westernjournal--2020-04-23--After Failing To Remove Trump from Office, Schiff and Nadler Now Target Barr

The House Democrats are at it again : They want another investigation of the Trump administration , and this time they hope to bring down the nation ’ s brilliant and stalwart attorney general , William Barr .
By doing so , they seek to weaken their ultimate target : President Donald Trump .
Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff of California and Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York are obsessed with destroying the reputation of the president and anyone who does not support their twisted leftist agenda .
Now , they have their sights on Barr .
These Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr in relation to the April 3 firing of Michael Atkinson , the inspector general of the intelligence community .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us Atkinson gave legitimacy to a whistleblower complaint regarding Trump ’ s July 25 , 2019 , phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , which eventually led to the president ’ s impeachment .
When Trump dismissed Atkinson , he sent a letter to Congress stating he had lost confidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at an April 4 news conference that Atkinson “ did a terrible job — absolutely terrible.
” “ He took a whistleblower report , which turned out to be a fake report — it was fake , ” Trump said .
“ It was totally wrong .
… He took a fake report and he brought it to Congress , with an emergency.
” The Democrats , however , contend that Barr was dishonest in his April 9 comments to Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham about Atkinson , when the attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire him .
“ From the vantage point of the Department of Justice , [ Atkinson ] had interpreted his statute , which is a fairly narrow statute , that gave him jurisdiction over wrongdoing by intelligence people and tried to turn it into a commission to explore anything in the government and immediately reported to Congress without letting the executive branch look at it and determine whether there was any problem , ” Barr told Ingraham .
In a letter Monday to Jeffrey Ragsdale , acting director of the DOJ ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inspector General Michael Horowitz , Nadler and Schiff called for a review of Barr ’ s comments .
Nadler Schiff Letter by The Western Journal on Scribd RELATED : Home Depot Founder Blasts Dems for Impeaching Trump Instead of Dealing with COVID They claimed the attorney general “ blatantly mischaracterized Mr. Atkinson ’ s conduct and DOJ ’ s own actions relating to the complaint filed last summer by an Intelligence Community whistleblower and misrepresented DOJ ’ s legal opinion concerning the whistleblower complaint.
” The Democrats also said Barr tried to block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But isn ’ t all of this already old news ?
Barr certainly has the right to give his opinion of such matters to journalists who ask him questions .
Moreover , the whistleblower complaint was eventually revealed and Democrats got their vaunted prize : impeachment .
Do we really need to dive deep into the weeds of this case again ?
Does this serve the public interest now , especially during this era of national emergency and economic turbulence ?
Despite the fact that Democrats succeeded in impeaching the president on partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to find another way to bludgeon his administration .
They want investigations , more investigations and then investigations into the investigations .
We have endured nearly four years of an endless , unproductive sea of investigations .
They pursued the Russia collusion conspiracy for years , then the Ukrainian abuse of power theory , and now they want to take down the attorney general .
Simultaneously , Democrats want to review how Trump has handled the coronavirus crisis .
Of course they do .
That is easier than trying to pass constructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats repeatedly descend into a feverish , mad quest to destroy a duly elected president and his appointees .
Despite all their investigations , almost four years later , Trump is still standing .
Yet the ultimate verdict of history will be that these ceaseless inquiries have done nothing to improve the daily lives of American citizens .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The House Democrats are at it again: They want another investigation of the Trump administration, and this time they hope to bring down the nation’s brilliant and stalwart attorney general, William Barr.
By doing so, they seek to weaken their ultimate target: President Donald Trump.
Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff of California and Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York are obsessed with destroying the reputation of the president and anyone who does not support their twisted leftist agenda.
Now, they have their sights on Barr.
These Democrats are calling for a Justice Department investigation into Barr in relation to the April 3 firing of Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community.
Atkinson gave legitimacy to a whistleblower complaint regarding Trump’s July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which eventually led to the president’s impeachment.
When Trump dismissed Atkinson, he sent a letter to Congress stating he had lost confidence in the intelligence community IG.
The president said at an April 4 news conference that Atkinson “did a terrible job — absolutely terrible.”
“He took a whistleblower report, which turned out to be a fake report — it was fake,” Trump said. “It was totally wrong. … He took a fake report and he brought it to Congress, with an emergency.”
Do you think Barr's comments should be investigated? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 2% (45 Votes) No: 98% (2354 Votes)
The administration’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a Sept. 3 memorandum opinion detailing Atkinson’s misconduct.
The Democrats, however, contend that Barr was dishonest in his April 9 comments to Fox News’ Laura Ingraham about Atkinson, when the attorney general unequivocally supported Trump’s decision to fire him.
“From the vantage point of the Department of Justice, [Atkinson] had interpreted his statute, which is a fairly narrow statute, that gave him jurisdiction over wrongdoing by intelligence people and tried to turn it into a commission to explore anything in the government and immediately reported to Congress without letting the executive branch look at it and determine whether there was any problem,” Barr told Ingraham.
In a letter Monday to Jeffrey Ragsdale, acting director of the DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Nadler and Schiff called for a review of Barr’s comments.
Nadler Schiff Letter by The Western Journal on Scribd
They claimed the attorney general “blatantly mischaracterized Mr. Atkinson’s conduct and DOJ’s own actions relating to the complaint filed last summer by an Intelligence Community whistleblower and misrepresented DOJ’s legal opinion concerning the whistleblower complaint.”
The Democrats also said Barr tried to block the whistleblower complaint from reaching Congress.
But isn’t all of this already old news? Barr certainly has the right to give his opinion of such matters to journalists who ask him questions. Moreover, the whistleblower complaint was eventually revealed and Democrats got their vaunted prize: impeachment.
Do we really need to dive deep into the weeds of this case again? Does this serve the public interest now, especially during this era of national emergency and economic turbulence?
Despite the fact that Democrats succeeded in impeaching the president on partisan and flimsy grounds, they are still trying to find another way to bludgeon his administration. They want investigations, more investigations and then investigations into the investigations.
We have endured nearly four years of an endless, unproductive sea of investigations.
They pursued the Russia collusion conspiracy for years, then the Ukrainian abuse of power theory, and now they want to take down the attorney general.
Simultaneously, Democrats want to review how Trump has handled the coronavirus crisis.
Of course they do. That is easier than trying to pass constructive legislation that benefits the American people.
Democrats repeatedly descend into a feverish, mad quest to destroy a duly elected president and his appointees. Despite all their investigations, almost four years later, Trump is still standing.
Yet the ultimate verdict of history will be that these ceaseless inquiries have done nothing to improve the daily lives of American citizens.
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--Federal Judge Throws Out Jussie Smollett’s Action Against Chicago Police

A federal judge threw out Jussie Smollett ’ s malicious prosecution lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officers on Wednesday .
Smollett ’ s attorneys filed the countersuit in November 2019 after the city of Chicago sued him for $ 130,000 in costs related to its investigation of the former “ Empire ” actor ’ s claims that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January 2019 .
The countersuit claimed the city prosecuted him in such a way that caused “ humiliation , mental anguish and extreme emotional distress , ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Sun-Times .
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall said that Smollett couldn ’ t file a malicious prosecution claim until all of the proceedings against him had concluded , Fox News reported .
Smollett was indicted in February on six new counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to the police about what he claimed happened to him .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us Kendall said that the Chicago Police Department wanted to bring Smollett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had probable cause to think he committed.
” In her 15-page opinion , Kendall said that if the new case ended in Smollett ’ s favor , he could refile his suit .
The judge added that it would still likely fail because of the evidence against Smollett , the Chicago Tribune reported .
“ While Smollett alleges the statements were unreliable and self-serving , he ignores that there was additional evidence to corroborate the Osundairo Brothers ’ statements , including suspicious texts between the parties and the deposit of a large check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kendall wrote .
In late January 2019 , Smollett reported to police that he ’ d been assaulted by two men during an early morning confrontation in downtown Chicago .
The men allegedly splashed Smollett with a chemical and placed a rope around his neck while shouting , “ This is MAGA country.
” Smollett was charged in March 2019 with 16 counts of making a false report — charges that were eventually dismissed by the Cook County State ’ s Attorney ’ s Office .
Although State ’ s Attorney Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing a desire to avoid “ even the perception of a conflict ” due to communication with Smollett ’ s family , subsequent reports indicated she remained in contact with those who were investigating the allegations to prepare for prosecution .
Chicago police reacted with outrage after charges were dropped , leading to accusations of political motivation by Foxx and her office .
Special prosecutor Dan Webb was brought in last August to review the case , resulting in the February indictments .
“ The grand jury ’ s investigation revealed that Jussie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crime attack , and thereafter made numerous false statements to Chicago Police Department officers on multiple occasions , reporting a heinous hate crime that he , in fact , knew had not occurred , ” Webb said in a statement , according to WBBM-TV .
RELATED : Disease Expert Accused of Murder Asks To Be Released from Jail Due to COVID-19 Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in February that Smollett needs to pay for what he has done .
“ He needs to face the charges , ” Lightfoot said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime , and he needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , and we are going to continue to aggressively make him accountable for the wasted police resources that went into investigating what turned out to be a total hoax.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A federal judge threw out Jussie Smollett’s malicious prosecution lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officers on Wednesday.
