westernjournal--2020-02-21--Buttigieg Says He Needs a Gigantic Cash Haul Within Weeks To Stay in Race

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says he needs to raise $ 13 million to stay competitive through the 14-state Super Tuesday contests on March 3 , despite strong finishes in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary .
The tricky financial picture for one of the surprise candidates of 2020 comes as the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , reported Thursday that he spent more than twice as much as he brought in during January , even as he was simultaneously ramping up for the Iowa and New Hampshire contests .
But the Iowa Democratic Party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dampened what Buttigieg could have expected to raise immediately after Iowa , according to his supporters .
Buttigieg ended with a near-tie in Iowa with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has fielded a strong organization and fundraising this cycle after competing strongly against Hillary Clinton for the 2016 presidential nomination .
“ The Iowa deal took some luster off what would have been a great night and a great week , ” said Bobby Mandell , a Florida lawyer who ’ s among Buttigieg ’ s most influential donors .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not as well as he could have done , had he been able to claim outright victory.
” TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been Fired for Sexual Harassment Mandell said he and Buttigieg ’ s donors remain upbeat and committed as the candidate squeezes fundraising events in Nevada , ahead of the Saturday caucuses there , and campaign and fundraising jaunts to California , the most delegate-rich prize in the March 3 sweepstakes .
The pace rapidly quickens after Nevada , as Buttigieg races from Nevada to Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before spending most of next week in South Carolina .
Buttigieg ’ s campaign in South Carolina must show signs of support from African American voters who make up a majority of that state ’ s Feb. 29 primary electorate .
In the Super Tuesday primaries , Buttigieg faces free-spending multibillionaire Mike Bloomberg , who did not compete in the first four nominating contests but has advertised heavily .
No longer fighting solely to distinguish himself chiefly from Sanders , Buttigieg told donors in the $ 13 million appeal Thursday , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billionaire who is throwing colossal sums of money on television instead of doing the work of campaigning.
” Still , Buttigieg said Thursday he had raised $ 11 million to date in February , adding to the $ 6 million in contributions his campaign reported receiving in January .
However , Buttigieg spent $ 14 million in January , an investment he ’ d hoped would reap heavily from beating expectations in Iowa .
He had only $ 6.6 million in the bank at the end of the month .
The Iowa Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , failed to report complete results for three days , the result of a failure of an electronic reporting program as well as other problems .
The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner in the contest , which remains under review by state and national party officials .
Buttigieg began his climb into the top tier of the 2020 Democratic field last summer after raising nearly $ 25 million in the second quarter of 2019 , part of a $ 75 million total he raised last year .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says he needs to raise $13 million to stay competitive through the 14-state Super Tuesday contests on March 3, despite strong finishes in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
The tricky financial picture for one of the surprise candidates of 2020 comes as the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, reported Thursday that he spent more than twice as much as he brought in during January, even as he was simultaneously ramping up for the Iowa and New Hampshire contests.
But the Iowa Democratic Party’s debacle in reporting results may have dampened what Buttigieg could have expected to raise immediately after Iowa, according to his supporters.
Buttigieg ended with a near-tie in Iowa with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has fielded a strong organization and fundraising this cycle after competing strongly against Hillary Clinton for the 2016 presidential nomination.
“The Iowa deal took some luster off what would have been a great night and a great week,” said Bobby Mandell, a Florida lawyer who’s among Buttigieg’s most influential donors. “I know he did fine that week, but not as well as he could have done, had he been able to claim outright victory.”
Mandell said he and Buttigieg’s donors remain upbeat and committed as the candidate squeezes fundraising events in Nevada, ahead of the Saturday caucuses there, and campaign and fundraising jaunts to California, the most delegate-rich prize in the March 3 sweepstakes.
The pace rapidly quickens after Nevada, as Buttigieg races from Nevada to Colorado and Virginia, important Super Tuesday states, before spending most of next week in South Carolina.
Buttigieg’s campaign in South Carolina must show signs of support from African American voters who make up a majority of that state’s Feb. 29 primary electorate.
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In the Super Tuesday primaries, Buttigieg faces free-spending multibillionaire Mike Bloomberg, who did not compete in the first four nominating contests but has advertised heavily.
No longer fighting solely to distinguish himself chiefly from Sanders, Buttigieg told donors in the $13 million appeal Thursday, “We are now also up against a billionaire who is throwing colossal sums of money on television instead of doing the work of campaigning.”
We don’t have to choose between revolution and the status quo. Our campaign has shown there’s a way forward that speaks for the rest of us—the majority seeking change. But we need your help to prepare that future. We need $13M by March 3—chip in to help: https://t.co/lroSSZeS2y pic.twitter.com/yDbkKUpn1f — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 21, 2020
Still, Buttigieg said Thursday he had raised $11 million to date in February, adding to the $6 million in contributions his campaign reported receiving in January.
However, Buttigieg spent $14 million in January, an investment he’d hoped would reap heavily from beating expectations in Iowa. He had only $6.6 million in the bank at the end of the month.
The Iowa Democratic Party, which ran the leadoff caucuses, failed to report complete results for three days, the result of a failure of an electronic reporting program as well as other problems.
The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner in the contest, which remains under review by state and national party officials.
Buttigieg began his climb into the top tier of the 2020 Democratic field last summer after raising nearly $25 million in the second quarter of 2019, part of a $75 million total he raised last year.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--62-Year-Old Found Dead in Home After Living Months Without Power or Heat; Family Searching for Answe

62-Year-Old Found Dead in Home After Living Months Without Power or Heat; Family Searching for Answers

A Michigan family is grieving the heartbreaking death of their 62-year-old relative , who police said was found frozen and emaciated inside his mobile home last weekend .
According to WJRT-TV , police found Arnoul Jaros dead in his below-freezing home in Saginaw County on the afternoon of Feb. 15 .
Jaros ’ family described him as a “ recluse ” who also suffered from extreme social anxiety .
“ Arnie , ” as his family called him , rarely interacted with anybody and had not held a formal job since his 20s , his family told MLive .
Karina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiercely independent and avoided situations where he would have to interact with people — even , on occasion — his family members .
He displayed obsessive-compulsive behaviors and , according to police , did not have a phone of any sort .
TRENDING : Bolton Breaks Silence on 'Grossly Partisan ' Impeachment , Blasts Dems Who Wanted Him To Testify Last weekend , the Jaros family knocked on Arnie ’ s door to invite him to dinner , but he did not answer .
This behavior was normal for Jaros , whom family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around his own house so people would not hear him .
But when the family saw that mail had been piling up since mid-January , they knew something was wrong and called the police .
“ They went inside .
They were inside for just a few minutes and they came out and told us they found him frozen to death .
That ’ s what they said to us , ” Karina Jaros told WJRT .
The thermostat inside Arnie ’ s house read 26 degrees , colder than it was outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , they were brought to tears over how their loved one had been living , suffering in silence until his death .
The water in the toilet was frozen — even the dish soap was frozen .
Evidence of empty tuna fish cans , lunch meat and soup cans suggested Jaros had been surviving off cold food with no heat or running water for a long time .
“ He ’ s very , very skinny .
He didn ’ t have a lot of fat to live on , and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take a hot shower , can ’ t microwave anything to eat or drink , eating cold foods , there ’ s no words , ” Karin Jaros , Arnie ’ s sister-in-law , told WJRT .
RELATED : Toddler Hugs Pizza Delivery Driver Not Knowing the Driver 's Daughter Had Just Passed Away The family later learned that Arnie ’ s natural gas and electricity had been shut off for over six months due to non-payment of bills .
Consumers Energy released a statement explaining that the balance was paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any notice to reinstate services .
“ We are currently working with local law enforcement officials to understand more about the situation and are reviewing this person ’ s account records .
Our thoughts and sympathies go out to this person ’ s friends and loved ones , ” the statement said in part , WJRT reported .
The Jaros family said Arnie lived a very frugal life , leaving lightbulbs unscrewed and stretching every cent .
If he did not feel like answering the door , he would not , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walks .
“ You didn ’ t know if he was there , and he would tiptoe around , ” Jerold Jaros told MLive .
“ Sometimes you might hear him , sometimes you might not.
” Arnie gave no inclination to his family that anything was amiss , even sending an anniversary card to his brother Jerold and his wife Karin in November .
Jaros declined any offers for help with social services , including food stamps , Social Security or disability , despite his brother ’ s urging .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s home .
He ’ s been that way his whole life , so it ’ s not like there was a change in his behavior , ” Karin Jaros told MLive .
“ It ’ s not like , ‘ Oh , he ’ s not answering anymore , ’ that ’ s just how he ’ s always been.
” Jaros ’ tragic death is bringing the realities of mental illness to the surface .
“ He wouldn ’ t do anything .
I was hopeful that we could help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of behavioral health interventions to help him with that anxiety , but I know that ’ s a real hard step for people to take , ” Karin Jaros said .
Our thoughts are with the Jaros family during this time .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A Michigan family is grieving the heartbreaking death of their 62-year-old relative, who police said was found frozen and emaciated inside his mobile home last weekend.
According to WJRT-TV, police found Arnoul Jaros dead in his below-freezing home in Saginaw County on the afternoon of Feb. 15.
