westernjournal--2020-02-27--Much to Abortion Industry’s Chagrin, Scientists Find Unborn Babies Feel Pain Far Earlier Than Though

Much to Abortion Industry’s Chagrin, Scientists Find Unborn Babies Feel Pain Far Earlier Than Thought

“ If you prick us , do we not bleed ?
” — William Shakespeare , Act III , Scene I , “ The Merchant of Venice.
” The answer to the question , the plaintive plea of Shylock for the recognition of his shared humanity , is , of course , “ yes.
” It ’ s a universal human characteristic .
Even still in the womb , a few weeks old , our hearts are beating rhythmically and blood courses throughout our tiny , still-developing bodies .
Prick us then , and we will bleed .
But what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you prick us , do we not feel pain ?
” Again , for those of us already born , barring some pathological neural syndrome , the answer is certainly “ yes.
” But what about those still-developing humans in the womb ?
For years the consensus was “ no , ” not until well after birth .
As science and medical observations advanced , the answer turned to “ yes ” but not until late in gestation ( after 24 weeks ) and only with development of the cortex ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Science continued to advance , especially in our knowledge of how and when our nerves and other tissues form as we grow and develop in our mother ’ s wombs .
But sadly , many turned a blind eye to the science , preferring a blinkered interpretation that fit their desired narrative on the status of the fetus in the womb .
TRENDING : CNN and MSNBC Air Bloomberg Ad with 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News The title of a new academic paper says it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by two well-credentialed medical professionals , Stuart Derbyshire and John C. Bockmann .
The article is an honest , objective review of the scientific literature as it relates to the question of whether and when a child still in the womb can experience pain .
Looking at the scientific evidence again with unbiased eyes , the authors ’ answer was “ yes , ” perhaps as early as 12 weeks , and certainly after 18 weeks .
Derbyshire and Bockmann also reviewed the evidence for experiencing pain as it relates to any need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processes to “ interpret ” the pain signal .
Their objective , balanced reading of the evidence pointed to pain experience without the need for the cortex ( similar to the undisputed pain experienced by animals ) , mediated by other neural structures .
The literature on the science of fetal pain has indeed become extensive .
But it is not just science , but also reason that brings this new recognition of the reality of fetal pain .
In an accompanying blog post on the Journal of Medical Ethics website , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconsider this topic .
They had discussed the issue since 2016 and recent scientific findings opened the door to the jointly authored paper .
This openness to reconsider the evidence objectively and publish their reasoned conclusions is perhaps more surprising because the authors come from different viewpoints on abortion .
They write : “ We have divergent views on abortion with one of us seeing abortion as an ethical necessity for women to be autonomous and one of us seeing abortion as ethically incompatible with good medical practice .
“ We both agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion should not influence open and frank discussion about the possibility of fetal pain .
Scientific findings pertinent to the question of fetal pain , and philosophical discussion of the nature of pain , should be assessed independently of any views about the rights and wrongs of abortion.
” “ The quality of mercy is not strained .
/ It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath .
It is twice blest : / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
” — William Shakespeare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Merchant of Venice.
” RELATED : Buttigieg Believes in Limiting Government Power - So You 're Free To Kill Your Infant In their paper , the authors also write that they “ consider the possibility that the mere experience of pain , without the capacity for self reflection , is morally significant.
” Neonatologist Dr. Robin Pierucci points out that not only the preponderance of scientific evidence but also the vast experience of medical workers in the neonatal clinic make the existence of fetal pain undeniable .
Denying the science doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the common human experience of pain , which is , indeed , “ morally significant , ” means we are morally bound to recognize and prevent that pain .
Likewise , we are bound to refrain from acts that inflict pain upon a fellow human being .
That mercy , as Shakespeare says , provides a blessing to us as well as to the unborn child .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

“If you prick us, do we not bleed?” — William Shakespeare, Act III, Scene I, “The Merchant of Venice.”
The answer to the question, the plaintive plea of Shylock for the recognition of his shared humanity, is, of course, “yes.” It’s a universal human characteristic. Even still in the womb, a few weeks old, our hearts are beating rhythmically and blood courses throughout our tiny, still-developing bodies. Prick us then, and we will bleed.
But what if the question is phrased, “If you prick us, do we not feel pain?”
Again, for those of us already born, barring some pathological neural syndrome, the answer is certainly “yes.” But what about those still-developing humans in the womb? For years the consensus was “no,” not until well after birth. As science and medical observations advanced, the answer turned to “yes” but not until late in gestation (after 24 weeks) and only with development of the cortex (the outermost, thinking layer of the brain).
Science continued to advance, especially in our knowledge of how and when our nerves and other tissues form as we grow and develop in our mother’s wombs. But sadly, many turned a blind eye to the science, preferring a blinkered interpretation that fit their desired narrative on the status of the fetus in the womb.
The title of a new academic paper says it all: “Reconsidering fetal pain,” by two well-credentialed medical professionals, Stuart Derbyshire and John C. Bockmann.
The article is an honest, objective review of the scientific literature as it relates to the question of whether and when a child still in the womb can experience pain. Looking at the scientific evidence again with unbiased eyes, the authors’ answer was “yes,” perhaps as early as 12 weeks, and certainly after 18 weeks.
Derbyshire and Bockmann also reviewed the evidence for experiencing pain as it relates to any need for the cortex, or any psychological processes to “interpret” the pain signal. Their objective, balanced reading of the evidence pointed to pain experience without the need for the cortex (similar to the undisputed pain experienced by animals), mediated by other neural structures.
The literature on the science of fetal pain has indeed become extensive. But it is not just science, but also reason that brings this new recognition of the reality of fetal pain.
In an accompanying blog post on the Journal of Medical Ethics website, the authors explain further what led them to reconsider this topic. They had discussed the issue since 2016 and recent scientific findings opened the door to the jointly authored paper.
This openness to reconsider the evidence objectively and publish their reasoned conclusions is perhaps more surprising because the authors come from different viewpoints on abortion. They write:
“We have divergent views on abortion with one of us seeing abortion as an ethical necessity for women to be autonomous and one of us seeing abortion as ethically incompatible with good medical practice.
“We both agree, however, that different views regarding abortion should not influence open and frank discussion about the possibility of fetal pain. Scientific findings pertinent to the question of fetal pain, and philosophical discussion of the nature of pain, should be assessed independently of any views about the rights and wrongs of abortion.”
“The quality of mercy is not strained. / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” — William Shakespeare, Act IV, Scene I, “The Merchant of Venice.”
In their paper, the authors also write that they “consider the possibility that the mere experience of pain, without the capacity for self reflection, is morally significant.” Neonatologist Dr. Robin Pierucci points out that not only the preponderance of scientific evidence but also the vast experience of medical workers in the neonatal clinic make the existence of fetal pain undeniable.
Denying the science doesn’t make the pain go away. And the common human experience of pain, which is, indeed, “morally significant,” means we are morally bound to recognize and prevent that pain. Likewise, we are bound to refrain from acts that inflict pain upon a fellow human being.
That mercy, as Shakespeare says, provides a blessing to us as well as to the unborn child.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--‘Shark Tank’ Star Barbara Corcoran Scammed Out of $388,700 Because of 1 Letter No One Noticed

