westernjournal--2020-01-19--One Year Later, CNN Still Hasn’t Taken Down or Corrected Its Jussie Smollett Report

One year ago , former “ Empire ” actor Jussie Smollett apparently decided what his career really needed was a fake hate crime committed against him .
We ’ ve never been quite clear on the “ why ” behind this , nor am I entirely certain it ’ s important , but that ’ s what he decided needed to be done .
So , he allegedly hired a duo of inept , Keystone Kops-ish brothers of Nigerian heritage to pretend to be white supporters of President Donald Trump .
These white Trump supporters would assault him , scream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then run off into a chilly Chicago morn , leaving Smollett to contact the police and reap the rewards .
There were problems with this story from the beginning , back on Jan. 29 , 2019 , but that didn ’ t stop famous people from believing it .
This was mostly because the media reported it almost uncritically — until , that is , additional details started emerging .
Details like , oh , that Smollett had told different stories to both the media and the police .
That he wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corroborate his story .
That he couldn ’ t explain why the heck a duo of violent conservatives would be hanging around in the Windy City at 2 a.m. ready to attack the third- or fourth-most recognizable person on “ Empire ” because he was a gay black man and this was how they kept Chicago “ MAGA country.
” TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant Those inconsistencies should have bothered every news outlet from the beginning .
Instead , it wasn ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone did .
As the case is about to mark its first anniversary , it ’ s interesting to look back at CNN ’ s report on the day the “ attack ” happened .
You can see it in its original form , in fact , because CNN ’ s done absolutely nothing to take it down or correct it .
Notice the total certitude : Smollett didn ’ t say he was attacked ; he was attacked .
That tone continued in the article itself .
“ ‘ Empire ’ actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning hours on Tuesday in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime , ” it read .
“ Smollett was attacked by two people who were ‘ yelling out racial and homophobic slurs ’ and ‘ poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim , ’ police said .
“ One of Smollett ’ s alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck , according to police .
Both fled the scene .
“ Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and ‘ is in good condition , ’ authorities said.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Save Boy , 9 , from Gang Execution - Thugs Given 155 Years in Prison Now granted , this is based on what police said , but there ’ s a certain degree of assuredness here : Something did happen .
No one seemed to guess that something was a strange hoax perpetrated to focus attention on Smollett , but there you go .
Perhaps this statement by Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi should have raised a bit more alarm at the time , though .
“ The Streeterville neighborhood where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ density of city and private surveillance cameras .
As of 10 p.m. Tuesday , detectives canvassed and reviewed hundreds of hours of video and have now expanded the search area along the Chicago riverfront hoping to find video to be able to release a public description of the offenders , ” Guglielmi said .
“ Unfortunately , thus far we have not found any helpful information on a suspect or a suspect ’ s vehicle to be able to share.
” Well , that didn ’ t set off any klaxons of alarm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , with Smollett possibly facing more trouble .
Even though the actor supposedly got off for the crime — remember , he spent a few hours doing community service and forfeited his $ 10,000 bond for charges of filing a false police report , all thanks to State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx — he ’ s still in what the kids like to call a pickle .
As Kyle Smith notes over at National Review , “ outrage about Smollett ’ s lies caused the appointment of a special prosecutor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
Smollett has not been nailed , and Chicago wants him nailed .
He will get nailed .
The postman always rings twice.
” As Smith wrote , Webb has already obtained a warrant from a judge to search Smollett ’ s Google accounts , “ not just emails but also drafted and deleted messages ; any files in their Google Drive cloud storage services ; any Google Voice texts , calls and contacts ; search and web browsing history ; and location data.
” “ Ouch .
There is no chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Smollett ’ s made-for-TV claims about men roaming around looking for gay television actors to beat up while chanting MAGA slogans , ” Smith wrote on Jan. 13 .
No , probably not .
Those claims shouldn ’ t have been so widely bought at the beginning of the investigation , however .
I don ’ t think it ’ s just hindsight that makes Smollett ’ s story sound particularly foul .
Looking through CNN ’ s original piece , you get a sense of wonderment that any of us bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember the outpouring of love for Smollett from celebrities and politicians .
Rev .
Al probably shouldn ’ t give Dan Webb any ideas about Jussie Smollett .
One year later , it ’ s clear that if Smollett ’ s claims weren ’ t a visibility-boosting hoax designed to play on liberal confirmation bias , they represent one of the most improbable crimes ever committed .
I doubt there ’ s a single person at CNN who would stand behind by the substance of this story now , and the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back then .
Either way , it remains up and uncorrected .
CNN , it ’ s worth noting , has been one of the loudest voices protesting what it sees as President Trump eroding trust in the media by calling it “ fake news.
” Whether or not that ’ s appropriate , I won ’ t get into here .
However , looking back at this story — and the fact it ’ s still up — I ’ m not quite sure CNN needs the president ’ s help earning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One year ago, former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett apparently decided what his career really needed was a fake hate crime committed against him.
We’ve never been quite clear on the “why” behind this, nor am I entirely certain it’s important, but that’s what he decided needed to be done.
So, he allegedly hired a duo of inept, Keystone Kops-ish brothers of Nigerian heritage to pretend to be white supporters of President Donald Trump. These white Trump supporters would assault him, scream “This is MAGA country” and then run off into a chilly Chicago morn, leaving Smollett to contact the police and reap the rewards.
There were problems with this story from the beginning, back on Jan. 29, 2019, but that didn’t stop famous people from believing it. This was mostly because the media reported it almost uncritically — until, that is, additional details started emerging.
Details like, oh, that Smollett had told different stories to both the media and the police. That he wouldn’t turn over phone records that would corroborate his story. That he couldn’t explain why the heck a duo of violent conservatives would be hanging around in the Windy City at 2 a.m. ready to attack the third- or fourth-most recognizable person on “Empire” because he was a gay black man and this was how they kept Chicago “MAGA country.”
Those inconsistencies should have bothered every news outlet from the beginning. Instead, it wasn’t just Smollett that ended up looking bad — everyone did.
As the case is about to mark its first anniversary, it’s interesting to look back at CNN’s report on the day the “attack” happened. You can see it in its original form, in fact, because CNN’s done absolutely nothing to take it down or correct it.
First, the original story’s headline:
Notice the total certitude: Smollett didn’t say he was attacked; he was attacked.
That tone continued in the article itself.
“‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett was attacked in the early morning hours on Tuesday in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime,” it read.
“Smollett was attacked by two people who were ‘yelling out racial and homophobic slurs’ and ‘poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim,’ police said.
“One of Smollett’s alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck, according to police. Both fled the scene.
“Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and ‘is in good condition,’ authorities said.”
Now granted, this is based on what police said, but there’s a certain degree of assuredness here: Something did happen. No one seemed to guess that something was a strange hoax perpetrated to focus attention on Smollett, but there you go.
Perhaps this statement by Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi should have raised a bit more alarm at the time, though.
“The Streeterville neighborhood where the alleged attack occurred has a very high density of city and private surveillance cameras. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, detectives canvassed and reviewed hundreds of hours of video and have now expanded the search area along the Chicago riverfront hoping to find video to be able to release a public description of the offenders,” Guglielmi said.
“Unfortunately, thus far we have not found any helpful information on a suspect or a suspect’s vehicle to be able to share.”
Well, that didn’t set off any klaxons of alarm and here we are, one year later, with Smollett possibly facing more trouble.
Even though the actor supposedly got off for the crime — remember, he spent a few hours doing community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond for charges of filing a false police report, all thanks to State’s Attorney Kim Foxx — he’s still in what the kids like to call a pickle.
Do you think the Jussie Smollett will pay a legal price for what he did? 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: 52% (304 Votes) No: 48% (278 Votes)
As Kyle Smith notes over at National Review, “outrage about Smollett’s lies caused the appointment of a special prosecutor, Dan Webb. So the story lives on. Smollett has not been nailed, and Chicago wants him nailed. He will get nailed. The postman always rings twice.”
As Smith wrote, Webb has already obtained a warrant from a judge to search Smollett’s Google accounts, “not just emails but also drafted and deleted messages; any files in their Google Drive cloud storage services; any Google Voice texts, calls and contacts; search and web browsing history; and location data.”
“Ouch. There is no chance that all of this information will back up Smollett’s made-for-TV claims about men roaming around looking for gay television actors to beat up while chanting MAGA slogans,” Smith wrote on Jan. 13.
No, probably not. Those claims shouldn’t have been so widely bought at the beginning of the investigation, however. I don’t think it’s just hindsight that makes Smollett’s story sound particularly foul. Looking through CNN’s original piece, you get a sense of wonderment that any of us bought this. Perhaps it’s difficult to remember the outpouring of love for Smollett from celebrities and politicians.
Well, here’s a small reminder:
The reported hate attack on my friend and brother, actor Jussie Smollett is despicable and outrageous. The guilty must face the maximum. — Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 29, 2019
Rev. Al probably shouldn’t give Dan Webb any ideas about Jussie Smollett.
One year later, it’s clear that if Smollett’s claims weren’t a visibility-boosting hoax designed to play on liberal confirmation bias, they represent one of the most improbable crimes ever committed. I doubt there’s a single person at CNN who would stand behind by the substance of this story now, and the network shouldn’t have countenanced the tone back then. Either way, it remains up and uncorrected.
(In fairness, the story does have an “Editor’s Note” at its top now, stating “Read update here.” But the headline on the update is a neutral-sounding, “The many twists and turns in the Jussie Smollett investigation.” And to say the accompanying report buries the lede would be overly charitable. It’s not what any honest reader would call a “correction.”)
CNN, it’s worth noting, has been one of the loudest voices protesting what it sees as President Trump eroding trust in the media by calling it “fake news.” Whether or not that’s appropriate, I won’t get into here. However, looking back at this story — and the fact it’s still up — I’m not quite sure CNN needs the president’s help earning that appellation.
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westernjournal--2020-01-19--US Space Force Releases Its Camo, Explains Similarity to Army Gear

