struck a nerve with Ed ’ s mother , Fiona Savitt , as the Savitt family used to go on holiday in the same area around that same time .
Sure enough , when Parker got around to digging up some of the old photos of her daughter and the mysterious “ Ed , ” it was none other than her current beau .
“ When my mum found the first photo of us she sent it to me and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K .
Independent in 2017 .
“ I actually had to lie down !
” They ’ d had no idea they had met before , years ago , when they ’ d been only children .
Even then they ’ d been thick as thieves , spending their two-week holiday at each other ’ s sides , holding hands and hanging out .
“ I was screaming , it was just unreal , ” Parker told the U.K. Daily Mail .
“ Of course , I sent it to Fiona .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ed ’ s family then dug out their photo album from the same holiday and found about five other photos of us together and with our siblings too , ” Heidi added to The Independent .
“ It was unbelievable !
” RELATED : Couple Swept Out to Sea During Photoshoot on Wedding Day After Large Wave Crashes on Them “ None of us had any idea whatsoever that Heidi and Ed had met before university , ” Parker continued .
“ Perhaps they just had a subconscious realization they had shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults.
” “ It was not just Heidi and Ed who met on that holiday but all of us as well , ” Parker said .
“ It is just such a lovely , incredible story.
” The couple knows if it hadn ’ t been for Parker ’ s memory , they might never have realized they were former friends .
Heidi said that “ people keep telling us that it must be fate and that it ’ s like the plot of a movie !
” Despite the adorable bond they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes now , the couple — who have now been married for several years — knows they would have stuck together whether or not they ’ d remembered their childhood friendship .
“ From the moment we started dating we were inseparable and knew we were going to be together forever , ” Heidi told the Daily Mail .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When it comes to romance, there are those who are starry-eyed idealists and those who are a bit more distant and rational. Some believe in “the one,” and others have a hard time thinking that there’s someone out there for them.
But Ed and Heidi Savitt of London have a pretty compelling story to support the idea that they were bound by more than just chance: They were meant to be.
When Ed was attending Newcastle University in 2011, he had some issues figuring out the dryer at the student house he’d just moved into. He got a hold of Heidi’s contact info, since she had lived there previously, and asked for clarification.
But he ended up with a lot more than that. Heidi was studying economics and management, he was studying psychology and business. They hit it off and started dating.
After four years, they learned something fascinating, thanks to Heidi’s mom, Kay Parker. When the couple met with both of their mothers for dinner, Parker mentioned that Heidi had had a crush on an “Ed” back in the 90s while they were on holiday.
That struck a nerve with Ed’s mother, Fiona Savitt, as the Savitt family used to go on holiday in the same area around that same time.
Sure enough, when Parker got around to digging up some of the old photos of her daughter and the mysterious “Ed,” it was none other than her current beau.
“When my mum found the first photo of us she sent it to me and I was stunned,” Heidi told the U.K. Independent in 2017. “I actually had to lie down!”
They’d had no idea they had met before, years ago, when they’d been only children.
Even then they’d been thick as thieves, spending their two-week holiday at each other’s sides, holding hands and hanging out.
“I was screaming, it was just unreal,” Parker told the U.K. Daily Mail. “Of course, I sent it to Fiona. Then loads more photographs came out.”
“Ed’s family then dug out their photo album from the same holiday and found about five other photos of us together and with our siblings too,” Heidi added to The Independent. “It was unbelievable!”
“None of us had any idea whatsoever that Heidi and Ed had met before university,” Parker continued. “Perhaps they just had a subconscious realization they had shared that time together when they met as adults.”
“It was not just Heidi and Ed who met on that holiday but all of us as well,” Parker said. “It is just such a lovely, incredible story.”
The couple knows if it hadn’t been for Parker’s memory, they might never have realized they were former friends. Heidi said that “people keep telling us that it must be fate and that it’s like the plot of a movie!”
Despite the adorable bond they had as children and the lovely story it makes now, the couple — who have now been married for several years — knows they would have stuck together whether or not they’d remembered their childhood friendship.
“From the moment we started dating we were inseparable and knew we were going to be together forever,” Heidi told the Daily Mail.
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--2020-07-11--US Agents Suspect This Is the Result of China’s ‘Inhumane’ Human Rights Abuses

American customs agents appeared to have stumbled upon a product of China ’ s systemic human rights abuses against minorities in the communist nation .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the find — beauty products made with real human hair — on July 1 .