Jaros’ family described him as a “recluse” who also suffered from extreme social anxiety. “Arnie,” as his family called him, rarely interacted with anybody and had not held a formal job since his 20s, his family told MLive.
Karina Jaros told MLive that her uncle was fiercely independent and avoided situations where he would have to interact with people — even, on occasion — his family members. He displayed obsessive-compulsive behaviors and, according to police, did not have a phone of any sort.
Saginaw County man froze to death in home, police confirm https://t.co/ldtUpEjlQY — MLive (@MLive) February 17, 2020
Last weekend, the Jaros family knocked on Arnie’s door to invite him to dinner, but he did not answer. This behavior was normal for Jaros, whom family said lived very quietly, often tiptoeing around his own house so people would not hear him.
But when the family saw that mail had been piling up since mid-January, they knew something was wrong and called the police.
“They went inside. They were inside for just a few minutes and they came out and told us they found him frozen to death. That’s what they said to us,” Karina Jaros told WJRT.
The thermostat inside Arnie’s house read 26 degrees, colder than it was outside. As the family walked around his home, they were brought to tears over how their loved one had been living, suffering in silence until his death.
The water in the toilet was frozen — even the dish soap was frozen. Evidence of empty tuna fish cans, lunch meat and soup cans suggested Jaros had been surviving off cold food with no heat or running water for a long time.
“He’s very, very skinny. He didn’t have a lot of fat to live on, and if you can’t cook, can’t take a hot shower, can’t microwave anything to eat or drink, eating cold foods, there’s no words,” Karin Jaros, Arnie’s sister-in-law, told WJRT.
Dying in 26-degree cold alone was bad enough, but walking around the home and seeing how he suffered first-hand put the family in tears.https://t.co/KdWTZ3P6Z4 — WGNMorningNews (@WGNMorningNews) February 20, 2020
The family later learned that Arnie’s natural gas and electricity had been shut off for over six months due to non-payment of bills. Consumers Energy released a statement explaining that the balance was paid in July but the company never received any notice to reinstate services.
“We are currently working with local law enforcement officials to understand more about the situation and are reviewing this person’s account records. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to this person’s friends and loved ones,” the statement said in part, WJRT reported.
The Jaros family said Arnie lived a very frugal life, leaving lightbulbs unscrewed and stretching every cent. If he did not feel like answering the door, he would not, and he was often away from the home taking walks.
“You didn’t know if he was there, and he would tiptoe around,” Jerold Jaros told MLive. “Sometimes you might hear him, sometimes you might not.”
Arnie gave no inclination to his family that anything was amiss, even sending an anniversary card to his brother Jerold and his wife Karin in November.
Jaros declined any offers for help with social services, including food stamps, Social Security or disability, despite his brother’s urging.
“You can’t force yourself into someone’s home. He’s been that way his whole life, so it’s not like there was a change in his behavior,” Karin Jaros told MLive.
“It’s not like, ‘Oh, he’s not answering anymore,’ that’s just how he’s always been.”
Jaros’ tragic death is bringing the realities of mental illness to the surface.
“He wouldn’t do anything. I was hopeful that we could help him with that and get him some sort of behavioral health interventions to help him with that anxiety, but I know that’s a real hard step for people to take,” Karin Jaros said.
Our thoughts are with the Jaros family during this time.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Hillary Clinton Calls Trump ‘Putin’s Puppet’ Based on Largely Unfounded Reports

Failed 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton criticized President Trump as “ Putin ’ s puppet ” on Friday in response to reports that U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers that Russia is meddling in the 2020 presidential campaign to help Trump .
“ Putin ’ s Puppet is at it again , taking Russian help for himself , ” Clinton wrote on Twitter in response to an NBC News report that confirmed a New York Times story about the intelligence briefing .
The report in question was vague , and it is unclear what evidence intelligence officials briefed to Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the reports , saying that a source familiar with the congressional briefing said that the intelligence provided to Congress was being “ mischaracterized.
” “ What ’ s been articulated in the news is that the intelligence community has concluded that the Russians are trying to help Trump again .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been Fired for Sexual Harassment “ But the intelligence doesn ’ t say that , ” Tapper said on Twitter , citing an anonymous but “ reliable ” source .
But that didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
“ He knows he can ’ t win without it .
And we can ’ t let it happen , ” Clinton said of Trump .
Clinton has long blamed Russian involvement in the 2016 election for her stunning loss to Trump .
The intelligence community has said that Russian military intelligence was behind hacks of Democrats ’ emails during the 2016 campaign .
Other intelligence reports have said that Russian operatives used social media sites to sow discord in the U.S. political system .
An intelligence community assessment released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government ’ s goal was to help Trump defeat Clinton .
RELATED : Hillary Clinton Responds to Reports She Could Be Bloomberg 's Vice President Pick : 'Oh , No' Trump has begrudgingly acknowledged that Russia meddled in the election , but he has denied that the Kremlin did so specifically to help him .
He has also denied that Russian interference altered the outcome of the election .
U.S. intelligence officials have also not claimed that Russia ’ s actions changed the election results .
Content created by The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
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Read our editorial standards .

Failed 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton criticized President Trump as “Putin’s puppet” on Friday in response to reports that U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers that Russia is meddling in the 2020 presidential campaign to help Trump.
“Putin’s Puppet is at it again, taking Russian help for himself,” Clinton wrote on Twitter in response to an NBC News report that confirmed a New York Times story about the intelligence briefing.
The report in question was vague, and it is unclear what evidence intelligence officials briefed to Congress.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper poured cold water on the reports, saying that a source familiar with the congressional briefing said that the intelligence provided to Congress was being “mischaracterized.”
“What’s been articulated in the news is that the intelligence community has concluded that the Russians are trying to help Trump again.
“But the intelligence doesn’t say that,” Tapper said on Twitter, citing an anonymous but “reliable” source.
But that didn’t stop Clinton from seizing on the report.
“He knows he can’t win without it. And we can’t let it happen,” Clinton said of Trump.
Putin’s Puppet is at it again, taking Russian help for himself. He knows he can’t win without it. And we can’t let it happen. https://t.co/10Z2YIipOI — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 21, 2020
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Clinton has long blamed Russian involvement in the 2016 election for her stunning loss to Trump.
The intelligence community has said that Russian military intelligence was behind hacks of Democrats’ emails during the 2016 campaign.
Other intelligence reports have said that Russian operatives used social media sites to sow discord in the U.S. political system.
An intelligence community assessment released on Jan. 6, 2017 asserted that the Russian government’s goal was to help Trump defeat Clinton.
Trump has begrudgingly acknowledged that Russia meddled in the election, but he has denied that the Kremlin did so specifically to help him.
He has also denied that Russian interference altered the outcome of the election.
U.S. intelligence officials have also not claimed that Russia’s actions changed the election results.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Washington DC Law Firm Signs On To Represent Venezuela’s Socialist Government Despite Outcry

A top official for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ’ s government has hired a Washington law firm that also represents Turkey to take over from another legal team that backed out last month following an outcry over its collaboration with a repressive regime .
Lawyer Bob Amsterdam declined to comment on the nature of his firm ’ s work for Maduro ’ s Inspector General Reinaldo Muñoz , other than saying it would focus on sanctions and human rights issues .
Amsterdam said Friday that the same U.S. sanctions on the Maduro government put strict limits on what he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client .
But he vigorously defended the decision of Amsterdam & Partners to represent Muñoz , brushing aside calls from Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott and others for lawyers to stay far away from Maduro ’ s regime .
“ We aren ’ t going to bend to the political dictates of Florida , ” Amsterdam said .
“ But I don ’ t like it when people are denied representation.
” TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been Fired for Sexual Harassment This is the Maduro government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a lobbyist who will go head to head with the Trump administration in pushing for dialogue and an end to sanctions .
The previous firm , Foley & Lardner , backed out of a $ 12.5 million , five-month contract after Scott in a letter urged his Senate colleagues to boycott the firm .
In a filing with the U.S. Justice Department on Friday , Foley said it had transferred to Amsterdam & Partners all funds — a little more than $ 1 million — it has received from its client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stryk as part of its legal team , but it wasn ’ t clear if the former congressional aide whose business has boomed under the Trump administration would also work with Amsterdam .
When contacted Friday , Scott reiterated that he would not work with anyone who represents Muñoz or Venezuela .
“ Senator Scott will not stand for this , ” his office said in a statement .
“ He will urge every one of his colleagues to stand with him against anyone who willingly represents a dangerous dictator.
” Amsterdam , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm with offices in Washington and London .
RELATED : AT & T Under Pressure from US Government for Complying with Socialist Venezuela Censorship In the past , it has represented a mix of repressive governments hostile to the U.S. as well as clients persecuted by authoritarian governments .
Since 2015 , the firm has assisted Turkey in seeking the extradition of a U.S.-based cleric and political enemy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Turkey ’ s government is a staunch economic and political ally of Maduro .
Amsterdam has also represented exiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he was briefly arrested in Moscow by authorities loyal to President Vladimir Putin on the night the billionaire was sentenced to eight years in prison .
He also represented former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra .
A decade ago , he represented Venezuelan banker Eligio Cedeño , who had been accused of helping businessmen defraud the central bank of tens of millions of dollars .