The uniforms for the U.S. Space Force have been released and there are plenty of scoffers , because of course there are .
Part of the reason there are plenty of jokes , of course , has to do with the fact that the uniforms are camouflage .
It looks similar to Army gear , which is curious when you consider the fact that there isn ’ t any foliage in space .
Here ’ s the first look at the uniforms from the official Twitter account of Space Force , posted on Friday : TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illegal Immigrant Quoth the tweet : “ The first # SpaceForce utility uniform nametapes have touched down in the Pentagon.
” And they look pretty tight , although there were plenty of people who had one issue with them : Namely , they looked like Army uniforms .
Thanks to social media , were now all experts with advanced degrees in whatever we ’ re opining on direct from Facebook University , sometimes with advanced doctoral work at Instagram State , so critics didn ’ t bother actually asking any questions about why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern and looked similar to Army fatigues .
The Twitterati were right and they knew it .
Move straight to the LOLs .
Take a user identified as Matt Trainer , a cryptocurrency flogger who calls himself a “ Futurist , Technologist , [ and ] Growth Hacker ” and claims that “ Earth is a realm ” in his Twitter profile .
He ’ s amassed over 17,000 followers there , a cohort presumably made up of people who think Joe Rogan doesn ’ t do enough drugs on his podcast .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be any plausible reason behind Space Force having camouflaged uniforms , he decided to offer his erudite analysis of the uniform : I think he meant Williamstown Theatre Festival , right ?
Anyhow , he was hardly alone in this .
Vox writer Aaron Rupar made the inevitable “ Idiocracy is a documentary ” reference , which is about as aged an online retort as “ … said no one ever.
” “ Idiocracy , ” for the uninitiated , is a 2006 movie directed by “ Office Space ” / ” Beavis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which an average 21st century man is cryogenically frozen and wakes up centuries in the future , where idiots have outbred intelligent people and he ’ s now the smartest person on earth .
It ’ s typically invoked by the kind of dullards who don ’ t realize they would be in on humanity ’ s genetic diminishing returns , not swimming against the current .
Two things are conspicuously missing from all of these tweets : the word “ why ” and a question mark .
Because , as it turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for all of this : “ USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms , saving costs of designing/producing a new one , ” Space Force explained in a Twitter post .
“ Members will look like their joint counterparts they ’ ll be working with , on the ground.
” There ’ s no particularly good reason for Space Force to have different uniforms unless you really believe they ’ re trying to hide in the inky blackness from Russian R-7 rockets and Bond villain lasers — something that common sense probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slip into the background undetected , it would be on this planet , not out in space or among the huge , pulsating neon dendrite-like flora that dot the surface of Zoltar-7 .
But no .
Instead of taking this into consideration or inquiring further , Facebook University graduates everywhere went straight for the snark .
And thank Zoltar they did , otherwise I wouldn ’ t have been so entertained by the reaction to the new Space Force get-up .
This Twitterer pretty well summed up my thoughts on the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not infrequently , doesn ’ t it ?
A more serious summation might come from Shelley Carbone , freelance defense reporter : Given that we don ’ t even have a manned spacecraft at the moment , we ’ re not going to have too many people floating around in space .
Even when we do perfect the TIE fighter , most of the Space Force will still be on the ground , and there ’ s no particular reason for its members to have different uniforms from the rest of the armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have resolved this .
Alas , that ’ s too long for people who need to deliver a sick burn now .
Remember , though , that sick burns are like fireworks : If you don ’ t exercise caution , a lot of the injuries end up being self-inflicted .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The uniforms for the U.S. Space Force have been released and there are plenty of scoffers, because of course there are.
Part of the reason there are plenty of jokes, of course, has to do with the fact that the uniforms are camouflage. It looks similar to Army gear, which is curious when you consider the fact that there isn’t any foliage in space.
Here’s the first look at the uniforms from the official Twitter account of Space Force, posted on Friday:
Quoth the tweet: “The first #SpaceForce utility uniform nametapes have touched down in the Pentagon.”
And they look pretty tight, although there were plenty of people who had one issue with them: Namely, they looked like Army uniforms.
Thanks to social media, were now all experts with advanced degrees in whatever we’re opining on direct from Facebook University, sometimes with advanced doctoral work at Instagram State, so critics didn’t bother actually asking any questions about why the Space Force uniforms used a camouflage pattern and looked similar to Army fatigues. The Twitterati were right and they knew it. Move straight to the LOLs.
Take a user identified as Matt Trainer, a cryptocurrency flogger who calls himself a “Futurist, Technologist, [and] Growth Hacker” and claims that “Earth is a realm” in his Twitter profile. He’s amassed over 17,000 followers there, a cohort presumably made up of people who think Joe Rogan doesn’t do enough drugs on his podcast.
Obviously, knowing there couldn’t be any plausible reason behind Space Force having camouflaged uniforms, he decided to offer his erudite analysis of the uniform:
Camo in space? WTF? More wasted tax dollars. Great job! — Matt Trainer (@thematttrainer) January 18, 2020
I think he meant Williamstown Theatre Festival, right?
Anyhow, he was hardly alone in this. Vox writer Aaron Rupar made the inevitable “Idiocracy is a documentary” reference, which is about as aged an online retort as “… said no one ever.”
Trump’s Space Force troops wearing camo in space is perhaps the strongest evidence yet that Idiocracy is a documentary https://t.co/WG1Yo7fAIb — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 18, 2020
“Idiocracy,” for the uninitiated, is a 2006 movie directed by “Office Space”/”Beavis and Butthead” auteur Mike Judge in which an average 21st century man is cryogenically frozen and wakes up centuries in the future, where idiots have outbred intelligent people and he’s now the smartest person on earth. It’s typically invoked by the kind of dullards who don’t realize they would be in on humanity’s genetic diminishing returns, not swimming against the current.
Here’s some more liberal derision:
Camo in space? OMG, the stupidity of it all…?♀?♀?♀ pic.twitter.com/sPfsH5mxNu — ??Liz Free – Scott’s Ex?? (@liz_muncy) January 18, 2020
I know this is hard to understand, but on the left there is a picture of camouflage and on the right there is a picture of space. Study these carefully until you can see the difference. pic.twitter.com/7HhAeHRyrm — JRehling (@JRehling) January 18, 2020
Why are you wearing forest camo in space? Were these uniforms not available: pic.twitter.com/NZa1Qu18BV — Windthin ~ Rebel Scum & Snark Jedi?????❄ (@windthin) January 19, 2020
Two things are conspicuously missing from all of these tweets: the word “why” and a question mark. Because, as it turns out, there’s a good reason for all of this:
USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms, saving costs of designing/producing a new one. Members will look like their joint counterparts they’ll be working with, on the ground. — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) January 18, 2020
“USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms, saving costs of designing/producing a new one,” Space Force explained in a Twitter post.
Do you support the creation of Space Force? Yes No
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“Members will look like their joint counterparts they’ll be working with, on the ground.”
Oh, right.
There’s no particularly good reason for Space Force to have different uniforms unless you really believe they’re trying to hide in the inky blackness from Russian R-7 rockets and Bond villain lasers — something that common sense probably would have dictated. If they needed to slip into the background undetected, it would be on this planet, not out in space or among the huge, pulsating neon dendrite-like flora that dot the surface of Zoltar-7.
But no. Instead of taking this into consideration or inquiring further, Facebook University graduates everywhere went straight for the snark. And thank Zoltar they did, otherwise I wouldn’t have been so entertained by the reaction to the new Space Force get-up.
This Twitterer pretty well summed up my thoughts on the matter:
this triggered a lot of know-nothing liberals. Great job Space Force!! — Anton Pagi (@AntonPagi) January 18, 2020
Space Force seems to do this not infrequently, doesn’t it?
A more serious summation might come from Shelley Carbone, freelance defense reporter:
Folks blabbering on out about not needing camo in space is peak civilian. Not everyone is going to be floating around up there, people. — Shelley Carbone ?? ?? (@shelleycarbone) January 18, 2020
Given that we don’t even have a manned spacecraft at the moment, we’re not going to have too many people floating around in space. Even when we do perfect the TIE fighter, most of the Space Force will still be on the ground, and there’s no particular reason for its members to have different uniforms from the rest of the armed forces. Two minutes of thought would have resolved this.
Alas, that’s too long for people who need to deliver a sick burn now.
Remember, though, that sick burns are like fireworks: If you don’t exercise caution, a lot of the injuries end up being self-inflicted.
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westernjournal--2020-01-19--Ex-SEAL Explains Effects of Soleimani Strike: ‘The Gamble Paid Off’

