westernjournal--2020-08-27--Hurricane Laura Roars Ashore, Rendering Certain Areas ‘Unsurvivable’

Hurricane Laura pounded the Gulf Coast with ferocious winds and torrential rain and unleashed a wall of seawater that could push 40 miles inland as the Category 4 storm roared ashore Thursday in Louisiana near the Texas border .
Laura battered a tall building in Lake Charles , blowing out windows as glass and debris flew to the ground .
Police spotted a floating casino that came unmoored and hit a bridge .
But hours after the hurricane made landfall , the wind and rain were still blowing too hard for authorities to check for survivors .
Hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hurricane , but not everyone fled from the area , which was devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005 .
“ There are some people still in town , and people are calling … but there ain ’ t no way to get to them , ” Tony Guillory , president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury , said over the phone from a Lake Charles government building that was shaking from the storm .
Guillory said he hoped the stranded people could be rescued later in the day , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines and floodwaters could get in the way .
TRENDING : Nick Sandmann Has Perfect Response When Ex-Kamala Harris Staffer Attacks Him “ We know anyone that stayed that close to the coast , we ’ ve got to pray for them , because looking at the storm surge , there would be little chance of survival , ” Louisiana Lt. Gov .
Billy Nungesser told ABC ’ s Good Morning America .
With nearly 470,000 homes and businesses without power in the two states , near-constant lightning provided the only light for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura slammed the coast with winds of 150 mph at 1 a.m. CDT near Cameron , a 400-person community about 30 miles east of the Texas border .
Forecasters had warned that the storm surge would be “ unsurvivable ” and the damage “ catastrophic.
” They predicted a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet in Port Arthur , Texas , and a stretch of Louisiana including Lake Charles , a city of 80,000 people on Lake Calcasieu .
“ This surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recede for several days , ” the hurricane center said .
Hours after it arrived , Laura remained a Category 2 hurricane , with sustained winds of 100 mph .
Its center was moving north , about 20 miles north of Fort Polk , Louisiana .
Damaging winds extended outward as far as 175 miles .
A 14-year-old girl in Leesville , Louisiana , was killed when a tree fell on her family ’ s home , The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported .
RELATED : Hurricane Laura Rapidly Strengthens as It Nears Landfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the emergency director in Calcasieu Parish , said authorities were unable to get out to assess the damage .
“ The wind is still over 50 mph .
It ’ s going to have to drop significantly before they can even run any emergency calls .
We also need daylight , ” Gremillion said in an interview with Lake Charles television station KPLC .
But in Cameron Parish , where Laura came ashore , Nungesser said 50 to 150 people refused pleas to leave and planned to endure the storm , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The result could be deadly .
More than 580,000 coastal residents were ordered to join the largest evacuation since the coronavirus pandemic began and many did , filling hotels and sleeping in cars since officials did not want to open large shelters that could invite more spread of COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s a very sad situation , ” said Ashley Buller , assistant director of emergency preparedness .
“ We did everything we could to encourage them to leave.
” Becky Clements , 56 , did not take chances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it could take a direct hit .
With memories of Rita ’ s destruction almost 15 years ago , she and her family found an Airbnb hundreds of miles inland .
“ The devastation afterward in our town and that whole corner of the state was just awful , ” Clements recalled .
“ Whole communities were washed away , never to exist again.
” Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor urged people in Laura ’ s path to stay home , if that ’ s still safe .
“ Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put yourself , your family at risk , and you put first responders at risk , ” he told “ CBS This Morning.
” FEMA has plenty of resources staged to help survivors , Gaynor said .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards mobilized the National Guard to help , and state Department of Wildlife crews had boats prepared for water rescues .
Forecasters expected a weakened Laura to cause widespread flash flooding in states far from the coast .
An unusual tropical storm warning was issued as far north as Little Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph and a deluge of rain through Friday .
The storm was so powerful that it could regain strength after turning east and reaching the Atlantic Ocean , potentially threatening the densely populated Northeast .
Laura hit the U.S. after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola , including 20 in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic , where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding .
It was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year , setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record was six in 1886 and 1916 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Hurricane Laura pounded the Gulf Coast with ferocious winds and torrential rain and unleashed a wall of seawater that could push 40 miles inland as the Category 4 storm roared ashore Thursday in Louisiana near the Texas border.
Laura battered a tall building in Lake Charles, blowing out windows as glass and debris flew to the ground. Police spotted a floating casino that came unmoored and hit a bridge. But hours after the hurricane made landfall, the wind and rain were still blowing too hard for authorities to check for survivors.
Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate ahead of the hurricane, but not everyone fled from the area, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005.
“There are some people still in town, and people are calling … but there ain’t no way to get to them,” Tony Guillory, president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, said over the phone from a Lake Charles government building that was shaking from the storm.
Guillory said he hoped the stranded people could be rescued later in the day, but he feared that blocked roads, downed power lines and floodwaters could get in the way.
“We know anyone that stayed that close to the coast, we’ve got to pray for them, because looking at the storm surge, there would be little chance of survival,” Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser told ABC’s Good Morning America.
With nearly 470,000 homes and businesses without power in the two states, near-constant lightning provided the only light for some.
The National Hurricane Center said Laura slammed the coast with winds of 150 mph at 1 a.m. CDT near Cameron, a 400-person community about 30 miles east of the Texas border. Forecasters had warned that the storm surge would be “unsurvivable” and the damage “catastrophic.”
They predicted a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet in Port Arthur, Texas, and a stretch of Louisiana including Lake Charles, a city of 80,000 people on Lake Calcasieu.
“This surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate coastline, and floodwaters will not fully recede for several days,” the hurricane center said.
Hours after it arrived, Laura remained a Category 2 hurricane, with sustained winds of 100 mph. Its center was moving north, about 20 miles north of Fort Polk, Louisiana. Damaging winds extended outward as far as 175 miles.
A 14-year-old girl in Leesville, Louisiana, was killed when a tree fell on her family’s home, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.
Dick Gremillion, the emergency director in Calcasieu Parish, said authorities were unable to get out to assess the damage.
“The wind is still over 50 mph. It’s going to have to drop significantly before they can even run any emergency calls. We also need daylight,” Gremillion said in an interview with Lake Charles television station KPLC.
But in Cameron Parish, where Laura came ashore, Nungesser said 50 to 150 people refused pleas to leave and planned to endure the storm, some in elevated homes and even recreational vehicles. The result could be deadly.
Watch as Hurricane #Laura‘s powerful winds flip over an RV in Lake Charles, Louisiana: https://t.co/Nb7hWJHYg0 pic.twitter.com/XyNOsloo1u — AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 27, 2020
More than 580,000 coastal residents were ordered to join the largest evacuation since the coronavirus pandemic began and many did, filling hotels and sleeping in cars since officials did not want to open large shelters that could invite more spread of COVID-19.
“It’s a very sad situation,” said Ashley Buller, assistant director of emergency preparedness. “We did everything we could to encourage them to leave.”
Becky Clements, 56, did not take chances. She evacuated from Lake Charles after hearing that it could take a direct hit. With memories of Rita’s destruction almost 15 years ago, she and her family found an Airbnb hundreds of miles inland.
“The devastation afterward in our town and that whole corner of the state was just awful,” Clements recalled. “Whole communities were washed away, never to exist again.”
Significant damage all over Lake Charles #Laura pic.twitter.com/6v2a9CWIkG — Aaron Rigsby (@AaronRigsbyOSC) August 27, 2020
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor urged people in Laura’s path to stay home, if that’s still safe. “Don’t go out sightseeing. You put yourself, your family at risk, and you put first responders at risk,” he told “CBS This Morning.”
FEMA has plenty of resources staged to help survivors, Gaynor said. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards mobilized the National Guard to help, and state Department of Wildlife crews had boats prepared for water rescues.
Forecasters expected a weakened Laura to cause widespread flash flooding in states far from the coast.
An unusual tropical storm warning was issued as far north as Little Rock, where forecasters expected gusts of 50 mph and a deluge of rain through Friday.
The storm was so powerful that it could regain strength after turning east and reaching the Atlantic Ocean, potentially threatening the densely populated Northeast.
Laura hit the U.S. after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola, including 20 in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic, where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding.
It was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year, setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by the end of August.
The old record was six in 1886 and 1916, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
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--2020-08-28--Woman Freed from Life Sentence for Drug-Related Crime Tells RNC: Trump Freed My Body, God Freed My M

