westernjournal--2020-04-30--Whitmer Facing Full Rebellion as Armed Protesters Storm Building, Legislature Turns on Her

It looks like Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer is staring down a rebellion from both her legislature and furious state residents .
The revolt comes as part of larger anger focused on how Whitmer has used her coronavirus emergency declaration to enact strict stay-at-home orders .
Protests against the order seemed to come to a head Thursday as armed activists stormed the Michigan House of Representatives at the state Capitol .
While citizens were voicing their disapproval in the halls , Michigan ’ s GOP-led House turned on Whitmer at the same time .
According to WXYZ-TV , lawmakers not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s emergency declaration , but even voted to challenge Whitmer ’ s authority in a court of law .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP The governor was hoping to extend the declaration an additional 28 days .
Protesters have fought Whitmer ’ s orders with large gatherings , but this is the first time such an aggressive demand has been made to reopen the state ’ s communities and economy .
Video of the protest shows the armed demonstrators chanting for access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dayna Polehanki took a photo of some of the armed protesters , claiming the men were yelling at her and her colleagues .
Polehanki added that some lawmakers who owned bulletproof vests chose to wear them Thursday .
President Donald Trump has previously voiced support for Michigan residents , calling for the “ liberation ” of several states in a series of tweets .
For Whitmer , the signs of this revolt should have been crystal clear .
The Michigan legislature announced an oversight committee late last week , a group specifically created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus response .
As for the angry residents storming the Michigan House , these armed demonstrators are proof that if you push American citizens too far , bad things are bound to happen .
Thanks to these everyday Michiganders and their Republican-led House , it looks like the state ’ s reopening could happen soon .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It looks like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is staring down a rebellion from both her legislature and furious state residents.
The revolt comes as part of larger anger focused on how Whitmer has used her coronavirus emergency declaration to enact strict stay-at-home orders.
Protests against the order seemed to come to a head Thursday as armed activists stormed the Michigan House of Representatives at the state Capitol.
While citizens were voicing their disapproval in the halls, Michigan’s GOP-led House turned on Whitmer at the same time.
According to WXYZ-TV, lawmakers not only refused to extend the governor’s emergency declaration, but even voted to challenge Whitmer’s authority in a court of law.
The governor was hoping to extend the declaration an additional 28 days.
Protesters have fought Whitmer’s orders with large gatherings, but this is the first time such an aggressive demand has been made to reopen the state’s communities and economy.
Video of the protest shows the armed demonstrators chanting for access to the house floor.
Multiple armed gunmen storm Michigan’s State House, State police are protecting @GovWhitmer and blocking the gunmen from gaining access to the house floor. This is America in the age of Trump. pic.twitter.com/tLWR2bvjtR — Rob Gill (@vote4robgill) April 30, 2020
Do you think Whitmer handled the pandemic correctly? Yes No
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State Senator Dayna Polehanki took a photo of some of the armed protesters, claiming the men were yelling at her and her colleagues.
Polehanki added that some lawmakers who owned bulletproof vests chose to wear them Thursday.
Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. #mileg pic.twitter.com/voOZpPYWOs — Senator Dayna Polehanki (@SenPolehanki) April 30, 2020
President Donald Trump has previously voiced support for Michigan residents, calling for the “liberation” of several states in a series of tweets.
LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
For Whitmer, the signs of this revolt should have been crystal clear.
The Michigan legislature announced an oversight committee late last week, a group specifically created to provide accountability for the governor’s coronavirus response.
As for the angry residents storming the Michigan House, these armed demonstrators are proof that if you push American citizens too far, bad things are bound to happen.
Thanks to these everyday Michiganders and their Republican-led House, it looks like the state’s reopening could happen soon.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Harrison Ford Investigated After Incident Involving Plane He Was Piloting: ‘I’m Terribly Sorry’

“ Traveling through hyperspace ain ’ t like dusting crops , farm boy .
Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova , and that ’ d end your trip real quick , wouldn ’ t it ?
” — “ Star Wars Episode IV : A New Hope ” Han Solo may just be a character that Harrison Ford played , but they ’ re both accomplished pilots .
In the past few years , though , Ford has had a few close calls .
In 2015 , Ford made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles .
It was later determined that the accident was not due to user error , and that it was due to the plane malfunctioning .
Though Ford sustained some cuts and scrapes , the crash was actually “ an absolutely beautifully executed emergency landing by an unbelievably well-trained pilot , ” the Santa Monica Airport Association ’ s Christian Fry said , according to the BBC .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP “ He literally had five seconds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned around to go back to the runway and would have crashed , ” film producer Ryan Kavanaugh said .
“ Harrison did what the best pilots in the world would do .
He made the correct turn that the plane was designed for with an engine out.
” In February 2017 , Ford got close to a commercial flight , passing over an American Airlines plane that had over 100 people on board , according to the BBC .
The close call took place because he landed on a taxiway rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have immediately realized his mistake as , according to CBS News , he asked “ was that airliner meant to be underneath me ?
” He admitted fault , referring to himself as a “ schmuck , ” but he experienced no lasting repercussions .
“ The FAA conducted a full investigation into the matter … and determined that no administrative or enforcement action was warranted , ” Stephen Hofer , his lawyer , said .
“ The agency acknowledged Mr Ford ’ s long history of compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation.
” This year , while piloting an Aviat Husky at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport on April 24 , Ford experienced another gaffe .
As he approached the runway , a tower operator asked him to “ hold short on the runway , ” as there was another plane landing .
He allegedly misheard the request and crossed the runway in question , eliciting some panic .
However , his representative said that the situation was not a close call as the other plane wasn ’ t nearby .
“ Excuse me sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ford said immediately after , according to a recording as referenced by CBS News .
“ I ’ m terribly sorry.
” “ Actor and pilot Harrison Ford was involved in a runway incursion April 24th at the Hawthorne Airport , ” the representative said , according to KCAL-TV .
“ Mr .
Ford crossed the airport ’ s only runway in his aircraft after he misheard a radio instruction from ATC.
” “ He immediately acknowledged the mistake and apologized to ATC for the error .
The purpose of the flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aircraft .
No one was injured and there was never any danger of a collision.
” The FAA was investigating the incident but also said there was no danger of a crash .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

“Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, farm boy. Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova, and that’d end your trip real quick, wouldn’t it?” — “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”
Han Solo may just be a character that Harrison Ford played, but they’re both accomplished pilots. In the past few years, though, Ford has had a few close calls.
In 2015, Ford made headlines for crashing onto a golf course in Los Angeles. It was later determined that the accident was not due to user error, and that it was due to the plane malfunctioning.
Though Ford sustained some cuts and scrapes, the crash was actually “an absolutely beautifully executed emergency landing by an unbelievably well-trained pilot,” the Santa Monica Airport Association’s Christian Fry said, according to the BBC.
“He literally had five seconds, and 99 percent of pilots would have turned around to go back to the runway and would have crashed,” film producer Ryan Kavanaugh said. “Harrison did what the best pilots in the world would do. He made the correct turn that the plane was designed for with an engine out.”
In February 2017, Ford got close to a commercial flight, passing over an American Airlines plane that had over 100 people on board, according to the BBC.
The close call took place because he landed on a taxiway rather than the intended runway, and he must have immediately realized his mistake as, according to CBS News, he asked “was that airliner meant to be underneath me?”
He admitted fault, referring to himself as a “schmuck,” but he experienced no lasting repercussions.
“The FAA conducted a full investigation into the matter … and determined that no administrative or enforcement action was warranted,” Stephen Hofer, his lawyer, said.
“The agency acknowledged Mr Ford’s long history of compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations, and his cooperative attitude during the investigation.”
This year, while piloting an Aviat Husky at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport on April 24, Ford experienced another gaffe.
As he approached the runway, a tower operator asked him to “hold short on the runway,” as there was another plane landing.
He allegedly misheard the request and crossed the runway in question, eliciting some panic. However, his representative said that the situation was not a close call as the other plane wasn’t nearby.
“Excuse me sir, I thought exactly the opposite,” Ford said immediately after, according to a recording as referenced by CBS News. “I’m terribly sorry.”
“Actor and pilot Harrison Ford was involved in a runway incursion April 24th at the Hawthorne Airport,” the representative said, according to KCAL-TV. “Mr. Ford crossed the airport’s only runway in his aircraft after he misheard a radio instruction from ATC.”
“He immediately acknowledged the mistake and apologized to ATC for the error. The purpose of the flight was to maintain currency and proficiency in the aircraft. No one was injured and there was never any danger of a collision.”
The FAA was investigating the incident but also said there was no danger of a crash.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--CA’s ‘Dirty Little Secret’: DAs, Sheriffs Undermining Gov; Brutal Lockdown Bill Is Coming Due

