westernjournal--2020-01-21--Trump Announces He Will Soon Expand the List of Countries Covered by Travel Ban

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that his administration is preparing to expand its travel ban , a move that will likely showcase his immigration enforcement agenda ahead of the 2020 election .
Trump — during an interview with The Wall Street Journal in Davos , Switzerland , on Tuesday — confirmed that he plans to update the current version of the travel ban , but he did not specify which countries specifically would be added to the list .
The Washington Examiner reported Tuesday that seven countries would be added : Belarus , Eritrea , Kyrgyzstan , Myanmar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s answer confirmed mounting speculation that the administration would soon revisit the travel ban .
Since the very beginning of his presidency , Trump has battled to establish a ban on travel from countries deemed a serious security risk .
He issued his first travel ban order in January 2017 .
Following court battles and strong opposition from liberal outfits , the Supreme Court in June 2018 upheld the third version of the ban .
“ The Supreme Court has upheld the clear authority of the president to defend the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said after the ruling , affirming his commitment to national security .
“ In this era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements bent on harming innocent civilians , we must properly vet those coming into our country , ” he said .
“ This ruling is also a moment of profound vindication following months of hysterical commentary from the media and Democratic politicians who refuse to do what it takes to secure our border and our country .
… “ As long as I am president , I will defend the sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , and fight for an immigration system that serves the national interests of the United States and its citizens.
” Currently , the ban restricts travel from seven countries : Syria , Iran , Libya , Yemen , Somalia , North Korea , and Venezuela .
Chad was previously on the list , but it was removed after meeting basic security requirements .
Critics of the ban largely refer to it as a “ Muslim ban ” despite the fact that non-Muslim countries are included on the list .
The ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed unsafe .
Nearly 40,000 visa applications were denied in 2018 directly because of the travel ban , the State Department confirmed last year .
Should the administration move forward with an expansion , new court challenges would be expected .
The administration is expected to release its updated list later this month .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that his administration is preparing to expand its travel ban, a move that will likely showcase his immigration enforcement agenda ahead of the 2020 election.
Trump — during an interview with The Wall Street Journal in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday — confirmed that he plans to update the current version of the travel ban, but he did not specify which countries specifically would be added to the list.
The Washington Examiner reported Tuesday that seven countries would be added: Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania.
The president’s answer confirmed mounting speculation that the administration would soon revisit the travel ban.
Since the very beginning of his presidency, Trump has battled to establish a ban on travel from countries deemed a serious security risk.
He issued his first travel ban order in January 2017.
Following court battles and strong opposition from liberal outfits, the Supreme Court in June 2018 upheld the third version of the ban.
“The Supreme Court has upheld the clear authority of the president to defend the national security of the United States,” Trump said after the ruling, affirming his commitment to national security.
“In this era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements bent on harming innocent civilians, we must properly vet those coming into our country,” he said. “This ruling is also a moment of profound vindication following months of hysterical commentary from the media and Democratic politicians who refuse to do what it takes to secure our border and our country. …
Do you think the list of countries covered by the travel ban should be expanded? Yes No
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“As long as I am president, I will defend the sovereignty, safety, and security of the American people, and fight for an immigration system that serves the national interests of the United States and its citizens.”
Currently, the ban restricts travel from seven countries: Syria, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, and Venezuela.
Chad was previously on the list, but it was removed after meeting basic security requirements.
Critics of the ban largely refer to it as a “Muslim ban” despite the fact that non-Muslim countries are included on the list.
The ban has succeeded at blocking visitors from areas deemed unsafe. Nearly 40,000 visa applications were denied in 2018 directly because of the travel ban, the State Department confirmed last year.
Should the administration move forward with an expansion, new court challenges would be expected.
The administration is expected to release its updated list later this month.
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--2020-01-21--Herman Cain: Impeachment Won’t Matter If Trump Is Re-Elected

Every time Nancy Pelosi opens her mouth these days , it ’ s quite the adventure to discern what she ’ s trying to say .
I still haven ’ t figured out her comments about “ time ” during one of the recent impeachment pep rallies .
But there ’ s one thing she just about always finds a way to work in , and that ’ s that President Trump is “ impeached forever.
” That ’ s all any of this has ever really been about , you know .
Democrats know the Senate is not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which means this entire exercise will have ultimately accomplished nothing and changed nothing .
There was never any chance of it going any other way .
This is all about hanging the scarlet letter “ I ” around the president ’ s neck and tainting him forever with the stain of being a president who was impeached .
That ’ s why so many Democrats are parroting this talking point .
Removed from office or not ( and of course he won ’ t be ) , they want everyone to remember that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the House did .
The only problem is : Yes we can .
And the way things are looking right now , we will .
Let ’ s grant Mrs. Pelosi that even a Senate acquittal doesn ’ t change the fact that the House impeached the president .
It prevents it from having any real effect , but sure , the action of the House remains part of the historical record .
But here ’ s what she ’ s forgetting : In November , the voters will decide whether President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision is that yes , he does , then he will enter that new term on Jan. 20 , 2021 , with a completely fresh slate .
The impeachment vote of the House that happened in 2019 will have nothing to do with the term he would then start in 2021 .
In other words , no , he will not be impeached forever .
Because a re-elected Donald Trump would get a fresh term in which there had been no impeachment .
Some Democrats have actually talked about impeaching him again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just goes to show what a completely partisan exercise this has always been and always will be .
But think about it : Why would you have to impeach him again if he ’ s “ impeached forever ” ?
Because he ’ s not .
A brand new term completely wipes out the House ’ s action from the previous term .
Not only that , but if the president is re-elected after being impeached by the House , that would represent a complete rejection of the House ’ s impeachment tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains on the historical record , but so would the verdict of the voters that it had been foolhardy and irresponsible .
Under this scenario , the “ forever ” shame of impeachment would fall on House Democrats , not on President Trump .
No one knows for sure what will happen in November , but given the current polls and the strength of the economy , I ’ d say there ’ s a much better than average chance President Trump is re-elected .
And if that happens , he will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he can begin a new term impeachment-free .
Some things may be forever , Nancy , but your impeachment stunt likely won ’ t even survive the current election cycle .
“ Impeached forever ” ?
Let ’ s see what happens when the voters weigh in on that .
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 @ @ @

Every time Nancy Pelosi opens her mouth these days, it’s quite the adventure to discern what she’s trying to say. I still haven’t figured out her comments about “time” during one of the recent impeachment pep rallies.
But there’s one thing she just about always finds a way to work in, and that’s that President Trump is “impeached forever.”
That’s all any of this has ever really been about, you know. Democrats know the Senate is not going to remove the president from office, which means this entire exercise will have ultimately accomplished nothing and changed nothing. There was never any chance of it going any other way.
This is all about hanging the scarlet letter “I” around the president’s neck and tainting him forever with the stain of being a president who was impeached. That’s why so many Democrats are parroting this talking point. Removed from office or not (and of course he won’t be), they want everyone to remember that nothing and no one can ever reverse what the House did.
The only problem is: Yes we can. And the way things are looking right now, we will.
Let’s grant Mrs. Pelosi that even a Senate acquittal doesn’t change the fact that the House impeached the president. It prevents it from having any real effect, but sure, the action of the House remains part of the historical record.
But here’s what she’s forgetting: In November, the voters will decide whether President Trump deserves a second term. If the decision is that yes, he does, then he will enter that new term on Jan. 20, 2021, with a completely fresh slate. The impeachment vote of the House that happened in 2019 will have nothing to do with the term he would then start in 2021.
In other words, no, he will not be impeached forever. Because a re-elected Donald Trump would get a fresh term in which there had been no impeachment.
Some Democrats have actually talked about impeaching him again if he wins another term. That just goes to show what a completely partisan exercise this has always been and always will be. But think about it: Why would you have to impeach him again if he’s “impeached forever”? Because he’s not. A brand new term completely wipes out the House’s action from the previous term.
Not only that, but if the president is re-elected after being impeached by the House, that would represent a complete rejection of the House’s impeachment tactics by the American people. Impeachment certainly remains on the historical record, but so would the verdict of the voters that it had been foolhardy and irresponsible. Under this scenario, the “forever” shame of impeachment would fall on House Democrats, not on President Trump.
No one knows for sure what will happen in November, but given the current polls and the strength of the economy, I’d say there’s a much better than average chance President Trump is re-elected. And if that happens, he will have actually slipped the bounds of impeachment such that he can begin a new term impeachment-free.
Some things may be forever, Nancy, but your impeachment stunt likely won’t even survive the current election cycle.
“Impeached forever”? Let’s see what happens when the voters weigh in on that.
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--2020-01-21--After Coyote Tries To Attack Age 2 Boy, Dad Grabs Animal and Strangles It to Death