The seizure occurred as part of a broader CBP withhold release order against Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. Ltd , a company suspected of using forced labor and other harsh practices .
According to the agency ’ s media release , the company has the chance to dispute the order by proving it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company is now on CBP ’ s detention orders list , with its embargoed hair products joining clothing , toys and even peeled garlic from certain Chinese businesses .
“ It is absolutely essential that American importers ensure that the integrity of their supply chain meets the humane and ethical standards expected by the American government and by American consumers , ” Brenda Smith , executive assistant commissioner of the CBP Office of Trade , said in a statement following the seizure of Lop County Meixin ’ s products .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious human rights violation , ” she said , “ and the detention order is intended to send a clear and direct message to all entities seeking to do business with the United States that illicit and inhumane practices will not be tolerated in U.S. supply chains.
” One indication the hair might be the result of human rights abuses , according to CBP , is that the product hails from China ’ s Xinjiang autonomous region .
The region is infamous for secretive torture camps and detention facilities .
Reports from these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a light on the horrific lengths to which a communist government will go to ensure cultural uniformity .
The region ’ s Uighur Muslims are the main victims of this mistreatment , as The Wall Street Journal reported , suggesting they may have been the ones forced to make the hair products .
Nearly 13 tons of the merchandise was being held by CBP .
The agency estimates this hair is worth more than $ 800,000 , money that would no doubt go toward funding the horrific practices behind it .
China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a backseat in world politics , are now being increasingly moved to the forefront of the conversation .
RELATED : Biden Makes Stupidest 'First Day in Office ' Promise Ever The shift is being fueled by a decoupling of a globalist economy , as well as the Communist Party of China ’ s central role in helping the novel coronavirus turn into a deadly pandemic .
An authoritarian power grab in Hong Kong under the guise of national security is further hurting China ’ s reputation in the world .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a victory against China , it ’ s proof that the administration of President Donald Trump is willing to hold the communist juggernaut accountable for crimes against its own people .
With the 2020 elections pitting Trump against a historically pro-China Democratic nominee in Joe Biden , strategies for dealing with our biggest rival will likely become crucial for both candidates .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

American customs agents appeared to have stumbled upon a product of China’s systemic human rights abuses against minorities in the communist nation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the find — beauty products made with real human hair — on July 1.
The seizure occurred as part of a broader CBP withhold release order against Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. Ltd, a company suspected of using forced labor and other harsh practices.
According to the agency’s media release, the company has the chance to dispute the order by proving it doesn’t use forced labor.
The company is now on CBP’s detention orders list, with its embargoed hair products joining clothing, toys and even peeled garlic from certain Chinese businesses.
“It is absolutely essential that American importers ensure that the integrity of their supply chain meets the humane and ethical standards expected by the American government and by American consumers,” Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner of the CBP Office of Trade, said in a statement following the seizure of Lop County Meixin’s products.
“The production of these goods constitutes a very serious human rights violation,” she said, “and the detention order is intended to send a clear and direct message to all entities seeking to do business with the United States that illicit and inhumane practices will not be tolerated in U.S. supply chains.”
One indication the hair might be the result of human rights abuses, according to CBP, is that the product hails from China’s Xinjiang autonomous region.
The region is infamous for secretive torture camps and detention facilities. Reports from these complexes are not pretty, and shed a light on the horrific lengths to which a communist government will go to ensure cultural uniformity.
Is the United States doing enough to counter China's human rights abuses? 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: 15% (214 Votes) No: 85% (1251 Votes)
The region’s Uighur Muslims are the main victims of this mistreatment, as The Wall Street Journal reported, suggesting they may have been the ones forced to make the hair products.
Nearly 13 tons of the merchandise was being held by CBP. The agency estimates this hair is worth more than $800,000, money that would no doubt go toward funding the horrific practices behind it.
CBP detained a shipment of nearly 13 tons of hair products suspected of being produced by forced labor. The shipment, originating in Xinjiang, China, was detained in accordance with a Withhold Release Order. ➡ https://t.co/QwWHLusKDf pic.twitter.com/zRDndtgAIE — CBP (@CBP) July 2, 2020
China’s inhumane practices, which have often taken a backseat in world politics, are now being increasingly moved to the forefront of the conversation.