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has introduced his four-phase plan to reopen the Golden State , which might take a while given the fact that the governor has California under legal lockdown right now and he ’ s not going to release his grip quite as quickly as other governors are .
That ’ s actually going to be all right with plenty of people , though , according to the state ’ s former GOP head .
He says there are already plenty of district attorneys and sheriffs who are already undermining it .
“ California is a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern counties the same as L.A. makes no sense , ” former California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Baccaro told “ Fox & Friends ” during an appearance on the show Wednesday .
There was , as he put it , a “ dirty little secret ” about how the state was being run in the places where Newsom couldn ’ t necessarily touch .
“ The district attorneys and certain sheriffs aren ’ t enforcing Gavin Newsom ’ s rules , so I think things are going to unravel for him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP Del Baccaro is one of the biggest voices pushing back on Newsom ’ s plans for the state , particularly given the fact that California huge and has rural areas that aren ’ t as affected by the coronavirus as places like San Francisco and Los Angeles are .
In an appearance on San Diego ’ s KUSI-TV , he also predicted the plan would suffer a loss in the judicial system .
“ What Gavin Newsom [ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court and I ’ m betting overturned , ” he said .
He also noted one of the serious problems with what Newsom is doing on a statewide basis : Treating all counties the same , though their experiences with — and exposure to — the coronavirus have been radically different .
Much about the state ’ s actions haven ’ t seemed thought through , like the disaster that was Newsom ’ s beach and state park closures .
And then there are the economic problems that are being created by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shows CA Virus Police Go After Couple in Their 90s for Simply Sitting in Chairs Earlier in the month , Del Baccaro penned a column for Fox News in which he argued that Newsom had limited options to deal with the state ’ s revenue shortfall , a shortfall that was going to be combined with massive outlays when it came to social safety-net spending .
“ The problem facing all those California governments is revenue shortfalls caused by the government-mandated shutdowns , ” he wrote .
“ The state , and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax , use taxes , hotel occupancy taxes ( cities ) , gas taxes , property taxes ( local governments ) and business operations taxes .
Of course , the state also relies on income taxes .
“ All of those tax collections will be less than what was budgeted at the start of the current fiscal years .
While it is not clear exactly when shutdown in California will be ended , it is clear that at least three months of those expected tax revenues – a quarter of the fiscal year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted .
“ That impact is highlighted by estimates that one-third or more of California restaurants may not reopen , that car dealerships can only survive between one and three months , and that farmers , who continue to be shorted on water allocations , will have fallow fields — and on and on.
” But , as Del Baccaro pointed out , “ to deal with the crisis , spending has risen at all levels of government in California .
The full amount has yet to be determined.
” “ So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic slowdown and budget deficits ?
Well , you can expect federal government bailout requests to be made , ” he wrote .
“ However , the precedent implications of federal government bailouts of state and local budget deficits limit that possibility.
” That means raising taxes — a problem when you consider that California ’ s sales taxes , income taxes and gas taxes ( among other taxes ) are profoundly high , which no doubt has contributed to a mass exodus from the state .
Raising property taxes is a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California constitution adopted after a 1978 referendum that states that “ property taxes are set at one percent of a property ’ s market value at the time of acquisition and annual increases are limited to no more than 2 percent per year , ” Del Baccaro wrote .
In short , California ’ s have to change that , and a drive is underway to put a measure on the state ’ s November ballot that would split commercial properties and residences , making it easier to raise property taxes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it onto the ballot and passes , it ’ s not likely the cure for the state ’ s ills , and could make things worse .
“ Raising taxes during a weak economy is like handing weights to struggling swimmer , ” Del Baccaro wrote .
Newsom seems set on his course , though .
“ Politics will not drive our decision-making , protests won ’ t drive our decision-making , ” he said Tuesday , according to the Los Angeles Times .
“ We need to protect not just the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” However , unlike other states , California ’ s plan is almost glacial in terms of how it reopens for business .
“ Unlike Georgia and other states that are already allowing hair and nail salons to operate , those would have to wait until a later phase of California ’ s reopening plan , the state public health director Sonia Angell said , ” Fox News reported .
“ Mass gatherings , including concerts and sporting events , are even further away , possibly not until there ’ s a virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor on Tuesday is “ unrealistic , ” according to Del Beccaro .
“ Where do restaurants fall in this plan ?
It ’ s not clear and there ’ s already an estimate that 30 percent to 40 percent of restaurants in California will never reopen , ” he said on “ Fox & Friends.
” There are a whole host of problems California is going to have to deal with .
In one respect , it ’ s probably a good thing that the Golden State is too big for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is for governors to treat all parts of the state similarly , which leads to strange asymmetries like restrictions that make sense in San Francisco being placed on counties with no new coronavirus cases and a much different culture and population density .
The state will also have to figure out a way to deal with a hit to its huge tourism industry , one of its biggest money-makers .
Tourism is likely to suffer cataclysmic damage under any plan , but especially one that locks down the state ’ s beaches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco and San Diego .
In short , Gavin Newsom might be better off not trying to control his state like a man grasping at sand , desperately trying to keep it from sliding through his fingers .
As it stands , he has enough things to worry about .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has introduced his four-phase plan to reopen the Golden State, which might take a while given the fact that the governor has California under legal lockdown right now and he’s not going to release his grip quite as quickly as other governors are.
That’s actually going to be all right with plenty of people, though, according to the state’s former GOP head. He says there are already plenty of district attorneys and sheriffs who are already undermining it.
“California is a big place and treating northern California or the eastern counties the same as L.A. makes no sense,” former California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Baccaro told “Fox & Friends” during an appearance on the show Wednesday.
There was, as he put it, a “dirty little secret” about how the state was being run in the places where Newsom couldn’t necessarily touch.
“The district attorneys and certain sheriffs aren’t enforcing Gavin Newsom’s rules, so I think things are going to unravel for him,” Del Beccaro said.
Here’s Del Baccaro chairman blasting the Newsom’s plan:
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Del Baccaro is one of the biggest voices pushing back on Newsom’s plans for the state, particularly given the fact that California huge and has rural areas that aren’t as affected by the coronavirus as places like San Francisco and Los Angeles are.
In an appearance on San Diego’s KUSI-TV, he also predicted the plan would suffer a loss in the judicial system.
Is Gov. Newsom overstepping his boundaries? Yes No
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“What Gavin Newsom [is] doing will be plainly challenged in court and I’m betting overturned,” he said.
He also noted one of the serious problems with what Newsom is doing on a statewide basis: Treating all counties the same, though their experiences with — and exposure to — the coronavirus have been radically different.
Much about the state’s actions haven’t seemed thought through, like the disaster that was Newsom’s beach and state park closures.
And then there are the economic problems that are being created by the shutdown.
Earlier in the month, Del Baccaro penned a column for Fox News in which he argued that Newsom had limited options to deal with the state’s revenue shortfall, a shortfall that was going to be combined with massive outlays when it came to social safety-net spending.
“The problem facing all those California governments is revenue shortfalls caused by the government-mandated shutdowns,” he wrote. “The state, and its cities and counties, rely on sales tax, use taxes, hotel occupancy taxes (cities), gas taxes, property taxes (local governments) and business operations taxes. Of course, the state also relies on income taxes.
“All of those tax collections will be less than what was budgeted at the start of the current fiscal years. While it is not clear exactly when shutdown in California will be ended, it is clear that at least three months of those expected tax revenues – a quarter of the fiscal year – or more, will be severely impacted.
“That impact is highlighted by estimates that one-third or more of California restaurants may not reopen, that car dealerships can only survive between one and three months, and that farmers, who continue to be shorted on water allocations, will have fallow fields — and on and on.”
But, as Del Baccaro pointed out, “to deal with the crisis, spending has risen at all levels of government in California. The full amount has yet to be determined.”
“So, what will California do to combat its economic slowdown and budget deficits? Well, you can expect federal government bailout requests to be made,” he wrote. “However, the precedent implications of federal government bailouts of state and local budget deficits limit that possibility.”
That means raising taxes — a problem when you consider that California’s sales taxes, income taxes and gas taxes (among other taxes) are profoundly high, which no doubt has contributed to a mass exodus from the state.
Raising property taxes is a problem: Prop 13, a provision in the California constitution adopted after a 1978 referendum that states that “property taxes are set at one percent of a property’s market value at the time of acquisition and annual increases are limited to no more than 2 percent per year,” Del Baccaro wrote.
In short, California’s have to change that, and a drive is underway to put a measure on the state’s November ballot that would split commercial properties and residences, making it easier to raise property taxes on the former. Even if that makes it onto the ballot and passes, it’s not likely the cure for the state’s ills, and could make things worse.
“Raising taxes during a weak economy is like handing weights to struggling swimmer,” Del Baccaro wrote.
Newsom seems set on his course, though.
“Politics will not drive our decision-making, protests won’t drive our decision-making,” he said Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“We need to protect not just the business community, but customers of those businesses.”
However, unlike other states, California’s plan is almost glacial in terms of how it reopens for business.
“Unlike Georgia and other states that are already allowing hair and nail salons to operate, those would have to wait until a later phase of California’s reopening plan, the state public health director Sonia Angell said,” Fox News reported. “Mass gatherings, including concerts and sporting events, are even further away, possibly not until there’s a virus treatment.”
The four-stage plan revealed by the governor on Tuesday is “unrealistic,” according to Del Beccaro.
“Where do restaurants fall in this plan? It’s not clear and there’s already an estimate that 30 percent to 40 percent of restaurants in California will never reopen,” he said on “Fox & Friends.”
There are a whole host of problems California is going to have to deal with. In one respect, it’s probably a good thing that the Golden State is too big for one man to govern; the tendency is for governors to treat all parts of the state similarly, which leads to strange asymmetries like restrictions that make sense in San Francisco being placed on counties with no new coronavirus cases and a much different culture and population density.
The state will also have to figure out a way to deal with a hit to its huge tourism industry, one of its biggest money-makers. Tourism is likely to suffer cataclysmic damage under any plan, but especially one that locks down the state’s beaches and tourist-magnet cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.
In short, Gavin Newsom might be better off not trying to control his state like a man grasping at sand, desperately trying to keep it from sliding through his fingers.
As it stands, he has enough things to worry about.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--‘Operation Warp Speed’: Manhattan Project-Style Plan Sets 2020 Vaccine Deadline

