westernjournal--2020-08-05--Dog at Rescue Center Reportedly Saves Female Volunteer from Near Abduction

Dog owners have long vouched for their pets ’ abilities to sense danger .
Many people feel safer with a dog around , as their hearing , sense of smell and awareness are often much acute than a person ’ s .
That ’ s especially true of dogs trained to protect or bred for generations to guard .
Livestock guardian dogs definitely fall into that category , and while they can be very gentle companions , they also have an instinct for sensing danger .
One of the more common breeds that fall into that category is the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised to live 24/7 with livestock and protect them from predators .
Sadly , what many prospective dog owners see is a cute , sad-looking fluff of a puppy , but they aren ’ t just big teddy bears , and many “ Pyrs ” end up in shelters once they ’ re full-grown and people no longer want to deal with the antics of an untrained dog of their size .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years But one pup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ useful even in an urban setting .
Far away from flocks and fields , a dog named Jepson at the Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in La Vergne , Tennessee , likely saved the life of his volunteer walker .
The shelter is set in an industrial area , necessitated by zoning allowances .
Many of the walkers are young adults , and lately many of them have felt unsafe in the area .
“ Nothing has really changed on the surface , but for some reason over the past year our female volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the rescue ’ s founder , Jean Harrison , told WZTV-TV .
“ It ’ s been sexual in nature and all targeted towards females.
” On Thursday at around 9:30 a.m. , a young lady was walking Jepson when a white van stopped nearby and two men jumped out .
Jepson immediately “ started going berserk , ” according to Harrison , and the two men jumped back into the van and left .
“ Had she not been walking a Great Pyrenees who decided these men definitely constituted a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them at bay , we could have been national news , ” a post by the rescue read .
“ Jepson the Pyr is a hero for sure and the employee this happened to is a trooper , but we worry and will continue to worry.
” “ The police have not been overly helpful and they tell us they will add patrols , but they are short-staffed .
I do not think this is a situation I can improve and I am very sure this is a situation where we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue is seriously looking to relocate — but thanks to COVID-19 , many of their fundraising efforts have been sidelined .
Still , they ’ re doing what they can and hope to move to a safer location for their dogs and people .
The rescue also posted an update on the four-legged hero after many people asked about him .
When Jepson first came to them , he had mange , but he is doing much better now .
“ So , a lot of people have asked for info on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted attack , ” the rescue posted on Sunday .
“ Say hello to Jepson , who kept two men with seriously bad intent at bay while on a walk with one of our employees.
” “ Jepson is a 4 year old Great Pyrenees who came in from a hoarding case .
He had mange on arrival ( see pic in comments ) , but is much improved now .
He will be ready to go home soon .
“ Jepson is a very good boy .
He is good with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is good with dogs and cats .
He is looking for a foster home ( as are his siblings ) , so if you are interested in fostering or possibly adopting Jepson , email katrina @ bigfluffydogs.com.
” If you are in or near Nashville and could use a “ spectacularly good boy ” in your life , you can contact the rescue .
After this story has circulated , Jepson will no doubt have many offers when he is ready to go to a forever family , but there are always more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dog owners have long vouched for their pets’ abilities to sense danger. Many people feel safer with a dog around, as their hearing, sense of smell and awareness are often much acute than a person’s.
That’s especially true of dogs trained to protect or bred for generations to guard. Livestock guardian dogs definitely fall into that category, and while they can be very gentle companions, they also have an instinct for sensing danger.
One of the more common breeds that fall into that category is the Great Pyrenees, a large, white dog raised to live 24/7 with livestock and protect them from predators.
Sadly, what many prospective dog owners see is a cute, sad-looking fluff of a puppy, but they aren’t just big teddy bears, and many “Pyrs” end up in shelters once they’re full-grown and people no longer want to deal with the antics of an untrained dog of their size.
But one pup recently showed how he could be very useful even in an urban setting. Far away from flocks and fields, a dog named Jepson at the Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in La Vergne, Tennessee, likely saved the life of his volunteer walker.
The shelter is set in an industrial area, necessitated by zoning allowances. Many of the walkers are young adults, and lately many of them have felt unsafe in the area.
“Nothing has really changed on the surface, but for some reason over the past year our female volunteers have been the subject of harassment,” the rescue’s founder, Jean Harrison, told WZTV-TV. “It’s been sexual in nature and all targeted towards females.”
On Thursday at around 9:30 a.m., a young lady was walking Jepson when a white van stopped nearby and two men jumped out.
Jepson immediately “started going berserk,” according to Harrison, and the two men jumped back into the van and left.
“Had she not been walking a Great Pyrenees who decided these men definitely constituted a threat and had that Great Pyrenees not kept them at bay, we could have been national news,” a post by the rescue read. “Jepson the Pyr is a hero for sure and the employee this happened to is a trooper, but we worry and will continue to worry.”
“The police have not been overly helpful and they tell us they will add patrols, but they are short-staffed. I do not think this is a situation I can improve and I am very sure this is a situation where we need to move.”
After the incident, the rescue is seriously looking to relocate — but thanks to COVID-19, many of their fundraising efforts have been sidelined. Still, they’re doing what they can and hope to move to a safer location for their dogs and people.
The rescue also posted an update on the four-legged hero after many people asked about him. When Jepson first came to them, he had mange, but he is doing much better now.
“So, a lot of people have asked for info on the dog who protected our worker from an attempted attack,” the rescue posted on Sunday. “Say hello to Jepson, who kept two men with seriously bad intent at bay while on a walk with one of our employees.”
“Jepson is a 4 year old Great Pyrenees who came in from a hoarding case. He had mange on arrival (see pic in comments), but is much improved now. He will be ready to go home soon.
“Jepson is a very good boy. He is good with people unless you are a criminal and he is good with dogs and cats. He is looking for a foster home (as are his siblings), so if you are interested in fostering or possibly adopting Jepson, email katrina@bigfluffydogs.com.”
If you are in or near Nashville and could use a “spectacularly good boy” in your life, you can contact the rescue.
After this story has circulated, Jepson will no doubt have many offers when he is ready to go to a forever family, but there are always more good pups needing equally good homes.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--The Left Cries for ‘Separation of Church and State,’ but It Has No Idea What That Means

