westernjournal--2020-01-14--Trump Walks on College Football Championship Field to Raucous Cheers and ‘USA’ Chants

The crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans erupted with enthusiasm Monday night as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump appeared on the field prior to the national championship football game between Louisiana State University and Clemson University .
LSU won the game , 42-25 , claiming its first national championship since the 2007-08 season .
The president and first lady walked onto the field shortly before the playing of the national anthem to wild cheers and applause .
Giant video boards around the stadium carried their images .
As they walked to their places on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheering for them and greeted some of those on the field .
Their arrival was met by thundering cheers of “ Four more years ” and “ U-S-A , ” according to the White House media pool report : The Trumps walked with the honor guard to the 40-yard line for the anthem , which the president sang along to .
As the Trumps left the field , the president thanked those around him .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favored .
RELATED : Rapinoe Signals She May Defy Olympic Rules & Kneel Anyway The Trumps stayed at the game until the third quarter , and left with LSU leading 35-25 , USA Today reported .
Monday night ’ s event was President Trump ’ s second LSU game , according to Fox News .
In November , he want to Tuscaloosa , Alabama , for a game between LSU and the University of Alabama .
Prior to leaving Washington , D.C. , for the game , Trump spoke briefly to the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to the game .
It ’ ll be a great game .
It ’ ll be something that a lot of people want to see .
And we ’ ll be in New Orleans , and we look forward to it , ” he said , according to the White House media pool report .
Trump replied to one question on the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ Quds Force .
“ Well , first of all , I think it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what ’ s been consistent : We killed Soleimani , the number-one terrorist in the world by every account .
Bad person .
Killed a lot of Americans , killed a lot of people .
We killed him , ” Trump said .
“ And when the Democrats try and defend him , it ’ s a disgrace to our country .
They can ’ t do that .
And , let me tell you , it ’ s not working politically very well for them .
So , we killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani — and it should have been done 20 years ago.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans erupted with enthusiasm Monday night as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump appeared on the field prior to the national championship football game between Louisiana State University and Clemson University.
LSU won the game, 42-25, claiming its first national championship since the 2007-08 season.
The president and first lady walked onto the field shortly before the playing of the national anthem to wild cheers and applause.
Giant video boards around the stadium carried their images. As they walked to their places on the 15-yard line, they waved at those cheering for them and greeted some of those on the field.
Their arrival was met by thundering cheers of “Four more years” and “U-S-A,” according to the White House media pool report:
https://youtu.be/M_TXD_eCFTU?t=47
The Trumps walked with the honor guard to the 40-yard line for the anthem, which the president sang along to.
The crowd went absolutely wild for @realDonaldTrump
and @FLOTUS
at the College Football National Championship game as they walked onto the field. Chants of “USA” broke out. This is America.#LSUvsCLEM pic.twitter.com/dEn6MjDai8 — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 14, 2020
Donald Trump just arrived to the #NationalChampionship game to chants of USA USA#LSUvsCLEM pic.twitter.com/VXLcAfbwtU — Bobby (@Bobby84837810) January 14, 2020
The reaction inside Mercedes-Benz Superdome to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walked onto the field. pic.twitter.com/DgbWxvy6cW — USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) January 14, 2020
As the Trumps left the field, the president thanked those around him.
One reporter asked Trump which team he favored.
“Both,” Trump replied, per the White House media pool report.
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The Trumps stayed at the game until the third quarter, and left with LSU leading 35-25, USA Today reported.
Monday night’s event was President Trump’s second LSU game, according to Fox News.
In November, he want to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for a game between LSU and the University of Alabama.
Prior to leaving Washington, D.C., for the game, Trump spoke briefly to the media.
“[W]e’re going to the game. It’ll be a great game. It’ll be something that a lot of people want to see. And we’ll be in New Orleans, and we look forward to it,” he said, according to the White House media pool report.
Trump replied to one question on the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.
“Well, first of all, I think it’s been totally consistent. But here’s what’s been consistent: We killed Soleimani, the number-one terrorist in the world by every account. Bad person. Killed a lot of Americans, killed a lot of people. We killed him,” Trump said.
“And when the Democrats try and defend him, it’s a disgrace to our country. They can’t do that. And, let me tell you, it’s not working politically very well for them. So, we killed the number-one terrorist in the world — Soleimani — and it should have been done 20 years ago.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-14--Oscar Nominations Trigger Outraged Claims of ‘Sexism’ and ‘Racism’

The nomination for most outrage by a collection of award nominations goes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , whose nominations for the 2020 Oscars provoked outrage over those not included .
The Los Angeles Times , for example , began its story on the awards by claiming that “ institutional bias , sexism and racism ” were all “ on display ” in the nominations .
“ Because among those largely snubbed by the academy ?
Women and people of color .
Not one woman was recognized as a top director .
If it hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Cynthia Erivo in the leading actress category , the organization would be facing # OscarsSoWhite all over again , ” the Times ’ Amy Kaufman wrote .
“ Joker , ” received 11 nominations , including a best actor nod for Joaquin Phoenix , who played the Joker .
Quintin Tarantino ’ s “ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ” received 10 Oscar nominations , as did “ 1917 ” and “ The Irishman , ” according to a list published by CBS .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 Customers ' Deaths The outrage , and a reaction to the outpouring of anger , roiled Twitter .
RELATED : Report : Oscars in 'Danger Zone ' as ABC Goes to Unprecedented Lengths To Court Advertisers In the media , critics wailed at the choices .
Writing for Esquire , Adrienne Westenfeld moaned , “ In the Year of Our Lord 2020 , the Oscar nominations across the board are frankly exhausting — they are largely a too-white , too-male , too-old slate of dull and distressing choices.
” Westenfeld complained about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Each year that this sorry state of affairs continues , it becomes ever more confusing , confounding , and infuriating .
The Academy ’ s dismissal of female filmmakers communicates to these trailblazing women that their stories and their artistry doesn ’ t matter , ” she wrote .
“ It also makes it excruciatingly clear that , as much as the Academy loves to tout its own perceived diversity , such “ diversity ” is not an authentic inclusion of filmmakers and performers from all backgrounds—rather , it ’ s only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pacify critics.
” Others in the media had similar reactions .
“ The exclusion of people of color and women proves that progress for underrepresented voices in film is moving at a glacial pace , with peaks and valleys and more stories from diverse voices needing to be lifted and put in the spotlight , ” Dino-Ray Ramos complained at Deadline .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The nomination for most outrage by a collection of award nominations goes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whose nominations for the 2020 Oscars provoked outrage over those not included.
The Los Angeles Times, for example, began its story on the awards by claiming that “institutional bias, sexism and racism” were all “on display” in the nominations.
“Because among those largely snubbed by the academy? Women and people of color. Not one woman was recognized as a top director. If it hadn’t been for ‘Harriet’s’ Cynthia Erivo in the leading actress category, the organization would be facing #OscarsSoWhite all over again,” the Times’ Amy Kaufman wrote.
“Joker,” received 11 nominations, including a best actor nod for Joaquin Phoenix, who played the Joker.
Quintin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” received 10 Oscar nominations, as did “1917” and “The Irishman,” according to a list published by CBS.
The outrage, and a reaction to the outpouring of anger, roiled Twitter.
scarlett johansson being nominated for an oscar while lupita nyong’o is snubbed is literally white privilege — angel (@dykesinfilm) January 13, 2020
The #OscarNoms are such a mess like how are the director noms just male?? JLo didn’t get nominated?? All the supporting actress noms are white women?? Only one PoC up for Best Actress?? The Farewell being snubbed like that?? Why am I even mad like this is surprising?? — Fatima⁷ (@fatimafarha_) January 13, 2020
i genuinely think not nominating j lo is rooted in racism and sexism about the kinds of performances the oscars deem worthy of praise doNOT @ me — E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) January 13, 2020
Just give them the nomination so they don’t cry. How about putting affirmative action in the Oscars? Seriously STFU and don’t cry and point to “racism” or “xenophobia” every time something doesn’t go your way. #annoying — Mina Estefan (@MinaEstefan) January 13, 2020
It’s funny how the people crying racist and sexist have their own racism and sexism on display demanding standards be lowered because they seem to think POCs can’t earn Oscars on merit#OscarsSoWhite #OscarNoms — MCU is McDonald’s of Movies (@Clark_7593) January 13, 2020
In the media, critics wailed at the choices.