A massive project aims to find and manufacture a vaccine for the novel coronavirus before the end of 2020 , according to multiple reports .
Codenamed “ Operation Warp Speed , ” the planned effort was first reported Wednesday by Bloomberg News .
According to sources cited by Bloomberg , the Trump administration project has the goal of producing enough effective vaccines to inoculate much of the country .
The deadline puts those tasked with finding the vaccine in a major time crunch .
With only eight months left before 2021 , the timetable is only a fraction of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have faced .
The ambitious project will have a wealth of resources at its disposal .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP Operation Warp Speed will draw on military components , U.S. government agencies and private pharmaceutical companies to hit the fast-approaching deadline .
According to a Reuters report on the plan , as many as 15 drug companies could be involved in the hunt for a vaccine .
While it seems like a recipe for success , there are doubts that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight months given to Operation Warp Speed , some experts predict it could take up to 18 months for a successful and safe vaccine to enter production .
If researchers behind the effort encounter more speedbumps than victories , the 18 months could easily stretch to years .
Thankfully , it looks like those involved in the project are not starting with a blank slate .
An American vaccine entered human trials in March , but researchers gave a 12- to 18-month window until it hits the market .
If the human trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only bound to grow longer .
Another hopeful vaccine comes in the form of a patch applied to the skin , a low-impact procedure that would undoubtedly speed up inoculation efforts .
The United States isn ’ t in this effort alone , either .
RELATED : Whitmer Facing Full Rebellion as Armed Protesters Storm Building , Legislature Turns on Her One promising vaccine from the United Kingdom ’ s Oxford University shows the potential to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
The Oxford vaccine could be ready within months if everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unclear if Operation Warp Speed will draw on foreign research .
While a vaccine by January 2021 would allow us to open up our communities and economies without worry , it would come too late to impact the 2020 election .
Increasingly becoming a hot topic on both the left and the right , COVID-19 ’ s impact on the process will be unprecedented .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A massive project aims to find and manufacture a vaccine for the novel coronavirus before the end of 2020, according to multiple reports.
Codenamed “Operation Warp Speed,” the planned effort was first reported Wednesday by Bloomberg News.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the Trump administration project has the goal of producing enough effective vaccines to inoculate much of the country.
The deadline puts those tasked with finding the vaccine in a major time crunch. With only eight months left before 2021, the timetable is only a fraction of what researches and scientists working on previous vaccines have faced.
The ambitious project will have a wealth of resources at its disposal.
Operation Warp Speed will draw on military components, U.S. government agencies and private pharmaceutical companies to hit the fast-approaching deadline.
According to a Reuters report on the plan, as many as 15 drug companies could be involved in the hunt for a vaccine.
While it seems like a recipe for success, there are doubts that the deadline is realistic.
Instead of the eight months given to Operation Warp Speed, some experts predict it could take up to 18 months for a successful and safe vaccine to enter production.
Will this effort be successful? 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: 76% (319 Votes) No: 24% (98 Votes)
If researchers behind the effort encounter more speedbumps than victories, the 18 months could easily stretch to years.
Thankfully, it looks like those involved in the project are not starting with a blank slate.
An American vaccine entered human trials in March, but researchers gave a 12- to 18-month window until it hits the market. If the human trials are a failure, the timetable is only bound to grow longer.
Another hopeful vaccine comes in the form of a patch applied to the skin, a low-impact procedure that would undoubtedly speed up inoculation efforts.
The United States isn’t in this effort alone, either.
One promising vaccine from the United Kingdom’s Oxford University shows the potential to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The Oxford vaccine could be ready within months if everything goes according to plan.
It’s unclear if Operation Warp Speed will draw on foreign research.
While a vaccine by January 2021 would allow us to open up our communities and economies without worry, it would come too late to impact the 2020 election. Increasingly becoming a hot topic on both the left and the right, COVID-19’s impact on the process will be unprecedented.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Family of 9 Literally Can’t Practice Social Distancing, CPS Investigates for Child Abuse