Smollett’s attorneys filed the countersuit in November 2019 after the city of Chicago sued him for $130,000 in costs related to its investigation of the former “Empire” actor’s claims that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January 2019.
The countersuit claimed the city prosecuted him in such a way that caused “humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress,” as well as financial harm, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall said that Smollett couldn’t file a malicious prosecution claim until all of the proceedings against him had concluded, Fox News reported.
Smollett was indicted in February on six new counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to the police about what he claimed happened to him.
Kendall said that the Chicago Police Department wanted to bring Smollett to justice “for a crime it had probable cause to think he committed.”
In her 15-page opinion, Kendall said that if the new case ended in Smollett’s favor, he could refile his suit. The judge added that it would still likely fail because of the evidence against Smollett, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“While Smollett alleges the statements were unreliable and self-serving, he ignores that there was additional evidence to corroborate the Osundairo Brothers’ statements, including suspicious texts between the parties and the deposit of a large check to Abel shortly before the attack,” Kendall wrote.
In late January 2019, Smollett reported to police that he’d been assaulted by two men during an early morning confrontation in downtown Chicago. The men allegedly splashed Smollett with a chemical and placed a rope around his neck while shouting, “This is MAGA country.”
Do you think Smollett should reimburse the city of Chicago? 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% (4852 Votes) No: 1% (73 Votes)
Smollett was charged in March 2019 with 16 counts of making a false report — charges that were eventually dismissed by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Although State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case, citing a desire to avoid “even the perception of a conflict” due to communication with Smollett’s family, subsequent reports indicated she remained in contact with those who were investigating the allegations to prepare for prosecution.
Chicago police reacted with outrage after charges were dropped, leading to accusations of political motivation by Foxx and her office.
Special prosecutor Dan Webb was brought in last August to review the case, resulting in the February indictments.
“The grand jury’s investigation revealed that Jussie Smollett planned and participated in a staged hate crime attack, and thereafter made numerous false statements to Chicago Police Department officers on multiple occasions, reporting a heinous hate crime that he, in fact, knew had not occurred,” Webb said in a statement, according to WBBM-TV.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in February that Smollett needs to pay for what he has done.
“He needs to face the charges,” Lightfoot said, according to WBBM.
“He committed a crime, and he needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and we are going to continue to aggressively make him accountable for the wasted police resources that went into investigating what turned out to be a total hoax.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--China Caught in the Act: US Officials Say CCP Was Sending Panic-Inducing Texts to Americans

Democrats and liberals at the beginning of the COVID crisis : Blaming the Chinese government for this crisis is engendering bigotry in the United States .
It needs to stop , and it needs to stop now .
If it doesn ’ t , conservatives who hold Beijing responsible will be responsible for whatever hate crimes occur .
Democrats and liberals knowing what they know about the Chinese government at this point in the COVID crisis : Heh , um , nvm .
And the hits just keep on coming .
It ’ s not just the constant drumbeat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not just the fact the World Health Organization is regurgitating Chinese propaganda .
It ’ s not just the fact that China lied about human-to-human transmission .
It ’ s also not just the fact Beijing lied about the number of coronavirus cases and deaths .
It ’ s not just the country ’ s hoarding of PPE , particularly since the world has trusted it to manufacture a significant portion of the gloves , masks and gowns worn by medical professionals and first responders .
TRENDING : Every American Needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us And it ’ s not just that studies say China could have prevented 95 percent of coronavirus cases if the country had acted earlier .
Now , it ’ s the fact China has apparently been sending disinformation via text messages to Americans in order to induce panic .
According to The New York Times , American intelligence has determined the Chinese Communist Party was behind some “ alarming messages [ that ] came fast and furious in mid-March ” and amplifying a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the president that would have essentially constituted martial law .
“ They will announce this as soon as they have troops in place to help prevent looters and rioters , ” one message read , according to The Times .
“ He said he got the call last night and was told to pack and be prepared for the call today with his dispatch orders.
” That led to this announcement from the National Security Council : If it started as just a random prank , it quickly became something China seized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panic , United States intelligence agencies have assessed that Chinese operatives helped push the messages across platforms , according to six American officials , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to publicly discuss intelligence matters , ” The Times reported .
RELATED : Warning from Wuhan : After 2 Months of Lockdown , City Is Changed Forever “ The amplification techniques are alarming to officials because the disinformation showed up as texts on many Americans ’ cellphones , a tactic that several of the officials said they had not seen before.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both China and Russia have been pushing disinformation tactics about the pandemic onto American audiences .
The Times reported on the phenomenon in March .
That report said that while “ Russia ’ s diplomats and state-run news media have arguably been more restrained , ” that “ China has been more overtly aggressive.
” China spread what The Times termed “ discredited , and sometimes contradictory , theories ” — one infamous Chinese lie , for instance , is that the coronavirus actually originated in the United States .
As The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has adopted Russia ’ s playbook for more covert operations , mimicking Kremlin disinformation campaigns and even using and amplifying some of the same conspiracy sites.
” Chinese intelligence operatives have gone even further than that now , though , at least according to reports .
“ The origin of the messages remains murky , ” The Times reported .
“ American officials declined to reveal details of the intelligence linking Chinese agents to the dissemination of the disinformation , citing the need to protect their sources and methods for monitoring Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted that Chinese intelligence wasn ’ t behind the lockdown texts originally .
However , the Chinese agents seemed to have learned how effectively they could be use to disturb the American public .
“ The officials say the Chinese agents also appear to be using texts and encrypted messaging apps as part of their campaigns .
It is much harder for researchers and law enforcement officers to track disinformation spread through text messages and encrypted apps than on social media platforms , ” The Times reported .
It ’ s like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or texter ) is coming from inside the house .
No longer is China spreading its disinformation through Xinhua or random Twitter accounts ( or CNN , for that matter ) .
It ’ s now in our text messages .
This isn ’ t just Russian disinformation tactics anymore .
This is something much more sinister .
But as bad as it is , there ’ s one positive note : We ’ ve finally come to the long-delayed conclusion that blaming China isn ’ t xenophobic or problematic .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s something that China should be forced to pay for when this is all over .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democrats and liberals at the beginning of the COVID crisis: Blaming the Chinese government for this crisis is engendering bigotry in the United States. It needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. If it doesn’t, conservatives who hold Beijing responsible will be responsible for whatever hate crimes occur.
Democrats and liberals knowing what they know about the Chinese government at this point in the COVID crisis: Heh, um, nvm.
And the hits just keep on coming.
It’s not just the constant drumbeat of obviously fictitious propaganda from Beijing. It’s not just the fact the World Health Organization is regurgitating Chinese propaganda.
It’s not just the fact that China lied about human-to-human transmission. It’s also not just the fact Beijing lied about the number of coronavirus cases and deaths. It’s not just the country’s hoarding of PPE, particularly since the world has trusted it to manufacture a significant portion of the gloves, masks and gowns worn by medical professionals and first responders.
And it’s not just that studies say China could have prevented 95 percent of coronavirus cases if the country had acted earlier.
Now, it’s the fact China has apparently been sending disinformation via text messages to Americans in order to induce panic.
According to The New York Times, American intelligence has determined the Chinese Communist Party was behind some “alarming messages [that] came fast and furious in mid-March” and amplifying a fake text message about actions being taken by the president that would have essentially constituted martial law.
“They will announce this as soon as they have troops in place to help prevent looters and rioters,” one message read, according to The Times.
“He said he got the call last night and was told to pack and be prepared for the call today with his dispatch orders.”
That led to this announcement from the National Security Council:
Text message rumors of a national #quarantine are FAKE. There is no national lockdown. @CDCgov has and will continue to post the latest guidance on #COVID19. #coronavirus — NSC (@WHNSC) March 16, 2020
If it started as just a random prank, it quickly became something China seized upon.
“Since that wave of panic, United States intelligence agencies have assessed that Chinese operatives helped push the messages across platforms, according to six American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to publicly discuss intelligence matters,” The Times reported.
“The amplification techniques are alarming to officials because the disinformation showed up as texts on many Americans’ cellphones, a tactic that several of the officials said they had not seen before.”
It’s already been established that both China and Russia have been pushing disinformation tactics about the pandemic onto American audiences. The Times reported on the phenomenon in March. That report said that while “Russia’s diplomats and state-run news media have arguably been more restrained,” that “China has been more overtly aggressive.”
China spread what The Times termed “discredited, and sometimes contradictory, theories” — one infamous Chinese lie, for instance, is that the coronavirus actually originated in the United States.
As The Times’ March report put it: “China has adopted Russia’s playbook for more covert operations, mimicking Kremlin disinformation campaigns and even using and amplifying some of the same conspiracy sites.”
Chinese intelligence operatives have gone even further than that now, though, at least according to reports.
Do you think China should be forced to pay for 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% (657 Votes) No: 1% (5 Votes)
“The origin of the messages remains murky,” The Times reported. “American officials declined to reveal details of the intelligence linking Chinese agents to the dissemination of the disinformation, citing the need to protect their sources and methods for monitoring Beijing’s activities.”
