westernjournal--2020-04-16--Obama AG Eric Holder Giddy About ‘Opportunity’ Coronavirus Presents To Make ‘Permanent’ Changes

For Democrats , every crisis is an opportunity .
The country has seen that repeatedly with the coronavirus pandemic , as Democratic governors throughout the country flex their political muscles to at the expense of constitutional rights , or when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to hold up the coronavirus relief package to stuff it full of Democratic priorities American voters don ’ t share .
But those , hopefully , are just passing battles , to be settled in the courtroom or on the legislative floor .
For Democrats like former Attorney General Eric Holder , the coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American electoral system — permanently .
In an interview with Time magazine published this week , Holder , the man who spent six years disgracing the concept of rule of law in the Obama White House , tried to sell his ideas to a lapdog interviewer as “ pro-democracy , ” and making elections “ more inclusive.
” But what he ’ s talking about is destroying the integrity of the voting system at its base .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to revamp our electoral system so that it permanently becomes more inclusive and becomes easier for the American people to access , ” Holder said .
“ It would be foolhardy to take these pro-democracy measures off the table after we get on the other side of the virus .
These are changes that we should make permanent because it will enhance our democracy.
” What are the “ pro-democracy measures ” Holder is so ardent about ?
Measure like voting by mail and no-excuse absentee ballots — the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would make national elections so open to tampering and fraud that they could be subject to endless challenges .
As Townhall ’ s Beth Baumann pointed out Thursday , the whole idea of mail-in ballots on a nationwide scale is ripe for fraud .
The practice of “ ballot harvesting , ” allowing literally anyone — including paid political operatives — to collect ballots from voters and turn them in for counting basically destroys the protection of the voting booth .
There is no way of knowing for sure whether the person voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will , or even if the person whose ballot was being cast was the one who actually filled it out .
The practice paid off handsomely for Democrats in California in the 2018 midterms .
Even the San Francisco Chronicle — not exactly a right-wing news outlet — attributed major Democratic gains in the Golden State that year to “ ballot harvesting.
” “ The one thing we never hear about from these Democrats is about voter fraud .
We don ’ t hear about ballot harvesting , ” Baumann wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself , is it allows political operatives to collect and return ballots .
There ’ s no way to know if those operatives are actually turning in people ’ s ballots or if they ’ re magically ‘ losing ’ the ballots of those who oppose their candidate or their cause .
“ Then there ’ s the issue of voter identification .
Who ’ s to say that the person who filled out the ballot is the registered voter ?
There ’ s no one to double-check that information .
No one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s based entirely on the honor system.
” RELATED : Holder Tells Conservative Reporter 'Shut the Hell up ' - Why Is n't Media Condemning Him Like Trump ?
It ’ s doubtful there has ever been a time and a place in American history where the “ honor system ” was a reliable method of conducting elections — some version of the Democrats , after all , has been around since the earliest days the republic .
But even if there has been , it hasn ’ t been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be voting in November .
What Holder and his supporters care about isn ’ t the integrity of any election , or the secret ballot that makes an honest , completely independent individual vote possible , or a system of voter registration that makes sure those casting a vote are legal residents of the country or the jurisdiction that they ’ re voting in .
Democrats don ’ t care , at bottom , about how an election works , they care about the results .
And the results of the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of results the country can expect writ large if the party manages to use the confusion surrounding the coronavirus crisis to rewrite the rules of American electoral politics .
They ’ re not regretful about it .
In Holder ’ s case , they can sound actually giddy at the prospect .
For leftists , a crisis is an opportunity .
And as Holder told Time magazine , leftists have no intention of letting the coronavirus crisis go by without trying to capitalize on it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

For Democrats, every crisis is an opportunity.
The country has seen that repeatedly with the coronavirus pandemic, as Democratic governors throughout the country flex their political muscles to at the expense of constitutional rights, or when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to hold up the coronavirus relief package to stuff it full of Democratic priorities American voters don’t share.
But those, hopefully, are just passing battles, to be settled in the courtroom or on the legislative floor. For Democrats like former Attorney General Eric Holder, the coronavirus crisis is an opportunity to make changes to the American electoral system — permanently.
In an interview with Time magazine published this week, Holder, the man who spent six years disgracing the concept of rule of law in the Obama White House, tried to sell his ideas to a lapdog interviewer as “pro-democracy,” and making elections “more inclusive.”
But what he’s talking about is destroying the integrity of the voting system at its base.
“Coronavirus gives us an opportunity to revamp our electoral system so that it permanently becomes more inclusive and becomes easier for the American people to access,” Holder said.
“It would be foolhardy to take these pro-democracy measures off the table after we get on the other side of the virus. These are changes that we should make permanent because it will enhance our democracy.”
What are the “pro-democracy measures” Holder is so ardent about? Measure like voting by mail and no-excuse absentee ballots — the kind of voting “reforms” Democrats champion that would make national elections so open to tampering and fraud that they could be subject to endless challenges.
As Townhall’s Beth Baumann pointed out Thursday, the whole idea of mail-in ballots on a nationwide scale is ripe for fraud.
Do you think Democrats are trying to exploit the coronavirus crisis? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (1932 Votes) No: 1% (10 Votes)
The practice of “ballot harvesting,” allowing literally anyone — including paid political operatives — to collect ballots from voters and turn them in for counting basically destroys the protection of the voting booth.
There is no way of knowing for sure whether the person voting was doing so of their own free will, or even if the person whose ballot was being cast was the one who actually filled it out.
The practice paid off handsomely for Democrats in California in the 2018 midterms. Even the San Francisco Chronicle — not exactly a right-wing news outlet — attributed major Democratic gains in the Golden State that year to “ballot harvesting.”
“The one thing we never hear about from these Democrats is about voter fraud. We don’t hear about ballot harvesting,” Baumann wrote. “The issue with ballot harvesting, in itself, is it allows political operatives to collect and return ballots. There’s no way to know if those operatives are actually turning in people’s ballots or if they’re magically ‘losing’ the ballots of those who oppose their candidate or their cause.
“Then there’s the issue of voter identification. Who’s to say that the person who filled out the ballot is the registered voter? There’s no one to double-check that information. No one has to produce any kind of identification. It’s based entirely on the honor system.”
It’s doubtful there has ever been a time and a place in American history where the “honor system” was a reliable method of conducting elections — some version of the Democrats, after all, has been around since the earliest days the republic.
But even if there has been, it hasn’t been within the living memory of anyone who will be voting in November.
What Holder and his supporters care about isn’t the integrity of any election, or the secret ballot that makes an honest, completely independent individual vote possible, or a system of voter registration that makes sure those casting a vote are legal residents of the country or the jurisdiction that they’re voting in.
Democrats don’t care, at bottom, about how an election works, they care about the results.
And the results of the 2018 midterms in California are exactly the kind of results the country can expect writ large if the party manages to use the confusion surrounding the coronavirus crisis to rewrite the rules of American electoral politics.
They’re not regretful about it. In Holder’s case, they can sound actually giddy at the prospect. For leftists, a crisis is an opportunity.
And as Holder told Time magazine, leftists have no intention of letting the coronavirus crisis go by without trying to capitalize on it.
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--Coronavirus Relief Checks Reportedly Sent to Dead People, Causing Confusion

Millions of Americans have received federal coronavirus crisis relief checks this week , including some people who are no longer living , according to multiple reports .
Some people posted on social media that they had received messages from their deceased relatives ’ banks that a direct deposit had been made to their accounts .
“ Ok this is insane , but just the tip of the iceberg , ” Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie tweeted , attaching a photo of a text from a friend .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose husband died last year asked on Twitter if the government will want the money back after she received the $ 2,400 payment for married couples , Fox News reported .
As of Thursday morning , the Internal Revenue Service website didn ’ t say what people should do with payments sent in error .
The guidelines to receive the money — formally known as an Economic Impact Payment — could explain how the error might occur .
The IRS determines eligibility by looking at the adjusted gross income on a household ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size of the payment .
If that tax return isn ’ t available yet , the IRS will look at the adjusted gross income on the 2018 tax return .
“ The IRS claims it is going to take the data from your most recent tax return that is available , ” Adam Markowitz , vice president of Howard L. Markowitz PA CPA , told Market Watch .
“ If a taxpayer filed jointly with a deceased spouse in 2018 and has not filed a 2019 tax return yet , the IRS likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it won ’ t make that payment to someone who is no longer with us.
” RELATED : IRS Launches Website That Allows Users To Track Coronavirus Relief Payment Status This is not the first time the federal government has issued stimulus checks to the dead .
After the Obama administration passed a $ 13 billion economic stimulus package in response to the Great Recession in 2009 , about 89,000 checks , worth $ 250 each , were sent to dead or incarcerated people , according to The Atlantic .