President Donald Trump ’ s decision to order a done strike on a top Iranian commander not only killed a terrorist , but helped shake the Iranian regime , a former Navy SEAL said .
Former SEAL Jocko Willink , speaking on “ The Brian Kilmeade Show ” last week , said that the protests that flared in Iran last weekend prove Trump accomplished far more than simply taking out an enemy of America ’ s soldiers .
“ When you look at it from that perspective you could say that this was a brilliant move to kill a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an enemy of the Iranian people , ” Willink said , according to Fox News .
Willink said the drone strike that killed the leader of the Quds force eliminated a mastermind who “ killed hundreds and hundreds of Americans.
” Trump admittedly took a chance , said Willink , who recently released a book titled , “ Leadership Strategy And Tactics : Field Manual.
” TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant “ Was it a risk to do this operation ?
Absolutely , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to poll everyone that had knowledge about what the conflict is like over there , ‘ Hey should we do this or not ?
’ There would have been mixed feelings.
” The former SEAL likened Trump ’ s gamble to the risk taken by then-President Barack Obama in 2011 when SEALs when into Pakistan to kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden .
“ He ’ s going into Pakistan , he didn ’ t tell Pakistan what we ’ re doing .
There was massive risk .
You know the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a massive risk to do that operation .
Pulled it off .
Bravo .
Outstanding.
” Trump ’ s decision “ is the same thing , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t know what could have happened .
Trump took a gamble and did this , and you know what ?
From what it looks like right now , the gamble paid off , ” Willink said .
“ The response was weak and on top of that , it ’ s inspired the people of Iran that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start to rise up , protest .
They ’ re being killed for protesting .
That ’ s what a tyranny is and that ’ s what they need to rebel against , ” he said .
Protests began in Iran after the regime admitted that it lied when it said a Ukrainian jetliner crashed due to technical problems .
The truth , which Iran was forced to admit , was that the Iranian military downed the jetliner , killing all 176 people aboard .
In assessing the current protests , coming only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran , Robin Wright , writing in the New Yorker , noted , “ The pace of protests is now more frequent , the tone more anti-establishment , and the government ’ s reaction more violent.
” The article quoted Ali Vaez , the International Crisis Group ’ s Iran Project Director , as saying the demonstrations are going to hurt the regime .
“ The leadership ’ s abject failure to allow any serious reforms has brought the system to a dead-end .
It is unlikely to regain the trust and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing the support of its own more pious/poorer constituents , ” Vaez said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump’s decision to order a done strike on a top Iranian commander not only killed a terrorist, but helped shake the Iranian regime, a former Navy SEAL said.
Former SEAL Jocko Willink, speaking on “The Brian Kilmeade Show” last week, said that the protests that flared in Iran last weekend prove Trump accomplished far more than simply taking out an enemy of America’s soldiers.
“When you look at it from that perspective you could say that this was a brilliant move to kill a person that was an enemy of America and an enemy of the Iranian people,” Willink said, according to Fox News.
Willink said the drone strike that killed the leader of the Quds force eliminated a mastermind who “killed hundreds and hundreds of Americans.”
Trump admittedly took a chance, said Willink, who recently released a book titled, “Leadership Strategy And Tactics: Field Manual.”
“Was it a risk to do this operation? Absolutely,” Willink said. “And if you were to poll everyone that had knowledge about what the conflict is like over there, ‘Hey should we do this or not?’ There would have been mixed feelings.”
The former SEAL likened Trump’s gamble to the risk taken by then-President Barack Obama in 2011 when SEALs when into Pakistan to kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
“He’s going into Pakistan, he didn’t tell Pakistan what we’re doing. There was massive risk. You know the whole building could have been bombed. That’s a massive risk to do that operation. Pulled it off. Bravo. Outstanding.”
Trump’s decision “is the same thing,” he said.
Do you think the Soleimani strike was a smart move by President Trump? Yes No
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“We don’t know what could have happened. Trump took a gamble and did this, and you know what? From what it looks like right now, the gamble paid off,” Willink said.
“The response was weak and on top of that, it’s inspired the people of Iran that hate living under this tyrannical dictator to start to rise up, protest. They’re being killed for protesting. That’s what a tyranny is and that’s what they need to rebel against,” he said.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Protests began in Iran after the regime admitted that it lied when it said a Ukrainian jetliner crashed due to technical problems. The truth, which Iran was forced to admit, was that the Iranian military downed the jetliner, killing all 176 people aboard.
4th Day of Iran Protests Sees Students Rally at Four Tehran Universities https://t.co/U3TSfcl2Uf — The Voice of America (@VOANews) January 15, 2020
Iran: Bloody Crackdown on Dissent | Arbitrary Arrests, Use of Lethal force against Protests https://t.co/rQsUOGICnT #Rights2020 pic.twitter.com/xHxd6PhquS — Human Rights Watch (@hrw) January 15, 2020
In assessing the current protests, coming only two months after massive November protests rocked Iran, Robin Wright, writing in the New Yorker, noted, “The pace of protests is now more frequent, the tone more anti-establishment, and the government’s reaction more violent.”
The article quoted Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group’s Iran Project Director, as saying the demonstrations are going to hurt the regime.
“The leadership’s abject failure to allow any serious reforms has brought the system to a dead-end. It is unlikely to regain the trust and support of the middle class and is increasingly losing the support of its own more pious/poorer constituents,” Vaez said.
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westernjournal--2020-01-19--Woman Abuses Red Flag Law, Lies About Innocent Man To Have His Guns Confiscated

What conservatives warned would happen after the implementation of red flag laws , has happened .
A mother whose son was involved in a fatal altercation with a Colorado police officer filed a motion to the have the officer stripped of his right to carry a firearm , lying in her request under the law that went into effect Jan. 1 , according to KUSA-TV .
Susan Holmes filed an extreme risk protection order , or ERPO , against Colorado State University police Cpl .
Philip Morris on Jan. 9 .
There ’ s just one problem .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a household member , family member or officer of the law to file an ERPO .
Holmes is none of those .
What she is , is an aggrieved mother who , rightly or wrongly , claims that this officer used excessive force in the death of her son .
Her petition against Morris was thrown out of court last week , but it still highlights how dangerous these laws are to Second Amendment rights .
TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant Holmes lied on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that she and Morris were related and had a child together , KUSA reported .
She also checked the space next to a question on the form that asked if the person she was filing against was “ a credible threat of or the unlawful reckless use of a firearm.
” “ Phil Morris used his firearm to recklessly & violently threaten and kill 19 year old Jeremy Holmes , ” she said .
Police said that Jeremy Holmes , who was 19 years old at the time he was killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had committed “ suicide by cop , ” KUSA reported Police said that Holmes was armed with a knife when they confronted him .
The dashcam video revealed that Morris asked Holmes at least 36 times within two minutes to drop the knife — virtually begging him by name , at some points .
But the man would not comply .
The video is here .
( Warning : The end is jarring ) : When Morris began to holster his weapon , so that he could use a stun gun , Holmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another officer to open fire , according to KUSA-TV .
In the time since the shooting , the officers had their names cleared .
Morris stayed on the force and Susan Holmes became an advocate against police policy .
RELATED : VA State Senator Goes Public 72 Hours Before Rally : 'We Are Being Set Up' This is the fifth red flag case to be filed since the law took effect on Jan. 1 , according to KUSA , and it only took five cases for the law to be abused .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused person has no recourse other than hoping a DA files charges .
No recourse to recoup lost wages or reputation .
One example of many about how this bill was so horribly written , ” Republican state Rep. Patrick Neville wrote in a Twitter post .
In a Facebook post , Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith wrote that Susan Holmes ’ petition had “ zero merit.
” “ I have not and will not be serving that petition , not because it ’ s against a police officer , but because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating this abuse of the system and we will determine what charges may be substantiated against the petitioner , Ms. Holmes , ” Larimer County Sheriff Smith wrote .
Morris had to go to court to fight for his right to carry a firearm .
And , even though the judge dismissed the case at a hearing on Thursday , according to the Coloradan , the potential harm it demonstrates is terrifying .
What is to stop anyone a police officer arrests , gives a ticket to , or angers in some way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done ?
Or , for that matter , what is to stop anyone with a grievance from doing this to a civilian as a means of payback , which would , in turn , tie up the courts ’ valuable time and stain the reputations of innocent people ?
It ’ s worth noting here that Holmes is still considering filing an appeal to continue harassing this officer .
“ I ’ m retaining my right to keep my arguments private , unless I do an appeal , ” she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m considering an appeal in this case.
” “ ( Morris ) has a history of violence .
He killed my son — unnecessarily.
” The pain of losing a child must be unimaginable and it is easy to have sympathy for Holmes , But this is another case of liberals rushing a law that sounds good on paper into effect without considering the consequences .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