The intelligence sources insisted that Chinese intelligence wasn’t behind the lockdown texts originally. However, the Chinese agents seemed to have learned how effectively they could be use to disturb the American public.
“The officials say the Chinese agents also appear to be using texts and encrypted messaging apps as part of their campaigns. It is much harder for researchers and law enforcement officers to track disinformation spread through text messages and encrypted apps than on social media platforms,” The Times reported.
It’s like the old horror movie trope: The caller (or texter) is coming from inside the house.
No longer is China spreading its disinformation through Xinhua or random Twitter accounts (or CNN, for that matter). It’s now in our text messages.
This isn’t just Russian disinformation tactics anymore. This is something much more sinister. But as bad as it is, there’s one positive note:
We’ve finally come to the long-delayed conclusion that blaming China isn’t xenophobic or problematic. Instead, it’s common sense — and it’s something that China should be forced to pay for when this is all over.
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--Shake Shack To Return $10M Loan, Suggests Money Be Reallocated to Restaurants ‘Who Need It Most’

Thanks to Shake Shack ’ s benevolence during these hard times , a few local mom-and-pop shops may have a fighting chance .
Earlier this month , Shake Shack was granted a $ 10 million dollar loan via the federal government ’ s Payroll Protection Program , which was allocated a total of $ 350 billion in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
On Monday , the burger chain become the first major company to announce it would return the money in hopes of helping smaller businesses who are suffering more during the ongoing crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Randy Garutti and founder Danny Meyer explained the decision in a blog post on LinkedIn .
“ Shake Shack , like all restaurant businesses in America , is doing the best we can to navigate these challenging times .
We don ’ t know what the future holds , ” they wrote .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us “ Our people would benefit from a $ 10 million PPP loan but we ’ re fortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others do not .
Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance , we ’ re returning ours.
” Garutti and Meyer pointed out how the funds allocated for the PPP , which were meant to prevent small businesses from having to lay off workers , have already been depleted , leaving many businesses out to dry .
“ Late last week , when it was announced that funding for the PPP had been exhausted , businesses across the country were understandably up in arms , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that the first phase of the PPP was underfunded , and many who need it most , haven ’ t gotten any assistance.
” Garutti and Meyer emphasized their hope that the $ 10 million will go to smaller restaurants in dire need of assistance .
“ Shake Shack was fortunate last Friday to be able to access the additional capital we needed to ensure our long term stability through an equity transaction in the public markets , ” they wrote .
“ We ’ re thankful for that and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 million PPP loan we received last week to the SBA so that those restaurants who need it most can get it now.
” The small business loan program has yet to be replenished , though congressional Democrats have reached an agreement with the Trump administration to allocate an additional $ 322 billion for the PPP .
The legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday .
RELATED : Employees Furious When Owner Keeps Paying Them - They Would Have Made More on Unemployment “ I will comment there have been some big businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pleased to see that Shake Shack returned the money , ” Mnuchin said .
During that same news conference , President Donald Trump suggested that other large organizations , such as Harvard , should not be receiving PPP money .
“ Harvard is going to pay back the money .
And they shouldn ’ t be taking it .
So , Harvard is going to .
You have a number of them .
I ’ m not going to mention any other names , ” Trump said .
“ But when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country , maybe in the world , I guess .
And they ’ re going to pay back that money.
” Harvard was set to receive $ 8.7 million in stimulus funds , but said Wednesday it would not take the money .
With unemployment figures up drastically across the country , it ’ s little surprise that so many businesses are worried about their futures .
Thanks to Shake Shack ’ s generous move , at least a few businesses may have been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Thanks to Shake Shack’s benevolence during these hard times, a few local mom-and-pop shops may have a fighting chance.
Earlier this month, Shake Shack was granted a $10 million dollar loan via the federal government’s Payroll Protection Program, which was allocated a total of $350 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
On Monday, the burger chain become the first major company to announce it would return the money in hopes of helping smaller businesses who are suffering more during the ongoing crisis, according to Fox Business.
Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti and founder Danny Meyer explained the decision in a blog post on LinkedIn.
“Shake Shack, like all restaurant businesses in America, is doing the best we can to navigate these challenging times. We don’t know what the future holds,” they wrote.
“Our people would benefit from a $10 million PPP loan but we’re fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not. Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance, we’re returning ours.”
We will be returning our Paycheck Protection Program loan. More information from our founder @dhmeyer + CEO @randygarutti here: https://t.co/gXNsO1RfKf pic.twitter.com/tMtVNlY6ou — SHAKE SHACK (@shakeshack) April 20, 2020
Garutti and Meyer pointed out how the funds allocated for the PPP, which were meant to prevent small businesses from having to lay off workers, have already been depleted, leaving many businesses out to dry.
Do you think small businesses hurt by the pandemic will rebound? 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: 73% (71 Votes) No: 27% (26 Votes)
“Late last week, when it was announced that funding for the PPP had been exhausted, businesses across the country were understandably up in arms,” the blog read. “We now know that the first phase of the PPP was underfunded, and many who need it most, haven’t gotten any assistance.”
Garutti and Meyer emphasized their hope that the $10 million will go to smaller restaurants in dire need of assistance.
“Shake Shack was fortunate last Friday to be able to access the additional capital we needed to ensure our long term stability through an equity transaction in the public markets,” they wrote. “We’re thankful for that and we’ve decided to immediately return the entire $10 million PPP loan we received last week to the SBA so that those restaurants who need it most can get it now.”
The small business loan program has yet to be replenished, though congressional Democrats have reached an agreement with the Trump administration to allocate an additional $322 billion for the PPP.
The legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin mentioned Shake Shack’s generous move during a White House news conference.
“I will comment there have been some big businesses that have taken these loans. I was pleased to see that Shake Shack returned the money,” Mnuchin said.
During that same news conference, President Donald Trump suggested that other large organizations, such as Harvard, should not be receiving PPP money.
“Harvard is going to pay back the money. And they shouldn’t be taking it. So, Harvard is going to. You have a number of them. I’m not going to mention any other names,” Trump said.
“But when I saw Harvard, they have a — one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country, maybe in the world, I guess. And they’re going to pay back that money.”
Harvard was set to receive $8.7 million in stimulus funds, but said Wednesday it would not take the money.
With unemployment figures up drastically across the country, it’s little surprise that so many businesses are worried about their futures.
Thanks to Shake Shack’s generous move, at least a few businesses may have been given a chance to survive.
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--Does This Seal Look Faulty to You? China-Owned Newspaper Deletes Inside Pics of Wuhan Biolab

A newspaper owned by the Communist Party of China scrubbed a post bragging about the Wuhan Institute of Virology ’ s massive bank of viruses , quietly removing evidence that may have shown a faulty seal and other sloppy mistakes in the biosafety level 4 facility .
China Daily , owned by the Publicity Department of the CPC ’ s Central Committee , boasted of the Wuhan facility ’ s massive virus bank in May 2018 .
“ Take a look at the largest # virus bank in Asia , ” the paper wrote in a now-deleted tweet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hubei province preserves more than 1,500 different strains of virus.
” While it seems an odd thing to brag about , mounting evidence shows the WIV was central to China ’ s ambitious move to compete with the United States in the field of virology .
Attached to China Daily ’ s post were three pictures , including two that showed some potentially faulty lab gear .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching into a freezer , seemingly holding virus specimens .
A major buildup of ice can be seen on an interior door , as well as layers of frost covering several of the other doors .
A worker handling the specimens in the pictures is seen wearing only basic safety gear , including gloves , a hair net and a thin surgical mask .
Another image shows the same door nearly shut .
It ’ s unclear if the door was able to close at all given the major buildup of ice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommends regular maintenance of gaskets , including the removal of any buildup of frost on the important sealing device .
Judging by the large buildup of frost and ice on the WIV ’ s freezer , there ’ s no telling the last time this vital piece of safety equipment was serviced prior to these photos being taken .
While this is by no means evidence that the virus escaped from the WIV , it hints that even basic maintenance procedures were overlooked inside of the high-security facility .
RELATED : Warning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , City Is Changed Forever Many of the viruses in this bank were likely bat coronaviruses sourced from the most remote and exotic corners of China , as the WIV made a name for itself by studying the contagious and deadly pathogens .
With the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind the COVID-19 disease belonging to a bat coronavirus family , it ’ s easy to see why China tried to scrub this post from the internet Thankfully , screenshots and archived versions of the post remain easily accessible and free from the CPC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been able to craft its own narrative from the coronavirus pandemic , usually by silencing doctors who told the truth while refusing to take blame for the viral outbreak .
While this may work for the Chinese living under the communist party ’ s authoritarian rule , the world ’ s free and open access to information is quickly undermining many of China ’ s claims .
With new information about the origins of the virus behind COVID-19 appearing nearly every day , there ’ s no telling what damning evidence will surface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A newspaper owned by the Communist Party of China scrubbed a post bragging about the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s massive bank of viruses, quietly removing evidence that may have shown a faulty seal and other sloppy mistakes in the biosafety level 4 facility.