When it comes to the U.S. Constitution and the words of the Founding Fathers , leftists possess an almost impressive capacity for selective understanding .
From the Second Amendment to the purposes and standards of impeachment , the American left can read just about anything into , or out of , the broader American founding and framework to fit its political needs .
And nowhere has this been better exemplified in recent months and years than in the dialogue surrounding religious liberty — or , more specifically , the “ separation of church and state.
” Be honest : How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in political conversation ?
Probably a lot .
From Nativity scenes and engravings of the Ten Commandments on public property to the mere mention of Judeo-Christian morality by a conservative figure , the left stands with ears perked in preparation to battle back the arm of religion — or , more accurately , Christianity — from the public square .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years It is the “ separation of church and state ” argument , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from state-run schools and Democratic opposition efforts made with regard to use of the word “ God ” on federal government property and print .
Heck .
Just last month , the left lost its collective mind over Trump campaign senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis ’ very public assertion that the separation of church and state was a myth .
“ The left is going to tell you there ’ s this separation of church and state , and that ’ s just nowhere in the Constitution , nowhere in American law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted by Asian Pacific Americans for Trump .
“ That ’ s nothing that our founding principles ever derived whatsoever.
” Now , I don ’ t necessarily find myself standing arm-in-arm in agreement with Ellis here .
From the Article VI interdiction against religious litmus tests for elected officials to First Amendment prohibitions on the establishment of a national religion to the written opinions of the Founding Fathers , it remains abundantly clear that the framers were concerned with preventing the church from exerting pressure on the state and vice versa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , the emphasis there falls heavily upon the vice versa .
In fact , the “ separation of church and state ” as we Americans know it was , from its conception , meant almost exclusively as a protection for the church and the believer against the state .
The term “ separation of church and state ” itself is derived from early American conversations regarding the rights of religious minorities under the newly established constitutional government .
In an 1802 letter to the Baptist congregation of Danbury , Connecticut , Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assure church members that they would face no governmental oppression as a result of their position in the religious minority .
RELATED : Texas City Declares Itself 'Sanctuary for the Unborn , ' Outlaws Abortion in City Limits “ I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘ make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof , ’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State , ” Jefferson wrote .
Even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned previously are predominantly protections of the church .
The establishment and “ no religious test ” clauses found within the Constitution are , rather obviously , not included as a measure intended to keep practicing believers out of government .
Quite the opposite , in fact .
As John Adams famously said , “ Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People .
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
” Instead , the two clauses are intended to ensure that religious peoples of all backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , not just those of a particular “ preferred ” religion or denomination .
Of course , this is where the left ’ s selective understanding of the American founding comes into play .
While left-wing ideologues fashion themselves modern champions of the “ separation of church and state ” when it comes to restricting the church and growing the state , the phrase all but disappears from their vocabulary when it might be employed with original intent : in efforts to prevent state-sanctioned steamrolling of the church .
Case in point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
As shutdown orders took the nation by storm in late spring and stay-at-home protocols went into effect , churches around the nation quite literally begged to retain their inalienable right to gather peacefully and worship in community .
Tyrant governors and Democratic Washington elites , however , answered with a resounding , “ No.
” They were ruthless in establishing and , on several occasions , criminally enforcing church closure , leaving many religious communities with little choice but to gather in secret or open defiance and risk the consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mention made of the supposedly exalted “ separation of church and state.
” How convenient is that ?
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When it comes to the U.S. Constitution and the words of the Founding Fathers, leftists possess an almost impressive capacity for selective understanding.
From the Second Amendment to the purposes and standards of impeachment, the American left can read just about anything into, or out of, the broader American founding and framework to fit its political needs.
And nowhere has this been better exemplified in recent months and years than in the dialogue surrounding religious liberty — or, more specifically, the “separation of church and state.”
Be honest: How many times have you heard that phrase used in political conversation? Probably a lot.
From Nativity scenes and engravings of the Ten Commandments on public property to the mere mention of Judeo-Christian morality by a conservative figure, the left stands with ears perked in preparation to battle back the arm of religion — or, more accurately, Christianity — from the public square.
It is the “separation of church and state” argument, and no other, that sees optional prayer banned from state-run schools and Democratic opposition efforts made with regard to use of the word “God” on federal government property and print.
Heck. Just last month, the left lost its collective mind over Trump campaign senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis’ very public assertion that the separation of church and state was a myth.
“The left is going to tell you there’s this separation of church and state, and that’s just nowhere in the Constitution, nowhere in American law,” Ellis said during a virtual event hosted by Asian Pacific Americans for Trump. “That’s nothing that our founding principles ever derived whatsoever.”
Now, I don’t necessarily find myself standing arm-in-arm in agreement with Ellis here.
Do you think the American left misunderstands the separation of church and state? Yes No
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From the Article VI interdiction against religious litmus tests for elected officials to First Amendment prohibitions on the establishment of a national religion to the written opinions of the Founding Fathers, it remains abundantly clear that the framers were concerned with preventing the church from exerting pressure on the state and vice versa.
Unfortunately for the modern American left, however, the emphasis there falls heavily upon the vice versa.
In fact, the “separation of church and state” as we Americans know it was, from its conception, meant almost exclusively as a protection for the church and the believer against the state.
The term “separation of church and state” itself is derived from early American conversations regarding the rights of religious minorities under the newly established constitutional government.
In an 1802 letter to the Baptist congregation of Danbury, Connecticut, Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase in an attempt to assure church members that they would face no governmental oppression as a result of their position in the religious minority.
“I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State,” Jefferson wrote.
Even the explicit constitutional separations of church and state mentioned previously are predominantly protections of the church.
The establishment and “no religious test” clauses found within the Constitution are, rather obviously, not included as a measure intended to keep practicing believers out of government.
Quite the opposite, in fact. As John Adams famously said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Instead, the two clauses are intended to ensure that religious peoples of all backgrounds and practices are able to serve in government, not just those of a particular “preferred” religion or denomination.
Of course, this is where the left’s selective understanding of the American founding comes into play.
While left-wing ideologues fashion themselves modern champions of the “separation of church and state” when it comes to restricting the church and growing the state, the phrase all but disappears from their vocabulary when it might be employed with original intent: in efforts to prevent state-sanctioned steamrolling of the church.
Case in point? The government response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As shutdown orders took the nation by storm in late spring and stay-at-home protocols went into effect, churches around the nation quite literally begged to retain their inalienable right to gather peacefully and worship in community.
Tyrant governors and Democratic Washington elites, however, answered with a resounding, “No.”
They were ruthless in establishing and, on several occasions, criminally enforcing church closure, leaving many religious communities with little choice but to gather in secret or open defiance and risk the consequences.
Yet, nowhere in the conversation was mention made of the supposedly exalted “separation of church and state.”
How convenient is that?
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Ex-Deputy Attorney General Slams ‘Rogue’ James Comey

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that she was upset when she found out the FBI had interviewed then-incoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynn on Jan. 5 , 2017 , without her authorization .
Yates told the committee she was “ irritated ” that then-FBI director James Comey hadn ’ t told her the FBI was investigating Flynn ’ s communications with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and she had learned about it only from President Barack Obama during an Oval Office meeting , Fox News reported .
Donald Trump took over as president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning the November 2016 election .
Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday asked Yates about the interview and Comey ’ s actions .
“ I was upset that Director Comey didn ’ t coordinate that with us and acted unilaterally , ” Yates said .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years The South Carolina Republican then asked if Comey went “ rogue.
” “ You could use that term , yes , ” Yates responded .
Yates appeared before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origins of Crossfire Hurricane , the code name for the FBI ’ s investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election , the Washington Times reported .
“ We ’ ve all heard it said so often by now that Russia interfered in our 2016 presidential election that repeating it once more does not shock us in the way it should , ” Yates said in her prepared testimony .
“ But what Russia did here is shocking .
Its actions constituted the gravest type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our intelligence agencies get to the bottom of what was happening , both to try to stop it and then , afterwards , to find out how it happened so that we could make sure it didn ’ t happen in the future.
” Graham and Senate Republicans were interested in hearing about the Jan. 5 meeting in President Obama ’ s Oval Office , and why Obama knew about the investigation into Flynn before Yates did .
Trump last year was exonerated by the Justice Department on the Russian collusion allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration were behind the investigation in order to undermine his presidency .
However , Yates said that neither Obama nor Vice President Joe Biden attempted to influence the FBI ’ s probe of Flynn , Politico reported .
“ During the meeting , the president , the vice president , the national security advisor did not attempt to any way direct or influence any investigation , ” Yates said .
“ The purpose of the meeting was for the president to find out whether — based on the calls between Ambassador Kislyak and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be careful about what it was sharing with Gen. Flynn , ” she said , according to Fox News .
Yates also said she couldn ’ t recall if Biden mentioned the Logan Act during the meeting , which has been alleged in handwritten notes from then-FBI agent Peter Strzok .
The 1799 Logan Act makes it a crime for private citizens to conduct unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments .
Yates further said she supported the investigation into Flynn and that the Justice Department ’ s decision to dismiss his case was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that she was upset when she found out the FBI had interviewed then-incoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynn on Jan. 5, 2017, without her authorization.
Yates told the committee she was “irritated” that then-FBI director James Comey hadn’t told her the FBI was investigating Flynn’s communications with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and she had learned about it only from President Barack Obama during an Oval Office meeting, Fox News reported.
Donald Trump took over as president on Jan. 20, 2017, after winning the November 2016 election.
Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday asked Yates about the interview and Comey’s actions.
“I was upset that Director Comey didn’t coordinate that with us and acted unilaterally,” Yates said.
The South Carolina Republican then asked if Comey went “rogue.”
“You could use that term, yes,” Yates responded.
Yates appeared before the Senate panel to answer questions about the origins of Crossfire Hurricane, the code name for the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election, the Washington Times reported.
“We’ve all heard it said so often by now that Russia interfered in our 2016 presidential election that repeating it once more does not shock us in the way it should,” Yates said in her prepared testimony.
Is the Obama administration to blame for Crossfire Hurricane? Yes No
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“But what Russia did here is shocking. Its actions constituted the gravest type of national security threat. It was essential that our intelligence agencies get to the bottom of what was happening, both to try to stop it and then, afterwards, to find out how it happened so that we could make sure it didn’t happen in the future.”
Graham and Senate Republicans were interested in hearing about the Jan. 5 meeting in President Obama’s Oval Office, and why Obama knew about the investigation into Flynn before Yates did.
Trump last year was exonerated by the Justice Department on the Russian collusion allegations. Trump has said Obama and his administration were behind the investigation in order to undermine his presidency.
However, Yates said that neither Obama nor Vice President Joe Biden attempted to influence the FBI’s probe of Flynn, Politico reported.
“During the meeting, the president, the vice president, the national security advisor did not attempt to any way direct or influence any investigation,” Yates said.
“The purpose of the meeting was for the president to find out whether — based on the calls between Ambassador Kislyak and Gen. Flynn — the transition team needed to be careful about what it was sharing with Gen. Flynn,” she said, according to Fox News.
Yates also said she couldn’t recall if Biden mentioned the Logan Act during the meeting, which has been alleged in handwritten notes from then-FBI agent Peter Strzok.
The 1799 Logan Act makes it a crime for private citizens to conduct unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments.
Yates further said she supported the investigation into Flynn and that the Justice Department’s decision to dismiss his case was “highly irregular.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Michelle Obama Reveals Medical Issue, Says Trump Is Partly To Blame

