westernjournal--2020-06-19--Trent Franks: Upcoming SCOTUS Decision Will Be Monumental

Twenty-five years ago , the possibility of fully validating and financially empowering parents to choose the schools their children attend was only a dream .
It is my hope and belief that this dream may be about to come true .
The question in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue now pending before the Supreme Court is whether the Blaine amendment in Montana ’ s State Constitution can invalidate its tax-credit scholarship program on the basis of religion .
If the court rules that Blaine amendments ( which were spawned in religious discrimination ) can override the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the free exercise of religion is profoundly damaged , and no tax deductions or credits directly or indirectly related to any religiously affiliated organization , including colleges , can logically survive .
This case is far beyond and very different from the long-debated voucher approach .
The source of voucher funding is appropriated public money , which brings constitutional and other challenges if religious schools are involved .
Tax-credit scholarships ( previously upheld by the Supreme Court ) authorize taxpayers to claim a tax credit when they make private , voluntary contributions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew Parents are then free to choose the school they deem best , religious or otherwise , for their child , and neither the school nor the parents have to fear intrusive government strings that come with government funding .
Even the poorest child is now offered the opportunity that previously only children of wealthy parents could afford .
It is impossible to truthfully argue that tax-credit scholarships are tantamount to taxpayer funding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donated to private charities come from private individual ’ s private money , not public coffers .
Second , the reduced revenue to the state as a result of any tax credits claimed is more than offset by reduced state expenditures , since the average cost of private tuition is approximately half the cost of sending the same student to the average public school .
Further , many of the private scholarships granted are only partial scholarships , with additional private dollars making up the difference .
Consequently , the use of tax-credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing it .
Tax-credit scholarships do not fund an establishment of religion .
The Blaine amendments absolutely do prohibit the free exercise thereof .
Since the first tax-credit scholarship legislation , identical to that which the Supreme Court now juxtaposes against Montana ’ s Blaine amendment , was passed in Arizona in 1997 , it has been embraced by 17 additional states .
The result has been that approximately half a million scholarships have been received by K-12 children to attend a school of their parents ’ choice in those states .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the 37 states with Blaine amendments are also able to adopt this approach to parental empowerment , millions of children could attend the school of their parents ’ choice in the decades to come .
RELATED : Op-Ed : U.S. Resumes World Leadership on Legal Protection for the Unborn Not only will it portend a brighter future for the children who do gain scholarships , but the resulting competitive excellence created in the system at large will also mean a brighter future for the tens of millions of who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we work upon marble , it will perish ; if we work upon brass , time will efface it ; if we rear temples , they will crumble into dust ; but if we work upon immortal minds , if we imbue them with right principles , with the just fear of God and love of our fellow-men , we engrave on those tablets something which will brighten to all eternity.
” So much of America ’ s future is at stake in this case .
All of us intrinsically know that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hearts and minds of our children establish , more than any other mortal factor , the paradigm of America ’ s future .
To determine these principles , will we trust then often ideologically driven government bureaucracies or the parents who love their children more than anything else on earth ?
It is a question of inexpressible gravity .
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 .
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

Twenty-five years ago, the possibility of fully validating and financially empowering parents to choose the schools their children attend was only a dream. It is my hope and belief that this dream may be about to come true.
The question in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue now pending before the Supreme Court is whether the Blaine amendment in Montana’s State Constitution can invalidate its tax-credit scholarship program on the basis of religion.
If the court rules that Blaine amendments (which were spawned in religious discrimination) can override the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the free exercise of religion is profoundly damaged, and no tax deductions or credits directly or indirectly related to any religiously affiliated organization, including colleges, can logically survive.
This case is far beyond and very different from the long-debated voucher approach. The source of voucher funding is appropriated public money, which brings constitutional and other challenges if religious schools are involved.
Tax-credit scholarships (previously upheld by the Supreme Court) authorize taxpayers to claim a tax credit when they make private, voluntary contributions to charities that provide private scholarships for children.
Parents are then free to choose the school they deem best, religious or otherwise, for their child, and neither the school nor the parents have to fear intrusive government strings that come with government funding. Even the poorest child is now offered the opportunity that previously only children of wealthy parents could afford.
It is impossible to truthfully argue that tax-credit scholarships are tantamount to taxpayer funding of religious education.
First, the monies donated to private charities come from private individual’s private money, not public coffers.
Second, the reduced revenue to the state as a result of any tax credits claimed is more than offset by reduced state expenditures, since the average cost of private tuition is approximately half the cost of sending the same student to the average public school.
Do you think Blaine amendments violate the First Amendment? 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: 68% (177 Votes) No: 32% (85 Votes)
Further, many of the private scholarships granted are only partial scholarships, with additional private dollars making up the difference. Consequently, the use of tax-credit scholarships significantly reduces taxpayer burden rather than increasing it.
Tax-credit scholarships do not fund an establishment of religion. The Blaine amendments absolutely do prohibit the free exercise thereof.
Since the first tax-credit scholarship legislation, identical to that which the Supreme Court now juxtaposes against Montana’s Blaine amendment, was passed in Arizona in 1997, it has been embraced by 17 additional states.
The result has been that approximately half a million scholarships have been received by K-12 children to attend a school of their parents’ choice in those states. It is the largest school-choice mechanism in America.
If the 37 states with Blaine amendments are also able to adopt this approach to parental empowerment, millions of children could attend the school of their parents’ choice in the decades to come.
Not only will it portend a brighter future for the children who do gain scholarships, but the resulting competitive excellence created in the system at large will also mean a brighter future for the tens of millions of who do not.
Daniel Webster said, “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with right principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which will brighten to all eternity.”
So much of America’s future is at stake in this case. All of us intrinsically know that the spiritual, social and academic principles inculcated in the hearts and minds of our children establish, more than any other mortal factor, the paradigm of America’s future.
To determine these principles, will we trust then often ideologically driven government bureaucracies or the parents who love their children more than anything else on earth?
It is a question of inexpressible gravity.
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.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--TV News Host Claims He Wasn’t Hired For ABC Job Just Because He’s White

In America , we used to believe in a meritocratic society , where the most qualified person would get a job regardless of their skin color , religion or any other immutable characteristics .
At least we used to .
Over at ABC News , management appears to have rejected this principle .
According to Elex Michaelson , a former employee of Los Angeles ’ KABC-TV who currently works at KTTV-TV in the city , he was rejected for a job at ABC because of his skin color .
Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr , who had a dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character , ” would be horrified .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew It ’ s shocking that Barbara Fedida , the head of talent at ABC , would openly admit that the network engages in such regressive hiring practices .
Apparently , they have no shame .
Michaelson ’ s tweet came at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racially insensitive remarks to minority employees at the network .
The hiring practices at ABC imply that leadership there believes America is a racist society .
It looks like if the network really wanted to root out racism , all it had to do was fire its head of talent .
As for Michaelson , he expressed his wish that “ going forward , this culture where race is so cavalierly & crudely discussed by executives with hiring & firing power…is over.
” The rest of America should second that wish .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is actually quite common in the establishment media , which portrays itself as super-woke .
Former CNN anchor Soledad O ’ Brien alleged that an executive at the network told her she could not have Roland Martin on her show because he “ isn ’ t the ‘ right kind of ’ Black person.
” The media have made a cottage industry out of baselessly trashing President Donald Trump and Republicans as racist .
As it turns out , the media should have been looking in the mirror .
Sadly , Michaelson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come as that much of a surprise .
In recent years , the far left appears to be working hard to reverse the progress America has made in becoming a colorblind society .
RELATED : Ex-CNN Anchor : Network Exec Told Her She Could Only Have the 'Right Kind ' of Black Guests In the newly formed “ nation ” of “ CHOP ” in Seattle , protesters have demanded the implementation of a “ race-based system of care at hospitals where black people would be served by black health care workers.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leftists subscribe to most likely originated on campus .
Many big-name colleges and universities have begun holding segregated events for students based on their skin color .
George Mason University had a “ Black Freshmen Orientation ” in 2018 and a large number of institutes of higher education , including Yale and Harvard , hold graduation ceremonies specifically for black students .
Other colleges , including the University of Connecticut and California State Los Angeles , offer “ racially segregated housing for black students.
” Racism is wrong , no matter who practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It should not take a rocket scientist to figure that out .
Those who have traveled enough have probably seen “ Coexist ” bumper stickers on cars driven by liberals .
If only liberals and the establishment media actually practiced what they preached .