Woman Freed from Life Sentence for Drug-Related Crime Tells RNC: Trump Freed My Body, God Freed My Mind

In her speech during Night Four of the Republican National Convention , Alice Marie Johnson highlighted President Donald Trump ’ s successful efforts to implement criminal justice reform .
Johnson was sentenced in the mid-1990s to life in prison , according to Reason .
She was convicted of being involved in a drug-trafficking conspiracy , but her involvement was nonviolent .
Still , she was slapped with a life sentence without the possibility of parole .
The New York Post reported that Johnson ’ s harsh sentence was due in part to policies pushed by former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president .
TRENDING : Mother of Kenosha Man Shot by Cops Apologizes to Trump , Shreds Violent Rioters Destroying America “ As a single mom of five in 1996 , Johnson , now 65 , was slapped with five concurrent life sentences without the chance of parole on a first-time non-violent drug charge for her involvement in a million-dollar cocaine ring , ” the Post reported .
“ Biden co-authored the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act , which allowed judges to sentence first-time felons to life imprisonment for drug offenses exceeding 5 kilograms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person could not be sentenced to more than 20 years for cocaine offenses.
” In 2018 , Trump commuted Johnson ’ s sentence , reportedly after being asked to do so by reality TV star Kim Kardashian .
“ When President Trump heard about me — about the injustice of my story — he saw me as a person , ” Johnson said in her RNC speech , which aired Thursday .
“ He had compassion .
And he acted .
Free in body thanks to President Trump , ” she added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the almighty God.
” Also in 2018 , Trump signed into law the FIRST STEP Act , a prison reform bill that received significant bipartisan support .
“ Six months after President Trump granted me a second chance , he signed the FIRST STEP Act into law , ” Johnson said .
“ It was real justice reform .
And it brought joy , hope and freedom to thousands of well-deserving people .
I hollered ‘ Hallelujah ! '
” she added .
“ My faith in justice and mercy was rewarded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
And to think , this first step meant so much to so many .
I can ’ t wait because we ’ re just getting started.
” Among other things , the legislation is meant to give offenders like Johnson a second chance .
“ The First Step Act enacted commonsense reforms to make our justice system fairer and help inmates successfully transition back into society , ” according to a White House statement .
“ The First Step Act provided the opportunity for sentencing relief for certain defendants who received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sentencing Act of 2010 , ” the statement added .
In an April 2019 statement , Trump pointed out that the legislation would both reduce crime and give convicts “ a chance at redemption.
” “ Americans from across the political spectrum can unite around prison reform legislation that will reduce crime while giving our fellow citizens a chance at redemption , ” the president said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In her speech during Night Four of the Republican National Convention, Alice Marie Johnson highlighted President Donald Trump’s successful efforts to implement criminal justice reform.
Johnson was sentenced in the mid-1990s to life in prison, according to Reason.
She was convicted of being involved in a drug-trafficking conspiracy, but her involvement was nonviolent.
Still, she was slapped with a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The New York Post reported that Johnson’s harsh sentence was due in part to policies pushed by former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
“As a single mom of five in 1996, Johnson, now 65, was slapped with five concurrent life sentences without the chance of parole on a first-time non-violent drug charge for her involvement in a million-dollar cocaine ring,” the Post reported.
“Biden co-authored the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act, which allowed judges to sentence first-time felons to life imprisonment for drug offenses exceeding 5 kilograms of cocaine.
“Previously, a person could not be sentenced to more than 20 years for cocaine offenses.”
In 2018, Trump commuted Johnson’s sentence, reportedly after being asked to do so by reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Do you support President Donald Trump's efforts on criminal justice reform? 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% (341 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“When President Trump heard about me — about the injustice of my story — he saw me as a person,” Johnson said in her RNC speech, which aired Thursday.
“He had compassion. And he acted. Free in body thanks to President Trump,” she added.
“But free in mind thanks to the almighty God.”
Also in 2018, Trump signed into law the FIRST STEP Act, a prison reform bill that received significant bipartisan support.
“Six months after President Trump granted me a second chance, he signed the FIRST STEP Act into law,” Johnson said.
“It was real justice reform. And it brought joy, hope and freedom to thousands of well-deserving people. I hollered ‘Hallelujah!'” she added.
“My faith in justice and mercy was rewarded. Imagine getting to hug your loved ones again. And to think, this first step meant so much to so many. I can’t wait because we’re just getting started.”
Among other things, the legislation is meant to give offenders like Johnson a second chance.
“The First Step Act enacted commonsense reforms to make our justice system fairer and help inmates successfully transition back into society,” according to a White House statement.
“The First Step Act provided the opportunity for sentencing relief for certain defendants who received mandatory minimum sentences prior to the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010,” the statement added.
In an April 2019 statement, Trump pointed out that the legislation would both reduce crime and give convicts “a chance at redemption.”
“Americans from across the political spectrum can unite around prison reform legislation that will reduce crime while giving our fellow citizens a chance at redemption,” the president said.
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--2020-08-29--A Blunt Open Letter from a Conservative to His Friends on the Left