Michelle Obama revealed she is “ dealing with some form of low-grade depression ” that she says has partly been brought on by President Donald Trump ’ s actions .
The former first lady made the comment during “ The Michelle Obama Podcast ” while discussing mental health with former NPR anchor Michele Norris .
Obama said in an episode released Wednesday : “ I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression , not just because of the quarantine , but because of the racial strife , and just seeing this administration , watching the hypocrisy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , is dispiriting.
” Norris added that during the time of “ tumult and uncertainty , ” many people are feeling “ the highs and the lows.
” “ They ’ ve been real for me , and you know , I don ’ t think I ’ m unusual in that .
But I ’ d be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we ’ re seeing in terms of the protests , the continued racial unrest , that has plagued this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years “ I have to say that waking up to the news , waking up to how this administration has or has not responded , waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanized or hurt or killed or falsely accused of something — it is exhausting.
” She added , “ It has led to a weight that I haven ’ t felt in my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is working through the depression by keeping a routine , working out , getting outside and spending time with her family .
“ For me , there ’ s no magic to it , but it is , effort , right .
Because you have to recognize that you ’ re in a place , a bad place , in order to get out of it , ” she said .
Obama said she learned the technique of filling herself with “ something better ” during her time in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means turning it off .
Right , it means turning off the phone , not taking in the news , because it is negative energy , ” she said .
Obama has previously spoken out about the Black Lives Matter protests that have been sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes during an arrest .
“ Like so many of you , I ’ m pained by these recent tragedies .
And I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop , ” she wrote in a May 29 Instagram post .
“ Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with .
But if we ever hope to move past it , it can ’ t just be on people of color to deal with it.
” She added that everyone needs to work on “ self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own.
” “ It ends with justice , compassion , and empathy that manifests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Obama wrote .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Michelle Obama revealed she is “dealing with some form of low-grade depression” that she says has partly been brought on by President Donald Trump’s actions.
The former first lady made the comment during “The Michelle Obama Podcast” while discussing mental health with former NPR anchor Michele Norris.
Obama said in an episode released Wednesday: “I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression, not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting.”
Norris added that during the time of “tumult and uncertainty,” many people are feeling “the highs and the lows.”
“They’ve been real for me, and you know, I don’t think I’m unusual in that. But I’d be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we’re seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth,” Obama said.
“I have to say that waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanized or hurt or killed or falsely accused of something — it is exhausting.”
She added, “It has led to a weight that I haven’t felt in my life in a while.”
Obama said she is working through the depression by keeping a routine, working out, getting outside and spending time with her family.
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“For me, there’s no magic to it, but it is, effort, right. Because you have to recognize that you’re in a place, a bad place, in order to get out of it,” she said.
Obama said she learned the technique of filling herself with “something better” during her time in the White House.
“And sometimes, for me, that means turning it off. Right, it means turning off the phone, not taking in the news, because it is negative energy,” she said.
Obama has previously spoken out about the Black Lives Matter protests that have been sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes during an arrest.
“Like so many of you, I’m pained by these recent tragedies. And I’m exhausted by a heartbreak that never seems to stop,” she wrote in a May 29 Instagram post.
“Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it.”
She added that everyone needs to work on “self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own.”
“It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets,” Obama wrote.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Exclusive from Gen. Flynn: This Is My Letter to America

We are witnessing a vicious assault by enemies of all that is good , and our president is having to act in ways unprecedented in decades , maybe centuries .
The biblical nature of good versus evil can not be discounted as we examine what is happening on the streets of America .
It ’ s Marxism in the form of antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement versus our very capable and very underappreciated law enforcement professionals , the vast majority of whom are fighting to provide us safe and secure homes , streets and communities .
When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stake , and it is , the very future of the entire world is threatened .
As Christians , shouldn ’ t we act ?
We recognize that divine Providence is the ultimate judge of our destiny .
Achieving our destiny as a freedom-loving nation , Providence compels us to do our part in our communities .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years It encourages us in this battle against the forces of evil to face our fears head-on .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ united forces of God-fearing , freedom-loving people .
We can no longer pretend that these dark forces are going to go away by mere prayer alone .
Prayers matter , but action is required .
This action is needed at the local , state and federal levels .
Action is also required in the economic , media , clerical and ecclesiastical realms .
Decide how you can act within your abilities .
Stand up and state your beliefs .
Be proud of who you are and what you stand for .
And face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” who are willing to allow dark forces to go beyond peaceful protests and destroy and violate your safety and security .
Churches and houses of worship must return to normal .
We invite everyone of goodwill to not shirk their responsibilities and instead act in a fraternal fashion .
If for no other reason or with no other ability , act in a spirit of charity .
We can not disrespect or disregard natural law along with our own religious liberties and freedoms .
I am witnessing elderly people lose their connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives : connections to their faith , their families and their individual freedoms , especially the simple act of attending church , something they ’ ve been doing for decades .
Let us not be intimidated or fear those who cry out that we are in the minority ; we are not .
Good is always more powerful and will prevail over evil .
RELATED : Op-Ed : Pastor John MacArthur Is David and California Tyranny Is a Giant To Be Slain However , evil will succeed for a time when good people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal lives — children away from their teachers , preachers from their congregations , customers from their local businesses .
America will never give in to evil .
Americans work together to solve problems .
We do not and should not ever allow anarchy and the evil forces behind it to operate on any street in our nation .
No one should have to fear for their very life because some dark , disturbed force is challenged by the very essence of what America stands for .
We are “ one nation under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties that make us strong , not liberties given to our government .
Our government has no liberty unless and until “ we the people ” say so .
God bless America and let ’ s stand by everything that was and is good in our lives , in our communities and in our country .
Otherwise , America as the true North Star for humanity will cease to exist as we know it .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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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Read our editorial standards .

We are witnessing a vicious assault by enemies of all that is good, and our president is having to act in ways unprecedented in decades, maybe centuries.
The biblical nature of good versus evil cannot be discounted as we examine what is happening on the streets of America.
It’s Marxism in the form of antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement versus our very capable and very underappreciated law enforcement professionals, the vast majority of whom are fighting to provide us safe and secure homes, streets and communities.
When the destiny of the United States is at stake, and it is, the very future of the entire world is threatened.
As Christians, shouldn’t we act? We recognize that divine Providence is the ultimate judge of our destiny. Achieving our destiny as a freedom-loving nation, Providence compels us to do our part in our communities.
It encourages us in this battle against the forces of evil to face our fears head-on. No enemy on earth is stronger than the united forces of God-fearing, freedom-loving people.
We can no longer pretend that these dark forces are going to go away by mere prayer alone. Prayers matter, but action is required.
This action is needed at the local, state and federal levels. Action is also required in the economic, media, clerical and ecclesiastical realms.
Decide how you can act within your abilities. Stand up and state your beliefs. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for. And face, head-on, those community “leaders” who are willing to allow dark forces to go beyond peaceful protests and destroy and violate your safety and security.
Do you think Christians in America need to stand up and act? Yes No
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Churches and houses of worship must return to normal. We invite everyone of goodwill to not shirk their responsibilities and instead act in a fraternal fashion. If for no other reason or with no other ability, act in a spirit of charity.
We cannot disrespect or disregard natural law along with our own religious liberties and freedoms.
I am witnessing elderly people lose their connection to all that is good in their lives: connections to their faith, their families and their individual freedoms, especially the simple act of attending church, something they’ve been doing for decades.
Let us not be intimidated or fear those who cry out that we are in the minority; we are not.
Good is always more powerful and will prevail over evil.
However, evil will succeed for a time when good people are divided from each other and their personal lives — children away from their teachers, preachers from their congregations, customers from their local businesses.
America will never give in to evil. Americans work together to solve problems.
We do not and should not ever allow anarchy and the evil forces behind it to operate on any street in our nation.
No one should have to fear for their very life because some dark, disturbed force is challenged by the very essence of what America stands for.
We are “one nation under God” and it is our individual liberties that make us strong, not liberties given to our government. Our government has no liberty unless and until “we the people” say so.
God bless America and let’s stand by everything that was and is good in our lives, in our communities and in our country.
Otherwise, America as the true North Star for humanity will cease to exist as we know it.
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--2020-08-05--Seattle Police Chief Begs City Council To ‘Stand Up for What Is Right’ After BLM Storms Her Neighbor