The Western Journal reached out to ABC for comment regarding the allegations .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In America, we used to believe in a meritocratic society, where the most qualified person would get a job regardless of their skin color, religion or any other immutable characteristics. At least we used to.
Over at ABC News, management appears to have rejected this principle. According to Elex Michaelson, a former employee of Los Angeles’ KABC-TV who currently works at KTTV-TV in the city, he was rejected for a job at ABC because of his skin color.
I’ve never said this publicly… In 2017, ABC7 recommended I become a network correspondent. Barbara Fedida told me: “You’re qualified. But you’re a white male & my bosses told me I can only hire women & minorities for the next couple years.”@yashar https://t.co/47EE8vB0Wi — Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) June 16, 2020
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, who had a dream that his “four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” would be horrified.
It’s shocking that Barbara Fedida, the head of talent at ABC, would openly admit that the network engages in such regressive hiring practices. Apparently, they have no shame. Michaelson’s tweet came at a time when Fedida has been suspended for making racially insensitive remarks to minority employees at the network.
The hiring practices at ABC imply that leadership there believes America is a racist society. It looks like if the network really wanted to root out racism, all it had to do was fire its head of talent.
As for Michaelson, he expressed his wish that “going forward, this culture where race is so cavalierly & crudely discussed by executives with hiring & firing power…is over.” The rest of America should second that wish.
My hope in sharing this is to show support for the victims of racism at ABC News. I also hope, going forward, this culture where race is so cavalierly & crudely discussed by executives with hiring & firing power…is over. We as a society…and as an industry…can do better. — Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) June 16, 2020
It appears as if Fedida’s behavior is actually quite common in the establishment media, which portrays itself as super-woke. Former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien alleged that an executive at the network told her she could not have Roland Martin on her show because he “isn’t the ‘right kind of’ Black person.”
This is an interesting read. Reminds me of the cnn exec who told me: “Roland Martin isn’t the ‘right kind of’ Black person.” She didn’t want me to book him on my show. L https://t.co/mV8haGI2zo — Soledad O’Brien (@soledadobrien) June 14, 2020
The media have made a cottage industry out of baselessly trashing President Donald Trump and Republicans as racist. As it turns out, the media should have been looking in the mirror.
Sadly, Michaelson and O’Brien’s experiences should not come as that much of a surprise. In recent years, the far left appears to be working hard to reverse the progress America has made in becoming a colorblind society.
In the newly formed “nation” of “CHOP” in Seattle, protesters have demanded the implementation of a “race-based system of care at hospitals where black people would be served by black health care workers.”
Are you surprised to hear this story of racial discrimination? 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: 6% (124 Votes) No: 94% (1986 Votes)
The toxic ideas that these radical leftists subscribe to most likely originated on campus. Many big-name colleges and universities have begun holding segregated events for students based on their skin color.
George Mason University had a “Black Freshmen Orientation” in 2018 and a large number of institutes of higher education, including Yale and Harvard, hold graduation ceremonies specifically for black students.
Other colleges, including the University of Connecticut and California State Los Angeles, offer “racially segregated housing for black students.”
Racism is wrong, no matter who practices it or who it is used against. It should not take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
Those who have traveled enough have probably seen “Coexist” bumper stickers on cars driven by liberals. If only liberals and the establishment media actually practiced what they preached.
The Western Journal reached out to ABC for comment regarding the allegations.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--Kayleigh McEnany Slams Jim Acosta During Heated White House Briefing: ‘This Isn’t a Cable News Segme

Kayleigh McEnany Slams Jim Acosta During Heated White House Briefing: ‘This Isn’t a Cable News Segment’

The usually polite disagreement of a White House media briefing grew very heated Friday after CNN reporter Jim Acosta sought to attack White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany over President Donald Trump ’ s recent satirical video tweets mocking CNN .
Acosta opened his round of questions by asking about McEnany ’ s attendance at Saturday ’ s Trump rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , and whether she and other White House officials would wear a mask at the rally .
“ It ’ s a personal choice .
I won ’ t be wearing a mask .
I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ And why won ’ t you wear a mask ?
Is it sort of a personal political statement ?
Is it because the president would be disappointed in you if you don ’ t wear a mask ?
Why is that ?
” he said .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew “ It ’ s a personal — it ’ s a personal decision .
I ’ m tested regularly .
I feel that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be wearing a mask , and I ’ m in compliance with CDC guidelines , which are recommended but not required , ” she said .
Acosta then moved on to Trump ’ s satirical tweets , one of which was labeled as “ manipulated media ” by Twitter .
The videos mocked how CNN would have covered a story to paint the president with a negative brush regardless of the actual content .
“ Why is the president sharing fake videos on Twitter about two toddlers who are obviously showing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Acosta asked .
“ It seems as though he ’ s exploiting children to make some sort of crass political point.
” “ He was making a point about CNN , specifically , ” McEnany responded .
“ He was making a point that CNN has regularly taken him out of context .
That , in 2019 , CNN misleadingly aired a clip from one viewpoint repeatedly to falsely accuse the Covington boys of being , quote , ‘ students in MAGA gear harassing a Native American elder.
’ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about children that had really grave consequences for their futures.
” And the battle between them took off .
“ So you ’ re saying it ’ s OK to exploit two toddlers hugging one another on a sidewalk to make some sort of political point ?
I mean , as you know , the president has described members of the press as ‘ fake news ’ during the course of this administration .
When you share fake videos like that , doesn ’ t that make you fake news ?
” Acosta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was making a satirical point that was quite funny if you go and actually watch the video .
I think he was making a – ” McEnany said as Acosta kept interrupting .
“ The point is that it was a play on CNN repeatedly taking the president out of context , like the time when you guys had a chyron that read , ‘ Trump slams some illegal immigrants : They ’ re animals.
’ Well , guess what ?
The people he called animals were MS-13 illegal immigrants who regularly mutilate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Those things are entirely misleading.
” Acosta then tried to attack Trump ’ s word choices until McEnany cut him off .
“ That ’ s an absurd attempt to justify the misleading headlines that are regularly on your network , ” McEnany said , having to speak over Acosta .
“ Like I was just walking in , watching CNN as they lauded the quote , ‘ rallies in the streets . '
” Acosta continued to hector McEnany as she tried to speak .
“ You got ta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t a cable news segment , ” she said .
“ I ’ m answering your question right now from the White House podium.
” McEnany kept talking as Acosta tried to interrupt .
“ When I walk out here , Jim , and I see on your — I see on your network celebratory headlines about the rallies and the protests outside — you actually said protests and rallies .
So , in light of the protests , if these gatherings happen in light of a protest or a rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to be condoned , but the not the president ’ s rally , ” she said .
McEnany then read from a CNN story that extolled protesters hugging .
“ You celebrate hugging in the context of a protest .
But at a Trump rally , where we celebrate historic-low African-American unemployment , criminal justice reform , HBCUs , that rally is not allowed , ” she said .
“ You also chant ‘ build the wall ’ and ‘ lock her up ’ and , ” Acosta interjected .
“ Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t fit the ideological agenda of CNN , ” McEnany finished .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The usually polite disagreement of a White House media briefing grew very heated Friday after CNN reporter Jim Acosta sought to attack White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany over President Donald Trump’s recent satirical video tweets mocking CNN.
Acosta opened his round of questions by asking about McEnany’s attendance at Saturday’s Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and whether she and other White House officials would wear a mask at the rally.
“It’s a personal choice. I won’t be wearing a mask. I can’t speak for my colleagues,” she said.
Acosta then jabbed at McEnany.
“And why won’t you wear a mask? Is it sort of a personal political statement? Is it because the president would be disappointed in you if you don’t wear a mask? Why is that?” he said.
“It’s a personal — it’s a personal decision. I’m tested regularly. I feel that it’s safe for me not to be wearing a mask, and I’m in compliance with CDC guidelines, which are recommended but not required,” she said.
Acosta then moved on to Trump’s satirical tweets, one of which was labeled as “manipulated media” by Twitter. The videos mocked how CNN would have covered a story to paint the president with a negative brush regardless of the actual content.
“Why is the president sharing fake videos on Twitter about two toddlers who are obviously showing a lot of love for one another?” Acosta asked. “It seems as though he’s exploiting children to make some sort of crass political point.”
“He was making a point about CNN, specifically,” McEnany responded. “He was making a point that CNN has regularly taken him out of context. That, in 2019, CNN misleadingly aired a clip from one viewpoint repeatedly to falsely accuse the Covington boys of being, quote, ‘students in MAGA gear harassing a Native American elder.’ That’s a harassing video, a misleading video about children that had really grave consequences for their futures.”