Many people are familiar with the sight of coyotes , whether they live in urban , suburban or rural areas .
The dog-like critters are out and about , often scavenging around dawn and dusk .
And they ’ re getting bolder and bolder , venturing closer to humans as they learn to live among them .
That ’ s part of why , when a coyote attacks someone , it ’ s difficult to tell if it ’ s just a result of them becoming too comfortable with humans or if there ’ s an underlying disease at work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Hampshire , Police warned locals that a coyote attack had taken place .
“ *** ALERT *** , ” the department posted on its Facebook page .
“ Coyote attack in the area of Wild Pasture Road & Hemlock Road .
Keep your pets & children in your residence .
If you spot the coyote do not approach it & call the Kensington Police immediately.
” TRENDING : Teenage Cashier Suspended After Buying Cop $ 2.75 Dessert with Own Money At around 2 in the afternoon , the department updated followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks that officers believed were committed by one coyote .
The first encounter was particularly concerning , as it involved a coyote attacking a car — something most wild animals would never attempt .
That happened at around 8:40 a.m. By 9 a.m. , another report came in about a coyote that approached the home of Pat Lee , an older woman .
The woman ’ s dogs ran out , were attacked and ran back into the house — and the coyote followed them .
“ I realized this was a coyote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of my lungs to try to get him to stop and go away , ” Lee told WMUR-TV .
“ It was very , very scary , but it could ’ ve been a lot worse.
” When 62-year-old Lee tried to close the door to keep the coyote out , it bit her , too , before leaving .
Two hours later , yet another call came in about a third attack on a family out enjoying a hike — but this time , the coyote attacked a 2-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing him to the ground .
Thankfully , Dad was close by and wasn ’ t having any of it .
Ian O ’ Reilly and his wife leaped into action .
Kicking and trying to scare the coyote was having no effect , so O ’ Reilly wrestled it to the ground and strangled it .
“ In the middle of the moment you ’ re not really thinking or recording a whole lot , ” he said .
“ It ’ s really just instinct .
The fact that when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid of him , it became clear that he was not disengaging.
” RELATED : Cat Euthanized by Mistake During Routine Visit to Vet for Check-Up After a string of such brutal attacks , obviously rabies was at the forefront of everyone ’ s minds .
“ The coyote has been caught by New Hampshire Fish & Game and is being taken to get tested for rabies , ” the police department posted .
While the little boy was not harmed in the attack , O ’ Reilly was bitten on both his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lee ’ s two dogs have all received rabies shots as a precautionary measure while they wait to hear about the results on the coyote .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Many people are familiar with the sight of coyotes, whether they live in urban, suburban or rural areas. The dog-like critters are out and about, often scavenging around dawn and dusk.
And they’re getting bolder and bolder, venturing closer to humans as they learn to live among them. That’s part of why, when a coyote attacks someone, it’s difficult to tell if it’s just a result of them becoming too comfortable with humans or if there’s an underlying disease at work.
On Monday morning, the Kensington, New Hampshire, Police warned locals that a coyote attack had taken place.
“*** ALERT ***,” the department posted on its Facebook page. “Coyote attack in the area of Wild Pasture Road & Hemlock Road. Keep your pets & children in your residence. If you spot the coyote do not approach it & call the Kensington Police immediately.”
At around 2 in the afternoon, the department updated followers with more details on the string of attacks that officers believed were committed by one coyote.
The first encounter was particularly concerning, as it involved a coyote attacking a car — something most wild animals would never attempt. That happened at around 8:40 a.m.
By 9 a.m., another report came in about a coyote that approached the home of Pat Lee, an older woman. The woman’s dogs ran out, were attacked and ran back into the house — and the coyote followed them.
“I realized this was a coyote, and I just started screaming at the top of my lungs to try to get him to stop and go away,” Lee told WMUR-TV. “It was very, very scary, but it could’ve been a lot worse.”
When 62-year-old Lee tried to close the door to keep the coyote out, it bit her, too, before leaving.
Two hours later, yet another call came in about a third attack on a family out enjoying a hike — but this time, the coyote attacked a 2-year-old boy, grabbing him by the jacket and throwing him to the ground. Thankfully, Dad was close by and wasn’t having any of it.
Ian O’Reilly and his wife leaped into action. Kicking and trying to scare the coyote was having no effect, so O’Reilly wrestled it to the ground and strangled it.
“In the middle of the moment you’re not really thinking or recording a whole lot,” he said. “It’s really just instinct. The fact that when we tried to kick and push and get rid of him, it became clear that he was not disengaging.”
After a string of such brutal attacks, obviously rabies was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“The coyote has been caught by New Hampshire Fish & Game and is being taken to get tested for rabies,” the police department posted.
While the little boy was not harmed in the attack, O’Reilly was bitten on both his arm and chest. He, Lee and Lee’s two dogs have all received rabies shots as a precautionary measure while they wait to hear about the results on the coyote.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--City of San Antonio Has Spent Over $300K Just To Keep Chick-fil-A Out of Airport – Report

The city of San Antonio has spent over $ 300,000 in legal fees since the City Council voted last March to prevent Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the San Antonio International Airport .
According to KENS-TV , the city has spent at least $ 315,880 on two lawsuits and a federal investigation — and other invoices are pending .
On March 21 , City Councilman Roberto Treviño moved to approve a contract that would bring new stores and restaurants to the airport , but only if the council would approve an amendment that would exclude Chick-fil-A from the agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ThinkProgress report said the popular chicken chain had donated $ 1.8 million in 2017 to Christian organizations such as the Salvation Army that the liberal site claimed were discriminatory against LGBT individuals .
TRENDING : Teenage Cashier Suspended After Buying Cop $ 2.75 Dessert with Own Money The contract and the amendment passed on a 6-4 vote .
“ With this decision , the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion , ” the councilman said in a news release after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city full of compassion , ” he said , “ and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior .
“ Everyone has a place here , and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport .
I look forward to the announcement of a suitable replacement.
” However , other council members said the bill was religious discrimination .
Councilman Greg Brockhouse proposed on April 11 that the City Council further amend the contract in order to bring Chick-fila-A back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day the Chick-fil-A removal decision is allowed to stand hurts our reputation nationwide as a welcoming and inclusive city .
It sends a message we are anti-faith and we can not stand by without speaking the truth and standing up for our principles , ” Brockhouse said in a statement .
“ The removal of Chick-fil-A has embarrassed San Antonio , ” he said .
“ It does not reflect who we are as a community .
We have a chance to correct this mistake by reinstating Chick-fil-A and sending a message that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for faith and open for business.
” On April 18 , however , the council voted to not reconsider the contract , leaving the chicken chain out of the airport .
As a result , the Texas legislature passed the “ Save Chick-fil-A ” bill , which would protect business and people that contribute to religious organizations from unfavorable actions by the government .
“ The bill as filed ensures religious beliefs are protected from discrimination .
It ’ s about the First Amendment and freedom of speech , freedom of religion — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bryan Hughes , the author of the bill , said , according to the Dallas Morning News .
Chick-fil-A has long drawn criticism from the LGBT community for its donations to Christian ministries and charities and for CEO Dan Cathy ’ s stated support of the traditional biblical view of marriage .
However , the chain announced in November it would no longer donate to organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes .
Instead , Chick-fil-A said , it would focus its giving on “ a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of education , homelessness and hunger.
” The company also has donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center , which lists several faith organizations as hate groups .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The city of San Antonio has spent over $300,000 in legal fees since the City Council voted last March to prevent Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the San Antonio International Airport.
According to KENS-TV, the city has spent at least $315,880 on two lawsuits and a federal investigation — and other invoices are pending.
On March 21, City Councilman Roberto Treviño moved to approve a contract that would bring new stores and restaurants to the airport, but only if the council would approve an amendment that would exclude Chick-fil-A from the agreement.
Treviño’s motion came after a ThinkProgress report said the popular chicken chain had donated $1.8 million in 2017 to Christian organizations such as the Salvation Army that the liberal site claimed were discriminatory against LGBT individuals.
The contract and the amendment passed on a 6-4 vote.
“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion,” the councilman said in a news release after the vote.
“San Antonio is a city full of compassion,” he said, “and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior.
“Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport. I look forward to the announcement of a suitable replacement.”
However, other council members said the bill was religious discrimination. Councilman Greg Brockhouse proposed on April 11 that the City Council further amend the contract in order to bring Chick-fila-A back to the airport agreement.
“Every day the Chick-fil-A removal decision is allowed to stand hurts our reputation nationwide as a welcoming and inclusive city. It sends a message we are anti-faith and we cannot stand by without speaking the truth and standing up for our principles,” Brockhouse said in a statement.
“The removal of Chick-fil-A has embarrassed San Antonio,” he said. “It does not reflect who we are as a community. We have a chance to correct this mistake by reinstating Chick-fil-A and sending a message that we are open for all, open for faith and open for business.”
On April 18, however, the council voted to not reconsider the contract, leaving the chicken chain out of the airport.
As a result, the Texas legislature passed the “Save Chick-fil-A” bill, which would protect business and people that contribute to religious organizations from unfavorable actions by the government.
“The bill as filed ensures religious beliefs are protected from discrimination. It’s about the First Amendment and freedom of speech, freedom of religion — those uniquely American rights,” state Sen. Bryan Hughes, the author of the bill, said, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law July 18.
Today I signed the @ChickfilA law in Texas. And, had a great lunch. No business should be discriminated against simply because its owners donate to a church, the Salvation Army, or other religious organization. Texas protects religious liberty. pic.twitter.com/1QwSTuoWu0 — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 19, 2019
Chick-fil-A has long drawn criticism from the LGBT community for its donations to Christian ministries and charities and for CEO Dan Cathy’s stated support of the traditional biblical view of marriage.
Do you still patronize Chick-fil-A after its change in giving strategies? Yes No
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However, the chain announced in November it would no longer donate to organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Instead, Chick-fil-A said, it would focus its giving on “a smaller number of organizations working exclusively in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger.”
The company also has donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which lists several faith organizations as hate groups.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--Rogue Citizen Breaches Puerto Rico Warehouse, Finds Mountains of Supplies