Once freed on bail , he immediately fled to the U.S. , where he remains in exile .
In retaliation , then-President Hugo Chávez jailed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reiterated his support for Juan Guaidó , the opposition leader recognized by nearly 60 nations as Venezuela ’ s rightful leader , recently meeting with him in Washington and inviting him to the State of the Union address .
But the opposition has struggled to revive momentum and draw supporters to the streets as Maduro maintains his grip on power .
Several attempts at dialogue , including one last year sponsored by Norway , have fizzled .
Meanwhile , the U.S. continues to pursue a strategy of economic pressure , hitting Russian-controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Didier Casimiro , with aggressive financial measures designed to cut Maduro off from a lifeline .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A top official for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government has hired a Washington law firm that also represents Turkey to take over from another legal team that backed out last month following an outcry over its collaboration with a repressive regime.
Lawyer Bob Amsterdam declined to comment on the nature of his firm’s work for Maduro’s Inspector General Reinaldo Muñoz, other than saying it would focus on sanctions and human rights issues.
Amsterdam said Friday that the same U.S. sanctions on the Maduro government put strict limits on what he can say and do on behalf of his client.
But he vigorously defended the decision of Amsterdam & Partners to represent Muñoz, brushing aside calls from Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott and others for lawyers to stay far away from Maduro’s regime.
“We aren’t going to bend to the political dictates of Florida,” Amsterdam said. “But I don’t like it when people are denied representation.”
This is the Maduro government’s second attempt in less than a month to find a lobbyist who will go head to head with the Trump administration in pushing for dialogue and an end to sanctions.
The previous firm, Foley & Lardner, backed out of a $12.5 million, five-month contract after Scott in a letter urged his Senate colleagues to boycott the firm.
In a filing with the U.S. Justice Department on Friday, Foley said it had transferred to Amsterdam & Partners all funds — a little more than $1 million — it has received from its client.
Foley had hired influential lobbyist Robert Stryk as part of its legal team, but it wasn’t clear if the former congressional aide whose business has boomed under the Trump administration would also work with Amsterdam.
Do you agree with Sen. Rick Scott? Yes No
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When contacted Friday, Scott reiterated that he would not work with anyone who represents Muñoz or Venezuela.
“Senator Scott will not stand for this,” his office said in a statement. “He will urge every one of his colleagues to stand with him against anyone who willingly represents a dangerous dictator.”
Here we go again. Another firm decides to lobby for @NicolasMaduro and his murderous regime. I will not be silent and I hope all of my colleagues stand with me against anyone who willingly represents a dangerous dictator. https://t.co/EXldIQoJ5U — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 21, 2020
Amsterdam, a Canadian lawyer, heads a law firm with offices in Washington and London.
In the past, it has represented a mix of repressive governments hostile to the U.S. as well as clients persecuted by authoritarian governments.
Since 2015, the firm has assisted Turkey in seeking the extradition of a U.S.-based cleric and political enemy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey’s government is a staunch economic and political ally of Maduro.
Amsterdam has also represented exiled Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, for which he said he was briefly arrested in Moscow by authorities loyal to President Vladimir Putin on the night the billionaire was sentenced to eight years in prison. He also represented former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
A decade ago, he represented Venezuelan banker Eligio Cedeño, who had been accused of helping businessmen defraud the central bank of tens of millions of dollars. Once freed on bail, he immediately fled to the U.S., where he remains in exile.
In retaliation, then-President Hugo Chávez jailed the judge who signed his release.
Trump has reiterated his support for Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader recognized by nearly 60 nations as Venezuela’s rightful leader, recently meeting with him in Washington and inviting him to the State of the Union address.
But the opposition has struggled to revive momentum and draw supporters to the streets as Maduro maintains his grip on power. Several attempts at dialogue, including one last year sponsored by Norway, have fizzled.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to pursue a strategy of economic pressure, hitting Russian-controlled Rosneft Trading S.A. and its president, Didier Casimiro, with aggressive financial measures designed to cut Maduro off from a lifeline.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Buttigieg Campaign Admits Exaggerating Black Actor’s Support in Embarrassing Error

If you ’ re a political candidate who has issues with the black community , here ’ s one way not to fix it : Pretend a black actor who just helped you during a voting drive is actually supporting your candidacy .
That ’ s the latest of former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg ’ s missteps in finding nearly anyone of color who ’ ll come out and support him for president , something that ’ s going to become a major issue as the primary season heads to less lily-white environs .
Buttigieg leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Hampshire , slightly ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
That ’ s wholly worthless , however , since he has almost no chance of competing in the states that are next up on the docket , Nevada and South Carolina .
Then comes Super Tuesday , where a Cinderella Buttigieg campaign could see the clock strike midnight .
Part of the problem — well , quite frankly , almost all of the problem — is Buttigieg ’ s lack of minority support .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to ABC News , Mayor Pete polls at 4 percent among African-Americans ; the only major candidate with lower black support is Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar with under 1 percent .
Buttigieg ’ s campaign is scrambling to find a way to increase that number .
One of its strategies seems to be exaggerating — if not just outright lying — about the extent of support they ’ re getting from black figures and establishments .
That overambitious plan met with an epic fail this week when the campaign announced black actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the half of “ Key and Peele ” that didn ’ t direct “ Get Out ” or “ Us ” — was set to endorse the candidate in Nevada .
“ With his extraordinarily diverse skill set and wide-ranging talent in both comedy and drama ; Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writer , actor , and producer Keegan-Michael Key is one of Hollywood ’ s most in-demand forces , ” the Buttigieg campaign told CNN .
As it turns out , Key was just appearing with Buttigieg to encourage early voting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same way that getting Andrea Moda to be your prom date is slightly different from asking Andrea Moda whether or not you could borrow her notes from physics .
It ’ s a mix-up that could happen to anybody .
For what it ’ s worth , they quickly backtracked .
“ Keegan-Michael Key will be attending events this weekend , including Pete ’ s rally tomorrow , to encourage early voting and voter registration across the state in advance of the Nevada caucuses , ” Buttigieg spokesman Chris Meagher said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign is excited for the voter registration support Mr. Key brings , although Keegan-Michael has not officially endorsed any candidate.
” And if he does , I ’ m pretty sure it won ’ t be Buttigieg .
Way to ruin the opportunity to get some good media attention by showing Mayor Pete in the vicinity of a person of color who actually wants to be there .
You know , like the black people who were allegedly corralled into standing behind Buttigieg during his strange Iowa victory speech didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media is wont to do in situations like this , they looked into whether the Key “ endorsement ” was an isolated incident of Buttigieg exaggerating its support from the black community .
ABC News found several instances where “ the Buttigieg campaign identified people as supporters who later said their interactions had either been misunderstood or misconstrued.
” Back in October , the Buttigieg campaign identified South Carolina state Rep. Ivory Thigpen and Johnnie Cordero , chairman of the Democratic Black Caucus of South Carolina , as supporters of the candidate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Both were prominent political figures .
Either one endorsing the plan would have been a major shot in the arm .
Neither actually did .
“ I never endorsed the Douglass Plan and it ’ s not necessarily that it was a bad plan , but people have got to understand , you can ’ t talk for black people , we ’ re very capable of speaking for ourselves , ” Cordero said .
It wasn ’ t just black political figures who got this kind of treatment from the Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as pawns in the Buttigieg campaign ’ s attempt to look multicultural .
According to ABC News , “ Buttigieg wrote an op-ed in a major South Carolina newspaper saying his campaign has ’ proudly partnered with local businesses , ’ citing Diane ’ s Kitchen in Chester and Atlantis Restaurant in Moncks Corner .
“ But when ABC News reached out to the entrepreneurs about these new partnerships , they only remembered welcoming Buttigieg ’ s campaign as customers , not forging any sort of partnership with the candidate.
” The Op-Ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , touted the Buttigieg campaign ’ s plans for black entrepreneurship .
It noted that Buttigieg “ has put forward the Frederick Douglass Plan , a comprehensive investment in the empowerment of Black America .
Developed with the leadership and input of black civil rights activists , advocates , business leaders and the Douglass family itself , our plan will complement any future reparations while reshaping our policies on everything from access to housing to access to the ballot.
” The restaurants were supposed to be examples of this in some vague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seem to have been notified of this , at least in the case of Diane ’ s Kitchen .
“ I stand for what I stand for and I didn ’ t say I had a partnership , ” Diane Cole , owner of the restaurant , told ABC .
After ABC News contacted them about the statement , the campaign tried to convince Cole that she really was a partner , at least in the way the Op-Ed stated .
One of their emails managed to misspell her name , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse .
Cole ’ s response was sub-zero cold : “ It sounds like you ’ re saying that I am your business partner .
I ’ m only going to accept that you all stopped in while you were campaigning in South Carolina and I welcomed you all.
” Dang .
I ’ m still kind of confused how they didn ’ t think this would blow up in their faces , but there you go .
Basically , by trying to Shanghai support from figures who didn ’ t actually support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how much of a deep structural issue this is .
Without black support , there ’ s no realistic way forward for Buttigieg , no matter how many delegates he got from Iowa and New Hampshire .
Neither win has made him palatable to voters of color even as their first pick — former Vice President Joe Biden — flounders in the polls .
There aren ’ t many ways to solve that problem , but there certainly have to be some .