Fear and panic surrounding the coronavirus has unfortunately prevailed for some Americans .
In early March , before COVID-19 stay-at-home orders took effect for tens of millions of Americans , that fear targeted one family whose only infraction was being too big , and also exposed a major issue with anonymous government reporting systems in general .
A large family — two parents and seven children — were transitioning their lives to Kentucky , away from the noise of New York City , where they used to live , when a routine trip to a bank put them under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s child protective services agency .
Attorney James Mason of the Home School Legal Defense Association , a homeschooling advocacy group , described the harrowing tale of the family , which his organization is defending after they were reported to authorities following a trip to the bank .
( Reason additionally obtained a letter from child services confirming the complaint ’ s existence . )
Using the pseudonyms of “ Bill and Kristy , ” Mason described how a trip to open up a joint account for the parents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the entire family .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP “ They loaded up their seven children in the van and made their way around town , working through their errand list .
All seven children went into the various businesses with them until the family got to the bank , where the oldest two children asked to stay in the van , ” Mason wrote in a blog post .
Their other five kids were too young to be left unattended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present to open the joint account .
What were they to do ?
Since the large family literally couldn ’ t social distance , they entered the bank to conduct their business , as any family would .
Mason said the family was met by a COVID-19 warning sign and the parents were immediately questioned by bank employees about why they had brought five children inside .
A bank employee “ told them they could not get within six feet of her and that they needed to take the children out , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their unique situation of not wanting to leave their young kids unattended .
“ While Bill stayed with the children away from the counter , Kristy opened the account , feeling self-conscious as the staff whispered to each other and watched her family suspiciously .
When Bill walked to the counter to show his New York ID and to sign , the bank staff asked why Bill ’ s and Kristy ’ s identifications were from different states , which the couple explained , ” Mason wrote .
The encounter left the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nothing compared to what they found when they arrived back at their home .
A child services investigator and a law enforcement officer were there waiting , and the couple soon discovered they were apparently suspects in an investigation , Mason said .
RELATED : Parent of 11-Year-Old Drag Dancer Gets Visit from Child Protective Services It seems that someone , likely an individual who had seen the family at the bank , had called to report them for suspected child abuse or neglect , apparently making up a claim that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bill was not their father .
“ The officials stated that they needed to do a safety check on the family ’ s ‘ five children ’ ( not seven ) because it had been reported that the children were out in public with a strange man who was not their father , and they had bruises on their arms as though they had been improperly grabbed , ” Mason said .
“ The CPS investigator moved all seven of the children farther away from Bill and Kristy and questioned the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to remove his shirt , on the investigator ’ s orders .
The girls would have had to do the same , but Kristy objected and insisted on being present for the girls ’ physical examinations .
The investigator pulled up the girls ’ sleeves , lifted their clothing , and took pictures .
Kristy and Bill ’ s 10-year-old daughter , in particular , felt extremely uncomfortable having her privacy and dignity invaded in this way.
” Mason pointed out that no bruises were found , and since the kids were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the bank would have been able to see their arms anyway .
The child services worker , apparently unsatisfied with evidence that no abuse was taking place , reportedly demanded that all of the children be taken to a health department location for further examination despite the fact that Kristy was pregnant , and didn ’ t particularly want to risk being infected with the coronavirus .
Mason suggested a bank employee may have been the one to make the call , as child services was under the impression there were only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is how many the parents brought into the lobby with them .
The attorney further speculated that the bank employee might have been abusing the state ’ s anonymous reporting system as “ retaliation ” for the family not adhering to social distancing guidelines .
But how is a family of nine supposed to “ not gather in groups , ” as is suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ?
Mason argued the case is an example of why anonymous reporting systems designed to protect children are flawed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies like this one should not be permitted to continue open-ended investigations after it is apparent that no abuse or neglect has occurred .
“ A hotline tip should not be an invitation to fish around for additional details about a family ’ s life , ” he wrote .
“ A typical investigation includes private interviews with the children , ‘ body checks ’ ( in other words , strip searches ) , searches of the home , medical records checks , and more .
And contrary to common sense , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country that once they begin this intrusive process , they must complete it , even if they discover the tip is false.
” While the horror these parents probably felt is not an emotion that ’ s necessarily applicable to everyone , we have all now seen what can happen when government is allowed to run amok with little or no oversight .
Some people who are essentially locked indoors are being encouraged to report members of their community for not following government-mandated stay-at-home orders , while others have been investigated , harassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives while being smart about avoiding crowds .
Governments are exercising powers not granted to them by the Constitution , and ordinary Americans are finding themselves targets of government overreach .
In the case of Bill , Kristy and their family , it appears someone made a false claim that caused an unnecessary ordeal .
While the family was not investigated for failure to socially distance , it seems that the action of simply being together might have been a motivating factor behind what ultimately became the child services investigation .
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and municipal governments across the country have without a doubt exceeded their authority in recent weeks , the family ’ s nightmare is one that we can probably all identify with , now that we see the importance of protecting our rights from limitless government action .
There are few things more concerning than government officials exercising authority with no accountability .
It is even more terrifying when those officials continue to act after they are aware they have gotten it wrong .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .

Fear and panic surrounding the coronavirus has unfortunately prevailed for some Americans.
In early March, before COVID-19 stay-at-home orders took effect for tens of millions of Americans, that fear targeted one family whose only infraction was being too big, and also exposed a major issue with anonymous government reporting systems in general.
A large family — two parents and seven children — were transitioning their lives to Kentucky, away from the noise of New York City, where they used to live, when a routine trip to a bank put them under the microscope and led to an investigation from the state’s child protective services agency.
Attorney James Mason of the Home School Legal Defense Association, a homeschooling advocacy group, described the harrowing tale of the family, which his organization is defending after they were reported to authorities following a trip to the bank. (Reason additionally obtained a letter from child services confirming the complaint’s existence.)
Using the pseudonyms of “Bill and Kristy,” Mason described how a trip to open up a joint account for the parents in their new state led to a nightmare for the entire family.
“They loaded up their seven children in the van and made their way around town, working through their errand list. All seven children went into the various businesses with them until the family got to the bank, where the oldest two children asked to stay in the van,” Mason wrote in a blog post.
Their other five kids were too young to be left unattended, and both parents had to be present to open the joint account.
What were they to do?
Since the large family literally couldn’t social distance, they entered the bank to conduct their business, as any family would.
Do you think instances like these should lead to reforms of government powers? Yes No
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Mason said the family was met by a COVID-19 warning sign and the parents were immediately questioned by bank employees about why they had brought five children inside.
A bank employee “told them they could not get within six feet of her and that they needed to take the children out,” Mason wrote, adding that Kristy explained their unique situation of not wanting to leave their young kids unattended.
“While Bill stayed with the children away from the counter, Kristy opened the account, feeling self-conscious as the staff whispered to each other and watched her family suspiciously. When Bill walked to the counter to show his New York ID and to sign, the bank staff asked why Bill’s and Kristy’s identifications were from different states, which the couple explained,” Mason wrote.
The encounter left the family feeling a bit uncomfortable, but it was nothing compared to what they found when they arrived back at their home.
A child services investigator and a law enforcement officer were there waiting, and the couple soon discovered they were apparently suspects in an investigation, Mason said.
It seems that someone, likely an individual who had seen the family at the bank, had called to report them for suspected child abuse or neglect, apparently making up a claim that the children had bruises on them and saying that Bill was not their father.
“The officials stated that they needed to do a safety check on the family’s ‘five children’ (not seven) because it had been reported that the children were out in public with a strange man who was not their father, and they had bruises on their arms as though they had been improperly grabbed,” Mason said.
“The CPS investigator moved all seven of the children farther away from Bill and Kristy and questioned the kids. At least one of the boys had to remove his shirt, on the investigator’s orders. The girls would have had to do the same, but Kristy objected and insisted on being present for the girls’ physical examinations. The investigator pulled up the girls’ sleeves, lifted their clothing, and took pictures. Kristy and Bill’s 10-year-old daughter, in particular, felt extremely uncomfortable having her privacy and dignity invaded in this way.”
Mason pointed out that no bruises were found, and since the kids were all wearing long sleeves, no one at the bank would have been able to see their arms anyway.
The child services worker, apparently unsatisfied with evidence that no abuse was taking place, reportedly demanded that all of the children be taken to a health department location for further examination despite the fact that Kristy was pregnant, and didn’t particularly want to risk being infected with the coronavirus.
Mason suggested a bank employee may have been the one to make the call, as child services was under the impression there were only five children (not seven), which is how many the parents brought into the lobby with them.
The attorney further speculated that the bank employee might have been abusing the state’s anonymous reporting system as “retaliation” for the family not adhering to social distancing guidelines.
But how is a family of nine supposed to “not gather in groups,” as is suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
Mason argued the case is an example of why anonymous reporting systems designed to protect children are flawed, and said it is evidence that government agencies like this one should not be permitted to continue open-ended investigations after it is apparent that no abuse or neglect has occurred.
“A hotline tip should not be an invitation to fish around for additional details about a family’s life,” he wrote. “A typical investigation includes private interviews with the children, ‘body checks’ (in other words, strip searches), searches of the home, medical records checks, and more. And contrary to common sense, it is understood by CPS investigators around the country that once they begin this intrusive process, they must complete it, even if they discover the tip is false.”
While the horror these parents probably felt is not an emotion that’s necessarily applicable to everyone, we have all now seen what can happen when government is allowed to run amok with little or no oversight.
Some people who are essentially locked indoors are being encouraged to report members of their community for not following government-mandated stay-at-home orders, while others have been investigated, harassed and even arrested for attempting to live their lives while being smart about avoiding crowds.
Governments are exercising powers not granted to them by the Constitution, and ordinary Americans are finding themselves targets of government overreach.
In the case of Bill, Kristy and their family, it appears someone made a false claim that caused an unnecessary ordeal.
While the family was not investigated for failure to socially distance, it seems that the action of simply being together might have been a motivating factor behind what ultimately became the child services investigation.
Which family might be next?
As some state and municipal governments across the country have without a doubt exceeded their authority in recent weeks, the family’s nightmare is one that we can probably all identify with, now that we see the importance of protecting our rights from limitless government action.
There are few things more concerning than government officials exercising authority with no accountability.
It is even more terrifying when those officials continue to act after they are aware they have gotten it wrong.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-30--Judson Phillips: Conservative Should See Through Google’s Coronavirus ‘Do-Goodery’