The shift is being fueled by a decoupling of a globalist economy, as well as the Communist Party of China’s central role in helping the novel coronavirus turn into a deadly pandemic.
An authoritarian power grab in Hong Kong under the guise of national security is further hurting China’s reputation in the world.
While the seizure of human hair may not seem like a victory against China, it’s proof that the administration of President Donald Trump is willing to hold the communist juggernaut accountable for crimes against its own people.
With the 2020 elections pitting Trump against a historically pro-China Democratic nominee in Joe Biden, strategies for dealing with our biggest rival will likely become crucial for both candidates.
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--2020-07-11--Trump Slams ‘Radical Left Indoctrination’ Happening in Schools, Threatens To Hit Them Where It Hurts

President Donald Trump took aim Friday at the liberal “ indoctrination ” that he believes is running rampant at schools across the nation .
“ Too many Universities and School Systems are about Radical Left Indoctrination , not Education , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Therefore , I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-Exempt Status and/or Funding , which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues , ” he said .
“ Our children must be Educated , not Indoctrinated !
” Trump ’ s tweet did not explain how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would target public or private schools , or both .
The president has taken a stand for free and open thought on college campuses in the past , and last year issued an executive order to promote free speech on campuses .
In announcing the order , Trump praised conservative students for their efforts to express themselves .
“ These courageous Americans have stood up [ to ] the forces of political indoctrinations — and they really stood up to it , too , like very few people have been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said in March 2019 , according to a White House transcript of his remarks .
“ You refused to be silenced by powerful institutions and closed-minded critics , of which there are many .
You faced down intimidation , pressure and abuse .
You did it because you love your country and you believe in truth , justice , and freedom , ” he told the students who were with him for the signing of the order .
Trump said censoring conservative opinions violates the purpose of education .
“ In America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mission is preparing students for life as citizens in a free society , ” Trump said .
“ But even as universities have received billions and billions of dollars from taxpayers , many have become increasingly hostile to free speech and to the First Amendment .
You see it all the time.
” “ Under the guise of ‘ speech codes ’ and ‘ safe spaces ’ and ‘ trigger warnings , ’ these universities have tried to restrict free thought , impose total conformity , and shut down the voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order called upon federal agencies to ensure that colleges and universities receiving federal grants supported free speech .
Trump ’ s latest salvo earned enthusiastic support from Charlie Kirk , president of Turning Point USA , which promotes free speech on college campuses .
In its definition of a qualified tax-exempt educational institution , the IRS notes : “ Advocacy of a particular position or viewpoint may be educational if there is a sufficiently full and fair exposition of pertinent facts to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsupported opinion isn ’ t educational.
” However , the IRS does not stop there .
A method used by a tax-exempt institution might not be educational if “ [ t ] he presentation of viewpoints unsupported by facts is a significant part of the organization ’ s communications ” or if “ [ t ] he facts that purport to support the viewpoint are distorted.
” The IRS also says it would not consider an approach educational if “ [ t ] he organization ’ s presentations make substantial use of inflammatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the basis of emotion than of objective evaluations.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump took aim Friday at the liberal “indoctrination” that he believes is running rampant at schools across the nation.
“Too many Universities and School Systems are about Radical Left Indoctrination, not Education,” Trump tweeted.
“Therefore, I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-Exempt Status and/or Funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues,” he said.
“Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated!”
… and/or Funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues. Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2020
Trump’s tweet did not explain how this review would take place, and whether it would target public or private schools, or both.
The president has taken a stand for free and open thought on college campuses in the past, and last year issued an executive order to promote free speech on campuses.
In announcing the order, Trump praised conservative students for their efforts to express themselves.
Do you believe public school students are being indoctrinated by leftist ideologues? 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% (635 Votes) No: 1% (6 Votes)
“These courageous Americans have stood up [to] the forces of political indoctrinations — and they really stood up to it, too, like very few people have been able to; censorship; and coercion,” Trump said in March 2019, according to a White House transcript of his remarks.
“You refused to be silenced by powerful institutions and closed-minded critics, of which there are many. You faced down intimidation, pressure and abuse. You did it because you love your country and you believe in truth, justice, and freedom,” he told the students who were with him for the signing of the order.
Trump said censoring conservative opinions violates the purpose of education.
“In America, the very heart of the university’s mission is preparing students for life as citizens in a free society,” Trump said. “But even as universities have received billions and billions of dollars from taxpayers, many have become increasingly hostile to free speech and to the First Amendment. You see it all the time.”