China Daily, owned by the Publicity Department of the CPC’s Central Committee, boasted of the Wuhan facility’s massive virus bank in May 2018.
“Take a look at the largest #virus bank in Asia,” the paper wrote in a now-deleted tweet. “Wuhan Institute of Virology in Central China’s Hubei province preserves more than 1,500 different strains of virus.”
While it seems an odd thing to brag about, mounting evidence shows the WIV was central to China’s ambitious move to compete with the United States in the field of virology.
Attached to China Daily’s post were three pictures, including two that showed some faulty lab gear, according to the New York Post.
In one photo, a lab worker is shown reaching into a freezer, seemingly holding virus specimens. The photo “showed a broken seal on a freezer at the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” according to the Post.
The Jerusalem Post also identified the same image as “showing a broken seal on a freezer in the laboratory that contained around 1,500 strains of deadly viruses.”
In addition, a major buildup of ice can be seen on an interior door, as well as layers of frost covering several of the other doors.
A worker handling the specimens in the pictures is seen wearing only basic safety gear, including gloves, a hair net and a thin surgical mask.
Another image showed the same door nearly shut; it’s unclear whether the door was able to close at all, given the ice buildup.
While the degree of functional impairment — if any — to this equipment caused by the ice buildup and broken seal are unable to be determined by examining these images, the manufacturer of a similar laboratory freezer recommends regular maintenance of gaskets, including the removal of any buildup of frost on the important sealing device.
There is also, of course, no way to know the last time this vital piece of safety equipment was serviced prior to these photos being taken.
While this is by no means evidence that the virus escaped from the WIV, the images — and their sudden removal by China Daily — certainly do not produce confidence that even basic maintenance procedures were completed regularly inside the high-security facility.
Many of the viruses in this bank were likely bat coronaviruses sourced from the most remote and exotic corners of China, as the WIV made a name for itself by studying the contagious and deadly pathogens.
With the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind the COVID-19 disease belonging to a bat coronavirus family, it’s easy to understand why China might have tried to scrub this post from the internet
Thankfully, screenshots and archived versions of the post remain easily accessible and free from the CPC’s malicious censorship.
Did the virus behind COVID-19 escape from a Wuhan 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: 99% (694 Votes) No: 1% (7 Votes)
The communist regime has been able to craft its own narrative from the coronavirus pandemic, usually by silencing doctors who told the truth while refusing to take blame for the viral outbreak.
While this may work for the Chinese living under the communist party’s authoritarian rule, the world’s free and open access to information is quickly undermining many of China’s claims.
With new information about the origins of the virus behind COVID-19 appearing nearly every day, there’s no telling what damning evidence will surface in the future.
UPDATE, Apr. 24, 2020: Following the publication of this commentary, it was updated to include two additional sources, the New York Post and The Jerusalem Post, both of which reported on the broken seal in the image shown. In addition, some language was edited slightly to make it more clear that The Western Journal cannot verify the state of maintenance at the facility in question, although there does appear to be enough circumstantial evidence, at the very least, to raise questions regarding that maintenance.
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--Gov Cuomo on People Stuck in Abusive Households: Domestic Violence Is ‘Very Bad,’ But Shutdown Isn’t

Gov Cuomo on People Stuck in Abusive Households: Domestic Violence Is ‘Very Bad,’ But Shutdown Isn’t Just About You

One of the great catch-22s during the coronavirus pandemic are spouses and children stuck in abusive households .
It ’ s a wretched situation , and one states need to do more to address .
Once this is over , we ’ re going to have to deal with a legacy of sick relationships that are more difficult for those being abused and which , thanks to emotionally blackmail and gaslighting , will likely be more difficult for them to leave .
Also , while I ’ m not necessarily in favor of lockdown protests that don ’ t involve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their point without creating a risk of infection , I ’ m also not in favor of governors pushing their citizens to the point where protest becomes inevitable due to entirely superfluous , petty and ineffectual lockdown policies .
( See : Whitmer , Gretchen . )
Expecting your constituents to obey policies enacted on whims as opposed to evidence — particularly when those policies are imposed with a shrug — is basically the recipe for turning the public view of lockdowns away from seeing them as a necessary expedient to limit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being seen as the kind of petty , superfluous and dangerous regulatory regime that not only invites protests but makes them necessary .
All of which is to say that Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of New York could go from the hero of lockdown — both for his fellow Democrats and to Republicans willing to put aside party grudges — to the poster child of how it all went wrong .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown protesters and the idea that stay-at-home orders were a cure worse than the disease , telling reporters that “ economic hardship doesn ’ t equal death.
” “ You want to go to work ?
Go take a job as an essential worker , ” he said .
“ Economic hardship , yes , very bad , ” Cuomo said .
“ Not death.
” The idea that “ economic hardship ” doesn ’ t equal death when it can potentially lead to higher incidence of heart disease , depression and suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Lancet study said the Great Recession led to 500,000 cancer deaths alone .
Fine , though , let ’ s take that bit of Cuomo ’ s tough talk at face value .
That wasn ’ t my issue with Wednesday ’ s press conference .
It was arrogant and misinformed , but not dangerous , per se .
The next part was , though : “ Economic hardship — yes , very bad — not death .
Emotional stress , from being locked in a house — very bad , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Very bad , not death .
And not death of someone else , ” Cuomo said .
“ See , that ’ s what we have to factor into this equation .
Yeah , it ’ s your life , do whatever you want .
But you ’ re now responsible for my life .
You have a responsibility to me .
It ’ s not just about you.
” RELATED : After First Responders Do n't Comply , New York Rescinds Disturbing 'Do Not Resuscitate ' Order Yeah , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of domestic violence .
Don ’ t burden him with it , though .
And it got worse : “ We started here saying , ‘ it ’ s not about me , it ’ s about we , ’ get your head around the ‘ we ’ concept .
So it ’ s not just all about you .
It ’ s about me too , it ’ s about we , ” he explained .
“ .
.
.
And think about it as if , it was your family that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s what we ’ re talking about .
And when you think about it as your family , you have a different perspective.
” It ’ s about “ we , ” domestic violence victims .
There ’ s no “ I ” in “ we , ” after all .
You ’ re not people in his family , either , so don ’ t endanger their lives .
Hey , can we get Chris Cuomo on Zoom to talk about that coronavirus-induced dream he had about his brother in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll make you think twice about endangering his life .
I ’ m not entirely sure what the governor ’ s “ it ’ s all about we ” ramble was supposed to say .
Is Cuomo admitting his state ’ s police and domestic violence shelters can ’ t deal with the uptick in abuse so , hey , you ’ re on your own ?
Shouldn ’ t this be a priority given what he admits is an uptick in domestic violence ?
Did he not realize that , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Very bad , not death , ” that he was profoundly wrong about that death part , considering how often domestic violence does , in fact , end in the death of the abused ?
But perhaps most disturbingly , did he not realize — if he believes that protests cause coronavirus infections — that this is the kind of talk that infuriates Americans and makes more protests inevitable ?
It ’ s not just economic hardship that sparks demonstrations .
If it were , every state in the nation would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those superfluous , petty , overly restrictive lockdown measures we ’ ve mentioned before .
Rather , it ’ s the profound arrogance of state officials who believe their job is to be confrontational jerks under the misapprehension this will prevent Americans from violating their states ’ lockdowns .
You don ’ t like the lockdowns ?
Tough cookies , Gov .
Cuomo seems to be saying ( although I doubt he ’ s using the word “ cookies ” in his mind ) .
Unlike Gov .
Whitmer in Michigan — whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging for her new lockdown order was as much responsible for the protests at the state capital as the more restrictive lockdown order itself — Gov .
Cuomo isn ’ t stopping at petty regulations .
Instead , he ’ s telling victims of domestic violence to “ suck it up , buttercup.
” I ’ m sure abused wives love hearing that .
Now , did he actually mean that as it sounded ?
I can only assume that ’ s a no because I can ’ t picture leaders who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t , say , Maduro , Putin or Bolsinaro .
However , that is how it sounded , and when Cuomo ’ s primary job in these daily coronavirus media filibusters is to manage how he sounds , he ’ s responsible for the Bolsinaro-esque tone of this remark — and , by extension , making the protesters outside the Albany state capital Wednesday look entirely justified .
To New York domestic abuse victims : The Empire State has a slew of domestic violence hotlines , all of which have workers trained to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know you ’ re on the phone with them if you call .
I beseech you , click on this link and use them .
Do not take your governor ’ s profoundly irresponsible advice .
It could , quite literally , end in your death .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One of the great catch-22s during the coronavirus pandemic are spouses and children stuck in abusive households.
It’s a wretched situation, and one states need to do more to address. Once this is over, we’re going to have to deal with a legacy of sick relationships that are more difficult for those being abused and which, thanks to emotionally blackmail and gaslighting, will likely be more difficult for them to leave.
Also, while I’m not necessarily in favor of lockdown protests that don’t involve social distancing or utilizing cars to make their point without creating a risk of infection, I’m also not in favor of governors pushing their citizens to the point where protest becomes inevitable due to entirely superfluous, petty and ineffectual lockdown policies. (See: Whitmer, Gretchen.)