And the battle between them took off.
“So you’re saying it’s OK to exploit two toddlers hugging one another on a sidewalk to make some sort of political point? I mean, as you know, the president has described members of the press as ‘fake news’ during the course of this administration. When you share fake videos like that, doesn’t that make you fake news?” Acosta asked.
“I think the president was making a satirical point that was quite funny if you go and actually watch the video. I think he was making a –” McEnany said as Acosta kept interrupting.
“The point is that it was a play on CNN repeatedly taking the president out of context, like the time when you guys had a chyron that read, ‘Trump slams some illegal immigrants: They’re animals.’ Well, guess what? The people he called animals were MS-13 illegal immigrants who regularly mutilate people in this country,” she said. “Those things are entirely misleading.”
Do you agree with Kayleigh McEnany? 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% (4050 Votes) No: 0% (18 Votes)
Acosta then tried to attack Trump’s word choices until McEnany cut him off.
“That’s an absurd attempt to justify the misleading headlines that are regularly on your network,” McEnany said, having to speak over Acosta. “Like I was just walking in, watching CNN as they lauded the quote, ‘rallies in the streets.'”
Acosta continued to hector McEnany as she tried to speak.
“You gotta let me finish, Jim. This isn’t a cable news segment,” she said. “I’m answering your question right now from the White House podium.”
McEnany kept talking as Acosta tried to interrupt.
“When I walk out here, Jim, and I see on your — I see on your network celebratory headlines about the rallies and the protests outside — you actually said protests and rallies. So, in light of the protests, if these gatherings happen in light of a protest or a rally, as you say, that rally is to be condoned, but the not the president’s rally,” she said.
McEnany then read from a CNN story that extolled protesters hugging.
“You celebrate hugging in the context of a protest. But at a Trump rally, where we celebrate historic-low African-American unemployment, criminal justice reform, HBCUs, that rally is not allowed,” she said.
“You also chant ‘build the wall’ and ‘lock her up’ and,” Acosta interjected.
“Because guess what, Jim? It doesn’t fit the ideological agenda of CNN,” McEnany finished.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--Op-Ed: We Must Never Again Let Our Freedoms Become ‘Nonessential’

Nothing like a global pandemic to get you thinking about what matters most .
The forced physical isolation and disruption from the “ daily drill ” have created solitary moments of introspection and the opportunity to define what is truly essential in our lives .
I recently interviewed best-selling author Greg McKeown for my “ Therefore , What ?
” podcast .
His book “ Essentialism ” is a must-read for many reasons .
When I asked him for some specific applications of the principles for living as an “ essentialist , ” he quickly flipped it into an intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as clinical material to make the point .
Greg gave me a series of things to consider so that I would be able to better function at my highest , most discerning , most impactful and most authentic self .
( More on that next month , as I am in the middle of a 30-day essentialism challenge .
I am learning that there is a lot of nonessential stuff cluttering my time and attention . )
In the midst of this quest for what is essential , I listened to an address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
His keynote address was part of Brigham Young University ’ s three-day Religious Freedom Annual Review .
Elder Bednar is a master teacher who clears out the clutter so listeners can become learners and discover for themselves what is needful , mindful and essential .
The title of his address struck me , “ And When He Came to Himself , ” taken from the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the New Testament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect for an address delivered for a law school on the topic of religious liberty .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew In his masterful way , Elder Bednar presented an observation and then provided moments for the participants to discern the meaning on a multitude of levels .
The individual application , “ coming to one ’ s self , ” was understood quickly .
The pandemic has provided many with a wake-up call to what is important and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a tender conversation he once had with his aging apostolic associate , Elder Robert D. Hales .
Elder Bednar asked , “ What lessons have you learned as you have grown older and been constrained by decreased physical capacity ?
” Elder Hales paused for a moment and responded , “ When you can not do what you have always done , then you only do what matters most.
” That truly is a “ lesson for a lifetime.
” It is a lesson that actually applies to individuals , organizations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always precedes success , and focusing on only the essential accelerates success .
In a surprising and powerful way , that lesson is encompassed in the protection and pursuit of religious liberty .
The first freedoms established in the First Amendment are central to the vitality and vibrancy of the American experience .
First freedoms , especially the first of the first freedoms — freedom of religion — are essential .
The pandemic has caused many to review things that are essential and nonessential in nature to society .
It also has undeniably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suited to determine what is truly essential .
In some states , the sale of alcohol , animal care and legal services were deemed essential and allowed to continue , while the work of clergy , ministering to individuals and other expressions of religion were categorized as nonessential .
Elder Bednar emphasized that “ while believers and their religious organizations must be good citizens in a time of crisis , never again can we allow government officials to treat the exercise of religion as simply ‘ nonessential.
’ Never again must the fundamental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to buy gasoline.
” Cautioning against the sweeping declarations that trivialize and undermine the freedom of religions , Elder Bednar stated , “ We can not deny and we should not forget the speed and intensity with which government power was used to shut down fundamental aspects of religious exercise.
” He added that “ we have witnessed the government ’ s swift , well-intentioned , but often dangerous breaching of the boundaries that protect the free exercise of religion.
” It is only a short hop from the breaching of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full suppression of other first freedoms , including the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble .
Without citizens standing up and speaking out it can indeed be a swift and slippery slope for basic freedoms to fall from essential to nonessential .
A subtle but profound conclusion from Elder Bednar punctuated the essential religious freedom message and essential liberty the messenger possesses .
“ I joyfully exercise what for me , personally , is one of the greatest religious liberties .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Him whom I serve , whom I love , and whom I represent , even Jesus Christ.
” A failure of citizens , individually and collectively , to “ come to ourselves ” in such a time as this will further weaken the binding ties of our First Amendment rights and the many vital liberties they preserve .
In short , allowing these freedoms to be deemed nonessential by the government will cause us to further forget who we are as a nation .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood the essential nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courage , character and clarity required to promote and protect them .
He spent and ultimately gave his life in defense of the essential .
Dr. King said , “ Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles ; Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances .
Courage breeds creativity ; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it .
Cowardice asks the question , is it safe ?
Expediency asks the question , is it politic ?
Vanity asks the question , is it popular ?
But conscience asks the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is true and what is right epitomizes what is ultimately essential .
From our founding up to today , all citizens must have the courage , character and clarity to pledge our lives , fortunes and sacred honor to defend precious liberties as the essence of American essentialism .
It is incumbent upon each of us to first “ come to himself ” or “ come to herself ” in remembering who we are and what is truly essential in our lives and families .
Then we must collectively “ come to ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country and what is truly essential to the preservation of liberty for ourselves and our posterity .
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 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Nothing like a global pandemic to get you thinking about what matters most. The forced physical isolation and disruption from the “daily drill” have created solitary moments of introspection and the opportunity to define what is truly essential in our lives.
I recently interviewed best-selling author Greg McKeown for my “Therefore, What?” podcast. His book “Essentialism” is a must-read for many reasons. When I asked him for some specific applications of the principles for living as an “essentialist,” he quickly flipped it into an intervention and used me and my current schedule as clinical material to make the point.
Greg gave me a series of things to consider so that I would be able to better function at my highest, most discerning, most impactful and most authentic self. (More on that next month, as I am in the middle of a 30-day essentialism challenge. I am learning that there is a lot of nonessential stuff cluttering my time and attention.)
In the midst of this quest for what is essential, I listened to an address by Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His keynote address was part of Brigham Young University’s three-day Religious Freedom Annual Review.
Elder Bednar is a master teacher who clears out the clutter so listeners can become learners and discover for themselves what is needful, mindful and essential. The title of his address struck me, “And When He Came to Himself,” taken from the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the New Testament. Hardly the title or approach you would expect for an address delivered for a law school on the topic of religious liberty.
In his masterful way, Elder Bednar presented an observation and then provided moments for the participants to discern the meaning on a multitude of levels.
The individual application, “coming to one’s self,” was understood quickly. The pandemic has provided many with a wake-up call to what is important and essential in their lives. Elder Bednar shared a tender conversation he once had with his aging apostolic associate, Elder Robert D. Hales.
Elder Bednar asked, “What lessons have you learned as you have grown older and been constrained by decreased physical capacity?”
Elder Hales paused for a moment and responded, “When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most.”
Do you think freedom of religion is "essential"? Yes No
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That truly is a “lesson for a lifetime.” It is a lesson that actually applies to individuals, organizations, governments, communities and countries. Focus always precedes success, and focusing on only the essential accelerates success. In a surprising and powerful way, that lesson is encompassed in the protection and pursuit of religious liberty.