If you ’ d forgotten about the utter incompetence of Puerto Rican officialdom in the face of disaster , an intrepid man with a Facebook Live stream has reminded the world of it .
Now , Puerto Ricans have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of their governor .
The scandal spans two separate disasters that overwhelmed the government in San Juan .
The first was Hurricane Maria back in 2017 , a storm which resulted in catastrophic damage to the island and a back-and-forth between Puerto Rican officials and the Trump administration .
At the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , particularly when it came to the distribution of emergency relief supplies .
The second disaster involved a series of earthquakes that have hit the island in the past several weeks , with many Puerto Ricans sleeping outside for fear their houses will collapse .
Again , residents say their government officials have let them down .
It wasn ’ t until “ El León Fiscalizador ” went live Saturday on Facebook that they knew how deeply they ’ d been let down , however .
“ El León Fiscalizador ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the nom de social media of Lorenzo Delgado Torres , according to The New York Times .
In the video , Torres is seen entering a warehouse in Ponce on the southern side of the island .
Inside the warehouse are pallets of bottled water , diapers , portable stoves , baby formula and other necessities , all undistributed and all from Hurricane Maria over 2 years ago .
“ Share what you ’ re about to see , ” Torres said in the video .
For those curious , here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook Live .
It ’ s nearly two hours long , and I ’ m pretty sure you have better things to do than sit through even a fraction of the entire thing , but a quick glance should give you an idea of what infuriated residents : The video had almost 850,000 views and nearly 34,000 shares as of Tuesday .
Torres said that the water appeared to be expired .
However , in regard to the other less-perishable supplies , there didn ’ t appear to be anyone around to distribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acevedo , former director of Puerto Rico ’ s Office of Emergency Management , said the water in the warehouse was among 80 pallets left behind after roughly 600 pallets were distributed during the run-up to Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Karen last year , as well as during a 2019 drought .
The water was there , he said , because it was expired .
Acevedo defended the Office of Emergency Management on Twitter in the wake of the video ’ s release , saying that there hadn ’ t been any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quake victims .
The Times later reported that many of the supplies were distributed on Monday .
As you may have noticed , however , Acevedo is now the former director of Puerto Rico ’ s Office of Emergency Management .
He was fired by Gov .
Wanda Vázquez within hours of the video being uploaded , with two other cabinet officials getting the ax by Sunday .
She ’ s since handed over control of the Office of Emergency Management to the National Guard .
Vázquez , according to CBS News ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into why the aid wasn ’ t distributed .
However , she ’ s backtracked and said the investigation will be helmed by the island ’ s new attorney general and will remain confidential .
Part of the problem is that Vázquez herself may end up being the next individual out of a job , as protesters in San Juan are demanding her resignation .
“ This is an act of pure evil , to hold back supplies , ” protester Orlando Rivera , 21 , told The Times on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying in front of you and not helping them.
” “ We are outraged , ” Freyla Rivas , 70 , of Cayey , said as she protested outside the governor ’ s mansion .
“ If there are resources , why do the people have to suffer ?
It ’ s enraging.
” According to CNN , protesters were banging pots outside the governor ’ s mansion in scenes that “ were reminiscent of what took place in Puerto Rico last summer when protesters filled the street demanding the resignation of then-Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August.
” “ I respect the constitutional right of citizens to demonstrate , ” Vázquez said on Twitter .
“ There is no need for the use of the shock force at this time.
” Vázquez had better get used to it .
On Tuesday , one of the fired officials says that the governor knew about the warehouses before the video came out .
All of which is to say this is , well , unsurprising .
The governmental infrastructure in Puerto Rico has long been broken , a fact which became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention in the wake of Hurricane Maria and the tragicomic disaster that unfolded as a series of incompetent bureaucrats couldn ’ t seem to find a way to get desperately needed supplies to anyone they were elected or appointed to serve and then loudly complained Washington wasn ’ t sending them enough supplies .
Things haven ’ t improved one bit since then .
If you don ’ t believe me , just look at that warehouse .
Two years later and members of officialdom still haven ’ t figured out a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you’d forgotten about the utter incompetence of Puerto Rican officialdom in the face of disaster, an intrepid man with a Facebook Live stream has reminded the world of it.
Now, Puerto Ricans have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of their governor.
The scandal spans two separate disasters that overwhelmed the government in San Juan.
The first was Hurricane Maria back in 2017, a storm which resulted in catastrophic damage to the island and a back-and-forth between Puerto Rican officials and the Trump administration.
At the time, many criticized Puerto Rico for its slow response, particularly when it came to the distribution of emergency relief supplies.
The second disaster involved a series of earthquakes that have hit the island in the past several weeks, with many Puerto Ricans sleeping outside for fear their houses will collapse.
Again, residents say their government officials have let them down.
It wasn’t until “El León Fiscalizador” went live Saturday on Facebook that they knew how deeply they’d been let down, however.
“El León Fiscalizador” — “the lion of accountability” — is the nom de social media of Lorenzo Delgado Torres, according to The New York Times.
Do you think the governor of Puerto Rico should resign? 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% (1308 Votes) No: 1% (11 Votes)
In the video, Torres is seen entering a warehouse in Ponce on the southern side of the island. Inside the warehouse are pallets of bottled water, diapers, portable stoves, baby formula and other necessities, all undistributed and all from Hurricane Maria over 2 years ago.
“Share what you’re about to see,” Torres said in the video.
Plenty of people did.
For those curious, here’s the unabridged stream originally posted on Facebook Live.
It’s nearly two hours long, and I’m pretty sure you have better things to do than sit through even a fraction of the entire thing, but a quick glance should give you an idea of what infuriated residents:
The video had almost 850,000 views and nearly 34,000 shares as of Tuesday.
Torres said that the water appeared to be expired. However, in regard to the other less-perishable supplies, there didn’t appear to be anyone around to distribute them.
According to CNN, Carlos Acevedo, former director of Puerto Rico’s Office of Emergency Management, said the water in the warehouse was among 80 pallets left behind after roughly 600 pallets were distributed during the run-up to Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Karen last year, as well as during a 2019 drought.
The water was there, he said, because it was expired.
Acevedo defended the Office of Emergency Management on Twitter in the wake of the video’s release, saying that there hadn’t been any lack of supplies to hand out to quake victims.
The Times later reported that many of the supplies were distributed on Monday.
As you may have noticed, however, Acevedo is now the former director of Puerto Rico’s Office of Emergency Management.
He was fired by Gov. Wanda Vázquez within hours of the video being uploaded, with two other cabinet officials getting the ax by Sunday.
She’s since handed over control of the Office of Emergency Management to the National Guard.
Vázquez, according to CBS News’ David Begnaud, initially ordered a speedy investigation into why the aid wasn’t distributed.
However, she’s backtracked and said the investigation will be helmed by the island’s new attorney general and will remain confidential.
Puerto Rico’s Governor, who used to be Attorney General, ordered an investigation done within 48hrs into aid that wasn’t distributed to people in need. Now, she says the findings are confidential & will be investigated by the new AG. People want to know preliminary findings now. — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) January 21, 2020
Part of the problem is that Vázquez herself may end up being the next individual out of a job, as protesters in San Juan are demanding her resignation.
Protest in front of Puerto Rico Governor’s mansion:
Under a mock FEMA tarp, protesters remember the 4,645 Puerto Ricans who died during & after Hurricane Maria.
Now they say: “The only govt job? Distribute the supplies. What did they do? They hid them & let us die” ?: @elbujosaa pic.twitter.com/odxlzMVIGd — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) January 21, 2020
“This is an act of pure evil, to hold back supplies,” protester Orlando Rivera, 21, told The Times on Monday. “It’s like watching someone dying in front of you and not helping them.”
“We are outraged,” Freyla Rivas, 70, of Cayey, said as she protested outside the governor’s mansion. “If there are resources, why do the people have to suffer? It’s enraging.”
According to CNN, protesters were banging pots outside the governor’s mansion in scenes that “were reminiscent of what took place in Puerto Rico last summer when protesters filled the street demanding the resignation of then-Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, who resigned in August.”
“I respect the constitutional right of citizens to demonstrate,” Vázquez said on Twitter. “There is no need for the use of the shock force at this time.”
Respeto el derecho constitucional de los ciudadanos a manifestarse y confío que mis hermanos puertorriqueños lo harán en orden. No hay necesidad alguna de la utilización de la fuerza de choque en este momento, por lo que he solicitado se retiren y se mantenga la seguridad regular — Wanda Vázquez Garced (@wandavazquezg) January 20, 2020
Vázquez had better get used to it. On Tuesday, one of the fired officials says that the governor knew about the warehouses before the video came out.
Puerto Rico’s former housing secretary claims Governor @wandavazquezg knew about warehouses, stocked with aid, on the island, before it was exposed publicly. The Governor fired 3 govt officials, including the house secretary, who’s now blowing the whistle.https://t.co/XrTR2qgk2l — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) January 21, 2020
All of which is to say this is, well, unsurprising.
The governmental infrastructure in Puerto Rico has long been broken, a fact which became evident to anyone who bothered to pay attention in the wake of Hurricane Maria and the tragicomic disaster that unfolded as a series of incompetent bureaucrats couldn’t seem to find a way to get desperately needed supplies to anyone they were elected or appointed to serve and then loudly complained Washington wasn’t sending them enough supplies.
Things haven’t improved one bit since then.
If you don’t believe me, just look at that warehouse.
Two years later and members of officialdom still haven’t figured out a way to distribute those relief supplies.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--VA Gov. Northam Takes Credit for ‘De-Escalation’ of Gun Rights Protest After Fears That He Created