Writing for Esquire, Adrienne Westenfeld moaned, “In the Year of Our Lord 2020, the Oscar nominations across the board are frankly exhausting — they are largely a too-white, too-male, too-old slate of dull and distressing choices.”
Westenfeld complained about the all-male slate of director nominees.
Are you tired of identity politics in entertainment? Yes No
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“Each year that this sorry state of affairs continues, it becomes ever more confusing, confounding, and infuriating. The Academy’s dismissal of female filmmakers communicates to these trailblazing women that their stories and their artistry doesn’t matter,” she wrote.
“It also makes it excruciatingly clear that, as much as the Academy loves to tout its own perceived diversity, such “diversity” is not an authentic inclusion of filmmakers and performers from all backgrounds—rather, it’s only a conciliatory, tokenizing gesture made to pacify critics.”
Others in the media had similar reactions.
“The exclusion of people of color and women proves that progress for underrepresented voices in film is moving at a glacial pace, with peaks and valleys and more stories from diverse voices needing to be lifted and put in the spotlight,” Dino-Ray Ramos complained at Deadline.
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westernjournal--2020-01-14--CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers’ Deaths

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran boiled over in recent weeks with tit-for-tat deadly strikes that targeted a U.S. base in Iraq , followed by strikes on an Iranian-backed and Hezbollah-linked Iraqi militia , which led to a fiery assault on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on New Year ’ s Eve .
In response to the embassy attack , President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani , which provoked an ineffectual missile salvo on a couple of U.S.-occupied military bases in Iraq .
Just hours after those missiles were fired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a Ukrainian airline passenger jet , killing all 176 passengers and crew on board .
Naturally , given the absolute absurdity of the current day , a number of media figures , elected Democrats and liberals around the world actually saw fit to cast blame on Trump for the deaths .
Among those to blame the president was a wealthy Canadian businessman who has his own history of having blood on his hands , the Washington Examiner reported .
There were reportedly 63 Canadians on board the Ukrainian passenger jet that took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an Iranian missile within minutes .
As ridiculous as it may sound to try and pin the blame for those Canadian deaths on Trump , that is precisely what Michael McCain , the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods , did via his company ’ s official Twitter account on Sunday .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East McCain identified himself in the first of a four-part thread of tweets and wrote , “ I am very angry , and time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A MLF colleague of mine lost his wife and family this week to a needless , irresponsible series of events in Iran… ” “ U.S .
government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances , concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes .
The world knows Iran is a dangerous state , but the world found a path to contain it ; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction… , ” he continued .
“ A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart ; destabilizes region .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq ; tensions escalated to feverish pitch .
Taking out despicable military leader terrorist ?
There are a hundred like him , standing next in line , ” the CEO went on .
“ The collateral damage of this irresponsible , dangerous , ill-conceived behavior ?
63 Canadians needlessly lost their lives in the crossfire , including the family of one of my MLF colleagues ( his wife + 11 year old son ) !
We are mourning and I am livid .
Michael McCain.
” RELATED : Rapinoe Signals She May Defy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even start in addressing this utterly ludicrous rant filled with an assortment of falsities , misconceptions and unhinged Trump Derangement Syndrome on full display ?
First of all , while we share in his grief over the loss of an employee ’ s family , it wasn ’ t Trump ’ s fault , nor is Trump “ unconstrained ” by checks and balances , nor was the strike against Soleimani some sort of ploy to divert attention from impeachment .
Also , Trump was right to withdraw from the “ not perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is very much still welcomed in the region , the non-binding resolution from half the Iraqi Parliament notwithstanding .
( See the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan , Bahrain , Jordan , Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , Turkey and many others . )
As for the apparent opposition of McCain to taking out Soleimani because others like him are “ standing next in line , ” I guess we are never allowed to take out bad guys then , as there are and always will be others ready to pick up where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logic in that ?
But arguably the most striking thing about this lunatic thread is the sheer hypocrisy of what the CEO declined to mention , but was thankfully pointed out by a few users who commented on the posts : the fact that , unlike Trump in this case , Michael McCain actually is responsible for causing the deaths of innocent Canadians .
The Examiner reported that McCain ’ s Maple Leaf Foods company was deemed responsible in 2008 for the worst outbreak of listeria in Canadian history , an outbreak that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others sick from the contaminated foods .
After a germ-laden slicing machine was discovered to be the source of the deadly contamination , the company was forced to recall its deli products and McCain was compelled to issue a public apology for the fatal illnesses his company was responsible for .
As the old saying goes , don ’ t throw stones when you live in a glass house .
It would appear that McCain has forgotten that , and hopefully , he washed all of the blood off of his own hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ridiculous set of missives against Trump .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran boiled over in recent weeks with tit-for-tat deadly strikes that targeted a U.S. base in Iraq, followed by strikes on an Iranian-backed and Hezbollah-linked Iraqi militia, which led to a fiery assault on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on New Year’s Eve.
In response to the embassy attack, President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which provoked an ineffectual missile salvo on a couple of U.S.-occupied military bases in Iraq. Just hours after those missiles were fired, Iran also (purportedly unintentionally) shot down a Ukrainian airline passenger jet, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board.
Naturally, given the absolute absurdity of the current day, a number of media figures, elected Democrats and liberals around the world actually saw fit to cast blame on Trump for the deaths.
Among those to blame the president was a wealthy Canadian businessman who has his own history of having blood on his hands, the Washington Examiner reported.
There were reportedly 63 Canadians on board the Ukrainian passenger jet that took off from Tehran and was shot down by an Iranian missile within minutes. As ridiculous as it may sound to try and pin the blame for those Canadian deaths on Trump, that is precisely what Michael McCain, the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, did via his company’s official Twitter account on Sunday.
McCain identified himself in the first of a four-part thread of tweets and wrote, “I am very angry, and time isn’t making me less angry. A MLF colleague of mine lost his wife and family this week to a needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran…”
I’m Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, and these are personal reflections. I am very angry, and time isn’t making me less angry. A MLF colleague of mine lost his wife and family this week to a needless, irresponsible series of events in Iran… — Maple Leaf Foods (@MapleLeafFoods) January 13, 2020
“U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes. The world knows Iran is a dangerous state, but the world found a path to contain it; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction…,” he continued.
…U.S. government leaders unconstrained by checks/balances, concocted an ill-conceived plan to divert focus from political woes. The world knows Iran is a dangerous state, but the world found a path to contain it; not perfect but by most accounts it was the right direction… — Maple Leaf Foods (@MapleLeafFoods) January 13, 2020
“A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart; destabilizes region. US now unwelcomed everywhere in the area including Iraq; tensions escalated to feverish pitch. Taking out despicable military leader terrorist? There are a hundred like him, standing next in line,” the CEO went on.
..A narcissist in Washington tears world accomplishments apart; destabilizes region. US now unwelcomed everywhere in the area including Iraq; tensions escalated to feverish pitch. Taking out despicable military leader terrorist? There are a hundred like him, standing next in line — Maple Leaf Foods (@MapleLeafFoods) January 13, 2020
“The collateral damage of this irresponsible, dangerous, ill-conceived behavior? 63 Canadians needlessly lost their lives in the crossfire, including the family of one of my MLF colleagues (his wife + 11 year old son)! We are mourning and I am livid. Michael McCain.”
…The collateral damage of this irresponsible, dangerous, ill-conceived behavior? 63 Canadians needlessly lost their lives in the crossfire, including the family of one of my MLF colleagues (his wife + 11 year old son)! We are mourning and I am livid. Michael McCain. — Maple Leaf Foods (@MapleLeafFoods) January 13, 2020
Where to even start in addressing this utterly ludicrous rant filled with an assortment of falsities, misconceptions and unhinged Trump Derangement Syndrome on full display?
First of all, while we share in his grief over the loss of an employee’s family, it wasn’t Trump’s fault, nor is Trump “unconstrained” by checks and balances, nor was the strike against Soleimani some sort of ploy to divert attention from impeachment.
Also, Trump was right to withdraw from the “not perfect” Iran nuclear deal, and the U.S. is very much still welcomed in the region, the non-binding resolution from half the Iraqi Parliament notwithstanding. (See the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and many others.)
As for the apparent opposition of McCain to taking out Soleimani because others like him are “standing next in line,” I guess we are never allowed to take out bad guys then, as there are and always will be others ready to pick up where they left off. Where is the logic in that?
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But arguably the most striking thing about this lunatic thread is the sheer hypocrisy of what the CEO declined to mention, but was thankfully pointed out by a few users who commented on the posts: the fact that, unlike Trump in this case, Michael McCain actually is responsible for causing the deaths of innocent Canadians.