The first freedoms established in the First Amendment are central to the vitality and vibrancy of the American experience. First freedoms, especially the first of the first freedoms — freedom of religion — are essential.
The pandemic has caused many to review things that are essential and nonessential in nature to society. It also has undeniably demonstrated that governments are often not well suited to determine what is truly essential. In some states, the sale of alcohol, animal care and legal services were deemed essential and allowed to continue, while the work of clergy, ministering to individuals and other expressions of religion were categorized as nonessential.
Elder Bednar emphasized that “while believers and their religious organizations must be good citizens in a time of crisis, never again can we allow government officials to treat the exercise of religion as simply ‘nonessential.’ Never again must the fundamental right to worship God be trivialized below the ability to buy gasoline.”
Cautioning against the sweeping declarations that trivialize and undermine the freedom of religions, Elder Bednar stated, “We cannot deny and we should not forget the speed and intensity with which government power was used to shut down fundamental aspects of religious exercise.”
He added that “we have witnessed the government’s swift, well-intentioned, but often dangerous breaching of the boundaries that protect the free exercise of religion.”
It is only a short hop from the breaching of those boundaries of limiting religious liberty to the full suppression of other first freedoms, including the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. Without citizens standing up and speaking out it can indeed be a swift and slippery slope for basic freedoms to fall from essential to nonessential.
A subtle but profound conclusion from Elder Bednar punctuated the essential religious freedom message and essential liberty the messenger possesses. “I joyfully exercise what for me, personally, is one of the greatest religious liberties. I express these thoughts in the name of Him whom I serve, whom I love, and whom I represent, even Jesus Christ.”
A failure of citizens, individually and collectively, to “come to ourselves” in such a time as this will further weaken the binding ties of our First Amendment rights and the many vital liberties they preserve. In short, allowing these freedoms to be deemed nonessential by the government will cause us to further forget who we are as a nation.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood the essential nature of all the first freedoms and the courage, character and clarity required to promote and protect them. He spent and ultimately gave his life in defense of the essential.
Dr. King said, “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles; Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances. Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it. Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right?”
What is true and what is right epitomizes what is ultimately essential. From our founding up to today, all citizens must have the courage, character and clarity to pledge our lives, fortunes and sacred honor to defend precious liberties as the essence of American essentialism.
It is incumbent upon each of us to first “come to himself” or “come to herself” in remembering who we are and what is truly essential in our lives and families. Then we must collectively “come to ourselves” in remembering who we are as a country and what is truly essential to the preservation of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
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.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--FSU Student Senate President Impeached Over Catholic Views, Anti-Semite Replaces Him

The Catholic president of Florida State University ’ s Student Senate , who expressed some views not consistent with politically correct orthodoxy , has been ousted from his role in the name of “ tolerance.
” Demonstrating no self-awareness , the student government body tapped an anti-Semite to replace him .
Jack Denton , who served as president of the FSU Student Senate until coming under fire from the PC police , had a conversation with fellow members of the Catholic Student Union on GroupMe in which he said , “ Black Lives Matter.com , Reclaim the Block , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are explicitly anti-Catholic.
” When asked to elaborate , Denton explained that “ BlackLivesMatter.com fosters a ‘ queer affirming network ’ and defends transgenderism .
The ACLU defends laws protecting abortion facilities and sued states that restrict access to abortion.
” He maintained that “ it is important to know what you ’ re supporting when you ’ re Catholic .
If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils , I have sinned through my silence .
… [ T ] here isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that isn ’ t religious , because God wants our whole lives and everything we do to be oriented around him !
” TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew As soon as this conversation became public , the backlash started pouring in .
Two staff members of the FSU student publication Spire Magazine — Editor-in-Chief Emily Pacenti and author/editor Alanna Felton — wrote an opinion piece headlined “ Jack Denton is Unfit to Lead Florida State ’ s Student Senate.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ transphobic , racist , and anti-abortion comments.
” “ Denton ’ s words send a dehumanizing message to womxn , trans , queer , and black students at FSU , and prove that he is unfit to hold the office of Senate President , ” Pacenti and Felton wrote .
In perhaps the biggest farce of the article , the authors argued that pro-abortion views are not “ inherently anti-Catholic.
” They claimed it is “ fully possible to be Catholic and support queer and trans folx ( or be queer and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defunding police.
” Apparently , these social justice warriors have never picked up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church .
Otherwise , they would know that Paragraph 2271 proclaims , “ Since the first century the church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion .
This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable .
Direct abortion , that is to say , abortion willed either as an end or a means , is gravely contrary to the moral law.
” Paragraph 2272 of the Catechism makes it clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutes a grave offense.
” Unfortunately , in our “ tolerant ” society , the failure to take Planned Parenthood ’ s approved position on abortion and the Human Rights Campaign ’ s approved positions on LGBTQ issues cost Denton his job .
He was removed from office June 5 .
However , Denton ’ s replacement holds views that should be equally disqualifying if “ tolerance ” is the yardstick that measures one ’ s qualification for the position of Student Senate president at FSU .
RELATED : Communist Student Who Attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daraldik , who is Palestinian , seems to have great animosity toward Jewish people and Israel .
Snapshots of Daraldik ’ s social media accounts show that the newly minted Senate president has captioned posts with “ tolerant ” phrases such as “ f— Israel ” and “ stupid Jew.
” He has created an entire website devoted to accusing Israelis of imposing a “ contemporary holocaust ” on Palestinians .
In response to petitions demanding that he resign from the state Senate , Daraldik posted a video in which he unapologetically defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ for the Jewish people , ” he compared Israel ’ s actions to those of Nazi Germany .
Apparently Daraldik ’ s lack of tolerance isn ’ t a concern for FSU .
The Student Senate voted Thursday to keep him as its president , the Jewish News Syndicate reported .
Liberals ’ indifference to anti-Semitism is not a new phenomenon .
The Nation of Islam , an explicitly racist and anti-Semitic group , provided security at George Floyd ’ s funeral .
Congressional Democrats had an opportunity to rebuke Minnesota Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they blew it , passing a resolution condemning hateful views in general that did not even mention Omar by name .
But when it comes to people in their party who hold pro-life views , Democrats have a zero-tolerance policy .
Earlier this year , Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski , a rare pro-life Democrat , lost his primary to a pro-abortion challenger .
Now , the intolerance toward pro-lifers and tolerance of anti-Semitism that have come to define the Democratic Party have trickled down into student government .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture for Jack Denton and those who share his views .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Catholic president of Florida State University’s Student Senate, who expressed some views not consistent with politically correct orthodoxy, has been ousted from his role in the name of “tolerance.”
Demonstrating no self-awareness, the student government body tapped an anti-Semite to replace him.
Jack Denton, who served as president of the FSU Student Senate until coming under fire from the PC police, had a conversation with fellow members of the Catholic Student Union on GroupMe in which he said, “Black Lives Matter.com, Reclaim the Block, and the ACLU all advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic.”
When asked to elaborate, Denton explained that “BlackLivesMatter.com fosters a ‘queer affirming network’ and defends transgenderism. The ACLU defends laws protecting abortion facilities and sued states that restrict access to abortion.”
He maintained that “it is important to know what you’re supporting when you’re Catholic. If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils, I have sinned through my silence. … [T]here isn’t an aspect of our lives that isn’t religious, because God wants our whole lives and everything we do to be oriented around him!”
As soon as this conversation became public, the backlash started pouring in.
Two staff members of the FSU student publication Spire Magazine — Editor-in-Chief Emily Pacenti and author/editor Alanna Felton — wrote an opinion piece headlined “Jack Denton is Unfit to Lead Florida State’s Student Senate.” They slammed Denton for his supposedly “transphobic, racist, and anti-abortion comments.”
“Denton’s words send a dehumanizing message to womxn, trans, queer, and black students at FSU, and prove that he is unfit to hold the office of Senate President,” Pacenti and Felton wrote.
In perhaps the biggest farce of the article, the authors argued that pro-abortion views are not “inherently anti-Catholic.” They claimed it is “fully possible to be Catholic and support queer and trans folx (or be queer and/or trans yourself), abortion, and defunding police.”
Should the Florida State Student Senate reinstate Jack Denton as president? Yes No
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Apparently, these social justice warriors have never picked up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Otherwise, they would know that Paragraph 2271 proclaims, “Since the first century the church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.”