One of them , however , definitely isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporter .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you’re a political candidate who has issues with the black community, here’s one way not to fix it: Pretend a black actor who just helped you during a voting drive is actually supporting your candidacy.
That’s the latest of former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s missteps in finding nearly anyone of color who’ll come out and support him for president, something that’s going to become a major issue as the primary season heads to less lily-white environs.
Buttigieg leads the delegate count coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire, slightly ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. That’s wholly worthless, however, since he has almost no chance of competing in the states that are next up on the docket, Nevada and South Carolina.
Then comes Super Tuesday, where a Cinderella Buttigieg campaign could see the clock strike midnight.
Part of the problem — well, quite frankly, almost all of the problem — is Buttigieg’s lack of minority support.
According to ABC News, Mayor Pete polls at 4 percent among African-Americans; the only major candidate with lower black support is Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar with under 1 percent.
Buttigieg’s campaign is scrambling to find a way to increase that number. One of its strategies seems to be exaggerating — if not just outright lying — about the extent of support they’re getting from black figures and establishments.
That overambitious plan met with an epic fail this week when the campaign announced black actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key — best known as the half of “Key and Peele” that didn’t direct “Get Out” or “Us” — was set to endorse the candidate in Nevada.
“With his extraordinarily diverse skill set and wide-ranging talent in both comedy and drama; Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Keegan-Michael Key is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand forces,” the Buttigieg campaign told CNN.
Do you think Pete Buttigieg will be the Democratic presidential nominee? Yes No
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As it turns out, Key was just appearing with Buttigieg to encourage early voting and voter registration — which is slightly different in the same way that getting Andrea Moda to be your prom date is slightly different from asking Andrea Moda whether or not you could borrow her notes from physics.
It’s a mix-up that could happen to anybody.
For what it’s worth, they quickly backtracked.
“Keegan-Michael Key will be attending events this weekend, including Pete’s rally tomorrow, to encourage early voting and voter registration across the state in advance of the Nevada caucuses,” Buttigieg spokesman Chris Meagher said in a statement.
“Pete’s campaign is excited for the voter registration support Mr. Key brings, although Keegan-Michael has not officially endorsed any candidate.”
And if he does, I’m pretty sure it won’t be Buttigieg.
Way to ruin the opportunity to get some good media attention by showing Mayor Pete in the vicinity of a person of color who actually wants to be there.
You know, like the black people who were allegedly corralled into standing behind Buttigieg during his strange Iowa victory speech didn’t want to be there.
As the media is wont to do in situations like this, they looked into whether the Key “endorsement” was an isolated incident of Buttigieg exaggerating its support from the black community.
Lo and behold, it wasn’t.
ABC News found several instances where “the Buttigieg campaign identified people as supporters who later said their interactions had either been misunderstood or misconstrued.”
Back in October, the Buttigieg campaign identified South Carolina state Rep. Ivory Thigpen and Johnnie Cordero, chairman of the Democratic Black Caucus of South Carolina, as supporters of the candidate’s “Douglass Plan for Black America.”
Both were prominent political figures. Either one endorsing the plan would have been a major shot in the arm.
Neither actually did.
“I never endorsed the Douglass Plan and it’s not necessarily that it was a bad plan, but people have got to understand, you can’t talk for black people, we’re very capable of speaking for ourselves,” Cordero said.
It wasn’t just black political figures who got this kind of treatment from the Buttigieg campaign. Restaurants could also find themselves as pawns in the Buttigieg campaign’s attempt to look multicultural.
According to ABC News, “Buttigieg wrote an op-ed in a major South Carolina newspaper saying his campaign has ’proudly partnered with local businesses,’ citing Diane’s Kitchen in Chester and Atlantis Restaurant in Moncks Corner.
“But when ABC News reached out to the entrepreneurs about these new partnerships, they only remembered welcoming Buttigieg’s campaign as customers, not forging any sort of partnership with the candidate.”
The Op-Ed, published in the Columbia newspaper The State, touted the Buttigieg campaign’s plans for black entrepreneurship.
It noted that Buttigieg “has put forward the Frederick Douglass Plan, a comprehensive investment in the empowerment of Black America. Developed with the leadership and input of black civil rights activists, advocates, business leaders and the Douglass family itself, our plan will complement any future reparations while reshaping our policies on everything from access to housing to access to the ballot.”
The restaurants were supposed to be examples of this in some vague, unspecified way.
They didn’t seem to have been notified of this, at least in the case of Diane’s Kitchen.
“I stand for what I stand for and I didn’t say I had a partnership,” Diane Cole, owner of the restaurant, told ABC.
After ABC News contacted them about the statement, the campaign tried to convince Cole that she really was a partner, at least in the way the Op-Ed stated.
One of their emails managed to misspell her name, just in case they needed to make things worse.
Cole’s response was sub-zero cold: “It sounds like you’re saying that I am your business partner. I’m only going to accept that you all stopped in while you were campaigning in South Carolina and I welcomed you all.” Dang.
I’m still kind of confused how they didn’t think this would blow up in their faces, but there you go.
Basically, by trying to Shanghai support from figures who didn’t actually support them, what they’re admitting is how much of a deep structural issue this is.
Without black support, there’s no realistic way forward for Buttigieg, no matter how many delegates he got from Iowa and New Hampshire.
Neither win has made him palatable to voters of color even as their first pick — former Vice President Joe Biden — flounders in the polls.
There aren’t many ways to solve that problem, but there certainly have to be some.
One of them, however, definitely isn’t pretending that Keegan-Michael Key is a supporter.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Actress Valerie Bertinelli Responds to Crude Body-Shamer Who Called Her ‘Chubby’

Actress and award-winning Food Network host Valerie Bertinelli stood up for herself when a rude stranger on the internet called her “ chubby.
” Bertinelli , 59 , has won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her weekly series “ Valerie ’ s Home Cooking ” on the Food Network .
She has hosted the popular “ Kids Baking Championship ” on the Food Network since 2015 and has succeeded in a slew of film and television roles throughout her career .
Many know Bertinelli from her work on the sitcom “ One Day at a Time , ” which ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the television drama “ Touched by an Angel ” from 2001 to 2003 .
More recently , Bertinelli portrayed Melanie Moretti on TV Land ’ s “ Hot in Cleveland ” from 2010 to 2015 .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been Fired for Sexual Harassment Bertinelli knows that with fame comes a hefty dose of criticism , often from total strangers who love to dish out mean comments online .
In the comments on a Feb. 17 tweet from the Food Network Kitchen , which was promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , someone took the opportunity to throw a nasty online punch .
Bertinelli , kind enough to disguise the commenter ’ s name , decided to stand up for herself by taking the high road .
“ Wow .
Someone is always there to remind me to tidy up my negative thoughts some more , ” she tweeted .
“ Thank you for reminding me I ’ m so much more than my body .
Have a blessed day.
” RELATED : Ben Affleck Says Divorce from Jennifer Garner Is 'Biggest Regret of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her struggle with weight gain , sharing how food , for her , has been used as a coping mechanism .
In an essay that Bertinelli wrote for Today , she spoke about those struggles and her commitment to health as she approaches age 60 in the spring .
“ My year of choosing happy , ” she titled the essay .
“ The truth is , I used food to avoid sadness .
It ’ s time to make a change.
” Bertinelli explained how difficulties in her life , specifically the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led her to use food as a source of comfort .
“ With the loss of my parents and dealing with other trials life throws our way , I ’ ve used food as a way not to feel the sadness or the stress , ” she wrote .
“ But by eating something away , all it does is make me feel worse about myself .
One of my personal mottos is ‘ choose happy.
’ But sometimes that choice is really challenging.
” Bertinelli is realistic about her wellness journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfectly , but she is committed to always moving forward .
“ I ’ m not going to let any mistakes that I make in 2020 define me as a failure – and neither should you , ” she wrote .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Actress and award-winning Food Network host Valerie Bertinelli stood up for herself when a rude stranger on the internet called her “chubby.”
Bertinelli, 59, has won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her weekly series “Valerie’s Home Cooking” on the Food Network.
She has hosted the popular “Kids Baking Championship” on the Food Network since 2015 and has succeeded in a slew of film and television roles throughout her career.
Many know Bertinelli from her work on the sitcom “One Day at a Time,” which ran from 1975 to 1984 and as Gloria on the television drama “Touched by an Angel” from 2001 to 2003.
More recently, Bertinelli portrayed Melanie Moretti on TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland” from 2010 to 2015.
Bertinelli knows that with fame comes a hefty dose of criticism, often from total strangers who love to dish out mean comments online.
In the comments on a Feb. 17 tweet from the Food Network Kitchen, which was promoting an upcoming live cooking demonstration featuring Bertinelli, someone took the opportunity to throw a nasty online punch.
“Awwww, so chubby,” the critic wrote.
Bertinelli, kind enough to disguise the commenter’s name, decided to stand up for herself by taking the high road.
“Wow. Someone is always there to remind me to tidy up my negative thoughts some more,” she tweeted. “Thank you for reminding me I’m so much more than my body. Have a blessed day.”