About 41,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Wall Street Journal reported at the time .
It ’ s against the law to spend Social Security money that was meant to go to someone else , but it is rare for people to be prosecuted over a small amount of money .
“ At least one person has been prosecuted for cashing a stimulus check not issued to them , in one of the few accusations of stimulus fraud to date , ” The Wall Street Journal reported in 2010 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

Millions of Americans have received federal coronavirus crisis relief checks this week, including some people who are no longer living, according to multiple reports.
Some people posted on social media that they had received messages from their deceased relatives’ banks that a direct deposit had been made to their accounts.
“Ok this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg,” Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie tweeted, attaching a photo of a text from a friend.
Ok this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg. This is a direct text to me from a friend. I called to confirm this actually just happened. pic.twitter.com/GBRPcmYMXW — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 15, 2020
One widow whose husband died last year asked on Twitter if the government will want the money back after she received the $2,400 payment for married couples, Fox News reported.
Deceased people are receiving stimulus checks today. My grandmother passed away in 2018 — and $1,200 was deposited in her bank account today. pic.twitter.com/XkhyiGxBgj — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 15, 2020
As of Thursday morning, the Internal Revenue Service website didn’t say what people should do with payments sent in error.
Do you think money issued in error should be returned to the government? 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: 90% (278 Votes) No: 10% (32 Votes)
The guidelines to receive the money — formally known as an Economic Impact Payment — could explain how the error might occur.
The IRS determines eligibility by looking at the adjusted gross income on a household’s 2019 tax return to determine the size of the payment.
If that tax return isn’t available yet, the IRS will look at the adjusted gross income on the 2018 tax return.
“The IRS claims it is going to take the data from your most recent tax return that is available,” Adam Markowitz, vice president of Howard L. Markowitz PA CPA, told Market Watch.
“If a taxpayer filed jointly with a deceased spouse in 2018 and has not filed a 2019 tax return yet, the IRS likely has no safeguard in place to ensure that it won’t make that payment to someone who is no longer with us.”
This is not the first time the federal government has issued stimulus checks to the dead.
After the Obama administration passed a $13 billion economic stimulus package in response to the Great Recession in 2009, about 89,000 checks, worth $250 each, were sent to dead or incarcerated people, according to The Atlantic.
About 41,000 checks issued in error were later returned, The Wall Street Journal reported at the time.
It’s against the law to spend Social Security money that was meant to go to someone else, but it is rare for people to be prosecuted over a small amount of money.
“At least one person has been prosecuted for cashing a stimulus check not issued to them, in one of the few accusations of stimulus fraud to date,” The Wall Street Journal reported in 2010.
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--‘Dynasty’ and ‘Tommy Boy’ Actor Brian Dennehy Dead at Age 81

Brian Dennehy , the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare , Anton Chekhov , Eugene O ’ Neill and Arthur Miller , has died .
He was 81 .
Dennehy died Wednesday night of natural causes in New Haven , Connecticut , according to Kate Cafaro of ICM Partners , the actor ’ s representatives .
Known for his broad frame , booming voice and ability to play good guys and bad guys with equal aplomb , Dennehy won two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nominated for six Emmys .
He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2010 .
Tributes came from Hollywood and Broadway , including from actor James Woods , who appeared in two films with Dennehy .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It Actor Michael McKean said Dennehy was “ brilliant and versatile , a powerhouse actor and a very nice man as well.
” Dana Delany , who appeared in a movie with Dennehy , said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind anymore.
” Lin-Manuel Miranda , who said he saw Dennehy twice onstage , called the actor “ a colossus.
” Among his 40-odd films , he played a sheriff who jailed Rambo in “ First Blood , ” a serial killer in “ To Catch a Killer ” and a corrupt sheriff gunned down by Kevin Kline in “ Silverado.
” He also had some benign roles : the bartender who consoles Dudley Moore in “ 10 ” and the levelheaded leader of aliens in “ Cocoon ” and its sequel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he observed in an interview .
“ They took care of you , first-class .
Those days are gone.
” Dennehy had a long connection with Chicago ’ s Goodman Theater , which had a reputation for heavy drama .
He appeared in Bertolt Brecht ’ s “ Galileo ” in 1986 and later Chekhov ’ s “ Cherry Orchard ” at far lower salaries than he earned in Hollywood .
In 1990 , he played the role of Hickey in Eugene O ’ Neill ’ s “ The Iceman Cometh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodman with Nathan Lane in 2012 and in Brooklyn in 2013 .
In 1998 , Dennehy appeared on Broadway in the classic role of Willy Loman , the worn-out hustler in Miller ’ s “ Death of a Salesman ” and won the Tony for his performance .
“ What this actor goes for is close to an everyman quality , with a grand emotional expansiveness that matches his monumental physique , ” wrote Ben Brantley in his review of the play for The New York Times .
“ Yet these emotions ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kidnap you by force , trapping you inside Willy ’ s psyche.
” He was awarded another Tony in 2003 for his role in O ’ Neill ’ s “ Long Day ’ s Journey into Night.
” At the podium , after thanking his family , co-stars and producers and complementing his competitors , he said , “ The words of Eugene O ’ Neill — they ’ ve got to be heard .
They ’ ve got to be heard , and heard and heard .
And thank you so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enunciate them.
” Dennehy was born July 9 , 1938 , in Bridgeport , Connecticut , the first of three sons .
His venture into acting began when he was 14 in New York City and a student at a Brooklyn high school .
He acted the title role in “ Macbeth.
” He played football on a scholarship at Columbia University , and he served five years in the U.S. Marines .
Back in New York City in 1965 , he pursued acting while working at side jobs .
“ I learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what a bartender does , how a salesman thinks , ” he told The New York Times in 1989 .
“ I had to make a life inside those jobs , not just pretend.
” His parents — Ed Dennehy , an editor for The Associated Press in New York , and Hannah Dennehy , a nurse — could never understand why his son chose to act .
“ Anyone raised in a first- or second-generation immigrant family knows that you are expected to advance the ball down the field , ” Dennehy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Acting didn ’ t qualify in any way.
” The 6-foot-3-inch Dennehy went to Hollywood for his first movie , “ Semi-Tough , ” starring Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson .
Dennehy was paid $ 10,000 a week for 10 week ’ s work , which he thought “ looked like it was all the money in the world.
” Among his films : “ Looking for Mr. Goodbar , ” “ Foul Play , ” “ Little Miss Marker , ” “ Split Image , ” “ Gorky Park , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Home , ” “ Return to Snowy River , ” “ Presumed Innocent , ” “ Romeo and Juliet ” and “ Assault on Precinct 13.
” He played the father of Chris Farley ’ s titular character in the 1995 comedy “ Tommy Boy.
” He played serial murderer John Wayne Gacy in the 1991 TV movie “ To Catch a Killer ” and union leader Jackie Presser in the HBO special “ Teamster Boss ” a year later .
“ I try to play villains as if they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re villains , ” he said in 1992 .
Dennehy worked deep into his 70s , in such projects as SundanceTV ’ s “ Hap and Leonard , ” the film “ The Seagull ” with Elisabeth Moss and Annette Bening and the play “ Endgame ” by Samuel Beckett at the Long Wharf Theatre .
His last foray on Broadway was in “ Love Letters ” opposite Mia Farrow in 2014 .
He is survived by his second wife , costume designer Jennifer Arnott , and their two children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived by three daughters — Elizabeth , Kathleen and Deirdre — from a previous marriage to Judith Scheff .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Brian Dennehy, the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and Arthur Miller, has died. He was 81.
Dennehy died Wednesday night of natural causes in New Haven, Connecticut, according to Kate Cafaro of ICM Partners, the actor’s representatives.
Known for his broad frame, booming voice and ability to play good guys and bad guys with equal aplomb, Dennehy won two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe and was nominated for six Emmys. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2010.
Tributes came from Hollywood and Broadway, including from actor James Woods, who appeared in two films with Dennehy.
I’m just devastated to hear we lost my beloved friend and colleague, #BrianDennehy. We were partners on two of my favorite films, Split Image and Best Seller. I’ve never laughed so hard as we did every day on the set or off. For a big “tough guy,” he was a sweetheart. #RIPBrian pic.twitter.com/EjsxMvqlxw — James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) April 16, 2020
Actor Michael McKean said Dennehy was “brilliant and versatile, a powerhouse actor and a very nice man as well.”
Dana Delany, who appeared in a movie with Dennehy, said, “They don’t make his kind anymore.”
I met Brian in a bar, acted in a movie with him but the stage was what he loved. In rehearsal he said, “This is it, kid.” He was a fellow nutmegger, mick and a Marine. They don’t make his kind anymore. ❤to his family. https://t.co/0TLeo2MAyt — Dana Delany (@DanaDelany) April 16, 2020
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who said he saw Dennehy twice onstage, called the actor “a colossus.”