Seattle Police Chief Begs City Council To ‘Stand Up for What Is Right’ After BLM Storms Her Neighborhood

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has been the rare voice of reason in a city that seems to believe maintaining the rule of law is a privileged , bourgeois concept .
She pointed out , before multiple murders occurred , that allowing a “ no cop co-op ” like CHAZ/CHOP to persist may not be the wisest idea .
She told the Seattle City Council , as officials tried to ban crowd-control measures like pepper spray , that it would mean police would either have to disengage from violent mobs or use more violent methods — i.e.
, batons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation .
She called a proposal to cut the police budget in half , particularly as crime ticks up in the Pacific Northwest city , “ rash and reckless.
” TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years Roughly 200 individuals , some carrying Black Lives Matter signs , descended Saturday evening on Best ’ s home in Snohomish County , north of Seattle — and they weren ’ t just demanding Best resign or anything anodyne .
On what the Lynnwood Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , quiet , and quaint residential community , ” demonstrators decided it was time to try to intimidate Best and the residents .
And no , that ’ s not just a conservative engaging in hyperbole , trying to cast aspersions on peaceful protesters .
Peaceful protesters don ’ t , for instance , yell profanity at Best ’ s neighbors .
Nor do they write down the license plate numbers of vehicles in the neighborhood .
Or take pictures of the homes .
Or ask kids in the neighborhood what school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses , that ’ s exactly what the Black Lives Matter demonstrators were doing .
The crowd was described by the Lynnwood Times as “ mostly white men and women in their twenties , [ who ] were dressed in black with masks and black hoods.
” I ’ d venture a guess the masks had less to do with flattening the curve and more to do with the fact they only wanted the collection of personal information to work one way .
“ They were very organized .
They had radios , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident said .
“ They had numbers they used to decal all their cars for who knows what .
So , they were identifying all their vehicles individually by number .
They came with a mission .
… They were out here intimidating us.
” There was a confrontation when protesters with duffel bags reportedly attempted to approach Chief Best ’ s residence .
When challenged by residents to show the contents of the duffel bags , they demurred .
RELATED : Trucking Company Owner : Cities That Defund Police Are in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best wasn ’ t home at the time .
If this was about intimidation , the tactics worked .
“ We think it will happen again , ” the neighbor added .
“ Their objective was not completed ; they never made it to her house , we stopped them … so we think they will be back.
” Protesters , meanwhile , claimed the neighbors , who formed a perimeter to protect Best ’ s home , were the aggressive ones .
“ All we were doing was walking and they met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know who the aggressor is at that point , but I don ’ t think it ’ s us , ” protester Nicole Gitaka told KING .
“ Nobody from us approached that situation with aggression , nobody went there like [ we ] were going to mess up the neighborhood , ” Gitaka said .
“ Our main objective , the only thing we ’ re going to do , was march down to Chief Best ’ s house , make some noise , ask some questions , and go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen.
” WARNING : The following video contains vulgar language that some viewers may find offensive : In a letter to the Seattle City Council , Best praised her neighbors and urged council members to push back against actions by protesters who target public officials ’ homes .
“ A residence of mine in Snohomish County was targeted by a large group of aggressive protestors late last night .
My neighbors were concerned by such a large group , but they were successful in ensuring the crowd was not able to trespass or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , despite repeated attempts to do so .
Currently , the local sheriff ( not SPD resources ) is monitoring the situation , ” Best wrote in the Sunday letter .
She implored the city council “ to stand up for what is right .
These direct actions against elected officials , and especially civil servants like myself , are out of line with and go against every democratic principle that guides our nation .
“ Before this devolves into the new way of doing business by mob rule here in Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials like you must forcefully call for the end of these tactics .
“ The events of this summer were initiated in a moment of grief and outrage over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and so many other Black and Brown people suffering at the hands of injustice .
All of us must ensure that this righteous cause is not lost in the confusion of so many protestors now engaging in violence and intimidation , which many are not speaking against.
” Only one council member commented publicly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not what you were hoping for .
“ I take exception to the response by our police chief who celebrated that her neighbors met with these young people with guns , ” Democratic Councilmember Tammy Morales told KING .
This is what the Seattle City Council took away from this .
No wonder Carmen Best is one of the only voices of reason still in power in Seattle .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has been the rare voice of reason in a city that seems to believe maintaining the rule of law is a privileged, bourgeois concept.
She pointed out, before multiple murders occurred, that allowing a “no cop co-op” like CHAZ/CHOP to persist may not be the wisest idea.
She told the Seattle City Council, as officials tried to ban crowd-control measures like pepper spray, that it would mean police would either have to disengage from violent mobs or use more violent methods — i.e., batons and worse — to retain control of the situation.
She called a proposal to cut the police budget in half, particularly as crime ticks up in the Pacific Northwest city, “rash and reckless.”
So naturally, protesters targeted her house.
Roughly 200 individuals, some carrying Black Lives Matter signs, descended Saturday evening on Best’s home in Snohomish County, north of Seattle — and they weren’t just demanding Best resign or anything anodyne.
On what the Lynnwood Times described as “the road of a small, quiet, and quaint residential community,” demonstrators decided it was time to try to intimidate Best and the residents.
And no, that’s not just a conservative engaging in hyperbole, trying to cast aspersions on peaceful protesters. Peaceful protesters don’t, for instance, yell profanity at Best’s neighbors.
Nor do they write down the license plate numbers of vehicles in the neighborhood. Or take pictures of the homes. Or ask kids in the neighborhood what school they go to.
According to firsthand witnesses, that’s exactly what the Black Lives Matter demonstrators were doing.
The crowd was described by the Lynnwood Times as “mostly white men and women in their twenties, [who] were dressed in black with masks and black hoods.”
I’d venture a guess the masks had less to do with flattening the curve and more to do with the fact they only wanted the collection of personal information to work one way.
“They were very organized. They had radios, talking to each other,” one resident said.
“They had numbers they used to decal all their cars for who knows what. So, they were identifying all their vehicles individually by number. They came with a mission. … They were out here intimidating us.”
There was a confrontation when protesters with duffel bags reportedly attempted to approach Chief Best’s residence. When challenged by residents to show the contents of the duffel bags, they demurred.
According to KING-TV, Best wasn’t home at the time.
If this was about intimidation, the tactics worked.
“I feel incredibly unsafe,” one neighbor said.
“We think it will happen again,” the neighbor added. “Their objective was not completed; they never made it to her house, we stopped them … so we think they will be back.”
Protesters, meanwhile, claimed the neighbors, who formed a perimeter to protect Best’s home, were the aggressive ones.
“All we were doing was walking and they met us with guns; I don’t know who the aggressor is at that point, but I don’t think it’s us,” protester Nicole Gitaka told KING.
“Nobody from us approached that situation with aggression, nobody went there like [we] were going to mess up the neighborhood,” Gitaka said.
“Our main objective, the only thing we’re going to do, was march down to Chief Best’s house, make some noise, ask some questions, and go, that’s what was going to happen.”
WARNING: The following video contains vulgar language that some viewers may find offensive:
Protestors on their way to harass the Seattle police chief @carmenbest at her home, encountered locals who were not in the mood to host protests in their neighborhood. Protestor: “We are peaceful! You pointed a gun at my face!” Resident: “That’s why you are peaceful.” pic.twitter.com/QU0FzwReNG — Mike (@Doranimated) August 4, 2020
In a letter to the Seattle City Council, Best praised her neighbors and urged council members to push back against actions by protesters who target public officials’ homes.
Should the Seattle City Council support its police chief? Yes No
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“A residence of mine in Snohomish County was targeted by a large group of aggressive protestors late last night. My neighbors were concerned by such a large group, but they were successful in ensuring the crowd was not able to trespass or engage in other illegal behavior in the area, despite repeated attempts to do so. Currently, the local sheriff (not SPD resources) is monitoring the situation,” Best wrote in the Sunday letter.
She implored the city council “to stand up for what is right. These direct actions against elected officials, and especially civil servants like myself, are out of line with and go against every democratic principle that guides our nation.
“Before this devolves into the new way of doing business by mob rule here in Seattle, and across the nation, elected officials like you must forcefully call for the end of these tactics.
“The events of this summer were initiated in a moment of grief and outrage over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and so many other Black and Brown people suffering at the hands of injustice. All of us must ensure that this righteous cause is not lost in the confusion of so many protestors now engaging in violence and intimidation, which many are not speaking against.”
Only one council member commented publicly on the letter. It’s probably not what you were hoping for.
“I take exception to the response by our police chief who celebrated that her neighbors met with these young people with guns,” Democratic Councilmember Tammy Morales told KING.
This is what the Seattle City Council took away from this. No wonder Carmen Best is one of the only voices of reason still in power in Seattle.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Trucking Company Owner: Cities That Defund Police Are in for a Big Surprise