Wow. Someone is always there to remind me to tidy up my negative thoughts some more. Thank you for reminding me I’m so much more than my body. Have a blessed day. ❤ pic.twitter.com/453f6P3MFG — Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) February 18, 2020
Bertinelli has been open about her struggle with weight gain, sharing how food, for her, has been used as a coping mechanism.
In an essay that Bertinelli wrote for Today, she spoke about those struggles and her commitment to health as she approaches age 60 in the spring.
“My year of choosing happy,” she titled the essay. “The truth is, I used food to avoid sadness. It’s time to make a change.”
Bertinelli explained how difficulties in her life, specifically the recent death of both of her parents, led her to use food as a source of comfort.
Feeling melancholy.
Today would’ve been my mom’s 83rd birthday.
Happy Birthday Mom.
Here’s a pic of her sweet Beau. He lives with me now ? pic.twitter.com/adr3lFBusu — Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) February 20, 2020
“With the loss of my parents and dealing with other trials life throws our way, I’ve used food as a way not to feel the sadness or the stress,” she wrote.
“But by eating something away, all it does is make me feel worse about myself. One of my personal mottos is ‘choose happy.’ But sometimes that choice is really challenging.”
Bertinelli is realistic about her wellness journey — that things will not play out perfectly, but she is committed to always moving forward.
“I’m not going to let any mistakes that I make in 2020 define me as a failure – and neither should you,” she wrote.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Florida City Wins Years-Long Battle Against Atheist Group To Keep Historic Cross Standing

A historic World War II-era cross targeted by atheist groups will remain standing in Pensacola , Florida , after a victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit .
The court ruled Wednesday that the 78-year-old Bayview Cross , built as a community gathering place , is not unconstitutional and will thus be allowed to stand .
In 2016 , four individuals represented by the American Humanist Association sued the city of Pensacola and demanded the cross be torn down , according to a media release from Becket , a pro-religious liberty law form that defended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group pointed out that “ three of the individuals do not live in Pensacola and the fourth has held his own ceremonies at the cross.
” The trial court and the 11th Circuit originally ruled that the cross was unconstitutional under the Lemon test , which is used to assess whether a law violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution , which prohibits Congress — and , by extension , any government entity — from establishing or favoring one religion over another .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ordered to reconsider its ruling after the Supreme Court ’ s 2019 decision in American Legion v. American Humanist Association , which scrapped the Lemon test in cases involving longstanding symbols .
“ The Supreme Court has now made clear that religious symbols are an important part of our nation ’ s history and culture , ” Luke Goodrich , vice president and senior counsel at Becket , said in response to the new ruling .
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said “ the citizens of Pensacola will celebrate our long-awaited victory and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Fox News .
The cross was built in Bayview Park in 1941 as a place for the community to unite as the U.S. entered WWII .
Today , people gather for community events like Easter sunrise services and Veteran ’ s Day and Memorial Day .
“ Pensacola is a historic city with a rich and diverse history .
The Bayview Cross is an important part of that history as a symbol of our community ’ s coming together during a national crisis , ” Robinson said .
American Humanist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller disagreed and called the ruling a “ devastating blow ” to the Establishment Clause .
“ It is troubling to see the court attack the principle of church-state separation that was held dear by our Founders , ” Roy Speckhardt , executive director of the American Humanist Association , said .
RELATED : Trump Forcefully Defends Religious Liberty at National Prayer Breakfast : 'In America , We Celebrate Faith' “ Today ’ s decision is part of the religious right ’ s ongoing crusade to privilege Christianity at the expense of true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute general counsel Mike Berry pointed out that the Supreme Court ’ s ruling in American Legion v. AHA has paved the way for legal victories like the one for the Pensacola Bayview Cross .
“ The Supreme Court made clear in The American Legion decision that the days of governments roaming the land to scrub all public symbols of faith are over , ” Berry said .
“ We ’ re thrilled to see our victory in that case already making an impact and protecting religious freedom across the country.
” CORRECTION @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Journal has changed a sentence in this article explaining the Establishment Clause of the Constitution as requiring separation of church and state to its current form : “ the Establishment Clause of the Constitution , which prohibits Congress — and , by extension , any government entity — from establishing or favoring one religion over another.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A historic World War II-era cross targeted by atheist groups will remain standing in Pensacola, Florida, after a victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
The court ruled Wednesday that the 78-year-old Bayview Cross, built as a community gathering place, is not unconstitutional and will thus be allowed to stand.
In 2016, four individuals represented by the American Humanist Association sued the city of Pensacola and demanded the cross be torn down, according to a media release from Becket, a pro-religious liberty law form that defended the cross’ continued presence.
The nonprofit group pointed out that “three of the individuals do not live in Pensacola and the fourth has held his own ceremonies at the cross.”
The trial court and the 11th Circuit originally ruled that the cross was unconstitutional under the Lemon test, which is used to assess whether a law violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits Congress — and, by extension, any government entity — from establishing or favoring one religion over another.
The 11th Circuit was ordered to reconsider its ruling after the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in American Legion v. American Humanist Association, which scrapped the Lemon test in cases involving longstanding symbols.
“The Supreme Court has now made clear that religious symbols are an important part of our nation’s history and culture,” Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said in response to the new ruling.
#BREAKING: The 11th Circuit just ruled that the #BayviewCross, which has stood in a @CityofPensacola park for almost 80 years, is allowed to STAY! This is a major victory for #ReligiousFreedom and an important new precedent: 1/ https://t.co/LQ2uztspwj pic.twitter.com/zR7bbayL1x — Luke Goodrich (@LukeWGoodrich) February 19, 2020
Do you think religious symbols like this one should be allowed to stand? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (534 Votes) No: 0% (2 Votes)
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said “the citizens of Pensacola will celebrate our long-awaited victory and the preservation of the Bayview Cross,” according to Fox News.
The cross was built in Bayview Park in 1941 as a place for the community to unite as the U.S. entered WWII. Today, people gather for community events like Easter sunrise services and Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.
“Pensacola is a historic city with a rich and diverse history. The Bayview Cross is an important part of that history as a symbol of our community’s coming together during a national crisis,” Robinson said.
American Humanist Association legal director and senior counsel Monica Miller disagreed and called the ruling a “devastating blow” to the Establishment Clause.
“It is troubling to see the court attack the principle of church-state separation that was held dear by our Founders,” Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, said.
“Today’s decision is part of the religious right’s ongoing crusade to privilege Christianity at the expense of true religious freedom for all.”
First Liberty Institute general counsel Mike Berry pointed out that the Supreme Court’s ruling in American Legion v. AHA has paved the way for legal victories like the one for the Pensacola Bayview Cross.
“The Supreme Court made clear in The American Legion decision that the days of governments roaming the land to scrub all public symbols of faith are over,” Berry said.
“We’re thrilled to see our victory in that case already making an impact and protecting religious freedom across the country.”
CORRECTION, Feb. 21, 2020: The Western Journal has changed a sentence in this article explaining the Establishment Clause of the Constitution as requiring separation of church and state to its current form: “the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits Congress — and, by extension, any government entity — from establishing or favoring one religion over another.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Buttigieg’s Pastor Brother-in-Law Rips Mayor’s ‘Anti-God’ Platform, Religious Hypocrisy

There are times when I tune into a Pete Buttigieg speech online and I feel like I ’ ve wandered into a funhouse mirror version of the “ 700 Club ” where the Rev .
Pat Robertson is talking about how third-trimester abortion is OK with God .
His brother-in-law feels that way , too — and he says Mayor Pete is “ pushing … anti-God ” themes on his campaign .
A bit of background .
If you haven ’ t noticed , the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor is on a desperate quest to reclaim God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president .
For instance , Buttigieg is a member of the Episcopal Church , which has fought a pitched battle over whether the Bible condones same-sex relationships .
Generally speaking , however , the church affirms the view that the passages in Scripture proscribing same-sex relationships shouldn ’ t be taken literally — which is certainly its right .
If you do interpret those Scriptures with some degree of literality , however , Buttigieg wants you to know you ’ ve got a problem .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his one-way spat with Vice President Mike Pence last year over Pence ’ s religious beliefs , he angrily declared that if Pence had “ a problem with who I am ” by believing the Bible prohibited same-sex relationships , ” your problem is not with me — your quarrel , sir , is with my creator.
” Buttigieg also likes to trot out the creator when talking about his problems with President Donald Trump and ( yes , even ) his support for abortion rights .
“ I think no matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how life begins , most Americans can get on board with the idea of , ‘ I might draw the line here , you might draw the line there , ’ but the most important thing is the person who should be drawing the line is the woman making the decision , ” Buttigieg said in a September radio appearance .
So the Scriptures are a bit fuzzy on abortion , in Mayor Pete ’ s view — but they ’ re pretty clear on the fact Trump shouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those interminable CNN town halls this week when he was asked whether a Christian could actually vote for Donald Trump .
A stupid question deserves a stupid answer : “ I ’ m not going to tell other Christians how to be Christian , ” he said , “ but I will say I can not find any compatibility between the way this president conducts himself and anything that I find in Scripture.
” As it so happens , Buttigieg ’ s brother in law is a pastor , apparently for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edition .
And he ’ s not entirely on board with this interpretation of Scripture , as he told Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson on Wednesday .