Paragraph 2272 of the Catechism makes it clear that “formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.”
Unfortunately, in our “tolerant” society, the failure to take Planned Parenthood’s approved position on abortion and the Human Rights Campaign’s approved positions on LGBTQ issues cost Denton his job. He was removed from office June 5.
However, Denton’s replacement holds views that should be equally disqualifying if “tolerance” is the yardstick that measures one’s qualification for the position of Student Senate president at FSU.
Ahmad Daraldik, who is Palestinian, seems to have great animosity toward Jewish people and Israel.
Snapshots of Daraldik’s social media accounts show that the newly minted Senate president has captioned posts with “tolerant” phrases such as “f— Israel” and “stupid Jew.” He has created an entire website devoted to accusing Israelis of imposing a “contemporary holocaust” on Palestinians.
In response to petitions demanding that he resign from the state Senate, Daraldik posted a video in which he unapologetically defended his views.
While saying he is “for the Jewish people,” he compared Israel’s actions to those of Nazi Germany.
.@floridastate, Here is your Senate President, Ahmed Eldeek Daraldik, comparing Israel to Nazi Germany. Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, constitutes as a violation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. Please address the issue. pic.twitter.com/QUAQMbWL7J — Yoni Michanie (@YoniMichanie) June 12, 2020
Apparently Daraldik’s lack of tolerance isn’t a concern for FSU. The Student Senate voted Thursday to keep him as its president, the Jewish News Syndicate reported.
Liberals’ indifference to anti-Semitism is not a new phenomenon. The Nation of Islam, an explicitly racist and anti-Semitic group, provided security at George Floyd’s funeral.
Congressional Democrats had an opportunity to rebuke Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar for her anti-Semitic remarks, and they blew it, passing a resolution condemning hateful views in general that did not even mention Omar by name.
But when it comes to people in their party who hold pro-life views, Democrats have a zero-tolerance policy. Earlier this year, Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski, a rare pro-life Democrat, lost his primary to a pro-abortion challenger.
Now, the intolerance toward pro-lifers and tolerance of anti-Semitism that have come to define the Democratic Party have trickled down into student government.
It’s a harsh lesson in today’s campus culture for Jack Denton and those who share his views.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--AOC Primary Challenger Accuses Her of Being a ‘Temperamental Princess’ After Debate Incident

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s primary challenger accused the New York Democrat of behaving like a “ temperamental princess ” after she refused to take the debate stage until reporters and audience members left .
The incident occurred during Wednesday ’ s Parkchester Times 14th Congressional Debate among candidates Michelle Caruso-Cabrera and Badrun Khan and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez .
Caruso-Cabrera said that Ocasio-Cortez was not behaving like “ an elected Member of Congrees ” when she “ demanded that reporters and audience members leave the room before she took the stage.
” “ AOC is clearly in favor of censorship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not even a Democratic Socialist .
She is a Socialist , ” Caruso-Cabrera wrote on Facebook .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew Caruso-Cabrera is running as a Democrat to replace Ocasio-Cortez and previously was a CNBC contributor for over 20 years , according to Ballotpedia .
However , Caruso-Cabrera was registered as a Republican until 2015 , Business Insider reported .
“ She threw out residents of the 14th Congressional District who wanted to attend this debate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves and their families at risk day and night these past two months covering breaking stories related to COVID and social justice , ” Caruso-Cabrera continued .
“ Like a petulant child , AOC refused to take the stage until all of these individuals were removed from the room .
What kind of representative does that ?
” The Parkchester Times reported that it had a hard time getting Ocasio-Cortez to even commit to participating in the debate .
The editor wrote that he only got her to agree when he went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place in her chair because she wouldn ’ t be there .
“ AOC is acting like a spoiled , out-of-touch Hollywood celebrity .
She is obviously unable to defend her record , and frightened that she will lose next week ’ s Democratic primary , ” Caruso-Cabrera wrote .
“ She refused to participate in this debate until journalists shamed her into doing it…and boy , did she get her revenge on all of them tonight by having them tossed out of the debate hall.
” Caruso-Cabrera also posted a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez has not directly addressed this attack , she did retweet a Business Insider article that multiple Wall Street executives had made donations to the campaign of Caruso-Cabrera .
“ She is a joke of a representative , and that ’ s why I am going to defeat her on Tuesday .
It ’ s time to deliver real results for the Bronx and Queens , ” Caruso-Cabrera wrote .
The Western Journal reached out to Ocasio-Cortez ’ s campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response .
We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s primary challenger accused the New York Democrat of behaving like a “temperamental princess” after she refused to take the debate stage until reporters and audience members left.
The incident occurred during Wednesday’s Parkchester Times 14th Congressional Debate among candidates Michelle Caruso-Cabrera and Badrun Khan and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.
Caruso-Cabrera said that Ocasio-Cortez was not behaving like “an elected Member of Congrees” when she “demanded that reporters and audience members leave the room before she took the stage.”
“AOC is clearly in favor of censorship. She is not a Democrat. She is not even a Democratic Socialist. She is a Socialist,” Caruso-Cabrera wrote on Facebook.
Caruso-Cabrera is running as a Democrat to replace Ocasio-Cortez and previously was a CNBC contributor for over 20 years, according to Ballotpedia.
However, Caruso-Cabrera was registered as a Republican until 2015, Business Insider reported.
“She threw out residents of the 14th Congressional District who wanted to attend this debate. She threw out reporters who have put themselves and their families at risk day and night these past two months covering breaking stories related to COVID and social justice,” Caruso-Cabrera continued.
“Like a petulant child, AOC refused to take the stage until all of these individuals were removed from the room. What kind of representative does that?”
Do you think Ocasio-Cortez will win her primary election? Yes No
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The Parkchester Times reported that it had a hard time getting Ocasio-Cortez to even commit to participating in the debate.
The editor wrote that he only got her to agree when he went to her campaign office to request a poster to place in her chair because she wouldn’t be there.
“AOC is acting like a spoiled, out-of-touch Hollywood celebrity. She is obviously unable to defend her record, and frightened that she will lose next week’s Democratic primary,” Caruso-Cabrera wrote.
“She refused to participate in this debate until journalists shamed her into doing it…and boy, did she get her revenge on all of them tonight by having them tossed out of the debate hall.”
Caruso-Cabrera also posted a video of the incident on Twitter.
VIDEO: @AOC demanded reporters leave the debate room. Reporter: I have to be here. Event Organizer: Maybe go back forth? Let her come in 1st. She’s [AOC] not coming in if there is more than 15 pp. Let’s stay outside. Clear the room. AOC Staffer: OR she is not coming everybody! pic.twitter.com/ZMzpPYxPyA — Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (@MCaruso_Cabrera) June 18, 2020
While Ocasio-Cortez has not directly addressed this attack, she did retweet a Business Insider article that multiple Wall Street executives had made donations to the campaign of Caruso-Cabrera.
“She is a joke of a representative, and that’s why I am going to defeat her on Tuesday. It’s time to deliver real results for the Bronx and Queens,” Caruso-Cabrera wrote.
The Western Journal reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--Woman in Shock After Giving Birth to Baby on Toilet Despite 4 Negative Pregnancy Tests

Whenever there ’ s another story of a woman who had no idea she was pregnant , it ’ s easy to roll our eyes and doubt .
How could someone really not know they were pregnant ?
It seems impossible .
But the regularity with which these stories occur suggests the opposite — especially when the women in those stories did what they could to find out whether or not they were pregnant .
It came as a total shock to a 32-year-old mom of three ( now four ) , Grace Meachim of Littlehampton in the U.K. She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had her monthly cycle and took four pregnancy tests — one of which was performed at her doctor ’ s office .
All four tests came back negative , and the doctor diagnosed her with a cyst .
Having done her due diligence , Grace continued to live her life .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew “ The only reason I took the tests was because I had a slight lump in my tummy but it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told Metro .
“ The year before I had had a cyst that eventually dispersed so when I went to the doctor again last year about the lump , she checked it out and said it felt the same as last time.
” “ Because I was healthy otherwise , they didn ’ t want to do surgery to remove it but said I ’ d probably have a scan in the new year.
” Grace drank occasionally on holidays , took heavy painkillers for her shoulder and had no idea she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the toilet early in the morning on Dec. 5 , 2019 .
“ It was so surreal , ” she said .
“ I hadn ’ t had any build-up to it at all , no pain , nothing .
When I ’ d gone to the loo , I didn ’ t feel like I was going into labor at all .
After three previous pregnancies , I know what that feels like.