Cities that decide to cut their police funding could be cutting their own supply lines , too .
That was the message a trucking executive carried to “ Fox & Friends First ” on Wednesday , and it ’ s something urban politicians — in the thrall of Black Lives Matter rioters and antifa anarchists — should be seriously considering unless they think citizens can start growing their own food .
Because if it ’ s not safe for truckers to carry goods — they just might not do it .
And trucking companies won ’ t be willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority is to support our drivers and their safety when they ’ re on the road , ” Mike Kucharski , co-owner of Summit , Illinois-based JKC Trucking , told the Fox program .
“ Defunding the police is a bad idea because when you ’ re on the road , you have — you ’ re for weeks and days at a time , driving 11 hours with valuable cargo , everybody wants to steal this.
” TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kucharski said , “ There ’ s no safe place .
Violence is everywhere .
So , if you ’ re going to be having valuable cargo and there ’ s going to be no police to rely on , who ’ s going to protect our drivers ?
“ The states that are going to defund the police , we ’ re not going to go to because we ’ re trying to avoid those states for safety reasons.
” Check out his interview below : It ’ s a message Kucharski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide .
“ These drivers have the right to refuse a load because they are worried about their own safety , ” Kucharski told conservative , Wisconsin-based radio host Vicki McKenna in a June 30 interview , according to a JKC Trucking news release .
“ If these drivers all refuse to go into these areas , the food supply chain collapses .
There ’ s going to be no more essential goods .
The people in these states are going to run out of food .
Then there ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say 72 hours and that ’ s it .
The party ’ s over.
” And it isn ’ t just the hot spots like Minneapolis , where the self-important city council has already voted to begin the process of dismantling the police department .
Or New York , where leftist Mayor Bill de Blasio and a leftist city council are apparently more interested in painting the words “ Black Lives Matter ” on the street than protecting actual black lives with adequate police officers .
USA Today reported Friday that police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the “ defund the police ” movement and the toll the coronavirus crisis has taken on local government budgets .
RELATED : Seattle Police Chief Begs City Council To 'Stand Up for What Is Right ' After BLM Storms Her Neighborhood Well , there isn ’ t much a local official can do about the pandemic unleashed on the world by the deception of the Chinese Communist Party , but one thing every elected official in the United States should remember is that the first function of government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its citizens .
If Democrats aren ’ t willing to do that — and Democrats are the political party we ’ re talking about — they have no business being in a position to make decisions .
Because it might mean the supplies their citizens rely on won ’ t be available for purchase ( much less looting ) .
“ What are we supposed to do when we ’ re in trouble ?
” Kucharski asked the Daily Caller in an interview published Monday .
“ I mean … somebody wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a driver ?
You know , hurts my driver ?
We ’ re not going to be able to help them , and we ’ re not going to be able to provide the backup for them to be safe.
” It ’ s an angle to the urban unrest story that ’ s gotten too little coverage in the mainstream media — probably because most politicians and mainstream journalists don ’ t think much about where the food and other goods on store shelves actually come from .
But real people driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population of a city like Minneapolis or New York needs to survive .
If those men and women have to worry about their lives , or companies have to worry about their employees and their cargo , it ’ s going to complicate things more than most liberals probably want to think about .
But there ’ s a simple way to explain it : Cutting off police might be cutting off their own supplies , too .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read @ @ @ @

Cities that decide to cut their police funding could be cutting their own supply lines, too.
That was the message a trucking executive carried to “Fox & Friends First” on Wednesday, and it’s something urban politicians — in the thrall of Black Lives Matter rioters and antifa anarchists — should be seriously considering unless they think citizens can start growing their own food.
Because if it’s not safe for truckers to carry goods — they just might not do it. And trucking companies won’t be willing to risk the business.
“Our first priority is to support our drivers and their safety when they’re on the road,” Mike Kucharski, co-owner of Summit, Illinois-based JKC Trucking, told the Fox program.
“Defunding the police is a bad idea because when you’re on the road, you have — you’re for weeks and days at a time, driving 11 hours with valuable cargo, everybody wants to steal this.”
On the road, Kucharski said, “There’s no safe place. Violence is everywhere. So, if you’re going to be having valuable cargo and there’s going to be no police to rely on, who’s going to protect our drivers?
“The states that are going to defund the police, we’re not going to go to because we’re trying to avoid those states for safety reasons.”
Check out his interview below:
It’s a message Kucharski has been trying to spread far and wide.
“These drivers have the right to refuse a load because they are worried about their own safety,” Kucharski told conservative, Wisconsin-based radio host Vicki McKenna in a June 30 interview, according to a JKC Trucking news release.
“If these drivers all refuse to go into these areas, the food supply chain collapses. There’s going to be no more essential goods. The people in these states are going to run out of food. Then there’s going to be complete chaos. I’d say 72 hours and that’s it. The party’s over.”
And it isn’t just the hot spots like Minneapolis, where the self-important city council has already voted to begin the process of dismantling the police department. Or New York, where leftist Mayor Bill de Blasio and a leftist city council are apparently more interested in painting the words “Black Lives Matter” on the street than protecting actual black lives with adequate police officers.
(On Sunday, the New York Post reported the city has seen 777 shooting incidents this year — one more than in all of 2019. The incidents resulted in 942 killed or wounded victims, the Post reported.)
USA Today reported Friday that police departments across the country are having funding slashed as a result of the “defund the police” movement and the toll the coronavirus crisis has taken on local government budgets.
Do you think liberal cities are endangering their own food supply with efforts to defund the police? Yes No
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Well, there isn’t much a local official can do about the pandemic unleashed on the world by the deception of the Chinese Communist Party, but one thing every elected official in the United States should remember is that the first function of government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
If Democrats aren’t willing to do that — and Democrats are the political party we’re talking about — they have no business being in a position to make decisions. Because it might mean the supplies their citizens rely on won’t be available for purchase (much less looting).
“What are we supposed to do when we’re in trouble?” Kucharski asked the Daily Caller in an interview published Monday.
“I mean … somebody wants to hijack the truck? Somebody beats up a driver? You know, hurts my driver? We’re not going to be able to help them, and we’re not going to be able to provide the backup for them to be safe.”
His sentiments have struck a chord:
Good for him! I only hope more trucking companies do the same. No one should have to risk his/her life delivering into cities where police are limited & handcuffed by ridiculous liberal policies. — Tara (@Tara37930880) August 5, 2020
Good, it’ll be interesting seeing the social workers meet truckers at county/state/city lines & limits when truckers refuse to service those dangerous areas. — BlondeAmericanChick ╰დ╮╭დ╯ (@PonyGirl_04) August 4, 2020
Trucker here. We talk to each other on the road. If I hear that there a protests or an area isnt safe, I’m turning around at any cost. Unfortunately, my company hauls a lot of medical supplies. Weve already seen rioters block ambulances so I’m dount they care about medical items — Jonr (@Jonr06) August 4, 2020
I can understand this reality for them.Seriously,would you want to deliver to a crime infested area.Destroy your own area,and then expect people to want to go back,come on. — William (@PoachWilliam) August 4, 2020
It’s an angle to the urban unrest story that’s gotten too little coverage in the mainstream media — probably because most politicians and mainstream journalists don’t think much about where the food and other goods on store shelves actually come from.
(It’s somewhat similar to how the Green New Deal crowd seems to think electricity comes from a wall socket.)
But real people driving real vehicles bring in just about everything the population of a city like Minneapolis or New York needs to survive.
If those men and women have to worry about their lives, or companies have to worry about their employees and their cargo, it’s going to complicate things more than most liberals probably want to think about.
But there’s a simple way to explain it: Cutting off police might be cutting off their own supplies, too.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Prosecutors: Gang Member Committed Multiple Heinous Crimes After Being Released Without Bail