“ Yeah , it ’ s the height of intellectual dishonesty for Pete to make claims that there ’ s no compatibility with being a Christian and voting for Trump , [ when ] Pete , in fact , is the one who is pushing agendas and rhetoric that is clearly against Scripture , ” said Rhyan Glezman , senior pastor at the nondenominational Community Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Just everything that Pete is pushing is , it ’ s anti-God .
I ’ m just gon na be honest with you , ” he added .
“ Nothing lines up with Scripture for him to make cases like to say that you can not be a Christian and vote for Trump .
He ’ s the one that is openly contradicting God ’ s word over and over.
” Here ’ s the video ; the exchange begins at 5:15 : Glezman also addressed Mayor Pete ’ s recent appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” where token kinda-conservative Meghan McCain asked him where the “ line ” was when it came to abortion and infanticide .
“ My point is that it shouldn ’ t be up to a government official to draw the line , ” Buttigieg said .
“ It should be up to the woman who ’ s confronted.
” “ I ’ m just in a state of lament when you hear that we have someone running for commander in chief who can ’ t make a moral decision on whether to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been born or to have it killed , ” he said .
“ What kind of moral suggestions is he going to be given if he can ’ t come to an understanding of that ?
It ’ s just — it ’ s alarming.
” It ’ s alarming only if you consider Pete Buttigieg to be a man who seriously thinks about the Christian faith as much as he says he does on the campaign trail .
Earlier in the segment , Carlson called Buttigieg the “ Lego candidate.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would disagree with Carlson that Mayor Pete is the first candidate in this class , but he ’ s certainly one of the most eager — and for Pete , religion is a pretty great building block .
It ’ s part of his attempt to convince us he ’ s more Christian than President Trump , even if his positions may appear to be quite the opposite .
If you disagree with Pete on anything on ethical grounds , your quarrel is with his creator , sir .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can contort himself into a position where he sounds like he truly believes that voting for Trump is unbiblical but the government can ’ t draw any lines on killing your child .
Does Buttigieg actually believe all of this ?
I wouldn ’ t say the man is one of those preachers on those high-numbered channels who want you to believe that if you just send them $ 1,000 , they ’ ll send you a vial of anointing oil that will cure any disease .
However , he ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday and flouts it on Monday .
( See also : Pelosi , Nancy . )
There ’ s nothing novel about this ; the phenomenon is as old as politics .
Yet , the fact that Buttigieg is an LGBT Democrat confounds expectations and somehow adds gravitas to fundamentally unserious moral proclamations such as condemning Trump voters while finding it perfectly all right for the government to countenance late-term abortion .
CNN may take this seriously .
America shouldn ’ t .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

There are times when I tune into a Pete Buttigieg speech online and I feel like I’ve wandered into a funhouse mirror version of the “700 Club” where the Rev. Pat Robertson is talking about how third-trimester abortion is OK with God.
His brother-in-law feels that way, too — and he says Mayor Pete is “pushing … anti-God” themes on his campaign.
A bit of background. If you haven’t noticed, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor is on a desperate quest to reclaim God for the Democratic Party as he runs for president.
For instance, Buttigieg is a member of the Episcopal Church, which has fought a pitched battle over whether the Bible condones same-sex relationships. Generally speaking, however, the church affirms the view that the passages in Scripture proscribing same-sex relationships shouldn’t be taken literally — which is certainly its right.
If you do interpret those Scriptures with some degree of literality, however, Buttigieg wants you to know you’ve got a problem.
During his one-way spat with Vice President Mike Pence last year over Pence’s religious beliefs, he angrily declared that if Pence had “a problem with who I am” by believing the Bible prohibited same-sex relationships, ”your problem is not with me — your quarrel, sir, is with my creator.”
Buttigieg also likes to trot out the creator when talking about his problems with President Donald Trump and (yes, even) his support for abortion rights.
“I think no matter where you think about the cosmic question of how life begins, most Americans can get on board with the idea of, ‘I might draw the line here, you might draw the line there,’ but the most important thing is the person who should be drawing the line is the woman making the decision,” Buttigieg said in a September radio appearance.
So the Scriptures are a bit fuzzy on abortion, in Mayor Pete’s view — but they’re pretty clear on the fact Trump shouldn’t be president.
Do you think Pete Buttigieg will win the Democratic presidential nomination? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (9 Votes) No: 99% (914 Votes)
Buttigieg took part in one of those interminable CNN town halls this week when he was asked whether a Christian could actually vote for Donald Trump.
A stupid question deserves a stupid answer: “I’m not going to tell other Christians how to be Christian,” he said, “but I will say I cannot find any compatibility between the way this president conducts himself and anything that I find in Scripture.”
This is apparently Christianity, Democrat Edition.
As it so happens, Buttigieg’s brother in law is a pastor, apparently for a church that belongs to Christianity, Actual Edition.
And he’s not entirely on board with this interpretation of Scripture, as he told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Wednesday.
“Yeah, it’s the height of intellectual dishonesty for Pete to make claims that there’s no compatibility with being a Christian and voting for Trump, [when] Pete, in fact, is the one who is pushing agendas and rhetoric that is clearly against Scripture,” said Rhyan Glezman, senior pastor at the nondenominational Community Church of God in Clio, Michigan.
“Just everything that Pete is pushing is, it’s anti-God. I’m just gonna be honest with you,” he added.
“Nothing lines up with Scripture for him to make cases like to say that you cannot be a Christian and vote for Trump. He’s the one that is openly contradicting God’s word over and over.”
Here’s the video; the exchange begins at 5:15:
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Glezman also addressed Mayor Pete’s recent appearance on ABC’s “The View” where token kinda-conservative Meghan McCain asked him where the “line” was when it came to abortion and infanticide.
“My point is that it shouldn’t be up to a government official to draw the line,” Buttigieg said. “It should be up to the woman who’s confronted.”
Glezman wasn’t impressed by this logic.
“I’m just in a state of lament when you hear that we have someone running for commander in chief who can’t make a moral decision on whether to keep a child after it’s already been born or to have it killed,” he said.
“What kind of moral suggestions is he going to be given if he can’t come to an understanding of that? It’s just — it’s alarming.”
It’s alarming only if you consider Pete Buttigieg to be a man who seriously thinks about the Christian faith as much as he says he does on the campaign trail.
Earlier in the segment, Carlson called Buttigieg the “Lego candidate.” This isn’t an inaccurate description. I would disagree with Carlson that Mayor Pete is the first candidate in this class, but he’s certainly one of the most eager — and for Pete, religion is a pretty great building block. It’s part of his attempt to convince us he’s more Christian than President Trump, even if his positions may appear to be quite the opposite.
If you disagree with Pete on anything on ethical grounds, your quarrel is with his creator, sir. He’s enough of a moral yogi that he can contort himself into a position where he sounds like he truly believes that voting for Trump is unbiblical but the government can’t draw any lines on killing your child.
Does Buttigieg actually believe all of this?
I wouldn’t say the man is one of those preachers on those high-numbered channels who want you to believe that if you just send them $1,000, they’ll send you a vial of anointing oil that will cure any disease.
However, he’s like any other politician that flogs religion on Sunday and flouts it on Monday. (See also: Pelosi, Nancy.)
There’s nothing novel about this; the phenomenon is as old as politics. Yet, the fact that Buttigieg is an LGBT Democrat confounds expectations and somehow adds gravitas to fundamentally unserious moral proclamations such as condemning Trump voters while finding it perfectly all right for the government to countenance late-term abortion.
CNN may take this seriously. America shouldn’t.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Senator Tim Scott: Trump Will See His African-American Support Rise by at Least 50% in 2020

Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina on Thursday predicted that President Donald Trump will receive a significant increase in black support in this fall ’ s presidential election .
“ President Trump will see a 50 percent increase in his African-American support .
It will go from 8 percent in 2016 to a minimum of 12 percent in 2020 , ” Scott told Neil Cavuto on the Fox News show “ Your World.
” “ He may even get to 15 percent of the African-American vote , ” Scott said .
“ And that is game over.
” Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg .
“ Listen to what the Democrats are saying .
They have top-tier candidates that say redlining was a good thing , having a negative impact on African-American home ownership , ” he said , referring to practices by banks not to lend to certain low-income areas .
TRENDING : Bolton Breaks Silence on 'Grossly Partisan ' Impeachment , Blasts Dems Who Wanted Him To Testify During Wednesday ’ s Democratic presidential debate , Bloomberg ’ s past comments on the issue were attacked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to NBC News .
“ What is President Trump doing during the same time ?
” Scott said .
“ It ’ s simple .
He had an executive order to increase affordability of home ownership , and African-American home ownership , since he took office , is up about 2 percent.
” “ Think about having a top-tier Democratic candidate that talks about harassing African-American males through stop-and-frisk , ” Scott said , referring to one of Bloomberg ’ s signature policies as New York City mayor .
“ Compare that against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packages that are making the justice system more fair for African-Americans disproportionately than it has been in a long time — at least 30 years.
” Scott noted that the Trump administration has overseen the creation of 7 million new jobs , many of which are filled by black Americans as the black unemployment rate hits record lows .
RELATED : Buttigieg Says He Needs a Gigantic Cash Haul Within Weeks To Stay in Race “ The wealth gap closes as home ownership goes up , ” Scott said , summing up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
“ President Trump is not just talking a good game , he is walking a good game .