He said Second Amendment demonstrators were bent on “ acts of violence.
” But after an estimated 22,000 gun rights advocates gathered outside Virginia ’ s Capitol on Monday without a hint of the kind of disturbances that have been associated with leftist gatherings throughout the Trump administration , Gov .
Ralph Northam had the gall to claim credit for the crowd ’ s good behavior .
And the Second Amendment supporters weren ’ t letting it go .
In a statement released Monday , Northam specifically cited the work of the Virginia state police , the Capitol Police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia safe.
” But nowhere in the statement was a word of thanks to the organizers or demonstrators who peacefully exercised their constitutional rights on Monday .
And even more glaringly , not a mention of Northam ’ s own rhetoric in the days preceding Monday ’ s demonstration that fanned fears ( and likely hopes ) in the mainstream media that the Richmond gatherings would lead to bloodshed .
In fact , on Wednesday , as Fox News reported , Northam had declared a “ state of emergency ” in advance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hysteria he would likely never have injected if the situation had involved , say , a Women ’ s March .
At a news conference , he warned darkly of “ malicious plans ” to turn a day of protesting proposed gun control laws into a day of disaster like the 2017 clashes in Charlottesville , Virginia , that led to the death of a young woman .
“ This includes out-of-state militia groups and hate groups planning to travel from across the country to disrupt our democratic process with acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fox .
“ They ’ re not coming to peacefully protest .
They ’ re coming to intimidate and cause harm.
” The demonstrators did nothing of the kind , despite the best efforts of Democrats and the mainstream media to portray the gathering as some kind of uber-Klan rally of “ white supremacists.
” RELATED : Virginia Sheriff Proclaims Proposed Gun Control Laws 'Will Not Be Enforced' And while Northam ’ s statement drew an expected number of fawning responses — clearly from liberals who ’ d been spooked by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was met with plenty of well-deserved mockery , too .
This is the governor , remember , who a year ago was on the verge of losing his job over photos from his medical school yearbook in the 1980s that showed a man wearing blackface and another in full Ku Klux Klan regalia .
That last one summed it up well .
Northam apparently believed — or wanted the country to believe — that Richmond was in imminent danger of a barbaric horde descending upon it on Monday ( maybe he expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abominably as antifa leftists do ) .
Instead , what the country witnessed on Monday was an American demonstration the Founders would have approved of , including a sheriff who declared that unconstitutional gun control laws would not be enforced in his county .
There was literally one arrest from that throng reported , according to The Washington Post — a woman who did not obey instructions to remove a bandana from her face .
And it wasn ’ t even clear if she was part of the pro-gun side or a counterprotester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberal narrative about gun rights advocates in the United States , and no doubt dashed the hopes of mainstream media reporters and editors everywhere looking for an illustration of how thuggish conservatives really are .
The reality is , the guiltiest party in inciting potential violence at the Virginia demonstration on Monday was the political party in power in the state ’ s capital , and the Democratic governor who tried to fan the flames .
Now he has the gall to claim credit ?
Mockery is what he deserves , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

He warned about “violent rhetoric.”
He declared a “state of emergency.”
He said Second Amendment demonstrators were bent on “acts of violence.”
But after an estimated 22,000 gun rights advocates gathered outside Virginia’s Capitol on Monday without a hint of the kind of disturbances that have been associated with leftist gatherings throughout the Trump administration, Gov. Ralph Northam had the gall to claim credit for the crowd’s good behavior.
And the Second Amendment supporters weren’t letting it go.
In a statement released Monday, Northam specifically cited the work of the Virginia state police, the Capitol Police and the Richmond Police Department for “keeping Virginia safe.”
We are all thankful that today passed without incident. The teams successfully de-escalated what could have been a volatile situation. I will continue to listen to the voices of Virginians, and will do everything in my power to keep our Commonwealth safe. https://t.co/xrHxhOczvv — Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 20, 2020
But nowhere in the statement was a word of thanks to the organizers or demonstrators who peacefully exercised their constitutional rights on Monday.
Do you think Democrats and the media were hoping for violence from Monday's rally? 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% (785 Votes) No: 0% (2 Votes)
And even more glaringly, not a mention of Northam’s own rhetoric in the days preceding Monday’s demonstration that fanned fears (and likely hopes) in the mainstream media that the Richmond gatherings would lead to bloodshed.
In fact, on Wednesday, as Fox News reported, Northam had declared a “state of emergency” in advance of the gathering — needlessly adding an element of hysteria he would likely never have injected if the situation had involved, say, a Women’s March.
At a news conference, he warned darkly of “malicious plans” to turn a day of protesting proposed gun control laws into a day of disaster like the 2017 clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, that led to the death of a young woman.
“This includes out-of-state militia groups and hate groups planning to travel from across the country to disrupt our democratic process with acts of violence,” Northam said, according to Fox. “They’re not coming to peacefully protest. They’re coming to intimidate and cause harm.”
The demonstrators did nothing of the kind, despite the best efforts of Democrats and the mainstream media to portray the gathering as some kind of uber-Klan rally of “white supremacists.”
And while Northam’s statement drew an expected number of fawning responses — clearly from liberals who’d been spooked by his inflammatory rhetoric in the first place — he was met with plenty of well-deserved mockery, too.
This is the governor, remember, who a year ago was on the verge of losing his job over photos from his medical school yearbook in the 1980s that showed a man wearing blackface and another in full Ku Klux Klan regalia.
Did they? Seems to me there was nothing to de-escalate from, because the whole thing was completely peaceful, despite your efforts to foment trouble. I’m embarrassed to have lived for 20 years in Virginia, although at the time we didn’t have a blackface-wearing tyrant as governor — Philly-Fan (@_PhillyFan) January 20, 2020
You didn’t de-escalate crap. Unlike your ilk, these were responsible gun-owners exercising their right to peacefully protest your attempts to infringe their 2nd Amendment rights. — Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) January 20, 2020
You tried to start something and now claim you stopped something! “Here’s your sign” pic.twitter.com/3LK42Dt9NR — KenR (@Kenr38641075) January 20, 2020
Actually, it was the participants who policed themselves, Governor KKK. — Mark Culham ? (@mdculham) January 20, 2020
Governor Northam expected there to be violence today and declared a state of emergency, but pro-gun activists showed him a lesson in how to protest peacefully—so he needs to eat his words. Even Virginia sheriffs showed up to the rally to defend 2A, pretty awesome. pic.twitter.com/UNOxqi5dTC — Janet Harvey (@JanetHarvey_) January 20, 2020
That last one summed it up well.
Northam apparently believed — or wanted the country to believe — that Richmond was in imminent danger of a barbaric horde descending upon it on Monday (maybe he expected the gun rights protesters to behave as abominably as antifa leftists do).
Instead, what the country witnessed on Monday was an American demonstration the Founders would have approved of, including a sheriff who declared that unconstitutional gun control laws would not be enforced in his county.
There was literally one arrest from that throng reported, according to The Washington Post — a woman who did not obey instructions to remove a bandana from her face.
And it wasn’t even clear if she was part of the pro-gun side or a counterprotester.
It was a scene that crushed the liberal narrative about gun rights advocates in the United States, and no doubt dashed the hopes of mainstream media reporters and editors everywhere looking for an illustration of how thuggish conservatives really are.
The reality is, the guiltiest party in inciting potential violence at the Virginia demonstration on Monday was the political party in power in the state’s capital, and the Democratic governor who tried to fan the flames.
Now he has the gall to claim credit?
Mockery is what he deserves, and mockery is what he got.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--Poll: Impeachment Continues To Backfire as Majority Oppose Removing Trump