Among his 40-odd films, he played a sheriff who jailed Rambo in “First Blood,” a serial killer in “To Catch a Killer” and a corrupt sheriff gunned down by Kevin Kline in “Silverado.”
He also had some benign roles: the bartender who consoles Dudley Moore in “10” and the levelheaded leader of aliens in “Cocoon” and its sequel.
Eventually, Dennehy wearied of the studio life.
“Movies used to be fun,” he observed in an interview. “They took care of you, first-class. Those days are gone.”
Dennehy had a long connection with Chicago’s Goodman Theater, which had a reputation for heavy drama. He appeared in Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo” in 1986 and later Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” at far lower salaries than he earned in Hollywood. In 1990, he played the role of Hickey in Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh,” a play he reprised at the Goodman with Nathan Lane in 2012 and in Brooklyn in 2013.
In 1998, Dennehy appeared on Broadway in the classic role of Willy Loman, the worn-out hustler in Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” and won the Tony for his performance.
“What this actor goes for is close to an everyman quality, with a grand emotional expansiveness that matches his monumental physique,” wrote Ben Brantley in his review of the play for The New York Times. “Yet these emotions ring so unerringly true that Mr. Dennehy seems to kidnap you by force, trapping you inside Willy’s psyche.”
He was awarded another Tony in 2003 for his role in O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey into Night.” At the podium, after thanking his family, co-stars and producers and complementing his competitors, he said, “The words of Eugene O’Neill — they’ve got to be heard. They’ve got to be heard, and heard and heard. And thank you so much for giving us the chance to enunciate them.”
Dennehy was born July 9, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the first of three sons. His venture into acting began when he was 14 in New York City and a student at a Brooklyn high school. He acted the title role in “Macbeth.” He played football on a scholarship at Columbia University, and he served five years in the U.S. Marines.
Back in New York City in 1965, he pursued acting while working at side jobs.
“I learned first-hand how a truck driver lives, what a bartender does, how a salesman thinks,” he told The New York Times in 1989. “I had to make a life inside those jobs, not just pretend.”
His parents — Ed Dennehy, an editor for The Associated Press in New York, and Hannah Dennehy, a nurse — could never understand why his son chose to act.
“Anyone raised in a first- or second-generation immigrant family knows that you are expected to advance the ball down the field,” Dennehy told Columbia College Today in 1999. “Acting didn’t qualify in any way.”
The 6-foot-3-inch Dennehy went to Hollywood for his first movie, “Semi-Tough,” starring Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson. Dennehy was paid $10,000 a week for 10 week’s work, which he thought “looked like it was all the money in the world.”
Among his films: “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” “Foul Play,” “Little Miss Marker,” “Split Image,” “Gorky Park,” “Legal Eagles,” “Miles from Home,” “Return to Snowy River,” “Presumed Innocent,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Assault on Precinct 13.” He played the father of Chris Farley’s titular character in the 1995 comedy “Tommy Boy.”
He played serial murderer John Wayne Gacy in the 1991 TV movie “To Catch a Killer” and union leader Jackie Presser in the HBO special “Teamster Boss” a year later.
“I try to play villains as if they’re good guys and good guys as if they’re villains,” he said in 1992.
Dennehy worked deep into his 70s, in such projects as SundanceTV’s “Hap and Leonard,” the film “The Seagull” with Elisabeth Moss and Annette Bening and the play “Endgame” by Samuel Beckett at the Long Wharf Theatre. His last foray on Broadway was in “Love Letters” opposite Mia Farrow in 2014.
He is survived by his second wife, costume designer Jennifer Arnott, and their two children, Cormac and Sarah. He also is survived by three daughters — Elizabeth, Kathleen and Deirdre — from a previous marriage to Judith Scheff.
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--2020-04-16--Pro-Abortionists in Australia Urge Emergency Coordinator To Override Abortion Restrictions

Governments around the world are taking measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus , including the South Australian state parliament , which passed a COVID-19 emergency response bill last week .
The bill named a new emergency state coordinator and gave him special authority to remove certain medical-related restrictions , including those imposed by what pro-choice activists say are “ outdated abortion laws.
” Pro-choice activists are now calling for Police Commissioner Grant Stephens , who serves as state coordinator , to use his newfound powers to make abortion more accessible — namely by allowing doctors to prescribe abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers could be used to overcome existing legal barriers to abortion care , particularly telehealth services , which allow for early abortion medication and care to be coordinated by a practitioner over the phone , ” the liberal Human Rights Law Centre said in a news release .
“ The Government ’ s COVID-19 Emergency Response Bill is an important step towards safe access to abortion during this crisis period , ” Adrianne Walters , associate legal director at the group , said in a statement .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Surprise When He Rewrites It “ The State Coordinator should use his powers to override medically unnecessary outdated legal barriers , in particular , the requirements for an abortion to take place in a prescribed hospital , for two doctors to be involved and for a woman to have resided in SA for two months.
” “ South Australia ’ s outdated abortion laws force many women to travel long distances and interact with more health professionals than is medically needed , ” Walters added .
“ The laws were already causing unjustified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remote areas , and are now also inconsistent with COVID-19 public health measures.
” According to the Australian Associated Press , all other states in the country have laws that permit women to receive telehealth abortion consultations “ for early abortion care.
” “ New emergency powers that passed SA Parliament last night should be used urgently to ensure safe access to abortion care for SA women during # Covid_19 pandemic # COVID19au , ” Walters tweeted .
The HRLC argued that women who want to obtain an abortion should not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of catching COVID-19 by coming into a clinic .
If the pro-choice activists get their way , women could receive abortion-inducing medication , particularly a drug called RU486 , in the mail and take it without having an in-person consultation with a doctor first , pro-lifers say .
Meanwhile , the HRLC is making no secret of its desire to use the coronavirus pandemic to get abortion laws in South Australia changed permanently .
“ While steps can , and should , be taken during this crisis period to remove legal barriers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the grant of extraordinarily broad executive powers , ” Walters said .
“ These powers are rightly temporary , and should be used proportionately , such as to address critical healthcare matters .
Once the COVID-19 emergency has ended , the permanent reform of abortion laws in line with SALRI ’ s recommendations , should be pursued as a matter of urgency.
” RELATED : Coach Jim Harbaugh : Pandemic Should Open Our Eyes to 'Horrendous ' Nature of Abortion But if politicians take steps to make abortion more accessible during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion as an “ essential ” service , Walters indicated .
“ Positive steps have been taken by the Attorney General and politicians across Parliament to end the criminalisation of abortion .
The impact of COVID-19 on access to abortion highlights the pressing need for abortion to be decriminalised and finally treated as essential healthcare , ” she said .
But Love Adelaide , a nonprofit pro-life organization in Australia , is pushing back , creating a petition to send to Stephens and other government officials .
In a Facebook post , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be available to obtain through the mail because of the dangers it poses to women .
“ The situation is now dire for the health and wellbeing of women of South Australia .
There is a strong push happening to have Telemedicine put in place to sell women the Abortion drug RU486 .
DIY abortions should not be promoted , as they carry many unacceptable risks and complications , ” the post said .
“ Unsupervised self-administration of RU486 will lead to more hospital admissions due to the known risks of RU486 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s residual body parts , hemorrhaging , high blood pressure , vomiting , cramping and sepsis , ” Wendy Francis , a spokeswoman for an advocacy group called the Australian Christian Lobby , added .
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , as of December 2018 , 24 deaths have been reported in association with the drug since it was approved in September 2000 .
“ No changes to abortion laws should be made unless all of the relevant medical information , research , statistics and implications to womens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decided upon by our elected parliamentarians , ” Love Adelaide ’ s petition reads .
“ This is a global pandemic with thousands of lives at risk , and no other actual health-threatening issues are being given this kind of exceptional consideration.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Governments around the world are taking measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including the South Australian state parliament, which passed a COVID-19 emergency response bill last week.
The bill named a new emergency state coordinator and gave him special authority to remove certain medical-related restrictions, including those imposed by what pro-choice activists say are “outdated abortion laws.”
Pro-choice activists are now calling for Police Commissioner Grant Stephens, who serves as state coordinator, to use his newfound powers to make abortion more accessible — namely by allowing doctors to prescribe abortion medication via telehealth appointments.
“These powers could be used to overcome existing legal barriers to abortion care, particularly telehealth services, which allow for early abortion medication and care to be coordinated by a practitioner over the phone,” the liberal Human Rights Law Centre said in a news release.
“The Government’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Bill is an important step towards safe access to abortion during this crisis period,” Adrianne Walters, associate legal director at the group, said in a statement.