While millions of Americans are losing their jobs , financial security and even their lives due to the coronavirus , Google is hoping to come out of crisis with an improved image .
The media is filled with stories like “ Tech ’ s moment to shine ( or not ) , ” “ What Techlash ?
Virus Could Remake Industry Giants ’ Image , ” and “ Has the Coronavirus Killed the Techlash ?
” While Google can play an important role in helping fight the virus and the economic fallout , a new public relations campaign doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fundamental problems with stealing intellectual property , censoring dissenting voices , violating antitrust laws and invading user privacy .
Google is using the virus to hasten some of its worst policies .
It exploited legitimate concerns about fraudulent coronavirus cures to increase censorship on the grounds of fighting “ misinformation.
” Similarly , Google and Apple are collectively taking privacy invasions to an unprecedented level by initiating a “ contact tracing technology ” to monitor the movements of all their users in the name of “ social distancing.
” TRENDING : CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID Conservative lawmakers like Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley have taken note of this egregious data grab that Google and Apple may commit during the pandemic .
In a letter to the companies ’ leadership , he wrote , “ The possible implications this project could have for privacy are alarming .
For example , your materials state that the data necessary for this project will be anonymized .
But anonymity in data is notoriously unstable .
Data typically can be reidentified simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pairing the data from this project with the GPS data that both your companies already collect could readily reveal individual identities.
” The coronavirus has also given Google a temporary reprieve on having to own up to its massive intellectual property violations when the Supreme Court delayed oral arguments in Google v. Oracle from March to October .
The case involves Google ’ s appropriation of over 11,000 of Oracle ’ s Java API code to make early versions of the Android .
As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of Google taking a license to use and adapt the Java platform for mobile devices.
” However , the “ parties were unable to reach an agreement , in part because Google wanted device manufacturers to be able to use Oracle ’ s APIs in Android for free with no limits on modifying the code.
” After these negotiations broke down , Google simply took and used the code without permission or compensation .
Google does not dispute any of these facts , but instead argues that software interfaces are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an amicus brief in the case , Google “ has not identified any industry understanding that software ‘ interfaces ’ are per se uncopyrightable , and concerns about the interaction of copyright and emerging technology do not justify such an atextual rule.
” Ultimately , however , this case is about far more than just the software interfaces .
It ’ s about whether Google is above the law .
Alex Macgillivray , Google ’ s deputy general counsel when the company took the Java API code , admitted , “ Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terribly much about precedent or law .
… They ’ re trying to get a product launched.
” Although he was referring to Google scanning of copyrighted books without permission , the arrogant attitude applies to this case as well .
RELATED : Joyce Toledano : US Businesses Depend on Hong Kong ’ s Role as a Global Hub Google can continue to use this pandemic to boost its positive press all it wants , but the American people will see through its charades .
Whether it comes to privacy , antitrust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has always used its enormous wealth and power over control of information to try to reshape the law rather than follow it .
That hasn ’ t changed during the current crisis – in fact , it ’ s only gotten worse because of it .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

While millions of Americans are losing their jobs, financial security and even their lives due to the coronavirus, Google is hoping to come out of crisis with an improved image.
The media is filled with stories like “Tech’s moment to shine (or not),” “What Techlash? Virus Could Remake Industry Giants’ Image,” and “Has the Coronavirus Killed the Techlash?”
While Google can play an important role in helping fight the virus and the economic fallout, a new public relations campaign doesn’t change the fact that the company has fundamental problems with stealing intellectual property, censoring dissenting voices, violating antitrust laws and invading user privacy.
Google is using the virus to hasten some of its worst policies. It exploited legitimate concerns about fraudulent coronavirus cures to increase censorship on the grounds of fighting “misinformation.”
Similarly, Google and Apple are collectively taking privacy invasions to an unprecedented level by initiating a “contact tracing technology” to monitor the movements of all their users in the name of “social distancing.”
Conservative lawmakers like Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley have taken note of this egregious data grab that Google and Apple may commit during the pandemic.
In a letter to the companies’ leadership, he wrote, “The possible implications this project could have for privacy are alarming. For example, your materials state that the data necessary for this project will be anonymized. But anonymity in data is notoriously unstable. Data typically can be reidentified simply by cross-referencing it with another data set. Pairing the data from this project with the GPS data that both your companies already collect could readily reveal individual identities.”
The coronavirus has also given Google a temporary reprieve on having to own up to its massive intellectual property violations when the Supreme Court delayed oral arguments in Google v. Oracle from March to October.
The case involves Google’s appropriation of over 11,000 of Oracle’s Java API code to make early versions of the Android. As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit explained, Google had discussed “the possibility of Google taking a license to use and adapt the Java platform for mobile devices.”
Do you think Google must be held accountable for its actions? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (25 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
However, the “parties were unable to reach an agreement, in part because Google wanted device manufacturers to be able to use Oracle’s APIs in Android for free with no limits on modifying the code.”
After these negotiations broke down, Google simply took and used the code without permission or compensation.
Google does not dispute any of these facts, but instead argues that software interfaces are not copyrightable. As the Trump administration noted in an amicus brief in the case, Google “has not identified any industry understanding that software ‘interfaces’ are per se uncopyrightable, and concerns about the interaction of copyright and emerging technology do not justify such an atextual rule.”
Ultimately, however, this case is about far more than just the software interfaces. It’s about whether Google is above the law.
Alex Macgillivray, Google’s deputy general counsel when the company took the Java API code, admitted, “Google’s leadership doesn’t care terribly much about precedent or law. … They’re trying to get a product launched.” Although he was referring to Google scanning of copyrighted books without permission, the arrogant attitude applies to this case as well.
Google can continue to use this pandemic to boost its positive press all it wants, but the American people will see through its charades.
Whether it comes to privacy, antitrust, free speech or intellectual property, Google has always used its enormous wealth and power over control of information to try to reshape the law rather than follow it.
That hasn’t changed during the current crisis – in fact, it’s only gotten worse because of it.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Alaska School Board Removes ‘The Great Gatsby,’ Other ‘Controversial’ Classic Books

As political correctness continues to find its way into modern culture , it has now reached the doorsteps of the American classroom and will impact a student ’ s academic access to classic , foundational literature .
On April 22 , the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school board in Alaska voted 5-2 to remove five books from the school curriculum .
The most notable book to be banned was F. Scott Fitzgerald ’ s “ The Great Gatsby.
” The others were a series of classics including Ralph Ellison ’ s “ Invisible Man , ” Maya Angelou ’ s “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Joseph Heller ’ s “ Catch-22 ” and Tim O ’ Brien ’ s “ The Things They Carried.
” During the vote to remove the books , one school board member , Jim Hart , voiced his concern over the books in question , citing “ equal opportunity ” concerns .
“ If I were to read this in a professional environment at my office , I would be dragged to the equal opportunity office , ” Hart said , according to KTUU-TV .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Female VP “ Is there a reason that we include books that we even labeled as controversial in our curriculum ?
I would prefer they were gone , ” board member Jeff Taylor said .
James L. W. West III , a professor emeritus of English at Penn State University and editor of “ The Cambridge Edition of the Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald ” collection , commented on the Alaskan school board ’ s decision .
“ I ’ m not surprised by this attempt to regulate what students read .
‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel .
It undermines many of the myths about wealth and beauty with which we soothe ourselves , ” West said an email to The Western Journal .
“ Let ’ s hope that the students in Mat-Su Borough read Gatsby on their own , and then hand the book to their parents .
It ’ s a good novel to talk about together during the [ coronavirus ] shutdown.
” The Mat-Su community is by no means fully supportive of the school board ’ s decision .
Several members of the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these five classic books .
The Mat-Su Education Association released a statement on Friday condemning the school board ’ s controversial decision .
“ This is a blatant effort to curtail critical thinking , stifle discussion , and deprive our students of the opportunity to share , as a class , the experience of studying some of the most classic American literature , ” Dianne K. Shibe , president of the Mat-Su Education Association , said in a statement .
Eric Howk , a guitarist for the indie rock band Portugal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has offered to buy any student or parent in the community a copy of one or more of the recently banned books .
“ Growing up as a kid in rural Mat-Su , story time was everything , ” Howk told KTVA .
“ And books were everything.
” Howk went on to explain that this was a decision parents should be making for their children , not one that should be left up to the school board , echoing West ’ s suggestion that parents and children read books like “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s always kind of startling to hear that decisions are being made not by the parents or not by the students and not by the next generation of people after me that live there , ” Howk said .
“ But by , you know , seven individuals and five chose no.
” Those five “ no ” votes left West asking a sobering question about the status of classic literature in school curricula .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards @

As political correctness continues to find its way into modern culture, it has now reached the doorsteps of the American classroom and will impact a student’s academic access to classic, foundational literature.
On April 22, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school board in Alaska voted 5-2 to remove five books from the school curriculum.
The most notable book to be banned was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” The others were a series of classics including Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man,” Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” and Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.”
During the vote to remove the books, one school board member, Jim Hart, voiced his concern over the books in question, citing “equal opportunity” concerns.
“If I were to read this in a professional environment at my office, I would be dragged to the equal opportunity office,” Hart said, according to KTUU-TV.
“Is there a reason that we include books that we even labeled as controversial in our curriculum? I would prefer they were gone,” board member Jeff Taylor said.
James L. W. West III, a professor emeritus of English at Penn State University and editor of “The Cambridge Edition of the Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald” collection, commented on the Alaskan school board’s decision.
“I’m not surprised by this attempt to regulate what students read. ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a subversive novel. It undermines many of the myths about wealth and beauty with which we soothe ourselves,” West said an email to The Western Journal.
“Let’s hope that the students in Mat-Su Borough read Gatsby on their own, and then hand the book to their parents. It’s a good novel to talk about together during the [coronavirus] shutdown.”
Do you think 'The Great Gatsby' should be removed from school curricula? 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: 0% (0 Votes) No: 100% (166 Votes)
The Mat-Su community is by no means fully supportive of the school board’s decision. Several members of the community have spoken out against the banning of these five classic books.
The Mat-Su Education Association released a statement on Friday condemning the school board’s controversial decision.
“This is a blatant effort to curtail critical thinking, stifle discussion, and deprive our students of the opportunity to share, as a class, the experience of studying some of the most classic American literature,” Dianne K. Shibe, president of the Mat-Su Education Association, said in a statement.
Hey Mat-Su friends, your School Board recently banned five great books from its high school curriculum. We believe this decision is narrow-minded and un-Patriotic, and we are not OK with it. — PTM (@portugaltheman) April 29, 2020
Eric Howk, a guitarist for the indie rock band Portugal. The Man, grew up in Mat-Su and has offered to buy any student or parent in the community a copy of one or more of the recently banned books.
“Growing up as a kid in rural Mat-Su, story time was everything,” Howk told KTVA. “And books were everything.”
Howk went on to explain that this was a decision parents should be making for their children, not one that should be left up to the school board, echoing West’s suggestion that parents and children read books like “The Great Gatsby” together.
“It’s always kind of startling to hear that decisions are being made not by the parents or not by the students and not by the next generation of people after me that live there,” Howk said. “But by, you know, seven individuals and five chose no.”
Those five “no” votes left West asking a sobering question about the status of classic literature in school curricula.
“Good Lord! What’s left, I wonder?”
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Karen Pence Defends Mike from Outrage Mob After Mayo Clinic Mask Confusion

Second lady Karen Pence defended the vice president on Thursday after he was criticized for not wearing a protective mask during his visit to the Minnesota Mayo Clinic this week .
“ As our medical experts have told us , wearing a mask prevents you from spreading the disease , and knowing that he doesn ’ t have COVID-19 , he didn ’ t wear one , ” Karen Pence told Fox News ’ “ Fox & Friends , ” saying Vice President Mike Pence had tested negative for the virus .
On April 13 , the Mayo Clinic announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors to wear a face mask or cover when they visit the clinic .
Patients and visitors are asked to bring their own , but if they do not have a mask , the Mayo Clinic would provide one .
The clinic had tweeted that it informed the vice president of the policy prior to his arrival , but it later deleted the claim , Fox News reported .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP “ It was actually after he left Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask , ” Karen Pence told “ Fox & Friends.
” Video footage and photographs from Pence ’ s visit to the clinic show the vice president not wearing a mask while everyone else around him was .
Pence told reporters that he agreed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask guidelines and said that he , and everyone around him , is regularly tested for the virus .
Many Democrats , mainstream media figures and celebrities were quick to criticize Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit to the Mayo Clinic , he was trying to show us how ‘ tough ’ he is — but just showed his arrogance , lack of concern for others , and vanity , ” Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted .
Actress Barbra Streisand tweeted that Pence and President Donald Trump are “ terrible role models for our nation.
” RELATED : Book Claims Team Trump Paid for Karen Pence 's Inauguration Gown After Her Concerns About Price Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois scolded Pence and told WMAQ-TV , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as irresponsibly as the hosts who were holding a house party [ over the weekend ] in Chicago.
” Fellow Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis , a Republican , countered that the guidelines don ’ t say everyone has to “ wear a mask 24 hours a day.
” “ The guidelines aren ’ t wear a mask every second , every day , ” he said .
“ It is be safe.
” Karen Pence added , “ Someone who has worked on this whole task force for over two months is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offend anyone or hurt anyone or scare anyone.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Second lady Karen Pence defended the vice president on Thursday after he was criticized for not wearing a protective mask during his visit to the Minnesota Mayo Clinic this week.
“As our medical experts have told us, wearing a mask prevents you from spreading the disease, and knowing that he doesn’t have COVID-19, he didn’t wear one,” Karen Pence told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” saying Vice President Mike Pence had tested negative for the virus.
On April 13, the Mayo Clinic announced that it would require all patients and visitors to wear a face mask or cover when they visit the clinic.
Patients and visitors are asked to bring their own, but if they do not have a mask, the Mayo Clinic would provide one.
The clinic had tweeted that it informed the vice president of the policy prior to his arrival, but it later deleted the claim, Fox News reported.
The Mayo Clinic has apparently deleted this tweet, in which it said it told Pence of its mask policy before he declined to wear one. pic.twitter.com/UAQaWG6E8a — Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) April 28, 2020
“It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out that they had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask,” Karen Pence told “Fox & Friends.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Video footage and photographs from Pence’s visit to the clinic show the vice president not wearing a mask while everyone else around him was.
Pence told reporters that he agreed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask guidelines and said that he, and everyone around him, is regularly tested for the virus.
Many Democrats, mainstream media figures and celebrities were quick to criticize Pence’s decision.
“In Pence’s visit to the Mayo Clinic, he was trying to show us how ‘tough’ he is — but just showed his arrogance, lack of concern for others, and vanity,” Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted.
Actress Barbra Streisand tweeted that Pence and President Donald Trump are “terrible role models for our nation.”
Pence was warned to wear a mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic and refused. Do he and Trump think they’re invincible or is Pence afraid of Trump? What terrible role models for our nation. https://t.co/xKXWOWHuIt — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) April 28, 2020
Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois scolded Pence and told WMAQ-TV, “I think the vice president was acting as irresponsibly as the hosts who were holding a house party [over the weekend] in Chicago.”
Do you think Pence should have been wearing a mask? 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: 35% (77 Votes) No: 65% (141 Votes)
Fellow Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, a Republican, countered that the guidelines don’t say everyone has to “wear a mask 24 hours a day.”
“The guidelines aren’t wear a mask every second, every day,” he said. “It is be safe.”
Karen Pence added, “Someone who has worked on this whole task force for over two months is not someone who would have done anything to offend anyone or hurt anyone or scare anyone.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Leftists Call for MSNBC Anchor’s Removal After He Reports on Biden Accusation