“Under the guise of ‘speech codes’ and ‘safe spaces’ and ‘trigger warnings,’ these universities have tried to restrict free thought, impose total conformity, and shut down the voices of great young Americans.”
The executive order called upon federal agencies to ensure that colleges and universities receiving federal grants supported free speech.
Trump’s latest salvo earned enthusiastic support from Charlie Kirk, president of Turning Point USA, which promotes free speech on college campuses.
Students should be educated, not indoctrinated. — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 10, 2020
God Bless President Trump for calling out the dangerous virus that is Marxist education of our kids in college! — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 10, 2020
In its definition of a qualified tax-exempt educational institution, the IRS notes: “Advocacy of a particular position or viewpoint may be educational if there is a sufficiently full and fair exposition of pertinent facts to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. The mere presentation of unsupported opinion isn’t educational.”
However, the IRS does not stop there.
A method used by a tax-exempt institution might not be educational if “[t]he presentation of viewpoints unsupported by facts is a significant part of the organization’s communications” or if “[t]he facts that purport to support the viewpoint are distorted.”
The IRS also says it would not consider an approach educational if “[t]he organization’s presentations make substantial use of inflammatory and disparaging terms and express conclusions more on the basis of emotion than of objective evaluations.”
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--2020-07-11--Age 5 Boy Who Lost Legs to Abuse Raises Over $1M for Hospital That Saved His Life

A 5-year-old British boy , who at the age of five weeks had to have both legs amputated after neglect inflicted by his birth parents , has just raised more than $ 1 million for the hospital that cared for him when he was struggling just to stay alive .
Tony Hudgell raised more than 1 million pounds , which amounts to $ 1.24 million , by walking 10 kilometers on his prosthetic legs , according to Reuters .
Paula Hudgell , who along with her husband adopted the boy in 2016 , said he received his artificial legs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now managed to complete his goal of walking 6.2 miles in June to raise money for the hospital .
The fundraising challenge was inspired by a similar challenge offered by a 95-year-old British man who walked around his garden 100 times to raise 33 million pounds .
Tony said his June walking challenge was “ really fun , ” but that is also felt “ really good ” to have it completed .
The boy initially set a target of 500 pounds , but kept raising it as support rolled in .
Seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furthest thing from Paula Hudgell ’ s mind when she first met her adopted son , who was four months old when she saw him in Evelina London Children ’ s Hospital .
“ He ’ d had all his limbs broken , he ’ d had blood trauma to the face , sepsis , multi-organ failure , and they never expected him to survive , ” she said .
Back then , she said , her son was “ broken , shutdown , a tiny , tiny underweight little boy.
” RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweethearts After Looking at 20-Year-Old Photos She and her husband , also named Tony , adopted the boy because “ [ w ] e didn ’ t want him to go anywhere else , he was our little boy by then , ” she said .
Consultant Michail Kokkinakis said that family support and the boy ’ s determination have brought him through very difficult years .
“ I have seen him thriving , I have seen him becoming this very confident and bright young boy he is today , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ability to walk has floored her .
“ [ It ] is incredible to think just three and half weeks ago he could barely take a few steps.
” The boy told reporters his next challenge is a “ hard question , ” but he has set a lofty career goal for himself .
“ I want to handcuff bad people and robbers , ” he said .
The hospital issued its thanks for the boy ’ s actions .
“ Paula has been giving us regular updates and we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caroline Gormley , associate director of fundraising at the hospital , said in a statement , according to CNN .
“ His strength and the generosity of everyone who has donated will make such an incredible difference .
He has made everyone at Evelina London so proud.
” Jody Simpson and Tony Smith , the boy ’ s birth parents , were convicted of child cruelty in 2018 and are currently serving prison terms , according to the BBC .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
@ @ @ @ @

A 5-year-old British boy, who at the age of five weeks had to have both legs amputated after neglect inflicted by his birth parents, has just raised more than $1 million for the hospital that cared for him when he was struggling just to stay alive.
Tony Hudgell raised more than 1 million pounds, which amounts to $1.24 million, by walking 10 kilometers on his prosthetic legs, according to Reuters.
Paula Hudgell, who along with her husband adopted the boy in 2016, said he received his artificial legs in February, and after an unsteady start now managed to complete his goal of walking 6.2 miles in June to raise money for the hospital.