The Examiner reported that McCain’s Maple Leaf Foods company was deemed responsible in 2008 for the worst outbreak of listeria in Canadian history, an outbreak that killed 22 people and left dozens of others sick from the contaminated foods.
After a germ-laden slicing machine was discovered to be the source of the deadly contamination, the company was forced to recall its deli products and McCain was compelled to issue a public apology for the fatal illnesses his company was responsible for.
As the old saying goes, don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house. It would appear that McCain has forgotten that, and hopefully, he washed all of the blood off of his own hands before tweeting out his ill-advised and utterly ridiculous set of missives against Trump.
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westernjournal--2020-01-14--Video Shows Iranians Defying Regime by Refusing To Trample on American Flag

Iranian protesters refused to walk on large U.S. and Israeli flags painted on the sidewalk at a university in Tehran in footage posted on social media over the weekend .
NBC News reported the scene took place at Beheshti University .
“ This appeared to be a symbolic gesture , given that walking on , or burning , these flags has been a feature of previous demonstrations , ” the news outlet reported .
BBC journalist Ali Hamedani said the protesters ’ actions are an indication the Iranian regime ’ s anti-American , anti-Israel indoctrination has failed .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americanism , Tehran Beheshti university ’ s students refused walking over the US and Israel flag while participating in # IranProtests , ” Hamedani tweeted .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East “ They all grew up to hate the two countries but seems like the revolutionary ideology is failed , ” he added .
Iranian reporter Masih Alinejad tweeted , “ Watch how Iranian students refuse to step on American & the flag of Israel .
“ This should embarrassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # Soleimani where people were told to chant ‘ Death To America , ' ” Alinejad wrote .
The Jerusalem Post reported , “ A few people who did walk over the flags were booed by protesters in the area with chants of ‘ Shame on you , ' ” “ Some reports said that the protesters near the flags chanted ‘ Our enemy is in Iran , not America . '
” President Donald Trump responded to the gesture by the Iranian protesters , tweeting on Monday , “ Wow !
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or in any way denigrate , our Great American Flag.
” “ It was put on the street in order for them to trample it , and they walked around it instead .
Big progress !
” he added .
There is also footage on social media of posters of Qassem Soleimani being torn down .
“ A couple of brave protesters brought down the poster of # Soleimani which had been displayed all over the walls of towns in Iran by the regime ’ s authorities , ” the Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump posted the most popular Farsi tweet in history , which received over 360,000 likes .
“ To the brave and suffering Iranian people : I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you , ” the tweet said in English .
“ We are following your protests closely .
Your courage is inspiring.
” One of the protesters told NBC News by phone Monday that the Iranian government shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet and then lying about it to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but are not the sole cause .
“ Our protests were about all of the irresponsibility of the regime , not just the plane .
The plane was the trigger of this protest , ” said Elhan , 29 , who did not want her last name published .
She added that demonstrators “ just want a true democracy … we are so angry and sad.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Iranian protesters refused to walk on large U.S. and Israeli flags painted on the sidewalk at a university in Tehran in footage posted on social media over the weekend.
NBC News reported the scene took place at Beheshti University.
“This appeared to be a symbolic gesture, given that walking on, or burning, these flags has been a feature of previous demonstrations,” the news outlet reported.
BBC journalist Ali Hamedani said the protesters’ actions are an indication the Iranian regime’s anti-American, anti-Israel indoctrination has failed.
“At the height of the Iranian establishment anti Americanism, Tehran Beheshti university’s students refused walking over the US and Israel flag while participating in #IranProtests,” Hamedani tweeted.
“They all grew up to hate the two countries but seems like the revolutionary ideology is failed,” he added.
At the height of the Iranian establishment anti Americanism, Tehran Beheshti university’s students refused walking over the US and Israel flag while participating in #IranProtests . They all grew up to hate the two countries but seems like the revolutionary ideology is failed. pic.twitter.com/ABQY3GzWMo — Ali Hamedani (@BBCHamedani) January 12, 2020
Iranian reporter Masih Alinejad tweeted, “Watch how Iranian students refuse to step on American & the flag of Israel.
“This should embarrassed Iranian regime & their propaganda funeral for #Soleimani where people were told to chant ‘Death To America,'” Alinejad wrote.
“Now people in Iran chanting ‘Death to Islamic Republic dictatorship.'”
Watch how Iranian students refuse to step on American & the flag of Israel. This should embarrassed Iranian regime & their propaganda funeral for #Soleimani where people were told to chant “Death To America”.
Now people in Iran chanting “Death to Islamic Republic dictatorship.” pic.twitter.com/hTxDuxZeaB — Masih Alinejad ? (@AlinejadMasih) January 12, 2020
The Jerusalem Post reported, “A few people who did walk over the flags were booed by protesters in the area with chants of ‘Shame on you,'”
“Some reports said that the protesters near the flags chanted ‘Our enemy is in Iran, not America.'”
President Donald Trump responded to the gesture by the Iranian protesters, tweeting on Monday, “Wow! The wonderful Iranian protesters refused to step on, or in any way denigrate, our Great American Flag.”
“It was put on the street in order for them to trample it, and they walked around it instead. Big progress!” he added.
Wow! The wonderful Iranian protesters refused to step on, or in any way denigrate, our Great American Flag. It was put on the street in order for them to trample it, and they walked around it instead. Big progress! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020
There is also footage on social media of posters of Qassem Soleimani being torn down.
“A couple of brave protesters brought down the poster of #Soleimani which had been displayed all over the walls of towns in Iran by the regime’s authorities,” the Twitter account Iran Revival posted.
A couple of brave protesters brought down the poster of #Soleimani which had been displayed all over the walls of towns in Iran by the regime’s authorities. #IranProtests #IranProtests2020 pic.twitter.com/5u1qzTaOHT — Iran Revival | فَرَشگَرد (@iranfarashgard) January 12, 2020
On Saturday, Trump posted the most popular Farsi tweet in history, which received over 360,000 likes.
به مردم شجاع و رنج کشیده ایران: من از ابتدای دوره ریاست جمهوریم با شما ایستاده‌ام و دولت من همچنان با شما خواهد ایستاد. ما اعتراضات شما را از نزدیک دنبال می کنیم. شجاعت شما الهام بخش است. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
“To the brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you,” the tweet said in English. “We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring.”
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One of the protesters told NBC News by phone Monday that the Iranian government shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet and then lying about it to the public for days sparked the demonstrations, but are not the sole cause.
“Our protests were about all of the irresponsibility of the regime, not just the plane. The plane was the trigger of this protest,” said Elhan, 29, who did not want her last name published.
She added that demonstrators “just want a true democracy … we are so angry and sad.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Attorney General Barr Announces Attack on Florida Naval Base ‘an Act of Terrorism’

Attorney General William Barr announced Monday that last month ’ s deadly shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida has been ruled “ an act of terrorism ” that was “ motivated by jihadist ideology.
” Barr also told reporters at a news conference at the Justice Department that 21 members of the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy enrolled in flight training in Pensacola were found to have “ derogatory information ” in their possession and have been removed from the school .
They were scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia on Monday .
“ On Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force , entered a building on the grounds of Pensacola Naval Air Station and killed three U.S. sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans , ” Barr said .
“ Alshamrani was killed during the attack.
” TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East “ This was an act of terrorism , ” the attorney general said .
“ The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology.
” As evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooter posted a message on social media last Sept. 11 that said : “ the countdown has begun.
” Over Thanksgiving , he visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City .
“ He also posted other anti-American , anti-Israeli , and jihadi messages on social media , and did so two hours before his attack at the naval base , ” Barr said .
The attorney general explained that contrary to early media accounts , Alshamrani did not arrive at the site of the shooting with other Saudi cadets , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to be in the area and , after the attack began , they took some videos of the resulting commotion , ” Barr said .
“ They fully cooperated in the investigation , as did the other Saudi cadets who were interviewed by the FBI at Pensacola and at additional bases across the country.
” Barr commended the Saudi government for completely cooperating with the investigation and directing the trainees in the U.S. to do the same .
Of the 21 cadets ordered by their government to return to Saudi Arabia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jihadi or anti-American content , ” the attorney general said .
Additionally , “ 15 individuals ( including some of the 17 just mentioned ) had had some kind of contact with child pornography , ” Barr said in his statement .