Barbara Corcoran , businesswoman , consultant and famously known for her role as an investor on “ Shark Tank , ” confirmed she lost nearly $ 400,000 to a phishing scam .
Corcoran told People the situation happened last week when a craftily-disguised email regarding a real estate transaction reached the desktop of her bookkeeper .
She said her bookkeeper , believing the email came directly from Corcoran ’ s assistant , asked all the right questions about the transaction , a $ 388,700 invoice due to a company in Germany .
However , the email address had been ever-so-slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bookkeeper was not Corcoran ’ s assistant , but part of a phishing scam .
“ I lost the $ 388,700 as a result of a fake email chain sent to my company , ” Corcoran told People .
“ It was an invoice supposedly sent by my assistant to my bookkeeper approving the payment for a real estate renovation .
There was no reason to be suspicious as I invest in a lot of real estate.
” It was not until after the money had already been wired out of Corcoran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realized they had been lied to .
“ The money was wired to the scammer yesterday and my bookkeeper copied my assistant , who was shocked to see her name on the correspondence , ” Corcoran said .
“ The detail that no one caught was that my assistant ’ s email address was misspelled by one letter , making it the fake email address set up by the scammers.
” Corcoran said her IT team was able to trace the email chain back to a Chinese IP address , TMZ reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 Million for Car They Found in Abandoned Storage Unit Purchased for $ 100 Though Corcoran ’ s legal team is investigating the incident , the “ Shark Tank ” investor does not expect to see the money again .
“ The scammer disappeared and I ’ m told that it ’ s a common practice , and I won ’ t be getting the money back , ” Corcoran said .
After the initial shock wore off , Corcoran moved forward with a positive attitude and a big-picture perspective .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then remembered it was only money , ” she said .
Corcoran has been transparent about the incident , telling her Twitter followers she had learned a valuable lesson .
“ Be careful when you wire money !
” she wrote .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Barbara Corcoran, businesswoman, consultant and famously known for her role as an investor on “Shark Tank,” confirmed she lost nearly $400,000 to a phishing scam.
Corcoran told People the situation happened last week when a craftily-disguised email regarding a real estate transaction reached the desktop of her bookkeeper.
She said her bookkeeper, believing the email came directly from Corcoran’s assistant, asked all the right questions about the transaction, a $388,700 invoice due to a company in Germany.
However, the email address had been ever-so-slightly altered, and the person responding to the bookkeeper was not Corcoran’s assistant, but part of a phishing scam.
“I lost the $388,700 as a result of a fake email chain sent to my company,” Corcoran told People. “It was an invoice supposedly sent by my assistant to my bookkeeper approving the payment for a real estate renovation. There was no reason to be suspicious as I invest in a lot of real estate.”
It was not until after the money had already been wired out of Corcoran’s bank account that her team realized they had been lied to.
“The money was wired to the scammer yesterday and my bookkeeper copied my assistant, who was shocked to see her name on the correspondence,” Corcoran said.
“The detail that no one caught was that my assistant’s email address was misspelled by one letter, making it the fake email address set up by the scammers.”
Lesson learned: Be careful when you wire money! https://t.co/ICW7ij9N8V — Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran) February 26, 2020
Corcoran said her IT team was able to trace the email chain back to a Chinese IP address, TMZ reported.
Though Corcoran’s legal team is investigating the incident, the “Shark Tank” investor does not expect to see the money again.
“The scammer disappeared and I’m told that it’s a common practice, and I won’t be getting the money back,” Corcoran said.
After the initial shock wore off, Corcoran moved forward with a positive attitude and a big-picture perspective.
“I was upset at first, but then remembered it was only money,” she said.
Corcoran has been transparent about the incident, telling her Twitter followers she had learned a valuable lesson. “Be careful when you wire money!” she wrote.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Judge Turns Hunter Biden’s Own Argument Against Him, Demands He Appear in Court

An Arkansas judge is using Hunter Biden ’ s own argument against him , demanding that the son of former Vice President Joe Biden show up for a court appearance in the Natural State .
Circuit Judge Holly Meyer issued her scorching remarks during a Wednesday phone call with attorneys involved in the case , the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported .
Biden and his attorneys have been fighting a case over his financial responsibility for a love child fathered with an Arkansas woman who was working in Washington , D.C .
Despite Biden reportedly raking in over $ 50,000 per month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian energy giant Burisma Holdings , he claims that his debt and current unemployment prevent him from paying the $ 11,000 of legal fees and unpaid child support requested by his child ’ s mother , Lunden Alexis Roberts .
According to Meyer , Biden ’ s employment status is the exact reason why he should be showing up for court .
TRENDING : Bernie Turns on Dem Audience After Getting Booed Over His Pro-Cuba Comments “ He needs to make himself available and unless his hair is on fire , he needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in a deposition , ” Meyer said on the conference call , according to the Democrat-Gazette .
The demand comes as Biden and his legal team have attempted to slow-roll the case , claiming the absentee father could not appear in court any later than April 1 , roughly a month later than date requested by Roberts ’ lawyer .
This line of logic wasn ’ t going to stand up to Meyer ’ s scrutiny .
“ My question to you is , why could your client not be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information I have is that he ’ s unemployed , ” she told Biden ’ s attorney , Brent Langdon .
Biden ’ s attorney reiterated that his client simply wouldn ’ t be available until April , refusing to go into detail .
“ It ’ s not good enough for him to just say , ‘ I ’ m not available.
’ That ’ s not good enough .
I need to know why he ’ s not available or where he is or what could possibly be more important than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , ” the judge said .
“ And again , the only information I have is that your client ’ s not employed right now , so it ’ s not a work excuse .
So what is it ?
” In her final decision , it appears Meyer took both sides ’ needs into account .
Instead of the expedited March 5 date requested by Roberts ’ lawyer or the nebulous April date offered by Biden ’ s attorney , Meyer demanded Biden come to Arkansas no later than March 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretrial hearing .
“ This matter ’ s been pending for 10 months now , ” Meyer said , noting that a lengthy case would not benefit either party .
Despite the judge ’ s demand , Biden ’ s attorney still could not guarantee his client would appear at all .
Whether it ’ s a feeling of entitlement and elitism keeping Biden from attending his court appearances , a desire to stay out of the media spotlight , or something else , it ’ s clear Biden won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An Arkansas judge is using Hunter Biden’s own argument against him, demanding that the son of former Vice President Joe Biden show up for a court appearance in the Natural State.
Circuit Judge Holly Meyer issued her scorching remarks during a Wednesday phone call with attorneys involved in the case, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Biden and his attorneys have been fighting a case over his financial responsibility for a love child fathered with an Arkansas woman who was working in Washington, D.C.
Despite Biden reportedly raking in over $50,000 per month while he was on the board of Ukrainian energy giant Burisma Holdings, he claims that his debt and current unemployment prevent him from paying the $11,000 of legal fees and unpaid child support requested by his child’s mother, Lunden Alexis Roberts.
According to Meyer, Biden’s employment status is the exact reason why he should be showing up for court.
“He needs to make himself available and unless his hair is on fire, he needs to be in Arkansas and he needs to be in a deposition,” Meyer said on the conference call, according to the Democrat-Gazette.
The demand comes as Biden and his legal team have attempted to slow-roll the case, claiming the absentee father could not appear in court any earlier than April 1, roughly a month later than the date requested by Roberts’ lawyer.
This line of logic wasn’t going to stand up to Meyer’s scrutiny.
“My question to you is, why could your client not be available until after April 1? All the information I have is that he’s unemployed,” she told Biden’s attorney, Brent Langdon.
Should Hunter Biden be forced to appear in court? Yes No
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Biden’s attorney reiterated that his client simply wouldn’t be available until April, refusing to go into detail.
“It’s not good enough for him to just say, ‘I’m not available.’ That’s not good enough. I need to know why he’s not available or where he is or what could possibly be more important than what’s going on in this case,” the judge said.
“And again, the only information I have is that your client’s not employed right now, so it’s not a work excuse. So what is it?”
In her final decision, it appears Meyer took both sides’ needs into account.
Instead of the expedited March 5 date requested by Roberts’ lawyer or the nebulous April date offered by Biden’s attorney, Meyer demanded Biden come to Arkansas no later than March 12 — one full day ahead of the pretrial hearing.
“This matter’s been pending for 10 months now,” Meyer said, noting that a lengthy case would not benefit either party.
Despite the judge’s demand, Biden’s attorney still could not guarantee his client would appear at all.
Whether it’s a feeling of entitlement and elitism keeping Biden from attending his court appearances, a desire to stay out of the media spotlight, or something else, it’s clear Biden won’t be able to run from his responsibilities forever.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Even Self-Proclaimed Socialist Reporter Is Condemning Media Bias Against Trump