Most of us know each other from years spent in academe , when I was either a student or an administrator .
Even though we disagree on an enormous number of issues , if you ’ re reading this I think fondly of you .
And that fondness , combined with my love of freedom and America and my horror at what ’ s happening in our streets , leads me to write this blunt piece .
Hopefully at least a few of you will read this .
If you ’ re actively on the left right now , please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left is the mortal enemy of America , bent on its destruction .
What ’ s happening in America ’ s streets should be enough to show you that .
Maybe you say , “ I don ’ t support them , but I sympathize with their goals.
” Please remember that the leftists of yesterday — Marxist Communists — knew if they could get just 1 percent of any population to convert and 9 percent of that same population to sympathize , they could take the population over .
TRENDING : Herschel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obey Teachers , Grown Men Can Obey Police Officers If you sympathize with the left but don ’ t act on its behalf , you ’ re still one of the 9 percent helping that 1 percent bent on destroying America .
What we ’ re seeing in the streets isn ’ t about race ; otherwise , minority neighborhoods wouldn ’ t be the ones being looted and burned to the ground .
A picture that will remain seared in my memory for years is the one showing a church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring , “ Black Lives Matter.
” The sign was on fire as the rest of the area blazed from riots supposedly done to show black lives matter .
What we ’ re seeing isn ’ t rioting over police brutality .
In Minneapolis , riots broke out after a homicide suspect committed suicide while police were nearby .
He killed himself and the result was rioting .
That ’ s not about race .
That ’ s about an excuse , an excuse to take peace from Americans and instill fear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left will result in similar riots in your neighborhood .
What we ’ re seeing are anarchists being used by very shrewd , very devout leftists .
None of this , so far , is new , and none of this sounds like you ( at least the you I once knew ) .
Look at every other leftist or communist revolution in history .
They all look eerily similar .
Civil society and innocent lives destroyed by marauding bands declaring themselves justice seekers for the rest of society — or social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RELATED : For the Establishment Media , NASCAR Garage Rope Was a Crisis but Repeatedly 'Executing ' Trump Is Just Fine One thing , however , is new .
This nascent leftist revolution is happening in the oldest living republic on the planet , and that , ironically , makes America more vulnerable to this revolution in a particular and unexpected way .
The American Constitution enshrines protections for protests , speech , association and economic self-determination .
As Victor Davis Hanson recently pointed out , those protections have created a world in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same due process they defy in dealing with others , since it will keep them from being beaten to death en masse by cops in the streets .
2 ) Count on the same First Amendment they decry , since it allows them to raise their bullhorns and shout obscenities and spread anti-American rhetoric without fear of reprisal from the government or other citizens .
3 ) Count on the unfathomably powerful free-enterprise American economy they call exploitative , since it lets them leave civil society , sow chaos , produce nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the table when they come home from a hard night ’ s looting .
4 ) Count on the technology crafted by post-war technology the U.S. made possible , since it allows them to spread a message of hate for the U.S. , free-market economies and the post-war world .
5 ) Count on being allowed to scream “ microaggression ” when someone mispronounces a name but also think it ’ s perfectly fine to scream in perfect strangers ’ faces in an attempt to intimidate them into capitulating to the left ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Consider how these same screamers would respond if they saw someone screaming at an animal the way they scream at human beings — they would almost certainly call for jail time ) .
Friends , I just can ’ t believe most of you , in your heart of hearts , support this .
Most of you are goodhearted and feel driven to correct inequities you see all over your worlds .
That ’ s usually good .
But when you throw in with the left , you ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You instead are actively working to transform the world ’ s oldest living republic into the world ’ s newest dystopia , because dystopia is unfailingly the end product of leftism .
The left killed 100 million innocent men , women and children in the 20th century .
And the only thing that has changed is that humans have gotten much better at killing each other .
If we allow leftism to begin spreading again , how many more millions will die of malnutrition , in re-education camps ( as is happening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read this ) and from territorial squabbles ?
Yes , you ’ re right : There is inequality in the U.S. and in free-market economies .
But those free-market economies , led by the U.S. , have lifted more people out of poverty around the globe in the last 50 years than the last 500 combined .
No leftist nation did that or even helped do that in any significant way .
We have doubled life expectancy worldwide since 1913 thanks to technology that has come from free-market economies , not leftist revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Navy-protected shipping lanes , between the years 1990 and 2013 , over a billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty .
That ’ s roughly 119,000 human beings per day , every day , for 23 solid years .
Leftist states can make no claim that comes within light-years of that .
No leftist experiment has ever accomplished these things .
Additionally , no two free-market , liberal ( as in Jeffersonian , not leftist ) nations have ever fought a war .
Communist nations have no problem annexing each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bombs .
My friends , I can ’ t believe that you think a world where we ’ re all closer to equal but all radically more miserable and poorer is a good one .
But that ’ s the world we face when we consider turning power over to the left .
It has never , ever ended otherwise .
Venezuela is just the latest in a long line of horrible , failed leftist experiments , where , yes , the majority of people have been equalized , but they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the leftists took over .
That ’ s not progress .
It ’ s just equality of misery and deprivation .
Conservatives and traditional Americans don ’ t eye the left suspiciously because we want inequality .
We distrust the left because we know that the equality leftism brings is horrific and far worse than even the most horrible conditions under free-market economies in nations that follow Judeo-Christian values .
Friends , if you care for the poor , the unfortunate , the forgotten and the marginalized , you ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we conservatives also want to help those cast away and forgotten .
And to help them , as we see it , is not to swell their ranks through leftist policies .
The most reliable way to help them is to embrace classical liberalism ( again , Jefferson ) and work to create a world where government is small ( to keep us free ) , virtue is enshrined ( to provide help for the underclass ) and the left is kept as distant as possible to prevent decent people from being manipulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attainment of which will invariably lead to the very things you , my dear friends , and I both hate .
A final thought : The entire world flirted with authoritarian leftism for a time .
As authoritarian powers rampaged across the world in the 1940s , Winston Churchill famously said that the lights were going out all across Europe , meaning that free societies were falling to authoritarian regimes .
Nazi , communist , Japanese imperialist , leftist , fascist .
The name matters little when repression and socialist policies are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flirtation was the death of 100 million innocent civilians at the hands of communism .
BLM , antifa , Democratic Socialists of America , American communists , race rioters .
Again , the name matters little when the end result is the overthrow of freedom and the lights going out .
The freedom we enjoy today is a very rare exception to the vast majority of human history , steeped in grinding poverty , horrible disease , starvation and morbidity .
And this exceptionally free state we live in is fragile .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before history begins to repeat itself , this fragile respite from history breaks and the lights start going out again .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dear friends on the left,
Even though we disagree on an enormous number of issues, if you’re reading this I think fondly of you. And that fondness, combined with my love of freedom and America and my horror at what’s happening in our streets, leads me to write this blunt piece. Hopefully at least a few of you will read this.
If you’re actively on the left right now, please leave. I beg you.
The left is the mortal enemy of America, bent on its destruction. What’s happening in America’s streets should be enough to show you that.
Maybe you say, “I don’t support them, but I sympathize with their goals.” Please remember that the leftists of yesterday — Marxist Communists — knew if they could get just 1 percent of any population to convert and 9 percent of that same population to sympathize, they could take the population over.
If you sympathize with the left but don’t act on its behalf, you’re still one of the 9 percent helping that 1 percent bent on destroying America.
What we’re seeing in the streets isn’t about race; otherwise, minority neighborhoods wouldn’t be the ones being looted and burned to the ground.
A picture that will remain seared in my memory for years is the one showing a church’s sign with large magnetic letters underneath the logo declaring, “Black Lives Matter.”
The sign was on fire as the rest of the area blazed from riots supposedly done to show black lives matter.
BLM arson attacks overnight in Kenosha, Wisc. spread to the Bradford Community Church, a far-left universalist religious organization. The church’s sign in support of #BlackLivesMatter was consumed in flames. pic.twitter.com/u02CIwsnIm — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2020
What we’re seeing isn’t rioting over police brutality. In Minneapolis, riots broke out after a homicide suspect committed suicide while police were nearby.
He killed himself and the result was rioting. That’s not about race. That’s about an excuse, an excuse to take peace from Americans and instill fear in its place — fear that defiance of the left will result in similar riots in your neighborhood.
What we’re seeing are anarchists being used by very shrewd, very devout leftists. None of this, so far, is new, and none of this sounds like you (at least the you I once knew).
Look at every other leftist or communist revolution in history. They all look eerily similar. Civil society and innocent lives destroyed by marauding bands declaring themselves justice seekers for the rest of society — or social justice warriors, if you will.
One thing, however, is new. This nascent leftist revolution is happening in the oldest living republic on the planet, and that, ironically, makes America more vulnerable to this revolution in a particular and unexpected way.
The American Constitution enshrines protections for protests, speech, association and economic self-determination. As Victor Davis Hanson recently pointed out, those protections have created a world in which rioters can
1) Count on the same due process they defy in dealing with others, since it will keep them from being beaten to death en masse by cops in the streets.
2) Count on the same First Amendment they decry, since it allows them to raise their bullhorns and shout obscenities and spread anti-American rhetoric without fear of reprisal from the government or other citizens.
3) Count on the unfathomably powerful free-enterprise American economy they call exploitative, since it lets them leave civil society, sow chaos, produce nothing of value and still have food on the table when they come home from a hard night’s looting.
4) Count on the technology crafted by post-war technology the U.S. made possible, since it allows them to spread a message of hate for the U.S., free-market economies and the post-war world.
5) Count on being allowed to scream “microaggression” when someone mispronounces a name but also think it’s perfectly fine to scream in perfect strangers’ faces in an attempt to intimidate them into capitulating to the left’s moral, political and social superiority. (Consider how these same screamers would respond if they saw someone screaming at an animal the way they scream at human beings — they would almost certainly call for jail time).
Friends, I just can’t believe most of you, in your heart of hearts, support this. Most of you are goodhearted and feel driven to correct inequities you see all over your worlds. That’s usually good.
But when you throw in with the left, you’re not throwing in to correct these inequities. You instead are actively working to transform the world’s oldest living republic into the world’s newest dystopia, because dystopia is unfailingly the end product of leftism.
The left killed 100 million innocent men, women and children in the 20th century. And the only thing that has changed is that humans have gotten much better at killing each other. If we allow leftism to begin spreading again, how many more millions will die of malnutrition, in re-education camps (as is happening in China with the Muslim minority as you read this) and from territorial squabbles?
Yes, you’re right: There is inequality in the U.S. and in free-market economies. But those free-market economies, led by the U.S., have lifted more people out of poverty around the globe in the last 50 years than the last 500 combined. No leftist nation did that or even helped do that in any significant way.
We have doubled life expectancy worldwide since 1913 thanks to technology that has come from free-market economies, not leftist revolutionary states.
Thanks to free-enterprise technology and U.S. Navy-protected shipping lanes, between the years 1990 and 2013, over a billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty. That’s roughly 119,000 human beings per day, every day, for 23 solid years. Leftist states can make no claim that comes within light-years of that.
No leftist experiment has ever accomplished these things. Additionally, no two free-market, liberal (as in Jeffersonian, not leftist) nations have ever fought a war. Communist nations have no problem annexing each other with the use of tanks, planes and bombs.
My friends, I can’t believe that you think a world where we’re all closer to equal but all radically more miserable and poorer is a good one. But that’s the world we face when we consider turning power over to the left. It has never, ever ended otherwise.
Venezuela is just the latest in a long line of horrible, failed leftist experiments, where, yes, the majority of people have been equalized, but they are now equally less well-off than the poor before the leftists took over. That’s not progress. It’s just equality of misery and deprivation.
Conservatives and traditional Americans don’t eye the left suspiciously because we want inequality. We distrust the left because we know that the equality leftism brings is horrific and far worse than even the most horrible conditions under free-market economies in nations that follow Judeo-Christian values.
Do you think a leftist vision for America would lead our country down a dystopian path? 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% (688 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
Friends, if you care for the poor, the unfortunate, the forgotten and the marginalized, you’re not alone. Believe it or not, we conservatives also want to help those cast away and forgotten. And to help them, as we see it, is not to swell their ranks through leftist policies.
The most reliable way to help them is to embrace classical liberalism (again, Jefferson) and work to create a world where government is small (to keep us free), virtue is enshrined (to provide help for the underclass) and the left is kept as distant as possible to prevent decent people from being manipulated by those who crave power, the attainment of which will invariably lead to the very things you, my dear friends, and I both hate.
A final thought: The entire world flirted with authoritarian leftism for a time. As authoritarian powers rampaged across the world in the 1940s, Winston Churchill famously said that the lights were going out all across Europe, meaning that free societies were falling to authoritarian regimes. Nazi, communist, Japanese imperialist, leftist, fascist. The name matters little when repression and socialist policies are the end goal.
The end of that flirtation was the death of 100 million innocent civilians at the hands of communism.
BLM, antifa, Democratic Socialists of America, American communists, race rioters. Again, the name matters little when the end result is the overthrow of freedom and the lights going out. The freedom we enjoy today is a very rare exception to the vast majority of human history, steeped in grinding poverty, horrible disease, starvation and morbidity. And this exceptionally free state we live in is fragile.
Please, friends, leave the authoritarian left. Before history begins to repeat itself, this fragile respite from history breaks and the lights start going out again.
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westernjournal--2020-08-29--Jan Brewer: Biden’s Border Policies Literally Make Me Worry for My Children’s Safety