A New York gang member who was released without bail in May on an attempted murder charge took part in three more shootings after he was freed , according to Brooklyn federal prosecutors .
Darrius Sutton was originally arrested for a May 16 shooting , during which federal authorities say the 23-year-old shot and seriously injured a man in the courtyard of an East New York building , the New York Daily News reported .
He faced charges of “ attempted murder , criminal possession of a weapon and assault with intent to cause injury , ” but was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the outlet .
“ At the time of arraignment the sole eyewitness had recanted so we did not have sufficient evidence to keep the defendant in custody , ” a spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorney ’ s Office said in a statement .
“ The investigation is continuing and we hope other witnesses come forward.
” TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years Less than two months after he was released , Sutton , who federal prosecutors say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subset of the Bloods , allegedly took part in at least three drive-by shootings in July , according to the New York Post .
Prosecutors said Sutton ’ s fingerprints were found on the door of one of the cars used in the crimes , the Daily News reported .
The shootings took place between July 13 and 14 , and were just three of the six shootings Sutton has participated in over the past year , prosecutors say .
Surveillance video from an April 20 altercation shows Sutton sneaking up behind a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting him three times in the back , according to prosecutors .
“ The defendant ’ s violent spree over the last year has left at least seven individuals with gunshot wounds , ” federal prosecutors wrote in a filing last week .
“ That these events did not lead to seven deaths is entirely fortuitous — the videos described above make clear that the defendant shoots to kill.
” Sutton also appeared in a music video for a rap song by Brooklyn rapper BK Eaz called “ Crime Rate ” that federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ boosting the crime rate ” in New York City .
“ The song features lyrics intended to threaten rival gangs , ” prosecutors wrote in the filing .
RELATED : Rayshard Brooks Cop Sues , Says He Was Fired Without Cause or Due Process The 23-year-old also spent two years behind bars “ after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman and breaking her teeth in 2014 , ” according to Daily News .
A federal review of his Facebook activity also showed that he was physically abusing his current girlfriend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center after he was arrested last week , the Daily News reported .
His lawyers declined to comment on the case to the Daily News .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A New York gang member who was released without bail in May on an attempted murder charge took part in three more shootings after he was freed, according to Brooklyn federal prosecutors.
Darrius Sutton was originally arrested for a May 16 shooting, during which federal authorities say the 23-year-old shot and seriously injured a man in the courtyard of an East New York building, the New York Daily News reported.
He faced charges of “attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and assault with intent to cause injury,” but was released without bail after the sole witness recanted, according to the outlet.
“At the time of arraignment the sole eyewitness had recanted so we did not have sufficient evidence to keep the defendant in custody,” a spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
“The investigation is continuing and we hope other witnesses come forward.”
Less than two months after he was released, Sutton, who federal prosecutors say is a member of the Gorilla Stone subset of the Bloods, allegedly took part in at least three drive-by shootings in July, according to the New York Post.
Prosecutors said Sutton’s fingerprints were found on the door of one of the cars used in the crimes, the Daily News reported.
The shootings took place between July 13 and 14, and were just three of the six shootings Sutton has participated in over the past year, prosecutors say.
Surveillance video from an April 20 altercation shows Sutton sneaking up behind a rival gang member during the day and shooting him three times in the back, according to prosecutors.
A Brooklyn gang member was released without bail on an attempted murder charge in May. Since then, he took part in three more shootings, feds say.https://t.co/XzCHm8pU9U — New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 5, 2020
“The defendant’s violent spree over the last year has left at least seven individuals with gunshot wounds,” federal prosecutors wrote in a filing last week.
“That these events did not lead to seven deaths is entirely fortuitous — the videos described above make clear that the defendant shoots to kill.”
Sutton also appeared in a music video for a rap song by Brooklyn rapper BK Eaz called “Crime Rate” that federal prosecutors say was about how their gang was “boosting the crime rate” in New York City.
“The song features lyrics intended to threaten rival gangs,” prosecutors wrote in the filing.
Are you surprised that this man allegedly continued to commit crimes after he was released? Yes No
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The 23-year-old also spent two years behind bars “after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman and breaking her teeth in 2014,” according to Daily News. A federal review of his Facebook activity also showed that he was physically abusing his current girlfriend, according to the filing.
Sutton was being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center after he was arrested last week, the Daily News reported.
His lawyers declined to comment on the case to the Daily News.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--WNBA Players Oppose Owner Over Anti-BLM Comments, Promote Her Dem Senate Challenger

WNBA players showed up to games wearing shirts supporting the political opponent of the Atlanta Dream ’ s co-owner , Sen. Kelly Loeffler .
The Georgia Republican sparked backlash after opposing the WNBA ’ s affiliation with Black Lives Matter , the New York Post reported .
Loeffler sent a public letter in July to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert that criticized the league ’ s support for Black Lives Matter and suggested putting American flags on each player ’ s jersey .
In response to the letter , the WNBA Players Association demanded that Loeffler be removed , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Engelbert denied .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years WNBA players then showed up to games wearing shirts that said “ Black Lives Matter ” and “ Vote Warnock ” in support of Rev .
Raphael Warnock , Loeffler ’ s Democratic challenger .
“ I am honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the @ WNBA players , ” Warnock tweeted Tuesday evening .
Loeffler responded in a statement , writing , “ This is just more proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to shut out anyone who disagrees with them.
” “ It ’ s clear that the league is more concerned with playing politics than basketball , and I stand by what I wrote in June , ” she added .
RELATED : Rising NBA Star Questions the Coronavirus Narrative , Believes There Is ' A Bigger Agenda' 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 .

WNBA players showed up to games wearing shirts supporting the political opponent of the Atlanta Dream’s co-owner, Sen. Kelly Loeffler.
The Georgia Republican sparked backlash after opposing the WNBA’s affiliation with Black Lives Matter, the New York Post reported.
Loeffler sent a public letter in July to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert that criticized the league’s support for Black Lives Matter and suggested putting American flags on each player’s jersey.
“The lives of each and every African-American matter, and there’s no debating the fact that there is no place for racism in our country,” Loeffler wrote. Do you support Sen. Loeffler? 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% (252 Votes) No: 3% (7 Votes) “However, I adamantly oppose the Black Lives Matter political movement, which has advocated for the defunding of police, called for the removal of Jesus from churches and the disruption of the nuclear family structure, harbored anti-Semitic views, and promoted violence and destruction across the country.” “I believe it is totally misaligned with the values and goals of the WNBA and the Atlanta Dream, where we support tolerance and inclusion,” she added.
In response to the letter, the WNBA Players Association demanded that Loeffler be removed, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, a demand that Engelbert denied.
WNBA players then showed up to games wearing shirts that said “Black Lives Matter” and “Vote Warnock” in support of Rev. Raphael Warnock, Loeffler’s Democratic challenger.
“I am honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the @WNBA players,” Warnock tweeted Tuesday evening.
I am honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the @WNBA players. This movement gives us the opportunity to fight for what we believe in, and I stand by all athletes promoting social justice on and off the court. #BlackLivesMatter — Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) August 4, 2020
Loeffler responded in a statement, writing, “This is just more proof that the out of control cancel culture wants to shut out anyone who disagrees with them.”
“It’s clear that the league is more concerned with playing politics than basketball, and I stand by what I wrote in June,” she added.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Woman Throws Hot Coffee at Maskless Man, Then a Bloody Brawl Breaks Out