Veteran ABC News correspondent David Wright was suspended this week following the release of a Project Veritas video in which he , among other things , admits the establishment media refuses to give President Donald Trump any credit .
Of course , that fact is well known by folks outside of the establishment media echo chamber .
Despite Trump ’ s many profound successes , tuning in to network television news can be arduous for conservatives , as the overall coverage is generally hostile toward Trump .
So , when we see a man in Wright ’ s position sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s slanted coverage , it is a rare win against a media apparatus that too often falsely declares itself to be impartial .
Wright , who describes himself as a “ socialist ” on the widely circulated Project Veritas video , confesses ABC ’ s refusal to give Trump , or as Wright describes him , “ the f—ing president , ” his due .
TRENDING : CNN and MSNBC Air Bloomberg Ad with 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News The Emmy Award-winning reporter , who has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fox News , says on the secretly recorded video that he feels ABC is dropping the ball by not being tougher on Trump .
He also concedes that the establishment media glosses over Trump ’ s many achievements .
“ We don ’ t hold [ Trump ] to account .
We also don ’ t give him credit for what things he does do , ” Wright says in the video .
Bingo !
A lot of adjectives come to mind when describing Wright for his unwitting confession , but disingenuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s acknowledgment of the concerted effort by ABC News to suppress positive news about Trump is a breath of fresh air .
We now have indisputable video evidence of a deeply entrenched , far-left member of the establishment media admitting there is a clear bias against the president during a conversation he thought was among friends at a hotel bar in New Hampshire .
We should be thankful for that .
Wright can no longer hide behind the veil of being a journalist seeking the truth .
He has outed not only himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being obstructionists of the truth and manipulators of information .
In the video , Wright does not stop at admitting his and other networks repress the truth about President Trump .
He also strongly criticizes the establishment media ’ s entire business model .
RELATED : Outrageous New York Times Piece Calls for Coronavirus To Be Named After Trump He suggests that ABC has become a “ profit center ” for its parent company , Disney , and questions the integrity of the network ’ s editorial direction .
“ You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ without there being Disney princess or a Marvel Avenger appearing , ” Wright says .
“ It ’ s all self-promotion.
” “ We ’ re all guilty of the same thing .
I think that all these big news organizations , ” Wright adds , “ I ’ m speaking about broadcast television , that ’ s all I ’ m speaking about .
ABC , CBS , NBC.
” “ And we recognize that we are dinosaurs and we ’ re in danger of dying.
” At one point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he supports “ democratic socialism , ” which has been popularized by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
The award-winning journalist states he considers himself an outright socialist .
“ Oh yeah .
More than that I would consider myself a socialist , ” he says .
ABC News reacted quickly to the undercover video , and announced Wednesday that Wright had been suspended and will be pulled from the network ’ s political coverage upon his return to “ avoid any possible appearance of bias.
” “ Any action that damages our reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance of compromising it harms ABC News and the individuals involved , ” ABC said in a statement .
The statement is too little , too late for ABC .
If reporter Martha Raddatz fighting back tears during the network ’ s 2016 election night meltdown failed to give away the network ’ s clear anti-Trump bias , David Wright ’ s comments sure have .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Veteran ABC News correspondent David Wright was suspended this week following the release of a Project Veritas video in which he, among other things, admits the establishment media refuses to give President Donald Trump any credit.
Of course, that fact is well known by folks outside of the establishment media echo chamber.
Despite Trump’s many profound successes, tuning in to network television news can be arduous for conservatives, as the overall coverage is generally hostile toward Trump.
So, when we see a man in Wright’s position sharing his unbridled opinion about his own employer’s slanted coverage, it is a rare win against a media apparatus that too often falsely declares itself to be impartial.
Wright, who describes himself as a “socialist” on the widely circulated Project Veritas video, confesses ABC’s refusal to give Trump, or as Wright describes him, “the f—ing president,” his due.
The Emmy Award-winning reporter, who has been been with ABC since 2000, according to Fox News, says on the secretly recorded video that he feels ABC is dropping the ball by not being tougher on Trump.
He also concedes that the establishment media glosses over Trump’s many achievements.
“We don’t hold [Trump] to account. We also don’t give him credit for what things he does do,” Wright says in the video.
Do you think the establishment media is hostile toward President Trump? Yes No
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Bingo! A lot of adjectives come to mind when describing Wright for his unwitting confession, but disingenuous is not among them. Wright’s acknowledgment of the concerted effort by ABC News to suppress positive news about Trump is a breath of fresh air.
We now have indisputable video evidence of a deeply entrenched, far-left member of the establishment media admitting there is a clear bias against the president during a conversation he thought was among friends at a hotel bar in New Hampshire.
We should be thankful for that. Wright can no longer hide behind the veil of being a journalist seeking the truth. He has outed not only himself, but also his entire network, for being obstructionists of the truth and manipulators of information.
In the video, Wright does not stop at admitting his and other networks repress the truth about President Trump.
He also strongly criticizes the establishment media’s entire business model.
He suggests that ABC has become a “profit center” for its parent company, Disney, and questions the integrity of the network’s editorial direction.
“You can’t watch ‘Good Morning America’ without there being Disney princess or a Marvel Avenger appearing,” Wright says. “It’s all self-promotion.”
“We’re all guilty of the same thing. I think that all these big news organizations,” Wright adds, “I’m speaking about broadcast television, that’s all I’m speaking about. ABC, CBS, NBC.”
“And we recognize that we are dinosaurs and we’re in danger of dying.”
At one point in the video, Wright is asked if he supports “democratic socialism,” which has been popularized by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The award-winning journalist states he considers himself an outright socialist.
“Oh yeah. More than that I would consider myself a socialist,” he says.
ABC News reacted quickly to the undercover video, and announced Wednesday that Wright had been suspended and will be pulled from the network’s political coverage upon his return to “avoid any possible appearance of bias.”
“Any action that damages our reputation for fairness and impartiality or gives the appearance of compromising it harms ABC News and the individuals involved,” ABC said in a statement.
The statement is too little, too late for ABC.
If reporter Martha Raddatz fighting back tears during the network’s 2016 election night meltdown failed to give away the network’s clear anti-Trump bias, David Wright’s comments sure have.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Flashback: Remember Mike Bloomberg Wanted a Mosque Near 9/11 Ground Zero to Unite City