“The State Coordinator should use his powers to override medically unnecessary outdated legal barriers, in particular, the requirements for an abortion to take place in a prescribed hospital, for two doctors to be involved and for a woman to have resided in SA for two months.”
“South Australia’s outdated abortion laws force many women to travel long distances and interact with more health professionals than is medically needed,” Walters added. “The laws were already causing unjustified hardships, especially for women in regional and remote areas, and are now also inconsistent with COVID-19 public health measures.”
According to the Australian Associated Press, all other states in the country have laws that permit women to receive telehealth abortion consultations “for early abortion care.”
“New emergency powers that passed SA Parliament last night should be used urgently to ensure safe access to abortion care for SA women during #Covid_19 pandemic #COVID19au,” Walters tweeted.
Should women be able to obtain abortion drugs via telehealth appointments? 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: 8% (5 Votes) No: 92% (56 Votes)
The HRLC argued that women who want to obtain an abortion should not have to face the “unnecessary” risk of catching COVID-19 by coming into a clinic.
If the pro-choice activists get their way, women could receive abortion-inducing medication, particularly a drug called RU486, in the mail and take it without having an in-person consultation with a doctor first, pro-lifers say.
Meanwhile, the HRLC is making no secret of its desire to use the coronavirus pandemic to get abortion laws in South Australia changed permanently.
“While steps can, and should, be taken during this crisis period to remove legal barriers to abortion care, this is being done through the grant of extraordinarily broad executive powers,” Walters said.
“These powers are rightly temporary, and should be used proportionately, such as to address critical healthcare matters. Once the COVID-19 emergency has ended, the permanent reform of abortion laws in line with SALRI’s recommendations, should be pursued as a matter of urgency.”
But if politicians take steps to make abortion more accessible during the pandemic, then perhaps they will recognize abortion as an “essential” service, Walters indicated.
“Positive steps have been taken by the Attorney General and politicians across Parliament to end the criminalisation of abortion. The impact of COVID-19 on access to abortion highlights the pressing need for abortion to be decriminalised and finally treated as essential healthcare,” she said.
But Love Adelaide, a nonprofit pro-life organization in Australia, is pushing back, creating a petition to send to Stephens and other government officials.
In a Facebook post, the group argued that the RU486 drug should not be available to obtain through the mail because of the dangers it poses to women.
“The situation is now dire for the health and wellbeing of women of South Australia. There is a strong push happening to have Telemedicine put in place to sell women the Abortion drug RU486. DIY abortions should not be promoted, as they carry many unacceptable risks and complications,” the post said.
“Unsupervised self-administration of RU486 will lead to more hospital admissions due to the known risks of RU486, namely failing to remove the unborn child’s residual body parts, hemorrhaging, high blood pressure, vomiting, cramping and sepsis,” Wendy Francis, a spokeswoman for an advocacy group called the Australian Christian Lobby, added.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of December 2018, 24 deaths have been reported in association with the drug since it was approved in September 2000.
“No changes to abortion laws should be made unless all of the relevant medical information, research, statistics and implications to womens’ health can be investigated, discussed and decided upon by our elected parliamentarians,” Love Adelaide’s petition reads.
“This is a global pandemic with thousands of lives at risk, and no other actual health-threatening issues are being given this kind of exceptional consideration.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--In Rush To ‘Debunk’ Wuhan Biolab Theories, Media Overlooked Frightening Possibility

In the earlier days of the global coronavirus pandemic , theories were floated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus didn ’ t originate from a wet market in Wuhan , China , but from a nearby biological research lab .
The establishment media was quick to combat this narrative , slamming the claims as conspiratorial and without proof .
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton is a particular favorite of these media “ fact checks ” after he continued floating the possibility that the virus could have escaped from the Wuhan facility .
For simply putting this theory in the open , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with commentators and politicians who are “ known to regularly spew nonsense ( and bash China ) ” for the claim .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It Similarly , Business Insider criticized Cotton for pushing a theory that the virus is a “ leaked Chinese biological weapon , ” despite the senator never making that claim .
A clip in the article shows Cotton confirming there is no solid proof of the biolab leak , and stressing the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliable Reuters jumped into the fray , shamelessly pushing the Chinese government ’ s own propaganda by warning that theories leading back to the lab are “ hurting efforts ” to stop the coronavirus .
While most experts agree that the SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn ’ t appear to be genetically engineered , that doesn ’ t let the Wuhan biolab off the hook by any means .
After all , nature is pretty nasty on its own .
The Black Death , from a naturally occurring bacteria , ravaged Europe and Eurasia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its spread by international wars and long-distance travel , but it too was a product of the unforgiving process of natural selection .
To understand how that ties into a previously obscure Chinese laboratory , it ’ s important to take a look at what was happening inside Wuhan ’ s biological facilities .
Studies published months before the outbreak prove that one location , the Wuhan Institute of Virology , worked closely with the most dangerous bat coronaviruses .
“ It is generally believed that bat-borne CoVs will re-emerge to cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers wrote in March 2019 .
“ In this regard , China is a likely hotspot .
The challenge is to predict when and where , so that we can try our best to prevent such outbreaks.
” To study these deadly pathogens in the hopes of creating vaccines and treatments , researchers would surely need samples .
Thankfully , China is full of bats .
The SARS outbreak of the early 2000s was originally covered up by the communist government before the world found out .
When the dust settled , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colony of bats in southern China .
RELATED : Cuomo Blamed Trump for Huge Ventilator Shortages , Now Cuomo 's Giving Them Away Samples collected from similar colonies across the country would likely have given scientists plenty of exotic material to work with .
Whittling down the viruses to find which germs have the most potential for a pandemic and then working on a cure would probably be the next step .
We now know that the virus that causes COVID-19 is particularly persistent .
It can live on some surfaces for over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the air .
All it would have taken is a single careless employee , perhaps rushing to make it to the Wuhan wet market before closing time , to spark a deadly global pandemic .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In the earlier days of the global coronavirus pandemic, theories were floated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus didn’t originate from a wet market in Wuhan, China, but from a nearby biological research lab.
The establishment media was quick to combat this narrative, slamming the claims as conspiratorial and without proof.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton is a particular favorite of these media “fact checks” after he continued floating the possibility that the virus could have escaped from the Wuhan facility.
For simply putting this theory in the open, he was scorched.
Vox seemed to lump Cotton in with commentators and politicians who are “known to regularly spew nonsense (and bash China)” for the claim.
Similarly, Business Insider criticized Cotton for pushing a theory that the virus is a “leaked Chinese biological weapon,” despite the senator never making that claim. A clip in the article shows Cotton confirming there is no solid proof of the biolab leak, and stressing the need for more evidence.
Even the usually reliable Reuters jumped into the fray, shamelessly pushing the Chinese government’s own propaganda by warning that theories leading back to the lab are “hurting efforts” to stop the coronavirus.
While most experts agree that the SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn’t appear to be genetically engineered, that doesn’t let the Wuhan biolab off the hook by any means.
After all, nature is pretty nasty on its own.
Do you think the coronavirus leaked out of a Chinese biolab? 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: 98% (1182 Votes) No: 2% (27 Votes)
The Black Death, from a naturally occurring bacteria, ravaged Europe and Eurasia. The Spanish Flu may have been helped in its spread by international wars and long-distance travel, but it too was a product of the unforgiving process of natural selection.
To understand how that ties into a previously obscure Chinese laboratory, it’s important to take a look at what was happening inside Wuhan’s biological facilities. Studies published months before the outbreak prove that one location, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, worked closely with the most dangerous bat coronaviruses.
“It is generally believed that bat-borne CoVs will re-emerge to cause the next disease outbreak,” Chinese researchers wrote in March 2019. “In this regard, China is a likely hotspot. The challenge is to predict when and where, so that we can try our best to prevent such outbreaks.”
To study these deadly pathogens in the hopes of creating vaccines and treatments, researchers would surely need samples. Thankfully, China is full of bats.
The SARS outbreak of the early 2000s was originally covered up by the communist government before the world found out. When the dust settled, the virus was tracked back to a remote colony of bats in southern China.
Samples collected from similar colonies across the country would likely have given scientists plenty of exotic material to work with. Whittling down the viruses to find which germs have the most potential for a pandemic and then working on a cure would probably be the next step.
We now know that the virus that causes COVID-19 is particularly persistent. It can live on some surfaces for over two weeks, and is easily spread through the air.
All it would have taken is a single careless employee, perhaps rushing to make it to the Wuhan wet market before closing time, to spark a deadly global pandemic.