As a mom of three , there is nothing more important to me than the safety of my family .
In Arizona , there are millions of moms like me who are willing to fight for the safety of their children .
Before 2016 , illegal immigration in Arizona put families at tremendous risk .
With an unsecured southern border , our state was virtually an open highway for illegal immigration , drug smuggling , and human trafficking .
But when President Trump announced his candidacy , he prioritized the safety of Arizona families .
TRENDING : Rand Paul Reveals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was Donate to His Foreign Mission Project As a father himself , President Trump understands the importance of family safety .
He is delivering on his promise to build a wall on our southern border .
And , as of today , over 275 miles of border wall have been built — with 450 miles expected by the end of the year .
Undoubtedly , President Trump is keeping his promise to protect American families .
As our nation celebrates another year with stronger border security , Joe Biden is running on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
His radical left-wing policies aren ’ t just some theoretical proposal ; they present a direct danger to mothers in border states .
If he were elected , deportations would be halted , immigration law enforcement would be shut down and immigration detention facilities would be eradicated .
Biden does not even have the courage to admit that his policies would lead to open borders .
You don ’ t have to take that from me ; that ’ s what former Obama-Biden administration DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said about Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rick Crawford : Biden and Harris Are Horribly Out of Touch with Farmers , Rural Americans Biden ’ s running mate , Kamala Harris , has even gone a step further by planning to decriminalize illegal border crossings and promise citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants .
If she and Biden are elected , that promise would worsen unemployment and decrease wages for American workers in Arizona and across the nation .
But the radicalization of Joe Biden doesn ’ t end with Kamala Harris .
One of Biden ’ s senior advisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proponent of illegal immigration .
In fact , the Biden-Sanders policy agenda goes even further — promising not to deport illegal aliens and even giving them access to public health care .
These policies not only threaten safety for families in border states , but they also incentivize drug smuggling and child trafficking .
Over the past four years , President Trump ’ s leadership has led to a direct reduction in illegal crossings and drug trade .
But I still worry for the safety of my children .
I worry because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the future of Arizona .
I ’ ll be voting for the only candidate who has a proven record of fighting for their safety — President Donald J. Trump .
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 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

As a mom of three, there is nothing more important to me than the safety of my family.
In Arizona, there are millions of moms like me who are willing to fight for the safety of their children.
Before 2016, illegal immigration in Arizona put families at tremendous risk.
With an unsecured southern border, our state was virtually an open highway for illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
But when President Trump announced his candidacy, he prioritized the safety of Arizona families.
As a father himself, President Trump understands the importance of family safety.
He is delivering on his promise to build a wall on our southern border.
And, as of today, over 275 miles of border wall have been built — with 450 miles expected by the end of the year.
Undoubtedly, President Trump is keeping his promise to protect American families.
Do you think a Biden presidency would make American families less safe? 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: 96% (480 Votes) No: 4% (20 Votes)
As our nation celebrates another year with stronger border security, Joe Biden is running on a platform to undermine the safety of Arizona families.
His radical left-wing policies aren’t just some theoretical proposal; they present a direct danger to mothers in border states.
If he were elected, deportations would be halted, immigration law enforcement would be shut down and immigration detention facilities would be eradicated.
Biden does not even have the courage to admit that his policies would lead to open borders.
You don’t have to take that from me; that’s what former Obama-Biden administration DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said about Biden’s policies.
Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, has even gone a step further by planning to decriminalize illegal border crossings and promise citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.
If she and Biden are elected, that promise would worsen unemployment and decrease wages for American workers in Arizona and across the nation.
But the radicalization of Joe Biden doesn’t end with Kamala Harris.
One of Biden’s senior advisors, Bernie Sanders, is a strong proponent of illegal immigration.
In fact, the Biden-Sanders policy agenda goes even further — promising not to deport illegal aliens and even giving them access to public health care.
These policies not only threaten safety for families in border states, but they also incentivize drug smuggling and child trafficking.
Over the past four years, President Trump’s leadership has led to a direct reduction in illegal crossings and drug trade.
But I still worry for the safety of my children.
I worry because I know that this election is a decision for the future of Arizona. I’ll be voting for the only candidate who has a proven record of fighting for their safety — President Donald J. Trump.
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--2020-08-29--New Video From Before Kenosha Shooting Reveals One Detail That Could Save Teen Shooter