The fundraising challenge was inspired by a similar challenge offered by a 95-year-old British man who walked around his garden 100 times to raise 33 million pounds.
Tony said his June walking challenge was “really fun,” but that is also felt “really good” to have it completed.
The boy initially set a target of 500 pounds, but kept raising it as support rolled in.
? This is the moment Tony Hudgell completed his 10km walking challenge. ?
On #BBCBreakfast we’ve followed @paula_hudgell and Tony’s story from the start ⤵
More here: https://t.co/D7OCd2OOq1 pic.twitter.com/3vwrgFgK6d — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 1, 2020
Seeing the boy walk 10 kilometers was the furthest thing from Paula Hudgell’s mind when she first met her adopted son, who was four months old when she saw him in Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
“He’d had all his limbs broken, he’d had blood trauma to the face, sepsis, multi-organ failure, and they never expected him to survive,” she said.
“We took him home.”
Back then, she said, her son was “broken, shutdown, a tiny, tiny underweight little boy.”
She and her husband, also named Tony, adopted the boy because “[w]e didn’t want him to go anywhere else, he was our little boy by then,” she said.
Consultant Michail Kokkinakis said that family support and the boy’s determination have brought him through very difficult years.
“I have seen him thriving, I have seen him becoming this very confident and bright young boy he is today,” he said.
“He’s a huge inspiration to us all.”
Paula Hudgell said her son’s ability to walk has floored her.
“[It] is incredible to think just three and half weeks ago he could barely take a few steps.”
The boy told reporters his next challenge is a “hard question,” but he has set a lofty career goal for himself.
“I want to handcuff bad people and robbers,” he said.
The hospital issued its thanks for the boy’s actions.
“Paula has been giving us regular updates and we’ve been amazed at his progress,” Caroline Gormley, associate director of fundraising at the hospital, said in a statement, according to CNN.
“His strength and the generosity of everyone who has donated will make such an incredible difference. He has made everyone at Evelina London so proud.”
Jody Simpson and Tony Smith, the boy’s birth parents, were convicted of child cruelty in 2018 and are currently serving prison terms, according to the BBC.
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--2020-07-11--Police: Drunken Dad Launches Into Shooting, Standoff After Losing Arm Wrestling Match to Son

When an arm wrestling contest with his young son ended badly , a Kentucky man allegedly went on a rampage that led to a shooting and an eight-hour standoff with police .
The incident took place on Monday in the community of Florence , Kentucky , the Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office said on its Facebook page .
Police were dispatched at 12:58 a.m. after they received a report of a subject with a weapon .
Two family members had already fled the home when police arrived , the post said .
“ Curtis Zimmerman , 55 , refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an eight ( 8 ) hour standoff .
During the standoff , only Zimmerman remained inside of the home , ” the sheriff ’ s office wrote .
“ Deputies learned that Zimmerman was intoxicated and challenged his juvenile son to an arm-wrestling contest .
When Zimmerman lost multiple times , he became agitated which led to a physical altercation with his son , ” the post said .
The son ’ s age was not disclosed .
“ Zimmerman grabbed a firearm and as his son was going upstairs , Zimmerman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house , ” the post continued .
Zimmerman ’ s target when he fired was unclear .
According to the Facebook post , he “ stated that he fired the shots into the ceiling.
” The Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office SWAT Team , Florence Police Department SWAT Team and Boone County Sheriff ’ s Office Hostage Negotiation Team all responded to the incident .
Zimmerman was hospitalized to be evaluated , and was scheduled to be arrested upon his release .
He will face a felony charge of first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zimmerman will be jailed upon his release and face a bond of $ 5,000 .
Police said neither of the other family members in the house were injured .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When an arm wrestling contest with his young son ended badly, a Kentucky man allegedly went on a rampage that led to a shooting and an eight-hour standoff with police.
The incident took place on Monday in the community of Florence, Kentucky, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page.
Police were dispatched at 12:58 a.m. after they received a report of a subject with a weapon.
Two family members had already fled the home when police arrived, the post said.
“Curtis Zimmerman, 55, refused commands to exit the residence which resulted in an eight (8) hour standoff. During the standoff, only Zimmerman remained inside of the home,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
“Deputies learned that Zimmerman was intoxicated and challenged his juvenile son to an arm-wrestling contest. When Zimmerman lost multiple times, he became agitated which led to a physical altercation with his son,” the post said.