So you ’ ve spotted someone out in public without a mask and you ’ ve decided it ’ s high time to confront them .
Good for you .
If you believe they ’ re jeopardizing your physical safety by going out without the proper facial covering , they need to be called out .
This is the kind of thing America needs more of right now .
Once you properly chastise them , there ’ s little doubt they ’ ll put on that mask .
I could probably give you a panoply of tips to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my first suggestions would be this one : Don ’ t assault the mask-shirker .
Now , normally I ’ d assume this would be self-evident .
If you ’ re outraged that someone isn ’ t wearing a mask — and that they might physically harm you or others by spreading a pathogen — it doesn ’ t enhance your argument if you ’ re going to put them in physical danger yourself .
It ’ s one thing to go a-Karening , but it ’ s quite another to hurt someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give someone , including you , COVID-19 .
But no .
This is 2020 , the year we ’ ve all decided we ’ re living in the first act of a zombie movie — where everyone decides the best course of action is to turn on one another .
Thus , in Manhattan Beach , California , we have an unnamed woman throwing coffee in the face of a maskless man , provoking a brawl that was caught on camera and made us all feel just a little worse about humanity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years The kerfuffle was first reported by TMZ , so seldom a good augury .
It ’ s unclear when the incident occurred , although the website published it Saturday .
According to TMZ , two guys , identified by KTTV on Tuesday report as James Hernandez and Matthew Roy , were sitting outside a coffee shop about to eat when a couple came up to them and began harassing the men about the fact that they weren ’ t wearing masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe in masks , which led to some highly intellectual back-and-forth between the two parties .
“ Y ’ all need to be wearing masks , ” the woman said .
“ We ’ re locals here , but we ’ re on the other side of the fence , we don ’ t believe in this stuff , ” Hernandez said .
The video was recorded on Hernandez ’ s bodycam .
According to KTTV-TV , Hernandez said he keeps it on him because he ’ s a supporter of President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confrontations ” due to his Trump hat .
WARNING : The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive .
At a little past the one-minute mark in the video , the woman throws hot coffee at Roy , prompting a fight between him and the woman ’ s male companion .
The woman tries to get between the two of them , because apparently that sort of retaliation is problematic .
( Throwing hot coffee in someone ’ s face , though , is absolutely all right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown the drink in his face , ” Hernandez said to the woman after the fight was broken up .
RELATED : 102-Year-Old Survived 1918 Flu , Cancer and Now COVID-19 - Here 's Her Advice The bloodied male companion ( should male Karens be known as “ Kevins ” or “ Kens ” ?
Have we decided on this yet ? )
decided to call the police , claiming he was assaulted while neglecting to mention that the woman he was with had thrown coffee in the guy ’ s face .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped and everyone ’ s sympathetic nervous systems calmed down .
No arrests were made ; Hernandez and Roy told KTTV they declined to press charges .
( It ’ s not clear whether or not that option was on the table as far as the police were concerned , anyhow . )
Patch reports the police asked the parties apologize to each other , which they did .
If they arrived at some point of amity after the police made them play nice , however , it had evaporated by the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They really wanted to force us to put a mask on , they just thought we were killing their grandma , ” Hernandez told the station .
“ Nobody really believes in the masks , but everybody is scared of Ken and Karen and I ’ m not .
I don ’ t care anymore , ” Roy said .
TMZ noted that Manhattan Beach requires masks at restaurants if customers are not eating — except these guys were apparently sitting down to eat .
( Not that they would wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth pointing out .
There ’ s also the fact they ’ re outdoors . )
Thankfully , this is an isolated incident .
Most people who chide mask-shirkers over their obstinance do so with the proper censorial tone , but they rarely cross the line and put people at greater risk for physical harm than a mask refusenik might cause .
Oh , well .
Never mind .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

So you’ve spotted someone out in public without a mask and you’ve decided it’s high time to confront them. Good for you. If you believe they’re jeopardizing your physical safety by going out without the proper facial covering, they need to be called out.
This is the kind of thing America needs more of right now. Once you properly chastise them, there’s little doubt they’ll put on that mask.
I could probably give you a panoply of tips to make sure the repartee works out well. Among my first suggestions would be this one: Don’t assault the mask-shirker.
Now, normally I’d assume this would be self-evident. If you’re outraged that someone isn’t wearing a mask — and that they might physically harm you or others by spreading a pathogen — it doesn’t enhance your argument if you’re going to put them in physical danger yourself. It’s one thing to go a-Karening, but it’s quite another to hurt someone because of the minute chance they might give someone, including you, COVID-19.
But no. This is 2020, the year we’ve all decided we’re living in the first act of a zombie movie — where everyone decides the best course of action is to turn on one another. Thus, in Manhattan Beach, California, we have an unnamed woman throwing coffee in the face of a maskless man, provoking a brawl that was caught on camera and made us all feel just a little worse about humanity.
The kerfuffle was first reported by TMZ, so seldom a good augury. It’s unclear when the incident occurred, although the website published it Saturday.
According to TMZ, two guys, identified by KTTV on Tuesday report as James Hernandez and Matthew Roy, were sitting outside a coffee shop about to eat when a couple came up to them and began harassing the men about the fact that they weren’t wearing masks.
The man said he doesn’t believe in masks, which led to some highly intellectual back-and-forth between the two parties.
“Y’all need to be wearing masks,” the woman said.
“We’re locals here, but we’re on the other side of the fence, we don’t believe in this stuff,” Hernandez said.
The video was recorded on Hernandez’s bodycam. According to KTTV-TV, Hernandez said he keeps it on him because he’s a supporter of President Donald Trump and has “had a lot of confrontations” due to his Trump hat.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive.
At a little past the one-minute mark in the video, the woman throws hot coffee at Roy, prompting a fight between him and the woman’s male companion. The woman tries to get between the two of them, because apparently that sort of retaliation is problematic. (Throwing hot coffee in someone’s face, though, is absolutely all right.)
“You shouldn’t have thrown the drink in his face,” Hernandez said to the woman after the fight was broken up.
“I don’t give a f—!” she responded.
The bloodied male companion (should male Karens be known as “Kevins” or “Kens”? Have we decided on this yet?) decided to call the police, claiming he was assaulted while neglecting to mention that the woman he was with had thrown coffee in the guy’s face.
Should this woman have been charged with a crime? 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% (1792 Votes) No: 1% (15 Votes)
Then the police arrived, the swearing stopped and everyone’s sympathetic nervous systems calmed down. No arrests were made; Hernandez and Roy told KTTV they declined to press charges. (It’s not clear whether or not that option was on the table as far as the police were concerned, anyhow.)
Patch reports the police asked the parties apologize to each other, which they did.
If they arrived at some point of amity after the police made them play nice, however, it had evaporated by the time Hernandez and Roy were interviewed by KTTV.
“They really wanted to force us to put a mask on, they just thought we were killing their grandma,” Hernandez told the station.
“Nobody really believes in the masks, but everybody is scared of Ken and Karen and I’m not. I don’t care anymore,” Roy said.
TMZ noted that Manhattan Beach requires masks at restaurants if customers are not eating — except these guys were apparently sitting down to eat. (Not that they would wear them anyway, but that’s worth pointing out. There’s also the fact they’re outdoors.)
Thankfully, this is an isolated incident. Most people who chide mask-shirkers over their obstinance do so with the proper censorial tone, but they rarely cross the line and put people at greater risk for physical harm than a mask refusenik might cause.
WATCH: Toronto man freaks out over customer without a mask and wrecks a Pizza Pizza. pic.twitter.com/hgh7MomJqc — The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 31, 2020
Oh, well. Never mind.
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westernjournal--2020-08-05--Worst of the Worst

Worst of the Worst

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Bradley Cooper's latest role has not gone down well with everyone, particularly with regard to his use of a prosthetic nose.


westernjournal--2020-08-05--Sen. Cotton: Joe Biden Is a ‘Trojan Horse for the Far Left’