The hashtag “ FireChrisHayes ” was trending on Twitter after MSNBC host Chris Hayes covered the sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during his show Wednesday night .
The “ All In ” host had welcomed New York magazine ’ s Rebecca Traister to his program to discuss her essay “ The Biden Trap , ” which criticized the former vice president for not directly addressing the accusation made by a former Senate staffer , Tara Reade .
Although Biden has been interviewed many times since the allegation was brought forward , he has yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There have been moments , I think for many of us , all of us , when we have heard about accusations against someone that we find ourselves desperately wanting not to believe , ” Hayes said .
“ But part of the difficult lesson of the MeToo era is not that every accusation is true and everything should be believed on its face , but that you do have to fight yourself when you feel that impulse.
” TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have to do that in order to take seriously what is being alleged , what the evidence is and to evaluate it .
And that is the case with the accusation by a woman named Tara Reade against Joe Biden.
” Reade , who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993 , has said Biden kissed , groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance .
However , Biden ’ s campaign has said the incident “ never happened.
” Traister told Hayes that because the former vice president hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the women supporting his candidacy or who want to be his running mate have to answer questions about the allegation for him .
“ What this is creating is a kind of a perfect storm where the women who are being asked to support his opponent are now being asked to answer for these charges , ” she said , according to NewsBusters .
“ In part because of the vacuum created by Joe Biden who is not yet really directly answering these questions , and certainly , not doing what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say : ‘ Please direct your questions about these allegations to me , and not the women that are out there offering their support to my candidacy.
’ ” Hayes agreed and said , “ The man in question , the nominee , the former vice president , is going to have to address them .
And not have Stacey Abrams or anyone else , or Kirsten Gillibrand be the ones to do that.
” Following his segment , however , people quickly started sharing tweets with the hashtag “ FireChrisHayes.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Hayes publicly apologizes for doing a segment on a noncredible and inconsistent story in primetime , ” one user who goes by the name United for the People tweeted .
RELATED : Pelosi Snaps at Reporter Over Double Standard Question : 'Joe Biden Is Joe Biden' Another person added that the MSNBC host had “ officially endorsed the reelection of the worst president in U.S. history Donald Trump.
” “ When you promote National Enquirer style gossip on your network that only seeks to empower Trump , then you are the enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Glenn Greenwald , however , suggested the furor was misplaced .
“ Chris Hayes has been one of the media ’ s most virulent , relentless & arguably effective Trump critics — an all-consuming loathing for the President — but # FireChrisHayes was trending because he covered the sex assault allegations against Biden , ” he tweeted .
“ Shows what MSNBC has cultivated.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The hashtag “FireChrisHayes” was trending on Twitter after MSNBC host Chris Hayes covered the sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during his show Wednesday night.
The “All In” host had welcomed New York magazine’s Rebecca Traister to his program to discuss her essay “The Biden Trap,” which criticized the former vice president for not directly addressing the accusation made by a former Senate staffer, Tara Reade.
Although Biden has been interviewed many times since the allegation was brought forward, he has yet to address them, The Hill reported.
“There have been moments, I think for many of us, all of us, when we have heard about accusations against someone that we find ourselves desperately wanting not to believe,” Hayes said.
“But part of the difficult lesson of the MeToo era is not that every accusation is true and everything should be believed on its face, but that you do have to fight yourself when you feel that impulse.”
He added, “You have to do that in order to take seriously what is being alleged, what the evidence is and to evaluate it. And that is the case with the accusation by a woman named Tara Reade against Joe Biden.”
Reade, who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993, has said Biden kissed, groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance. However, Biden’s campaign has said the incident “never happened.”
Traister told Hayes that because the former vice president hasn’t directly addressed the accusation himself, the women supporting his candidacy or who want to be his running mate have to answer questions about the allegation for him.
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“What this is creating is a kind of a perfect storm where the women who are being asked to support his opponent are now being asked to answer for these charges,” she said, according to NewsBusters.
“In part because of the vacuum created by Joe Biden who is not yet really directly answering these questions, and certainly, not doing what I wish he would, which is to say: ‘Please direct your questions about these allegations to me, and not the women that are out there offering their support to my candidacy.’”
Hayes agreed and said, “The man in question, the nominee, the former vice president, is going to have to address them. And not have Stacey Abrams or anyone else, or Kirsten Gillibrand be the ones to do that.”
Following his segment, however, people quickly started sharing tweets with the hashtag “FireChrisHayes.”
“I will not be watching MSNBC until Chris Hayes publicly apologizes for doing a segment on a noncredible and inconsistent story in primetime,” one user who goes by the name United for the People tweeted.
Legal experts confirm that the allegations against Joe Biden aren’t remotely credible. Chris Hayes factually misrepresented the story on air last night.#FireChrisHayes https://t.co/GqijMM5IFI — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) April 30, 2020
#FireChrisHayes I’m ALL IN for sending Chris Hayes to FOX NONEWS….seems like he’s become a trump sympathizer. — curiosity ??♀????✌ (@CKveen) April 30, 2020
I have zero tolerance for Journalistic jokes like @chrislhayes.
My goal from now until election day is to organize to get him fired.#FireChrisHayes — Biden_Brigade (@biden_brigade) April 30, 2020
Another person added that the MSNBC host had “officially endorsed the reelection of the worst president in U.S. history Donald Trump.”
“When you promote National Enquirer style gossip on your network that only seeks to empower Trump, then you are the enemy,” that tweet read.
Journalists like Glenn Greenwald, however, suggested the furor was misplaced.
“Chris Hayes has been one of the media’s most virulent, relentless & arguably effective Trump critics — an all-consuming loathing for the President — but #FireChrisHayes was trending because he covered the sex assault allegations against Biden,” he tweeted. “Shows what MSNBC has cultivated.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--NASCAR Announces Season Will Resume with Unprecedented Bonanza of 4 Races in 10 Days

NASCAR announced Thursday that it will resume its season without fans starting May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina with the premier Cup Series racing three more times in a 10-day span .
NASCAR joins the UFC as the first major sports organizations to announce specific return-to-play plans since the coronavirus pandemic shut down U.S. sports in mid-March .
“ NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing , and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition , ” said Steve O ’ Donnell , NASCAR executive vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors , officials and all those in the local community , ” he said .
NASCAR ’ s revised schedule goes only through May and has a pair of Wednesday Cup races , fulfilling fans ’ longtime plea for midweek events .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP The first race is scheduled for Darlington , NASCAR ’ s oldest superspeedway , followed by a second race at the 70-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charlotte Motor Speedway will then host the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 to mark 60 consecutive years the longest race on the NASCAR schedule will be held on Memorial Day weekend .
The track in Concord , outside NASCAR ’ s home base of Charlotte , will then host a Wednesday race three days later .
There will also be lower-tier Xfinity and Trucks series races at the two tracks .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper has said the Charlotte races can be held as long as health conditions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a proactive effort to put our motorsports industry back to work and boost the morale of sports fans around the world , while at the same time keeping the health and safety of all who will be on site the top priority , ” said Marcus Smith , president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports .
He said that “ sports fans around the world need this , a return to some sense of normalcy with live sports on TV , and NASCAR is uniquely positioned to deliver it from a competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely hold the events using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing and personal protective equipment .
RELATED : Black NASCAR Driver Issues Emotional Statement on Larson 's Racial Slur : ' I Am Not Mad at Him' Only essential personnel will be permitted to attend the events , and cloth face masks will be required .
The entire venue will be used to maintain distancing in garage stalls and where the haulers are parked .
NASCAR suspended its season March 13 with only four of its 36 scheduled races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily reliant on television money and sponsor payments , has vowed to complete its full schedule .
The revised schedule , for now , stays at tracks within driving distance of Charlotte-based race teams and in states that have started reopening .
“ Darlington is one of the most iconic and historic tracks in the sport and will be a tremendous backdrop when NASCAR returns to racing , ” said track President Kerry Tharp , who noted the track will now have three Cup races in one season for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open the playoffs with the Southern 500 on Sept. 6 .
Because the track now has two additional dates , NASCAR will lose two Cup races from its other properties .
The same goes for Speedway Motorsports , which gained one additional race so far and will have to forfeit one at another facility .
Almost all teams began returning to their shops this week with either a reduced initial workforce or in split shifts .
Now that NASCAR has told the teams where it will be racing this month , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two tracks .
Although Florida and Texas invited NASCAR to compete in those states without spectators , the sanctioning body is holding off on scheduling events at tracks that require air travel and hotel accommodations .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