” “ There was a big gush then there was pressure and a mass down there , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was happening and I went into shock .
All I can remember thinking is ‘ oh my god , is this really happening ? '
” Her husband and 13-year-old son were alerted by her screams , thinking she was “ being attacked ” by someone .
In a way , she was — but not the way they expected .
“ My husband and our eldest came running down , ” Grace explained .
“ James called the ambulance and I was shouting ‘ there ’ s something coming . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it ’ s a baby but she ’ s not pregnant.
’ As soon as he said that he had to throw the phone to Tyler because I screamed ‘ quick , catch it . '
” RELATED : Dad Loses a Whopping 129 Pounds To Give His Kids 'The Dad They Deserve' And so James did .
Their unplanned fourth child , Sienna , a 7-pound , 5.5-ounce , perfectly healthy baby girl made her debut over the toilet as her dad caught her .
“ It was very strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movie , ” Grace said .
The couple had planned on being a family of five , and a fourth child had not been in the plan .
No one told Sienna that .
“ I just kept saying ‘ I ’ m sorry ’ to my husband because we ’ d been dead set against any more children , ” Grace said .
“ James was waiting to be booked in for a vasectomy and I ’ d planned to up my hours at work so we could start saving for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now one of the most pressing items on the couple ’ s to-do list , they ’ re not sorry that little Sienna is in their lives .
“ She was such a nice surprise , she is that little bit extra special to us , ” Grace said .
“ And we definitely know she ’ s here now , she is really coming out of her shell.
” “ We wouldn ’ t change it but it ’ s definitely no more kids now .
I ’ ve told James he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as lockdown is over.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Whenever there’s another story of a woman who had no idea she was pregnant, it’s easy to roll our eyes and doubt. How could someone really not know they were pregnant? It seems impossible.
But the regularity with which these stories occur suggests the opposite — especially when the women in those stories did what they could to find out whether or not they were pregnant.
It came as a total shock to a 32-year-old mom of three (now four), Grace Meachim of Littlehampton in the U.K. She’d been on the pill, had her monthly cycle and took four pregnancy tests — one of which was performed at her doctor’s office.
All four tests came back negative, and the doctor diagnosed her with a cyst. Having done her due diligence, Grace continued to live her life.
“The only reason I took the tests was because I had a slight lump in my tummy but it wasn’t a massive or noticeable bump,” she told Metro. “The year before I had had a cyst that eventually dispersed so when I went to the doctor again last year about the lump, she checked it out and said it felt the same as last time.”
“Because I was healthy otherwise, they didn’t want to do surgery to remove it but said I’d probably have a scan in the new year.”
Grace drank occasionally on holidays, took heavy painkillers for her shoulder and had no idea she was pregnant until she ended up on the toilet early in the morning on Dec. 5, 2019.
“It was so surreal,” she said. “I hadn’t had any build-up to it at all, no pain, nothing. When I’d gone to the loo, I didn’t feel like I was going into labor at all. After three previous pregnancies, I know what that feels like.”
“There was a big gush then there was pressure and a mass down there,” she went on. “I knew then what was happening and I went into shock. All I can remember thinking is ‘oh my god, is this really happening?'”
Her husband and 13-year-old son were alerted by her screams, thinking she was “being attacked” by someone. In a way, she was — but not the way they expected.
“My husband and our eldest came running down,” Grace explained. “James called the ambulance and I was shouting ‘there’s something coming.'”
“He told the operator ‘I think it’s a baby but she’s not pregnant.’ As soon as he said that he had to throw the phone to Tyler because I screamed ‘quick, catch it.'”
And so James did. Their unplanned fourth child, Sienna, a 7-pound, 5.5-ounce, perfectly healthy baby girl made her debut over the toilet as her dad caught her.
“It was very strange, it was like something out of a movie,” Grace said.
The couple had planned on being a family of five, and a fourth child had not been in the plan. No one told Sienna that.
“I just kept saying ‘I’m sorry’ to my husband because we’d been dead set against any more children,” Grace said. “James was waiting to be booked in for a vasectomy and I’d planned to up my hours at work so we could start saving for a mortgage.”
While the vasectomy is now one of the most pressing items on the couple’s to-do list, they’re not sorry that little Sienna is in their lives.
“She was such a nice surprise, she is that little bit extra special to us,” Grace said. “And we definitely know she’s here now, she is really coming out of her shell.”
“We wouldn’t change it but it’s definitely no more kids now. I’ve told James he needs to chase up his snip as soon as lockdown is over.”
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--Then and Now: Bolton’s Trump-Bashing Book Earns Him Unlikely Allies at The Times

With only a few short days potentially separating former National Security Advisor John Bolton ’ s White House memoir “ The Room Where It Happened ” and international audiences ( depending on the result of the Trump administration ’ s legal attempts to delay its release ) , the left-wing establishment media is warming up to do as it does best : massage the shoulders of a presidential adversary .
In fact , if it weren ’ t for the existence of early-release copies for members of the media , you can bet the all-star reporters and critics at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days off the calendar in red ink and child-like anticipation .
As the scheduled release date for Bolton ’ s long-awaited — and long-delayed — Trump administration tell-all fast approaches , the usual hacks have been downright giddy to headline related content in such a way that it sings each and every one of the iconically mustachioed man ’ s praises .
“ John Bolton Dumps His Notes and Smites His Enemies , ” read a book-related Wednesday headline from The Times , followed up Thursday by another article about the five juiciest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser ’ s “ 17 turbulent months at President Trump ’ s side through a multitude of crises and foreign policy challenges.
” TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew Of course , some of us are old enough to remember those 17 months — and the nature of The Times ’ coverage of Bolton throughout .
If memory serves , it was anything but kind .
If memory does not serve , however , a simple stroll through The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightened tensions with Iran and the breakdown of early diplomatic relations with North Korea to shadowy talk of regime change in Venezuela , The Times placed Bolton at the rotten core of nearly every investigative glimpse into the Trump administration ’ s reportedly erratic foreign policy throughout much of 2018 and 2019 .
The narrative was simple , and The Times painted it in vivid color : Bolton was the war hawk whispering in a supposedly mad king ’ s ear , pushing the United States closer and closer to catastrophic global conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , John Bolton Really Is That Dangerous , ” The Times Editorial Board wrote in its official opinion on the man ’ s March 2018 appointment .
“ The good thing about John Bolton , President Trump ’ s new national security adviser , is that he says what he thinks .
The bad thing is what he thinks , ” the editors wrote .
“ There are few people more likely than Mr. Bolton is to lead the country into war.
” RELATED : Tom Cotton : New York Times Putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within the administration , Bolton was a figure so polarizing that his fervor for international aggression would even manage to secure the president a handful of positive headlines from The Times — that is , when he shot down the adviser ’ s military interventionism with impunity .
Yet , since Bolton walked off the White House grounds following his September 2019 ouster , the media tune surrounding him has changed radically .
His sudden firing somehow led not to a series of stories praising Trump ’ s decision to remove the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reports on rampant turnover within the administration .
As House Democrats pitched impeachment , he waited in the wings , with the pro-impeachment crowd expecting him to stroll in and testify about the president ’ s alleged misdeeds with regard to Ukrainian foreign aid .
Bolton never testified , but this would not stop the left-wing media from transforming him into something of an American political hero over the course of a few short months .
Like Anthony Scaramucci , Michael Cohen , Mitt Romney and the late John McCain before him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise of a shot at the real prize : Trump .
It mattered not how much disdain had previously dripped into the establishment media ’ s coverage of the man , he would be an asset going forward .
His tell-all book would provide the media with ammunition — another series of juicy glimpses into the supposedly hectic and criminal day-to-day operations of the Trump administration .
There was no telling what sort of scandal he might reveal , what sort of Democratic investigations his account may trigger .
For the media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight in gold , worth singing the praises of a former enemy and worth painting a man they once called a war criminal with bold , beautiful brushstrokes for all time .
At least , it ’ s worth it until Bolton has outlived his usefulness in the eyes of the left .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

With only a few short days potentially separating former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s White House memoir “The Room Where It Happened” and international audiences (depending on the result of the Trump administration’s legal attempts to delay its release), the left-wing establishment media is warming up to do as it does best: massage the shoulders of a presidential adversary.
In fact, if it weren’t for the existence of early-release copies for members of the media, you can bet the all-star reporters and critics at The New York Times would be crossing those days off the calendar in red ink and child-like anticipation.