My personal favorite Latin saying is “ alea iacta est.
” That ’ s what Julius Caesar is purported to have said when his armies crossed the Rubicon river in 49 B.C .
( The only living witness to this is Larry King , so we have to take his word for it . )
Translation : “ The die is cast.
” Caesar , who was then in the midst of fighting the Roman Civil War , had taken his armies beyond what was then the northern boundary of Italy in defiance of the Roman Senate .
At that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached the point of no return .
This is where “ crossing the Rubicon ” comes from , as well , but there ’ s no better way to wax pseudo-intellectually than to use Latin phraseology in place of an English idiom .
TRENDING : Teenage Cashier Suspended After Buying Cop $ 2.75 Dessert with Own Money Plus , it ’ s not like anyone knows where the Rubicon is , anyway .
We have a different caliber of officials than ol ’ Julius these days , which is a bit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , at least in our country , is that they ’ re elected — unlike Caesar , whose ejection from office was a bit less orderly than if it had happened at the ballot box .
The bad news is that they don ’ t quite know when to cast the die .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her House Democratic caucus , for instance , had an “ alea iacta est ” moment a few weeks ago .
They , like everyone else in the country , were no doubt aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump .
According to the RealClearPolitics average , since mid-December , a plurality of Americans have been against it or the polling average has been a tie .
This is as opposed to the high-water mark of mid-October , when 49.5 percent were for removing Trump from office compared to 44.8 percent against it .
In December , the Democrats threw the die for the first time .
RELATED : Even Dem Senator Who Vowed To Convict Trump Says House Dems Did n't Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Trump , which coincided almost precisely with the moment the polling average began turning against the Democrats .
One could say the die had been cast long before the vote had been taken ; the impeachment inquiry , like an ocean liner at full steam toward a predetermined destination , is a tricky and unwieldy thing to turn in an instant .
They were no closer to removing him , but they ’ d rolled the dice and taken their chances .
And the polling average continued to turn against them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the die again , this time in terms of their messaging in the run-up to the trial .
Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold the Senate trial that Democrats would have preferred — which is to say , messy and protracted , with privileges and protections afforded to Democrats in the Senate that Democrats would have never dreamed of extending to Republicans in the House — Pelosi decided to sit on the articles and only handed them to the Senate last Wednesday .
Even then , the Democrats made sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somber an occasion the delivery of the articles was — I mean , if you discount the signing ceremony with those nifty pens .
Now that most Senate Republicans have made it clear they don ’ t support allowing new witnesses to be called — that should have been the House ’ s job , not the Senate ’ s — Democrats are predictably livid .
“ He doesn ’ t want to hear any of the evidence and he doesn ’ t want to hear any new evidence , ” Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the U.K. Daily Mail .
“ That ’ s a cover-up , not a trial.
” This petulance , presumably , will last throughout the trial , however long it goes .
How ’ s that party line holding up ?
A newly released poll from Gallup of 1,014 U.S. adults surveyed between Jan. 2 and Jan. 15 — as much of this messaging was taking form — shows that if it ’ s having an effect , it ’ s not an observable one .
“ Forty-six percent of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to convict Trump and remove him from office , while 51 % want their senators to vote against conviction so Trump will remain as president , ” a statement from Gallup , released along with the poll on Monday , read .
“ Like his approval rating , Trump ’ s impeachment figures are also sharply divided along partisan lines .
Ninety-three percent of Republicans are opposed to convicting Trump and 84 % of Democrats favor doing so .
Independents are evenly divided , with 49 % in favor and 46 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of error was plus-or minus-4 percentage points .
These numbers are , like the larger polling average , flipped from last autumn .
In October , a Gallup poll found that 52 percent of respondents favored Trump ’ s impeachment and removal compared to 46 percent who were opposed .
So maybe the American public isn ’ t in favor of impeaching and removing the president , but perhaps this whole controversy is souring conservatives and independents on Trump ?
Again , not so much .
“ As the Senate impeachment trial of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president .
Trump ’ s approval rating has been steady in the past three polls — between 43 % and 45 % — slightly above the 39 % to 41 % ratings he received as the impeachment inquiry started in the fall , ” Gallup ’ s Monday release read .
“ Trump ’ s recent job approval ratings — though below the historical average 53 % for post-World War II presidents — are among the highest of his presidency .
His personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has averaged 40 % job approval for his entire term.
” One poll taken in isolation isn ’ t much of a big thing unless you take into account this is how things have been trending , more or less .
The RealClearPolitics average has Trump ’ s job approval at 44.2 percent , essentially the same as Gallup poll .
It also shows the same trend : His approval hit a low in October and has since rebounded .
The events of the last two months have changed little .
The die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rubicon has been crossed .
There were plenty of times the Democrats could have turned back .
But , even staring down poll numbers that should have disabused them of any desire to go the way of impeachment , they marched on unabated .
At least Caesar became the dictator of the Roman Republic for his trouble .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