The son’s age was not disclosed.
“Zimmerman grabbed a firearm and as his son was going upstairs, Zimmerman fired two (2) shots inside of the house,” the post continued.
Zimmerman’s target when he fired was unclear. According to the Facebook post, he “stated that he fired the shots into the ceiling.”
Boone County Kentucky man angered over repeated drunk arm wrestling losses to own offspring leads to him pulling a #gun on his family. Hostage crisis situation develops after shots fired, dad facing “first degree wanton endangerment” charge#Gunsense https://t.co/K8BqkaXUFx — Lil Mike SF (@lilmikesf) July 7, 2020
We’re a little different in Boone County https://t.co/7w1lPheIOP — Kyle (@UKfanKyle) July 6, 2020
Zimmerman surrendered at 8:25 a.m. Monday.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Florence Police Department SWAT Team and Boone County Sheriff’s Office Hostage Negotiation Team all responded to the incident.
Should this father face jail time for this incident? 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% (54 Votes) No: 2% (1 Votes)
Zimmerman was hospitalized to be evaluated, and was scheduled to be arrested upon his release.
He will face a felony charge of first-degree wanton endangerment, the post said.
Zimmerman will be jailed upon his release and face a bond of $5,000.
Police said neither of the other family members in the house were injured.
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--2020-07-11--Owner Heartbroken After World’s Oldest Cat Dies at Age 31

One of the most common questions people who ’ ve lived to an impressive age get asked is , “ What ’ s the secret ” ?
The rest of us are very curious to know what it is that keeps a person kicking so long .
For one impressive specimen from Austin , Texas , it was the youthful combination of turkey bacon , dry food , broccoli and a little bit of red wine every two days that kept him going to the grand old age of 38 .
Of course , this particular resident was a cat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 .
While that ’ s an impressive age for a cat , the official Guinness World Records entry belongs to a cat named Scooter , also from Texas , who died in 2016 at the age of 30 .
Now , another cat from England has impressed people by making it to 31 years .
Owner Michele Heritage from Exeter , Devon , was the proud owner of the orange and white Maine coon named Rubble .
“ He would have been 32 in May so it was such an achievement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Mail .
“ He was an amazing companion that I had the pleasure to live with for such a long time.
” “ I got him just before my 20th birthday when he was a kitten .
… He was part of a litter cat that my sister ’ s friend had and I had just left home.
” “ I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten .
It was in May 1988.
” While Rubble could have breezed past Scooter and claimed the Guinness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was too much trouble for a cat his age .
“ We never went down the route of Guinness Book of Records , ” she said .
“ I didn ’ t want to do that given his age .
The record wasn ’ t of interest to us.
” Last year , Heritage knew when her cat ’ s time was coming to an end and told her husband that Rubble would probably leave soon .
RELATED : Hours After Dog Passes Away , Woman Looks at Clouds and Sees Pet 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards the end .
I said to my husband at Christmas that I think it would be last we spend with Rubble , ” she said .
“ He had started to stop eating and only drank water.
” Rubble died before his 32nd birthday two months ago , Heritage said .
“ He became very thin .
I went to work as usual and when I got home my husband said Rubble had gone over the road as he did every day and never came back , so we believe he went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was a creature of habit , had his favorite places to sleep and liked his food so when that stopped happening , we knew.
” Her secret for long-lived felines ?
Top-notch care and attention .
“ I have always treated him like a child — I don ’ t have any children and had another cat called Meg — who passed at the age of 25 , ” she said .
“ If you care about something , no matter what it is , it does last.
” We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One of the most common questions people who’ve lived to an impressive age get asked is, “What’s the secret”? The rest of us are very curious to know what it is that keeps a person kicking so long.
For one impressive specimen from Austin, Texas, it was the youthful combination of turkey bacon, dry food, broccoli and a little bit of red wine every two days that kept him going to the grand old age of 38.
Of course, this particular resident was a cat named Creme Puff, who died in 2005. While that’s an impressive age for a cat, the official Guinness World Records entry belongs to a cat named Scooter, also from Texas, who died in 2016 at the age of 30.
Now, another cat from England has impressed people by making it to 31 years. Owner Michele Heritage from Exeter, Devon, was the proud owner of the orange and white Maine coon named Rubble.