He also said the FBI recovered two Apple iPhones from the shooter and obtained a warrant to access them , but has not been able to without the passwords .
“ So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance , ” Barr said .
“ This situation perfectly illustrates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Attorney General William Barr announced Monday that last month’s deadly shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida has been ruled “an act of terrorism” that was “motivated by jihadist ideology.”
Barr also told reporters at a news conference at the Justice Department that 21 members of the Saudi Royal Air Force and Royal Navy enrolled in flight training in Pensacola were found to have “derogatory information” in their possession and have been removed from the school.
They were scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia on Monday.
“On Dec. 6, 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, entered a building on the grounds of Pensacola Naval Air Station and killed three U.S. sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans,” Barr said. “Alshamrani was killed during the attack.”
“This was an act of terrorism,” the attorney general said. “The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology.”
AG William Barr says the shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station by a Saudi national was “an act of terrorism” and the shooter was “motivated by jihadist ideology” https://t.co/b3LRFp18sG pic.twitter.com/d2Pyt6Zo5O — CBS News (@CBSNews) January 13, 2020
As evidence of Alshamrani’s motivation, Barr said the shooter posted a message on social media last Sept. 11 that said: “the countdown has begun.”
Over Thanksgiving, he visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
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“He also posted other anti-American, anti-Israeli, and jihadi messages on social media, and did so two hours before his attack at the naval base,” Barr said.
The attorney general explained that contrary to early media accounts, Alshamrani did not arrive at the site of the shooting with other Saudi cadets, but came alone.
“Other Saudi cadets happened to be in the area and, after the attack began, they took some videos of the resulting commotion,” Barr said. “They fully cooperated in the investigation, as did the other Saudi cadets who were interviewed by the FBI at Pensacola and at additional bases across the country.”
Barr commended the Saudi government for completely cooperating with the investigation and directing the trainees in the U.S. to do the same.
More than 20 Saudi students are expected to be expelled from the U.S. amid an ongoing investigation into the Saudi military officer who killed three sailors and wounded eight others at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola last month, official tells ABC News. https://t.co/R78oG8Lwrl — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 13, 2020
Of the 21 cadets ordered by their government to return to Saudi Arabia, 17 had social media containing “some jihadi or anti-American content,” the attorney general said.
Additionally, “15 individuals (including some of the 17 just mentioned) had had some kind of contact with child pornography,” Barr said in his statement.
He also said the FBI recovered two Apple iPhones from the shooter and obtained a warrant to access them, but has not been able to without the passwords.
“So far Apple has not given us any substantive assistance,” Barr said. “This situation perfectly illustrates why it is critical that investigators be able to get access to digital evidence once they have obtained a court order based on probable cause.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Marc Scaringi: Pelosi’s Failed Gamble

Marc Scaringi: Pelosi’s Failed Gamble

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has finally decided to send her much-beloved and overindulged articles of impeachment from their comfy nook in the cozy confines of her House of Representatives to the harsh , cold reality of the U.S. Senate .
There , like a baby lamb being led to its slaughter , the articles will meet a quick death .
Though we ’ ve always known how the story will end , Pelosi still managed to inject some drama into it with her childish and feckless attempt to hold on to the ball until she got what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pelosi stunned the nation by refusing to immediately transmit the articles to the Senate after they were approved in the House .
Her purported reason ?
She wanted to know what rules the Senate would adopt so that she could decide which House managers to appoint before transmitting the articles to the Senate .
The real reason is she thought she could pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell into agreeing to call certain witnesses , including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security Advisor John Bolton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bolster their case .
But Pelosi ’ s pressure campaign was doomed to fail .
Oddly , she thought she could get something from McConnell by withholding from him something he didn ’ t want .
Where did Pelosi learn how to negotiate ?
She obviously hasn ’ t read The Art of the Deal .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East He said there “ will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure , ” and declared he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Democrats ’ requested witnesses .
Then , in a brilliant maneuver , Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a resolution to amend Senate rules to allow a motion to dismiss articles of impeachment for lack of prosecution .
“ If Speaker Pelosi is afraid to try her case , the articles should be dismissed for failure to prosecute and Congress should get back to doing the people ’ s business , ” Hawley said in a statement .
McConnell signed on to the resolution .
Pelosi was trapped .
Confronted with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her failure to prosecute her case , Pelosi did a volte-face and declared she ’ s sending the articles over and soon even though she didn ’ t get what she wanted from McConnell .
Perhaps she should brush up on her gambling skills by listening to some old Kenny Rogers songs .
Contrary to what some of her acolytes in the House say , she clearly didn ’ t know when to hold them or fold them .
In fact , she shouldn ’ t have been sitting at the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero constitutional authority to try to dictate terms to the U.S. Senate .
Pelosi , the self-declared “ master legislator ” and “ strategic , politically astute leader ” of the House of Representatives , proved herself to be more like the fool on the hill instead of the master of the Hill .
The real Gambler , who supports the president , by the way , would not be impressed .
Fresh from her bloodbath at the poker table , Pelosi got desperate .
She charged that Senate Republicans , if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be engaged in a “ cover-up.
” Yet Pelosi had the opportunity but chose not to compel those same witnesses to testify at her impeachment hearings in the House .
She claimed it would take too long in the courts and that in the meantime Trump would steal the 2020 election .
To Pelosi , her refusal to call certain witnesses in the House is a patriotic act to save the republic and protect the integrity of our elections , but Senate Republicans ’ refusal to call those same witnesses ?
Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of Pelosi ’ s justifications come anywhere close to being credible .
But that doesn ’ t really matter .
Pelosi knows she ’ s lost the impeachment charade .
That ’ s why she ’ s reduced herself to making the taunts that sore losers make .
Pelosi recently bragged , “ This president is impeached for life , regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell.
” True .
But Trump will be acquitted in the Senate .
That will exonerate and vindicate him in the eyes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump wins re-election and wins decisively , Pelosi ’ s impeachment will go down as one of the worst political defeats in U.S. history .
That defeat will be laid at the feet of Nancy Pelosi , who stupidly bet the house on a poor hand and lost in her biggest gamble as speaker of the House .
This failed impeachment very well may cost Democrats the House of Representatives and Pelosi her speakership .
That stigma will last for the rest of her life .
The views expressed in this opinion article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has finally decided to send her much-beloved and overindulged articles of impeachment from their comfy nook in the cozy confines of her House of Representatives to the harsh, cold reality of the U.S. Senate. There, like a baby lamb being led to its slaughter, the articles will meet a quick death.
Though we’ve always known how the story will end, Pelosi still managed to inject some drama into it with her childish and feckless attempt to hold on to the ball until she got what she wanted.
In a break with precedent, Pelosi stunned the nation by refusing to immediately transmit the articles to the Senate after they were approved in the House. Her purported reason? She wanted to know what rules the Senate would adopt so that she could decide which House managers to appoint before transmitting the articles to the Senate.
The real reason is she thought she could pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell into agreeing to call certain witnesses, including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security Advisor John Bolton, and produce certain documents Democrats thought would bolster their case.
But Pelosi’s pressure campaign was doomed to fail. Oddly, she thought she could get something from McConnell by withholding from him something he didn’t want. Where did Pelosi learn how to negotiate? She obviously hasn’t read The Art of the Deal.
McConnell called her bluff.
He said there “will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure,” and declared he would convene the trial without agreeing to call Democrats’ requested witnesses. Then, in a brilliant maneuver, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a resolution to amend Senate rules to allow a motion to dismiss articles of impeachment for lack of prosecution.
“If Speaker Pelosi is afraid to try her case, the articles should be dismissed for failure to prosecute and Congress should get back to doing the people’s business,” Hawley said in a statement.
McConnell signed on to the resolution. Pelosi was trapped.
Do you think Pelosi made the wrong move in temporarily withholding the articles? Yes No
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Confronted with the embarrassment of having the articles dismissed because of her failure to prosecute her case, Pelosi did a volte-face and declared she’s sending the articles over and soon even though she didn’t get what she wanted from McConnell.
Game over. Pelosi folded like a cheap pantsuit.
Perhaps she should brush up on her gambling skills by listening to some old Kenny Rogers songs. Contrary to what some of her acolytes in the House say, she clearly didn’t know when to hold them or fold them. In fact, she shouldn’t have been sitting at the table in the first place. She has zero constitutional authority to try to dictate terms to the U.S. Senate.