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is desperately trying to cash in his political capital from his handling of the city after the 9/11 attacks in his bid to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee .
On Sept. 11 , 2001 , 19 radicalized Muslim men used hijacked commercial planes against targets in the United States at the behest of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden .
New York City took the brunt of the attack as nearly 3,000 people were killed and over 6,000 injured in the attack on the World Trade Center .
Mayor Rudy Giuliani led the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving way to Bloomberg in January 2002 .
The plans on how or even if to rebuild at the twin towers site took over a decade to finally be executed , but among those plans was a mosque and Islamic center just two blocks from ground zero .
TRENDING : CNN and MSNBC Air Bloomberg Ad with 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News Many were outraged that an Islamic holy site would be built so close to where the attacks by jihadists took place .
During a protest over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker asked , “ If they put a mosque up right here in the shadow of the World Trade Center before we finished building it back up , what ’ s next ?
” Bloomberg was vocal in his support of the project despite the strong opposition from many groups , including 9/11 families .
The mayor ignored those who justifiably opposed the project , saying in 2010 , “ I think it ’ s fair to say if somebody was going to try , on that piece of property , to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be yelling and screaming , ” according to the New York Post .
It ’ s worth noting that St. Nicholas , the Greek Orthodox church on the site of ground zero that was obliterated in the attacks , was still tied up in red tape after the mosque and Islamic center was approved , according to a report at the time by Newsweek .
It remains unfinished .
The mosque and Islamic center project was shelved in 2011 , and a condo was built in its place .
Bloomberg thinks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him .
On Wednesday , he tweeted a reminder that he championed the cause .
“ After 9/11 , New Yorkers of all faiths came together to rebuild the city .
So when groups opposed a mosque near Ground Zero , I spoke up , ” he said .
“ Muslims are as much a part of NYC & America as people of any faith .
Our doors are open to everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard.
” Furthermore , a recent political ad put out by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Giuliani — led a “ complex diverse city through 9/11.
” As this issue will no doubt be part of the 2020 presidential campaign , thanks in large part to Bloomberg ’ s own campaign spotlighting it , there is another New Yorker who stood firm against the project .
In an effort to quash the planned mosque and Islamic center , Donald Trump offered to buy the site back when he was “ real estate mogul ” instead of “ president.
” He reiterated the offer on Twitter back in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly head and shoulders above his political rival .
Standing on his principles , Trump towers over the man he calls “ Mini Mike.
” There won ’ t be a big enough box at the debate podium to help Bloomberg overcome that .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is desperately trying to cash in his political capital from his handling of the city after the 9/11 attacks in his bid to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee.
On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 radicalized Muslim men used hijacked commercial planes against targets in the United States at the behest of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
New York City took the brunt of the attack as nearly 3,000 people were killed and over 6,000 injured in the attack on the World Trade Center.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani led the city through the dark period that followed, giving way to Bloomberg in January 2002.
The plans on how or even if to rebuild at the twin towers site took over a decade to finally be executed, but among those plans was a mosque and Islamic center just two blocks from ground zero.
Many were outraged that an Islamic holy site would be built so close to where the attacks by jihadists took place.
During a protest over the project, a ground zero construction worker asked, “If they put a mosque up right here in the shadow of the World Trade Center before we finished building it back up, what’s next?”
Bloomberg was vocal in his support of the project despite the strong opposition from many groups, including 9/11 families.
Do you think Bloomberg's support of the ground zero mosque will hurt his chances at becoming president? Yes No
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The mayor ignored those who justifiably opposed the project, saying in 2010, “I think it’s fair to say if somebody was going to try, on that piece of property, to build a church or a synagogue, nobody would be yelling and screaming,” according to the New York Post.
It’s worth noting that St. Nicholas, the Greek Orthodox church on the site of ground zero that was obliterated in the attacks, was still tied up in red tape after the mosque and Islamic center was approved, according to a report at the time by Newsweek. It remains unfinished.
The mosque and Islamic center project was shelved in 2011, and a condo was built in its place.
Bloomberg thinks the ground zero mosque is a winning issue for him. On Wednesday, he tweeted a reminder that he championed the cause.
“After 9/11, New Yorkers of all faiths came together to rebuild the city. So when groups opposed a mosque near Ground Zero, I spoke up,” he said. “Muslims are as much a part of NYC & America as people of any faith. Our doors are open to everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard.”
After 9/11, New Yorkers of all faiths came together to rebuild the city. So when groups opposed a mosque near Ground Zero, I spoke up. Muslims are as much a part of NYC & America as people of any faith. Our doors are open to everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard. pic.twitter.com/xeYeWxNplk — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 26, 2020
Furthermore, a recent political ad put out by the presidential hopeful falsely boasted that he — not Giuliani — led a “complex diverse city through 9/11.”
As this issue will no doubt be part of the 2020 presidential campaign, thanks in large part to Bloomberg’s own campaign spotlighting it, there is another New Yorker who stood firm against the project.
In an effort to quash the planned mosque and Islamic center, Donald Trump offered to buy the site back when he was “real estate mogul” instead of “president.”
He reiterated the offer on Twitter back in 2012:
The Ground Zero Mosque should not go up where planned. It is wrong. My offer still stands to buy the property. Good deal for everyone. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2012
Trump was then and is now clearly head and shoulders above his political rival. Standing on his principles, Trump towers over the man he calls “Mini Mike.” There won’t be a big enough box at the debate podium to help Bloomberg overcome that.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Democratic Superdelegates Overwhelmingly Opposed to a Bernie Sanders Nomination, NYT Finds

Dozens of Democratic superdelegates say they ’ re willing to sacrifice party cohesion to prevent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders from becoming their party ’ s nominee at the Democratic National Convention in July .
The New York Times spoke with 93 superdelegates following Sanders ’ victory in the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 , the vast majority of whom said they believe the Democratic Party is headed toward a contested convention .
Of the superdelegates interviewed , 84 said Sanders does not deserve to become the party ’ s nominee based solely on having secured the most , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the primaries and caucuses .
“ If 60 percent is not with Bernie Sanders , I think that says something , I really do , ” Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas told The Times .
Current forecasting models back up the superdelegates ’ prediction of a contested convention — FiveThirtyEight ’ s model showed Thursday a 49 percent chance that no candidate comes out of the primaries and caucuses with a simple majority of delegates , despite Sanders ’ s current standing as the undisputed front-runner with victories in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dem Audience After Getting Booed Over His Pro-Cuba Comments The FiveThirtyEight model showed Thursday that Sanders has a 32 percent chance of clinching the nomination before the convention and former Vice President Joe Biden in a distant third with 17 percent odds .
For a candidate to win the nomination before the convention in July , he would have to win at least 1,991 of the 3,979 “ pledged ” delegates up for grabs during the primaries and caucuses .
The floodgates would open at the convention if no candidate breaches that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates would then be free to vote for anyone of their choosing , and the 771 superdelegates , comprised of elected Democrats and high-ranking members of the Democratic National Committee , would be able to cast votes for whomever they wished as well .
The candidates themselves also appear to be bracing for a contested convention as it appears increasingly likely that Sanders has the only realistic pathway to secure the nomination during the primaries and caucuses .
Sanders was the only candidate during a Feb. 19 debate to say the person that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not over 50 percent , of the “ pledged ” delegates should be the Democratic nominee .
Ways to stop Sanders from becoming the nominee have become a “ dominant topic in many Democratic circles , ” The Times reported .
The DNC will brief House Democrats on Thursday about their role as superdelegates in a contested convention .
“ Bernie seems to have declared war on the Democratic Party — and it ’ s caused panic in the House ranks , ” Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 20 , told The Times .
Democratic Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes told The Times : “ We ’ re way , way , way past the day where party leaders can determine an outcome here , but I think there ’ s a vibrant conversation about whether there is anything that can be done.
” New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs told The Times that in the event of a contested convention , superdelegates such as himself should nominate the candidate with the best chance of beating President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the most delegates in the primaries and caucuses .
“ Bernie wants to redefine the rules and just say he just needs a plurality .
I don ’ t think we buy that .
I don ’ t think the mainstream of the Democratic Party buys that , ” Jacobs said .
“ If he doesn ’ t have a majority , it stands to reason that he may not become the nominee.
” A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dozens of Democratic superdelegates say they’re willing to sacrifice party cohesion to prevent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders from becoming their party’s nominee at the Democratic National Convention in July.
The New York Times spoke with 93 superdelegates following Sanders’ victory in the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22, the vast majority of whom said they believe the Democratic Party is headed toward a contested convention.
Of the superdelegates interviewed, 84 said Sanders does not deserve to become the party’s nominee based solely on having secured the most, but not over 50 percent, of the delegates during the primaries and caucuses.
“If 60 percent is not with Bernie Sanders, I think that says something, I really do,” Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas told The Times.
Current forecasting models back up the superdelegates’ prediction of a contested convention — FiveThirtyEight’s model showed Thursday a 49 percent chance that no candidate comes out of the primaries and caucuses with a simple majority of delegates, despite Sanders’s current standing as the undisputed front-runner with victories in New Hampshire and Nevada.
The FiveThirtyEight model showed Thursday that Sanders has a 32 percent chance of clinching the nomination before the convention and former Vice President Joe Biden in a distant third with 17 percent odds.
For a candidate to win the nomination before the convention in July, he would have to win at least 1,991 of the 3,979 “pledged” delegates up for grabs during the primaries and caucuses.
The floodgates would open at the convention if no candidate breaches that threshold. All 3,979 “pledged” delegates would then be free to vote for anyone of their choosing, and the 771 superdelegates, comprised of elected Democrats and high-ranking members of the Democratic National Committee, would be able to cast votes for whomever they wished as well.
The candidates themselves also appear to be bracing for a contested convention as it appears increasingly likely that Sanders has the only realistic pathway to secure the nomination during the primaries and caucuses. Sanders was the only candidate during a Feb. 19 debate to say the person that enters the convention with the most, but not over 50 percent, of the “pledged” delegates should be the Democratic nominee.
Do you think there will be a contested contention? Yes No
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Ways to stop Sanders from becoming the nominee have become a “dominant topic in many Democratic circles,” The Times reported. The DNC will brief House Democrats on Thursday about their role as superdelegates in a contested convention.
“Bernie seems to have declared war on the Democratic Party — and it’s caused panic in the House ranks,” Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, who endorsed former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg on Feb. 20, told The Times.
Democratic Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes told The Times: “We’re way, way, way past the day where party leaders can determine an outcome here, but I think there’s a vibrant conversation about whether there is anything that can be done.”
New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs told The Times that in the event of a contested convention, superdelegates such as himself should nominate the candidate with the best chance of beating President Donald Trump in November, regardless of who won the most delegates in the primaries and caucuses.
“Bernie wants to redefine the rules and just say he just needs a plurality. I don’t think we buy that. I don’t think the mainstream of the Democratic Party buys that,” Jacobs said.
“If he doesn’t have a majority, it stands to reason that he may not become the nominee.”
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Devin Nunes Reveals ‘The Deep State Here Is Much Worse Than Even I Thought’