Kyle Rittenhouse is facing first-degree intentional homicide charges after he allegedly shot and killed two people and wounded a third on Tuesday , but new footage may shed light on his motive and possibly save him from the most severe charge .
Rittenhouse brought his AR-15-style rifle to the scene of riots in Kenosha , Wisconsin , after police there shot a black man named Jacob Blake during an arrest Sunday , according to USA Today .
Earlier Tuesday evening , the baby-faced 17-year-old from Antioch , Illinois , told Daily Caller journalist Richie McGinniss why he was standing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun .
“ People are getting injured and our job is to protect this business , and part of my job is to also help people , ” Rittenhouse said .
“ If there ’ s somebody hurt , I ’ m running into harm ’ s way .
That ’ s why I have my rifle because I have to protect myself , obviously.
” TRENDING : Herschel Walker 's Son : If Kindergartners Can Obey Teachers , Grown Men Can Obey Police Officers But the teen would later get into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite video evidence from several sources , the circumstances surrounding the shootings remained unclear .
Still , Rittenhouse was slapped with the first-degree intentional homicide charge that could put him in prison for life under Wisconsin law , according to the Chicago Tribune , but one particular angle showed it could actually be a case of self-defense .
Christiaan Triebert from The New York Times tweeted a thread of clips that captured the events that evening , but the first shooting looked like Rittenhouse may have reacted to gunshots .
WARNING : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers will find offensive .
“ At 23:19 , Rittenhouse is seen in this YouTube livestream , ” Triebert captioned the video showing a gunman behind Rittenhouse , who is running .
“ He ’ s being chased into a parking lot .
While he is being pursued , an unknown gunman fires the first shot into the air.
” “ Rittenhouse turns toward the sound of the gunfire as another pursuer lunges toward him , ” Triebert continued .
“ He then fires four times with his assault rifle , and appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” RELATED : Watch Mob Descend on Sen. Rand Paul , Wife After RNC : 'They Would Have Killed Us' If Rittenhouse fired in self-defense , it could nullify the intentional part of the homicide charge , meaning he committed a lesser crime , if any at all .
Of course , it is difficult to determine what actually was going through his mind and ascertain exactly what his motives might have been , but he was quickly demonized by some as a white supremacist .
Rittenhouse was a fan of President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Beast , which to sane people indicate that he probably idolized and tried to emulate officers , but of course , will be construed as evidence of his bigotry .
He lived only 30 minutes from the scene of the riots that nobody at that time seemed interested in stopping and involved himself in the situation instead .
He was foolish to walk into riots holding a conspicuous weapon and in some ways was asking for trouble .
However , with rioters allowed to prowl the streets for unabashed looting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible that Rittenhouse also felt emboldened to ignore good sense and flout the law as well .
Maybe he was trying to help , or maybe he was out looking for trouble , unafraid that he would face any serious consequences — just like the rioters .
These government officials who allow this anarchy to reign should take this as their wake-up call to stop the madness .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Kyle Rittenhouse is facing first-degree intentional homicide charges after he allegedly shot and killed two people and wounded a third on Tuesday, but new footage may shed light on his motive and possibly save him from the most severe charge.
Rittenhouse brought his AR-15-style rifle to the scene of riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after police there shot a black man named Jacob Blake during an arrest Sunday, according to USA Today.
Earlier Tuesday evening, the baby-faced 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois, told Daily Caller journalist Richie McGinniss why he was standing in front of a burned-out auto dealership with a gun.
“People are getting injured and our job is to protect this business, and part of my job is to also help people,” Rittenhouse said.
“If there’s somebody hurt, I’m running into harm’s way. That’s why I have my rifle because I have to protect myself, obviously.”
I interviewed the alleged shooter before the violence started. Full video coming soon: pic.twitter.com/G3dVOJozN7 — Richie?McG? (@RichieMcGinniss) August 26, 2020
But the teen would later get into a scuffle with other rioters, and despite video evidence from several sources, the circumstances surrounding the shootings remained unclear.
Do you think Kyle Rittenhouse acted in self-defense? 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: 97% (5546 Votes) No: 3% (151 Votes)
Still, Rittenhouse was slapped with the first-degree intentional homicide charge that could put him in prison for life under Wisconsin law, according to the Chicago Tribune, but one particular angle showed it could actually be a case of self-defense.
Christiaan Triebert from The New York Times tweeted a thread of clips that captured the events that evening, but the first shooting looked like Rittenhouse may have reacted to gunshots.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive.
“At 23:19, Rittenhouse is seen in this YouTube livestream,” Triebert captioned the video showing a gunman behind Rittenhouse, who is running. “He’s being chased into a parking lot. While he is being pursued, an unknown gunman fires the first shot into the air.”
“Rittenhouse turns toward the sound of the gunfire as another pursuer lunges toward him,” Triebert continued. “He then fires four times with his assault rifle, and appears to shoot the man in the head.”
Rittenhouse turns toward the sound of the gunfire as another pursuer lunges toward him. He then fires four times with his assault rifle, and appears to shoot the man in the head. — Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) August 27, 2020
If Rittenhouse fired in self-defense, it could nullify the intentional part of the homicide charge, meaning he committed a lesser crime, if any at all.
Of course, it is difficult to determine what actually was going through his mind and ascertain exactly what his motives might have been, but he was quickly demonized by some as a white supremacist.
Rittenhouse was a fan of President Donald Trump and supported police, according to the Daily Beast, which to sane people indicate that he probably idolized and tried to emulate officers, but of course, will be construed as evidence of his bigotry.
Rittenhouse eventually leaves the dealership (https://t.co/udrONTtQEY) and is barred by the police from returning, as seen @Ruptly footage, six minutes before the shooting: https://t.co/bxzrk75jk8. pic.twitter.com/AredrTnc9Z — Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) August 27, 2020
He lived only 30 minutes from the scene of the riots that nobody at that time seemed interested in stopping and involved himself in the situation instead.
He was foolish to walk into riots holding a conspicuous weapon and in some ways was asking for trouble.
However, with rioters allowed to prowl the streets for unabashed looting, vandalism and arson, it’s possible that Rittenhouse also felt emboldened to ignore good sense and flout the law as well.
Maybe he was trying to help, or maybe he was out looking for trouble, unafraid that he would face any serious consequences — just like the rioters.
These government officials who allow this anarchy to reign should take this as their wake-up call to stop the madness.
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westernjournal--2020-08-28--Watch Mob Descend on Sen. Rand Paul, Wife After RNC: ‘They Would Have Killed Us’

Sen. Rand Paul was the victim of yet another leftist mob on Thursday night .
An angry mob surrounded Paul and his wife , Kelley , as they exited the White House grounds following President Trump ’ s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention .
The Kentucky Republican told Fox News ’ “ Fox and Friends ” the incident was “ horrific ” and that he believed “ they would have killed us , ” especially if the couple had not been accompanied by a police escort .
“ I truly believe this with every fiber of my being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have gotten us to the ground , we might not have been killed , we might just have been injured by being kicked in the head , or kicked in the stomach until we were senseless , ” he said .
Paul also took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the Washington , D.C. , police .
TRENDING : Rand Paul Reveals First Thing Trump Did After They Met Was Donate to His Foreign Mission Project The protesters — several of whom did not wear masks while screaming in the senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouting “ say her name ” and “ no justice , no peace.
” Paul also said the protesters shouted , “ We ’ re not going to let you go alive unless you ’ ll say you ’ re for criminal justice reform.
” That ’ s a serious death threat to a sitting U.S. senator .
Clearly , the mob was unfamiliar with the senator ’ s record and were attacking him simply for his party affiliation .
Paul has long been a proponent of criminal justice reform .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s written 22 criminal justice reform bills .
The “ say her name ” chants suggest the demonstrators were particularly concerned with justice for Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old black EMT who was shot during the execution of a no-knock warrant in Louisville , Kentucky , on March 13 .
Paul pointed out the irony of shouting “ say her name ” to the man who wrote the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act .
“ I ’ m actually the author of the Breonna Taylor law to end no-knock raids , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idiots that they ’ re trying to kill the person who ’ s actually trying to get rid of no-knock raids , ” he said .
Paul has done more for criminal justice reform and Breonna Taylor ’ s legacy than any of the protesters likely will in their entire lives .
The behavior of these demonstrators is unacceptable .
This was a physical attack on a sitting senator .
Given the violence currently occurring in cities across the country , it ’ s perfectly reasonable that Paul thought the demonstrators might injure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatally — had the police not been there .
We as a nation can not allow this activity to continue .
Anyone involved should be identified , arrested and charged .
Otherwise , we ’ re just emboldening the mob .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Sen. Rand Paul was the victim of yet another leftist mob on Thursday night.
An angry mob surrounded Paul and his wife, Kelley, as they exited the White House grounds following President Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.
The Kentucky Republican told Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” the incident was “horrific” and that he believed “they would have killed us,” especially if the couple had not been accompanied by a police escort.
“I truly believe this with every fiber of my being, had they gotten at us they would have gotten us to the ground, we might not have been killed, we might just have been injured by being kicked in the head, or kicked in the stomach until we were senseless,” he said.
Paul also took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the Washington, D.C., police.
Just got attacked by an angry mob of over 100, one block away from the White House. Thank you to @DCPoliceDept for literally saving our lives from a crazed mob. — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 28, 2020
The protesters — several of whom did not wear masks while screaming in the senator’s face — can be heard shouting “say her name” and “no justice, no peace.”
Rand Paul just got chased by a crowd back to his hotel, after leaving the White House from Trump’s Republican Party Nomination #DC #DCProtests pic.twitter.com/h1kPcZG1jh — Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) August 28, 2020
Paul also said the protesters shouted, “We’re not going to let you go alive unless you’ll say you’re for criminal justice reform.”
That’s a serious death threat to a sitting U.S. senator.
Clearly, the mob was unfamiliar with the senator’s record and were attacking him simply for his party affiliation.
Paul has long been a proponent of criminal justice reform. In his decade as a senator, Paul said he’s written 22 criminal justice reform bills.
The “say her name” chants suggest the demonstrators were particularly concerned with justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old black EMT who was shot during the execution of a no-knock warrant in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13.
Paul pointed out the irony of shouting “say her name” to the man who wrote the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.
Do you think it's time to crack down on these mobs? 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% (115 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
“I’m actually the author of the Breonna Taylor law to end no-knock raids, so the irony is lost on these idiots that they’re trying to kill the person who’s actually trying to get rid of no-knock raids,” he said.
Paul has done more for criminal justice reform and Breonna Taylor’s legacy than any of the protesters likely will in their entire lives.
The behavior of these demonstrators is unacceptable. This was a physical attack on a sitting senator.
Given the violence currently occurring in cities across the country, it’s perfectly reasonable that Paul thought the demonstrators might injure him and his wife — perhaps even fatally — had the police not been there.
We as a nation cannot allow this activity to continue.
Anyone involved should be identified, arrested and charged.
Otherwise, we’re just emboldening the mob.
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westernjournal--2020-08-28--Here’s the Real Reason Jacob Blake Was Handcuffed to His Hospital Bed