Pelosi, the self-declared “master legislator” and “strategic, politically astute leader” of the House of Representatives, proved herself to be more like the fool on the hill instead of the master of the Hill. The real Gambler, who supports the president, by the way, would not be impressed.
Fresh from her bloodbath at the poker table, Pelosi got desperate. She charged that Senate Republicans, if they refuse to call her requested witnesses, would be engaged in a “cover-up.”
Yet Pelosi had the opportunity but chose not to compel those same witnesses to testify at her impeachment hearings in the House. She claimed it would take too long in the courts and that in the meantime Trump would steal the 2020 election.
To Pelosi, her refusal to call certain witnesses in the House is a patriotic act to save the republic and protect the integrity of our elections, but Senate Republicans’ refusal to call those same witnesses? Well that’s a “cover-up.”
None of Pelosi’s justifications come anywhere close to being credible. But that doesn’t really matter. Pelosi knows she’s lost the impeachment charade. That’s why she’s reduced herself to making the taunts that sore losers make.
Pelosi recently bragged, “This president is impeached for life, regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell.”
True. But Trump will be acquitted in the Senate. That will exonerate and vindicate him in the eyes of the American people.
And, when Trump wins re-election and wins decisively, Pelosi’s impeachment will go down as one of the worst political defeats in U.S. history.
That defeat will be laid at the feet of Nancy Pelosi, who stupidly bet the house on a poor hand and lost in her biggest gamble as speaker of the House.
This failed impeachment very well may cost Democrats the House of Representatives and Pelosi her speakership. That stigma will last for the rest of her life.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Woman Says Dog Died After Grooming Table at PetSmart Crushed Pup to Death

A Nevada woman is grieving the loss of her 2-year-old bulldog which she says was crushed to death during a grooming appointment at PetSmart .
Vikki Seifert , 64 , has yet to receive a direct answer as to exactly how her bulldog , Minni , ended up dead just 13 minutes after Seifert dropped her off for a nail trim and a bath at a Las Vegas PetSmart .
Seifert told KVVU that the confusing and tragic event happened just days after Christmas .
Seifert said she was was browsing through the store while waiting for Minni to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing toward the grooming room .
When Seifert went to investigate , she saw Minni underneath a table , not moving .
“ I ran in there , ” Seifert said through tears .
“ When I went in , she was crushed under a grooming table .
They said that they had listened for her heartbeat and she was gone.
” TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths According to the Reno Gazette Journal , a man waiting to reschedule an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electric table off of Minni .
“ He kept saying , ‘ It ’ s unplugged , it ’ s unplugged , ’ ” Seifert said .
“ The two groomers were just standing there .
I ran over and plugged it in , and we raised the table.
” Seifert was left confused and shocked by the sudden turn of events , wondering how Minni possibly could have died with two groomers in the room .
“ They told me my dog was dead by 6:43 p.m. , ” Seifert said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off at 6:30 p.m. ” Seifert said that none of the employees could explain how her dog ended up pinned inside the electric grooming table , which would not reopen since it was unplugged .
“ I don ’ t believe it was the weight of the table , ” Seifert said .
“ It was the fact that it was electric and it had crushed her to the point that the table was closed all the way on her .
And then with it being unplugged , there was no way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Australia Bushfire Dies After Samaritan Gives Him 'Silent Killer' In the midst of her grief , Seifert wants answers as to what happened during the 13 minutes Minni was alone in the room with the two PetSmart employees .
“ What were these two groomers doing ?
Why did no one notice where the dog was at ?
Why was she under a table ?
How does a dog go in for a bath and get crushed within 13 minutes ?
” she asked .
Seifert plans to view the video surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take legal action .
“ Minni from the age of eight weeks old has been at my side , ” Seifert said to the Reno Gazette Journal .
“ I came in from work , and that dog was right at the door waiting for me with a green squeaky frog in her mouth .
I just want to know what happened to my dog.
” In a statement to KVVU , PetSmart said it is committed to thoroughly investigating the incident .
“ A tragic accident occurred in our grooming salon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minni .
There ’ s nothing more important than the safety of the pets in our care , and we immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into how this type of unprecedented event could have possibly happened , ” the statement read .
“ We have been in constant contact with the pet parent since this occurred and will continue to do everything we can to help support her during this difficult time.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A Nevada woman is grieving the loss of her 2-year-old bulldog which she says was crushed to death during a grooming appointment at PetSmart.
Vikki Seifert, 64, has yet to receive a direct answer as to exactly how her bulldog, Minni, ended up dead just 13 minutes after Seifert dropped her off for a nail trim and a bath at a Las Vegas PetSmart.
Seifert told KVVU that the confusing and tragic event happened just days after Christmas. Seifert said she was was browsing through the store while waiting for Minni to be groomed when she noticed store employees urgently rushing toward the grooming room.
When Seifert went to investigate, she saw Minni underneath a table, not moving.
“I ran in there,” Seifert said through tears. “When I went in, she was crushed under a grooming table. They said that they had listened for her heartbeat and she was gone.”
“They told me my dog was dead by 6:43 p.m.,” Vikki Seifert said. “I dropped her off at 6:30 p.m.”https://t.co/aIAAnzs888 — FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) January 13, 2020
According to the Reno Gazette Journal, a man waiting to reschedule an appointment rushed in and tried to lift the electric table off of Minni.
“He kept saying, ‘It’s unplugged, it’s unplugged,’” Seifert said. “The two groomers were just standing there. I ran over and plugged it in, and we raised the table.”
Do you take your pet to PetSmart? Yes No
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Seifert was left confused and shocked by the sudden turn of events, wondering how Minni possibly could have died with two groomers in the room.
“They told me my dog was dead by 6:43 p.m.,” Seifert said to KVVU. “I dropped her off at 6:30 p.m.”
Seifert said that none of the employees could explain how her dog ended up pinned inside the electric grooming table, which would not reopen since it was unplugged.
“I don’t believe it was the weight of the table,” Seifert said. “It was the fact that it was electric and it had crushed her to the point that the table was closed all the way on her. And then with it being unplugged, there was no way to raise it.”
In the midst of her grief, Seifert wants answers as to what happened during the 13 minutes Minni was alone in the room with the two PetSmart employees.
“What were these two groomers doing? Why did no one notice where the dog was at? Why was she under a table? How does a dog go in for a bath and get crushed within 13 minutes?” she asked.
Seifert plans to view the video surveillance footage before deciding whether or not to take legal action.
“Minni from the age of eight weeks old has been at my side,” Seifert said to the Reno Gazette Journal. “I came in from work, and that dog was right at the door waiting for me with a green squeaky frog in her mouth. I just want to know what happened to my dog.”
In a statement to KVVU, PetSmart said it is committed to thoroughly investigating the incident.
“A tragic accident occurred in our grooming salon, which led to the heartbreaking loss of Minni. There’s nothing more important than the safety of the pets in our care, and we immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into how this type of unprecedented event could have possibly happened,” the statement read.
“We have been in constant contact with the pet parent since this occurred and will continue to do everything we can to help support her during this difficult time.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Dan Bongino Explains Soleimani Even ‘Having a Pulse’ Was an Imminent Threat

Former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino has never been one to suffer liberal fools gladly .
But the amount of foolishness percolating through the mainstream media and the Democratic Party in the wake of the Jan. 2 drone strike that killed Iranian terror general Qassem Soleimani had even a veteran media watcher like Bongino spitting fire .
In an interview on Fox News ’ “ Fox & Friends ” Monday , the conservative commentator covered a wide range of topics , but one particular target was the media ’ s coverage of Soleimani ’ s death , the Democratic reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the idea that the U.S. somehow needs to prove that the deceased general represented an “ imminent threat ” to the United States at the time of the operation .
Bongino ’ s take on the situation was as clear as it was instantly understandable to anyone whose mind isn ’ t fogged by Trump Derangement Syndrome .
“ The imminent threat was Soleimani even having a pulse , ” Bongino said .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at the time of his death , had spent the past four decades in conflict with the United States .
The fact that he was in Baghdad only days after the U.S. Embassy there had been attacked by the militias he controlled should enable any sane observed to connect the dots .
Check out Bongino ’ s interview below .
The whole thing is worth watching — particularly a segment on how Democrats and liberals in the mainstream media portrayed Soleimani ’ s death ( about the 1:48 to 2:20 marks ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part starts about the 3:58 mark with a question from “ Fox & Friends ” host Brian Kilmeade .