California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes warned Americans that the “ deep state here is much worse ” than he ever thought during an appearance Wednesday evening on Fox News .
“ One thing that I tell the American people every time that I speak and I go out on the road and I talk to people is that , remember , the deep state here is much worse than even I thought it ever was , ” Nunes told host Sean Hannity .
“ People have to remember that this is one yard in a cloud of dust .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight because the socialist left , they worked hard to take over the Democratic Party , they work hard to get Bernie Sanders in the lead .
They ’ re not going away.
” The California representative said that Republicans need to take the House back in November if they want the seemingly endless investigations into President Donald Trump brought about by the Democrats to end .
Nunes appeared alongside Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan to discuss Republican efforts to renew and reform parts of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News Attorney General William Barr told Republican senators this month that he is working on internal reforms to prevent the errors Inspector General Michael Horowitz determined that the FBI made when it sought permission to spy on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page , the Washington Examiner reported .
Jordan said that while the FISA warrant was used in 2016 to spy on four American citizens , the main reason the reforms are important is that “ it could happen again.
” “ Remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s what they did in 2016 , ” he said .
“ This is 2020 .
They could do it again because remember what happened two weeks ago .
They went and the intelligence community goes and briefs Adam Schiff and people on Capitol Hill but they didn ’ t tell the president what they were going to tell folks on Capitol Hill .
“ And as it turns out , what they conveyed to Mr. Schiff , which he then leaked , what they conveyed to Mr. Schiff was inaccurate.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives had confidence that people would be held accountable for the failures of 2016 .
“ I think that the Attorney General Barr knows that there won ’ t be a Republican left in this country that trusts the FBI or the Department of Justice if people aren ’ t brought to and held accountable , ” Nunes said .
The president , in particular , has expressed his distrust with government officials after his impeachment and acquittal and has reportedly created a detailed list of disloyal officials to oust , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s a big problem .
I don ’ t think it ’ s very many people , ” Trump said during a media conference in India , Axios reported .
He added he wants “ people who are good for the country , loyal to the country.
” Both Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and former Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland , high-profile witnesses in the impeachment investigation , were forced out of their roles following Trump ’ s acquittal .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes warned Americans that the “deep state here is much worse” than he ever thought during an appearance Wednesday evening on Fox News.
“One thing that I tell the American people every time that I speak and I go out on the road and I talk to people is that, remember, the deep state here is much worse than even I thought it ever was,” Nunes told host Sean Hannity.
“People have to remember that this is one yard in a cloud of dust. You have to wake up every day to fight because the socialist left, they worked hard to take over the Democratic Party, they work hard to get Bernie Sanders in the lead. They’re not going away.”
The California representative said that Republicans need to take the House back in November if they want the seemingly endless investigations into President Donald Trump brought about by the Democrats to end.
Nunes appeared alongside Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan to discuss Republican efforts to renew and reform parts of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Attorney General William Barr told Republican senators this month that he is working on internal reforms to prevent the errors Inspector General Michael Horowitz determined that the FBI made when it sought permission to spy on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, the Washington Examiner reported.
Jordan said that while the FISA warrant was used in 2016 to spy on four American citizens, the main reason the reforms are important is that “it could happen again.”
“Remember, 2016 was an election year, that’s what they did in 2016,” he said.
Do you think FISA should be reformed? 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% (946 Votes) No: 1% (7 Votes)
“This is 2020. They could do it again because remember what happened two weeks ago. They went and the intelligence community goes and briefs Adam Schiff and people on Capitol Hill but they didn’t tell the president what they were going to tell folks on Capitol Hill.
“And as it turns out, what they conveyed to Mr. Schiff, which he then leaked, what they conveyed to Mr. Schiff was inaccurate.”
Hannity then asked if the two representatives had confidence that people would be held accountable for the failures of 2016.
“I think that the Attorney General Barr knows that there won’t be a Republican left in this country that trusts the FBI or the Department of Justice if people aren’t brought to and held accountable,” Nunes said.
The president, in particular, has expressed his distrust with government officials after his impeachment and acquittal and has reportedly created a detailed list of disloyal officials to oust, according to Axios.
“I don’t think it’s a big problem. I don’t think it’s very many people,” Trump said during a media conference in India, Axios reported.
He added he wants “people who are good for the country, loyal to the country.”
Both Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and former Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, high-profile witnesses in the impeachment investigation, were forced out of their roles following Trump’s acquittal.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--If Gun Murders Are ‘Epidemic,’ Why Does NYT Call 10,000 Late-Term Abortions ‘Exceedingly Rare’?