Expecting your constituents to obey policies enacted on whims as opposed to evidence — particularly when those policies are imposed with a shrug — is basically the recipe for turning the public view of lockdowns away from seeing them as a necessary expedient to limit the spread of the coronavirus and toward lockdowns being seen as the kind of petty, superfluous and dangerous regulatory regime that not only invites protests but makes them necessary.
All of which is to say that Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York could go from the hero of lockdown — both for his fellow Democrats and to Republicans willing to put aside party grudges — to the poster child of how it all went wrong.
On Wednesday, Cuomo lashed out at lockdown protesters and the idea that stay-at-home orders were a cure worse than the disease, telling reporters that “economic hardship doesn’t equal death.”
“You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker,” he said.
A reporter asked Gov. Cuomo what he’d say to New Yorkers who want to go back to work because they’re running out of money, to which he replied, “economic hardship doesn’t equal death” “You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker” he added https://t.co/BgwoOZsQRy pic.twitter.com/WxGQxtg49p — CBS News (@CBSNews) April 22, 2020
“Economic hardship, yes, very bad,” Cuomo said. “Not death.”
The idea that “economic hardship” doesn’t equal death when it can potentially lead to higher incidence of heart disease, depression and suicide is dubious, especially when you consider a Lancet study said the Great Recession led to 500,000 cancer deaths alone.
Fine, though, let’s take that bit of Cuomo’s tough talk at face value. That wasn’t my issue with Wednesday’s press conference. It was arrogant and misinformed, but not dangerous, per se.
The next part was, though:
“Economic hardship — yes, very bad — not death. Emotional stress, from being locked in a house — very bad, not death. Domestic violence on the increase? Very bad, not death. And not death of someone else,” Cuomo said.
“See, that’s what we have to factor into this equation. Yeah, it’s your life, do whatever you want. But you’re now responsible for my life. You have a responsibility to me. It’s not just about you.”
. @NYGovCuomo : The illness is death. What is worth than death? How can the cure be worse than death? Economic hardship, emotional stress from being locked in a house, domestic violence are all “very bad” but not death. But its not just about you. It’s about “we.” https://t.co/eVR7KE6HUP — news10nbc (@news10nbc) April 22, 2020
Yeah, it’s your life, being a victim of domestic violence. Don’t burden him with it, though.
And it got worse:
“We started here saying, ‘it’s not about me, it’s about we,’ get your head around the ‘we’ concept. So it’s not just all about you. It’s about me too, it’s about we,” he explained. “ . . . And think about it as if, it was your family that might get infected, right? And that’s what we’re talking about. And when you think about it as your family, you have a different perspective.”
It’s about “we,” domestic violence victims. There’s no “I” in “we,” after all. You’re not people in his family, either, so don’t endanger their lives. Hey, can we get Chris Cuomo on Zoom to talk about that coronavirus-induced dream he had about his brother in a ballet outfit? Bet that’ll make you think twice about endangering his life.
Chris Cuomo: “And then I had a dream where you were dressed like a ballerina, dancing and twirling.” Andrew Cuomo: [already dreaming up a revenge prank]pic.twitter.com/lof81GHimX — Santa Claus, CEO (@SantaInc) April 2, 2020
I’m not entirely sure what the governor’s “it’s all about we” ramble was supposed to say.
Is Cuomo admitting his state’s police and domestic violence shelters can’t deal with the uptick in abuse so, hey, you’re on your own? Shouldn’t this be a priority given what he admits is an uptick in domestic violence?
Did he not realize that, when he said “Domestic violence on the increase? Very bad, not death,” that he was profoundly wrong about that death part, considering how often domestic violence does, in fact, end in the death of the abused?
But perhaps most disturbingly, did he not realize — if he believes that protests cause coronavirus infections — that this is the kind of talk that infuriates Americans and makes more protests inevitable?
It’s not just economic hardship that sparks demonstrations. If it were, every state in the nation would be protesting. It’s not even those superfluous, petty, overly restrictive lockdown measures we’ve mentioned before.
Are governor's abusing their powers during the coronavirus lockdowns? 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% (124 Votes) No: 1% (1 Votes)
Rather, it’s the profound arrogance of state officials who believe their job is to be confrontational jerks under the misapprehension this will prevent Americans from violating their states’ lockdowns.
You don’t like the lockdowns? Tough cookies, Gov. Cuomo seems to be saying (although I doubt he’s using the word “cookies” in his mind).
Unlike Gov. Whitmer in Michigan — whose “let them eat gardening equipment” messaging for her new lockdown order was as much responsible for the protests at the state capital as the more restrictive lockdown order itself — Gov. Cuomo isn’t stopping at petty regulations. Instead, he’s telling victims of domestic violence to “suck it up, buttercup.” I’m sure abused wives love hearing that.
Now, did he actually mean that as it sounded? I can only assume that’s a no because I can’t picture leaders who are that sickeningly uncaring whose surnames aren’t, say, Maduro, Putin or Bolsinaro.
However, that is how it sounded, and when Cuomo’s primary job in these daily coronavirus media filibusters is to manage how he sounds, he’s responsible for the Bolsinaro-esque tone of this remark — and, by extension, making the protesters outside the Albany state capital Wednesday look entirely justified.
To New York domestic abuse victims: The Empire State has a slew of domestic violence hotlines, all of which have workers trained to make sure your abuser doesn’t know you’re on the phone with them if you call. I beseech you, click on this link and use them.
Do not take your governor’s profoundly irresponsible advice. It could, quite literally, end in your death.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--US Calls for China To ‘Permanently Close’ Wet Markets

The United States has officially called upon China to ban wet markets such as the one in Wuhan , which has been considered as a possible launching pad for the coronavirus .
Wet markets are generally understood to be outdoor markets where merchants sell produce and animals — including exotic creatures — that are either killed for customers at the market or that customers then butcher at home .
In a statement issued in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the markets must be closed for good .
“ Given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wet markets and zoonotic diseases , the United States has called on the People ’ s Republic of China to permanently close its wildlife wet markets and all markets that sell illegal wildlife .
I call on all ASEAN governments to do the same , ” he said in the statement .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has also called for the elimination of wet markets .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It boggles my mind how , when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface , that we just don ’ t shut it down , ” Fauci said in early April on the Fox News show “ Fox & Friends.
” “ I don ’ t know what else has to happen to get us to appreciate that , ” Fauci said .
At least one Democrat has pushed back against American efforts to have wet markets banned .
“ I think we need to be careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular cultural practice in a country that we don ’ t live in , ” Democratic Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois said at a virtual town hall event last week , according to the Washington Free Beacon .
“ These viruses could hop from animals to humans , but you don ’ t shut that down just by shutting down a particular cultural practice that we aren ’ t familiar with.
” In an interview with Laura Ingraham on the Fox News program “ The Ingraham Angle , ” Pompeo expressed irritation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Chinese Government hasn ’ t permitted American scientists to go into China , to go into not only the Wuhan lab but wherever it needs to go to learn about this virus , to learn about its origins , ” Pompeo said Wednesday .
Pompeo said the Chinese have blocked efforts to gather the kind of intelligence needed to know precisely how , where and when the outbreak began .
He also noted that the World Health Organization has done precious little to help make that determination .
“ Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we need to figure this out , ” he said .
“ There ’ s an ongoing pandemic .
We still don ’ t have the transparency and openness we need in China , and it is the World Health Organization ’ s responsibility to achieve that transparency .
RELATED : Report : US Intelligence Says Chinese Agents Attempted To Stoke Coronavirus Panic via Social Media “ They ’ re not doing it ; they need to be held accountable .
And what ’ s been great is to see other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize the WHO ’ s failures as well , ” Pompeo added .
Part of the issue , he noted , is that the U.S. doesn ’ t know for sure where the virus started .
For months , the prevailing view was that it originated in the Wuhan wet market , though U.S. intelligence officials are now investigating the possibility that it may have first spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
“ [ W ] e don ’ t know precisely where it started .
That ’ s the core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China kicked out journalists .
When the United States , under President Trump , tried to get in to conduct the very investigation that needs to still be undertaken — it still hasn ’ t been done — when we tried to do that , the Chinese denied access not only to the lab but to the wet markets , to all of the places that one would need to go to identify the original source for this virus .
“ We ’ re still trying to get that information .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pompeo shared his dissatisfaction with China and the WHO at a news conference .
“ We strongly believe that the Chinese Communist Party did not report the outbreak of the new coronavirus in a timely fashion to the World Health Organization , ” he said , later adding , “ Even after the CCP did notify the WHO of the coronavirus outbreak , China didn ’ t share all of the information it had.
” “ Instead , it covered up how dangerous the disease is .
It didn ’ t report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was in every province inside of China .
It censored those who tried to warn the world , it ordered a halt to testing of new samples , and it destroyed existing samples , ” Pompeo added .
“ The CCP still has not shared the virus sample from inside of China with the outside world , making it impossible to track the disease ’ s evolution.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The United States has officially called upon China to ban wet markets such as the one in Wuhan, which has been considered as a possible launching pad for the coronavirus.