That ’ s the package being sold by the Democrats right now .
Sure , it may not be inspiring , but you market the product you ’ ve got .
He ’ s oatmeal with a dollop of Mott ’ s applesauce .
He ’ s a sleepy late-autumn afternoon in America .
He ’ s a slightly-above-mediocre comedy you ’ ve watched 62 times but that you watch a 63rd time because , hey , at least you know you ’ ll mostly like it .
In a tumultuous time , this could theoretically work .
Remember Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normalcy ” campaign ?
Biden does ; he was in high school then ( just kidding ) .
Harding is a man who , when elected , once said , “ I am not fit for this office and never should have been here.
” He said it , one guesses , out of false humility — but it was a pretty accurate statement .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years Still , in the turmoil after World War I and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States should join the League of Nations , a “ Return to Normalcy ” sounded pretty good , no matter how mediocre Harding was .
Biden isn ’ t using that exact campaign slogan , but it ’ s close enough to the image the former vice president is trying to project that the parallel is worth noting .
( It ’ s also worth noting that in two separate presidential campaigns — 1988 and 2008 — America already decided Biden wasn ’ t fit for that office .
And that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was . )
Sen. Tom Cotton says you shouldn ’ t buy it .
Appearing Monday on Fox News , the Arkansas Republican said Biden is getting pulled far to the left by the party ’ s far left .
Cotton made the remarks after being asked about a statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has essentially been suggesting to his supporters that while Biden might not have been their choice , they could hash out their differences after the election .
“ Well , Bernie Sanders just acknowledged the reality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign really is a Trojan horse for the far left of the Democratic Party , ” Cotton said .
“ Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote his criminal justice platform , which is going to let violent felons out of prison , which is going to eliminate the use of bail so violent felons are going to get out … of jail while they are pending their trial for violent crimes , ” he continued .
Beyond those “ reforms ” was the issue of gun control , which is something that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from moderate .
“ I mean , look at what Joe Biden himself said on the campaign trail , that Beto O ’ Rourke is going to run his gun control policy , which is going to be gun confiscation .
“ They ’ re going to give amnesty to millions and millions of illegal immigrants , so they can take your jobs and also get their health care funded by you .
RELATED : Bernie Sanders Reveals Plan To Use Biden To Force What Voters Have Already Rejected “ At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take away your health insurance on the job , ” he said — which could reference either the expansion of Obamacare or the possibility of “ Medicare for All.
” “ They are also going the take radical steps , like turning Washington , D.C. , into a state or packing the Supreme Court to rubber-stamp their left-wing agenda , ” he concluded .
He also forgot that Ocasio-Cortez — the progenitor of the Green New Deal — is the co-chair of Biden ’ s climate task force , an appointment CNN described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credentials to the former vice president ’ s effort to unify the party ahead of the general election.
” And there ’ s the problem , which Cotton touched on : “ Unity ” requires breaking bread with the most unequivocally left-wing members of the Democratic Party .
Or , in the case of Sanders , an independent socialist .
Back to the O ’ Rourke thing , for instance .
When O ’ Rourke endorsed Biden in early March , Biden seemed to promise to put him at the forefront of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I want to make something clear , I ’ m going to guarantee you this is not the last you ’ ve seen of this guy , ” Biden said at a Dallas rally .
“ You ’ re going to take care of the gun problem with me .
You ’ re going to be the one who leads this effort.
” O ’ Rourke ’ s truncated campaign for the presidency will best be remembered either by that uproarious Annie Leibovitz photo during his dumpster conflagration of a Vanity Fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just born to be in it “ ) or his take on your Second Amendment right to own certain rifles : “ Hell yes , we ’ re going to take you ’ re AR-15 , your AK-47 .
We ’ re not going to allow it to be used against fellow Americans anymore , ” he said during a September debate .
How much of this was about Joe Biden making Beto O ’ Rourke feel good about himself ?
Probably not an insubstantial amount when you consider that assuaging Beto O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important component of ensuring he would campaign with you .
( This was during the quaint days when we assumed there would be something resembling a traditional campaign . )
However , this was clearly a signal Biden ’ s gun policy isn ’ t just going to tilt to the left but go full-bore to port .
Packing the Supreme Court ?
Biden says he ’ s against it .
Then again , the odds-on pick for his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , has said she wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also easy enough to do if your party has control of the Senate and decides to remove the filibuster .
Same thing with the criminal justice platform , health care reform , environmental legislation and amnesty .
Washington , D.C. , statehood is a much harder thing to accomplish , but the odds that it ’ ll be on the agenda are nearly 100 percent .
Joe Biden may , at some point , have been the kind of guy he ’ s being marketed as .
At this point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slate which can be drawn on by the most radical elements on the left .
This isn ’ t a return to normalcy .
This is fundamentally changing the country as we know it , except that change would be a lot more fundamental than it was under the Obama administration .
This isn ’ t President Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden .
It ’ s Trump vs. a locomotive full of far-left voices Biden is willing to let pull the train , understanding it ’ s his only way of securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Joe Biden. Moderate. Doddering. Avuncular.
That’s the package being sold by the Democrats right now. Sure, it may not be inspiring, but you market the product you’ve got.
He’s oatmeal with a dollop of Mott’s applesauce. He’s a sleepy late-autumn afternoon in America. He’s a slightly-above-mediocre comedy you’ve watched 62 times but that you watch a 63rd time because, hey, at least you know you’ll mostly like it.
In a tumultuous time, this could theoretically work. Remember Warren G. Harding’s “Return to Normalcy” campaign? Biden does; he was in high school then (just kidding).
Harding is a man who, when elected, once said, “I am not fit for this office and never should have been here.” He said it, one guesses, out of false humility — but it was a pretty accurate statement.
Still, in the turmoil after World War I and during the debate over whether the United States should join the League of Nations, a “Return to Normalcy” sounded pretty good, no matter how mediocre Harding was.
Biden isn’t using that exact campaign slogan, but it’s close enough to the image the former vice president is trying to project that the parallel is worth noting. (It’s also worth noting that in two separate presidential campaigns — 1988 and 2008 — America already decided Biden wasn’t fit for that office. And that’s back when he could remember where he was.)
Sen. Tom Cotton says you shouldn’t buy it. Appearing Monday on Fox News, the Arkansas Republican said Biden is getting pulled far to the left by the party’s far left.
Cotton made the remarks after being asked about a statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has essentially been suggesting to his supporters that while Biden might not have been their choice, they could hash out their differences after the election.
Do you agree with Cotton that Joe Biden is a "Trojan horse for the far left?" 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% (748 Votes) No: 1% (9 Votes)
“Well, Bernie Sanders just acknowledged the reality. I mean, Joe Biden’s campaign really is a Trojan horse for the far left of the Democratic Party,” Cotton said.
“Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote his criminal justice platform, which is going to let violent felons out of prison, which is going to eliminate the use of bail so violent felons are going to get out … of jail while they are pending their trial for violent crimes,” he continued.
Beyond those “reforms” was the issue of gun control, which is something that Biden has promised to outsource to someone far from moderate.
“I mean, look at what Joe Biden himself said on the campaign trail, that Beto O’Rourke is going to run his gun control policy, which is going to be gun confiscation.
“They’re going to give amnesty to millions and millions of illegal immigrants, so they can take your jobs and also get their health care funded by you.
“At the same time, they’re going to take away your health insurance on the job,” he said — which could reference either the expansion of Obamacare or the possibility of “Medicare for All.”
“They are also going the take radical steps, like turning Washington, D.C., into a state or packing the Supreme Court to rubber-stamp their left-wing agenda,” he concluded.
He also forgot that Ocasio-Cortez — the progenitor of the Green New Deal — is the co-chair of Biden’s climate task force, an appointment CNN described as “a move that adds progressive credentials to the former vice president’s effort to unify the party ahead of the general election.”
And there’s the problem, which Cotton touched on: “Unity” requires breaking bread with the most unequivocally left-wing members of the Democratic Party. Or, in the case of Sanders, an independent socialist.
Back to the O’Rourke thing, for instance. When O’Rourke endorsed Biden in early March, Biden seemed to promise to put him at the forefront of a potential Biden administration gun control effort.
“I want to make something clear, I’m going to guarantee you this is not the last you’ve seen of this guy,” Biden said at a Dallas rally. “You’re going to take care of the gun problem with me. You’re going to be the one who leads this effort.”
O’Rourke’s truncated campaign for the presidency will best be remembered either by that uproarious Annie Leibovitz photo during his dumpster conflagration of a Vanity Fair campaign rollout (“I’m just born to be in it“) or his take on your Second Amendment right to own certain rifles: “Hell yes, we’re going to take you’re AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against fellow Americans anymore,” he said during a September debate.
How much of this was about Joe Biden making Beto O’Rourke feel good about himself? Probably not an insubstantial amount when you consider that assuaging Beto O’Rourke’s ego is an important component of ensuring he would campaign with you. (This was during the quaint days when we assumed there would be something resembling a traditional campaign.)
However, this was clearly a signal Biden’s gun policy isn’t just going to tilt to the left but go full-bore to port.
Packing the Supreme Court? Biden says he’s against it. Then again, the odds-on pick for his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, has said she wouldn’t rule it out.
Sadly, it’s also easy enough to do if your party has control of the Senate and decides to remove the filibuster. Same thing with the criminal justice platform, health care reform, environmental legislation and amnesty. Washington, D.C., statehood is a much harder thing to accomplish, but the odds that it’ll be on the agenda are nearly 100 percent.
Joe Biden may, at some point, have been the kind of guy he’s being marketed as. At this point, he’s a tabula rasa, a slate which can be drawn on by the most radical elements on the left.
This isn’t a return to normalcy. This is fundamentally changing the country as we know it, except that change would be a lot more fundamental than it was under the Obama administration.
This isn’t President Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden. It’s Trump vs. a locomotive full of far-left voices Biden is willing to let pull the train, understanding it’s his only way of securing victory.
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