When is something “ exceedingly rare ?
” When is something an “ epidemic ?
” It seems the answer lies in how it fits your narrative , at least when it comes to The New York Times .
Take late-term abortions .
In an article about how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is “ looking to energize social conservatives , ” Sheryl Gay Stolberg pinned the “ exceedingly rare ” tag on two bills involving late-term abortions .
” Both bills put a spotlight on late-term abortions , which are exceedingly rare — the Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 weeks accounted for 1.2 percent of abortions in 2016 , the latest period studied , ” Stolberg wrote in the Monday article .
TRENDING : Bernie Turns on Dem Audience After Getting Booed Over His Pro-Cuba Comments As Ramesh Ponnuru pointed out at National Review , however , this number wasn ’ t as insignificant as Stolberg wants you to think it is .
“ She cites a CDC estimate that abortion after 20 weeks accounted for 1.2 percent of abortions in 2016 .
There were 874,100 abortions in the U.S. that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ponnuru wrote .
“ For comparison , the number of gun homicides in the U.S. that year was estimated to be about 11,000 .
Perhaps the Times should start calling them ‘ exceedingly rare ’ too ?
” Funny he should mention that .
Two days after the San Bernardino mass shooting in 2015 , The Times ’ editorial board was pretty clear regarding how it felt about the number of gun deaths in America , declaring the time had come to “ End the Gun Epidemic in America.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the board felt a particular danger was posed by those evil “ assault weapons , ” an ill-defined category of rifles that look really minatory and hold a special appeal to mass shooters not because they ’ re particularly efficient at murder but because they get media coverage like this .
“ It is a moral outrage and a national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed specifically to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency , ” the board wrote .
“ These are weapons of war , barely modified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigilantism and even insurrection .
America ’ s elected leaders offer prayers for gun victims and then , callously and without fear of consequence , reject the most basic restrictions on weapons of mass killing , as they did on Thursday .
They distract us with arguments about the word terrorism .
Let ’ s be clear : These spree killings are all , in their own ways , acts of terrorism.
” In 2017 , the year with the highest number of mass shooting deaths on record , 224 people were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Bernardino , 374 people were murdered by rifles , certainly not all of them from those “ weapons of mass killings ” that are “ deliberately marketed as tools of macho vigilantism and even insurrection.
” RELATED : Outrageous New York Times Piece Calls for Coronavirus To Be Named After Trump According to The Times , late-term abortions are “ exceedingly rare , ” so no need to ban them .
The number of deaths by rifle is exponentially lower , so the deaths caused by a subset of those rifles is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stolberg , by the way , isn ’ t an opinion piece , although it ’ s awfully difficult to tell nowadays in either The Times or its Acela-linked cousin , The Washington Post .
For example , she stated that by putting the bills on the floor , “ Mr .
McConnell hopes to energize the social conservatives who helped elect Mr. Trump and whose enthusiasm will be needed to help Republicans hold on to the Senate this year , while forcing vulnerable Democrats to take uncomfortable votes on bills that frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measures is hot ; Mr. Trump , for instance , has pointed to one of the bills to falsely assert that Democrats favor ‘ executing babies AFTER birth.
’ ” The reference here , of course , is to Virginia Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s infamous statement about how , in certain situations , “ The infant would be delivered .
The infant would be kept comfortable .
The infant would be resuscitated if that ’ s what the mother and the family desired.
” Sure , this may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than saying over 10,000 late-term abortions is “ exceedingly rare ” in the same paper that declared gun violence an “ epidemic.
” It ’ s one or the other .
Stolberg also wrote “ the bills carry names that abortion rights advocates regard as inflammatory and misleading.
” The names are pretty clear : the “ Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act , ” a bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks , and the “ Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act , ” which requires doctors to provide aid to children born alive after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the “ inflammatory and misleading ” part involves whether or not children can feel pain after 20 weeks in the womb , with both sides citing their own scientific evidence .
Limited shrift is given to McConnell ’ s statement that only seven nations allow the practice after 20 weeks , which means this would bring us in line with the rest of the world .
In terms of the “ Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act , ” Stolberg wrote that viable children born alive after an abortion are , again , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter of discretion or simply a lack of data ( I suspect the latter ) , she declines to give numbers here .
But note the language in all circumstances .
The abortion industry is scarcely challenged in Stolberg ’ s piece .
Guns are looked at under a blistering microscope .
Yet , if you want to look at gun murders and late-term abortions , the numbers are very similar .
If you want to look at so-called “ assault weapons ” and late-term abortions , they aren ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The other , “ exceedingly rare.
” You don ’ t even need to ask why .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When is something “exceedingly rare?”
When is something an “epidemic?”
It seems the answer lies in how it fits your narrative, at least when it comes to The New York Times.
Take late-term abortions. In an article about how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is “looking to energize social conservatives,” Sheryl Gay Stolberg pinned the “exceedingly rare” tag on two bills involving late-term abortions.
”Both bills put a spotlight on late-term abortions, which are exceedingly rare — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last year that abortions after 20 weeks accounted for 1.2 percent of abortions in 2016, the latest period studied,” Stolberg wrote in the Monday article.
As Ramesh Ponnuru pointed out at National Review, however, this number wasn’t as insignificant as Stolberg wants you to think it is.
“She cites a CDC estimate that abortion after 20 weeks accounted for 1.2 percent of abortions in 2016. There were 874,100 abortions in the U.S. that year; 1.2 percent would be 10,489,” Ponnuru wrote.
“For comparison, the number of gun homicides in the U.S. that year was estimated to be about 11,000. Perhaps the Times should start calling them ‘exceedingly rare’ too?”
Funny he should mention that.
Do you think late-term abortion should be banned? 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% (378 Votes) No: 1% (4 Votes)
Two days after the San Bernardino mass shooting in 2015, The Times’ editorial board was pretty clear regarding how it felt about the number of gun deaths in America, declaring the time had come to “End the Gun Epidemic in America.”
The article was hyper-specific, too, in that the board felt a particular danger was posed by those evil “assault weapons,” an ill-defined category of rifles that look really minatory and hold a special appeal to mass shooters not because they’re particularly efficient at murder but because they get media coverage like this.
“It is a moral outrage and a national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed specifically to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency,” the board wrote.
“These are weapons of war, barely modified and deliberately marketed as tools of macho vigilantism and even insurrection. America’s elected leaders offer prayers for gun victims and then, callously and without fear of consequence, reject the most basic restrictions on weapons of mass killing, as they did on Thursday. They distract us with arguments about the word terrorism. Let’s be clear: These spree killings are all, in their own ways, acts of terrorism.”
In 2017, the year with the highest number of mass shooting deaths on record, 224 people were killed. In 2016, the year after San Bernardino, 374 people were murdered by rifles, certainly not all of them from those “weapons of mass killings” that are “deliberately marketed as tools of macho vigilantism and even insurrection.”
(Oh, by the way, the 2015 worldwide death toll for terrorism — the actual root cause of the San Bernardino shooting, no matter how much The Times wants to believe it was just a word to “distract” from guns — was 29,424. Not an epidemic, guys.)
According to The Times, late-term abortions are “exceedingly rare,” so no need to ban them. The number of deaths by rifle is exponentially lower, so the deaths caused by a subset of those rifles is an “epidemic.”
The article by Stolberg, by the way, isn’t an opinion piece, although it’s awfully difficult to tell nowadays in either The Times or its Acela-linked cousin, The Washington Post.
For example, she stated that by putting the bills on the floor, “Mr. McConnell hopes to energize the social conservatives who helped elect Mr. Trump and whose enthusiasm will be needed to help Republicans hold on to the Senate this year, while forcing vulnerable Democrats to take uncomfortable votes on bills that frame abortion as infanticide. The rhetoric around the measures is hot; Mr. Trump, for instance, has pointed to one of the bills to falsely assert that Democrats favor ‘executing babies AFTER birth.’”
Senate Democrats just voted against legislation to prevent the killing of newborn infant children. The Democrat position on abortion is now so extreme that they don’t mind executing babies AFTER birth…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2019
The reference here, of course, is to Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s infamous statement about how, in certain situations, “The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired.”
Sure, this may have been hyperbole. It’s better than saying over 10,000 late-term abortions is “exceedingly rare” in the same paper that declared gun violence an “epidemic.” It’s one or the other.
Stolberg also wrote “the bills carry names that abortion rights advocates regard as inflammatory and misleading.”
The names are pretty clear: the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” a bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks, and the “Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act,” which requires doctors to provide aid to children born alive after an abortion.
In the first case, the “inflammatory and misleading” part involves whether or not children can feel pain after 20 weeks in the womb, with both sides citing their own scientific evidence. Limited shrift is given to McConnell’s statement that only seven nations allow the practice after 20 weeks, which means this would bring us in line with the rest of the world.
In terms of the “Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act,” Stolberg wrote that viable children born alive after an abortion are, again, “exceedingly rare.” Whether it’s a matter of discretion or simply a lack of data (I suspect the latter), she declines to give numbers here.
But note the language in all circumstances.
The abortion industry is scarcely challenged in Stolberg’s piece. Guns are looked at under a blistering microscope.
Yet, if you want to look at gun murders and late-term abortions, the numbers are very similar. If you want to look at so-called “assault weapons” and late-term abortions, they aren’t even close.
One is an “epidemic.” The other, “exceedingly rare.” You don’t even need to ask why.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Gavin Wax: Trump Must Reject RINOs on Immigration, Double Down on 2016’s Winning Strategy