Wet markets are generally understood to be outdoor markets where merchants sell produce and animals — including exotic creatures — that are either killed for customers at the market or that customers then butcher at home.
In a statement issued in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the markets must be closed for good.
“Given the strong link between illegal wildlife sold in wet markets and zoonotic diseases, the United States has called on the People’s Republic of China to permanently close its wildlife wet markets and all markets that sell illegal wildlife. I call on all ASEAN governments to do the same,” he said in the statement.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has also called for the elimination of wet markets.
“It boggles my mind how, when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface, that we just don’t shut it down,” Fauci said in early April on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends.”
“I don’t know what else has to happen to get us to appreciate that,” Fauci said.
At least one Democrat has pushed back against American efforts to have wet markets banned.
“I think we need to be careful about laying all the blame on a particular cultural practice in a country that we don’t live in,” Democratic Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois said at a virtual town hall event last week, according to the Washington Free Beacon. “These viruses could hop from animals to humans, but you don’t shut that down just by shutting down a particular cultural practice that we aren’t familiar with.”
Should China be permanently close its wet markets? 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: 95% (122 Votes) No: 5% (7 Votes)
In an interview with Laura Ingraham on the Fox News program “The Ingraham Angle,” Pompeo expressed irritation with China over more than just wet markets.
“The Chinese Government hasn’t permitted American scientists to go into China, to go into not only the Wuhan lab but wherever it needs to go to learn about this virus, to learn about its origins,” Pompeo said Wednesday.
Pompeo said the Chinese have blocked efforts to gather the kind of intelligence needed to know precisely how, where and when the outbreak began. He also noted that the World Health Organization has done precious little to help make that determination.
“Look, we know it began in Wuhan, but we need to figure this out,” he said. “There’s an ongoing pandemic. We still don’t have the transparency and openness we need in China, and it is the World Health Organization’s responsibility to achieve that transparency.
“They’re not doing it; they need to be held accountable. And what’s been great is to see other countries around the world to begin to recognize the WHO’s failures as well,” Pompeo added.
Part of the issue, he noted, is that the U.S. doesn’t know for sure where the virus started. For months, the prevailing view was that it originated in the Wuhan wet market, though U.S. intelligence officials are now investigating the possibility that it may have first spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
“[W]e don’t know precisely where it started. That’s the core problem,” Pompeo said. “China kicked out journalists. When the United States, under President Trump, tried to get in to conduct the very investigation that needs to still be undertaken — it still hasn’t been done — when we tried to do that, the Chinese denied access not only to the lab but to the wet markets, to all of the places that one would need to go to identify the original source for this virus.
“We’re still trying to get that information. We’re still seeking transparency.”
Also Wednesday, Pompeo shared his dissatisfaction with China and the WHO at a news conference.
“We strongly believe that the Chinese Communist Party did not report the outbreak of the new coronavirus in a timely fashion to the World Health Organization,” he said, later adding, “Even after the CCP did notify the WHO of the coronavirus outbreak, China didn’t share all of the information it had.”
“Instead, it covered up how dangerous the disease is. It didn’t report sustained human-to-human transmission for a month until it was in every province inside of China. It censored those who tried to warn the world, it ordered a halt to testing of new samples, and it destroyed existing samples,” Pompeo added. “The CCP still has not shared the virus sample from inside of China with the outside world, making it impossible to track the disease’s evolution.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--Oscar-Nominated Actress Shirley Knight Dead at Age 83

Shirley Knight , 83 , passed away Wednesday morning at her daughter ’ s home in San Marcos , Texas , where she had been staying since April 15 .
Knight was nominated for an Academy Award twice : for her supporting actress roles in “ The Dark at the Top of the Stairs ” ( 1960 ) and “ Sweet Bird of Youth ” ( 1962 ) .
She was featured in multiple movies , television shows and stage productions , and won three Emmys and a Tony .
In 1960 , she said during an interview that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern she saw so many others take in her line of work .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us “ So many actors , once they became famous , lose some beautiful inner thing , something they should try hard to keep , ” she told the reporter , according to The Associated Press .
“ They begin to think too highly of themselves and success.
” Knight grew up in a family in Kansas that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first to go to college .
Initially , she had dreams of becoming an opera singer but switched to actress after being inspired by Julie Harris .
She has an impressive IMDb listing , and was working on projects as recent as 2018 ’ s “ Periphery.
” As her health began to decline , her daughter took her into her home in Texas .
“ I have a rather difficult update regarding my mother Shirley Knight , ” Kaitlin Hopkins , her daughter , shared on April 15 .
“ Yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , we moved her home .
“ I suppose the good news is she is at home with us and the corgis and is surrounded by people who love her .
She got to sit on the deck in the fresh air and sunshine today and looked out over our beautiful view of San Marcos , and for a short time while she was doing well , she and Jim Jim Price sang Willie Nelson songs together .
I was so glad we were home and she could feel the sun on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply grateful for the amazing hospice team who have held me , help my mom with such grace and gentle care .
I had hoped she would get better if I was there every minute and we had the help of the facility but she declined so quickly that my head is spinning and I don ’ t know how to make sense of it all so I ’ m just trying to be present in the moment with her as best I can.
” “ I am so sad , for mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life my mom touched either personally , professionally or through her incredible work as an actress for over 5 decades .
My mom was a master class in what great acting looked like every time she took the stage or the screen .
This is just sad , and wrong , and heartbreaking so thank you for being there you guys .
You have given me strength to get thru another day.
” RELATED : Vanessa Bryant Receives Flowers on What Would 've Been Her 19th Wedding Anniversary with Kobe Knight ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 22 she passed away .
Hopkins did what she could to help her mother feel loved , even putting together recordings of friends and acquaintances telling their favorite Shirley stories , which Hopkins kept looping for her mother to listen to in her last days .
“ Early this morning April 22nd you passed away , and your sweet soul left us for a better place , ” Hopkins wrote on Facebook Wednesday , addressing the post to her mother .
“ I was at your side and you went peacefully .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom ’ , to some you were ‘ Miss Knight ’ , ‘ Miss Shirley ’ , ‘ Mama Shirley ’ ( to my students ) , ‘ Shirl the Girl ’ ( to your friends ) , and ‘ Shirley Knight ’ to your fans.
” “ I had the good sense over Easter weekend when you were still doing well use the opportunity to Facetime with your closest friends and family .
You had a chance to visit with the people you needed to see , the people who loved you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure you needed , I don ’ t know , I just know after that you were ready to let go , and we brought you home.
” “ To be honest , I didn ’ t see things going this way after your surgery , it had gone so well .
I wanted to think because Sophie and I got you safely to Texas that I could save you , give you back what you had before but all I could do is make this experience a better one , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , celebrate , and feel.
” “ That is the gift I think , the feeling , even though I think my heart will burst , I will welcome that feeling and wish you a goodnight mama , sweet dreams , hug Dad for us .
Rest in peace.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Shirley Knight, 83, passed away Wednesday morning at her daughter’s home in San Marcos, Texas, where she had been staying since April 15.
Knight was nominated for an Academy Award twice: for her supporting actress roles in “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” (1960) and “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1962).
She was featured in multiple movies, television shows and stage productions, and won three Emmys and a Tony.
In 1960, she said during an interview that she was wary of following the same sad pattern she saw so many others take in her line of work.
“So many actors, once they became famous, lose some beautiful inner thing, something they should try hard to keep,” she told the reporter, according to The Associated Press. “They begin to think too highly of themselves and success.”
Knight grew up in a family in Kansas that was musically talented, but she was the first to go to college. Initially, she had dreams of becoming an opera singer but switched to actress after being inspired by Julie Harris.
She has an impressive IMDb listing, and was working on projects as recent as 2018’s “Periphery.”
As her health began to decline, her daughter took her into her home in Texas.
“I have a rather difficult update regarding my mother Shirley Knight,” Kaitlin Hopkins, her daughter, shared on April 15. “Yesterday, she went into hospice care, and today, we moved her home.
“I suppose the good news is she is at home with us and the corgis and is surrounded by people who love her. She got to sit on the deck in the fresh air and sunshine today and looked out over our beautiful view of San Marcos, and for a short time while she was doing well, she and Jim Jim Price sang Willie Nelson songs together. I was so glad we were home and she could feel the sun on her face.
“I’m deeply grateful for the amazing hospice team who have held me, help my mom with such grace and gentle care. I had hoped she would get better if I was there every minute and we had the help of the facility but she declined so quickly that my head is spinning and I don’t know how to make sense of it all so I’m just trying to be present in the moment with her as best I can.”
“I am so sad, for mom, for me, for anyone whose life my mom touched either personally, professionally or through her incredible work as an actress for over 5 decades. My mom was a master class in what great acting looked like every time she took the stage or the screen. This is just sad, and wrong, and heartbreaking so thank you for being there you guys. You have given me strength to get thru another day.”
Knight’s health reportedly declined quickly, and on April 22 she passed away. Hopkins did what she could to help her mother feel loved, even putting together recordings of friends and acquaintances telling their favorite Shirley stories, which Hopkins kept looping for her mother to listen to in her last days.