Jacob Blake is no longer handcuffed to his hospital bed , as he had been following a police shooting in southeastern Wisconsin , his attorneys said Friday .
A Kenosha police officer shot Blake seven times in the back on Sunday while responding to a domestic abuse call .
Kenosha ’ s streets have been filled with protests and violent rioting every night since the shooting .
Blake was wanted on suspicion of felony sexual assault when he was shot .
The Milwaukee County Sheriff ’ s Office said Blake remained in custody in the hospital under the felony arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Son : If Kindergartners Can Obey Teachers , Grown Men Can Obey Police Officers “ He ’ s being guarded because he ’ s under arrest and it was for an outstanding warrant for third degree sexual assault , ” Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Friday .
Blake ’ s attorney in the sexual assault case said Friday that the arrest warrant in that case had been vacated , although charges remain .
The Milwaukee County Sheriff ’ s Department said in a statement that Blake was no longer in custody because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer guarding him at the hospital .
Blake ’ s father told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he was upset to learn his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed in Milwaukee since he ’ s paralyzed from the waist down .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers responded “ hell , yes , ” when asked during a news conference whether he was concerned about Blake being handcuffed .
The governor said Blake had already paid a “ horrific price.
” “ Fortunately , a man who is paralyzed and fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times in the back , will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and wrist shackled and the traumatic stress of being under armed guard , ” Blake ’ s attorneys in the shooting case , Ben Crump , Patrick Salvi and B ’ Ivory Lamarr said in a statement .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Jacob Blake is no longer handcuffed to his hospital bed, as he had been following a police shooting in southeastern Wisconsin, his attorneys said Friday.
A Kenosha police officer shot Blake seven times in the back on Sunday while responding to a domestic abuse call.
Kenosha’s streets have been filled with protests and violent rioting every night since the shooting.
Blake was wanted on suspicion of felony sexual assault when he was shot. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said Blake remained in custody in the hospital under the felony arrest warrant.
1/4 Statement Regarding Custody Status of Mr. Jacob Blake From Sunday, August 23 to Friday, August 28, while receiving treatment at a local hospital, Mr. Jacob Blake remained in custody on a Kenosha County felony arrest warrant issued in July. — Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (@MCSOSheriff) August 28, 2020
“He’s being guarded because he’s under arrest and it was for an outstanding warrant for third degree sexual assault,” Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Friday.
Blake’s attorney in the sexual assault case said Friday that the arrest warrant in that case had been vacated, although charges remain.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that Blake was no longer in custody because he has posted bond and deputies are no longer guarding him at the hospital.
Blake’s father told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he was upset to learn his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed in Milwaukee since he’s paralyzed from the waist down.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers responded “hell, yes,” when asked during a news conference whether he was concerned about Blake being handcuffed. The governor said Blake had already paid a “horrific price.”
“Fortunately, a man who is paralyzed and fighting for his life after being shot seven times in the back, will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and wrist shackled and the traumatic stress of being under armed guard,” Blake’s attorneys in the shooting case, Ben Crump, Patrick Salvi and B’Ivory Lamarr said in a statement.
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--2020-08-28--Appeals Court Shuts Down Bowe Bergdahl’s Attempt To Blame Trump

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces has shot down an effort by convicted deserter and former Army Sgt .
Bowe Bergdahl to have his conviction overturned based on comments made about him by President Donald Trump .
“ Appellant asks this Court to dismiss with prejudice the charges and specifications against him , or in the alternative , to grant other meaningful relief such as approving a sentence of no punishment .
We decline to do so , ” Judge Kevin A. Ohlson wrote .
In his ruling , Ohlson noted that “ it is essential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the charges to which he pleaded guilty , were very serious offenses for which either a life sentence or the death penalty were authorized punishments.
” Bergdahl , who has cited unlawful command influence as the legal basis for having his sentence thrown out , retains the right to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court .
TRENDING : Rand Paul Reveals First Thing Trump Did After They Met Was Donate to His Foreign Mission Project In 2017 , Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion .
Although he was not imprisoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private , according to Fox News .
Even that sentence was denounced at the time by Trump .
“ The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military , ” he tweeted then .
Bergdahl left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured by the Taliban .
In a controversial swap orchestrated by former President Barack Obama in 2014 , he was freed .
In 2015 , Trump lambasted Bergdahl during a Las Vegas campaign appearance that was typical of his campaign-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re tired of Sgt .
Bergdahl , who ’ s a traitor , a no-good traitor , who should have been executed , ” Trump said then , according to The Associated Press .
“ Thirty years ago , ” he said , “ he would have been shot.
” Bergdahl also said comments from the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona impacted his trial .
RELATED : Trump Defends Firing of Navy Secretary : ' I Have To Protect My Warfighters' McCain had vowed to hold a Senate Armed Services Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to The New York Times .
Bergdahl had lost one appeal last July , when the Army Court of Criminal Appeals upheld his plea and sentence , according to Military Times .
The court ruled that while comments from Trump might have been out of line , the ruling in Bergdahl ’ s case was “ fair and unprejudiced.
” After Bergdahl left his unit , comrades who searched for him were wounded .
Among them was Army Master Sgt .
Mark Allen , who was shot .
The injury left him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces has shot down an effort by convicted deserter and former Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl to have his conviction overturned based on comments made about him by President Donald Trump.
“Appellant asks this Court to dismiss with prejudice the charges and specifications against him, or in the alternative, to grant other meaningful relief such as approving a sentence of no punishment. We decline to do so,” Judge Kevin A. Ohlson wrote.
In his ruling, Ohlson noted that “it is essential to note that the conduct Appellant engaged in, and the charges to which he pleaded guilty, were very serious offenses for which either a life sentence or the death penalty were authorized punishments.”
Ohlson wrote that “as a direct and foreseeable consequence of Appellant’s misconduct, other members of the armed forces were injured — some severely — while seeking to find and rescue Appellant.” “In light of these facts, it is wholly unrealistic to believe there was any scenario where: (1) upon his return to the United States, Appellant would not have been held accountable at a general court-martial for his offenses (to which he voluntarily pleaded guilty); and (2) Appellant would not have received the dishonorable discharge he himself subsequently requested.” “Thus, simply stated, it was the totality of the circumstances surrounding Appellant’s misconduct rather than any outside influences that foreordained the Army’s handling and disposition of this case. Therefore, an objective, disinterested observer would not harbor any significant doubts about the ultimate fairness of these court-martial proceedings. “Accordingly, we hold that there was no appearance of unlawful command influence in this case, and we affirm the decision of the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals,” Ohlson ruled.
Bergdahl, who has cited unlawful command influence as the legal basis for having his sentence thrown out, retains the right to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2017, Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion. Although he was not imprisoned, he was dishonorably discharged as a private, according to Fox News.
Even that sentence was denounced at the time by Trump.
“The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military,” he tweeted then.
The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2017
Bergdahl left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured by the Taliban. In a controversial swap orchestrated by former President Barack Obama in 2014, he was freed.
In 2015, Trump lambasted Bergdahl during a Las Vegas campaign appearance that was typical of his campaign-era comments on Bergdahl.
“We’re tired of Sgt. Bergdahl, who’s a traitor, a no-good traitor, who should have been executed,” Trump said then, according to The Associated Press.
“Thirty years ago,” he said, “he would have been shot.”
Bergdahl also said comments from the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona impacted his trial.
McCain had vowed to hold a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing if Bergdahl was not punished, according to The New York Times.
Do you think Trump's comments influenced Bowe Bergdahl's conviction? 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: 4% (134 Votes) No: 96% (3129 Votes)
Bergdahl had lost one appeal last July, when the Army Court of Criminal Appeals upheld his plea and sentence, according to Military Times.
The court ruled that while comments from Trump might have been out of line, the ruling in Bergdahl’s case was “fair and unprejudiced.”
After Bergdahl left his unit, comrades who searched for him were wounded.
Among them was Army Master Sgt. Mark Allen, who was shot. The injury left him paralyzed until his death last October.
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westernjournal--2020-08-28--Rep. Rick Crawford: Biden and Harris Are Horribly Out of Touch with Farmers, Rural Americans