“ The president shouldn ’ t even need to legally say , it ’ s an ‘ imminent threat , ’ ” Kilmeade said .
“ Soleimani just threatened us three days before .
He was behind the attack of our embassy .
And who would think that he ’ s going to give up attacks after that ?
RELATED : Whoopi Goldberg , Joy Behar Help Promote Iranian Propaganda by Blaming Trump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad , the president had every right to take him out .
I don ’ t even know why he brought up ‘ imminent threat . '
” Bongino , who is well known for taking on the liberal media when it takes the Democrats ’ side , responded immediately .
“ Imminent threat was Soleimani even having a pulse , ” Bongino responded .
“ I did this for years at the highest levels in the Secret Service in some of the world ’ s hot zones .
… Nobody goes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if they ’ re going to attack now ?
Or if they ’ re going to , God forbid , try to attack the president and our operation tomorrow ?
’ “ No , you evaluate a threat being dangerous based on their past history and you take action .
This is common sense .
Only a moron would think otherwise.
” It would take more than a moron not to recognize that Soleimani had spent his life as an “ imminent threat ” to the U.S .
It would take willful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the dangers posed by antagonists like Soleimani on the world stage .
Unfortunately , the modern world of Democratic Party and the mainstream media is no stranger to that kind of blindness , as shown by the likes of Seattle-area Rep. Pramila Jayapal ( who accused Trump of “ assassination ” ) , former Obama White House aide Tommy Victor and the reliably liberal Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio , a man once considered as a potential late entry into the clown car of Democratic presidential contenders .
Just because a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a U.S. drone , of course .
That would mean international anarchy — making everyone from Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin to Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran a potential target .
But even without the intelligence available to the highest levels of government , it ’ s pretty clear that Soleimani was as “ imminent ” a threat to the United States as Osama bin Laden was pre-9/11 .
He was a top commander of a military that had engaged in increasingly provocative acts against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had approved the Dec. 27 missile attack on a U.S. base in western Iraq that killed an American contractor , according to ABC News .
The “ imminence ” of his next attack might not be public yet , but as Bongino said , it was inevitable as long as Soleimani had a pulse .
And only a fool would think otherwise .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino has never been one to suffer liberal fools gladly.
But the amount of foolishness percolating through the mainstream media and the Democratic Party in the wake of the Jan. 2 drone strike that killed Iranian terror general Qassem Soleimani had even a veteran media watcher like Bongino spitting fire.
In an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” Monday, the conservative commentator covered a wide range of topics, but one particular target was the media’s coverage of Soleimani’s death, the Democratic reaction to it, and — in particular — the idea that the U.S. somehow needs to prove that the deceased general represented an “imminent threat” to the United States at the time of the operation.
Bongino’s take on the situation was as clear as it was instantly understandable to anyone whose mind isn’t fogged by Trump Derangement Syndrome.
“The imminent threat was Soleimani even having a pulse,” Bongino said.
That’s barely an exaggeration.
Like the Islamist dictatorship he served, Soleimani, at the time of his death, had spent the past four decades in conflict with the United States.
The fact that he was in Baghdad only days after the U.S. Embassy there had been attacked by the militias he controlled should enable any sane observed to connect the dots.
President Donald Trump emphasized the point in a tweet Monday afternoon.
The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was “imminent” or not, & was my team in agreement. The answer to both is a strong YES., but it doesn’t really matter because of his horrible past! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020
Check out Bongino’s interview below. The whole thing is worth watching — particularly a segment on how Democrats and liberals in the mainstream media portrayed Soleimani’s death (about the 1:48 to 2:20 marks) — but the “imminent threat” part starts about the 3:58 mark with a question from “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
“The president shouldn’t even need to legally say, it’s an ‘imminent threat,’” Kilmeade said. “Soleimani just threatened us three days before. He was behind the attack of our embassy. And who would think that he’s going to give up attacks after that?
“He lands in Baghdad, the president had every right to take him out. I don’t even know why he brought up ‘imminent threat.'”
Bongino, who is well known for taking on the liberal media when it takes the Democrats’ side, responded immediately.
“Imminent threat was Soleimani even having a pulse,” Bongino responded. “I did this for years at the highest levels in the Secret Service in some of the world’s hot zones. … Nobody goes, ‘Do we do this or do that if they’re going to attack now? Or if they’re going to, God forbid, try to attack the president and our operation tomorrow?’
“No, you evaluate a threat being dangerous based on their past history and you take action. This is common sense. Only a moron would think otherwise.”
Do you think Soleimani's killing was justified? Yes No
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It would take more than a moron not to recognize that Soleimani had spent his life as an “imminent threat” to the U.S. It would take willful blindness — a deliberate effort not to see the dangers posed by antagonists like Soleimani on the world stage.
Unfortunately, the modern world of Democratic Party and the mainstream media is no stranger to that kind of blindness, as shown by the likes of Seattle-area Rep. Pramila Jayapal (who accused Trump of “assassination”), former Obama White House aide Tommy Victor and the reliably liberal Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a man once considered as a potential late entry into the clown car of Democratic presidential contenders.
Just because a threat exists doesn’t justify automatic removal with a U.S. drone, of course. That would mean international anarchy — making everyone from Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin to Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran a potential target.
(And American leaders would be foreign targets too.)
But even without the intelligence available to the highest levels of government, it’s pretty clear that Soleimani was as “imminent” a threat to the United States as Osama bin Laden was pre-9/11. He was a top commander of a military that had engaged in increasingly provocative acts against the United States.
American officials were confident he had approved the Dec. 27 missile attack on a U.S. base in western Iraq that killed an American contractor, according to ABC News.
The “imminence” of his next attack might not be public yet, but as Bongino said, it was inevitable as long as Soleimani had a pulse.
And only a fool would think otherwise.
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Bernie Sanders Denies Reports That He Told Elizabeth Warren a Woman Can’t Win in 2020

2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren promised details of her private dinner with fellow candidate Bernie Sanders would be kept private , but the alleged details are leaking .
Sanders allegedly told Warren in a private December 2018 meeting that he did not believe a woman could win the presidential election , CNN reported Monday .
However , the publication cited four anonymous sources for the article : two familiar with the meeting , and two who said they spoke with Warren right after .
Video footage from a South by Southwest conference in Austin , Texas , shows that Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders to remain private .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths “ Not long ago , I ’ m told you went to see him and talk about the two of you possibly running for president , each of you running for president , ” moderator and Time magazine contributor Anand Giridharadas asked Warren .
“ Is it incorrect that he discouraged you from running and if so on what grounds ?
” “ So Bernie and I had a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uh … and … my view is that dinner stays private.
” Sanders told CNN that “ it is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president , I would tell her that a woman couldn ’ t win.
” “ It ’ s sad that , three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation , staff who weren ’ t in the room are lying about what happened , ” the Vermont senator added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that Donald Trump is a sexist , a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could .
Do I believe a woman can win in 2020 ?
Of course !
After all , Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016.
” The Warren campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The Massachusetts senator has referenced similar comments from critics who said that she could not win elections because she was a woman .
“ I heard this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t run .
A woman can ’ t win here .
Not yet.
’ I heard from a lot of women who were afraid that it would be too painful to see another one of us go up against him and lose .
That it would set all of us back , ” Warren wrote in a March 2019 post to Medium .
RELATED : Trump Mocks Cory Booker as He Exits 2020 Race : ' I Was Sooo Concerned' Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a large audience .
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Read our editorial standards .

2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren promised details of her private dinner with fellow candidate Bernie Sanders would be kept private, but the alleged details are leaking.
Sanders allegedly told Warren in a private December 2018 meeting that he did not believe a woman could win the presidential election, CNN reported Monday.
However, the publication cited four anonymous sources for the article: two familiar with the meeting, and two who said they spoke with Warren right after.
Sanders denied the report’s details.
Video footage from a South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, shows that Warren once said she wanted her conversation with Sanders to remain private.
“Not long ago, I’m told you went to see him and talk about the two of you possibly running for president, each of you running for president,” moderator and Time magazine contributor Anand Giridharadas asked Warren. “Is it incorrect that he discouraged you from running and if so on what grounds?”
“So Bernie and I had a private dinner,” Warren said. “Uh … and … my view is that dinner stays private.”
Sanders told CNN that “it is ludicrous to believe that at the same meeting where Elizabeth Warren told me she was going to run for president, I would tell her that a woman couldn’t win.”
“It’s sad that, three weeks before the Iowa caucus and a year after that private conversation, staff who weren’t in the room are lying about what happened,” the Vermont senator added.