“Early this morning April 22nd you passed away, and your sweet soul left us for a better place,” Hopkins wrote on Facebook Wednesday, addressing the post to her mother. “I was at your side and you went peacefully. To me, you were ‘just mom’, to some you were ‘Miss Knight’, ‘Miss Shirley’, ‘Mama Shirley’ (to my students), ‘Shirl the Girl’ (to your friends), and ‘Shirley Knight’ to your fans.”
“I had the good sense over Easter weekend when you were still doing well use the opportunity to Facetime with your closest friends and family. You had a chance to visit with the people you needed to see, the people who loved you so much, and perhaps that was the closure you needed, I don’t know, I just know after that you were ready to let go, and we brought you home.”
“To be honest, I didn’t see things going this way after your surgery, it had gone so well. I wanted to think because Sophie and I got you safely to Texas that I could save you, give you back what you had before but all I could do is make this experience a better one, all I could do is love, forgive, celebrate, and feel.”
“That is the gift I think, the feeling, even though I think my heart will burst, I will welcome that feeling and wish you a goodnight mama, sweet dreams, hug Dad for us. Rest in peace.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-23--As Dems Trash ICE, Border Patrol Agent Makes and Distributes Hundreds of Masks

Protective masks are some of the most difficult things to come by in the present situation .
Thankfully , a Border Patrol agent and his wife are doing their best to make and distribute them to hundreds of those who need them most — at a time when Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol are under constant attack from liberal politicians .
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , Ricardo Ruedas and his wife are producing the masks for essential personnel in order to help protect against the coronavirus crisis .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us “ Ricardo , a Border Patrol agent out of El Centro Sector , and his wife , Alejandra , a nursing school graduate who owns and operates an online cake business , combined their passion for helping others and their sewing skillset in order to make masks for the community during this pandemic crisis , ” CBP reported in a news release last week .
“ We have family and friends that work in the local hospitals and we coordinated with them to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ricardo Ruedas said in the release .
“ We felt the necessity to help those who help others .
I learned to sew out of necessity when I was younger , and my wife just recently taught herself from online videos.
” According to the release , the masks are made of “ three different layers of material including Halyard H600 two-ply spun polypropylene.
” The much-needed masks are designed to prevent water , bacteria and particles from getting through .
It ’ s worth noting that the largest virus is smaller than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but any mask is still better than no mask in terms of preventing the spread of coronavirus .
“ The couple began by making masks for their immediate family and quickly realized they could continue constructing them to donate to help combat the spread of the coronavirus , ” the news release stated .
“ Alejandra explained that their mission is to provide masks to essential personnel like nurses , doctors , pharmacies , local retail personnel and individuals that are at high risk .
Their inspiration came from similar stories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local community in lending them sewing equipment and donating fabric to the cause .
The Ruedas family strongly believes that everyone has a responsibility in protecting the community from this pandemic.
” “ Agent Ruedas and his wife are doing a wonderful service for the first responders as well as the local communities here in the Imperial Valley , ” Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino said in the release .
“ I commend them both for their selfless contribution in the fight against the spread of this dangerous virus.
” RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ramp Up Pressure on ICE To Release Illegals Sounds like a pretty selfless task to me — even though I had been led to believe ICE agents and Border Patrol personnel were supposed to be heartless , last I checked .
Nevertheless , heartless though they may be , Ruedas and his wife plan to keep on producing the masks .
“ The couple have made and handed out over two hundred masks free of charge .
The couple work on the masks on their off time , ” the media release states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift and Alejandra has put a hold on her online cake business to make the masks .
They plan to continue to manufacture the mask for as long as they can.
” Meanwhile , Democrats are — quelle surprise — continuing to trash ICE operations .
“ Deportations to Honduras and El Salvador have also continued , despite the concerns of migrants ’ advocates and some government officials in Central America , ” The Times reported last week .
“ Those countries , like neighboring Guatemala , are beset by widespread poverty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic.
” Much further down in the story : “ Even as the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings , ICE officials have said the agency is continuing with ‘ mission critical ’ arrests of immigrants without legal status.
” But that is too much for Democrats .
Both the ICE and the Border Patrol are agencies within the Department of Homeland Security , and that department is a target for some of the country ’ s top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee sent a letter this month accusing the Department of Homeland Security of ‘ exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic by claiming new , sweeping powers to summarily expel large , unknown numbers of individuals arriving at our border in clear contravention of existing federal laws , ' ” The Times reported .
“ The senators , led by Patrick Leahy of Vermont , said the department was ‘ blatantly misinterpreting its limited authorities ’ in enforcing the border closure.
” As an 80-year-old senior senator from Vermont , who has been a senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say Leahy ’ s attitude about the department reflects mainstream Democratic thinking about homeland security .
And in an era when former Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders made dismantling ICE , the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection part of his presidential campaign , it ’ s clear that Democrats as a party don ’ t offer a lot of support to ICE or the agencies charged with protecting the country ’ s borders .
The Times story isn ’ t particularly explicit in terms of what was involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the adults include serious criminals .
Given the history of these repatriations , “ mission critical ” deportations generally involve individuals who have been accused or convicted of crimes — but again , given the paucity of detail here , I ’ m not in a position to judge .
If I turn out to be correct , however , these are people who deserve to be in custody — and , given the risk of exposure in jail , deportation actually seems to be an effective way to stop them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way liberals might approve of .
However , there is one clue as to who else is being deported : The Times notes Immigration and Customs Enforcement is pushing for the deportation of “ detained migrant children who were already in the United States when the border restrictions came down.
” So , “ the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings , ” but The Times is also tacitly frowning upon the deportation of “ detained migrant children who were already in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down ” — even though deportation would remove them from the “ crowded custodial settings ” that make them prone to coronavirus infection .
In short , The Times would seem to prefer no one get deported and that anyone in custody at the moment should be released .
Well , as the kids like to say , “ whatever.
” ICE is doing its job and a Border Patrol agent is making masks for mission-critical staff in places like hospitals , pharmacies and the retail outlets that remain open to keep daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything border protection personnel do , but I ’ m fine with that arrangement .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Protective masks are some of the most difficult things to come by in the present situation.
Thankfully, a Border Patrol agent and his wife are doing their best to make and distribute them to hundreds of those who need them most — at a time when Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol are under constant attack from liberal politicians.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ricardo Ruedas and his wife are producing the masks for essential personnel in order to help protect against the coronavirus crisis.
A Border Patrol agent from El Centro Sector and his wife, a nursing school graduate, donated over 200 handmade masks to those in need…and they’re still going. @USBPChiefELC For the full story: https://t.co/YcRNCfm1mU#AllinThisTogether #USBP #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/xIRwGXut9H — CBP El Centro (@CBPElCentro) April 17, 2020
“Ricardo, a Border Patrol agent out of El Centro Sector, and his wife, Alejandra, a nursing school graduate who owns and operates an online cake business, combined their passion for helping others and their sewing skillset in order to make masks for the community during this pandemic crisis,” CBP reported in a news release last week.
“We have family and friends that work in the local hospitals and we coordinated with them to find out who was in need,” Ricardo Ruedas said in the release.
“We felt the necessity to help those who help others. I learned to sew out of necessity when I was younger, and my wife just recently taught herself from online videos.”
According to the release, the masks are made of “three different layers of material including Halyard H600 two-ply spun polypropylene.”
Should ICE continue deportations during the coronavirus pandemic? Yes No
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The much-needed masks are designed to prevent water, bacteria and particles from getting through. It’s worth noting that the largest virus is smaller than the smallest bacteria, according to WebMD, but any mask is still better than no mask in terms of preventing the spread of coronavirus.
“The couple began by making masks for their immediate family and quickly realized they could continue constructing them to donate to help combat the spread of the coronavirus,” the news release stated.
“Alejandra explained that their mission is to provide masks to essential personnel like nurses, doctors, pharmacies, local retail personnel and individuals that are at high risk. Their inspiration came from similar stories from across the nation and the generosity of the local community in lending them sewing equipment and donating fabric to the cause. The Ruedas family strongly believes that everyone has a responsibility in protecting the community from this pandemic.”
“Agent Ruedas and his wife are doing a wonderful service for the first responders as well as the local communities here in the Imperial Valley,” Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino said in the release.
“I commend them both for their selfless contribution in the fight against the spread of this dangerous virus.”
Sounds like a pretty selfless task to me — even though I had been led to believe ICE agents and Border Patrol personnel were supposed to be heartless, last I checked. Nevertheless, heartless though they may be, Ruedas and his wife plan to keep on producing the masks.
“The couple have made and handed out over two hundred masks free of charge. The couple work on the masks on their off time,” the media release states.
“Ricardo helps after his long shift and Alejandra has put a hold on her online cake business to make the masks. They plan to continue to manufacture the mask for as long as they can.”
Meanwhile, Democrats are — quelle surprise — continuing to trash ICE operations.
The Trump administration has continued deportations during the coronavirus pandemic, and officials in Guatemala say some deportees arriving on Immigration and Customs Enforcement flights have tested positive for the virus https://t.co/a32M0AvR0L — NYT National News (@NYTNational) April 21, 2020
“Deportations to Honduras and El Salvador have also continued, despite the concerns of migrants’ advocates and some government officials in Central America,” The Times reported last week.