My personal favorite Latin saying is “alea iacta est.”
That’s what Julius Caesar is purported to have said when his armies crossed the Rubicon river in 49 B.C. (The only living witness to this is Larry King, so we have to take his word for it.) Translation: “The die is cast.”
Caesar, who was then in the midst of fighting the Roman Civil War, had taken his armies beyond what was then the northern boundary of Italy in defiance of the Roman Senate.
At that point, he knew he’d reached the point of no return.
This is where “crossing the Rubicon” comes from, as well, but there’s no better way to wax pseudo-intellectually than to use Latin phraseology in place of an English idiom.
Plus, it’s not like anyone knows where the Rubicon is, anyway.
We have a different caliber of officials than ol’ Julius these days, which is a bit of a good news/bad news situation.
The good news, at least in our country, is that they’re elected — unlike Caesar, whose ejection from office was a bit less orderly than if it had happened at the ballot box.
The bad news is that they don’t quite know when to cast the die.
Do you think President Tump should be convicted and removed from office? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (132 Votes) No: 99% (11858 Votes)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her House Democratic caucus, for instance, had an “alea iacta est” moment a few weeks ago.
They, like everyone else in the country, were no doubt aware of how polling was trending when it came to the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump.
According to the RealClearPolitics average, since mid-December, a plurality of Americans have been against it or the polling average has been a tie.
This is as opposed to the high-water mark of mid-October, when 49.5 percent were for removing Trump from office compared to 44.8 percent against it.
In December, the Democrats threw the die for the first time.
This involved the impeachment vote against Trump, which coincided almost precisely with the moment the polling average began turning against the Democrats.
One could say the die had been cast long before the vote had been taken; the impeachment inquiry, like an ocean liner at full steam toward a predetermined destination, is a tricky and unwieldy thing to turn in an instant.
They were no closer to removing him, but they’d rolled the dice and taken their chances. And the polling average continued to turn against them.
Since then, they’ve cast the die again, this time in terms of their messaging in the run-up to the trial.
Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold the Senate trial that Democrats would have preferred — which is to say, messy and protracted, with privileges and protections afforded to Democrats in the Senate that Democrats would have never dreamed of extending to Republicans in the House — Pelosi decided to sit on the articles and only handed them to the Senate last Wednesday.
Even then, the Democrats made sure to let America know how solemn and somber an occasion the delivery of the articles was — I mean, if you discount the signing ceremony with those nifty pens.
Now that most Senate Republicans have made it clear they don’t support allowing new witnesses to be called — that should have been the House’s job, not the Senate’s — Democrats are predictably livid.
“He doesn’t want to hear any of the evidence and he doesn’t want to hear any new evidence,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said of McConnell, according to the U.K. Daily Mail. “That’s a cover-up, not a trial.”
This petulance, presumably, will last throughout the trial, however long it goes.
How’s that party line holding up? A newly released poll from Gallup of 1,014 U.S. adults surveyed between Jan. 2 and Jan. 15 — as much of this messaging was taking form — shows that if it’s having an effect, it’s not an observable one.
“Forty-six percent of Americans say they would like their senators to vote to convict Trump and remove him from office, while 51% want their senators to vote against conviction so Trump will remain as president,” a statement from Gallup, released along with the poll on Monday, read.
“Like his approval rating, Trump’s impeachment figures are also sharply divided along partisan lines. Ninety-three percent of Republicans are opposed to convicting Trump and 84% of Democrats favor doing so. Independents are evenly divided, with 49% in favor and 46% opposed.”
The poll’s margin of error was plus-or minus-4 percentage points.
These numbers are, like the larger polling average, flipped from last autumn.
In October, a Gallup poll found that 52 percent of respondents favored Trump’s impeachment and removal compared to 46 percent who were opposed.
So maybe the American public isn’t in favor of impeaching and removing the president, but perhaps this whole controversy is souring conservatives and independents on Trump?
Again, not so much.
“As the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins, 44% of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president. Trump’s approval rating has been steady in the past three polls — between 43% and 45% — slightly above the 39% to 41% ratings he received as the impeachment inquiry started in the fall,” Gallup’s Monday release read.
“Trump’s recent job approval ratings — though below the historical average 53% for post-World War II presidents — are among the highest of his presidency. His personal best is 46%, while he has averaged 40% job approval for his entire term.”
One poll taken in isolation isn’t much of a big thing unless you take into account this is how things have been trending, more or less.
The RealClearPolitics average has Trump’s job approval at 44.2 percent, essentially the same as Gallup poll.
It also shows the same trend: His approval hit a low in October and has since rebounded.
The events of the last two months have changed little.
The die has been cast multiple times and the Rubicon has been crossed.
There were plenty of times the Democrats could have turned back. But, even staring down poll numbers that should have disabused them of any desire to go the way of impeachment, they marched on unabated.
At least Caesar became the dictator of the Roman Republic for his trouble.
Nancy Pelosi can’t even get a decent poll.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--UFC Superstar Conor McGregor Lavishes Praise on President Trump: ‘Phenomenal President’

Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Conor McGregor on Monday saluted another battler who has overcome the odds .
His tweet then inserted the image of a goat , shorthand for “ Greatest of All Time.
” “ Most certainly one of them anyway , as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him .
No easy [ feat ] .
Early stages of term also .
Incredible .
Congrats and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day America , ” McGregor said .
TRENDING : Teenage Cashier Suspended After Buying Cop $ 2.75 Dessert with Own Money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tweet celebrating low black unemployment as the practical realization of the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. ’ s work to bring equality of opportunity to all Americans .
“ It was exactly three years ago today , January 20 , 2017 , that I was sworn into office .
So appropriate that today is also MLK jr DAY .
African-American Unemployment is the LOWEST in the history of our Country , by far .
Also , best Poverty , Youth , and Employment numbers , ever .
Great !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made his return to the UFC after a break of more than three years and defeated Donald “ Cowboy ” Cerrone in only 40 seconds at UFC 246 .
The president saluted McGregor on his victory .
RELATED : Trump Pokes Fun at Himself During LSU White House Ceremony , Left Loses It In a 2017 interview with GQ , McGregor spoke out about the anti-Trump protests that marked the president ’ s election in 2016 .
“ I feel you ’ re in charge of your own situation .
When you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I see all these people screaming at these politicians , and I was like , ‘ It ’ s the wrong mindset ! '
” he said .
McGregor said then that critics should do what they want instead of attacking others .
“ People like to blame others , ” he said .
“ I think a person should just look at their own situation , look around them , find out what they wish to do , and seek and go and do that .
And that ’ s it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at him , and I don ’ t know .
Rather than putting your energy into pointing the finger at somebody else , figure out what it is you need to do and do it , and do it right , and get it done , and get your situation right.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Conor McGregor on Monday saluted another battler who has overcome the odds.
“Phenomenal President,” McGregor tweeted in praise of President Donald Trump.
His tweet then inserted the image of a goat, shorthand for “Greatest of All Time.”
“Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him. No easy [feat]. Early stages of term also. Incredible. Congrats and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day America,” McGregor said.
Phenomenal President. Quite possibly the USA ?. Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him. No easy feet.
Early stages of term also.
Incredible.
Congrats and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day America ??❤?? — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 21, 2020
The Irish superstar was responding to Trump’s tweet celebrating low black unemployment as the practical realization of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work to bring equality of opportunity to all Americans.
Do you agree with Conor McGregor? 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% (614 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
“It was exactly three years ago today, January 20, 2017, that I was sworn into office. So appropriate that today is also MLK jr DAY. African-American Unemployment is the LOWEST in the history of our Country, by far. Also, best Poverty, Youth, and Employment numbers, ever. Great!” Trump tweeted.
On Saturday, McGregor made his return to the UFC after a break of more than three years and defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in only 40 seconds at UFC 246.
The president saluted McGregor on his victory.
“Congratulations on your big @UFC WIN!” Trump tweeted.
McGregor’s support of Trump made Twitter take notice.
Wow literally the first athlete/celebrity that had the guts to praise trump ! Thank you ? — david (@daveyyyyyyyyyyy) January 21, 2020
Mcgregor just KO’d the libs — Colby Covington Fan Club (@vibfun239) January 21, 2020
Donald Trump will KO Impeachment!
???? — Smussie Gillette (@SmussieGillette) January 21, 2020
Real recognize real! This made my day and a big congrats on your win last weekend Conor. — Mason (@BelbotMason) January 21, 2020
In a 2017 interview with GQ, McGregor spoke out about the anti-Trump protests that marked the president’s election in 2016.
“I feel you’re in charge of your own situation. When you start blaming others for your situation, like I see all these people screaming at these politicians, and I was like, ‘It’s the wrong mindset!'” he said.
McGregor said then that critics should do what they want instead of attacking others.
“People like to blame others,” he said. “I think a person should just look at their own situation, look around them, find out what they wish to do, and seek and go and do that. And that’s it. …
“Everybody’s just pointing at him, and I don’t know. Rather than putting your energy into pointing the finger at somebody else, figure out what it is you need to do and do it, and do it right, and get it done, and get your situation right.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--Hillary Clinton Fires ‘Brutally Honest’ Shot at Bernie Sanders: ‘Nobody Likes Him’