And the icing on the cake — think about this — President Trump got permanent funding for HBCUs for the first time in the country ’ s history , ” he said , referring to funding support for historically black colleges and universities .
“ This president , President Trump , is not simply talking about going after every single vote in America , he ’ s actually doing the work to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what the Democrats promised — because their track record is abysmal , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina on Thursday predicted that President Donald Trump will receive a significant increase in black support in this fall’s presidential election.
“President Trump will see a 50 percent increase in his African-American support. It will go from 8 percent in 2016 to a minimum of 12 percent in 2020,” Scott told Neil Cavuto on the Fox News show “Your World.”
“He may even get to 15 percent of the African-American vote,” Scott said. “And that is game over.”
Scott contrasted Trump with Democratic presidential candidates, particularly former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“Listen to what the Democrats are saying. They have top-tier candidates that say redlining was a good thing, having a negative impact on African-American home ownership,” he said, referring to practices by banks not to lend to certain low-income areas.
.@SenatorTimScott to Neil: President Trump will see a 50% increase in his African American support, it will go from 8% in 2016 to a minimum of 12% in 2020 pic.twitter.com/a0eCJI70wo — Neil Cavuto (@TeamCavuto) February 20, 2020
During Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate, Bloomberg’s past comments on the issue were attacked by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, according to NBC News.
“What is President Trump doing during the same time?” Scott said. “It’s simple. He had an executive order to increase affordability of home ownership, and African-American home ownership, since he took office, is up about 2 percent.”
Has President Donald Trump delivered for African-Americans? Yes No
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“Think about having a top-tier Democratic candidate that talks about harassing African-American males through stop-and-frisk,” Scott said, referring to one of Bloomberg’s signature policies as New York City mayor.
“Compare that against President Trump’s criminal justice reform packages that are making the justice system more fair for African-Americans disproportionately than it has been in a long time — at least 30 years.”
Scott noted that the Trump administration has overseen the creation of 7 million new jobs, many of which are filled by black Americans as the black unemployment rate hits record lows.
Due to Dems promising African Americans help for years, yet doing nothing, there’s a “Black Awakening” spreading across our land. @realDonaldTrump has delivered lowest black unemployment in history, to start.#MAGA #FoxNews#SundayMotivation#SundayMorninghttps://t.co/SWei0KLvvY — Michael Nöthem (@mikandynothem) February 15, 2020
Translation: @realDonaldTrump has delivered the lowest black unemployment rate in history, so Clyburn and the do-nothing Democrats are panicking because they’ve been exposed. https://t.co/rSIUW1VlRB — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 20, 2020
Prior to @realDonaldTrump’s administration, black unemployment had never dipped below 7%. It’s been below that for 2 years and wages for black Americans are rising! — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 15, 2020
“The wealth gap closes as home ownership goes up,” Scott said, summing up the Trump administration’s impact on black Americans.
“President Trump is not just talking a good game, he is walking a good game. And the icing on the cake — think about this — President Trump got permanent funding for HBCUs for the first time in the country’s history,” he said, referring to funding support for historically black colleges and universities.
“This president, President Trump, is not simply talking about going after every single vote in America, he’s actually doing the work to get every community in this nation focused not on what the Democrats promised — because their track record is abysmal,” he said.
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Trump Announces He Won’t Pardon Roger Stone for the Time Being

President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at the trial of ally Roger Stone but said he will not act soon on any possible pardon .
The president spoke at a graduation ceremony for the Hope for Prisoners program in Las Vegas .
During his speech , he took time to address the fact that despite Trump ’ s objections , Stone was sentenced Thursday to 40 months in prison .
“ Now , you see a lot of press back there , ” the president said .
“ So before we go any further , I want to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roger Stone .
Roger Stone .
He ’ s become a big part of the news over the last little while .
And I ’ m following this very closely , and I want to see it play out to its fullest because Roger has a very good chance of exoneration , in my opinion .
“ I ’ ve known — and you people understand it probably better than anybody in the room — I ’ ve known Roger Stone and his wife , who ’ s really a terrific woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger is definitely a character .
Everybody sort of knows Roger .
Everybody knows him .
And most people like him .
Some people probably don ’ t , but I do and I always have .
He ’ s a smart guy .
He ’ s a little different .
But those are sometimes the most interesting .
But he ’ s a good person.
” Trump said characterizations of Stone as a Trump campaign worker are false .
TRENDING : Flustered Bloomberg Accidentally Suggests He Should Have Been Fired for Sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign for president .
He wasn ’ t involved .
I think early on , long before I announced , he may have done a little consulting work or something , but he was not involved when I ran for president .
And he ’ s a person who , again , he knows a lot of people having to do with politics .
His whole life is politics .
That ’ s what he is , ” he said .
Trump then called out Tomeka Hart , the jury forewoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had been tried was revealed to have made social media posts against Trump and about Stone before he was convicted .
“ And it ’ s my strong opinion that the forewoman of the jury — the woman who was in charge of the jury — is totally tainted , ” the president said .
“ When you take a look , how can you have a person like this ?
She was an anti-Trump activist .
Can you imagine this ?
“ Now , you wouldn ’ t know about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad ?
No ?
These people know more about bad juries than everybody here , including the sheriff and the mayor and everybody .
They know about bad juries .
We ’ re not going to say it too much , so let ’ s not say it in front of more cameras than this .
But you ’ re my experts , OK ?
“ No , but this is a woman who was an anti-Trump person , totally .
Now , I don ’ t know if this is a fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media account .
The things she said on the account were unbelievable .
She didn ’ t reveal that when she was chosen .
And she ’ s , I guess , from what I hear , a very strong woman , a very dominant person , so she can get people to do whatever she wants .
And she got on , and then she became the foreperson , forewoman , on the jury .
And I assume they asked her a question : ‘ Do you have any bias ?
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say that .
So is that a defrauding of the court ?
You tell me , ” Trump said .
“ But does this undermine our fair system of justice ?
How can you have a person like this ?
Did she delete her social account ?
And when Roger was determined by the same jury to be guilty before the judge issued a sentence — and he was determined to be guilty — and she started going a little wild .
She ’ s very happy .
And she started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s strange .
That ’ s strange.
’ And then they started looking at it , and how can you have a jury pool tainted so badly ?
It ’ s not fair .
It ’ s not fair , ” Trump said .
Prosecutors had originally recommended a sentence of 87 to 108 months in jail for the 67-year-old Stone , but the Department of Justice reduced that after the president complained it was “ ridiculous.
” While four prosecutors resigned over the change , Attorney General William Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no pressure from the president , because the sentence was “ very excessive.
” RELATED : GOP Rep Pushes Bill to Officially Call CNN 'Fake News ' : 'Tired of Fake News and Republicans Who Do n't Fight' “ I ’ m here to make a fair system , ” the president said Thursday , noting that Stone was prosecuted for making false statements while others were not .
“ Other people lied too .
Just to mention , [ James ] Comey lied .
[ Andrew ] McCabe lied .
Lisa Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Strzok — lied .
You don ’ t know who these people are ?
Just trust me , they all lied , ” Trump said , referring to FBI leaders and agents involved in the case of special prosecutor Robert Mueller , who tried and failed to prove that Trump was colluding with Russia .
“ You had people that forged documents .
You had people that wrote fake dossiers and brought them to the FBI , and used people in the Justice Department to get them to the FBI .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row , you know better than anybody in this room what the hell I ’ m talking about , probably .
So I ’ m only responding to you .
I ’ m not even talking to the folks all the way back .
But they get it better than anybody too .
A lot of bad things are happening , and we ’ re cleaning it out .
We ’ re cleaning the swamp .
We ’ re draining the swamp .
I just never knew how deep the swamp was .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I hope the judge will find that she was tainted .
And if she isn ’ t tainted , that will be fine too .
“ But I ’ m not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed upon a president of the United States .
I want the process to play out .
I think that ’ s the best thing to do , because I ’ d love to see Roger exonerated , and I ’ d love to see it happen because I personally think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president noted that others have skated without charges for doing much worse than Stone did .
“ Now , Hillary Clinton leaked more classified documents than any human being , I believe , in the history of the United States of America .
Right ?
” Trump said .
“ And she deleted 33,000 emails .
And she said , ‘ Oh… ’ And , by the way , if you did it : five years , maybe more .
… And nothing happened to her.
” He stressed that , for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone case .
“ So I ’ m going to let this process play out .
And we want to have a great and fair court system .
And I hope you had a fair and — you know , fair and wonderful court system .
But perhaps you didn ’ t .
Perhaps you didn ’ t .
And if you didn ’ t , we want to straighten it out .
But we have to straighten it out also at the top level , ” Trump said .
The president concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting .
I ’ m not doing any — I ’ m just sitting here , standing here , talking to you .
We ’ re waiting .
So I just want to let the fake-news media know that .
I just want to let them know , because there ’ s few people more dishonest than these people , I will tell you that .
And you have some very good ones .
A hell of a lot more dishonest than most of you in the audience were .
But I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I ’ m going to watch the process ; I ’ m going to watch it very closely .
And at some point , I ’ ll make a determination .
“ But Roger Stone — and everybody — has to be treated fairly .
And this has not been a fair process .
OK ?