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--New Jersey Governor: ‘I Wasn’t Thinking About the Bill of Rights’ When I Banned Religious Services

Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy of New Jersey told Fox News on Wednesday he wasn ’ t thinking about the Bill of Rights or the free exercise of religion when he issued severe lockdown orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson questioned the state ’ s lockdown and asked the governor to provide a constitutional basis for orders that saw 15 men charged for attending an Orthodox Jewish funeral earlier this month .
“ The Bill of Rights , as you well know , protects Americans ’ right — enshrines their right — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit and to congregate together to assemble peacefully , ” Carlson said during the interview on “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” “ By what authority did you nullify the Bill of Rights in issuing this order ?
” “ That ’ s above my pay grade , Tucker , ” the Democrat said through a chuckle .
“ So I wasn ’ t thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this .
We went to all , first of all , we looked at the data and the science and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other , ” Murphy added .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It Carlson was visibly taken aback by the cavalier nature in which Murphy answered his question about the Bill of Rights .
“ Well , I can tell , ” he said in reference to Murphy saying he didn ’ t consider the Constitution when issuing social distancing orders .
Carlson added that while he agrees that the coronavirus pandemic is a unique situation , he again asked Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly contravenes the Bill of Rights of the United States.
” Murphy said people must “ stay away ” from each other and reminded Carlson he has “ broad authority ” to make such decisions — and added he counseled with certain religious leaders across New Jersey before issuing struck stay-at-home orders .
“ We would never do that without coordinating , discussing and hashing it out with the leaders of the faiths of New Jersey , ” Murphy said .
The governor also said he consulted with attorneys before issuing orders that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I don ’ t go to the men ’ s room without consulting an attorney , so I guarantee you we did that.
” The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that 15 men were charged with violating Murphy ’ s ban on social gatherings when they attended an Orthodox Jewish funeral at a synagogue in Lakewood , New Jersey , earlier this month .
The funerals were included in Murphy ’ s March 21 zero-tolerance ban on “ parties , celebrations and other social events , ” the newspaper reported .
NJ.com reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s 9 million people to stay home unless they were needed by government at the time it was issued .
“ Only if we need you out there , only if you ’ re an essential service in which case we do need you — otherwise , stay at home , ” the governor said at a media briefing .
The lockdown order allows for restaurants , bars and liquor stores to remain open , as long as they modify services to takeout only .
Medical marijuana dispensaries , laundromats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain open , as long as people remain 6 feet apart .
“ This decision is not an easy one , and it pains me that important life moments will not be celebrated the way we are accustomed to , ” Murphy said of the indefinite order .
New Jersey has had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. , behind New York .
The state has reported more than 70,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 3,000 deaths have been attributed to the virus as of Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey told Fox News on Wednesday he wasn’t thinking about the Bill of Rights or the free exercise of religion when he issued severe lockdown orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson questioned the state’s lockdown and asked the governor to provide a constitutional basis for orders that saw 15 men charged for attending an Orthodox Jewish funeral earlier this month.
“The Bill of Rights, as you well know, protects Americans’ right — enshrines their right — to practice their religion as they see fit and to congregate together to assemble peacefully,” Carlson said during the interview on “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” “By what authority did you nullify the Bill of Rights in issuing this order?”
“That’s above my pay grade, Tucker,” the Democrat said through a chuckle.
“So I wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this. We went to all, first of all, we looked at the data and the science and it says people have to stay away from each other,” Murphy added.
Carlson was visibly taken aback by the cavalier nature in which Murphy answered his question about the Bill of Rights.
“Well, I can tell,” he said in reference to Murphy saying he didn’t consider the Constitution when issuing social distancing orders.
Carlson added that while he agrees that the coronavirus pandemic is a unique situation, he again asked Murphy to justify an order that “so clearly contravenes the Bill of Rights of the United States.”
Murphy said people must “stay away” from each other and reminded Carlson he has “broad authority” to make such decisions — and added he counseled with certain religious leaders across New Jersey before issuing struck stay-at-home orders.
“We would never do that without coordinating, discussing and hashing it out with the leaders of the faiths of New Jersey,” Murphy said.
The governor also said he consulted with attorneys before issuing orders that essentially banned religious services, telling Carlson, “I don’t go to the men’s room without consulting an attorney, so I guarantee you we did that.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that 15 men were charged with violating Murphy’s ban on social gatherings when they attended an Orthodox Jewish funeral at a synagogue in Lakewood, New Jersey, earlier this month.
The funerals were included in Murphy’s March 21 zero-tolerance ban on “parties, celebrations and other social events,” the newspaper reported.
NJ.com reported on Murphy’s order requiring the state’s 9 million people to stay home unless they were needed by government at the time it was issued.
“Only if we need you out there, only if you’re an essential service in which case we do need you — otherwise, stay at home,” the governor said at a media briefing.
The lockdown order allows for restaurants, bars and liquor stores to remain open, as long as they modify services to takeout only.
Medical marijuana dispensaries, laundromats and home improvement retail stores are also allowed to remain open, as long as people remain 6 feet apart.
Do you think some public officials have acted outside their authority to enforce social distancing orders? 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: 98% (851 Votes) No: 2% (15 Votes)
“This decision is not an easy one, and it pains me that important life moments will not be celebrated the way we are accustomed to,” Murphy said of the indefinite order.
New Jersey has had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., behind New York.
The state has reported more than 70,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 3,000 deaths have been attributed to the virus as of Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins.
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--FBI May Have Used ‘Russian Disinformation’ To Get Warrants To Spy on Trump Campaign

Newly released material raises the possibility that Russian disinformation made its way into a dossier of opposition research that the FBI relied on when obtaining warrants to eavesdrop on a former Trump campaign adviser .
The new material , contained in footnotes to a Justice Department watchdog report that were recently declassified by the Trump administration , indicates the FBI was warned about the credibility of certain information and sources cited in the dossier even as it sought the warrants .
It may add to accusations that the FBI did not scrutinize seriously enough concerns about the reliability of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Trump campaign and Russia .
The Justice Department inspector general report from December that included the blacked-out footnotes said the FBI had omitted from its surveillance applications some information that went against the premise that a former Trump adviser , Carter Page , was a Russian agent .
The FBI says it did not rely on the dossier when it opened the Russia investigation in July 2016 , but the fact that the dossier was used at all is one of the main points cited by Trump supporters in challenging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It The footnotes were released by two Republican senators , Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , who said in a joint statement they make clear that the FBI ’ s justification in targeting Page “ was riddled with significant flaws.
” One of the footnotes says the FBI was alerted in 2017 that a particular allegation included in the dossier was “ part of a Russian disinformation campaign to denigrate U.S. foreign relations.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence report that quotes an individual warning that certain allegations related to Trump ’ s behavior in Moscow four years earlier were false and the product of Russian intelligence “ infiltrate ( ing ) a source into the network.
” An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment Thursday .
The FBI has acknowledged problems during the Russia investigation and has instituted a series of changes designed to make its surveillance applications more accurate and thorough .
The dossier of information was compiled in 2015 and 2016 by Christopher Steele , a former British spy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s presidential campaign was financed by Democrats .
The FBI relied in part on information from the dossier during multiple applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in 2016 and 2017 to monitor the communications of Page , who was suspected of being a possible agent of a foreign power because of his connections to Russia .
He has denied any wrongdoing and was never charged .
Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in his report that , though there was no evidence that the FBI was motivated by political bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious errors during the application process , including by omitting information that called into question the reliability of certain reporting in the dossier .
The inspector general report said the FBI could not corroborate certain allegations from the Steele dossier and did consider the possibility “ that Russia was funneling disinformation to Steele , and the possibility that disinformation was included in his election reports.
” Horowitz said more should have been done by the FBI to determine if that was the case .
RELATED : Attorney General Barr Vows To 'Get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Something Far More Troubling Here' One of the footnotes says a January 2017 report to the FBI identified an inaccuracy about Steele ’ s reporting on Michael Cohen , Trump ’ s personal lawyer .
It does not detail the inaccuracy , but it could be a reference to a claim in the dossier that Cohen met with Kremlin officials in Prague in the summer of 2016 .
Cohen has long denied that .
The footnotes also say that a June 2017 intelligence report indicated that two people involved with a Russian intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s election investigation in early 2016.
” That assertion raises the prospect that Steele ’ s reporting could have been influenced by disinformation .
“ The Supervisory Intel Analyst told us he was aware of these reports , but that he had no information as of June 2017 that Steele ’ s election reporting source network had been penetrated or compromised , ” the footnote states .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Newly released material raises the possibility that Russian disinformation made its way into a dossier of opposition research that the FBI relied on when obtaining warrants to eavesdrop on a former Trump campaign adviser.
The new material, contained in footnotes to a Justice Department watchdog report that were recently declassified by the Trump administration, indicates the FBI was warned about the credibility of certain information and sources cited in the dossier even as it sought the warrants.