“Those countries, like neighboring Guatemala, are beset by widespread poverty and weak public health systems, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic.”
Much further down in the story: “Even as the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings, ICE officials have said the agency is continuing with ‘mission critical’ arrests of immigrants without legal status.”
But that is too much for Democrats. Both the ICE and the Border Patrol are agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, and that department is a target for some of the country’s top liberals.
“Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter this month accusing the Department of Homeland Security of ‘exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic by claiming new, sweeping powers to summarily expel large, unknown numbers of individuals arriving at our border in clear contravention of existing federal laws,'” The Times reported.
“The senators, led by Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said the department was ‘blatantly misinterpreting its limited authorities’ in enforcing the border closure.”
As an 80-year-old senior senator from Vermont, who has been a senator since 1974, it’s safe to say Leahy’s attitude about the department reflects mainstream Democratic thinking about homeland security.
And in an era when former Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders made dismantling ICE, the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection part of his presidential campaign, it’s clear that Democrats as a party don’t offer a lot of support to ICE or the agencies charged with protecting the country’s borders.
The Times story isn’t particularly explicit in terms of what was involved in the deportations it described.
One could extrapolate that the adults include serious criminals. Given the history of these repatriations, “mission critical” deportations generally involve individuals who have been accused or convicted of crimes — but again, given the paucity of detail here, I’m not in a position to judge.
If I turn out to be correct, however, these are people who deserve to be in custody — and, given the risk of exposure in jail, deportation actually seems to be an effective way to stop them from being infected with coronavirus, albeit not in a way liberals might approve of.
However, there is one clue as to who else is being deported: The Times notes Immigration and Customs Enforcement is pushing for the deportation of “detained migrant children who were already in the United States when the border restrictions came down.”
So, “the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings,” but The Times is also tacitly frowning upon the deportation of “detained migrant children who were already in the United States when the border restrictions came down” — even though deportation would remove them from the “crowded custodial settings” that make them prone to coronavirus infection.
In short, The Times would seem to prefer no one get deported and that anyone in custody at the moment should be released.
Well, as the kids like to say, “whatever.”
ICE is doing its job and a Border Patrol agent is making masks for mission-critical staff in places like hospitals, pharmacies and the retail outlets that remain open to keep daily necessities available.
Liberals might not like anything border protection personnel do, but I’m fine with that arrangement.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-23--While Leftist Groups Attack Samaritan’s Purse NYC Field Hospital, an Unexpected Man Champions the Ca

While Leftist Groups Attack Samaritan’s Purse NYC Field Hospital, an Unexpected Man Champions the Cause

On the one hand , there is Whitney Tilson , a liberal retired hedge fund manager who supports gay rights and all the liberal causes near and dear to many residents of New York City .
On the other , there is Samaritan ’ s Purse , the healing arm of the ministry of the Rev .
Franklin Graham , who has staunchly opposed gay marriage and defends conservative values .
When they met in Central Park near Tilson ’ s swanky Fifth Avenue digs , it would be normal — in a world where fault lines of faith divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to expect sparks to fly .
Instead , friendship , partnership and respect blossomed , according to Religion News .
TRENDING : Every American Needs To See Trump 's 'Nancy Antoinette ' Pelosi Ad - She Could n't Care Less About Us “ Their primary mission in life is not to go out and have hatred toward gays , ” Tilson , who now writes an investment newsletter , said .
“ They believe what the Bible says , that homosexuality is a sin — yes .
But it is not what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ How can I do God ’ s work by healing people and saving lives ?
’ ” Tilson had never heard of Samaritan ’ s Purse when its trucks arrived at Central Park on a mission to care for COVID-19 victims .
When he learned the tents being erected would house patients Mount Sinai Hospital could not treat because it was full , he thought he might help out .
Four weeks later , Tilson , 53 , can not say enough in praise of Samaritan ’ s Purse .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ I have no doubt they are delivering world-class critical care to my fellow New Yorkers stricken with COVID-19 .
Every single person I ’ ve met has been a genuinely nice person and very competent and good at their job.
” Official New York looked askance at the conservative Christian values espoused by Graham and demanded proof that the LGBTQ population and Muslims would not be discriminated against .
Tilson had that battle as well .
His family attends New York City ’ s Central Synagogue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he asked the synagogue to advertise for donations to help Samaritan ’ s Purse , which it did , there was pushback .
RELATED : Early Antibody Tests Suggest an Astonishing 21 % of NYC Residents Already Had Coronavirus , Cuomo Says “ The values harbored by this group and its founder just completely fly in the face of what Central stands for , ” Nancy Gilman , a member of the synagogue , said , according to the Forward .
Tilson said there was something more important taking place .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them later .
If they ’ re here saving my fellow New Yorkers ’ lives , and not even asking to be paid for it , then I will absolutely help them do that , ” he said .
In fact , Tilson said , he was being true to the synagogue ’ s ideals .
“ Central Synagogue ’ s ideology is first and foremost serving New Yorkers and healing the sick , ” he said .
“ That is by far the most important ideology of Central Synagogue , and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spent thousands of dollars on food for the men and women working at Samaritan ’ s Purse , as well as supplying equipment to help the project .
He is also letting the volunteers use his address to receive mail and made bicycles available to visitors who might want to use their scarce time off to see something more of Central Park than the field hospital .
“ He ’ s a great human being , ” Graham said .
“ He might disagree with me , and I might disagree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to stop us from working together to help people.
” Graham invited Tilson to visit the North Carolina headquarters of Samaritan ’ s Purse , an invitation Tilson plans to accept .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

On the one hand, there is Whitney Tilson, a liberal retired hedge fund manager who supports gay rights and all the liberal causes near and dear to many residents of New York City.
On the other, there is Samaritan’s Purse, the healing arm of the ministry of the Rev. Franklin Graham, who has staunchly opposed gay marriage and defends conservative values.
When they met in Central Park near Tilson’s swanky Fifth Avenue digs, it would be normal — in a world where fault lines of faith divide people and identity politics rules the day — to expect sparks to fly.
Instead, friendship, partnership and respect blossomed, according to Religion News.
“Their primary mission in life is not to go out and have hatred toward gays,” Tilson, who now writes an investment newsletter, said. “They believe what the Bible says, that homosexuality is a sin — yes. But it is not what drives them. What drives them is, ‘How can I do God’s work by healing people and saving lives?’”
Tilson had never heard of Samaritan’s Purse when its trucks arrived at Central Park on a mission to care for COVID-19 victims. When he learned the tents being erected would house patients Mount Sinai Hospital could not treat because it was full, he thought he might help out.
Four weeks later, Tilson, 53, cannot say enough in praise of Samaritan’s Purse.
“It’s an incredibly impressive organization,” he said. “I have no doubt they are delivering world-class critical care to my fellow New Yorkers stricken with COVID-19. Every single person I’ve met has been a genuinely nice person and very competent and good at their job.”
Official New York looked askance at the conservative Christian values espoused by Graham and demanded proof that the LGBTQ population and Muslims would not be discriminated against.
Franklin Graham has a long history of spewing anti-LGBTQ hate speech and I find it extremely troubling that he and his organization are involved in our relief efforts in any way. I will be monitoring this situation closely. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/2cg6dHYHwA — NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) April 1, 2020
Tilson had that battle as well. His family attends New York City’s Central Synagogue, although he is not Jewish. When he asked the synagogue to advertise for donations to help Samaritan’s Purse, which it did, there was pushback.
“The values harbored by this group and its founder just completely fly in the face of what Central stands for,” Nancy Gilman, a member of the synagogue, said, according to the Forward.
Tilson said there was something more important taking place.
“I’ll have the ideological discussions with them later. If they’re here saving my fellow New Yorkers’ lives, and not even asking to be paid for it, then I will absolutely help them do that,” he said.
In fact, Tilson said, he was being true to the synagogue’s ideals.
“Central Synagogue’s ideology is first and foremost serving New Yorkers and healing the sick,” he said. “That is by far the most important ideology of Central Synagogue, and this is entirely consistent with that.”
It’s nice to get some good press for a change! (There must be something odd going on in the cosmos when a non-religious guy like me is getting written up by Religion News Service – LOL!)https://t.co/o8UrvubO1d — Whitney Tilson (@WhitneyTilson) April 21, 2020
Tilson has spent thousands of dollars on food for the men and women working at Samaritan’s Purse, as well as supplying equipment to help the project. He is also letting the volunteers use his address to receive mail and made bicycles available to visitors who might want to use their scarce time off to see something more of Central Park than the field hospital.
In the late hours of the night, our night shift staff at our New York City Emergency Field Hospital tirelessly cares for patients struggling to breathe. Take a walk through a night shift inside our hospital. https://t.co/nx2wkODsLW — Samaritan’s Purse (@SamaritansPurse) April 18, 2020
“He’s a great human being,” Graham said. “He might disagree with me, and I might disagree with him, but that’s not going to stop us from working together to help people.”
Graham invited Tilson to visit the North Carolina headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse, an invitation Tilson plans to accept.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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