“He would have been 32 in May so it was such an achievement,” Heritage said, according to the Daily Mail. “He was an amazing companion that I had the pleasure to live with for such a long time.”
“I got him just before my 20th birthday when he was a kitten. … He was part of a litter cat that my sister’s friend had and I had just left home.”
“I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten. It was in May 1988.”
While Rubble could have breezed past Scooter and claimed the Guinness title for himself, Heritage decided it was too much trouble for a cat his age.
“We never went down the route of Guinness Book of Records,” she said. “I didn’t want to do that given his age. The record wasn’t of interest to us.”
Last year, Heritage knew when her cat’s time was coming to an end and told her husband that Rubble would probably leave soon.
“He grew old very quickly towards the end. I said to my husband at Christmas that I think it would be last we spend with Rubble,” she said. “He had started to stop eating and only drank water.”
Rubble died before his 32nd birthday two months ago, Heritage said.
“He became very thin. I went to work as usual and when I got home my husband said Rubble had gone over the road as he did every day and never came back, so we believe he went off to die as cats do.”
“He was a creature of habit, had his favorite places to sleep and liked his food so when that stopped happening, we knew.”
Her secret for long-lived felines? Top-notch care and attention.
“I have always treated him like a child — I don’t have any children and had another cat called Meg — who passed at the age of 25,” she said. “If you care about something, no matter what it is, it does last.”
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--2020-07-11--Texas Emergency Chief: Time To Wear Masks in Homes Now, Too

If you ’ re not wearing a mask at home , or at least considering doing so , then you ’ re not doing it right .
That ’ s the message from Nim Kidd , head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management .
In an interview with San Antonio ’ s WOAI-TV published Thursday , Kidd said that to stop transmission of the coronavirus , Texans should think about wearing masks inside of the home as well as outside of it .
“ We still need people to wear the mask out in public , we still need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kidd told WOAI ’ s Ryan Wolf .
“ Ryan , the one thing I want to try to get across today is we need to do that when we ’ re in our homes also .
“ As you know , I ’ m a life-long San Antonian , grew up there , worked there for many years and I know how many multi-generational families that we have , ” he added .
“ While we believe the community is doing a great job of following the rules when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be thinking about doing the same thing when we ’ re inside the home.
” Kidd fell short of saying that wearing masks inside the home would be required , although he certainly seemed to veer close to it .
He also wasn ’ t above using guilt and fear to get you to wear a mask at home , telling Texans to ask themselves what they were bringing back to their families if they were going outside of the house .
“ Have you done the things to protect yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home and when you have extended family coming to stay with you , are you doing everything you can to protect them and yourself from this virus ?
” Kidd said .
The TDEM did not return The Western Journal ’ s request for comment on the matter in time for publication of this article , but the agency ’ s chief has been making the rounds over the past few days , as you might expect with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Lone Star State .
His messaging is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Remember when we had to put out the ‘ click it or ticket ” in order to get people to wear seatbelts , ” Kidd told KXAN-TV .
“ Now should we look at ‘ mask it or casket ?
’ ” Well , you can ’ t fault him for subtlety .
The messaging comes as Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott , a Republican , is having trouble enforcing his new mask mandate , which requires Texans to wear masks in public .
RELATED : Off-Duty Dallas Cop Beaten to Ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Disperse Crowd “ The public needs to understand this was a very tough decision for me to make , ” Abbott said of the order .
“ I made clear that I made this tough decision for one reason : It was our last best effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
If we do not slow the spread of COVID-19 the next step would have to be a lockdown.
” The new order is difficult to enforce , however , given the fact that police lack the ability to jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , according to CBS News .
“ We can ’ t spend our time running from place to place for calls about mask we can really do nothing about , ” Denton County Sheriff Tracy Murphree wrote in a Facebook post last Saturday .
“ I won ’ t and I don ’ t believe I can take any enforcement action on this order.
” Given the issues enforcing a mask order outside of the home , it ’ s a wonder that anyone in power in Texas is investing their messaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While studies indicate it could be effective , a government push for wearing masks at home raises issues of how much of our space is being ceded to government .
The likelihood of some kind of mask order inside the home seems slim — particularly in Texas , where Abbott resisted a mask order until COVID-19 cases in the state shot up dramatically .
However , Nim “ Mask it or Casket ” Kidd seems determined to make this part of his messaging on the virus .
How , exactly , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t supposed to kiss until this pandemic is over ?