It ’ s hard to be a conservative and not revel in the chaos that the dominance of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is causing in the Democratic Party presidential primaries , as the establishment works to reject the party ’ s populist choice similar to what the Republicans tried to do to Donald Trump in 2016 .
Like with the Republicans in 2016 , it will be difficult for the Democratic elites to reject the people ’ s choice .
Sanders ’ lead is demonstrable , perhaps even insurmountable , with all of the momentum accumulated behind him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waning moderate and conservative voters among Democrats .
Every poll released shows Sanders with a bigger lead than the last , and he is one victory in South Carolina away from running away with the nomination .
The best bet for the Democratic establishment may be to rip delegates from him during a convention coup , which may mean blood in the Milwaukee streets .
Conservatives can scoff at the news that Democrats believe that Sanders is the candidate most likely to unseat President Trump in November , but after closely examining Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-fetched at all .
While Sanders ’ supporters are often stereotyped as lily-white leftists densely packed around college campuses in places like Portland , Seattle or Berkeley , that is far from the truth , as Sanders ’ base is stronger and much more diverse than his opponents are willing to admit .
TRENDING : Bernie Turns on Dem Audience After Getting Booed Over His Pro-Cuba Comments To the largely Hispanic immigrants who now populate the country in record numbers , Sanders ’ far-left beliefs do not sound crazy .
They sound moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations from which they have escaped .
Although they left those countries , their cultural values did not change as soon as they placed their feet on the magical dirt in the land of the free .
They may see America as the land of milk and honey , but the milk and honey are to be extracted from the former majority to the rising soon-to-be majority through the political process .
While many conservatives laughed at the “ squad ” for endorsing an old , white career politician for the presidency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so from their perspectives .
Sanders paved the way for the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to gain prominence .
He was her ideological predecessor , and his beliefs are representative of the ideals held by her people .
Sanders won by a much greater margin in Nevada than he did in Iowa or New Hampshire because of his Hispanic support , with an amazing 53 percent of Latinos supporting him .
Sanders ’ revolution is a vanguard that will be unstoppable , if not during this election cycle then in the near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recent results from a Pew Research study show that an overwhelming majority of Hispanics support a drastic increase in government control .
Researchers found that “ most Hispanic voters ( 71 % ) say the government should do more to solve problems , while 27 % say government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals.
” This pertains to health care , gun control , minimum wage policies and virtually every other issue .
These findings bust the myth that Hispanics are natural conservatives due to their belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even Hispanics within the Republican Party support more government , with results indicating that Latinos drive the GOP away from conservatism with their presence in the party .
Sixty-two percent of Hispanic registered voters who are Republican or lean Republican favor increasing the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour .
Forty-seven percent of the same demographic supports government-run health care , with only 4 percent more Hispanics supporting free-market care .
A plurality of Hispanic Republican voters support more gun control at 44 percent .
Expanding the Republican Party in the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative movement .
RELATED : Fred Weinberg : Judge in Roger Stone Case Is Perfect Example of Problems with Federal Court System There are four million new Hispanic voters who will be able to participate in the 2020 election .
Sanders is the candidate with the ideology for which they are predisposed .
Couple this with a candidate they have been propagandized to believe is literally committing genocide against their people , they could easily show up in record numbers .
They certainly have every incentive to do so .
Meanwhile , millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what America used to be and how far it has strayed from greatness — have unfortunately passed away since 2016 .
This could create the perfect storm that puts a Marxist ideologue into office in November .
The Republican establishment solution will be to become more conciliatory to the Hispanic community by endorsing amnesty , paying lip service to the benefits of diversity , cutting taxes for corporations that hire illegal aliens , etc .
There will certainly be operatives in President Trump ’ s ear telling him to go in that direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject that counsel .
As every piece of data gathered shows , the political differences are cultural and that gap can not be bridged regardless of the occasional outlier .
What Trump needs to do is double down on the formula that put him into the Oval Office .
He needs to make the point , as he has brilliantly done throughout his presidency , that he is the last thing standing in the way of the total annihilation of America .
Immigration needs to be at the center of that argument .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives remain in denial , demographics are in fact destiny .
Nothing short of the deportation of so-called DREAMers and a long-term moratorium on legal immigration will solve the problems facing America .
Trump needs his base as white-hot as the Hispanic base will be under Sanders in order to assure victory .
This will be achieved only through strength , not capitulation .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our journalism .
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It’s hard to be a conservative and not revel in the chaos that the dominance of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is causing in the Democratic Party presidential primaries, as the establishment works to reject the party’s populist choice similar to what the Republicans tried to do to Donald Trump in 2016.
Like with the Republicans in 2016, it will be difficult for the Democratic elites to reject the people’s choice. Sanders’ lead is demonstrable, perhaps even insurmountable, with all of the momentum accumulated behind him, as his competitors dilute the vote of waning moderate and conservative voters among Democrats.
Every poll released shows Sanders with a bigger lead than the last, and he is one victory in South Carolina away from running away with the nomination. The best bet for the Democratic establishment may be to rip delegates from him during a convention coup, which may mean blood in the Milwaukee streets.
Conservatives can scoff at the news that Democrats believe that Sanders is the candidate most likely to unseat President Trump in November, but after closely examining Sanders’ coalition, it’s not far-fetched at all.
While Sanders’ supporters are often stereotyped as lily-white leftists densely packed around college campuses in places like Portland, Seattle or Berkeley, that is far from the truth, as Sanders’ base is stronger and much more diverse than his opponents are willing to admit.
To the largely Hispanic immigrants who now populate the country in record numbers, Sanders’ far-left beliefs do not sound crazy. They sound moderate in comparison to the politics in the nations from which they have escaped.
Although they left those countries, their cultural values did not change as soon as they placed their feet on the magical dirt in the land of the free. They may see America as the land of milk and honey, but the milk and honey are to be extracted from the former majority to the rising soon-to-be majority through the political process.
While many conservatives laughed at the “squad” for endorsing an old, white career politician for the presidency, they were certainly politically adept to do so from their perspectives. Sanders paved the way for the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to gain prominence. He was her ideological predecessor, and his beliefs are representative of the ideals held by her people.
Sanders won by a much greater margin in Nevada than he did in Iowa or New Hampshire because of his Hispanic support, with an amazing 53 percent of Latinos supporting him. Sanders’ revolution is a vanguard that will be unstoppable, if not during this election cycle then in the near future, should demographic trends continue unimpeded.
Recent results from a Pew Research study show that an overwhelming majority of Hispanics support a drastic increase in government control. Researchers found that “most Hispanic voters (71%) say the government should do more to solve problems, while 27% say government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals.”
This pertains to health care, gun control, minimum wage policies and virtually every other issue. These findings bust the myth that Hispanics are natural conservatives due to their belief in Christianity and strong familial bonds.
Even Hispanics within the Republican Party support more government, with results indicating that Latinos drive the GOP away from conservatism with their presence in the party.
Sixty-two percent of Hispanic registered voters who are Republican or lean Republican favor increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Forty-seven percent of the same demographic supports government-run health care, with only 4 percent more Hispanics supporting free-market care. A plurality of Hispanic Republican voters support more gun control at 44 percent.
Expanding the Republican Party in the new America necessarily entails the death of the conservative movement.
There are four million new Hispanic voters who will be able to participate in the 2020 election. Sanders is the candidate with the ideology for which they are predisposed.
Couple this with a candidate they have been propagandized to believe is literally committing genocide against their people, they could easily show up in record numbers. They certainly have every incentive to do so.
Meanwhile, millions of Trump supporters — those who remember what America used to be and how far it has strayed from greatness — have unfortunately passed away since 2016. This could create the perfect storm that puts a Marxist ideologue into office in November.
The Republican establishment solution will be to become more conciliatory to the Hispanic community by endorsing amnesty, paying lip service to the benefits of diversity, cutting taxes for corporations that hire illegal aliens, etc. There will certainly be operatives in President Trump’s ear telling him to go in that direction, but he would be wise to reject that counsel.
As every piece of data gathered shows, the political differences are cultural and that gap cannot be bridged regardless of the occasional outlier.
What Trump needs to do is double down on the formula that put him into the Oval Office.
He needs to make the point, as he has brilliantly done throughout his presidency, that he is the last thing standing in the way of the total annihilation of America. Immigration needs to be at the center of that argument.
As liberals will readily admit while many conservatives remain in denial, demographics are in fact destiny. Nothing short of the deportation of so-called DREAMers and a long-term moratorium on legal immigration will solve the problems facing America.
Trump needs his base as white-hot as the Hispanic base will be under Sanders in order to assure victory. This will be achieved only through strength, not capitulation.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Bernie Sanders Receives Glowing Praise on Front Page of Cuban State-Run Newspaper