Do you think Warren or Sanders stand a chance against President Trump? Yes No
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“What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could. Do I believe a woman can win in 2020? Of course! After all, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in 2016.”
The Warren campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The Massachusetts senator has referenced similar comments from critics who said that she could not win elections because she was a woman.
“I heard this over and over again: ‘Don’t run. A woman can’t win here. Not yet.’ I heard from a lot of women who were afraid that it would be too painful to see another one of us go up against him and lose. That it would set all of us back,” Warren wrote in a March 2019 post to Medium.
When I thought about jumping into the Senate race in 2012, I heard this over and over again: “Don’t run. A woman can’t win here. Not yet.” We proved the naysayers wrong. We won by 7.5 points. https://t.co/aFmB1QubT1 — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 30, 2019
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Texas Governor Shuts His State Down to Refugees

In the battle over America ’ s borders , Vermont is asking the federal government for more refugees while Texas is demanding that Washington fix a flawed immigration system before it opens its doors again .
Last year , President Donald Trump issued an executive order that gave states the power to opt out of the federal system of resettling refugees .
Republican Vermont Gov .
Phil Scott responded by sending the Trump administration a letter calling for more refugees than the Green Mountain State currently gets , according to the Burlington Free Press .
“ Since 1989 , Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott wrote in his letter .
“ Vermont ’ s refugee communities have made countless contributions to our state.
” Saying refugees are important to ensure the state has workers , the governor called for an extra helping .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths “ Prior to 2017 , Vermont was resettling an average of approximately 324 refugees per year , ” Scott wrote .
“ Through this consent process I hope to increase current resettlement to the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditioned and will never condition refugee resettlement on a refugee ’ s race , ethnicity , religion or national origin.
” Meanwhile , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said his state — on the front lines of the battle against illegal immigration — has had enough , making it the first state to use the powers granted by Trump and opt out of the resettlement pipeline , KTVT-TV reported .
Abbott , in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday , noted that Texas has been a major destination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas is one of the most welcoming states for refugees seeking to escape dangers abroad .
Since FY2010 , more refugees have been received in Texas than in any other state .
In fact , over that decade , roughly 10 % of all refugees resettled in the United States have been placed in Texas .
Even today , the process of resettling continues for many of these refugees , ” he wrote .
Abbott refugee resettlement by The Western Journal on Scribd However , Abbott said , the federal government has walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with accepting refugees .
“ In addition to accepting refugees all these years , Texas has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system .
In May 2019 , for example , around 100,000 migrants were apprehended crossing this state ’ s southern border .
In June 2019 , individuals from 52 different countries were apprehended here .
And in FY2018 , the apprehensions included citizens from disparate countries like China , Iran , Kenya , Russia , and Tonga , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the consequences of an immigration system that Congress has failed to fix , ” Abbott wrote .
RELATED : Trump Scores a Win as Court Clears the Way for Border Wall Funding However , in his letter , Abbott wrote that it ’ s time for Texas to put Texans first .
“ At this time , the state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here , including refugees , migrants , and the homeless — indeed , all Texans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent to initial refugee resettlement for FY2020 .
This decision does not deny any refugee access to the United States .
Nor does it preclude a refugee from later coming to Texas after initially settling in another state , ” he wrote .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In the battle over America’s borders, Vermont is asking the federal government for more refugees while Texas is demanding that Washington fix a flawed immigration system before it opens its doors again.
Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that gave states the power to opt out of the federal system of resettling refugees.
Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott responded by sending the Trump administration a letter calling for more refugees than the Green Mountain State currently gets, according to the Burlington Free Press.
“Since 1989, Vermont has welcomed almost 8,000 refugees,” Scott wrote in his letter. “Vermont’s refugee communities have made countless contributions to our state.”
Saying refugees are important to ensure the state has workers, the governor called for an extra helping.
“Prior to 2017, Vermont was resettling an average of approximately 324 refugees per year,” Scott wrote. “Through this consent process I hope to increase current resettlement to the level of 324-350 individuals annually. Vermont has never conditioned and will never condition refugee resettlement on a refugee’s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.”
Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said his state — on the front lines of the battle against illegal immigration — has had enough, making it the first state to use the powers granted by Trump and opt out of the resettlement pipeline, KTVT-TV reported.
Do you approve of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's decision? Yes No
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Abbott, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, noted that Texas has been a major destination for refugees for many years.
“Texas is one of the most welcoming states for refugees seeking to escape dangers abroad. Since FY2010, more refugees have been received in Texas than in any other state. In fact, over that decade, roughly 10% of all refugees resettled in the United States have been placed in Texas. Even today, the process of resettling continues for many of these refugees,” he wrote.
Abbott refugee resettlement by The Western Journal on Scribd
However, Abbott said, the federal government has walked away from the state-federal partnership designed to deal with accepting refugees.
“In addition to accepting refugees all these years, Texas has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system. In May 2019, for example, around 100,000 migrants were apprehended crossing this state’s southern border. In June 2019, individuals from 52 different countries were apprehended here. And in FY2018, the apprehensions included citizens from disparate countries like China, Iran, Kenya, Russia, and Tonga,” he wrote.
“Texas continues to have to deal with the consequences of an immigration system that Congress has failed to fix,” Abbott wrote.
Critics howled.
This is a disgraceful move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. He has completely submitted to bigotry and xenophobia. https://t.co/gbmtHWksId — Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) January 10, 2020
However, in his letter, Abbott wrote that it’s time for Texas to put Texans first.
“At this time, the state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless — indeed, all Texans. As a result, Texas cannot consent to initial refugee resettlement for FY2020. This decision does not deny any refugee access to the United States. Nor does it preclude a refugee from later coming to Texas after initially settling in another state,” he wrote.
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Trump Admin Is Cracking Down on the Entertainment Industry

Recently , the Trump Department of Justice , headed by Attorney General William Barr , took significant action against Live Nation Entertainment — a titan of the music industry that was found to be rigging what is supposed to be a free marketplace .
Knowing the predatory history of Hollywood and the leftist entertainment industry in general , the DOJ in 2010 put Live Nation under antitrust orders before it acquired ticketing giant TicketMaster .
Those orders , known as consent decrees , forced it to abide by certain terms in order to protect consumers .
The most significant stipulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touring events from specific venues that refused to renew their contracts with Live Nation .
Eventually , the DOJ found that the music giant had been ignoring the consent decree .
Hailing it as “ the most significant enforcement action of an existing antitrust decree by the Department in 20 years , ” the department strengthened the consent decree and threatened that further violations would subject the company to an automatic penalty of a whopping one million dollars .
Reasonable people can agree to disagree on the need for the DOJ to crack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is for certain : The department isn ’ t wrong for erring on the side of caution when it comes to the entertainment industry .
TRENDING : During Obama Years , Biden Reportedly Helped Soleimani , Iran Gain More Power in Middle East The Hollywood and New York show-business scene has long been known to attempt to squash its competition through sheer force and collusion .
Based on what Live Nation had attempted to do in this case , strengthening its consent decree was the right thing for the DOJ to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown into a monopoly that controls over 80 percent of the market , and there is no harm in deterring it from engaging in anti-competitive behavior in the future .
Now the DOJ should probably focus on doing the same thing with some of the other Hollywood monopolies that are on its radar .
For example , the DOJ is currently reviewing the consent decrees imposed on two companies known as ASCAP and BMI .
While most people outside of the music scene probably haven ’ t heard of the American Society of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Music , Inc. , like Live Nation , both organizations hold tremendous power over the pricing and accessibility of music for consumers .
Together , ASCAP and BMI manage the public performance rights of about 90 percent of all the music Americans hear today .
Essentially , nearly all music heard in America is licensed through those two entities , forming what is tantamount to a cartel-like system of music providers , and , like any other cartel , if left undeterred , ASCAP and BMI would run roughshod over the entire music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to higher prices being charged for the use of music nationwide .
Luckily , just as with Live Nation , consent decrees exist to keep the anti-competitive ambitions of ASCAP and BMI at bay .
To prevent the two organizations from gouging music consumers with absurdly high prices , the DOJ established a system in which any company can acquire a license to perform all their songs for a set , flat rate .
That way , businesses and consumers are protected from any cartel-like price manipulations .
But , following the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have often not obeyed these DOJ agreements .
In fact , in 2016 , ASCAP had to pay close to $ 2 million in fines to the DOJ for doing just that .