Are we supposed to sleep with our masks on when we ’ re in bed with our spouse ?
Smiles , conversations , anything like that — we ’ re just supposed to say goodbye to those for a while ?
If you believe Kidd , yes .
“ The fact we need to get across is , in order to protect ourselves , we need to protect our families and our loved ones , ” he said .
“ We really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re providing inside the home right now to make sure we ’ re not spreading this inside the home , then making it come outside the home.
” Sounds great , but there ’ s roughly zero chance this is going to gain wide acceptance .
There are far better ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus than to push wearing masks at home .
At a time when counties are struggling to enforce the mask order for people outside the home , it ’ s a grave failure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear one when they ’ re in their pajamas .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you’re not wearing a mask at home, or at least considering doing so, then you’re not doing it right.
That’s the message from Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
In an interview with San Antonio’s WOAI-TV published Thursday, Kidd said that to stop transmission of the coronavirus, Texans should think about wearing masks inside of the home as well as outside of it.
“We still need people to wear the mask out in public, we still need people to keep social distance and isolation,” Kidd told WOAI’s Ryan Wolf.
“Ryan, the one thing I want to try to get across today is we need to do that when we’re in our homes also.
“As you know, I’m a life-long San Antonian, grew up there, worked there for many years and I know how many multi-generational families that we have,” he added.
“While we believe the community is doing a great job of following the rules when they are outside the home, we really need to be thinking about doing the same thing when we’re inside the home.”
Kidd fell short of saying that wearing masks inside the home would be required, although he certainly seemed to veer close to it. He also wasn’t above using guilt and fear to get you to wear a mask at home, telling Texans to ask themselves what they were bringing back to their families if they were going outside of the house.
“Have you done the things to protect yourself and your family when you’re at home and when you have extended family coming to stay with you, are you doing everything you can to protect them and yourself from this virus?” Kidd said.
Should people wear masks inside their homes? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (47 Votes) No: 99% (3736 Votes)
The TDEM did not return The Western Journal’s request for comment on the matter in time for publication of this article, but the agency’s chief has been making the rounds over the past few days, as you might expect with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Lone Star State.
His messaging is, well, a little dire.
“Remember when we had to put out the ‘click it or ticket” in order to get people to wear seatbelts,” Kidd told KXAN-TV. “Now should we look at ‘mask it or casket?’”
Well, you can’t fault him for subtlety.
The messaging comes as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is having trouble enforcing his new mask mandate, which requires Texans to wear masks in public.
“The public needs to understand this was a very tough decision for me to make,” Abbott said of the order. “I made clear that I made this tough decision for one reason: It was our last best effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. If we do not slow the spread of COVID-19 the next step would have to be a lockdown.”
The new order is difficult to enforce, however, given the fact that police lack the ability to jail or detain people for refusing to follow it, according to CBS News.
“We can’t spend our time running from place to place for calls about mask we can really do nothing about,” Denton County Sheriff Tracy Murphree wrote in a Facebook post last Saturday. “I won’t and I don’t believe I can take any enforcement action on this order.”
Given the issues enforcing a mask order outside of the home, it’s a wonder that anyone in power in Texas is investing their messaging bandwidth in pushing masks inside the home. While studies indicate it could be effective, a government push for wearing masks at home raises issues of how much of our space is being ceded to government.
The likelihood of some kind of mask order inside the home seems slim — particularly in Texas, where Abbott resisted a mask order until COVID-19 cases in the state shot up dramatically.
However, Nim “Mask it or Casket” Kidd seems determined to make this part of his messaging on the virus.
How, exactly, is this supposed to work? Texans aren’t supposed to kiss until this pandemic is over? Are we supposed to sleep with our masks on when we’re in bed with our spouse? Smiles, conversations, anything like that — we’re just supposed to say goodbye to those for a while?
If you believe Kidd, yes.
“The fact we need to get across is, in order to protect ourselves, we need to protect our families and our loved ones,” he said. “We really need to think about the care that we’re providing inside the home right now to make sure we’re not spreading this inside the home, then making it come outside the home.”
Sounds great, but there’s roughly zero chance this is going to gain wide acceptance.
There are far better ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus than to push wearing masks at home. At a time when counties are struggling to enforce the mask order for people outside the home, it’s a grave failure of messaging to assume people are going to wear one when they’re in their pajamas.
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.