What conservatives warned would happen after the implementation of red flag laws, has happened.
A mother whose son was involved in a fatal altercation with a Colorado police officer filed a motion to the have the officer stripped of his right to carry a firearm, lying in her request under the law that went into effect Jan. 1, according to KUSA-TV.
Susan Holmes filed an extreme risk protection order, or ERPO, against Colorado State University police Cpl. Philip Morris on Jan. 9.
There’s just one problem. The state’s red flag law allows for a household member, family member or officer of the law to file an ERPO. Holmes is none of those.
What she is, is an aggrieved mother who, rightly or wrongly, claims that this officer used excessive force in the death of her son. Her petition against Morris was thrown out of court last week, but it still highlights how dangerous these laws are to Second Amendment rights.
Holmes lied on the form to file the ERPO and claimed that she and Morris were related and had a child together, KUSA reported.
She also checked the space next to a question on the form that asked if the person she was filing against was “a credible threat of or the unlawful reckless use of a firearm.”
“Phil Morris used his firearm to recklessly & violently threaten and kill 19 year old Jeremy Holmes,” she said.
Police said that Jeremy Holmes, who was 19 years old at the time he was killed by Morris on July 1, 2017, had committed “suicide by cop,” KUSA reported
Are red flag laws unconstitutional? Yes No
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Police said that Holmes was armed with a knife when they confronted him. The dashcam video revealed that Morris asked Holmes at least 36 times within two minutes to drop the knife — virtually begging him by name, at some points. But the man would not comply.
The video is here. (Warning: The end is jarring):
When Morris began to holster his weapon, so that he could use a stun gun, Holmes charged at him, causing Morris and another officer to open fire, according to KUSA-TV.
In the time since the shooting, the officers had their names cleared. Morris stayed on the force and Susan Holmes became an advocate against police policy.
This is the fifth red flag case to be filed since the law took effect on Jan. 1, according to KUSA, and it only took five cases for the law to be abused.
“We predicted this and said a falsely accused person has no recourse other than hoping a DA files charges. No recourse to recoup lost wages or reputation. One example of many about how this bill was so horribly written,” Republican state Rep. Patrick Neville wrote in a Twitter post.
We predicted this and said a falsely accused person has no recourse other than hoping a DA files charges. No recourse to recoup lost wages or reputation. One example of many about how this bill was so horribly written. #copolitics — Rep. Patrick Neville (@PatrickForCO) January 15, 2020
In a Facebook post, Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith wrote that Susan Holmes’ petition had “zero merit.”
“I have not and will not be serving that petition, not because it’s against a police officer, but because it is a fraud. We are actively investigating this abuse of the system and we will determine what charges may be substantiated against the petitioner, Ms. Holmes,” Larimer County Sheriff Smith wrote.
Morris had to go to court to fight for his right to carry a firearm. And, even though the judge dismissed the case at a hearing on Thursday, according to the Coloradan, the potential harm it demonstrates is terrifying.
What is to stop anyone a police officer arrests, gives a ticket to, or angers in some way, from doing the same thing Holmes has done?
Or, for that matter, what is to stop anyone with a grievance from doing this to a civilian as a means of payback, which would, in turn, tie up the courts’ valuable time and stain the reputations of innocent people?
It’s worth noting here that Holmes is still considering filing an appeal to continue harassing this officer.
“I’m retaining my right to keep my arguments private, unless I do an appeal,” she said, according to the Coloradan. “I’m considering an appeal in this case.”
“(Morris) has a history of violence. He killed my son — unnecessarily.”
The pain of losing a child must be unimaginable and it is easy to have sympathy for Holmes,
But this is another case of liberals rushing a law that sounds good on paper into effect without considering the consequences.
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westernjournal--2020-01-19--Man’s Potentially Life-Saving Move Caught on Camera After Full-Grown Bull Moose Appears

If you don ’ t live in the north , chances are you ’ ve only seen a moose on television .
Although these gargantuan herbivores may look harmless , they are anything but .
In Alaska , more people are injured by these antlered creatures than by bears .
One resident of the state had his own close call with one of the beasts on Jan. 11 , and lived to tell the tale after some quick thinking .
Curtis Phelps was taking a bag to his shed when the creature approached , KTUU reported .
TRENDING : Suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Actually an Illegal Immigrant A security camera captured the moose — seemingly coming from nowhere — lumbering into the frame and approaching Phelps from behind .
Instead of panicking , Phelps pulled off a smooth move that kept him safe from the approaching moose .
With the animal only yards away , Phelps quickly ducked inside the shed .
The moose closed in , investigating the doors of the outbuilding .
Eventually , the beast walked away .
Watch Phelps ’ entire encounter with the moose below : Although the moose may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fish and Game has warned that these creatures are more dangerous than they look .
“ A moose that sees you and walks slowly towards you is not trying to be your friend , ” a page on the department ’ s website reads , “ it may be looking for a hand-out or warning you to keep away .
All of these are dangerous situations and you should back away.
” It ’ s unclear if the moose would have attacked the Alaskan man or simply lost interest and gone away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Death Grip .
Then Salmon Farmers Arrived To Save the Day Experts say actions like Phelps ’ are key to walking away from a curious moose unscathed .
“ Run and get behind something solid , like a tree , ” the ADFG recommends , “ or retreat to a safe place , like inside a building or car.
” Although moose are not usually aggressive , they will defend themselves and their young .
As wild animals , they are also unpredictable .
Thanks to the sheer weight of the moose ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , an unarmed human can ’ t put up much of a fight against one .
Thankfully , Phelps ’ quick thinking put him in a safe place where this moose could do no harm .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you don’t live in the north, chances are you’ve only seen a moose on television.
Although these gargantuan herbivores may look harmless, they are anything but.
In Alaska, more people are injured by these antlered creatures than by bears.
One resident of the state had his own close call with one of the beasts on Jan. 11, and lived to tell the tale after some quick thinking.
Curtis Phelps was taking a bag to his shed when the creature approached, KTUU reported.
A security camera captured the moose — seemingly coming from nowhere — lumbering into the frame and approaching Phelps from behind.
Eventually, the Alaskan man noticed the animal.
Instead of panicking, Phelps pulled off a smooth move that kept him safe from the approaching moose.
With the animal only yards away, Phelps quickly ducked inside the shed.
The moose closed in, investigating the doors of the outbuilding. Eventually, the beast walked away.
Watch Phelps’ entire encounter with the moose below:
Although the moose may have seemed harmless, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has warned that these creatures are more dangerous than they look.
“A moose that sees you and walks slowly towards you is not trying to be your friend,” a page on the department’s website reads, “it may be looking for a hand-out or warning you to keep away. All of these are dangerous situations and you should back away.”
It’s unclear if the moose would have attacked the Alaskan man or simply lost interest and gone away.
Have you ever encountered a live moose? 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: 27% (210 Votes) No: 73% (572 Votes)
Experts say actions like Phelps’ are key to walking away from a curious moose unscathed.
“Run and get behind something solid, like a tree,” the ADFG recommends, “or retreat to a safe place, like inside a building or car.”
Although moose are not usually aggressive, they will defend themselves and their young.
As wild animals, they are also unpredictable.
Thanks to the sheer weight of the moose (and a great set of defensive antlers), an unarmed human can’t put up much of a fight against one.
Thankfully, Phelps’ quick thinking put him in a safe place where this moose could do no harm.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-19--The Hill Changes Article on Transgender Bill After The Western Journal Points Out Anti-GOP Narrative