It may add to accusations that the FBI did not scrutinize seriously enough concerns about the reliability of information from the dossier as it investigated ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The Justice Department inspector general report from December that included the blacked-out footnotes said the FBI had omitted from its surveillance applications some information that went against the premise that a former Trump adviser, Carter Page, was a Russian agent.
The FBI says it did not rely on the dossier when it opened the Russia investigation in July 2016, but the fact that the dossier was used at all is one of the main points cited by Trump supporters in challenging the legitimacy of the probe.
The footnotes were released by two Republican senators, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who said in a joint statement they make clear that the FBI’s justification in targeting Page “was riddled with significant flaws.”
One of the footnotes says the FBI was alerted in 2017 that a particular allegation included in the dossier was “part of a Russian disinformation campaign to denigrate U.S. foreign relations.”
It also cites a February 2017 U.S. intelligence report that quotes an individual warning that certain allegations related to Trump’s behavior in Moscow four years earlier were false and the product of Russian intelligence “infiltrate(ing) a source into the network.”
An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment Thursday. The FBI has acknowledged problems during the Russia investigation and has instituted a series of changes designed to make its surveillance applications more accurate and thorough.
Do you think the FBI was trying to influence the 2016 election? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 97% (35 Votes) No: 3% (1 Votes)
The dossier of information was compiled in 2015 and 2016 by Christopher Steele, a former British spy whose research into ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign was financed by Democrats.
The FBI relied in part on information from the dossier during multiple applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in 2016 and 2017 to monitor the communications of Page, who was suspected of being a possible agent of a foreign power because of his connections to Russia. He has denied any wrongdoing and was never charged.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in his report that, though there was no evidence that the FBI was motivated by political bias during the investigation, the bureau made serious errors during the application process, including by omitting information that called into question the reliability of certain reporting in the dossier.
The inspector general report said the FBI could not corroborate certain allegations from the Steele dossier and did consider the possibility “that Russia was funneling disinformation to Steele, and the possibility that disinformation was included in his election reports.”
Horowitz said more should have been done by the FBI to determine if that was the case.
One of the footnotes says a January 2017 report to the FBI identified an inaccuracy about Steele’s reporting on Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer. It does not detail the inaccuracy, but it could be a reference to a claim in the dossier that Cohen met with Kremlin officials in Prague in the summer of 2016. Cohen has long denied that.
The footnotes also say that a June 2017 intelligence report indicated that two people involved with a Russian intelligence service “were aware of Steele’s election investigation in early 2016.” That assertion raises the prospect that Steele’s reporting could have been influenced by disinformation.
“The Supervisory Intel Analyst told us he was aware of these reports, but that he had no information as of June 2017 that Steele’s election reporting source network had been penetrated or compromised,” the footnote states.
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--2020-04-16--US Officials Worried China May Be Conducting Illegal Secret Nuclear Tests

The State Department is worried China may be conducting small secret nuclear weapons tests in violation of an international agreement banning all nuclear tests .
The State Department arms control , nonproliferation and disarmament report , first reported on by The Wall Street Journal , found that China may be conducting low explosive power tests in the northwest region of the country .
The report doesn ’ t prove that China is violating the international accord , but cites activity that raises some red flags .
“ Some compliance concerns are raised and some findings of violations are made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stem from a high level of activity at China ’ s Lop Nur nuclear weapons test site in 2019 , extensive excavation activities in the region and a lack of transparency from the Chinese on nuclear testing activities .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It The State Department also reported that China has blocked data transmissions from monitoring stations that were designed as part of the international agreement to detect radioactive emissions and seismic tremors .
The report said China could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-round .
The agreement in question is the Comprehensive Nuclear Ban Treaty that was concluded in 1996 , The Wall Street Journal reported .
Although not legally in force because not enough countries have ratified it , both the U.S. and China have said they are abiding by its terms .
Both countries have signed the agreement , but neither one has ratified it .
The Trump Administration included its concerns in an annual review of the international compliance with arms-control accords .
The report was published as President Donald Trump seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ strategic security dialogue ” on arms control , according to The Wall Street Journal .
Some former arms-control officers said that the Trump administration should be voicing its concerns directly to China before publishing it in a report .
“ If the United States has concerns that nuclear-yield producing testing has been done by China , we should discuss our concerns with Beijing — and discuss ways to build confidence that such tests are not happening , ” said Steven Andreason , the top National Security Council official on arms control during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization also told The Wall Street Journal that there have been almost no data transmission interruptions by the Chinese since September 2019 .
RELATED : US Navy Releases Video of Iranian Military 's 'Dangerous and Harassing ' Actions “ Data transmission from all certified stations was interrupted in 2018 after the testing and evaluation and certification process was completed , ” she said .
“ In August 2019 , ongoing negotiations on post-certification activity contracts with Chinese station operators were concluded and data transmission resumed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the accusations Thursday , with a spokesperson saying the country remains committed to the nuclear testing ban , according to Bloomberg .
“ The U.S. neglects all the facts and makes wanton accusations against China , ” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a briefing .
“ This is irresponsible and ill-intentioned.
” Concerns from U.S. officials come as the United States has questioned China ’ s possible involvement in the coronavirus outbreak that has swept the world .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News ’ “ The Story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus originated in Wuhan , China , there is still a lot to learn about the virus .
“ We know there is the Wuhan Institute of Virology just a handful of miles away from where the wet market was , ” he said .
“ There is still lots to learn .
You should know that the United States government is working diligently to figure this out.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The State Department is worried China may be conducting small secret nuclear weapons tests in violation of an international agreement banning all nuclear tests.
The State Department arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament report, first reported on by The Wall Street Journal, found that China may be conducting low explosive power tests in the northwest region of the country.
The report doesn’t prove that China is violating the international accord, but cites activity that raises some red flags.
“Some compliance concerns are raised and some findings of violations are made,” the report read.
The concerns stem from a high level of activity at China’s Lop Nur nuclear weapons test site in 2019, extensive excavation activities in the region and a lack of transparency from the Chinese on nuclear testing activities.
The State Department also reported that China has blocked data transmissions from monitoring stations that were designed as part of the international agreement to detect radioactive emissions and seismic tremors.
The report said China could be preparing to operate the test site year-round.
The agreement in question is the Comprehensive Nuclear Ban Treaty that was concluded in 1996, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Although not legally in force because not enough countries have ratified it, both the U.S. and China have said they are abiding by its terms. Both countries have signed the agreement, but neither one has ratified it.
Do you think China should be held accountable for its actions? 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% (597 Votes) No: 0% (3 Votes)
The Trump Administration included its concerns in an annual review of the international compliance with arms-control accords.
The report was published as President Donald Trump seeks to invite China to engage in a two-way “strategic security dialogue” on arms control, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Some former arms-control officers said that the Trump administration should be voicing its concerns directly to China before publishing it in a report.
“If the United States has concerns that nuclear-yield producing testing has been done by China, we should discuss our concerns with Beijing — and discuss ways to build confidence that such tests are not happening,” said Steven Andreason, the top National Security Council official on arms control during the Clinton administration.
An anonymous spokeswoman for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization also told The Wall Street Journal that there have been almost no data transmission interruptions by the Chinese since September 2019.
“Data transmission from all certified stations was interrupted in 2018 after the testing and evaluation and certification process was completed,” she said.
“In August 2019, ongoing negotiations on post-certification activity contracts with Chinese station operators were concluded and data transmission resumed for all five certified stations.”
China responded to the accusations Thursday, with a spokesperson saying the country remains committed to the nuclear testing ban, according to Bloomberg.
“The U.S. neglects all the facts and makes wanton accusations against China,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a briefing. “This is irresponsible and ill-intentioned.”
Concerns from U.S. officials come as the United States has questioned China’s possible involvement in the coronavirus outbreak that has swept the world.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News’ “The Story” that even though they know the virus originated in Wuhan, China, there is still a lot to learn about the virus.
“We know there is the Wuhan Institute of Virology just a handful of miles away from where the wet market was,” he said. “There is still lots to learn. You should know that the United States government is working diligently to figure this out.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-16--Video Shows Tragedy of Gov’t-Imposed Shutdowns: Penn. Food Bank Line Extends for Miles

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 , the virus which has sparked a worldwide pandemic , many state governments throughout the U.S. have effectively shut down most businesses , throwing millions of people out of work virtually overnight .
While volatile financial markets are a harbinger of difficult economic times , the real impact of a government-ordered shutdown of commerce can be seen quite clearly in Butler , Pennsylvania , where ordinary people waited in a massive line for food this week .
A video posted on the campaign Facebook page of Phil Heasley shows a line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also plenty of late-model minivans , sedans , etc .
— waiting to receive food from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Tuesday .