And so , while the DOJ is in the middle of reviewing its consent decree arrangements , it should consider doing exactly what it did with Live Nation – strengthening enforcement mechanisms by upping penalties to provide more deterrence for future anti-competitive behavior .
In cases where power has been overly consolidated in any given industry , consent decrees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood Bully You , Georgia .
Sign the Heartbeat Bill and Save Lives .
In conjunction with proper enforcement from the DOJ , these decrees stop industries from descending into monopolistic chaos .
They function as a bulwark against the formation of domestic cartels while preventing all the price gouging , anti-competitive tactics and consumer harm that are synonymous with a monopoly .
In short , the Trump DOJ is doing the right thing in reviewing these arrangements and it must use every tool it has to ensure conglomerates like Live Nation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of using music to everyone ’ s detriment .
That is a song I think we can all sing along with .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Recently, the Trump Department of Justice, headed by Attorney General William Barr, took significant action against Live Nation Entertainment — a titan of the music industry that was found to be rigging what is supposed to be a free marketplace.
Knowing the predatory history of Hollywood and the leftist entertainment industry in general, the DOJ in 2010 put Live Nation under antitrust orders before it acquired ticketing giant TicketMaster.
Those orders, known as consent decrees, forced it to abide by certain terms in order to protect consumers. The most significant stipulation prevented the company from threatening to withhold touring events from specific venues that refused to renew their contracts with Live Nation.
Eventually, the DOJ found that the music giant had been ignoring the consent decree. Hailing it as “the most significant enforcement action of an existing antitrust decree by the Department in 20 years,” the department strengthened the consent decree and threatened that further violations would subject the company to an automatic penalty of a whopping one million dollars.
Reasonable people can agree to disagree on the need for the DOJ to crack down on Live Nation, but one thing is for certain: The department isn’t wrong for erring on the side of caution when it comes to the entertainment industry.
The Hollywood and New York show-business scene has long been known to attempt to squash its competition through sheer force and collusion. Based on what Live Nation had attempted to do in this case, strengthening its consent decree was the right thing for the DOJ to do.
After all, Live Nation has grown into a monopoly that controls over 80 percent of the market, and there is no harm in deterring it from engaging in anti-competitive behavior in the future. Now the DOJ should probably focus on doing the same thing with some of the other Hollywood monopolies that are on its radar.
For example, the DOJ is currently reviewing the consent decrees imposed on two companies known as ASCAP and BMI. While most people outside of the music scene probably haven’t heard of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers or Broadcast Music, Inc., like Live Nation, both organizations hold tremendous power over the pricing and accessibility of music for consumers.
Together, ASCAP and BMI manage the public performance rights of about 90 percent of all the music Americans hear today. Essentially, nearly all music heard in America is licensed through those two entities, forming what is tantamount to a cartel-like system of music providers, and, like any other cartel, if left undeterred, ASCAP and BMI would run roughshod over the entire music industry. This would wind up leading to higher prices being charged for the use of music nationwide.
Luckily, just as with Live Nation, consent decrees exist to keep the anti-competitive ambitions of ASCAP and BMI at bay.
To prevent the two organizations from gouging music consumers with absurdly high prices, the DOJ established a system in which any company can acquire a license to perform all their songs for a set, flat rate. That way, businesses and consumers are protected from any cartel-like price manipulations.
But, following the industry’s trends, ASCAP and BMI have often not obeyed these DOJ agreements.
In fact, in 2016, ASCAP had to pay close to $2 million in fines to the DOJ for doing just that. And so, while the DOJ is in the middle of reviewing its consent decree arrangements, it should consider doing exactly what it did with Live Nation – strengthening enforcement mechanisms by upping penalties to provide more deterrence for future anti-competitive behavior.
In cases where power has been overly consolidated in any given industry, consent decrees are necessary.
In conjunction with proper enforcement from the DOJ, these decrees stop industries from descending into monopolistic chaos. They function as a bulwark against the formation of domestic cartels while preventing all the price gouging, anti-competitive tactics and consumer harm that are synonymous with a monopoly.
In short, the Trump DOJ is doing the right thing in reviewing these arrangements and it must use every tool it has to ensure conglomerates like Live Nation, ASCAP and BMI do not raise the cost of using music to everyone’s detriment.
That is a song I think we can all sing along with.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-01-13--Trump Mocks Cory Booker as He Exits 2020 Race: ‘I Was Sooo Concerned’

President Donald Trump took a shot at Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey on Monday after the Democrat announced he was suspending his presidential campaign .
“ Nearly one year ago , I got in the race for president because I believed to my core that the answer to the common pain Americans are feeling right now , the answer to Donald Trump ’ s hatred and division , is to reignite our spirit of common purpose to take on our biggest challenges and build a more just and fair country for everyone , ” Booker said in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was a difficult decision to make , but I got in this race to win , and I ’ ve always said I wouldn ’ t continue if there was no longer a path to victory , ” he told supporters .
The senator cited lack of campaign funds and his failure to qualify for the next Democratic presidential primary debate as reasons for his decision to exit the race .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just won ’ t be doing it as a candidate for president this year , ” Booker said .
Trump responded to the news , tweeting , “ Really Big Breaking News ( Kidding ) : Booker , who was in zero polling territory , just dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Primary Race.
” “ Now I can rest easy tonight .
I was sooo concerned that I would someday have to go head to head with him !
” the president added .
Last July , Booker stated at times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My testosterone sometimes makes me want to feel like punching him , which would be bad for this elderly , out-of-shape man that he is , if I did that , ” the 50-year-old lawmaker told Seth Meyers , host of NBC ’ s “ Late Night.
” RELATED : Cory Booker Drops Out of 2020 Race , Says Impeachment Is Partially To Blame After making fun of the president ’ s physical ability , the former Stanford University football player said he didn ’ t want to engage in Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls showed Booker with 1.8 percent support among the primary candidates nationally .
Former Vice President Joe Biden remains the frontrunner with 29.3 percent backing , followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont at 20.3 percent , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts with 14.8 percent support , and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 7.5 percent .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump took a shot at Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey on Monday after the Democrat announced he was suspending his presidential campaign.
“Nearly one year ago, I got in the race for president because I believed to my core that the answer to the common pain Americans are feeling right now, the answer to Donald Trump’s hatred and division, is to reignite our spirit of common purpose to take on our biggest challenges and build a more just and fair country for everyone,” Booker said in an email to supporters, according to NBC News.
“It was a difficult decision to make, but I got in this race to win, and I’ve always said I wouldn’t continue if there was no longer a path to victory,” he told supporters.
The senator cited lack of campaign funds and his failure to qualify for the next Democratic presidential primary debate as reasons for his decision to exit the race.
“I will carry this fight forward — I just won’t be doing it as a candidate for president this year,” Booker said.
It’s with a full heart that I share this news—I’m suspending my campaign for president. To my team, supporters, and everyone who gave me a shot—thank you. I am so proud of what we built, and I feel nothing but faith in what we can accomplish together. pic.twitter.com/Fxvc549vlJ — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 13, 2020
Do you believe Trump will be re-elected in November? Yes No
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Trump responded to the news, tweeting, “Really Big Breaking News (Kidding): Booker, who was in zero polling territory, just dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Primary Race.”
“Now I can rest easy tonight. I was sooo concerned that I would someday have to go head to head with him!” the president added.
Really Big Breaking News (Kidding): Booker, who was in zero polling territory, just dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Primary Race. Now I can rest easy tonight. I was sooo concerned that I would someday have to go head to head with him! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020
Last July, Booker stated at times he wants to punch Trump.
“My testosterone sometimes makes me want to feel like punching him, which would be bad for this elderly, out-of-shape man that he is, if I did that,” the 50-year-old lawmaker told Seth Meyers, host of NBC’s “Late Night.”
Booker also called the 73-year-old president a “physically weak specimen.”
After making fun of the president’s physical ability, the former Stanford University football player said he didn’t want to engage in Trump’s bullying tactics.
The RealClearPolitics average of polls showed Booker with 1.8 percent support among the primary candidates nationally.
BREAKING: Cory Booker suspends his presidential campaign, conceding that he no longer sees a path to victory due to a lack of financial resources https://t.co/w0KR9PWvmp pic.twitter.com/M47jRKODDI — POLITICO (@politico) January 13, 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden remains the frontrunner with 29.3 percent backing, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont at 20.3 percent, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts with 14.8 percent support, and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 7.5 percent.
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