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at the trial of ally Roger Stone but said he will not act soon on any possible pardon.
The president spoke at a graduation ceremony for the Hope for Prisoners program in Las Vegas. During his speech, he took time to address the fact that despite Trump’s objections, Stone was sentenced Thursday to 40 months in prison.
“Now, you see a lot of press back there,” the president said. “So before we go any further, I want to address today’s sentencing of a man, Roger Stone. Roger Stone. He’s become a big part of the news over the last little while. And I’m following this very closely, and I want to see it play out to its fullest because Roger has a very good chance of exoneration, in my opinion.
“I’ve known — and you people understand it probably better than anybody in the room — I’ve known Roger Stone and his wife, who’s really a terrific woman, for a long time. And Roger is definitely a character. Everybody sort of knows Roger. Everybody knows him. And most people like him. Some people probably don’t, but I do and I always have. He’s a smart guy. He’s a little different. But those are sometimes the most interesting. But he’s a good person.”
Trump said characterizations of Stone as a Trump campaign worker are false.
“Roger was never involved in the Trump campaign for president. He wasn’t involved. I think early on, long before I announced, he may have done a little consulting work or something, but he was not involved when I ran for president. And he’s a person who, again, he knows a lot of people having to do with politics. His whole life is politics. That’s what he is,” he said.
Trump then called out Tomeka Hart, the jury forewoman in the Stone case, who after it had been tried was revealed to have made social media posts against Trump and about Stone before he was convicted.
“And it’s my strong opinion that the forewoman of the jury — the woman who was in charge of the jury — is totally tainted,” the president said. “When you take a look, how can you have a person like this? She was an anti-Trump activist. Can you imagine this?
Was anti-Trump bias a factor in Roger Stone's trial? Yes No
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“Now, you wouldn’t know about a bad jury. Anybody here know about bad? No? These people know more about bad juries than everybody here, including the sheriff and the mayor and everybody. They know about bad juries. We’re not going to say it too much, so let’s not say it in front of more cameras than this. But you’re my experts, OK?
“No, but this is a woman who was an anti-Trump person, totally. Now, I don’t know if this is a fact, but she had a horrible social media account. The things she said on the account were unbelievable. She didn’t reveal that when she was chosen. And she’s, I guess, from what I hear, a very strong woman, a very dominant person, so she can get people to do whatever she wants. And she got on, and then she became the foreperson, forewoman, on the jury. And I assume they asked her a question: ‘Do you have any bias? Do you have any …’ She didn’t say that. So is that a defrauding of the court? You tell me,” Trump said.
Trump said bias infected Stone’s trial.
“But does this undermine our fair system of justice? How can you have a person like this? Did she delete her social account? And when Roger was determined by the same jury to be guilty before the judge issued a sentence — and he was determined to be guilty — and she started going a little wild. She’s very happy. And she started saying things that people said, ‘That’s strange. That’s strange.’ And then they started looking at it, and how can you have a jury pool tainted so badly? It’s not fair. It’s not fair,” Trump said.
Prosecutors had originally recommended a sentence of 87 to 108 months in jail for the 67-year-old Stone, but the Department of Justice reduced that after the president complained it was “ridiculous.” While four prosecutors resigned over the change, Attorney General William Barr said he made the decision independently, with no pressure from the president, because the sentence was “very excessive.”
“I’m here to make a fair system,” the president said Thursday, noting that Stone was prosecuted for making false statements while others were not.
“Other people lied too. Just to mention, [James] Comey lied. [Andrew] McCabe lied. Lisa Page lied. Her lover, Strzok — Peter Strzok — lied. You don’t know who these people are? Just trust me, they all lied,” Trump said, referring to FBI leaders and agents involved in the case of special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who tried and failed to prove that Trump was colluding with Russia.
“You had people that forged documents. You had people that wrote fake dossiers and brought them to the FBI, and used people in the Justice Department to get them to the FBI. And these people know — in the front row, you know better than anybody in this room what the hell I’m talking about, probably. So I’m only responding to you. I’m not even talking to the folks all the way back. But they get it better than anybody too. A lot of bad things are happening, and we’re cleaning it out. We’re cleaning the swamp. We’re draining the swamp. I just never knew how deep the swamp was.
“So if this woman was tainted, I hope the judge will find that she was tainted. And if she isn’t tainted, that will be fine too.
“But I’m not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed upon a president of the United States. I want the process to play out. I think that’s the best thing to do, because I’d love to see Roger exonerated, and I’d love to see it happen because I personally think he was treated very unfairly.”
The president noted that others have skated without charges for doing much worse than Stone did.
“Now, Hillary Clinton leaked more classified documents than any human being, I believe, in the history of the United States of America. Right?” Trump said. “And she deleted 33,000 emails. And she said, ‘Oh…’ And, by the way, if you did it: five years, maybe more. … And nothing happened to her.”
He stressed that, for now, he will not intervene in the Stone case.
“So I’m going to let this process play out. And we want to have a great and fair court system. And I hope you had a fair and — you know, fair and wonderful court system. But perhaps you didn’t. Perhaps you didn’t. And if you didn’t, we want to straighten it out. But we have to straighten it out also at the top level,” Trump said.
The president concluded, “And we’re just waiting. I’m not doing any — I’m just sitting here, standing here, talking to you. We’re waiting. So I just want to let the fake-news media know that. I just want to let them know, because there’s few people more dishonest than these people, I will tell you that. And you have some very good ones. A hell of a lot more dishonest than most of you in the audience were. But I’m going to let the media know that I’m going to watch the process; I’m going to watch it very closely. And at some point, I’ll make a determination.
“But Roger Stone — and everybody — has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process. OK?”
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westernjournal--2020-02-21--Elizabeth Warren Explains She Wants To Go Even Further Than the Green New Deal

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Masschusetts said during a CNN town hall appearance Thursday that the so-called Green New Deal is not a sufficient policy to tackle what she believes is the biggest problem facing the world .
Americans need to focus on pushing the envelope further than what New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was willing to do when she proposed the Green New Deal , according to Warren .
The Massachusetts Democrat previously has expressed support for the far-reaching legislation .
“ What I want to see us do is get off an oil economy and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the world , ” Warren said as she explained why the Green New Deal does not go far enough to prevent climate change .
She added : “ I want to see us move entirely to green .
And let me say on this , I not only support a Green New Deal , I don ’ t think it goes far enough .
I also have a Blue New Deal , because we ’ ve got to be thinking about our oceans as well that we need to protect.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Should Have Been Fired for Sexual Harassment The resolution , among other things , calls for “ 10-year national mobilizations ” toward a series of goals aimed at fighting global warming .
A separate fact sheet claims the plan would “ mobilize every aspect of American society on a scale not seen since World War 2.
” Among other things , it sought to nix oil production outright .
Recent reports suggest the Green New Deal could cost tens of trillions of dollars .
Americans could be forced to pay up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade , the conservative-leaning American Action Forum noted in a study in February .
Still , Warren is moving forward on lofty plans to wallop the industry .
Warren is also supporting a ban on hydraulic fracturing , a method of drilling that involves spraying high-pressure water and sand underground to make tiny fractures in rock to release gas , which can then be liquified .
She proposed a plan in June 2019 to spend $ 2 trillion over a decade to create 1 million “ green ” jobs .
Warren published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she is calling a Blue New Deal , which is designed to protect Earth ’ s oceans .
The post mostly suggests the U.S. expand offshore wind power and end offshore drilling .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Masschusetts said during a CNN town hall appearance Thursday that the so-called Green New Deal is not a sufficient policy to tackle what she believes is the biggest problem facing the world.
Americans need to focus on pushing the envelope further than what New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was willing to do when she proposed the Green New Deal, according to Warren.
The Massachusetts Democrat previously has expressed support for the far-reaching legislation.
“What I want to see us do is get off an oil economy and not only for ourselves, but for the rest of the world,” Warren said as she explained why the Green New Deal does not go far enough to prevent climate change.
She added: “I want to see us move entirely to green. And let me say on this, I not only support a Green New Deal, I don’t think it goes far enough. I also have a Blue New Deal, because we’ve got to be thinking about our oceans as well that we need to protect.”
The resolution, among other things, calls for “10-year national mobilizations” toward a series of goals aimed at fighting global warming.
A separate fact sheet claims the plan would “mobilize every aspect of American society on a scale not seen since World War 2.”
Among other things, it sought to nix oil production outright.
Do you think climate change is the most serious problem we're facing today? 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: 2% (3 Votes) No: 98% (185 Votes)
Recent reports suggest the Green New Deal could cost tens of trillions of dollars. Americans could be forced to pay up to $93 trillion to implement the proposal over a decade, the conservative-leaning American Action Forum noted in a study in February.
Still, Warren is moving forward on lofty plans to wallop the industry.
Warren is also supporting a ban on hydraulic fracturing, a method of drilling that involves spraying high-pressure water and sand underground to make tiny fractures in rock to release gas, which can then be liquified.
She proposed a plan in June 2019 to spend $2 trillion over a decade to create 1 million “green” jobs.
Warren published on her campaign website a roadmap for what she is calling a Blue New Deal, which is designed to protect Earth’s oceans.
The post mostly suggests the U.S. expand offshore wind power and end offshore drilling.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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