If you were reading the original version of The Hill ’ s recent piece on South Dakota ’ s proposed bill on treatments for transgender youth , the first paragraph probably sounded exceptionally dire .
“ A new bill in South Dakota would make it illegal to provide health care to transgender minors , ” began the piece by Alexandra Kelley — published last week in The Hill ’ s “ Changing America ” section , which deals with issues surrounding diversity and inclusion .
Most readers , I ’ m pretty sure , would overlook the most inexact aspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the context , that not all health care was being denied to transgender minors .
( For instance , should transgender youths have the flu , I ’ m pretty sure writer Kelley wasn ’ t implying they would have to be turned away at the pediatrician ’ s . )
Even in context , however , it sounded pretty dire : House Bill 1057 , the legislation she was referring to , would apparently put in place a ban on all health care related to gender dysphoria or transgender identity for individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes across as pretty dangerous stuff , particularly since Kelley noted in the second paragraph that “ the bill has reportedly been fast-tracked to go up for a vote in South Dakota ’ s House of Representatives on Friday.
” Especially given that this was being championed by the state GOP , this was going to be explosive .
TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant In paragraph number three , Kelley entirely contradicted the explosive opening lede to reveal legislation of a much more prosaic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1057 would make it a Class 4 felony for a medical professional to perform a gender-affirming operation or surgery , as well as prescribing hormone replacement therapy to aid a child ’ s gender transition or in an attempt ‘ to change or affirm the minor ’ s perception of the minor ’ s sex , if that perception is inconsistent with the minor ’ s sex , ’ according to the text , ” Kelley wrote .
Republican state Rep. Fred Deutsch , who introduced what he named the Vulnerable Child Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending legislation as a ‘ pause button ’ for minors experiencing gender dysphoria , a condition where a person feels distress when their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
” This isn ’ t quite the exact definition of gender dysphoria , but we ’ ll drop that for now , since it clearly wasn ’ t the most glaring example of how inexactitude is used in the service of a political predisposition here .
House Bill 1057 obviously wouldn ’ t “ make it illegal to provide health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is delay two treatments that have irreversible side effects , until the individuals in question are of the age of majority and can make those decisions for their own .
Surgeries like genitoplasty and hormone therapies carry risks and lifelong consequences , including sterility and other adverse health outcomes .
A legal “ pause button ” for decisions like this being made by minors , particularly when the science is in its nascent stages , doesn ’ t exactly sound like it would “ make it illegal to provide health care to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Hill , when The Western Journal contacted the publication about the story ’ s original opening , it was promptly changed .
“ Thank you for bringing this to our attention .
This post has been updated with the first line rephrased , ” The Hill said in a statement to The Western Journal .
RELATED : Judge Smacks Down Transgender Pronouns , Says They 're a Courtesy , Not a Right for People Before the Court The opening sentence now reads : “ A new bill in South Dakota would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hormone replacement therapy to transgender minors.
” Which is , well , accurate .
However , it ’ s worth noting that no correction was issued .
Instead , an addendum to the article reads , “ Updated Friday at 11:31 a.m. ” What was updated and why remains unmentioned .
Which is , well , important .
Editorial standards at The Western Journal — indeed , at most journalistic organizations — would be to issue a correction if there was this kind of dramatic mischaracterization .
This isn ’ t to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind you .
Deutsch is a lightning rod for legislation involving transgender teens , having previously introduced a 2016 bill limiting transgender access to school bathrooms and locker rooms that was ultimately vetoed by the governor .
The American Civil Liberties Union , in particular , has come out strongly against the hormone-replacement bill , saying it was part of a “ streak of discrimination of transgender youth in the state.
” Also , at least at present , surgeries for transgender-identifying individuals under 18 are generally discouraged by medical authorities , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , that could change at some point in the future .
For his part , Deutsch cast the decision as a matter of prudence .
“ Every child in South Dakota should be protected from dangerous drugs and procedures , ” he wrote in an email to National Review .
“ The solution for children ’ s identification with the opposite sex isn ’ t to poison their bodies with mega-doses of the wrong hormones , to chemically or surgically castrate and sterilize them , or to remove healthy breasts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , and that doesn ’ t include catastrophically and irreversibly altering their bodies.
” Unbelievably , The Hill wasn ’ t the only publication where the bill was construed in the lede as blocking all transgender health care to those under 18 , although the other sources I managed to find don ’ t make any pretense of being objective .
In the scaremongering Olympics , Igor Derysh at Salon managed to take the gold : “ South Dakota Republicans rallied around a new bill this week that would jail doctors for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender health care to minors , ” Derysh ’ s article on the bill began .
Then again , this is Salon , where a quick perusal of the front-page stories as of Sunday morning was instructive : “ Former GOP strategist Rick Wilson : “ F**king hating ” Trump is the key to winning in 2020.
” “ Hillary Clinton discusses being ‘ the Rorschach test for women ’ and urges voters to take out Trump.
” “ Why the Senate ’ s impeachment trial has way too much in common with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re a regular reader of The Hill , you may notice a decided difference in tone .
The media has a demonstrable bias against both the GOP and social conservatives on issues regarding transgender youth .
The Hill is usually better than most , and yet the lede to this story proves how reflexive and pervasive this line of thinking is .
It ’ s crucial that the media is held to account on this — and that corrections are issued when they get it this wrong .
In this case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you were reading the original version of The Hill’s recent piece on South Dakota’s proposed bill on treatments for transgender youth, the first paragraph probably sounded exceptionally dire.
“A new bill in South Dakota would make it illegal to provide health care to transgender minors,” began the piece by Alexandra Kelley — published last week in The Hill’s “Changing America” section, which deals with issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.
Most readers, I’m pretty sure, would overlook the most inexact aspect of that sentence and assume, given the context, that not all health care was being denied to transgender minors. (For instance, should transgender youths have the flu, I’m pretty sure writer Kelley wasn’t implying they would have to be turned away at the pediatrician’s.)
Even in context, however, it sounded pretty dire: House Bill 1057, the legislation she was referring to, would apparently put in place a ban on all health care related to gender dysphoria or transgender identity for individuals under the age of 18.
This comes across as pretty dangerous stuff, particularly since Kelley noted in the second paragraph that “the bill has reportedly been fast-tracked to go up for a vote in South Dakota’s House of Representatives on Friday.” Especially given that this was being championed by the state GOP, this was going to be explosive.
In paragraph number three, Kelley entirely contradicted the explosive opening lede to reveal legislation of a much more prosaic and cautious sort.
“House Bill 1057 would make it a Class 4 felony for a medical professional to perform a gender-affirming operation or surgery, as well as prescribing hormone replacement therapy to aid a child’s gender transition or in an attempt ‘to change or affirm the minor’s perception of the minor’s sex, if that perception is inconsistent with the minor’s sex,’ according to the text,” Kelley wrote.
Republican state Rep. Fred Deutsch, who introduced what he named the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, “reportedly referred to the pending legislation as a ‘pause button’ for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition where a person feels distress when their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.”
Do you support South Dakota's House Bill 1057? Yes No
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This isn’t quite the exact definition of gender dysphoria, but we’ll drop that for now, since it clearly wasn’t the most glaring example of how inexactitude is used in the service of a political predisposition here.
House Bill 1057 obviously wouldn’t “make it illegal to provide health care to transgender minors.” What it would do is delay two treatments that have irreversible side effects, until the individuals in question are of the age of majority and can make those decisions for their own. Surgeries like genitoplasty and hormone therapies carry risks and lifelong consequences, including sterility and other adverse health outcomes.
A legal “pause button” for decisions like this being made by minors, particularly when the science is in its nascent stages, doesn’t exactly sound like it would “make it illegal to provide health care to transgender minors.”
To be fair to The Hill, when The Western Journal contacted the publication about the story’s original opening, it was promptly changed.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This post has been updated with the first line rephrased,” The Hill said in a statement to The Western Journal.
The opening sentence now reads: “A new bill in South Dakota would make it illegal to provide gender-affirming surgery or hormone replacement therapy to transgender minors.” Which is, well, accurate.
However, it’s worth noting that no correction was issued. Instead, an addendum to the article reads, “Updated Friday at 11:31 a.m.” What was updated and why remains unmentioned. Which is, well, important. Editorial standards at The Western Journal — indeed, at most journalistic organizations — would be to issue a correction if there was this kind of dramatic mischaracterization.
This isn’t to say the legislation isn’t controversial, mind you.
Deutsch is a lightning rod for legislation involving transgender teens, having previously introduced a 2016 bill limiting transgender access to school bathrooms and locker rooms that was ultimately vetoed by the governor.
The American Civil Liberties Union, in particular, has come out strongly against the hormone-replacement bill, saying it was part of a “streak of discrimination of transgender youth in the state.” Also, at least at present, surgeries for transgender-identifying individuals under 18 are generally discouraged by medical authorities, according to an NBC report — although, of course, that could change at some point in the future.
For his part, Deutsch cast the decision as a matter of prudence.
“Every child in South Dakota should be protected from dangerous drugs and procedures,” he wrote in an email to National Review.
“The solution for children’s identification with the opposite sex isn’t to poison their bodies with mega-doses of the wrong hormones, to chemically or surgically castrate and sterilize them, or to remove healthy breasts and reproductive organs. The solution is compassionate care, and that doesn’t include catastrophically and irreversibly altering their bodies.”
Unbelievably, The Hill wasn’t the only publication where the bill was construed in the lede as blocking all transgender health care to those under 18, although the other sources I managed to find don’t make any pretense of being objective.
In the scaremongering Olympics, Igor Derysh at Salon managed to take the gold: “South Dakota Republicans rallied around a new bill this week that would jail doctors for up to a decade if they provide transgender health care to minors,” Derysh’s article on the bill began.
Then again, this is Salon, where a quick perusal of the front-page stories as of Sunday morning was instructive: “Former GOP strategist Rick Wilson: “F**king hating” Trump is the key to winning in 2020.” “Hillary Clinton discusses being ‘the Rorschach test for women’ and urges voters to take out Trump.” “Why the Senate’s impeachment trial has way too much in common with the Jim Crow past.”
If you’re a regular reader of The Hill, you may notice a decided difference in tone.
The media has a demonstrable bias against both the GOP and social conservatives on issues regarding transgender youth. The Hill is usually better than most, and yet the lede to this story proves how reflexive and pervasive this line of thinking is.
It’s crucial that the media is held to account on this — and that corrections are issued when they get it this wrong. In this case, The Hill managed to get it half-right.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-19--Journalist Humiliates Target Worker Over 1¢ Display, Furious Public Raises $17K

A journalist was widely criticized Friday for publicly shaming a Massachusetts Target manager who he claimed refused to honor the list price on an electric toothbrush .
Now , thanks to more than 1,000 donors , the manager will be able to enjoy a free vacation .
David Leavitt said the manager , Tori , would not let him buy an Oral-B electric toothbrush for $ 0.01 , which was the price listed on the display for the item .
He cited a Massachusetts law requiring food retailers to sell products for the lowest price that is listed on signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant As a result , Leavitt said he went so far as to call the police .
He also tweeted out a photo of the manager and threatened to sue Target .
But Leavitt was quickly called out by those who saw his behavior as an overreaction .
As some users pointed out , the $ 0.01 price was for the display , not the toothbrush itself , which costs roughly $ 90 on Target ’ s website .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten backlash for what many saw as an attempt to troll the internet .
In December 2018 , he tweeted at Walmart and called out one of the chain ’ s assistant managers for refusing to price match a Nintendo Switch game .
And in June of that year , Leavitt posted an insensitive tweet as news was breaking about the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester , England , that killed 22 people .
“ MULTIPLE CONFIRMED FATALITIES at Manchester Arena .
The last time I listened to Ariana Grande @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in the since-deleted tweet , according to The New York Times .
In response to Leavitt ’ s latest antics , the man behind the popular conservative meme account Carpe Donktum organized a GoFundMe campaign to send Tori on a vacation .
Leavitt “ harassed this Target employee over an electric toothbrush , and then blasted her on Twitter to his 215k followers , ” the GoFundMe page reads .
As of Saturday afternoon , the campaign had raised more than $ 17,000 for Tori .
We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