As the scheduled release date for Bolton’s long-awaited — and long-delayed — Trump administration tell-all fast approaches, the usual hacks have been downright giddy to headline related content in such a way that it sings each and every one of the iconically mustachioed man’s praises.
“John Bolton Dumps His Notes and Smites His Enemies,” read a book-related Wednesday headline from The Times, followed up Thursday by another article about the five juiciest and most revealing highlights from the former adviser’s “17 turbulent months at President Trump’s side through a multitude of crises and foreign policy challenges.”
“The Room Where It Happened” describes John Bolton’s 17 turbulent months at President Trump’s side through a multitude of crises. Here are some of the highlights. https://t.co/5avKmXwVdA — The New York Times (@nytimes) June 18, 2020
Of course, some of us are old enough to remember those 17 months — and the nature of The Times’ coverage of Bolton throughout.
If memory serves, it was anything but kind.
If memory does not serve, however, a simple stroll through The Times’ online archives certainly will.
From heightened tensions with Iran and the breakdown of early diplomatic relations with North Korea to shadowy talk of regime change in Venezuela, The Times placed Bolton at the rotten core of nearly every investigative glimpse into the Trump administration’s reportedly erratic foreign policy throughout much of 2018 and 2019.
Do you find the left's newfound love for Bolton suspicious? Yes No
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The narrative was simple, and The Times painted it in vivid color: Bolton was the war hawk whispering in a supposedly mad king’s ear, pushing the United States closer and closer to catastrophic global conflict from within the White House.
“Yes, John Bolton Really Is That Dangerous,” The Times Editorial Board wrote in its official opinion on the man’s March 2018 appointment.
“The good thing about John Bolton, President Trump’s new national security adviser, is that he says what he thinks. The bad thing is what he thinks,” the editors wrote.
“There are few people more likely than Mr. Bolton is to lead the country into war.”
Yes, John Bolton Really Is That Dangerous https://t.co/QJ7PvOgiy3 — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) March 24, 2018
Within the administration, Bolton was a figure so polarizing that his fervor for international aggression would even manage to secure the president a handful of positive headlines from The Times — that is, when he shot down the adviser’s military interventionism with impunity.
Yet, since Bolton walked off the White House grounds following his September 2019 ouster, the media tune surrounding him has changed radically.
His sudden firing somehow led not to a series of stories praising Trump’s decision to remove the war hawk but, rather, another round of reports on rampant turnover within the administration.
As House Democrats pitched impeachment, he waited in the wings, with the pro-impeachment crowd expecting him to stroll in and testify about the president’s alleged misdeeds with regard to Ukrainian foreign aid.
Bolton never testified, but this would not stop the left-wing media from transforming him into something of an American political hero over the course of a few short months.
Like Anthony Scaramucci, Michael Cohen, Mitt Romney and the late John McCain before him, Bolton represented a promise — the promise of a shot at the real prize: Trump.
It mattered not how much disdain had previously dripped into the establishment media’s coverage of the man, he would be an asset going forward.
His tell-all book would provide the media with ammunition — another series of juicy glimpses into the supposedly hectic and criminal day-to-day operations of the Trump administration.
There was no telling what sort of scandal he might reveal, what sort of Democratic investigations his account may trigger.
For the media, that’s a promise worth its weight in gold, worth singing the praises of a former enemy and worth painting a man they once called a war criminal with bold, beautiful brushstrokes for all time.
At least, it’s worth it until Bolton has outlived his usefulness in the eyes of the left.
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westernjournal--2020-06-19--DA Charging Cops in Rayshard Brooks Case Called Taser a ‘Deadly Weapon’ Just 2 Weeks Ago

A national conversation lately has been about whether the justice system truly is colorblind , and recent events in Atlanta prove that color certainly matters to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard — that is , if that color happens to be blue .
Officer Garrett Rolfe was fired and is facing 11 charges , including felony murder , after prosecutors said he fatally shot a suspect who had pointed and discharged a stun gun at Rolfe on June 12 .
Just 10 days earlier , Howard had described stun guns as “ a deadly weapon.
” Rayshard Brooks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was drunk and asleep at the wheel in a drive-thru at an Atlanta Wendy ’ s on June 12 , police said .
After questioning Brooks , police said Rolfe attempted to apprehend the 27-year-old man , but Brooks resisted and grabbed an officer ’ s Taser in the scuffle .
As Brooks fled the scene , prosecutors said , he turned back toward police and fired the stun gun at Rolfe , who shot him twice in the back , killing Brooks .
The fallout from the shooting was swift and severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , Rolfe lost his job , and the Atlanta police chief stepped down from his position .
TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of Color ' as Running Mate After She Withdrew But according to the Atlanta Police Department Policy Manual , one of the scenarios that explicitly justifies an officer to use “ deadly force ” is when an officer “ reasonably believes that the suspect possesses a deadly weapon or any object , device , or instrument which , when used offensively against a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in serious bodily injury and when he or she reasonably believes that the suspect poses an immediate threat of serious bodily injury to the officer or others.
” And in the words of the district attorney himself , “ A Taser is considered as a deadly weapon under Georgia law , ” Howard said at a news conference on June 2 when he announced aggravated assault charges against Officer Willie Sauls and others implicated in an unrelated incident .
However , with Rolfe now facing murder charges , it appears Howard considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when in the hands of a police officer he was prosecuting , but not for Brooks , the suspect who attempted to use it against a police officer .
Even forgetting the more broad allowances and other conditions under which deadly force is justified , Howard ’ s own words on June 2 indicate the officer was within his rights to respond as he did .
The only explanation for this double standard is color — both incidents involved “ men in blue , ” and each time , the weapon apparently was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer .
Stacey Abrams , the failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate from Georgia who still can ’ t concede that she lost her 2018 bid , also didn ’ t think a stun gun was a “ deadly weapon.
” “ A taser is not a deadly weapon .
A gun is , ” Abrams tweeted on the day after the shooting .
“ Adrenaline and irritation are not the same as mortal fear.
” “ Running away should not be punishable by death , ” she wrote .
RELATED : DA Who Charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Startling Allegations “ Public safety must mean the public is safe .
All of us.
” What Abrams doesn ’ t acknowledge is that by the time Brooks was fatally shot , police said he already had driven drunk , resisted arrest and stolen a police-issued weapon , and therefore was killed for more than “ running away.
” Undoubtedly , it is a tense and tumultuous time for law enforcement as the country continues to reel from the nationwide racially charged protests and riots stemming from the death of black man George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
Still , it isn ’ t fair for the law to cut against a group based on color — whether black , white or blue .
Besides the implications of overzealous prosecution against police for incidents in the line of duty , the basic decency of treating everyone the same under the law seems to have been jettisoned in favor of the narrative du jour that any time police shoot a black man , it is a racist , unjustified killing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appears Rolfe is being sacrificed to the bloodthirsty mob simply because he is the wrong color in today ’ s political climate .
And prejudice against blue is no better than it is against black .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A national conversation lately has been about whether the justice system truly is colorblind, and recent events in Atlanta prove that color certainly matters to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard — that is, if that color happens to be blue.
Officer Garrett Rolfe was fired and is facing 11 charges, including felony murder, after prosecutors said he fatally shot a suspect who had pointed and discharged a stun gun at Rolfe on June 12. Just 10 days earlier, Howard had described stun guns as “a deadly weapon.”
Rayshard Brooks, the suspect in the Rolfe case, was drunk and asleep at the wheel in a drive-thru at an Atlanta Wendy’s on June 12, police said. After questioning Brooks, police said Rolfe attempted to apprehend the 27-year-old man, but Brooks resisted and grabbed an officer’s Taser in the scuffle.
As Brooks fled the scene, prosecutors said, he turned back toward police and fired the stun gun at Rolfe, who shot him twice in the back, killing Brooks.
The fallout from the shooting was swift and severe; protesters set fire to the Wendy’s, Rolfe lost his job, and Atlanta police chief Erika Shields stepped down from her position.
But according to the Atlanta Police Department Policy Manual, one of the scenarios that explicitly justifies an officer to use “deadly force” is when an officer “reasonably believes that the suspect possesses a deadly weapon or any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury and when he or she reasonably believes that the suspect poses an immediate threat of serious bodily injury to the officer or others.”
And in the words of the district attorney himself, “A Taser is considered as a deadly weapon under Georgia law,” Howard said at a news conference on June 2 when he announced aggravated assault charges against Officer Willie Sauls and others implicated in an unrelated incident.