“ The turn out for today ’ s drive-up food bank is incredible , ” wrote Heasley , a Democratic candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives ’ District 8 , which includes parts of Butler County .
“ Waiting lines down both sides of 356 filter into Alameda .
Be patient we ’ re moving very smoothly !
” TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When He Rewrites It “ Thank you Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for helping our community during this time !
” the candidate added .
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf first implemented a stay-at-home order for seven counties on March 23 , eventually broadening it to all 67 counties of the state effective April 1 .
The order limited virtually everything , including commerce , to a list of “ allowable individual activities and allowable essential travel , ” in addition to implementing “ non-life-sustaining business closures , ” with the particulars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Government action left many residents out of work , which Republicans in the state legislature tried to remedy with a bill to help certain businesses reopen .
However , Wolf ’ s office said the governor would veto it , The Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
The threat of coronavirus infection is serious , but so is the economic impact of shutting down the economy .
Americans are cooperating with orders meant to slow the spread of coronavirus , but something has got to give when a food bank in Pennsylvania is overwhelmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report showed an aerial view of cars waiting to receive food .
RELATED : After Weeks of Accusing Trump of Inaction , 'Morning Joe ' Now Calls Him Authoritarian Many vehicles lined up several hours early to get in line for the distribution of 1,000 boxes of food , showing the magnitude of the crisis .
At one point , there was a 2-mile-long line of cars , the outlet reported : What ’ s happening in Pennsylvania , and the nation as a whole , can be directly linked to the abrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring to mind decades-old comments from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who was recently second in line to be the Democratic 2020 presidential candidate before dropping out .
“ It ’ s funny , sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is because people are lining up for food .
That ’ s a good thing , in other countries people don ’ t line up for food , the rich get the food and the poor starve to death , ” Sanders said in 1985 .
A Reuters piece , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting them into the broader context of a discussion about how food is still available even amid poverty , failed to explain away Sanders ’ blind spot to poverty caused by government overreach in the first place .
And make no mistake about , a government-imposed shutdown is responsible for the long food lines we are seeing in Pennsylvania .
It is encouraging to see the American charitable spirit on display ( the food bank is a private organization , after all ) , but these food lines demonstrate what happens when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to make their living .
The country needs to reopen as soon as possible after carefully considering not only the health risks posed by coronavirus , but also the massive economic devastation that could have an even greater impact on American lives .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the virus which has sparked a worldwide pandemic, many state governments throughout the U.S. have effectively shut down most businesses, throwing millions of people out of work virtually overnight.
While volatile financial markets are a harbinger of difficult economic times, the real impact of a government-ordered shutdown of commerce can be seen quite clearly in Butler, Pennsylvania, where ordinary people waited in a massive line for food this week.
A video posted on the campaign Facebook page of Phil Heasley shows a line of cars — including some older vehicles but also plenty of late-model minivans, sedans, etc. — waiting to receive food from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Tuesday.
“The turn out for today’s drive-up food bank is incredible,” wrote Heasley, a Democratic candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ District 8, which includes parts of Butler County.
“Waiting lines down both sides of 356 filter into Alameda. Be patient we’re moving very smoothly!”
“Thank you Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for helping our community during this time!” the candidate added.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf first implemented a stay-at-home order for seven counties on March 23, eventually broadening it to all 67 counties of the state effective April 1.
The order limited virtually everything, including commerce, to a list of “allowable individual activities and allowable essential travel,” in addition to implementing “non-life-sustaining business closures,” with the particulars posted on the state’s website.
Do you think government-imposed stay-at-home orders will cause economic harm even after they're lifted? Yes No
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Government action left many residents out of work, which Republicans in the state legislature tried to remedy with a bill to help certain businesses reopen.
However, Wolf’s office said the governor would veto it, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The threat of coronavirus infection is serious, but so is the economic impact of shutting down the economy.
Americans are cooperating with orders meant to slow the spread of coronavirus, but something has got to give when a food bank in Pennsylvania is overwhelmed with so many recipients.
A WTAE report showed an aerial view of cars waiting to receive food.
Many vehicles lined up several hours early to get in line for the distribution of 1,000 boxes of food, showing the magnitude of the crisis.
At one point, there was a 2-mile-long line of cars, the outlet reported:
What’s happening in Pennsylvania, and the nation as a whole, can be directly linked to the abrupt shutdown of commerce.
Videos like these bring to mind decades-old comments from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who was recently second in line to be the Democratic 2020 presidential candidate before dropping out.
“It’s funny, sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is because people are lining up for food. That’s a good thing, in other countries people don’t line up for food, the rich get the food and the poor starve to death,” Sanders said in 1985.
This 2020 Democrat primary is going to be BANANAS! The latest candidate LOVES bread lines!! pic.twitter.com/wrf73R8UyS — ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) February 19, 2019
A Reuters piece, which tried to justify the remarks by putting them into the broader context of a discussion about how food is still available even amid poverty, failed to explain away Sanders’ blind spot to poverty caused by government overreach in the first place.
And make no mistake about, a government-imposed shutdown is responsible for the long food lines we are seeing in Pennsylvania.
It is encouraging to see the American charitable spirit on display (the food bank is a private organization, after all), but these food lines demonstrate what happens when the government takes away the means for ordinary people to make their living.
The country needs to reopen as soon as possible after carefully considering not only the health risks posed by coronavirus, but also the massive economic devastation that could have an even greater impact on American lives.
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Steve Bannon argued on "War Room" that Fox News is doing everything that it can to create an anti-Trump narrative for the 2024 election.


westernjournal--2020-04-16--‘God Did Not Do That’: Gov. Cuomo Tries To Steal Glory from God for Flattening Curve

The coronavirus curve in New York , as you may have heard , is flattening .
That ’ s indubitably a good thing .
There are plenty of people and entities that can take credit , not in the least the hand of divine providence .
Don ’ t say that around New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , though .
According to Cuomo , God didn ’ t flatten that curve , “ we ” did .
And , unfortunately , the context he said it in made it sound a lot like he was giving the credit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences Monday , the New York Democrat was talking about the favorable statistics , with hospitalizations in the state at approximately 18,825 at the time .
TRENDING : China Asks State Sen To Push Communist Resolution , Gets Nasty Surprise When He Rewrites It “ I said , if you look at the numbers , 18,000 , 18,000 , 18,000 , 18,000 , 18,000 , the numbers suggest a plateauing , slight increase , but a plateauing , which is what the experts have talked about .
That ’ s what the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference “ I also say whatever those numbers say is a direct result of what we do .
I ’ ve said , if we do something stupid , you will see those numbers go right back up tomorrow , period .
“ The worst can be over , and it is over unless we do something reckless .
And you can turn those numbers on two or three days of reckless behavior , ” he added .
“ It ’ s like being on a diet , right ?
You get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I lost five pounds .
I lost five pounds .
I ’ ve lost five pounds.
’ “ Oh , you ’ re declaring that you have lost five pounds forever .
No , I lose self-discipline today and I go home and I eat like a horse .
And I ’ ll get on that scale , it ’ s going to give me a different number tomorrow .
It is directly a result of what you do today.
” Interesting analogy , but OK .
This isn ’ t necessarily problematic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo can get there in a hurry .
“ The number is down , because we brought the number down .
God did not do that .
Fate did not do that .
Destiny did not do that .
A lot of pain and suffering did that , ” Cuomo said .
“ And that ’ s why we lost five pounds , because we went out every day and we exercised and we burned more calories than we ate .
That ’ s how it works .
It ’ s math @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to do that , you ’ re going to see that number go back up .
And that will be a tragedy if that number goes back up.
” So God had nothing to do with this ?
Cuomo , for whatever it ’ s worth , identifies as a Roman Catholic .
I ’ m sure his parish priest might have something to say about this .
RELATED : China 's Lies Caused the Pandemic - It 's Time To Make the Country Pay I ’ m sure this came across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , but to lots of other people , it came across as a mockery of the religious .
No matter who he identifies in the “ we ” that pulled off bending the curve — and it sure sounds an awful lot like him and the people calling the shots in the New York state government — he ’ s saying that God isn ’ t involved in this at all .
At some level , wouldn ’ t you at least step back and try humility ?
Wouldn ’ t there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than invoking God and faith — and saying they have nothing to do with this ?
For that matter , how are prayer and faith the opposite of flattening the curve ?
God is telling the good people of New York to do something stupid and spread the virus around , but thankfully I listened to the state authorities and the arc is bending downward !
Might you possibly see the problem with this formulation ?
God and faith aren ’ t the polar opposite of responsibility , something Cuomo should have probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he made it seem as though government , not God , was responsible for getting the numbers down .
In the midst of a pandemic , we need God more than ever .