A journalist was widely criticized Friday for publicly shaming a Massachusetts Target manager who he claimed refused to honor the list price on an electric toothbrush.
Now, thanks to more than 1,000 donors, the manager will be able to enjoy a free vacation.
David Leavitt said the manager, Tori, would not let him buy an Oral-B electric toothbrush for $0.01, which was the price listed on the display for the item.
He cited a Massachusetts law requiring food retailers to sell products for the lowest price that is listed on signs or advertisements for those items.
As a result, Leavitt said he went so far as to call the police. He also tweeted out a photo of the manager and threatened to sue Target.
This @target manager Tori is not honoring the price of their items per massachusetts law pic.twitter.com/7IYMjCcutZ — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020
I just had to call the police because @target Refused to sell me the toothbrush — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020
Corporations like @target are not above the law. The police officer told me they’d testify that they saw the price and that the manager wouldn’t sell me the item for the price listed. — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020
I have not been able to afford to go to a dentist in over three years. So yes I wanted a good toothbrush and was thrilled to see such an amazing prize on an @OralB but @target refused to honor it and now I have to take them to court — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020
But Leavitt was quickly called out by those who saw his behavior as an overreaction.
This is embarrassing. Plastering her face online while trying to take advantage of a clear pricing mistake is simply unnecessary. If you’re that set on a free electric toothbrush, then maybe start a GoFundMe. Better yet, don’t. — Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) January 17, 2020
Dude, please take her photo down. In what universe do you think it’s ok to shame a woman working at @Target because she didn’t sell you a toothbrush for 1cent? Calling the cops was bizarre, too. It’s an obvious labelling error, she did her job. — Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) January 17, 2020
Tori was gonna lose her job if she sold it to you and lose her job if she didn’t. At least you gave her a good public shaming on her way out. Everybody clap for David. — The Red-Headed Libertarian ™ (@TRHLofficial) January 17, 2020
As some users pointed out, the $0.01 price was for the display, not the toothbrush itself, which costs roughly $90 on Target’s website.
How can you be an “award-winning multimedia journalist” and also be illiterate? Its for the display, not the item. Probably because that display is a spot on the shelf, and has to have a tag on it because of the stores internal system pic.twitter.com/8ThcZK0UXd — America Guy (@that_guy5531) January 17, 2020
This is not the first time that Leavitt has gotten backlash for what many saw as an attempt to troll the internet.
In December 2018, he tweeted at Walmart and called out one of the chain’s assistant managers for refusing to price match a Nintendo Switch game.
Hey @Walmart your Hanover, MA manager Ronald C Carbone is refusing to honor a price match on @NintendoAmerica #NintendoSwitch #games as advertised pic.twitter.com/nYcPzgYIJw — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) December 6, 2018
And in June of that year, Leavitt posted an insensitive tweet as news was breaking about the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.
Was David Leavitt being reasonable in his request? 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% (191 Votes) No: 94% (3170 Votes)
“MULTIPLE CONFIRMED FATALITIES at Manchester Arena. The last time I listened to Ariana Grande I almost died too,” he wrote in the since-deleted tweet, according to The New York Times.
In response to Leavitt’s latest antics, the man behind the popular conservative meme account Carpe Donktum organized a GoFundMe campaign to send Tori on a vacation.
I have started a GoFundMe to send Tori on a vacation. Anyone that has to deal with this twerp definitely deserves it. I’ll start with a $50 donation.https://t.co/1ntqpiQngY https://t.co/X0bD1vZt5E — Carpe Donktum? (@CarpeDonktum) January 17, 2020
Leavitt “harassed this Target employee over an electric toothbrush, and then blasted her on Twitter to his 215k followers,” the GoFundMe page reads.
“Lets send her on a vacation.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $17,000 for Tori.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-19--Dem House Candidate in NYC Supports Replacing Jail Time with Art Class

Jamaal Bowman , a hard-left candidate looking to primary New York Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel out of a seat in New York ’ s 16th Congressional District , is a former middle school principal .
A lot of the solutions he proposes were no doubt shaped by his milieu .
There is a limit to what I can reasonably understand , however , and that limit has long since been reached when Bowman suggests one way to deal with crime is to let certain offenders take a two-hour art class instead of face court and jail and .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s positions , at least when you consider a tweet from the candidate on Wednesday .
Bowman , who ’ s looking to turn Engel — a powerful member of the Democratic House caucus — into the next Joe Crowley , is a candidate supported by the Justice Democrats , the same group that propelled Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar to victory in 2018 .
According to the Washington Free Beacon , he ’ s a Green New Deal supporter who calls “ white male domestic terrorism ” the “ biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police ought to be disarmed .
TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant Just from this information , we kind of know the caliber of individual we ’ re dealing with here .
However , even for someone with those pie-in-the-sky bona fides , the idea that he would support replacing jail time with art class on a wider scale is a bit , well , unusual .
To be fair , it wasn ’ t his idea .
This is something that New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to WCBS-TV .
“ If you ’ re arrested for fare beating , painting graffiti , shoplifting and other low-level offenses , you can skip a court appearance and avoid jail by taking an art course , ” the Oct. 2 article read .
“ It ’ s called ‘ Project Reset , ’ and is the brain child of [ Brooklyn District Attorney Eric ] Gonzalez .
If you ’ re arrested for a non-violent offense and are given a desk appearance ticket , you can take a two-hour course at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of NYC Sanctuary Law , Illegal Was Free When Woman , 92 , Was Murdered , Sexually Assaulted The program “ requires individuals to view and discuss a piece of art with people they don ’ t know .
They ’ re asked to create their own art , to think and find meaning in that art , ” Gonzalez said .
Bowman tweeted a similar article which used the information from WCBS-TV this past week : “ It ’ s about holding people accountable , but doing it in ways that promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accountability has to do with a two-hour session in which two groups , separated by age , each examine a different painting , according to Hyperallergic , a Brooklyn-based online arts magazine .
“ It definitely helped me avoid the anxiety of having to attend an actual court date for a mistake I made , ” Jessy Singh , who was arrested for shoplifting but participated in the program , told WCBS-TV .
“ It helped to make me feel human in a system that often criminalizes people for like the smallest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place wrong time.
” Shoplifting is a bad choice , but it usually isn ’ t “ wrong place wrong time.
” What ’ s ironic , however , is that this is the quote that Bowman decided to pull from the piece .
Curiously , he didn ’ t mention that Singh had been arrested for shoplifting .
On Bowman ’ s Twitter profile , he describes himself as follows : “ Former middle school principal .
I ’ m running for Congress because NY-16 deserves a Democrat who will fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarceration.
” That ’ s fair , but at some point you have to ask why he supports this art program as an alternative to incarceration .
My guess is that this isn ’ t one of those cases where he can say “ RTs ≠ Endorsement.
” So are we to assume he approves ?
Are we supposed to extrapolate that he wants to bring this to the rest of us ?
Is he going to expand it ?
Whatever the case , I never thought I would say this , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to worry about .
Then again , I think I would have said the same thing about Joe Crowley just 2 years ago , had I known then about AOC ’ s policies .
Woe be unto us if this former middle school principal brings what amounts to a detention plan in an art museum to the entire nation in lieu of actual low-level criminal deterrence .
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Read our editorial standards .