Communist Party newspaper Granma proudly reported on Sanders ’ praise of “ some of the social programs implemented by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro , ” according to the Miami Herald .
The Cuban newspaper was responding to comments the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate made in a recent interview on “ 60 Minutes , ” during which he lauded Castro ’ s 1960s “ literacy brigade ” and said it ’ s “ unfair to simply say everything is bad ” about Castro ’ s regime .
“ We ’ re very opposed to the authoritarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s unfair to simply say everything is bad , ” Sanders told Anderson Cooper .
“ You know ?
When Fidel Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had a massive literacy program .
Is that a bad thing ?
Even though Fidel Castro did it ?
” TRENDING : CNN and MSNBC Air Bloomberg Ad with 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News Despite the criticism he received from both Democrats and Republicans , Granma applauded Sanders ’ comments .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the strongest candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party to the November presidential elections , recognized Cuba ’ s role in sending doctors worldwide , ” Granma said .
Although the Vermont senator has previously recognized the role Cuba played in sending doctors all over the world , he made those comments during a 2016 debate , not in the interview with Cooper .
Granma , which has published several anti-Trump articles , also highlighted Sanders ’ support for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba .
Granma was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sanders ’ dialogue , but all of them left out his reference to the “ authoritarian nature of Cuba.
” The Herald reported that those outlets published “ glowing , front-page reviews ” of what Sanders said .
The publication also wrote that Sanders ’ “ comments sparked the anger of the most extremist sector of Cuban-Americans in South Florida , who oppose any rapprochement with the Caribbean island.
” Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell tweeted her criticism of Sanders , saying that she found his comments “ absolutely unacceptable.
” “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families .
To this day , it remains an authoritarian regime that oppresses its people , subverts the free press , and stifles a free society , ” she wrote .
Other Democrats vying for the party ’ s presidential nomination came out strongly against Sanders .
“ Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps , religious repression , widespread poverty , firing squads , and the murder of thousands of his own people , ” former New York City Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bernie , let ’ s talk about his literacy program.
” Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in a CNN town hall on Monday that he doesn ’ t “ want to be explaining why our nominee is encouraging people to look on the bright side of the Castro regime when we are going into the elections of our lives.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ controversial comments about late dictator Fidel Castro received high praise from Cuba’s newspapers.
Communist Party newspaper Granma proudly reported on Sanders’ praise of “some of the social programs implemented by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro,” according to the Miami Herald.
The Cuban newspaper was responding to comments the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate made in a recent interview on “60 Minutes,” during which he lauded Castro’s 1960s “literacy brigade” and said it’s “unfair to simply say everything is bad” about Castro’s regime.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but, you know, it’s unfair to simply say everything is bad,” Sanders told Anderson Cooper.
“You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?”
Despite the criticism he received from both Democrats and Republicans, Granma applauded Sanders’ comments.
“U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, today one of the strongest candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party to the November presidential elections, recognized Cuba’s role in sending doctors worldwide,” Granma said.
Although the Vermont senator has previously recognized the role Cuba played in sending doctors all over the world, he made those comments during a 2016 debate, not in the interview with Cooper.
Granma, which has published several anti-Trump articles, also highlighted Sanders’ support for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Do you think Sanders will be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee? Yes No
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Granma was not the only state media outlet to report on Sanders’ dialogue, but all of them left out his reference to the “authoritarian nature of Cuba.”
The Herald reported that those outlets published “glowing, front-page reviews” of what Sanders said.
The publication also wrote that Sanders’ “comments sparked the anger of the most extremist sector of Cuban-Americans in South Florida, who oppose any rapprochement with the Caribbean island.”
Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell tweeted her criticism of Sanders, saying that she found his comments “absolutely unacceptable.”
“The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents, and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families. To this day, it remains an authoritarian regime that oppresses its people, subverts the free press, and stifles a free society,” she wrote.
Other Democrats vying for the party’s presidential nomination came out strongly against Sanders.
“Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people,” former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg tweeted. “But sure, Bernie, let’s talk about his literacy program.”
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in a CNN town hall on Monday that he doesn’t “want to be explaining why our nominee is encouraging people to look on the bright side of the Castro regime when we are going into the elections of our lives.”
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westernjournal--2020-02-27--Reading, Writing and Tyranny

Reading, Writing and Tyranny

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/opinion/cartoons .
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Aldi opened its first store in the U.S. in 1976 after it was founded a decade earlier in Germany by two brothers.


westernjournal--2020-02-27--Congressional Republicans To Bring Forward Vote To Condemn Bernie Sanders’ Castro Comments

House Republicans are reportedly planning to force a procedural vote Thursday on legislation condemning Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ praise of late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro ’ s literacy initiatives .
The amendment would disapprove of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate ’ s recent interview on “ 60 Minutes ” during which he lauded Castro ’ s 1960s “ literacy brigade ” and said it ’ s “ unfair to simply say everything is bad ” about Castro ’ s regime .
“ We ’ re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but , you know , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is bad , ” Sanders told Anderson Cooper .
“ You know ?
When Fidel Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had a massive literacy program .
Is that a bad thing ?
Even though Fidel Castro did it ?
” TRENDING : CNN and MSNBC Air Bloomberg Ad with 9/11 Lie , Do n't Bother Calling It Fake News Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart is the chief sponsor of the proposal chastising Sanders for ignoring the human rights abuses Castro committed during his communist regime .
The Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cuban descent .
His family also fled the regime , and his aunt was Castro ’ s first wife , according to Politico .
The vote could complicate re-election efforts for Democrats in tight House races and capitalize on worries of having Sanders as the party ’ s presidential frontrunner .
“ Do they stand for Bernie or do they stand for freedom ?
” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said when he announced the legislation .
Several House Democrats openly criticized Sanders ’ sympathetic comments , despite the party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s election .
“ As the first South American immigrant member of Congress who proudly represents thousands of Cuban Americans , I find Bernie Sanders ’ comments on Castro ’ s Cuba absolutely unacceptable , ” Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell tweeted .
“ The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents , and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families .
To this day , it remains an authoritarian regime that oppresses its people , subverts the free press , and stifles a free society.
” “ Stalin doubled literacy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murdered tens of millions of people , ” New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski tweeted .
“ Apologists for dictatorship – Cuba , Russia , Saudi Arabia – always say ‘ they do some bad things , and some good things.
’ It ’ s a way of making the seem just like us .
It ’ s utterly wrong.
” Sanders defended his praise for Castro during the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday , saying that his comments were similar to what former President Barack Obama “ said in terms of Cuba — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News reported .
Former Vice President Joe Biden came to the defense of his old boss and said Obama “ did not in any way suggest that there was anything positive about the Cuban government ” and he has “ never embraced an authoritarian regime.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

House Republicans are reportedly planning to force a procedural vote Thursday on legislation condemning Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ praise of late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s literacy initiatives.
The amendment would disapprove of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate’s recent interview on “60 Minutes” during which he lauded Castro’s 1960s “literacy brigade” and said it’s “unfair to simply say everything is bad” about Castro’s regime.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but, you know, it’s unfair to simply say everything is bad,” Sanders told Anderson Cooper.
“You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?”
Bernie Sanders defends his 1980s comments about Fidel Castro in an interview on 60 Minutes. https://t.co/ySqvQKoiBU pic.twitter.com/lTwuXWp9sA — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) February 24, 2020
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart is the chief sponsor of the proposal chastising Sanders for ignoring the human rights abuses Castro committed during his communist regime.
The Florida Republican represents a district of 335,000 constituents of Cuban descent. His family also fled the regime, and his aunt was Castro’s first wife, according to Politico.
The vote could complicate re-election efforts for Democrats in tight House races and capitalize on worries of having Sanders as the party’s presidential frontrunner.
Do you think this vote will divide House Democrats? Yes No
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“Do they stand for Bernie or do they stand for freedom?” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said when he announced the legislation.
Several House Democrats openly criticized Sanders’ sympathetic comments, despite the party’s efforts to show unity going into November’s election.
“As the first South American immigrant member of Congress who proudly represents thousands of Cuban Americans, I find Bernie Sanders’ comments on Castro’s Cuba absolutely unacceptable,” Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell tweeted.
“The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents, and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families. To this day, it remains an authoritarian regime that oppresses its people, subverts the free press, and stifles a free society.”
The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents, and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families. To this day, it remains an authoritarian regime that oppresses its people, subverts the free press, and stifles a free society. — Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) February 24, 2020
“Stalin doubled literacy in the Soviet Union, even as he murdered tens of millions of people,” New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski tweeted.
“Apologists for dictatorship – Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia – always say ‘they do some bad things, and some good things.’ It’s a way of making the seem just like us. It’s utterly wrong.”
Stalin doubled literacy in the Soviet Union, even as he murdered tens of millions of people. Apologists for dictatorship – Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia – always say “they do some bad things, and some good things.” It’s a way of making them seem just like us. It’s utterly wrong. https://t.co/w3V1ZBb8cu — Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) February 26, 2020
Sanders defended his praise for Castro during the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday, saying that his comments were similar to what former President Barack Obama “said in terms of Cuba — that Cuba made progress on education,” Fox News reported.
Former Vice President Joe Biden came to the defense of his old boss and said Obama “did not in any way suggest that there was anything positive about the Cuban government” and he has “never embraced an authoritarian regime.”
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