We don ’ t need to be telling New Yorkers that we can go it alone , thanks , since we ’ ve got it under control if we just listen to the government .
What an ugly , stupid message to be sending out at a time when it ’ s least needed .
We are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The coronavirus curve in New York, as you may have heard, is flattening.
That’s indubitably a good thing. There are plenty of people and entities that can take credit, not in the least the hand of divine providence.
Don’t say that around New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, though.
According to Cuomo, God didn’t flatten that curve, “we” did. And, unfortunately, the context he said it in made it sound a lot like he was giving the credit to himself.
At one of his news conferences Monday, the New York Democrat was talking about the favorable statistics, with hospitalizations in the state at approximately 18,825 at the time.
“I said, if you look at the numbers, 18,000, 18,000, 18,000, 18,000, 18,000, the numbers suggest a plateauing, slight increase, but a plateauing, which is what the experts have talked about. That’s what the numbers say,” Cuomo said at the news conference.
“I also say whatever those numbers say is a direct result of what we do. I’ve said, if we do something stupid, you will see those numbers go right back up tomorrow, period.
“The worst can be over, and it is over unless we do something reckless. And you can turn those numbers on two or three days of reckless behavior,” he added. “It’s like being on a diet, right? You get on the scale every morning. ‘I lost five pounds. I lost five pounds. I’ve lost five pounds.’
“Oh, you’re declaring that you have lost five pounds forever. No, I lose self-discipline today and I go home and I eat like a horse. And I’ll get on that scale, it’s going to give me a different number tomorrow. It is directly a result of what you do today.”
Interesting analogy, but OK. This isn’t necessarily problematic, but don’t worry. Andrew Cuomo can get there in a hurry.
“The number is down, because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Fate did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that,” Cuomo said.
“And that’s why we lost five pounds, because we went out every day and we exercised and we burned more calories than we ate. That’s how it works. It’s math. And if you don’t continue to do that, you’re going to see that number go back up. And that will be a tragedy if that number goes back up.”
So God had nothing to do with this?
Cuomo, for whatever it’s worth, identifies as a Roman Catholic. I’m sure his parish priest might have something to say about this.
Do you think Andrew Cuomo was mocking the religious? 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: 94% (540 Votes) No: 6% (33 Votes)
I’m sure this came across as a very solid lesson in his head, but to lots of other people, it came across as a mockery of the religious.
No matter who he identifies in the “we” that pulled off bending the curve — and it sure sounds an awful lot like him and the people calling the shots in the New York state government — he’s saying that God isn’t involved in this at all.
At some level, wouldn’t you at least step back and try humility?
Wouldn’t there be better ways to make this point than invoking God and faith — and saying they have nothing to do with this?
For that matter, how are prayer and faith the opposite of flattening the curve? God is telling the good people of New York to do something stupid and spread the virus around, but thankfully I listened to the state authorities and the arc is bending downward!
Might you possibly see the problem with this formulation?
God and faith aren’t the polar opposite of responsibility, something Cuomo should have probably considered before launching this ill-considered attack in which he made it seem as though government, not God, was responsible for getting the numbers down.
In the midst of a pandemic, we need God more than ever.
We don’t need to be telling New Yorkers that we can go it alone, thanks, since we’ve got it under control if we just listen to the government.
What an ugly, stupid message to be sending out at a time when it’s least needed.
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westernjournal--2020-04-17--Protesters Flock to Minnesota Governor’s Mansion, Chant ‘Open Up!’

Two days short of the 245th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord that launched the Revolutionary War , defiance against what Americans believe to be unjust oppression was on display in Minnesota .
More than 400 protesters gathered outside of the governor ’ s mansion in St. Paul on Friday to demand an end to restrictions imposed to address the threat of the coronavirus , Fox News reported .
The “ Liberate Minnesota ” demonstration outside Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s residence included chants of “ open up ” as protesters waving American flags and wearing Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shutdown , ” “ We Do Not Consent ” and “ Walz is the virus.
” TRENDING : NYC Adds Thousands of People Who Never Tested Positive to Coronavirus Death Count The demonstration drew the attention and support of President Donald Trump , who tweeted “ LIBERATE MINNESOTA !
” Trump also tweeted support for protesters in Michigan and Virginia , who are demanding their governors loosen restrictions that have led to the shuttering of businesses and large-scale unemployment .
The rally ’ s organizers made their point in a Facebook post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to demand Governor Walz and our state legislators end this lock down !
Thousands of lives are being destroyed right now .
It is not the governor ’ s place to restrict free movement of Minnesota citizens !
Gov .
Walz you work for the citizens of this state !
” the post read .
“ Minnesota ’ s economy must be reopened for business or destroying the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Minnesota citizens and their families may result if we don ’ t act quickly !
The fact is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full blown attack by a radical anti-American Governor — and we must act quickly if we are going to save them !
” RELATED : Florida Man Accused of Murder After Estranged Wife Sends Odd COVID Texts , Goes Missing The post invoked Trump ’ s concern that saving America from the virus must not cripple the nation ’ s economy .
“ President Trump has been very clear that we must get America back to work very quickly or the ‘ cure ’ to this terrible disease may be the worse option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is certain , however , is that if we continue to shutter our businesses and cease production in Minnesota that our economy will be dealt a death blow .
“ Small businesses are shuttering by the thousands across our state , and families and retirees are watching their life ’ s work be destroyed in front of their eyes.
” The group argued damage to liberties is as great a peril as the threat to the state ’ s economy .
“ Gov .
Walz is using this entire situation to launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minnesota , not to save lives , but to strip away and annihilate the freedoms that we enjoy !
” the post read .
Minnesota ’ s existing stay-at-home goes through May 4 .
On Friday , Walz allowed golf courses , bait shops , marinas and outdoor shooting ranges to open as long as social distancing guidelines are observed .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Two days short of the 245th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord that launched the Revolutionary War, defiance against what Americans believe to be unjust oppression was on display in Minnesota.
More than 400 protesters gathered outside of the governor’s mansion in St. Paul on Friday to demand an end to restrictions imposed to address the threat of the coronavirus, Fox News reported.
The “Liberate Minnesota” demonstration outside Gov. Tim Walz’s residence included chants of “open up” as protesters waving American flags and wearing Trump 2020 clothing held signs reading “stop the shutdown,” “We Do Not Consent” and “Walz is the virus.”
LIBERATE MINNESOTA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
The demonstration drew the attention and support of President Donald Trump, who tweeted “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” Trump also tweeted support for protesters in Michigan and Virginia, who are demanding their governors loosen restrictions that have led to the shuttering of businesses and large-scale unemployment.
The rally’s organizers made their point in a Facebook post.
“Minnesota citizens now is the time to demand Governor Walz and our state legislators end this lock down! Thousands of lives are being destroyed right now. It is not the governor’s place to restrict free movement of Minnesota citizens! Gov. Walz you work for the citizens of this state!” the post read.
“Minnesota’s economy must be reopened for business or destroying the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Minnesota citizens and their families may result if we don’t act quickly! The fact is, our freedoms and economy are under full blown attack by a radical anti-American Governor — and we must act quickly if we are going to save them!”
Pandemonium outside the Minnesota Governor’s Residence. Horns are blaring. A few hundred people are here. Many chant “Open Up!” pic.twitter.com/xMGUtTjYQB — Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) April 17, 2020
Protesters have a giant “Keep America Great” Trump flag and are walking it up and down Summit Avenue. Lots of Trump 2020 gear here. pic.twitter.com/7v7nlzarjL — Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) April 17, 2020
Horns have been honking for hours on Summit Ave as hundreds turn out to join the Liberate Minnesota protest and Trump Rally outside the Minnesota Governor’s Residence Friday afternoon pic.twitter.com/bKuJQDdkfr — Glen Stubbe (@gspphoto) April 17, 2020
The post invoked Trump’s concern that saving America from the virus must not cripple the nation’s economy.
“President Trump has been very clear that we must get America back to work very quickly or the ‘cure’ to this terrible disease may be the worse option!” the post continued.
“What is certain, however, is that if we continue to shutter our businesses and cease production in Minnesota that our economy will be dealt a death blow.
“Small businesses are shuttering by the thousands across our state, and families and retirees are watching their life’s work be destroyed in front of their eyes.”
Do you support these protests? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 97% (210 Votes) No: 3% (6 Votes)
The group argued damage to liberties is as great a peril as the threat to the state’s economy.
“Gov. Walz is using this entire situation to launch a full blown attack on the citizens of Minnesota, not to save lives, but to strip away and annihilate the freedoms that we enjoy!” the post read.
Minnesota’s existing stay-at-home goes through May 4. On Friday, Walz allowed golf courses, bait shops, marinas and outdoor shooting ranges to open as long as social distancing guidelines are observed.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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