NASCAR announced Thursday that it will resume its season without fans starting May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina with the premier Cup Series racing three more times in a 10-day span.
NASCAR joins the UFC as the first major sports organizations to announce specific return-to-play plans since the coronavirus pandemic shut down U.S. sports in mid-March.
“NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer.
“NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community,” he said.
NASCAR’s revised schedule goes only through May and has a pair of Wednesday Cup races, fulfilling fans’ longtime plea for midweek events.
The first race is scheduled for Darlington, NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway, followed by a second race at the 70-year-old, egg-shaped oval track three days later.
Charlotte Motor Speedway will then host the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 to mark 60 consecutive years the longest race on the NASCAR schedule will be held on Memorial Day weekend.
The track in Concord, outside NASCAR’s home base of Charlotte, will then host a Wednesday race three days later.
There will also be lower-tier Xfinity and Trucks series races at the two tracks.
Take a look at the full slate of races coming up at @TooToughToTame and @CLTMotorSpdwy: https://t.co/NgkyOaamlE pic.twitter.com/makWol5CP9 — NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2020
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has said the Charlotte races can be held as long as health conditions in the area do not deteriorate.
“This has been a proactive effort to put our motorsports industry back to work and boost the morale of sports fans around the world, while at the same time keeping the health and safety of all who will be on site the top priority,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports.
He said that “sports fans around the world need this, a return to some sense of normalcy with live sports on TV, and NASCAR is uniquely positioned to deliver it from a competition standpoint.”
NASCAR has set guidelines to safely hold the events using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing and personal protective equipment.
Only essential personnel will be permitted to attend the events, and cloth face masks will be required. The entire venue will be used to maintain distancing in garage stalls and where the haulers are parked.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development, shares more about returning to action at @TooToughToTame and @CLTMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/dnpX9vi9YW — NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2020
NASCAR suspended its season March 13 with only four of its 36 scheduled races completed. The stock car series, heavily reliant on television money and sponsor payments, has vowed to complete its full schedule.
The revised schedule, for now, stays at tracks within driving distance of Charlotte-based race teams and in states that have started reopening.
“Darlington is one of the most iconic and historic tracks in the sport and will be a tremendous backdrop when NASCAR returns to racing,” said track President Kerry Tharp, who noted the track will now have three Cup races in one season for the first time in its history.
Darlington is also scheduled to open the playoffs with the Southern 500 on Sept. 6.
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Because the track now has two additional dates, NASCAR will lose two Cup races from its other properties. The same goes for Speedway Motorsports, which gained one additional race so far and will have to forfeit one at another facility.
Almost all teams began returning to their shops this week with either a reduced initial workforce or in split shifts.
Now that NASCAR has told the teams where it will be racing this month, they can start preparing cars suitable for the two tracks.
Although Florida and Texas invited NASCAR to compete in those states without spectators, the sanctioning body is holding off on scheduling events at tracks that require air travel and hotel accommodations.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Truck Driver Touched by 19-Year-Old Wendy’s Manager’s Act of Kindness

When we want to show our gratitude to those serving our communities , a thank-you is often appreciated .
But when a thank-you comes in the form of a needed service or item , the gratitude is felt much more deeply .
It doesn ’ t even have to be anything monumental , it ’ s all about timing and resources .
On March 23 , trucker Justin Martin from Ontario , Canada , was passing through Ohio .
When he stopped that evening in Circleville , the normally buzzing stop was a ghost town .
Only a few other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants looked dead — except for one .
There was a Wendy ’ s with a few cars in the parking lot , so , left with no other choice , Martin decided to walk over and see if it was still open .
TRENDING : CNN 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID The dining room was closed .
However , an employee did open the drive-thru window to talk to him and let him know they were closed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Martin said thanks , and was most likely facing a night with no hot food .
But the employee had a thought and told him to hang on a moment .
She went and got the manager , 19-year-old Zach Meadows .
When Meadows heard about Martin ’ s plight , he went to speak to the trucker himself .
“ We had actually been closed for about 5-10 minutes , ” Meadows said , according to a blog post on the Ohio University , Chillicothe , website .
“ When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man , I found out that he was a truck driver .
He asked if it was a problem because he hadn ’ t really eaten all day .
I told him to give me a second and asked if he wanted something to drink.
” “ He told me he wanted a small root beer , but I [ gave ] him a large since he ’ s on the road eight to nine hours a day , ” he said .
“ I just wanted to do what I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , but I refused .
I told him , ‘ It ’ s free for us , so it should be free to you . '
” There was only one problem : Meadows was breaking the rules by giving Martin the food free of charge .
But in that moment , he decided that helping out a trucker in these turbulent times was more important than following general rules .
As he stated in one interview , “ rules are rules , but sometimes being a good person just outweighs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of food and a large soda .
Touched by the kindness of the Circleville Wendy ’ s , he filmed a video once he got back to his truck , explaining what had happened and publicly thanking the young manager and two employees .
“ To me , Zach is the perfect example of an Ohioan — the bread and butter , blue collar people , who love their state and have a lot of pride in who they are when they represent their state , ” Martin told Chillicothe .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were really proud of Zach .
They were so proud that a truck driver got treated that way by one of their own and that ’ s exactly what Zach is — he is an Ohioan.
” “ It ’ s all about Zach and his staff that night .
The girl working the window went to get Zach [ even ] after she told me that she was sorry because they had already thrown out all the extra food .
I was ready to walk away , but she told me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other kid working the drink dispenser was adamant that I was going to have a soda , and I don ’ t even really drink soda , ” he said .
“ It was just the fact that they wouldn ’ t let me go without one.
” The video started circulating , and it wasn ’ t long before it got back to Meadows .
That meant his superiors saw it , too — but he didn ’ t get in trouble for his actions .
“ When I woke up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these text messages ; people trying to call me , including the vice president of Wendy ’ s ; all my fellow managers congratulating me , ” he said .
“ It was humbling for sure .
At noon the next day the video had about 75,000 views.
” “ Truck drivers are working their tails off right now with the situation we ’ re dealing with , ” he added .
“ It was just a little token of appreciation that went a long way , something I could do to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t want to turn anyone away from not eating — no matter who they are or what they do — it ’ s something I would ’ ve done regardless of our situation.
” Martin hopes that all the attention his video is getting benefits Meadows , and Meadows hopes that more people will be inspired “ to do nice things for the people around them.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When we want to show our gratitude to those serving our communities, a thank-you is often appreciated.
But when a thank-you comes in the form of a needed service or item, the gratitude is felt much more deeply. It doesn’t even have to be anything monumental, it’s all about timing and resources.
On March 23, trucker Justin Martin from Ontario, Canada, was passing through Ohio. When he stopped that evening in Circleville, the normally buzzing stop was a ghost town. Only a few other trucks were parked, and all the restaurants looked dead — except for one.
There was a Wendy’s with a few cars in the parking lot, so, left with no other choice, Martin decided to walk over and see if it was still open.
The dining room was closed. However, an employee did open the drive-thru window to talk to him and let him know they were closed and had just tossed all the leftover food.
Martin said thanks, and was most likely facing a night with no hot food. But the employee had a thought and told him to hang on a moment.
She went and got the manager, 19-year-old Zach Meadows. When Meadows heard about Martin’s plight, he went to speak to the trucker himself.
“We had actually been closed for about 5-10 minutes,” Meadows said, according to a blog post on the Ohio University, Chillicothe, website. “When I approached the window and began talking to the man, I found out that he was a truck driver. He asked if it was a problem because he hadn’t really eaten all day. I told him to give me a second and asked if he wanted something to drink.”
“He told me he wanted a small root beer, but I [gave] him a large since he’s on the road eight to nine hours a day,” he said. “I just wanted to do what I could to help. He tried to pay me, but I refused. I told him, ‘It’s free for us, so it should be free to you.'”
There was only one problem: Meadows was breaking the rules by giving Martin the food free of charge. But in that moment, he decided that helping out a trucker in these turbulent times was more important than following general rules. As he stated in one interview, “rules are rules, but sometimes being a good person just outweighs the consequences.”
Martin ended up with a variety of food and a large soda. Touched by the kindness of the Circleville Wendy’s, he filmed a video once he got back to his truck, explaining what had happened and publicly thanking the young manager and two employees.
“To me, Zach is the perfect example of an Ohioan — the bread and butter, blue collar people, who love their state and have a lot of pride in who they are when they represent their state,” Martin told Chillicothe. “Once this video got out, Ohioans were really proud of Zach. They were so proud that a truck driver got treated that way by one of their own and that’s exactly what Zach is — he is an Ohioan.”
“It’s all about Zach and his staff that night. The girl working the window went to get Zach [even] after she told me that she was sorry because they had already thrown out all the extra food. I was ready to walk away, but she told me to hold on a minute.”
“Even the other kid working the drink dispenser was adamant that I was going to have a soda, and I don’t even really drink soda,” he said. “It was just the fact that they wouldn’t let me go without one.”
The video started circulating, and it wasn’t long before it got back to Meadows. That meant his superiors saw it, too — but he didn’t get in trouble for his actions.
“When I woke up the next morning, I had all these text messages; people trying to call me, including the vice president of Wendy’s; all my fellow managers congratulating me,” he said. “It was humbling for sure. At noon the next day the video had about 75,000 views.”
“Truck drivers are working their tails off right now with the situation we’re dealing with,” he added. “It was just a little token of appreciation that went a long way, something I could do to make sure he was fed that night.”
“I don’t want to turn anyone away from not eating — no matter who they are or what they do — it’s something I would’ve done regardless of our situation.”
Martin hopes that all the attention his video is getting benefits Meadows, and Meadows hopes that more people will be inspired “to do nice things for the people around them.”
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