However, with Rolfe now facing murder charges, it appears Howard considered a Taser a “deadly weapon” when in the hands of a police officer he was prosecuting, but not for Brooks, the suspect who attempted to use it against a police officer.
Do you think the DA applied a double standard to the definition of "deadly weapon"? 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% (788 Votes) No: 1% (10 Votes)
Even forgetting the more broad allowances and other conditions under which deadly force is justified, Howard’s own words on June 2 indicate the officer was within his rights to respond as he did.
The only explanation for this double standard is color — both incidents involved “men in blue,” and each time, the weapon apparently was reclassified in whichever way implicated the police officer.
Stacey Abrams, the failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate from Georgia who still can’t concede that she lost her 2018 bid, also didn’t think a stun gun was a “deadly weapon.”
“A taser is not a deadly weapon. A gun is,” Abrams tweeted on the day after the shooting. “Adrenaline and irritation are not the same as mortal fear.”
“Running away should not be punishable by death,” she wrote.
“Public safety must mean the public is safe. All of us.”
A taser is not a deadly weapon. A gun is. Adrenaline and irritation are not the same as mortal fear. Running away should not be punishable by death. Public safety must mean the public is safe. All of us.#BlackLivesMatter #AtlantaShooting #RayshardBrooks https://t.co/44ReSLU4Ev — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) June 13, 2020
What Abrams doesn’t acknowledge is that by the time Brooks was fatally shot, police said he already had driven drunk, resisted arrest and stolen a police-issued weapon, and therefore was killed for more than “running away.”
Undoubtedly, it is a tense and tumultuous time for law enforcement as the country continues to reel from the nationwide racially charged protests and riots stemming from the death of black man George Floyd last month in Minneapolis after a white officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Still, it isn’t fair for the law to cut against a group based on color — whether black, white or blue.
Besides the implications of overzealous prosecution against police for incidents in the line of duty, the basic decency of treating everyone the same under the law seems to have been jettisoned in favor of the narrative du jour that any time police shoot a black man, it is a racist, unjustified killing.
Based on the facts available now, it appears Rolfe is being sacrificed to the bloodthirsty mob simply because he is the wrong color in today’s political climate.
And prejudice against blue is no better than it is against black.
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--2020-06-19--Dad Loses a Whopping 129 Pounds To Give His Kids ‘The Dad They Deserve’

Being active with your kids and being able to scamper after them at the park is something many people take for granted .
Hiking , biking and playing are all staples in childhood — staples that become difficult to participate in when you aren ’ t entirely mobile .
More than two years ago , Owensboro , Kentucky , resident Jacob Kiper realized that he wasn ’ t able to do these “ dad ” activities with his sons because he weighed nearly 300 pounds .
It wasn ’ t just the weight that was the issue : Kiper has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other health problems , and his wife began to worry that if he continued in his current lifestyle choices , he would suffer the fatal consequences .
“ Over the years , my wife started to get very worried knowing that I have a family history of heart disease and health problems related to poor diet , ” he told Good Morning America .
“ She really wanted me to give an honest effort to take back control of my health.
” TRENDING : Klobuchar Says She Told Biden To Pick 'Woman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Withdrew That concern only grew when the couple became parents , and Kiper knew that he had to make some serious changes .
He started by joining WW .
“ Before WW , my diet was less than healthy , ” he admitted .
“ I ate lots of fried food .
I ’ d have doughnuts frequently .
Rather than eating one serving of food I was probably eating three or four .
My daily diet was a wreck.
” With a stark change in diet , the weight began to fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he was putting in his body , Kiper was able to look better , feel better and live better .
He ended up losing a total of 129 pounds .
“ The first week I saw the scale drop , and there was a moment of , ‘ Oh , I can do this .
This actually works , ' ” he said .
“ Then I was four weeks in , and a coworker asked me if I was losing weight .
I hadn ’ t told anyone so that felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big motivating factor to keep going.
” “ I went out in the backyard with my kids and decided I was going to try and run and chase them , and as I was running I realized that five years into their life this was the first time I ’ d ever been able to run with my kids .
This was several months in , and I realized I could run and not lose my breath .
I actually had the ability to run and chase my kids.
” RELATED : Woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Toilet Despite 4 Negative Pregnancy Tests “ I can chase them .
I can wrestle them .
I can run with them , hike with them , and hopefully they ’ re not going to have a lot of memories , other than pictures , of an unhealthy dad .
I like knowing that I ’ ve given them a better version of a dad.
” In addition to being a better father , Kiper feels that his life changes have also made him a better mental health counselor .
“ Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaching them through making general wellness changes in life , ” he explained .
“ When I ’ m trying to coach people through making big life changes to improve their overall wellness while I myself was living a very unhealthy life , I was very aware of that hypocrisy.
” “ Now that I ’ ve retaken control of my own health , I feel much more empowered and I feel much more confident making patients at our clinic make some of those decisions .
I ’ ve seen how many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve made and that helps me be more effective at doing my job.
” His story is encouraging to those who may face similar issues , and after Good Morning America picked up his story , he made sure to share it on Facebook .
“ I am extremely honored that Good Morning America reached out to do a story on my WW weight loss journey for Father ’ s Day , ” he wrote .
Kiper has managed to maintain his weight loss , and he and his family are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Day that wasn ’ t always an option : Go on a family hike .
“ My kids just turned 8 years old , and for sadly half of their lives I gave them a dad who couldn ’ t be physically active , who couldn ’ t chase them , didn ’ t have energy , ” he said .
“ I like knowing now that I ’ ve given my kids the dad they deserve.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read @ @ @ @

Being active with your kids and being able to scamper after them at the park is something many people take for granted. Hiking, biking and playing are all staples in childhood — staples that become difficult to participate in when you aren’t entirely mobile.
More than two years ago, Owensboro, Kentucky, resident Jacob Kiper realized that he wasn’t able to do these “dad” activities with his sons because he weighed nearly 300 pounds.
It wasn’t just the weight that was the issue: Kiper has a family history of heart disease and other health problems, and his wife began to worry that if he continued in his current lifestyle choices, he would suffer the fatal consequences.
“Over the years, my wife started to get very worried knowing that I have a family history of heart disease and health problems related to poor diet,” he told Good Morning America. “She really wanted me to give an honest effort to take back control of my health.”
That concern only grew when the couple became parents, and Kiper knew that he had to make some serious changes. He started by joining WW.
“Before WW, my diet was less than healthy,” he admitted. “I ate lots of fried food. I’d have doughnuts frequently. Rather than eating one serving of food I was probably eating three or four. My daily diet was a wreck.”
With a stark change in diet, the weight began to fall off. By being more conscientious about what he was putting in his body, Kiper was able to look better, feel better and live better.
He ended up losing a total of 129 pounds.
“The first week I saw the scale drop, and there was a moment of, ‘Oh, I can do this. This actually works,'” he said.
“Then I was four weeks in, and a coworker asked me if I was losing weight. I hadn’t told anyone so that felt really good, and that was a big motivating factor to keep going.”
“I went out in the backyard with my kids and decided I was going to try and run and chase them, and as I was running I realized that five years into their life this was the first time I’d ever been able to run with my kids. This was several months in, and I realized I could run and not lose my breath. I actually had the ability to run and chase my kids.”
“I can chase them. I can wrestle them. I can run with them, hike with them, and hopefully they’re not going to have a lot of memories, other than pictures, of an unhealthy dad. I like knowing that I’ve given them a better version of a dad.”
In addition to being a better father, Kiper feels that his life changes have also made him a better mental health counselor.
“Part of my job is encouraging people and coaching them through making general wellness changes in life,” he explained. “When I’m trying to coach people through making big life changes to improve their overall wellness while I myself was living a very unhealthy life, I was very aware of that hypocrisy.”
“Now that I’ve retaken control of my own health, I feel much more empowered and I feel much more confident making patients at our clinic make some of those decisions. I’ve seen how many of the patients have responded to the changes I’ve made and that helps me be more effective at doing my job.”
His story is encouraging to those who may face similar issues, and after Good Morning America picked up his story, he made sure to share it on Facebook.
“I am extremely honored that Good Morning America reached out to do a story on my WW weight loss journey for Father’s Day,” he wrote.
Kiper has managed to maintain his weight loss, and he and his family are planning to do something for Father’s Day that wasn’t always an option: Go on a family hike.
“My kids just turned 8 years old, and for sadly half of their lives I gave them a dad who couldn’t be physically active, who couldn’t chase them, didn’t have energy,” he said. “I like knowing now that I’ve given my kids the dad they deserve.”
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.