Just weeks ago , Joe Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
While Democrats applauded his decision and quickly took to boasting about her achievements back in California , rural America let out a groan — and it ’ s easy to see why .
Harris , another far-left San Francisco politician in the mold of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , has extensive experience with big-city liberals but lacks a basic understanding and appreciation of rural values .
When she was running her own presidential campaign , she announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric and short on substance .
When a politician tells you that their radical climate policies will actually help farmers , you can be sure they have never stepped foot on a farm without cameras present .
TRENDING : Rand Paul Reveals First Thing Trump Did After They Met Was Donate to His Foreign Mission Project She should come to Arkansas and see what we are doing here .
A few years ago , I noticed a lack of communication between manufacturing firms and educators at trade schools in my corner of rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I arranged a STEM tour where instructors could tour facilities and see firsthand the types of skills that their students would need to enter the workforce .
I also created a council comprised of local leaders in the district to discuss economic development and implement measures designed to help individuals find purpose in their community rather than fall victim to opioid abuse .
These ideas work because they provide citizens with the skillset and experience needed to fill the jobs already present in rural America rather than encourage them to leave their communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural America is even worse than his running mate ’ s plan .
While his website is quick to tell farmers that they must achieve zero carbon emissions , anyone who has spoken to a farmer is aware that they know more about environmental sustainability than nearly anyone , certainly more than two life-long politicians .
After all , farmers ’ livelihoods depend on it .
As vice president in the Obama Administration , Joe Biden supported burdensome EPA regulations , which prevented farmers from carrying out long-standing , routine practices for fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Jan Brewer : Biden 's Border Policies Literally Make Me Worry for My Children 's Safety Farmers make a living from their land .
That is all the incentive they need to remain active environmentalists .
Kamala Harris is infamous among farmers for peddling the myth at a CNN town hall broadcast that enjoying an omnivore diet is a threat to the planet .
Repackaging economy-killing Green New Deal policies and claiming them to be the answer for rural America isn ’ t fooling anyone , in particular those of us living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural America from the Democratic ticket is their weak position on trade .
As a senator , Kamala Harris voted against USMCA – a historic trade deal with massive gains for the agriculture sector .
Joe Biden is no better .
As part of the Obama Administration , he continually turned a blind eye to the plight of farmers as they suffered from the unfair trade practices of countries like China .
If it had not been for President Trump stepping into the Oval Office , I ’ m uncertain how much longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior .
Rural America should not be an afterthought one makes false promises to every election cycle only to forget about them once in office .
We need job and skillset promotion , fair access to markets for our goods and initiatives that continue to bolster pride and purpose in ourselves and our neighbors .
Importantly , we need leaders who will give us a seat at the table and work to enrich our communities – not Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Just weeks ago, Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate.
While Democrats applauded his decision and quickly took to boasting about her achievements back in California, rural America let out a groan — and it’s easy to see why.
Harris, another far-left San Francisco politician in the mold of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has extensive experience with big-city liberals but lacks a basic understanding and appreciation of rural values.
When she was running her own presidential campaign, she announced a plan for rural America, heavy on rhetoric and short on substance.
When a politician tells you that their radical climate policies will actually help farmers, you can be sure they have never stepped foot on a farm without cameras present.
She should come to Arkansas and see what we are doing here.
A few years ago, I noticed a lack of communication between manufacturing firms and educators at trade schools in my corner of rural Arkansas.
To address the issue, I arranged a STEM tour where instructors could tour facilities and see firsthand the types of skills that their students would need to enter the workforce.
I also created a council comprised of local leaders in the district to discuss economic development and implement measures designed to help individuals find purpose in their community rather than fall victim to opioid abuse.
Do you think a Biden-Harris administration would be a disaster for rural America? 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% (147 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
These ideas work because they provide citizens with the skillset and experience needed to fill the jobs already present in rural America rather than encourage them to leave their communities.
Joe Biden’s plan for rural America is even worse than his running mate’s plan.
While his website is quick to tell farmers that they must achieve zero carbon emissions, anyone who has spoken to a farmer is aware that they know more about environmental sustainability than nearly anyone, certainly more than two life-long politicians.
After all, farmers’ livelihoods depend on it.
As vice president in the Obama Administration, Joe Biden supported burdensome EPA regulations, which prevented farmers from carrying out long-standing, routine practices for fear of a potential government fine.
Farmers make a living from their land. That is all the incentive they need to remain active environmentalists.
Kamala Harris is infamous among farmers for peddling the myth at a CNN town hall broadcast that enjoying an omnivore diet is a threat to the planet.
Repackaging economy-killing Green New Deal policies and claiming them to be the answer for rural America isn’t fooling anyone, in particular those of us living here.
Perhaps the biggest danger to rural America from the Democratic ticket is their weak position on trade.
As a senator, Kamala Harris voted against USMCA – a historic trade deal with massive gains for the agriculture sector.
Joe Biden is no better. As part of the Obama Administration, he continually turned a blind eye to the plight of farmers as they suffered from the unfair trade practices of countries like China.
If it had not been for President Trump stepping into the Oval Office, I’m uncertain how much longer farmers could have tolerated such nefarious economic behavior.
Rural America should not be an afterthought one makes false promises to every election cycle only to forget about them once in office.
Rural communities deserve and demand better.
We need job and skillset promotion, fair access to markets for our goods and initiatives that continue to bolster pride and purpose in ourselves and our neighbors.
Importantly, we need leaders who will give us a seat at the table and work to enrich our communities – not Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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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--2020-08-28--UFC Star Challenges LeBron James and Other Athletes To Quit Their ‘Soft Privileged Lives,’ Become Po

UFC Star Challenges LeBron James and Other Athletes To Quit Their ‘Soft Privileged Lives,’ Become Police Officers

UFC star and MMA fighter Colby Covington criticized LeBron James and other athletes who are postponing games in response to the Kenosha , Wisconsin , police shooting of Jacob Blake and challenged them to become police officers if they want to make a difference .
“ Oh wow , you postponed your games ?
!
Wan na prove you ’ re really about change ?
” Covington tweeted , tagging the National Basketball Association , Major League Baseball and LeBron James .
“ Quit your multi million dollar jobs and soft privileged lives playing a kids game , take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job in America .
Become cops !
” TRENDING : Herschel Walker 's Son : If Kindergartners Can Obey Teachers , Grown Men Can Obey Police Officers NBA games had been postponed for the past two days after the Milwaukee Bucks didn ’ t take the court Wednesday for their playoff game against Orlando Magic in protest of Blake ’ s shooting and perceived acts of racial injustice , according to the NBA .
Playoffs will resume Saturday after the league , owners and players reached an agreement on Thursday to resume play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a social justice coalition , conversion of arenas into voting locations for the 2020 election and advertisements in each playoff game dedicated to civic engagement .
Seven MLB games set for Thursday night and three games scheduled for Wednesday were postponed in reaction to the shooting in Wisconsin , ESPN reported .
Throughout the day , the Red Sox and Blue Jays were in communication with each other as they considered and ultimately decided to postpone their game .
“ We fully respect the decision of our players to bring further awareness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence against Black , Indigenous and people of color in our communities , ” the teams said in a joint statement .
“ We look forward to getting back on the field , and using our strongest platform , our game , to amplify our message demanding meaningful change.
” NBA star LeBron James was one of the first to react to the police shooting on Sunday .
WARNING : The following tweet contains vulgar language that some viewers will find offensive .
Less than 24 hours after a video of the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Laker tweeted , “ And y ’ all wonder why we say what we say about the Police !
!
Someone please tell me WTF is this ?
?
?
!
!
!
Exactly another black man being targeted .
“ This s— is so wrong and so sad !
!
Feel so sorry for him , his family and OUR PEOPLE !
!
We want JUSTICE.
” After the Lakers ’ playoff win Monday over the Portland Trail Blazers , James told reporters , “ We are scared as black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black women , black kids , we are terrified , ” CBS Sports reported .
Sports pundit Jason Whitlock , who writes for Outkick the Coverage , took James to task and responded that he is black but he isn ’ t scared or terrified .
“ Neither is LeBron James .
He ’ s lying , ” the sports pundit wrote on his website .
“ He and the political activists controlling him want black people to immerse themselves in fear .
Fear is a tool used to control people.
” We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