Jamaal Bowman, a hard-left candidate looking to primary New York Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel out of a seat in New York’s 16th Congressional District, is a former middle school principal.
A lot of the solutions he proposes were no doubt shaped by his milieu.
There is a limit to what I can reasonably understand, however, and that limit has long since been reached when Bowman suggests one way to deal with crime is to let certain offenders take a two-hour art class instead of face court and jail and.
That’s apparently one of the Bowman campaign’s positions, at least when you consider a tweet from the candidate on Wednesday.
Bowman, who’s looking to turn Engel — a powerful member of the Democratic House caucus — into the next Joe Crowley, is a candidate supported by the Justice Democrats, the same group that propelled Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar to victory in 2018.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, he’s a Green New Deal supporter who calls “white male domestic terrorism” the “biggest issue in our country” and thinks police ought to be disarmed.
Just from this information, we kind of know the caliber of individual we’re dealing with here.
However, even for someone with those pie-in-the-sky bona fides, the idea that he would support replacing jail time with art class on a wider scale is a bit, well, unusual.
Do you think art classes in a museum should replace jail time for certain offenders? Yes No
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To be fair, it wasn’t his idea.
This is something that New York City is already doing with low-level crimes, according to WCBS-TV.
“If you’re arrested for fare beating, painting graffiti, shoplifting and other low-level offenses, you can skip a court appearance and avoid jail by taking an art course,” the Oct. 2 article read.
“It’s called ‘Project Reset,’ and is the brain child of [Brooklyn District Attorney Eric] Gonzalez. If you’re arrested for a non-violent offense and are given a desk appearance ticket, you can take a two-hour course at the Brooklyn Museum.
“When you’re finished, the DA declines to prosecute.”
The program “requires individuals to view and discuss a piece of art with people they don’t know. They’re asked to create their own art, to think and find meaning in that art,” Gonzalez said.
Bowman tweeted a similar article which used the information from WCBS-TV this past week:
“It definitely helped me avoid the anxiety of having to attend an actual court date for a mistake I made,” “It helped to make me feel human in a system that often criminalizes people for like the smallest of things, bad choices, wrong place wrong time.” https://t.co/sbjcRtkz29 — Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) January 15, 2020
“It’s about holding people accountable, but doing it in ways that promote human dignity,” Gonzalez said.
The accountability has to do with a two-hour session in which two groups, separated by age, each examine a different painting, according to Hyperallergic, a Brooklyn-based online arts magazine.
“It definitely helped me avoid the anxiety of having to attend an actual court date for a mistake I made,” Jessy Singh, who was arrested for shoplifting but participated in the program, told WCBS-TV.
“It helped to make me feel human in a system that often criminalizes people for like the smallest of things, bad choices, wrong place wrong time.”
Shoplifting is a bad choice, but it usually isn’t “wrong place wrong time.”
What’s ironic, however, is that this is the quote that Bowman decided to pull from the piece.
Curiously, he didn’t mention that Singh had been arrested for shoplifting.
On Bowman’s Twitter profile, he describes himself as follows: “Former middle school principal. I’m running for Congress because NY-16 deserves a Democrat who will fight for jobs and education, not bombs and incarceration.”
That’s fair, but at some point you have to ask why he supports this art program as an alternative to incarceration.
My guess is that this isn’t one of those cases where he can say “RTs ≠ Endorsement.”
So are we to assume he approves?
Are we supposed to extrapolate that he wants to bring this to the rest of us?
Is he going to expand it?
Whatever the case, I never thought I would say this, but I hope that Eliot Engel has nothing to worry about.
Then again, I think I would have said the same thing about Joe Crowley just 2 years ago, had I known then about AOC’s policies.
Woe be unto us if this former middle school principal brings what amounts to a detention plan in an art museum to the entire nation in lieu of actual low-level criminal deterrence.
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westernjournal--2020-01-18--Teen Charged with Aggravated Homicide After 4 Murdered in Small Utah Town

A boy armed with a gun killed three children and a woman inside a Utah home , then accompanied a fifth victim to a hospital , where he was arrested , police said Saturday .
Police were still trying to piece together who ’ s who and what happened leading up to Friday night ’ s shooting in Granstville , a town of 11,000 about 35 miles west of Salt Lake City .
Investigators believe the victims are all related to one another .
“ We ’ re trying to make certain that we verify people ’ s relationships among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grantsville Police Cpl .
Rhonda Fields told The Associated Press Saturday .
“ As for motive , we don ’ t have any of that.
” The boy faces 10 charges , the most serious being aggravated homicide , she said .
Police were not able to release his identity because he has been charged as a juvenile , and Fields declined to release any additional details about him .
“ Early reports from police indicated the shooter was a teenager , ” the Deseret News reported from Salt Lake City .
TRENDING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant Officials said he is the only suspect .
His relationship to the victims was not immediately clear .
The names of the victims have not been released .
Police responded to a call of shots fired inside at home at approximately 7 p.m. Friday .
When officers arrived , they found the bodies of two girls , a boy and a woman , Fields said .
The shooter and a fifth shooting victim were gone , she said .
Authorities later discovered that a person who arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspect and the surviving victim to a nearby hospital , Fields said .
Officers arrested the boy at the hospital .
He was being held at a youth detention facility .
The fifth victim had sustained a gunshot wound , was in stable condition and expected to survive , Fields said .
The person who drove them to the hospital was not involved in shooting , she said .
Grantsville Mayor Brent Marshall said the shooting happened in a very quiet neighborhood , the Deseret News reported .
RELATED : Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'an Act of Terrorism' “ It ’ s an unfortunate tragedy that has taken place here this evening , ” Marshall said .
“ Any time you have children involved in something , it becomes very emotional , very fast.
” “ Our hearts are broken by the horrible news coming out of Grantsville tonight , ” he said .
“ We mourn over the loss of innocent lives.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our @ @ @

A boy armed with a gun killed three children and a woman inside a Utah home, then accompanied a fifth victim to a hospital, where he was arrested, police said Saturday.
Police were still trying to piece together who’s who and what happened leading up to Friday night’s shooting in Granstville, a town of 11,000 about 35 miles west of Salt Lake City. Investigators believe the victims are all related to one another.
“We’re trying to make certain that we verify people’s relationships among the deceased and the survivor,” Grantsville Police Cpl. Rhonda Fields told The Associated Press Saturday. “As for motive, we don’t have any of that.”
The boy faces 10 charges, the most serious being aggravated homicide, she said. Police were not able to release his identity because he has been charged as a juvenile, and Fields declined to release any additional details about him.
“Early reports from police indicated the shooter was a teenager,” the Deseret News reported from Salt Lake City.
Officials said he is the only suspect. His relationship to the victims was not immediately clear.
The names of the victims have not been released.
Police responded to a call of shots fired inside at home at approximately 7 p.m. Friday.
Do you think this shooter should be tried as an adult? 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% (71 Votes) No: 1% (1 Votes)
When officers arrived, they found the bodies of two girls, a boy and a woman, Fields said.
The shooter and a fifth shooting victim were gone, she said. Authorities later discovered that a person who arrived at the house after the shooting drove the suspect and the surviving victim to a nearby hospital, Fields said.
Officers arrested the boy at the hospital. He was being held at a youth detention facility.
The fifth victim had sustained a gunshot wound, was in stable condition and expected to survive, Fields said.
The person who drove them to the hospital was not involved in shooting, she said.
Grantsville Mayor Brent Marshall said the shooting happened in a very quiet neighborhood, the Deseret News reported.
“It’s an unfortunate tragedy that has taken place here this evening,” Marshall said. “Any time you have children involved in something, it becomes very emotional, very fast.”
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert released a statement through Twitter.
Our hearts are broken by the horrible news coming out Grantsville tonight. We mourn over the loss of innocent lives. — Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) January 18, 2020
“Our hearts are broken by the horrible news coming out of Grantsville tonight,” he said. “We mourn over the loss of innocent lives.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-18--‘A Fresh Start’: 11,108 Families To Receive Letter Wiping Away $13 Million in Medical Debt

Thousands of St. Louis-area families were freed from a major financial burden thanks to a charitable effort that is increasingly popular among churches and other organizations trying to help the needy — eliminating medical debt .
Money raised at more than a dozen United Church of Christ congregations and a donation from the St. Louis-based Deaconess Foundation wiped away nearly $ 13 million in medical debt for 11,108 families in St. Louis city and county .
The church was also sending letters this weekend to those whose debt was wiped out .
Rebecca Turner , a pastor in Maplewood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical debt is “ often so enormous that there is no way to repay it .
Very often they lose their homes , their vehicles , their wages are garnished , and once that happens , it ’ s nearly impossible to get out of poverty .
TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before VA Gun Rally Is Actually an Illegal Immigrant “ It ’ s our prayer that for many of the families who receive this forgiveness of debt , it will be a fresh start , ” Turner said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is believed that more than 43 million Americans owe $ 75 billion in past-due medical debt .
Hospitals and other health care organizations often write off bills deemed uncollectible , but they also sell the debt to collection agencies at a huge discount , often about 1 cent on the dollar .
The collection agencies then make money by seeking payment from debtors who are often poor and lack adequate health insurance .
The St. Louis-area congregations worked with RIP Medical Debt , a New York state-based nonprofit that buys medical debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay it off .
Thirteen United Church of Christ congregations raised $ 65,000 and the Deaconess Foundation , a UCC ministry that seeks to improve the health of the St. Louis-area needy , contributed $ 40,000 .
“ We recognize access to health care is a persistent challenge for the 1 in 5 children living in poverty in the St. Louis region , ” said the Rev .
Starsky Wilson , CEO of the Deaconess Foundation .
“ Furthermore , medical debt is a drag on family stability and economic mobility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed a similar service in October in Chicago , using donations to clear $ 5.3 million in medical debt for 5,888 South Side families with average medical debt of $ 907 each .
In December , a Los Angeles church , Christian Assembly , raised $ 53,000 to pay off $ 5.3 million in medical debt for nearly 6,000 households in Southern California .
The Christian television network TCT , based in Marion , Illinois , wiped out about $ 2.5 million in medical debt from hundreds of families in southeast Missouri and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Lempert said a $ 10 donation can buy and eliminate as much as $ 1,000 in delinquent debt .
The organization has eliminated more than $ 1 billion in debt for more than 1 million beneficiaries , he said .
Individual family debt forgiveness has ranged from $ 100 to more than $ 250,000 , Lempert said .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Thousands of St. Louis-area families were freed from a major financial burden thanks to a charitable effort that is increasingly popular among churches and other organizations trying to help the needy — eliminating medical debt.
Money raised at more than a dozen United Church of Christ congregations and a donation from the St. Louis-based Deaconess Foundation wiped away nearly $13 million in medical debt for 11,108 families in St. Louis city and county.
United Church of Christ officials and civic leaders announced details Saturday.
The church was also sending letters this weekend to those whose debt was wiped out.
Rebecca Turner, a pastor in Maplewood, Missouri, said that for many families, medical debt is “often so enormous that there is no way to repay it. Very often they lose their homes, their vehicles, their wages are garnished, and once that happens, it’s nearly impossible to get out of poverty.
“It’s our prayer that for many of the families who receive this forgiveness of debt, it will be a fresh start,” Turner said. “We pray it gives them hope.”
It is believed that more than 43 million Americans owe $75 billion in past-due medical debt.
Hospitals and other health care organizations often write off bills deemed uncollectible, but they also sell the debt to collection agencies at a huge discount, often about 1 cent on the dollar. The collection agencies then make money by seeking payment from debtors who are often poor and lack adequate health insurance.
The St. Louis-area congregations worked with RIP Medical Debt, a New York state-based nonprofit that buys medical debt and works with churches and charitable groups to pay it off.
Would you support a church or other charity that did this? 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% (9 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
Thirteen United Church of Christ congregations raised $65,000 and the Deaconess Foundation, a UCC ministry that seeks to improve the health of the St. Louis-area needy, contributed $40,000.
“We recognize access to health care is a persistent challenge for the 1 in 5 children living in poverty in the St. Louis region,” said the Rev. Starsky Wilson, CEO of the Deaconess Foundation. “Furthermore, medical debt is a drag on family stability and economic mobility for these families.”
United Church of Christ performed a similar service in October in Chicago, using donations to clear $5.3 million in medical debt for 5,888 South Side families with average medical debt of $907 each.
In December, a Los Angeles church, Christian Assembly, raised $53,000 to pay off $5.3 million in medical debt for nearly 6,000 households in Southern California.
The Christian television network TCT, based in Marion, Illinois, wiped out about $2.5 million in medical debt from hundreds of families in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.
RIP Medical Debt spokesman Daniel Lempert said a $10 donation can buy and eliminate as much as $1,000 in delinquent debt. The organization has eliminated more than $1 billion in debt for more than 1 million beneficiaries, he said.
Individual family debt forgiveness has ranged from $100 to more than $250,000, Lempert said.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-18--Is This Tiny Texas House Race a Sign of Things to Come in November?