As part of a new documentary that will premier in March , former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton lashes out at Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , who pushed Clinton ’ s campaign to the limit in 2016 .
The four-hour documentary series , titled , “ Hillary , ” will be released March 6 on Hulu , three days after the vital Super Tuesday primaries .
Clinton recently sat down to talk about the documentary with The Hollywood Reporter .
During the interview , writer Lacey Rose asked Clinton about a specific comment she made in the documentary concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Democratic presidential nomination .
“ In the doc , you ’ re brutally honest on Sanders : ‘ He was in Congress for years .
He had one senator support him .
Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done .
He was a career politician .
It ’ s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it.
’ That assessment still hold ?
” Rose asked .
Rose then asked whether she would endorse and campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden in most national polls , if Sanders captured the Democratic nomination .
Sanders , who lost the nomination to Clinton in 2016 , did later support her campaign .
Clinton hedged her response , saying , “ We ’ re still in a very vigorous primary season.
” She then teed off on Sanders by saying her problems are wider than with just the candidate .
“ It ’ s not only him , it ’ s the culture around him .
It ’ s his leadership team .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors , particularly the women , ” Clinton said .
“ And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture — not only permitted , [ he ] seems to really be very much supporting it.
” “ I don ’ t think we want to go down that road again where you campaign by insult and attack and maybe you try to get some distance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what your campaign and supporters are doing or you ’ re just giving them a wink and you want them to go after Kamala [ Harris ] or after Elizabeth [ Warren ] .
I think that that ’ s a pattern that people should take into account when they make their decisions , ” she added .
Rose asked Clinton about recent allegations that Sanders has told Warren a woman could not win the presidency in 2020 .
“ I think that both the press and the public have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they say and what their campaign says and does , ” Clinton replied .
“ That ’ s particularly true with what ’ s going on right now with the Bernie campaign having gone after Elizabeth with a very personal attack on her .
Then this argument about whether or not or when he did or didn ’ t say that a woman couldn ’ t be elected , it ’ s part of a pattern.
” Clinton still bristled over criticism Sanders leveled against her in 2016 .
“ If it were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ OK , fine.
’ But he said I was unqualified , ” the former secretary of state said .
“ I had a lot more experience than he did , and got a lot more done than he had , but that was his attack on me .
I just think people need to pay attention because we want , hopefully , to elect a president who ’ s going to try to bring us together , and not either turn a blind eye , or actually reward the kind of insulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ ve seen from this current administration , ” she said , referring to President Donald trump , who defeated her in the 2016 general election .
Rose also asked Clinton about the media coverage of the 2020 Democratic presidential contest .
“ [ I ] n the very beginning there was reason for hope , but as the campaign has gone on , it does seem to me that people are reverting back to stereotypes , and many of those are highly genderized .
And it ’ s a shame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As part of a new documentary that will premier in March, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton lashes out at Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who pushed Clinton’s campaign to the limit in 2016.
The four-hour documentary series, titled, “Hillary,” will be released March 6 on Hulu, three days after the vital Super Tuesday primaries.
Clinton recently sat down to talk about the documentary with The Hollywood Reporter.
During the interview, writer Lacey Rose asked Clinton about a specific comment she made in the documentary concerning Sanders, who is once again running for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“In the doc, you’re brutally honest on Sanders: ‘He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician. It’s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it.’ That assessment still hold?” Rose asked.
“Yes, it does,” Clinton replied.
Rose then asked whether she would endorse and campaign for Sanders, currently trailing front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden in most national polls, if Sanders captured the Democratic nomination.
Sanders, who lost the nomination to Clinton in 2016, did later support her campaign.
Clinton hedged her response, saying, “We’re still in a very vigorous primary season.”
Do you think Hillary Clinton is still sore over losing the 2016 election to President Trump? Yes No
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She then teed off on Sanders by saying her problems are wider than with just the candidate.
“It’s not only him, it’s the culture around him. It’s his leadership team. It’s his prominent supporters. It’s his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women,” Clinton said.
“And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture — not only permitted, [he] seems to really be very much supporting it.”
“I don’t think we want to go down that road again where you campaign by insult and attack and maybe you try to get some distance from it, but you either don’t know what your campaign and supporters are doing or you’re just giving them a wink and you want them to go after Kamala [Harris] or after Elizabeth [Warren]. I think that that’s a pattern that people should take into account when they make their decisions,” she added.
Rose asked Clinton about recent allegations that Sanders has told Warren a woman could not win the presidency in 2020.
“I think that both the press and the public have to really hold everybody running accountable for what they say and what their campaign says and does,” Clinton replied.
“That’s particularly true with what’s going on right now with the Bernie campaign having gone after Elizabeth with a very personal attack on her. Then this argument about whether or not or when he did or didn’t say that a woman couldn’t be elected, it’s part of a pattern.”
Clinton still bristled over criticism Sanders leveled against her in 2016.
“If it were a one-off, you might say, ‘OK, fine.’ But he said I was unqualified,” the former secretary of state said.
“I had a lot more experience than he did, and got a lot more done than he had, but that was his attack on me. I just think people need to pay attention because we want, hopefully, to elect a president who’s going to try to bring us together, and not either turn a blind eye, or actually reward the kind of insulting, attacking, demeaning, degrading behavior that we’ve seen from this current administration,” she said, referring to President Donald trump, who defeated her in the 2016 general election.
Clinton’s remarks caused a buzz on Twitter:
No One likes Bernie Sanders. You know that’s how @HillaryClinton really feels. Sure millions of Americans love him & have donated over 5 million times but no one loves Bernie because we’re nobodies to her. Hillary Clinton only counts you as a person if you’re a millionaire. — Kevin Martin (@xufn) January 21, 2020
It is year five of the 2016 election. Hillary Clinton in a new interview stands by her assessment that “no one” in DC likes Bernie Sanders. Asked if she would endorse and campaign for him if he’s the nominee, she says “I’m not going to go there yet.” https://t.co/s9htNNKs7b — Matt Berman (@Mr_Berman) January 21, 2020
Hillary Clinton plays her role: Failed prez contender trashes Bernie Sanders, says ‘nobody likes him’ or ‘wants to work with him’ https://t.co/FtXD77DCT8 pic.twitter.com/d6aUnMXSDT — Jon Dougherty (@JonDougherty10) January 21, 2020
Rose also asked Clinton about the media coverage of the 2020 Democratic presidential contest.
“[I]n the very beginning there was reason for hope, but as the campaign has gone on, it does seem to me that people are reverting back to stereotypes, and many of those are highly genderized. And it’s a shame,” Clinton said.
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--Hundreds of US-Bound Migrants Storm Border, Rush into Mexico

In a chaotic scramble , Honduran migrants seeking to enter the U.S. illegally tried to cross into Mexico on Monday .
Mexican authorities used tear gas and troops in an effort to contain migrants who waded across the river separating Mexico and Guatemala in an effort to reach America ’ s southern border .
The day began with a caravan estimated to hold more than 4,000 migrants massed on a bridge spanning the river , to be met by Mexican officials who , as promised to President Donald Trump , would not allow them entry .
Shortly after noon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to wade across the knee-deep Suchiate River that separates the two countries .
As the migrants crossed , Mexican National Guard troops were there to meet them .
Many migrants successfully found their way around the troops , while others were blocked from entering Mexico by the guardsmen , some of whom were hit by rocks thrown by the migrants .
It was unclear at the end of the day how many migrants had successfully made it past the troops and into Mexico .
Many migrants remained at the edge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to The Associated Press .
Mexico ’ s National Migration Institute told the migrants that it planned to send undocumented foreigners to immigration stations and then to their home countries if they were in Mexico illegally .
RELATED : Denver Officials Refuse To Give ICE Information on Immigrants Arrested for Sexual Assault , Child Abuse , Domestic Violence Reuters reported that many migrants who had crossed into Mexico were detained in a bus and several pickup trucks parked a couple of miles from the border .
Unlike with past caravans that traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they will not allow the caravan passage .
Leaders of the caravan wrote a letter to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asking that “ all the members of the caravan receive the permission to move freely through Mexican territory .
We are committed to you and your government to maintain order and discipline in the places where we transit , ” according to The Washington Post Mexico ’ s migration agency said in reply that it was “ committed to maintaining a safe , orderly and regular migration.
” “ The legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the agency said .
Many migrants said they were not turning back .
“ I never expected Mexico to react like this , ” Brayan Hernandez , 26 , who carried his 1-year-old , Daisy , said , according to NPR .
“ It makes me angry .
We didn ’ t attack them.
” “ Our goal is to go to the United States , ” Hernandez added .
“ We aren ’ t turning around here.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism @ @ @ @ @ @

In a chaotic scramble, Honduran migrants seeking to enter the U.S. illegally tried to cross into Mexico on Monday.
Mexican authorities used tear gas and troops in an effort to contain migrants who waded across the river separating Mexico and Guatemala in an effort to reach America’s southern border.
The day began with a caravan estimated to hold more than 4,000 migrants massed on a bridge spanning the river, to be met by Mexican officials who, as promised to President Donald Trump, would not allow them entry.
Shortly after noon, a group numbering in the hundreds then tried to wade across the knee-deep Suchiate River that separates the two countries.
As the migrants crossed, Mexican National Guard troops were there to meet them.
Many migrants successfully found their way around the troops, while others were blocked from entering Mexico by the guardsmen, some of whom were hit by rocks thrown by the migrants.
It was unclear at the end of the day how many migrants had successfully made it past the troops and into Mexico.
Many migrants remained at the edge of the river and some returned to Guatemala, according to The Associated Press.
#BREAKING Migrants from new caravan cross Suchiate river and have reached Mexico. pic.twitter.com/CKCdFqsATP — teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 20, 2020
Find it weird how headlines read “Migrants clash with Mexican forces” in order to make Mexico look bad but in these videos the Mexican “National Guard” and a family are being attacked and they are literally shielding them from ppl of the Migrant Caravan throwing bottles at them pic.twitter.com/7Zxto1Aldw — sit (@SitButAlsoStand) January 20, 2020
Mexico’s National Migration Institute told the migrants that it planned to send undocumented foreigners to immigration stations and then to their home countries if they were in Mexico illegally.
Reuters reported that many migrants who had crossed into Mexico were detained in a bus and several pickup trucks parked a couple of miles from the border.
Unlike with past caravans that traveled through Mexico, Mexican officials have said that they will not allow the caravan passage.
Should the US do more to secure the southern border? Yes No
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Leaders of the caravan wrote a letter to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asking that “all the members of the caravan receive the permission to move freely through Mexican territory. We are committed to you and your government to maintain order and discipline in the places where we transit,” according to The Washington Post
Mexico’s migration agency said in reply that it was “committed to maintaining a safe, orderly and regular migration.”
“The legal provisions do not allow for transitory migration,” the agency said.
Many migrants said they were not turning back.
“I never expected Mexico to react like this,” Brayan Hernandez, 26, who carried his 1-year-old, Daisy, said, according to NPR. “It makes me angry. We didn’t attack them.”
“Our goal is to go to the United States,” Hernandez added. “We aren’t turning around here.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-21--WHO Announces Emergency Meeting as Human-to-Human Transmission of Deadly Coronavirus Confirmed in Ch

WHO Announces Emergency Meeting as Human-to-Human Transmission of Deadly Coronavirus Confirmed in China

Late last week , officials were urging awareness but downplaying potential panic over a new virus coming out of China .
On Monday , the World Health Organization announced an emergency meeting would be held Wednesday over what is being called the “ novel coronavirus , ” or 2019-nCoV for short .
The WHO will meet “ to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern , and what recommendations should be made to manage it , ” the organization tweeted .
The heightened urgency is due to the fact that new reports coming out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed at least four people and sickened more than 200 , can be passed from person to person .
On Friday , when the Centers for Disease Control announced screenings at three U.S. airports to stop the virus from entering the U.S. , it had killed two people and sickened more than 40 .
It wasn ’ t clear then if the virus could spread from humans to other humans .
The initial virus was spread by people who visited a now-closed seafood and wildlife market in Wuhan , China .
And health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China did not become infected themselves , the CDC noted at the time .
“ Now we can say it is certain that it is a human-to-human transmission phenomenon , ” Dr. Zhong Nanshan , a Chinese scientist leading the government ’ s response to the outbreak , said Monday on Chinese state-run TV , according to The New York Times .
One expert said a pro-active response in necessary .
“ There are now sufficient cases that it ’ s not going to die out by chance , ” Neil Ferguson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London , told The Times .
“ The real question now is , how efficiently can this virus spread from person to person ?
” Zhong said that in the first confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission , two people in Guangdong Province in southern China were infected by family members who had traveled to Wuhan .
RELATED : First Case of Deadly Coronavirus Confirmed in US Contrary to initial reports that no medical workers were infected , one patient appeared to have infected 14 health care workers , he said .
Zhong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus in 2003 , said the disease was “ climbing ” and that the “ death rate at the moment is not so representative , ” according to CNN .
In 2002 and 2003 , SARS infected more than 8,000 people worldwide and killed 774 .
On Friday , the CDC said travelers from Wuhan , China , would be screened at the three airports where the highest number of travelers from Wuhan arrive from — San Francisco International Airport , Los Angeles International Airport and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Airport .
The CDC ’ s website says “ the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is deemed to be low at this time .
Nevertheless , CDC is taking proactive preparedness precautions.
” Chinese President Xi Jinping said his government is making its response to the virus a priority , according to NBC News , which cited Chinese state-run TV .
“ The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan and other places must be taken seriously , ” Xi said .
“ Party committees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should put people ’ s lives and health first.
” The virus has made its way to Thailand , Japan and South Korea , all through travel from China .
Some accounts question the official figures .
“ There are numerous unconfirmed posts and stories online claiming Wuhan hospitals are overflowing with victims or showing staff in full protective gear .
Those may just be rumors , but the government numbers are definitely suspicious , especially the sudden jump over the weekend , ” Foreign Policy wrote , adding , “ Foreign doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 1,700 cases , using models of other outbreaks.
” The virus outbreak comes just before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday , a time when millions of Chinese travel to be with their families , increasing the potential for the disease to spread , according to the BBC .
“ I believe Chinese tourists will bring the virus to many other countries in Asia in the coming days , due to their overseas travels during the Lunar New Year holiday , ” Professor David Hui Shu-cheong , a respiratory expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told CNN .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Late last week, officials were urging awareness but downplaying potential panic over a new virus coming out of China.
What a difference a few days makes.
On Monday, the World Health Organization announced an emergency meeting would be held Wednesday over what is being called the “novel coronavirus,” or 2019-nCoV for short.
The WHO will meet “to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage it,” the organization tweeted.
The Emergency Committee on the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage it pic.twitter.com/dFpOkM0CSN — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 20, 2020
The heightened urgency is due to the fact that new reports coming out of China indicate the virus, which has killed at least four people and sickened more than 200, can be passed from person to person.
On Friday, when the Centers for Disease Control announced screenings at three U.S. airports to stop the virus from entering the U.S., it had killed two people and sickened more than 40.
It wasn’t clear then if the virus could spread from humans to other humans. The initial virus was spread by people who visited a now-closed seafood and wildlife market in Wuhan, China.
Should travel to the U.S. from China be halted because of this virus? Yes No
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And health care workers who treated infected individuals in China did not become infected themselves, the CDC noted at the time.
“Now we can say it is certain that it is a human-to-human transmission phenomenon,” Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a Chinese scientist leading the government’s response to the outbreak, said Monday on Chinese state-run TV, according to The New York Times.
One expert said a pro-active response in necessary.
“There are now sufficient cases that it’s not going to die out by chance,” Neil Ferguson, a public health expert at Imperial College in London, told The Times. “The real question now is, how efficiently can this virus spread from person to person?”
Zhong said that in the first confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission, two people in Guangdong Province in southern China were infected by family members who had traveled to Wuhan.
Contrary to initial reports that no medical workers were infected, one patient appeared to have infected 14 health care workers, he said.
Zhong, one of the scientists who helped identify the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus in 2003, said the disease was “climbing” and that the “death rate at the moment is not so representative,” according to CNN. In 2002 and 2003, SARS infected more than 8,000 people worldwide and killed 774.
On Friday, the CDC said travelers from Wuhan, China, would be screened at the three airports where the highest number of travelers from Wuhan arrive from — San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The CDC’s website says “the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is deemed to be low at this time. Nevertheless, CDC is taking proactive preparedness precautions.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said his government is making its response to the virus a priority, according to NBC News, which cited Chinese state-run TV.
“The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan and other places must be taken seriously,” Xi said. “Party committees, governments and relevant departments at all levels should put people’s lives and health first.”
The virus has made its way to Thailand, Japan and South Korea, all through travel from China.
After much inertia, China has confirmed that previously declared pneumonia sickness is now a new form of coronavirus outbreak. Further, more cities have confirmed cases, the virus can be transmitted by humans and medical professionals have been infected. pic.twitter.com/VP91thncLO — Edwin Kwan (@edwinkwan11) January 20, 2020
Some accounts question the official figures.
“There are numerous unconfirmed posts and stories online claiming Wuhan hospitals are overflowing with victims or showing staff in full protective gear. Those may just be rumors, but the government numbers are definitely suspicious, especially the sudden jump over the weekend,” Foreign Policy wrote, adding, “Foreign doctors estimate the number may be as high as 1,700 cases, using models of other outbreaks.”
The virus outbreak comes just before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, a time when millions of Chinese travel to be with their families, increasing the potential for the disease to spread, according to the BBC.
“I believe Chinese tourists will bring the virus to many other countries in Asia in the coming days, due to their overseas travels during the Lunar New Year holiday,” Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told CNN.
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