UFC star and MMA fighter Colby Covington criticized LeBron James and other athletes who are postponing games in response to the Kenosha, Wisconsin, police shooting of Jacob Blake and challenged them to become police officers if they want to make a difference.
“Oh wow, you postponed your games?! Wanna prove you’re really about change?” Covington tweeted, tagging the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and LeBron James.
“Quit your multi million dollar jobs and soft privileged lives playing a kids game, take a massive pay cut and perform the toughest job in America. Become cops!”
Oh wow, you postponed your games?! Wanna prove you’re really about change? Quit your multi million dollar jobs and soft privileged lives playing a kids game, take a massive pay cut and perform the toughest job in America. Become cops!!!! @NBA @MLB @KingJames — Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 27, 2020
NBA games had been postponed for the past two days after the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the court Wednesday for their playoff game against Orlando Magic in protest of Blake’s shooting and perceived acts of racial injustice, according to the NBA.
Playoffs will resume Saturday after the league, owners and players reached an agreement on Thursday to resume play.
The agreement outlined the establishment of a social justice coalition, conversion of arenas into voting locations for the 2020 election and advertisements in each playoff game dedicated to civic engagement.
Seven MLB games set for Thursday night and three games scheduled for Wednesday were postponed in reaction to the shooting in Wisconsin, ESPN reported.
Do you think Covington was right to criticize the athletes? 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% (498 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
Throughout the day, the Red Sox and Blue Jays were in communication with each other as they considered and ultimately decided to postpone their game.
“We fully respect the decision of our players to bring further awareness to the systemic racism that contributes to police violence against Black, Indigenous and people of color in our communities,” the teams said in a joint statement.
“We look forward to getting back on the field, and using our strongest platform, our game, to amplify our message demanding meaningful change.”
NBA star LeBron James was one of the first to react to the police shooting on Sunday.
WARNING: The following tweet contains vulgar language that some viewers will find offensive.
Less than 24 hours after a video of the incident began circulating on the internet, the Los Angeles Laker tweeted, “And y’all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!! Someone please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another black man being targeted.
“This s— is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE.”
And y’all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!! Someone please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another black man being targeted. This shit is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE https://t.co/cJxOj1EZ3H — LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2020
After the Lakers’ playoff win Monday over the Portland Trail Blazers, James told reporters, “We are scared as black people in America. Black men, black women, black kids, we are terrified,” CBS Sports reported.
Sports pundit Jason Whitlock, who writes for Outkick the Coverage, took James to task and responded that he is black but he isn’t scared or terrified.
“Neither is LeBron James. He’s lying,” the sports pundit wrote on his website.
“He and the political activists controlling him want black people to immerse themselves in fear. Fear is a tool used to control people.”
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--2020-08-28--Wisconsin DOJ Reveals More Details About How Police Tried To Stop Jacob Blake Before Using Firearm

The state agency investigating the shooting of Jacob Blake has revealed that police officers tried nonlethal ways to subdue Blake before the Sunday shooting that touched off riots in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
The Wisconsin Department of Justice ’ s Division of Criminal Investigation said in a news release Friday that officers were summoned to the residence where the incident took place “ after a female caller reported that her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises.
” After a failed , initial attempt to arrest Blake , “ Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blake , ” the release said .
“ When that attempt failed , Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser , however that taser was also not successful in stopping Mr. Blake , ” it said .
The DCI release then noted the conclusion to the incident , which has been viewed on video by millions .
TRENDING : Herschel Walker 's Son : If Kindergartners Can Obey Teachers , Grown Men Can Obey Police Officers “ Mr .
Blake walked around his vehicle , opened the driver ’ s side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding onto Mr. Blake ’ s shirt , Officer Rusten Sheskey fired his service weapon 7 times .
Officer Sheskey fired the weapon into Mr. Blake ’ s back .
No other officer fired their weapon , ” the release said , noting that Kenosha police do not have bodycams .
The DCI release also shed light on whether Blake was armed .
“ During the investigation following the initial incident , Mr. Blake admitted that he had a knife in his possession .
DCI agents recovered a knife from the driver ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vehicle , ” the release said .
Raysean White , who made the cellphone video that was the world ’ s first glimpse of the shooting , has said he heard police yell , “ Drop the knife !
Drop the knife !
” prior to the shots being fired , according to The Associated Press .
In the aftermath of shots being fired , police “ immediately provided medical aid to Mr. Blake .
Flight for Life transported Mr. Blake to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee , ” the DCI release said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kenosha police for seven years , while Arena joined the department February 2019 after having served with the U.S. Capitol Police Department .
Kenosha Officer Brittany Meronek , who joined the force in January , was also on the scene , the release said .
RELATED : UFC Star Challenges LeBron James and Other Athletes To Quit Their 'Soft Privileged Lives , ' Become Police Officers On Friday , Kenosha Police Association attorney Brendan P. Matthews and the union released a statement about the incident , according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha has produced a variety of feelings and narratives ; most of which are wholly inaccurate , ” the statement said .
“ The purely fictional depiction of events coming from those without direct knowledge of what actually occurred is incredibly harmful and provides no benefit to anyone whatsoever , other than to perpetuate a misleading narrative , ” it said .
“ The lawyers for Mr. Blake , among others , have continued to provide false and misleading ‘ facts ’ to the public , in what can only be considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said the officers knew of Blake ’ s warrant on a felony sexual assault charge when they arrived on the scene .
It said Blake was armed with the knife mentioned in the DCI release .
The statement said that police saw the knife while they were on the passenger side of the vehicle and that the knife was visible in the video White took of the incident .
Blake ’ s family has said Blake did not have a weapon on him at the time of the incident .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The state agency investigating the shooting of Jacob Blake has revealed that police officers tried nonlethal ways to subdue Blake before the Sunday shooting that touched off riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation said in a news release Friday that officers were summoned to the residence where the incident took place “after a female caller reported that her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises.”
After a failed, initial attempt to arrest Blake, “Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey deployed a taser to attempt to stop Mr. Blake,” the release said.
“When that attempt failed, Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser, however that taser was also not successful in stopping Mr. Blake,” it said.
The DCI release then noted the conclusion to the incident, which has been viewed on video by millions.
“Mr. Blake walked around his vehicle, opened the driver’s side door, and leaned forward. While holding onto Mr. Blake’s shirt, Officer Rusten Sheskey fired his service weapon 7 times. Officer Sheskey fired the weapon into Mr. Blake’s back. No other officer fired their weapon,” the release said, noting that Kenosha police do not have bodycams.
The DCI release also shed light on whether Blake was armed.
“During the investigation following the initial incident, Mr. Blake admitted that he had a knife in his possession. DCI agents recovered a knife from the driver’s side floorboard of Mr. Blake’s vehicle,” the release said.
Wisconsin DOJ Release by The Western Journal
Raysean White, who made the cellphone video that was the world’s first glimpse of the shooting, has said he heard police yell, “Drop the knife! Drop the knife!” prior to the shots being fired, according to The Associated Press.
In the aftermath of shots being fired, police “immediately provided medical aid to Mr. Blake. Flight for Life transported Mr. Blake to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee,” the DCI release said.
It said Sheskey has been with the Kenosha police for seven years, while Arena joined the department February 2019 after having served with the U.S. Capitol Police Department. Kenosha Officer Brittany Meronek, who joined the force in January, was also on the scene, the release said.
Do you think the officer was justified in shooting Blake? 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: 93% (1815 Votes) No: 7% (134 Votes)
On Friday, Kenosha Police Association attorney Brendan P. Matthews and the union released a statement about the incident, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“The recent officer-involved shooting in Kenosha has produced a variety of feelings and narratives; most of which are wholly inaccurate,” the statement said.
“The purely fictional depiction of events coming from those without direct knowledge of what actually occurred is incredibly harmful and provides no benefit to anyone whatsoever, other than to perpetuate a misleading narrative,” it said.
“The lawyers for Mr. Blake, among others, have continued to provide false and misleading ‘facts’ to the public, in what can only be considered a ploy for attention and sympathy.”
The statement said the officers knew of Blake’s warrant on a felony sexual assault charge when they arrived on the scene.
It said Blake was armed with the knife mentioned in the DCI release.
The statement said that police saw the knife while they were on the passenger side of the vehicle and that the knife was visible in the video White took of the incident.
Blake’s family has said Blake did not have a weapon on him at the time of the incident.
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.