Beto O ’ Rourke is livestreaming again .
Joe Biden and Julián Castro are making their presence felt .
Mike Bloomberg has knocked on doors and outside groups are running TV attack ads .
On the brink of 2020 ’ s first big contest , it all screams high stakes .
Not in Iowa .
This is just for a single Texas House seat .
“ This is one of the most important elections taking place in the country right now , ” said O ’ Rourke , who since ending his own presidential run in November has campaigned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markowitz , including again Saturday with Castro .
The outcome of the Jan. 28 special election runoff near Houston — a week before the Iowa caucuses — in an ethnically diverse district of 220,000 people won ’ t change the balance of power in the GOP-controlled Texas Capitol .
But like other special elections since President Donald Trump took office , this one is seen as brimming with broader significance : the year ’ s first bellwether that could signal bigger trends to come in November .
TRENDING : Suspected Neo-Nazi Arrested Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigrant “ Special elections are unique creatures that don ’ t necessarily predict anything , ” said James Dickey , chairman of the Texas Republican Party .
But it ’ s also easy to see why an obscure race for Texas House District 28 is a tempting testing ground .
Is an impeached president repelling suburbanites who are crucial to his re-election ?
Trump won this turf by 10 points in 2016 .
Can Democrats really flip the nation ’ s biggest red state ?
If they win this race , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Texas House .
Is the GOP in trouble with minority voters ?
The surrounding county , Fort Bend , is often called the most diverse in America .
The election is a release valve for Democrats itching for November to just get here already , but it also reflects the striking level of money and national muscle that are poised to swamp legislative races .
Aside from the White House , the biggest prize for Republicans and Democrats this year may be winning control of statehouses — voting maps in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the party in power can carve out electoral advantages for the next decade .
That may be lost on voters , and it ’ s also unclear how much this race says about Trump and his impact .
Republican candidate Gary Gates says that when he ’ s knocked on doors in the last two months , fewer and fewer voters have wanted to talk about the president .
RELATED : Beto O'Rourke Politicizes Texas Church Shooting , Ca n't Quite Thank the Heroes Who Stopped It “ All that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been as strong , ” he said .
Special elections have transformed into nationally watched battlegrounds in the Trump era , particularly among Democrats eager for signs that voters are fed-up with a combative presidency .
In September , Republicans hung on in a special election for a House seat in North Carolina that included Trump personally appealing to voters , although the narrow victory was still considered by some a warning sign of potential suburban revolt .
Trump hasn ’ t chimed in on the Texas race .
But on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a two-story suburban mansion in Katy resembled an Iowa house party for a presidential candidate .
O ’ Rourke climbed on the living room furniture to fire up dozens of volunteers , some of whom squeezed next to a breakfast spread that included muffins decorated with tiny “ Beto for America ” flags .
Biden made a splash by endorsing Markowitz , and Bloomberg paused his own presidential campaign swing through Texas to walk a neighborhood with her .
A national Democratic group called Forward Majority , which is spending millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it has spent $ 400,000 on the race , at least four times what the group spent on any other Texas district in 2018 .
The spending included a TV ad that resurfaced allegations from 2000 that Gates , who has adopted 11 children , abused some of his kids .
State child welfare investigators ultimately dropped that case , and Gates put up a counter-ad pushing back on the claims .
Fort Bend County is not unaccustomed to the political spotlight — it is home to Tom DeLay , the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pierce Bush , the 33-year-old grandson of the late President George H.W .
Bush , is making a run here for Congress .
The state House seat opened up when John Zerwas , who was among the most powerful moderate Republicans in the House , stepped down for a high-ranking university post .
In November , Markowitz finished first with 39 percent in an open special election race , falling well short of avoiding a runoff with the rest of the vote split among Gates and other Republicans .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Beto O’Rourke is livestreaming again. Joe Biden and Julián Castro are making their presence felt. Mike Bloomberg has knocked on doors and outside groups are running TV attack ads. On the brink of 2020’s first big contest, it all screams high stakes.
Not in Iowa. This is just for a single Texas House seat.
“This is one of the most important elections taking place in the country right now,” said O’Rourke, who since ending his own presidential run in November has campaigned for the Democrat in the race, Eliz Markowitz, including again Saturday with Castro.
The outcome of the Jan. 28 special election runoff near Houston — a week before the Iowa caucuses — in an ethnically diverse district of 220,000 people won’t change the balance of power in the GOP-controlled Texas Capitol.
But like other special elections since President Donald Trump took office, this one is seen as brimming with broader significance: the year’s first bellwether that could signal bigger trends to come in November.
That’s a stretch, say Republicans.
“Special elections are unique creatures that don’t necessarily predict anything,” said James Dickey, chairman of the Texas Republican Party.
But it’s also easy to see why an obscure race for Texas House District 28 is a tempting testing ground.
Is an impeached president repelling suburbanites who are crucial to his re-election? Trump won this turf by 10 points in 2016.
Do you think the Democrats have a change to win in November? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 8% (35 Votes) No: 92% (384 Votes)
Can Democrats really flip the nation’s biggest red state? If they win this race, they’ll move within eight seats of retaking the Texas House.
Is the GOP in trouble with minority voters? The surrounding county, Fort Bend, is often called the most diverse in America.
The election is a release valve for Democrats itching for November to just get here already, but it also reflects the striking level of money and national muscle that are poised to swamp legislative races.
Aside from the White House, the biggest prize for Republicans and Democrats this year may be winning control of statehouses — voting maps in the U.S. will be redrawn after the 2020 census, and the party in power can carve out electoral advantages for the next decade.
That may be lost on voters, and it’s also unclear how much this race says about Trump and his impact. Republican candidate Gary Gates says that when he’s knocked on doors in the last two months, fewer and fewer voters have wanted to talk about the president.
“All that has kind of died down. It hasn’t been as strong,” he said.
Special elections have transformed into nationally watched battlegrounds in the Trump era, particularly among Democrats eager for signs that voters are fed-up with a combative presidency.
In September, Republicans hung on in a special election for a House seat in North Carolina that included Trump personally appealing to voters, although the narrow victory was still considered by some a warning sign of potential suburban revolt.
Trump hasn’t chimed in on the Texas race. But on a recent Saturday, the living room of a two-story suburban mansion in Katy resembled an Iowa house party for a presidential candidate.
O’Rourke climbed on the living room furniture to fire up dozens of volunteers, some of whom squeezed next to a breakfast spread that included muffins decorated with tiny “Beto for America” flags.
Biden made a splash by endorsing Markowitz, and Bloomberg paused his own presidential campaign swing through Texas to walk a neighborhood with her.
A national Democratic group called Forward Majority, which is spending millions of dollars nationwide to flip GOP-controlled statehouses, says it has spent $400,000 on the race, at least four times what the group spent on any other Texas district in 2018.
The spending included a TV ad that resurfaced allegations from 2000 that Gates, who has adopted 11 children, abused some of his kids. State child welfare investigators ultimately dropped that case, and Gates put up a counter-ad pushing back on the claims.
Fort Bend County is not unaccustomed to the political spotlight — it is home to Tom DeLay, the former Republican House majority leader.
In addition, Pierce Bush, the 33-year-old grandson of the late President George H.W. Bush, is making a run here for Congress.
The state House seat opened up when John Zerwas, who was among the most powerful moderate Republicans in the House, stepped down for a high-ranking university post.
In November, Markowitz finished first with 39 percent in an open special election race, falling well short of avoiding a runoff with the rest of the vote split among Gates and other Republicans.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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